Would it be too cliche to quote Bad Romance here?

[requiresssacrifice]

Who: Rex and Odessa
What: A DATE
Where: Rex's lab
When: One evening
Notes: Witness two people who really shouldn't be together.
Warnings: None yet; will update if need be.

Rex has never been on a conventional date before. Well, that's not strictly true. He and Iago had certainly gone out many times while in Baedal-- when they had the money-- but that was already an established relationship, so he hardly counted it. They had a... routine. Rex often knew where things were going to go, because they had time on their side.

With Odessa, things are different. New and unexplored. Open, even, what with the entire city at their fingertips. No longer does Rex have to improvise like he did with Wichita, constrained by the limitations of prison.

And yet, old habits are hard to break. Rather than go out to one of the many restaurants the city has to offer, Rex works with what he has: his lab. Bunsen burners are lit for ambiance, a bottle of wine and two glasses are set out on one of the tables and, to top things off, his briefcase sits next to the setup. It's a simple setup on the surface, but as far as Rex is concerned, there's nothing simplistic about his decision to let Odessa in on his most precious project.

Nanomites, the fast track to romance.

Comments

[whattigerscanchange]

If she'd been smart, or maybe nicer, Odessa would have backed off the moment Rex confessed to her that Wichita wasn't just someone he used to know, but his ex. It is definitely profoundly fucked up, and she can't bring herself to care about that, either.

If anything, she's capitalising on it. Consciously.

There could be any number of insecurities brought to mind in this moment, from the thought that he's kissed her double, and more. Odessa pushes them down in favour of enjoying this moment. Her hands slide down to rest against his chest and a sigh escapes her lips when they finally part from his. "We should probably... get your project packed up and set aside before something truly tragic happens."

Science before sex.

[requiresssacrifice]

"Oh."

Oh. And just like that, Rex remembers why he didn't lose his virginity until the Barge. Science. His first priority. Sex may be enjoyable, but it's ultimately a distraction, one that leads people to make sloppy mistakes.

"Priorities."

He quickly disengages, moving over to snap his briefcase shut and move it onto a table at the far end of the room.

There.

Much better.

[whattigerscanchange]

Odessa takes that opportunity to move the wine bottle and glasses and make sure she isn't likely to knock over any of the Bunsen burners while Rex secures his precious nanomites. "Priorities," she agrees." She wasn't much younger than him when she turned in her v-card, either.

She's smiling almost devilishly when he makes his way back to her, having reclaimed her seat on the table again. "Now... Where were we?" Her index fingers hook through the loops of his belt, tugging him toward her gently.