#decimatlas: otto octavius

[braeveries]

“ we’re a good team, you know. “ otto to mallory

Mallory feels a heat rise to her cheeks at the remark, as she smiles down at the table, watching as the machine matches her hands actions seamlessly, flexing and releasing with equal strength. She tries to shoo her thoughts away, clearing her throat before giving the Doctor a simple nod, moving the sensor over to his palm and stepping over to the clipboard. She was finding any excuse to turn her back to the large man to hide her face, deeming the reaction to his comment far too inappropriate.

[braeveries]

“i don't know who i am anymore.” otto to mal (slowly losing control of the arms…)

❛ Shh, don't say that. ❜ Mallory whispers as she sinks to the floor with the towering man, tangling her fingers through his thick, coarse hair. She looks up as the large metal limbs slowly peer over Otto's body, watching her every move. ❛ My Otto.. I'm right here, I'm not leaving you. ❜ She promises, holding his face flush against her chest, resting her chin on his head.

[braeveries]

❛ what is it ? what’s happening ? ❜ otto to mallory

Mallory falls to her hands and knees with a groan, taking in a sharp inhale. Peter's eyes widen as he rushes to the computer, typing as quickly and precisely as he can. He looks up as Otto approaches Mallory, shaking his head quickly.

❛ Doctor Octavius stop! You're putting yourself at the same risk, we need to try and handle it from here. ❜ He says quickly.

[braeveries]

❛ what would i do without you ? ❜ otto to mallory

Mallory hums in thought as she sets the large box down in the corner of the room, before making her way back over to the large man's desk, where he sat. She chuckles, sitting down on the arm of the old chair. ❛ Well, for starters, you wouldn't have anyone to bring you tea. Or organize your notes. Or make sure you don't spend every living second in this damn lab. ❜ She laughs, her gaze softening as she watches him continue to scribble notes. Without thinking, she reaches over to gently push the thick brown hair from his eyes.

[braeveries]

❛ what aren’t you telling me ? ❜ otto to mallory

❛ Doc, I don't need anyone breathing- I can handle it. It's fine. ❜ Mallory snaps, leaning over the desk with an exasperated sigh, though that didn't seem to give the tall man any ease to what 'it' was. ❛ I'm sorry, I- Just.. Just go home, okay? I've got it. ❜ She breathes, trying to slide the pile of extra notes over top of a piece of paper without Otto noticing, her hands trembling.

[braeveries]

❛ when was the last time you slept ? ❜ otto to mallory

Mallory jumps at the voice behind her, blinking up at the doctor over her shoulder before turning around, leaning on her arms as she grips the end of the desk. ❛ Uh.. a few hours.. I don't know. I'm fine, Otto. ❜ She says softly, her eyes landing on his torso instead of staying locked with his- her first mistake. She presses her tongue to the inside of her cheek before attempting to spin on her heels and go back to her work. Of course, she was lying. It'd been nearly 28 hours, but Mallory wasn't going to let Otto know that, though it seemed he was catching on quite quickly. She was at least two days behind on her scheduling with work, and wanted to catch herself up. ( Was there a necessary deadline? No, but the more progress, the better. )

[braeveries]

mal and otto: ✔ for one muse to caress the other’s face

Mallory's face grows warm as she closes her eyes, resting her cheek in Otto's large palm. She smiles, reaching up to take his hand in her own, her eyes fluttering open soon after, gazing up at him through her lashes. She steps in closer, squeezing his hand without a word.

[braeveries]

❝  i don’t sleep a lot either these days.  we can be insomniacs together.  ❞ - otto to mal

❛ Otto, ❜ Mallory chuckles, walking a blanket over to him, before sitting down next to him. She sighs, placing a hand on his shoulder, her chin resting in her other hand as she glances down at the papers. The two of them had been working themselves to death at the lab- thankfully, things seemed as if they were starting to pay off, finally.

[braeveries]

❛ i was worried something happened to you. ❜ otto to mal

Mallory runs forward, crashing into Otto's chest without a word. She sighs, listening to his pounding heart for a moment before pulling back to look up at him with tired eyes, running her fingers down his arms, to his large hands.

[braeveries]

❛ what are you doing out here by yourself? ❜ to mal from otto

❛ Oh- just getting some air. ❜ Mal smiles, turning to look over her shoulder at the towering man. She moves closer to him as the breeze hits again. ❛ You? ❜ She teases.

[braeveries]

❝  stay,  please.  ❞ - otto to mal

❛ Otto, dear.. It's late, you need to go home and get in an actual bed, ❜ Mallory whispers, pulling the blanket up over his shoulder regardless. She chuckles, timidly moving to comb her fingers through his hair. ❛ You've been staying here way too late, you know that? You need a few days off. ❜

[braeveries]

‘ surprised to run into you here. ’ otto to mallory

Mallory jumps, looking over her shoulder as the towering man walks into her office. ❛ What are you doing here? ❜ She beams, sitting the books on her desk and pulling a chair out from him. ❛ I'm here for another hour grading exams, is everything okay? ❜ She asks, sitting on the edge of the desk.

[braeveries]

@decimatlas continued from here

Mallory simply chuckles in response to his apology, continuing to scribble around the blueprints for a while, hoping he hadn't noticed the rising redness across her cheeks. She knew the Doctor was passionate and eager to watch more of their work unfold, but having the eyes she so dearly loved staring into locked on her wasn't helping her focus.

Though, she was one to make such a request and she knew it- there'd been countless times she would sit and stare at Otto while he worked. Mallory knew she had growing feelings for the Doctor quite early on into the late nights at the lab, but they'd only grown since, and it was becoming a hell of a lot harder to push them down, especially with their failed attempts of sneaking glances at each other. Finally, she stands up from the large drafting desk, rolling up the papers and snapping a band around them before gently sliding them into the drawer. She spins on her heels, jumping out of surprise to find Otto still behind her chair.

[braeveries]

❝ what happened to you? ❞ otto to mal

❛ Mugged on the Subway. Gotta love the city, ❜ Mallory grumbles, tossing her bag by the door and slipping her jacket- which now had a large rip on the seam of one sleeve- off as she walks to the coat rack.

❛ Someone tried to stop them but they got most of my cards.. and my phone.. And destroyed the wallet, ❜ She sighs, tossing it onto Otto's desk before sitting right next to it, swinging her feet over as she scans the papers Otto was writing on. ❛ What're you working on? ❜ She asks, trying to lighten the mood.

Working in the lab had become something Mal enjoyed, perhaps a bit too much. Or maybe it was because she got to spend more time with Otto. Slowly but surely, thanks to Peter's suggestion, they'd started to make the lab a little more cozy- or as cozy as a lab could be- since they had started to spend many late nights there.

[braeveries]

“quite the dancer, aren’t you?” otto to mal

❛ Otto! ❜ Mallory laughs as she's spun around, failing to make her way to the spice cabinet. Prior to the interruption, though she'd hardly call it that, Mallory had been swiftly moving around the kitchen, preparing dinner. The two had decided to host a bit of a gathering later into the night, with both themselves, along with Peter and a friend he'd decided to invite from school.

Mallory raises a brow up at him, gently resting her arm over his and grabbing his free hand, glancing over at the clock, then back to Otto. They still had quite a while until their guests arrived.

❛ Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Take it away, Doc, ❜ She teases, stepping closer to him.

[braeveries]

@decimatlas continued from here Mallory smiles softly, gently cupping his face in her hands for a moment, her thumb grazing his cheek. She bites her tongue, then adjusts his coat before letting him stand upright again. ❛ Otto, you know- I care about you and this place so much. ❜ She says softly, moving to sit on the desk, swinging her feet. ❛ And you're not allowed to get mad at me for this, okay? ❜ She chuckles, tiredly, signaling him over and offering a hand to him.