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It was only a few weeks, maybe more like two and a half. But holy shit, was Courtney thankful that her discharge date was FINALLY HERE!
After surgery, after all the poking, prodding, and questions after the surgery, after a brief stint of physical therapy just to make sure her arm was properly healing and to get used to moving it around without fucking it up again. She was done with the hospital.
THANK. FUCK
And the best part (besides no longer having to survive on snacks that Robert brought her because fuck hospital food):
ROBERT: Hey, I’m just outside when you’re ready to go. Got a surprise for you.
“What a sap.” She muttered like she wasn’t just as bad, rereading the text for the millionth time.
Sure it wasn’t like she was seeing Robert for the first time in weeks, he made to sure to visit as often as he could, but now she felt a lot more free to do whatever they wanted… and oh did she have some ideas.
Anyway, Courtney grabbed her bag and made her way to the front doors.
As soon as she stepped out, she spotted Robert standing before her, holding a bouquet of pink and purple flowers and wearing something other than his SDN uniform. It was actually kind of surprising to see Robert not wearing the usual blue shirt and khakis so she couldn’t resist fucking with him a little bit.
“Hey Mister, you seen a guy around here? Kind of looks like you but he’s usually in a work polo?”
Robert just gave a half-smile, “Funny you say that, I’m also looking for someone. Similar haircut to you, likes crop tops, scared to take anything seriously?”
At that Courtney smacked Robert in the arm.
“Fuck you, I can take things seriously. Watch.”
Courtney took the bouquet from his hand. She was never much of a flowers person so the only ones she recognized were the violets. But it was kind of nice that he picked the ones that matched her usual colors.
“These are nice, thanks.”
Robert responded with a slow clap, “Oh bravo, you can politely compliment some flowers.”
“Would you prefer if I made a vagina joke?”
“Now that sounds more like you.”
“Well too bad, I don’t do requests.”
“What if I treat you to a nice meal?”
“...Maybe that might change my mind. Depends on the meal.”
Robert looped his arm around Courtney’s free one.
“I recall you saying something about dinner for our third date? Prism recommended this Korean barbecue place.”
“I also said, something not too filling but I’ll take it.”
Robert just let out a dry laugh but after that, the two walked in silence.
Courtney once again looked at the flowers and then to her other arm around Robert’s…
Holy shit this was actually happening. An honest to god date with someone she actually likes and who likes her back. Holy shit. Holy fuck. Whattheholyfucking-
“Something on your mind?”
Her thoughts stopped racing at the sound of Robert’s voice. She looked at him to see a curious expression with maybe some worry?
Normally she’d brush it off, say it was nothing or just be purposefully vague… but she’s been through enough shit to see what being vague and cagey nearly got her...
“...Just… just kind of realizing that this is real. Like not in an “Oh so we’re not in a simulator” kind of real but a… I never expected… this in my life. Flowers, walking together at sunset, a nice dinner with somebody who actually gives a shit about me. Cares about me.”
“...I kind of know what you mean. Spending fifteen years of your life on a Revenge Quest that’s also potentially a death wish, you kind of stop expecting the nicer things in life. Like… as you said: “someone who gives a shit and cares.””
Before she would have made a joke about being considered a “nicer thing in life”. Probably something about being more like cheap ass grocery store booze than something “nice.” But… getting here to this point after all the shit she’d been through...
“Fuck yeah, I’m a goddamn treasure… and you’re not so bad yourself.” Courtney said with a smug smile
Robert made a show of rolling his eyes but he couldn’t (or more likely didn’t want to) hide his smile as hers became a little more sincere.
This was fucking real… yeah… she could get used to this.