Yeah--uh. Yeah. Saga's taken point and I've got a few things from home.
[ Charlie drinks and Alan follows suit, gritting his teeth against the bitterness but embracing the warmth as it slides down his throat. He sighs a little, barely audible, but pleased. It's been a while, and that small sip gives him a chance to ruminate. The clock doesn't start until you're out. It's good advice. Jury's still out on whether Alan will listen, but he wants to. He'll try. He'll remind himself, at least. He makes a mental note to write it on his chalk board. ]
[ There are thanks that are rote, and there are thanks that are sarcastic, and this thanks is neither of those. Its significance smooths some of the jagged edges that come from talking about the Dreamlands.
He gives Alan a quick smile. ]
You're welcome, Mr Wake. I, uh...
[ He looks down for a moment, exhales in a way that is less at-ease but is more honest. ]
Hey. If I can give someone a hand moving on, maybe that puts a silver lining on the thing. I don't know.
[ There's a certain tone, a certain sense of something that Alan picks up on immediately with that sigh, and he finds himself almost relieved. It's honesty, yes, but he feels like he's successfully navigated something. Social expectations, maybe.
If Charlie is forthcoming like this then that means Alan can be, too. Their experiences are vastly different but relatable to each other. He just has to not lash out when he feels cornered.
Hmm. Alan files that little thought away and puts it in the box right next to 'get better coping mechanisms,' both to be ignored. ]
I'm not sure I really like the idea of wardens and inmates in the first place, but if I'm going to have someone breathing down my neck, you're not that bad of a choice.
[ There's a light in Alan's eyes. He's teasing. And, after a moment. ]
Can I ask you something personal? [ Wait. ] Again?
Glad I'm up to your exacting standards. [ The uncertainty that made itself visible for a moment is gone, and his expression is amused. He takes another sip. ]
Fire away. Gonna turn that question back on you sooner or later, though, so watch out.
They're pretty high. [ For himself, maybe. For others when he's not meeting his own. It's complicated. But this is just a light hearted joke, and the real meat of the conversation is his next question. ]
Wardens all have to take some sort of deal. What's yours?
[ Right. He wondered if that would come up. He answers without conflict, because he's already thought about what to say. ]
Keeping a promise, helping someone outta trouble back home.
[ He wonders suddenly whether he's making it easier for Alan to get glimpses of him, by filling things in. His demeanour doesn't change, but the idea sits uncomfortably. ]
Ever thought about what you'd get? You can graduate into a deal of your own one day, if you feel like making a career out of it.
[ Another loop. Another spiral. An opportunity, yes, but there's weight to what Charlie's just said. Alan's eyes flick from one arbitrary place to the next, face pulling up into a half-frown. ]
I'm still trying to remember what it's like to talk to people, Charlie. I haven't thought that far.
[ God and christ, Charlie has been there. He decides to ask whether Alan plays cards. There's nothing that eases you back into existing around people without having to figure out what to say to them quite like cards.
My wife. She's-- [ In trouble isn't the right phrase. It's complicated. This whole thing is complicated. Alan glances at Charlie, decides to word it about as vague as he did, just for his own sanity.
His head is starting to hurt again. Fuck. ]
I just want to make sure she's safe. And home. I don't know if I could be a warden, but that's what it would be.
She's the best. I'm lucky she let me marry her. She's gorgeous and caring and funny, but she has this eye for things. Photography--she makes capturing an image and creating things effortless, but always maintains so much thought...
[ There's a lift of his face. Holy shit, it's an actual smile. ]
Sometimes I think she's the only one I actually listen to.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ Charlie drinks and Alan follows suit, gritting his teeth against the bitterness but embracing the warmth as it slides down his throat. He sighs a little, barely audible, but pleased. It's been a while, and that small sip gives him a chance to ruminate. The clock doesn't start until you're out. It's good advice. Jury's still out on whether Alan will listen, but he wants to. He'll try. He'll remind himself, at least. He makes a mental note to write it on his chalk board. ]
Charlie.
[ Now's the right time. ]
Thank you.
no subject
He gives Alan a quick smile. ]
You're welcome, Mr Wake. I, uh...
[ He looks down for a moment, exhales in a way that is less at-ease but is more honest. ]
Hey. If I can give someone a hand moving on, maybe that puts a silver lining on the thing. I don't know.
no subject
If Charlie is forthcoming like this then that means Alan can be, too. Their experiences are vastly different but relatable to each other. He just has to not lash out when he feels cornered.
Hmm. Alan files that little thought away and puts it in the box right next to 'get better coping mechanisms,' both to be ignored. ]
I'm not sure I really like the idea of wardens and inmates in the first place, but if I'm going to have someone breathing down my neck, you're not that bad of a choice.
[ There's a light in Alan's eyes. He's teasing. And, after a moment. ]
Can I ask you something personal? [ Wait. ] Again?
no subject
Fire away. Gonna turn that question back on you sooner or later, though, so watch out.
no subject
Wardens all have to take some sort of deal. What's yours?
no subject
Keeping a promise, helping someone outta trouble back home.
[ He wonders suddenly whether he's making it easier for Alan to get glimpses of him, by filling things in. His demeanour doesn't change, but the idea sits uncomfortably. ]
Ever thought about what you'd get? You can graduate into a deal of your own one day, if you feel like making a career out of it.
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I'm still trying to remember what it's like to talk to people, Charlie. I haven't thought that far.
[ It's a good nonanswer. Although-- ]
Alice.
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After a few moments: ]
Alice?
[ Gently, an invitation to continue. ]
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His head is starting to hurt again. Fuck. ]
I just want to make sure she's safe. And home. I don't know if I could be a warden, but that's what it would be.
I miss her. [ This he has no problem admitting. ]
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[ Vague is okay. Charlie would like to steer this conversation onto some more positive ground in any case. ]
What's she like, Alice?
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She's the best. I'm lucky she let me marry her. She's gorgeous and caring and funny, but she has this eye for things. Photography--she makes capturing an image and creating things effortless, but always maintains so much thought...
[ There's a lift of his face. Holy shit, it's an actual smile. ]
Sometimes I think she's the only one I actually listen to.