[ He's not being defensive or argumentative about it. He says it quite plainly. That's just how he is, and he doesn't really think that sitting here and unpacking his history like Alan's some sort of therapist so they can figure out why is going to be beneficial to either of them. ]
[ He hears the teeth grinding. He hears the way Alan just accepts what Matt said, even if he doesn't necessarily want to. That's fine. Reluctant acceptance is better than none. ]
Try not to sound so excited.
[ The corner of Matt's mouth quirks up, and he turns to go towards the gym, pausing after taking a few steps. He doesn't need any help, not anymore, and even if he wasn't back to his regular self he's been to the gym so frequently it's second nature now.
But he does have appearances to keep up. ]
Sorry, I left my cane in my cabin. Do you mind - [ He trails off from asking if Alan can be his guide up there. ] - I'll just get it quickly.
[ His own personal shit aside, Alan really doesn't mind helping Matt out. If he wants to ignore what happened, then they'll ignore what happened. Sometimes it's better to stuff things down in a box and not deal with them, after all. He grabs the other's elbow lightly, opening the door as well, biting back the urge to say something very uncool like 'now you want help.'
See? Growth. He's not even questioning matt's general weird matt-ness.]
[ Matt's aware of his flaws. He's also aware that he can be charming enough to eventually smooth things over with people, and, sure, maybe he gets to cheat because he knows the emotional state of people and can manipulate his conversation to match that.
Hey, he's here as an inmate, right?
He's pretty sure he can get things back to basically-normal with Alan. ]
I was death tolling.
[ It's a blunt admission, but it's still his way of saying that he's aware he screwed up. ]
[ Because, hey, death isn't permanent here, and it's not like it's the first time either of them have died. They had to die to get here, after all. (And in Matt's more darker, more hidden secrets, it's not like he hasn't tried to die before, either.) ]
And before you say something, no, I didn't learn my lesson.
[ Alarmingly enough that does help a great deal. Matt's stubborn. Alan's stubborn. Alan thinks Matt is an idiot, and Matt knows that but doesn't care. That's fine. He can roll with it. It's not like he hates the other, either. ]
Jesse know how much of a dick you are?
[ Casual. Conversational. A sarcastic, snippy joke as he leads the other again. ]
I don't think anything you say to me right now will hold up in a court of law, so you're probably safe.
[ Alan's lack of response is pretty telling, though, so Matt's fairly pleased. He can also feel the anger seeping out Alan, less tension in the way Alan holds on to his elbow to guide him through the ship's halls. ]
I'm used to taking people out to dinner, not onto the floor of the mat.
[ That's a lie. Alan's gotten pretty good at clearing the way. But those are shadows, and he'd had a gun and a flashlight, and this is different. He breathes out. ]
I wouldn't blame you if you wanted. I'm good at taking a punch. [ A pause. ] And I'm free for dinner.
[ Matt stands near the punching bag, but far enough away that they won't hit it just yet. He stands with one foot slightly in front of the other, and his hands in fists up by his chin. ]
If you're ever in a real fight, you're never going to use the right stance. But it's good to get that feeling in your body.
[ Matt takes his new place while Alan is more than a little baffled at the sudden turn of the conversation--Matt's not serious, is he? Would it be so bad if he was?--and does his best to mirror Matt. ]
Like this, then?
[ matt he has no idea where to fucking start, he's hopeless right now. ]
[ He waits for a yes or a no, and, if consent is given, he runs his hands over Alan's arms and hands, manipulating them into the right form, and then he taps Alan's knees. ]
Soft knees, keep a bend in them so you can move around easily.
If you're swinging like a maniac, maybe. The power comes from here - [ Matt presses a hand to the front of Alan's abdomen. ] - not from flailing your fists around. We'll go easy and start with the first two punches, work our way up to the others over time.
[ Matt demonstrates the jab and the cross, in real time the way he punches, the snap of his fists going out and coming back in to guard his face again, but slowly, too, so Alan can see the set up. The way the foot and body is supposed to pivot just a bit to the side, like a spring being coiled, and then how the momentum of turning back to the front is what drives the punch forward. He hold Alan's arm and guides it for him, feels over Alan's closed fist and directs him how to turn it and where the punch should connect. ]
I know when you're going up against someone, the last thing you think about is this. But once you know it, it's like muscle memory. I know it feels stupid right now. But trust me.
[ Alan winces at the maniac part--that is exactly what he does--but at least Matt glides past it. He's not interested in lecturing, which is good for both of them, and as those hands gently guide him into the proper position.
He's thinking too much about this, right? Right. Matt's just helping him out. He's blind, of course he's going to touch. It's probably nothing. Alan, touch starved, is just going a little crazy over it. Not a big deal. he exhales softly, forcing himself to focus. ]
I trust you.
[ He waits for the other to be done, and then once he's not in the way, Alan tries to wind up for a punch. He over-extends immediately, wanting to put all of his weight into on single punch, but he doesn't fall or lose his balance like he usually does if he puts that much momentum in it. He makes a small, affirmative noise, clearly impressed. ]
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You give me an explanation as to what the hell got into you the last time we talked.
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[ He's not being defensive or argumentative about it. He says it quite plainly. That's just how he is, and he doesn't really think that sitting here and unpacking his history like Alan's some sort of therapist so they can figure out why is going to be beneficial to either of them. ]
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Would he want someone to prod? Probably not. His shoulders lift slightly, shaking his head. ]
Fine. Let's go.
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Try not to sound so excited.
[ The corner of Matt's mouth quirks up, and he turns to go towards the gym, pausing after taking a few steps. He doesn't need any help, not anymore, and even if he wasn't back to his regular self he's been to the gym so frequently it's second nature now.
But he does have appearances to keep up. ]
Sorry, I left my cane in my cabin. Do you mind - [ He trails off from asking if Alan can be his guide up there. ] - I'll just get it quickly.
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[ His own personal shit aside, Alan really doesn't mind helping Matt out. If he wants to ignore what happened, then they'll ignore what happened. Sometimes it's better to stuff things down in a box and not deal with them, after all. He grabs the other's elbow lightly, opening the door as well, biting back the urge to say something very uncool like 'now you want help.'
See? Growth. He's not even questioning matt's general weird matt-ness.]
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Hey, he's here as an inmate, right?
He's pretty sure he can get things back to basically-normal with Alan. ]
I was death tolling.
[ It's a blunt admission, but it's still his way of saying that he's aware he screwed up. ]
That's why I haven't been around.
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What?!
[ He should have looked--he should have looked harder, stopped Matt, physically picked up the guy and started running to the exit-- ]
cw: brief mention of suicidal thoughts
[ Because, hey, death isn't permanent here, and it's not like it's the first time either of them have died. They had to die to get here, after all. (And in Matt's more darker, more hidden secrets, it's not like he hasn't tried to die before, either.) ]
And before you say something, no, I didn't learn my lesson.
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Jesse know how much of a dick you are?
[ Casual. Conversational. A sarcastic, snippy joke as he leads the other again. ]
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Yeah, I think she figured it out when I was a dick to her.
[ See, Alan, it's not just you! ]
I think she likes it, though.
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Yeah. Good: just banter. Like Corvo and John. ]
You've got a way with worming into people's hearts.
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[ Matt's smile gets a bit wider, more amused. It is banter, but it's blatant flirting, too, and he's listening for Alan's reaction. ]
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And is Matt hitting on him...? ]
Should I be divulging important information to a lawyer like this? Don't I have to go through my agent?
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[ Alan's lack of response is pretty telling, though, so Matt's fairly pleased. He can also feel the anger seeping out Alan, less tension in the way Alan holds on to his elbow to guide him through the ship's halls. ]
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[ He's continuing to lead them both. ]
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[ Hey, he said you can just say whatever! Alan's tone is still conversational, rounding the corner. Almost to the gym. ]
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[ Matt smells the gym as they come up on it, and he lets Alan walk them over to the the area where the punching bags hang. ]
You ready to learn to take a guy out?
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[ That's a lie. Alan's gotten pretty good at clearing the way. But those are shadows, and he'd had a gun and a flashlight, and this is different. He breathes out. ]
I'm not punching you, right?
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[ Matt stands near the punching bag, but far enough away that they won't hit it just yet. He stands with one foot slightly in front of the other, and his hands in fists up by his chin. ]
If you're ever in a real fight, you're never going to use the right stance. But it's good to get that feeling in your body.
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Like this, then?
[ matt he has no idea where to fucking start, he's hopeless right now. ]
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[ He waits for a yes or a no, and, if consent is given, he runs his hands over Alan's arms and hands, manipulating them into the right form, and then he taps Alan's knees. ]
Soft knees, keep a bend in them so you can move around easily.
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He leans into it, trying his hardest to do what he says, trying to ignore the flush on the nape of his neck at the strangely intimate gesture. ]
Okay.
[ He's turning his head to look at Matt properly. ]
if I'm too loose, won't I just fall over? Don't you need a solid base before you can throw a punch?
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[ Matt demonstrates the jab and the cross, in real time the way he punches, the snap of his fists going out and coming back in to guard his face again, but slowly, too, so Alan can see the set up. The way the foot and body is supposed to pivot just a bit to the side, like a spring being coiled, and then how the momentum of turning back to the front is what drives the punch forward. He hold Alan's arm and guides it for him, feels over Alan's closed fist and directs him how to turn it and where the punch should connect. ]
I know when you're going up against someone, the last thing you think about is this. But once you know it, it's like muscle memory. I know it feels stupid right now. But trust me.
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He's thinking too much about this, right? Right. Matt's just helping him out. He's blind, of course he's going to touch. It's probably nothing. Alan, touch starved, is just going a little crazy over it. Not a big deal. he exhales softly, forcing himself to focus. ]
I trust you.
[ He waits for the other to be done, and then once he's not in the way, Alan tries to wind up for a punch. He over-extends immediately, wanting to put all of his weight into on single punch, but he doesn't fall or lose his balance like he usually does if he puts that much momentum in it. He makes a small, affirmative noise, clearly impressed. ]
Like that, then.
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