rupert

[unrecked]

Comments

[agleam]

Hey - no, look. You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for.

[role reversal!! it's sincere as can be, though.]

[unrecked]

[RUPERT your APOLOGY. He waves a hand dismissively.]

It's fine. Don't-- ...Just forget you saw it. [HOW, jason] It's not something anyone should see... or feel.

[agleam]

I'm not going to forget this.

[it's quiet, but no less honest for that.]

You've been through so much. I know you told me you've died before, but that was...

[unrecked]

[His lips pull thin, and he realizes they are so dry when he does this so he sets them with his tongue.

He makes an attempt to clear the hoarseness from his throat.]

Yeah, well… not exactly something I can just drop on anyone.

[When it is now obvious you make shitty jokes to be able to cope with things that happen… :D]

[agleam]

If you need to talk about it with someone, you should.

[similarly sympathetic and concerned.

[unrecked]

[He snorts faintly, tiredly.]

You a prince and a therapist, Ru? Trust me, no one needs to hear about any of that. Now if it'll just stay down where it should be, everything'd be fine.

[agleam]

Right, but you—

[he starts, but the fact that he stayed to help is coming to bite them both, because the dust settles around them once more and gives them another memory.]

[unrecked]

[Okay. This is fine. Right after his own shitty memory, being bound again sets him right back on edge. He's trying to keep his body from quivering when he comes out of it, but he's failing. The muscles in him want to tremor terribly with the anxious adrenaline running through him again.

He's not someone who hasn't been in love before. So it isn't jarring really to have that used against you during the most dire of times.]

Fuck.

[He's going to have to avoid EVERYONE from here on out. He drops himself back against the wall to have something to support him.]

[agleam]

[it's definitely fine! that's why he's dropping his face into his hands for a long few seconds after it ends, taking an unsteady breath and trying to stop from shaking.

it takes him a long moment to speak, but he blinks a few times before glancing at jason.]

...Sorry.

[unrecked]

If I can't apologize... neither can you...

[Whew. He's not sure what's worse, giving out memories and re-experiencing them, or receiving memories and experiencing those.

After a moment, he uses his elbow to lean up off the wall.]

You alright? That was tough to go through.

[agleam]

Yeah, I'm fine. Totally good.

[it's very tense and not at all convincing as he takes another breath.]

[unrecked]

You act like I don't know that's a lie because it's one I give all the time.

[He doesn't touch Rupert because he knows how that is. Instead, he extends his hand out, palm up, in offering where Rupert can see it.]

What'd you say? It's alright to not be alright. What happened? After.

[agleam]

[he pauses at all of that for a long moment, taking a breath. despite this attempt to calm himself down, to move past that feeling of grief, of longing, that hasn't left for a day since he came here... his voice still sounds tight and a little bit watery when he speaks.]

I don't know. That's the last thing I remember.

[unrecked]

[He watches Rupert carefully, frowning. He reaches out and puts a hand on Rupert's shoulder to squeeze it reassuringly. Or maybe comfortingly.]

Already told Clem that I'm not great with the whole consolation thing. I'm garbage at it actually. But I think you'll probably go back and save the world.

[agleam]

[the breath he lets out and the nod he gives are probably signs he's calming down, at least a little. on top of that, while it's very tired and mostly humorless, the next is at least phrased like a weak joke.]

Well. They don't call me world saver for nothing.

[literally only one person has ever called him that. who is they. anyways.]

I appreciate it. You trying, I mean. [...] I might leave the probably out and change think to know, next time? But I appreciate it.

[stop]

[unrecked]

[Who is they, Rupert. Who.

He looks faintly and playfully exasperated for a moment or two.] Okay, smartass. [The hand leaves Rupert's shoulder to instead mess up all of his hair by ruffling it, but it disappears afterward.]

You'll go back and save the world. Better?

[agleam]

Nooo...

[the epitome of younger sibling whining as he shoves at his hand. no ruffling!! but he nods, stifling a smile.]

Yes. Better.

[unrecked]

[That's what Rupert gets.]

If he's here... I imagine he's alright. I don't think they'd try to keep a hostage who wouldn't be. The risk is too high. Maybe you both can go back together and save the world.

[agleam]

...He'd better be.

[it's not really threatening, because he is a twink with noodle arms, but there's a note of anger and tension in his voice that wasn't there before.]

[unrecked]

[Ooo, feisty Rupert. His smirk is weak, but there.]

Now that's what I like to hear.

[agleam]

He should be listening, too.

[he looks up at the ceiling, frowning, before he pauses and blinks as though he's remembering something important.]

—Oh, shoot, I've been forgetting for like the last week. [forgetting what... well, it'll be obvious enough when he just kind of yells in the general direction of the ceiling. ok rupert.] Hey! I still hate you and I always will!

[unrecked]

[………

??????

He sort of blinks, then lifts his eyes and tips his head, glancing at the ceiling.]

You talking to the head honcho every week?

[As in, like this.]

[agleam]

Oh, yeah. I've been trying to remember to remind him every day in case he's, like, constantly watching.

[rupert]

[unrecked]

[He really goes pffffttt faintly into his fist. THIS ISN'T FUNNY. This whole entire thing is not funny in the slightest, but.

He just can't. Rupert? Rupert shaking his fist at the ceiling like "old man yells at cloud" is too much for him.]

Maybe it's working. I'm trembling.

[It's the PTSD.]

[agleam]

With laughter...