Listen. I don't know you, and you think you know me but you have no idea what you're getting into, so: stay away, and we'll stay away, and we're good. Got it?
[ Wu grabs the phone back from Mako and flips it to video, as angry as probably either of them have ever seen him. ]
Stop this. Both of you!
Mako, don't you dare take my phone again, and stop threatening Raleigh.
[ He holds out a hand to tell Mako to stay back ]
Raleigh, I'm not trying to steal Chuck or, or something. We're friends. That's it. I don't know what's going on with you, but I think it's the same thing that has Mako trying to keep me shut up in my house. You both need to stop this and figure out what is going wrong in your heads. Chuck isn't your property.
And I'm not yours. [ He shoots the last part at Mako. ]
[ There is nothing rational about what is going through Mako's head right now. There's nothing rational about the paranoia and the fear running like poison through his veins right now, turning the world into stark black and white: there are enemies and there are Wu, there are other people out there and then there are him and Wu, in here, safe.
There is Raleigh, who is a threat, and there are bruises blooming purple-dark over Mako's skin, along his cheek and his neck and his unscarred arm. He is a mess. He looks like a mess and he feels like a mess, twitchy and unsettled, desperate, sure that Wu is going to step outside and something will happen, and Mako can't let that happen. He can't. He has to prove himself, he has to be worthy, and Wu has to be okay. It's a loop, endless in his head, crowding out everything else. ]
You don't know what you're talking about.
[ The words are soft, oddly, gentle, because they are aimed at Wu. Mako doesn't push past his hand. He reaches up, instead, curls his fingers around Wu's and squeezes. ]
That guy threatened to kill you, Wu, like everybody else, and I'm not going to let that happen. I'm going to keep you safe.
[Raleigh opens his mouth to smile back but then Mako says something and he stops to listen.
In all fairness yes, Raleigh did just threaten to kill Wu. Kill both of them. And Korra and Bolin and anyone else it takes to keep Chuck safe. He doesn't give a single fuck.
And not unlike Mako, Raleigh also looks like shit. It's plain from the background that he's in Chuck's kitchen. He looks even more exhausted than usual- pale and slightly feral.
Okay maybe, maybe a lot feral. The bruise of a bluebell is blooming up his neck from the collar of his sweater. The newest addition to the garden on his skin in the shape of a simple daisy is forming under the corner of his left eye as they speak.]
Mako, shut up for a second and let me talk.
Wu, Chuck isn't my property. But it's my job to keep him safe. From everyone and everything which includes you. He's my whole world. Nothing and no one is going to jeopardise that.
[ Mako keeps doing things like that, like speaking softly and touching him gently and it's confusing and Wu stares at their hands for a moment.
This isn't the Mako he knows, the Mako he's started... some sort of romantic relationship with, but this Mako was also in some sort of romantic relationship with the other Wu, the one he knows.
The lines are blurring, and Wu is confused and scared and he wants Mako to be okay, this Mako and his Mako. And he wants Raleigh to be okay, too.
He gently lets go of Mako's hand. ]
He's the first one. Everything else-- you're making it up. But I will give you this one before you [ He looks back at Raleigh on the Fluid with a frown ] are being possessive. What danger do I pose to Chuck? What could I possibly do, Raleigh? You know exactly how strong I am. And you know exactly how I feel about-- certain other people who aren't Chuck.
I'm not holding anybody hostage, I'm keeping him safe from goons like you—Wu, I'm not holding you hostage, this is for your own good. It's not safe out there.
[ It's only safe with him, only here, in this house that Mako can control, even though there is fire in his blood and a lurid violet aster is blooming at his throat, in the shadow of his stubble-tinged jaw.
Even though his hand has gone tight in Wu's, and there is clear desperation in his eyes as he snaps at the little video. ]
Wu. You have to believe me. I know you do. I need you to be alright.
[ For your own good. Wu doesn't like that one bit, and he edges away from Mako, just a little. Not enough to set him off, he hopes. He takes a shaky breath, looking back at Raleigh ]
Chuck loves you. He wouldn't leave you for me, or anybody. I, I can't promise I won't get into trouble, but like Mako said, [ He speaks a little slower now, glancing up at Mako. It's hard, balancing them both when they're both being irrational ] he'll keep me safe.
Raleigh, I want you to listen to me: whatever you're doing, I'm afraid that you'll regret it whenever whatever's affecting you is over. Please don't hurt any of your or Chuck's friends because of whatever this is. I care about you too much to watch that happen.
[ Mako, who has been silently watching this exchange trying to figure out the best way to get Wu's Fluid away from him, keep him away from this goon and his words, steps a little closer, his eyes snapping. ]
[ Mako snaps right back, his face hot and bruised and awful. He's glad, at least, that Raleigh is gone, that the threat isn't in the house anymore, that Wu is safe. It defuses the situation just enough that he isn't ready to lock Wu in a single room and keep him there.
One of his hands trails briefly to a spot inside his coat, over his heart, and then drops as he scowls. ]
He threatened to kill you, Wu, what did you expect?
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1/2
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This is Mako isn't it.
Listen kiddo, ditto to you. Both of you stay the hell away and we're good.
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That's cute. Last I checked you can't tell me jack about shit.
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If this is some kind of trick I swear to god I will end both of you and everyone you know.
video
Stop this. Both of you!
Mako, don't you dare take my phone again, and stop threatening Raleigh.
[ He holds out a hand to tell Mako to stay back ]
Raleigh, I'm not trying to steal Chuck or, or something. We're friends. That's it. I don't know what's going on with you, but I think it's the same thing that has Mako trying to keep me shut up in my house. You both need to stop this and figure out what is going wrong in your heads. Chuck isn't your property.
And I'm not yours. [ He shoots the last part at Mako. ]
in person // probably still visible on the video
There is Raleigh, who is a threat, and there are bruises blooming purple-dark over Mako's skin, along his cheek and his neck and his unscarred arm. He is a mess. He looks like a mess and he feels like a mess, twitchy and unsettled, desperate, sure that Wu is going to step outside and something will happen, and Mako can't let that happen. He can't. He has to prove himself, he has to be worthy, and Wu has to be okay. It's a loop, endless in his head, crowding out everything else. ]
You don't know what you're talking about.
[ The words are soft, oddly, gentle, because they are aimed at Wu. Mako doesn't push past his hand. He reaches up, instead, curls his fingers around Wu's and squeezes. ]
That guy threatened to kill you, Wu, like everybody else, and I'm not going to let that happen. I'm going to keep you safe.
video
In all fairness yes, Raleigh did just threaten to kill Wu. Kill both of them. And Korra and Bolin and anyone else it takes to keep Chuck safe. He doesn't give a single fuck.
And not unlike Mako, Raleigh also looks like shit. It's plain from the background that he's in Chuck's kitchen. He looks even more exhausted than usual- pale and slightly feral.
Okay maybe, maybe a lot feral. The bruise of a bluebell is blooming up his neck from the collar of his sweater. The newest addition to the garden on his skin in the shape of a simple daisy is forming under the corner of his left eye as they speak.]
Mako, shut up for a second and let me talk.
Wu, Chuck isn't my property. But it's my job to keep him safe. From everyone and everything which includes you. He's my whole world. Nothing and no one is going to jeopardise that.
video/in person
This isn't the Mako he knows, the Mako he's started... some sort of romantic relationship with, but this Mako was also in some sort of romantic relationship with the other Wu, the one he knows.
The lines are blurring, and Wu is confused and scared and he wants Mako to be okay, this Mako and his Mako. And he wants Raleigh to be okay, too.
He gently lets go of Mako's hand. ]
He's the first one. Everything else-- you're making it up. But I will give you this one before you [ He looks back at Raleigh on the Fluid with a frown ] are being possessive. What danger do I pose to Chuck? What could I possibly do, Raleigh? You know exactly how strong I am. And you know exactly how I feel about-- certain other people who aren't Chuck.
video/in person
I dunno, you're cute and he's weak to that shit.
But like I said, you're gonna get in trouble and he'll come running to save you. That's the danger.
Like from that psycho, [Gesturing to Mako]
Is he holding you hostage?
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[ It's only safe with him, only here, in this house that Mako can control, even though there is fire in his blood and a lurid violet aster is blooming at his throat, in the shadow of his stubble-tinged jaw.
Even though his hand has gone tight in Wu's, and there is clear desperation in his eyes as he snaps at the little video. ]
Wu. You have to believe me. I know you do. I need you to be alright.
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Chuck loves you. He wouldn't leave you for me, or anybody. I, I can't promise I won't get into trouble, but like Mako said, [ He speaks a little slower now, glancing up at Mako. It's hard, balancing them both when they're both being irrational ] he'll keep me safe.
Raleigh, I want you to listen to me: whatever you're doing, I'm afraid that you'll regret it whenever whatever's affecting you is over. Please don't hurt any of your or Chuck's friends because of whatever this is. I care about you too much to watch that happen.
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Did he say that to you? That he loves me?
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Wu lets out a breath, and decides that this might actually be a good avenue. He gives Raleigh a small smile. ]
Not in so many words, but from the way he talks about you? Yes. He loves you, Raleigh. I don't think you have anything to worry about.
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I didn't realise he talks about me to you.
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Wu nods his head quickly ]
He has! A few times. He said, ah, well I don't want to speak for him. You should ask him how he feels about you, if you haven't.
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No offense but why is he talking to you. I'm right here.. he can talk to me.
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[ Mako, who has been silently watching this exchange trying to figure out the best way to get Wu's Fluid away from him, keep him away from this goon and his words, steps a little closer, his eyes snapping. ]
Time to hang up and stop with the threats.
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You both need to stop this, now.
Raleigh, go talk to Chuck. And stop making decisions for him.
[ He cuts the feed because dealing with two of them? He can't.
He turns to Mako, holding up a finger ] And you, stop making decisions for me!
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[ Mako snaps right back, his face hot and bruised and awful. He's glad, at least, that Raleigh is gone, that the threat isn't in the house anymore, that Wu is safe. It defuses the situation just enough that he isn't ready to lock Wu in a single room and keep him there.
One of his hands trails briefly to a spot inside his coat, over his heart, and then drops as he scowls. ]
He threatened to kill you, Wu, what did you expect?
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[ That is a fair point, but he knows Raleigh. He knows that he wouldn't do that if he was in his right mind. He levels Mako with a glare ]
He's my friend. This place does things to you, to your mind. He didn't mean that. We just, just need to figure out how to get him out of it.
[ At least, that's Wu's hope.
If only he could figure out how to get Mako out of it too. ]