[ Wu bites his lip, then shakes his head. He doesn't want space. He doesn't like space. Wu heals by talking, by being with people. He knows he'll feel better if he sees Raleigh in person. ]
No. I, I need to see the babies, anyway. I can't let them grow too big without me.
[You're letting him off way too easy but he's grateful. So very grateful.]
Funny you should say that. I was thinking about coming by your place when you called..
[Raleigh holds his fluid back a little and angles down like a MySpace selfie, opening his jacket a little. He's been holding it kinda weird like he's upset or insecure. And while that's true he now reveals he has also been holding one of the babies against his chest.
Yeah, this.. this whole time he's had a raccoon in his coat.]
We were gonna go on a little fieldtrip to see you.
[ Wu isn't totally sure if Raleigh is talking about That Mako, or about the week before, when he was afraid that his Mako would never talk to him again.
[ Accepting an apology isn't the same as things going back to normal. He might have shared that with Raleigh a week ago, but now, he's not so cute. And he's not sure where he and Mako stand, anyway. They haven't talked about what they are, and haven't talked about it since this Mako has been back.
Wu is quiet for a long moment before shaking his head. ]
Maybe later? I, things got better, then they got worse.
[Or you know, maybe he'll just throw himself into the gutter where he belongs, Jesus you're such an asshole, Raleigh.
He hangs up and takes a long, slow breath as he walks. He needs to just. Stop talking. Like forever.
And yet he will still head to Mako's. Things are strained and awful but he promised baby cuddling so the least he can do is deliver and head back off..]
[ Wu's sorted out his feelings a little more by the time Raleigh gets there. He is excited to see the baby, and glad for the opportunity to reconcile with Raleigh. He really is too important to let something the town did to him get in the way of their relationship.
When Raleigh knocks, Wu lets him in with a little smile ]
[A little skiddish as he comes in. Which is ridiculous considering how big he is, something like a large dog with his tail between his legs.
He offers a thin smile and takes Wu in as the door closes. The kid looks like hell to him. And of course he's got every reason. This month hasn't been kind.]
I, um. I don't have to stay or anything I just wanted to bring you the baby.
[shuffling. He's got his free hand in his pocket which gives a muffled crinkling noise from the candy wrapper he's fiddling between his fingers. A nervous habit. His pockets are always full of them. But he'll stop to bring his hand out and unzip his jacket to deliver the package which has been sleeping against he warmth of his chest the whole way.]
[Careful, gentle, the little thing transfers into Wu's hands and streeeetches before wriggling onto its back and going back to sleep spread eagle, flopped out like an accordion with its little fingers and toes in every direction.]
They need their mom for a little longer but after that.. Would you.. be interested in a pet? Eddie told me they can't go back to the wild because I've been feeding them.
I saw how much you liked this one the other day and now it feels like it's always looking for you.. and I can't take care of five raccoons..
[ Wu gasps, cuddling the little creature close. She is the most adorable, tiny, sweet creature. He pets two fingers down her tummy before looking back up at Raleigh, lips parted. ]
Me? A pet?
[ He's never had a pet before. Never been allowed. His great-aunt hated animals, and the Four Elements didn't allow them. ]
I... [ He looks down at the baby again, who squirms and curls into his arms ] She's really been looking for me?
Yeah, ever since you came over. Look how comfortable she is with you.
[They all sleep on Raleigh but he's their caretaker.
Could be in his head but he made a point to put a little ribbon on this one to tell them apart so he could remember which one liked Wu. She's got a particularly thick mask which reminds Raleigh of Wu's eyebrows. So it feels kinda meant to him.]
There's no pressure, though. You can think about it.
[ Wu looks down at the kit, and he feels like he might cry again (it's been a very long day). She's so small and cute and wiggly, pressing her long nose into his chest, her little hands clinging to his jacket. ]
I will. Think about it.
[ There won't be too much to think about. He loves her.
[ Wu smiles a little, still petting the baby gently. He's not sure where he got that strength from, two days ago. He staved off Raleigh and that Mako, stood his ground. Told Chuck to do something about it.
He doesn't feel that strong right now. ]
I, good. I'm glad. It was pretty scary, what you said. I, I'm glad that he got you out of it.
[ He pauses for a moment, biting his lip ]
It's even scarier that Deerington can do that to us. Can make us do that to each other.
[Raleigh nods, his heart sinking more by the minute. This is awful. He isn't sure what to say. Wu is right. That's maybe the most terrifying part out of everything. And there's nothing he can do to protect himself against it. No charm or potion or magic words.. just the consequences of his actions. What else is new.]
Yeah.. monsters I can handle. This stuff? I dunno it feels so cheap to say 'its not my fault'.
[He wets his lips. Raleigh isn't one to waffle, but sometimes you just have to get it all out.]
I'm sorry I put you in that position. For saying those things to you.. I'm glad you're in our lives. That Chuck has a best friend like you, he needs this.
[ Spirits, Raleigh, don't make him cry again. He's so tired, bone tired, and standing here, holding the baby, listening to Raleigh say that, apologizing so earnestly, so openly, makes his eyes sting again. ]
It's not your fault, but-- thank you. You and Chuck are the best friends I've ever had, and I don't want to let something that this town did take that away from us.
[ He takes a shaky breath, feeling like he's stepping into something unknown. It's scary, but in a way he thinks he can handle.
He meets Raleigh's eyes ]
We're in this together. You, me, Chuck. Mako. We, you two have done so much for me. I want to do what I can for you, and right now-- I think that's to forgive you. I'm not going to say that that wasn't terrifying, because it was, but it wasn't you. You aren't that person. You respect Chuck too much to be that person, and you're too kind to me. That wasn't you.
[ He shifts the baby a little, into one warm, and holds out his own one for Raleigh. ]
[God that just.. it hurts. Raleigh bites the inside of his bottom lip as he listens. He isn't expecting to be forgiven so when it comes it is an enormous relief he didn't know he'd been holding onto so tightly.
It strikes him then just how important Wu is to him. And Mako. And his other friends here but especially these two. Who have been nothing but kind and supportive as long as he's known them. And this is how he repays them..
And here Wu is forgiving him.
Raleigh knows things won't go back to the way it was before, at least not right away. But it's something to work towards.
He takes Wu's hand, so elegant and delicate in his own, rough from years of hard work, and they shake- firm but not hard. Words are failing him. They often do.
And so he tugs Wu's hand a little as he steps forward to pull him into a careful hug. If Wu allows it.]
[ Wu meets him halfway, wrapping his arm around Raleigh, holding him close. It could be scary, but this is so different from when That Mako was holding on to him. This is two sided, this is Raleigh asking permission, holding him gently, letting Wu take that step.
They're very different people, from very different places, that were brought together by some strange twist of fate, but Wu is grateful to have Raleigh there, to have someone who would apologize for what he did, who would bring Wu a peace offering, who would accept forgiveness without trying to make it about himself or what he wants from Wu, or anything like that. Wu could almost sense that Raleigh didn't expect anything from him, didn't even expect forgiveness, which makes it so easy to give.
The baby makes a squeaking noise and struggles between their bodies, poking her little head between their shoulders. Wu laughs wetly and squeezes Raleigh tighter, careful of her. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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No. I, I need to see the babies, anyway. I can't let them grow too big without me.
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Funny you should say that. I was thinking about coming by your place when you called..
[Raleigh holds his fluid back a little and angles down like a MySpace selfie, opening his jacket a little. He's been holding it kinda weird like he's upset or insecure. And while that's true he now reveals he has also been holding one of the babies against his chest.
Yeah, this.. this whole time he's had a raccoon in his coat.]
We were gonna go on a little fieldtrip to see you.
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Oh, he's so cute! Raleigh!
[ He still wants you to come over! With that adorable baby! He wants to scritchy it ]
I, ah, you still could. You know, I had a very hard week.
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Yeah, Chuck said a while ago he thought you were going through something.
[In fact he knows you are but Chuck keeps other people's business private so he didn't say anything more than that. Not even to Raleigh.]
Did you work it out?
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[ Wu isn't totally sure if Raleigh is talking about That Mako, or about the week before, when he was afraid that his Mako would never talk to him again.
Boy, February has been rough. ]
What did Chuck tell you?
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[He's happy to chat while he walks]
Do you wanna talk about it?
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[ Accepting an apology isn't the same as things going back to normal. He might have shared that with Raleigh a week ago, but now, he's not so cute. And he's not sure where he and Mako stand, anyway. They haven't talked about what they are, and haven't talked about it since this Mako has been back.
Wu is quiet for a long moment before shaking his head. ]
Maybe later? I, things got better, then they got worse.
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[Yeah, fair enough.]
You're really going through the wringer this month, huh.
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Well, I suppose I've had it easy. No, ah, death. No maiming. Just emotional turmoil.
[ It's a joke. Is it funny? Probably not. ]
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[Not to point out ALL the bad things that have happened to Wu recently but..
God, shut up Raleigh.]
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[ At least that injury was healed pretty quickly.
Wu, who is rarely lost for words, stares at the Fluid for a long moment. He gives Raleigh a little smile. ]
I'll see you when you're here? I'm at Mako's house, next door to mine.
-> Action?
[Or you know, maybe he'll just throw himself into the gutter where he belongs, Jesus you're such an asshole, Raleigh.
He hangs up and takes a long, slow breath as he walks. He needs to just. Stop talking. Like forever.
And yet he will still head to Mako's. Things are strained and awful but he promised baby cuddling so the least he can do is deliver and head back off..]
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When Raleigh knocks, Wu lets him in with a little smile ]
Hi, Raleigh.
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[A little skiddish as he comes in. Which is ridiculous considering how big he is, something like a large dog with his tail between his legs.
He offers a thin smile and takes Wu in as the door closes. The kid looks like hell to him. And of course he's got every reason. This month hasn't been kind.]
I, um. I don't have to stay or anything I just wanted to bring you the baby.
[shuffling. He's got his free hand in his pocket which gives a muffled crinkling noise from the candy wrapper he's fiddling between his fingers. A nervous habit. His pockets are always full of them. But he'll stop to bring his hand out and unzip his jacket to deliver the package which has been sleeping against he warmth of his chest the whole way.]
Baby raccoons are called kits, I looked it up.
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Bring me the... you're leaving her here?
[ Because that's sure what it sounds like. ]
Weren't they just born? Doesn't she need her mother? Raleigh, that's, I can't take care of a baby!
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[Careful, gentle, the little thing transfers into Wu's hands and streeeetches before wriggling onto its back and going back to sleep spread eagle, flopped out like an accordion with its little fingers and toes in every direction.]
They need their mom for a little longer but after that.. Would you.. be interested in a pet? Eddie told me they can't go back to the wild because I've been feeding them.
I saw how much you liked this one the other day and now it feels like it's always looking for you.. and I can't take care of five raccoons..
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Me? A pet?
[ He's never had a pet before. Never been allowed. His great-aunt hated animals, and the Four Elements didn't allow them. ]
I... [ He looks down at the baby again, who squirms and curls into his arms ] She's really been looking for me?
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[They all sleep on Raleigh but he's their caretaker.
Could be in his head but he made a point to put a little ribbon on this one to tell them apart so he could remember which one liked Wu. She's got a particularly thick mask which reminds Raleigh of Wu's eyebrows. So it feels kinda meant to him.]
There's no pressure, though. You can think about it.
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I will. Think about it.
[ There won't be too much to think about. He loves her.
After a moment, he looks back up at Raleigh. ]
Are you and Chuck doing okay?
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[Despite the measure of uncertainty. Over all The Conversation went pretty well. Eeeeeh..]
He's pretty pissed off with me.
..
Thank you for messaging him. Your quick thinking got him to pull me back from.. man, whatever that was.
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He doesn't feel that strong right now. ]
I, good. I'm glad. It was pretty scary, what you said. I, I'm glad that he got you out of it.
[ He pauses for a moment, biting his lip ]
It's even scarier that Deerington can do that to us. Can make us do that to each other.
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Yeah.. monsters I can handle. This stuff? I dunno it feels so cheap to say 'its not my fault'.
[He wets his lips. Raleigh isn't one to waffle, but sometimes you just have to get it all out.]
I'm sorry I put you in that position. For saying those things to you.. I'm glad you're in our lives. That Chuck has a best friend like you, he needs this.
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It's not your fault, but-- thank you. You and Chuck are the best friends I've ever had, and I don't want to let something that this town did take that away from us.
[ He takes a shaky breath, feeling like he's stepping into something unknown. It's scary, but in a way he thinks he can handle.
He meets Raleigh's eyes ]
We're in this together. You, me, Chuck. Mako. We, you two have done so much for me. I want to do what I can for you, and right now-- I think that's to forgive you. I'm not going to say that that wasn't terrifying, because it was, but it wasn't you. You aren't that person. You respect Chuck too much to be that person, and you're too kind to me. That wasn't you.
[ He shifts the baby a little, into one warm, and holds out his own one for Raleigh. ]
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It strikes him then just how important Wu is to him. And Mako. And his other friends here but especially these two. Who have been nothing but kind and supportive as long as he's known them. And this is how he repays them..
And here Wu is forgiving him.
Raleigh knows things won't go back to the way it was before, at least not right away. But it's something to work towards.
He takes Wu's hand, so elegant and delicate in his own, rough from years of hard work, and they shake- firm but not hard. Words are failing him. They often do.
And so he tugs Wu's hand a little as he steps forward to pull him into a careful hug. If Wu allows it.]
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They're very different people, from very different places, that were brought together by some strange twist of fate, but Wu is grateful to have Raleigh there, to have someone who would apologize for what he did, who would bring Wu a peace offering, who would accept forgiveness without trying to make it about himself or what he wants from Wu, or anything like that. Wu could almost sense that Raleigh didn't expect anything from him, didn't even expect forgiveness, which makes it so easy to give.
The baby makes a squeaking noise and struggles between their bodies, poking her little head between their shoulders. Wu laughs wetly and squeezes Raleigh tighter, careful of her. ]
Thank you, for coming here.
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WHOOPS
lol i was like "who that"