driftfleet | may mingle (blameless!)

[it takes every ounce of willpower not to look away, not to abandon this conversation all together for something far safer. And he can't help but be thankful he's under the serum's effects - with it comes a strict need to keep himself in check, at least emotionally, which . . . hopefully, will help direct this terrible conversation away from any emotional outbursts. From either of them.

But he does huff at the answer and lean back after a moment, bracing his hands on the counter behind him]

So I saw. [until he couldn't watch the feed anymore.

. . . this was more difficult than he thought. He blows out a sigh and finally looks away]

I don't know why I'm bringing this up. I'm worried, okay? —about you, before you - assume things.

[He has to remind himself that it's not worry about what he's going to do. They're past that.]

There isn't anything I want to say, Hank.

Then don't. I'm not going to make you. [as if he could make Erik talk in the first place] Just - listen to what I have to say instead.

What's happened between the two of you is none of my business, and I'm not - trying to make it otherwise. [he wants to make that clear, that he won't step in where he doesn't belong] And you - know how I feel about her, and that I'm not - all that great at being . . . unbiased.

But if you - eventually want to talk it out - then the offer's there. If you want to dance around it and just blow of steam? That's fine, too. [a pause, and he makes a noise] Hell, if you want to blow of steam and take it out another way, I know a blue guy who can take a couple of punches.

[he runs a hand through his hair and glances down at Erik] What I'm trying to say is - don't stubborn your way through - whatever you want to call this alone. I know I'm your very last choice when it comes to this - especially this, but - you're still my friend. And I'm still going to offer that, regardless.

[He settles back on his heels and gives Hank his full attention, instead of working on the screws. What they are... Hank and himself, it's always been a tough one to categorise. They had hardly been friends before Kyriakos, even before Cuba. Afterwards, definitely not. Things changed, when they were in that other place. Once someone has dragged your corpse out of a room voluntarily, you have to admit a certain affection for them.

Erik remains silent and still, giving little indication of what he thinks of this speech. Other than that he's listening intently to every word of it. No, this isn't something he wants to talk about with Hank. As much as they can both claim it's none of his business, there's a bit of a lie in that. The four of them are all each others' business. It's been that way for a long time. Eventually, he just sighs, some tension dropping from his shoulders.]

You're wrong. [A beat.] You're not my last choice.

[he's half-expecting Erik to tell him off, to mind his own business, any number of things that aren't what he actually says. He can't help but expect the worst, given the subject at hand and how complicated it is - for all of them.

So it takes him a moment to actually - process what Erik says. And Hank being Hank, blurts out the first thing that comes to mind]

I'm not?

No. [His choices in these matters are limited. Erik has friends, friendly acquaintances... he has Charles. Very few are ones he would talk to about anything deeper than the surface. And maybe he's just realising this for the first time, but Hank is one of those few. Out of circumstance, definitely. Hank has seen him at his worst, more than once. They argue and they fight and as people, they don't exactly gel.

Somehow, though, they have tried to make it work. It took a while to notice, longer to admit. And despite his other faults, Erik has been trying with people. It's not an easy thing for him.

Looking back to the screwdriver in his hands, he continues, giving Hank a reprieve.]

There aren't that many people I count as friends, Hank. You are, though. This still isn't something I can talk about with you.

[later on, he's going to reflect back on this conversation and be amazed that they aren't screaming at each other. That they discussed this calmly, without anyone's temper getting the better of them - and that Erik actually acknowledged something they've never spoken about until now.

But - he said what he wanted to. He put the offer out there, and Erik listened. It doesn't matter whether he takes it or not, and - he feels like that got across]

That's fair. [he takes off his glasses to clean them, needing to fiddle with something] And - like I said, talking's optional.

[a pause, and he pretends like his glasses are suddenly the most interesting thing in the room] I'm glad you count me as - that.

I try not to spar on the ships. It's a bit hazardous for me. [Or rather, for him to do it. Especially now, when he's highly strung. He turns back to the table, beginning work on the third leg.]

[he makes a considering noise, putting his glasses back on] Mm, they're a bit too small for it. [mildly, and with the hopes that Erik picks up on the joking tone] And I'd hate to throw you and break something important.

Yes, that would be unfortunate. [He gets it... this time.]

[there is a god]

Maybe on the next stop, then.

may mingle (blameless!)

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