driftfleet | (no subject)

They make you better at fighting and protecting. I know it's Kara's heart that makes her amazing, but it's also that heart that makes her want to keep us safe. If she gets shot - it bounces off of her. If I get shot in the wrong place - that's it. And I understand that. It's just not a good enough reason for me to stay behind anymore, and it makes her worry because she cares.

[ he gets it, he really does. it just still doesn't make hearing it any easier. he wants her to support him the same way he's supported her. ]

It sounds like you're talking about something that's already been discussed. Did she find out you wanted lessons here or are you talking about something at home that I don't know about yet?

[ he falls quiet for a while. ]

Sorry. Told you the being ahead thing - it's nothing but stress. [ home, definitely home. kara knows about his self defense lessons (not the shooting yet, but the ones with jim at least) and she's never objected to them, he doesn't think she ever will - cuz they're theory. they're sport. they're a useful skill to have while he waits for her to get to him. ]

You don't have to keep it a secret. [Looking at him as if waiting for more.]

[ he gets a look in return. ]

Neither do you. [ what, you think he magically forgot that you're sitting on a secret that's causing you pain? un-bloody-likely. ]

That's how it's going to be? [His secret for Winn's?]

No. It's just good advice, I thought you should hear it. [ he still can't tell his secret because it's not just his secret - he'll be outing james. on intergalactic television. what if it makes the atroma take interest in him and abduct him? no, he's not putting a friend at risk just so he could feel a little better. ]

What's if it's not good advice? [What if he loses everything?]

[ he sighs ] Look, Mon-El, I'll tell you something that being the son of a psychopath taught me - If you can't trust your friends, if you can't trust the woman you love to love you no matter what - then it's not gonna last anyway. The truth comes out one way or another, especially here. The truth will sound a lot better coming from you.

[He looks at Winn thoughtfully before nodding and ducking his head, because Winn is probably right, but Mon-El is still worried to do it. When is the right moment for maybe losing her? Maybe losing everyone who is friends with her too? Being alone again.] I'll keep that in mind.

[ he pats his back. ]

It'll be okay - come here - [ he gets a hug because he really looks like he needs one. he should probably worry about what kind of secret warrants that much fear - but he really can't imagine mon-el doing anything that bad. he believes in his friend, he wishes mon-el could believe in them too if only so he could stop hurting himself by holding it in and depriving himself of comfort he clearly needs - but he knows it's not that easy. if it were, he wouldn't be sitting on secrets himself. ]

[The hug is unexpected but very welcome as he hugs back, careful not to crush any of Winn's ribs. When he pulls back he does so with some pats to his back.] Okay, let's get you those bullets so you can buy me a drink. [A drink sounds good!]

[ there's a little wincing but it's from his pre-existing bruises. he nods with a determined look, though. ]

Let's do it. It's that bar over there - I figured parking close is a good idea in case things go south -

Thinking of everything. [Except a second bullet-proof vest.] You know who you need to talk to?

[ it's not that he didn't think of one! it's that he doesn't have materials to make one with okay, gosh. he won't ask kara for her suit back and rip it apart just because he needs it more, that would make sense (and require an explanation he's not interested in giving). ]

He said to sit on the bar and he'll find me.

[He could have just wrapped Kitty's suit around his chest for a questionable fashion statement.]

Are you supposed to wear anything special? A flower? Funny hat?

[ no way, he's not taking that suit away from her - if she glitches and can't phase or just doesn't see trouble coming - she's not bulletproof. ]

-- I can't believe I'm saying it, but you've been watching too many movies.

I learned it from watching you. [Which is a phrase he's learned from TV without knowing the original commercial reference.]

I guess friends who watch too many movies have friends who watch too many movies.

[ solemn nod. not the worst thing he could learn from him, honestly. ]

[He doesn't follow that all the way back or he'd appreciate it much more.] Good one. [But it still sounded wise!

It isn't too long before they are in the appointed place, making the hand off with no one getting shot or otherwise harmed. The connection is leaving and Mon-El nods to Winn.] Time for that drink?