driftfleet | 003; video

Entry tags:

003; video

Who: Charles and Hank + You Losers
Broadcast: Video
Action: SS Blameless
When: Right Now

[two old nerds appear on screen, unboxing a large colouring create with "Congratulations On Your One Year Anniversary!" written on the side in big, bold letters. Inside appears to be plushies of DNA, antibodies, and other related paraphernalia.

Of course, while doing this they're sharing the popular "rumors" about them out loud, for their own amusement. Or bemusement, either or]

Let’s see . . . 'Aliens stole Charles' hair.' I can’t say that’s wrong.

In a manner of speaking, sure.

What else . . . 'Hank is a beast in bed'. Hank, you sly devil.

—No comment.

Hmm. 'Hank and Charles are the perfect couple'. I think our students got a hold of this one.

Huh. I just read one lamenting our divorce.

Hold on, what’s this?

[ Charles pulls out a business card ]

Well now . . . I guess I’ll be keeping this.

[Hank's response is to burst into laughter. What a helper]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You didn't remember anything from home, did you?

[he shakes his head]

I didn't, no - which was a relief, honestly.

[ Charles can't argue that. Still. ]

I wish we had some news on the school.

I do too, but I don't want it from sporadic memories they decide to give us.

That's fair, I suppose.

Besides, we usually get large gaps of memory . . . and I'd rather not suddenly remember another ten years.

[pls no]

No. I think that's preferable to all of us.

[ At the same time . . . Charles huffs, turning away the possibility. ]

[he tilts his head at the huff . . . and instead of reaching out to squeeze his shoulder as he normally would, he tosses a stuffed antibody at him instead]

Stop worrying. It's fine.

Who said I was worrying?

[ Catching it, Charles straightens the antibody on his lap. ]

Twenty years of friendship.

[but it's said in that tone where he'll leave it if Charles' wants to. It isn't as though he doesn't worry too]

[ He softens a little at that. ]

I suppose the old fears have come back.

[ Charles sighs. ]

Erik and I are seeing each other again, so to speak.

[he tilts his head at the admission, but it isn't a surprise. Not in the least]

How long has that been happening?

Only a month so far.

[ He exhales quietly. ]

It's been fine. Good.

That's good. I assume you two are taking it . . . slow?

Like a glacier.

[ He huffs. ] It has to be slow anyway. Erik lost — [ He stops there. ]

My point is I worry it's too much.

[he just nods when Charles stops, because he gets it. He huffs a faint noise]

Yes, you do.

I think I'm allowed. It hasn't exactly been smooth sailing.

I'm not saying you're not allowed, Charles. I'm just agreeing.

I know it hasn't been smooth.

[ He nods, though it seems like it's still on his mind. ]

Mmm. I suppose I wouldn't mind a glimpse into . . . our world.

[ Just this once, to know it'll work out. ]

[he can understand that feeling. Very well.

Still, he doesn't draw too much attention that, and rather . . . despite the teasing, it's gentle]

Are you being selfish for once? I'm impressed.