Alvin (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
outofplace) wrote2017-09-06 09:51 pm
outofplace) wrote2017-09-06 09:51 pminbox
Not around right now. But don't worry-- Leave a message and I'll get back to ya.
outofplace) wrote2017-09-06 09:51 pm
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In a few strides he approaches the table; flipping the chair across from Jude backwards and sitting on it, with his arms on the back of the chair in front of him.]
So. What's going on?
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[ jude offers him a weary smile before anything else. it's good to see him. despite living together, they somehow manage to miss each other on most days, alvin off doing who knows what when jude isn't out and about himself. their little hut is... cramped, to say the least. it's no wonder they don't spend much time at home. ]
So... Elle wants to learn to fight.
[ jude closes his eyes and presses his fingers to his temples. ]
She went and asked the other coven members where she can get her hands on some weapons to train with. I tried to talk to her, but she really is a stubborn girl.
I got into an... argument of sorts with a friend who agreed to help her out. He said Elle should learn how to protect herself. I said it's our job to protect her.
[ time for some co-parenting. ]
So what do you think about all this? I just don't want her to get hurt. As long as we're here, she's our responsibility, isn't she?
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Well. He'll know if Jude tries to lie to him-- not that he thinks that'll really be an issue.
Either way this is still a subject of great importance to Jude.
So he can't just say whatever he feels like. He's quiet for a moment, sighing.]
...sure. In an ideal world, that doesn't have to be an option. And maybe if the others were here, that would be more realistic-- but it's not like you and I are going to be with her every second.
[And he's seen how things just happen here sometimes. You can't be prepared for everything, as much as you want to.]
I'm the last person who'd push a weapon into some kid's hands if they were against it. But if that makes her feel safer, then maybe we should be the ones teaching her, instead of of fighting it. At least we can make sure she knows what she's doing. We might even be able to minimize the likelihood that she ever has to use it.
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I think I can see where you're coming from. She wants me to teach her martial arts, too, and I agreed to it, but I know that's not enough.
[ jude looks down at his calloused hands, a beat passing. ]
I just... if something were to happen to her, I wouldn't ever be able to forgive myself, and it's hard to imagine such a little girl stuck in a situation where she needs a weapon.
But I guess I never thought about it that way. That if we're the ones teaching her we can make sure she's in good hands. It makes sense.
[ he glances back up to meet alvin's gaze. ]
I've been looking at this in black and white. I probably could have avoided that argument entirely had I just talked to you before jumping the gun.
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But we still gotta consider her wishes. We turn her down and she goes somewhere else... who knows what'll happen or what kind of weapon she'll get her hands on. Us... we can at least find her something that suits her and make sure she won't hurt herself.
Girl's still just a kid. But she wants to do what she can to help everyone. [Alvin smirks.] Sounds like another crazy kid I know. [That small bit of teasing aside, importantly--] So, her choice or not-- if something goes wrong I'll take the blame for it.
[He's the adult here.
But there's one other thing that he doesn't want to let Jude be able to sweep under the rug.]
So what's going on with you? You're only a few books away from making your own little house here.
[It's not like Jude to isolate himself. That... is more his shtick. So naturally he's concerned.]
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[ after all, jude is the one who insisted they take her in in the first place. ]
... We're sort of like her stand-in mom and dad. I never thought I'd be a parent at sixteen.
[ despite the worries gnawing at him underneath the surface, he can't help but laugh. it's a funny thought. and parenting with alvin, of all people. ]
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Oh. Um...
[ jude can't meet his eyes. suddenly, that wall over there is very interesting. ]
Nothing important. Same old, same old. Boring stuff.
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But if Jude wants to play that game then fine.]
Can't say I'm surprised I'm in the position to rob the cradle.
[Can't blame anyone for thinking he'd add another crime to his already impressive list. It's a joke though. Really.]
Well, if that's the case then I guess I really can't accept that answer, darling. You're not being even a little believable. That's just going to make a guy worry more.
["Playing" or not, the last part is... surprisingly genuine. Incredibly so. He's not going to make him talk but Jude should at least know that he's got someone to talk to if he wants. Not that he'd say he's the best to talk to. Even so...]
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I was just kidding! Why do you have to make everything sound so... unsavory?
[ of course alvin wouldn't believe him, though. how many times has jude called him out on his lies? and alvin is a far better liar than jude is. ]
But it's... It's sort of complicated. Seriously, there's nothing for you to worry about.
Dear.
[ maybe he can pretend everything's fine if he keeps up with the banter! yeah. ]
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[So don't complain when he takes the invitation to embarrass you further. They're just make believe roles, right? It's fine. Nothing to it.]
That's funny... because I think if I was the one in your position, you'd be just as worried.
[Alvin sighs and puts his hand on top of Jude's. He might not be that good at the physical contact thing where emotions are involved but... he knows that this kind of thing typically comforts Jude. And if that's the case then, well, he can't say he minds it that much.]
If there's nothing I can do to help, then I'll accept that. But unless you tell me that it's gonna keep bothering me. Besides... I know you well enough to know that you wouldn't lie if it wasn't important.
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[ jude hangs his head and puffs out a small sigh, resigning himself to his fate. he can't deny alvin. not when he just wants to help. ]
You're a really good friend, you know that?
[ the warmth of alvin's larger hand on his is steadying. grounding. that warmth reminds him just how much alvin's changed, and just how lucky jude is to have him here with him. jude's thumb grazes against his. ]
But you have to promise not to laugh at me. Or tease me. Or— or— just promise.
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[Maybe he's not ready to completely give himself that credit yet, but-- it's fine as long as he can use that to help Jude.]
I swear it. Cross my heart and all that good stuff.
[How he said it aside-- he's sincere. He means it.]
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he clears his throat, cheeks flushed pink. here goes nothing. ]
I ended up falling for a good friend, and I sort of kissed him on impulse, but he's not even human so he doesn't understand whether or not he reciprocates my feelings, and telling you this just made me realize... why do I keep getting mixed up in complicated relationships with people who don't fall under the classification of "human"? Is this some sort of pattern?
[ jude is sort of out of breath when he stops talking. his hand underneath alvin's has curled into a white-knuckled fist. it's hard to meet alvin's gaze, but he does, searching his eyes to gauge his reaction. that was a lot. ]
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...and you're actually worried?
[Alvin says like he's very clearly not. But he does take his hand back. Very casually, like it's nothing.]
Listen. Trust me. That's pretty normal. The more you want it to go well, the worse it does. You don't have anything to worry about.
[...he sighs.]
I'm probably the last person you should go to for advice on not screwing up monumentally. But that's fine... because as long as you're you, you'll be fine. It might not happen right away but-- you'll get through to them.
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[ jude blinks. well, alvin didn't laugh at him. he kept his promise. jude knew he would. ]
It can't really be that simple, can it?
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[Even with the weird heaviness in his chest, it's not difficult for Alvin to say--]
I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't be happy to have someone like you genuinely care about them that way.
[If that was unclear, then--]
If they reject you, I'll eat my scarf.
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Are you sure? I mean, I know how much you care about that scarf...
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[Alvin grins and... yeah this is fine like this.]
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Thanks, Alvin. I feel... a bit lighter.
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[He wouldn't actually make you buy him one. He wouldn't know what to do with a gift anyway.]
Good. at least it wasn't anything serious. You had me worried.
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Besides saving the world and dispelling the schism and all that. I suppose that stuff was a little more serious.
[ jude chuckles again. ]
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[He grins. Well... then again, it's Jude. He wouldn't be saying anything if it wasn't serious.]
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A-Alvin! I'm not in love! When I said it was serious, I didn't mean that serious!
[ jude slumps over the table. rip jude mathis. ]
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[Okay he's teasing but also-- he is a little surprised.
Maybe he's rubbing off on Jude too.
yikes.]
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