redrighthanded | IC; Duplicity Inbox

yeah?

well we've got some tea

[ Even if he has to make it by boiling a pot of water on the stove because they haven't gotten around to buying a kettle yet. ]

it'll be waiting for you

Seems I get myself into a lot of shit when I'm pissed. Not that you need to be told that.

Tea is good. I'll be there in ten.

[ And he is. The warehouse has a few spots he could sneak in via, he's pretty sure Harley has sealed them up by now, or put some inventive traps in place for anyone who tries to get in that way. So he'll stick to the front door, knocking his fist against it. ]

Do I need to give the password?

[ Hellboy's trying to channel his concern into something useful, which means making tea has also turned into attempting to tidy up their space a little bit. He and Harley aren't exactly the neatest housemates, so it mostly means he's put piles of things into other piles, but at least he found some tea in there.

Bruce sticks his head up over the top of his armchair as that thump sounds at the door but Hellboy waves him down as he goes to open it. He steps aside immediately to encourage Jacob to come in out of the rain. ]

You think we should have a password? [ A slightly worried frown. ] Kinda assumed most people would be put off by the hyena and all the weapons. [ Harley has a reputation and all. Jacob will find the inside of the warehouse as chaotic as it was at the party, albeit a little more lived in. Hellboy gestures for him to make himself comfortable as he heads back to the kitchen to check on the boiling water. ]

[ Has Hellboy forgotten the state of the little room they'd shared? Bottles and cigarettes packets and chinese takeaway boxes and old cups of tea on every flat surface, clothes thrown haphazardly onto the floor? By comparison this has far more space to be messy in, and there's furniture that looks comfortable, not fished out of the trash.

Instead of settling in the room with the chairs and the hyena, he follows Hellboy towards the kitchen, leaning against the door frame.]

It was a joke, really. I thought Harley should have set up some booby traps by now too.

[ He definitely hasn't forgotten those couple of months together, though maybe he's assuming that Jacob's used to finer things now he's living with royalty. He checks on the pot of water and rearranges the mugs he's found, then looks back over at Jacob, a line working its way between his brows as he frowns again. ]

Yeah. [ He's distracted, worried. He comes back around, not quite hovering near Jacob, but close. Even though they've made up, he's still not totally sure where they stand, whether the younger man would appreciate comfort or whether he needs more space. ] You okay?

[ They may well still be in that strange purgatory, not sure where the line is but Jacob had sought Hellboy out because it's in his arms that he still feels the most comfort. Maybe he can't ever get that level of safety and attention again, but even being close to the big red guy helps. And when Hellboy steps close to him again? He feels a weight shift, still heavy on his shoulders, but at least no longer on his chest.

The question isn't expected, nor is the concern but he'll take it. His eyes flicker away from the glowing eyes to the strong arms, wishing he could just press himself into them and hide.

But he doesn't. He stays still against the door, and shakes his head.]

Not really, no.

Hey, it's -- [ He starts forward, stops himself just in case, then realises as he does it how stupid that reaction feels. No matter what's happened between them, Jacob is still his friend, and he's clearly in some kind of pain.

Resolute, he crosses the space between them, reaching out to put a crooked finger under Jacob's chin and encourage him to lift his eyes back up before his touch drifts back, down onto the assassin's shoulder. ] Wanna talk about it?

[Jacob's response is instinctive, tipping his head up at the merest touch of the large red hand against his chin. He's trying very hard to keep a grip on himself, trying so hard not to let it all burst out of him but as he looks up at Hellboy, as he tries to breath steadily, he knows Hellboy can read him like a book.]

Those people. They were... what happened to them. I couldn't stop it. I didn't know it was going to happen. I've been here months. I've done nothing to make this place better. I don't- I can't-

[ He doesn't even know how to explain it, the knot of guilt in his chest, the feelings of inadequacy rearing up like stallions about to crush him. He's no closer now that he was when he first arrived.

And he's got no one to blame but himself.]

[ It's not the response he expected to get, not framed like that, but it fits with what he knows about Jacob. Those airy dreams about resistance they talked about in the darkness of their room weren't just ideals for him. That he feels a personal sense of failure over something he could never have prevented isn't, in hindsight, all that surprising. ]

Hey.. [ Hellboy breaks into that litany of guilt before it can go any further. There's no question about what Jacob needs from him now. He pulls him into his arms without a moment's hesitation, ducking his chin down to kiss the top of his head. ] You couldn't've stopped that. You've seen the crap those guys can do to people. It's not your fault.

[Tucking his head in against Hellboy, feeling the lips brush his hair, it releases something in him, although not totally. Pressing his face into the other man's chest, breathing in the scent of peanuts, wishing he could banish those images from his mind. It wasn't sex, it was torture, for all of the people involved. How could the people in charge get away with that? For all Hellboy says that he couldn't have done anything, Jacob is sure that he could have done something.]

It's not my fault. But they could do that to any of us. They could hurt you, or Harley, Gilia, anyone. I can't let that happen.

[ It's not difficult to feel the tension in Jacob's body, even through the layers he has on. Hellboy brushes his hand over the cold damp of his walk through the Down clinging to him, pulling him closer, even his tail winding out to wrap loosely around the younger man's knee. ]

They could hurt you. I don't want that to happen either.

[ Jacob is trying so hard not to tremble too, but failing. He's not as good at controlling himself as he thinks, be it his impulses or his body. But the way Hellboy pulls him in close distracts him from his failings, all of them. He's safe, he's loved, although that might still be on shaky ground, and his life is valued. Not by those who see him as a tool, a highly trained soldier, a means to an end, but as a person.

It's more than he deserves, and he knows it.

He takes a breath, realising that he might accidentally smother himself against the other man's skin, and tries to swallow back the answer that is always quick to his lips, the lesson all assassins are taught: his life is nothing compared to the people he must save.]

They might hurt me. But that means they'd have to catch me.

[ In the context of the conversation it's not a joke at all, but Hellboy allows himself the ghost of a smile anyway, if only because he likes to hear Jacob's confidence. He's pretty sure the young assassin could give whoever he wanted a run for their money, though he doesn't relish the thought of finding out.

He strokes his hand down Jacob's back, feeling that trembling tension in him, wondering what he can do to soothe it. ]

Hey, they'd have to fight me too. And I'm pretty sure I can make most of them regret trying. [ He makes a thoughtful noise, reaching up to brush his fingertips over the back of Jacob's head. ] You sure you don't want anything stronger than tea?

They'd have to fight you too huh? I hope they've got insurance.

[ The bare hint of a smile is nice, and it makes him long for the broader, easier smiles Hellboy used to turn his way. Instead he keeps his breathing as measured as he can make it, and shakes his head in reply to the question.]

Not to drink. Get myself into some real shite if I do. Besides, what's stronger than you? Not much.

[ He turns his head, putting his cheek on Hellboy's warm chest, and tries not to think about what would happen if they did catch him again.]

I dunno, I've met some pretty strong guys.

[ The banter is easier than talking about anything more painful, but the tension is still there. Hellboy's not about to break the hug though, not until the water in the pot starts hissing as it boils. Outside, the rain starts to come down more heavily, rattling against the roof of the warehouse. ]

C'mon, you wanna watch some TV? Might help take your mind off things.

Me for a start. But somehow I don't think those guys are as smart as you.

[He hears the pan start to boil and his fingers close on Hellboy's clothes. He wants a cuppa, he does, but he wants Hellboy not to let go of him just let. But after a second, he reluctantly eases his grip.]

That's the... play that's recorded right?

IC; Duplicity Inbox

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