[log] Lean on me [closed]

[zunesareawesome]

Characters: The Sorcerer Not-Yet-Supreme, Star-Cat, Star-Lord, and the Librarian
Location: Building 318 and various
Date: Day 339-343
Summary: The visiting of Flynn Carsen to the clan of Snow.
Warnings: References to character death, drowning, blood (because this is a scary building), more CW's in ensuing threads.




318: The stench of blood is thick in this garage, with blood long-soaked into the concrete floor, staining nearly the entire expanse. There are empty wooden tables to be sat on if you would rather not sit on the floor, though they've all been flipped as if in anger. One of the tables has been broken into pieces and burned, and another has pieces missing as if someone had begun to break it into pieces but was interrupted. The whole place has a hostile air to it, and the walls sound like they're breathing at night. "ALPHONSE ELRIC, DAY TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY TWO, CONTACT @LELRIC FOR ANY ASSISTANCE." "ALPHONSE ELRIC, DAY TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY SIX, PLEASE CALL @LELRIC FOR ANY ASSISTANCE NEEDED." and "ALPHONSE ELRIC, DAY TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY EIGHT, FOR ANY ASSISTANCE PLEASE CONTACT @LELRIC ANY TIME." are written on one of the walls.

Comments

cw ptsd, refs to self harm (continued for rest of thread)

[zunesareawesome]

Peter's dozing off the the side, curled up on one of the overturned tables because the floor was just--no. He hasn't been getting much (any) sleep since Bluestar died, always waking up after a short time in a jolt of fear that he was too late. Still, he was tired enough that he's been catching an hour or two before jolting awake, even though he doesn't want to sleep, he doesn't need to sleep, it's fine--

And he jolts awake again, when he finally hears Flynn moving around.

"Wha--" his eyes are wide and for a second he looks completely terrified and baffled to where he is, but then he remembers suddenly and--

"Flynn." His shoulders relax and he sounds utterly relieved. He manages a wan smile, look, he hasn't smiled in days even. You're here, bro! This is terrible circumstances but also great!

Peter sits up, and rubs his face, his left sleeve moving to reveal that he no longer has bandages, but a hint of the fresh scarring peeking through. He takes the earbuds out of his ears, and turns off his Zune.

[cahooted]

There he is! Flynn wasn't sure if he would get here first and was ready to prepare some food for their arrival but looks like they beat him to it. "Peter, hey."

He brightens and returns the smile, even though the scarring on his friend's arm is like a stab to the face. Seeing it now in person makes it real in a horrible, overwhelming way. Somewhere under that sleeve there's Flynn's name on that arm and he honestly can't deal with any of the emotions that brings right now. He has no idea or plan when, how and if to bring it up but planning has never been his strong suit; he'll get to that point when or if it comes up.

For now he's just heading over to meet Peter and yeah, you're definitely getting a hug, buddy. He's still cold from the travels and wind chill but he's forgotten all about that for now. "Sorry, did I wake you up?"

[zunesareawesome]

"Nah, it's cool--I'm up--" Also thanks for saving him from more nightmares, buddy! Peter gets up, and you're getting another bear hug in return, bro. He's just gonna be polite about how it's like hugging Frosty the Snowman.

"It's so good to see you, man."

Unfortunately Peter's pretty much covered in red lines by now. They make their way across in an electrical, lightning-like pattern. He's tried not to think about it so much, but seeing Flynn suddenly here--

Oh, d'ast.

"You still have your crowbar, right? In case something happens?" He knows he's got some kind of MN poisoning from what the Admin told him, which was, y'know, scary, but he doesn't think he's being paranoid at all, this is a legit worry--

[cahooted]

"It's good to see you, too." It's heartfelt and he holds Peter for another long moment (the body warmth is nice, too, sorry) before he finally pulls back, studying the lines on his face. They look even worse up close and Flynn is startled by just how rapidly they seem to have progressed since the last time they have spoken.

Peter looks like he's been through hell and back. Flynn doesn't know how much he can do about it but he figures if he can just contribute a small part to help Peter get back into a better state of mind it will already be worth it.

Lost in thoughts he can't quite follow the sudden jump from reunion to weaponry. His crowbar? He shrugs and nods, patting his belt. "I... yeah, I do? Always have it right here by my side."

[zunesareawesome]

That's okay he doesn't mind sharing his warmth he's just going to pretend he isn't shivering--

"Good. That's good." An immediate relief, he sighs and his shoulders sag a little. There's definitely something heavy in his movements, in the weight of the way he's not smiling that widely, how the grin doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Just in case, y'know. You don't wanna be stuck here if me and Stephen suddenly attack you. I also have rope in my bag. Made out of a chiffon dress, but hey."

A pause.

"Seriously though. You know what you have to do if it gets bad, right? You take us out, you break bones if you need to."

[cahooted]

Oh. That's what he's getting at. Flynn should have known, Peter has been particularly vocal about his concerns about the lines ever since they returned from the pit.

"Peter, relax. It's gonna be fine." Flynn squeezes his shoulder comfortingly. "Whatever is going on, we'll see it through. And if it means that much to you, I promise I won't let you guys attack me." He pauses. "As long as you promise not to take it personally if I whoop your butt in self-defense."

You know.

Like the last time when you turned into a planet and chased him and tried to take his light and then were mopey because he ran away from you because he kind of wanted to survive.

[zunesareawesome]

"I won't." He grins a bit wider though, that does make him feel a lot better. "But I mean, you gotta be sure you can take me out. I'm pretty strong, y'know."

Other than the last time you beat him with a crowbar.

And you really need to get over that, Flynn.

...even though you shoulda came back. Just sayin'.

[cahooted]

"Please, you think you'd be the first guy with a biceps to come at me? I think I can handle myself. And strength isn't everything."

Taking a lighter tone to all this helps. It's usually how Flynn deals with panic-inducing situations and it seems like this is working for Peter, too. "I got this."

And he will never get over your planetface.

Never.

[zunesareawesome]

"I just want to make sure."

But then again, Flynn did manage to beat him down, so...

There's a sigh of relief at least.

"I won't hold it against you if I lose any teeth. But try not to mess my face up too much."

...

...it's been a long time since then, Flynn. You really gotta let it go.

[cahooted]

"I'll do my best. Where do you want to be whacked instead? Shoulder? Back?"

It's been a little over a month. A little over a month really isn't all that much time to get over your best friend turning into a giant planet and chasing you through the snow. Just saying.

[zunesareawesome]

"Shoulders won't be so bad. Back...eh, don't want to run the risk of a broken back around these parts. You'd havta carry me. If you can, that is." But it's a smirk, despite the heavy subject, he's trying to be a little positive about it, bring some of his old optimism back, the kind that trusted in 12% of a half-baked plan that was barely a concept.

It's forever ago and have you ever thought about what it was like to be the planet, Flynn? Much less waiting for you to return when you said you would and you didn't?

[cahooted]

He nudges Peter with his elbow. "Carry you? Please, I need to conserve my strength for the hike. I'd build a sled and pull you. Much more efficient."

Sorry, he was too busy trying not to die, pal.

[zunesareawesome]

"You mean like an Alaskan-sled-dog type sled! And I could go mush and you'd have to drag me around!" Ha! That's what you'd get, too, if you busted him with your crowbar. He nudges him back.

No excuses.

[cahooted]

He rolls his eyes at that. "Only if you give me treats."

As soon as he says it he pauses, scrunching up his face. "That came out wrong. Forget I said that."

[zunesareawesome]

"Okay, yeah, I was about to ask if you wanted dog biscuits? Because they're really not that bad? I mean, I've tried them before."

A shrug.

[cahooted]

There had been a time where Flynn had been very squeamish about food in survival situations. Several months in this famished hell has made him a little less picky and just the word biscuit is enough to make his stomach rumble loudly.

"Are they? I never had any."

[zunesareawesome]

"Yeah, a little bland, but nothing too bad. I think they just don't overly flavor them? I think it's a little mean, cause like, it's not like dogs can tell you if you need more salt or sugar or whatever." This is important! Dogs deserve the best of everything.

[cahooted]

"Maybe that would be bad for the dogs. Maybe stuff tastes differently to them?"

His stomach growls loudly again. Must you talk about salt and sugar and food so much, Peter? "I... I'm good with trying one? You know. To form my own opinion."

For science.

[zunesareawesome]

There's a long pause.

"You really, really want a dog biscuit, don't you?" A shrug. "Well, if I find some I'll save 'em for you."

Because he's a good friend like that.

[cahooted]

"Oh."

There is a pause in which the disappointment is almost palpable.

"I thought you meant you had some."

[zunesareawesome]

"No, I don't have any." He rubs the back of his head. "Sorry, man. I will definitely try to find some for you, okay? Or maybe we can trade for some?"

He really hopes he can find some dog biscuits for him! That's going straight on his shopping list.

[cahooted]

"... Well, if you're looking for some I would actually prefer regular biscuits. If it's not too much trouble."

Look, he wouldn't mind trying them but that doesn't mean he--

"Please do not ask the network for dog biscuits for me?"

[zunesareawesome]

There's a shrug.

"...well, okay. I just thought that you might really want dog biscuits and I can totally get you some? I still have plenty of music left I can trade."

A beat.

"We're in a post-apocalyptic murder survival town, I don't think anyone's gonna judge. And I'll just tell them it's for me."

[cahooted]

Oh, he knows Peter when he gets like this and given the Dracula situation Flynn has a sinking feeling where this is going. "No, I mean it. Do not tell people I want dog biscuits."

Yeah, he is not buying you telling them it's for yourself. "I just thought you had some and I wouldn't have minded trying some if you had some because I am really hungry but if you don't have them and you're asking for food you can ask for literally everything else first."

A beat.

"Except raisins."

[zunesareawesome]

Peter squints, not really sure if he's just being polite or if he's being serious that he does not, in fact, want people to know he wanted dog biscuits?

"...I mean, there's nothing weird about liking dog biscuits, if there's a certain food that you like I'd totally try to get it for you--"

A beat.

"Seriously, you hate raisins that much?"