He doesn’t really want to answer any of that, a part of him slipping back and receding into the recesses of his mind while his chest thuds with something flaring hot.
They sound like they’re getting angry with him, but he knows it’s just pressure. Seth’s not one to get mad, at least not this one at the very least. So he still has a chance to explain himself, even if the rest of it is just bullshit coming off his tongue in smooth motions.
Mal is turning and staring with a confoundment in him that he didn’t think he had before, coming over, closing space in between, till they’re one step closer to pulling fingers over them- one step under their chin like he has to hesitant on it to make it real. It’s what Brian would have done.
And then he holds it still, because from this view, Seth feels like he’s a skip and beat past mild forbearance. The gaze sticking on to himself like a hangnail. Brian would have flinch.
“Look, he’s not here, and he’s not gonna be here for a little bit but. I can assure you and whatever else is going on in that pretty little head of yours that he’s fine, and he’s not anywhere, stuck in traffic, or dumpster-esque diving in lakes-the guy’s a pessimist not a lunatic. Stop stressing over it. “
And he pulls back, the hands that have sat there-moldered on shoulders have felt like they’ve been there for too long. He’s getting to comfortable.
“ Just relax and go to bed, and I promise you I’ll be out of your hair before the night’s over, and you can have your boyfriend back again…..It’ll be fine.”
Driven in by the fact that he’s a worrier by heart, it was only natural the drag the question along and ask again. sheets are stealing away from him, some unknown motive- a passing thought he thinks tells him, to weather it out for the worst.
Proceed with good judgement and say- Okay he’s not really coming back is he? And something in his eye prick unknowingly at the thought coveting a space in his brain when his hands are shoving any and all product of comfort away from himself. Good good feeling of hope; and spills it out.
“ Where is he Hoody?”
But before he can even get the rest of it out, they’re coming at him, and witholding their hands out like they’ve given up; a white flag spiraling out in the wind and it’s hands to his shoulders, cold and firmly keeping him in place.
He feels uncomfortable, resigning his eyes elsewhere when they come at him so undaunted and cocksure.
He expects them to tell him the exact the same things all over again, but it’s just reassurance coming out of that mouth instead. It’s shocking, almost like Seth didn’t expect it, and he didn’t because when have they ever been the ones to tell him to chill out over their supposed vessel? If anyone to be worried about what the state of Brian could be in, it’s him, holding all the rights to.
They on a scale don’t really have the same priorities when it comes to just that and by some standards, they don’t even need Brian anymore as a shield anymore if they’re free to roam around like this....
So where do they get off?
“ You’re joking me right? You expect me to just sit back on my fingers and toes, waiting around for you to let him have a chance to breath again, While he’s just somewhere possibly suffering?
Do I look like I’m in the mood for any of that, I’ve done my waiting, an entire month’s worth of it.... what more is there left to do?”
And it’s pleading, and it’s a snare in his throat pushing down on harsh words, fingers snapping at the sheets. He’s glad when they’re pulling back away from him, because otherwise he might’ve had to restrained himself form slapping their hands away, snippy.
“ Just... when is he coming back? When is that going to happen again, I’ve been waiting around and wondering about it, and you.. you haven’t really done much say for look out for me, and I appreciate all of that but. Really, truthfully is this even what you want? To stick around here all mopey and away from real freedom?
Is it? Aren’t you tired of always being here? All the time, doesn’t that get tedious for you? I know you wanna leave- I know you do. But, please you gotta tell me. Is he coming back?”
