Brian Matthews

Lake Grimstone Science Officer

[brianmatthewsgov-blog]

harlcyhunt:

“jesus, you can’t even remember, can you? though, i suppose you’re married to your work, but i’d have thought you’d have something casual going on at the very least. well, you know where i am if you ever consider yourself desperate enough to try men.” harley offered, a smirk on his lips as he looked over the other, letting out a sigh. “fine, casual it is.” 

“No, I can’t, okay.” He rolled his eyes, a slight annoyance in his tone. “Married to my work and that’s all I need. And don’t start with any of this ‘oh it must get lonely’, because it doesn’t.” He let out a small sigh, shaking his head. “Nice try kid.”

[brianmatthewsgov-blog]

assistantdirectorwilds:

Antonia could have put her money on that. She didn’t, as she wasn’t a betting woman, but she easily could have. “Of course,” she answered. “Dr. Kepler is highly capable.” She gave him another smile. Really, in these sorts of moments more than in his cocky rages, she felt like she could imagine herself in his shoes. Failure, for someone who was used to success, was the most frustrating thing. “Wow, who knew you were such an optimist? Where was this attitude when you were shattering glass all over the floor?”

“Probably the most capable,” he added promptly, a tinge of venom in his voice. Of course, he couldn’t be angry at Antonia. She didn’t hire everyone, and she wasn’t the one behind Browning’s dislike of Brian. At least not to the best of his knowledge it wasn’t her fault. “Meh, I have my moments. Few and far between it seems. It was there...just the spontaneity took over a little. I do apologise again for that.”

[brianmatthewsgov-blog]

harlcyhunt:

“are you saying your shit in bed? wait, brian matthews, when was the last time you got laid?” harley asked with a smirk, leaning against the wall as he looked over the other. “you do not want me to imagine two of you… oh damn.” he could feel his face tinting pink slightly, but cleared his throat and nodded. “a casual one? i don’t think that word exists for me when it comes to alcohol, but sure we can try. or i can buy.”

“I’m saying there’s always room for improvement. And not long long ago...perhaps...” He paused for a moment, trying to think back to when it actually had been. A year? Two? Three? “None of your business actually. I’ve been busy. And it’s casual or nothing. Seriously, it’s like you forget I have work every day. I can’t be out drinking all the time.”

[brianmatthewsgov-blog]

harlcyhunt:

“if, in this dimension, your doppelganger and i are fucking, trust me he’s judging you for not doing it in this dimension, because he knows just how damn awesome it is to fuck me.” harley smirked, a shrug on his shoulders. “you find another dimension you better take me with you.” he bit down on his lower lip, and nodded, “yeah sure, tonight sounds good.” 

“As long as he’s better in bed than I am I’m sure you’ll both be fine.” He laughed, “but I’ll take you there don’t worry. Imagine two Brian’s, or is that going to send you over the edge?” Brian gave a small nod. “I should be finished by 8. 8:30 at the very latest so I’ll meet you there. Not sure I can afford a mad one either, but a causal one for me is fine.”

[brianmatthewsgov-blog]

harlcyhunt:

“yeah, i get that. and trust me, i definitely know you’re not sentimental.” harley chuckled biting down on his lower lip softly as he looked over the other. “hey, if you can get me to another fucking dimension you can take this damn power away, matthews. your more available doppelganger would be kicking you up the ass for not taking full advantage of me being single, just so you’re aware.” the immortal informed the other, eyes narrowing playfully at the scientist. “so drinks. drunken-ness. is that happening today? tonight, rather? because like i said, it’s needed. i’m sure on both ends.” 

At least Harley knew. In all honesty, it was probably something he should work on: sentiment. “If I can find another dimension I’d be long gone. Claim to fame. Instant recognition. I’d love it. And you really think you know my doppelganger that well?” He tapped at his chin. “Tonight perhaps?”

[brianmatthewsgov-blog]

assistantdirectorwilds:

At his answer, Antonia couldn’t help her small, private smile. She threw back her entire glass before pouring them both a refill, leaning toward him a little. “Well,” she began. “No one can do their entire job on their own, at least not an important job. So, all you can do is figure out who you need to get through, and how to get them on board.” She sighed. “I don’t need to understand it to listen to you talk, but you also have other options. Dr. Browning, Dr. Kepler…we have several capable scientists other than you for a reason.”

“I’ll go with Kepler.” He said bluntly. His distaste for Dr. Browning was probably common knowledge among the other staff, but if it wasn’t, he made damn well sure people remembered. He took another long sip of his refilled glass and offered a small smile. “It’ll be fine. There’s always the long dig before you strike gold.”

[brianmatthewsgov-blog]

assistantdirectorwilds:

Antonia had to listen until he finished. Not just because she did respect the man, and he did deserve to have someone listen to him, but because she needed the time to come up with an answer. She had no idea why the research wasn’t adding up. She was no scientist herself, and tried her best to stay out of their way when it came to their work. It was none of her business what the research said, as long as she maintained the town so they could do it. “I don’t know, Brian,” she answered, a rare moment without the formality she usually fell back to. “Have you lost sight of your, uh, theories or whatever you do? Or is it that you don’t see the path out anymore?”

In that moment he was twenty-two again, trying to prove to his superiors why his project was worth investing time and funding into. That it wasn’t just some ridiculous dream, and that there was weight to his claims and his theories. Sure, this was all years ago, before the casualties and the disasters...before Grimstone was even known to Brian, but the nature of this conversation and his own thought processes took him back to that period in his life. “I’ve not lost sight...” He took a long swig of his whiskey, “...just that...maybe I can’t solve everything. I thought I could...I knew I could. I...I don’t know how to explain it to you in a context you would understand...” he hoped that didn’t sound condescending or patronising, but it was true. His work was complicated, and anyone without a scientific mind would struggle to understand it. Hell, even he did sometimes, and it was his ideas.

[brianmatthewsgov-blog]

a-rose-in-the-shadows:

“No. I just said you were violent, which is true. Throwing things is violent. It did get really close to my head, but I never said it was intentional.” She shrugged. “I am content on staying where I am. If you talk to me, I will respond. It’s my freedom to respond and I don’t have to give you the last word. You are welcome to leave or ignore me.” Rosalie was slightly thankful that she caught his threat in the recording in her purse for if he did lay a hand on her.

Brian chewed on the inside of his cheek, doing his utmost to not say anything else incriminating. Residents always seemed to find him at the worst times so it was no wonder they all had such a distaste for, regardless of whether they had met him before or not. “Well it was unintentional, and it missed you, so I still fail to see the issue.” She had a point. He didn’t have to answer back...but he was stubborn, and the type of person that needed to get the last word in. “I’ll take the greatest of pleasures in ignoring you then. Enjoy your afternoon and try not to obstruct any more projectiles from other people. Wouldn’t want them to receive the same abuse as me.”

[brianmatthewsgov-blog]

clarkmcrrison:

“what, none of them? i doubt that. some have never said boo to a goose the whole time they’ve been here. should be rewards for good behaviour if we’re going to punish for bad behaviour, don’t you think? otherwise where’s the motivation not to act out?” clark mused, but still he shrugged his shoulders. it wasn’t his place or his decision. “well, a motivator for you to carry on with yours, and for me to eventually get back to mine i guess.”

“None of them. From what I’ve worked out, TRP are like a virus. There are more and more residents siding with them every time they turn up. The lines are blurring. They’re going to rebel whether we reward them for good behaviour or not. So if it ever comes to a point where I’m pulling the string here, that’s what’s happening. No exceptions. Same for the rest of the government. If they didn’t like the rule changes, then that’s it. They’re gone.” He stopped himself there. There were certain officials and staff members he would happily see the back of...but of course, Brian wasn’t in charge so that was all a distant fantasy. “Motivation is an important thing in this place. I guess we both know that.”

[brianmatthewsgov-blog]

harlcyhunt:

“Obviously not, after all that will be something you never forget.” Mainly because Harley would never let him forget it, but still, either way Brian wouldn’t be forgetting it any time soon. “I suppose that makes sense. Gotta have that sort of escape from your work. Nothing worse than leaving work and then going home to it being everywhere. Why is there no photographs? Do you have none or do you just keep them private?” The immortal asked, knowing there wasn’t many topics he wouldn’t talk about with the scientist, even if he didn’t particularly like that notion. Harley furrowed his brow as Brian spoke of the woman that could develop weapons, and that little taser thing sounded like a good idea for when he was drunk. Maybe it could detect intoxivation levels over a certain amount and then shock him when he got too close to Danny. “Too soon for that joke, Matthews, but I trust that not to happen again. Trust you to not let that happen again. I’d rather work on this together with you, and give you my power so you can help others forever, then outlive you by sleeping.”

“Oh trust me, I’ve tried to forget.” He smirked. “There’s still work there, but nothing near as bad as here. It’s more of a cool down area than a full on stop. Just in case I have a brainwave or some kind of eureka moment when I’m at home. I honestly don’t have any. Never have. All of those were left at home home. But you know me, I’m not exactly the most sentimental of people. Who needs photographs when everything I need to remember is logged up here.” He tapped at his temple with his forefinger. The only thing that stopped his mind being fully perfect was that it wasn’t a photographic memory. That would be the icing on the cake. “It’s not too soon.” He offered somewhat coldly. He had just said he wasn’t the sentimental type of person. “And I promise to the best of my ability that it won’t happen again. Although, if this ability thing doesn’t work out, at least we can work on that alternate universe thing. Find a way to get you there so you can live your immortal days with my more available doppelganger.”

[brianmatthewsgov-blog]

samanthahollings:

Sam would chuckle softly running a hand through her hair. “What can i say i’m a natural blonde when it comes to delicate conversations.” she’d glance around the bar looking at the other residents who had taken up a seat. “What topic should we move onto then?”

“I have no idea,” he shrugged, “what’s an acceptable conversation to have between a grumpy, government scientist and a pleasant seeming resident?”

[brianmatthewsgov-blog]

clarkmcrrison:

he held his hands up in surrender, a small smile coming to his lips. “i know man, apologies. it’s just like me wishing that i could give everyone more than an hour of internet time, not my decision, above my pay grade.” clark chuckled, looking over the other. “it’s all interesting though. i like taking an interest in other peoples work, it seems it’s a motivator.”

“They don’t deserve the extra time.” His comment came of flippantly but he meant every word. With all the shit going on...the messages, the blackout, the concert...the less time they had accessing the outside world, the better. “A motivator for your own work?”

[brianmatthewsgov-blog]

harlcyhunt:

“if i aim to go out and get utterly intoxicated by various means, you can bet your ass it’ll be similar to last time. except i’ll be less coherent so the bets probably won’t be anything to worry yourself about, as i’ll likely lose them all.” harley laughed, biting down on his lower lip as he nodded. “thank you, i appreciate that. and no sleeping in brians bed unless he invites it. though, i am now entirely interested with what your room looks like. i imagine simplistic, probably with research fucking everywhere and anything important that so much as links to your past will be hidden away. am i right?” he asked, a cheeky grin on his lips. “also how would a taser work? surely i’d have to tase myself when i get too close to his house? or is someone going to follow me around and be like ‘nope wrong direction zap’?” all interesting questions that made him have amusing visuals. “and hey, you can contain me any time you like, sir.” 

“I can assure you, if I’ve learnt anything from last time, I am not making bets with any residents. Ever. Again.” He paused for a second. “Wouldn’t want to taint the memories of you, obviously.” It was all play, it all had to be. Besides, with this new vulnerability Harley was displaying, playing a lot that little bit extra would cement every and all faith the younger male had in Brian. “Surprisingly it’s the opposite to my office, and that’s all I have to say on that. Although you are correct; there is little to nothing on my past in there. Not even photographs.” He looked over at Harley again. “Miss Levi has the ability to create weapons so I’m assuming she could make something along the lines of an ankle taser that goes off at when at a certain closeness of Mr Black. No need for anyone to follow you or for you to shock yourself. Everyone’s a winner.” He smirked, something between vicious and playful. “Well last time I contained you, you didn’t wake up for six months.”

[brianmatthewsgov-blog]

samanthahollings:

“Mhmm i don’t really like the name Samantha reminds me of a bad time in my life.” she’d shrug her shoulders. “But i guess exceptions can me made.” she’d offer the other a kind smile before flagging down the bartender for a cup of water. “How’s work been?”

“Well that is unfortunate.” In which case he would try and opt not to call her by a name at all. Saved confusion. Saved unnecessary emotion. “Ugh, don’t ask about work. On this one occasion I am not particularly eager to talk about the...uphill struggle.”

[brianmatthewsgov-blog]

assistantdirectorwilds:

“True,” she conceded, tilting her head to one side as she returned his small toast. “Well, you’ve hit a wall literally, too. Do you mean with your research?”

“Okay, literally and figuratively.” A small smile appeared for a moment on his face before he cleared his throat, wiping it away. “Yes...the research. Or lack there of. It’s like every time I’m close to something, and I know I’m close...it ends up not making sense. Something doesn’t add up...or a variable becomes too extraneous to be considered, meaning everything else has to be reworked. What am I doing wrong Antonia...what am I doing?”

[brianmatthewsgov-blog]

a-rose-in-the-shadows:

“When you are violent, someone will ultimately call you out on your shit and that’s why we’re having this conversation.” Rosalie shook her head. “You probably should throw things at people’s heads, so really don’t give me any advice.”

“Okay, you’re making it sound like I was intentionally violent towards you, which I wasn’t. But I will be if you don’t drop it and leave me alone.”

[brianmatthewsgov-blog]

clarkmcrrison:

“if you believed the sooner it’s complete the better, you wouldn’t do it in the first place.” clark answered, his brow raised slightly. “i think you mean the sooner you get the results you want the sooner we can do… what, exactly? is the aim to get more control, gain more understanding? help the residents if they want it?” he asked, scanning over the computer with his eyes before laughing slightly. “sorry man, i’m nosy. i get told that a lot. i just like to know as much as possible about what’s in front of me you know? always a thirst for knowledge. i’m sure you can relate.”

“Please try not to be so technical about an area of work you don’t understand. Tech is your thing, science is mine, so leave the science and what I should and shouldn’t do in the first place up to me.” He narrowed his eyes a little. “I personally want an understanding. but it’s not up to me in the end. You know that.”