-- transientTutor [TT] began pestering practicalFamiliar [PF] at 14:14 --
PF: HELLO DEREK. PARDON MY TARDINESS IN RESPONDING.
PF: I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF HOUSEWORK.
TT: You too busy to hang out?
PF: I WOULDN'T BE OPPOSED.
PF: I WILL SPRUCE UP JOHN'S ROOM POST HASTE.
TT: Ill be in the east commons.
JAMES: *If what Derek says is true and he is waiting in the east commons, then James is joining him. Composed as always, even James can't stove off the knot of anxiety clutching at his chest. Golly. This was much easier to handle when he smoked.*
DEREK: *would he lie to james?? yes, probably, depending on the scenario, but he is definitely lounging on a couch when james arrives. when he spots him, he sits up, greeting him with a sup nod.*
JAMES: *Nods sternly in return.* .... *moves to get himself some coffee. Caffiene is almost the same as nicotine. But not really.* DID YOU WAIT LONG?
DEREK: Nah I basically just got here. *pulling out his comm device and scrolling through his photos.*
JAMES: *drinks half this coffee cup in one gulp and pours himself a second helping.* I IMAGINE YOU HAVE BEEN PREOCCUPIED AS OF LATELY.
JAMES: I MUST CONFESS. I HAVE TOO.
DEREK: Yeah. *shrugs* It happens. But I got you now.
DEREK: *leans to show him some of the photos on his device. they're ultrasound pictures.*
JAMES: *Oh... he peeks and goes soft around the eyes.* MY WORD.
DEREK: Yeah. Thats our baby girl. *smiling fondly at the photos.*
JAMES: SHE IS SO SMALL... *And now James has feelings.*
DEREK: Shes like. Apple sized or somethin. *smirks at james and all his EMOTIONS. geez.*
JAMES: I STAND CORRECTED. *Don't laugh at him. When it comes to delicate things like children and parenthood, James is highly susceptible. He looks off with fondness.*
JAMES: I AM PLEASED TO KNOW THINGS ARE GOING WELL.
DEREK: Were all good over here. *this is where he can transition into sensitive topics... and he actually does take advantage of it, as goddamn PAINFUL as it is.*
DEREK: You know. Despite that mess of whatever the fuck from the other day.
JAMES: *expression gross a little tight but he really should expect as much.* IT WAS... AN UNPRECEDENTED TURN OF EVENTS.
JAMES: I ONLY WISH RECALLING THE DETAILS WASN'T SO CLEAR.
DEREK: Youre tellin me. *rubs at the back of his neck while pocketing his device.*
DEREK: About all that. Shit.
JAMES: IT COULDN'T BE HELPED. *mumbles, rather quiet*
DEREK: But that dont make it suck any less. *shoulders sag*
DEREK: The truth is though... Think all that wouldve come up eventually anyway.
DEREK: Dont think it would have any more... I dunno. Healthily?
JAMES: *His own shoulders look a little stiff but... James nods anyway. As difficult as it was, he understood.*
JAMES: *when he speaks, it's with great hesitation* I REGRET IF... I MAY HAVE PUT RILEY IN HARM'S WAY.
JAMES: IN ALL HONESTY, I FEEL ASHAMED TO HAVE HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT.
DEREK: Well like you said. Couldnt be helped.
DEREK: Shes alright man. Dont kill yourself over it.
JAMES: *still stands there like :( So many regrets...*
JAMES: THAT WAS CONCERNING.
DEREK: ... Shes a feisty one.
JAMES: *Sighs heavily, still feeling relatively unhappy... but what more can he do except speak to her himself? James can at least comfort himself with the knowledge it wasn't the end of the world.*
JAMES: *sips his coffee* ... *damn he could use a smoke.*
JAMES: IF YOU SAY SHE IS ALRIGHT, I MUST BELIEVE YOU.
DEREK: *protip, james, that coffee has basically the opposite effect of a cigarette... whether james LOOKS twitchy or not, he's patting the couch next to him.* I do say so. Now sit your ass down youre making me nervous standing around like that.
JAMES: OH. *starts a little. He's not twitchy, he's fine. Shuffles for the couch and lowers himself to sit.* YES.
DEREK: *he's quiet for a moment after that, rattling all the things he wants to say around in his head.*
DEREK: *eloquent, as always.*
JAMES: *An awkward quiet is what happens when you put two gents with more thoughts than words in the same room. James furrows his eyebrows.* ROXANNE AND I?
JAMES: *They are clearly the best to speak about this. James clears his throat.* NO, OF COURSE NOT. SHE IS EXPERIENCING A ROUGH TIME BUT NEVERTHELESS.
JAMES: I HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE SHE WILL OVERCOME IT. SHE MIGHT NOT REALIZE HOW CAPABLE SHE IS, BUT IT'S TRUE.
JAMES: SHE ONLY NEEDS PATIENCE WITH HERSELF.
DEREK: *he seems... doubtful. but he doesn't think james would lie to him. to himself, maybe... but not to him. right? it's a difficult thing for him to wrestle with, so he tries not to think much about it. of course, this shifts his focus to roxanne, which is a far heavier topic.*
DEREK: ... Yeah. She... Doesnt deserve to feel the way she does.
DEREK: Talkin to her its easy to tell she-- I dunno.
DEREK: I know she thinks I consider her and Russet secondary to the rest of my life. And it aint like that.
DEREK: But how the fuck can I blame her for thinking that after what I did. *slumps with his head in his hand, sighing deep.*
JAMES: *He isn't sure it's something that can be fixed exactly. James is certain such a power rests far beyond his own reach.* SHE NEEDS TIME. *rumbles gently* A PROPER CONFRONTATION BETWEEN YOURSELF AND RILEY... AND A CHANCE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HER HURT FEELINGS ARE VALID.
JAMES: AND THAT SHE IS VALID FOR BEING HURT.
DEREK: *nods slowly. he knows james is right, and he wants that for her too. he's only glad he has had enough distractions in his life to keep him from obsessing on trying to fix that himself. especially when he knows he's only capable of making it worse on his own.*
DEREK: Well get there. I guess.
JAMES: *cracks a tiny smile.* WHEN YOUR FRIENDSHIP IS RECOVERED, I'M SURE THIS WILL ALL SEEM RATHER... SILLY. IN RETROSPECT.
JAMES: IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF GETTING TO THAT PLACE.
JAMES: YOU ARE A GOOD MAN, DEREK. I HOPE YOU REALIZE THIS ABOUT YOURSELF.
DEREK: *it would be easy to deny it, or pretend to accept the compliment with an arrogant response, but he gives himself time to really think about it. james really wouldn't lie to him. james is honest about all things, and if he sees good in him, then it really must be true. james made his efforts to try feel recognized, and it's weird to him how that makes them feel more real.*
DEREK: ... *rubs at the back of his neck, shrugging* I can only try right?
JAMES: *hand on his shoulder, firm and reassuring.* WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, I BELIEVE IN THE BEST IN YOU.
DEREK: *gay... he grunts.*
JAMES: *He is pleased.* RUSSET IS DOING WELL TOO. SHE AND MISS HEDWIG ARE GOOD FRIENDS.
JAMES: MISS HEDWIG SEEMS RATHER PROTECTIVE OF HER. I ASSUME THAT WOULD BE HER NATURE AS A CUSTODIAN.
DEREK: *snorts* So shes got two mamas now huh? Thats cool. *he's glad she's doing alright... he sees her plenty, but it'll never be enough.*
JAMES: IT CERTAINLY HELPS THAT RUSSET IS GENTLE WITH HER... AND VICE VERSA. *actually pulls out his comm to show him a brief video of Russet with Hedwig. Gentle petting... softest feathers...*
DEREK: ... Shes such a good kid.
DEREK: Sassy. But good. *hes smiling fondly again at the video, but a little sadly, too. he misses her.*
DEREK: Shes gonna be a great older sister.
JAMES: OH YES. I AGREE. *And now he's sad too... thinking about Jane and John and many things. James quietly stows the comm away.*
JAMES: HOW DOES IT FEEL HAVING GRANDSONS.
DEREK: *he laughs at the mention of colt and joel, positively tickled just thinking about it.* Shit. Its crazy when your babies have babies.
DEREK: But theyre fantastic. Have you met em yet? You need to.
JAMES: I GAVE MY BEST TO DIRK. *smiles about Derek laughing. Yes good.* BUT I REALLY MUST CHECK WITH THEM AGAIN. I ADMIT.
JAMES: IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN THE DISTANCE.
DEREK: Ha. I figured as much.
DEREK: Its cool he loves showing them off.
JAMES: *eyes emoji...* WOULD YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE PICTURES WITH THEM ON HAND.
DEREK: *eyes emoji right back... he produces the comm again just for this.* Check it out.
DEREK: *BOOM. baby pictures.*
JAMES: OH. *Oh............ look at them. James is overwhelmed by too many emotions that he accidentally crushes his coffee cup. Good thing i was empty.*
DEREK: *EYES EMOJI OF SHOCK AND AWE.*
DEREK: Jesus christ James.
JAMES: YES? *There is certainly a crushed cup in his hand.*
DEREK: ... *fuCK. he just laughs.*
JAMES: I AM DOING SPECTACULARLY. *The babies give him new life.*
JAMES: *causally stashes the cup crumbles into his sylladex.* COLT DOES TAKE AFTER JAKE. YOU OUGHT TO HAVE SEEN HIM AS A NEWBORN.
DEREK: *god... james is a dork. a strong fuckin' dork.* Yeah? Can imagine he was a cute one. *fat and happy baby. he can see this.*
JAMES: YES. THAT IS EXACTLY HOW I WOULD DESCRIBE HIM. *He only had John and Jane's baby pictures on hand. Everyone elses... he kept in the safe back home. Hmm.*
DEREK: *jude is hacking into it as we speak to remove any incriminating baby pictures of himself.*
DEREK: *derek hums a little to himself, thoughtful.* ... Real glad Dirk found himself a relationship like what hes got.
DEREK: Knowin hes being taken care of is. *shrugs a little* A relief I guess.
JAMES: YOU OUGHT TO TELL HIM SO.
DEREK: What... *feigns shock at the suggestion.*
DEREK: Nah. *a genuine answer*
JAMES: *tilts head over at him* WHY NOT?
DEREK: Cuz thats too corny. *he's AFRAID to, obviously.*
JAMES: PERHAPS FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE.
JAMES: *James is in no place to talk. He does corny things all the time for John.*
DEREK: ... Ill think about it.
JAMES: *gazes at Derek with a small smile. Yes, he still believed in him.* THERE MAY BE A CHANCE HE KNOWS ALREADY.
JAMES: BUT REGARDLESS. IT'S GOOD THAT YOU ARE CONSIDERING IT AT LEAST.
DEREK: Yeah someone as corny as you would say that. *averts his gaze, but he's smiling too.*
JAMES: I THINK YOU'VE GROWN TO APPRECIATE CORNINESS. *says this 100% unironically. James is having a good time.*
DEREK: Youll never catch me admiting it. *elbows at him*
JAMES: *It's like elbowing a dad-shaped wall.* I SIT IN THE CONFIDENCE THAT I DON'T NEED TO. THAT IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
JAMES: *STRONG elbows him back*
DEREK: *DOOF.* Damn man do you even know your own strength? *rubs at his arm.*
JAMES: YES. QUITE. *smiles passively. He knows what he's doing.*
DEREK: I mean... Rap... scallion. *pffffffffff.* It aint fair you make me censor myself.
JAMES: *raises an eyebrow* IT SHOULD NOT BE DIFFICULT. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF RESPECT.
DEREK: Ive been swearin terms of endearment since I was a kid. Just the way it is.
JAMES: EVERYONE IS CAPABLE OF CHANGE. *says matter of factly*
DEREK: *gives him such an unamused look.* Yeah ok James.
DEREK: *mutters to self.* (Fucker...)
JAMES: *he's sitting right here, Derek. He can hear you.*
DEREK: *HE KNOWS. he's just snickering now.* Well /anyway./
DEREK: I should get back to Riley.
JAMES: *nods and begins to move up from the couch* VERY WELL, DEREK. WE WILL BE SPEAKING AGAIN SOON.
DEREK: Yeah. Until then. *claps james on the shoulder.* Take it easy man. *and he skedaddles.*
