sclera69:
“We-ell,” Pepper hummed. “… Tough question. Real family’ll throw themselves into trouble for you at the drop of a hat. I know that ain’t always what we want, though.”
Even if, sometimes, it was the only way out. Pepper doubted she’d ever forget the lingering terror on Gamble’s face when the Grey had woken up, bruised and battered, with neither Tommy nor his aunt better off.
Or her own the first time Regulators had come for a check-in, after.
“Best plan’s one that keeps you safe. Makes sure your bases are covered, best they can be… Keeps stuff from rolling out of control, cause soon as they get a whiff of a weakness, they’ll descend on you and the back-up like flies.” She waved a hand around the room. “Step one’s not bad. Step two’s getting you outta their hive, yeah?”
He listened, all the while rubbing his forehead and his eyes like each word gave him a headache. Gardner hadn’t meant to look ungrateful. Pepper’s optimism was just hard to absorb after a bad nap, while also in a prison of his own making in Valsur’s basement.
“Yeah. Never heard of anyone who’s ever done it before.” He paused, looking at her. "You were in kind of the same boat, right?” he asked, sounding wary. “Sorry if that’s too. Personal.”
