i'm gay and stronger than all of you (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
hardlydead) wrote2021-11-01 05:44 am
hardlydead) wrote2021-11-01 05:44 am
[ immediately, jeff feels kind of... stupid. half the reason he's such a quiet person is because he knows he's not the most... eloquent, and more often than not when he gets to talking too much, he makes things weird, or makes an ass of himself. part of him feels like he's done that right here, like maybe he misinterpreted what david was trying to say - like instead of trying to feel something out, david was really just trying to be subtle in setting a boundary. jeff would like to think he's good at reading people, and that us true most of the time, but it's not impossible for him to be completely wrong.
no point in stressing too much about it though, at least not right here right now. later? probably.
jeff takes one of his hands out of his pockets and uses his knuckles to rub along the edge of his jaw on one side, beard bristling quietly. it's one of many anxious ticks, and when he catches himself doing it, he drops his hand again. ]
Okay. Well. [ he offers a half shrug, shakes his head a little. super casual. ] No pressure.
[ jeff was being honest when he said he only wants what david wants. if david's only interested in something casual, then jeff's not going to ask him or pressure him for anything more than that. if he wants something a little more serious, jeff's available for that too. and if it turns out that david wants nothing at all from him, well - that'll kind of suck more than it would have before he'd kissed david at the top of the stairs outside the police station, but that's just something he'll have to live with, because david isn't obligated to do or be anything for him.
jeff pushes his hand back into his pocket, tries not to look as awkward as he feels. ]
Just - let me know, I guess. Either way.
no point in stressing too much about it though, at least not right here right now. later? probably.
jeff takes one of his hands out of his pockets and uses his knuckles to rub along the edge of his jaw on one side, beard bristling quietly. it's one of many anxious ticks, and when he catches himself doing it, he drops his hand again. ]
Okay. Well. [ he offers a half shrug, shakes his head a little. super casual. ] No pressure.
[ jeff was being honest when he said he only wants what david wants. if david's only interested in something casual, then jeff's not going to ask him or pressure him for anything more than that. if he wants something a little more serious, jeff's available for that too. and if it turns out that david wants nothing at all from him, well - that'll kind of suck more than it would have before he'd kissed david at the top of the stairs outside the police station, but that's just something he'll have to live with, because david isn't obligated to do or be anything for him.
jeff pushes his hand back into his pocket, tries not to look as awkward as he feels. ]
Just - let me know, I guess. Either way.
Edited 2023-01-28 04:15 (UTC)
[ he was really kind of hoping for a firmer answer from jeff here, but in hindsight he should've known better. the chances of getting something definite either way without pushing are pretty slim, and david doesn't want to push. he just wants to know what he's doing. is there something here or not? is he imagining the vibe here? ]
[ his frown is brief, mostly just one of thought while he thinks about what jeff said and decides that's just going to have to do. reaches out to put a hand on jeff's arm and give it a squeeze. ]
Sorry-- Didn't mean to freak you out or anything.
[ his frown is brief, mostly just one of thought while he thinks about what jeff said and decides that's just going to have to do. reaches out to put a hand on jeff's arm and give it a squeeze. ]
Sorry-- Didn't mean to freak you out or anything.
[ brief or not, jeff catches that frown, and though it might not necessarily be directed at him, all it does is fuel the feeling that there's some kind of miscommunication here. whether it's on his end or david's is hard to tell, and jeff doesn't want to make things weird or uncomfortable by prying too much. but it sits like an itch under the skin.
when david squeezes his arm, jeff responds with a small, tight-lipped smile, just as brief as david's frown. he shakes his head again, taking his hands out of his pockets because he feels like his body language might contradict with his reply. ]
Don't be. I'm not - freaked out. [ that's the truth, even if it doesn't seem like it. he's not freaked out, he's just... incredibly unsure about a lot of things. not about david, not really, just about whether he navigated this whole thing wrong, unsure if he's maybe been being a little too... assertive? which is kind of a wild thing to think about, because he's not really the assertive type.
all of that being said though, jeff pauses for a few long seconds, looks like he's thinking a little too serious about something, and then he just— ] Sorry, can we - start this conversation over?
[ and if he winces a little, it's just because he's self-aware of how ungraceful and abrupt that probably was. ]
when david squeezes his arm, jeff responds with a small, tight-lipped smile, just as brief as david's frown. he shakes his head again, taking his hands out of his pockets because he feels like his body language might contradict with his reply. ]
Don't be. I'm not - freaked out. [ that's the truth, even if it doesn't seem like it. he's not freaked out, he's just... incredibly unsure about a lot of things. not about david, not really, just about whether he navigated this whole thing wrong, unsure if he's maybe been being a little too... assertive? which is kind of a wild thing to think about, because he's not really the assertive type.
all of that being said though, jeff pauses for a few long seconds, looks like he's thinking a little too serious about something, and then he just— ] Sorry, can we - start this conversation over?
[ and if he winces a little, it's just because he's self-aware of how ungraceful and abrupt that probably was. ]
Edited (it's me i'm the idiot) 2023-01-28 04:55 (UTC)
Yeah-- yeah, of course.
[ david lets his grip lax, but he keeps his hand on jeff's arm. he doesn't often see him off-kilter like this any more, and it makes him worry a little that he's mistepped a little, asked something he shouldn't have or backed him into a corner somehow. ]
[ or maybe it's just that jeff isn't exactly the talkative type, and david's asking him for a lot of that right now. not just to talk, but it's not exactly a simple and easy topic, no matter how much david might act like it is. ]
[ either way, he looks up to meet jeff's eyes, patient and listening, mostly to see if he's going to speak first or if david should go. ]
[ david lets his grip lax, but he keeps his hand on jeff's arm. he doesn't often see him off-kilter like this any more, and it makes him worry a little that he's mistepped a little, asked something he shouldn't have or backed him into a corner somehow. ]
[ or maybe it's just that jeff isn't exactly the talkative type, and david's asking him for a lot of that right now. not just to talk, but it's not exactly a simple and easy topic, no matter how much david might act like it is. ]
[ either way, he looks up to meet jeff's eyes, patient and listening, mostly to see if he's going to speak first or if david should go. ]
[ honestly, jeff doesn't want to have to be the one to have to speak first, but he's the one who asked if they could start this conversation over, so he recognizes that the ball is more or less in his court. it takes him a few long seconds to try and pull his thoughts into something a little more coherent, something that's hopefully a little more clear, though, if not direct. either way, david's hand lingering on his arm makes him feel at least a little bit grounded.
he plays the start of the conversation back in his head, when david had put himself in jeff's way so they could talk, brows pinched together a little as he tries to work out what he wants to say. ]
Shit. All right, uh. What... [ he wets his lips. ] What exactly were you asking me? You said you need to know so you're not 'you know', but. I don't... know.
[ really, that's maybe the part that's confusing him the most right now, though he's plenty confused about the rest of everything else too, really. despite posing david with a question, jeff presses forward and doesn't leave much space for him to answer right away. he drags his hand down over his beard and a little bit down his neck, another one of his subtler anxious ticks. it's not david that makes him anxious, but the possibility of saying the wrong thing. he already feels like he's fumbled once, he doesn't want to screw up twice. ]
To be, uh. Clear. I guess. I've never really done the casual thing. [ which isn't to say that he hasn't tried, it's just that it's not really him. jeff's too soft and sentimental when it comes to the people he allows himself to get close to, both romantically and platonically. and he would say he and david are decently close. he'd have said the same if asked before he got trapped under some mistletoe, too. he clears his throat quietly. ] I like - this.
[ he makes a small gesture back and forth between himself and david. ]
I, uh. Like where we are. So far. [ even if they've definitely skipped over some things and landed maybe a little ahead of themselves, like david said. he lowers his voice slightly, vaguely conscious of the possibility of being eavesdropped on. ] I like you. But if this is all a little too much, or uh. Too fast? I don't have a problem with slowing down or backing off, if that's... what you were wanting to know.
[ why does it feel like he's said absolutely nothing and gotten absolutely nowhere? christ. ]
he plays the start of the conversation back in his head, when david had put himself in jeff's way so they could talk, brows pinched together a little as he tries to work out what he wants to say. ]
Shit. All right, uh. What... [ he wets his lips. ] What exactly were you asking me? You said you need to know so you're not 'you know', but. I don't... know.
[ really, that's maybe the part that's confusing him the most right now, though he's plenty confused about the rest of everything else too, really. despite posing david with a question, jeff presses forward and doesn't leave much space for him to answer right away. he drags his hand down over his beard and a little bit down his neck, another one of his subtler anxious ticks. it's not david that makes him anxious, but the possibility of saying the wrong thing. he already feels like he's fumbled once, he doesn't want to screw up twice. ]
To be, uh. Clear. I guess. I've never really done the casual thing. [ which isn't to say that he hasn't tried, it's just that it's not really him. jeff's too soft and sentimental when it comes to the people he allows himself to get close to, both romantically and platonically. and he would say he and david are decently close. he'd have said the same if asked before he got trapped under some mistletoe, too. he clears his throat quietly. ] I like - this.
[ he makes a small gesture back and forth between himself and david. ]
I, uh. Like where we are. So far. [ even if they've definitely skipped over some things and landed maybe a little ahead of themselves, like david said. he lowers his voice slightly, vaguely conscious of the possibility of being eavesdropped on. ] I like you. But if this is all a little too much, or uh. Too fast? I don't have a problem with slowing down or backing off, if that's... what you were wanting to know.
[ why does it feel like he's said absolutely nothing and gotten absolutely nowhere? christ. ]
[ that's more helpful than jeff thinks, gives david a clearer idea of where jeff's head is at. he nods as he listens to him, watches him with some sympathy in his expression for jeff's little anxious tics, for the way he clearly isn't comfortable having to articulate himself — david might be better at it, but he gets it too. ]
I just wanted to make sure we're on the same page. [ a little absently, he reaches up with his free hand and tucks some of jeff's hair back while he's looking at him, smile a bit more genuine than before, small as it is. ] I wasn't asking for casual or wanting to slow down, I just--
[ he frowns suddenly, purses his lips for a moment trying to find the right way to describe it. he's a little slower when he continues, more deliberate as if he's not fully sure of what he's about to say until the words are out of his mouth, which is less like him than people might think. ]
I don't wanna get invested in something and have it be one-sided because you're not interested in that and I didn't know. That's all it was.
I just wanted to make sure we're on the same page. [ a little absently, he reaches up with his free hand and tucks some of jeff's hair back while he's looking at him, smile a bit more genuine than before, small as it is. ] I wasn't asking for casual or wanting to slow down, I just--
[ he frowns suddenly, purses his lips for a moment trying to find the right way to describe it. he's a little slower when he continues, more deliberate as if he's not fully sure of what he's about to say until the words are out of his mouth, which is less like him than people might think. ]
I don't wanna get invested in something and have it be one-sided because you're not interested in that and I didn't know. That's all it was.
Oh.
[ for the second time in less than five minutes, jeff feels like a little bit of an idiot - but in a way that's funny in hindsight, rather than stressful. he's not typically the kind of person to let himself spiral over minor things - and he wouldn't say he'd started to spiral here, either, not really - but when it comes to important things, he likes to get them right. he wants whatever he's doing with david to be... right. and for a moment, he'd gotten ahead of himself, thought too hard about what david was asking and maybe went a little too worst-case-scenario for a minute. assumed he was doing something wrong, or was maybe asking for too much or assuming there was something more here than there actually was.
the clarification here is a welcome relief, eases whatever anxiety was clinging to him. it's almost kind of funny, when david lays it all out. that he thinks at all that jeff might not be interested or - or invested is almost laughable, maybe only to jeff. he was telling the truth earlier, when he admitted to being attracted to david, but in david's defense, up until... the mistletoe incident, jeff had made a point of keeping any feelings he may have been developing toward david to himself. burying them in quick sketches and folded pages, in small, easily dismissed gestures - like lending him his jacket after springing him free from the saloon, or setting aside a scavenged beer for him while he was sleeping, so he wouldn't miss out. so it's not david's fault if there are some doubts, and jeff doesn't blame him.
as amusing as it is, though, jeff doesn't laugh. instead, he smiles faintly, feeling a little more reassured, and reaches out only somewhat hesitantly to touch his fingers to david's side. lets them drift a little so he can hook his index in one of his belt loops and give it a gentle little tug, not with any intention to pull david closer, but just out of a desire to be physically connected to him in some way. jeff shakes his head slightly, that ghost of a smile still lingering. ]
It's not one-sided. [ he thought that much was obvious. ] I am interested. [ he gives david's belt loop another light little tug. ] Invested.
[ for the second time in less than five minutes, jeff feels like a little bit of an idiot - but in a way that's funny in hindsight, rather than stressful. he's not typically the kind of person to let himself spiral over minor things - and he wouldn't say he'd started to spiral here, either, not really - but when it comes to important things, he likes to get them right. he wants whatever he's doing with david to be... right. and for a moment, he'd gotten ahead of himself, thought too hard about what david was asking and maybe went a little too worst-case-scenario for a minute. assumed he was doing something wrong, or was maybe asking for too much or assuming there was something more here than there actually was.
the clarification here is a welcome relief, eases whatever anxiety was clinging to him. it's almost kind of funny, when david lays it all out. that he thinks at all that jeff might not be interested or - or invested is almost laughable, maybe only to jeff. he was telling the truth earlier, when he admitted to being attracted to david, but in david's defense, up until... the mistletoe incident, jeff had made a point of keeping any feelings he may have been developing toward david to himself. burying them in quick sketches and folded pages, in small, easily dismissed gestures - like lending him his jacket after springing him free from the saloon, or setting aside a scavenged beer for him while he was sleeping, so he wouldn't miss out. so it's not david's fault if there are some doubts, and jeff doesn't blame him.
as amusing as it is, though, jeff doesn't laugh. instead, he smiles faintly, feeling a little more reassured, and reaches out only somewhat hesitantly to touch his fingers to david's side. lets them drift a little so he can hook his index in one of his belt loops and give it a gentle little tug, not with any intention to pull david closer, but just out of a desire to be physically connected to him in some way. jeff shakes his head slightly, that ghost of a smile still lingering. ]
It's not one-sided. [ he thought that much was obvious. ] I am interested. [ he gives david's belt loop another light little tug. ] Invested.
Okay. [ he smiles, at first it's just in his eyes, bright and warm when he looks at jeff, and then he nods and it widens into a grin. ] Okay, yeah. Good.
[ for a moment he just feels overwhelmed (in a good way) by the verbal confirmation, he lets his hand trail down the outside of jeff's arm to find his hand and take it to give it a quick squeeze. so they're on the same page, they're just also idiots. that's fine by david, he can handle being a dumbass. it's another moment that has him feeling a bit like some dumb teenager, but david can live with that too. ]
[ there's a thread of anxiety there too, but that's for later, when he's on his own. he doesn't want to sour the moment by freaking out over whether or not he's gonna ruin this somehow. instead he glances back over his shoulder and moves to step away so they can get moving again. ]
[ for a moment he just feels overwhelmed (in a good way) by the verbal confirmation, he lets his hand trail down the outside of jeff's arm to find his hand and take it to give it a quick squeeze. so they're on the same page, they're just also idiots. that's fine by david, he can handle being a dumbass. it's another moment that has him feeling a bit like some dumb teenager, but david can live with that too. ]
[ there's a thread of anxiety there too, but that's for later, when he's on his own. he doesn't want to sour the moment by freaking out over whether or not he's gonna ruin this somehow. instead he glances back over his shoulder and moves to step away so they can get moving again. ]
[ there's something about david's eyes that jeff has always liked, but he likes them best when david is smiling, how they seem to shine a little more, crinkle just a little bit near the corners. it makes jeff smile too as he looks at him, not quite as wide but just as genuine.
when david squeezes his hand, jeff adjusts his own slightly so he can squeeze back, thumb doing a quick pass over his knuckles. it would appear that they're on the same page more than they know, because jeff knows he'll overthink this at some point when he's got time to himself. he knows he'll get in his head, wonder what he's doing to do to fuck up. it's not that his track record when it comes to relationships is bad, and he can't even really say for sure that whatever he's got with david is considered a relationship yet, if at all, but it's - important to him. david is important to him, regardless of their involvement with each other. it would be just his luck to see it all come crashing down.
but that's later's to-do list. for now, jeff watches david as he looks over his shoulder, watches him as he starts to step away. follows after him so he doesn't get too far without him, shoulder bumping his. ]
when david squeezes his hand, jeff adjusts his own slightly so he can squeeze back, thumb doing a quick pass over his knuckles. it would appear that they're on the same page more than they know, because jeff knows he'll overthink this at some point when he's got time to himself. he knows he'll get in his head, wonder what he's doing to do to fuck up. it's not that his track record when it comes to relationships is bad, and he can't even really say for sure that whatever he's got with david is considered a relationship yet, if at all, but it's - important to him. david is important to him, regardless of their involvement with each other. it would be just his luck to see it all come crashing down.
but that's later's to-do list. for now, jeff watches david as he looks over his shoulder, watches him as he starts to step away. follows after him so he doesn't get too far without him, shoulder bumping his. ]
Yeah-- before it starts to set.
[ carefully, gently, with his free hand he coaxes quentin's head forward, just a little so the blood doesn't run down his throat, and then he reaches for the bag too. clearly done this enough times by the way he takes a couple of those little gauze patches and rolls them up into a little cylinder, presses it and twists it between his fingers to make sure the tip is tapered, and murmurs a soft apology. this part's gonna hurt too. ]
[ both hands on quentin's face now, david pinches the bridge of his nose between a thumb and a forefinger — not hard, but firm enough to keep it in place — and he ducks his head so he can watch what he's doing as he slowly pushes that little gauze bullet up into quentin's nostril. winces a little when he hits some resistance in the form of whatever the fuck happened to his nose before, and twists it slowly to help push it through. just keep going until it's seated good and snug up there. ]
[ carefully, gently, with his free hand he coaxes quentin's head forward, just a little so the blood doesn't run down his throat, and then he reaches for the bag too. clearly done this enough times by the way he takes a couple of those little gauze patches and rolls them up into a little cylinder, presses it and twists it between his fingers to make sure the tip is tapered, and murmurs a soft apology. this part's gonna hurt too. ]
[ both hands on quentin's face now, david pinches the bridge of his nose between a thumb and a forefinger — not hard, but firm enough to keep it in place — and he ducks his head so he can watch what he's doing as he slowly pushes that little gauze bullet up into quentin's nostril. winces a little when he hits some resistance in the form of whatever the fuck happened to his nose before, and twists it slowly to help push it through. just keep going until it's seated good and snug up there. ]
[ it's been a little bit of a rough go so far, but most trials against the oni are typically an uphill battle, at least in jeff's experience. unlike some of the other survivors, jeff's not necessarily built for running or taking chase - his skillset leans more towards offering support. staying out of the killer's sights, and making sure the rest of his team knows where to find him when they need help getting patched up.
trying to outrun a killer is a task and a half on a good day. jeff's learned how to mind game, pulls a fast one just as often as he gets outplayed. but the oni is fast, and less predictable than some other killers who also have speed on their side. for the most part, jeff can dodge an incoming hillbilly, but the oni? the oni's fury is something else.
jeff's been hooked twice already, but there are positives. they've almost completed enough generators to get the gates up and open, and nobody's died yet. jeff's not the only one that's one bad move away from being sacrificed, but he tries not to think about it too much. the less anxious he is about making sure everyone makes it out, the less likely he is to fumble a wire or blow something up just to set back their progress.
and david's here, somewhere. things always go a little bit better when david's around.
creeping up to the coal tower, jeff pauses only long enough to listen for the gen upstairs. to his relief, he can hear some of the pistons moving. closer to getting out of here than he thought, though he can't quite tell if someone's on it, or if they were chased off a while ago. regardless, jeff climbs over the window sill and immediately heads up the stairs, doing his best to keep his footsteps quiet. when he reaches the top and sees david there with his arms wrist deep in the guts of a generator, jeff can't help but smile a little to himself.
he doesn't rush forward, but he makes quick work of taking up the open side of the generator, peeking in to see what's been done already and what needs doing. there's blood all down the front of his shirt and a pretty gnarly hole in his shoulder, but otherwise he seems pretty content, even casts david a sideways glance as he nudges a bundle of wires aside with his fingers to get at something deeper in the generator. ]
You come here often?
trying to outrun a killer is a task and a half on a good day. jeff's learned how to mind game, pulls a fast one just as often as he gets outplayed. but the oni is fast, and less predictable than some other killers who also have speed on their side. for the most part, jeff can dodge an incoming hillbilly, but the oni? the oni's fury is something else.
jeff's been hooked twice already, but there are positives. they've almost completed enough generators to get the gates up and open, and nobody's died yet. jeff's not the only one that's one bad move away from being sacrificed, but he tries not to think about it too much. the less anxious he is about making sure everyone makes it out, the less likely he is to fumble a wire or blow something up just to set back their progress.
and david's here, somewhere. things always go a little bit better when david's around.
creeping up to the coal tower, jeff pauses only long enough to listen for the gen upstairs. to his relief, he can hear some of the pistons moving. closer to getting out of here than he thought, though he can't quite tell if someone's on it, or if they were chased off a while ago. regardless, jeff climbs over the window sill and immediately heads up the stairs, doing his best to keep his footsteps quiet. when he reaches the top and sees david there with his arms wrist deep in the guts of a generator, jeff can't help but smile a little to himself.
he doesn't rush forward, but he makes quick work of taking up the open side of the generator, peeking in to see what's been done already and what needs doing. there's blood all down the front of his shirt and a pretty gnarly hole in his shoulder, but otherwise he seems pretty content, even casts david a sideways glance as he nudges a bundle of wires aside with his fingers to get at something deeper in the generator. ]
You come here often?
[ david has something of a love/hate relationship with going against the oni. there's the part of him that lives for the thrill of competition, for the rush of blood pounding in his ears, and oni's one of the best killers for that. fierce and unpredictable and unrelenting. in another life david probably would've relished seeing him in the ring or on the field. problem is he also feels like he does his best work in trials when he's already taken a bit of a beating. something about the blood and the adrenaline that really gets him moving, helps him see clearer, makes his mind and body both work faster. with most killers the risk/reward is worth it, but oni eats that shit up. best to stay as uninjured as you can with him. ]
[ freshly patched up after his second stint on the hook, david's working on that gen, pauses when he thinks he hears the grunt of somebody climbing in through a window, but over the sound of the generator it could be anything — which he fucking hates — so he keeps an eye on the stairs out of the corner of his eye, a small smile blooming when jeff's head pops up coming up the stairs. ]
No, actually. [ he tilts his head to look at something, a little amusement showing around his eyes. ] Crazy coincidence bumping into you here.
[ freshly patched up after his second stint on the hook, david's working on that gen, pauses when he thinks he hears the grunt of somebody climbing in through a window, but over the sound of the generator it could be anything — which he fucking hates — so he keeps an eye on the stairs out of the corner of his eye, a small smile blooming when jeff's head pops up coming up the stairs. ]
No, actually. [ he tilts his head to look at something, a little amusement showing around his eyes. ] Crazy coincidence bumping into you here.
[ jeff lifts his eyebrows, twists his mouth downward like he's surprised by this admission, playing into this stupid bit he's started. he nods his head slightly, like he agrees with this being some kind of wild coincidence that, of all places, they'd run into each other here. jeff tucks a small bundle of wires out of the way, lifts a metal panel up, the hinge squeaking slightly in a way that makes him squint a little. ]
Mm, [ he hums in agreement, shooting david another sideways glance. this one lingers though, his gaze dropping to the blood all down the front of him, silently searching for anything urgent that david might be ignoring for the sake of getting through a generator faster. relatively speaking, david seems alright - none of that tense posture that comes with trying to push through an injury that, frankly, no one should be able to walk off. it's a relief, though only a mild one.
this isn't the first time he's seen david drenched in blood, and it certainly won't be the last, but it hits him a little differently this time, for some reason. jeff shifts his attention back to the generator, mindful of his grip as he twists some wires together. he laughs quietly, a little half-hearted and mostly under his breath. ] Might be fate.
[ jeff doesn't really believe in things like fate or destiny, but it's kinda funny to joke about sometimes.
when the fourth piston on the generator begins to... piston. as pistons do. jeff pauses for a second and reaches back to tug something free of his back pocket. ]
Got you something.
[ it's just a flashlight, but it's got fresh batteries and a pretty shiny bulb by the looks of it. jeff gives it a little wobble in his hand, then sets it down on the ground by david's foot so he doesn't have to stop working to accept it. jeff's decent with flashlights, but they both know that david's the one with a habit of running into any situation no matter how dire to try and get a save. ]
Mm, [ he hums in agreement, shooting david another sideways glance. this one lingers though, his gaze dropping to the blood all down the front of him, silently searching for anything urgent that david might be ignoring for the sake of getting through a generator faster. relatively speaking, david seems alright - none of that tense posture that comes with trying to push through an injury that, frankly, no one should be able to walk off. it's a relief, though only a mild one.
this isn't the first time he's seen david drenched in blood, and it certainly won't be the last, but it hits him a little differently this time, for some reason. jeff shifts his attention back to the generator, mindful of his grip as he twists some wires together. he laughs quietly, a little half-hearted and mostly under his breath. ] Might be fate.
[ jeff doesn't really believe in things like fate or destiny, but it's kinda funny to joke about sometimes.
when the fourth piston on the generator begins to... piston. as pistons do. jeff pauses for a second and reaches back to tug something free of his back pocket. ]
Got you something.
[ it's just a flashlight, but it's got fresh batteries and a pretty shiny bulb by the looks of it. jeff gives it a little wobble in his hand, then sets it down on the ground by david's foot so he doesn't have to stop working to accept it. jeff's decent with flashlights, but they both know that david's the one with a habit of running into any situation no matter how dire to try and get a save. ]
[ Soft apology from David, soft cursing from Quentin--just a flick of his lip against his teeth, breath held like it'll stop the pain. It doesn't. ] S-smooth. You're a real--a real professional. What, uh--what next
[ He can talk through it, but he can't think past it. ]
[ He can talk through it, but he can't think past it. ]
[ like always, david has made a point of being a nuisance and a pest, and the evidence is all over him — clothes torn from sword slashes and being thrown roughly onto a hook, covered in more blood than he should reasonably be able to lose and still function, including charming smears of it on his forehead where he occasionally wipes away the blood and sweat with the back of his hand and achieves nothing — he's battered, bruised, and bloody, but there's no open wounds, nothing needing attention. and jeff's presence puts him in good spirits, even if david doesn't look away from what he's doing to look at him. just hearing his voice and knowing he's right there does plenty. ]
[ david pulls... something. it vents something else or whatever. he doesn't understand this shit and he's at least 60% sure they don't work like any kind of machines in the real world anyway, so he's elected to just never give it more thought than touching the right wires and pulling the right levers to make it go. he chuckles at jeff's joke and glances out of the corner of his eye at the gift, just long enough to see what it is without making a mistake. ]
You shouldn't have. [ flashlight could come in clutch though. everyone's on their last legs, but fingers crossed he can keep oni from carrying anyone off to get sacrificed this way. ] I didn't get you anything.
[ david pulls... something. it vents something else or whatever. he doesn't understand this shit and he's at least 60% sure they don't work like any kind of machines in the real world anyway, so he's elected to just never give it more thought than touching the right wires and pulling the right levers to make it go. he chuckles at jeff's joke and glances out of the corner of his eye at the gift, just long enough to see what it is without making a mistake. ]
You shouldn't have. [ flashlight could come in clutch though. everyone's on their last legs, but fingers crossed he can keep oni from carrying anyone off to get sacrificed this way. ] I didn't get you anything.
Think you can manage a second one?
[ genuine enquiry, head tilted to the side a little to keep an eye on how quentin's holding up. it's been some time for david, but he remembers packing a broken nose is fucking painful, uncomfortable as hell, and you can't even breathe right. if he wanted to leave it with the one nostril, david wouldn't blame him. ]
[ genuine enquiry, head tilted to the side a little to keep an eye on how quentin's holding up. it's been some time for david, but he remembers packing a broken nose is fucking painful, uncomfortable as hell, and you can't even breathe right. if he wanted to leave it with the one nostril, david wouldn't blame him. ]
[ fixing a generator is more muscle memory for jeff now than it is skill. this wire goes here, lift this panel, vent whatever, repeat. sure, he still has to pay at least a little attention, because some things do take a bit more precision - one wrong wire touches another and you'll blow the whole thing up - but it's pretty mechanical as far as he's concerned. he tucks another wire away, reaches deeper into the guts of the generator and nudges a switch over with his thumb.
when david says he didn't get jeff anything, jeff glances away from the inside of the gen toward david, his eyebrows lifting slightly. the corner of his mouth tugs a little, and he looks back to the task at hand. the generator is almost finished, probably not a good idea to get too distracted and blow it to hell.
jeff shrugs a shoulder, ducks his head a little to get a better look at what he's doing. ]
Could make it up to me.
when david says he didn't get jeff anything, jeff glances away from the inside of the gen toward david, his eyebrows lifting slightly. the corner of his mouth tugs a little, and he looks back to the task at hand. the generator is almost finished, probably not a good idea to get too distracted and blow it to hell.
jeff shrugs a shoulder, ducks his head a little to get a better look at what he's doing. ]
Could make it up to me.
[ there's a joke right there on the tip of his tongue, and it's obvious by the look in his eye when he glances at jeff, but he decides against it. knowing his luck one of them would blow something on the generator if he did and get them both killed. ]
Yeah? [ he ducks his head to get a better look at what he's doing. ] Easier ways to ask me to take my shirt off, y'know.
[ okay so he can't restrain himself entirely, but it's not the joke he wanted to make initially, so his self-restraint should still be applauded. ]
Yeah? [ he ducks his head to get a better look at what he's doing. ] Easier ways to ask me to take my shirt off, y'know.
[ okay so he can't restrain himself entirely, but it's not the joke he wanted to make initially, so his self-restraint should still be applauded. ]
[ though he honestly shouldn't be surprised considering he's the one who started teasing, jeff still a little caught off guard by david's flirting, enough that it plucks a quiet laugh out of him. he shoots david a quick, mock-disapproving look, like he can't believe david would have the audacity to flirt in such a serious situation, but the way he presses his lips together and looks away gives away his amusement.
jeff shakes his head, lowers a panel inside. ]
You think I wouldn't just ask?
[ would he? that'll just have to remain a mystery. jeff pushes something into place inside the belly of the generator and it whirs to life, the lights up top burning solid. he pulls his hands out of the gen, wipes any lingering grease or oil on his hands on his jeans, then quickly pushes himself up from his one knee.
there are a couple exits from here - the two windows, and the stairs that lead back down to the first floor, but whatever way either of them take, jeff would bet that the oni's headed right for the coal tower in search of a victim. jeff considers their options - it's probably best if they split up and go separate ways from this point. with only one generator left, the more spread out the four of them are, the better their chances of most of, if not everyone, getting out.
jeff starts to move for the stairs. ]
Last one should be done any second now. Meg and Vittorio were just getting started on one before I met up with you. [ so as long as the oni hasn't chased both of them off of it, escape is right within their grasps. as jeff starts to descend the stairs, assuming david'll just hop down from one of the windows (god, jeff's knees barely make it every time he's forced to), he says maybe a little too casually: ] I'll see where they're at. Gate's right out here - [ there's a pause in his words, but not in his step, ] I go down, just leave me. I'll get back up. Worry about the gates.
jeff shakes his head, lowers a panel inside. ]
You think I wouldn't just ask?
[ would he? that'll just have to remain a mystery. jeff pushes something into place inside the belly of the generator and it whirs to life, the lights up top burning solid. he pulls his hands out of the gen, wipes any lingering grease or oil on his hands on his jeans, then quickly pushes himself up from his one knee.
there are a couple exits from here - the two windows, and the stairs that lead back down to the first floor, but whatever way either of them take, jeff would bet that the oni's headed right for the coal tower in search of a victim. jeff considers their options - it's probably best if they split up and go separate ways from this point. with only one generator left, the more spread out the four of them are, the better their chances of most of, if not everyone, getting out.
jeff starts to move for the stairs. ]
Last one should be done any second now. Meg and Vittorio were just getting started on one before I met up with you. [ so as long as the oni hasn't chased both of them off of it, escape is right within their grasps. as jeff starts to descend the stairs, assuming david'll just hop down from one of the windows (god, jeff's knees barely make it every time he's forced to), he says maybe a little too casually: ] I'll see where they're at. Gate's right out here - [ there's a pause in his words, but not in his step, ] I go down, just leave me. I'll get back up. Worry about the gates.
[ david just raises his eyebrows in a little shrug as if to say well you haven't so far as he tucks away a few wires, closes a panel, and the generator fires up. david stands, wiping his hands off on his jeans and reaching down to pick up that flashlight. ]
[ he does indeed just hop out the window — or the open hole in the wall that acts like one — but he's pretty sure he heard jeff say 'just leave me' and he immediately climbs back in through the ground floor window to meet him on the stairs with a frown. pretty sure he could count the number of times he's left someone behind without being forced into it on his hands, he's sure as fuck not about to add jeff to that tally. ]
Lemme go check on 'em then. [ jeff's right, they should split up and they should focus on getting at least one of the gates open as soon as possible, but the suggested plan doesn't sit right with david. ] I can keep him busy long enough for you to get them gates open if he comes that way.
[ you know, "that way". the way that david definitely knows where it is. ]
[ he does indeed just hop out the window — or the open hole in the wall that acts like one — but he's pretty sure he heard jeff say 'just leave me' and he immediately climbs back in through the ground floor window to meet him on the stairs with a frown. pretty sure he could count the number of times he's left someone behind without being forced into it on his hands, he's sure as fuck not about to add jeff to that tally. ]
Lemme go check on 'em then. [ jeff's right, they should split up and they should focus on getting at least one of the gates open as soon as possible, but the suggested plan doesn't sit right with david. ] I can keep him busy long enough for you to get them gates open if he comes that way.
[ you know, "that way". the way that david definitely knows where it is. ]
[ dropping down from the second storey and then immediately climbing through the window on the first floor before jeff can even make it to the bottom of the stairs is a little bit unexpected, so if jeff startles slightly, he really can't be blamed for it. he doesn't really stop on the stairs though, because every second counts, so he gently pushes past david and keeps going with the expectation that david'll follow.
truthfully, it probably does make a little more sense for them to swap places in this plan - david's better at distractions, jeff's better at keeping hidden when it really counts, and meg and vittorio will be able to find the gates a little bit faster if he's the one powering them up versus david. regardless of the logic, jeff still doesn't like it, but each second spent caught up in a pointless argument is another second not spent on a generator or a gate and jeff knows when it's best not to bother.
jeff navigates around the cluster of old, wooden crates pushed into the center of the bottom floor and leans out of an open doorway, peering out of the coal tower for anything big and angry headed their way, but the coast seems relatively clear. in the far distance, if he squints, he can see two figures on either side of a generator. it's too far for him to make out how many pistons are moving, too far for him to get an estimate on how much more's left, but it seems promising. jeff turns to look back at david, nods, finally, in reluctant agreement of this new plan, and then juts his chin out toward that final gen. ]
They're that way. [ a pause. ] Don't do anything stupid. [ in other words, be careful. but jeff doesn't want to just leave it at that for whatever reason, so he reaches out and hooks two fingers through the bottle opener at david's hip and gives it two light tugs before letting go. ] See you in a minute.
[ and then he's off, headed toward the nearest gate so he'll be ready to get it going the second the last generator's complete. ]
truthfully, it probably does make a little more sense for them to swap places in this plan - david's better at distractions, jeff's better at keeping hidden when it really counts, and meg and vittorio will be able to find the gates a little bit faster if he's the one powering them up versus david. regardless of the logic, jeff still doesn't like it, but each second spent caught up in a pointless argument is another second not spent on a generator or a gate and jeff knows when it's best not to bother.
jeff navigates around the cluster of old, wooden crates pushed into the center of the bottom floor and leans out of an open doorway, peering out of the coal tower for anything big and angry headed their way, but the coast seems relatively clear. in the far distance, if he squints, he can see two figures on either side of a generator. it's too far for him to make out how many pistons are moving, too far for him to get an estimate on how much more's left, but it seems promising. jeff turns to look back at david, nods, finally, in reluctant agreement of this new plan, and then juts his chin out toward that final gen. ]
They're that way. [ a pause. ] Don't do anything stupid. [ in other words, be careful. but jeff doesn't want to just leave it at that for whatever reason, so he reaches out and hooks two fingers through the bottle opener at david's hip and gives it two light tugs before letting go. ] See you in a minute.
[ and then he's off, headed toward the nearest gate so he'll be ready to get it going the second the last generator's complete. ]
[ at the same time jeff's reaching for the bottle opener on his belt, david tilts his head up to give jeff a quick peck on the cheek since nobody can see them over here anyway and pats him lightly on the arm before backing up a couple steps to go and see how meg and vittorio are doing. ] Be careful, yeah? [ sure jeff's more careful than him, but that's a low fucking bar. and he has his moments too. ]
[ he's careful about making his way over to the generator, doesn't sprint as much as he wants to just in case that ends up leading the oni that way, and gets to work to help them finish up that last bit of work as soon as he's over there. asks them if they've seen the big bastard and they tell him they managed to hide when he came around and kicked the gen, but nothing significant, which makes david wonder if he shouldn't split off and find another one, but they're so close on this one he might as well stay put. ]
[ between the three of them it really doesn't take long before they're done and he hears the pips of the doors powering up. still hasn't seen oni, which doesn't make david feel great, but he starts leading the way back to the gate he left jeff at anyway. he should have it almost open by the time they get there so long as they're fast about it. ]
[ he's careful about making his way over to the generator, doesn't sprint as much as he wants to just in case that ends up leading the oni that way, and gets to work to help them finish up that last bit of work as soon as he's over there. asks them if they've seen the big bastard and they tell him they managed to hide when he came around and kicked the gen, but nothing significant, which makes david wonder if he shouldn't split off and find another one, but they're so close on this one he might as well stay put. ]
[ between the three of them it really doesn't take long before they're done and he hears the pips of the doors powering up. still hasn't seen oni, which doesn't make david feel great, but he starts leading the way back to the gate he left jeff at anyway. he should have it almost open by the time they get there so long as they're fast about it. ]
[ there's a small hill a little off to the left of the nearest gate, and when they part ways, jeff circles around the far side of it slow, keeping an ear and an eye out for oni, or any of the other three on his side, but it's relatively quiet. almost uncomfortably so, but jeff chalks the unsettling feeling up to his own general anxiety and the approaching adrenaline of finally getting the hell out of here. hopefully, with just as many people as they started with.
in his brief but thorough scan, jeff spots a totem tucked up against a couple rocks near the bottom of the hill. unlit, but there's not really much for him to do until that last generator is finished, so he crouches and makes easy work of dismantling it until it's nothing but a pile of bone and twine and melted wax. no telling if there are any other totems left unchecked, but. fingers crossed.
when the last generator pops and that telltale note sounds chimes throughout the estate, jeff's quick to get on the nearest gate. he yanks the lever down, checks over one shoulder, then the other. they're lucky that the gates aren't as close together as they sometimes are - unlucky that they're stuck in here with the oni, who can cut across long distances pretty quickly if he's pissed enough.
by now, jeff's memorized just how long it takes to get the gates open, provided there's nothing in play to slow them down, so as he waits, he counts down the seconds in his head, eyes constantly scanning for the oni - but also the rest of his team mates. if david's found them, then he'll be able to lead them to the right gate, hopefully keep them safe along the way if worse comes to worst and they get cut off along the way.
as it turns out, though, the others are fine... and jeff quickly realizes this when he hears the not so distant and very quickly approaching growls of a furious oni, his footsteps heavy and quick. he whips his head around - and there he is, coming right for him, weapon raised as he charges ahead.
jeff swears under his breath. there is no denying that he's been seen, and the smartest, safest thing to do right now would be to abandon the gate and run - but there are people counting on him. there's a plan, and though this part definitely wasn't part of it, he has to follow through. there are seconds left on the gate. all he has to do is stick it out long enough, and he can get it open.
if he has to go down for it in the process, well. so be it. at least the oni will be occupied with carrying him away, and the others can get through and out without a problem. ]
in his brief but thorough scan, jeff spots a totem tucked up against a couple rocks near the bottom of the hill. unlit, but there's not really much for him to do until that last generator is finished, so he crouches and makes easy work of dismantling it until it's nothing but a pile of bone and twine and melted wax. no telling if there are any other totems left unchecked, but. fingers crossed.
when the last generator pops and that telltale note sounds chimes throughout the estate, jeff's quick to get on the nearest gate. he yanks the lever down, checks over one shoulder, then the other. they're lucky that the gates aren't as close together as they sometimes are - unlucky that they're stuck in here with the oni, who can cut across long distances pretty quickly if he's pissed enough.
by now, jeff's memorized just how long it takes to get the gates open, provided there's nothing in play to slow them down, so as he waits, he counts down the seconds in his head, eyes constantly scanning for the oni - but also the rest of his team mates. if david's found them, then he'll be able to lead them to the right gate, hopefully keep them safe along the way if worse comes to worst and they get cut off along the way.
as it turns out, though, the others are fine... and jeff quickly realizes this when he hears the not so distant and very quickly approaching growls of a furious oni, his footsteps heavy and quick. he whips his head around - and there he is, coming right for him, weapon raised as he charges ahead.
jeff swears under his breath. there is no denying that he's been seen, and the smartest, safest thing to do right now would be to abandon the gate and run - but there are people counting on him. there's a plan, and though this part definitely wasn't part of it, he has to follow through. there are seconds left on the gate. all he has to do is stick it out long enough, and he can get it open.
if he has to go down for it in the process, well. so be it. at least the oni will be occupied with carrying him away, and the others can get through and out without a problem. ]
[ most of the time, things in trials feel like they happen so fast that sometimes david would struggle to even remember any details, the whole thing a blur in his memory. this is very much the opposite of that. it feels like slow motion, when he hears the doors open followed almost instantaneously by the too-familiar sound of jeff's shout as he's cut down right in the fucking doorway. the three of them get around the oni easily, but none of them leave, all of them clearly thinking the same thing: when he picks jeff up, david can go for that flashlight save and the three of them can cover for him on the way out. ]
[ it would be a great plan if not for a few things. meg's too eager, gets too close and goes down in one hit — and david's seen this guy use the hexes so fucking rarely that that's a shock — but she's close enough to the exit that she manages to crawl out, david and vittorio slipping around opposite pillars while oni's attention is split. and when he comes back, hovers over jeff, david's ready. springs out with his flashlight ready to blind the fucker, except... except what happens is a ragged scream is ripped out of jeff as a sword pierces his shoulder and pins him to the ground. david stands there helplessly, certain he can hear every tear of flesh, every wet spatter of blood as the oni rips jeff's tongue out with his bare hands. and then reduces him to little more than paste. ]
[ david watches it all in horror, and when the oni turns to face the stragglers, it settles into a silent rage. shoulders set and feet planted as he stares back, squaring up like he stands any kind of a chance against that monster of a man. as if he wouldn't be meeting the exact same fate as jeff if not for the way vittorio grabs his arm and pulls david through the gate with all his strength before they lose a second person. ]
[ it would be a great plan if not for a few things. meg's too eager, gets too close and goes down in one hit — and david's seen this guy use the hexes so fucking rarely that that's a shock — but she's close enough to the exit that she manages to crawl out, david and vittorio slipping around opposite pillars while oni's attention is split. and when he comes back, hovers over jeff, david's ready. springs out with his flashlight ready to blind the fucker, except... except what happens is a ragged scream is ripped out of jeff as a sword pierces his shoulder and pins him to the ground. david stands there helplessly, certain he can hear every tear of flesh, every wet spatter of blood as the oni rips jeff's tongue out with his bare hands. and then reduces him to little more than paste. ]
[ david watches it all in horror, and when the oni turns to face the stragglers, it settles into a silent rage. shoulders set and feet planted as he stares back, squaring up like he stands any kind of a chance against that monster of a man. as if he wouldn't be meeting the exact same fate as jeff if not for the way vittorio grabs his arm and pulls david through the gate with all his strength before they lose a second person. ]
Edited 2023-02-27 00:44 (UTC)
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