pushtheboundaries | IC INBOX; MoM

[that? that actually gets him to snort a bit, pushing himself up]

I don't doubt it, but anyone worth their salt would have stuck through it.

Then maybe one worth it hasn't come through yet.

[At least that's his way of looking at it.]

Here's hoping that changes. Or- maybe I should toast to it, to give it better luck.

[there's a short pause. should he...]

...you know, we both could. If you wanted to give it a try.

Uh...

[He'd bought that for Callaghan, but it'd be rude to decline.]

If you're offering.

You're of age, and if you haven't had much before, it's a lot safer to try at home than at a bar. Or at- well, you know what I mean. [this is hardly Tadashi's home, and it's only so much Callaghan's, but...] I'll warn you, though, scotch has a bit of a kick to it.

Edited 2015-07-19 07:05 (UTC)

[He's... Is he being lectured about alcohol safety from the guy who will eventually kill him?

Yes.

Yes, he is.

It's just one glass to toast with, come on.]

I think it'll be fine.

[yes.

yes he is.]

We'll see. You did pick it out, it may be good to see what exactly you picked.

[don't mind him while he gets the glasses and ice and fires off a text message]

More like we'll see if I have any taste.

[He doesn't see the stealth text, he's more looking around Callaghan's place now. It's. ... Very him, if nothing else.]

[it's a nice place, all told; Callaghan keeps it neat and organized, but there's things that make it 'him' - some books with sticky notes in their pages, what looks like a draftsman's desk with a few sketches adopt its surface, some metal brain teasers on shelves...]

I promise not to throw it out if it's cheap. [he'll find a use for it, somehow - possibly in a class. but it's not long before he comes back with the glasses and bottle. he pours a small amount of the latter in to each of the former, then moves to sit back down.]

Well, that's a load off my mind.

[But he's eyeing that glass suspiciously. The mystery ''''alcohol'''' adults drink that he's never really cared a whole lot about, even when Hiro kept urging him to try it once the clock hit midnight a week ago. He's only ever drunk once, and that was with Aunt Cass' supervision the night they celebrated his getting accepted to SFIT two years ago, and he never lived The Hangover down.

He's got no interest in repeating it either.

When the glass is poured, he reaches for the one closest to him and just. Holds it for now.]

...I really am glad you're doing all right. I was worried.

[it's not just alcohol - it's scotch. on the rocks, and, by the smell, a decent malt in itself. Callaghan notes Tadashi's trepidation but doesn't comment on it, content to let him take it on his own pace.

he even manages another one of those small smiles.

there's not much humor in it.]

I was shaky for a while, but knowing that things have calmed down's done quite a lot. Knowing that they're not a total loss, as well...it's nice looking forwards to things, again.

[it seems to be a more general statement as opposed to specifically referring to all the recent chaos. but it's no less honest.]

Yeah? Like what?

[He forgets for a second what's in his glass, raises it to take a sip and swallows - then sort of regrets it having not prepared himself for that. A 'kick to it' was an understatement. It doesn't show on his face obviously, but the corners of his mouth are pinched at the most.]

Looking. Forward to what, I meant.

[oh, Tadashi. Robert hides his smirk behind taking a sip of his own, but he doesn't swallow it immediately, instead keeping it in his mouth to taste. it's not the best he's ever had, but he doesn't think Tadashi's gotten ripped off - that is, not unless he paid for something twice the quality.

he won't ask. nor will he answer, at first, just arching his brow and giving Tadashi a bland look.

the answer, to him, is obvious.]

[He catches it and frowns deeply at it. Now that's just rude. Just for that, he's determined to show him up; he bought the stuff, he should be able to drink it. So he takes another half-sip and sits on it before -- nope. Nope he has to swallow it.]

And this is what you drink by choice.

[Sound more incredulous about it, Tadashi, it's sure to make him feel guilty eventually.]

[well, he didn't mean to imply he was looking forwards to drinking and/or watching Tadashi drink, but...Callaghan chuckles good-naturedly, swallowing after another moment]

It's an acquired taste. Though my daughter said the same thing, when I let her try it the first time.

Yeah... I dunno if I'll acquire the taste.

[He finishes the last swallow and sets his glass down, just to be done with it and stares at the bottle like it's betrayed him. You were supposed to be good, how could you do this to him.]

Think I'd get along with Abigail if I ever met her.

[and now he's grinning. for more than one reason.]

You would. She's- don't even get me started, Tadashi, you'll regret it.

[Well, that's definitely a better topic. He's only ever heard passing mentions of her around the lab when Callaghan was in a strong enough state to mention her.]

Oh, you think? I always wondered about her, you never talked much about her before.

It was always hard to think of her without- well. [he tilts his head, smile turning just a bit sad, and yet- it's still tempered by something else. something a lot warmer.] Everything considered, though...she's not that different from you. Good-hearted, always wanting to help - maybe a bit like your brother in how cocky she could be, but...

Mm. I think being your only child, she'd have to be a little cocky.

[He scoots forward to the edge of his seat, smiling a bit more at that. He means it as a compliment at least. Anyone who'd be Robert Callaghan's daughter had to have some to them after all.]

I'm glad things work out all right in the end.

[pft. Callaghan takes another long sip, rolling his eyes a bit before answering.] She earned it all on her own. That mind of hers...

[and then he trails off. in the end...and they do, don't they? doesn't it all work out? but he can't- quite- agree with that, not staring at Tadashi across the table.

his smile falters, just some. and just as things get a bit awkward...]

In a manner of speaking, I suppose. But...they'll still work out.

[He watches him at that. Then carefully slides his glass down to him. That's just... Not a topic he can quite broach yet.]

So, she's as smart as me and Hiro? Or smarter you think?

[neither of them are nearly drunk enough to go in to that, he figures. so he'll promptly refill both their glasses, deciding that sticking to the brighter subject is...probably for the best.]

Well, Hiro's in a category all his own. She's a bit older than you, mind, but she could very well have attended SFIT if she'd wanted to. We felt it best to avoid any of that, though - she wanted to make it on her own merits, and not have anyone accuse her of riding my coattails.

[beat]

She barely missed cum laude, but I can't say I was disappointed.

[Now that gets a low whistle as he takes his glass back.]

So smarter than me, definitely.

[He could probably have gotten cum laude if he really tried. Or if he didn't... have other things to distract him. If he were a different person, he'd probably feel some resentment towards his brother, but really? There's only fondness. If she didn't go to SFIT though...]

Boston, then?

Boston- and not necessarily. She's an only child, too. [he tilts his head towards Tadashi meaningfully - you're not. not only that, Tadashi's responsible for quite a few more things than Abigail.] And she worked for those grades- I think she was afraid of disappointing me.

[as if she could have. well- no. if she went back to botfighting...]

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