pushtheboundaries | IC INBOX; MoM

[really. have a frustrated sigh as he drags his hand down his face]

...I'm fine, Cass. Really. I appreciate your concern, but...I'll be fine. You should be more concerned about your nephew.

[DIVERSION; GO]

[You get a sigh back.]

I'm going to pretend I don't realize you're using my nephews to try to weasel your way out of this.

You aren't fine. Come on, can you stomach anything? It's past lunchtime -- have you eaten?

I'm serious. I don't know what's set Hiro off, but things have gotten worse since I got here, and- I don't know what I can do to fix any of it other than staying away from him. There may be nothing, but I can't- I can't let it get any worse. And contrary to what he thinks, I am concerned for him.

[beat]

Mostly water. Some cereal.

That's not what I'm saying!

Of course I'm worried about Hiro. I saw him, I was the one who lived with him after-- [after Tadashi died, but has anybody picked up on how Cass has never, since she came here, directly spoken about Tadashi's death? (she hopes not)] I'm his parent. I'll talk to both of them when they get back, and we'll figure something out. They're my family.

But -- look, Robert, if you think that's changed my mind, or made me take back what I told you at the beach, then you're wrong. I'm concerned about you, and you'd better send me the address to where you're at because I'm coming over.

Why?

[there could easily be anger there. why do you care, why are you bothering- but instead it's flat, quiet.

and, perhaps, a bit confused. though- actually-]

Are you afraid I'll find a new mask?

Edited 2015-06-19 19:11 (UTC)

I am.

[But wait.]

And I'm afraid that you'll hide how badly you're falling apart behind it, because I think you're trying to convince yourself that you're alone. And you aren't, Robert. You don't have to be alone, anymore.

[there's a stretch of silence. if not for his breathing and the lack of dial tone, the call could be over.

everyone keeps saying that, insisting he's not alone...]

...Xavier campus. Outside of the city. [and he gives some directions to his room.]

[You can almost hear the smile that's already taking over now.]

Thank you, Robert. I'll be over in about half an hour. You want coffee?

Black's fine.

[that'd be a 'yes please']

Give me about an hour and I'll be there.

[She doesn't have a car, after all. She has to catch the bus, but that's not too much trouble. She finds one of the better coffee shops she's discovered in town, and around the promised time, Robert will be getting a soft knock at his door.]

[that's an hour to...get a shower, get some decent clothes on, and just as he's buttoning his pants comes the knock. he grimaces, despite himself, because he was still half hoping she wouldn't come...

she'd probably find a way to get the door removed if he pretended he wasn't home. so he moves over to the door and opens it, eyes narrowed from the light in the hall. he's got some natural light coming in, but otherwise it's still pretty dim. the worst is over, but considering how much scotch he had...]

Anyone ever tell you you're as stubborn as a mule?

[he moves aside to let her in]

[The moment Robert opens the door, there will be the smell of coffee right under his nose because she's got a couple cups right there. She raises an eyebrow at his comment, then twists her expression into a clearly put-together grimace as she steps inside.]

You think Hiro and Tadashi raised themselves?

[It's a joke. But really, there was a lot she had to learn after suddenly becoming a single parent. She has a decade of experience dealing with genius engineers.]

[that does smell very good. he closes the door behind her, managing an imperceptible smile]

I think if they did, half the city would be gone. [beat] I mean that as a compliment.

Edited 2015-06-19 20:07 (UTC)

Duly noted.

... So. [she starts, turning to hand him the coffee. Slung over one of her shoulders is a large bag. Is that thing insulated? Yes it is; she brought some ingredients to cook him some proper food. Cereal. She swears.]

I'm glad to see your company got you home in one piece, at least.

[he will most definitely accept that coffee and take a moment to just savor the smell. nectar of the gods. ambrosia. caffeine

wait what]

Ah- yes. She's an...interesting person, but I think we managed to avoid any disasters.

[he'll take a sip of that coffee, pause to enjoy, and- then notices that bag of hers. eh?]

[Don't think she doesn't notice you sniffing at it, because she so does. Robert can trust that the coffee she chose tastes great.]

I didn't think engineers could hang out with people who weren't interesting. Well, I'm glad you're safe and home, and avoiding disasters.

[She hoists the bag higher on her shoulder.]

But you, sir, need some nourishment.

Edited 2015-06-19 20:27 (UTC)

[it smells and tastes great and he's appreciating it, dangit! even if he is still very...confused...]

That's...really not necessary, Cass. I was going to have something else today, a little later.

Oh, were you?

Then it's fine. I was going to make you stuff you can put away in the fridge, anyway.

[There are no excuses, Robert.]

...I can cook my own meals. I did raise a child of my own, you know.

[WOMAN WHAT ARE YOU DOING and yet he's just going to stand there and nurse the coffee with both hands.]

Besides, you said you were coming over to check on me, not my refrigerator.

You can, but will you? How do I know you'll really go out and eat something? Or will you end up at another bar?

How do I know you'll feel up to getting on your feet tomorrow morning? How do I know you'll take care of yourself, when you're living by yourself and you don't have somebody reliant on you for their survival? When you can just... slack off, slap on a mask when you have to, and if all goes right nobody stops to ask if you're taking care of yourself.

[some of that cuts painfully deep. Callaghan's expression tightens, and he resolves to answer as flatly as possible;]

One, I haven't gotten that drunk in years, and I'm not looking forwards to repeating the experience. Two, despite taking the next week or so easy, I do have responsibilities to take care of, and I'm not planning on letting them go. I can't handle them if I'm not taking care of myself, like I have before.

[that said, he moves past her towards the table, grumpiness clouding his features]

[She follows, but only after putting the bag down on a counter. She doesn't intend to leave, not without fixing him up a few things -- she's sure he has food, she's sure he can cook, and if he's anything like her, he probably would, but that's not the point -- and she doesn't want this conversation to end in an argument.

And she's not going to talk down to him standing up, so slides into one of the chairs, facing him.]

Listen, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to talk down at you. But... I'm worried about you, Robert. Just functioning, just -- getting by? It's not that I think you're not capable. I just want to be sure.

[hnh.

some of the tension eases, but he's still hard to read. he follows her with his eyes as she sits, sure, but most of his body language is neutral - if not completely closed. after a few moments, though, he closes his eyes and lets out a breath.]

You're trying to help.

[he knows.]

[She nods, the motion earnest.]

I want you to have days when you feel okay. I want you to have days when you feel good. And I want... when your days aren't good or okay, to know that you're not alone.

You suffered... all alone, after you thought you lost your daughter. That's a dark, lonely place to be.

I'd rather not discuss that. [if polite deflection won't work, he'll go for bluntness, and there's a slight warning tone in there as well] I talk about it enough in therapy.

[beat]

Look...as I said, I know you're trying to help. And I do appreciate your concern. It's just...

[...he's used to handling things on his own. only he's not sure how to put that in to words and have it sound right.]

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