locked to manufactured

[scythegun]

[When Wesker didn't contact him a day ago he was worried, but worry has quickly turned to fear and Jaeger's never been good at dealing with fear. Repeated attempts to reach Wesker have failed, so Jaeger's taken it on himself to go looking for his boyfriend.

Thankfully Wesker cuts a distinctive figure and Jaeger's able to trace his location to the outskirts of the city. He's worried that he's going to find that something's happened to Wesker, that he'll be injured or dying, or maybe even already dead—

But that isn't the case, and when he finds Wesker the man looks perfectly fine.]

Albert!

[He'll approach immediately; the worry and concern is probably obvious just from that exclamation alone, but once he gets close he speaks up again.]

Are you okay? What are you doing out here?

[If Wesker will let him get close enough, he'll reach out to touch Wesker's arm, as he usually does.]

Comments

[manufactured]

I was trying to collect data to sell to another organization. A group that could get me out of Umbrella.

I managed to leave regardless; in the end things worked out. But at the time that wasn't a guarantee, so I was trying to ensure my life would be spared in some way by offering data. One of my subordinates found out and ensured that none of that came to fruition.

[...So that's why he hates Chris.]

[scythegun]

I see.

[So that would be why you hated Chris so much...]

I'm sorry things didn't work out in the way you had hoped. At least you did manage to break free of Umbrella eventually.

[manufactured]

I managed to destroy it, though it took several years. It came under fire from the government for a series of disasters that they caused; one of my former supervisors tried to revive it in Russia, but I killed him before he could get very far.

I stole all of their data; I ensured that the corporation itself could never be brought back.

[scythegun]

It's good that you did. After everything they did, they certainly shouldn't be brought back.

[His grip tightens on the blastia for a moment before he realizes what he's doing and drops his hand.]

[manufactured]

I should say not.

[...]

...Are you all right?

[scythegun]

I'm okay.

[...]

It's a bit difficult to think about everything you've been through, sometimes. I can't help but worry about you, even though you seem to be doing just fine now.

[manufactured]

What are you worried about, exactly?

[He doesn't like having to ask; it feels like something he should already know. Perhaps it's something he does know in his other life. But it's out there anyway, because he doesn't understand; concern like this is new to him, and it's not something he can follow very well.]

[scythegun]

That this is all weighing too heavily on you even if you're not showing it. Part of it is also just because I worry so much in general, it's kind of hard to stop even when I know there's nothing to be concerned about.

[It's Complicated.]

[manufactured]

It doesn't weigh heavily on me, because I've already survived it. It's only in memories now; there's no sense in being dragged down by something I know I managed to get through.

I understand that our memories make us who we are. But they can't hurt us anymore, either.

[scythegun]

[That's a surprisingly nice way of looking at it, actually...]

I'm glad to hear that. I have a hard time imagining everything that you went through, but you're still able to keep moving despite all of that. It's... it's really nice to see.

[manufactured]

...It didn't seem so terrible at the time, for what it's worth.

[It was just how things were, really.]

[scythegun]

I'm glad it wasn't completely unbearable. Still... it really is unfortunate you had to go through all of that.

[manufactured]

...It's fine, Jaeger. I imagine it's difficult to watch your boyfriend remember these things, but you don't have to worry about me.

[scythegun]

Well, like I said, it's difficult for me to stop worrying...

[Sorry, Wesker. He's just Like This.]

[manufactured]

[He's quiet for a moment at that. Considering.]

Thank you, then. For the concern.

[It's very stiff and uncomfortably awkward; even so, it's perhaps surprisingly genuine.]

[scythegun]

[Jaeger wasn't entirely sure what he was expecting the response to be, but it certainly wasn't that. It gets him to smile despite the awkwardness.]

Of course. You don't have to thank me for that, though. I'm always going to be at least a little concerned about you!

[It's light, though.]

[manufactured]

You don't have to be.

[Well, that was. Blunt.]

I suppose that's why it warrants at least some gratitude. You don't have to be, but you are.

[scythegun]

[Well, he's not exactly surprised at the bluntness...]

Of course I am. I don't have to be, no, but I certainly couldn't stop now. Not that I want to, of course!

[manufactured]

[...]

If you say so.

[scythegun]

I do.

[It's still difficult to explain and he's not sure he can manage it, but this Wesker is important to him too, and not just because of his boyfriend.]

...Are you okay?

[manufactured]

Of course I am.

[Why wouldn't he be...]

[scythegun]

Good.

[...]

You always seem to get a little colder when I say things like that. Do you want me to stop it?

[...that'd probably be really difficult considering who he is as a person, but he could try...??]

[manufactured]

...Do I really.

[scythegun]

Yes. It's like you're trying to distance yourself, I think.

[manufactured]

Why wouldn't I? Those sentiments aren't intended for me.

[Maybe that's saying too much; he doesn't particularly care at the moment.]