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

[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.]

[scythegun]

I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it. Of course it's meant in part for my boyfriend, but that doesn't mean it's not meant for you at all.

[He reaches up to toy with his bangs a bit as he tries to work out how to explain it.]

...You're still someone I'm getting to know, but that doesn't mean I dislike you. While it's true that some of my fondness is because of my boyfriend, it's not as though he's the only reason why I like you.

[It's Complicated, okay Wesker...]

[manufactured]

I would argue that you wouldn't be having those sentiments at all were it not for him.

[It's...pretty simple, actually, at least as he sees it.]

It isn't anything to dwell on, either way.

[scythegun]

[...Maybe he wouldn't. He doesn't want to know. Jaeger sighs, defeated.]

I just hope it doesn't upset you any.

[manufactured]

Does it seem to...?

["Upset" is kind of a weird word to attach to it; is it accurate? He isn't sure.]

[scythegun]

Well... To be honest, I can't really tell.

[He doesn't like admitting that. He'd be able to tell with his boyfriend, but...]

It seems like most things don't bother you at all, but I don't really know if that's the case.

[manufactured]

Most things don't.

[It's mildly arrogant maybe, but that doesn't make It any less true.]

There are some things I don't care for, but usually it's at least acceptable.

[And then there was last night.]

[scythegun]

[He wants to ask about last night. He really does. But he probably shouldn't...]

And when it's not acceptable...?