Aquatic AU

[simplepuzzle]

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[simplepuzzle]

Chuck hesitates. If he's seen going to a motel with someone...

"No." Public's better.

"The diner has great pie."
It seems he's gone native.

[unbreachable]

He nods.

"Is it the same one?"

Cause if so...then definitely. He loved that pie.

[simplepuzzle]

"I think there's only ever been the one so, probably?"

He's not really in a mood to be smiling, so he just turns and expects Raleigh to follow him.

[unbreachable]

Raleigh trails after him, stomping his boots free of wet sand once they're on solid ground.

He remembers the way to the diner but he's silent as he follows Chuck. It's overcast and cold and it feels like his mood is following him everywhere he goes.

[simplepuzzle]

People greet Chuck, waving to him and asking him how Sam's doing or to send their hellos. Chuck knows people too, actually cracking smiles for some of them.

He hates why he's in the situation he's in, the people are okay.

He's even on first name terms with the waitress, who recognizes Raleigh from years back as well. Free pie for them!

[unbreachable]

He nods his head at the waitress, and free pie is great.

But who the fuck is Sam.

"So what's going on, Chuck?"

[simplepuzzle]

"He has my skin." Chuck pulls his glass to his mouth as he speaks; it's not that he doesn't trust anyone in town to report back to Sam, but he's no longer trusting humans with what he is.

Raleigh left, and Sam imprisoned him. Humans suck.

[unbreachable]

"What, like he's..."

Raleigh's frown deepens, the lines in his face practically turning to trenches with the anger that resonates.

"Keeping you against your will? Why?"

[simplepuzzle]

"Because I'm a novelty and he doesn't want to let go of me."

He rolls his eyes and plays with the ice in his glass.

"I don't know, it was all right when we started dating," he says quietly. "And I trusted him and I told him what I was and he wanted me to show him."

[unbreachable]

Raleigh's teeth are grinding in his head so hard they might crumble.

"A fucking novelty--"

Raleigh has to take a long drink of water before he can continue.

"And he forced you to marry him? He forcing you to do anything else?"

[simplepuzzle]

"That's how it works and no and keep your voice down, would you?"

He doesn't need the whole town knowing everything.

The waitress is coming back and Chuck is leaning back because there's pie coming and he manages a smile at her, thanks so much Mavis.

[unbreachable]

Ugh. He lowers his voice and smiles at the waitress but his scowl is back when she leaves.

"Do you know where it's kept?"

[simplepuzzle]

He scowls right back.

"If I knew I wouldn't be still married to him," he hisses, and shovels a forkful of pie in his mouth.

The pie helps a little.

[unbreachable]

"I'll find it."

The words spill out before he can even think twice about it.

[simplepuzzle]

"You're leaving." Did Raleigh forget that?

"And he's bought up most of this island, he'll have you arrested and forcibly ejected." Chuck leans back in his seat. "I don't even know why I told you."

....no, he knows. Because the thought that Raleigh thought he was married because he wanted to be was unbearable. Even if Raleigh got caught up in his life and forgot about Chuck, Chuck never forgot him.

....Sam might bear a slight resemblance to Raleigh. Broad shouldered and blond. Chuck's got a type.

[unbreachable]

"I won't leave too I find it."

He inhales some pie, swallowing thickly.

"I've gotten good at not being noticed."

[simplepuzzle]

"Don't you have a job waiting for you?"

No, Raleigh, you're leaving. You'll leave now or you'll leave when you find it but you're still leaving and Chuck's not going to wait around this time. He can't handle it.

He'll avoid all humans this time.

[unbreachable]

"I don't care. You deserve better than this."

Chuck if he finds it you'll be free - it won't matter if he leaves.

Raleigh wants to right one wrong, at least.

[simplepuzzle]

Chuck drums his fingers on the table, frowning at Raleigh.

"Isn't Yancy expecting you?"

Raleigh has a life. Chuck doesn't any more.

[unbreachable]

He flinches and licks his lips, tries not to look as destroyed as he feels.

"Yancy is dead."

[simplepuzzle]

"...Shit." Chuck runs his fingers through his hair.

"You don't owe me anything." Despite Chuck's feelings of abandonment.

[unbreachable]

"I know."

Anything to avoid Yancy.

"I want to."

[simplepuzzle]

...He could be free.

He could leave, he could go and find his pod and be with his friends, his father.

"It's not anywhere at home," he says quietly, spearing a cherry with his fork. "I've looked everywhere."

[unbreachable]

Raleigh nods to himself, taking note of that, pondering other locations.

"Any ideas? Insights? You know the island better than me."

[simplepuzzle]

"...I missed you."

Raleigh had valid reasons for not returning but Chuck's still angry. Angry at being left behind, at what's happened, and he can't help saying that instead of anything helpful.