Aquatic AU

[simplepuzzle]

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[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.

[unbreachable]

He blinks at Chuck, but then relents, wrapping his hands around his glass and ducking his head.

"I missed you too. I'm sorry I didn't come back sooner."

[simplepuzzle]

"Me too."

Well he can't pretend and it turns out Chuck's really bad at. People.

But if Raleigh had come back Chuck wouldn't have thrown himself at Sam or separated from his pod for so long. If he'd sent word...
And he missed him.

[unbreachable]

"I missed you," he mumbled. "You were my only real friend. I'm sorry I fucked it up. When Mom died everything just..."

He exhales.

"Everything went to shit. I'm sorry, Chuck."

[simplepuzzle]

"I know."

He knows how things can go downhill when something like that happens.

"...You can check his work. He doesn't like me going there, I think it's there."

[unbreachable]

Raleigh nods. Alright - it's a start.

"Where does he work?"

[simplepuzzle]

Chuck cautiously slides his foot against Raleigh's under the table, leaning over his pie. He's not sure if he's got the right, not sure if Raleigh even wants the contact.

"City Hall. He works with the mayor."

[unbreachable]

The corners of his lips tip up in a small half moon, and he carefully, gently nudges Chuck's foot back.

Mayor. Okay.

"He doesn't hurt you, does he? Doesn't..." Raleigh's eyes darken. "Doesn't make you do stuff you don't wanna do?"

How is he treating Chuck? Raleigh needs to know - for reasons.

[simplepuzzle]

"No. No."

It'd be easier if he was an evil and abusive son of a bitch. He liked Sam, a lot, which was why he'd shown him in the first place. And every so often he'll do stuff that makes Chuck forget how Sam's got him there; he always remembers, of course, and feel gross and pretty horrible about himself.

[unbreachable]

"Okay. Good."

He takes a few deep breaths, a few bites of pie, then swallows.

"Make me a promise, okay? When I get this back for you - you fucking run. Don't ever look back at this island - you just high tail it to the sea and get gone."

[simplepuzzle]

"Easy."

That was his plan.

He hesitates, takes another glance around and slides his hand under Raleigh's on the table. His hand's a little chilled, a little damp like he's come in from swimming. "Thank you."