Aquatic AU

[simplepuzzle]

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[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."

[unbreachable]

He smiles, lines crinkling around his eyes -- it's strained, it's tired, but it's a smile. He gently squeezes Chuck's hand, thumb brushing over his slightly clammy skin.

"Then we have a deal."

[simplepuzzle]

"...you promise me something."

He grips onto Raleigh's hand like an anchor, heedless of anyone seeing them for the next few minutes as he holds Raleigh's gaze.

[unbreachable]

He tilts his head, stares a little.

"What is it?"

[simplepuzzle]

"Take care of yourself."

He presses his thumb against Raleigh's palm.

"Okay?"

[unbreachable]

He hasn't been - is it that obvious. He hesitates, but he nods.

"Okay. I will."

[simplepuzzle]

It's so obvious, Raleigh.

"Good." Chuck pulls his hand back and moves to finish his pie.

....He could be free.

[unbreachable]

He nods, lets Chuck go when he pulls his hand back, and goes back to work on his pie.

"It might take me a while," he says quietly. "Can't just walk in there."

[simplepuzzle]

"I know."

It's why he tried to object; it's not going to be an overnight thing. Hell, Chuck doesn't even know where it is and he's been looking for it for years.

[unbreachable]

He tugs his cup closer again and takes a sip of his water and squints, wishing he'd ordered coffee. He's chilled down to his bones, anything with heat would be nice right about now. He's always so damn cold these days - poor circulation, his mother had the same problem - and heating up is a bitch.

When Mavis wanders back by, he asks for coffee.

"You want any?"

[simplepuzzle]

"Tea, please." He smiles faintly up at Mavis, curling his fingers in on themselves.

"....Why did you come back?" he asks when Mavis goes to get their hot drinks.

[unbreachable]

"I thought maybe I'd see you. Chances were slim, it's not summer, but...I don't know. I wanted to see you again."

Probably not the answer he wants or needs, but there it is.

[simplepuzzle]

It really isn't.

It's unfair of Raleigh to come back after all this time to just try and see Chuck again. It's unfair for him to come back too late like this. Chuck shakes his head, but keeps his mouth shut about it. For once.

[unbreachable]

"I'm sorry."

He can only say it so many times before it starts sounding like jibberish.

He sighs, but he looks slightly happy when the coffee is set down in front of him and he immediately wraps his hands around the mug with a huff of relief.

[simplepuzzle]

And it's not all the way Raleigh's fault so Chuck can't even be as mad as he is. Which is extremely frustrating.

"Thanks for coming back," he adds quietly, lips against the warm mug.