Aquatic AU

[simplepuzzle]

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[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.

[unbreachable]

"You mean that, or are you saying that because you feel like you have to?" He half smiles from behind his mug, hunching over it and breathing in the scent.

[simplepuzzle]

"....Why would I feel I have to?"

Why wouldn't he mean it?

[unbreachable]

He huffs.

"Because I came back too late, came back just to see you...it's not fair of me."

[simplepuzzle]

"It isn't," Chuck agrees, scowling faintly and pulling his teabag out of his mug.

"But you're here now. And you want to help me." Unless it's with the hope that Chuck will be his afterwards.

....No, Raleigh wouldn't keep the skin for himself. Chuck's not sure he would want to be with Raleigh, even considering the last time they saw each other. Even considering lingering feelings.

He just wants his freedom back. He misses the sea.

[unbreachable]

"I do."

He can kind of sense that -- sense that there is maybe some doubt and he can't even fault Chuck for that a little bit.

"I'll give it back. I swear."

[simplepuzzle]

"I know."

But it helps to hear the words out loud.

He drinks his tea slowly.

[unbreachable]

Raleigh nods and goes back to his mug of coffee and sips at it, not adding anything to it.

He's got a lot to think about, a lot to figure out.

It's going to take months of puzzling this out, of integrating himself into the society here. He has to get a job, has to blend in, has to get people to trust him.

It's not hard to do; Raleigh's a likeable guy even though he's a little melancholy these days.

He becomes pretty good friends with everyone, and while Chuck might not like it, he has to befriend Sam.

Which.

Is.

Torture.

But he does it, because he needs to get access to the office, to where he's completely sure that Chuck's skin is being held.

[simplepuzzle]

It's hard for Chuck, watching Raleigh and Sam become friends, having Raleigh over for dinner and pretend to just be meeting him--or, at least, to pretend he just met him on the street and had a slice of pie with him and had to introduce him to his husband.

It's hard to have him around for so long; he didn't think it would take this long. Though he knew it wouldn't be fast and easy, it still feels like the days--weeks are dragging by.

Sam doesn't seem like a monster; he's proprietary, keeping an arm around Chuck's waist or a hand on his back or arm. Gestures that would be affectionate if the relationship was actually equal. He's rich, from family money, side businesses that manage to keep afloat even in trying times such as these which aren't completely ethical. If Raleigh's interested in any of those, he'd love to have his help.