capeandcowllogs | Bar Log ((OPEN))

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Bar Log ((OPEN))

WHO: Tom Bronson + OPEN
WHERE: the bar
WHEN: all week
WARNINGS: none
SUMMARY: Tom now owns the bar, and everyone gets their first drink free for the first week.
FORMAT: quick

[It was Tom's first couple weeks running the bar, and, surprisingly, it had gone pretty well so far. The transition itself was a bit of a challenge, but once he'd become accustomed to it, it really wasn't so bad at all. In fact, he found himself even enjoying the work, even if it meant extra hours for the time being, since the promotion and port-outs lately meant that they were running a bit understaffed.

That wasn't why he was pulling other duties besides just managing the place, though. Working behind the bard was one of the best jobs he had, and he really enjoyed it. He got to talk to people at the bar (and occasionally have a drink or two himself). It was the social aspect that he liked, which was why, to maybe draw in a few new regular customers, he was offering free drinks for the week.]

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[Julian looks at her and feels a great swell of sympathy. For a minute he's quiet, not sure what to say. Not sure what the right thing to say is. He moves to touch her hand, very gently, then draws his arm back.]

So you got to see her again. I'm sorry. Getting back someone who's gone, that's...rare. And I'm glad you did, but I wish you could remember.

But if she could come here once...maybe she could again. Some day.

[Some hope is better than none.]

I...did not see her. I do not remember it, it...

[She shakes her head and shifts on her stool, frowning at her soda.]

I do not think I would want her to come here.

[Julian watches her quietly and shifts a bit closer.]

You wouldn't? I thought...you might like to be able to see her again.

[It makes him think, though. If Brian showed up here, how would he react?

...Actually, he'd probably just never want to leave.]

I would.

[There is no hesitation there, though afterward her frown gets a little worse.]

But I am not the person she wanted me to be.

[There's a lot of things Julian could say to that. Even more that he wants to say, so he needs to swallow it a little. But he touches Laura's shoulder.]

You think she wouldn't want to see you here, teaching kids self defence and kicking drug dealers to the curb? There's nothing there for her not to like, Laura.

She gave me back my life and I spent two years as a prostitute and a year killing for X-force.

[Julian just...gazes at her, for a minute. Because that can't be right. Not the part about killing, that doesn't faze him yet. It will, because it's recent and he hadn't known about it, but Laura had killed in her past and he knew about that.

The prostitute part, he hadn't known. It makes him angry, sad, worried, and...yeah, angry, all at once.

There's just so much that she's been through. It had seemed like too much already, before he knew about that. And now it's just...

Christ, how is it that one person could've been hurt so much, and no one stopped it happening? He moves, putting his arm around her and hugging her gently but briefly, because he doesn't really know if she'd want that but he can't not do it.

He's never met anyone who needs to be taken care of more than Laura. And equally, he's never met anyone who's so much against being taken care of at all.]

I'm sorry. [This is whispered while he's hugging her, just before he draws back. And he only draws back to where he was before, keeping a hand on her shoulder.] I didn't know.

God, Laura. I'd really like to punch the face of everyone who ever hurt you. I know that doesn't help, but it's true.

Look, your mom...she'd hate that stuff, of course she would, she'd want to make it better for you. But you've done a lot of good. Here and at home. She'd be proud of that.

[Laura was silent for a while as he spoke, though she didn't resist the sudden hug, shifting up a bit straighter when he did so. She generally had no idea how to react to these sorts of situations. Part of her realized springing the awkward part of her past on Julian was probably kind of awful like this, but it wasn't a secret...she just didn't spread it around all the time.]

[Eventually she shrugged and took a moment to take a sip of her soda.]

Maybe. But maybe not. You did not know my mother, Julian.

I don't think I want to know which.

I didn't know her. I'm still saying fact. You have done a lot of good.

[He watches her, not sure what to say. His instincts keep being wrong, and it's hard to know what the right way to respond is. He realises that he's never thought about that with anyone else. Either because he hasn't needed to, or because he hasn't wanted to. For whatever reason, Laura's the only one he really thinks this through with. And he still gets it wrong. He frowns, eyes dropping to his drink.]

Laura, you could've stopped them doing that...from using you like that. Why didn't you?

[Laura's gaze shifted away and she slumped slightly on her stool, studying a random spot on the bar. She had no idea what to say. Back then...she tried not to think about it, frankly. She'd been...empty. She had come to the city, she didn't even know why, and it had taken her and left her empty and used her all the same.]

...I don't know.

[He looks at her again, a breath leaving him. He runs a hand through his hair and looks at her, shoulders dropping.]

They never had the right, Laura. I'd go crazy on anyone I saw trying that with you.

That is not necessary. I was...different...then.

It does not matter.

Why doesn't it?

[It does because you brought it up.]

Because it doesn't.

[She shifted away from him slightly on her stool, hooking her arms loosely around her waist and pressing her fingers into the skin of her forearm.]

[He watches her for a minute, then dips his head. He's smiling, but he looks more perplexed than anything else.]

I want to make it better, not worse.

[A pause. Half to himself, not really thinking.]

I wish I knew the thing to say that wouldn't make you move away from me.

You do not have to make it anything, Julian.

[After a few moments she turned back. She's still somewhat curled in on herself though.]

It doesn't matter.

No, you don't understand, it does. And I do, because--

[And here he trails away, because what does he even want to say here?]

[Quietly]

Because you mean a lot to me, Laura.

...Thank you.

[She smiles faintly at him and uncurls. Slightly. Her arms are relaxed now, at least.]

But my past is not something that can be made better Julian. You don't need to worry about it.

[He lets out a breath he hadn't really been aware of holding.]

I want to make you feel better. That's all. I don't like making you uncomfortable.

[Which has happened way too often lately. He hates that.]

[A pause.]

...Then can we talk about something else?

[He folds his arms.]

Sure. Whatever you want.

[She turns back to her drink and takes a sip of it.]

I don't know.

[And he searches for a subject that's in some way...neutral.]

'Kay. What do you like best about the City? We'll talk about that.

[...He doesn't do neutral too well.]

[A little pause as she thought about.]

I...like having no past. It doesn't matter here. And the people that know about it. Really know about it. You, Selina, Doctor McCoy...

You never held it against me.

It's...a relief.

[He nods. He can understand that. Some people at home act like douches to her and she doesn't need it. One of those names makes him raise an eyebrow, though.]

Selina? How does she know?

She needs one. Also, a hug :(

She'd just fidget uncomfortably.

One day Julian will hug her and she'll just like it. One day.

....Maybe.

She will X( It's my mission in life

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