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(no subject)

WHO:

evenharder.
WHERE: Abby and Roger's apartment.
WHEN: After Abby's post about Terry's disappearance.
WARNINGS: None.
SUMMARY: Slurpees and serious discussions about the future.
FORMAT: Quicklog.

[ It's just one of those weeks-- the kind where nobody seems to be able to get a break, and everything seems to be going wrong. Abby's been reduced to a lump on the couch, bundled up in "moody girl attire" (a hoodie and baggy sweatpants) and a blanket while some food commercial plays on the TV. Her eyes are open, but she barely hears what's being advertised. Too busy thinking. About Terry, and Jaime. ]

Hnnn.

[ She makes a miserable little noise and draws the blanket up over her head. ]

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[Roger arrives a few good minutes after that moment - you can hear the noise of the keys finding their way and fitting into the lock before turning it over and opening up the door. He peeks in for a brief moment before stepping inside, hand resting on the keys before pulling them out and shoving them back into his jacket's pocket. His other hand is busy carrying a modest grocery bag.

He stands silently for a moment, arching a knitted eyebrow at the mass of ... blanket.

There's just a tiny bit of humor in his words, but his tone doesn't necessarily become ironic. It's more of a careful approach, in a guy-talking-to-a-girl-friend-way.]

Yo. Is my friend Abby anywhere in the middle of all that?

[ There's a long pause before a peek of blond hair appears from underneath the blankets and Abby peers out. For a second, it seems like she might just disappear back into her burrow, but after a moment more, she finally sits up. Rearranges her blanket. ]

Hi, Roger.

[He walks over to the couch, sitting down and taking out one of the things she asked him to bring to hold it up, waiting for her to take it.]

This was the very last one, kiddo. Should taste a little better 'cause of that.

[ The sight of her slurpee seems to make Abby perk a little, and she reaches out for the big plastic cup with both hands. Her "thank you" is muffled by the red straw as she slurps up a mouthful of cherry. ]

It is pretty good. [ A tentative, little smile that might be just a bit tired. ] Um-- [ Moving her big blanket out of the way some. ] You wanna sit?

Sure, thanks. [He settles himself, one arm resting on the arm of the couch.]

I'm guessin' you didn't get any news from Terry just yet.

[ Abby hesitates, then shakes her head. She tucks her knees up to her chest, cradling her big slurpee cup between her legs and hands. ]

Maybe... He just went home for a little bit. It-- It happens to Terry sometimes. Once, he went home and came back a grown-up. And when he comes back, he tells me about the future.

So this is just some kinda routine for him? [After a beat.] Well, whatever it is, he's gotta be able to handle himself just fine. [Roger leans back on the couch with a small puff, placing both his palms against the back of his neck. He sits in silent consideration for a moment.]

...

What kinda stuff does he tell you?

I-I wouldn't really call it like, routine. But some people get ported in and out more than others, and Terry kinda has bad luck that way.

[ She pauses. This is sort of treading dangerous territory. But... Well. She'd wanted to know about her future, and it'd helped her change, so. Maybe... It wouldn't hurt to tell Roger either. ]

Um. Well. Like-- for me. I guess the future's not so hot. I grow up and I sort of turn into a crazy shoot-to-kill type of superhero. [ She fidgets a little. ] And I join the Skrull Kill Krew.

[Roger purses his lips to one corner, eyes locking on Abby with a skeptical arch of an eyebrow.] You? A crazy shoot-to-kill type goin' after skrulls? [There's a dismissive sound with his lips, even if he means it in a good way.] I'm havin' a hard time believing that.

It's true! She-- She got switched with me when the Porter went crazy once, and people here met her. [ Abby shrinks into her blankets a little more. ] Honestly-- it's like the program messed us all up, and the only person who came out of it better was Terry.

[ She glances at Roger briefly. ]

I-- Maybe you. Don't want to hear about the future. Sometimes it's just better not to know. I don't wanna tell you if you don't wanna know.

Whoa, say what? When did that go down? [Despite knowing that Abby had a pretty long history in this place, is still kind of hit him like a rock every time she made a revelation like that. It was hard to imagine she'd been through things while he was back home almost barely getting to know her just yet.]

[He changes his posture, letting his hands slide down to his lap. His expression has changed, too - Abby has that tone where she knows she's walking on thin ice. What he doesn't know is why.]

What d'you mean?

What'd he tell you about me?

[ Abby curls her toes against the edge of the couch cushions, turning her Slurpee cup around in her hands in a bit of a fidgety way. This is harder than she thought it would be. She doesn't want to make Roger upset. ]

Well... He-- He said. That.

[ She glances at Roger again. ]

He said. That-- in the future. You.

[ She has to force the words out. ]

You betray us and join HYDRA.

[The words hit him, hard. There isn't much he can pull off for a reaction other than staring with an aware expression on his face. It was no lie that he'd been slightly on edge, worried that somebody might know more about him that he'd like - but he'd allowed himself to relax. Things were different, here.

Not as much as he'd like.]

I- [He finally blinks, raising his eyebrows and glancing away for a moment before returning his attention to Abby.] --I do what?

I--

[ When he turns his attention back on her, she seems to regret saying it. She tugs her blankets up over her head a little. ]

I'm sorry, Rog. T-That's just... Just what Terry told me.

... No way. [He stands up, lifting his hand. His mind is undecided between total denial and lying.] Where'd he even come up with something like that?

[looking away, he waves his hand] Nah, that ain't gonna fly.

[Then, a pause.] --You believe him?

Do I... Believe him?

[ That's a rough question. Abby fidgets, looking down at the slushee in her lap before glancing at Roger. ]

I-I don't know, Rog. Terry wouldn't lie. Not about you, 'specially. You're one of us. [ She hesitates. Glances away again. ] I-I didn't like the way my future self sounded either. But...

I don't think it has to be that way.

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