milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

Warren's in the bar.

Well technically he's on the stairs, but he will be in the bar soon.

...

Okay, now he's in the bar.

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"Are. You. Okay? You, Andrew."

Uh. Still on the guilt safari, I think.

"O...kay. Uh. Why don't you hop in the jeep and drive back? It's...it's okay. Okay?"

Warren's not sure it is okay (did Andrew technically have sex with a guy?) but...he would very much like Andrew to be okay.

"Do you...wanna...talk?"

*He kind of does.*

I slept with her. While she was mind-controlled.

There's a word for that.

We're not getting past that anytime soon.

Warren swallows.

"Andrew you didn't know. And you didn't do it to her. This isn't like...that."

I know. And --

it's stupid, but --

"You...still feel..."

Yes, Warren knows the feeling. He doesn't know what to do about the feeling...

I feel like I was ... you know.

Used.

*He doesn't say the word "raped." Possibly Warren hears it anyway.*

And that's stupid, because -- I mean, I was there, it wasn't --

Warren looks surprised.

"You..."

He was expecting 'Meg and Meg and blah blah blah Megcakes'. Not Andrew. Because Andrew should never be...used that way. Andrew is...

"Oh."

-- I mean, it was -- it was something good, you know? Something good and, and new, and --

-- and then it was all a lie. It's like, I thought she was there with me, and instead she was a prisoner miles away and that bastard bug was using her body for his sick little joke on stupid blind Andrew --

-- and she got to watch --

*His jaw's clenching, and his fingernails scrape against the table suddenly.*

Warren pushes Andrew's hand back, gently.

"Andrew...don't. I'm sure she...wanted to be there with you."

That's just it. I don't know. I'll never know --

It was the first time.
We won't ever get that back.

Warren nods slowly.

"But...there can be other...times. Don't let this be what...ends it. You'll regret it."

*He takes a deep breath.*

It won't be. I don't think.

We're, uh. She's going to try and take me home with her. To Paris. For a visit.

I just, I ...

We're not okay yet. I mean -- with each other, we're sort of okay. But she's not.

And I'm not.
And I don't know when we will be.

"Hey. You will be. I don't really know her, but she seems really strong. And I know you are, so..."

Strong?
Me?

"Yeah. C'mon. You are. You're totally, like, Clark Kent. And all underneath..."

Warren trails off with a shrug.

-- you're kidding, right?

I folded. I totally folded. Scorpy dropped a few threats and I knuckled under like a Jawa.

"There was no folding. You did the right thing. So that no one got hurt. Someone you cared about was in trouble and you saved her. You didn't give in to the villain's demands. You're the hero. And you have been. Like maybe some people tried to lead you down the wrong path and it got confusing, but you kept going and you found the right way. And now you're a better person. That's strong too. Indestructible. You're totally Superman.

...Or possibly the Energizer Bunny."

*Andrew stares. He hasn't been so caught off guard by a compliment since ... since his first week at Milliways.*

I --

...thanks.

*And he straightens suddenly, because there's Meg, coming down the stairs. Which means she's ready to go--*

Uh --

I'll see you when we get back, okay?

*He grabs Warren's hand in what should be a manly handshake, and misses it only by the tiniest fraction of cling.*

*And then he is off.

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