(no subject)

[puckishly]

After this shining example of functional romance ...


For the first few minutes, Puck sat very still. He couldn't help feeling that Havelock might be coming back at any moment, even while he knew that the actual probability was slim.

Then he spent some time glancing up at the rafters.

Then he wondered if he might prevail upon the waitrats to fetch him supper.

Then he rather lost track of time.


Now, Puck is sitting in a booth, waiting for Godot Havelock but fairly certain he shan't be returning, and nearing the anger-bargaining-grief stage of the process.

There is a bright green necktie looped about his neck, rather more like a noose or a leash than a proper garment.

Comments

[jack_inthegreen]

The green catches Jack's eye.

"Puckling," he says, what sort of mischief have you got yourself into now?"

[puckishly]

"Jack," Puck says brightly, but with a tangible edge of desperation.

"I am afraid I cannot be quite sure."

[jack_inthegreen]

Jack sits with him, sprawling a bit in the seat. "Are you under a spell?"

[puckishly]

He snorts.

"Oh, perhaps. And one there is no help for."

[jack_inthegreen]

"What sort of powerful sorcerer has trapped you?"

He's not even sure he's teasing.

[puckishly]

Puck glances up to him ruefully.

"His name is Havelock Vetinari."

[jack_inthegreen]

Jack tilts his head.

"Is this some sort of voluntary confinement..?"

[puckishly]

The fairy blinks, considering.

"I suppose," he allows.

"He bade me stay."

[jack_inthegreen]

"I see."

It's a test.

Jack's not entirely sure he approves.

"Do you want help?"

[puckishly]

"No," Puck sighs.

"Though if you have an apple handy ..."

[jack_inthegreen]

"Always," Jack says and gives him one.

"Do I want to know how things came to such a pass?"

[puckishly]

Puck crunches ravenously.

Within moments, he has worked his way down to the core, and starts in on that.

"As to that," he admits, mouth rather full, "I suspect I have done him some offense."

[jack_inthegreen]

Jack gives him another apple. There's plenty, after all.

"Is this some kind of 'let the punishment fit the crime' type of arrangement?"

[oneman_onevote]

Eventually Havelock will get Puck's attention, but for a moment he stops, sitting on a rafter and looking down.

To be perfectly honest, he wasn't entirely sure that Puck would stay there as long as he has. It's something to consider.

Still, it's getting late.

He wouldn't leave him there all night.

[puckishly]

Puck has been on the lookout for Havelock, as it happens.

And he is so accustomed to glancing up at rafters.

At this moment he peers, suspicious, rather wondering if he is like the madman in the desert who spots a lovely but sadistic oasis.

[oneman_onevote]

Havelock looks back, leaning quietly against the wall and legs tucked up in front of him.

He wonders, vaguely, what he would even do if he truly stopped trusting Puck.

He doesn't want to think about it.

(Which means, the tiny, cold part of him thinks, he probably should.)

Almost tentative, he extends a hand.

[puckishly]

Puck glances up at him.

And smiles faintly.

"Back so soon?"

[oneman_onevote]

He eyebrows downwards, amused despite himself.

"Sorry to disappoint. Should I go?"

[puckishly]

"No," he says quickly, then assays to look nonchalant.

"I should hate to put you to any inconvenience."

[oneman_onevote]

"Oh, well then."



He doesn't look inclined to come down.

[puckishly]

Puck frowns up at him.

[oneman_onevote]

Havelock looks suspiciously blank and innocent right on back.

[puckishly]

Now Puck's expression turns a bit sour.

If Havelock's just going to look at him, he may as well have stayed away.

[oneman_onevote]

...Oh fine.

He can give him this one.

Quietly he untucks his legs and gets up to walk along the rafter and closer to where Puck sits below.

[puckishly]

Puck tracks his approach carefully.

He is not sure whether he trusts himself to speak; it occurs to him that an absent Havelock was at least an uncomplicated one.