infomodder | ic contact 2 mask or menace

[An all encompassing bear hug Will doesn't hesitate to return, with the same fierce intimacy he'd give to his wife. He stands in a kitchen being held by a man quite taller than him and doesn't shy away, doesn't instinctively recoil like Jeff's two seconds from an attempted disemboweling. Will's hands move to Jeff's shoulders, grounding and very much real, and if there's any suspicion he's doing this simply to hide, that never comes across. Sometimes people just need a hug. Sometimes they just need a place to hide, too, and far be it from Will to deny Jeff that much.]

No, you didn't. [There isn't a waver in Will's voice.] It was taken from you. In small, gradual increments. Then completely, all at once.

[If he sounds like the voice of experience with this, good. Perhaps there is some projection going on, but it's all very personal to Will.]

That's what'll eat you alive, if you try to unravel where and when everything happened. Kill you more than a bullet to the head.

[Kill you on the inside.]

[He doesn't mean to get Will's shoulder wet, he really doesn't, but that's a thing that's happening as Jeff keeps in that embrace for as long as he can. Might be nice to just stand like this for the rest of the day.

There's nodding, judging by the shift of his head against Will (or maybe he's just using that time to wipe his eyes on his bro) but he's not entirely sure what to say to that. Will sounds like he speaks from experience, but maybe that's just Will; the empathetic guru who knows way too much. Perhaps it's not experience but understanding that has him getting it so well.]

Sorry.

[Finally muttered as he decides to speak. Vague and muffled and not even entirely certain what he's sorry for, except EVERYTHING.]

[If his shirts aren't covered with dog hair, they have drool or bits of fish or other food items on them, or dust, or dirt. Jeff's tears are really not out of place and are probably giving his shirt a fresh, impromptu bath it is eternally grateful for. Meanwhile, Will keeps a firm, stable grip, making no move to back away...and isn't expecting that at all. So he squeezes him a little tighter before one hand pats Jeff's back like, seriously, bro, it's okay.]

You're good. [He mumbles in place of anything else. It's easier to just forgive instead of put up protests about how Jeff has nothing to be sorry for, to wrap both of those in one go without making it super obvious. If Jeff and Will weren't good, Jeff would know. Perhaps brutally.] Glad you're back. We missed you.

[Dying sucks. Reviving sucks. Crying sucks. Realising you're not totally infallible really, really sucks. This is, above all else, a knock to Jeff's confidence, pride and apathy. Not caring about something doesn't mean it won't happen. Thinking his immune to getting murdered doesn't mean he is, and possibly it's not an entirely bad lesson to learn for the future.

He sniffles, lifts his head, chin propped up on Will's shoulder in the damp patch he's left and still keeps his hold, because he may be done with totallynotactuallycrying, but he sure as hell isn't done with hugs.]

Missed you more, buddy. [Okay so maybe he can be encouraged to let go. Eventually. Maybe. When he's not busy thinking deeply.] Y'know I've been thinking... maybe I need to work on my powers a little more. [Because can a bullet kill hulk Jeff? He's not sure, but he'd sure as hell feel safer with the concept of super strength on demand. Shit, why didn't he just shoot Walt in the eye with a paintball?! That might have at least helped.]

[Carefully, so carefully, Will moves his hands to Jeff's shoulders so he can lean back. Give them some space, but not because he's had enough of getting all tear-stained or wants to cut contact, no. He just hadn't been expected that and is so pleased to hear Jeff's response, he wants to see the man's face. Wants Jeff to see Will's, the arched brow, the muted smile. A tortoise in Heropa owes its life to Jeff. But, thank God, Jeff learning how to really control the beefy beast within for his own reasons? A breath of fresh air and something Will is definitely going to encourage, wanting Jeff to know he has his full support in this endeavor.]

That's a good idea. [Shoulder squeeze for his best buddy, yep.] You need any help, let me know. We'll find a way to get you on top of them.

[Some people fear their powers. Some love them, some hate them, some have had them all their lives. For Will, there had always been a mix...until he'd just accepted them.]

[The slow parting is acceptable, and gives Jeff just enough time to quickly lift an arm to scrub a sleeve at his eyes. He's not ashamed of those tears but he's done with them, he's had his moment and he feels better for it. Now all he needs is more coffee, Will's amazingly cooked breakfast and a whole lot of sleep. All the sleep. Sleep of the recently dead but not dead now.

Will's reaction is encouraging, like it's definitely something Jeff should be doing.]

If you ever got the time... I dunno anything about how to make stuff like powers work or not work. Not exactly something I'm used to. [He needs all the help he can get, and he definitely needs someone there throwing compliments at him. Will is a pro at bringing out the hulk.] Whatever. Maybe we can sort something out later. I kinda just wanna sleep for the next few days.

I've got some experience. We'll figure it out.

[Boy does he ever, both with the whole inner beast aspect and getting powers down. If they run into anything new or difficult to understand, there are people he can call. Ask, meet up with, whatever is necessary. They're fortunately stuck with quite a few others who are familiar with powers, so. Push comes to shove, they can ask the entire Network and put it all out there.

Will snags up a bit of fruit from that garnished plate, popping it into his mouth while the other grabs the plate itself and points to the kitchen table.]

Or you wanna do breakfast in bed?

[As if April and Will don't do the same thing. He couldn't care less if the people in their house eat in their rooms. That's their space but, really, before anything can become a sad pile attracting pests and growing diseases all over the place, a raccoon will have noticed it and brought dishes to the kitchen. Raccoon, human, whatever, it'll be taken care of. It's fine.

Jeff's state of being is always more important than dishes anyway.]

[His gaze flickers between the table and the direction of his room, considering it only briefly before deciding a definite;] Table.

[Will can carry the plate, Jeff is bringing his own coffee as he slinks into a chair, huddled forward and tired looking. He's still not hungry, but he knows he should at least attempt to eat something before going into hibernation.]

It's early, you should go back to bed, or whatever it is you do at this time.

[Carry that plate he does, snagging up a fork and spoon to prop up on the edge so Jeff can choose whatever tickles his fancy and go from there. He's grabbing up coffee for himself when those words hit and he has a moment of wavering. Perhaps that's the most polite way Jeff can think of to request being alone, and if Will refused, he'd be pushing the line. The last thing Will wants is to do that, not in this situation. While loneliness has its drawbacks...Jeff knows where he is. Knows this house is literally crawling with life, he doesn't have to be alone. He can knock on a door and find company, he can whistle or cluck his tongue and have furry companions other than Sharkbait ready to shower him in affection.]

Yeah. Need a shower.

[He opts for with a nod, taking a sip from that slightly-busted mug as he moves past Jeff. One hand goes to Jeff's shoulder as he does so, a friendly, supportive squeeze before he's gone. You know where to find us if you need anything.]

[Jeff's torn between never wanting to be alone again, and having his own time to process everything. Will's right in thinking that he'll never truly be alone in a home like this, and it's a comforting enough thought for Jeff to nod towards his friend, accepting the departure and being grateful for it. This breakfast will serve the opposite purpose from normal, used for winding down rather than waking up, Jeff already decided that he'll be dragging Sharkbait into bed for warmth and comfort when he eventually attempts to sleep.]

Thanks. [Mumbled as his gaze lifts towards Will during that shoulder squeeze. A simple thank you doesn't seem like enough, but it's the only thing that he can offer right now.

And as Will retreats, Winger turns his attention to the food before him, picking at it idly in silence until he'll eventually choose to drag his way to his own bedroom.]

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