infomodder | ic contact 2 mask or menace

Are you likening my questioning to that of an obnoxious child?

[Slowly lowering his phone flat against his chest, because he already knows that 'ignore it until it goes away' doesn't tend to work with Will.]

Yes.

[Blunt as a brick, he wasn't trying to be subtle with that one. He does appreciate Jeff being both sharp and comfortable enough around Will to call him out on the implications there.]

That'll change if you, you know...explain a bit. Don't have to tell me everything. I didn't know you two had issues or I would have been more honest with you about the matter.

[Go figure, at least Will admits it.]

I just know him. Just like how I just know White. [Ugh, he hates even mentioning that name right now.]

I don't mind him being here. It's fine. I just... didn't know.

[Uh. Uhhhhh. His first thought is that, no? No, Jeff isn't saying Jesse has killed him before, that's absurd. Will would have found out about it, he would have known, Jeff would have had an issue with not being around for a while. Jeff wouldn't be reacting with simple sulking if his murderer was literally upstairs. So what, then? More shady on the side business he wasn't proud of? Christ, how much shit was flowing through his house while he had been so blissfully unaware of it? Almost starting to feel like he's back in Baltimore...]

All right. [Borderline stunned, as stunned as Will ever gets. It's clear Jeff's got him thinking, though, and quickly, gears turning but not unable to fill an awkward silence.] You got any other names I should know about?

[Just in case.]

[And this is why he didn't want to talk about it. Because awkward and revealing and his business is the most secret of businesses. Still sulking as he shrugs, reaching a hand to scritch Sharkbait between the ears. Oh, to be a doge. No lawyer stresses for them.]

Nope, don't think so. [So much quiet attention given to a dozing doge as Jeff thinks about why this was an issue for him, without explaining to Will that yo, this kid was totes mean to me.] I wasn't sure if he was part of the issue. He's got connections to White, I didn't know if maybe there was something more. But I guess there's not.

[Will's very, very quiet for so long it may seem like he's done with this conversation. Ready to get up and go back to bed once he stops staring at the hypnotizing sight of Sharkbait and Jeff's love. Then, frowning:]

He killed Jesse first. [Still staring at the dog.] He's got connections to White, yes, but...he was the first. Set it off, maybe, to see someone he was duping like that, used to be close with, die because of him. Means he's got connections to us, too.

[They share the same murderer. Will finally looks back up at Jeff's face, his shoulders tenser than they were a few moments ago. Here they are, just two guys killed by the same guy with another one of his survivors upstairs.]

[Jeff keeps his attention on the dog, avoids eye contact yet again and doesn't seem to mind Will's bout of silence. Doesn't really mind the words after either, they make sense.]

White said I betrayed him and he wasn't wrong. [Mumbled words, like he's reluctant to say them.] Jesse wanted me on side, wanted me relaying information back to him. That's why I was a target.

[Ah, the plot thickens. And sickens. Always getting worse. Will pulls a face, nods once, and gets up abruptly. But not to leave, of course not. Instead, he goes to the spot where Jeff maybe thinks his secret stash of hard liquor is safe, pulls out a bottle, and pours two glasses. Full. Nothing half-assed, not right now. It's all fluid like Will doesn't even have to guess where things are, because he is a filthy fucking infomodder who just knows things.

When he comes back, he hands Jeff his glass and moves to sprawl out next to him like they're both teenagers at a sleepover about to share secrets or, like, swap Pokemon on their Gameboys.]

Everybody fucks up. Usually, fuck ups don't result in getting murdered, but... [A half-hearted shrug. Shit happens, good shit and bad shit, all of it happens. If it doesn't happen here, it happens in another world.] You talked to Frederick about any of it already?

[That would be his stash that Will's going to, Sharkbait lifting his head just long enough to see where he's off to and whether it involves food or attention for him before going back to the drooling snoozy thing. Worst guard dog right now! But whatever, it's fine, Jeff's not complaining at the concept of a full glass of booze and he's never had an issue with sharing even his best stuff with Will.

They lounge, exchanging their pokemonz and glances.]

Uh. I've talked to him, sure.

About this.

Kind of. [Aka he's a dirty lying liar who gets great joy from making Chilton squirm. Totally not shifty at all right now.]

[Don't be shifty, Jeff, that'll make it harder for Will to essentially become one with bed. No squirming right now kthnxbai.]

Still sent out his Christmas presents. And Raina. Already had it all together before...truthfully, I wanted them out of here. Every time I looked at 'em...just another reminder. [Perhaps not the best reason for seasonal generosity, but he figures Jeff can understand this sort of selfish selfless giving.] Dunno what to do about it. With him. Big change from home...I knew everything then. Not everything everything, just. What was going on with my people. What to expect, how to comfort, how to get under their skin if I needed to.

[That is a dual statement but sure as shit doesn't sound like one. He enjoys phrases that let him get away with confession without confessing from time to time. Hannibal's not alone in that. Hannibal who is being left out of that knowing everything with his people, of course. Hannibal always proved Will might have known everything else but when Hannibal wanted him to, he wouldn't know jackshit about his bff.]

You know yet? What you're...gonna do. You've never been through anything like this before, have you?

[He's just trying to sit up more so alcohol drinking can be had. Plus he's trying to not look too guilty for the whole lying liar to Chilton thing.

But then Will speaks of his indecision on the matter and Jeff doesn't feel quite so bad. Will has more of a reason to be pissed, to feel betrayed, but Will's death didn't just affect him, it affected the household]

Nope. I dunno. I mean, I texted him and he wouldn't take responsibility for it. But he must have done this back home, right? Making a crazy guy crazier. Maybe White was right about one thing when he told me Fred was dangerous. [Which isn't exactly what was asked, but that's his answer anyway.] You think you can forgive shit like this? Kinda seems beyond the realm of a simple mistake.

[Meanwhile Will is totally content to take up bedspace with his glass perched atop his stomach. Jeff is Sharkbait's main squeeze, he feels safe from wriggling noses trying to take over. But...ah. A little less content with that, considering Will had been on board dismissing Chilton's danger as what it was, and then Jeff goes and sums it up so on point. But it happened, it's in the past, and can anyone blame him for trying to protect his people?

(Yes. Until Jeff seems to go in that route, Will simply grows a little more somber, watching the booze settle, grateful for another topic to latch onto. Even if it's not his favorite.)]

I know I can. I've...forgiven worse. [And now Abigail is gone again. Also something he can't change.] Forgiveness is different for everyone, though. And. There are different kinds of forgiveness. Different...methods of showing you do forgive.

[An oddly amused smile cracks his face; he'd been considering such forgiveness in some of his darker dreams lately.]

You know the scar on my stomach? That was forgiveness.

[But if Jeff could not forgive Chilton in that way, Will would be forever grateful.]

[Don't think Jeff's forgotten all Will's support of what a great guy Chilton is! Never forgets.]

Huh. [Not entirely sure whether he should even ask about that scar, he's not sure he could... stomach it. Omg no, he's seriously making himself smirk at that thought about pun.

That smirk remains as he decides to share a little more information which is just as satisfying as bad puns.] I told him I had shit on him. I'm hoping it's enough to keep him thinking for a while.

[There's a snort of a laugh, almost like Sharkbait laughter. Seems Will approves of this method. It's nonviolent and although it could spark some horrible paranoia...he figures that'll clear up soon enough. Really, that's the perfect way to get back at him. No one is gravely injured, burned, scarred, or otherwise physically altered, and the truth will come out to relief and, perhaps, disbelief in the form of a sigh or pinched nose or rolled eyes.

If the truth doesn't come out soon enough, Will may help it along. But only out of concern. For now? Should be fine.]

That'll do the trick. Knowledge is power and all. [He leans up to take a sip of the good stuff, head falling back with a sigh.] Suppose this is where I apologize to you, huh? For...he's one of my people. White did what he did, I blame him fully for that, don't get me wrong. But if Frederick won't take apologize or take responsibility, then.

[Leaves that to Will. To do it in his stead. At least Jeff isn't going to torture and finally kill him.]

Sorry.

[If Jeff can just get even a day of paranoia out of Chilton, he'd be happy. It's not that he even entirely blame the guy for all this, but the smugness in which it's been approached has wound him up enough to quite happily play some of his dirtier cards.]

Hey, no, you don't need to apologise for anything. Only reason i wanted Chilton doing it was for your sake. What happened to me was different, probably would have happened anyway, eventually. But you, that was... I dunno, that's orchestrated. He should be on his knees begging for your forgiveness. I'd actually kinda wanna see that so make sure you get pics if it happens.

[That's when Will goes woefully silent, staring at the glass in lieu of anything else. He's not even staring at it like there are answers in the booze, delicious, liver-killing answers. He's just. Got nothing else to look at and for a short while Will is a still, quiet sack of meat and bones and skin. Jeff could be chilling with a corpse for how dead Will suddenly goes, right until he takes a heavy, loud breath and stretches his legs a bit.]

Never gonna happen. [But he doesn't sound upset or bitter about it, simple factual statement. Not just for what happens in the future Will is going to keep a tight lid on until that's blown off, no. Life happens, shit happens, and all there is to do is move on. Gets tougher when everything is taken away, in fell swoops he has no time to adjust to before he does that moving on, but he tries. And he fails. And he fucks up. And he ruins lives even as his own is in the midst of chaos, and that's just a part of the whole life and shit happening.] It's only fair. I wouldn't do that for him, either.

[He'd verbally apologize. And fucking murder the dudes ruining their lives, sure, but ain't no begging going to happen.]

[That dead guy next to him sure is unmoving, but Jeff doesn't seem to concerned, as distracted as he is by drinking booze and still methodically petting doge like he's not even aware he's doing it anymore.]

Yeah, I figured. Can't say I'd have expected it anyway, but it's still a nice thought. [Begging is something he'd never be caught doing either, even when it is something he's to blame for. Saying sorry feels like accepting failure, begging feels like removing his pride entirely. Nope. Never happening.]

Ah well, I'm sure I'll still manage to have some fun.

[A blaring sign he's become one of the family, that. Petting dogs nearby is as natural as breathing.]

I'm sure. [He lifts an eyebrow as life surges back through him, toes wiggling as he adjusts the glass on his belly.] Just not too much, all right? Don't wanna deal with him showing up here trying to get a hold of you.

[Don't make him too desperate and worried, basically. Chilton abuse is something that must be balanced.]

He'll be fine. Just gonna mess with him a little, see what I can get out of it. He might not even take the bait, but I get the feeling he'll be interested. [Because Jeff knows secrets!!!]

If he does show up here with alcohol for me, though, accept it and send him away. You can't turn down an offer like that.

[His smile is large, warm, fond, all the things a smile really should be. Not sly or finding delight in someone else's misery, just generally content. Happy. The sort of smile he so often gives April, had once been prone to tossing Abigail's way for literally anything she did.]

No, you can't. He shows up here with alcohol for you, it's gonna be the good stuff. You'll share with April and I, won't you?

[Spoilers: Will is going to take a drink before anyone else regardless of who takes this hypothetical gift because like hell is he going to be accepting any food-related gifts from certain people for a long time without doing a quick, understated poison test. Nope. Not happening. He'll fucking chug that shit in front of Chilton if he's tested.

Not a single person more in this house is going to do for preventable reasons. He'll play taste taster until he has no taste buds.]

[There will be no complaints from Jeff if Will wants to take it upon himself to test every gifted bottle of alcohol to pass through these doors, he'd rather that than worry about his insides turning to mush from a sip of something.]

Definitely. I probably owe you guys that, at the very least. [Especially if Will keeps smiling like that. That content little smile will have Jeff sharing his booze forever because BRO!]

I promise you, I'll keep the teasing to a minimum, and I'll only make him cry once, max.

[Bros 5eva. Even after death. Literally. The social link meter may very well explode at this rate.

Will seems to ponder the crying for a moment. Finally, he tilts his head and lifts an eyebrow as if he's come to some very profound and enlightened conclusion.]

Twice would be tolerable, too. [One for Jeff, one for Will. April will gets tears of her own if she wants, she don't need no help in that department.] Pictorial proof not necessary.

[This much bro is going to cause a brosplosion one of these days. And it'll be glorious.]

I dunno, pictorial proof would be pretty amazing though. I'm gonna make it happen. Video if possible, just to see those tears in motion.

[His actual kink is Chilton's tears.]

[It'll be very orgasmic.]

Starting to sound a liiiiittle sadistic there, Jeff.

[Except Will's not actually scolding him and doesn't even mean it too seriously. He can't, really, not when he's comfortable in someone else's bed and is now getting Sharkbait drool on him, too, since the dog seems to think Will is the other half of his human couch.

Everything is awesome.]

[There is so much drool. Why did Jeff have to get the affections from the bulldog, and not one of it's less drooly members of the family? He's left having to wash stuff way too often thanks to Sharkbait.]

Absolutely am, yeah. I'm thinking slow mo function too so you can really see the tears. [Dreamy sigh! And then a slow side glance to Will as he finally decides to come clean.]

You know I wouldn't hurt him, right? You don't have to worry about that. Maybe some light manipulation, sure, but what's that between friends?

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