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[preseance]

@eugene.hicks | ■ ▲ ◌ ▼

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[preseance]

( he just gives jason a sort of Look. )

Jay — why's that the important thing?

[reneger]

( a strange question. his lips purse, consider how to respond. )

Why not?

[preseance]

( well, he doesn't necessarily have an answer for that either. instead, he heads to the fridge an' takes out another couple beer. sets one on the counter for jay an' pops the cap off the other for himself. )

I've been in a fair few scraps in my life. But if'n I get into any sort'a trouble of a serious sort, reckon I'd have more luck talkin' my way outta it than punchin', you know?

[reneger]

The people you want to get in with aren't gonna be swayed over with a nice pie.

( or a nice talk, generally speaking. jason hasn't tried, violence is easier. but just 'cause he hasn't tried doesn't mean he doesn't know.

the second beer gets momentarily ignored. he eyes it, lifts his shoulders and leaves it. )

[preseance]

( dryly, )

I can do more than make pie, as it turns out.

[reneger]

Then show me.

( unspecified what because it's on purpose. if gene's so good with his mouth he can talk his way out of whatever, then great. doesn't mean he shouldn't still be able to fight his way out just in case. )

[preseance]

( gene sort of huffs an amused little laugh, and shakes his head some. )

Do you trust me, Jason?

[reneger]

Do you want an honest answer to that question?

( because it's complicated. )

[preseance]

Yes.

( his tone is faintly incredulous, because if jason expected him to prefer a lie then he's sorely misrepresented himself. )

[reneger]

Partially. I trust you not to be a dick. I trust you with my home address. I still don't trust you not to turn around and shove a knife in my back if something else comes up, but don't take that personally. I don't trust a lot of people.

( and the ones he does, it's only because he's either known them for years or because they keep stepping on him. )

[preseance]

( he raises his eyebrows. )

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't that fall square under the wheelhouse of bein' a dick anyhow?

( jason, that's real sad. )

[reneger]

There's different kinds of dicks, y'know. There's being a dick, then there's ( raising a hand, in some kind of a vague hand gesture. ) needing to stab someone in the back for reasons. Y'know.

[preseance]

( that sure is some kinda life. gene lifts the beer to his lips, shakin' his head faintly. )

Mighty low bar, Jay.

[reneger]

I try not to put unreasonable expectations on others.

( doesn't usually work out well in anyone's favor, honestly. there's a pat to gene's shoulder, easy. )

But I'd still count you pretty high up on my list.

[preseance]

Expectin' basic Goddamn decency outta folk ain't unreasonable.

( there's a sharp edge there. anger, maybe, but it ain't quite right. )

[reneger]

See, Genie? This's why you gotta know how to defend yourself.

( because he's soft. because hes a soldier, sure. but jason expects gene to get himself into situations that his words won't get him out of. and he's not weak. he's stubborn as hell, determined, definitely not weak. but maybe a bit easy to throw off guard sometimes and that's concerning enough on it's own. )

[preseance]

Not everything needs to come back to throwin' hands.

( his fingers tighten on the beer bottle. )

I've seen enough of fightin'. I'm not saying I wouldn't defend myself if needs be, an' Lord knows I've taken life before, but it's my last resort, an' I'd prefer it stays that way.

[reneger]

Never said you should kill anyone. ( jason is fine doing what he does because he's fine being called a monster, most days. he wouldn't want that burden on gene's shoulders anyway. )

I ain't forcing you into shit. I'd rather you not throw hands. ( violence definitely isn't gene's field. ) But I'd prefer knowing you could kick the ass of anyone who tried it if you needed to.

[preseance]

Forewarned is forearmed, an' all.

( captain st amos used to say as much. gene can almost hear it in his gruff drawl, an' after a moment he scratches the back of his index finger nail along his browbone. )

Fine. But on one condition.

[reneger]

( one brow up, and his head cocks to the side but jason gives an easy-- )

Which is?

[preseance]

You teach me how to fight all fancy like you do an' I'm gonna teach you how to swing. Deal?

( he doesn't really expect jason to agree outta turn, but he's also pretty sure he can talk him into it. )

[reneger]

Can't teach you to fight like me, you don't have the bulk for it.

( just fyi. but also: )

Sure, alright.

( it's not like learning to dance ever hurt anyone. )

[preseance]

( he actually rolls his eyes. paragon of maturity, this one. )

Don't you get fussy about linguistics on me now.

[reneger]

( in an almost perfect replica of gene's accent: )

Don't you get fussy about linguistics on me now.

[preseance]

Heh.

( he raises his beer. )

I do miss it, you know. Alabama. Weren't perfect, but it was home.