open

[outerfringe]

open post for jeff

Comments

[hardlydead]

[ happy, huh. david envies that. he doesn't think he's ever known what that feels like outside of fleeting moments. ]

You should, when you get back.

[ 'when' he says. they all know there's no getting out of here, not in any way that's good, but it's nice to pretend. make believe that if they escape enough trials or come up with the right plan then they can go home. ]

A book club though? You and a bunch of middle-aged bints reading about fuckin'... I dunno. Some feel-good bullshit.

[outerfringe]

[Part of Jeff knows that they're probably never getting out, but the rest of him isn't ready to accept it. Isn't ready yet to give up that hope. He worries that there won't be any turning back when be does.]

I don't know. Where do people in their thirties meet other people?

[He's chuckling despite himself.]

I'm not a very interesting dude.

[hardlydead]

That's not true.

[ david says it instantly, zero thought or hesitation. ]

Fuckin'... Artist covered in ink who brews his own beer. Funny, listens to vinyls.

[ sounds interesting to him. jeff shouldn't be so down on himself. ]

And you're nice.

[outerfringe]

[It's probably just because he's approaching drunk, but Jeff flusters pleasantly under the compliment. He likes himself just fine, but he's never really considered himself fascinating.]

Only so long someone can talk about beer.

[Gentle ribbing, a callback to earlier.]

But thanks. Yeah, I'm alright. What about you? What would you change.

[hardlydead]

Change about what?

[ he goes back to his half-reclined position against the log. ]

[outerfringe]

You go back tomorrow. Back to fighting, sure, but you can't tell me you're changing nothing.

[Jeff mimics the position, stretching his back against the log as he does. Not as effective as a foam roller, but not bad.]

No book clubs?

[hardlydead]

Nothin' to change.

[ that's a lie. there's one big fucking thing he'd change, or do, but he'd have to spend any time thinking about it at all and that's not gonna happen. ]

[outerfringe]

Mm.

[Jeff's hum is slightly disbelieving, but it's not his business and he's not going to pry. He considers the fire thoughtfully.]

I told you about my book club idea and you can't even make up a lie? Man.

[hardlydead]

Okay, okay.

[ he squints at the fire for a couple of seconds and then-- ]

Guess I'll fuckin' take up knitting. Why not?

[outerfringe]

Yeah? I'll buy a hat. Gets cold up in Canada.

[Jeff gives the bottle an uncertain glance.]

Do we kill it or save it?

[Is it worth saving for later.]

[hardlydead]

Might as well polish it off.

[ there's not enough left to get drunk off and that's all it's good for ]

[outerfringe]

You think being shitfaced in a trial would make it better or worse?

[Yeah, he's picking the bottle up again.]

[hardlydead]

Worse for everyone else.

[ he says it with a bit of a laugh because he knows how pissed off he'd be if someone showed up drunk to a trial ]

[outerfringe]

Dunno. I could be a mechanical savant when I'm drunk.

[He isn't.]

[hardlydead]

Love to see you react quick enough not to blow the fucking thing up.

[outerfringe]

[Another long pull from the bottle. He holds it out to David, letting it dangle by the neck.]

Alright, fine. I'd be a good distraction.

[Hopefully this is all hypothetical!]

[hardlydead]

[ he snorts and takes the bottle ]

Makes both of us.

[outerfringe]

[Jeff leans back, seems to be saying that's it, the rest of it is David's. He sits in silence for a while, then adds:]

Thanks, man.

[For sharing. For the respite.]

[hardlydead]

Course.

[ is it a mistake to drain the rest of the bottle? yes. but david does it anyway. ]

This was nice.

[outerfringe]

Find me first if you get another one.

[It's lighthearted, not a demand. He wouldn't be hurt if David chose to relax with someone else in this hypothetical next time.]

[hardlydead]

I might.

[ he's teasing, jeff is probably top of the list now for sure. david actually wants to get to know him better? which is strange, he's been pretty happy to keep that wall up between himself and the other survivors since he got here. ]

[ weird. ]

You get your hands on any, you better share.

[outerfringe]

[God, he's drunk and this is funny for a reason he can't pinpoint. Jeff is left grinning just very slightly, holding up one hand and holding it over his heart.]

I promise. You're first in line. [A pause, followed by-] Maybe second. If Jane puts me on her show. [That actually sounds horrifying, but whatever.]

[hardlydead]

[ something about that makes his expression fall just a little before his brain catches up and reminds him he's drunk and looking for excuses to be sad. none of that. ]

That's fair, I can't compete with that.

[ joking, light-hearted. ]

[outerfringe]

Mmh.

[Just a filler noise. He's tired, stalling to keep the conversation going.]

Maybe two hats. When you get to knitting.

[hardlydead]

[ david's more than okay with that, as evidenced by the way he immediately latches on to the offered thread. ]

You can have as many hats as you want. Long as you don't mind 'em looking like shit.