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[So the moral of the story is to get Raleigh just tipsy enough that he doesn't really try that hard to say no, that's a good lesson to learn. Way to go, team.
He did forget that Raleigh was supposed to drive tonight but who the fuck cares about that.]
We can walk.
He did forget that Raleigh was supposed to drive tonight but who the fuck cares about that.]
We can walk.
[ If he ever took an oath that says he should not annoy his girlfriend, he's already broken it about an obscene number of times over. ]
Left my purse in the car. [ Raleigh drawls, because she's in the mood to be sassy. She'd cross her arms around her chest but her ribs hurt when she moves her arms and it's too much of a hassle. ] Where are you going?
Left my purse in the car. [ Raleigh drawls, because she's in the mood to be sassy. She'd cross her arms around her chest but her ribs hurt when she moves her arms and it's too much of a hassle. ] Where are you going?
[Raleigh and Chuck's one year old son does not wear clothes. Not because they're Those Kind of Parents or that they haven't tried, and valiantly, but the kid clearly has a future in being a criminal because he can wriggle and unsnap and strip off anything if given enough time and space to do it.
Near the end of the day, Chuck stops trying to fix this problem, because it's bathtime and on any given day, he's spent upwards of ten, twelve hours in surgery and the only thing he wants to do is pass out. But he learned after the first half dozen times he did that and Raleigh got so mad she nearly grabbed the baby and left and they fought about it horribly and she works too, you know and she chooses to work actually, he makes more than enough to support all three of them and then some so maybe--
Chuck has learned to never suggest that Raleigh quit her job.
He's also learned how to bathe a baby which is more difficult than it looks. Babies splash. Babies cry. Babies can't be gassed and kept sedated until it's all over and he doesn't have to deal with the touchy feely stuff. Learning how to be a father has been a real trial in general and she wasn't wrong, initially, in thinking that he didn't want kids but here he is. He thinks it has to do with his own dad, and how he never wants his son to feel like he did as a kid and so he's going to be the best fucking dad ever.]
Raleigh! Can you grab a towel?
Near the end of the day, Chuck stops trying to fix this problem, because it's bathtime and on any given day, he's spent upwards of ten, twelve hours in surgery and the only thing he wants to do is pass out. But he learned after the first half dozen times he did that and Raleigh got so mad she nearly grabbed the baby and left and they fought about it horribly and she works too, you know and she chooses to work actually, he makes more than enough to support all three of them and then some so maybe--
Chuck has learned to never suggest that Raleigh quit her job.
He's also learned how to bathe a baby which is more difficult than it looks. Babies splash. Babies cry. Babies can't be gassed and kept sedated until it's all over and he doesn't have to deal with the touchy feely stuff. Learning how to be a father has been a real trial in general and she wasn't wrong, initially, in thinking that he didn't want kids but here he is. He thinks it has to do with his own dad, and how he never wants his son to feel like he did as a kid and so he's going to be the best fucking dad ever.]
Raleigh! Can you grab a towel?
[ Raleigh's... never been very good with keeping her emotions to herself, not really, and that's why she's a touch too slow to shut down the hurt on her features when he tells her that; the single sentence that cuts, and cuts painfully.
It's written there, plain as day, and suddenly she almost wants to laugh because why should she still be so surprised at how deeply he can hurt her? It's not like she didn't know what Chuck's like coming into this relationship -- and she doesn't know what's happened between him and his father that Chuck could hate him so much, but she knows that Herc's trying, and is it really worse than having a dad who didn't give enough of a shit to come back?
Something twists in her chest, anger coiling with hurt because that is a low blow and you know it, Chuck Hansen. They were kids when he'd abandoned them, leaving them with the burden of their mom's death, of supporting themselves because they weren't worth his time. She remembers when Yancy asked him to stay, when she'd cried and waited, and waited, and waited. ]
Yeah. [ She says finally, turning away. ] Richard Becket, father of the year. Let's give the man a medal, right?
It's written there, plain as day, and suddenly she almost wants to laugh because why should she still be so surprised at how deeply he can hurt her? It's not like she didn't know what Chuck's like coming into this relationship -- and she doesn't know what's happened between him and his father that Chuck could hate him so much, but she knows that Herc's trying, and is it really worse than having a dad who didn't give enough of a shit to come back?
Something twists in her chest, anger coiling with hurt because that is a low blow and you know it, Chuck Hansen. They were kids when he'd abandoned them, leaving them with the burden of their mom's death, of supporting themselves because they weren't worth his time. She remembers when Yancy asked him to stay, when she'd cried and waited, and waited, and waited. ]
Yeah. [ She says finally, turning away. ] Richard Becket, father of the year. Let's give the man a medal, right?
[ Raleigh loves Chuck; the man is an established cardiac surgeon, prodigiously gifted, frighteningly brilliant and a high flyer; but sometimes the man can be a complete moron where they're concerned. Though, she supposes, it stands in his favour that he learns quickly, like where her employment is concerned.
Raleigh insists on pulling her own weight, even if she earns much less than Chuck; she's fiercely determined not to depend on him, and comfortably secure with herself not to begrudge him for his achievements, but to celebrate them with him, and to give him hell when he says something extremely stupid. She's sure to pay for the shit around the house -- pull her weight where their little boy is concerned, who, in her opinion, is going to grow up to be a neighbourhood pervert, the way he hates clothes, but they'll cross that bridge when they come to it.
Chuck's bathing him (AND IT'S NOT GOOD FATHER MATERIAL IF YOU'RE THINKING OF GASSING THE TOT), and Raleigh's about to kick back and relax when he's yelling for the towel. Raleigh exhales and goes to fetch it, pausing for a moment to watch Chuck with their wriggling and giggling son. It startles her to see how much he looks like him, right down to the dimples in his cheeks. Perseus "Percy" Hansen, she named him (because she liked that name and fight her for it, Charles) and his father make a perfect tableau, and she can't help but smile when she comes in and hands it to him. It means a lot that Chuck does his best even if he's tired, and she loves him for it.
"--daddy!" Their kid crows delightedly, planting wet kisses all over Chuck's face, and it's the cutest thing she's ever seen. ]
Here. [ She makes an amused sound. ] Looks like you need a bath, yourself.
Raleigh insists on pulling her own weight, even if she earns much less than Chuck; she's fiercely determined not to depend on him, and comfortably secure with herself not to begrudge him for his achievements, but to celebrate them with him, and to give him hell when he says something extremely stupid. She's sure to pay for the shit around the house -- pull her weight where their little boy is concerned, who, in her opinion, is going to grow up to be a neighbourhood pervert, the way he hates clothes, but they'll cross that bridge when they come to it.
Chuck's bathing him (AND IT'S NOT GOOD FATHER MATERIAL IF YOU'RE THINKING OF GASSING THE TOT), and Raleigh's about to kick back and relax when he's yelling for the towel. Raleigh exhales and goes to fetch it, pausing for a moment to watch Chuck with their wriggling and giggling son. It startles her to see how much he looks like him, right down to the dimples in his cheeks. Perseus "Percy" Hansen, she named him (because she liked that name and fight her for it, Charles) and his father make a perfect tableau, and she can't help but smile when she comes in and hands it to him. It means a lot that Chuck does his best even if he's tired, and she loves him for it.
"--daddy!" Their kid crows delightedly, planting wet kisses all over Chuck's face, and it's the cutest thing she's ever seen. ]
Here. [ She makes an amused sound. ] Looks like you need a bath, yourself.
Edited 2013-11-23 10:10 (UTC)
[ ... Damn.
Why is he even thinking of starting a fight over whether to get the chocolate sauce anyway? It's a yummy, yummy thing to add to pancakes and Raleigh's got a sweet tooth, but she likes sharing her favourite food with Chuck and --
-- huh.
When did that happen?
Raleigh pauses for a long moment, momentarily stumped by the fact that somehow, without her knowledge, she'd taken to sharing things with him, to living with him and waking up without immediately living, and look, she's in his shirt and what the fuck is that all about? ]
...Pancakes. [ She says, dazed. How did they let it get this far? ]
Why is he even thinking of starting a fight over whether to get the chocolate sauce anyway? It's a yummy, yummy thing to add to pancakes and Raleigh's got a sweet tooth, but she likes sharing her favourite food with Chuck and --
-- huh.
When did that happen?
Raleigh pauses for a long moment, momentarily stumped by the fact that somehow, without her knowledge, she'd taken to sharing things with him, to living with him and waking up without immediately living, and look, she's in his shirt and what the fuck is that all about? ]
...Pancakes. [ She says, dazed. How did they let it get this far? ]
[ And in true puppy fashion, she leaves a nice, vivid lovebite on his collarbone because excuse you, she's a pedigree. And obviously pedigrees like some Hansen loving, although she's nowhere near as well-behaved as Max is, because what she's doing now is flipping him onto his back and pinning him back to the mattress.
She straddles his waist, a smug expression flickering on her face because she saw that -- so he likes when she kisses his scars, doesn't he? So she keeps doing that, to a particularly ugly one splayed over his chest while tucking her hair back behind her ear. Sexy? Hell, yeah it's sexy that he's so affected by it. ] I wondered what would make you tick.
She straddles his waist, a smug expression flickering on her face because she saw that -- so he likes when she kisses his scars, doesn't he? So she keeps doing that, to a particularly ugly one splayed over his chest while tucking her hair back behind her ear. Sexy? Hell, yeah it's sexy that he's so affected by it. ] I wondered what would make you tick.
Have you never heard of drop bears?
[He should probably feel bad about being able to lie to her with a straight face. But he definitely does not.]
Nasty fuckers. They drop right out of the trees and claw your throat out if you're not paying attention.
[He should probably feel bad about being able to lie to her with a straight face. But he definitely does not.]
Nasty fuckers. They drop right out of the trees and claw your throat out if you're not paying attention.
[To be fair, Chuck said it with the intent of hurting her and thus, making her back off the topic because sometimes, that's the only way to make her drop something and it'd kind of be a lie to say that he doesn't want to do it because he does.
She doesn't get it but that's because he hasn't told her. He doesn't like to talk about how his mum died, or how his dad threw himself into the air force instead of taking care of his son, or how Chuck spent more time staying with the neighbors than he ever did with his dad, or how Herc missed seven of his eight birthdays between his mum's death and when he turned eighteen and got the fuck out of Australia.
And that's not even really the reason that Chuck hates him. He gets being left behind, Raleigh, but at least your father didn't try and make a show of pretending to care. He told it to you straight.]
Well you seem pretty fucking intent on giving my dad one. And last I checked, your dad didn't kill your mum.
She doesn't get it but that's because he hasn't told her. He doesn't like to talk about how his mum died, or how his dad threw himself into the air force instead of taking care of his son, or how Chuck spent more time staying with the neighbors than he ever did with his dad, or how Herc missed seven of his eight birthdays between his mum's death and when he turned eighteen and got the fuck out of Australia.
And that's not even really the reason that Chuck hates him. He gets being left behind, Raleigh, but at least your father didn't try and make a show of pretending to care. He told it to you straight.]
Well you seem pretty fucking intent on giving my dad one. And last I checked, your dad didn't kill your mum.
[Percy takes after his mother in that she's kind of a pervert too. And he's like having a puppy around all over again except that he cries more and poops all the time and can't be potty trained or hit with a newspaper.
But look at how well behaved Max is. Even if the poor dog does seem to get jealous sometimes of all the attention the baby gets and fights his way to the middle of the bed at night, sitting right between Chuck and Raleigh.]
No I've already bloody gotten one. [He answers as he fights to get the towel around the kid and how is it possible for someone so tiny to move so damn much. A little whiskey in his bottle won't kill him, you know.]
Will you take him so I can clean up in here?
But look at how well behaved Max is. Even if the poor dog does seem to get jealous sometimes of all the attention the baby gets and fights his way to the middle of the bed at night, sitting right between Chuck and Raleigh.]
No I've already bloody gotten one. [He answers as he fights to get the towel around the kid and how is it possible for someone so tiny to move so damn much. A little whiskey in his bottle won't kill him, you know.]
Will you take him so I can clean up in here?
Edited 2013-11-23 21:04 (UTC)
[Even if he hadn't just realized that he's dating her and is probably in love with her and all of that girly, touchy feely shit, who the fuck puts chocolate syrup on pancake? That's asking for diabetes.
Better question, how does she eat like shit and still look like that?]
What's wrong with syrup?
Better question, how does she eat like shit and still look like that?]
What's wrong with syrup?
[She's a mutt. She's a half French mutt and they all know it.
Chuck lets out a sharp breath of air when she flips them (it's not a gasp, it's not, it's not, it's not) and settles his hands on her thighs. Maybe he does like it, maybe he also doesn't want to talk about it or think about it too hard because that would be the same as thinking and talking about how no one's ever touched his scars and not run the other way.
And he does not need Raleigh Becket's acceptance. He doesn't.]
Raleigh. Your mouth can do things besides talk.
Chuck lets out a sharp breath of air when she flips them (it's not a gasp, it's not, it's not, it's not) and settles his hands on her thighs. Maybe he does like it, maybe he also doesn't want to talk about it or think about it too hard because that would be the same as thinking and talking about how no one's ever touched his scars and not run the other way.
And he does not need Raleigh Becket's acceptance. He doesn't.]
Raleigh. Your mouth can do things besides talk.
[Chuck works in medicine, but he's really not in the line of fire, so to speak when it comes to communicable diseases. Because he works primarily in the operating room which is the most sterile place in the entire hospital. He's not sure where this sinus thing came from but he's included to blame the girl behind the counter at the hospital's coffee shop. She had a look about her. A shifty, snotty look.
He called earlier to get his surgeries for the next two weeks canceled or moved to someone else, because he can't be doing an open heart when he feels like death warmed over. Two weeks might be overkill but he has zero plans to move for the foreseeable future. Except when Percy toddles in (probably driven crazy by Raleigh banging around in the kitchen like Chuck is, five more minutes of that and he's divorcing her, don't think he won't) and he moves to hoist him onto the bed.]
Yes, Mummy is being very annoying right now, you're completely right, little man.
[Percy has no idea what he's saying but he seems enthusiastic about the idea anyway and about petting Max and about sitting on his dad's chest, all at the same time.]
He called earlier to get his surgeries for the next two weeks canceled or moved to someone else, because he can't be doing an open heart when he feels like death warmed over. Two weeks might be overkill but he has zero plans to move for the foreseeable future. Except when Percy toddles in (probably driven crazy by Raleigh banging around in the kitchen like Chuck is, five more minutes of that and he's divorcing her, don't think he won't) and he moves to hoist him onto the bed.]
Yes, Mummy is being very annoying right now, you're completely right, little man.
[Percy has no idea what he's saying but he seems enthusiastic about the idea anyway and about petting Max and about sitting on his dad's chest, all at the same time.]
Edited 2013-11-24 02:57 (UTC)
[ She's puttering around in the kitchen making you half-french chicken soup, you ungrateful little shit. Her mother had a lovely recipe that Raleigh remembered having when she'd been down with the worst cases of flu, and it had been delicious and piping hot and it'd always went down easy.
Chuck's sick and she'd sent their baby in to make him feel better while he prepared good stuff for him so love her for being a fucking great wife okay. (Also because she's busy and no one's going to keep an eye on him because Percy really is going to grow up to be a felon -- he keeps getting out of his playpen).
To his credit, Percy really doesn't understand 90% of what he's saying, only picking up on 'Mommy' and he's giggling and giving Max kisses, and his daddy kisses too, because Mommy told him to.
Raleigh comes in after a few minutes, balancing a bowl of hot chicken soup mixed in with carrots and potatoes and a biscuit. He looks like death warmed over, and she sets the tray on the side before perching beside him, adjusting the towel on his forehead. He's still burning up, but she imagines it'll settle in awhile. ]
Hey, babe. Can you sit up?
Chuck's sick and she'd sent their baby in to make him feel better while he prepared good stuff for him so love her for being a fucking great wife okay. (Also because she's busy and no one's going to keep an eye on him because Percy really is going to grow up to be a felon -- he keeps getting out of his playpen).
To his credit, Percy really doesn't understand 90% of what he's saying, only picking up on 'Mommy' and he's giggling and giving Max kisses, and his daddy kisses too, because Mommy told him to.
Raleigh comes in after a few minutes, balancing a bowl of hot chicken soup mixed in with carrots and potatoes and a biscuit. He looks like death warmed over, and she sets the tray on the side before perching beside him, adjusting the towel on his forehead. He's still burning up, but she imagines it'll settle in awhile. ]
Hey, babe. Can you sit up?
[The fuck is half-French chicken soup, what makes it not totally French? Or totally American?
But no, he won't divorce her until after the soup is consumed. That actually is really sweet of her. It smells good, whatever it is and he makes a totally valiant effort to sit up that is not at all filled with overdramatic struggling or whining. He's not going far though because Percy is sitting firmly on his leg.]
You didn't have to.
But no, he won't divorce her until after the soup is consumed. That actually is really sweet of her. It smells good, whatever it is and he makes a totally valiant effort to sit up that is not at all filled with overdramatic struggling or whining. He's not going far though because Percy is sitting firmly on his leg.]
You didn't have to.
[ Yeah, he doesn't see you trying to get away, Hansen. Raleigh settles on top of him, unmoving. ]
Max isn't volunteering.
Max isn't volunteering.
[ Someday, Chuck might learn to open up with Raleigh and see the burden he carries as anything but shameful. Raleigh's stopped running from Chuck a long time time ago, but then again -- his dreams aren't as frequent as Chuck's.
It's a process, and Raleigh isn't planning on doing any pushing. Chuck's like a skittered animal; he'll come around in time, and the hard lines of tension in his profile don't welcome the sort of care Raleigh's aching to give him in this moment. ]
Go ahead.
[ He touches Chuck's shoulder in passing, more of an instinctual afterthought of care than anything planned, and pads his way into the kitchen. There, he grabs a glass from the counter and pours Chuck some water. ]
It's a process, and Raleigh isn't planning on doing any pushing. Chuck's like a skittered animal; he'll come around in time, and the hard lines of tension in his profile don't welcome the sort of care Raleigh's aching to give him in this moment. ]
Go ahead.
[ He touches Chuck's shoulder in passing, more of an instinctual afterthought of care than anything planned, and pads his way into the kitchen. There, he grabs a glass from the counter and pours Chuck some water. ]
[ Score.
Raleigh can't help it; he smiles up at Chuck, leaning over to undo the ties on his left shoe. Of course he does. ]
So, your dad. Is he home?
Raleigh can't help it; he smiles up at Chuck, leaning over to undo the ties on his left shoe. Of course he does. ]
So, your dad. Is he home?
[ Because that isn't going to backfire on Chuck when he gets too drunk to say no, either.
Raleigh drains what's in the glass, sets it beside him on the grass, and lies back, hands interlocked behind his head. Clearly neither of them are making plans to move anywhere soon, so he might as well get comfortable. ]
We could do that. [ His eyes drift closed. ] But then we can't drive downtown for hangover waffles in the morning, man, and I dunno if I can have that.
Raleigh drains what's in the glass, sets it beside him on the grass, and lies back, hands interlocked behind his head. Clearly neither of them are making plans to move anywhere soon, so he might as well get comfortable. ]
We could do that. [ His eyes drift closed. ] But then we can't drive downtown for hangover waffles in the morning, man, and I dunno if I can have that.
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