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toabsolution

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From:

toabsolution

[This time, the laugh, though soft, is real.]

That's the plan, Tess.

I'll seeya soon.

From:

dog_eat_dog

[She smiles despite herself and rocks forward on her feet like she might take a step towards him, but she stays put.]

Yeah. See you soon.

From:

worthallthis

B has still be going to work on the custodial crew, once the worst effects of the death toll have passed, and the worst of his panic over graduating. Even if he's not an inmate anymore and it's mostly inmate work, it's familiar and even soothing.

So he's seen Jake. But they haven't really talked. He's not even sure if Jake knows, yet, that he's graduated. And now he's out of time, because pairings come out tomorrow, and he needs to make sure he's not on them.

So he tracks down Jake with a bottle of whiskey (from the lounge) and an origami dog, in the evening. "Jake. I. I'm leaving tomorrow." And he holds out the bottle.

From:

toabsolution

B had told Jake, briefly, about the bathroom. About graduating.

He didn't tell him that he was leaving. So when B keeps showing up to custodial, Jake's grateful for the help. He hands him a broom, still tells him what needs doing and where, just because it's familiar. Because Jake knows that when big things happen, familiarity is absolutely necessary.

When the bottle is handed to him and B tells him he's leaving, that's less good. He takes the bottle because that's what you do when someone gives you something, but there's definite confusion in his face for a moment. "You ain't gonna stick around."

It's not a question. He didn't think B would feel comfortable as a warden, but - well, time is running out.

From:

worthallthis

"I can't," he answers, voice a little strangled. He's being very careful not to crush the second gift, the origami, before Jake can take it too. But it's a challenge. "I can't be responsible for somebody else. And I've got a different Steve to save."

Edited (wow you were totally right, he did know XD) Date: 2021-08-01 12:10 am (UTC)

From:

toabsolution

He notices the origami and frowns at it, tilting his head to the side. "You want me to give you the same shit you gave me?" he wonders. "About bein' careful?" He points to the paper dog. "What's that?"

From:

worthallthis

"I'm always careful. I'm not an idiot." He's paranoid, that's not exactly the same thing, but for now it's close enough. B holds out the dog, too, letting it sit on his palm. "I made it. It's. For you? I mean the whiskey is probably better but." He still made it.

Origami has been a good gift for people for his whole time here, it almost always goes over well. Jake might be the exception, not being a sentimental sort, but hell maybe he won't be.

From:

toabsolution

Jake takes it from him and there's a hint of a smile, the smallest turning of his lips, before he slips the little dog into his shirt pocket to keep it safe. "Whiskey's fine," he tells him. "'specially since you probably just stole it from the Lounge," he mutters gently, teasing, before he sets it aside.

Because where else would he get it?

"Dog's fine, too. Thank you." He's not a sentimental man, but that little bit of paper has turned him into one.

A pause.

"Ain't good at sayin' goodbye, B. But you're a good man. Been a real pleasure knowin' you. Been a bigger pleasure bein' your friend. Whatever you do, give 'em hell and don't fuckin' look back. And - you take care of your Steve at home and I'll do what I can for this one."

From:

worthallthis

Well, okay, yes. It did. But he also knows it's a good whiskey, and he doesn't think Jake ever pays attention to the quality of his alcohol. So there's still thought that went into the gift.

His shoulders slump a little in relief. Another person willing to at least keep an eye on Steve, and he didn't even need to ask.

Jake is not a person for hugs, but he does hold out his hand. Handshakes are totally a cowboy thing, right? "Thank you. I won't forget you, ever. I hope you someday manage to beat my pinball score."

From:

toabsolution

Handshakes are absolutely a cowboy thing and Jake takes that hand eagerly and with a laugh. "Yeah, that's the first thing I'm gonna do, B. Gotta get your score off that board."

From:

worthallthis

That makes him smile a little, hearing the laugh. He shakes back carefully, but not too badly, then steps back. "Good luck with that. And I hope you get what you're looking for here. Goodbye, Jake."

From:

toabsolution

Jake nods. And then, as he picks up the whiskey again, his chest twisting in happiness and sadness and a mix of everything in between: "Goodbye, B."

He looks up to him and turns, walking back down the hallway, whiskey bottle in hand and paper dog in his pocket.