Now, Ray has no magic, no superpowers, nothing much. But he does get
hunches, and he'd gotten one at that shooting range.
The item, his police badge with Credence's name on it, suddenly feels heavy
and cold where it hangs around his neck. He takes it out, and for some
reason doesn't find himself all that surprised when he sees R. Vecchio,
Detective 1st Grade on it.
His old badge. The one he'd taken to the Barge, before he had an inmate. He
doesn't think that he's died, because that wouldn't make sense- he would
still have been his inmate.
He could have disappeared. He could be gone. But he goes with his gut, and
stomps down on the tendril of fear and insecurity as he practically runs
over to Credence's cabin and knocks, hard, urgent.
It's still his door. And the cabin beyond has changed, but Credence hasn't
noticed. The door at the other side of the room, the one that's led to
nowhere for the past few months, it opens onto some other rooms now. But he
never has any reason to check.
He opens his cabin door, one arm cradling Goldstein against his body, and
blinks at Ray.
Credence looks to Ray's face, to the badge, then around his cabin. Then he
remembers how the Barge works, and steps back toward the door to his
restroom.
Previously a little closet of a space, just the toilet and washbasin, it's
now a luxuriously tiled room with a clawfoot tub and a shower head.
He follows him inside, putting his badge away as Credence opens the door. He's grinning, elated-- and he isn't even thinking about getting his deal yet. He's just happy for him, as a friend, that he's gotten his second chance.
"You did it," he says, excitedly. He wants to hug him, remembers that Credence probably doesn't want a hug, and just shadow-boxes around him a little. His fingers brush his shoulder.
Oh. That's-- that's good, that's greatness. He wraps his arms tightly
around him: if he wants hugs, he can get 'em alright. He's a great hugger,
even if he's all angles.
"I'm really happy for you, C. Really, really happy."
And suddenly he realizes: Beth Botrelle will get to live. She'll get to
come out of prison and live her life. Whatever that means-- she'll get a
shot at it.
His arms tighten around Credence. He could kind of use a hug, too; he can
feel tears coming up.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 09:47 am (UTC)He swallows and nods, reaching out to squeeze his arm briefly.
"You want me to make the Enclosure into something else on my way out?"
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 09:53 am (UTC)"No, it's fine. I think I'll just go for a walk."
Heading towards the mountains, maybe.
"Thank you."
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 10:05 am (UTC)"No problem, buddy," he says, softly enough.
He'll check in on him that evening, though. To see if he's alright.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 10:10 am (UTC)He'll probably have to. Because Credence falls off Ray's item altogether, just a few hours later.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 11:02 am (UTC)Now, Ray has no magic, no superpowers, nothing much. But he does get hunches, and he'd gotten one at that shooting range.
The item, his police badge with Credence's name on it, suddenly feels heavy and cold where it hangs around his neck. He takes it out, and for some reason doesn't find himself all that surprised when he sees R. Vecchio, Detective 1st Grade on it.
His old badge. The one he'd taken to the Barge, before he had an inmate. He doesn't think that he's died, because that wouldn't make sense- he would still have been his inmate.
He could have disappeared. He could be gone. But he goes with his gut, and stomps down on the tendril of fear and insecurity as he practically runs over to Credence's cabin and knocks, hard, urgent.
Still his door. It's still his door.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 11:09 am (UTC)It's still his door. And the cabin beyond has changed, but Credence hasn't noticed. The door at the other side of the room, the one that's led to nowhere for the past few months, it opens onto some other rooms now. But he never has any reason to check.
He opens his cabin door, one arm cradling Goldstein against his body, and blinks at Ray.
"What's wrong? Has something happened?"
The force of the knocking suggested that.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 11:12 am (UTC)He yanks off his badge and dangles it in his face. He did show him, before, but it probably isn't enough for him to draw the conclusion:
"This had your name on it. I think you just graduated, C."
He's practically vibrating with excitement, the fingers of his free hand tapping on the doorpost.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 11:26 am (UTC)He's so shocked he almost drops his cat.
"W-what?"
Credence looks to Ray's face, to the badge, then around his cabin. Then he remembers how the Barge works, and steps back toward the door to his restroom.
Previously a little closet of a space, just the toilet and washbasin, it's now a luxuriously tiled room with a clawfoot tub and a shower head.
"Oh," he says, sounding numb.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 11:33 am (UTC)"You did it," he says, excitedly. He wants to hug him, remembers that Credence probably doesn't want a hug, and just shadow-boxes around him a little. His fingers brush his shoulder.
"You freaking did it!"
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 11:38 am (UTC)"I-"
It doesn't feel like something he's done. Not yet. It feels like something he's been given, undeservedly, precious and fragile.
He turns, suddenly, and wraps his arms tight around Ray. Hug, please.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 11:59 am (UTC)Oh. That's-- that's good, that's greatness. He wraps his arms tightly around him: if he wants hugs, he can get 'em alright. He's a great hugger, even if he's all angles.
"I'm really happy for you, C. Really, really happy."
And suddenly he realizes: Beth Botrelle will get to live. She'll get to come out of prison and live her life. Whatever that means-- she'll get a shot at it.
His arms tighten around Credence. He could kind of use a hug, too; he can feel tears coming up.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 12:04 pm (UTC)Mutual hugs are the best kind, honestly. And this one means he can feel the change in Ray's body language.
"...Are you okay?"
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 12:06 pm (UTC)He nods, quickly, eyes closed tightly. He's got one hand splayed on the back of Credence's shoulder.
"Yeah. I'm proud of you, buddy. And I'm-- thinkin' about Beth."
He can't quite keep the emotion out of his voice, and maybe he shouldn't be trying.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 12:09 pm (UTC)"Oh - of course."
Back to reality for a moment.
"Will you...go home?"
He doesn't think so somehow. Not with Fraser still here.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 12:12 pm (UTC)He shakes his head, still not letting go. If ever there were a moment for a long hug, this is it.
"Nah. You?"
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 12:14 pm (UTC)"No. I - I owe it to Nagini. I need to help her."
The means simply don't exist, back home.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 12:18 pm (UTC)"Undo the curse. Right?"
He's really glad he's staying. Jesus, he's proud, and glad, and-- relieved.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 12:26 pm (UTC)"Right. And a better home, if she wants it. Somewhere safe."
He owes her so much.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 12:29 pm (UTC)He finally pulls back, his eyes a little red and watery, and he keeps his hands on Credence's shoulders.
"You're gonna kill it, C."
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 12:30 pm (UTC)"...Credence," he decides, with finality. "I think...I think Credence is fine. She was right. It's who I am."
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 12:37 pm (UTC)Shit. He has to hug him again at that, even if it's just a quick one.
"Okay. You're gonna kill it, Credence."
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 12:44 pm (UTC)Credence chokes a half-laugh against Ray's shoulder.
"I think I really needed to stop killing things."
Look, a joke.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 12:47 pm (UTC)He huffs a wet-sounding, relieved laugh against the side of Credence's head.
"Yeah, good call. See? You really did graduate."
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 01:06 pm (UTC)"I...yes. I did."
He draws away, looks Ray in the face.
"I'll tell everyone soon. Today. I just...need a little time."
It's still sinking in.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-13 01:08 pm (UTC)"You take all the time you need," he agrees, letting go of him, still grinning but looking softer now.
"It's a lot to take in."
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