10. » private/video

[tolaywaste]

for ben

[His posture says it all: concerned, tense, but not afraid for his own safety. Not afraid at all. He's leaning towards the camera, though, like he can express worry just by being closer.]

Hey, Ben? I'm worried about you. Can you check in with me?

filter: bruce + rorschach + barbara

I'd like to help with Ben. I'm not as good at this as you all are, but point me where you need me and I'm there.

just bruce

Which means you're helping. He's my friend.

for oliver

I need your help with something, if you're willing to give it.

for charles

Check in. Did you hear about Ben?

Comments

[Spam]

[unknownsoldier]

[A defiant glare.]

I know your type.

[Spam]

[tolaywaste]

My type.

[Unconsciously, he leans back and mimicking Zack's posture for earlier: one arm on the back of the chair, chin tilted up. Not aggressive, but taking up space.]

What type is that? Like you?

[Spam]

[unknownsoldier]

[In another life and time, he would have amused by the similarity.]

The type that thinks they can help him. Fix him. Newsflash. You can't. You don't know anything.

[Spam]

[tolaywaste]

Do you just not listen or what? I don't think Ben's broken. I think he's had to live through things nobody should have to live through, and that they hurt him. I do want to help him. Doesn't mean I'm sure I can - which doesn't mean I won't try.

Ben asked me what it means to be friends. What I want is for him to know the answer to that question in his heart, without having to ask.

But you're right. I don't know. I didn't live through it, so I can never know like you do. I get that.

[Spam]

[unknownsoldier]

I listened.

[But there's a doctor, who said We'll get to the border, I can't live with myself if I don't help you, and Zack found a transmitter embedded into him. A setup. That's what they all did.]

I don't believe you.

[Spam]

[tolaywaste]

[Alex just gives him an are you serious? look. Like this is the weirdest statement he's ever heard.]

Okay. Noted. Is this supposed to piss me off or what? Because whether you believe me or not, it is what it is. The point is that Ben is my friend. No matter what you think about that, it doesn't change a thing.

[Spam]

[unknownsoldier]

[honey badger don't care]

Sure. Only a matter of time before you get him killed.

[Spam]

[tolaywaste]

Go to hell.

[It's knee-jerk, he can't not say it. But once he's said it, he realizes he meant it.]

[His next words are enunciated carefully: a declaration.]

I don't get my people killed.

[Spam]

[unknownsoldier]

Already there.

[aaaaand ragequitting. Walking away. Ignoring the second bit, because it hurts.]

[Spam]

[tolaywaste]

I'll get you what you need to know.

[Not yelled after Zack; he doesn't care if he hears. He's saying it for himself. This is also a declaration - that his dislike for Zack has less than nothing to do with helping Ben. He'll do what he needs to do regardless.]