hardwearing | [ MEADOWLARK ] IC Inbox

[ This is the first time he's come face to face with one of the people whose lives he took since the Aerie. There's been a strange disconnect in the run up, nerves swallowed up by another part of him that balances his remorse with its impassivity until he's left as a somewhat neutral governing body, a mediator between felt and feeling, between two men who aren't quite him.

So he hadn't been sure how he'd react when Wash actually arrived at his door. And as it happens, as he steps back to allow him into the bright living space of the apartment he and Tony have just finished renovating, what he feels is— fine.

Wash is alive and seemingly well. Maybe whatever implications that comes with will land with him later, but there's less anxiety in him now than there had been in having the text conversation.

In person is the better way for it afterall. ]

Hey. Thirsty? We have coffee.

[ Free caffeine is really the least he can offer. ]

[ Wash steps inside, glancing around and about to ask if he should take off his shoes in the other man's home when Stephen says something magical. He perks up like a puppy being offered a treat. ]

...coffee? I'd. Yeah, if you feel like sharing. Thank you.

[ When even was the last time he had it here? ]

[ Fortunately for Wash, Stephen Strange lives with a man who once found himself alone in New Amsterdam and wasn't above taking the opportunity to steal a coffee stash. Whether or not Tony would be glad to share is irrelevant. There's a pot already made.

If he's bothered about footwear indoors, there's certainly no indication made. The floors aren't carpeted, it's probably fine. ]

Come on through.

[ A tilt of his head in indication and Stephen turns to make his way across their living area to the open kitchen, stepping in behind the breakfast bar to fix a cup of coffee. ]

How do you take it?

[ Wash follows Stephen further into the apartment, to the kitchen, and takes a seat at the breakfast bar while the older man fixes them coffee. ]

Just milk, if you have it.

[ It smells amazing. ]

[ He does, in fact, have it, and after fishing it out of the fridge he places coffee and milk in front of Wash so he can add it to his preference. If you only get coffee once in a blue moon, best not have it ruined by somebody adding too little or too much. ]

I appreciate you coming to me. Public meetings are a little more hassle than they're worth for the time being.

[ And while he could manage it if he had to, it hardly seems fair to pull anyone else into the mess of his infamy when he's trying to make something close to amends. ]

Thank you. And yeah you said you're being monitored?

[ Wash reaches for the milk, adding some to the mug and stirring thoughtfully. ]

I guess I get it, but it seems kind of unfair. I was only worried because we know each other. You might not want to see me after that, but you've never hurt anyone in this reality, right?

[ You might not want to see me after that. It's the same mentality he's been approaching everybody else with. It feels ill-fitting to inspire that same thought in someone else, given everything he'd done.

Then comes the question, and he does himself the favour of avoiding a grimace. ]

Not like I did in the Aerie, no.

[ Has he done his fair share of damage? Absolutely. But at the very least he's not an active, intentional threat. Best to move on. ]

The observation isn't altogether new, this is just the first time it's manifested as infamy. Which is fine. I'd just rather avoid dragging other people into the consequences where possible.

[ Where possible very soon not to include Red Wings, which makes keeping this clandestine a little redundant in the long run. ]

[ Wash is hung up on one thing, that he doesn't particularly want to bring up but knows he has to if they're going to continue to associate. He sips his coffee quietly while Stephen talks, then asks a question. ]

Your power there... does the one you have here extend to it?

[ Ah. ]

No. [ But that's not a whole truth or a whole answer. ] I can't operate on the same scale, but I do have many of the same capabilities.

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