IC Contact - Duplicity

[understood]

username: Cst.B.Fraser

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[scarrystories]

[ He gets out twenty minutes later, hair wet but otherwise fine, he opens his mouth to greet Fraser but then decides he's not ready for a conversation and goes over to the living room to flop down on the couch. ]

[understood]

[ By this point, Fraser has made a pot of chamomile tea, so he pours two mugs and goes over to sit next to Andy and offer him one. ]

Hi, Andy.

[scarrystories]

[ He accepts the mug and stares at it. ]

I tried to call you.

[understood]

Did you? I suppose it wouldn't have gotten through. I'm sorry... I had to get my device replaced after work. You see, there was this squirrel— that's not important. What is important is that I'm sorry if I worried you.

[scarrystories]

Doesn't matter. There was a rampaging tiger, but I imagine they've handled it by now.

[ He's still staring at the mug. ]

[understood]

Andy, are you alright?

[scarrystories]

I was worried, but it's fine now.

[ He sips at the tea, absolutely forcing his pulse to stay steady. He hasn't looked at Fraser at all. ]

[understood]

I don't mean to criticize, but you're acting very strangely.

[scarrystories]

[ Fine, he gets a look now. ]

I thought you'd died again.

[understood]

Andy...

[ Fraser puts a hand on his shoulder, tentatively. ]

[scarrystories]

It's on me. I'm fine, just gotta figure my shit out.

[understood]

I'd like to help.

[scarrystories]

You being reachable when there's a tiger on the loose would help a lot.

[ He makes no attempt to try to sound not pissy. ]

[understood]

I didn't know there was a tiger on the loose, and I was at work.

[scarrystories]

The last time you were unreachable and late it was because you'd drowned, Fraser.

[understood]

... you don't usually call me Fraser.

[scarrystories]

[ He sets the mug on the bedside table so he can press the heel of his hands against his eyes. ]

I don't think this is helping.

[understood]

I'll certainly do my best to notify you in the future if I'm going to be late. I could have contacted you from a co-worker's device.

[scarrystories]

But that's not addressing the actual problem, which is me being a paranoid asshole.

[understood]

That's not what you're doing.

[ He catches Andy's wrists and gently guides his hands away from his face. ]

Andy, look at me.

[scarrystories]

[ God fine, Andy looks at him. ]

I'm sorry, you don't have to comfort me, I'll work it out.

[ Look at him being clear and reasonable and totally not a guy who had some kind of panic attack not fifteen minutes ago. ]

[understood]

[ Fraser holds his hands, steady, measured and inexorable as always. ]

You're my friend and my lover, and I frightened you.

[scarrystories]

[ Fraser is making it really hard to stay collected. ]

I really don't think you frightened me. You didn't do anything.

[understood]

My absence frightened you, then. That being the case, I'd like to be here for you now.

[ He isn't letting go of Andy's hands. ]

[scarrystories]

This would be a lot easier if you'd just acknowledge I'm being dumb and need to get over myself.