IC Contact - Duplicity

[understood]

username: Cst.B.Fraser

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[understood]

[ Everything is probably fine. Fraser is normally at work right now anyway.

But then he is late coming home. ]

[scarrystories]

[ Fraser isn't in the habit of not answering his phone or being late, so Andy is absolutely convinced he got himself killed by the fucking tiger.

He's trying to figure out if he should make a post either asking to keep an eye out or just saying the fucking Mountie got himself killed again. He has to tell Ray too.

Where's Dief? Dief will help him not hyperventilate. ]

[understood]

[ It seems like Fraser took him to work today. He does that occasionally, since he works out of doors.

About an hour later than normal, though, they both come home, Fraser carrying on a slightly exasperated one-sided conversation with Dief as usual. ]

[scarrystories]

[ The second Andy sees him he gets to his feet and goes into the bathroom, practically slamming the door behind him. ]

[understood]

...

[ That's... odd... but Fraser isn't about to infringe on his privacy, so he just does his normal getting home routine of taking off his boots, washing his hands, refilling Diefenbaker's water and starting the kettle. ]

[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.