thisavrou | 001 Video

[The video opens to a view of hand poking unceremoniously and sporadically at the screen.]

Oh what the hell--this thing on?

[A little shake of the wrist before the user apparently realizes that yes, it is indeed on, and it abruptly stops to reveal one perplexed Victor Sullivan.]

Jesus Christ. [He sighs both out of frustration and a little relief, bringing his arm up a little closer to his face.] All right, look. I've been around a long time, seen a helluva lot of crazy things, but if you had told me I'd be alive long enough to see space, I would have told you you were losing your goddamn mind.

[He pauses, taking the time to reach into his breast pocket and pull out a cigar from a small cigar case. He puts it in between his teeth as he puts the case away again, his free hand rummaging through his pockets in search of something else.]

Don't get me wrong, this is all real flattering, but it doesn't take a goddamn genius to know that something hinky's going on around here. I mean what the hell kind of place is this that they take your shoes after kidnapping you? So, if anyone's got some real information, I think I'm well overdue for a good explanation. Name's Victor Sullivan by the way.

[He fumbles through his pockets a little more frantically before exasperatedly taking his cigar out of his mouth.]

Ah, shit--anyone on this ship got a cigar cutter around here? Or a goddamn knife?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I think it's the gold part that he's really interested in.

[Honestly, who wouldn't be at least a little bit interested in pursuing something like that after hearing so much about it? The idea of seeing so much gold in one place is always an illusive yet exciting prospect. Even if it usually means trouble.

Sully watches Nate carefully as he tries to calm himself. He knows his defense mechanisms, knows how putting up his walls usually entails spitting out a wiseass comment or two. But as he looks back up at him, Sully's own expression softens a little more.]

Yeah. He's looking a little rougher around the edges, and he picked up a tattoo or two, but other than that, he's doing just fine.

[He offers another smile, but it's a little forced and doesn't last long. He shifts in his seat so he can face him a little more directly and placing a hand on his shoulder.]

You going to be all right?

[Even if he wanted to wall off what he's feeling from Sully of all people, any foundation he's built crumbles immediately at the touch, and he lets out a shaky laugh.]

Yeah. Think so.

[Anyone else and he would doubt it. It could be a lie, a con, a case of mistaken identity. But there's no one Nate trusts more than Sully, so he knows this is real. His brother is alive.]

It's just you think you've dealt with something, put it behind you.

[As much as it was possible for him to do. But that wound had never fully healed.]

And then... [He manages a smile, shaking his head.] Wow. This is going to blow Elena's mind.

[He leaves his hand there for a little longer to help fortify him. Even if there's no way to help Sam right now, Sully will at least be here should Nate need him. He gives his shoulder a little squeeze as if to convey that sentiment before bringing his hand back down.

But mentioning Elena in this context is interesting. It sounds like Nate told her something about Sam, which is at least an improvement from where they stood before he was pulled here. Sully can't help but smile sincerely this time. Nate really was handling his marriage well it seemed. That's good. He would hate to bring up his antics back home.]

Well, I'm pretty sure if being in space didn't blow her mind enough she'll be able to handle something like this.

[He sighs, looks around at the rest of the lounge and then behind him at the entrance.]

You've really been here for months?

[If he were less rattled, it might occur to him to explain what Elena knows and why she knows it. The journal, the fight, the way he's learning to deal with his bullshit. The way it's difficult and scary but not as much as he thought it would be, and so, so worth it.

But even if it did, Nate might not say it all out loud. He's never needed to; Sully has never asked him to give more than he wanted to.]

I really have. It's been crazy as hell, but I'm pretty convinced it's not some shared hallucination.

[And after Iram, he considers himself something of an expert on hallucinations. Speaking of which.]

This is going to sound silly, but it's a relief to finally have you here. Maybe Yemen was three years ago for you, but it was pretty fresh when I arrived, and with me and Elena here and you back on the plane...you know, I worry.

[He'd been the one to survive a plane crash and the desert with no supplies, but Sully had gone through a lot too.]

That makes one of us. I'm still not so sure I haven't been drugged myself.

[Though this conversation was jarring enough that he might as well have gotten punched in the jaw instead to prove he wasn't in a crazy ass dream.

Sully shifts in his seat, a little uncomfortable by the switch in attention to him. It's disheartening to know that he and Elena have been out here for so long without his even having the slightest idea about it. Hell, as far as he knew Elena was still safe and sound back home while he and Nate were flying to the towers. If something happened to them here, he would never have known.

Not that Nate needs to know that's what he's thinking about. He shakes his head with a small smile as he leans back in his seat.]

Ah, I've still got a few strong years in me. That is if this whole time discrepancy thing doesn't force me into an early retirement first. Besides, every time I leave you alone for too long you end up in some sort of goddamn mess. Wouldn't be fair to Elena if I left her to clean it up all by herself.

[He should give it time. Eventually, Sully will do as they all did and come to the conclusion that this is real...but by then he'll probably have lived through a thing or two that would make him wish otherwise.

But hey, maybe things will be different in the future. Positive thinking.

Nate doesn't miss the telltale sign of discomfort. The two of them may not be emotionally stunted, per se, but they don't usually come out and say things like this. It's rarely necessary. But space kidnapping changes things, and he still remembers and appreciates the way Sully put himself out there on the airstrip and told Nate the things he needed to hear.]

The two of you can take turns. One of you gets to deal with me while the other one kicks back and relaxes. I'll be over here, reminding both of you that space kidnapping is not my fault.

Kid, kicking back and relaxing never goes hand to hand with you. I've been trying to find some time since the first day I met you.

[Okay, not really. He's always led an eventful and dangerous life, even before he met Nathan. Yet somehow it feels like that danger has only increased since they've been partners.]

Maybe Elena will have more luck taming you than I have.

[She seems to be doing a good job so far at least.]

After twenty years, you might want to give it up, then. You'd just get bored, anyway.

[He laughs and shakes his head. Truth is, he doesn't want to be tamed. But doing less stupid shit? Yeah, that can probably happen, now that he sees things clearly.]

And I think we're going to be okay, her and me. Which is good for you, because I'm sure you're tired of having me as a roommate again. Or—you were, I guess.

[Three years ago he probably was.]

Yeah, not sure if being kidnapped to space was a sign to change my lifestyle or just the universe's way of saying it needs help keeping an eye on you out here.

[He chuckles, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees as he looks over at him.]

Glad to hear it. At least I can finally get some sleep without your snoring for once.

[Could be a little of both. But Nate wouldn't place a bet against the latter.]

Hey, don't get too comfortable. I might come to your room sometime to snore, just for old times' sake. Make you feel more at home.

[On this space ship, traveling through star systems they can't even see from Earth. Just like home.]

Speaking of which, want me to show you to your room? I can give you a mini-tour along the way.

This your way of telling me these rooms don't have proper locks on them?

[Spaceship without locks. What the hell kind of futuristic technology is that?

Sully nods, pushing himself up from his seat at Nate's suggestion.]

Think that's a good idea. I was walking around for a good ten minutes before I stumbled into here. I'm usually good with getting the lay of the land, but this place is like a goddamn maze.

Oh, the locks work great. But I'd find a way.

[That's a lie. He's bluffing.]

You'll figure it out soon. First route you'll probably learn is the way to the bar.

[Because he has good goddamn priorities.]

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