LOG: In Need of Assistance

[depthlesslock]

What: Meeting up and seeking help
Where: Common Ground coffee shop
When: 10/4 Noon
Warnings: None

York would be lying if he said he wasn't surprised that Delta had called him so soon to arrange to meet up again. That's three times in the last two weeks the man has called for company despite his insistence that he's a busy guy. Not that York's complaining, he enjoys Delta's company more each time they see each other, but he is surprised.

He's on time. Well, Delta seems to be making the effort, the least he can do is return the favor. Once he's inside, he removes his helmet and looks around. Common Ground is a good place, he's enjoyed it's coffee and food a fair few times, and of course it has the delicious, rich scent that comes with any good coffee shop.

Spotting Delta, he weaves through the tables towards him and sits down in the chair on the other side of the table, smiling. 'Hey there.'

Comments

[protective_logic]

"I don't care what that man chooses to do with his own life," Delta answers, annoyed at the question. "He seemed like a nice enough man. But I can't accept that what he's doing could get Omega killed. That it is tearing my family apart."

Why is York asking this? Why is he doing this? York is supposed to be on his side, not interrogating him.

[depthlesslock]

He nods and takes a deep breath, then lets go of Delta's hand and moves a few steps away, his hands up.

'Then you need to know that I'm also a mercenary. I run infiltration, getting information and breaking myself and others into where we need to be, and I avoid killing as much as possible. If you want nothing to do with me now I'll... I'll understand. But if you'll still accept my help, I'll do whatever I can for you.'

[protective_logic]

He'd say he'd never felt more betrayed in his life, but after Omega last night...

"Give me my bag," he says, trying to keep his voice low. Thank god they have their helmets on, because otherwise he could see how sick Delta felt. How he wanted to weep for the revelation.

[depthlesslock]

Ow. Okay, that should not hurt so much. He shouldn't be surprised, really, no one likes to find out they're dating a mercenary. Still hurts though. With a deep sigh, he unsholders the bag and sets it down, then backs awa

'I'm sorry,' he says. 'I know you probably don't trust me now, but I still want to help.'

[protective_logic]

"Help?" Delta asks, his voice soft, and oh so hurt. Broken. Tired. Betrayed.

"You want to help me? You're just like the man who is bringing my brother into this. I can no more turn to you than I could have turned to him. God, why did you..."

He shakes his head. What is the point of speech, actually? It doesn't matter where he looks, all he finds is betrayal. Maine. Omega. Now York.

"I have to go."

[depthlesslock]

Fuck, that tone just makes him want to hug him. Though aside from drawing his gun on him, that's probably one of the worst things he could do right now.

'Of course I want to help you,' he promises. 'You're my friend. My boyfriend. ...If you still want. But regardless, yes, I want to help.' He can't just leave him on his own, he's got nowhere to go, doesn't have enough money for the fucking bus ticket. Yet at the same time, he doesn't want to force him. This is such a mess.

'At least take the house. I'll show you where it is and then won't bother you again. Ever, if you want. But you need secure roof over your head.'

[protective_logic]

Secure? Delta wants to laugh or cry or shout at the other man.

"Your boyfriend?"

Is he really that dense? "You're a mercenary. You actually stand for the same things as the person who took my brother from me. Granted, he revealed the big fucking joke my life is, but you're the same!"

[depthlesslock]

...Yeah, figured that was the case. Damn. He looks down, then back up.

'Maybe. But this mercenary is, believe it or not, on your side. Who's taken your brother under their wing? If I know them on good terms, maybe I can talk to them about it.'

[protective_logic]

"Maine," Delta whispers, shaking his head. "Mercenaries are only on their own side, York. You break crimes for money."

[depthlesslock]

'Maine?' Motherfucker. 'I know him. I'll talk to him about this.'

He frowns under his helmet. 'That's not true. Okay, the crimes for money part is, but don't make us sound like we don't care about anyone else, because I can give you ten examples off the top of my head of when one or more of us has very much cared for someone other than ourselves.'

[protective_logic]

"You do that. You just... stay here and do that," he answers, his voice so thick with his grief. "I need to find someone who will pay me so I can get myself somewhere to live."

[depthlesslock]

He can't do it right now, Maine's on a job, but he's not going to tell Delta that.

'D, I can't just gonna let you go off and be homeless until you can find and afford a place.'

[protective_logic]

"And you have no place or right to stop me," Delta countered, hefting his bag. "This isn't about you anymore. That... was something that happened."

[depthlesslock]

'This was never about me, Delta. Unless you consider me wanting to help you as it being about me. This is about your safety.'

[protective_logic]

"How the HELL am I supposed to be safe with you around?" Delta demands.

[depthlesslock]

'You do realise mercs get hired to protect people from other mercs all the time, right? Fight fire with fire and all that shit. And I swear on my right eye that I would never intentionally hurt you or bring you to harm.'

[protective_logic]

"As you said, you're an infiltration person," Delta counters. "That means you're not suited to protecting people."

[depthlesslock]

'Actually, considering you don't want to be around mercenaries, don't you think the best protection you could get would be someone who doesn't have to be there to keep you safe?'

[protective_logic]

"That... makes no sense!" Delta protests angrily. "It doesn't make sense at all."

[depthlesslock]

'Locks,' he says simply. 'Good ones. My safe house has very good ones. It's designed to keep me safe if a job goes wrong and it isn't safe to go back to base. Anyone would be hard pressed to get in there, you'd be safe and wouldn't need me around for it.'

[protective_logic]

"Is there a reason in particular I should be worried about my safety?" Delta demands.

[depthlesslock]

'You tell me, I don't know your brother,' he says. 'What's he likely to do when he finds out you're gone? ...And that's an honest question, what is he likely to do?'

[protective_logic]

Throw a fit. Punch holes in the walls. Shout and scream and rant because he couldn't control Delta anymore. Couldn't be the supreme ruler of their lives.

"Look for me," Delta answered instead.

[depthlesslock]

'That much is a given. I meant how far is he likely to go to look for you? Just him, or will he get help?'

[protective_logic]

"I... don't know," Delta admitted. He's never done this before.