chiseler | Adam Parrish

[ There's a pause and then he laughs. How strange it is to laugh now. He's pretty sure the last time he did that, he was with Luke. ]

No, I... I'm glad. I had my reasons, but it was mostly for what she did to you two. [ He's still smiling. ] I really... I missed this. Even before all of this, everything kind of sucked. So when we woke up at the complex, I didn't think it was so bad. At least I got a break and even... while the killings happened, I had you.

So when you and Lara were gone, it was just the same as before. I thought I was meant to have my life be like that.

[There's really nothing humorous about death, but Adam laughs and Luke looks over at him with a bright smile. It's still something better than the strange quiet of this place and it reminds him that he's here with someone not entirely unpleasant.]

What I said is still true. I don't know many people who understand me the way you do which is something I've never really been able to figure out. Without having to worry about killings here, I guess this whole place is a huge break until they figure things out out there. Since you can change your future from here on out...what is it that you think you want to do with your life now?

[ Adam turns his head to look at him, eyes soft and a little wary. It is weird to have someone who understands. That's why he didn't want to let him go. Would he ever find someone who could get him like that again?

He doesn't think there's another Luke. ] I... don't know. [ That's a distressing question. He looks off at the neighborhood. It's small. ] I've always been working to get somewhere and I guess I never really thought about where I wanted to get. Just... away. Now I'm away for good.

What exactly are we supposed to do here? Just live? No money or school or work... [ As horrible as his life had been because of all those things, he's not sure he wants them gone completely. ] I don't know what it's like to have free time.

[He lifts an eyebrow.]

Didn't you read my letter, Adam? Creation. That's the whole point...a new you and me was what I was talking about originally, I'll admit, but...in this place I think we can create a town to be whatever we want it to be. What do you know about computers? [He waves a hand.] I haven't quite figured it all out yet, but I think there's a chance we can build more the more people show up here. Almost like an exchange of energy but not as creepy.

...by the way I told you Judy wasn't a real physical person.

[ The wariness leaves his expression and he looks down at the grass again. A new him and Luke. He would have wanted that. Creating something new with him... He kind of took that a different way, not building a town obviously.

He shakes his head because he knows nothing about computers, certainly not enough to figure anything out. Then he elbows Luke and leaves his arm pressed against Luke's side. ] Yeah, well, too bad you didn't tell me you had experience with her and, what, were her boss? And I thought boyfriends were supposed to tell each other everything.

[ A huff. ] Can we build a library? I think I'll go stir-crazy if I don't have something to do.

[There's a thin smile.] What would you have even done if I told you I was staff? That wouldn't have been good for either of us. Also I kinda signed an agreement and I don't recall fake boyfriends having to tell each other real secrets. [But they're both separated from things now. It hardly matters.

A library is an idea though.] ...I guess we could. I bet Lara would like that, too. It's worth asking. Why a library though instead of something else?

I told you I wouldn't care. I mean, as long as you weren't lulling me into a false sense of security. [ It's not like he had anything in particular to hide. He wonders if things would have been different if he was like Franziska, had a job. ] It's less being fake boyfriends and more being the ones to protect each other. Or did you trust your staff friends more than me?

[ There might be a hint of jealousy there. He shrugs. ] There are plenty of things to do in a library. What would you want? I don't see anything interesting around here.

Why would I--god, can we not fight about this right now? [He makes a face.] I never said I trusted the staff more than you. Half of the staff I didn't even really like that much, but I still had to work with them, too.

[He thinks about it though. Sure, okay, there's plenty that can be done in a library.] ...a movie theatre or something. I haven't seen a movie in forever.

When's a good time to fight about it? [ He's just being stubborn for the sake of it. He doesn't really want to fight. ] ... Who were they? [ He doubts it matters anymore. ]

I could go for a few movies. And some popcorn with butter... [ Then he looks off like he's imagining something. ] A restaurant too? Like a diner. I got so tired of the cafeteria food.

Not when I just want to be happy that you showed up. [That's blurted out before he bothers to think it through, but his eyes are narrowed and he looks dangerously close to pouting.] ...it doesn't matter. They're all still alive. You'll find out soon enough if they show up here.

[But the idea of something normal kind of sounds good to him.] A diner's not a bad idea either. I know food is food but having somewhere to go could be worth it. Who would run it though? Case you haven't noticed, town's a little empty.

[ It's enough to make Adam pause and forget to be stubborn for a second. He tilts his head, watching Luke curiously. ] Is is a good thing or a bad thing that you wanted me dead? [ He looks like he wants to smile and... no, the staff members don't really seem that important right now. Luke is important. Lara is important. They're dead and nothing really matters anymore. ]

Who's going to run the movie theater? [ He finally chuckles. ] I wouldn't mind a job but I think I'd prefer to work at the library.

Depends. You're the one who stopped caring about living out there. You tell me. [It's an open answer, one he doesn't seem to care about explaining to Adam.] It was either be stuck out there with people that don't know what they're doing, or bring you in here with me and Lara. I think the choice is obvious.

[He can't help but grin.] Somehow I always knew you were kind of a nerd. I've never worked a real job so don't look at me. Maybe we can ask Judy for some robot kits and build AIs to run everything. It might be worth something.

[ He stops looking amused immediately. ] I didn't stop caring about living. I wanted to live. Who doesn't? But if it was going to be me or a kid who has real things to go back to... There was no point in saving myself anymore. [ And it's partially because of the people out there, the people who suspected him anyway for just defending Luke. Angel had told him people were already suspicious of him before he killed Franziska. What could he do?

He brings his knees up and curls in a bit, closed off and upset. The mention of robots, though, gets a glance. ] We can do stuff like that in here?

[Oh. So this was nice while it lasted before Luke fucked it up. He looks a little surprised by the immediate shift, not entirely realizing why it's so offensive right away. He pauses, looking at Adam for a moment and not entirely moving closer.]

...after I killed Lara, I didn't. So that's an answer, I guess. I'd say "that's noble" but are you so sure...[He shakes his head. Never mind. It doesn't matter. He takes a deep breath and even if Adam isn't looking at him he scoots in closer and knocks his head lightly into Adam's. Come on. Don't sulk.] I haven't entirely figured out what we can and can't do here, but we're gonna be here for a while. If I'm in charge of my fate here, why not fill it with things I want?

[ It makes Adam pause. Luke stopped wanting to live after killing Lara? ... He hadn't expected that, honestly, though it makes sense as to why someone like Elizabeth could get the upper hand on Luke. And it makes him angrier that all people could talk about was how Luke killed Lara without remorse. Of course he felt bad. How could they miss that? ]

Am I so sure what? [ It does matter. He freezes when Luke's head knocks against his own, then turns his head to look at him. He had to be close to Luke when they were both still alive so it doesn't feel that weird. ] ... I guess otherwise we're going to get bored. Let's do everything we've ever wanted, then.

[He shrugs.] Are you so sure that kid has stuff to go back to that he even wants to go back to? I didn't really know him that well. Maybe it doesn't matter. You still did something good, and if they can't recognize that...

[Fuck 'em. That's basically what it comes down to. Adam looks at him though and Luke gives a lopsided smile, uncertain but elated all the same.] I don't do well with being bored, you know? Not really wired for that...if you want a library and I want a movie theatre, we should see what Lara wants, too. Start thinking of everything possible. I've wanted a lot of things in my life...it'd be kind of cool to get at least half of them.

He talked about his fiancee. [ Alright, he didn't actually know Ciel either but he seems to be in a better place than Adam was when he was 13. Maybe the kid will die next, but at least it won't be Adam's fault. ] He seemed to like her. She'd miss him.

[ He shrugs. He thinks he did something good, both by killing Franziska and showing them how stupid they were about to be but he doesn't expect praise for it. When Luke smiles, Adam lets out a breath and seems to calm down. There's nothing more that he can do. He's dead. ] Think I could turn my house into a mansion? [ It's already bigger than he needs but why not? ] And a nice car and somewhere to drive it to.

...he's thirteen. Anybody who has a fiancee at thirteen probably isn't entirely aware of what that really means and may not realize that's a trap. [He's not biased at all???] Guess we can speculate all we want. It's not like it matters now.

[Adam calming down helps, too, but he snorts in amusement.] You could if you wanted I guess, but where would you even want to go in a car? I don't think we can leave the town.

What? [ It's asked in amusement. ] How is it a trap? Being engaged at a young age or married in general?

[ He's not moving away from Luke even though he supposes there is no need for them to be close anymore. It's easier to see his expressions like this. ] It's not about going somewhere. It's about driving. [ There's a pause and he smiles. ] Have you ever driven anywhere or do you generally just fly?

The first one. I don't know about you but I was definitely a different person when I was 13 than I am now.

[Maybe there's no need for them to be like this, but knowing the things he knows now...he can't say he minds too much either. It's also just nice having someone around while he's still confused about...well, everything. He seems to consider how to really answer that question though.] The flying's for special occasions. And I've never really had a huge need to drive anywhere. Something that special about it?

I'm pretty sure he's not like either of us. [ He honestly seems pretty annoying. Possibly mature, but annoying. ] Doesn't really matter. If you like someone at thirteen, are you really going to stop liking them when you're older?

[ He genuinely doesn't know. It's not an experience he's had. He raises his eyebrows at the question, a bit disbelieving. ] Driving is just as amazing as cars themselves. You've really never thought about how many parts have to go into a car to make it work? Everything that comes together so you can do whatever you want? So you can smoothly control a 3000 pound machine? I'm taking you driving. We should build a drive-in.

It depends, I think. A lot can happen in just a couple of years. I'm not sure I like all of the same people I liked as a kid. But I'm never going to see any of them again so it's irrelevant isn't it?

[Adam's talking about cars and he's pretty enthusiastic and he's just...staring. That's all. He's just staring at him like he's grown an extra head because what even.] I. Okay? [A disbelieving laugh.] Sure. Maybe we shouldn't ask for a theatre then if that's what you want to do, but to answer your question I'm pretty sure you're the only one who thinks about how cars are made.

I guess it is. Now it's just us and... whoever's unlucky enough to get killed next. [ There's a pause and he makes a face. ] I really hope we don't have to see the annoying ones soon.

[ Please let them live. It takes him a bit to notice that Luke is staring and longer to notice that he's staring because he apparently thinks Adam is weird. It makes him frown. How is Luke not fascinated by that? ] If I was the only one who thought about that, cars wouldn't exist and continue to be improved. [ He shoves at Luke's shoulder but then leans over so they're not actually any farther apart. ] I guess we need a garage, too, then. That holds a ton of different cars and everything needed to work on them. Is there anything you find interesting?

I hate to say it? But probably. The science team went after Franziska immediately didn't they? [Just a thought.

But no it's not that he's not fascinated, it's that he's not sure what's real and what isn't, not to mention he's never had a huge interest in cars in the first place.] You're getting ahead of yourself, man. I never said I didn't find anything interesting, I just don't see the big deal about how cars are put together. But that sounds more like a mechanic's shop than anything.

...you really wanna know what I think is interesting?

[ Adam just makes a noise of distaste. Oh well. He can avoid them in the giant library he's thinking about. He'll probably drag Luke along too just in case. ]

And I'm saying you'll understand once you get in a car and think about it. [ He sounds pretty sure of it. But then he seems to forget about that, eyes flashing in interest when Luke offers him a bone. Luke is still a mystery to him, one that he very much wants to solve. ] Yeah, I do. Then we can build something for that too.

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