biteouttagrimes | IC CONTACT

[Normally, this would be the part where he told him to mind his own business, that Tetsuo was his problem and not anyone else's. But looking at his position, and looking at how Rick had somehow gotten attached, it wasn't just about the pride anymore.

It'd taken a hit when Bull brought him home.]

I took it off him the moment I saw it. It's with me.

[But still, it gets a laugh out of him.]

...you are the worst cop, you know that?

[ It's with some mild amusement that he says: ]

Used to be one of the best.

[ But oh how far they had come. Still, it's not like the remark about the gun is going to go ignored. Tetsuo got his gun confiscated like he's a little kid? Geesh, he understands Kaneda wants to protect him, but.... ]

You know he needs somethin' to keep himself safe. Somethin' outside of his powers. Can't rely on them. But a gun? Now that is somethin' you can rely on. If you need one, I can get you one, too. But you guys gotta start preparin' for the day when these so called powers of ours are taken away just as easily as they were given to us.

[Kaneda falls silent for a moment, knowing that mentality more than anyone. By either luck or some cruel humor, his powers were anything but flashy, and if he wanted to do damage in this world, he had to rely on weapons, anything he could find.

Nothing new from back home, honestly, but the stakes were raised.

Guess he never considered it with Tetsuo. He'd always had those powers for as long as they'd been on opposite sides.]

Way ahead of you on that--weapons are all I got in this place, you know.

[Still.]

Just didn't want him shooting me up the moment his eyes opened. Stupid idiot's got anger issues and he's kiiiiiiinda not fond of me.

[ He lets out a breath of amusement. ]

But you care about him. An' that's frustratin', right?

[ Slowly, Rick is starting to see the parallels between Kaneda and Tetsuo and himself and Shane. It had been so long since he had time to dwell on what happened with Shane. And he can see himself as both Kaneda and Tetsuo. Hopefully it would end for them much better than it ended for him. ]

He cares, too. Much as he's got them anger issues, don't think he's the type to ignore how much you care 'bout him. He knows that deep down. An' I bet if he ever did take a gun to you, he wouldn't shoot to kill.

[ It's not very comforting. But yeah. Tetsuo probably would shoot Kaneda. Rick will acknowledge that. ]

[A laugh sounds over the feed. God...'frustrating'. That's like saying the Grand Canyon's a hole in the ground. You know...if he knew what the Grand Canyon was.]

Like he'll see it that way. To him? I'm just the one telling him what to do!

[Which he is, but only because that's what keeps Tetsuo alive.]

..You think so, huh. You'd put money on that one?

[A hint of amusement. Funny. He never really thought about it with Tetsuo, if he'd get shot by him. Somehow, he didn't hesitate to say yes inside his head.]

If I had any to put on it, I would. All I got of value right now is a pack of cookies an' you bet I'd lay those down on it.

[ He matches the amusement with his own -- brief and fleeting. ]

Think the thing you don't see is that he sees a lot more than you give him credit for. He's stubborn, ain't gonna budge too easily from his stance on things, an' he'll fight you all the way. But he sees it. He sees it all. What you're doin'. Maybe he don't acknowledge it, maybe he even lies to himself 'bout it. But I know deep down, he sees the truth.

[Oh my god Rick, you're actually making him laugh. It's just as quick and fleeting as the statement itself, soon to die down as he catches his breath.]

You really believe that, don't you?

Hope you're right, because I want more than a bag of damn cookies if you're wrong.

[Look, he can't even say that without another laugh.]

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