MASK OR MENACE - contact.

[hostage]

_“ Hey, it's me. Wait for the thing. _”

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[hostage]

[Jesse allows himself one moment to think of Kara. He didn't have to worry about things like this before she left him. She was always somewhere nearby, close enough to find him if he called out to her. He'd taken the comfort of that for granted.

But Jesse chose Walt, so he chose this, too.]

I can do it. I'll keep watch.

[kingpawn]

Thank you, Jesse. For everything.

[ He puts his hand on one of Jesse's as Jesse is finishing his nurse duty. ]

Everything.

[ Including the cancer. Walt's not entirely grateful about it, but because of it he knew that Jesse didn't heal him because of owed favors. He did it out of love and concern. He did it out of fierce loyalty -- the way a dog would die for its owner. He did it to manipulate Walt's hand, to keep him around. And, well, Walt can understand that sentiment -- loathe as he is to fall into his own type of tricks.

Right now, more than any time before, he needs Jesse on his side. The situation is comparable to Gus, if not a bit worse. Gus did what he did to further the business and remove a threat. Chilton did what he did just for the hell of it. ]

[hostage]

[Abandoning Mr. White hasn't been an idea Jesse's even entertained, not when Saul was trying to persuade him and not when Kara was, either, and not even now that Jesse knows Walt's been toying with his brain chemistry just to get information out of him. Chilton is certainly not going to be the one to scare him away. Jesse's more afraid of what they'll have to do to him than whatever he might have in store for them.

He turns his hand, clasping Walt's.]

Let's get you to bed.

[kingpawn]

[ Walt nods and then drops his arm around Jesse's shoulders for support. ]

I really could've just slept on the couch. It's no big deal.

[ Jesse's bed is probably gross anyway. Does he even wash those sheets? ]

[hostage]

Don't be stupid.

[It is not gross, thank you. Actually, everything is really immaculate because he has no one in his life and housework is one of his only hobbies lately. (Also having a pet wolf really requires regular washing of things to get the fur situation under control.)]

[kingpawn]

I'm not. I'm being lazy. I don't really want to move.

[hostage]

It's like two steps away, geezer.

[kingpawn]

What? It's been a long day.

[ But he grunts and gets up regardless. The prospect of sleeping is better than putting up a fight against it. ]

[hostage]

Whine more, I'll get you a walker.

[Of course, Jesse makes a pretty good substitute for one right now. He keeps his arms around Walt, shuffling along at his pace.]

[kingpawn]

Hilarious.

[ Walt rests most of his weight on Jesse. He's weak. Even with the sedative out of his system, the natural fatigue is pretty strong. ]

[hostage]

You think I'm kidding.

[Once they've reached the bed, Jesse lets go and makes to remove Walt's jacket for him.]

[kingpawn]

I'll tell you where you can shove your walker...

[ Walt assists by pulling his arms free, sinking onto the bed wearily. ]

[hostage]

[Once the jacket's off, Jesse drapes it over his arm and kneels to pull off Walt's shoes.]

All I'm hearing is more whining.

[kingpawn]

Kids these days only hear what they wanna hear.

[hostage]

[Jesse smacks Walt's knee in response. He arranges the shoes beside the bed before getting up to grab a gun from the nightstand drawer. He doesn't think Chilton will be stupid enough to come here, but it's a precaution. He tucks it into the waistband of his jeans.]

Need anything else?

[kingpawn]

Some water and some aspirin? If you have any, that is. If not, I'll just take a glass of your strongest alcohol.

[ Because painkillers don't really work on Jesse, so why would he bother keeping them around? ]

[hostage]

I gotta run all the way down to the office if you want aspirin, but...

[He ducks out of the room and returns a moment later with a bottle of whiskey and a tumbler. He sets the glass down on the nightstand and starts pouring.]

It's weird you can't use your powers on yourself for shit like that.

[kingpawn]

It would be nice.

[ But the powers are kind of reflective of them, aren't they? Jesse can take on others burdens while Walt can only push burdens onto others. ]

I've tried, though. The most I was able to do was push some of the sedative out of my system and into his. I vaguely remember that.

[ It was right before the butt of the gun hit him and then the memories got jumbled again. ]

[hostage]

I hope that knocked him the fuck out.

[Jesse brings the glass of whiskey over to Walt. It'll probably do the job better than aspirin, anyway.]

[kingpawn]

He moved before he got too much. I was handcuffed. I couldn't get away. And then he got my gun...

[ Awareness came over him as he reaches into his back pocket, searching and coming up empty handed. ]

He still has my gun. That son of a bitch.

[hostage]

Don't sweat it.

[Jesse taps the headboard. Magnetic gun racks are so cool.]

There's a gun right behind here if you need it. Or take any of the other ones in the drawer.

[kingpawn]

[ He looks up at Jesse's tapping. Well, that puts him at ease. They're armed and loaded. Walt reaches over and takes the offered glass, pretty much downing it. ]

I'm just glad that he never got to you, Jesse. One whole year and you escaped his notice...

[ And then suddenly Walt showed up and painted a target on both of them. Sorry about that... ]

[hostage]

[Jesse picks up the bottle, ready to refill that glass if necessary.]

I'm getting good at being boring.

[kingpawn]

I thought that was supposed to be my specialty.

[ Walt offers a wan smile as he extends the glass for Jesse. ]

[hostage]

[And he fills it. Get hammered, Mr. White.]

Don't worry. You're still on top.