MASK OR MENACE - contact.

[hostage]

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

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[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.

[kingpawn]

Gee. Thanks. Remind me to give you a chemistry lecture later. Just for that.

[ He sooo is. But he drinks this one slower than the first -- taking a sip. ]

If you want boring, I'll give you boring.

[hostage]

You know what, the sad thing is that's probably still more interesting than how I spend most days now. I think I'm officially old.

[kingpawn]

Stop that. If you're old, what does that make me?

[ He takes Jesse's pillow -- adjusting it so he could lean back against it. ]

I can come over more often if you'd like?

[ Every day until Chilton is dead. ]

[hostage]

[Jesse gives a light shrug.]

If you wanna. If you ain't too busy.

[Please stay and never leave, ever.]

[kingpawn]

I just work.

[ And drink. ]

It wouldn't be any problem. Honestly, I should have been doing it from the start.

[hostage]

It'll be easier once we got a place of our own.

[kingpawn]

Yeah, it will. I honestly wish we had it now.

[ Walt draws in a breath and slowly finishes off his glass. ]

I wish we could just run away. Run away from all of this. Just you and me -- not a care in the world.

[hostage]

We could, you know.

[Not that he thinks Mr. White's serious about this. It's the liquor talking. And speaking of that, Jesse brings the bottle forward for another refill.]

I got the money. Once we find a place, we could just stay there.

[kingpawn]

That would be nice. That would be so nice.

[ He closes his eyes. ]

I thought we could have that here. It was supposed to be a second chance. How did it all get so screwed up?

[hostage]

[Jesse has no idea, honestly. He managed to go almost a full year without drawing any attention to himself. Try some subtlety and patience, Mr. White???]

Nothing's blown yet. We'll take care of Chilton and everything'll be fine.

[kingpawn]

He's a monster, Jesse.

[ Walt takes a drink. ]

A monster.

[ ....and so is Walt. ]

[hostage]

[As it happens, Jesse's not easily scared off by monsters, so he's not moved by that. He lays his hand on Walt's shoulder, massaging gently - the way Walt always does for him when he needs comfort.]

[kingpawn]

[ The tension leaves his arm a little bit after Jesse's touch. Walt sets the half-empty glass on the nightstand and pulls up the covers, grimacing a little as he wedges his way under them. ]

Just be safe, Jesse. That's all I ask.

[hostage]

[Jesse takes his cue, setting the bottle down beside the glass.]

Nothing can hurt me, Mr. White.