Thirty-Sixth Theory [Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

Girl with the Ducati that my brother won't shut up about... I didn't get your name, but I finished your bicycle.

[He's looking for talktomyguns, not realizing she was sent home earlier in the week. Someone please ruin his day.]

Comments

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[Raph holds cradles it gently, looking bewildered.]

I'm not takin' your stuff.

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Somehow he's gone from barely-contained rage to what looks like the verge of tears.] Raph, please?

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

C'mere. [He tucks the laptop under one arm and puts his other arm around his brother, trying to guide him across the hall and into his room. He wants to talk without any risk of Leo barging in.]

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Being told what to do is exactly what Don needs right now. He'll sit wherever you put him and wait for the questions.]

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[Raph will push him toward the bed and sit heavily beside him, arm still around his shoulders. He sets the laptop down on the pillow and searches Don's eyes.]

Talk to me. What's goin' on?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

I can't do this anymore, Raph. I can't even try. I'm done.

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

Can't do what, building stuff?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[He nods.] All of it. Don't let me touch any of that. [He gestures over his shoulder to the mess on the floor.]

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[He moves to pat Don roughly on the shoulder.]

Ah, you're just sayin' that.

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[He knocks your hand away, giving you a glare that clearly says your platitudes are way off-base.]

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

Calm down, wouldja? You're actin' like me.

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Bitterly:] Maybe you've been right the whole time.

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

Right about what, exactly?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[He thinks for a moment before answering.] A few months ago you told me there was nothing you wanted. Wanting nothing is the essence of Zen. I've never been very good at it. I want to try again now. [His mouth twitches.] I'm already failing.

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[Raph shakes his head.]

Don't be like me. I'm just a nobody. I'm good with not doin' anything with my life. If you start thinkin' that way, it'd just be a waste.

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

It's a waste anyway. I need to do something different.

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

Like what? Not much to do around here anyways.

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

I'm going to go back to studying magic.

[The thought had only been half-formed before, but in a moment it solidified. Now he's sure of it.]

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[He tenses, looking generally displeased. Over the past year, he's been given plenty of reasons to both hate and accept magic more than he had before. It's weird that Don would want to pursue it, but at the same time, Raph just wants him to be happy no matter what he's doing.]

I guess if that's what you wanna do.

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

In the spring. [It feels like it will never come.]

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[Raph nods and scoots over on the bed enough to lean against the wall, pulling Don's laptop into his lap.]

So what're you gonna do with this stuff? I'm tellin' ya you ain't leavin' it in here.

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

I don't care. Put it in April's room. She's always borrowing it anyway.

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

All of it?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

Whatever you don't want.

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

What do you think I'm gonna do with this stuff?

[He frowns down at the laptop. He still hasn't opened it.]

You can do more with it than I could.