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[adaptiveimmunities]

Story ideas, fanmail, marriage proposals all go here. I'll respond when I can.

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[heyboss]

"He left his life behind. He left you behind, Shaun." He watches those hands and is perfectly prepared to dodge if they come flying.

[adaptiveimmunities]

The scowl deepens. The thing is--it's not hard to put himself back into that other life. The one where the only family he had left just walked away, even though they could have had more time.

Could have. But didn't.

"I know," he says finally, his tone terse. "I was there."

[heyboss]

"You're angry."

He glances to his hands again. "Why?"

[adaptiveimmunities]

"They teach you to ask dumb questions like that in shrink school?" He doesn't even bother keeping the irritation out of his voice. "Why do you think I'm mad?"

[heyboss]

"The point is for you to name it, Shaun. It does no good for me to tell you why," he explains gently.

[adaptiveimmunities]

Shaun glares at him for another long moment. "Fine. I'm mad because you're talking shit."

[heyboss]

A longer even look. "What shit?"

[adaptiveimmunities]

"I sincerely don't like you right now," he mutters. "About Henry. He didn't--it's not like what you said."

[heyboss]

"What do you mean? What was it like?"

[adaptiveimmunities]

"It wasn't 'giving up,'" he says finally. "He was doing what he thought he had to. Just because--" It hurt. They could have had more time. "Just because I didn't like it, didn't mean it was wrong."

[heyboss]

"That's right," he says softly. "You're allowed to be hurt. But he's allowed to make his own decision. Even if they hurt you."

[adaptiveimmunities]

"I'm not hurt," he snaps. "I'm fine. It wasn't even real."

And he doesn't sounds defensive at ALL.

[heyboss]

Sheehan doesn't say anything.

He waits.

[adaptiveimmunities]

Shaun folds his arms across his chest and scowls back at him. "Is our time up yet?"

[heyboss]

"I'm not holding you here, Shaun," he reminds him gently.

[adaptiveimmunities]

No, and Shaun sort of wishes he'd try, because he could use a good fight right now. "Yeah, but I told you I'd give you fifteen minutes."

[heyboss]

"That was just an excuse to get you here. It could be five, fifteen, thirty...whatever you were comfortable giving. If you're done, then you can be done."

[adaptiveimmunities]

The idea that he would want to sit down and talk for longer is laughable, though he's definitely more annoyed than amused right now. "Cool," he says flatly. "I'll see you later, then."

[heyboss]

"Alright. Thanks for playing paintball with me today, Shaun. I had fun."

He doesn't stop him, though.

[adaptiveimmunities]

He pauses on his way out. "Same," he says finally. "Let me know when you want a rematch."

And he's gone.