It's not really about chronological age, no. But he's... used to having a certain amount of safety that he lacks, here, I think, and inexperienced in a number of ways.
[ Fraser doesn't think he's weak, and wouldn't exactly call him sheltered, but he's just a normal, nerdy, kind of anxious kid. He shouldn't be in a place like Duplicity. ]
I hate this place more every day. [Because yeah, someone like that sounded like the sort to be chewed up and spat out here. Faith's not even sure she's can handle it all herself.] I could ask Buffy if she knows him? Maybe she can keep an eye out for him too.
She's been trying to form some kind of group or regular get-together with all the teenagers. Give them a space and time that's just about hanging out and not about... Duplicity shit.
Ah, yes. Of course. [Faith nods rubbing her chin thoughtfully. And teasingly him with a bump of her hip gainst his thigh.] Very important. Socializing with their peers. Yes, yes.
It may be true, but you don't have to say it like that. Just say it's good for them to hang out with people their own age for a bit. Or something. You don't have to be so clinical about it, Benny. [She pats his cheek, grinning up at him. Whether he's teasing or genuine didn't make it any less cute.]
[ That much, at least, is true. Also, she touches his face and he looks at her so mesmerized that he trips over a sidewalk crack. He easily corrects the stumble, but it's still very embarrassing. ]
[She can't help the laugh at his trip, reaching to help catch him and nearly spilling the drinks but he doesn't seem to need the help luckily.] Real smooth. You're lucky you're cute, babe.
[Faith winks, enjoying teasing him further, as they start to come up on the park.]
Sounds great. And I can feed some of my crust to the fish.
[Faith tugs him along to find a spot on the grass to sit, settling the drinks into the ground and leaning plopping down and patting the grass beside her.]
Other than the new Submissive, how's everything else? Good?
I can't complain, really. I know it's been quite awhile, but I'm still not used to the novelty of having a place a little ways out of the city. I'm almost embarrassed by what a difference it makes.
[ Meaning, although he would not and cannot admit that he was secretly completely miserable before, he isn't anymore. ]
Your place is very nice. I'm a ways off from getting a house. Although I don't hate my apartment. Whether I'm there or in a house, I'd still be in this city.
[That wouldn't change regardless of location. She grabs her sandwich and starts to unwrap it.]
I was actually thinking I might try to start a business. Start something from the ground up.
I guess it would just be another club, kinda. Which I guess it's boring, maybe? [She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.] I know there's a bunch already. But it would be a space for open mics for any bands, musicians, anyone to play or whatever. And there'd be a dance floor.
[Faith loved dancing she there would have to be.] I just want a simple place. Nothing fancy. I found an abandoned building in the down. Thought I might buy it.
[She shifts awkwardly.] And I want to give my sub, Dinah, a place to sing. Was thinking I might surprise her with it when I got it done.
[Now it's Faith's turn to be the blushing one where it was usually Benton, ducking her head.] Yeah, pretty fond. This place has... not been kind to her.
[Not to anyone, really, but she's had a particularly bad time of it in Faith's estimation. She grabs her tea, takes a sip, and bumps him with her shoulder.] Pretty fond of you too for the record.
[As much as could allow herself to be in this place. With Dinah at least it was free of concerns of who might see.]
Yes, I understand perfectly. So often in Duplicity, there are forces that simply can't be fought, or dealt with in any lasting way. If I'm honest, I find it incredibly frustrating, too.
[ Dief is trying to steal his sandwich, so he starts to eat it out of self preservation. ]
[Faith is already pulling some meat off her sandwich to toss to Diefenbaker.]
I fucking hate it, you know? Before here, I'd only been out of prison-- well, okay-- escaped from prison, for a couple of months? I wanted to really be what I was supposed to be. What I'd failed to be. A hero, I guess? To help people. And here? It feels like a can't do a damn thing for anyone that really matters.
[Like when she'd tried to stop Hellboy only to nearly get herself killed.]
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Yes. I think he's seventeen or so, but—a young seventeen. I'm a little worried about him.
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[Or at least she hopes so. She's strong.] But still.
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[ Fraser doesn't think he's weak, and wouldn't exactly call him sheltered, but he's just a normal, nerdy, kind of anxious kid. He shouldn't be in a place like Duplicity. ]
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She's been trying to form some kind of group or regular get-together with all the teenagers. Give them a space and time that's just about hanging out and not about... Duplicity shit.
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[ Sometimes Fraser really sounds like some kind of walking manual. ]
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[ It's honestly difficult to tell whether that wide-eyed look is him subtly messing with her, or if he genuinely does not know how ridiculous he is. ]
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[ That much, at least, is true. Also, she touches his face and he looks at her so mesmerized that he trips over a sidewalk crack. He easily corrects the stumble, but it's still very embarrassing. ]
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[Faith winks, enjoying teasing him further, as they start to come up on the park.]
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[ He's not really apologizing for anything, it's just kind of an all-purpose Canadian reflex in the face of being flustered. ]
... shall we go sit by the fish pond?
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[Faith tugs him along to find a spot on the grass to sit, settling the drinks into the ground and leaning plopping down and patting the grass beside her.]
Other than the new Submissive, how's everything else? Good?
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[ Meaning, although he would not and cannot admit that he was secretly completely miserable before, he isn't anymore. ]
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[That wouldn't change regardless of location. She grabs her sandwich and starts to unwrap it.]
I was actually thinking I might try to start a business. Start something from the ground up.
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Really? What sort of business did you have in mind?
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[Faith loved dancing she there would have to be.] I just want a simple place. Nothing fancy. I found an abandoned building in the down. Thought I might buy it.
[She shifts awkwardly.] And I want to give my sub, Dinah, a place to sing. Was thinking I might surprise her with it when I got it done.
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[ The smile he gives her when she mentions Dinah is soft, and maybe a little curious. ]
Dinah... I think we've met, briefly, at one of Huaisang's parties. You must be very fond of her.
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[Not to anyone, really, but she's had a particularly bad time of it in Faith's estimation. She grabs her tea, takes a sip, and bumps him with her shoulder.] Pretty fond of you too for the record.
[As much as could allow herself to be in this place. With Dinah at least it was free of concerns of who might see.]
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[ He nudges into that shoulder bump, a normal friendly gesture for any watching eyes, even if the intent behind it is more. ]
But I'm glad she's found her way to you, in that case. You can be kind to her even if circumstance is not.
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[Mainly because she didn't spend the night with most people, which is a far more meaningful thing than the pancakes themselves.]
I'm glad too. Although it drives me a little crazy that I can't protect her from everything, you know?
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[ Dief is trying to steal his sandwich, so he starts to eat it out of self preservation. ]
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I fucking hate it, you know? Before here, I'd only been out of prison-- well, okay-- escaped from prison, for a couple of months? I wanted to really be what I was supposed to be. What I'd failed to be. A hero, I guess? To help people. And here? It feels like a can't do a damn thing for anyone that really matters.
[Like when she'd tried to stop Hellboy only to nearly get herself killed.]
But I'm really trying to do what I can.
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[ The way he says it is halfway between consolation and regret. It doesn't feel remotely adequate to him, either. ]
I do believe you are helping people here, though. You've certainly helped me.
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[ This is probably the point at which a normal person would explain in what way Faith has been helpful, but it doesn't occur to Fraser. ]
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