one foot in front of the other

[duke_of_illusions]

It helps a great deal, having someone to care for, having something to focus on. He wakes up the next morning aching, but with a bit better of an idea of what to do with his day than he has in the months since his partner vanished.

He makes breakfast, and brings it to Liam's room. Knocks on the door.

"It's me."

Comments

[easilyflustered]

"So he killed the male version of Jack but married the female version...?"

He knows that such relationships can be frowned upon, but for it to cause something like this...

"That's..."

He doesn't continue that thought, startled by Barma's reaction.

"S-sir?"

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Nothing you've done, Liam."

He reassures him, promptly.

[easilyflustered]

Liam shakes his head. That wasn't what he was concerned over.

"Are you alright?"

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"I will be."

He informs him, determinedly.

[easilyflustered]

Liam frowns at this, since that indicates that the answer is, in fact, no.

He considers, briefly, the conversation leading up to it, and realizes. He's not, after all, a servant of Barma for nothing.

"Jack?"

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Yes."

He says, knowing Liam understands, at least a little.

[easilyflustered]

It's the tone of his voice that tells him what he'd only had hints of before, and his cheeks turn a bit pink--it is, after all, not his place to know about Lord Barma's... relationships.

The rest of his tone reminds him much of how he feels, the fact that Xerxes in his own world could be dead and he wouldn't even know. A... bereft sort of feeling.

"I'm sorry."

It's the only thing he knows to say, and applies both to the situation and the fact that he pried.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"A year and a half seems like such a small amount of time- but when you are content, when you know someone, it's easy to assume it's the beginning of something much longer. When they vanish, it's- a shock."

Is all he can really articulate.

[easilyflustered]

There's a bitter lump in his throat. Xerxes words, as Eques took him...

"It's never long enough," Liam finally whispers.

And Xerxes could be dead--would be dead at some point in the far-too-near future.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"You have terrible taste."

He informs him, serenely, not unkindly.

"But I suppose I knew that."

[easilyflustered]

Liam says nothing for a long time. Even thought Barma's tone is gentle, his words sting. They're true, after all.

But would he change his taste, if he could? He wasn't sure.

He finally decides not to vocally acknowledge what Barma said.

"It's better to have a little time than none, isn't it?"

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Undoubtedly."

He says.

"I will search for more news. And perhaps a version to visit you in your sickbed."

[easilyflustered]

It isn't clear whether that worked. Liam's intent was to ease Barma's sorrow. He's too exhausted--emotionally and otherwise--to determine the outcome or try again. And it isn't his place anyway.

He is mostly able to repress the slight flinch at the second part of Barma's offer. He's not entirely certain he can handle a Xerxes who isn't his own right now. But instead he only murmurs,

"Thank you, sir."

If nothing else, he can at least serve Lord Barma by not adding to his burden.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Whatever would be best."

He informs him, seriously.

"All that matters is getting you better. Perhaps- you'd like to meet the children?"

[easilyflustered]

Liam nods. That is his number one priority--healing. After that, he'll have to figure out what to do.

Frankly, he hopes that he somehow gets out of here before that point.

"It may be best for them to know who I am, at least. I won't be much help with them at the moment, though."

He doubts either of them are acquainted with a version of him, in their worlds.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"You will be able to help socialize them."

He argues.

"Probably teaching them social niceties better than I could."

lmfao it's like they're talking about socializing angry cats or something

[easilyflustered]

Liam blinks at him, surprised.

"Me?"

He's not sure about that, but he asks anyway.

"What kind of social nicities?"

this stuff doesn't come naturally to Barma

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Please and thank you. Behaviour other people consider menacing or unsettling."

The things he gets wrong.

"How to let someone know they are of importance. Not-belittling people."

That's because he practically IS a bad-tempered cat. That's why he and Break hate each other~~

[easilyflustered]

Liam stares at him for a moment, wondering he's just imagining that those words are directed at him. For some reason, the idea flusters him.

"I-I can try."

and again, sorry

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"The things I'm ill-equipped to handle."

He explains, simply.

"Jack was managing. I-"

Re: and again, sorry

[easilyflustered]

Liam nods.

"I'll do my best."

He hesitates before adding softly.

"You don't have to manage it all on your own."

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"-taking care of me again, Liam?"

But he smiles.

[easilyflustered]

Liam gives him a well-practiced faux scowl.

"Someone has to."

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Thank you."

He murmurs.

"Drink your tea."

[easilyflustered]

Liam picks it up from where he set it on the bedside table and sips at it, relaxing slightly.

"Perhaps, in addition to meeting the children, I should meet this Gilbertine?"

She'll get him a gun, he's sure, if she's anything like her male counterpart.