Conversation with Wesley

[bestbeloved]

It just seems like an evening of unavoidable Sorceror-related irritation so he might as well end it right by talking to Wesley. Or so Daniel tells himself. After all, he had spoken to Keelia and there had been no casualties

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[wesley_w_price]

It took several tries to actually get to the door from the car. A few more raising his hand and letting it fall and raising it again before he could actually knock.

Fixing...trying to fix...able to see him again...

It was too important to fuck up. Say the right things. The true things. No threat here.

He just wants his friend back.

With a sigh, Wes finally knocks.

[bestbeloved]

Daniel looks down at the worn leather of the chair he's perched on and gestures at the door with his hand. It swings open.

"Come in."

He's not sure why he's still wearing a black trenchcoat. Or why he's wearing all black. He could use some color.

And why he's thinking this now...well...heh. Anybody's guess really.

[wesley_w_price]

Impressive.

Wes steps in cautiously, looking at Daniel.

"Hi."

[bestbeloved]

Daniel looks up a little and looks at the other man for a few seconds.

"Hey," he says somewhat gruffly before climbing off the chair and sitting down on it properly.

[wesley_w_price]

Wes fidgets, just inside the doorway. He sucks at this. He'll say the wrong thing.

He'll never ever make things right.

"I'm sorry."

[bestbeloved]

Daniel regards Wesley with an imperious frown.

Two words is hardly an adequate start but one must be patient.

The thought that he's behaving a lot more like his grandfather than anyone else vaguely troubles him. Vaguely.

"Because?"

[wesley_w_price]

Wes arches one eyebrow at the frown and the tone, half-amused.

Then he remembers what's riding on this talk. I'm sorry was more than most people ever got, but Daniel didn't know how it worked.

He sighs, says sincerely. "Because my actions hurt you. That was never my intent."

[bestbeloved]

You plan on an encore performance or no? Daniel asks silently before thinking better of it.

He shakes his head. "That was rude." He's not apologizing but it was rude.

"Why are you apologizing now? Why not sooner? Why apologize? Just to speak to Soren?"

[wesley_w_price]

No.

Wes holds his eyes, leans against the wall.

"I was staying away, as I thought was requested. I didn't want to...upset you further. And then you were gone and unavailable."

Softer, looking down then back up at Daniel. "I miss him. My friend. Things...there were things lately. The last few weeks. Months. And I needed him. Just to talk. But I didn't, because I didn't want to upset you. Julien was there. He listened. But it wasn't..."

He shrugs slightly. "And now there's a boy. And he needs help. And I don't know what to do, how to guide him. He's ours. One of us. But we can't be working at cross purposes. He's too fragile for that."

[bestbeloved]

Hrmph. Daniel shrugs.

"What does talking entail? What assurances do I have that you won't...what's the work...ah...yes...fuck up again."

Reclines in his chair and drums his hands on the arms before continuing.

"I'm not sure that I care all that much. I seem to recall needing help and various people still doing as they pleased regardless not so very long ago, Wesley."

[wesley_w_price]

Wesley shrugs as well. "What assurances can I give? I'm in a very different place now. I have something incredibly special with Methos. I love him more than...more than I thought it was possible to love."

A smile, slightly self-deprecating. "I never meant to hurt you. I was hurting and selfish and didn't think. But I know now...what he means to you. How it feels...And I wouldn't do that to you again."

There's a flash of anger at the last bit. "Perhaps you don't care. Perhaps your friends didn't help you. I had nothing to do with that, nor did the boy. I never took Soren away from you, Daniel. Never tried to. And the boy..."

There might be a touch of disgust in his eyes looking at Daniel, and a touch of disappointment. "I thought you were someone who did care about others. Others who have done you no harm. Who need help. Perhaps I was wrong about that, but it's not the issue."

[bestbeloved]

"This is new? Very well."

"Yes, well, when one starts schtupping one's significant other, one tends to hurt the feelings of one...er....probably should have used pronouns. Annyway, the point is once burnt, twice shy.

And I want assurances." Smirks as he starts a fire going in the fireplace.

"Quid pro quo, Clarice."

Daniel looks slightly ashamed at his lack of pity for the newest Sorceror on the block but he shrugs. "Forgive me if I don't weep and repent my foolish ways right here and right now. I'm sure I wish this new boy well.

He glances over at Wesley. "The issue is whether or not you and Soren think I'm stupid enough to allow you two to converse again."

[wesley_w_price]

"The sarcasm and petulance doesn't suit you, Daniel," Wes says dryly.

"Neither does attempting to show off." A smirk of his own and the fire goes out completely, then flares up brighter.

"I've already said I wouldn't fuck your boyfriend again. I'll even use the magic words and say I promise not to fuck your boyfriend again. But what I think of your intelligence is not the issue. The fact that you choose to use the word allow when speaking of someone you claim to love is. Especially on an issue of dictating who he can and cannot speak to. You are not his keeper. I've stayed away from my friend to give you time to feel more secure, as a courtesy. It's been nearly six months. That's quite enough time for an indiscretion or two."

He tilts his head, studying the younger man. "He's had other lovers. Has other lovers. I was never that. It was just sex. A way to comfort me when I was hurting and get me to open up. But we weren't lovers. I was never a threat to your relationship. But you saw me as one, more it seems than the

[bestbeloved]

"And they suit you?"

Daniel shrugs. "I was simply lighting the fireplace."

"Or three or four or however many it might have been before either one of you bothered to care. Your friend fucks up quite a bit with or without your help. Lately he's been doing well without you."

Daniel chuckles and shakes his head. The fire goes out and it won't be coming back again today.

"Are you simple? He fucked you. He said he wouldn't dick around with anyone besides people that really mattered. And maybe you didn't. Maybe you did.

Do you really think after six months, I'm simple enough to believe you're sorry? Do you think I'm doing this for you?

I'm agreeing to let you talk to him because I have to trust him. Trusting you might never happen again. Which one might considered to be a shame."

[wesley_w_price]

Wes listens then dismisses most. He's not going to argue semantics of attitude with the boy.

"I've never been accused of simpleness, no. So the threat that I pose is that I matter to him?"

Interesting, but not something to pursue right now, nor be distracted by.

His voice softens, gentles. "He matters to me, obviously, or we wouldn't be having this conversation. But not in the way you need worry about. I am sorry, Daniel. I have been since I found out you were hurt. I understand I have to earn your trust back, and that I may never be able to do so. But I couldn't even attempt it if you didn't give me the chance to prove I can be trusted."

He tries not to smile too brightly at the flash of relief at Daniel's words. "You won't regret it. I promise you that."

[bestbeloved]

"The threat that you pose is someday you could matter to him.

Yes well, considering the smug expression on your face, I can't imagine you'll be doing much besides gloating. And talking to him more than I get to. And flirting more than I think appropriate. Forgiveness has to be earned and I'm not stupid enough to think you give a shit."

Daniel focuses on the frames on top of the fireplace's mantle and breaks each and every one of them. "Oh yes. Because I've never heard that lie before."