What did you put in that joint?

[aquariusgotlife]

Claude is listening to Sheila. Or, at least, he thinks he is. She's speaking, he hears the words, he responds - but whether or not he's really listening is questionable. He watches her move around, rallying the troops as only she can, falling to her knees and slapping the ground. Stepping up beside her, Claude falls, too. Watching Sheila, he

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[jusgimmehair]

... Berger's there - right behind Claude, but. He's sober, right now - his last trip was a bit too much, and he doesn't want to be that sick so soon.

He takes a step, not making any effort to conceal himself (he couldn't if he tried, but), and hesitates.

This is getting crazier by the minute.

*squee!*

[aquariusgotlife]

Claude turns around and pauses a moment, as if making sure that it really is Berger. He pulls Berger into a hug and squeezes a bit - he's not really sure what to say, but.

"What the hell is going on right now?"

[jusgimmehair]

Berger doesn't quite meep, and does hug back - he's actually surprised that he can feel Claude, the news of his death were just a bit ago, and -- yeah, this is surreal. Good. But surreal.

"I'm not really sure, to be honest. Only thin I can tell you --" he frowns, "is you're not hallucinating."

Most likely because I am.

[aquariusgotlife]

That makes Claude pull back.

"What do you mean? We're on a big fucking boat. And this doesn't look the Hudson."

[jusgimmehair]

"Yeah, way too big," he replies with a sort of sigh. "I dunno, I just got here. Sheila'll be happy to see you, I bet." A beat. "And me too." He -- pulls him back into a bear hug, now that the shock is passing.

[aquariusgotlife]

Okay, enough of this. Claude pulls out of the hug and looks at him.

"What's happening? Something's not right."

[jusgimmehair]

You bet something's not right, you're dead! Not that there`s any complaints, but it is unsettling, if --- awesome? Hm. Strange combination, at any rate.

Berger sighs. "Claude, remember what we said about going to Nam?"

[aquariusgotlife]

He raises an eyebrow a little bit.

"Yeah, of course. What does that have to do with anything?"

[jusgimmehair]

... this is complicated to explain. "Let's just say I'm glad you won't be going, alright?"

[aquariusgotlife]

"I'd sort of figured. Afraid I'll get shot and never come back?" Claude teases, but it's a strong reality that he thought about ever since his draft card came. A guy like Claude probably wouldn't last a day in war.

[jusgimmehair]

"You'd be surprised how very real that fear feels, Claude," Berger replies carefully. He coughs, and blurts out, "... we got the letter just before we got here, as far as I know."

And it wasn't pretty, what with Sheila crying all the time and Berger pretty much being stoned out 24/7 in order to forget.

[aquariusgotlife]

It takes a moment for Claude to realize what Berger is saying, and when he does, he feels almost numb. "Oh," he says, barely a whisper.

He died. He feels a slight shiver make it's way through him, and he can't help but reach out to hug Berger. Although the hug is more like a cling - a reassurance to both of them. Because, Claude thinks, maybe he actually is dead and this is how he arrived in Heaven. But when he can hold Berger like this, he's sure he's alive.

[jusgimmehair]

Berger hugs back, hard - he clings too, unabashedly. Now that the initial shock has passed, he feels the joy of seeing Claude again, and more importantly --- feeling him. Because if he can touch him, then he's not really dead, is he? And maybe it was all a bad trip.

[aquariusgotlife]

He pulls out of the hug and gives Berger a kiss. It's nothing more than crushing their lips together before he tangles his fingers in Berger's hair, pressing resting their foreheads together.

"Fuck, let's get high."

[jusgimmehair]

Berger nods, a bit numbly - he never really allowed himself to deal with the grief, what with just drowning it in drugs. "Yeah, let's," he murmurs, a hand moving to touch Claude's cheek, gently. "But first --" he kisses him again, another crush of lips. "Sheila needs to know you're here."

[aquariusgotlife]

Claude thinks about how great it'll be for the three of them to be able to be together all the time now, and the thought makes him grin a little.

"Yeah, she does." He gives Berger a squeeze.