Blenner's Apartment, Sunday Morning [6/3]

[noapte_denoapte]

Accepting defeat had never really been Vlad's forte. So, here he was, giving that omelet thing another try.

He was very good at the chopping parts, at least...

[For Walter. And NFB on the off chance of IBS.]

Comments

[noapte_denoapte]

Vlad took the unrepentantly modded cigarette from Walter's hand and touched it's tip to that of the one in his mouth.

Once it was lit, he smiled and held it out to Walter.

"Would that interest you?" he asked, "Taking charge of parts of our homes?"

[walter_n_wires]

"It's what I do," Walter pointed out and took back his cigarette, totally not having missed "our" homes. "Of course it interests me.

[noapte_denoapte]

Vlad nodded.

"That... would please me," he said finally.

[walter_n_wires]

"Good." It seemed that Walter quite often did the opposite of pleasing him these days, he was happy to have the opportunity to make even modest amends.

"It will give me an opportunity to learn about our homes." See, he could use the word, too.

[noapte_denoapte]

Blenner noted Walter's using 'our'. He closed his eyes at the wave of pleasure that it brought him.

"I have certain documents," he said quietly "If I had them altered to include your name, it would make matters simpler. Would you be amenable?"

Take a drag. Exhale.

[walter_n_wires]

Walter's pulse sped for a moment before he told himself that Vlad meant something like a power of attorney. No need to think foolish thoughts.

"Of course. Which sorts of documents would they be?"

[noapte_denoapte]

"Titles, deeds, that sort of thing. I suppose I could have Ruthven draft you up a sort of contract granting you the kind of access you would require."

[walter_n_wires]

Titles. Deeds. His name on them....

Walter swallowed and turned to face Vlad. "Are you sure?"

[noapte_denoapte]

Vlad nodded.

"I'm sure. If you consent, nothing would make me happier."

[walter_n_wires]

Walter bought a moment to think with a drag on his cigarette. "Won't there be a problem with the fact that I'm... already dead there?"

[noapte_denoapte]

"You'll be more alive then I," replied Vlad, "And, I have talented lawyers."

So, this was what it was like when you didn't have ambassadors and courtiers as gobetweens. It was... there weren't words, really.

[walter_n_wires]

On deeds and titles and legal and they might as well be...

His mind shied away from the M-word.

Shied and then sort of danced around it, prodding at it to see if it would explode or implode or just make the world different or just sit there like a mushroom.

"Alright. We have quite a long time ahead of us. It will simplify things at the very least."

[noapte_denoapte]

Vlad nodded.

"At the very least," he said quietly. He exhaled and watched the cloud of smoke rise up to his ceiling.

He wasn't quite sure what to do next. He didn't want Walter to feel pressured into pleasing him. That would make the entire gesture meaningless. Had he made the offer too soon? It had seemed natural, with the flow of conversation.

Should he rescind the offer? He didn't want to. Walter had said that he'd leave with Vlad at the end of two years. Which implied building a life together. So, this was a logical step, and Vlad wanted to do it. He hadn't lied when he said it would make him happy.

But, what did Walter want? Ah, the eternal question.

Vlad took another drag from his cigarette and continued to stare at nothing.

[walter_n_wires]

Walter had realized as soon as the words had left his mouth that they hardly matched the way he'd reacted to the offer, and Vlad's reaction drove that home.

He should say something else or do something else.

But what?

"Vlad...." He took a drag on his cigarette and blew a stream of smoke toward the ceiling. "I...." Haven't a bloody clue what to say. "Thank you."

[noapte_denoapte]

Vlad looked over at Walter. The corner of his mouth quirked upwards.

"That's my line."

[walter_n_wires]

Walter favored him with a cocky smile, then, and took another drag off his cigarette before setting it back in the ashtray. "Then you'll just have to share."