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[timedrive]

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[timedrive]

[ This is good, then. Rip thinks it's good. Carter has settled against him, and he is heavy (but the man's an immortal hawk warrior-- he shouldn't be surprised at all), but he can make this easy sacrifice without worry. Carter's lost far more, he imagines; he doesn't know what it's like to lose a real soulmate, but he does remember watching Miranda and Jonas die so much he'd stopped feeling horrified by seeing them gunned down.

Head turning, his lips brush Carter's hair. Rip's tone's softer, his voice a register lower. ] What made you drink so much? [ As if he doesn't do the same, often. As if his own problem isn't as bad, if not worse. ]

[unbonded]

[ He inhales as Rip kisses his head, but it's shaky. 206 - no, 207 now, isn't it? 207 deaths. Some of these lifetimes are longer than others, and all of them are tragic. ]

Sad. Lonely, I guess. I think a lot. [ How can he not? He huffs a laugh, bitter. ] She didn't even want me, really, you know. This makes... 207 times.

[timedrive]

[ Rip exhales slowly. Two hundred and seven. Are Carter and Kendra's incarnations programmed to remember how many times exactly? (It'd be worse if they weren't.) ]

She didn't remember who she was yet. [ And now you're married to me. The thought of saying yes out of guilt for Carter's grief had made little sense then, but he hadn't thought it to be particularly harmful, either.

Now he wonders. Two hundred seven times. ]

When we kill Savage, you and Ms. Saunders-- or whoever you two become in your next lives-- will be able to grow old together, you know. Finally.

And we will. I know we will.

[ He doesn't. The Legends are a last ditch effort, because Rip stopped believing in himself ages ago.

But it sounds like the right thing to say. ]

[unbonded]

I know. [ Carter huffs a tiny laugh. ] She thought I was a douche.

[ He tucks his head more comfortably into Rip's neck, nose against his pulse. ] I wonder if that'll end the cycle. If we finally get to live out our lives... I guess we'll find out, huh. Next life.

[ There's something strange and awful and matter of fact about how he says it, the knowledge he might lose her a 208th time. ]

[timedrive]

Even if it doesn't end the cycle, at least you'll both get to die in peace instead of in violence.

[ Rip's fingers drift down the curve of Carter's skull, down to stroke his back and soothe him. The other arm stays firm around his body, careful. ]

We'll stop him. I promise you.

[unbonded]

Mm.

[ He makes a noise, soft and... content, almost. ] We sure will. I'm so fucking ready, okay? I know our friends are kind of screwing around but I can't wait to kill this guy and get your family back. I'm here to end this.

[timedrive]

[ And that's how Rip knows the marriage wasn't anything serious. Carter isn't over his soulmate, believes that Rip's going to get his family back-- this is, in the end, just a strange coping mechanism, and for that reason he decides it isn't too bad a charade to continue. ]

Thank you, Mr. Ha-- Carter. [ Is he correcting his last name or referring to him by his first? Rip settles a bit more into his seat, slouching, and takes Carter down with him. ]

I wouldn't be able to do this without you.

[unbonded]

... No?

[ He sounds like this is a novel sort of idea, that he's useful, and he re-settles when Rip slouches, heavy against his chest. ] What do you mean?

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Who would I be without my husband?

[ Rip isn't good at jokes. He clears his throat. ]

...you called them your friends, said you'd fight with such conviction. You've a heart that I don't, and a determination that I don't.

That's something every team needs.

[unbonded]

[ Rip isn't good at jokes, but Carter laughs, anyway, a proper one that shakes his shoulders and were he not so comfortable, he would've tipped his head back, grinning and full and easy.

As it is, he settles, grinning into Rip's shoulder. ] Well. Thanks. You definitely needed one more idiot with more determination than sense, huh? [ He loves their friends, but he also knows they're... well.

A moment later, still amused:] I can't believe you let me marry you. That's ridiculous.

[timedrive]

It's a little bit ridiculous. [ Rip concedes this point easily. He feels Carter smile against his shoulder, and coupled with the sound of his laughter, figures this a good instance. ] But I could marry worse people.

A younger me had dreams of marrying legendary warriors... albeit for more nefarious purposes. [ Something like assassinating world leaders, putting a city under his own rule... ] Now I'm old and just glad you're kind as much as you're incredibly handsome.

[unbonded]

[ Carter laughs again, pulling back to look at Rip with his eyebrows raised. He's not shy, which is a benefit on multiple levels, including here where he's blunt and bold.

There's a faded mark in the crook of his shoulder. ]

I could say the same about you. You're a pretty good husband, all things considered. Thanks for indulging my dumb ideas.

[timedrive]

I'm an incredible husband. [ Rip sounds mildly offended that there's the possibility he might not be. ] I was going to bring you cereal and everything.

...still. If there's anything you need, anything at all, tell me.

[unbonded]

[ Carter's grinning at him. ] Not many husbands would be willing to bring a drunk one cereal at whatever stupid time it is. You're pretty great. ... What kind of cereal, though, too?

[ He purses his lips in thought. ] ... The affection's pretty nice, though. I don't know if you need it as much as I do, but... more of this, I'd like that.

[timedrive]

[ Both his hands slip down, arms wrapping around Carter's waist and settling. ] I can give more of this.

And I can give you Post Honeycomb sweet crisp corn cereal. But you'll have to get off so I can have Gideon fabricate some milk.

[unbonded]

[ Carter grins at him. His entire face lights up when he does, and it's a good look on him. ] Thanks. On... both counts.

[ He slides out of Rip's lap, a little less clumsy now that he's beginning to sober up. ] That's one of my favorite cereals. Fun fact.

[timedrive]

Well, this one's from the 60's. [ He gets to his feet, pretends there isn't a weird creak in his knees (God, he's getting old), and moves over to the fabricator. ] Tastes much better, if you'll ask me. You can check the box there on the table.

[ He taps the quick commands for a glass bottle of milk, then goes to get a bowl and spoon. ]

And this is milk based off Philippine carabao milk. Makes for good ice cream, this.

[unbonded]

Oh, word. [ Carter, who is in a thermal shirt that hugs his shoulders and loose sweatpants (with no underwear, for whatever reason he's come up with - is that just his deal?) picks up the box to examine it, then pours a handful of pieces into his palm and munches away at them. ]

That's really good, [ he also talks with his mouth full, because he's rude, and he wanders over to look at the milk as if that'll give him any information. ] That's fucking wild. You can just make whatever you want? I mean... Gideon made me White Claws, so... yeah I guess so, huh?

[timedrive]

That is... essentially the point of a fabricator on a time ship, yeah.

[ He fills a bowl with cereal, pours the milk in, and then offers it Carter's way. ]

Helpful, isn't it?

[unbonded]

Sure is. [ Carter plops himself down on a stool, catching the bowl in one giant palm as it slides towards him. ] What other cool stuff do you have around here, anyway?

[timedrive]

[ Rip shrugs, moving to fabricate himself a thermos of tea. ] Stuff that you aren't allowed to touch, mostly. [ This is delivered in perfect deadpan as he pops the thermos open. ]

Though maybe you'd find something interesting in the library, given your thousands of years of life. [ He takes a thoughtful sip, head cocking to the side. ] I don't know.

[unbonded]

[ Carter nods solemnly. ] That's fair.

[ ... Well, it is. He smiles, sheepish, munching at his cereal. ] Probably. But reading's hard for me. So I don't really, uh... I get frustrated.

[timedrive]

[ Rip doesn't look too fazed by it. ] Gideon's got read-aloud functions for whatever you need to look up.

We're in a ship of the future, mate.

[unbonded]

[ He brightens up at the prospect. Of having access to things he might want to know about without having to muddle his way through pages and pages of written word. Khufu didn't have to read fucking English. ] That... yeah, I think I'm gonna have to look into that.

[timedrive]

Mm. [ Rip waves the hand with the thermos in it, head shaking slightly. ] Just don't feel upset that I've blocked everything past 2016 for you.

Everything else is yours to explore. The timeline just can't have you meddling with the course of your own future.