002; VIDEO

[hatejakku]

[ Finn waves at the video and immediately gets down to business. ]

So, Archie and I have been talking and we’re wanting to get the, uh- Heal Squad? [ He glances off screen then looks back. ] We want to get the Heal Squad together again. Basically, we want it to be a group of imPorts with healing abilities that can get together in case there’s a crisis. So, if you have an ability like that or if you have any medical knowledge at all, we’d be interested in… getting together?

[ He looks off camera again. ] Archie, I have no idea what I’m doing.

[do you think there will be some actual advice, from archie’s end? oh, no. he’s still slightly off camera, and a party horn suddenly blows, hitting finn lightly in the face. archie leans in, still blowing it, big grin on his face.]

That makes two of us, ha! Right, so, some of you might remember when our dearly exPorted Magnus Chase had the idea to gather the imPorts who can actually and are willing to use their healing powers. Be they Porter given or otherwise. Finn an’ I figured that it would probably be an idea to throw that back together, given the constantly rotating nature of this shitshow.

[he gives a big cheesy thumbs up at the camera.] So the plan is the same as before, sound off if you have a power and you’re willing to help, keep this broadcast bookmarked for the names that’ll be noted down that you know you can call if you want ‘em for any reason rather than using the medical services here, and sign a legal document acknowledging none of us are actually doctors! Foggy, that one’s for you!

[ Finn, after jumping and scrubbing at his eyes because of the sudden party horn, now smiles at the camera almost like he’s holding back a laugh. He waves again. ] If there’s any more legal stuff we should look into, feel free to let us know. Thanks, everyone.

Comments

[flightforfreedom]

[ Poe felt his face heat up with a flush. ]

One, because Finn was the one who — the first time we got together he said I had to be all in. And 622...

[ He deflated, a little. ]

He’s never had a relationship before, Arch. He deserves to be able to figure out what he wants, wirhout me steamrolling him intothings he doesn’t. And I can barely manage to keep one person happy.(

[h2no]

No offense, but you've already kinda fucked that one up. That Finn isn't even here anymore! What good is keeping a promise to a man who doesn't even remember he asked you to?

[he makes a face, taking the glass to fiddle with it.]

He's inexperienced, not stupid. I can't imagine he would let you do that, anyway. I've talked to the guy! His will is incredible! [he grunts.] You realise it's not all down to you to keep people happy in a relationship? It's a two-way street?

[flightforfreedom]

[ He tried not to look as hurt as he felt, after the first part, piercing his lips. ]

I didn’t say he was stupid.

I said he needs time to figure out what he wants. And most people don’t want the person they’re seeing to be with other people at the same time. So until he tells me otherwise, I don’t want to do something that might hurt him.

[h2no]

Fine, fair enough.

[he narrows his eyes at poe.]

So what about this all in business?

[flightforfreedom]

[ Poe sighed, rubbed his eyes. ]

It was all that stuff around Owain. Finn - the other Finn - said that the only way we could - well, you know - was if I was all in. Make a choice, stick to it. Odin or him. No veering off course.

So, I promised I’d be all in. And obviously I fucking failed.

[h2no]

Owain is gone. Finn is gone. It's been almost over a year.

[with more hesitation than anything else in this conversation:] Maybe... it's time to let go of that promise and move on. Instead of using it to self-flagellate.

[flightforfreedom]

[ Poe deflated, utterly defeated and not meeting Archie’s eyes. ]

... Yeah.

... He’s gone forever. I know.

Except that he isn’t.

[ He looked back at Archie. ]

If they’re different, then Finn- my Finn - He’s gone. The promise and everything that went wirh it, gone. Erased. Deleted. Whatever you want to call it. Written over.

If he is the same, then I’m- I’m betraying him and he doesn’t even know it. Doesn’t remember making me promise not to.


I don’t know which is worse.

[h2no]

You frame it so negatively. It's like you're trying to move on but holding yourself back and chaining yourself down! You're stuck on this-- it's over. What's so wrong with taking this second chance you've been given?

[he shakes his head.]

I don't see betrayal. I see you behaving in the confines of a dimension that barely exists. As long as you're hung up on this promise, it's going to be a vicious cycle of hating yourself for even having feelings for anyone.

It's hard, Poe. I know it is. But if you could move on and be with 622, then you can move on from that promise.

[flightforfreedom]

[ He felt queasy, and it was a long pause before he replied, his voice too quiet: ]

I’m just tired, Arch.

I wanted something to last, for once.

Wanted someone to outlive me.

[h2no]

I know.

[he sighs.]

But if it's causing you this much pain, it's not worth it.

[flightforfreedom]

[ That earned Archie a look. ]

If I decided not to do things because I got hurt, I’d never do anything.

But you... you’re right. That it’s hurting other people, too. That, I can’t do.

[h2no]

No-one can suffer alone. No matter how hard you try.

[he cocks his head.]

If this promise makes you hurt and makes people around you hurt and it's not even relevant anymore...

[flightforfreedom]

[ He held up a hand. ]

I know. I know, okay?

I’ll let it go.

[ He’d been trying already. ]

[h2no]

[archie closes his eyes lightly for a moment-- he feels some amount of guilt doing this. for the entire conversation. he might've put on a face of having self-righteous anger and desire to help, but he can't help feeling like he's terrible insulting the past finn by doing this, even if he doesn't mean to. it's certainly not out of any desire to have an i told you so over poe, either.

this is awful. it's anxiety-inducing and it's hurting poe so much, especially after what he's been through at home, but he hopes... maybe it'll have something of a good outcome. maybe.

cautiously, archie takes a step towards poe and takes his hand in both of his. gives it a squeeze.]

I'm not doing this because I want something out of it, alright?

[flightforfreedom]

Uh huh, I know the truth. Just an elaborate rouse to finally get to jump my bones.

[ It was a weak joke, and Poe sighed, squeezing Archie’s hands. ]

I know, Arch. I know you’re just looking out for me.

[h2no]

Trying.

[he lets go.]

You know you can smack me if I overstep. I won't hit you back. Despite the fact I am very strong and could OHKO you in one hit.

[flightforfreedom]

Nah.

[ He takes a steadying breath, and there is a few seconds of silence, before Poe moves again and pulls Archie into a warm, right hug. ]

[h2no]

[he doesn't expect that, and it's clear in how awkward and stiff he is for the first few seconds of it.

archie pats poe's back a little awkwardly, before finally relaxing into it.]