Raylan had met a good number of people on board, all colorful characters - Tim Stoker, Jacobi, Sweeney, Steve - all folks who understood that rule, regardless of if they chose to break it or not, but James was the only one he felt really understood the root place of toxic masculinity that did nothing but damage the people that had to withstand it. Sure, it got shit done, but there were other options. He'd spent his life trying to walk that line, keeping the demand of respect without tearing down everything around him. He'd managed to mostly spare everyone else, but it meant he fell self-victim to the engrained culture.
There was a respect being given to how shitty it was. He hadn't realized that respect was lacking from some others before until hearing it now.
He looks over again as James talks about something sticking with him, unable to stop the warm tug of his lips as he continues. The voice of punishing self-loathing in the back of his head was quick to point out that maybe Tim did have a reason to be concerned but- Raylan wouldn't have any need for companionship if Tim hadn't left. What was so wrong in taking the offered comfort that they both wanted and needed? What was so wrong with just being comfortable in their own skin for a few fucking minutes.
The glass was slid over and Raylan shifted in his seat a little to pour James another two fingers.
"Watch out, with talk like that, you might never get rid of me," he threatens playfully as he tops off his cup, eyes crinkling around the edges as he sits back in his chair. The smile stayed, even as teasing nature fell a little back into the soft seriousness of Raylan daring to continue on this two way street of opening up.
"I've been alone a lot and for a long time. And somehow it's. Sharper here. Heavier with no place to run from it. I imagine that's worse in Zero." Flint deserved the visit there, but he didn't deserve to be isolated. Tantamount to torture. He shook his head a little. "I don't wanna be alone. Least not tonight. No need at all for you sleepin' anywhere else either. Floor is uncomfortable as hell an' I know that from experience.." His lips curled a little again.
"Might be weird if brothers shared a bed though an' where I from, incest gets a lotta actual action. Better if we avoid 'brothers'. Hope you know this means that this road works both ways then.. You could use some lookin' out for. That glimmer you mention could use some encouagin' too."
In for a penny, in for a pound, right? He knew in his gut that James wasn't a bad guy. Capable of bad things, yes, just like Raylan was, but full of good intent. Good intentions might pave the road to hell, but they were on a barge meant for it.
no subject
There was a respect being given to how shitty it was. He hadn't realized that respect was lacking from some others before until hearing it now.
He looks over again as James talks about something sticking with him, unable to stop the warm tug of his lips as he continues. The voice of punishing self-loathing in the back of his head was quick to point out that maybe Tim did have a reason to be concerned but- Raylan wouldn't have any need for companionship if Tim hadn't left. What was so wrong in taking the offered comfort that they both wanted and needed? What was so wrong with just being comfortable in their own skin for a few fucking minutes.
The glass was slid over and Raylan shifted in his seat a little to pour James another two fingers.
"Watch out, with talk like that, you might never get rid of me," he threatens playfully as he tops off his cup, eyes crinkling around the edges as he sits back in his chair. The smile stayed, even as teasing nature fell a little back into the soft seriousness of Raylan daring to continue on this two way street of opening up.
"I've been alone a lot and for a long time. And somehow it's. Sharper here. Heavier with no place to run from it. I imagine that's worse in Zero." Flint deserved the visit there, but he didn't deserve to be isolated. Tantamount to torture. He shook his head a little. "I don't wanna be alone. Least not tonight. No need at all for you sleepin' anywhere else either. Floor is uncomfortable as hell an' I know that from experience.." His lips curled a little again.
"Might be weird if brothers shared a bed though an' where I from, incest gets a lotta actual action. Better if we avoid 'brothers'. Hope you know this means that this road works both ways then.. You could use some lookin' out for. That glimmer you mention could use some encouagin' too."
In for a penny, in for a pound, right? He knew in his gut that James wasn't a bad guy. Capable of bad things, yes, just like Raylan was, but full of good intent. Good intentions might pave the road to hell, but they were on a barge meant for it.