canon is "the riches"

[mallarkey]

You are not ready for this. You aren't even near ready for this. You've still got a list as long as your arm of things that need to happen before you can afford to start worrying about me, so why are you--

Yes, nice to know you do have a plan. "X" might mark the spot, but it doesn't narrow things down much these days. Popular letter. But that's okay. I am okay with that. I've got more than enough commitments to worry about already without adding on any others. The last thing I... Look, even better idea: forget about it entirely. How about that? Just close the relevant windows and we'll be on our way.

Shit.

Comments

[ennuis]

Just the cards life's dealing out. Me? Never gonna make that mistake.

[BECAUSE HE'S DEAAAAAD]

No offense.

[mallarkey]

None taken. Kids aren't for everyone.

[ Conclusions jumped to. ]

Unless you mean going somewhere. In which case, not a mistake, because it's not my choice.

[ennuis]

I did mean the kids. Like you said - just not for me, you know?

[But that's life. Or death. ok ill shut up]

Gotta say, I think I'd rather get shipped off somewhere than just stay... nowhere.

[mallarkey]

Yeah. Everything's more difficult when you got kids. And I say that as someone who loves his very much.

[ Don't get him wrong. ]

Well-- "nowhere" being "home." Right? I happen to like home. At least more than any alternatives.

[ennuis]

See - not all of us get a home. So you can say I'm biased that way.

[mallarkey]

Oh. That's-- [ Familiar. ] ...Tough. I remember what that's like. Always better belonging somewhere than not.

[ennuis]

[With a sigh,] Yep. Not that I'd like to be tied down, nothing like that. [Pause. His eyes narrow for a moment of thought.] Guess it'd be kinda hard to find a balance somewhere in there.

[mallarkey]

Just because you have a home -- or find one -- doesn't mean you need to stay there. Freedom is a very good thing. Hard to get excited about a functional prison.

[ennuis]

Who knows? You might get more freedom there than you're expecting. No kids, no bills, no responsibilities... An extended vacation, why not.

[mallarkey]

I actually like my kids and my responsibilities. [ Pause. ] Some of them. My family just came back together again -- they need me there. You know?

[ Rather, he needs them. ]

[ennuis]

[He concedes the point, tilting his head briefly with arched brows.]

Suit yourself. Just trying to find a bright side to this whole deal.

[mallarkey]

No, it's all right. I'm just-- you know, the stress. [ Shakes his head. Sighing, look-he-can-try-to-be-optimistic-too: ] Maybe I'll at least get lucky enough to have friendly folks like you around. And I won't have to deal with my brother-in-law.

[ennuis]

[Friendly is right. Until he gets a craving for some raw meat.

Ahem.]

Now there's a story I wanna hear.

[mallarkey]

Well, you know how in-laws can be. Annoying, stupid, a little bit psychotic...

[ennuis]

Can't say I do! By the looks of it, it ain't something I should be looking forward to getting, either. How does your good ol' wife handle him?

[mallarkey]

If you do, just be careful. I love my wife, but her family-- I'm always a little afraid to leave them alone together. He's actually her cousin, not her brother, but he and I-- well, it's complicated. [ When ur adopted by your wife's uncle... weird. ] Ignores him, mostly. It's me he has the problem with.

[ennuis]

He don't think you're good enough for his cousin?

[mallarkey]

Uh-- yeah. Just another one of those jealous neanderthals no one should have to deal with. I'm sure you've known one or two in your time. And if so, very sorry.

[ennuis]

Sounds like more people gotta deal with those more than they deserve. You got my sympathy.

[mallarkey]

Oh, don't need it. It's fine. Everyone has somethin', you gotta enjoy when it's something you can at least catch a break from.