prettycoolguy | Legion Inbox

No you didn't.

[It's immediate, calm, and also a fact.]

It was the time travel bullshit that was going around. I- the version of me that you talked to, I guess- was from a few years into the past, and...those were really bad years. I honestly thought someone was calling me pretending to be you, because why would the Master Chief of all people give a shit about me?

I mean, I know that's not the case now, but... [Have a long-suffering sigh.] Time travel.

So. I'm sorry.

[ The Chief exhales, the closest he really gets to involuntary expressions of relief. He was sure he'd messed something up, possibly while affected by the time instability himself. His memories from that are still coming back together. ]

It's fine.

[ It really is. And while he would've insisted it were fine the other way too, would've retreated until he could make it right (or indefinitely if he couldn't), this is definitely the better "fine" of the two. ]

I just worried.

Thanks.

[He's been here for months and he's still getting used to the idea of people- not worrying about him, but actually telling him they worry about him. The Reds and Blues generally don't bring it up - everyone in Blue base will have heard him screaming himself awake last night, but breakfast conversation that morning will be a debate as to whether pancakes still count as pancakes if you put other foods in them. As long as you don't bring it up, it's fine.]

[Bur here Chief is, noticing when Wash isn't fine and trying to do something about it. That's usually Wash's job, and it still throws him when other people do it to him. That it's Chief trying to help-]

[He can feel heat rising in his cheeks, and he swallows hard. Nope. None of that. Thank God this is audio only.]

You know my being mad about things isn't your fault, right?

I do now.

[ But before? Before it had been a possibility. ]

I was...

[ This is super weird to talk about, it sounds fake even saying it. ]

...Fifteen, for a while there.

[ How embarrassing. A lot of things could've gone wrong. He wasn't the friendliest or most tactful kid and oh boy does he know. Wash isn't the only one who had some awkward time ripple experiences.

He's glad that wasn't the case, though. It felt pretty terrible to think he'd somehow hurt his friend and couldn't even remember why. He likes having Wash in his life. Yes, he could adjust to doing without, but he's found he really doesn't want to. ]

Yeah, but I mean in general. If I'm mad at you, either you'll know it because we'll have just had a fight, or I'll tell you. Other than that, it's probably something else. I tend to get mad a lot.

[It's self-effacing and far more self-aware than Wash usually lets on. He knows he has a temper, and that anger is easier than most other negative emotions, but the point where he starts to inadvertently hurt Chief - who doesn't really have the finer points of social situations ironed out yet - is the point where he needs to retool his self-control and figure out a different way to deal with things.]

[But in the meantime...fifteen again. Yikes.]

Sounds like fun.

[So. Completely. Deadpan.]

...Thank you.

[ Perhaps that's a weird thing to be reassured by, but he is. It's nice to know if he's overstepped. But back on the other note... ]

Extremely.

[ Equally deadpan. ]

I think I gave Cortana and Taylor heart attacks.

[ Which is impressive, considering one doesn't even have a circulatory system. ]

[He nods.]

[...this is a voice message and Chief can't see him. Right.]

No problem.

Usually I'm all for giving York a heart attack, but those were probably not the best circumstances. What did you do?

Be fifteen. They both jumped on me. Taylor had to pull up his old sergeant credentials, I think Cortana put him up to it.

[ He relates it in an even, unconcerned tone, but Wash knows him well enough to pick up on the fact this is clearly hilarious. The Chief might also be hoping that this is a good subject change, he doesn't want to leave Wash to dwell on bad feelings. ]

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