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[hottestrogue]

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[chillestrogue]

[That sound that comes from Mick might be the worst thing Len's ever heard from his partner. He hugs him back just as hard, sitting on the ground with him, letting Mick cry himself out.

When Mick pulls back, he does too, eyes a little glassy but managing to keep it together.]

You're going to be okay.

[hottestrogue]

[ Mick nods. He opens his mouth to say something but instead just licks his lips. Then he leans in to kiss Len again before pulling back just enough to speak. ]

This your way of saying goodbye?

[ It sounds an awful lot like it and he wants to know how much time he has left with his partner. ]

[chillestrogue]

[He gives a little laugh that sounds like it got halfway stuck in his throat]

Is it that obvious?

Figure a few more weeks, maybe a month.

[hottestrogue]

[ Mick nods. ]
You wouldn't kiss me like that. Or be so worried about me being fine if it wasn't.

Does Summers know? Or Shiro?

[ He reaches up to let his fingers trail over Len's chin, not wanting to waste time now that it is confirmed. ]

[chillestrogue]

[He nods a little, in deference to Mick's knowing him so well]

About leaving, or about us?

[hottestrogue]

[ Mick chuckles. If they hadn't figured out about him and Len yet then they hadn't been paying attention. ]

About leaving.

But have you told them about us?

[chillestrogue]

Summers is expecting it, but I haven't given him a timeline just yet. I'm headed to his world for a while. Gonna show his enemies what it's like to try to pick on kids.

And Shiro...No. But she's doing okay. I've been keeping an eye on her and she's ready.

[hottestrogue]

Any chance I can convince you to stay in his world? I'll take care of Lisa and you'll have him there to keep you company.

[ But he knows what the answer is. Len's deadset on this being a martyr thing. ]

[chillestrogue]

I'll stay in his world. After I complete my timeline in ours.

Means you need to think of a new request when you graduate your inmate.

[hottestrogue]

[ Mick smiles slightly, shrugging. ]

Maybe I'll do something nice for Lisa.

[ He can't really think of anything he wants besides Len right now. ]

[chillestrogue]

I think she'd like that.

[He sighs, contented and yet not, feeling that pull in two different directions as he relaxes in Mick's hug]

Worst case, I can get Iris on the horn and ask for a pick-up at any point.

[hottestrogue]

You think she'd do that? I thought you and her were... well not the best of friends.

I'll make sure Lisa is taken care of.

[chillestrogue]

If we aren't, it's my fault and I need to go make it up to her. Maybe admit I'm a little emotionally constipated.

[Len knew that was going to be the case regardless, but even so, hearing Mick acknowledge that he'd look after his baby sister has him breathing out in relief]

She's going to hate you for a little while. Just let her alone until she comes back.

[hottestrogue]

For helping her or for letting you die?

[ He knows he'd hate himself for both. ]

Anything you want me to tell her?

[chillestrogue]

For not being me. She's grieving. She'll be okay, but she'll need some time. Don't take whatever she says personally.

Nah. I'll record a message or write her a letter or something.

[hottestrogue]

I won't blame her for hating me for that. She has every right to.

[chillestrogue]

She's got a right to her anger, but it's going to be misdirected on the wrong person. That's the part that's not fair.

[hottestrogue]

I can take it. I've had to deal with angry Snarts before. She can't be worse than you.

[chillestrogue]

I have never been angry in my life.

[hottestrogue]

[ That makes Mick laughs. ]

You've hated me with all your guts, Len. Remember the first time we broke up?

[ Mick had fucked up that time, gotten drunk and done a careless mistake that had landed him in jail for a few months. Len had been there when he got out though, everything past them. ]

[chillestrogue]

I remember being a tad annoyed when you didn't listen to my instructions.

[hottestrogue]

A tad annoyed? You didn't talk to me the whole time I was locked up

[chillestrogue]

[o.m.g.]

Because you didn't listen to me! Why should I have listened to you?

[hottestrogue]

[ Mick chuckles. ]

I have handled that for thirty years Len, I think I can handle your sister

[chillestrogue]

[ugh. ugh. He whaps Mick, childishly, on the arm]

We're not like housecats.