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[It's the eighteenth, which means it's Wesker's birthday. Ever since running across that thing up in Magatus, they've been holed up at home. It's not like that ever bothers Jaeger; he has competent employees who can run things in his absence and he does enjoy spending time with his husband, after all. Wesker seems to be doing all right, even though he's quieter and obviously still working through things. That's perfectly fine, because it's given him time to take care of a few things he's been working on.

Oh, and it also gave him enough time to order and get a cake delivered.

He's actually up early this morning, and you'll find him in the kitchen putting away the last of the groceries - though you'll probably notice the small, wrapped box and the cake before Jaeger's even realized you're here.]

Edited 2019-03-18 16:23 (UTC)

[Oh. Well, he certainly wasn't expecting Jaeger to be up early, seeing as he doesn't have to be, but he isn't precisely going to complain about it, either; it's just different, and when Wesker makes his way downstairs he's dressed and presentable, as usual.

The sound of someone in the kitchen is easy enough to follow, and he does notice the box and the cake, though for a good while he can't figure out why they're there; to his knowledge it's not exactly an occasion, and it takes him a moment to remember that right, it sort of is, isn't it.]

...I see you've been up for a while.

Ja, I have— Oh!

[Well, it's a bit too late, you've already seen both of them, so he laughs it off.]

Happy birthday, Albert! I figured you'd want to stay in today, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to celebrate a bit! Don't worry, we'll get into the cake later.

[It is a bit too early for sweets, even for him.]

You're welcome to open the present now, though!

You didn't have to get me anything, you know.

[He'll approach, though he isn't picking it up quite yet.]

I do appreciate the lack of cake this early, however.

I figured you would!

[As for the present...]

I know, but I really do think it's important! It's nothing big though, don't worry.

If you say so.

[...He's one of those people that's kind of picky about unwrapping things and therefore takes forever, but he'll open it. Eventually. What...is this...]

[That's fine, at least the wrapping job is nice so you should be able to get it open fairly easily.

Inside you'll find a box! And inside the box is another one of those puzzles - this one is definitely not Excalibur-tier hard, he actually did his damn research to make sure it wouldn't be that frustrating. It's definitely one you don't have, he double-checked!!]

Happy birthday! I figured you might enjoy something new to work on for awhile, ja?

[Oh!]

...It's appreciated, Jaeger.

[...We are all aware of how much he wants to disappear into the study and start messing with it, like, immediately, aren't we...]

[He's trying really hard not to laugh, okay.]

Go on ahead, let me put the cake away and I'll join you!

...All right.

[Yeah, he's going to be looking it over immediately and starting to mess with it a bit by the time you come in, so don't worry, he definitely likes it.]

[Good! He'll come join you as soon as he's done, taking his usual seat.]

I take it I picked a good one?

[you're so cute when you're so focused...]

You did, yes.

[He is not cute.]

I assume your morning has been good?

[you're very cute.]

It has, yes! I hope I didn't wake you!

Not at all.

[He'll go quiet then, just...tinkering with this thing and trying to sort out what he's supposed to do with it; it isn't a bad sort of quiet at all, though.]

[That's perfectly fine, he figured that'd be how this would go. He doesn't mind at all though, and even though he usually can't stand the quiet, it's sort of nice. He'll watch Wesker work on it for awhile before speaking up.]

How are you feeling today?

[He figures Wesker's doing fine, but it's always good to check.]

Well enough.

[He does seem it, too, though he keeps his attention on the puzzle as he speaks; there's a bit of a pause, but...]

People were discussing those things we found out in Magatus on the network.

Ah, were they...?

[That... He's not sure what to make of that, honestly.]

Did they find anything?

At least one of them thinks there's some value in going back and dismantling it.

[You know. The...thing. The not-Uroboros thing.]

...I may accompany them. Strictly to do what needs to be done, nothing else. If anything happens to them, it's on them to sort out what to do about it.

I would want you to come with me, of course, should this be done.

[Jaeger's quiet for a moment while he considers that. If no one's taken it out yet, then...]

Of course, I wouldn't dream of staying behind.

...You're sure about this?

[He knows Wesker wouldn't even bring it up if he wasn't, but of course he's going to double check.]

Yes.

[There isn't any hesitation behind it, though he still isn't looking at Jaeger.]

It should be easier now that I know what to expect.

Okay. We'll go.

But as soon as we're done, I'd like to head back here. We can stay here and not worry about anything else for awhile.

[He reaches out after a moment to rest a hand on Wesker's arm - not to be distracting or to try to get him to stop, but just to establish the contact.

He can't say it'll be okay, because he doesn't know that. But he will always be right here, no matter what.]

[He's quiet at that, continuing to fuss with the puzzle in his hands while he tries to sort out what he wants to say; after a moment he'll lower it and set it aside, though he isn't trying to shrug off Jaeger's touch any.]

Are you going to be all right...? I know that it was difficult last time.

[Jaeger nods at that.]

It was, yes. But I know what to expect now, and I'll be careful. I'll be okay.

[He's much more worried about his husband, honestly...]

I'll be right there beside you the entire time.

I know you will.

[...]

I said things to you that I shouldn't have. It won't happen again.

It's okay, Albert. That place was doing all sorts of terrible things to our heads, and I know you didn't mean it.

[...he does firmly believe that, but he still needs the confirmation anyway.]

3/18

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