manufactured | INBOX 2.0

[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.]

I...

[...]

I meant it at the time, but ultimately that isn't something I want, and it isn't something I would ever to do you.

[He nods at that. The first part is what he expected, but it's still difficult to hear.]

I know you wouldn't. I'm sorry that it was something you did feel there. It... isn't something I want you to go back to, but I understand how important this is. So I'll be with you every step of the way, and I'll watch your back. We'll get in and out of there as quickly as possible and then return home, and we can spend as much time as we'd like here.

Of course.

[He's quiet, though.]

I promise nothing will happen to me. It might be difficult, but I'll be all right.

I know you will be.

[Despite everything that happened up there, it's confident.]

I'll always do whatever I can to help, of course.

[Just...let him play with your hair a little, all right.]

You know you're doing enough for me, don't you?

[He leans into it immediately, of course.]

I do. I know just being here helps you tremendously, so I'm more than happy to do that! I always want to do everything I can for you, after all!

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