1132 - The Last Words Meme

[misterbfc]

The Last Words Meme

Comments

How about the Werewolves Are Slaves 'verse, then.

[werewolf_hacker]

[Fifteen years. They've been with this man for fifteen years. And he's protected them, and even loved them in his own way, and Ben is fiercely, fiercely grateful to him.

And it's horribly upsetting that there's nothing they can do.]

works for me!

[mister_wynter]

[Even now, hollowed-out and ill and fragile looking, he's still Wynter, and there's still a ghost of his smug old smile for Ben, his problem wolf.]

I suppose. a 'repent, old man,' is on the agenda.

[werewolf_hacker]

[Ben digs up a smile of his own, but it's a fragile, fragile expression.] Would you?

[mister_wynter]

[Wynter closes his eyes. It's an old, old argument by now.] I can't, my boy.

[werewolf_hacker]

Yes. You can. Anyone who's told you that you can't is lying. [He shoots a generalized glare around the room.] Which is their stock in trade.

[mister_wynter]

[Wynter shakes his head, although at this point it's more just a feeble rolling of his head across the pillow.] Capable, yes. But I can't do it.

[werewolf_hacker]

It's not too late until you're dead, Boss. And the only soul you're responsible for is your own. No matter what the demons are telling you.

You've taken such good care of us. Please.

[mister_wynter]

[Wynter closes his eyes. Talking is an effort, and any effort these days feels nearly insurmountable.] You always were my optimist, Ben.

[werewolf_hacker]

[Ben swallows.] Yeah.

I'm not gonna harangue you about it anymore, Boss. You got your own choice to make and it's not up to me. [And he still remembers what Guri told him, all those years ago, how there was a moment where the choice actually happened and many people walked Home from there. And he'll just be clinging to that, because even after all this he's still an optimist.] But I'll keep praying for you anyway.

[mister_wynter]

[Wynter smiles, very faintly; something sadder and more real than the smug expression. His eyes don't open.] You are a remarkable fellow, Ben Lockwood.

[werewolf_hacker]

Only because I have remarkable people in my life. And you're one of them, Sir. [His voice is hoarse.] Thank you. For everything.

[mister_wynter]

[Wynter raises a hand and waves it feebly in a dismissive gesture.] My motivations. Purely selfish, I assure you.

[werewolf_hacker]

Pft. The road to Hell is paved with good intentions. The stupid government decided that weres should be slaves for "everyone's protection." Look how swimmingly that's working out.

I don't give a shit about intentions. Only results. And the result of you being "selfish" is that we've all been safe for fifteen years. That the Pack hasn't been split up. That Mates are still together.

You did a good thing. Hang onto that.

[mister_wynter]

[Wynter huffs out a hollow laugh without opening his eyes.] Do you suppose that God of yours will take it into account, Benjamin?

[werewolf_hacker]

You've been a blessing to His Hound, Boss, even if the Hound is retired and a little tarnished. I'm sure He'll take it into account.

[mister_wynter]

[Wynter makes a noncommittal noise. He has his doubts, frankly, that God will want anything to do with someone who dedicated most of an obscenely and supernaturally long life to competing with Him for control of the universe, at least a small corner of it.]