revivalproject

[Lookie here, it's Tommy, looking shaken as hell. Makes sense, he's lost more of his people recently and he's NOT doing okay. So you know what that means! Tommy needs a fucking project, and he thinks he's moving on pretty well with the one he's got.]

Yo. So know how I was looking for help making some sorta hydroponics shit in the hangars of at least the Twin Roses and possibly some other ships if people want it? Think I've found people to help me make it. Just...

Turns out we need parts. And one of the dudes helping me? He's stuffy and NOT cool with me taking things out of abandoned buildings if they can be salvaged and lots of other shit and well, anyway some of the stuff we'll need is apparently small and custom.

So basically I'm supposed to ask if, seeing as that replicator thing is now here and all that shit, people might be willing to help out by donating a replication or two a month to helping us replicate packages of the small parts that are important for the drip irrigation something or other thingamabob.

Think about it, bros and bros who aren't amab or who are agender and fuck backtrack need something better. Okay, think about it my fellow kidnapees. Fresh produce. On ship. Whenever they kidnap us.

Hell, I'll even tend it when we're not on ships. If you want your ship to have a hydroponics thing. Just let me in once a 60hr cycle and I'll fucking tend the hell out of those bitches.

Anyway. Uh, call me?

[And he shuts the thing off before he can sound stupider. Dammit!]

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[ He picks up the sudden and incredibly surge of fear from Tommy, but hardly gets a chance to react before Tommy moves. Hardly a moment passes before Tommy stands behind Jon and the recorder is obliterated. Reduced to small pieces falling to the ground.

And it's his very own fear Jon feels then.

Different from the many other times he finds himself afraid. More urgent. More real. And it mixes with the lingering terror of Tommy into a heavy mixture of very potent dread.

The Archivist exhales slowly, his eyes flicking down for a moment to his now empty hands. They're shaking ever so slightly.

When he speaks, he doesn't turn to Tommy, but once again he wraps his words tightly into his Compulsion. ]

You don't want to harm me.

[ This one, he knows, can be hit or miss. But it's worth a try anyway. And it doesn't stop his hands from shaking or the fear to be so very present. He really shouldn't like the way it feels.

Slowly, he turns towards Tommy, and with that halfway towards the door. It's the latter that holds Jon's attention, even when his words are still directed at the mutant. And these words, unlike the ones before, are by no means compelling. They are but an advice. ]

This is not the right solution, Tommy. This is not the way to handle your trauma. Find help. Otherwise you will never get rid of it.

[ And does he leave the building just then? No. For the most part because he refuses to confirm Tommy's attempt to solve his problems through violence or threats. Encouraging that behavior is the last thing he intends to do. ]

People like me? We don't hurt civilians. But I think we both know I'm not a good person at my core. Maybe I don't want to hurt you. But with my powers, do you think that there aren't other ways I can punish you if you mention this to someone?

[He looks at the wreckage of the tape recorder between them on the floor and kicks at it with his foot. Amazingly, the destruction of the thing, the feeling of power back in his control? It's soothing Tommy's fear and replacing it with the one thing that Maximoffs tend to revel in. Power. Control.]

My team, my brother and his fiance? They already think I'm crazy enough, thanks. And it turns out that if you never see the asshole that beat you as a kid, then you can survive just fine ignoring the trauma. Especially when you're strong enough that people can't hurt you again.

[The emotional scars? The in-built reactions? He can't control them. He hates them. But that's the life he has to live with.]

There's no help here. Not for me, and sure as not for you if anyone hears about this. Because if they do, I might have to show you the parts of me that take after my Grandfather Ultron.

[it's an empty threat. He swore to his team not to hurt innocents. That he was a hero, not a villain. This guy doesn't know.]

[ This little bit of power play has Jon narrow his eyes at Tommy. ]

Are you threatening me?!

[ He consciously sets his fear aside and puts in place an indignation of disbelief, slightly raising his voice for now. He may not know about that promise, but he well recalls Tommy's reaction to being shouted at. And while Jon doesn't outright go for that, his voice turns sharp. ]

Is this how you treat people that want nothing but your best? Threaten them? Inflate yourself in an attempt to appear impressive and imposing like a peacock putting on a display and strutting about? What you did here just now changes nothing of how I see you, Tommy! I still see your fear. It runs too deep as to be covered up by this little mask of attempted intimidation. Underneath, you remain a scared, mistreated child. And I see that child now even clearer than before.

If you think you need to hurt me to defend your little pride, then do it!

[He should. Tommy is right there, in Jon's face, finger poking into his chest.]

You come into my home, uninvited, and make me say things I don't want to say with some sort of freaky telepathy. You come and you lecture me about what's wrong with me and it's NOT my fault. And it's not like I can get help here. But if people know about that, about that moment? I lose everything.

[And he can't be alone. Not again. If he's alone... he might as well be dead. His desperation to be liked and wanted, it's too high.]

You don't get to come in here and do this to me. You just don't. And next time you do, I'm carrying your damn ass to the sea and tossing you the fuck in. You got it?

[ And does Jon back off? Nope. For a good part it's false bravado, though. All aimed to not give Tommy the idea that this sort of behavior works well in his favor. Deep down, the Archivist remains scared. Not outright terrified, but reasonably scared. ]

Then don't threaten, act! If you believe drowning me will solve your problems, try it. See what your friends think of that. The same friends that apparently are only your friends because you're keeping secrets from them. Because you can't trust them with the truth.

A very pathetic sort of friendship you're clinging to, Tommy. Shall I pluck even more secrets from you and we find out which ones end up shattering those bonds you cling to so desperately?

[ It's a rhetorical question, but just about as much compelling as to tickle at the truth and give Tommy the notice that Jon just might do it. ]

You have no right, asshole. None.

[He doesn't get it. Billy and Teddy are SO GOOD. They're heroes. Tommy's... he has to work at it. They wouldn't, they COULDN'T forgive him for the darkness in his heart. Not like that. Or so he thinks.]

I know they're too good for me. But I don't care. And it's not your business. Get. Out.

[ There's a scoff from the Archivist. ]

Oh, don't worry, I will. But before I go... Tell me.

[ Once again he's fully focusing his compulsion. Not to draw out a particular secret, however. Just a few names. Names he assumes Tommy may be reluctant to share. ]

Who is it you are afraid to lose?

[He hates you, so much, Jon. It burns in his eyes even as he opens his mouth to speak, because he can't not say the words. And it hates him that Jon can do this to him. Now there is a new fear budding in him. That he can't deny this man what he asks for.]

Billy. Teddy. Wanda. They're the only family I have, and if I lose them, if I'm not useful to them or if they fear me, then what's the point of anything?

[ That's not a new sentiment directed at him, but the hatred doesn't bother him too much. He takes the fear, though. A fresh one. Not as deeply rooted as the ones Tommy had before. And along with the fear, the Archivist takes the names.

Then he just nods and finally turns to leave. ]

Thank you.

[ because that's the polite thing to say. ]

Don't. Please don't say anything to them. You can't.

[That would break him faster than anything.]

[ Tommy receives neither answer nor reaction to that. Jon will simply fulfill his wish to walk away - And leave the mutant to dwell on the possibility of his fear becoming reality. ]

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