there are prizes all around you if you're wise enough to see

[praevaricatio]

Comments

[positiveinfluence]

Okay. See you soon.

[And he'll hang up. And then pace around a bit. And then pace around some more.

He probably should go back to what he's doing before, but he also feels like he should be doing things like packing and figuring out if he's taking a plane or just driving. There are too many options and all of it is getting drowned out by the fact that his brother is alive.

He should go find William.

He doesn't know how to explain this part though so instead he continues to just pace restlessly, uselessly until he can get himself out of this indecision rut.]

[slavophile]

( And luckily, William leaves the group they're both hosting (William's friends, a meet-the-boyfriend early afternoon get together, great timing!), he finds his boyfriend pacing. )

I told them I was going to check on you, but I was mostly kidding. I wanted a breather but I feel like you're the one who needs it? Whatever it is, let's attack it together. What's -- what's got you like that?

[positiveinfluence]

[There's a deep breath as he tries to turn this into words.]

That was my mom. Apparently they triggered some kind of magic trap and it ... brought my brother back to life.

[Yeah, he's going to let that part sink in first because it still doesn't feel real.]

[slavophile]

It -

( well, before anything else, William propels forward and just wraps his arms around his boyfriend. because he needs something tangible. he's been here. and he is here. for him. so he gives this as long as it needs to be. )

[positiveinfluence]

[Coop sinks into his hold with a sigh, closing his eyes and just giving him a chance for it to sink in. He wants to be happy that his brother's back but the circumstances don't seem to be lending themselves to that.]

I have to go to Kansas. I know you set up this whole thing, but ... I'm sorry.

[slavophile]

( Coop gets to feel everything he needs to here. he hears the operative word, trap, and knows that complicates everything. and he would never hold Cooper going to see his brother against him.

he speaks into his shoulder. )

This whole thing can happen anytime. And, anyway, they all saw you. I got to brag. As far as I'm concerned, mission accomplished.

( he squeezes him harder. )

Do you need a jet or a car?

[positiveinfluence]

I ...

[Then his brain short circuits because sometimes he forgets how wealthy his boyfriend is.]

... There's a jet option?

[slavophile]

( he leans back. )

Yeah. Queen Consolidated or Harris Technologies?

( he has two to pick from. and if they're grounded. he has business partners and allies. )

[positiveinfluence]

That is good to know. But I think I need the drive to get my head on straight.

[And maybe by the time he gets there, they'll have a better idea of what they're dealing with.]

[slavophile]

Okay. But, don't get lost in your thoughts and drive yourself into a ditch. And stop if you need to, I don't care if he's alive, you need to be, too, to see him with your own eyes. Okay?

( And if he adheres to that, then yes, he has his blessing. )

[positiveinfluence]

Yeah, of course. It's more than I could do in a day anyway. I'll probably grab a motel room around Salt Lake.

[He might not sleep well, but he will get off the road.]

[slavophile]

Then call me when you get there. And when you leave. Or - you know. Just - let me know, okay. You're not alone.

( in this. )

[positiveinfluence]

You will hear from me, I promise. If it'll make you feel better, I give you permission to GPS track my phone.

[Not that he doesn't think William wasn't going to do it anyway, but now he doesn't have to feel like he's spying.]

[slavophile]

I promise not to watch that little dot like a hawk.

( He hugs him again, knowing the crazy of a dad missing. Of a relative, friend, -- people come back to life in his. He never thought he'd have something like this in common with Cooper. )

You uh, want some space? Go. Pack. Map it out. I'll get everyone out of here.

[positiveinfluence]

Thank you. And tell them I'm sorry.

[He pauses before reaching out and taking William's arm before he can go.]

Don't tell Mickey yet. I want to see how bad it is, and he can't go without it getting messy.

[slavophile]

Hey. It's not mine to tell.

( he holds the contact, smiling, before he leaves his boyfriend in his bedroom.

he returns to the party and announces that they're going to have to cut this short. he dodges sly, cheeky questions, laughs, and says his goodbyes. mickey looks like he's going to pry, but he chooses not to, ushering wes back out leaving only his sister in his kitchen.

she should be putting away appetizers, not eating them. maybe she's doing both.

he closes the front door and crosses the floor of his penthouse. )

You worried about me, him, or do you just like knowing my business?

[blackstarred]

All of the above?

[She turns to face him as she pops one of the jalapeno poppers in her mouth before shuffling the rest into the tupperware containers.]

Dinner-halting phone calls usually don't mean good things are happening?

[slavophile]

And, isn't it on me to update you when I know more about what halted dinner?

( But, she can see right through him. She knows he knows. He gives a look back in the direction of the back bedrooms before moving up to the kitchen counter and taking a seat. He reopens the tupperware she closed, picking up a popper in his hand, looking down on it. )

So, his parents were helping Elena and the Winchesters and a trap was triggered. And apparently, his dead brother isn't dead anymore. And now you know as much as I do.

[blackstarred]

Shit.

[That's a wild turn of events.]

So he's heading out?

[slavophile]

He's heading out. To Kansas. Big family reunion. I offered...

( Help him not spiral about this. He is an independent boss and he don't need no man.

Also, this means nothing, this is a personal crisis. Cooper will come back when or if he can.

Right? )

[blackstarred]

[Mia tips her head to the side before making her way closer.]

You know he's stupidly crazy about you, right?

[slavophile]

I - I mean he likes me. I really like him. He stayed, he's a hunter, isn't it only a matter of time?

( Yeah, just a little more convincing. Because even though he sees all that, he sees he's a catch, Mia. It's just abrupt. )

[blackstarred]

If it was only a matter of time, I don't think he would have put you through the whole meet the friends schtick.

[She pauses as she moves closer.]

Or driven all the way with you from New Orleans to meet Dad. Or stuck you with his dad for most of it.

[slavophile]

Yeah, Michael Sullivan... was intense.

( He takes her hand. )

It's the first time, maybe ever, that, it's been like this. Not maybe. He's the first real -- I feel like we found each other. Literally. In the rubble of a collapsed building in London. And, I know he's not going away. He's just - going. ( He nods. ) Thanks. For the perspective.

[blackstarred]

Of course.

[She gives his shoulder a squeeze.]

I hope things work out with his brother.