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[righthemisphere]

You've reached Raleigh Becket, please leave a message.

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[righthemisphere]

[Raleigh laughs, though it's slightly hollow and chased by the noise of him dragging his hand over his face. When he speaks again he is just, so tired.]

Well I guess my days were numbered before I cracked, huh.

[royalfling]

Well, I don't know about cracked. But you, you and Mako, you keep doing this. You can't just keep going and keep going and thinking that you'll be fine!

You need to take a minute to just be, Raleigh. You're going to run yourself ragged, emotionally, physically.

[ A beat. ]

You should come over! A steam would do you some good. And, yes, I know it's hot out. It doesn't matter.

[righthemisphere]

[ A steam- how.. how would that even.. ]

That's a kind offer. I might take you up on it.

[ How non committal, Raleigh. ]

I think I just.

[Listening to Wu's voice rings different words through his ears. Begging to be let go. Bargaining for his life. That horrible, horrible feeling of knowing it isn't going to work. Raleigh's wrist stings with a sudden, shooting pain and he gives a small noise, holding the phone with his ear and shoulder as he frees his hand to hold himself. Oh, god.. fuck.]

[royalfling]

You should--

[ He starts, but then Raleigh sounds hurt and Wu's words die in his throat ]

Raleigh?! Raleigh, are you okay?

[righthemisphere]

[There's a small, thin hiss.]

Yeah, I'm good. I'm good, I'm good.

What- um. Steam room?

[royalfling]

Sauna, but-- Raleigh. If you want to ignore what's wrong, fine. You can for a while, but it'll catch up to you.

[righthemisphere]

[He gives a short, sharp laugh. It comes out lightly more unhinged than he'd expected.]

Wu- just. God, everything is wrong. How could I possibly ignore it!?

[royalfling]

Well you certainly seem to be trying!

[ He lets out an annoyed breath ]

Look, I'm trying really hard not to be mad at you, Raleigh. And you're making that very hard. Do you really just want to sit there and feel sorry for yourself? Fine! Wallow all you want. It's not going to do anything.

[righthemisphere]

Maybe-

[He catches himself before he says something mean. Verbal sparring is not his strong suit. He's more a stay quiet and then snap type.]

Why the hell would you be mad at me? For Sam? I'm sorry if I'm not handling shit well, I'm not okay and I don't want to talk to you about it

[royalfling]

Yes for Sam! You, that wasn't your place to do that.

[ He lets out hard breath from behind clenched teeth ]

Fine. Don't talk to me. But talk to someone. I'm mad at you, but I care about you, Raleigh. If you're hurting, that. I don't want you to be hurting.

[righthemisphere]

[Raleigh gives an exasperated growl. Fine. Be mad. Be mad and somehow also make him feel bad that's cool.

Reign it in, Becket. For once in your life.]

Good bye, Wu.

[So. Bitchy. Hanging up now bye.]

[royalfling]

[ Wu lets him hang up. He doesn't say anything, just sits there, stunned.

He was mad, yes, but not that mad. Mad because Raleigh took things into his own hands without talking to Wu, but Wu talked to Sam and knows he's not mad--

The whole thing is complicated. And now, he's afraid he's made it more complicated. He can't help but feel like he just lost a friend.

He really hopes he didn't. ]