[ text | un: anonymous ]

[supersweet]

If someone takes control of you, does that mean that there's something bad in you all along?

How do you get rid of it?

Comments

[supersweet]

[ Fair enough. Jon wonders if Simon is aware that Clark can sense heartbeats easily — which is more reliable than any GPS. ]

That's true.

Okay, Mr. Simon. I'll call. Or text.

You know how to text, right?

[ You have to check with older people. ]

[advanced]

[Excuse you, Jon, he looks about thirty! He's not ancient (except that he is). He snorts.]

Yeah, I know how to text, you little punk.

[A very brief hesitation and then:]

And it's James.

[supersweet]

[ Thirty is ancient to Jon ok. He beams guilelessly. ]

Sure thing, Mr. James. I'll remember that.

[advanced]

Just James, not Mister.

[That sounds weird to him. He barely feels like a person most days, let alone a Mister.]

[supersweet]

[ Jon takes a moment. A lot of the adults prefer being casual, but it still strikes Jon as weird and difficult to circumvent. ]

Uhm. Okay . . . James.

[ He's trying. ]

[advanced]

[He probably doesn't have to tell the kid that he doesn't want that name spreading around, he's not dumb and didn't seem surprised to learn his name wasn't Simon, so he lets it go.

He pushes up to his feet finally and steps back from the edge of the platform.]

I should get going, my user name on the phone is user dot name for if you want me.

[supersweet]

[ Wait. ]

Your username is user name?

[advanced]

Yeah.

[What of it, kid? That's a great username.]

[supersweet]

Nothing! It's just . . . unusual, that's all.

[ Lame, more like. ]

[advanced]

It's anonymous.

[Nobody would guess it was him, it was the most anonymous thing he could think of. And yes, it's super lame.]

[supersweet]

Well, yeah but it's . . . really boring?

[advanced]

That's the point, kid. If it's interesting, it's memorable, it's not anonymous.

[He knows how to fly under the radar, even if he sucks at being cool.]

[supersweet]

[ Jon shrugs. He gets anonymity, obviously. ]

Sure but doesn't that get lonely? It's just kind of extreme.

[advanced]

[He shrugs, voice quiet.]

The thing controlling you has gone, mine hasn't. Not completely. It's safer to be this way.

[supersweet]

[ Jon flinches, looking down. ]

It . . . It doesn't feel right though.

[advanced]

It's better than hurting someone.

[Trust him, he can cope with ghosting through life.]

[supersweet]

[ Jon's expression tightens slightly in determination. ]

It may be a bit better, but it doesn't fix the problem. And if you're hurting, then it's just as bad.

[advanced]

[In contrast, Bucky's expression closes off and he finally starts to walk away.]

You have my number.

[That's it, he's not talking about his feelings here. He's shutting that down as effectively as he can.]

[supersweet]

[ Did he do it wrong? It's what his dad would say. ]

Uh, okay. Bye?

[advanced]

[And this is why Bucky calls Clark an idiot, don't follow in his footsteps, kid! He doesn't respond, he just walks away.]