"My funfact is that I don't have a funfact,"

Grif sighed and sat down on a box across from Bitters. They could unload later. “… Well, I guess it was inevitable that you’d figure that out, huh?” It took Grif a moment of silence to get his thoughts in order. “We did a lot of talking when he rescued me. Well… I did a lot of talking at him for the first half, but I think he started talking just to shut me the fuck up. 

“He doesnt like to talk about himself, but when he does, he hasnt lied once, that I know of. But what I have gathered is that he’s fucked up over what he did on Chorus, and that Felix fucked him up one side and down the other. You know how Felix was. They were an item, you know, and I’ve never seen someone get mad enough during a break up that you help blast someone off a fucking tower before.”

“I’m not dumb enough not to notice how you looked at him, those aren’t faces of someone who’s just friends with someone,“ bitters said with a casual shrug as he started pulling boxes out of the ship. He wasn’t sure how much he wanted to think about this let alone talk about it.

“I--I believe you Grif and I didn’t know him him then, I only know what he did, I-- I want to believe that he’s different from Felix and he is honestly turning over a new leaf, but all I can hear is his voice as shots fire and my friends died,“ he set the box down and leaned on it.

“You have awful judgement, but... it also takes a lot for you to have conviction for anything and if you have strong feelings for this, then... I’m inclined to believe that, maybe, he’s good now,“ he stood up and looked at Grif.

mcrcenario‌:

Locus shifts uncomfortably in place. “That would be- um…” 

He’s torn between saying “feel free to try and sell the people on it” and telling the truth without any sarcasm. Locus isn’t a liar at heart, though, and he has to be honest. 

“I don’t wish to go back to Chorus personally.” He glances at Grif, pleadingly. It’s hard for him to admit he struggles with trauma in a direct manner, so he can hardly say it’s the PTSD and abuse, but that is what he’s trying to communicate. “I know what I want does not really matter, but I- I cannot. I simply…cannot.” 

@abitofafatass

That look on his face concerned Grif a lot. Grif sighed, wondering how he became a mediator in this situation.

He rested a hand on Locus’ arm, and shrugged. “Well, maybe community service isnt quite the right word, but Bits is right, just giving money anonymously is helping but its.. impersonal. It would help, a little if you were to help get external threats to back off from Chorus though, like you did with Temple.” Now that the UNSC knew that Chorus wasnt sending terrorists out into the world, negotiations could pick back up.

“I’m just a sim trooper though. This sort of talk really should be between you and Kimball.”

@mcrcenario​

Bitters clenched his teeth, opened and clenched his teeth then looked over at Grif.  

“Talk to kimball, see what she wants you to do,” Bitters said resigned. He wasn’t going to push it. He really didn’t care what Locus did, he just wanted his planet safe.

“... I just want to know that my planet is safe with you still alive, if you can think of any other way to prove that to me, I’ll accept it, we... really need to get these supplies in though, I’m only renting the ship since what we had wasn’t big enough and I don’t want to pay for more time,“ he glanced over at Locus.

“Thanks... for watching over Grif, he needs it, he can barely take care of himself sometimes,“

“I’m not saying control them,” Grif shook his head with a frown. “I dont know how you start making up for the shit you’ve done. That’s for the people of Chorus to decide.” he glanced over at Bitters. “I mean, I think they all can appreciate that you’ve got more talents than just as a soldier. I think they’re the ones who should chose where you direct those actions, right Bits?”

@siestasolace​

Bitters was quiet for a moment, just listening and thinking. On one hand, he didn’t want locus on his planet

“You’re not doing much by just sending money, it’s hands off and may or may not be genuine, if you really wanted to help repair things, you would stay on chorus and manually help the relief efforts,“ Bitters tone was probably a bit harsher and more commanding than he ever would normally.

“If you’ve really changed, you would help us, you would come down and make things better, so yeah, I think the best for you is community service until you fucking pay for all the damage you did,“

“You have every right to hate me,” Locus says, the same thing he’s been saying about the topic every day, and he believes it. Well, he also hates himself too, that makes it easier to comprehend. 

“I would never let Grif come to harm. You have my word, for however little it is worth.” 

He imagines that if something terrible happened to Grif he would just let the kid beat him up, because he really deserves it. 

“And…I know what you mean. About I– Felix. I am sorry I played a part in letting him do that to you. All of you.”

@siestasolace

Bitters let out an agitated sigh and held out his hand to Locus.

“Then I’ll agree to a truce for now, Felix was a manipulative asshole so I can accept that you were probably forced into it, but until I see proof for myself that you’re not the same, I don’t trust you and I don’t like you,“ his face softened a bit after he said this then quickly shifted to tired.

“But... Like I said, I trust Grif even if he has an awful sense of character, just... don’t hurt anyone else and we’re cool,”

“Let Tucker worry about that shit.” 

Grif knew that his and Bitters’ relationship wasnt exactly physical, but they had shared a few intimate moments in the past when no one was watching. After they were reunited, after the War had been won… highly emotional moments, much like this one. 

He pulled Bitters into a hug. 

“No one’s asking you to like him or forgive him Bits.” God knew that Bitters had more reason to hate Locus than Grif did. “All he wants is the chance to fix things.”

@siestasolace​

Bitters remained motionless as the older soldier hugged him before he returned the gesture almost mechanically and didn’t say a word or acknowledge what Grif had said. It was a lot to grapple with.

“I didn’t say I won’t, it sounds like he’s done a lot to make up for it or is working really hard to pull a fast one on us and I’m more inclined to thinking he’s pulling a fast one, but, if you say he’s changed and you mean it, then I’ll accept it and I’ll give him a chance,“ Bitters pulled away from Grif and turned to look at Locus.

“Right now, I hate you, but I also know what Felix was like, I dealt with his bullshit for years, maybe not to a huge extent and only with the fake Felix, but he was so convincing and fun to talk to, he could probably talk the devil himself into going to church and I know next to nothing about you or if that’s anything like how you are, I didn’t deal with that side of the war, so people like Gray know that better,

“So I have very little to go on, but if Grif says it’s okay, then I’ll believe him and give you a chance, but if you ever hurt him or any of us, you will be sorry,“ 

abitofafatass‌:

“I’m getting there,” Grif assured him, and took a deep breath. If anyone deserved to know about what happened to him in Iris, it was in order, Simmons and then his kids squad. “I was losing my mind alone here Bits. There was no word from the guys, and you have no idea how boring shit gets when you’re all alone. Like… fuck.

“But the guys were getting themselves into shit, like. Separated, captured, that sort of thing. They sent Lopez’s head off into space to see if he could find help, and he found Locus.” Grif gestured with his cigarette at the big man. “He rescued me, saved me from going fucking completely insane. Then he helped me rescue the guys. Brought Wash back to Chorus when he got shot. The guy is trying to make sure right, Tony. You know me, you know I dont take people’s bullshit or put my trust in them unless I have a fucking good reason to, especially after all the shit Felix pulled on all three of us. 

“Sa-” Grif cut himself off with a glance at Locus, thinking that the former mercenary probably didnt want his real name out there. “Locus is turning over a new goddamn leaf. Tryin to fix shit. He’s sworn not to kill, and I saw him stick to that. He refused to take a shot if it would have killed someone. Trust me, Bits, he’s not the same man we fought on Chorus. Right Bug?” he turned to look at Locus expectantly.

@mcrcenario​

Locus makes a bit of a face at the pet name being thrown out in such a serious situation, but he needs to respond, and he does so as fast as possible.

“Yes. I am not that person anymore. I have explanations, but no excuses. I only came back to Chorus for Agent Washington. And I have been making large anonymous donations to relief funds planetside.”

@siestasolace

Bitters sniffled and remained quiet, he refused to look at either of them for a long time as he listened and absorbed the information. Grif was an asshole and definitely prone to fucking with people for shits and giggles, but he knew that this wasn’t something Grif would joke about. He wiped his face with the back of his hand.

“I don’t like you, I don’t care how many good things you’ve done, it doesn’t change what you took from us and can’t get back,“ Bitters rubbed his snot and tears covered hand on his pant leg.

“But if Grif says you’re okay, after everything you put all of us through, then whatever, that’s fine, I guess that means you’re good, but, I’m not ready to forgive you,“ he went quiet and turned to Grif.

“Supplies are here, we should get those unloaded,“ he really didn’t know how to handle the emotions and just wanted to find something to do.

Like Grif actually knew where to start.

He sighed, and let his hand fall away. “Its going to be a long story Bits. I’m not sure you’re going to believe all of it, but you should at least let me start telling it.”

He’d rather have been able to sit down and tell this tale, but Grif didnt think he’d be able to get Bitters somewhere to sit down and talk, especially not with Locus there. With a another sigh, he pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and took a long drag. He did not offer one to the kid - Bitters didnt need to get into the habit. 

“I guess the place to start is something you already knew. Back in the Communications Tower, we were basically there about ready to send our message out, when Felix and Locus showed up. They were hurt, and Felix was mean, but we’d managed to kick his ass solo, when Locus did his cammo thing and came up behind us. We would have been incredibly fucked if he chose to fight, but instead… Instead he told Felix that he could go eat a dick, and that’s how we won. Felix died, Locus took his sword. Locus was actually the one to turn on the fucking tower. And then he disappeared.” That was a good starting point, Grif figured.

“Almost a year goes by. Things are chill. Then that reporter chick showed up, and she delivered a message to us from Kimball. It was Church. Or at least we thought it was. It was actually that fucker Temple. You were there when we caught him. What you didnt know was that I didnt go with the guys the first time. I stayed here, on Iris. Alone. For weeks.” You could tell by the smoke trailing off of Grif’s cigarette that his hands were shaking something fierce just at the mere thought of his self imposed imprisonment. 

@siestasolace​

Bitter’s face cycled through emotions and expressions for a moment before it turned deadpan. He felt hurt. Betrayed. He remembered taking temple away and hearing something about Wash being hurt. But this didn’t explain anything.

Pretty quickly Bitters noticed the shaking and he felt his breath catch. He felt, bad. But that didn’t stop the fact that Locus was right there. Right fucking there.

“That doesn’t explain why he’s here, Grif, that makes you a traitor, you’re harboring a criminal and not just any criminal but one that destroyed my home, What the fuck makes you think that’s okay?” Bitters felt himself shaking and tears stinging his eyes as they began to spill.

“Explain yourself before I put you under arrest,” he said, his voice cracking some.

mcrcenario‌:

Locus almost forgets why this is happening for a second. Almost. He’s still holding some pieces of his own armor in his hands, and his face is so much like his old helmet, of course the child knew who he was. 

Locus sets down the parts he’s holding on the table. 

“I should go,” he says quietly. “Allow you two to discuss the situation in private.”

@abitofafatass

Oh shit.

“Bits, wait.” Grif reached out to grab the man he considered almost like a son, and laid a hand on his shoulder. “Hold on. We… We should talk. You, me, and Locus.” He didnt try to pull Bitters back, or gesture for Locus to stay either. “I know how this probably looks, but ts not quite what you think it is. Will you hear me out?”

@siestasolace​

Bitters pulled away from Grif. He felt like his heart was going to beat out of his chest. He was definitely shaking. He couldn’t quite make sense of his own thoughts.

“And what exactly am I supposed to think,”Bitters snapped, everything finally breaking way to anger. ”he’s one of the guys that killed our friends and ruined our planet,” Bitters snapped and turned on Grif. 

“You expect me to believe there is any good reason for him to be here?“ He gestured to Locus.

“My friends and family died because of him and Felix, and here he is just sitting back like nothing happened and you’re letting him....“ Bitters looked away and took a deep breath.

“Whatever, it doesn’t fucking matter, just go get your supplies or whatever, since you’re best friends, he can help you with the heavy lifting, I guess,“ he looked at locus only the briefest flare’s of fear coursing through him.

Grif blinked in surprise, not only because his lieutenant was here, but because they’d dispensed with the whole “captain” thing ages ago. There was an odd note of stiffness in Bitters’ voice that he didnt understand until he glanced over and noticed Locus.

Oh.

“Bits,” he said, trying to act casual. “C’mon man, we know each other well enough now that you dont need to be that formal with me.”

Bitters finally snapped his attention to Grif and no matter how apathetic or good at pokerface Bitters could be, the pure accusation on his face was clear before it fell into something like resignation.

“Do I? I definitely don’t know you well enough to know he’s here, so probably not as well as you think, captain....whatever it doesn’t matter,“ he muttered the last bit and turned to go back out to unload supplies. It was also a chance to hide his burning face.

There was a certain feeling that came from someone who had manipulated and fucked you over. Staring at him casually hanging out with the best thing Antoine had to a parental figure lead to a weird mix of rage, worry, fear and anxiety. Finally he could open his mouth though he never stopped staring at Locus

“jelli belli pet rat gummi candi “

“You guys going for business or pleasure?” Grif asked with a raised eyebrow, turning to look at the kid he’d sort of adopted as a son. He also glanced at Van’s backpack. “How long are you going to be gone? I hope you brought Van more stuff if its longer than a couple weeks.”

“Kind of both, I think there is some kind of diplomacy and it’s with people who aren’t likely to start shit, so it’s probably just going to be a pleasure cruise, Smith, Jensen, Palomo and me are more back up just in case something happens,“He explained as he pushed himself off the ground and  into a kneeling position.

“Alas, the Truth confines me. Tis a burden I have to bear.” Apollo let out an exaggerated sigh. “Though, its probably better for the mortals that seek my counsel that I cant lie to them. Especially in matters concerning prophecy. You should introduce me to Smith some time.”

“Yeah,“ Honestly it had been a while since he had talked with smith outside of work, he should probably say hello at some point.