#bryne faraday

ACE ATTOBER Day 13: Betrayal

Not that smoking is what got them.

He pauses to count the bullet holes littering his jacket. It probably won't be what gets him either.

But there is something unshakable about rolling the cigarette between his fingers. The headaches, hunger and too many sleepless nights make accepting Jackson's spare irresistible. Quitings a losing gambit. We all gotta die of something.

"You get that shit in twenty feet of my little girl, Badd and I'll tie you to the courthouse in nothing but your knickers. Got it?"

Faraday grins when he says it. Lighthearted. Like a joke.

It's not one. Not even a little.

"Yeah yeah. i got it."

He blows out a cloud into the late frost. One tiny ember keeping him and the hospital staff that traded their right to be high and mighty for an extra break. Not that his reason for starting was any better.

"Mr Badd?" A nurse pops her head out. Nose scrunching in distain. "It's done."

He snuffs the barely started cig in the ashtray. What a waste. He does not do the math on how much of his paycheck he just burned. Faraday's done it plenty of times. If he hates the smell of smoke so much maybe he should find another partner.

(He won't. They won't. They're in this together. From now til the end of the line.)

She's tiny. Although you'd never know it from how Faraday looks. A tiny red faced squished up little alien. He hopes Tyrell doesn't ask if she's cute. Cause she's not.

"Smoke and I'll... Shot your dick off."

His fingers itch. A headaches building and he's not convinced it's just because of the buzzing florescent lights. There is no time to answer that need though. Not when she's churning through diapers faster than Gregory does with tissues during allergy season. When she won't sleep but against his beating chest.

There is no time for a fifteen minute smoke break. Not when Bryne is breaking down and telling him he can't do it. He can't. He's so fucked up. He's going to fuck her up and No Badd i can't hold her I'm gonna-

"You're not. You'll get through this. We'll get through this."

There is no time to inhale chilled air and push smoke up to the unrelentingly heavens. Not when he's trying to cradle them both. His rope it's at its end. Fraying. Twisting lose into anger and obscenity. Just fucking pull yourself together Bryne- for fucks sake-

Kay screams. Those tiny lungs make a real impact. Bryne curls up and sobs.

He braids his fraying nerves back together by sheer force of will. Jams a root beer lollipop from the front desk in his mouth in shitty answer to the need on his tongue.

This will be how she remembers him when her tiny tiny hand grips his finger. Not heavy with smoke burned into his jacket and skin but with sweetness on his tongue. Melting sugar sweet for her.

"You give her that lollipop and I'll tie you to the flagpole without your shoes Badd."

Her itty bitty hand yanks insistently at the stick in his mouth.

"I'll get..." Rearranges it so her hard work won't pay off. "Frostbite."

"Then you'd better not give it too her. After all," He grinned in that way he would one day tell Kay that all Faraday's do, "Who would possibly help you prosecute?"