Diego (gravitated) wrote in shadows_rpg, @ 2020-11-22 15:24:00 |
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Entry tags: | #may 2018, diego, diego x jane, jane |
Who: Diego and Jane
Where: Diego’s place in Seaview
When: Afternoon, late May
Status: complete
Jane hadn’t really been to Seaview much since returning to Point Pleasant. She wasn’t a snob or anything, there just was no reason to come into this part of town. No one lived here that she knew terribly well… until now. Jane felt like it would be easier to talk to Diego without Mal or the others hanging around. She already knew how Shane felt about things, but what he thought didn’t really matter in the long run. This was about destroying AIR, and they had to do what they had to do. Everyone would have to make sacrifices eventually. She seemed to be the only one who really understood that. Maybe Mal did, though he was less out and proud about it.
The car was missing from the narrow driveway so Jane had to assume Diego’s hunky boyfriend was at work. That was good. She didn’t need him hovering about disapprovingly. If the teenager was there, that would be fine, but it might be easier to talk to Diego first and get a feel for how he feels about all of this without a crowd - and by crowd, she meant their tiny band of fucked up misfits.
Jane walked up to the tiny porch and knocked, glancing around the street as she did so. It was quiet over here, but pretty with all the trees. She wondered how much it cost to live here. Maybe that was something she ought to look into. It would be nice not to have neighbors on top of her or on the other side of one wall.
While Oliver hadn’t put up too much of a continued fight over Diego meeting with the other AIR survivors and talking about taking some action, he wasn’t exactly happy about it, and it was obvious. Oliver was still convinced that they would all be killed in the end if they continued down this path, but Diego disagreed. Especially after getting to know the others a bit. Together they could be powerful allies. Diego had faith where his man didn’t, but he was sure Oliver would come around eventually. He hoped, anyway. Running away from all of this had ceased to be an option in his mind unless things got dire.
He was enjoying a bit of time to himself while Oliver was at work and Haisley was out with friends, lounging on the couch in a sunbeam with the window open. The knock startled him a little, and Diego froze for a beat before he got himself moving to stand up. There was nothing to be worried about yet, it was just someone at the door ... still, he looked through the peephole before he reached to undo the deadbolt. Diego recognized Jane, which made him a little excited, but he definitely hadn’t been expecting her.
“Hello there,” he greeted with a warm smile when he opened the door. Diego stepped back and gestured her inside. “Come on in.”
“Hi.” Jane returned his smile and stepped inside, pleased that he seemed trusting and hospitable. At least with her. She had known Neil for a long time now and he still scowled when he opened the door to see her. “I’m not interrupting anything, am I? I should have texted or called but I was out and stopping by was sort of an impulsive decision.” That wasn’t entirely true, but it was true enough. “I was hoping we could talk for a bit. Just the two of us.”
Diego was probably too friendly to most people anyway, but he knew now that he and Jane were on the same side, had experienced a lot of the same things in childhood, so she was almost like family already. Oliver would probably tut at him for being so trusting, but oh well, Oliver wasn’t here. If she posed an immediate threat, Diego could squish her to the floor if he needed to. “No, you’re fine, I was just reading,” he told her, kind of pleased that she sought him out. “The house is empty and will be for a while, so we’ve got all kinds of time. You want a drink or anything?” Diego was already walking into the kitchen as he offered, glancing back with a quirked eyebrow.
All kinds of time was good. It was always easier to have a candid conversation without someone else hovering, someone who might try to interject or intervene. "Anything you have is fine, thanks." Jane smiled and moved to sit down, taking a look around the small area. "This is a cute space. You three don't drive each other crazy, do you?" She liked her own space and even having a roommate might have been pushing it for Jane. She was trying to imagine living here with another adult and a teenager and it just made her slightly restless. Where would she go for privacy? Bedrooms had to be pretty close together too, right?
The space was cute -- small -- enough that Diego could still hear and see Jane fine as he puttered around the kitchen, pouring them some cold sweet tea. He made his own at home now, since the stores around here in the north didn’t seem to sell it by the jug. He’d gotten hooked on it in a few places they’d lived, but it seemed to mostly be a southern thing. Diego chuckled as he glanced around. “We do sometimes, it’s inevitable,” he told her. “But we work it out. Haisley is into her own thing most of the time, or Oliver’s working. We make do. Oliver and I have lived in places much smaller than this.” Diego carried the glasses over to the coffee table and set one in front of Jane before he sat down in the chair next to the couch and took a sip. “So what brings you here?”
Since it would be rude to ignore it, Jane picked up the glass and took a sip. She enjoyed sweet tea if it was made right and thankfully this didn't taste overwhelmingly sugary. "I thought we should have a talk," Jane began, still smiling though she made sure not to make her expression overeager. "I've discovered a couple of things and I wanted to run them by you before I spoke to Mal. I know you and Haisley are eager to help, but I guess it's important for you both to know it could get dangerous." Jane's smile slipped a little. "I just need to know that you're both willing to take those risks to finally take down AIR for good."
Diego’s eyebrow lifted and he got a rush of happiness that Jane wanted to talk to him about something before talking to Mal. He seemed to be the de facto leader of their little ragtag group. Nobody but Oliver ever consulted Diego about anything, so it was kind of exciting to be seen that way. His own smile faded a bit as she brought up the danger -- that was always the sticking point, wasn’t it? He nibbled on his bottom lip thoughtfully for a beat. “I’m very aware of how dangerous it could be. I’m willing to take a lot of risks,” he said. “High reward, high risk, right? I can’t speak for Haisley, and I’m kind of invested now in looking out for her ... but tell me what you’re thinking and we can go from there.” Diego was already glad that Oliver wasn’t home, he could imagine the constipated, unhappy look he would have on his face right about then.
Jane nodded. "I understand completely. You want Haisley to be safe and I know it's going to sound strange, considering we're still getting to know each other, but I want her to be safe too. And you, and Mal... everyone, including Neil, even though he can be a total pain in the ass." Jane smiled to show she was mostly teasing. "The ideal situation is that we all come out of this with very few scars... with AIR destroyed. Then we can all live the lives that were pretty much robbed from us, you know? Haisley is what... sixteen? Seventeen? She should be in high school right now, getting ready for prom and all of that. It's a crime that any of us had to miss out on a normal childhood because of the facility." She took a breath. "Sorry, it's easy for me to go off on a tangent when talking about them. But...I found out that Wilkes's nephew? He lives in my building. He's young. Nineteen, I think. AIR probably knows about my residency here... even Neil and Toby's. I believe they're watching us, so it's pretty near impossible for me to approach the kid." It was definitely better to call him a kid than a man, even if that's what he was, technically. Jane grimaced slightly, her hands tightening on the glass. "If Haisley is willing, and you're willing too, of course... she may be the best bet we have at getting information from Wilkes's nephew. Things we may not be able to find out otherwise."
Diego understood exactly what Jane was saying, and he slowly nodded through most of it. He wanted them to be safe too. Really safe, for the first time in years and years. His entire life, really. Even though they’d all escaped AIR, none of them were truly free of it. Diego felt that even more keenly now that there was a teenage girl under their care. If he could give her the security and peace of mind through the rest of her life that he hadn’t gotten to have? God, it made his chest hurt to think about. He was about to tell Jane that he completely agreed when she was going on into different territory. Diego’s brows raised at the news, and he sat forward a bit, his expression getting a bit more sharp. “Wilkes’s nephew?” he echoed. “I heard you all talk about this man ... the one who ran your facility, correct? How do you know this nephew isn’t a plant to watch you?”
"Yes. Dr. Wilkes. His father was in charge when Neil, Toby, Shane and I were taken as kids. He died in the fire, but Christopher Wilkes, his son... he's in charge now. His nephew's name is Ethan. I think it's possible he moved in to keep an eye on me, and maybe even Neil, but honestly, he's barely ever home." Jane had been keeping a close eye on the kid herself, ever since she realized who he was. "And even if knows me, he doesn't know Haisley. He's been spending time with Jules Cooper, the girl we told you about? Haisley is the closest in age to Ethan. She might be our best chance to find out what he knows, and what he's doing here."
What she was saying made perfect sense. He was sure that the Facilities communicated across the country about certain things, but no one here would know Haisley on sight, he was also pretty sure. He hoped not, anyway. He nodded that he recognized Jules’s name, though it was a bit distracted. Sending Haisley to try to befriend this boy was risky ... but what wasn’t risky about any of this? She had escaped a fully-secured Facility all on her own, it wasn’t like she was helpless. Diego was just worried about her becoming visible to the local AIR, if this Ethan was trained to sniff out their kind, or if Haisley slipped up too soon. He already knew Oliver would hate the idea, but was it even really up to them? Diego sighed softly and set his tea down to rub his palms slowly together. “I don’t like that it would put her out in front of this,” he said to Jane, just to be honest. “But you’re right. It’s definitely an opportunity, and she’s not a baby. It should be her decision though. I can talk to her about it, see what she thinks.”
Jane sipped her tea, but nodded with a touch of sympathy. "I don't think any of us want to put her out in front. But if she wants to help, that would be the best way. We would keep an eye on her, of course... make sure she's safe. It's obviously her decision, one hundred percent, but you're her unofficial dad so you need to be on board with it too." She smiled and set the glass down beside his. "I feel like we were all drawn here for a reason, Haisley included, and we all have a role to play in this. If she decides this is what she wants to do, I can talk to her too, give her a picture of Ethan and tell her what we're looking for. Any information we can get of him could prove to be really helpful."
Hearing someone outside of their household call him a dad, even an unofficial one, gave Diego a visceral sort of joy that would’ve been hard to explain. It wasn’t a role he’d ever thought he would have, especially not like this, but he was still trying to embrace it. He huffed as he smiled, and gave Jane a bemused sort of look. “Don’t forget, I’m not the only dad,” he murmured. Oliver wouldn’t like it at all, and Diego didn’t know if that would really influence Haisley’s decision or not. “I’m in favor ... as long as we can watch over her as much as possible,” he went on. “The rest will have to be up to her to decide. I think she could do it, though. Her talent is subtle enough that I’m sure she could loosen him up without him even noticing.”
Of course she remembered Oliver, but Jane could already tell the man wasn't totally on board with what was happening, so she didn't expect him to be okay with what Jane wanted Haisley to do. But that was for Diego to deal with, not her. "We'll absolutely keep watch over her," Jane promised. "It would be quite different if I walked in his dreams, or Neil scared him to death with lightning." Her lips quirked again. "Haisley has that added benefit of her ability not being seen, but being felt. And like you said, it's subtle. This could really help us, if we can get some inside information on the facility and what they're doing now. It just makes sense to seize any opportunity they give us."
Diego hadn’t quite seen Haisley’s powers fully in action, so he wasn’t sure how defensive they could be. He knew she fed off of him and Oliver sometimes, made them horny for each other so she could eat the lust. Diego honestly didn’t mind it. Their sex life had been electric lately, in spite of all these AIR disagreements, and if it helped Haisley, even better. “It does make sense,” he agreed with Jane, nodding again. “Maybe ... maybe she can amplify his pride, see if he starts bragging about what AIR is doing. Kick his sloth into high gear if he seems dangerous.” Diego was just thinking out loud, and his tone said as much. He hummed and gave Jane a smile. “I’ll talk to her tonight. We’ve got your number, I can let you know. It’s ... it feels so unusual to have allies in this, to us. Oliver and I have been running for so long. It’s surreal to think we can actually do anything about those assholes. But goddamn do I want to.” He chuckled.
Jane's smile widened. She liked Diego already. A lot. "Exactly. And she wouldn't have to do anything dangerous. Just befriend him, if she can. Talk to him. It sounds like we're on the same page." Which was very, very good. She already had Neil and Toby to aggravate her and Jane wasn't going to have a lot of patience for Shane if he tried to be the protector of children. But Haisley was a young woman, not a child. And if she wanted to help, it was her choice. "But I know how you feel, Diego. After my parents moved me away from here, I felt alone for a really long time. All I had was dreams to feel any connection to people. No one understood me. But you do. And Haisley, and Mal. I don't think anyone can truly get why we need to do this if they haven't gone through it themselves. I feel lucky to have met you, and the others. We're bonded, whether they like it or not. And we're going to destroy them."
Diego wasn’t positive that befriending someone so closely connected to AIR wasn’t dangerous ... but it was at least less risky than being part of a full-on assault on the facility or something. Haisley was new in town, around this boy’s age, and a pretty girl. If anybody out of their group could get to him, it would be her. Diego wasn’t going to force her if she said no, though. Jane mentioning her parents gave Diego a bittersweet pang in his chest. He would likely never find his own, he knew that now, if they were even still alive. He’d been very lucky to have Oliver, but he knew what she meant about feeling alone. “They took my entire childhood from me, my whole family, my sense of identity, my education ... I have dreamed of something like this for many years, but I never thought I’d see the day,” he said, the words quiet but firm. “I told Oliver that something drew us here, and the purpose is obvious now. I will do all I can to help. We’re stronger together.” Diego wanted to hug Jane, or reach for her hand at least, but he wasn’t sure if that was kosher, so he just squeezed his own palms together, then took a deep breath and smiled at her again. “Mal ... do you trust him? Oliver thinks he might be an AIR agent, leading us into a trap.”
She knew that a lot of AIR subjects had it worse than her. Jane had been returned home and had been able to at least live most of her life away from those people and their experiments. But Mal and Diego... their escapes were very different. They lost their families along the way. Jane reached out to take Diego's hand, hoping he wouldn't mind it. Physical touch, that connection, would only make their resolve to end AIR stronger. "We may not get your childhood back, but we'll have vengeance... I know how that sounds, like we're going into this guns blazing, but we deserve to be the ones to end this. I trust Mal implicitly. I know Oliver is hesitant about all of this. I would be too, if I were in his shoes, but any one of us could be seen as an AIR agent, you know? I think if they wanted us, they would have taken us already. There's no trap that needs to be set and I think they're above those games. Mal wants his revenge as much as any of us. When you spoke to Mal yourself, did you get any feeling that he wasn't trustworthy?"
When Jane reached for him, Diego unclenched his hands to give her one, smiling gratefully as he squeezed her fingers. He loved Oliver with all his heart, but he truly hadn’t realized what he was missing, not having anyone he could talk to about what he’d been through. Diego had felt the beginnings of that sense of community when he’d met them all and told a brief version of his story, and he felt it even more now, with Jane in his house, relating and holding his hand. He nodded a bit to what she said, it all made sense to him and he’d come to similar conclusions. AIR might not know yet that he and Haisley and Oliver were in town, but most of the others had been living their lives as normally as possible under AIR’s nose, it seemed like. Diego tilted his head from side to side as he thought about his answer. “He seems to be a man of God, which I respect, and he was very convincing to talk to ... but his powers make me wonder if he could smother any doubt in us, you know? Even if he is open about what he can do, how do you fully trust a telepath? Have you been in his dreams yet?” he asked, curious.
"I understand the apprehension. I haven't walked his dreams because we both decided to respect each other and not go digging around in each other's heads." Jane glanced down at their joined hands. "I would do it, to help quell any doubts you might have, but I think Mal would know what I was doing and I don't want to break his trust. I think you just have to put your faith in what he's wanting to accomplish." She paused and then sighed softly, giving his hand a small squeeze. "We have to trust each other, Diego. It's the only way this is going to work."
That sounded like a respectable arrangement between two psychics, but Diego could practically see Oliver giving him a ‘see?’ sort of look, like he shouldn’t trust any of them. He did, though. He couldn’t keep living his life only putting all his trust into one person. Especially now, when the end result would be so worth it. He just hoped it wouldn’t spell the end of his relationship. “I know,” he said quietly to Jane, giving a nod. “And I do, I trust. I just live with a doubting Thomas who is convinced that pursuing any of this will result in the death of everyone he loves.” Diego gave her a wan smile. “So it’s hard not to be scared too sometimes, you know? But I believe in this cause, and even if it kills me ... I want to do it. It’s so much bigger than us as individuals.”
A prickle of frustration prompted Jane to frown, but she knew better than to bad mouth Diego's partner, or try to convince him that Oliver must not truly love him if he wasn't being supportive. Manipulating someone was one thing, but Jane understood what a detriment it would be to try and manipulate an entire relationship. "He worries, and I would probably be concerned if he didn't," Jane said instead. "He just wants you to be safe, and I totally get that. But the only way you're going to be safe is to get rid of AIR. I think most of us are at the age where we're tired of running, or looking over our shoulders. This is scary. I'm scared." A small smile twitched at her lips. "But I trust you, Diego. I trust Mal and Shane, and Neil. I trust anyone who is willing to put themselves on the line for me, and I hope the feeling is mutual. Oliver will come around. Maybe he just needs to get to know us better."
Diego had said as much to Oliver himself, that they would only be safe once AIR was destroyed. He knew AIR was bigger than just this facility in Point Pleasant, but if they could create a sort of haven for themselves where AIR couldn’t reach them ... He didn’t know what the big picture plan was, he just felt compelled to do what he could, here and now. Hearing that Jane trusted him already was nice, and made him smile more warmly again. He trusted them too, and kind of felt like he’d really found his people. Oliver was the most important person in his life still, but there was something special about finally being with people who had gone through the same shit he had. It was like the same feeling he’d had about Haisley, times six. “Maybe so,” he agreed, and squeezed Jane’s hand again before he let go to reach for his tea. He knew his relationship with Oliver was his own to handle, but it was nice to talk to someone understanding about it. “I trust you too. And the rest, so far. We all want the same thing, to live a free, peaceful life. The longest I’ve lived anywhere was in the facility, and I want to change that. “You and Mal just let me know what you need from me, I’ll be there.”
"Thank you." Jane smiled. "Maybe Point Pleasant will end up being your home for good, after this is all over. It's really not a terrible place, despite its reputation. And you know, you're already helping a lot just by talking to Haisley for me. Hopefully after all of this is over we can get together for something fun, rather than these kind of talks." She felt like it was nearly time for her to go. Jane certainly didn't want to overstay her welcome. "We'll probably have some kind of AIR-survival support group. Meet in the basement of Mal's church every Tuesday night at seven." She chuckled and moved to stand. "If you need anything at all, or if Haisley has any questions, call me at any time, okay?"
Diego had no idea how long ‘all this’ was going to take, and he thought it might be good for morale if they all did get together for more than just planning, but he wasn’t going to say so yet. Maybe he and Oliver should just plan something for all of them -- an ex-AIR barbecue or something. Jane seemed ready to go though, so he stood up to see her to the door, even though it wasn’t far. “That sounds dreary, let’s at least have better food than AA meetings,” he countered with a crooked grin. “I’m sure we will talk soon, Jane. I appreciate that you stopped by instead of just calling.” At the door he offered her his hand again, to shake or squeeze, he wasn’t sure, but it was less personal than a hug.
"I promise, no stale donuts and cold coffee at our ASG meetings," Jane told him. At the door she took his hand and smiled. "Thanks for sitting down with me, even though I showed up completely uninvited. I think I got so used to Neil making up excuses not to have me over when I'd text him that I just got used to imposing my will on people instead." Of course, she was teasing. Mostly. "You have my number so... whenever you talk to Haisley, just let me know. If she's on board, I'll talk to Mal and we'll get something more concrete planned. Thanks again, Diego."
“You’re always invited here,” Diego told her warmly, dimpling at her again. “And so is Neil and all the rest, if they would ever come. But yes, I will talk to Haisley and then call you to let you know. You’re welcome. Drive safe home, okay?” He squeezed her hand and then let her go to open the door for her. It wasn’t often he got to pay host to anyone, so it was fun to be a gentleman about it.
Jane didn't think Neil would ever step outside of his apartment, or the library, if she didn't force him into it. But then again, maybe Neil would enjoy Diego's company more than her own. "Thanks, Diego." She smiled and gave him a small wave before stepping outside to head for her car. He had been easy to convince and that was a nice change of pace from the people she had been dealing with. Hopefully Haisley would be on board and they could start getting more active in taking AIR down.