"This is going to go well. I can tell already." Who: Eomer, Faramir, Boromir What: Arranging bodyguard stuff, breaking the news to Boro. When: 4/12, after this message Where: A cafe, then Chez Boromir Rating/Warnings: PG-13 for brief mentions of pot. Because Eothain. Status: Complete!
Faramir was at the cafe earlier than the meeting time, so nothing seemed suspicious. He had claimed to have a long, late morning meeting and, in order to make it seem like more than a mere brunch, he had been sitting there for an additional 45 minutes while looking things over on the internet, reading student's papers, and drinking coffee. Only coffee, since he was waiting for Eomer to arrive before ordering any food.
At 10am on the dot, Eomer sidled on into the diner. He wasn't the type of guy that liked to arrive to things early... it was kind of a culture in his family to arrive right on time. It didn't bother him that Faramir was already there, though. It made it easier for him to spot the man and find a table.
He headed on over, waving at Faramir when he got a little closer. There was a manilla folder tucked under his other arm, "You must be Faramir. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Right on the dot, and with documentation. That was very precise and he was certain that his brother would appreciate that. Someday. After he was done yelling about it all.
"I am. It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Eomer." Faramir smiled and stood up, holding out a hand for a handshake. "You're very punctual."
Eomer's handshake was the confident kind of firm that didn't really seek to crush the other person's hand. He shook it once, then let the other man's hand go so that they could both sit down, "Yeah, I like to be punctual. My whole family's got a thing about being on time. Which is kinda funny, considering we come from the southern states. Some stereotypes there about us being slow or perpetually late."
He shook his head and set the folder down on the table, "Everything you need to see is right here."
Everything about the other man's demeanor told Faramir that he was trustworthy and capable. Even if he had yet to open the folder and read through everything, it was a relief. Although he really only had his instincts to go by, those had never seemed to lead him astray.
He was opening the folder already and reading, as he said, "I have found it is best to never judge a book by it's cover. Especially when stereotypes are concerned. Oft times, such assessments and crass generalizations are not very accurate. You, by the by, have excellent credentials. That bodes well! More so if you've faced multiple dangerous situations...like facing down obstinate bellowing bear-men."
He left it open for Eomer to elaborate if he wished to, and even kept an ear open for a response.
"Well, I think a couple of tours out in Afghanistan counts as facing multiple dangerous situations. Functioning as security out there isn't just a cushy job sitting around the barracks, though that's often what the other guys would think. I've escorted high value targets through bad territories and faced combat more than a few times." Eomer didn't sound like he was bragging, more just stating facts. That was his job, and he'd done it. He didn't feel the need to boast.
"Facing down obstinate bellowing bear-men was kind of part of the job description, if you don't mind my saying. A four star general never likes being told that you're going to be covering his ass. They all think they can protect themselves, but someone's still got to watch their six. And that's what I'm here for."
Faramir liked what he was hearing and had all the while been reading through, and he closed the folder, setting it aside. This put him at ease with the decision, since Eomer knew what he was getting into and had worked under conditions such as that. He even nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, that is what you are here for, and you are highly qualified. That is why I will pay you out of my own pocket until such time as Boromir becomes accustomed to the idea, and I can have you paid out with campaign funds. But, we can speak more about that and any further questions you might have, over breakfast. One moment."
He waved a hand and smiled to the waitress who had been slinging him coffee, and asked for two menus....and a refill on that coffee. Eyedart.
An additional coffee was politely requested by Eomer, who was honestly and sincerely just happy to be in the company of an adult who wasn't trying to steal the silverware or troll the wait staff. He loved Eothain on a no-homo guy friend level, but goddamn his friend knew how to be an epic pain in the ass.
Honestly, dealing with Eothain was probably a trial run for dealing with any and all Boromirs in the history of the universe, simply because it'd given him an extra lick or two of patience.
"I really respect what you're doing for him. I'm sure he'll eventually respect it, too, though that won't happen up front at all. I mean, you know him better than I do, but that's just my understanding of the situation. Hopefully, of course, he'll never actually need my protection. But it doesn't hurt to be safe."
Correct! No silverware would be stolen throughout the duration of this log.
Once he had a menu in hand and a refill on that hot cup of sustaining life juice he was addicted to, Faramir looked more on the thinky side of the spectrum as he listened to what Eomer was saying. If it was any consolation, a lifetime of growing up with Boromir and Denethor meant that Faramir had to learn to keep calm and carry on, and caused him to develop a metric TON of patience. That was a trait that he could fully appreciate and was all too happy to find in another person.
"I agree, that it is better to be safe, than sorry," Faramir agreed. "But I doubt he will show any appreciation at first. I think it better to be honest with him, and tell him straightaway. Any storm will pass sooner than later, and there will be less damage to our eardrums that is left behind."
After he decided what he was going to order, Faramir asked, "Let us set aside the matter of my brother, for a moment. What of you, with your...interesting friend, that I noticed on the valar net? You must be accustomed to strange situations with someone like him, lingering about."
Oh, man. This guy wanted to hear about Eothain? Eomer raised his eyebrows a bit and let out a long sigh, while looking over the menu, "Well... what can I say about Eothain. He's... yeah, interesting. That's a word you could use. He's had a colorful life, and I think he believes in living it up, you know. The man's got a death wish. But he has no fear, either, I'll give him that much. Also, he's got one of those medical pot cards, so I'm gonna apologize ahead of time if I come in smelling like I smoke the stuff. I don't, but it's sure as hell hard to get it out of your clothing."
He leaned back in his chair a bit, putting his own menu aside as he decided what it was he was getting, "I'm a bit older than him so I feel like I need to look out for him. We were always having adventures when we were younger and we tended to watch each other's backs. Grew apart a bit - I've got a very different life strategy than he does, but it's good to see that he's still around. I just wish I could help him more than putting a roof over his head already does."
Faramir had raised his eyebrows as though mirroring Eomer's reaction, if only for a few fleeting seconds. He listened, without looking at all judgmental. It wasn't his place to judge, after all.
"A colorful life, indeed, but one in which he has a good friend. It speaks highly toward the quality of your character." There was a pause before he took a drink of coffee, seeming as though he was drinking in more than the beverage but all of the implications of having a friend like that. "I would almost suggest rehab, but that means the person in question must want to be sober, or else it will never work. Regardless? One must always strive to be accepting of other's life choices, even if they don't always align with our own. I have learned that much from my own family, even if I am certain they might not feel the same way at one time or another. But my experience differs, as would be expected. I would think, to have a death wish and no fear, might make for a very daring and dangerous combination. Even if it seems he is loyal to you, as much as you are, to him."
Faramir blinked himself out of his moment of contemplation and offered Eomer a rueful smile, "I did notice the faint aroma. Rest assured, it is faint! But I am a community college teacher. Students arrive smelling of it, all of the time. It's not offensive to me. I've tried it, before."
Oh Faramir. You sneaky, sekrit daredevil. Even if you don't brag about it or toot your own horn.
He waited until the waitress drew near and ordered some food. Nothing spectacular. An omelette, but with a lot less meat in it and a lot less potato on the side than someone like his brother would order. .......'Merica!
"Rehab, I'd pay for if he wanted to get clean at all. But he doesn't want to, and according to him smoking the stuff is his right. I suppose with the card, it is, but..." Eomer shrugged. He was more worried about Eothain than he really cared to admit. Faramir seemed like a very astute man and he probably picked up on all of that without him getting into it.
His own order was far less healthy. Steak and eggs, with some toast on the side. He loved his red meat too much to give it up, "It's dangerous alright, but I can't make him stop. All I can do is look out for him. Which is pretty much all any of us can do. And I'm glad that you're not judging me about it. I have no idea how to get the smell out, laundry was never a big thing on my list. As long as my uniform came clean and passed inspection."
Eomer shrugged a shoulder. His army days were behind him but the discipline they required of their soldiers hadn't. That was probably why he and Eothain sharing a living space was so crazy, "I've never tried it, myself. I figured I'd have to pass tests to get a job somewhere."
"It's not so bad, even if it's not conducive to being productive. My grades slipped the year that I was experimenting," Faramir admitted. He would also be the world's worst vegetarian, since he did his fair share of eating steak, now and again. So the omelette probably was of the Denver variety, than being heavy on the veggies. "Let us not advertise that to my brother. Actually, I had a lot of friends in college say that putting a half cup of baking soda or a cup of hydrogen peroxide in the wash helped oxydize some of the smell out. I'm not personally concerned about that and I won't be insisting on any drug testing, since you seem very sober, serious, and capable. However, my brother might be less lenient. It might be best to try those things, first."
As for the rest of what was said, he drew in a deep sigh.
"I would not do so. It is not my place to judge, nor would I have the actions of your friend reflect poorly on you. I also know your sister, as a paintball team member, and she doesn't seem the type either to indulge. You strike me as someone too responsible to do that, and I tend to trust my instincts in such matters. I simply hope that it does not run into an occassion where you are having to take a leave of absence to deal with your friend having...an accident."
Of the overdosing variety, because - from the way Eomer was talking about it - it seemed like perhaps it was much more than a mere case of having a pothead for a roommate. He didn't want to pry for further information, preferring instead to listen and to wait for such information to be volunteered in it's own good time. Half the time, that wasn't even necessary. It was easy enough to fill in the blanks.
"I want to say that I'd put your brother's life ahead of my own needs in a situation like that - that's the job, after all - but I know where my own loyalties lie, too. I'd be in a very tough situation if it ever came to that. I take my oaths and vows very seriously. But Eothain's been in my life on and off since I was ten years old." Eomer scrunched his nose a bit. He'd want to do the right thing, but then he'd be torn on what the right thing was. No matter what choice he made, he'd feel like he was abandoning his post somehow.
"Let's just hope it never comes to that and leave it there. It's a bad bridge that we'd have to cross, but I'd figure it out. Also, I'll keep the things that are said between us, unless it seems like public information. No worries there. Thanks for the advice though, with the laundry. I'll give that a try the next time I do wash."
After taking a long sip of his own coffee, he asked, "So what is it that you do again? You're a teacher, right?"
"I take oaths and vows seriously as well. But I would not hold it against you, should you need to take time to deal with any situations regarding family or close friends. Let us hope that it does not ever come to pass," Faramir said, and he meant it. He didn't relish suffering in any form, even unto those that sometimes brought it upon themselves. Gloating or thinking himself someone else's better simply wasn't his style. "That said, in the event that something might happen, then I expect my brother will merely insist he can take care himself. And I will quietly arrange for a temporary replacement, until you are ready to return."
It was always best to be prepared. Being prepared included coffee. Faramir realized that he was going to need another refill at this rate. In fact, he stared into the cup of coffee for a moment, like he was pensively wishing that someone out there would invent a never-ending cup. And as he broke out of that revery, he smiled and said, "Yes, I am. A community college teacher, in fact. Poetry and philosophy, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Around those days, I'm a volunteer campaign advisor for my brother. I expect things will be very quiet when he's elected. Since, naturally, there is no 'if' there is only a 'when'."
"When he's elected, will you still need me?" It was a good question to ask, Eomer figured. Situations would be somewhat different at that point, though Eomer thought that an elected official was in no less danger. In fact, it was probably true that Boromir would be in even more danger once he was in a position of power.
Still, it didn't hurt to ask.
"I would like to think you would still be needed," was Faramir's reply, but he thought it was a good question that Eomer posed. "It is my hope that he will see some reason in this, and that you would be afforded an appropriate pay raise and benefits, after he is in office. As it stands, if you are to suffer an injury now, I will gladly pay out of pocket any expense for your medical care, should there be any. As a former soldier, I expect your benefits are already sufficient. I do not think you need worry over that, and instead concentrate on keeping a watchful eye on him."
After a few bites of food and taking his brother into account, "I wonder if we should meet with him, posthaste. If we tarry in telling him, he may become further incensed and increasingly obstinate. What do you think?"
"I think reading him in on this sooner rather than later is probably for the best. It gets the anger and bellowing out of the way, and I'd rather face him sooner than later. And it'll look better if we come right out in front of this." Eomer replied, after taking some time to think and eat some of his food.
As for benefits and all of that, he nodded, "I've got pretty good benefits as far as medical care and all that. I'm not too worried about any of that, if I have to take a bullet for him or something. But It's good to hear that you'd want to chip in and help out in a situation like that. It's better to think out all the details ahead of time, even the more unpleasant ones."
"Where such details are concerned, pleasant or unpleasant? I would rather every base is covered, so to speak." He was in full agreement and had polished off half the food on his plate, while listening. He usually skipped a big breakfast in favor of coffee and something easy to grab and go like a trail mix bar, so sitting down to eat was now something enjoyable. That was even if the topic of the conversation was all business.
"I agree as well, that we should be honest and forthright," he added. "Maybe I should contact him and we can have a meeting, if he is not busy today."
Eomer took any chance to sit down and eat a meal that he could get. It was one of the biggest things he'd learned in the army - eat while it's there, and fill yourself up. He polished off what remained of his food while Faramir spoke, then nodded, "I'm free today, so I've definitely got the time. I wouldn't mind setting something up for today."
"That would be well, and we can all have time to let the dust settle after the inevitable explosion." Faramir took out his phone and sent his brother a message, to let him know that he would be bringing someone over for a meeting, in an hour. Then he went to work finishing off the last of his meal. "Let us enjoy this fleeting moment of peace, while it lasts."
-----
Boromir didn't live in cheap looking places, so it was a safe bet that the condo Faramir brought Eomer to was very nice indeed. He walked in, holding the door open for Eomer, and called out, "Boromir, I'm here! Are you busy?"
Bellowing could be heard from without, even before the door was open. Once it was open it was clear that the bellowing was directed into the phone, in not so nice a tone with very not so nice words. “GET A NEW POLLING COMPANY!” He slammed the phone into the receiver.
The bellowing was indeed very loud, and Eomer winced a bit as they entered the house. Not because he wasn't looking forward to this, but mainly because he had a great deal of sympathy for Faramir.
"This is going to go well. I can tell already," He joked.
"Swimmingly well," Faramir said under his breath, calling out again because the bellow probably overrode his announcement. He walked in further and sighed. "Boromir, I'd like you to meet a new friend of mine, Eomer." And, realizing how that might sound, he added in, for everyone's sakes, "That I am not romantically involved with."
Because why oh why did everyone keep thinking he was gay.
“Oh. Good. Nice to meet yoo o ouu…” Boromir stammered and then squinted at Eomer, like he had a vague resemblance to a man he’d met in his dreams, in a country that had lent him a horse, who’d had a banshee of a sister with an incredible right hook. Squint.
Oh this guy. This was the guy. The one that was on Eowyn's paintball team, that she'd poured wine on. For insinuating that he himself did things that were questionable with horses.
"Well..." Eomer muttered to himself. He left off the curse word that would have normally followed that, and held his hand out, "Nice to meet you in person, Boromir. I hear you're pretty good with a paintball gun."
And not so good at dating women. He also decided it was best not to say that.
Meanwhile, Faramir looked between them both. Since Boromir and Eowyn were satisfied after their paintball contest, he hadn't thought about there being any awkward pauses. And he didn't remember Eomer at all from his dreams, so he was giving his brother a very strange look, indeed.
"My brother does enjoy his guns," Faramir said, finally, while keeping a watchful eye on his brother. Mainly to gauge if this was a good time or not. If not, he would have to reassess how best to proceed, and in a timely manner.
“Guns, swords, anything that you can kill a man with,” Boromir joked, taking Eomer’s hand with a grip that was deliberately hard and painful. To prove how much more of a man he was, of course. But part of him could like Eomer, once he warmed up.
Eomer squeezed Boromir's hand in return, with just as much strength. He'd only retired two years ago and he'd kept himself in excellent shape. Aside from the fact that Boromir would eventually be paying him, they were equals in many other ways.
"You can kill a man with a broken water bottle, if you get creative enough," He replied, jokingly.
Faramir was left staring, with a slight squint, at their hands, which had looked like they were going white knuckled due to kung fu grip. He pressed his lips together and waited a moment, before attempting to approach things slowly by saying, "We wished to speak with you, regarding a matter of importance. If it is not an inconvenient time, of course. I overheard you mentioning polls."
Most of the neighborhood had heard Boromir 'mentioning' those, so Faramir was being the king of understatements, right now.
“Improvised weapons! Now this is a man I could drink with.” Boromir laughed, but it seemed like he was going to wait for Eomer to let go first, rather than back down as the first one to back down. His left eye twitched, once, then twice, and he ended up letting go so he didn’t punch something. “Aye, yes. A pollster asking leading questions that biased the respondents against me. Incompetents!”
"I was never one for polling. Those statistics aren't ever really that accurate anyway." Eomer dropped his hand to his side and grinned a bit at Boromir. He would have let go in another minute anyway, to let Boromir save a little face, but that seemed unnecessary after all.
"But I wouldn't mind sharing a drink with someone who appreciates the art of weapon improvisation. Never know what kind of situation you're going to be in after all." He glanced at Faramir and smiled at him, hoping that this attempt to get along with Boromir was going as well as he thought. Surely the other brother would have some kind of visual cues.
Faramir had been wondering if they were going to start arm wrestling, and silently let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding when the moment had passed. He smiled back at Eomer and began to think of a way to work his way into the really big news.
"I will speak to the pollster in question. You know they prefer a bias, because showing that which is contrary to popular opinion tends toward infotainment, after all. They are simply trying to secure notice. Speaking of securing things?" He glanced at Eomer and drew in a breath, to make an announcement. "I am glad to see you two might get along well and have drinks, while talking over improvised weapons. For Eomer is your highly qualified armed security, so you can concentrate on your campaign."
Faramir grinned. Hopefully.
Surprise!
“You never know when you need to hit someone with a solid object,” Boromir grumbled, half to himself. He was thinking about beating his pollster over the head. And then he looked at Faramir like he was thinking about hitting his brother with a solid object.
“Excuse me?”
“Eomer is going to watch your back, so you can concentrate on speaking to those in front of you,” Faramir clarified, so it was made more clear. What was probably going to be disconcerting to Boromir, was that Faramir didn’t sound like it was negotiable. Nor did he look like he was going to budge, even if he was hit with a solid object.
“Did you hire a bodyguard without my express permission?” Boromir wasn’t bellowing. In fact his words were even and his tone normal, which was in and of itself far more terrifying than if he was yelling.
"For many a reason, most highly that we live in an area that appears to be unsafe with bombings and the likes? I did." Faramir was perfectly still and his voice maintained the same tone and measure as before. He listed a few reasons, in an attempt to explain, "I do not think you can debate that fact, nor that I am concerned for your welfare. You are a public figure, and so a viable target as any. This is not a poor view of your capacity to care for yourself, and this takes no money from your campaign. You can not fire him, because I have hired him."
Faramir glanced over at Eomer. He was trying to give him a 'This is a reverse bellow, take one step back for safety' stare. That might not do any good, because Eomer didn’t seem like the type of guy to take a step back in such a situation. He wasn’t sure what was going to happen, at this point.
Eomer was indeed, not the kind of guy to take a step back in this situation. Or many situations at all, really. He stood his ground, too, because he felt that backing away would be a sign that he was willing to back down about the job. He wasn't. This was a guy who was going to make as many friends as he did enemies, he needed this protection.
"Sir, if I may... There is no shame in this. You're a very busy man, and a political figure. Politicians are high-value targets for terrorism and other things, and if you're focused on your campaign - which you should be - you can't always be focused on your safety. Plenty of public figures hire on some measure of security. It's better to be safe than shot."
It looked like he was fit to start yelling. His chest puffed out and then suddenly deflated as though someone was letting out all the hot air. “I accept this under protest. You seem like a good man.” And you lent me a horse so I owe you one.” Boromir fought back a grimace. “I just do not wish to be seen as weak.”
Faramir opened his mouth when it seemed like Boromir was going to start yelling, in what was probably going to be a fruitless attempt to calm his brother's temper. Instead, his mouth clamped shut for a moment and he looked profoundly confused. There was a moment's pause as he looked between them both, and then quietly stated, "I was not aware you knew one another, prior. Nor did I know anything about a horse being loaned to you."
"I don't know anything about a horse bein' loaned to you, either," Eomer admitted, looking somewhat puzzled. What was this guy talking about? Did he come to Texas at some point? He'd been away for a long time, so maybe it had happened while he was absent,but... "Unless Eowyn loaned you one while I was in the service..."
He glanced over at Faramir, "I know this guy as the guy who my sister dated once and splashed wine on, mostly."
Boromir darted his eyes. “Yes, that’s what I mean. She was very friendly about it. Except for throwing things. But that is why we never would have worked out, brother. She likes to throw things at me. That woman is crazy.” Pause. “No offense intended.”
Eomer, however, didn't need to know that, because he might backpeddle on the job entirely, thinking they had both come unhinged. He had to help with a cover story, stat.
"Ah, I see. That makes sense then," he said, softly but evenly. "We have both traveled extensively, although not often with one another. My brother has a certain fondness for Texas, especially if it has to do with the shooting locations of Walker, Texas Ranger. So that might be possible. Perhaps she did not remember it well, if she was busy. However, I do not think Eowyn is crazy. Only that she has a low threshold for jests in poor taste. Isn't that right, Boromir?"
He grinned. This time, it wasn't hopeful. It was an itsy bitsy bit forced in appearance. It was as though he was telling Boromir that he had better be the one to smooth this over, without being bombastic about it or digging the hole deeper.
"Right..." Eomer looked between Faramir and Boromir. He wasn't exactly convinced that something strange wasn't going on here, but the two of them were corroborating each other's stories, so he shrugged a shoulder, "She is good at throwing things, Sir. But she's not crazy, and as I understand it the main issue had to do with your implication that I do perverted things to my horses. Since we're talking in person professionally and I like you, allow me to clear the air. I don't screw horses. Hopefully that doesn't disappoint you somehow."
He was joking, and he hoped his grin set everyone at ease.
“I never meant…!” Boromir held up his hand, then grimaced. “Never mind, let us let the air stay clear.” He shot a look at Faramir that was a lot like ‘soon’ and then turned back to Eomer. “Would you like some water? Since you’re probably already on duty.”
'Soon' couldn't happen fast enough, but Faramir looked more at ease and nodded in agreement, that the beastiality jokes were best left unmentioned. He also looked at Eomer, relieved that offense hadn’t been taken. Because what the hell, Boromir. Just...what the hell.
"I don't have my weapon on me this evening, but I'd definitely like to take a look around your place, get familiar with the layout and your schedule. I don't intend to be intrusive and if you both like, I could start out by just guarding you while your out and about during the day." Eomer glanced between Boromir and Faramir again, since he wasn't really sure who would be calling the shots.
Faramir smiled and nodded, but motioned with one hand toward his brother, saying, "I think it is up to him, since I am only the volunteer advisor. And since he has agreed to the arrangement, this makes things much easier on everyone. I will simply arrange for the pay, and Boromir may say where he will be and what he will be doing."
And Faramir would simply sneaky Ranger check the schedule to make sure that Boromir wasn't trying to do a work-around, and go out and about without his guard present.
Boromir gestured. “Feel free to do a perimeter check. Gun safe is in the study and always locked. There are two entrances, and the windows on the bottom floor are sealed except in cases of emergency. They’re nearly impossible to pry open from the outside.”
He blew out his nose. He was going to have to go off schedule sometimes, just to get away!
"I'll bring in my own piece, of course, but I wouldn't mind if you'd let me bring in a small safe of my own. Mainly to store extra ammunition just in case." Eomer nodded to both of the men, then pointed in the direction of the exit, "Let me go ahead and get started. I'll leave you two to talk."
"All right. Thank you, Eomer. If anything is amiss, please let us know." Faramir folded his arms and looked ready to wait until Eomer left. Patiently. Non-pissily.
“That is fine.” Boromir waited for Eomer to quit the room, then rounded on his brother. Under his breath, he hissed, “What is the meaning of this? Do you think me incapable of protecting my own self and my own home? That you go behind my back?!”
It definitely was beyond the bellow. Faramir let out a sigh that was louder than the volume of Boromir's hiss, and then said in a whisper, "I worry. Recent events and the fact that you are running for a public office, make you a target. If you are being asked questions by reporters and the likes, your attention is diverted. This was a reasonable decision, and one that you would not have made on your own due to your pride. If asked prior, you would have refused. I know you well, and I would rather have you living and being angry at me, than to go without and live with the consequences of doing nothing. Eomer strikes me as someone trustworthy and capable, we both know his sister...this seemed like the wisest course of action. Does it not seem so, to you? Or can you find fault in such reasoning?"
“I will not hide like some coward!” Boromir’s voice rose sharply. He found this entire thing distasteful. Hiring some man like a mercenary. It wasn’t like he was the president and Eomer a member of the secret service.
Though that did sound appealing. His face changed as he thought about that. President Boromir, with a hand picked selection of secret service agents. He grinned to himself at the mental image.
“I suppose you may be right…”
"No one said you are hiding, only that there is an extra set of eyes to watch your back." Faramir's own voice had been of a decidedly normal inside voice, but he stopped short as he saw Boromir's expression change. "You have that look on your face, where you are thinking grand things. They are more often than not about your own self. So yes, please keep thinking them. It is better to be safe, than sorry."
“Perhaps some day you’ll be my Secretary of State,” Boromir mused, still lost in his fantasy. He could trust no one more than that.
Insert hand meeting one's own face, right about now. Despite the facepalming, he was also relieved that Boromir was warming up to the idea. And that is why he removed that hand and patted it on one of his brother's shoulders instead, saying, "If you asked, then I would be greatly honored and accept the post. But let us not get ahead of ourselves."
“Nonsense, you need to start planning these things as soon as possible.” He clapped his brother hard on the shoulder and laughed. It was like his mood had shifted completely. “I suppose I should get used to a protection detail, then!”
"Very well. You are not going to try to lose him, are you?" Faramir gave his brother a wary look, even if he did crack a grin at the same time.
“I promise, I will not lose him while on official functions.” And behind his back, Boromir crossed his fingers.