York's Interdimension Basket of Washes

[notyourrookie]

York is done with this. Every Wash needs a comfy, happy and most of all, not horrifying and trauma-inducing space where they can feel safe. A place where the horrors that inevitably await them in their own universes cannot intrude.

And York will provide. Even if he has to drag them across universes to do so.

Comments

[depthlesslock]

He winces.

'Wash. You're Wash, Washington. I'd use your real name but I don't know it. Regardless, you're that as well.' He's fresh from Epsilon, isn't he? He doesn't have the hardness in his eyes that Other Wash does, just the exhaustion and pain. 'It takes more than memories to make a person.'

[churbooseanon]

"David. I was named David once. Now..."

York can't understand it, the way the memories overtake him. There is no comparison, no parallel. He opened himself to them and they are tearing him apart.

[depthlesslock]

'David,' he repeats, trying it out. Is that his Wash's name as well? Is Nic North's? 'Struggling with the memories?'

[churbooseanon]

"You couldn't possibly imagine," David answers.

And bless the fact that no one else in the world could.

[depthlesslock]

'I probably couldn't,' he agrees, sighing. 'But I'll try to help anyway. What's the biggest blanket and pillow nest you've ever been in?'

[churbooseanon]

That one David doesn't have to think about. It happens every night.

"Six pillows, four blankets," he provides instantly. "Two pillows for each of us, blankets for warmth."

[depthlesslock]

He smiles. Good to know any relationship he's in is fond of snuggles. Plus, they're good for all of them. 'Nice and cozy, I'll bet. Well, I've got a giant nest back at the base, a base that is nothing to do with PFL, I promise. You're more than welcome to come and join it. It was actually made for the purpose of comforting Washes.'

[churbooseanon]

Huh? Other... hims?

"No," David says, pulling away. "They can't see me. No one can see me."

[depthlesslock]

'Wa-- David. Please. One of them's been through a lot of what you have. More, in some ways. At least, I think he's further alone his timeline than you. The other one's this world's Wash. He's my best friend, I trust him. We'll keep you safe, I promise.'

[churbooseanon]

"No one can keep you safe when your own mind is falling apart," David counters simply. Not even other hims.

[depthlesslock]

'Then maybe we can help a bit, or make it a little easier?' He's not giving up.

[churbooseanon]

David shakes his head emphatically. "I don't wanna remember other lives. I don't York. Please."

[depthlesslock]

He chews his lip. 'It's big enough that you wouldn't have to be close to them.' Compromise. 'And there's fruit and t-shocolate.'

[churbooseanon]

"Fruit?" David asks.

It's the hardest thing to get where they're staying. Real, fresh fruit. Chocolate is strangely more common. Like, whatever. But fruit?

"I'm in."

[depthlesslock]

Some things really do never change. Fruit and cats are Wash's ultimate weaknesses, no matter the world it would seem, though he hasn't checked on the feline front yet. At least he's agreed to come. For that, he's grateful. And he'll be sure to provide.

'Awesome. Let's get you a helmet and then I'll take you back. Bananas your favorite?'

[churbooseanon]

"Bananas are good, but I prefer apples," David shrugs. He likes those more than anything. "And pears."

There are a lot of fruit that are damn good, shut up.

[depthlesslock]

'Definitely got apples and I think I have... uh... fuck. The... the other one you said. If we don't, I can go get some.'

They reach the helmet store cupboard. It's locked, but York soon fixes that. 'Here, pick wit-sh ever one you want.'

[churbooseanon]

David considers the display for a bit, and then selects one that is North's shade of purple with a strip of York's color of goldish-tan. There, he can be surrounded by his lovers in his own way.

"They're not allowed to tell me about themselves," David instructs the other man as he puts the helmet on with ease born of familiarity and perfect recall. "Not who they are. Because then I'll always know."

[depthlesslock]

York has to smile at his choice and locks the door again behind them.

'I'll make sure to tell them,' he promises, watching Wash's face disappear under the helmet. 'You got an eidetic memory or something?' That must suck, given Epsilon. Fuck, that must really suck.

[churbooseanon]

"One of the many gifts Epsilon left me when he self-destructed in my mind," David says, voice bland. "Perfect recall of all things, and an unfortunate ability to lose myself in the identities of three other people."

He knows every detail about every little thing of PFL. And for what? He doesn't even know.

[depthlesslock]

The Director, Alpha and Epsilon. Technically all the same person and yet very much not at the same time. And Wash has the memories of all three of them knocking around his brain. How fucked up is that?

'Can I give you a hug?'

[churbooseanon]

"It counts as cheating if you kiss me, but I think a hug is okay," David decides after a moment of thought.

Those arms are still York's in a lot of ways, and he NEEDS THEM.

[depthlesslock]

'I'm not going to kiss you, it'll just be a hug.' A kiss would be cheating on both their parts.

With that confirmation, he steps closer and wraps his arms around Wash.

[churbooseanon]

David melts in those familiar arms. This is the touch of his lover, even if it isn't Miles himself. He snuggles into York's arms and closes his eyes. Like this he can be David and David alone. Allison didn't have arms like Miles's that came up so far on his body. Allison didn't have that height advantage on Leonard. Allison... isn't here.

[depthlesslock]

Well that's a good reaction and one he'll have to remember. Maybe he'll join him and the others in the nest for a bit if it will help this Wash relax better.

Even now, just standing in the corridor, he can feel Wash easing in his arms and he snuggles him back, Squeezing him gently for a moment.