week 7 and on

[refactor]

"I can't believe Rhys is so creepy" and other stories

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part 2

[refactor]

[ It takes several days before Jack can stomach looking into the hard drive again.

Every time he looks at it, all of that rage just bubbles up again, but at least the extent of it lessens each time. So after yet another trial about someone he doesn't give a shit about, looking at it doesn't inspire him to toss it in the nearest microwave. He figures that's about as good as he'll get. Another glass is poured, and he hopes that he'll be able to make it through more without throwing it at the wall. Which, thank god for the mystery cleaning crew. It would have made him even angrier to have to clean up his own mess in this case.

He starts looking over more business files, but he feels that anger bubbling up again. For each measure of Rhys's new success, Jack can only feel that it's made by screwing him over. But he has to make it through all this shit, and as a result, he decides to go looking into some of those more personal files. There's no real, logical reason for it. He just thinks that he might be able to find something to laugh at to make himself feel better here. So "fucking garbage emo shit" seems to be as good a place to start as any. ]

You look like shit, pumpkin.

[ Jack laughs, since the way Rhys looks here genuinely cheers him up, since he's both bitter and a terrible person. Seeing just how injured Rhys looks absolutely fills Jack with the sort of sadistic glee that he's infamous for, because really? He's actually sad that he hadn't caused it himself. In fact, it's easy to see how the corners of Jack's eyes turn up with genuine pleasure once Rhys states that Jack had tried to kill him.

But, to even his surprise, it's short-lived.

When Rhys continues speaking, Jack's expression of pleasure fades away bit by bit until it settles into something colder, but also uncertain. It's not what Jack had been expecting to hear, and that's clear. He's surprisingly quiet as he watches and listens to Rhys as he breaks down, and once the video is finished, Jack sits there in silence for several moments. He brings his glass up to his lips and takes a large swig, almost emptying it. He breathes out a harsh breath that comes after that distinct burn of taking too large a drink of something strong. ]

Just—

[ Jack starts to speak, but his voice is rough. It could be from the liquor, considering he coughs right after, but it's hard to tell. ]

The hell is that supposed to mean? I- You goddamn piece of shit. You...

[ He trails off, then unplugs the harddrive from his datapad roughly. jack stands from his desk and picks his glass up again to finish it off, but he's quick to start pouring another. ]

Talking about faith and betrayal? Jesus. What- What a friggin' load of skagcrap. That dick doesn't even know the meaning of either goddamn one! Fuck!

[ He corks the bottle again angrily, but he ends up taking his new glass to the bathroom with him as he goes to shower.

It seems like he can only make it through one tonight. ]