[closed] reunited —

[5055034455]

WHO: Saul Goodman & Aunt Cass
WHERE: The Lucky Cat Cafe
WHEN: November 6th
WHAT: A reunion.
WARNINGS: probably feelings

[So a lawyer walks into a coffee shop...

And the first thing he does is take in every single person, sitting or standing, noting things like whether or not he knows them or they know him — he hopes, hopes, hopes to high heaven that Walt isn't in here — and what they're wearing and if they might somehow be a threat. It seems silly to think that of anyone who'd come to a place called the Lucky Cat Cafe, but this is a habit he'll likely never drop.

The second thing he does is look for Cass.

He feels a bit weird about it. She knew him as Jimmy, not Saul. She knew him when he was younger, when he had a bright and profitable future laid out in front of him. She knew him before everything went to shit, and for a moment, he entertains leaving — but then he remembers she's going to see him back home eventually anyway, since the Powers That Be saw fit to make him pick up where his younger self left off.

And then he remembers the way she hugged him, which is what brought him here in the first place.

That makes him shift from feeling weird to feeling pathetic, because grown men shouldn't need magical hugs.

But man, does he ever want one.

He strides up to the counter and clears his throat, waiting with an uncertain smile on his face.]

Comments

[lasthugs]

[Cass didn't immediately recognize him. She called out a "welcome!" of course, as she always does. But then she was busy offering refills of coffee and checking on customers and then ducking behind the counter to take a really good look at who just came in. It's okay, though. They always get to the counter so she can take a look then!

It's been a while since she last saw Jimmy. What she was able to save of his belongings, however much he may have had, she still has carefully stored away in a box in her room. You never know when someone might come back! His and Armin's; they're both there, anything that hadn't been carried out by other friends. She isn't expecting them, to be honest.

So when she finally turns to smile brightly at the new customer and ask him what he may like, if he wanted to try anything, confirm that he's a new face, she doesn't immediately realize who it is. She does take pause, though, about her last question. He's a new face to the café, but he isn't a new face to her. Is he? There's something familiar there, something she knows, and her confusion shows in the way her eyes widen and she slowly opens her mouth to prepare to say the name whenever it comes to her. It's there, it's there, she must know it--]

Oh!

[She knows it.]

Could that be... [and there comes the smile, stretching as wide as ever across her face as she quickly darts around the counter to come stand next to him.] Jimmy?

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[It's a little disheartening, the time it takes Cass to realize who he is. True, he's lost hair since the last time she saw him, but — is he really that much different? Maybe the Nebraska experience wore him down more than he thought it did. Maybe everyone can see how tired he is. Maybe the plastic surgeon he saw did a shitty job of resetting his nose. Maybe —

But then her expression brightens, and so does his.

Honestly, he can't blame her for those few seconds of searching. It's not like they were particularly close, not the way he'd been with some other people here — and when everyone seems to come and go without warning, it might just be easier to forget.

Saul catches himself before he becomes too lost in thought and, gaze snapping back into focus on her face, he playfully tilts his head and smirks.]

It could be.

[lasthugs]

[It's less the lack of recognition and more the surprise that got her. In her experience, she'd only heard of one person coming back after being ported out. Armin had gone, Alistair had gone, Honey had gone, and so had Jimmy, but now--

He's older; there's no denying that. His hair is thinner. He looks more tired. However long had passed for him since he was last here, they certainly hadn't been the kindest of years. But this was Jimmy, and there was no doubting it, even if the answer he gave her was a cheeky maybe.

It doesn't matter. Without wasting another moment, Cass is taking those last two steps between them and throwing her arms around the man, squeezing him as tightly as her smaller frame can manage.] Oh it is you! Oh my goodness, I can't believe it!

[She's ecstatic to see an old face, and more than that, he seems to have come here to the café knowing she was here. He knew who she was. He'd remembered!]

[5055034455]

In a sense —

[It's him in a sense, is what he means. He's not really Jimmy anymore; things have gotten complicated, to say the least, and hearing his real name still strikes him as weird.

But that doesn't matter at the moment, now that he's busy half-sinking into her hug.]

Hey, Cass. [With one arm around her middle, he returns the squeeze.] Surprise.

[lasthugs]

[She laughs at that. Surprise! He could say that again. He better be prepared to stay a bit, because she's not letting go anytime too soon. The café is handled and nobody's going to dare interrupt them anyway. She keeps her arms around him and holds on tightly, almost like she's making sure he isn't going to disappear on her again. ]

It's so good to see you again. When did you get back?

[5055034455]

[He is totally prepared.

Saul feels a little awkward about it, but not awkward enough to make him shy away just yet thanks to Cass's ability. Give him a few more seconds.]

Yesterday. It was late when I got to the house and I didn't wanna wake anyone, so...

[lasthugs]

Oh -- good! Wait, so you're in our house again?

[She's so HAPPY. Then she pauses. Oh no.]

Oh gosh, it must have been a mess! You didn't trip over anything, right? I wake up so early now, I didn't wake you up, did I?

[5055034455]

Sure am.

[And then he laughs.]

Don't worry — it wasn't a mess, I didn't trip, and you didn't wake me up.

[He told himself he just needed a few more seconds, but he lingers in the hug longer because he swears, swears he can smell Kim's shampoo again. He hasn't smelled that in years, and it makes his stomach twist — to counter that, he gives Cass a little squeeze.

And then he finally pulls away.]

It's really good to see you again, Cass.

[His stomach twists again at the earnestness of his own words. Saul isn't the type to miss people; he can't afford to be, but out of everyone here, he's the most glad that she's still around. She's one of the good ones. This place needs her.]

[lasthugs]

[He might pull away, but Cass lingers in it for a few more seconds. Her hands drop only to his elbows, holding him in place, eyes bright as she looks at him closely. There are more lines. Is his hair greyer? He looks so tired, and she instinctively understands that it wasn't just a long time that he went through. It was a long, trying time, and her heart aches once more. It isn't just the children who have to suffer, and while she doesn't know what he has back in his world that he may miss, she's glad, selfishly, that he's back here: here, she knows that she at least can do the best to support him through the days.]

The same goes for you. When I noticed you were gone--

[She shakes her head. No time for tears. He's back, and that's what matters. She gives his arms another squeeze before dropping her arms completely.]

No, it's okay. You're back now. Oh it really is so good to have you back.

[She's holding herself back from hugging him again.]

[5055034455]

[Cass's reaction isn't at all what he expected. He knew she'd probably be excited to see him again, but this — this makes him feel special, cared about. Even a little loved. He always knew Cass had a huge heart full of love and warmth and all that great schmoopy stuff, but he figured most of that was reserved for her family and the people she spent more time with. Not him. Not the guy who drifted in and out of the house, sometimes unannounced. Not Jimmy McGill, and certainly not Saul Goodman.

If only she knew what he'd done.

But she doesn't, and this feels like the happiest anyone's ever been to see him, so he's going to bask in it. He ducks his head and chuckles, cheeks a bright red.]

Jeez. I should leave and come back more often.

[don't worry he's just kidding he does not want to deal with this ever again kthx]

several thousand years later..

[lasthugs]

[He's blushing and chuckling, and she's laughing too even as she gives him a light smack on the arm.]

Don't you dare, [she tells him, and while she lowers her voice like a warning she's still grinning, and then she can't hold back anymore. She slings her arm around his neck and pulls him in for another squeeze. When she pulls back, her eyes are shining bright.]

I missed you. Oh-- you have so much to catch up on. You're right on time for the holidays. You should come with me when I go shopping so you can tell me what you want!

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[Saul can't recall a time in his life when he was hugged this much. WHAT HAS HE BEEN MISSING OUT ON ALL THESE YEARS?

He laughs when she pulls him back in, muffling the sound against her shoulder before they're separated again. And he's still blushing. Is it safe for someone to blush so much? Is he in danger of passing out?]

Yeah, sure. That sounds nice. I can whip up a pie or two on Thanksgiving. Oh, and ham — do you like ham?

[Sure sounds like someone is getting excited...]