maskormenacelogs | you've been my friend

you've been my friend

WHO: Marty and Doc!
WHERE: De Chima, maybe some other places to hang out at!
WHEN: Now!
WHAT: Even the best of friends have troubles sometimes.
WARNINGS: Tears. Lots of tears.

How long has it been since their fight? A day? A week? Who even knows?

Marty never really got into fights with Doc before. Sure, maybe they got into a little squabble or two, but nothing an apology wouldn't fix. A few minutes away from each other with an apology from both ends, and they'd be right as rain again. That's what Marty always liked about their friendship- they could hang out together every day every year, but they'd never fight. And if they did, one could expect an apology -a true one- within the day.

This fight is different, though. This one was bad. Like, threaten your friendship bad. What it was even over, Marty doesn't know; was it even worth it, then? Doc having other friends that wasn't Marty hasn't set well with him since day one, and since it exploded, Doc has been nowhere. Marty seriously, seriously might have messed this up. And if that's the case, it's something he's going to beat himself over until the day he leaves.

They're neighbors in De Chima, which makes things kind of awkward. Especially now, when Marty's standing in front of Doc's door while running a hand through his hair. He just wants to make things better again. Nothing like a little apology, right?

Marty raises a hand...then lowers it. Then brings it back up and holds it in midair for a second or two, before lowering it again. Since when did Marty have this many troubles trying to talk to his best friend.

Finally, finally, Marty raps on the door a few times. Then quietly, he'll just pitch in, "Doc?"

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Doc, for his part in this ordeal, has been a quiet wreck. He's covertly asked anyone he could think to ask about what to do when you threaten a friendship, and then some more. Hell, if Marty were to ever figure out that the anonymous poster with a flair for outdated slang was his desperate and awkward friend...

Well, in another moment it could have been amusing. This was just terrifying, but as he'd reflected and reminded---he owed it to him, to them, to fight for his best friend and make this right.

So after weeks of longing and moping, after desperate rehearsals of what he'd say if given the opportunity...much to his frustration and embarrassment, his normally active and eager brain whirs to a screeching halt the moment he hears that voice.

Doc takes stock of the situation. Thankfully, his housemates are absent for once. But he hasn't shaved and he lacks a talent for beard-growing, so his appearance is rather haggard. Should he run and shave, or will Marty take that as another sign of avoidance? Does he look too pathetic like this?

The first sound from the other side of the door is a sputter as he chokes on his water. How...dignified. But he knows he has to say something, anything, if he wants the chance he's been longing for...

"Marty," he finally calls back, sounding rough. Then the lock clicks, and Doc steps back to allow him inside. He wants to overflow with apologies right away, to beg for a second chance, but that risks scaring him off, doesn't it? He chooses instead to communicate with his expression, sad but with the faintest trace of hope shining in his eyes.

"Please...please come in. The house is otherwise empty, unless you'd rather talk elsewhere?" His voice sounds terrible to his ears.

The guilt he sees the second Doc opens the door almost makes Marty turn around. He's seen his friend in a bad spot once or twice before, but this? This is way too much. Doc looks unhealthy, to say the least. Neglected. Did he do all of this?

He even sounds bad. Marty winces, shaking his head. "N-No, Doc. Here's fine."

Marty takes a deep breath and steps past the threshold, keeping his eyes lowered. He had a whole speech set up on how sorry he was, and how life in general just lacked quality. He pictured him and Doc just kind of chilling out on the sofa, maybe having a pepsi or something. Honestly, he didn't think Doc would look this bad. He had plenty of other friends, so what was the big deal, right?

That wasn't the case. Maybe Max and Doc had been right?

There's no way he can make it any further without apologizing. It's obvious from the little things- Doc's body language, the way his shoulders are slouched, how exhausted he looks...this hasn't been easy on him. Here Marty had thought otherwise. "I'm, I'm sorry, Doc..." He sniffs. "I'm sorry."

As Marty enters, Doc's still bracing himself for another hit. He knows that he needs to accept his friend's pain without comment, needs to allow him to be heard. Then and only then can he try to make this right, or so he believes.

He's so caught up in preparing to apologize, in fact, that he almost doesn't hear Marty beating him to it. And then he doesn't quite believe it. What does he have to be sorry for? Isn't this entirely about Doc's neglectful behavior?

He wants to protest, to tell Marty that he has nothing to apologize for, but now isn't the time---this started because they weren't listening to each other, and he's not going to make that mistake again. Instead, he gently touches Marty's arm and gives him a gentle nudge to the couch.

"I thought that was my line," he says with a thin smile, hoping that's the right tone. "But we both have much to discuss---and in that, I swear to you that I'll listen without protest this time."

He's overjoyed, but the strange swirl of emotions is helping him easily restrain that. Celebration will come soon enough, first is treating the illness.

Edited 2016-08-25 03:05 (UTC)

It's more than the right tone for Marty. To be honest, it actually gives him a little bit of hope! He offers his friend a small smile, not sure whether he should get so hopeful. In reality, Marty McFly threw a huge tantrum because his best friend was making other friends. How was that a bad thing? In Marty's world, it had been.

He can't deny about how nervous he feels about talking to Doc about this stuff, though. What if he says something wrong? What if Doc just...doesn't care anymore? Gives up the one friend from home he had, in exchange for new ones here? He swallows back his fear and takes a few steps deeper into Doc's home.

"N-No, Doc. You should be able to if you want to. I've been a huge jackass over all of this." He stuffs his hands in his pockets and looks down, totally expecting Doc to agree. Because it's the truth.

But a part of him seriously hopes he doesn't agree.

Doc is grateful to hear this, he really is, but he's spent the last week thinking about what he'd done to lead Marty to believe he'd no longer cared. He hadn't intended for it to happen, but they'd become distant---and that needs to end. He slings a rough arm around Marty's shoulders and squeezes.

"Perhaps, but I believe I'm still the bigger asshole in this situation. I'd neglected you---the signs were there long before the blowup, but they were only obvious to me in hindsight. Of course this setting's a strain on our relationship, I should've seen it coming."

He rubs at his temple, willing away the headache lodged there.

"But you'll always be my first and most important friend, and I really need to start acting like it."

"'S not like I told you though, Doc." Marty is prepared to fight tooth and nail to help Doc show that yeah, he's...not the bigger asshole of this. Marty didn't tell him that he was struggling, or gave off obvious hints. Or at least, he tried not to. He let everything simmer on the back stove, and was unable to control himself when the fire grew too high. Communication was so important in a friendship, and Marty just...didn't see it like that at the time. For some reason.

"Same goes for you, Doc. D'you know where I'd be without you?" He wraps his arm around Doc's shoulder (or at least, he tries to. he's too dang short) "It was kinda miserable without you hangin' around, Doc. I mean, not as bad when you, ah, when you..."

He wants to say died, because he's been thinking about that a lot and how that impacted their friendship. But it's hard, especially with how everything just happened. That's a memory Marty would like to forget, but he knows he won't. "Back in June. Everything that's happened just kind of reminds me of that."

Marty rubs the back of his neck. "But, but it's not your fault! It's not Doc, seriously."

Edited 2016-08-26 04:16 (UTC)

Doc's so happy he could cry, and he's honestly not sure if he can hold that back. After he'd been forced to confront the worst case scenarios, after he'd accepted the possibility that it could really be over forever...this is such a wonderful relief.

At the mention of his corruption and temporary death, he clings tighter for a moment. "And I was a complete wreck without you, as you might have...ah..."

He pulls back a little, looking sheepish. "If we're going to be open and honest with each other...I missed you so much that I resorted to asking for help anonymously, disguising myself with poorly constructed antiquated language. My colloquialism construction is apparently an embarrassment to the entire community," he admits with a chuckle that's half a sob.

The second he sees Doc crying, his waterworks start up. Eventually, Marty is nothing more than a sobbing, crying mess like he's two years old all over again. At this point in time, he honestly can't help himself. He had been so pent up over losing his friend, and now seeing that everything was going to be okay and that their friendship wasn't in any kind of danger anymore...it was relieving. Like the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders.

When Doc reveals that it had been him who had asked the anonymous question, Marty can't help but laugh. He wipes his cheeks and shoots his friend a smile. "I, I shoulda known, Doc! The lingo you were usin', it, it was-" He's trying to speak through hiccups, and it's not working.

"We, we gotta work on your hip speak, Doc. It was great."

Man, how upset had Doc been though, to make a post like that? To try and disguise himself? Marty had watched that thread like a hawk, hoping that he could maybe find something comforting, or useful, or anything. That had been Doc the entire time! "I'm sorry, Doc. All this over a guitar you got me. I'm such an asshole."

Doc's embarrassment at being caught crying quickly fades---as always, they're sharing in this together. He simply stays close, leaning against his friend through their tears and feeling gratitude with more intensity than ever.

And then he's left to face embarrassment about his ridiculous post. "I admit my slang was...atrocious. I committed several offenses against the language. But Marty..."

He pauses to gently take Marty's arms, turning him so they're facing each other. This is important.

"We both know it was more than that, that incident was just the catalyst...but know this."

His grip moves to Marty's shoulders, willing him to understand these words.

"Any gift, no matter how expensive, can be repaired or replaced. But you're irreplaceable...and I never want you to have to doubt that again. So...I think it's about time we do something, just the two of us, don't you?"

It was a lot more than that, he...wouldn't admit. Marty never told Doc about how he felt, because how incredibly selfish would it be? Doc was such a good guy and deserved the best, and Marty was taking that away.

He won't lie though, some time with Doc sounds pretty damn great right now.

A smile finally comes to his face, the first in quite a while, truth be told. Marty looks to Doc and cocks his head, grinning. "You got any experiments goin' on, Doc? Or maybe we should just go get somethin' to eat." Something that got them the hell out of the house, because Marty sure hasn't left his since that fight. "Too bad Einey's not here. We could go walk him somewhere."

The mention of Einstein brings out a nostalgic smile. He misses that pup so much...Fortunately, Kepler and Christmas help ease the pain, but he knows he needs to return to his smart boy someday.

Unfortunately, Kepler and Christmas happen to have excellent hearing. The mention of the word 'walk' has them bounding into the living room, immediately parking their butts in front of Marty and Doc and thumping their tails on the floor hopefully.

"Never use that word within hearing range of a dog," Doc laughs, "let alone two---unless you're prepared to be as good as your word. They're very well-trained, as you can see..."

Well, they were, allegedly. Christmas has broken the 'walk me please' position and is now advancing on Marty, desperate for a face to lick.

Marty...can't remember seeing these two around! A smile breaks on his face when he hears the oncoming stampede, then full-out laughing when the two of them hop up to Doc with that excited look on their faces that only a dog can make.

"Who are these two again?" Marty looks up to Doc as he bends down to Christmas, giggling as he's rewarded with a face full of doggy kisses. They're just as friendly as Einey is...was! It's all over now, water under the bridge, but he hopes these two were around when he and Doc weren't on talking terms. There was nothing like a doggy buddy to help keep your spirits up! Somewhat.

"C'mon, Doc! Let's talk 'em for a w-a-l-k," He spells walk out, just in case. "You can't say no to a face like that, right?"

He points to Christmas, who is giving his owner the big ol' puppy eyes...

"Meet Kepler and Christmas," Doc laughs, ruffling Kepler's fur with a smile. The dog butts against his leg enthusiastically. "Qubit adopted them some time ago, but we all pitch in---and I suggested Kepler's name, as you might expect. 17th century scientist, originator of the laws of planetary motion."

He tugs on Christmas's collar, trying to get him off Marty, but the pup refuses to move. Especially after Marty's spelling of the word triggers another doggone frenzy---the two dogs pounce on him at once for that.

"Boys, heel!" It only half works. "Sorry, Marty...you should know that when you use that phrase around the dogs enough times, they learn how to spell. But you're right, we mustn't tease them any longer...here, I think Christmas likes you!"

He hands Marty one leash, taking the other for himself. "Plenty of open space for them to run around here...shall we go to the park, then? Run through a few tricks?"

Kelper was the only name that sounded like something Doc would name a dog, to be honest. It's kind of nice, especially with the lack of Einey or Copernicus around. He leans down to get his fair share of doggy kisses!

And instantly, he's pounced! He's unable to hold back a fit of giggles as he's given doggy kisses until Doc manages to get them halfway off of him. They didn't seem as well behaved as Einey, but hey! Every dog has their own personality, right?

He's given a leash for Christmas, and holy hell does this feel nice again. Just him and his friend like it used to be. Marty can get used to this. "Sounds good, Doc. Ya ready, Christmas?" Marty's answer is a happy, high pitched bark! Confirmed!

Marty walks to the door and opens it, originally intending for his friend to leave first. But Christmas almost literally drags him out the door. It's the thought that counts!

Doc seems to have been quite aware of the dogs' tendency to do this kind of thing. His smile's unbreakable---it's just hidden for a moment by a flash of light, then another.

He stumbles out the door with a loose grip on Kepler's leash, camera held triumphantly in his other hand.

"I wanted to capture the moment," he confesses with a sheepish grin, stumbling a little as Kepler yanks to get closer to his furry friend. "I promised I wouldn't waste any more time...and remembering is equally as important."

The little flash of lights surprise Marty, but he grins when he sees the camera. "Makin' a scrapbook, maybe? He doesn't mind. Nah, not at all. If anything, he wished he was a little more photogenic so the pictures wouldn't look awkward. "I wanna see it if you are!"

The second Doc opens the door, Christmas more or less drags Marty outside. Einstein was a pretty well behaved dog (not saying Christmas wasn't!) but holy hell! Marty thought he would be walking the dog, not having the dog walk him. Maybe he needs to put on some muscle?

"S-So, where are we goin' again?" He's trying to keep Christmas still, because he's drooling and looking at everything, his tail constantly wagging and whacking Marty in the leg.

"And I'll be glad to show you---and you're welcome to contribute anything you like, of course," he adds. It'd be a fun little project, he hoped, laughing as he picked up the pace for Kepler. That dog was not going to be left behind by his brother if he could help it!

"Away from the tech sector and the hubub...so, naturally, that means their favorite spot: the park."

They breeze past the houses, though Doc eventually has to intervene by leaning over and yanking on Christmas's collar. That gets the disobedient pup to slow for Marty, at least for a minute or two.

"Are you all right? I know they're handfuls, but this is the first I've seen him so excited...must be the scent of approaching autumn."

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