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Post by Paroxysm on Oct 22, 2016 12:28:45 GMT -5
This is a hypothetical everything turns out okay and we kind of get a happy ending between Haymich and Noah. .... I'm not sure that's gonna happen, but we can ~~~dream~~~
This also is working along the decision that Noah's compulsions deal with counting and symmetry, but that may have changed. The draw to the WayneTech scanners makes sense with his need to check the news and all, so I think it makes sense. He finds that, then he can spend hours watching everything in the city unfold to calm his fears, instead of having to rely on journalists.
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Post by Paroxysm on Oct 22, 2016 12:32:44 GMT -5
Someone had hired him to end the Calculator. It was a huge task, really. Deemed impossible by most. Calculatorâs name was everywhere. He was everywhere. That was the whole point of his job, really.
But man, the payment offered had been astonishing. Haymich could hardly say no to an amount that large. He was told to prove himself as the best. He never missed, so prove it. Well, he said, it wasnât that he never missed, because it wasnât him taking the shots, you know, it was his connection, but heâd talk it over.
In all his searching, Haymich hadnât exactly found a reason not to take the hit. He hadnât seen any way for Calculator to be particularly threatening. He had never really hurt anyone. He just watched, and guided. The crime world needed an upset in the balance of power anyway.
After the downfall of the commissioner, and Gordonâs return, the Calculator was known to be the know-it-all he was, known for playing god with all of them, and known to be useful -- at the right times and the right price.
With Sheridan running her new business, the population had been booming with new young crime lords and the like. Haymich figured heâd be doing his public service by reeling it back a little, especially since he had helped Mossâs girlfriend along so much.
He hadnât expected his search to lead him to a regular, lower middle class house, though. Sure, it was placed in the middle of a bunch of dirty, ugly looking strings of non-descript strip malls and restaurants, but still. At least it had a roof nearby that wasnât some unlucky personâs house. Haymich shrugged away his misgivings and started moving.
Finding him had been a lot easier than he expected. The technology, code, everything in the way of finding a man who only ever appeared on screen had seemed almost familiar. At times, it seemed like the doors had just opened for Haymich, particularly when he was about to give up.
He found it more than a little foreboding and couldnât help but entertain the thought that he was just in fact playing into one of the manâs schemes. After all, Calculator knew where everyone was, all the time. Thatâs how it worked. Thatâs why he was hired. Even if Haymich tried to be sure to work during his off-hours, watched his schedule, avoided every camera he knew of.. who was to say Calculator didnât know exactly what Haymich was planning to do?
He shuddered and pushed the thought out of his mind. This was why he kept his name out of his work.
The roof of the strip mall to the right of the house was just as unclean as the rest of the place. Cigarette stubs littered the corners, along with all sorts of other sorts of grime. A broken looking TV hung on the wall, under a slight cover, next to an equally broken security camera. Haymich took that out just in case, and set up shop by a rumbling air conditioner.
It didnât take long. Soon, Haymich could see into the house through his little infrared scanner. He quickly disregarded the rest of the house, finding (luckily) an abnormal amount of heat from one of the rooms facing that roof. It very clearly showed lots of technology in this one little room, unsurprising from his chosen path, and a man-shaped blob.
Haymich took a deep breath to steady his aim. The man-shaped blob was moving around the study. In any second, he would pass one of the large windows, and Haymich could take the shot.
..But he owed the man some respect. After all, he had been the one to take out Jaide. Haymich could be patient. He had all the time in the world to at least sate his curiosity and see the Calculatorâs face.
Down the black metal lines of his rifle, his eyes flicked to the big, white french windows before him. The little sun room seemed a poor choice for a study, and very, very out of place compared to the dirty rooftops around it. The curtains by the windows swayed slightly from movement inside, but only one other sign of life appeared from inside -- namely the harsh blue light that had come to characterize the manâs unreadable face.
Haymich glanced at the screen beside him to watch the actual movements of the man-shaped blob. He moved a lot, switching walls of the room constantly, switching from standing, to sitting, to pacing and the like. Haymich found that surprising for some reason. He didnât have long to think about it, though, because the blob paused for an abnormally long time, and then slowly moved towards one of the windows.
Haymich bent over again, peering through the scope, watching the heavy curtains shuffle more than they had been. One glance, and then he would be able to finish the job, get paid, and rest. The curtains came open in a quick, dramatic sweep, and Haymich was very, very lucky his trigger finger recognized the face before he did.
Haymich breathed the name that had been plaguing his mind for months.
It couldnât be. He was clearly imagining this, because this was impossible. Haymich rubbed his eyes to be sure, and looked through the scope again. No.
The small, unsuspecting man stared out the window. The blue lights across his face left clear shadows, but the streetlights surrounding them gave the shadowed face an identity. Haymich began shaking as he slowly sat up again, watching the man with his own eyes. The man gave an obvious, deep sigh, turned away after another second of staring outside, and then opened the curtains on all three other sides of the room.
Noah.
It was Noah.
Haymich was definitely shaking now. What could this-
âHaymich.â
The voice was broken by static, but still horrifyingly recognizable. Haymich whirled on the spot, finding the not-broken tv set flickering violently. The position was familiar from what was known of Calculatorâs work -- but that voice; that face, no longer shaded beyond recognition, and utterly terrifying.
Haymich had no words, and his shaking had become so violent his knees gave out beneath him. The static broke the silence for them, since the name of the man had stuck in Haymichâs throat again.
âCome down from there,â the voice told him, sounding exactly the same, yet so different -- so much colder, so hard and electronic. âLetâs talk.â
Haymich couldnât move, much less speak in that moment. His (very expensive) weapon clattered from his hands.
â..Please.â
Haymich stared at the face, he clutched at his chest without meaning to, and managed to choke out: âNoah..â
âPlease.â
Noah.
He had almostâ¦
All at once, Noah was captured by arms covered in bright, billowing colors. He hadnât expected this, honestly. This was not an awkward stand off, or cold conversation. This was Haymich.
This was Haymich, and his arms that were hugging Noah so tightly it was hard to breathe. This warmth, this life, this color was Haymich. This voice, high-toned, but quiet, even more raspy and hoarse than usual, muttering âI wouldnât a- I wouldnât a done it. I didnât know. What the hella У೦o○೦o○o, Noah.â Haymichâs grip tightened with every word that he probably intended to comfort Noah with, but really was only for himself. Just the same as always.
Then, suddenly, Haymich realized what he was doing and jumped backwards. âI-Iâm sorry. I dunno what-- I just..â Noah felt cold as Haymich backed away. He didnât care if Haymich had changed, at this point, or even if he himself had. He wanted Haymich back, in whatever form he took now. Eight years.
Haymich was spluttering out awkward apologies when Noah stepped closer to him without a word. He wrapped his arms over Haymichâs neck, and returned the embrace from before. Haymich stood frozen for several moments as Noah held on tighter and tighter, until he did the same, and pulled Noah closer. His face found the connection between Noahâs neck and shoulder, and as he squeezed Noah even more, he began to cry.
God, Noah had missed him.
Haymich had, apparently, run out of things to say, which had been rare, before, because he just continued to cry, his arms holding on to Noah like he could float away at any moment. This warmth that Haymich had, the breath of his sobs against Noahâs skin.. for an instant, Noah felt like nothing had changed between them at all. He gave a tight laugh after a few minutes of letting Haymich cry.
âScared you, huh?â
Haymich took a second, but managed to pull away and wipe his face. He pressed a finger against Noahâs forehead with exaggerated scrutiny. âBLESS AMERICA, Noah. How can ya be so smart but so stupid?â
âPretty sure Iâm not that stupid.â
Haymich let out a breathy sound, somewhere between a laugh and a sigh. Noahâs heart skipped a beat as Haymich pressed his forehead against Noahâs, his face twisting to prevent the tears he had just managed to stop from returning.
âIâm so sorry, Noah,â he mumbled, his voice cracking. âIâm so, so sorry. I-â
âHaymich,â Noah began, pulling away just enough to look him in the eyes. âYouâre alive. Just tell me you will stay that way, and you donât need to say youâre sorry for anything.â
Haymich nodded, wiping his face again, and trying, really trying, to not look like the wreck he was. âYeah. Yeah, Iâm here ta stay.â (ensue awkward pov change)
Noahâs look softened, almost to the way it had been years ago. âAre you-â
âD-Dad?â
The interruption left Haymich feeling like he had been punched in the gut. It brought tears to his eyes once again, and he found himself wondering when he would run out. Before them was a young girl in Harry Potter pajamas, staring with wide eyes.
âHey..â he greeted her, a small smile making its way into his eyes as she approached them. He knelt down. âHey, Wendy.â
Wendy looked dazed, but still ran forward into a big hug from him. âI donât get it,â she told them, glancing at Noah, even as Haymich hugged her. âDaddy said.. Daddy said you died.â
âThey didnât think Iâd wake up,â Haymich explained quietly, pulling away, and looking her over with watery eyes. âIt was just a coma. Look at ya. Youâve grown so much." She glanced at Noah again, as if for confirmation that this was real. Noah smiled back, every bit as gentle as Haymich remembered. When she brought her gaze back to Haymich she started, âDad, I-â
Haymich pulled her into another hug. âYa gotta call me Uncle Haymich now, kiddo,â he told her in a whisper.
Wendy pulled away, scowling, and her nose crinkled. âYou smell bad,â she informed him.
Haymich paused for a couple seconds as she continued to scowl, and then he couldnât help but start laughing, harder than he ever had while at the bars. âI guess I do,â he choked out after a long while.
Noahâs face hid a smile. âWendy,â he started sternly, âyou should get back to sleep. You still have school tomorrow.â
âI still have to go?â Wendy asked in a whiny voice, her scowl increasing. âItâs boring.â
âYes,â Noah responded firmly. âHaymich and I still have a lot to talk about. Come on,â he stepped forward to go with her back to her room. She stuck her tongue out at ho one in particular before marching off with Noah.
Left alone for a few minutes, Haymich was able to look around the entryway of the little house. The kitchen was visible around an open corner, and a hallway further past it that Noah had disappeared down. A sitting area with a TV was directly to his right. It was small, and very simple -- the couch looking well worn, with a throw blanket left behind haphazardly, and the coffee table was stained from use. Past the TV, however, was a big, white French door with a set of blinds once again hiding what Noah had inside.
What the Calculator had inside. Haymich frowned, and waited where he was. It was only a few minutes before Noah returned, but upon seeing Haymich still by the door, he walked past to the couch. He folded the blanket twice, setting it aside, and sitting with a gesture for Haymich to join him.
Haymich did, and began with, âNoah, you-â
âWhy Uncle?â Noah interrupted him with a serious look.
Haymich swallowed his question with a bit of panic. âI-Itâs only fair. You raised âem. I wasnât there.â
âI wouldnât mind,â Noah told him quietly.
Haymich shook his head. âIt doesnât feel right.â
Noah fell silent, and Haymich noticed his fists clench as he looked away. â.. Are you going to leave?â
Haymich looked at the man closely. He didnât want to leave. It hurt, god did it hurt, to look at him. To be in this house, to see Wendy, and see what he had left behind-- but he didnât want to leave.
âOnly if ya want me to,â he told Noah. After a secondâs hesitation, he put a hand over the otherâs clenched fist. âI still love ya, Noah. That hasnât changed fer a second, all this time.â
It took a moment, but Noah was able to loosen his grip enough to hold Haymichâs hand. âI donât want you to leave us again.â
âThen I wonât.â Haymich leaned closer to Noah, his voice saying the first genuine thing since waking up. âI swear.â
Noah searched Haymichâs face for a long time, his amber eyes scanning every inch. Haymich tried not to let his own eyes tear up again. A second later, Noahâs fingers followed his eyes, brushing against Haymichâs skin gently. Haymich clutched Noahâs hand tighter. âIâm so sorry, Noah.â
Noah responded with a kiss.
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Post by Paroxysm on Oct 22, 2016 12:34:42 GMT -5
âSo.. welcome to hella У೦o○೦o○o, I guess,â came the quiet voice. The owner refused to look at Haymich, and instead let his glazed eyes observe the floor. The room was identical on all four sides, and packed to the brim with screens, speakers, and computers. Haymich spun slowly, feeling oddly saddened by the entire atmosphere of the room.
âThis is where it all happens then?â he asked, giving an impressed whistle.
Noah nodded. âI try to avoid the room when Iâm not working.â
âCould ya.. turn it all on?â Haymich knew it was the truth, but found it difficult to imagine that the soft-spoken man beside him had eyes in every home in the city. It became much harder to deny when the man went around the room turning each separate device on, and the muted sounds of several thousands of people began to be processed behind the whirring of technology. Each desk had a screen that showed blurred, blue silhouettes of people, moving in indefinable ways as the computer waited for a direction to look to. Another screen held controls for the previous, and other software to aid in Noah hacking the greatest corporations in Gotham. And others doing a number of things that Haymich was sure he wouldnât understand.
âHow does it work?â he asked, eyes widening as the room came to life. He could feel the pull of this kind of power, and understood what kept Noah coming back.
âItâs sonar, basically,â Noah said. âEvery smart phone in Gotham has been equipped with it.â
âWell how did that happen?â Haymich muttered, sounding baffled, and pleased by his owning of a plain old flip phone.
âI dunno,â Noah answered, visibly forcing himself to look away from one of the screens.
âThen howâd ya get all of this?â
âHacked into Wayne Tech on a bad night a few years back,â Noah mumbled, his voice devoid of emotion. âFound everything I needed already there. It was just curiosity at first, but I liked it too much.â Haymich noticed Noah clenching a fist behind his back. âAnd then Jaide attacked Wendyâs school, and I had to do something.â
Haymich nodded slowly, looking over the room once more before watching Noah fidget where he stood. âI get it. You can turn it off, if ya want.â Avoiding eye contact, Noah wasted no time in making the screens fall dead again, and Haymich felt his chest squeeze at the sight of the other manâs glassy eyes. âYou really donâ like any of this, do ya?â
It took Noah several moments to respond, his face twisting of its own volition. He kept himself turned away from Haymich to hide it. â..I donât want to like it.â
âI can see why ya do,â Haymich pointed out, keeping his voice light to make Noah relax. âItâs pretty cool.â
âItâs sick,â Noah answered, his voice cold, though a bit hoarse. âA sick hobby for a sick man.â
Haymich stepped back at the venom in Noahâs voice, stuttering out his name. âY-You donât gotta say that..â
âIâve always been sick,â Noah spat out.
Haymich scowled as Noah turned back to him, clearly holding back tears and the rising shame on his face. âSo what?â he snapped back, crossing his arms. âI like sick Noah, even if you donât.â
Noah froze. âWhat?â
âIâm not goinâ anywhere just causeâa who you are. I like sick Noah, and I like sick Noahâs family, and Iâm pretty sure sick Noahâs family likes him too.â Haymich stepped forward and pressed a finger against Noahâs forehead. âSo quit gettinâ all sad about it. Jiraâd be havinâ a fit if she were here, and you know it.â
Noah looked down again, forcing out a rough laugh that could just as easily have been him crying again. Haymich bit his lip, hoping to not upset the other too much. âBesides,â he decided to start with, âif anyone was gonna find this stuff, Iâm glad it was you.â
Noah blinked, and looked up at Haymich with furrowed eyebrows. âIâm using it to help criminals.â
Haymich gave an exaggerated shrug. âBetter to use it selfishly than let everyone use it selfishly, in my mind.â
âIâm not sure thatâs quite right,â Noah pointed out.
âHey, youâre usinâ it to help your family,â Haymich grinned toothily, and bent down so Noah had no choice but to look at him. âAnd by extension, me. Iâm not gonna complain about that.â
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