g'night, world

[rivendellrose]

I should be going to bed... but I'm up finishing some hot chocolate with Frangelico in it, so I might as well be doing something else, too. What a surprise that 'something else' would turn out to be a drabble fic.

Fandom: Highlander
Title: "Unthinkable"
Warnings, summary, etc: Methos!introspection and the beginnings of a chat with Joe. No naughty words and only the vaguest hint of... potential pre-slashiness. Take it as you will, and as it is - just a bit of speculation on Methos' thoughts, and induced by hot chocolate with alcohol in it, at that.


Flirtation was nothing new to Methos; he teased Richie and made joking passes all the time at Amanda, and incited Duncan just to get a rise out of the Scotsman. He wouldn't have backed off if they showed interest, certainly, but neither was he hurt when nothing came of it - they had centuries, if not forever, to play the chase.

Joe was different. Fourteen years he had watched the man, and been constantly impressed by his dignity, humor, and strength. Volatile, at times irascible, always human, and frighteningly mortal, Joe gave Methos the grounding and the occasional push he needed to feel truly alive. When Joe found out who he really was, Methos found a whole new level of respect for the man - not only did he accept, but he didn't say a word to the Watchers, allowing Methos to continue as he had for the last decade. At times, he wondered if he deserved that kind of loyalty, and always he tried to pay it back, in his own twisted ways.

Mortal friendship was precious to Methos, and how much moreso the friendship of a mortal who knew, and understood things that even other immortals often failed to grasp. Fourteen years of drinking and joking and the occasional mad adventure wasn't a lot in the span of Methos' years, and every time he walked into the bar it seemed there was more salt to the pepper of Joe's hair, more lines etching his face, and less time for a drink and meaningless conversation. He wanted to rush, wanted to push and plead and cajole as he always did when he fell in love with some new woman, but fourteen years had also been enough to show him that Joe didn't give other men a second glance. His attentions, and his sorrows, rested in the fairer sex exclusively. If there had been a time otherwise, it ended before he met 'Adam Pierson.'

"Hey, buddy, you okay?"

Methos looked up from the contemplation of the bottom of his beer glass and offered a sad smile. "Just thinking about might-have-beens."

Joe snorted and shook his head. "Never struck me for the type to brood over the road not taken. I thought Mac had that one covered."

"I try not to make a habit of it," Methos drawled. "This one's a bit of a special case."

"No way of fixing it?"

Methos supposed he shouldn't have been surprised by the earnest concern in Joe's eyes - if anyone understood lost chances and paths left long behind, he was a good bet.

Tell him. Why? Because the alternative is unthinkable... Methos drained his glass.

"I don't know," he said slowly. "You tell me. It's about this Watcher I know..."

Comments

[narsilion.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, that was beautiful! I love your Methos and Joe together!

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Thanks. They're both such interesting guys, I just love trying to figure out the levels of interaction between them.

[zinjadu.livejournal.com]

Nicely done. Sad little Methos, Joe likes the ladies. *gives him a cookie*

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

*Snuggles them both* Yes, he does. That's just been bothering me for a while, trying to figure out how I could do something with whatever Methos' feelings for Joe might be, so I wanted to play them out a bit and see what I got.