au bodyguard post.

[gipsy_danger]

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I FORGOT TO ASK IF YOU WANTED TO DO SCRIPT OR PARA BUT

[truckerhats]

[private security isn't something roy would have picked for his number one job. he's got the brains and the knowhow to do something a lot more scientifically oriented (even something that pays a hell of a lot more), but well, roy's never liked being given a project from someone else, unless it's a specific commission. when roy's building something, he doesn't want to be a part of the assembly line; he's the start, middle, and end of his own work.

and since that's not exactly the most secure way to go through life, he's found himself in private security.

he had no prior history before applying for the agency -- nothing law enforcement or military related, no actual official training -- but his skillset was...well, impressive.

he knew how to use practically any weapon he was presented with, could disassemble and reassemble the firearms in seconds (blindfolded, even), and he could shoot. he could hit a target from ridiculous distances, and he had damn good eyes. he was useful, he was fast, and even if he looked...well, a bit scrawny, he could back himself up and hold his own with guys who made him seem puny in comparison.

once he made it apparent that he could do this and do it well, he had a job.

roy didn't really care who they had him working for, because honestly, the thing that mattered to roy was a steady paycheck. money meant he could buy food, pay his rent, and work on some projects on the side. if they wanted to give him a gun and pay him to stand around and keep someone safe, he wasn't complaining.

he never pays much attention to who he's assigned to, mostly because, in the end, it doesn't matter who it is. he just has to keep them from taking a bullet or letting some crazy asshole get near them, and roy's pretty good at that. he's chatty by nature, but he's learned that clients tend to prefer the stoic, invisible bodyguard, so he's gotten better at keeping his mouth shut and his quips to a minimum -- gotta have a job at the end of the day, after all.

most of the time, he ends up pretty bored with the clients, and the fame just kind of goes right over his head; he's just never felt all that starstruck by the people they're responsible for, and it's probably better that way.

to him, they're just another job. just something else to keep track of.

until raleigh becket.

there's something about him that's got roy's attention, and as soon as he gets the assignment, he's looking through the information that's provided, pouring through it before he has to go meet him.

huh.

this'll be interesting.]

XDD

[unbreachable]

[ Raleigh’s file isn’t a happy one. The more Roy goes through it, the more he will realize what kind of person he’s going to be dealing with.

It starts out normal enough for a Jaeger pilot, they’re all fucked up and damaged in some way, honestly – he joined up in the military at sixteen alongside his older brother, entered the Jaeger Academy at eighteen, suited up alongside his co-pilot shortly after. Prior to that, it reads the mother – Dominique Lapierre-Becket – is listed DECEASED, cause of death: Cancer. Father Richard Becket is listed DECEASED, cause of death: unknown. A sister – Jazmine Becket: LOCATION UNKNOWN.

Raleigh himself is noted as being on active duty for about two years until Knifehead, which is when shit hit the fan.

According to the documents, Raleigh disobeyed direct orders and was originally listed as responsible for the death of his brother by the UN, though he was recognized as gifted due to his piloting of Gipsy Danger solo directly. He dropped into a medically induced coma for about six weeks, woke up to a dead arm and signs of severe PTSD. Weeks of intense physical therapy later, he regained about 85% usage of said arm.

It is listed that despite Raleigh’s claims otherwise, he was not connected to his brother when he died.

(A claim which Raleigh refutes because he was there, he fucking knows, he felt Yancy die, but scientists.)

The psych eval is worse; extensive psychological treatment and counseling was recommended. Raleigh was placed on suicide watch and confined to solitary for the duration of his stay at the Icebox in Alaska, but not once did he attempt to take his own life.

Ranger Becket exhibits signs of deteriorating mental stability – apathetic and vague, he is barely responsive and has to be reminded to eat. Recommendation: Transfer to J-Tech and remove from active duty for the time being, until he is cleared by medical.

The eval was signed and dated by Marshal Stacker Pentecost, but was overridden by orders written by a general in the UN whose name is redacted in Roy’s copy.

According to those orders, Raleigh was dishonorably discharged and kicked out of the PPDC, but after his reemergence at Marshal Pentecost’s request and post Pitfall, he was reinstated as a Ranger and his slate wiped clean. There are also other reports in the file; communication from the entire crew of the boat he and Yancy had saved – letters professing gratitude, thanks, offers of repayment, condolences. Letters from Hercules Hansen, Scott Hansen, and other Rangers supporting Raleigh’s decision to go after the boat and engage the Kaiju far from the shoreline of Alaska. The UN kicked him out anyway before being forced to admit their mistake and let him back in.

(Truth be told, Raleigh would’ve left anyway – he couldn’t pilot again, not that soon).

Most of what Roy is holding in his hand was redacted up until now, but because Roy might be (IS) dealing with a psychologically unstable person, he’s been entrusted with the information – under strict orders not to discuss this with anyone else.

Now, Raleigh’s famous again – it’s probably a good idea for Roy to know how to handle the man he’s supposed to be protecting.

* * *

Raleigh isn’t exactly sure why they’re assigning him - of all people – a bodyguard. He figures that during his tenure as a jaeger pilot, he’d proven that he could hold his own in a fight. He’d broken that smart mouthed little Aussie’s nose with a single hit and it’s not like he can’t take care of himself. He spent five years crawling on a wall and fighting for food, for survival.

But now the breach is closed and Raleigh, Mako and Chuck (little shit survived, thanks to quick thinking on Pentecost’s end) have to go on a fucking press junket and speak to the world about their experiences (because that’s exactly what they want to do right now) and they’ve been assigned a security team whether they like it or not. Mako’s ended up with some bulky, tall guy with no hair and Chuck’s currently arguing with the terrifying blond haired woman that’s been assigned to him.

And Raleigh…

Raleigh ended up with a twiggy redhead that looks like someone Raleigh could take out in a single blow.

He sighs, and scrubs ah and through his hair. ]

I appreciate it, but really – it’s not necessary, man.

[truckerhats]

[roy's watching with amusement as chuck tries arguing with his guard, but roy knows from experience that that won't get the feisty Aussie anywhere. his guard certainly won't be budging or letting chuck out of her sight.

honestly, it just cracks roy up, and he's trying not to laugh.

his attention is drawn back to his own charge when raleigh speaks, and his lips quirk in a crooked grin.]

Someone thinks it's necessary or I wouldn't be here, dude.

[ raleigh looks like he can handle himself just fine, but with what roy had seen in that (extensive) file, he understood why they might want someone else keeping on raleigh -- just in case.]

I won't get in your way too much. Promise.

[he gives raleigh a wink - because that's just the silly kind of guy he is.]

[unbreachable]

[ Raleigh just sort of sighs, because he can already tell that this is going to be a losing argument and he's not in the mood to argue.

He kind of just wants to sleep for a week, but that evidently isn't in the cards - especially not with Chuck hollering like a fuckin' banshee.

Resigned, Raleigh pinches the bridge of his nose. ]

I guess.

[ The wink, though -- that's kind of adorable, and he can't help the small smile that tugs at the corners of his mouth. ]

So what do I call you? Can't just say 'hey you'.

[ that's rude. ]

[truckerhats]

[well, the smile's definitely an improvement compared to the exasperation that raleigh seemed to have with the whole situation.

it's a cute smile, too.]

I'm Roy, Roy Harper. [he offers his hand -- to be polite, of course.]

Nice to meet you, Ra-- sir. [he almost uses raleigh's name, buuuuut since raleigh is the client (and roy works for him, to a degree), he goes for being respectful. that tends to go over a little better than roy's tendency for informality.]

[unbreachable]

Roy.

[ He reaches out, takes Roy's hand and gives it a firm shake and a nod of his head. ]

Raleigh's fine. Don't really see myself as a sir.

[ Especially not these days. Maybe not ever. Doesn't feel right in his bones. ]

[truckerhats]

I can work with "Raleigh". [his grin is warm, a little goofy, but that's just roy. he shakes raleigh's hand easily, squeezing those fingers back in a dedcidedly powerful way. he's got strength in that slim body of his, even if it's not obvious.]

If it helps, "sir" always feels a little weird to me too. Kinda makes me feel like I'm supposed to be in my sixties or something when people use it. [roy's also never really been much of an authority guy -- as far as having it or respecting it. but you gotta make a living, and if that means being polite and saying "yes sir" and "thank you, ma'am," he can do that.]

[unbreachable]

Great.

[ Raleigh's smile is warming up a little, and he's taking not of the way Roy grips his hand.

So, maybe not a twig after all.

Interesting. ]

Tell me about it, man. I already feel old enough.

[ He feels about eighty, some days. ]

[truckerhats]

[roy gives raleigh's hand one last squeeze before pulling it away.]

Pshhhh. You're not old. You're like, what, fifty-six? [his tone is obviously teasing, and this is the sense of humor raleigh's going to stuck with during this press junket.

honestly, he doesn't think raleigh looks old at all -- he looks pretty gorgeous, is what he looks like -- but roy's always going to be the kind of guy to give someone a hard time.]

[unbreachable]

[ Well. That's -- that's not protocol, is it? That extra squeeze. There's heat in Raleigh's neck, but he pointedly ignores it. ]

Fifty seven. [ He corrects, lips twisting up into a half smile. So he doesn't look eighty, but there's crows feet by his eyes, lines in his forehead, a slight sag in his shoulders. ]

[truckerhats]

Fifty-seven, right, right; 'scuse me. [he's decided he likes making raleigh smile; it's a nice change to how...burdened he seems, how weighed down. and roy can understand that, given the file he poured through. raleigh's had...well, a lot of shit go down, to say the least.]

So, since I'm supposed to be escorting you, are you ready to go? Orrrr do we have to wait for Chuckles over there to stop screeching? [chuck, chuckles, it's all the same -- as long as the aussie doesn't hear him, because roy really doesn't need a complaint filed against him for being rude.]

[unbreachable]

[ The nickname makes Raleigh snort a laugh, and he shakes his head. ]

We can go. I think I've heard enough of his caterwauling. He'll figure it out when he sees we're gone.

[truckerhats]

[caterwauling. roy likes that.]

Then after you. [he gestures towards the cars that have been provided for them, and roy's just supposed to be a shadow now, keeping his eye out for anything dangerous -- which he's pretty good at.

he's got exceptional eyes.

but as far as where raleigh wants to go and when, roy's pretty much supposed to just go with it and keep close, as long as he doesn't get in the way -- and as long as raleigh doesn't decide to do something actually hazardous, in which case it's roy's job to step in.]

Think he'll stop griping after he realizes you already left?

[truckerhats]

[roy hasn't been doing this job long -- at least not what he would consider a long time. it's been a little over a year, and in that time, he'd had some pretty high profile work; most of the clients were pretty manageable, but there was the occasional pain in the ass, but he'd just accepted that came with the turf. not everyone who hired out of his firm was hiring for themselves; there were a lot of managers, employers, parents, and so on who were the ones requesting and paying the bodyguards.

this seemed to be another instance of exactly that.

business hadn't suffered too terribly during the tail end of the kaiju war (the paranoid rich still needed protecting, after all), and now that the breach was officially closed, roy got (in his opinion) a pretty cool gig -- getting to escort three of the remaining Jaeger pilots on their press junket.

three of them were assigned to the pilots, all of them given the personnel files of their charges.

Charles Hansen.

one of the pilots of striker eureka.

roy had always been pretty impressed watching chuck's fights, but the Australian pilot had always struck him as fairly arrogant.

but that shouldn't make this too difficult, right?

...right?

but given how chuck looked when roy and the other guards showed up, he'd hazard a guess that chuck isn't too pleased by the mandated security detail.

crap.

please don't be one of those assignments.]

[suicidemission]

[ Chuck Hansen is volatile, angry, and arrogant. He walks with a limp now, though for the most part he refuses to carry the cane the doctors ordered him to use at all time. The press junket was put on hold specifically so that Chuck could heal up and then tour – honestly, he’s had enough press. He would really be fine with them going on without him, but that isn’t how life works and the people want to meet their hero.

He’s slightly more humble now, insists on bringing his bulldog wherever he goes. It’s kind of a pain in the ass but Chuck puts his foot down – if he’s gonna do this, the dog goes. Otherwise, good luck forcing Chuck on a tour bus or airplane.

The PPDC sees the wisdom in just giving in on this one because legally, they can’t force Chuck to do anything he doesn’t want to do – just heavily suggest. The kid has five years’ worth of hefty back pay and they’re well aware that he could vanish and they’d be hard pressed to find him again (even if they are a branch of the government, funded by the UN – it would look very bad on their end if Chuck were to start saying they’re forcing him to do things – the wall is bad enough).

So Max comes along, trotting after Chuck and coming when the kid whistles.

Unfortunately for Roy, Chuck is one of those clients.

He doesn’t know that the PPDC assigned him any kind of guard whatsoever until they showed up and someone told him, and that’s when Chuck’s face goes black. ]

Are you fuckin’ kidding me? Security detail? We’re goddamn Rangers, we don’t need a security team! I could kick their ass in a minute, like hell I’m listening to some ginger bastard!

[ Like you aren’t a ginger, Chuck. ]

[truckerhats]

[man, roy loves dogs. he's almost distracted more by max than chuck, an easy grin on his face when he sees the bulldog. there definitely won't be any complaints about max from roy.

but then chuck just has to open his big mouth, and roy's reluctantly turning his attention to the very loud Aussie.]

They know you guys are capable; it's more a formality than anything, chill out. I'm not gonna get in your way, dude.

[ he's trying to be diplomatic here, because it's his job to be, but he can already tell this isn't going to be fun.]

[suicidemission]

[ Nope. This is so not going to be fun for Roy. Chuck's glowering at him, face heated red in shame and embarrassment and ager.

He doesn't need someone shadowing him, he doesn't need protection. He's a jaeger pilot, he saved the fucking world and almost died doing it -- he doesn't need any goddamn help.

It's like his father is purposefully humiliating him - like it's not bad enough Chuck aches all over, that his leg hurts 24/7 and his joints are all fucked up and his upper torso is riddled with circuitry scarring and puckered marks from the defibrillator they'd used on him. Half the country knows he almost died on the operating table - he doesn't need them thinking that he's fucking helpless.

Which is exactly how this guys presence makes him feel. ]

Yeah, see that you fuckin' don't. Just stay away from me, yeah?

[truckerhats]

[roy can't help rolling his eyes at chuck; as much as he thinks the rangers can handle themselves, he also doesn't see the need to make a huge fuss about something that's obviously beyond their control. they were hired by the PPDC, and their contractual obligation was to them -- not the pilots.]

You won't be trippin' over me, don't worry. [buuuuut he's still going to be sticking pretty damn close anyway. sorry, chuck.

but man, he really wants to pet max and give the bulldog some attention.

...he just likes puppies, okay? (because all dogs are puppies to roy, no matter how old they are.)]

[suicidemission]

Fantastic.

[ Luckily for Roy (or..not) Max really enjoys pettings and is also incredibly interested in the new human that his master is yelling at, and so of course he ambles over and sniffs at Roy's feet, slobbering all over his shoes and looking up at him expectantly.

...Chuck, however, is not impressed. ]

Oi, Max. C'mon.

[truckerhats]

[roy can't help the huge grin on his face when he sees max come over, and he totally ignores the fact that chuck's trying to call his dog over, because damn it, roy wants to pet the dog!

he crouches down, reaching out and scratching behind max's ears, rubbing his other hand under the bulldog's chin and not even caring about the slobber on his hands and shoes because puppy.]

Hey, buddy. Aren't you handsome, huh?

[suicidemission]

[ . . .

Are you fucking kidding right now.

Chuck's livid, but Max is currently loving the attention, pressing into it, grunting in an attempt to get closer and ultimately giving up and flopping down on his side, feet in the air, begging for belly rubs. ]

Max.

[truckerhats]

[roy's totally loving this big silly dog, and he doesn't hesitate to rub his palm up and down the dog's belly, giving little scratches with his blunt nails while he's at it.]

What a good boy, yes, you are. [you know, not counting the fact that max is ignoring chuck in favor of attention, but roy would still say that max is a good boy, because he's such a sweet dog.]

You just love the attention, huh, Max? Pretty awesome name you have, pal.

[suicidemission]

[ Max you are the biggest goddamn traitor to ever walk on four legs.

Chuck is furious and betrayed, though really -- it's nothing to do with loyalty and everything to do with belly rubs and attention, two things that he was not currently getting from Chuck.

Chuck whistles. Max's ears perk, but he doesn't get up. ]

[truckerhats]

[roy realizes he should probably let max go with chuck so that they can get in the car, but fuck that; max isn't moving, which means roy is all about giving him tummy rubs.

nope, totally gonna steal this dog.]

Your human's kinda grumpy, pal. But how can he be grouchy with such a good dog? [he chuckles, shaking his head as he rubs over max's belly and scratches under his chin!]

[suicidemission]

[ Chuck looks like he wants to murder babies.

Chuck whistles again, and says Max's name with a snarl and this time, the dog gets up and shakes himself off. ]

Get. Over. Here.