open post for Raleigh Becket.

[unbreachable]

 

Comments

AU or Bondverse or-? Here's the prompt from Q anyway -w-b

[spottedprick]

"Could you swagger quietly, Becket?"

Both

[unbreachable]

Raleigh feels a lot like a fish out of water the second he sets foot back into the agency - a building he'd come to not so fondly refer to as the 'Shatterdome'. He'd left for a reason, left for a damn good reason and why M had brought him all the way back into the fold was beyond him.

"I have a plan. Get ready."

That's all that was said, all that was spoken when M came and hunted him down on that construction site in Alaska, and Raleigh knew as well as anyone that if you were ordered by M, you came right the fuck back even if you were 'retired'.

Though honestly, Raleigh's 'retirement' was at the 'request' of the UN following the Knifehead mission in 2020. Him and Yancy had been trying to nab one of the notorious Kaiju mob bosses when shit went disasterously wrong, Yancy wound up dead and Raleigh was asked to leave.

Politely, of course.

They'd been a team, him and his brother - rare that two family members worked for the agency and rarer still they were paired up but it worked. It worked really fucking well; they'd tracked him all the way out to a freight vessel in the middle of the Pacific, boys posing as crew members until they could dispose of the lesser Kaiju and get to the bastard himself.

Things had gone well until they'd shot Knifehead and he'd played dead and waited until neither agent was looking, then put two bullets in Yancy's chest and several in Raleigh's arm and side, killing Yancy on the spot and severely wounding Raleigh.

Raleigh'd managed to shoot him in the head, but it hadn't done anything to bring his brother back. Even now, Raleigh still remembers Yancy hitting the ground, falling amidst a puddle of blood.

Fucking Kaiju. Fucking M.

For now, he's left to his own devices and he's strolling down the hall, just doing a little bit of exploring. He's never been in this facility; it's housed in Hong Kong and buried deep underground, all walls and concrete and enclosed spaces, something that an insomniac claustrophobic person like Raleigh can't stand.

[spottedprick]

Just as well that there's another insomniac around the place, though he's got no problem with the enclosed spaces. There's a reason he's fine never being a field agent.

Q keeps tabs on everyone who enters the facility. He had one cock-up with that turncoat agent turned Kaiju member Silva, and he's never forgotten it. He hates to lose at any game of wits.

So it's no surprise he's been keeping an eye on the returned agent Becket, reading up on the blond's file to better understand him. Given that his work space is a mass of screens all displaying different things, it's easy enough to follow Raleigh via security cameras. When he sees the blond is almost at the giant room that houses the Quartermaster and all his equipment, he switches to a camera feed of the outside, calmly finishing off his tea while continuing with his multitasking madness.

[unbreachable]

Raleigh's file isn't a very happy place.

Neither is Raleigh's head, for that matter.

Full of dark thoughts and tendencies, it's not unwise to keep an eye on him and it's possible that Q isn't the only one with that mindset - M is likely equally interested in ensuring that bringing back Becket isn't a cock-up in and of itself.

Regardless, Raleigh's shuffling past, then doubling back, drawn in by the light and the quiet but distinct sound of computer fans whirring, and pokes his head in.

"Someone's up late."

And it isn't him.

[spottedprick]

"The medical department has sleeping medication," is all he says at first, glancing between screens as his fingers busily fly over his keyboard. "You should make use of them."

Why yes, he just completely ignored that the comment was directed at him.

[unbreachable]

Not what he expected.

Raleigh kind of blinks at te guy and frowns, then just shrugs.

"Could say the same for you."

He doesn't like pills. He's fine.

[spottedprick]

"I'm not a field agent. My physical condition is of little import, unlike you, Agent Becket."

He types a bit more and turns away from the screens to glance back at Raleigh. "But since you're here, we might as well get this out of the way."

He steps away from his precious computers to another workstation, pulling a sleek black box out and laying it on the table.

[unbreachable]

"Well, I--what?"

Raleigh puts aside his indignance in favor of whatever happened to be in that black box, and he comes over to get a better look.

"What is it?"

[spottedprick]

"What every field agent needs," he answers, unlocking the box and revealing a handgun. "I trust your palm print hasn't changed in the past 5 years? Though given your work in construction, there might be irregularities so it's vest we confirm it now rather than when you're out hunting Kaiju."

[unbreachable]

"Wore gloves, usually," he says, coming closer and reaching over to pick it up.

"It should be the same."

No burns or cuts - not on his hands, anyway. There's a reason welders wear protective clothing.

[spottedprick]

"Good. This will only activate in your hand so do try to remember to skip the gloves when using it on the field," he answered, letting Raleigh pick it up to get a feel for it. While he's been told not to give the agent any weapons lest he decide to kill himself, he figures if Raleigh's really keen on it, he'll find some other way. "I don't know what your previous Quartermaster was like, but if you lose it, I won't replace it."

Or rather, not without some severe amount of arm twisting from the higher-ups.

[unbreachable]

Yeah. And if Raleigh was going to off himself, he would've done it by now already. He'd thought about it during his time away - more than once - but in the end the human will to survive is strong as fuck and here he is with a gun in his hand again, testing the weight, obviously impressed.

"You always so charming?" He asks, examining the weapon in his hand.

Pac Rim stuff

[64th]

post cancelled apoc; let's start fresh

[dorothied]

They decide on a small apartment close to the Shatterdome, but not so close that the shadows of the place still hover over them. For the first year, it's necessary. She can't leave the project without giving it closure, Herc needs help, it was home for years, and he...he just can't leave. The Beckett boy becomes quite famous, after he saves the world. Ms Mori, too, but fame seems to only bother Raleigh nowadays.

The apartment doesn't happen because they're together, although post-Drift effects have them sharing a bed for a whole week after the end of the world is prevented (platonic as it may be). It's cheaper. And, honestly, Raleigh makes good breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Mako contributes with chores and maybe the intention to learn how to make all her country's elaborate dishes, and the expenses of buying new pots whenever she ruins one.

But it's convenient. In more ways than one, it's convenient. They look forward to the future, in good company.

Except one morning, when it's really sunny outside, and Sunday has them with nothing to do, and Mako's mind wanders. "We could get a dog."

yas

[unbreachable]

Raleigh literally hides from the fame. He ignores the calls and requests for interviews and chooses instead to live as quietly as he possibly can - which isn't an easy feat when his face is so recognizable, especially seeing as they're still living near the Hong Kong Shatterdome. He sort of stands out, white boy that he is.

He hasn't wanted it in years and he certainly doesn't now. He wouldn't mind a house on a mountain somewhere quiet, maybe in the Carolina's or in Tennessee.

Raleigh glances over at her lazily when she speaks up, feet kicked up, lounging around as he watches a DVR of a hockey game he'd missed because timezones suck.

"We could."

[dorothied]

It's Sunday. Plans and blueprints can wait. She leaves them on the dining table and walks over to climb up over the backrest of the couch, to curl up into the small space between his legs and the cushions. Like a tiny bird, perched up on the armrest.

"Really?" She wraps her arms around her legs and pulls her knees to her chest, leaning forward with wide, excited eyes. "Because there are many dogs in need of a home out there."

[unbreachable]

He smiles over at her, moving his socked feet to give her room.

"Sure. Why not. Gets quiet around here, don't you think?"

You know, when miss perfectionist gets really involved in his work and Raleigh's wandering the halls like a banshee.

[dorothied]

She only slides down from the armrest to tuck herself into the corner of the couch, but otherwise doesn't move.

"You're -- I though you'd like quiet," she murmurs, confused. Is he not happy? Because him, her, in the same apartment, it makes her happy. If she's not giving back in equal amount then that's wrong.

[unbreachable]

"I do." He flashes a smile at her. "But I get bored when you're up to your nose in paperwork, sometimes." It's just light, playful ribbing.

[dorothied]

And she tries not to grin so obviously at this. "Oh no, what a terrible housemate I am."

[unbreachable]

"The worst," he chuckles, stretching out before curling back in. "What kind of dog? Any specific sort or..just a mutt from the shelter?"

[dorothied]

Like he's a big, happy dog sometimes, too. Stretch away, she likes it. "Whichever dog wants us." She's hoping for an instant moment of bonding in the middle of the shelter.

[unbreachable]

"Sounds like a plan to me."

Set it up, Mako. He'll go with you to get a dog. Dogs are pretty cool but don't be surprised when he's drawn to the kitten side as well.

[dorothied]

She's more excited about him saying yes than she's admitted to, as proven by the fact that her reaction is to jump to her knees and dart over to kiss his cheeks. Gratitude.

"Thank you." She's grinning, like Christmas came early; guess who's always wanted a dog.

[unbreachable]

He laughs, catching her wrist and gathering her up. You're adorable.

"Course."