(no subject)

[amicably_absent]

Glitch wanted to stay in the cabin forever, but Ambrose insisted on heading back, getting home the day before the trial was set to happen. He didn't elaborate on why, though it was fairly apparent that he wanted to attend, especially when he spent an hour the night before it setting out clothes, putting them in orders with numbers to clearly mark how they went on. It was a lot of work and planning.

Ambrose, also unlike Glitch, had no problems using the privilege of an attendant to help get ready. He gets dressed carefully in what is just shy of a dress uniform but speaks with position to anyone entitled to know it. The attendant helps him with his hair, getting the ringlets settled neatly, if not combed down in his usual manner. He thinks Glitch would protest it and, as he has been told, he needs to stop being ashamed of the line of steel in his scalp. A few touches of make up highlight his pale, striking appearance and he asks Wyatt to escort him down to the court house.

Wyatt has to be there anyway, as the first officer on scene with the small delegation of Viewers who will also present evidence through a mirror set up in court just for that, one with a moratanium frame that Ambrose thinks he might've designed.

The case isn't short, but the conclusion is foregone. He himself is unable to sit to testify, no headcase testimony can be taken by the court, but since he can't remember anything anyway, there would be no point in unnecessarily working him up into glitching.

He does that enough as it is. Each bit of testimony sets off glitches and skips, fragments of thought and getting caught in cycles. It's a hard, long few hours as they plow though it all. They plead guilty, but it's before sentencing that the judge asks if anyone has anything to say.

That's when he raises his hand. "I do, Your Honour."

The judge gives him a long look. "While you cannot testify, the court will recognise any additional statements you have to offer, Adviser Ambrose."

He stands up, smoothing down his military style coat with the tiny badges across the breast marking the medals he won't wear in public. "My learned judge, I would ask you to consider clemency in your sentencing of these men."

He takes a breath to give the noise a moment to subside. "I cannot and will not condone the acts of violence that have been committed, against myself and potentially against other individuals who have suffered violation at the hands of the Witch's surgeons. Justice and retribution is the domain of the court and the police, and it is unacceptable to have the public taking vengeance for actions that may - or indeed may not - have been committed. The court has already taken action against violent offenders, their headcasing is - believe me - punishment enough for their actions, leaving them incapable of directed malice of any consistent amount.

"But.

"The commonality of headcasing as political terrorism to silence dissidence and rebellion is not yet commonly seen, understood or recognised. Ignorance, in truth, is the enemy here. These men were wrong, but they acted in fear and ignorance. I personally feel no need to vengeance against these men, I pity them for being so scared during these dark times past that they cannot reach towards the better future we are all striving for. I pity their ignorance in attacking those who present a visible sign of their ongoing imprisonment, for the thoughts they had, the allegiances they held and not for any crime committed. Headcasing for crime is almost unknown now, but for political motivations? That has been far more prevalent in recent times. Punishment should be a learning aid, to educated individuals and society and this case and serve to educate these men, theoir families and society as a whole. Not just of the heinous acts taken against political prisoners such as myself, but a learning experience that the barbaric and harsh times of the Witch are over and we will once again strive towards a benevolent society of correction, not vengeance."

He bows his head. "Thank you." And he sits down, reaching for Wyatt's hand.

Comments

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

Ambrose is watching out the window at the world going by when Wyatt gets there. "Mm? Well... I suppose not." Intellectually not, but he still feels terribly shy. "She already knows Glitch? I feel, terribly crazy when I have to explain about that."

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

He nods, pushing Ambrose's cup closer to him. "Sometimes, you'll pop in and out in the middle of things. Glitch gets flashbacks and glitches, and you fill in the gaps... Selia was the first to notice."

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"Ah." That makes sense, and explains exactly why this place is so familiar to him. He's been here. Even if it's just flickers and a sense of familiarity.

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"I've wanted to take you here for some time now," Wyatt confides softly. "No one here ever treated you wrong because of the zipper. They're good people. Don't look so glum."

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

He looks up with a small smile. "I'm sorry, Wyatt, I'm just terribly shaken by giving that speech and... everything." He takes Wyatt's hands in his. "Thank you."

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

Of course he is... Of course he is, and dammit, Wyatt should have thought that one step further. He looks at their hands, squeezes Ambrose's firmly. "Don't be. I don't think I realized... Sometimes I really should think before opening my mouth."

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

Ambrose smiles more fondly. "You're right, I should relax a bit more." He lifts up Wyatt's hands and kisses the knuckles. "I might steal all of this day, you know."

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

"And what might I do to tip the scales, then?" He smiles wider, keeping his hands relaxed and pliant in Ambrose's grip.

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"After court, take me out to the garden to just spend time with you, dinner in my room and an evening just to us?"

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

"Just us." It sounds wonderful. It sounds absolutely delightful. He nods, leaning in and tilting his head for a kiss.

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"Just us," he agrees. He returns the kiss softly, delicately.

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

He hums into the kiss, bringing his hands up to touch. He loves this...the way they're so different from each other, yet so very much the same.

He loves them both. All of them.

"Mmm."

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

Ambrose keeps hold of Wyatt's hands, lacing their fingers and breaking the kiss to smile shyly. "I can't wait until court is over."

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

"Me neither." He looks into Ambrose's eyes, completely taken with how brown they are. "Dancing in the garden, smelling the flowers and just enjoying each other's company. And later on, just you and me and the fireplace."

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"Cloud watching," he murmurs. "Painting the flowers. Or dissecting them. They're fascinating." He watches back, sighing softly at the beautiful rich colour of blue Wyatt's eyes are.

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

"Uhuh. Not as fascinating as you are."

Their tea will go cold if they keep at this much longer.

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"Flatterer," he murmurs back, voice just above a whisper. "Maybe we can spend tonight working out just how fascinating we both are to each other?"

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

He flushes slightly pink in the cheeks at the suggestion, and he has to look away for a moment, lest he do something really silly.

Then he leans in, whispering into Ambrose's ear. "You think one night is enough?"

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"Not even," he whispers back. "But we can make an admirable start in that sort of time." He leans in, lips brushing Wyatt's ear. "I do enjoy lazy evenings making out in front of the fire," he murmurs.

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

He shivers slightly from the touch, liking the faint touch very much indeed. "Me too. They're...some kind of wonderful, those evenings."

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"They won't have to end when things... go further between us, will they?" His lips barely brush Wyatt's earlobe.

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

He pulls back slowly, looking into Ambrose's eyes, watching his face fondly. He thinks maybe he has an idea of why he would ask such a thing. Maybe he has a very good idea why.

He runs his thumbs over his partner's graceful, strong hands; it's his turn to lift them to place a series of gentle kisses on them both. "They won't end. I don't care how busy our lives become, how demanding, we'll make time for them."

He wants to say more, so much more, but he doesn't know where to even begin. So much more, about the long run, going at life side by side, about sticking with it through hardships and victories alike... But he can't find the words to do justice to his hopes for the future.

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"Good." Ambrose doesn't want to lose that intimacy and fondness and connection in the face of moving on to something different between them. Deepening their physical connection. He knows Glitch and Wyatt are rather hurried and still learning, but he can't do that at the cost of all else with his memories.

Ambrose looks into those lovely eyes and just nods, seeing a weight of words and moments there and just kisses Wyatt softly again.

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

He'll find the words somehow. Maybe not right now, or even tomorrow, but he'll find them in time. For now, actions speak louder (and maybe they always will), and he's fine with that.

He doesn't pull away this time. Not for a good, long while.

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

Ambrose sighs into the kiss, trembling softly and breaking it only when his stomach makes a loud sound that indicates that food might be appreciated. He bites his lip then, smiling slightly.