dramadramaduck | [video; omwf]

[ the video starts and you see Finn dressed in coveralls, working in Burt's tire shop. The hood of a car is up and he's tinkering with something inside it, until a woman - his mom - walks over holding a brown paper bag ]

Finn, I brought you lunch.

[ he straightens up, turning to her with a smile ] Oh, thanks. [ he ducks his head so she can stretch up and kiss him on the cheek, then tells her to leave the bag on the side near his toolkit. As he cleans the oil from his hands, she tells him that she and Burt won't be home for dinner since Burt has a meeting to discuss his campaign plans ]

But you're okay to close up the shop by yourself, right?

Sure, it's fine.

You are a good boy. It's so great that Burt can rely on you to hold down the fort here while he's busy. I'm so proud of you, sweetie.

[ Finn tries to return her smile, but it definitely looks a little forced. As Carole wanders over to talk to one of the other workers, some music starts playing (who knows how) and Finn starts to sing, watching her with a sad expression ]

Told you I was joining the army, had no excuse
Seemed the right thing to do.
And you called me a fool,
Said I'd come back mean and cruel.
I said I just wanted to make my father proud
Even though he's not around.
Been gone since I was a baby.
I'm still worried what he'd think about me.

Playing the drums just ain't gonna cut it for long.
I mean singing these songs don't compare to what he did over there.
Need to prove I can carry my share,
Take on my own load and bear.
To me it all seems fair.

[ and just like that the strange musical quality of the video stops. Carole waves to Finn, giving no indication that she heard the song, and leaves.

With a small sigh, Finn grabs his lunch and heads to the back office so he can eat ]

[[ regular text is Finn, italics are Carole. Replies will ICly come later, once he's home from work and realizes this got posted! ]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Okay, yeah, that first one is great. My mom always got annoyed that she couldn't hide the cookies anywhere since I could reach all the good spots.

Yeah, but the number that get hurt is pretty low, right?

She could've tried putting them low down where it's a pain to crouch if you're that tall.

Doesn't make it any less scary for the people who don't want to see it be you.

Nah, I was good at crawling around too.

I guess. But I'll probably be fine. I mean, it'd only be training to start with anyway. It's not like I'll be sent to the Middle East any time soon.

Awkward middle ground?

You've got to survive boot camp first.

Buffy. We're talking cookies and a little boy. If there were cookies, I'd've got them no matter where my mom tried to hide them.

...Right. Yeah. Well, Mr. Schue made us do Booty Camp last year-- I know it's not the same thing, but a bit of experience, at least. I can do it, I know I can.

Right. Dawn's kind of taller than me, Mom always used to have trouble keeping her out of things too.

Booty Camp sounds like a lot more fun though. [ A pause. ] If you ever need private gym training time, if you can find someone with a worldhop you're free to use my training room. At the very least, we allow cookies in there. I don't know if the army does that.

Isn't everyone taller than you? [ he loves you really buffy ]

It totally wasn't fun. It was hell. [ a shudder as he remembers all. that. dancing. bleurgh ] Hey, seriously? You mean it?

Hey. [ Yes. ] I'm just short enough.

[ It's probably like Buffy's first attempts at actually being a good student. So painful. ] Chocolate chip or snicker doodle?

I wonder who's taller, you or Rachel.

Hm...gotta go with the classic chocolate chip, I think.

Oh! Me. I've been with her in person before, I'm like an inch and a half taller or something. [ She didn't measure, but she knows! From long ago. ] Guess Rachel kind of lost access here huh? It's been a long time since I talked to her.

Chocolate chip it is. Just give me a day's heads up before you come over so I've got time to make them okay?

Yeah. She's been busy with plans for New York and stuff. [ does he sound a bit sad about that? Maybe. Because he knows what he'll have to do ]

You're the best.

Tell her I said "hi" okay? [ If she remembers. ]

Only mostly~

Sure, I will.

Only definitely. Is there a time that'd be good for you? I mean, I get a couple of days off but I dunno how busy you are.

I am jobless-Buffy and possibly not going to make it through the college semester-Buffy right now. Just call me and I'll let you know if the world's going to end or if I'm available.