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Gunner was terrible at apologies. Worse than that, however, was the cold distance that dwelled between him and Gideon during these past few weeks.[break][break]

The brothers had always been close. Playing together as children, studying together as teenagers, and keeping in contact as much as possible despite years of separation. And through it all, Gunner had always admired Gideon's intelligence and ambition, even if his work ethic had devastating consequences.[break][break]

And now they hadn't spoken in weeks, all because of… what, a misunderstanding? Initially, Gunner had refused to think he'd been wrong. Wrong to keep his work a secret. Wrong to deceive his family. After all, as long as they were safe and healthy, why did it matter what happened to him?[break][break]

But Summer Atreides's words from their recent fight echoed in his head: "What about my feelings, Gunner?"[break][break]

Perhaps, in his effort to protect his loved ones with his life, he forgot to consider how they felt about possibly losing him one day.[break][break]

"I'm sorry I called your bugs stupid," Gunner blurted out, not sure what to say first. He stared into his glass of vodka tonic, flushing with embarrassment. "Your work is important. It's important to you, and I shouldn't have belittled it."

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Gunner Graves[break]
POISONOUS POSSESSION

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Gunner released the breath he'd subconsciously been holding as soon as Gideon voiced his own apology. Not that Gunner wanted to hear his brother apologize for the argument. With how much time had passed, he didn't care about being right. He just wanted to be able to talk with Gideon again, like before.[break][break]

But he did pause for a large swig of his drink before he answered Gideon's question.[break][break]

"When Sayori died, I didn't know what to do," Gunner began in a halting explanation. "I felt lost, like I'd been unmoored. I hated everything. Team Rocket. My bosses. Myself."[break][break]

He took a deep breath. It had been a long time since he'd talked about what had happened with anyone. Of course, Gideon knew the circumstances, but to discuss the events after so much time had passed felt strange.[break][break]

"I wanted to destroy something, Gideon," Gunner admitted, his voice low. The confession felt shameful, somehow. "It didn't matter what. The HBIC… they convinced me to put my urges toward a greater good."[break][break]

He took another drink.

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Gunner Graves[break]
POISONOUS POSSESSION

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"Have you not destroyed enough?"[break][break]

Gunner did not want to answer that question. He'd certainly hurt and killed many people, but enough of them? The uncertainty hung heavy in his chest, an admission he was not ready to speak out loud.[break][break]

Instead, he chose to answer Gideon's other question.[break][break]

"I like what I do." It was the truth, as shocking as it must have sounded to his brother. "I'm good at it. I feel like I have a purpose in life, like I can actually make a difference in the world we live in."[break][break]

Gunner finally raised his gaze to meet Gideon's, determined blue eyes meeting the umber ones brimming with concern.[break][break]

"And the risk is one I'm willing to take if it means preventing what happened to her from happening to you, Mom, and Dad."

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Gunner Graves[break]
POISONOUS POSSESSION

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Gideon's acceptance did not come easily. In fact, Gunner had half-expected his brother to continue resisting the truth. But Gideon was a man of science. In his field, old truths had to make way for new ones.[break][break]

But while the acceptance — and even the words of gratitude — did not come as too much of a surprise, Gideon's last words did.[break][break]

Gunner had spent the last six years humbling himself. The HBIC had told him he would not receive accolades or recognition for his work from the public he worked so hard to defend. He would toil in the shadows of the League government. Whatever pride he could take in his career would be his own to cultivate.[break][break]

So to hear "I'm proud of you" from the man he admired above all others brought unexpected emotion. Gunner flushed red. A bashful smile spread across his face. He tried to hide it with another swig of drink.[break][break]

"Thanks," he said at last, unable to avoid the conversation. Then he sighed, finally ready to apologize for the real issue at hand.[break][break]

"I'm sorry I kept it a secret from you for so long. I thought it was better if you didn't know. I didn't want you worrying about me. Mom and Dad don't know, either."

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Gunner Graves[break]
POISONOUS POSSESSION

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Uncertainty flashed in Gunner's face. For the first time, perhaps, Gideon would see the young boy he'd always known his brother to be. The doubt reflected in his voice when he spoke.[break][break]

"Yes… A lot of my work is confidential in nature, so I wouldn't be able to talk to them about it if they asked. And I don't want them to stay up at night worrying about me."[break][break]

He looked up into Gideon's eyes.[break][break]

"Unless you think that's wrong?"[break][break]

Generally, Gunner was not the kind of person to seek advice from others. He acted with the full confidence that his decisions were the right ones.[break][break]

But in moments of vulnerability, when the emotions he worked hard to contain were already pouring out, he knew of no better person to turn to than his brother.

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Gunner Graves[break]
POISONOUS POSSESSION

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Gunner's body relaxed with relief, and he let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "Thank you. That means a lot, for you to help me out like this."[break][break]

The discomfort and uncertainty returned to his face within moments, however. He stalled by finishing off his drink and flagging down the waiter for another. Then, when there was nothing else to do but proceed, he said to Gideon:[break][break]

"Summer doesn't know, either. And honestly, I don't ever want her finding out."[break][break]

Not just for her safety, but because Lion Heart Trading Co. was Gunner's case for the HBIC. He had no idea how she'd react if she found out the truth. Of course, that led to another complication he didn't know how to address.[break][break]

One he was desperate to voice at last.[break][break]

"She doesn't know a lot of things, actually," Gunner admitted, feeling more lost for words than when he and his brother had first arrived at the bar.

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Gunner Graves[break]
POISONOUS POSSESSION

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Gunner tossed back half his drink in one go. Like Gideon, he needed to be more inebriated to deal with their next topic of conversation.[break][break]

"I told her about what happened to me in Kanto, but I haven't told her about Sayori. I haven't told her about what I was going through during these past few years."[break][break]

The more he thought about it, the more it seemed Summer Atreides knew nothing about him. Of course, she knew about his childhood and young adulthood, his family, his dreams and ambitions as a kid. But to Gunner, all that seemed a lifetime away.[break][break]

He was a different person now. He had different goals, a different perspective on life. And it all related to his work, of which she was oblivious.[break][break]

"And also, I'm starting to have doubts about what I want. I thought I liked her but…" Gunner trailed off, struggling to be vulnerable. But as the alcohol flooded his system, the looser his tongue became. "Honestly, I feel kind of trapped."

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