"Scout! Is there something wrong with you? You seem out of it today."
Myers winced at the sound of Hellboy's voice.
"Uh...I don't know what you mean Red. There's nothing wrong."
John refused to look in Hellboy's eyes.
"Was it Manning? Liz told me he gave you quite a talking to."
John hunched over further onto the table.
"What's the matter Scout? Can't take any constructive criticism? Not that Mannings is constructive..."
Myers could just hear the grin in his voice.
"Look John," here Hellboy slid out a chair for himself, "Mannings is just ...he's tough, alright? It's not like he's not tough on everyone. He can be a jerk. Big Deal. You can deal with a jerk."
Myers gave a short, sharp nod.
"Myers..."
Myers tensed as Hellboy trailed off and continued to gaze desperately at the table. Suddenly there was breath on his neck and Hellboy's hand jerking his chin up. John instinctively flinched away and quickly averted his eyes when Hellboy's grip didn't loosen.
"John...John look at me."
"What?"
John glanced quickly at Hellboy before turning away again. Hellboy's grip loosened and John pulled away.
"What did Mannings say?"
Hellboy's voice was softer. John scoffed sourly inside his mind. He didn't deserve Hellboy's attention.
"Nothing."
"John-"
"Go away. It's nothing to do with you."
John said it so coldly that Hellboy backed off for a moment and even considered leaving. Only...he sounded so hurt.
"It does Myers."
"How?"
"Anything that has something to do with you, has something to do with me."
"Hellb-don't...just..stop."
"Myers. You tell me what's going on in that little head of yours right now or I'll go and get Abe to tell me. It's your decision. And Abe certainly won't leave anything out."
"Abe wouldn't."
"He would. For me."
"h-he-"
"You wanna bet Myers? Freaks stick together."
For a moment there was no answer and John had the distinct feeling of being tricked.
"It's nothing.Only I..."
John couldn't even look at Hellboy. John sighed.
"I'm inadequate. I can't get my job done. I was never the best choice for something like this. I screw up too much. I'm too sensitive. I don't only fail myself. I fail everybody. I fail you. If I can't do my job, how many people am I going to get hurt? Am I going to get Liz hurt? Abe? You?"
John was almost crying.
"I can't do my job Hellboy. Do you know what that means? I can't protect you."
John was hurt when Hellboy started laughing.
"It's not funny Hellboy."
Eventually Hellboy stopped laughing, a little out of breath.
"I think it's supposed to be the other way around Myers. I Protect You. "
"Hel-"
"No, listen. John Myers. What we have is a partnership. I protect you and you take care of me. Which is alot different than protecting me. You feed me. Take care of my living quarters. Dash around and be cute so I can look at you-No,let me finish. I can take care of myself. But I wouldn't be able to stand you getting hurt. And if you got hurt protecting me? ...I couldn't bare it Myers."
"Hellboy..."
"Of course, if you're feeling useless. There are always other needs you can fulfill."
Hellboy gave him an intense once over. Rather blatant and suggestive. John blushed. Hellboy gave a pleased grin.What good was he if he couldn't handle one of John's moods?