More Than Kin, Less Than Kind {Harry/Claudius} FIN

[hamlet]

Harry rolled his eyes dramatically, again in exasperation as he placed his hands on the desk and leaned on it. "Come on, Claudius. If this is you saying I have a drinking problem because of what you read in the papers, you can save it. Don't you know that they tend to exaggerate? Besides, I know where I get the drinking gene from. It did come from my dad's side, right?" A hint of a smirk tugged at his lips.

"But you know what? I know you're just really concerned about my well-being. That's nice." He continued, very sarcastically. "But I don't need your concern. Really. I don't drink too much - I'm fine. Better than fine. My methods of swallowing my grief need no approval, just the same as yours."

Harry's brow furrowed in bemusement as if he just realized something, and he eased off the desk. "What's it to you anyway?" Even though Harry could probably guess his answer, he wanted to hear it from him.

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

"Come on, Claudius. If this is you saying I have a drinking problem because of what you read in the papers, you can save it. Don't you know that they tend to exaggerate?"

Claudius attempted to get a word in edgeways here but Harry kept on talking, much to his irritation considering what he said. Was he trying to infuriate him on purpose?

"Besides, I know where I get the drinking gene from. It did come from my dad's side, right?"

Claudius gave a hollow laugh.

"But you know what? I know you're just really concerned about my well-being. That's nice. But I don't need your concern. Really. I don't drink too much - I'm fine. Better than fine. My methods of swallowing my grief need no approval, just the same as yours."

The smile on Cludius' face faded at Harry's words; he wasn't fine and they both knew it.

"What's it to you anyway?"

Despite the fact Harry had been sarcastic in his opinion that Claudius genuinley cared about his wellbeing, his uncle replied,

"Harry, I have a right to be concerned about your wellbeing...you're my nephew after all. But there's also the company to consider. It's reputation, and your own."

[hamlet]

"Harry, I have a right to be concerned about your wellbeing...you're my nephew after all. But there's also the company to consider. It's reputation, and your own."

Harry blinked several times in mock shock. "Wow. That was...touching. 'You're my nephew after all.' Huh." he repeated, looking bemused. He paused and looked up at Claudius. "You know if you really try hard enough, you could make that sound mildly genuine."

And then there was the second part of Claudius' statement. The part about the company. Yep. That's what Harry had guessed. Claudius was beginning to be predictable actually - his greediness was almost mechanical. Unfortunately evidence of this wasn't evidence enough to prove, even to Harry himself, that he'd be capable of murder.

"And for the record, you are not allowed to worry about my reputation for the sake of this stolen 'empire' you've managed to grab. My reputation is mine for me to care about or not care about." And no, he didn't care about it. His rep meant nothing, especially under a company as corrupt as the one Claudius currently runs. "As for me smearing over this company, don't you have a PR team for that?" He asked twisting his face a bit in an expression which stated, in a nutshell, 'duh.'

He sighed. "Claudius, just cut the crap. I don't need an intervention. Especially not coming from you."

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

"Wow. That was...touching. 'You're my nephew after all.' Huh. You know if you really try hard enough, you could make that sound mildly genuine."

Claudius himself knew he hadn't been all that genuine in his words, but that didn't stop him feeling somewhat displeased that Harry had so easily grasped this concept.

"And for the record, you are not allowed to worry about my reputation for the sake of this stolen 'empire' you've managed to grab. My reputation is mine for me to care about or not care about."

What was Harry saying? Surely he would care about his reputation if he wanted to uphold the legacy of his dear departed father? Claudius' frowned a little, particularly at Harry's use of the words 'stolen' and 'grab' (although he was well aware that was what he'd done) but said nothing.

"As for me smearing over this company, don't you have a PR team for that?"

The look on Harry's face answered his own question. But, in truth, although this was the case, Claudius felt he had to deal with Harry's attitude and actions personally to salvage not only the company's reputation but his own. He wouldn't want people to accusse him of being not only a crooked businessman but an uncaring uncle (though honestly it was just Harry that saw him like this).

"Claudius, just cut the crap. I don't need an intervention. Especially not coming from you."

"That's rich Harry," Claudius replied, tone halfway between amused and irritated. "Your actions of late have made it clear that intervention is exactly what you need. Not to mention I would have thought that, since this is the company your father started, you would care a little more for how it is percieved, particullarly since you're the heir to it."

[hamlet]

"That's rich Harry. Your actions of late have made it clear that intervention is exactly what you need. Not to mention I would have thought that, since this is the company your father started, you would care a little more for how it is percieved, particullarly since you're the heir to it."

"I would care, but this isn't my father's company anymore is it? This is my father's company with you pissing all over it. So no, my concern for it has dwindled as of recently. I mean, you've made the company your personal money making machine - everyone knows that. The rep of this company is about the same as every other company, complete with no integrity or generosity whatsoever. So from where I'm standing the reputation you've created is fine. And as for me, I'm fine too. Really. I'm allowed to get drunk once and a while, doesn't mean I need to go to rehab or anything. I'm sure you of all people understand that."

He shrugged. "Besides, I clearly haven't been myself since Hamlet's death." Harry decided to try something in that moment to further investigate Claudius' motives. "Unlike you, I can't stop thinking about it. Something just doesn't sit right with me about the way he died and it's driving me nuts," The irony of that comment wasn't purposeful but Harry was glad he said it once the words left his mouth. He ran his hand through his hair in a moment of bemusement and then looked up at Claudius. "I'm sorry, I'm saying this as if you actually give a damn. My mistake." He said with a sarcastic expression.

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

As Harry explained how, in his view, Hamlet Enterprises was now Claudius' (and not in a good way), his uncle grew ever more incensed, yet tried, it must be said, to remain outwardly calm. It was when Harry reverted the topic back, once again, to the death of his father, that Claudius knew he had to speak.

"Besides, I clearly haven't been myself since Hamlet's death. Unlike you, I can't stop thinking about it. Something just doesn't sit right with me about the way he died and it's driving me nuts. I'm sorry, I'm saying this as if you actually give a damn. My mistake."

He should have known this might have cropped up sooner or later but that didn't mean he'd been busy fabricating an appropriate response. He paused, as though thinking Harry's words over, before he spoke again, in a more reflective tone than the furious one he'd used before.

"You're wrong, Harry," he replied. "I am still perturbed by my brother's death and I do give a damn. He went before his time, it's true but what else doesn't sit right with you?"

He knew it was weak to simply repeat what Harry had said in better light to himself. But he felt he shouldn't risk saying anything more on the circumstances surrounding Hamlet's death lest he let something slip.

[hamlet]

"You're wrong, Harry, I am still perturbed by my brother's death and I do give a damn. He went before his time, it's true but what else doesn't sit right with you?"

Harry studied Claudius for a moment. Either this guy was playing stupid or he really did grieve Hamlet. Harry didn't buy the BS one bit. He had no real reason why, he had no facts to prove that his suspicions reigned true - just one really, really annoying gut feeling when he looked at his uncle. That voice of his father in the back of his mind that haunted him.

And yet even so, there was really nothing he could say to him that would reveal Claudius' BS. He walked right into something within this whole dialog that he wasn't even prepared for. Seriously - what did he expect? Claudius to break down for a true confessional? Maybe that was waaaay too much wishful thinking on Harry's part. He needed to back away from this and think this through.

After a moment of Harry mulling over his words, he simply shook his head, his brow lowered and eyes narrowed in pure disgust. "A lot of things don't sit right with me, Claudius. A lot of things. Too many to list." His voice was accusatory - he couldn't help it. But the statement was true. Hamlet's death, the company's take over, Claudius' relationship with Harry's mom....ugh.

With one last glare, he started walking away from the desk towards the door and as he did, he added. "We'll save that for another heart to heart meeting you manage to fit in your busy schedule." He opened the door to walk out, listening to whatever last word Claudius wanted to bud in. He really didn't care if that was or wasn't all he had to say to Harry - as far as Harry was concerned, this meeting was over.

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

"A lot of things don't sit right with me, Claudius. A lot of things. Too many to list."

Claudius had to admit he was glad Harry didn't care to elaborate, particularly with regards to Hamlet's death. Not only was that firmly in the past, in Claudius' view, but it was dangerous ground for the conversation to tread. He wasn't surprised at Harry's obvious disgust but that didn't mean to say he wasn't somewhat irritated by his accusatory tone. He wasn't the one slandering the company's good reputation, it was Harry. Surely.

As Harry moved away from the desk and towards the door, Claudius considered trying to stop him. But what purpose would it serve? Clearly in Harry's mind there was no reason to continue the meeting and, as Claudius saw it, it would be futile to try and get it back on track at this point. At least he'd informed Harry about the work, despite the conversation that had followed.

"We'll save that for another heart to heart meeting you manage to fit in your busy schedule."

Claudius raised an eyebrow at Harry's words before he nodded.

"I believe another meeting may be necessary, Harry. But if you pick up the slack this may not be the case."

Of course he pinned the blame for this disastrous discussion on Harry and his work, rather than his own faults that Harry was so clearly preoccupied with.

Sitting back down he deftly ticked Talk With Harry off his To-Do list. The discussion was clearly over, for better or worse.