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[twocomplex]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, COIN PRINCE. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 097.26.245.13 *** Coin Prince has joined 097.26.245.13 <Coin Prince> And how secure is this communication, really? <Coin Prince> Well, go on then, let's speak.

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[twocomplex]

You say that as if it were trouble.

[Humming softly, he presses another soft kiss lower, towards Ryan's stomach, lingering there as their fingers link loosely like this. His eyes, though, flick upwards.] I've missed that smile. I'll stay as close as you need me, if I can keep it in place.

[averagemedium]

You usually do.

[His smile's a little wider now, settling more firmly in place as he meets Oren's eyes, and he reaches down with his free hand to comb his fingers through Oren's hair.]

I don't know how you manage it, but you do.

[It jars his memory a little, brings up something similar he'd said the previous night. I don't know what this is. He still doesn't-- just that he's fond of Oren, definitely attracted to him, and sometimes moments like this make him wonder. His expression fades into something more thoughtful, but he doesn't say anything else.]

[twocomplex]

[He catches that fade in expression, and it's enough to pause his own kissing. While he's no mind reader, he knows what's fresh in Ryan's mind, and it's enough to give him a direction. Moving the pillow behind himself, he moves closer and scoots himself higher, a free hand lacing through Ryan's hair at his neck.

His head shifts closer too, almost perfect for a kiss, but he lets their foreheads touch first, instead. A step before what could be.]

Don't worry so much on small details. [He nudges his nose a little closer, as well, offering a small smile.] We help one another, don't we? It's natural for me to be here.

So tell me, where has your smile gone now?

[averagemedium]

I was just- thinking.

[He shakes his head slightly, forces a smile back into place, but it doesn't quite manage to reach his eyes. Oren's affectionate with him, he's here when Ryan needs him, and he almost feels guilty for not coming to Oren looking for companionship first-- but this all started so quickly and so easily. It's far from what Ryan is used to, and especially after last night, he's afraid of losing it by assuming the wrong thing.

Instead he rests against Oren, head ducked so his face isn't so easy to see.]

About last night.

[And he intentionally doesn't specify what, hoping Oren assumes he means that failed date.]

[twocomplex]

[Oren smooths his hand around the back of Ryan's head, holding him closer, but carefully. He's still too cold for his liking.]

You like them quite a bit? [He tries really hard not to let jealousy seep through there, and he does fairly well. He can control his tone and words when he wants to.] May I ask who?

[averagemedium]

[He's cold, but he just doesn't quite care about it at the moment. He'd rather have Oren close than be warm, even if he does have to take a few moments to decide what to tell him.]

...a coworker of ours, I don't know if you've ever talked to him. Katsuya.

[He doesn't think he remembers seeing them talking, so this is likely safe, right...?]

[twocomplex]

[Katsuya.

His fingers pull back from Ryan's hair slowly, letting curls drop and slip out from between them carefully. The rest of him is rather still, but it could be that he doesn't want to freeze Ryan.]

We've only met recently. [He doesn't mind revealing this, already wondering about his options.] We were paired at the date auction.

He's awfully awkward, isn't he...?

[averagemedium]

--oh.

[His expression pulls into an almost guilty frown at that. Ryan isn't the best with people, but he's aware enough of the way Oren's hand puuls back, his touch going still. Whether it's surprise or something else, though, he really couldn't say.]

I- yeah. I guess he is, but y'know, I get that a lot too. [He manages a faint smile there, and continues, the words just tumbling out once he's started.]

We met not long after I first got here, on a kind of- platonic date, basically. We had things in common, seemed like it'd be nice. Then he was there when I first started changing.

[twocomplex]

[That explained it. He'd been there for him in the moments he needed someone the most. Oren can only imagine what those times must have been like. He's leaned on Ryan before from his own changes, but has Ryan been through any himself?

He watches him a little more closely, eyes drifting over him as if trying to find new ones. None that he'd noticed.]

A misleading start from the beginning, is that it? [Platonic date. His fingers rest at the base of Ryan's neck, still.]

He didn't feel the same?

[averagemedium]

It wasn't misleading, I knew the first one wasn't a real date. But this time-

[He breathes out a short, humorless huff of a laugh, shaking his head.]

I brought flowers and he still didn't get that it was a date until I said so, that should've been a hint.

[Ryan's avoiding the question and he knows it, dancing around the answer-- after a few moments, though, he sighs and reaches up to brush a couple of stray curls from his face.]

...he's interested in someone else.

[twocomplex]

[You mean to say he's dense.

Oren holds back from the remark but it does linger at the tip of his tongue as he begins to toy with the hair at the base of Ryan's neck.]

I'm sorry. [He's trying to choose his words carefully, but it comes up feeling like he's out of them. Why?] That must have been difficult for you.

[averagemedium]

Yeah.

[His head tilts into Oren's touch, eager for more now that it's returned, and at first he seems content to just enjoy that.]

I think it feels worse than if he were just- honestly not interested in anyone at all. Always somebody better, yeah?

[twocomplex]

It's nothing like that. Don't be so down on yourself.

[He can't let that slide. His free hand moves to cup Ryan's face, tilting his chin up if he tries to look away at all.]

His interests found someone else before he could even notice yours. That's what you've told me. That's not preference. [He nudges his face closer, taking advantage of them lying on the bed to seem taller, to pull him closer at his own neck and chest.]

The timing was off.

[averagemedium]

That's how it's been before. I can recognize a pattern, Oren.

[He shakes his head as he curls closer, allowing Oren to pull him in and hold him.]

People are fine with me as a friend, or a friend with benefits, just-- not as a partner. I'm not the type they want. It's always "well, you're nice, but," or "you're sweet but"--

[Ryan trails off there, words ending in a sigh. God, this all feels so stupid. He has this, at least, so why can't he just be content with it?]

I don't know.

[twocomplex]

[He's got to be careful with this one and he knows it. He ducks his head enough to press a soft kiss to one of Ryan's temples, tightening his hold.]

Perhaps you've simply been chasing after the wrong people.

[He lets that hang in the air softly for a few moments before he pulls back just enough to not completely crush Ryan in icy cold touch.]

Things never happen as we plan or hope. That doesn't mean that you're worth any less.

[averagemedium]

[That answer feels like it makes his heart skip a beat or two, especially with the way Oren lets silence linger after it, lets it sort of- sink in. Suddenly he's glad Oren can't see his expression clearly, and this time Ryan's the one who goes still, allowing him to pull back a little.]

...maybe. Maybe you're right. I'm sorry, I just--

[He huffs out a laugh against Oren's neck, short and almost more nervous than anything.]

I'm sorry. I shouldn't be making you deal with this. Feels like it's a little wrong to call you over here so you can lay with me while I complain about other guys.

[twocomplex]

[His fingers trail cold down the back of Ryan's neck, and he lets out a soft shhh.]

You've helped me countless times already. Is it so strange if I wish to do the same?

[His fingers slide back up, pausing at his hair.] Come now, wake up and have breakfast with me.

[averagemedium]

...okay. Okay, that's- fair.

[He has to admit he was almost hoping for a different answer, something beyond just returning the favor, but it's not something he can ask for. He's letting his thoughts stray too much toward things like that-- maybe it's not what Oren meant at all. Maybe this really is all that's there.

Ryan rolls over, with some effort, and grudgingly shifts toward the edge of the bed to plant webbed feet on the floor. --then there's a brief little whine as he draws his knees back up, frowning (almost pouting, really) at the ground.]

But it's warmer here.

[twocomplex]

What, beside me?

[The ice deer? He smiles over his shoulder at him as he pulls away and stands. Ryan will have to follow or be abandoned, it seems.]

You're exaggerating. ...I can't promise you warmth anymore, I'm afraid.

[averagemedium]

Yes.

[He gives Oren an almost disbelieving look-- really, he has to question that?-- as he slowly sets both feet back down on the floor and pushes himself up.

Okay. Okay, getting up is the hard part, he should be good now.]

You're warm in other ways, s'not just body heat.

[twocomplex]

Now you aim to flatter me with such weak lines.

[Laughing as he dances away, he finds a counter in the kitchen area to lean against, spinning so his hands can grip the counter behind him as he leans back.]

What's warm, exactly? I would like to hear it from your lips.

[averagemedium]

Weak?

[It's mostly mock offense, but there's a touch of real insecurity to that objection. Was that too much, did he not like it--

But then Oren asks him to continue, and a small, relieved smile tugs at the corners of his mouth as he steps into the kitchen after him.]

I just mean that you-- you always seem to know what to say to make me feel better. [A short pause, and then he continues, a bit quieter.] Just being here makes me feel better, really. I like your company.

[twocomplex]

[Now that gets a fond look. Oren watches Ryan struggle with the thought for a bit, the shift from "mock" offense to a smile, and moves a hand to gesture for him to come closer still.]

It's my pleasure. You know that, don't you? [His own smile is certainly inviting as he ends his gesture, resting that hand back against the counter once more.]

I enjoy your company just as much.

[averagemedium]

...I know.

[Ryan follows that gesture without having to give it a second thought, as if it were a magnetic pull, and lets his hands settle on either side of Oren's waist as he steps closer. His body doesn't quite pin him against the counter, but it could if he closed the distance just a bit more-- but instead he simply leans down to press a kiss to Oren's lips, slow and soft.]

Maybe we should enjoy each others' company more often, it feels like I'm always seeing you when something's gone wrong.

[twocomplex]

[Thoughtfully, he hums into the kiss, pressing back just enough for a sweet answer. His lips linger even at the words, and once they're finished, he steals a second, shorter kiss.]

I'd like that.

[It's a quiet voice, aiming to draw Ryan in for as much as he sounds drawn in himself.] If you could find the time, I'd like to see what other interests you have.