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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]

[Watching this is strangely familiar. It's a little more calm than the shifting he'd had to deal with, but it's horrifying to watch all the same. Melding and growing of skin that shouldn't be, loss of some limbs and growth of others. Oren reaches out during the process and places a hand to the back of Ryan's head, gently stroking down his hair in light touches so not to snag.

Once Ryan speaks, he pauses his hand at his shoulder and gives a light squeeze.]

No, perhaps not. [He never did, at least. His hand smooths over from his shoulder to his back, tracing his fingers along skin or scales in an attempt to soothe.] But you will learn to deal with it.

[He interrupts himself with a tiny chuckle, dry more than anything.] That doesn't sound so ideal, does it? I can't lie to you. It feels wrong, but you have those who can help you along with it.

You're not alone.

[averagemedium]

[That touch is unexpectedly soothing, and while Ryan is tense at first, he quickly begins to relax. He shifts and rolls over onto his side, facing Oren, and settles in a little more comfortably; his tail curls up to wrap around one of Oren's wrists, latching on almost reflexively.]

You've dealt with something similar before...? Or just kind of a general sentiment?

[Ryan peers up at him curiously over the rims of his glasses, head slightly tilted. His tail's not quite stroking along his arm, but it doesn't manage to hold still, uncurling and shifting and curling around again.]

-I can appreciate the last part, at least. It's a little weird not to be.

[twocomplex]

[The tail is surprising, but it's met with a broadening of Oren's smile. He takes it as a sign of relaxation from Ryan, combined with the way he can feel his muscles ease below his fingers. He shifts, touching his knees to the ground outside the tub now so he can lean over the rim of it.

He continues to smooth over Ryan's shoulders even as he watches his other arm and the tail that moves over it.]

It wasn't so widely known, but yes, I dealt with something similar. The pain never went away, but I dealt with it. It's something you learn.

[He turns back to Ryan, placing his elbow on the rim so he can lean his head a bit against that arm and Ryan's tail. His other hand plays with the curls of hair at Ryan's neck.]

Why, that's not something I want to hear, that you're surprised to not be alone. I'll fix that myself if I have to.

[averagemedium]

You're already doing a pretty good job of fixing it, you know.

[The smile Ryan gives him at that is an almost sleepy-looking one, and he feels far more relaxed here than he'd thought he would. Saying things like that is a very good way to put him at ease, to soothe whatever's bothering him, and the tension is easing out of his posture as Oren's hand smooths over his skin and toys with his curls.]

...and I'm sorry. That you had to deal with something like it, I mean. I'd rather we didn't have that in common, but- considering this place, I have a feeling there'll be more than this.

[twocomplex]

[He watches as the curls slip from his fingers, stroking them down Ryan's neck before lifting them again to do the same.]

There likely will be. I suppose I should simply be thankful that I can be alive again. [He guesses... He was, then he wasn't, and now he was again? What next? His fingers curl in place and pause against Ryan's neck.]

Or glad that we can share in something. It's not so easy to have company with something like that, is it? Now tell me, is my job only "pretty good?" [His smile widens, even as dim as it is compared to before. There's still a warmth there. A playfulness.]

[averagemedium]

You don't have to be thankful just because it's not as bad as it could be.

[That is the sound of Ryan being a Giant Fucking Hypocrite-- and promptly ignoring it, leaning into Oren's hand to encourage more attention as his tail curls more firmly around Oren's arm.]

And you could be doing more than "pretty good" if you helped wash my hair, I'm just saying.

[twocomplex]

You'll have to release my arm for that, unfortunately.

[His smile warms and he moves closer, shifting and nudging lightly at Ryan to move with him. Give him room for the faucet, the supplies, all of that.]

I can't pass up the chance to toy with your hair. Do forgive me for the lack of space. [He's going to get water on the floor or something, probably. He's still not hesitating in leaning closer and just going for it though.]

[averagemedium]

D'you really like it that much?

[He can't help but laugh as he says it, cheeks coloring a faint pink at the thought-- though his stubborn tail makes his smile turn into a huff of borderline irritation when he just can't- quite- make it let go.

After a couple of attempts he has to resort to reaching out and unwinding it himself.]

And do you think I'd complain about the lack of space? Come here, jeez.

[There's the laughter again, reaching for one of Oren's hands and tugging it closer to make his point clear. He releases it to shift a little further down into the bathtub, leaning back so he can wet his hair.]

[twocomplex]

It's cute.

[He offers simply, and as he's pulled closer still, he laughs with Ryan. Lightly, he splashes some of the water at more than just his hair, one arm hooking around Ryan's front to grasp at a shoulder as he nearly slips. But he catches himself, straightening and pulling back enough so that he can wet Ryan's hair, fingers running carefully through to avoid what knots he can.

He does notice that pink, though, and he's all for trying to deepen it.]

The color, the shape, the texture— how could I not? [Again, he runs his hands through, cups them and pours it over higher if he needs to. All the while he's leaning into the bathtub, practically.] Do tell me if I'm not gentle enough.

[averagemedium]

Ah-

[He can't help a slight wince as Oren combs his fingers through his hair. His mop of curls is unrulier than usual which is all Oren's fault, thanks for the sex hair, jeez and it's all too easy for those fingers to snag in it. Still, with the care he's taking, it's not bad; this is just going to be a pain no matter what.

Exactly why he wanted someone else to do it, honestly.]

No, no, you're... you're good, sorry. It's just kind of a mess, yeah?

[He offers Oren an embarrassed little smile, one that stretches wider at his next thought.]

Though I guess I should get used to that, if you come over again.

[twocomplex]

I like it like this.

[He states it simply, working out a tangle carefully with his fingers before moving his hand up again. He takes his time before bothering to reach for the shampoo, leaning closer purposefully.]

Perhaps I'll mess it more each time, if it means these minutes spent with you. Will I be invited, next time? [Rather than him inviting himself. He's grinning.]

[averagemedium]

After all this? Why wouldn't you be?

[Ryan is not a man who anyone would really call sultry, he's just so far from the type-- but sometimes he almost manages it, with heated looks that come with half-lidded eyes, one corner of his mouth quirked lazily. That's exactly what he turns on Oren now, soft amusement in his voice.]

You'd be invited back whether you slept with me or not, though, that's not all I care about. [After a beat:] You just have to promise to wash my hair for me, and we'll be fine.

[twocomplex]

I don't believe we'll have trouble with either area.

[Laughing as he squirts some shampoo into his palm, he moves forward and kisses the side of Ryan's cheek.] The full treatment. [He begins to massage it into his hair, having no shame in being overly touchy with it. If he's going to do chores like this, he's going to take advantage of the situation.]

How are you feeling now?

[averagemedium]

Mm... relaxed. Enough of this and I'll go back to sleep right here, consider yourself warned.

[He's not lying, either. The water's still warm enough, this feels good, and it's so comfortable to just- lie here and let Oren take care of his hair for him, let himself indulge in the pleasant warmth of everything all at once.

He wants to be able to get used to this.]

You might have to wake me up again.

[twocomplex]

Oh, don't leave me with such a difficult task.

[He works his hand through Ryan's hair a bit more than he probably needs to before tapping him to lower himself closer to the water again so he can begin to rinse it.] You'll have to find something to think on to keep yourself awake, I'm afraid.

[averagemedium]

I guess I can manage that...

[He huffs out a breath, just overblown enough to make it clear he's joking, and obediently leans further back. It means shifting position a bit, and the way he wriggles to scoot down is a fluid, almost natural movement; Ryan's growing more used to this shape, bit by bit, and while it's hardly swimming it's still a step in the right direction.]

Tell me what you've been doing since you got here? I've been realizing I actually don't really know what's been happening with you lately.

[twocomplex]

[He takes his time with this as he has every other step, running his fingers through Ryan's hair in the water. His smile is a little warmer even as he laughs, gaze focused on where he works.]

Nothing so interesting, I'm afraid. I've been reading.

[Though that's plenty interesting to him, and it shows in the way his eyes light up at the word.] There are so many books, and in such a small city. I've been learning much. It's quite useful when so many things feel strange to me, here.