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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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[averagemedium]

I'm an idiot, is what happened.

[There's a truly pathetic little groan muffled into the pillow, and he shifts to face away from Oren, the pillow clutched against him as he rolls onto his side.]

You know something? You know-- they said the definition of insanity's doing the same thing over and over and expecting something different to happen. So I guess that's what's wrong with me.

[twocomplex]

You're no idiot, I know that much.

[Carefully, he slips to sit beside Ryan on the bed, taking up whatever space is left between his body and the edge. His hands are gloved, he was careful to remember that much, but he still moves a hand to trace down Ryan's back, idly comforting.]

But what I don't know is what you think you've done. [His hand pauses at Ryan's back and he turns in towards him more, leaning over him, trying to peer at his face.]

What were you trying?

[averagemedium]

I fucked up.

[Still muffled into the pillow-- he's staunchly refusing to remove it himself, though he does seem to relax just slightly at Oren's touch.]

I took someone on a date and I shouldn't have and I'm pretty sure I made everything awkward and he's not going to want to see me again- I mean, he said he did but he was probably just trying to make me feel better, right?

[twocomplex]

[At that, he stays quiet for a good few seconds before catching himself. It's strange, the way he reacts to hearing that. A date? A date with who? Regardless of how it had gone, how many people of that possibility were here? He hadn't considered it.

His fingers curl at Ryan's back and scrunch a few times, trying to relax him further as he leans his weight against him, tries to be light-hearted with it.]

Why bother with such a lie when the truth would end contact? I'm certain words like that must have been true. But why do you assume you shouldn't have?

[averagemedium]

[Oren leans his weight against him and Ryan leans right back, reflexively seeking the comfort of his presence there despite his efforts to keep a little distance.]

Because it was stupid, Oren, I don't know what I expected. Always goes the same way. Should've just-- skipped the embarrassing part and never said anything.

[twocomplex]

Come here.

[Oren's already shifting so that he's laying on the bed, mostly, an arm wrapping around Ryan as his own chest presses closer. Perhaps it's too intimate of a motion for the situation at hand, but they've been intimate, and he finds himself wanting to be closer.] Face me, at least.

You have feelings for him, is that right? Your mystery date? [Carefully, a hand slides up to curl at Ryan's hair.]

[averagemedium]

Mmf.

[A grumbled reply to Oren's encouragement-- but he does roll over, reluctantly at first.

Once he has, though, he abandons the pillow and edges in closer, an arm wrapping around Oren in turn as he tilts his head into Oren's touch.]

...yeah. I do. I guess he just didn't have any feelings for me. [He exhales a long, shaky breath there, with a little shake of his head.] Kinda expected that, I just-- hoped I was wrong.

[twocomplex]

[With the advantage of this position, Oren moves closer and leans so that their foreheads touch, as light as it is. The hand in Ryan's hair stays there, stroking down it occasionally as he continues to ignore the strange feeling in his own stomach.]

And so you drink so much you end in this state?

[His tone is scolding, but incredibly gently. It's nearly a whisper, his eyes focused on Ryan's whether they're looking back or not.]

I'm glad you wrote me. Perhaps then I can convince you to stop thinking yourself in such circles. If he has no feelings for you, then I'll tell you now, that's his own mistake.

[averagemedium]

I didn't either! I just drank some.

[Ryan, please, don't be proud of being a lightweight.

He's making an attempt at eye contact, looking put out at that gentle scolding, but his eyes are just slightly unfocused.]

It's-- it's not just that, I mean, it'd be fine if he was just... generally not interested. [That comes with an uncoordinated, wide gesture of one arm to make his point.]

...he just doesn't want me. Said he's interested in somebody else.

[twocomplex]

Some got you here, did it?

[It's enough to earn a soft laugh, his fingers finally pulling free from Ryan's hair to brush against his cheek.]

Forget about him. If his feelings are elsewhere, then cast yours aside as well. [An overly simple answer, he knows, but it's all part of a big picture here.] I hate to see you so sad.

[averagemedium]

[His gaze drops at that, and Ryan remains silent for some time before he finally answers.]

I'm trying. I was trying before I ever said anything.

[Ryan shifts, moving to scoot down so that he can tuck his head beneath Oren's chin, press his face into his neck. His voice is muffled against skin, breath warm against Oren's chill.]

I don't know what I'm doing, Oren. I'm a fucking fish. This-- this isn't supposed to be my biggest problem right now, I should have worse shit to worry about.

[twocomplex]

If we could help our worries, they'd be worthless, wouldn't they?

[There's no point trying to control that, he says, while completely hypocritical. His arms wrap more completely around Ryan to hold him close, pressing his mouth close to his ear to comfort him.

He's still cold, but his robes help a bit, and Ryan feels quite warm.]

Close your eyes and rest here for a moment. Thoughts are clouding you and alcohol is no help, but I'm here, aren't I? [A small chuckle.]

You needn't worry about anything right now, Ryan. Only resting.

[averagemedium]

If I didn't worry I'd have nothing to do.

[That's emphasized with a huff, but he doesn't need to be encouraged twice. Oren's not warm, but this is comfortable enough despite the chill and- well, how pointy he sort of is, and resting sounds like an awfully good idea after the day he's had. Any other thought he has is met with but then I would have to move.

It may seem for a minute that Ryan's actually fallen asleep already; he's not moving, snuggled up to Oren as much as he can manage, and his breathing seems to have evened out.]

...you're too good to me. Y'know that? You put up with all of my shit and I don't know why.

[This is just physical, isn't it? They're friends, yes, and he cares for Oren, but-- he might not even know how to put it if he were sober. All he knows is that this feels like it's all more intimate than it's supposed to be.

(And that he likes it, honestly.)]

[twocomplex]

"Too good?" If anyone is "too good," it's you.

[Incredibly cheesy, but the way he says it is completely genuine. It's warm, settling in slowly, almost sheepishly, and he presses a soft kiss to the top of Ryan's head as a slow afterthought.]

Were you not here for me in every moment I've needed it? [He smiles against his head, now, giving his back a small rub in encouragement.] You should know I care by now.

Either you rest or I get up to fetch you some water, so do make a decision.

[averagemedium]

I know you do, I just.

[He shakes his head slowly, settling more heavily against Oren as he tugs the blanket over himself.]

...I don't know. I don't know what this is.

[And after a beat, he gets around to answering that last comment.]

I want you to stay here, though.

[twocomplex]

Your thoughts won't be clear until you've rested this away, at the very least.

[That's the most he says on that, a faint smile ever present as he reaches to pull the blanket more securely around Ryan.]

I'll stay here until you no longer have use for me. How's that?

[averagemedium]

...gonna be waiting a long time.

[He's almost mumbling, now, clearly just this side of drifting off as he noses closer and makes a few last-minute shifts to make sure the blanket is just so.]

Just promise you won't make breakfast. M'gonna do it.

[twocomplex]

[It's his cold he worries about the most. Their closeness is very comforting, with how often he feels freezing and can't quite fix it, but what does that mean for Ryan? Blankets or not, he watches him as he shifts to get comfortable and is careful to avoid as much skin contact as possible. Cloth, always cloth, even at his neck, pulling his robes closer...]

You flatter me even now. I won't, I promise.

[A hand smooths down Ryan's hair, encouraging him to drift to sleep.] Rest until tomorrow. We'll have more time to talk then.

[averagemedium]

Ffffine.

[It's sighed out under his breath, and it won't take long before Ryan drifts off, pressed close against him. Fortunately he sleeps solidly, out like a light as soon as he lets himself fall, and Oren won't find himself on the receiving end of any sudden starts in the night.

Of course, he'll probably find that Ryan is still kind of a pain to get away from if he tries to move out of his grasp and let Ryan warm up-- but however he's settled when he wakes, whether he's clinging to Oren or to the blankets, he will be extremely reluctant to get up.

Either the pillow's getting pulled over his head, or he'll bury his face against Oren to block the light. Good luck with that.]

[twocomplex]

[Sleep for himself is a little more difficult when you're worrying about warmth and don't have many blankets yourself, aside from Ryan. Perhaps he should have spent a bit more time climbing onto the bed to wiggle beneath some, but it takes him a couple times of waking up before managing it. Still, he keeps a wall of cloth between himself and Ryan whenever possible.

It's nearly the afternoon when he decides he can't let Ryan keep sleeping his day away. The retreat into his chest is cute, and he laughs, but soon enough he presses a hand to the back of Ryan's head.]

You'll freeze yourself this way. Your warmth is fading too much, come on—

[He shifts, nudging at Ryan to do the same.] Let's wake up.

[averagemedium]

Nnnoooo.

[It's almost a whine- he's not completely hungover, he wasn't that drunk, but he does have something of a headache and he still feels like sleeping. This is way too early... whenever it is.

Ryan rolls to lie face-down on the bed, tugging the pillow over his head, and mumbles a tune to himself.]

-if I just laaay here... ah, shit, what're the rest of the words...

[He huffs, annoyed, and reaches for Oren. With his head under the pillow like that, though, he's... not sure where to grab, and ends up just sort of flopping his arm different directions until he can latch on to Oren's.]

Don't make me get up, Oren, please.

[twocomplex]

Don't be so reclusive, Ryan. Will you truly leave me alone after promising to make breakfast?

[He has no idea what that tune was, but he'd laughed with it, and now he laughs again, rolling over to gently squish the pillow over Ryan's head. Just enough to tease.]

I'd get you water, but I'm afraid I'll only freeze it by the time I carry it here. Do you really intend to leave me abandoned this whole morning?

[averagemedium]

You could stay here.

[He shifts and lifts his head just enough to peer at Oren with tired yellow eyes, the pillow still in place; if the stray curls of hair peeking out from underneath it are any indication, it's a complete mess as usual.]

I mean, d'you have plans or anything?

[twocomplex]

Not really.

[Work, but that's later, and he can explain himself to Hans. Or offer a little apology, whatever works better for the time. For now, he moves the pillow away, confiscating Ryan's shield from the light and hugging it to his own chest.]

But I'm terribly hungry. [Rolling closer still, he reaches out with a hand to toy with Ryan's fingers, testing.] How are you feeling?

[averagemedium]

Like shit, what d'you think.

[There's no honest annoyance in his voice, just the same tired grumbliness it's had since he woke up.]

...god, I did promise breakfast, huh- think you might have to drag me to the kitchen though.

[Oren why can't you just let him wallow and be sad, god.]