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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]

[At first, it's easy to miss the sleeve. He's so focused on his face, after all. It had been the expressions and the voice that had thrown him off the most, but here they were, more genuine than ever. He forces his own to stay calm, as the flood of emotions causing his chest to ache are surely a weakness, but—]

Better. [Better now that he can see him in front of him, that he knows he hasn't lost the relationship with someone he connected with so well. That his worries of it all being a lie were unfounded. That Hans wasn't indifferent, he could hear it in his voice.

He pushes into the doorway, disregarding all sense of politeness to wrap his arms around Hans and press himself closer.

It becomes clear before the door can even shut behind him that something's amiss, and so the hug is short. He pulls back, touching at his right sleeve in quiet panic.]

What— [It's gone, no matter how many times he pats, and his composure cracks a bit in his shock.] What happened?

[ingoodhans]

[ A hug, Hans couldn't have dreamed of such a thing. He was so sure what he'd done was inexcusable. He's not used to second chances, has no experience with relationships to speak of but Oren is important. Hans closes his eyes and returns the hug as best as he's able, his remaining arm wrapping around Oren's shoulders. In Oren's arms, he all but forgets his own state until Oren pulls back, distressed. ]

I, well-- unfortunately I attacked more people that night. It may have gone on for longer if I hadn't become... incapacitated.

[ Try hunted, since that was more Vengarl's style of brutally injuring Hans. It's a good thing Hans is undead and technically bloodless because an injury like that might have made any other monster bleed out. He shrugs. He doesn't want to think about it. Vengarl is still something of a nightmare for him. ]

[twocomplex]

[He doesn't know why those words pull at him so, but they do, and he's left speechless. Quietly, he plucks at the empty sleeve, fingers lingering and curling into the fabric. If he had stayed, would he have been able to prevent this? To fix this? Could he have snapped Hans out of it? If he weren't so obsessed on feelings similar to that towards his family could he have done something?

Would he be feeling so idiotic right now?]

Hans...

[Where does he start? What does he do? The door is shut behind him and so he moves closer again, pressing his face into Hans' chest and wrapping his arms around him, pressing palms flat to his back.

That had been concern from Hans. He'd seen it in text, and it was even more apparent in person. Normally, that was something Oren could deal with. But the worry he'd seen— the experiences he knows Hans to have with his own family.]

I'm sorry. [Why is he the one apologizing here? He doesn't understand it, but the words slip out.] For running.

[If he had known that Hans wasn't himself, 100%, that it could be fixed somehow, whether with time or something else?]

Did you only just return? I've been waiting for you.

[ingoodhans]

[ Oren's concern is honestly shocking. Hans is far from used to being fussed over, and physical displays of affection are so far from the norm that he doesn't know what to do, initially. It's so strange, hearing Oren of all people take the blame. Sure, if they'd split him from the plants maybe it would have gone away, but Hans has a feeling he would have resisted that too. ]

There was nothing you could have done.

[ He strokes Oren's back, melting into the embrace. It feels right. ]

I... I've been resting. [ Hiding. ] I went out to the mountains earlier this week, but I came right back.

[twocomplex]

I must have missed you there, as well.

[It makes sense, too, with how he'd been hungry. How he lost his own control. Fingers curl into Hans' back, and though he longs to enjoy this hug further, it's a sign that he takes to pull away.

Still his fingers trail to catch Hans', guiding him along. Not to the couch this time, but to the bed. (And not for his usual reasons.)]

If you're concerned about my health, Mattias helped me with the wound, and it healed quickly. I'm far more troubled by your arm. Does it hurt? Have you been struggling to adjust?

[ingoodhans]

I didn't stay for very long.

[ Hans follows, catching Oren's fingers in his and letting himself be led. He'd been to that mountain mostly out of duty. The Fog God calls, he answers. He's starting to not like that very much. ]

I'm glad you weren't badly wounded. [ Really. He'd actually hate himself if he scared off the one person who really understands him. ]

More the lack of convenience than anything. It doesn't hurt, but it feels... odd. You never notice how often you use both of your hands to do even normal tasks until you lose one of them.

[twocomplex]

[He sits at the edge of the bed, urging Hans to join him with gentle tugs. Even when he sits, he doesn't release those fingers.]

Strange how that is, isn't it? [Not realizing the importance of something until it's gone. It happens every time. It's the way he begins fidgeting with Hans' fingers that makes him let go, looking away as he runs that hand through his hair, instead. His ears flick a bit as his hand brushes past.]

Has that happened before?

[ingoodhans]

[ Hans joins Oren on his bed, joining their hands together. It sounds like Oren might mean more than just the arm. He nods, fingers chase Oren's, but he pulls back. Oren's changed a lot since they started seeing each other. Just like Hans misses the sun, it would make sense for him to miss... being normal. ]

I'd never lost a limb like this, no. [ He scoots over, knocking his thigh into Oren's knee. ] I've died, but I'd been doing my best to keep that from happening again.

[twocomplex]

[ so do limbs regenerate? If someone can lose and regain their life so easily can the same be said for an arm? Oren finds himself wondering this in silence for about a minute before he nudges his own leg back to bump with Hans' more completely. ]

What about you not being yourself, then? Has that happened?

[ingoodhans]

No, not exactly. Never like this.

[ Hans shakes his head, thinking back to all the strange things he's been through since he arrived. Somehow, the plants were usually involved when he lost sense of himself. Well, except for-- ]

There was a time when we weren't able to lie. And another time when the plants sang and kept us all... complacent. [ He sighs. He could mention Mattias, but Hans really wants to only talk about himself at the moment. That argument could get exhausting. Better to avoid a namedrop. ] I've been controlled by another monster before, back when you and the other ones who were brought in by the Fourth God. But it had never been this bad.

[twocomplex]

That's right, there were a few who could do that, weren't there?

[Like Mattias, he thinks, but he doesn't connect the two. He's too busy soaking into the relief that comes from this news. It was accidental, it doesn't happen often, it won't be a pattern. Slowly, a smile returns to his face, and he finds himself thinking back on Hans' first message.

He really had been afraid to approach him, hadn't he?]

With such understandable explanations, had you really thought I wouldn't forgive you? [He looks to Hans, his eyes searching his face for answers. But it's light, amused, and his lips curl up a bit more.] So used to lying that even your truths feel false, is that it Hans? I believe you. Your message was quite honest.

[A pause, and he adds with a chuckle:]

And sweet.

[ingoodhans]

[ Hans nods. He's surprised to find himself so easily forgiven. Had anyone done something so simple like that before? No, of course not. ]

I was worried you might... fear me. Or think me disingenuous. [ Hans looks away, almost shy. Well, he's pale, but the blush almost shows. ] The only reason I didn't contact you immediately after regaining my senses was because I feared you would ha-- [ Slow it down, Hans. No need to go all blushing bride on Oren. ] Be angry with me. With good reason, I should think.

[twocomplex]

To be quite honest...

[He leans closer, his grip squeezing at Hans' remaining hand as he does, and presses a kiss to his lips. It's short, slow, sweet, completely chaste— different.

His lips still linger inches away.] I was more concerned that something was wrong with you.

[ingoodhans]

[ Wow, Hans... doesn't know what to do with that. It's warm somehow. Kind? This is new. Hans blinks, surprised more than anything. He squeezes back, pressing his forehead against Oren's. ]

You were worried about me?

[ Those are some of the best words you can say to Hans, Oren. You are making it very hard for him to pretend not to be woefully attached to you. ]

[twocomplex]

I don't drop everything for just anyone, I'll have you know.

[Their foreheads are touching and so he nudges their noses together with a grin.] Are you truly so surprised? You're my only Prince.

Of course I was worried.

[ingoodhans]

You're flattering me.

[ But there's no scorn or anything besides warmth in Hans' voice. This is completely new territory for him. He's supposed to be the smooth one, goodness. He's not even a prince here, and yet... he's smiling. ]

Keep going.

[twocomplex]

[That gets a laugh, and Oren raises his free hand to pinch at Hans' cheek. With his other hand firm on Hans', he has no choice but to deal with it!]

Scoundrel, haven't you enough of my feelings? What's enough for you, that I end swooning at your feet?

[He ends the pinch and pulls that hand back, leaning back a bit with it.]

Work for your flattery!

[ingoodhans]

[ Hans fidgets in Oren's hold but he starts laughing, ducking his head away from his hand as best he can. ]

You like it. [ This time Hans is the one leaning in, pressing a soft kiss to Oren's nose. He's not exactly the best at kind gestures, but he can try. ]

Thank you. [ He looks away, hiding his expression for fear of further embarrassment. ] No one's ever... well, anything like this. Said or cared this much.

[ It's pathetic................... He has to laugh at himself for that. ]

I'm not sure what I did to deserve such flattery, to be honest. But I don't want you to stop.

[ Better? ]

[twocomplex]

How can one begin to care if you're always squirming away?

[He squeezes Hans' hand, another small encouragement of honesty (in his case), and then leans forward with a laugh. He presses another kiss to his cheek. Don't tempt him, he's holding back because Hans' lost arm is really depressing, honestly.]

Nothing more than go on as yourself, my Prince. Next time, don't wait so long to reach for me.

[ingoodhans]

Very well.

[ Hans leans back into Oren's space, smiling plainly. Having people to rely on is a completely new concept to him, okay. He's managed to be less surprised by Athelstan, but Oren... he's different from Hans. He really cares. Or at least he's very, very good at appearing to. ]

I won't. I know now. [ And he means it. It's strange... but if Hans had known he had this kind of welcome for him, he would've totally come to Oren's side sooner. ] You'd really drop everything for me? If I were in trouble, or needed your help?

[twocomplex]

You truly are fishing for compliments. Tell me, did I not rush here?

[What does he think. He's not going to go out and confirm that yes, he'd drop everything, because everything has exceptions, but. For the most part, sure. He'd come over if Hans needed him. He'd put a priority on that. They were friends.]

I'd aid you in trouble and help you in need.

[ingoodhans]

I might be. I'm still very flattered.

[ He'd only expect the same from Athelstan. You have to understand, Oren, the concept of friendship is a fairly recent development for Hans. Well, more like knowing it is one thing and experiencing it is another. ]

That's what friends do, isn't it? If you'd like I could return the favor, seeing as how I value your opinion so highly.

[twocomplex]

I'd be hurt if you didn't.

[He slaps at Hans' shoulder lightly, turning to face him a bit more directly as well.] Is your request for flattery by me that you value my opinion, or that you simply would hear it from anyone?

[This time he gives a light shove. Don't be such a ham, Hans.]

[ingoodhans]

Yours means more to me.

[ But he still loves flattery in every way, of course. He needs his ego pat 24/7 in order to be truly happy. But at least Oren isn't treating him like he's injured. Hans wouldn't be able to stand that. He pushes right back, smirking. ]

I'd help you as well, you know. I'd worry if anything happened to you.

[twocomplex]

You're not just saying that to please me?

[Oren really wonders, but he says it lightly enough, chuckling towards the end even as he leans in result of the push.]