IC Contact

[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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[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.]

[ingoodhans]

Not this time.

[ Hans smiles, perhaps honest. Something close to honesty. He still wants to hide it, but his words are the truth. ]

You did ask me to be honest. I oblige you because I value your opinion of me.

[twocomplex]

[That gets an almost humble glance down, a laugh that's almost sheepish.]

Then... I am glad for that.

[He stops with his pushing and settles for leaning lightly against Hans instead. Their shoulders bumping, his eyes focused on Hans' fingers as he toys with them.]

And I'm glad to see you again.

[ingoodhans]

I am glad I didn't die.

[ Sure, he'd come right back, but death is in no way pleasant. And for all that it hurt, losing an arm wasn't that bad. Wow, being undead does weird things to you.

Hans grips Oren's hand, looking down at where they're holding each other now. ]

I'm glad I didn't kill you.

[twocomplex]

[It's cute, he thinks, to see Hans like this. Watching their hands, hesitating between words, worrying. It's clear what's happening here and Oren loves every minute of it, genuinely. He gives that hand another squeeze as he turns to face Hans in his lean.

Slowly, he kisses at the corner of his mouth. It feels thoughtful, deeper.]

So am I.

[ingoodhans]

[ Wow, Hans is really not prepared for these feelings. The lightness in his chest, the warmth in his skin. It's muted, distant due to his slowed pulse and cold skin but... it's still there.

Caring about someone is so difficult. It comes with guilt and apologies and sadness. But feeling cared about... is pretty nice. He can see the appeal now. Perhaps it's not so bad.

That's what Hans is thinking as he turns his head, slotting his lips with Oren's to return the kiss. They've never had it like this. ]

[twocomplex]

[After all of that tension, both from Hans' attack and the dealings with Mattias and Vaas, Oren needs this comfort. He needs this attention, these feelings, and he takes it greedily.

He returns that kiss slowly, heavily, and lets their fingers intertwine finally as his other hand touches carefully to Hans' cheek.

He wouldn't mind staying like this all night, really.]

[ingoodhans]

[ THIS SHIT GOT SO CUTE I HURT. EVERYWHERE. IN MY HEART. IN PLACE WHICH SHOULD NOT BE NAMED.

Hans is more than glad to stay with Oren, held and cared for. They've never kissed like this but Hans is hungry for it, melting into Oren's lips and leaning into his touch. He's never had this. He almost doesn't want it to end.

This is what he gets for apologizing? Maybe Hans should apologize more often. ]

[twocomplex]

[He can feel how Hans is pulled into it, and it makes the kiss that much more satisfying. Oren takes it slow, letting their lips drift apart for small breaths that hang tensely between them before pressing them back together.

A reward for Hans' contact and apology, his sincerity.]