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[ It's a good thing Fabian doesn't have to use his hands for anything else right now. Because as he hears Gorgug speak up in that typical Gorgug way, where he keeps mentioning random things and sounds so calm, Fabian is raising his hands up to his own face to just rub at it.

In exasperation, yes. At least Gorgug can't see it since it's a call, so Fabian can take his face rubbing nice and slow over here. As long as the emotion lasts. ]

Do you really think I can talk about dancing right now?

[ W-Woah. A Fabian who can't talk about dancing, when he loves to hear himself talk? That really must mean it's serious, though Fabian's deadly serious tone from a moment ago is sliding into something a little more whiny at this point. ]

Don't you get that I'm worried about you?

S-sorry. I do. [ ... ] Thank you.

[ There's a little stutter, trying to hurry to answer Fabian, and in his defence, his tone does come out apologetic. ]

I texted you about it because... I thought you'd like to know. [ A beat. ] If he's got anything good to say, I'll tell you. After I'm done. And I'll tell you where I went. I just don't want to-- over this.

[ And maybe it's stupid, overly cautious when he regularly isn't, but a lot's been bugging Gorgug more and more lately, and it's been coming out like this. Cautious, suspicious. A frustration that he doesn't know what to do with, so he just ends up bottling it. ]

[ Why does Gorgug have to make this so difficult, huh.

Fabian thinks he's being very clear here, after all. (Maybe he isn't being that clear in reality, but in Fabian's very biased perception, he's being very, very clear!) He feels like Gorgug should be able to pick up on what he's putting down. And yet the other seems completely oblivious.

He allows himself to drop backwards so he's lying on his back in the bed again, still with the blankets half off him since Gorgug is obliviously lying right on top of them. ]

Have you never napped together with someone else before?

[ Remember the Hangvan, Gorgug?

.. well, technically that's a little different because it's not exactly a regular bedroom situation in there, but-- still!! ]

[ ...

Guess whose frown is growing even bigger? That's right. It's Fabian's. At this rate it's going to swallow his entire forehead. Even his shoulders are slumping at the very thought. ]

Come on, Gorgug. Who is going to be enough of an idiot to give out the very weapons necessary to defeat themselves?

Edited 2025-01-05 14:56 (UTC)

I mean, whatever they give us, we'll have to make upgrades...

[ That much Gorgug was thinking already, considering what they're up against. But at least Gorgug has gone back to his natural state of looking worried as he thinks. What to do... ]

We can get pieces to put together Riz's birthday present-- I can do that for you. But a wristband like the one Riz has got back home, I... [ hrrrm. ] It'll take me a while to make something like it. The grenades will be easy. [ Easier. ]

We'll have to get Riz's arm size, too. [ Gorgug pats his forearm. ] So I know how snug to make it.

[ ????????? why is Fabian talking about napping with people.... ]

Huh? [ Gorgug turns his head to Fabian, trying to figure out what apparently he's missing. Even though- ] I have. I napped with Zelda all the time.

[ So clearly he knows what he's doing here!! But he is putting together the pieces, where napping to Fabian means he needs to get underneath the covers... so he turns on his side, the bed creaking a little, especially when Gorgug...shuffles towards Fabian. Because the blankets are open on his side, so. He's gotta get close to Fabian for absolutely no reason whatsoever. No explanation necessary.

Especially as he pushes up against Fabian as he puts a hand behind him to try and pull up the blankets still trapped under him. ]

You wanna fall asleep listening to music? [ tug, tug, shuffle, shuffle-- ]

[ It's the tone that stops Fabian. He doesn't want to be overly aggressive here - especially not when Gorgug is sounding like that. It seems like both of them are just worried about this in their own way. ]

.. okay. [ His tone is milder now. It sounds more like a compromise, or maybe acceptance. Giving in to the fact that Gorgug wants to do this in this specific way, even if it's not exactly the way Fabian would prefer. ]

You are right though. That I'd like to know. If something happened to you out of nowhere.. [ His voice trails off, but perhaps - even to Gorgug? Maybe? Perhaps? K-King, pick up on some implications, you can do it, king? - it's obvious that he means to say that he would freak out.

It's not even something changed by recent events between them. Even as just friends, Fabian would have freaked. ]

It feels like lately has been the most alright we three have been for a while. As much as we can be in this place, anyway. [ Which is to say-- It's not ideal. There's still stuff weighing on them.

But at least no one is recovering from very active recent trauma. ]

I want to make sure that doesn't change.

[ Not in the sense of 'Gorgug shouldn't meet shady people', more in the sense of 'Gorgug better not get hurt or Fabian will have to STAB SOMEONE!!!' ]

[ Gorgug can pick up some implications here, for once!! But even without their recent developments, that would go without saying then as it would now. It's actually difficult, figuring out if there's a deeper meaning to the context of Fabian's worrying. Is it because they got together, or is it because they're good friends?

...even Gorgug feels himself toeing the line, or testing said line. Isn't this why he messaged Fabian specifically? Instead of messaging both Fabian and Riz...? ]

It won't. I think-- this might help. Knowing there's people out there taking this seriously. It doesn't feel like... there's a lot of people we can talk about this with, outside each other.

[ Etraya. Their situation. Gorgug's willing to walk out to the derelict church for this reason, and because he doesn't actually think Chrollo's going to do anything to him ((maybe)). But while he could end it right there, he hadn't missed the compromise in Fabian's tone--or forgotten the worry that had been there, the worry that persists.

Gorgug pauses, before: ]

You know, if we plan to meet up... I, um... I'll do whatever you want, so...if I have to do something for you, then I have to make it back so we can keep our plans. Since I said I would.

[ H-he's trying to be smooth, Fabian...! Or flirty.... flirty and suggestive. Is it working, Fabian? Are you getting what Gorgug is putting down? King? ]

Well, I can do that much..

[ That shouldn't be too hard, especially not with how much time the two of them spend around each other. Fabian is pretty sure he could even get it done without Riz truly realizing what has happened - because they can't ruin the surprise!

But if Fabian still sounds a little bit awkward at all.. Well, it's not since he's doubting the fact he just spoke about, he's still pretty confident about that one. It's just that he feels a little bit bad at the thought of Gorgug putting together all of Riz's birthday presents.. He'll have to think of something he can somehow get his hands on or make too, despite having very little ability in that department.

Fabian raises a hand, rubbing the back of his head, like it might suddenly make an idea rise to mind.

(It doesn't.)

Which is why he instead asks-- ]

What about you then? [ Don't think he has forgotten it was your birthday too, PAL!!! Even if you say Riz's birthday is more important! ] Isn't there anything you have been wanting?

...

[ Wait.

Uh, wait? Wait, what's happening. What's happening right now. As Fabian sees his friend moving closer and closer to him, he would definitely like an explanation from the universe as to what's going on here and now, p-please? Thanks?

He stares at Gorgug with a wide eye, not moving an inch - because he doesn't know what Gorgug is doing, so he doesn't realize he should probably move to help out the other. Instead it almost seems like Fabian is frozen for once in his life. ]

What is-- [ He stammers. Sorry, let him try again.

(He's still not answering the question, but.. look, he feels like this question is more important than the one about music! B-Bro, why are you pressing up against him?! Bro?!) ]

What are you doing?

[ Fabian?? Do you want Gorgug to stop to answer you, while he's pressed up against you with your faces close? His white pupils staring down at you... ]

What, you... [ So he starts, but he's looking at Fabian and wondering if... did he get it wrong? Does Fabian not want him to grab the covers to pull over them? Or Gorgug, specifically. That wasn't the thing he was calling him out on?

Give Gorgug a second to think... ]

How do you wanna nap?

[ There. Just. Not answering. Another question for a question! ]

[ Look at this fool, feeling bad about letting Gorgug do things he likes. As if Gorgug's got anything better to do than to help his two friends.

It's better than being asked what he wants, anyway. He thinks about it, and... what does he want? ]

Uh... [ He...looks down at his hands, then around his lab. Sure, there's equipment he could ask for, but it would feel weird to ask for the kind of stuff he wants for a gift when... it'll probably cost a lot. ]

...let me think about it.

[ --He found it. The cheat code...!! ]

[ ...

At first there's nothing from Fabian's end of the call.

But then he breathes, and-- the air turns into a slight laugh. It's nothing too long or too boisterous, more like a slight laugh just escaped him naturally, the longer he thought about what Gorgug was telling him here. ]

I was being serious! [ At least it doesn't really sound offended with the remnants of that laugh still slightly on his tongue. ] Are you trying to bribe me with a kiss? Is that what this is?

[ Please land... please let his flirt land!!!!

Is the panic Gorgug goes through when he at first gets nothing but silence. But then a laugh comes, and that's a-- good thing? Yes, a good thing, even if Fabian is trying to go for a faux offence. But Gorgug knows Fabian's voice well enough to figure out he's more amused than anything bad. ]

It doesn't have to be one kiss. Unless what you want is one kiss? [ A singular kiss for a boyfriend? ] It's a bribe for me, too. It means I have to come back. I owe you a kiss.

[ If he keeps repeating this plan, Fabian will understand its genius. ]

[ As soon as Gorgug offers bribes, Riz is ready, one finger held up and mouth open to think of his best possible bribe (in fairness, he hadn't quite conceived of what he was going to bribe Gorgug with), Fabian speaks up with such indignance that Riz cannot possibly get away with saying anything to the contrary. His nose wrinkles, his brow furrows as he glances over at Fabian.

Now he wants to act like he's all high and mighty? Fabian does? He always pays his way into shit! He grew up as a pirate! This isn't fair! ]

Y-yeah, Gorgug! How could you possibly besmirch an act as sacred as a holy naming with the idea of bribes?

[ Then to Gorgug, he mouths: ] I'm lying.

[ :) ]

...Fabian, are you sure you're not just against it 'cause you don't have any money to bribe him with around here?

[ Know what it sounds like is coming from Fabian? The words of someone who doesn't know what to offer up for a bribe!!

But don't worry, Riz. Gorgug is here to quick the most slickest, subtle nod of acknowledgement. He knows what the deal is here! ]

I just think I could think better with a bribe.

[ He's so smooth about this, too. ]

[ That's totally not how it works. And it's not like Fabian is suddenly not worried at all anymore about what the other is doing, but..

.. well, the cute flirting is very effective despite that, okay. How can he say no to this? To the idea of someone being so eager to get back to him just because of a kiss?

This time there's way less of a pause before he's answering: ]

So you're saying I can pick anything I want?

[ To be fair to Fabian, he's being good and staying quiet while Gorgug thinks. Maybe he's finally realizing that some people - .. okay, mostly Gorgug, especially Gorgug - need a little bit more time to think about these things than Fabian himself does.

But when Gorgug slowly looks around, and then says that, as if he hasn't just thought about it.. Fabian's facial expression shifts to a point where there's almost visible question marks hanging in the air above him as he makes that face. ]

Do you really not know?

[ Gorgug?? Surely you have some desires in you, right? Friend? Pal?? ]

There's nothing you have been missing in this place?

[ The lack of answering is really not helping. Because it leaves Fabian's mind to wander, and it's never a good thing when Fabian's mind wanders. It goes to the wildest places, especially as he's now supposed to know what Gorgug wants by pressing all up against him like this?

It's not like they haven't had close physical contact like this before, especially between all the Hangvan sleeping piles and their regular Bloodrush practice and games, but it still feels a little bit different in this context.

Different enough that Fabian's cheeks just become sliiightly darker than they usually are. H-He's not blushing, you are!! Shut up!! ]

I, uh..

[ M-Maybe he should just assume what Gorgug wants. Answer the question for him.

That sounds safe, right? ]

Do you want to cuddle? [ Is that it, bro?? Is that what's going on here??

Please know this can totally be misunderstood as Fabian asking for it, rather than Fabian assuming what Gorgug might want.. It's unfortunate wording in an unfortunate context, that's for sure. The way Fabian is blushing and absolutely does not seem to dare to move in this moment, totally frozen up, may not be helping.. ]

Yeah. [ ... ] But I get to agree with it.

[ Look. Did he hurry to give that 'Yeah' because his mind is on kissing and getting Fabian to agree with him? Yes. Did he also know there's a chance he could be selling his soul to some unknown contract by not putting up that reminder to their agreement?

You never know. There's a chance Fabian might be leading him to a trap! If this was Fig or Kristen, letting them pick anything they want would lead to something bizarre. And it wouldn't even have talks of kisses involved.

(Which is fine, but the point still stands!) ]

[ yeah he's got a desire in him alright-- ]

Yeeahhh... [ But have a dragged out yeah, that already sounds the but upcoming. ] But we're running on a point system where I don't know what anything costs. What if I ask for something expensive? A lot of my tools would be expensive back on Spyre.

[ And they even have to pay postage on them! He's not getting everything he needs from Elmville. And sure, the cost to his points haven't been that unreasonable for some of the equipment he's gotten already, but he doesn't know what it's going to come to when Fabian puts in a purchase. What if it's like--50 points? For a magical screwdriver? ]

[ Sure, the two of them are close, but that part bothers Gorgug less than the idea that he's doing something odd (that has nothing to do with close body contact). But Fabian is usually quick to tell him if something's wrong, so he just has to wait, he thinks. Even if something about Fabian's face looks...funny. Like he's been caught unaware, and-- Gorgug doesn't think he's accidentally touching his dick or anything?

(It's a nice face, anyway. There's nothing wrong with Fabian's face.)

But, oh: the question comes out. Cuddling? It's a funny word out of Fabian's mouth, Gorgug's eyes widening slightly to the question (the request?). Gorgug looks aside, wondering, and-- well, he doesn't care about getting up close to Fabian if that's what he wants, so, when he looks back... ]

Okay. [ Okay. Gorgug relaxes his body, not moving back, and he takes his arm from behind him (where it was working to grab those blankets from under him) to somewhere around Fabian's waist. ]

Do you want me to... like this?

[ Do you want him to hold you, bro? King? ]

[ You know what shows the fact that Riz clearly is the sneakiest rogue ever? The fact that Fabian doesn't seem to realize whatsoever that the other is mouthing things behind his back. Or even Gorgug's nod. They are both being so smooth here. That's clearly it, and not Fabian being way too far gone into dramatics to stop and think for a second. ]

What?! No!

[ That's his first offended reply to Riz, but the look he's giving Gorgug right after is just as offended. He's glancing from friend to friend like both of the other boys have gone crazy right in front of his eyes. ]

There is plenty I could bribe Gorgug with, and we all know it! It's just a matter of-- of principle!

[ You know. Principles.

Things weird half-pirate half-elf families notoriously have. ]

If we set this standard here, then Gorgug is going to squeeze us for all we are worth every single time we are having an argument about something! It has to stop now before it goes too far!

[ jysk gorgug is here nodding in agreement about him squeezing the both of you for everything you have, until the part where it has to stop.

he is then shaking his head. ]

Get to agree with--

[ Now hold on a moment here!

Fabian isn't going into full huffy dramatic mode, because he is fully aware they are in the middle of flirting, so there is something a little more flustered to his tone than anything else. But he still can't let this pass.

Not even if Gorgug may be about to get himself murdered by some weird stranger. ]

Are you saying you think I would suggest something you might not like? [ Does that sound like him, Gorgug!!! ]

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