[ If Gorgug knows Fabian at all, this reply should not be surprising. In fact, it sounds like Fabian himself didn't have to think for even a moment before he was already saying this - like it just comes naturally to him.
Like Fabian has ever had to consider the costs of things, even here. It's simply impossible. ]
Do you think that I wouldn't buy you something expensive? [ There's almost a little bit of a sense of determination in his tone. Like this is a challenge Gorgug is posing him. A matter of proving their friendship.
And Fabian would never fail a challenge like that!! ]
[ If Fabian was thinking just a little bit more clearly here, it'd be pretty easy to figure out what's currently going on. It would be easy to realize that it's just a misunderstanding, and that rather than this being something Gorgug actively wants, it's just him going along with the thing he misunderstood from Fabian.
But of course Fabian isn't thinking clearly. He's just a little bit too freaked out right now to be able to do that. So he's just assuming that 'okay' isn't Gorgug agreeing with him, but Gorgug confirming that Fabian guessed his intentions right.
S-So-- They're doing this now, right.
T-they're doing it? Except Gorgug is asking him his preferences, and it's very confusing, and oh gods, Fabian was not ready--
Fabian isn't moving.
Mostly because he's frozen up, but it could also just be taken as him accepting the touch easily.. ]
Sure?
[ If that's what you want, Gorgug?? Please don't pay attention to how flushed Fabian's cheeks look in this moment, king. ]
Do you want to? Like that?
[ They're hitting each other and themselves in their confusion.. ]
What? [ It's kind of hard to place what the exact tone he's using here is trying to convey.
It sounds genuinely caught off guard, but also still a little bit wary in case it's not true, and kind of exasperated if this is true, and-- there's just a lot going on here. Gorgug is making Fabian's brain reset with this one line, apparently.
Especially since there's a noticeable pause between that slight 'what' and Fabian speaking on. ]
Gorgug, you could die and the last thing you want to tell me before that is that you think consent is sexy?!
NO HE'S NOT SAFE, NO IT DIDN'T WORK! Fabian saw right through him and now he needs to work quick!! ]
You can fuck me! [ Sweating! SWEATING! Listen to him talk so quick--! ] I'll suck your dick, you can do whatever you want to me! I'll like it! I'll like anything you want!
[ There's nothing to be read about Fabian not moving, right? He's seeing what Gorgug's doing, and then they can relax in a while--once they know what the other is doing. And Fabian seems okay about his arm being around him if he is? ]
Yeah. I like this.
[ Having his arm around a waist. Granted, he's never thought about it with Fabian, or if he likes this in regards to cuddling with the bros in bed, but--it's not bad, is it? And if Fabian wants to be sure that Gorgug's cool with it, Gorgug should tell him it's good, it's fine.
He can even start to slouch down, bring his head closer to the pillows and get comfortable. Fortunately for Fabian, Gorgug isn't paying too close attention to Fabian's face now, and he's more visible on one side than the other. ]
This is nice. [ Right? Isn't it? ] You want me to pull the blanket over?
There's a moment of just.. nothing. Nothing but utter silence on Fabian's end of the line, despite the fact that the connection clearly was not broken. It seems like Gorgug just managed to outright stun Fabian into silence somehow. Despite how mouthy the other is at other times.
It's only after a few moments of that silence that Fabian's voice finally comes through again. ]
Is-- Is that the last thing you want to tell me before you die?
[ That's definitely not his real question here, but judging by Fabian's surprised tone, it's more likely that his mind is still trying to wrap itself around just how easily Gorgug is offering himself up to him here. ]
[ On this side is still a very flustered Gorgug. But Fabian actually being stunned to momentary silence and not providing the same energy does give Gorgug a...second. Actually, it comes after Fabian speaks, a question that-- Gorgug finds hard to think about? No, that wouldn't want to be the last thing, but: ]
--It's not going to be the last thing I tell you.
[ It's not smooth. It's not boasting, but what it is, is-- sure. Determined. He's not going to talk about last words because he's not gonna die!!
But there is still some of that fluster with him, where he has to swallow, and say: ]
Plenty, huh? I dunno about that one, man... I'm the one who's good at chores, here.
[ He grins toothily at him. It's not him trying to brag - and even if he was, being able to sufficiently cook and clean isn't so much bragworthy as it is an indication that he's managed the bare minimum - but rather a promise to Gorgug: I'll do the dishes.
He actually does genuinely believe that Fabian has the better name and doesn't care much about winning or losing. Now, it's just a matter of steadily winding Fabian up for the fun of it. ]
But you're right, of course! It would be dishonourable!
[ Gorgug hears Riz loud and clear, since who here is trying to offer anything? Not Fabian, that's for sure. They're even on the same page as to what the true goal here is: winding Fabian up, and possibly getting him to break.
Even if Gorgug's honour is being put into question here, which--when does a guy like Gorgug thinks about his honour? It's pretty hard to, after the adventures he's had with the Bad Kids. So he just shrugs after Riz has spoken, acting nonchalant before: ]
Doesn't sound like Fabian's got anything but hot air to offer, from where I'm sitting.
[ Fighting words!! From Gorgug!!! You better open your ears!! ]
Some people here just seem to appreciate my worth better than others.
[ Okay, so maybe winding Fabian up is the true goal than even getting him to succumb. Will he with that? Gorgug doesn't know, but he knows he's having fun with Riz here.
(This may or may not break out into a fight. Even with Fabian's injuries.) ]
[ Look, Fabian would also prefer Gorgug not dying, but he still isn't fully sure of the power of this promise really getting Gorgug through whatever might be happening. And he's still flustered at the same time too. Life is hard.
It's far too late to change anything though. So Fabian tries his best to swallow the worry for the moment, reminding himself that Gorgug is quite literally the strongest person he knows. Physically, anyway. S-Surely it'll be fine, right?
.. or, you know, just in case-- ]
If I haven't heard from you in half an hour, I'm going to storm over. [ Just saying!! ] And I'll take The Ball along too!
[ BETTER HURRY, GORGUG! Unless you want to get embarrassed by your friends rushing in like a riot squad!! ]
[ It doesn't help that the way his heart is beating so rapidly with surprise and fluster is kind of distracting. If Fabian had a little bit more time to actually think about this situation, he'd realize that it's.. kind of nice, actually. He isn't sure if it's nice in general, or if that thought is heavily colored by the fact that he spent months sleeping all alone in a far too big bed in a far too big empty house, but there's something about the presence of having someone important to him close by that's kind of nice.
So he doesn't move away from the touch. Even when Gorgug pulls the blankets over them, Fabian just stays there where he is, like he's too worried about accidentally shaking off the hold if he'd move, if he'd give Gorgug the wrong idea. And then not being strong enough to ask for the touch to be returned.
Fabian is just quiet. His heart is still going too fast for him to fall asleep, so he speaks up again, quietly. Gorgug probably hasn't fallen asleep yet, right? He said he wasn't even tired. ]
... you don't think this place will make you wake up in your own bed again, do you?
[ He never told Fabian where he's going right? Wait, time to use this to his advantage! ]
Yeah, okay. I'll hurry, I'll be quick. I'll message you as soon as I'm done. [ So--! ] I'll go now. See you. I'll see you soon.
[ Is this Gorgug hurrying to end the call before he can shove his foot any deeper down his throat? You betcha!!! We hope Chrollo didn't hear him shout any of that stuff from within the church Gorgug's getting closer to approaching..... ]
Granted, Gorgug never got that Fabian is rich, since it comes off him like a cologne. But does he know how rich the guy is or isn't in Etraya? What does Fabian get with his points? Gorgug never asks either him or Riz...
But... ]
Well... okay. [ It takes a moment for him to come to that 'okay', but there it is. He should let Fabian buy him something, right? ] I guess....a van would be cool. Or my van? Can I get my own van?
[ Fabian got his motorbike, right...? ]
It's kinda busted still, but I can fix it up. Now that I don't have homework.
In fact, Fabian doesn't even realize right after the other ends the call that Gorgug didn't tell him a location. He only realizes it about five minutes later or so, when he's busy making concrete plans to go hunt down Gorgug and tell Riz about it too, letting out a: ]
Damn it!
[ And he just.. prepares himself to go on a wild goose chase with the Hangman if Gorgug doesn't send him anything within the next 30 minutes.
Some people-- [ Fabian echoes, starting to sputter.
Despite the fact that his body still feels terrible, he somehow manages to leap to his feet all the same. Jumping off the couch, and then standing in front of it - turning around so he can look at both Gorgug and Riz at the same time. Please don't look too hard at the bruising that's still left in his face after last night, okay, Fabian sure isn't paying attention to it himself as he starts to ramble, shooting both of his friends offended looks here. ]
When have I ever not appreciated you, huh? Either of you! [ Oh, so Riz.. is involved too now..
Who knows why. Fabian hasn't even caught on to their little conspiracy, it's probably that he's getting so worked up that he's determined to prove himself in everything here, not even necessarily trying to win a bribe competition. ]
Think about all of the things I have done for you two before in the past! And then you won't even let me pick a decent team name? You guys would rather go with something uncool? [ He sounds so passionate.. Like he's making a speech on the debate stage to become president or something, rather than something that's this low stakes. ]
[ .. granted, Fabian was so ready to go along with absolutely any request coming from Gorgug that he isn't thinking too hard about this one - just repeating what Gorgug is asking for since he was ready to do just that.
It looks like he's only really thinking about what Gorgug just asked after Fabian hears the words in his own voice - stopping to blink for a moment. ]
The Hangman is likely going to be weird about it though. [ Apparently that's the thing Fabian realized after a second... Not that it's a protest. If that's what Gorgug wants, then Gorgug is going to get it!
Fabian is just going to have to soothe his pet-bike-familiar. ]
There's no text message. Instead there's just Fabian calling, and Gorgug better pick up, because the moment he does there's a very loud-- ]
Is that all you have to say?!
[ There's a weird sound in the background.. If Gorgug thinks about the sound, he may realize it's the sound of a running motorcycle, right along with the whipping wind.
Which means Fabian definitely already left to wildly drive around the city to try and find Gorgug, even still driving as he's calling now. ]
Yes, I am out! What do you think I'm doing? I'm looking for you!
[ He sounds so offended.
But, like, Fabian levels of offended. Which means the way he's sounding pretty much half of the time already. ]
Did you forget that I said I'd come find you if you took too long?! [ That sort of threat is never empty when it comes to Fabian, Gorgug. Never. Especially not when his friends' safety is involved. This is a man who would awkwardly facetime his friend in front of his crush just to warn her of her possible imminent death. ] I thought that weird guy did something to you!
[ With affirmation given, Gorgug does what he offered, taking away his arm from Fabian's waist so that he can gather and pull the blanket over them, enough so Fabian can adjust it if he wants. But Gorgug's arm then goes back to where it was, like this is where it's supposed to go now--because it is, right? It'd be weird to move it somewhere else. Like he's uncomfortable with this, or something, and he's really not.
But he's relaxing, or getting relaxed. They're meant to sleep, but Gorgug hasn't closed his eyes yet-- not by the time Fabian speaks up, but if his eyes were closed, then he would've started to consider it. But now he's thinking--about that question. ]
They said we're family now. [ So that means he should wake up wherever he slept, right? Though, Fabian asking that is... ] Does that happen?
[ Do people magically switch beds? That's weird. ]
I'm here, I'm out! You don't have to look for me, he didn't do anything!
[ Was Gorgug too long? He isn't going to try and think if he wasn't or not, because that's that not really important now, and what's important is that he doesn't even know if Fabian has a clue of where to look for him. So he should probably focus on stopping that from continuing before anything else.
So, that's the next part of this: Making Fabian happy. Or no longer shouting and worrying, even if the Hangman himself might be enjoying the riding and the adventure of potentially saving him. Even so- ]
Let's meet. At the workshop? We can meet at my workshop.
I don't know. As far as I know, he has not exactly been around that many vans. [ Especially when they have never really needed another van for transportation when the Hangvan was a thing.. And when Fabian is by himself, he can just drive to places on the Hangman..
Though Fabian does suggest: ]
Maybe he is just jealous.
[ Of it getting Fabian's attention? Gorgug's attention? Anyone's attention?? Who knows. ]
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