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[ He lets out an amused little sound. ]

Well, that's Gorgug for you.

[ Indeed, they seem in agreement on that one. If anyone would be doing this while the two of them are in this state, of course it's Gorgug. Even though Fabian's memories of last night are kind of a haze of pain, he does faintly remember Gorgug fussing over them like no tomorrow.

Maybe it's part on why he's so insistent about being out of bed right now. Not that Gorgug probably would not want him to stay in here, but-- he doesn't want a friend to have to fuss entirely by himself. ]

Let's repay him when we aren't busy actively being wrecks. [ CALLING THEM LIKE HE SEES THEM.. And like he feels them, because Fabian is pretty sure that sleep absolutely was not a beauty sleep for him. If it wasn't for the fact that he's among bros, he would be a whole lot more concerned about the current state of his hair and his style. But then again, if there are any people who have seen him in pretty much any state, it's these two guys. ] In the meantime-- You need some help getting to the kitchen, the Ball?

[ Yes, he's indicating he'll carry Riz. He even makes it more obvious by holding out his hands so the other can climb onto him. It'll probably sting like crazy with Fabian's body still feeling like a wreck, but that's not going to stop Fabian from wanting to help a bro. ]

Nah, you're all fucked up too. I'm a big boy. I can walk. Thanks, though.

[ Fabian's a real one. And it's not as though he doesn't appreciate the easy offer - there have been people who say that it's not normal to catch a ride on their homie's shoulder, but he'd like to counter those people with the very real, very effective argument that it's both convenient and fun - but he doesn't want Fabian making himself any worse. ]

I'm gonna steal one of your shirts. My suit's all kinds of fucked up.

[ He does manage to crawl out of bed, blinking away the last haze of a full night's sleep, and bracing himself against the wall as he sheds the rest of his suit, grimacing at the pile of crusty, bloodied, wrinkled clothes landing in a heap on the ground before shimmying his way into one of Fabian's shirts. It's not quite as good as one of Gorgug's (Gorgug's can go practically down to his shins if he's wearing a baggy enough shirt), but he's at least more comfortable this way.

(He makes a brief mental note to ask his Dad how he deals with entering combat situations in a suit next time they talk, because there's gotta be a better way than a prodigious amount of bleach and perfectly good clothes tossed in the garbage. His Dad probably knows. He's got spy tips.)

He exhales, then turns to Fabian with a small smile. ] See? All good. C'mon, let's go. [ As he hobbles out of the bedroom and peers down the staircase to where Gorgug's waiting, he calls out: ] Hey, Gorgug! Thanks for getting this stuff all set up!

[ He doesn't feel so hot -- but he sounds perfectly fine. He can at least cover that much up. ]

[ Gorgug's hovering around the kitchen counter by the time Riz makes his call, standing awkwardly where he's got food on plates ready to be reheated as necessary, a glance at the coffee pot with internal questions of, is it okay to reheat coffee? is any of this gonna taste good?

But, now is the time! Or it's the time to go to the doorway, out into the small hall so that he can see Riz up there, and Fabian, whenever he shows his face. He would've called from the kitchen, but he doesn't want to wake the baby up from its nap!! ]

Riz. [ He gives him a grimace of a smile, a Gorgug special. ] You okay? You wanna eat in bed? I, uh, tried making coffee. [ A beat. ] You need anything?

[ Is this the kind of fussing where a guy doesn't know how to actually fuss? You bet it is. Help, is he asking the right questions? ]

[ It's definitely unique enough circumstances that Fabian - for this once, just this once, because so many shirts have gone missing from his closet before and he knows whose fault that is - doesn't really mind Riz taking one of his shirts. It's true that the other can't really walk around in a battle-torn suit. And-- really, even Fabian isn't enough of a drama queen to throw a fit at his friend when said friend can only manage to slowly hobble down the hallway.

.. with Fabian hobbling right after him, mind you. He walks a little bit better since he's not quite as short, but the exhaustion and ache is still obviously stuck deep inside of the boy's limbs. Thankfully he can just take it easy while moving after Riz, considering he's not really moving fast either while he's like this.

Fabian presses his lips together when he hears the exchange between the other two, wondering if he should make a joke to lighten the atmosphere a little - yes, Riz told him he doesn't have to do that, but habits die hard!! - or if it's a little inappropriate right now.

In the end he does stay quiet as he moves though. At least for a moment, giving Riz and Gorgug the opportunity to share words while Fabian rests his voice. (His throat still hurts from last night, honestly.) ]

No, no, we got this! [ He thrusts a thumbs-up towards Gorgug. Even if he can't exactly pretend like he's not hurting right now, he's doing a damn good job at pretending like he wasn't just whining at Fabian that he wanted to stay asleep thirty seconds ago, ferociously positive for Gorgug's sake.

He hadn't really thought about Gorgug and Adaine until Fabian had mentioned them, but he can imagine how much it sucked to be left behind to putter around worrying and waiting, and... meal-prepping, apparently. ]

The coffee smells good. [ Not a lie. But then again, Riz has been sighted cheerfully eating instant coffee granules out of the container on the odd occasion, so he's not one to talk. ] You can tell me all about your guys' side of things, uh... maybe after some breakfast.

[ He does want to talk shop. Desperately. But on the odd occasion, Riz can read the room, and realizes jumping in immediately probably isn't good for general morale. Or, frankly, his own health. He could do with a cup of coffee first. ]

Okay. [ Gorgug isn't going to protest if there's no real reason to, but he does think, considering how their missions usually go and what they might prefer: ] You can eat on the sofa and chairs. I'll make sure everything's hot if you both wanna sit there instead of the kitchen.

[ Like he owns this home (then again, Fabian barely owns it, either...). But who doesn't like plush seating instead of a hard surface? He'll listen to any protests that might come, but if there's enough agreement, or even if there isn't, Gorgug's destination will be the kitchen again, most likely.

He needs to let these two come down and get settled in whatever direction they're going! He has food to shove in microwaves!! ]

[ There's no protest here, Gorgug. Fabian can hardly complain about keeping the place clean when he was the one who couldn't do that in the first place.. When Riz was the one who had to come over (okay, force himself into the house, more like) to clean in the first place. When Gorgug came over to help him with the baby. No, eating on the couch is fine with him. If they make a mess, they can surely take care of it together afterwards.

And Fabian would protest Riz wanting to talk shop when Fabian can immediately see what it might do to the mood, but--

Then an opportunity presents itself to lighten the mood a little bit. He can see it. It's clear as day.

Fabian suddenly starts walking faster. Maybe not a full sprint, but a jog is already way quicker than the way he was walking only a moment ago. Yes, Fabian is wincing in pain as he's doing it, but it's all for the Bit, it's all to Cheer Up The Homies as he calls out, loudly enough so Gorgug can hear it in the kitchen too: ]

Last one on the couch is a loser!

[ Look, considering how slow Riz is going?

Fabian thinks Gorgug has a pretty decent chance to be over at the couch with food before their little angel has made it there. He's got a fighting chance! ]

Edited 2024-10-11 17:55 (UTC)

[ For a moment, it looks like Riz is about to protest before he ultimately gives up with a careless shrug, hobbling after Fabian with a grumbled, ] I'm pretty sure that ship's sailed already anyway.

[ Which is to say he'll be a loser and he's happy to be a loser if it means he doesn't have to move beyond a slow amble, thank you very much! He does, however, watch Fabian's antics with amusement as he heads to the couch and buries himself in the couch much like he'd just been buried in bed, looking awfully cozy from where he's managed to wedge himself between the cushions and being that he's wearing Fabian's shirt as a smock instead of his usual formal outfits, he almost looks like a normal teen at a sleepover provided you ignore all of the bandages and bruises.

Once Gorgug arrives - before or after him; it may well be before - he reaches out and makes grabby motions with his hands and swiftly snatches a cup of coffee and sticks his entire face into it to smell it like the caffeine junky he is. ] Yes, yes, yes! [ Voice still muffled by the ceramic cup: ] Thank you, I love you.

[ Is he talking to the coffee or Gorgug?

(Probably the coffee.) ]

[ Wait, what??? He has to rush? Is he going to be a loser too?? But he has to get the food and drinks?!?!?!

There's an instance where all Gorgug can do is make a step towards the living room and then to take it back towards the kitchen counter, stuck in choice paralysis. He works himself out of it, mainly because he wants to get everything to them (and to hurry, too!!). The coffee is at least hot, and oranges and juice don't need to be hot, so that's good. Which leaves him putting the scrambled eggs and kippers back on to reheat, while he brings the drinks and fruit in, awkwardly. He only just manages to come in before Riz, but it doesn't count, in Gorgug's mind, when he's balancing a bag of oranges from his wrist, holding an orange carton and pressing glasses between his arm and chest, and also bringing in that cup of coffee for a pair of grubby goblin hands to take.

Relief breathes through him (or out of him, with the exhale he allows himself) when he initially lets go of everything....but then thoughts of being slow or dropping anything leave Gorgug when he hears Riz. He looks at him blankly for a moment, before his expression turns....utterly soft. ]

I love you too. [ Said, with full affection. Full heart.

And he looks at Fabian after, because of course: ] I love you too.

[ Guys............ Gorgug is so touched in this moment..... ]

[ Fabian is fully ready to just ignore.. whatever is going on here with Riz and Gorgug. Not everything about them, mind you, especially since Fabian forces his aching body to get up from the couch at least enough to help grab some of the glasses from Gorgug and put them on the table before the other drops them all..

.. but the embarrassing stuff. The way they're saying they love each other out of the blue? For no reason? Fabian isn't entirely convinced Riz wasn't just saying that to his coffee, honestly, and the way Riz seems to be attempting to shove his entire body into the mug bit by bit really isn't helping.

But he freezes up mid-putting down the glasses when he realizes that Gorgug is.. repeating the 'I love you too'.. and he is indeed looking at him...

Oh, bother. ]

Alright, don't-- [ Fabian starts, but then he looks over at Gorgug's face enough to see just how touched it is.

Oh god.

In the most reluctant way possible: ]

Okay, okay, love you too-- now come sit down!

[ BEFORE THIS GETS EVEN MORE EMBARRASSING. Someone save him from the social skills of these two. Where is Fig when you need her. Fig, please, sis, he needs you!!

Fabian will definitely move to fully sit back down on the couch next to where Riz has buried himself into the pillows though. And if Gorgug doesn't look like he's about to sit down, Fabian will just grab the other's arm and pull him down to come sit on Fabian's other side. ]

Is everyone feeling alright now?

[ That actually gets Riz to look up from where he's swigging coffee long enough to glance at Gorgug in surprise, eyes filled with liquid emotion. He had, in fact, been talking to the coffee. ]

Aww. [ He looks genuinely touched. And also like he might cry a little, for a second? But only in a nice way, really. And it makes him want to say it again, only he realizes that Gorgug thought he was talking to him in the first place, and if he says it again, Gorgug will realize he wasn't and then his feelings would be really hurt, and Riz thinks that would be the end of the world, maybe?

So he doesn't say it again and settles only for patting Gorgug's shoulder fondly once he sits down. Unfortunately for Fabian, Riz appears to be absolutely on board with it. He even turns to smile brightly at Fabian, as though saying see, isn't it so nice that we all love each other? ]

All good here, [ Riz says, offering a thumbs-up. ] We're all still alive, and all of our limbs are still attached. That's a success if you ask me. Good job, team, uh, team... Bad Lads!

[ Was that good? Hey guys! Was that good? Did he do good? Are they the Bad Lads now? Pretty please? ]

[ Gorgug was definitely not about to sit back down, because there's still the food that isn't the oranges to get. But he waffles long enough because of Fabian's command that he's dragged and pulled down into the soft cushioning.

But he's kinda sitting on a sofa with two people who love him, so is this the time to think about the food at all? Probably not, when Riz is reassuring him. At least, that's how he's interpreting the shoulder pats, and so he starts to smile. Just sits in this nice little feeling and, heck, even gets an orange to peel.

Know who also probably has more to say about everything that Riz just did than Gorgug? Fabian. He's going to talk immediately first.

Gorgug is just going to be happy here. :) ]

[ How did Fabian end up like this? What life decisions put him right here on a couch with the two most cringe people in the entire world? (Okay, maybe not most cringe. Gilear still exists somewhere out there, after all.)

Riz and Gorgug may look like they're having the time of their life here, but as Fabian grabs the juice just to have something else to do that isn't focusing too hard on the other two being embarrassing, he looks like he's ready for death. Maybe he should go back to face those robots again. It can't be worse than this.

.. only for him to choke on said juice the moment the words Bad Lads leave Riz's mouth. Thankfully he doesn't spit it out, but the choking does cause him to get the hiccups when he speaks up again. ]

Abso-- [ hic ] --lutely not! We are not going to be the Bad Lads! I thought I banned you from coming up with a team name for us, The Ball!

[ Stop this. Stop Riz. Gorgug, stop Riz!!! ]

You keep saying that, but you don't come up with any of your own! What're we supposed to do, not have a team name?

[ Blearily, Riz reaches for one of the oranges and bites directly into it, like some kind of maniac. He looks mildly perplexed for a moment, as though he had groggily expected it to be an apple instead, but then appears to make peace with this decision.

He is vaguely aware that Fabian is getting worked up over him and Gorgug being too obviously affectionate, but that's fine. That's normal! Fabian reacted this way to Riz calling them best friends all the time, and look how that turned out! Fabian will be telling them how much he loves them too in no time flat! Sometimes you just gotta bully people into loving you. That's how it works. ]

Gorgug doesn't hate it.

[ He's not saying Gorgug likes it. Just that he doesn't hate it. C'mon, he's not totally delusional. ]

We have a bunch of side team names.

[ Because this is the truth, and it doesn't actually matter what Gorgug thinks of the name or not. He's not bothering to declare if he likes it or not because--well, he's not wrong, and he's thinking now on the multiple different side groups of the Bad Kids as he pulls apart his orange, taking off a chunk ready to eat. ]

What about the Bardy Boys? Wasn't that-- was that the one with you guys and Fig?

[ Then why would it be the Bardy Boys.... but it's early o'clock, Gorgug doesn't have to remember these things.

All he has to do is sit here and finish peeling his orange proper. He's going to make a nice little pile on his lap so he can offer Riz his rind once he's got it all!! ]

See, Gorgug's just not saying anything on the matter anyway since he's too [ hic ] nice!

[ Fabian wildly gestures with one arm in the direction of Gorgug.. who is sitting right next to him, so it's way more likely that he's accidentally slapping the half-orc against the chest while Fabian is blindly gesturing and looking at Riz with his one eye.

Also yes, he's totally taking the fact that Gorgug is not saying he hates it or likes it as him just suffering in silence. Clearly. Because we all think like Fabian Aramais Seacaster out here, and his opinions are always objectively correct. ]

And Bardy Boys is better because it does not involve the word lads! [ It's one thing when Cathilda or his father says it affectionaly, okay. It's different when it's Riz saying it, because-- ] Do you know who [ hic ] was also called a Lad, huh?! Gilear!

[ IT TAINTS THE WORD!!!

And yes, these energy levels are probably a little too high for how sore Fabian's body is, but he doesn't care. Hiccups and aches and fatigue be damned, he has to fight this. It's that important to him. ]

He's not saying anything because it's a good name, [ Riz shoots back, prodding Fabian in the side just in case he isn't already annoying enough. It's a nice benefit to being more secure in their friendship these days; if he hasn't annoyed Fabian away yet, then he probably never will.

(Probably.) ]

What's wrong with the word 'lad'? It's not that different from boy. It means the exact same thing. [ He considers that the word has been tainted by its proximity to Gilear. He taps his chin. ] It's not like Gilear took the name for himself. Fig coined it.

[ And Fig is cool, right? Ergo... ]

Besides, I haven't uh, gotten to the Bardy Boys thing yet, timeline-wise, but I dunno if Fig would appreciate being left out of it. You come up with one, then.

[ Gorgug could clear up this argument about names if he spoke up to confirm or deny his opinion about the Bad Lads, huh.

So, anyway. Gorgug is too busy thwapping Fabian's hand when it knocks against him a few times, like when a cat's tail knocks in one's face without a care for the face itself. And Fabian probably finds Gorgug trying to knock his hand back more annoying than his own rude tapping, but that's Fabian for you.

And what's Gorgug for you? Being disappointed in himself he made a timeline mistake (Riz doesn't know he's a Bardy Boy? The tragedy) and deciding that Riz's demand for Fabian to decide a boys name to be more important than anything he could interject with right here.

So he's going to stuff half of his orange into his mouth. om nom. ]

[ Gorgug's silence - and his silent batting of Fabian's hand - is only met with Fabian's hand slapping against him more. This time likely on purpose, considering he can feel the way Gorgug is trying to bat his hand right back. And considering the fact that he's starting to do the same thing to Riz the moment the other starts prodding him.

Is Fabian still sore and kind of injured? Yes. Does he apparently have the energy for this anyway? Yes. It's what happens when his best male buds team up against him. Because this is clearly a team up against him, Fabian refuses to consider it anything else! It's a conspiracy aimed solely at him!! ]

Can you two stop?! [ He says, like he isn't batting his hands at them like some sort of worked up cat in the first place.. ] I went through a huge, awful battle, and here you two are okay with-- with trifling nicknames for us! We are heroes! Neither of you are helping!

[ Both of you need to be nicer to him!!!!!!

Despite, you know, one of them having saved his life back in the hospital by not leaving when Fabian told him to, and the other one having taken care of him when he came back all bruised and injured..

They still need to be nicer. Look at him. He's upset!! This is stressing out the baby!! Not even the actual robot baby, but Fabian the baby! ]

I mean, technically it's not you two. Gorgug hasn't actually said anything.

[ Because, as Fabian helpfully pointed out, he's too nice. Luckily for Riz, he's decided to take that as tacit approval of his nicknames, because he's never let something like someone thinking he's cringy privately stop him from doing anything. If anything, he only seems more amused by Fabian's theatrics.

It's not as though he made the name bad on purpose. He thinks his names are pretty good, actually. But he always finds Fabian's temper tantrums to be on the amusing side - provided that they're exclusively about things that don't matter, like nicknames - and so this is nothing more than a happy byproduct. Besides, him doing all that flapping about just means that he can't be that badly hurt. ]

I don't see you coming up with any ideas, [ he says, sticking a pointy elbow into Fabian's side. ] C'mon, Fabian. Lay it on us with your, uh... cool kid swag.

[ This is the first time he's said the word 'swag' out loud. He hopes it came out right.

(It did not.) ]

Owww, [ Gorgug says, as if Fabian's thwapping at him can do anything to actually hurt, but is it still an annoyance? An annoyance that Gorgug is continue to bat back at because it is being rude and mean at him? Of course he is!! ]

I'm waiting to hear your ide.. You two are already arguing.

[ So why is Gorgug going to jump in? Fabian makes enough noise that only Riz can properly get a foot in there!! And Riz is right in that Fabian hasn't actually suggested anything except what they shouldn't be. Gorgug just pointed out Bad Kids trivia!! He never said he would contribute a name!

But he'll try and help now, even if he might still be trying to grab Fabian's hand and pushing it down-- ] I'll judge. I'll judge the better name.

[ Come on then, Fabian!!! Put up a name for Judge Gorgug!! ]

[ To Gorgug, pointedly: ]

You can't judge! You'll take his side!

[ ...

Who even knows why Fabian is assuming Gorgug will take Riz's side by default.. Maybe it's just Fabian being worked up and dramatic enough at this point that he's just assuming the whole world is out to get him. Who knows. At least he's still energetic, despite his condition.. ]

But-- fine! [ He huffs, moving to properly sit back into the pillows of the couch again.. Looking a little bit like he's sulking.. ]

How about just going for something simple yet effective, like the Brilliant Boys? Except-- actually, boys doesn't sound great either. That makes us sound like we are eight years old. The Tenacious Trio, then!

What makes you think he'll take my side automatically? [ Riz complains loudly. He's currently complaining straight into Fabian's ear too, because despite Sklonda's greatest efforts, he's never been successfully taught volume moderation or the beauty of personal space. ] If anything, he'll take your side! Bloodrush buddy solidarity, or something!

[ He doesn't actually believe that. He just can't let Fabian get away with trying to peddle an underdog narrative for this, getting equally as worked up as Fabian, though underneath the faux irritation, he shows every sign of enjoying this.

He gives Gorgug an apologetic look. ]

I mean -- we trust your neutrality, Gorgug. [ He sniffs condescendingly at Fabian's suggestions.

(Secretly, he thinks they're pretty good too.) ]

[ Finally, the time of reckoning is here. The Bad Lads versus the Tenacious Trio (and also the Brilliant Boys?), and Gorgug's already equipped with his puzzled, squinting expression after being accused of being unfair in his own court. By both of his friends!

But then comes their silence, and this leaves Gorgug in the spotlight. He pushes his mouth into a cheek and adorns a very hard-thinking expression--one that lasts for a few seconds, his eyes looking upward in thought before they come back down to look in the guys' general direction... ]

... I'll take bribes.

[ Just. Putting that out there, if anyone wants to bribe him right now. ]

[ Fabian lets out such an offended noise the moment Gorgug speaks up and makes that suggestion.

It likely says something about how used he is to Riz's.. Riz-isms at this point that he didn't make the same noise at everything the goblin is doing. You know, yelling? Directly into his ear? Yes, Fabian is kind of used to that, especially with how often his bestie is clinging to him.

But this, coming from Gorgug? That's much worse. It's a personal betrayal. ]

Why bribes?

[ Thankfully they don't know the irony of Fabian complaining about bribes when his own father attempted to bribe him into the Bloodrush team.. ]

Aren't my names great enough all by itself?! Do you think they need a bribe to shine? [ He keeps on putting emphasis on the word too..

There's just maximum dramatics here. You'd almost forget Riz and Fabian got really injured yesterday, and that Gorgug had to spend so much effort and tired himself out in trying to make sure they were okay.

None of them are currently acting like it. (Though probably for the better, let's be real. Better to be dramatically offended than to be sad.) ]

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