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[ Okay, okay-- Getting out of here! Maybe not too quickly though, because Fabian is worried that a little bit too much sound might wake the robot baby right back up again. Especially when it felt like the baby truly never wanted to go to sleep back when Fabian was just desperately trying to care for it himself.

But even though they have to sneak out of the room quietly, and a little slowly because of that, they do manage to sneak out.

And when they close the door behind them, Fabian finally dares to release a breath he was holding. Like he was worried even that would be too loud. ]

I thought it was never going to go to sleep. [ He admits, his volume only a little bit above a whisper. ] I feel exhausted now.

[ Don't start judging him like he's some grandpa again, okay, Gorgug. He's been working all day!! He had to put on a performance for the baby!! That's like working and then doing another part-time job right after, and back home Fabian notoriously never works!! ]

[ Gorgug would like to rush, but he will also take (while understanding) silently rushing, in a not very fast way. It makes sense! They've got to use some slick moves here or the baby might wake up again!

And the relief that runs through Fabian and expels in a sigh is the same one Gorgug experiences, once he can safely put his back to the door (without actually leaning on said door...we don't want to get careless, now). But while Fabian is showing his age, or, okay, his exhaustion, a small smile does creep on Gorgug's lips, showing the tips of his tusks. ]

It's 'cause you put on a whole show for the baby. I thought you forgot you wanted it to sleep.

[ But, even so (in case Fabian didn't get the memo): ] It was good. You could join the drama club.

[ Imagine, Fabian... imagine joining those losers who made a drama club in an adventuring school!! ]

Ugh.

[ That's such a dramatic ugh too, despite the fact that Fabian just said he's tired. As if it's important that he truly shows his dislike of the idea here. ]

Ugh. [ See? He's even repeating it! That's how important it is that it gets across to Gorgug that Fabian Does Not Want this! Does Not Like this idea! ] Absolutely not. I am never going near them. I have too much popular kid credit to waste now!

[ He's too busy being a maximum legend, Gorgug! Look at the tattoo! It's also important! ]

You know what club I am joining right now? [ Fabian says, starting to move through the hall in the direction of the bedroom. ] The bed club. That's where I am going.

[ Fabian is so dramatic about everything, even when he's meant to be sleepy. It amuses Gorgug, but he doesn't comment on it; following Fabian instead, directly behind him as he needs to ask. ]

Am I still joining the club? I forget... were we going to sleep together?

[ ...because he kinda doesn't know what he's meant to be doing, and is following behind Fabian like a lost puppy that doesn't know which other direction to go. Yet. Was he meant to... sit in the living room?

The baby antics kinda made him lose his track of thought. ]

[ Fabian knows that they definitely did not settle on anything like this. Really, from what he remembers, it's more just that he already announced he was tired when he came home, and Gorgug never really said anything about it one way or another...

Not that it means he himself really thought about the whole arrangement. It'd be a little awkward to just have Gorgug sit around by himself at Fabian's place while Fabian naps, right. Even though he's sure Gorgug would find something to busy himself with. Like all that stuff he took over.

So after considering all of that for a few moments, he turns his head to look at the other - though he's still walking at the same time. ]

Do you want to?

[ Might as well leave it up to Gorgug, honestly.

Especially when Fabian.. finds himself not really minding. Especially after that conversation they had in the hospital so recently. It felt even more intimate than the idea of sleeping together now - especially when they have slept in a huge Bad Kids pile often enough back in the Hangvan. ]

[ ...Does he want to?

He came here to hang out and help Fabian with the baby, and now the baby has been dealt with... but the hanging out part is null and void if Fabian's going to bed. But-- while he's not all about toxic masculinity or anything like that, it still doesn't mean a friend wants him to....come and sleep with him. That's weird, right? And does Gorgug even want to nap?

With the question being put on him, he's looking between Fabian and the space they're in, towards the direction that they came from. Yeah, he came to stay over since they're technically now family, but.... ]

I can....go and make dinner. Wait 'til you wake up.

[ It just seems like the thing he should be doing? Stopping in his own tracks, figuring that the 'following your bro like a lost puppy' is not the move he should be making right now. He should be, like. Finding things to do? Probably.

Without a bro. ]

[ See, under normal circumstances Fabian wouldn't have thought anything about this. He would have let Gorgug go off and do that.

But there was their emotional moment in the hospital. And that makes him stop and think. It makes him wonder if he's just imagining that note of confusion in Gorgug's voice - even though Fabian thinks his question was pretty straightforward.

It makes him wonder if, deep inside, he didn't really just want Gorgug to answer a specific way to this question.

Fabian still hesitates for a moment, unused to this, but then speaks anyway. He's brave. He's brave!! ]

You can come with me if you want, you know. [ C-Casual!! Casual!! He's being brave!! ] I don't mind.

[ A slight pause, and then he adds, even more bravely: ]

I'd like that, actually.

[ Gorgug blinks at Fabian. The reassurance, and even the 'I'd like that'. Fabian would? It's an unexpected confession, and it puts Gorgug in a different spot. It's not that Fabian's question hadn't been straightforward, just-- he wasn't sure about if he wanted a nap. He hasn't been working a boring, stupid job all day doing nothing. There's things he can do for Fabian, surely.

But then there's the thing that Fabian apparently wants him to do. Join him.

... ]

... Okay. [ There's no uncertainty this time, or not in his tone. Despite the pause before his answer, his agreement to giving Fabian what he wants is there, but he does admit why he'd been waffling before: ] I don't know how tired I am.

[ But he's willing to give it a go? Nap with a bro? What's the worst that can happen? ]

Gods, Gorgug, it's a nap.

[ There's a little bit more exasperation in there - though it's very, very mild. It's just the usual Fabian levels of dramatics, really, like he isn't able to do anything in life without being dumb and dramatic about it.

And, in this case, tired. Apparently.

But Gorgug has already agreed, so Fabian is already making his way fully over towards the bedroom now, opening the door and going in there - not to mention leaving the door open behind him so Gorgug can follow. ]

How hard could it possibly be?

[ Says the rich boy... ]

[ Gorgug shrugs, not that put off by Fabian's exasperation one way or another. He's following him regardless, closing the door behind him and looking around the room. It's different, if just because Gorgug has to share his own room with his fake brother. ]

I haven't napped properly in a while. [ He's going over to sit on the bed, since why would he have any qualms about making himself comfortable in Fabian's space? He kicks off his shoes by the bed (do you think he does it by the front door??), and lifts his feet onto the bed to lay his back flat. ] Naps are what sleep becomes when you have three years of artificing classes to get through.

[ The horrors of schoolwork continue to stick with Gorgug... ]

[ Sorry, Gorgug, but Fabian does laugh a little bit at the horrors of schoolwork you're expressing here..

At least it's not anything too drawn out, just a slight, amused laugh - like Gorgug just made a joke. Because it's clearly a joke, right? I-It's not really like Gorgug has only napped for the past few months back home, right?

Either way, Fabian is already getting onto the bed too, drawing back the blankets so he can get in there and really make himself comfortable. Usually he'd be worried about sleeping in his outside clothes, but-- it's fine, it's just his dumb work uniform. He doesn't have to treat it gently. ]

So, on a scale from one to ten, how glad are you to be napping with me instead of working on artificer homework?

[ Getting underneath the blankets?? Sorry, but Gorgug is going to keep laying on top of them for now, so hopefully you're not struggling there trying to get as much of them as you want. Gorgug, currently, is perfectly content to close his eyes and have his hands on his lap like someone who thinks this is how people sleep. ]

Mmm...

...

... There's no wrong answer, right?

[ Just making sure before he answers--! ]

Dude!

[ It's offended. Not at the maximum by Fabian standards - which is a lot, incredibly dramatic - but there's still some drama going on here as he says it. There's almost an audible gasp in his voice. ]

Of course there is a wrong answer! [ Does Gorgug not know that you must praise a special little boy every single chance you get? It's how this is supposed to work!

Also, please don't mind the way Fabian is trying to tug on the blankets as hard as he can, like he's trying to wrestle them out from underneath Gorgug.. Which is an impossible task. It's like trying to pull something out from under a rock.. And yet Fabian refuses to give up, continuing to pull. ]

[ Have fun pulling. Gorgug isn't really paying attention. His eyes are closed and he is trying to save himself from this position he's put himself in! (not the bed one) ]

Okay, well, laying in bed with you and taking a nap is easier to do, and a lot less stressful. [ To a certain degree. ] Even if...I would rather be learning about artificing and having classes in artificing, if I had to be going to school in the place where I'm also laying in bed and taking a nap with you...

[ Did he do it. Did he answer truthfully while also keeping a special little boy happy. ]

[ Suddenly the tugging stops.

Mostly because Fabian has to think. It's almost like Gorgug is presenting him with some sort of puzzle. Like the two guards, where one always lies and the other always tells the truth, except this is a bit more of a word game..

(Really, it's not even all that difficult, it's just apparently difficult enough for Fabian to not a moment to think.)

And once he has thought, he immediately shoots up to sit up in bed, even if it means the blanket falls from him entirely since it's still too trapped underneath Gorgug to move up with Fabian. ]

So you're saying you do like artificing more than hanging around with me!

[ B-bro?! What kind of betrayal is this? ]

Even though we're raising a baby together! [ A fake baby.

But still. ]

[ Uh oh, that's a reason to open his eyes: the sight of an offended Fabian looking down at him from above.

Save yourself, Gorgug! ]

--I'm its dad now too?

[ Well, he'll save himself after he finishes getting stuck on this point. He knows he made them family, but does that actually make the baby his too...!!! He knows he's said some things, b-but...! ]

Of course!

[ Fabian says this as if it's such a natural thing, but-- let's be real, it's not something he started finding natural until he got offended over what Gorgug said and needed something to hold against him..

The mind of Fabian Seacaster works in wondrous ways, let's just leave it at that. ]

Are you saying you aren't going to take responsibility for the baby?

[ Are you a deadbeat dad now, Gorgug. Do you, the adopted baby, have something against adopted babies!! ]

[ Oh no. Oh no. He can't even be the cool uncle? He hears those are things for people with uncles. They get to be the fun guy who comes over and gets to leave when they please! ]

Iiiii.... [ That's a really dragged out 'I' there. ] ...have.....??

[ Technically? He just did? But he has to look away from Fabian as he says it because this is an extreme amount of pressure going on here! He's just one Gorgug! One Gorgug in a spiral of bad answers to a test he didn't know he was having! Shit, this is worse than artificing classes!! ]

[ Don't you wish right about now that you just had told Fabian that spending time with him is the best thing and that he's the most special little boy and that everyone should applaud when he walks into a room, Gorgug?

Because it might have been easier. Just saying. ]

That responsibility also involves hanging out with the other parent! [ .. what are you now, Fabian. A trophy wife??

This beautiful mind palace is getting out of control. ]

.. also, you should nap underneath the blankets, not on top of them. [ Only now is he bringing it up.. After that huge dramatic fit that wasn't even really related to the blankets, despite his tugging on them in the middle of it.. ]

[ Gorgug feels like he is in the middle of a tornado. A very small tornado that threatens to swoop him up if he isn't careful! Also, did he become a for real parent? He might need to re-think this whole making Fabian part of the family... ]

But I'll get hot. [ But also, he's willing to drop that discussion (read: run away from it) by focusing on this new topic. Gorgug pinches at his hoodie. ] I'm wearing my hoodie. It's okay.

[ Because clearly Fabian is suggesting this for his benefit, right? There's nothing else behind these instructions. ]

[ 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!! ]

[ ????????? 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-- ]

...

[ 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! ]

[ 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.. ]

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