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[ Fabian is indeed making the sort of face that betrays he is likely about to go on a rant about how Ms. Jones and Ms. Skullcleaver would never do something like this to him, which would only make him more and more wound up.

.. but Fabian realizes that last part too. Not because he's very self-aware - let's be real: he is not - but mostly because he's realizing that would mean he would start to fight with Gorgug, and that's the last thing he wants to do. Especially when some of the people here, and his fellow Bad Kids most of all, are just about the only thing in this place keeping him from completely breaking down over being stuck here.

It at least keeps him from lashing out, but it sure doesn't make him look any happier either, since it means the frustration and bad feelings are all left inside of him, with nowhere to go. Fabian is practically deflating from angry porcupine to a kicked dog that doesn't know if it's angry or sad about the kicking. Or both. ]

I don't want to argue with you.

[ Even his tone betrays as much about his emotions - it kind of sounds like Fabian always does before he starts to tear up, even if he's not tearing up right now. (Yet, anyway.)

He is, however, looking away from Gorgug. Maybe he's afraid the tearing up will happen anyway if he looks at him. Fabian swallows, but his throat feels thick, the words harder to find when he has to hold back and think of what else he can say here. It takes a moment. ]

I just want to get out of here.

[ Gorgug doesn't want to argue, either.

And he felt they were on the cusp of one--if not an argument, then on souring feelings, which is where this has gone anyway. Gorgug looks down when he sees how Fabian's expression changes, how he can't seem to look at him, unsure of what to say. And he feels like this is a time when he should say something good: be reassuring, but in a way that's honest. That sounds honest. ]

I want to get out of this, too, [ he admits, his voice softer. ] And if we... have to fight, and go up against whatever's down there, then I-- I want to do it.

[ He pauses, then hopes he sounds genuine as he promises, ] I won't let my guard against Aurora. I promise.

[ He sucks in a breath. Something about it seems to give him at least enough strength to look at the other, even though Fabian's emotions still feel like they sit very wobbly inside of his chest right now.

It's an awful feeling. ]

I don't want you to get hurt. [ Because of her being the implication, of course. It feels inevitable that one of them might get hurt in this process. Just like every single time they do something reckless and heroic together.

But if Aurora is deceiving Gorgug in any way to try and hurt him with it, then Fabian is absolutely burning her down. Even if there's something like jealousy in the way he feels whenever Gorgug talks about Aurora, this more protective feeling is also very real. ]

[ It's troubling, difficult. Gorgug understands the implication, and yet, Gorgug knows he's ready to get hurt. Both of them would be in any situation--they're the ones who put their bodies on the line first, but this isn't entirely what Fabian means, he thinks. Is there anything that can be said that's reassuring in this moment?

He takes a hold of one of Fabian's hands, squeezing it. Quiet for a second longer. ]

...I really appreciate how much you care about me, and I hope you know that-- I care about you, too. And that... I know we both know how dangerous this will be, and... we want each other to be safe, and you've been there when I've been hurt bad by this place.

[ He wants to be honest. He wants to acknowledge both of their feelings, when nothing can smother the danger in trying something like this. So Gorgug is looking at Fabian, whether his head hangs or his one eye is willing to meet both of Gorgug's. It's okay. Emotions are funny, and difficult, too. ]

I'm... glad we got together. I'm glad you're my boyfriend.

[ But this isn't difficult. Not to say, not to admit.

He just wants to make sure that Fabian knows, in case it wasn't obvious. ]

.. I know.

[ It's said a little quietly, but it doesn't make it any less true. It's likely that he's just being quiet because it's a little embarrassing to need this kind of reassurance - especially when he realizes that it's helping. Something in his heart feels a little warmer and softer at hearing Gorgug say that. Even if it's true that he already knows the other cares about him, and is glad that they're dating, it's still nice to hear for Fabian. Especially right now.

He exhales, hoping that some of these dumb feelings can also leave his body alongside the breath. So at least his chest can feel a little less tight. ]

We're going to be in this together. [ He glances at their now joined hands for a moment, but then Fabian's eye rises back up to Gorgug's face again. The sigh does help his voice sound a little steadier, though it's not at his usual full level again. ] No matter what happens. That's the important part, right?

[ That they know they will have each other's backs when shit goes down. Regardless of their respective feelings about Aurora. ]

[ He's glad to see Fabian's eye on him, agreeing with him--with him, in both this moment and with the plan. It makes Gorgug feel more sure, not doubting Fabian's commitment when he offers it, but in giving Fabian what he needs right now, too.

There's a smile that draws on his face, his nod small and quick. ]

We wouldn't be us if we weren't a team. [ ... ] Doing something stupid and dangerous and fucked up.

[ It's kind of their thing. And their thing is something they haven't felt like in so long, that even Gorgug is noticing its absence in them. A need to push through the doubt and to go for their goals. ]

It's better than doing any of these dumb missions.

[ Being a superhero is so cringe. ]

[ Fabian slips his hand out of the other's grasp at that. He raises his arm, instead moving his wrists up until they're leaning on Gorgug's shoulders, his hands hanging over Gorgug's back.

It would probably look a lot more sexy if Fabian didn't have to stand on tiptoes just to do this, but it's a sacrifice he's willing to make in this moment. Especially when he'd like to move past this dumb tight feeling in his chest, when he instead wants to focus on something more fun, something that makes him feel happy rather than weighted down. ]

You wanted to see me do something stupid and dangerous and fucked up this bad? All you had to do was ask, you know. [ He's definitely doing that stupid-sexy-Fabian grin right now. It's all over his face. ]

[ It's nice, when Fabian puts his hands on it. It's a simple movement, his wrists resting on Gorgug's shoulders, but Gorgug dips his head, as if that might bring them any closer. A sound hums against his mouth at Fabian's remark, witty, and truthfully, he was hoping to go this way--a direction away from serious conversations, and closer towards them. ]

What if I did?

[ Is he daring Fabian? Testing him? Maybe he does want to see Fabian do all that.

There's a lot of weirdos around here, anyway. ]

Hmmm...

[ There's a long, drawn-out hum. Purposefully drawn out, because Fabian moves to kiss Gorgug even as he's still humming and lingering in that kiss for a moment.

It's only when he pulls back - though slightly, their heads still close - that he speaks again. ]

Then how about I take over the system here, and I send everyone on a mission where the only goal is that everyone has to worship me? [ It's so clearly not serious. If the words themselves weren't enough, then Fabian's dumb flirty tone would probably do the trick all by itself.

Or maybe him adding: ]

But even then, I'd still choose you out of all of them.

[ You know, being extra sappy on purpose to draw his boyfriend into a better mindspace. Just dumb, silly fun. ]

[ Fabian comes up with the kind of ideas Gorgug could never. That's what stands out to Gorgug in Fabian's cheeky idea, moreso than anything towards jealousy or confusion. The tone does help, makes it funny, and Gorgug, even if his boyfriend does love to preen, would never take that idea as serious.

Maybe. He'll have to think about it later, with more time.

For right now, the sap takes all of Gorgug's attention. Surprising, with it showing in Gorgug's eyes, and that's what he takes time to process: because there's a lot of people in Etraya, and there could be someone better to pick. Or is it hearing Fabian say that he would pick Gorgug at all that stands out in that?

Fabian would pick him. And there's a declaration in that, that Gorgug is willing to take serious. His smile warm, soft, a little distracted with his gaze that lowers for a blink but then returns to Fabian.

He puts his hands around to the small of his back. ]

I love you too, [ he says, before he can back out. The words a test, that he almost thinks he should ask permission for, but also doesn't want to--that he hopes sound okay from his mouth, and that their relationship is at a point where Fabian thinks it sounds okay, too.

That it sounds right. That it fits them. ]

[ .. huh?

W-Wait. What? What? Huh?????

Sure, Fabian was being very sappy only a moment ago. On purpose. And it's not like what he was saying is technically all that far from what Gorgug is saying here - in an objective sense, anyway. It's different in Fabian's mind, and it makes him mentally stumble the second he hears Gorgug say those words.

Not that he tries to draw away from the other's hold or anything. It's more that the half-elf seems to freeze in said hold, staring at Gorgug with one very wide eye, unblinking in sheer surprise.

And with cheeks that are rapidly starting to grow darker and darker as blood rushes through them. It's not just shock, after all.

It's definitely fluster. ]

D-- Did I-- Did I say that?

[ Maybe it's not so much that he minds Gorgug saying those words, as much as he's just flustered about the idea of saying them himself...

Don't worry, Gorgug. This is just a dumb kind of freaking out, rather than rejection. You know how bad Fabian is with feelings. He's an idiot. ]

It did sound like it...

[ Gorgug looks aside, bashful as he confirms that I love you is what he heard in Fabian's painted scenario. Bashful, but not questioning his own ears, even if there's the possibility that Fabian might take it back; he could react and say or do anything next, and Gorgug wonders if he wants to help give Fabian an out. Does he want to give himself an out? He doesn't think Fabian looks mortified, but...

This kind of intimacy--romantic intimacy--has Gorgug feeling its full fluster in himself, as well. He likes Fabian. He's okay with saying that he loves Fabian. Isn't that the point of dating? Where you no longer question if you're just doing some exclusive thing with just a friend than an actual romantic partner, like some kind of elaborate friends with benefits routine.

They're together, and Gorgug likes it. He wants to wake up next to Fabian and go out on dates with him, and he wants them to snuggle up close while watching fireworks at night, or something like that. ]

I can take it back, if it's too soon, [ Gorgug offers; slowly, but also: ] But I still like you a lot.

[ And that's just another way of saying the same thing, in this instance. ]

No.

[ Fabian says that rather quickly. Awkwardly quickly, too. Because he means the no to be for I can take it back, but it stumbles out right after Gorgug is voicing the period at the end of but I still like you a lot, Fabian's cheeks still flushed as he tries to voice words that feel like they are leaving his mouth so much more slowly than they have any right to.

He shakes his head. ]

No, I-- It's--

[ His gaze is nervously fluttering around, though it's not like it never returns to Gorgug's own. It's more that he seems to be having trouble holding it for an extended amount of time while his brain is scrambling for the right words. ]

I've. Um. [ ... ] I have never said it before. [ That's apparently the thing that tripped Fabian's mind like that. Hard to have said it before in this sort of context when you practically have no dating history to speak of, after all.

It's not like he told Aelwyn that. Gods, that's an awkward snake pit all of its own anyway. ]

I suppose I-- I might not know the right time to say it. [ Fabian feels so awkward admitting to this. It's the kind of vulnerability he isn't good with, but maybe the fact he's trying so hard for Gorgug here is saying I love you more than any words could.

Fabian wouldn't try to work through his own vulnerability so openly for just anyone, after all. ]

But I-- I love you too. [ A slight pause, and then, so quickly and flustered: ] Ifyoudon'tthinkthat'sstrange.

[ He's being so cool and normal right now, Gorgug!!! ]

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