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[ Sorry, Gorgug. But the uncle thing will still be weird.

.. though Fabian at least seems to slowly understand a little bit more what's going on here. So if he just drops the 'uncle' part of it, doesn't think about it too hard, then he can focus on the parts of this he can wrap his mind around without feeling too weird.

Instead he's just feeling a little more..

A little more what? It's complicated. It feels like there's a thousand different emotions knocking around inside of him right now. ]

You asked?

[ It means even more to Fabian when he doesn't exactly have the most positive impression of the beings that run these worlds. Gorgug went to one of them to ask for a favor like this.

And-- for him. Why else would Gorgug ask for this specifically? Fabian wouldn't need to be his uncle unless Gorgug wanted to stay here.

He's close enough by now to practically be right in front of his friend, but the half-elf's face drops, his cheeks starting to colour a darker hue than the usual with a blush. He isn't even really sure what to say. What words could possibly cover everything he's feeling in this moment? ]

You.. [ ...

If Gorgug looks closely, Fabian's eye may seem kind of glassy, like there's water gathering in it, though the boy is furiously blinking in order to try and keep it out of there. ]

Thanks, Gorgug. I-- Um. [ He swallows. ] I don't know how to thank you for this.

[ For wanting to stay with him. For wanting to make sure he isn't alone. ]

[ You asked? Gorgug nods, apparently willing to give plenty of confirmations (and explanations) to what he's done. If it had gone on any longer, maybe he would have started questioning if he had done the right thing, or if this plan was dumb, or just plain weird.

Fortunately, it doesn't come to that. Instead, it comes to a curious reaction from Fabian; one that almost starts to worry Gorgug when he watches the other's head lower, but when he looks--and Gorgug does--he notices for once something more in the expression worn, in Fabian's inflection, that he usually catches.

He sounds touched. He sounds emotional, and Gorgug's been familiar with that in the past couple of days. And he knows what his friend doesn't seem to mind, and he'll take the opportunity in doing it, since it seems perfect right now.

And that's hugging Fabian, friendly and around the shoulders and back. Just like Fig would like. And a gesture he should try showing more. ]

It's what friends do.

[ Right? ]

[ Fabian likes the hug.

Fabian really likes the hug.

And though he's grown in some ways, admitting to that too much still feels awkward. It doesn't even have to do with notions of masculinity anymore, since he sure got over those, but it does have a whole lot to do with actually being willing to express vulnerability. Thankfully he doesn't have to do so right now. He can just lean into the hug, wrapping his arms around Gorgug in turn too. Not clinging quite as tightly as he had been back in the forest, but-- a more relaxed hug.

But an appreciative hug all the same. Fabian knows that he did ask for Gorgug to spend more time with him if he could, but he hadn't exactly expected the other to get on that task right away, even asking the entire system in this place to switch things around so Gorgug could be with him more easily.

He lingers in the hug for a few moments until he knows he has to give it up, letting go of Gorgug again and stepping out of his friend's hold the moment he lets go too. ]

You sure took that 'never a bad friend' thing to heart, huh.

[ It's a very weak joke, since Fabian's heart is still way too gooey and touched to be fully flippant about this, but he is trying to lighten the mood a little bit before he makes himself cry like an idiot all over again.

Instead he steps over towards the front door, opening it so he can let his friend in. ]

You, uh-- You can actually look around now.

[ Before Gorgug thinks he'll have to keep his eyes closed in Fabian's house forever, after that frantic encounter from before. ]

The Ball helped clean up. [ .. a slight pause, like he isn't sure if he should admit to this, but.. Gorgug is also one of the Bad Kids. He'll get why Fabian is saying this. ] He sneaked in right before curfew and then said I couldn't kick him out because he'd be in trouble.

[ It's a typical Riz move. That's what Gorgug will get. And he'll likely also understand it's Riz's way of showing he cares. ]

And then he insisted on cleaning the house.

[ A spoiler: Gorgug likes the hug too.

But Gorgug does like hugs. He likes hugs that he can actually feel enveloped, though his parents' hugs have a very, very special place in his heart. But also getting to put his arms around another person--it's nice. It feels right. And it's nice when the gesture is returned, too.

It's not a long thing. Enough to be felt and to give Fabian comfort, but they're not in the hospital hallway, they don't need anything more fulfilling. So Gorgug pulls back with a fun, dopey smile on his face, confused for a second when Fabian makes his reference, but--oh. That means he did a good thing.

And he can feel proud about himself with that. Gorgug picks up his bag when it's obvious that Fabian's going for the door, walking over to join him. It hadn't occurred to him to think about where to look--but really, it might've come up once he moved on in. But the story that explains more than a simple "I cleaned up" reasoning is one that's...sweet, and very Riz-like.

Fabian had no choice. He was going to have to put up with Riz cleaning up once he got it in mind. ]

Riz likes cleaning up other people's messes.

[ That's either a compliment or shade, delivered with a face--and nodding--that yields to the former.

And maybe he doesn't need to repeat what's already been said, but why not, he can refer back to himself too, if Fabian said. A reminder, while they're stood here by the doorway. ]

We're a team.

[ And a team supports its team. ]

.. I know. [ He says, at least partially conceding. Mostly because he's grateful for what his friends are doing here, for the ways they're reaching out to him in their own ways.

But it's still hard to fully accept, with everything he's learned in his life. Fabian is making some effort now, but it still isn't easy. Though his father's lessons never truly imparted the lesson on him that Fabian should always be a captain and a leader in life in the sense that he should think of his friends as lesser and not trust them - he could never do either of those things, not for real, anyway - they still did impart the feeling within him that he should be independent. That he should be strong enough to solve things like this by himself.

He knows it's not a shame to do so anyway. A logical part of his brain knows this now, but.. it's still hard.

Hard or not, however, he's still very much leading Gorgug inside. ]

It's just-- [ He tries to explain. It's going a little better because he's not as upset as he was back before, back in the hospital, but there's still something awkward about the way Fabian searches for words for things he's never put as obviously out loud before. ]

I just want you to think I'm cool.

[ Even as a party member and a friend. :( Bro. ]

[ I just want you to think I'm cool.

If there's anything to get a bewildered, confused look out of Gorgug, it's that. It's not truly wild, but the surprise shows on his face at that confession--and actually, it is wild to Gorgug, internally. Fabian Seacaster, Mister Maximum Legend himself? ]

You've always been cool to me. [ It's an easy answer to give, where Gorgug doesn't even take his usual second to think or consider his words. ] You and Fig, you're both the closest idea of cool to me. And Fig helps me all the time.

[ Which does make her doubly cool, and maybe he's not making the connection between being cool and accepting help here, but Gorgug does duck his head for a second as, speaking of that: ]

And, you know, I know my friends think I'm cool too, so-- and I don't think it's bad when they help me either. I appreciate it. It doesn't make me weak.

[ It doesn't make you weak, is what he means. ]

[ Gorgug is so sappy in his own little Gorgug way.

But.. you know, maybe that's exactly what Fabian needs in this moment. To just be handled with kiddy gloves. Or, in this case, sappy Gorgug gloves. Something about Gorgug's words does soothe his heart a little, like the implication in them manages to reach him without Gorgug having to speak the exact words out loud.

He breathes in. Straightens up a little as he walks further into the house. ]

Just don't get too far ahead and start bragging about how confident you are, okay? [ His tone is light, playful. It's obvious Fabian is just making a joke, especially when he turns his head towards his friend to show him he's grinning. Sure, there may be some stuff swept under the rug here, but there's no doubt about it that Fabian really does feel better than the mess he had been at the hospital.

Speaking of the hospital - he's taking the carrier off his back once they reach the living room, carefully removing the fake baby from it and holding it in his hands. As soon as Gorgug may have dropped off his own stuff, Fabian looks over at his friend to ask: ]

Do you want to try holding him again?

[ Bro.

He trusts you. ]

[ He smiles--he does, with a breath of relief released through his nose. Gorgug's glad for what sounds like a positive-noted kind of teasing; that Fabian's taking it the right way, and isn't trying to brush him off (Gorgug's not always good at telling these things; or maybe it's hard to keep up with Fabian when he does it, when he's so good at talking, and Gorgug freezes up at trying to get back to the real point).

Gorgug does deposit his bag somewhere, anywhere by a wall and that's a good place to leave it for the time being. He can pick it up whenever if Fabian wants to decide a room for him, and Gorgug isn't fussed about getting it sorted out. Fabian's been out playing police officer all day, and Gorgug's been stuck at school, so he wants to fuck around for a while with his friend before they need to think about anything serious.

Except--this is something serious. It's facing him and spoken, an offer, the baby in Fabian's hands and the way Gorgug goes still. He knows he shouldn't react like this, especially not about a fake baby, but he's looking between Fabian and the baby with an uncertainty that it's surprising he's not taking a step back. Does he have to hold it? Gorgug's held a baby since then, had a careful eye on him and guidance for this instance, even read up on a very simple baby caring book! And yet-- ]

... Are you sure?

[ Gorgug knows Fabian wouldn't ask if he wasn't sure.

But maybe Fabian isn't the only one here who needs kiddy gloves. ]

[ There's plenty of teasing words he could say here too, but-- Fabian doesn't. Maybe he understands that this is a little hard for Gorgug, and though pushing your friends can be a little fun at times, he doesn't want to do it right now. Not when he knows how much effort Gorgug has been making - and is making right now - for him in the aftermath of the Hospital Incident.

So he just smiles encouragingly, nodding as he takes a few steps closer. ]

Yeah. [ His voice is warm, and it's filled with that confidence that Fabian usually turns towards outrageous statements and self-praise - but that can also turn towards others, like it does right now. It sounds like he has total trust in the other. ] You studied. I know you can do it.

[ Just believe in yourself, bro..!! ]

If you hold out your arms, I'll hand the baby over to you. It will be okay.

[ He doesn't want to get this wrong...!!!!

But the only way he can get it right is by trying. Fabian trusts him. And if he's going to help Fabian, this is the simplest step he needs to take. So Gorgug follows his instruction and holds out his arms in a way that he's already done for another baby (if with similar reservations); nervous internally already that he might be holding out his hands weirdly, but he doesn't listen to it.

Bro, he's....he's got this, he'll do it...

Give him. The baby. ]

[ At least Fabian won't drag this out for poor Gorgug. Once the other looks like he's properly in position, the half-elf is already reaching out to put the baby into Gorgug's arms. There's something gentle about the way Fabian does it, but it has nothing to do with him not trusting Gorgug as much as he just wants to make sure to not drop the baby.. He may be a little bit more confident than his friend, but it's not like Fabian feels like a master of this either.

But-- then it happens. The baby is now in Gorgug's arms. Gorgug, you're holding the baby!! ]

There. [ Fabian adds, and as he looks over at the fake baby in the other's arms.. It-- It actually happily coos?! ] .. I think it likes you.

[ All robots love Gorgug.. ]

[ H-he's holding the baby!!!

And once it's in his arms, Gorgug does bring it closer to himself and to his chest, so there isn't a gap between himself and the baby. That's when it coos, a sound that tickles Gorgug's ears with worry, except-- it was a coo? It was a good sound? ]

Are you sure? ...I wouldn't like me. [ He's dropped his voice a notch, glancing between the baby and Fabian as-- ] I did-- you know...

[ Break its arm. Which he also doesn't want to remind the baby of, in case that's a thing it can pick up and be upset over?!

We do not need an upset baby so quickly again. ]

It is a baby, Gorgug. I don't think it can remember.

[ .. then again, it is a robot baby. Maybe it could remember. But even if it would, it apparently doesn't mind Gorgug at all, since the baby still seems very content right there in his arms..

It seems to be putting Fabian in a pretty good mood too. Maybe this was the life hack all along. Putting the baby in a good mood so Fabian also ends up feeling better.

He approaches a few steps, that smile definitely still on his face. ]

Besides, you are trying your best right now, aren't you?

[ It is a robot baby!!! Potentially sent to judge and scrutinise them, making it somehow worse than normal babies. But Gorgug's going to take his friend's reassurance to heart, telling himself that: it doesn't remember.

Which is better for everyone. So Gorgug nods that he's trying, urging the tension in his shoulders to his arms to relax, looking at the baby with...well, not admiration, but hopefulness. It's still a robot baby, but it is Fabian's robot baby: one that he feels deeply about, or what it symbolises for him.

So Gorgug rocks his arms, very gently, to see if the baby likes it or not. He doesn't have to touch anything, just needs to hold it, which is...nice. It's better when he doesn't have to do anything fiddly. Holding a baby is very not fiddly. ]

You're trying your best too. [ But also, sorry Fabian, but we're definitely redirecting our attention onto you. With a small smile, Gorgug settling his gaze onto him. ] Do you feel better? It isn't crying. You didn't mess everything up.

[ How does that feel, Fabian? ]

[ With Gorgug looking over to him, he will be able to notice that Fabian definitely did not expect this kind of attention shift in the conversation. For how much he acts like an attention hungry drama queen all the time, having attention aimed in his direction that's this genuine and sweet is a little bit too much.

Even more so when it came out of nowhere.

His cheeks darken with a blush, and for a moment his gaze travels absolutely anywhere but Gorgug's face, like he can't meet the other's gaze right away.

Struck between the innate desire to claim this as some victory on the surface - like he always has, like he's been taught to do - and the knowledge that Gorgug would absolutely know it when he'd be faking it, Fabian can't say anything for a moment before he arrives at: ]

It's not crying because you're here.

[ Ah. Fabian's cute.

It's one of those times where Gorgug can see what's going on: mainly by the way that Fabian's avoiding his eye, which Fabian rarely does with people unless it's intentional. He's embarrassed, and Fabian looks pretty cute even when he isn't embarrassed, but this is a special type. Especially when he's trying to dismiss the reassurance in the way he does. ]

It definitely isn't. [ Sorry, Fabian, but Gorgug knows that isn't true because it wasn't crying when Fabian got home!!! But it's not an argumentative point, just plainly stated, as Gorgug looks down to the baby in his arms, a little more...appreciative of its presence. At least so he can say: ]

Fabian's going to be a good papa to you, even if you are a robot, or actually a secret spying machine. But don't make it too hard on him, alright? This really means a lot to him, and he's a good guy. He's one of my best friends.

[ Can you try to make a case for your friend in a setting that's meant to judge you? Gorgug's doing it anyway, apparently, and through a robotic baby in his arms...

It's worth it. :) ]

[ Yeah, that definitely is not getting rid of this blush.

Especially since it does still feel a little ridiculous. Fabian knows that Gorgug doesn't even mean it in that way, that he's being sweet and supportive, but Fabian is well aware that trying to take good care of fake babies isn't exactly something that should be a priority here. It's just that it's difficult for him in particular to ignore, just like his friend is pointing out. This really means a lot to him.

Fabian swallows, trying to get rid of some of his fluster. It leaves the blush on his cheeks, but at least he can force himself to look back at Gorgug and actually speak up, rather than stand here speechless with the fluster. ]

Alright, alright, are you sure that whoever is spying on us through the baby needs to know every detail of our friendship? [ He's blushing so hard!! Don't you dare mention the blush, pal!! Dude!! ]

[ Fabian sounds like he wants Gorgug to stop, but it's really hard when Fabian's making faces like that. Gorgug's got his eyes on him, a very obvious sweet and silly smile on his own face, and he even chuckles a heh behind his lips.

But it's true, that Gorgug doesn't really care about whoever is or isn't spying on them. He looks at the baby with a particular indifference, looks back at Fabian, and he can't help himself; he's just feeling giddy--between Fabian accept him coming over and staying around, and that plan working in the first place. ]

I dunno. You're blushing. You want me to keep going?

[ Sorry, bro. He just really wants to tease you. He's so obvious in his delight that he's grinning, his tusks showing fully in the expression. ]

[ Fabian makes a fatal mistake.

Or-- well, it feels fatal to him. It's actually not that fatal at all when the blush on Fabian's face was obvious enough even when he was trying to look away and hide it, but it feels to him like it's so much more obviously there when he actually turns his gaze to look over at Gorgug when the other speaks.

And the words themselves don't help. Him pointing out the blush, teasing Fabian with it, grinning about it, but not in any way that seems malicious, or even really making fun of him the way it might have been with some of their other friends. There's something so fond about the way Gorgug expresses this, and it only makes Fabian blush even further, the colour reaching the very tips of his ears. ]

I-- I am only blushing because you are being ridiculous! [ He stammers - though it's exactly that stammer that makes it obvious that Fabian is just flustered, rather than angry.

Which is made even more obvious when he simmers down a little to add: ]

And you are also being.. [ Ridiculous, yes, but also-- ] .. very kind. Thank you.

[ H-Hmph!!!

Fabian doesn't want to linger on that for too long though, quickly adding more. ]

And I have just come home from a very long and hard day of work, thank you very much. [ Yes, sitting around at the station for most of the day with his fake robot baby. Very hard. Very long. ]

[ Should Gorgug feel bad about any of this? He doesn't, not from being called ridiculous, because it's hard to feel anything but further charmed when someone is getting flustered from such a simple remark. What a signal to keep going, to keep making a friend feel so giddy and good, even if they're ultimately embarrassed?

That is, Gorgug was thinking about teasing him a little more. But then Fabian had to switcheroo on him, give him that earnest remark that he likely didn't deserve right then, and--

Gorgug doesn't know, but he thinks this is good. This feels good, the pair of them right now, and Fabian's little baby.

...his too, kinda. Since they're family? He'll remember the word for whatever they are later, if he cares to think.

But Fabian is pointedly tired, so Gorgug will ease up on a pal, even if he's still not letting up on his smile. ]

Okay. What do you do when you get home? You want me to keep holding the baby or put it in its room? [ ...Gorgug looks down, asks quietly: ] Will you go in your room...?

[ Is there a signal when it will go to sleep? Do they need to make sure it's asleep first? (Yes, Gorgug.) ]

[ Look at Gorgug talking to the robot baby. It's unfairly cute. Is he just this wholesome with robot babies because Gorgug is an artificer, or does it have something to do with him picking up on his own adoptive parents' wholesomeness?

Fabian doesn't know. All he knows is that it's unfairly cute, and that Gorgug definitely can't keep this up if Fabian wants that blush to ever fully disappear off his face. ]

I was thinking of taking a nap, actually.. [ .. though without the baby.

Or else that baby is 100% going to wake him up. So-- ]

Which means we should put the baby to sleep first. I already fed it back at the station, so.. Hopefully it will feel like sleeping. [ Gosh, Fabian sure hopes it'll feel like sleeping, or this is going to be a Struggle. And he just wants his nap. ]

[ Somebody needs to tell Gorgug these things about babies!! Including the baby itself. But, hm. Fabian getting a nap and getting the baby to sleep don't work together, do they? Even if Gorgug thinks that Fabian sounds old for wanting a nap so early in the day, he won't comment on that, but try and think of a way to make both of these things happen. ]

...I can try and make it sleep. [ Oh, he actually remembers this part! ] I can read to it. Clark told me that works-- or playing with it. But, um, we could try reading.

[ Mainly because the idea of him trying to play with a baby robot seems like it has a higher percent chance of going wrong, or just feeling incredibly awkward. More so than reading to one.

(And, look, Gorgug doesn't have a problem with robots, okay. He has a problem with it being a robot sent here to judge him and his friends. He dislikes a judging baby! It makes him nervous!!)

But he looks at Fabian, clarifying, despite that we: ] You can try taking your nap.

[ You know, while he does that... He's showing that he's more responsible now around robots, right? ]

[ Old? Old?? Please, Gorgug, some of us over here are trying to navigate adult life! You try doing what he does!

Thankfully those thoughts remain in the other's head though, so Fabian doesn't have to know and doesn't have to throw some dumb fit about it. Instead he's much more focused on what Gorgug's actually says here, giving the reading idea a little nod. It's not something he's tried himself yet, but hey, if it might work.. ]

I'm fairly sure there were some books for children in the house when I showed up here.. [ Maybe in the nursery? Honestly, Fabian has been so busy after arriving that he hasn't really thought about them again, nor bothered to look for them..

He contemplates it for a moment until he shakes his head to shake himself out of the thought. They can just go look. Which-- yes, they, because-- ]

I will go look with you. [ And then, quickly added, like he's worried about there maybe being some sort of protest from Gorgug: ] Come on, I can't possibly just go nap while you are stuck taking care of my robot baby. It wouldn't be fair.

[ Especially when Gorgug already went out of his way for him in the first place. Coming here when he didn't have to, offering to help. ]

[ Would it not be fair? After Gorgug tore off said robot's baby arm off and kinda made a mess after it in Fabian's house? ...Gorgug isn't sure about that, but he also doesn't feel like protesting about it, since he doesn't care that much. Fabian can't be feeling that old and needing a nap that bad if he's willing to find a book with him. ]

Oh, okay. [ So while he doesn't sound enthused, it doesn't mean anything deep. He's just about which way to go where for the books, although- ] I'll go take it to its bed, and you... do you have a bookcase? I can look in its room.

[ He's just kinda wondering where everything is and which direction he can go in. But he would also like to go in the direction he's going in, anyway. Maybe the crib room has a bookcase? Gorgug doesn't remember anything that doesn't involve screaming and hospital hallways. ]

Yeah, if it's anywhere around here, it ought to be in its room.

[ You know, Gorgug. The room where you ripped off the baby's arm before? That room. No pressure.

At least Fabian isn't sending him there alone. Sure, he is kind of feeling like a nap, but rather than a lack of fatigue fuelling him, it's entirely the desire to not leave his friend alone as he has to do this.

Maybe because he's exactly thinking of that little broken robot arm lying on the floor of that room, with a Gorgug standing next to it looking like he was about to burst into tears. Panicked tears. ]

.. uh, though I hope the books are-- alright.

[ Remember the Mysterious Liquid Substance all over the place back when the house was a mess, Gorgug?

Maybe the baby puke ruined the baby books. Who knows. It got everywhere.

Though when Gorgug - with Fabian in tow - arrived at the nursery, the room actually looks.. pretty alright! Clean, at least. It seems like Riz sure did some cleaning around here.. And there is in fact a small colourful bookcase that has some books for babies in them, if Gorgug looks around. ]

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