middaeg | fellas is it gay if you can magically read your best bros thoughts (OPEN)

Entry tags:

fellas is it gay if you can magically read your best bros thoughts (OPEN)

Who: Rich and others
When: Morning and noonish, November 15
Where: Jeremy, Rich, and Michael's home
What: Rich and Jeremy's Bonding ceremony and celebration
Warnings: none

i. Bonding (Closed)

[Jeremy shows up at Rich's door bright and early the next morning. Despite how Rich claimed that suits weren't required, Jeremy still put together the nicest-looking thing in his wardrobe. His hair is slicked back, his skin is clearer than usual (where did he find concealer?), and he's used up a good chunk of his precious deodorant that he brought with him through the mirror.

The SQUIP had a lot of drawbacks, being an evil mind-controlling robot and all, but it taught Jeremy a valuable lesson: Jeremy cleans up good.

When Rich opens the door, Jeremy's waiting expectantly, hands behind his back and bouncing on his toes. It's clear that he's been there a while.]

You ready to go?

ii. Announcement (Open)

[To announce their Bond and to celebrate, Rich and Jeremy have opened the house up for any and everyone who wants to check it out--both quietly not mentioning how empty the space seems with Justine's recent disappearance. At Rich's suggestion, they've sent an open invitation out on the watch network to anyone who wants to drop by and offer congratulations.

Their budget isn't huge, but Jeremy's insistence on hospitality means that they've got enough finger food and drinks for people to try out. There's no alcohol.

Jeremy's still nervous even though the deed is done, so he's bustling around constantly to make sure that everything is perfectly neat, that they've got enough seats, and that nobody needs a refill. In his rush, bringing a hot tray of cookies from the oven straight onto a serving tray, he bumps into you. As he turns around to see who he's plowed over, he rushes to apologize. The niceties run into themselves before he even sees your face.]

Shoot--I'm sorry--thanks for coming!

iii. Wildcard (Open)

[Jeremy and Rich are both available to talk about their new bond with your character. Let me know if you want a specific situation!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Jeremy's got no protest he can give to that.

He's not angry at Rich, not really, even if things got weirdly heated. He's confused at whatever's happened, knowing he's in the wrong without knowing how or why.

When Rich is gone, he pushes himself off the ground and, helpless and not having anything to do with his hands, starts in on the dishes in a half-awake sort of way.

What's he supposed to do? What's he supposed to say? He's royally fucked up already. Rich is going to come down and tell Jeremy this was a bad idea, and the mental image is so strong that Jeremy wants to barf. He scrubs at a dish hard instead.

Rich said all that stuff earlier and Jeremy actually opened up for the first time in... a long time. Even Michael and Christine don't always entirely get Jeremy and they don't say the kinds of things Rich said. How has Jeremy fucked that up already?]

[Rich trudges back up to his room and nearly faceplants into bed. The only reason he doesn't immediately is because as he's falling, he remembers the flower pinned to his lapel and holds out his hands, catching himself just in time. There's a wave of relief as he fumbles to take it out, and then he twirls the stem in his hands for a moment, only to feel guilt and depression wash over him again.

He should press these with the other flowers from Justine. Even if Jeremy's probably going to ask for this to be over soon enough, it's still a memory he wants to hold onto.

Because it had been going so well, and then Rich had to go fuck it up with all his stupid hang ups and all his fears, and his stupid ability to drop a match on any sign of gas.

He doesn't want to fight. Despite appearances, he really hates fighting. Even if that's all he's been doing here. Fighting to keep people safe. Fighting to get a little bit of power out of the SQUIP's hands. Fighting to get people to take steps for their own safety.

He just wants Jeremy to be safe, right? Linden's not exactly dangerous, but he could be, and that's what's so scary. If Jeremy's already putting Linden's word over Rich's, what will happen when Linden decides he'd rather get on the SQUIP's good side again?

Still, he doesn't want to fight, and that's the thought stuck in his head as he opens his notebook, sliding the carnation in between two pages.]

[Jeremy leaves Rich alone for more than enough time to cool down. He's got to calm down, himself, and he's left trying to figure out how to fix this without anyone to give him advice.

At some point, while cleaning, he comes across a particular gift from the party.

Since it came from L, it could make things worse, but... maybe that's not possible, so it's worth a shot.

After quite a bit of time, there's a soft knock at Rich's door.

Jeremy's still not opened up to the Bond, not for lack of trying, but Rich can probably still sense his nerves.]

[From the other side of the door, there's the rustle of blankets and a grumble of a voice:] Jeremy?

[Rich hadn't realized that he had fallen asleep. There's a mark on his face from having his face pressed against his notebook. Great, he probably drooled on it too...

Oh, fuck, he has to actually answer Jeremy, doesn't he? He fumbles to sit up and head over to the door, quilt still wrapped around his shoulders like a fluffy cape. When he gets to the door and opens it, he's remembered what happened before he passed out and is left guilty all over again. He stares at Jeremy sadly, looks away awkwardly and shuffles over to the side to hold the door open.]

Hey... you want to come in?

Sure.

[Even if they haven't got a great track record of conversations in Rich's room. Jeremy holds up the puppets as he steps in, forcing himself not to feel uncomfortable.]

I know this is a weird idea, but just hear me out?

...uh... what are those?

[Rich gawks at the puppets, particularly at his own's goofy eyebrows. He tries valiantly to muffle his laughter.]

Did you magic up puppets of us? The resemblance is uncanny.

No, uh--full disclosure, L made them, but I think it was just a joke--but!

[Leave it to Jeremy to confess the one thing he doesn't want Rich to know.]

But maybe we can try them anyway? Like I think the idea is to pretend to be each other and then see things from other points of view and stuff?

[He holds out the Jeremy puppet, looking a little desperate.]

...these better not be cursed or something.

[Rich doesn't sound that bitter, though it mainly seems that he doesn't know how to react. They're cute, but Rich isn't sure if they're meant to be an insult or not. He also just doesn't know what Linden's intentions are with the party in general...

Still, he doesn't need to take it out on Jeremy anymore. He holds out his hand to take the Jeremy puppet, looking it over with confusion.]

So... what am I supposed to do?

Shoot, it's not like I've done this before.

[He holds up the Rich puppet, frowning at it. It's easier to try to imitate Rich when he isn't there.]

Hi, I'm Rich Goranski. I'm from the future and I've got awesome scales that I don't like.

I wanted to do puppet work for Little Shop, but that's about all I got...

[Rich slips the puppet onto one hand, wiggling the felt Jeremy's arms around in some sort of semblance of the human one's real anxiety.]

Hi Rich! I don't know why you're introducing yourself to me, I mean, I live here... are, uh, are you kicking me out?

[Oh shit there's plot already.]

Y... yyyyyes?

Well, no. I didn't think I was. We're Bonded now even though we're not married so there wasn't a prenup.

[Rich raises an eyebrow, but if this the plot they're going with, he could have really ended up with something worse.]

Right. Right! Um, how do you feel about that? I mean, I thought you would be excited? I'm not sure if you really are, though.

I was excited, and I still sort of am, but...

[Jeremy trails off, thinking hard about what Rich's reasoning must be.]

I thought this would help you trust me more and it hasn't so far?

[Rich is really having trouble figuring this out. How is this supposed to help them understand each other? They're supposed to be using these to communicate, but if they understood each other's motivations enough to mimic their behavior, then they wouldn't be struggling like this. Were they maybe supposed to say what their own reasoning was?]

I think... uh, are you worried about me trusting someone who hurt you over you? Maybe that's what's happening? I don't really understand, maybe... because I was from your past so I don't know all the land mines yet?

It sounds like that'd be hard. I guess I should probably... not do that? But I don't want to make you feel guilty.

[Jeremy's visibly puzzled. He falls silent for long enough that it's clear he's not pausing. Presented with overwhelming, confusing info, he's zoning out--one of those odd habits he's picked up and not been able to shake.

Just before Rich is about to say something else, Jeremy seems to start, locking eyes with the puppet in his hand.]

Um...

[It's his normal voice, self-conscious and tiny.]

I'm sorry, Rich. Can you say that one more time in another way?

[Rich hesitates for a moment himself, unsure what just happened. He wonders if Jeremy is sick, if Rich said something so drastically wrong that Jeremy is finally ready to ditch him. He lowers the puppet worrying his lip for a moment before deciding to try repeating himself.]

I... okay. I was saying I'm worried about you trusting Linden over me. I get that you don't know because you're from the past, and you don't really understand where... all my issues are coming from, or why I'm upset? And I also don't want you to just... give up and not talk to him anymore. That'd really make me feel shitty.

...Oh. Thank you.

[Jeremy turns the puppet over in his hands, still not looking Rich in the eye.]

I didn't think I was trusting him over you. You didn't say anything wrong about him. I didn't think I disagreed and I was trying to do what you wanted, so I'm... confused.

What would have been a better way to me to react?

I get that. You probably didn't think you were doing anything wrong. And you didn't!

[He hastens to hold his hands out, to try to reassure and soothe, make sure he doesn't bring up something else to make Jeremy uncomfortable.]

Just... remember what you said about me being Cassandra? Predicting disaster and having no one listen to me? When... Connor talked to me about the SQUIP, he said stuff to defend it around me, kept insisting that it would never hurt me. It felt like what I experienced didn't matter, or that he didn't believe me that it happened.

It... brings me back to how I felt back at Halloween, when I was trying to find Red, you know? So... I guess that's just become an Issue with me.

[God, that was way too heavy. Rich has a gross lump in his throat, so to feign calmness he doesn't feel, he shields his face with the Jeremy puppet, making him wrap the puppet's arms around itself in a hug.]

Thanks for telling me what happened, Rich! I'll make sure to keep that in mind when I talk to him again. I appreciate you looking out for me! I also appreciate your very handsome features and big muscles!

[He peers over the puppet with a wobbly little smile.]

Sappy compliments completely optional, of course.

[Jeremy wants to clarify what he means without making Rich feel unheard.

Maybe Rich has got the right idea to use the puppets again.]

That's a good idea since I'm always right about these things. I'm glad you understand that I want to keep disaster from happening again.

[He holds up the puppet again, going slow as he tries to muster up the guts.]

But I know you've got your own issues with having your friends picked for you, so I'll let you make your own mistakes. As long as they're not too big.

[He moves the puppet a little closer to mini-Jeremy.]

Is that okay?

Hey! I don't... uh, you know you don't think you're right all the time? I think that because you were definitely right about the SQUIP, but... I guess there's a possibility you could make mistakes about other things.

So yeah. I'm going to give Linden a chance, because I'm way too nice to people who can be douchebags, but I'll melt his heart with the power of friendship, and it'll be okay! Because I know if things turn out bad, you'll always look out for me.

[The mini-Jeremy holds his arms out.]

So we're okay. And still Bonded? I think? Do you still want to be Bonded?

[Way more important than Linden is the way Rich chose to end that.]

Yeah.

[His voice is husky. He does his best to swallow it down and not embarrass Rich again.]

Yeah, definitely. I--

[He lets the puppets hug, switching to his normal voice.]

I'm glad you trust me that much despite everything.

[Rich smiles a little wider, feeling his own eyes water again. Stupid Jeremy making him have too many stupid feelings. He walks in closer to Jeremy, copying the hug himself.]

Why wouldn't I trust you? You're a survivor just like me.

[Jeremy scoffs, hesitating. He doesn't close the gap between them.]

A survivor.

...Yeah, right. If we're talking survivors, y--you're Anna of Cleves and I'm Jane fucking Seymour.

[Christine has tainted his reference pool.]

You and I aren't even in the same category of SQUIP survivor and you know it.

Uh... that's King Henry, right? I... geez, it'd help if you knew how to open up the Bond, so I could get some hints on the jokes I don't get.

[Rich hesitates, one of his hands pulling back up to scratch at the back of his neck.]

You know you don't have to compare your trauma to mine, right? That's bullshit and just makes you feel guilty for apparently not having a reason to be in a bad spot.

I want to open it up. I do. I don't know how to do it.

[He'd go in for the hug now, but he's worried that the moment's lost.]

I get that. In general. You're right. But your trauma, partly from me helping fuck your life up, versus my trauma of having fucked your life up is... not... equal.

You're--you're the hero who saved the world and I'm the villain who got a redemption arc in the last act. It's not the same.

fellas is it gay if you can magically read your best bros thoughts (OPEN)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)