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our-time-is-now · 4 years ago

Text

July 17, 2019 (2): Cabin fever

(previous play)

You can find more information about the authors, translators, content warning and additional information about the plays in the pinned post on our blog.

Attention! This play includes transgender topics. For more details see our interjection.

Wednesday, 10:50 am / 4:53 pm:

Matteo: *waits next to the hatch until David is finished* *shakes his head at his question* Nothing that I'm aware of... do you want to do anything? *then sees him open the hatch and goes down first* *sees that the cabin is empty and waits at the foot of the stairs* *already bends his back* Hop on!

David: *shrugs at Matteo's question and grins slightly* I somehow feel like moving... but let's see how long it'll keep throbbing today... *briefly slaps on his thigh* *goes down the stairs behind him and laughs quietly when he really bends his back* Are you sure?! *holds onto his shoulders once he reaches the last step and really hops on* *can briefly feel his thigh throb a little more when Matteo reaches under his legs but ignores it and grins instead* Let's see if there's still coffee left... *sees Hanna come toward them and sees her frown at the sight* *hears her ask: "Everything okay? Is something wrong with your leg?"* *grins and nods* I'm gravely wounded... *hears Hanna say with a grin: "Well as long as you can still grin... Sam got stung by a wasp. I'm just going to get some ointment..."*

Matteo: *nods at his statement* We could go in the lake... or walk around a little once your leg is better... *then also laughs* Of course I'm sure! Hop on! *then hears that he wants coffee* Jonas wanted to make some... *then holds onto David and thinks that he really isn't thaaat heavy* *grins at Hanna when she comes and only nods* We're hunting for coffee... *hears Hanna: "There's still some outside..."* *nods* Good... could you hand David two mugs, please? *hears her laugh and then sees her hand two mugs to David* *then goes outside to the terrace like that with David, where Jonas, Carlos and Sam are sitting* *sees Carlos jump up immediately: "Is everything okay? Are you alright? Did Alex mess it up? Where is he?"* *murmurs with a grin* So I'm not the only one who worries...

David: *gets two mugs handed by Hanna and grinning holds onto Matteo's shoulders with the mugs in hand* *tells Matteo on their way outside* I could get used to this form of locomotion... are you now always going to carry me after my testosterone shot!? *then sees Jonas, Carlos and Sam sitting on the terrace and sees Carlos immediately jump up* *groans quietly at his question but grins* Everything's okay! Alex did it very professionally! We should bake him a cake as thanks or something... *wiggles his legs a little so that Matteo can let him down and then limps for a second when he goes toward a chair because his leg throbs badly for a second* *immediately hears Carlos: "But you're limping! That can't be normal!"* *plops down onto a chair and explains* I don't limp! And it's normal that it hurts and throbs for a little while after the shot. I also have that any other time... but I'll be fit again in 2 to 3 hours, don't worry... *then changes the subject and turns to Sam* And what about you? I've heard you got stung by a wasp!?

Matteo: *laughs slightly* Of course, I'll carry you through Berlin like that, no problem... *then grins slightly at David's answer and nods* Oh yes, Alex did it super professionally. Screw cake, we'll build him a monument. *then lets David down when Jonas laughs: "Careful, Luigi... one could think that you're jealous..."* *shrugs one shoulder* That’s because I am. *but then gets distracted when David limps and slowly sits down on the chair* *pushes an empty chair in front of David in case he wants to put his leg up* *considers also getting a pillow but doesn't know if that would be too much fussing for David and if it is even necessary since the shot wasn't in the butt* *therefore sits down next to him and pours them coffee* *hears Sam whine: "Yes, in the arm..." *sees her show them the spot and just then sees Hanna coming back out with the ointment*

David: *looks at Matteo with raised eyebrows when he says that he's really jealous* *tells Jonas* Completely justified, of course! I am indeed considering proposing to Alex... *slightly boxes Matteo's arm and murmurs* You loon! *hears Jonas laugh: "Well, if someone can inject testosterone, that really is a quality feature..."* *grins slightly* Yes, piggyback abilities and a certain tendency for chaos don't stand a chance, of course... *then sees that Matteo has pushed an empty chair in front of him and that he hands him coffee and adds* ...and no-one needs someone who anticipates your every wish... *takes the mug and reaches for Matteo's hand with his free one* *looks at him and smiles lovingly* *slightly shakes his head because it's not justified at all that Matteo is jealous* *then gets a little distracted by Sam's arm and looks at the spot* *grimaces slightly and murmurs* Ouch... *then hears Carlos: "Hey do you still remember Miriam in middle school? She got stung by a wasp once and half her face had swollen to double its size! That was sick! Just be glad that you aren't allergic, Sam!"*

Matteo: *listens to the conversation between Jonas and David slightly amused* I actually meant that I'm jealous that he can give you the testosterone shots and I can't... *grins at him* But good to hear all the things you think are great about me. *squeezes his hand and then quickly kisses his cheek before leaning back in his chair once more* *then laughs at Carlos' story* Man, yeah, that really looked bad... that was sick... by the way, what is she even doing now? Didn't she leave our school at one point? *hears Jonas answer: "Yes, after 10th grade... she did some apprenticeship, she now works at the bakery around the corner from my place..."* *laughs very loudly* At the bakery? Seriously? Well, then she'll surely never run into any wasps ever again... *then also hears Carlos laughing* *then hears Hanna: "Hey, guys, are we going to do anything today? I somehow feel like doing something..."* *nods slightly* Yeah... that's what David said as well... but what?

David: *nods at Matteo's explanation and then grins slightly at his addition* *leans toward him and quietly says* If I'd really list everything that I think is great about you we'd still be here in two hours... *sips at his coffee while the others are talking about this Miriam and then really puts his legs onto the chair in front of him* *only starts to listen again when they are talking about what else they are going to do today and nods* Yes, we almost only relaxed the last few days. I'd also like to move around a little for a change... *sees Kiki, Mia and Alex walking around the corner and sees them sit down – Kiki in Carlos' lap: "What are you talking about?"* *hears Hanna: "We're thinking about if we are going to do something today..."* *then hears Mia while she looks at him: "Will this be possible with your leg? Or are you in some form restricted after the shot?"* *grins slightly and shrugs* Well, I won't be able to run a marathon today, but I think in 2 to 3 hours I'll at least be okay for a walk or something... *hears Kiki: "You can rent pedal boats at the other side of the lake. That would be nice. We could do that after lunch..."*

Matteo: *has only smiled at David for a second and kissed him again and murmured likewise* *hears Jonas and Hanna immediately cheer at Kiki's suggestion and nods* Yes, pedal boat sounds good... right? *looks at David questioningly for a moment* I'll pedal for you too, if your leg still isn't okay... *hears Sam interrupt: "How about we don't have couples for a change? I feel very discriminated here as a single."* *laughs slightly because he doesn't take it serious* *but then hears Hanna: "I think it's a good idea, I'll take Matteo!" and hears Jonas add: "Then I'll take David!"* *shakes his head a little confused* Umm, hello? Why that? You have Amira, Sam!

David: *nods when Matteo looks at him* Yes, sounds nice. I think the last time I did that I was 10 or so... *then grins very broadly when Matteo says that he'll pedal for him* Sure! *pulls their entwined hands toward him and presses a kiss to the back of Matteo's hand* *then looks at Sam and frowns* *can somehow understand her but still doesn't like the thought that they are systematically separated* *because he doesn’t think that they always just hang around each other and that they also spend time with the others* *but still grins slightly when Hanna and Jonas immediately pick him and Matteo and even more when Matteo says that Sam has Amira* *hears Sam groan: "Man, Matteo, you know how I mean this. Don't act stupid!" and Carlos: "Well I don't think that there's a couple here that's always just hanging around each other and excludes any singles... even Davenzi are always approachable for others." and Kiki: "That's not how Sam meant it, babe! I don't think the idea is that bad!"* *sighs quietly and looks at Matteo* *shrugs because he thinks they will probably have to go along with it* *then hears Kiki: "How many pedal boats do we need? Two or three? Can we fit six people on one boat?"* *sees Hanna nod: "Yes, it'll fit, two will be enough..." and hears Alex: "Well, I don't mind staying here..." and Mia: "But I'll mind you staying here!" and Jonas seriously: "Oh yes, I do, too! And David, as well!"* *laughs quietly and nods* *sees Alex roll his eyes, shrug and eventually hears him say: "Okay, for all I care..."* *hears Kiki: "Okay, I'll just go find Abdi and Amira to go see if they also want to come and then we'll talk about how we're going to divide everyone..."*

Matteo: *hears that the dividing up the couples is now decided and shrugs in resignation* *laughs slightly when Alex tries to stay here* *then sees Kiki disappear* *takes a sip of his coffee* It's not like we can divide into groups once we're there... *hears Alex laugh: "No, no, that all has to be planned meticulously."* *nods earnestly* No surprises! *then sees Kiki come back with Amira and Abdi and hears her announce: "Okay, we're all here. Jonas and Hanna are the team captains and can take turns choosing people. The only rule is that no couples are allowed together."* *only laughs and endures it* *listens while the groups are being built: Jonas, David, Abdi, Alex, Carlos, Amira and Hanna, him, Mia, Kiki and Sam* *then hears Carlos laughing: "Matteo with all the girls!"* *shrugs one shoulder and grins slightly* A dream come true!

David: *only grins at the fact that everything has to be planned meticulously* *although he also likes to plan, for him it's only the really important things* *sips his coffee while they wait and then listens as the teams are built* *grins when he realizes that Matteo is the only guy amongst the girls, but then nudges him when he hears his comment and pfffs* *then hears Amira: "And what am I supposed to say!? I'm the only girl amongst this chaos-group here!"* *sees her looking at Matteo and him punishingly: "Ey, only because of you two! Why do you have to be gay!? Otherwise we could nicely have done girls and boys teams!"* *laughs and shrugs* Sorry... maybe Matteo and I could break up for a moment after lunch and then get back together afterwards... would that help you!? *sees Amira nod: "Yes, that would be nice!"* *hears Sam: "Ey, that doesn't count! The teams stay like this! No couples on one boat and no exceptions!"* *grins at Amira* I tried...

Matteo: *gets nudged and looks indignant* That was irony, Schreibner! *then grins again at Amira's comment* Right, we have the same fate... *then laughs when she's so indignant and even more at David's suggestion* Great plan... then we can take one boat... *shakes his head when Sam disagrees* Spoilsport... *then also hears Abdi: "Ey, I'm sure you'll manage being apart for two hours... it's actually quite nice to mix the groups up a little for a change..."* *laughs again* Mix up? We have pretty much separated it into girls/boys, that's not mixed up that's like any other time...

David: *looks at Abdi and sighs quietly* *didn't really expect it that it's so important for him to mix up the couples for a change and briefly has to think about Alex' prediction and if he might have been right, after all* *only nods at Matteo's words and then hears as Amira agrees with him: "Exactly! Basically Matteo and I are the only ones that have been mixed up – so nothing against you, guys, but Matteo is right!"* *hears Kiki: "Oh man, that's really annoying now... should we pick again!?”* *hears Jonas clear his throat: "Umm, guys – it's about a boat trip – not a three-week-holiday! I think it will be okay like that for two, three hours, right?"* *sees Amira nod: "Yes, I'm not saying anything! Only that you can't really call the groups mixed up. I'm sure it'll be nice with you guys! Yeah! And most importantly, I will lean back on the boat and let you guys do all the work..."* *laughs quietly and hears Hanna say to Matteo: "And in our group it'll also be nice! I promise!"*

Matteo: *laughs slightly when they really start a discussion again for a moment* *then nods at Jonas' words* *hears Hanna and laughs* I'm counting on it... but I'm not even complaining... I only said that your argument that it's new doesn't count... well, except for Amira and for me maybe a little... and besides, we're all a big group anyways, aren't we?! *shrugs one shoulder* *sees Kiki and Hanna smile and the others also agree* There you go... what's more important to know: Who's turn is it to make lunch?

David: *nods when Matteo says that they're a big group* *but then hears Mia: "No, the girls will paddle to the left and the guys to the right – and the members of one group aren't allowed to talk to the members of the other team! Maybe it's best if we already split up for the drive there. Team 1 takes the van, team 2 the cars..."* *sees her grin and adds* And to make sure that no one's breaking any rules team 1 better leaves half an hour before team 2! *sees Mia nod: "I see you've got the hang of it!"* *hears Sam: "I'm really against that. My secret plan was actually that we tie our boat to the guys' boat so that we don't have to do any work. Let ourselves get pulled over the lake nice and relaxed..." and Abdi: "Now I'm even more in favor of Mia and David's plan!" and Mia: "Too bad that David and I weren't serious about it. Matteo is right. We're one big group, so why the discussion!?”* *then hears Matteo's question about lunch and shrugs* It's Matteo's and my turn to do the dishes after dinner tonight and to do dinner tomorrow... *hears the others also murmur about when it's their turn and realizes that no one feels responsible for lunch* *then hears Kiki groan: "Good that I made a plan..." and grins when she really looks it up in her phone and when she blushes slightly: "Umm, babe... it's our turn..."* *laughs and leans back relaxed, slightly against Matteo, and takes another sip of coffee*

Matteo: *they have a nice lunch and then pack a few provisions before going to the pedal boat spot with the van and the car* *they rent two boats and at first they have a competition, which Mia and Matteo win against Alex and David and which they can barely believe* *they then really lose each other a little on the lake and Matteo realizes that it can also be really chill with the girls and that even Sam can relax a little* *listens to Hanna and Kiki in slight amusement as they are talking about Jonas and Carlos and they briefly forget that he's sitting behind them* *but then quickly promises that he won't tell them anything* *only laughs when Kiki says that Matteo actually fits quite well into the girls group and then tries to have a conversation with him about which actors he thinks are hot* *they also meet the others again and he laughs when Amira spreads her arms theatrically and calls "save me" over at them* *they decide to do another round and then make their way back* *they arrive back at the cabin after three hours and at first they all sit down at the porch while Hanna and Jonas quickly go bring beverages and glasses outside* *sits as close to David as possible and leans against him* *notices with amusement that all the other couples do the same and even Mia and Alex, who usually don't show much affection in public, hold hands and Mia has her head leant against Alex' shoulder*

David: *thought the pedal boat trip was really fun and it felt especially good to move a little again* *even went swimming briefly with Carlos and Alex and Carlos had reminded him that they really have to repeat their swimming competition on Saturday* *feels really relaxed and balanced when they eventually come back to the cabin and wraps his arms around Matteo when he leans against him* *didn't really think their separation was that bad, but still enjoys having him close again* *sees that Alex and Mia are talking quietly and hears Carlos tell Kiki about the swimming competition they have planned for Saturday and that he thinks that he has a good chance even though he couldn't really practice due to his raft-building injury* *sees Hanna sitting down on Jonas' lap after they put the glasses and beverages on the table and hears Amira sum up: "Well, I thought it was really relaxed today... it was really nice to hear what kind of things the guys are talking about..."* *watches Sam looking at her aghast and then sees her wrap her arms around her and hears her say: "Does that mean that you didn't even miss me, honey!?”* *laughs quietly when he sees Amira looking at Sam with raised eyebrows and sees her also wrap her arms around her and hears her answer theatrically: "I thought we wanted to refrain from declarations of love in public out of consideration for the singles..."* *now laughs a little more and when he looks at the others he sees that the others also seem to be quite amused – apart from Abdi, who stares ahead a little gloomily*

Matteo: *grins when she says that she found it pretty interesting* Yes, same... it was especially interesting when they forgot that I was also there... *grins even broader when Hanna and Kiki shush him at the same time* *then sees Sam's and Amira's declaration of love and has to grin again* How nice, how nice, all couples are united again! *presses a kiss to David's cheek and then grabs a glass* *looks up in shock when Abdi suddenly gets up and slams his glass down on the table very loudly: "Yes, it's really awesome that everyone’s united again! I'm the only one sitting here like an idiot. And why? Because I can't get a woman! Wherever you look, only happy couples, screw the singles!"* *gapes when Abdi leaves the porch and stomps off toward the lake* Umm... what was that? *then also hears Jonas: "That never bothered him before..."*

David: *nods when Matteo says how nice it is that all the couples are united again and wraps his arms around him a little tighter when he gets a kiss onto his cheek, but then lets go of him a little more so that Matteo can grab his glass* *looks up in surprise when Abdi suddenly gets up and frowns at his words* *hears Jonas and Matteo and then also Hanna who looks at Sam and Amira questioningly: "We're not really that bad, are we?"* *hears Sam: "Well, it doesn't bother me! It's not like you're always hanging around each other and Amira, Abdi and I are left out... if there's a couple making out once in a while, ey, doesn't matter... I don't need a boyfriend to be happy and content." and Amira: "I see it similarly. But maybe that's the problem..." and Carlos: "Huh? I don't get it. I mean, I really don't have much of Kiki... she's hanging out with you girls most of the time. It's not like I ignore Abdi..."* *exchanges a quick glance with Alex and then says* I think what Amira is trying to say is that the difference between Sam and her and Abdi is that Abdi would really like a girlfriend. And Amira and Sam are quite happy as singles. *sees Amira nod: "Exactly!" and then hears Jonas: "I still don't quite get it. If us guys are amongst us, Abdi keeps assuring Luigi and David that it doesn't bother him if they make out and so on..."* *shrugs* Maybe it's because in those situations Carlos and you are usually there without your girlfriends... *sees Jonas shake his head: "But still. He could have said something sooner if it bothers him so much. We're his friends, after all..."* *hears Alex clear his throat and hears him say: "Maybe it's exactly because of that. Maybe he hasn't said anything until now because he didn't want to hurt you."*

Matteo: *listens to the conversation and then also hears Jonas' incomprehension* Well, but David and I also aren't really the embodiment of what he would like to have, right? *slightly shrugs one shoulder* *then hears Alex and nods* I agree... Abdi is so rarely in a bad mood... and if he is, it usually doesn't have anything to do with us... but now it does... *sees Carlos press a kiss to Kiki's cheek and then sees him get up: "I'll go looking for him."* *hears Jonas say: "If you need help then tell us."* *sighs slightly* Abdi just needs a girlfriend... *then hears Alex: "A shame that they don't grow on trees."* *grins slightly and shrugs one shoulder* Even if... *then also hears Mia: "Yes, true, that usually happens if you don't expect it or if you're not looking for someone."*

David: *sees Alex shake his head at Matteo's words: "Now it doesn't really have anything to do with you, either, but more with the fact that he'd also like something like that" and hears Amira add: "I think so, too. He doesn't begrudge you your happiness! But he'd also like some of that for himself..."* *sees Carlos get up and nods at Jonas' words* *then sees Hanna get off Jonas' lap and sit down on her own chair: "But that sucks... I mean, sure, we can pay more attention that the couples don't display so much couple-stuff out of consideration for him, but that won't really help him much, either, right?"* *sees Kiki shake her head and hears her say: "I don't think that this would be helpful. I guess it's more about the fact that we all have a partner and he doesn't."* *hears Amira clear her throat: "Hmm... all of us... sure..." and sees Sam grin: "You have Allah!"* *then hears Matteo, Alex and Mia’s words and nods* Yes, if you frantically look then it usually doesn't work out anyways... *then hears Sam: "Maybe we should set him up with someone... does anyone know someone? What about your sister, David?"* *laughs and shakes his head* First, Laura is three years older than we are and second... please no! I love my sister, but I don't also want to constantly have her around me in my circle of friends... *hears Hanna: "Somehow all women I know are taken..." and Amira: "All women I know are promised..."* *sees everyone looking at her in shock and then sees her grin: "Joke!"*

Matteo: *shakes his head at Hanna's words* No, he wouldn't want that... I also don't think that he usually minds, but now maybe it was just... simply too long... *hears Alex agree with him and hears him say with a slight smile: "Yes, cabin fever."* *laughs slightly when Sam says they should set him up* *laughs even more when David immediately objects to the suggestion of Laura* I also don't think that it would fit thaaaat well, I guess... *grins widely when Amira makes the joke* *then sees Sam turn to him: "What about you, Matteo? Don't you know some hot women... oh, what about Sara?"* *looks at her shocked and immediately shakes his head* Please no! *hears everyone laugh* What? That really isn't necessary...

David: *briefly grins at Alex when he mentions cabin fever and has to think about the fact that Alex had predicted it and that he really observes the people pretty well, even if he doesn't contribute to the conversations very often* *nods when Matteo says that Laura and Abdi wouldn't be a good fit* Exactly! That would be number three... *looks just as shocked as Matteo does when Sam suggests Sara and also immediately shakes his head* I usually manage quite successfully to suppress that Sara existed and still exists... you can't do this to me! *sees Sam grin at him and Matteo: "Okay, then not Sara..." and then sees her looking at Jonas and Hanna: "What about Leonie?"* *laughs with everyone apart from Jonas and Hanna and watches Hanna grab a kitchen towel from the table and throw it at Sam: "Not funny!"* *hears Sam sigh: "Well, then I don't know anyone else..." and hears Mia: "But even if we knew anyone... that would also be planned. Abdi will find someone. Probably if none of us and neither he himself expects it!"*

Matteo: *hears Jonas laugh when David says that he would successfully suppress Sara* *would usually grin, as well, but this time shakes his head at him* *but then also has to laugh when Sam suggests Leonie* Ha. *but then nods vigorously at Mia's words* Yes, I agree. He'll run into the woman of his dreams at one point... *sees Hanna nod as well: "Yes, matchmaking usually goes wrong, anyways..."*

David: *hears Kiki sigh: "I would be so happy for him... but you're right. Someday I'm sure he'll meet someone..."* *sees her hesitate for a moment and then hears her say: "But maybe we should pay a little more attention in the next few days so that the couples don't seclude themselves too much or don't hang around each other too much..."* *sees Mia shake her head: "He wouldn't want us to do that just for him, I mean. And both things would be too obvious! I mean, we can make sure that we're together as a group some more and that the couples only seclude themselves on special occasions, but I think if we're all concerned about not appearing as a couple, then that would be really obvious."* *sees Amira nod: "Yes, I agree! Just act as usual... I do think that he'll be sorry for his meltdown in a minute and embarrassed about it and if you also go through that trouble because of him I think he would feel even more awkward..."* *nods and is glad that almost everyone is on the same page about this, because he thinks that it would suck if for the rest of the holiday he could only be close to Matteo in the tent* *then hears Alex: "Reasonable decision. Because if all couples are supposed to keep their distance then in two days not only Abdi will have cabin fever but also Matteo, David, Carlos, Kiki, Jonas and Hanna..."* *sees Mia grin and hears her add: "And Alex and I!"*

Matteo: *only listens and also thinks that being considerate wouldn't help* *but doesn't say anything because everyone else is* *but still has to grin when Alex leaves himself out of it and when Mia corrects him* *was just about to say something when Sam already does: "Well, Mia mouse, you two really are the most harmless ones here... even Hanna and Jonas show more action in front of us."* *hears Hanna ask indignantly: "What's that supposed to mean?"* *hears Sam's answer: "Well, as an outside observer I can tell you that the ones who care the least about the fact if someone's right next to them or not when they want to make out are Matteo and David... but that's not really a surprise to anyone... after them are Kiki and Carlos... and we all know that Kiki is always very considerate of what happens around her... and then there's nothing for a while and then there are you two... and then Mia and Alex..."* *looks at her a little confused* You observe who makes out when? That's a little creepy, Sam... and by the way, I can confirm that Hanna and Jonas don’t care who is sitting next to them when they are making out...

David: *grins at first when Sam compares Hanna and Jonas to Mia and Alex and silently has to agree with her* *then hears her additions and laughs slightly outraged because Matteo and he are first place for Sam* *nods at Matteo's words* That almost sounds as if you'd keep a tally... that really is creepy! *then hears Sam: "Maybe I'm just watching all of you so interestedly hoping that I can learn something..."* *sees her wiggle her eyebrows but then shake her head and hears her laugh: "No, nonsense, I already know everything! I'm just always really happy that you all love each other so much!"* *hears everyone say "awww" and simply joins in* *then hears Matteo's comment about Hanna and hears Jonas laugh: "Yes, right! We already talked about this... how many minutes do I still owe you, Luigi?!”* *grins and corrects Jonas* We said hours! Not minutes. And you couldn't agree if it was 100 hours or 50 hours...

Matteo: *laughs and shakes his head at Jonas' question* Exactly, HOURS, my friend, hours... and it still have to be 80 or something! *hears Jonas laugh and wave it off* *then hears Mia say: "Well, at least we can agree that everyone can make out when and where and with whom they want."* *sees Alex draw up his eyebrows in amusement: "With whom?" and then sees him looking over at David* *slightly tilts his head* Careful... *then suddenly hears Sam who apparently got distracted by her phone: "Awesome, guys, look at that, they're doing a night hike..."* *sees her turn her phone around and show them a video of which he can't see anything and then hears her say: "Let's do this, as well... it's super dark in the forest..."*

David: *sees Jonas wave it off and hears him say: "80 out of 50 – right! You've always been great at math, Luigi!"* *grins* What matters is that you still owe us a few /hours/... *then hears Mia and nods* *only really realizes what she has said when he hears Alex' question and grins when he looks at him* *but then wraps his arms a little tighter around Matteo and presses a kiss to his temple* *murmurs* I already know with whom... *then looks up when Sam says something about a night hike, but can't make out anything on the screen of her phone* *hears Amira: "Yes, that's what it's like in a forest at night..." and Jonas... "I think the idea's cool! Really, let's do this, guys!" and Kiki: "Hey, but not today, okay? I wanted to go shower later and if we then run through the forest then I can go take another shower in the middle of the night..."* *looks at the others* Tomorrow night then? *sees everyone nod and hears Hanna say: "But please no scaring anyone or something like that... and I want to walk in the middle!"* *grins and hears Jonas say with an assumed voice: "Are you scared of the bogeyman!? Woooahhh... I'll protect you..."* *sees as Hanna hits him and then laughs* *then hears Amira: "Abdi and Carlos are back…"*

Matteo: *nods at the suggestion about the night hike* I also think it's cool... *looks at Hanna indignantly* What do you mean without scaring anyone? Then it's only half as fun... *looks up when Abdi and Carlos are coming back* *sees Carlos sit down again, Abdi stop and hears him say: "Hey, sorry, guys, I didn't mean to snap at you like this... and of course you can also hang out as couples as much as you want... it was just... a little much earlier."* *immediately nods and grins at him* No worries, Brudi... you just got cabin fever, it's okay...

David: *looks up when Carlos and Abdi are coming closer and briefly considers loosening his hug with Matteo, but then drops the idea* *feels a little bad for Abdi when he apologizes and nods at Matteo's words* *then hears Kiki: "We understand that it really sucks for you... we could maybe just be a little more considerate in the future..."* *groans very quietly because they had decided that they didn't want to do that and immediately hears Abdi say: "Because of me!? No, no way! I don't want that! You're great the way you are... you don't have to change because of me, okay?"* *sees Amira point at the chair next to her and sees as Abid sits down, Amira wrapping her arm around his shoulders in a familiar manner and hears her say: "Hey, one day there'll be someone that's for you... and for Sam and me... and until then we'll watch the others make out. That can not only be annoying but sometimes also really interesting, fascinating and educational. Sam has made a few statistics..."* *grins and sees that Abdi at first looks a little puzzled but then sees him smile slightly: "Really?"* *sees Sam nod, point at the others and then hears her whisper loudly: "Everything top secret... I'll explain it to you when they're all busy again..."* *is happy that Abdi seems to feel a little better and then hears Carlos: "Guys, who's turn is it to cook!? I'm hungry!"*

Matteo: *grins slightly and is really glad that everyone's so chill towards Abdi and that he can accept their friendliness* *then shakes his head when they mention the statistics* You don't want to hear that... Sam is a little creepy... *then hears Carlos' question and shrugs* It's David and my turn to do the dishes... *then sees Kiki pull her phone out of her pocket and hears her announce: "Cooking tonight are: Mia and Alex!"* *hears Carlos say "yes" and sees that he's happy* *laughs slightly* Does someone have anything to say about the culinary skills of other people? *sees Carlos quickly shake his head: "No, no, you're all great!"*

David: *grins when he listens to Carlos and Matteo and adds to Carlos* Tomorrow we're having Pasta alla Luigi again and I'll follow the chef's instructions to a T and if it still doesn't taste good then you can gladly hold me responsible for it... *sees Alex and Mia disappear into the cabin to cook and also sees the rest of the group dissolve a little - Kiki goes to take a shower, Amira, Hanna, Sam and Abdi go to the lake to play Uno and Carlos and Jonas announce that they want to play a round of badminton* *uses the time to take his binder off in the tent because, once again, the eight hours are up, and when he leaves the tent in his hoodie and with his heart beating fast he realizes that his condition is also a little connected to the weather – that on hot days it's more difficult to sit together with the others in a hoodie because he feels like he stands out more even if some of the others also put on something out of solidarity for him because they find it "a little chilly today"* *also brings Matteo his hoodie – since he's been insisting on it for three days – and then they all have dinner together* *he and Matteo take care of the dishes while the others are hauling beer and snacks to the fireplace since they agreed over dinner to spend the evening there tonight* *relaxes more and more over the course of the evening without binder, which also has something to do with the fact that by now Matteo is sitting between his legs, leaning his back against his chest and thereby covering it* *spends a nice evening with everyone but at some point has to think about Sam's words that out of everyone Matteo and he are the ones who have the least qualms about being close to each other in front of others* *lets his gaze wander over the couples and has to realize that she's somehow right* *some time later he's lying in the tent with Matteo, in Matteo's arms absentmindedly drawing circles onto his chest* *at some point asks* Does it sometimes bother you that we... cling together so much?

Matteo: *thought the evening was really nice, relaxing and cozy* *but is now happy to be in the tent, alone with David and wearing a little less* *has his arm wrapped around David and enjoys it to simply relax* *is a little surprised when he hears his question* Hm? Clinging together? *but then realizes what he means and feels some panic rising that this is now the conversation where David tells him that it bothers /him/* *therefore quickly says* No, it doesn't bother me at all... why do you ask? Does it seem like it?

David: *smiles and searches for Matteo's hand when he says that it doesn't bother him* *is a little relieved that he feels similar about it than he does* *entwines their fingers and shakes his head when he asks if it seems like it* No, it doesn't... and I feel similar about it... I just thought... because of what Sam said... *scoots a little closer to him* ... and earlier at the fireplace I realized for the first time that she's somehow right... *yawns and realizes that he's now pretty tired* *shrugs and closes his eyes* ... somehow I just never really noticed it before...

Matteo: *is relieved when he says that he feels similar* Good... *then thinks about what he could mean* You mean that we cling together more than the others? *shrugs* I don't really care... I just like having you with me... *then hears him yawn and smiles slightly* But now we'll sleep, right? *then turns to his side so that David only has to wrap his arms around him and quietly says* Sleep tight, Schreibner...

David: *nods at Matteo's question and hums in confirmation* *then smiles at his answer and murmurs* I don't care, either... I'm on withdrawal if you're gone for too long... *hums again in confirmation when Matteo says that they'll sleep now and wraps his arms around him when he turns around* *yawns again and murmurs* Dream of us, Florenzi… *is just about to relax but then jostles Matteo again and tries to turn him back around toward him* *grins slightly and murmurs* Hey! Forgot the kiss... *kisses his temple while he waits for Matteo to turn around so that he can reach his mouth*

Matteo: *smiles when David says that otherwise he's on withdrawal* Me too... *has turned around and wrapped himself up when David jostles him* Hey... *but then hears the reason and turns around immediately* Unbelievable... Shame... *grins slightly and kisses him briefly* *then runs his hand through his hair and kisses him a little longer again* *murmurs* As compensation... *kisses him again briefly and then turns around again*

(next play)

#druck #og druck #matteo florenzi #david schreibner #davenzi #davenzi plays

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princecharmingtobe · 4 years ago

Text

idk if any of y’all have been keeping up with my D&D game stuff, buuuuut Jack and Rowen finally hooked up!

It was not romantic, and is kind of actually, but we still celebrated cause it’s been almost a year coming at this point lol

So, in this session we went to confront an evil artificer, Professor Wiltmore who had shown an interest in Jack and wanted him to join him at his lab. Jack, also being an artificer, didn’t trust him for a second and with good reason: Dude had been lobotomizing people and turning them into obedient eldritch knights to sell as soldiers to both sides of the war, with the intention of flipping things at the last minute and taking over the country for himself.

Everything went all kinds of wrong. We never came up with a solid plan, just figured we’d get into the lab, play nice for a bit until we could figure out what was going on and how to stop it, and at some point try to kill Wiltmore. However as we were being led in Terra and Rowen noticed they were being followed by an awful lot of guards, which Rowen used sign language to alert Jack to as he is forever oblivious to his surroundings. Believing Wiltmore knew what was up and that we’d lost any element of surprise, as soon as we got to the mysterious locked door Terra dropped a smoke bomb, instructed Roran to beak down the door, and then threw a pipe bomb Jack had helped her make at Wiltmore who was inside.

Wiltmore was VERY upset with Jack for “betraying” him, shouting “I could’ve given you the world!” and then trying to murder him specifically. He also summoned forth a behir which due to some misunderstandings of the battlefield ended up being the main battle. It ate Terra, and killed Roran. Realizing we were going to win though, Wiltmore fled while his beast kept us busy. Jack got the killing blow, blasting the top of the creature off thus allowing Terra to crawl her way out, then when we were out of initiative Jack flew to Roran and cast Revivify.

Things got weird then. We’d been informed that resurrection would work a little differently in this campaign, and we figured it was just a homebrew rule to make it more difficult but the DM told Rowen that as he’d been around a while and seen some resurrections before, this was unusual, so we’re like uh, wat. We found ourselves in the... etheral? astral? some other plane? And we saw Roran, unconscious, being pulled into this creepy black sludge. Jack flew to him in a panic and started desperately trying to scrape the sludge off him. The way the ritual worked is three of us could try to say or do something to try to give him advantage as he rerolled his death saves. Jack, while trying to get the sludge off him, was like “No no no, come on, if you die before seeing your kid your wife is gonna kill me!” Terra tied a rope around him and tried to pull him out of the sludge. And Rowen actually used intimidate to tell him “If you die here I’ll make sure your wife and kid join you!” (oh Rowen...) That one resulted in a nat20 death save. We found ourselves suddenly back in the lab, Roran’s eyes shot open glowing white, and he sat up and punched Rowen clear across the room. They made up later when Rowen assured him he was just saying what he had to.

The party healed up a bit, restored and freed the people they were able to, and looked outside to find that when Wiltmore fled he took with him the power source for the city, which included the power for the force field that separated the outer and inner city, so now there was almost a full on physical class war about to happen. It appeared that the crooked leader of the city had fled with him. The party determined that the heart of the behir we’d slain could be used as a new power source, and after Rowen removed it from the beast Jack was able to install it in the machine and now only did the power come back, but twofold, with the force field now covering the entire city, rather than separating the outer and inner cities.

The party then traveled to the city hall to calm the people, explain the situation, and inform them that new, better leadership was coming. Got a good persuasion and a tentative peace was restored. The party then returned to the Fantasy Holiday Inn, and had some drinks because boy did we need them. Even Jack, who normally doesn’t drink. For some context to what’s coming next: Jack had been in a bad place mentally and emotionally this whole session. He was terrified of Wiltmore, and for good reason. With Wiltmore having escaped he is now terrified of him coming back for revenge, and this time he’ll be the one with the element of surprise on his side. On top of that the battle itself had freaked him out, especially Roran dying and whatever it is we saw when bringing him back. Finally to top it all off, Roran offered Jack some “moon water”, a type of magical alcohol that causes one to briefly relive happy memories. We think the DM thought that sort of thing would cheer people up? But uh, all it really did was remind Jack of everything he’s lost, so he ended up crying at the bar and then going up to his and Rowen’s room early.

After another hour or two Rowen also returned to the room and settled into his dark corner for the night, but before he could enter his trance Jack got up, climbed onto his lap, and kissed him. Fade to black.

To explain: Jack is deathly allergic to emotional vulnerability. After everything that happened that day topped off by the moon water bringing all his loss to the surface, what he really needed was just to be held. But he can’t ask for that or he’ll die or something lol So instead he seeks out what to him is the next best thing that he can reason to not be emotional: Sex. Cause he’s a guy, and guys always want sex without having emotions involved, right?? That’s how he justifies it to himself. And Rowen is, well... the only friend he’s ever really had. Up until now his only close relationships have been parents and vaguely parental figures. So of course he’s the one he seeks out for comfort.

And idk what Rowen thought of the whole thing. He enjoyed it, went along with it, and apparently wants to do it again some time. Though when we went to the next day the DM asked how we were coming down to breakfast, if we were holding hands or anything and we were like “Oh fuck no, we are not acknowledging that anything happened”

#Jack the Artificer

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theodorerr · 6 years ago

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It's not on the list of prompts but I saw this a while ago and thought you could definitely make a cool short story out of it :) "Whenever I'm around him my stomach starts to feel all weird and fluttery... I think I might be allergic to him!"

(Plus, from the other anon: “Time to ruin everything”)

It’s been going on for weeks now and Liam really tried his best to ignore it, but he physically can’t anymore. Theo is not even doing anything, just chilling on his bed scrolling down his phone and there’s a good five feet between them, but Liam’s body is still reacting to the Chimera’s presence, his stomach a chaos of weird sensations he’s starting to get familiar with and he just can’t take it. It sucks, because since after the fight against the hunters he and Theo have grown pretty close, he would die rather than say it out loud but they’re almost friends now, and Liam actually enjoys his company, so he really doesn’t want to do this, but here he goes.

“Theo.”

Time to ruin everything.

“Yes?”

“I need to tell you something, but you have to promise you won’t get mad at me or blame me.”

Theo immediately glares at him, already mad, because nobody ever listens to Liam and he clearly still can’t be trusted. “What did you do.”

“No, see, that’s already wrong, it’s not something I did, it doesn’t depend from me, I’m just as much a victim as you are. Promise you won’t blame me.”

“Whatever, I promise. Now tell me.”

You’re not supposed to roll your eyes like that while promising something and Liam considers making Theo aware of this fact, but his mouth has other plans and he finds himself just blurting it out. “You can’t live here anymore.”

Liam is the one that just said that, and he’s also the one showing a bigger reaction to it: his eyes widen and his hands fly to grab his own hair in panic, all of it while Theo stares at him completely impassive.

“Okay.” He says after a few seconds and then he’s slipping his phone in his pocket and standing up to leave, as if nothing happened.

“Okay?” Liam repeats incredulous. That’s it? "You don’t even wanna know why?”

Theo shrugs and Liam visualizes himself tackling the chimera to the floor. “It’s your house, you don’t have to justify yourself if you don’t want me here anymore.”

“So you don’t want to know why.” Liam repeats slowly, a dangerous edge in his voice. Now he visualizes himself punching him.

“I’m going to pack my stuff.” Theo announces and he actually walks out of the room.

“You are actually leaving” Liam follows him, his fists closing automatically as a low growl grazes his throat. “Just like that.”

“Are you seriously getting mad at me right now? You’re the one throwing me out.”

“You can bet I’m mad!” Liam yells, his blood boiling in his veins and coloring his cheeks. “How can you just leave? Without even asking why? I can’t believe you’re being such an asshole right now, why are you not mad at me?!”

Finally Theo turns to look at him, an exasperated spark in his eyes. “You asked me not to blame you.”

“I also asked you to stop stealing my favourite hoodie but guess what. And give it to me, you can’t pack it with your stuff, it’s mine!” Theo actually growls now and a second later Liam is been hit in the face by his hoodie.

“You’re mad.” He states, immediately wearing it so Theo will have to steal him too if he wants it.

“Am not.”

“Yes, admit that you’re mad, come on.”

“I am not mad, I’m calmly packing my stuff and moving out of your house without being mad or blaming you one bit, just as you asked.” Theo insists and it’s so annoying how controlled he is as he barely pays attention to Liam and folds his shirts as if his life depended on it.

“Oh my god, you’re such a liar! Standing there, pretending you’re an angel while you’re secretly blaming me even if I asked you not to do that. And you don’t even ask why! You fold all your stupid shirts because God forbid you get creases on your shirts, that’s what would upset you! Creases! That’s all you care about! I hate you so much!” At this point Liam jumps on the bed and starts punching Theo’s pillow with all of his strength, faster and faster, with no mercy. “I hate you!”

“Liam, stop punching the pillow.”

“Liam, stop punching the pillow” Liam mocks him, giving a final punch just to prove his freedom. “Stop spying on me and everything I do, you creep.”

“You’re in my room.”

“It’s not your room, you’re leaving, remember?” Liam mutters bitter. “You’re leaving and you don’t even care.”

“I’m leaving because you want me to leave, stop blaming this on me!”

Theo yelled and Liam feels like yelling too now, but eventually he just sighs, trying to pat the pillow back to its original shape.

“Look, I don’t want you to leave, I just don’t know what else to do. I’m sick.”

“Clearly.”

“No, like, physically. In my stomach.”

“What?”

“I tried to ignore it but it’s getting worse. Every single time you walk into a room, my stomach goes crazy. I can’t do anything about it, I just get sick. And I know it’s going to sound bad, but there’s no other explanation: Theo,” Liam takes a deep breath. “I’m allergic to you.”

There. He said it. They can find a solution together now.

Except that Theo just gave him the most hateful glare ever and left, because of course he chooses to get offended by something Liam has no control over. Of fucking course.

“Theo, wait! You can’t blame me, remember? And you can stay at Mason’s until we figure out how to fix this, I bet Deaton knows a cure, maybe it’s something about you being a Chimera? Like, who knows what kind of weird stuff there is in your blood, no offence but it’s one hundred percent your or the Dread Doctors fault if I’m allergic to you, not mine. I’m the normal one here! Theo!”

The entrance door downstairs slams loudly and Liam starts to punch Theo’s pillow again.

Fuck him, getting mad at him for this. So childish.

Liam ends up fighting with Mason too because apparently being sick is something to be ashamed of nowadays and siding with your best friend instead of with an ex murderer is démodé, so when Liam opens the door he’s expecting to see Mason with an apology cake or an apology pizza or an apology something.

But there’s no pizza or cake in front of him.

“So, the thing your stomach does when you see me, going crazy, would you also define it as painful or is just unsettling? Can you give me three words to describe it exactly?”

There’s no Mason either.

“I…yes, unsettling is a good word for it. Fluttery too. And Annoying. Yes, definitely annoying.”

“So no pain.” Theo nods thoughtful.

“I wouldn’t call it pain, but it’s still unpleasant. Also we don’t know what could happen if I just keep exposing myself to the thing I’m allergic at, I could die, just because it doesn’t hurt it doesn’t mean that-”

“Just answer the questions, Liam. Preferably with a yes or no.” Theo holds up a hand to shut him up and Liam is so offended by that, but he also doesn’t talk until Theo puts the hand down. “Does any other part of your body react to the subject in question too? Your neck for example?”

“What does my neck have anything to do with this, I told you it’s the stom-well, now that I think about it, if we’re too close the sides of my neck get kinda hot. Like, something in my werewolf blood that react to your chimera essence maybe? Because it happens sometimes, it just flows somewhere all of a sudden and that’s annoying too.”

“Mhmh.” Theo mumbles, clearly starting to put the pieces together. “What about excessive sweating? Confusion? Rushes of adrenaline for no reason? Are those symptoms familiar too?”

“Oh my god, yes. What is it Theo? Do you know? Is it bad?” Liam doesn’t want to die.

“What about your heart, anything weird with that?” The heart? Theo thinks he has a heart sickness? Those are bad, god, it’s bad. He’ll die young, like all the best people do.

“I don’t know! I never paid attention to it, I think…it’s okay now.”

“I see. So this is a safe distance.” Theo nods and then he takes a step closer, and then another one. “What if the subject gets closer. Like now.”

“Nothing, it’s still oka-shit. It’s going really fast. Shit. What it is, Theo? Tell me!”

“Do you also find hard to breath?”

Liam is gasping. He’ll die, he’ll die.

“A little.”

“I know what this is.”

“You do? Did the Dread Doctors planned this? They turned you into a poison for werewolves, didn’t they! Oh my god, do we have an antidote? We need an antidote, I can’t die, the world needs me Theo, what will everyone do without m-” Liam is still panicking when Theo grabs the front of his shirt, drags him out and slams him against the wall. That’s not how you treat sick, probably dying people, but before he can complain about it Theo has shoved his tongue inside Liam’s mouth and there’s no doubt anymore, Theo is poison and every single part of Liam’s body is catching fire.

When Liam finds the strength to move his hands in Theo’s hair and stop him, he already moved to his neck and Liam tries to force his fingers to try and pull him away, but the trail of fire Theo is leaving on his bare skin is making all of him weak and all he can do is moan in desperation because the sickness got to his mind and he doesn’t even want to defend himself now. This is how he dies.

“You’re not allergic to me” Theo says eventually, taking a step back to admire what remains of Liam. Which is some kind of shaking pudding. “You have a crush on me.”

Liam frowns because oh, that actually makes sense, but before he can react in any way the door is slamming next to him and he’s alone outside. “Hey!”

“I like you too, but you’re staying at Mason tonight to reflect on your actions. Next time you’ll think twice before throwing me out.”

#thiam #ask #prompt

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planetsam · 6 years ago

Note

That fic you just wrote with them in therapy was brilliant and I don’t use that word lightly. I know you have much to write, but a follow up to that is severely needed💚

Follow up to THIS

On Ao3 Debrief

***

“Those men were monsters,” Alex says shaking his head as he works over the stove, unable to sit still, “the things they did to those women—“ he swallows, “I can’t go back there.”

Michael watches him. He’s tense and upset, that much is clear and Michael wants nothing more than to wrap his arms around him and tell him he doesn’t have to do it. Doesn’t have to go back. But he can also see the bruise around Alex’s eye. Even though it’s only in his head now, he can still see it. He knows the situation isn’t that simple, that he was truly just trying to give a warning to a ghost in the middle of that night terror. But the ghost of Jesse Manes wasn’t there and it was Alex who once again wound up paying the price. Michael shifts on the chair as Alex looks to him for support and he has to give him something else.

“I think you should,” he says.

“What?” Alex looks confused and, worse of all, hurt, “no. I’m not sitting there like you’re some—some dick who abused me. That’s not who you are.”

“I gave you a black eye!”

“You lost control of your powers during a nightmare about my father,” Alex says, pointing at him with the spatula like that makes this better, “you didn’t mean to—“

“That doesn’t make it better!” Michael cries, unwilling to hear Alex say more on the subject, “take powers out of it and I—I what? I pushed you into the table?” He shakes his head, “you should go. The fact that you can justify it means you should go.”

He recognizes the tense set of Alex’s jaw and the look in his eyes that’s some mix of betrayal and disappointment. Michael hates betraying Alex and he hates letting him down in equal measure. But above all things, he hates Alex being in danger because of him. That’s the bitch of it, really. They can go to therapy and they can talk to Dr. Julia about the issues Alex has with protecting Michael and what happened with his dad. But they can’t talk to her about Michael without some bold faced lie happening. They can’t say that Michael is an alien and has some unique issues stemming from the fact that he’s got superpowers. They can’t say what happened. Every time Dr. Julia stresses honesty, Michael feels lower than dirt. His entire life has depended on keeping this secret and suddenly he’s having issues with lying. Maybe because his entire life has depended on keeping his mouth shut and now he’s sharing things.

“I’m not going and pretending you have anything in common with those men,” Alex says.

“What about what you have in common with the women?” Michael demands.

Alex shuts down instantly and, to be fair, Michael is aware that he has steamrolled over that line. But fuck he hates it when Alex shuts down like he does that instant. He says absolutely nothing and only fear for his life keeps Michael from saying he’s not hungry. He really only planned on coming over to be supportive and somehow he gets the feeling he’s made things a lot worse. The problem with fucking up and not being high is that you have to be aware you’ve fucked up. And as Alex looks anywhere but him, Michael has never wanted to be high more in his entire life. He waits until Alex is up and has glared at him to stop with helping with anything, dishes and life issues included, to open his mouth.

“This is never going to be fair to you,” he says. Alex’s entire body stiffens, “I lied to everyone for most of my life,” he says, “Max and Isobel included,” he continues, “you think it’s not going to affect you but it does,” he gets up, “Alex, I don’t want you to be like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you have no-one!” Michael says and winces because the last thing this conversation needs is his abandonment issues or another thing that Alex is hurt about, “you have something in common with them.”

Alex glares ahead and his gaze is still hard when he looks at Michael.

“You are not a monster,” he says.

“I mean I’m an alien—“

“No,” Alex cuts in, turning to face him fully, “you need to listen to me,” Michael feels the smile slip off his face, “you are not a monster. You lost control of your powers accidentally and whatever we tell anyone, whatever lies we have to give, I need you to understand that losing control of them does not make you a monster.”

Michael swallows against the emotion that clogs his throat. He wants to lie and say he believes Alex, but all he can see is the bruise and the way that Alex’s thought process has only been for him. Honesty is the most precious thing he can give and in a lifetime of lies and wanting to tell the truth, he finds the opposite is true for the first time. He wants to lie and tell Alex he agrees, but his words slip like blades over his skin and he can’t.

“Yeah, Alex,” he says, “it kind of does.”

“Stay here,” Alex says as he steps back, “Michael—“

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says, already going for the door.

Alex’s expression chases him back to Isobel’s house.

****

Dr. Julia definitely knows something is up, but the woman has a poker face. She looks at them sitting with a seat between them and because the universe hates him, she looks at Michael.

“Do you want to speak to me alone beforehand?” She asks.

Michael doesn’t know what it’s like to have a parent and Max is a hell of a lot less direct. He finds himself withering under her gaze and nods, pushing himself up and shuffling into the room. She sits down and looks at him calmly. Michael gulps and wonders if it’s possible for awkwardness and embarrassment to kill a person. Maybe his species is allergic and maybe this can just be how he goes.

“I’m not angry,” Michael blurts out. Her expression is unreadable so he continues. “Look I know that everything you know about me makes it seem like I’m angry but I’m not.”

“What would you say you are?” She asks.

Michael barely resists the urge to tell her that’s what he pays her for. She waits calmly and Michael fights and squirms and then finally surrenders.

“Scared,” he admits, “I’m scared I’m gonna push him away.”

“Michael this isn’t just about Alex,” she says and Michael shakes his head.

“Right now it is,” he says.

Dr. Julia nods and looks at him seriously.

“I would like to bring Alex in,” She says. Michael nods. Alex comes in and sits on the couch, “I would like to discuss what happened the night you came into my office,” she says, “Alex why don’t you start.”

Michael wishes it was two minutes ago and he could say he’s not ready for Alex to come in. He’s not sure he’s ready to hear this either. Alex is a good liar about most things. He’s got tells though, especially when it comes to lying about bruises. Michael’s suddenly in the same category as Jesse Manes. Alex looks Dr. Julia dead in the eye.

“He was having a nightmare and I tried to wake him up. I know better,” Michael’s nails dig into his hands, “but I heard him say my name and I tried to wake him up,” he says, “I grabbed his wrists when he started to flail and I wound up just holding onto one. He wasn’t awake when he did it, I lost my balance which didn’t help,” he continues, “I fell and hit the table on the way down.”

“Thank you,” She says and looks at Michael, “Michael would you tell us about it?”

“Same thing he said,” Michael says, “I had a nightmare, I pushed him into the table.”

“You didn’t push me,” Alex says, “I fell.”

“I pushed you and you fell,” Michael says, “maybe your dad was right and maybe I am bad for you,” he blurts out, “maybe you should have stayed away.”

“Michael!” Alex stares at him, horrified and Michael shakes his head.

“Michael why are you afraid of hurting him?” Dr. Julia asks, “this doesn’t seem like an accident to you.”

Michael really doesn’t like how good this chick is at her job. Alex opens and closes his mouth before turning to look at him. Alex has definitely at least sort of realized there’s something more going on, but Michael’s good at brushing all of it off. He’ll trade everything for people not worrying about him. Dr. Julia though doesn’t know that about him and if she did, Michael’s pretty sure it wouldn’t matter. He doesn’t want to say this with Alex sitting there, he could ask him to leave and he would. But something in him makes him stop and consider it before he cracks his knuckles.

“I’m not good,” he mumbles. Alex looks at Dr. Julia but she just waits, “I’m not a good person,” Michael says, “this is stupid,” he says, scrubbing at his face to make sure no tears have fallen. But he still manages to need to sniffle, “it’s dumb,” he repeats, “Alex?”

“His brother and sister—“ Alex looks towards him and Michael nods, “they got adopted and he was left behind,” he says, “I got forced into joining the Air Force after what happened with his hand,” Alex explains, “it didn’t help.”

“Did you age out of the system?” Dr. Julia asks. Micheal nods.

“I ran away from my last foster father at seventeen,” Michael explains.

“Being angry about this doesn’t make you bad,” she says.

“I’m not angry,” Michael protests, surprised at how firm his voice is, “I’m not. I get it,” he says, “it’s something wrong with me—“

“No,” Alex says emphatically, scooting closer before Michael can get up. It hurts to be touched initially but Alex pushes past that and holds him, “the Evan’s did a shitty thing. That doesn’t make you a bad person. Or it makes you the same kind of bad person I am,” He tightens his arm around his shoulders, “I was a scared kid, but me leaving you behind wasn’t because you were trouble or because you were hurt. We both wanted to protect each other. We’re going to make mistakes. That’s okay. We’ve found our way back to each other-“

“I don’t want to keep finding our way back,” Michael says and his voice isn’t steady, “I just want to stay here.”

“We can,” Alex says. He looks at Michael desperately, “do you believe that at all?”

Michael shrugs but he also gropes for Alex’s hand and laces their fingers together. Alex keeps a tight grip on him even though it aches. Michael looks up to see Dr. Julia looking at him, but he only holds her gaze for a moment before looking over at Alex. Alex smiles gently and Michael leans his head on his shoulder, still fighting the urge to fall completely apart like he refuses to let himself do.

“That’s all the time we have,” Dr. Julia says, “I’ll see you both next week.”

***

“We forgot to talk about you and the group,” Michael realizes as they pull up in the cabin.

“I think,” Alex frowns thoughtfully, “maybe I should keep going.”

“That’s good,” Michael says. He swallows, “I think I maybe I should see her one on one for a bit.”

Alex looks at him.

“I think that’s a good idea,” he says.

Michael nods and looks at the cabin. He lingers, collecting his thoughts as Alex gets out of the car. He moves with that same odd grace he’s always had, that’s always caught Michael’s eye. Finally he gets out of the car. His mouth is dry as he looks at his back and he rubs his knuckles as he approaches the front door.

“Hey, uh, Alex?” Alex turns and looks at him, “can I spend the night?”

Happy surprise flares in Alex’s eyes and that’s more than enough to ease Michael’s misgivings. He hasn’t spent a night in the cabin since that night. And the last time they slept together was at Isobel’s house during his detox. But Alex is happy and surprised since Michael usually shuts the topic down.

“Of course,” Alex says, “I’d really like that.”

Michael smiles for the first time in days.

They go into the cabin together.

#michael guerin #alex manes #malex #malex fic #roswell new mexico #roswell nm fanfic #malex fanfic #prompts

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