If I had died

[shiro2hero]

Who: SHIRO & OPEN
What: Catchall for December Shenanigans, House Meeting, Event, Silent Hill Player Plot
When: All through the month.
Where: Mouse House, Around Trench

Content Warnings: Silent Hill type imagery/body horror, violence against snowmen, will update as needed


See the headers below for specifics!

• Mouse House Meet Up
• Silent Hill Player Plot
• Event Post

Comments

[saltyadam]

Adam frowned. "Why does Keith h-- you know what, never mind. I don't think I want to know. I should've learned better than to ask questions after the... van incident."

He waves a hand at Takashi, rummaging around in the cabinet.

"We can just use the stove. Works just as well, less likely to create a fire hazard."

[shiro2hero]

"What, the other mothman thing? That was Deerington."

Mostly. Keith had dragged the thing home, hunted it down, all of that. But it also wouldn't have happened without the weird dream world spurring them all on.

Bread and jam accomplished! Breakfast time.

"Unless you let me touch it, right?"

[saltyadam]

"I'm just saying, you and Keith are a disaster combination when left on your own no matter the universe."

Adam has successfully procured two marshmallows and is heading for the stove.

"Not unless you want me to use your hand for a heat source."

[shiro2hero]

"We haven't done anything catastrophic here."

Yet. That's the key word. Bread and jam accomplished, maybe they have some jerky or trail mix. That'd be good. This is how he looks after himself, apparently. Mix and match premade kitchen items. And coffee.

"Well - you could. I don't see why you couldn't work my hand."

... Shiro.

[saltyadam]

Adam just... closes his eyes.

No, closing his eyes isn't enough. He brings a hand up to his forehead too. And now the glasses are coming off. What have you done.

" Takashi. "

[shiro2hero]

"What?"

No, he genuinely did not realize what the heck he just said. He's standing there in the kitchen, a string of mushroom jerky half in his mouth. Just typical morning Shiro right here.

"What did I say?"

[saltyadam]

Takashi, you're good at thermodynamics. Adam was there. He saw your grades.

"For one, the heat distribution would be uneven between your palm and your fingers. Nothing would cook correctly. For another we haven't done any tests at all on your ability to control temperature differentials. You don't exactly have a control switch or a temperature gauge."

His lips and eyebrows twitch in shared frustration.

"Not to mention you're the most clumsy athlete I've ever met and you would absolutely set something on fire."

[shiro2hero]

That was a long time ago, he's old now!

"So just put it on my palm." He suggests, shrugging. Although, at this point, he might just be messing with his partner. It's probably that. Shiro's smarter than that. "We could test it, sometime. I know I can start fires with it, though."

Yeah, he's messing with him.

"Intentional fires."

[saltyadam]

Sure, sure, but honestly you should know your partner better than this. You should know that if you mention experiments you'll completely lose his attention on anything else.

He's already rubbing his chin, Shiro.

"I suppose we could introduce a few variables and test your temperature control. The trench has thermometers, right? Not the most exacting tool, but better than nothing. Liquid might be best, perhaps water to start. After we do a control for the mug first, of course."

[shiro2hero]

Oh no.

Shiro just grins. That lopsided sort of challenge grin that makes his face look a decade younger. Even with the scar and eye bags that are a constant anymore.

He meets Adam's eye. And then slowly reaches out with his right hand - the metal hand in question.

Slowly.

Carefully.

To set it down on a bagel.

[saltyadam]

Adam gapes, scrambles a little even.

"Wait! I don't have my-- do we even have a thermometer? A pen and paper, of course I cleaned off the counters the other day--"

Flustered he pulls out the only method of recording for proper notation later that he happens to have available to him -- the camera on his device. He sets it to record.

"Alright. Try to just-- lightly toast it. What would that be, 145 degrees celsius?"

[shiro2hero]

Oh he almost feels bad.

But there's plenty of bread on the counter. They can do actual science or something later.

He maintains eye contact. Not with the Omni. With Adam.

And slowly.

Carefully.

Takes a bite out of the plain, untoasted bagel.

[saltyadam]

Adam froze. He could swear his heart stopped for a moment.

His science... was being taken away from him?

Indignation came in full force. Nothing was readily available to fling at him, so Adam swatted at his arm instead.

"Takashi Shirogane, how dare you! Divorce! Divorce in the name of science!"

[shiro2hero]

That's it, that's all it takes. Shiro can't keep his straight face any longer. He has to set the bagel back down, and cover his mouth with his free hand.

He's laughing way too hard. It's muffled by bagel, and his hand, but the sound is unmistakable.

Adam swatting him definitely didn't help him stop laughing.

[saltyadam]

How dare you not be terrified of your fierce, violent and very intimidating husband!

"I hope you choke on that bagel! You owe me a science!"

That's right, a science. You know the kind. The kind he can study, preferably while bapping (fiercely!) at your arm.

[shiro2hero]

Nope. Laughing too hard. He's trying to shrimp-curl while standing up. Leaning on the counter.

Why is this so funny? It's probably the fact Adam is swatting him while ranting.

"-Sorry!"

He is not sorry.

[saltyadam]

"A cruel husband and a liar! You aren't even a little sorry." Even if he didn't know you he can feel it through your link, you dorito.

He stops his assault to put his hands on his hips. "It's a good thing the kids didn't witness this."

[shiro2hero]

No, he's not sorry. Not really.

He holds a hand up in surrender. Managing to horf down that bite of bagel - finally. Curse you, bread. Once that's actually managed, he looks back up, his expression soft.

"The kids. That's... I don't know, it's different, hearing you say it."

[saltyadam]

He hadn't even thought about it, honestly. He can't exactly nitpick about it. Keith is a given, and he'd brought Ritsuka himself.

"We really are going to run out of rooms eventually."

[shiro2hero]

"Probably."

He's still grinning, though. "You say that like it's a bad thing. Like Chloe didn't wash back up again."

Maybe... Will. Or Varian. Or Eddie...

[saltyadam]

He reaches out instinctively to squeeze Takashi's hand at the mention. He was glad Chloe was back too, of course, but he also knew it meant far more to Takashi.

And yes, those names came to him too. Even without the link he thought of Will and Varian in particular. He still felt a pang in his chest at their memory. Keith had come back as well. Maybe... ?

He swallowed, shaking his head. Refusing to let that grief swallow him again.

"I only mention it because of how long it took you to expand our room. Or buy us a real mattress. Just imagine how long it'd take you to add an extension to the house."

[shiro2hero]

"Hey, I'll have you know I installed an entire hot tub."

With Allura. Which almost sends another spiral through his head. He squeezes that hand back, taking a breath. Steady - focus. Things had been so light and silly a moment ago.

"Sorry - I didn't mean to drag things down." Didn't mean to start thinking about the worst. "I could try and toast the bagel with my thumb... if you want."

[saltyadam]

Adam twines their fingers together, reassurance pouring through their link.

"You didn't. And don't you think you can sweet talk your way back into my graces that easy, sir. You owe me a proper science."

[shiro2hero]

"And what counts as 'a proper science', exactly?"

It's very easy to fall back into the humor. The bond between them has been a blessing - you really can't second-guess yourself when the other part of you is yelling in your figurative ear.

Reassuringly, but still.

[saltyadam]

"I require measuring instruments, a properly noted experiment plan complete with scientific method," He's actually counting out on his fingers. "At least two potential outcomes, and an alternate mode of experimentation for confirmation of results."

Is his head tilted slightly up? Is he looking haughty? Why yes, yes he is.