Gain the weight of you then lose it

[reddosmod]

JANUARY 2022 EVENT

IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
Prompt One
[Image One: Woman in an elaborate blue dress with high collar staring at camera while people dance in background.]
[Image Two: Woman in pink dress touching chest and smiling at camera while people dance in background.]

Prompt Two
[Image One: Explicit gif of snake shedding its skin and a new viperlike snake coming out of the old skin.]
[Image Two: Gif of eyes gazing at camera and right eye turning yellow.]

Prompt Three
[Image One: Image of rock snake with fire glowing in its mouth.]
[Image Two: Gif of a snake made entirely out of flames hissing.]

[NAVIGATION]

Prompt 1 • Prompt 2 • Prompt 3 • Plotting • Newsletter

[JUMP TO COMMENTS]

SNAKE DEN

WHEN: Evenings throughout January
WHERE: The Red, Cellar Door
CONTENT WARNINGS: Alcohol/Drugs, possible NSFW scenarios, forced honesty, mood altering substances.

---

Around Trench, Sleepers will find a gold-edged flyer pinned to most doors, lamps, and posted around stores and throughout the market. Some may even find the flyer pinned to their front door:

MADAM GENEROSITY INVITES YOU TO THE SNAKE DEN

Hello darling and dearest Sleepers! Do not let the cold dampen your spirit or weaken your hope. Do not allow our differences to divide us; do not let the frigid drive you to isolation; do not hurt your soul by forgetting one another. They say snakes cannot thrive in the cold, yet here I am, defying it, thriving despite it. You can too. We must persist. We shall persist. Not with violence and bloodshed, not with pollution and corruption, but with unity! With compassion and fun.

I invite you all to join me at The Red every odd evening of January! Welcome to the Snake Den! A little Talent Show I throw occasionally to remind Sleepers of their profound potential for greatness and awe! Come be flashy on stage or to support your friends. After the Talent Show is our famed Fashion Show. Do you have eccentric outfits you would like to show off? Now is truly your time to shine!

The evening will be filled with plenty of food and drink for all. We shall dance, we shall show off, we shall persist and defy corruption together. Let my lovely Night Walkers shine and keep you company for the evening. Find some new friends, have an illicit affair, or just come so you don't have to be alone for a night. You are all welcome...And don't worry, I've enchanted the Red so that none of your powers can cause any damage while inside the building. Feel free to really make a light show with your fire! It won't hurt anyone.

I so look forward to seeing all of you there.

With Love,
Madam Generosity

The Red has been elaborately decorated for the Snake Den spectacle. Enormous golden statues of snakes have been placed throughout. Golden lights glitter above. Servers carry about golden flutes of champagne, soda, and sparkling water. You can order other drinks at the bar. While the invite has gone out to Sleepers, there are some regular Trenchies who have come to show their support. To perform in the Talent Show portion, one simply needs to go backstage to prepare with the rest.

A female Trenchie named Dorothea seems to be directing the acts. People can perform multiple times. Talents performed can include music, comedy, dance routines, or little skits. After the Talent Show concludes, a Fashion Show will be put on, and everyone is encouraged to join. You can get your hair and make-up done elaborately backstage and find eccentric outfits to try on if you're not so happy with the one you showed up in.

Going to the Snake Den at this time will cause incredible stress relief. Even those who are typically shy or introverted will find themselves soothed at the Snake Den. Giant pillows have been thrown about so people can puddle in together and snuggle up. Private rooms have been created out of silks for some private conversations or interactions.

There must be something in the drinks or the snacks going around because it becomes easy to become a much more outgoing version of yourself at the party. It may increase friendliness or touchiness and relax people's usual reservations. Who knows? It might encourage you to go up on stage and show off a bit or talk to that handsome stranger who has been eying you the whole night. Regular intoxication from alcohol/drugs is possible as well which means some people might not need the additional encouragement.

Regular dancing occurs after the Fashion Shows with various musicians performing on stage to fill the night up with plenty of mood melodies. As the evening prolongs, the lights dim and things become quiet and soothing. Since paleblood magic is exceptionally strong this month with honesty, attendants of the party may find themselves being more open and honest about themselves. Hopefully, you don't confess anything too vulnerable about yourself...

FAQ:
1. Characters with mental abilities may be able to resist the honesty sway if they consciously realize it is happening.

2. Any talent can be performed on the stage.

3. The flyer is magically enchanted so that people who touch it will feel unusually excited to go to the Snake Den.

THE SHEDDING CEREMONY

WHEN: Begins in January - Effects may be permanent. Players choose when the effects wear off.
WHERE: Everywhere
CONTENT WARNINGS: Forced modification of body, possible themes of body dysmorphia, shedding/peeling skin, burning/eating dead skin, alternate versions of characters, possible genderswapping, possible alteration of personality/memories.

---

[A passage from Rituals and Reality; Chapter 2: The Shedding Ceremony. Found exclusively in Gaze:]

"Worshippers of Madam Generosity believed that the shedding of snakeskin was symbolic to the shedding of an old life and the acceptance of a new life. The skin left behind was a reminder of past trials and tribulations, and the skin you walk away with is evidence of all that you have learned and experienced. In ancient times, Sleepers would ritualistically select one of their own to sacrifice to Madam Generosity. Eventually, Sleepers would come to learn that Madam Generosity did not appreciate blood sacrifices. Due to her gentle nature, she encouraged Sleepers to pay tribute to her in other ways.

Thus came the Shedding Ceremony. Sleepers would rub away chapped skin and set it afire in a bowl. They would reflect on lives left behind and the new life they had been given in Trench. Over time, this created a powerful magical experience that persisted beyond the original ceremony. The Shedding Ceremony is both a ritual and an enchantment.

As January begins, Sleepers may find that their skin has become dry and brittle. The generous application of lotions and oils may soothe the skin, but neglected skin can begin to peel off. Although it is a painless experience, it can be rather gross to look at and a bit itchy. Then one day, you simply fall asleep and when you awaken, you are an entirely different version of yourself. You will find a nearly perfect replica of your old self in a shed skin nearby. Your new body may be stronger, faster, more powerful. Old scars may be healed, lost limps replaced...Or you might be an entirely new gender. Some have even experienced becoming a different species. Some awaken as an older or younger variation of themselves while others find that they have become an alternate version of themselves.

These effects have been known to last for a few days up to months at a time. In some scenarios, the effects have become permanent. Some believe it to be a curse while others believe it is a gift. It may happen multiple times and take a few sheds to return to your original body. It is believed that ingesting your old skin or burning it alleviates the changes and brings you back to your original body faster. Generous application of lotion and oils can prevent the Shedding Ceremony altogether for some - or at the very least, slow it down."

FAQ

1. Characters can avoid this prompt altogether via the application of lotion.

2. If you decide to permanently change your character in a big way (ie; changing their species/gender/age) then we do ask that you update your character on the taken page to reflect that they are now an Alternate Version of a character. This would open up the original character to be applicable to new players.

3. This can change blood types for those interested in trying on a new blood type. You can either temporarily change a blood type or permanently. If you permanently change a blood type, let us know on the Blood Type page and update your information on the taken page.

4. You can play out the transformation as explicitly or non-explicitly as you want. Maybe characters see the changes happening under their peeling skin or just wake up in their new body. The peeling does not need to be any more graphic than what you would typically see on dry skin.

5. You can alter a character's gender, species, age, blood type, or switch to a general alternate version of a character (ie; Coffee Shop AU, an AU of your character but with different powers, an AU of your character if they came from a different canon or timeline.) Please have fun with this and explore the possibilities for as long as you like!

Unsnakely

WHEN: All of Bone Season
WHERE: Anywhere outside
CONTENT WARNINGS: Possible injuries or death from burns/fire.

---

[A journal entry from the Wayward Watcher that can be found in the Archaic Archives reads:]

"Do not trust the naked snake trails of January. They exist to trick you into a sense of Madam Generosity's comfort. The Good Pthumerian leaves snow tracks in her wake, but the Unsnakely leaves melted trails of snow. This creature has spent centuries cloaking itself to rope in those who devotedly follow Madam Generosity. The kind people of Trench look to snakes as a trustworthy, compassionate symbol filled with good intention.

There are many ways to anticipate the Unsnakely's presence. Besides its melted trails (that eventually turn to ice in the cold), you may notice pockets of comfortable heat. While many believe greenery is a good sign, do not be fooled by the melted patches of grass you find. These are not symbols of an early spring. They are symbols of incoming destruction.

The Unsnakely is not of blood or soul; it is a blood curse of the earth, a product of Blood Pollution. It's a creature made out of rock, with no pulse, no soul, no mind. Molten lava pours through its body. It moves in and out of the earth without disturbing the surface, transforming from rock into small beasts or a snake the size of your home. It looks to spill blood to freshen its own magic and its choice of weapon is its size and the fire it breathes. A furious Unsnakely will light up in flames and can bring great destruction to its surroundings. People have lost their homes to the Unsnakely and of course, people have lost their lives.

The Unsnakely, no matter the size it takes, is as fast and lethal as a typical snake. It cannot truly die, as it is a curse of the earth, but it can be physically destroyed by immense blunt strength or coldblood abilities whether fire or ice. Typical ice abilities will not work against the snake - they must come from a coldblood source. Enchanted coldblood items will be effective against the Unsnakely.

The Unsnakely can spit fire like venom and boil the air around it. It can be difficult to get physically close enough to land a blow due to the suffocatingly hot temperature rolling off its body. It traditionally hunts in the streets and in the woods, by the beach and among the cliffs. Once someone has slain the beast, it returns to the earth where it rebuilds itself over a period of 2-3 days. It primarily hunts during Bone Season, preferring to use the cloak of Madam Generosity to its advantage.

Since this is not a traditional snake, it has no desire to "eat" anyone. It will simply roast you alive - which is arguably worse for some. Its fire burns hotter and brighter than regular fire, and it is a slow, agonizing death that has caused absolute madness in some. People have claimed to see strange visions in the smoke that pours off of the Unsnakely, causing distortion in battle. Do not inhale too much of the Unsnakely's smoke as it will cause intense vertigo. Remember: this is a creature of deception.

Lastly, it would be beneficial to know that the Unsnakely cannot hear or see. It responds to the vibration around it. Some who stay still may get the upper hand, but the creature can feel the vibrations of your heartbeat if your pulse is unusually elevated. Good luck, fellow Hunters. Treat burns by the Unsnakely with vileblood. I know it sounds mad, but the vileblood seems to attack whatever cursed heat comes with burns from the Unsnakely.

Take care of yourself,
- The Wayward Watcher"

FAQ
1. Characters who can manipulate earth can contort/stop/fight against the Unsnakely's natural body. It will take great control to fully control or dismantle the body.

2. Coldbloods with fire abilities can similarly control the fire of the Unsnakely with great control.

CODING

Comments

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Ryan stares in return, for what feels like a long time. The exact emotion is a little hard to read, but somewhere between shock and disbelief. One heartfelt statement isn't enough to uproot something seeded so deep in Ryan, but he seems surprised an attempt is being made at all.

The static fuzz in his brain continues, though less coherently this time. No words can really be made out - it's just an auditory feeling of u̶̕͘͜n͘͢͡ȩ̶͜͠͞a̶͘͝҉s͝͠è̢͜͞ in his mind. A lot of the things he wants to say are stuck in his throat, because they aren't strictly true and for some reason it's hard to look at Wu and lie to him right now. Almost everything he can think of to deflect with isn't right.

Eventually, he settles on something he knows will go poorly, just to say something. He takes his hand out of Wu's to set it on his knee, as if Wu is the one who needs to be comforted here.]

Wu...it's really not that big a deal, dude.

[It just is what it is. The Earth is round, the sky is blue, and Ryan is sure he's a terrible person.]

I-- [He forces a laugh, but none of it's very funny at all.] --I don't even know why I'm saying half of this. I usually don't! And I definitely shouldn't have. All of this is just going to worry you for no reason.

[Sounds like the kind of thing a garbage person would do if you ask him!]

[royalfling]

Ryan...

[ This feels like brunch all over again, but at least he feels like he might actually get somewhere this time. He shifts closer, watching Ryan intently. He wants to get to the heart of this-- or at least to try, because Ryan is hiding this, hiding a lot behind his happy face and his smiles and his attitude, but Wu has seen the glimpses, seen the troubled core behind there, and even if he doesn't feel exactly the same, he knows what that's right. ]

Why do you think you're garbage?

[chickenchoicejudy]

[It's a direct question, and hard to avoid. The weirdest part to him is that he's torn between really wanting to answer and really wanting to see if he can fit until the couch and just sort of hide there until the party's over.

There's an unusual emotion in Ryan that Wu will be able to feel. A spike of fear.]

I don't really know how to answer that. I'm just...I'm not a good person? I don't know if I've ever been a good person, and it's like I said - people always figure it out, sooner or later. Even Min felt that way at one point, and even though we made up I still freak out about whether he'll wake up one morning and go "oh my god what am I doing?" and bail when he remembers I'm...

[He trails off, but the meaning's understood. Ryan's catching on though, and he pulls his hand away from Wu's knee to try and keep his memories from spilling into Wu. It's the only thing he can do to shield himself right now. He can endure the memory alone.]

...I even worry about it with you and Shiro sometimes? I try not to, but. You know. ...People get sick of me and my bullshit after a while. [He shrugs, to try and make it seem more reasonable, or like it doesn't bother him.] I'd probably get sick of me too.

[royalfling]

[ The problem is that Wu understands that feeling. He understands it because he's felt it, like no one wants him around, like he's a burden, like people only put up with him because of his title and his name.

He doesn't touch Ryan, because he gets it. Thoughts and feelings are slipping so easily between them right now, and some things are harder to share, even when that sharing is forced. He doesn't want to force his best friend to share things he isn't willing to share, not when, now, he's explained why. It hurt, before, when Ryan held things back from him without that explanation, without telling him why. He worried similar things, that he wasn't good enough, that he was getting on Ryan's last nerve, that Ryan wouldn't and couldn't trust him because he's Wu, who would trust him with anything if they had a choice?

He lets out a breath, bracing his elbows on his thighs, because this is pretty heavy for the middle of a party. But at least it's loud, and no one is really looking at them. It's like they're alone back here, in their own room of noise. ]

What do you think a good person is? I, I'm probably not one, either. I'm a selfish person. A picky person. A needy person.

[ It's all the things that pick at the back of his mind, the things that he tells himself he can get better at, but he never does. He's still selfish, he's still picky, he still needs so much more than he gives.

He looks up at Ryan, though, with a little smile, because he is being selfish right now, turning it back to himself ]

If I ever get sick of you, I've probably been swapped with someone else, like that time Mako thought he was a detective from New York, and you'll have to find a way to get the real me back.

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Ryan sinks back into the couch, idly appreciating that they have a cozy place to sit when he feels impossibly heavy. This conversation is a lot for a party they swore up and down was going to be the best party of their lives.

But then again, that happens to Ryan a lot when he hypes up parties. He never learns.]

Dude. You're such a good person. I look at you and I'm always like "Woah! He's like me if I didn't suck so bad!"

[For some reason that's the truth that makes tears prick at the corners of his eyes, but he refuses to let it happen now. He just rubs at his eyes and takes a deep breath to reel it in.]

A good person is...someone who remembers to think about others. Someone who...I dunno, when people look at them they don't go "Woah, is he okay?" or "Wow, wouldn't want to wind up like that guy!". They don't just do whatever they want all the time without thinking; they remember actions have consequences before they fuck everything up for everyone, themselves included. And...they don't have to act like everything's going great, because it is going great, for real. I guess. They...they don't waste people's time making them worry about stuff that can't be fixed, because then that just makes everyone miserable.

[It's not a question he's ever considered before, really. "Good" and "garbage" have always been intuitive terms for him. Things he is not and things he is.

The anecdote gets him though, and he sputters out a small laugh - but most importantly, a real one. He meets that small smile with one of his own.]

Heh. ...I'll have to try and remember that.

[And given the strong pull of honesty between them, he actually means it.]

[royalfling]

[ Hearing all of that is like a weight slowly pressing Wu down. It hurts, in a dull way, like an ache at the back of his mind, low and painful and there's nothing he can do about it. But he wants to. He really wants to. He reaches out a hand to offer it to Ryan, not to try and feel more, but to offer comfort, to offer something, anything, to him. ]

I think some of what you're saying is right. A good person thinks about other people, a good person weighs the needs of others against their own. A good person, they don't do things that they intend to hurt other people, or animals. But, what other people think about them? I don't, I don't know if what other people think matters, for being a good person.

You know, you don't have to pretend like everything is going to be great, around me.

[ In fact, he doesn't really want Ryan to. He's been around enough people who were just trying to placate him, to make him comfortable, without being real with him, to last him a lifetime ]

And, for the record? I don't think I'm you if you didn't suck, because you don't suck and I can't play guitar.

[chickenchoicejudy]

[The worst part is that even if they aren't touching, Ryan knows he's burdening Wu with this. If all of this makes him feel heavy, then there's no doubt he's only pulling Wu down with him.

A good person weighs the needs of others against their own. And doesn't knowing that something is going to hurt someone count as intentionally hurting them if you go ahead and do it anyway?

What people think about him doesn't matter. He knows this, on some level. He lives and breathes it in other parts of his life. But it's different. He can't explain it in any way that's going to make coherent sense to anyone but himself, but it's different.

Wu's hand is outstretched. Ryan lifts his own, as though he wants to reach out and take it and grip it tight.

...Except, he can't make himself do it. After a moment of tension, he pulls back. It feels like the wrong move, but the right one feels impossible.]

...Sorry.

[And he is. Fuck, he's so sorry - Wu's just trying to help and he's here being a baby about it. It's taking everything he has to hold himself together, and he roughly rubs at his eyes and sniffles and tries to just make everything stop before it can even start. Then, he lets out a frustrated groan.]

Ugh, I'm being such a buzzkill! I hate this! Wasn't this supposed to be like, the party of the century?! How did we even start talking about this anyway? I'm just--

[--NOPE, he's gonna bite his lip so he doesn't say that thing about himself that he was going to say. He's not going to blurt out how he's ruining everything, even though he's pretty certain he is, because it'll just keep everything going and going and going.]

...We should go forget about this. Get on the dance floor, maybe get a couple more drinks? It'll be-- ["great," he wants to say. He stumbles though, remembering what Wu literally just said, and picks a different word even though he means the same thing.] --it'll be fun, I promise!

[royalfling]

[ Wu lets his hand stay there, even if he can feel Ryan not taking it like its own weight. He tries to hide these feelings as much as he can, because clearly they're not helping, but he can't hold most of them back, just make them feel less intense to Ryan.

His voice is low and tight when he answers: ]

Don't be sorry. I'm sorry, I brought this up, and I know you don't like talking about this stuff, and I just keep pushing! And I want to know you better, but I, I know you don't want that.

[ Which isn't exactly right, but it's how he feels. It's his truth. He takes a deep, shaking breath, and pushes himself up, trying to plaster a smile on his face, but it doesn't hit quite right. It's an old move, something he did for years to be able to be what other people wanted him to be. He didn't realize just how little he has to do it anymore, how out of practice he is. He doesn't want to have to pretend anymore. Mako gets mad at him when he pretends to be okay. But maybe it's what Ryan needs from him, and he doesn't want to lose Ryan by asking for more than Ryan is willing to give him. ]

We can get more drinks. Stay, stay here, I'll go.

[ Because he needs a breath, he needs some air, he needs to reset himself and his expectations. He wants to have this, he wants to have his friend, he doesn't want to drive him away like he always drives everyone away, by asking for too much, wanting too much, being too much.

His legs sting with pins and needles, and he's unsteady on his big, platform boots. ]

[chickenchoicejudy]

Wait--!

[Ryan reaches out as Wu moves to leave catching not his hand, but the back of his jacket. It happens with a strange amount of intensity and desperation. He can't let him leave this way, not when he screwed up and hurt him anyway.

His words catch in his throat. He can feel them getting harder to string together, like they always get when he's emotionally wrung out, but he has to try.]

I-I. That's not--

[Fuck. Why is this so hard? He takes a deep breath and gives it another shot.]

I...don't think about it like that. It's not that I don't want you to, I just. I'm...a lot. For anyone.

[There's an awkward beat as that hangs in the air. Then, as if his own thoughts startled him, Ryan suddenly releases the death grip he has on Wu's suit jacket and gives it a couple of more gentle tugs, to make sure he didn't just wrinkle the hell out of Wu's Lil Nas X outfit.]

[royalfling]

[ Why does everything Ryan say reverberate in his own heart? He could have said those words. He has said those words, to Mako, months and months ago. And, yes, Wu is hurting but only because he doesn't want Ryan to hurt, because he wants to fix this and he can't, but there is one thing he can do which might not be the right thing, but it's his thing, and he twists back around and practically tackles Ryan into the plush couch, his arms wrapping tight around him. ]

You are a lot. You are a lot and I'm a lot and I think that's why I like you so much.

[ His voice is muffled in Ryan's shoulder and he holds on tight, the effect from his hugs radiating calm between both of them.

But, he also knows that Ryan doesn't really want to be touched right now, so he tries to rein himself in and if Ryan doesn't hug him back, he'll pull back with an apologetic smile. ]

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Somehow, he doesn't see it coming and there's no time to really flinch away. Wu is incoming and there are arms around him.

As soon as they touch Wu will hear that formless radio static again, covering angry and hurt words too garbled to make out, but as the hug starts to take effect it fades as if the station is finally coming in. There's fear - a lot of fear - and guilt, and frustration, and self-loathing tangled in there, but the hug washes over him in a wave that lessens the intensity of everything else. Those feelings are still there, it didn't make them go away, but it carries a deep relief and calm that makes Ryan's eyes water.

Wu's actually starting to pull away when Ryan finally reacts, pulling him back into the hug maybe a little too forcefully, squeezing him tight.]

I like you too. I like you so much.

[A thought hits him, and he lets out a soft laugh into Wu's shoulder. He hums a familiar melody, and when he sings the line it's wobbly and soft, barely sung at all.]

Yeah, I like you, Wu.

[royalfling]

[ The relief that washes over Wu when Ryan hugs back is palpable, and he laughs out loud, squeezing him tight. In his scratchy, emotion-ridden voice, Wu sings back on the same melody: ]

I like you, too!

[ He can feel those feelings still inside Ryan, still struggling to get out, struggling against the static, and he thinks that he'll just have to get to know them, too. Even if Ryan doesn't like them, well, they all have things like that, don't they? The loneliness showed them that, corruption shows them that. They aren't just happy all the time. That's what Mako keeps reminding him, that he doesn't have to be happy all of the time. Maybe Ryan needs that reminder, too. ]

We can move on, buddy, we can go party, but I need you to know: I still like you, even when you're not happy. Okay?

[ Maybe this is how Mako feels with him, this strange sense that of course he will still like Ryan when he isn't happy. But he still can't shake the same thoughts for himself, that he always has to be happy or he's a burden ]

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Ryan wipes away the last of his tears, even though it means pulling away from Wu's hug. It's pushed everything down enough that Ryan doesn't feel like he's going to immediately boil over anymore, and another deep breath solidifies that. He's good. ...He's good.

Wu's looking at him expecting an answer though and slowly, Ryan manages a small nod.]

Okay. ...Okay. Yeah.

[He's not at all confident he'll keep that in mind the next time something's going wrong or the next time something comes up, but right now he knows it. Right now, he's pretty sure Wu's right. After all, he stuck with him through whatever the hell this was, right?

But holy crap, is he ready for this to be over. He leans back as far back and as deep into the cushions as he can, arms outstretched with playful grabby hands.]

Wuuuuuu, help me uuuuuup! This couch is gonna eat me!

[royalfling]

[ Wu breaks into another laugh, half over him. He pulls ineffectively at Ryan's arms ]

Ryan! [ He pulls again, but he's laughing too hard to put much behind it. He feels-- a lot better. Buoyantly better, like he could float up to the ceiling if his feet left the floor.

With another pull, he ends up on the couch next to Ryan, giggles wracking his body, legs curled up under him again. ]

I'm sorry, buddy. I think the couch is gonna win this one.

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Ryan's laughing now too, real laughter that actually hurts his sides a little. Even though Wu is on the couch and in no position to actually "help", Ryan flops over dramatically so he can sink as far into the space between the cushions as he can, like he's being actually pulled in. Half his head is in there and his arm is reaching out; he's very committed to the bit.]

Noooooooooooooooo!

[After a second of that, Ryan pulls himself back up on his own and shakes out the mess he's made of his hair until it's a more intentional sort of mess again. He's still laughing, and eventually he laughs so hard that noise stops coming out, and he settles in to lean against Wu. It's not even that funny, but all the tension that remained from their talk had to get out of his body somehow.]

[royalfling]

Ryan!

[ Wu laughs with him, ineffectually reaching for him, trying to pull him out, but he can't really help, and he sure hopes this is a bit and that there aren't human-eating couches here.

But then Ryan pulls himself up and leans against Wu, and whatever small bit of fear he had is gone, and he bundles Ryan close, laughing with him, Ryan's laughter infecting him until they're both just cuddled there, laughing in the way where you can't stop, you can't stop even if you try.

It lasts for a while, minutes at least, until the laughter finally peters out and Wu is able to catch his breath. A quiet thought makes its way past Wu's lips: ]

You know, it's pretty fun, having a best friend.