deercountry | Some nights, I stay up cashing in my bad luck

[Ryan's used to the extra attention from shopkeepers now, having been here a few months longer, so it doesn't come as a surprise to him. He's also been known to bend that to his advantage now and then, less to get discounts and more because it just makes him feel like a real rockstar.

A couple of the other jackets catch Ryan's eye as something that would look cool on himself, but right now it's all about Min. He loves watching Min look at himself and feeling an emotion bloom in Min that Ryan feels all the time.]

I think you look amazing.

[He motions for Min to turn around all the way and playfully whistles. Look at him. Look at his hot as fuck boyfriend.]

I also think you need that jacket. It's so gnarly. You're like, the coolest guy in the room right now!

[If he were feeling a little bit more like himself he would blush and wave off Ryan's words, even though it's accurate to how he feels wearing it.

Instead, he studies himself critically for a moment and then shrugs the jacket off. His shoulders feel cold without it. That's unpleasant.]

It's nice but I don't know if I need it. How much?

[The shopkeeper looks them over and shrugs a little.]

What have you got, Sleeper?

[Instantly the joy of shopping is sucked out of the room and Min-Gi no longer wants it. He hates this part. He hates it.]

[Ryan pouts at him. He was doing pretty well up until this point too!]

Dude, come on. It's not about whether you need it or not. If you only ever bought stuff you need, you'd have one outfit to wear every single day like a cartoon character.

[He can feel the change in Min though, and immediately takes over on the jacket negotiations, sliding right up into Min's conversation with the shopkeeper.]

Depends - what kinda things do you usually trade for these?

[Some might call this foolish, but it's honestly the easiest tactic. He's not gonna offer the guy pebbles if he's looking for bloodstones, after all. And maybe if what he wants is reasonable, they don't have to haggle anyway.]

[Min puffs his breath and holds his hands up. Ryan has a point and he gives in. He should have clothes. That is a thing people need. Okay, fine. But he doesn't want to listen, and as Ryan and the shopkeeper haggle he slips away to inspect...whatever is farthest away. earrings, as it turns out.]

[Ryan spends a few minutes going back and forth with the guy. If Min peeks over at any point he'll see some very exaggerated hand waving and-- air guitar? Yeah, that's air guitar.

It takes a bit, but Ryan sweet talks him into what he feels is a good deal (A vial of real sea glass in various colors and a comped ticket to one of their upcoming shows, along with a promise that they'll namedrop his store whenever someone asks who they're wearing, as though they're famous enough musicians for that). The shopkeeper takes the vial and the ticket, and since this is a relatively fancy shop he rushes off with the jacket to package it nicely for them with tissue paper between every fold to prevent creasing and wrinkling.

Only then does Ryan look up and realize that Min-Gi isn't by his side anymore. He's easy enough to spot, but concern makes him wander away from the counter and over to where Min is. He slides up next to him, as though he's looking at the earrings too.]

So...you sure you're okay? You don't seem super up for this.

[There's a mismatched set of a star and a planet/star kind of thing he's looking at, but it's really only a surface interest. They're cool, but he doesn't have his ears pierced. Maybe for Ryan, though.

He looks up and raises his brow in silent question, glancing behind Ryan and then back.]

Yeah.. sorry, the second someone tries to haggle with me I feel like I'm gonna freak out. It's so stupid.

[You know, just him once again not being able to do basic things like fucking shop without someone there to make the deal for him. He's such a loser.]

It's not stupid.

[Ryan puts a hand on Min's shoulder, transferring a clear emotion in the process - concern. He's worried about you, Min.]

We don't have to keep doing this today, seriously. Wanna head back? They're just wrapping up the jacket and then we can totally split.

[Min's clearly not up for it right now, and that's alright. Maybe it was just too much for one day?]

[It shouldn't be too much, that's the thing he's upset about.]

No, I don't. It is stupid, I need to learn to get through this.

[He tongues his sharpened teeth with annoyance.]

My directive today is to buy everything on my list before I have to split for my shift at Rocky's.

Directive? Seriously?

[There's no hiding the judgement. What kind of person calls following a shopping list a directive? And he wants to reel it back in, but...something about mentioning his barcade shift makes him bristle.]

...Right. Your shift.

[Have a sarcastic eyeroll.]

Well...what did you have on your list anyway?

[To be entirely honest, Ryan didn't even realize there was a list. He thought they were just moseying through shops instead of ticking things off of a to-do list.]

[Yeah, his shift. You know, the thing that's kept them fed mushroom free and able to buy these nice things when they aren't performing.

He counts on his fingers one item at a time.]

Socks, ginch, a pair of boots, a shirt and... uh. These earrings.

[He points at the pair he was eyeing just now. Almost like this list is procedurally generated based on things he's seeing right now.]

[You mean the one he totally didn't need because Wu offered to pay them anyway but he was too proud to take it? That job? Hmmmm?

It isn't lost on Ryan that he's coming up with this list off the top of his head, but...the earrings are a good and successful distraction. They're really nice and he loves that they come mismatched, but he raises an eyebrow at Min.]

...You don't have pierced ears though?

[Why else would Min be eyeing them?]

[He isn't a charity case. Wu means well but he just couldn't do it. It would be too much to hold over his head later on.]

No, but you do.

It would look cool if I did though, huh.

[Ryan flushes a little as he realizes what's happening here and rubs his neck. He isn't actually embarrassed though - he looks happy.]

Almost as cool as you looked in that jacket.

[Almost.]

If you wanted to, I'd go with you? I keep thinking about doing getting another one for me anyway. Like, here--

[He gently pinches a spot toward the top of Min's ear. He's blanking on what it's called, but he's seen all these funky sets of earrings that have chains from the upper piercings to the lower ones and they're so rad.]

You'd look good with little studs though. It'd suit you. Oh, or the thing where you do just one ear?

[Honestly he's getting kind of excited about it on Min's behalf.]

[Min side eyes where Ryan's pinching as much as he can. Obviously he can't see, but he's trying to.]

Just the one.

[Two is way too much for him. And one is very rock 'n roll. Asymmetry is edgy.

He raises his hand to rest over Ryan's before gently drawing it back down.]

Did it hurt? When you got these ones?

[Of course he's noticed, but it's not like they's super talked about it or anything. At most he's played with them a little mid cuddle.]

[Ryan wiggles his free hand.]

A liiiiittle? Not like a ton though. Think like, getting a shot at the doctor's office. It pinches and you can feel it a little right after but it isn't a big deal and it goes away quick. And I mean, if it hurt super bad I wouldn't be going back for thirds?

[Granted, a piercing that isn't on the lobe will hurt more, but eh. Point still stands.]

Huh.

I could deal with that. As long as it's clean and everything.

Oh, totally. It's like, a real shop, not some grody mall kiosk. They show you how to take care of it after too and how to keep it clean.

[Ryan leans in playfully.]

Plus I'll be there to hold your hand and kiss it better.

[Snort.]

Yeah right, whatever.

[But that's a yes.

The shop assistant appears to the side with their parcel and Min-Gi pushes the elegant little box with the earrings towards Ryan.]

[It would be so easy for Ryan to flag down the shopkeeper and haggle for one more item. He probably should just do that, since Min's clearly having a time of it.

But he also remembers what Min said just moments ago, and gently pushes the box back towards Min. He's not refusing it; that isn't what he means to do here. He leans in, just checking in without little go of the little box completely.]

Did you want to give it a try...? You did say you need to get through this.

[No time like the present, right?]

Uggggh!

[But Ryan has a point. Fuck.

He takes the box and holds it up, other hand going into his pocket for the collection of weird shit that is apparently money.]

We want this, too. But I'm not haggling with you. You can have uh, these two shells or this coldblood gem.

[Very aggressive. Nailed it.]

[Definitely more aggressive than Ryan would be, for sure, but...not so much so that Ryan feels the need to step in. He hangs back and watches and lets Min do his thing.

The shopkeeper also seems taken aback and looks from Ryan to Min, and then to the payment in his hand. He raises an eyebrow.]

...The coldblood gem.

[And he holds his hand out for the payment.]

[Min-Gi gives a stiff nod and drops the gem in the man's hand, closing the little box and putting it in his pocket.

The man hands Ryan their parcel and that's that. Min is already opening the door to get out.

Out.. into the street. That he absolutely doesn't trust. Looking around suspiciously before allowing himself and then Ryan out into the cobbled lane.

Good, okay, that's done. Now he's on a mission, he just wants to complete it and-

-and what, exactly. Go home where it's safe? Nowhere is safe. A portal almost ate him in Shiro's house, why would inside be any safer. One could open under him while he's asleep and he would have no way to know or escape.

Which is what he's been thinking a lot about since the end of last month. It makes sleep difficult. It makes relaxing difficult. The only reason he could let loose a little with Shiro is the fact they were on a hover bike and the likelihood of a portal being able to get them felt a lot lower.

Man, unless once opened suddenly and they went careening into it.

No more hover bike rides.

Damn.

Min-Gi inspects the bricks of the store's exterior to make sure they're solid before he presses his back to them. He still sounds a little aggressive when he speaks, but doesn't seem to notice.]

I wish these places had catalogs, it would be so much easier. We should go to a shoe maker next and then somewhere for the rest of the basics. I don't want to be carrying around a bunch of parcels.

[Ryan is the one who waves bye to the storekeeper and exchanges pleasantries when they leave. Min is just out the door as soon as he can. It means Ryan misses the initial moment of suspicious looking, but he exits the store just in time to see Min...inspecting the wall? And come to think of it, wasn't he looking around behind him earlier too?

The tone doesn't go unnoticed, but it rolls off of Ryan even though it soaks in. He's choosing to ignore it.]

I can carry them. It's no big deal.

[Something else is though. Ryan leans against the bricks too, and carefully sets his hand on top of Min's, curling his fingertips over his.]

...Did you see something in the bricks?

[It's not accusatory. But after last month it's impossible not to see it either.]

[As if he's going to make Ryan carry all his shopping, that's ridiculous.]

Mm? No. I just wanted to make sure they were solid.

And they are. So it's fine.

[Moving right along, quick as the white rabbit.

He knocks his knuckles on the wall before forcing himself to push off and head further down the lane, hoping they won't have to go too far. He's getting more and more sus of everything and everyone around them and while it's dark and impossible to tell, he casts no shadow as he moves through the other people. It's kind of crowded and while he would normally do his best to loop and weave and move around people, he's walking with his shoulders hunched. Min-Gi will absolutely not move if someone gets too close. So if they get shoulder checked, then that's just what happens, and it comes with a snapped watch where you're going! to boot. How rude.]

[He can and he will!!! Let him and his guitar muscles help!

That being said, something is super wrong here. Min's getting more and more irritated by the second, and Ryan actually offers an apologetic look to the Trenchie that got knocked into and snapped at. It wasn't their fault, but this needs to stop.

He reaches for Min's shoulder, to try and stop them right in the middle of the crowd.]

Dude! What is with you today?

[If he can, he'll tug them off to the side of the street, but if not they'll just have to bicker about this in the middle of the road.]

Look, if something's wrong just-- tell me! Okay?

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