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

Eh, nothing specific - just some more clothes for you. It's getting warmer, and since I know you don't like dealing with money here I figured I'd give you a hand.

[It's oddly domestic of Ryan, as though they're already married and living together. He's daydreamed about that countless times over the years, and he's gotten little tastes of it here and there.

Except something feels...off. He can feel a low hum of worry in Min now that they're touching, and he seems kind of...cagey?]

Hm?

[When Min looks behind them, Ryan does too. When he doesn't see anything there, he frowns a little.]

Are...you okay?

[Cagey is a good word for it. That's exactly how he feels. Cagey.

Like everything is starting to really close in on him now. But that's just life, right? That's just life here.]

Right, no I'm good. It's just weird seeing the streets so busy in the dark.

[God damn liar. But he doesn't want to worry Ryan, who had it so rough last month.

A little beep in the back of his head. The soft whirring of a fan. Closing off and buckling down and tightening up. It's fine. It's fine, he's doing what he needs to do. They should be laying low with wormholes around but Ryan wants to shop and so they'll shop. It's fine. Stop being such a pussy, Min.

He tongues his teeth, canines sharp against his tongue.

As if to make the point to himself he stops and looks in the window of a store, dark stone with almost nothing on display except for a single outfit on a mannequin.]

This would look good on you.

[The problem is that Ryan is difficult to lie to. He doesn't know exactly what's off, but he can tell that whatever's bothering Min is something he's just brushing off. He says he's good, but...the feelings Ryan is sensing in him aren't going away. And they don't really match up with the reason Min gives.

But, he reluctantly lets it go. For now.]

Oh. I...guess I'm just used to it. Parts of Cellar Door are busy like this this all night long, and that's when I'm up so. I just got used to it, I guess.

[He's babbling a little, but going along with Min's reasoning anyway. Maybe he's just overthinking this?

Min points out an outfit in a window and Ryan excitedly shakes Min's arm.]

That's so rad. Look at it! I can't tell if that's a vest or-- [Or a dress, but. He's not there yet with Min, exactly. He's...working on it.] --and those boots!

[The whole thing is so cool, and he's here for all of it. But he hasn't forgotten the Actual Mission here, so he looks at Min and grins.]

Bet they've got cool stuff for you too. Wanna go in?

[He gives a thin smile, grateful Ryan isn't pushing him to talk about something he doesn't want to and nods, gesturing towards the door.

It isn't that he doesn't want any new clothes, he does, it's just that everything around here seems to fit Ryan's style so much better. Not to mention the ten other things they should be doing instead of this.

But yeah, maybe they'll have something a little less..free form. A nice pair of slacks and a jacket would be welcomed for sure. Some basics. Spring layers. Maybe some accessories. Min-Gi likes fashion.

Inside seems to be a mix of the usual Trench aesthetic and music festival. He sees tunic..vest..things. He sees boots. He sees slacks and shirts and a small display of leather jackets in the back where the more premium items are.

Which tracks. Cows are so hard to keep alive here. Beef is hard to get, of course leather is extra expensive.

Hm. Okay. He can work with this if the price is right. But oh he wants that one of those jackets.]

This is a nice place.

[Ryan isn't listening, because he's staring directly at the premium section where all of the leather jackets are. The wheels are turning in his head and he grins at Min.]

Dude. Those jackets would look so cool on you. C'mon!

[He's so excited that he's going to tug Min right past all of the more reasonably priced things and straight over to the leather jackets in question. He then immediately makes a beeline for the rack, looking for one that'll be around the right size, probably. After a moment of inner debate, he holds one out to Min.]

Try it on!

[There are several different options but Ryan 1) knows Min-Gi's tastes and 2) of course he naturally gravitates to the most expensive and thus nicest jacket available. And yeah, it's beautiful. Calf leather (cow or monster, no one knows), soft but durable, with a beautiful inky sheen. It's been treated with darkblood and shimmers under the touch. Structured but fashion, and simple whilst being reminiscent of home. It's very, very cool.

He shrugs off his cloak, taken by the shopkeeper immediately now that he's figured out they're sleepers, and slips on the leathers. It's exactly his size.

Sir, here, the man says and guides Min-Gi to stand on a small platform before he pulls a thick cord, opening plush curtains to reveal an ornate tri-fold mirror. Maybe it's the vibe of the store, but he feels very fancy all of a sudden.]

Wow..

[Min-Gi smooths his hands down the front and turns a little, this way and that, before looking at Ryan through the glass. He really, really likes it.]

What do you think?

[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?]

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