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

[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?

[Ugh god what now!?

Min-gi follows but jerks out of Ryan's tug, flapping his arms out by his sides.]

Nothing is wrong except you keep asking me what's wrong!

[Except that isn't true. He pinches his brow, leaving behind the finest little fractures when he drops his hand.]

Except for the fact that it's super irresponsible to be out shopping when there are wormholes opening all over town! The sun hasn't come up in days, and I'm honestly not even sure I'm actually awake right now! Have you seen the giant moths?? We should be doing something useful like getting our life back on track or learning how to defend ourselves! But oohhh noooo I'm Ryan, over here glowing in happy land buying bunny hugs and this place is falling apart!

[Ryan's...kind of shocked. There's a split second of hurt on his face, but Min will feel it radiate from him. Once it becomes personal, it stings. That feeling mingles with irritation and worry, but only one of these things actually shows up in his words.]

That's like, a ton of things wrong! Don't act like I shouldn't have been thinking something was up with you!

[It might not be what Ryan was worried about, but there was still clearly something wrong and that's why he kept asking.]

We are getting our lives back on track. We're getting back to doing normal stuff like going out shopping. I mean...yeah, there's a risk of wormholes, but what are we going to do, Min? Just hide inside for another month?

[Ryan gestures widely at the busy street around them.]

The city isn't falling apart. Literally no one else is freaking out here. The people here aren't stupid; if they think it's dangerous to be outside they don't go outside.

[Like in November, when barely anyone was on the street and Ryan made himself a target by taking a five minute walk instead of using the lamps.

He pokes Min in the chest.]

You're the one falling apart here.

[Its not unusual for Ryan to get up in Min-Gi’s face like this when they fight. It’s completely warranted. Usually Min takes a step back with Ryan following as it escalates but this time? This time Min-Gi slaps Ryan’s hand away, get offa me with that shit.]

That’s easy for you to say, you don’t care what’s going on around us. You’re not even paying attention!

A wormhole could open under us at any second and you’re not worried because the locals aren’t!? Were the locals worried about hallucinating mushrooms and not being able to see or have any contact with reality!? No!

Don’t make this sound like I’m being crazy, I have a good reason to take this seriously! And as usual I’m the only one bothering! What if a portal brings us back to the train!? Or into a monster pit or a body farm!

Edited 2022-04-17 18:04 (UTC)

[Ryan holds his own hand, a little surprised that that just happened. Min didn't even do it that hard, and it doesn't really hurt. He's just stunned. Mention of the body farm hurts more.

"This isn't like him."

But, he can have that thought and still be really upset with him.]

I never said you were crazy. But you are being a jackass. You literally just almost bowled over some random dude in the street! Which I noticed because I've been paying attention, by the way. I kept giving you every out to not do this today, so you don't get to act all pissed off about it now because you didn't want to say no!

[This time, he crosses his arms tight over his chest.]

And excuse me for being happy to be back to normal.

[That one stings the most, honestly. Why is that making Min mad? He just wanted a normal day out with his boyfriend after a month of not being able to have that. Why is that a problem?]

[It isn't like him, no. Even when Min is really pissed.]

He got in my way! [Min flaps his arms out again.]

I'm not gonna be some Trenchie's doormat, oh I'm sorry, I'm in your way, I'm sorry sir, I'm so god damn sick of it, Ryan.

[For a second it looks like he might jab back. There's something new and dangerous in his eyes. The nearby lunar lamp reflects purple and a hint of something brighter. Something not quite human. But that's insane right, must just be the weird light.]

And I never said you can't be happy, but that isn't a reason to not be vigilant. A wormhole almost got me the other day and it would have if Shiro didn't pull me out of it! Nowhere is safe!!

[Actually, you now what? Fuck it. He jabs. He jabs Ryan right back in his chest with a clawed finger.]

If you want me to back off then learn how to fight!

What?! Min-- why didn't you say anything? Are you--

[No, he's not okay, obviously, why on earth would he ask that right now? He cuts himself short, and doubles back to the first point.]

You should've told me. We're not supposed to keep things from each other anymore. I could've--

[Well. He couldn't have stopped it but he could have made efforts to make Min feel safer as they get back to normalcy. This time though, he's cut off by a weirdly sharp jab.]

Ow! Hey!

[It's the kind of yelp that comes from something more surprising than painful, like trying to train a puppy not to bite. Ryan grabs Min's wrist to pull his hand away and--

--and.

Freezes.

He stares.

His hands feel like they're shaking, but he keeps a tight grip. He slowly moves Min's hand up into his field of vision, so he can see what Ryan is seeing.

A clawed finger, with a small amount of milky paleblood on the end.]

...We need to go home. Now.

Edited 2022-04-17 19:46 (UTC)

[Ryan has another excellent point, they did promise not to keep anything from each other anymore.

1, Because that's what normal, communicating people (much less couples ) do.
2, Because not doing it is how corruption builds up.
3, It's just the right thing to do.

And Min-Gi has been harping on Ryan about it since he found out it was a thing. Yet here he is with it crawling up behind his eyes and he didn't even realize. He doesn't really realize even now, with Ryan holding his hand up to sharp fingers (not just nails, the whole shape of them has changed) and glowing paleblood.

(You hurt him, Min-Gi)

His stomach drops. That was never the intention, he just wasn't thinking. And since when have his fingers been like this? What's happening?

It pulls the breath right out of his lungs. There's black in the corners of his vision as it tunnels in. The sounds of the street are a muddy roar.

He's fucked up. He's fucked up so badly.]

Ryan I-

[You what, idiot. You absolute good for nothing, you should be able to handle this!]

I-

[He feels the change in him like a change in air pressure, an incoming storm.]

--I'm okay. I promise, it's only a little scratch.

[He would show him right now, but it would mean letting go of Min and he's not at all prepared to do that. He keeps a firm hold on that wrist, but a more gentle touch to his shoulder with his free hand.]

We're going home, okay? We're going back to your place.

[But, he doesn't actually move to make them leave. Instead, Tomo forms in a cloud of smoke on Ryan's shoulder.]

Tomo? Go figure out where the closest lamp is.

[They squeak in the affirmative and bamf from one perch to the next to the next to avoid getting trampled in the crowd. Ryan turns his attention back to Min, and gives his shoulder a squeeze.]

Can you hear me, Min? We're going to go. Tomo's going to find us the quickest way, and then we'll go. Okay?

Edited 2022-04-17 21:05 (UTC)

[Min vaguely registers Tomo's appearance but Yeong remains to be seen. Locked out, maybe. Guarded by barbed wires and LEDs.

Ryan sounds like an echo. A little numb, not quite putting together the grip and the words and the omen bounding off.

He was okay a second ago, why is this all turning upside down?

More fractures shatter through his wrist under Ryan's fingers. Unseen.]

No.. no, you shouldn't--

[It's delayed. Finally, he looks up.]

If I'm dangerous then you shouldn't be anywhere near me-

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