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

[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-

[Ryan shakes his head.]

Nope. Nope, we're not doing that. You're going to let me help you.

[He's not scared of Min. Even when Min was lashing out, he was never scared. This is...admittedly kind of unsettling, sure, but. Now that Min knows, Ryan is sure he won't do it again.]

Besides, if you really think you're dangerous now, then let me get you away from this crowd of people. Okay?

[This is something that might be almost soothing in other circumstances - letting Ryan ground him and bring him back to the moment. Tomo is on their way back. This is the part where things are supposed to start getting better.

But something else is gliding towards them in the crowd. A few people in the crowd gasp and move out of the way, and turn to watch the little fallen star make its way to its target. Behind Ryan, it skids to a stop and starts to grow into something more...wormhole-shaped.

Ryan is so focused on Min that he hasn't noticed it yet, but Min likely has an extremely clear view.]

No matter what, it's going to be okay, Min.

[Min-Gi takes a shaking breath before letting it out and nodding.

He's turning into a monster, he can't be out here with people. As scared as he is of hurting Ryan, if he goes insane out here on the streets a hunter will arrive and kill him.

Maybe that will still happen. Maybe he'd deserve it.

No, no, no, chill out, Min. You've got this, you can handle this. You don't need to get anyone else involved. This is something you should be able to deal with, just fucking focus.

The fractures deepen.

But very suddenly a shining light finds purchase behind Ryan, casting him in the blinding silhouette of fiery green. The air pressure changes again, buzzing with ozone and it becomes the gaping, open maw of a rip in space time reflected in Min-Gi's horror-wide eyes.

There isn't time to say, only to act, because pushing through the bubble like surface of the divide are the three pronged forceps of a terrifyingly familiar creature. Six of many, followed by a lifeless mask face and blazing blue eyes.

And it's not as though the steward was particularly aggressive towards them, it's the fact that thing from the train is making contact. It's making contact and it's going to pull them through isn't it- this is it he was right and Ryan is right in the way-]

Ryan!

[All processed in the split second before Min-Gi grabs Ryan as hard as he can and yanks them back into the busy road. It's too hard and too fast and his foot slips on the cobbles, so they both come tumbling down amongst passers by and clattering carriages.]

[Ryan sees Min's face before he sees what he's actually looking at, and at first he wonders if it's something he said. Maybe pointing out the crowd was a bad move? He was just trying to say anything that would get Min to relax and let him help, and then he could worry about the rest later.

But then Min's yelling his name and pulling him back into the street so fast that they both fall.]

Min, what the--?!

[But then he hears it. Dozens of tiny, unnatural click-clacks on cobblestone and a mechanical whirring that feels too familiar.

He turns, and looks, and there's the tentacle-bot from the train a few feet away.

It's looking around as if scanning the area for something - for them, obviously.

A small crowd is forming from the passerby on the street, who mostly seem unsure whether to regard it as a threat or not. Monsters have been coming out of the portals, but so have pets and other things, and their first association is that it...sort of looks like a mechanical pthumerian? They're wary, but deeply curious.

Ryan doesn't have to be told twice though. His impulse is the same as Min's. They need to get the fuck away from that thing. The fear is pounding in his ears, threatening to overwhelm him - nononono he doesn't want to get dragged back to the train no, nope!!

He tugs on Min-Gi and points silently to a space in the crowd in front of them. It's lost sight of them for a second, so if they crawl right into the crowd maybe they can get away unnoticed? Hopefully?]

Edited 2022-04-18 01:24 (UTC)

[Hopefully. They'll do their best.

Min scrabbles up off his ass and follows Ryan, dodging between horse hooves, wheels, and bystanders entranced by the newest addition to the world.

They're so close, they're so so close, but they're human. And that thing looking for them? Is anything but. It's got scanning and telemetrics and it's looking for two passengers who seem to be misplaced.

It can feel them. Their number is cleared but they shouldn't be here, this isn't a part of the train. This isn't part of it's programming at all. How strange. The signal to the engine room is routinely interrupting. Status reports are being sent but not received. Location identifiers are not present.

Process dictates completing it's retrieval.

Aha! There, crossing the street and scurrying around the corner. Targets are locked, visual and heat signatures verified.

And off it goes after them.

Please return to your seats.]

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