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

[Him? High? Pffft naaaaah. That’s crazy talk. You’re talking crazy, sir.

His mug is taken and in the moment he is without, his patheticness grows. That is, until, he is presented with a lovingly peeled orange.

And it’s perfect. Not even gooey or anything, just the right amount of naked.

He is delighted and smiles, breaking it open with (shorter!) claws and popping a segment in his mouth.]

Mmmmmmmmffff

[His head flops back against the sofa, sharp teeth into flesh releasing all that nice juice.]

Thif if fo good.

[Alright, this time he can't hold his giggles back. Min sure is having an experience over there with that orange.]

Yeah? Glad you're enjoying it, dude.

[And he is, even if he's laughing at just how much they're being enjoyed. He doesn't mind babysitting Min a little if his high is going to be more of this.]

I got them special for you when I got groceries.

[You know, because things have been hard and oranges fix everything according to Mrs. Park.]

[That’s because they do. They’re good for you. High in vitamin C. The sweet taste and fresh citrus open up your body so energy can unblock. And giving them to someone suffering shows how much you care about them.

High or not, the gesture isn’t lost of him. And he’ll say so.

In a minute.

Just. Let him have this.

Min-Gi holds up a finger like wait a sec, eyes closed, really experiencing this culinary masterpiece. It’s only after he swallows that he gropes for Ryan’s hand. C’mere.]

How is it that you got so good at knowing the right thing to do?

[And Ryan does let him have this. How could he possibly interrupt Min and his orgasmic orange moment? That would just be cruel.

Once Min's done though, Ryan takes Min's hand and lets Min pull him over, like they've done countless times by now. He'll curl up in whatever space Min makes for him (though he's mindful of Min's injured arm, even though Min probably can't even feel it anymore.

The compliment catches him by surprise, especially after the last few days.]

Pfft. What do you mean?

[He doesn't think he does literally everything wrong, but he's not really used to people thinking he's doing the right thing more often than not either. His take is he's passing, but probably has like a C+ or so. Occasionally does good on something, but otherwise? Eh, it's a crapshoot.

Then again, Min is high as a kite. Maybe he should take this with a grain of salt. But...that does make him extra curious about how Min would explain it right now. Tell him, Min. Tell him more about this thing you think he's so good at.]

[A verbal shrug as they get settled. Ryan is correct, he can't even feel his arm anymore. He is jelly arm. One with the jelly. Lord of the jelly, even.]

No, I dunno. You're just Ryan. You've been so good to me since we got here.

[Is if to illustrate, Min-Gi holds up his orange like a trophy before letting it drop back in his lap. Oranges are heavy, apparently.]

I mean you were before but it was harder. You've always stuck up for me and been my cheerleader. You're good and I love you.

[Ryan's going to think about those six little words for the rest of his life - "You're good and I love you."

His whole face flushes red, and he can't totally explain why. Maybe he's still not used to compliments out of nowhere that he wasn't fishing for in the first place, or maybe just a few simple heartfelt stoned words were enough to fluster him.

(Probably both. Both would track.)]

Thaaaat's what I'm here for.

[That response is a little silly though, and something that warmed his heart that much deserves a genuine reply. He curls up close, resting his head right on Min.]

...I love you too.

[He loves him so, so much.

Don't think he doesn't notice that lifting a whole orange is apparently hard now though. He should probably check in a little there.]

How're you feeling? Is the honey helping?

Mmmmhm~

[More orange. Open mouth. Profit. Mff.. god this is so good. This time he doesn't wait to chew, speaking around the orange in his mouth.]

I feel fo much beffer.

[A nice, relieved sigh before he sets to eating.]

We could just be like this all the time. Right like this. This is good like this. This is where I live.

[Ryan just...laughs, but not in a mean way. Min truly has a way with words right now, and it's objectively very funny. He knows exactly what Min is trying to say, but the urge to tease him is too strong.]

Yeah? You live on the couch now? We could live on the couch eating oranges?

[Even though his voice has a playful edge to it, it's definitely not the worst idea. Laying here forever sounds kind of nice, actually.]

[Yeah it does, huh. Make fun of him all you want, but he's living the dream rn. Ryan's laugh sounds like bells. How charming.

The value proposition of couch living is extremely high. Their outgoings are very low. Why not live here on the couch. Why not??

Min nods as though he were a sage old man.]

Like two monkeys in a tree.

I totally can't picture you as a monkey, dude.

[Ryan? Definitely, absolutely. But Min has a reputation as a polite young man, so it's hard to imagine him...well, monkeying around.

Something occurs to him though and he laughs again, those bells ringing out once more as he sings a little--]

Two little monkeys, sitting in a tree
K-I-S-S-I-N-G!

[Correction, Ryan is a freaky little spider monkey or something. Min-Gi is clearly a very responsible and clever orangutan.]

Ha! First comes love~ Then comes marriage~

[Tugging Ryan in closer. Kissing, you say. Don't mind if he does.]

Then comes..an.. orange in the monkey carriage? Yassssss~

[Ryan is easily tugged, until he's mostly on top of Min like a weighted blanket. Min's twist on the song still has Ryan laughing, and Min will be able to feel the motion of it against him.]

That's a hit single for sure.

[He leans up and in where directed, planting gentle little kisses here and there - on Min's neck, on the corner of his mouth. The a playful one right on his nose before ducking back down to snuggle right into Min's chest again.]

This doesn't hurt or anything, right?

[Just, you know. Making sure. Min's recovering from an injury but he sure pulled Ryan all the way on top of him anyway.]

No, babe.

[Sighing happily once Ryan snuggles in. He stays there a moment before raising his injured arm (though it honestly doesn't hurt at all anymore, there's maybe a little warm tingling. It's nice) to push his fingers into Ryan's hair.

This is the life. He's got his boyfriend on him, he's feeling good, he's got an orange. Everything is coming up Min-Gi.]

Feels good.

[Babe.

Min, who could barely handle holding hands in public two months ago, just called him Babe.

MinGijustcalledhimBABE.

The only reaction Ryan thinks to have in the moment is just, burying his face in Min's shirt. His words wind up a little muffled from the fabric.]

Good! Cool.

[It's a good enough distraction that he's lost track of which of Min's arms is doing what though, and he hums in content as fingers comb through his hair.]

[An enormous milestone that goes unnoticed by Min-Gi, who is simmering in warm feelings and fuzzy space cadet brain. He cards his nails across Ryan's scalp.

Nails, not claws. So there's that, which he hasn't noticed, either.

All he's really acknowledging is the orange he's putting in his mouth and Ryan's warm weight. That tea was so good. He is so content.

He can't remember the last time he was this content.

So maybe they can just.. stay there for a while. Stay right here and finish his orange and pet Ryan while an enormous weight and ball of stress detangle from his body.

It's a long, comfortable silence, but he'll eventually break it all the same.]

Will you stay tonight?

Yeah. Yeah, of course. Babe--

[Ryan says it back, but he wasn't fully emotionally prepared for it, and his brain short circuits and he loses whatever the original thought was. Babe is a powerful word, maybe even too powerful.]

--you're suuuuuper high right now. I'm not going to just leave you like that.

[Come on, that would just be mean.

He sighs as Min hits a nice spot, but then it occurs to him that wait. Shouldn't this hurt, from the claws? Is he numbing because Min is numb? Do his powers even work like that??

They absolutely don't, so it can only be one thing. He gasps softly.]

Min. Min-Giiiii. I think-- dude, are your claws gone?

[Is this actually working? Wow. Ryan is stunned beyond belief.]

I'm not high, don't be ridicul- huh?

[Wait what, his what?

Min draws his hands back and up into the air to look at them without disturbing Ryan.

The nails are a little sharp but lo and behold! Hands!]

Woah..

[Too late. Ryan has been disturbed and he scoots until he's sitting upright - he wants to see for himself.

And there it is. For the first time in days, Min looks like himself again. His nails are still a little sharp and pointy, but otherwise? Those are definitely Min's hands. Ryan takes one for himself, marveling over it and touching it.]

You did it!

[Ryan's beaming, ready to cheerlead for him as always. He plants a gentle kiss against his fingers.]

I knew you could.

[It's sweet and sincere and...only lasts a moment before Ryan takes Min's wrist and slowly waves his hand back and forth in front of his own face.]

So, are you seeing trails or anything cool? Because you are totally tripping off the honey.

Fhhh, no no no, too fast, too fast. Be sweet to me.

[He tries to brace his hands. Stop it. Let him see.

They're still hands. Actual, real hands.]

I'm not tripping.

...

Am I? Am I high? Ryan, did you get me high?

Not on purpose! I told you, Shiro said it can make people kinda spacey.

[He gave Min FAIR WARNING so this is NOT his fault. ...Probably.]

Shhhhh, it's okay.

[Ryan takes Min's hands. The last thing he wants is for it to turn into something unpleasant because Min panicked about being high, so he tries to reassure him with soft touches. Their fingers lace together.]

I'm only teasing you. It sounds like it's a good trip, and I'm staying right here, so...it's okay.

[He smiles, his face full of mischief as he says Min's words back to him.]

I will be so, so sweet to you.

[Min whines but Ryan is so very distracting.

And he was warned. And yeah, now that it's been acknowledged and he can put the feelings to an explanation, it all makes sense.

No paranoia this time, or munchies, or parents to hide from, which beats the pants off their high school dabbling. Just all the fuzzy feel good.]

God,

[He gives in.]

I am. I'm so high. I'm so high, you got me high!

[It's a whine but he grabs Ryan up and tugs him back against his chest.]

I'm high and I can't even be mad because it's amazing and I have fingers again!

[Ryan is pretty sure the fixation on how good the orange is counts as some variant of the munchies, even if it's not just wanting to eat all the junk food in sight. He has munchies specifically for this lovingly peeled orange.

He's more than happy to be tugged back where he was though, settling right back in and making himself cozy.]

You do, you have fingers again. Totally worth being a little high, riiight?

[It's good news that Min isn't mad about it, but Ryan can't help laughing.]

Gotta say though, if I knew it would help this much? I would've tried to get you stoned on like, day one.

[Probably not with the magic healing honey and more likely with actual pot or something adjacent, but still. It would have been good to know!]

Yeah, I guess now we know. We'll.. add a new entry in the Min-Gi Manual.

[It's a good tool for the ol arsenal, though. Might work better some times over others, but always worth a try. They know now for next time.

There will probably be a next time. Life is hard. His normal 'get overwhelmed and squid' technique hasn't come into play and honestly he isn't sure how to do it on purpose.]

But also like, I think I just need time? I always need time. But not too much time, just the right amount of time.

[Right? Right.]

Yeah, totally. "Let Min-Gi chill overnight and then bake him." There's like, a whole recipe in there.

[And they are recipe experts now that they've baked for a giant pig baby, obviously.

Unfortunately, there probably will be a next time. Ryan can attest to that himself, though he's kept quiet about it until the last week or so, until he and Min were stuck in a cosmic pocket dimension and he let slip that last month was not his first brush with corruption.

But they're learning. And even if...even when it happens again, they'll handle it better. Hopefully.]

So...is there a Ryan Manual too?

[He's decided that making Min try and explain things while high is his new favorite past time.]

[Min-Gi laughs at the baking joke. That's so punny. He loves it. In his current state it might be the cleverest joke he's every heard. So many layers! Like a cake! It's brilliant!]

Uh, yeah. Obviously.

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Tell 'em Deez Nuts sent cha

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