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[ relinquishes the pillow without much fight, though his face is also still flushed. ]

You have nothing to thank me for. And, of course, I believe you too. That's the rules right?

[ you can't deny it!!! tho teasingly he adds: ] You didn't let me finish.

...There was more?

[takes the pillow and puts his face in it instead. his turn.]

Not much more. And it was kind of stupid...?

[ worriedly putting his hands on the pillow!! ]

I bet it's not stupid.

Kind of...?

It was - the whole trust thing. How I trusted you with the real me and wanted you to know my real name. [ He shifts a little. ] Which is dangerous, but you already know like half of it anyway.

—Oh.

If you want to tell me, of course I'll listen.

[ sits up a little, ]

I do. Want to tell you. And of course, I don't expect you to tell me yours.

[ readily said as he looks down. ]

It's William. [ a beat, he already knows that. he heard it before. but he knows his name situation (vision????) is weird. ] But it's also Billy. Which I know is just a nickname for William but - it feels different in my head. So it's both?

...I like them. They suit you.

Which one would you prefer I call you? I mean - in private, obviously.

[ he's still a little red as he shakes his head: ]

Either? They both feel right. Maybe Billy?

[ it feels weird to say it aloud, it's like his voice gets quieter ]

Okay. Um - Billy it is.

[after an awkward pause of brief indecision]

—I'm Rupert.

[ for a moment he's lost in the strangeness of hearing his name aloud - not phoenix that he'd thought about changing recently. but his. that he doesn't fully register the pause until gingham speaks. ]

[ and he looks at him quickly. there's no taking it back, he knows but still. it's out of his mouth before he can stop himself: ]

You didn't have to tell me that.

I know I didn't. I said it because I wanted to. Same with you, right?

Of course. I just didn't want you to feel pressured to, like, at all.

[ a beat and more importantly: ]

Do you - do you want me to call you it sometimes you know, in here?

Um - I wouldn't mind that. If you wanted to.

[ shakes his head, ]

Not if you don't.

[ a beat - ] Then it's... nice to officially meet you, Rupert. Remeet? However it goes.

Remeet sounds pretty appropriate. Um - nice to remeet you, too.

I like it, by the way. It suits you, too.

[ leaning forward to press a quick kiss to his forehead ]

And thank you for trusting me with it.

[bumps against his shoulder]

Kinda feels like I should be thanking you for being trustworthy.

[ laughs a little: ]

How about we both just thank each other and leave it at that? Or we'll be here all day - [ a beat ] which isn't a bad thing.

As much as I'd love for you to stay... I should let you get back to your Family.

[ takes a breath ]

Yeah. The new guy.

[ he has worse to deal with when he gets back but he doesn't know that yet ]

And you should probably check on Satin again. I know he's doing better, but still.

If you need backup with him, you know where to find me.

[gives a little nod at the second part]

Walk you to the door?

Did you see him, like, at all? He's scary.

[ It's mostly a joke, but he does get up and reaches for his hand automatically. ]

Of course, you're not leaving me to the wolves alone.

[ it's also said as a joke ]

I haven't yet... But I'll put it on my to do list so I know what you're dealing with.

[takes his hand and starts heading that way, out of the room]

It's fine. Seriously. Like he seems to at least take family seriously. That's got to count for something.

[ but when they reach the door he hesitates for like .5 seconds before leaning down to give him a quick cheek kiss ]

Re: morning 241

heartlands - 2025-01-29 04:24 (UTC) - Expand

Re: morning 241

restitui - 2025-01-29 04:27 (UTC) - Expand