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[ … Oh.

His grip instinctively tightens. ]

Yeah. There's a box by the river with your name on it. Have you had the chance to take a look?

Mm. Mine's not open yet.

[ this should not be a surprise because the idea of thorns going to someone and asking them on a date or for a kiss is kind of laughable. ]

… Yeah, and that's exactly why you shouldn't be spending so much time at the lab.

[ A sigh that could only be made in fondness. I will not assume who's in Thorns' shard, but

you know. What do you think he was doing with those hours he'd left Thorns and Fiammetta on read? There's a pause——he's rummaging through his bag. ]

You didn't even notice it'd been taken? The one with your name on it? Yeah it is. [ … ] Here. It didn't feel right opening it myself. I was going to wait until you were feeling better, but you really don't look like you're planning to rest any time soon. [ under his breath: ] … Tonto.

[ Enjoy your free normal-sized regain… ]

Oh.

[ it's all he can really say at first as the meaning clicks into place. thorns looks down at the box then at elysium as he tries to think of a response before settling on something more lighthearted at first. ]

Who did you go on a date with?

Hak. It was the worst date of my life so you better appreciate this.

[ wow...

what a funny choice. well, if you definitely want to make sure the date is platonic, that's who to go to. ]

Uh huh. You've had others to compare it to.

[ no wonder he was so knowledgeable about crushes... ]

[ He's really just assuming Elysium won't just kiss someone or engage in an act of intimacy? Damn. ]

A guy gets curious.

[ … ]

You aren't going to take it? [ don't make this awkward… ]

[ well. elysium could do those things, but it is much easier to ask about a friend date.

there's a pause, before he will reach out to take it. ]

...

[ okay. ]

Do you want to try opening your other one? If that date with Hak counted for anything, I'd say just about anything would. It was a good measure for their standards, if nothing else…

Maybe.

[ he is not opening this one, instead just looking at the box before turning his gaze back to elysium. ]

Do you think you're going to find what you're looking for?

You'd find me to hold hands, but you don't want to go on a date with me? C'mon. We can just go to the library and read.

[ You made him take so much psychic damage on that date and for what… ]

I think so. [ He already knows so. ] You?

Mm.

[ he sets the box on the side of the bed. ]

Let's go on a date then.

[ Cool. He's going to fix their grip so they're holding hands, no lacing of fingers. This should make it extra date-like, he thinks? Imagine they did all of this and Thorns' box still didn't open. That would be so sad.

But if Thorns doesn't offer up a destination, he'll literally start leading them towards the library. ]

Even if you ended up falling asleep, I'd still count it as one of the better ones. Don't think too deeply of it.

[ so, like. please rest. the other half of the reason why they're going to the library of all places. it's quiet. ]

I'm not going to fall asleep.

[ he says this but his head is still pounding; the small merch is that it does not feel as bad as it did when he was in the lab, but he was in there for long enough it's going to take a while for it to completely fade away.

so, to the library they go. ]

And I'm not thinking too deeply.

[ Okay. That does not change the fact they're going to the least stimulating place on the planet when all the books there self-help books. They're going to Nostradamus, not the BL library. ]

Uh huh…

[ Elysium, praying for Thorns' downfall in the plush chairs. ]

You can sleep.

[ bitch. ]

If you want to watch my face that badly, you could just ask.

Who do you think you're talking to?

[ use these lines on hak... ]

What? It's possible for people to gain an appreciation for aesthetics overnight. I won't judge.

[ Hak tires him so much he doesn't even want to use them on him. But here they are… they can sit in the coziest spot just because they can.

He picks up a random book along the way. ]

[ sure!!!!

but thorns will settle down in a chair to make himself comfortable. ]

You really are reading...

We're at a library enjoying companionable silence.

[ Just decides this. But he does give a good look around them, contemplative. ]

Want me to read to you?

There's no need.

[ it feels too much like a ploy to get him to sleep via bedtime story. ]

[

Starts reading anyway. ]

[ OKAY

he is not sure what he expected. but he'll sit and listen to elysium, eventually closing his eyes.

he's not asleep but perhaps giving the illusion of sleep will please elysium... ]

[ It does.

…

At some point, he stops to ruffle Thorns' hair gently. His hand lingers for a few extra beats, warmth resting without commentary, before he finally withdraws it and turns the page. It's a book on being honest with yourself… ]

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