jigoku_logs | can u feel the love tonight

can u feel the love tonight

[ WHO ]: Garry and Once-ler
[ WHERE ]: Garry's room.
[ WHEN ]: Before the Carnivale, after Once-ler's been attacked.
[ OPEN/CLOSED? ]: Closed.
[ RATING ]: TBA - max PG probably.
[ WARNINGS ]: n/a

He was sick of horrible things - sick of his friends getting hurt. It had been a long, long time since he'd spoken to Once-ler, and the first thing to bring them back together was him being attacked by something in the halls. It had been a few hours since Mika and he had dealt with it (most of the work had been hers, truthfully), and he'd invited Once-ler to his room so he wouldn't have to be alone.

Kimbra is curled up beside him on the couch, recognizing him as a friend of Garry's - she was doing her part to try and keep him happy.

"Is there anything you need? Food? Snacks?"

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"I'm fine. This isn't like the smile - shin cuts are shallow even when they're painful as heck." He can say that with authority now of course, and he gives a faint grin at that. His leg has been stitched (paper stitched of course) up and he's been given less powerful painkillers than the ones he's immediately had. Plus, there's a wolf pup beside him. That's pretty awesome. He scratches her between the ears.

"Tea?" He offers lamely, it feels weird not to dote on someone when something scary has happened to them. He'll sit down on the table in front of the couch, tilting his head as he looks at Kimbra beside him on the couch. She lifts her head to the scratches and seems pleased with the affection.

"...Kimbra likes you, I'm glad." Talking is... awkward. He's not sure what else to say, aside from the light banter.

"I got her from a boy here - she instantly took a liking to me, I guess." He wishes he could have shown her to him sooner.

After a moment of silking Kimbra's ears through his fingers, he glances back up at Garry. "Can't say no to a cuppa. You got any proper stuff, or just that weak green paste that's in all the cupboards?"

"Just... the weak green paste, unfortunately."

He laughs gently - he'd gotten so used to having nothing else. He'd have to go on another grocery run again, sometime soon. He's got his rose in his hands, and is gently stroking the petals - he'd taken to it lately, it calmed him when he couldn't pet Kimbra... and she's all but abandoned him to feel Once-ler's soft green gloves.

"Tch. Ah well, that'll do." He watches with lazy, slightly unfocused eyes a the way Garry strokes the rose petals, then sits up on his elbows. Kimbra gives a huff at that, but she adjusts to the slight dislodging.

"Hey... about that thing."

So he was okay with talking about it... Garry nods.

"What happened? Did it chase you from your floor?" Kimbra stretches and goes to curl up by Once-ler's feet.

He looks confused for a moment - he'd meant the rose. Then it clicks into place and he just shrugs it off. He could ask about that later. "No, that thing just showed up on this floor. Just grabbed my ankle and started dragging me along." He's grateful for the soft cushions under his back, because it's a painting of purple and brown bruises.

"Never saw it."

"This floor? Why were you up here? Thank goodness we all heard you..." A soft sigh, and he looks down at his rose again, fiddling with the petals gently. He hasn't realized Once-ler had been asking about it yet.

... Ah. Well. He hovers a moment as he wonders what to say. Kimbra's ears get silked between his fingers again.

"I was coming down to see you."

"Ah- did you need something?" He immediately straightens up, wondering what he could have wanted from him.

...maybe he wanted to talk about...?

"I just wanted to talk." They hadn't talked in a while, after all, and their last meanginful conversation had ended on a weird note.

"...I'm sorry. You can come talk any time, or even just come to see Kimbra." After all, he was her friend now, too. He feels bad for assuming he only wanted to come by to get something from him...

"What's on your mind?"

"It's about the last conversation we had." He looks at him, dead on. He likes avoiding situations - heck, that was why he'd avoided this for so long. But now he knows he'd best say it, best get it all out in the open. He hates this place. Garry is one of the only good things about it. Friend or not, he'd be best to patch things up.

"Or, well... the last meaningful conversation we had..."

He nods his head, carefully thinking out how he'll respond - but the instant he opens his mouth, the apologies just start spilling out.

"-I'm sorry. I should have never-..." He hangs his head, focusing on his rose. Its easier to look at then it is to look at Once-ler right now. He inhales carefully, then exhales.

"I made things awkward for you. I was being selfish."

"Garry."

He says it calmly, holding up his hand and swatting at the air, like he's batting his concerns away. He doesn't talk until he's sure Garry is finished, though, and then he reaches out for him.

"... You didn't make anything awkward for me." Well, that's not strictly true. He shakes his head. "Or uh, well, more awkward than it'd be in this situation. With anyone.

"I really... care about you, you know?"

"...I care about you too."

Kimbra regards the two of them with a ear twitch of curiosity, while Garry carefully reaches out a hand to hold Once-ler's that's been offered to him.

The way he's so...calm, it... throws him off. He's not sure how to react.

So he just waits.

He strokes the back of his hand with his thumb, thinking about how to go on.

"... I don't think I'd be a good guy to date." He says it honestly. "This isn't a good place to think about that sort of thing.

"But," and he looks at him straight on, "If you really want to..."

Ah, how is he going to go along with this?

"... If you really want to... I'd like that."

The stroking feels nice, as comforting as it always has - but its... different this time, and he can feel that. He's sure his cheeks are pink, but he's not even thinking about that right now - he'll shift forward on the table, setting down his rose beside him, before he takes Once-ler's hand in both of his, smiling fondly as he focuses on the green glove.

"It doesn't matter whether you're 'good' to date, or not. As long as I can be by your side, I'm happy."

He'll focus his smile on Once-ler now, just watching him for a moment.

"Thank you."

He'll stand up enough to lean forward, pressing his lips to his forehead.

His still for a moment under Garry's kiss. He closes his eyes. Part of him wonders what he's getting himself into and what he's opening up to this guy who needs a more stalwart and understanding person. And then... then there's the bit that just enjoys the simple affection. The kind warmth, so freely offered and also eagerly given.

His arms come up to settle around Garry's shoulders.

He smiles - but he cant stay standing like that for long, so he'll carefully sit beside Once-ler on the couch, shuffling closer to him as he tucks his long legs underneath himself to get comfortable.

Kimbra hops up on the couch to nestle near his legs, as Garry happily leans against Once-ler's side. He's not sure what to say now, so he stays silent, just...enjoying the warmth of having him beside him again.

"I missed you."

Edited 2013-09-18 00:48 (UTC)

Thankfully she's cuddled up near his left leg, and the Once-ler doesn't mind that at all. He shifts the grip of his arms to let Garry settle more easily, and closes his eyes.

"Missed you too."

He likes being held like this - it just feels so... warm. Right. He doesn't even feel nervous about it at all.

"Are you tired? You can sleep - I'll watch the room."

A little smile tugs his lips. He doesn't open his eyes.

"Wouldn't say no to that tea..."

"Kimbra can you make us some tea?"

Her only answer is a snuffle that sounds almost like a sneeze - Garry chuckles, regretfully pulling out of Once-ler's embrace to pad over to the kitchen - but stops, hesitating before continuing back there again.

He calls out to Once-ler from the kitchen as he sorts through the pantry.

"Please keep an eye on my rose?"

He startles at that - he'd meant to ask about the rose! Shifting Kimbra to one side, he half leans off the couch to pick the rose up from the table. He'd always figured it was fake from the lustrous blue until he'd seen a petal fall from it when Garry was hurt one time. He new the basics about it purely from observation by now - six months with a person would do that - but...

Settling back on the couch, he handles it like it's incredibly fragile. Like he'll one day handle a truffula seed.

"No worries, got it."

And Kimbra is keeping guard of him, too. He pats her with his other hand.

"Thanks." He manages to find the tin of green tea, and when he's satisfied it hasn't expired in some way, or is actually a sludge monster, he'll start boiling up some water. He hums a song as he does, and peeks into the other room to see Once-ler holding his rose like its glass.

...its really sweet, in a strange way.

Kimbra huffs and places a paw on Once-ler's leg, before shoving her cold snout into the rose - this makes Garry straighten right up, slapping a hand to the back of his neck.

"J-Jeez-!"

"Whoa girl, be careful!" He completely misses Garry's reaction, and pulls the rose back from Kimbra's nose. None of the petals are missing, so that's good. That's all he wants to make sure of.

Kimbra probably just wants attention, and Once-ler strokes the fur at her ruff, rumpling it up before smoothing it down again, then raising his hand to scratch behind her ears. Petting the dog lets him think things through.

So... he's in a relationship with someone. The fact that it's a man doesn't really bother him like he thought it would - after being in a place like this, any love and affection is readily and easily accepted. It gives him a weird feeling in his stomach - almost giddy. Not quite, because he only has to glance to the side and see Garry's moving paintings to know why giddiness isn't an easy thing to feel in Jigoku. But it's a bubbly sort of contentment he hasn't felt... well, since he came here.

He scratches Kimbra's ear a little more affectionately.

Since Once-ler hasn't noticed him, he'll stare just a bit longer before heading back once he hears the kettle boiling. Kimbra stretches out on Once-ler's lap, yawning loudly as she shifts to lick what part of his arm she can reach.

When Garry comes back, he'll set their tea down, seating himself beside the two of them and ruffling Kibra's fur on the top of her head.

"She really likes you, huh. I'm relieved..."

"Hey, I'm great with animals." Until he ruins their ecosystem, poisoning them and driving them to starvation, that is. He offers Garry a scarred smile, hands him back his rose, and reaches over for the tea. He has to reach around Garry for it, what with his leg and the puppy on his lap, but he doesn't mind that. He figures Garry would like it, too.

"You thought she wouldn't like me...? Or just people in general...?" There's a giggle from one of the paintings and the Once-ler jolts, nearly slopping tea over himself. "Ah, damn... I'm a wreck." He tries to cushion it with a giggle, but it sounds too freaked out, even to his ears.

"I don't know how she is with other people yet, so its good to see she likes someone I trust." When he hears the giggle he tenses - but he's used to it by now, while Once-ler isn't.

He'll reach out to brush a warm hand against his own, trying to be comforting.

"It's okay, Once-ler. Drink your tea?"

He lets out a long breath and takes a sip of the tea. His nerves are really bad, and he appreciates Garry's hand over his. A little squeeze is given back, and then he sets the cup down to pat Kimbra again.

"I'm really a wreck right now. Sorry."

"It's fine, Once'- you're fine."

He's just been through this a bit longer than he has - he's used to paintings of women laughing at him, pawing at him...

He'll re-adjust himself once Once-ler places his cup down, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, before gently brushing his rose against his nose with a small smile.

"We're here for you."

Startled at the rose, he leans back at bit. The fragrance is strong, heady even - like most roses are. There's something exceptionally vital about it - if he hadn't been so surprised, he wouldn't have minded it against his face. He rubs his nose, then gives Garry a lopsided, scarred smile.

"I wanted to talk to you about the rose, actually..."

"Yeah?"

He explained it to him, hadn't he? He can't really remember, to be honest...

"I... didn't forget to tell you about it, did I?"

"Nah, nah, you did." He silks Kimbra's ears through his fingers again, his scanning Garry's coat. He still needs to get used to him as more than just his friend right now - the knowledge makes his stomach do a little warm flip.

Anyway.

"Why don't you keep it in a little water vial in your button hole? That way there'll always be a bit of water nearby..."

"Ah... the water has to be fresh." He closes his eyes, leaning back and resting his head against the couch. He remembers vases of warm water... making him feel woozy and gross, petals falling...

He gently clutches his chest as he talks, gazing at the ceiling.

"If its warm or dirty, it hurts."

"... Ah." Well, it was worth a shot, right? He goes back to silking Kimbra's ears through his fingers, leaning a little more against Garry.

"Well, I tried."

"It was a good idea. This place just doesn't agree."

He'll lean against Once-ler as well, for a moment, a little brush to show he appreciates it.

He yawns all of a sudden. It's a huge, exhausted yawn, and he presses his face to Garry's shoulder.

"Sorry."

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can u feel the love tonight

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