[Strut follows after Vogue, nipping at his tail to try and get some of the attention she's clearly being deprived of. Min-Gi is the only one that's static. He's hardly moved since he set up his synth, not enjoying how utterly unlike himself he looks and feels. He doesn't like the glimpses of blue he keeps catching, or that his clothes are somehow a part of him, or the feel of fabric on fabric(?) from the pants he's put on over just so he doesn't feel quite so naked.
He looks up at Ryan's suggestion, perplexed and maybe a little offended on the couple's behalf.]
No way, man. Just because a song's got wedding in the title that doesn't mean you can sing it at one.
[Not that he's coming up with anything at the moment.]
[Ryan kind of expected this answer to some degree, but he's grinning anyway. Min set him up perfectly.]
But Miiiiin, it's a--
[Then he dips his voice low, probably a little too Ridge Irvine sand paper and not enough Billy Idol, but the joke still stands.]
♪ --nice day for a~ white weddingggg It's a~ nice day to~ start agaaaaain ♪
[He can't keep it going much more than that though, because he's starting to laugh too much. Vogue has turned his attention directly to Strut from all of the tail nipping, but she should look out-- he's low to the ground, butt wiggling in the air, and clearly plotting to pounce.]
Shut up. That isn't even what Billy Idol sounds like.
[He still isn't really looking at Ryan, but his irritation is clearly put on and there's a hint of a smile tugging at his lips as he tries to suppress a snigger. He has to stop and think before he can give any answers though. It's surprisingly hard to think up a good song for a wedding. There are no shortage of love songs, but none of them feel right. They're too cheesy, or too sad, or don't fit what (admittedly little) he knows about them as a couple. He taps out a few absent notes on the keyboard, trying to think up a real suggestion.
Strut, meanwhile, is just happy that someone is paying her attention. She either doesn't know or doesn't care that she's about to be pounced on, crouching before Vogue to mimic his pose.]
How about...
[He doesn't sound totally sure of whatever he's about to suggest, but after a short deliberation he starts to play out the intro to a song.]
♪ How can I convince you What you see is real? Who am I to blame you For doubting what you feel...? ♪
[He trails off, looking over at Ryan for his thoughts. He figures it's a better option than White Wedding if nothing else.]
[Ryan sways a little, as if he's feeling out the music to try and remember it, but once the lyrics hit his face lights up. That's a good one! Instead of saying as much he just joins in, taking the second half of the verse for himself.]
♪ I was always reachin' You were just a girl I knew I took for granted The friend I had in you ♪
[He stops pacing, instead moving toward Min-Gi and his synth. There's no planning - he knows intuitively that they'll come together for the chorus in harmony.]
♪ I was living for a dreaaaaam Loving for a momeeeeent Taking on theeee woooorld That was just myyyy styyyle ♪
[It really was, wasn't it? He knows all the words, but Ryan hasn't thought about this song in a long time. It feels so much different than it did in high school, after everything they've been through.
His attention is on Min and his song choice, and unfortunately not at all on their cat pokémon. Almost on cue, Vogue takes for granted the friend he has in Strut and leaps into a tackle, sending both cats tumbling across the floor.]
[He can tell before Ryan even joins in his has his approval. It gives him the confidence to keep playing, letting Ryan take over the words for a moment before they come together for the chorus.
It hadn't occurred to him when he'd thought of it just how easily this song could apply to them if the lyrics weren't so blatantly romantic, but hearing the words from Ryan's own mouth has his cheeks heating up a little. He's not sure how he can take looking into Ryan's eyes while actually singing about looking into his eyes, but thankfully the thud and quickly following yowl as Vogue tackles Strut spares him that dilemma. He stops playing abruptly, standing up quicker than he means to to investigate the commotion.
Strut is fine, despite all her dramatic wailing. Min-Gi, on the other hand, still isn't used to his new centre of gravity and has to steady himself.]
Strut! Can't you see we're trying to work?
[Because honestly? She might be underneath, but he has a strong feeling she's probably the instigator here.]
[Min doesn't have to steady himself long. Ryan sees what's happening and he's instantly there, hands out to catch Min by his shoulders so he doesn't stumble.]
It's fine; they're just play-- Vogue! No! Cut it out!
[Vogue had spent a few pretending he wasn't the problem child, but Ryan's caught him red-handed with his mouth open, ready to sneakily nip one of Strut's big ol' ears. He pouts, slowly shuts his mouth, and then lays down to sulk about not being allowed to have any fun ever.]
...Maybe they have a point though? Not the biting thing, but. Maybe we could use a break?
[He reaches to take Min's hand, as though lightly holding and swinging it a little will really convince him that it should be break time now and not work time. A totally compelling argument.]
[Strut has already forgotten how much of a fuss she'd been kicking up apparently, and flops her stubby little self right onto Vogue's back with a contented mewl. He might not be happy, but she sure is.]
Do we have time for a break? This isn't just some gig.
[Not that he doesn't also take their gigs seriously, no matter how big or small the venue. Ryan does too. He knows that. It's just hard not to want something to focus on that isn't their current situation. He isn't going to feel comfortable until they're back to being themselves, but playing music has helped. At least a little.]
[That feels easier to sell Min on than just saying that yes, they have time, don't worry about it.]
It'll help recharge us so we can remember more wedding songs from home that don't suck.
[A beat, and then he realizes how that must sound.]
Yours is great though! You're amazing! I never would've thought of it in a million years.
[Without thinking about the implications of his actions at all, Ryan takes Min's other hand. He's just caught up in his own moment, being a little goofy with the dramatics of the next lines of the song.]
♪ When I look into your eeeeeeeyes I can see forever~! ♪
[And he does look at Min, bright and hopeful and a truly stupid shade of red, trying to will him to join in and keep the song going.]
[Min-Gi huffs a little laugh, opening his mouth to tell him it doesn't matter if he thinks it sucked. They can come up with something else. Anything he does have to say dies quickly when Ryan takes his other hand though.
He knows he's just being silly. He knows that. It's just Ryan having fun, but seeing him look at him like that... Hearing him sing those words. Even looking like that, Ryan is still Ryan and in the moment it would be so easy to believe he meant it.
He doesn't, though, and Min-Gi knows that. They're friends, and that's enough. It's always been enough. The hopeful flutter in his chest twists, turning into a pang he can't let himself think about. He's definitely let the silence drag too long, but Ryan's still looking at him expectantly.]
♪ The search is over... You were with me all the while ♪
[His voice falters more than it usually does when he sings, but he can only hope Ryan will ignore it. Won't notice the effect he has on him.]
[There's a moment where Ryan realizes he's overstepped here. The thought doesn't even fully process; he just knows that he's put Min-Gi on the spot and that one pause seems like a thousand years of silence.
This is too much. It has to be, right? Min-Gi just came out, and only to him. He doesn't need to wrestle with what it could mean for Ryan to sing a song like this at him.
He's just about to kick himself more for it, and backpedal out of what he's just done, but then Min sings the rest of the line. He doesn't have Ryan's dramatics, but it's soft and sweet and it makes his own heart flutter in his chest. He's in awe, and then the expression changes slowly to beaming in relief.]
...Yeah! Yeah, see? It's perfect, man.
[There's a soft laugh in his voice, a relieved one that he didn't fuck this all up. Something in him feels incredibly light now, in a way he doesn't know how to explain in words. So he does what comes more naturally instead - he moves. He lets go of Min's hands so he can throw his arms around his shoulders in what was meant to be a tight, friendly hug.
But it's not tight at all. It's soft, like falling into a pillow almost. And.......bright?]
[When the light clears and all of their pieces have been rearranged, there is one person standing in their living room - a purple figure with their arms wrapped around themselves in a cozy hug, at least until they realize the moment is over and then they're looking down at unfamiliar (or maybe familiar?) purple hands.
They look up, and all around them. The cats have vanished, because watching their dads fuse into one bigger dad was terrifying and they are both watching from underneath the couch.
Everything feels...new. Like they're looking at the apartment for the first time. Like they've never truly existed before right now.
That's not true though. They weren't alone. They were...
He was? He...]
Min-Gi?!
[They reach up and touch both the gem on their chest and the gem on their forehead. Their gems, plural???]
It isn't even a song they've written, but it always feels good to be praised by Ryan. To know he likes something he's thought of. He doesn't mind the hug. In some ways it's less intimate than holding hands, and it gives him a much needed reprieve from looking into Ryan's eyes.
Except... Ryan melts into him, vanishing altogether as the world turns bright around them.
When they become aware again their arms are wrapped around themself and their hands loosen. They don't think it's him doing that. Is it?
No. He's sure it wasn't. Instinctively, he knows they aren't alone.
They feel familiar, and alien all at once.
Before the thought can fully process he hears a voice come out of their mouth. It doesn't sound like his voice, but it doesn't sound like Ryan's either. It's someone else entirely, yet somehow he knows they're them. One in ways they could never have conceived of until now.
Their hands reach up to feel their gems, but that isn't what he wants. These aren't his movements. It scares him. He tears his hands away, and they stumble backwards. By the time he hits the ground he's Min-Gi again. Or at least the Min-Gi he is today. He flexes his fingers, staring down at them now he has full control again. It's strange how empty he feels now he isn't them. He sits up, reaching out for the one who'd been part of him only moments earlier.]
[Something inside them moves suddenly and pulls apart in another bright flash of light, and then Ryan is flat on his back on the floor, catching his breath and trying to process all of whatever the fuck that was.
Is he alone? He feels...something. Lonely?
But then his name is called and Ryan sits right up.]
Min! Min--
[Sitting up turns into scrambling closer to Min-Gi, the one thing that makes any sense in all of this.]
What was that?! How did we...
[He doesn't have a word for it, so he trails off and uselessly links his own fingers together. But wait, that's not the most important thing here.]
[It's a relief when Ryan scrambles closer, but something within him jars when he stops short of actually touching, almost seeming to go within himself. His shoulders slump, and his eyes search Ryan carefully. It's nice he's thinking of him, but Ryan's the one he's worried about here.
What happened was... strange, but now he's back to himself he's not as frightened by it as he thought.]
I'm fine. Are you okay?
[He inches himself closer, not reaching out to touch if Ryan doesn't want that. Maybe that would be too much after spontaneously becoming one person.
Their cats are becoming slightly bolder as they peek from beneath the couch now. Things are slightly more normal again, and while the separation was initially as scary as them becoming One Big Dad they're at least recognisable to them again now.]
[It helps that Ryan and Min-Gi still haven't gotten off the floor - they're nice and easy to see from the cats' hidey hole under the couch.]
Yeah! Yeah, I'm fine too. I...
[He still struggles for words, all of his feelings sort of rattling around in his head uselessly. The ones that finally bubble up also bring even more red to his cheeks, but he seems happy anyway.]
...That felt amazing. Is that weird? I feel like that might be weird. I mean, I didn't know that was going to happen obviously, but! But it felt...good.
[He unlaces his fingers and holds out a hand for Min to take - not necessarily to try again immediately but because the separation between them feels unnatural now. ]
[Min-Gi sounds surprised, but not upset by the explanation. He takes a moment to process it, first seeming uncertain, then maybe embarrassed. But not upset. A faint smile comes over his face as he reaches out to take his hand, moving to sit so their shoulders are touching.
It isn't the same as it had been before, but it's nice. And it's enough. At least for now.]
It felt good to me too. It scared me, but... I think if I was expecting it, I would've enjoyed it.
[So hugging Ryan is off the table until they feel ready to try again, but holding his hand doesn't seem to do anything. It's nice, but it's also normal. They might look a little different right now, but it's still something they've done countless times.]
[He nods eagerly. Of course he liked it; he liked it so much. And now that he's certain any old touch won't necessarily stick them together without their consent, he's happy to lean into that touch.]
Really? I thought you would've hated it. I think we were in each other's heads? Somehow? And I know that's not really your thing.
[But it makes sense. Min-Gi pulled back because he was startled and scared and didn't know what was happening. Now that he does though...Ryan can't help himself. He squeezes Min's hand, but glances up more towards the ceiling, trying to be so casual about it]
Soooooo...would you wanna try it again?
[What a totally chill question that isn't needy or clingy at all!]
[If it was anyone else, Ryan would be totally correct. Merging with Ryan had been scary, but he hadn't hated it. He barely had chance to process it while it was happening, but now he doesn't think he minded that much. Part of him misses it even. He isn't sure he's ever felt that whole.]
Yeah, but... I trust you.
[It's different. They've spent their entire lives together. There's no one he feels closer to than Ryan. No one who he feels so wrong without. In some ways it makes sense to him they could be one person.
Strut had abandoned Vogue under the couch to sniff at her dads now the excitement is over, so Min-Gi reaches over to pet her reassuringly with his free hand, looking over with surprise when Ryan suggests they try it again.
Despite feeling the loss more keenly than he thought he could for something he'd only experienced for a few moments he hadn't expected either one of them to suggest they try again so quickly.]
Already?
[It's not a no, but he tenses up at the thought, fingers tightening to grip Ryan's hand more tightly.]
[Vogue is a little more cautious than Strut is. Ryan tries to beckon him out from under the couch and is completely ignored completely.
As soon as Min comments on how soon it is, Ryan attempts to backpedal. He can feel that hand tighten and he doesn't pull away, but he's suddenly aware that it might be too much too soon.]
W-We don't have to! There's no rush. I just...if you want to, then I want to too.
[He squeezes Min's hand, trying to be reassuring. It doesn't have to be now. It doesn't have to be ever if Min doesn't want to. It just has to be when Min's ready, and Ryan can wait.]
[While Vogue continues to ignore them under the couch, Strut seems to have all but forgotten the trauma of Big Dad and is more than happy to amble away from Min and over to the hand Ryan had been trying to beckon Vogue with. If he doesn't want that attention then she does.]
I do want to. I just... I didn't think you'd want to already.
[Does he want to yet? Min-Gi honestly isn't sure. He does and he doesn't. It had been terrifying being part of someone else. It had also felt right, and he feels so empty now.
[Ryan chuckles and scritches behind Strut's ears, happy to give her attention while he and Min talk it out. Vogue seems to be further out from underneath the couch every time one of them looks, but he always stops moving the second he is perceived.
Min asks a good question though, one Ryan almost doesn't want to think about. It had felt so incredible, even for just a moment, that thinking about the loss of it already hurts. But...realistically, whatever is happening this weekend won't last forever. It might not even last beyond today.
When he finally answers, he makes it sound so simple.]
Then we can't do it again. And we already couldn't do it before, so we'd just be back where we started. But...we won't know unless we try, right?
[They could be afraid of not being able to sync up again, or they could just go for it - and it's no secret what Ryan's vote would be.]
[Ryan's right, and unsure as he is in some ways he knows he'll regret it if they don't at least try. He nods slowly, scooting Strut away from Ryan's hand and back towards Vogue. He knows she won't enjoy it if she's right there and they do manage to do it again. Poor Vogue has finally emerged completely by now, and while Min feels bad for him he doesn't feel bad enough to not try.]
Okay. So, let's try. Do we just hug, or...?
[Realistically, he knows Ryan's probably just as clueless as he is. It's not like he mean to make whatever happened to them happen. He'd just hugged him, and then he'd been inside him somehow.]
[He has absolutely no idea. He doesn't want to think about how weird it will probably be to sync up on the floor though, so he stands up and offers a hand to Min. When he takes it, Ryan doesn't just pull him to his feet - he pulls him up and into his arms for a tight hug.
And he holds it.
...And he holds it.
His eyes were closed at first, but now they're open and he's looking over Min's shoulder awkwardly. They haven't frightened the cat Pokémon back under the couch yet at least.]
It had felt as right as ever when Ryan had pulled him up with surprising strength and held him close, but the longer it goes on the weirder it feels. Min-Gi waits at first. He's always been an advocate for patience.
But by the time Ryan speaks up... even he can't deny this doesn't seem to be working.]
I don't think so...
[He still hasn't moved reluctant to break free, just in case this is the moment it does happen.]
[Ryan hasn't moved either. Even with the awkwardness, it's still kind of nice. He's always been a really touchy-feely person as it is, and he could so easily rest his head on Min's shoulder from here, but...that seems like a step too far, somehow. As if syncing themselves together wasn't, somehow.]
Was anything else happening? We were goofing off a little, singing...
[He trails off, unsure what the connection would be. Something happened, and it wasn't just a hug. They did touch, but it wasn't just the hug...]
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no subject
He looks up at Ryan's suggestion, perplexed and maybe a little offended on the couple's behalf.]
No way, man. Just because a song's got wedding in the title that doesn't mean you can sing it at one.
[Not that he's coming up with anything at the moment.]
no subject
But Miiiiin, it's a--
[Then he dips his voice low, probably a little too Ridge Irvine sand paper and not enough Billy Idol, but the joke still stands.]
♪ --nice day for a~ white weddingggg
It's a~ nice day to~ start agaaaaain ♪
[He can't keep it going much more than that though, because he's starting to laugh too much. Vogue has turned his attention directly to Strut from all of the tail nipping, but she should look out-- he's low to the ground, butt wiggling in the air, and clearly plotting to pounce.]
But fine, fiiiine. Any other ideas?
no subject
[He still isn't really looking at Ryan, but his irritation is clearly put on and there's a hint of a smile tugging at his lips as he tries to suppress a snigger. He has to stop and think before he can give any answers though. It's surprisingly hard to think up a good song for a wedding. There are no shortage of love songs, but none of them feel right. They're too cheesy, or too sad, or don't fit what (admittedly little) he knows about them as a couple. He taps out a few absent notes on the keyboard, trying to think up a real suggestion.
Strut, meanwhile, is just happy that someone is paying her attention. She either doesn't know or doesn't care that she's about to be pounced on, crouching before Vogue to mimic his pose.]
How about...
[He doesn't sound totally sure of whatever he's about to suggest, but after a short deliberation he starts to play out the intro to a song.]
♪ How can I convince you
What you see is real?
Who am I to blame you
For doubting what you feel...? ♪
[He trails off, looking over at Ryan for his thoughts. He figures it's a better option than White Wedding if nothing else.]
no subject
♪ I was always reachin'
You were just a girl I knew
I took for granted
The friend I had in you ♪
[He stops pacing, instead moving toward Min-Gi and his synth. There's no planning - he knows intuitively that they'll come together for the chorus in harmony.]
♪ I was living for a dreaaaaam
Loving for a momeeeeent
Taking on theeee woooorld
That was just myyyy styyyle ♪
[It really was, wasn't it? He knows all the words, but Ryan hasn't thought about this song in a long time. It feels so much different than it did in high school, after everything they've been through.
His attention is on Min and his song choice, and unfortunately not at all on their cat pokémon. Almost on cue, Vogue takes for granted the friend he has in Strut and leaps into a tackle, sending both cats tumbling across the floor.]
no subject
It hadn't occurred to him when he'd thought of it just how easily this song could apply to them if the lyrics weren't so blatantly romantic, but hearing the words from Ryan's own mouth has his cheeks heating up a little. He's not sure how he can take looking into Ryan's eyes while actually singing about looking into his eyes, but thankfully the thud and quickly following yowl as Vogue tackles Strut spares him that dilemma. He stops playing abruptly, standing up quicker than he means to to investigate the commotion.
Strut is fine, despite all her dramatic wailing. Min-Gi, on the other hand, still isn't used to his new centre of gravity and has to steady himself.]
Strut! Can't you see we're trying to work?
[Because honestly? She might be underneath, but he has a strong feeling she's probably the instigator here.]
no subject
It's fine; they're just play-- Vogue! No! Cut it out!
[Vogue had spent a few pretending he wasn't the problem child, but Ryan's caught him red-handed with his mouth open, ready to sneakily nip one of Strut's big ol' ears. He pouts, slowly shuts his mouth, and then lays down to sulk about not being allowed to have any fun ever.]
...Maybe they have a point though? Not the biting thing, but. Maybe we could use a break?
[He reaches to take Min's hand, as though lightly holding and swinging it a little will really convince him that it should be break time now and not work time. A totally compelling argument.]
no subject
Do we have time for a break? This isn't just some gig.
[Not that he doesn't also take their gigs seriously, no matter how big or small the venue. Ryan does too. He knows that. It's just hard not to want something to focus on that isn't their current situation. He isn't going to feel comfortable until they're back to being themselves, but playing music has helped. At least a little.]
no subject
[That feels easier to sell Min on than just saying that yes, they have time, don't worry about it.]
It'll help recharge us so we can remember more wedding songs from home that don't suck.
[A beat, and then he realizes how that must sound.]
Yours is great though! You're amazing! I never would've thought of it in a million years.
[Without thinking about the implications of his actions at all, Ryan takes Min's other hand. He's just caught up in his own moment, being a little goofy with the dramatics of the next lines of the song.]
♪ When I look into your eeeeeeeyes
I can see forever~! ♪
[And he does look at Min, bright and hopeful and a truly stupid shade of red, trying to will him to join in and keep the song going.]
no subject
He knows he's just being silly. He knows that. It's just Ryan having fun, but seeing him look at him like that... Hearing him sing those words. Even looking like that, Ryan is still Ryan and in the moment it would be so easy to believe he meant it.
He doesn't, though, and Min-Gi knows that. They're friends, and that's enough. It's always been enough. The hopeful flutter in his chest twists, turning into a pang he can't let himself think about. He's definitely let the silence drag too long, but Ryan's still looking at him expectantly.]
♪ The search is over...
You were with me all the while ♪
[His voice falters more than it usually does when he sings, but he can only hope Ryan will ignore it. Won't notice the effect he has on him.]
1/2
This is too much. It has to be, right? Min-Gi just came out, and only to him. He doesn't need to wrestle with what it could mean for Ryan to sing a song like this at him.
He's just about to kick himself more for it, and backpedal out of what he's just done, but then Min sings the rest of the line. He doesn't have Ryan's dramatics, but it's soft and sweet and it makes his own heart flutter in his chest. He's in awe, and then the expression changes slowly to beaming in relief.]
...Yeah! Yeah, see? It's perfect, man.
[There's a soft laugh in his voice, a relieved one that he didn't fuck this all up. Something in him feels incredibly light now, in a way he doesn't know how to explain in words. So he does what comes more naturally instead - he moves. He lets go of Min's hands so he can throw his arms around his shoulders in what was meant to be a tight, friendly hug.
But it's not tight at all. It's soft, like falling into a pillow almost. And.......bright?]
2/2
They look up, and all around them. The cats have vanished, because watching their dads fuse into one bigger dad was terrifying and they are both watching from underneath the couch.
Everything feels...new. Like they're looking at the apartment for the first time. Like they've never truly existed before right now.
That's not true though. They weren't alone. They were...
He was? He...]
Min-Gi?!
[They reach up and touch both the gem on their chest and the gem on their forehead. Their gems, plural???]
no subject
It isn't even a song they've written, but it always feels good to be praised by Ryan. To know he likes something he's thought of. He doesn't mind the hug. In some ways it's less intimate than holding hands, and it gives him a much needed reprieve from looking into Ryan's eyes.
Except... Ryan melts into him, vanishing altogether as the world turns bright around them.
When they become aware again their arms are wrapped around themself and their hands loosen. They don't think it's him doing that. Is it?
No. He's sure it wasn't. Instinctively, he knows they aren't alone.
They feel familiar, and alien all at once.
Before the thought can fully process he hears a voice come out of their mouth. It doesn't sound like his voice, but it doesn't sound like Ryan's either. It's someone else entirely, yet somehow he knows they're them. One in ways they could never have conceived of until now.
Their hands reach up to feel their gems, but that isn't what he wants. These aren't his movements. It scares him. He tears his hands away, and they stumble backwards. By the time he hits the ground he's Min-Gi again. Or at least the Min-Gi he is today. He flexes his fingers, staring down at them now he has full control again. It's strange how empty he feels now he isn't them. He sits up, reaching out for the one who'd been part of him only moments earlier.]
Ryan...?
no subject
Is he alone? He feels...something. Lonely?
But then his name is called and Ryan sits right up.]
Min! Min--
[Sitting up turns into scrambling closer to Min-Gi, the one thing that makes any sense in all of this.]
What was that?! How did we...
[He doesn't have a word for it, so he trails off and uselessly links his own fingers together. But wait, that's not the most important thing here.]
Are you okay?
no subject
What happened was... strange, but now he's back to himself he's not as frightened by it as he thought.]
I'm fine. Are you okay?
[He inches himself closer, not reaching out to touch if Ryan doesn't want that. Maybe that would be too much after spontaneously becoming one person.
Their cats are becoming slightly bolder as they peek from beneath the couch now. Things are slightly more normal again, and while the separation was initially as scary as them becoming One Big Dad they're at least recognisable to them again now.]
no subject
Yeah! Yeah, I'm fine too. I...
[He still struggles for words, all of his feelings sort of rattling around in his head uselessly. The ones that finally bubble up also bring even more red to his cheeks, but he seems happy anyway.]
...That felt amazing. Is that weird? I feel like that might be weird. I mean, I didn't know that was going to happen obviously, but! But it felt...good.
[He unlaces his fingers and holds out a hand for Min to take - not necessarily to try again immediately but because the separation between them feels unnatural now. ]
no subject
[Min-Gi sounds surprised, but not upset by the explanation. He takes a moment to process it, first seeming uncertain, then maybe embarrassed. But not upset. A faint smile comes over his face as he reaches out to take his hand, moving to sit so their shoulders are touching.
It isn't the same as it had been before, but it's nice. And it's enough. At least for now.]
It felt good to me too. It scared me, but... I think if I was expecting it, I would've enjoyed it.
[So hugging Ryan is off the table until they feel ready to try again, but holding his hand doesn't seem to do anything. It's nice, but it's also normal. They might look a little different right now, but it's still something they've done countless times.]
no subject
Really? I thought you would've hated it. I think we were in each other's heads? Somehow? And I know that's not really your thing.
[But it makes sense. Min-Gi pulled back because he was startled and scared and didn't know what was happening. Now that he does though...Ryan can't help himself. He squeezes Min's hand, but glances up more towards the ceiling, trying to be so casual about it]
Soooooo...would you wanna try it again?
[What a totally chill question that isn't needy or clingy at all!]
no subject
Yeah, but... I trust you.
[It's different. They've spent their entire lives together. There's no one he feels closer to than Ryan. No one who he feels so wrong without. In some ways it makes sense to him they could be one person.
Strut had abandoned Vogue under the couch to sniff at her dads now the excitement is over, so Min-Gi reaches over to pet her reassuringly with his free hand, looking over with surprise when Ryan suggests they try it again.
Despite feeling the loss more keenly than he thought he could for something he'd only experienced for a few moments he hadn't expected either one of them to suggest they try again so quickly.]
Already?
[It's not a no, but he tenses up at the thought, fingers tightening to grip Ryan's hand more tightly.]
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As soon as Min comments on how soon it is, Ryan attempts to backpedal. He can feel that hand tighten and he doesn't pull away, but he's suddenly aware that it might be too much too soon.]
W-We don't have to! There's no rush. I just...if you want to, then I want to too.
[He squeezes Min's hand, trying to be reassuring. It doesn't have to be now. It doesn't have to be ever if Min doesn't want to. It just has to be when Min's ready, and Ryan can wait.]
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I do want to. I just... I didn't think you'd want to already.
[Does he want to yet? Min-Gi honestly isn't sure. He does and he doesn't. It had been terrifying being part of someone else. It had also felt right, and he feels so empty now.
He looks Ryan over carefully, considering.]
What if we can't do it again?
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Min asks a good question though, one Ryan almost doesn't want to think about. It had felt so incredible, even for just a moment, that thinking about the loss of it already hurts. But...realistically, whatever is happening this weekend won't last forever. It might not even last beyond today.
When he finally answers, he makes it sound so simple.]
Then we can't do it again. And we already couldn't do it before, so we'd just be back where we started. But...we won't know unless we try, right?
[They could be afraid of not being able to sync up again, or they could just go for it - and it's no secret what Ryan's vote would be.]
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Okay. So, let's try. Do we just hug, or...?
[Realistically, he knows Ryan's probably just as clueless as he is. It's not like he mean to make whatever happened to them happen. He'd just hugged him, and then he'd been inside him somehow.]
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[He has absolutely no idea. He doesn't want to think about how weird it will probably be to sync up on the floor though, so he stands up and offers a hand to Min. When he takes it, Ryan doesn't just pull him to his feet - he pulls him up and into his arms for a tight hug.
And he holds it.
...And he holds it.
His eyes were closed at first, but now they're open and he's looking over Min's shoulder awkwardly. They haven't frightened the cat Pokémon back under the couch yet at least.]
Is...anything happening?
[Doesn't seem like it.]
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It had felt as right as ever when Ryan had pulled him up with surprising strength and held him close, but the longer it goes on the weirder it feels. Min-Gi waits at first. He's always been an advocate for patience.
But by the time Ryan speaks up... even he can't deny this doesn't seem to be working.]
I don't think so...
[He still hasn't moved reluctant to break free, just in case this is the moment it does happen.]
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Was anything else happening? We were goofing off a little, singing...
[He trails off, unsure what the connection would be. Something happened, and it wasn't just a hug. They did touch, but it wasn't just the hug...]
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