[ There's a lingering moment where it seems like he might say something but chooses not to, instead he seems to be considering the offer. ]
Yeah, yeah, you're right. [ A tired drawl escapes his lips before he shakes himself up a bit. One hand yet again combs through those curls as he drifts toward the shower, turning the water on.
For a second he really just stands there staring at the tiles before he nods. Tag in, right. It was better to share some little bits in the day, he thought, if only because being in the dark was still stressful as far as he was concerned.
Sure they could share too, but it was easier to delegate sometimes. A little breathy sound escapes before he closes his eyes, and tries his best to relax and facilitate a full switch. ]
[Marc-- doesn't mind it, really. Maybe he should. Maybe he shouldn't be content with living in the shadows, taking over when Steven needs him to. He comes out, of course. But there's something... comforting about withdrawing.
But he also doesn't mind taking over to take care of Steven a little bit. There's a brief glimpse over to the mirror, a slight smile, before he's going to get the water started and heated up, a sigh passing his lips.]
[ He's there, as expected, looking a little bit like a crumpled shirt. Hair ruffled, gaze tired but fond. Hands carefully tucked in front of him. He's better about being out of control now, than he was before, at the very least-- but a part of it is always going to feel a little suffocated. Maybe Marc had gotten used to it, considering he'd done it so much longer, but Steven didn't find it comfortable unless he was tired.
Being worn out made it so much easier for him to just kind of float in the aimlessness it offered. Trusting he won't be trapped also helps. ]
Yeah. [ A little quieter now, less energy slipping into his words, but there was still a fondness to it. ] Can you wash that mess of gel out, too? [ A little teasing is pretty much irresistible at this point. ]
Oh, complain all you want, buddy. But at least I make us look like we don't regularly lose fights with combs. [The curls are tamed... even if Steven does look-- endearing with his mussed hair and too large clothes. Still, he ducks under the water and reaches for the soap.]
Guess we missed Jeopardy... gonna have to catch a repeat.
Not like it's a fair fight. [ He grumbles, mirth slipping in easily. Some part of him regrets slipping back, sure the heat of the shower probably eft pretty good right now. The rest of him was fine with it, considering he felt damn near just like sitting on the floor of the shower and taking a nap.
Wouldn't be the first time. ] Jeo-- oh. Right. [ Someone had completely forgotten about that... ] This is one very drastic plan to get out of a little trivia show, Marc. I'm shocked. [ He's trying really hard to sound incredulous right now, is it working? ]
Uh-huh. [Steven could just admit that he doesn't care if he looks curly and frazzled all the time...
He huffs out a laugh as he makes quick work of washing their body down.]
Oh, no, it wasn't that tonight... but I'm definitely planning on using it as a distraction in the future. Next time you're making me watch a-- cartoon or something?
[ Admit to things? Acknowledge he looks like an overly rumpled chia-pet because of his own doing? No thanks. ]
That's not how negotiating works. [ Not that they were actually striking any kind of a bargain, but alas- ] You're supposed to pose something you want to watch, that I don't and we uh... [ He does not want to say 'even the scales' and there's a lingering pause where he hunts for the right words. ] compromise.
Also, it was a good show, you'd know that if you paid attention.
Oh, yeah? I don't know what you dislike watching though... Action movies? Horror? [But Marc isn't too big on horror either. Their life is enough of that as is.]
Not big on horror no. [ Not that he thought Marc was super interested in it, what else did he not like? ] I don't know, things that are too sad. [ He easily found himself crying at sad movies, sometimes happy ones. Honestly, they could be worse, but he didn't feel inclined to divulge that information. ] Maybe negotiate for something else, I don't know.
[ A little huff of a laugh, the ghost of Steven muttering something to himself but the words never really come out. ] Alright. I suppose I misjudged. Forgive me? [ And there's a teasing hint to his words but it softens. ]
Gonna have to shave tomorrow, already feel a bit scruffy.
Or we could skip the negotiating and just jump right to the fun... [Marc suggests as he cuts off the water and grabs for a towel to start drying himself off. He moves back to the mirror, using his palm to clear away any haze lingering on it to inspect the body.
Yeah. Yeah.]
Definitely need a shave. Unless you want that hobo chic look going out. [But Steven already looks so disheveled enough...]
Isn't that what we just did? [ An airy chuckle, but he sounds at least moderately distracted. Fortunately, when the mirror is cleared he keeps himself out of the way, mostly. Though there's a curious glimpse from the faucet before that too fades away. ]
Rude. [ He snips in return, the threat of retaliation felt in a slight tingle at his fingertips but he doesn't actually do anything with it. Not at the moment. ] You don't like my hair? [ A little flit of something, just far off enough to the side. ] I guess I could spend an extra half hour in the morning preening like you.
Preening? Really? It's called grooming, buddy. Besides, you should be grateful. I've heard the compliments that new cologne's gotten us. [Not that Steven's ever smelled bad or anything. He's always-- apparently smelled like Marc, according to Layla.]
I don't not like your hair. It-- suits you. It's cute. [There's a teasing smile flashed in the mirror.]
[ There's a quiet few seconds where he can't figure out how to respond, and Marc isn't wrong-- even if he has no idea what to do with a compliment about how he smells. Ramble a bit awkwardly till they realize they're not as interested as they first thought. Maybe. A soft scoff follows. ]
Cute. [ He repeats, and it's hard to tell if he finds it complimentary or not. Probably wouldn't have if it came from almost anyone else, but he likes getting any kind of compliment from Marc so it's a unique experience. He lingers on it till he's getting teased again and there's a flicker of change before the reflection is more him than Marc. ]
Oi, I've picked up a brush plenty of times when you don't put it back where it goes. [ Which, admittedly, is less often than he's trying to make it sound, but he's got to sass him back some. ]
Cute. Unless you're moaning for me. [Then that was just sexy, if he's being honest. His eyes narrow a bit on the mirror at the remark. Really?]
Says the guy who's practically a hoarder. Do you even know what books you've got in your collection? [Stacks and stacks that are either a fire hazard or a concussion waiting to happen. C'mon.]
[ It's clear he wants to say something if by the way his lips part slightly and he takes a breath in, but his brows furrow and his face reddens. There are a few seconds where he tries to think of something before he just diverts his gaze, struggling to maintain both his composure and his ability to be annoying now that the heady daze of getting off wasn't rolling around in his head. ] I'll make sure to see how cute your before and after is. [ His tongue skims against his teeth, but the mention of being a hoarder gets an eye roll. ]
First my hair and now my books, really quite a charmer. [ A drag of his teeth over his lip before he scoffs. ] Besides, I've read quite a lot of them thanks to you.
[He huffs out a laugh, although it's not particularly unkind. His attention is diverted to the mirror, watching Steven struggle and flush and... he likes it. Likes getting to watch him properly and see his reactions properly.
... Although maybe that last jab hits a little too close to the guilty bits, makes his expression twitch and fade a little bit. There are some things-- he's not sure he'll ever be able to properly make up for.
He's not even sure he should be able.
But that's not something to toss on Steven, so he manages a more proper smile and shakes his head.] C'mon. You know I'm teasing. There's no one else I'd rather spend my time with.
[All the way up through eternity, if the Duat is any indication for Steven.]
[ Despite all his indignation and bluster, the words soften him up so easily. He's pined for any kind of affection for so long, and that of MArc especially, it's hard to keep up his irritable demeanor when he's right there, smiling. ]
You're lucky you're handsome. [ He says in a way that's probably supposed to sound petulant or demeaning but instead just sounds a little wistful.
When the moment of him not so subtly watching MArc passes, he seems a little more at peace. Whatever that means. ]
Yeah, [ It's sheepish but pleased, there's no hiding the way satisfaction twists his tone into something a little too intimate, never good at keeping his emotions under wraps. ] Least we don't have to fight over the blanket, right?
We look the same... [But his expression softens a little bit at Steven.]
I guess you got a point there. C'mon. Let's go get into bed, alright?
[And Marc is-- stepping back again, letting Steven have the body back to fix his sand and tape, to cuff them back into bed like usual. He wouldn't want to interrupt his nightly routines.]
[ They did, logically he knew that, but even in the beginning when he'd been irritated with-- and afraid of-- Marc, he'd thought him handsome. It was just much easier to ignore when the man scared the life out of him. Now that he'd softened up? Hardly a problem.
He nods, and as soon as he's in control he yawns like he's going to melt. Sliding away from the mirror he shoots a quick little smile at it, if Marc can see or not before he does as mentioned;
Carefully taping the door with blue painter's tape, checking all of the locks once, twice, pushing the rug into the proper spot, scooping up the sand and respreading it into a smooth half-circle. climbing into the bed and with a nervous flutter beginning to strap his ankle in. He's a little looser with it now, there was padding in the cuff but he had woke with his foot asleep the other morning. Still, not loose enough for him to slip through.
Flopping back he's like a cat, stretching out with a shudder and a yawn, getting comfortable. ] Thank you Marc.
[He hasn't-- done anything. Not really. He might have done things he really shouldn't done, confessed things that will make Steven keep his strange infatuation with him when he could actually go out and find someone so much better, or-- reconnect with Layla.
He's pretty sure things are done with them, but that doesn't mean she and Steven can't have something -- much as it frustrates him to think about.]
[ Pauses, a little surprised before he chuckled. ] For taking care of us. [ A little roll of his eyes, before he sinks back into the bed a little more, eyes falling mostly closed.
He's struck again by the desire for a mirror, wanting to see Marc curled up like he could pretend he wasn't sleeping alone. It's embarrassing, but he's too tired to care about it. ] Like you always do. [ His eyes flutter closed and it seems like he's hanging on by a thread. If that. ]
G'night, Handsome.
Edited (send me to fucking jail I'm SO SORRY) 2022-06-28 06:20 (UTC)
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Yeah, yeah, you're right. [ A tired drawl escapes his lips before he shakes himself up a bit. One hand yet again combs through those curls as he drifts toward the shower, turning the water on.
For a second he really just stands there staring at the tiles before he nods. Tag in, right. It was better to share some little bits in the day, he thought, if only because being in the dark was still stressful as far as he was concerned.
Sure they could share too, but it was easier to delegate sometimes. A little breathy sound escapes before he closes his eyes, and tries his best to relax and facilitate a full switch. ]
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But he also doesn't mind taking over to take care of Steven a little bit. There's a brief glimpse over to the mirror, a slight smile, before he's going to get the water started and heated up, a sigh passing his lips.]
We'll get to bed after this, alright?
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Being worn out made it so much easier for him to just kind of float in the aimlessness it offered. Trusting he won't be trapped also helps. ]
Yeah. [ A little quieter now, less energy slipping into his words, but there was still a fondness to it. ] Can you wash that mess of gel out, too? [ A little teasing is pretty much irresistible at this point. ]
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Guess we missed Jeopardy... gonna have to catch a repeat.
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Wouldn't be the first time. ] Jeo-- oh. Right. [ Someone had completely forgotten about that... ] This is one very drastic plan to get out of a little trivia show, Marc. I'm shocked. [ He's trying really hard to sound incredulous right now, is it working? ]
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He huffs out a laugh as he makes quick work of washing their body down.]
Oh, no, it wasn't that tonight... but I'm definitely planning on using it as a distraction in the future. Next time you're making me watch a-- cartoon or something?
[Or anime or whatever the hell Steven calls it.]
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That's not how negotiating works. [ Not that they were actually striking any kind of a bargain, but alas- ] You're supposed to pose something you want to watch, that I don't and we uh... [ He does not want to say 'even the scales' and there's a lingering pause where he hunts for the right words. ] compromise.
Also, it was a good show, you'd know that if you paid attention.
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Who said I didn't pay attention? I did. Mostly.
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[ A little huff of a laugh, the ghost of Steven muttering something to himself but the words never really come out. ] Alright. I suppose I misjudged. Forgive me? [ And there's a teasing hint to his words but it softens. ]
Gonna have to shave tomorrow, already feel a bit scruffy.
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Yeah. Yeah.]
Definitely need a shave. Unless you want that hobo chic look going out. [But Steven already looks so disheveled enough...]
It'd go with the messy hair.
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Rude. [ He snips in return, the threat of retaliation felt in a slight tingle at his fingertips but he doesn't actually do anything with it. Not at the moment. ] You don't like my hair? [ A little flit of something, just far off enough to the side. ] I guess I could spend an extra half hour in the morning preening like you.
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I don't not like your hair. It-- suits you. It's cute. [There's a teasing smile flashed in the mirror.]
You know, for a guy who never picks up a brush.
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Cute. [ He repeats, and it's hard to tell if he finds it complimentary or not. Probably wouldn't have if it came from almost anyone else, but he likes getting any kind of compliment from Marc so it's a unique experience. He lingers on it till he's getting teased again and there's a flicker of change before the reflection is more him than Marc. ]
Oi, I've picked up a brush plenty of times when you don't put it back where it goes. [ Which, admittedly, is less often than he's trying to make it sound, but he's got to sass him back some. ]
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Says the guy who's practically a hoarder. Do you even know what books you've got in your collection? [Stacks and stacks that are either a fire hazard or a concussion waiting to happen. C'mon.]
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First my hair and now my books, really quite a charmer. [ A drag of his teeth over his lip before he scoffs. ] Besides, I've read quite a lot of them thanks to you.
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... Although maybe that last jab hits a little too close to the guilty bits, makes his expression twitch and fade a little bit. There are some things-- he's not sure he'll ever be able to properly make up for.
He's not even sure he should be able.
But that's not something to toss on Steven, so he manages a more proper smile and shakes his head.] C'mon. You know I'm teasing. There's no one else I'd rather spend my time with.
[All the way up through eternity, if the Duat is any indication for Steven.]
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You're lucky you're handsome. [ He says in a way that's probably supposed to sound petulant or demeaning but instead just sounds a little wistful.
When the moment of him not so subtly watching MArc passes, he seems a little more at peace. Whatever that means. ]
Yeah, [ It's sheepish but pleased, there's no hiding the way satisfaction twists his tone into something a little too intimate, never good at keeping his emotions under wraps. ] Least we don't have to fight over the blanket, right?
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I guess you got a point there. C'mon. Let's go get into bed, alright?
[And Marc is-- stepping back again, letting Steven have the body back to fix his sand and tape, to cuff them back into bed like usual. He wouldn't want to interrupt his nightly routines.]
I don't know about you, but I'm beat.
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He nods, and as soon as he's in control he yawns like he's going to melt. Sliding away from the mirror he shoots a quick little smile at it, if Marc can see or not before he does as mentioned;
Carefully taping the door with blue painter's tape, checking all of the locks once, twice, pushing the rug into the proper spot, scooping up the sand and respreading it into a smooth half-circle. climbing into the bed and with a nervous flutter beginning to strap his ankle in. He's a little looser with it now, there was padding in the cuff but he had woke with his foot asleep the other morning. Still, not loose enough for him to slip through.
Flopping back he's like a cat, stretching out with a shudder and a yawn, getting comfortable. ] Thank you Marc.
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[He hasn't-- done anything. Not really. He might have done things he really shouldn't done, confessed things that will make Steven keep his strange infatuation with him when he could actually go out and find someone so much better, or-- reconnect with Layla.
He's pretty sure things are done with them, but that doesn't mean she and Steven can't have something -- much as it frustrates him to think about.]
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He's struck again by the desire for a mirror, wanting to see Marc curled up like he could pretend he wasn't sleeping alone. It's embarrassing, but he's too tired to care about it. ] Like you always do. [ His eyes flutter closed and it seems like he's hanging on by a thread. If that. ]
G'night, Handsome.
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Yeah, yeah. Good night, baby.
[It's a little teasing, a harmless little jab if Steven's going to tease him with pet names.]