Mmm, but we're trying to be serious. [Not that he sounds too insistent on that] I'll be waiting. Door's open. [Doesn't want to get up. Too lazy - And little sore, maybe.]
[ Ghoul is there soon! It takes a few minutes, but he knows the way well enough and the door is open like Matt promised. He closes it behind him, and doesn't bother with the whole 'is it okay if I sit down' thing, just crosses the room and flops down onto the bed. Hi, Matt, Ghoul has arrived. ]
[Well, hello. If Ghoul isn't going to think twice about flopping onto the bed, then Matt isn't going to think twice about wrapping him up in the covers - Despite Sylvia's protests. Those were his blankets thank you.
Squawking, indignant rooster aside (whom he settles with a few gentle pets and shushes), he settles in nicely around Ghoul.] I'd tell you to make yourself at home, but... [He ruffles his hands through Ghoul's hair]
There's a stupid amount of pleasure Ghoul gets out of being wrapped up in blankets, and it's only doubled by the fact that the dumb bird has to move. Sylvia's still on the bed but Ghoul has Matt's attention and that means he is the champion. With a happy hum of a noise, Ghoul curls up against Matt and practically gives off waves of content. ] Already did.
Mmfhgh. That feels good. [ Ghoul tells Matt, muffled half into the blankets and half against Matt himself. Literally a big dumb dog. ]
[Don't think he doesn't notice that, the dumb competition Ghoul has with the rooster. In fact, it gets a tired, over-dramatic sigh from Matt and he 'accidentally' nudges Ghoul in the back. Come on, you're being childish.
Nevertheless, it's true. Ghoul does win. Partially because he lives with Sylvia and can give him attention whenever he wants. Mostly because he does like Ghoul he guesses, and it's fun to hold on to him. Nice to touch him and see how he reacts. Already going against keeping his hands to himself. Oh, well. He laughs and gently scratches at his scalp, well aware of his weakness by now.] You're too much, you know that? [Not that he minds in the least]
[ WHATEVER the bird is dumb and Ghoul is a jealous bitch, it's just how it is. This is what you have placed your affections in, Matt, congratulations.
And yeah, like Ghoul is going to complain about any of the touch. With a shiver, Ghoul arches into the scritching, closing his eyes. This is so much less scary, being able to hear the room around him, and he's pretty damn relaxed. It's a nice change, being able to just flop out and let his guard down a little. Maybe he shouldn't. But he does. ] Mm. I definitely know. [ Ghoul hums back airily. ] Dunno why you put up with me.
[It's not the worst decision of his life so at least there's that. ADEQUATE LIFE CHOICES UNLOCKED.
Matt can't help but laugh at the reaction. He really is like a dog, the way he just leans into it and flops against him. A big, stupid mutt that he wouldn't trade for anything. Kissing him on the head, he acts like he has to think about his answer]
[h u f f] Well, I suppose I like you. [So hesitant, like he doesn't have his hands buried in his hair because he knows it makes him happy right now] You're talented - Anyone who can hack anything of mine is. And you're funny. Definitely funny. [Chuckling into Ghoul's hair at that. Maybe not intentionally funny sometimes] You've got good stories, and I like the way you tell them - What else? [He tips his head down so he can hum softly into Ghoul's ear] Oh - And you're cute I guess.
[ Ghoul isn't expecting a semi-serious answer like that! So it makes him pause, and look up at Matt with a little (if you squint, almost shy) grin. Here you have a creature that thrives on compliments, needs them to survive, and you're giving them away for free. ]
I -- [ Welp. Hold on, give him a second to just laugh and scoot closer, tangling all up in Matt's space. ] Man, careful there, you're gonna overinflate my ego, techkid. I might blow up. [ He tilts his head up at the cute comment, stealing a kiss. ] I ain't got nothing that's even half as good as you, though, so I guess that's a pretty good anchor.
[Not complaining about that. In fact, Matt just winds his arms around him and tangles up more. Whatever. He doesn't have any plans for tonight.] I'd better stop then. Don't want to have to clean up Ghoul from my ceiling.
[The kiss has him grinning even wider. Being held and wanted and so close to someone was amazing, and he still can't entirely believe he has it. Not here.] Don't sell yourself so short - Maybe like... Eighty, ninety percent as good as me. [Giggling against Ghoul's neck like an airy idiot] And there are some things, look - Look - [He tugs at his sleeves, trying to get at the tattoos] See? I don't have those, so you're better than me for that.
[ Ghoul shifts enough to pull his sleeves down, let Matt look, and he's still grinning, still thoroughly pleased. ] Yeah? Y'like them? [ He looks down at the tattoos. ] Which ones? D'you have any?
[The moment they're revealed, Matt's fingers go straight to tracing. Can't help it, an immediate reaction, eyes and hands all over the ink on Ghoul's skin.] Mmhm - All of them - [But...] The colorful ones the most, I think. [He thumbs over a particularly colorful tattoo as he says it, admiring it. Getting lost enough to lag behind on the follow up question.] Hm? oh - Oh no. Asha... [His voice drops at that, tone getting a bit somber] She didn't tell me not to, but she always told me this story - About an informant she knew whose tattoos ended up getting him killed. I think she was exaggerating, and it's not like I'd ever make such a stupid mistake, but... Well, when you're petrified of death and sort of don't want to be recognized by certain people, that sort of thing sticks with you.
[ There's something about Matt tracing his tattoos that feels great - and it's not just the physical feeling. There is that, but there's the idea that Matt likes them enough to want to see them. That he's distracted by looking. The ink in his skin has special meaning to him and he always feels a lot of pride when people take them seriously.
He nods, though, when Matt mentions what he does. ] Yeah. Always got recognized right off the bat, in the Zones. Makes you a target. [ But Ghoul always wanted to be a target, so it worked out for him. ] This Asha sounds real practical. I guess I ain't, so much.
[Makes you a target. That's exactly what Matt doesn't want, a big reason why he never got any. He sighs softly, tucking up close to Ghoul as he listens. Doesn't let go of his arms, either. Keeps running his fingers along his skin as they talk.] She is - [Was. Doesn't want to say that, though] Really practical. Scary, too. [Laugh] She... Did a lot for me. But, so've you.
[ That actually catches him by surprise. Ghoul glances at Matt. ] ... I have? [ He's just convinced himself he's bad for the people around him. ] You sure you ain't just flattering me again?
I didn't exactly get myself out of that trap. [He nuzzles up against Ghoul, kissing him on the cheek. A little confused as to why he doesn't seem to believe it] And it's not like I'm miserable here, being with you.
No - no, I guess... I guess not. [ He pauses, still watching Matt. ] Just - thought I fucked things up permanently, y'know? I mean. M'still surprised you let me do this, if m'being honest. [ Curling up with Matt, he means. Might as well be honest. ] I end up bad for the people m'around.
Ghoul... [He tips his head to the side, now more than just a little confused.] Just because - I - [Ugh. Words.] There's still... A lot that's not right, because of that, but it's not ruined. It takes a lot more than that to chase me away.
[ He sort of sniffs in amusement. ] That's my line. [ A lot that's not right because of that. Yeah, that's what he thought, what he meant, and he can't magically make it better and he's frustrated with himself because he can't. It's something that takes time, but Ghoul's angry with himself for making it a problem in the first place. ]
Y'had a panic attack when I said - when -- when I said what I did. [ He's scared to say it again. ] Hard not to think I didn't fuck everything up, Matt - it's a trend, it happens, m'just waiting.
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[He laughs] It's still there, but I think it's wearing down. I'll keep my hands to myself, promise.
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Squawking, indignant rooster aside (whom he settles with a few gentle pets and shushes), he settles in nicely around Ghoul.] I'd tell you to make yourself at home, but... [He ruffles his hands through Ghoul's hair]
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There's a stupid amount of pleasure Ghoul gets out of being wrapped up in blankets, and it's only doubled by the fact that the dumb bird has to move. Sylvia's still on the bed but Ghoul has Matt's attention and that means he is the champion. With a happy hum of a noise, Ghoul curls up against Matt and practically gives off waves of content. ] Already did.
Mmfhgh. That feels good. [ Ghoul tells Matt, muffled half into the blankets and half against Matt himself. Literally a big dumb dog. ]
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Nevertheless, it's true. Ghoul does win. Partially because he lives with Sylvia and can give him attention whenever he wants. Mostly because he does like Ghoul he guesses, and it's fun to hold on to him. Nice to touch him and see how he reacts. Already going against keeping his hands to himself. Oh, well. He laughs and gently scratches at his scalp, well aware of his weakness by now.] You're too much, you know that? [Not that he minds in the least]
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And yeah, like Ghoul is going to complain about any of the touch. With a shiver, Ghoul arches into the scritching, closing his eyes. This is so much less scary, being able to hear the room around him, and he's pretty damn relaxed. It's a nice change, being able to just flop out and let his guard down a little. Maybe he shouldn't. But he does. ] Mm. I definitely know. [ Ghoul hums back airily. ] Dunno why you put up with me.
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Matt can't help but laugh at the reaction. He really is like a dog, the way he just leans into it and flops against him. A big, stupid mutt that he wouldn't trade for anything. Kissing him on the head, he acts like he has to think about his answer]
[h u f f] Well, I suppose I like you. [So hesitant, like he doesn't have his hands buried in his hair because he knows it makes him happy right now] You're talented - Anyone who can hack anything of mine is. And you're funny. Definitely funny. [Chuckling into Ghoul's hair at that. Maybe not intentionally funny sometimes] You've got good stories, and I like the way you tell them - What else? [He tips his head down so he can hum softly into Ghoul's ear] Oh - And you're cute I guess.
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I -- [ Welp. Hold on, give him a second to just laugh and scoot closer, tangling all up in Matt's space. ] Man, careful there, you're gonna overinflate my ego, techkid. I might blow up. [ He tilts his head up at the cute comment, stealing a kiss. ] I ain't got nothing that's even half as good as you, though, so I guess that's a pretty good anchor.
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[The kiss has him grinning even wider. Being held and wanted and so close to someone was amazing, and he still can't entirely believe he has it. Not here.] Don't sell yourself so short - Maybe like... Eighty, ninety percent as good as me. [Giggling against Ghoul's neck like an airy idiot] And there are some things, look - Look - [He tugs at his sleeves, trying to get at the tattoos] See? I don't have those, so you're better than me for that.
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He nods, though, when Matt mentions what he does. ] Yeah. Always got recognized right off the bat, in the Zones. Makes you a target. [ But Ghoul always wanted to be a target, so it worked out for him. ] This Asha sounds real practical. I guess I ain't, so much.
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Y'had a panic attack when I said - when -- when I said what I did. [ He's scared to say it again. ] Hard not to think I didn't fuck everything up, Matt - it's a trend, it happens, m'just waiting.
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