I... I know, but... [He sighs, slumping his head against Ray's shoulder.] You can still get hurt.
...and Alph was the first time you saw these "origami guys", right? Otherwise you would've mentioned them showing up at the prom...
[If only they were present for both incidents, then there'd be something resembling a clear cause behind the graying... Sure, he knows correlation doesn't necessarily point to causation, but it's better than having nothing to grasp onto at all.]
...Aww, Win. [He nuzzles against him.] It's sweet that you're worried, but I'm fine! We've battled worse with a more real threat of permanent harm, after all!
But you're right, it's kinda weird, thinking about it. Unless some people tried a seance during the prom that I wasn't aware of; but I feel like I woulda known about that some way or another!
[Mostly because he woulda broken in to complain about it.]
There's no comfort like remembering all the other brushes with death we've had.
[Despite his sarcasm, he gladly reciprocates Ray's nuzzling, planting a quick kiss on his cheek and giving a small half-lidded smile as he shifts himself to get closer to Ray in their shared embrace.] Yeah... I'm sure you could sniff out a seance from a mile away. ...especially one being done on the same ship. Wouldn't even have the chance to hide, and it's not like they could just run away-
[Winston stops himself, mouthing the words "run away" under his breath, before raising his voice to a regular speaking level again.]
Wait... maybe you missed the seance at the prom because it didn't happen at the prom. Articuno's a bird- if it was already sick before it showed up during the storm, then... wouldn't that mean it arrived after flying away from whatever turned it gray?
You got a point, Win! It obviously couldn't be the Legend Seeker's fault the first time because I can't think of a good reason why they'd do it in private and then do it in public with seemingly no preparation but if a similar circumstance happened...
- Although I have to wonder why Lugia didn't seem to attack the source.
You're right, but I'm not sure what that says about me. [its true but he shouldn't say it.jpeg]
...it is weird that Lugia'd attack the ship for no reason- ...but then again, it's also got a set of wings to work with. Could be Articuno came down with the illness, flew off, crossed paths with Lugia over the sea, and it got itself caught up in the panic of trying to protect it while finding some place for a weakened flier to land on- and the prom was unlucky enough to be collateral.
But supposing that's the case- and I'll admit, it is a big supposition on my part- then that still leaves the question of, "who even knows where Articuno was before all that"? [His delivery is halfway between being rhetorical and being a genuine question on if anybody out there has more information about the event than they do.]
That you're a great boyfriend? [Ray gives him an innocent and helpful smile.]
We don't know if the Articuno was there before or after... dang I wish I tried getting a closer look at the guy during the Prom.
[He says as if he even could have gotten a good look.]
"Legend Seekers", actually! They're this group of people who are really fascinated with the mythical side of Pokemon, with all the gods and such. I thought they were really cool at first before they decided to do a really dumb seance in front of a bunch of innocent bystanders without any planning if anything went wrong.
Just what we needed. [Sarcasm deeper than the Mariana Trench. Not that he wants to focus too much on oceanic metaphors right now, given the whole storm conversation they're having. He's still trying to put his concern behind him, but it's so hard to when it's with somebody he cares about this much-]
[...and that's when Ray's first statement hits him. Winston holds his breath for a moment, corners of his lips twisting into a flustered smile, not only at Ray's words alone, but the earnestness he says them with.] ...I mean... sure, whatever you say?
That's exactly what I said, but Venkman and Egon told me that they were more harmless and they probably are- since they didn't ask for money at any point. Just dumb kids.
[He says as if he's not also a dumb kid with monsters.
When he sees Winston finally react to the statement, he gives him the most devious smile, hugging him a little tighter and kissing his cheek.]
C'mon, Win, you think I'm just saying that? You know you're an amazing boyfriend and I adore everything about you!
[He gives an embarrassed laugh at the kiss, trying to bury his face in his hand to hide his nervous grin.]
I know, I know, it's just that you're so... upfront about it. [Winston holds his hand tighter, leaning deeper into the hug until he has his cheek pressed against Ray's chest.] ...that's not a bad thing. I like that about you, but... I guess I'm still not used to being told outright.
[...he suddenly flits his eyes away from Ray for a moment, choosing to stare over at the still-flickering lights of the T.V. screen, idly running in the background of their conversation.]
...we've been talking over the show this whole time, huh.
[Ray takes this as encouragement as he cuddles Winston like a favorite teddy bear.]
Aww gee Win, you shoulda told me that earlier! I gotta compliment you even more and tell you what a great boyfriend you are more often now!
[He was getting ready to just cover Winston with kisses when he's broken from his gay thoughts from Win bringing up the television. He blinks in surprise and looks over at the TV.]
Huh, right.
... Do you wanna keep watching this, or...?
[There's an unspoken "or do you wanna keep cuddling and kissing" but he doesn't want to impose on him.]
Hey, you don't have to go out of your way to do anything for me. Just say what you feel when you feel it.
[Winston reaches for the remote, still remaining firmly within Ray's grasp. Once he has it in hand, one press of the power button blips the T.V. back to a black screen. He lets his arm fall at his side, letting go of the remote. Both bounce a bit as they make a limp impact with the mattress.]
[He takes a breath, tilting his head back to stare at the ceiling.]
...besides, it's not your problem to fix. It's on me to move past it.
But what if I feel like going out of my way for you because I love you?
[His grip loosens slightly as he frowns at Winston, clearly not liking the implication of that last statement. He knows a little bit about Winston's hang ups, only as much as Winston's willing to tell him, but it's enough that he has a general idea what he's hinting at.
Ray kisses Winston again, a bit more gentle and tentatively this time.]
...wouldn't really be taking my own advice if I clammed up now.
[All jokes aside-]
I know you're not lying when you say these things about me. But... there's a difference between believing you mean it and believing I deserve it.
I don't know- I guess there's still a part of me that thinks I'm not good enough- as a teammate, as a partner, as... as a person, really. Just feels like respect, love... is something I have to earn, and I can't make the cut on my own.
...and it's not like I don't know that's the insecurity talking, and not anything rational. Still. It's hard to shake. Even with you guys supporting me.
[He lays it out so matter-of-factly, as if he's stewed in these thoughts countless times to the point they've become as routine and predictable to him as the twists at the end of horror films- but without any gratification to be had in being right or finding a resolution.]
[His voice is sad, but understanding. Ray still closely holds Winston, but there's something soft about the hold now, like he's worried he'll break him if he hugs too tightly.]
I know it's hard to shake negative thoughts about yourself like that, but we're here for you. I'm here for you. You deserve the world and without you my life would be missing so much.
[Even if it's still difficult to get over his own self-conception to accept what's being said as true... The tenderness of Ray's language, both in body and verbiage, gets Winston to let out something of an aching, lovestruck gasp. And he lets himself settle into this moment, relaxing against Ray, sinking deeper into the bed, into something soft and warm and comforting. Trying to set those worries aside.]
Yeah... I think I've gotten better about it since... since we met. It's just... a learning process, getting over it.
[He purses his lips in thought.]
...you weren't there to see it, but... a long while ago, when I thought I was all alone in a world of chaos, something happened that... helped move me towards having a better perspective on myself.
[Winston presses his cheek against Ray's chest, eyes turned aside as he searches his thoughts and recalls this pivotal moment.]
It was... a disaster. Everything was falling apart around me. Nothing made sense anymore. It all seemed so... hopeless. I thought, "there's no way I can fix this, I'm the weak link, I can't measure up to the rest of them"- ...and that's when somebody approached me- told me that didn't matter, that I could find a way to get through it if I tried. And with Janine and Slimer backing me up, I did. He was right.
[Slowly, he cranes his neck up to look Ray square in the eyes.]
[The gravity quickly fades from Winston's expression, a smile finally returning to his face after what felt like an eternity of its absence.]
Alright- I'll admit, it wasn't the Einstein. It was... you remember how the sandman brought everyone's dreams to life? That was it. Egon was dreaming of him, and there he was. ...in case you're wondering, after the pep talk, he walked off reciting E=mc² to himself for some reason.
Be honest with me, though: is that any weirder than what we see on an average job?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ghoststanning) wrote2018-12-26 08:12 pm
no subject
...and Alph was the first time you saw these "origami guys", right? Otherwise you would've mentioned them showing up at the prom...
[If only they were present for both incidents, then there'd be something resembling a clear cause behind the graying... Sure, he knows correlation doesn't necessarily point to causation, but it's better than having nothing to grasp onto at all.]
no subject
But you're right, it's kinda weird, thinking about it. Unless some people tried a seance during the prom that I wasn't aware of; but I feel like I woulda known about that some way or another!
[Mostly because he woulda broken in to complain about it.]
no subject
[Despite his sarcasm, he gladly reciprocates Ray's nuzzling, planting a quick kiss on his cheek and giving a small half-lidded smile as he shifts himself to get closer to Ray in their shared embrace.] Yeah... I'm sure you could sniff out a seance from a mile away. ...especially one being done on the same ship. Wouldn't even have the chance to hide, and it's not like they could just run away-
[Winston stops himself, mouthing the words "run away" under his breath, before raising his voice to a regular speaking level again.]
Wait... maybe you missed the seance at the prom because it didn't happen at the prom. Articuno's a bird- if it was already sick before it showed up during the storm, then... wouldn't that mean it arrived after flying away from whatever turned it gray?
no subject
[-Huh! Ray perks up slightly at that.]
You got a point, Win! It obviously couldn't be the Legend Seeker's fault the first time because I can't think of a good reason why they'd do it in private and then do it in public with seemingly no preparation but if a similar circumstance happened...
- Although I have to wonder why Lugia didn't seem to attack the source.
no subject
its true but he shouldn't say it.jpeg]...it is weird that Lugia'd attack the ship for no reason- ...but then again, it's also got a set of wings to work with. Could be Articuno came down with the illness, flew off, crossed paths with Lugia over the sea, and it got itself caught up in the panic of trying to protect it while finding some place for a weakened flier to land on- and the prom was unlucky enough to be collateral.
But supposing that's the case- and I'll admit, it is a big supposition on my part- then that still leaves the question of, "who even knows where Articuno was before all that"? [His delivery is halfway between being rhetorical and being a genuine question on if anybody out there has more information about the event than they do.]
...hold on, who's this "Legend Seeker"?
no subject
We don't know if the Articuno was there before or after... dang I wish I tried getting a closer look at the guy during the Prom.
[He says as if he even could have gotten a good look.]
"Legend Seekers", actually! They're this group of people who are really fascinated with the mythical side of Pokemon, with all the gods and such. I thought they were really cool at first before they decided to do a really dumb seance in front of a bunch of innocent bystanders without any planning if anything went wrong.
no subject
Just what we needed. [Sarcasm deeper than the Mariana Trench. Not that he wants to focus too much on oceanic metaphors right now, given the whole storm conversation they're having. He's still trying to put his concern behind him, but it's so hard to when it's with somebody he cares about this much-]
[...and that's when Ray's first statement hits him. Winston holds his breath for a moment, corners of his lips twisting into a flustered smile, not only at Ray's words alone, but the earnestness he says them with.] ...I mean... sure, whatever you say?
no subject
[He says as if he's not also a dumb kid with monsters.
When he sees Winston finally react to the statement, he gives him the most devious smile, hugging him a little tighter and kissing his cheek.]
C'mon, Win, you think I'm just saying that? You know you're an amazing boyfriend and I adore everything about you!
no subject
I know, I know, it's just that you're so... upfront about it. [Winston holds his hand tighter, leaning deeper into the hug until he has his cheek pressed against Ray's chest.] ...that's not a bad thing. I like that about you, but... I guess I'm still not used to being told outright.
[...he suddenly flits his eyes away from Ray for a moment, choosing to stare over at the still-flickering lights of the T.V. screen, idly running in the background of their conversation.]
...we've been talking over the show this whole time, huh.
no subject
Aww gee Win, you shoulda told me that earlier! I gotta compliment you even more and tell you what a great boyfriend you are more often now!
[He was getting ready to just cover Winston with kisses when he's broken from his gay thoughts from Win bringing up the television. He blinks in surprise and looks over at the TV.]
Huh, right.
... Do you wanna keep watching this, or...?
[There's an unspoken "or do you wanna keep cuddling and kissing" but he doesn't want to impose on him.]
no subject
[Winston reaches for the remote, still remaining firmly within Ray's grasp. Once he has it in hand, one press of the power button blips the T.V. back to a black screen. He lets his arm fall at his side, letting go of the remote. Both bounce a bit as they make a limp impact with the mattress.]
[He takes a breath, tilting his head back to stare at the ceiling.]
...besides, it's not your problem to fix. It's on me to move past it.
no subject
[His grip loosens slightly as he frowns at Winston, clearly not liking the implication of that last statement. He knows a little bit about Winston's hang ups, only as much as Winston's willing to tell him, but it's enough that he has a general idea what he's hinting at.
Ray kisses Winston again, a bit more gentle and tentatively this time.]
You wanna talk about it?
no subject
[All jokes aside-]
I know you're not lying when you say these things about me. But... there's a difference between believing you mean it and believing I deserve it.
I don't know- I guess there's still a part of me that thinks I'm not good enough- as a teammate, as a partner, as... as a person, really. Just feels like respect, love... is something I have to earn, and I can't make the cut on my own.
...and it's not like I don't know that's the insecurity talking, and not anything rational. Still. It's hard to shake. Even with you guys supporting me.
[He lays it out so matter-of-factly, as if he's stewed in these thoughts countless times to the point they've become as routine and predictable to him as the twists at the end of horror films- but without any gratification to be had in being right or finding a resolution.]
no subject
[His voice is sad, but understanding. Ray still closely holds Winston, but there's something soft about the hold now, like he's worried he'll break him if he hugs too tightly.]
I know it's hard to shake negative thoughts about yourself like that, but we're here for you. I'm here for you. You deserve the world and without you my life would be missing so much.
no subject
Yeah... I think I've gotten better about it since... since we met. It's just... a learning process, getting over it.
[He purses his lips in thought.]
...you weren't there to see it, but... a long while ago, when I thought I was all alone in a world of chaos, something happened that... helped move me towards having a better perspective on myself.
no subject
You wanna tell me what happened? Maybe it can remind you what a great person you are.
[He has no idea if the story will actually show him that but it's fine.]
no subject
It was... a disaster. Everything was falling apart around me. Nothing made sense anymore. It all seemed so... hopeless. I thought, "there's no way I can fix this, I'm the weak link, I can't measure up to the rest of them"- ...and that's when somebody approached me- told me that didn't matter, that I could find a way to get through it if I tried. And with Janine and Slimer backing me up, I did. He was right.
[Slowly, he cranes his neck up to look Ray square in the eyes.]
...that man? Was Albert Einstein.
late but i gotta bc i gotta have ray respond
[Ray's grip on Winston loosens as a look of confusion grows on his face.]
That was an inspirational story but are you joking or...?
no subject
Alright- I'll admit, it wasn't the Einstein. It was... you remember how the sandman brought everyone's dreams to life? That was it. Egon was dreaming of him, and there he was. ...in case you're wondering, after the pep talk, he walked off reciting E=mc² to himself for some reason.
Be honest with me, though: is that any weirder than what we see on an average job?