[ the previous times, it was purely to be used. there was a gain.
but he can't fathom why they did it. ]
I just want to know. You — you said you cared, and then you —
[ he's scrambling to understand, eyes darting everywhere but at them. ]
[ even he, with flashes back to the past, wracked with terror in cunning eyes and striking, dead stares — they blended all the same. he shouldn't be afraid of them . . . but . . .
no, he just had to know. ]
. . . Why did you do it?
[ the recollection of before was more clear. ]
+
I, uh . . . I just . . . wanna talk. About then.
[ hesitating for a moment, looking down at his feet, and squeezing his eyes shut. ]
Hey, wait.
. . .
[ keeping his distance, side - eyeing slightly. ]
Yeah, it kinda has, hasn't it.
whats that look for.
I . . . missed you, too.
[ as necessary as it must have been for him to rest, he still felt bad for not being able to see any of his friends. getting to see Joshua like this . . .
he looks away, cheeks rosey. ]
Hate to say you're the one thing I kept thinking about while I was in bed. Heh.
[ should've expected him to be the first person to come after him. like clockwork, stopping before he's caught in an embrace. ]
Josh. [ spoken with a tired smile, flat tone laced with pleasure to see him. ]
. . . s'gone away for the most part. I'm feeling better. Meds really knocked me out.
hhrk.
[ everything feels unnerving. he's finally decided to not be a hermit after recovery, and is immediately regretting it. ]
⠀
. . . . . mrr.
. . . . . .
[ he is actually considering it wow. ]
. . . alright.
Maybe. Don't really see a point.
[ shrug. there's that pessimistic side talking. ]
. . . Never really figured out what I wanted to do today, huh.
[ just toppled over dead on the floor ]
[ at first, swayed by the warmth of his breath, content by the lure that captures him so.
then, ]
I — ngh!
[ he shudders. pain's taken with a strong face, seething his breaths sharply, and doing his best not to move where he is.
in his hand, he holds his snout, petting it. ]
⠀
⠀/ /⠀will do!!
⠀
⠀
⠀/ /⠀bedtime for dark 🫵🫵 I will be reading it tonight
⠀
Think you would use any excuse to stare at my face.
[ it's meant endearingly, trying to let himself ease up. anticipation tickles him, making himself relax against his snout. ]
Go ahead. I'll be fine.
We've been over this before. Of course I trust you —
[ almost immediately breaking off once he sees his fangs, blush growing worse. ]
U - um . . . Y - yeah, I'm ready.
What makes you say that? 💧
I - I — it's —
[ scrambling for words, easier for him to convey for Joshua's understanding, ]
Y - yeah, I want to. I just — don't know why I do. Maybe because it's you, I think?
DON'T SAY IT LIKE THAT?!
[ covering his mouth, but that might be futile. ]
//////
I, uh, don't really know. Maybe it's the fact you tend to be a little more, uh . . . in authority.
Eheh . . . hehehe . . .
[ nervous as he sounds, he can't stop staring at Joshua with a blush creeping up on his face. ]
. . . . . . . . ///////
You plan on biting my arm off?? 💦
[ coming closer, looking down and away. ]
N - not — ow — a freak — ngh —
[ it stings. really bad. but the further she clamps, he tries not to struggle — oh, yup, he's blushing. ]
