reanbeanmachine | This has spoilers for tocs 2 end game

[Mmmmgh fine he'll take the water. He'll sit up too, slowly and stiffly, so at least he's not being a total pathetic waste.]

Mm...

[Ah, yes. Rean knows everything now and he's not sure if he likes that. It was necessary though. Crow feels like he's going to be doing a lot of telling himself things are necessary, if he wants to function.]

I don't suppose you'll let me go kill them now.

I'd really like to. I'd like to join you, if I'm being honest.

[So Rean's not usually into murder but... Even he's so angry he's tempted, even if his voice is mostly calm, it's there in the undertone.]

But that's not going to be the best way to get closure. Throwing your second chance away because of scum like them isn't worth it. No matter how much they deserve it.

I'd rather focus on helping you get back on your feet.

Of course you would.

[Leave it to Rean to be reasonable. Is it bad of Crow to like hearing that anger though? He doesn't want Rean angry in itself but it does make him feel a little less like the torture was justified, if Rean's mad about it.

He doesn't ask Rean if he really deserves a second chance.]

It's not going to go back to normal, you know.

I don't think anyone would after all that. I don't want you to feel like you should pretend it's fine, either. Something like that doesn't just go away when the wounds heal, either.

Honestly I don't know what I CAN do, but I know I'll be with you every step of it. So whatever you need, I'll try to help.

I don't want you to do that.

[Sort of, anyway. He doesn't want to be pitied, or treated with kid gloves. He doesn't want to be a drag on Rean's life, either.]

I can take care of myself. If you let me get in the way of your life I'll kick your ass.

[He rolls his eyes.]

You've been in the way of my life for the last four months, I don't know why you're so concerned about it NOW.

[He lets his expression get more serious, staring straight at Crow.]

You're strong, that's true. You've survived things I can hardly imagine. But you're not alone anymore. I made the mistake of letting you out of my sight right after I got you back last time, and I'm not making that mistake again. You're not a burden, or some obligation I've been asked to handle. You're my friend, and I want to be with you, no matter how long it takes or how difficult it may get, you're not getting rid of me.

So you can complain all you want, but I'm right where I want to be, and that's not going to change.

[Sorry Rean that's too much emotion for Crow. He doesn't understand, anymore, why Rean's trying to hard. It's weird to think he did before. It's weird to think Crow used to believe so strongly in seizing what you want, in living in the moment, in doing what you want to do regardless of what comes with it. Right now he can't even bring himself to want to exist, let alone seize the day and all. So it's hard to think about Rean wanting to stick with him that way. It's also hard to decide what to do with his own hands, because he kind of really wants to cling to Rean but he doesn't know that he can handle it even if he's the one initiating it.

So he just kinda sits there, looking down to avoid eye contact. He's not sure what to say either, so he makes a half-assed attempt to sound... like himself, he supposes. Cool and okay. Just get it together and smile, Crow!]

Ahaha... Guess I can't blame you for being into me. I am pretty awesome.

[He feels the opposite of awesome but y'know.]

... Mm.

[It's just kind of painful when Crow is forcing it so obviously.]

You don't have to pretend to be okay, ever, not for me or anyone else. Honestly it's just going to worry me more if you smile like that. Obviously I don't have any of the answers for what to do about what you're dealing with, and I don't expect you to force yourself into facing any of it right now. But don't force yourself to act like you're fine, either. Awesome as you may be.

It's not--

[It's not for Rean! Well. It is, sort of, in that Crow doesn't like Rean being sad and he doesn't want to make himself any more of a pain (haha since when did he care about being a pain). Mostly it's for himself, though. Crow doesn't enjoy being miserable, and he figures if he just acts like he's not eventually he'll feel better. Fake it til you make it and all that.

But that's probably unhealthy so maybe he shouldn't argue about it. He sighs, setting the now-empty glass of water aside and rubbing his face -- or starting to, then realising his face hurts and stopping. Everything hurts actually, with an intensity he doesn't want to talk about. He'll let the medical staff here try to figure out if it's real or not, he's not discussing the ins and outs of why he does or doesn't react at any given time. The truth is it's just Crow's wavering ability to dissociate as a coping mechanism but he'll let them guess, because it's awkward.

And because he doesn't believe there's anything anyone can do so it's better just not to give them more concerns. Regardless he's hurting a lot right now and he wants a hug but he's petrified of them so he's just looking antsy and lost.]

...I should get dressed. This is embarrassing.

[You're always embarrassing Rean almost sasses but... now probably isn't the time to be joking. Or maybe it is but it's not usually Rean who's good at judging the best time not to be serious. He scratches his cheek, really wanting to hug Crow, he hasn't stopped wanting to hug Crow, but he's kind of figuring that's still off limits, maybe forever. He won't try to push boundaries, anyway.]

I'll get your clothes.

[And his jacket which is just Crow's now, at least for today.]

Then we can go home.

[He's getting up to do just that, wanting nothing more than to have Crow safely in their dorm now, across from his room where he can keep an eye on him.]

Okay.

[This is fine. He does feel better dressed at least, and he's pathetically glad about having Rean's jacket. It's like a hug by proxy. He's not giving it back.]

Do I have my stuff?

[Kind of important?? It shouldn't have been tough to collect his things from the Pantagruel but maybe that was neglected. He'd like to have it all, though, just so the room feels familiar and safe instead of the sterile state he left it in.]

[His jacket is small on Crow. But he's not commenting, just watching Crow with worried anxiousness.]

Yeah.

[That happened a while ago, Rufus of all people sent it along. Honestly Rean wouldn't have thought of it, too busy searching for Crow, but Jusis's brother never misses a beat, not even on the tiny details.]

Your room's about how it used to be. If that's okay.

[It's small but that's why he's just draping it over his shoulders and pulling it close, rather than putting it on properly and being unable to move his arms. It looks silly but it's the closest thing to something making Crow happy right now.]

That's fine. Thanks.

[It'll feel like home that way.]

Let's go.

Right.

[But there's Beatrix to contend with first. She insists they take the drugs she's made up for them, and if Crow refuses she hands them to Rean along with instructions. Only after she's satisfied do they get to actually head back to the dorm. Rean sticks close to Crow the whole way, not quite touching but maybe more in his space than is normally comfortable. He can't help it, he really doesn't want to take his eyes off Crow for even a moment.]

[Crow's not complaining about the closeness now. It's starting to settle in that he's safe, and it's Rean, so... If it's Rean, Crow can deal with it. He's telling himself to get used to the invasion of personal space, partly because he wants to not be pathetic and partly so he can get the attention he wants sooner than later.

He doesn't take the drugs, but he doesn't get angry at Rean for taking them. He just huffs a little, then quietly follows him home, huddling in the borrowed jacket the whole time. He's not remotely pretending not to huff Reansmell off the furry bits.

By the time they get home he's nearly worked up the courage to try physical contact. So he sits down on the edge of his bed, and pats the space beside him.]

Sit with me?

[Even if he won't force Crow to take the drugs they're there if he wants them at some point, is Rean's reasoning. He sets them down on the table downstairs before they head up, and if he even notices Crow sniffing his jacket he doesn't comment. What he does do is sit next to Crow immediately and gladly. He doesn't know if he'd be able to take getting kicked out right now, he'd probably stand outside Crow's door and stare at it worriedly for a while.

This is better. It means he can stay with Crow. Honestly he hasn't really processed everything Crow revealed or what it all means for going forward, it's going to take a while to filter through it all. But that's fine, he will. The real person who has to struggle with it is Crow, the guy who lived through it and needs all the support Rean can offer. Rean intends to offer all the support Crow needs and more, whether Crow wants it or not. That Crow wants him around enough to invite him to stay is good.]

Honestly I'm relieved you didn't kick me out. I'd probably stand at your doorway like a confused dog, right now.

That's [~~gay~~] cute of you. I promise I don't need help sleeping, though.

[And sleeping is what he really ought to be doing right now. But instead he's just pulling his feet up on the bed with him and carefully, gently leaning on Rean.]

If you did I bet Millium would lend you one of her giant stuffed Mishy toys.

[He looks at Crow leaning on him and he's honestly overjoyed. Not at the situation but you know, this is a huge step up from freaking out and all at being touched. He wants to touch Crow, actually but he should make sure that's all right.]]

Is it okay if I touch you?

[That's probably vague and menacing but he really just wants to give Crow headpats.]

[It is a little scary given that just this is terrifying and painful. But he nods, taking a slow shuddering breath in anticipation.]

You just gotta warn me.

[He lifts his arm slowly enough for Crow to tell him to stop, patting Crow's head incredibly gently.]

Yeah. Just tell me what's okay and what isn't. I'll do or not do whatever you ask.

[Even that touch is a lot. Crow flinches, shivering and tensing, but doesn't pull away.]

You'll definitely know if I don't want it.

[Because he'll flip, of course.]

I'd rather know from being told than making you uncomfortable.

I'm not going to lie to you. I'm just saying. If you cross a line on accident it'll be clear.

[For now though Crow is really really cautiously turning his lean into a hug. While shaking like he's about to explode.]

[Oh. Oh he wants to hug Crow so much.]

Got it.

... Hey Crow? Can I hug you back or is this too much?

[Crow wants to be hugged too. He's not sure if he can do it but he wants it so bad.]

You can.

[He'll just do his best not to panic too much.]

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