This has spoilers for tocs 2 end game

[reanbeanmachine]

[Crow's wounds required immediate treatment, and while he was in the care of Heimdallr's hospital something went... Wrong. Word got out somehow who he was, leader of that terrorist group, the sniper whose bullet set off the war. Some bribes, some shady dealings, and before the intelligence agency or RMP could react, he was home from his room.

Luckily for Crow by the time he's kidnapped he's in stable condition, and his captors want him to recover, so he's been transported carefully. Where he finds himself though, well that's hard to say when he wakes up chained to a bed in a featureless room with no windows, and a drain on the floor. At least his bandages are fresh.]

Comments

[reanbeanmachine]

[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.

[filetofish]

[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.

[reanbeanmachine]

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.]

[filetofish]

[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?

[reanbeanmachine]

[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.

[filetofish]

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.]

[reanbeanmachine]

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.]

[filetofish]

[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.

[reanbeanmachine]

[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.

[filetofish]

[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.]

[reanbeanmachine]

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

[filetofish]

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.]

[reanbeanmachine]

[Oh. Oh he wants to hug Crow so much.] Got it. ... Hey Crow? Can I hug you back or is this too much?

[filetofish]

[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.]

[reanbeanmachine]

[Carefully he raises his arms to circle them around Crow. Not too tight, easy to break out of if Crow jerks away, but he is going to give Crow the hug he's been desperately wanting to.]

[filetofish]

[There's so much shaking. He's practically vibrating out of his skin, but he doesn't pull away. He just shrinks against Rean, whining softly as he drops his face against his shoulder.]

...Sorry. Don't let go.

[reanbeanmachine]

[It's so sad, Crow shaking like he's scared, feeling practically fragile in Rean's arms even though he's a lot bigger than Rean. He keeps hold of Crow at the request, daring to very gently rub his palm over Crow's shoulders... Hm... What does this remind him of? Very carefully he tries rock-wiggling Crow a little.]

[filetofish]

--What are you doing?

[Okay that's a little distracting. Not a bad thing, being distracted, but what the hell?]

[reanbeanmachine]

Well, if you have a feral kitten, this helps them calm down.

[filetofish]

Do I look like a kitten to you?

[Excuse you he's a big scary birb!]

[reanbeanmachine]

Well, you are a little big. [That's the problem right, just being big.]

[filetofish]

And you're a little jerk.

[He'd push away from the hug on principle but a. he wants hugs and b. he's actually kind of paralyzed from it at the moment. Moving, at least at any speed, would be hard.]

[reanbeanmachine]

[He's not letting go until Crow freaks out or tells him to so it works out.] Yeah, well, I learned from the best.

[filetofish]

Hadn't you noticed I'm a bad influence?

[A bad influence who's also a shivering baby. But he's a baby who's clinging to Rean, too.]

[reanbeanmachine]

Yes, very corrupting. [He says that in a very "yes, dear" way, petting Crow's back as he keeps holding him. He can stay like this for hours if Crow wants, he's not going anywhere.]