averagemedium | [Off-Comm Threads]

I know you wouldn't, but-- still glad I didn't, all the same. It'd bother me now, you know?

[The continued touch is more than welcome, his head tilting into it with a content little murmur. After a few more moments he lifts a hand to take one of Henry's, squeezing it tight and holding on to it.]

...and you didn't offend me. The only thing I was worried about was you being worried.

That sounds about right.

[He latches back onto that hand, linking their fingers together.]

I was really worried about you, though! Is it- uh, I hope it's not always like that.

[Someone's fidgety, or just fixating a bit- regardless of the reason, he continues toying with the hand he's grabbed, pulling it over to press kisses against the skin between murmured sentences.]

Not all the time, no. I mean- I do worry about you, just kind of as a general thing? But not like that every day. Last time I think it got that bad was when you left for a bit.

[He lets him have that hand, enjoying the attention in itself, whatever the reason for it. His free hand continues idly stroking his hair.]

Eh, was it that bad? But I wasn't in any danger, you know, I've lived outside a lot.

I knew you'd be fine.

[There's a pause there, frown hidden behind Henry's hand- but the furrow in his brow makes it obvious enough.]

...I just wasn't sure you were coming back, until you did.

Where else would I go? None of us get a choice about staying or leaving the city.

[He doesn't quite frown back, but his hand slows.]

I just felt like being outside!

I know, just- at the time I kind of worried I'd upset you enough to stay away for a while, considering-- everything.

[He shrugs slightly, shifting a little restlessly.]

You know I don't always worry about reasonable stuff, though.

I wasn't upset, though. So there was totally nothing to consider.

[He pulls that linked hand up to his own lips, biting at one of Ryan's knuckles.]

But yeah, I kiiiiinda noticed there's a lot of unreasonable thoughts going on in that head. I'm surprised I'm not more exhausted!

I'm surprised too, honestly-- guess it's a good thing none of it stuck though, right?

[He loosens his grip on his hand just enough to brush his thumb across Henry's cheek, smiling slightly. The worry, he's glad Henry's free of-- but he sort of suspects that if anything did stick, he's not going to know.]

...don't think I'm going to tell Jade it wore off, yet. One more day off's not going to hurt, I want a normal one.

I'm not gonna argue with you sticking around here.

[He grins easily back at him. This was a much better topic than him going wandering for absolutely no reason.]

You can always tell them that I forgot to untie you once we were back to ourselves.

[Ryan can't help but laugh at that, shaking his head as he curls up to cuddle closer and tugging their hands back down to his level. Sure, it'd be easier to just sit up, but he's comfortable and it's warm underneath the blanket.]

Please don't tell them that yourself, okay? Going to go and traumatize someo--

[...and then he remembers that no, he did see that come up. His cheeks are flushed with embarrassment, but that doesn't stop a new burst of laughter that he unsuccessfully tries to muffle against their linked hands.]

Oh my god, you already did traumatize Stiles with that, didn't you-- oh god.

[Ryan looked pretty warm under those blankets, so Henry decides to go back to his level instead, pleased at the laughter, even if it was the embarrassed sort.

Immediately resuming the cuddling, he makes an amused sound, watching him over their hands.]

You're really cute when you're like that- but was it a bad thing to say? Where does the trauma come into it?

Not-- bad, exactly, just. Usually the kind of thing people keep more private? The trauma's kind of an exaggeration too, but there are kind of a lot of people where I'm from who don't really like hearing about it either.

[...there are obviously still times he forgets to specify what probably should not be brought up. He's still a bit pink, part lingering embarrassment, part warmth at the compliment.]

Huh... but he was the one who brought it up. I don't think I would've mentioned it if he hadn't.

[Freeing one of his hands, he wraps it around him.]

So I shouldn't go and tell him it worked?

It's... it's a context thing. Tying someone up because they like it is a completely different thing from doing it because you need to.

[Which is perhaps a thing he should have thought to explain earlier- but oh well. Close enough. After a moment's thought he adds, grinning a bit-]

And it was working before too, you know. That's not anything new.

Mm, I know that much- I just thought it was pretty convenient that I could accomplish both at the same time.

...but I wonder why it still worked that way. I guess that kind of thing isn't connected to whatever the curse switched. Did it still feel the same?

...maybe not the same, but nothing really felt exactly the same with that going on. Definitely still good, though.

[He hums under his breath while he thinks, face pressed against Henry's shoulder, just relaxing and inhaling the scent of him.]

Maybe it actually did switch? I mean. I'm alright with trying to take charge occasionally, but if you aren't interested in being on the other end of it then it must have just not been affected.

That's true- I was too worried about everything to notice. Hard to pick out another difference in the middle of everything else.

[He rubs idly at his back, warm and content.]

So maybe it did change? I don't think about it much, I just try to do what you prefer.

...you know if you do think about it and there's anything else you want, you just have to ask.

[Ryan nudges gently at him to punctuate that. He's sure he knows, but the occasional reminder really doesn't hurt.]

I know. But I'm happy with whatever you like.

[Nudging back, he leans in to kiss him lightly.]

[He's content to keep it light, lips pressing back against his in an affectionate, warm kiss that leaves him smiling when he pulls back.]

--and I'm happy with you being yourself again.

[He's pleased as anything at the contact, laughing softly when he pulls back.]

Better me than you, huh?

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