averagemedium | [Off-Comm Threads]

And I can interpret what counts as a sign, yeah?

[The best defense was a good preemptive slaughter, as far as he was concerned. It was also the most fun option, which was always a nice bonus.]

Some of those signs are pretty subtle too, so you should definitely leave them to me.

Maaaaybe we should just both get some input on this, okay? You let me know if you think someone looks dangerous and I'll see what I think. Same thing the other way around.

[Otherwise they're just going to end up not able to leave the apartment without death involved, he's pretty sure.]

Rather not get any of the wrong people.

Pff, the odds of hitting a wrong person are almost nothing!

[A trip outside without death is hardly a trip at all.]

I mean, what if they look at you funny? Or cross the street to talk to you- that's totally a danger sign. Or if they wave to you- that's definitely someone trying to get your guard down. Or already preparing an attack!

...think we're better off just staying in here for now.

[Or at least having this talk later. He's trying to figure out what he can even say to that, and coming up blank- so instead he nudges at him.]

C'mon. I'd better wash my shirts before the blood's sat there too long.

I guess that's an option too.

[Though Henry doesn't really mind. As long as he had company, he was content.

So he edges off of him without protesting, getting to his feet.]

--Thought for sure I'd be the first one bleeding in here.

...yeah, well. Can't say that much about us has ever gone exactly as expected, has it?

[He manages a small smile at that, though the thought of needing to clean up is just dragging his thoughts right back to what happened. He should wash the blood off his arm, too, but he can't really bring himself to think about touching it without feeling anxiously sick.

Ryan scoops the half-repaired shirt off the ground, focusing on that first. Just got to get it clean, then he can think about the rest.]

Not really, huh? But that's a good thing though, right?

[He follows after him, as much for distraction as anything, though he doesn't make any offer to help. Especially not with his arm; Henry barely trusts himself to look at it, much less deal with his blood. It was still too appealing.]

Good's all relative. It's... what it is, you know? Whether it's better depends on exactly what you were expecting and how that matches up with what actually happened, and that kinda varies.

[He shrugs one shoulder, heading off to the kitchen sink. It's just closest, he'll scrub it out when he's done.]

If things end up well I don't think that what we expected out of them really matters.

Sooo... what are you expecting? Apart from blood and the occasional murder, I guess.

--not that I'm sure myself, really! I'm not so great at planning ahead.

Good question.

[He manages to flash him another brief grin, one that fades quickly as he turns the tap on and shifts his attention to cleaning.]

I try not to do a whole lot of planning ahead, so... I don't know either, really. What I want's easier than what I expect.

Well... what do you want?

[He's not entirely sure if it's the best topic to have after he'd used shadows on and wanted to kill Ryan- but it was better than staring at that blood and complimenting him on how nice it was and-

-no, not going there. Henry leans against the corner next to him, looking deliberately anywhere else.]

[On the other hand, Ryan's pretty sure it's a decent topic-- a little more reassurance that he's okay, that he doesn't blame him for it, doesn't seem like it'd be misplaced. Maybe he'll be twitchier than usual if he's touched without seeing it coming, and maybe he'll be anxious in the morning, not knowing what he's going to wake up to-- but he's dealt with possession enough times. The concept's similar enough.

His voice is quiet, possibly a little hard to hear over the running water.]

I just want you to be around. Everything else, I can take as it comes.

[He has to concentrate more to hear him, but he laughs when he does. It was a simple enough answer, but he was okay with that. Serious topics didn't suit him, even this was more personal than he usually got.]

That's easy enough. You'd have a harder time getting rid of me!

Good, because you'd have a pretty hard time leaving.

[It's mostly teasing. Mostly.]

So what about you, anyway? Same thing, or?

Pretty much!

[But he hums a little as he tries to consider it.]

Nothing else is really necessary, yeah? I'm pretty happy as is.

[That time he gets a much more genuine-looking smile as Ryan glances back over to him, but he continues scrubbing in silence for the time being-- if he gets distracted he's liable not to finish it, and thanks to using it as a makeshift bandage the stains are more extensive.

...he doesn't manage total silence for too long, though, eventually asking without looking up-]

You'll be okay, right?

[And Henry's perfectly alright with the silence, satisfied with the company and the not wanting to murder him, and is a bit zoned out when Ryan speaks up again. He laughs on instinct, glancing back over finally, watching him scrub at stubborn stains.]

What do you mean? I'm always okay!

Then what're you staying over there for?

[He raises an eyebrow slightly, the look he gives him mostly neutral; there's a definite hint of worry there, though, brow faintly furrowed.]

...not wanting to get in your way?

[Not that that's ever really stopped him before, now that he thinks about it.]

--where should I be?

Wherever you want to be? I'm not saying you have to move, just-- asking.

[He shrugs slightly, attention turning back to the sink.]

[He's quiet, not replying for a long few moments- and then, instead of saying anything at all, he steps over to stand just behind him. Threading his arms around to hug him, he rests his head against his back.]

[Ryan pauses his work as soon as he feels arms around him, reaching with one still-dripping hand to settle it on top of one of Henry's. He's silent in response, not really feeling the need to comment-- he just gives his hand an affectionate squeeze, letting it linger there before he reluctantly pulls it back to start finishing up.]

[The hand-touch gets a more genuine smile out of him, even if he can't see it, and Henry holds him a bit tighter for a moment. And he stays quiet like that for a while longer, only eventually mumbling:]

Are you gonna be okay?

...I will be when all this is over.

[He shuts off the tap, staying right where he is for now; he's comfortable, he doesn't feel like dislodging Henry to go hang the shirt up to dry yet, and he'll just be wringing it out for longer than is really necessary.]

And if it never ends?

[And Henry's not inclined to move anywhere for the time being, clinging just a bit tighter.]

That's a long time to not be okay.

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