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[finalgambit]

Aventurine;

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[bsod]

My face isn't even that bright. [ HE TURNED IT DOWN. ] And there's too much plot happening for this to be a porno.

[ But there's definitely yelling. They stumbled into this movie just in time for the requisite third-act misunderstanding that causes the main couple to break up for a little bit.

He's not answering the question, and instead decides to commentate: ]

You know, this whole mess could have been avoided if they'd just talked to each other. Like, how hard is it to tell her that engagement ring belongs to his friend?

[finalgambit]

[ huffs. ] ...oh, and how many pornos have you seen to be able to say that with such certainty?

[ aventurine looks toward the screen as vox explains the plot. ] ... [ hm. there are some parallels that aren't exactly lost on him, but he bites his tongue... for now. ] It's a movie, so they need to drag it out for, what, at least another thirty minutes.

But they should talk.

[bsod]

[ Breezily, ] My associate runs a very successful pornography empire.

[ "Associate." Somewhere Valentino just keeled over. This ain't about him. ]

Mm, I suppose. But if it drags out too long then it just gets annoying, you know? So... yeah. They should.

[ Vox's feet vanish from the back of Aventurine's chair (one of his chairs), and a moment later his arms come into view instead, loosely folded. His face next, peering down at the gambler. ]

[finalgambit]

I wish I could say I'm some sort of surprised... [ but he IS a demon and he IS from hell. that shit's probably normal. ]

...mm, and then the audience loses interest in both the characters and their conflict. [ he stiffens as he feels vox move, wondering if he's going to leave, but then he notices his arms and the soft glow of his face. he moves his wings, ] ...has it gotten annoying?

[bsod]

[ It's so normal it's a little concerning, actually! ]

Oh yeah. Like every person I spoke to in the aftermath of that game asked what our deal was.

[finalgambit]

And what have you told them?

[bsod]

About half a dozen variations of [ confused noises?? ]

[finalgambit]

...sorry. I didn't quite catch that, Voxxy. [ he twists to the right, reaching for his bowtie, so he can yank him over the row of seats and straight into his lap. ] Could you repeat that?

[bsod]

[ HEY?? Vox has had enough falling flat on his face for one day, thanks, and resists the tug, frowning. ]

If you want me to sit with you, asshole, just say so.

[ STRAIGHTENING HIS TIE. ]

[finalgambit]

...

[ he flinches, his wing instinctively coming up to temporarily block him. ok, so that might have been a mistake. he lowers it a moment later, because, right, they should be... talking. ] I want you to sit with me.

[bsod]

That wasn't so hard, now was it?

[ He heaves a sigh, sounding very put out, but it's so clearly an act it's kind of laughable. His shoes continue to stick unpleasantly to the floor as he walks out of his row of seats to where Aventurine is, plopping down in a vacant chair next to him. ]

So... what is our deal, anyway?

[finalgambit]

...you're one to talk. Or should I say not to talk.

I don't know. Why are you asking me? Did you think I would have the magical fix to our second, third, fourth, and fifth act break up? I... don't. [ but he does move one of his wings around vox's shoulders. ] But what I do know is I... like you. A lot? should I pass you a note asking if you like me too?

/2

[bsod]

[ He doesn't protest the wing around his shoulder, though he does cut Aventurine a sidelong glance.

Absolutely deadpan: ] That's gay.

[bsod]

[ But then he heaves a sigh. He's going to... attempt... some sort of honesty here. ]

The last person I let get close to me — really close to me — ruined my fucking life. So when you're out here putting your ass on the line for me, calling me your "friend," it just looks like a trap. It's... easier to get mad than take the risk of falling in.

1/2

[finalgambit]

It is kind of gay.

[finalgambit]

...ah. [ he frowns, conflicted all of a sudden, since he's not sure what he's supposed to do with that. mostly it's just... he can't take back his feelings ( whatever they are ) and... and... ] I can, I don't know, ... I don't know... [ he's quiet for a few moments, leaving the movie to fill the silence. ]

I bet this is kind of stupid to ask, but is there anything I can do to... make you trust me?

[bsod]

[ Vox's expression shifts into something stuck between disbelieving and amused. ]

You already died for me, you idiot. I don't even know what's left after that!

[finalgambit]

...something a little bit more gay? [ not that he knows what that would be. ]

[bsod]

Stop. [ nudges him with an elbow. ] Don't you have a boyfriend?

[finalgambit]

Probably. [ he's never had that conversation with ratio, but they're something. ] Do you want me to stop flirting with you? But I lo- [ he leans in, but as the clock strikes midnight he shifts back to normal, which throws off his balance, so he flails and grabs onto anything and everything to try to avoid falling onto the sticky floor. ]

[bsod]

[ He's about to answer that when Aventurine suddenly goes back to normal and all his flailing gets him tanged up with a lanky TV man. He ends up??? On top of him somehow??? ]

What the hell was that for!!

[ at least no one hit the floor ]

[finalgambit]

I didn't ask for this! but, look, I'm back to normal. [ and, god, does it feel good. he beams up at him, because a literal and figurative weight has been lifted off his shoulders. ] It's the climactic mira... cle...

[ it takes him a moment to realize their predicament, his smile turning into a smirk. ] ...you didn't seem like a top to me. [ says the world's biggest bottom. ]

[bsod]

[ Vox has the very brief thought about how easy it would be to prove that assessment wrong, right here and now, but he thinks better of it. He's too damn exhausted, for one, and for another, well. He's a selfish man at the center of it all, and he does enough sharing of people's affections back in Hell.

He won't put himself through that here. Friends is good. Friends is... kind of nice.

He rolls his eyes, getting an arm under himself so he can prop himself up. ]

Shows what you know.

[finalgambit]

Heh. [ aventurine loops his arms around vox's neck to yank him back downish so that they're face to screen. ] I would have thought your porno associate would be a top. All of that experience and shit. [ he gives an airy chuckle as he brushes his lips over the base of vox's screen. ]

[bsod]

[ Oh, okay, they're still doing this, he sees. ]

Don't. You've already got a thing going, and I'm not interested in sharing. You wanna be friends? We can be friends.