Changes

[ochitashinigami]

Is it true? Are there going to be some changes?

I don't like where you've put me, or what we're doing. But... if this really does happen... then maybe...

Then maybe things will be all right after all.

Comments

[amongthethorns]

[His forehead comes to rest against his chest, his lips twitching slightly.]

You couldn't stop me if you wanted to. If you're doing to for me why shouldn't I be able to do it for you?

[A soft sigh before he draws back to look up at him.]

Eric, you can't expect me to just sit there if something were to happen to you. If our roles were reversed, I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't do everything I could.

[ochitashinigami]

[Alan doesn't know... He tells himself that Alan doesn't understand what he's saying. He lets it go.]

But this is pointless! I'm fine! Nothing is going to happen.

[He forces his cool attitude, and leans down, this time kissing Alan on the tip of his nose.]

[amongthethorns]

And I'm glad for that. You have no idea how much.

[He smiles only to go cross-eyed as Eric kisses his nose. He laughs softly his eyes closing after a moment.]

You always know the right thing to do to make things better. You're so cool.

[ochitashinigami]

Ah, it's good to be cool. We all need to do it sometime.

[amongthethorns]

I could never be as cool as you. Besides, I don't think I could handle more than one Eric. One and only one is the perfect number I think, it makes you special.

[ochitashinigami]

No, you don't need another one of me. Besides, I'd be jealous.

[amongthethorns]

Of your clone?

[What a funny thought. But Eric is right more than one of either of them would be a problem. He can understand jealousy; he's felt it, but surely Eric knew better than to think he's replaceable.]

I don't see why you'd be jealous. You'd always be the original wouldn't you?

[ochitashinigami]

If you say I am. But, how would you tell the difference? The other me might be jealous too, and try to trick you.

[Eric's quite happy to tease Alan, and go along with the joke.]

[amongthethorns]

[He'll frown a bit and cross his arm over his chest tapping fingertips against his chin. He has to think on this a minute or two.]

Well, he might look like you but he wouldn't have the same memories. I'd just ask him something only the real you would know.

[ochitashinigami]

Like what? [Eric's still chuckling.]

[amongthethorns]

Something not so obvious. Anything we've learned about each other over the years would work or some of the more useless things like the meanings of flowers I've babbled about over the years.

[ochitashinigami]

You mean, like that time I kissed you at the office party, then pretended to be drunk and said I thought you were someone else?

[amongthethorns]

I---

[He stared up at Eric. He remembered that and there was this strange feeling in his chest again, pleasant but strange Eric always caused it. He reached and adjusted his glasses.]

That would a good one yes. Not just anyone would know that.

[His lips twitched lightly, into a smile.]

Pretended to be drunk? How many times have you done that exactly?

[ochitashinigami]

As often as I can?

[amongthethorns]

[He's just standing there for a moment before he repeats it slowly, rolling it over on his tongue.]

As often as-

[And then it clicks. His eyes narrow and he shakes his head at him.]

Eric! That's a horrible and sneaky thing to do. Why would you do that?

[He had half a mind to let Eric have it too. If Eric had any idea how confusing and conflicting what he'd done had made Alan's emotions.]

[ochitashinigami]

Why would I do that? Do you need to ask?

[He loves it when Alan tries to be mad.]

[amongthethorns]

Instead of just...

[He huffs softly crossing his arms over his chest.]

Do you have any idea how confusing that was? And how completely destructive it was to me? Any idea at all - honestly, Eric.

[And angry tone that colors his words is mixed with something like exasperation. Really, Eric was so oblivious sometimes.]

[ochitashinigami]

Destructive?

[He brushes Alan's cheek, an expression of real concern.]

[amongthethorns]

I thought you were drunk. Who in their right mind would find the advances of a drunk person flattering? And how would that make someone feel if the only time you received

[He pauses scrambling, to find a word that works because it wasn't just the kissing it was everything that Eric did that made his heart race and his stomach flutter; but at the same time left him feeling so painfully unwanted and alone.]

that kind of attention was from someone who you believed was intoxicated?

[ochitashinigami]

I get attention like that from drunk people all the time. In fact, it's easier when they're drunk because...

[He stops.]

Wait, what are you saying?

[amongthethorns]

[Does he even want to know where you were going with that, Eric? It's more than likely best he doesn't. In fact, it's best for both of them because there's a flicker of jealousy there.]

I see.

[But random drunken people don't mean anything. This as Eric and he felt things for Eric obviously.]

They're drunk. Their inhibitions are down, their standards are lax at best and because they're looking at you with beer goggles. They aren't acting or thinking like themselves so they'd do those things with whatever is handy and you shouldn't think anything of it.

[ochitashinigami]

You're not supposed to think anything of it. You're just supposed to enjoy it.

[amongthethorns]

But that would be taking advantage of someone in a vulnerable state. I couldn't possibly do that. It isn't right.

[ochitashinigami]

Not if they want to be taken advantage of. Hey, I wouldn't move on someone with their guard down if they weren't interested. But let's not talk about that.

You... you seemed to think it had effected you somehow. I never took advantage of you.

[Not you, not Alan.]

[amongthethorns]

You didn't have to for it to effect me. Eric, you never did anything like that sober. Have you ever heard of mixed signals?

I didn't know if you were just playing with me or something.

[He gestures with his hands a little before shrugging his shoulders.]