[It's a good thing he likes this cheesecake too much to smear it on his best friend's face. Still, the look on Mikleo's face promises revenge for such a slanderous comment.]
[He makes an indignant face, but he's trying to hold back laughter. He grabs one of those beautiful cookies... and shoves it in his mouth whole, all while making the same face.]
[Sorey is very articulate, so of course he's waving his hands and making noises, though his mouth isn't open. He has many thoughts about that teasing! He swallows after a minute.]
[Mikleo's about to retort, but it dies in his throat when Sorey says that thing about him being beautiful.
what the fuck, sorey
Honestly, he has nothing witty to say to this. He just blushes bright crimson, shoves his best friend, and then flees to his bedroom. Mikleo locks the door and screams into his pillow for a good 30 seconds.
[Mikleo puts his pillow back on his bed afterwards. He calmly walks out of his bedroom and makes his way to Sorey, at which point he'll promptly punch his arm hard enough to cause slight pain. His cheeks are still pink, though.]
I swear, sometimes, I don't know what to do with you.
[He's never actually seen that expression on Mikleo before. He expected the blush-- that was his intent-- but the running away is new. That's... well. Truth be told, Sorey's actually worried that he said something wrong, so any laughter he has is completely gone when Mikleo pops back out.
[Perhaps the worst thing is that Mikleo doesn't believe Sorey at all. He honestly thinks it's just a joke in poor taste and not his friend's real opinion on his appearance. Honestly, who calls someone beautiful when that person has horrendous burn scars all over their back?
The brunet won't admit it, ever, but there's a part of him that desperately hopes that Sorey is being genuine about it. Goodness knows his best friend usually is.]
Yeah, you did. Honestly...don't joke about that, Sorey.
[Mikleo looks-- way more down about that than he should, and it clicks just before Mikleo gives him that warning tone. That's the tone he uses when Sorey's crossed a line. Something leaps in his throat and he's suddenly very aware of his own pulse.]
Wait, that's not--
[Of course now he can't find any words. His face is red, and his collar far too hot.]
I wasn't making fun of you. I wasn't even thinking about that. [He knows he can't really explain himself too well but he's trying. He reaches out to take Mikleo's shoulder; his grip is gentle and yielding, as if he expects the other man to shove him away.] I wouldn't joke about your scars, okay? Please.
[Mikleo stares at him for a long moment in silence. Then, he sighs softly, looking away. He can't stay mad at Sorey for long, in all honesty, though he still feels some hurt. Not as much as it could be, and it certainly helps when Sorey tries to clarify, but it's still there all the same. Though, in fairness to his friend, it's always been there.]
...Okay.
[The brunet relaxes slightly. Then, Mikleo gently knocks a knuckle against Sorey's forehead.]
I'll forgive you if you do the dishes, so don't give me the kicked puppy look, alright?
[He tries for a small smile, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes. Gods, he wishes he didn't have such a twisted view of himself. It'd make moments like these better to deal with, especially when he knows Sorey didn't mean anything harmful by saying that.]
[Too late, kicked puppy look is here. They haven't been friends since they were kids for Sorey to walk away from Mikleo when he's obviously hurting. Of course, Sorey's always trying to hide it when he's feeling like that, but... that's different! Definitely.
He reaches up and takes Mikleo's wrist.]
You really are beautiful. I just-- [He squeezes his eyes shut as if that might spare him further embarrassment.] I'm no good at this... What I mean is, when I see you I don't really see the scars at all. Even when I'm looking at them. They're a part of you, just like your eyes and your hair and the-- the little f-freckles on the back of your hands-- and they're yours, so of course I like them.
[He realizes he is dangerously close to admitting the truth. He lets go of Mikleo's hand abruptly.]
I'm-- sorry. I'm sorry, I'll go do the dishes. [He begins to FURIOUSLY SCOOT INTO THE KITCHEN.] Sorry.
[Mikleo's eyes are wide at that. It takes him a moment to process it, though his heart starts pounding in his chest. Sorey apologizing and trying to head into the kitchen is what snaps the brunet out of it. He moves in front of his best friend, blocking his progress bodily and putting his hands on his friend's shoulders.]
Stop.
[This isn't right. Sorey's apologies aren't right because he shouldn't have to apologize for what should've been an innocuous comment.]
I...I'm sorry, too. I didn't trust you, and I have no reason to distrust what you say. I just.... [He sighs, trying his best to admit it. It pains him, but he thinks that it might be a good idea to try airing out some of what's going on in his head.] I don't know how to handle something like that. At all.
[Mikleo is going to try meeting Sorey's green eyes as he chooses his words carefully.]
I've only ever heard comments like that in a sarcastic tone. So...I'm sorry, I might've been overly harsh.
[Like when Sorey saw his scars for the first time. He feels like he might've overreacted and really hurt his best friend because of that. It's a thought that makes Mikleo hate himself for being the way he is.]
[Sorey stops short of slamming into Mikleo, though his surprise is on his face. He'd rather hide right now. Maybe he'll lock himself in Mikleo's room and scream for thirty seconds until this is over.]
Mi-- Mikleo... No, no, it's-- it's fine. I understand. You don't have to apologize for reacting like you did.
[He smiles, soft and a little bit sad. His hands find Mikleo's wrists, and he gently lowers them, so that he can hold Mikleo's hands instead.]
I should've realized all of that before I said it. You know those people are wrong, don't you? They're so wrong.
[He lets out a big breath, as if he's been holding it since Mikleo left. Not entirely untrue, really.]
I wish everyone could see you the way I do, [he murmurs.]
[For a moment, he searches Sorey's eyes as the other young man takes his hands. Whatever Mikleo finds eases something in him, and he manages a small smile.]
Honestly, if you're the only one who sees me like that, that's enough for me.
[Mikleo sighs softly.]
Just...I'm gonna try better, so I hope you'll be patient with me.
[It's a lot to ask, so he'll understand if Sorey isn't patient with him all the time.]
[Sorey squeezes Mikleo's hands a little. Now that he has them, he doesn't want to let go. But as long as it's just them it's... probably okay.]
You don't even have to ask.
[He takes it a step further and pulls Mikleo into his arms for a hug.]
You're so important to me. I... want you to know that. [It's feeling a bit too serious. His heart keeps thumping awkwardly in his chest, and he knows he's basically laid his feelings bare, but this isn't the right time. Not until they're finished with their degrees. Maybe not ever. Just being around Mikleo is good enough for him. He's broken and in pain and god, he deserves so much better.
[Mikleo's surprised to be pulled into the hug, but...he's grateful for it, too. He kind of needs one right now, which is why he'll hug Sorey back after a moment. That coupled with his best friend's words about how important he is to him...it makes his heart beat a little faster. At the same time, Mikleo's never felt more grateful for having the other brunet in his life.
He chuckles in response to that.]
It's mutual. [His voice gets quieter, barely a whisper:] I think...without you around, I'd be a lot worse.
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[Mikleo's definitely prickly, but he shouldn't argue that point, not when they're enjoying dessert.]
Even if you get all catty about it.
[Failed step one.]
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I'm not catty!
[It's a good thing he likes this cheesecake too much to smear it on his best friend's face. Still, the look on Mikleo's face promises revenge for such a slanderous comment.]
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He takes a piece of his cheesecake and smudges it on Sorey's forehead.
Catty, is he.]
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That was totally catty! You just proved my point!
[In that case, he's gonna try to steal a bite of Mikleo's cheesecake.]
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I did no such thing! But if I'm catty, then you're a boar with how rude you're being!
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Did you just call me a pig?!
[He makes an indignant face, but he's trying to hold back laughter. He grabs one of those beautiful cookies... and shoves it in his mouth whole, all while making the same face.]
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What? Pigs are nice.
[Sometimes.]
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And cats are cute. What's your point?
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Calling me 'cute' isn't going to put you back in my good graces, Sorey. That's my point.
[w/e you say, mikleo.]
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I could think of a few other things to call you.
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I doubt it'll get you anywhere.
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[He laughs softly.]
But I think my favorite word for you is 'beautiful'.
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what the fuck, sorey
Honestly, he has nothing witty to say to this. He just blushes bright crimson, shoves his best friend, and then flees to his bedroom. Mikleo locks the door and screams into his pillow for a good 30 seconds.
what the fuck]
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I swear, sometimes, I don't know what to do with you.
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The concerned look is probably worse.]
Mikleo--
[And then he gets popped in the arm.]
Ow! Okay, I definitely deserved that.
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The brunet won't admit it, ever, but there's a part of him that desperately hopes that Sorey is being genuine about it. Goodness knows his best friend usually is.]
Yeah, you did. Honestly...don't joke about that, Sorey.
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Wait, that's not--
[Of course now he can't find any words. His face is red, and his collar far too hot.]
I wasn't making fun of you. I wasn't even thinking about that. [He knows he can't really explain himself too well but he's trying. He reaches out to take Mikleo's shoulder; his grip is gentle and yielding, as if he expects the other man to shove him away.] I wouldn't joke about your scars, okay? Please.
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...Okay.
[The brunet relaxes slightly. Then, Mikleo gently knocks a knuckle against Sorey's forehead.]
I'll forgive you if you do the dishes, so don't give me the kicked puppy look, alright?
[He tries for a small smile, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes. Gods, he wishes he didn't have such a twisted view of himself. It'd make moments like these better to deal with, especially when he knows Sorey didn't mean anything harmful by saying that.]
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He reaches up and takes Mikleo's wrist.]
You really are beautiful. I just-- [He squeezes his eyes shut as if that might spare him further embarrassment.] I'm no good at this... What I mean is, when I see you I don't really see the scars at all. Even when I'm looking at them. They're a part of you, just like your eyes and your hair and the-- the little f-freckles on the back of your hands-- and they're yours, so of course I like them.
[He realizes he is dangerously close to admitting the truth. He lets go of Mikleo's hand abruptly.]
I'm-- sorry. I'm sorry, I'll go do the dishes. [He begins to FURIOUSLY SCOOT INTO THE KITCHEN.] Sorry.
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Stop.
[This isn't right. Sorey's apologies aren't right because he shouldn't have to apologize for what should've been an innocuous comment.]
I...I'm sorry, too. I didn't trust you, and I have no reason to distrust what you say. I just.... [He sighs, trying his best to admit it. It pains him, but he thinks that it might be a good idea to try airing out some of what's going on in his head.] I don't know how to handle something like that. At all.
[Mikleo is going to try meeting Sorey's green eyes as he chooses his words carefully.]
I've only ever heard comments like that in a sarcastic tone. So...I'm sorry, I might've been overly harsh.
[Like when Sorey saw his scars for the first time. He feels like he might've overreacted and really hurt his best friend because of that. It's a thought that makes Mikleo hate himself for being the way he is.]
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Mi-- Mikleo... No, no, it's-- it's fine. I understand. You don't have to apologize for reacting like you did.
[He smiles, soft and a little bit sad. His hands find Mikleo's wrists, and he gently lowers them, so that he can hold Mikleo's hands instead.]
I should've realized all of that before I said it. You know those people are wrong, don't you? They're so wrong.
[He lets out a big breath, as if he's been holding it since Mikleo left. Not entirely untrue, really.]
I wish everyone could see you the way I do, [he murmurs.]
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Honestly, if you're the only one who sees me like that, that's enough for me.
[Mikleo sighs softly.]
Just...I'm gonna try better, so I hope you'll be patient with me.
[It's a lot to ask, so he'll understand if Sorey isn't patient with him all the time.]
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You don't even have to ask.
[He takes it a step further and pulls Mikleo into his arms for a hug.]
You're so important to me. I... want you to know that. [It's feeling a bit too serious. His heart keeps thumping awkwardly in his chest, and he knows he's basically laid his feelings bare, but this isn't the right time. Not until they're finished with their degrees. Maybe not ever. Just being around Mikleo is good enough for him. He's broken and in pain and god, he deserves so much better.
A pause, and a little laugh.]
It's not just because you feed me.
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He chuckles in response to that.]
It's mutual. [His voice gets quieter, barely a whisper:] I think...without you around, I'd be a lot worse.
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