Then he closes it again. Close to baffled, but not fully there. ]
Gorgug, you-- you know that babies don't usually come with manuals, right?
[ Granted, he could just be thinking it since it's a fake baby and all.. But Fabian is pretty sure even fake babies aren't supposed to come with manuals when this place is trying so hard to pretend to be a normal city with normal people living in it for some reason. Of course they would also pretend that the babies are totally normal, despite them clearly being fake. ]
I think I.. [ .. He went to 'I' by default, but then presses his lips together. Waffles, hesitates, still adjusting, but then tries: ] .. I think we will just have to figure it out.
[ The words still sit within him a little uneasily, as new as they are, but-- Fabian truly is trying here, Gorgug. Trying to internalize what you've told him. ]
[ Honestly rude that the fake baby doesn't come with a manual?? That's just common decency!!! ]
...I'll look in the library. [ Look. This is still an option. If they can't have a manual, there's sure to be something in their library. Gorgug's been nicking taking out all kinds of books in there!!! He just never thought to look up baby handling 101.
Until now. ]
I mean, there's gotta be something. What if you've never been around a baby? I haven't really been around babies before, 'cept passing them on the street.
I'll ask some people too. Actually, I already asked a guy to give me tips. He's letting me visit him later to see his baby.
[ Speaking of!! Listen how seriously he's trying to take this (so he doesn't pull an arm off again!!!) ]
[ There's so much he could say here, especially in regards to the manual stuff. Fabian wants to say that this place never intended to help them out - it's just never that useful. Even if Fabian has no idea why them suffering not knowing how to take care of babies would be beneficial to this place or who is in control of it, there has to be a reason as to why it is making them feel so helpless. It seems weirdly purposeful.
But he's tired. After throwing all this emotion out here, and after all the turmoil that came before it - he's too tired to get into it, especially when Fabian is already sure his friend understands it anyway. ]
.. thanks.
[ That feels better to say. Because thinking of this place only makes him frown and feel bad, but thinking about Gorgug's sweet, genuine effort at least does put a smile on Fabian's face as he looks at his friend. ]
I am, uh.. [ He hesitates a little, but then decides to let go of that hesitancy, to just fully trust Gorgug here. ] I am slightly tired though after all this.
[ Slightly is an understatement, judging by the way Fabian looks right now. It's practically the same way he looked after the whole deal with the Night Yorb. ]
Would I mind if I napped on you for a little bit? [ Not like they haven't done it before, all of them curled up together in the little space the Hangvan had for all their bodies. ] Just until they are done with the baby.
[ The request isn't weird at all. Gorgug even starts, without thinking: ]
Do you wanna sit on-- um, [ actually, you know what, ] --yeah, sure, you can nap.
[ You know what? He actually thought. He thought and decided 'do you wanna sit on my lap' was a bad thing to ask a guy friend, or maybe most friends, that are not Fig, and he's willing to draw as much attention away from what he was beginning to say to what his actual answer was: by bringing an arm back around Fabian's shoulders, ready to tuck him in closer to himself once Fabian shuffles himself in whatever direction he pleases. Gorgug's angled on the chair, but he'll put up with that. It's not uncomfortable. ]
Fig says I'm comfortable.
[ And he hopes he is now, offering his arm like he is like a sort of ineffectual blanket. Or a blanket solely for one's shoulders. ]
[ Of course Fabian has no idea what Gorgug was about to say. It probably wasn't all that important if he's pivoting to the answer to the question instead so quickly - and when Gorgug is already giving Fabian the perfect spot here. There's apparently no shame about a bro practically cuddling up against a bro's side here, since Fabian scoots even closer until he's practically tucked himself against Gorgug's side.
It feels kind of nice. Especially since going from the situation in the Hangvan during their Night Yorb chase - months of sleeping together in a pile - to sleeping entirely by himself in a way too big house was a little bit too much at once. Feeling something warm against him as he sleeps reminds him of better times than the emptiness. ]
I think Fig is biased. [ He can't help but say, but a moment later he's already closing his eye once he's gotten comfortable enough. ] .. though she might not be entirely wrong.
[ Fabian feels more comfortable than he expected to, anyway. It really does feel kind of nice. Maybe Fig was onto something here. ]
[ Sleep out together with pals, both on school trips and on gigs, and you don't really care that much about someone cuddling up with you. There's not much to personal space anyway, when you're friends with Kristen and Fig; and Gorgug doesn't mind it, really, after getting over the fact that people would want to be close to him.
It's one of the many nice things about being part of the Bad Kids, where his presence isn't a deterrent but a comfort. He can't say that's always been a factor for him growing up. ]
She's right when she's right.
[ It's softly said, a fondness present that if Fabian isn't too tired, he might be able to catch a wistful note than just a simply friendly remark; but Gorgug is tipping his head above Fabian's, resting his cheek on the top of the head below him. Truly, there is no shame in cuddling up to a bro.
But there's no need to anything more to be said, unless it comes from Fabian. He wants to rest, sleep, and Gorgug will give him that, being sure to keep an eye out in the hall for any bots that might come with a baby in tow. ]
Mostly because it doesn't take all that long before Fabian has fallen asleep. Something that is for once not just marked by the fact he's silent - because he had already been more quiet than the usual while stuck in the middle of his emotions here - but more the fact that his body seems to still, his breathing audibly and visibly slowing until it's obvious that he's fallen asleep, as curled up against Gorgug's side as he is. His head resting against the other's body, Fabian's own body twisted so as to try and get as much physical contact going on here, like a cat trying to sap your body warmth.
He doesn't even stir anymore, apparently as content as can be in his current napping position. ]
[ It's easy enough not to move. The position is comfortable, and the physical contact, soft as it is--it's nice to Gorgug, even if this is about Fabian. He listens out for sounds of activity, but the hallway is quiet, eerily so for what it is (Gorgug's never been to hospitals much growing up, but he knows what they're meant to sound like, but also a relief: there's nothing for him to worry about, nothing to be on edge for.
Only the sounds of anything passing, or approaching. Gorgug lets his own eyes flutter closed for a while, but he doesn't fall asleep like Fabian does. He listens to the sound of the other's breathing, for no better reason than because it's too close to ignore it.
If Fabian's a light enough sleeper, then he might know when his baby is ready. When the companion bot appears to them, Gorgug can't stop them speaking in a volume that's not loud, but neither cares for Fabian's current state, but Gorgug's careful to set Fabian to rest back in his seat, to try and worm him off from his shoulder so that he can turn to the bot himself, speak hushed but hurriedly to take the baby robot for him, sit it huddled up in his arms.
There's no time for panic this time. At least, not about the baby. But if Fabian hasn't woken yet, then-- it's a few seconds more (where Gorgug considers if to let Fabian sleep a little longer) before there's a voice to try and do that, a knee nudging his knee. ]
Hey, Fabian.... Fabian.
[ There is a Gorgug holding your precious baby.....with all limbs attached inside the bundle of its blanket. ]
[ Regardless of whether Fabian is a light or a deep sleeper, it seems that right now he's not waking up regardless. It's much more likely that said fact can be attributed to the fact that he really has not been sleeping a whole lot in this place with the baby constantly crying and waking him up - which means this might be the first time in days that he's been able to properly close his eyes for a few moments.
And his brain truly is taking that opportunity to just.. zone out completely. Trying to get all the rest it has been missing out on, considering it only now feels safe to turn his brain off like this. Even when Fabian is finally slowly waking up at the nudge, his body only slowly starts to register the fact that some of the warmth and safety from before is gone.
.. not that Fabian thinks about this very consciously. It's all happening somewhere in the back of his brain. In the front of his brain is instead activity about what he's seeing - something that surprises him enough to half-sleepily shift up in his seat, blinking a few times before widening his eyes. ]
Your baby is fine, [ speaks the companion bot in response to Fabian. ] Please be careful in the future with how you treat it.
[ It's a soft reprimand, at the very least, and that's good--even if Gorgug would hold his temper for Fabian's sake, his friend doesn't need to be admonished for his mistake. Which, speaking of: ]
It was my fault, [ he mumbles out, being as still as still can be while with the baby bot in his arms. ] Do you wanna take it...?
[ The bot continues to stand there, as if to observe the pair for a while longer before making its leave. As if judging something, but who can say. Gorgug's focusing on Fabian currently, waiting on his sleepy state, and also how he might be feeling.
There's no need to rush, and he even reassures, ] It looks fine.
All damage to its limb has been fixed, [ adds the bot. ] However, we did note levels of distress before the accident. We recommend paying closer attention to your baby's needs You-- [ it turns to Gorgug ] --or whoever is watching over it.
[ Even though the companion bot is right there, it seems like all of Fabian's attention is just focused on Gorgug and the baby for now as his brain is slowly starting to kick back into gear. He reaches out to gently take the baby from Gorgug, holding it in his own hands instead, giving his friend a quiet little: ]
Thanks.
[ Something about it sounds a little nervous - maybe because he's worried about breaking the baby too, or maybe because of the presence of the companion bot - but there is still something genuinely grateful in it, something that lingers between them for a moment before the bot speaks up again.
That is the part that full on makes Fabian wince. He kind of looks like a flower that's slowly wilting on the spot under the criticism. It's not like the bot is telling him something he didn't already know, but thinking you've fucked up is one thing, and a robot coming to tell you as much is another.
Maybe it's why he doesn't dare to look directly at the robot, instead just looking at his friend. ]
I-- I will.
[ Bro, look at that.. You spent so much effort on making the homie feel better, and now he looks absolutely bullied in the face of the companion bot.. ]
[ The nervous energy coming from Fabian is near palpable; as if it needs to be with the way it seeps into his voice, his body shifting under the chiding of the bot. Gorgug knows what it's like to be in this position, and he should feel sympathetic for his friend, except--
Except anger threatens to rise up in him, and his mild expression turns flat as it faces it to the companion bot. His voice dull in the droning way of an unimpressed teen, as he tells him flatly: ] You can go now.
[ The bot looks from Fabian to Gorgug, and while there's nothing to show in their face, no indication they were about to speak-- ] Bye.
[ That's not italics for the bot. It's for the emphasis of that bye, a tone of You should leave that's threatening. Fortunately, it's not one that seems to get Gorgug in trouble where, wordlessly, the companion bot leaves them by walking back the way it came.
...Not really appearing affected by Gorgug's cunty dismissal, but Gorgug feels pleased to see the back of them anyway, huffing, a glean flashing over his eyes like it does when he's in one of his rages.
Or just feeling particularly emboldened. Which has been happening a lot more in the last year. ]
[ Considering he was already looking at Gorgug to start with, Fabian sees every single part of the expression that crosses over his friend's face. It's not even anything he hasn't seen from Gorgug before - especially lately, with how busy he's been with school and with how done it has made him with everything that comes between him and that - but it's not really like it's ever been turned in this direction before. It's never really been for the sake of Fabian's defense.
He's never needed it, after all. Fabian has always made sure to never look like he'd need that sort of thing, but.. well, there's only so long he can keep that up when life knocks him this hard back down. It's just like after what happened on Leviathan. At some point he just can't keep it up anymore, but the last time he crumbled, Gorgug brought him oranges and small, gentle gestures.
This time he's bringing something more fierce.
.. Fabian doesn't mind. Something about it feels.. kind of nice, actually.
It's why he moves the baby a little until he's confidently holding it with the little baby head supported by the crook of his elbow, and only then uses his now-free other arm to put a gentle hand on top of Gorgug's arm.
If Gorgug looks at him, he'll see Fabian smiling. Thinly, nothing as wild as Fabian's smiles can sometimes get, but it's very genuine all the same. ]
Thanks. [ For that just now, but maybe just-- for everything. It doesn't even matter that Gorgug broke the arm in the first place. The problem still started because of Fabian being unable to handle this situation. ] It's easier because you're here.
[ Gorgug watches the robot leave with satisfaction in his stomach, a challenging desire in him (for them to look back, to maybe start a fight), and it hasn't left him completely when he turns his gaze back onto Fabian when he speaks. It's only starting to die down, but he reaches out and puts a hand on Fabian's arm with a certain need to protect, reassure, to do all of the above.
He squeezes without the threat of crushing him, has that practice over the years. ]
They're an asshole. [ He's smiling back, more sure and asserting--their places switched for once. ] You're gonna be a good dad.
[ That's all Gorgug knows, and all he cares about. All that matters: that Fabian knows. ]
[ For a moment they just sit there like that. It's nothing too long, just a brief moment of silence between the two of them, staring at each other and smiling. Gorgug's arm still on Fabian's arm.
Then he drops the gaze to look at the robot baby in the crook of his elbow. ]
Alright, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves yet.
[ About him being a good dad. At least it doesn't sound like Fabian is fully dismissing the compliment, more just-- More just that fully embracing it is still a step too far for him too. ]
I'm going to do my best. It's just-- I guess I am going to have to learn a whole lot about how to take care of the baby.
[ Gorgug hums, like a small chuckle that he doesn't bother to open his mouth for. Fabian might deny the possibility of his good fatherhood, but Gorgug trusts in it. Would like to be the one for the both of them, though Fabian looks brighter than he has for a while--since Gorgug saw him scrambling around on the street with the baby in tow. ]
Not alone, [ Gorgug reminds him. ...though he looks at his own hands, thinking about how he'll need to be better about handling a robot baby.
He won't say that, but instead, a note sheepish: ] ...I'll come back and clean up the kitchen? I think I, uh. Left a mess.
[ A 'pulled off the wood that the pots and pans hang off from' kind of mess, but you know. It doesn't sound so bad when you don't clarify!! ]
And to Fabian's credit, he does look a little bit awkward as he says it. Under other circumstances he might have used it to lightly tease his friend, but considering how sweet Gorgug has been to him here? He wants to be a little bit more gentle about it. Treat his friend's feelings like something a little more fragile than the usual.
Especially when he remembers Gorgug screaming while swinging about a frying pan. Not exactly the sort of thing Fabian wants to repeat. ]
I think you put a dent in the wall. [ See how carefully he's pointing that out? Bro!!! He's trying to think of your feelings, bro!!!
But you did kind of smash that pan against his wall! ]
...I did? [ Guess who isn't remembering. Guess who only has room for 1 accident in his brain right now--that's right, it's Gorgug, baby. He looks confused as he tries to recall, his weapon of choice in this brain scenario some kind of body part than the frying pan he got convinced to leave back in Fabian's cop car (surely. unless it's right there on one of the seats beside them).
So that isn't helping with Gorgug's memory. But it's fine, since if he put a dent in a wall... ] I'll fix it up-- I'll plaster it. [ ... ] I'll look for plaster.
[ At the very least. Or he can just magic-patch it up, but look, that's a problem for future Gorgug to figure out. But does this sound okay to you, bro??? Is there any other dents he forgot. ]
[ Thankfully Fabian honestly doesn't seem that bothered by the fact that Gorgug left a dent in the wall. There's been bigger disasters going on here, after all. It's more just that he wanted to make sure his friend knew before going into the house and spotting the dent and getting all worked up again..
The goal is to take better care of the baby and better care of Gorgug. By not allowing the other to work himself up into desperate rage crying again.
.. and maybe take a little bit better care of himself too. Maybe.
It's what Gorgug would want, surely. ]
It's okay. I imagine we will have a lot to clean up either way. [ Let's be real - Fabian's house had been a total mess even before Gorgug decided to play impromptu interior designer there. ] .. you really don't mind helping? It's going to be a lot of work.
[ It's a joke, though not without ground, a smile that's a little sheepish from his earlier realisation about walls and dents (and all other manners of messes that Gorgug's left). But he thinks this isn't just about the work involving the baby, unless he's mistaken--but he's standing up regardless, smiling at his friend with less embarrassed and more sincerity. ]
Remember? Spring Break. You've got it. [ He nods, both at Fabian and himself, as he adds the most encouraging motivator of all: ] And we can have all the ice cream we want while we do it. We don't even have to leave town-- we can't. We've faced bigger challenges than this.
Like my homework. All my homework.
[ ...sorry, it's coming back to schoolwork. Nevermind their previous adventures, actually.... ]
[ That's Fabian's thought exactly, really. As he's standing up to follow Gorgug while holding his little baby bundle close to him to make sure nothing can happen to it again - he does not want to know what the bots would tell him if that were to happen twice in a row - he can't help but think about Gorgug's words.
Sure, he kind of gets it, since it's clear Gorgug got a much worse multiclassing deal at school than Fabian did, but.. ]
You really think that's the worst thing you've ever dealt with? [ There's still a hint of scepticism in Fabian's tone. Nothing too strong, but it is there. ] Worse than anything we've actually fought?
[ He would be more specific. He would point out the worst experience they've had as a group - he's pretty sure that's the Nightmare Forest, or even the time Gorgug and Kristen actually died on their first day of school - but it's not like he actively wants to remember his friend of some miserable stuff when Gorgug is just doing his best to help him.
So keeping it vague is probably safer. Let Gorgug's mind linger on homework, sure. ]
[ Listen to those physically dangerous situations that Fabian is bringing up, even if he's generalising. ]
Getting stabbed's easy-- we're always getting stabbed. I don't have to read any books to get stabbed, I just have to swing around an axe and hit things.
[ And listen to Gorgug's near whine of a reply, and how nothing the threat of violence sounds coming from Gorgug. He doesn't even care. Why would they care at this point? Whatever, so their lives as they knew them nearly ended twice and there were a bunch of deaths.
So what!!! ]
Do you get homework? [ There's definitely emphasis on that get. Fabian, with his fighter classes and bard dances. What's even homework when you're Fabian? Can he truly understand the suffering? ] Do you have to read books?
[ Maybe you can see now why Fabian doesn't think school work is worse than anything they do when they go out there and fight, Gorgug. Not that Fabian really minds fighting, he thinks it's fun, it's just-- a whole lot more traumatizing stuff happens out there than in any of his classrooms! ]
I mean, we sometimes do? But most of the time in fighter class we are just practicing through sparring, and in bard class we just-- well, we dance. I get homework sometimes for fighter class, but Miss Skullcleaver doesn't believe in homework. She says dance is always in the present. [ Must be nice to have like.. a normal teacher, huh. Gorgug. A chill teacher. Just imagine. ]
[ Must be nice. Gorgug isn't above feeling jealousy, even if it's been dulled be factors. (We guess like walking through a hallway with the guy and his robot baby he just had a breakdown about today.)
It's a brief feeling, though. ]
I had all the homework and studying I had to do because of artificing and the MCAT thing, but, barbarian classes-- I didn't have homework, but Porter was being a hardass. He really wanted me to dig into my anger better for my rage, so I was trying to find time to do that too. To get mad the way he wanted me to.
But honestly, after school and bloodrush practices, I just wanted to sleep.
[ He was pissed off, but finding time for it amongst all that work was hard. It's not a situation he has to deal with now (even if he was back in Spyre), but, man. Man! ]
It's the sort of sound that makes him sound much more like himself than anything else he's said ever since they entered the hospital. Like talking about normal things and not having gotten into too much trouble is giving him some of his usual spirit back, even if he's not quite his usual self just yet. ]
Well, that is because Porter is an asshole.
[ You're totally allowed to call your friends' teachers assholes, okay. Fabian would let his friends call his teachers assholes if they earned it - but fortunately he thinks they are both rather cool in their own way. ]
I can't see any other reason why he would have treated you the way he did. [ Okay, fine, Fig would see another reason. But she truly seems like some unhinged conspiracy theorist about this thing half of the time. ]
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Then he closes it again. Close to baffled, but not fully there. ]
Gorgug, you-- you know that babies don't usually come with manuals, right?
[ Granted, he could just be thinking it since it's a fake baby and all.. But Fabian is pretty sure even fake babies aren't supposed to come with manuals when this place is trying so hard to pretend to be a normal city with normal people living in it for some reason. Of course they would also pretend that the babies are totally normal, despite them clearly being fake. ]
I think I.. [ .. He went to 'I' by default, but then presses his lips together. Waffles, hesitates, still adjusting, but then tries: ] .. I think we will just have to figure it out.
[ The words still sit within him a little uneasily, as new as they are, but-- Fabian truly is trying here, Gorgug. Trying to internalize what you've told him. ]
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...I'll look in the library. [ Look. This is still an option. If they can't have a manual, there's sure to be something in their library. Gorgug's been
nickingtaking out all kinds of books in there!!! He just never thought to look up baby handling 101.Until now. ]
I mean, there's gotta be something. What if you've never been around a baby? I haven't really been around babies before, 'cept passing them on the street.
I'll ask some people too. Actually, I already asked a guy to give me tips. He's letting me visit him later to see his baby.
[ Speaking of!! Listen how seriously he's trying to take this (so he doesn't pull an arm off again!!!) ]
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But he's tired. After throwing all this emotion out here, and after all the turmoil that came before it - he's too tired to get into it, especially when Fabian is already sure his friend understands it anyway. ]
.. thanks.
[ That feels better to say. Because thinking of this place only makes him frown and feel bad, but thinking about Gorgug's sweet, genuine effort at least does put a smile on Fabian's face as he looks at his friend. ]
I am, uh.. [ He hesitates a little, but then decides to let go of that hesitancy, to just fully trust Gorgug here. ] I am slightly tired though after all this.
[ Slightly is an understatement, judging by the way Fabian looks right now. It's practically the same way he looked after the whole deal with the Night Yorb. ]
Would I mind if I napped on you for a little bit? [ Not like they haven't done it before, all of them curled up together in the little space the Hangvan had for all their bodies. ] Just until they are done with the baby.
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Do you wanna sit on-- um, [ actually, you know what, ] --yeah, sure, you can nap.
[ You know what? He actually thought. He thought and decided 'do you wanna sit on my lap' was a bad thing to ask a guy friend, or maybe most friends, that are not Fig, and he's willing to draw as much attention away from what he was beginning to say to what his actual answer was: by bringing an arm back around Fabian's shoulders, ready to tuck him in closer to himself once Fabian shuffles himself in whatever direction he pleases. Gorgug's angled on the chair, but he'll put up with that. It's not uncomfortable. ]
Fig says I'm comfortable.
[ And he hopes he is now, offering his arm like he is like a sort of ineffectual blanket. Or a blanket solely for one's shoulders. ]
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It feels kind of nice. Especially since going from the situation in the Hangvan during their Night Yorb chase - months of sleeping together in a pile - to sleeping entirely by himself in a way too big house was a little bit too much at once. Feeling something warm against him as he sleeps reminds him of better times than the emptiness. ]
I think Fig is biased. [ He can't help but say, but a moment later he's already closing his eye once he's gotten comfortable enough. ] .. though she might not be entirely wrong.
[ Fabian feels more comfortable than he expected to, anyway. It really does feel kind of nice. Maybe Fig was onto something here. ]
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It's one of the many nice things about being part of the Bad Kids, where his presence isn't a deterrent but a comfort. He can't say that's always been a factor for him growing up. ]
She's right when she's right.
[ It's softly said, a fondness present that if Fabian isn't too tired, he might be able to catch a wistful note than just a simply friendly remark; but Gorgug is tipping his head above Fabian's, resting his cheek on the top of the head below him. Truly, there is no shame in cuddling up to a bro.
But there's no need to anything more to be said, unless it comes from Fabian. He wants to rest, sleep, and Gorgug will give him that, being sure to keep an eye out in the hall for any bots that might come with a baby in tow. ]
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Mostly because it doesn't take all that long before Fabian has fallen asleep. Something that is for once not just marked by the fact he's silent - because he had already been more quiet than the usual while stuck in the middle of his emotions here - but more the fact that his body seems to still, his breathing audibly and visibly slowing until it's obvious that he's fallen asleep, as curled up against Gorgug's side as he is. His head resting against the other's body, Fabian's own body twisted so as to try and get as much physical contact going on here, like a cat trying to sap your body warmth.
He doesn't even stir anymore, apparently as content as can be in his current napping position. ]
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Only the sounds of anything passing, or approaching. Gorgug lets his own eyes flutter closed for a while, but he doesn't fall asleep like Fabian does. He listens to the sound of the other's breathing, for no better reason than because it's too close to ignore it.
If Fabian's a light enough sleeper, then he might know when his baby is ready. When the companion bot appears to them, Gorgug can't stop them speaking in a volume that's not loud, but neither cares for Fabian's current state, but Gorgug's careful to set Fabian to rest back in his seat, to try and worm him off from his shoulder so that he can turn to the bot himself, speak hushed but hurriedly to take the baby robot for him, sit it huddled up in his arms.
There's no time for panic this time. At least, not about the baby. But if Fabian hasn't woken yet, then-- it's a few seconds more (where Gorgug considers if to let Fabian sleep a little longer) before there's a voice to try and do that, a knee nudging his knee. ]
Hey, Fabian.... Fabian.
[ There is a Gorgug holding your precious baby.....with all limbs attached inside the bundle of its blanket. ]
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And his brain truly is taking that opportunity to just.. zone out completely. Trying to get all the rest it has been missing out on, considering it only now feels safe to turn his brain off like this. Even when Fabian is finally slowly waking up at the nudge, his body only slowly starts to register the fact that some of the warmth and safety from before is gone.
.. not that Fabian thinks about this very consciously. It's all happening somewhere in the back of his brain. In the front of his brain is instead activity about what he's seeing - something that surprises him enough to half-sleepily shift up in his seat, blinking a few times before widening his eyes. ]
Is it-- Is it alright again?
[ Did they really not fuck this up after all? ]
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[ It's a soft reprimand, at the very least, and that's good--even if Gorgug would hold his temper for Fabian's sake, his friend doesn't need to be admonished for his mistake. Which, speaking of: ]
It was my fault, [ he mumbles out, being as still as still can be while with the baby bot in his arms. ] Do you wanna take it...?
[ The bot continues to stand there, as if to observe the pair for a while longer before making its leave. As if judging something, but who can say. Gorgug's focusing on Fabian currently, waiting on his sleepy state, and also how he might be feeling.
There's no need to rush, and he even reassures, ] It looks fine.
All damage to its limb has been fixed, [ adds the bot. ] However, we did note levels of distress before the accident. We recommend paying closer attention to your baby's needs You-- [ it turns to Gorgug ] --or whoever is watching over it.
[ Thanks, companion bot. ]
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Thanks.
[ Something about it sounds a little nervous - maybe because he's worried about breaking the baby too, or maybe because of the presence of the companion bot - but there is still something genuinely grateful in it, something that lingers between them for a moment before the bot speaks up again.
That is the part that full on makes Fabian wince. He kind of looks like a flower that's slowly wilting on the spot under the criticism. It's not like the bot is telling him something he didn't already know, but thinking you've fucked up is one thing, and a robot coming to tell you as much is another.
Maybe it's why he doesn't dare to look directly at the robot, instead just looking at his friend. ]
I-- I will.
[ Bro, look at that.. You spent so much effort on making the homie feel better, and now he looks absolutely bullied in the face of the companion bot.. ]
Sorry.
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Except anger threatens to rise up in him, and his mild expression turns flat as it faces it to the companion bot. His voice dull in the droning way of an unimpressed teen, as he tells him flatly: ] You can go now.
[ The bot looks from Fabian to Gorgug, and while there's nothing to show in their face, no indication they were about to speak-- ] Bye.
[ That's not italics for the bot. It's for the emphasis of that bye, a tone of You should leave that's threatening. Fortunately, it's not one that seems to get Gorgug in trouble where, wordlessly, the companion bot leaves them by walking back the way it came.
...Not really appearing affected by Gorgug's cunty dismissal, but Gorgug feels pleased to see the back of them anyway, huffing, a glean flashing over his eyes like it does when he's in one of his rages.
Or just feeling particularly emboldened. Which has been happening a lot more in the last year. ]
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He's never needed it, after all. Fabian has always made sure to never look like he'd need that sort of thing, but.. well, there's only so long he can keep that up when life knocks him this hard back down. It's just like after what happened on Leviathan. At some point he just can't keep it up anymore, but the last time he crumbled, Gorgug brought him oranges and small, gentle gestures.
This time he's bringing something more fierce.
.. Fabian doesn't mind. Something about it feels.. kind of nice, actually.
It's why he moves the baby a little until he's confidently holding it with the little baby head supported by the crook of his elbow, and only then uses his now-free other arm to put a gentle hand on top of Gorgug's arm.
If Gorgug looks at him, he'll see Fabian smiling. Thinly, nothing as wild as Fabian's smiles can sometimes get, but it's very genuine all the same. ]
Thanks. [ For that just now, but maybe just-- for everything. It doesn't even matter that Gorgug broke the arm in the first place. The problem still started because of Fabian being unable to handle this situation. ] It's easier because you're here.
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He squeezes without the threat of crushing him, has that practice over the years. ]
They're an asshole. [ He's smiling back, more sure and asserting--their places switched for once. ] You're gonna be a good dad.
[ That's all Gorgug knows, and all he cares about. All that matters: that Fabian knows. ]
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Then he drops the gaze to look at the robot baby in the crook of his elbow. ]
Alright, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves yet.
[ About him being a good dad. At least it doesn't sound like Fabian is fully dismissing the compliment, more just-- More just that fully embracing it is still a step too far for him too. ]
I'm going to do my best. It's just-- I guess I am going to have to learn a whole lot about how to take care of the baby.
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Not alone, [ Gorgug reminds him. ...though he looks at his own hands, thinking about how he'll need to be better about handling a robot baby.
He won't say that, but instead, a note sheepish: ] ...I'll come back and clean up the kitchen? I think I, uh. Left a mess.
[ A 'pulled off the wood that the pots and pans hang off from' kind of mess, but you know. It doesn't sound so bad when you don't clarify!! ]
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And to Fabian's credit, he does look a little bit awkward as he says it. Under other circumstances he might have used it to lightly tease his friend, but considering how sweet Gorgug has been to him here? He wants to be a little bit more gentle about it. Treat his friend's feelings like something a little more fragile than the usual.
Especially when he remembers Gorgug screaming while swinging about a frying pan. Not exactly the sort of thing Fabian wants to repeat. ]
I think you put a dent in the wall. [ See how carefully he's pointing that out? Bro!!! He's trying to think of your feelings, bro!!!
But you did kind of smash that pan against his wall! ]
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So that isn't helping with Gorgug's memory. But it's fine, since if he put a dent in a wall... ] I'll fix it up-- I'll plaster it. [ ... ] I'll look for plaster.
[ At the very least. Or he can just magic-patch it up, but look, that's a problem for future Gorgug to figure out. But does this sound okay to you, bro??? Is there any other dents he forgot. ]
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The goal is to take better care of the baby and better care of Gorgug. By not allowing the other to work himself up into desperate rage crying again.
.. and maybe take a little bit better care of himself too. Maybe.
It's what Gorgug would want, surely. ]
It's okay. I imagine we will have a lot to clean up either way. [ Let's be real - Fabian's house had been a total mess even before Gorgug decided to play impromptu interior designer there. ] .. you really don't mind helping? It's going to be a lot of work.
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[ It's a joke, though not without ground, a smile that's a little sheepish from his earlier realisation about walls and dents (and all other manners of messes that Gorgug's left). But he thinks this isn't just about the work involving the baby, unless he's mistaken--but he's standing up regardless, smiling at his friend with less embarrassed and more sincerity. ]
Remember? Spring Break. You've got it. [ He nods, both at Fabian and himself, as he adds the most encouraging motivator of all: ] And we can have all the ice cream we want while we do it. We don't even have to leave town-- we can't. We've faced bigger challenges than this.
Like my homework. All my homework.
[ ...sorry, it's coming back to schoolwork. Nevermind their previous adventures, actually.... ]
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Sure, he kind of gets it, since it's clear Gorgug got a much worse multiclassing deal at school than Fabian did, but.. ]
You really think that's the worst thing you've ever dealt with? [ There's still a hint of scepticism in Fabian's tone. Nothing too strong, but it is there. ] Worse than anything we've actually fought?
[ He would be more specific. He would point out the worst experience they've had as a group - he's pretty sure that's the Nightmare Forest, or even the time Gorgug and Kristen actually died on their first day of school - but it's not like he actively wants to remember his friend of some miserable stuff when Gorgug is just doing his best to help him.
So keeping it vague is probably safer. Let Gorgug's mind linger on homework, sure. ]
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Getting stabbed's easy-- we're always getting stabbed. I don't have to read any books to get stabbed, I just have to swing around an axe and hit things.
[ And listen to Gorgug's near whine of a reply, and how nothing the threat of violence sounds coming from Gorgug. He doesn't even care. Why would they care at this point? Whatever, so their lives as they knew them nearly ended twice and there were a bunch of deaths.
So what!!! ]
Do you get homework? [ There's definitely emphasis on that get. Fabian, with his fighter classes and bard dances. What's even homework when you're Fabian? Can he truly understand the suffering? ] Do you have to read books?
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[ Maybe you can see now why Fabian doesn't think school work is worse than anything they do when they go out there and fight, Gorgug. Not that Fabian really minds fighting, he thinks it's fun, it's just-- a whole lot more traumatizing stuff happens out there than in any of his classrooms! ]
I mean, we sometimes do? But most of the time in fighter class we are just practicing through sparring, and in bard class we just-- well, we dance. I get homework sometimes for fighter class, but Miss Skullcleaver doesn't believe in homework. She says dance is always in the present. [ Must be nice to have like.. a normal teacher, huh. Gorgug. A chill teacher. Just imagine. ]
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It's a brief feeling, though. ]
I had all the homework and studying I had to do because of artificing and the MCAT thing, but, barbarian classes-- I didn't have homework, but Porter was being a hardass. He really wanted me to dig into my anger better for my rage, so I was trying to find time to do that too. To get mad the way he wanted me to.
But honestly, after school and bloodrush practices, I just wanted to sleep.
[ He was pissed off, but finding time for it amongst all that work was hard. It's not a situation he has to deal with now (even if he was back in Spyre), but, man. Man! ]
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It's the sort of sound that makes him sound much more like himself than anything else he's said ever since they entered the hospital. Like talking about normal things and not having gotten into too much trouble is giving him some of his usual spirit back, even if he's not quite his usual self just yet. ]
Well, that is because Porter is an asshole.
[ You're totally allowed to call your friends' teachers assholes, okay. Fabian would let his friends call his teachers assholes if they earned it - but fortunately he thinks they are both rather cool in their own way. ]
I can't see any other reason why he would have treated you the way he did. [ Okay, fine, Fig would see another reason. But she truly seems like some unhinged conspiracy theorist about this thing half of the time. ]
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