the punchline to the joke is asking "someone save us"

[traumatizing]

STILL HERE, HUH?

Looks like you're still on Tera. By choice, or maybe you missed your chance to get home. Doesn't matter really, you're here now and you gotta deal with the fallout one way or another. Here's hoping that works out for you.

Comments

[notahobby]

Yeah, me too.

[He smiles, looking down at his hand.]

Feel like I never have to worry about you saying something you don't mean.

[traumatizing]

I try not to. I like people to know they can trust me.

[notahobby]

Yeah.

[He says it with all the affection in the world.]

So many people think they can get away with it, you know? I hate that.

[traumatizing]

[Terry laughs, but it's a little sad and sympathetic. He could explain how well he knows how shitty and rude people can be, but they probably both have their own stories and they don't need that bringing down their day.]

Well lucky for you, people sometimes don't trust me because I'm [fingerquote] "too nice".

[notahobby]

[Maxxie laughs softly at that.]

Yeah. Same for me, 'cept people think I'm too happy. I mean, not lately, but... y'know.

[traumatizing]

Good thing I had Nariko and Yuffie killing me with relentless cheer to know it wasn't an act.

[His coffee's already gone, he kinda needs another one. But on the other hand Maxxie's right here and Terry wants to lay against his chest and have Maxxie's arms around him and maybe have a nap.]

[notahobby]

[Maxxie laughs again, letting silence fall before he follows up.]

Is there anyone else still here?

[traumatizing]

Jamie's around. A few stragglers. People who didn't have anything to go back to or... They're too used to it here.

[He shrugs, pressing his face a little into Maxxie's shoulder.]

[notahobby]

[Maxxie sighs.]

Guess I gotta face the world at some point. Think my apartment's still there?

[traumatizing]

Probably. Money's still coming out of the company accounts as far as I can tell.

[notahobby]

Cool. I guess I can go there if I need to.

[He'd rather stay wherever Terry is but whatever.]

[traumatizing]

[Terry doesn't say anything to that; he just cuddles in a little closer with a soft noise of dissent. He doesn't want Maxxie to go anywhere; terrified that he'll not be there for long if he leaves.]

[notahobby]

[Maxxie heaves yet another sigh and rubs Terry's shoulder, trying to be soothing.]

Do you think it's good for you to stay here?

[traumatizing]

It's where I've gotta be right now.

[He sighs softly, trying to wriggle into Maxxie's lap without making it difficult for him to drink his coffee.]

Part of why I stayed behind, it's-- They fucked up so much, so many people. This whole planet and left these two great big tombs behind, but maybe I can... [he shakes his head] Maybe I can do something.

[notahobby]

[Maxxie brushes his fingers through Terry's hair, putting his coffee down on the table so Terry can do all the cuddling up he wants.]

You have to do your healing too, Ter.

[traumatizing]

I'm fine.

[He's not, but he's gotten so good at saying it to himself that he almost believes it.]

I'm just tired-- Jamie keeps telling me I need to sleep more.

[notahobby]

You do.

[He keeps brushing his fingers through Terry's hair.]

S'okay. You've got me here now to make sure you do it.

[traumatizing]

Be easier with you here. I might end up sleeping too much instead.

[notahobby]

No such thing.

[Maxxie leans his head forward to kiss Terry's hair.]

[traumatizing]

[Terry snorts, smiling a little at the affection.]

You know how many practices I was late to because of you?

[notahobby]

You didn't need practice anyway.

[Maxxie grins and leans his head back.]

Apparently none of us did.

[traumatizing]

Could've done with the practice at being punctual.

[He lifts his head enough to raise his eyebrows at Maxxie.]

[notahobby]

Punctuality's overrated.

[Says the guy who shows up at the dance studio early before school regularly no matter how hungover he should be.]

[traumatizing]

[Terry scoffs and puts his head back down to nuzzle into Maxxie's chest. What a good chest. What a good everything. He loves him so much.]

[notahobby]

[Maxxie rubs Terry's shoulder again and sighs.]

You're gorgeous, you know that?