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[ He hadn't expected the seriousness, but the urge to tease dies down pretty quickly after that. He pulls free the first boot and moves to the second one as he considers it. Finally: ]
I'm not leaving, Coda.
I'm not leaving, Coda.
[ He pauses in what he's doing to rest a hand on their arm and squeeze it gently before he finishes it up. There are a few questions on his mind, but he lets them wash over him without taking root. They'll keep for later.
Right now he kicks the shoe off, and both his socks with it, and then climbs over Coda so that he can be the big spoon without moving them. ]
There. Now you can sleep.
Right now he kicks the shoe off, and both his socks with it, and then climbs over Coda so that he can be the big spoon without moving them. ]
There. Now you can sleep.
[ Artemis settles with his nose pressed to the top of Coda's head and his arm slung loosely over their hips, but between the chill and his thoughts it takes him much longer to fall asleep.
He does eventually, though, and he's - of course - a restless sleeper when he does. By the time Coda wakes up, there's small amounts of glitter spread over most of their bed and Artemis himself is hanging on like a limpet. ]
He does eventually, though, and he's - of course - a restless sleeper when he does. By the time Coda wakes up, there's small amounts of glitter spread over most of their bed and Artemis himself is hanging on like a limpet. ]
[ Artemis eyes open after the kiss, watching Coda leave silently, but they're closed again by the time they come back. The question doesn't get a verbal answer, just a man burying his face a little deeper in the pillow and reaching out to tug at the hem of Coda's shirt. ]
[So Coda folds themself back into bed, back to that tucked in place with Artemis offering them warmth and closeness. It's an odd parallel to when Coda will tug Artemis into the cuddle with Gil. These two, they don't know how to actually ask for the comfort they need. Not with words at least.
But the request seems to get understood regardless.]
But the request seems to get understood regardless.]
(The following Wednesday after Amanda's verbal slip-up, a small strawberry cake is left for Coda. It's poorly iced in "funfetti" icing. There's a letter, in small block handwriting:)
CODA,
I'm sorry. I don't know how to talk to people, apparently, and even less about talking to someone with the kind of trauma you had. I'm desperately trying to reach out and touch someone, and you and the others made me feel like I wasn't alone. But the gravity of your situation is much worse, I understand that now. (To say "I can't imagine that" would be dumb, right? Because if I couldn't, then how could I realize what I said was so wrong?)
I would like to be your friend, and I can promise if you accept me, I won't speak of your situation unless you bring it up. And even then, I'll listen rather than try to sound like I know what I'm talking about.
Because I don't. I'd like to understand, but I can also handle talking about music and how terrible of an icing job I did on the cake. Haha?
hopefully,
Amanda Brotzman
CODA,
I'm sorry. I don't know how to talk to people, apparently, and even less about talking to someone with the kind of trauma you had. I'm desperately trying to reach out and touch someone, and you and the others made me feel like I wasn't alone. But the gravity of your situation is much worse, I understand that now. (To say "I can't imagine that" would be dumb, right? Because if I couldn't, then how could I realize what I said was so wrong?)
I would like to be your friend, and I can promise if you accept me, I won't speak of your situation unless you bring it up. And even then, I'll listen rather than try to sound like I know what I'm talking about.
Because I don't. I'd like to understand, but I can also handle talking about music and how terrible of an icing job I did on the cake. Haha?
hopefully,
Amanda Brotzman
[ Artemis makes a pleased little hum and settles back in around them. He's quiet for a while, but doesn't fall back asleep; Coda's not the only one that has trouble with that when they're not exhausted.
Eventually, he says softly: ]
Did you sleep well?
Eventually, he says softly: ]
Did you sleep well?
You were fine.
[ He isn't sure how to feel about the fact that he's apparently a good sleep-aid, but he thinks for once he's too comfortable to care. No strings, the'd promised. ]
Other than a dream about a hologram juggling kumquats, I was dead to the world.
[ He isn't sure how to feel about the fact that he's apparently a good sleep-aid, but he thinks for once he's too comfortable to care. No strings, the'd promised. ]
Other than a dream about a hologram juggling kumquats, I was dead to the world.
((Coda, there's a certain matter I've learned recently that I wish to discuss with you. Could we meet each other in person sometime soon?))
Wait, why are they anxious? Nothing out of the ordinary appears to be happening in the simulation besides the average amount of weirdness. Except, perhaps, that odd red robot's post on the network the other day where they made vague and unsettling remarks about someone named Tailgate, but that appeared mostly self-contained.
((I'm not doing anything at the moment, so we could meet in about 30 minutes.)) Thirty minutes if there aren't any odd changes in topography of the city, which he quickly conveys upon realization. ((Would that also be convenient for you?))
Astral attempts to assuage their anxiety with the warmth he feels about their friendship. This isn't a meeting to fear, Coda!
((I'm not doing anything at the moment, so we could meet in about 30 minutes.)) Thirty minutes if there aren't any odd changes in topography of the city, which he quickly conveys upon realization. ((Would that also be convenient for you?))
Astral attempts to assuage their anxiety with the warmth he feels about their friendship. This isn't a meeting to fear, Coda!
((Have you found any other interesting chairs in Trojan you've yet to try? I'm admittedly very curious.)) There's a spike in relief, but it still worries him a bit.
((I never flopped on anything before.)) Astral avoids the comment about Gil, he still isn't sure what to make of all of it. Think twice. ((That sounds fun. Yes, I would like that.))
((I'll see you soon.))
Coda heads down to the front door to greet Astral when he arrives. They don't bother to dress up particularly for him; they're in a pair of vividly green pajama pants and a t-shirt that reads 'Be They, Do Crime', their messenger bag slung over a shoulder, but no shoes on.
Coda heads down to the front door to greet Astral when he arrives. They don't bother to dress up particularly for him; they're in a pair of vividly green pajama pants and a t-shirt that reads 'Be They, Do Crime', their messenger bag slung over a shoulder, but no shoes on.
That's okay, he's actually quite comforted by how lax they are, though their shirt catches most of their attention. Did Coda commit crimes before Svelte? Is that why have so much pain in their heart? Are they a criminal trying to repent like Galaxy Queen after the season three finale of Different Dimension ESPer Robin?
((Hello. I promised one of your roommates that the next time I visited, I would bring food.)) Lo and behold, he's holding a large bowl of chocolate rice pudding covered with a sheet of saran wrap. ((... Do you have a kitchen here?))
((Hello. I promised one of your roommates that the next time I visited, I would bring food.)) Lo and behold, he's holding a large bowl of chocolate rice pudding covered with a sheet of saran wrap. ((... Do you have a kitchen here?))
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