[ It's that smile. All easy and soft, that does it for San. It feels... familiar. Like them. The way it's felt while they've gotten to know each other through text. Good. Yeah, that's the word. It felt good. The way it did when he'd go outside after being in for way too long. San exhales a breath he'd been holding and looks at Noctis, really gets to know him.
His hair is black, no blue? Blueish black. He can't tell but it's a nice color. He's shorter than San and he looks cool. His clothes, everything. San can't help but think he's attractive. He could blame it on his goblin heritage but it has nothing to do with that. San likes people after he likes them. It's how he is. He should've been worried about that but it's too late now.
He'll just have to like Noctis as a friend and like the way he looks, too. ]
Yeah, sure it is. I just didn't know.
[ Why didn't San say something? A quick they changed my rooms are we close? But no, he'd been to afraid to meet Noctis to even get close to that topic. ]
Would you? [ His cheeks go red as he looks down. ] Can I touch you? Doesn't feel like this is real.
(Noct's heart hammers in his chest, a wind of familiarity brushes across his face and makes his flesh feel suddenly clammy and cold. It was the question, the permission he would give with a small nod of his head. Yes, touch me. He thought about that act and how much he craved it. How much he missed it. He was always in physical contact with the guys and being here without it something he'd been mourning. A nudge, a playful punch, a fist bump, wrestling, hugs, all of it seemed so distant, so far away.
He craved the intimacy of touch, he craved his friends, and San was willing - wanting to touch him.
Noct steps closer to San. His eyes focus on the red orbs that peer back at him and he feels himself drifting in the sight of them. The depth is cozy and he feels another brush of breath against his face; this time it's San's breath and Noct's lips part as he lifts his arm up between them and with a clenched fist he pushes his knuckles against San's arm. He initiated the touch first.
Both of them were real.)
We'll keep each other grounded, right?
(An insecure hope seething through an innocent question. Hold onto me. Noct's eyes move to his fist against San's arm. I'll hold onto you. As if this was some pact they were about to make, an unbreakable promise, no matter what happens they were going to endure this world together.)
[ San's never had any of that. At least he can't remember having friends or anyone to offer that playful and well-meaning contact. He's wanted it but hasn't had it with anyone. Something about Noctis makes him hopeful. Reluctant, but confident that this could be a good thing.
And he did want to touch Noctis. For the intimacy and comfort of a simple act of affection.
The bump to his arm makes him smile. They were both real. ] Forever. [ San meant it, his words were genuine and honest. As long as he was around, he'd keep Noctis grounded. He'd make sure he always knew that San was there for him. To affirm the sentimentality, he takes Noctis' fist and pushes his fingers open to link their hands. ]
Yeah, we'll keep each other grounded.
[ He didn't know how to be a friend but he understood it began with kindness and trust. He could offer that much. ]
(Noct's lips curve into a smile. Their sentiment strengthened his confidence and Noct exhales as he unburdens the haul of worries he dragged up to this point. Meeting San like this was better than keeping that anonymity. Perhaps part of him knew this prior, but he's glad it worked out this way.)
So, we're roommates too, huh? That's good. I'm glad. What should we do?
(Noct steps back his hands settle on his hips. Like a child he thinks of all the fun things he wants to do with San. He wants to play video games, fish, camp, even shop around with him. The only problem is they were here, in Hell. There were things they could do together, however, and maybe it'll even get better. After all, there were some weird alright things that popped up every so often like.. the Ball.. thing, and the maze wasn't all that bad. Weird, but not bad.)
[ San had never really known how it would go between them but it was good now. He's already forgotten why he was afraid in the first place. It's the same as when he was afraid to go outside and then he did and instantly forgot why it was frightening in the first place. Fear was overwhelming until it was met head on. ]
We are. [ He was glad, too. ] Uh.
[ There were a lot of things they could do together. San doesn't know what's appropriate though. He isn't human and never was. He didn't do things humans their age did. All he knows is the life of a Goblin and the few things he's picked up the past few years.
Somehow, it doesn't matter. Noctis makes it easy by switching the question. ]
I like to cook for others. And play on my phone.
[ He'd like video games but he's never played them. ]
Me too! ... Well, not the cooking thing. I'm pretty good on my phone though.
(It's easy to see Noctis become excited at the mention of some common ground. He interprets "play on my phone," as playing mobile games and before he knows it his pupils dilate just a bit with excitement and his body moves in toward San.)
I love all sorts of games.. the ones that are my favorite are King's Tale - which is a little weird, being that it's about my dad and all, and the other one is like a pinball machine one and it's called Justice Monsters Five.. It's simple, difficult, but a classic.
How about you? ... What sort of games are you into?
[ Then San would just have to cook for Noctis. It was a hobby that he really enjoyed and the best part was watching other people enjoy something he'd created for them. ]
I've never played those. I have a pinball machine game. [ San's reaching into his pocket for his phone as he speaks. ] There's a game about your dad? That has to be weird.
[ Too personal maybe but what did San know. He didn't have a dad. ]
Well, I like games with a story line. Romance, drama, mystery. The kind where my choices decide the outcome. And I like any game that you can play without thinking a lot. Sort of like the ones that distract you and keep your hands busy? Do you like those?
(Noctis moved to stand at San's side, he wanted to get a good peek at what San was going to pull up on the phone - he was assuming, of course, his friend was retrieving a game.)
Ah, yeah.. it wasn't weird until I really thought about it here. Actually, probably just now explaining it to you. (This wasn't likely to be the last time something came up here that seemed strange about his life back home. It certainly wasn't the first.)
I like the kind that I can get lost into. Almost like I'm living it, you know?
I also can play other games like cards or board games or whatever. You like any of that?
no subject
His hair is black, no blue? Blueish black. He can't tell but it's a nice color. He's shorter than San and he looks cool. His clothes, everything. San can't help but think he's attractive. He could blame it on his goblin heritage but it has nothing to do with that. San likes people after he likes them. It's how he is. He should've been worried about that but it's too late now.
He'll just have to like Noctis as a friend and like the way he looks, too. ]
Yeah, sure it is. I just didn't know.
[ Why didn't San say something? A quick they changed my rooms are we close? But no, he'd been to afraid to meet Noctis to even get close to that topic. ]
Would you? [ His cheeks go red as he looks down. ] Can I touch you? Doesn't feel like this is real.
no subject
He craved the intimacy of touch, he craved his friends, and San was willing - wanting to touch him.
Noct steps closer to San. His eyes focus on the red orbs that peer back at him and he feels himself drifting in the sight of them. The depth is cozy and he feels another brush of breath against his face; this time it's San's breath and Noct's lips part as he lifts his arm up between them and with a clenched fist he pushes his knuckles against San's arm. He initiated the touch first.
Both of them were real.)
We'll keep each other grounded, right?
(An insecure hope seething through an innocent question. Hold onto me. Noct's eyes move to his fist against San's arm. I'll hold onto you. As if this was some pact they were about to make, an unbreakable promise, no matter what happens they were going to endure this world together.)
no subject
And he did want to touch Noctis. For the intimacy and comfort of a simple act of affection.
The bump to his arm makes him smile. They were both real. ] Forever. [ San meant it, his words were genuine and honest. As long as he was around, he'd keep Noctis grounded. He'd make sure he always knew that San was there for him. To affirm the sentimentality, he takes Noctis' fist and pushes his fingers open to link their hands. ]
Yeah, we'll keep each other grounded.
[ He didn't know how to be a friend but he understood it began with kindness and trust. He could offer that much. ]
no subject
So, we're roommates too, huh? That's good. I'm glad. What should we do?
(Noct steps back his hands settle on his hips. Like a child he thinks of all the fun things he wants to do with San. He wants to play video games, fish, camp, even shop around with him. The only problem is they were here, in Hell. There were things they could do together, however, and maybe it'll even get better. After all, there were some weird alright things that popped up every so often like.. the Ball.. thing, and the maze wasn't all that bad. Weird, but not bad.)
What do you like to do?
no subject
We are. [ He was glad, too. ] Uh.
[ There were a lot of things they could do together. San doesn't know what's appropriate though. He isn't human and never was. He didn't do things humans their age did. All he knows is the life of a Goblin and the few things he's picked up the past few years.
Somehow, it doesn't matter. Noctis makes it easy by switching the question. ]
I like to cook for others. And play on my phone.
[ He'd like video games but he's never played them. ]
no subject
(It's easy to see Noctis become excited at the mention of some common ground. He interprets "play on my phone," as playing mobile games and before he knows it his pupils dilate just a bit with excitement and his body moves in toward San.)
I love all sorts of games.. the ones that are my favorite are King's Tale - which is a little weird, being that it's about my dad and all, and the other one is like a pinball machine one and it's called Justice Monsters Five.. It's simple, difficult, but a classic.
How about you? ... What sort of games are you into?
no subject
I've never played those. I have a pinball machine game. [ San's reaching into his pocket for his phone as he speaks. ] There's a game about your dad? That has to be weird.
[ Too personal maybe but what did San know. He didn't have a dad. ]
Well, I like games with a story line. Romance, drama, mystery. The kind where my choices decide the outcome. And I like any game that you can play without thinking a lot. Sort of like the ones that distract you and keep your hands busy? Do you like those?
no subject
Ah, yeah.. it wasn't weird until I really thought about it here. Actually, probably just now explaining it to you. (This wasn't likely to be the last time something came up here that seemed strange about his life back home. It certainly wasn't the first.)
I like the kind that I can get lost into. Almost like I'm living it, you know?
I also can play other games like cards or board games or whatever. You like any of that?