[closed]

[schild]

Who: Ryan Brown and Bertholdt Fubar
What: Coffee and talking and totally not a date!
Where: A coffee shop by the fire station. Very romantic.
When: August 8.

[ Dressed in a polo shirt and jeans (yeah that's how he rolls,) Ryan waits outside the coffee shop, as one does with these things. He figures he'll pay for lunch, since he's the one who invited Bertholdt out of the blue. He's had an echo since then, though, and it's different-- but it sounds a lot like Bertholdt's. Maybe they can make some sense out of it.

And maybe Ryan just wants to meet the guy he's essentially been skyping with for the past week or so. That could be it too. Plus, this place is kinda nice. The food is okay and they make great smoothies. ]

Comments

[schild]

Me too.

[ Oh Ryan's standing up and sitting back down, this time next to Bertl and what's that-- he's pulling Bertl into a hug. ]

I'm really glad I met you, Bertholdt.

[toobig]

[Physical contact is really, really new to Bertholdt. But this feels right, somehow. He kind of... leans his chin on Ryan's shoulder after a moment, hoping he isn't too sweaty.]

Even with... the odd circumstances. I'm-- happy.

[schild]

Same here.

[ Psh, if Ryan minded sweat he sure picked the wrong guy. But he doesn't, and he didn't, so all he notices is how nice it feels to snuggle up with Bertl, like they could fall asleep like this if they weren't at, y'know, a restaurant. ]

That odd stuff helped bring us together-- so who knows, maybe it's not so bad.

[toobig]

[It's warm and comfortable. Bertholdt doesn't remember feeling like this with anyone before, in thirty long years.]

Like... we said before. We'll-- help each other out, with all of it.

[schild]

Yeah. Together. [ Gosh stop being so cute in public!!! Not allowed!! Too adorable!! Meaning Ryan just noses Bertl's a little, heaving a contented sigh. ]

No matter what happens, as long as it's you and me, we'll figure this out.

[ Ryan just knows it. ]

[toobig]

Right, we will.

I'm... usually so nervous when I'm out in public... but you're... you make me feel better.

[schild]

[ Ryan breaks out into a smile that's just completely ear-to-ear. You'd never guess these two had literally just met today. ]

I'm glad, Bertl. [ And since they're sharing, ] Somehow being with you makes me feel at home. Is that weird?

[toobig]

[It must have been the past life thing. Bertholdt had never felt this way about another soul.]

I don't... I don't think it's weird. I know... other people have, uh, figured out that they know... knew someone before, in their Echoes.

[schild]

Yeah. [ Ryan just knows. Bertholdt is... important. He's always been there for Reiner, now it's Ryan's turn. ]

I hope we can really get to know each other, Bertl. Not just through echoes and stuff-- I wanna know you.

[toobig]

[He looks shy again, looking away and blushing. Scratching the back of his neck, he just sighs a little.]

Really...? But...

I'm not... uh...


Interesting.

[schild]

Then I'll get to know the boring stuff, too. [ Hey guess what here comes some nose snuggles that's right look at these losers. ]

[toobig]

[Oh no, not snuggling. Bertholdt blushes brightly and squeezes Ryan's hand tightly.]

I don't really get uh, why.... but.




It makes me... happy...

[schild]

That's all I need to hear.

[ Will take payments in sports drinks and Bertl joy. ]

[toobig]

[That's no way to make a living.]

[Bertholdt just enjoys the rest of their time together, finishing his coffee and the cheesecake, leaning against Ryan a little and holding his hand.]

[schild]

[ Who needs food when you have a cute boyfriend. ]

[ Ryan does much the same, keeping Bertholdt close even if it's just the two of them sitting in a booth. He's certainly in no hurry to go, but they probably should... nope, too cozy. Don't care. ]

[toobig]

[Bertholdt only pulls away from Ryan when the cafe is closed and the waitress asks them kindly to leave so she can start cleaning. He's sweaty again, and Ryan is too probably after sitting so close for so long, but Bertholdt hopes he doesn't care. He offers him his hand when they stand up, so shy.]

I... had a really good time...

[schild]

Me too. [ Ryan actually smiles a bit shyly, surprised at himself. He's never just... sat next to someone and enjoyed it. They didn't even have to say anything to have a good time. It's such a change, but Ryan finds he likes it. God, he's going to like everything about Bertholdt at this rate. ]

[ Ryan takes the hand, pulling himself up and leading them both out. It almost feels weird to lose Bertl's warmth when they stand up, apart from each other.</small. ] We should do this again sometime.

[toobig]

Y-yeah... I'd like that a lot.

[He blushes still, walking out with him. Everyone can see their joined hands, and it's ...thrilling. He's not scared, when Ryan is beside him.]

I like... being with you... it feels... right.

[schild]

You know, I feel exactly the same way.

[ Now that they're outside Ryan goes in for a proper goodbye kiss... ]

I'll... see you next week? I'll text you.

[toobig]

Y-yeah, we'll--

[He's kissed before he can finish, blushing brightly and squeezing Ryan's hand. It's still so new and strange, he doesn't know how to handle it.]

I-I'll see you...

[schild]

[ Ryan smiles brightly. ]

You sure will. Count on it.

1/2

[toobig]

[Bertholdt smiles too, feeling so at ease and happy and--]

Bye, Reiner.

2/2

[toobig]

[------!!!]

I mean... why... why did I say that name...?

I... i-it's from one of my Echoes, I-I didn't mean... I-I'm so sorry...!

[schild]

[ Now that's weird. Ryan turns around, confused. The name feels... like he's heard it before but... that's all. ]

"Reiner?" Who?

[toobig]

I... I don't know.

[He's so embarrassed. He'd just made a friend, his first boyfriend, and he calls him by the wrong name...!]

[He looks miserable.]

When this all started... that's... that name's the first thing I "remembered" from... before.