[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]

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.

[schild]

[ Aw Bertl it's ok. Reiner Ryan puts his hand on Bertholdt's shoulder, giving him a reassuring squeeze. Hey, if it's an echo thing, he can't help it. Reiner... Reiner... Who was this guy? ]

It's okay. So something about me reminded you of this 'Reiner'?

[toobig]

Right... He... Well, I think he looked just like you.

[And acted just like you too, but Bertholdt doesn't know that yet.]

[schild]

Heh. Maybe past-me was called Reiner?

[ Wouldn't that be funny haw haw ]

[toobig]

I don't know... maybe.

[He tries to smile, but he still looks worried.]

That... that'd make sense... I...

As far as... I can remember I've-- never uh, connected with anyone. You... you're the first. I-- I like you a lot, Ryan, and... and if our Echoes brought us together... then... th-then I can't not feel grateful.

[schild]

[ How can Ryan not smile at that? That kind of sincerity would touch anyone's heart, but hearing it Bertholdt especially... ]

Me too. [ Ryan leans in, pressing his lips against Bertholdt's. ] You're special to me, Bertholdt. I'm glad the network brought us together.

[toobig]

M-me too.

[They're both starting to sound like a broken record, though, and he knows it's time to part ways. He kisses Ryan back, clumsily, and squeezes his hands.]

I-I'll text you... okay?

[schild]

Okay. [ Ryan sighs happily, squeezing Bertl back and pressing one last kiss to his cheek. ]

Text me anytime you want. Even if I'm tied up or I can't answer immediately, I'll definitely text you back.

[toobig]

I-I will.

[Let's try again;]

Bye, Ryan...

[schild]

Bye, Bertholdt.

[ Ryan waves, and starts to walk away, but totally looks back before he's gone because... what a loser. ]