[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

[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. ]