003M action;

[toobig]

[For once, Bertholdt is outside of his apartment. This is a very strange thing, considering he's always closed up inside away from everyone. Despite his shyness, even shut ins have to get groceries and Bertholdt had decided to take his work with him, stopping to sit in the park before he heads home. It's not too hot out, which means he won't overheat, around five o'clock in the evening. It's getting a little cooler out generally now anyway.]

[He can be seen sitting on a bench in the park with a thick manuscript in his hands, checking through each page slowly. After a while he'll pause in his work to light a cigarette and relax back against the bench. For anyone who's only known Bertholdt over the Network, it might be alarming to find out that he's 6'5". While he's sitting down, it's apparent that he's really tall regardless.]

[He's not a big talker, but maybe he'll appreciate some company?]

Comments

[toobig]

A big burst of it?

[Maybe he had done that too, at some point...]

[schild]

Kind of. It was everywhere-- It kinda sprang out from all my injuries. It was pretty awesome.

[ It sounds cooler when you talk bout it with friends!! ]

[toobig]

That... sounds pretty cool, actually.

[He's honest! Squeezing his hand again.]

Being invincible like that... it's amazing.

[schild]

Right? That's how I felt... invincible.

[ Ah yes, much better to focus on that than the mean ol' monster that squeezed him to a mushy paste. Ryan squeezes back, smiling a bit. The weight on his shoulders has obviously lightened up. ]

I guess I know what I have to look forward to, huh? I doubt I could heal that quick now, but maybe someday...

[toobig]

Yeah... I mean, god forbid something like that actually happen.

[He takes a small drag off his cigarette, knocking a knuckle against the wood of the bench out of habit, sighing out smoke.]

But the idea that you'd be okay... well, it makes it a little better.

[schild]

Yeah, at least I hope so. Wouldn't wanna abandon you.

[ Ryan bumps his shoulders against Bertl's, laughing a bit. He's gonna scold youu. ]

You smoke? [ NOT GONNA LIE, IT'S ATTRACTIVE AS HELL. ]

[toobig]

[Oh wow he's blushing. Ryan didn't want to leave him...? That's... well, it's kind of really gay.]

Just stay safe, okay?

[And then-- Does he tease him, or just ...]

Obviously not.

[schild]

I will.

[ Ryan really means it. And well, maybe he likes that sass of his too. ]

I had no clue! You didn't when we went to lunch... so I guess it's not much?

[ How do you say "I don't want you to get lung cancer" without saying... that. ]

[toobig]

[He better like his sass, he's only going to be getting Bertholdt out of his shell more and more after all.]

[Bertholdt flicks his ashes.]

Mostly when I'm working. I-- get stressed a lot, so... it helps.

[He smoked like ten cigarettes on the way home after that Echo are you kidding.]

[schild]

Ohhh, I see.

[ Man, how do you say it?? Ryan loves seeing Bertholdt be more outward, and he really does seem to be stammering less... ]

Worth the risk?

[ Now you get two salads, Bertl. And no dessert. ]

[toobig]

[But he wanted dessert...!]

What...?

[Oh. He lets out a little sigh.]

I don't smoke that much... it's-- uh, just... I-I feel less nervous and...

[schild]

Okay, okay. [ Aw he made Bertl upset that's not what he wanted... ]

Sorry. I guess there's no not-rude way of saying that, huh? If it calms you down, that at least makes sense...

[ He sighs AGAIN. ]

I don't mean to come off as a dick, cigarettes just remind me of work.

[ How many fires do you wanna bet started with poor cigarette disposal? ]

[toobig]

Oh... I guess I didn't think about that.

[He's very responsible about it!]

I'm sorry.

[He's basically finished with it anyway, so he leans down to snuff out the butt against the concrete walking path, and puts it into his foil pack to throw away later.]

I'm just... used to people having no reason beyond... uh, walking really close so they can hack like one breath of smoke is going to kill them. Or telling me off for, uh, "compromising" their allergies when I, uh, only smoke outside by myself.

[schild]

As long as you're reasonable about it.

[ It's nice of him to try and go outside, where he won't bother people, at least. Better than people who feel the need to smoke right out on the sidewalk... or next to things that are flammable... ]

I mean, you're an adult-- I'm not gonna tell you it's bad for your health. Sounds like people are usually dicks to you, I'm sorry about that.

[toobig]

[He shrugs.]

People are usually dicks to me no matter what. I'm used to it.

[schild]

What, really?

[ But why? Ryan's just gonna go ahead and wrap his arm Bertholdt's shoulders. It might not help, but it's all he can do. ]

They're obviously missing out.

[toobig]

[He'll let him. He's not much taller than Reiner sitting down, his height is in his legs for the most part. He'll just... kind of lean into his embrace though, sighing softly.]

I don't mind it.

[Being alone was something he was used to. He didn't push others away, he'd just... stopped trying to be friendly in elementary school, when he'd been picked on for being so tall. And it had continued until he'd met Ryan, generally. Really, being this close to... anyone was what was strange to Bertholdt.]

[schild]

Still.

[ Here comes a half-hug for you because... what else do you do when you find out your new/past-life friend was really... lonely? ]

I wouldn't do that to you, Bertl.

[toobig]

[Bertholdt shifts a little, resting his chin on Ryan's shoulder.]

I know, Reiner.

[Like the first time, Bertholdt hadn't even realized using the other name for his friend. It felt so natural, more natural than calling him Ryan...]

[schild]

[ Ryan huffs a sigh, tucking Bertholdt close. He doesn't mind the other name so much. It's not him, but it must have been, once. ]

Reiner, huh...

[ Not that it matters that much to him. He'll always have Bertl, whether he's Ryan or Reiner or what. ]

[toobig]

[Oh, he did it again. It's... a little embarrassing, and probably pretty rude to the blond.]

I'm sorry... It's like-- I must remember you, deep down, and you're you, but the... the name is different. It's-- rude of me.

[Nothing like shouting the wrong name during sex, Bertholdt.]

[schild]

It's okay. You can't help what you feel.

[ Though Ryan's starting to feel like he's gonna have to compete with this "Reiner" guy for Bertholdt's affections... ]

Destiny and all that, right?

[toobig]

No I'm-- really sorry.

[He reaches to squeeze his hand, lacing their fingers together. Reiner had asked him out-- that was okay, right?]

[schild]

It's not your fault. It's okay.

[ Ryan smiles, reassuring Bertholdt that he's not offended. Maybe just jealous. But Bertl doesn't need to know either of these things. Just holding his hand and hugging in the part is cute enough for now. ]

Reiner would've still been me, right?

[toobig]

[He's with Ryan now anyway, he doesn't even know if they were the same... Sharing a past/future didn't necessarily mean they had the same personality after all. Right? Bertholdt just leans into him.]

Essentially, I guess.