TNDG 4 - ENDGAME

[the_macdonald]

[So you're at the Halloween dance, and maybe you're fighting robots or each other, or maybe you were just hanging out and eating pizza? Either way, there's a new door in the building... or maybe one you simply didn't notice before? It opens, and inside there is a well-lit TV stage, upon which there are several freestanding doors with names of all the surviving participants. A monitor in the corner displays the face of Ronald McDonald.]

All right, kids! Game's over! Thanks to all your tomfoolery, our sponsors pulled out, and we can't even afford prizes. Get on out of here, you little shits!

((Here's your endgame post! The doors will drop off each person where they were kidnapped (or will drop someone else where the person whose name is listed was kidnapped). Say goodbye, yell at the hosts, go back and bob for apples?))

Comments

[you_like_ike]

I'm... not entirely clear on what happened down there.

[i_like_ike]

I don't truly understand myself. Everyone seemed to lose their minds all at once.

[you_like_ike]

It was all just talk before I stabbed the console. Then I was hit by something like a Thoron, but more painful, and I suppose I blacked out. I can still feel it in my flesh.

[i_like_ike]

Is that how you ended up like that? It must have had some kind of magical protection on it.

[you_like_ike]

A magic trap? I don't know. I've never seen anything like the contents of that room before.

You protected me, didn't you? That's how you got hurt.

[i_like_ike]

I had little choice. As I said, the others were acting erratically.

[you_like_ike]

[Carefully takes Soren's arm to check his wrapped wound.]

I really don't thank you enough, do I. You're always there for me... even when I'm making mistakes.

[Maybe his face is a little more noticeably red now.]

[i_like_ike]

[His arm doesn't seem to be bleeding anymore, though he's turning a rather pinkish hue himself.]

You don't need to thank me for doing what I already want to do. If I can stay by your side, then I don't care about anything else.

[you_like_ike]

...........

[Let's go of his arm, and sets Ragnell down.]

I'm going to try something. Will you stop me if you think I'm being stupid?

[i_like_ike]

[?]

Of course. I always do.

[you_like_ike]

Well. I understand my feelings a lot better now than I did a few days ago.

And I think I understand your emotions, too, Soren. But you're not very good at handling them. That's why I want to do this for you.

[Carefully brings his hands up to the sides of Soren's face.]

So I... I want to try this. At least this one time...

...

[Angles his face down to kiss him, very softly.]

[i_like_ike]

[There is a small whimper of raw confusion at this sudden manifestation of his deepest recurring fantasy, but his moment of hesitation is a brief one, and he reaches out to grip onto... whatever is left of Ike's... shirt? Red Riding Hood costume?? Surely there is something there to grab hold of.]

[you_like_ike]

[Soren's not pushing him off and calling him stupid, so that's a good sign that Ike didn't misinterpret things. But he nearly withdraws to apologize when he hears the whimper, fearing he did something wrong, and just barely starts to part, until Soren's grip on the tatters of his costume anchor him.]

[So now he smiles a little as he's kissing, and moves his hands down to Soren's shoulders.]

[i_like_ike]

[Soren starts kissing back, slowly and with an intense level of concentration. His hold on that costume only tightens.]

[you_like_ike]

Soren...

[He can barely mumble the name. Actually he can barely even breathe. He's not familiar enough with this to get a pattern of pausing for breath yet. Instead he concentrates on pulling Soren closer, encouraging his responding kiss and just absolutely happy to be doing something that's making Soren happy. He ends up stumbling back a little and bumping his back against a wall, without letting go of Soren.]

[i_like_ike]

[Lets go of Ike's outfit and wrapping arms around Ike's waist instead. He's flushed and for once in his grumpy little life, content.]

Thank you. For trying that.

[you_like_ike]

[Brushes his fingers over Soren's hair, attempting to be soothing while he catches his breath.]

Trying...

[That sounds so temporary... Ike looks off into space over Soren's head as he thinks. Huffs a shallow sigh. Hmmm...]

...

[Bluntly:]

...Can we try being a couple?

[i_like_ike]

[The uncharacteristic look of bewildered excitement crossing Soren's face is not unlike that of a kid who has been surprised with a puppy.]

C-could we? Would you really want to do that with me?

[you_like_ike]

Yes. With you.

I want you by my side as more than just an advisor and friend.

[i_like_ike]

I- I want that too!

[Starting to tear up a little. This is maybe more feelings than he knows how to handle.]

[you_like_ike]

...

[Pulls him closer into a full hug when he notices him start to cry.]

It's okay, Soren. Don't worry. I think this will work out just fine.

[i_like_ike]

Ugh, I'm sorry. I'm doing this all wrong.

[Rubs at his eyes.]

I want to tell you how I feel...

[you_like_ike]

...Please. Tell me. You seem like you've been torturing yourself for a long time.

[i_like_ike]

I... I love you so much that at times it leaves me breathless.

[you_like_ike]

[Withdraws from the hug enough that he can take Soren's hands between his own.]

...You've thought a lot about this. Thank you for opening up with me, Soren.

I'm only starting to understand what I want. I suppose getting a little of my memory back helped me see how much I care about you. Please... always stay by my side.

......I want to keep caring for that boy who had nothing.