As much as they've heard Lasko try and say that he wasn't a social butterfly, he is the textbook definition of the term when he's with his friends. Obviously, they were used to hearing him try and cram in as many words as possible in a single breath, but damn, when he's talking to some of them... They're surprised he's still upright with how lightheaded he can look after he finally takes a breath.
They knew they should say at least something, but they never had anything to input. It seemed like the conversation always started right back towards experiences they were never a part of or topics they had no idea about.
That familiar ache in their chest stirred up, their jaw setting tight.
They're my friends too...
They kept toying with the straw to their drink, the cup matching the ones around the living room of the apartment. Huxley and Damien took the tab for the delivery order this time, despite it being them and Lasko "hosting" the hangout session.
Words were said but they weren't fully paying attention to any of it. If it didn't involve them, why bother, right?
They watched as the curtains fluffed around from the AC kicking on, their eyes tracking the fluttering movements, their focus on the hum of the vents.
Up until an elbow jabbed their side, their hands close to fumbling their drink, "Hm? What?"
That ache came back when the others, looked at them with an expression they were all too familiar with when they were younger. Not quite judgement but something was there. All except Lasko thankfully, though he looked concerned... That seemed to hurt even more.
"I asked what class you were gonna do," Damien repeated, or they supposed it was a repeat based on the way he said it.
"Oh—" Right. The campaign they were all going to do... They kind of forgot that was the point of this group thing. "Um... I... haven't gotten that far yet..."
Don't do it, don't do it, keep strong...
Much to their relief, Gavin chimed in, "I haven't either. I do like the thought of being a sorcerer but someone..." The incubus gave his partner a playful look, "keeps telling me that I give, and I quote, more "bard vibes"..."
"Well, am I wrong?" Freelancer tittered with a wag of their head. "You'd try and charm any and every NPC, just like most any bard character!"
The conversation took off in that direction, saving them from any more embarrassment.
They just didn't belong, did they...
They bit their tongue hard to keep themself from saying something stupid. From saying anything, honestly.
You're just going to be judged...
When their drink was empty, they snuck around as the others talked about everything and anything to discard the empty cup. They were able to slip away unnoticed...
Or they thought they were unnoticed.
Lasko picked up on it all.
The fidgeting, the blank staring off, wanting to add into the conversation then giving up again...
He's been there, he understood it.
But to see his partner experience that in a group that he thought they'd be safe with...
His own chest ached at the thought.
Damien and Gavin were arguing over which skill set was the best, all while Huxley and Freelancer were trying to calm the waters between the demon and fire elemental; Lasko caught movement in the corner of his eye to look over and see his partner getting up to the kitchen... Then never returning.
His eyes narrowed for a second.
He kept watch but minutes passed. They never came back. They had to be somewhere, right?
"Okay, then which one do you think is best then?"
The words took a second to register that it was towards him, spoken by the two that were arguing at the same time.
The air elemental turned back, "Hm? Oh, sorry... um—" He shook his head to dismiss the clear question, "I'll be right back— sorry."
The two hardly even questioned it... And went right back to it.
Lasko got up, having to dodge between furniture and a few of them sitting on the floor to get around.
He first checked the kitchen, but they weren't in there. It did lead back around towards the hall, so it didn't take a genius to assume that's where they ducked through to make their escape... Of sorts, at least.
Checking a few rooms on his way, he wasn't able to find them until he saw the glimpse of the back of them around the end of the bed.
They weren't doing much, just had their headphones on watching random videos, scrolling through every so often.
Careful to not startle them, he got up on the bed to lay on his stomach and get their attention. They did jump a little bit, looking up to see him giving them a gentle smile.
"I was wondering where you went off to... You okay? Why are you hiding out in here...?"
They shrugged, taking off their headphones and setting everything to the side. "I... didn't have much to contribute to the conversation, so I figured it'd be easier this way."
Contribute to the...? Oh.
He slid off to sit next to them. He was about to ask why they didn't say anything, but he knew it was because they couldn't really. The topics always ended up being out of their forte...
It connected, and he didn't like how it felt.
He ended up making them feel isolated...
"Dear..." He frowned as he pulled them into his arms, "I... am so sorry— I don't— I didn't mean to make you feel like an outsider... I should've known— I should've said something..."
"It is! At least... Mostly! I started the whole... D&D talk, invited everyone over, everything! I could have done anything to make you feel more... I dunno, feel like you belong— because you do belong..." He cupped his palm against their cheek to gently turn their head. "You belong here. With me, and with everyone else... You're my partner... I care so, so much about you... I feel awful just thinking that you feel like you're not welcome with them—"
His words cut off when their arms hugged around him, their head buried against him.
His breath stuttered as he held them, his chin resting against the top of their head. "Baby... I am so sorry... Is... Is there anything I can do?"
They held tighter, "Can we just... stay in here for a bit...?"
His heart ached. "Of course... Of course we can..."
As they held onto him, his hands softly rubbed over their back. He knew the others were probably wondering where the two were... That wasn't his priority at the moment.
But as time went on, he heard one... No, two sets of footsteps nearing the room. He glanced up to see Gavin and Freelancer standing there, Huxley and Damien right behind the two.
He didn't say anything, but Lasko gave the group a silent gesture that they wanted to stay here.
Instead of saying anything as well, the others chose to get up on the bed. And, instead of continuing the conversation from before, Damien started asking questions to spur Dear into talking. Asking about their likes, things of that nature.
As the water elemental emerged from their hiding spot, Lasko helped them up to join the others.
"How about..." Lasko got up for a moment, went to find something, then came back, holding a card box in his hands. "How about we move back in there— because no offense but it's getting kind of cramped in here—" He held the box up, "And play this instead?"
"Lasko, dude," Damien gave a look as soon as he read the label, "do you want me to set everything on fire? Uno No Mercy?? Really??"
"For whom, Lasko," Gavin leaned in, "because I'd rather keep this friendship alive and well, if I'm being completely honest here."
"Nah, I'm tempted," the incubus whipped his head around when his partner spoke up. Freelancer had a smirk on their lips, "Let's see how this goes."
Huxley propped against his boyfriend, "I'll snuff out any flames, don't worry about that."
As the group moved back to the living room and cleaned up enough, as well as finding spots spaced out enough to not see one another's cards, they all got situated.
Lasko noticed how brighter his partner seemed. He didn't ask it verbally, but when he caught a glimpse of Gavin and got an approving nod, he knew that they were feeling so much better...
That is, until they got hit by a plus ten from Damien.
But that'd get anyone to fling a little bit of water at a friend, right?
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