Hansel - @pirateoftheseventimelines
Malachy - @yourstrulymalachy
[Phonecall transcript - (213)-███-████ outgoing to (774)-███-████]
The phone didn't ring for long before Hansel picked up; Unfortunately for Vine, since it left him with no time to mentally prepare or retreat from it all.
He took a shaky deep breath, trying to calm himself as much as he could. He couldn't freak out on the person he'd been flirting with, how embarrassing would that be?
A nervous voice came through, slightly high in nature and with a tremble to it:
"Viney? That you? I mean, I assume it is, unless you leaked my number or something."
Hansel laughed lightly to xerself, the smile practically audible.
"Anyway. Hiya! This is... my voice."
He broke into a chuckle, covering his face.
"..I can, uh- See what Malachy means now. Your voice, I mean."
His heart was drumming in his chest. He hopes it isn't too loud to be audible.
"It's pretty." He muttered, not meant to be picked up by the microphone.
"Aw, really? That's nice to hear coming from you. Your voice is pretty too."
Hansel pauses for a bit on the other end.
"Ah- right! A story. That's why you called, yeah? To help you sleep."
"Right, right. Let me just-"
Sounds of hustling could be heard; Vine walking around, the sheets getting moved, a grunt as he gets in bed.
"Oh, uh- Sorry, I- I was on the couch."
"It's fine, couches can be pretty damn comfortable at times. I think I've fallen asleep on mine more times that I can count."
The sound of Hansel humming to zerself can be heard, trying to pass the time whole searching for something.
"Soooo... are you in the mood for like, me just reading out a book I find, or something real?"
"Hmm..Whichever you prefer, dearest Hansel."
Vine's voice broke slightly at the end, the nervousness seeping through.
"Just- Ya'know, having you speak to me, it's..nice in itself."
"I can just talk to you, yeah. Uh... hmm... what about, what about..."
It sounds like Hansel is also relaxing on the other end.
"Maybe how I met Malachy? You've been talking to it as well, right?"
He nodded, despite not being visible.
"Yeah, I have. They called me interesting, and- I'm deciding to take it as a compliment..!"
"I mean... yeah that's about as good as you'll get from it. Took a few months for them to call me 'nice', and now the kid is sleeping on my couch five days of the week."
"H..Huh? Do they not have a house to go to? Like- Family or something?"
Vine's voice got increasingly, and noticeably, worried.
"I'm... I don't really know. They definitely have some sort of house, I mean they go somewhere when not at my house. It's not... I doubt it's somewhere nice, though. You've probably seen how it talks about its 'King and god' - that's not... it's certainly not a good place."
"I found it in the forest, actually. Just wandering around. Had bruises that were definitely from... people. I assume its family, but I- I never asked. Didn't answer when I did that night, and haven’t tried since."
Vine scoffed, shuffling around on the bed.
"..How people can dare to harm a child is beyond me. I mean, it's not like it can hurt people...Uh- W-Well, if they didn't go through that, I bet it wouldn't have done what it did."
A quiet, frustrated sigh came through.
"At least you brought them in. That's- They can get better, I think. I hope."
"...it's definitely got issues. After it... did that to Avery, they messaged me about how happy the day is, how they did something good, and it... no kid should have that warped of an idea of other people. No one should."
Hansel pauses, taking a drink of what seems to be water.
"I hope I can get it help. Eventually. I- I mean I'm not- their legal guardian. I don't think I can really just... sign them up for therapy. I might start trying to push them towards seeking it out on their own when it's older."
Vine hummed in agreement.
"Do you think they'll do it, though? Therapy, I mean. It doesn't seem very...keen on abandoning it's views. But like, that's from what I've seen of looking through both your blogs and talking to them for that short while, I might be wrong."
"..I really hope it does. Despite what they've done, they've still a kid. It deserves care and love like any other."
"I really don't know. It doesn't really seem to understand that that isn't... healthy. Or if- if they do, they don't care. Still! I've looked after it for two years. Maybe we'll see some change eventually."
"Maybe...Is there no way to like- Adopt them? You've been doing a hell of a lot better than whatever it came from did. And I'm sure they wouldn't be opposed, it's with you so often."
"I'm... I guess it's possible, but that's a pretty long process. Not like I'm registered as a viable adopter already, you know? I don't think I really... thought about it, before. Plus whoever its current actual guardians are would need to consent, and... they strike me as the 'no outsiders' type."
"Wh-..They- They left their kid alone in the forest, is that not enough of a reason to take it away from them?"
Vine paused, seemingly reaching out and grabbing something from far away before turning back to his phone.
"...Malachy could've gotten hurt badly if you didn't find them when you did."
"I'm not sure. I've mentioned calling the cops a few times before, and Malachy just... stares at me for a while when I do. I'm just... I dunno- worried I'll make it worse for them."
"This- this call isn't about me, sorry. You're meant to be getting to sleep, Viney."
"Ah- No, it's alright! I very much rather be speaking to you, anyway. Your voice is..calming. I knew I wouldn't be resting, actually."
Vine appeared to be less nervous now, laughing under his breath.
"What's got you up so late anyway? Sounds like you're used to it."
"Ehh...When I was younger I used to sneak out a lot, especially at night. My body got used to that schedule, so now I'd rather not sleep."
"That's... well, I mean I can't really say that that's unhealthy, I used to do that too. Still, y'know, having a good sleep is... good. Shocking, I know."
Vine is quiet for a few long seconds, then followed them by a few flustered chuckles.
"I- Yyeah, I should- Mm. S-sorry, hold on a bit-"
Sounds of a plastic bottle being clutched and opened were audible.
"...do you prefer cold or warm water? Like- to drink?"
He put down the water bottle again, taking a deep breath.
"Sorry, I- ...Ignore that happened. Ever. It's..embarrassing."
"What, drinking water? Don't see how that's embarrassing, Viney. I too drink liquids meant to hydrate my mortal body, don’tcha know."
Vine groaned, muffled by what seems to be his hands
"I- It wasn't- Ssure, whatever. I'll..say it's from that."
As Hansel is about to say something, younger, slightly feminine sounding voice interrupts zem.
"..Are you talking to your situationship again?"
Hansel's voice sounded further away, clearly now leaning away from its phone.
"I- no, it's just Vine. How do you even know that word? Uh- um... sorry little buddy, did you need something? We outta food or...?"
"I know it’s Vine. That’s why I asked."
Vine let out a gasp and started coughing into his hand, seemingly shocked by what the younger voice had said.
Malachy just stays silent
"Shouldn't you still be sleeping? It's... okay it's not early, but... you know it's not very polite to just- barge into a conversation."
Hansel's voice is light, not really sounding mad. Zey sound more embarrassed than anything else.
"I'm... just... trying to help Vine sleep."
"It’s uhm.. 7 am. It’s not that early. My bad."
"Do... do you want me to make you cereal...?"
"No. Was just curious. Have fun uhm.. Being gay?" And after that it left the room.
Vine stumbled over his words, confused and bashful.
The sound of soft, aggressive punches against mattress was heard, together with a flustered complaining noise coming from him.
"...Viney, are you punching your mattress?"
It's voice was playful, noticable even while ignoring xis general monotone way of speaking.
"What did the big bad mattress do to you, hm?"
"Shut up, Hanselll!! I'm not, it's- tricks of the ffuckin' microphone.."
He whined, covering his face with something soft to muffle his voice.
"Ahhh, is it now? Just tricks of the microphone, my apologies."
Hansel chuckled, evidently not believing in Vine's half-hearted lie.
"Is it also 'just the microphone' that has you sounding so cute?"
"I'm not fffwwh-WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME?"
His voice was clearer, no longer hiding his face.
Vine's breathing picked up and, by the sound of it, he starting fanning himself.
Hansel practically giggles this time, before stifling itself.
"What? I mean... you're just, y'know... cute. Can't deny it, Viney."
"If- if that's, uh, too much, I can tone it down. Been a bit since I've... flirted like this."
Vine couldn't hide the whine in his voice, but spoke nonetheless.
"..Nno, it's- You're okay. I just get- ya'know, flustered easy."
"By all means, continue. ...Please continue."
"Alright, alright. Just wanted to check in, would hate to make you uncomfortable 'nd shit. Uhh... anyway..."
Hansel seemingly pops its lips a few times.
"Is punching your mattress a habit of yours or did you just do that for fun?"
Another shuffle was heard, and then a yawn.
"Uh- I..didn't, dunno what you're talking 'bout."
"Right, yeah... definitely believe you. So you didn't punch your mattress over Malachy coming in? ...I gotta figure out how it even knows what a situationship is..."
"Mmm..mmaybe they heard'cha say it somewhere..."
Vine's voice started getting quieter and weaker.
"Oh yeah, could've. I mean I don't think I've ever told them about it, but lots of conversations can happen over two years I guess."
"You finally feeling sleepy, Viney?"
"Whuh..? Nno, I'm- Not sleepy at all."
"...are you sure? Are those yawns of being very awake?"
Vine's voice got slightly louder, forcing himself to not fall asleep.
"Don't go..not yet. Stayyy..on call with me..."
"I'll stay on call. I don't mind. But you really should sleep - you sound tired."
"Fiine..mm. Your fault 'm so sleepy... You have such'a pretty voice, Hansel.."
"Guilty as charged, then. For the crime of getting sweet Viney all sleepy. Lock me up and take me away officers, I suppose."
Vine chuckled, although almost inaudibly.
"Mmheh.. Sweet Viney...? Feel alll warm 'nside now..Llluhv.."
His words slurred together, ending in a soft breath.
Hansel's voice was quiet, waiting to see if Vine would string up another sentence or if sleep had finally overtaken him.
The following sounds coming from his side of the call were gentle, peaceful breaths.
[Phonecall disconnects after one hour]
