[Description: a looping bouncy animation of grace and Rocky from project hail mary. Grace throws himself onto rocky for a hug, smiling and nuzzling his face to the top of Rocky's xenonite covered carapace. Rocky brings a claw up to ruffle Grace's hair and grace throws himself even more on top of rocky, rocky wrapping his arms around grace. End description.]
Summary: Andrew helps Chris get used to the world again, and Chris helps Andrew take care of himself in their shared body
Chapter 1
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It had been a few weeks since the pair had become one. Adjusting to their new situation had been a slight challenge, yet they were happy together regardless of any disagreements they had. The two understood the fundamental truth that they would have to be willing to communicate clearly with each other at all times.
This was easier said than done. But then again, that’s how relationships tend to work, isn’t it? Despite how perfectly synchronized they’d become, they still had and would continue to have problems that must be addressed and fixed as best as the two realistically could.
One of their first arguments after “becoming whole”, as Chris enjoyed phrasing it (mostly to fluster Andrew), had been nothing more than a bump in their relationship:
After Andrew had gotten a new PC, he’d struggled with setting it up properly. He wanted it as secure as possible, but when Chris tried to help, he’d gotten irritable with him.
—
“Chris, I’ve got this.”
“If you say so,” Chris sighed sarcastically, resigning himself to the role of an observer. They’d both remained silent for a short while, until Andrew spoke up.
“Oh, come on,” he chuckled with the slightest hint of bitterness to his tone, “the silent treatment? Really? After everything I went through to save you?”
“Andrew,” Chris began, pausing to carefully think out his response. Unfortunately, before he could speak it, Andrew spoke again. Chris could feel their heart ache and emotion rise from a chest and up through a throat and eyes that were never meant to be shared by two people.
“Do you have any clue how much god damn stress I was under that whole time?! You could hardly speak to me! I missed speaking to you, and-and now that- now that we finally can, and I mean properly can, you go quiet on me?! I-”
Andrew tried to continue his ranting, but tears began to spill from his eyes. And then, they began to pour out, soaking his clothes as Chris raised his right arm warily to wipe away as many of the other’s tears as he could before placing his hand gently over Andrew’s racing heart. Chris always seemed to know just how to be there for him… it was selfish of him to think of things only from his own perspective.
“I’m sorry,” Andrew choked out, “I’m so sorry. Fuck, this is selfish of me. Chris, I’m sorry, I- I didn’t mean to… hurt you. I never wanted to-”
With a tired voice as soft as a warm hug, Chris spoke; “I understand. Honestly, I do. I mean every syllable of that. Just… please relax, and then we can talk about this, okay?”
“Okay, you’re right, I-” Andrew sniffled and shivered as he began breathing slowly again.
“You’re doing good, keep it up.”
Minutes later, when Chris felt Andrew’s heartbeat slow to a normal pace again, he moved his hand to hold Andrew’s firmly. “I’m right here. You won’t lose me again, okay?”
“You’re an angel, you know?” Andrew chuckled as he yawned. He felt his heartbeat skip a beat or two and his face grow hot. ‘Hm… Chris liked being called that…”
“Stop that,” Chris muttered as he squeezed his hand tighter, heat noticeable under the skin of his palm, “you know that I’m in your brain, right? I know what you’re thinking.”
He wasn’t sure if it had been the lack of proper sleep that was causing him to feel tired or something else, and he honestly didn’t care to know. Instead, he had two options right now: finish the task they started or flirt.
“Right, okay, got it. Sorry again, for-”
“Don’t be. I’ve missed you just as much. I honestly tried my hardest to reach you during my time stuck in your old computer.”
‘The whole time…? Damn, I might just be stupid’, Andrew thought solemnly. He couldn’t help but feel guilty over that fact, and the fact that he’s only now thought of it this much.
Chris paused to scoff at the thought that Andrew was sure he had just heard him think, but didn’t comment on it. “It’s my fault for not trying harder… but I do not think there was much more I could have done, realistically. So… I’m sorry for that, and I wish I could have done more.”
There was a comforting silence between them, interrupted by an error sound from the computer. Andrew’s gaze instantly locked onto the screen, as Chris mumbled the words on the screen: “Error: could not install Minecraft.”
“Damnit… our world!” Andrew growled, followed immediately by a yawn.
“Well, maybe that’s for the best.”
“Yeah, maybe you’re right…” Andrew sighed, “I’m tired. Bed?”
“It’s only,” Chris glanced at the time shown in the bottom corner of the screen, “4 pm, though. Maybe we should get dinner first?”
Andrew pouted, “okay, fine, dinner first. Would you…” the words got caught in his throat, and Chris seemed to notice how he struggled to finish his sentence. He could guess what the next words would be, of course, given how Andrew was acting like a teenager with a crush about it… but where’s the fun in that?
“Would I… what?” Chris teased, audibly smirking from some corner of Andrew’s mind as his hand began to move the computer mouse around and tap a few keys. He’d pulled up a notepad that read “tomorrow’s plans: reply to your sister’s texts, Andrew.”
“Ah! Shit, I completely forgot, I’ll text her back now. Thanks.”
Chris hummed in disapproval, causing Andrew to freeze in place as he reached for his phone, “you’re welcome, but you haven’t answered my question. Don’t get distracted just yet.”
‘This fucking guy wants me dead, huh?’ Andrew thought, earning him a barely concealed laugh. “Fine, smartass, would you want to get dinner out?”
“Are you willing to shower first?”
Andrew shivered at the thought of water touching him ever again, and Chris seemed to notice this. “Hm… no, then? That’s alright, we’re both still recovering from…”
The words were left unspoken, though they both understood what he meant. “Yeah… look, I’m just happy to have you back, honestly. No need to go out to celebrate it or anything, yeah?”
“You’re sounding a little desperate,” Chris cooed, “this is your body, I’m just a passenger. You choose: get clean and go out or stay in and just relax together?”
“That is definitely a question…” Andrew muttered, furrowing his eyebrows as he thought about his answer. “What do you think?”
“If I’m honest…” Chris began nervously, “I know how your body will react to contact with water in this state, having been there myself, but… it might be worth a shot. I also would like to see the outside world again… but, I can wait for your sake.”
“Well, now we’re just talking in circles. I’ll shower, just… uh… you know you’ll have to-” Andrew began as he stood up from his desk chair, Chris promptly moving his half to match Andrew (just as they’d practiced).
“Yeah, I know,” Chris stated, “if we’re sharing a body, we’ll have to get comfortable with this eventually.”
“Alright, just checking that you consent to… showering together… literally.” The scraggly man chuckled, “y’know, there really isn’t a better way to describe it.”
“Hah,” Chris laughed nervously, “well… yeah.”
As they walked to Andrew’s bathroom, Chris yawned as he spoke. “Also, about something you said—or rather, thought—earlier. I don’t think you’re dumb. I think you're brave, loyal, smart in your own way, and most importantly, yourself. I wouldn't want you to be anyone else."
hey was anyone gonna tell me we've known andrews canonical last name for years or was i just supposed to find that out from the youtube comments section of old minecraft world showcase part 5 myself
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