The Tiny Wallflower

#whoop there it is #finally #Maybelle #Maybelle Walters #art

Distortion OCT - The Rambunctious Scientist by MiyakuBubbles

#for the day crowd

Distortion OCT - The Rambunctious Scientist by MiyakuBubbles

She threw up her arms. "Okay that is it." Maybelle managed to grab Rick's collar before he could manage to slip away. With an easy hoist over her shoulder, she proceeded to carry him out if the situation he got himself in. "Until you cool your little curly q's down, you're gonna be right here next to me, hun."

Wild-eyed, face red, and nostrils flared, Rick could only swear vehemently as the stocky woman carried him off. It didn’t help his (false sense of) pride any, nor did it do any good for his public image, but he didn’t care. He was going to yell and squirm until his arms failed and his lungs gave out… or he ate dirt from face-planting over Maybelle’s back.

A very real possibility, considering how he’d gone all knees and elbows on her in his bid to escape….

Rick blushed furiously, opening and closing his mouth at a loss for words. Finally, he gave up and rose to his feet, rubbing his face in his hands. He listened to Maybelle speak, but offered nothing but the occasional grunt of acknowledgement. He was too busy having an intense internal freak-out session.

Shit. Shit, shit, shit…. I guess I did go home with her. We didn’t do anything, but it’s not like anyone else knows that. What are people saying around town?

Oh… Ahiru.

What would people say about her, just for having invited him to stay the night?

How does anyone even know, anyway? It was crazy late by the time we made it out that way. Who saw?!

He groaned again, wishing he had his scarf to hide in. Of all the days not to wear it…

Why?

Even as his mind was a whirl, Rick’s curiosity suspicion saw him asking, “So what do you tinker with now?”

#oh Rick bby #Rick Redcliff #Maybelle #rp #distortionrick

Maybelle shrugged. "Eh, this and that. Field generators, trying to make food replicators from these silly microwave things and stoves, things like that. But I mostly work with formulas and chemistry. I got this one I have been working on since I got here, the equation on how to try to reverse all that has happened so far, but it is a near impossible one to uncover, I hate to admit."

As she continued to explain to him about some of what she was working on, she failed to notice the obvious internal tension Rick was going through. Truth be told, she knew it was getting late when she first met him and automatically assumed they went home together. Or at least, that was what she wanted to think. It made sense to her based on their obvious closeness. He probably didn't have much to worry about, sadly.

A strange sound wrenched her attention from the doilies and Amelie stiffened, ears swiveling to determine its source. It sounded somewhat like the swish of fabric, or perhaps long hair.

She relaxed, but only slightly. Quiet as she could, Amelie draped the majority of her length along the couch, both acting as pillow and blanket to Rick and hiding him from view. True, it was likely that she was overreacting - the sound was probably one of the people of this house - but it rarely hurt to be careful. Hidden within the leaves on her tail, she readied a Leech Seed. Just in case.

Prepared, Amelie lay her head on the arm of the couch and feigned sleep.

Now to wait.

#Rosemary the jynx #Amelie the serperior #rp #distortionrick #thetinywallflower

She entered the living room, eyes scanning the room for anything out of the ordinary and almost immediately falling on Amelie. She seemed to be asleep but Rose wasn't too sure. Her expression relaxed somewhat as she scanned over the room again for any other movement. If she heard it correctly, it probably had been this serperior that made the noise she heard. She was the only new addition to the room she could see-and quite a large one at that.

She glided over to one of the arm chairs and sat down. Rosemary figured if this new company was not really asleep, she would find out soon enough, and if she was, then it didn't matter. She let out a heavy sigh and her demeanor began to change around her facial features. For the first time in perhaps a long time, Rosemary looked tired.

She threw up her arms. "Okay that is it." Maybelle managed to grab Rick's collar before he could manage to slip away. With an easy hoist over her shoulder, she proceeded to carry him out if the situation he got himself in. "Until you cool your little curly q's down, you're gonna be right here next to me, hun."

Wild-eyed, face red, and nostrils flared, Rick could only swear vehemently as the stocky woman carried him off. It didn’t help his (false sense of) pride any, nor did it do any good for his public image, but he didn’t care. He was going to yell and squirm until his arms failed and his lungs gave out… or he ate dirt from face-planting over Maybelle’s back.

A very real possibility, considering how he’d gone all knees and elbows on her in his bid to escape….

"Rick."

He curled into a seated position, eyeing her hand a moment or three. Finally he took it, rolling his eyes as he did. She was weird, but she’d offered food and she was being polite for now…

Things could only go up from here, right?

"…. Wait, you were that scientist with the weird button-thing!"

He withdrew his hand and scrambled back a few feet, tripping over the same root as before.

He groaned.

Was this some kind of punishment?

#Maybelle #Rick #rp #distortionrick #Rick Redcliff

Maybelle snorted down another laugh and nodded to affirm his statement.

"And you were shielding your little girlfriend from my sight. Don't know why though. I've seen her around town and she is a doll. I gotta say that the whole sight was adorable from my perspective, seeing you defend her so strongly."

"And really, you are trying to run from me again? In my defense, it wasn't my fault. I told you not to touch it. I wasn't going to test it until later but I couldn't get it to turn back off. Besides, it couldn't have been that bad. You went home with her didn't you?"

She sighed and folded her arms as she looked him over again.

"I had to put it on hold anyway. I lost the button after you left. I think it got warped away or something. So, you won't have to worry about that. I don't always tinker with that type of thing anyway. It was only something to do when I was bored, like a sudoku puzzle, but more involved."

She threw up her arms. "Okay that is it." Maybelle managed to grab Rick's collar before he could manage to slip away. With an easy hoist over her shoulder, she proceeded to carry him out if the situation he got himself in. "Until you cool your little curly q's down, you're gonna be right here next to me, hun."

Wild-eyed, face red, and nostrils flared, Rick could only swear vehemently as the stocky woman carried him off. It didn’t help his (false sense of) pride any, nor did it do any good for his public image, but he didn’t care. He was going to yell and squirm until his arms failed and his lungs gave out… or he ate dirt from face-planting over Maybelle’s back.

A very real possibility, considering how he’d gone all knees and elbows on her in his bid to escape….

Speechless and face bright red, Rick tripped on a root. He caught himself before he took a tumble, but his shirt caught on one of the thornier shrubs he walked by. This whole situation was becoming more and more ridiculous and, as he fumbled with the thorns, Rick squeaked with indignation.

Was she serious?

His attempts to free himself became more frantic as Maybelle rambled, and in his haste he eventually tore the fabric.

"Fuck!" he barked, throwing his hands in the air. "Damnit, just damn it all! Fuck everything. I’m DONE."

He stomped off in another random direction, crunching twigs underfoot.

"I don’t care a lick about what your gramma says, or—or— FUCK. I DON’T CARE ABOUT YOUR SEX LIFE!"

Something got jammed into the ridge where the wheels were stored in the sole of his skates and he couldn’t catch himself this time. He fell hard and scraped his face and torso up, down, and sideways, but he went silent.

Finally he rolled over, staring up at the foliage above.

"Really, I should be more angry right now… or embarrassed or something," he mumbled. "You really are something."

This crazy lady had done it. He’d gone full-circle and she could indisputably say she was the cause.

Woman deserved an award!

#poor Rick #he couldn't resist her could he #Rick Redcliff #he will be science's pawn yes #Maybelle #rp

A successful experiment! She clapped her hands with much joy, nevermind the fact he fell face first because of it. One of the constant casualties of science.

He didn't even seem too upset by his new companion. Though, she had to admit, seeing him so red and flustered over her casual mention of sex amused her, she much preferred that he was calm and perhaps even friendly with her.

Though, passive was fine too.

"Now, shall we do this?"

Maybelle held her hand out to him, grinning as wide as wide could be. "The name is Maybelle by the way. Nice to meet ya!"

Aware that Rick had stopped speaking, Amelie released herself from her pokeball and found him asleep on a stranger's couch. Her face softened and she smoothed back his hair to nuzzle his forehead before getting her bearings.... A beautiful room with elegant furnishings much unlike the homely things where she currently stayed. Probably not as comfortable, either... They reminded her of her childhood home, with the lace on the table and knick-knacks on full display to spur admiring conversation...

It was quite late, and though she did give Ahiru a chaste warning about staying out so late in such dangerous conditions, Rosemary admitted that she probably was safer than the jynx would admit with the company she brought. The poor boy barely could stand to stay awake long enough, they found, and Ahiru hadn't been much better. So, with a soft kiss on her cheek, Rose sent Ahiru off to bed.

By now, she closed the door to her charge's bedroom and let herself breathe a moment and calm her heart down. She had been more worried than she let on, and seeing little Rue safe and sound made it all the better.

As she descended down the stairs, Rosemary heard of soft thump downstairs, as if something heavy had suddenly fallen on the floor. Her lips pulled slightly tight as she approached where Rick slept. If it were those mightyena that seemed to curse their good doctor so much, they were going to wish that they had stayed at his house rather than hers.

#distortionrick #thetinywallflower #Rosemary the jynx #Amelie the serperior #rp

"Ahiru! I...h-happy valen-whatever-ines day!" <333

Ahiru bit her lip as she heard the familiar voice behind her. She knew she should not have let Rosemary leave before getting snacks but she worked so hard to make today nice for her, she let Rose off for the rest of the evening. Unfortunately for her, she ran out of snacks for her movie marathon and decided to get some more. She just left the Mart when Akuley’s voice rang in her ears.

She took a deep breath, begging internally that he didn’t come bearing gifts, put on a smile, then turned around.

"H-Hello Akuley! Thank you. Um….h-how is your head feeling?" she smiled, keeping her bags close to her body.

distortionakuley

He noticed Ahiru didn’t sound all too sure of herself when she left for the kitchen. He really hoped she had donuts, or really just some of the modern pastries. Knowing himself, he’d try anything and considering his overall enjoyment of food, he’d like it either way. Food was awesome. Eating was awesome.

Though, he knew as common knowledge that if welcomed into someone’s home and offered food, you had to be courteous and grateful for it. Yet, as she left, he felt like he wanted to clear up he wasn’t imposing that she had to feed him.

After some consideration, he felt like calling out, just in case. “Um, if you don’t have any, i-it’s fine, you know!” He waited for her answer, though he wasn’t sure if she heard him. Silence crept in and he noticed he was left alone again. In the house. With the television. Oh my gods…

He kept a cautious eye on the tv and hoped Ahiru would come back soon. Somehow, he felt safe when she was around.

#I have the canon that Ahiru is totes watching the Toy Story trilogy with him if he will get past the whole #technology is the devil thing #lemme see him cry over fictional talking toys #muhaha #Akuley #distortionakuley #Ahiru Wakahisa #thetinywallflower #rp

Still biting her lip and doing everything but chewing her nails and pulling at her hair, Ahiru managed to finish making their refreshments without having to take a moment to keep herself from becoming sick. She still had the hints of concern as she began to push along a couple of small roll-around carts that she happened to come across and filled up with everything she had to give him.

She stepped towards the den room first, smiling at him nervously. "Um, ah, s-sorry for the wait!"

She stepped back out, but came back in with the carts in tow. This time, she did her best to put on a big, courteous smile for him. Hopefully, he wouldn't notice the lack of donuts until later.

"Please, eat as much as you'd like, Akuley. There is more left in the kitchen."

She left the carts alone for him to take what he wanted first; she would just wait until he was finished and have whatever was left. Instead, Ahiru began to clean up around the den so it would be easier to have their spread at comfortably. She also picked up the remote and casually set it to the main menu so that the movie would play from the beginning when they were ready to start it again.

She threw up her arms. "Okay that is it." Maybelle managed to grab Rick's collar before he could manage to slip away. With an easy hoist over her shoulder, she proceeded to carry him out if the situation he got himself in. "Until you cool your little curly q's down, you're gonna be right here next to me, hun."

Wild-eyed, face red, and nostrils flared, Rick could only swear vehemently as the stocky woman carried him off. It didn’t help his (false sense of) pride any, nor did it do any good for his public image, but he didn’t care. He was going to yell and squirm until his arms failed and his lungs gave out… or he ate dirt from face-planting over Maybelle’s back.

A very real possibility, considering how he’d gone all knees and elbows on her in his bid to escape….

Cake? Rick halted a moment, letting Maybelle’s list wash over him. Ohhh the sweets. So many sweets…….

NO. No. No sweets. Not with her. Especially not after that comment. Rick continued on, taking a round-about path through the bushes. He wasn’t headed back to Ming Yue’s, not yet, but he wanted to head somewhere…. Or at least feel like he was headed somewhere. "I don’t need t’ put meat on my bones," he insisted, head held high even though his cheeks were pink. "And even if I did, I’d need actual meat and not sweets…" he mumbled.

#I love them being together #hehehe #Rick Redcliff #Maybelle #rp

Maybelle's grin grew as he held his ground.

"Challenge accepted," she whispered to herself.

She laughed heartily as they walked, not minding the bushes much at all. Sure, she was going to get a lot of fussing from Mango from getting scratches on her skin, but that was nothing unusual.

"Hey, you weren't the one carrying yourself on your shoulders. Maybe I wouldn't have been able to embarrass you so easily if I wasn't able to carry you single-handedly. So look, I'm willing to help you out. I got plenty of other recipes my gramma taught me besides sweets. Besides, I thought guys like free food. Gramma used to joke that a girl can as crazy as she wants, but if she can cook and gives him excellent sex, he'll bear it all. But I am only giving you one of 'em because even if I wanted to have sex, I would rather not feel like the guy'll suffocate if we get experimental. And that's not an intentional jab at your size or anything, it's just I would feel more assured as a woman with a pleasantly plump set of proportions."

She paused and took a look at her chest.

"Well, mostly pleasantly plump."

It was kind of refreshing to not have someone press on about the circumstances of the arrest- not exactly his proudest moment. It brought a smile to his face.

"Damn- 33rd century. Got warped close to the end of the millennium- so its probably into the 34th now. Lumiose and the surrounding cities and regions are mostly one massive, sprawling metropolis. Not a lot of room for nature. You just lived with it, it was normal. I just about fainted I think when I saw all the trees around here." He stared off into space as he thought about it, leaning against the shelves beside them, “Not that it’s not impressive back there- It’s just not anything like this. From what i hear the governments just as shady as ever and the poor are as poor as they’ve always been- the rich just got richer.” Devvan looked back t her with a small grin, “I wouldn’t recommend visiting. But about your wondering the ‘why’, there were rumors of further research into instant and completely safe teleport an travel over immeasurable distances. It was never a really fine tuned science but I know they were tampering with it. My Father worked on the team that was developing the technology.”

#sorry about such a late reply #I dunno what is wrong with me I am usually better than this OTL #Devvan #awaywardbandito #rp #Maybelle

Maybelle's eyes lt up as he described the conditions of his world. "Oh!! Did you experience any adverse affects to the increase of trees? I would think that there is more purified oxygen compared to your time with there being more trees here. And how incorporated is technology in your time? Has it gotten to a point where it resulted in biotech on humans or Pokemon, or are they outlawed in your time?"

She paused long enough to replay what he said about teleportation technology in her mind and found herself staring at him harder than ever. "Odd, my timeline has been doing the same thing. Well, at least trying to. As with a lot of things, it's a debated topic. But I am not sure how humans tampering with time and space and spacial relations would amount to all of this. There are literally too many variables to factor in. I still hadn't found an equation that subverts the possibility of people not rematerializing within a wall or something and dying, but then again, I hadn't really delved deep into that sort of thing. Because, you know, if I did the government would breathe down my neck to regulate and send in every study I would make and that's a big no-no when most of your experiments, well, blow up."

She chuckled nervously.

"A story?"

Devvan grinned and let out a low chuckle, he could tell a hell of a lot of stories, he wasn’t sure how his getting here though would help her out. "Guess it really depends on what exactly you’re looking for- If its about the… when- I was out on a job and shit went sour. The cops picked us up and I was on my way to a cold cell when the storm kicked up. I wasn’t the only one picked up, but I was the only one dropped in that cave."

He glanced past her out the windows of the Mart and at the nearly perpetually stormy sky and the plots fo land and objects floating around the town. “I’ve been wondering myself about all of it. The how and the why-“

#Devvan #notactuallyaspacebandito #rp #Maybelle #awaywardspacebandito #sorry I made the wrong tag at first

Maybelle let out a light laugh before she shook her head. "I didn't mean that, actually, but that's good to know!"

"I actually meant about where and when you are from. I guess my wording was vague." She held out the papers and seemed to be constantly keeping and set them on the counter between them. "I personally find the why more interesting than the how. So many timelines are conflicted with each other that the how must be in conjunction with the why. Most of the people from future time points like me don't seem to have the same issues nor the same history except for several fixed points, such as the invention of modern-day PokeBalls and the PokeDex system, unless they have neither at all. But no one is anyone worth writing in the history books of any timeline from those that are currently in my records. And then there are still people popping in even now."

She paused to look up at Devvan, realizing she was already rambling with things that he may not want to know, even if he was curious about their situation. "But anyway!" she began "why don't you start by telling me about your time and your region. I see you are definitely not of the past."

She threw up her arms. "Okay that is it." Maybelle managed to grab Rick's collar before he could manage to slip away. With an easy hoist over her shoulder, she proceeded to carry him out if the situation he got himself in. "Until you cool your little curly q's down, you're gonna be right here next to me, hun."

Wild-eyed, face red, and nostrils flared, Rick could only swear vehemently as the stocky woman carried him off. It didn’t help his (false sense of) pride any, nor did it do any good for his public image, but he didn’t care. He was going to yell and squirm until his arms failed and his lungs gave out… or he ate dirt from face-planting over Maybelle’s back.

A very real possibility, considering how he’d gone all knees and elbows on her in his bid to escape….

Face contorted in an indignant (and silent) snarl, Rick finally managed to pull himself free and wound up in a crumpled heap for his troubles. He wasn’t really that small, was he? Skinny, yes, but small?

He rolled away, pink-faced and trying to hitch up his pants. Once that was managed, Rick stuffed his hands in his pockets and scowled.

Why should he accept her offer? She’d just embarrassed him in front of what felt like half the town! Did she really expect him to meekly go with her just because she promised food?

… Food did sound perfect about now…

But that was besides the point!

"No," he growled, shaking his head and backing away. Not in a million years.

"No talking, no food, no nothing."

Still shaking his head, Rick turned to walk away. He couldn’t even remember what originally got him angry and at this point he just wanted to leave and forget about everything….

#I thank you for liking Maybelle #she is fun to play as #Rick Redcliff #distortionrick #Maybelle #rp

He was being stubborn.

How cute.

She smirked mischievously and tailed after him. "Oh come on, hun!" she called. "I'm the best cook I know. No one's wanted to try what I offer, but it's delicious! Not that I offered....but nonetheless, it's the least I can do I guess."

Maybelle had stopped for a moment before she realized she was losing him. She hurried back after him. "Well, if you don't want to go with me and taste what I can cook, why don't I just go over your place and cook with whatever's there? I might even make you some pound cake. Or some butter cookies, millon dollar pie, German chocolate cake, caramel cake, oh, and my grandmother's rice crispies!" She moaned slightly from thinking about those crunchy sweet morsels.

"Come on, please? Lemme put some meat on them bones! I promise you the next time someone sees your butt, they're swoon, not laugh!"

◉!!!

28. while the button is being pressed, all thoughts people in the room become announced through a strange, computerized voice

[I’M SORRY, I DID NOT MEAN TO— WHY IS THIS— WHERE IS IT— OH DEARPLEASEMAKEITSTOP…]

Rick blinked at Ahiru, who was quickly becoming flustered by the computerized voice. It announced her thoughts, even after she’d released the button.

[SHIT. IS THE BUTTON STUCK? SHIT! THE FUCK IS THIS?!]

Rick flinched as his own thoughts were announced, turning red with every word.

[OH DAMNIT ALL, SHE’S GONNA THINK I’M SUCH A] [WHY MUST I BE A] [TOOL; I’M SUCH A] [BURDEN] [N IDIOT— WHAT?] [BUT YOU AREN’T A] [YOU’RE NOT A] [TOOL][IDIOT][YOUREALLY—BUT—YES—NOWHAT?GFRALKJFLDLKDJAF]

The device overloaded from their overlapping worries, leaving both blushing in silence.

Though initially shocked - as much by Ahiru’s offer as her outburst - Rick couldn’t help smile. Then he shook, holding his sides as poorly stifled laughter burst through and echoed into the night.

By the time he was finished, his face was pink and he laid on his back, gasping for air.

"Ahiru?" he finally managed. "Thanks."

"I…" He shook his head and smiled up at her, before rolling back to his feet and dusting himself off.

"You’re right - it’d probably be a good idea for me not to walk home at this point. And I wouldn’t mind crashing on your couch…. "

He paused a moment, blushing.

"…. We can still do cake, though, right? In the morning, maybe?"

#kisses are good at any time of the year #but yes this is very fluff #Rick Redcliff #Ahiru Wakahisa #distortionrick #thetinywallflower #rp

He...was laughing. Okay.

Ahiru held a straight face when he wasn't looking. When he did, she smiled back nervously, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. It wasn't like he would notice anyway. After all, they were friends. He wasn't laughing at her. Of course not.

Her eyes widened slightly as he thanked her, her features relaxing as he turned his attention back to her, though it was safe to say the laughter still left a lump in her throat.

"You're thanking me?" she said softly.

She coughed and broke a smile. "But um! Sure we can still eat cake tonight even! I usually only have sweets once a week, but Rosemary said that with everything going on, eating them more often and stuff like that is okay, so, I think she will let us eat some when we arrive." she explained.

"We're almost there by the way, it's just over there." Ahiru pointed to a nearby house that had a couple of rooms still lit.

"Hey! Excuse me, hun!" Maybelle waved at Devvan with a cheerful smile. "Can I chat with you for a bit?" bearfootandbubbly

Devvan spent much of his time in and around the Pokemart now. He would go out now and again with his companions and gather much needed supplies and bring them back for others to take as they needed it. Plus, it kept his mind off of everything that he would rather not think about anymore.

Didn’t seem that people really stopped to talk lately, there was so much going on all over town- battles seemed near constant as of late. It could be worse though.

The joltiks that Warper had stuffed in his closet after an unfortunate prank now wandered the little store. He didn’t mind their presence so much anymore, and they kept some of the wild pokemon out of the shop during the night before covering him in his sleep for static. Weird little fuckers.

The girls voice brought him out of one of his more pleasant thoughts though, making him blink in confusion as he tried to remember who she was. “Uh- Yeah, sure. What is it?”

#Devvan #notactuallyspacebandito #rp #Maybelle #sorry I took so long with it #got caught up with RL

She tilted her head. He seemed to be further within his thoughts than she assumed. Well, no matter now. She had his attention this time. Her smile widened as she drew closer. "Hi!" she began. "I've been seeing you around here lately and thought you could use aome human interaction today. Well, that and I was hoping you could be willing to participate in my data collection. I have been trying to...well....attempting to see if there is a central reason as to why this happened. Maybe finding out about your tale will be the missing piece."

Maybelle threw her arns open wide with hope in her eyes. "So, want to weave a story for me?"

◉!!!

28. while the button is being pressed, all thoughts people in the room become announced through a strange, computerized voice

[I’M SORRY, I DID NOT MEAN TO— WHY IS THIS— WHERE IS IT— OH DEARPLEASEMAKEITSTOP…]

Rick blinked at Ahiru, who was quickly becoming flustered by the computerized voice. It announced her thoughts, even after she’d released the button.

[SHIT. IS THE BUTTON STUCK? SHIT! THE FUCK IS THIS?!]

Rick flinched as his own thoughts were announced, turning red with every word.

[OH DAMNIT ALL, SHE’S GONNA THINK I’M SUCH A] [WHY MUST I BE A] [TOOL; I’M SUCH A] [BURDEN] [N IDIOT— WHAT?] [BUT YOU AREN’T A] [YOU’RE NOT A] [TOOL][IDIOT][YOUREALLY—BUT—YES—NOWHAT?GFRALKJFLDLKDJAF]

The device overloaded from their overlapping worries, leaving both blushing in silence.

Hmh…

Rick’s mind wandered as Ahiru spoke and he found himself staring at a streetlamp.

Her words made sense - no one really knew what a person was going through - not unless they were real close.

But… what’s that say about me?

No one had been constant for him. No one had even come close! Not… Not until he set out with Am. Am was the first and closest. Really, she knew him best and even then…

Well, not that others hadn’t tried. Ms. Renner, for one - she was always good and made time… She couldn’t always be around, but she still tried. It was hard with a job like hers - she worked all over, travelling to make sure kids like him were safe. Make sure they knew they were loved….

A real-life angel, that woman…

Then Ahiru chuckled and Rick focused.

"…. Ahiru? Why do you give me the benefit of the doubt? You invite me along when we run into each other, you trusted me back there with that stupid button…"

She let him walk with her, talk with her, share the same air as her - but why? She never truly questioned him. Not even once. Not really.

"… I mean, I could be lying to you. Trying to take advantage of you somehow or— actually, nevermind. Just ignore me. It’s late and my brain’s shutting down.”

He shook his head. That was a conversation for another time.