bursts into tears

[oversea]

Comments

[transmit]

He was completely fine, wasn't he? Nothing to worry about. Burdenbeasts are known for their resilience.

[

tentatively pats him again. please don't explode. ]

[oversea]

Because you cured him...

[ how is elysium the better parent?

thorns has no idea where they're going because he has forgotten everything they had said to elysium because of this. ]

[transmit]

[ did thorns genuinely think he was best dad in the world mug worthy… oh no. ]

Oh. Well. [ … ] You chose me as your partner, didn't you? That should count as you knowing how to make up for your shortfalls.

[oversea]

What are my shortfalls?

[ he knows he has them, he just wants elysium to list them. ]

[transmit]

[ the moment of realisation where he's like

fuck!!!!!!!!!! i fucked up!!!! ]

I'm more social and have more common sense than you.

[ these are safe things to say. yet, also highly debatable at this point of his character development (regression…?). anyway. ]

[oversea]

[ this is barely true anymore, but okay.

thorns just stares at elysium for a moment. ]

Keep leading the way.

[transmit]

What was that look for?

[ the way he's literally clueless. but they continue on… ]

[oversea]

Nothing. You're cute.

[ this is like when you try to distract your pet to take them to the vet. ]

[transmit]

Mm? How so?

[ scoots closer to thorns. it, unfortunately, works. ]

[oversea]

You followed me...

[ instead of doing his job... ]

[transmit]

[ this is exactly the dialogue choice you'd make if you wanted your love interest to be more insane. he brightens in the feeling of validation. ]

You're my priority. Of course I did.

[oversea]

[ this is fine...

he swings their hands. ]

How long do you think this will take?

[ helping them... this of course doesn't even include if they get ambushed. ]

[transmit]

[ they just have to hope this side quest doesn't spawn ten other side quests they literally do not have the time for this ]

Anywhere from half an hour to two hours? [ swings thorns' hand back. ] Should we stop by the bookstore so you can find something to do?

[ like leaving docybara with treats or a toy… ]

[oversea]

No. I'll just watch you.

[ this is crazy but thorns thoroughly believes he can be entertained up to two hours simply watching elysium work. ]

[transmit]

It's been a while since you've seen me in my element, huh? Be sure to fall in love with me all over again.

[ okay.

but they get to the radio tower… they ask what took them so long… they're a little rude about it, but elysium smooths over the interaction easily enough before getting right into running diagnostics and occasionally fiddling with his flag.

thorns can get a chair… he even can sit next to elysium. wow! ]

[oversea]

[ he scoots right next to him and watches him intently.

this could be seen as being too clingy. the others there are probably thinking that, actually. ]

[transmit]

[ this about how they have given these people absolutely no introduction beyond the fact that they are (probably) trustworthy and allowed to handle their communications equipment. elysium is quietly thinking their security is terrible, but that is small towns for you… and it's not like they aren't directly benefitting from this, so whatever.

also? there's no such thing as being too clingy. in fact, there's a moment where he stares at thorns and thinks he should really be sitting in his lap. unfortunately, elysium has to move around too much for that, occasionally flitting from one end of the room to another. we cannot all get what we want in life, and he that is so, so tragic. the poor people assigned to watching them probably want to wring themselves ten minutes in. but, half an hour later: ]

Hanging in there? I need to talk to the guy who's been managing their system, but I should be done in twenty.

[oversea]

[ twenty is so long...

but thorns will nod to show that is he a team player (highly debatable) and that he can wait for elysium to come back. it is his turn to be hachiko. ]

Mm. Make it nineteen.

[ okay. ]

[transmit]

If I do it in fifteen, will you reward me?

[oversea]

Yeah. Sure.

[ whatever gets elysium back faster ]

[transmit]

[ he's just in his dog kigurumi full time here.

immediately motivated, he sets off to return in the promised amount of time. he looks vaguely annoyed when he's back, but then he remembers what he did this for and brightens.

he still has tasks left to do before he can fully check himself out, but before that, he has his priorities. he stands in front of thorns expectantly. ]

[oversea]

[ the way they also have actual kigus in the other thread things always go full circle

thorns did time it to the second though. so once elysium is back, he gets up to pull him into a kiss, licking into his mouth eagerly.

they're at work ]

[transmit]

[ things happen in 10k+ comments surprise surprise

but they're at work with people who barely know them making out. this is a test of elysium's last surviving braincell if he has one at all. a kiss and then a promise to continue later would be the smart thing to do, but no.

he accepts this and deepens the kiss, leaving everyone around them baffled and looking at each other mystified. who does this? who actually does this?? they're going to be targeted on social media later for being crazy people and the comments are going to be like, things that did not happen for 500, alex. it's too bad these people don't know what it's like being in love.

eventually, someone clears their throat. elysium breaks away with a scowl. ]

Tch.

[oversea]

[ tch.

thorns will sit back down and act as if that didn't just happen, showing absolutely no shame because that is something he lost a long time ago. if anyone shoots him a dirty look he will just respond with a dirtier one. fuck you.

but time to wait for his babygirl..... ]

[transmit]

[ elysium… the a contractor from hell because they can't just kick him out. he's already made enough improvements in the short time they've been here that unless he becomes deeply problematic beyond being in some fucked up relationship, they are forced to suck it up. tragic.

but he will give thorns one longing look before he turns back to work… and when he eventually finishes, he toddles up to thorns with a bit of a complicated expression before it smooths out to a smile. ]

Let's go somewhere a little more private.