IMEEJI INBOX

[mind_blown]

"This is Jason. Leave a message.

Or don't. I don't care."

Comments

[mind_blown]

Some Shakespeare stuff.

[he glances back at him, and frowns. drink all of it, asshole.]

[gigadevilbreaker]

read it out loud...?

[LOOKS UP WITH BIG HOPEFUL EYES... with the promise that he'd drink the rest of the water if he did]

[mind_blown]

[he raises his eyebrows, and then glances down at the page.

this is in his jersey brogue, rather than shakespeare. but it's read correctly.]

When, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself, and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featur’d like him, like him with friends possess’d,
Desiring this man’s art and that man’s scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven’s gate;
For thy sweet love remember’d such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

Now, fucking drink.

[gigadevilbreaker]

[He makes no effort to hide how warm and fuzzy that makes him.

As promised, Nero drinks the rest of his water - and when done, remarks,]

you're real good at that

[mind_blown]

Am not.

You're just hungover.

[he closes the book and sets it aside, starting to stretch.]

[gigadevilbreaker]

my brain's shriveled up but my ears work fine

[Probably... he should let Jason go, since. He kinda hogged him all night. So Nero doesn't try to keep clinging to him, as much as he'd like to.]

[mind_blown]

Your brain's interpreting what you hear.

[when he's let go, he scooches forward, towards the edge of the bed.]

You're gonna wanna take care of all the stuff I skipped last night.

Maybe eat a lot of greasy shit-- I always find that helps.

[gigadevilbreaker]

[He looks down at the PJs... Hey...]

you always eat greasy shit.

[mind_blown]

You got me.

[he stands up, grabbing his books.]

[gigadevilbreaker]

[He starts to ooze out of bed, still clutching his pounding head, but - pauses, watching Jason get his things.]

jason?

[mind_blown]

Yeah...?

[gigadevilbreaker]

thanks.

you didn't have to... but i'm glad you did.

[mind_blown]

Don't thank me.

You texted me, but literally anyone would have done it.

[gigadevilbreaker]

[He shakes his head, only to immediately regret shaking his crusty brain around]

but you're the only one who would've stayed the whole night. and not sleep a wink.

[mind_blown]

I don't sleep.

[as if that was what Nero was complaining about.

but once his boots are on, he sits back down on the edge of the bed, reaching up to brush his hair aside.]

You look like shit.

[gigadevilbreaker]

[JUST TAKE YOUR THANKS, JASON

That small gesture, that little display of affection is enough to make Nero blush - glancing away in instinctive bashfulness before his gaze shyly flutters back to Jason's face.

With a small, amused huff, he retorts,]

good thing i still have my winning personality.

[mind_blown]

It's a very winning personality.

[he seems a little relieved to hear that from Nero.]

[gigadevilbreaker]

[That just makes Nero smile more and, after a second of thought--]

glad someone appreciates it.

[--he leans forward to give Jason a warm kiss on the cheek. So he wouldn't have to suffer rancid hangover breath.]

[mind_blown]

I'm not the only one that appreciates it.

[he just. can't help himself, dragging his hand lightly through his hair, and then dragging his fingertips softly down his cheek.]

[gigadevilbreaker]

[O-oh. It kind of feels like he's still dreaming, maybe, but. This is so nice. It's so nice that he just wants to stay in this moment, hold it close and cherish it, despite how physically disgusting he felt.

Smiling helplessly, Nero brings a hand to Jason's cheek as well, and leans his forehead against his.]

but you're the one who matters right now.

[mind_blown]

Because I'm here right now.

[he laughs a little, and lowers his hand.]

You should tell someone. Anyone.

[gigadevilbreaker]

[noo come back,]

tell them what?...

[mind_blown]

If you're blaming yourself.

[he doesn't fully understand, he can't really. but he knows other people will help.]

I can't tell Talon to back off.

[gigadevilbreaker]

[Nero goes still, not sure what to do. He should blame himself. Did Jason not want him to blame himself? But... shouldn't he want that most of all?

He runs his thumb over Jason's cheekbone, longingly.]

you matter because... your forgiveness matters to me.

I don't need it from anyone else.

[If Talon decided he could never forgive him, ultimately, Nero would live with that. But if Jason...]

[mind_blown]

[he has to catch himself from leaning into that gesture, but he goes still. Considering what Griffin was saying.

Was he still mad? He probably should be. There was a part of him that wanted to yell and scream about what had happened. And then there was another part of him that wanted to pull back from everything, knowing he definitely had full right to.

But the larger part of him?]

It’s not like I can forgive you. You didn’t hurt me. If you did, I woulda.

[he exhales, frustrated.]