[ oh, that's how they're gonna play? it's definitely on. ] I'm actually pretty sure that was my dad. He told me to tell you thanks for the good time. And, y'know, that a little foreplay never kills a guy.
[ sally takes a mock-bow in place, complete with a hand flourish. ] I see your white flag and raise you a hedgehog. [ and she scoops rhino up, ready to set him in john's hands if he holds them out. ]
[ okay now sally looks a little sheepish, albeit in an amused way. ] That one's Rhino, [ she says, then looks down to the one still in her lap. ] And this one's Buttons for short.
[He leans back, a resigned, sad smile on his face.] It is. I'm so messed up.
[He still remembers that list of psychological problems from the station's psychologist, remembers the way Stahl looked at him after his flashback, how he can't sleep because of the nightmares sometimes. That's too much baggage, even for a friendship, he thinks. He looks up at her, sincerely asking.] Why do you even put up with me?
[ god john, way to break her heart a little. her head tilts, and she lifts both hands to the sides of his face to make sure he's listening. ] You're fine, okay? [ and while she has so many things she could say, that he's funny and sweet and actually cares and half a dozen more things, she settles on something theoretically even more persuasive. quiet and genuine: ] You make me happy. [ simple as that.
she lets go of his face now, but adds: ]Besides, literally every single person I care about is super messed up somehow. I'm a lot harder to get rid of than you'd think.
Absolutely. [ not the least bit ashamed. stiles is a huge pain, but he's also like the brother she never had. (robbie was too much of a jerk to count, most of the time.)
rhino, meanwhile, is settling down very nicely in john's palm. guess who found a new favorite napping place. ]
He's not so bad, when he's not... y'know, embarrassing me or almost getting himself killed. He's had my back since literally the minute I woke up here.
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[IT'S ON SALLY]
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I think Rhino and I are friends. [He says with maybe a tiny amount of delight, smiling down at the hedgehog.]
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[He looks down at Rhino.] You, too.
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sally, meanwhile, says: ] Your secret's safe with me.
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Thank you, [he whispers. It's more of a 'I'm fond of you. Thank you for putting up with me' sort of thank you.]
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[He still remembers that list of psychological problems from the station's psychologist, remembers the way Stahl looked at him after his flashback, how he can't sleep because of the nightmares sometimes. That's too much baggage, even for a friendship, he thinks. He looks up at her, sincerely asking.] Why do you even put up with me?
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she lets go of his face now, but adds: ]Besides, literally every single person I care about is super messed up somehow. I'm a lot harder to get rid of than you'd think.
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He smiles and shakes his head, looking down in hopes that she won't notice how pink his cheeks are.] I guess I'm just fitting in, then.
[A pause, and then] I care about you, too. Just so you know.
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[He smiles and goes back to petting Rhino.]
Well, I might if Stiles is with you. I bet you two are a force to be reckoned with.
[He's kidding. He likes Stiles in his own way.]
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rhino, meanwhile, is settling down very nicely in john's palm. guess who found a new favorite napping place. ]
He's not so bad, when he's not... y'know, embarrassing me or almost getting himself killed. He's had my back since literally the minute I woke up here.
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[Okay he really likes the hedgehogs. He'll have to come visit them a lot. And Sally of course yes.]
I'm glad you have good friends here.
[John should really... make some more.]
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Me too. I have no idea what I'd do without them. [ john included, by now. ]
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