[ Chipp the grim reaper night light, in all his high-level majesty... Nen really needs to talk about spoons with him more often if this is what it does. This is immensely satisfying. Just watching him rub his face makes Nenonen want to do the same.
Then, of course, he brings up the subject of "love" and Nen blinks. They've heard the word before--people say all the time how much the "love food x" or "love doing activity b." That's a degree of enjoyment. The kind of love Chipp's talking about is an emotional response. Or a concept. Both? Nen knows enough about it to know they don't understand it and aren't familiar with it enough to have an opinion on what it really is.
And Chipp obviously has some very strong feelings about it. ]
Does that mean I can't makes a spoon with you until I love you? What if you don't love me?
[This whole thing ends up with Chipp covering his face entirely, letting another grumble out into his hands. This feels like - Like sitting in an empty room with the "good" cop trying to get answers you don't have out of you. He hates that he has experience with that enough to make the comparison, but it's enough of a comparison to help him gain a bit more of his bearings. (Beside him, his helmet goes to static. Anytime he's feeling something this strong while it's nearby, it'll do that.)
His hands come away from his face with a sigh, just enough that he can look Nen right in theirs.]
... I don't know if I even feel love. I mean, if you decide ya love me or somethin', then I'll give it a shot. Ain't gonna deny you stuff you deserve to learn about, once you know enough 'bout it to make those kinda decisions. But just know it'll be for your sake.
[ They're friends. Friends protect each other, even if it's not from physical harm. Chipp does a lot for Nenonen's sake--teaching them, making sure they know what to be aware of in order to avoid being taken advantage of, to not make blind comparisons...and now he says he'd be willing to try it, if only just for them.
Nen brings the spoon of Jell-o back since he hasn't taken it, plops it in their mouth instead, and waits until they swallow before giving their response. ]
If you don't feel love then you'll never get to try it.
[ Nen can protect something for Chipp too. They can do this. ]
I will do it for your sake, too.
[ They will protect his heart, Nenonen decides. from missing out on stuff like this, regardless of whether he has love or not. ]
[There's no way in hell that Chipp wouldn't end up gawking at them for such a thing. For... his sake? They wanna do this stuff for his sake? Because he might not feel love? It's obvious just from the look on his face that he doesn't understand the idea in the slightest. Doing something like that, so selfless, for someone who may not get anything out of it - What's the point of that?
...
Then again, there was never any guarantee that your loved ones got anything out of having their graves tended to, either. And that's something he'd done for years, even in cities where he didn't know a single soul. His face twists up into something complicated, his usual permanent expression of anger colored with shades of emotions he doesn't even really have names for, and he lets himself have at least one nice thing out of all this - He wraps his arms around Nenonen and draws them close to his chest, tucking them under his chin in a snug embrace.]
... Just promise me you'll read the books 'n think hard 'bout the decisions you makin' here. Promise me that, and I'll... show you how to cuddle. Or spoon. Or whatever you lookin' for from me, here. You too good for someone like me. Too good.
[ Oh--that's. Unexpected. Nen probably spills some of their Jell-o as he tugs them forward like that, but...well, wrapped up close like this? Ina way that's only ever brought them comfort? Nen doesn't mind so much. It takes a second to really digest it, but within moments Nen begins to sink against him, spoon and cup abandoned in lieu of latching onto his shirt. Again. ]
...I promise.
[ Nen would promise him just about anything like this. ]
I'll read every word. And I will keep being good to you, because I want to.
[ If Chipp can be good to Nen, Nen can be good to Chipp. ]
Well, if you wanna do it, wouldn't be right for me to tell ya no.
[Said with a sigh in his voice, a clear sign that he's giving up on fighting it. If Nenonen chose him to explore this part of life with, then he's been chosen. As far as he figures, he can at least help them learn before sending them off to go find themself an actual partner.
The cold feeling of the Jello ending up against his stomach isn't hard to miss - with a wave of one of his hands, his magic scoops it all up, cup and all, to deposit neatly on the table.]
You done with the snacks? We can put it all up for later.
Wii. I am finished for now. But I will finish the gel-oh later.
[ So thanks for cleaning that up. Nen will be sure to nom that up as soon as they are not preoccupied with soaking up all the warmth that comes off of him by comparison.
Little does Chipp know the true protector here will be Nenonen...protecting his pure lil heart. ]
[That embrace is now at its end! Because he needs his arms for scooping them up, instead. His helmet gets moved (magically) out of the way, that spoon-antennae being quickly (magically) soldered back into its usual form so he doesn't forgot it behind, and then - He flops onto his side on the sofa, bringing Nenonen with him.
... It's a bit of a squeeze. But he doesn't mind if he's gotta bend one leg, let the other fall off. It's not about his comfort, here. It's about giving Nenonen the experience they wanted. So they get to be the little spoon. Who cares if he's the world's worst big spoon???]
[ Nenonen lets out a tiny squeak--like the sort of sound someone would make on being a little squished--and then they're sideways. Chipp behind them, both of them squished onto Nen's tiny couch.
It's nice.
Chipp is big and broad (and so, so wamr), and Nenonen is just noodly enough that somehow, they make it work. Sure, a limb or two might be sticking out and a bed/sleepover spread might fit this better (notes for next time), but as new and strange as the sensation is, Nenonen decides very quickly: they like it.
It takes a little shuffling and wriggling on their part to find the optimal position, but soon Nen flattens back against him and lets out a tiny, pleased huff. ]
I am a comfy spoon.
NO DW I KNOW im just screaming because WII... theyre trying so hard
Well, there you go. Now ya know what it's like to be a spoon. A comfy spoon.
[And as much as he argued against it no less than a couple of minutes ago, he isn't too prideful to admit that it is, in fact, comfy. Not as comfy as it could be (his next thought is "hm, maybe should have just flopped on the floor", like the Totally Normal Person he is), but comfy enough.
...
After a second, he tosses his cloak over them as well. Like a blanket. It smells an awful lot like fire, but don't worry about that, it's fine.]
See how it's s'pposed to be good for naps? Meant to be cozy, or... somethin' like that.
[ Especially with Chipp's fire blanket tossed over them like this. Nen takes a second to wait for the air inside the blanket to heat up...then makes a pleased sound and relaxes a little more.
They let their head plunk down against the couch cushions and stare at the table full of gifts and books Chipp brought for them, a weird, happy sort of tightness taking root in their chest. ]
[ Nen ponders for a moment. It's three hours, plenty of time for most people to lie down, catch a cat-nap, and wake up again before the day changes over. It's also the time of day Nenonen feels the most anxious, even with more than a month spent in Ellipsa under their belt. They have never not been hyper-aware of the time in the hours leading up to midnight. ]
I think I will stay awake. Thank-you though.
[ Nen really appreciates it, especially coming from someone who does understand their reasoning like Chipp. ]
[Not a question he expected, but frankly not one he's surprised by. He may as well loop an arm over them properly if they're really gonna lay around like this, wide awake, for three entire hours.]
Well. I brought plenty o' snacks and drinks and a lotta books to read, so... Don't see why not, I guess.
Like I said, Reapers like me ain't got no use for sleep. I'd be able to hang out the whole time, if ya really wanted to.
[... Yeah, he can't say no to a look of wonder like that. Especially when it's about something so deeply entrenched in who he is, like the language he spoke with his family. But at the same time...]
You sure 'bout that? Not all of'em are easy reads. Could leave ya behind, since you still learnin'. Or, well - Think I nabbed a kid's book 'bout the language, maybe? Could read ya that. But it is a kid's book...
I do not mind. I've never read a book for children before.
[ That's right. Nen and the others went STRAIGHT FOR MEMOS AND PUBLISHED VOLUMES. It was fun...times... But then again, they had nothing but time? So. ]
You ain't read a kid's book... but ya learned how to read. Damn. Make me feel like a turtle still crawlin' my way forward, huh?
[They will, unfortunately, understand when they get to That Bookâ„¢. Just don't pick on him, okay, Nenonen...
But. Well. If that's what they want, then he'll go ahead and sort through the box - Using his magic, of course. Like fuck he's getting up now. The book he ends up floating their way is painted in watercolors, a simply drawn scene of cypress trees lining the water behind the book's title.]
[ Nen only teases in the name of high-level magic....being mean to someone undermines the purpose. Chipp's dignity shall be forevermore intact so long as he doesn't mind Nen asking if he ever wants their help&hearrts; ]
I don't mind. It's the first children's book--I want to see what they're like.
[ Also: it's something Chipp picked out for them to better understand him, so why wouldn't they read it? That alone makes it worth it. ]
[okay but nen helping him with english in exchange for french would be cute tho]
[... Something about their response manages to untie a knot in his stomach he hadn't even realized had formed. It's enough to get him to relax into everything a bit more, bringing the book up where he can see it best without actually having to move much.]
Awright. Get comfy, then. Interestin' fact 'bout this one, the author's name is Guidry - 's a good name, one I been runnin' into since I was a kid...
[There aren't too many books in the box written in French, and only a couple of them - including the one he'd started with - were written in Cajun French. A book on music in the Acadian region came after the kid's ABCs, and from there, a book on the history of Louisiana... then a short novel written in Standard French - about a an alley cat acting as a vigilante, revealing criminals for the police to find - as well as a poetry book in the same. A lot of the poems are industrial in nature - poems about the sight of city skylines, of pipe drills, the sleekness of cars, the awesome nature of space travel.
It's pretty quick to burn through them all. Or at least, it feels quick. By the time he's done, it's around 11:30. That last one gets wrapped up and placed on the table again, as does a couple empty pudding cups and an empty can of beer (emptied by Chipp himself, of course).]
That was the last of'em. The ones in French. You makin' my throat hurt with all this readin' - ain't used to usin' my voice this much! But it's, ahh... [again, he checks his phone] ... nearin' midnight.
[ Nen doesn't hesitate to answer that. Enkidu is gone, and while Nenonen has no problem sending Vash and Shigeru messages after midnight just to check that time really has moved forward...it's nice to be able to receive that instant gratification, too.
A few times throughout the reading Nen gets Chipp to pause to explain something, or to ask what a word means. More than once they just want to try saying the words like he does (as it turns out, Nen's ear for how to form an accent? Dreadful! But they love it anyway). It makes time seem like it flies by. ]
When it turns midnight, we need to do something we did not do at that time yesterday. I do something new every day!
[ and, because he said his throat is feeling a little sore; ]
- Okay, no. Where I'm from, "makin' water" means takin' a piss. You ain't makin' it anyway - that's what the tap do. Say somethin' like... "I can get some for ya".
[Can he ruffle their hair? He's gonna ruffle their hair.]
... 'Sides, I'm good anyway. That'd mean we gotta get up, right? I just got myself all warm 'n cozy, I don't wanna do that yet. Instead, uhh... how 'bout that whole "do somethin' new" thing? You got any ideas?
[p Hair ruffles!! Nen makes a tiny sound, but really only moves to try and fix their hair insofar as getting it out of their face requires. It can stay messy for now.
As for the water, Nen would argue that they can make it now with magic--but Chipp distracts them with that very important question, getting Nen to make a contemplative sound as they scooch back in against him and settle. ]
...
I have a bomb in the bath. We can use that.
[ nen has a BATH BOMB, not an actual bomb. just to be clear lmfdf ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
HE SURE IS
Then, of course, he brings up the subject of "love" and Nen blinks. They've heard the word before--people say all the time how much the "love food x" or "love doing activity b." That's a degree of enjoyment. The kind of love Chipp's talking about is an emotional response. Or a concept. Both? Nen knows enough about it to know they don't understand it and aren't familiar with it enough to have an opinion on what it really is.
And Chipp obviously has some very strong feelings about it. ]
Does that mean I can't makes a spoon with you until I love you? What if you don't love me?
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This feels like -
Like sitting in an empty room with the "good" cop trying to get answers you don't have out of you.
He hates that he has experience with that enough to make the comparison, but it's enough of a comparison to help him gain a bit more of his bearings.
(Beside him, his helmet goes to static. Anytime he's feeling something this strong while it's nearby, it'll do that.)
His hands come away from his face with a sigh, just enough that he can look Nen right in theirs.]
... I don't know if I even feel love.
I mean, if you decide ya love me or somethin', then I'll give it a shot. Ain't gonna deny you stuff you deserve to learn about, once you know enough 'bout it to make those kinda decisions.
But just know it'll be for your sake.
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[ They're friends. Friends protect each other, even if it's not from physical harm. Chipp does a lot for Nenonen's sake--teaching them, making sure they know what to be aware of in order to avoid being taken advantage of, to not make blind comparisons...and now he says he'd be willing to try it, if only just for them.
Nen brings the spoon of Jell-o back since he hasn't taken it, plops it in their mouth instead, and waits until they swallow before giving their response. ]
If you don't feel love then you'll never get to try it.
[ Nen can protect something for Chipp too. They can do this. ]
I will do it for your sake, too.
[ They will protect his heart, Nenonen decides. from missing out on stuff like this, regardless of whether he has love or not. ]
YOURE KILLIN ME SMALLS
[There's no way in hell that Chipp wouldn't end up gawking at them for such a thing.
For... his sake? They wanna do this stuff for his sake? Because he might not feel love?
It's obvious just from the look on his face that he doesn't understand the idea in the slightest. Doing something like that, so selfless, for someone who may not get anything out of it -
What's the point of that?
...
Then again, there was never any guarantee that your loved ones got anything out of having their graves tended to, either.
And that's something he'd done for years, even in cities where he didn't know a single soul.
His face twists up into something complicated, his usual permanent expression of anger colored with shades of emotions he doesn't even really have names for, and he lets himself have at least one nice thing out of all this -
He wraps his arms around Nenonen and draws them close to his chest, tucking them under his chin in a snug embrace.]
... Just promise me you'll read the books 'n think hard 'bout the decisions you makin' here.
Promise me that, and I'll... show you how to cuddle. Or spoon. Or whatever you lookin' for from me, here.
You too good for someone like me. Too good.
FLEXES
...I promise.
[ Nen would promise him just about anything like this. ]
I'll read every word. And I will keep being good to you, because I want to.
[ If Chipp can be good to Nen, Nen can be good to Chipp. ]
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[Said with a sigh in his voice, a clear sign that he's giving up on fighting it. If Nenonen chose him to explore this part of life with, then he's been chosen.
As far as he figures, he can at least help them learn before sending them off to go find themself an actual partner.
The cold feeling of the Jello ending up against his stomach isn't hard to miss - with a wave of one of his hands, his magic scoops it all up, cup and all, to deposit neatly on the table.]
You done with the snacks? We can put it all up for later.
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[ So thanks for cleaning that up. Nen will be sure to nom that up as soon as they are not preoccupied with soaking up all the warmth that comes off of him by comparison.
Little does Chipp know the true protector here will be Nenonen...protecting his pure lil heart.]WII????
[That embrace is now at its end! Because he needs his arms for scooping them up, instead.
His helmet gets moved (magically) out of the way, that spoon-antennae being quickly (magically) soldered back into its usual form so he doesn't forgot it behind, and then -
He flops onto his side on the sofa, bringing Nenonen with him.
... It's a bit of a squeeze. But he doesn't mind if he's gotta bend one leg, let the other fall off. It's not about his comfort, here.
It's about giving Nenonen the experience they wanted.
So they get to be the little spoon. Who cares if he's the world's worst big spoon???]
Here ya go. Go on, get comfy.
wii...oui......sobs in french
It's nice.
Chipp is big and broad (and so, so wamr), and Nenonen is just noodly enough that somehow, they make it work. Sure, a limb or two might be sticking out and a bed/sleepover spread might fit this better (notes for next time), but as new and strange as the sensation is, Nenonen decides very quickly: they like it.
It takes a little shuffling and wriggling on their part to find the optimal position, but soon Nen flattens back against him and lets out a tiny, pleased huff. ]
I am a comfy spoon.
NO DW I KNOW im just screaming because WII... theyre trying so hard
A comfy spoon.
[And as much as he argued against it no less than a couple of minutes ago, he isn't too prideful to admit that it is, in fact, comfy.
Not as comfy as it could be (his next thought is "hm, maybe should have just flopped on the floor", like the Totally Normal Person he is), but comfy enough.
...
After a second, he tosses his cloak over them as well. Like a blanket.
It smells an awful lot like fire, but don't worry about that, it's fine.]
See how it's s'pposed to be good for naps? Meant to be cozy, or... somethin' like that.
NEN TRIES SO HARD ;w;
[ Especially with Chipp's fire blanket tossed over them like this. Nen takes a second to wait for the air inside the blanket to heat up...then makes a pleased sound and relaxes a little more.
They let their head plunk down against the couch cushions and stare at the table full of gifts and books Chipp brought for them, a weird, happy sort of tightness taking root in their chest. ]
What time is it?
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[He's gotta wrangle it out of his pocket, but the question's enough to get him to pull out his phone and check.
He knows the reason why, after all.]
... Just a li'l past nine. Thinkin' about takin' a nap for real?
Could wake you up 'fore midnight rolls around, if ya want.
[Look. Three hours is still a nap in his eyes. Screw those piddly-ass 45 minute naps, he goes in for the long haul.]
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[ Nen ponders for a moment. It's three hours, plenty of time for most people to lie down, catch a cat-nap, and wake up again before the day changes over. It's also the time of day Nenonen feels the most anxious, even with more than a month spent in Ellipsa under their belt. They have never not been hyper-aware of the time in the hours leading up to midnight. ]
I think I will stay awake. Thank-you though.
[ Nen really appreciates it, especially coming from someone who does understand their reasoning like Chipp. ]
Can we stay like this until midnight?
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Well. I brought plenty o' snacks and drinks and a lotta books to read, so...
Don't see why not, I guess.
Like I said, Reapers like me ain't got no use for sleep. I'd be able to hang out the whole time, if ya really wanted to.
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[ Nen is gonna get on that so fast if he's offering. Nen cranes their neck to peer back at him, eyes already bright and keen. ]
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[... Yeah, he can't say no to a look of wonder like that. Especially when it's about something so deeply entrenched in who he is, like the language he spoke with his family.
But at the same time...]
You sure 'bout that? Not all of'em are easy reads. Could leave ya behind, since you still learnin'.
Or, well -
Think I nabbed a kid's book 'bout the language, maybe? Could read ya that.
But it is a kid's book...
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[ That's right. Nen and the others went STRAIGHT FOR MEMOS AND PUBLISHED VOLUMES. It was fun...times... But then again, they had nothing but time? So. ]
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Make me feel like a turtle still crawlin' my way forward, huh?
[They will, unfortunately, understand when they get to That Bookâ„¢. Just don't pick on him, okay, Nenonen...
But. Well. If that's what they want, then he'll go ahead and sort through the box -
Using his magic, of course. Like fuck he's getting up now.
The book he ends up floating their way is painted in watercolors, a simply drawn scene of cypress trees lining the water behind the book's title.]
Awrighty, then... one I got on tap is "B Pour Bayou: Un Abécédaire Cadien".
Basically, kid's ABCs in the kinda French folks like me speak. You really sure this the one you want me to read ya?
Guess there definitely a point 'bout bondin', readin' a kid's book together... but y'know.
You are an adult. I ain't gonna leave ya to kid's books if you don't want me to.
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I don't mind. It's the first children's book--I want to see what they're like.
[ Also: it's something Chipp picked out for them to better understand him, so why wouldn't they read it? That alone makes it worth it. ]
1/2;
[... Something about their response manages to untie a knot in his stomach he hadn't even realized had formed.
It's enough to get him to relax into everything a bit more, bringing the book up where he can see it best without actually having to move much.]
Awright. Get comfy, then.
Interestin' fact 'bout this one, the author's name is Guidry - 's a good name, one I been runnin' into since I was a kid...
2/2;
A book on music in the Acadian region came after the kid's ABCs, and from there, a book on the history of Louisiana... then a short novel written in Standard French - about a an alley cat acting as a vigilante, revealing criminals for the police to find - as well as a poetry book in the same.
A lot of the poems are industrial in nature - poems about the sight of city skylines, of pipe drills, the sleekness of cars, the awesome nature of space travel.
It's pretty quick to burn through them all. Or at least, it feels quick. By the time he's done, it's around 11:30.
That last one gets wrapped up and placed on the table again, as does a couple empty pudding cups and an empty can of beer (emptied by Chipp himself, of course).]
That was the last of'em. The ones in French. You makin' my throat hurt with all this readin' - ain't used to usin' my voice this much!
But it's, ahh... [again, he checks his phone] ... nearin' midnight.
You still want me to stay?
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[ Nen doesn't hesitate to answer that. Enkidu is gone, and while Nenonen has no problem sending Vash and Shigeru messages after midnight just to check that time really has moved forward...it's nice to be able to receive that instant gratification, too.
A few times throughout the reading Nen gets Chipp to pause to explain something, or to ask what a word means. More than once they just want to try saying the words like he does (as it turns out, Nen's ear for how to form an accent? Dreadful! But they love it anyway). It makes time seem like it flies by. ]
When it turns midnight, we need to do something we did not do at that time yesterday. I do something new every day!
[ and, because he said his throat is feeling a little sore; ]
Do you want some water? I can make it for you.
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Say somethin' like... "I can get some for ya".
[Can he ruffle their hair? He's gonna ruffle their hair.]
... 'Sides, I'm good anyway. That'd mean we gotta get up, right? I just got myself all warm 'n cozy, I don't wanna do that yet.
Instead, uhh... how 'bout that whole "do somethin' new" thing? You got any ideas?
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As for the water, Nen would argue that they can make it now with magic--but Chipp distracts them with that very important question, getting Nen to make a contemplative sound as they scooch back in against him and settle. ]
...
I have a bomb in the bath. We can use that.
[ nen has a BATH BOMB, not an actual bomb. just to be clear lmfdf ]
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A... a bath bomb? One of them fancy, frou-frou things that make the bath all fizzy?
You askin' to take a bath with me?
[If he looks incredulous, it's because he is. The cuddling was already too much for him, Nenonen, please be kind to his poor, weak heart--]
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wao lookin at nen's legs there huh i see i see
i almost had him actually go and feel for muscle but that wouldve meant letting their hands go 😔
OH WEH that would have been cute....maybe even ticklish lmfao
1/2; note to self: tickle punishment for face squishing
2/2;
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im sorry he's so awkward
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why did spell check tell me "inferrance" is correct
spellcheck trolling you this early in the morning is rude
taking advantage of my dyslexia, knowing id shrug like "ok sure that looks correct"
pats u :'c
pats nen so much more???
jdkf ;u;/// also **nod, not now gd hamhands
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eyyy camping psl becomes canon B)
no no, sweet & tender first time first, THEN the camping psl
oh weh....precious
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cw: mention of euthanasia/suicide...of a sort? choosing death over going home basically
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