tfln #4 return of the terrible choices

[muskeg]

you know the drill. have at it, swampians.

Comments

[incendiaring]

no, not too crude. definitely forward, though

what now? well, i could enter a hot dog eating contest.

[strewn]

okay, that part i am sorry about. not that i think being forward's bad, but it's not the kinda thing anyone should do without permission. so i'm sorry about that.

that's true. you could definitely do that. do you like hot dogs?

[incendiaring]

don't be, although the apology's cute. but i'm kinda asking for it, talking about my gag reflex like that, aren't i? i'm also being forward, let's be honest

hmm, yeah, i like sausage

[ talk about crude and forward. ]

[strewn]

you did it in a way that was cute! not sure mine was that great, but okay, we'll both agree it's fine to be forward?

hey, what a coincidence, i do too.

[ Well then! ]

[incendiaring]

you most definitely have my consent to be forward

so, you want to help me train for a contest?

[strewn]

okay, well, if i have your consent, i'd definitely like to help you train. gotta be prepared, huh?

[incendiaring]

can't let that pesky gag reflex come back, now, can we...

[strewn]

like we established, there's lots of fun stuff you can get up to without it. wouldn't wanna miss out, right?

[incendiaring]

definitely not. you should come over, help me practice, and maybe demonstrate the fun stuff you're thinking of...

[strewn]

well, as long as i wouldn't be intruding.

[incendiaring]

definitely not. my boyfriends are otherwise occupied, so i'm by myself.

[strewn]

are they otherwise occupied with each other? or is that not how that works? sorry, curiosity and cats, you know.

sounds like you could maybe use some company.

[incendiaring]

that is not how it works.

[ YET. Kwang still has hopes. ]

they both have other partners. but yes, meanwhile, it does leave me lonely...

[strewn]

i mean this in the best way: this is a very loving house.

i don't think you should ever, ever have to be lonely. seems like a really sad thought and probably easy to cure, huh?

[incendiaring]

it is, yes.

me, in particular? or anyone in the house?

although i agree - loneliness does not exactly suit me. so if you have a solution, you should apply it, as soon as possible.

[strewn]

i meant that generally and specifically. so yes, you in particular. and everyone else here, too.

mind if i knock on your door?

[incendiaring]

you don't have to knock. the door's open again. just close it after you come in.

[strewn]

sir, yessir!

[ Unlike Dal, he takes this seriously, and does indeed walk right in, closing the door behind him. ] Hey there, Kwang, [ he says, grinning. ]

[incendiaring]

Hey there, Bam.

[ Do find Kwang lying on his bed this time on top of the covers, a book held between his fingers, legs crossed at the ankles, hair a little tousled, wearing loose pyjama pants and a tank top with huge arm holes, looking for all he's worth like he's ready to go to bed, truly. ]

[strewn]

[ Looking like some kind of soft, wonderful vision, you mean? ]

You look cozy. Can I join you? [ Bam asks, gesturing to the bed. He's looking kinda cozy himself, wearing some sweatpants and a t-shirt. It's purple and has a panda in a witch hat, with the word "bam-boo" written below. ]

[incendiaring]

[ You're welcome. ]

Please.

[ Kwang stretches to put his book away on the bedside table, absolutely putting on a show on purpose, because he knows what he looks like. Hints of tattooed skin show as his flimsy shirt shifts with his movements. He pats the bed by his side afterwards, a crooked smile lifting one corner of his lips. ]

Cute shirt.

[strewn]

[ Bam's just arrived and he already feels like he's getting spoiled. He eases over to the bed and slides in beside Kwang without hesitating. ]

You like it? [ he asks, grinning right back. ] I somehow ended up with a ton of these.

[ He wanted t-shirts, he got graphic t-shirts. ]

Reading something good?

[incendiaring]

[ Kwang slides back into his previous position, only this time he's shoulder to shoulder with Bam, hip to hip. ]

Somehow? How do you 'somehow' end up with a ton of cute shirts?

[ Does Dal get them for him?

Kwang looks back over at his book, then at Bam. ]

Ah, just. Homer. The Iliad's one of my favorites. Ever read it?

[strewn]

[ Easing a bit closer, Bam settles in comfortably beside Kwang. ]

I asked for some help getting ahold of some clothes and I guess there were a lot with commentary and cartoon animals on them. There's also a lot of holiday themed ones? I'm thinking I'll run with it, maybe lean into being a walking signboard for Christmas and Halloween puns.

[ He makes a soft 'ah' of understanding when Kwang mentions the book's title. ]

In college, yeah. I think it was a survey of classical lit class?

[incendiaring]

Nice. You can bring in Christmas cheer all by yourself. I hope you have Christmas jumpers too. Maybe some that light up and stuff.

[ Somehow, Kwang thinks they won't suffer from a lack of Christmas cheer, around this house. Which doesn't mean he doesn't want to see these jumpers.

Kwang leans slightly closer, raising an eyebrow. ]

College educated, huh? Knowledge is such a turn-on.

[ Hey, not so long ago, they were discussing deep-throating hot dogs. Small talk is only good for so long. ]