castle_perrault | Ready Player One

[Even draping himself all over Jeremy didn't cure this boy of his touch-starvedness. His family isn't very touchy-feely so he has to find it elsewhere. And until recently only had one friend. So it's pretty overdue to get snuggly with someone else. Even if it's someone who you kind of made out with last time you snuggled. That's fine. That's not weird.]

Not at all, man! That's super freaky. You of all people should have a right to scream your brains out at the sight of a squip.

[He makes a face.]

Strange. I wouldn't expect a squip to be programmed to know how to dodge in a fight. When would a nanocomputer need to do that? Whatever. We'll just try to avoid it, I guess.

[Hey, he relates. He doesn't get a lot of... positive touch in his family either. Once good thing about being here instead of back home. He gets to stay with cool friends instead of his asshole dad!]

I mean, I don't know. Maybe it's just faster than a human being? Anyways, not important. This place is okay besides him!

[Michael's reasons are probably a bit different than Rich's but... still, solidarity. They can have constant company in each other! At least Michael doesn't have to worry about being totally lonely, even if he already misses Jeremy.]

And besides being here with no explanation and no real reason? [He's teasing.] C'mon show me the good stuff. What the heck is there to do?

Well, we're still figuring that out! There's huge libraries, and like rooms with art supplies and musical instruments and stuff. The kitchen seems to give you all sorts of random ingredients. I think if you ask nicely it's more likely to give you what you want.

[And then he gestures to his cupcake.]

And I already told you about the cupcake room!

Yeah, all right, that doesn't sound too bad.

[He's still like, itchy under the skin for a WHY but.]

You really do think the building itself is conscious, huh?

[Well if nanocomputers that can interface with the human brain exist.... and pocket dimensions.... sure. Why not. Michael laughs and reaches with the hand not around Rich's shoulders to poke him in the stomach.]

You're gonna get a cake belly if you stuff your gob like that, bro.

[Dude, he'd like an answer to that as much as Michael would. He just sighs and shrugs.]

I don't know, man. Too many things happen right when I'm thinking about them for it to be a coincidence.

[Rich of course yells and tries to wiggle away.]

Dude! Don't be a jerk! I think I'd still look hella rad even with some extra meat on these bones.

[Michael feels a little shiver on his spine and he has to shake it off.]

Man, I don't want anything else inside my head but me. None of that business now, okay?! Jeez. It's embarrassing enough just to hear my own thoughts.

[Awww oh no. He holds his hands up apologetically.]

I'm just teasing a little! You totally would, dude. Didn't mean to imply you'd ever not look hella rad.

[Awkward side-grin? He really hopes the heat in his cheeks isn't displaying as a blush.]

Well, I mean, at least the castle isn't a squip. It's not an asshole, as far as anyone can tell. And maybe it doesn't really hear what we're thinking and I'm just spouting bullshit!

[There's too many confusing things here for Rich to make sense of. He hopes Michael can offer a little guidance in that. But, uh, first... what's with that weird compliment?]

Heh, you into this, dude? I mean, I can hardly blame you with these guns.

[Arm flex.]

Yeah, but still... No, dude I don't want to invalidate you! You'd know better than I would what this place is like. I totally believe you.

[Even with good intentions, he doesn't want anything reading his mind thanks. Nope. And he has every reason to think a castle that can zap people in from different dimensions and timelines can read minds. Why the fuck not.

Holy shit those are some g u n s. Cough.]

I was just agreeing with you! You just can't let me win, huh? Can't tease, can't compliment.

[He's pink up to his ears fuck.]

Yeah, well, I've only been here a couple days! I'm just hypothesizing or whatever we did in science class! We'll figure it out, I guess.

[But seriously, what's with that blush? Rich's brow furrows.]

What are you being so weird about? I mean, I'm just teasin' you. You can tease or compliment. I was just goofing off.

Ha, yeah that's right. Hypothesizing. Proud of you, bro.

[WHAT BLUSHING THERE'S NO BLUSHING EXCEPT NOW HE FEELS EVEN MORE EMBARRASSED OF COURSE RICH WAS JUST PLAYING AROUND GOD.]

Right, duh, yeah, of course. Why would you actually give me a hard time? That's stupid. I must be disoriented from being magically kidnapped.

[Okay, fine, he got the hint there. Or at least some sort of hint. Rich winces slightly and looks down at the floor.]

Yo, uh, Mike, I don't know if I ever got a chance to apologize to you, but I'm... really, really sorry for the way I treated you, you know? I made your life hell, I'm sure, and k-kinda made it worse telling Jeremy about squips...

[Aw shit no that wasn't the hint he wanted Rich to get. He didn't want to make him feel bad! Shake it off, Mell, make it right. He pushes his own thoughts aside and focuses on Rich, reaching out to rest a hand on his arm and step a little closer.]

I appreciate what you're going for here, dude, but it's okay. I forgive you. I'm not angry. Jeremy made a lot of damn mistakes too and I forgive him. You haven't gotten to that point, I guess, cause you don't remember leaving the hospital, but for me, I already forgave you.

[He tries to smile reassuringly, leaning down a little to try to catch Rich's eyes even while he's looking down.]

Can I hug you?

[Rich thought he had the right idea, but apparently not. He kinda tenses as Michael touches him, but is quickly reassured that, of course, future Michael has all his shit figured out. He offers a wry grin.]

Right. I guess future Rich maybe did a good job making up for that shit. Any chance you could like... tell me what it's like for us?

[He laughs and opens his arms.]

Like. What I did to deserve a hug from an awesome dude?

[He wasn't trying to give Rich a hard time. He was honestly just trying to shake off his misunderstanding. They just keep misreading each other! Gotta get back on the same page, somehow.

Good luck with that while you're keeping secrets, Michael sasses himself. Spoilers, future Michael has zero shit figured out.]

Heh, for sure he did. Future Rich is killin it at the friendship game.

[He smiles, a little awkwardly but it gets easier to feel more genuine when Rich gets all sappy.]

Be an awesome dude!

[It's hugs time motherfucker.]

If you'll believe it, it's pretty dang awesome. We all get together for games, sometimes get high in my basement, there's generally less tension at school. I mean since all of you guys kind of synced up for a hot minute... Anyway, we're just normal awkward teenagers now.

[Who still can't talk about their feelings yay.]

[Getting on the same page should be pretty easy, right? They're both nerdy dudes, both hyperactive. They should be able to sync up! Just so long as Michael isn't too smart for Rich. He laughs and rubs the back of his neck.]

Aw man, really? You seem like the more awesome one... I wouldn't even be able to kill it at the friendship thing if it wasn't for you.

[Still, hugs! Rich eagerly returns it and even lifts Michael off the ground for a second.]

That does sound awesome, dude! What kind of games? And wait, we're like, all friends? You like, made it in with the popular dudes? And like, what about the whole fire thing...?

[He was pretty sure the rumours at school were disastrous. Jeremy had looked pretty pitying about that.]

[Yeah absolutely! It worked the first time it should work again! It can feel natural... Michael laughs and kicks his feet a little as he's picked up, and ruffles Rich's hair when he's set down. Yeah that feels nice.

Michael gives Rich a gentle swat on the shoulder.]

Hey stop that! Give yourself some credit, okay dude? Yeah, more or less. I made a habit outta visiting the Hospital even after Jeremy left, and got to know you and Jake, and eventually we got Jeremy to come out of his shell enough to hang out with you two also. I mean, I wouldn't call that me makin it in with the popular dudes. I'm still a loser stoner, but. Sometimes you guys are loser stoners with me!

[He ruffles Rich's hair again.]

Seriously, don't worry about it too much. Those who matter know about the squips after the Play, and those who don't moved on eventually, especially when it got out that Jake forgave you in a heartbeat. He never cared about that house, man. Not as much as he cared about you, for sure.

[Man, he loves that laugh. Is that gay to think? It's just so friendly and genuine that it's hard not to smile when he hears it. No wonder Jeremy was so close to him. He's a killer friend.]

Yeah, yeah. Credit or not, I wouldn't be able to be as cool as I am now without you defeating the cyborg army. Plus, you... actually wanted to visit me. I would have just assumed you'd never want to speak to me and give up. You actually made us all friends. Pretty awesome for a loser stoner!

[But then Michael lets that slip and... god, he knew Jake forgave him, but he had no idea to what extent. He feels his face heat up.]

I m-mean, guess I can't blame him for wanting to see his asshole parents' house burn down.

[Sure hope it is. Please think gay things about Michael.]

Shucks you flatter me. Jeremy did the hard part.

[He shrugs that part off. He isn't that cool it's fine. You're the popular boy shut up.]

Well, yeah I did. You and Jake needed company! You especially, bein so immobile for awhile... but it was nice. To get to know you guys. Wanting to reach out helped me come outta my shell, you know?

[His face softens and he nods.]

Yeah, he never gave a shit about that house. But you're his best friend. And you were in trouble. He's just glad you're okay, man.

[Wasn’t he kind of always thinking gay things about Michael? The squip just turned that against him. But now he can embrace that! And be a loser again too, so he’s definitely not so popular anymore.

Not that he would be after that fire, but you know.]

Jeremy hardly did anything! I mean, he was super brave too, but without you, he and everyone else would’ve been creepy zombies.

Plus, keeping your former bully company, even if he can’t punch you, is super cool of you. And I guess I’m glad it helped you too!

[But shit. He blushes and looks away.]

Yeah… guess so. Jakey D is way cooler of a dude than I realized.

[Was he? That's sure fucking news to Michael. Great news, but news!

Hey, being a loser can be AWESOME. No expectations! Just. Pretend he never hates himself for it.]

He did a big thing! He acted in direct defiance to his SQUIP and... looked right into the face of what he wanted most, what he did everything for, and gave it up to do the right thing, even after all of that. That's not nothing!

[DON'T REMIND HIM ABOUT CHRISTINE AND HOW MUCH JEREMY WAS WILLING TO DO FOR HER PLS AND THANK.]

Bullies get a lot less scary when you see their weakest points and understand them. You're one of us now, Rich Goranski.

[He grins and slings a friendly arm around Rich's shoulder.]

He's the coolest cool dude. He's got his priorities straight.

[Well, maybe not *straight* but..]

[It was certainly something Rich tried his damndest to ignore and repress and keep a secret, but now that he's open about his sexuality, it's a little easier to admit to. He might even say something if Michael asked! But until then, he's a little more distracted with how Michael is obviously gushing over Jeremy. God. He really wasn't off the mark writing on their backpacks.]

Okay, but like, I'm pretty sure any smart person would give up what they wanted if it involved everyone being all brainwashed. Like Chris is pretty cute, but she was like... all out of it, right? That'd be freaky...

And you wouldn't be there, so like... I don't think he'd be truly happy.

[He gives a weak little grin.]

Shit, I'm infected with the nerd now. But thanks dude, seriously. I'm glad you all seem to like the real me.

[And for better or for worse, Michael has always had a big blind spot when it comes to himself, and how other people feel about him. He makes assumptions a lot for a guy who really has no idea what other people are thinking about him most of the time. He shouldn't guess, really.

Wow uh no he's just proud of his best bro that's all!!!!! Yeah!!!! It isn't even like he's out to this Rich yet, c'mon give him a break.]

Heh. Yeah she was... acting real fuckin weird. It was a big relief to realize Jeremy saw it too, even with that squip jerk's optic nerve control or whatever.

[Brrr that was some creepy shit. Michael blushes a little, though.]

Hey, shush!

[He seemed pretty happy to shut Michael out for the first little while there and pretend he didn't exist. So. He isn't totally sure he believes that? He wants to believe it, but... Jeremy was capable of moving on without him. He proved that. He just also proved he can see when something has gone too far.]

That's right! You've got nerd cooties now! [A grin.] We're totally into the real Rich Goranski.

[Hey, assuming the worst is the norm when it comes to teenagers. They’ve all got shit self-esteem and make stupid guesses, so Rich can’t blame him for that. And besides, Rich may not be hiding it now, but he assumes Michael has barely been around him.

...That said, he is pretty sure his gaydar is working alright, and pretty sure Michael doesn’t even need to come out.]

Yeah... that was pretty lucky. Optic nerve blocking is pretty fucked up. Mine could make me see shit I knew couldn’t be happening. Even if it felt real.

[But let’s not talk about that. And even if he wants to, Rich refrains from teasing Michael about his pining for Jeremy. He just laughs sheepishly and sticks out his tongue.]

How into me are you, dude? Half sounds like you’re gonna leave love letters in my locker now.

Shit, that's fucked up. Glad that's over with.

[Who's pining? Nobody's pining!

Oh if only he knew... Actually Michael can't decide if that would be better or worse. He could just go for a clean slate. No complicated will-they-won't-they. Just friends.

Except he apparently can't even handle that and has to shove his foot right in his mouth at the first opportunity. Don't blush, Michael, don't....]

What if I am? You don't know what I've been up to. I'm from the future! That could just be the kind of sappy nerd friend that I am!

[Sticks his tongue out back.

Don't mind Michael, just digging himself deeper over here.]

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