Ready Player One

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[First thing Michael notices is that his ass isn't planted in the beanbag chair he fell asleep in. What is being a senior for other than late night video game benders with your best friend in the world, right? Yeah.

Man is he stiff, though. He groans and shifts around, trying to get comfortable again. It fails miserably.

A moment later he opens his eyes with a big frown and sits up.

Definitely not his bean bag. Not his room??? He didn't even drink last night what gives...]

Yo, Jeremy, this isn't funny.

[He stumbles to his feet and stretches to get life back into his limbs. He's in some like old-fashioned sitting room? In a really uncomfortable chair. There's like a fireplace and shit.]

Who's house even is this?! How did you get me here? Jeremyyyyyyy!

Comments

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[It absolutely did. It made Michael stand up straight and face this head-on and honestly, instead of trying to hide in the background like always. Shit, it got him exactly what he's been pining about for months, of course it was a good thing! Rich's new brand of friendly teasing is good for Michael. He does it to Jeremy already, it's about time he got a taste of it.

Michael takes it slow, but clearly has kissed Rich before. He molds with him easily, clearly intimate but not too much. He brushes just the tip of his tongue over Rich's bottom lip before the kiss breaks. Just a little tease at a deeper kiss. He giggles a little drunkenly.]

Very close to it.

[He hesitates, considering something. Then his face goes really pink, but he says what was on his mind.]

Hey Rich. You wanna go with me to prom?

[firewalled]

[Michael shouldn't have to hide in the background anymore! He's the main character of his own story, sidekick to no one! And apparently his story might be a romance? Damn. Rich is amazed his teasing has worked this well.

The kiss confirms his suspicions that Michael definitely had been with the future Rich. No one would mesh this well with him the first time. It's really weird having a first kiss that feels like two pieces of a puzzle fitting together... Rich is so lucky. He chuckles too, and blushes.]

Would I have made out with you if I didn't want to?

[He raises an eyebrow.]

Did you ask me last time or did I?

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[It's becoming easier to realize that, even as much as it sucks, that Jeremy isn't here. Michael can't hide behind his bigger personality and stay comfortable in his lieutenant position.

Which apparently means he's going to get his gay all over this cute boy.

Michael beams, still red in the face, wriggling like he wants to dance. He said yes! Of course he did, but still!]

You asked me, last time.

[He looks a little sheepish but pulls Rich in closer.]

[firewalled]

[Jeremy isn't here, at least not right now. But even if he doesn't show up, Rich hopes he doesn't hide and retreat back into his place as second banana. He's wonderful as he is, not just as half of a pair.

Rich giggles and watches Michael wiggle around. Adorable dancey boy. He lets him pull in close and gives him a little spin.]

Damn. Wish I would have thought of it this time around. Just didn't know there were any proms to ask you out to around here.

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[Michael giggles and holds Rich a little tighter as he's spun.]

Well, okay, there aren't, but. I wanted to ask anyway. It's the thought that counts right?

[He grins sheepishly and gently bumps their foreheads together.]

[firewalled]

[At first, Rich just shakes his head teasingly, flattered to be asked but not really seeing a point to it. But Rich certainly has a wild, impulsive side that flares up as an idea comes to mind.]

Well, fuck it. We'll make our own dance, okay? Me and you and whatever music you've got on your phone. Come on!

[He reaches out to unhook Michael's headphones from around his neck, beaming.]

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[Rich absolutely has a wild impulsive side, and it does occasionally have actually good ideas. Michael laughs, face flushing a little pinker, mostly with joy, but with a little shyness.]

You sure you're gonna like my music, bro?

[But he unplugs his headphones so he can turn the speaker up on the reggae he'd had on earlier.]

I don't even have a bowtie.

[firewalled]

I'll like it better than the top 40 crap they'd play at our prom, right?

[He wonders if Michael heard him complaining about the music choices at the prom. He wonders if he complained while simultaneously hip-thrusting to Kesha. He can't predict the future, but he knows himself a lot better than he used to.

He grins and slings his arms around Michael now that he doesn't have to worry about the headphones, already swaying his hips a little.]

It's chill. This is a casual prom. And you look best in your hoodie, you know?

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[Michael chuckles, resting his hands on Rich's waist and trying not to feel like a total doofus about it.]

I guess. That stuff has it's place, though.

[He does, in fact, vividly remember Rich complaining about hearing the "same shit over and over!" at prom while simultaneously twerking. But he wouldn't be Rich, otherwise. Just seems in character. The thought makes Michael smile fondly, just in time for his cheeks to heat up. Compliments: how do.]

You think? I promise I clean up well.

[The reggae ends and fades into something with more of a real beat, some 90s hip hop or other with strong drums, and Michael feels his feet wanting to move.]

[firewalled]

[Rich moves his hips a little more obviously and more eagerly, now that Michael is touching him like that. He giggles softly and tilts his head up so he can better see Michael's blushing face.]

Its place isn't right here, though. This stuff suits you a lot better. Makes you really charming.

[He notices Michael itching to start dancing, and he reaches to tug at Michael's hands.]

Here we go! Let's see your moves, Mell!

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[Rich wiggling his hips and giggling makes Michael blush more. God he is a gay disaster. It was always just waiting, right near the surface, and now it's all exposed and he's just fluttery and lightheaded. Sigh, boys.

He grins, face still pink, but after being called charming he wants to at least try to show off. So Rich gives him a tug and he gives in to the music, bouncing on his feet and doing a sort of slow shimmy with his shoulders, leaning down as he gets close so his forehead is near Rich's.]

I'm charming, am I?

[His heart is hammering against his chest.]

[firewalled]

[Well, enjoy the fact that you're never going to be able to stop blushing around Rich, then, because he is not going to stop doing things that will make Michael blushy. Especially when his pink face is so damn cute.

Rich whoops with delight as he watches Michael start getting into the beat, letting him bounce around. When Michael leans close, he takes the opportunity to steal a kiss.]

Very, very charming. You're making it hard for me to see why I like girls too, Mell.

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[After 16 years on this planet and never being able to be openly blushy about a boy ever? Yeah, he's gonna enjoy it. He's absolutely going to relish it. He's still got a stupid big grin on his face, and it gets a bit doofier when Rich cheers him on.

Then he grabs a kiss and Michael giggles like a drunk man, pulling a fancy little spin because he can't contain his happy.]

Good. Just as planned. Who needs girls? Not for kissing, at least.

[Girls are great in general just. You know, not sexy.]

[firewalled]

I know you're hella gay, but I was hoping to at least try out the other team once in a while! You've poisoned me, Michael.

[He shakes his fist but just giggles, grabbing Michael's hands to twirl around with him. He's blushing too, and it feels really good not to get scolded for that.]

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And so quickly! I had no idea my venom was so potent~

[He giggles, leaning in to very gently kiss Rich's blushing cheek, moving in close so he can put a hand on Rich's waist and lift the other two to the side. Silly fake ballroom dancing is go.]

[firewalled]

It's extremely potent! I'll probably get hives and perish within the week.

[He flushes just a little darker as he's kissed on the cheek, but starts up the ballroom style dancing anyways. He tries to lead, unless Michael starts stumbling, in which case he'll try his best to follow.]

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Oh no! That's barely any time to enjoy the results of my corruption! I'll have to kiss you at least once a minute.

[Michael grins through his blush, playing along but also a little nervous.

He lets Rich start to lead, adjusting his body to fit more with following. So that's how it's gonna be, huh? It's hard not to see this as a metaphor, but Michael tells his brain to shush.]

[firewalled]

Well then I'm sorely overdue for some smooching!

[Kiss him, you big gay loser. Rich pulls Michael in close so they can do the classic, teacher-frowned-upon method of slow dancing.]

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Oh, shoot!

[Michael grins, letting Rich pull him in close until their bodies practically press together. He has a flash of memory from prom, and flashlights being trained on them. But there aren't any chaperones here. Just two silly gay teenagers who can do whatever they want.

So Michael leans down to kiss Rich again, tender like last time, but with a little more press to it.]

[firewalled]

[Fucking PTA members, ruining everyone's fun and queerness. At least now they have nothing in the way. Rich makes a soft, almost inaudible sound into the kiss. Fuck, this boy is obviously from his future. He knows just how to kiss Rich in the ways that drive him nuts.]

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[Nobody watching, nothing to be ashamed of, and nobody to interrupt. Unless someone comes walking down the hallway, but they're more likely than not to just leave.

Michael is rather enjoying having this upper hand on Rich, knowing how he likes being kissed already. He feels like he can sweep Rich off his feet and that's fun. He pulls back from the kiss with a smug little smile.]

Maybe I won't mind this weird castle so much after all...

[firewalled]

[The coast is clear for now at least. And Rich isn't worried about most of the strangers here. Not that there's room to worry, with how dizzy Michael is making him. He's wearing the goofiest little grin on his face when Michael pulls away. God. He's melting. His knees are buckling.]

I think this place suddenly got a whole lot better...