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's just a whole lotta smol strong boy right up in your business is all. Michael can feel himself relax a little to have his space back, but he does smile a little.]

Yeah, why not? If nothing is gonna make sense at all it might as well be a slumber party.

[He doesn't want to argue timelines anymore. Whatever. It doesn't even matter.]

[firewalled]

It's a really confusing slumber party. You get used to it. I'm already taking things in stride.

[He shrugs.]

But uh, be careful while you're figuring shit out, okay? Apparently there are some dangerous monsters around right now. And uh... there's a squip, but like, not connected to any of us? So I'd say that's more dangerous.

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We'll be okay if we stick together!

[He nudges Rich's shoulder with his own, tries to smile reassuringly. Then remembers that Rich apparently is still in the hospital? And doesn't remember becoming his friend and hanging out together at the end of the year? So maybe that's weird.

Luckily(?) he gets distracted right away by horror.]

....... Okay but how? They're nanocomputers. They don't... they don't function outside of a human body.

[firewalled]

[Is it weird? Rich doesn't seem to think so. He smiles, a little relieved, and loops his arm around Michael's shoulders. Hey, if Michael is okay with it, that means he's ready to embrace being a little touchy-feely.]

Hey, don't look at me, man. I didn't know how those things worked before I got here, and now they make even less sense. It seems... kinda weirded out, though. Like it knows it's not supposed to be outside of a body. And it couldn't like, access my name or do any creepy brainwashing shit.

[...Rich, how long did you hang out and talk with this squip?]

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[Heh, yeah, he's okay with it. He isn't quite used to it yet, but it's no longer a surprise that Rich is a handsy dude. They've been friends long enough he's used to it. Even if this time it brings with it a teensy flutter in his chest and the reminder that they still haven't. Actually talked about Prom.

Except the Rich currently giving him a side-hug doesn't even remember coming back to school, let alone Prom. Well, that's kinda awkward. Better try to avoid that.

Michael grinds his teeth about the squip, tenderly resting an arm around Rich in return, then giving a little squeeze. Almost protectively]

Well I don't care about its discomfort. It's a relief it can't get into your head at all, at least. Was it.. following you around?

[firewalled]

[Rich likes physical contact a lot! He hopes Michael is fine with it. He seems to be, if a little flustered. Wonder what that's about. Soon enough, though, he feels Michael squeeze him, and glare daggers at the air. He's... a little touched Michael is so worried on his former bully's behalf.]

It didn't exactly follow me around... just like. Popped up randomly and started harassing me. At least it had some information about this place. Wasn't worth listening to its holier than thou bullcrap, though.

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[Michael is fine, he's fine!!! He loves casual touch. He touches Jeremy all the time it's fine. He isn't flustered you're seeing shit. He's just worried about there being a squip in this castle! Harassing his friend!

Or pretend he's unsure about being hugged by a former bully whatever works, man. He grunts in response, thinking.]

Yeah, absolutely. I wouldn't trust anything it says at all, really. Somehow I feel like its statements are extra suspicious because it's disembodied...

[He shivers.]

Maybe we can dump some Code Red on it and melt it like the wicked witch of the west.

[firewalled]

[That said, Michael was friends with Jeremy for twelve years, so of course he'd be more comfortable in that situation. Rich should maybe back off. But he does kind of like the support, both in Michael's touch and in his tone of voice. Rich smiles softly.]

Yeah, dude. You're right. And here I was starting to worry I had overreacted.

[A laugh.]

I mean, at least I didn't try to murder it immediately! It dodged my punches anyways.

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[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.

[firewalled]

[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!

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[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?

[firewalled]

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!

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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.

[firewalled]

[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.

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[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.]

[firewalled]

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.]

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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.]

[firewalled]

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.

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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.

[firewalled]

[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...

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[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?

[firewalled]

[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?

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[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.]

[firewalled]

[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.]

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[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.