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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[Rich’s teasing staring suddenly takes on an air of shock as Michael reacts in a way he certainly was not expecting. The blushing he could wave off, sure, but saying ‘not exactly’ and then trying to avoid answering the question? What is he supposed to think?

...Well, he’s probably supposed to think he and Michael must have something going on in the future. So it’s not that weird to get a little more flirty, right? Right.]

Is it spoilers if we start smooching now? ...I mean, if that’s cool with you.

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[It isn't until Rich looks so genuinely surprised that he realizes that Rich was actually mostly kidding that whole time, and that Michael probably could have dodged all of that by playing it off as a joke. Oops.

Well... At least he's being rewarded for it? Holy shit?

This shouldn't be such a surprise he asked you to prom, doofus. But here Michael is, surprised. He manages a doofy sort of grin.]

Well I suppose that wouldn't be spoilers, no. Um. Ok honestly dude I can't tell when you're joking and when you're serious sometimes and I feel like an idiot but...

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[Of course he's being rewarded for it! Rich appreciates the somewhat honesty! He wants to know more, but he'll try not to press too much for now.

Whatever happened in Michael's present can stay there. Rich is going to figure out his own future. Starting by possibly confessing to a crush.]

Dude, I wouldn't joke about kissing you without at least partially meaning it. I'm... I'm serious, okay? I...

[Phew deep breaths, okay.]

I think I like you...? Is that cool?

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Yeah!

[He responds way too quickly, a really dorky grin spreading on his face and creasing up his smile lines.]

Yeah that's more than cool! That's way cool! That's freakin' awesome!

[He sort of vibrate-wiggles with excitement. Everything that happened at home, every moment he wasn't sure if he should touch Rich that way, or kiss him, even at prom when they ended up making out... Rich is just saying it, now. Not that Michael ever thought Rich wasn't at least actually a little attracted to him!

But it's true even here. Maybe putting his foot in his mouth isn't so bad.]

I'm gonna kiss you.

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Oh! Okay, cool. Really cool!

[God, he's utterly adorable. Rich cannot handle this. No wonder the future him was apparently getting in on that. He's glad he has a chance with him. Not all of his crushes are going to be unrequited. He beams and blushes softly at the admission before reaching out to grab Michael's hands.]

Well, go for it then.

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Right! Yeah!

[Don't make a declaration and then not do it, Michael! That's stupid! Get your shit together and kiss the boy!

His chest flutters really hard, and his fingers tingle where Rich touches them. He takes a deep breath, and leans down, pressing a gentle, but decisive kiss to Rich's lips. Unconsciously, he tugs a little on Rich's hands to pull him closer.]

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[Rich wouldn’t be as insulting, but he certainly does want Michael to actually kiss him and not just talk about kissing him. But after a moment, Michael leans in, and Rich’s heart flutters with anticipation. Their lips meet, and his heart could just about explode.

Rather than just leaning in closer, he takes the opportunity to fling his arms around Michael’s neck, his fingers happily tangling in Michael’s hair.]

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[It wasn't insulting! Just honest. It was the little kick into reality Michael needed to actually get moving, apparently. It certainly didn't sour the experience.

He's kissing Rich again. Even this Rich, from way back in the hospital, likes him back! Actually really is into him! Michael feels like his chest is filling up with helium. His gay little heart can't take it.

He huffs a very soft laugh out of his nose and smiles into the kiss before relaxing again with a sigh, wrapping his now free hands gently around Rich's waist.]

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[Well, as long as the kick helped push him forward instead of beating Michael down. This guy needs to be lifted up and allowed to soar. Rich wants to give that back to him.He hums softly, lets the kiss be as open and romantic as Michael wants it, and waits until he’s run out of breath to pull away. He still keeps his hands around Michael’s shoulders.]Welp. Guess we’re back on the timeline.

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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?

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[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.]

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[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.]

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[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.

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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.]

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[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.]

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[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.]

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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.]