trans_9 | Man, you look just like I feel [Open]

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Man, you look just like I feel [Open]

Despite the uproar that had taken place only a day earlier, it was all quiet at the Susono Inn. Well... mostly quiet, anyway. It was home to some of the most stubborn crew members on the ship, almost all of whom had gotten involved in the brawl with the Kessek.

Allenby's arm had been broken. Simon had taken a hard one directly to the ribs. Zouichi would probably take a week to get back to real fighting form.

And Howard... well, it would probably take Howard a while to recover from what had happened.

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"That doesn't mean you will, not necessarily." Cedric insists on hanging onto hope, almost always. It's probably fairly annoying by now.

"And that's right. You've got an awkward too-tall sort of guy hanging around. Hope that doesn't bother you too much."

"No, it doesn't bother me." It's at points like this that Howard wishes he and Cedric could have something more. He doesn't know what's okay and what's not with this friendship - but then again, he wouldn't know with a relationship either.

"Could I, um. Nevermind, you're hurt right now."

Cedric props himself up on one elbow with some effort. He's hurt, but he's not incapable of doing anything at all!

"Could you...what? I won't know if I can do it unless you ask."

"Do you mind if we hug for a second? I mean, gently and all."

That's all? Cedric had begun to picture something truly monstrous. Honestly, compared to some of the things, a hug sounds wonderful. Maybe Cedric needs one too---after all this mess, who wouldn't?

He nods and pushes himself back up, finding a position he can hold while they do this. "Not at all, come on then."

Cedric smiles and opens his arms. He certainly looks happier, if not by much.

Howard's a person for whom hugs are reserved for traumatic events or holidays, so he's not totally sure why Cedric's smiling like he is. He embraces Cedric, gently and more around the shoulders than around the banged-up torso.

"Thanks. I'm glad you're okay."

Because most people find hugs comforting and enjoyable, Howard. Maybe you'll get there someday---but Cedric's happy with this for now. They both need a little support at the moment.

He hesitantly rests his bad arm on Howard's back, staying far away from the arms and shoulders. They're bound to still be sore after all that hanging.

"You too." But that should be self-evident by now. Cedric's gone and revealed the stupid lengths he will go to in attempts to protect Howard, and something about that knowledge is definitely awkward.

Howard possibly holds the hug for slightly too long before pulling back away. It is awkward. He's not sure they'll ever reach a point where they aren't awkward around each other.

"Do you want some tea or something? I could heat up water."

Cedric doesn't even notice. Honestly, he's usually the one holding hugs long enough for them to become uncomfortable. He shifts back against the wall and nods.

"I'm hopelessly English, is that right? Sure. Getting some for yourself?"

"Nah, I just have tea. Your teeth aren't bad enough for you to be real British. I call shenanigans." He pulls a kettle from under his bed, feels the side to make sure it's still warm, and pours a cup of water for Cedric. There are teabags on the bedside table.

"Hey! We have wizard dentistry, we're not awful." Cedric takes his time selecting a teabag and dips it, pleased by the familiar warmth. There's something incredibly comforting about this.

"Was there something wrong with my teeth, though?" A little flaw, probably. Food in them, one knocked out of place---he's no Gilderoy Lockhart with a Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award, but he does like to look good.

Not that that's happening now.

"No, there's uh." Howard's cheeks flush and he pays particular attention to his teabag. "Your teeth are nice. I mean fine. They're totally normal teeth."

Someday he'll get the hang of this attraction thing without being hella awkward, just you wait.

"I thought I might've damaged them," Cedric provides as his flimsy explanation. "Thanks---the damage is just everywhere else."

He smirks and sips his tea, entirely too happy about this. "Do you usually drink yours black?"

"Nothing permanent, though. That's the important part." Mostly. Sometimes permanent damage isn't physical.

"Uh." Apparently Howard's lost his tongue. "I don't really notice taste or anything. I usually put more sugar in, extra calories just in case, you know. Something happens."

"Thankfully." Cedric smiles again, looking around for the sugar.

"Is there any? I don't mind if there isn't, but...calories are good, yeah," he finishes with, instead of his original sweet tooth crack. He shouldn't be flaunting how much food he's used to, or how fond he is of fine cooking.

"On second thought, save them for yourself." Howard needs the extra strength more than he does.

"No no, I got some, hold on." Howard searches under the bed and pulls out a large plastic box. Inside, it's stuffed with sugar and condiment packets, part of Howard's hoard. He holds out two packets to Cedric, then thinks better of it and switches to just offering him one. He uses the other for himself.

"I don't need the extra calories now," he says as puts the second sugar in Cedric's hand. It sounds like he's trying to convince himself more than Cedric. "We're safe here. As long as we never leave."

He sits back and covers his face for a moment. It's so exhausting, living like this.

Cedric doesn't mind it. He probably shouldn't have so much sugar anyway, it's not good for his health. His fingers fold over the packet, then empty its contents more delicately than usual. Sugar is a valuable resource, and he missed it. All these little things Howard does make him more aware of just how much his life depends on.

"Do you really think you could live like that, though? Just here?"

"No." Howard uncovers his face and sighs. "No, I think I'm stuck in another dangerous situation and I'm going to end up dead soon. Same as you."

He thought that maybe he'd have a chance if he could get off Stacy. The threat of Punishment killed that chance. Now he's resigned to dying young, again.

He figures Cedric would understand that better than anyone.

It's true, isn't it. Cedric's mouth droops. No hope? No.

"But...that doesn't mean we'll never enjoy anything again. It might take time, but we'll do some things. All right?"

"Like what?" Howard tilts his head and stares past Cedric at the wall. He's been concerned about making Cedric uncomfortable or feel flirted with so he doesn't invite Cedric to do things. He'd rather Cedric set the tone of what he's comfortable with.

Cedric tries to lift his head, to get a look at Howard. Staring at the wall is not what he has in mind for fun, not at all.

"You know...more things like the snowball fight. Swimming, boating, maybe flying on something stabler than a broom. Fishing? Seeing shows, shopping. I've wanted to try skydiving since I've heard about it, but I gather that's not your idea of a good time."

"Yeah. Those sound nice." Howard still seems a little zoned out, but he'll come back to. He does focus his eyes back on Cedric. "Not the skydiving, though. You can do that if you're that dead-set on being stupid."

Cedric nods encouragingly. Yes, it'll take time for Howard to recover from this, but they can have some fun.

"I've heard it can be quite safe if everything's done properly. Honestly, Quidditch is probably more likely to hurt a person."

He briefly daydreams about this excitement, then sinks back into place on the bed. "I know better than to adventure now, though. I should be...reading, or something."

"Are you trying to scare me away from Quidditch? Because that is totally making me not want to ref." Right, they're still doing that, aren't they? Howard's completely forgotten in the craziness of the last few days.

"Good boy. Read and play safe sports. Don't do this crazy life-risking thing."

"No, it's not dangerous for you!" Cedric repeats. "We'll protect you with spells and the Sensorium protocols. I'm the one who has to worry, I've come out of a match looking worse than this," he laughs just a little.

"Woof," Cedric barks half-heartedly in response to the idea of safety. He'll be a good boy. Just not a perfect one.

Man, you look just like I feel [Open]

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