"Eeeeeeeh! You know the drill. You yap and yap and yap until the fuuuuck-in' beepity boop. And who knows? If your voice doesn't annoy the shit out of me, I miiiight just call ya back!"
[ It had been a rollercoaster of a day and Mark is exhausted. The more he stays here, the more worried he becomes about the illness effecting people and the more worried he grows about getting out of here. It shows on his expression and in his eyes, but after a fight with a stubborn monster that managed to get away and Rex's persistent coaxing to try again tomorrow, he finds himself awake at night.
Now that he's lying awake, he can think about the other things that press on him that he's trying to be stronger about and heal from as Rex encouraged him to do. Still, he's a sensitive person. He was given permission to cry when he feels like it, though, and that's just what he does as he thinks about his mom, the fate of the Earth, the enigma that is his father.. he's starting to miss his friends like William and Amber (if she'll ever talk to him again) and Eve. He's mad at himself for being so emotional so he contemplates getting out of ed to go for a fly and clear his head, but it takes him a moment. Instead, he just curls in on himself and cries softly— not very loud since he thinks Rex is asleep and doesn't want to wake him, but it's enough quiet noises for Rex to know he's upset. ]
[Mark's quiet sobs awaken Rex from a reoccurring dream.
Or perhaps it should be referred to for what it really is- A nightmare.
The scene is no different from Rex's usual- Their universe's version of Chicago is on fire for the umpteenth time, fire hydrants are broken, people are screaming, and ambulance sirens are going off. But amidst all the chaos, right in the center, lies Eve. Her strawberry blond locks are tossed over her shoulder with her back facing him, and her pink supersuit is not only tattered, but burned in places, revealing red oozing from lacerations all over her delicate frame. She is sobbing loudly, and when he reaches out to see what happened, who could have done this to her...
Rex notices his own hands are already stained with blood. Her cries morph as he returns to consciousness, and become louder, closer-]
...Yikes.
[...Invincible?
Rex sits up and turns his body so that he's facing the other boy. He watches helplessly, once again, as Mark cries into the animal pelts.]
Haaaaave you been at that ugly cryin' shit for a while now? 'Cause your eyes they're, like-
[Grief is not a linear thing. It comes and goes, sometimes for years and years.
Rex gestures to his own face as he speaks.]
Super duper red.
[His tone is... Quiet. More observational, not mocking, per se.
Rex hugs his knees to his chest, still watching.]
I would ask ya if you were okay, but... I'm pretty sure we both know that's not really the vibe for tonight.
I'd ask if you wanna hear a bedtime story, but I'm fresh outta those.
[ God. He knew he should have gotten out of bed and gone out for a fly. The pale moon light that shines through the pulled back tarp of their tent does reflect enough light to make it visibly obvious that he's been crying. His skin has a glowing hue to it as a particular moonbeam shone across both of them. He instantly stops when Rex takes notice to it. Instantly, Mark is rolling on his back and rubbing viciously at his eyes. ]
H.. Hey, sorry. I hope I didn't wake you up.
[ He huffs out a sound that could be mistaken for a laugh trying to break through. ]
It's alright, Rex. Don't worry about it. It's just the same stuff. I'm trying to move on and heal from it like you told me to.
[Rex gives Mark's leg a little kick. It's nothing violent. Despite his tendency to bitch and moan about anything and everything, the hot-tempered super slaps a wry smile on his face.]
Hey! Invincible. Maaaark! What the fuck ever it is that you like to be called, I don't fuckin' know.
[ Mark's hands drop to his sides and suddenly, Rex is close. Very much so. Which surprises Mark slightly, but he sense him getting closer in several ways. He could feel warmth radiating off of him and he's becoming accustomed to his scent. It's not a bad scent. It's just a Rex scent. ]
[Rex's cleft chin is well over Mark's shoulder now, and he makes no attempt to break eye contact while slyly whispering-]
...Chicken butt.
[Before pulling back and making an assortment of exaggerated clucking sounds, even going so far as to do the embarrassing arm gestures, mimicking the movements of useless wings. God, he hopes this works. Please laugh, you stupid, sad little fool...]
[ That's absolutely not what he's expecting but it does cause him to snort, follow by releasing a chuckle. Not a clear laugh, but a good chuckle. It also causes him to turn on his side and face Rex in amusement. ]
And what do you think you're doing? You're not a chicken, dude.
[Hey! It's something. Not a sob. That's progress.]
Wow! Tough crowd.
My material's a little iffy around, ooh, I dunno, 2 AM? But maybe try checkin' back in with me in the morning when I'm, y'know! Awake?
And I'll have somethin' better for ya.
[Rex likes to pretend that he's the life of the party and the Big Man on (superhero) Campus, but truth be told, he's literally never spent a single evening with any boys his own age. It's been All About Eve for the pastt for years.
There is something oddly comfortable about this. It's nice.
Other than the Teen Teams and the new Guardians, most of whom overlap, Rex can't say he's ever had any other friends.]
You're real shit at cryin', you know that? I mean! You didn't even try to cover up the fact that there's snot comin' outta your nose. Where's the excuses, the bullshit about allergies? You could've at least pretended you were allergic to bird.
I take it you don't do this a lot?
[Weep, pathetically.
Mostly because for some time, Rex had cried nearly every night for a span of three months.]
[The question surprises him. Once again, Rex never really talks about his feelings with anyone, or at least, no one outside of his very recent ex-girlfriend.]
Aaaah.
[Rex notes Mark's neck soreness. Fuck- He resists the urge to reach over and help him out. That's weird! Very weird. They're not even really bros or anything as of right now, just two people who happen to be stranded on the same inter-dimensional island. To make matters worse, until they got on this stupid train, they flat out despised each other.]
I guess you could say I've had my fair share of sleepless nights? 'S been a while, though.
Or... Actually, no. I...
Haven't been sleepin' all that well, lately...
[For a multitude of reasons.]
I mean, my dad's no Omni-Man gone rogue, and that stuff's like way done, or at least, as done as it'll ever be, but I...
Y'know Cecil made them keep a whole-ass blood stain on one of the walls in HQ? And! The brute in the suit made us all take a good long look at it. I'll go downstairs in the middle of the night to get a snack or some shit and have to walk by that thing!
I... I've gone over it in my head a bunch, now. So, so many times! I needed to figure it out, like, which one of 'em did it belong to?
...I couldn't tell ya, though.
I just don't know.
And it's been screwin' with my head for a goddamn minute and a half.
[ you know you wanna rub the baby bird's neck.......
Mark frowns at Rex's response but at least he is being honest with him. It really is a step in the right direction. He listens to what he has to say and thinks about Cecil for a moment— Nolan never really had too many positive things to say about him to Mark. Not really much about who he is and what he's doing but just how he has such a tight rope on things. It's probably one reason Nolan didn't want to work with them now that the truth has come to light.. Nolan was nervous Cecil would find out more about his scheme if he got too close to them. As Mark thinks about this, his thick brows pull together. Nolan's judgment and opinion on Cecil didn't matter anymore.
Hearing it from Rex, though.. Mark lets out an unsteady breath, knowing well his father was responsible for all of that. Mark doesn't even really notice how his hands move to settle on both of Rex's forearms. Oops.
Guilt once again seeps through him. ]
I am so sorry. I still cannot believe my dad did all of that.. but now I'm realizing all of this is really effecting everyone.
[ Rex had said it before several times implying this isn't all about Mark even if he is effecting him the most; now the Guardians of the Globe have something else to worry about, Cecil does too, his mom, really all of Earth. Rex giving a specific example of how it's effecting him makes Mark feel a sting. ]
It's not just me and my mom.. it's everyone. And I won't stand for it.
[ He pulls his hands away, back to himself and closes his eyes for a second, taking another easy breath. Notice how he's been doing that lately? ]
If there's anything I can do to help you.. I feel responsible since it's my dad even though I know I shouldn't have to.
[Rex mouths off when it comes to just about everyone, but he and Cecil go way back. It is, in part, due to that surly old dude's graces that he is safe. Cecil is the one who gave him his new identity, new job, and a fresh start. He and his team are why Rex is still breathing, and despite some minor paranoia that lingers like an old memory, they are on good terms.]
You didn't kill 'em, Mark.
He did.
[Rex has noticed. The touch feels... Strangely comforting, but he does not speak about it.]
I just... I know I'm a fuck-up, but...
I'm trying! I... I just don't wanna die, y'know? Like this? As this asshole? Dude.
I know that there's a lot of stuff that we should be doin' right now, but I haven't had a vacation in-
[He pauses to ruminate on that thought.
As a kid, such things were unthinkable. Food wasn't even on the table every day. Then he was locked in a government facility, on the run, and now he is always on call. Rex and Eve had their fair share of trips to fun places, especially because she can fly, but those precious times were nearly always cut short.]
Honestly? Ever. Not that this is one, but...
It is nice to, like. Not to have my phone just constantly ringing, like all the time!
[ Mark has the urge to settle his hands back on Rex but he doesn't. ]
You'll survive. You did for this long, right? So.. we'll get out of this together.
[ it's nice to hear someone is having a better time, though. Mark is eager to get back home but that's because he has a pressing doom on his shoulders. A responsibly. To settle things with his father before Viltrum takes over Earth, or whatever the fuck they do. Mark still didn't understand cause he had no connection to these people— just their blood in his veins.
He wiggles his butt so that it inches himself a little closer to Rex. ]
Hey, I'm glad you're finding the optimistic sides to all of this. Someone between the two of us has to.
[ Rex has been blessed by yet another Mark chuckle as he finds Rex's reaction comical, especially with the way his eyes grow. He pats Rex on the knee. ]
No, we aren't, okay? Between the two of us, I think we'll be fine.
[ That's only cause Rex has been extremely helpful to him over the past few days. He doesn't want to say it, but it shows in his face which looks a lot happier. More sweet. ]
Are you going to still have trouble sleeping? Should we do something to make us both tired?
[ He literally means like.. go for a walk or run but think what you want. ]
[Rex's eyebrows rise nearly all the way to his hairline. It's late at night. They are two horny teenage boys. He is not at all thinking clearly. The two of them are barely clothed. Hold on, wait just a damn minute-]
Are you suggestin' that we, uh...
[Now it is his turn to do the single finger inserted into the hole-shaped hand... A CURSED GESTURE????]
Dude! You have got to be more careful about that sorta thing!
[Rex sounds exasperated.]
Do you know just how many people have come onto me out of left field? It's like, we're around a bunch of other morons, and then they go on and on about how they just want me to shut the fuck up, and then?! The door closes! And suddenly their no-good hand is on my fucking thigh! Bitch, what!
[ He also doesn’t know what that’s like? People pick on him, no proposition him. Mark shifts, trying to get more comfortable after having this embarrassing exchange. ]
I mean, it doesn’t really make it right, but I guess it’s cause you’re handsome.
.. Like! They think you’re handsome. I don’t think I’ve really had anything like that happen to me.
[ Amber gave him her number so he at least had some warning there even if she was the instigator most of the time after they got together. ]
Uhhh, swear?! I tell 'em to fuck off, that's what! It's crazy. I think people think, that, just 'cause I'm a hot guy? That I want them to manhandle my junk constantly. No! Also, that's a pretty stupid approach, seein' as I'm also-
[He waves both of his hands frantically, his palms facing outwards.]
Depends on the person and our level of communication and relationship at the time. Especially if I knew they really wanted to.. hm.
[ His voice sounds light and almost playful. ]
I think I would have a hard time controlling myself.
[ O H. There’s a pause and Mark furrows his eyebrows, suddenly beginning to feel embarrassed about this now. Even so, he actually turns to face Rex. ]
Dude, why are you asking? For someone who has really only gotten to know me over the past few days, you sure are loaded with a bunch of assumptions about me. Do you really think about them a lot?
[ More so, are you thinking about him a lot, Rex? To come up with these assumptions? ]
[And now it will live in his brain rent free forever and ever! Ugh.]
No! Nuh-uh. I don't think about you at all!
Not when we're off the field, man, Jeeeeeee-SUS!
[His number creeps up to a whopping 705. Wow, Rex. Why you lying, huh? Not only is he being forced to think about his bizarrely passionate distaste for the other boy and how that may seem suspicious in some regards, he's also being reminded that prior to this little train escapade, Invincible hardly considered Rex to be anything worth thinking about. Both of his nostrils flare flagrantly.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
action.... its just me again
Now that he's lying awake, he can think about the other things that press on him that he's trying to be stronger about and heal from as Rex encouraged him to do. Still, he's a sensitive person. He was given permission to cry when he feels like it, though, and that's just what he does as he thinks about his mom, the fate of the Earth, the enigma that is his father.. he's starting to miss his friends like William and Amber (if she'll ever talk to him again) and Eve. He's mad at himself for being so emotional so he contemplates getting out of ed to go for a fly and clear his head, but it takes him a moment. Instead, he just curls in on himself and cries softly— not very loud since he thinks Rex is asleep and doesn't want to wake him, but it's enough quiet noises for Rex to know he's upset. ]
CW: INVINCIBLE STYLE BRUTALITY + GORE MENTION
Or perhaps it should be referred to for what it really is- A nightmare.
The scene is no different from Rex's usual- Their universe's version of Chicago is on fire for the umpteenth time, fire hydrants are broken, people are screaming, and ambulance sirens are going off. But amidst all the chaos, right in the center, lies Eve. Her strawberry blond locks are tossed over her shoulder with her back facing him, and her pink supersuit is not only tattered, but burned in places, revealing red oozing from lacerations all over her delicate frame. She is sobbing loudly, and when he reaches out to see what happened, who could have done this to her...
Rex notices his own hands are already stained with blood. Her cries morph as he returns to consciousness, and become louder, closer-]
...Yikes.
[...Invincible?
Rex sits up and turns his body so that he's facing the other boy. He watches helplessly, once again, as Mark cries into the animal pelts.]
Haaaaave you been at that ugly cryin' shit for a while now? 'Cause your eyes they're, like-
[Grief is not a linear thing. It comes and goes, sometimes for years and years.
Rex gestures to his own face as he speaks.]
Super duper red.
[His tone is... Quiet. More observational, not mocking, per se.
Rex hugs his knees to his chest, still watching.]
I would ask ya if you were okay, but... I'm pretty sure we both know that's not really the vibe for tonight.
I'd ask if you wanna hear a bedtime story, but I'm fresh outta those.
Sorry.
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H.. Hey, sorry. I hope I didn't wake you up.
[ He huffs out a sound that could be mistaken for a laugh trying to break through. ]
It's alright, Rex. Don't worry about it. It's just the same stuff. I'm trying to move on and heal from it like you told me to.
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Hey! Invincible. Maaaark! What the fuck ever it is that you like to be called, I don't fuckin' know.
[Oh boy.]
Guess what?
[He's leaning ever so close now, almost leering.]
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.. What?
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...Chicken butt.
[Before pulling back and making an assortment of exaggerated clucking sounds, even going so far as to do the embarrassing arm gestures, mimicking the movements of useless wings. God, he hopes this works. Please laugh, you stupid, sad little fool...]
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And what do you think you're doing? You're not a chicken, dude.
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Wow! Tough crowd.
My material's a little iffy around, ooh, I dunno, 2 AM? But maybe try checkin' back in with me in the morning when I'm, y'know! Awake?
And I'll have somethin' better for ya.
[Rex likes to pretend that he's the life of the party and the Big Man on (superhero) Campus, but truth be told, he's literally never spent a single evening with any boys his own age. It's been All About Eve for the pastt for years.
There is something oddly comfortable about this. It's nice.
Other than the Teen Teams and the new Guardians, most of whom overlap, Rex can't say he's ever had any other friends.]
You're real shit at cryin', you know that? I mean! You didn't even try to cover up the fact that there's snot comin' outta your nose. Where's the excuses, the bullshit about allergies? You could've at least pretended you were allergic to bird.
I take it you don't do this a lot?
[Weep, pathetically.
Mostly because for some time, Rex had cried nearly every night for a span of three months.]
The whole wah wah baby thing?
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I guess not. It’s been hard, but you know that already.
[ Mark sniffs, trying to conceal that snot that has dribbled out of his nose. He’s hesitant to ask but it comes out anyway: ]
.. have you?
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Aaaah.
[Rex notes Mark's neck soreness. Fuck- He resists the urge to reach over and help him out. That's weird! Very weird. They're not even really bros or anything as of right now, just two people who happen to be stranded on the same inter-dimensional island. To make matters worse, until they got on this stupid train, they flat out despised each other.]
I guess you could say I've had my fair share of sleepless nights? 'S been a while, though.
Or... Actually, no. I...
Haven't been sleepin' all that well, lately...
[For a multitude of reasons.]
I mean, my dad's no Omni-Man gone rogue, and that stuff's like way done, or at least, as done as it'll ever be, but I...
Y'know Cecil made them keep a whole-ass blood stain on one of the walls in HQ? And! The brute in the suit made us all take a good long look at it. I'll go downstairs in the middle of the night to get a snack or some shit and have to walk by that thing!
I... I've gone over it in my head a bunch, now. So, so many times! I needed to figure it out, like, which one of 'em did it belong to?
...I couldn't tell ya, though.
I just don't know.
And it's been screwin' with my head for a goddamn minute and a half.
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Mark frowns at Rex's response but at least he is being honest with him. It really is a step in the right direction. He listens to what he has to say and thinks about Cecil for a moment— Nolan never really had too many positive things to say about him to Mark. Not really much about who he is and what he's doing but just how he has such a tight rope on things. It's probably one reason Nolan didn't want to work with them now that the truth has come to light.. Nolan was nervous Cecil would find out more about his scheme if he got too close to them. As Mark thinks about this, his thick brows pull together. Nolan's judgment and opinion on Cecil didn't matter anymore.
Hearing it from Rex, though.. Mark lets out an unsteady breath, knowing well his father was responsible for all of that. Mark doesn't even really notice how his hands move to settle on both of Rex's forearms. Oops.
Guilt once again seeps through him. ]
I am so sorry. I still cannot believe my dad did all of that.. but now I'm realizing all of this is really effecting everyone.
[ Rex had said it before several times implying this isn't all about Mark even if he is effecting him the most; now the Guardians of the Globe have something else to worry about, Cecil does too, his mom, really all of Earth. Rex giving a specific example of how it's effecting him makes Mark feel a sting. ]
It's not just me and my mom.. it's everyone. And I won't stand for it.
[ He pulls his hands away, back to himself and closes his eyes for a second, taking another easy breath. Notice how he's been doing that lately? ]
If there's anything I can do to help you.. I feel responsible since it's my dad even though I know I shouldn't have to.
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You didn't kill 'em, Mark.
He did.
[Rex has noticed. The touch feels... Strangely comforting, but he does not speak about it.]
I just... I know I'm a fuck-up, but...
I'm trying! I... I just don't wanna die, y'know? Like this? As this asshole? Dude.
I know that there's a lot of stuff that we should be doin' right now, but I haven't had a vacation in-
[He pauses to ruminate on that thought.
As a kid, such things were unthinkable. Food wasn't even on the table every day. Then he was locked in a government facility, on the run, and now he is always on call. Rex and Eve had their fair share of trips to fun places, especially because she can fly, but those precious times were nearly always cut short.]
Honestly? Ever. Not that this is one, but...
It is nice to, like. Not to have my phone just constantly ringing, like all the time!
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[ Mark has the urge to settle his hands back on Rex but he doesn't. ]
You'll survive. You did for this long, right? So.. we'll get out of this together.
[ it's nice to hear someone is having a better time, though. Mark is eager to get back home but that's because he has a pressing doom on his shoulders. A responsibly. To settle things with his father before Viltrum takes over Earth, or whatever the fuck they do. Mark still didn't understand cause he had no connection to these people— just their blood in his veins.
He wiggles his butt so that it inches himself a little closer to Rex. ]
Hey, I'm glad you're finding the optimistic sides to all of this. Someone between the two of us has to.
why did i laugh
Right down to the very genetic code from which Mark has sprouted into existence.]
Ohhhhhh no.
[Rex's eyes widen at that stunning realization.]
So I'm the one who's being the optimist in this situation? Me? Whoa-ho, dude.
We are so fucked!
idk but it made mark laugh too
No, we aren't, okay? Between the two of us, I think we'll be fine.
[ That's only cause Rex has been extremely helpful to him over the past few days. He doesn't want to say it, but it shows in his face which looks a lot happier. More sweet. ]
Are you going to still have trouble sleeping? Should we do something to make us both tired?
[ He literally means like.. go for a walk or run but think what you want. ]
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Are you suggestin' that we, uh...
[Now it is his turn to do the single finger inserted into the hole-shaped hand...
A CURSED GESTURE????]
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Yeah, no. He’s squirming back from Rex now as he face heats. Not enough to really cause color to his cheeks but he certainly feels it. ]
What?! No! I meant like for a run or a walk or some OTHER kind of exercise! Why would you think that? No, wait, don’t answer that!!
[ Oh. He’s all flustered now and he admits himself to lying vertical again, turning his back to Rex. ]
… Yeah, no. That’s not what I meant. I just thought I’d suggest something since we both are having trouble right now!
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[Rex sounds exasperated.]
Do you know just how many people have come onto me out of left field? It's like, we're around a bunch of other morons, and then they go on and on about how they just want me to shut the fuck up, and then?! The door closes! And suddenly their no-good hand is on my fucking thigh! Bitch, what!
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[ He also doesn’t know what that’s like? People pick on him, no proposition him. Mark shifts, trying to get more comfortable after having this embarrassing exchange. ]
I mean, it doesn’t really make it right, but I guess it’s cause you’re handsome.
.. Like! They think you’re handsome. I don’t think I’ve really had anything like that happen to me.
[ Amber gave him her number so he at least had some warning there even if she was the instigator most of the time after they got together. ]
What do you usually do in that situation?
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[He waves both of his hands frantically, his palms facing outwards.]
A hot guy!
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[ he makes this really cute grumbling noise and wiggles, again, trying to get comfortable and closes his eyes ]
Guess I’ll just try to sleep again unless you have a different suggestion.
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He huffs and also wiggles, attempting to feel a little warmer beneath all of these dead animals.]
Wouldja even have the balls to make a move like that, though?
I feel like even if you wanted to bone somebody... You'd, like. Ask politely and shit. That is... If you didn't chicken out.
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[ Oh ho. Surprising? ]
Depends on the person and our level of communication and relationship at the time. Especially if I knew they really wanted to.. hm.
[ His voice sounds light and almost playful. ]
I think I would have a hard time controlling myself.
[ O H. There’s a pause and Mark furrows his eyebrows, suddenly beginning to feel embarrassed about this now. Even so, he actually turns to face Rex. ]
Dude, why are you asking? For someone who has really only gotten to know me over the past few days, you sure are loaded with a bunch of assumptions about me. Do you really think about them a lot?
[ More so, are you thinking about him a lot, Rex? To come up with these assumptions? ]
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[And now it will live in his brain rent free forever and ever! Ugh.]
No! Nuh-uh. I don't think about you at all!
Not when we're off the field, man, Jeeeeeee-SUS!
[His number creeps up to a whopping 705. Wow, Rex. Why you lying, huh? Not only is he being forced to think about his bizarrely passionate distaste for the other boy and how that may seem suspicious in some regards, he's also being reminded that prior to this little train escapade, Invincible hardly considered Rex to be anything worth thinking about. Both of his nostrils flare flagrantly.]
Why're you so obsessed with me, god!
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[ That causes him to prop himself up on his elbow and regard Rex, his eyebrows still tight together. Is he missing something here? ]
That’s another assumption too! Jesus! Okay, sure. I’ll bite. How am I obsessed with you? You know, since you know EVERYTHING about me.
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