himbomb | IC INBOX

No, not exactly.

_{[ 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? ]}

I soooo did not need that information!

[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!

I’m obsessed with you? What?

_{[ 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.

Edited 2021-09-18 02:33 (UTC)

Hmph!

[Rex, not willing to throw in the gauntlet just yet, simply scrunches up his face and turns away from Mark. Also because he has been cornered...]

Well, everybody else seems to be!

Why do you care what I think? I'm not Eve! Or Robot! Or Kate, even! You're not tryin' to get in my pants! So why bother.

[rex... u are contradickting urself... directly]

Well, yeah. I’m not.

_{[ ???? ]}

I mean, can’t I try to get along and like you without trying to.. you know..

_{[ A beat. ]}

You’re not a bad person. I never thought that. I just don’t understand you sometimes.. and that’s okay. You’ve helped me, especially since we got here. So I know you have goodness in you.. which means I like being around you and being your.. friend?

Yeah, friend. You’ve made me laugh like friends do. And this? This whole sharing space thing? Friends totally do that.

_{[ He seems satisfied with that response and the smallest smile appears as he settles back down, but he keeps facing Rex this time. ]}

We are absolutely friends whether you like it or not.

[For at least thirteen of his eighteen years of life, Rex never had the privilege of having any friends at all. Even with the very few friendships he does have, which often are more tied to saving lives and just coexisting in the same vicinity for extended periods of time, moments of real emotional intimacy have been few and far between. On top of all of that, Rex is usually the one dictating the friendship.

And here comes this stupid head ass!!! Going around and saying that they're friends when he doesn't know a damn thing about him.]

I do not like this. Not one bit! You are such a goob.

You don't even know me! Not really.

[And if he did...

Rex is almost sure he'd lose his bid to get the fuck out of this place, which is Invincible himself. At least he can fly.]

I could secretly be an axe-murderer! Or, I dunno, one of those weirdoes who's really into feet. Hell! I could even be into chicken feet! Bokety-bok-bok.

A goob?

_{[ As Rex goes on, he does make a point, but.. Mark started off being really unsure of this guy until they got here and Rex has really been more of a positive person instead of a negative person, surprisingly enough. Did the change in atmosphere have that effect?

As Rex goes on, Mark follows, but he can't help but feel laughter bubble up inside of him at that last part. A honest to God clear laugh. Mark finally closes his eyes, letting his teeth be revealed by a lingering smile. ]}

Well, maybe don't be so nice to me when it counts, then! And that's fine. I'm getting to know you. It's been.. interesting, but not bad.

_{[ As his eyes stay closed, he adds on with a more playful tone: ]}

I'm not obsessed with you, though...
Just curious.

_{[ this is like............. definitely flirting and mark has no idea rip ]}

Would you rather I call you a boob? 'Cause you're one of those too! The unfun and totally not squishy kind.

[...It definitely is, but like a buffoon, Rex has blocked out the reality of that entire possibility. There's no way Invincible, his arch nemesis and object of all his insecurity-related envies, would ever feel that way about him. Not seriously!

Rex's anxiety, in part, is due to how natural and fun this all seems. Is this what he missed out on because his life royally sucked? Bonding?

He can't get too attached. Invincible is only latching onto him because they are both from home. He will soon find another kinder, more well-adjusted and less temperamental human being, and leave him in the dust just like everyone else.]

If you're so damn curious, fine! Go ahead and ask me shit. Shoot! Like your life motherfuckin' depends on it.

_{[ Where should he start? He knows he probably shouldn’t bring up the parents first thing cause it sounds like that was rough. Or how he met Eve.. yeah he shouldn’t bring up anything with Eve at all. What about just something that pertains to him?

His eyes open, but only halfway cause he’s gradually growing sleepy. ]}

What are some of your favorite activities? Or foods?

_{[ Yeah this is definitely something you ask when you’re on a date. ]}

Aaaaah.

[...That is weirdly intimate and it is making him feel a Thing. Several things actually. Most people could care less to ask what he likes. There's a pause, a definite lull in the conversation, because he is both stunned and uncertain.

Should he tell him the truth?]

Well, I've always had a thing for gymnastics, but I do a lotta that out in the field, soooo...

[look who is getting REALLY bashful now]

I like stand-up comedy specials, I guess? Or, anything funny that's either so bad it'll drive me into a fit of hysterics or... The stuff that, like, took a lotta work to write, obviously? The brainy-shit that makes you think a little bit.

[a-ah... //// this i s weird]

When it comes to food, I like it hot! You know- Spicaaaay? And with meat, oooh, and lots of it! I'm not so much of a fish guy, but bring on the lobster, baby! Oysters are good too, 'specially when you drown 'em in hot sauce.

Ooh! I also like to take a peek at all of the weird shit you happen to find at 7-Eleven. Sometimes I'll pop in around 2 AM and see what wackass sandos they've got hangin' out on the shelf. One time I found one that said it was ham but it looked more like somebody sliced off a piece of an ear and stuck it between some moldy pieces of bread. Wild!

[screams how does he do this normal socialization thing]

...What about you? So, I know you're into nerdy shit. Anything else?

_{[ It’s wordy and it’s a lot and Rex has a unique voice that isn’t at all anything melodic and soothing, but somehow, it easing Mark into relaxation and making him more tired. Maybe it’s something about the raspiness in his voice? And he’s not being terribly loud. Mark feels his eyes close again as Rex answers and he is getting even more comfortable, tucking one of his hands under his cheek. It’s obvious he is a still listening, though, cause some stuff Rex says gets a facial reaction— a quirk of a smile or raises brows.

He keeps his eyes closed again. ]}

I like comedy. Laughing is really nice.. and spicy food! Mom makes some of the best spicy dishes. I think you would like her cooking.

_{[ He shifts his body, seeming to wiggle a little closer to Rex but not touching him yet. He can feel a little warmer though. ]}

And did you buy that… sando… and try it?

_{[ He will answer more of this question but he’s gotta know the 2 am sandwich fate … ]}

[Rex is not used to actually being listened to, not without very obvious hints of irritation, especially since he has the tendency to go on and on and on. His own mother had never cooked all that much, also because mentally, he can't say that she ever really felt like she was there, but that does sound nice.]

Hah! No.

I saw green growin' around the corners of the crust and noped right on outta there. I was totally gonna though. The meat looked so damn rubbery!

[Funny. Rex is really smiling now, the expression almost dorky, goofy in nature. Which is strange, because usually the mention of any tender family moments makes him feel bitter inside.]

I was almost positive you could make a shoe out of it, hey.

_{[ Mark opens his eyes halfway just in time to catch the glimpse of the other hero’s smile. It’s a good smile and something about it makes Mark feel warm. Probably cause he has never seen it before. It’s pretty obvious he’s honing in on Rex’s lips for a moment.

He has an inclination to close the distance between them and snuggle up close, but he dismisses that thought quickly. Mark also smiles cause he has something funny to say: ]}

Well, yeah. At that point it’s not a sando anymore.. it’s a sandal.

_{[ SO FUNNY.. ]}

[The laugh that escapes Rex's throat, while still full of that ever-present, signature Rex Splode raspiness, lacks spite.]

Wooooow. That is so stupid!

[So stupid, and yet, the perfect joke. Is this riffing? This is the sort of thing that Rex actually enjoys.]

But funny, actually. Fuck.

[It's late at night and Rex is far too exhausted to dismiss the feeling of warmth alight in his chest as he presses his cheek to whatever it is he is resting his head on. Heroes do not get to do this often, at least, not over a dead body or until after a grueling sparring session.]

You could probably whack somebody with it. Wah-pah!

Officer, officer.. don’t arrest me. It’s just an old gas station sandwich, I promise.

_{[ Mark has never been one to be an intentional clown or someone who tries to make jokes, but there are moments where it just happens and then he can’t always stop right away. More laughter escapes him, but then he thinks about the previous question a little harder. ]}

I really like attending festivals, you’re right. And hanging out with people I like. Recently, it’s been flying.. but I’m not really into sports or anything like that.

And yeah, like I said, spicy food is the absolute best.

Huh! So you're a goob and a goof. Figures!

[Still, Rex laughs once more. That was a good joke, even if it was a little corny.

He listens to the other boy talk, and while the conversation is light, like always, reality begins to creep back in. Up until the very point where the younger teen's powers manifested, which to some degree was incredibly late, this guy probably had a nice, normal life.

And now his father, a man with the power to slaughter thousands in just a single day, has revealed himself to be a madman. Poor Invincible.

Or, even moreso? Poor Mark.]

You feelin' any better?

[Rex knows the answer, but he still makes the effort to ask anyway.]

Yeah.

_{[ He tugs one of the animal pelts further up along his shoulder. ]}

A lot better... maybe the best I've felt since we got here.

_{[ chops off my own yaoi hands and drops the game ]}

How about you?

Ehhhhh! I dunno.

[Rex doesn't attribute any of Invincible's improved mood to his own actions or presence, as the thought would be inconceivable.]

On one hand? I'm likin' the fact that Cecil can't dog me at 3 AM, tellin' me to hurry my ass up over the sound system or the big screen! On the other...?

[He's been reminded in nearly all of his interactions that, if it weren't for the superpowers and the cushy do-gooder gig, he'd be worthless, undesirable, and despised.

He is already.]

I've got too many damn questions.

[And he misses the team. Irritated as the Guardians may be by his behavior... They do have an affection for him, in a way. That's not easy to earn outside of such close quarters.]

Edited 2021-09-19 03:41 (UTC)

You mean about this place and what's going on?

_{[ Mark can imagine it must be nice to get a little vacation and reminded he's kind of glad he's not an official member of all of that. Yeesh.

He reaches over and settles a hand on Rex's shoulder, pushing his thumb along tan skin in a small attempt to comfort. ]}

We'll be alright.

_{[ How can say that with confidence even though he's been having his little emotional fits? He is still optimistic in the long run. ]}

Either we will get answers or we won't, but regardless, we will be alright.

Edited 2021-09-19 04:16 (UTC)

[Now, that's a complicated question. Rex knows full well that the very state of being alive is never a guarantee, not in their line of work. He opens his mouth to say something contrarian, only to notice that he's distracted by that touch from Mark in a way that makes him, well, panic.

He practically yelps in response-]

Y-yo! Don't touch me, man, I'm like-

[Raspy as his voice is, it's capable of getting quite squeaky as well.]

Naked and shit!

[He is not. He's in his underwear, and also, that argument is completely irrelevant as Mark has already seen his uncensored d*ck.]

_{[ why is rex so hot and cold mark doesn’t understand

He recoils his hand and tucks it back under his own cheek, regarding Rex. They have been a little touchy feely since they got here, haven’t they? ]}

You’re not naked and shit.

_{[ He wouldn’t be this close to you if you were “naked and shit?” Um.. Mark doesn’t think so. ]}

You don’t like being touched?

Yes I am!

[No!!! No... Rex is so mad at himself, it's clear he's in the middle of some sort of conniption. He can feel the back of his ears warming up.]

M-mostly!

[Even though outside of the suit, that seems to be his preferred state of dress. Or, well, undress.

While the hot-tempered boy short circuits, he's forced to do something he hates- Consider being honest and vulnerable with this idiot meathead that he's supposed to hate.]

N-no! It's not that, I just...

[But the truth of the matter is that Rex is touchy feely. Perhaps a little too much, for most people...]

You made me feel a thing! And I don't like it.

[kill bill sirens are going off in his head right now, does he blow up himself up by charging his own skeleton now or later...]

Stop doin' that.

_{[ For the first time, Mark hasn’t heard this guy stammer and stutter and act all nervous as much as he is now. But like always, Rex is still an enigma to Mark that he’s trying— a little more desperately— to understand. His confused expression says it all: he has no idea what Rex means. Feel a thing? That’s.. kind of vague.

Feel a thing and don’t like it? Even more confusing. His expression drifts from confused to hard contemplation and before asking for an explanation, which would make more sense, he comes up with his own. ]}

Oooooh. Um. Oh. Here, um.. I’ll give you some space and privacy.

_{[ He’s getting off of the cot? But bringing an animal pelt with him. ]}

I didn’t, uh, um.. I didn’t know you were that sensitive. I’m sorry, man. I was just trying to encourage you. Um. Encourage us, really. I won’t touch you again, I promise.

_{[ THIS IS SO AWKWARD AND NOW HIS EARS ARE TURNING RED.. ]}

Edited 2021-09-22 15:35 (UTC)

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