probably not depressing

[sidepony]

knuckleshoot 2k15

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wait I misread

[madbank]

Busy, yeah, I guess...

[That trails off into mumbling under his own breath. He really doesn't want to explain word for word why he's feeling bad about all of this, because if Shoot's somehow not noticed, then doesn't that mean he's not hurt? And saying something could hurt him...

Maybe he can just make up for the difference quietly. Naturally. Yeah! Really smooth and everything.

He blinks, though, dropping his hand automatically after the fist bump (he doesn't even react, after all that) and frowning curiously.]

Huh? Yeah, what?

how dare

[sidepony]

[Shoot's as satisfied by this as he can be. He's more or less past that odd fumble and on to thinking about the next one, which will be his, he's sure of it.

It's just— after all that's happened, he doesn't feel like he's been as open as he ought to be, either. His bad habits notwithstanding, of course, but as much as it would be so much easier to keep his emotions to himself and skirt any possibility of a less than positive reaction... It's unfair. This is what he's telling himself before he wimps out.

Anyway, he probably should have said it sooner—] Thank you. For getting me out of there.

[And for visiting him in the hospital, which is actually too embarrassing for him to say!!]

words are hard ok

[madbank]

[Words like that, from Shoot? First, Knuckle reacts in surprise. It's the bookstore all over again, but like ten times worse. or better? The point is, after that, a grin slowly takes over his face, confident, inspired, softheartedness shining even through the way he punches his palm.]

Are you kidding?! Of course I got you outta there! [That's not enough, he decides, and reaches to wrap an arm around Shoots' shoulders, tugging him closer.] I wasn't gonna leave without you!

[He's so serious when he says that, now, but it can't even compare to his mindset back then. Abandoning the world for it... Yeah.]

[sidepony]

You— [He starts, but gets cut off by having to stoop abruptly, thank you Knuckle. To his credit, he wasn't about to say something like You didn't have to - ah, he didn't have to drop him, though...

Still, Shoot would have done the same, if their positions had been reversed. So he'll stand here and stoop and not awkwardly pull away.]

I know that. [he. may have assumed? Thanks for punching monsters for him, too.] But I wanted to... say it myself.

[A beat. Go for gold, Shoot, another statement thrown out before he can concentrate too much on saying these things (is this friendship?? Knuckle making him talk with his big stupid grin?),] I'm glad we're partners.

[madbank]

[That actually completely throws him for a loop. Shoot saying anything other than the necessary that hadn't been stated already. Shoot not only doing that, but doing it kindly. To him??? Saying that he was glad they were partners?

Normally, he likes to stay tough (hah), but this hits him right in the heart.

And he looks touched. Those eyes get big, his mouth goes from surprised to grinning even despite the tears starting to form-- no, no, he's not going to cry over something so dumb! Not something so dumb as them both being glad about this partnership!]

Shoot! [Yelling his name with emotion out of nowhere is always a good idea. Closing his eyes tight, he grins wider and bumps Shoot's shoulder with his fist, now, lightly.] Of course we're partners, damn it! Of course-- Why wouldn't I be glad, too?!

[Ah, he's getting embarrassing.]

[sidepony]

[Ah, no, don't cry- don't even look crying-ish, that's going to hit him right in the emotions. Shoot is at a loss, and so soon after he finally felt a little confident in what he was saying-!]

Knuckle— [People are staring. This was already embarrassing.] Th- Thanks, uh, for agreeing.

[... He's had better lines. He makes a face, despairing, then turns it into something more determined as he reaches out to pull on Knuckle's sleeve. Not in public, this is a public street, come on.]

At least put some alcohol in your system before you start yelling on the street.

[Shit, that sounded endeared- He's just going to keep walking and not think too hard about how he's having a really good time... being stared at every few minutes by strangers.]

[madbank]

[Knuckle can't help but laugh at that reaction. Shoot always seems so calm at first, and then it turns out he's just as emotional?? Or weirder. It's still unclear. He claps Shoot on the back (the lower back because that's all he can reach) in his joy, rubbing at his eyes to keep them dry with his other hand.]

Hahaha, don't worry! I'll be filling up completely! It's not that far ahead, now. [HE'S ALREADY GOT TOASTS LINED UP don't you worry.]

Let's let loose and take it easy!

[You can assume, also, that when they do get there, Knuckle cheerfully ushers Shoot in and demands a couple of bar stools in the "best spot". So, in the middle of everything. It's such a cheesy place, too.]

[sidepony]

[He's not weird-!! Yeah he is. But Knuckle is always more embarrassing, crying like this in public...

Shoot sighs, punctuated by letting go of his sleeve and continuing to walk. So, a good sigh? It's hard to tell when he's actually in a good mood given his perpetually grumpy face, but most likely good.

He'll need the sighs of shame for when the toasts start coming out. Being put front and center at the bar is not what he would have chosen, and he almost objects on the grounds of this being his day, but Knuckle's already made a scene and so they're obligated to keep their good seats...

Well, here they are. Shoot sits slightly hunched over, fiddling with an abandoned coaster with the bar's logo on it. Soooo...]

I'm fine with just a beer.

[madbank]

Just a beer?

[Knuckle looks like the most offensive words in the world have just been uttered to him. He was cheerfully looking over the list of drinks and assortment of things behind the bartender up until that. Now he has to shoot Shoot (heh) a stare and lean in closer.

He presses his finger into the counter top, repeating that motion a few times as he speaks.]

You're always doing that! But listen here, it's your day, right? [There he goes.] 'Just a beer' isn't letting loose. More than that, 'I'm fine' isn't having fun! Pick something that sounds like you'd enjoy it!

I'm so early to work this is what I've chosen

[sidepony]

[For god's sake, Knuckle. Shoot stares back at him, stubborn. Let him have his big day the way he wants, please??]

I can order another drink later. [See, he even has this coaster.]

If I'm not having fun, you'll be the first to know. I like beer.

[Well, he could take or leave beer, but Knuckle!! Shoot sort of... rolls the coaster at him, very defiantly.]

Stop worrying about it.

putting up with phone tagging is truly a trial

[madbank]

I'm not worried...

[Grumbling that out, he turns back to the assortment of drinks and tries to look busy. Beer... that's so boring. Beer?? He likes beer too, but it's different if they're going out somewhere like this! At least get something with a fancy name! Try a couple of drinks!

He can't figure Shoot out. He stares down at the coaster that rolls his way, flattening it with his finger.]

Okay, if you're going to order more, then it's fine. [That sounds less forced and pathetic. Maybe.] Then I'll start with beer, too! Wheat beer. [He has to make it different somehow, apparently.]

verily

[sidepony]

[What's wrong with beer?? He doesn't know how to order half the drinks on the menu here without being really embarrassed. What is a "SEX WITH AN ALLIGATOR," emphatic capital letters included?

Knuckle, he can't. He really can't. If it's not a drink someone's reserved-but-still-hip-like-the-kids grandpa would order, he can't. The definitely troubled look he gives the list of drinks right about now makes that pretty clear. Seedy (and non-seedy) bars were hesitantly somewhat within his comfort zone until he had to acknowledge SEX WITH AN ALLIGATOR.]

It's not any fun when you're moody. [Knuckle is the moody one, pass it on.

Anyway he's going to make Exciting Conversation,] So, what were you up to this morning?

SEX WITH AN ALLIGATOR

[madbank]

I'm not moody!

[He snaps that, so there goes any chance of believing that statement. He gives the bartender their order for now (since Shoot's shy or something, hell if he gets it) and then turns back to Shoot.

This lasts for about half of a second before he's looking away suspiciously.]

Huh? Why do you care about that... Doesn't matter anyway. [STOP BRINGING IT UP] Errands! I was doing errands, alright?

there's nothing i can say here that wouldn't shame me even more

[sidepony]

[He's definitely moody... Shoot's content to essentially sit there and let Knuckle do all the talking until their drinks arrive, but-

What is it now? If he had eyebrows, he'd raise them in both surprise and some vague sense of irritation, stop being so defensive.]

I'm— just talking to you. You wanted to get to know each other, so-? Are your errands a secret?

[HUMOR HIM?]

cackles

[madbank]

Of course not, fool!

[Yes they are. He leaves that shout as the last thing in the air for a good few seconds before he relaxes in his seat, closing his eyes in focus. He probably just looks like he's either nervous about something or about to burst out in emotion.]

Groceries, household supplies... The usual stuff! [A long pause in which he debates if leaving out things is unfair to getting to know each other.

Sigh.]

There was this lost dog, okay, and it wouldn't leave me alone! So I had to find the owner!

[sidepony]

[It's amazing just how many animals and children just won't leave Knuckle alone. It must have nothing to do with him at all. A series of coincidences that all happen to involve Knuckle's heart being the size of a house.

Shoot pauses, then with a similar thought that maybe not saying what he honestly thinks is unfair,] You don't have to be embarrassed...

[Is that-? Will that just embarrass him even more? Then, adding quickly,] There's nothing wrong with it, I mean. You can just ask me not to tell anyone.

[... Anyone else, woops he did tell Gon that one time.]

[madbank]

I'm not embarrassed!

[What a liar. He slams his hands on the counter, just in time for their drinks to arrive.] Don't tell anyone, but it's not because I'm embarrassed! They'll all get the wrong idea! It's just that I wanted to get rid of him!

[He's just going to take his beer and chug it now, don't mind him.]

[sidepony]

[For god's sake- He's about to object again, but then- no. Later, when Knuckle is crying and making speeches and toasting with his beer.

Which he anticipates and dreads.]

Okay. Okay, I won't tell. I promise.

[How's that? While he sips his beer like a normal person. And then puts it down in order to casually reach over and take his stolen coaster back. Re-steal? It's his now, is the point.

Seconds pass. Dangerously close to a full minute passes.

... What should he say now? Something- indicative of wanting to make this work, maybe-?] Can I come with you next time?

[bury him]

all these icons I made and they're all too intense

[madbank]

[That question actually makes him choke on his beer. Give him about a minute to recover, slamming the glass on the counter and hunching over it as he coughs and rubs at his mouth with an arm.

When he sits up again and stares over, he looks baffled.]

You... You want to go with me? [Let him just get over this first.]

mine are all the same angrysad face, i get you

[sidepony]

[Stop that, christ. Shoot's on the fast track to becoming more annoyed than embarrassed- defensively? Maybe. But stop.]

Yes. [There.] If you don't want me to come, I won't.

I thought it might be—nice. To do something together besides drink. I couldn't do anything while I was in the hospital, and- visiting must have been...

[What is he doing, stop him, just shut him up and let him feed dogs. That's friendship, right? This isn't too forward?? He coughs, looking aside to frown at his beer.]

So?

Grips shoulder

[madbank]

What the hell are you saying, of course I want you to!

[Ah, he blurts that out before he can stop to think about it. And then he's going stiff, scooping up his beer again and burying his mouth into it. His mumbles can be heard from the glass.]

We can hang out whenever you want, idiot...

[He's decided. He's going to get drunk out of his mind and regret nothing. And possibly remember nothing.]

describes shoot not being sad or angry, icon still mildly panicked

[sidepony]

[Finally, it's out there in the world... that they enjoy (??) each other's company (???). Shoot busies himself with his own beer, too, just in case he's making a humiliating face.]

You're calling me an idiot again? Come on... [Still having a fine time, this is bonding. He actually feels less awkward now that they've busted through that more awkward than ever before obstacle, and it shows in small ways; less tension on his face, not looking like he'll bolt at any second now, things like that.

Good job, Knuckle. He's let loose. This is it.]

Let's take turns ordering drinks. [that's fun???] I already started with the beer, so- your turn.

lFMLDFGMDSF HAHAHA sounds legit tbh

[madbank]

I'm calling you an idiot cuz you're an idiot! Stop hassling me!

[Oh my god just let him get over this embarrassing moment in peace!! He downs the rest of his beer and slams that down just in time for that proposition. His surprise lasts a fraction of a second before he's grinning a little more slyly, leaning closer to shoot and nudging him with an elbow.]

Hey, wait, so does that mean I'll order for both of us? [Is this a Fun Game or a Lame Game.]

i could hit random icon and it wouldn't make a difference

[sidepony]

[HASSLING, he is not. Shoot capitalizes on the moment Knuckle is chugging his drink to roll his eyes, just a little- please, Knuckle.]

Yeah, that's what I meant. [As much as this could go down SEX WITH AN ALLIGATOR roads fairly quickly. But wait, he suddenly has an even dorkier idea-]

—Word chain. [there it is, delivered very seriously] Pick something that starts with 'R'.

meanwhile if I did that he'd be WAY TOO ANGRY

[madbank]

Alllllllright!

[You can bet he rolled the hell out of that, suddenly pumped. This is a fun game. A fun game that Shoot suggested!! Looking devious, he flags down the bartender.]

Two red headed sluts for me and my buddy, here! [Yeah, Shoot asked for this.]