[Status report: He has read the first sentence about 50 times. It has not yet brought any sense of understanding. Hope is distant. His fingers are starting to hurt from holding this book like this.
Eventually, he stands up from the couch and just yells.]
THAT'S IT, DAMN IT!
[Throwing the book on the ground, he lifts his chin and points down at it like he means serious business. He's paying no mind to Shoot right now, because he's decided-- it's between him and this book.]
It's all in my head! Like hell I'm gonna let you beat me, you paperback asshole! Who opens a book with clumsy cut-off sentences?! I'll show you--!
[Forgive him, Shoot.]
i sat there for hours and just pretended to read, idk why i thought this was a good idea
[Shoot jumps, nearly dropping his own book. He didn't actually finish chapter 1, unfortunately, and now Knuckle is-? He's not sure what Knuckle is doing, he realizes as he stares up at him from the couch.
Please don't fight the book, this is how furniture gets broken in this apartment. Shoot looks down at the book, and back up to Knuckle- and again. Then he clears his throat, and if Knuckle stops being a child and looks at him he'll see him casually turn to the last page of chapter 1 now. Victory...]
I told you it wouldn't be any good.
[dON'T READ YA TRASH, SCRUB]
HAHAHAHA look the younger you are the harder it is to think about wtf you're doing shit for
[That last page turning is turned very dramatic by Knuckle staring over his shoulder in the middle of this rage-fit. No... No... He's already this far behind?!
Lifting his arm, he holds his fist out like a threat to Shoot, his other hand clapping over his biceps aggressively.]
Shut the hell up, I haven't gotten far enough yet to tell! [Now he's defending the book? It's unclear, but he drops his arms, eventually, even if his aura is a little unnecessarily boosted for someone just trying to read.]
Don't act all snobby just because you do this more often! I'll show you, too!
[Ducking down, he snatches up that book and sits down firmly, opening it right back up to the doggy bookmark he's already using (here, at page 1), and reading. This time, he actually does it!!]
[Defensive much? Shoot barely glances up from chapter 2! to acknowledge his outburst; whatever makes him happy ("happy"), go right ahead Knuckle...
He still isn't entirely sure what brought this whole incident on, but it seems to have motivated Knuckle to shut up and read - so he'll take it. Without really thinking he sticks his leg out slightly to nudge Knuckle with his heel; a "shut up now" nudge for sure. Then a half-second later he wonders if that was strange and stares intensely at chapter 2 instead.
This novel that he grabbed at random - it's apparently a mystery - isn't all that bad, so far. He'll probably get super into it and forget Knuckle is even there... First one to give up loses.]
But about twenty minutes into reading, where Knuckle has made significant progress, Shoot may notice him shaking lightly from the corner of his vision. If not? Well, he'll start sniffling shortly after, hiding his face behind the book and bringing up a free arm to press over it.
[He doesn't notice at all... until there are tears, then he actually looks up from this engrossing mystery. At first he wonders if Knuckle is stuck on page 2, this time, but on further inspection it looks like he's just crying.
As usual. Shoot lowers his book a little, leaning over to the table to pick up whatever scrap of paper he's using as a bookmark on short notice. The receipt, probably. Hmm.]
I'm going to get something to drink.
[He will let Knuckle weep like a baby in peace, rather. He gets up.] Do you want anything?
[Sooo that's a no. He sniffles into his sleeve a bit more, keeping his thumb in the book as he rests it over his own head. He's making a lot of complicated poses, basically, to hide his crying.]
[He didn't say... He purposely didn't say anything about crying!! To that end he can only sigh, but lightly, because Knuckle is crying everywhere.]
I won't. I'll get you some water. [Ignoring that no!! Don't dehydrate because of YA trash, that would be stupid. Shoot wanders away to find their glasses and get said water, taking a little extra time to see if Knuckle will calm down a little by the time he comes back. Honestly, he's used to this...
This time he employs a nen hand to carry one of the glasses, just so it's faster. He'll leave the second one on the table. 3... 2...]
[hE SAID NO, DAMN IT. But he's too busy weeping to retort just yet, so give him this time to sob a bit more. By the time Shoot gets back, he's at least got it under control where he can just keep to rubbing his eyes and isn't inhaling shaky sobs and trying to mask it.
God.
It's the question that gets all of his movements to pause.]
This girl... she doesn't love him! She doesn't love the werewolf! [Ah, he's retelling.] No matter how hard he tries, he keeps getting let down, and he's given up inside!!
[TAKE THE WATER AND LIKE IT, this isn't optional. Shoot is expecting a lot of things in answer to that question, but crying about werewolves isn't precisely what he had in mind.
On second thought, it makes a lot of sense. Werewolves are kind of like dogs. He doesn't say this, and never will. Just like he won't say that this time, crying over dogs random stuff is endearing... He'll just lean back a little and look sideways away from his water to the waterworks.]
So it's not as boring as you thought? [He has nothing to say to the riveting YA plot, ah.] That's good.
[Shooting a glare over at that, he keeps one hand in the book and the other reaches over to snag that water. Fine. Gulping like half the glass down, he sniffs again and sets the glass down so he can rub his eyes dry.]
He loved her without knowing it, and now that he realizes... It's been three years! [STARING AT SHOOT EXPECTANTLY NOW... Isn't that sad. ISN'T IT? He's not going to ask that aloud because that's not manly or impressive, but come on, don't be heartless.]
[Oh, no... it's getting more endearing. Stop that. Shoot's literal mystery mystery novel has turned out to be about an overly complicated dual murder with more plot twists than is wholly necessary, leaving him with... nothing to contribute. It's not worth crying about!
He goes back to reading it anyway, and while it's stupidly complex it's not unreadable, at least until one particular plot point throws him for such a loop he comes all the way back around to react out loud before he realizes he's doing it-] What? No.
[He frowns like he's Had Enough of this book's nonsense and abruptly flips to the end, skims the final few pages, and frowns even deeper. Then he simply drops the book, gets up, and walks... out of the room.... goodbye Shoot.
[He's just in the middle of a really tense part of his own book, but he'll stop when Shoot starts being distracting and then just leaves the room! What the hell! Finding a good paragraph to end on, he leaves his bookmark in the book and stands to follow him, calling out again.]
[Shoot is already down the tiny hall, and if Knuckle looks down it at the right moment he'll see Shoot, irritated!!, sticking his head out from his room. More annoyed than he reasonably should be, ah, this is part of getting to know him...]
[Wait a second here, he is caught off guard. He stomps over even more stubbornly, placing his palm against the door like he's going to push it open.]
You mean your weird serious book isn't as good as mine? Hah! Shows you for-- hey, wait, what d'ya mean you're going to get a better one! I thought we were reading!
[No, this is his room?? He doesn't try to get rid of him, at least, as he's too busy nerdraging away from the door, presumably over a bookshelf small enough to fit in these little rooms.
Also, shut up, he's somewhat bitter now that he paid for that stupid book. He does look over at Knuckle with less nerdrage and more confusion, after a moment.]
What do you mean? We are. [that's what he's... Knuckle??] I'm going to read something different.
[Well, good thing he's not being stopped, since he's just shoving in and standing there with his arms crossed OVERLY SERIOUS. He looks like he's just been offended in some way, and he's trying to loom over Shoot as if he's not a tiny dorito.
Are you telling me you're giving up on that other book? You didn't read it all the way through! I could tell from the way you flipped the pages! [What the fuck] How can you judge it fairly if you haven't read it through from cover to cover?! Shoot!
[Shoot only wanted to get a different book. He is giving up on that other book, and he doesn't think that's - morally reprehensible or anything like that!
why was he paying such close attention to the page turning]
I've read enough. I'm not interested in wasting time with the rest for the sake of some arbitrary measure of fairness.
[With one hand on his hip, the other points out like he's coming straight out of ace attorney.] We were trying to decide what to watch! I didn't pick it up and give up most of the way through!
[How the hell is he going to decide who wins their competition if Shoot picks up a new book?!]
More importantly... What happens if I finish mine and you're still reading?
[It's not different... Shoot gives him a look, wishing he would make up his mind about whether this is about his dumb reading contest or the author's feelings, already.]
You have another book to read. Why, what were you planning on doing?
[Leaving aside that there was no chance at all of them ever finishing these books at the same time. He'll skip that.]
[That's not what was being implied, and yet, that's what he expects. He's not going to sleep until it's finished! He's decided! And so Shoot should follow suit, so he can properly compete! Oh, and so that author doesn't have his work insulted...
He squints at Shoot's little bookshelf, stepping over to it.]
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stares at you........
Eventually, he stands up from the couch and just yells.]
THAT'S IT, DAMN IT!
[Throwing the book on the ground, he lifts his chin and points down at it like he means serious business. He's paying no mind to Shoot right now, because he's decided-- it's between him and this book.]
It's all in my head! Like hell I'm gonna let you beat me, you paperback asshole! Who opens a book with clumsy cut-off sentences?! I'll show you--!
[Forgive him, Shoot.]
i sat there for hours and just pretended to read, idk why i thought this was a good idea
Please don't fight the book, this is how furniture gets broken in this apartment. Shoot looks down at the book, and back up to Knuckle- and again. Then he clears his throat, and if Knuckle stops being a child and looks at him he'll see him casually turn to the last page of chapter 1 now. Victory...]
I told you it wouldn't be any good.
[dON'T READ YA TRASH, SCRUB]
HAHAHAHA look the younger you are the harder it is to think about wtf you're doing shit for
Lifting his arm, he holds his fist out like a threat to Shoot, his other hand clapping over his biceps aggressively.]
Shut the hell up, I haven't gotten far enough yet to tell! [Now he's defending the book? It's unclear, but he drops his arms, eventually, even if his aura is a little unnecessarily boosted for someone just trying to read.]
Don't act all snobby just because you do this more often! I'll show you, too!
[Ducking down, he snatches up that book and sits down firmly, opening it right back up to the doggy bookmark he's already using (here, at page 1), and reading. This time, he actually does it!!]
they didn't catch me is the real joke
He still isn't entirely sure what brought this whole incident on, but it seems to have motivated Knuckle to shut up and read - so he'll take it. Without really thinking he sticks his leg out slightly to nudge Knuckle with his heel; a "shut up now" nudge for sure. Then a half-second later he wonders if that was strange and stares intensely at chapter 2 instead.
This novel that he grabbed at random - it's apparently a mystery - isn't all that bad, so far. He'll probably get super into it and forget Knuckle is even there... First one to give up loses.]
well that just makes you a pro
But about twenty minutes into reading, where Knuckle has made significant progress, Shoot may notice him shaking lightly from the corner of his vision. If not? Well, he'll start sniffling shortly after, hiding his face behind the book and bringing up a free arm to press over it.
No... NO HE'S NOT CRYING, DAMN IT]
hmmmmmm
As usual. Shoot lowers his book a little, leaning over to the table to pick up whatever scrap of paper he's using as a bookmark on short notice. The receipt, probably. Hmm.]
I'm going to get something to drink.
[He will let Knuckle weep like a baby in peace, rather. He gets up.] Do you want anything?
it's true!!! I am an expert on pros
[Sooo that's a no. He sniffles into his sleeve a bit more, keeping his thumb in the book as he rests it over his own head. He's making a lot of complicated poses, basically, to hide his crying.]
Don't tell anyone...
a pro x pro?
I won't. I'll get you some water. [Ignoring that no!! Don't dehydrate because of YA trash, that would be stupid. Shoot wanders away to find their glasses and get said water, taking a little extra time to see if Knuckle will calm down a little by the time he comes back. Honestly, he's used to this...
This time he employs a nen hand to carry one of the glasses, just so it's faster. He'll leave the second one on the table. 3... 2...]
How is it?
im lEAVING
God.
It's the question that gets all of his movements to pause.]
This girl... she doesn't love him! She doesn't love the werewolf! [Ah, he's retelling.] No matter how hard he tries, he keeps getting let down, and he's given up inside!!
Can you imagine, Shoot?! He's heartbroken!
[So... does that answer the question.]
you started it
On second thought, it makes a lot of sense. Werewolves are kind of like dogs. He doesn't say this, and never will. Just like he won't say that this time, crying over
dogsrandom stuff is endearing... He'll just lean back a little and look sideways away from his water to the waterworks.]So it's not as boring as you thought? [He has nothing to say to the riveting YA plot, ah.] That's good.
I DIDNT ASK FOR THIS
[Shooting a glare over at that, he keeps one hand in the book and the other reaches over to snag that water. Fine. Gulping like half the glass down, he sniffs again and sets the glass down so he can rub his eyes dry.]
He loved her without knowing it, and now that he realizes... It's been three years! [STARING AT SHOOT EXPECTANTLY NOW... Isn't that sad. ISN'T IT? He's not going to ask that aloud because that's not manly or impressive, but come on, don't be heartless.]
i think you did
He's being stared at... It takes him a second.]
Oh. That's sad. [the least convincing delivery ever, hurk] Maybe it has a happy ending?
[Shoot is realizing presently that he's never actually talked about books to someone, and that it's Hard. Endure him.]
shoves you over
[He picks the book back up, looking furiously at the page he has opened.]
But the next three chapters have depressing names, I checked! Damn it! Ethan... I'll cheer you on, even if no one else will!!
[He's really passionate about this-- ah, look, he's reading again.
So it seems he can get into books just as easily as anyone.]
goodbye
He goes back to reading it anyway, and while it's stupidly complex it's not unreadable, at least until one particular plot point throws him for such a loop he comes all the way back around to react out loud before he realizes he's doing it-] What? No.
[He frowns like he's Had Enough of this book's nonsense and abruptly flips to the end, skims the final few pages, and frowns even deeper. Then he simply drops the book, gets up, and walks... out of the room.... goodbye Shoot.
This book sucks, he's aPPARENTLY DECIDED.]
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[He's just in the middle of a really tense part of his own book, but he'll stop when Shoot starts being distracting and then just leaves the room! What the hell! Finding a good paragraph to end on, he leaves his bookmark in the book and stands to follow him, calling out again.]
HEY! Shoot! Where'd you go?
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I'm getting a better book. Go back and sit down.
[fURIOUS ABOUT BAD PLOTS]
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[Wait a second here, he is caught off guard. He stomps over even more stubbornly, placing his palm against the door like he's going to push it open.]
You mean your weird serious book isn't as good as mine? Hah! Shows you for-- hey, wait, what d'ya mean you're going to get a better one! I thought we were reading!
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Also, shut up, he's somewhat bitter now that he paid for that stupid book. He does look over at Knuckle with less nerdrage and more confusion, after a moment.]
What do you mean? We are. [that's what he's... Knuckle??] I'm going to read something different.
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Are you telling me you're giving up on that other book? You didn't read it all the way through! I could tell from the way you flipped the pages! [What the fuck] How can you judge it fairly if you haven't read it through from cover to cover?! Shoot!
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why was he paying such close attention to the page turning]
I've read enough. I'm not interested in wasting time with the rest for the sake of some arbitrary measure of fairness.
[go do some math or something, god]
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What the hell, Shoot! You're putting down the author's hard work before you've read all of his words!?
[Or her.] That's cruel! You're cruel!
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He [or she] already has my money. [Flatly... no, he doesn't believe in this arbitrary fairness crap at all. A beat.]
You put down the movie I wanted to watch without seeing any of it.
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[With one hand on his hip, the other points out like he's coming straight out of ace attorney.] We were trying to decide what to watch! I didn't pick it up and give up most of the way through!
[How the hell is he going to decide who wins their competition if Shoot picks up a new book?!]
More importantly... What happens if I finish mine and you're still reading?
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You have another book to read. Why, what were you planning on doing?
[Leaving aside that there was no chance at all of them ever finishing these books at the same time. He'll skip that.]
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[That's not what was being implied, and yet, that's what he expects. He's not going to sleep until it's finished! He's decided! And so Shoot should follow suit, so he can properly compete! Oh, and so that author doesn't have his work insulted...
He squints at Shoot's little bookshelf, stepping over to it.]
Haven't you read all these, anyway?
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random icon pls don't be too angry
laughin at ur icons
SHUT UP.... I have a paid again now but no neutrals, oNE DAY
continues to laugh
i cant believe I typed your instead of youre
shh no one will ever know
I WILL.... in my heart
look away....
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uses this icon forever I guess
talks to the back of his head forever i guess
pretty much. in this tag, knuckle is too emotional from reading twilight
that's only a little bit superlame
together they're full superlame
the comment count is 326.... the hands still have not touched... rations are low.....
the sun hasn't risen in 4 days..... hope is dead........ knuckle is crying somewhere
chimera ant arc tbh
ah it's true
it all returns to chimera ants
you're not wrong
as it should be, stares into camera
kite is dead
what the fuck you come into my house you tell me kite is dead on this the day of my son's wedding
yes
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crawls out from my inbox jesus christ
old man knuckle......
he sure is... by uploading more icons I may have ruined all the old ones, ignore that
for the sake of small dorito, i will
thank
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am i real i whisper as i slam these all down
you are the realest and shoot is precious
for ironic purposes i'm not going to announce my return