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Comments

[airshow]

Uh-huh. Real sweet.

[ Don't start something you can't finish would be good advice here, but he's never been one to stop something just because it's a terrible idea. ]

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I'll have to remember that one.

[For the next time he complains.]

[airshow]

Sure, sure. File it away with all the other great stuff I say about you.

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Pffft. Yeah, alright.

[Elbowing him.]

[airshow]

[ Piper has pointy elbows, and James is wiggling away by a few inches, finally. Cuddle chicken is over... but for how long? ]

What, like you don't have a mental file of James Compliments?

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I'd ask if you have one of Piper Compliments, but I already know the answer.

Some of us aren't as narcissistic as you.

[airshow]

No one puts on tights and gives himself a dramatic fancy nickname if he's not a little bit narcissistic, Piper.

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Please, you're more than "a little bit."

[airshow]

I'm just saying, you're hardly one to talk. Just because you're not as vocal about it...

[ He shrugs nonchalantly. ]

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

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Yeah, says you.

[He has PLENTY of room to talk!!!]

[airshow]

[ pffffff. dork. ]

C'mon, give it a rest. If you're trying to prove you're a better person than me, I already know.

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It's not like I was--[Yeah okay. So maybe that was the point.]

[airshow]

[ Ah, what a cleverly laid verbal trap that was. Victory for James. He wins... absolutely nothing. ]

I know. You'd never say it and mean it. Think it, maybe, but...

[ shrug. ]

Either way, you don't have to prove anything to me.

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Well, aren't I lucky to have someone as understanding as you in my life, then.

[airshow]

It's only one of my many wonderful qualities.

[ Speaking of Piper getting lucky: James yawns obnoxiously, grabs one of the pillows shoved into a corner of the couch, relocates it so it's shoved up against the side of Piper's leg, and flops gracefully sideways. His stupidly long legs dangle off the far side of the couch. Majestic. ]

Anywho, I've just made the executive decision that I'm crashing here tonight. So you can be extra sure I'm staying out of trouble.

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How responsible of you.

[Really he's fine with that, but...]

I'm not going to sit here and be an extra pillow for you all night.

[airshow]

Aww, Piper.

[ Don't you miss our slumber parties?, he almost says, but joking about their road trip still Isn't Funny, even if he wishes it was. And waking up by himself is still too damn weird sometimes, but that's his own issue, and he's not even close to being ready to actually talk about it unprompted. ]

But you're so comfy.

[ Coward. ]

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[James gets a raised eyebrow at that.]

What if Harley gets jealous?

[HAHAHA, as if, but it works for teasing.]

[airshow]

[ KA-THUMP goes the old ticker. Does he— he's not actually— there's no way that— ]

... hah. We have an extremely open thing, me and her. I'm sure she wouldn't mind someone else giving me gentle headrubs. Hint hint.

[ Nice one, JJ, very smooth and not needy at all. ]

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[He considers that for a minute, and then...actually puts a hand on James' forehead, hesitantly.]

[airshow]

[ . . . S T A R E . . . ]



... Atta boy. And here I thought I was being too subtle.

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You? Being subtle? Ever?

[He gets a nervous, tiny smile back. Is this okay?!]

[airshow]

[ Hey, he did ask for it. And he's not complaining. He's even relaxing, once he gets over his startled baby deer staring. Maybe there will be hair petting? Dare he dream? It's been so long since hair petting. ]

It's been known to happen. Occasionally. From time to time. Con man, remember?

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Yes, you do like to remind me frequently.

[Hair petting might be going a bit too far. At least, unprompted it might be.]

[airshow]

Just reminding you again.

[ Shit, this is really nice. And he's really kicking himself for about five different reasons. And... oh, screw it, closing his eyes. Piper is indulging him; might as well go with it until he messes it up. ]

You sure you don't wanna be my second pillow? I'm willing to resort to bribery.

[ If it sounds like a joke, he can pretend it is. ]