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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. ]

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Oh, really? And what are you planning on bribing me with?

[Yeah he's not sure what to make of this but he'll just. Go with it and see what happens.]

[airshow]

I dunno. What'd make it worth your while?

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Oh, come on, you can't offer to bribe someone without having something in mind.

[airshow]

Hmmmmmm.

[ He'd offer to polish his flute, but, well. ]

I won't make fun of your totally cool and not even a little bit dorky facial hair choices for at least a week.

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Wow, that's a lot coming from you.

Why don't you just get more actual pillows?

[airshow]

Aww, Hartley. Buddy. You're worth at least three pillows. Three kinda bony pillows.

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Oh, gee. Thanks. Now I'm won over.

[Note the sarcasm.]

[airshow]

[ Whatever, he's not even bothered. Just settling into a comfortable sleepy ramble. ]

Pffff. You and your high standards. Guy jumping in front of a million bullets like an idiot isn't enough, now he's gotta try not to point out your bony freakin' legs, too.

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[Well that definitely unsettles him.]

I don't know how you can joke about that so easily. [SIGH.] Fine, I'll stay here. Happy?

[airshow]

[ He cracks one blue eye open, looking up at Piper. ]

Hah. Actually? I'll let you in on a special one-time-only secret, since you're being so darn nice and all: the whole thing scares the hell out of me.

[ Too honest. Shuts it again. Change the subject, pretend that was easy too. ]

But yeah. I'm happy.

[ And hey, between that and the last admission and the fact that he's basically just manipulated his only actual friend into not-snuggling with him, this might be the most emotionally open he's been since... he can't remember when? Well, okay, that's sad, but. Baby steps. ]

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Well, that's a pretty normal way to feel.

[Just keep masking it without humor James, that's the healthy way to go.]

We'll see if I can get any sleep like this.