( closed. ) tell me if i'm too much

[defenses]

Who: chuuya (vacuum) & vane (defenses)
What: vr things. tfw you walk into the wrong simulation.
When: today? yeah, let's say today.
Where: back at thesa station.
Warning(s): eggplant baby au part 2.

[ there were a lot of aspects of thesa station that left vane absolutely puzzled. bemused. bewildered. there is a lot he hasn't encountered, and even more he doesn't truly comprehend. but, that said, he isn't daunted by these unknowns in the least. if anything it motivated him to further expand his own horizons! plus, he was never averse to investing himself into something entirely new! nothing adventured, nothing gained as they say!

though, in this case... new may have not been accurate. initially their minds had been awoken in one of these vessels, if he recalls correctly? he didn't really understand it, but he assumes his newfound companion would fill those holes of ignorance. ] So, uh, this is supposed to be a simulation of fighting? With new powers and weapons? [ hm... he supposed that did sound interesting. he always wondered how it'd be to swing around a massive sword like siegfried!

plus, if he was being super completely unfiltered and honest... ] I've actually always wanted to fly?

[ is that the point here, probably not. but, look. vane is simple and has simple needs. but, as sure as they are of their wants for a new fighting game, but actually awaits them is ... a baby in a cradle?? it's a fake one, sure. one that looks curiously like [alien torture scene], but somehow he feels endeared to it. ]

I-it's cute.

Comments

[vacuum]

Sheesh. You don't even know me. [ But maybe there's a part of him that's warmed by such words. He hasn't had a 'partner' for a long, long time, and he's never had a partner who actually wants to be in the arrangement. They don't even know each other that well though! Weird guy.

Despite his harsh words before, Chuuya's actually started to rock the baby a little, and it seems to enjoy it. ] So, we have to play house or something? Is that the only way to get out of this simulation?

[defenses]

That's why we'll start to learn more about each other from here on out! [ for whatever enthusiasm the other party lacked in this situation, vane was sure to make up for it; his voice loud and his hand gestures exaggerated.

still, almost one cue to this words about "learning more about each other," the computer speaks once more.

You two are doing well for first time parents. For your next task, you will be rewarded with memories of your life. Included in this will be luxuries you've gained in your time together, as well as other incentives as you help bring your child into adulthood.

Your child now has to relieve itself and requires a change of diaper. ] Looks like it.

You any good at this stuff? You like you'd be good at delicate work. [ waits to receive cheating info. :( ]

[vacuum]

[ cade care.mp3 ]

[ He was just getting used to holding the baby. It figures that he would barely have a chance to bond with it, before the downside of becoming a fake parent would come to light. But there's no way this would actually be part of the simulation, right? He's never seen a video game where diapers actually came into play?!? Could they fade to black for this ... ]

We have to do that now?! What kind of simulation is this! [ The baby is definitely relieving itself, though. He can smell it. Chuuya tries to hold it farther away from himself. ] Ugh. I've never done this before! You do it!

[defenses]

[ despite neither party having any real working experience with changing diapers, they somehow manage to succeed. in general, vane tended to be fairly in-tune with more domestic activities, and so... it was fairly easy to figure out. besides, some of the men in the order had wives and children ....

it's only natural he'd pick up a thing or two.

regardless, bijou grants caps' wishes for a ftb diaper scene, the first in her rp history, as they now get fed the next piece of information involving their lives. Excellent. You two truly are a pair. But, that's only expected. You had quite the history together. from here, it seems to display a series of memories. more pictures in their homes, and actually quite ... vivid recollections being sent their way.

You've attempted to have a child many times, so it was a relief and a blessing to finally receive your first alien baby. wow!! somehow vane is kind of touched, even if he's probably overlooking something very crucial here. ] We have a pretty good life here. [ maybe, it's the situation here. the unusual influx of foreign memories. the kind of out of body experience of this all, but it's here, vane puts the baby down, if just to carefully put his hand around chuuya's. somehow it felt like ... the right timing. the right situation.

but, just as he does it, he withdraws a bit sheepishly. ] Just... kidding. Hahaha.

[vacuum]

[ Things he never wanted to be doing, and never thought he'd be doing: Changing an alien baby's diaper. He doesn't think he's ever seen ... waste material so green and so strangely odorless. It's one of those things you push to the back of your mind until the image pokes its head out randomly to haunt you. Anyway, since everything faded to black, it's over. The old diaper has been thrown away and he's holding a clean baby again. If anything is a consolation, it's that.

The sudden forced memories are nothing but whiplash, compared to what he just had to deal with. Immediately, he starts seeing the life that they had together - the love and safety he had apparently felt when with Vane that he had never felt anywhere else. It warms him in a strange way, and that only makes him feel more indignant because he knows it's all fake. There's also that one very important detail ... ]

Idiot. Don't get sucked up into it. Remember that this is a simulation. [ Even if there was something oddly endearing about the way Vane tried to take his hand.

Now, back to that one important detail that they are missing. ] And how the hell did we have this child?! We're both men!

[ The simulation promptly ignores him and continues on. No reason two dudes can't have a baby in space. ]

[defenses]

[ the sentiment is more than mutual. to begin with, vane had always been more likely to be swayed by feeling or emotion, it's why the sensation doesn't completely leave him. even after chuuya's reminder and the stark reality that they're trapped ... in this simulation. it's also why he still finds himself feeling pretty soft to the other male, despite his remarks. ] You're always so quick to dish out the nicknames. [ "idiot," that is.

something tells him that he's heard that a lot from the duration of their marriage to one another. as for the other point? ] HmmmmmMmmm.... [ he seems to deliberate over this seriously fort a few seconds, his head tilting along as he squints at their child. that is before: ]

No idea! [ aside from mpreg. ] The stork? [ it was worth a shot...

look, there could be an alien baby deliverer out there. ] More importantly— [ "what do they do next?" he's about the ask, but almost on cue the simulation voice resounds once more. this time it prompts them to confirm their relationship. it says children also grow from seeing their parents interact. affection is ... key? ]

[vacuum]

That's stupid. [ But better than the alternative, so he accepts it. This is one of those situations where the less he thinks about something the better it is for him. Thankfully, that topic can now be cast aside as the computer prompts them with something else entirely. ]

Confirm our relationship, huh ... [ But fake memories aside, they don't even have one! Chuuya's not so naive he can't catch on to exactly what the simulation wants from him. It's ... more than clear.

It sure is awkward though. He crosses his arms, trying to look nonchalant about that. ] You know what they mean by that, right?

1/2

[defenses]

[ it's true. there is no greater melancholy than a man who has been wrongly mpregged.

but, as the software moves along the stream of awkward scenarios, so does vane. he attempts to gear himself up for their next task. which incidentally, seem a bit more parent-focused? vane seems to stand there stunned for a while. that is, before he catches wind of chuuya's question. ] What they mean?

[ while it seems like something he could miss in theory. he actually... doesn't. ]

Isn't that obvious? [ despite being dense, he seems to pick up on what to do relatively easily. hence, he leans down, he pulls himself closer, gripping onto the side of chuuya's face. he then leans in and presses their foreheads together. he closes his eyes. getting a feel for the other male's skin. syncing their breaths, and then he— ]

[defenses]

Looks like you don't have a fever!

1/2

[vacuum]

[ He was expecting having to explain this to him. What Chuuya doesn't expect is for Vane to get right down to things, pulling him close and closing the distance between them both. The heat in his face rises as Vane draws closer, and his skin becomes flushed from embarrassment. In the stupid memories fed to him, they've apparently done this plenty of times. They have never actually, done this before, however, and that's why the sudden proximity has him nervous. ]

Vane ... [ This is going too suddenly? He was expecting they do something far milder. ]

[vacuum]

[ Then, the truth comes out and he realises he just got Fished. ]

No! That's not what they mean at all, you idiot! What kind of parents would do this?

[defenses]

[ parents that are genuinely concerned for one another's well-being? a parent who knows the other parent could have potentially caught a cold? are the responses on the tip of his tongue, but instead vane does what he often does and releases a small chuckle. ] You think so?

Che. [ he releases a small noise, one of disappointment as he eventually gives a small shrug. ] I was so sure it'd work too. [ which brings the next logical question. ] So? What should I do? Tell me, tell me! Looks like as the Mom you were the boss of me anyway, so Daddy is listening!

[vacuum]

[ Embarrassing. How does Vane say these things and live with himself? ]

I'm not the mom. But you're right that you have to listen to me. [ He likes being listened to. He wants to be the boss here. ]

They probably mean something more like -- this. [ Chuuya reaches out and nudges his fingers into Vane's larger hand, prompting him to hold it. It's a bit of an awkward affair, and he hopes Vane will be able to catch on without needing an explanation. ]

[defenses]

[ considering it's something he wanted to do just moments prior, he doesn't look as stunned as he could have been. instead, his eyes widen, only to soon soften. he gives a small smile. ] Hahaha, you should have just said so!

[ it's here he opens his hands, accepting chuuya's smaller ones into his. he grips it firmly, even giving it a small squeeze. this prompts the computer once more. excellent. you are doing very well, yet this is not the end. to convince me is to also convince your child. with that it falls silent once more.

something beyond hand holding, then? despite vane being horrifyingly dense on occasion, he seems to garner that message. enough where he uses chuuya's hand to draw him closer. he gives a sharp tug, before: ] You'll forgive me, right? [ he then hugs chuuya. ]

[vacuum]

[ Vane's so ... huge, he feels like he's being smothered by a bear. Before he even knows it, he has his face pressed into the guy's chest, his arms trapped between them. ]

Oi ... The kid. [ Don't crush it?? He nudges just enough distance for the hideous alien baby to breathe. Not because of any actual maternal instinct, but mostly because having a crushed alien baby in between their bodies would be incredibly disgusting. Whatever they're doing, though, it seems to be working. In fact, the voice now congratulates them on leveling up?? ]

Looks like they really want us to play the part of the couple...

[defenses]

Oh...! Right! [ he pulls back a little, if just to give the child more breathing room. fortunately, since it's an alien, its body seems to be pliable. its mass seems to almost shrink momentarily before once more returning to its original size and state. but, vane doesn't really pay attention that beyond thinking how cool... that is.

also, receiving congratulations on moving onto the next stage is also pretty neat. if anything, even as they pull away, vane remains close. he even lifts an arm to touch chuuya's arm as he cradles their child. ] A couple, huh....?

I never really thought about it before. Even receiving Valentine's chocolates seemed super impressive before! But, it looks like I've received one from you every year according to our memories. [ which makes him smile, albeit this time a bit more shyly. ]

I must be really loved! [ by chuuya... in this fake world with their fake baby. ]

[vacuum]

[ Vane had such an innocent, radiant quality to him that it was difficult for Chuuya to bite back in his usual curtness. He honestly looked so pleased by the gesture, even if he knows none of those memories are actually real. ]

You're really happy about this sort of thing, huh ... [ It's cute. The bashfulness and delight in Vane's expression is almost infectious, and even Chuuya starts to feel bashful himself over a gesture he didn't actually perform. It is something he would do though, if he did have a partner. He isn't like a certain useless lifeform who doesn't know how to treat the people around him properly, breaking hearts left and right when he should be cherishing them. Chuuya would do just the opposite. ]

Finish this stupid simulation with me and we can go for ice-cream later. [ To congratulate themselves, or so Chuuya tells himself. He really just thinks this guy is kind of cute and easy to get along with, and doesn't mind spending more time with him. ]