2.23 - Spam + Voice + Text

[breakingmyheart]

[Spam for Megamind and Edward Nygma]

[Toshiko is the first to wake up. There's still the lingering taste of buttercream frosting on her tongue. She doesn't remember the last time she ate a cupcake.

Megamind and Edward's pillow fort - ridiculous to Toshiko as an almost aggressively sensible twelve-year-old, now she can barely find it in herself to have an opinion - was designed for one small adult and two children. When they dozed off together it was cosy. Now three adults are tangled up at close quarters and the walls have been forced apart and they're listing alarmingly.

Luckily the ceiling is just blankets and there's some give in them, but moving at all will make the whole thing collapse and that'll wake up the other two. She doesn't really want that happening yet. Like she's just woken up from a good dream and she's wondering that if she drifts off again, her brain will be at the same frequency to let her return to it.

She knows she isn't tired enough to sleep again but she closes her eyes and just soaks it all in.]

[Private to Erik; voice]

Erik, I know...

[There’s a pause. She sounds a bit quiet, a bit lost, but not unemotional. On the contrary, it’s more like there’s too much going on and she’s struggling to keep a lid on it all.]

I know you didn’t do what you did for me.

[You did it for yourself. So you didn’t have to have a little girl's trauma on your conscience.

Though something still lingers. There's no reason not to walk. I - I'd like to see you do it.

He didn't have to say that to her younger self, knowing the older was the one it'd resonate with.]

But -- I want to thank you anyway.

[Private to 'Garrett Hobbs'; text]

You took advantage of me.

[She can't even tell if she's angry.]

Comments

[insolubleriddle]

[As per usual, Edward is the odd one out, waking up and rolling onto his knees with no regard for the instability of the pillow fort. He powers on through the wobbling pillows and quilts until the structure topples over them, but he's outside it, for the most part, kicking pillows away as they fall -- it had been one hell of an elaborate pillow fort.

He hears the dog yelp as he mistakes it for a pillow, and subsequent to his failed attempt to kick it away, he topples over, slamming jaw-first into the floor.

And to think, they could have had a quiet morning.]

[breakingmyheart]

[Oh God, she couldn't have had five minutes more?

Tosh hears all that rather than sees it - several soft thumps, Angus yelping, a louder and decidedly human sound of impact - and after entertaining a brief uncharitable thought about Edward ruining everything she sits up, rather more carefully and methodically dislodging pillows and sheets.

Then she sees him still on the floor and obviously in pain and she softens a little.]

Christ. Megamind...?

[She'll be frankly alarmed if he slept through that.]

[megamind]

[ Nope, he's flailing. There's a dog yelping and Edward yelping and oh god, what now? Flailing a bit, Megamind pulls himself out of everything and-- oh shit, Edward's gone face first into the concrete floor of the lair. ]

Oh for the love of-- I manage to keep you safe as a child, as an adult I can't at all...

[ Jerked out of a very pleasant sleep -- Edward on the floor, Angus running around tangled in a blanket and so confused as to why he got kicked -- Megamind wriggles out of the pile, and then offers a hand back to Toshiko to help her up. ]

Tosh, if you could help Edward up and to the bathroom? I've got to make sure Angus is alright and get him before he drags the blanket through the lab...

C'mere, boy-- [ And then, groggy, he staggers after the dog before he can pretty much bring the lair down. ]

[insolubleriddle]

[This is, sadly, not the first time he's slammed his face into a concrete floor. Not even the second time, or third time, actually. Might even be in the double digits with how often Arkham's staff had used violent force.

He lays there a while, recuperating, waiting for the dizziness to ebb away. And when it does, he rises again and sits on his heels while checking the state of his jaw. Sore as all hell, but it doesn't feel broken, and he isn't bleeding -- much. Bit of a scrape, and he'd bitten his tongue, but it was nothing that wouldn't be gone within a week or so.]

Both of you can grab the dog. [Oh, but that hurt. Jaw was clicking a little, too. He grimaces, clacking his teeth together as he tests the bone.]

[breakingmyheart]

I'm not much for animal herding. Here.

[She crouches down opposite him, not touching but looking him over closely. Her medical training is extensive - good enough that she was once able to fake her way through an autopsy as 'Dr. Sato' while their medic was hungover - and she can tell that there's not much to worry about. There'll be a bruise, but his jawline is still symmetrical and his speech is still clear.]

It's not fractured. I'll get you some ice.

[Well, she's awake now. She straightens up, legs a little stiff from sleeping curled up, and raises her voice to be heard.]

Megamind, icepacks?

[megamind]

Fridge, kitchenette.

[ Megamind is coaxing Angus out from under a table now, ruffling his ears, and soothing him and calming him down. Blanket gathered. ]

Brainbots, get coffee on. Uh-- and a glass of ice water for Edward.

[ Eventually, he gets Angus out from under the table, and both approach Edward where he sits. He leans over to check things out; Angus ducks his head, ears down, and eventually just lays by Edward, submissive. He doesn't understand why he got kicked, but he's sorry, okay, Edward? ]

Bleeding a bit, are you? Mmph. Nothing too deep, I hope?

[insolubleriddle]

[They're in pajamas, he notices. He's not. A shirt, tie, dress pants. Casual wear, at least. He feels his face for his mask or sunglasses, but of course they're not there.

While Toshiko examines his face, he has no choice but to stare forward at her, blinking slowly, jaw clenched.

But he manages to relax a little, when Angus sits beside him, ears down and demeanor submissive. Edward sighs, patting the dogs belly while he reaches into his pocket for a handkerchief. There was just a little bit of blood escaping the side of his mouth that he needed to wipe away.]

My speech wouldn't be coherent if it were anything deep. [There's enough blood that he does remove a glove and thumb his tongue, though. As discreetly as possible, looking down, since it was kind of rude and gross to have fingers in your mouth with people present.]

[breakingmyheart]

[Toshiko returns with a wrapped icepack and crouches down to offer it to Edward.]

Fifteen minutes. I'm sure you don't need me to tell you.

[She stands and straightens out her top.]

...Right. I'll be going, then.

[And she turns to start towards the door. It was nice while it lasted but the cold light of reality is firmly upon her now.]

[megamind]

[ A long-fingered blue hand reaches out to catch her; Megamind is the most tactile with people he cares about. Nobody else. ]

Oh my God sit down and have breakfast. Honestly, we have all seen each other naked at this point, this cannot possibly get worse or more awkward. Really, it can only get better if we try. Besides, I'm the last person in the world to walk to talk about a Kid Flood. Neither of you saw me last year but let me tell you, I made people cry.

[ The problem is, before his coffee, Megamidn has all his brain filters off, and something like a truth ray engaged. He straightens, a gesturing. ]

Both of you have this terrible habit of running off at the least sign of-- anything. Intimacy. Whatever. Just-- have breakfast and... oh thank God, coffee.

[ Here's a brainbot with a coffee mug, just for Megamind. They know who needs fueling first. ]

[insolubleriddle]

[He can't really argue, seeing as he had leapt out of the pillow fort upon realising he wasn't alone.]

Good lord, Megamind. 'It can only get better if we try.' [He snorts.] It's far too early for pep talks about intimacy.

[Edward holds the ice-pack to his aching jaw, reassured that he hasn't bitten too deeply into his tongue. It would swell up later, but tongues were known to heal fairly quickly.]

[He pushes up from the floor, turning to Toshiko.]

Thank you, by the way.

[Now, breakfast.]

[breakingmyheart]

[Mildly:] You're welcome.

[And to Megamind:] It's got nothing to do with the flood, I don't feel awkward, I just -

[Kind of think it's reasonable to run off at the first sign of intimacy in some contexts. She can't be here in the rooms where Edward and Megamind practically live together and not feel like a gigantic, unwelcome third wheel.

But her throat just closes up around the sentiment.]

Never mind. Breakfast.

[megamind]

Is it easier to say we're all attracted to each other, grown adults, and should just-- handle it? Wait, no, that sounds terribly-- something.

[ Brainbots had kept hearing the breakfast word and were already marking the number of places and getting things at the kitchenette set up -- the table. ]

[ Megamind just took a few longs sips of his coffee, blinked his eyes, and says ]

Ten minutes with the coffee and I'll be back to my awkward self. God I don't know how you humans function sometimes.

[ At least he's patting her shoulder instead of grabbing at her now, apologetic and already getting the rest of his brain online. The brainbots are practiced at his morning routine-- one's already zipping over with a robe which he slides into with robotic help, and another is setting out clean water for the dog, while Megamind steadily becomes more aware. ]

The brainbots have chosen a variety of pancakes. Ooh, Red Velvet! Well, let's eat, hmm?

[ He'll get Angus fed now, putting his cup of coffee down where he'd sit eventually. ]

[breakingmyheart]

[Toshiko is offered a cup of coffee by a brainbot and rather passively accepts it because, well, turns out that Megamind says all sorts before the caffeine's kicked in.]

...ah. In a minute. Is that what we are?

[She can't help it; her eyes flicker to Edward, who by now she's mentally categorised as 'possibly gay in non-flood circumstances and/or otherwise not interested'.]

[insolubleriddle]

[Eddie sends Toshiko a perplexed look, since she seems to be the only other sane person in the lair right now.]

We have a triangle.

The fort was almost a triangle too. Perfect visual of what will occur if we attempt to 'handle' this mutual appreciation for small blue aliens.

[He sits at the table, at his usual seat, next to Megamind's, and selects a couple of detectible-looking pancakes to stare at since his jaw hurts too much to go through the task of eating right now.]

[And since Megamind had the brain bots make him a glass of iced water instead of a coffee, and decides to steal Megamind's while he's off feeding the dog.]

[megamind]

[ You're going to regret that with a cut in your mouth, Eddie. It's Megamind's creamed-and-sugared coffee slurry, just the way he likes it. But a moment later he's got Angus nosing his wobbler around to puzzle out getting food out of it and stay engaged. ]

This is abrupt change from your interest since her previously rescinded offer, Mr. Nygma. Which I think we both avoided talking about because we were thinking about it and -- where is my coffee? Dammit, Edward. Ugh, coffee backwash.

[ ...and off he goes to get a new cup, grumbling. A moment later, he's sitting at the table. ]

There are plenty of rational, logical explanations on why we should or should not, but in the mean time we are all friends, and we should all be able to comport [ that is not how you say that word, Megamind ] like adults and not run from each other. We live together, work together, see each other daily. The boat's tiny, and I want you both in my life on some level.

--oh good a new cup.

[ And he lapses into silence, sipping his coffee in his chair, eyes closed. ]

[breakingmyheart]

[Toshiko is by now sitting down and regarding the pancakes with a suspicious eye (what is red velvet?). It becomes a distinctly 'what' look on abrupt change from your interest, aimed first at Megamind and then briefly at Edward, and it doesn't really get better from there.]

...Megamind. [Her voice has a strange quality to it.] Bringing up the possibility of a polyamorous relationship at the breakfast table is not making anything easier for anybody.

[insolubleriddle]

[Wow, well. This is the worst coffee he's ever had.]

...This is the worst coffee I've ever had.

[He swallows thickly, and takes in another mouthful regardless.]

Twice rescinded. That is the 'knock it off' point for those with social competence. [He nods in agreement with Toshiko, when she speaks, and is otherwise quiet.]

[megamind]

[ Megamind just mumbles something to the affect of you know how I take my coffee, why are you shocked? and sipped his own. Eventually, when he opened his eyes again, he was a touch more focused. ]

[ His brows furrow, his eyes cut to the side and he said: ]

That-- wasn't what I was-- suggesting. Though you could get there from -- that. Yes.

[ And red velvet pancakes are delicious and now that he's made a fool of himself first thing in the morning, he's going to shut up at eat. ]

[breakingmyheart]

[Well, now Megamind just looks embarrassed and that's not what she wanted at all.

This is why truth floods occasionally have some mileage. Not - not like the one where she told Megamind she was using, but every so often she'd just like to be able to just put it all out there and not have to feel ashamed or selfish.

She rather abruptly turns to Edward.[

Sorry, were you really - ? [Interested.] Because I'd sort of - well. After I said what I said I realised you were probably gay. Or at least I thought you were.

[insolubleriddle]

[...Gay?

Edward has to laugh.]

No, my dear. No, I'm not. [Not even close.] And I was interested. Still am, admittedly. You're a divine young woman.

[Who is in love with Megamind, so an awkward little triangle they would remain.]

Murder told me to skip her 8|

[breakingmyheart]

[Divine?

Oh. Oh.

It's almost depressing what unexpected, seemingly heartfelt compliments do to Toshiko. Most of the tension suddenly drains out of her shoulders and she blushes and ducks her head, smiling in a way that takes five years off her face.]

Oh. I - thank you.

...I, erm. In different circumstances, I - that is - you're not bad yourself.

[It's obviously an understatement because now she's practically hiding behind her coffee.]

[megamind]

[ Megamind let the pair-- flirt, he supposed, and ate in silence, though he spared a glance up because when Tosh smiles -- and it's so damn rare these days as to be like the sighting of a Black Swan in the wild, and should be properly appreciated, even if he's not the one engineering it in her. ]

[ He indulges his own, brief smile, and then is quick to put food in his mouth lest he say anything else stupid this morning. ]

aand a baby tag to restore order

[breakingmyheart]

[It really is immeasurable how much more comfortable she feels all of a sudden, knowing with a degree of confidence that she's in the company of two people who...like her. At the very least.

And a moment later, when her blush has cooled from red to pink, she reaches out to serve herself a pancake because she remembers Edward getting on her about not eating.]

[insolubleriddle]

[That's an infectious smile, and having brought it about, it's especially hard for Eddie to resist the curve of his own lips.]

It been a good morning for refuting expectations. Who knew communication had it's uses.

[After their last conversation, he'd wholly assumed Toshiko wasn't in the least bit interested. Nice to know that wasn't the case.

He places his bag of ice aside and starts to cut his own pancakes, though he's not sure if he wants to try eating them yet.]

[megamind]

[ Megamind makes a pleased sound, around a mouthful of pancakes. They are delicious, Toshiko is happy, even Eddie is smiling. So, at the very least, he's content in this. ]

[ Contentment is damned hard to come by, some times, on the barge. So he means to indulge it... along with the cream-cheese icing syrup that goes along with the red velvet pancakes. Seriously, this is a decadent breakfast. ]