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Mason adjusted in his bed, the sheets rustling quietly. His head pounded, and he ran his fingers through his hair. Summer was horrible, since his air conditioning had been broken since 'nam. The sun beat down any hope of comfort as he laid with his clammy skin and a general distaste for existence.
He looked over at his closed laptop. He had forgotten to leave it open for Ptolemy. Force of habit. He swung his legs over the bed and stood, walking over to his desk. His hands thudded on the desk, and he fought his laptop lid for a moment before he finally got it open. He slid into his chair and used a knuckle to enter his password.
He pressed the super key, entering the name of his launcher. Soon enough, he was entering the world titled "Him <3333". He jumped around, crouching and throwing his head around. He opened the chat, checking for messages. When there were none, he typed one out.
<msak__> Ptolemmyyyyyyy..
<msak__> i can hear your footsteps, i know you're there
He waited for a moment, listening to the other's steps pause. After a moment, the chat appeared again.
What is it.
<msak__> there you are :3 come here i wanna ask you something
Mason watched his screen with a soft smile. The starry figure made its way over to his character.
Yes?
<msak__> It's kinda a strange question..
<msak__> are you able to..
<msak__> y'know..
<msak__> be here? Again? Like you were a few days ago when you were acting scary?
Silence. The figure on his screen stared at him—not his character, but directly out of the screen—before a response came.
It wouldn't be pretty.
Mason grinned. He typed out a reply, anticipation stirring gently in his stomach. He couldn't be too hopeful yet, but Ptolemy hadn't shut him down.
<msak__> i don't care if it's pretty, goober
<msak__> besides, all of your forms are pretty to me <3
More silence.
I wouldn't look like I do now. I would be objectively less appealing than I already am.
Mason frowned.
<msak__> hey! i just said i think all of your forms are pretty. what's one more?
The figure on his screen turned away, but didn't flee.
Promise that..
You won't look. No matter what.
This made Mason frown a bit more.
<msak__> why notttt?
Just promise.
Mason sighed softly. A win was a win.
<msak__> alr fine. i won't look.
Silence followed. Ptolemy's character disappeared, and his game crashed. Exiting to his desktop, he got a popup.
Bring your laptop to your bed.
Mason grinned. "Planning to get freaky, are we, buge?" he joked, but no response came. Sighing, he picked his shitty laptop up and walked over to his bed. He stretched out on it, the sun warming his back as he nestled his computer between two pillows.
"What now?" he asked the laptop. It seemed to think for a moment, before another popup came.
Don't move.
Mason felt a chill run down his spine. That was ominous. He heard a floorboard creak, and froze. He didn't turn his head, trusting Ptolemy, but had to confirm.
"That's.. that you?" he whispered to the screen, hoping Ptolemy could hear him.
It is. Don't look.
Mason's spine shivered again. This was the farthest he'd ever gotten with Ptolemy, and though it felt strange, he was still elated. He set his head down, content to resist the urge to look if it made Ptolemy comfortable enough to do this.
It startled him when he felt a dip in the mattress, his heart racing as he jumped slightly. The weight immediately paused, another popup.
Alright?
Mason looked at the camera and nodded, his breathing calming back down. The weight continued, until he felt something foreign slowly make contact with his back. It was warm, an appendage. A hand. That was the real flinch, but it got everything out of Mason's system. He calmed back down, even leaning into the touch just a bit. He chuckled, a mixture of nerves and wonder.
"That's.. you. Don't be shy, I won't look.." he joked gently to the laptop. A popup.
Will feel.. very strange. Are you sure?
This one had two button, yes and no, like a real popup. Mason thought that was pretty cute, and he pressed 'yes' without hesitation. Slowly, a weight grew on his back as something figured out how it wanted to rest. Contact grew, spreading from a single point to a heavy, wide mass settling on him. It was personal, extremely so, and it made Mason's eyes go wide. Something nestled against his neck, smooth but thankfully warm. Everything settled, and something kind of like two pairs of arms draped down his sides, making sure to stay out of his view. Another popup.
.. Okay?
Mason slowly smiled. It was comfortable, though whatever was on him was heavy and oddly shaped. It didn't scare Mason, or make his ribs crawl—instead, the unknown, unfamiliar shape of the thing cuddling him made it all the more exciting. He spoke softly, assuming that Ptolemy could use whatever this thing was to hear him.
"It's.. really great. Thank you. Really." He chuckled softly, still slightly disbelieving. He shifted a little, making sure not to accidentally glance.. anywhere that wasn't forward. The weight on him was huge, much bigger than a normal person would be. It was a little hard to breath, but well worth it.
His eyes were beginning to grow heavy. He nodded off a few times, before settling comfortably with his head tucked under his arm—preventing accidental glimpses. As he fell under the thick veil of sleep, he could've sworn he felt a warm, large hand settle over his wrist, closing gently.