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Mason put down his water bottle, focusing back on his screen. He was finally fighting the ender dragon, and Ptolemy was helping. Ish. A little. Okay, Ptolemy was watching from one of the obsidian spires. And judging.
Mason paused his running to crouch, typing quickly as he eyes the returning dragon.
<msak__> ARE YOU JUST GONNA SIT UP THERE AND WATCH ME DIE?
I'm sure you won't die.
<msak__> NO YOU'RE NOT I'M NOT GOOD AT THIS
It'll be fine.
I believe in you.
It was stupid, but Mason actually stopped for a second, staring at the message. It made him feel a little warmer, and distracted him enough that the dragon was able to poison him to death.
He respawned in his house, next to his dog. Thankfully, he was a coward, and played with keep inventory enabled.
<msak__> oops..
Sigh.
<msak__> HEY!!
It's okay. We'll just try again later.
Mason sighed, picking up his water again. He's been trying for a few days now, but it was way harder than the youtubers made it seem. He took a few swigs, setting down the water bottle. As he turned his attention back to his laptop, he saw his camera light quickly switch off. Not quickly enough. He grinned wide.
<msak__> Oooooo you were watching meeeee
No I wasn't.
<msak__> then why was the light on? Hmmm?
<msak__> come on admit it
<msak__> you liked what you sawwwww :3
This is harassment. I did nothing of the sort.
<msak__> you love me so much
<msak__> now that I think about it
<msak__> it's always you seeing me and not the other way around
<msak__> why don't you let me see you?
Mason was met with silence for just barely too long. It made him think he'd upset Ptolemy, or that the other had left. But eventually, he got a response.
I told you. It's not pretty. I don't
Mason watched the chat for a moment.
<msak__> don't what?
.. I don't know.
Is that what you wanted to hear?
I just..
Don't want you to see.
Mason frowned softly.
<msak__> come onnnnnn
<msak__> don't you trust me?
It isn't about trust.
<msak__> then what is it about?
<msak__> please?
<msak__> pleaseeeee
I'm beginning to regret ever showing you I could do that.
Mason paused, his frown returning. He knew Ptolemy probably didn't mean it, they pester each other all the time, but it still made his gut ache a little.
The camera, which had switched back on after Mason lost the topic, seemed to have caught his disappointment.
I'm sorry.
I didn't mean it like that.
Mason smiles lopsidedly for a moment, before it fell.
<msak__> it's okay I understand
Mason went on with his gameplay for a little while after that, but things were tense now between them. Ptolemy stayed out of the chat, just following Mason around. When it was getting to be late, and the sun had been down for a while now, Ptolemy sent another message.
You would probably be scared.
Mason paused, staring at the message for a while. Slowly, he typed out a response.
<msak__> of?
I can't use a fluffy form out there. The one I have is.. unsettling.
<msak__> yeah I remember
<msak__> you laid on me for like 6 hours remember
<msak__> I didn't freak out then
It was quiet for a while after that. Just when Mason was about to type out another message, Ptolemy spoke again.
I remember.
If you insist.. maybe.
Mason's eyes widened. His fingers trembled a bit as he typed.
<msak__> are you sure?
<msak__> if it's really that uncomfortable for you i don't need to see you
<msak__> I just though it would be kinda sweet, y'know?
I know, msak__.
I don't doubt your intentions.
So..
I'll show you.
Mason heard a thud from the other end of the room. He turned around, breathing a bit heavy, but nothing was there. He looked back at his monitor, his eyes a bit nervous. The new message took him by surprise.
Promise not to run.
Mason scoffed.
<msak__> Dude seriously
<msak__> You think I'd run away?
He thought for moment. He felt a little guilty. Ptolemy didn't deserve that.
<msak__> I promise.
...
Okay. Look to your right.
The hairs on Mason's neck stood as he braced himself. He slowly turned his head to the side. At first, he couldn't see anything in the darkness, his eyes were still adjusting. Then, slowly, four familiar eyes faded into view. They weren't dull, but they didn't glow. They were reflective, like a dog's. As his eyes adjusted, he could slowly pull the figure from the darkness. Familiar mandibles appeared knuckled, Ptolemy's face a flowing canvas of.. fingers? Mason quirked a brow. The familiar shape was twisted, he was missing his top arms, but made up for them with a long section that curled slightly behind him. It was objectively scary, Ptolemy was right in that regard, but it seemed.. softened. Mason could see Ptolemy's hesitation in the way he held himself, the way a few of his many fingers twitched restlessly, waiting for a response.
Mason stood slowly, walking over. The massive shape shrunk back a little, but didn't flee. As Mason approached, it became apparent that Ptolemy was definitely taller; an old argument settled. His breath hitched as all of Ptolemy's eyes turned on him. Ptolemy seemed to have control of them in pairs, top and bottom. He cleared his throat softly. "Can you.. can you hear me?" he asked, his voice shaking just the tiniest bit.
Ptolemy dipped his head, the motion sluggish for Mason's sake. Mason stepped closer, slowly leaning in. He could now see all of Ptolemy, and he studied the other. Ptolemy's long body was a pale shade of purple, unlike the deep color of his minecraft avatar. And also unlike his avatar, this Ptolemy wasn't fuzzy. He had smooth skin, radiating warmth slightly hotter than Mason's own. It was dotted with faded white spots, reminiscent of the stars Mason found so beautiful. He turned his eyes back up, and found Ptolemy right in his face. He started backward, and then broke into a chuckle.
"You're.. wow." he breathed, laughter still lacing his words. "You really thought this would scare me?" He moved back in, bringing his hands up to Ptolemy's head, hovering just over skin. "Can I?"
Ptolemy shrugged back just a bit, but then slowly leaned into Mason's hands. He made a soft noise—a low, shuddering exhale with a hint of a groan. Mason smiled a little. Ptolemy's skin was as smooth as it looked, so atleast there was that. His head was big enough that Mason's hand fit within the area of his cheeks, and he emitted a low, soft noise. It wasn't a pur, but something close, something more breathy. Mason got a bit curious, leaning in closer.
"Can you speak?" he muttered, his voice quiet in the thick air of the moment. Ptolemy's eyes, which had slipped closed, opened up and focused on Mason. His top pair flicked over to the laptop, and he slightly tilted his head towards it. Mason reluctantly withdrew his hands, walked back over to his desk. The tension broken, Ptolemy followed. As he stared at his laptop, Ptolemy leaning in behind him, a popup appeared.
Tried. Throat no good. No structure.
Mason frowned softly. "I'm sorry, Ptol." He looked behind him. Ptolemy's big head was hovering near his shoulder, the other bending down at an egregious angle to avoid looming. Ptolemy's thin antennae twitched as they locked eyes again. "Guess we'll have to find another way."
Mason's eyes turned up, and he smiled. "But.. this is great. This is.." Mason hesitated, and went for the truth. "something I've been hoping for for a while. I'm not scared, Ptol. Nothing's changed." Mason beamed softly as Ptolemy leaned in. He was nudged softly back to looking at his laptop.
Thank you.
I'm glad.
Mason stared at the popup for a few seconds. Then he turned around, and held out his arms. Ptolemy froze for a moment, processing, before leaning closer. The entity bent down, his head slipping past Mason's shoulder as his long body looped around the human. He leaned more forward, his top section hanging behind Mason, to use his first working set of arms to receive the hug. The rest of them followed suit as he wrapped himself up into the embrace, grasping Mason from quite a few angles. When all was done, the embrace tightened as Ptolemy's head rested behind Mason's ear.
They held like that for quite a while. It was a very welcome change, the transition from the cold nighttime air of the room to the utter warmth of Ptolemy's embrace. It was also encompassing; Ptolemy wrapped himself around Mason like a snake, clutching him close as if afraid to lose him. Mason exhaled slowly, letting his shoulders slump. He would lean into the embrace, but the truth was there was really nowhere that was out of it. Ptolemy surrounded him on all sides, pressing close. It was.. nice. More than nice. It felt like a need Mason had been ignoring until now. Ptolemy's twisted appearance immediately left Mason's mind as he closed his eyes.
Eventually, when he felt as if there was nothing else he could do, when he was out of jokes and quips and he felt that even if he had them he couldn't dare to use them, his voice emerged. It was raspy—rough with emotion and shaky with disuse.
"Is it.. do you like this too?" he whispered behind him. The words were nervous and soft, out of character and Mason knew it. Ptolemy made a noise, a soft rumble, and slid closer. Mason sighed shakily; a chuckle bubbled from so deep in his stomach he couldn't bar it. When he stopped giggling, he brought his hands up to rest on one of Ptolemy's coils. He moved his hand along the entity's back, causing him to perk up a little and investigate. As Ptolemy's head leaned closer, Mason smiled at it.
"You can let go now, Ptol. It's really nice, but it's also 1 in the morning."
Ptolemy hissed softly, a sound that surprised Mason, but uncoiled. He stood up straight, his height making his antennae brush the ceiling. As Mason lost support, he stumbled a ways, catching himself on his desk chair. He turned to smile up at Ptolemy, but the entity was gone. He blinked, his smile drooping as he looked for the other. He sighed, sitting down in the chair, but froze when his eyes fell on his laptop. A slow, thin grin spread across his lips.
With knowledge unveiled, the universe reveals its secrets.