They've got contracts for sure. Sheila got an item that pretty much confirmed it. Someone's journal.
[ he shakes his head because hostages isn't the point, so; ]
... This whole thing is just entertainment for him. One big show. We're the main one, left to see how we act. But the staff? They're more like... hired actors. Playing a specific role. And those memories and the shit in their rooms... it doesn't quite match that.
[He frowns gently, not liking the confirmation. Not liking the rest of it either. He had asked them that too, he's pretty sure. Or talked to them about how they seemed like actors playing a part in this giant entertainment piece.]
They're people like us. [He glances away, then back.] They've been in these games before too.
I saw one memory from... another game. I knew it was because... I saw myself. But younger.
[Their orbit can't be broken. I keep thinking about whether or not they are going to run out of plot and then fidget not wanting to leave and then end up banging.]
[ STOP they probably will i hate you. speaking of banging adjacent, cloud's raising the hand that was on jason's shoulder to his face, cupping it on the side that isn't leaning against him. this seems like a normal thing to do when you are this close to a person and they feel sad. ]
... Yeah. [ he shakes his head minutely, because he doesn't want to dislodge jason ] Whatever their contracts are ... it includes a lot more messed up clauses than ours. Makes me wonder who gave out these keys and why?
[Cloud learning to comfort... Character development. That may vanish instantaneously next week when nothing is urging him to be affectionate.
It doesn't matter, Jason tilts his head a little into the hand. Thank you... he's comforted.]
I know. [Thoughtfully quiet.] You think there's a mole among them? Or maybe... one of them has sort of... sorted themselves out? Unless one of us stole them somehow.
... I think... [ he looks away, pensive, softly petting jason's face with a thumb. yeah none of this is going to be happening next week. ] It could be one of us. Could be the Nightman fucking with us. But. That thing Sheila's group found, it's a journal. It doesn't just talk about contracts. Mentions meeting the rest of the staff. Seven names dropped. Obviously, they think Aquarius wrote it, since theirs isn't in there.
They are acting like other people. Actors, remember? [ he was trying to hint so he didn't spell it out because he's paranoid, but it just made him too subtle. very funny. ] Whatever the reason, they can't drop it. Not really, and not fully. Which means it's got something to do with their contract.
That's why it's so weird to give us access to their rooms. Like spelling it out for as many people as possible who might not have gotten memories or noticed.
I-- [He lets Cloud finish.] I get it. I get that. They're acting like other people, but I didn't think it was... like... other people? I thought it was just, you know. Hotel staff. Their "jobs."
[He sighs.]
Well, maybe whoever or whatever did this is actually doing us a favor.
... Yeah, well. That's what I meant by weird. [ Other people. but he shakes his head ] No way to tell what the goal was with us outside of trying to make what's happening with the staff more obvious. Not necessarily a bad thing, but...
[ he trails off and just. tugs at jason's shirt a little. why does he still want to kiss this dumbass so bad goddamn what is with this week ]
Wouldn't go shouting it out to the rooftops, either.
[Cloud, your tastes in this moment are bad.] I know. I don't plan on it. [Cloud, have you not realized you're like one of the only people Jason will talk about these things to? Sheesh.
He sticks his hands under the back of Cloud's shirt because he just wants to feel some skin for some reason. But it also keeps Cloud still so he can lean in and smooch him.
[ he has not realized it he's stupid, but it doesn't matter because he's distracted when jason shoves his hands in the back of his shirt? his back curves a bit reflexively and he makes a little :o face that doesn't last very long because jason is kissing him.
so obviously he has to smooch back?? what plot. despite the surprise he's very eager, grasping at jason's bicep to hold him in place. like he's gonna go?? anywhere??? when he's holding onto cloud??? it's fine. ]
[Well, goodbye plot. The plot is gone. They at least talked about a good bit of it before being thoroughly distracted by horny feelings.
Don't kiss him back, hugh!! He drags his nails and hands up the curve of the back, sorry for hiking the shirt all up. Even pulling away so they can breathe for a few seconds, he doesn't really? want to? So Cloud keeps getting spots of kisses over and over.]
Want me to stop?
[He says this almost like he is just wanting to hear Cloud tell him no. :)]
[ day two of affection like this means cloud is still a bit of a flustered mess over like. all of it. so enjoy that blush I guess. horrid.
horrid that he likes the nails and isn't even remotely bothered by that either, sneaking his one hand up Jason's shirt over his abs in retaliation. or just to touch. both are true. ]
... No. [ it's hesitant because he's a little aware Jason just wanted him to say no, and that's embarrassing, not because he has real reservations. I wish he did. ] You can... We ...
[ he shakes his head a little because he's too flustered by saying it so instead Jason just gets another kiss. perfect. nailed it. ]
[It's so horrible that Jason thinks the flustering is cute in a bullying way. Cloud can touch his abs. Cloud, your type.]
We...?
[Now he's just being mean, trying to make Cloud continue to be flustered. He's a big boy, so all he has to do is start moving forward to bully Cloud backward. Might as well throw the towel in now and admit they are about to fuck since Jason is going to the bed.
He keeps bringing his hands up, taking the shirt along. Cloud is going to have to raise his arms because he really is just taking it off.]
[ <3 if men aren't tall and buff they are worthless <3
anyway, he could stand his ground if he really wanted to? he does not want to. unfortunately. so instead he moves backwards with jason while lifting his arms up to help jason undress him faster. he could do it himself but this is what's happening now. ]
I've got a bed. [ he's tilted his chin up in defiance, like the trailed off we was a challenge he must absolutely meet. it does nothing to make him look less blushy blushy. dichotomy of bottoms. ] Pretty sure you've noticed.
[ because he's leading them there. cloud doesn't entirely wait until the back of his knees hit the mattress to take hold of jason's collar with both hands as a mini show of stupid SOLDIER force and drag him down with him. you're not that big and solid, bitch, ]
You do have a bed. It'd look a lot better with you on it.
[Which he is forcing Cloud toward for very clear intentions, but at least a) they are clear, and b) he asked and Cloud gave consent. He probably stole these moves from Dick.
The shirt gets tossed on the floor. He's more than ready to start touching on Cloud, but Cloud grabs him and manhandles him on the bed. Hate how much this is attractive to Jason. And it's unfortunate he starts trying to play fight for dominance even if what he's mostly attempting to do is kiss and bite other parts of Cloud that aren't just his mouth.]
[ the FACE cloud makes at that line is pure judgment, i'm sorry, that was so bad ]
You get that one off a dating playbook or a bad porno? Be honest.
[ they're already on the bed by the time he responds to it, so it absolutely looks like it worked, but just know. it did not. it's unfortunate that jason wants to play fight for dominance because cloud is there for it? he tries to kiss and bite back but it is a fairly unfair fight, in that cloud is shirtless and jason isn't. so he has to make things fair by tugging at jason's shirt himself. off, please. thank you. it is entirely for fairness and no other reason. ]
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[ he shakes his head because hostages isn't the point, so; ]
... This whole thing is just entertainment for him. One big show. We're the main one, left to see how we act. But the staff? They're more like... hired actors. Playing a specific role. And those memories and the shit in their rooms... it doesn't quite match that.
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They're people like us. [He glances away, then back.] They've been in these games before too.
I saw one memory from... another game. I knew it was because... I saw myself. But younger.
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Like... a different version of you?
[ but younger?? hello?? ]
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Mm. [A confirmation.] They knew me. Uh. A me.
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[ hmm. he doesn't ask for clarity on which npc or what memory it was, but he raises a hand to put on Jason's shoulder as he frowns a little. ]
... You good? [ he can imagine how weird it is, knowing an alternate version of yourself went through it ]
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[He sort of leans in to bump the side of Cloud's head with one temple, the only thing he can think to do to reassure he isn't bullshitting.]
Kind of fucked up, but... honestly not surprised.
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[ they usually aren't with their luck!!! ]
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...It wasn't, but. That also doesn't surprise me.
[Haha...]
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... Yeah. [ he shakes his head minutely, because he doesn't want to dislodge jason ] Whatever their contracts are ... it includes a lot more messed up clauses than ours. Makes me wonder who gave out these keys and why?
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It doesn't matter, Jason tilts his head a little into the hand. Thank you... he's comforted.]
I know. [Thoughtfully quiet.] You think there's a mole among them? Or maybe... one of them has sort of... sorted themselves out? Unless one of us stole them somehow.
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[ ... ]
And as far as Aquarius is concerned, it's theirs.
[ he says it kind of pointedly. ]
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He seems offended, but not at Cloud, then he seems pensively uncertain.]
Could have just said that from the start, jackass.
[(affectionate)]
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Walls have ears, jackass. [ right back at you. ] I don't know anything for sure. I'm trying not to jump to conclusion, here.
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…I trust them. [A pause.] Well, I… guess I do. As long as they are who they’ve been acting like.
But it seems like… [His brows furrow.] Are they acting like other people, or…? I mean aside from the obvious. I don’t get it.
Some of the stuff we found in Aquila’s room didn’t match them, yeah. But why… do that?
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That's why it's so weird to give us access to their rooms. Like spelling it out for as many people as possible who might not have gotten memories or noticed.
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[He sighs.]
Well, maybe whoever or whatever did this is actually doing us a favor.
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[ he trails off and just. tugs at jason's shirt a little. why does he still want to kiss this dumbass so bad goddamn what is with this week ]
Wouldn't go shouting it out to the rooftops, either.
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He sticks his hands under the back of Cloud's shirt because he just wants to feel some skin for some reason. But it also keeps Cloud still so he can lean in and smooch him.
This is the worst week to talk about plot.]
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so obviously he has to smooch back?? what plot. despite the surprise he's very eager, grasping at jason's bicep to hold him in place. like he's gonna go?? anywhere??? when he's holding onto cloud??? it's fine. ]
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Don't kiss him back, hugh!! He drags his nails and hands up the curve of the back, sorry for hiking the shirt all up. Even pulling away so they can breathe for a few seconds, he doesn't really? want to? So Cloud keeps getting spots of kisses over and over.]
Want me to stop?
[He says this almost like he is just wanting to hear Cloud tell him no. :)]
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horrid that he likes the nails and isn't even remotely bothered by that either, sneaking his one hand up Jason's shirt over his abs in retaliation. or just to touch. both are true. ]
... No. [ it's hesitant because he's a little aware Jason just wanted him to say no, and that's embarrassing, not because he has real reservations. I wish he did. ] You can... We ...
[ he shakes his head a little because he's too flustered by saying it so instead Jason just gets another kiss. perfect. nailed it. ]
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We...?
[Now he's just being mean, trying to make Cloud continue to be flustered. He's a big boy, so all he has to do is start moving forward to bully Cloud backward. Might as well throw the towel in now and admit they are about to fuck since Jason is going to the bed.
He keeps bringing his hands up, taking the shirt along. Cloud is going to have to raise his arms because he really is just taking it off.]
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anyway, he could stand his ground if he really wanted to? he does not want to. unfortunately. so instead he moves backwards with jason while lifting his arms up to help jason undress him faster. he could do it himself but this is what's happening now. ]
I've got a bed. [ he's tilted his chin up in defiance, like the trailed off we was a challenge he must absolutely meet. it does nothing to make him look less blushy blushy. dichotomy of bottoms. ] Pretty sure you've noticed.
[ because he's leading them there. cloud doesn't entirely wait until the back of his knees hit the mattress to take hold of jason's collar with both hands as a mini show of stupid SOLDIER force and drag him down with him. you're not that big and solid, bitch, ]
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[Which he is forcing Cloud toward for very clear intentions, but at least a) they are clear, and b) he asked and Cloud gave consent. He probably stole these moves from Dick.
The shirt gets tossed on the floor. He's more than ready to start touching on Cloud, but Cloud grabs him and manhandles him on the bed. Hate how much this is attractive to Jason. And it's unfortunate he starts trying to play fight for dominance even if what he's mostly attempting to do is kiss and bite other parts of Cloud that aren't just his mouth.]
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You get that one off a dating playbook or a bad porno? Be honest.
[ they're already on the bed by the time he responds to it, so it absolutely looks like it worked, but just know. it did not. it's unfortunate that jason wants to play fight for dominance because cloud is there for it? he tries to kiss and bite back but it is a fairly unfair fight, in that cloud is shirtless and jason isn't. so he has to make things fair by tugging at jason's shirt himself. off, please. thank you. it is entirely for fairness and no other reason. ]
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