AFTERPARTY III: Never Have I Ever Been Quite This Drunk

[mirrite]

[There's absolutely nothing celebratory about this drinking party. "Party" isn't even the right word, not really-- it's more like a "drink until you forget and/or black out" session for anyone who wants to participate, and even the bartender isn't immune from that much. Please forgive him if your drink isn't mixed quite right; he's trying his best under the circumstances.

There's food, too, if anyone wants to attempt to stave off a hangover tomorrow, or just get something in their stomach after the events of the day: stirfry from Makoto, vegetable soup from Nageki (mediocre, but hey, a genuine effort was made and that's what counts), and some tea for those who would rather abstain from the harder stuff. (Is that even many people tonight? Probably not.)

Come on by the bar if you're hungry or want a drink, or even if you just don't want to be alone right now. That much, at least, is something that can be guaranteed tonight.]

Comments

[vogelfrei]

[ McGillis knows he deserves this reaction entirely, he really should have kept his mouth shut even as the possibilities of parallel universes intrigued him.

For a moment he seems helpless in the face of those tears, like comforting somebody is an action he has to consciously remind himself how to perform. The hesitation fades as quick as it came, however, and he wraps an arm around Huaisang's shoulders instead. ]

I won't. I promise. One step at a time, that is all you need to focus on.

[biyishuangfei]

[ A hiccup escaped him, but at least his sobs quiet much faster when McGillis has an arm around his shoulders. Though, he'll blink away some of the tears and then slowly but surely the tremors stop as well as he relaxed a bit in the hold. But only when his shaking managed to stop was when he'll trust himself to be able to speak properly.

Still, Huaisang will just nod first, accepting his words and also his followup to those first words. ]

Yes, that'd make things far easier. We already do have a lot of things to consider as it is...

[vogelfrei]

[ McGillis pulls Huaisang in to lean against him, just a little, nothing untoward, and waits patiently for Huaisang to collect himself. These tears feel overdue, considering how easy it is to make the other man cry usually. ]

Actually, let's take a break from that for tonight as well. You had a harder day than any of us, you should be free to not think at all for a little.

[biyishuangfei]

[ Huaisang didn't so much as mind, feeling himself relax even more into him, even closing his eyes for a bit. Even after the trial he hadn't so much as felt anything other than tension, still wired up from everything that had happened.

It made him realize he had hardly any time to properly sort out his feelings concerning the death of his friend. Usually he's been pretty good at making sure he wasn't pushing himself all that hard, but it was essentially extenuating circumstances where this place was concerned. ]

Mm...I suppose that is true. It's been really hard, and I think I was trying my best, but it's nice not to have to do any of that right now.

[vogelfrei]

You were keeping it together well. Better than some others might have.

[ Honestly impressive, compared to how Huaisang usually conducts himself. It speaks in his favor entirely. ]

Rest for the weekend. And if you need anything, just ask.

[biyishuangfei]

[ He only kept it together for so long because of his desire to find WWX's killer. But, he supposed the other was right, and then he heard him say those other words.

Huaisang opened his eyes, feeling and seeing the wetness of some unshed tears blur his vision. ]

I...Please allow me to stay like this a little while longer.

[ Then, he'll just close his eyes again. He knew it was probably a little selfish, but even besides the fact that admittedly he was ... happy it was McGillis saying this to him, he thought that maybe he'd hardly get the chance to be comforted like this again. ]

[vogelfrei]

... of course. Take your time.

[ McGillis himself is not one who values physical touch all that much, but it is an easy request to fulfill for somebody else, easier than comforting words might be. He'll gladly keep Huaisang tucked in his arm for as long as is needed. Surely none of the others will leave the bar before midnight today and McGillis will be content simply sitting and watching, exhausted and somber. They can be exhausted and somber together. ]