bragnificent | IC CONTACT ➛ mask or menace.

[ What is happening...,

Reggie isn't sure where to look; warily over at Magnus, or determinedly forward at the TV screen. It's difficult, because the way Magnus operates is so different from the way Reggie does that he often does feel like he's missing something. Maybe even something obvious.

("One of his favorite feelings"...?) ]

Uh. [ Decision made: he looks at Magnus. ] Well, obviously I can't speak to whatever the hell you used to get up to with Archie, but that's not what this is.

Obviously it's different. You're different people. If we get close, it'll be in a different way. I wouldn't mind it.

[Magnus reaches for his beer, meeting Reggie's eyes after he tips it back]

I just wanted to say that. Sorry it's awkward, I guess.

[he doesn't sound sorry, but he does realise that maybe being so frank with Reggie was a little bamboozling, after their months-long history of friction and banter and Archie, somewhere in the middle of it all, with a helpless and a charming smile]

[ Frankness probably shouldn't bamboozle Reggie, who's often rather frank himself, as much as it does, but it's probably due to how sincere Magnus is-- when Reggie's frank, he's honest, but not particularly sincere. Who are these people who just readily talk about all their feelings...?? ]

It's fine, I guess. As long as you remember that even though we were friends, Archie and I are barely alike. You two are more similar. [ "Friends." Reggie squints. ] In some ways, at least.

Edited 2018-08-23 06:42 (UTC)

[it surprises Magnus; he hadn't thought they were particularly alike, outside of some nerdy interests and an unfortunately wide romantic streak paired with a great deal of -- well, romantic ineptitude]

Like how?

[ Ugh, now he has to be specific. Reggie rubs his mouth, figuring out what to say; all the obvious answers to that question would sound like veiled compliments. "Friendly." "Weirdly magnetic." "People just like you." ]

Dunno. [ Good start. ] He was all sensitive about that romantic stuff, too. And closeness or whatever.

[Magnus pauses; asks, rather openly]

Did that -- was it a lot? Like... did it freak you out?

[ Yes. And also yes. Reggie exhales, buying time by popping a chip into his mouth and chewing it somewhat slowly. ]

Well, it is a lot of pressure. I don't usually even like to date [ a beat, ] my friends, but I guess even that can work out sometimes.

What changed your mind?

[genuine curiosity, though his hands mindlessly reach for another pizza slice]

I just... [ Hm. ] At a certain point, "just staying friends" doesn't make any sense if you like, might stop being friends over it. His feelings got hurt cuz he thought I didn't really like him or something.

[ That's a definite oversimplification of the situation -- especially regarding Reggie's own feeling throughout the entire thing -- but also not untrue? ]

So I don't really have any, like, boyfriend advice, if that's what you're after.

[it's not a surprise -- Archie had confided in him, about Reggie not seeming to return his feelings as strongly, and not wanting to become "serious" -- but it's weird to hear it from Reggie when it doesn't sound about Reggie or his feelings. Magnus knows better, now; Reggie wouldn't be out in the woods, watching Archie's old football DVDs (their shared DVDs?) if he hadn't cared for Archie, Magnus thinks]

I'm not after anything. [their situations are different; he and Ronan have only been transparent, about their feelings. they've been serious from the word go] When did you start to really like him?

[ Similarly, Reggie's not terribly surprised that Magnus doesn't seem surprised; he's not dumb enough to think that Archie didn't talk about it to anyone. If he hadn't, he'd probably have just tried to internalized it forever until things came to a head in a different way-- for better or for worse.

Or maybe Reggie only thinks that because it feels like what he'd do. Actually... it is what he's doing, kind of, with Veronica. ]

I liked him way before he even thought of liking me. It was just hard to avoid, I guess. [ He pauses. ] But if you're not after anything, then why the hell are we talking about this?

Why not? You can ask me about porn, but we can't talk about the dude that actually matters to both of us?

[frank, again, a blond eyebrow arching. his posture is relaxed against the couch, but his eyes are attentive]

...I didn't know you liked him first. [...] Why did you wanna avoid it, after all that time? As soon as I knew Ronan liked me... [it was like getting hit over the head with a hammer] I dunno. It would'a killed me to do anything but get serious.

Because it...

[ But Reggie doesn't actually have an easy answer to that question, so he's almost equally relieved by Magnus's news as he is surprised by it. A good way to avoid figuring out how to explain the unexplainable. ]

Wait, you're dating Ronan? Since when?

Um. Since about a month ago, I guess.

[he looks shy, admitting it, but quietly pleased, too]

[ Reggie seems to not know how to process this information properly; both his eyebrows raise, his expression from surprise, to disbelief, to offended, to... confused and begrudging acceptance. ]

First I'm hearing about it. But congrats, I guess. Ronan's pretty cool.

[ Too cool for Magnus, in Reggie's opinion, but #thatsnoneofhisbusiness. ]

[Magnus... doesn't quite understand the three act play he just witnessed in Reggie's expression]

Yeah, he is. Don't tell him I said that.

[he's pretty sure Reggie would rather be caught dead than passing on a compliment, but -- still]

-- Whaaat's with the face?

Sorry, I don't make promises like that.

[ He's not sorry. Though he probably won't actually-- there's no interesting enough payoff in getting involved. Plus, yeah, he likes to make a point of keeping his compliments scarce enough to really mean something whenever he decides to throw one out. And if not scarce, strictly shallow and body-related. ]

Uh, this is just what I look like. Don't tell me you've never noticed.

I noticed you making a face like someone was giving you a wedgie, just now, yeah.

[Magnus looks -- a little uncomfortable. this is the first time he's come out to someone about Ronan and it be... whatever just happened. he supposes Reggie probably thinks he's too weird or dead or virginal to be with Ronan, which while fair, feels -- not great. he turns his attention to his pizza, shredding the crust]

Well yeah, I was surprised. That happens.

[ He says it easily enough, but notes Magnus's expression in turn. Doesn't understand it, really. Did something just happen? This is why Reggie isn't great with these earnest-type conversations; sometimes he's not even intending to be cruel, yet slips up somewhere anyway. ]

You don't have to take it so personally.

[he thinks maybe one of those expressions was surprise, at most, but there's a slim chance in hel Reggie's going to explain, given his two most recent dodges in a row. Magnus reminds himself that -- it doesn't matter what other people think. Ronan wants him, and he wants Ronan; his doubts about his self-worth would have to just get moved to the side. who was he, one of these mournful-eyed football protags?]

[slowly, but still rather even-keel, all things considered:]

He's my first boyfriend. It's all pretty personal stuff.

[he leaves it at that; returns to the question from before]

You didn't answer. About why you didn't wanna date your first boyfriend.

I said congrats, didn't I? I'm not gonna like, bake you a cake for it.

[ "His first boyfriend." Technically an assumption, but not one Reggie would bother pointing out. After all it's not false, per se. He rolls his eyes and lets out a breath, sinking a little further into the couch as he leans more weight on his legs propped up on the corner of the table. ]

Why do you freaking think, Magnus?

[he ignores the obnoxious over-emphasis Reggie does when he feels called out, or maybe uncertain; then his face softens a bit at the sink-and-huff]

I dunno. [honest] Maybe the... best friend to boyfriend thing was scary? [he shrugs] Ronan's my best friend. I don't -- I'm not sure I could date someone who wasn't my best friend too. It makes sense. To me, anyway.

Archie wasn't even my best friend. I mean... well, maybe here he was.

[ Old habits and labels die hard, even in different universes. Reggie also shrugs. Yes, best friend to boyfriend thing was scary. Boyfriend thing was scary, period? ]

But it's just like, weird when it's with someone from home. Especially when you're expected to actually explain it to everyone, including the people that you both already know. The whole thing's just one big complicated hassle.

Betty made it complicated...?

[it's the first he's hearing about it; after all, Jughead arrived just after Archie had ported out. did those two ever talk about it, Magnus wonders]

Does it really matter what other people think, if they're not that close to you? It's not like she's your cousin or sister or whatever. [or even friend, from what he understands]

It doesn't. [ Matter. ] It's just weird. And like, complicated.

[ Betty and Jughead, Archie's real best friends, definitely made things complicated... but mostly theoretically, and also after Archie was already gone. And once one person knows, the others would find out; anyone else that shows up here from Riverdale, for example. Reggie doesn't know how to explain it anymore in a way he can actually picture Magnus understanding-- and anyway, going deeper into detail about what he means starts to really tread the line of how open Reggie's ready or willing to be. This is already nearly at the line, much closer than he's usually ever comfortable with.

Not entirely comfortable with it now, either, but... it's fine. It's whatever. Most of what he's saying are facts, it's the feelings part that doesn't need detail. Egotists who experience insecurity over anything, even past tense, obviously aren't allowed to talk about it. ]

But I'm over it. I've been moving on. Probably the same for Ronan, too. [ He means that in a nice way...? ] So, like, it's fine.

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