[Mike understands this, nodding. He always understood why the cars were so different: they had to fit the personality of the driver, otherwise it would make little sense. He knows that Chuck agrees, and really admires how he can adapt to every different setting and make an amazing job.
He smiles brightly.] And that's why I like having you in the team, bro.
He smiles brightly.] And that's why I like having you in the team, bro.
[He watches his bashful mannerisms, feels the mattress wobble with the tension in his body and the shifting of his weight. Sometimes he didn't understand how Chuck could still be so insecure about himself when he holds such a great head on his shoulders.
Mike even believes that Chuck's a lot wiser than him. He supposes that's what makes them work so well together. He shakes his head. ] Just telling you the truth.
Mike even believes that Chuck's a lot wiser than him. He supposes that's what makes them work so well together. He shakes his head. ] Just telling you the truth.
Hmm, maybe... [He pretends to think about this.
Then wraps his arm tighter around Chuck.] Naaaaah.
Then wraps his arm tighter around Chuck.] Naaaaah.
[It's deceptive. He's moving in little ways: his thumb draws circles on the blanket, his toes wiggle, his knees shift against each other, then each resting on the mattress, then switching position, his chin either finds rest on the top of Chuck's head or a little higher.
Still, for someone who drives himself crazy when there's nothing to do, he's still pretty relaxed. He buries his nose in Chuck's hair and takes a deep breath.]
Still, for someone who drives himself crazy when there's nothing to do, he's still pretty relaxed. He buries his nose in Chuck's hair and takes a deep breath.]
[Mike pulls back, a little surprised at the question. He really wasn't thinking about much, he was just in his natural, restless state. Mike had had his own thrum about himself even when he's sitting perfectly still, like a badly connected switch ready to flip.
He shakes his head a little sheepishly.] What? Was I moving too much? Sorry, buddy.
He shakes his head a little sheepishly.] What? Was I moving too much? Sorry, buddy.
[Mike grins.] So maybe there's something on my mind.
[He shifts, and this time he does move with the intention to move, previously coiled energy being unleashed. Wiggling his shoulder so he can get lower, at better eye level with Chuck.]
Roth's birthday will be next week. I have no idea what we could get him.
[He shifts, and this time he does move with the intention to move, previously coiled energy being unleashed. Wiggling his shoulder so he can get lower, at better eye level with Chuck.]
Roth's birthday will be next week. I have no idea what we could get him.
I'm pretty sure he'll have some. Maybe we can chip in? [He shrugs. Roth has been a very good and useful friend for them. The idea had been Texas', surprisingly enough - when he had figured that Roth, in fact, did not have a birthday, he called a reunion just to remedy that. It had been funny, really, especially after the Rodeo ordeal, but if anything, it showed that Texas learned from his mistakes.]
I'm pretty sure he'll just be happy if we show him it's a special day.
I'm pretty sure he'll just be happy if we show him it's a special day.
Just to blow the candles?
[Now here's something that gets his curiosity. He grins. ] What, hey, Chuckles, I didn't know there was a matchmaker in you.
[Now here's something that gets his curiosity. He grins. ] What, hey, Chuckles, I didn't know there was a matchmaker in you.
[He laughs at the comment and is about to reply about maybe giving him a can of oil so that poor Roth has something to "eat" as well, but he jerks a little forward, eyes widening.]
Well, I don't know, Chuckles, you can be quite the lovebird. [Here's poking at your stomach, kid.]
Well, I don't know, Chuckles, you can be quite the lovebird. [Here's poking at your stomach, kid.]
[And pokes him right next to his hand, on his side.] Nope. Pretty sure you are, dude.
[He hunches just a little, the grin dying down, looking at him through his bangs for a few seconds.
It was the mere quiet before the storm.
Because right after total stillness, Mike's mouth draws the biggest smile while lunging for Chuck, all limbs and wide hands, tickling at random, almost rolling them in the already small bed.]
It was the mere quiet before the storm.
Because right after total stillness, Mike's mouth draws the biggest smile while lunging for Chuck, all limbs and wide hands, tickling at random, almost rolling them in the already small bed.]
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