Mouse: That was one of the longest nights of my life... and not in a good way.
Vincent (to Mouse): Thanks for staying w/ me last nite, sweetie.
Mouse (to Vincent): You're welcome... feeling better?
Vincent (to Mouse): Not particularly, but I'm not currently getting mascara and snot all over Eep's shirt, so I suppose it's an improvement.
Mouse (to Vincent): Do you want to talk about it? Or is this one of those times where I have to imagine the worse?
Vincent (to Mouse): No. I don't want U 2 have 2 do that... I don't think I've ever been more humiliated of myself. Is this what shame feels like? Good, it's horrible.
Mouse (to Vincent): Well, on the plus side, it goes away.
Vincent (to Mouse): Lord, I certainly hope so.
A couple hours later:
Eep (to Mouse): Hey. How are you doing?
Mouse (to Eep): I feel like ass... I feel asleep on Vincent's couch sitting up while he curled up with his head on my lap. I have a kink in my neck, I tried to go back to sleep when I got home, but it lasted for only 20 minutes. So, I'm awake… Oh geez, I'm sorry... How are you doing?
Eep (to Mouse): I'm alright. I think I might have mascara stains on my shirt forever. Is Vincent OK? What the fuck happened?
Mouse (to Eep): I have no idea... he wouldn't tell me a thing. He just sat quietly curled up until he fell asleep... he looked so young.
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah, I forget he's just out of his teens sometimes.
Mouse (to Eep): I'm going to go talk to Asher.
Eep (to Mouse): What? Um, are you sure that's a good idea?
Mouse (to Eep): No, I think it's a really terrible idea... but he needs to be stopped, he's like a sleazy predator... God, watching Vincent sleep on the couch last night, he looked so young & innocent. And, I can't believe I let him go & meet that asshole.
Eep (to Mouse): It's not your fault, you know.
Mouse (to Eep): I feel like it is... when he first showed up on my door, I promised him that I wouldn't let anything bad happen to him.
Eep (to Mouse): You didn't. Vincent knew what kind of person Asher was when he went to meet him.
Mouse (to Eep): Yes, but Vincent can be a trusting idiot.
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah, I guess he is. Um, why do you want to talk to the creep?
Mouse (to Eep): Because, he needs to stop messing with the people I love.
Eep (to Mouse): God... I dunno. It just seems like a bad idea.
Mouse (to Eep): Well, then what do you suggest? That jerk keeps sleazing around, Vincent apparently can't say no to him, Every time you see him, you freak out, I seriously want to punch him... should we all move away? I'm sorry, I'm just at a loss.
Eep (to Mouse): Fuck... I don't know what to say. (to Vincent) Are you OK? What the fuck happened yesterday? I can never go back to that coffee shop now, you realize that, right?
Vincent (to Eep): I'm OK. I don't kno what else 2 say other than thank U, & I'm sorry.
Eep (to Vincent): Are you OK? Asher didn't, um, he didn't... God. Fuck. Whatever. Look, are you OK?
Vincent (to Eep): I'm fine. The creep didn't do anything to me ... Uh, that I didn't ask him to do.
Eep (to Vincent): Oh God. I DO NOT want to fucking know more. Just do me a favor and talk to Mouse. She's worried sick. (to Mouse) Hey, wanna go get a coffee with me? I need to find a new place to get caffeinated now.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh god, yes please... I just spent the last hour having a very weird conversation with Poppy.
Eep (to Mouse): Isn't that EVERY conversation with Poppy?
Mouse (to Eep): Yes, but she told me that she hated Asher & that he was destroying the rainforest... I think she knew what happened yesterday. She wanted me & Wanda to go teach him a lesson.
Eep (to Mouse): What? Destroying the rainforest... What the fuck is she talking about? How would she know about Asher and Vincent? Did he ever tell you what happened?
Mouse (to Eep): I have no idea on all accounts, he hasn't said anything to me, except he was ashamed... Do you think Vincent talked to Poppy?
Eep (to Mouse): I dunno how else she would have found out.
Mouse (to Eep): I'm really sorry for acting crazy this morning...
Eep (to Mouse): You were fine. You were worried. I think you deserve a pass. Besides, you weren't any crazier than Vincent last night.
Mouse (to Eep): Well, I did once run off cross-country with a guy I barely knew... so apparently it's a hereditary condition. :-P
Eep (to Mouse): Uh, heh. Yeah. I guess you did.
Mouse (to Eep): Though, I do have to say, in retrospect, that was the best crazy decision I ever made...
Eep (to Mouse): Oh, uh, yeah. Me too. Jesus. That was... It was probably the best decision I EVER made. Crazy or otherwise.
Mouse (to Eep): Awww... I love you.
Eep (to Mouse): I, um...Uh. I love you too. I...uh. Wow.
Mouse (to Eep): wow.
Eep (to Mouse): Um. Sorry. I didn't mean to... I mean, I DID mean to say it, but I, uh...
Mouse (to Eep): I'm not taking any apologies for that, it was nice... so, did you still want to get coffee?
Eep (to Mouse): Uh, yeah. Though now I feel like I need something stronger. I'm sorry you're dating such an idiot.
Mouse (to Eep): Well, I wouldn't mind coffee with booze in it. And, I'm kind of an idiot, too, so maybe together we make one functional adult?
Eep (to Mouse): Or a completely non-functional person. Um, I hate to utterly destroy the mood, and I don't know if this'll make you feel better or worse... But, um, whatever Vincent did with Asher was apparently consensual.
Mouse (to Eep): Well, then why is he acting so upset?
Eep (to Mouse): I have no idea.
Mouse (to Eep): Alright, let's stop talking about Vincent. He's clearly upset about something & when he's ready, he might talk to me or you... God forbid.
Eep (to Mouse): Oh Lord. Knowing my luck? Probably. Fuck.
A short time later:
Mouse (to Eep): So, I'm sitting in my car outside your apartment, do you want to go for coffee or go buy booze & go back to my place?
Eep (to Mouse): On the way down. What do you wanna do?
Mouse (to Eep): I say we go get coffee to go, get booze & go back to my place.
Eep (to Mouse): Sounds good to me.
A couple hours later:
Mouse (to Vincent): Little brother, why am I getting weird messages from Poppy about Asher? I don't care if you talked with her. I just want to know you're okay.
Vincent (to Mouse): I'm ok, sweetie.
Mouse (to Vincent): Really? Then why on earth were you crying in a café bathroom?
Vincent (to Mouse): I don't have a good answer 4 U rite now, sweetie.
Mouse (to Vincent): Fine, if that's how you want to play this... Forget I asked.
Vincent (to Mouse): Please, please don't hate me. I'm an idiot. But, pls don't hate me.
Mouse (to Vincent): Look, I don't hate you, but I can't keep doing this. I can't keep holding your hand every time you do something stupid. You're an adult & what you do is none of my business.
Vincent (to Mouse): Ur rite. I'm sorry. & U mite hate me after this. 4 a while at least.
Mouse (to Vincent): Dear god, I'm not going to hate you...
Vincent (to Mouse): Dislike me severely, then. I know I'm not my own my biggest fan rite now. Sweetie, I... I made out with the creep in the bathroom. I don't know what 2 say.
Mouse (to Vincent): Little brother, you are such an idiot... why would you do that after everything Eep & I have said about him? Hell, after you talked to him the first time?
Vincent (to Mouse): Well, I didn't go there intending 2 go 2 the bathroom w/ him!
Mouse (to Vincent): Well, if you willingly went & made out with him, then why are you acting guilty? I mean just own the fact that you made out with the creep & move on. Apparently, he's a silver-tongued devil so it's not surprising, in the least.
Vincent (to Mouse): Well, *I* was shocked & appalled that I made out w/ some1 who deeply hurt a friend of mine. Good 2 know that ur not surprised I have no self-control!
Mouse (to Vincent): Well, if you ever actually exhibited any, I'd probably be more shocked...
Vincent (to Mouse): Yeah. Ur rite. I've never EVER exhibited any self-control at all. That's Y I've had ALL THOSE AFFAIRS. I do this ALL the time. Ur rite. Silly me. Sorry 2 have bothered U & interrupted ur evening.
Mouse (to Vincent): I just spent the last 2 days worrying myself sick about you & you're going to act like a dick. Fine. Go to hell. Go get sympathy from Poppy or somebody else, cuz I'm done.
Vincent (to Mouse): Fine. FINE. I forgot that U have never EVER done anything stupid or made ANY mistakes @ all. Ur rite. Stupid of me to expect U 2 understand. (to Poppy) Ur offer of a visit still stand?
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh, grow up!
Vincent (to Mouse): I thought U were done talking 2 me.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh... Of course. When were you thinking?
Vincent (to Poppy): Whenever U'll have me. I could use a friend rite abt now.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, honey, you're always welcome. I could probably find you a train for tomorrow morning or would you prefer the weekend? Is something wrong?
Vincent (to Poppy): Yes. I'll txt U 2morrow, & we can suss out the details. Thank U. Rite now, I think I should lie down.
