unhingedchaos | Josh and Bob, universal transition

[ Josh has been uncomfortable at the Tower lately, but this hasn't stopped him from enjoying any and all time he spent around Bob. In the end, this has culminates in a decision.

This is carried out through making him breakfast in bed. So many of what Josh knows is his favorite things are on the tray, even if they don't fit the breakfast theme. To cap it off, a complicated looking wooden box set to the far side, with a simple red tulip with a long stem placement over it.

He doesn't try to wake him. Josh himself woke up so early but used that fun new teleportation power to leave the room with little sound. Only a bit of that smell of petrichor left behind, it lingers even now.

He sits in the chair by the bed after setting the tray on a cabinet, waiting. Trying not to watch and be creepy. What a fascinating phone he has. ]

[Things have felt… different recently. Bob is pretty sure at least some of that is entirely in… him? In his head? Doesn’t feel like enough, somehow, like it isn’t getting across how deeply he feels it. He assumes it’s… somehow related to the serum. Something clicking into place as he has started, occasionally, using some of the vast array of the powers he was granted.

Josh was the only one who had managed to talk him into it, and it was a rather simple direction he turned the idea in, but something about it felt right? Which sounds ridiculous but feelings don’t follow the same rules as logic. Feelings are messy, unpredictable, and you add his personal diagnoses to the mix and it becomes a real party then. Crank that unpredictability up to 11, mood cycle so quick it practically gives him whiplash some days, and— well, it was all a lot more than he feels currently equipped to deal with at this time*

*“at this time” really means “ever, at all”

Which is why Josh played the logic angle: Let’s just make list. That’s all it was going to be. And it worked? It worked really well. He’s pretty sure Yelena was a little annoyed about it, because he had rebuffed all of her efforts to get him there, but… it’s not HIS FAULT that Josh knows exactly how to tailor things to him!

All of that is to say: Recently, Bob has been more tired than usual, but he doesn’t think much of it— he’s been working with power he hasn’t touched in almost a year and a half. It doesn’t feel like a stretch to assume that’s physically draining on him, too.

All this does make it much easier for Josh to pull everything together while his guy just continued snoozing away.

Something has broken through the comfortable haze of sleep, though, because he suddenly stirs, like something had startled him, though… what it could have been, he has no idea.

His eyes land on Josh, perched on the chair nearby and gives him a lopsided, sleepy smile.] Hey, babe… you been up long?

[ Of course he knows how to tailor things to Bob. It's exactly the same in reverse, right? Which is why, even though he's been scribbling down countermeasures for every power, he's sure Bob knows it's all figurative. He definitely wouldn't actually do it if he needed to. If the guy ever actually wanted to kill him, Josh wasn't going to kinkshame him out of that.

Anyway, he returns the smile with one of his own. It's a little uncomfortable to say how long he's been awake, so he'll just be vague, sheesh. ]

Oh, awhile. Got some surprises for you.

[ He leans in and gives him a light kiss to the sleepy smile. Funny how too long ago, he wouldn't have been able to do that without a lot of agonizing
But that's part of why he's doing what he what doing. The positive influence. ]

Ready?

Surprises? [Plural. Multiple. God, he never knows what to expect from him. Which isn't actually a complaint, even though it seems kind of like it might be.

Bob leans up to meet him for that soft kiss. He pouts a little when the kiss is over, but at that prompting question, he can't help but smile.]

I guess so...? Are we going somewhere- I should probably get dressed first.

No way. Stay like that. Or take some off, your choice.

[ He's being cheeky on purpose. That pout makes it impossible not to give another kiss, but he pulls away quick enough and stands. Grabbing for the tray, he brings it over. If Bob is ready for it, he sets it over his lap. ]

Tried to make everything I remember you really like.

[ He doesn't point out the flower or the box. ]

You're ridiculous. [But like... there's ONLY affection in his voice when he says it, so it can't actually be a BAD thing?

He sits up in time for Josh to return with the tray and he laughs softly as he takes in the spread.] Oh my god, babe, you're so cute.

[He doesn't hesitate to pop a piece of bacon in his mouth.]

What's... the occasion, though? [He asks, picking up the tulip, spinning the stem between two fingers.]

Oh, I don't know.

Might have to solve a few things to figure it out.

[ He nods to the box and flops on the bed beside him, right on his stomach. Propping his chin on his hands and kicking his feet in the air, it's the kind of lazy trust that only Bob gets.

He doesn't know how he lucked out to have someone who knows so much about him and still wants to be around, still fucking accepts him. But he's not taking that for granted and the real home stretch towards showing full appreciation starts now.

But because it's Joshua Washington, he can't do anything simply or in halves. So he just keeps his eyes focused on him, clear curiosity in them as to how this will go. ]

What? [He asks through a laugh. He's still smiling as he watches the adorable antics of his boyfriend.

He squints playfully at him before taking a bite of his lavish breakfast.] What are you up to?

[He eyes the box for a moment. No, he'll wait until he's done eating. But the curiosity might burn a hole straight through his chest.] God, you are so fucking cute right now. I mean... you always are, but... I dunno- something's... different, isn't it?

A little bit, yeah.

[ Because this isn't - it's different than before, okay? He has no fear this is going to go any bad way, he knows beyond a doubt what answer he's getting here. But it feels better than the binding because he's giving Bob autonomy in this, a choice with no drawbacks. Nothing bad is going to happen if the impossible occurs and he says no. ]

Okay, more than a little. But you'll get it soon enough.

Well, whatever it is, it must be pretty good. [He can't stop smiling, he's not sure why; just something he's picking up from Josh, he thinks, even if he can't pinpoint what's caused it all.

There was a time when he would have felt weird being the only person in a room eating, especially in such a... spotlit sort of way? But Josh's diet is... different these days, and it's strange just how normal the moment feels, suddenly. Comforting and familiar.]

I'll have to find something to put this in. [He says, picking the tulip up to spin the stem gently between his fingers again.

He is a little obviously trying not to focus on the box on the corner of the tray. His curiosity is definitely piqued, but he's not going to ruin Josh's efforts, so he just continues eating; there are a few compliments to the chef peppered in, too.]

Oh, there's no question about pretty good. You'll see.

[ He's glad the cooking tastes good. It's not like he can do much to his own food, so he's been worrying about losing his touch. But it seems to be okay?

He's always loved cooking for those he cares about. Always will. It's just a thing he does. ]

I would have brought something but I didn't want to leave anything behind.

Okay... [he nods a little.] I trust you. [And he means that, deep down into the deepest parts of him. A familiar warmth glides through their tether, something that had become as normal as breathing.]

It's fine, baby. We'll get something later. [He assures him, smiling over at his still borderline-giddy partner sprawled next to him. How is he even real?

There's some idle chatter while he eats breakfast, but like a lot of the time they spend together tends to be, it's mostly spent in companionable silence. They're both pretty comfortable inside of silence, and when it's just the two of them, they don't really need words?

When he's done and the tray is cleared away, his flower put in a vase they'd found, Bob finally lets himself look more closely at the box that has been taunting him.]

Is it another one of those little brain teaser puzzles you were showing me before?

[He asks curiously, taking a moment to just look it over slowly, carefully; some pieces shift and move, others refuse to budge, and he knows there's a trick somewhere, but for now, he's mostly just appreciating how beautiful it is. Whatever shape it makes, or whatever thing it does once he's solved it, he wants to find somewhere to display it.]

Oh, something like that.

[ He watches him as he looks it over. He's not going to push him to do it on anything but his own time, even if Josh is feeling a little impatient. He doesn't try to hide that emotion from the tethered connection, there's no point, but it's also clear from the connection he's willing to put up with any impatience to see how Bob works it out naturally. It's important to him.

Anyone who knew Josh in his critical years would call 'fake' on the idea of him tolerating his own uncomfortable feelings, but that's exactly why this is something he's sure he wants to do. To commit to. Because Bob makes it so damn easy to withstand anything, as long as they're there together.

And in a little corner of his mind, that other guy is amused. The spirit has been getting less vengeful lately, more tolerant. Maybe he's reaching some sort of better level of being, too?

Weird, after everything. ]

Don't worry about how long it possibly takes. Might be a little difficult.

[Bob isn't sure what's going on, but he can kind of feel it- not through their bond or anything as mystical as that, just the energy in the room. The things rolling off of Josh so easily. He keeps glancing back over at his boyfriend and finding Josh watching him. Embarrassing. His cheeks go pink and he goes back to the puzzle box.

This... little project that Josh has given him is messed with off and on all day, set aside when he gets bored or stumped. The idea that there's even anything inside of it hasn't occurred to him, and Josh had assured him it was perfectly fine if it took awhile.

It takes a few days. One of those moments where the second he stopped focusing on the thing that was frustrating him, he realized the right way to handle it. Brains are so weird, but he'll take it, all right???

Late at night, in their room, puzzle box in front of him again: ] I think I know the trick.

[ Josh had been sleeping. It's something he actually achieves lately, a thing he's worked out with the other guy to make happen, simply by proving it helps the container they're in. But, as always happens, he wakes up when he's addressed by Bob. He'll always be ready to come for him in a second. ]

... I wasn't sleeping.

[ It's a pride thing, okay? Even if that's stupid. He can be stupid here.

Not opening his eyes, he shifts closer, just puts his head in his lap. Not caring if this makes anything the guy is doing more inconvenient to continue. If that's where the puzzle is? It'll have to share space, thanks. ]

…okay? [He snickers softly at that comment. Bob isn’t phased by the way his boyfriend curls up in his lap, instead he shifts the way he’s holding the box, angling it so Josh can watch as he goes through the steps, slow and deliberate.]

And then… [Therr is a soft click as something slides into place and Bob grins.] Told you, I- wait… [he frowns and looks at the now open puzzle box.] what is this…? [he stares at the small, velvet box sitting in the middle of the puzzle. His mind is racing, heart thundering in his chest. No way. No way that is what he thinks it is.] Josh…?

[ Josh hums to himself. He could jump into this, but he's himself - he has to milk it for everything it's worth, draw out the moment. Make it the best it can possibly be.

He doesn't move at all, but his eyes are open now, fixed on Bob's face. The casual demeanor he's faking doesn't extend to his eyes, that are intense and hyperfocused. They're also different in colour than when they went to bed, but no matter, right? ]

Dunno. What do you think it is?

If you have any clues at all.

[It’s a million things spilling across his face all at once, shifting from one to the next because he can’t stop his mind from spinning.

Engagement ring. That’s the first assumption, the one that stays rooted in his mind, and the one that makes him feel like his heart might actually leap out of his chest.]

Babe… is- is this… [His voice drops low to a whisper, like he might break something if he asks too loudly: ] is there a ring in that box?

Might be. Might also just be my hopes and dreams.

[ Casually laying it out like that? Sure, absolutely and with that false demeanor melting away. He might be casual in tone but nothing about his physical presentation is, as he rises up from where he's been only pretending he's continuing to rest.

He doesn't move the box, doesn't take it away from Bob. He still reaches for his hands, just assuming that the man will continue to accommodate anything he asks for. That's how it always is and if he never quite saw it before he considered this proposal, he was stupid as hell. ]

You deserve the grandest of gestures, you know? But you also deserve to feel safe and secure while your life is possibly changing.

So I'm doing it this way, not some huge thing in front of everyone.

[He laughs, a sound mixed somewhere between nervous and giddy that he doesn't have a word for.] Which dreams, it's important, you know... I want to support them.

[Bob keeps the box in one hand, but he curls his fingers in Josh's with the other, maybe a little tighter than necessary, but he isn't worried about it; neither one of them are fragile little things, after all.]

You're so... [He scoffs an amused sound, shaking his head, at a loss for words so he just steals a quick kiss from him instead. He lingers, though, when he pulls away, pressing their foreheads together.] What is it... exactly... that you're doing, Josh? [He bites his lip. He's about 92% sure he's right, here, but he wants- needs?- to hear him say it. Ask it.]

He was a fragile thing once maybe, little in the terms that he was skinny as fuck from refusing to eat anything. From the fact the wendigo spirit wouldn't let him die from this, so he just became smaller and smaller. But Bob fixed that, didn't he? Fixed so many things about him by taking them in hand and saying 'sorry, you're allowed to hate what happened to you but you're not allowed to make it worse'. And for anyone else, he wouldn't have obeyed, but for Bob? Yeah, no. Josh can't help but follow the beck and call to improve his lot in life. Doesn't even worry about the fact he doesn't deserve it anymore.

Because it doesn't matter what he doesn't fucking deserve, it matters what Bob thinks he deserves, and giving that man everything he wants. If what he wants is for Josh to be happy then damn all the shit in his life, he's going to be happy. And to hell with anyone who tries to make it otherwise like a certain Washington senior.

"What am I doing? Seeing the fact you've done nothing but support me, even when I did stupid shit like nearly tear us apart with magic and a rope. You deserve everything I can give you, yeah?

So let me give you this. A promise and my hand for whatever the hell you want. My last name too, if you want it. Fuck those people who gave you the one you have before, and fuck the people who gave me mine, we'll make all of it mean something better."

Is he saying it? Sort of. He has to be the good old Hollywood mouth about it. Damn.

The tears are almost immediate- not sad ones, overwhelmed ones, happy ones, but tears all the same. The flooding swirl of so many things washes out like the tide in that bond he's referencing: Something happy and giddy and nervous and and and––

"Yes," he says softly, a little choked about it. He lets go of Josh's hand only because he wants to curl it against this man's cheek- this beautiful, amazing, perfect man that Bob might have once assumed he didn't deserve. But he's realized it isn't about deserving it, it's just about them aligning in a way that works for them. And that alignment started years ago, in a cold room with shitty coffee and cookies that tasted like cardboard and a group of people talking about their problems. And somehow? Somehow, that long, winding path led him... here. To this moment.

He laughs, a startled, watery sound that's somehow still pleased and thrilled, "Yes, yes," he nods, which causes both of their heads to move with their foreheads pressed together like so, only making him laugh more. "I want forever with you," he whispers, finally kissing him. And somehow it's like it's their first kiss all over again, something frenetic and heady and full of uncontained passion.

"I love you," he mumbles into the kiss. "I love you so fucking much, yes, I want to be your husband." The giddy snap that goes through their connection is best described as intense and very pink, though he's sure it would make no sense to anyone else to describe feelings that way; he doesn't need it to make sense to anyone else.

Edited 2025-12-11 10:00 (UTC)

It's not like either of them ever made sense to anyone else. Just each other, when it comes down to it. There were moments of acceptance from people like Yelena but no real understanding, not really. Not in full. He thinks about the fact that forever isn't actually a far off promise - it's not like either of them can actually feasibly die. Exactly when is an end coming?

Who cares. Whatever he has left, long or short, as long as it's spent with this man? Then it's actually, finally, worth something. He laughs as well, an odd sound, the kind of use his voicebox has never actually gotten. But it's an expression of happiness, one that feels right.

"I figured out something, you know," he says, not pulling away at all, not even a millimeter. "Something good. Not better than this, but good."

Oh.
How does a laugh sound so much like music?

"You should do that more often," he smiles, his cheeks are going to hurt when this day is over, but it's totally worth it. "You have a great laugh." But... then, everything about Josh is great to him. Delightful. Wonderful. Perfect, even if some of the edges are still jagged.

"Yeah?" he urges him, "What is it?" His curiosity is definitely piqued now.

Josh and Bob, universal transition

the beginning of it

idk why this got so long but #YOLO?! 😂

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CW Disordered eating, self hatred?

i love themmm 💗🥰💞

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