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TANNER ✉ XAVIER

Xavier: My ability is a lot, sometimes. When I can control it, it's not so bad. You do know, and you're more than welcome to come check up on me in person. Any time. Are you hungry?

Xavier: I'm not, no. ...Except you.

Xavier: I'm just glad you're okay. Just being here will help. I'm alright, I promise.

Tanner: I can't even imagine. You're really strong, in ways you shouldn't have to be. That doesn't mean that vulnerability isn't okay too, though. How often are you able to control it? If that's not too personal. I'll do that then. A little, maybe. But I asked you first.

Tanner: You- That's- Yes. I like that answer. I think I'll steal it. I'm curious though...As to what that looks like in your mind.

Tanner: Thanks to you, you know. I want you to be. Okay, alright, and...Dare I say /good/? That's good to know. Would you want me to stay?

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TANNER ✉ XAVIER

Xavier: I just get sucked in, I lose track of time. Especially if my ability is what's got me painting. I've slept through a whole week before, only waking up after I'd finished whatever premonition had come knocking. I try not to disappear like that. Tonight is perfect, I'll leave the door unlocked for you.

Xavier: Does that mean... you're not seeing anyone?

Xavier: Just tired, nothing to worry about. That's good to hear. I mean, it'd suck if business wasn't good. Is everything still okay in town? I know us Outcasts have to fly under the radar in Jericho, all of this activity at Nevermore worries me. It's bad enough that something's going on, but if the Normies find out that something's going on... There's not exactly a good history between Normies and Outcasts. Those stories usually end in fire.

Xavier: And I've been painting fire. I think it's just the cave, but I can't be sure.

Tanner: I can understand that. It has nothing to do with what I am, but I get like that when I read sometimes. That's a lot, though. That can't be fun. Is there anything to help at all? Well, if you ever do again, at least I'll know what to do. Where to find you. Good, I'm on my way. Are you hungry? I can bring food.

Tanner: Me? No, I'm not seeing anyone. Are you...Seeing anyone?

Tanner: If you say so. You're right about that. Way too much time to think. Yeah, as far as I know. I haven't heard any differently. Yeah, there is that fun little detail. I know what you mean, but...We'll be okay. Somehow. We can't think like that, Xavier. It's easy to, I know. Especially with what you're up against. But you can't stress yourself like that. You'll get sick. Is there anything I can do to help?

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TANNER ✉ XAVIER

Xavier: I've just been painting. You can come by my studio, whenever. I'd like to see you.

Xavier: Yeah, looks like it. I was curious, just curious. This place is getting weirder by the day.

Xavier: I'm alright. How are you?

Tanner: I'm glad that's where you've been. That it wasn't something worse. I'll come by then. How does tonight sound? If you're there, and not too busy I mean.

Tanner: That's alright, it's a fair question. But, no. You can say that again. Not that you need to.

Tanner: Just alright? All things considered, I'm okay. Business has been good at the very least.

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TANNER ✉ XAVIER

Xavier: Hey! How are you?

Xavier: I saw the newest post on that mystery blog. Is that....?

Tanner: I'm okay, just wanted to check on you. You've been quiet.

Tanner: Yeah, I saw it too. Hell no, it's not me. But...Looks like someone has more to worry about than the thing trying to eat people on campus. And...Everything else.

Tanner: How are you holding up?

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TANNER ✉ XAVIER

Tanner: Hey, uh-

Tanner: Hey.

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TANNER 📲 XAVIER

Xavier: I have to agree with you there, though it could be argued that it was already weird. Getting weirder by the minute.

Xavier: I hope you're not creeped out by me now. It was my ability, I had a vision. That's how I was there in time to save you.

Tanner: I guess you're right, but I'm not one for arguing so I'll just agree. Then again, this is Nevermore we're talking about. At some point, the scale for what constitutes weird gets skewed.

Tanner: I'm not creeped out by you. Not at all. It's not anything you have to apologize for or feel weird about. You saved my life. Besides. It's not exactly like I'm 'normal' either. Whatever the reason...I'm just glad you were, Xavier. I mean that.

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TANNER 📲 XAVIER

Tanner: Okay, this shit is getting...Weird.

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XAVIER 📲 TANNER

Xavier: You don't have to thank me, I hope you don't feel like you owe me anything.

Xavier: Yeah, I don't mind sharing.

[image attached: https://images.fineartamerica.com/images/artworkimages/mediumlarge/3/contemporary-black-and-white-original-oil-painting-red-poppies-abstract-wall-art-decor-modern-art-bilykart.jpg ]

Xavier: Okay, I'm in my art shed. It's on campus.

Tanner: I don't feel like I owe you anything, necessarily. I just...I just want you to know I appreciate it.

Tanner: Oh, wow. Xavier...This...That's incredible. You're really talented.

Tanner: I'll be there in a jif, do you want me to bring anything?

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XAVIER 📲 TANNER

Xavier: That's good to hear. I'm just glad you weren't hurt.

Xavier: I've been painting, actually.

Xavier: We should hang out.

Tanner: Me too. I've been trying to come up with something to do to thank you.

Tanner: Yeah? That's incredible. Could I see?

Tanner: We should. I can come to you, if you'd like.

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XAVIER 📲 TANNER

Xavier: Hey. I just wanted to check in and make sure you were okay.

Tanner: Hey! Thanks, that's really kind of you. I'm alright, all things considered. I'm alive, thanks to you.

Tanner: How are you, Xavier?

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xavierteachesart​:

There was barely time to think between the moment that Xavier managed to get Tanner out of harm’s way. Neither of them landed very gracefully, but he did his best to make their landing as easy as possible. Then he found himself face to face with Tanner, one body on top of the other body. They were so close that he could feel the other man’s heartbeat, pounding with his own. He only had that second to notice before his attention turned to the shattered remains of the gargoyle, up to the empty roof, and back again. “I should be asking you that. And you don’t have to thank me. I saw it falling, I couldn’t just let it hit you.I don’t know how it fell, I’ve never seen that happen before.”

Taking in a breath, Tanner finally managed to take something that resembled a breath. Regaining his senses, he fully took in the scene he’d found himself in, staring up at Xavier, their bodies pressed closer than anything Tanner had felt in literal years. “I’m alright, thanks to you. I’m alive, the rest I can deal with.” He said, the ghost of a smile on this lips. “I’m really glad you did. That would have sucked.” He peeked around Xavier’s shoulder, eyes seeking the shattered gargoyle. “Me either. That’s...I mean...This place is pretty old. I would say maybe the structure is fading. But, would the witches on staff let that happen?” Tanner wondered aloud. Lost in thought, he didn’t realize that he was shaking. Nor did he realize that at some point during the fall and subsequent landing, one of his arms managed to wrap around the others waist. 

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mysteriesofnevermore​:

The night was just like any other night, inconspicuous with nothing out of the ordinary. The weather was fine, there were no strong winds. Suddenly, and without warning, one of the gargoyles at Nevermore Academy fell from the rooftops, quickly descending down towards Tanner O’Connor. There was nobody in sight on the roof, but there were inky, smudged fingerprints on the gargoyle itself. They didn’t stand out hugely against the dark cement of the figure, but if touched it was still wet. 

Before the gargoyle could hit him, Xavier Thorpe appeared seemingly out of nowhere and was able to tackle the other man and push the both of them away. Nearly less than a single second later, the heavy gargoyle hit the ground so hard it shattered. 

@itstanneroconner @xavierteachesart

Tanner had been walking through the campus of Nevermore following a meeting with the Dean regarding an idea for a bookstore partnership they had been tossing around. Chewing his lip, Tanner kept his eyes on the ground beneath his feet. He didn’t even hear the scraping of the stone as the gargoyle slipped from its position, and he definitely didn’t hear Xavier’s hurried footsteps approaching. When the other  man’s body collided with his, Tanner felt his breath leave him, and his body smarted as he landed with a less-than-gentle thud on the nearby grass. Just as he managed to lift his head, the gargoyle crashed into the very spot he’d been standing in just milliseconds before. “What the fuck?” He muttered, his jaw falling open while his eyes focused on the horrifying scene before him. “I- You- Th-Thanks. Thank you. I- What the hell just happened?” Tanner asked, shaking his head. “Are you okay?”

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xavierteachesart​:

PM: Even if I can’t sleep, I feel better being with you. Thank you. Then it’s a date, but I’ll ask officially just for the record: will you be my Valentine? I’ll take you out. Yeah… It’s unsettling, to say the least. I hope it’s nothing. I could be completely off base.

PM: You’re sweet. There’s still nothing to thank me for. A date. Absolutely. That’s cute, you’re cute. Yes. Of course. I hoped you’d ask. I’m excited, I’m up for anything. Thank you. Regardless, I just hope it comes to a conclusion soon. It’s all the waiting that makes it worse. But, let’s talk about happier things. Have you eaten?

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xavierteachesart​:

PM: Thank you. I feel safer, and less like I want to avoid sleeping all together. I trust you. Yeah, I know now isn’t the best time to say so, but it’s true. We could pretend Valentine’s Day hasn’t happened yet. Go out anyway. I know, I was thinking the same thing. Let’s hope nothing else happens, then this will all turn out to be silly. 

PM: Good, I want you to. I’ll make sure you sleep, don’t worry. Like I said, I’ll take care of everything. I trust you too. And I won’t break your trust in me. Now is the perfect time to say so. We could do that, I’d like that. Yeah, let’s hope. Things are bound to get weird around here sometime, but...

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xavierteachesart​:

PM: I’m glad you do too. I think it matters that the someone is you. So maybe it will help. I know, I didn’t say that for that either. I wasn’t busy, I just lost track of time. I said that because I wanted to take you out. Or ask you if you wanted to. Okay, thank you. It’s insane, but I can’t say I haven’t been wondering the same thing. I don’t want that to be real though, I mean obviously. 

PM: Well, we’ll get that theory tested tonight. If nothing else, if you start struggling I’ll wake you up. I’ll be with you either way. Okay, I just wanted to make sure you didn’t feel that way. You...Did? Oh, wow. I would’ve accepted, you know. No problem. I understand. The implications of the question alone is...Not good for a lot of people. A lot of good people. 

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xavierteachesart​:

PM: I like the snuggling option, honestly. I should have asked if you were doing anything on Valentine’s. I’ll bring my paintings. I’m comfortable with you. The plans we just made will help with what I need, don’t worry. Maybe you’ll see something in them. I don’t know why I’m getting repeats on an animal attack, of all things. 

PM: So do I, honestly. I’m glad you feel the same. Maybe having someone’s arms around you while you sleep will help. Hey, woah, no. I didn’t tell you that to make you feel guilty or anything. I figured you had your own thing going. I wasn’t, like, sobbing into my wine or anything. It’s all good, really. That means a lot to me, Xavier. I’ll look at them. We’ll figure this out together. I’ll still worry, but I’ll settle for an ‘if you say so’ for now. Maybe. I’ll tell you if I do. Unless...I mean, unless it wasn’t an animal attack. That’s insane, right? Like...Nah, that’s crazy.

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xavierteachesart​:

PM: Oh yeah? It can be pretty tiring. I don’t always have dreams like that. Not all of them are real and not all of the real ones are bad. But I’m pretty sensitive to stong, emotional events. I can show you the paintings, if you want. I need a lot of things, I’m sure I’ll be fine when I get to you. Thank you, it’s good to hear that. I don’t want to intrude, but I do want the company. Your company.

PM: Yeah. I’m sorry, Xavier. No one should have to deal with that. I’m glad to know you get a break sometimes though. I do understand that part, being what I am. So, I get that. I know it’s tough. If you want to share them with me, I want to see them. I want to see them ether way, but if you weren’t comfortable I would never have brought it up. A lot of things? You will be. I’ll take care of you. I’ll say it again, then. Intrude? You couldn’t. I literally just told someone, publicly, that I spent my After-Valentine’s Day-Valentine’s Day Celebration by myself eating discount chocolate and drinking wine while binging the Hallmark Channel. I have no life to speak of, so intrusion is impossible. I would love having your company too. I’ve got a guest room, or you’re welcome to snuggle with me. Either or.