#shiftytab

Tab's giving and receiving love languages is physical touch and words of affirmation. But the thing is, he thinks that he has to... perform all the time. Like every touch or every word out of his mouth has to be swoon-worthy every damn time. We don't have time to unpack the trauma he's gone through to get to this point, but he's been like that for so long that he doesn't really know how to switch it off, and when people reject his advances he feels it keenly. He feels unwanted.

So it was kind of a problem when Shifty either 1) didn't react or, on one occasion, 2) brushed Tab aside.

And it isn't even because he's playing hard to get-- Shifty just doesn't work that way. His receiving love language is quality time. That's it. You can hurl pretty words at him or touch him or shower him with gifts or move heaven and earth, he still won't get it. It's only when you go out of your way to be around him and spend time with him does he notice. Sure, he's a sweetheart who'll do whatever you want if it makes you feel loved-- he's considerate like that. But he sure is... oblivious when it comes to his own needs. He always figured that the reason why he always felt so unfulfilled in relationships was because he just didn't find the right person for him. Baby boy never realized that maybe the reason why he felt like that was because he wasn't getting what he needed. That he wasn't being loved enough.

Tab discovers this by accident, I think. After Shifty's brush off (which wasn't even on purpose-- he really didn't mean to shake Tab's hand so roughly off his waist, he's just terribly ticklish and didn't want anybody finding out), Tab needed to prove to himself that he's still got it. So he gets back up from his massive sulk and decides to go at it until Shifty... falls for him? or, idk, sleeps with him? Tab doesn't look too close at the details, he just. Decides to go full force. But subtle.

Suddenly, he's all up in Shifty's space and around All. The. Damn. Time. He's touching him, but in those tiny, friendly ways instead of grand, flirtatious ones, trying for teasing but really just landing on... normal touch-y feel-y. At least, by everybody else's standards (wow Tab who fucking hurt you dude that's a lot to unpack there). That usually entails a hand on Shifty's wrist, an arm around his shoulders, playfully bumping up against him. He's also offering him praises, trying his hardest to get Shifty to talk about his interests, offering up his own when their conversation tapers off. He goes out of his way to seek Shifty out, goes out of his way to stay around him, and it's...

Oh, it's effective.

And it goes both ways. Suddenly, it's less about trying to prove to himself that he's still got it and more about just. Wanting Shifty. Wanting to be near him because he calms him down. Wanting to be close even if he has no reason to be.

And, suddenly, Shifty's hyperaware of Tab at all times, craving every touch and anticipating every word. Feeling rather bereft when he's gone long without Tab putting his hands on him or whispering inches away from his ear.

Something's changed, and now they can't seem to get enough of each other.