'Cause I’m never gonna heal my past | April Catch-all

[lasergrenades]

Characters: Devin Parker, Pepper Potts, and you!
Date: Throughout April
Location: Here and there
Situation: Pepper is dealing with flowers and headaches, and Devin is asking Very Important Questions.
Warnings/Rating: None yet, will add as needed



A. [Pepper] Early April | Arts 1 | Open

It's now been months since Bakura returned home, and it feels like longer and shorter at the same time. Pepper is still keeping busy as much as possible, although she's now had enough people in her life, over the years, tell her to take it easy on herself that she's not quite working to the bone. Just busy. And it's hard to be super downtrodden by life when you're surrounded by flowers.

Well, until they all up and die in her arms, that is. She'd volunteered to help decorate the flower floats, because that sounded like fun and easy distraction, not to mention gorgeous. The droning noises are a pain, but with earplugs in hand things aren't so bad when it sounds. And then the float she's working on begins to wither before her eyes, and what had been a very nice day turns immediately and heart-wrenchingly sad. Tears are spilling out before Pepper can even stop them, and it takes her a minute or five to realize she's just staring at dead blooms in her hands.

B. [Pepper] Early-mid April | Open

Really, she should have known better. The droning, repetitive noises that have been plaguing Aifaran occur with something of a regular pattern. It would be easy enough to predict when the next one would happen, and for how long. It would therefore also be easy enough to avoid being mid-air when one happens.

Evidently, Pepper was not in the state of mind to think about this when she got in the armor. The tones have been getting longer, and as this one presses on and on and on, she swears she can feel her bones rattling inside her body. And the armor is not helping basically at all. If anything, it might be making it worse.She manages - barely, stumbling and unsteady - to land on a random street that looks empty enough, only to immediately take a knee and put a hand to her head.

C. [Devin] Early April | Devin's Apartment/Out and About | The Fool

So the cafe - Klaus' cafe, even if Klaus is gone - is still basically unlivable, or at least will be for a while. And Devin's apartment, while they've made adjustments for comfort and aesthetic, is really just too small for two people. All other considerations aside, that's a fact. There are two main options here before them: the Fool could move out to his own place again, or... they could find a new place together. For both of them. Logically speaking, this seems to make the most sense.

Emotionally, moving in with the Fool is-- like climbing Everest. Liable to take his breath away at a thought, if he's not careful. But there is also something indescribably warm that forms in his chest at the idea, even if it scares the crap out of him at the same time. They're already living together, so he's a little unclear why this is such a monumental hurdle. Maybe, he realizes a bit later, it's that moving in was before an offer of sanctuary, a necessity. Finding a place together will be an intentional choice, and one he has never done before. Yet again. The Fool probably hasn't either.

Devin takes a bit of time to get the nerve up and actually ask. It takes longer than he'd like, and even when he finally decides on cooking a nice, if simple dinner (he can't manage fancy without paying for it at a restaurant) over which to propose this plan, he's frustratingly nervous. Honestly, Devin is trying his best not to make this seem too serious a meal, all relaxed attire and absolutely no romantic candles - he's not proposing after all. And that is not a thing his brain can handle barely comprehending, so moving swiftly on. "I've been giving it some thought-- the apartment, that is. It's too small, really, for two people. Especially not when you don't have a proper space of your own," he begins, pouring them both wine.

D. [Devin] Early April | Faith 1 | Open

Devin is not one to put much stock in fate, despite the heavy burden of it that cloaks his shoulders. Day to day life simply does not tip the balance of universal scales, so he tries his best not to worry about what he cannot change. All the same, if fate is going to sidle right on up to him and give him a warning that something is coming, well-- he's not entirely sure he should ignore it, either.

Out of an abundance of caution, he starts changing his route to work and stalking around in search of a particularly dangerous redhead, or signs that another vampire has come to town. Devin spends a little time in the seedier corners of town both observing and handing out some loose rhinn for any information regarding Bobby or monsters who drink human blood. Thus far, thankfully, nothing seems to be coming up. Perhaps this doom is Konryu-native, if it's real at all.

(OOC: let me know if you want your own starter, or feel free to make your own!)

Comments

[afoolsgold]

Seated at the table with a silken burgundy houserobe draping his (otherwise utterly naked) figure, the Fool has braided his golden hair still damp from the bath into a loose plait over one shoulder. When Devin pours wine into a glass for him, he looks up at his partner with a contented smile of thanks, only for his brows to draw together in a slight frown. He straightens a little in his seat from his relaxed slouch. This conversation could go in many directions, yet it is difficult to quell his anxiety.

"I see," he says, lightly as he can, and reaches out to pick up his wine and sip from it. His eyes seek out Devin's again, searching his expression for some hint as to what is going to come next. Still, he can't help the impulse to apologize. "I'm--aware that I have a way of dominating most spaces I come to occupy." Hence all the lush throw pillows, curtains, various glass trinkets decorating any flat surface that Devin doesn't require for work, etc.

[annihilist]

One might imagine that Devin would remember, by now, that the Fool shares many of the same relationship anxieties, particularly those about abandonment, or not being enough. Perhaps he has been altogether too caught up in his other relationship anxieties, until right this second. He's seated by the time this thought process reaches completion, and very quickly reaches over to take the Fool's free hand.

"I like that you've tried to make this space as much yours as you can. Really, I do," he says, reassuring. A slightly self-conscious, chagrined smile. "But I chose this apartment for me, and for reasons that are far more relevant to my old life than my current one." Tactical considerations, mostly. "I wasn't thinking for two people, obviously."

Devin pauses for a slow breath. "So perhaps... it's time we do. Find someplace for two people."

[afoolsgold]

Devin's hand is cool as it takes hold of his, and the Fool instinctively laces their fingers together. The gentle intimacy is grounding, a tangible reminder that whatever fears he has, they are unfounded. He looks attentively to Devin's eyes again--

"So perhaps... it's time we do. Find someplace for two people."

Oh.

Oh.

For a moment he looks around the modest apartment that Devin has shared with him since the storm; yes, it has been close quarters here, although that has not necessarily been a bad thing. But what Devin is proposing is a dramatic change both from their present arrangement, and what they had shared in his rooms above Klaus's cafe. And it would be a dramatic change from what either of them have been accustomed to, throughout the years of their lives.

None of that prevents the elated smile that lights up his features, although it fades with some uncertainty. He leans forward some in his seat to curl both hands, one gloved, one ungloved, around Devin's, watches his lover attentively, for he must be sure--

"I would never wish to rush you," he insists softly.

[annihilist]

That's a good smile to see, like sunlight has briefly poured into the room. And, if Devin is being honest, a better answer than immediate agreement. It tells him that his partner has as clear an understanding of the gravity of such a decision as he does, and is as respectful of it. Not that he would have expected otherwise, from the Fool, but it's still nice to have that as affirmation: that they're managing this together, on the same page.

Devin squeezes one of the Fool's hands and opts to settle his on top of theirs. "I know." His eyes drop to where they hold each other, once again cradling a fragile moment between them while he thinks carefully of what he wishes to say. They've gone over his issues with attachments, the manner of life he used to live that prevented such bonds as this. This is-- deeper. Rooted in why he only calls this place his apartment or residence, and never anything warmer or more permanent than that. "Before-- when you were still living in the cafe, that was where we would go. That was where I preferred to go, quite frankly. Because it was where you were. Whether we wait to find someplace bigger or not--" 

Devin hesitates, forcing himself to meet the Fool's amber gaze. He has to learn to stop looking away in fear and discomfort, someday. "What I mean is that I can be wherever you are, and-- be happy." The Fool is his home, he's trying to say, and the particular arrangement of walls and furniture matters not at all by comparison.

[afoolsgold]

"What I mean is that I can be wherever you are, and-- be happy."

There. Now he is sure.

Mindful of the still full glass of wine, the Fool carefully leans up and across the table to do the only thing that comes to mind after a heartfelt confession like that: he kisses Devin warmly on the mouth, cradling his face with one hand while the other steadies him against the table. (Holly, who had been curled comfortably in his lap, protests some at being dislodged--but she'll get over it. your parents are busy, Holly, learn to share)

He draws back only enough to rest his forehead against Devin's, his eyes closed but his smile affectionately curling up the corners of his lips. The relief--the happiness--that wells up in side of him still feels as though it should belong to someone else, and he firmly pushes aside the notion that there must be some cost to this down the road. Fate has never been so generous to him before, but perhaps the Dreaming has interceded on his behalf. He is allowed to enjoy this.

"Where shall we start?" he asks at length, meeting Devin's eyes. "Looking for a new new place."

[annihilist]

A light fluttering sensation fills Devin's chest when the Fool leans over the table to kiss him, soft and warm and indescribably reassuring. He lets out a breath he had not realized he was holding and likewise closes his eyes for just a moment. He's fine. He's great. He might even be approaching giddy, which is an entirely foreign emotion for him, and part of him wants to stifle it if only so he can't know what he's missing out on - but he does know, now, what he has, and what he has to lose. It's terrifying and amazing, and all unnoticed Devin's hands have found the soft curve of the Fool's neck and the narrow taper of his waist--

--the Fool asked a question. Right. Logistics, that's something Devin knows well enough and is not going to immediately lead to them skipping dinner. "Hm." A thoughtful start, and also a bit of a stall while he gets his tongue to cooperate. "Somewhere near Malimo, maybe? For your work." Maybe not in Malimo proper, given rent prices, but near enough. Walking distance, or a Skyway stop. "Or a little further out, there are townhouses that might give you more separation between studio and living space."

See? Less poleaxed now. And grinning without realizing it.

[afoolsgold]

"Or a little further out, there are townhouses that might give you more separation between studio and living space."

There's something exceptionally endearing about a little kiss rendering Devin tongue-twisted and tripping over his own words. Pleased, the Fool's smile broadens a touch impishly, and he leans in as though to coax his lover into another kiss--but pauses just short of doing so. "And perhaps a bit more... privacy?" he suggests softly instead, threading his fingers innocently through the hair at the nape of Devin's neck; the touch is invitation enough to forget their dinner plans, and find some other means of commemorating this next step in their relationship.

[annihilist]

Devin feels a tug somewhere around his navel, the urge to close that bare gap between them when the Fool does not quite kiss him; he clamps down on a faint, plaintive whine, at odds with the sly delight of being teased. A year ago, months ago even, he would have withdrawn from how easily his lover can wrap Devin around his finger.

Now, it is a source of mingled desire and elation; the Fool does not abuse or take from Devin in his vulnerability, but instead gives. The soft touch at the nape of his neck sends a shiver of thrill down his spine and Devin breathes in raggedly before he has the wherewithal to compose himself. In anyone else's hands, this would be terrifying. (It is here, too, but-- he's safe. He's home.)

"Certainly," he agrees, trying for marginally more coherent. That invitation is clear, even if the words could be taken ambiguously. Impishly, he adds to their list of features to search for: "Walls with better soundproofing, while we're at it."

Devin's gaze drops to the Fool's lips briefly, then back to his eyes, but for all that he is terribly, terribly tempted - Devin doesn't lean that little ways further, resists the impulse to tug the Fool into his lap. He can tease in return.

B!

[unfavorableinstigation]

Nita's been similarly struck by the sheer depth of the tones before - but she's not wearing metal armor to enhance it.

Having decided that being outside was better than being in (or at least that trying to push through this with exercise felt more like doing something than just staying cooped up at the Bridge), it takes Nita's brain precious seconds to catch up with the odd sight before-and-above her.

Someone flying. Someone falling, just barely controlled-

She runs to that empty street, taking the corner with her heart in her ears as much as that other pulse.

[lasergrenades]

The suit pings a proximity sensor, not an alarm, at Nita's approach, but Pepper can't hear it. The armor might be resonating with the sound, or might simply be vibrating, or something else, she's not sure and it doesn't matter.

It takes her longer than it should to remember she can get out of the suit, even just the helmet. Pepper drags it off her head and drops it, gasping at the relief of open air. The tone is still sounding but this is better, she might be able to think like this. Maybe. Give her a few minutes to breathe and get her head on straight.

[unfavorableinstigation]

Nita only really recognizes Pepper once the teen takes the helmet off, as Nita kneels by her.

Hesitating to speak up - words have come out of her ears this week, she doesn't want to risk that charming side-effect mutating - Nita holds out a hand to help Pepper to her feet.

[lasergrenades]

Pepper's brain seems to be operating in slow motion, but without the helmet it's starting to catch up. She stares at the offered hand for a moment or five and then up at the person it belongs to. Nita, she recognizes, and there's another slight delay before she actually reaches up, careful not to grip Nita's hand too tightly in her gauntlets.

Fortunate that the armor still supports itself and her to stand. "Hi," she says, a bit dumbly, once she's on her feet. "Thanks. Uh." Stupid droning buzz. "Well, at least I didn't crash this time."

[unfavorableinstigation]

"I'm surprised you didn't," Nita admits bluntly, once they're both up - then winces, both at the sound of her own words and because that tone is still sounding.

"But- that's good. Now let's get out of here."

Since getting somewhere that would dampen the sound would be even better.