Not quite a yellow submarine, but... || September 19, 2063

[drakeyboy]

WHO: Drake, Hikaru, and the War Hounds
WHAT: The Hounds and their pet NPCs of the moment take a submarine up from the first of many sealed Avernian Gates
WHERE: Somewhere in the ocean, off the coasts of South America
WHEN: September 19, 2063 (7:00 PM to about 10:00 PM)
SAFE FOR WORK? Other than Drake's potty mouth? Probably.
OTHER NOTES: None!


[This submarine is typical Vice Military Solutions fare - that is, it's definitely more impressive than anything that the World of Light has to offer, but it's pretty average for any Keeper of the Vigil whose used to what Vice Enterprises has to offer with regard to transport.

You're all getting your own rooms to rest up in, and you have free reign of the ship right down to the bridge. You may want to lounge around in the large common area for crew and guests alike: it's got an impressive bar, and the cafeteria kitchen has been opened for your convenience.]


OOC NOTES
+ This post will both be for shenanigans with Drake and Hikaru, and for anything that you guys want to do with each other.
+ Make sure to label your threads accordingly on whether they're meant for just one person, or if they're open to all.

Comments

[icarusalsoflew]

I know. It's one of the things that I like best about you.

[He's exactly the same way. You'd know this by now.]

Remind me to give you access to my library sometime.

[larue]

[ He's going to blink up at you in surprise at that... and then offer a shy smile that may look a bit out of place. He didn't expect you to offer. It hadn't even crossed his mind. ]

I'd like that. [ That's coming out rather quiet. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[Peering at you for a moment, and then leaning in to bridge the distance between the two of you, and solve that little issue of your mouth not being on his. The kiss is meant to offer nothing but simple affection, and you're more than welcome to take it or leave it.

He loves you, okay? This is kind of what he does for people he loves.]

[larue]

[ He takes it, and gratefully, angling his head so that his mouth fits comfortably over yours. One hand has come up to cup your cheek and the hand he's still got on your knee tightens just a fraction.

He'll let that kiss go on for a bit ( because it's just the two of you here, because this steadies him in ways that he can't quite put into words ) before he breaks off gently, eyes closing as he rests his brow against yours.

No words, just content silence as he lets himself breathe. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[Your boy is perfectly fine with this. He only pulls back because he wants to finish that cigarette.]

I hope this'll be the first and last Gate that will leave us stranded beneath the ocean.

[larue]

[ He tosses over a slightly apprehensive look at that. ]

There's a possibility of more?

[ Because, you know, it's incredibly disconcerting. Good thing they'd had gear. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

There always is. They do go "underground".

[Using air quotes on that last word, of course.]

Brother Death has been bothering me about familiarizing myself with the way the Underworld works. I have some notes on it already, beyond what the Vigil has discovered over the centuries.

[It's just so hassling...]

[larue]

[ Hum.

His next sentence is going to come out really soft and really... well, shy? ]

I'd... like to help?

[ And the look on his face shows simply: If that's something I'm allowed to do. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[Blinking at that offer, then chuckling. The look in his eyes, though, is earnest, and so is that smile.]

I'd like that. I guess we can include Underworld excursions as dates now, although we won't exactly be alone for them.

[Because. You know... will he have to explain?

(Yes, he's talking about you, Brother. And he can feel you stirring right at the back of his head.)]

[larue]

[ There's a pause at that, as he nods quietly and looks askance for a moment.

After a little while though: ] I don't mind.

[ Saying that as he's looking back up at you. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[Tilting his head now, and peering at you.]

Are you sure about that?

[He caught the look that had crossed your face back there, on the way down. You know. When he had to dress the part without exactly BECOMING the part.]

[larue]

[ Please don't look at him like that. His reaction from earlier had been embarrassing enough the first time around without any reminders.

Running a hand through his hair now and offering a slight shrug. ]

You've given me fair warning. [ Yes, he looks incredibly sheepish. ] I was just... surprised. Earlier.

[icarusalsoflew]

I probably should have warned you ahead of time, then.

[And he's using that tone that says that This Conversation Is Not Over, he's just checking if you're in the right state of mind to handle it. It's also topped with a smile that says exactly the same thing.

(In the meantime, Brother Death is busy retreating as far back as he can go - that is, until Hikaru does the telepathic equivalent of snagging him by the arm.

Hold on. I'm not finished with you yet either.)]

[larue]

[ Yeah, a bit of warning would have been nice.

He's not saying anything as he looks down at his hands, though he does lift his eyes your way.

Why does he have the sinking feeling that this conversation is going to veer slightly towards awkward? ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[And since you've been wonderful enough to NOT try to make some excuse and bow out of this conversation but you're not really saying anything either:]

I think the two of you should sit down and talk.

[(Brother...)

You can't avoid him forever.]

[larue]

[ Well.

UM. ]

Okay. [ Did that come out a little quiet? Why yes, it did. ] If... if you think it's for the best. Um, sure?

[ He trusts your judgement when it comes to this because he doesn't trust his own. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[Blinking because that was... unexpectedly easy?

No, he's not going to be suspicious of how receptive you are to this. He trusts you, so.]

If it helps, I'll be listening in.

[Because you both need me to, at any rate.

(...)

Look. I've decided to be with him for the rest of his existence, for however long that will take. The sooner the two of you stop being awkward, the better.

(True. But...)

It'll be fine.]

[larue]

[ He's just... going to take your hand in his and give it a squeeze.

Yes, he is a bit nervous. But you and Brother Death are kind of... "joined at the brain" -- among other things. ]

That helps.

[icarusalsoflew]

[Leaning over to catch your lips for a brief but what he hopes to be sweet-enough-to-be-reassuring kiss.]

I'll be back then.

[And now he's putting that cigarette out, leaning back, shutting his eyes, and --

-- yes. There go those red rings, and there goes that familiar slack of that other taking over your boy's body, washing pretty much any trace of him away.

Death stares at you a moment before pursing his lips, and going for the cigarettes that his Brother has left behind.]

Joshua.

[Does that come off quiet? Yep.]

[larue]

[ He finds himself bracing for the switchover, and while he's not entirely sure what to expect -- and much less say -- when Death takes over... it's not too awkward?

But maybe it's too soon to tell.

Josh does offer a small smile though. ] Brother Death. It's... it's been a while.

[ He sees him reach for those cigarettes and promptly fishes out his lighter. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[Glancing at the lighter, and shaking his head.]

I don't need that. [A beat.] Thank you, though.

[And lighting up with balefire. Also... not really... looking at you.

"Just talk to him, Brother."

Perhaps I will, after I stop wondering how you convinced me that this would be a wise course of action.]

[larue]

[ Well. That got awkward fast.

He resists the urge to play with the lighter, snapping it shut and deliberately putting it back in his pocket. ]

I... apologize if this makes you uncomfortable.

[ Might as well get straight to the point, yeah? ]

You don't, [ a brief pause. ] You don't have to be.

[icarusalsoflew]

I...

[Trailing off, and pursing his lips. He'd like to evade, but he can feel Hikaru Shinta's disapproval stretching itself across the mind space that they share.

Sighing now.]

I was more concerned that I made you uncomfortable, hence my absence.

[larue]

[ He's blinking at that response. It's not exactly what he expected to hear.

Softly now: ] Oh.

Um.

[ What's a guy supposed to reply to that? ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[...He's not saying anything.

"Because he clearly wasn't expecting that. I told you so."

What should I--

"Brother."

Did Death just wince a little, like someone shouted in his ear? Yes.

Anyway.]

My sincerest apologies. In my desire to understand the human condition for myself a little more and perhaps in my need to experience what my brother experiences, I made you awkward.