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

[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.

[larue]

[ ...

OH.

Suddenly things make so much more sense. ]

Getting constantly ribbed about my sex life with Hikaru is something of a thing these days. [ Is he doing his best to show that it's really no big deal? He hopes so. ] And exchanges like that tend to be awkward.

[ A minute pause at that. ] I'm sorry if I didn't explain it better at the time.

[icarusalsoflew]

It's all right.

[Then, more softly:]

I should have known better than to ask anything of you in that direction in the first place.

[larue]

[ And because he really doesn't think anything of it -- after all, it's not like it was done with any malicious intent: ]

You were curious about feelings. [ Matter of fact and with a small attempt to understand. Hikaru had explained to him that this was all... new. ] And it's not like there was anyone else that you could-- [ UM ] -- ask.

[ He really hopes that he's not giving any offense. He feels like he's tripping over what he wants to say. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

Right.

[Looking decidedly nervous about something now, and he's not aware of it at all.

"I think it's safe to tell him, you know."

...]

[larue]

[ He's definitely catching that.

If he leans in, forgive him. If anything, that's genuine concern written all over his face. ]

Something wrong...?

[icarusalsoflew]

I would... I would rather not say at the time.

[They kind of just managed to apologize to each other and sort out the mess from their last real conversation.

Not yet.

"Suit yourself. But don't blame me if he actually presses the issue, or if he asks me."

...Mm.]

[larue]

[ And because, let's face it -- this is Josh.

He's reaching out before he can even think to do otherwise, and setting a hand over the one that Death has clenched on Hikaru's knee.

No words, just a silent offering of "okay," as the Sin-Eater offers a small smile as he looks up towards the abstract being currently using his significant other's body. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[...

You're definitely going to feel how he goes still underneath your touch before withdrawing rather minutely. And going for that cigarette.

"...Okay. That's not going to make him curious at all."

Please, Brother.

"Just saying."]

[larue]

[ Just because Josh's curiosity is piqued, doesn't necessarily mean that he's actually going to press. He can ask questions later, because right now, all he's seeing is how he is making Brother Death more uncomfortable.

Pulling back now, a soft: ] Sorry, [ passing his lips. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

It's fine. It's not your fault.

[It's all on him.

I am done here.

"Are you sure?"

...

"Right, of course."]

As things stand, that was all that I wished to tell you for the moment.

[larue]

[ He attempts a smile, but that only seems to underscore how he really hadn't intended on making Death feel uncomfortable. ]

Maybe we can... talk again sometime?

[ It sounds a little feeble, but nevertheless earnest. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[Nods, with a small smile of his own. The look in those eyes, though, is sad.]

Yes, please. I would like that.

[larue]

[ Nodding quietly now, gaze falling to his hands. ]

I guess I'll see you then.