[R] All The Kings Men - (Helio x Albite)

[Shiningamisgirl]

It felt akin to, what was it Aramis had said? Oh, right, ‘caregiver fatigue’; he’d made Syrus look it up, define it, then laughed it all off because he didn’t believe in being burnt out and ******** whatever the internet said that actually looked like. Albite knew his own damn self better n any web md bullshit….

But?

In the weeks that followed that first hesitant cough, those fitful, sleepless nights; the way Faustite seemed increasingly ill with no reprieve, no respite, no simple end or band aid fix. Waru had maybe, possibly, probably begun to feel something akin the Webster's dictionary definition of that.

He’d already overreacted to Nectaris’s note, nearly snapped off Fulgurites head in the aftermath. Been both absent and present at once in ways he was still adjusting to with the current team that bled into feeling tired without a reason — sleeping in his office — worrying quietly about a growing situation he could, as of yet, so very little for.

He’d realized there was no one above him to run to anymore (not who he wanted to bother with his feelings), and he couldn’t lean on Faustites ability to cut through his brains barbed wire entanglement of wordy bullshit like a blowtorch for fear of snapping his beloved in half with his own neediness.

Faustite had his own pressing needs - one of which was him.

So Albite quashed all his usual outlets for dealing with stress, self-destructive and wild as they tended to be, because for Faustite? For his husband? He could do anything. He would do anything. He’d be strong and solid and *there* more present than he’d ever been, more available in the home. He’d manage the task of keeping up with the piling daily mundanities that came with being doting and domestic. With the teams needs large and small. The mole problem, the cats needing hugs, the minor feral youma being greedy about their energy snacks —

The fact that his husband was likely dying.

‘No he isn’t’

Except sometimes, in the middle of the night, Waru would feel this seize of panic. Annoyingly anxious bullshit that sent him out of bed and busying himself about little things the way Faustite used to do. He couldn’t put out of his mind the ways Faustite was so unnervingly still more recently, how he had gone from ten-thousand miles an hour and burning with life — to looking charred out — cindered — pained. It sat on his body in bloody blisters the color of fire, around the tight lines at the corners of his eyes, in every lung rending wheeze.

Albite wanted to claw it out and carry it in his own flesh — *couldn’t* — this wasn’t the same as working him through an addiction, or helping him heal from Squiddy.

‘When youma break down they don’t die, they just stop and fade away into dust. They get still like their hibernating, and then they go from *being* to *not*’

He’d asked all about it, random questions cooed quietly while he kneeled at Faustites feet, looking at his journals: pleasantly submersed in his dangerous warmth. Far less dangerous back then, not that it mattered for how willing he always was to risk it.

How willing he always would be.

How willing the others were too.

It was helpful to remember that he had connections, outlets, and an entire team to call upon.

He had Heliodore—- and if spending time with him didn’t resolve the growing knot of tangled razorwire that sat in his guts? There was always Kamacite, whose soft, sunny presence he sorely missed. There were all the others too, but something about Aelius — their last good time together — the mounting stress that had grown between baking cookies and planning an entire mission.

It made him reach out, sounding casual in a way he didn’t quite feel.

“Hey Aelius, do you wanna go out tonight?”  

[Kolina]

Things were...trying. Yea, trying was a good word for it. Aelius rode a plethora of emotions while doing his damn best to keep a strong front and do what was expected of him. While being only super, perhaps it was a blessing that Faustite's submission for Helio's promotion hadn't gone through yet, Helio was spared a lot of the expectations that would have come with Eternal rank within a team. Especially a team as large as the one he had been adopted into. So, he had the benefit of have time to himself even beyond balancing his civilian life, negaverse duties and time spent with Faustite. Cause, he intended to spend as much time with his boy as he could.

Unfortunately, that extra time that he had for himself allowed for a roving mind to depict all of the worst that could happen. And, not unlike Waru, Aelius was doing his damn best not to focus on the fact that his fiancée was dying. Dying right before his eyes and there wasn't anything he, or any of them, could do about it. It was slow torture in the worst kind of way.

Aelius hated it. Hated every free moment. Keeping busy was the best answer to that growing pit full of knots and tangles within his gut. Like worms that constantly gnawed away at him from the inside out while a heavy darkness loomed just overhead promising the darkest of days and storm clouds. It was a miserable combination that Aelius had not experience for years.

So, when that call form Waru came, breaking his self-imposed prison of brooding thoughts as he sat in the curtain-drawned living of his apartment, the young man felt a small ounce of relief. Like the call had been a present, a gift to pull him up. Give him something else to lean on if only for a few short hours.

Because, Waru, as Aelius knew, was fretting just as much. Likely pulled thin with the added expectations of his rank and place on the team. And normally, a jealousy dark and strong would have blossomed at such thoughts, but no such thing occurred. Just a shared need sat there.

"I'll meet you in an hour."

And the young man held true to his words. After dragging his a** in for a much needed shower, he donned a nice pair of jeans, black under shirt and a pale yellow button up. The choice of something bright was for both him and Waru. A shade of happiness and summer promises.

He met the other man at their chosen destination. A club that catered to a several types of people. On the main floor, past the welcome desk, were multiple rooms people could sequester themselves within for privacy. Food and drinks were expected to be ordered for the luxury of private rooms. If one just wanted to mill or quietly socialize the main floor bar was the spot to be. If one had come for a party atmosphere though, the basement floor was where the main part of dancing club could be found. Aelius doubted they would visit the dance floor, but perhaps the low thrum of bass and music through the floor would help soothe. It was why he had suggested the establishment and stood just inside the doorway, sheltered from the overzealous winds that marked the approach of March.

When Albite finally arrived, Aelius offered the man a smile. "Not sure if you've been here before but, figured some food and drinks might be in order."

shiningamisgirl

 

[Shiningamisgirl]

An hour was good. More than enough time to pull himself together, or at least into some semblance of looking human. When had that stopped being a thing that'd mattered? When had 'Waru' begun to feel like more of a guise than Albite? Not that it mattered to him personally. He was an Eternal, collared, cared for! Had a team that could rend the heavens and a *ring* from a man so powerful he was a living, breathing element!

He was the godamned, ******** Senshi of Retribution!!

Planetless - powerless - in decline -- -- <******** Praxidikes dead world, the white moons dead ends, and the diagnosis that were like death sentences he couldn't bring himself to believe in. Anyone could say what he could clearly see and he would've born his teeth at it, would've snarled at the outsiders who dared to call him out on the obvious thing before his eyes. Aelius was not an outsider though, he was Faustites beloved, a boy that lived in a pocketwatch, frozen in another time -- frozen for all time -- youthful, twin-flamed, soulbound. Albite had won the door prize, but only because Aelius? Rowan. Had left a very obvious key beneath the entrance mat. Waru'd picked it the ******** up and let himself in. Then torn that same said door right off its hinges as an afterthought, because ******** knocking and the overly polite prude who invented it. Knocking was for smuchks. Love didn't require permission to enter.....

And if Waru arrived surprisingly on time to the venue. With circles under his eyes dark enough that they showed like a bruise, if what he wore was more for comfort than sexy flare? Sweatpants, (the only clean ones he could find because someone had a clingy little habit), an old sage-green hoodie fading gray shark-attack graphic he'd saved from Hayby's 'pissing on albite's stuff just to piss him off' days. He should've dressed better, brighter, but Aelius covered that for him -- looked like the fresh sun next to some bob ross clouds with how good the yellow paired next to his indigo hair. <******** was cute, always. Model cute blessed by the genetic lottery in ways Waru could easily admire, from a distance, on approach, standing arms length from him.

"Would you be surprised to find that I actually haven't?" a shrug and a slowly brightening smile for all the ways he looked Aelius over, shamelessly, before eying the venue proper. It's long lists of amenities, it's various digital signage pointing ways to go. If ever he had been here before? He sure as ******** didn't remember it. It seemed amazing though -- some multi-storied megalith of a place.

"I don't think I can club it up basement style right now," a soft humm and nod into the milieu, Waru's drag of sneakered feet as he eyed the place with dampened awe. The floors shown, black marble smattered with clean white lines, polished blindingly enough to reflect all who walked them, "though who's to say how either of us'll feel in an hour? The private rooms look nice..." if he had to party, or speak with strangers, or -- Maybe he could, hell, maybe he needed to?

Though maybe he needed to kidnap some grief counselors, a therapist, a medical wing that focused solely on preserving a body beyond its dying light. The insanity of the thought, the cracked lense of it in his mind, it sent him to scoffing at it aloud; smirking at nothing and no one as he decided he only really wanted to speak with Aelius just then. If it got bad enough that he needed to distract himself further than that? Further than a good time and loud music and the buzz of alcohol. ********. Maybe the sudden appearance of an unruly senshi, dining and dashing in more violent ways than what he probably intended for the evening -- even if all the patrons looked like easy energy fodder -- except no, no, nope. Aelius might wanna come back to this place sometime, might even wanna bring him again! Sooo---

"That is, if you're okay with that for a start? I feel like it's been a while since just you'n'me've talked easily. Not alone," there would be no buffer here, and Waru inclined his head past the welcome desk, towards the splay of rooms with clear rooms and clearer prices, but there was some joy to that. The idea that they could order form behind a curtain, in a booth, with paterned, velveted walls and a sleek wooden table between them. Could do whatever while someone else serviced them for a change.

Oh yeah, there was all sorts of appeal for that.

Kolina

 

[Kolina]

Waru looked....well he looked like s**t, plain and simple. As tired as Aelius felt, Waru looked it. Honestly, the man was probably under even more stress and Aelius wasn't too big of a person to acknowledge that. Waru was a strong presence both in and out of the team. That alone was exhausting, but put on the added stress of Faustite's deterioration and all of the necessities that came with it happen was stressful and emotionally draining. So, Aelius didn't comment on the young man's appearance. It wouldn't do any of them any good beyond setting this whole thing off on the wrong foot. And both of them needed something good even if it was only for a few hours.

"I was recommended it at one of my classes." He remarked, eyes roving over the building. "They talked about the basement club most, but the rest of the place is definitely unique." Aelius had truthfully never seen a place designed quite like this one, so he was intrigued to experience what the establishment had to offer.

He glanced to the receptionist as Waru voiced his preference. Visibly, Aelius relaxed. "I had hoped you'd prefer that." As much of a not clubbier, Aelius was (due to his sheer inexperience with them until he met Waru), he had specifically picked this location to try and appease both of them. The quiet with the loud. Well....the hum of music and base with the loud. The white noise could be as soothing as the music itself at times though. "I called ahead to save us a room. I'd been warned it can get busy earlier in the evening before the club really gets going below." Which, made sense. People wanted to dine before partaking in a night of dancing and sweating mashed amongst many other bodies.

Aelius held the door open for Waru before following the man in. The woman at the desk, dressed in a tight fitting black dress with a conservative neckline but rising hemline, eyed them both up. Waru was given a second over for his choice of clothing and the woman turned her attention to Aelius for it. "I have a reservation for two. Name is Aelius Drayson." He said and the woman looked to her tablet on her desk.

She offered them a wane smile. "Follow me." And she led them into the building further. The rooms were all closed off with heavy curtains. Voices could be heard but nothing more than mumbles could be understood beyond the rare raised voice. The thrum of the club below helped mask the conversations.

The stopped at a room with a black curtain already drawn back. Inside was a black leather booth in an almost circular formation. The table could seat 6 people tightly or four comfortably. The table was a white and black marble top and the lighting was kept dim from sconces on the wall. The woman gestured for them to enter. "Your server will be around soon. He will take your initial drink and food order. If you need anything else afterwards, just push this button here," She reached around the wall the curtain was on to press a small black button there, making sure both men saw it, "and they will be back to help you."

Once both men were seated she smiled again and deposited two menus on the table. "Enjoy." She said as she released the curtain letting it fall into place.

Aelius glanced around, lips pursed. "I hadn't realized how intimate the rooms were." He commented as he looked to the button then to the two dimmed sconces on the wall opposite of the curtain. "Any darker and I might fall asleep." He offered Waru a smile as he nabbed one of the menus. He flipped to the alcoholic drinks immediately.

"So.." He said as his eyes roved over the menu. "How are you? Tell me what's up." Aelius wasn't daft. This meet up was needed for something, and he hoped, it was Waru's way of getting out and relaxing. Letting off some steam cause the man looked like he needed a week at a spa at this point.

shiningamisgirl

 

[Shiningamisgirl]

"Your last name is Drayson? The ******** haven't I heard about that before..." the realization that he'd only learned Aelius's full name now muttered quietly, mostly to himself, and he was getting sidetracked already, it took actual effort to not blink and miss all of the 'now' coming at him. How everything between 'follow me', 'hit the button', and the girls brief goodbye became this out of focus blurr. Her face already forgotten as quickly as the privacy drapes closed: the room was dark and the image he'd just had of her was gone. He knew the server would come and it'd be the same -- either of them could've been cute, smart, straight up tens on the scale of 'tip me well I'm workin' it', and Waru wouldn'tve noticed worth a damn.

Was he losing his touch? Was he really that tired?

Normally he was better at all that stuff. Pinning smiles and throwing compliments and -- noticing things -- like her politeness, or the way the quiet of the room made him think of pillow forts. Only fancy enough that he was sure Aelius was paying top dime; everything clean, velveteen, soft.

Aelius mentioned sleep and he could've --

Except? The mere thought of that made his heart jolt uncomfortably, an achy little twinge of 'nope'. He didn't want to fall asleep, because if he fell asleep he might've missed something -- like Faustite dying -- Course that was a silly fear because he might've missed that sitting here with Aelius, too! But no -- he'd put in safeguards, assurances. There were people not tab, on task, making rounds checking in. He'd thought he was glad for a large team before, but now? Now he was tenfold as grateful as he ever could've been. Faustite was asleep, he'd remain so, and when he got home? He'd find him right there where he'd left him - breathing in flickers of stuttered flames and curls of pitch smoke - very alive if scarily sedentary - very alive.

He was not going to run home and check on him, or call one of twenty-one others and check on them, or -- He didn't need to watch Faustite sleep like he might fade away in a cloud of ash and melt of embers.

Things were fine.

"How am I?"

How was he?

Waru didn't know how to answer at first. Swallowed a sound and found that Aelius eyes were suddenly very inviting; even riveted to the drink menu. That the way the other man shaped his words, pursed his lips, n seemed not unpleased but also not the gung-ho-happiest with being in a space that screamed. The ******** was a word for it? Sultry, saucy, savory? Maybe it invited feelings of the kind n that was it....

"With the room being intimate? M'peachy as pie, there's nothing wrong with a little bit of intimacy amongst friends n such, yeah?" Waru chuckled tiredly at his own lack of words and shrugged lopsidedly as he found ways to find answers, because it wouldn't do to get distracted by the spiraled shape of sconces, the way the false flames within them cast shadows that made him think of home, "And -- we are friends right, Aelius? Cause -- it's not so much as a 'what's up' as it is a 'what's down' sorta deal, and there is so much going down that I can't even find the words for it anymore. It's a bunch of turtle-bullshit, yanno? Like -- you carry it with you because it's home in you --I missed you though.." and that was true, he'd seen so much of Aelius on missions, alongside Faustite, around the others. He hadn't gotten him alone in some time, not to say hi, not to ask how things were going between him n the singular love they shared most.

Not to ask about anything at all. If Aelius was feeling shored up, if everything was really, truly, kosher between them? If -- if when everything crashed down like a house of burning cards -- would Aelius still be there for him after? Were they solid enough to survive it all as, friends, senshi, teammates.

The menu was suddenly much more interesting than Aelius eyes, it felt rude to look away in search of French names, designer labels, and cursive swirls over laminate and black leather -- gold trimmed elegance of the bourgeoisie.

"I feel like I ******** up n then never actually took the time to say sorry to you. Not properly. You were just nice enough to let things pass...n I've still gotta go see Trey..." ther was some deep amusement for that and a healthy dollop of chagrin, because he didn't know how to begin with Trey. Knew to give him time, to toss him glances over battlements n check in that way.

The speaking part hadn't come easily as he'd wanted it to, and it amazed Waru to know end that Faustite of all people had grown so much to have taken those first steps with no prodding or prompting at all.

He was so ******** proud of Eion.

Now if only he could manage taking on those same tasks all by himself!!

Kolina

 

[Kolina]

Aelius didn't much care what the menu had to offer food wise. He'd been lacking appetite for quite awhile now. Food wasn't the enjoyable so much as a necessity to make sure he could continue to function as normal. So his choice in that department didn't matter. What he wanted most was alchohol. It wasn't that he didn't want to chat with Waru. Quite the opposite actually, but he knew where this conversation would lead, where it was already alluding to. Hell, it wasn't hard to see how exhausted Waru was.

With a sigh he put his menu down, clasping hand in front of himself on the table as he gave Waru a hard, no nonsense look. "Yes we're friends." He sighed heavily. "If we weren't we wouldn't be here right now. I won't lie to you and say I wasn't angry at you, at both of you, for awhile, but in honesty, none of that matters right now. I should have made it more clear, had a conversation with you about it but..." He shrugged. "I made a mistake not doing that, and I am sorry."

He sat there, really looking at Waru. Past the exhaustion and bubbly front the man was putting on. Aelius wasn't sure if it was a show or just a habit, but Waru was spending too much time on others and not enough on himself and that wasn't going to last for much longer.

"So, as shitty of a friend as I've been these past few months, I want to know you really are. You're not the kind to sit back and focus on yourself. You're too worried about others and how they're doing and ignoring yourself. So, how are you. Truthfully. Cause you didn't call me just to check up on me." He smiled, a touch of sadness and exhaustion within his own eyes, but this was all necessary even if it felt slightly awkward. Beyond their love for a certain General, Aelius honestly knew little about Waru himself.

Aelius leaned back against the booth's plush back with a small huff. "It's sort of funny. How many months have we known each other now and I know almost nothing about you beyond the bare basics, but at the same time, feel like I know everything about you." He shook his head before rubbing at his own dry, tired eyes. "That makes no sense, but I don't know how else to put it right now."

shiningamisgirl

 

[Shiningamisgirl]

Well, that was all such a relief to hear!

Though Waru frowned ugly at hearing Aelius even admit to thinking he'd been a shitty friend, it wasn't the least bit his fault that Waru was spiraling! He didn't blame the man for anything; he'd just gotten his life put back together in DC. Was finally on good terms with his fiance (possible dying aside), had only now his brother returned in any meaningful sort of way! So Waru pouted about it, then let the frown slide into something softer because the assurance of the fact that they were friends: really, really, truly, friends and not just some surface level connection shared through Eion's copper wired conductivity sorta s**t---It was a lift of weight that let him breathe, and snort a sound less tired and more amused before falling into another slew of words. <******** glad to hear that, and really? M'not doing that bad! I just needed to get out of the house," was that even okay to admit to? No, no, it was fine, he knew it was. Afterall, it wasn't like he'd abandoned their mutual lover to utter aloneness, he could say the thing and Aelius wouldn't judge--- "Ei' was feeling extra sleepy today, and I was feeling--" like absolute dog s**t, "restless...The unhelpful kinda restless, not the cleaning, fussing, caring kind. So I figured Cela could take over for awhile, he's always down to play lazy lizard on the hot rock. I know Haru will probably stop by the place later? Do the whole -- the thing those two do? Poetry, music, the whole nine."

The snippets he caught of info from Eion, the sounds of shared music in the home. The sight of Cela's scales n sound of quietly hissed words. It was all cute as ******** and right about now? Waru could be nothing less than wholly encouraging, Haru could have the three of the twenty one other hours Cela got to share with him n their boy. They could both have what they needed, undisturbed and welcomed wholeheartedly by Waru's strings of texts...

"N'you can't blame yourself for half of it -- this --" a gesture and nod to himself. A way of telling Aelius not to worry, that yes, in fact, it did all make sense because that was what Waru did and even he knew it. Feelings were easy to display, and he always had words to give! Endlessly. Giving away anything important though? All that personal little nonsense when there were far bigger things happening around him. That was wayside s**t that could wait till later. "M'always gonna love the whole world more'n 'i'll ever love myself, Aelius. Which means I'mma want to check in on you n ten other people before I actually sit down n look in the mirror n ask myself ********. Problem was, today? The mirror didn't feel like waiting for me to sit in front of it."

Which probably meant that he wasn't doing alright which was what Aelius was asking!! The words were hard to say though, they grated, sand in his ******** craw and so he clamped down on them and derailed his thought train in hopes of making an explanation without saying how he was feeling out loud.

"Which's why we're here, cause---You know? The first time our Firebrand died, it was so ******** fast--" a snap of fingers, a piercing sort of look that was far too sharp at the edges. "There was no warning, there was no lead up, there was nothing to be tried, or done, or tested out..." all roundabout ways his mouth wandered while wanting to get to the crux of it all. He'd never seen someone die before, not slowly, not like this. In ways that made him feel helpless and useless all at once. Never, never never, had it been someone so important to him as this! Going in ways where he wanted to ignore his own feelings because holy ******** there was so much else to focus on!

Anything but himself for the love of ********, please!

"This? This's been anything but that, n I can't help but wanna prepare myself for the potential outcomes of this the way I didn't get to the first time. To prepare us, the whole team, yanno?" Maybe the team didn't know yet, but soon enough they would, wouldn't they? The signs would become unmistakable, s**t would go down, choices would be made -- the kind that couldn't be undone the way Faustites first bout of dying had been. There were no magical bones, or moon pearls powerful enough to fix this.

Waru didn't have Sylvite to fall back on this time-----

He had twenty-one-ish other people, or was it thirty, forty? A hundred? He had Syrus, Aramis, Lina, outside of it all and living moderately safely beyond the grasp of their agency, and then he had those who *knew* his far deeper connection to Faustite than most others did. Their marriage was such a stunning wonderful trip of a thing for Waru. Something a spare few of his frenemies were aware of, that his n Faustites team was aware of. Hell, that announcement was probably posted on the sovereigns bulletin boards and was now old news throughout the castle as a whole!

It still didn't feel like enough.

Felt like he could've had tenthousand at his back, supportive, caring, kind. Coudl've had his mother and his sisters here in the city and in his home and even then!?! Even then it didn't feel like it would've been enough; they weren't inadequate as people. It was him. Needing things and not knowing what he needed anymore, aside from knowing he needed to be doing something!! Seeing Aelius for drinks was definitely something alright.

"So that's what *this* is right now. Us being here where it's kinduv away from it all, n easy, n we can drink because I bet if you threw a dart at a feelings board and hit any ******** one at all you'd probably hit some of mine--but if I talk about how I feel too much? I will fall the ******** apart at this table n that's sooo uncool to do in public. Doesn't mean you asking me things is off the table, isn't, absolutely isn't! I do want you to know me and I mean that honestly." he thought of the game him and Eion had played on their 'night' figured this wasn't the time or place for it, but maybe someday? Tonight though, tonight he wanted something closer to sherry than he did to shots -- or maybe something sweet enough it'd spark some latent bit of happiness he could siphon outta the depths of himself.

xKolina

 

[Kolina]

Aelius frowned as Waru beat around the bush in every which direction to explain that he was not fine while all the while trying to cover up his tracks around said bush. It was...well, it was a mess, much like Albite tended to be, but it also was very much endearing, if frustrating, all at the same time. Perhaps it was why Aelius had opted to not confront the man sooner about...well...everything. It took a plea for assistance, even if that wasn't exactly how it had been worded, to for Aelius to step up. And, that realization, didn't sit well. Too much was going on and Aelius had been far too focused on Faustite and himself and practically said ******** to anyone else.

Meanwhile here was Waru ********, doing everything. Taking into account the team and what may need to be taken care of if things went south. Meanwhile Aelius had zoned it all out. Focused on the necessities and that was it. Nope. That realization was near sickening.

But, he had a chance now. To offer the support to a man who was doing whatever he could to keep everyone sane during all of this. Aelius vowed to do better, cause he could be better. Had been better. Living alone for two years and only focused on himself and his needs and wants had carved him into the young man he was now and, well...he didn't much care for it as he attempted to look from the outside in.

"I should have come to you." Aelius admitted. "And not waited for you to reach out. I've seen what you've been doing and damn well know it's probably only the tip of the iceberg but didn't speak up." He leaned on the table, again head dipped in shame.

Aelius shook his head and looked back at the man, taking in those dark eyes, made darker by the ambiance of their room, were cushioned by heavy bags that had not been there mere months ago.

He wanted to dive in further. To really get Waru to break out of his shell and just voice what was going on in that head of his. Let loose some of the growing pressure that was obviously tearing away at the man, but Aelius was also not going to push too hard. Not right this instant, anyway. "You don't have to worry about being uncool around me, and if it's the public that bothers you that's an easy fix." A trip to either Waru's or Aelius's would solve that problem. "I've made a fool of myself more times than I can count, so I'll never hold that against anyone else. But for now, let's just ease into this and take the time you...we need, to relax."

As he opened his mouth to say something else their waiter appeared. She was a petite thing. Probably barely breaking five foot and probably didn't weight more than 100 pound soaking wet. Blonde hair was left down to cascade over her shoulders in the likely attempt to appear older than she probably was. Aelius didn't take much notice to her physical appearance though, only at the bubbly personality as she pushed the curtain aside.

"Good afternoon! I am Shelly and I'll be your waitress. Is there anything I can get you two to drink?" She questioned with bright brown eyes and a large smile. "Oh! And just so you know, besides bringing your drinks and food, I won't come by again unless you need me." She gestured to the button again. "Just hit that and I'll come running though." Shelly laughed at herself.

Aelius glanced at the menu that lay discarded under his arms. He lifted them and grabbed the menu. "Drinks for us both." He said, eyeing Waru up from across the table. "I'll take A Woodsman." The idea of a sipping drink was a perfect start to whatever this thing with Waru was going to develop into. Getting piss a** drunk off the bat was not necessary or needed. "And food wise, can I get a spinach artichoke dip for now?" A nice shareable bit of food they could nibble on.

Shelly nodded and wrote it all down before turning her gaze to Waru. "And what about you?"

shiningamisgirl

 

[Shiningamisgirl]

Awkch!!

Waru felt himself flinch, covered it by shifting into sitting up a little more in his seat, wide amber eyes darting to the cute waitress; all fawn softness n polite asks. Shelly'd ******** startled him though, he was so focused on Aelius mouth and how it was making words he needed to hear. How it was a very nice mouth that spoke of strong genetics; the sorts only models n their prestigious bloodlines inherited, maybe?

Aelius had asked if he wanted to leave? And honestly, ******** no they weren't leaving! The place was so nice, the nicest, he hadn't gone anywhere nice like this since Delilah-- and then maybe the sushi lace with Emilia? But normally he didn't have the spending power so tonight? Tonight they were staying at least long enough to have drinks! Course it was all sane and logical for Aelius to ask because Waru didn't typically care about making a fool of himself in public. Felt out of character to have said, and when he examined it between Aelius ordering a Woodsman and asking about chips, he realized it was probably that Aelius was there, n Aelius was the last person he wanted to make a fool of himself in public in front of--not somewhere nice -- which --

Something to poke at while he was eating chips, and drifting off on other thoughts entirely. He finally gave the menue a proper once over, eyed the wine extra long, knew he would've taken the bottle n run which would've defated alllll of his purposes, so!! <******** -- "I want a Blue Lagoon," like a kid he asked, like someone who suddenly cared that he wanted the blue drink because it tasted like a blue drink was supposed to.

"Spinach artichoke dip sounds fine, do they put that together with bread or chips here?" Some places had pretzels, some places had little cuts of brioche, sourdough, dipping breads all toasty and with the seasoning...

Waru asked as he watched Shelly explain the button and then put something into the little electronic pad she had before her -- orders probably -- Her perfectly painted lips parted and she told him he could have a choice--

"Bread basket sounds delicious then, yeah? Thank you Shelly."

She was fast, efficient, Waru sighed when she was done and had slipped back beyond the curtains like a shadow. Then levled Aelius with his own severe sorta heavy baggaged look --

"If you start blaming yourself for s**t n lookin all puppy-dog sad on me? I'mma kick you under this table. Neither of us are mind readers Aelius, and sometimes the onus gets to be on me to tell people things. Especially if I'm the one making it my role to do this stuff on purpose...I needed to be busy, I needed you to be happy..for ******** once..." well ******** if he didn't sound ungrateful n like he was kicking him already, Waru reigned back on himself, blinked for a moment, tried again because Aelius was offering him a ******** ladder *up*, was apologizing in all sorts of ways for being distant and in his own head, and Waru couldn't fathom why he'd want to reject that when it was so sincere and Aelius looked hurt over it! "I--I really appreciate it though, this as a start, kay? That you came is enough proof you care, I promise."

Kolina

 

[Kolina]

Aelius couldn't help the small snort of amusement that escaped him at Waru's requested drink. A blue lagoon. How perfectly a drink he expected some frat girl to order while out. It honestly, was perfect of Waru. That borderline of being an adult and still wanting to hold onto the inner child. Cause blue coloring always tasted as good as it looked. Vaguely he wondered it was the perfect analogy to the man sitting across from him.

The question about bread or chips didn't matter. Aelius had no real preference there. Bread was the selection of choice in the end, and Aelius would happily enjoy it with the dip that he prayed was extra cheesy and gooey. How a place made their spinach artichoke dip was incredibly important in deciding if the restaurant would be frequented or left to be forgotten. Needless to say, it was a favorite of the danseurs.

Waru was vicious though and jumped right back into the conversation as if their sweet little waitress hadn't just interrupted them. Aelius looked at Waru owlishly for the vocal beating he sent Aelius's way only to be followed up by sweet forgiveness. "i..." He started, stopped again as he collected himself and his thoughts.

"We're a ******** pair." He finally said with a soft chuckle. "Both of us beating ourselves down in our own ways.

"But I do care Waru. I never didn't care, even when I am angry. I might be pissy, standoffish and a p***k when angry, but I still care for those closest to me. It's just easy for me to focus solely on myself and my own needs. Something I need to work on, apparently." He leaned back again, menu left forgotten once again on the table.

"But I appreciate the sentiment. I am...was happy. We will be happy, all of us, once this s**t is all taken care of." He said the last bit with such determination that it begged no argument to the case. He needed to keep believing that this whole bullshit situation would turn out well. That in a few months, they'd be looking back at all of this and, maybe not laugh at it, but realize they were over-worrying about it all. Keeping the hope of a positive resolution was the only thing keeping Aelius moving along and not succumbing to the dark thoughts of 'what ifs'.

"Is there anything you would like me to do for you?" Aelius questioned with full sincerity.

shiningami1sgirl

 

[Shiningamisgirl]

They really, really were, weren't they? Aelius was right, so so soo very right, and Waru found himself easing out of the tense hold he'd frozen up in, knotted up from mental strain and internal duress. Relaxed a margin and unclenched, jaw, fingers, his heart. It'd always sort of gone this way with him, them, every meetup -- Waru floundered. Made things better, made them worse, searched for a shore to strand himself on till he could fix what he'd broken, and occasionally? Find things to break that'd been functioning just fine without his meddling.

Aelius was hard to gauge, so long as he was happy though? The insistence on care, the way he admitted how much he cared even if when he was angry? That added to the relief like a balm. He'd never tell Aelius not to work on himself, those sorts of things were universal, especially since Waru probably needed to work on himself too? Anything else, any balking at the insistence of 'future happiness' and 'things being taken care of' when Waru felt like they were only just beginning to fall apart. Aelius tone brooked no argument and Waru dropped the idea of brining it up like a bag of hot rocks.

"Oh my gosh, Aelius. Serve up some scalding ******** tea, man. Like, seriously? I want it hot, with extra lemon on the side. Because right now a distraction would help me out so much more than -- say -- groceries? Okay, scratch that, groceries will always help, the more non-perishable the better? But personally..." for his own sanity? For his own salvation! He wanted to hear about something juicy, good, sweet, all the things he'd not been privy to with how busy he'd been over the last few months.

"Like -- for example? The ******** are you n trey getting promotions? How'd the family reunion go? How's your mom, has Trey brought you home yet? Is that a thing you're into -- going home -- whateverhappenedtoyounEionbeingfiances...." breathing was important, Waru could remember to do that --

And holy ********, Shelly!!!

Blond hair and brown eyes interrupting his run on breathless thoughts, with a bright smile and wink-filled announcement to her presence. She wasn't stealthy, he was just distracted! The waitress brought the drinks first, fast, but they were drinks so of course they'd come fast. Waru was bout to ask about the appetizer, to ask whether he'd been talking for minutes or 'minutes', but she swiftly acknowledged their food'd be coming up soon. That they should enjoy their drinks. Waru was starting to get the feeling he looked like he needed a drink.

"Oh sweet! It's got a little umbrella!" childishly vibrant excitement because there were little fruits and the entire thing was big and tropical smelling, better yet? Now he was going to be entertained for hours, for sure!

Kolina

 

[Kolina]

Welp. If the non-stop talking was any indication it seemed Waru was at least feeling a bit better. While the man looked like he could use a solid days worth of sleep, some of the tension seemed to have eased away. If Aelius was being truthful with [ihimself he could also use a solid days worth of sleep if his mind would allow it.

Unfortunately, while Waru definitely had good intentions with some of his questions, some of them were very much not expected and took the young man by surprise.

And thank ********, Shelly!

The woman was a savior as his brain tripped and faltered over everything Waru had asked in a span of seconds. He offered the woman a smile that may have said how much he appreciated her interruption with the look of questioning she shot back at him. He just shrugged it off and gratefully took his drink. She promised their food would be out soon and slipped away, closing the curtain behind her.

Aelius looked to his drink. A curled piece of orange rind sat delicately along the glass rim. Aelius wasted no time in toppling it off the rim and into the dark liquid below. The small stirrer that had come with the drink was utilized to muddle the drink up a bit before he sipped. The heat of the brandy was soothing on its way down. It was like a warm hug to his senses.

Waru's excitement over the umbrella was adorable. And Aelius smiled over the glass rim before he sipped again. "You drink like a frat girl." He said teasingly. Lowering the drink back tot he table he cupped the glass in his hands.

"Lex and I are still engaged. In fact, I have his ring waiting." He looked at the dark drink in his hands as he spoke. "I've had it since December actually, but it hadn't been the right time to give it to him. The mission took up so much time and then all of the research after. And now with everything else going on..." He waved a hand casually. "It hasn't felt right to give it to him yet. I want to give him something big and fun. A celebration that he deserves, but it can't happen right now."

Dragging a finger along the rim of his glass he looked back to Waru. "It's going to happen though. I promise."

"As for the rest of it..." A tired almost sad smile. "Trey and I are working on reconnecting. It's going to take some time. And home...home isn't there anymore. To be honest, I don't think I want to even see my mother and I've not asked about her. All I know is, she's doing well since coming to terms with my death." Sweet and to the point. While he could and would talk about Trey, he was not at all interested in saying anymore about his previous 'home' and the mother whom he knew he would never reacquaint with. The fact he got Trey back was a miracle itself and one he was incredibly grateful for, but he knew...knew that he wouldn't be as lucky with his mother. Perhaps it was for the best. Having her son reappear again wouldn't be an easy thing to swallow, especially with how Trey said she handled it.

"You know..." Aelius said as he lifted his glass for another sip of warmth. "I know you don't want to make much time for yourself, but finding an outlet for some of that energy of yours might be good right now. Could help you to sleep." Glass dangling from his hand he held it near its rim. "I could get you into a dance class if you want. It'll make those muscles of yours burn in a way you've never quite experienced before."

shiningamisgirl

 

[Shiningamisgirl]

“What you mean to say, is that frat girls wish they could drink like me?” and with a smile for that he was pulling blissful blue silence into his mouth, ocean water colors without the flavors, a fruity little sea of a cocktail. Waru couldn’t drink any more seriously than he could behave. Seriousness required a very specific set of circumstances and this? This didn’t merit any of that from him. Not this fancy a** space with ******** mood lighting and black-out velvet curtains any good pimp would’ve loved.

More importantly? Aelius had demanded he be ‘at ease’, so there he was, easing up, fancy umbrella in one hand and straw that was basically twisty in another pressed between his lips — a straw to protect the lipgloss he wasn’t wearing — but if he had been? He would’ve been doubly grateful to Shelly for providing it, tip worthy amounts of grateful even!

The silence on his end was distractibly companionable, his eyes wide at the mention of Eions ring, nodding briefly because it was hilariously sames— how the two of them had shot for and then overshot Christmas proposals!! We’re all of his loves gonna be spring shower bringing types? A bunch of secret Pisces, aiming for romantic snows and ending up in springy flowers interspersed with bitter colds. Waru thought March was the most emotional month — couldn’t make up its mind on what temperature or weather to ever be.

“You n me are so ******** twinned with our luck where Ei’s concerned, I swear…” softly spoken for how he believed in Aelius, believed for sure that he would manage to get a ring on their boy. He wouldn’t rush it — hadn’t rushed himself — and all the talk of mothers and brothers, he stayed rather quiet on. He didn’t know either of the brothers well enough to pry and poke more than delicately at the subject. He knew what he would’ve done — if he’d come back from the figurative dead and and finally had his family in arms reach once more. But this wasn’t a comic book, it was complicated reality with more risks than Waru could comfortably count.

So long as everyone was alive and vining? He was letting it be. He was happy for them!! Though Aelius talking about dance lessons nearly had him *choking* on coconut rum and pineapple flavoring; eyes wide with surprise for the consideration before he fell naturally into teasing — flirting — he couldn’t help himself. Even if Aelius was his friend first? Even if Helio n Faustites connection - Helio n his brothers connection — the ******** teams connections to him!! Were paramount and forefront in his mind. Came first, always. If the man was gonna talk dance lessons and sound like that —

Well Hell! How could he ignore the juicy bit of dangling bait for anything other then what he thought it was?!

“So, is this your way of saying you’re not ready to have me over for private lessons just yet? Cause — if we’re talking energy burning activities that can help me get a good nights sleep, Aelius….” trailing off into a snort of sound as he stole the cherry outta his drink n plucked it free, chewing the bright maraschino happily while he considered Aelius idea with something like genuine interest. “…dancing wouldn’t be my first choice, but ********— it seems to work for you, right! N I liked trying the modeling thing with Trey. S’good to get into another persons shoes — or out of ‘em, as the case may sometimes be.”

xKolina

 

[Kolina]

Sometimes, Aelius didn't realize he was setting himself up. His offer of dancing was brought around by genuine concern and a want to help the young man he was enjoying company with. What he hadn't expected, but should have, was Waru turning that offer into an unabashed flirt. It took Aelius by such surprise that he wondered if the heat in his face was visible in the light of their booth. He took a long drink of his brandy, nearly choking on it in his haste to try and buffer himself. "I didn't mean..." *cough* "to insinuate an" *cough* "anything like that." Another cough before he heaved in a breath managing to clear his throat.

He wiped his mouth, placing the drink on the table so he could compose himself. "You suck." He remarked, finally sure he was done with his coughing fit. He had no other come back as Waru's blatant flirting had efficiently thrown him off.

"I'll let you know when to come. It'll be a few weeks notice so no worries." He paused a moment. "You do realize what sort of dancing I am tlaking about, right?" It occured to him in that moment that his specific style of dancing, he believed, had never come up in conversation with Waru. Eion knew due to their history. Not that he couldn't or didn't dabble in other forms, but ballet was where his heart was and it was the form of dance that kept his a** in shape.

"And when did you try modeling with my brother?" Aelius would be absolutely lying if the words 'not attractive' ever flowed off his lips in conjunction with Waru's name. The man was a looker and definitely something Aelius had taken note of from the very beginning. Broad shoulder, muscles, darker toned, well kempt dreads and dark eyes? What was there not to find attractive? Honestly? Aelius was sure that, if Waru wanted it, he could begin to market himself as a professional model. Working with Trey would certainly help bolster a portfolio.

"Did you like it?" He vaguely wondered if Waru's energetic personality would help with photoshoots or hinder them. The man could be a bit...flighty at times.

shiningamisgirl

 

[Shiningamisgirl]

Waru was having a good time, sipping on his kiddie drink for the grown types while gleefully watching Aelius stutter through firewater soaked words. He was utterly bemused and enjoying every fresh cough -- the way the other mans eyes got impossibly wide -- the way that blush ran all the way down-- Waru looked smug as ********, didn't know what'd Aelius had expected when he offered up so many words that could so neatly be taken more n one way. Waru wanted to hammer on that joy button all - night - long - get himself more laughs, more smiles! Cement in his own mind a lasting image of Aelius being flustered and flushed instead of the usual emotional highs and far too severe for 'such a pretty face' looks that graced the mans features.

Couldn't be a total a** about it though -- so he sucked the dyed fruit off the end of his umbrella toothpick, stabbed n sampled each one from where it floated atop ice. Chewed through them while Aelius found his bearings and -- okay -- he'd leave how well he sucked outta the picture. Would stuff away all the innuendo laced 'I know how well I suck, but do you's?' away for another time.

There would be other time's.

Aelius had assured him of this, was promising it right now. His friendship, if nothing else -- Something Waru would take up greedily with both hands the way he took up everything else in his life.

"I do realize, I think? You cn' surprise me tho, n'it's not my fault you're so ********' easy -- every other word outta your mouth is just-- No, m'stopping, it's too easy!" the words laughed as he threw his hands up in surrender, because he wouldn't pluck the low hanging fruit today! Even if it was so low it was on the floor, then on his plate, then in his face and begging to be bitten into raw. No knives or forks in this house, how ******** ripe that fruit was...

He wouldn't've even needed to wash it before eating it all.

Whatever! He was moving on! Knew it'd be fun, that it'd be fine, that Aelius would give him the low down and a runup on everything that involved whatever sorta dancing they'd be doing, that the man was offering to give him notice was too kind! Then they were switching gears and Waru was lighting up over getting to talk about Trey again. Eager as ever to gossip about some fresh new thing that didn't live in the deep dark hole at the back of his brain where the people he loved went to die! Leaving him very much alone in the aftermath of all that dying -- it was getting to be thematic -- and he felt the distant strain of that, where it sat bone-deep and bruising just beneath his eyes; all up in his skull and unrelenting for how often a thing it seemed to be. Maybe he just had a type? The type that inevitably purified, and it wasn't ever him or his fault, and he forgave them, but that didn't really change things on his end did it?

No, it doesn't change anything. The thought was blink and you miss it gone, for how little it showed on his face. The way his brain was quietly catching fire while his lips kept moving. <********, that was -- it was before all this? Uhmn, s**t, I wanna say it was even before Faustite n I exchanged rings, n vows, n whatnot. Definitely before Trey gave me this really nice divers watch -- which came after an encounter with some blight patch in a park, but before I ******** everything up-- soooo..." Waru huffed because after awhile everything just bled together. The dates and seasons were tricky to catch hold of and maintain in one steady line of time. He marked his calendar by events more often than he did Monday-Sundays. Knew he'd have to show Aelius the watch later, for how he still coveted the piece of shiny and wore it more often than not. Though he wore it less often now for how often he was surrounded -- not by deep oceans, but by broiling fires. He knew the expensive piece of tech was durable as all hell, but even he wasn't willing to test it against Faustites flames the way they burrned currently -- especially with how often he forgot to take something off, put it on, etc.

Better to keep it tucked away in subspace where it was always on hand while not always being in danger and on display.

"There's pictures though! You should ask him for 'em sometime. Though m'sure I've got copies somewhere," spoken with joy, excitement, because he liked Trey. He really, really did. Liked him angry, liked him happy, liked dragging at the layers of such a well hidden man with his blunt little nails and pulling some new bit of excitement free every single time! Trey always ******** surprised him -- somehow -- and it was true that in the beginning his entire goal of meeting the man had been *'Shove the fire-boy at the ice-dragon and see what comes of it!'* Course Trey wasn't ice, or a half-dragon youma type (he'd checked, it turned out the horns were actually just a headband!). Guy was poisonous, evasive, stunning as ********, passionate! The type that liked to throw his power around when no one was looking. Figured that Trey had desires that went deeper n Waru had ever imagined seeing the surface of -- but of course Waru only ever dealt with people the one way; either he was all in or not in at all, and somehow, in spite of that? Trey hadn't yet beat his skull in with a rock and had him discreetly disposed of by a well paid butler -- so!!

Good things, had to be good things!

"I'll find'm for you. Share'm, you can be the judge of whether I was decent at it or not," Waru shrugged as he spoke, wondering if he was a natural, and whether or not he looked like he was posing at playing someone living another life? Waru didn't have the eye for it at all, knew how he'd felt while out there at the studio and in those snapshot moments. "I liked-- I liked spending time with Trey, seeing him in his element," the words offered up honestly, modeling had been fun! Spending time with Trey though? That was what'd brought him the most joy.

"I like -- you gotta know, I could do anything. My ex-on-the-other-side -- and I don't mean dead," and how in all the known planets and galaxies he managed to have two people who he'd dated that had ditched him for the brighter side of the moon was beyond him!? But there it was -- "but him n me? When he was here n we were an item, he dragged me out rollerblading, not my thing at all! But the way his face lit up as he watched me fall on my a** was such a beautiful thing! Watching him in his element, skilled, graceful. I liked that most of all cause s'never the activity with me, it's the people. Before I knew about you? N'tbe fair I think everyone thought you were dead? So! There I was shoving Ei' n Trey in each others direction like wrecking balls - none of which had anything to do with me disliking the event we'd found ourselves in that night. Instead it had everything to do with the fact that---" and sometimes he forgot he was talking to Trey's brother. All the words he wanted to say and how they withered because he'd made such a mess, n sure, everyone said it was a good mess -- right up until the writhing little pit of *wrong* blared nice n bright in the back of his brain like some distant fire alarm going off after the house had already burnt down.

He wanted to explain himself though, maybe? Tell Aelius how, to his eyes Trey and Eion looked so alone and like they needed someone. Two people looking to burn the world all caught up on propriety, rules, hierarchy. Trey looked frozen solid, had the meanest eyes. Faustite? ********, back then? Self-loathing rigidity, harm that wouldn't come free. Waru couldn't stand the stifling nature of it all, chaffed under imagined leashes n collars like he'd caught hives. Then threatened to piss on Fafnirs door just to get an in -- then literally pissed off Faustite -- because who needed offices or doors!?

No one. No one needed offices or doors that badly. Fafnir didn't deserve to serve under some General who hadn't seen his prowess and promoted him already!! Everyone deserved the relief found in freedom far, far more than the safety of obedience.....

He hadn't realized the whys -- that maybe disobedience n the Negaverse didn't mesh well -- but he'd met people like Jet n found that to be some past n passing phase that'd left nasty lasting imprints on members who'd been in it far longer n he had. He would've killed the people who'd done the damage. Knew he was setting fire to a horses bones n cursing it's ghost because he thought that same thought every time. It was true though. He would've, for Trey if he had any inkling of an idea about 'who' or 'what happened' or 'why's?', for Faustite (even if Schorl would've turned him into a limbless battery). Cause sometimes all he could think of were all those pissy, narrow-eyed looks and twisted, sneerful smirks. The way they didn't quite belong on either mans face -- except when they were genuine, and he loved those then!! It was when they sat like masks n defenses n he could only see the edges of hurt that needed helping, and figured himself as being the kind who'd put his foot through a door 'here's johnny' style to offer that helping loudly-- because ******** knocking, seriously.

"With the fact that I liked them---n how I need everyone to be happy. Even if that's not with me, yanno? I don't have to be the one 'making' people happy. Just kinda -- s'like a fire to warm myself by, the knowing part. So -- dancing, modeling, riding side-b***h while Trey drives his nice a** Avalon? I don't actually care -- M'game for most any of it. Question's really whether or not you'd like having me there, or if you'd hate it...." and he flicked the rest of his sentence off like it was a bug that'd been crawling injured for far too long, some wingless fly of buzzing run on and he needed to drown it by sipping his silly blue drink through his silly neon straw.

He was going to make his second drink stronger ---

He was going to order shots ---

He was -- peering at the curtain because he was not going to be surprised by Shelly a third ******** time!! His Dip n Bread senses were tingling....

Or maybe he was just hungry? The ******** had he last eaten something like a normal meal? Not that dip n bread drowned in alcohol was normal but!! Okay, it was maybe kinda normal? It was definitely food!

xKolinax