[Week 1 Afterparty] Now kid, I know I haven't been a perfect man

[nothingbadeverhappensto]

That all sure fucking happened, didn't it?

Again, Leon walks out of the crypt with blood on him that is not his, and it's absolutely no comfort that he didn't even get the worst of it this time. He spends longer than he means to washing it off in the bathroom sink, going over and over and over things in his mind, before gravitating towards the kitchen to see if Luis is looking to play host to another wake. When he doesn't find him, Leon decides he might as well try to put something together himself.

Thankfully for him and also everyone in attendance, he gets plenty of help. Otto, Garry, Yuri, Lortel, and Shauna all lend a hand in the kitchen, which leaves dragging the furniture from the library back into the sitting room to him. Before long they've got a spread of snacks and drinks - better than he would've probably done on his own, having planned to make something that could be eaten quickly to efficiently replenish energy after a whole day spent arguing as opposed to like. Something tasty.

Once it's all set up, he'll go scouting around the now considerably more sensibly laid out house, knocking on doors and telling people that dinner's ready in the sitting room. Once he's at least told everyone he could find, he'll be standing guard/being a wallflower in there. Second verse, same as the first.

Comments

[selfreliar]

Not that you know of.

[She might not say that if she knew what he'd been up to on that cliff. Or how he's spent the last fifteen years of his life. This isn't the time to share, though.

He keeps rubbing her back, smooth and rhythmic.]

Do you want to talk about it?

[richesse]

Pedant. You’ve been nothing but a perfect gentleman to me.

[ leans all the way into him, comforted by his warmth and stability. By his still-beating heart. ]

… not really. Do you think … it would help?

[selfreliar]

...It's supposed to.

[Aqua, of course, can't speak from experience on this particular topic.]

[richesse]

[ even with her face still tear-stained, she quietly laughs ]

Oh~? I’m sensing some hypocrisy, Aqua.

[ shifts a little, getting as comfortable as she pleases. ]

… I’ve seen a lot of things, but this much gruesome death is … it’s taking more of a toll than I expected. That’s all.

[selfreliar]

Death should be something that takes a toll.

[She gets comfortable in his arms, and he raises his hand again to stroke her hair.]

It's just my opinion. But as someone who knows how hard and precious life is, I... want it to hit hard. When it ends so brutally... it should matter to those who are left.

[richesse]

… you’re right, of course. I suppose I never really had the luxury of thinking about it like this, before. While I was growing up. At times all I could do was just try to survive.

[ glances at him.

as if inexorably drawn, Lortel tilts her head up and presses a light, even shy kiss to his jawline. ]

Thank you for taking care of me.

[selfreliar]

[His eyes blink open wide.

For all that his career has depended on his body, Aqua's used to a certain kind of untouchable distance. Lortel's lips touch warm, soft skin, and the solid, living, vulnerable creature underneath.

His hand halts, then rests where it's stopped between her shoulder blades. He shifts his face slightly, pressing his nose just as lightly into her hair.]

This is part of trying to survive, too. Just a different one.

[richesse]

[ her heart races when he noses at her hair; it feels so fast and loud that surely it must beat out of her chest, or be somehow audible to Aqua. Nevertheless she drinks in his closeness and attention like a parched flower that’s finally seen some rain.

Is this, too, simply part of their deal, or…

Feeling shy, she tucks her face into the crook of his neck. ]

It’s helping, [ she murmurs. ]

[selfreliar]

[Then, pressed where she is, Lortel might notice that his own heart beats faster in his throat when they're this close.

Hoshino Aquamarine is not a stone.

Without letting her go, he leans them both back to rest against the wall, additional support when there's so much tearing down at them.]

...Me too.

[It helps to have someone to hold.]

[richesse]

[ she feels it. through his skin, she can feel that kicked-up heartbeat. Her own pulse quickens in return.

Leaning back a little, Lortel lifts her hands to cup his face. ]

What would I do without you?

[selfreliar]

[That doesn't make his heart slow down.

Keeping it off his face as much as he can, Aqua studies hers--studies, putting aside the shape of her eyes and the smooth curves of her cheeks to search for pain she's still burying, still-hidden wounds.]

You? I think you'd manage.

[But she's so soft and small in his arms. After a beat, he adds in a gentler, lower voice:]

Not that you should have to. Or will have to.

[As he said: he's here.]

[richesse]

[ she hums a laugh. ]

You’re right. Of course I would manage. [ one of her thumbs skates over his cheekbone. ] I’m just glad I don’t have to.

[ she lets go of him and simply leans into his embrace instead, feeling much calmer now. She’s even stopped crying. Aqua seems to have a knack for making her feel … safe. ]

[selfreliar]

[As she nestles in, Aqua lets his gaze flit upwards and away. Absently, he reaches towards his face without quite touching it, like he can't bring himself to disturb the way her touch lingers there.]

Mm.

[He'll stay there for as long as she likes, his arms around her, their hearts beating, beating.]