Incharacter inbox:

[hottestrogue]

Comments

Re: [Private]

[hottestrogue]

I didn't say it wasn't, just that I don't assume it is

[Private]

[chillestrogue]

Maybe I haven't been clear. It is.

I'm surprised you're public about it, that's all.

Re: [Private]

[hottestrogue]

[ He takes a breath. ]
It is not like it is a secret that you're important to me. By now everyone knows that thanks to there not being any secrets on the Barge. And... Well, I am tired of pretending it is a deadly secret.

[Private]

[chillestrogue]

Sorry. Just not used to seeing it in black and white like that.

Re: [Private]

[hottestrogue]

I can make it private if it bothers you.

[Private]

[chillestrogue]

It's fine. It's different, not bad.

Re: [Private]

[hottestrogue]

A lot of things are different here.

How much fun would it be to go get a bunch of candy for the kids that have never tried it? Make an obstacle course in the Enclosure and then bet on who wins?

[Private]

[chillestrogue]

You're trying to change the subject.

Re: [Private]

[hottestrogue]

Is there any more that need to be said?

[Private]

[chillestrogue]

Is anyone giving you grief about us?

Re: [Private]

[hottestrogue]

No. Nobody cares. Don't know why we hid all those years.

[Private]

[chillestrogue]

No one cares now. It was a little different thirty years ago.

Re: [Private]

[hottestrogue]

True. But we're not open about it now, are we? Here on the barge yes, but back home?

[Private]

[chillestrogue]

Back home, I'm dead and you're in and out of both prison and time.

Re: [Private]

[hottestrogue]

[ That's enough to make him fall silent. He had managed to forget, he hadn't wanted to remember. Then he nods. ]

Yeah.

[Private]

[chillestrogue]

I just don't want you to be targeted when I'm not there.

Re: [Private]

[hottestrogue]

Nobody is going to target me, Len. They are all scared of me.

[Private] cw; homophobic slurs

[chillestrogue]

Are they still going to be scared when you show up back to town and word gets out that Heatwave is a fag-loving fairy?

[It sounds strange and uncomfortable to be using the same words that Len's dad used on him, but he has to press, just a little, to know if Mick's going to be able to reign in his temper and consider the situation without him around to strategize]

Re: [Private] cw; homophobic slurs

[hottestrogue]

[ Mick's eyes flare in anger. He knows exactly who used to use those words and that infuriates him more than the words themselves. It is not that they don't sting, they do, but Len sounding like his dad. His dad who is one of the reasons it took them thirty years and Len fucking dying to admit they actually love each other.

But he grits his teeth and looks away. ]

Then I'll remind them why they should be scared and show them that loving you has made me anything but weak.

[chillestrogue]

[It's difficult for those who might not know him, but Mick's been around Len long enough to know when he feels emotionally affected. Now is one of those times; he holds his breath, going a little still, pupils dilating. Finally he nods back, glancing down at his hands tapping against his knees]

Right. You're right.

Guess I'm stuck in the past in more ways than one.

[hottestrogue]

[ Mick knows Len well enough to know he is affected. But he isn't sure if it is the act of saying those words, Mick's response or if Mick failed some sort of test that caused it. He shakes his head and moves to get up and to go find Len. He hopes Len is in his room. He knocks on the door before he comes in. ]

Len?

[chillestrogue]

[Len doesn't move from his room when he sees Mick go to find him. Instead, he slithers off his chair and goes to sit by the window, crammed tight in on himself, watching the stars drift by.

He glances over when Mick walks in the room, head canted to one side]

[hottestrogue]

[ Mick takes a breath when he sees Len like that. He knows that look too. It means Len's lost in his thoughts, could be for hours. But at least he seems to notice Micking coming inside. He takes a moment to look around the room and then walks over, crouching himself down so that he is looking up at Len, not looming over him. And he reaches out to put a hand on his arm. Every movement is slow, obvious. ]

Len.

[chillestrogue]

[Mick's going to be okay. He has to keep telling himself that in his own head. He's going to be all right.

In one motion, Len pushes off the window and turns, cat-like, in mid step to fall into Mick and kiss him]

[hottestrogue]

[ Mick blinks in surprise. That wasn't what he expected at all, but he catches Len easily and kisses him back. For a few breaths that is all there is in the world, Len in his arms, kissing him. All that matters. Then he pulls back, licking his lips and looking at Len. ]

What's going on?