[ he opens his mouth to reply, but the sound of another vehicle approaching makes him pause. a potential ride? thorns is going to let elysium handle this because he might piss them off some how, why is he so bad at dealing with people to get them to do stuff.
if he had replied, it would have only been to agree, because as long as elysium remains okay then thorns will find no issues with their current way of living. and everything has been going okay so far. but that's ignoring the fact that all the other times, things were going okay until they very much weren't. ]
[ he's going to violently explode without treatment and highlight the futility of their struggle, clearly. with that, no amount of going back in time will fix anything—unless they, or thorns, decides to be even more unhinged and take things further and nth time.
anyway, seeing people out and about is probably a strange sight, especially with thorns draped across his back. when the passerby slows to check what's wrong, elysium smoothly takes over the talking. it makes thorns look shy, so elysium spins a story: they're elopees from iberia, travelling the world and hoping to settle in yan after hearing about its idyllic countryside life.
he explains with a smile that his husband is exhausted from the long journey, which earns them a laugh, and adds that they're both looking for work. the man isn't sure if they have anything available, but remarks that two able-bodied men shouldn't have trouble finding plenty in their village.
soon enough, they're climbing onto the back of his tractor. elysium grins as he eases thorns down carefully, then leans his weight against him as he plops beside him. he did so well? he did so well! he brims with pleased energy. ]
[ thorns is really being painted as the frail uke here...
well, he cannot argue, so he just nods his head when it's appropriate to and gives one word answers when someone asks him something specifically. he does give the impression of a shy maiden this way... once they're both settled, he groans, pressing his face against elysium's shoulder. ]
the nicknames in iberian are, but they are not understandable to people who don't speak the language, and they are trying to pass off as people who are normal and married. ]
Love. I like that one, too. How about I just keep changing yours, see if I can keep you on your toes?
[ not that it means much when he likes anything thorns gives him simply because it's from thorns. but it's still endearing that of all choices, that's the one he's settled on. elysium tips his head back onto thorns' shoulder in overblown dramatics, kicking his feet out and almost cooing in contentment.
the driver remarks on what lovebirds they are, and to that, elysium only laughs. ]
It sounds like it's time to pick up Yanese while we're at it. [ over his shoulder: ] Hey! What do the people in Yan call their spouses?
[ please put elysium down he is sooo en route to becoming the local wifeguy ]
[ thinks about how thorns will also have to come up with a convincing excuse for why his arm is fucked up tears up there is so much that can go wrong. ]
What? Conversation keeps things lively.
[ the farmer agrees, remarking that the village could use more young people to brighten the atmosphere. life in the city is simply more glamourous and offers more job opportunities, but when you've come from iberia, nearly anything feels elevated by comparison. elysium doesn't say that aloud; instead, he notes that the countryside has its own charm—and very quickly he's winning this guy over.
the farmer mentions having books for elysium if he's serious about learning, to which elysium says—of course he is, nudging thorns for emphasis. ]
It'll be fun to learn something together. Who do you think will master it first? Me or you?
[ either they share everything or they're willing to do anything* for each other anyway so coming up with dares might be one of the hardest things to do in their existence.
he very confidently and gently laces their fingers together. ]
We have to do anything the other says for a week.
[ *i'd say anything within reason and outside of reason, but the things they refuse to do are genuinely so stupid they exist outside the scope of reason itself. thorns already knows this is bound to end in regret. ]
[ it's so funny because they are now willing to let so many things slide that they would have been against in earlier timelines, however every now and then something still pops up where they have to put their foot down and would only give in after a lot of whining, like the hair dye situation. ]
[ if not slide, there are so many questionable things they just wholeheartedly accept now. who knew it'd be so easy for them to abandon everything they knew and retire into the countryside? ]
How should we define 'master'? Being able to hold a conversation with a local?
never mind. he realises the inherent flaw in this and decides it's one of those things better abandoned than pursued. the irony is that if he were even a little more normal, he'd want to encourage thorns to talk to others and make a genuine effort at defining the scope of a conversation with another person…
he does want thorns to get along with the locals, but only so they can seamlessly adapt into the community, not because he thinks thorns needs friends. he has elysium, and that's enough. it's fine if he happens makes friends, but does he need them…? no…… he has a moment of self-awareness where he's like 'ah this is pretty fucked up' but he cannot bring himself to do anything about these feelings, so? whatever. ]
Scrap that. How about we pick a day where we speak exclusively in the language? First one to slip up loses.
[ well, at least he is aware it's fucked up, which is somehow still a step up than not. is it good? probably not. but the moment all of their self-awareness dies is the day there is literally no going back from any of this.
he considers the terms, and then nods. ]
What's the end date?
[ this will also determine how long they plan to stay here for. ]
[ so what you're saying is you want the cage end to be real. like they aren't already in a metaphorical cage, a physical cage can happen too, i guess
but the way i need to dissociate from them learning chinese in a handful of months… immersion just goes that hard… ]
We'll have to see what kind of work we can find. From there… I don't know. Whenever it feels right? If you aren't down for that, you come up with one.
[ basically, when it feels like they can move on or if they want to decide to stay… being good at yan's language does open up more opportunities for them they wouldn't have had before deeper into the countryside. they're still technically a short car ride's away from the nearest city and towns. ]
[ they're just... so good at learning... tears up...
thorns just wants to hang out anywhere that elysium might seem happy at. in the end, they likely cannot permanently plop down somewhere because then whoever might want to strangle them will definitely find them.
but it's a nice thought. ]
Yeah, we'll see. I think you'd look cute taking care of a home until then.
[ likelier is them having to move to get elysium treatment then finding a new place to temporarily settle when his symptoms recede. watching the anime reminded me how bad the discrimination was the recent conflicts are so much more than just oripathy… wipes tears
but it really is a nice thought to have—a place where they'd both be able to permanently put down their roots. alas. even in their ideal hermitage situation they'd still need to make the occasional pilgrimage for aforementioned reasons. ]
And whose home would I be taking care of exactly? [ THEY'RE HOMELESS!! ] I didn't know you had this kind of side to you, mi luz. Naughty, naughty…
[ their loving home that doesn't actually exist... well, elysium is his home, so anywhere they sit down at would be one by extension. who needs four walls around you when there's two arms you can be held by instead?
thorns will just cover elysium's mouth with his hand, like he is admonishing him for acting up in public. in reality he does not care that much, but it's still fun to tease him. ]
thorns does not take his hand off. however he does adjust its position just enough so that he can subtle stick the ends of his finger into elysium's mouth.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
if he had replied, it would have only been to agree, because as long as elysium remains okay then thorns will find no issues with their current way of living. and everything has been going okay so far. but that's ignoring the fact that all the other times, things were going okay until they very much weren't. ]
no subject
anyway, seeing people out and about is probably a strange sight, especially with thorns draped across his back. when the passerby slows to check what's wrong, elysium smoothly takes over the talking. it makes thorns look shy, so elysium spins a story: they're elopees from iberia, travelling the world and hoping to settle in yan after hearing about its idyllic countryside life.
he explains with a smile that his husband is exhausted from the long journey, which earns them a laugh, and adds that they're both looking for work. the man isn't sure if they have anything available, but remarks that two able-bodied men shouldn't have trouble finding plenty in their village.
soon enough, they're climbing onto the back of his tractor. elysium grins as he eases thorns down carefully, then leans his weight against him as he plops beside him. he did so well? he did so well! he brims with pleased energy. ]
no subject
well, he cannot argue, so he just nods his head when it's appropriate to and gives one word answers when someone asks him something specifically. he does give the impression of a shy maiden this way... once they're both settled, he groans, pressing his face against elysium's shoulder. ]
Should I call you dear? Honey? Hubby?
[ he means in front of other people... ]
no subject
elysium reaches over to ruffle thorns' hair. ]
What feels the most natural? Being convincing's the most important part.
no subject
the nicknames in iberian are, but they are not understandable to people who don't speak the language, and they are trying to pass off as people who are normal and married. ]
Love.
[ sorry. he just likes to say that word. ]
no subject
[ not that it means much when he likes anything thorns gives him simply because it's from thorns. but it's still endearing that of all choices, that's the one he's settled on. elysium tips his head back onto thorns' shoulder in overblown dramatics, kicking his feet out and almost cooing in contentment.
the driver remarks on what lovebirds they are, and to that, elysium only laughs. ]
It sounds like it's time to pick up Yanese while we're at it. [ over his shoulder: ] Hey! What do the people in Yan call their spouses?
[ please put elysium down he is sooo en route to becoming the local wifeguy ]
no subject
but it really is amazing how they can seem just like any other regular couple if they ignore literally everything they brought them to this moment. ]
Stop bothering them.
[ the farmer just thinks it's funny... what a cute pair... ]
no subject
What? Conversation keeps things lively.
[ the farmer agrees, remarking that the village could use more young people to brighten the atmosphere. life in the city is simply more glamourous and offers more job opportunities, but when you've come from iberia, nearly anything feels elevated by comparison. elysium doesn't say that aloud; instead, he notes that the countryside has its own charm—and very quickly he's winning this guy over.
the farmer mentions having books for elysium if he's serious about learning, to which elysium says—of course he is, nudging thorns for emphasis. ]
It'll be fun to learn something together. Who do you think will master it first? Me or you?
no subject
[ he answers so quickly and confidently that it makes the farmer laugh. it sounds like a joke but thorns is so serious about it...
but he then adds on, ]
You'll be a very close second place.
[ there is only two of them. ]
no subject
[ the farmer's just like woah… this guy's more lively than he seems? now a whole village gets to be witness to their antics. ]
Shall we bet on it?
no subject
[ it cannot be money or possessions because they share everything...
he reaches over to grab elysium's hand... shyly... ]
no subject
he very confidently and gently laces their fingers together. ]
We have to do anything the other says for a week.
[ *i'd say anything within reason and outside of reason, but the things they refuse to do are genuinely so stupid they exist outside the scope of reason itself. thorns already knows this is bound to end in regret. ]
no subject
... okay. Deal.
[ a terrible bet has been made. ]
no subject
How should we define 'master'? Being able to hold a conversation with a local?
[ thorns is going to have to be social… ]
no subject
[ it's a difference between just exchanging a few words or having a lengthy talk with someone. one is much easier than the other...
this is stupid. ]
no subject
never mind. he realises the inherent flaw in this and decides it's one of those things better abandoned than pursued. the irony is that if he were even a little more normal, he'd want to encourage thorns to talk to others and make a genuine effort at defining the scope of a conversation with another person…
he does want thorns to get along with the locals, but only so they can seamlessly adapt into the community, not because he thinks thorns needs friends. he has elysium, and that's enough. it's fine if he happens makes friends, but does he need them…? no…… he has a moment of self-awareness where he's like 'ah this is pretty fucked up' but he cannot bring himself to do anything about these feelings, so? whatever. ]
Scrap that. How about we pick a day where we speak exclusively in the language? First one to slip up loses.
no subject
he considers the terms, and then nods. ]
What's the end date?
[ this will also determine how long they plan to stay here for. ]
no subject
but the way i need to dissociate from them learning chinese in a handful of months… immersion just goes that hard… ]
We'll have to see what kind of work we can find. From there… I don't know. Whenever it feels right? If you aren't down for that, you come up with one.
[ basically, when it feels like they can move on or if they want to decide to stay… being good at yan's language does open up more opportunities for them they wouldn't have had before deeper into the countryside. they're still technically a short car ride's away from the nearest city and towns. ]
no subject
thorns just wants to hang out anywhere that elysium might seem happy at. in the end, they likely cannot permanently plop down somewhere because then whoever might want to strangle them will definitely find them.
but it's a nice thought. ]
Yeah, we'll see. I think you'd look cute taking care of a home until then.
no subject
but it really is a nice thought to have—a place where they'd both be able to permanently put down their roots. alas. even in their ideal hermitage situation they'd still need to make the occasional pilgrimage for aforementioned reasons. ]
And whose home would I be taking care of exactly? [ THEY'RE HOMELESS!! ] I didn't know you had this kind of side to you, mi luz. Naughty, naughty…
no subject
thorns flicks elysium's nose with his fingers. ]
You're the naughty one.
no subject
Who's trying to pawn off who to other people, huh? That's far from the kind of show I want to put on for you.
[ elysium forgetting the existence of the farmer. anytime now they're going to clear their throat and say something about kids these days. ]
no subject
thorns will just cover elysium's mouth with his hand, like he is admonishing him for acting up in public. in reality he does not care that much, but it's still fun to tease him. ]
You prove my point.
no subject
he is going to prove it further by sticking his tongue out and licking into his palm. okay. ]
no subject
thorns does not take his hand off. however he does adjust its position just enough so that he can subtle stick the ends of his finger into elysium's mouth.
hell. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...