[ this is how everyone around them dies instead of each other. this is fine… sometimes sacrifices are necessary.
elysium does think of their stint with the reserves. thorns seems to have moved on fine? rationalising worst case scenarios when they pick up prorteges is deeply ill, but this is where they're at. ]
Anything we find will be together. Why not?
[ it is such a simple sentence to make, but it is so wrong at the same time. he sets down his knife to wrap his arms around thorns' waist, gently pulling him in. ]
[ thorns is doing his best not to think about it :)
but he goes with the pull easily enough, hugging him around his shoulders. it's only their first day here, so they have no real way to tell how things will go in an extended period of time. but it seems... okay?
more importantly, it looks like they managed to get away from anyone who might have been following them. not that small towns are definitely safer than a city, considering what had happened in small towns in other timelines, but they can at least learn all the faces so they can watch out for someone new. they can do it. ]
[ which is true. holding thorns in his arms is about equivalent to petting a fluffy animal. it makes everything else seem so far away and inconsequential with the world underneath him.
if only their problems started and ended with being on the run, but for the time being, they can just focus on themselves and the moment. he presses his face into thorns' hair—familiar and unfamiliar all at the same time, much like the situation they're in. ]
If anything comes up, you have to promise me you won't try to solve it alone.
[ technically, the reason that lead to them running away was elysium deciding to handle a problem by himself and he chose the absolute most extreme way to do it. thorns thinks that he needs to promise that more than thorns does...
it's funny, because he can go a while without thinking about that, and then every now and then the memory hits him. to think that elysium was once closer to them. ]
I promise. But you have to keep your eye on me. You won't blame me for not being perfect, will you? Old habits die hard.
[ another kiss to thorns' person; at least he's self-aware. this is an insane ask, but he genuinely thinks thorns should always be with him—so he can always be with thorns. it's a win-win.
he chooses this moment to knock their heads together, take a step back, and unwind to get back to the task at hand. apparently, recharging now encompasses dropping unhinged dialogue! fun. ]
[ this is all healthy and won't get them in trouble later, because absolutely nothing about this mindset can go wrong.
but thorns will also quietly finish up here. thorns isn't sure how early elysium wants to skip out. they should at least stay long enough to actually eat, since they haven't really had much since they left and honestly, it would probably be more difficult to excuse themselves if they've barely touched their plates. but he knows elysium's patience for these things is becoming thinner than thorns' these days.
probably because thorns is already used to sitting through things he doesn't care for and elysium is more used to trying to be polite about it. it's an easier adjustment for thorns than it was for elysium, who just swung wildly in the opposite direction. ]
[ it was fine when the only one paying the price for his fixation was himself. but now that he's crossed the point of no return in realising how little anything else matters, why keep pretending they do? especially after thorns has already proven that no matter how unhinged elysium gets, he's just——accepted it. thanks, buddy.
he isn't exactly quiet over dinner, but the sense of unease is there, propping up pretenses without a shred of authenticity. and while one could argue elysium's always had a sort of pretense to him, there was that baseline instinct of wanting to know people, care for them, even if their paths only crossed for a moment and were a mere footnote on a page of his journey.
to his credit, he makes it through the whole dinner. if not for himself, then for the same reason thorns has considered himself: when was the last time they had a meal? thorns needs to eat well… ]
Mm. [ he rises quietly, palms pressed to the table before straightening. the smile he wears is warm enough, slightly tired at its edges. it's meant for their hosts more than anything. ] I think it's about time we head out. This kind of thing's easy for us, so if you want it to be a regular thing just let us know. We are looking for work, heheh.
[ it earns a laugh, and since they were good and stayed the whole time the others will allow them to leave. a few ask if they don't want to have some drinks or something after, but thankfully the inn owner comments that they're likely tired from traveling and hunting all day so they should rest.
thorns just takes elysium's hand and starts to leave goodbye it's bath time ]
elysium lights up so noticeably compared to how subdued he'd been at the dinner table that it makes the others wonder if he hates them? well, no. it's a rather drastic conclusion, so they just chalk it up to him being both smitten and shy. ]
Did you want me to cook for you next time? I can ask to borrow their kitchen.
[ that's his takeaway from thorns' parting words. yeah. he just makes no comment on the dinner itself or the people, for that matter. ]
[ in any case, he doubts these people do giant feasts every single night, and thorns would not be able to handle that every single day.
off they go though! since they are going to the bath they will likely have to grab one of their very few changes of clothes... they should probably get more? but that's a problem for the upcoming days. ]
on the subject of clothes, he still hasn't figured out what to do with his rhodes jacket. when he pulls it out, he just stares at it blankly. rather than not knowing how to feel, it's more like… he doesn't know what to do. setting it on fire feels too dramatic. then, there's cutting it into pieces and throwing them away. would the act itself stir anything in him, or would it feel just as empty? it's hard to say. for now, he just shoves it back and settles for a plain black shirt. and then, his absolute favorite pastime: draping himself over thorns. ]
[ he does not comment on how long elysium spends looking at the jacket. it is an odd feeling, considering in general, elysium was a lot more involved with rhodes than thorns was, so leaving should affect him more.
but it's difficult to tell if he's completely unaffected or if he's repressing all of his other feelings on non-thorns things so hard that he'll probably snap over it one day. ]
Mmhm, before it gets too late.
[ they need to make sure they leave enough time to canoodle in bed... ]
[ there are so many things that can set him off right now don't even start ]
If it gets too late, I can just carry you back again.
[ whether either of them will actually be in the right state for that is questionable. still, elysium says it anyway, slipping his hand into thorns' to guide them the rest of the way. the hot springs are tucked away in the mountains, obscured by greenery but clearly cared for by the locals. there's a sign for them to flip and indicate it's in use, so interruptions seem unlikely.
even so, it wouldn't take much for someone to disregard it and walk in on them anyway. but who would do that?
…
he begins by helping thorns undress first. his priorities… ]
well, not all of his mental health problems that make him very unwell, but everything else. anyway, thorns will help him out by kissing him? this is likely not actually helpful and will in fact make the undressing stage take longer, but it's motivating? ]
[ they'll end up in the same place either way… or just make do with where they are now. plenty of things are cozier than the floor of a ship—like this padded floor.
and sure enough, elysium's hands wander from thorns' waistband to his face. they could be making out in the hot springs proper, but instead they're tangled up here in the changeroom. okay. they have not had a proper shower in days now after both being on the run and hunting for game… everyone who's told them they don't stink is too nice. ]
the only reason thorns manages to separate himself from elysium is the knowledge that yes, this would actually feel much better in the spring. he steals a kiss, then another one, before pulling back. ]
that's just him acting up to act up, though. so without further ado, he'll sit thorns down to rinse him off first. ]
We'll have to be careful about getting hot water in our hair. [ mumbles. black to brown really isn't anything, but he does miss thorns' original colouration… ] It isn't good for dye.
[ thinks about all the times i've had light coloured hair and killed it in a day goodbye ]
[ there are so many things to keep in mind that thorns is not going to remotely keep track of, so that will be elysium's job. is thorns putting on sunscreen? who can say.
[ can they even get sunscreen out here. they'll probably have to make trips into the town next over just for beauty hauls. not that it matters if thorns puts it on now, their morning routine is another one of elysium's favorite parts of the day. ]
Annoying, right? [ … ] Maybe in a year or two we won't have to bother.
[ they have so much other stuff to worry about in a year or two the colour of their hair should be the last of their priorities. anyway. ]
[ thorns is thinking that yeah, they will definitely be alive in a year or two! doing things!! this is definitely what is going to be happening!!
but they would likely have moved on from this town by then, in any case. even if they try to settle down more permanently at one point, making it the first place they get to is probably a bad idea. ]
[ at least, he is not immediately jumping to the conclusion that elysium is being rude. maybe he is having a delayed reaction to his fragile hair dye apparently is?
he just narrows his eyes but still settles in front of thorns anyway, obedient for now. this will determine everything… this will determine their future. it's thorns' move next after elysium has trusted him with his life.
this continues to be dramatic for no reason when they truly do have so many more important things to worry about. ]
[ elysium is desperate to cling to one thing is solely his and it is his self care routines... and thorns just comes in and sloppily stomps all over them...
listen, he maybe bad at skincare and any hair care that isn't simply putting shampoo in, but he at least knows how to take a bath. it's fine. any time elysium looks too apprehensive, thorns just pauses to think his house with his fingers.
[ the truly infuriating part is that they've washed each other perfectly fine before, but now, after one (1) incident he's suddenly acting like thorns had committed the gravest betrayal imaginable. he is innocent… kind of… no one would blame thorns for not being able to keep up.
still, thorns doesn't seem intent on terrorising him this time so he eventually eases into his touch—though, not without a few false starts, double-checking that thorns isn't plotting anything with the occasional accusatory look thrown over his shoulder.
he may be nerfed with his single-toned hair, but if he doesn't uphold his title as the sexist man on terra, then what is he? who is he?? it's his whole brand. no bully. ]
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elysium does think of their stint with the reserves. thorns seems to have moved on fine? rationalising worst case scenarios when they pick up prorteges is deeply ill, but this is where they're at. ]
Anything we find will be together. Why not?
[ it is such a simple sentence to make, but it is so wrong at the same time. he sets down his knife to wrap his arms around thorns' waist, gently pulling him in. ]
I need to recharge…
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but he goes with the pull easily enough, hugging him around his shoulders. it's only their first day here, so they have no real way to tell how things will go in an extended period of time. but it seems... okay?
more importantly, it looks like they managed to get away from anyone who might have been following them. not that small towns are definitely safer than a city, considering what had happened in small towns in other timelines, but they can at least learn all the faces so they can watch out for someone new. they can do it. ]
Tired?
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[ which is true. holding thorns in his arms is about equivalent to petting a fluffy animal. it makes everything else seem so far away and inconsequential with the world underneath him.
if only their problems started and ended with being on the run, but for the time being, they can just focus on themselves and the moment. he presses his face into thorns' hair—familiar and unfamiliar all at the same time, much like the situation they're in. ]
If anything comes up, you have to promise me you won't try to solve it alone.
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[ technically, the reason that lead to them running away was elysium deciding to handle a problem by himself and he chose the absolute most extreme way to do it. thorns thinks that he needs to promise that more than thorns does...
it's funny, because he can go a while without thinking about that, and then every now and then the memory hits him. to think that elysium was once closer to them. ]
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I promise. But you have to keep your eye on me. You won't blame me for not being perfect, will you? Old habits die hard.
[ another kiss to thorns' person; at least he's self-aware. this is an insane ask, but he genuinely thinks thorns should always be with him—so he can always be with thorns. it's a win-win.
he chooses this moment to knock their heads together, take a step back, and unwind to get back to the task at hand. apparently, recharging now encompasses dropping unhinged dialogue! fun. ]
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but thorns will also quietly finish up here. thorns isn't sure how early elysium wants to skip out. they should at least stay long enough to actually eat, since they haven't really had much since they left and honestly, it would probably be more difficult to excuse themselves if they've barely touched their plates. but he knows elysium's patience for these things is becoming thinner than thorns' these days.
probably because thorns is already used to sitting through things he doesn't care for and elysium is more used to trying to be polite about it. it's an easier adjustment for thorns than it was for elysium, who just swung wildly in the opposite direction. ]
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he isn't exactly quiet over dinner, but the sense of unease is there, propping up pretenses without a shred of authenticity. and while one could argue elysium's always had a sort of pretense to him, there was that baseline instinct of wanting to know people, care for them, even if their paths only crossed for a moment and were a mere footnote on a page of his journey.
to his credit, he makes it through the whole dinner. if not for himself, then for the same reason thorns has considered himself: when was the last time they had a meal? thorns needs to eat well… ]
Mm. [ he rises quietly, palms pressed to the table before straightening. the smile he wears is warm enough, slightly tired at its edges. it's meant for their hosts more than anything. ] I think it's about time we head out. This kind of thing's easy for us, so if you want it to be a regular thing just let us know. We are looking for work, heheh.
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[ it earns a laugh, and since they were good and stayed the whole time the others will allow them to leave. a few ask if they don't want to have some drinks or something after, but thankfully the inn owner comments that they're likely tired from traveling and hunting all day so they should rest.
thorns just takes elysium's hand and starts to leave goodbye it's bath time ]
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elysium lights up so noticeably compared to how subdued he'd been at the dinner table that it makes the others wonder if he hates them? well, no. it's a rather drastic conclusion, so they just chalk it up to him being both smitten and shy. ]
Did you want me to cook for you next time? I can ask to borrow their kitchen.
[ that's his takeaway from thorns' parting words. yeah. he just makes no comment on the dinner itself or the people, for that matter. ]
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[ in any case, he doubts these people do giant feasts every single night, and thorns would not be able to handle that every single day.
off they go though! since they are going to the bath they will likely have to grab one of their very few changes of clothes... they should probably get more? but that's a problem for the upcoming days. ]
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[ he doesn't sound offended, though?
on the subject of clothes, he still hasn't figured out what to do with his rhodes jacket. when he pulls it out, he just stares at it blankly. rather than not knowing how to feel, it's more like… he doesn't know what to do. setting it on fire feels too dramatic. then, there's cutting it into pieces and throwing them away. would the act itself stir anything in him, or would it feel just as empty? it's hard to say. for now, he just shoves it back and settles for a plain black shirt. and then, his absolute favorite pastime: draping himself over thorns. ]
Ready?
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but it's difficult to tell if he's completely unaffected or if he's repressing all of his other feelings on non-thorns things so hard that he'll probably snap over it one day. ]
Mmhm, before it gets too late.
[ they need to make sure they leave enough time to canoodle in bed... ]
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If it gets too late, I can just carry you back again.
[ whether either of them will actually be in the right state for that is questionable. still, elysium says it anyway, slipping his hand into thorns' to guide them the rest of the way. the hot springs are tucked away in the mountains, obscured by greenery but clearly cared for by the locals. there's a sign for them to flip and indicate it's in use, so interruptions seem unlikely.
even so, it wouldn't take much for someone to disregard it and walk in on them anyway. but who would do that?
…
he begins by helping thorns undress first. his priorities… ]
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[ he's so funny
well, not all of his mental health problems that make him very unwell, but everything else. anyway, thorns will help him out by kissing him? this is likely not actually helpful and will in fact make the undressing stage take longer, but it's motivating? ]
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[ they'll end up in the same place either way… or just make do with where they are now. plenty of things are cozier than the floor of a ship—like this padded floor.
and sure enough, elysium's hands wander from thorns' waistband to his face. they could be making out in the hot springs proper, but instead they're tangled up here in the changeroom. okay. they have not had a proper shower in days now after both being on the run and hunting for game… everyone who's told them they don't stink is too nice. ]
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the only reason thorns manages to separate himself from elysium is the knowledge that yes, this would actually feel much better in the spring. he steals a kiss, then another one, before pulling back. ]
We can go wash up and get into the bath...
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[ pulls thorns back for another kiss. brat.
that's just him acting up to act up, though. so without further ado, he'll sit thorns down to rinse him off first. ]
We'll have to be careful about getting hot water in our hair. [ mumbles. black to brown really isn't anything, but he does miss thorns' original colouration… ] It isn't good for dye.
[ thinks about all the times i've had light coloured hair and killed it in a day goodbye ]
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[ there are so many things to keep in mind that thorns is not going to remotely keep track of, so that will be elysium's job. is thorns putting on sunscreen? who can say.
but he sits still as elysium works... ]
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Annoying, right? [ … ] Maybe in a year or two we won't have to bother.
[ they have so much other stuff to worry about in a year or two the colour of their hair should be the last of their priorities. anyway. ]
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[ thorns is thinking that yeah, they will definitely be alive in a year or two! doing things!! this is definitely what is going to be happening!!
but they would likely have moved on from this town by then, in any case. even if they try to settle down more permanently at one point, making it the first place they get to is probably a bad idea. ]
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…
elysium eyes him warily, like he's not entirely sure if he should trust him? hm. ]
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[ at least, he is not immediately jumping to the conclusion that elysium is being rude. maybe he is having a delayed reaction to his fragile hair dye apparently is?
make a move... ]
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he just narrows his eyes but still settles in front of thorns anyway, obedient for now. this will determine everything… this will determine their future. it's thorns' move next after elysium has trusted him with his life.
this continues to be dramatic for no reason when they truly do have so many more important things to worry about. ]
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listen, he maybe bad at skincare and any hair care that isn't simply putting shampoo in, but he at least knows how to take a bath. it's fine. any time elysium looks too apprehensive, thorns just pauses to think his house with his fingers.
baby..... ]
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still, thorns doesn't seem intent on terrorising him this time so he eventually eases into his touch—though, not without a few false starts, double-checking that thorns isn't plotting anything with the occasional accusatory look thrown over his shoulder.
he may be nerfed with his single-toned hair, but if he doesn't uphold his title as the sexist man on terra, then what is he? who is he?? it's his whole brand. no bully. ]
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