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draino2024-09-07 10:00 am
saltburnmods) wrote in draino2024-09-07 10:00 am
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π πππ'π ππππππππ ππππ πππππππππ ππππ β£ SEPT TDM
SEPTEMBER 2024 TDM: LUGHNASADH
Welcome to SALTBURNT, a panfandom smut/thriller game based off the film Saltburn, where characters are encouraged to indulge their deepest desires. The money never runs out and the liquor never stops pouring, so you may as well indulge from the bounty. Of course, things are rarely what they seem, and the manor itself seems to have a consciousness of its own. Throw parties, trash the house, engage in youthful merriment, but remember β dangers come out at night, and no one, no matter how rich you are, is safe from demons lurking in the shadows.
Threads can be considered game canon, provided the players agree. Players can also start fresh upon acceptance into the game. In game characters can post to the TDM directly, using Β« NEW CHARACTER/IN GAMEΒ» in the header. There will be a spot below for new characters to link their toplevels for easy access. Alternatively, prompts on the Test Drive can be used for in game logs.
WELCOME TO SALTBURNT
It's the hangover more than the light streaming in through half drawn curtains that wakes you up, your brain rattling in your skull, your mouth dry and cottony, your stomach churning with whatever it is you drank last night. If self preservation is your strong suit, you might turn over in bed and see a few painkillers laid out for you on a silver dish, accompanied by a glass of water. If it isnβt, stay in bed and wallow β eventually a maid will be in to tear your curtains open, saying, "Breakfast is served," and scurrying out quietly, invisibly. Breakfast? Maybe itβs normal for you. Maybe it isnβt.
You're drawn from the room, either by the mystery, or an undefinable urge that could be supernatural in origin, or could be your hunger catching up to you. It's almost nostalgic, the walk to the dining room β have you been here before? Were you drawn up to this estate in a car? Havenβt you done all this already? Maybe you mosey around a library, maybe you run into your suite mate in your adjoining bathroom. Regardless, seemingly all hallways, covered in priceless artworks and ancient relics from times long past, lead to the dining room, where a comically long table houses the Balfours and their many guests, some who seem just as disgruntled and confused as you. No matter. "Breakfast will be out in a minute," they say. What's that?
EDIT SEPTEMBER 2024: For those who have attended breakfast with the Balfours before, a change in routine might come as a shock, given how rarely they stray from form. However, as of September, CARMY BERZATTO has taken over Head Chef position, alongside his cousin RICHIE JERIMOVICH and always the bridesmaid never the bride, SANJI. In place of the self-serve style breakfast, there is an elevated menu, including: a self-serve juice bar, with pitchers of various juiced fruit and vegetables, shaved ice, coconut water, green and black tea syrups, potted microherbs, sliced whole berries, and finger limes. There is also, naturally, liquor and champagne available. Guests can make their own drinks, or ask the allocated staff member to serve them one of the "specials" if they're feeling adventurous.
πππ πππππ: one runny boiled egg shelled and recoated in edible gold leaf, seated on a throne of fried bread soldiers, plated with whipped butter and italian parsley.
ππππ ππππππππ: vinegar poached eggs with hollandaise foam on a bed of toasted freekah and baby spinach.
ππππ πππππππππππ: two eggs poached in a ramekin of pureed tomato, served with a crispy grilled cheese cut to dip.
πππ ππππππ: french omelette with a light cheese filling, topped with crushed potato chips and chives.
ππππ π πππππππππ: fluffy scrambled eggs in brown butter, served on sourdough.
πππππππ ππππ: mini-quiche made with caramelized red onions and jamon pata negra ham.
πππ ππππππππππ: bacon, egg, cheese and sausage breakfast muffin that tastes weirdly like it was made at a popular chain with golden arches.
β momofuku's "cereal milk" β
β fette biscottate with a sour cherry jam and peanut floss β
β a warm cinnamon bun served with a shot of espresso coffee for dipping β
β a macadamia-marzipan croissant with a wattleseed and burnt-honey filling β
β poffertjes with a liquid nutella injection β
If you want to leave, youβll have to tell Giles, the housekeeper, who will arrange a car for you that mysteriously, or perhaps suspiciously, never arrives. Unfortunately, confronting Giles about it is near impossible, as heβs as good at being invisible as the rest of the house staff. Of course, thereβs no reason why you canβt just walk out. The front gates are easy enough to jump over, even if the walk towards them gives you a strange sense of foreboding, or just outright discomfort, as if the ground itself doesnβt want you to leave. Those more sensitive or fragile might find they canβt make the jump, no matter how physically able, or desperately wanting. Still, a strong person could continue on, over the fence and into the lush English countryside. The feeling doesnβt dissipate, though β this sense of wrongness, almost sickness, like a weight on your back. Walk into the evergreen, carry on, but the strongest will make it perhaps a mile or so before the weight of dread and paranoia brings you to your knees, and then to your face, flat in the middle of a dirt road. What were you thinking? Is this really better?
Wake up with a hangover, in a bed, the curtains drawn, the maid saying, "Breakfast is served," before scurrying out. The painkillers are there, just like you remember. In fact, itβs all exactly how you remember, as if you never left an imprint the first time, or any mess you made was cleared away while your back was turned. Walk to the dining room, find everyone there eating away at their breakfast.
"We dress for dinner," says Portia, with a kind, if discerning smile. "Black tie."
You're drawn from the room, either by the mystery, or an undefinable urge that could be supernatural in origin, or could be your hunger catching up to you. It's almost nostalgic, the walk to the dining room β have you been here before? Were you drawn up to this estate in a car? Havenβt you done all this already? Maybe you mosey around a library, maybe you run into your suite mate in your adjoining bathroom. Regardless, seemingly all hallways, covered in priceless artworks and ancient relics from times long past, lead to the dining room, where a comically long table houses the Balfours and their many guests, some who seem just as disgruntled and confused as you. No matter. "Breakfast will be out in a minute," they say. What's that?
EDIT SEPTEMBER 2024: For those who have attended breakfast with the Balfours before, a change in routine might come as a shock, given how rarely they stray from form. However, as of September, CARMY BERZATTO has taken over Head Chef position, alongside his cousin RICHIE JERIMOVICH and always the bridesmaid never the bride, SANJI. In place of the self-serve style breakfast, there is an elevated menu, including: a self-serve juice bar, with pitchers of various juiced fruit and vegetables, shaved ice, coconut water, green and black tea syrups, potted microherbs, sliced whole berries, and finger limes. There is also, naturally, liquor and champagne available. Guests can make their own drinks, or ask the allocated staff member to serve them one of the "specials" if they're feeling adventurous.
That said, these are world class chefs, so the gold is really in the menu:
THE EGGS
πππ πππππ: one runny boiled egg shelled and recoated in edible gold leaf, seated on a throne of fried bread soldiers, plated with whipped butter and italian parsley.
ππππ ππππππππ: vinegar poached eggs with hollandaise foam on a bed of toasted freekah and baby spinach.
ππππ πππππππππππ: two eggs poached in a ramekin of pureed tomato, served with a crispy grilled cheese cut to dip.
πππ ππππππ: french omelette with a light cheese filling, topped with crushed potato chips and chives.
ππππ π πππππππππ: fluffy scrambled eggs in brown butter, served on sourdough.
πππππππ ππππ: mini-quiche made with caramelized red onions and jamon pata negra ham.
πππ ππππππππππ: bacon, egg, cheese and sausage breakfast muffin that tastes weirdly like it was made at a popular chain with golden arches.
THE SWEETS
β fette biscottate with a sour cherry jam and peanut floss β
β a warm cinnamon bun served with a shot of espresso coffee for dipping β
β a macadamia-marzipan croissant with a wattleseed and burnt-honey filling β
β poffertjes with a liquid nutella injection β
If you want to leave, youβll have to tell Giles, the housekeeper, who will arrange a car for you that mysteriously, or perhaps suspiciously, never arrives. Unfortunately, confronting Giles about it is near impossible, as heβs as good at being invisible as the rest of the house staff. Of course, thereβs no reason why you canβt just walk out. The front gates are easy enough to jump over, even if the walk towards them gives you a strange sense of foreboding, or just outright discomfort, as if the ground itself doesnβt want you to leave. Those more sensitive or fragile might find they canβt make the jump, no matter how physically able, or desperately wanting. Still, a strong person could continue on, over the fence and into the lush English countryside. The feeling doesnβt dissipate, though β this sense of wrongness, almost sickness, like a weight on your back. Walk into the evergreen, carry on, but the strongest will make it perhaps a mile or so before the weight of dread and paranoia brings you to your knees, and then to your face, flat in the middle of a dirt road. What were you thinking? Is this really better?
Wake up with a hangover, in a bed, the curtains drawn, the maid saying, "Breakfast is served," before scurrying out. The painkillers are there, just like you remember. In fact, itβs all exactly how you remember, as if you never left an imprint the first time, or any mess you made was cleared away while your back was turned. Walk to the dining room, find everyone there eating away at their breakfast.
"We dress for dinner," says Portia, with a kind, if discerning smile. "Black tie."
ITSY BITSY TEENIE WEENIE
CONTENT WARNINGS: drugs, alcohol, nudity, potential for nsfw.
POOLSIDE PLAYLIST courtesy of Robin
It's an innocent enough, offhand suggestion from the mouth of one (1) DIARMUID about wanting to learn how to paint, and honestly, the house couldn't agree more: a party is necessary. As August winds down, it's important to go out with a bang, and what better way than through an explosive end of summer pool party? To say goodbye to the waning summer nights, the manor is throwing a pool party with an artistic neon twist. Per the growing complications of everyone's relationship status in this new age of bisexuality, polygamy, and pegging, glow-in-the-dark bracelets with matching solo cups have been set out with the appropriate labels βΒ TAKEN, SINGLE, OPEN, and IT'S COMPLICATED, depending on your interest. Lounge by the water in your cutest bikini or trunks or nothing at all and engage in some very relaxing full-body painting using the supplies provided β that is, the paint is supplied, though brushes and sponges are few and far between. Better just to use your own body to paint your masterpiece. Put yourself on display as a model by the pool, or engage in a brutally competitive game of chicken fights, wherein the loser loses their clothes and the winner gets to keep them.
Not your style? Sneak off somewhere more private like the twinkling gardens illuminated with multicolored tiki lamps, lakeside decorated with bio-luminescent rocks, or the (perfectly safe, wolfless, we promise) maze to indulge in your inner desires. You might find that certain colors glow beneath the moonlight and unlock desires youβve kept tightly under lock and key. It's hard not to feel impulsive or unrestrained under the full moon's light, with your body paint as armor. People might appear more attractive to you under this witching light like a magic spell cast β but really, you havenβt had any trouble with that, here. Have you?
If youβre thirsty, the house has tasked RICHIE, CARMY, and SANJI (dressed as cabana boys) with an extensive poolside drinks menu, since theyβve been so helpful with breakfast. Thanks, boys. Ask them for anything. In fact, ask them for everything. They're here to serve.
As the night closes out, turn your eyes heavenward for a spectacular fireworks show. Many apologies to those of you who suffer from PTSD; you can head inside for an early night and cover your ears with a pillow, but do be careful not to suffocate yourself, unless you're into that. The fireworks shimmer and shatter, and those watching closely might start to see hidden messages written in the stars for you, though is that your eyes playing tricks? Better ask that friend youβre snuggled up with. As anxiety weighs a little heavier on your heart, you might feel compelled to confess a few secrets on this last night of summer, big or small, something loving or not. Seek out that destructive habit, or take some steps toward healing. Let the fireworks drown out the noise.
POOLSIDE PLAYLIST courtesy of Robin
It's an innocent enough, offhand suggestion from the mouth of one (1) DIARMUID about wanting to learn how to paint, and honestly, the house couldn't agree more: a party is necessary. As August winds down, it's important to go out with a bang, and what better way than through an explosive end of summer pool party? To say goodbye to the waning summer nights, the manor is throwing a pool party with an artistic neon twist. Per the growing complications of everyone's relationship status in this new age of bisexuality, polygamy, and pegging, glow-in-the-dark bracelets with matching solo cups have been set out with the appropriate labels βΒ TAKEN, SINGLE, OPEN, and IT'S COMPLICATED, depending on your interest. Lounge by the water in your cutest bikini or trunks or nothing at all and engage in some very relaxing full-body painting using the supplies provided β that is, the paint is supplied, though brushes and sponges are few and far between. Better just to use your own body to paint your masterpiece. Put yourself on display as a model by the pool, or engage in a brutally competitive game of chicken fights, wherein the loser loses their clothes and the winner gets to keep them.
Not your style? Sneak off somewhere more private like the twinkling gardens illuminated with multicolored tiki lamps, lakeside decorated with bio-luminescent rocks, or the (perfectly safe, wolfless, we promise) maze to indulge in your inner desires. You might find that certain colors glow beneath the moonlight and unlock desires youβve kept tightly under lock and key. It's hard not to feel impulsive or unrestrained under the full moon's light, with your body paint as armor. People might appear more attractive to you under this witching light like a magic spell cast β but really, you havenβt had any trouble with that, here. Have you?
If youβre thirsty, the house has tasked RICHIE, CARMY, and SANJI (dressed as cabana boys) with an extensive poolside drinks menu, since theyβve been so helpful with breakfast. Thanks, boys. Ask them for anything. In fact, ask them for everything. They're here to serve.
As the night closes out, turn your eyes heavenward for a spectacular fireworks show. Many apologies to those of you who suffer from PTSD; you can head inside for an early night and cover your ears with a pillow, but do be careful not to suffocate yourself, unless you're into that. The fireworks shimmer and shatter, and those watching closely might start to see hidden messages written in the stars for you, though is that your eyes playing tricks? Better ask that friend youβre snuggled up with. As anxiety weighs a little heavier on your heart, you might feel compelled to confess a few secrets on this last night of summer, big or small, something loving or not. Seek out that destructive habit, or take some steps toward healing. Let the fireworks drown out the noise.
FRUITS OF LABOUR
CONTENT WARNINGS: body horror, gore, cannibalism.
Saying goodbye to summer means welcoming in the new season, and as August nights turn into September mornings, the landscape of the grounds changes from verdant greens to egg yolk yellow and sunburnt orange, a gradient of autumnal colors. To that end, a week long festival erects outside to enjoy the last of the year's good weather β a generous harvest bounty fills up tables and tables of ample displays, full of ripened fruits and fresh baked breads, baked potatoes roasted in the coals of a bonfire, sausages, wheels of cheese, marshmallows, cider and apple juice, tomato soup, apple and blackberry compote, rhubarb crumble, all richly decorated in sunset hues. Among the servings, anyone with a birthday in August or September will find themselves a individualized cake, perhaps with some motif to define them, otherwise just with the harvest decorations of gourds, leaves, wheat, and fruit. Alongside that, a new smaller maze has been made from hay bales on the lawn. During the day it's just a silly and fun maze, but at night it takes on a new form and characters can easily become lost and find themselves in a maze that seems to go on forever, with the ominous lowing of a bull somewhere in the distance. Luckily, everyone is released at daybreak, maybe a little traumatized, but all in one piece.
What would a festival be, without some games to indulge in? Around the celebratory grounds, there are four pumpkins painted gold, hidden around the festival. Anyone who finds one is entitled to a boon from your very generous hosts (join the race HERE). Hunting not to your tastes after the last few goose chases? No worries, there's plenty still to do β from apple bobbing, jumping over bonfires, throwing discus/shotput, horseshoes, and more, it's a festival jam packed with games and prizes to be won, from little jars of handmade jam from France, to stuffed chicken plushies, to tin cans with the labels ripped off, full of ... well, it's anyone's guess, really. Crack it open and find out!
In honor of the handfasting ceremony, characters are selected at random and tied together at the wrist, much to everyone's amusement. Once knotted, the ribbon will not give way under any physical or magical duress, meaning you'll be stuck together until the tie undoes on its own. It could be day, a night, two nights, or more, but it seems like the ribbon is waiting for something in particular βΒ a genuine heart to heart, maybe? Consummating the marriage? Hopefully you like the person you're tied to, because you're going to be spending a lot of time with your temporary spouse, in immediately close quarters.
At the end of the week, there's a final end of summer ceremony, wherein the vampire ARMAND is given special homage for being an especially adored guest, donned in floral regalia and ordained with crowns of flowers, much to his growing malcontent. In fact, he and all the vampires present in house seem to be given the regal treatment from the staff with less grand flower crowns of their own, honored at the head of the festival's final gluttonous table, lined with naked, giggling bodies covered in autumnal produce, sprouting mushrooms, blooming flowers, and distinctly meaty dishes β steak and kidney pie, blood sausage, pumpkins stuffed with zebra meat. It's only after you drink the wildflower tea and locally (Very, Locally) crafted beer that things start to feel a little off. The happy bodies used as serving platters look sometimes, between one blink and the next, like masticated corpses, the gourds and fruits set more deeply in the cornucopia their opened chest cavities make. Despite that, there's no real sense of death in the air β get a better look, and you might find the veins of the dead work more like the vines for the plants, giving them life.
The question becomes: which is the hallucination? The smiling faces or the blooming corpses?
Though hysteria rankles through the crowd the more people come to terms with the visions they're seeing, given the population at the head of the table, it's a fairly easy riddle to crack. Can vampires eat the cursed food? In short: yes, they can. Sorry we made you eat people again.
Saying goodbye to summer means welcoming in the new season, and as August nights turn into September mornings, the landscape of the grounds changes from verdant greens to egg yolk yellow and sunburnt orange, a gradient of autumnal colors. To that end, a week long festival erects outside to enjoy the last of the year's good weather β a generous harvest bounty fills up tables and tables of ample displays, full of ripened fruits and fresh baked breads, baked potatoes roasted in the coals of a bonfire, sausages, wheels of cheese, marshmallows, cider and apple juice, tomato soup, apple and blackberry compote, rhubarb crumble, all richly decorated in sunset hues. Among the servings, anyone with a birthday in August or September will find themselves a individualized cake, perhaps with some motif to define them, otherwise just with the harvest decorations of gourds, leaves, wheat, and fruit. Alongside that, a new smaller maze has been made from hay bales on the lawn. During the day it's just a silly and fun maze, but at night it takes on a new form and characters can easily become lost and find themselves in a maze that seems to go on forever, with the ominous lowing of a bull somewhere in the distance. Luckily, everyone is released at daybreak, maybe a little traumatized, but all in one piece.
What would a festival be, without some games to indulge in? Around the celebratory grounds, there are four pumpkins painted gold, hidden around the festival. Anyone who finds one is entitled to a boon from your very generous hosts (join the race HERE). Hunting not to your tastes after the last few goose chases? No worries, there's plenty still to do β from apple bobbing, jumping over bonfires, throwing discus/shotput, horseshoes, and more, it's a festival jam packed with games and prizes to be won, from little jars of handmade jam from France, to stuffed chicken plushies, to tin cans with the labels ripped off, full of ... well, it's anyone's guess, really. Crack it open and find out!
In honor of the handfasting ceremony, characters are selected at random and tied together at the wrist, much to everyone's amusement. Once knotted, the ribbon will not give way under any physical or magical duress, meaning you'll be stuck together until the tie undoes on its own. It could be day, a night, two nights, or more, but it seems like the ribbon is waiting for something in particular βΒ a genuine heart to heart, maybe? Consummating the marriage? Hopefully you like the person you're tied to, because you're going to be spending a lot of time with your temporary spouse, in immediately close quarters.
At the end of the week, there's a final end of summer ceremony, wherein the vampire ARMAND is given special homage for being an especially adored guest, donned in floral regalia and ordained with crowns of flowers, much to his growing malcontent. In fact, he and all the vampires present in house seem to be given the regal treatment from the staff with less grand flower crowns of their own, honored at the head of the festival's final gluttonous table, lined with naked, giggling bodies covered in autumnal produce, sprouting mushrooms, blooming flowers, and distinctly meaty dishes β steak and kidney pie, blood sausage, pumpkins stuffed with zebra meat. It's only after you drink the wildflower tea and locally (Very, Locally) crafted beer that things start to feel a little off. The happy bodies used as serving platters look sometimes, between one blink and the next, like masticated corpses, the gourds and fruits set more deeply in the cornucopia their opened chest cavities make. Despite that, there's no real sense of death in the air β get a better look, and you might find the veins of the dead work more like the vines for the plants, giving them life.
The question becomes: which is the hallucination? The smiling faces or the blooming corpses?
Though hysteria rankles through the crowd the more people come to terms with the visions they're seeing, given the population at the head of the table, it's a fairly easy riddle to crack. Can vampires eat the cursed food? In short: yes, they can. Sorry we made you eat people again.
DIRECTORY
no subject
Koby raises and lowers a shoulder, cheeks flushed -- from the warm water, from the topic, from both. He rakes his fingers through his wet hair, combing it back away from his face, then replaces his glasses on top to keep the loose pink strands in place. "I spend a lot of time taking notes, it's only natural to be curious." A beat, a breath in, and Koby's hands sloshing gently through the water. "If you ever wanted to read them, you...you could, you know. They're not secret."
He looks up, watches Quentin's face, oddly vulnerable, oddly cautious. "The same things as anyone, here. Your name, a little about where you're from, in case anyone comes here from the same place." Weighted, a little grim -- everything he knows about the Regent is there, so Koby will know him immediately, so he can be dealt with. "What you can do. Who here you know, so I can keep an eye out for them."
Then, looking back at the water, ears pink beneath his damp hair: "Reminders, for myself. In case anything ever happens to my memory or...or the rest of me." It's a very grim comment for a place so full of sun and music and warmth, but it's always there in Koby's mind, now that he knows people can just...disappear from this place. If that happens to him, he needs to know his friends will read his notes and know how important Quentin is. That they'll keep him safe.
no subject
Quentin laughs a little, smiling fondly at Koby even as he swims away from him, eyes watching the rise and fall of his face. It feels like something is going unspoken between them - not quite tension, but he's not seen Koby's cheeks flush this red in some time. Maybe it's the heat of the pool, the noise of the party.
But the reasoning for the notes makes him frown a little, makes him sober up from the energetic and happy-go-lucky demeanor. It's hard to put on a kind face when it's clear something has unsettled the other man. He swims back over to him, reaching for him in the water.
"You spend all day worrying about that and you'll never enjoy yourself," he says quietly, looking into Koby's face and trying to read what's hidden beneath it. "You won't need your notes because I'll find you, drag you out of whatever it is, remember?"
It's hopeful, optimistic, and unrealistic, really. He knows better, knows that it may be impossible, but he likes to believe it and say it out loud. Likes the idea of putting it into the universe. He touches his forehead to Koby's.
"Take all the notes you like."
no subject
There's another of those soft, slight thrills at the touch, the slip of Quentin's arms around him, the public, easily-seen you're special to me that he's seen between others in Saltburnt. He thinks of Louis and Daniel, Nami and Zoro and Sanji, the connection there even when they don't touch or speak, the sense of belonging. He thinks of among the many, there will always be you. He thinks of you're my true north. He thinks of the wristbands, the purple one he'd nearly grabbed until he'd second-guessed himself out of it. Maybe it could be that easy.
Koby smiles, slips his arms back around Quentin's neck, tugs at a lock of his hair reassuringly. "I enjoy myself plenty, and you know it, because you're usually the cause of it." Twining that same curl around his finger, he breathes in, leaning forward and kissing the corner of Quentin's mouth, softly, soothing. "I'm not afraid. I'm just prepared, because -- I want to make sure you're safe, while you're finding me and dragging me out. Yeah?"
Another kiss, then Koby nudges his nose to Quentin's, hands slipping down over his shoulders to his chest, pinky nudging his piercing, that slight tease he tends towards in public, accompanied by a curl of his mouth. "Don't give me permission, I'll start writing down your favorite -- toothpaste or something dumb like that."
no subject
"Well I'd say you're prepared enough for today, don't you? But if you wish to write down my favorite tooth paste, deodorant, socks, color... by all means. I'll answer any questions so long as you answer them in return."
He smiles, leaning into the flutter of kisses, humming when Koby's pinky delicately nudges over his piercing. A small affection he's come to identify with Koby as of late. But it puts the bracelet into view again and he snags the hand with it, bringing the palm to his lips, kissing it sweetly.
"Do you want to tell me about this, hm?" He cheekily hooks a finger into it, givin it a little tug so it snaps against Koby's skin gently.
no subject
It feels like a lifetime ago, before Koby had known what there was to lose, the anchors dropping into the depths of his heart before heβd even realized it. And now β here, somehow given enough time for the silly questions, for the smaller things. Itβs strange. Itβs nice. He settles in, ignoring the rest of the party, smiling easily, warmly. βWell, I know you like to steal my toothpaste, so that answers that one. What is your favorite color, then?β
Quentin catches his hand, then, and the easy smile slips a bit, replaced with that wide-eyed look Koby gets when heβs been caught out in something. A fib, a nosy inquiry, something else like that. Itβs not quite fear, more β surprise. Shyness, even, shoulders scrunching a little, towards his ears.
βW-Well, I β everything here is. Complicated, sort of. For me, at least. Iβve never ββ Falling back on his inexperience makes Kobyβs ears turn pink, embarrassed enough to flick his gaze away, look down, back at the piercing, tracing his free fingers around it, slowly. βI didnβt want to assume, not without talking to you, and β there are all these books and magazines about how to talk to you and I hadnβt. Decided which one was the right one, yet. I was still, um. Collecting data.β It sounds stupid, even to Kobyβs ears, and he looks back up, doe-eyed and unsure. βThatβs the complicated part. Not β not how I feel, just. How to talk about it.β
no subject
But then -
"Assume what?"
He tilts his head, brow dipping a little bit as Koby continues to explain, working through how and what to talk about and suddenly it clicks. Quentin's eyes widen a little bit and he huffs a little laugh, reaching up to cradle the other's face between his palms, soothed as well by the way Koby's fingers play around his piercing familiar and warm.
"I love you," he says quietly, where only they can hear, wanting this moment to be intimate and for them, even among the business of the pool. "My true north, my Captain. I'm your first mate, remember? It's your dock I'll wait on until you come home, and at the end of the day there will be us, no matter the rest."
He looks into Koby's nervous face and he can feel the inkling of doubt welling in the pit of his own stomach - the same hesitance from earlier when he'd seen the band around Koby's wrist. "If you want that, only if you want that. I don't know what it's called here, what titles and things they give to two people like you and I. But I want you to be mine, I want to be yours. There will be other seas we dally in, and other people but - if you -"
And there it is - the hint of nerves now, the confident bravado slipping, his fingers curling against Koby's skin.
"I didn't mean to make it complicated or... or make you worry. I'm sorry. I truly am. You can wear whatever bracelet you like - whatever is... is true to how you're feeling. That's the point, isn't it?"
A small smile. And there's no confession about the two purple bands he's hidden in his towel at his spot.
no subject
Koby reaches up, covers Quentin's hands on his face, squeezing gently and looking up at him. "It's not you. You don't make anything complicated, you make it -- effortless. You bring me out of my head, remember?" Turning, he kisses one palm, then the other, tilts his head into the first, apologetic and fond and sheepish all at once. "I love you. I want -- to be with you here and now, and later and whatever comes next. I want to wake up next to you as -- as often as I can, and I want to go to sleep next to you and I want to see you in between and tell you who I've met and what I've done and hear what you've seen and done and I want to."
He falters, bites at his lower lip, squeezing Quentin's hands tight. "I want to tell everyone who you are. That I'm yours." He'd thought it would echo back -- mine, always be mine -- would be soured by those words, by that hissing, snarling voice. But it doesn't. But it isn't. And Koby smiles, and something tight and aching and scarred in his chest releases, at last, at last. "If you -- want me to be. If you want that too. That's -- what I want."
One more breath, then, blurting it out: "Do you want. To go out with me? And be my, um. Be. Um. Boy -- friends? That's what it's -- that's what it's called? I think?" Rapidly turning bright red, Koby wheezes out a laugh, tugging Quentin's hands up to cover his face, mumbling from behind them: "Do you want that, whatever the word is?"
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"Tell anyone you want," he says, a little confused, a little desperate. "That doesn't matter to me. I want - what you want. Waking, sleeping, being. I just - go to sea however you wish just come home to me sometimes? Know that I'm the wind in your sail and I won't let you go astray."
He breathes a little, desperate, an edge of wanting so deeply that he's never felt before, like he's holding onto a rope slicked by ice and storm in the winter. There's no hauling easy sails in the storm.
"Go out with you?" He blinks, confused and wide eyed - but he thinks he's heard the words when Koby had one of those magazines out on his chest like he'd been a desk while he dozed in and out one afternoon. "Boyfriends? Yes. I want that. Where I'm from we'd say we've been bound. Temporary or not - a binding is a beautiful thing."
It's not like marriage, not so serious as anything like that but a connection drawn between to people - lines mapped out with understanding and expectations.
"Let me be bound to you. I will tell everyone your name is on my heart," he laughs and kisses him softly, murmuring the words against his mouth. "And we will return from our adventures and laugh about the good and the bad. So - whatever the word is - boyfriend. Going out. Yes."
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βY-Yeah, I want. I mean, I want that too, obviously, I.β Koby laughs again at himself, at the choke of tears in his voice, because he is who he is, and crying is as part of him as his hair or his voice or all the places on his body he used to hate. He kisses Quentin again, and again and again, and then he has to pull back and wipe at his eyes and laugh again, heβs never laughed so much in his life as he has these past few weeks. Heβs never been so purely, wholly happy, without the sharp lance of loss or regret or bittersweetness.
Another sniff and heβs trying to get some control of himself, because he wants to remember that he said β something, something worthy of the occasion, something even approaching the sweet, warm, loving words Quentin is showering on him. Cradling his face, Koby repeats: βBound. Boyfriends. I want β here and wherever comes next, I want to be with you. Home port, true north, all of that. Here, whenever you need me, mornings and. And nights and in between. Thatβs what I want.β
There. Thatβs clearer, thatβs worthy of this moment, of this vow in the strange, vivid blue waters of the pool. Koby rests his forehead to Quentinβs, breathes him in, lets his presence settle the awkward, anxious fear of moments before. βI love you. Iβm β I always will, I think. Always.β
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"I think things are a little less complicated now, mm?"
He cradles him close, one arm at his back, the other coming to pluck at that little bracelet, removing it and carelessly tossing it into the pool to let it sink. Let the waters take it away, dissolve somewhere in the night never to be seen again.
"I love you," he whispers between them, quietly giddy and bright eyed. "That's never going to change. So no more of those tears, Captain."
He brushes his tears from his cheeks, kisses any he's missed, playfully nuzzling and nipping at his neck, wanting to coax more of those sweet little laughs from his lips. "Let me be with you today. Paint and the maze and the parties - let me be greedy and show you just what a binding can be, what a boyfriend can be, mm?"
There's a soft kiss to his ear, his temple, his forehead all light and loving, a smile against Koby's skin.
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"Okay. Ok-kay, no more tears." Chiding gently at himself, the words ending in a squeaky little gasp at the tease of teeth on his neck. There's another of those giddy thrills -- who left those all over your neck? My boyfriend did -- and Koby doesn't even watch the pink bracelet sink to the bottom of the pool. "Not complicated at all," he agrees, tugging lightly at one of Quentin's loose, damp curls.
Then, nodding emphatically -- "Yeah, let's -- all day? Really? That'd be -- yes. I'd really like that." Koby's naturally a touch wary of the parties here, but if it's the two of them together, surely there's little to nothing to worry about. He grins, wide and a little goofy, his glasses slowly slipping out of his tangled hair and landing crooked on his nose. "Like a -- a date."
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"A date," he tries when he pulls away. He likes the way it sounds - a day wrapped up in everything just for them. With Koby in his arms, he carefully wades toward the edge of the pool, pressing his back up to it for one last lingering kiss, slow and needy and hot, as if he can pour all of his love into him this way over, and over, and over.
"Lets get new bracelets. I need to add one that says I'm with you. You need two more - let them know even if they find your bed the pillows will smell like me, letting them love you like I do."
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So he grins against Quentin's mouth, cradles his face for that last kiss, then reaches back to tug himself up onto the edge of the pool, sitting there for a moment and adjusting his glasses. "New bracelets," he repeats, cheeks flushed. "Purple and green. Right?" This is also new, the idea of seeking out the warmth, the affection of others while still returning to one bed night after night, a home port amidst the myriad journeys. But it's...nice, too. Koby thinks of Louis, of his partners, of the warmth he carries for others in the house as well. He thinks of his own connections, how they don't cheapen or nullify what he feels for Quentin too. It's complicated, but it's also wildly, wildly simple.
And he grins, scooting back and offering his hand to help Quentin out of the pool. "And maybe some new clothes. I think we'll both get cold, soaking wet like this." Not that he minds the shirtless, soggy look for Quentin, if the way he stares, the way he teethes at his lower lip is any indication.
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Did Koby think he was going to get away alone? Oh heavens no. He nuzzles at his neck when they get there, even kissing a little mark he'd left some nights ago.
"It's warm outside - we'll dry off. Unless you just want to get back to the room that bad, hm?"
He grins against Koby's neck, nuzzling softly. "I was thinking of trying the maze. Might need help finding my way out, you know."
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βHere, hold still.β He turns around in the protective circle of Quentinβs arms, slipping on his bracelets, one on each wrist, then admiring them for a moment, the vivid color against his still-damp, sunkissed arms. βGive me your hand.β If thereβs a touch of heat climbing up the back of Kobyβs neck as he slips the bracelet onto Quentinβs wrist β well. Heβll blame it on the sun, the unnaturally hot water, the close proximity of a shirtless man heβs particularly fond of.
The mention of the room gets an eyeroll β though of course Kobyβs never opposed to the idea of sneaking away for a little private celebration of their new relationship status. But the sun will be down soon, and he is curious about the maze. βOkay, okay, weβll dry off on the way to the maze. It shouldnβt be any trouble at all for you.β Grabbing a towel, Koby rises up on his toes to start drying off Quentinβs tousled dark hair, sighing softly, fondly. βAnd youβll take a bath before bed so you donβt smell like the water here. Iβm worried itβll turn your hair green or something.β
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He loves this foolish, nervous, demanding little man.
Ducking his head for Koby to dry his hair, he laughs at the little comments, reaching hands to press at koby's slender waist, thumbs caressing the bare, damp skin.
"Why would it turn my hair green? It's water." He knows he'll get a lecture on the contents of the water somehow, and if Koby does start to offer an explanation, he'll raise up and kiss him hard and wanting, the towel draped over him both, tongue pressing back against his lips and seeking out the sweet taste of him.
"Mm, do you know the benefit of you being my boyfriend? I can kiss you wherever and whenever I want. You can, too."
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Especially when, right as heβs opening his mouth to explain the dangers of chlorine β he read an article, itβs very concerning β Quentin kisses him, kisses him sweet and firm and soft. And of course Koby forgets what heβs saying, forgets to fret, forgets to do anything but smile against Quentinβs mouth, let the towel drape over his head and stand on tiptoes to kiss him back.
βYouβve always done that,β mumbled, between the slip of parted lips, the shivery warmth of tongue, the nibble of teeth. βI mean β Iβve never felt like I had to hold back.β Rocking back on his heels, face flushed and sunkissed, hair dripping water over his slightly broader shoulders, Koby laughs, pushing the towel down so it drapes off Quentin's shoulders again. βNot with you.β
If heβs being honest, it had been that way from the first moment, from that lock of eyes in the arena, from the first time Koby had reached out and dabbed away blood from Quentinβs temple, had seen that look of weariness and warmth in those wide dark eyes and known, deep down in his soul, that he needed to know what it meant. He needed to puzzle out the baffling, wonderful, frustrating mystery of this stranger, and nothing was going to stand in his way.
Koby doesnβt feel like heβs solved Quentin, by any means. But he loves him, mystifying and exasperating and wondrous. So he smiles wider, and adds, with a quirked eyebrow: βThough Iβll admit, βkissing my boyfriendβ has a very nice ring to it.β
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"Mm, but now I can call you boyfriend. Now I can kiss you and let everyone know you're mine at the end of days. I like everyone seeing, hm?"
Koby will always be a vibrant, burning light in his eyes. Enough that sometimes he has to squint away, let the shape of him burn into his mind and stay there like staring at the sun overlong. Part of him wants to haul koby up onto one of the tables, knock things aside and ravish him here - let everyone know the way he loves this man, and yet he settles on giving koby's waist a little squeeze, a little tug so they're flush, the towel falling off their heads and slick bodies.
"But it has a nice ring - boyfriend," he nudges their noses together, teasing another kiss, grinning wide down at him and looking beneath dark, full lashes. "Let me lead you to the maze - where no one will see the way I wish to want you, but they may hear us."