Let's be war buddies...

[initiates]

Date & Time: 18th, beginning at 2100 hours, through to the 20th.
Location: All around Exsilium.
Characters: Everyone!
Summary: The United Earth decides Exsilium had obviously not learned its lesson back in October, and does another round of humble-making bombing for those impertinent exiles. OOC info can be found here.
Warnings: Violence, death, general gloom and doom.

The warning had gone out approximately two hours before the bombing began, broadcast to any available receptor on the island: UE aggressions incoming, bombs expected; please proceed to Catacombs immediately. It repeats over and over, right up until the first bomb, aimed at the Hold itself, silences the signal.

The air is thick with smoke and worse. Every one to two hours another bomb shakes the island. Buildings crumble and shatter, but the focus is on the Hold and the native hospital. Initiative employees, some sick as anyone else, are steadfast in their escorting natives and transports alike into the underground catacombs. For two days the bombs continue ceaselessly, dropped by their cloaked and invisible carriers overhead.

The United Earth is nothing if not thorough.

Comments

[oncearanger]

[Billy's a little startled, his shoulders shifting slightly, but again he laughs.]

...this probably looks like something else entirely.

[cowardwithoutfear]

[Aidan laughs.]

Don't tempt me.

[The way he says it doesn't sound like he's tempted at all. If anything, it sounds like a casual joke.]

[oncearanger]

Wouldn't I be the one tempted? Between us, you're the hot one.

[cowardwithoutfear]

From my point of view, you're the exotic one. I'm just tall and muscular.

[oncearanger]

I was referring to your physical heat, but intelligence and resourcefulness complement any physical attractiveness well.

[Billy's head droops a little as the awareness that he's not going anywhere seeps in. He smiles a little.]

Just wait. You'll make some guy very happy someday.

[cowardwithoutfear]

[Aidan laughs.]

And you'll make some girl happy.

[oncearanger]

Someone.

[Billy smiles and rests, letting the comment hang. He thinks of the music books in his bag.]

[cowardwithoutfear]

Not necessarily a girl?

[He sounds curious.]

[oncearanger]

[Billy shakes his head sheepishly]

I told you before that I'm attracted to women. And that's still true, for the most part. But there's been one guy I've known since I arrived here...we're close, in a way that's been strange for me. I'm not sure what kind of attraction it is, but I don't think it's normal for pure friendship.

So I'm not as sure as I was.

[cowardwithoutfear]

[Aidan snickers a little, but not menacingly.]

You're scared.

[It's not a question.]

[oncearanger]

What would I be scared of? I'm just confused. Even I don't know my own head perfectly.

[cowardwithoutfear]

[Aidan shrugs.]

What's there to be confused about? You might be attracted to a guy. How is this anything other than good?

[oncearanger]

Well...I'm glad about that, because I like him...

[He sighs]

But I'm just surprised that it's happening to me, that's all. I never thought I'd feel that strongly about a guy.

[cowardwithoutfear]

Just revel in it. You've found out you have increased your potential mates from half the species to the entire species. Even from a purely statistical standpoint, that's amazing!

And if you aren't really attracted to him, then who cares. Nothing's changed.

[oncearanger]

[Billy's confused expression gives way to a small smile]

You know? You're absolutely right.

I'm definitely still concerned about what some people might think, but...I'm happy with my feelings as they are. It's not a bad thing to like someone.

[cowardwithoutfear]

[Aidan shrugs.]

They'll think what they think anyway. Can't do anymore about that than your feelings.

[He jokes wistfully.]

Looks like I was too late. The man of your dreams already swept you off your feet.

[oncearanger]

[Billy smiles and shakes his head]

Our relationship's more complicated than that. I'm not sure it's traditional in that way---there's someone he loves much more than me.

Besides, you're the one who did all the sweeping me off my feet today.

[cowardwithoutfear]

[Aidan laughs.]

Multiple times if I recall.

[oncearanger]

True.

[He laughs a little, poking the inside of his cheek with his tongue.]

And into your arms. You're really a go-getter, aren't you?

[cowardwithoutfear]

[Aidan lowers his voice so hopefully only Billy will be able to hear him.]

It's your show remember? I'm just the getaway car.

[oncearanger]

[Billy grins and nods, tipping his head up to whisper back.]

And what a ride that was. I really liked your hardware.

[He looks earnestly at Aidan's feet. Those are some sweet boots.]

[cowardwithoutfear]

[Aidan blushes so Billy might notice a subtle increase in his body heat.]

I told you I'd teach you how to use it. We just have to get you the parts.

[oncearanger]

[Billy doesn't consciously notice the extra warmth, but he likes it. He relaxes fully against Aidan, hair brushing his jaw.]

I really look forward to it. It'll be an invigorating experience.

[cowardwithoutfear]

[Aidan can't help it, a physical response is occurring. Really, Aidan had been fighting it for his friend's sake for the better part of the conversation, but that was just to much. Still, he decides to let Billy react to it and just continue. Since there is no way the other man wouldn't notice. That said, Aidan wasn't even sure whether Billy would realize what was going on. They were different in other ways after all.]

Indeed. Teaching will be the best part.

[oncearanger]

Yeah...

[Billy trails off very awkwardly, a red flush hitting his cheeks. He's well aware of what's happening to Aidan behind him, and the faint pressure on his backside.

He spins to the side, leaning against one of Aidan's leg to give him some room while he leans up to whisper in his ear, looking worried. Billy's face is still tinted red.]

I'm sorry. I know what a pain that is.