you trust me, don't you baby?

[implying]

Date & Time: forward dated to the 27th
Location: somewhere in Old London, there is a shitty hovel with a dude in it.
Characters: Marduk & Vanadi (& Apollo)
Summary: space-elves and non-elves and a lack of maturity, or any other kind of desirable personality trait (& Apollo)
Warnings: probably not (Apollo)

[ It's been long enough by now that there seems very little reason not to pick up what tattered shreds of pride he has left, and pack them away. Besides, this is ridiculous. There hadn't even been an actual reason for their last conversation to go as poorly as it had — to the point where he isn't even sure what to apologize for. If there's even one needed. He feels relatively sure that there is, but he's not fully sold on it yet.

But either way, Vanadi trudges unhappily through the snow, bundled enough that he hardly even needs his hologram emitter (he'd brought it anyway), and hones in slowly on the signal his mind can trace from Marduk's tablet. It brings him to a door, half lost in the snow, amidst the ruins of what Transports used to know as Exsilium.

With a breath in to steady himself, he knocks. ]

Comments

[implying]

( He probably shouldn't be offended by the implication there, as anyone who knows him might say the same -- but he still is. His smile fades entirely, and he half spreads both arms in self presentation. )

Merely ask. There is your opportunity.

[oversleeps]

[ it's not that he doesn't trust him. it's just that now, provided with the option to ask anything he wants, there's nothing marduk can think of. the one thing that was nagging at him the most vanadi had already seen fit to answer.

well, maybe there is something else. ] Why are you being so persistent with this? [ with him? whatever. reverse the situation here and marduk would've left a while ago-- hell, that's half what he's been gunning for this whole time. ]

[implying]

( His spread hands hover for a moment, then fall to the couch, before he moves them to rest in his lap. Honesty never comes naturally to him. )

I've told you already. I care for you a great deal -- whether or not you've ever remembered me.

[oversleeps]

[ is that really enough? marduk chews on his lip, thoughtful. it's an answer not nearly selfish enough for him to be able to accept, in the end. honest, maybe, but not honest enough. ]

Maybe too much. [ that probably goes both ways. after a moment's pause he speaks again, quieter this time: ] I might not have always remembered you right away. But I never forgot.

[implying]

[ He watches Marduk unhappily. What's the use of hearing about how things used to be between them, in the face of how they are now? He frowns, and finally glances away. ]

Lovely. Not much I can do with it now, but terribly touching.

[oversleeps]

[ he stiffens, arms falling away as his hands ball into fists. the grin he gives vanadi is incredulous, disbelieving; finally, he just throws his arms up, completely exasperated.

and he flips his shit. ] I can't fucking deal with you! I couldn't before and now, I don't fucking know, it's even worse-- [ he pauses for a short breath, sucking his teeth. ] I thought; coming back, I thought-- [ he doesn't know what he thought. deprived of a good finish, marduk elects to take his frustration out with a kick at the couch itself. ] Fuck!

[implying]

[ He stays on the couch like it's a lifeboat, and leaping off would be forfeiting the game. But he does look nearly ready to spring up, if the tension in his body and the glare at Marduk are anything to go by. ]

Are you so sure it's me? I've been here, doing nothing in particular save missing my vanished friend, right up until he comes back and — [ He gestures sharply toward him. ] Ruins it.

[oversleeps]

Ruins it? How, by not agreeing to fuck you anymore? [ marduk's voice lowers to a sharp hiss. he cocks his head at vanadi, eyebrows raised over a manic grin. ] As I recall from the other day, you're the one who started this shit.

[ not that it wouldn't have gone south anyway. his head lowers, one hand over his mouth, as he forces himself to breathe. the reprieve doesn't last long; in a few seconds, he's shouting again. ] And I missed you too, you dumb motherfucker!

[implying]

I started it, but I came here intending to finish it! It's you who seems to think all I've ever wanted out of you is a good fuck.

[ It's about here that he finally realizes he can't justify staying any longer. Before there'd been the hope that this might sort itself out, that he might wiggle back onto Marduk's good side, but things are only getting worse. He unfolds from the couch at last, smile at something more like a sneer as he looks up at him. ]

Enjoy your soup, my dear.

[oversleeps]

Wait-- [ his voice peaks on a particularly desperate note, there; no, no, wait. marduk grabs for vanadi's arm without even realizing it, but has nothing to follow up with beyond that. explanations and apologies well up, sticking in his throat-- but he digs his fingers in, unwilling to let go.

he searches for something else to say and only comes up with more stalling. ] Wait.

[implying]

[ Vanadi pauses, taut but stilled, and carefully wary. There's been nearly nothing pleasant out of Marduk's mouth all night, he has no reason to think it would suddenly be otherwise. ]

What?

[oversleeps]

[ it's funny. he hadn't wanted vanadi to be here or even come at all, or so he thought. from there, it made sense to want him to leave. now, faced with the prospect of that actually happening, marduk realizes he is a complete and utter dumbass. ]

-- Please don't go. [ he finally manages to choke out, the ends of his words clipped by his teeth slamming shut. he's not expecting the world in response to that, or even much at all; it was worth the try alone. ]

[implying]

[ ...Well, he's heard worse. He still isn't convinced, but he's rethought storming out. He eyes him warily for a few seconds more, then leans in. Nothing terribly romantic or touchy, for once, just to lean his forehead against Marduk's chest. ]

You're a very upsetting man. I find it difficult to believe anyone in any world would put up with you.

holy fuck, the ice burn

[oversleeps]

Ha. [ hilarious! he even grins at that. (it's barely pleasant, despite his best efforts.) his hold on vanadi's arm relaxes a bit, but he's far from letting go.

still, he has nothing real to say. he gives a light shrug, not wanting to disturb vanadi overmuch. ] You aren't the only one who does.

it was ur 100 comment anniversary burn

[implying]

[ Up this close, there's yet another difference to discover. He'd never minded Marduk's scent before, but now it's pleasant. The sort of thing he wouldn't mind falling asleep beside. There is, of course, another rising urge to kiss, but he contents himself with just resting a hand lightly on either side of Marduk's waist. ]

I still want to know. [ About his life, now that he has one — about his friends, and especially about whoever it is keeping Vanadi from kissing him. ]

[oversleeps]

[ marduk covers the hands at his waist with his own, finally releasing vanadi's arm. rather than push him off, as he intended, his hands lay there uncertain. ]

It's been, what, a fucking day? [ there's no irritation in his voice, only exhaustion. feelings are tiring. why is life so hard. ] Let me settle in first, shit.

[implying]

I know, I know, I will.

[ The last of his annoyance drains away as well, weariness replacing it. Man, all this, and he still has a hike to get back to Exsilium. Ugh. But he lifts his head, a tiny smile in place when he leans up to aim a kiss for Marduk's cheek. ]

Give me something, eventually, is all I ask.

moment officially ruined yw

[irritating]

[ If Marduk had a normal roommate then the next minute probably wouldn't be filled with the sudden spectacle of some asshole and her giant dog bursting in through the front door, but he did, and it was. There's the usual swearing, loud and excitable for no reason, and a brief cloud of snow flying everywhere as both Apollo and dog shake themselves off. ]

MotherFUCKing snow this is such bullshit fuck th-- oh woah hey what the fuck, [ Was that an actual person standing next to Marduk in here what. ] Holy fuck what's goin' on here, shit Duckling d'you actually have friends, are you actually fuckin' makin' out with someone?

:'|

[oversleeps]

[ to his credit, the kiss doesn't make him flinch-- but apollo crashing through the door certainly does. his hands close around vanadi's wrists out of pure reflex as he starts, already snarling as he looks to the door. ]

Are you actually fucking blind? [ APOLLO, NONE OF THIS IS REMOTELY MAKING OUT. ] The hell is wrong with you? And shut the goddamn door! [ WHY. ]

oh look THERE'S MORE THAN JUST MY ICONS IN THE THREAD NOW

[implying]

[ For his part, Vanadi only blinks at the impressive disruption. And then, in time, grins. This must be Apollo. He hadn't pictured anyone quite so... loud or colorful. ]

Ah, Marduk only wishes. I'm entirely too chaste for him. [ He makes to pull his hands back and step away, all smiles for Apollo. ] And yet, all this time, he's failed entirely to mention having such a pretty roommate! I do love that hair.

STARES AT KYNE

[irritating]

[ To be fair, she's so loud and colourful that most people wouldn't imagine her to her actual full extent without first meeting her. But first thing's first: for Marduk she slams the door closed and flips him off yelling, ] Fuck nothing, that's what! [ There's some shuffling as she rips off her winter coat and kicks off her boots in two different directions, and by the time she's done Vanadi has her full attention. ]

Well shit he's kinda failed to mention to me he had even had a friend, let alone one who looks as good as you. [ She's just. Gonna ignore whatever it is Marduk may or may not be doing right now to instead stride closer to Vanadi, pulling off her scarf and smiling back at him the entire time. ] It's natural. Kinda gets your attention, doesn't it?

writiNG HOBBY!!!!!!

[oversleeps]

[ he lets vanadi go without any resistance. hell, he doesn't even look over. at least, not until he starts talking; and also, when apollo responds back entirely too favorably. like, he gets it. vanadi is flirtatious and apollo is a whore-- but still.

he turns a flat, deadeyed stare on vanadi, his words equally as enthused. ] You can't fuck her. [ seriously! ]

that isn't an excuse when you actually HAVE icons

[implying]

[ Apollo gets a grin, both pleased and amused. Good response. He's quite sure he'll like her. ] Indeed, and it has!

[ He glances back toward Marduk, and his grin fades into a patronizing smile. ]

How interesting! Of all the opinions in the room, I would really expect yours to matter the least in regards to that. [ you can't say you're not banging him anymore then BAN HIM FROM BANGING ANYONE ELSE, IT'S JUST NOT COOL ]

[irritating]

[ Wow rude she's not a whore she just sleeps around a lot, that's totally something else. ]

Yeah good point, what he said. If he wants to fuck me well he fuckin' can and even you ain't a good enough cockblock to stop that, Duckling. [ Are they ganging up on Marduk here, probably. Apollo doesn't even have a reason though, besides the fact that being an asshole entertains her, so there she goes, turning back to Vanadi, grinning wildly and once again ignoring her roommate. ] So sugar, what'd you say your name was?

(look i'm too lazy to crop them ok. that is not my fault.)

[oversleeps]

[ they are totally ganging up on him. how is that fair? his stare quickly deepens into a scowl; he doesn't look over at apollo, but he does point at her. ] Can you just stay out of this? Thanks. [ adults are talking. t h a n k s.

with that out of the way, he refocuses on vanadi. ] You know what, like hell it isn't-- [ IT'S NOT EVEN A BLANKET BAN, GOD. ] I live here, and besides, can't you tell by this point she's fucking crazy? There should be sixty goddamn warning bells going off in your head right now!