Entry tags:
Day Two, post-trial;
[Mistakes were made. Mistakes were made and when it's all said and done, when they all decide what to do with Diva's body, he rises from his place and gently touches Adam's wrist to indicate that he follow him. He watches the room out of the corner of his eye, checking to see if they're being watched before he pulls him out of the courtroom and heads up to the second floor.
He can't believe they're heading back to the bathroom but that's where they head and he looks at his shirt with disinterest. His nose is still swollen and in pain and there's blood on his shirt and his hand. So, he pulls off his shirt and throws it at Adam to hold as he opens one of the shower stalls, turning on the water to get to an icy spray. He doesn't step into it yet. He's waiting.]
...you abstained, didn't you? [Just to be sure.]
He can't believe they're heading back to the bathroom but that's where they head and he looks at his shirt with disinterest. His nose is still swollen and in pain and there's blood on his shirt and his hand. So, he pulls off his shirt and throws it at Adam to hold as he opens one of the shower stalls, turning on the water to get to an icy spray. He doesn't step into it yet. He's waiting.]
...you abstained, didn't you? [Just to be sure.]
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[ He wants to share theories. It's kind of nice to have someone he can turn to for that. ] Next time you get hit in the face for being an asshole, sure, if you want a kiss that bad. [ He just sounds like he finds it funny. ] Well, it's good to get practice in, right? Maybe someone noticed. Although you could stand to act more charming. Give me a reason to actually like you.
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[He's hoping his face will go numb if he stays under the water.] And I was not being an asshole, how was I being an asshole? [He lifts an eyebrow.] If you wanted me to turn up the charm you could have asked sooner.
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[ Luke can drown himself, that's fine. ] Let's see, you grabbed a girl to allow another guy to beat her in order to get information that was entirely based on a hunch? So yeah, I'd like you to be a little more pleasant or no one's going to get why I'm into you. I don't even know right now.
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[What is he even talking about...] I didn't think he was actually going to beat her up, first of all. And secondly this isn't unusual. [He finally pulls back from the shower and turns off the water, sufficiently wet and cold and kind of miserable as his face throbs gently.] You could just tell people you're into me because I'm hot. [Which. Doesn't appear to be the case right now, but he does step forward to where Adam is and brings a hand up to cup his face. A thumb smoothly brushes over Adam's jaw and he appears to consider for a moment...before he takes the towel.]
But sure. I'll work on being Prince Charming or whatever it is you think needs to happen here.
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He crosses his arms once the towel is out of his hand, looking away. ] I don't know how much your looks can salvage your personality. But that definitely has to be a big part of it. [ He steps back over to Luke to get a good look at his nose. ]
Ready for it? We can sit down. It's going to hurt, especially since it's on your face.
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If my nose is gonna be crooked after this though I'll have to think of a new route. [He's nervous. But he settles down to sit and he's looking up at Adam and trying not to let on that he's nervous.] Believe it or not, I've taken some pretty big hits to the face before. [A vague gesture at his scar.] It'll be fine. You're sure you know what you're doing?
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[ When Luke settles, Adam approaches carefully because he knows that wary look. It's hard to trust someone to take care of you. He glances at the scar and nods sheepishly. ] I've had to do it to myself. Can't be that different, right? [ He places his hands gently on Luke's cheeks and shifts his head into the right position. Luckily, he knows enough about bedside manner to not end on such an uncertain note. ] Start telling me about how you got your scar. You can squeeze my shoulder for the pain.
[ And he waits for a bit to figure out the best way to do this, thumbs gently circling Luke's cheekbones in an attempt to relax his face. Then suddenly, he'll nondescriptly set Luke's nose because. Gross. ]
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[Still, he rolls his eyes upward so he can't look at Adam and he bites his tongue to wait. It takes a little for his face to relax, but eventually it does when he starts talking.]
…I think you know the answer to that anyway. My quest, I--maybe I got a little overconfident and I just wasn't into it. I trained for years to prove myself and they gave me a throw-away quest instead. [He cuts himself off suddenly with a sharp gasp as Adam's hands work to set his nose. Despite what he'd said earlier, his hand moves and his nails dig…but not into Adam's shoulder. Instead they're digging into his own leg. He doesn't want to rely on someone else. But at least he stopped talking? He also kind of stopped breathing though so that's probably not good. Adam please finish this quickly.]
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He doesn't have time to think about that when Luke is in pain though. There's a flinch because inflicting pain on someone is a weird thing but he realizes he has control here and it's up to him to get Luke through this. Weird. He pulls his hands back to look at his face and see if his nose is aligned. Not quite—he presses his hands to Luke's nose again and straightens it one last time. It looks decent but swollen and Adam puts a hand behind Luke's head and then one over the hand on his leg. ]
Hey, it's done. It looks fine. Breathe. Look at me. You need to put it under the cold water again.
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He doesn't even really have time to register Adam's hand on his because there's a string of what's probably the equivalent of "holy fuck what the fuck was that ow motherfucker ow" in ancient greek before he tries to look up at Adam.]
Gods…[A hand tentatively comes up to touch his nose, noticing that the swelling's still there. He's not pulling his head away yet though.] I'm fine. Give me a sec…[He's closing his eyes to try and focus.] You had to do this to your own face?
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Yeah. [ It's why he feels bad enough to run a hand through Luke's hair for a moment before pulling back. He gets the feeling Luke wants to recover on his own after showing weakness like that. ] But at least I had ice. I'll see if the bar has ice we can put in something for you for tonight. [ This time he's volunteering his service without the public aspect, which is weird but it's not like his job is really over yet, right? ]
Did that hurt more or less than a dragon clawing your face?
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I'm not really used to the mortal way of healing anymore so probably more. But it was faster to heal than the scratch. [There's a very tentative smile finally.] Thanks. You think the swelling's gonna stay like this for a few days? [He's slowly getting up to head back to douse his face in ice water again, though this time he's grabbing his dirty shirt to soak it in the water instead. Making a makeshift compress, thank you very much.]
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[ He watches Luke soak his shirt, tilting his head. Once he's done with that, he pipes up: ] Why didn't you just use a towel? Do you like being shirtless that much?
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[He looks at the shirt and then he looks at Adam, shrugging a bit.] And it's not that. Thinner fabric's less heavy when it's wet. I don't want to put a lot of pressure on it right now.
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[ Still, Luke's logic makes sense and he nods. ] Smart, even if you don't have a shirt now. Do you want to come with me to the bar?
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[But he nods, head feeling strangely heavy even though he should be feeling a little better.] My shirt was pretty trashed anyway. You think the bar'll really have ice? [That is to say that yes, he'll come with.]
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[ He looks Luke over for a moment, making sure he can walk, before nodding and turning around to lead him out of the bathroom. ] People like ice in their drinks, don't they? The bar will give you whatever you want, so it must at least give drinks with ice.
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I haven't told many. I don't even know if I've told anybody I'm really a half-blood. Very few people know that I have personal experience with the gods and stuff, but I keep the rest pretty quiet. I already told you what happened when I told people before. [They didn't get it.
But to the lounge they go…] Maybe there's ice? I haven't exactly had time to go to bars or anything where I'm from but that probably makes sense. [He shifts the shirt to press a colder place of the fabric on his nose.] Next time I'll get somebody else to listen to one of Elizabeth's ideas.
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[ Because Luke isn't exactly subtle. He's a little surprised to hear he hasn't told many people. ] Am I just special? [ There's a small joking smile on his lips but Luke still looks awful so it fades quickly. They have to go downstairs so Adam keeps an eye on Luke to make sure he's not shaky or anything. He wonders if he would be put on trial if he accidentally killed Luke with this. ]
You probably shouldn't listen to most people's ideas. At this point, not even your own. [ A look from Luke's nose to his stomach. ] How about you listen to my ideas? Since I'm supposed to be keeping you safe.
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[He knows Adam's joking, but he still considers that for a quiet moment as they head down the stairs. If Adam notices Luke's grip on the railing tightens a little while he's hit with a dizzy spell he's grateful he's too polite to say so. But he still consider that.] I haven't really decided what you are yet. Does that count?
[He follows Adam's eyes, huffing to himself when he notices what he's implying.] I shouldn't listen to most people's ideas but I should listen to yours…why? Parrish, you and I are supposed to be guarding each other but that doesn't mean I trust your ideas to all be great.
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... What does that mean? [ No, really. That's vague and weird and... Adam might feel similar. He's sort of just decided Luke is a business partner now. Does there have to be anything beyond that? ]
It was my idea to guard each other in the first place, which you already said was a good one. And since I value your life currently, I'm not going to have an idea that puts you in harm's way. But whatever, if you want to keep on getting hurt, I'm not going to stop you. [ He frowns over at him and waits for him to go inside the lounge before going off to the bar. When he tries to order something with ice... nope.
He looks back at Luke apologetically. ]
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Anyway it means I haven't decided yet. Suppose I should get into the habit of calling you my "boyfriend" if this is gonna work.
[He doesn't argue for a moment when Adam leads them into the lounge and he eases himself into a seat to wait, propping his elbows on his knees to hold his head up. He waits for Adam to check on the ice situation and when it turns out there's no ice at all, Luke frowns heavily. No ice, no painkillers, no...anything. He doesn't get up from his seat and nods instead.] ...it's okay. I'll live. [Probably. But he gestures for Adam to come closer instead.]
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[ He thinks about more question to ask but suddenly he pauses in turning around to face Luke. There are a few moments where he looks off at a wall because... no one's ever call him their boyfriend before. He remembers how amazing it felt when Blue said she was his girlfriend—even if, he supposes, it was meant to be disparaging. Then he looks over at Luke curiously. Obviously it's fake, but is it weird if it still feels nice?
... Probably. He says nothing as he walks over to Luke, sitting down next to him. He feels bad that he can't do anything for him. ] Is there... anything I can do? At least whatever they do to us at 11 will make you fall asleep, but until then?
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[Adam pauses for a little too long because Luke looks up, peering at him from under his hands and noticing that he seems to be spacing out. Of course, then there's the curious look and he gives one right back, tilting his head.]
What was that for? [He scoots a little to allow Adam room to sit next to him and he's silent for another moment.] I don't know. Is it supposed to really hurt around my eyes after it's realigned?
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[ But now he's going to examine Luke's face. It looks pretty awful but maybe not as awful as it could have been. ] What was what for? And you might bruise under your eyes... I don't know why it'd hurt around them, though. Where else does it hurt?
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[He can feel his face aching and maybe that's a sign he should stop talking, but he doesn't.] You sort of froze up when I called you my boyfriend. You can't really do that in public, you know? Looks suspicious. [But Adam's asking questions and Luke's too tired to be too much of an asshole at the moment.] My entire head kinda hurts like around my eyes and the top of my head. It started a little while ago, I don't know what happened.
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[ Let him pretend he's been to New York. When Luke calls him out, he frowns and tenses. ] It... was just a surprise, alright? I've never heard that from a guy before. [ Or anyone. But he's not going to admit that. Anyway, he's still examining Luke's face closely like it's a mystery he has to solve. ] Sinuses? But being punched in the face usually clears those out pretty well. Maybe you have blood stuck in there.
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[The nonchalance of it might be surprising, if only because Luke's aware of the bigger agenda at hand. Still, he lifts an eyebrow.] Is it really that different to hear it from a guy instead of a girl? [He's being a hypocrite but who cares.] Good thing I didn't say it in public.
[He's taking a deep breath though to try and ward off another dizzy wave. Feel free to stare at him, Adam, he can't do much about that right now.] I have no idea how to tell if there's blood stuck in my sinuses, but that sounds pretty gross. [Still. He tries to sniff and it doesn't do much, a congested sort of noise with little effect. Ow?] It'll probably clear tomorrow. [He finally turns to face him head-on, giving him a curious look.] We only have a couple of hours 'til curfew. [So…what are you doing? It's a question he's not asking out loud, but he wants to see what Adam does.]
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[ He goes quiet, though, really thinking about the question. He isn't sure how he feels about guys, but he doesn't think it's particularly weird. Different, maybe. ] Sure it is. Maybe not where you're from, but in some places... [ He knows that's not really what Luke is asking. ] I don't know. Aren't you going to have to say it in public at some point, though? [ Is that a problem? He's not sure.
Still, he gives a mildly disgusted look at the sound Luke makes when he tries to sniff. Not really sympathetic anymore, sorry. ] ... Do you want me to stay with you until then?
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[He makes a face then.] I haven't met any guys with boyfriends if that's what you're getting at. But maybe? Probably? I don't know, maybe the people here won't need to verbally hear it if we just act it out. Actions speak louder than words or whatever, right?
[Though he does have to wonder if Adam can keep it together. He doesn't care about his sympathy, caring more about how much his head hurts.] ...nah. We're not in public anymore, Parrish. You can do whatever you want on your free time.
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[ This line of conversation about boyfriends has become awkward to him so he seems to hold back some commentary. At some point, he has to ask: ] You think it's easier to act it out than just say it? [ He looks over at Luke and thinks for a long moment before he settles back in his seat and closes his eyes. Looks like he's going to stay. ] Okay.
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[It's a weird conversation, especially when he's finding it hard to recall why, precisely, he followed the goat in the first place. The conversation about faux-dating almost seems easier.] I think it's a lot easier to act out, yeah. Saying it doesn't do much since you can say anything. I could look at you right now and say I'm really into you and not even mean it, but it'd still be out there. Consider that. [But when Adam settles Luke does the same and mirrors his stance.] ...we should come up with a plan for tomorrow.
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[ He's not entirely sure which conversation is more difficult at the moment. He really shouldn't have let it get this far. ] Do you think there's gonna be another corpse tomorrow? [ He rubs at his eyes. He's so tired. ] Or do you mean starting to act out our plan? ... As long as we both approve of everything beforehand, it shouldn't be too strange.
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[It's bullshit. The whole thing's bullshit, so he decides it's easier to talk about dead bodies.] I really hope not. It's been two days and we already have two dead people. I don't want to think about if this is going to continue. I was kinda talking about our plan. [He cracks open an eye slowly.] ...so maybe we should...I dunno. Have breakfast together in the mornings and then talk strategy to make sure we're on the same page before the day really gets started. We can't really get approval from each other in the middle of conversations with other people.
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At the same time, that's all he's ever seen around him. Loving parents. No one who seemed to understand what it was like to be without that. Luke is the first person he's met like that. ] Breakfast. Alright. We can plan out what our public acts will be for that day. And... we can always have signals. I'd like some warning before you, I don't know, go in for a kiss or something.
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[At least they can agree on that. Parents suck. His hand comes up to rub at the areas under his eyes.] Planning out public acts, yes. Signals...no. Still too obvious. What kind of warning are you hoping for, exactly? I don't think real couples warn each other when they're about to kiss each other.
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[ He frowns, though. He guesses he should be prepared for whatever they have to do to convince people. ] I don't mean anything obvious. Something like... [ He reaches over and smooths his hand down Luke's back. ] And then you go in for a kiss. That's not weird.
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He tenses up a little under Adam's hand but he doesn't pull away, opening both eyes now as he looks at him. That's definitely a sign he can remember and it's not so obvious. Instead of responding though, he moves to wrap his hand around Adam's forearm, fingers touching the inside of his wrist as he leans in...
...and stops just in front of his face.] That's not weird at all. [It's pretty weird and he knows it.] But sure, we'll work on it. Who knows? Maybe we won't even need to say anything or do anything at all and people will be too distracted with other stuff. But I feel a little better having a plan anyway.
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He rolls his eyes and pulls his arm away from him, standing up. ] I prefer having a plan too. I don't want people thinking we're staff members just because we're around each other. [ He sighs and turns to look at the bar. ] I'm gonna see what kind of drinks they have here.
You can just relax until curfew. I'll take you back upstairs.
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We can both agree on that. [And he tilts his head back to try and alleviate the pressure in his face.] That sounds like a good plan to me...let me know if you see anything good, yeah? [And he falls quiet after that. Thanks Adam. You're a good fake boyfriend.]