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[braveoff]

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[requiemshark]

Yeah.

[ He takes another bite of pancake. It's good. And the answer is a simple one. If Drake's going out there, then Sharkface will back him. ]

Shit. This is probably the best breakfast I've had in a while.

[braveoff]

Thank you, then. The water monsters have been pretty aggressive, it'll help.

[ He takes a sip of his coffee, then smiles at Sharkface's comment. ]

Yeah? And you made it.

[requiemshark]

Be easier if I had armor, but I'll watch your back.

[ And try not to drown. All that fun stuff.

He huffs a little, smiling. ]

Made the pancakes. I did all right.

[braveoff]

To be fair, most things seem like they'd be easier in armor.

[ But he appreciates that Sharkface is coming. He did get used to having someone watching his back in Hadriel. ]

Think about what else you'd like to learn to make? We'll stop for groceries on the way back.

[requiemshark]

Most things are.

[ There are reasons he wants his back so badly. Sharkface considers that for a moment, drinking some coffee. ]

Noodles. And maybe stir fry?

[braveoff]

[ Of course. Drake grins, nodding. ]

Those are pretty easy, though there's a lot of prep work. I'll show you.

[ It's something for them to do together that isn't about the quota. Isn't about this place at all, just them. He likes the idea of that. ]

[requiemshark]

[ Sharkface sips his coffee, nodding. ]

I'd like that. There anything you want to learn how to paint? Or draw, I guess?

[braveoff]

I mean... people would be nice, but that seems like pretty much the hardest thing possible so not what I should start with, right?

[requiemshark]

[ Sharkface shrugs a little. ]

I mean, it's what I started with. At least you're interested in the subject. Figure that matters.

[braveoff]

Yeah? Maybe there's hope for me yet then. Do you start with features or the general face shape, or what?

[requiemshark]

Depends if you're doing a whole composition, making sure it fits within something larger or not. Then I start with the shape. But if it's just a portrait, then I start with the eyes. Build from there.

[braveoff]

Start with the eyes... I like that.

[ And he meets Sharkface's good one, grinning. ]

You have to promise not to laugh at how bad I am starting out.

[requiemshark]

[ Sharkface huffs for a little, watching Drake. His expression softens, nothing but fond. ]

Promise. Everybody's gotta start somewhere.

[braveoff]

[ Drake just looks at him for a moment, at his soft expression. Hears the fondness in his voice. It's more than he dared to have hoped for when they first ran into each other here, really. But Sharkface keeps surprising him. Keeps doing and saying things that make Drake think no matter what version of themselves they are they're going to have something special.

He reaches over with his free hand and puts it over Sharkface's, endlessly grateful. And it's not about the art lessons. ]

I'm glad you're staying.

[requiemshark]

[ Drake's hand feels warm over his. Steadying, but not trapping him. Sharkface watches him for a moment, then smiles again.

A small expression. But a real one. ]

You've always been honest with me. It matters. And you -

[ He hesitates, trying to find the right words. ]

I don't know if I can explain it. But you -

You matter. To me.

[braveoff]

[ Drake gives Sharkface's hand a little squeeze, gentle but there, and his fingers curl under the other man's in a quiet an invitation to hold on. ]

You matter to me, too. That's not something we have to explain.

[ It sounds simple, putting it that way, but it runs deep. Even here, even though Sharkface doesn't remember it, there's no one more important to Drake. He's stopped picking it apart to try and understand his feelings. ]

Eat up. It's hell in the Down, you'll need your energy.

[requiemshark]

[ It helps, Drake saying it. That they don't need to explain it, quantify it. That maybe this thing just is and that's okay.

They're okay.

He squeezes Drake's hand. ]

Okay.

[braveoff]

[ The rest of breakfast passes quietly, but it's a comfortable sort of quiet. Peaceful. But then it's time to deal with the storm outside and the chaos of the Down -- Drake grabs some trash bags to take down so they can keep things from getting soaked on the way back up, and crosses his fingers that Sharkface's apartment wasn't too much of a casualty of the flooding. That there's stuff left to salvage.

It's just as bad in the Down as it was the day before. Drake loops his arm through Sharkface's as they wade into the waters on the way to the apartments, just in case something grabs one of them like the people he's been saving from drowning recently. After what the other man went through Drake just doesn't want to risk it. But they make it to his place without a major incident.

It's water damaged, that much is obvious. But it's not under water, which is good, Drake thinks. He pulls out the bags and passes one to Sharkface so they can start packing. The less time they spend down here, the better. ]

Are your paints okay?

[requiemshark]

[ It's a goddamn mess in the Down, just like when he left it, but at least this time nothing tries to drown them. They go slow just in case, careful about how they move, and Sharkface is thankful for the backup. Someone to cover his blindspot, to watch his back. ]

Think so. I'll check them later.

[ They're sealed. That ought to make a difference. A good number of his brushes are ruined, though. And the mural -

Yeah. That's a mess. Maybe he can fix it, maybe he can't. A thought for later.

He starts packing up what he can save, though. It's better than nothing. ]

Thanks. For watching my back.

[braveoff]

[ While Sharkface deals with going through his art supplies, Drake grabs his clothes. The upper drawers of the small dresser and the closet seem fine so those go in one bag, the lower drawers that have gotten wet in another. He's hoping that he can wash them for the other man and they'll be okay -- it's nice stuff, presumably that Lakshmi bought him.

He glances up at the comment, lips curving into a tiny smile. ]

Thanks for watching mine. We're not out of the woods yet, though.

[ There's still the trip back, through dangerous waters. Drake's not letting his guard down. ]

[requiemshark]

Yeah.

[ Still have to get back. Do it all over again. He drags a hand through his hair. Exhales. ]

One thing at a time. There anybody else you wanna check on while we're down here?

[braveoff]

Not that I can think of -- I'm pretty sure everyone I know is already evacuated. Along with a bunch more I helped get to the Up the past week.

[ His priority right now is Sharkface, anyway. Getting his stuff back and into the washer, hitting the grocery store, making sure he doesn't have to work tonight. But maybe there's still someone down here the other man knows. ]

What about you? Anybody you'd want to check on?

[requiemshark]

[ He shakes his head. ]

Checked in on some people earlier, but they're doing all right.

[ Got places to stay. They can handle themselves. And it's odd to realize that he does have people he cares about here, people he'd go back for, but -

It happened. It did. ]

Think I've got most of it. I'll have to test everything to be sure, but it could be worse.

[braveoff]

Glad to hear it.

[ If they're important enough for Sharkface to check on, then Drake cares by proxy.

He ties off the bags he's packed so they're as waterproof as possible and straightens up, turning back to Sharkface. ]

You can test everything back at my place... I'll need to run half your clothes through the washer but I think they'll be okay. Ready to head back up?

[requiemshark]

Yeah.

[ He scans the room again, just in case. The far wall stands stark. He can see the lines underneath the muck, the intention behind it, but the colors are all muddled now. ]

Mural's shot. I'll try and come back and fix it when things are better.