[ And honestly he doesn't like the thought of Sharkface returning to this place but... he'll give the guy some time for it to settle before he proposes a new contract, and maybe moving in for real. Right now it feels like too much too soon.
They leave the apartment and wade back into the floodwaters, Drake hefting the bags of clothes on his shoulders. He doesn't have a spare hand to keep hold of Sharkface now, though. ]
Stay real close? I've seen too many people get dragged under.
[ Not without armor, anyway. There's no use in sticking around and so they don't. Just pack up their shit and head out. Once more into the fray and all that. Sharkface scans the area as they move, watching for anything strange. Anything at all. ]
Noted. And we should scrub when we get back. Think there's something in the water. Makes people sick.
You can grab the shower first, I'll put everything in the wash.
[ They trudge through the water towards the elevator, keeping a sharp eye out. Drake's hoping that seeing two people together will keep the monster from going for them, knowing there's someone to help their prey... but there might be more than one, after all. Gotta stay alert. ]
[ He clicks his teeth in agreement. So far, nothing's attacked them. They haven't even gotten tripped up on the debris. It's going well. He knows better than to trust that. ]
Later, you mind if I do some painting? I could use it.
[ Drake nods, shivering in the cold water. It's not surprising that Sharkface would want to paint, after what he went through the night before. It's actually promising he chose that as his outlet, too, as willing as Drake would've been to spar with him. ]
Yeah, 'course you can. I've got plenty of walls, artist's choice what you put on 'em. What do you feel like painting?
[ He smiles a little, trudging through the water. A shower's going to feel great after this. Maybe less fraught than the night before. He feels better now. In control, centered. That might not last - things usually don't in this place - but it's something. Maybe enough to build from. ]
Not sure yet. Something detailed. I take requests.
[ The elevator will be in sight around the next corner. Drake hustles, readjusting the weight of the bags. ]
I know, but I promised you free reign... and I like seeing what you come up with. If you really want direction, I was thinking a nighttime cityscape for the bedroom?
[ It’s a place to start, at least. A prompt to work from, something that he can make his own. A cityscape at night. Lights in the dark.
Yeah, he can work with that. He’s feeling better now. Centered. It might not last and he knows that, but for now, things feel like they’re riding even. He’s calm in a way that he rarely is these days. Whatever the reasons, Sharkface accepts it. He and Drake are figuring each other out. It feels natural. Easy. Always has.
He misses Lakshmi and that understanding, different than the one he has with Drake, but she’s gone. Hopefully not dead. But if she’s still kicking, then she’ll fight. That has to count for something. ]
I’ll test my paints first, see what needs to be replaced. But I can start blocking it out when we get back.
That sounds great. I can't wait to see what you come up with.
[ They make it to the elevator with only a few scares -- Drake figures one of them must've kicked debris under the surface, but nothing grabs them. The buddy system works, and once again he's glad Sharkface came along. He probably couldn't have carried everything himself, anyway.
The rest of the journey back is uneventful, peaceful even. A familiar presence at his side, with the promise of that lingering. Drake's pretty sure it won't last, not here, but they can have it for awhile.
They get into his apartment and he heads straight for the laundry. ]
Grab a shower, I'll put clothes outside the door again.
[ Sharkface hesitates for a moment, setting his bag of paints down. He'll check them after he showers, after he makes sure that nothing in the water got under his skin this time around. ]
[ Sharkface nods just once and then retreats to the shower. Time to scrub. He doesn't take long this time. And when he's done, he changes into clean clothes and then heads out, humming to hhsemlf. ]
[ Drake's run the first load through the wash, tossed it in the dryer, and has a second load in. He's still in his own wet clothes, though, sitting at the kitchen island looking dazed and flushed. ]
[ They're dilated, and he feels overwarm and is breathing a little too fast. It's just whatever drugs were in the water, but it might be too late for just a shower to take care of it. ]
[ Sharkface hesitates for a moment, then reaches out to cup Drake's face in his hands. A test, to see if it makes a difference. If it's gotten to the point where touch eases it, then -
[ Shit. Sharkface breathes out slow, bowing his head a little. He hates this, he thinks. The fact that it's never a goddamn choice around here. He smooths his thumb over Drake's cheek and nods. ]
Yeah. I'll get you some.
[ Maybe showering will help. They can hope, right? ]
[ And of course Drake notices. Drake always does. Sharkface slows his breathing down deliberately, trying to center himself. Stay in control, present. ]
You'll be okay. It passes.
[ One way or another. He swallows hard. ]
I'll be right back. Just gonna get some water for you.
[ He said that already, didn't he? Well, it's not a bad thing to reiterate. Drake waits patiently, eyes closed, remembering the feel of the other man touching his face. Screw the drugs, he's not going to do anything they don't want.
Sharkface returns with glass in hand and Drake takes it and drinks, determined to flush things out of his system. Then he's getting up carefully and making his way to the bathroom.
The door closes. Water starts running. Then there's a loud thud. ]
[ There's nothing to do but ride it out. It's just more of the city's bullshit, Sharkface knows. It isn't meant to kill them, just fuck them over in small, predictable ways. He lingers by the door just in case, worrying.
Wisely, as it turns out. He doesn't bother asking what's wrong, just shoves the door open. ]
[ Drake hasn't even made it into the shower, though he's got it running hot. Being so unsteady he fell getting his pants off and whacked his head on the edge of the sink, and is lying there in his underwear clutching his head, dazed.
When the door opens his eyes go wide -- this is embarrassing. It's sweet that Sharkface was worried, and perhaps he was right to be, but. Embarrassing all the same. ]
[ Fuck. Sharkface kneels down, reaching out to touch Drake's face for a better look. Make sure his eyes are tracking. There's a job to do, someone to check on, and this time - this time - he doesn't even hesitate at the contact. ]
[ Drake's not used to being taken care of. He lowers his own hands and holds perfectly still, as if leaning into the touch will break the moment, make Sharkface think twice about reaching for him. ]
Just a lump.
[ He's not bleeding, but with the way his head was already spinning it's hard to tell if he's going to be concussed. His eyes are tracking, near black with how wide his pupils are. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ And honestly he doesn't like the thought of Sharkface returning to this place but... he'll give the guy some time for it to settle before he proposes a new contract, and maybe moving in for real. Right now it feels like too much too soon.
They leave the apartment and wade back into the floodwaters, Drake hefting the bags of clothes on his shoulders. He doesn't have a spare hand to keep hold of Sharkface now, though. ]
Stay real close? I've seen too many people get dragged under.
no subject
[ Not without armor, anyway. There's no use in sticking around and so they don't. Just pack up their shit and head out. Once more into the fray and all that. Sharkface scans the area as they move, watching for anything strange. Anything at all. ]
Noted. And we should scrub when we get back. Think there's something in the water. Makes people sick.
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[ They trudge through the water towards the elevator, keeping a sharp eye out. Drake's hoping that seeing two people together will keep the monster from going for them, knowing there's someone to help their prey... but there might be more than one, after all. Gotta stay alert. ]
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Later, you mind if I do some painting? I could use it.
[ The distraction. Something like peace. ]
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Yeah, 'course you can. I've got plenty of walls, artist's choice what you put on 'em. What do you feel like painting?
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Not sure yet. Something detailed. I take requests.
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I know, but I promised you free reign... and I like seeing what you come up with. If you really want direction, I was thinking a nighttime cityscape for the bedroom?
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[ It’s a place to start, at least. A prompt to work from, something that he can make his own. A cityscape at night. Lights in the dark.
Yeah, he can work with that. He’s feeling better now. Centered. It might not last and he knows that, but for now, things feel like they’re riding even. He’s calm in a way that he rarely is these days. Whatever the reasons, Sharkface accepts it. He and Drake are figuring each other out. It feels natural. Easy. Always has.
He misses Lakshmi and that understanding, different than the one he has with Drake, but she’s gone. Hopefully not dead. But if she’s still kicking, then she’ll fight. That has to count for something. ]
I’ll test my paints first, see what needs to be replaced. But I can start blocking it out when we get back.
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[ They make it to the elevator with only a few scares -- Drake figures one of them must've kicked debris under the surface, but nothing grabs them. The buddy system works, and once again he's glad Sharkface came along. He probably couldn't have carried everything himself, anyway.
The rest of the journey back is uneventful, peaceful even. A familiar presence at his side, with the promise of that lingering. Drake's pretty sure it won't last, not here, but they can have it for awhile.
They get into his apartment and he heads straight for the laundry. ]
Grab a shower, I'll put clothes outside the door again.
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[ Sharkface hesitates for a moment, setting his bag of paints down. He'll check them after he showers, after he makes sure that nothing in the water got under his skin this time around. ]
I know I said it before, but. Thank you.
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Thank you. For being here... I think I'd go nuts on my own.
[ He smiles quietly, then nods towards the bathroom. The faster Sharkface showers, the faster he can. He's already feeling a little hot and itchy. ]
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You're up. No side effects?
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I'm uh... I don't feel so hot.
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And just like that, he's in mission mode. Sharkface hurries over, leaning in so he can check Drake's pupils. ]
Hey. Hey, focus on me. What's wrong?
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I just... need to wash up. Right?
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Well. Then they're probably already in it. ]
You're gonna be okay.
[ He keeps his voice soft. ]
I got you.
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I know. Thanks -- can you get me some water? Then I'll shower.
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Yeah. I'll get you some.
[ Maybe showering will help. They can hope, right? ]
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...hey, what's wrong?
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You'll be okay. It passes.
[ One way or another. He swallows hard. ]
I'll be right back. Just gonna get some water for you.
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[ He said that already, didn't he? Well, it's not a bad thing to reiterate. Drake waits patiently, eyes closed, remembering the feel of the other man touching his face. Screw the drugs, he's not going to do anything they don't want.
Sharkface returns with glass in hand and Drake takes it and drinks, determined to flush things out of his system. Then he's getting up carefully and making his way to the bathroom.
The door closes. Water starts running. Then there's a loud thud. ]
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Wisely, as it turns out. He doesn't bother asking what's wrong, just shoves the door open. ]
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When the door opens his eyes go wide -- this is embarrassing. It's sweet that Sharkface was worried, and perhaps he was right to be, but. Embarrassing all the same. ]
I'm okay.
[ It comes out a little shaky. ]
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How hard you bang your head?
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Just a lump.
[ He's not bleeding, but with the way his head was already spinning it's hard to tell if he's going to be concussed. His eyes are tracking, near black with how wide his pupils are. ]
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