[ Another tiny kiss to the side of Ephemera's head and Drake pulls back to return to his stool... but before he gets on it he tugs it closer and scoots his plate over as well. Picks up his fork so he's not tempted to just keep cuddling. ]
You know those gifts we got when we came back from camp? That everybody got.
[ Ephemera eats slowly, thinking. Oddly, he's realized he doesn't shield his food around Drake. Doesn't hunch over his plate and prepare to stab anyone with his fork. He's not certain when that happened, only that it did. This trust they've got built up quick. Even now, he's not sure how to account for it. ]
Yeah. Yeah, I'd like that. You thinking a puppy or something? Or an older dog?
[ Drake thinks about that for a moment, and when he answers it's kind of a non-answer. He isn't picky, he just wants it to be the pet that's right for them. ]
I wanna say a puppy... at least young? But if there's an older dog who fits I wouldn't rule it out. I think we should go and see what feels right.
You've still gotta meet Padme, too. And her kitten's freakin' adorable.
We'll see what they've got. And Padme's... pretty great. Smart, beautiful, independent as hell. She's married and her husband disappeared from here, though, and ever since she's been having a hard time. I think it'd be nice to drag her away from work for a nice dinner or something.
[ Drake laughs softly, but there's understanding in it. Ephemera trusts his judgment.
The rest of dinner passes quietly, until Drake's downing the last mouthful of his whiskey feeling pleasantly buzzed. He takes their plates and sets them in the sink to deal with later. ]
[ They eat and it's quiet for a while. Things settle. Ephemera drinks and he eats and he lets things breathe. Lets himself come down from the adrenaline rush of earlier and settle back into himself. There will be echos later - he knows, there always are - but right now things have quieted and that's -
That's good. That's enough, for right now.
He stands, stretching a little. Running a hand through his hair. ]
[ Drake crosses back to Ephemera, reaching out to take over brushing the other man's hair back for him. It's getting a little long, getting in his good eye. ]
We'll both need haircuts soon.
[ He likes the feel of Ephemera's, though. What's left is thick and soft, and he loves running his fingers through it. ]
[ Drake loves the way Ephemera leans into his touches, and so drags his nails lightly along the other man's scalp before twirling an overgrown lock between his fingers. ]
Yeah? I'd like it longer.
[ He gives a playful little tug before letting go and stepping back, leading the way to his room. It's gotten decently late -- still a little early for him to be able to sleep but he's pretty much always content to just cuddle. ]
[ That's nice, the way that Drake tugs his hair. Runs his fingers through it. That's nice. Easy. Not a lot is around here. Ephemera follows after Drake easily, rubbing a hand down his face. He can feel himself crashing. If he's lucky, he'll drop without dreaming. ]
I don't think I've ever had it long. Always used to buzz it off. 'cept in prison and then I wouldn't let anyone near me with scissors.
[ Ephemera huffs a little, closing his good eye. He likes this, curling up with Drake. He thinks maybe this time he's tired enough that he'll sleep without nightmares.
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You know those gifts we got when we came back from camp? That everybody got.
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Yeah, I remember. I got to see all those pictures of you as a kid.
[ That was pretty cute, he remembers. ]
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[ A lot of people got pets, actually -- and Ephemera still needs to meet Padme -- and that combined with memories of his childhood? ]
How do you feel about dogs?
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I don't know.
[ It's said thoughtfully. ]
There were dogs around when I was a kid, but they chased us. Mean as shit. I'm not afraid of them or anything. You want to get one?
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He leans in to brush their shoulders together as he spears another piece of chicken. ]
Kinda. Would you come with me to look at least? There must be a shelter around or something.
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Yeah. Yeah, I'd like that. You thinking a puppy or something? Or an older dog?
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I wanna say a puppy... at least young? But if there's an older dog who fits I wouldn't rule it out. I think we should go and see what feels right.
You've still gotta meet Padme, too. And her kitten's freakin' adorable.
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[ See what happens. Maybe they can get a bigger dog, a dog he can take running. People do that, right?
Ephemera nods slowly. ]
I do. I want to. What's she like?
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[ He smiles a little. ]
Why not, right?
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Why not? We just have to pick a night we're all free.
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[ He smiles again. ]
I like kittens. Crais has one.
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[ He'll message her after dinner, do the scheduling. ]
I think you'll really like her.
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[ Drake's got good judgement with people. So, it'll work out. ]
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The rest of dinner passes quietly, until Drake's downing the last mouthful of his whiskey feeling pleasantly buzzed. He takes their plates and sets them in the sink to deal with later. ]
How are you feeling?
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That's good. That's enough, for right now.
He stands, stretching a little. Running a hand through his hair. ]
Better. Tired, but better.
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We'll both need haircuts soon.
[ He likes the feel of Ephemera's, though. What's left is thick and soft, and he loves running his fingers through it. ]
You want to go lie down?
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Thinking about growing it out. Maybe.
[ Trying something different. He tips his head to the side, then nods. ]
Yeah. I'm beat.
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Yeah? I'd like it longer.
[ He gives a playful little tug before letting go and stepping back, leading the way to his room. It's gotten decently late -- still a little early for him to be able to sleep but he's pretty much always content to just cuddle. ]
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[ That's nice, the way that Drake tugs his hair. Runs his fingers through it. That's nice. Easy. Not a lot is around here. Ephemera follows after Drake easily, rubbing a hand down his face. He can feel himself crashing. If he's lucky, he'll drop without dreaming. ]
I don't think I've ever had it long. Always used to buzz it off. 'cept in prison and then I wouldn't let anyone near me with scissors.
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That's kind of a shame. It's good hair.
[ His expression softens. ]
C'mere.
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Thank you. For - being you.
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You keep thanking me for that you're gonna give me an ego.
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Maybe. Wouldn't that be something? ]
I'm not worried.
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You should be. I bet I'd be insufferable. All self righteous and smug.
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