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[braveoff]

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[requiemshark]

[ They're closer now. Ephemera breathes out slow. He likes that, he thinks. Proximity. The way he can shift and bump his arm against Drake's. ]

Yeah, I remember. I got to see all those pictures of you as a kid.

[ That was pretty cute, he remembers. ]

[braveoff]

Yeah. I'm happy having it, but it got me thinking... Padme got a kitten.

[ 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?

[requiemshark]

[ Oh. Of all the things Ephemera was expecting, that wasn't one. He sits up a little straighter, thinking. ]

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?

[braveoff]

[ A cat might be a safer bet, but Drake's really more of a dog guy. And he thinks a puppy, that they train themselves, might be really great.

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.

[requiemshark]

[ 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?

[braveoff]

[ 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.

[requiemshark]

I don't know anything about dogs. So, I'll go with it.

[ 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?

[braveoff]

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.

[requiemshark]

Hey, I still got that fancy chocolate.

[ He smiles a little. ]

Why not, right?

[braveoff]

[ Drake smiles back, nodding. ]

Why not? We just have to pick a night we're all free.

[requiemshark]

All right. Let's do it.

[ He smiles again. ]

I like kittens. Crais has one.

[braveoff]

Yeah? I'll ask her to bring hers, then.

[ He'll message her after dinner, do the scheduling. ]

I think you'll really like her.

[requiemshark]

Bet I will. You like her.

[ Drake's got good judgement with people. So, it'll work out. ]

[braveoff]

[ 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. ]

How are you feeling?

[requiemshark]

[ 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. ]

Better. Tired, but better.

[braveoff]

[ 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. ]

You want to go lie down?

[requiemshark]

[ It's a small gesture, but Ephemera finds himself hopelessly charmed by it. He breathes out, leaning into it a little. ]

Thinking about growing it out. Maybe.

[ Trying something different. He tips his head to the side, then nods. ]

Yeah. I'm beat.

[braveoff]

[ 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. ]

[requiemshark]

Yeah?

[ 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.

[braveoff]

[ Drake gets in bed on his side, as usual, and holds an arm out for Ephemera. ]

That's kind of a shame. It's good hair.

[ His expression softens. ]

C'mere.

[requiemshark]

[ Ephemera's expression softens. And he goes easily, willingly, and curls up with Drake. ]

Thank you. For - being you.

[braveoff]

[ Drake wraps both arms around him, snuggling down. ]

You keep thanking me for that you're gonna give me an ego.

[requiemshark]

[ 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.

Maybe. Wouldn't that be something? ]

I'm not worried.

[braveoff]

[ ...okay Ephemera. You're going to have to stop being sweet because you're killing him here. ]

You should be. I bet I'd be insufferable. All self righteous and smug.

[requiemshark]

Nah. Not you.

[ He settles, putting his hand on Drake's arm. ]

I don't see you being smug.