lifeaftr | [closed] And Rehearse The Way You Heal

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[closed] And Rehearse The Way You Heal

Who: Barry, Kravitz, Lup, Magnus, Ren, Seto, and Taako
What: Some backdated but important reunions, daddy-daughter day, and Seto learns to fish.
When: Backdated to early May!
Where: Enso, the elf camp and surrounds.
Warnings: Tag as we go I guess.

i. May 4th || I'll Run Away With Your Footsteps - Taako, Magnus, Kravitz, and the kids!
Once Taako frees him from the tree- once he tells him who-- who else is here, Barold is, perhaps, a man possessed. A decade would do that to you- thirteen long, lonely years of hiding, of watching, of triangulating potential sightings over and over and Over again, never really knowing if there was anyone left to find.

When he'd seen her umbrella in Taako's hand he'd-- he almost lost it, then and there. Had spent months attempting to come to terms with the fact that she- that Lup was probably gone, before doing what he knew she would've wanted him to do. He diverted all his attention to taking care of their family; everything else could wait.

A decade and the pessimistic expectation that he'd already lost her- yeah. Barry supposes he's a little like a man possessed, striding into the middle of the lovingly crafted camp with his head on a swivel. Don't mind him, guys- he's happy to see you. Meet you.

He's just- a tad distracted, at the same time. Yeah.

ii. May 4th || I'll Build A City That Dreams For Two - Lup.
He'd only just missed her. An hour sooner, and whoever had called her away to help might've had to wait, for a while.

It's- it's fine, though. She's off doing what she does best- helping people. Taking that... that undying compassion and sharing it with the world. He can hardly begrudge anyone that; wouldn't dream of interrupting something that important.

But he can go for a walk, too restless to simply sit down and wait for her return. It's a chance to gain his bearings; wandering up to the Storyteller's temple, navigating his way back to camp with almost perfect success, then do it all over again. By this points he's- not exactly at his best. Coated in dirt and tree sap, he's also soaked with sweat and- and honestly, he heads back to into camp with every intention of asking Taako to direct him to the nearest beach.

And that's

That's precisely when he sees her.

iii. May 7th || And If You Lose Yourself - Ren.
[More disconcerting than a whole new world, by far, is coming to a new world with people from a variety of dimensions. Not just people with experience in such things, either; soldiers, civilians- children. That last one in particular... gets him, a little. Not just teenagers, not like Lance, but actual, literal kids; even if their ages were up for debate, Ren and Seto absolutely classify as such.

The end result of which is now he's an uncle- or-- dad, or...something? He's not really sure and at this point, he's too afraid to ask. What he does know, without a single doubt, is Lup and Taako love them, which means it's time to put his best foot forward.

So when the hour is early enough for little trash goblins to be huddled round the campfire, enjoying their breakfast egg and fish spice, Barry makes his approach. Crouching down beside Ren with a bowl of fruit and a smile. What's up, little trash goblin.]

So, uh. Lup says I just missed your birthday.

iv. May 8th || I Will Find You - Seto.
Okay, so kids may not be his strong suit, but know what he's- better at? Fishing. And sure, he doesn't need to fish; Lup and Taako's monopoly on the trading economy means he doesn't have to do much of anything, really- but he wants to. It's a relaxing sort of passtime, peaceful.

The perfect type of activity to get to know the second trash goblin two of his favorite people have adopted, starting with threading some rope into sturdy nets.

"Alright, I think we've got everything we need. Ever made a net, before?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Oh, Barry Bluejeans, she's been watching him. The reaction from those around the camp was impossible to miss and Ren's had his number for some time. It's how they bonded, her and Lup, early on. Holding hands, talking about the special people in their lives they missed and how important they were-

He's the reason Lup understood the meaning behind her actions all those months ago, back when she didn't have words to describe the comfort and safety that came with Seto's presence, why she adored him. It had been so quick for her to decipher, using Barry's memory as a base and now he's here. Him and Lup are together and it fills her with a warmth she can't describe-Barry found her. He did it with Taako's help. And Ren's proud of both of them.

Since Kravitz was such a mess in the beginning, she's been watching him for signs of distress-does he know what stomach growling means? Does he know to sleep when his eyes get heavy? Is she going to have to teach him too? This is slowly becoming a full time job, but it's fine. It's pro bono work for a good cause. The point is, she's been watching. Waiting. Hovering nearby for an opportunity that hadn't presented itself until now. She's Ready to point out that he's supposed to eat the fruit in the morning after sleeping, because that's what she expects this to be about. Color her surprised when he makes a totally different comment.]

You missed a lot of birthdays. Taako and Lup got older on '4-20 Blaze It'-they did a good job growing up that day.

[Despite the stupid words coming out of her mouth, she's 200% serious. They did a great job. Be proud of them, Mr. Jeans.]

When do you get older? Is it soon?

[Yeah no; he's only a lich some of the time, pumpkin. Just like Lup, he's well aware of what a living body requires- food, water; the whole nine yards. He doesn't, however, know of those very important conversations that have colored her opinion of him, so it's a really good thing he doesn't need to-- his heart melts practically moments after she opens her mouth. She's adorable? Are all kids like this??? Are kids her age like this???? He's got no idea.

But damn, he kind of hopes not. Having his heart stolen immediately all over the place was bound to be a disaster.]

Yeah? I'm not surprised; they're pretty good at everything they do. [Ever seen Taako surf, Ren?] As for me, I'm... huh.

I don't get older for a while, I think. End of the year. [Probably. It's.

Been a while, since he's thought about it.]

[Give it a few minutes. That adorable is bound to turn into nightmare by the end of the day, if not by the end of this conversation. The end of year is a long way out, but the point is she knows to keep an eye on the changing months and remember his birthday is when it gets colder. Mr. Bluejeans, she'll make sure people know it. Lup's special person deserves a grand celebration, filled with dope roast and chocolate cake and hugs.]

Okay, when it's the last day of the year, I'll wake you up and say 'good job getting older'-that way you won't forget.

[But that casual statement, they're pretty good at everything, is something she can agree with. The elves are incredible in all ways, including-]

Taako and Lup will remember your birthday too, even if you think they forgot. That's something else they're good at. They'll ask to Kravitz to play hide and seek with you, then you'll come back and everyone will smile and their kind hearts will reach you.

[Maybe not nightmare, but exhausting is totally possible, if not highly likely. The amount of time he's spent with kids in the past hundred years is zero; just how energetic they are is... something he's learning. Quickly.

At least he'll get a wonderful reward for it at the end of the year?]

Alright, it's a deal. [He chuckles- promptly choking on his own spit at the thought of being hunted down- uhhh....

Being sought out by Kravitz. No, no. That- no, thank you.] Sounds... great. Really great.

[End him.]

[His easy acceptance of this fate is something she appreciates because there's really no choice in the matter. He Will Enjoy Birth and playing games with people, so help her. A deal's a deal and she won't forget.

She eyes his food, then the woods around them, and up to the sky to see where the sun is. It won't be super hot for a long time, so-]

If you eat your breakfast very fast, I can show you places to hide.

[Kravitz is a hard mode player and she doesn't want Barry Bluejeans to meet the same hide and seek end she did.]

They'll be easy to find because they're by pretty things. They feel like Lup, so you won't forget where they are.

[Hey cool he always knew loving a cute girl would get him killed one day, thanks Ren. Was 99% sure said girl was gonna be Lup, but life is full of little surprises.

Damn, but she is a cute kid. Just one mention of Lup and he's melting, offering his bowl of fruit with a smile.]

Sounds good- but I might've taken too much fruit. Want some?

[It'll be finished even faster if he has the help of a trash goblin...]

[She's not gonna turn down a snack and plucks a couple bits of fruit from the bowl. It'll be picked clean in no time, but not everything goes into her mouth. Only one little fruit makes it there. The other goes right into her pocket. That pattern continues for the next few pieces, until her pocket turns into a lump of squished fruit. Delicious.]

Do you like berries? Is that your favorite? Is that why you're named Barry?

[...Delicious? He makes no comment- a kid's gonna do what a kid's gonna do, right? When he was little, he used to enjoy collecting bees. With his bare hands. He's pretty sure shoving treats into your pockets was as normal a kid thing to do as that. Yeah.][A chuckle. Please don't let Lup or Taako have heard that or he's going to be Berry for the rest of his life.] It's a nickname- short for Barold.

[Does every single person have a million different names? It's weird and she's not going to question it-that's how people are. Nicknames, pumpkins, darlings, hammers, and Barrys. It's fine.

She whispers Barold Barold Barold under her breath because she has to remember this exciting new thing. Should she be calling blueberries by their original name too? That's the real q of the day and she's going to find out, whether he likes it or not.

When she's done eating and hoarding, she stands up without warning. Come on, Barry!! It's time for an adventure.]

We should find more bluebarolds to bring home. We can do that before we hide.

[ You never know what's going to happen, in this place. That's specially true for the camp, perhaps, and most days are usually composed of the usual chaotic shenanigans so natural for their group and its new members, but some days also involve weird magic, gods, new islands, a whole new taste of danger - but, on the best days, they might involve meeting old friends.

Johann, napping somewhere around the unlit campfire, quickly perks up as the man moves down the path, getting up as he enters camp and barking in warning. The dog moves quickly towards the possible threat, but seems to settle as he recognizes him. Head lowered, the animal approaches and sniffs at the man, recognition clear as his tail as his tail begins to wag.

This all happens in under a minute, and Magnus steps out of the larger tent soon after the dog quiets, hatchet in hand - not as a weapon, but perhaps being used as a tool before his attention was interrupted - squinting towards the camp center.]

Oh shit. [ His grin is quick and bright.] Barold!

[He- doesn't see her. In any other circumstance, there would be plenty to hold his gaze; a camp with all the trappings of lives ongoing for almost a year in the one location. And yet, the first sign of movement catches him, instead, gaze zeroing in on-- a dog.

It's uh. It's not familiar to him- but it sure is friendly, sidling right up with a happy wag of its tail.

He'll take two guesses as to whose dog this is.]

Magnus? [Ha, wow That's enough to garner a genuine grin of his own, giving the pup a friendly pat on the head.] Aw, hell- are we all here, then? Davenport?

Lucretia?

[ Dog and man alike look visibly excited to see him, Johann raising his head to meet Barry's hand and panting happily, tail wagging faster as he remembers this friendly man. Magnus, in turn, tosses his hatchet down somewhere unimportant and walks over to him.]

Huh--well. [ He stops, tone shifting into this very Magnus way of delivering less than pleasant news.] Not them, yet, maybe? But almost everyone else!

[ In Magnus's perspective, there's a lot more people missing - besides IPRE, Carey, Killian, Avi, Angus, many others - but Barry managed to land right on the two people that haven't fallen into a forced interdimentional island vacation.]

Not here right now, though, but lets call 'em up!

Heh, well- give it time. [If almost everyone was here, he couldn't see those two being that far behind, especially not... uh, her.]

Yeah, about that. [He can feel a bead of sweat running down the back of his neck; a mixture of nerves and a tropical-temperate he's long since become unused to, no doubt.] She... Lup's here?

[If Taako says she's here, he has no reason to doubt him. She must be, just...

It's. It's difficult to believe.]

Oh - [ Shit, of course! He should've lead with that.] Yeah!

Yeah, she's- yeah, she's helping this guy out, some weird fucking shit is happening around this place right now, and we got called up to-- We can give her a call, if you want.

[ He starts feeling and fumbling around in his pockets, hunting for his stone of far speech.]

Fuck, hold on.

[ He goes back into the tent, sounds of shuffling and clanking going around until he starts throwing clothes and his pillow and his bed sheets around.

Johann sits happily by Barry's side, tongue hanging out as he pants.]

Where the fuck--Just a sec!

Uh. [He's-- loving the enthusiasm there, Magnus. Carefully leaning to the side, Barry peers through the open tent flap, wincing as a pair of pants goes flying. It's almost immediately followed by a pillow.]

What, someone else get stuck in a tree? If- it's okay, big guy. She's got stuff to do, I can wait. [An hour's got nothing on a decade, this is fine. He's fine.

Mostly.]

Want some help?

Yeahyeahyeah, there's some weird--fuckin' magic bullshit going around. Again. [ Having made a complete fucking mess of his sleeping spot in the tent, he scratches at his bread and hums. He stands.]

Sorry, huh, she'll, she'll be right back. She's just checking on him. It was some real gruesome gross shit. --But,he'll be alright.

....sooooo!

[ A short pause.]

Welcome to the island.

[Gruesome gross shit- sounds... yeah, you know what? Barry's gonna leave it at that. He was stuck in a tree earlier- in a tree, so. No details required. No thank you. He's already been scarred for life twice, today.]

Heh, thanks. Gotta be honest, though; this place ain't exactly welcoming. [Here, let him grab some of that stuff for you. Pillows don't look so great when they're thrown into the dirt.] About all I know is that magic bullshit is common, round these parts. That and our magic is bunk.

Any, uh, other fun surprises I should know about?

[ What's another mental scar ontop of over a century of slightly traumatic events? You get used to it!]

Oh, huh, you know, there's some stuff. But they kinda come and go, you know? Nothing we haven't really done before. [ You know, popping into different worlds and not knowing what the fuck to expect can kind of compare to dealing with different islands and plants and animals and people and things that'll probably want to kill you.]

I guess one thing is that there's people from all over. Like, different planes and whatever? Different realities? [ Barry must really be special, because he's actually getting some information out of Magnus. Kravitz wasn't so lucky.]

[Getting used to it is how people like him become people like Edward and Lydia, buddy.]

More cycles. [Cool, cool. Kind of figured they were done with that whole deal kind of, you know, permanently? But no biggie. He can roll with that part.

Way more interesting is Magnus' next statement, drawing Barry's gaze back towards him with a familiar, knowledge-thirsty glint to his eyes. Suck it Kravitz, he's a good boy who gets to lean cool shit.]

What, all of them? Any leads on why? How, for that matter?

Wait, hold on. [ He stumbles over Barry's words - with how complicated things have been in their lives, this place is at least one more degree of weird than what they did. It's a hard assessment to make, truth be told. And it's probably not the time to be splitting hairs, but...

God, he's the absolute worst at explaining things. When the hell is Lup coming back?]

It's not really--a...cyyyycle? Okay, it's-- It's nothing we've done and nowhere we've been, and we don't really have, you know, the- I think we're in a different dimension altogether, I don't think we crossed into a different...reality...

[ You'd think it'd be easier to explain, considering they've traveled through.]

But--yeah, the people. There's loads of them from all over. No idea why. I think we're here to help this god-thing? Who's in charge but not really?

[ Rate your guide: how fulfilling was this tour to you, Barry?]

Seto, for his part, had been watching Barry work with a curious focus. It's fairly obvious that the easiest way to get his attention is to show him something new, which is basically everything to learn on the island before the kid came here.

And he's never fished before, despite still having a spool of fishing line in his pocket this whole time.

"I don't think so..." Seto knows the word from one of his Grandpa's books, but he's never personally made one. "Are we making one?"

Please don't tell him about the fishing line or he will actually cry? As used to traveling across deserted worlds as he is, there's something to be said about the advantages of a well-equipped spaceship.

"Yep- maybe a couple, if we've got enough rope. Fishing with a net can be hard to learn, but it yields a bigger catch, once you've got the hang of it." Pulling a pile of rope into his lap, Barry claps his hands together. "So! First thing I'm gonna do is cut the rope to length- then we can start threading it together."

He can see how a net would help with fishing. It's big, therefore it can catch more. Simple logic....for a post-apocalyptic fifteen year old.

"Is there a way you thread it together?" Or do you just tie it together? Seto hasn't done this before so it's probably better to ask questions.

It is pretty logical, for sure. Wrapping one end of the rope around his wrist, Barry sections off... hopefully the right length, picking up a knife and beginning to saw it apart.

"Thread through, yeah; there's a couple of different ways to do it, but for this one, we're gonna go with a looser design. It'll hold bigger fish, but most of the smaller ones will still swim through- ah, hold this." He offers the newly cut rope, already wrapping more around his arm.

"So, why do you think we want a net that catches big fish, but not little ones?"

Seto takes the rope into his hands. The question Barry asks is one he has to ponder for a minute or two. Catching animals to eat wasn't something Seto learned prior to coming to the islands. He lived off of flowers, wild-grass and the occasional lucky day he found old food. Animals were scarce and the wild dogs that kept attacking him would probably take issue with a kid trying to kill them.

Not that...it changed a thing. But Seto has an answer, even if it's a guess.

"So they can swim away?"

"Exactly! Good job." Barry confirms, more than approving. These really are some smart kids- no wonder Lup adores them. "The smaller they are, the younger they are, usually. So if we let them go, they'll grow up a little more, have- lots of adventures."

Babies. They'll have a whole bunch of babies and he's not going there, nah uh. He's not ready to try to explain the fish and the egg to a child. Nope.

"And when they're bigger, we'll catch them and have more to eat."

The problem here is that Kravitz has just enough information to get this first interaction very wrong.

He senses him first, not the signature he had always tracked around Taako, but something almost forgotten. Just a wisp of something he's felt somewhere before but can't place. But it gets him moving, back from just outside the perimiter back to the tent, heart beating faster in anticipation. Are they being attacked? Has something found them here, or been summoned, or--

And then he lays eyes on him. And that. I. Hm. That wasn't the expected view.

He remembers, vaguely, Taako telling him they had one more lich in their entorage, which only serves to make it weirder right now as he tries to keep himself looking neutral.

Still totally staring, though. Still a mess there.

Barry's eyes sweep across the camp, resting on Kravitz for a fraction of a second-- before moving right along.

And snapping back a moment later as his brain stops pinging with the name "Lup" and begins shouting "top being rude, Barold". Surprisingly, it doesn't strike him to slot giant reaper ice golem into the same space as the seemingly ordinary guy eyeing him off. Fancy that.

"Oh, uh- hey. Sorry for- for busting in like this, I'm just- looking for someone."

Yep. Hey Taako you wanna catch up and maybe ensure your boyfriend doesn't have a~~nother~~ meltdown?

Why is Barry doing this to him, personally, and clearly out of malice. Why is fate conspiring against him. He already said she's here, can Barry not keep himself to a polite amble? It's been a decade, and he can't chill for like ten minutes? That was a seven to get him out of a fucking tree, have some respect and slow tf down.

But hey, at least Krav seems to be holding up alright so far. Not yelling, no scythe, that gets a literal thumbs up from Taako, along with a slightly sheepish grin. See, no cause for alarm, aaaand Great Job! on being chill. Let's embark on this verbal adventure not-right-now, or never is fine too. Gonna get Barold squared away and accept his due kudos for retrieving him and then everything will be gold.

He cups his hands around his mouth and hollers with, if not as much anticipation as Barry, still a good amount. This'll be great. "YO LUP!" ~~If only someone had thought to TELL HIM.~~

Looking for someone. Taako grinning and calling for Lup.

Oh absolutely fucking no.

Kravitz sighs, tries not to let that entire sigh consume him, especially when Taako's literally encouraging his lack of screaming very blatantly. Is this what he's been reduced to? Biting his tongue while the world falls apart? Yes, Taako warned him there was a chance at more liches, but why is this happening to him very specifically right now.

"She's not here right now, I don't think." He tilts his head to address Taako with that directly, as if cosigning the three of them to this very specific hell that Barry might not even know about yet. His back is much too straight for this, and he's thinking perhaps maybe Taako should do most of the talking. "Taako, perhaps you should introduce me to your. Friend."

He's giving Taako this look that says, very specifically, that he knows what is going on and is doing his best but he is clearly, so clearly not happy about it.

Look, as much as Taako would love to go about this introduction with all the circumspection it deserves, it's not really an option. Island life is tough and he can hardly have Kravitz acclimate the long way, whatever that is. Eating dinner on the other side of a door from a lich for six months, or dousing everyone in vanilla so no one smells like a threat to the order of life and death. He really only has the one strategy at hand and Kravitz will just have to do his best being thrown into the deep end. That includes conversationally, as well.

"Yeah, alright, guess if Lup is busy ruining my life." Seriously. The one time. The ONE time! And she's just fucked off to the wild blue yonder. But he handles his disappointment and moves on, gesturing to Barry like he's maybe for sale on a late night QVC stint.

"This is Barry, another one of the, uh, the good ol gang, the crew." Yep, that's it. "I found him in a tree, can you believe that?"

She's not here That disappointment is a little easier to swallow, especially when Taako's being a messy bitch who loves drama. There's...looks, exchanged. Ones with meanings that are wholly lost on him, but Barold would have to be an idiot not to recognize the gesture. It's a quiet exchange of two people who know each other intimately, so much so that their words and their eyes are having two completely different conversations.

Taako's been making friends. And not for nothing, but Barry's pretty sure this one? Doesn't like him.

"Sounds like I climbed it, when you put it like that." A chuckle- a little, uh, a little nervously. As chill as Taako's acting, it's not hard to read the room. Still, he's not going to take it personally, holding out a hand for Kravitz to shake with a lopsided smile.

"Nice to meet you- I think? You're living here too, uh..?" A glance in Taako's direction. Wanna slow down on the telepathic connection bullshittery and, maybe, introduce them properly?

Doesn't like is such a difficult term here. Barry is probably a perfectly good person. He bets that the other man has plenty of redeeming qualities that Taako would tout. The problem here is Kravitz knows that energy, that behind the awkward smile and worn jeans he is most definitely a lich. It's 90% of his mental processing power just to handle that part, let alone the rest of a social situation he's naturally bad at.

Just for the record, Taako, this is less throwing him to the deep end as it is willfully ignoring a drowning man. Just. So he knows.

He swallows as he searches for words, taking Barry's hand in his. "Yes, I-- don't think we've met before. I'm Kravitz." Fuck, wait, does he say it? He does have a stake in this, a reason and connection to be here, but Barry's obviously been in his life longer from the way Taako's described the other man previously. Is this going to read wrong? Maybe he'll let Taako say it.

He's absolutely just been staring at Barry and holding his hand too long. Gods above, if he can be alive, let him be dead right now.

It has been one hell of a day, ever since a fucking island crash landed in her literal back yard. From negotiating which losers got to check out the crash site, which, let's be real, definitely involved the drawing of straws or some bullying at the least, to being called up for a fucking Walking Dead sitch in the woods-- and she swears she saw something like, hands, just growing in between the real trees? Just, gross bulbous naked arms reaching for the sky? Point is, she's had less shitty days for sure.

So sue her, Taako, for dragging her feet a little on the way back, after making sure Tim and Chara are as okay as they can be, for now. Whatever he's found and wants her to take a look at, she's not convinced it's not gonna be another mess for her to sort out. And then he won't even tell her what's up, when she gets there? Well fuck this, she's this close to just blowing him off and fucking off to take a shower.

And that's when she sees him.

It's like time just, stops. After ten horrible years, after screaming at him helplessly as she heard him nearly lose himself, after months of painfully convincing herself to be patient for just a little longer, that he'll be waiting for her when she gets out of this miserable plane-- time just fucking stops. There's nothing but the two of them, staring at each other, frozen in this moment, and it almost hurts, to let herself hope this is for real. That he's found her. That this isn't as fragile as it feels, isn't going to shatter like an illusion or a, a dream.

What do you say, in such a moment?

He can't quite breathe, all of a sudden. The ability is lost, alongside all other motor skills. Can't move, can't blink. Lup's always- she's always had the ability to take his breath away, getting him lost in a smile or a light touch against his shoulder- her hand seeking out one of his own. A head unceremoniously resting in his lap because he's there and she wants to talk (or complain) about something, articulating and punctuating every point with her hands.

A decade without all those little moments, it- culminates. Snares him. Leaves Barry stuck with little thought in his mind for anything past how ruffled she looks, how there's one, two, three flyaway strands of hair sticking to her forehead, how, for that single instance before she sees him, she looked beyond exasperated. Totally done with whatever today has thrown at her, she's dirty, sweaty, tired-

Gorgeous. Gorgeous and real and alive, despite-- in spite of that blunt reality in Lucas' labs, in spite of what it should have meant when Taako had her umbrella and she wasn't there.

What do you say, in such a moment? Except with over a decade of unfelt breathlessness comes over a decade of self-consciousness and he- shit, he never thought of, maybe, picking her some flowers? Or- or cleaning himself up a little, asking for a change of clothes so he's not covered in dirt and sawdust or just- doing something? For her??? He's-- wow, he's had hours and he should've, sorted something out and.

He's

Overthinking, this. She won't care. She already doesn't care. What is he doing?

This is absolutely ridiculous. So much so that Barry winds up, laughing. At himsef. A short, breathless chuckle as his hands move to try and straighten up his clothes, a little, fumbling to clean his glasses on a nonexistent expanse of clean shirt.

"I uh," Hoo boy has he always had this much trouble? Has he regressed right back to being a schoolboy? Where's that kid Taako likes so much, he could use some help here. Teach him the dark arts of high school romcoms. "I-- heh."

He has no idea what to say, so- he's just going to make this easier on himself. With the dopiest, widest grin possible, Barry just-- opens his arms. And hopes that says enough.

Of course he breaks this moment of unbearable weightlessness, the uncertainty, hope, fear-- with laughter. His laughter, at himself, at the situation, a bit embarrassed, bit shy, but clean and joyful-- One of the very first things she fell in love with. All at once, it hits her how long it's been since she heard it, how the memory of it had kept her sane, had told her who she was in the silence of her tomb. How she'd longed to hear it whenever he took a chance talking to the others, but it had gone out of him, by then. It's been-- far, far too damn long.

And it's far too short. Just a chuckle while he's fumbling for words, trying to clean up like he's not the most beautiful man she's ever known. Babe--

It's instant and simultaneous - he invites her in and she's already there, leaping into his arms, holding back nothing. Laughter bubbles up in her too, the despair and longing of a decade leaving her at last, wavering with something like disbelief still-- But his embrace is as real, as solid and gentle as he's always been. She's never gonna be anywhere else again, this is it, good luck getting her to let go. She starts just, completely covering his face in kisses, like she's gonna make up for all the affection they missed in the past years right this second.

"Barry, I--" Her voice is thick with emotion, too much to say-- I've missed you. I'm so sorry. I'm so proud of you.

I love you.

So she just tenderly raises his glasses and shuts herself up by smooching the hell out of him.

Edited 2018-07-23 22:31 (UTC)

She crashes into him so fast he stumbles, instinctively wrapping his arms around her waist. And that? That's about the point where he starts crying.

He starts crying, because he's a big, insufferable goof who can't put a lid on his emotions at the best of times- but right now? Right now, he's- he's getting smothered by frantic kisses to his forehead, his cheeks, his- okay yeah, there's a lipstick print on his glasses, now. Gonna be a while before that comes off. The thought of it flies away with the wind, accompanied by bell-like laughter as Lup is infected by him and he's infected right back, laughing like a loon with tears running down the sides of his face.

Said laughter only stops when she kisses him square on the lips. One hell of a smooch, that- well. Kisses are, they're just lips pressing against each other, logically. And that's about all he'd thought of until the first time she'd looked at him, at the end of a- a perfect duet, facing a round of wild applause with their hands laced together, and they don't let go.

Barry? Do you wanna go talk somewhere for a while?

And they still. Don't let go.

It's- that night. How she'd looked then-- or a month later, still sleeping when he'd been lucky enough to wake up first, beside her. Or two years later when she'd strutted through the kitchen in one of his shirts, hellbent on finding the coffee. Or years after that, hair whipping across her cheeks as she stood on the railing of the Starblaster and leaped , ready to blow a pillar of darkness sky high...

The thing is. He'd thought he'd seen 'em all. All the moment she was the most- beautiful creature in the universe. Figured he'd never quite pinpoint which moment was the best; how could he? How do you judge every image, what moment in time she looked-- that blew away all the others?

He knows now.

"Lup-" Spoken between one of way too few smooches. He'll. He's gonna try again in a second, okay? To speak. Just a second.

Maybe a couple of seconds.

There it is. His laughter, finally free and unrestrained, like they're free from their prisons. Free from her tomb and his exile, this is the point where it all falls away. The darkness, the deafening silence and isolation, the desperate struggle just to be heard in brief, daring moments-- it was him, and the rest of their family, that kept her alive through it all. It was the memory of their special day, of all their special days, that stayed with her through that decade, and now?

Now, this is going to be another day like that.

Her tears join his on their cheeks, overflowing from her heart that is just, so, so full now. This whole time, he's been what was missing. She'd searched half the island for him, stolen glances out the temple entrance for weeks after they'd first washed up here, found the best spot to watch the sunset and wept because it was too empty without him.

If Taako is why she got here, the reason for everything she is? Barry is the how. The strength she'd needed to keep going, knowing he was out there and she would see him again one day.

She pulls back just enough to look at him, to look into his tear-streaked face and commit it to memory forever between breathless bouts of laughter. He's never been the best at words, but that's okay.

"I know--" Neither is she, right now, somehow. Maybe another kiss will do the talking for them, express everything that words are just way too small for.

Somebody help them, maybe??

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[closed] And Rehearse The Way You Heal

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i

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im here for that i prompt

fuck yeah how many threads can I have with Alex? Many.

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every tag you get in this thread is gonna be a monster fyi

YOU're a monster