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[reargunner]

ᴛᴇxᴛ | ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏ | ᴠɪᴅᴇᴏ | ᴀᴄᴛɪᴏɴ



Leave a message if you want. I'll get back to you when I pick my comm up.

Or I won't.

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[reargunner]

Rowdy crowds are a familiar scene and Alexei knows how to navigate them. He was never going to be a wallflower on the edges of this and when the band playing started putting out songs that he liked he pushed his way to the front of the crowd with ease and without a single apology.

He's not sure how long he's up there before someone leans in close enough to his side to draw his attention. Alexei looks over and grins as he sees Ethan there, grabbing hold of his hand without a care in the world.

"Took you long enough."

[inthebiblicalsense]

If they weren't completely surrounded he might feel more self conscious about it, but it feels less dangerous when everyone is obviously not paying attention to two random men in the crowd. He gives it a squeeze and tilts his head so he can speak in Alexei's ear, not wanting to shout to be heard.

"I had to weigh my options. You tipped the scale over potentially not being able to breathe."

[reargunner]

"Don't talk like I won't look out for you, solnyshko. If we get pushed forward, you'll be fine."

Alexei might not be but he'd sure as hell make sure Ethan was. He could do more here, make it more obvious that they're together, but he knows the other man is pushing his own boundaries and he's okay with letting him lead on that until told otherwise.

"They're nearly done, what do you wanna do after?"

[inthebiblicalsense]

It's not just the concern of getting crushed, he thinks he could hold his own on that, but he had experienced panic attacks in crowds during his last modern port and the idea that he might again isn't being discounted. He's been giving himself space when he feels he needs it though, and that's been encouraging for at least a glimpse of actual progress on some of his issues.

The subtle kiss just below his ear is a thank you for promising to protect him though and it makes him smile, nose bumping the jewelry in his ear before it reminds him of a thought he'd had.

"Maybe we can find someone who can give me a piercing to match yours. I hadn't been looking, but I did kind of want one."

[reargunner]

The kiss gets a little hum in reply, pleased but subtle, and he leans over to listen to Ethan's reply to his question before looking at him with a bright grin.

"What-- seriously?"

The question isn't so much whether they could find someone here but more whether it would be sanitary. Alexei is not terribly concerned about that part.

"Fuck me, that is one of the hottest things you've ever said."

[inthebiblicalsense]

Seeing as they have a magic healer in the infirmary that Abel has actually taken advantage of before, he's not all that worried about it.

What he isn't expecting is the enthusiasm though, a little surprised and trying to fight the blush. They're in public, he's not supposed to be telling him about hot shit he's said, and it does make him wonder why, especially when he knows he's asked him for decidedly naughtier things before. This was incredibly tame all things considered.

"W-what? Why?"

[reargunner]

"Because!"

He grins again and pulls him a bit closer, not to kiss him but close enough to nudge their foreheads together.

"It's just showing that rebel streak in you. It's so hot." Then, with his voice a bit lower and the enjoyment of it still curling his lips; "Your dad would hate it."

[inthebiblicalsense]

The two inch difference has him looking up into Alexei's eyes, and he can't help the grin that spreads at that low whisper.

"You know just what to say," he teases, wanting a kiss but feeling a little too exposed to take one. His hand will find the other man's shirt instead, curling into the hem, holding him close a moment longer before letting go, "but really, aside from the fact that he would throw a fucking fit, I really like yours, and I've thought about it before. Now is as good a time as any to pull the trigger on it." That and it would just be a reminder of what they did, where they were before he'd gotten it. That was just as appealing.

[reargunner]

"Damn right."

And while he doesn't outright plant a smooch on him, he will kiss Ethan's cheek. Absolutely nobody around them even gives them a first look, never mind a second.

Then he straightens up and lifts himself up on his toes a little, looking over the top of the crowd.

"Let's find somewhere."

Priorities have shifted.

[inthebiblicalsense]

It's cute, the way that Alexei's interest shifts, Ethan squeezing his hand before he starts the shouldering walk through the crowd to a more open spot.

"Don't let go."

He keeps hold of his hand so they don't get separated, but it's still nice aside from utility, and the way he smiles is a bit more relaxed than he might have been as he finds his footing in the most basic public display.

[reargunner]

"Not on your life."

He laces their fingers together and holds on firmly as they work their way out of the crowd. A couple of times he gets pushed back by someone trying to step into the space Ethan makes but anyone who tries to do that immediately realises their mistake as he growls at them in acerbic Russian.

He said he won't let go and he's got no intention of being made a liar.

Once they're free he shakes himself off and straightens his clothes with his free hand. It's nothing special - jeans and a black vest with heavy boots, Ethan's dog tags gleaming against his chest.

"Made it."

[inthebiblicalsense]

Abel tries not to laugh as he hears the aggressive Russian behind him, slowing when he feels the slightest strain on their clasped hands. He feels like he's got a big, scary dog that enjoys cuddling under a blanket with its own personal pillow and dog pajamas in the evenings on a leash. The image does get a soft snort out of him before they're free of the crowd.

His own outfit is fitting for the warm weather, shorts that wouldn't pass the fingertip test, a white tshirt and Alexei's dog tags jingling against his collar.

He pulls at his tshirt to get some airflow, knows he's sweating a little in the August heat, but doesn't mind at all. If anything the sun has bleached his hair even more blonde than usual, cheeks a little pink.

"You want to take the lead? I feel like you'd have a better eye for spotting someone appropriate than I do."

[reargunner]

"Hmm."

He pushes his hand through his hair, seemingly unbothered by the heat despite his dark clothes, and where Ethan's hair has turned lighter Alexei's skin has darkened slightly to a honey-coloured tan. They can just look around, as he has a vague idea of where to go.

Alexei works his hand free to put his arm around Ethan's back, curling his fingers against the other man's hip.

"This way first. Maybe I'll get something for myself."

[inthebiblicalsense]

Even if Ethan is being mindful of touch, he can't help the way his eyes light up, biting his lip as he watches him run his fingers through his hair, the stretch of his shirt, the way he's so obviously thinking for a moment before that arm comes around him.

This idiot is so very clearly smitten it's almost silly that he's so afraid of being too obvious in public.

"Yeah? Did you have anything in mind? You could get the other one done." He glances down at the hand at his hip and swallows, telling himself he's fine and relaxing into it, following along.

[reargunner]

He keeps the touch light, easy for Ethan to slip out of, but he won't say he's not quietly pleased when that doesn't happen. Just two guys walking through a festival crowd together and no one is so much as batting an eye at them.

As they shouldn't.

"Mmn, same ear. Was thinking about an industrial. It's a bar, here to here." He indicates where the holes would be in the shell of his ear. "But they're easy to fuck up, so I'll want to make sure they know what they're doing."

[inthebiblicalsense]

Abel tries to imagine it but hasn't actually seen that kind of piercing before. It isn't like the people he'd met in his life had a lot of piercings, but he nods all the same. He'll have to see it if they find someone else, though he does laugh, gently nudging the other man's side.

"Am I the test subject then, do the easy one just to make sure they actually are decent before you ask for yours?"

[reargunner]

Alexei just rolls his eyes a bit.

"Nah, a piercing through the earlobe's way different to one through your cartilage. Doesn't hurt as much, for one." Not that the pain bothers him and he's sure Ethan will weather the sting of a needle going through his ear well enough, but there's a hell of a lot of difference.

"And an industrial needs to be lined up right, or you might as well not fucking bother."

[inthebiblicalsense]

He was only teasing, he can't imagine that Alexei would tell him go right ahead if the person they did find was more sketchy than legit in any case.

"Since it's got two different points of entry, that makes sense. You don't want it to be lopsided. Do they basically push a long needle through at the same time or do one and then the other?"

[reargunner]

"One long needle. It's gonna sting like fuck."

Said far too cheerfully for someone anticipating pain on the horizon. He taps his fingertips idly against Ethan's hip while they walk along, meandering casually between tents and between small groups of people gathered about.

"... Man, going back to that ship is gonna suck after this."

No, he still does not like the Barge.

[inthebiblicalsense]

He does somewhat agree that it will, though the routine is nice to get back to.

"You know, Thrawn was telling me that even during wartime they got leave regularly. Can you imagine that? Getting leave back home...I can't." He'd told Norton the other day he'd only felt the sun on his skin for 3 weeks in almost seven years. Its...hard to experience it and then just go back on board.

[reargunner]

A small snort.

"Come on. You think I would have got leave even if we were allowed it? Put me on the first habitable planet and I would have shot off into the sunset."

Because he was as much a prisoner with the Alliance as he was on Mars, and he's still one here.

"Wouldn't have seen me for dust."

[inthebiblicalsense]

He can't help but laugh, "I mean, that's exactly what happened. Blink of an eye and we were gone."

As fugitives, sure, but he's more confident he can get them off than he was six months ago.

"You know, It's a good thing we went together...as much as I was upset with you, I never once considered just...leaving you behind forever." Even coming here he had always planned to come back. He isn't great with words, especially sentimental ones, but he'll tilt his head so he's closer and quietly say, "you disappear and my heart would go with you."

[reargunner]

The way they'd jumped ship wasn't exactly what he meant but he lets Ethan have that one, just shaking his head a little with a faint, mildly amused smile.

"Never once, huh." He isn't sure if he entirely believes that but it doesn't mean the thought isn't nice. It's what the other man says next, though, that has him pausing mid-step and pulling Ethan to a halt with him, looking down.

"You can't say stuff like that and expect that I'm not gonna kiss you."

[inthebiblicalsense]

"I might have cut you off," read as 'tried to and failed', "but you do realize I hadn't really had any friends and I wasn't about to just let that go. Then I'd really be an idiot." That and as upset as he was, Alexei had shown remorse even if he hadn't wanted to hear it. He understands how complicated it all was.

Just about to point out that he wouldn't have been able to use the jump drive if he didn't want anything to do with him, he's stopped short. His lips part, nervously glancing from left to right before he presses them together again and closes his eyes.

"Do it then." As if not looking will make him feel any less seen, any less judged, "I want you to."

[reargunner]

"Yeah?"

He's pretty sure they're at a point now where Ethan feels like he can say no to something he doesn't want and not feel like he's going to be punished for it, so he will take the opportunity as it's given.

With festival-goers milling about in every direction and crowds clumped together having their own conversations he knows the other man is pushing himself. That he's probably nervous.

"Just stay focused on me," Alexei tells him as he pulls him closer. He pushes a hand gently into his hair, cups the back of his head, then leans down and fits their lips together in a warm kiss.