man I don't even know

[canceller]

[It's been less than 24 hours since he landed back here, and already Jeremiah's finding himself breathing easier. It's drier here, the winter colder, and he welcomes it, in spite of years in Area 11. The mainland will always be his home, after all.

Pendragon sometimes feels less so, and other times more. It still feels like fate brought him here, it just depends on how surreal that particular moment feels to him. Right now, all he can do is keep strolling about the grounds, gaze sweeping the gardens, the sprawling build of the place, the mountains in the distance.

It's good to be back.]

Comments

[canceller]

Unforgettably disgusting, perhaps.

[When he brings the cup over, it's noticeably paler than his own, and offered forward with a look of faint distaste.]

I added sugar and honey, just in case. That's bound to be enough, isn't it?

[explores]

[ Rolling back over and sitting up, finally. The cape does a slightly better job of staying on him than the sheet did, but that's not saying much when he isn't laying down. And when he reaches to take the cup that whole notion goes out the window again, but oh well.

He has himself a sip and paused to consider the taste for a moment, scrunching his nose. ]

Perfect! It's always the best when it tastes exactly how you were never supposed to drink it when you had to follow rules.

[ FUCK RULES. :D slurp ]

[canceller]

Yes, well. I'm sure you'll thank yourself for it later when you have diabetes.

[Jeremiah sips his own cup, then takes a seat next to him on the edge of the bed.]

[explores]

Probably. I'll have lived a pretty sweet life.

[ hur hur. He makes use of Jeremiah's arm almost immediately, as it was clearly put there, in that spot, on this earth, for him to lean on right at this very moment (and if not, tough shit). ]

You should consider sweetening up a little sometime. Before you get all puckered up and sour.

[canceller]

Not likely.

[Jeremiah doesn't fight that in the least, just sipping his tea calmly. Really, it's not odd for him to actually be amicable with the other man, all things considered. Which isn't always saying much, but it's better than it used to be. And right now, he's got about no complaints as Gino smashes himself up against his arm.]

[explores]

Don't be so sure! Everybody needs a little sugar sometimes.

[ He takes a short sip of his sugar-with-a-little tea, glancing up. ]

Unless they want to be sour lemons instead of sweet oranges.

[canceller]

Please, you're sweet enough for the both of us. You wouldn't like pestering me so much otherwise.

[explores]

Haha, listen to you! That was almost charming until you ruined it.

[ Nudge. ]

[canceller]

As if you'd have it any other way.

["Liking pestering someone" and liking someone are one and the same with Gino, after all. And like he could say the other thing? Please. That would be, like, so gay.]

[explores]

I guess you're right. It just wouldn't be the same if I were the more serious one.

[ Impossible. For awhile Gino just sits there against Jeremiah's arm, nursing his tea without bothering to sip it. He always liked it better lukewarm, anyway. ]

[canceller]

[He's equally content, it seems, to sit in silence with him, sipping his own bit by bit. It isn't making him quite so sleepy, but he's at least unwinding, so that's enough.]

[explores]

[ Eventually he takes a sip, when he's reasonably positive it won't be as hot, and lets his cheek slump against Jeremiah's shoulder. ]

I'm starting a petition, by the way. Yours will be the first signature other than mine, if you agree to help.

[canceller]

And what would that be?

[Sip.]

[explores]

Petition to prevent you from being sent away for half of forever again! Talk about boring. You don't deserve that long of a break away from us.

[ He means "me." ]

[canceller]

Are you sure you want to take that up with His Majesty?

[As if he isn't already familiar with Gino's flagrant disregard of propriety.]

[explores]

Are you kidding? I'll wave every signature in his face like a flag. He'll never be able to look away from such conclusive evidence that he has no business stationing you elsewhere for such an extended period, and it'll never happen again.

[ He'd clap his hands together if he weren't holding tea, so he settles instead for a very decisive nod. ]

[canceller]

Well it won't bode well for our togetherness if you have yourself removed from your position in the Rounds as a result of such insubordination. Make your decision wisely, Lord Weinberg.

[explores]

It'd be worth to get you the proper at-home time that you're due. I'd hang up my cape in the name of fairness!

[ Finishing off the rest of his warmish tea in one long sip. ]

Besides, who's to say we couldn't just engage in some clandestine courtyard meetings? If it came to that, the opportunity would be too poetic to pass up.

[canceller]

[Yeah, he's just laughing now.] How scandalous. Then again, perhaps I should have seen it coming that you'd be fond of such shenanigans better suited to romance novels than to real life.

[explores]

Hahaha. [ Sitting up a little straighter. ] Would you come to the balcony window to meet me if I stood outside and compared you to the sun and the moon-? Even if it's just to tell me to go home.

[canceller]

Don't push your luck. After all, I probably shouldn't associate with such scorned individuals. What would people think of me? [He places an offended hand over his chest to indicate.] What if I suffered the same fate as a result?

[explores]

Aw, you know I'd take you in. I'll start a home for unloved exiles and eventually we can secede and be our own independent country, where everybody is treated equally and receives animal-shaped pancakes for breakfast every day.

[canceller]

That's a very radical aspiration you have there, Weinberg. Careful, someone might mistake you for a double agent with such talk.

[explores]

Shhh!

[ Reaching up to touch a finger to his lips. ]

Don't say that kind of thing out loud, you'll give me away.

[canceller]

[The scandalized gasp Jeremiah emits isn't quite as dramatic when he can't make the full face to go with it, but he'l make do with widened eyes and raised brows. Of course, then he just snatches Gino's hand away (and doesn't let go of his wrist, mind you) but. Well.]

Traitor. I should have known.