Get into the van, kiddo.

[captaincatblock]

[Peace is a funny thing. It's been teased and denied for so long that now that it's happening, it's almost weird. He'd missed most of the drama with the princess and her traitorous Terran Knight -- not that he's fully convinced of it, but if it gains them this peace, then he won't question it -- but he had been returned to his kin as Earth's first peace offering.]

[Kuroo hadn't been too happy about that, hadn't even had the time to say good bye to Tsukki after being whisked away by a couple of generals and then thrown into political chaos. But he had endured it, because he knew that eventually, the princess would get to the small issue of Kuroo's kataphrakt and how he intends to spend his time on Earth. He could be a diplomat, he'd offered, or teach his fellow Versians about Terrans, since he's learned a lot. Anything, he had added meaningfully, if he allowed him to keep his landing castle close to Earth if not entirely on its soil.]

[He'd gotten some leeway in the end, after weeks of endless talks, so here he is now striding into the hanger where they kept his mech, in full Count regalia. Oddly enough, he only has Terran escorts with him, and they back away well enough when he reaches his destination.

Tsukki? Oiii, I'm looking for your mechanic, Tsukishima Kei. [first he calls out, and then just outright asks someone to find Tsukki for him]

Comments

[hellacene]

Oh my god, shut up. I don't know who you are.

[walks off in disgust and a chorus of laughter and hoots, leaving him in the floor because he actually has to go to the toilet, but he's not telling him that. when he comes back, he makes a stop in the kitchen for tea, which he's careful to bring back towards his spot with kuroo.]

[captaincatblock]

[Kuroo rearranges their small nest of pillows and blankets so that he and Tsukki can sit side by side, preferably with Kuroo's arm around Tsukki. He may have commandeered a few pillows from other unsuspecting watchers, though.]

Welcome back, love.

[hellacene]

[he makes kuroo hold the cups and saucers while he sets the teapot on the side. he then rejoins him, sits beside him and lets kuroo put his hand around him while the people are engrossed at the sight of gollum and the orcs.]

[captaincatblock]

[He pours for them when he figures out how to do it with one hand.]

I keep on expecting them to break into song.

[hellacene]

[he gives him a small kiss in thanks, cooling his tea in his hands.]

The original books had them singing in a lot of parts .... they cut that out for this one, thankfully. Nobody needs seven people singing simultaneously about their quest.

[he says that after watching a musical ... anyway.] You'd fit with them. You'd never quit until you get things right, though you might be too ruthless for Tolkien.

[captaincatblock]

It sounds like it might be fun. [Kuroo regards the movie for a moment.]

I suppose I could be a ranger. But I'll only agree if you come along as my elven lover. [Unknowing of the ships for this fandom...]

[hellacene]

.... you want me to watch you die. Elves live a lot longer than humans, you know.

[alas. but maybe he'll take the offer of immortality instead of just thinking of his duties all the time.]

[captaincatblock]

[dismissively] We'll think of that when we get there. There will be years of passionate... adventures, first.

[hellacene]

[he rolls his eyes.] Is that what you're calling it now?

[and then - a tilt of the head, because this is one of the things kuroo jokes about from time to time - ] I'll be sad if I had to do that, though, having adventures with you and knowing you'll die one day. You'd be a gross old man and I'll still look the same, since elves don't age either, I think ....

[captaincatblock]

You were the one saying there are children around. [Smiles at him, leaning against Tsukki's shoulder.]

I would be a lucky gross old man to have spent my life with you. But I think we would find a way. I mean, they have wizards, I'd think an extended lifespan isn't too difficult to come by... [he leans down to murmur at Tsukki's ear] As for this life, I'm not leaving you so easily.

[hellacene]

I don't want to stay beside a gross old man.

[but he clings beside him anyway, leaning against kuroo as he fixes the blankets around them both.]

I don't think I can make you leave, anyway. If my family ever chose not to allow me to come to the castle you'd schedule visits around our lives whether we like it or not. [and then kidnap him.]

[captaincatblock]

Until we're both gross old men. [Agreeably, as he cuddles Tsukki close.] I'm glad they let you come, though. I feel like I'll be spending the rest of my life paying them back for the privilege.

[hellacene]

Don't. It's enough for them to know you're taking care of me.

[he lets kuroo hold him tight, and then murmurs,] If your parents were here, I'm pretty sure I'd be nervous, too.

[captaincatblock]

I'm going to. [kisses his forehead]

Hmmm. They'd ask about practical concerns, then congratulate me on my good taste.

[hellacene]

Really? [then again, with kuroo the way he is, he probably shouldn't be so surprised with the way he describes his parents.]

Tell me about your childhood.

[captaincatblock]

Well, maybe there would be a little more scrutiny, but I think you'll pass their criteria. [That is, smart and not a golddigger.]

I would say it was the usual Versian life of a noble, but my generation is actually the first in Mars that has anything even established by way of tradition. My grandparents were Terran, after all, who flew to Mars to do research. [looks a little distant as he thinks about it, leaning his chin on Tsukki's shoulder] I spent my childhood learning things that would make me a good Count. Martian geography, space, territory management, a bit about Earth... Then I also spent a lot of time getting into loads and loads of trouble.

[hellacene]

Sounds very much like you. [he feels comfortable settling into his lap, leaning his weight against kuroo's body and feeling how warm he was as he holds him. quietly,] What happened to your parents?

[captaincatblock]

[His hand goes to Tsukki's hair, then he looks up, to the side, sighs when he realizes he can't get out of this. Kuroo leans forward to kiss Tsukki's forehead, then only leans back enough to talk. So no one overhears them. It's not that the guys don't know, but he doesn't want them paying attention and fussing.]

My mother died in childbirth when I was about ten. The baby didn't make it, either. My father died in a freak accident in the mines we manage when I was fifteen. Everyone thinks it was an assassination, but we'll never be sure. [And that is how he became a Count.]

[hellacene]

[there's a bit of awkward shuffling around them, since the space is small and there's quite a lot of people watching the movie. it's hard not to pay attention to their rather subdued tones when they talk, but luckily there's plenty to be engrossed on at the screen as the movie goes on to some fights involving armies.

tsukki holds his hand tightly.] I'm sorry.

For what it's worth, you wouldn't have to worry about that kind of history with my family. [a slight laugh. because they're fairly normal.] I'm the worst they have, and you're dealing with me a lot better than both of them have. They'll take care of you, too.

[captaincatblock]

[Sometimes, privacy is just a matter of everyone else pretending they don't hear anything, after all.]

There's nothing to be sorry about. [Smile, kisses Tsukki's nose.] And I look forward to being... being family with them. I'm not sure what we'd do together apart from talk about you, though. [What an odd word, family.]

[hellacene]

[he shakes his head.] Honestly, there're a lot more things more important to everyone else in that house than just talking about me.

[he and his brother got along well, despite earlier hurdles. he should've known they'd conspire against him too.]

[captaincatblock]

I'll learn it from them eventually. [leans back, checks where the movie is at.] I just need to make time and make sure to talk to them often.

[And maybe bribes. Bribes...]

[hellacene]

They like it when you do. Akiteru is getting used to the idea of you being a Count, still, and I think my mother's intimidated by that as well, but both of them always ask me about you and your health.

[or, well, in the case of his brother, whether he's being cared for and if he's spending enough time with him.]

[captaincatblock]

Terran families seem fun. [pokes Tsukki's nose.] Don't worry, I'll be sure to get along well with them. I wouldn't want them to ask for you back...

[And then there's roaring on the screen as the movie gets to another fight scene. Kuroo winces.] I'm glad we didn't have to fight those Terrans.

[hellacene]

[he winces at the idea of a somewhat medieval earth having to face kataphracts.]

Please. If it happened to you again, you'd probably surrender to the first blond elf you'll see.