pawnstorm | [open] lookin' for the love getaway.

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[open] lookin' for the love getaway.

Who: Gilgamesh and everyone visiting Heaven's Feel!
When: 5/1—5/8
Where: Caissa, Heaven's Feel storefront
What: The grand opening of Heaven's Feel, Caissa's premier matchmaking service, has arrived! Stop by for food, drinks, and some friendly fun with your fellow Heroes! ...or maybe even pick up a date, who knows.
Rating: General audiences, except for Gil's threads because he was pretty much making out with everyone. Tread carefully.

Heaven's Feel

[Maybe you've heard, or maybe you haven't, but there's a new business in town. It's plastered everywhere, posted on the side of every building and shouted from the end of every street corner in Caissa. Heaven's Feel, Heaven's Feel, come fly with the angels at Heaven's Feel! Really, who writes something so cheesy? The owner must be a real piece of work, you think, yet there's something enticing about the sound of it...

If you do decide to stop by within the first week of May, you'll find a massive celebration awaiting you: the celebration of opening day! Eager workers wave down anyone who gets close, with offers of wine tasting, sweet treats, and even speed dating. The store's interior bustles with activity as visitors fill out cute little survey cards in hopes of a hook-up. The owner in question can be found mingling in the crowd, bartending, and drawing charcoal caricatures of couples for a nominal fee.

Overall, the atmosphere is one of excitement. Hop right in! There's plenty of room for lounging on the cushy furniture, and plenty of time to find your own hottie.

...or perfectly platonic friend. Look, we're not judging or anything.]

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Really?

[ Both his eyebrows go up at hearing that, and he leans back while reaching out to press a finger to Adra's shoulder, as though he could keep the man upright with just the one.

(Though really, Adra's so lightweight that he probably could.) ]

I've got you. [ He says, sincerely. While he's not as good at supporting others as Adra is, he's!! Going to do his best!! ]

Really really.

[ He glances at the finger in confusion. Shrugs it off. Leans forward, again, and then just--abruptly, quickly--wraps his arms around Bolin's waist. He presses his cheek against Bolin's chest and sighs, thinking of the battle on the shoreline, of Bolin checking up on him afterwards, of the apples and flowers. ]

Thank you for coming.

Oh! [ An exclamation of surprise slips out without Bolin even having the chance to gather enough thought to stop it. Even in his tipsy state, he's aware enough that it's not exactly characteristic of the elf to act this way.

It's a little embarrassing, and Bolin's cheeks turn to an obvious pink, thrown off guard. For all his easy affection, he's a little flustered! But he's fairly resilient, and eventually he works through his surprise and reaches out to happily squeeze his friend. (While being careful... not to squeeze the air of out him.) ]

Of course! Even though this doesn't really seem like your kind of thing.

[ Adra pulls away after just a moment--he's not used to initiating affection, and even though he feels soft-edged and open-hearted, he's still surprised at himself. He lets go of Bolin, coughing, clearing his throat, and trying not to just fall over onto the tables behind him. ]

N-no, it's really not. But ...

[ He looks 'round at the crowd--smiling, talking, eating. Enjoying themselves. ]

But the people here ... they seem happy. If only for a little while. I'm glad I could help give them that.

[ Bright-eyed, and forgetting his metal note to keep a respectable distance from his roommate, Bolin claps a hand on Adra's shoulder with a friendly bump. (Making sure that Adra doesn't topple right over from the contact as well.) ]

Of course! It's a really nice party. [ Swanky decor, nice staff, great food, and alcohol. ] Plus, everyone's probably excited about finding romance.

[ Which gets him to simmer down, quietly rather abruptly. The mood shift is instantaneous, and Bolin is often prone to wandering thoughts when sober, ideas rapidly connecting and reaching out in bizarre directions. He's no better when not-so-sober, and offers no explanation as he just looks back at the blonde with a sad expression. ]

[ Adra absolutely would have toppled over if not for Bolin's steadying hand. As it is, he sways slightly on his feet, frowning as he feels the mood shift, as Bolin's expression turns so unhappy. ]

Bolin ...

[ He leans forward, his eyes focusing. He might be tipsy, but he's never too far gone to worry about someone. ]

What's the matter? Talk to me.

[ For all his exuberance when sober, Bolin is, in fact, a rather sad drunk. It's generally not serious, as he sulks over petty things - usually having to do with Mako, or complaining about Varrick (while Zhu Li listened empathetically). But like his sober self, he has no qualms with opening up. Huffing a little sigh, he leans forward to sadly press his face into Adra's shoulder. ]

I guess all this has made me miss my girlfriend.

[ Yeah, Opal. He wishes that if he'd had to disappear, then he could've at least done it while they'd been on good terms.

But really... ]

... I miss my brother.

[ He hadn't been particularly kind to Mako in their last conversation either. He'd just been so frustrated, that Mako would question him when he hadn't set foot outside of Republic City to help the Earth Kingdom. That both Mako and Opal would dismiss the choices he'd made, even though it had been the first time they'd been his own, and Kuvira really had done good for as harsh as she could be in her dealings.

He wishes he'd said that to Mako instead of taunting him. ]

[ Ah ... Adra's heart turns to water. He gently sets his hand against the back of Bolin's head, pressing his warm fingers lightly into Bolin's hair. Were he sober, he might still have pulled away. He's not any less loving when drunk, but to be sure, his fear responses are less robust. ]

Your brother?

[ He thinks of his own brother, whom he's also missing, albeit not fondly.

Adra murmurs, his voice soft. ]

Tell me about him.

He's a jerk.

[ Which is a lie. Mako's the softest, most gentle person that he knows. A brother that had shouldered the responsibility of raising Bolin when he'd only been eight. It had been a long time since they'd been kids, and they'd both grown up since then. Mako was always more reserved than Bolin, stronger with his emotions, and more willing to support than be supported.

But Bolin remembers the times that Mako would cry; hidden away after their parents had died or they couldn't find food, and it's enough to bring tears to his eyes now because he wishes that was better at expressing how grateful he was for all their years together. How much he wanted to do good with Kuvira's army so that he could be half the man that his brother is. ]

We lost our parents when we were kids. [ His voice is quiet, thick. ] He always took care of me, and I... felt like I was never as good as him. So I would get angry at him. It was really childish. [ For as much as he'd wanted to be mature like Mako. ] I fought with him before I came here.

I just wish I hadn't.

[ Oh.

Well, that strikes a number of chords. Adra swallows thickly, listening. He doesn't say anything until he's sure that Bolin's finished talking. ]

I fought with mine before I came here, too.

[ In a probably significantly more deadly and final way. ]

But, listen. You'll see him again. You will. And--

[ He sighs. Because no matter what his own brother has become, Adra still loves him. ]

I was always the one watching over us while we were growing up. We had stupid fights, too. Days where I thought I'd never speak to him again.

But those never lasted. He's my brother, and your brother is yours. He loves you--if he's angry, it's probably because he just wants what he thinks is best.

I know. [ Bolin's answer comes as a slight wail, and he presses his face in further like he's ashamed. ] He always just wants what's best. That's all he ever thinks about.

[ Stupid Mako. He'd never grow out of looking out for Bolin, even after Bolin's grown up. He's just... he just misses him. It's not like they hadn't been separated. When he'd joined Kuvira's army, it was the first time that they'd really started living a part from one another. But being here, literally cut off, it's driving him crazy.

He pulls away so that he can look his roommate in the eyes, brows furrowed and concern etched in so deep. ]

I'm worried that I'll die here and Mako will never know. But I'm also worried that we'll never go back... and he'll just never know what happened to me. I don't know if he could be happy.

[ Adra gently pries Bolin's face off of him. He sets one hand on either of Bolin's shoulders, looking up at him, his jaw set. His mind's warm and swimming, thoughts like fish, but he's truly so far gone. Just tipsy. Tipsy enough to be even more frank and sincere than usual, if that's even possible ]

I can't tell you the future. I don't know when we're going home, or what will happen to us tomorrow. But I can promise this: as long as we're here, I will protect you. No one is dying on my watch. Not if I can help it.

[ And if they do ... the Light provides all. ]

[ Bolin looks a little conflicted by Adra's reassurances, like he's not sure whether or not he wants to let of all his worries and believe them. Not sure that he really wants to add Mako's happiness of all things to the list of things that Adra has to worry about. It's not that Bolin's scared of dying—not any more than anyone else that constantly throws themselves into danger—he just doesn't want to go without Mako ever knowing what happened to him.

More than anything, he doesn't want to be the cause of that suffering.

Eventually, he just ends up tucking his face back into Adra's shoulder with a snuff and a warbly, ] thanks.

[ He'll cheer up soon, but for now - ]

I want to go home, y'know? Not that I don't love you, but I miss my family.

I don't have much family to miss, but you're not alone in that sentiment. I--

[ He pauses, his eartips slowly turning red. He coughs. ]

What--did you say?

I miss my family. [ His muffled repeat. Though he's a little confused, since Adra obviously heard him. ]

Sorry...

I mean ... before that. Along with that.

[ Patting Bolin's hair, absently, wonderingly. ]

[ He has to think about it for a moment. Something about Mako?? Or.

He grins a little, spirits lifting. ]

You mean that I love you? [ He sounds incredulous, chuckling a little. ] What?

[ DON'T LAUGH. He's reddening by the second. ]

I--I mean, I love you as well, of course --

[ Which is true: he loves people very easily, very quickly. ]

I just. Don't hear that, very often.

[ He pulls away again, replacing his face with a hand on Adra's shoulder, to look the other man in the eye. ]

You should. [ He says seriously. ] Before we can't say these things anymore.

[ He feels his heartbeat quicken. He has no trouble feeling love; he feels it so much and for so many people that sometimes he worries his ribcage will fracture because of it--but he's not always the best when it comes to demonstration or expression (hence, food). ]

You're right. I don't know how much time I have with all of you, and --

[ He's getting a little verklempt ... it's the wine. He shakes his head, irritated at himself, embarrassed. Ugh. ]

[ Oh no, Adra's getting emotional and it's making Bolin get worked up. ]

I know! I'm gonna miss you when I get back—

[ But is it enough to keep him from wanting to go back? Not even a little. And the thought makes him feel guilty, turning those slightly ashamed eyes toward his friend. ]

But thanks for everything, Adra.

[ He rubs at his eyes; forces himself to breathe. He's in favor of being demonstrative, of expressing oneself--but this space is just too public. A deep sigh, a hiccup, and he's got hold of himself. ]

The same for you, obviously.

[ It's painful, suddenly, to think of going back to Azeroth. He must, of course, and would take the chance immediately--same as Bolin, with his family, and his world. But he's been here long enough to form connections, to love these people, and knowing that one day they'll be gone hurts.

Best not to think on it too deeply.

He reaches for Bolin's hand, giving him a gentle squeeze. ]

Come on, then. I'll split a cupcake with you.

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[open] lookin' for the love getaway.

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we can leave this here i think :*