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deer country | ic inbox
the arms of the ocean are carrying me
the arms of the ocean delivered me
[ text | voice | omen | action ]
the arms of the ocean are carrying me
the arms of the ocean delivered me
[ text | voice | omen | action ]
[ Waking up alone isn't totally unusual, but it does give her pause when morning comes. She soon figures Peter probably didn't want to disturb her, or maybe just simply passed out in his own room following his latest night of smoking The Weed. And she soon finds out the answer as she sleepily shuffles downstairs in search of tea, passing the living room to find him sprawled lazily over the sofa, fast asleep.
Nothing else seems out of the ordinary until she moves to the kitchen, wiping at her eyes and yawning: something smells good, something sweet over the distinctive smell Peter's smoking usually has clinging around him long after.
... There is cake on the bench.
Not just a cake, but several cupcakes organised into some kind of strange but wonderfully cheerful face. Luna picks up the note left, reading it with a sleepy smile. Ah, it is Santa Claus. It makes sense now. It's a very interesting interpretation of him. And Luna is................. absolutely delighted. No, really. She is feeling very mushy inside right in that moment: Peter made Santa Claus cupcakes for her! It is a very wonderful and thoughtful gift, and she loves it.
She'll be carefully picking up two from the bottom of the beard and returning to the living room with them. Leaving them on the coffee table, Luna crouches down on the floor beside the sofa and will be gently waking him up with little kisses and murmurs of his name to say thank you.
It's a nice day to have cake for breakfast. ]
Nothing else seems out of the ordinary until she moves to the kitchen, wiping at her eyes and yawning: something smells good, something sweet over the distinctive smell Peter's smoking usually has clinging around him long after.
... There is cake on the bench.
Not just a cake, but several cupcakes organised into some kind of strange but wonderfully cheerful face. Luna picks up the note left, reading it with a sleepy smile. Ah, it is Santa Claus. It makes sense now. It's a very interesting interpretation of him. And Luna is................. absolutely delighted. No, really. She is feeling very mushy inside right in that moment: Peter made Santa Claus cupcakes for her! It is a very wonderful and thoughtful gift, and she loves it.
She'll be carefully picking up two from the bottom of the beard and returning to the living room with them. Leaving them on the coffee table, Luna crouches down on the floor beside the sofa and will be gently waking him up with little kisses and murmurs of his name to say thank you.
It's a nice day to have cake for breakfast. ]
[What a thoughtful gift to be given in return! Maul honestly hadn't expected Luna to give him anything but this....this was very nice. The painting was fascinating and the subject of course was wonderful. Of all the Pthumerians, Moon Presence was the only one Maul could truly say he trusted completely. After all she'd done for the Sleepers, how could he not?
He would be putting this some place special in his home, oh yes.]
He would be putting this some place special in his home, oh yes.]
[ A lazy Christmas morning spent in bed with cuddling and kisses is a pretty amazing Christmas morning, really. Especially considering how Christmas last year wasn't much of a thing, with... well, everything. But no matter, Luna won't dwell too hard on it, and they have this year. She'll be on dinner duty, and while there won't be a turkey, she'll be cooking up a Christmas stew for them — something hearty and warming. Plus there'll be plenty of food that's been gifted to them that they indulge on over the course of the day (and then some).
She will be delighted with the matching mugs and will want to make tea in them right away (and hot chocolate in them in the evening, too). She will be equally enthusiastic over her gifts of slippers and the rabbit headband too, immediately putting them on and grinning widely (Peter is mostly the dork, but Luna also can sometimes be the dork, too). The star ornaments will be hung on the tree in the living room. It's a nice addition to the start of their traditions this winter, Luna is sure there will be more to follow.
As for Peter's gifts, Luna has made him some more of the sour candies she made him for his birthday, considering a stoner shouldn't be without their snacks and she knows Peter's love for sour sweets over sweet ones. She has also made him a little figurine of a dog out of beads, like how she does with her jewellery. There is also a carved, antique box which might be met with some confusion until Luna explains to him she thought it would make a nice storage box for his weed supplies. It's... very practical—? Keep your weed supplies all in one place—!
Peter's main present, however, comes in the form of a simple card with the letters 'I O U' written on it. Inside, Luna has written 'one bedroom decorating'. Long ago, back in Deerington, she'd mentioned offering to paint his room for him. She unfortunately never got around to doing it, and Peter ended up moving out of the house he shared with Henry and into hers instead. While it's been over a year since then, it's now definitely become overdue.
Said decorating will come in the early days of the new year, once the celebrations are out of the way. While Luna has agreed to decorate his room, there is a condition that Peter must help her tidy it — which is no small feat as it involves moving around furniture and finding all the gory details of Peter's depression habits. Sorry, Peter. You can no longer hide your sins from her, and no you can't just shove things in drawers to stay there in the meantime, either. Luna plans to completely gut his bedroom; everything is getting cleaned and tidied and reorganised. Luna will cover removing any trash while Peter's on laundry duty and moving his belongings into the spare bedroom down the hallway for safe keeping.
The heavy furniture covered with dust sheets, Luna will get to work. Peter will be banned from his own bedroom over the next few days, so not to ruin the surprise. And once she's all done, he'll find that Luna's done quite the number on his room.
The main feature is the painted walls and ceiling: the walls given a clean coat of white paint to freshen them up and make them look a little more modern with the house's older architecture. The ceiling, however, Luna has painted to look like the stars in the night sky. There's something a little magical about it, too. Quite literally. The ceiling mural looks incredibly real, and if he's watching carefully, he may see stars twinkling at him, or the odd one shoot across the space. He'll be able to pick out some constellations if he's paying close attention, including Cygnus, since he told her that's his favourite.
Not only that, but Luna has cleaned up the room and rearranged the furniture, too. Even Lu and Na's tank has been cleaned. Everything will be organised and dusted, and she's even added some little of her own touches of some fairy lights by his bed, and trio of little jars in different sizes filled with magical phosphorus lights to sit on a shelf. She has also gifted him a star chart she had made in one of her Astronomy lessons that she found in her old Hogwarts trunk and framed it to put on his wall.
Look, she really just wanted him to have a very nice and chill and clean bedroom he can relax in. It's important. And she went all out. Merry Christmas, Peter. She hopes you like your new room. :) ]
She will be delighted with the matching mugs and will want to make tea in them right away (and hot chocolate in them in the evening, too). She will be equally enthusiastic over her gifts of slippers and the rabbit headband too, immediately putting them on and grinning widely (Peter is mostly the dork, but Luna also can sometimes be the dork, too). The star ornaments will be hung on the tree in the living room. It's a nice addition to the start of their traditions this winter, Luna is sure there will be more to follow.
As for Peter's gifts, Luna has made him some more of the sour candies she made him for his birthday, considering a stoner shouldn't be without their snacks and she knows Peter's love for sour sweets over sweet ones. She has also made him a little figurine of a dog out of beads, like how she does with her jewellery. There is also a carved, antique box which might be met with some confusion until Luna explains to him she thought it would make a nice storage box for his weed supplies. It's... very practical—? Keep your weed supplies all in one place—!
Peter's main present, however, comes in the form of a simple card with the letters 'I O U' written on it. Inside, Luna has written 'one bedroom decorating'. Long ago, back in Deerington, she'd mentioned offering to paint his room for him. She unfortunately never got around to doing it, and Peter ended up moving out of the house he shared with Henry and into hers instead. While it's been over a year since then, it's now definitely become overdue.
Said decorating will come in the early days of the new year, once the celebrations are out of the way. While Luna has agreed to decorate his room, there is a condition that Peter must help her tidy it — which is no small feat as it involves moving around furniture and finding all the gory details of Peter's depression habits. Sorry, Peter. You can no longer hide your sins from her, and no you can't just shove things in drawers to stay there in the meantime, either. Luna plans to completely gut his bedroom; everything is getting cleaned and tidied and reorganised. Luna will cover removing any trash while Peter's on laundry duty and moving his belongings into the spare bedroom down the hallway for safe keeping.
The heavy furniture covered with dust sheets, Luna will get to work. Peter will be banned from his own bedroom over the next few days, so not to ruin the surprise. And once she's all done, he'll find that Luna's done quite the number on his room.
The main feature is the painted walls and ceiling: the walls given a clean coat of white paint to freshen them up and make them look a little more modern with the house's older architecture. The ceiling, however, Luna has painted to look like the stars in the night sky. There's something a little magical about it, too. Quite literally. The ceiling mural looks incredibly real, and if he's watching carefully, he may see stars twinkling at him, or the odd one shoot across the space. He'll be able to pick out some constellations if he's paying close attention, including Cygnus, since he told her that's his favourite.
Not only that, but Luna has cleaned up the room and rearranged the furniture, too. Even Lu and Na's tank has been cleaned. Everything will be organised and dusted, and she's even added some little of her own touches of some fairy lights by his bed, and trio of little jars in different sizes filled with magical phosphorus lights to sit on a shelf. She has also gifted him a star chart she had made in one of her Astronomy lessons that she found in her old Hogwarts trunk and framed it to put on his wall.
Look, she really just wanted him to have a very nice and chill and clean bedroom he can relax in. It's important. And she went all out. Merry Christmas, Peter. She hopes you like your new room. :) ]
( December may be a difficult month for him (and... what he's recently coming off of has kind of extremely shellshocked him!) but Christmas ends up being nice and calm and he couldn't have asked for anything more. Luna's gifts to him are literally perfect: sour candies and a doggo made out of beads (which is going on his shelf next to the snake one she made him a bit ago), and a Weed Box!! It's such a smart and good idea that Peter'll be visibly shook. Luna, how do you manage to think of the coolest things. He'll have fun arranging his Supplies inside.... very nice and organised... Look, he's getting older now, he's not a Teenage Stoner anymore. He's an Adult Stoner, and it's time to start acting like it.
As for the I O U, Peter will be curious but have no idea the extent of what Luna's planning here, and while the process may be A Journey once it starts up some days later.... (deep-cleaning his room.... has there ever been a task more momentous than this....) he won't be complaining too much.... He'll genuinely work to help her (though he does get worn out easily and has to take breaks to drape himself over his bed....) And he might try to cut some corners (Luna can't we just shove some stuff under the bed no one will know!!) but his girlfriend is Thorough and things are getting done the right way. Paimon will occasionally mentally pipe up to help Luna out, informing her of any hidden spots Peter's managed to stuff garbage.....
After he's allowed to return to his room a couple days later, Peter will be shook, to say the absolute least. Speechless. This is so much more than he ever could have expected, it's.... like having a brand new room. And it's so cool, literally a dream room??? It isn't often that he gets Openly Excited about things, but Luna will have one (1) very visibly excited boy on her hands once the stun wears off and he starts flittering around to look at everything. Like a little boy in a candy shop.... He's got a dope galaxy room, y'all. The ceiling will shake him the most (Luna REALLY DID THAT) and he'll just be so stunned about it. It's so beautiful and cool and magical and he gets to look at it whenever he wants!
Cue Peter, actually wanting to spend time in his room now, and trying to keep it clean..... It's really become the ideal Chill Room for him now and he loves it. ♥♥ He'll be hanging out under the stars so much, okay. Reading (on occasion...) and playing his tunes and smoking The Weed. It might even be the rare thing that he and Paimon can do together without bothering each other, too..... Picture one boy and one demon laying down staring at the starry ceiling and comfortably zoning out for several hours on end....
..... Also so many atmospheric make-out sessions with The Girl.
)
As for the I O U, Peter will be curious but have no idea the extent of what Luna's planning here, and while the process may be A Journey once it starts up some days later.... (deep-cleaning his room.... has there ever been a task more momentous than this....) he won't be complaining too much.... He'll genuinely work to help her (though he does get worn out easily and has to take breaks to drape himself over his bed....) And he might try to cut some corners (Luna can't we just shove some stuff under the bed no one will know!!) but his girlfriend is Thorough and things are getting done the right way. Paimon will occasionally mentally pipe up to help Luna out, informing her of any hidden spots Peter's managed to stuff garbage.....
After he's allowed to return to his room a couple days later, Peter will be shook, to say the absolute least. Speechless. This is so much more than he ever could have expected, it's.... like having a brand new room. And it's so cool, literally a dream room??? It isn't often that he gets Openly Excited about things, but Luna will have one (1) very visibly excited boy on her hands once the stun wears off and he starts flittering around to look at everything. Like a little boy in a candy shop.... He's got a dope galaxy room, y'all. The ceiling will shake him the most (Luna REALLY DID THAT) and he'll just be so stunned about it. It's so beautiful and cool and magical and he gets to look at it whenever he wants!
Cue Peter, actually wanting to spend time in his room now, and trying to keep it clean..... It's really become the ideal Chill Room for him now and he loves it. ♥♥ He'll be hanging out under the stars so much, okay. Reading (on occasion...) and playing his tunes and smoking The Weed. It might even be the rare thing that he and Paimon can do together without bothering each other, too..... Picture one boy and one demon laying down staring at the starry ceiling and comfortably zoning out for several hours on end....
..... Also so many atmospheric make-out sessions with The Girl.
)[ ... And of course there are also gifts for Paimon. While Peter's are tied up in her usual silvery ribbon, Paimon's are tied up with golden ribbon instead. She's sure he might like to keep it and add it to his little magpie collection of things. She's chosen to get him some very nice colouring pencils he can use for his art that come in a nice golden case so he can carry them about easily. She's also managed to find him a single bar of plain milk chocolate, which probably cost more to trade for than was necessary, but she wanted to get him some—! In addition, she's made him another crown. It's made out of little beads, much like items of Luna's jewellery is. He might not be able to wear this one (other than maybe putting it on his finger) but it would make a nice little ornament instead!
There is still a bit of a learning curve with Paimon and his powers. He's able to do more and more as time passes, gets stronger here in Trench, and Luna's never quite sure just how much he's able to do until she sees it for himself, or Paimon tells her about it. So after the gentle nudging, Luna makes a point of doing things properly. She's researched Paimon's ability to grant familiars before, and knows this is... well, a pretty 'big deal', manner of speaking. So she makes the effort to do things properly in her asking, with intentions and dignitaries and offerings (some trinkets from her box of miscellaneous odds and ends she started collecting in Deerington, like her own little magpie nest of treasures she might use in crafting one day), she's purposeful when she asks him to grant her a worthy familiar, capable of his teachings and to aid her when she requires aid.
She's not quite sure what to expect, but she's pleasantly surprised at the sight of the raven and grinning widely in delight and awe. What a wonderful creature! And she does realise: a raven for a Ravenclaw. She's very pleased with this, and even thanks to demon with praise and face pets when all is said and done. He did very well for her.
She will decide on 'Ariel' as their name until their true name may be revealed to her, so she can have something to call them. She names them after the spirit that aids the magician Prospero in William Shakespeare's The Tempest, which she remembers studying for a time back in Deerington High. She finds it quite fitting, considering Ariel is not known whether to be a spirit or demon, a force of good or evil or simply a neutral force under the command of their magician, and has control over the air and waters as he creates the tempest at the beginning of the play — given Paimon's own associations with water, and Ravenclaw's associations with air.
... She will also need to contact Sansa for a pauldron so Ariel might perch on her shoulder more comfortably, they do have very sharp talons. ]
There is still a bit of a learning curve with Paimon and his powers. He's able to do more and more as time passes, gets stronger here in Trench, and Luna's never quite sure just how much he's able to do until she sees it for himself, or Paimon tells her about it. So after the gentle nudging, Luna makes a point of doing things properly. She's researched Paimon's ability to grant familiars before, and knows this is... well, a pretty 'big deal', manner of speaking. So she makes the effort to do things properly in her asking, with intentions and dignitaries and offerings (some trinkets from her box of miscellaneous odds and ends she started collecting in Deerington, like her own little magpie nest of treasures she might use in crafting one day), she's purposeful when she asks him to grant her a worthy familiar, capable of his teachings and to aid her when she requires aid.
She's not quite sure what to expect, but she's pleasantly surprised at the sight of the raven and grinning widely in delight and awe. What a wonderful creature! And she does realise: a raven for a Ravenclaw. She's very pleased with this, and even thanks to demon with praise and face pets when all is said and done. He did very well for her.
She will decide on 'Ariel' as their name until their true name may be revealed to her, so she can have something to call them. She names them after the spirit that aids the magician Prospero in William Shakespeare's The Tempest, which she remembers studying for a time back in Deerington High. She finds it quite fitting, considering Ariel is not known whether to be a spirit or demon, a force of good or evil or simply a neutral force under the command of their magician, and has control over the air and waters as he creates the tempest at the beginning of the play — given Paimon's own associations with water, and Ravenclaw's associations with air.
... She will also need to contact Sansa for a pauldron so Ariel might perch on her shoulder more comfortably, they do have very sharp talons. ]
[ It... has admittedly been a rough time as of late. Having Peter back has lessened a lot of those worries and fears, but there still remains a lot of uncertainty up ahead. Luna is very touched by the letter Usagi sends with her gifts, and thinks the jewellery is wonderful. It looks so delicate and pretty, and blue is very much the colour she's fond of most. Oh, and cookies. These are delightful, and honestly anything sweet and dessert-shaped will always be a good call for Luna. She will be sharing these with Peter, well... just a little. ... Maybe.
As for her gifts, Luna has crafted Usagi a tiny little rabbit out of beads. Luna has also knitted her a pair of fingerless gloves. It's made out of the same wool her scarf is made out of, and will radiate a low-level warming charm so now Usagi can be extra cosy.
It'll be a few days after Christmas before she'll visit for her mug, as she and Peter have probably spent the entire time near a food coma, curled up on the sofa together. They've really just been taking things very calmly and chill, considering the last couple of months. They just... needed some very quiet and peaceful time for the holidays, and that's what they've had. Which is all either of them could have asked for, really.
She will adore her new mug. It's so charming! Although it's a shame the decoration on it looks a bit too good because she does kind of want to eat it, but that's one of those intrusive thoughts Luna decides she'll keep to herself. ]
As for her gifts, Luna has crafted Usagi a tiny little rabbit out of beads. Luna has also knitted her a pair of fingerless gloves. It's made out of the same wool her scarf is made out of, and will radiate a low-level warming charm so now Usagi can be extra cosy.
It'll be a few days after Christmas before she'll visit for her mug, as she and Peter have probably spent the entire time near a food coma, curled up on the sofa together. They've really just been taking things very calmly and chill, considering the last couple of months. They just... needed some very quiet and peaceful time for the holidays, and that's what they've had. Which is all either of them could have asked for, really.
She will adore her new mug. It's so charming! Although it's a shame the decoration on it looks a bit too good because she does kind of want to eat it, but that's one of those intrusive thoughts Luna decides she'll keep to herself. ]
I'm quite sure you'll be back to your usual struggles in no time at all.
[ She is gently teasing. That kind of woe sounds like something Peter would say, which amuses her.
But that is... not an answer Luna was expecting. Her stomach just drops at reading it. ]
You're being serious, aren't you?
[ She is gently teasing. That kind of woe sounds like something Peter would say, which amuses her.
But that is... not an answer Luna was expecting. Her stomach just drops at reading it. ]
You're being serious, aren't you?
( Luna's birthday was truly a nice time, the colourful little tea party with friends. Peter genuinely enjoyed it, and seeing her enjoying herself, fluttering around in her dress with the puff sleeves and the holographic wings that K gifted her. But the celebrations aren't over — with Valentine's Day being just after the girl's birthday, it's the chance for Peter to celebrate privately with her. And he's had plans up his sleeves for a while now, been preparing for it over time.
The celebrations technically start on the night of the thirteenth, after everyone's gone home and Peter's helped clean up, with night setting in. As he and Luna part ways for a bit to get ready for bed, brush their teeth and change into night clothes, Peter takes a moment to sit down on his own bed. Maybe he should do this in the mirror, but he still can't bring himself to look at his own reflection and speak to the demon that lives within. To see Paimon there in his own eyes. So he's just staring down at his own hands in his lap, fingers trembling slightly. And it's then that he speaks to the demon king aloud, softly. A rare thing for Peter to do, and even rarer for him to actually make a request from Paimon.
But he does. He asks him to do something for him and Luna, to let them have tomorrow for just the two of them. Luna can put Paimon to "sleep" with the password she uses,
but.... it'd be nice if she didn't have to. If they could just spend one day alone, or as alone as they possibly can be. The demon's... taken aback at first, but then he becomes pleased, and Peter thinks he feels a soft hum move through him, something that sends an odd shudder down his spine.
When morning comes, it seems that Paimon's actually agreed to the request, because Peter wakes up and tentatively tries to feel for him (something he also rarely would ever do willingly), and the demon's not there; Peter doesn't feel him at all. He's somewhere deep and quiet, asleep or something like it, unable to be reached. With a thrum of excitement in his chest, Peter waits for Luna to stir too, wrapping her up in sleepy morning kisses, nose pressed into her tousled curls. He tells her that Paimon's asleep for the day, how he'd asked him if they could have an entire day of Alone Time. And it's a warm blossom of delight for them both, like back when they'd tried the password for the first time and it worked. An entire day....!
There's breakfast, lazy and relaxed and made together, and the rest of the day is theirs. It passes slow and sweet, but as it starts to shift to late-afternoon, Peter asks her if he can have some time to make some preparations.... not shooing her off out of the house or anything, just encouraging her to hang out in her room or the study for a little while, because he has Something Planned... Judging by the movement of pots and pans in the kitchen and the aroma of food cooking up, it's pretty obvious what he's doing, but still.... With an amused, dumb grin, he also informs her that "this evening requires formalwear". It's a little silly, but instead of going out to a fancy restaurant (and Trench doesn't exactly have much to choose from there), he's planned to bring the fancy restaurant to them.
By the time Luna's finally called down to dinner, Peter's put on a suit, the simple black one he'd received in Deerington — and it's not like things are 100% formal, given he's padding around in a pair of socks... But still, it's pretty fun to get dressed up, just for each other. To turn an evening into something special. And he's welcoming her into the dining room, which has been elaborately set up with candles and some flowers, and the meal he's prepared all spread out.
There's crisp salad and bread (not baked himself, but freshly bought from the bakery, soft and warm), but the main course is something he did actually cook himself, from start to finish. It's a creamy pasta with shallots and mushrooms, garnished in parsley, lemon zest, and Parmesan. It's no secret that Peter's... not much of a cook, but this one wasn't altogether too difficult to prepare, and he's actually been practicing this dish, watching videos on how to cook pasta from scratch, and getting some helpful tips from K these past couple of weeks. There's also a bottle of white wine if she'd like some with the meal, a nice accompaniment to the pasta.
Dinner's taken slow and relaxed, with conversation and laughter, the both of them enjoying the time spent together. There's plenty of leftovers for tomorrow too, and after cleaning up together, Peter's leading them back to the living room, where he prompts Luna to sit comfortably down while he goes to get her present. He'll return with his guitar in hand — yes, it seems someone is following up a serenade from the past with a new one.
Only this time, it's... a song he's actually written, himself. He'll tell her how he's been working on it for awhile, dabbling in actually writing some of his own music here and there. And, shyly but with the pleasant haze of a glass of wine giving him just a bit less of the nerves, Peter will peel off his suit jacket, roll up the crisp sleeves of the white button-down beneath, and play the song for her, singing along quietly.
It's a song about someone who's felt lonely for all of their life — quietly existing on the edge of a place that everyone else seemed to belong to. It's a melancholy song, the melody slow, a little sad. But towards the end, the person feels a warmth at their back, and turns around to face what it may be that's awaiting them. The song ends like that, with the person giving a little smile. They've seen something safe, and warm. Something that feels like an open door welcoming them home.
The perspective of the person could definitely be either himself or Luna, left vague like that rather than exclusively be about himself. Peter's not really a poet, the lyrics are more simple and to the point, but the melody is meant to be that way, simple and bittersweet, and when he's finished, the smile he wears is still a little shy, but proud. He's genuinely proud of the song, and as he sets his guitar aside and moves to rejoin Luna on the sofa, he's leaning to kiss her, long and slow, humming the words with a lazy, happy smile. )
I love you.
The celebrations technically start on the night of the thirteenth, after everyone's gone home and Peter's helped clean up, with night setting in. As he and Luna part ways for a bit to get ready for bed, brush their teeth and change into night clothes, Peter takes a moment to sit down on his own bed. Maybe he should do this in the mirror, but he still can't bring himself to look at his own reflection and speak to the demon that lives within. To see Paimon there in his own eyes. So he's just staring down at his own hands in his lap, fingers trembling slightly. And it's then that he speaks to the demon king aloud, softly. A rare thing for Peter to do, and even rarer for him to actually make a request from Paimon.
But he does. He asks him to do something for him and Luna, to let them have tomorrow for just the two of them. Luna can put Paimon to "sleep" with the password she uses,
but.... it'd be nice if she didn't have to. If they could just spend one day alone, or as alone as they possibly can be. The demon's... taken aback at first, but then he becomes pleased, and Peter thinks he feels a soft hum move through him, something that sends an odd shudder down his spine.
When morning comes, it seems that Paimon's actually agreed to the request, because Peter wakes up and tentatively tries to feel for him (something he also rarely would ever do willingly), and the demon's not there; Peter doesn't feel him at all. He's somewhere deep and quiet, asleep or something like it, unable to be reached. With a thrum of excitement in his chest, Peter waits for Luna to stir too, wrapping her up in sleepy morning kisses, nose pressed into her tousled curls. He tells her that Paimon's asleep for the day, how he'd asked him if they could have an entire day of Alone Time. And it's a warm blossom of delight for them both, like back when they'd tried the password for the first time and it worked. An entire day....!
There's breakfast, lazy and relaxed and made together, and the rest of the day is theirs. It passes slow and sweet, but as it starts to shift to late-afternoon, Peter asks her if he can have some time to make some preparations.... not shooing her off out of the house or anything, just encouraging her to hang out in her room or the study for a little while, because he has Something Planned... Judging by the movement of pots and pans in the kitchen and the aroma of food cooking up, it's pretty obvious what he's doing, but still.... With an amused, dumb grin, he also informs her that "this evening requires formalwear". It's a little silly, but instead of going out to a fancy restaurant (and Trench doesn't exactly have much to choose from there), he's planned to bring the fancy restaurant to them.
By the time Luna's finally called down to dinner, Peter's put on a suit, the simple black one he'd received in Deerington — and it's not like things are 100% formal, given he's padding around in a pair of socks... But still, it's pretty fun to get dressed up, just for each other. To turn an evening into something special. And he's welcoming her into the dining room, which has been elaborately set up with candles and some flowers, and the meal he's prepared all spread out.
There's crisp salad and bread (not baked himself, but freshly bought from the bakery, soft and warm), but the main course is something he did actually cook himself, from start to finish. It's a creamy pasta with shallots and mushrooms, garnished in parsley, lemon zest, and Parmesan. It's no secret that Peter's... not much of a cook, but this one wasn't altogether too difficult to prepare, and he's actually been practicing this dish, watching videos on how to cook pasta from scratch, and getting some helpful tips from K these past couple of weeks. There's also a bottle of white wine if she'd like some with the meal, a nice accompaniment to the pasta.
Dinner's taken slow and relaxed, with conversation and laughter, the both of them enjoying the time spent together. There's plenty of leftovers for tomorrow too, and after cleaning up together, Peter's leading them back to the living room, where he prompts Luna to sit comfortably down while he goes to get her present. He'll return with his guitar in hand — yes, it seems someone is following up a serenade from the past with a new one.
Only this time, it's... a song he's actually written, himself. He'll tell her how he's been working on it for awhile, dabbling in actually writing some of his own music here and there. And, shyly but with the pleasant haze of a glass of wine giving him just a bit less of the nerves, Peter will peel off his suit jacket, roll up the crisp sleeves of the white button-down beneath, and play the song for her, singing along quietly.
It's a song about someone who's felt lonely for all of their life — quietly existing on the edge of a place that everyone else seemed to belong to. It's a melancholy song, the melody slow, a little sad. But towards the end, the person feels a warmth at their back, and turns around to face what it may be that's awaiting them. The song ends like that, with the person giving a little smile. They've seen something safe, and warm. Something that feels like an open door welcoming them home.
The perspective of the person could definitely be either himself or Luna, left vague like that rather than exclusively be about himself. Peter's not really a poet, the lyrics are more simple and to the point, but the melody is meant to be that way, simple and bittersweet, and when he's finished, the smile he wears is still a little shy, but proud. He's genuinely proud of the song, and as he sets his guitar aside and moves to rejoin Luna on the sofa, he's leaning to kiss her, long and slow, humming the words with a lazy, happy smile. )
I love you.
[ Truly, it's been one of the best birthdays she's ever celebrated. There's a kind of mourning that comes with her not being able to celebrate her seventeenth as she should have, as what any young witch or wizard would like to. She didn't even get to celebrate her eighteenth birthday properly, with she and so many other Sleepers being trapped down in the dark, dangerous depths of Rapture. But her celebrating her twenty-first has more than made up for it, and it's helped ease the strange grief that came with the absence of celebration in the past. It was a day spent with people she cares about, with people who care about her — and even a simple tea party has meant a great deal to her.
There's no expectation for the day that comes after. Luna doesn't mind not making a fuss, and still riding the high of her birthday in the face of Valentine's Day. She's content, in all honesty, for a quiet day alone with Peter — and if she needs to ask the demon for privacy for a portion of the day then she'd do that. But there's a wide-eyed (albeit sleepy) surprise when she wakes on the morning of the fourteenth to the knowledge Peter has not only spoken to the demon, but asked for him to give them the day to themselves, without the demon being around. It's... a huge thing for Peter to do something like that, and she's quietly stunned by it until the giddiness comes creeping in: they have Valentine's Day to themselves.
And it's a good day, simply seeing where the morning and early afternoon takes them, until Peter asks her to go make herself scarce upstairs for a while. She absolutely realises what he's up to (admittedly there's the tiniest bit of fretting, considering Peter's previous experience within the kitchen) but she's actually more excited to see what he's getting up to, than anything else. She comes downstairs in the lavender floral dress she was gifted last year, and while she does carry the matching shoes downstairs with her — they're promptly left at the bottom of the stairs and she opts to go barefoot, taking inspiration from Peter's suit and socks choice.
It's hard not to just stand frozen outwardly beam at the sight of the dining room. She's absolutely delighted. This is... so romantic. Peter did this... for her. She's feeling very wooed by it all. Plenty of compliments are given, more so than usual with her blood spurring her on this month — giving her the need to praise more than she normally would. The pasta is delicious, and she's thoroughly impressed by how much thought he's put into it all — she's always considered him very thoughtful. There is a moment of cringing through the wine, when they both realise that wine is... actually quite disgusting, before bursting into laughter. How do people drink this? And enjoy it? It's a bit silly, and even if they do continue drinking — it's safe to say neither of them are 'wine people'.
And she's managed to get a little tipsy from it. Just enough to feel a pleasant buzz, for the edges of things to feel a little softer — a little giggly as she curls up on the sofa and hugs her legs to her chest, peering at him from over her knees with pink cheeks and a smitten smile. She'll watch him with a dreamy look, excited that he's learned another song for her. ... Only it's not one he's learned, it's... something Peter's written himself. And Luna's staring with wide eyes, her heart hammering in her chest, doing all sorts of flutters and flips as she listens: oh. Oh, this is... oh. Luna's speechless, but the smile hasn't left her lips the whole time; she knows why he's written that kind of song, she does. And it's sad, but hopeful.
She's stunned, her chest swelling with love and affection for him — and pride too. Her hands reach out for him when he finishes, wanting to draw him close as he moves to join her on the sofa. She's even smiling into the kiss, stealing a few more tiny ones from him with a small, soft chuckle. ]
I love you. [ And it isn't long before she's shifting to climb into his lap, tugging the skirt of her dress over knees so she can move her legs more easily to straddle him. There's a little, impish grin once she's more comfortable, but she doesn't quite jump into immediately kissing him within an inch of his life just yet. Patience, there's more praising needed — it's very important. ]
That was wonderful. Today in general has been quite wonderful, really. [ She rests her hands on his shoulders, fingers reaching to toy with his hair at the nape of his neck. Wonderful doesn't quite cut it, really. Like it doesn't quite feel enough to express her admiration and appreciation for everything he's done today. ] You did all this for me, for us. I feel very lucky, I don't think I could have asked for a better day.
[ Which includes yesterday, but that goes without saying. But yes. He spoke to Paimon on his own to ask him for the day alone with her, he made his own pasta from scratch, he wrote a song and played it for her. He did all of that so they could have a nice day together like this. The whole 'communication with the demon possessing you' is by itself by far the hugest thing, considering how much Peter tends to avoid him (or as much as he can, considering). They came to an agreement so she and Peter could have Valentine's Day together, without needing any intervention from Luna herself. ]
I'm really proud of you, you know. I hope you know that. [ There's another small kiss, a soft hum at the back of her throat in thought. It might be evening, but the day isn't quite over just yet. Luna looks at him with raised eyebrows. ] ... we still have the rest of the evening, don't we—?
There's no expectation for the day that comes after. Luna doesn't mind not making a fuss, and still riding the high of her birthday in the face of Valentine's Day. She's content, in all honesty, for a quiet day alone with Peter — and if she needs to ask the demon for privacy for a portion of the day then she'd do that. But there's a wide-eyed (albeit sleepy) surprise when she wakes on the morning of the fourteenth to the knowledge Peter has not only spoken to the demon, but asked for him to give them the day to themselves, without the demon being around. It's... a huge thing for Peter to do something like that, and she's quietly stunned by it until the giddiness comes creeping in: they have Valentine's Day to themselves.
And it's a good day, simply seeing where the morning and early afternoon takes them, until Peter asks her to go make herself scarce upstairs for a while. She absolutely realises what he's up to (admittedly there's the tiniest bit of fretting, considering Peter's previous experience within the kitchen) but she's actually more excited to see what he's getting up to, than anything else. She comes downstairs in the lavender floral dress she was gifted last year, and while she does carry the matching shoes downstairs with her — they're promptly left at the bottom of the stairs and she opts to go barefoot, taking inspiration from Peter's suit and socks choice.
It's hard not to just stand frozen outwardly beam at the sight of the dining room. She's absolutely delighted. This is... so romantic. Peter did this... for her. She's feeling very wooed by it all. Plenty of compliments are given, more so than usual with her blood spurring her on this month — giving her the need to praise more than she normally would. The pasta is delicious, and she's thoroughly impressed by how much thought he's put into it all — she's always considered him very thoughtful. There is a moment of cringing through the wine, when they both realise that wine is... actually quite disgusting, before bursting into laughter. How do people drink this? And enjoy it? It's a bit silly, and even if they do continue drinking — it's safe to say neither of them are 'wine people'.
And she's managed to get a little tipsy from it. Just enough to feel a pleasant buzz, for the edges of things to feel a little softer — a little giggly as she curls up on the sofa and hugs her legs to her chest, peering at him from over her knees with pink cheeks and a smitten smile. She'll watch him with a dreamy look, excited that he's learned another song for her. ... Only it's not one he's learned, it's... something Peter's written himself. And Luna's staring with wide eyes, her heart hammering in her chest, doing all sorts of flutters and flips as she listens: oh. Oh, this is... oh. Luna's speechless, but the smile hasn't left her lips the whole time; she knows why he's written that kind of song, she does. And it's sad, but hopeful.
She's stunned, her chest swelling with love and affection for him — and pride too. Her hands reach out for him when he finishes, wanting to draw him close as he moves to join her on the sofa. She's even smiling into the kiss, stealing a few more tiny ones from him with a small, soft chuckle. ]
I love you. [ And it isn't long before she's shifting to climb into his lap, tugging the skirt of her dress over knees so she can move her legs more easily to straddle him. There's a little, impish grin once she's more comfortable, but she doesn't quite jump into immediately kissing him within an inch of his life just yet. Patience, there's more praising needed — it's very important. ]
That was wonderful. Today in general has been quite wonderful, really. [ She rests her hands on his shoulders, fingers reaching to toy with his hair at the nape of his neck. Wonderful doesn't quite cut it, really. Like it doesn't quite feel enough to express her admiration and appreciation for everything he's done today. ] You did all this for me, for us. I feel very lucky, I don't think I could have asked for a better day.
[ Which includes yesterday, but that goes without saying. But yes. He spoke to Paimon on his own to ask him for the day alone with her, he made his own pasta from scratch, he wrote a song and played it for her. He did all of that so they could have a nice day together like this. The whole 'communication with the demon possessing you' is by itself by far the hugest thing, considering how much Peter tends to avoid him (or as much as he can, considering). They came to an agreement so she and Peter could have Valentine's Day together, without needing any intervention from Luna herself. ]
I'm really proud of you, you know. I hope you know that. [ There's another small kiss, a soft hum at the back of her throat in thought. It might be evening, but the day isn't quite over just yet. Luna looks at him with raised eyebrows. ] ... we still have the rest of the evening, don't we—?
[Because Bigby is not up for a big social gathering but birthdays are really important. Congrats on surviving to adulthood!
A box containing mobile apothecary set is gifted to Luna, along with a handwritten note:]
Luna,
Once, such tools were of a trade to me. Alchemical discoveries, toiling to understand both man and creature alike. I know not if such endeavors interest you, but I know you to have a compassion most rare that can help bridge such curiosities. If nothing else, it can only aid to be prepared in a place like Trench.
Be well, and may you see many more years to come.
Sincerely,
Bigby
A box containing mobile apothecary set is gifted to Luna, along with a handwritten note:]
Luna,
Once, such tools were of a trade to me. Alchemical discoveries, toiling to understand both man and creature alike. I know not if such endeavors interest you, but I know you to have a compassion most rare that can help bridge such curiosities. If nothing else, it can only aid to be prepared in a place like Trench.
Be well, and may you see many more years to come.
Sincerely,
Bigby
[ Just as well Chloe said something because Luna would absolutely be calling her out. Which she is... still doing anyways. ]
It's a bit more than a 'little big', Chloe. Dying is a huge thing. Doesn't matter if it's here, or in your home world.
With being okay with it... do you mean you already knew about it?
It's a bit more than a 'little big', Chloe. Dying is a huge thing. Doesn't matter if it's here, or in your home world.
With being okay with it... do you mean you already knew about it?
[ It's a shame he can't meet it, but Luna understands. Parties aren't for everyone. The gift is very thoughtful (and practical!) and Luna likes it very much. But if Bigby can't bring himself to the party then Luna will bring the party to him!
Luna sends Inlé to find him with a little cloth sack. The black, ethereal-looking hare will look huge when she comes across him, carrying the bundle between her teeth as she darts through the air. She land at his feet and carefully lay her parcel down before shrinking down to her usual size. She'll then leap up into the air until she's eye-level with him and hovering for a few moments, tendrils of black smoke curling from her body. ]
Greetings to you, Bigby. Luna hopes to find you well, and thanks you for her birthday gift. She wished me to bring this to you, she hopes you like them.
[ With a brief nod of her head, Inlé leaves. In the bundle, Bigby will find a selection of goodies from Luna's birthday party — all individually wrapped. There's things like little cakes and sweet treats, some of of them will contain jams or some kind of fruit compote within them which will help against the effects of Corruption. Enjoy! ]
Luna sends Inlé to find him with a little cloth sack. The black, ethereal-looking hare will look huge when she comes across him, carrying the bundle between her teeth as she darts through the air. She land at his feet and carefully lay her parcel down before shrinking down to her usual size. She'll then leap up into the air until she's eye-level with him and hovering for a few moments, tendrils of black smoke curling from her body. ]
Greetings to you, Bigby. Luna hopes to find you well, and thanks you for her birthday gift. She wished me to bring this to you, she hopes you like them.
[ With a brief nod of her head, Inlé leaves. In the bundle, Bigby will find a selection of goodies from Luna's birthday party — all individually wrapped. There's things like little cakes and sweet treats, some of of them will contain jams or some kind of fruit compote within them which will help against the effects of Corruption. Enjoy! ]
is it? idk. i die a lot. which sounds hella weird to say out loud (write... out loud...??) but you know the dream so ig it probably doesn't sound as strange to you as it would to someone else
but yeah. i knew. it was a sort of... save the world kind of moment that i got yanked away from. had to play out eventually.
but yeah. i knew. it was a sort of... save the world kind of moment that i got yanked away from. had to play out eventually.
( Peter's smile curls upwards, slow and happy and comfortable as Luna moves onto his lap, his hands settling at her waist while he looks up at her. He lets his fingers brush against the girl's sides, toying gently with the soft material of her dress. It's really all a little silly, the whole dressing up thing, and it's fun because of that. To do something out of the ordinary, something that's just for the both of them. His heart's fluttering with the fresh wave of pleasant nerves that come with performing the song, and the pride he feels in himself after, and Luna against his lap now, and— her words that come. She's been praising him all night, warm and sweet and loving, but hearing it again visibly affects Peter, unable to suppress the way his eyes seem to brighten up in a particular way, a warmed glow. Compliments and praises never were a thing he was used to, growing up. You wondered how people felt about you, wondered about affection. Wondered if it was gone, if you'd done something to ruin it.
Luna never makes him feel like that. He knows he's loved. And she doesn't have to tell him things like this for him to know, but hearing it makes him melt.
'I'm really proud of you'
Hearing that she's enjoyed it, had a good time, and is proud of him.... Peter doesn't know how he could possibly be happier than he is in this moment, and it shows in his face, everything so warm and happy for her. He's parting his mouth gently against that kiss, giving a soft hum of his own in return. Before he's looking up at her and his quiet smile's spreading into a little grin. There's a thrum of thrill again, the realisation blooming again and again that they're alone. He'd asked Paimon for a whole day, and that surely means the full 24 hours; he's confident that it does, somehow just knows that he can trust this. They have time, so much more time together. )
The whole evening, and all night.
( He confirms with confidence, Peter's brows giving a little lift of their own as he's reaching a hand up, fingers gently brushing against Luna's mouth with affection, the plush curve of her lip. He stares there for a few moments, then his eyes move up, taking in her face once more. She's always beautiful and he's always stunned by her, and sitting like this in her dress with her eyes locked onto him.... he's in a dream. ...And turned on, most definitely, head buzzing with thoughts of her and the little haze of alcohol, not enough to make him tired or strange, just amplifying certain feelings in a pleasant way. There's a quirk to his grin, amused and mischievous and playful (and undeniably horny), his hands both settling again on Luna's hips, giving a suggestive little squeeze, one that ends with his thumbs pressing gently down against her thighs, where they rub little circles. )
Which means we have so much time for you to snog me. Hours worth of snogging. In fact, I think you should just snog me silly.
Luna never makes him feel like that. He knows he's loved. And she doesn't have to tell him things like this for him to know, but hearing it makes him melt.
'I'm really proud of you'
Hearing that she's enjoyed it, had a good time, and is proud of him.... Peter doesn't know how he could possibly be happier than he is in this moment, and it shows in his face, everything so warm and happy for her. He's parting his mouth gently against that kiss, giving a soft hum of his own in return. Before he's looking up at her and his quiet smile's spreading into a little grin. There's a thrum of thrill again, the realisation blooming again and again that they're alone. He'd asked Paimon for a whole day, and that surely means the full 24 hours; he's confident that it does, somehow just knows that he can trust this. They have time, so much more time together. )
The whole evening, and all night.
( He confirms with confidence, Peter's brows giving a little lift of their own as he's reaching a hand up, fingers gently brushing against Luna's mouth with affection, the plush curve of her lip. He stares there for a few moments, then his eyes move up, taking in her face once more. She's always beautiful and he's always stunned by her, and sitting like this in her dress with her eyes locked onto him.... he's in a dream. ...And turned on, most definitely, head buzzing with thoughts of her and the little haze of alcohol, not enough to make him tired or strange, just amplifying certain feelings in a pleasant way. There's a quirk to his grin, amused and mischievous and playful (and undeniably horny), his hands both settling again on Luna's hips, giving a suggestive little squeeze, one that ends with his thumbs pressing gently down against her thighs, where they rub little circles. )
Which means we have so much time for you to snog me. Hours worth of snogging. In fact, I think you should just snog me silly.
[ Luna's never been short of praise for him, she doesn't need the effects on her blood to do that. Although yes, she's certainly been more vocal in that praise this month. She knows he understands how highly she thinks of him, in the other ways they speak. The little gestures between then, the affection — ways she shows him how much she cares for him and loves him. It makes her happy to see him glow; that quiet joy in him, to feel flattered and appreciated. She likes being able to make him look like that.
She mirrors his mischievous look in her own smile: the whole evening, and all night, her teeth tugging at her lower lip briefly. A whole day and whole night without Paimon's presence being around, and on this particular day too — they're alone. It's not that she minds Paimon being around, or resents the demon for being present — she never has — but there's still something that makes her gleeful that she can be alone with Peter to enjoy certain parts of their relationship. Something that's normal and theirs. It feels like such precious time.
His fingers brush against her mouth, and she watches him intently, not daring to breath for a moment. But then she can't help but laugh a little, a soft sound of mirth. He's never gotten tired of that word since he first heard it, and it amuses her. An entire night of snogging this boy silly sounds like a marvellous plan to her. ]
I do like the sound of that— [ Her hips rolling slowly, body stretching a little lazily in reply to the squeeze as she inhales. ] and what that tends to lead to.
[ Her cheeks darken a little, and her smile turns coy. The fact it can all be done without the threat of Paimon coming back any time soon, too. There's a kind of anticipation about it all that makes her giddy, makes her heart skip a little. She settles herself against him more comfortably, leaning in to happily oblige. And while there is a few brief, gentle kisses there's something in her that gives her pause, and she pulls away, looking thoughtfully at him.
It's not that she's unhappy with the idea of how she imagines things will go, not at all. But she does know there's something a little off-balance with it all. Their comfortable pace is a good one, and while she said all those months ago that she wanted to help him — nothing's quite came of that yet, even if the progress they've made is something she'd like to think has helped. But she would really like to make good on that promise of help a little more... directly. Paimon being gone for the night seems like a good opportunity for that. ]
Considering we're alone— could we... try something new—? [ Her gaze lowers briefly between them without thinking. She falters slightly, her heart beating a little harder, trying to work out how best to put it into words. ] ... Could I... touch you? Properly, I mean.
[ Her face burns a little, cheeks darkening more-so. It... seems a bit unfair, sometimes. Not that she thinks Peter isn't enjoying it all, too. She is very sure Peter enjoys it as much as she does. But she would like to press a little further, let him have a chance of really enjoying it, like she does. So there it is, her offer — with the unspoken assurance that he doesn't have to do anything he doesn't want to. ]
You... never get to finish. And I want you to, I want to do that for you.
She mirrors his mischievous look in her own smile: the whole evening, and all night, her teeth tugging at her lower lip briefly. A whole day and whole night without Paimon's presence being around, and on this particular day too — they're alone. It's not that she minds Paimon being around, or resents the demon for being present — she never has — but there's still something that makes her gleeful that she can be alone with Peter to enjoy certain parts of their relationship. Something that's normal and theirs. It feels like such precious time.
His fingers brush against her mouth, and she watches him intently, not daring to breath for a moment. But then she can't help but laugh a little, a soft sound of mirth. He's never gotten tired of that word since he first heard it, and it amuses her. An entire night of snogging this boy silly sounds like a marvellous plan to her. ]
I do like the sound of that— [ Her hips rolling slowly, body stretching a little lazily in reply to the squeeze as she inhales. ] and what that tends to lead to.
[ Her cheeks darken a little, and her smile turns coy. The fact it can all be done without the threat of Paimon coming back any time soon, too. There's a kind of anticipation about it all that makes her giddy, makes her heart skip a little. She settles herself against him more comfortably, leaning in to happily oblige. And while there is a few brief, gentle kisses there's something in her that gives her pause, and she pulls away, looking thoughtfully at him.
It's not that she's unhappy with the idea of how she imagines things will go, not at all. But she does know there's something a little off-balance with it all. Their comfortable pace is a good one, and while she said all those months ago that she wanted to help him — nothing's quite came of that yet, even if the progress they've made is something she'd like to think has helped. But she would really like to make good on that promise of help a little more... directly. Paimon being gone for the night seems like a good opportunity for that. ]
Considering we're alone— could we... try something new—? [ Her gaze lowers briefly between them without thinking. She falters slightly, her heart beating a little harder, trying to work out how best to put it into words. ] ... Could I... touch you? Properly, I mean.
[ Her face burns a little, cheeks darkening more-so. It... seems a bit unfair, sometimes. Not that she thinks Peter isn't enjoying it all, too. She is very sure Peter enjoys it as much as she does. But she would like to press a little further, let him have a chance of really enjoying it, like she does. So there it is, her offer — with the unspoken assurance that he doesn't have to do anything he doesn't want to. ]
You... never get to finish. And I want you to, I want to do that for you.
I think it is, yes. I died twice in the dream, so no it isn't strange. But death... it's hard to explain but it's like it touches you in a very particular way. I'm not quite sure how, but it does.
I mean, seeing death in my world meant you could see previously invisible magical creatures. And that was just seeing, not experiencing it.
You saved the world? You sacrificed yourself?
I mean, seeing death in my world meant you could see previously invisible magical creatures. And that was just seeing, not experiencing it.
You saved the world? You sacrificed yourself?
when i hit numero 10, someone baked me a really cool cake. but yeah. ig you're right. it does make you... different.
yeah. i mean. it some ways i had to. it was sort of my being alive that was fucking everything up. it's a long story, but my dying was the only way to make everything right again.
yeah. i mean. it some ways i had to. it was sort of my being alive that was fucking everything up. it's a long story, but my dying was the only way to make everything right again.
( There's another soft hum as Luna moves slowly, Peter's smile languid-warm. With a flush as she adds that next part — 'and what that tends to lead to'; no matter how many times he's with Luna like this, she makes him feel those shy, pleasant nerves all over again.
And their relationship has grown, he thinks, even if it may seem to be such small steps. Since that talk all those months ago, Peter has gotten more comfortable with certain things, with allowing himself to relax into a moment that goes a bit beyond where they usually would — exploring more of the physically intimate side to their relationship. Kisses that sometimes lead to new places, to little moans and Luna's hands tight in his hair.
It is true that he's still.... holding himself back in ways, but being with her in any ways that he has been... it's helped. There's a confidence that's slowly blossomed, something that comes from the happiness of making the person that he loves feel good. It involves trusting himself just as much — Luna wrapped around his body so close, the harsh edges of the fear of himself slowly softening over time. She trusts him enough to have him so close, to let him make her feel good in new ways.
Peter's leaning up into the kisses, taking his time with them as his heart beats heavy and slow, until Luna parts for a moment and he's looking hazily up at her. Try something new...? There's a quirk at his mouth, curious and playful, before Luna says what she does and the boy's mouth parts just a little, giving a soft exhale as he stares up to her face, the flush to her pale cheeks. Peter's visibly surprised, but not in a frightened way — it's a soft and slow surprise and not one that steals him out of the moment, thumbpads still giving little circular rubs to her thighs.
His heart's giving a flutter, Peter swallowing softly as he looks up at her. It's not a concept that's out of nowhere; he remembers touching on it so shyly, too. The idea of... getting more in touch with himself. But over the months that followed, Peter shirked from his body again; the cocoon business and.... everything that came after hasn't helped. The process of recovering from what November revealed has been... strange. But... as time slowly passes and in the moments where it's just the two of them, it'd be a lie to say that similar types of thoughts haven't flittered across his mind again, making him blush harder sometimes when he and Luna are close, thoughts that he'd just quietly swallow down to himself. )
Something like that— you really want to do? Because you don't have to. It's... everything's okay. It's still enough, more than enough.
( He doesn't want her to feel like things have to be "equal", like he feels lacking somehow. It's definitely not like that; Peter enjoys everything just as much. He's happy. )
...Not that I haven't been thinking about... things like that. ( He adds with a soft, shy smile. Because he... certainly has, and.... he'd like to let her know that, too. )
And their relationship has grown, he thinks, even if it may seem to be such small steps. Since that talk all those months ago, Peter has gotten more comfortable with certain things, with allowing himself to relax into a moment that goes a bit beyond where they usually would — exploring more of the physically intimate side to their relationship. Kisses that sometimes lead to new places, to little moans and Luna's hands tight in his hair.
It is true that he's still.... holding himself back in ways, but being with her in any ways that he has been... it's helped. There's a confidence that's slowly blossomed, something that comes from the happiness of making the person that he loves feel good. It involves trusting himself just as much — Luna wrapped around his body so close, the harsh edges of the fear of himself slowly softening over time. She trusts him enough to have him so close, to let him make her feel good in new ways.
Peter's leaning up into the kisses, taking his time with them as his heart beats heavy and slow, until Luna parts for a moment and he's looking hazily up at her. Try something new...? There's a quirk at his mouth, curious and playful, before Luna says what she does and the boy's mouth parts just a little, giving a soft exhale as he stares up to her face, the flush to her pale cheeks. Peter's visibly surprised, but not in a frightened way — it's a soft and slow surprise and not one that steals him out of the moment, thumbpads still giving little circular rubs to her thighs.
His heart's giving a flutter, Peter swallowing softly as he looks up at her. It's not a concept that's out of nowhere; he remembers touching on it so shyly, too. The idea of... getting more in touch with himself. But over the months that followed, Peter shirked from his body again; the cocoon business and.... everything that came after hasn't helped. The process of recovering from what November revealed has been... strange. But... as time slowly passes and in the moments where it's just the two of them, it'd be a lie to say that similar types of thoughts haven't flittered across his mind again, making him blush harder sometimes when he and Luna are close, thoughts that he'd just quietly swallow down to himself. )
Something like that— you really want to do? Because you don't have to. It's... everything's okay. It's still enough, more than enough.
( He doesn't want her to feel like things have to be "equal", like he feels lacking somehow. It's definitely not like that; Peter enjoys everything just as much. He's happy. )
...Not that I haven't been thinking about... things like that. ( He adds with a soft, shy smile. Because he... certainly has, and.... he'd like to let her know that, too. )
I've heard of a lot of things, but baking someone a cake when after they endured ten deaths is a new one. That was quite nice of them?
[ 'Sorry you died a lot, here's a cake'—? ]
I can't imagine such a thing. Was it like some kind of magic? There's old kinds of magic you had to be really careful with in my world, otherwise things can go wrong in the world around you. [ Something for the Unspeakables to ponder. ] You could have chosen to run away, but you chose to put things right instead? That was incredibly selfless of you, and brave. Especially when death is so permanent in most worlds.
[ 'Sorry you died a lot, here's a cake'—? ]
I can't imagine such a thing. Was it like some kind of magic? There's old kinds of magic you had to be really careful with in my world, otherwise things can go wrong in the world around you. [ Something for the Unspeakables to ponder. ] You could have chosen to run away, but you chose to put things right instead? That was incredibly selfless of you, and brave. Especially when death is so permanent in most worlds.
[ They have come far in the months since they had their talk about all of this, the more physical aspects of their relationship. Slowly nudging themselves a little further than before. And of course, Luna's very much enjoyed that progress — she trusts him to have him close, she trusts him with the quiet, intimate parts of herself, to share them with him. It's been good, nice. Some small snatches of peace and bliss in amongst all the horror and hardship, where they can make one another feel good and just... act like young people, for once.
She watches him carefully to gauge his reaction to the offer. The open surprise in his face, whatever inner processing of it he silently works through. Her lips purse briefly, cheeks still burning pink as she waits for a response — her own heart fluttering a little in wait, a little quivery from the boldness of asking. But there's no spooked, frightened expression in him with the idea of it. Luna exhales softly, her hands coming undone from his hair and gently smoothening to his neck, then shoulders. ]
I know I don't have to, I want to. You do a rather excellent job helping me, so I'd... like to do something for you. [ Maybe after everything these past few months, it might be a good moment to try. After November, she was more than happy to just exist in the same space as him following his absence with the whole cocoon business. But... now? It hasn't meant she's stopped wanting him. Sometimes things have to be put on the back-burner, and that's alright with her. There's a kind of settling down of things, a lull, as they navigate what this new 'normal' is for them under the shadow of revelation. She wants to try to push a little further forward than before, even if something like this is... admittedly quite the leap for both of them. ]
You're allowed to have more than just 'enough'. I want you to have that, and I said I'd help if it would make it easier for you in trying.
[ Not to mention the thought of doing something like that for him is... exciting for her, in a very particular way. Let it not be ignored that for a much Peter is very much horny for her, she's very much the same for him in return. But there's still a more sincere and honest goal underneath it all, to help him try be more comfortable with his own body, physically. She sees him as something to want, to desire — wants to touch him in ways that are far more intimate.
And if she's here with him, to do those kinds of things with him herself, then maybe in the end it'll help him when she isn't there — so he can do those things himself. She knows Peter's braver when she's there. So, yes. She very much would like to do this for him, and it's been something she's wanted to do for a while. Even before they'd spoken about things. She's always been happy with what they have, too, but it's been nice to dream. It'd be even nicer to not just dream.
... And then Peter adds that little modicum of information, like a tiny breadcrumb — and she blinks at him, swallowing thickly. For a long moment she's frozen like that. He's already been thinking about things like that. Oh, don't tease her like that, Peter. ]
Oh. [ She breathes it out softly, piqued with interest at that — head tilting a fraction one way, eyebrows raising. The coy smile still toys at her lips. Yes, this is very good information to know, and she's very glad to be made privy to it. She leans in close, watching him intently as her right hand slips from his shoulder and walks gently with a ghost-like touch down his chest. She pauses at the bottom of his ribcage, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt, not moving any further down. ]
About something like this specifically? ... Or something... more—?
[ They don't share everything, mentally. Comfortable with one another's privacy when they each need it. But in this case, she would like to be enlightened. ]
She watches him carefully to gauge his reaction to the offer. The open surprise in his face, whatever inner processing of it he silently works through. Her lips purse briefly, cheeks still burning pink as she waits for a response — her own heart fluttering a little in wait, a little quivery from the boldness of asking. But there's no spooked, frightened expression in him with the idea of it. Luna exhales softly, her hands coming undone from his hair and gently smoothening to his neck, then shoulders. ]
I know I don't have to, I want to. You do a rather excellent job helping me, so I'd... like to do something for you. [ Maybe after everything these past few months, it might be a good moment to try. After November, she was more than happy to just exist in the same space as him following his absence with the whole cocoon business. But... now? It hasn't meant she's stopped wanting him. Sometimes things have to be put on the back-burner, and that's alright with her. There's a kind of settling down of things, a lull, as they navigate what this new 'normal' is for them under the shadow of revelation. She wants to try to push a little further forward than before, even if something like this is... admittedly quite the leap for both of them. ]
You're allowed to have more than just 'enough'. I want you to have that, and I said I'd help if it would make it easier for you in trying.
[ Not to mention the thought of doing something like that for him is... exciting for her, in a very particular way. Let it not be ignored that for a much Peter is very much horny for her, she's very much the same for him in return. But there's still a more sincere and honest goal underneath it all, to help him try be more comfortable with his own body, physically. She sees him as something to want, to desire — wants to touch him in ways that are far more intimate.
And if she's here with him, to do those kinds of things with him herself, then maybe in the end it'll help him when she isn't there — so he can do those things himself. She knows Peter's braver when she's there. So, yes. She very much would like to do this for him, and it's been something she's wanted to do for a while. Even before they'd spoken about things. She's always been happy with what they have, too, but it's been nice to dream. It'd be even nicer to not just dream.
... And then Peter adds that little modicum of information, like a tiny breadcrumb — and she blinks at him, swallowing thickly. For a long moment she's frozen like that. He's already been thinking about things like that. Oh, don't tease her like that, Peter. ]
Oh. [ She breathes it out softly, piqued with interest at that — head tilting a fraction one way, eyebrows raising. The coy smile still toys at her lips. Yes, this is very good information to know, and she's very glad to be made privy to it. She leans in close, watching him intently as her right hand slips from his shoulder and walks gently with a ghost-like touch down his chest. She pauses at the bottom of his ribcage, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt, not moving any further down. ]
About something like this specifically? ... Or something... more—?
[ They don't share everything, mentally. Comfortable with one another's privacy when they each need it. But in this case, she would like to be enlightened. ]
it was probably funnier in the moment, one of those hard to translate in a story kind of things
[ She and Reaper had weird senses of humor, especially given that he was. Y'know. Responsible for at least two of those deaths. It's fine, probably. ]
yeah, kinda. i called it some kind of super power but magic is probably more accurate. idk that it was selfless tho. the idea of having the death of so many people be my fault just because i didn't want to die was sort of unbearable. i knew i'd end up becoming a hella fucking nutcase if i went through with it, so i decided it was probably better to just die.
[ Okay that's bullshit, but it's bullshit she's very thoroughly convinced herself of. Coping Skills. ]
besides it was only like half my choice. max was the one with the powers. she asked my opinion, but she was the one who had to decide whether or not to put everything back the way it should be.
[ She and Reaper had weird senses of humor, especially given that he was. Y'know. Responsible for at least two of those deaths. It's fine, probably. ]
yeah, kinda. i called it some kind of super power but magic is probably more accurate. idk that it was selfless tho. the idea of having the death of so many people be my fault just because i didn't want to die was sort of unbearable. i knew i'd end up becoming a hella fucking nutcase if i went through with it, so i decided it was probably better to just die.
[ Okay that's bullshit, but it's bullshit she's very thoroughly convinced herself of. Coping Skills. ]
besides it was only like half my choice. max was the one with the powers. she asked my opinion, but she was the one who had to decide whether or not to put everything back the way it should be.
( It is a big leap — a big deal, the thought of it. For all the ways they've deepened their intimacy together, Peter exploring what it is to help Luna reach that particular place of brief, breathless, physical bliss, he hasn't... touched her. Not in those ways, not yet; their affections are through the layer of clothing. And there's a deep, deep shyness in him at the thought of her really touching him — that shyness is still there, but for the immediate moment, he's allowing himself to feel that thrill, especially when he watches Luna's reaction to his own words.
He knows she's just as shy with things as he is, that the bold suggestion came along with a rapid flutter in her heart, and now here she is looking at him with huge eyes, visibly taken aback. Peter's smile curls slowly upwards; he's flustered her, and it's making him want to kiss her again and again (and again), but there's more to be said first.
Though as Luna's fingers moves downwards, Peter's unable to form words for those few seconds, giving a soft exhale, feeling a shudder ripple through his body as her fingers curl into his shirt like that. His heart's pounding in response, lids fluttering softly as he looks up to her. The waves of shyness and being emboldened rise and fall and Peter's slowly tightening his hands at her waist, then down a bit, more at her thighs. Softly, he urges her closer, tighter against him, and moves gently against the sofa, so that he just barely brushes himself against her. Soft movements, friction that's barely friction, re-adjusting his position beneath the girl so that she's in the exact right spot. It's enough to make him give another exhale, and a lift of the brows, and his smile could melt butter. )
Both. ( He says, slow and almost cheeky, eyes definitely flirtatious, the browns of them bright despite being half-lidded. ) Things like this.... you touching me. Me touching you.
( He tilts his head a little, breathes deep and slow. ) And more things. I think about ( —the boy's hands move down a bit more and behind, ever-so-slightly cupping her there and giving the softest squeeze— ) you~ all the time. Being as close as we can be.
( He knows they're taking things slow — even now, with this suggestion of hers, it's only one first step towards the more severe forms of intimacy. But he does think about her, that hasn't changed, and wanting to do the things they'd talked about doing someday hasn't changed, and that in itself is something he wants to share again. Talks of sex have been months ago but Peter's hasn't forgotten. It's all hinted to teasingly and with that pleased smile, but all too serious, too. It's a way to show affection and love through everything, to let the person he loves the most know just how much he thinks about her in those physical ways as much as all of the other ways he does. )
He knows she's just as shy with things as he is, that the bold suggestion came along with a rapid flutter in her heart, and now here she is looking at him with huge eyes, visibly taken aback. Peter's smile curls slowly upwards; he's flustered her, and it's making him want to kiss her again and again (and again), but there's more to be said first.
Though as Luna's fingers moves downwards, Peter's unable to form words for those few seconds, giving a soft exhale, feeling a shudder ripple through his body as her fingers curl into his shirt like that. His heart's pounding in response, lids fluttering softly as he looks up to her. The waves of shyness and being emboldened rise and fall and Peter's slowly tightening his hands at her waist, then down a bit, more at her thighs. Softly, he urges her closer, tighter against him, and moves gently against the sofa, so that he just barely brushes himself against her. Soft movements, friction that's barely friction, re-adjusting his position beneath the girl so that she's in the exact right spot. It's enough to make him give another exhale, and a lift of the brows, and his smile could melt butter. )
Both. ( He says, slow and almost cheeky, eyes definitely flirtatious, the browns of them bright despite being half-lidded. ) Things like this.... you touching me. Me touching you.
( He tilts his head a little, breathes deep and slow. ) And more things. I think about ( —the boy's hands move down a bit more and behind, ever-so-slightly cupping her there and giving the softest squeeze— ) you~ all the time. Being as close as we can be.
( He knows they're taking things slow — even now, with this suggestion of hers, it's only one first step towards the more severe forms of intimacy. But he does think about her, that hasn't changed, and wanting to do the things they'd talked about doing someday hasn't changed, and that in itself is something he wants to share again. Talks of sex have been months ago but Peter's hasn't forgotten. It's all hinted to teasingly and with that pleased smile, but all too serious, too. It's a way to show affection and love through everything, to let the person he loves the most know just how much he thinks about her in those physical ways as much as all of the other ways he does. )
Oh, one of those 'you had to be there' things. Right?
Still, you could have chosen to live, regardless. Run away instead. You never really know how things could have turned out, you might have been alright with choosing to live. That's more the usual option, isn't it? Choosing to live over choosing to die.
But you chose the harder option, the thing that goes against being very human and wanting to live. Even when you might not have necessarily had to. So yes, I do think it's selfless.
I don't envy her for making a choice like that. I can't imagine how hard that must have been for her, too.
Still, you could have chosen to live, regardless. Run away instead. You never really know how things could have turned out, you might have been alright with choosing to live. That's more the usual option, isn't it? Choosing to live over choosing to die.
But you chose the harder option, the thing that goes against being very human and wanting to live. Even when you might not have necessarily had to. So yes, I do think it's selfless.
I don't envy her for making a choice like that. I can't imagine how hard that must have been for her, too.
you got it
idk what's usual. not a lot of people i met had a choice in their deaths for me to ask. but yeah. it's... fucking shitty. max shouldn't have had to have that on her shoulders. exhibit #58032 why life's not fucking fair ig
idk what's usual. not a lot of people i met had a choice in their deaths for me to ask. but yeah. it's... fucking shitty. max shouldn't have had to have that on her shoulders. exhibit #58032 why life's not fucking fair ig
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