Heckin Game Inbox

[tothosewhobait]

[For messaging and continuations, beware possible 18+]

Comments

[unpaidovertime]

This is all very thoughtful, and I'm happy to share it with you.

[Settles on the blanket to one side of the basket, leaving enough room for Azul to set out whatever it is he's packed.]

[tothosewhobait]

[Hands Nanami a glass, pouring some wine before starting off with plating a charcuterie board near him with plenty of fruits, jams, honey, nuts, cheeses and crackers…of course he’s making sure it’s plated beautifully with fresh herbs for decor]

I wanted to do something a little bit different. Let me know if it gets too cold and I’ll make the fire bigger. I just thought the evening would be quieter so we could actually hear the waves. And…if it was private enough…there was something I wanted to show you too.

[unpaidovertime]

[He watches the process intently, trying to figure out each thing as it comes out while he lets the wine breathe.]

I was hoping for some alone time with you tonight, but now I'm even more hopeful that we aren't disturbed. You do bring me the best surprises.

Oh. And I have a gift for you, too.

[tothosewhobait]

If we are disturbed then unfortunately that particular surprise will have to wait.

[Crawls closer on the blanket so he can take the seat next to Nanami, adjusting his shawl before pouring his own glass]

I did make sure to prepare a couple of back ups though.

[unpaidovertime]

You're prepared for every eventuality, aren't you?

[He takes a deep breath and then a sip of his wine. It's not going to cool his head but he needs a moment.]

That is so attractive I lost myself for a moment. I think I better understand what happens to you when we negotiate a contract now.

[tothosewhobait]

[Has to lower his glass so he can laugh, surprised by the sudden admission]

Is that the sort of quality you find attractive then?

[unpaidovertime]

Apparently, yes. The idea that you would go to that much trouble for me. The thought you must have put into it. And I don't have a single doubt that you did plan everything that thoroughly.

[He stares up at the sky.]

Maybe I'm not on the wrong side.

[tothosewhobait]

[Stops his laughter, glancing up at Nanami again, looking over his face slowly from his spot beside him]

The wrong side...?

[unpaidovertime]

It's nothing, I'm letting myself get carried away.

[He pulls his eyes away and back down to their picnic. He starts with a piece of meat and hums in appreciation.]

[tothosewhobait]

I can’t help but be curious, you know…

[Preps a cracker with prosciutto and melon, offering it up to the other man]

Especially if your thoughts are carrying you away.

[unpaidovertime]

[He takes it with a smile. And it's not until he's done enjoying it that he does finally answer.]

This is the first time being here that I've felt like I am actually in Heaven.

[And that maybe he belongs there after all.]

[tothosewhobait]

[Presses his face into Nanami’s arm, skin heating up]

I’m glad then… I wanted this to be a nice night.

[unpaidovertime]

Thank you.

[Wrapping an arm around him, comfortable. He tries a few more combinations and offers the one he likes best to Azul.]

[tothosewhobait]

[Tries that one, humming in approval and burrowing against Nanami’s side more]

Let me know when you get actually hungry and I’ll pull the food out. I made a few types of sandwiches and a couple side dishes…nothing too intense.

[unpaidovertime]

Sandwiches? Now you're spoiling me.

[He does sound serious about that.]

[tothosewhobait]

Don’t give me too much praise yet. We have our whole evening ahead of us.

[Does lean over to grab a sandwich platter from the basket among which includes muffuletta, chicken salad, prosciutto arugula, and egg salad]

[unpaidovertime]

[He takes one of the prosciutto and arugula ones and takes a bite. It's a bit before he can talk again as he has to take another bite immediately after.]

Did you make these yourself?

[tothosewhobait]

I did. There are a lot of nice restaurants people can take you to here... So the only unique thing I could really think of was to prepare something for you myself.

[unpaidovertime]

Thank you, this is delicious.

[It's touching in a way he can't entirely wrap his head around.]

[tothosewhobait]

I'm glad you like it.

[Leans across him to snag some grapes from the charcuterie board, snacking on fruit as he watches the waves]

[unpaidovertime]

[Happy to eat in companionable silence for a while. Mostly because he doesn't trust his voice not to betray his emotions right now and he can't have that.]

[tothosewhobait]

[Breathes in deeply before releasing a slow breath, enjoying the smell of the sea at night]

...it's funny. They warn you about so many things surrounding life on land, but they don't warn you about how loud it gets.

[unpaidovertime]

I'm sure it is a lot to take in.

[He sips his wine and stares out at the little bit of reflected moonlight on the waves.]

I appreciate the quiet as well.

[tothosewhobait]

That...but also it calls to you. The sea. If I close my eyes I can hear it calling me home sometimes.

[Lifts the bottle, refilling Nanami's glass before taking a sip from his own]

It's true that land is loud though. Back home, if you want quiet, there is so much room. You can swim far far away, or go up to the surface at night. We have far fewer merfolk than the land has humans. There are far less of us in a much larger space. Here, there is really nowhere to run.

[unpaidovertime]

[He listens, aware that he is part of that loudness here and not wanting to intrude on something so personal for Azul. The sound of the waves is soothing to him, and he reaches out to touch Azul's hand, holding it if he can.]

There's still ocean here to run to. If you need it.