mooninthewater | Come Sail Away IC Inbox

[ so... that whole fiasco with jenny sure happened. and as wonderful as it felt to finally stretch out his wings and fly again, he could feel himself tiring quite quickly as the storm roared on until it finally eventually stopped, from whoever managed to calm jenny down. he didn't quite see. and then after cautiously confirming everything should be fine, after he and mizuki transport everyone back, after talking with jenny and she leaves--

he's ready to lie down and sleep for maybe a week straight. or go to a bar and drink himself into blacking out for a week straight.

but he needs to find mizuki.

the wind's flow is weaker and faint as it makes its way back to the top deck, again. speculating mizuki may be around here, among the wreckage and the waterlogged floor, he looks for him. ]

[ Calling today a fucking disaster would be one hell of an understatement. Mizuki, honestly, would rather be standing in the middle of a Catastrophe back on Terra and hoping for the best than dealing with… whatever the fuck happened today. There's so much he has to just… consider. Clarke. Ebalon. Jenny. His failures today. How much harm he did than good. What he was supposed to do better. Why he did bad things and what that meant and…

And then there's Venti. And he is perhaps the only thing today that he doesn't have to think about. The only thing that isn't crashing in the waves of loud, migraine-inducing ocean of thoughts. In general, it's not like he understands the bard any better than he ever has, but at least… for today something made sense. Things clicked, if only for a moment, in a day where every other moment was terrible. So, of course, as Venti approaches his hiding spot, he reaches a hand out to grab his, and in doing so, his camouflage dissipates. Currently, he's huddled on the ground, hugging his knees and only his eyes are visible as he presses the rest of his face into them.

He gives himself a moment or two to collect himself, before standing entirely and giving a squeeze to Venti's hand. ]

…I know today just started, but… [ It's only just a bit past midnight, after all. ] I'd like for it to be over now, I think…

[ A beat. ]

Were you going somewhere…?

[ he does flinch at the unexpected grab to his hand; it seems ever since that day of nearly drowning he really has been a little more on edge, jumpier than he truly would be, an edge of paranoia cuts into him when he doesn't expect it. it's dark and near midnight, his schedule is erratic but even so he's more of a diurnal creature than not. for a second the wind flares as if for fight or flight--

then he sees mizuki's face. recognition, then he relaxes, as if with feathers settling. ] Mizuki...

Hi~ [ his voice that sing-song again, affecting light heartedness in trying to hide tiredness. ] As a matter of fact I was looking for you. So, I guess my destination was here! [ a wink, a quirk of his catlike smile, though he seems a little unsteady on his feet as he goes to sit on the ground, light next to mizuki. ]

... But, I'd like today to be over with too. We can agree on that.

[ Oh. Well. If Venti's gonna make this available, then Mizuki is absolutely going to clamber into his lap and curl into him. He wants to be close, to feel safe. It's childish, and he knows that, but his dignity and restraint seem to have gone on vacation for a bit after today's mess. ]

... Can I ask you to stay with me tonight? Is that okay? [ He knows he's basically monopolized all of Venti's time. Squirreling him away to himself on Jenny's ship, and then barely leaving his side when they were back on the Serena Eterna... which is precisely why this is a question, and he's not just dragging Venti away. He'll be upset with a "no," of course, but he'll accept one. ] You can leave after I fall asleep, if you'd like. I just... [ He tries to let out a pained laugh, but it just comes out at a hissed sigh. ] I don't want to be alone.

[ whoa, mizuki in his lap--

normally he'd be more embarrassed and flustered but at the moment, he's too tired for even that. he makes a little 'oof' but after a moment, simply sighs and wraps his arms around mizuki as well, letting out a long breath.

he too is tired, and mizuki is warm and comforting. he drops his chin to mizuki's shoulder. ]

Mm, it's more than fine with me. [ he's not actually used to sleeping with people, he's always been a solo traveler and wandering bard, but this is nice. and he did sleep over with jinx, he's slowly warming to being with other people even this close. that, and, ] I don't quite want to be alone either. ... And I want to be with you. [ this, quieter under his breath. ]

But I'll have to warn you, I'll likely be sleeping for much longer than you. [ he can feel it. those wings were his god's form and he doesn't have his full god's power, he's exhausted and it shows in his tired movement and voice. ]

[ There's a quick glance over to the pool. Right. Last time anything this stressful happened, Venti passed out for two days. He can't panic this time if Venti sleeps for longer, but... at least it'll be comforting to wake up to him as well. He may have to suffer with a rash in the morning due to lack of hydration, but at this point, he's willing to leave any consequences for his actions right now for future Mizuki to deal with. He reaches a hand up to card through Venti's hair a bit. ]

... Would you like me to carry you? I can bring us to my room. It's only fair. [ What with Venti carrying other people. Mizuki included. He nudges his head to Venti's. ] It'll be a lot easier to take care of you there.

[ well a bed sounds nice, but. he really has been a hobo for thousands of years, it really isn't necessary. but he does know what's necessary for mizuki. ] You need water though, don't you? I really can sleep anywhere if it comes down to it, I'm not picky.

[ even here, sitting out on the wet deck. it's clearly not an ideal place but he could feel his eyes half-close already, body going slowly slack in fatigue. ]

Maybe... could find a floatie. [ but the ghosts tending the pool aren't around, wherever they've fled during the storm. ]

I'll be okay. Especially if you're staying with me. I'll get up and shower if I start to get uncomfortable. [ Mizuki also just... sort of wants to, once again, squirrel Venti away for himself. But he can justify it by saying he just doesn't want to leave Venti exposed to the elements for a few days, and especially in this disaster. ]

Besides, I don't... really want you by the pool if I can avoid it.

[ Well, that wasn't a "no", right? So, Mizuki slides out of Venti's lap, only slightly begrudgingly, and hooks his arms under him to hoist him up with ease. This time, very pointedly not like a sack of potatoes, but bridal style so Venti can still lie his head on Mizuki's shoulder.

As he's walking, he settles the thoughts storm in his brain with the promise that sleep is coming soon, and that Venti will be there with him, and that he doesn't need to think about anything besides that. There's the occasional glance down at Venti to make sure he hadn't yet fallen asleep as he walks them back to his room. ]

[ why is he being carried... again?! at least he'd carried mizuki once now but now the tally is 2-1 or actually probably 3-1, how could this happen to him? and yet it is nice to be held. at the moment when he's this tired he can admit that, independent as he is, capable as he'd like to think of himself as, it's... nice, to be cared for like this. the vulnerability as he wraps both arms around mizuki's shoulders and curls in towards him with a sigh, dropping his head heavily tucked near his neck.

he does wish he were stronger than this of course. part of him wonders if morax is okay, surely morax would have approached or dealt with this crisis as solidly and confidently as he always does. ... he'll look for him later.

his eyes close. trying not to drift off just yet like a loser, just yet. ] Mizuki.

Will you be okay? [ not just about the water. about everything he means, but he's a little tired to elaborate very much. ]

[ There's the pained laugh. Part of him almost responds with "We'll just have to see in the morning," but he doesn't want to worry Venti. So, of course, this calls for a topic change. ]

I'm happy I got to see you fly. I'm happy you showed your wings to me. I know there's a million other things I need to be thinking about right now instead of that, but... all that makes sense to me right now is that I know that I really want to see you smile like that again. To see you that happy and to bask in that glow. [ He glances down for just a moment to give Venti a small, tired smile. ] And I don't really want to think about anything else other than that right now.

[ well that's fair enough. he supposes he's too tired to offer much in the way of... assurance, or talking much through, or much of anything, as much as he'd like to. he just files it away in his head to bring up later when he might wake. ]

I flew like that... only once in a while, even a long time ago. [ appearing to vennessa. appearing to birds to coax them to fly. but he would rarely appear to people in his god's form, he might more often to wildlife or alone or simply to the other gods. ] I did miss it... it's been a long while, but it took more out of me than expected. I'm glad you liked it.

And thank you for taking care of me. [ taking him to rest like this. again. this counts as the third time, doesn't it? he nudges his cheek to mizuki's, a mild nuzzle, quiet appreciation. ]

[ If you really think about it, Mizuki definitely qualifies as "wildlife" and less as "people". ]

That's alright. You can rest easy now.

[ Especially now that they're at Mizuki's room. He does struggle a bit to get his phone out to open the door without putting Venti down, but eventually managed with a bit of help from his extra appendages. He carefully settles Venti into the bed once they're inside, not even bothering with the covers. Once again, that's future Mizuki's problem. Current Mizuki is going to indulge himself by crawling into bed with Venti and cuddle against him like a greedy bastard, and future Mizuki can honestly just deal with his life choices right now. Because Venti is warm and safe and kind and he wants to be here with Mizuki and... he just needs this.

He mumbles something, a "Good night" maybe? Or something like "You too"? Something else entirely? It's unclear, but asking for clarification is off the table since he almost instantly crashes the moment he gets comfortable. ]

[ could this really count as selfish, this is what mizuki would think of as selfish? he could vaguely tiredly recall mizuki helping him back after that awful night of heavy drinking when he'd probably made a fool of himself as a first impression. mizuki caring for him after he'd fallen into the pool. and now after the storm mizuki is still caring for him like this...

he's almost completely forgotten about their little relationship but regardless there's real fondness as he cuddles close to mizuki once on a soft surface, his hand seeks out mizuki's almost blindly until he finds it and could loosely lace their fingers together. then a murmuring sigh as he tucks his face against mizuki's and he's also out like a light.

and would be for a good two/three days or so. how really inconvenient a sleeping princess he is, he needs time like this to rest and recover, but at least peaceably so next to mizuki. ]

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