mooninthewater | Come Sail Away IC Inbox

[ Thank fuck he wasn't in Ebalon's room when he texted him earlier. Imagine how awkward that would've been. ]

Mmh~ I make no promises... [ He fell out of his own bed when he was excited about all this, so, really, he's allowed to laugh at Ebalon also being a disaster. From his point of view, anyway. But, he is and will be holding Ebalon's hand, so hopefully that makes it all better. It certainly does for Mizuki, who's all about the hand holding. He has to remember to take his gloves off later, for that truly lewd act. Imagine, bare hand holding?! Might be the kinkiest thing on the Serena Eterna. For now, Ebalon gets gloves, though.

Fortunately, Mizuki doesn't laugh at the mess that is Ebalon's bed. There's a silly grin because it's fun imagining someone as regal as Ebalon completely splayed in bed like moron and waking up flailing or whatever. That's probably not entirely what happened, but it's what is going on in Mizuki's head. So it's just canon now, sorry, he doesn't make the rules. Of course, though, Mizuki is just pulling at Ebalon's hand as he's taking the time the set the flowers down and explain stuff to him. Something about a sword or whatever? It's fine, he's needy and wants to cuddle, Ebalon. He also doesn't want to wake up his roommate, so Ebalon's just going to have to deal with the greedy arm pulls and nothing more until they're actually in the compass, and…

Oh.

Okay, maybe he should have listened when Ebalon said not to be shocked by the sword and shield, because he's absolutely shocked and just staring at them. Then again, he probably would have been this surprised by them even if he had, because it's not as if Ebalon had explained himself all that well. ]

What... are they??? [ Like, obviously a sword and shield, but like…????? Hello??? The moon themed furniture is also very cool, but, like, magical things are taking Mizuki's interest first. He's all sparkly eyed at them and everything. Did he want cuddles? Was he being impatient and needy before? That's gone now, it's just awe over cool magic shit. ]

Edited 2022-05-30 10:24 (UTC)

Lady Friday delivered them to me alongside the furniture in here. Ah... perhaps not "delivered" but "called me to the service desk and they were there". These are two of the... many sentries Seven Tower had. They're enchanted weapons that can be "commanded" in a way to defend, patrol, or attack.

[If only he had the shield when Max was stabbing him, that would've been fun and useful and good.]

There were rarely troublemakers and criminals breaking into Seven Tower, prestigious as it was — I imagine half of that was due to these. They're magitech.

[There's also the fact that if people broke in and caused harm, some really pissed mages would try to wreck their shit immediately, and that's kind of terrifying, right?

Regardless of what Mizuki is doing, though, Ebalon is going to sit in bed, because unfortunately he is an old man and he's tired.]

[ He slept all afternoon, he’s not allowed to be tired! Especially when Mizuki is so full of energy. Definitely because he’s nocturnal by nature and has only been forcing himself on a diurnal schedule for convenience sake, but still!!!!

Mizuki’s eyes don’t peel away from the magic weapons, but he does allow Ebalon to guide him to the bed. Maybe not intentionally, but he doesn’t seem all that keen on letting go of his hand. And once he sits down, Mizuki achieves his True Form of Lap Mizuki, as per the norm, which makes him shift his focus back to… his… boyfriend? They’re dating like officially now, so, like, that’s what they are! It’s still so weird to think about. Especially now, sitting in such a regal bed, in the magic compass/water dungeon, with magic-y stuff all around, and somehow despite being in PJs, Ebalon still looking majestic. It really is like he’s some dumb country boy dating a prince.

Is that not how the prince and the pauper ended?

Regardless, “boyfriend” sounds so unbefitting, like somehow the term is childish now. What else is he supposed to use? “Partner”? It sounds a bit detached for Mizuki’s tastes. “Lover” is… hm… a lot. At least, starting out. ~~“Husband”?~~ Oh fuck, why did he think that? I mean, it’s Ebalon’s fault for not-proposing to him twice, but also why did he think that?

Needless to say, Mizuki is not actually saying anything and just making himself embarrassed from just getting stuck in his own head. So if he suddenly flusters bright red and hides his face into Ebalon, it’s probably nothing to worry about. ]

[Nope, the Ebalon is tired. Not tired enough to stay up longer, but a lot of this is more emotional exhaustion. It's not his fault, he had a rough day that ended on a good note. That's called an emotional rollercoaster and it's the most emotions he's ever had in his whole entire life.

Lap Mizuki is always welcome and immediately clung to. Ebalon buries his head against the Mizuki in kind, not thinking anything of this because sometimes jellyfish boys are quiet and flustered. No thoughts, head empty, only romance drives. Still a weird thing to have.]

I'm actually surprised the weapons operate here, [oops look who's still talking] considering they operate on El energy and there isn't any here. Then again, my magic operates fine without any ambient El energy in the air, so the environment both within this compass and the ship proper must be compatible in some way...

[Something to research.]

I believe Master Denif's compass is mostly comprised of Water El, for rather obvious reasons. [Could it be used as a power source? Probably, actually. But Ebalon likes this little space, so.] ...Mizuki? Are you alive?

[Look, he realised!]

[ It's good that he's talking, actually. It distracts him from his dumb fucking brain. Not enough for him to actually throw those thoughts away, but enough to at least add something to his focus other than "Hey, remember those times he basically proposed to you?" He thinks it's interesting to hear about, at least! These "El" kind of just sound like mega condensed versions of Originium to him. Only, you know, less caustic and doesn't assimilate with organics, which honestly? Very cool for Ebalon. Glad he's not a statue. Less kissable as a stone. Not explicitly not kissable, of course, just less so.

Also, apparently they have different elements? He knew that Ebalon is very specifically "Moon magic" so he knew there was some kind of distinction, but he had always assumed that, like Terra, it was less dependent on the source, and more dependent on the medium, so to speak. Like how people with Oripathy back home would all have different special abilities despite having the same Originium in their veins. ]

Oh- y-yeah! I'm good! [ You know, just being an idiot. As per the norm. ] I was just, you know, thinking about, uh... You know. This. [ A beat. ] N-not like, this. A gesture to the compass in general because he's not looking at where the floating bitches are right now. ] Y'know, just, us now. [ Actually… he could probably just ask Ebalon what they are now, right? ] What um... what are you going to call us now?

[Ohh yeah there's the Large El which is pure El energy and then there are the fragmented elemental El from after the apocalypse and then there's the principals of elemental energy that have been applied since the dawn of time and don't get him started on the Dark El——

Ebalon blinks at the question. He'd thought to label them, of course, because the possessive part of his brain won't allow him to not label this so that he can tell people about it. He's the type to use "lover" because it strikes him as formal, and if there are connotations behind it he's not entirely aware of them. That's just... how things are, with formal people. "Suitor" would imply that there's some professional family ties going on, so that's not it. "Boyfriend" is casual, and is a regular run-of-the-mill term that makes sense, but there's a noncommittal-sounding tie to it that he's not sure he likes. "Partner" is informal, but they're partners in crime now, so...

...well. Hm!]

"Lovers", preferably. [Yeah.] Unless you were thinking of something else? Using such terms is foreign to me entirely.

[Lover (possessive) (yandere) (obsessed) (problematic).]

[ WHEEZE…

It's his fault for bringing this up, of course. He absolutely should have just gotten Ebalon started on the Dark El, but no, he needs to embarrass himself more now, or something? Why did he ask that? He even knew Ebalon was going to say something like this. What the fuck else was he going to say? "Bae"? Use your head Mizuki. Is it hot in here? It's hot in here, clearly. He should just click and drag himself into the water again, good lord. ]

Yeah, no, yeah, of course, mhm. But. Um. Like, is that actually preferred, or? N-not that I'm against it or anything, you know, I just- [ Nervous laughter. What the fuck.

He's malfunctioning a bit. ]

Yes? [Why so flustered, what did he say?] Is it a poor label? I would say "partners", but it feels quite informal, and I do see you as something more than a casual "fling", I believe the term is, thus "lovers" seems most apt to me.

[Do not click and drag the Mizuki into the water because Ebalon has, can, and will strip down again and join him without hesitation. And then where will Mizuki be? He'll get to see the scarred-over bite mark and probably just sink to the bottom of the compass and die on the marble floors.

Ebalon squeezes Mizuki tighter. Stay in the lap. And also, have a kiss on the cheek, closer to the corner of Mizuki's lips than anything else really. Nebulously a cheek kiss.]

No! No. I mean, I'm fine with it I think, I just. Um. You know, I agree with that, and I was thinking that- [ Man, "fling" gets him even more flustered. And a little frustrated? Of course they're not a fling. Why would Ebalon even think that? Why would you think "Husband", Mizuki? He's absolutely glowing at this point. ] You know, since there's some... really, really intimate undertones there, maybe there was... something. But I can't... um... think of anything. [ Besides just a nebulous "belongs to Ebalon". But, uh, that doesn't really go over well in terms of labels. ] If that's fine with you, though, that's okay, too! 'Cause I-

[ No, don't look at him!! He's so embarrassed. And, yes, he would absolutely die at the bottom if Ebalon came in and showed off his bite scar. Fortunately for the both of them, Mizuki is particularly clingy right now. If he weren't, he probably would have even left Ebalon to investigate those weapons. But no, instead, he's completely attached to Ebalon until his confession high goes away. Or until they go to sleep. Whichever comes first.

The kiss does get him to stop rambling though. He lulls his head just a bit when he pulls away only to get Mizuki to turn his head and give him a proper kiss. He can just have these now, so he's absolutely going to cash them in. They're his, and he wants so many of them. ]

[Listen, he didn't mean he thinks this is a fling, he's just establishing what this is to him! Which is an actual relationship!! His only prior experience with seeing someone date was Ventus which is why he's being cautious! What would Ebalon know about dating he's old.

Oh, but he's kissing back, all soft and sweet for all of his weird inclinations. Mwah! His next words are said perhaps a little too close to Mizuki's lips.]

Are we not intimate? [Half of him knows exactly what the fuck he's saying since La Pluma accused him of sounding like he was implying "they're banging" or whatever her words were; half of him is confused by how this term could possibly be incorrect.] I believe we're quite intimate with one another, so it seems to be rather fitting of a term.

[Time for Ebalon to do his usual routine of Flopping Back On The Bed. This is one of those stupid, luxurious rich people beds. He thinks it's comfier than the one in the cabin.]

Besides, it seems to fluster you a bit, so I'm fond of it. I do like that glow of yours.

[ He's teasing again. And, really, it's not like Mizuki minds it at all. If this is the sort reaction that Ebalon likes, why should Mizuki adapt to it? He nuzzles into Ebalon and adjusts himself vaguely once they're back on the bed. He's used to this enough by now, at least. Or, maybe he is still embarrassed by it, but his previous embarrassment just overrode it? Hm. ]

L-lovers it is, then.

[ They're not NOT intimate, that's for sure. Biting someone counts as being super intimate, right? Mizuki vaguely touches his shoulder at that thought. ]

...I do love you, Dantalion. I wish I could tell you how happy you've made me, but I don't quite know how to put it in words. [ A squeeze. ] I want to make you feel this way, too, if I can.

[It totally counts. But also Lap Mizukis count, and unprompted handholding counts, and constantly cuddling counts. Again, Ebalon is not the type of man to kiss the homies. But, give him a second to be unromantic, because—]

Oh, one moment. I found out how to turn the lights off in here.

[At which point he clears his throat and says some ~magic word~. The bright florescent lights dim immediately and bathe the compass in almost-total darkness, save for some glowing blue orbs of light hiding out behind the waterfalls and within the water proper that do a fair job of illuminating the area. That, and there's Mizuki, who is also a nightlight.

All in all, the atmosphere is a success! It's called mood lighting.]

That's better. Where were we? [Said for dramatic effect. He knows where they were.] I love you too, Mizuki. I believe your poem did a fine job of that, though I won't turn down any more out-there courtship rituals. [COURTSHIP RITUALS? ARE YOU A BIRD? WHAT IS THIS] It was very, very cute. That aside, you already make me incredibly happy. The fact that you wanted to connect with me at all means a lot to me, genuinely. Where would I be without you by my side...?

[Still brooding in his room, probably.]

[ Oh! The lights do turn off! Wild. He thought Ebalon was just gonna close the bed curtains or whatever to make it dark, but this works, too. There's brief fascination because ~*magic*~, but he's turning back to Ebalon again soon after. It's almost ethereal to see him bathed in the bioluminescence. Not that he's not often got that elegance that feels magic, but Mizuki is absolutely biased because moon-based crimes.

Gingerly, he touches Ebalon's cheek at his "I love you" and… then he just laughs at "courtship rituals". ] Dantalion. You make it sound so stiff. This isn't a science project, you know. ...It wasn't that "out there", was it?

[ …

He brushes his thumb over Ebalon's cheek. ]

Well, we won't have to figure out that hypothetical ever, so it doesn't matter.

I do apologise. It was rather out there, but that's not a bad thing. I'm an ostentatious man myself. As much as I keep to myself, I do so appreciate that level of dramatism. No one on Elrios was ever so fun.

[And...]

I'm not trying to make it sound like a science project. Forgive me for any offense. I just mean...

[When Ebalon thinks of asking people out or showing love, he thinks about how Solace literally killed a man for Harnier. Like this is just... Normal. And also he thinks about Ventus trying to pin a priestess to the wall and getting chided by both her and Denif later. And he thinks of Noah's parents and how they seemed so... uninterested in one another.

He's not going to tell Mizuki he'll kill for him but he's not not thinking that.]

...I should stop talking, actually. I feel as though I'm spoiling the mood.

[Little bit. It's... Difficult to feel a genuine emotion and not know how to word any of it in a way that makes a semblance of sense. It's difficult to say, yeah, I actually love this jellyfish, not because it's untrue but because he's so not used to such things. His love language is usually conquest. Even then, until now it's never been a love language. Just a... Language. A really shitty one.]

I want to try again. [Stupid gay shit incoming.] I'm eternally grateful for all of the work you put into that. I've never been in love with someone before, and had considered romance an aside to my duties as a Master. It was never something I longed for until you. Any stiffness is simply because I have no idea how to... ah, how to speak to you properly about this. How to convey it, I suppose.

[How does one do the "relaxing". Ebalon can't do it, he's trying so hard to be genuine and he's tripping over every obstacle on the way. He's usually so chameleonic — but that's easier when he's lying his ass off. If he's lying, he knows what to say. If he's beseeching others for their aid for his schemes, he knows how to wriggle his way into their minds.

Romance? Mizuki? No idea. No idea what to say to make Mizuki stay because he's realizing that maybe he doesn't know enough about this, or Mizuki in general, to warrant such.

...

He clings tighter.]

[ Mizuki is about to quell his worries, but then he's going and doing his best to wax poetic for him and it's… sweet. It's Ebalon. This is all very new to Mizuki, too (Venti aside) (He does not count) (They're both idiots together), aside from any experience from his romance mangas or otomes. But maybe that's enough. Maybe that's where all his sappy, romantic bullshit comes from? Maybe he's so mushy because he really connected with those dumb protagonists? So it's hard to see this from Ebalon's perspective, but maybe that's okay. Maybe it's exciting to explore something new with him.

As always, tone and expression don't really convey much to Mizuki, but touch… touch does. While he doesn't complain about being held tighter, it tells him a very clear "He's bothered." In response, tendrils coil around him in some attempt to hold them closer, as if between gravity and Ebalon's own clinginess doesn't literally have them as close as they can be, as it's his turn to comb his fingers through Ebalon's hair. ]

Dantalion. [ His voice is soft, saccharine, and something he hopes is comforting. ] Did I worry you with that? You mistook amusement for offense. You told me that you really felt like you could be yourself around me when you first showed me this place, remember? That is the Dantalion I've been falling for. I don't want you to feel like you suddenly have to stop doing that because we're in love now.

[ Mizuki carefully rubs his nose against Ebalon's — little Eskimo kisses. ]

I love you. I'm not an expert on how to be in love myself, but we can both figure that out. And I get to tease you when you say something silly just as much as you get to tease me when I get all... y'know. [ Bashful. ] It's just the trade-off you signed up for~. Ehehe.

[ A tiny kiss. ]

And just like I'll remind you that I'm yours, I'll remind you that I always love you. This you. Everything you've shown me, I love.

Edited 2022-06-01 09:23 (UTC)

[Ugh he's so soft for this jellyfish.

Yes, of course, he's also being ridiculous (this is to be expected of him) (this will continue). Is he nervous? Is this... nervousness? Is this allowed, can he experience this emotion? What the fuck.

Ebalon breathes a little sigh. A stupid little sigh to go with all of his stupid little emotions. Maybe life would be easier for him if he didn't have feelings but they're his now and he's keeping them. He wouldn't have to worry about making an ass of himself in front of the one person he wants to keep forever otherwise, but... Mizuki seems to be fond of this? For what it's worth. Which is a lot, actually.

Anyway, if they were any closer somehow, they'd be engaging in that "oneness" thing that Mizuki is often on about. The tendrils are a welcome guest as ever, though.]

It seems I have a lot to learn about confidence from you. [Normally he has too much confidence. This would, in theory, knock him down a peg. It does not. But the sentiment is there.] Give me your hand for a moment.

[Because Ebalon currently cannot Words Goodly, he's going to instead take whichever hand Mizuki offers and/or steal the hand for himself and very softly kiss each fingertip before trailing his lips to Mizuki's palm. If touch is Mizuki's love language, let this be Ebalon's "I love you, too".]

Edited (i can't type shh) 2022-06-01 18:13 (UTC)

[ Mizuki is also soft for Ebalon. It’s exactly why he’s stuck with this dumb jellyfish. It seems they’re both agreeable on the stickening though, so stuck they’ll remain.

Right where Ebalon’s neck meets his shoulder is where Mizuki’s face settles, nuzzling against him at his sigh. It isn’t like he can tell Ebalon he’s been watching him even during their “break,” but of course he was endeared by his research mode. Of course he loves his silly, oblivious explanations. If this truly is a new experience for him, why wouldn’t Mizuki be endeared that he’s trying so hard to relate it to things he better understands? Mizuki is quite literally smitten with this loser, after all. ]

Ehe… this is just day one, Dantalion. When this feels more natural for you, you’ll not have these worries. But have confidence that I mean what I say when I tell you that you mean so much to me. And be kind to my heart, love, because you have all of it.

[ In fact, it still being day one probably means he should put a break on the intense shit, but he’s already wrote “leave me deaf, dumb, blind” in a poem to Ebalon, so they’re like… way past that point now.

He does give his hand over when asked. There’s a very apparent shiver at his kisses, and Mizuki sighs against his neck. He’s sweet. Mizuki doesn’t want to let him go. That’s fine, right? He can stay like this? They can do this forever? He does take his kisses, and perhaps in some ways they’re an “I love you, too,” but to Mizuki, it’s a little more. Like each kiss means this is mine. You can’t leave me. You’re mine and I’m not letting go, either. Maybe that’s projecting, though? He doesn’t want it to be. ]

You’re mine, too.

[The intense shit with these two was a thing before they made it official, what is this. Why would they stop? This is only going to up the heat in the kiln.]

My, I would hope so. I don't think I've ever belonged to anyone before — it's a refreshing change of pace.

[There's something romantic (possessive) about belonging to each other, mutually, and Ebalon rather enjoys the thought. More kisses for Mizuki's hand, then — he didn't get the knuckles or the back of it on the first go-around. Nor did he manage to get Mizuki's wrist...

The next time he speaks, it's with his lips still on said wrist, fingers still clasped around Mizuki's hand to hold it in place.]

You'll promise to say something if I go too far, won't you?

[He's remembering the accidental neck-touching and to be frank, he doesn't want to repeat something like that. Scaring Mizuki is, in fact, the polar opposite of what he wants.]

[ Mizuki’s shivers only stop once he melts into Ebalon with an adoring sigh. Not literally, of course. Bones(?) still apparent. But he is beyond relaxed now, mostly limp aside from the few times he’d twist his hand or curl his fingers to make it easier on Ebalon.

His light does dim a little, but not because he’s not enjoying this or less loving. Simply because he’s so at ease currently that his emotional highs have settled. Not that Mizuki thinks so, himself. He doesn’t know what it feels like to drown — couldn’t begin to fathom it, either. However, he thinks he might be drowning in this love now. He’s fine with it.

Mizuki simply nods a bit at Ebalon’s question, reaching his free hand lazily over to play with some of his hair. The neck touches before only startled him because he wasn’t expecting it. He did tell Ebalon before if he braces himself it’ll be fine, and Mizuki wants to believe it will be. ]

[A nod is a fair answer. Since it's a yes, then, Ebalon's little kisses continue — from Mizuki's wrist to the parts of his forearm that he can reach at this angle, and when he can't go further than that he skips to Mizuki's shoulder, craning his neck just a bit to reach. It's a slower kiss than the others, a touch lazier too, and then Ebalon purposely skips kissing Mizuki's neck and instead peppers languid kisses to his jawline.]

You seem relaxed. I take it this is good?

[He's like a little nightlight. Adorable.]

[ How is he supposed to nod again if you're going to kiss his jaw like that? He's too relaxed to be coherent right now, Ebalon. Well, relaxed and maybe a bit lovedrunk. With the emotional runaround he had today, he's certainly deserved to be a limp jellyfish just for a little while, right? Ebalon's concern for Mizuki's comfort is very sweet, though. And maybe just how literally any relationship needs to be. These are some really low bars Ebalon needs to hit to make Mizuki melt, actually. ]

It is. I... [ He just needs to say yes. There doesn't need to be any fanfare or anything that might make Mizuki seem like a fool or say something idiotic- ] I've been thinking about kissing you for some time. When you'd kissed my cheek, I had wanted to take more, somehow. Now that I'm getting so many, it's... [ Dizzying. Intoxicating. Buzzing around in his head and not letting him focus on anything else. ] ...nice.

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what is this gay shit

dials the gay shit up to 11

Dials it back only to go a little feral instead

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