Home again, home again

[markofkaine]

[In the end, it wasn't that hard at all. One of those lanterns, like the ones Acedia had - its light could open up a portal home. Everyone made their plans, relieved to be free of the Midwestern hellhole that had kept them in its clutches for all these long days.

How strange. For once, Kaine was glad to have been proved foolish - optimism was never his strong suit, same with nursing such convenient daydreams - but now he felt unprepared for what lay ahead. A chapter was closing. What does he do with himself now?]

Comments

[eudaimoniac]

["She also has ears and may speak for herself," malise says weakly. "It's not so strange that I wouldn't even know where to start."]

It's not so strange, no.

Kaine, you would protect me, wouldn't you? From danger? You'd look after me.

[he knows what kinds of things malise needs to hear to set her mind at ease]

[markofkaine]

[not strange THAT'S A LIE AND YOU KNOW IT

He huffs, clearly not used to making demonstrations of trustworthiness and feeling embarrassed by it]

I would literally snap people in half for looking at you wrong. Obviously.

[eudaimoniac]

[he covers a slight laugh. good, now let's steer that in a less violent direction,]

And you would help take care of me if I were hurt or sick? You'd make me tea or stay up awhile at night with me?

[markofkaine]

Aren't these kinda leading questions? Also my tea's trash.

[eudaimoniac]

Well. Yes. But these are the kinds of things I would want Malise to hear. She has good reason to be suspicious, given my past . . . decisions . . .

["It's true. I'd like to hear that," malise says. with a lot of weariness, but also with some hope]

[markofkaine]

[SIGHS... winning approval is so hard and weird.]

Anyone can promise things.

But sure. I'd do my best.

[eudaimoniac]

[there is something about that hesitance that seems to tick some box in malise's checklist. it seems more genuine, less likely to be a front. she nods and dredges up an attempt at a smile

hand squeeze from des] I know. And I'd take care of you.

[markofkaine]

[His expression grows softer for a moment, and so does his voice]

I know that. You always do.

[eudaimoniac]

[they reach the house before too long. it is small, but it's in good repair. there's a windowbox or two

he lets them inside. it's pretty disorganized in here—LOTS of books and papers and trinkets strewn around. clean enough, otherwise! there are approximately a zillion bookshelves and a good smattering of houseplants

"I took care of your plants," Malise says. "Gennady helped."]

. . . My God, I've been so homesick.

[he's a house mouse at heart. goes to flop down on his couch (gotta move a stack of newspapers aside first)]

[markofkaine]

[Looking around... spider exploring new enclosure]

...This is actually tidier than I expected.

[Probably because of Malise and a significant decrease in stress tinkering.]

[eudaimoniac]

I'm really not that messy . . . everything's in the right room, at least. That's what matters.

[malise laughs. it's strained and watery, but genuine. "He does clean more often when there's someone else in the house," she says to kaine]

[markofkaine]

I've never known anyone who has this much stuff.

[What even are all these trinkets. The books and papers he's pretty sure he wouldn't understand, even if he tried flipping through them. Are there photos?]

[eudaimoniac]

[there are one or two photos of landscapes, but they're like daguerreotypes, as though photography technology is very new and hasn't advanced far in astrum

malise dusts her hands together and seems to steel herself a bit. "I'll let you two settle in, my dear, but I hope we can talk longer later."]

As long as you want. I promise. I'll still be here.

[unthinkingly, he beckons kaine to sit next to him]

[markofkaine]

That means you two're gonna be up all night...

[Idly he wonders if he's allowed to go out webswinging. Is that something that attracts too much attention? Hmm.

But when he's beckoned, Kaine complies. He only hesitates for a split second - unsure if he belongs enough to sit on this couch - but then it passes.]

[eudaimoniac]

[after malise takes her leave, des fully cuddles up]

I can't believe I'm finally home.

[markofkaine]

[now THIS feels familiar. Kaine finally relaxes, idly petting Adrien's hair]

S'nice place. Very lived in.

[eudaimoniac]

I've been here awhile.

[he clears his throat] Are you going to want to share . . . share a room?

[markofkaine]

[Considering that he just slept in Adrien's room most of the time at Sloth House,]

Don't see why anything has t'change...?

[eudaimoniac]

[sooo pleased]

Thank you.

[markofkaine]

[Lightly snorts]

What’re you thanking me for? This is your house.

[eudaimoniac]

It's our house now, isn't it?

[markofkaine]

[A pause. This isn’t something he considered.]

…Huh.

[eudaimoniac]

Of course it is.

[hand squeeze]

[markofkaine]

Shadowpeaks was the longest I ever lived in a house.

[Which is to say, he's not used to it. Thinking about anything being 'his house'. Even Sloth wasn't 'his' house.]

[eudaimoniac]

Maybe you'll come to like it here. I hope so.

It's been a long time since I had a boyfriend live with me.