001. every story is a song // open post.

[kyriff]

Take a prompt, take some time, drop in whenever you like.

Comments

[kyriff]

Oh. Well.

[Well. Well.

Looking down again. His hands are suddenly so interesting.]

I've never really asked him. I don't think I should.

[larue]

[ Never really asked-- ]

But, [ how to handle the subject delicately because wow, what? ] So what do you guys do when you hang out [ ...? ] for fun.

[ ...that sounded... not right. ]

[kyriff]

[A little confused now. Uh.]

We eat together? I also drop by in the mornings while he's out on the yard, and he comes around to watch me when I have sets at Haven.

[There is also... well, sex... but okay no Rethe is aware of how totally TMI that might be.]

[larue]

[ This is the face of someone who is running the following thought through his brain: But... aren't you guys married? ]

Well, yeah. But... you have your meals at the Great Hall-- [ well, most of the time, as far as Josh has seen anyway ] and you're not exactly hanging out together when you spin.

[ The image of the two Malice Kings chilling out in the yard is cute though, but again, its not much of an activity done together as opposed to being in the same place. It's not that it doesn't count but-- ]

You should watch a movie with him sometime. Maybe, you can both pick a film each and then watch both together?

[kyriff]

[Shaking his head even before Josh is finished.]

I couldn't possibly ask him.

[larue]

[ It's the couldn't.in that phrase that makes Josh frown.

Quietly, he asks: ] Why not?

[ It's technically none of his business -- but Rethe is a friend, and it's just a little strange to hear him talk as if a movie with his husband is something he isn't allowed to ask for. ]

Doesn't he like movies?

[kyriff]

I think he does, but... no, it's okay. He's busy, and I'm fine with the time that we do get to have together.

[He actually means it. In fact, it seems as though the thought of rocking the boat bothers him more than anything else.]

[larue]

[ He doesn't press -- mostly because he ends up feeling like a heel for pushing, and Josh has never been one to push.

And yet... ]

Is he fine with the time you have together?

[kyriff]

I hope he is. I really do want to make him happy.

[Yeah so maybe he has kind of never really checked or pushed either? Oops.]

[larue]

[ Josh finds it hard to believe that rocking the boat would make Aidan unhappy ( he's seen the way the guy lools at Rethe; it's a little hard to mistake that kind of affection for much else ) -- but that's just him.

He leans back into his seat and smiles. ] He's really lucky to have you.

[ He remembers their first walk, the way Rethe's gaze had turned thoughtful as he'd touched his wedding ring. ]

[kyriff]

I think that most of the time, it's the other way around. Thank you, though, for saying that. It's... it's nice to hear.

[Now suddenly unsure of what to do next. (Talk like this always throws him off.) Standing up~]

Anyway, I won't disturb you any more than I have. See you?

[larue]

[ A despondent look crosses Josh features as Rethe rises from his seat and he wonders if he's crossed a line he shouldn't have by pointing out something that's made the angel clearly uncomfortable.

He sighs then, nods reluctantly before deciding to throw caution to the wind: ] You weren't disturbing me.

[ A hesitant smile, at that. ] I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable, Rethe. We can talk about something else? Or, [ he gestures to his tablet ] you could join me in finishing this?

[kyriff]

[Shaking head vehemently.]

No, no, you didn't! Um... [Movie is tempting.

Very tempting.

He hasn't seen that one.]

Well. If it's okay. But. [Lower voice, full of SHAME.] We might really have to start from the beginning.

[larue]

[ There is about half a minute of silence before Josh just starts chuckling -- he's also clicking the video player to start from the top and handing one earbud over to Rethe with a grin. ]

Have you ever seen this? It's pretty old. Released in 2000? But it's great, but then it's football and social commentary all rolled into one, so.

[ Yeah. Totally unapologetic about how much he loves it. ]

[kyriff]

[And he's already looking like a cat that has found something shiny: hyper-focused, watching the screen.

Yep. They can stay like this all day, Malice Kings duties be damned.]