apocalypsehowcomm | (mingle) It must be party time

Entry tags:

(mingle) It must be party time

Who: Ren Amamiya, Wanda Maximoff, you!
When: 12th of September
Where: Good Harbor Beach
Summary: Here's the barbecue log! Eating, playing games, having a bonfire and sleep-over on the beach!
Warnings: Alcohol? Ghost stories?

ɪ. ᴡᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇ

Congratulations, you've made it to the Good Harbor Beach September barbecue! With the weather cooling, but still pleasant enough, it's a pleasure to have a hangout involving ADI's residents and those who live at Bonnie's. There are still so many people who don't know one another, and many to strengthen bonds with, so the hours your dearest Wanda and Ren spend cooking and flipping and seasoning are nothing but rewarding! Seeing people enjoying themselves is great and it's motivating for them to keep doing these encounters every now and then.

On the menu, we have:
- Burgers;
- Steaks with jacked potato sides;
- Ribs;
- Zucchini-and-Pecorino fritters;
- Several different salads, including ovcharska;
- Aubergine kebabs with charred onion salsa;
- Salmon yakitori;
- Takoyaki;
- Cupcakes
- Apples and honey;
- Cherry dumplings;
- Sarmale filled with rice;
- Bundevara (pumpkin pie);

For drinks, there's a selection of alcohol, as well as coffee, water, tea, and a variety of sodas. Take in the nice view, jump on the ocean, sink your toes in the sand and enjoy yourselves. There aren't any usable tables, but there are several blankets on the floor for your perusal.

ɪɪ. ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ

With bellies full, now it's when the real fun begins. There are a few decks of cards being passed around, as well as one of their single tables now organized to a beer-pong competition. Individually, games such as Never Have I Ever, as well as Truth or Dare can be seen, and those who wish to use their skills for entertaining are more than welcome to do so.

A little bonding here, a little drunken chatting there, this is your time to shine!

ɪɪɪ. ᴀ ʙᴏɴꜰɪʀᴇ

With those who have a curfew to worry about in mind, a bonfire is lit, and a few tents are set around the beach (may have to be shared). If anyone's got a nice story, now it's the time to share it, or perhaps if anyone can play an instrument, it's about time to break it out of its case. The night will be lively until the early hours of the morning, and of course, mindful of those who couldn't stay up this late.

The next morning, everyone will be properly thanked for their attendance and tupperwares will be distributed with leftovers for those who'd like to take some food home, the beach will be cleaned impeccably and everyone will go their own way, hopefully with smiles and a new sense of unity and connection from the amazing night they've just experienced.

ɪᴠ. ᴀ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ᴏᴏᴄ ɴᴏᴛᴇ

(Please put in your top-level subject line or prompt line whether it's okay to threadjack! Just to keep things more dynamic, we encourage it!)

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[ dammit. he was hoping -- what? that keith would laugh and say no, he was spinning a story? before shiro even finished asking that question, he knew what keith would say and what he would end up offering in return. well, actually, that’s partly true. he didn’t anticipate keith answering quite like that.

you, just you? he swallows back a question: why? it makes sense, he supposes. they’re the fragments of team voltron and beyond the commonality of a shared universe and a shared history, their friendship has them trusting each other with their lives. so who better to be with at his most vulnerable?

despite what keith’s said, keith’s mystery crush comes to mind. his suspicions are few. he can’t put a face to a guess but he imagines it down to the bare bones: keith’s room, keith’s bed and a different body -- slighter, perhaps -- than the one keith is resting against right now. keith said, he tries to remind himself, but he wonders anyway, if keith would inevitably find comfort curled up with this someone else. he doesn’t know why it bothers him. it’s not like he’s being replaced. they aren’t like this. keith wouldn’t want to cuddle while sober.

his inner voice betrays him then and points out how he isn’t denying wanting to do it himself. he shoves the thought back but it’s difficult to deny it now; to deny how it’s nice having the weight of keith’s head on his chest, feeling it through every draw of breath. that’s not why he offers, no. it has nothing to do with… whatever this is. instead, it has everything to do with shiro wanting to support keith through the worst of what this universe has in store for them. ]

My door is always open to you, you know. [ voice still holding all those gentle notes, shiro gives up on watching that mop of hair spilled out on him and looks to the poles crossing at the tent’s top. perhaps none of this will matter come morning. keith might not remember or if he does, he may never admit to it to take shiro up on it. either way, shiro can’t leave it alone right now. ]

If you can’t sleep or you feel unsafe… you can sleep in my room. [ he twirls his index, absentmindedly winding the ends of keith’s hair round and round it, tight. ] Any time. I’m usually awake anyway.

[ it's... strange. there should really be something more here that keith feels -- apprehension over waiting for an answer after admitting to something held secret for a start. embarrassment over the way he's laid himself out on top of his best friend. alcohol has blunted both of these, leaving his head full of a pleasant swirling, dizzying numbness that's made him forget how to be self conscious. forget how to be himself really. all his inhibitions around not being awkward are blurry and easily pushed aside as keith clumsily places both palms on shiro's chest and pushes up to try and look his best friend in the eye, curious but slightly unfocused. ]

You mean it?

[ equal parts hopeful and incredulous, he leans down close, nose inches away from shiro's as he crowds. he doesn't wait for an answer though, breaking into a lopsided smile.]

How come you aren't sleeping? Have you always not been sleeping?

[ given an extra moment of thought, this might be more self explanatory, but well.... thought and keith aren't exactly best of friends right now. ]

[ -- fuck. he really needs to stop treating keith like he’s in his usual state of mind. stop when he’s ahead, say as little as possible -- that’s how he should be approaching this. but what did he do? he tacked on an entirely unneeded bit of info pertaining to his insomnia. granted, in some ways, it’s easier to talk to keith when he’s like this but even so, shiro has his limits and he has no desire to deep dive into an explanation as to why he operates mostly off of, maybe, four hours of sleep.

it’s not just the questions either, that have shiro feeling completely off-kilter with where everything is headed. there’s palms on his chest, weight pressing more firmly into him, and a face, a very sweetly happy face filling the whole of his gaze.

-- double fuck. he presses his head back further into the pillow, although it does little to broaden the space between their noses, and then grasps keith by his shoulders, not quite pushing ( yet ) but holding to keep him still, just in case. ]

No real reason other than I’m not sleepy. [ a beat. a hastily amended: ] Usually. But I am right now. Aren’t you?

[ and here, now he’ll gently nudge keith back, encouraging him to return to his earlier spot, cuddled against him. ] How about you settle back down and we get some sleep, hm?

[ the push on his shoulders at least earns shiro some much needed space, even if keith doesn't oblige by hunkering down comfortably. still smiling sweetly, he shakes his head. ]

I'm not sleepy at all.

[ lethargic, dizzy and kinda out of it, but still pretty energetic and wanting to run some more on the beach as a matter of fact. but here, as if he thinks he's actually extending some kind of compromise olive branch rather than making a ludicrous demand, keith snakes his hand up to cup shiro's cheek. ]

Sing me a song to sleep?

[ plus side? one hand is off his pec. downside? said hand is now “groping” his face instead. shiro musters down a sigh and tries not to frown. he’s not frustrated per say, but he is feeling the first real crack in his patience. who knew that an inebriated keith would be so… touchy? their friendship has been tactile for a good while now, however, this has migrated into very unfamiliar territory, very quickly. he only wants to rein keith back in; keep it at a level that he knows both of them are comfortable with.

so he lets go of one shoulder and grasps keith’s hand, momentarily, unintentionally pressing it closer to his cheek before he skirts his fingers around and tugs keith’s hand away. one crisis averted, now for the second. ]

Uh… [ great start. sounding uncertain but willing to play along: ] If that’s what you want… ?

[ he'll try just about anything to get keith to settle down and sleep at this point. though, he hasn’t given it any mind up until this point: how far off are the tents from each other? hopefully they don’t have any neighbors listening in, especially for the next couple of minutes. ]

Do you have a particular song you’d like to hear?

[ fortunately for shiro, keith lets him redirect his hand and even scoots further down, twisting around to use shiro's hand to cover his eyes. ]

Uh-huh, I want a song.

[ stated emphatically as he squirms and finally gets comfortable, lying down with the back of his head resting on shiro's chest. ]

Sing me one of those old-timer tunes you used to play in the jeep. Or make one up. Just wanna hear you sing. Bet it's real nice.

[ old-timer tunes… shiro has no idea what keith is talking about?? shiro’s taste in music has always been impeccable. shiro will always stand by the idea that tiny teen keith didn’t notice the tank running on empty when he stole the garrison’s jeep because he was too busy jamming to the evanescence file playing through the speakers. the thought has a small smile tilting his lips and surprisingly, it stays, even though shiro has no real desire to test his vocals.

in the shower? in a vehicle, alone? sure, shiro isn’t shy in belting out familiar lyrics, but in a tent, likely within earshot of a slew of acquaintances and one drunk boy now -- finally -- settling down? no thanks. and yet, even as he thinks this, he’s also shuffling through his memory bank, not only trying to pinpoint a song, but one he actually knows the lyrics to.

he hums, both in response and in some half-ass attempt to warm up a singing voice. ] I don’t know about real nice but -- here goes.

[ he continues to let keith hide his eyes under his hand. it helps in a way, though, shiro is also looking back to the top of the tent, which stems the last of his unease, enough so for him to start mid-song. ]

Oh, I am what I am. [ pretty decent. he can hold a tune. ] I’ll do what I want. But I can’t hide. [ classic music right here… and yes, he is powering through, despite the mix of awkward and shy warming his face from cheeks to ears. ]

And I won’t go. I won’t sleep. I can’t breathe -- until you’re resting here with me. [ recognize it, keith? likely not, but listen to the end message: rest. ]

[ keith's mental library for old-timer tunes is shockingly shallow despite their friendship so it should come as no real surprise that he doesn't recognize the tune at all. hell, shiro may as well be making this music up as far as keith knows. but the origin of the song isn't what keith is primarily concerned with. insofar that he's concerned about anything right now, he's largely struck by how nice shiro's voice sounds.

shy and unsure as shiro may sound in contrast to when he's giving one of his leader speeches or calling shots in the middle of battle, there's a rare, almost private tentativeness here that fills keith's ears just as much as it fills the tent. without any hesitation, keith opens his eyes, peeking over at shiro between the gaps of his fingers. it's dark in the tent, enough so that keith doesn't catch the way his best friend is flushed with embarrassment, but it doesn't hamper the performance. at least not in keith's opinion.

feeling warmer, he smiles happily to himself -- part spellbound, part content to watch the shadows of shiro's movements and listen in silence. unfortunately for shiro, he misses the subliminal messaging about rest. as the singing comes to an end, keith starts clapping in earnest, rolling ever so slightly to press his cheek back against shiro's chest. his voice is whisper soft when he speaks, but full of admiration. ]

That was amazing, Shiro. [ he laughs equally soft and quiet, bringing his hands down to his sides. ] How are you so good at singing? I feel all inspired now.

[ he’s -- clapping? why is he clapping? initially, it does the exact opposite of comforting shiro; it only has his embarrassment spiking. but his surprise toward the reaction mellows and now with keith’s cheek nestled to his chest again as the clapping putters out, shiro breathes easier. a smile comes next and then a soft laugh. amazing? must be the alcohol talking. decent is a far better assessment, but he supposes he’ll settle for good, but only good; get rid of that so.

it’s a ridiculous question from a ridiculous boy and fortunately or unfortunately -- shiro can’t decide -- shiro doesn’t have to explain by divulging his frequent vocal practices in the shower. instead, keith goes right on talking and drags shiro’s curiosity in another direction. a bit of his apprehension as well.

hand having fallen away from keith when he twisted, shiro keeps it away and on the blanket to the side. touch completely removed at this point, the only thing shiro does do is tuck his chin and return his gaze to keith there on his chest, hesitance filling his words. ]

Inspired to do… what?

[ he’s hoping it has something to do with resting?? ]

[ shiro may not be able to see it, but he can almost certainly hear the way keith grins as he drapes an arm over torso and nestles that much more comfortably. ]

Not rest until ... you know.

[ he puffs out a quiet laugh. sure it doesn't make a whole lot of sense, considering shiro's already resting here with keith, but the joke is a) funny and b) logical in the twists and turns of his inebriated head. ]

Obviously.

[ obviously. he says obviously and yet, shiro isn’t following. not rest? rerunning through the lyrics has him coming up empty. beyond that, there’s the issue of keith draping more and nestling more. if keith is intent on going to sleep -- fine. it's just -- is that what he's doing? is he finally, finally settling down for the night?

shiro frowns, still unsure of what to do with his hands at this point. ]

Obviously is not the word I would use right now. [ okay, he’s found one option for his hand: he flicks gently at the strands sprouting at the top of keith's head. ]

What do you mean?

[ there's something about shiro's cluelessness that tickles keith in just the right way. it doesn't occur to him that he's not being particularly clear, mind you. it just creates space for the idea that shiro is the one between them that's muddled up inside his head. ]

Oh you know.

[ and here, keith breaks into something dangerously close to giggling before he manages to stifle it in shiro's shirt. giving shiro's side a comforting pat, he closes his eyes. ]

Just get some rest, old-timer. I'll make sure nothing bad hurts you.

[ shiro’s clearly missed something here. he can only try to connect the dots so many times to no avail before he has to accept that he’ll forever be left out of the inside joke. making sense out of a drunk is usually a fruitless endeavor anyway, he should know that well by now. there is something… sweet about keith’s unapologetic giddiness though. it’s a heavily influenced thing and again, shiro catches himself thinking that he wishes keith was this openly happy without his belly full of drink, but for now, in the simplest terms, it’s nice.

a happy keith is always a welcome keith, even if it comes with keith using him as both a mattress and a pillow. shiro shifts, both slight and careful as not to jostle keith too much, and then resettles into a more comfortable stretch, back of his head burying deeper into the pillow.

he quirks a smile then and finds another thing to do with his hand: flicking done now, he lays his hand over those ridiculous strands to cup keith’s head. thumb swipes once and then he breathes out a heh, unwillingly charmed that even in this state, keith promises to look after him. from what? who knows. still, in a tiny tent on some beach far from headquarters, shiro has to admit that he does feel surprisingly secure. they can take on anything if they’re together, right? ]

And I’ll make sure nothing bad hurts you either. [ his voice is gentle but the promise is firm and with that, he closes his eyes, relaxing into the moment despite having no plans of handing himself over to sleep. ] You and I… we take care each other.

[ keith makes a happy noise as shiro cups the back of his head, his own arm curling just that much more securely around shiro's side in turn. hard to say why that bit of touch is comforting -- maybe it's the warmth of being accepted in another person's space? one way or another, keith isn't keen on relinquishing it. especially so when shiro's seemingly encouraging it. ]

Always. [ nuzzling affectionately, keith murmurs as he idly traces up and down shiro's side. ] So I'll help you fall asleep okay?

[ not waiting for an answer here, keith starts to hum. it's nothing more than a made up melody of notes keith thinks sounds good together, so while it's not any kind of masterpiece it's gentle and quiet. given a little bit though, the space between the notes keeps stretching longer and longer until keith lapses into total silence. guess who may have lulled himself to sleep? oops.

also if shiro starts feeling a little wet around the pec, it's not in his head. fortunately, it's not an entity or a leak in the tent, just some sleeping boy drooling.

good night...???? ]

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(mingle) It must be party time

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i want you to know, this is the first song that popped into my head and idk how to feel about that.

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