my_belfry_of_fun | A meme round-up.

[Because where else is open when one is a night-owl? And acceptable to her parents as such to be out late at... Maybe. Maybe she snuck out. Doesn't matter, but there is Lydia sitting a booth. Glancing between the menu and a set of newly developed photos as she's pondering a project. Honestly the photos have more of her attention.

Feel free to bother the strange and unusual girl who sticks out like a sore thumb.]

[The voice change had her raising an eyebrow, and a slow smile at the more grandiose theatrics. Even a soft laugh, as it was more familiar to her from her own clan.]

And here I thought you were a shy young man...

[A soft tease in her words, eyes sparkling in amusement.]

I am married also, despite your charming words.

[Definitely still teasing him, with the playful smile.]

I had meant to help her as well, as neither of you needed to be upset. And I can't say I'm surprised by her mother's reaction, though it always puzzles me. Wouldn't a concerned mother recognize another concerned mother, after all?

[Ah well. A soft sigh, her free hand up to her cheek in thought and slight dismay.]

I am willing to provide you the funds to attempt so, if you wish to take that course. If not, we can always find my husband, Gomez. I am quite sure he could win a prize for a young lady in distress.

Whuh? Huh?! M-married?! No, I — That wasn't —

( HE'S GAY AS A PICNIC BASKET. He shakes his head, waving a hand in embarrassment before she's moving on to address his earlier sentiment. He's horrified, but as she's breezing past the marriage sentiment, so should he.

His face is notably heated, though. )

I ... I want to try! I'm not the best at this sort of thing myself, but I wouldn't want to trouble your ... Your husband ...

( He comes to look over one of the stalls and the one adjacent before deciding on the dart toss. )

I can do it! I will do it! A ... Are you the type to play these, though ... ?

( Just in case he or her husband, when he's located, cannot secure a prize. He's just that kind of anxious sometimes. )

[Morticia hadn't meant to get him so flustered, and it was actually rather adorable although she wouldn't tell him that. Her smile remained, and she reached her hand out to gently pat his shoulder reassuringly.]

Mr. Aimono, I apologize--I did not mean to tease you this badly.

[Her apology and then sailing on as if it had never happened.]

I have no doubt that you will. I'll enjoy the game for my own sake. Perhaps I'll win a prize for Gomez, after all. Or my children, or Lurch. Lurch does so much, and while we make sure he knows he is appreciated and he is properly compensated, he might like a new stuffed friend.

[ V'd tried to sit in bed for long enough that he'd finally given up and resigned to the fact that this would be a sleepless night. He'd managed to scrounge up a bottle of tequila and a shot glass. He poured himself a shot and threw it back, glancing up at the sound of someone walking as he poured his second. ]

Havin' trouble too?

Possibly just disturbed by the noise and being rudely awakened thereof.

[It was only a bit snarky; V wasn't a Belmont after all. Nor was Alucard...Adrian that is, too bothered. Night and day were only cycles as far as he was concerned, and he'd been known to spend long periods of time asleep already.]

Although I have been told it's unwise to drink alone, so perhaps I'm simply here to spare you from doing something stupid.

Not my fault you're too nosy to turn back over'n get back to sleep.

[ Said without skipping a beat, though without much teeth behind it. An awful lot of bark with very little bite, but who could blame him at this hour. ]

Couple'f shots're nothing compared to my usual evening. [ He threw the second shot back, immediately starting to pour a third once the glass was back down. ] Won't say no to the company though.

Better I be "nosy" and ensure it's not some threat in the night coming to attempt to end my life. Again. than I be caught unawares.

[There wasn't much bite or bark in the return shot. As it was, Alucard simply moved to grab the wine and pour himself a glass.]

It might be nothing, but who knows what whims might take you now instead of all of the other times you're drunk.

[Clear enough he was going to be company, bringing the bottle and his glass, and sitting nearby.]

Need better locks if that's the concern.

[ Or to just opt to not sleep, which is what V most often did back at home through a rather rigorous and unhealthy mixture of uppers, alcohol, and work.

He threw the third back, setting the glass down. He didn't immediately start to pour another - he knew himself well enough to know when to stop. ]

What've you do to get people tryin' to kill you at night, then?

Besides existing?

[Alucard arched an eyebrow over his glass, up to his mouth. Smiling a bit, deliberately so, around the rim such that his fangs were visible.]

Sometimes the best locks in the world mean nothing when one has already gotten behind them.

I-it's alright! We can just ... !

( Move past it, but he doesn't say that, instead passing a hand over his face, as though to wipe away the embarrassment and continue.

Sometimes it really is that easy, especially if she's being kind ... )

... Lurch?

( Is it too familiar to ask? Either way, that's quite the name. )

I can ... try to win as much as I can ... As a thank you for saving Amanda.

( Tongue stuck out of his mouth, he throws a dart. It misses, but he's undeterred; lining up the second shot, he misses that too ... )

[At his continued upset, Morticia was ready to pull out a handkerchief, but... He seemed to be doing better? She smiled reassuringly.]

Lurch is our butler. A dear, though very soft spoken.

[Explaining, before she's standing right by him encouragingly.]

Consider these practice rounds! I know you'll get it~~

They couldn't make it back to their homes-- either of them. Water poured from outside the little gazebo, their jackets already peppered with the first of the downpour. Esteban tossed his off his back and onto the nearby picnic table, huffing his amusement.

"Woops~ so we didn't beat the rain," he snickers, ruffling a hand through his red hair as he glances at his companion. At least the late summer meant the water is fairly warm.

"Are y' gonna melt from it?"

That's a bit mean though. Loki is hardly the Wicked Witch of the West, just-- but the words are out of his mouth, and Esteban has never been really good with them.

Loki huffed and shot a mild glare at the other, blue-green eyes narrow. A moment, before he shrugged his head and a wash of greenish magic overtook him. Drying him off. "I think I'll live. If you hadn't started running I could've created us an umbrella or two as well."

He could have. But Esteban just shakes himself, like a big fluffy dog after a bath, and grins.

"Where'd be the fun in that?" he asks, snickering again. "Hav'n't you ran in summer showers b'fore? Or danced in the rain? Or splashed in puddles?" There's gaps here and there, he thinks. Things that are usual for him that would not be usual from the-- god? Demi-god? Before him.

Esteban's not even truly sure what kind of powers Loki might be, but he is on Earth, he is with him. And Esteban likes giving these simple joys to his friends.

"Y' should loosen up! C'mon!" He calls, leaping out onto the asphalt just a few steps down.

It's pouring. The rain rolls down against his skin and into his hair and Esteban stretches his arms wide to welcome it, twirling on the ball of a foot. Laughing, like when he was just an itty bitty Stebby.

He waves at Loki again.

"C'mon! The water don't bite!" And, just because he can, "but I might, 'f y' don't get over here!~"

He doesn't think Loki would see it, but he winks anyways, because. Well. It's not something that had never occurred to him before. Loki's slick, perfect look has always been something he's wanted to ruffle a bit. Preferably with his hands, but-- not-- he hasn't-- it's not been an option he's pursued often before.

Even under the Gazebo Loki was still getting wet at the edges. Watching the other as he splashed and played. There had been rain in Asgard, and more than enough times his brother being the cause too. Fond times, but also times when it had been part of the pranks and rivalry between them.

Loki was too well practiced to let it show, but Esteban's carefree playfulness in the rain wanted to provoke a smile. Then he grudgingly let it show with the threat. "I've seen scarier things than your bite I'm sure." Oh he saw that wink too. They were so different--but...not. Not in some ways.

When had Loki last let himself have fun, too? Blue-green eyes shifting to look up, head peeking out near the edge at the Gazebo roof. Eyes tracking the raindrops before sighing. One hand moving out, conjuring up an umbrella which he opened, moving to join the other. "Better? Not sure what I'd catch if you bite anyways."

Edited 2023-12-22 03:18 (UTC)

Oh, that's cheating! That was not what Esteban meant, and he would bet that Loki knew this.

His nose scrunched up over his curved lips, and Esteban's mischievous smile promised nothing good. If Loki was willing to cheat-- well then! Esteban could cheat too!

He danced carelessly, feet light and soul-soaring, twisting as if he could catch all the rain in the world by beckoning it closer. His toes skittered around a puddle as he laughed.

"You'd catch *hickeys*, Loki!" He, uh. Thought he's been quite forwards enough to make that understood. "An' maybe a really good night!" he teases again. "But not of sleep!"

He'd be willing to give him that, in all honesty. But he's going at it all wrong, and it's not what he wants to leave between them.

So Esteban swings and leaps, feet gathered together as he splashes into the puddle, like a great big dog that didn't heed any warning. The water soars, but he's not done-- throwing his entire weight forwards to collide with his friend, gleefully laughing all the way.

He hopes his little prank will be enough to startle his companion. Will widen his eyes so he can catch their colour, even for a fraction of a moment. Will brighten him and soften him and pull him from his demure act.

He's seen Loki have fun before, and he will give it his all to see it again.

It wouldn't be the first time, nor the last, that Loki was cheating. The mischief was a good look on Esteban though--and part of what had drawn Loki admittedly. Someone to match him. "Good thing I'm usually so well covered up then." He teased back and watches the other carefully. The splash was well expected, but the follow-up leap?

That's surprising. Loki has to make himself not react as if it's an attack. The umbrella is dropped completely to catch the younger man. Esteban was one of the rare who was taller than Loki himself, but catch him he does as blue-green eyes widened. Holding the other easily, with the rain now soaking them both. There's a soft huff from Loki, and a more natural smile before he tries to blow his wet hair off his face. "Happy now?" But he doesn't sound as disgruntled.

Oh.

Oh no. Oh nononono-- that's not fair! That's beyond cheating and--and--

Esteban's thoughts unravel. There's rain and water and it pounds in his ears and Esteban can barely hear anything beyond his own heartbeat.

His eyes are so pretty. They're so pretty, the colour so striking, beyond blue, sharp and warm and Esteban has got to shut his mouth now before he keeps on gaping like an idiot. The tip of his ears are burning.

He's never been this close to Loki-- at least not like this, and the crook of his smile is disarming and Esteban had never been one ready for a fight. He had to kick himself mentally to scramble for the edge of a thought and Loki huffs the hair out of his face and Esteban is doomed.

Swallows thickly and kicks himself again.

"Y-yeah." It comes out weaker than he intended at first-- too distracted by the way Loki's eyes crinkle at the corners-- but Esteban is recovering, will recover, because he can be smooth, he will be smooth and not just stumble over his own tongue. Hopefully.

There's a short huff, his thoughts bright and wordless and sunny and trickling like summer into his lungs and it takes him a minute before Esteban even knows that he is laughing, loud guffaws that climb to the sky as he cheers.

"Hah! Gotcha!!!" Esteban shouts his triumph, trying hard not to squirm from their position.

He's done something dumb, but excuse him, he is perfectly content to stay right here in Loki's arms, enjoy the contact as long as the Asguardian allows him.

"Well done then. I'm hard to surprise." Loki praised, doing a little flip and tilt of his head to get his hair out of his way. Not bothered by holding the other, perfectly content. Well, aside from the rain. "Did you have a plan beyond this, or was this something you're making up as you go along?" He's teasing him, watching the play of emotions in Esteban's blue eyes that hide nothing. Unlike his own, which can hide many secrets and lies and more.

Part of the other's charm though--where he complimented Loki besides matching him. The other was an open-book, and so free. Loki usually wasn't one for sentiment either, but he would admit to himself at least the the other was adorable. Especially when he'd found himself in trouble that he didn't know what to do with.

Like then.

Edited 2023-12-22 04:44 (UTC)

He could still feel the blush on the tip of his ears, the warmth at his throat. Esteban's blush was never one that showed on his face but it didn't mean that he couldn't feel it, rushing along with the heartbeat caged by his ribs.

Loki has got to know that he was being unfair. Esteban wouldn't put it past him, and the hair flick nearly gets him too distracted for thoughts again. But no! He will focus!

His grin rivaled the sun, earnest in his approach as Esteban shrugged easily.

"Here's the thing, though; 'f you don't have a plan, y' don't get thrown off when it doesn't go like y' thought!" There was still laughter in his lungs.

He knew that on this point, they were opposites; that Loki would much rather lay out his predictions than go at it blind. He might be a better man for Esteban than that.

But this was about the now. About their moment, stolen underneath the warm summer rain. It was about fun and flirting and Esteban launching himself at his crush like an idiot and making it work anyways.

So he grinned and lifted his head, and his hand lowered to the small of Loki's back, and Esteban took a step and guided his friend along with the dance. Their clothes were sticky and heavy, and couldn't accommodate something like a waltz or a charleston, but this wasn't a ballroom, and Esteban wasn't here to impress anyone.

He twisted on his foot again, pushing and pulling and rolling into the motions; something easy and structureless and breathless and just fun, feeling the rain pelting across their skin and soaking through their hair and laughing, soaring, freedom caught in both his hands, and trying his best to share it with the companion who meant so much to him.

Edited 2023-12-22 05:21 (UTC)

It was true that Loki was a planner. BUT, Loki also was adept when it came to changing things up. Adapting and using new strategies and tactics. Part of what made him so dangerous really. It was not necessarily what Loki would've chosen, for a dance spot. He was not used to something this...carefree.

But again--he was good at adapting, so adapt he did. Settling his arms loosely around Esteban where they rested against his shoulders, looking up slightly. (Which was still a new experience.) And moving with him. Easy grace and control of himself, practice considering that he was unlike other Asgardian warriors. Lacking their size and mass, he moved more like a dancer on the field--and that translated well to now.

"If you get sick, I'm going to say I told you so." Teasing again, trying to enjoy the moment for what it was and ignore the heaviness of their clothes.

A meme round-up.

Lydia Deetz | Beetlejuice (animated) | OTA

Lydia Deetz | Beetlejuice (animated) | OTA

Raven - Teen Titans (2003) OTA

Vincent Valentine | Final Fantasy 7 Comp. |OTA

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v lives in a perpetual state of 6

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Mix of 5 and 11~ =3

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