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[rattlingthestars]

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[rattlingthestars]

Hey, you didn't give me a chance!

[ So there, Zell.

Jim seems to be thinking about this pretty hard, actually, judging by the little crease that appears between his eyebrows and the way he taps Zell's lip in a reversal of what he usually does when he's thinking. ]

Every time you skip a turn, you have to tell me a secret.

[swatsflies]

[Okay, Jim is really cute. He's just going to give him a smitten look at that look he gets. He kisses that tapping finger.]

A secret, huh? [Snagging Jim's hand press a kiss against his wrist. Sliding each finger in between Jim's as he lowers it to press it against his own chest. He's thinking about it for a bit. He doesn't really hide much from Jim, which makes it hard to figure something out. And then something pops up, which is a little embarrassing.]

I used to be known as a cry baby. [How's that for a secret?] I don't remember much of it. [He actually forgot it completely until Irvine brought it all up again.]

[rattlingthestars]

You? A crybaby?

[ Jim sounds a little disbelieving at that. Zell's not exactly a whiny guy. He gives Zell's hand a squeeze and wonders why he finds that secret cute, of all things. ]

-That wasn't a question.

[ It doesn't count! Just so Zell knows. ]

A question is... tell me about your favorite place back home, what you liked about it.

[swatsflies]

[He nods, but because Jim is quick to insist it’s not a question, he won’t divulge further. Grinning a bit as he leans forward to press a kiss against the corner of his mouth.]

I’ll wait for you to ask about it then.

[Returning the squeeze as he thinks about the different places.]

My favorite place was Balamb. [Reaching around to play with the hairs on the back of Jim’s neck. Keeping his touch feather light as he tries to pick the main reason.] Besides my Ma being there, it’s really pretty. The sea breeze, the sun, the water...it’s all great. [It’s pretty relaxing.] I want to show you. [Just imagining soaking up the sun or surfing with Jim makes his heart pick up it’s pace. Whoops, don’t think of boyfriend shirtless.]

How did you meet Morph? [Since it’s his turn! He’s taking it before his brain wanders too much.]

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim's neck twitches minutely; that tickles! But he doesn't laugh or tell Zell to stop, because he's too busy listening. Trying to picture it, and Zell when he was younger. There aren't any beaches where Jim's from, it's damp and dreary for most of the year, but Zell seems like he belongs on one. His brightness and warmth would fit there the way it doesn't in the snow and darkness. ] I'd like to see it with you.

[ The next question brings them back to the trip. Jim hums before he answers. ] -It was on the trip. He belonged to Silver, so when they showed me down to the kitchen and told me I was going to be working there - he was pretending to be a spoon, then a straw to suck up all my soup.

[ And, since Zell seems to be hinting: ] You were really a crybaby, huh. What changed?

[swatsflies]

[ There are a lot of places he wants Jim to see. Esthar, the Orphanage, Balamb Garden, and Winhill are on top of the list after his hometown. Digging his fingers into Jim’s hair as he bumps Jim’s cheek with his nose. ] There’s a lot I want to show you. [ Like the private rooms SeeD members get on the trains.

Nuzzling against Jim’s shoulder. A friend that used to belong to Silver, huh? Fitting that into what he has so far on the asshole and Jim’s trip. Chuckling softly as Jim shares the part about the straw. Definitely kept him on his toes. Though he probably wouldn’t appreciate if Morph ate his hot dogs. ]

Yeah, I was a crybaby. [ Thinking about what changed. Lifting his shoulders a bit. ] I got adopted. That gave me a break from Seifer for a few years. [ Kissing Jim’s shoulder. ] Now, I’m known as being lively and loud. [ He will take that over being called a crybaby.

So, they found a map and he met a friend on the trip. ] What was the biggest thing that happened on the journey to the place at the end of the map?

[rattlingthestars]

Lively sounds more like it. [ Jim's small laugh is easier felt on Zell's skin than heard as Jim leans forward, hooking his chin over Zell's shoulder and wrapping his arms around to brush over Zell's back. He wants to finish what he'd started with Zell's outer jacket, but for now he'll be content resting his hand between Zell's short sleeved coat and his undershirt.

Anything more would probably be a bad idea in quarters this close, but Jim can't help but imagine...

Or at least he can't util he has to force his mind back to something unpleasant. The hands that had been caressing tighten until Jim's almost clinging. ] The biggest... you've heard a lot of it, haven't you? About how Silver betrayed us for it.

[swatsflies]

[ Shivering at sensation of his laugh against his skin. Zell feels like they can stay like this for a while even at the risk of limbs falling asleep. Breathing out a content sigh at the affection and very little space between them. A part of him really wants to find a way to make them physically closer, but that means moving to shrug out of another layer of clothing.

Then the moment changes as he feels Jim tightening up his hold. And then things fall into place as to why the shift in mood. Sliding his hands up and down Jim’s back in a soothing pattern as he presses a kiss against his hair. If it wasn’t so serious, he might tease and ask if that was a question that counted in this game of theirs. Pressing more kisses against what he could reach as mumbles a quiet yes for Jim’s ears. ] You were following a map, he betrayed you, and then gave up the thing he’s been searching for to save you. [ A pause as he slots pirates and map together. ] It was a treasure map and he was after the treasure?

[rattlingthestars]

Not just any treasure map. [ Jim's fingers trace out a circle crossed with a flat X into Zell's shirt, unconsciously. The storybook image is burned in his brain; it's funny that he never really got a chance to see it from space. ] It was the treasure map - the one to Flint's trove. Treasure planet - loot of a thousand worlds, literally.

[ His voice takes on the tone of someone telling an old story, now, because it's easier to tell the story than it is to deal with the reality of dying Billy Bones heavy on his back, the enveloping smell of the fruit-barrel, the ache of his shoulders as he's marched and shoved. ] A hundred years ago, a pirate named Captain Flint was the most notorious pirate in any galaxy. He'd swoop in out of nowhere and vanish without a trace - robbed whole planets blind. We found his trove.

he's being a good rule follower

[swatsflies]

[ That feels pretty nice. Nuzzling against Jim’s neck as he draws it back on Jim to try to figure it out. ‘X’ marks the spot, huh? The loot of a thousand worlds, huh? Sounds pretty amazing. ]

Whoa. That sounds like an adventure. [ The interest in his trip is pretty evident from his tone of voice. Pressing a kiss against the pulse point on his neck. ] You’re worth more than that anyways. [ And in a way he is glad Silver saw that if he threw away his dream to save Jim at some point. He wants to ask more or ask specifics, but that’s cheating again. Opening his mouth for a moment before closing it lightly against his skin as he rubs circles against his back. ]


Your turn to ask something. [ Zell sounds a little reluctant here. He’s being good and following the rules even if he really wants to know more. ]

Re: he's being a good rule follower

[rattlingthestars]

It was - pretty cool. Used to read about that place in storybooks, but... I always knew it was real. [ As for Jim's worth, well - at least Zell, and apparently Silver, thought so. That's enough for Jim, and even if it's nto true yet, one day he's going to make it true.

That's a secret Zell won't get without a direct question, though, and even then - well. It's easier to laugh softly at his boyfriend's reluctance and tilt his head back to look at the stars on the roof of the tent as he thinks. ]

What's your favorite thing you ever made?

[swatsflies]

[ There's something about the way he talks that brings a smile to his face. Storybooks, huh? He could almost see a younger Jim being into the story and putting all of his belief that it's real. It melts his heart and makes him want to actually see it. A younger Jim full of wonder and a present Jim also filled with the same.

He catches it when Jim's brain starts churning over an idea and he starts figuring things out. Zell wonders if there are any other ways to start bringing that out. It's something to explore, much like everything else this partnership- this relationship brings. It's starting to turn the future into something brighter.

Taking the opportunity presented to him and kissing that neck after Jim asks his question. Kissing down the front of his throat to his collar bone. Pausing to bump his forehead against the spot gently as he thinks. ]

A necklace for my Ma. It was one of my first pieces that I completed on my own. She wears it all the time. [ And deciding to give him a freebie ] I had plans on making a ring for a friend. It's going to match the one Squall owns.

[rattlingthestars]

Wh- [ Nope, 'why' is a question. No good trying to trick him with those freebies, Zell!

Jim has to grin at the idea of Zell making something like that and his Ma being proud enough to wear it everywhere. He knows, because Zell made it, it must be nice. But he also knows how sometimes Zell doesn't seem to know his own worth. ]

Bet it's beautiful. Mine is.

[ Alright, so it's a beat up coin on two tatty pieces of string, but it's beautiful to Jim. ]

[swatsflies]

[ He first thought Jim is referring to the necklace. Then he realizes he means the bracelet he just gave him. When they find a way out and a way to visit each other, Zell is going to make him something better.

Seeking out the bracelet to walk his fingers up the band and trace the coin. ]

I'll show you. [ Some day when Jim meets his Ma, he'll show him. ] I'll give you a demonstration. Maybe we can make something together.

[ The more he thought about it, the more he really wanted it to happen.

As much as it's tempting to get lost in the future, he really wants to know Jim's past. Normally it wouldn't have mattered, but he finds himself wanting to know and see everything about his boyfriend.

So, he finds a map, go on an adventure, meet new friends, get betrayed, and then is saved. ] How was the trip on the way to Treasure Planet?

'creating something together' = insert mpreg joke here

[rattlingthestars]

I'm not very artistic, but - I like the sound of that.

[ They'll just have to let Zell design it, Jim thinks, confident that he'll come up with something nice. The softly glowing tent they're in now is evidence enough for Jim that Zell can make beautiful things.

The question has Jim quirking his lip. It's back into easier territory. ]

Spent most of it working my butt off. Swabbing the deck, scraping mollusks off the hull, scrubbing ten million dishes... [ Jim doesn't even know why they had that many dishes, damn it. ] But it was beautiful up there. Free. Felt like it was where I belonged, until the black hole.

well... Doppler makes it canon for Treasure Planet

[swatsflies]

[ Grinning as he ducks down to bump Jim's shoulder with his forehead. ] You drew those plans. [ That's pretty artistic in his opinion. He's seen those doodles, too. They weren't the best, but they were still pretty cute.

Is that where his butt went? Touching a bicep and sliding his hand down. ]

Feels like it. [ Jim is pretty strong for someone lanky and still growing. Probably helps that they started to train him. ] I bet it is pretty awesome. [ Looking up at the dots scattered across the tent. Seeing something like that close up would be amazing. Where Jim belonged, huh? That earns a chuckle. ] You are Stars. [ The idea of Jim being faraway though squeezed his heart. Something bittersweet that he's not sure if he likes or wants to dwell on it. ] Whoa. Wait. A black hole?

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim quirks an eyebrow, but doesn't call him out on the second question because Zell's complimenting him just then and he's not a complete butt. Sometimes. He may or may not be trying to flex his arm where Zell can feel it.

This is a great distraction from the awful thing at the heart of talking about the black hole. ]

Mm. Whole ship almost got pulled in. Not everyone made it.

[ He hasn't really had the time to let it sink in too hard that Arrow wasn't his fault, but it makes thinking about this less painful now. ]

Remember how I told you there was a guy on board that really wanted to kill me? He killed the first officer that day. It was my job to secure the life lines, but in the chaos he cut them.

gonna owe Jim whoops

[swatsflies]

[ If only he knew complimenting Jim could get him off the hook. In his mind, he's just telling the truth. He grins at the flex as he caresses Jim's arm.

His attention is back to Jim again when he says the ship almost got pulled in. It's unsettling thinking about what if he never met Jim. He wouldn't know the warm and comfortable weight of someone in your arms, or, in this case, in your lap.

Sliding his arms around Jim to give him a tight squeeze for a moment or two. ] Whoa. [ Making a face. ]What a loser. [ He has other words he's thinking of using, but that sums it up well. Though... ] How did you find out he did it?

jim's keeping count

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim leans into the squeeze as he thinks over his next words. Loser is right. Psycho, too.

Somehow Scroop's a little easier to talk about than what comes next, though. ]

I - when I found out about Silver. I'd followed Morph down to the galley, few days after the black hole. I climbed into a fruit barrel to catch him, and hid in there when the rest of the crew came down. He - Silver - was hollering at Scroop about what he'd done, 'cause it could've given the mutiny away early.

Good :3

[swatsflies]

[ He's hoping Jim didn't blame himself until the reveal, but considering how it went with Cloud...

Putting his chin on Jim's shoulder. It sounds like Jim came close to dying a bunch of times on the trip. Breathing him in as he thinks about it all. ]

I owe you, huh. [ Drawing circles into his back as he tries to figure out anything embarrassing to share. ] What do you want to know? [ Before he winds up asking more things. ]

insert size joke here INDEED.

[rattlingthestars]

Mmhmm.

[ Jim's... a little surprised that he stopped asking questions there, but he's okay with it. Maybe they'll get back to it, maybe they won't, but - it's all in the past, anyway. ]

What's the biggest thing you want to do in the future?

[ 'Before you die' sounds morbid, but it's what he means. ]

[swatsflies]

[ He wants to, but he really doesn't want to keep forking over embarrassing things to his boyfriend. He has to look cool, right?

The next question gets him looking up at the ceiling of the tent. ]

I want to be like my grandpa. [ He grins easily at the admission. ] That's about as far as I've thought. [ Since dying a hero is pretty much an end game thing. ] I want to protect the people that matter to me. [ Looking at Jim as he said people that matter. ] In any situation, he was cool and kept his composure.

[ Bumping his nose against Jim's chin. ] You can go again.

[rattlingthestars]

[ He always looks cool. He is the coolest. Jim's glasses are very rosy.

They get rosier - not because Zell says that he'll protect Jim, but because Jim matters. It's Jim's turn to look away, biting his lip as he thinks. ]

What about -

[ He cuts himself off, possibly looking even more flustered. ]

Um. What about getting married? Or kids?

[swatsflies]

[ His gaze lingers on that lip bite. Reaching up to touch that mouth only to find himself stop as the words are out of Jim's mouth.

Whoa! What?

Feeling himself growing red at the question as he drops his head back down to bump his forehead against Jim's shoulder. ]

I- I haven't really thought about it. [ Not entirely accurate. He's serious about courting Jim and seeking approval from his mom. And that could eventually lead down there...

Shaking his head. ] Well, I have before but never really thought it was possible for me. So it didn't seem important to actually think about. I'm a SeeD and I don't want to leave whatever loved ones I have behind when something happens to me in the line of duty. [ Giving Jim a squeeze as he says that. ] What about you?

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim catches that when, not if, something happens to him in the line of duty. He doesn't like it, but, what can he do? They don't even know if Zell will ever make it back to SeeD. Still, he returns that squeeze a touch too tight. ]

I... guess I just thought I would. Most people do, right? [ Well, not everyone. There were always people like Doppler, though he and the captain had been looking pretty cosy last time he'd seen them. ] Though it's harder when it's... y'know. Like us.