got good ears

[temporal_affairs]

The neighbors don't complain. Much. (They do occasionally ask that things be kept down, but they don't complain about there being noise at all. They understand about mates.)

The room isn't designed for long-term human occupation. There is no bathroom, no food, no bed, no climate control - though this is Florida, so climate control is not such a concern - no plumbing.

But there's lots of magic. It's such fun to make, after all.

(Nathan had been worried he'd have to ask one of the succubi, or Joham, for lessons on what might whimsically be called "safe sex". He likes not having to bother with this better.)

Comments

[temporal_affairs]

"That's good, because it would be so inconvenient."

[manofmyword]

The Joker hugs him.

"Lemme know when you wanna hear some scar stories," he says. "If you ever do."

[temporal_affairs]

"I'm good at when," says Nathan, and then, "On a scale of days, this is a good time to ask about the one on your ankle and the set of them on your chest."

[manofmyword]

...He laughs.

"Interesting choice," he says. "Those I got from the love of my life."

[temporal_affairs]

"...Oh."

[manofmyword]

"Oh, honey," he says with immense fondness. "Let me tell you about this lady. She hates my guts, for one thing, I'm everything she thinks is wrong with the world. Nnnot exactly a happy relationship. I wrote her a love letter that involved blowing up a hospital and setting her best friend's boyfriend on fire; she chased me up a half-built office building and then threw me off the top floor. Caught me halfway down, that's where I got the scar on my ankle. And that's what passed for good times with us. She left me hanging there for the cops to find, and I never saw her again."

[temporal_affairs]

"...And this makes her the love of your life."

[manofmyword]

"Sure it does," he says. "She's beautiful. Incorruptible. I'll always love her. But I don't really need to see her again. I could've gone back and forth with her like that for the rest of my life if Stella hadn't grabbed me away, but I'd rather be where I am."

[temporal_affairs]

"I'm glad you like it here," says Nathan. "With me." He squeezes his mate's hand. Just a little. Then a little more. "You're the love of my life, I knew it the instant I saw you."

[manofmyword]

"Mm," he says happily, squeezing back as hard as he can. "I love you too, sweetie."

[temporal_affairs]

There is some long grass in that ditch over there by the side of this highway.

It is probably long enough to prevent them from getting arrested if someone just casually walks by.

Nathan tackles his mate into it, growling with jealousy.

[manofmyword]

The Joker laughs, and kisses him, and sets about demonstrating that right this second, Nathan is exactly the person he wants. In every possible sense.

[temporal_affairs]

Well, good. Humans don't have such good memories anyway. Maybe he'll forget all about her after long enough if Nathan tries - very - hard.

[manofmyword]

That is never going to work, but oh, are his efforts ever appreciated.

[temporal_affairs]

After some time, they resume their hike Jacksonvilleward. "What do you want to do when we get to Jacksonville?" Nathan asks.

[manofmyword]

"Not sure," he muses. "Wander around, see what's going on. If we don't find anything better to do, we can always get a hotel room."

[temporal_affairs]

"I do have a fair amount of decent imperial pay socked away," says Nathan. "I don't buy much, normally."

[manofmyword]

"Aren't you handy," he says fondly.

[temporal_affairs]

"I'd say call me sugar daddy, but you actually might, and I don't in fact find it appealing, I like sweetheart and honey better," says Nathan cheerfully.

[manofmyword]

He laughs. Maybe more than the joke strictly deserves.

[temporal_affairs]

"Am I funnier than even I think I am?" asks Nathan.

[manofmyword]

"Yep," says the Joker.

[temporal_affairs]

"Oh, good." Kisses! Handholding! And, after a long, long walk, Jacksonville!

[manofmyword]

"Nice place," says the Joker. "Don't think I've been here before."

He likes it, though. Just being in a place with so many people around brightens him right up.

[temporal_affairs]

"Not my favorite city. I like Castletown. Fond of Dublin, on days when the time's been ripe for getting away with it. Jaipur is nice, there's a capital near Jaipur, I think it's next on the itinerary when they're done in Safesun."