OPEN | Paint Yourself A New Life

[helpdesk_hero]

Who: David Alleyne helpdesk_hero, Mina Ashido pinkxeno, Harry Osborn nepotis, Bucky Barnes sinistral
What: David Has Many Meetings (Including Open Post)
When: [Forward Dated] April 1st through 5th
Where: Excelsior - Guild Housing #1, Excelsior - Connoisseur Coffee,
Content Warnings: Only in Thread Labeled V - Seeking Comfort: discussion of murder of children, attempted suicide, David's death, hate crimes

I. A Home Of Clashing Styles | Closed to Mina Ashido | Excelsior - Guild Housing #1
David had been living in the guild apartment for a month now, or just a shade over, and all that time he'd been holding his tongue. Beyond introducing himself to Mina when he'd first moved in at the start of March, he had not engaged with the young woman much, and definitely didn't stay long in the public spaces of their shared home. How could he when he was faced with the absolute disaster of the appearance? A living room painted electric green with zebra stripes? Horrid. A kitchen filled with insanely colorful and not always matching touches and appliances? Oh god. Even the small touches of decoration in the public spaces made David try not to wince.

Honestly, he hadn't even invited his boyfriend over because of the state of things. Most days he just came home from work or other things, walked in the door, visibly winced, and went right to his room or attached lab. But today, as he came back from the office in full business wear, vest and long sleeve shirt and tie and all of that. And walking in like that, with his back pack and a bag of groceries for him to cook dinner, he just couldn't take it anymore.

"Just... do it like an adult," he told himself before lifting his voice, hoping it would carry to wherever his housemate was.

"Mina, can we talk for a moment?"


II. Looking At The Moving Pieces | Closed to Bucky | Excelsior - Guild Housing #1
The weekend. David made a hard and fast rule to not go into the office on weekends, which made it the perfect sort of time for outside consultations. Today was one of those instances. After a previously successful first meeting with one Bucky Barnes (because of course David had recognized the man for who he had to be) back in March, today was going to be the first full check over, for the two of them to determine if David would be a good emergency tech for the man.

David waited in the living room for the knock at the door, knowing he'd have to let the former Winter Soldier choose his own pace at being comfortable with his arrival. What what little first hand knowledge that had been shared with him by people back home, he imagined the man would be... nervous. But David couldn't be certain. He'd met people from other versions of his world, and they didn't always line up personality wise.

But he was going to do his best to support the guy, and try and hide that he might have pre-formed opinions based on a whole other man. So he kept himself quiet and patient until he heard the knock at the door. David rose quickly and moved to it, opening the door to meet the other man.

"Mister Barnes, good afternoon. Come on in. Would you like any refreshments before I guide you back to my work room?"

He had no intention of calling it a lab. Not with a man no doubt tormented by his universe's Hydra.


III. The Coffee Conundrum | Closed to Harry Osborn | Excelsior - Connoisseur Coffee
Coffee. It was something that mattered to David, quite a bit actually. Caffeine was part of his diet, perhaps more than it should be. And, until he had the money to properly kit his kitchen out with a good brewing set up, David found a local coffee shop to indulge his needs. The world had blessed him with a great coffee shop between the apartment and his office, and it was here that David appeared multiple times a day. A quick stop in first thing for a coffee on the way to work, a trip in the evening for a cup to take home, and of course this, his lunch break.

David was currently settled in the cafe as he was most afternoons, in a table near a wall that normally wasn't the most desirable area of the care. His back was to the wall, and in front of him on the smaller table was a laptop. The other chair at the table was taken up by a back pack, and taking up the rest of the room on the table was another laptop, sitting closed, which was a weird thing, unless one knew David. Truth was the two laptops were interfaced, and he was using his technopathy to boost the processing of the one he was currently working on.

Thing was most days David did this, and it wasn't a problem. But today? Today there was a convention in town, something David wasn't aware of, and the cafe had packed to almost bursting when David wasn't aware of it. He'd been too engrossed in his current design project, his attention flicking back and forth between his typing and the medical journal at his side, opened to a recent article about a new study on regenerative rates of the nervous system. Truly, he had no idea how rude he was being taking up a table that could be used by others, especially after he'd finished his packed punch and coffee just a few minutes ago.

Perhaps someone should go and shuffle the man out of the space.


IV. Wildcard | Open to all
[OOC: I'm open to anything here, giving David a chance to hang out with his standing CR or meet new people. My only rule is that interactions would happen in Excelsior. If you have an idea that the above open post doesn't allow for, either private message this account or hit me up on plurk at churbooseanon or discord at Churby#4290. OR throw your own starter out in here. I'm happy to do many things.

IF you're looking for things that may be good hooks, David's a technopath, associated with a company that makes prosethetics and assistive technology, an accomplished chef that will be hitting up stores around the city for quality food and cookware/appliances, a technopath that will be around many computer shops, and honestly? He's a hockey nerd so you might find him at sports bars sometimes. Other than that, he'll likely often be out reading books in parks, or even just scientific journals. Guy has a spread of interests and we can talk it out to figure what might best hook a character into paying attention to him or coming over to say hi.]

Comments

[helpdesk_hero]

Except he already is offering something amazing. Himself.

"Josh wants to change our past," David answered. "Change it in ways that I can't even begin to spin out the repercussions of. Change the whole world and history in a way that might well get us all killed. And he'd do it by murdering someone."

[portolan]

“Simple, easy, and low stakes. My favorite combination.”

Even so, there’s a sense of clarity that settles over him, a feeling he’s had a hundred times. He’s not a man who panics, and crisis is his domain. His gaze drifts to a place on the wall behind David, eyes moving rapidly with thought.

“I presume he won’t act in the next twelve hours or you wouldn’t have come here. Does anyone else know? Is there anyone he’s—“ he almost says closer to, but catches his wording “prone to listen to a deterrent from?”

[helpdesk_hero]

"I've... warned a mutual friend. I doubt he'll forgive me for that either," David answered. "That's all I can do. Rely on the Loki that cares for him most to protect Josh."

David just hurts.

"I loved him once. In the 'want to spend my life with' him way. But I'm no more suited to him than I am to most people. I'm a condescending jackass that tries to protect people by controlling them, after all. People get tired of it real fast."

[portolan]

Alright. Loki is an actual god, and if David is calm enough to trust his intervention, then Balthier is going to focus his full attention on David. Who clearly needs it.

The spend their life together comment hits strangely though, like a string out of tune in a song he otherwise knows. It’s not for now. He packs it away easily enough, but he can already feel it curling claws into his own insecurity.

A good thing he can compartmentalize. That it’s easy to focus externally. He gives David a gentle grin.

“Good news. I’m an arrogant two-faced coward and liar who is both too clingy and too slippery to keep anyone around.” Because he wagers David won’t let him get away with that.

[helpdesk_hero]

"No," David says, looking horrified that Balthier would say that. Good trick, because he's reaching for Balthier now.

"No, you're the arrogant, charming man who is brave enough to demand I see the good in me, and make me believe it. That's why I want to stay here in this world. I don't ever want to lose that. To lose you. Please, I... You're the person I'd fight for. The person I would sooner tear myself apart for than let myself hurt. I want you around."

[portolan]

Well he wasn’t expecting that. Or how much it would knock him out of his calculating to a place of warmth. If David is reaching for him then Balthier is reaching back.

“Good. Because I’m not remotely ready to let you go. Truth be told I was calculating if I was going to have to go fight a demon. Again.”

[helpdesk_hero]

The very idea that Balthier might have had to let go made David look truly distressed. Clearly Balthier has underestimated just how deeply David loved him. It wasn't an easy thing for him to come to feel, or to admit to.

"Demons are... I fear them more than almost anything. And the idea of you facing one..."

God he shudders. Balthier could probably do it, David believed in the force of his will. But he also feared that if Balthier didn't win, he'd lose his heart to a demon in a whole new way.

[portolan]

Balthier feels that shudder, and pulls David close once more. “I promise I will exhaust any other option first — fighting demons is not an experience I’m eager to repeat. But I would without any qualms or hesitations if I thought the alternative was losing you.”

If he is still underestimating how much David loves him, it is only his own wounds, and it is balanced out by how deep his convictions are that he would do anything for this man.

[helpdesk_hero]

A man that would do that for him... How was that even possible?

"You may be too good of a man for me, Balthier. Too bad I'm choosing to be greedy and pursue you with all of my heart."

[portolan]

“You’ve made me downright heroic,” he agrees. “And I shall be very cross with you if you stop being greedy and covetous.”

How could he not fight for this man? Who adores him? Who accepts his love? Who sees him? Who has such conviction and kindness?

Balthier has lost too much to even consider letting this go. Risking letting this go.

[helpdesk_hero]

He can't stand the distance anymore. David surges forward to wrap his arms around Balthier, holding on to him. He's shaking all over again. He should check in on the others. But he's scared to see how it all goes.

"I'm tired of losing the people I love. So hold on with both hands, and don't let go."

[portolan]

That makes his chest tight, and pressure comes to his eyes. His voice is low and cracks a little even as he holds David tightly to him.

“We are the same in this,” he whispers. “I will hold fast, my love. Always. I am not willing to lose anyone else.”

[helpdesk_hero]

To hear such emotion for him, that's... It's more than he ever could have fathomed.

"I need a drink," he said, his voice still weak. "While I wait. Will... will you wait with me? Drink with me? It's a really good port."

[portolan]

“You make this sound like some difficult ask of me. Of course I will.

“But I’m not letting you back out while you’re drunk. So either let me cut you off or tell me you’re staying here tonight.”

It’s firm. He means it.

[helpdesk_hero]

"Cut me off, though I may well stay as well," he admits, his voice so very drained. "If the others succeed, I need to talk to the young Loki. TO let him know that he's not alone, and that I'll be there for him."

He won't abandon the kid.

[portolan]

“That sounds like a reasonable step, but I think it will benefit both of you if you are rested before that conversation. Your sweet heart is still too rattled.”

He kisses his love, stroking his cheek.

“Alright, dear one, let me up for a moment. I’m going to get glasses. I’m also going to suggest you go shower. I have the shirt you left here and some sleep pants that will fit you, and I cannot oversell the calming power of being clean.”

[helpdesk_hero]

"Sounds like something I'd say, with more affection though."

He gestures back toward the table by the door, where the port is.

"I also missed lunch, so you might need to cut me off early. I'm going to go grab that shower."

[portolan]

Balthier gets the port as Davis climbs the stairs, placing it on the coffee table with two stemless glasses. He also pulls out what he has in the fridge — some olives, cheese, breads, odds and ends but something.

Once he hears the shower start he goes upstairs to place the clean garments outside the bathroom door, then goes back to put on hot water, just in case. He also gets a pitch of water.

He can, if nothing else, host.

[helpdesk_hero]

It takes a while for David to come out of the shower, but when he does and comes back downstairs he looks... calmer, if still a touch shaken. And when he finds his love and all that is laid out he has to smile.

"Competence is highly attractive, and you've laid out what amounts to a feats for a nervous stomach in so little time. Thank you."

[portolan]

David’s voice pulls his attention, and a smile comes unbidden. David looks more himself. And is leaving Balthier a little off-balance in his willingness to accept support. A pleasant adjustment to make.

“Tea? Flat water? What else can I get you?”

[helpdesk_hero]

Why shouldn't he accept support when he needs it right now? Oh, there are so many reasons. So many times he refused to let the people who loved him close. And it's bit him in the ass. He's... trying something new, even if he's not good at it.

"Is there a tea that goes with olives and cheese and port? Genuine question. I'm still only dabbling lightly in it."

[portolan]

He’s doing fine tonight. And earning even more of Balthier’s trust.

“I will tell you mint with conviction, but I truly don’t know how much of that is habit and childhood fondness. I won’t be offended if you decide not to drink it. Sit. Eat.”

He disappears back to the kitchen long enough to make a pot of mint tea with the already boiled water then returns with that and mugs.

While David was in the shower he changed as well, and now he sits cross legged on the couch beside him, putting his hand on David’s leg.

“I’m glad you came.”

[helpdesk_hero]

The tea is nice, and he doesn't want to mix stronger caffeine with alcohol, so this is good. By the time the man returns he's actually worked through a bit of the cheese and olives. The flavors were just delightfully complex.

"Tell me which market you got the olives at. I need some of those for home. And... And I'm relieved you offered to let me come. I didn't want to go home so shaken, and I couldn't stay with Loki. His teasing can feel cruel."

And he definitely moves closer to Balthier, leaning weight on him.

Frankly, he's not used to being comforted.

[portolan]

Mint tea is non-caffeinated but he’s not going to point that out.

David’s demanding information about food which makes Balthier chuckle. “Of course. It’s not far from the tea shop we like.”

As David leans into him, he puts his arm around his love, squeezing him close.

“You know where the key is. You would have been welcome even if I hadn’t happened to catch something was amiss. I hope in the future you’ll tell me if your shaken again.” It’s not chiding; he knows today was fast and unpredicted. But there’s no reason for David to go be alone and shaken in the future.

[helpdesk_hero]

"Wonderful. I'll have to find it. I wonder if they have stuffed olives."

What can he say, he likes olives? Salty and slightly bitter and sometimes with a bite.

"Gotta warn you, I'm shit at telling people that. I bottle things up. I'm trying to be better. It's been a goal of mine. I don't always succeed."