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]

David wants to address the nervous over josh thing, but honestly? He's more shocked at the revelation.

"Your healing is really transference then? I can't imagine that is a comfortable one to have, But if you do find out, please let me know."

Even if he isn't sure he'd want to accept something like that, as it could be uncomfortable for them both.

"I am glad it's a blessing. You deserve a new start. Hell, I do too."

[portolan]

If David steers it back to Josh, Balthier will of course listen and talk him through; but he's too wrapped up in his own feelings of avoidance to consider pressing David.

"Seems to be," he agrees. "I'm not thrilled with that -- other than your migraine I've only really experimented with small scratches and dull aches, but it is consistent so far." It's not comfortable. He has to hurt someone else to heal a seriously bad wound.

He's also aware he could, hypothetically, move a bad wound to someone as a form of attack.

"You do. And I'm glad to hear you say it."

[helpdesk_hero]

"You're wise to start small. I'm glad you're figuring this out. Safer than accidentally hurting yourself in the process."

So yes, he's glad his boyfriend has been thinking about this. A lot actually. It's good that Balthier would ration it all out.

"What else woudl you expect me to say?"

[portolan]

“Between your migraine, my combat magic not working, and exhausting myself at the last confluence, I’m not keen to find any more surprises while in the field.”

Hurting himself wouldn’t be great. Hurting others in a way he didn’t intend would be worse. And he’s trying to figure out what he can do. He’s a lot less useful than he used to be.

He teases David a little bit here though. “That new beginnings and blessings are for other people and not you. Though I’m very happy to have misread you on this one.”

[helpdesk_hero]

"See, a few weeks ago, I would have said that," David answered. "But you give me hope that they are for me too."

Which he knows is silly, but he still feels it's true.

[portolan]

“Of course they are,” Balthier says, and it has that authority and intensity he gets sometimes.

Of course David deserves that. Of course he can have it. And Balthier needs it to be true for himself as well. He refuses to accept that it isn’t an option for either of them.

[helpdesk_hero]

"Alright then. I'll believe in the chance that I can have something new and good too."

ANd there is even hope in his voice there. Like he's starting to believe it. Even if he was hopeful with his relationship with Balthier, it wasn't quite what he might have expected. Sure, he had hope for their relationship, but for a new and true start? Yeah.

[portolan]

For a moment, Balthier gets that strange feeling of standing at the edge of a precipice, tempted to turn and run from danger and just as tempted to leap. The kind that's going to result in flying or falling utterly broken.

David could destroy him, he knows. Could be Wilhere all over again, and he doesn't know if he can get back up from that a second time. But he could also be -- something else entirely. A new path. A future he stopped envisioning; a future he can't picture because he doesn't understand it yet.

And scions, he knows he wants to jump.

He pulls David to him, kissing him hard, fueled by something deeper and more rooted than desire alone.

[helpdesk_hero]

Oh. A kiss wasn't what he'd been expecting. Somehow Balthier keeps shocking him with those, which is good. The dude puts him off balance in the way that is good for him, catches him off guard and makes him feel special. And he loves that. Loves it enough that, tipsy as he is, he grabs at Balthier's shirt and pulls him closer, wanting this contact, wanting this kiss, wanting this moment.

[portolan]

Oh. He wasn't expecting to be met with such wantedness. How does David always manage to do that? To surprise him. To make him feel so desired, accepted. The how doesn't matter, really; just that it's there time and again. That it makes him feel seen and possessed and cherished. Like he isn't going to be let go.

Balthier lets himself be pulled closer, revels in it really. He breaks the kiss only to gasp for air, and takes far too little before pressing lips together again.

[helpdesk_hero]

Perhaps they are both the best at making each other be a bit off balance. He just holds on, wanting to explore the welcome of that kiss. And when the break for air comes, he's almost disappointed.

Even opens his mouth to comment. And then there it was, another kiss. He fell into it with a bit of a moan. This was right. Perfect. Just let him keep doing this until he doesn't remember his problems.

[portolan]

That moan changes something. A welcome. A confirmation. A turn on to be honest.

Balthier shifts, pressing David back and down toward the couch so that he hovers above David, supporting him with his arms as he kisses demandingly. As he shivers with being demanded right back.

[helpdesk_hero]

Alcohol does a lot to loosen David's nerves up. It was true last time they were doing more heavy make outs, it's true now too. And he is pleased in this moment to be pinned. Was it wrong to enjoy this? To find safety and comfort in the weight of the other man on top of him? To feel wanted?

Perhaps. But he doesn't care in the moment, not when he can try and pull Balthier down closer. Even the space between them seems like too much.

[portolan]

If Balthier knew those concerns, he would emphatically impress that there was nothing wrong with wanting this. That he loves both sides of that dynamic. But today he wants this. To steer. To pin. To consume.

As David pulls him down, Balthier lets himself be taken, closing the distance between them and letting his weight press them both into the couch. He might be the one pinning, but David is still so strong, could direct him if he wanted, and that's alluring too -- the potential for the dynamic to change in a moment, the willingness to give in to Balthier.

[helpdesk_hero]

Steering, pinning, consuming. Sign David up for that, if it's really on the table, offered freely. Because David would really appreciate it if it was being offered.

He kisses Balthier until his lungs ache, holding him close, unwilling to let him go. And when he does haver to stop he looks at the man quite seriously before offering a smile.

"You're beautiful like this."

[portolan]

So freely offered. And encouraged with every moment David grips back, kisses back. He knows he would be fought if he tried to pull away and that only fans the flame he's let catch the wind today.

He's panting as they're forced to stop, still pinning David, reluctant to allow any space between them. His eyes greedily drinking in that face he's already spent so many hours looking at. That perfect, impossible face that he loves so dearly. The sudden smile makes his heart skip.

He's not expecting the words. They bring laughter, and a softer kiss. "Then let me stay always beautiful in your eyes."

The affirmation is good for him. The confirmation that this is welcome -- that he's welcome, the way he is.

[helpdesk_hero]

"As if you aren't already that," David grins at him. "But now you're particularly breathtaking."

It's a joke, of course, but it's also true. And he wants the man closer. One of his hands untangles from behind Balthier's back to cup his face. Beautiful, and oh so right there, with David looking up at him.

[portolan]

"I do aim to take your breath," he grins back. "As you have taken mine."

He makes to protest as David releases his hold -- a tiny moment of fear that he's somehow made a misstep -- but then that hand is on his face, and his eyes flutter shut, leaning into that touch. A small sound of quiet pleasure escapes him.

"David, how can I love you this much?" It comes out a whisper.

[helpdesk_hero]

That's a good sound. He wants to hear so many more sounds like that.

"With all of your heart I would think. And to my delight."

[portolan]

Balthier wants endless cause to make them.

"With heart, and soul, and all I am." He turns his face just enough to kiss David's palm.

To his delight. Let that never change.

[helpdesk_hero]

And David wanted endless cause to hear them.

"That's quite a bit. I'll definitely hold you to your promise, beloved."

And his fingers stroked back through Balthier's hair. Lovely.

[portolan]

Oh to hear that and believe it. He knows, oh he knows how dangerous his want for that is. But he believes, truly, that David is not built to hurt him. Not on purpose. Not with any calculation or manipulation.

And then those fingers are running through his hair. He lets out a happy hum that borders on a moan.

"Please do."

[helpdesk_hero]

"I shall," he says, fingers still working in that beautiful, soft hair. Just long enough to pull. He's almost tempted to. "How can I show you that I will?"

[portolan]

If David is looking for ways to cause more sounds, tugging his hair would certainly work.

"Kiss me," he says. "Hold me, pull me. When I try to leave, don't let me go."

Just keep wanting him.

[helpdesk_hero]

"Sounds like a very, very delicious plan," David answered, his voice soft as he drags Balthier back down into a kiss, this time using his grip on the man's hair.