Future Stuff ::1:: Been Up All Night

[sword_breaker]

[This was not clicking for some reason. He has been staring at these reports for the past hour and half, nothing having been accomplished besides from papers being shuffled around in a semblance of productivity and knives thrown into the pillar behind him out of sheer frustration. His fingers tapping along the worn metal to keep himself from doing further property damage at this rate.

The bottom line was that stress was gnawing at him.

Not from the job though. If anything, reports should came as second nature after the past few months and coordinating had been relatively easy once the rough first week passed by. Being a vanguard should cause less stress than doing actually fieldwork yet here he was at a breaking point almost.

There was nothing. Absolutely nothing. Those stupid letters and photos and other bullshit weren't coming in anymore.

Something had to have happened and he's stuck here in this goddamn tower like a fresh rezzed moron.

His hands were effectively tied as well. No one could be sent out without the other two's approval and even then it'd be brought forward to discussion by the head vanguard. Which means that nothing could happen for days and he'll be sitting on his ass like he already was. All it did was make him all the more frustrated about having given up his freedom to leave as he so pleased because at least then someone would be out there trying to figure out what happened.

The hunter buries his face in his hands with an exhausted sigh leaving him. He probably looked like hell at this rate. Throwing himself into long hours had made his sleep schedule an abysmal handful of hours in the past few days. Half the time he didn't know how he wasn't passing out during meetings. Be easy to. Pull the hood further down, lean down on the table and maybe get an hour or two of on and off rest. Might be the best time to try it out to be quite honest since the hall was dead before attempting it when there'd be actual repercussions to getting caught.

He grunts after stretching out on the table some, pillowing his head with his arms for something close to comfortable. Shade is called out of transmat to keep a watch on things while an attempt at a nap was made. The ghost whirling softly in concern but does as told.

Things suck. Might as well try to ignore it for the time being.]

Comments

[sword_breaker]

Well you seem to have a love for heat right now. Usually means I handle the chill.

[There's a small squeeze given to Liam's hand while he nuzzles into his neck, smiling proudly about the marks but more so glad about the man who bears them. A kiss pressed before glancing down at the various injuries.]

Anything hurt?

[rocketsout]

Did I hear that right, did the big, bad, scary hunter vanguard make a joke?

[The teasing is light, and he closes his eyes, leaning back against the hunter with a contented exhale. Given the nature of the next question though, he tries to play everything off as casually as he can.]

Headaches. Little bit sore. Might have pulled something. Had to get rezzed once, so that took care of anything really bad. You know how it goes.

[sword_breaker]

Sure did. Plus you know, gunslinger roots help with that. Also having someone available to warm me up.

[That answer however doesn't make him feel any better about what might've happened on Venus at all. His arms pressing Liam closer protectively out of concern. A rez meant another possible death.]

I know, I know. Could pick up some stuff while I'm out so Tarlowe doesn't have to stress too much.

[rocketsout]

You know I'm always up for the job.

[He gives James' hand a slight squeeze, as if to reassure him, and he does offer what he hopes is a confident smirk.]

Told you, I'm tough. If you really want to play doctor though, I'm not going to stop you.

[sword_breaker]

You're the only one allowed to have that job.

[He appreciates the small reassurances but still feels hints of fear that he could've lost the idiot completely. However he relents on his hold and backs off some.]

You are but it wouldn't hurt to take care of yourself. If I'm the doctor then Shade is the nurse. I hope you know what you might unleash.

[rocketsout]

Good, 'cause I'd have to rearrange the face of anyone else that tried, yeah?

[Though the hunter may relinquish some of his hold, he himself does no, instead manuvering so that he can bring James' hand up, kissing the back.]

Take care of myself, promise. And I think Shade might be a little too excited to play nurse.

[sword_breaker]

Mmhm. I don't think anyone would be stupid enough to try though. So there's that.

[His forehead is pressed against Liam's shoulder and sighs softly, the kiss grounding him so he can focus on the now instead of what ifs.]

You do but still. I want to help. Also Shade needs any excuse to do something ridiculous. Damn ghost gets bored way too easily nowadays.

[rocketsout]

Like I said, gonna have to readjust their face if they do either way.

[Is it a bit possessive? Perhaps, but there's a fierce sense of concern over the hunter.]

I think I'm okay wit help, so long as it's you. And like I said, come out into the field sometime, give him a chance to get it all out of his system once in a while.

[sword_breaker]

I suppose that's fine. However don't murder someone over that. Punching is fine.

[He drops his hold on the titan in order to focus on actually cleaning himself up as if it were any other shower just...more crowded. A laugh leaving him softly.]

I'd help even if you didn't like it. Still it's harder to get out into the field now with more paperwork warranted and a damn good reason other than my ghost has cabin fever.

Sometimes I really wish I had said no.

[rocketsout]

See, if I kill someone outside crucible, think that you'd be obligated to like...arrest me, or something like that. Blah blah blah, guardian law, something or another.

[But he does take time to scrub himself clean again, moreso enjoying the heat soothing the upcoming soreness in his legs and back.]

If you said no, there'd be a lot of guardians out there with no one to look up to. Y'were the best person for the job. And that's good.

But seriously, you need a reason? Say you're going out to teach my boys some lessons or something. Totally reasonable excuse, right?

[sword_breaker]

I would be forced to take action, yes. However lets not have that happen at all if we can, ok?

I can name several others that'd be better role models than myself. More intact guardians even. I'm not exactly the person someone should be looking up to. Things weren't always working out and I was close to snapping at one point. That's not role model material.

That might work. However they'd think you're trying to steal me from the tower or something.

[rocketsout]

It depends on what that action is. I mean, I can think of some good actions.

[He leans in to press a gentle kiss to the hunter's shoulder with a sigh, though.]

Yeah, but like I've always said: you didn't. You're here, you're doing good, and you've got things going well. Seems like a good candidate for things.

And hell, maybe I am trying to steal you. Just a little bit.

[sword_breaker]

Don't do anything awful and you can see those good actions possibly.

[The kiss is appreciated but he continues to work on getting clean, turning away with a slight frown.]

There's certainly a debate that can be made about that. You know that I don't have a great view of myself. So just forget about it.

[That earns a soft laugh from him.]

By all means, steal away.

[rocketsout]

[It's not with words that he argues the point, but with his actions. There's a quiet noise, and though it is a rather risky move, he reaches forward, presses himself against hunter's back, wrapping his arms around the other man. It isn't a tight embrace, and it certainly still leaves enough leeway for James to slip away if need be, but it's to be grounding, meant to be an affirmation that he's there no matter the apparent negative views.]

[sword_breaker]

[It should've been expected really but he still tenses up slightly at the solid presence now pressing against his back and then the arms around him. He sighs though, leaning back into Liam and slowly relaxing once more.]

Sorry about that. I'll stop. Promise.

[Focus on the warmth and water hitting him. That should be easy enough. Get his head in a better place.]

[rocketsout]

Nah. No apologies. Nothing you need to apologize for.

[Living potentially forever did, after all, take its toll. But there's worry all the same, concern for the hunter, his hunter, and it would be behoove him to ever deny it.]

'cept maybe for stealing all the hot water.

[Deflect, because he knows James doesn't want to talk about it, and he can at least respect that wish.]

[sword_breaker]

I'm kind of ruining that great mood we had. Basically stabbing it really.

[He's already seen a lot of crap before he had met the titan and more so afterwards which made his perception of himself not the best. Fundamentally broken from the start. Still the other comment forces out a simple smile.]

Yea be nice if you didn't.

[rocketsout]

You stab a lot of things. In fact, if you didn't stab things, dunno if we'd ever have really hit it off, yeah? Not always such a bad thing.

[But he keeps things light, not touching further. No need to cause undue duress to the hunter.]

And nah, you're the one stealing it right now. Gonna have to just latch on if I don't want to freeze myself into another rez.

[sword_breaker]

Well that is true. I haven't stabbed you in a long time though. Did make a promise not too afterall and I like to maintain that.

[His smile broadens slightly and continues to stick around some, trying his best to keep his mind off of less positive things. He turns his head to press a gentle kiss on his cheek.]

Aren't you already latched onto me?

[rocketsout]

At least not with a blade.

[Oh, that's another tasteless crack, but he flashes a toothy smirk at the other before burying his head in James' shoulder with a quiet noise of contentment.]

Well yeah, but like...I mean then you'll never be able to get me to let go. Like that kind of latched on. Stuck with a new fate, all that.

[sword_breaker]

Well I don't think I've heard any complaints about that.

[Definitely grinning now and he's twisting around in order to wrap his arms around him, brushing his lips against his temple.]

Am I supposed to not like this new fate? Want me to put up a fuss and all for you? Hm?

[rocketsout]

That's 'cause there definitely aren't any.

[He takes the moment to close his eyes and offers a contented noise in return, fingers tracing nonsensical patterns across the hunter's shoulders.]

And I mean, you do you, but I kinda like being wanted. A fuss is a fuss, but you're stuck with me either way.

[sword_breaker]

Good. Nice to know that I'm doing something right.

[A pleased noise is given at the touches, arching his back into them while burying his face into the crux of Liam's shoulder. They would have to leave at some point but for now this was nice.]

No fuss. Promise. I want to be stuck with you. Better that way.

[rocketsout]

You do a lot of things right.

[And it's such the truth, no sarcasm or joking at all. There's a moment when his arms tighten around the hunter, holding the other close as he presses a soft kiss to the top of his head.]

And good, 'cause you're definitely stuck. For a really, really long time.

[sword_breaker]

I try my best for you.

[Which about as close to truth as he can ever get. As much as he was told that he deserved nice things so did Liam.]

I already accepted that. Sorry not sorry.

[He coaxes down one of his arms in order to intertwine fingers with the titan, However the moment only can last for so long as te hot water runs out finally and it turns chilly.]