[OPEN] RV Park Party

[eirs]

WHO: Any and all OUTSIDER personnel that wants in and their respective campervan companions. Or maybe you wandered out away from your group and found this commune.
WHAT: The gang parking together at night to swap information about the things they've found in their investigations, night watches around a fire, ghost stories......? General tomfoolery in the desert where there's no one else for miles. Cooking their hunts in successes and mishaps?
WHERE: The Mojave Desert
WHEN: Mid to Late May
WARNINGS: Will be updated or tagged in the thread as needed!

Comments

[the_fourteenth]

I know, but... it's a long time until th next holiday. I didn't want to wait.

[Raidou draws out something from his pocket, and holds it out in the palm of his hand. It's a silver cuff bracelet, maybe a quarter of an inch wide. Simple and plain, but authentic metal, not just stainless steel or plated. He's actually wearing a matching one, in gold.]

Here. March helped me pick them out, since, ah, I really don't know much about jewelry. But I liked these. I hope you do too.

[Raidou was supposed to be getting clothes for himself, but of course he was thinking of others first. He rubs the back of his neck in a shy gesture, a little afraid that maybe it was too much. Sure, they had their rings, but those has a practical purpose beyond being just jewelry.]

Ah, she said the contrasting colors would be good on us, too. I think she's right.

[eyescar]

March-chan did...?

[ Reaching out, Yuji takes the bracelet, turning it over in his fingers. It's plain, but it's handsome, and he's immediately enchanted by it, running his fingers over the shape of it slowly. ]

Johei... It's so nice. And it matches? That's cute...

[ Yuji passes it back, and holds out his wrist - hesitating at the strange, twisted musculature of it. He hopes that it fits properly... ]

Will you put it on for me?

[the_fourteenth]

[Precisely why Raidou got the cuff kind. Maybe it takea an extra bit of force to get it on properly, but it should fit. He fits it on, and then laces his fingers with Yuji's, hands held up to admire the jewelry side by side.]

There. It feels alright?

[eyescar]

It's perfect.

[ It looks good, the two of them together... Yuji has quite the collection of jewellery now. ]

Thank you, Johei.

[the_fourteenth]

You're very welcome. [This is definitely the most jewelry Raidou's ever owned. But he liked the idea of having pieces that match, something from each one of them to the other.

Raidou settles back against him, resting his head on Yuji's shoulder, eyes closed. He could almost fall asleep here just like this.]

How was your stay back in the city? Did you enjoy yourself?

[This is his way of checking in with Yuji without adding to any of his worries, or so he hopes. With this much downtime, he knows how his own mind can wander, and how Yuji goes through the same thing. They both seemed to keep busy enough while in Vegas, together and apart. While out here near the fire, just the two of them for now, it was a good time to talk.]

[eyescar]

It's really nice... [ Almost too nice. Yuji's going to have to stress about taking it off before missions, just in case something happens and it breaks. That would be awful, and he'd feel horribly guilty about it.

He feels better, with Raidou settled against him, though, arm wrapping around him without thinking too much about it. ]

It's been a lot of fun. I got to hang out with dandelion, and Choso, and play around a little. It was a nice break.

[ But Raidou's right - Yuji's mind is wandering here and there, and even hanging out with Megumi and his sensei hasn't done much to ease some of the strange, coiling sadness inside of him, but... He's getting better. Slowly but surely. ]

[the_fourteenth]

The roller coaster was great. Incredible that they manage to have something like that here.

[Since the amusement parks in Neo Tokyo were never going to be what they one were. Raidou could only imagine what they must have been like until getting on one, and he probably made Yuji get on it three times in a row.

He turns his head to prop his chin on Yuji's shoulder, giving him a smile.]

Bakugo and I went bowling. I never got to do that before. It's very different from my time.

[eyescar]

Maybe when we get back there'll be more of Disneyland fixed, or some other places with rollercoasters. We could explore them all.

[ Curled together like this, Yuji is happy. It's a little warm, maybe, but he's not complaining that much, not when it's Raidou that's tucked up against him just like this. It just feels right.

Turning to kiss the side of his head, he keeps the bright smile on his face as they talk about Bakugo. ]

Yeah? We should all play together sometime. I bet he was super competitive, though.

[the_fourteenth]

Do you think they'd fix Disneyland? It'd be nice to have something like that really working.

[It seemed like an overwhelming sort of place to him, imagining it like it must have been in its heyday, but if it has rides like that, then he's on board.

Raidou gives him the most affectionate of eyerolls in regards to Bakugo.]

When isn't he. He won, but he's played before. It's okay. He still hasn't won against me in a kendo match or at ice skating. Come winter you should race with us.

[eyescar]

I think people wanted to fix it, even if LILITH doesn't. I wonder if that's possible.

[ Yuji just wants to be able to have a little bit of fun, as much as he can, between the missions.

He's learning, slowly, that he's allowed to fall back into being a teenager, that he's allowed to mourn and move on, that he's allowed to find some kind of happiness here. Slowly, but surely. ]

He wants to race me and see if he can beat my time. Maybe he'll feel better if he can beat me at ice skating.

[the_fourteenth]

[Sometimes it's hard for Raidou to beat that feeling that enjoying himself is not allowed. Not just because he should be working, but after his failures at home, that he doesn't deserve it. Much like Yuji feels about himself. With all their downtime here in Vegas, he's felt those same thoughts creeping back, especially at night, staring up at his hotel's ceiling from bed.

It's been six months now, and while those feelings get less and less frequent, they may never go away entirely. But out here enjoying the stars and the cool desert night air with Yuji, they seemed as far away as they can get.]

Don't take it too easy on him. He'd get mad if he figured out you did. Though he gets mad a lot anyway so I don't let it stop me from winning anyway.

[There's a sly smile on his face. Teasing Bakugo has become a new favorite hobby of his.]

[eyescar]

Yeah, but you just let him shout it out and he calms down. It's just who he is, isn't it?

[ Yuji says it with such utter fondness - because he adores Bakugo, one of his best friends here, and there's no denying the way it makes him smile just to think about him. The people he's been able to meet here have been a gift, and he refuses to take it for granted.

Leaning back, he sighs softly. ]

Maybe we should invite him to hang out sometime.

[the_fourteenth]

[He nods enthusiastically in agreement.]

Maybe we can go on a hike together. Go in a direction we haven't been yet. See what we can find.

[Raidou nuzzles against his neck, giving Yuji a kiss on his jawline.]

So long as I get more time with you to myself too.

[eyescar]

That would be awesome! We could start near the onsen and go in the other direction, see if we can find more views.

[ Turning his head a little, cheeks flushed, Yuji beams. ]

We still have those tokens from the doctor we could use.

[the_fourteenth]

[His face reddens a bit at the mention of that too. Good thing it's dark.]

Ah, that's right... That will be good for after another hectic mission, won't it. That'll be nice.

[eyescar]

[ The condoms probably ended up in Choso's hands... ]

Shall we do it after the next mission, then? A weekend away.

[the_fourteenth]

[Raidou nods, then leans his head down on Yuji's shoulder again, a gentle smile on his face.]

Yeah. A good incentive to work hard on this mission, then.

[eyescar]

[ Yuji's hand lifts, absently rubbing the back of Raidou's neck and edge of his hair gently. ]

You always do your best anyway.