[FIN] Playing Pretend

[BlackFireKitsune]

In the days following Zevran's return home it became incredibly, alarmingly clear that not only did he have no desire to discuss what happened, it was almost as if he was trying to forget it even happened at all -- like he was pretending it never happened. How did that work? Beyond pretending the whole event never even happened, was he also pretending no one involved even existed? Was he trying to forget Taliesen completely too? Rinna's death had hurt him deeply too but it sounded as if Taliesen had been the closer friend and had been for damn near twenty years. While that friendship had ended far more violently than it should've, it was too important to forget, to will away because to never think of it again was better than bearing the pain of acknowledging its untimely end.

At first Abel kept his thoughts on the matter to himself, in deference to his boyfriend's obvious desires not to think about it much, and the hope that Zevran would feel comfortable thinking or talking about it after a few days... But after a week had come and gone and a second crept up on them, it was becoming more and more obvious that that wouldn't be the case. It seemed more likely that he'd instead continue to act like it hadn't happened at all, and as that was far too unhealthy a thing to do - in Abel's opinion - the taller blond arranged a few days off so the pair could have a weekend trip over in Makko. "You and me," he said of it, "just the two of us." It would give them plenty of privacy to focus on each other without worrying about work or pokemon - Taavi had thankfully agreed to take care of them in their absence - and Zevran seemed pleased by the idea.

On the morning of their trip Abel had gotten up early to pack their things into his car ahead of time before making enough coffee for two travel mugs and some leftover for Taavi. After that it was a matter of ensuring Zevran was up and ready - or helping him to become so, in either case - grabbing any last minute things they needed, and then heading down to the car with a blanket so he could sleep more comfortably during the trip.

Before the trip the taller blond had refrained from discussing the hotel nor their room's amenities, preferring to leave it as a surprise for Zevran to enjoy once they got there, so when several hours later he pulled into a parking space near the hotel's entrance, he grinned brightly over at his boyfriend. "Alright, here we are!" He announced somewhat needlessly but did so just the same. The town was small enough but still had a few hotels of varying quality, and Abel had picked one of the decent ones right near the ocean. The salty smell of the sea greeted them when he opened his door and got out to circle round the car so he could help Zevran get out if he needed it. "I know it was a bit of a drive, but I figured you'd like it here for the weekend." While it was similar to Camphoreon in being a seaside town, it was just that - a town - and lacked the numerous tall buildings and general organized chaos of city life.  

[TawnyAngel]

Time had passed, sometimes quite slowly.

He had things to occupy him now though; all the entertainment he could want on the TV, the internet, and he had careful exercises to ease himself into as well. Being able to do so little was deeply frustrating but he knew if he pushed too hard he would set himself back and so he pushed only until he was a little breathless, not until he felt sick or anything. At first that was just walking around the living room a couple of times but most days he got a little better, walked a little further before he had to stop. He was getting better. He kept telling himself that.

He wasn't sleeping well.

He worried that Abel knew not because he awoke him - he didn't jerk upright or anything from dreams - but from his weariness. He hoped Abel just put it down to his injuries, he didn't want Abel to think they bothered him but better he think that than... than anything else.

A trip away though, just them, nobody else; it was an attractive prospect and the change of scene might help?

Another distraction.

When they finally arrived Zev opened the car door and climbed out stiffly, his hand on Abel's arm for balance but not to pull himself up by. "Ah," Zevran sighed and straightened up slowly, "it will be worth the drive and the stiffness from it I am sure." His sigh had brought the smell of the ocean to his nose and he took another deep breath of it a moment later. "It smells so clean; you made a good choice. You mind taking the bags cariño?"  

[BlackFireKitsune]

Once Zevran had climbed out of the car and straightened up, Abel leaned in to press a fond kiss to his temple. "I was already planning on it, love. And I'm glad you think so! I was hoping you'd like it. Just wait til you see the room!" Once assured his boyfriend would be okay by himself, Abel moved around to pop the trunk of his car to fetch their things. It took but a few minutes for them to enter the hotel, head through the spacious, airy lobby, check in, get their keys, then ride the elevator up to the second floor. A brief walk from there led them to their room, and once the door was unlocked Abel pushed it open with his foot.

Their room was spacious and modestly decorated, with a TV set in the wall across from the king-sized bed and the couch, and a mini fridge nearby. The walls, carpet and furnishings were light, mostly neutral colors that complimented the view just outside the sliding glass door along the other wall, its two pairs of curtains pushed back to reveal the balcony and set of cushy chairs with a small table between them that overlooked the beach beyond. "So, what d'you think? Will it be tolerable staying here the next few days?" Abel asked as he deposited their things on the armchair near the couch. While he assumed Zev would like the balcony and the view, it was always nice to know for sure if he would or not.  

[TawnyAngel]

Ugh, ********! Why was walking so hard?

By the time they made it to the room he was exhausted, trying to hide it, maybe mostly succeeding? The room though, the room was nice, and there was a beautiful view of the beach; Abel had made a good choice but he had expected no less!

Zevran crossed over to the armchair and leaned on the back of it as he aimed a crooked smile at Abel. "Tolerable," he confirmed, "I suppose it will do, and I suppose I can also endure your company. Just the two of us. Come here and let me show you how tolerable you are." Zevran took his hand off the back of the chair and beckoned Abel closer, his crooked smile twisting a little more into a definite smirk.

Yes, this weekend would be excellent.  

[BlackFireKitsune]

It was painfully obvious how walking too much wore Zevran out - not that he'd let on as much, of course - and Abel sympathized a great deal. He'd always gotten worn out so quickly after his lung injuries and couldn't do much before he'd need to rest, and Zevran had always been so kind and patient...

"Ah, of course," he replied promptly, a smirk springing to his face as he circled the chair to slip his arms around Zevran's waist, "please, do show me."  

[TawnyAngel]

"Mmmh, gladly."

Zevran slid one arm around Abel's waist and allowed his hand to wander down to his a** while his other hand slid up into Abel's hair. "Very gladly," he murmured, and then he held Abel's eyes intently for a few moments before breaking the gaze and leaning up for a deep slow kiss.  

[BlackFireKitsune]

One corner of his lips twitched up to broaden his smirk for just a moment before he gladly leaned into the kiss, his hands dipping down to sit on Zevran's hips. After a few long, blissful moments he pulled back with a contented sigh, then leaned in to press a soft kiss to his boyfriend's forehead. "Seems like me and this place are both tolerable enough -- and you haven't even seen the hot tub yet!"  

[TawnyAngel]

This was happiness, perfection, why should he feel anything but glad? Silly, silly fixation with things past! Weak.

Zevran made a noise of contentment as Abel kissed his forehead and then he looked up, brows raised. "Oh we have a hot tub? Perfect! We shall have to try that later, it will help with the stiffness from the car I am sure, but for now I think I would like to sit on the balcony with you... and a drink. I didn't take any meds this morning so I am allowed!" He had planned for having a drink when they arrived. He really wanted a drink. Several.  

[BlackFireKitsune]

Any of what Abel had been about to say about hot tubs was derailed temporarily. "You didn't--" He paused, eyebrows raised a bit, then chuckled as he shook his head. "How're your meds supposed to help if you don't take them? But alright, fine; one drink, and then you really should take them. But yeah, I figured you wouldn't mind having a hot tub, and I thought it might help you out either with being stiff from the ride over here, or just being sore in general," he explained with a small shrug. Hot tubs were wonderful for relaxing in, and if anyone needed to relax, it was Zevran.

Too bad he still had every intention of bringing up what had happened later on.  

[TawnyAngel]

"Eh," Zevran shrugged, "it is not as though they are important drugs. I am not about to collapse in a faint if I fail to take them." He was in considerably more pain than he had been yesterday because of it, but on the other hand he could have a drink! It was an equation that worked out favourably in his opinion.

"Shall we go sit though?" Zevran suggested with an airy gesture to the balcony. "I will even allow you to escort me." Because he was tired and feeling slightly unsteady, but no need to mention that!  

[BlackFireKitsune]

The blond's eyes narrowed as he loosed a long, thoughtful "hmmmmmm" that ultimately ended a few seconds later in a shrug. "Alright, if you're sure." He made a mental note to be as gentle with him as possible, because even if he'd had a few weeks to heal, he needed more than that before he wouldn't need those painkillers anymore. It wouldn't hurt - ha - right now though, and drinks did sound good.

"Ah, yes, let's go sit; and how kind and magnanimous it is of you to allow me to escort you!" He said with an amused grin, even though he knew full well the statement for what it was. Regardless he offered Zevran his arm with a flourish so he could escort him out onto the balcony. The salty sea air blew in gently to greet them as he opened the door, bringing with it the sound of lapping waves and a small handful of laughing children somewhere. Each of the two chairs had light blue, comfortable-looking cushions on them, and it was to the closer of the pair that Abel assisted his love to. "Here you are, darling. Now you relax while I fetch you a drink, yeah?"  

[TawnyAngel]

Salt air. Water lapping. Voices laughing.

"Ah? Yes, thank you." Zevran flashed Abel a slightly absent smile as he eased himself down into one of the chairs. It was almost like home. It was colder, and it didn't stink of the docks or of the tanneries he was most used to. It was like the good part of Antiva City in late autumn, a place of wonder and ease and easy pockets. He and Taliesen had....

Zevran exhaled softly, folded his hands together, and looked out to sea.  

[BlackFireKitsune]

Traces of worry seeped into Abel's otherwise warm smile, and he squatted down beside his boyfriend's chair so he could fold his arms over the armrest and look up into those handsome amber eyes of his. A drink could wait another minute or two. Was he thinking about Taliesen? Was he just overthinking things again? "You okay?"  

[TawnyAngel]

"Humm?" Zevran focused on Abel, smiled faintly, nodded. "Only a little sore, it will pass." It wasn't a lie, it was just sparing the detail of what was hurting. It was the past, he shouldn't dwell on it, and what choice had there been in that moment? Kill or be killed; it hadn't even really been a choice, he had acted on instinct. And his instinct had been to shoot his best friend in the head.  

[BlackFireKitsune]

And now he seemed a little.. zoned out? Was that it? He didn't know what it was, but he wasn't sure he believed it was just soreness. But if that's what Zev wanted to go with right now, that was fine. Perhaps that's all it was. One of Abel's hands lifted to smooth itself over his boyfriend's cheek as he straightened back up. He stopped halfway though so he could press a soft kiss to the top of Zevran's head. "Alright. Just take it easy, yeah? I'll go get your drink."

A minute or two later he returned with two opened bottles in hand, and he offered one to Zevran with a soft "here you go" before plopping down in the other chair and sighing contentedly. "It's nice out here."