Let's all hold hands and sing Kumbaya

[notzubats]

Who: Everybody! It's a planet mingle!
Broadcast: If You want!
Action: On the Holding Hands plant!
When: From June 23 until whenever we need a new mingle.

[At long last, the fleet has arrived to a new planet. This means it's time for a mingle guys! Get in! ]

Comments

[athru]

You're not as skinny as you used to be, you know.

[ They've grown into their bodies and their mutations a little more, now, she thinks, and with that comes a slight change in confidence that shapes how they look each other and how they think about each other. Raven doesn't see herself as being normal or abnormal anymore, not really, she just sees blue skin and pale skin, with one being a disguise to hide behind when she feels threatened. Maybe with a little encouragement Hank would share her feelings and there'd be no more worrying - and, quietly, she thinks, no more hiding either.

Well, they're both still working on that part.

The fact that he's joking about it now when, once upon a time, a casual jerk move from Alex would have been enough to knock his confidence for a week - that means something, and Raven appreciates it with a gentle, soft expression, her eyes flickering over his face. She's seeing Hank grow, seeing how time has changed him, and she truly appreciates it, what she can see in him. She's glad that they're able to share these moments, because it makes being together all the more sweet and incredible.

At least she can try and hide some of her lust behind her pride, now, before they really do get overwhelmed. ]

It's not different at all, thank you. [ And then she's smiling, kissing his cheek. ] My hero.

[beathach]

[he smiles a bit] No, I guess not. Lanky, then.

[past his mutation - both of them, honestly, before and after he tried to hide it - he's never cared about his looks. It's why when Raven tells him he's handsome, or that he's good-looking, he doesn't know how to take it. Not that he really minded, but he was always the awkward skinny kid no one really paid attention to, and compliments have never gone over well with him regardless. Though honestly, it's been a long time since he was able to look at himself and not see his mutation, no matter what he actually looked like. It always came back to that.

But it is easier to joke and make light of it, far more than it ever has been, and that isn't even something he actively worked towards. It was people he grew close to, who made him feel comfortable and as relaxed as he could be in skin that always felt wrong, and offering him nothing but positives to cancel out the negatives in his mind. Sure, it does nothing for his confidence, but - that was always a work in progress no matter what. But if Alex were to walk by and make those old, snide comments . . . well, Hank would have a counter for them, this time. (He misses Alex, more than he lets on)

He feels like he's drawn in by her affections, though, the masked desires covered up by her love for him. He can't help but nuzzle against her cheek, bump her nose against hers - it's so ridiculous, what this planet does to them, and that wasn't really a complaint. He doesn't think he's ever wanted to be this affectionate before.

And that close, it's easier to hide, so he doesn't have to see the faces he knows she's making]

If you say so.

[athru]

At least you know I'm not complaining.

[ If it means she can flatter him, even in the gentlest of ways - she'll do it. Raven enjoys complimenting Hank, she enjoys reminding him of all the things she likes about him, all the little bits and pieces about him and his nature and his body and his mind that make her love him and want to keep loving him - even the things that peeve her are still endearing, somehow, and that's as charming as it is frustrating. It's part of being with someone, she thinks, of trusting yourself to them, and she offers Hank that without hesitation because she's learned that he's someone she can trust, even if it had been awkward and stumbling and painful along the way.

Shifting, Raven moves forward, settling between Hank's legs and then, without even saying a word, leans back against his chest, taking one of his arms and just holding it gently. If she's going to resist the urge to climb all over him then she's going to have to have something to anchor her, and being in his arms is good enough; she's warm and comfortable and this way they're touching, but not enough that it's skin on skin and they have to fight all of their urges.

She can still touch his hand if she wants - and for a moment she twists her head, leaning up to press a kiss to his face, ending up leaving it somewhere between his nose and his mouth, the position and angle awkward. ]

I do say so, and remember that I'm always right?

[ Leaning her head against his shoulder, Raven closes her eyes, daydreaming about a future where she and Hank can sit on rooftops and climb trees and be blissfully happy in a way they were never able to be once upon a time. It's a nice daydream and it makes her smile, expression softening. ]

We should make a list of things we want to do together and then do them.

[beathach]

You could if you wanted. I wouldn't mind.

[he's used to being teased, and used to it being affectionate teasing more often than not. And it isn't as though he doesn't take shots at himself all the time regardless, to ease the tension or to sympathize with others. And coming from Raven - he knows it's always affectionate, that kind of teasing reserved for someone you love and care about, and in a way he welcomes it. She brings out a side of him that he rarely shows to other people, the side that's still young and full of ridiculous notions of love and the future, and while it isn't what it may have been once, it's hard to deny that it's still there.

He's glad it is. That ten years in the mansion hadn't taken that much from him.

He blinks down at her, and then he can't help but smile and both arms go around her, hugging her just a bit closer. It's easy like this, to duck his head and rest his chin on her shoulder, to wrap his arms around her and keep her as close as he wants. He feels pleasantly buzzed, the warmth of her pressed against him and the warmth of the feelings their sharing making him feel lazy and content. It's a nice feeling, he thinks, and he makes sure to focus on it enough that she gets to feel it, too. So she knows exactly how something as simple as this makes him feel]

Mmhmm. How could I forget.

[it comes out a little dry and deadpanned, but that's not a discussion he's getting into again knowing full well it will backfire.

Like this, he can turn his head and kiss her temple, and she'll feel his smile widen at her suggestion]

Don't we arlready have a list? Or is that one exclusively for this planet?