driftfleet | (no subject)

[His attention is severely divided, torn between Robin's words and the lushness of their surroundings. Overwhelmed it takes a minute for him to sit down, hovering around the bench and watching a particularly spectacular couple pass.]

I think her clothing was lighting up. Did you see that?

[He's craning his neck out to spot that dress again but, hey. At least he's sitting.]

The long-haired one? That's slick...

[hey, he leans to try and see her too.]

I saw someone earlier with bells woven into their hair. Some of these people are really out there, as far as style goes...

["Slick". Was that slang?]

I don't think you're one to talk. [He gives him a look-over. Yup. Those clothes are still Not Normal.] Although, I suppose it's less impressive than bells. Not that it matters much.

[With no one else to watch, Mattias leans back, one hand fiddling idly with the plant beside him.] You've brought me to a fairly private place. Did you want to talk to me about something in particular?

[he almost poses for him, shifting a little under scrutiny. he likes being looked at, what can he say. still, Mattias caught on, and he told him he'd do it, after all...]

Kind of. I told you I had a present for you.

Here? [The branch he's toying with nearly snaps in his surprise. He eyes Robin with mock-suspicion.]

Should I close my eyes?

[a short laugh--almost a giggle.]

No, no. You just need to be closer.

[he gestures with a finger, the universal conspiratorial "come closer" sign.]

Closer? [He blinks then shrugs, leaning in as if to hear a secret.] Like this?

Just like that. Now, don't move. [he leans in, a little closer...] I'm going to show you a trick. I promise I won't do anything mean, all right?

[Again, he tries not to smile and, again, he fails, laughing.] Alright. I trust you.

All right.

[he leans in even more, closes his eyes... for a second, one might have even thought he was leaning in to kiss him, but he tips forward at the last moment, touching their foreheads together.

something... opens.

there's a space between them now, where there wasn't before. some kind of... tunnel of awareness, or a channel, or a connection. he could come inside, if he wanted. he could look around. but once Robin starts to "move", shift the empty space into something, it becomes clear that this is somehow their minds and Robin has brought them both together. Mattias can still see that their bodies are right there but the boundaries between their beings are much, much harder to define.

next, Robin gives him an idea: that Robin is going to show him snow.

he fills up the space with a memory, slowly, so as not to shock him. sound first--a silence for miles. all of the creatures asleep. only drops of melting water, here and there, and a far-off crack of weighted branches. it smells crisp and cold and clean. the air presses against his skin. the cloud of his own breath feels wet against his lips. wearing a scarf, maybe, something warm, but it's still seeping into his shoes, freezing, slowly gnawing through to the bone.

he finally shows him... a field of white. it looks soft, perfect. like paper. the trees grow out of it like skeletal hands, the land gently rolling up against a mountain in the distance. no one has been there, yet, except them. a cloud of steam rises as they take a breath out. their hands are cold, but it's exciting. it's quiet.

does he want him to walk? he could take a few steps...]

[The world unfolds around him like a desert lily. The ground becomes a petal. He wades through it, relishing the numbness in his legs. Marveling at how each step feels heavier than the last, slowed by the gradual forgiveness of the snow.

The sky is dusted with sugar and flour, the wind shifting the color from navy blue to pure white. His breath billows out, yearning to join the clouds and he wants to let it but he holds it back.] Like gravel and... [The laugh comes out on a gasp, riding past the hand that covers his mouth. Tears threaten to brim but he fights them back, swallowing back sobs as he spins in place, staring at each and every view.

The air makes his lip crack. He nearly cries out at the sensation, flicking his gloves off to run his fingertips over the splits and rivulets. The cold greets his hand like a beloved pet, nuzzling into him with a cutting breath. He laughs and then moves forward.

Even still, the snow is hard to move but he pushes forward anyway, shedding clothing as he moves until, finally, he's half-nude, standing in the middle of the field with his arms outstretched in a heavenly embrace. Eyes closed. Head tipped back towards the sky. Like the air, he stills a smile on his face so serene it looks chiseled on. ]

It's beautiful. [He finally whispers. Then, turning in place, throws his arms out.] Gorgeous! More stunning than I could possibly imagine! [With a delighted laugh he falls back, allowing his body to fall limply to the ground.]

It's wonderful.

[it's a good place, here, this field. he thought he would like it.

a presence sinks down into the snow with him, though there is no body. Robin is still there in the sense that he is everywhere. he's what's bringing up all these sensations, pulled from memory. the cold might kill him, he warns--though the thought of it feels more like a smile than a threat.

something pulls Mattias back up, the world tipping dreamily back to where it began. the edges start to curl in on themselves. the wind starts to warm again. this place will be here again, always, there's no reason to worry--but they shouldn't stay for too long.

which is when Robin pulls away from him in the real world, severs their connection. now they're just two people on a bench in a park, just the same as they'd left it.]

...I hope that was all right. [he's smiling, maybe a little shy... or apologetic.]

[The dream world leaves him like a sweet memory. He longs for it with every beat of his heart, a wistful smile drifting in and out of his expression. Reluctantly, he leans back, his breath catching on a chuckle caused by Robin's words.]

All right? Robin, that was-[He gestures vaguely, searching for the word. Amazing wouldn't cut it. No words could.]-indescribable! [The word bursts out of him in an explosion of breath. He rocks forward, his smile popping the seams of his face. He wants to take his hand, grip his arm, yell in his face but not even those things could properly describe his emotions.] What you just showed me-Goddess, do you know how long I've dreamed of that? I've had years, decades! To ponder what it looked like. And you-you had me walk in it. I could feel it, Robin! [He laughs.] Goddess, how did you even do that?

[He scoots closer, eager for an explanation. Tell him, tell him, tell him.]

[Robin rocks backwards, away from Mattias, but it's only so that his sunbright laughing doesn't spill out all over the other's enthusiastic face. his shoulders hunch up with it a little. how silly of him; he wasn't expecting much of anything, he wasn't looking forward at all. here he is, clutching at his chest because of how a distant and foreign joy feels like it's going to come tearing its way through his ribs.

he's a sucker for flattery. he got the rise he wanted. it was easy, it was stupid. but he's happy that Mattias is happy.]

It's something my brothers and sisters and I could do... It's a quick way to share memory and thought. I figured, out of everyone, you might like it best...

[...he rubs the back of his neck. he's getting a little gushy about it himself. he really aught to move them along before he starts blushing or something.]

...And I was sad you hadn't gotten to see it, on one of the worlds we passed a couple of months ago.

[No, Mattias isn't letting this go. Literally. He's holding onto Robin's fingertips, unable to help himself. Contact is a necessity, an anchor with which to tie himself to reality. Remind himself that the world he experienced and the world he's living in are different entities, different planes and he had been in both.]

I doubt even reality could compare to that. Robin, you and your siblings-it's a gift. What you can do is beautiful. Thank you. Thank you for sharing it with me.

[Enthusiasm threatens to drive him closer but he catches himself just in time, pulling back, remembering himself. With a soft chuckle he slips Robin's hands free, wetting his bottom lip.] I've forgotten myself. I'm sorry. To have touched you without consent-[Laughing again, he leans back, running a hand through his hair.] I fear I'm still reeling.

[...Tek would be giving him such a dirty look if he knew, but he reaches forward to take Mattias' hands instead.]

I don't mind. I'll show you again sometime, if we don't find the real thing first.

["a gift", he said. how few people would agree with him--exactly the reason why Robin picked him to begin with. even if it's cheap, he likes being adored, appreciated. especially after everything that's happened lately, how loathsome he's felt. with a wide grin, he speaks honestly:]

Let's be friends, Mattias. We can travel these worlds together, if you'd like.

[Friends. A single word manages to beat him breathless, send a thousand canaries flittering in his chest. The world feels lighter around him, the colors collaborating in shared vibrance. A laugh bubbles out and it surprises him enough to do it some more, ducking his head.]

Friends. Yes. I think I'd enjoy that very much. [They're words muttered on a breath that escapes him in a sigh, said more to himself than Robin. Experimentally, he squeezes Robin's hand, laughing at the mere sensation.] Yes.

[With an unbeatable smile he raises his gaze.] I can't think of anyone I'd rather see them with.

[he looks up at him... and laughs. what else can he do? his fragile human frame isn't meant to swell with this much delight. or maybe he's just not used to being this happy about something. either way, it feels like there's too much of something when his fingers are squeezed, and he keeps on holding the other's hands.]

Where do you want to go, then? Want to stay here for a while, explore the park? There's also food to eat, more shops, anything-- [or, what he meant to say.] Ah, everything.

[He can't control his face. It's triggered by a switch, lines creasing upwards in inconsistent motions, teeth showing in brief flashes. Embarrassed, his eyes retreat to their joined hands. The sight doesn't help.]

Everything sounds good. [He laughs shyly, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. Never daring to break what little contact they shared.] No, food would probably be best. I can't remember the last time I ate.

Then come on.

[he gets up, but takes a firmer hold of his hand. he tries to pull him up, pull him along, as if they were kids. maybe that's what it feels like. happier days. nostalgia.]

If you want really good food, we'll have to take a trip to Abeo. They're boring in almost every other regard, but it's worth a visit, at the very least... For now, I know a little cafe that overlooks the river, we'll go there. Oh-- [he points!] Don't forget your bags.

Oh! [He pulls back in order to grab them, nearly missing the handle of one. Clothes threaten to spill out before he rights it, laughing. Allowing himself to be pulled along. To go with the tide. He forgot how easy it could be.]

You tease me with good food and a new world and then take me to a normal cafe! I'm not sure if that's rude or cruel, Robin. [But he's still laughing and, truth be told, a waterfront cafe sounds delightful.] Not that I'd ever turn down a view of the water but I dare say you owe me a second date.

[ah. that's-]-In a platonic sense, of course.

Oh.

[he smirks back at him. still holding his hand. honestly, Mattias, that was almost smooth of you.]

I'd hate to offend, truly--so I have no choice but to agree with you.

[platonic or not.]

Really?

[He wasn't expecting him to agree and he clears his throat to tone down the enthusiasm.] Then it's as I thought. You're certainly a gentleman of the highest order.

[Goddess, what is he even saying. He doesn't even know but it's worth it if it earns him that sidelong smirk again.]

[he outright cackles at the compliment. Mattias doesn't have to worry--that smirk isn't going anywhere for a while.]

I am certainly not, but I certainly wish more people would say that anyway.

[His own smile lurches wider at that cackle.]

If no one else is telling you, then I'll just have to tell you in excess. [He waves a hand, jogging to catch up to Robin.] To make up for them, of course.

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