driftfleet | Marsiva Mingle

[Hank isn't particularly interested in anything the game room has to offer, but he goes over anyway. Part curiosity, part wanting to see if there was a way into the rest of the ship - and the rest because really, he had nothing better to do. And maybe Raven had mentioned it, so what.

After he gives up trying to find a way into the rest of the ship he settles on playing some of the games, with no real idea in mind other than to win something for a certain someone. He won't admit to it until he wins, so you might catch him muttering at a game until he figures out how to win it. He's smart, sure, but carnival games are usually traps as it is. He isn't surprised the ones here aim for the same purpose.

On the other hand, you might catch him eyeing the food, too. He doesn't eat much of it, but you might catch him eyeing those twinkie-looking snacks a little too closely. And I mean, who wouldn't? Twinkies]

[ She does her best to explore a little herself, but there's not much she can do - and she can't go much further than anyone else, no matter how tall or short she makes herself. It means that Raven ends up back at the games station with everyone else, wandering around and huffing a noise as she takes part, wondering... Maybe she could win something? Maybe. She's not sure, but... It's entirely possible.

So she tries. She's not very good at it, and she's half-tempted to kick the machine, but - she tries. And, eventually, she wins, a tiny little toy dog that she slips into her pocket before she goes off to find her other half.

When she slides up behind him, her lips curl into a smile before she wraps herself around him. ]

Not interested by the food?

[he startles a little bit when she slides up behind him - not because he hadn't heard her coming, but more in the way he's been caught doing something. Not that he's actually doing anything but eyeing the food, but -

He turns a bit so he can wrap an arm around her, though, in that casual way where he totally didn't just startle a second ago. He almost pulls it off smoothly]

Not at the moment - where'd you disappear to?

[ She shifts and settles against him, softening as she leans into his body. She's not used to showing affection for someone where other people can see it - ignoring the idea of cameras - and she tilts her head up as she softens.

Hank makes her feel comfortable, and she breathes out a quiet noise, running her hand through his hair gently before she settles down. ]

Just to wander around. I didn't find anything interesting.

[he's very conscious of the fact that they're doing this out in the open; even as he welcomes her closer he's still a little tense and aware. He doesn't mind it, really, but it's something they rarely ever did.

He leans into her hand though, making a faint, amused noise]

It's all fair games. Those usually aren't very interesting.

[ There's no shame, but - there is something new and different about it, about being public, especially after so long, and Raven accepts that. She's watching everyone else just as obviously as Hank is, even without her blue skin to give herself away. One day, she'll be confident walking around as pure as she was at home, but she needs time, and she's glad the others understand that.

Tilting her head up, she reaches behind her to pull out a little kitten toy, just bigger than the palm of her hand, wiggling for Hank to see. ]

I found them fun.

[one day they both will, maybe. He'll never be as open about it as she is, he knows, but they've managed it in the past, on a date on a poisoned moon years ago. But this is fine, too; in the end, it didn't matter what either of them looked like, as long as they were together.

He blinks at the toy and laughs a little, reaching up with his free hand to poke it carefully]

You're doing better than I am. Congratulations.

[ Raven is far more reserved than she used to be, but she's not too concerned about that; she has more reason to be quiet and keep to herself than she used to. The mantle of heroism still doesn't sit well on her, and she's doing her best to fight through it - but she has this. It helps her remember who she is and who she wants to bring, and Hank brings out the best - and, true, sometimes the worst - in her nature.

She shifts, pressing it into his hand with a fond smile. ]

It's for you, Hank.

[he stares stupidly as she pushes the toy into his hand, like it hasn't quite registered right. Why would she win him a little toy?

And then it clicks and he bursts out laughing, ducking his head and shaking it]

I'll put it on the shelf next to your flower.

[ It's almost enough to make her roll her eyes, and there's a slight hint of exasperation that colours her face until Hank finally gets it - and then she's smiling, lifting her hand to brush her fingers through his hair.

Her boyfriend could be completely oblivious sometimes, but that's what made him Hank. She can't imagine him being any other way. ]

You don't want to cuddle it at night?

[the little things like this that they do - it's one of those things he has to get used to again. It isn't a bad thing per say; it simply is. And honestly, getting used to it again is pretty nice.

He tilts his head into her hand, unable to look away from her for long]

I'm pretty sure it'd get lost in the blankets. Besides, I have something else to cuddle.

[ Raven doesn't mind spending a little extra time working on getting both her and Hank used to these things again - it means they're working on their new kind of normal, and it makes her feel that familiar buzzing happiness inside. It means they're working for their future, and for a long time she had never thought she would actually have a future, let alone dream about one that she might share with someone else.

Cheeks a little red, she huffs, leaning up to kiss his cheek. ]

Something better than an adorable kitten?

[he doesn't miss her flushing and it makes him grin, to be the one making her do that. Usually it's the other way around, and it's rare that he's the one causing it. But he's in a good mood, and they're enjoying themselves as much as it's some Atroma-sponsored party, and he wouldn't want to spend time over here with anyone else.

He pretends to think about her question, like the brat he is] I'd think so.

[and he leans down as if he's going to whisper it, even though he knows they're being far from subtle]

I have an adorable girlfriend, that's a lot better.

[look at that, he managed it without stuttering once]

[ Raven has never really felt her age, thanks to how slow the process has been for her, and sometimes she thinks she's been away from other people for so long that she's only now catching up on things that other people had; blushing and flustering around someone she loves, getting embarrassed, wanting to lean close and take kisses from someone... She'd never had that as a teenager, so she thinks it's okay to accept it now.

Lifting her head, though, she draws Hank closer, tiptoeing up. ]

You think so, hm?

[ And then - she laughs, bright and brilliant, her arms sliding around his neck. ]

She sounds like quite the catch. I hope she appreciates how gorgeous and kind her boyfriend is.

[he doesn't think there was ever anyone else in his life that could make him fluster and get embarrassed as easily as she could, but then again, compliments and teasing from her meant so much more than from everyone else.

Case in point: ten years later and this still manages it, albeit he isn't turning bright red and feeling the urge to flee. He still gives her that brief, wide-eyed look before he huffs and ducks his head, even as she draws him back down]

She is, but then she goes and uses words like "gorgeous". [is his muttered, teasing response]

[ Perhaps that's what made them work so well together; they could inspire such things in each other, make each other feel warm and happy and content and, at the same time, push each other to do more, be better, feel stronger in each part of their lives. If their relationship was boring or stifling Raven thinks that she wouldn't be able to take it, but Hank has never made her feel that way.

Instead, he makes her laugh, and as she leans up for another kiss, turning her head to press her lips against his cheek, she knows she's happy. It doesn't matter that they're another world away from the mansion and it's familiar halls; this is her home, right here, with Hank. ]

She sounds very honest.

I think you mean ridiculous.

[he doesn't think there's any part of their relationship that was dull or boring - some of it came with the territory, with being mutants in a world still working to accept them, but it was also just who they were. Since they met, they'd been able to find things in each other, over and over, that made them fall in love that much more.

She kisses him and he in turns pokes her lightly in the side, where he knows she's ticklish]

She's incredibly ridiculous.

[it's hard to say it and not sound so incredibly fond at the same time]

[ There's no way for her to avoid her squeak, and Raven shifts back even as she shakes her head, wrinkling her nose at Hank. He knows just where to poke and prod her to make her laugh or make her reach out and give him a gentle smack around the head, and it's enough to make her laugh and roll her eyes. The fact that it's so easy and familiar between them makes her feel a giddiness she can't quite hide. ]

That's very rude of you, Mr. McCoy.

[ But she reaches up all the same, wrapping her arms around his neck to leave a kiss on his cheek. ]

I bet she likes you quite a lot.

[he grins, the kind where he looks even younger than he already does. He likes making her laugh, and he likes that knows all the different ways to do it. And that he's still finding other ways as well - it's a little exciting, to know that he's finally figured out how to do things right]

It isn't rude, it's the truth, Ms. Darkholme.

[he grins wider at the kiss and lowers his voice, as if he's about to tell her some big secret only between them]

Don't tell her I said this, but I think I might be in love with her.

[it's easier to whisper it, he thinks, caught up in their teasing with each other. It's always been something they've only said when things were serious, when they needed to remind each other that they did. It's . . . nice, to be able to say it at times like this, too. Even if he doesn't lift his head to catch her reaction]

[ Sometimes it's difficult to remember how many years have gone by since they were here last, that they're far, far older than they had been before - and she's consciously aware of how old they are, but forgets it too. It's like a warring reminder in the back of her head, and in moments like this... None of it matters. She's as charmed and happy as she was the first time they met, and she's sure that it's all down to Hank and moments just like this. ]

It being true doesn't make it less rude.

[ Tilting her head up, though, she softens completely, her cheeks a slightly flared red. ]

Oh, really? I think I heard that she might be in love with you, too.

[ She whispers back, and her hand strokes over his cheek. Oh, she's definitely in love with him... And completely and utterly charmed, too. ]

[he'd argue otherwise, that none of it is because of him and it's because of her, bringing out this side of him that only she gets to really see. Where he drops the serious professor persona and just simply acts like himself, and doesn't bother worrying about how old he is or what he comes off as. She has that effect on him - has had it for years]

It might be rude, but you aren't denying it, either.

[she says it back - of course she does - and he can't help but duck his head, the tips of his ears burning. He tries to think of something witty to say in response, but - nothing comes. He finally huffs a little weakly, a laugh mixed in]

Well - good. I mean - I knew, but - good.

[nailed it]

Marsiva Mingle

hank mccoy | ota

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