ercookies | TDM 005: HAPPY SPOOKTEMBER

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TDM 005: HAPPY SPOOKTEMBER

Arrival

This time, you come out of the water, the Nameless Island's own inherent energy drawing people in. It's like being suspended between realities and abruptly pushed from behind through a rift in dimensions. It may make you sick, or that might be the motion of the ocean, lifting you to the surface and carrying you to shore.

Waterlogged and covered in sand, new arrivals will be greeted by robots who welcome them with towels and bracelet devices. The A5 card is already loaded up. Feel free to explore the Island, though there isn’t much to see. Most of the buildings are abandoned and in dire need of repair, and beyond the city lingers a thick fog that obscures much of the wilderness from view. Wander too far into this fog, and you will find yourself mysteriously looping back to where you began, your memories of what you were doing and how you got there erased.

With that in mind, it may be wise to stake your claim on a rundown apartment, a tent on the beach, or a bed in the "comfortable" new barracks. Your inventory will be found a day later, wrapped up haphazardly and delivered to each person's makeshift home.

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I. Harvest Hunt

As the daylight grows shorter and the muggy heat of the island’s summer gradually shifts to temperate days and chilly nights, Erku’s accessible wilderness explodes with a colorful collection of tempting fruits, fragrant-smelling herbs, and nuts and seeds plumped and ready for harvest. With warnings to beware of monsters, the robots of Erku encourage Islanders to take advantage of the land’s bounty by distributing basic camping supplies to those who are interested in exploring, hunting, and harvesting. They strongly encourage making the journey with a friend! Any surplus foods that Islanders bring home with them can be exchanged for credits with cafeteria robots! Just be careful out there - some of these fruits have strange effects once consumed.

For extra protection out there in the wilds, the robots have fashioned crowns of flowers or foliage to wear on their adventures. The sweet and herbal smells from the crowns will discourage most Erku-native monsters from approaching, they assure - this is ancient knowledge from the planet’s long-gone civilization, so it can’t be wrong!

What the robots don’t know is that the crowns have a deeper, more ritualistic purpose: after a few hours, the scent of flowers or herbs begins to awaken primal instincts within the wearer. Those who are wearing the foliage crowns feel overwhelmed by an urge to hunt, while those who wear the flower crowns delight in every opportunity to tease, outrun, and outwit the hunters. What happens when the chase ends? Well, that depends on the personalities and the chemistry between the hunters and their prey.

While the robots are very insistent on placing crowns atop the heads of any Islander they see, they aren’t stuck on in any way and they are easy to remove, which can prevent or break the hunting trance.

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II. seeds and sap

Of particularly high credit value, the robots explain, is an elusive flower known as the skull sunflower. It appears exactly as one might imagine: at the center of an otherwise innocuous, towering sunflower is the gruesome visage of an open-mouthed skull. Don’t worry, the flowers are harmless! Even if it’s strange how the empty-socketed eyes seem to follow your every move. And why is it that the teeth - which, on closer inspection, are actually the seeds of the flower - only seem to chatter when your back is turned?

Any Islander who can withstand their heebie-jeebies long enough to collect the petals and seeds from the flowers will fetch a handsome reward in credits upon exchange with the robots. Beware the sticky, blood-red sap that seeps from the eyes of each skull, however. Those who absorb too much through their skin will begin to hallucinate, visions of frightening or emotional events from their past dancing in the shadows. One might even mistakenly imagine that another Islander is someone they recognize from their past, someone who meant something to them - no matter whether that person is alive or dead in the present.

The hallucinogenic effects of the sap can last for hours, or they can be shortened by a dip in the public baths.

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III. Tarot

Night comes, and in the darkness, a robot sets up a table by the beach. A solitary candle sits in the center, illuminating a deck of cards. F̶i̴n̵d̸ ̸y̶o̸u̸r̵ ̵f̵o̸r̷t̵u̶n̶e̷?̴

The robot reveals tarot cards and will do a variety of spreads to tell your fortune. Each fortune can be distilled into one central theme, which characters will find pervades their life for the next 24 hours. There is magic afoot: it can be sensed, and perhaps even dispelled, if luck is on your side.

Though most robots on the island show a capacity for greater-than-average artificial intelligence, this pseudo-psychic 'bot -- M.S. Cl30 -- is less advanced. It only has six interpretations prepared:

Always watch your back. - Characters will be compelled to walk, or even speak, backwards for the duration of the day. Those who mishear it as "wash your back" may spend longer in the shower than usual.
Fake it til you make it. - Characters will feel compelled to act performatively. They will more readily fall into acts for serious or flirtatious roleplay, or try on costumes that reflect a particular persona they're interested in exploring. Faked orgasms will seem quite realistic.
You will receive an affectionate letter from a friend. - Just as it is said, someone will be compelled to engage in correspondence - and whether it turns dirty or not, well, that's up to you! Characters may also quite literally receive an article of clothing with a red letter sewn on the top. What could it stand for?
Hold on tight. - Characters who are given this life advice will start to feel rather clingy. They'll attach themselves to someone's side and refuse to leave, or they may find a "security blanket" item and won't let it go.
You are a generous, giving person. - Characters will feel compelled to do something kind for someone else. Maybe they'll invite someone to the movies, come over and cook, or do that thing their partner is always asking for.
Don't think. Feel. - Even if they weren't before, characters temporarily experience impulsive and hot-headed urges. They will also become very tactile.

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N A V I G A T I O N

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ On Peter's defense, this really was an accident. He doesn't go around playing catch with skulls and randoms strangers. ]

I think I could come up with a nicer way to say hello. [ He replies back, smiling in return. He's glad that the other man is taking it in stride and that he doesn't seem that freaked out by the flower. That last realization does give him some insight because his new friend is either used to weird things happening on the planet of the has an affinity for bones. ] You can keep the flower if you want, as compensation for the trouble.

[ The locals pay well for those, that's what he's heard, offering it is the last thing he can do after almost giving someone a concussion. ]

I'm managing, This isn't the first time I've been kidnapped by aliens. [ Peter shrugs like it's not a big deal, aiming for casual. ] I haven't found a way to contact my team, which is a problem, and I have yet to find any decent alcohol too, heartbreaking. You're new here too?

I'll cherish it forever.

_{[ Klaus, please. ]}

I'd be interested in knowing about this nicer way that you say hello, and, well, a lot more things about you, Sir Butterfingers.

_{[ He twists the flower stem in his hand, dipping down to smell the flower cause.. yeah. Why not. The skull doesn't unnerve him in the least. Klaus seems a little puzzled at Peter's conclusion. ]}

Aliens? Is that what this is? Oh.. was I wrong. I just thought it was a temporal rift though time and space.
Oh, I'm new.. ish. Not new-new. It's been about a month, I think.

[ The blond laughs at that. Why yes, Klaus might be a bit ridiculous but that's Peter's shtick 90% of the time, so he appreciates it in others. ]

Nothing really says 'blossoming friendship' like being gifted flower skulls, right? Who need wine and chocolates. But let's start with the basics. [ He offers Klaus a hand to shake. ] My name's Peter Quill but around the Galaxy, they know me as Star-Lord, a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Pleasure to meet you, man.

[ Peter isn't sure that smelling the flower, or getting your face anywhere close to the skull teeth is a good idea but he's not about to judge Klaus's life choices. ]

Ah, well, who knows for sure? I had issues with both in the past so what is really going on here is anyone's guess. Did you encounter temporal rifts in the past too? A month already...I just got here.

Oh, I don't know if we wanna shake hands I'm kinda.. sappy. In more ways than one.

_{[ Klaus waves two of his sticky fingers at Peter; he can't tell if the other man also has some of the red sap on his hands too, but he still gives Peter a sweet smile. ]}

That's an introduction. I'm just Klaus.
Klaus with a K.

_{[ There's the whole Klaus, Number Four, the Seance from the Umbrella Academy but he's not exactly too proud of his title like Peter would be of his. Klaus half shrugs at his question. ]}

I mean, that's usually how I end up places, soooooo.

[ He snorts at the pun. He likes those, as terrible as they are, and makes quite a lot of them himself. ]

Don't worry, I'm wearing protection. [ With a grin, Peter raises his hand to show that he has his leather gloves on. He didn't want to touch the sap directly either. ]

But I get it, forget about the handshake. A pleasure to meet you, Klaus with a K. You're the first Klaus I've ever met, I won't forget your name. It's a nice one.

[ It's understandable that Klaus isn't happy with his past name or past life but if he ever wants to share, Peter would be interested in listening to it. Meeting people with complicated past and superpowers is almost familiar to him. ]

You can time travel? On your own? I knew a Wizard who could open portals but they were limited to his current timeline.

I do like a man who knows when to wear protection. So responsible.

_{[ Rip. ]}

Yeah, well. I guess I might have come from Germany. I don't know exactly, actually.

_{[ He's now right next to Peter, still holding the weird flower. ]}

Timey stuff.. not my thing. Phew. It would be.. really, really bad if that were my thing. Wow. I never thought about that. No, that's my brother's forte. He's not a wizard.. he's just.. tired and old, I think. So maybe.. kind of wizard-y? Not sure.

I do have my moments. You're the first person to call me responsible in... [ Peter actually has to pause a hot minute and think about that. He comes out blank. ] I don't think anybody called me that before, actually.

[ Judging by the shameless smile he gives Klaus, he's also not too hung up on it either. ]

I like to think I have other, more entertaining skills. [ What are those skills exactly, he isn't telling? Why ruin a good surprise? ]

I've met plenty of tired and old people who couldn't move in time but I've also seen enough strange stuff to believe you. Your family is here too, then?

My judgment isn't the best. Ever.

_{[ Whew. Something feels kind of weird, but Klaus can't really explain it, so he just kind of ignores it. A typical Klaus response. ]}

One of them is. Oh.. but it's really weird.. he used to be dead. But he's here now. And not haunting me anymore. I think we're both kind of adjusting to that.

You could say we were like conjoined twins.. only spookier.

I'm sure you have plenty of other positive traits to compensate for the flawed judgment. Nice hair, for example.

[ Peter feels fine since he really hasn't been in contact with the red sap directly thanks to the gloves, so for now, he's also not noticing that anything might be off.

Klaus goes on about how Ben and he used to interact and Peter looks slightly more confused by the minute. ]

That must be difficult to handle. Was your brother a spirit or...? I died once as well, along with half the galaxy. I spent five years dead, in fact, and got resurrected last week.

_{[ Klaus is genuinely trying to focus on what Peter is saying, but the distant sounds of helicopters and firearms pit-pattering catches his attention and he actually looks to the sky, trying to see the source of the sound. It isn't a new sensation— hearing things that aren't there— but Klaus doesn't know what exactly is causing it.

His eyes fan shut for a moment, squeezing. ]}

Uhm. Yeah, he died and was a spirit. I guess that's just something that happens here. People's spirits come here and get their body.

_{[ Finally, the noise is a bit too much. ]}

Heeeey. Do you hear something? You know, kind of like guns and helicopters going off...?

That...sure is something. What's your brother's name? [ The conversation is taking a rather odd turn, about ghosts, but Peter still finds it interesting, if slightly confusing. And if Klaus's brother is around, he would like to meet him one day.

When the other man starts to look distracted, however, it doesn't take Peter any longer to notice that something is amiss. Maybe Klaus is getting bored? ]

Uhm...no I don't hear anything. [ However, some people have better hearing than Peter does, hell, he can't even be sure yet that Klaus and he are both the same species, and he looks around to see if he can spot any helicopter. Nope, the sky looks as grey as ever so he goes back to look at Klaus. ] Are you feeling all right? Maybe sitting down for a bit would be a good idea.

_{[ Peter is just gonna have to find out Ben's name another time.. though it'll probably happen soon enough. Klaus does talk about his brother a good bit, especially now since he's alive. Slowly, he brings his hands to his ears as an instinctive response as the sound of warfare rings between his palms, though he's trying his best to keep his composure. It's difficult— he might would have done better if the sounds his body decided to hallucinate were something else, like some dumb dance music party from his past, but of course with his amount of shitty luck, he's hearing things that accompany unpleasant visions. Unpleasant visions with the scream of men he knew by name; explosions in the distance. There's blood, people disfigured or having freshly loss limbs in the dim moonlight of the Vietnamese terrain and other shadows he can't make out but would rather not get a closer look. He nods, reluctantly, not even realizing he's already sat down at some point during all of that. ]}

I--

_{[ His voice stammers at first, but then he can't help but laugh as a way to deflect, his eyes finally opening. ]}

I'm tripping out on something, but, I haven't had anything. Not.. not for three years at least.

[ This is not the turn Peter had expected the conversation to take but he's adaptable. When she got sick, his mother also suffered from sudden headaches and changes in her mood. He can more or less navigate the situation out of habit. ]

Oh, okay, ah...don't worry I'm not going anywhere. Maybe there's something about the planet's air that is affecting you...? [ But that doesn't make sense, not if Klaus didn't lie about being here a month already. What else is different? Peters' eyes fall on the skull sunflowers and he frowns. ] Shit. It could be the plants?

[ Peter grabs the sunflower Klaus was holding and ~~yeets~~ throws it away as far as he can, just in case. God riddance, possible evil plant. Then he wipes his gloves clean of any sap residue on his pants before reaching out to touch the small of Klaus's back carefully. It's a loose enough hold that the other man can move away if he wants. If he doesn't, then the Guardian will lead him towards the nearest bench he can see. ]

Is there anything I can do to help? Maybe you want some water? There are no fountains near but the bathhouse is not too far away from here.

_{[ Something about the way Peter assures him he isn't going to leave him reminds him of someone specific, but that might be because Klaus thinks he hears his voice in his head as well. While Peter disposes of the strange flower, Klaus is focusing on taking some steady breaths, his hands trembling lightly against his hair and ears, smearing some left over sap over himself.

Peter's words get lost in whatever noises he's hearing, lower lip tucking inside until he's biting down on it. Otherwise, he's a bit unresponsive to pretty much everything Peter is doing. His voice is quiet, specifically talking to himself. It's bad, but despite all of the traumatizing things he is hearing and seeing, Klaus seems to be doing a spectacular job at not completely going out of control. It's probably because he's tripped on other things before.. just nothing like this. ]}

No, no, no.. quit.

_{[ Still seated, he dips forward (wow, such flexibility) and settles his head between his knees, unaware that part of his weight has shifted against Peter. He remains here for a moment, letting another man's name pass his lips through shuddering breaths. ]}

[ He can't hear clearly what the other man is saying but Peter keeps a hand on Klaus' back to try and anchor him to reality, rubbing small circles in it. He's more used to calm down hysterical armed drunks (like Rocket when he had a bad day) than normal people who are obviously going through Some Shit™, so he's trying his best not to fuck up things more.

With a concerned expression, Peter looks around them in hopes to see one of the local robots. Maybe they have some medical knowledge? He thankfully catches sight of one in the distance and waves at the robot to approach them.

After that, his focus goes back to Klaus. He doesn't know if talking would really help but he can't think what else to do to get the man out of his mind as Klaus settles his head between his knees. He's trying to sound calm and reassuring and really hopes he succeeds. ]

Ey, ey, stay with me, please. Do you..do you like music? Would it help if I sang? Or...I do have my Zune, if you want to listen to some songs. Maybe that could help?

_{[ Music was always something that helped whenever he was having an episode like this, but usually what he heard and what he saw wasn't so.. realistic. It does catch his attention and he lifts his head, meekly nodding and squeezing his eyes shut, then opening them again. Peter certainly favors someone who was extremely important to him now. Someone he loved more than anyone and anything else. Someone who had died. Though, when you're a person who can commune with and see ghosts— someone who gets doped up on what he could— what is fiction and what is real seem to always blend together.

In the back of his mind, Klaus knows he's hallucinating from something, but there's also the hopeful prospect that he's successfully conjured his deceased lover into this world. After all, he had been trying so desperately, even with the complete silence he was receiving from the afterlife here. Klaus wanted to try— just to see how Dave was doing— just to be comforted that he wasn't completely separated from him. Maybe this was Dave; maybe he had done it. Someway and somehow in this moment. But maybe not. He's really confused.

He steadies his hands on Peter, feeling around his chest, specifically where the gruesome battle wound would lay. He flickers his gaze up to Peter. ]}

Oh my God.. you're alright.

_{[ Sometimes his hands would pass right through a spirit, but as of late, he's been doing a great job and manifesting them into something more solid. Definitely more solid. Peter.. he's certainly solid. Some more laughter bubbles up from him, but he also looks like he's on the verge of tears. ]}

[ Okay, thanks to the gods, that there's something useful he can actually do. Peter gives Klaus a nod after the man agrees to the music, then remembers that Klaus might not even really see him per se. So he speaks up. ]

All right, good, I have a lot of great music. I'm sure you'd like it. [ His left hand has moved from the small of Klaus back to rest between his shoulders blades. The right one moves into the pocket of his jacket, fishing the Zune out of it with a practiced movement and not even looking at the screen as he search for the right song. It needs to be something catchy but not stressful, enough to distract but not enough to overwhelm.

In the few seconds he's gotten distracted, something in Klaus has switched and now the man is feeling his up chest. Uhhhh, okay, what. It's not expected but it's better than Klaus suffering a panic attack and Peter is nothing if not adaptable. After another moment of total confusion, he gives Klaus a smile. No matter who he thinks Peter is, it must be someone important and Peter doesn't have the heart to correct him. ]

I am. Fresh as a daisy, promise. [ A hand cups the curve Klaus's jawline, letting the touch linger a moment too long so he can feel that -while Peter is not Dave- he's still solid and warm and real. Said hand also slides up a moment later and Peter puts one of the Zune's earbuds in Klaus' ear. ] Do you know this song, Klaus?

[ If he's capable of focusing enough on it, Klaus might notice that the song playing is I feel the earth move by Carol King. What can Peter say, music from the 80's will always be his favorite. ]

_{[ Despite all the busy noises in his head, nothing else seems to tear his focus away from the other man, simply drifting into a dream that feels too real and too good. It's what he's wanted for such a long time now. He's lost all sense of logic; he didn't want to think about what was happening. He just wanted to enjoy it now. ]}

Fresh as a daisy.. my god, you always say the cutest things.

_{[ By the time that Peter has taken him by the jaw, he's allowed just a single tear to leak from the corner of his eye and when the music hits his ear, he lifts one hand to his face and dries his eye. It didn't even connect to him that this particular song from Carole King is before Dave's time. Klaus merely nods along with the music, now seeming happier than ever. ]}

Yeah, yeah, I do. Shit. This is all I ever wanted, you know.. just.. listening to music with you. We did it a lot.. just not as much as I wanted to.

_{[ Again, music always helped. It helped tune out the bangs and booms— the screams of men dying and the propellers of helicopters. He sings along with, quietly, and slips one of his hands into Peter's, soon resting against the other man. Occasionally, his eyes shut, but he keeps contact with the other man.

Maybe it's cause he wanted Peter to be Dave so badly, he's not going to question the possibility that it isn't. Instead, he'll enjoy it. He did pretty well at coping with things as long as he had something else to focus on, and coincidentally enough, who he's hallucinating... he's his biggest obsession. ]}

[ Peter doesn't know 100% what sort of relationship Klaus had with the person he's hallucinating but it doesn't take a genius to make some assumptions. First, it was important. Second, it didn't end well. It hits too close home for Peter too and he decides that maybe pretending until he can figure out what is wrong with the other man is the only thing he can do at the moment. ]

Well, I try. I would hate to disappoint you. [ He doesn't comment on the tear, giving Klaus a sympathetic look instead. ] Yeah, this is nice.

[ He used to lie down with his mother as well, listening to music together and forgetting the wrongs of the world. It was a simpler, happier time. His hand squeezes Klaus's one in return and they're quiet for a little bit, just listening to the song until one of the city robots finally appears, standing by their side and tilting its head at the affectionate display.

Peter keeps an arm around Klaus and his voice low as he speaks to it, hoping that the music might distract Klaus enough for the time being. They're very basic models that don't exactly help all that much in terms of offering useful information but here goes nothing. ]

My friend isn't feeling well, do you know if the skull flowers are poisonous?

[ In a flat and detached voice, the robot explains where the hospital is located, making Peter wince at the idea of setting foot in that place, and then confirms the flower's sap toxicity, prompting the Guardian to curse under his breath for real. Of-fucking- course. Before it goes back to do whatever these weird robots do on the regular in this city, it tells both men that the water in the bathhouse will get rid of the sickness more quickly. After considering how far away is the bathhouse (not that far) as well as Klaus's capacity for walking (not that great) Peter jostles him a little. ]

What do you say, should we go take bath? It's always relaxing.

_{[ Baths and music were among his list of things to use to cope, so yes, he thinks his is an excellent idea. Even better.. he thinks it's an excellent idea to bathe with his lover. Ghost or not. Hallucinated person or not. Manifested into something real or not. He doesn't know, but generally, Klaus doesn't quite know what's going on and he's become quite proficient at just winging whatever life throws at him.

Peter might want to reconsider fixing Klaus just yet. He seems absolutely giddy at this idea and touches his fingers right under Peter's lower lip. ]}

Who wouldn't want to take a bath with you?

_{[ All too eager, he stands to his feet too quickly and teeters slightly, but steadies his hands on any part of Peter he can.
... well, it seems whatever he's visualizing isn't as bad as it first was, but logically thinking, it is probably better we get him back into a sober mind. ]}

I'll even let you scrub me down.

_{[ Easy there. ]}

[ He will take a flirty Klaus over one having a breakdown any time. Flirty, Peter can do, can deal with. He doesn't want to lead on Klaus too much, however, it wouldn't be fair for the guy. He's just trying to help, the man is in no state of mind to make informed decisions and Peter isn't that kind of a bastard. Klaus is also very close now and caressing his lip, prompting Peter to let out a small, soft laugh. ]

You'd be surprised how many people wouldn't like that. But... [ Peter wraps an arm around his waist to steady him, then places the Zune in one of Klaus's pockets. That way he can keep listening to the music as they walk. ] ...now come on, pretty eyes, time to get you wet. Oh that sounded better in my head...

[ So bold, Klaus. That gets a louder laugh out of Peter. ]

Promises, promises. [ He doesn't walk too fast, keeping an eye on Klaus to catch him if he falls. He's not all sure that walking is among the brunette's actual capacities ].

In more ways than just one, I hope.

_{[ Peter, you have to be careful with what you say around this guy. The sad part is he would probably say it to Peter even if he wasn't thinking he was his deceased lover, but with that confusion, it just makes it even worse.

Klaus trails alongside Peter and allows his waist to be held, sliding his own arm around Peter as he listens to the music, his expression seeming calm and almost daydreamy at this rate. As they walk, he speaks softly: ]}

Even now, you're taking so good care of me, Dave. I..

_{[ He knows in the back of his mind this may not be who he wants it to be, but he doesn't want to say something strange or offensive. Klaus says something that insinuates he might be clued in on what this mirage is and isn't. ]}

I don't want you to leave me again, but I understand you might.. just stay with me as long as you can.
I missed you so much.

The day is long, we will see. If I tell you now what we will be up to, that will ruin the surprise.

[ Peter is worried about saying the wrong thing and triggers some bad memory by accident again so he can only be vague in his replies. So far so good, Klaus looks less stressed even if there's still an aura of sadness clinging to him, one that Peter can relate all too well. Dave, uh? At least now he got the name clearly. ]

Trust me when I tell you that leaving is the last thing I would want to do.

[ The emotion in his voice is genuine. Peter too has lost someone very close to his heart recently and he is in no way over it. He's still processing the loss of Gamora and what happened with Thanos so he's probably not the most suited to try and cheer up someone who's also missing their better half. The bathhouse is visible in the distance, only a few minutes more and they will get there. Now, how to keep Klaus from spiraling into a traumatic episode again? ]

Why don't you tell me what you liked the most about us being together? Your favorite moments.

_{[ Klaus laughs again at that. Peter is doing a magnificent job masquerading as Dave even though he's never met the guy. He settles his head on Peter's shoulder again, any lingering noises of war and death becoming more and more distant as the music plays and Peter's voice hits his ears.

The next question just makes him close his eyes and let out a deep exhale. ]}

All of the moments, really. You give me.. so much more purpose than I ever thought I could ever be to anyone. I can't just pinpoint specific instances, Dave-id. God.

_{[ He dips over so kiss Peter along the slope of his neck. It's brief and chaste. ]}

But.. when we first kissed at the disco.. I think that was a great moment. You felt so warm and kind.. something I never felt from anyone else. And you're just so.. beautiful.

I knew my life would change in that instant, but I was ready for it to change.. so I think that was the best moment. Probably the best moment of my life.

[ Peter has a lot of experience both bullshitting his way out of difficult situations and smooth-talking people. He feels rather bad for what is going on, however, because it's only going to hurt Klaus more once he's back to normal. Unfortunately, there's nothing Peter can do but play along.

He leads them through he bathhouse's door as Klaus talks, walking past curious looking robots and other citizens, his own heart feeling heavy now. Maybe it was a bad idea to ask, he just wanted to keep Klaus thinking of positive memories but it feels like intruding in his life. Peter knows how it is to love someone more than your own life and how soul-crushing it feels to lose them all of sudden. He squeezes Klaus' waist for a moment when the man kisses his neck and then takes a deep breath. ]

That's...that's really sweet, Klaus. [ Peter's voice wavers a little at the end and he tries to stop his mind to wander to his own moments shared with Gamora but it's a lost battle: Their almost first kiss on that balcony of Knowhere, all the times he managed to convince her to dance even for a little while, and the kisses they eventually shared too. It makes his throat feel tight and his eyes sting. ]

Moments like that are unique. When you are certain you finally found someone who wants to stay by your side no matter how many terrible jokes you make or how screwed up everything about your past life turns out to be. I wish we had had more moments like that too.

Yes, good ♥

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cw: war ptsd

cw: war ptsd

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