[closed] you call me a mountain

[tigerpoet]

▶ WHO: Nakajima Atsushi and John Steinbeck
▶ WHAT: Picnic date, and then getting frisky after.
▶ WHEN: Mid-September
▶ WHERE: A Lunatia park
▶ WARNINGS: Probable smut and vine bondage later. Also, fluff overload.

[It's good that most of the rips in space have been dealt with. For a number of reasons, really, but the first on Atsushi's mind is that he wouldn't like his date with John to be interrupted.

The weather is pleasantly warm but not sweltering, there's a gentle breeze that isn't strong enough to blow away their utensils, and all in all it's a perfect day for a picnic.]

We really should do this more often. [Said while he unpacks their picnic basket.]

Comments

[graftage]

Yeah, we should.

[Its strange, to find moments like this in the middle of typical Lunatia chaos, but Steinbeck doesn't mind. Atsushi feels comfortable in ways he can't quite put into words. Its a different sort of comfort from Lovecraft, who he feels understands him more than he will ever understand himself, but doing things like this with Atsushi is like coming home to a warm embrace and kind words.]

[He couldn't give that up for the world. Moving to sit on the blanket he laid out earlier, he reaches over to help Atsushi unpack the rest.]

Especially on perfect days like this.

[tigerpoet]

And I couldn't think of anyone better to spend a such a perfect day with.

[Atsushi steals a kiss, just a quick peck on the lips before he pulls out the rest of their food.]

Though I think I'd be happy spending time with you even if the weather were miserable.

[graftage]

Geez. You're as sweet as honey.

[He's happy to receive the kiss, blushing slightly as he reaches for a plate and fork.]

Hey, rain and stuff is fun in its own way! But I guess its nicer when you aren't being soaked to the bone, y'know? But if its with you...getting soaked wouldn't be too bad. Heh.

[tigerpoet]

Getting soaked is nice. Especially when you have someone wonderful to help you out of your wet clothes after.

[you're incorrigible.]

[graftage]

[He sticks his tongue out.]

Come on, we haven't even started the picnic and you're already thinking about the dessert. [The plate perched on his lap, he reaches with his free hand to grasp the other's giving it a squeeze.] You're unbelievable, you know that?

[tigerpoet]

Sorry, sorry. I just get distracted by how handsome you are.

[He squeezes John's hand back in return.]

Picnic first.

[graftage]

Not as much as I get distracted by you, heh.

[...God, he really does sound like one of those cheesy romantic people in a couple from some terrible romantic B-movie. He doesn't know what Atsushi does to him, to make him say things like that, but...its true. It's completely true.]

So, anyways...we got chicken, we got potato salad, we got pie...but that's for last, of course.

[tigerpoet]

[The power of Sap compels you, John.]

It all looks wonderful. -Thank you for the meal.

[Time to try some of the chicken first... ah, delicious.]

How have you been, John?

[graftage]

Ah, thank you for the meal.

[He bows his head, before reaching for the potato salad himself.]

Oh, me? Same old, I guess. Lunatia is as crazy as ever, but...in a way, that's just how it is, huh?

[He...doesn't want to think about those rips in space, thank you very much.]

[tigerpoet]

It's kind of amazing what you can get used to after a while.

[When you've been here a year, even rips in space-time don't faze you so much.]

[graftage]

[A shrug.]

Eh, I don't want to think about it. I thought I had enough of what my world had to offer. I think getting used to stuff that happens here is like, a horrifying standard.

[tigerpoet]

That's fair. We can focus on the good parts of being here instead.

[Like getting to have cute dates with John.]

[graftage]

Exactly! Look on the bright side of life, right?

[He stares at Atsushi, fond, a tinge of blush in his cheeks.]

Any moment I get to spend with you is something I have to treasure.

[tigerpoet]

[What a cute expression. Atsushi has to go in for a quick peck, even though they both probably taste like potato salad.]

That's my line. I adore you, John.

[graftage]

Gosh.

["GOSH"? Really? Its like the words just drain out of his head whenever he hears Atsushi say something nice about him. He returns the kiss happily, blush deepening.]

You sure have a way with words, doc.

[tigerpoet]

I'd like to think so, or I wouldn't be a very good writer.

[Hee.]

[graftage]

Of course.

[He sticks out his tongue, teasing.]

You're the best writer I know.

[tigerpoet]

I'm sure that's not true - you know Edgar after all...

[Atsushi has never accepted a compliment in his life and he never will.]

[graftage]

[TOO BAD, NERD.]

No, Edgar's stuff is good, but...he just loves to take you on a dark ride. Reading your stuff is like...I'm bad at words, but it makes me feel like...you get to the heart of things? It's like, compelling. I could read it any day.

[tigerpoet]

You're too sweet to me.

[If Atsushi pretends to be very interested in this slice of pie he's serving himself, maybe John won't notice that he's blushing?]

[graftage]

That's my line.

[Just going to lean in to touch the other's cheek with his hand.]

Haha. You're as red as a tomato.

[tigerpoet]

H-how can you blame me for that? I can't kiss you senseless like I want to while we're still in public.

[And he really wants to when John says things like that!!]

[graftage]

What about in private?

[He leans in, pressing a kiss against the edge of his lips.]

You can kiss me all you want there, right?

[tigerpoet]

I can and I will.

[He steals another kiss, this one pie-flavored.]

But if I tell you all the things I want to do with you, I think this picnic would have to end early.

[graftage]

I wouldn't mind that. Us ending early, I mean. Come on, tell me.

[Though a part of him still wants the pie - he'll take his fork to steal a piece from Atsushi's plate to eat. That will work.]

[tigerpoet]

...well, so... Tiger tells me that he mentioned I like your vines...?

[Too embarrassed to notice this horrible pie theft.]

[graftage]

Oh...?

[There's a flicker of something mischievous in his eyes.]

It feels like forever since we both played around with those, huh? I'm guessing you want an encore?

[tigerpoet]

Last time was with Tiger, so I only remember bits and pieces. I'd like to experience them for myself, if you don't mind.

[John probably doesn't mind, he figures.]

[graftage]

That's fine. its good to be a little selfish, here and then. Besides...I'll do anything for you.

[He reaches for the other's hand, intertwining their fingers.]

[tigerpoet]

You know it's the same for me, right? I'll do anything in my power to make your dreams come true.

[He squeezes John's hand, smiling brightly.]

[graftage]

That's part of the reason why I love you so much. You're just....so kind.

[It makes him feel so warm.]

[tigerpoet]

It's easy to be kind to the man I love.

[They could go in loops like this forever.]

[graftage]

[Steinbeck leans forward to give a kiss to the other's cheek. Its so chaste, especially compared to the way he purrs into the other's ears:]

Let's finish this pie, and I'll be happy to repay your kindness, hm.

[tigerpoet]

[Atsushi can't help it if he devours his slice of pie a little more quickly than he otherwise would. He fully expects to be teased for it, but such is the price he has to pay.

fast forward to them getting home?]