aterat | The detective gives that trip 0/10. Would not visit again

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The detective gives that trip 0/10. Would not visit again

Who; Llewellyn and people
What; 2 Open logs and 1 closed
Where; Assorted
When; All through May
Warnings; Alcohol for a start. I will update accordingly depending on what gets discussed. Update: Brief mention of homophobia and unfair laws of the era in Ignis' thread, discussion of a murder case in thread with Ivy.

( I can also do personalized starters if you want! just let me know either on Discord: WhimsicalSpook#8219 or Plurk:

whimsicalspook You are also welcome to throw a starter at me if you want, I don't bite!)

Finding his way home. - Closed to Rhy

It was late in the evening and footsteps were echoing through the sewers of of the city. Steps unsteady and a little staggered as the man exited the tunnels with a distracted look on his face.

He doesn’t really look particularly different how how he did a week ago when he disappeared. His gaze lightly unfocused as he walked almost on autopilot, his mind a whirl. Less a flock of starlings as he was prone to describing it and more of a tornado, and his emotions running rampant.

There was so much in his head now, too much. It was scrambling to sort what seemed like two very different lives. Almost two years away from home, between the Sphere and this world… And nearly that long suddenly stuffed in his head from his own world, much of it far less pleasant in some ways than the two years he’d come to know away from it.

Leaning against a lamppost, Llewellyn took a deep breath and then another as his eyes finally focused on the world around him. He was back, back in the world he’d come to think of as his home… And after having been back in his world? It had only cemented that feeling, regardless of how powerless and ill prepared he felt when it came to some of the things that happened here… It was better than the gnawing pain and repeated cycle of loss that he felt trapped in.

He wasn’t sure if he wanted to cry in frustration or relief as he stared at the quiet evening around him. Frustration for what he’d gone back to with no memories of this place, or in pure relief for being here again. Regardless, a few stray tears escaped anyway, though he’d deny it if asked.

… He’d deny a few things if asked, honestly.

“I need a drink…” He muttered, wishing to quiet his over-loud, racing thoughts just a little. It had practically been a part of his schedule over the last few months… Drink to quiet the thoughts, drink to numb the feelings that you wish you didn’t have, drink to forget how once again you were alone.

Then, absently, a particular thought rattled into place. Here he wasn’t alone. He had someone waiting for him.

Rhy.

The name comes to the forefront of his mind, and his heart suddenly ached for a different reason. How long had he been gone for? He’d promised not to leave the man, promised to stay by his husband’s side and not leave him to feel so very alone again…

The drink is forgotten for now, and Llewellyn turns in another direction, the correct direction. He wavers on his path once in a while, if only because worry had begun worming its way into his head. Worries of what to say to his husband, worries about what the man would think if he heard some of the last two years. Fear of disappointment, or judgement, or...

Llewellyn squinted at the door before him, the stained glass rose window glowing lightly with light from within. He had made it back without realizing it, so caught up in his own head again.

At first, he almost does the absurd thing, and knocks. Instead, having a small sensible thought break through the confusion, he pulls out his key and lets himself in.

It's an odd feeling as he wandered into the entry hall. Relief sinking in, the wonder of 'this is my home, it's safe here' catches a hold of him lightly. It's not the slightly lonely boarding house room, dim and empty aside from a few personal belongings, wine, and case notes. It's warm, bright, inviting, vibrantly full of life.

There's just one thing left... He wants- needs to see Rhy. Despite the vague anxiety of what on earth he might say, and the fear of how long he might have been gone lingering... He needs to see him. "Rhy?" He spoke as he began moving from one room to another in hopes of searching.

His voice doesn't sound as strong or confident as he'd like, he notes. He needs to fix that when does see his husband.

But it's a start.

Business as usual. - Gullwings or Aerith's shop ~ OTA if anyone wants to try to catch his attention when he's hiding in his work

If there was anything that would never change about Llewellyn, it was his proclivity for choosing avoidance of issues in favor of work. Why dwell and talk about the things in your head when you could be focusing on being productive and useful.

There were plenty of things that needed his attention, after all. There was work to be done at the Gullwings offices. He was a week behind on the smaller cases he'd taken on around the city, and hey- wouldn't it be nice if he tidied his desk a little? Adjust the tornado so it looked a little more...

Well, not better, but as though it had moved around a bit? Maybe a little more centralized on his desk instead of overflowing onto other people's spaces?

Plus, he noted with some confusion, he needed to tidy up the many odd little flowers that had been left on his desk. Llewellyn certainly didn't remember putting them there, and their presence puzzled him some...

Yes, anyone who walked in on seeing him organizing was probably going to wonder if they were hallucinating.

Then there was the flower shop. The detective knew he had time to make up for there, having left Aerith to take care of things by herself so rudely.

They were into the time of year where flowers were blooming and just waiting to be gathered to arrange in vases or baskets. So it wouldn't hurt to give the plants a little extra attention, would it? Especially since she'd allowed him to leave some of his starters to transfer at a later date.

Really, between arrangements waiting to be put together and flowers needing care, there was plenty for him to help with to make up for his absence!

Whether it was the office or the garden shop, there was nothing wrong with putting in a little more time here and there! And it gave him time to catch up with and check on people, which was still a priority at the end of the day.

I'll have that drink now. - The Tavern ~ OTA But warning for excessive drinking

Llewellyn was... adjusting.

Yeah, let's go with that. It sounded better than anything he could come up with. He really just needed time, he was sure. Time to finish sorting all the new thoughts and experiences into their little boxes on a shelf in his mind. Once that was done, he would lose the vague amounts of distraction and the questions of if he was listening or if something was off would stop.

He could do without those, really. He was fine. One hundred percent okay. Just adjusting. Just processing almost two years' worth of information.

Just trying to shake off the paranoia and anxiety that's still lingering from being in my own world. He let out a long breath while he waited for the tavern-keeper to bring him another drink.

Since it was just him and his thoughts? He could admit to himself that... There were some things that were less than fine.

He was tired of looking over his shoulder every time he was with Rhy, worried about some unknown seeing them and bringing danger down on their heads for just walking.

Tired of wondering when he was going to mess things up here, too. Both his personal life and professional life had... developed quite a track record. An annoying voice in the back of his mind kept musing that it might only be a matter of time before the rug got pulled out from under him.

And he was damn tired of the vague, lowered faith in the people around him. Expecting someone to spout some idiocy or opinion that would hurt someone who didn't deserve to be hurt, or even some slight against him when he didn't agree with them.

What happened to the progress he'd made? What happened to the glass being half full instead of half empty?

Another glass of something amber in colour was set in front of him, and idly he mused, 'There's a full glass.' As he pulled it towards him, hoping it might quiet his mind some while he passed some time before going home.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well, he'd be there for him.

"I swear I will be with you for as long as the worlds will let me."

And that was all that mattered. So he holds Rhy close, trying to rest. It's so much easier to rest here, like this. It's peaceful.

"Come up to bed? We'll have Pretzel sleep with us tonight."

Llewellyn felt something warm and soothing wash over him at those words, for the first time in what seemed like forever… And in a way it had been, after the last couple years away from here.

“Then I’ll find a way for us to stay together, my love.” He smiled softly, drawing his arms around Rhy and returning the embrace. It was a comfort, grounding him to be held close. He wasn’t alone here, and he was as loved and wanted as he felt for the other leaned against him. He would make this happen, make it work… For the both of them, a new investigation to start that would be for their benefit.

The idea of curling up with Rhy and their sweet little hound was so appealing. It was almost sad, really, how good it felt to think that they could simply enjoy each other’s company in their home without the worries or fears he’d felt recently. Dashing the lingering tears from his eyes, he finally nodded. “I would love that, just the three of us… And I think… if it’s alright with you… I’d like to take a few days more with you, before I return to work?” He added thoughtfully. He knew there was much to do, especially with this newer revelation, but he wanted to spend some time with his husband. Making sure they both rested and got their time.

And… He really needed to sort his thoughts. Rhy hadn’t pushed him for more information, but there was quite a lot he was trying to sort and deal with that people were bound to notice if he wasn’t careful.

"Of course you can," he says, because he will find a way to make it work. Rhy pulls away, getting to his feet and moving to scoop up their lovely dog, who seemed very eager to be picked up to try and get a chance to lick his master Llewellyn's face.

"Come on, dear. Upstairs."

Llewellyn smiled softly, feeling so very lucky for his husband’s support and belief… It was just helping to settle his nerves, so for now he could simply focus on what they had here and… try to forget about everything else for now. As Rhy got to his feet to collect Pretzel, Llewellyn finally pushed himself to his feet.

A surprised laugh escaped him though as he observed Pretzel trying to stretch his neck out from where he was cradled in Rhy’s arms to get at his face. It was a good sound, if anyone knew how little he’d been doing so of late. “Missed you too, bud.” He reached out to give the dog a gentle little scratch behind the ear. “Going to have to give you a good little reward for keeping your dad company, hm?” Llewellyn mumbled fondly, glad that the two had each other in his absence. Part of him wished he’d had them both with them, and the other half was just glad they hadn’t had to be in that place with all its unfairness and judgement.

Once the little hound had settled in Rhy’s arms, satisfied from the attention of both of his favourite people and being carried, he tilted his head at Rhy again. “Of course, my love… I just want to be with you both. Forget the rest… just for now.” He responded softly, still drawing an arm around Rhy’s shoulders and moving for the stairway.

"I could forget it all, just to be honored with the memory of your arms. That said, you should send a quick message out to Aerith, and others. They are worried about you."

And while tomorrow or the coming days would be enough to see them, for now, he should tell them.

They were? Llewellyn’s brow furrowed a bit, considering the idea… He knew he should. It would be proper. But… He didn’t want to deal with the influx of questions that would come with it. He knew the people he worked with and none of them would simply let it be until he saw them. “It’s a bit late now to be messaging them. I’ll send word in the morning… Otherwise, we’ll be bombarded with questions that I um- don’t feel particularly capable of answering right now.” He finally responded with a small nod. His tone might have come off a bit weak… But… He needed time to think of how to answer, and how to work around answers he didn’t want to give.

It was probably one of the first times since he originally left his world that withholding truths was the more appealing way to proceed. Which wasn’t right, of course, and he was terrible at it… But there was truly too much that he felt particularly complicated or even ashamed of.

Either way, his response definitely seemed a little unlike him.

"And here I would have suggested leaving your Tell Phone down here," Rhy said before pulling away. It was time to go upstairs. Time to find their secure place to rest.

Rhy wasn't quite ready to touch on what happend to Llewellyn, so he truly would let the evasion stand.

Llewellyn knew that was a good point, but he was already taking the out thanks to Rhy, not pressing, and moving for the stairs himself. He was sure with just… A little time, he’d know what to say and he would let people know in the morning. That was the plan, or so he told himself.

He wanted to get comfortable and to soak up Rhy’s presence, so with a soft hum as he reached the bedroom, he looked around and took the sight in. Re-familiarizing himself with the space he felt like he hadn’t seen in two years. “I’ve missed this…” He murmured, looking from the bed to the balcony and then back to his husband. “Missed curling up with you and basking in your presence.” He murmured, before looking at the bed.

It looked freshly made… Or as though it hadn’t been slept in at all, so he gave Rhy a small, questioning look as he loosened his tie. “You should get comfortable, love.”

The room was not the most neat it had been. Clearly Rhy was not taking good care of himself when his love had been gone. But he looks relieved that he had managed to make the bed the first day Llewellyn had been gone, hopeful for his return.

Since then he'd lived on the couch.

Tired as he was, Rhy flopped down on the bed, lowering Pretzel onto it as well.

"I'll be more comfortable with you in it."

Llewellyn found the signs found of his husband neglecting himself more worrying than anything. He could tidy things up properly later, but for now, he was more concerned with making sure Rhy got the rest he clearly needed. His habit of worrying about loved ones and trying to care for them might have increased some, after all, given the kinds of losses he had suffered so recently.

Glancing over his shoulder, he offered a soft smile. “I’ll join you in a moment then, love. We’ll make things quite cozy, I promise.” He finished changing then, leaving his slightly rumpled suit aside to clean and take care of in the morning. Pretzel was quite excited as Llewellyn neared the bed. Bouncing over the mattress back and forth between his two favourite people.

Chuckling softly, he sat on the edge and pulled his legs up to move closer to Rhy. Holding his arms open, he gestured for the other to come closer.

It was pleasant to see Pretzel so happy. And Rhy breathed a sigh of relief to curl against his husband. It was nice to be against the larger man.

"I was so scared that I was going to be alone. Losing you should be unimaginable, and now I can imagine it far too well.

Llewellyn wrapped his arms around Rhy, resting his head gently on top of his husband’s once he was curled in close. It was a comfort to have him so close again, and he breathed easier with the security of a gentle weight against him. “I know what you mean… I hate that I couldn’t even remember that you were here waiting for me. Now that I’m here, I can’t even fathom the idea of forgetting you.” He murmured absentmindedly, tone soft as he watched Pretzel wearing off a little excitement before curling up next to their legs.

“I always knew it was a possibility- one for either of us… But it’s been so long that I rather hoped that was a sign that we wouldn’t have to worry about it happening.” He certainly wouldn’t have asked to go back to his, and given how it had gone… He would be content if it never happened again.

No, he doesn't want to consider the possibility. It would be be too difficult. To painful to consider being home without the man he loves. And to not know it. So he just clings to Llewellyn al the tigther.

Llewellyn gently let his fingers run soothing circles over his husband’s back as he felt the other’s grip tighten slightly, a soft hum escaping before he pressed a light kiss to the top of his head. Trying to commit the feel of the other wrapped in his arms to memory, just needing that comfort now. Absently, trying to keep his thoughts from spiraling too far, he murmured. “I can’t think of anywhere I’ve been that’s as comfortable as I am with you near.”

"Good. Now we're going to lay down and I'm not letting you go until our bodies complain."

Because doing anything else felt truly unwise.

“I like the sound of that plan. Let’s get some rest, love.” He responded, pressing a small kiss to the top of Rhy’s head, wanting to at least make sure his husband got some rest… He wasn’t sure how much he’d get, but at least just having the other close would be a comfort and a firm reminder that he was home. He carefully drew the blanket up over Rhy’s shoulders and made sure the other was comfortable enough to get some sleep.

Comfortable was going to be harder given the fact that Pretzel was with them. The pup was absolutely excited to have Llewellyn home, not to mention being on the bed. He hadn't been allwoed on the bed since he was a pup! To be allowed it now in this situation was clearly exciting to him.

"Settle down little one," Rhy said to the dog as he closed his eyes.

Llewellyn tilted his head slightly at the excited pup. It was really quite sweet and so strange at the same time. He’d missed this, the three of them together…

Reaching out, he gently gave the pup another few pets and tried to shift carefully to make space for Pretzel to hopefully curl up next to their legs and settle with a little extra attention. “I missed you both a lot…” Even if he hadn’t remembered them, the jarring suddenness of not only remembering what he had here and having them near again after what felt like years was a lot to take in. “But you need to settle for now, bud. We’ll do something together soon, maybe the park.” he mumbled absentmindedly, using his free arm to continue to try to help the pup calm down with some nice scratches behind the ear.

"Yeah, settle down pup," Rhy says, his voice sleepy as he lays there, curled up in the arms of his older lover. He just wants to be held right now. It's all he can hope for.

"I just want to stay here, forever."

Pretzel let out a little sigh and settled his head onto one of their legs, tail thumping lightly. It was hard for him to not be excited, but the attention and the coziness did seem to help as Llewellyn kept patting his little head. The comment gets a small, thoughtful sound from Llewellyn. “I would like nothing more than for that as well, my love…” And he meant more than simply in bed curled around his husband. If he could stay with his beloved, he realized just how happy he would be, and how lucky he was to have such love.

Gently brushing fingers through the other’s hair softly, he let his eye rest on the other two. “I’m… afraid that I might wake up without you still in my arms, that this might be some kind of dream…” That he’d be back there again, alone and not knowing of the love and family he had here.

"I'm not the one going anywhere," Rhy noted, and yes, he was absolutely not pleased with all of this. With the idea of losing his lover, his love, his anchor again.

"Don't say such things that might become true."

The very idea that his words might have put such an idea out there into the universe was unsettling for Llewellyn, and his embrace strengthened slightly, with a small shudder. He didn’t want to think that Rhy might go somewhere one day, his thoughts musing that it could easily happen. Either by the whims of these worlds or his own mistakes or shortcomings. “No… You’re right, I know my heart couldn’t bear it.” Losing those who’d had his heart in his world twice now had been hard, but there was so much more between him and his husband when he thought about it. That would feel like too much, too cruel…

Neither of their hearts could likely bear it. Rhy let himself hold his lover, and yeah, there were tears. Tears of joy at least, and that happens here, and he doesn't care. There is no shame with it. It made him happy just to have him here.

Llewellyn felt his shirt dampen with tears, and concern crossed his face again… He didn’t know they were tears of joy, and the worry he felt worsened momentarily. He didn’t want to be the cause of distress. The very idea reminding him of things that had happened and the potential realization that he wasn’t worth that distress to keep around was hard to shake off.

“I’m sorry, my love.” He murmured, running his hand over Rhy’s back soothingly. “I promise you I’ll find a way to stay at your side. I’ll do better than before to keep my promise to you.”

Of course he was worth the distress. He might be the only thing Rhy had left that was.

“I will fight the gods themselves to keep you at my side.”

The detective gives that trip 0/10. Would not visit again

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