aubergines | ( #002 ) FAKE MARRIED AU

[ Lucky guess entirely. Peter's always loved dancing, after all. ]

Hey, I was nervous. Can you blame me? I was on a date with the Captain America. [ But then his grin widens, charming and confident, just barely toeing the line of cocky. ]

I'm a much better kisser than a dancer, anyway, sweetie.

[Charles' eyes narrow as he watches Erik retreat. But he takes the key and thanks the woman in cheery manner that somehow manages to convey she can also go directly to hell (do not pass go, do not collect $20) before following swiftly after.

The charade is continued as they wait for the elevator.] You know, you're enjoying this a little too much. [The petite brunette illusion gives him a withering look. Too right he's getting punished for it.] And for that I'm taking the first shower.

[The doors soon open with a 'ping' and Charles walks in first, briefly acknowledging the elevator operator with a smile, before silently taking his place. Unfortunately his expression makes him look like he's pouting more than anything.]

[ Peter Quill, ever full of himself, replies quickly, ] Please. I definitely wanna meet the person who could seduce you away from me. They oughta be dreamy as hell.

[ While she manages to stifle a laugh, her lips still curl into a smile. ]

I don't know if anyone can be dreamier than you, dear husband.

[ He grins, but only for the briefest second. ] Other than you, darling wife.

[ By the time he pulls away, his expression is schooled into something more restrained, but no less fond, and he leads them down the hallway into yet another pitstop, where they're obliged to hand over (forged) paperwork in exchange for two keys and the location of their suite. That done, they're finally directed down another hallway, and welcomed into Refuge proper.

The hallways leads them into what looks more like an outdoor park than a luxury hotel, complete with fields of grass and flower beds and trees and benches. The only difference is that it's walled in by floors and floors of what Peter assumes to be rooms. There's a decent number of people hanging around, walking, doing park-type-things, and judging by the quality of their clothes, toys, and/or omnitools (some of which Peter recognized as models that wouldn't be out for months yet), everyone here was obviously on the wealthier side.

He wonders if money buys naivety as he walks toward the elevators to get to their quarters. It's not like a handful of soldiers and fighter ships could protect all these people from Reapers. ]

Should we explore after we settle into our room, sweetheart? Or would you like to rest?

[ Erik can never forget the horrors of the world, the cruelties levied upon himself and his people -- the vast evil shown to him under the branching hold of the Nazis. The teachings of Shaw and his men are etched deep in the dark of his mind, penned permanently upon curve of his forearm. It lingers on beyond year and memory, until all that is the rage.

For a while, Charles had tempered that rage, had honed his skills in a way even Shaw hadn't managed. But it did not last, could not last.

It feels like confirmation, like a sick, growing sense of the realization that humanity will always fear the superiority of their mutant brethren. But to hear that children are being hunted down and sold--! It reeks of the horror he withstood at the hands of the Nazis, and Erik finds that his snarling rage had not been very far away at all. He's chomping at the bit, anxious to go and find these mutants, save them and help them like he hadn't been until far too late.

Charles is sick at the mere concept, but Erik is repulsed by the knowledge of what these mutants must be going through.

Somehow, it feels oddly comforting to settle in and travel across the country with nobody but Charles at his side for three days. Somehow, it feels strangely comforting to pretend that the man by his side is his husband. The hatred and anger doesn't abate, but there's a calmed edge to it, a sharply honed righteousness that can't be anything but Charles' influence.

So they check into a hotel, pretend that they're a blissfully married couple, when the reality is the fury lit beneath their skin at this travesty they've discovered. Erik leads the way back to their room, trusting Charles to have his back even as he nudges open the door and gestures him in. ]

[ He would be a little more disgusted by the narrow-mindedness of the human race (if one must believe that mutation is natural it's hardly a leap to imagine that a base attraction to someone of the same sex as yourself must be as well, it's pure logic) if he wasn't so utterly entertained by Charles' attempts to get them upstairs faster. It would be charming if it were any other situation.

Still, he lifts a shoulder, his briefcase light in comparison to Charles' little suitcase. He had nothing to pack - Charles did, it was as simple as that. ] Someone ought to get a kick out of your embarrassment. [ And, really. He raises an eyebrow, looking down at the man with a raised eyebrow. Since when has he particularly cared who had the shower first or second? Especially since, usually, they had their own rooms. It'd be a rather endearing test of their ability to share, he supposes.

Leaning down, Erik pauses before he flicks his eyes to the operator and shifts to whisper to his partner instead. ] You're pouting.

[ Kasumi listens to the sounds around them as they walk through the open space. Idle conversations, some music, and even laughter. Now that's something you wouldn't hear on, say, Earth. Kasumi just thinks, my god, these people really don't have any idea nor do they even care to find out about what's really going on out there.

She would never forget what it felt like to see the vids of the Reaper attack on Earth for the first time. She was on Illium, in Nos Astra, and she looked on in horror as the large screens on the trading floor, usually saturated with stock market numbers, ads, and inventories, were showing what could only be described as the utter decimation of London. She remembers the reactions around her: utter shock, disbelief, a few misguided attempts at sympathy that ultimately amounted to "At least it's not Thessia," and even a "Shepard was right all along."

When the shock wore off, she knew she had to do something. She couldn't bring herself to join Shep back on the Normandy, but all along she knew she could use her skill set for something useful for the cause. For Earth, and hell, the entire galaxy. Stealing expensive tech for the Crucible was only one thing and so was stealing otherwise-wasted money to improve conditions for refugees. Infiltrating a suspicious settlement that promises protection from the Reaper threat with frankly alarming rumors surrounding it was another, and possibly the most dangerous. And that's why she knew she had to bring Peter with her. Some jobs you just can't do all on your own--she learned that much from Shep.

She takes note of all the details in their surroundings as they make their way to their quarters with much of the same results hat Peter found when they were entering Refuge: here's a camera, there's a few guards, probable location of a secret entrance over there, and so forth.

When they finally enter the McClains' quarters, the first thing she does is look for any more suspicious elements. She wouldn't put it past this place to have hidden cameras or at the very least audio surveillance and she's sure that Peter doesn't either, and so the act continues even in the privacy of their own "home." ]

Why don't we rest first, darling?

[ Let's see what we have to work with here. ]

[ For Peter's part, the footage had been terrifying, and brought to mind his annual "should I, shouldn't I?" decision in visiting Earth. He decided not to every time (what would be waiting for him, at this point?) and now he's regretting it.

He never did get check up on Gramps. Now it's probably too--

Peter always squashes that line of thought when it crops up. This time around, he busies himself with sending Kasumi a quick smile. ]

Of course. I know how exhausted you are after long trips.

[ He sets the suitcases to the side and moves further into their quarters. It's basically a small suite with a kitchen, a living room, a bedroom, and a bathroom, and it's way fucking bigger than any place Peter's ever stayed, that's for damn sure. It's well-decorated in stark shades of white and black, and everything looks so expensive, that Peter's a weird mix of don't touch anything and take everything and sell it.

He gets over those warring instincts and checks for bugs under the guise of exploring and checking their new home for issues, checking switches and faucets, etc. ]

I'm just going to make sure everything's in working order. You remember the fiasco on Illium, don't you? When the shower wouldn't get hot enough?

[ He wants to punch himself in the throat as he says it. ]

I appreciate that.

[ it's one thing to know that she's technically in charge of him and of strike every time they're on a mission together, that she's running the ops that fury gives her. technically, because there's compartmentalisation and she never knows when someone ostensibly under her command might have received additional orders as well. ( she has no idea about the degreee to which that is true, not yet. )

it's another thing entirely to have him tell her in this context. steph's not great at relationships; she'd spent most her life waiting for the right partner. brock rumlow definitely isn't, but she lets herself think about it for a moment, lets herself imagine.

she's not in love with him and he's not in love with her, but they can make it work. ]

Maybe we were just trying to escape your mother's religious rants about how sex before marriage is a sin. [ she's not entirely serious. ]

[ it makes sense for him to mention. doesn't mean he didn't still hit a nerve, but despite what everyone says, despite how bad she is at undercover: she is getting better at lying and, more importantly, at masking her emotions. so she smiles and doesn't even protest the sweetie. ]

So you keep telling me. [ they can be the kind of couple that gives each other shit, right? ]

[ She grins and shoots him a coy look because she just can't resist the comeback, even under the guise of Mrs. McClain. ]

Darling, I thought we did a great job of making up for the cold water, did we not?

[ Who says you can't mix work and play, anyway? In any case, Kasumi doesn't find anything telltale or alarming about their quarters just yet, but it's still better to be safe than sorry, so she doesn't make any moves to remove her disguise or drop the act. ]

[Boyd is a young man of few words. The ones who do manage to breach through his armor, Erica for example, would be the first to vouch that he has a streak of honor and duty a mile wide. When he's asked to do this there's no hesitation even though he's never really dated before and now he certainly won't for as long Luka needs him to play the part of the fiance. His reputation for being the strong, silent type is an asset in the situation.

No one questions why they're not as affectionate as say Allison and Scott now that they're back together. There are nice little moments where she holds his hand and he finds himself smiling. It might be pretend, but he likes her. He likes to think they're friends if nothing else after all the time they've spend together which means enjoying her company is safe, right? Preferred even no matter how many times Isaac and Erica warn him not to get too attached.]

We'll let loose before we're screwed. [He laughs softly. That's how every party seems to go these days.] Just remember not to try anything that isn't sealed first.

[He's a little over getting poisoned at every party tbh.]

Always with the threats of violence.

[ a little more sassy than you're used to, huh bro? ]

I suppose this is only a task that I can undertake, after all.

[There's a small, very Charles-like frown that crosses his feminine alter-ego's expression.] I'm not embarrassed by this. [This meaning his appearance to the rest of the world. He's confident in his ability to maintain the illusion, despite feeling irritable, and what no one knows won't hurt them.

The second Erik is done whispering, Charles turns his head. Their faces are in startlingly close proximity and it feels...intimate. It probably looks intimate to the outside world, too. To answer the accusation of pouting and mistaken emotional state - ] I'm annoyed.

[Annoyed that certain behaviours are excused if they look one way, while feeling uncertain of Erik's reaction, which in turn also manages to annoy him. And that was after the heat, and the drive, and the bad customer service.

Their floor dings. The elevator operator seems to be steadfastly ignoring what looks like a lover's tiff. Charles removes himself from Erik's personal space and walks past the door to find their door number.]

That isn't what I imagined you'd be embarrassed by, no. [ Erik had rather imagined that his friend might be more put out by the assertion of their relationship with one another, with why they would be entirely comfortable with one room together -- he knew he was pushing the limits of Charles' rather lovely amount of patience. He hesitates, unsure, before he simply allows himself to glance up at the operator.

Then, Charles has all his attention. ] I'm sure a semi-decent shower will wash that away, my friend. No need to be so petulant. [ When they reach their floor Erik is about to reach for Charles' arm - but his friend is out and walking down to their room before Erik can do anything and he simply sighs, shaking his head and getting their things, stepping out without a word to the human. Instead, he follows.

The door has just opened when he gets there and Erik steps through, shutting it behind them and moving to drop the suitcase on the bed before he goes and puts his own briefcase down to one side, unsure. When he approaches Charles it's with a careful air, reaching out to touch his shoulder. Erik has never been particularly adept at comfort and he doubts this time is going to be any better than any other attempts he has ever made in his lifetime. ]

They are idiots. They are uneducated and know very little of what the world outside their little town means, Charles. Did you expect them to think differently about us? [ He steps around so he can look at Charles properly, careful and unsure. ] You should shower. Relax.

[ Oh, so casually, ] Do you need another demonstration? I mean, at this point it's been, like, ten times since we left the car.

[ Peter returns the look and smile in kind. ]

That we did, sweetie. I remember the knocks on our door, asking us to keep it down.

[ For his part, Peter shakes his head, both in amusement and as a signal to Kasumi -- Don't see anything. ]

[ She nods in response; I don't see anything either. ]

So, it looks like our quarters will do just fine for us, hmm?

I'd like to think so. [ He shrugs. ] But, as always, I'll defer to your tastes. You always did have the better eye than I did, sweetheart.

Edited (accidentally a word) 2014-11-03 01:25 (UTC)

[ She gives her husband a playful but loving swat on the arm. ]

Oh, you are such a flatterer, darling. Why don't we take a walk? I'm feeling a lot better.

[ Let's check out what else is going on here. ]

[ He laughs, then takes her hand in his and leads them to the door. ]

If you're up for it. It would probably do us well to meet with our new neighbors.

[ She knows it's all part of the act, but Kasumi can't help but let herself smile a little bit at the gesture. ]

You're right. Maybe they can show us around.

[ And maybe they'll know something about the rumors about this place. ]

Alright, then I'm putting a vote in now for no nicknames whatsoever.

[Her hand sneaks up behind her and she tugs at the long braid at the back of her neck and pulls it around to rest over her shoulder.

It's going to be difficult for them to be convincing, mainly because Yelena doesn't really want anything to do with this assignment and she doesn't exactly have a choice. After a moment she relaxes her grip on her fork, just a touch, and begins poking at her food and checking for any of the more obvious signs of poison or tampering. Her examination is...thorough, really.]

What is this anyway?

[They don't really have American food in Ixia.]

Spa treatments like a couples massage. That should be nice and relaxing for you I think. We can start small and I'll see if I can ease you into things like facial masks or maybe a manicure.

[She pauses a beat and then rubs his chest soothingly as if about to give him some bad news.]

Actually, we ought to get you a manicure for sure if you're going to be shaking hands with any of my contacts. No polish of course but they'll trim and buff and smooth things out.

( #002 ) FAKE MARRIED AU

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awwwye

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