aubergines | ( #002 ) FAKE MARRIED AU

[ It was an assignment for advanced training. Julio was doing something else, something that he had to go under deep cover for, and there had been no place for him, in that cover. In the meanwhile, he found something to sign up for. As he'd promised, he was trying not to kill too many people, even if they couldn't fight very well but were pretending to. ]

[ ... and he had ended here. With a dark blond man with sad eyes that he had never seen before. That he was going to play husband to, for a while. Uncertain just how long, yet. ]

[ After a quick glance to make sure they were out of sight of the windows (he'd already scoped the place for bugs), he gave a small, calm nod to the man. ]

My name's Benjamin.

[ Michael was aware Shatterstar's arrival and eyed him quietly. A stream of knowledge about the redhead came to him, and the choice of a false name made the corner of his mouth quirk ever so slightly. He replied quietly: ]

I know, my star. [ In case anyone overheard, they could just take it as a pet name. He turned to fully face Shatterstar and gently took the redhead's arms in his hands. ]

Thank you for being here with me.

[ To be fair, the name was not false. His soul, his uemeur, was Shatterstar, assigned Gaveedra Seven shortly after birth. His body, after his original one had died while killing Mojo, was that of Benjamin Russel, a petty criminal who had, in the end, been lying comatose for a long while in a lunatic asylum run by a lunatic mind-controlling child. ]

[ A man who Shatterstar somehow had some memories of, if not the complete set. It wasn't the first time he'd used the name, though it was far from frequent, and if anyone hunted him down by it... ]

[ Well, they'd find the fight they were looking for. ]

[ The address, however, made him freeze for a moment, hesitating in returning the touch. Then one hand came up to his left eye. It could - would - get concealed by makeup. ]

[ After a moment, his eyes intensely on the other man. (Were the roles begun, already?) This close, 'Star was aware of something... different, about the scent of his partner. Not human. Definitely not like him. He tilted his head, and, slowly, raised his hands to return the grip on his arms. ]

I think... this will be interesting. Thank you, as well.

[ Michael caught every little gesture that suggested Shatterstar's reaction. He smiled, but in a way perhaps only angels can, with his entire being - there might have been a momentary brightness to him, not of visible light, but atmosphere. ]

Let's sit for a moment and talk about the evening. [ With that, he moved and shifted his arms to slip one gently around the redhead's waist. It was enough to be affectionate but proper - if anyone were to observe them, they might think this was a couple who was in love and had been for a long while, confident even in a bit of distance between them. ]

[ 'Star noticed that reaction, but wasn't sure what it meant, so he focused on the request, for a moment, his mind seeking out a possible trap because he couldn't not. After a moment, he nodded. ]

S- [ he began to answer sí, but then he stopped himself, turning the sibilant consonant into a softer one, ] -sure. Yes.

[ The touch, on the other hand... it was like nothing he had ever experienced. It did not have the familiar, comfortable intimacy that the same motion made by Rictor would give him, but it was. It was more than a causal touch, and something inside 'Star reacted to it, like a soft, clear note resonating through him. ]

[ He stared at the other man, eyebrows raised, and me made an effort not to let his hackles up. Anything that he responded to might be Mojo-created, after all. ]

[ Or it might not. ]

[ He let himself lean into it, close to the other man without putting his weight against him. ]

Talking will probably be good.

[ Slightly lower, he added, ] am I supposed to offer to provide a ref-- coffee or tea, with that talk?

[ Look, he was willing to learn, but most of his knowledge did come from TV. ]

You could, but I don't want anything for myself. [ Michael continued to guide Shatterstar to place where they could sit and talk, quietly and away from prying eyes. He then pulled away enough to let Shatterstar sit first - he could play a gentleman, even if it was in a bit of an old-fashioned manner. He wondered if Shatterstar would interpret it that way and if he would take offense to being put in an old-fashioned, feminine role, if only for that moment. ]

Would speaking in Spanish make you more comfortable? [ He spoke in the named language, looking to the redhead with innocent curiosity. ] Or is it only for your lover?

[ On the upside, 'Star - even with all the TV that he'd watched - was not versed enough in the 'gentlemanly' thing to pick up on the gesture. For now. His mouth almost curved up at the 'no, thanks' that he even managed to pick up on. ]

[ On the downside? He almost flinched at the question, expression closing down in a scowl. ]

No.

[ No, it would not make him more comfortable. That only worked with people he already trusted, and, most importantly, with Julio. But, no, it was not only for Julio - they had spent enough time in Mexico, where they talked with everybody in Spanish, so it wasn't something they shared exclusively. It just... wasn't for here. ]

[ A sharp breath, and 'Star focused on the here-and-now, again. ]

I should warn you from the start that I am not very good at staying inconspicuous.

[Esther, the savior of the Persian Jews, keeps looking at her companion uncertainly. How had she managed to get a "blessing" like this?]

Are you certain of the wisdom of this? Isn't being with human women how giants are created?

It's more complicated than that. [ Michael was a creature of few words, keeping his answers direct like that. Still, he smiled lightly at Esther. ]

I'm here to keep you and yours safe.

Well, thank you. The risks of a woman out alone... I hate to think about it.

Though, I've not met anyone like you before. What can you tell me about yourself? After all, if we are to be convincing, we should get to know each other, yes?

( #002 ) FAKE MARRIED AU

Michael • Abrahamic Mythology • OTA

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