Or: a seasonal-themed open post. Want to frolic in the spring flowers? Go to a warm, summery beach? Play in the autumn leaves? Have a snowball fight in the middle of winter? Lo and behold, here is the place to do it.
Then shut up and go to sleep. [ His words come off more amused than having any bite, but Shea goes quiet afterwards to listen to his own advice. It's easier to focus on the quiet than it is anything else, to be honest, because Alex is suddenly filling up all of his senses now. He's become so incredibly familiar with his scent and the sound of his heartbeat that at first, it doesn't matter, because they've worn off on one another with their constant proximity.
But this is different entirely. There's a heartbeat thrumming against his own, and it would be easier than anything for him to tip forward and tuck his nose against the soft down of hair at the back of Alex's head. The longer that they remain curled together, the more aware of everything he becomes.
Closing his eyes, he tells himself to just stay still. Unfortunately, there's that sudden awareness that comes with proximity, and Shea realizes far too late that his hand has settled against Alex's him in the act of curling his arm around him.
If it didn't draw attention, he'd probably move it away. But it would draw even more attention to it, and his awareness of it, and this is strange enough as it is.
So he just nestles his other arm underneath his head, because it's more effective than the shitty pillow he just threw at Alex so he'd have two. Why did they have to run into one another in time for the winter chill to set in? Why did they have to run into one another at all?
[ if alex was the type to--no, he's totally the type to stick his tongue out. it's only because he knows shea can't see him, and he rolls his eyes and fidgets a little, trying to get comfortable. the bed was small enough beforehand, but now it feels tiny, and every single part of his body that's touching shea's feels like it's being shocked. there's a traitorously warm feeling that's starting to leak into his chest and down into his gut, and alex knows what that is, and he just--he refuses. shea saved his life, yeah, but not five minutes later he threatened him within an inch of it. the two of them have been in constant arguments the entire trip, probably driving quinn and bean crazy (definitely driving bean crazy, considering she barks at alex, although she barks all the time and he's not really sure what that means for him) but.
maybe the big guy's growing on him. a tiny, tiny bit, now that he's not trying to kill him.
when he sits up a little to fluff his pillows and drop onto them with a thump, he doesn't move out from the arm around his waist. it's comfortable and warm and alex doesn't want to freeze to death. that's the real, only reason behind this, and he shuts his eyes with a huff, trying to fall asleep. everything feels louder, amplified, and he's finding very, very quickly that this is going to be impossible.
eventually, he mutters-- ] Stupid fucking cold. [ which is a sign that no, he's probably not going to be sleeping any time soon. ]
[ Eyes opening again as Alex starts to move around, Shea watches him easily in the dark of the room while he works his pillows into submission. Thinking about it, he's pretty sure the girls got the better room, but he doesn't have much complaint about it. When you live your life in a cage - metaphorical or otherwise - it's easy to enjoy when there are even some minor creature comforts. Despite the fact he has to share with the son of the people that put him in that cage in the first place, it's...
Not as bad as it used to be.
Which he's never going to admit aloud, if he can help it, because this wasn't supposed to happen. This was never supposed to be. Shea wouldn't have killed him - because even years and years away from his birth pack, with years and years of torment and brutality, couldn't destroy the natural instinct to protect those like Alex - but he should have just left him there.
Instead, here they are now. And he curls easily at his back once he's settled down on the bed again, easy despite how much he wants to resist that ease. Besides, it means that he's not going to freeze to death. He's pretty sure that Alex will appreciate that above all else, even if it means sacrificing dignity or whatever. Like the brat has much of it left, after everything that's happened, but it's besides the point. ]
Welcome to the less luxurious side of the world. [ Voice quiet, he snuffles a little, shifting his shoulders to get comfortable. ] If it were summer, we'd probably be roasting alive.
That'd be better. [ it would be. he could take the heat--the kingdom he grew up in was on the water, so it was always warm. always beautiful. now, that castle was drenched in the blood of his mother and father and the rest of the court, and he tries not to think about it too much. the more time you dwell on things, the more they hurt, alex figures, and he's determined to make this one disappear before it even thinks to start causing him grief.
besides, once he cashes in on his bounty, he'll buy the damned castle back and kick out everyone in it. start ruling again.
(a fairer rule. one where people like bean and shea and quinn can live peacefully.)
fidgeting around a little more, like he's trying to get comfortable, too, alex curls up a little further, bringing his knees into his chest to try and stop the occasional shiver that still racks through him. he hasn't dislodged his arm yet, and honestly? he has no plan to. ] Why'd we have to stop here for the night?
[ which is a question he sort of already knows the answer to; he's just complaining, because alex feels the ever-important need to complain, particularly when he's trying very hard not to settle in the nice feelings that are starting to come from this. ]
Says you. [ While the cold doesn't really get to him, Shea hates being in hot weather. It reminds him way too much of being stuffed into a room without air, without windows and with something that barely qualified as a door, leaving him to broil when he was left alone. Colder weather is almost a relief, by comparison. But he gets why Alex would prefer it, considering how much he's still shivering off and on. Nevermind that he's probably not used to it, what with how the castle must have been perfect no matter what time of year it was.
He pushes that thought away, because he's starting to put aside his bitterness when it comes to Alex. While the prince might not have done anything to help people that were being tortured and killed under the Harroway name, he also didn't have a direct hand in it. His silence and indifference spoke volumes, but he wasn't involved.
But he's learning, now. Maybe something will come of it. (Shea hopes something comes of it.)
The fidgeting doesn't really bother him all that much, considering he's prone to doing it himself, he just brings up his knees as Alex does. Maybe enclosing him in more of his body will help, but it's like he's on autopilot more than anything - the moment he moves, Shea follows.
And then he chuffs out an amused noise, not thinking about how close they are when he does. ] Y'want an answer to that, or are you just bitching for the sake of it?
Shut up. [ which is alex speak for "yes, that's exactly it", because alex needs to complain for the sake of complaining. it's something to fill the space between them, because there's not much of it physically, and he has a feeling things are going to get very, very awkward very, very quickly. so alex talks, because that's what alex knows how to do. talk, flirt, wheedle, any kind of diplomatic skill--now that's his calling. he's gotten them out of a couple of sticky situations with his words and nothing else. where shea can be muscle, alex can be honey.
sometimes. most of the time he causes the situations they have to get out of, but it's whatever.
he was expecting to get a little space between them when he moved, and instead, he got shea's thighs pressing to the back of his, which is the opposite of he wanted. (sort of. it's complicated.) alex reaches up and scrubs at his face, slowly, runs a hand through his floppy bangs. ] When I get back, I'm going to buy this place. And then, I'm going to tear it down. And then I'll build a hotel on top of it that has real heating. [ huffily: ] And a pool.
[ A snort leaves him, and Shea lifts his eyes up to look over the top of Alex's head at the wall. If he focuses his attention on one point, maybe it'll make it easier to block out the way that a different kind of warmth is washing over him. It's almost completely enveloping, and he's trying to pretend that it isn't there. Which is funny, almost hilarious, considering he didn't even remotely like Alex not too long ago. He represented everything that had happened to him, the pain and suffering and humiliation, the so-called prestige that would have been brought to the Harroways if they could only fit the collar tight enough.
But it's different than it used to be. When it changed, he doesn't know, but it changed. It crept up on him over months and months and became whatever this is, where he wants to keep him warm and protected.
He doesn't bring attention to what they're doing, or tries not to, just stays curled up with him despite the fact a part of him is lit up and feels like a rabbit - small and startled and wanting to run run run. ] Gonna hire the same staff or you aiming to put them out of work in the process?
[ It's an easy joke, teasing and light, in return for Alex's crabby one. ]
[ alex scoffs, but the sort of smile that dances onto his face is unmistakable. for as awkward as this positioning is, he's kind of glad for it right now, because it lets him keep his face turned away, hide these glances of affection that he can't seem to push down. ] All of them can stay except for the woman at the desk. She looked at us too weird.
[ but they are sort of weird company--a lost prince pretending to be a regular boy and his giant, hairy sidekick. still, he's joking again, because no, he totally wouldn't actually buy this up and replace everyone.
...maybe. okay, jury's still out on that was a joke or not.
he shifts upwards a little to pillow his head on his arm like shea's doing. it's a wise idea, keeps him a little more comfortable, and alex can feel sleep already starting to come a little easier because, damn it, he's comfy. he feels safe and protected and a million other things he definitely wouldn't have felt a few months ago. ] You could work there, if you wanted--I'm sure your smiling face'd be welcoming.
[ Tipping his head up a little more as he snorts - because the alternative is tucking his face down into Alex's neck or shoulder, and so long as he's consciously aware of himself, he's going to resist - Shea can't help the small huff of laughter that leaves him afterwards. ] For the best, probably. Doubt the girls got much better, themselves.
[ Girls with brightly colored hair, even in simple streaks, tend to get looked at the same as the odd pair that the two of them make. Individually, he and Alex would probably blend in with the rest of the world just fine. But he has almost half a foot and a solid fifty, sixty pounds on Alex, like he's made of brick where the little prince is fine crafted glass.
They're gonna get stared at, especially when one of them (Alexander) is a little on the cranky side when a long day leads to a shitty motel.
The laughter becomes something real with the horrible joke - which, actually horrible, but not for the reason Alex aims for - and in reflex with the movement his arm tightens a little. It doesn't loosen much when it peters into a chuckle, but he doesn't notice right off. Instead, he's more focused on smothering down the sudden feeling that's almost like loss, filling a space in his chest.
He shoves it down. ] Yeah, all right. When you don't need me 'round no more, I'll come sit on my arse in the middle of nowhere at a weird, ritzy hotel.
Bean barked at the barkeeper, Quinn looks like she could kill a man with one of her pinky fingers, and you look like you just came right off the mountain as the yeti himself. I'm probably the most normal one out of the three of us, and I'm in exile. [ just saying, okay. alex is pretty normal. he at least looks normal. not to mention, out of the four of them, he is the only human in the bunch. getting the group into this motel had been hard enough, as a lot of businesses don't look too well upon the magical type nowadays. thanks to the harroway laws, the majority of magical creatures had been outlawed.
not that alex would know anything about that.
the young prince buries his cheek in his elbow and pretends not to be happy when shea's arm tightens around him, pretends that the laughter didn't warm something up in his chest. shea is frustrating and just as immovable as a brick wall, and alex used to think he was as smart as one, too--he'd been proved wrong in that, certainly--but beyond anything else, they've started to become. ugh. friends.
maybe even more than that. loftily, and to continue the joke, he adds: ] You'll have to shave. It's a requirement.
Too bad I cut my hair more frequently. Could've really looked the part. [ Except that was from another time, one before he was reintroduced to society as a person and not a dog. That would be going back quite a few steps, and bringing him to memories he's not fond of reliving if he can help it. But here, in the present, things are... good, for once. His voice carries amusement, still. Especially when he teases Alex. ] You're the only one that's human, and I'm not sure you fully qualify. An ability to do magic means something more.
[ Which would be unfortunate, if someone found out. Punished by his family's own laws. How ironic - the family falls, and still punishes those who have magic in their blood, possibly its own blood.
Normally, Shea tries not to focus on what his senses tell him about Alex. But right now, in the middle of winter, it's like a small patch of warmth, like the lost prince is sun-baked and straight from summer. Emotions are difficult to describe, but he knows how to identify them. And this is a strange kind of happiness.
Quiet as he soaks it in, he carefully lowers his head again, angling it to rest his cheek against the down-soft hair at the back of Alex's head. If he doesn't say anything, maybe he won't have to move, nose tucked down and face hidden. ]
Nah, think I'll pass. [ Maybe he's not book smart, maybe his education has been limited and he doesn't know a lot about numbers and science, but he knows his instincts and trusts them. He knows magic and lore because it's in his blood. And he knows that leaving Alex will be the hardest thing he's ever done, in the end. ] Have a beard again by midday anyways.
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But this is different entirely. There's a heartbeat thrumming against his own, and it would be easier than anything for him to tip forward and tuck his nose against the soft down of hair at the back of Alex's head. The longer that they remain curled together, the more aware of everything he becomes.
Closing his eyes, he tells himself to just stay still. Unfortunately, there's that sudden awareness that comes with proximity, and Shea realizes far too late that his hand has settled against Alex's him in the act of curling his arm around him.
If it didn't draw attention, he'd probably move it away. But it would draw even more attention to it, and his awareness of it, and this is strange enough as it is.
So he just nestles his other arm underneath his head, because it's more effective than the shitty pillow he just threw at Alex so he'd have two. Why did they have to run into one another in time for the winter chill to set in? Why did they have to run into one another at all?
How did this become his life? ]
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maybe the big guy's growing on him. a tiny, tiny bit, now that he's not trying to kill him.
when he sits up a little to fluff his pillows and drop onto them with a thump, he doesn't move out from the arm around his waist. it's comfortable and warm and alex doesn't want to freeze to death. that's the real, only reason behind this, and he shuts his eyes with a huff, trying to fall asleep. everything feels louder, amplified, and he's finding very, very quickly that this is going to be impossible.
eventually, he mutters-- ] Stupid fucking cold. [ which is a sign that no, he's probably not going to be sleeping any time soon. ]
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Not as bad as it used to be.
Which he's never going to admit aloud, if he can help it, because this wasn't supposed to happen. This was never supposed to be. Shea wouldn't have killed him - because even years and years away from his birth pack, with years and years of torment and brutality, couldn't destroy the natural instinct to protect those like Alex - but he should have just left him there.
Instead, here they are now. And he curls easily at his back once he's settled down on the bed again, easy despite how much he wants to resist that ease. Besides, it means that he's not going to freeze to death. He's pretty sure that Alex will appreciate that above all else, even if it means sacrificing dignity or whatever. Like the brat has much of it left, after everything that's happened, but it's besides the point. ]
Welcome to the less luxurious side of the world. [ Voice quiet, he snuffles a little, shifting his shoulders to get comfortable. ] If it were summer, we'd probably be roasting alive.
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besides, once he cashes in on his bounty, he'll buy the damned castle back and kick out everyone in it. start ruling again.
(a fairer rule. one where people like bean and shea and quinn can live peacefully.)
fidgeting around a little more, like he's trying to get comfortable, too, alex curls up a little further, bringing his knees into his chest to try and stop the occasional shiver that still racks through him. he hasn't dislodged his arm yet, and honestly? he has no plan to. ] Why'd we have to stop here for the night?
[ which is a question he sort of already knows the answer to; he's just complaining, because alex feels the ever-important need to complain, particularly when he's trying very hard not to settle in the nice feelings that are starting to come from this. ]
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He pushes that thought away, because he's starting to put aside his bitterness when it comes to Alex. While the prince might not have done anything to help people that were being tortured and killed under the Harroway name, he also didn't have a direct hand in it. His silence and indifference spoke volumes, but he wasn't involved.
But he's learning, now. Maybe something will come of it. (Shea hopes something comes of it.)
The fidgeting doesn't really bother him all that much, considering he's prone to doing it himself, he just brings up his knees as Alex does. Maybe enclosing him in more of his body will help, but it's like he's on autopilot more than anything - the moment he moves, Shea follows.
And then he chuffs out an amused noise, not thinking about how close they are when he does. ] Y'want an answer to that, or are you just bitching for the sake of it?
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sometimes. most of the time he causes the situations they have to get out of, but it's whatever.
he was expecting to get a little space between them when he moved, and instead, he got shea's thighs pressing to the back of his, which is the opposite of he wanted. (sort of. it's complicated.) alex reaches up and scrubs at his face, slowly, runs a hand through his floppy bangs. ] When I get back, I'm going to buy this place. And then, I'm going to tear it down. And then I'll build a hotel on top of it that has real heating. [ huffily: ] And a pool.
[ this, though--this is a joke. ]
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But it's different than it used to be. When it changed, he doesn't know, but it changed. It crept up on him over months and months and became whatever this is, where he wants to keep him warm and protected.
He doesn't bring attention to what they're doing, or tries not to, just stays curled up with him despite the fact a part of him is lit up and feels like a rabbit - small and startled and wanting to run run run. ] Gonna hire the same staff or you aiming to put them out of work in the process?
[ It's an easy joke, teasing and light, in return for Alex's crabby one. ]
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[ but they are sort of weird company--a lost prince pretending to be a regular boy and his giant, hairy sidekick. still, he's joking again, because no, he totally wouldn't actually buy this up and replace everyone.
...maybe. okay, jury's still out on that was a joke or not.
he shifts upwards a little to pillow his head on his arm like shea's doing. it's a wise idea, keeps him a little more comfortable, and alex can feel sleep already starting to come a little easier because, damn it, he's comfy. he feels safe and protected and a million other things he definitely wouldn't have felt a few months ago. ] You could work there, if you wanted--I'm sure your smiling face'd be welcoming.
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[ Girls with brightly colored hair, even in simple streaks, tend to get looked at the same as the odd pair that the two of them make. Individually, he and Alex would probably blend in with the rest of the world just fine. But he has almost half a foot and a solid fifty, sixty pounds on Alex, like he's made of brick where the little prince is fine crafted glass.
They're gonna get stared at, especially when one of them (Alexander) is a little on the cranky side when a long day leads to a shitty motel.
The laughter becomes something real with the horrible joke - which, actually horrible, but not for the reason Alex aims for - and in reflex with the movement his arm tightens a little. It doesn't loosen much when it peters into a chuckle, but he doesn't notice right off. Instead, he's more focused on smothering down the sudden feeling that's almost like loss, filling a space in his chest.
He shoves it down. ] Yeah, all right. When you don't need me 'round no more, I'll come sit on my arse in the middle of nowhere at a weird, ritzy hotel.
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not that alex would know anything about that.
the young prince buries his cheek in his elbow and pretends not to be happy when shea's arm tightens around him, pretends that the laughter didn't warm something up in his chest. shea is frustrating and just as immovable as a brick wall, and alex used to think he was as smart as one, too--he'd been proved wrong in that, certainly--but beyond anything else, they've started to become. ugh. friends.
maybe even more than that. loftily, and to continue the joke, he adds: ] You'll have to shave. It's a requirement.
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[ Which would be unfortunate, if someone found out. Punished by his family's own laws. How ironic - the family falls, and still punishes those who have magic in their blood, possibly its own blood.
Normally, Shea tries not to focus on what his senses tell him about Alex. But right now, in the middle of winter, it's like a small patch of warmth, like the lost prince is sun-baked and straight from summer. Emotions are difficult to describe, but he knows how to identify them. And this is a strange kind of happiness.
Quiet as he soaks it in, he carefully lowers his head again, angling it to rest his cheek against the down-soft hair at the back of Alex's head. If he doesn't say anything, maybe he won't have to move, nose tucked down and face hidden. ]
Nah, think I'll pass. [ Maybe he's not book smart, maybe his education has been limited and he doesn't know a lot about numbers and science, but he knows his instincts and trusts them. He knows magic and lore because it's in his blood. And he knows that leaving Alex will be the hardest thing he's ever done, in the end. ] Have a beard again by midday anyways.