heavymetals | ( psl ) what comes after

( psl ) what comes after

[ It's a day like any other, as close to normal as one can get to a place like this. Living in Duplicity has become strangely so, as one gets used to the machinations of the city, the plots and twists they often find themselves dragged into. Even with the occasional struggles Erik's dealt with, he's had one rock here, a point of stability that's always kept him grounded, and kept him from doing something truly stupid and reckless.

Life with Bobby has been just that. Not just stability or routine, but safety, and in a way, happiness. So much so that Erik hasn't quite thought of leaving, going back to his own world, even when he knows the likelihood of that happening. He has certainly never thought of how that might happen, not until he's sitting in the living room of their house, and the door that should lead to the bathroom simply starts to glow. ]

Robert? [ He calls out to where his boyfriend's getting dinner ready, glancing over when he comes over. He gestures to the door, frowning. ] Do you see that?

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[ In Erik's arms, Bobby nods, pausing for a moment to consider their situation, all the options laid out in front of them, before speaking again. ]

You're right. We have time. I can do most of the errands needed and maybe even do a bit of part time while we're here.

[ He lifts a gentle hand to caress his boyfriend's cheek, thumb stroking his skin affectionately. ] We'll get through this together. [ Then, with a lopsided smile. ] You'll have to be cooped up in this room for a bit, though.

[ It's a small price to pay for this miracle they've been given. He doesn't know how often people from Duplicity get to leave together and even join another's time or world, so he counts this as a blessing, not by those overlords, but maybe just great happenstance. To have this second chance, to be able to live out the little fantasies Bobby had while he's cuddling with his beloved after some good love-making, is something he had never thought possible. He won't waste a single minute of this. ]

[ That will be useful, and a good way for Bobby to get a little more used to this time. He'll be considerably safer out in public than Erik himself, so really the only option here is for Bobby to be the one running errands before they make a decision on where to go from here.

That observation gets a small smile from him, an eyebrow raised in amusement. ]

I have previous experience, I'll be alright.

[ This is still infinitely better than that small cell underneath the Pentagon, and his time in the camps begs no possible comparison. He was already determined not to cause trouble before Duplicity, and now that he has Bobby with him, even more so. ]

[ It doesn't fully sink in to Bobby why Erik's amused, but when he says those words, they get him to chuckle a little. ]

Someone's got jokes.

[ He laughs some more before completely leaning in to the embrace once again, just basking in the joy and relief of 1.) leaving Duplicity together, and 2.) having a plan while they're here. ]

Do you think I should bartend or would that expose my powers too much? I want something a bit low profile, but can also earn us a bit of cash so we can transfer somewhere more quiet.

[ Leave it to Bobby to think on his feet, as well as formulate feasible plans for the both of them. ] We should probably minimize room service, too. [ This room he got has a sparse kitchen, and the money's enough to last them two to three weeks. If he can get a job right away, they'd be set. ]

[ He just raises both eyebrows, smile perfectly innocent. Who, me?

But he moves past it, as he hums and ponders on that option. ]

You have complete control of your powers, so I doubt you'd have issues. Plus, it would get you some good tips.

[ Better in some bars than others, though Erik's not entirely sure if gay bars would be easy to find in this partiular town. ]

We can also just leave if we start having trouble.

I agree. Leaving is clearly an option we have.

[ Hopefully, not in the very near future since it'd do them both good, especially Bobby, some adjusting period. But he knows they can't stay here for long. Aside from Erik's reputation, he had already envisioned a much quieter, more peaceful area for them. ]

But yeah, you're right. I'll just have to be extra careful here than back in Duplicity.

[ Then, with a teasing smile - ] Hopefully no one finds me too charming as a bartender.

[ He agrees, taking some time here would be ideal, not just so they have more funds but so they can find the safest way to get out of here. Out of the States, preferably; Erik has a feeling people here will recognize him far more easily than anywhere else in the world. ]

I might have to come out of hiding if that happens, [ He points out with an amused little smirk, not actually concerned. They may have come from Duplicity but Erik absolutely expects that it's clear their relationship is exclusive now, when there's no reason and no encouragement for them to sleep with other people. And he trusts Bobby completely, so that's not even in question here. ]

[ Erik's amused little smirk earns a chuckle from Bobby, finding the image of his boyfriend storming the club out of hiding to be most hilarious. He knows just how much his lover had to contain his jealousy back in Duplicity only because the place encouraged them to sleep with other people quite a lot. The way they don't have to worry about that anymore feels liberating. Finally exclusive now, in every meaning of the word.

Glancing briefly at his ring, he lifts both his hands up so he can cup Erik's face affectionately. ]

That'll never happen, don't worry. We're free from that place now. I'm all yours, in every way.

[ Hilarious, terrifying, there could be a lot of ways for it to go down. Erik is only joking though, of course, and he wouldn't risk both their safety for something as silly as misplaced jealousy. He trusts Bobby completely, and knows there's absolutely nothing he'll need to worry about. ]

You were always mine, [ He points out with a murmur, his hand cupping Bobby's nape, fingers brushing through the short hair there. ] But I know. And you know I'm all yours, too.

I do.

[ Bobby's practically beaming with a smile that perfectly encapsulates just how much this means to him. That they're free now. That they can live on their own terms even when they'll be constantly on the run during this time. He feels Erik's ring brushing against his nape and he sighs in contentment before a small smirk plays over his lips. ]

Hey, remember when I told you before we left that I have something funny I'm gonna tell you?

[ It's not going to be easy here, but it's definitely different. They have freedom in this world that they didn't back in Duplicity. Erik can't express how relieved and happy he is to not see that heinous collar around his neck, or the line tattooed down his throat. ]

Hm? [ He tries to think back, frowning a little. ] Can't say I do. What is it?

[ Bobby, for the most part, has not even considered the fact he no longer has that line on his throat with all the excitement of their newfound life. But he knows how much Erik abhorred it, so whenever he notices he doesn't have it anymore, Bobby knows for sure his boyfriend is glad it's no longer present on his skin.

With the small smirk still lingering on his lips, Bobby watches what Erik's reaction will be to what he's about to say. ]

Well, I talked to Kate during that potluck party we both went to and she told me that their Bobby actually dated your daughter in their universe.

Really, now?

[ Both Erik's eyebrows go up. He's thinking of Wanda, since that's the only daughter that he's heard he has in another reality, but either way it's such a strange and wild thing to hear, for more reasons than just one. ]

You know, I'm fairly sure at this point you've dated more women than I have. [ He purses his lips, barely suppressing a smirk. What gives, Bobby? ]

[ Oh, Bobby sees that playful, teasing expression on his lover's face and couldn't help but both blush and chuckle. He almost regrets opening this topic up, just because of the teasing he's going to get (no he loves them) but he couldn't pass up seeing Erik's reaction, too. ]

Hey, that's a different Bobby who dated Lorna! It's not me. [ He continues to laugh. ]

You should've seen my reaction when I learned. It's just pretty funny to me how Bobbys in the multiverse keep on dating either you or a member of your family.

My point stands. You truly are a menace, Mr. Drake.

[ He smirks, winking at Bobby, enjoying Bobby's momentary embarrassment far too much. None of this really bothers or worries him, really. But it is a funny coincidence. ]

Mm, one might even say you have a type. Aren't you lucky you've finally managed to land the real thing?

[ Him, he means him. ]

Mr. Drake, huh?

[ Oh, he sees how Erik's seriously milking this. It's honestly really funny and cute how his boyfriend loves to tease him, and Bobby knows he gives him too much material for it, too.

For his part, he also smirks, pressing even closer to Erik. ]

Very lucky. I think this is the only universe where I probably managed to land the real thing. The hottest of them all, too, I'm sure. [ Two can play this teasing game, okay. ]

[ He lets out a hum, a far too amused smirk on his face. ]

Yes, I do believe that is your name.

[ It doesn't bother him in the least, of course. It would be a little hypocritical of him, too; they've both had their own liaisons in the past. It's just funny to him that Bobby seems to have dated so many women, regardless of which reality he comes from. ]

Mm, flattery will get you everywhere. [ Not that Bobby would need it, of course. He smiles warmly, cupping Bobby's cheek and leaning down to kiss him before he gets to say anything else. ]

[ Of course, Bobby doesn't get to say anything else once those lips capture his, immediately entranced by the way Erik kisses him. Sure his lover has kissed him countless of times before often during their passionate love-making, but this time it's different. This time, they're free from the clutches of Duplicity, from the world that made it possible for them to be together, as well as find ways to tear them apart.

As soon as he has injected enough passion into the kiss, he breaks it for air, smiling at his beloved. ]

I love you. [ He says softly after just gazing lovingly into Erik's eyes. ] I'm ready to start this new chapter with you, and the rest of our lives, too.

[ Whatever that may entail, whatever things they might face in this new timeline they're now in, they're going to face them together. ]

[ Erik gazes into Bobby's eyes, smiling faintly. For how happy he is that Bobby's here with him, he also is realising that was a rather impulsive decision. He just hopes Bobby won't come to regret it, because Erik doesn't think he'd be able to find a way to send him to his right time.

Rather than say that, he just smiles wider, brushing a thumb across his cheek, then pulling him into a warm hug. ]

I'm so glad you're here with me.

[ That much is also true. He eases his hold then, and looks around them. ]

Well, we didn't even get to have our lunch. There might be a vending machine near the reception.

[ It's certainly an impulsive decision, one that Bobby has never really thoroughly thought of, but it's also a decision he has never been so sure of making. There's no version of what happened earlier that will have him stay in Duplicity. He doesn't know if a door for him will also arrive, or if it'll ever do. One of the things he's also dreading is if Erik returns and has no memory of their time spent in Duplicity. That's soul-crushing and something Bobby can't even fathom. Thankfully he doesn't have to, and for that alone, he doesn't think he'd have any regrets moving forward. Here, everything they've experienced isn't just a passing memory, but a future they can also await.

In Erik's arms, Bobby expels any doubt of what the future holds for both of them. As long as they're together, they can beat any odds. ]

Yeah, I think I saw one when I passed by earlier. I'll go get us some food. Not really the vegetable roast we were planning but better than nothing.

[ While still in Erik's loose hold, Bobby leans in for a quick peck before leaving their room to snag them some prepared meals from the aforementioned vending machine. He also grabs a couple of newspapers so they'd be a bit up to date on what's currently happening. ]

[ The vegetable roast left behind is indeed a waste, but being freed from the city far surpasses that. Even if it might be a while before they manage to live that comfortably again, but Erik has a reason to work towards that goal, too. Even if he'll likely need to hide his identity for a while. Maybe even the rest of his life. ]

Alright. I still have some money on me, enough for us to eat something.

[ He gets that and hands it to Bobby, then kisses him before he goes. ]

Please be careful.

I will.

[ Receiving the money and that soft, reassuring kiss, Bobby leaves the room with a renewed focus to get them some food from the vending machine, as well as scan the area for anyone who would be suspicious about their stay. So far, so good. Deeming the coast is clear, he quietly receives their food from the machine and snags some newspapers on his way back to their room.

As soon as he's back, he makes sure to lock their door behind him, immediately setting down their food on the nearby table along with the newspapers. ]

Not much but they'll do for now. I also grabbed a few newspapers for us to know what's happening. [ A smile graces his lips. ] And well, I'll need the classified ads, too.

[ So he can get started on finding a job he can go to the following day. ]

[ This is the sort of place where people tend to look away, so as long as Erik is careful not to show his face, he doubts they'll have any issues. They'll just need to start planning already on their next steps so they don't linger here too long.

It will do for now, Bobby can make up some story about looking for work after moving into town, and he would hardly be the first young adult to leave home and get by on a cheap motel for a few weeks. They will be alright.

He looks over the newspapers with a hum, clearly impressed. Not that he should be surprised that Bobby would be smart enough to think of that. ]

You will, that's true. Ah, [ He smiles as he picks up one of the packaged foods. ] Pastrami sandwich. My favorite.

[ Bobby did clock how this place is a bit seedy enough that people won't really scrutinize them a whole bunch. He supposes he's just extra careful because he doesn't want to ruin this second chance they've been given. The last thing he wants is for both of them to be on the run because of a misstep he makes. Not that he's irresponsible enough to do this accidentally, of course, but the fear's still there. Bobby just doesn't want to be separated with Erik.

The impressed hum Erik does elicits a small, proud smile from him, as he works to unwrap his food. This smile only widens when Erik compliments his choice. ]

Thought you'd like it when I saw it in the machine. [ His is a simple tuna, but Bobby has never been the picky sort. Taking a bite, he nods at the newspapers he grabbed. ] Do you see anything interesting?

[ They won't be separated. They're both smart and cautious enough, and Erik has done this for long enough even before knowing Bobby that he knows just what to do to keep them both safe. It won't be easy at first, but they'll eventually find somewhere to settle, somewhere that people won't recognize him as easily as they would here. ]

Well... you're probably going to see a few of these, so you might as well.

[ He slides the newspaper to Bobby so he can see a piece of news with an accompanying picture. It's blurry and low quality but Bobby would recognize the helmet at least. It's clearly Erik, and the headline reads "Mutant Terrorist On The Run". ]

We're likely to find more news like this, on TV as well. We'll need to find somewhere more remote, and I'll have to go by a different name too. Maybe somewhere in Europe would be safer.

[ Bobby receives the newspaper from Erik and he frowns as soon as he reads that headline and sees both the article and Erik's helmet. He immediately puts it down, his eyes a palpable show of concern and worry. But he surmises this must be affecting Erik, too, so he attempts a smile to lighten the mood. ]

How about I pick your name? [ He replies in a slightly chipper tone, the edge of his lips curving up into a teasing smile. There's a bit of a pause on his end as he feigns mulling this over, taking a bite of his sandwich while he's at it. ]

Maybe Henryk? How'd you like that? A little too close to Erik, but I think it's nice.

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( psl ) what comes after

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