one night of magic rush

[blyat]

WHO: Cain, Prompto, Hideki Maeda, and you!
WHERE: The popular Asylum club.
WHEN: Night of October 26.
WHAT: Cain and Prompto's joint birthdays!
NOTES OR WARNINGS: Beyond drinking/smoking, general wild party behavior, and fake friendship, there shouldn't be much. Will update as needed.


[Set deep in the downtown of New Amsterdam's entertainment district is Asylum, arguably the most popular club in the city. The exterior is cool steel beams and tasteful futuristic architecture with a long line down the corridor, suited bouncers posed at the entrance all armed with a virtual guest list. Its interior is fashioned with bright, colorful lighting dynamic to the music of the infamous DJ Semicolon, high ceilings and acoustic sounds to lend that feeling of a constant full-body hum. Any partygoers on the guest list for this event will be funneled toward the VIP section. They will have received an invitation a few days prior via their Cooltalk profiles. Jason is specifically blacklisted, sorry buddy.

DANCE YOUR HEART OUT. Nearly impossible to book without deep pockets or wide-reaching connections, Semicolon is at the top of their game mixing popular contemporary hits with Whitney Houston's classics. From song to song, Semicolon provides a unique and talented contrast of the slow to the energetic, so no matter your dancing style, you'll find something to move you on the dance floor.

DROWN YOUR... LIVER. Courtesy of the party's host, Hideki Maeda, the VIP section's private bar will provide an ever-flowing river of your favorite expensive high-proof alcohol. Pick your poison.

CHILL OUT. Tired on your feet from too much dancing, or just need a break from the packed atmosphere? There are plenty of comfortable areas where you can relax and take it easy until you're ready to get back out there. The lights around this area cycle through different colors in reflection of Semicolon's performance set, so a slower song might lend toward romantic shades of red while a faster-paced song is brighter blue.

SMOKE, EAT & MINGLE. Asylum will be serving real, fresh meat at this party, so enjoy that luxury while it lasts. There is also an outdoor area with a beautiful view over the city itself if you want to take your vape pen out there for a smoke, just get some air, or see who's around for a chat.]

Comments

[blyat]

Wait, seriously?

[He'd meant it as a joke, might have bullied until Billy gave him a kiss on the cheek or something equally playful and flirtatious, although Billy couldn't have known that. Cain is not anticipating or expecting a real gift. Somewhat flustered at the idea, he moves to follow.]

Uh, I was just messing around. I don't need anything. I mean, look at all this shit. [He waves to their surroundings -- the party atmosphere, meat, expensive booze.] Really wasn't my idea.

[wiccant]

( oh. cain's reaction is enough to earn a small, quiet laugh from billy as he takes hold of a wrist and leads him on towards the lounge. at one of the tables there's--a reusable grocery bag tucked into a corner, a small digital tag that reads cain as to hopefully dissuade anyone else from taking off with it.

inside is a black cropped bomber jacket--short enough it doesn't go beyond cain's ribcage. and it's probably a size too big, but-- )

I had to guess your size, but you can probably take it back if it doesn't work.

[blyat]

Fuckin' sweet!

[In a reaction uncharacteristically earnest -- from someone who can count on one hand the number of genuine gifts he's received from people in his lifetime, barring his older sister -- Cain's face lights up as he takes the jacket up and shakes it out for a better look. The size is good, better to be larger than too small, it'll stretch over his broader shoulders and look yet intentionally fashionable.]

How'd you even know I'd want something like this? [Your wardrobe speaks for itself, Cain, but whatever.] Ugh, you asshole, c'mere.

[And he's throwing an arm over Billy's shoulder to drag him in, hand ruffling black hair.]

[wiccant]

( he's seen cain's cooltalk. and he's seen not one but two gold showy shirts now so that's. definitely enough of a hint for billy. also: cain definitely needs some sleeves. the language is a little more gruff than billy's used to, but he gets that it's cain being affectionate not rude. so he allows it, gets pulled into the hug and puffs out his cheeks when cain starts messing with his hair.

there's gel in it, styling strands closer to his face off to the side and billy's shoving his face down into cain's shoulder in response. )

You're ruining my hair! I spent ten minutes fixing it before I came over.

( he's not that angry though. )

[blyat]

I'm improving your hair!

[Grinning like a child, he finally releases Billy with one last heartfelt ruffle. Billy looks a bit like a fluffed up baby bird -- and yes, he knows exactly what those look like thanks to detailed internet searches now -- and the image of it only makes Cain laugh.

A nearby crowd of Cooltalk fans-slash-followers give a holler, because Cain's never far from the crowd's attention. There will likely be pictures of the two of them to flood social media afterward. The life of influencers is hard.]

See? Now you're even cuter. They agree.

[wiccant]

( now not only is his hair a disaster but there are definitely going to be a few pictures of it going around on social media. at least it could be worse. it's only his hair, it's not like he tripped and fell on his face and made a fool of himself in public. yet.

his nose scrunches up tight while billy keeps an eye on cain. takes another moment before the pinched expression fades into a small smile. )

I think they just think you're cute. ( now he has to raise a hand and at least try to comb strands back into place, thanks. )

[blyat]

Nah. No way.

[The smiling is infectious, Cain's grin not willing to fade soon. He's a little drunk -- still manageably sober, but enjoying himself better now that he's around someone leagues more interesting than the vapid Cooltalk fans in the crowd.]

I'm hot, not cute. [Nudging their shoulders together, he nods toward the bar.] Had anything to drink yet?

[wiccant]

Don't fool yourself. ( he's more than a little tipsy. but billy's still steady on his feet despite it--considers heading towards the bar before he's turning and pressing a hand to cain's shoulder, leaning into his space.

this is more important than alcohol, okay. he has a point to make. )

You're cute. It's the bad boy aesthetic, when under it you're a sweetheart. Hot too, but mostly cute.

[blyat]

[Excuse him as he rolls his eyes, downplaying Billy's commentary.]

That's 'cause you've only seen me be sweet to you. 'Cause you're cute. Like a puppy. [This is the dumbest conversation known to man. Still, Cain reaches up to pat Billy's cheek.] But I'm flattered you think I'm hot. Maybe in another lifetime, who knows?

[He winks, then waves them toward the bar.]

[wiccant]

( thanks for the compliment, whatever that means. billy's laughing, so he must have thought the puppy comment was at least a little amusing. still, he's turning in towards the bar and bumping against cain's arm with every few steps. the empathy bond definitely shows that he's. probably had enough to drink, even if billy isn't quite done yet. )

Mm, I don't think so. ( thoughtful, but not harsh. ) You're hot but it's bad boy hot. My boyfriend's the complete opposite. And I'm sure he's my soulmate. ( thinking about teddy just sparks butterflies in his stomach, causes that smile on his lips to soften. ) But it doesn't make you any less fun to hang around with.

[blyat]

[One brow lifts in observation of that shift, feeling the threads of fondness from Billy in recollection of his boyfriend. Seems like so long ago now that they were discussing the very topic, drunk, in another (less popular) club downtown.]

You believe in that, really? Soulmates?

[Cain stops at the sleek bar, leaning against the countertop with one elbow planted on its surface in no hurry to get another drink. Billy's gift is tucked protectively under his arm.]

Always seemed kinda like a big joke to me. Makes people feel like their relationship's gotta be perfect, 'cause they're with the one, and if it's not and you fight then there's something wrong.

[wiccant]

No relationship's perfect. ( cain leans against the bar, billy leans a shoulder against cain. it's only fair. but he does wave the bartender down, asks for something with a lighter taste. he's--definitely not a hard liquor kind of guy, thanks. )

We fight all the time. Teddy and I. Over stuff like--what's the right thing to do. ( tilting his head back to focus on cain one more, while he waits for that drink. ) The important thing is realizing that having those differences doesn't mean you're not right for each other--but that you are.

( pursing his lips, while billy takes a moment to figure out how to finish that thought. )

Sometimes I'm an idiot over things, sometimes he's an idiot over other things. But we're there for each other no matter what.

[blyat]

[He listens, content to lean against each other at the bar while the wait for Billy's drink. Of course it causes his mind to reflect over his relationship with Abel -- it would be impossible not to turn in that direction. Occasional spats or misunderstandings, moments of friction, but still there for each other. At least, that's what he intends now that they have this chance. It's still such a fresh thing compared to the weathered scope of Billy's experience with Teddy.]

Yeah, but. How do you know?

[May as well come clean. Cain gestures out toward the crowd, where a particular blond-haired young man stands on the fringe of the crowd speaking to someone else.]

That's... Abel. He was the, uh. Ex I mentioned. [Was.] Showed up when we got dumped in New Tokyo.

[wiccant]

( the bartender returns, and billy takes his drink with a quiet thank you, leaning around cain to get to it. doesn't stop leaning against him, because he definitely doesn't want to stand on his own right now. too much effort. there's a sip, a thoughtful sound after. he's--not a relationship expert. everything with his own has been a mess since the beginning. through numerous kidnappings and numerous things that would have been enough to break everything down but didn't.

still, he turns eyes to abel. grins, because he recognizes him. )

We've met. Danced a little. ( another sip, and billy offers the fruity drink to cain. ) I don't have an exact answer for you, everyone's different. Teddy and I have been through a lot--this isn't even our first multiversal kidnapping, and god, I can't even count the amount of times I've pulled stunts that pissed him off, but.

( a little hard to get into without going in depth about his own struggles with his mental health, with teddy's parents, with the avengers and all of that's a little too long to explain when he's tipsy, so. )

We've always been stronger together than apart, and I'm pretty sure that's a good way to tell. If being with the other person makes you an even better person, if you can accomplish things together that you never thought you'd be able to do before them, if being with them makes you want to try harder, to be better--even if they say you're amazing just as you are and love you regardless of your faults, I think that's more than enough.

[blyat]

[As Billy tells him they've danced, Cain glances between the two, briefly entertaining that image. So sue him if he doesn't think it would've been hot to witness, even if the interaction itself was quite innocent and platonic.

Without thinking, he reaches for the drink and brings it to his own lips, makes a face when his mouth is flooded with that bright sweet flavor. Not his style, but could be worse. And it's cute Billy's sharing. And saying the rest of that, which -- Cain is careful to keep his eyes away from direct contact. It's a bit too much heartfelt sentiment for someone like him who keeps it all close, hidden, disguised from a world he's had to be tough in to survive.

There is still one aspect he can comment on without shame.]

Abel is... different. From the other Navigators. Before I really knew shit about him, he was volunteering us for a suicide mission just 'cause he wanted to save everyone. [Cain hands back the drink.] Drove me crazy. Nothing I would've picked for myself. Dunno how we're both alive still, honestly.

[He watches Billy for a moment.] Hey, if Teddy shows up, I'll remember to tell him all this romantic shit you said about the two of you.

[wiccant]

( the face is hilarious. enough that billy's stifling a laugh as he takes his glass back, takes another few drinks out of it. cain's--embarrassed? something like that. more timid about his emotions, he's guessing. it probably has to do with that bad boy exterior he tries to put up a front for. he gets it. )

I've done the same. The--stupid, reckless, suicidal missions to try and save others. ( teddy has, too. they're superheroes, it's part of the job title. but they both nagged each other for it all the same. ) But you still went with him, right? You supported him through his choice even if you wouldn't necessarily volunteer for that yourself. ( that's what he's getting from this at least.

and billy turns a bright smile to cain, takes another sip before he's speaking again. ) Feel free to. Teddy knows.

( they're both gross, hopeless romantics in love. the cheesy stuff just comes naturally. )

[blyat]

[This is getting a bit too soft for him, as Billy targets exactly the truth: he did go with Abel. He carried that guilt along for the ride, but he fought at Abel's side on the battlefield again and again, and every time they rescued someone or succeeded in a fight, it gave Cain a new and heady feeling of success. Doing good. Meaning. Nothing he'd experienced before.

With a huff, he leans over and cups Billy's hand holding the drink to take another stubborn sip off the glass rim. And then he's extricating himself from their tangle so Billy won't feel that thread of embarrassment.]

'Course he does. [A friendly smack on the shoulder, Cain begins to move away, flirtatious smirk back.] You wanna dance later, come find me.

[wiccant]

( he's got cain's number down by now. billy gives a soft laugh, lets cain take his hand and steal a little more of his drink before he's raising the glass up and taking a sip of his own after cain starts heading off. he's walking away, billy's not going to sit here and force the guy to stay around, and it's cute; the look on his face, the way cain reacts.

cain and abel are both lucky, to have each other. especially in a place like this. )

You should go dance with your boyfriend. ( because it definitely doesn't sound like they're exes anymore. ) Have fun!

[blyat]

[Rather than answer - head ducked down, ears probably burning but gratefully hidden from Billy's view - Cain casually flips him off with a casual backwards gesture of one hand as he leaves. Billy wouldn't hear him over the music, anyway.]