flickerbell

[flickerbell]

Ghost, 1899

[flickerbell]

Colton tries to not let his slight frown dim the constant and warm glow that seems to accompany his movement or fluctuates on his emotions. One would think that with such a gift, it would be an obvious claiming, yet Colton still waited.

And waited.

And waited.

At times, it felt like Colton was Rapunzel waiting in her tower; though he had gone on a couple trips to visit his family, these usually didn’t last long before he found himself back again within the borders of camp and wanting to see more of the world outside of it.

When Colton had brought the matter to Chiron’s attention, the centaur had mentioned that perhaps Apollo’s lack of response was not because he didn’t want to, but because he couldn’t – which naturally made Colton more curious than ever before. What parent couldn’t answer their own child’s call? Or prayers or offerings?

“Oh. I thought you were… I thought you’d want to stay a little longer than that…”

Colton’s voice trails off some, fingers going from the strawberries to linger at the threads of the blanket, as if hesitant to say much more before continuing on at his usual rapid pace.

“Danny and I–you’ve met Danny, right?–he’s my boyfriend! His father is the blacksmith, so we’ve been working on getting approved for a quest! Apparently we’re supposed to ask the Oracle or something—” Colton’s hand wanders to yet another strawberry, taking a bite, and thankfully, he has enough manners to chew his food before continuing to talk rapidly. “—but I dunno, I’ve heard she’s kind of…scary, y’know? Or maybe she used to be? So I dunno if I wanna ask her but Chiron says we gotta then I told Danny and he said….” Another bite, chew, swallow, then Colton’s nose crinkles and scatters freckles across his cheeks. “…that we’ll figure it out together, but I think he’s talking things over with Chiron and I came here ‘cause it’s nice. …you think Katie’s gonna notice if I ate more strawberries than I picked?”

“That doesn’t sound at all like how Danny explained gravity.”

Colton muses out loud, by means of continuing the conversation, eyes closed with a gentle breeze tousling his hair. Legs crossed with Colton on his back, he reached almost lazily for the strawberries that he had spent several hours picking in the fields; the sunshine above feels so warm.

“—‘sides, I thought the Sun goes around the Earth?”

Wait. That’s not right…

Colton’s theories and understanding sometimes seems outdated; for the life of him, he doesn’t understand why and sometimes all he can offer is an explanation of having multiple spoken and written languages before English being his so he sometimes mixes up the words. Opening his eyes just a fraction, he sits up immediately to look at Eleusine closer and give a beaming smile.

“You’re back! I missed you!”

[flickerbell]

[flickerbell]

“That doesn’t sound at all like how Danny explained gravity.”

Colton muses out loud, by means of continuing the conversation, eyes closed with a gentle breeze tousling his hair. Legs crossed with Colton on his back, he reaches almost lazily for the strawberries that he had spent several hours picking in the fields; a half open book of Greek Myths is beside him, the light breeze rustling it’s page, and the sunshine above feels so warm.

“—‘sides, I thought the Sun goes around the Earth?”

Wait. That’s not right…

Colton’s theories and understanding sometimes seems outdated; for the life of him, he doesn’t understand why and sometimes all he can offer is an explanation of having multiple spoken and written languages before English being his so he sometimes mixes up the words. Opening his eyes just a fraction, he sits up immediately to look at Eleusine closer and give a beaming smile.

“You’re back! I missed you!”

"We think that we are the center of the universe, but the truth is… we need to circle the ones we love for as long as they're here. We need to hold them close, because no matter how far we travel, they are the ones who hold us in place. It's gravity, and without it, we'd just all float away from each other."

[flickerbell]

@floripire | continued…

Being a clock spirit often means having connections that others don’t – and not just with people, but time itself.

It means that straying too far from this particular clock tower both intrigues and exhausts Colton; it means that his home, his shelter, his tomb, is the very thing that he wants to run from so he can see more of the outside world that he has heard so much about. It means that the flow of time is almost tangible to him in ways other than adding wrinkles or strands of silver gray hair, looking like beautiful golden threads in between his fingers and delicately resting on his skin or sand clenched between trembling fists.

Briefly, he thinks about Udyati and how she mentions connections being like threads. Colton wonders if she meant like this or something else entirely.

It means that he can stare curiously at the sweets that he sees Floribeth (or others, for that matter; others like Udyati or Lou Ellen or even Danny) but he can’t even eat any. It means that although he feels as tangible as anyone else, although he felt Danny’s kiss and was able to return it with a passion of his own, he feels certain lingering touches and emotions all the more powerfully. It means that he feels Danny’s heart fluttering under his shirt, but is considered that he can’t feel his own; he doesn’t know if he can feel his own pulse.

“I’d like that.” Colton answers, softly, with an amber gaze turn to look wistfully looking out the window instead of meeting Floribeth’s own kind and concerned expression. “To hear your story, I mean. Even if it’s sad, it should still be heard. And I can tell you the story of clock spirits!”

His head tilts, as usual, and he looks as if considering her reaction. “D’you believe in clock spirits?”

[flickerbell]

“After a while, I thought I’d never find you.” (tickerhart)

@tickerhart

When Colton is chastised by Abigail to turn around, another voice (Colton can’t quite make it out since the voice is dropped to a whisper) reminds her that it’s about not seeing the bride before her wedding not about seeing the groom. Abigail agrees with the new voice but insists that she doesn’t want to prick Colton with the needle attached to the back of the flower that will be in Colton’s front pocket. Abigail also gently tells Colton to stop fidgeting.

It’s like asking Danny to not continue pursuing mechanic work. Or like asking their beloved Punzie to stop begging for snacks even after she’s just had dinner and tried to sneak off with a guest’s shoe. It can be asked, it can be told, but it doesn’t mean that it will be followed through and obeyed.

Colton gives an uncharacteristically nervous exhale.

The cake, decorated with fondant cogs and gears, waits in the refrigerator. Most of the food is in the refrigerator and away from the reach of one dog that is too helpful, hungry, and clever, for her own good, but last Colton saw her, she was receiving belly rubs from either Brandon or Cassie; it’s possible that Punzie might have gone to seek affection from another one of their friends if one of those was requested to help Danny.

Colton imagines beaches and ocean waves against bare toes, about the stories he has heard growing up, and he’s grateful that venue option was considered. Even if it had meant shooing away obnoxious and greedy seagulls.

At least this venue is one that both Danny and Colton had agreed on.

Each one of their friends has a role in the ceremony. The glimmering rings are safe where they should be. Their family members are in the audience, talking with one another, and Colton is glad to see some familiar homeland treats lining the tablecloth from afar. He can’t wait to let Danny try some of his personal favorites, to see his boyfriend-turned-finance-soon to be husband.

A familiar voice is by his side, and Colton feels the same tingle from the tips of his fingers down to his toes as when he and Danny had first discussed this event being a possibility.

Although Colton tends to seek out attention, thrives in it even, he wanted to be sure that Danny would be okay with it too. Colton tries to smooth out non-existent wrinkles from his suit jacket, glancing down to his freshly polished shoes, almost like the ground is more fascinating as he ties his own oxfords again and again wishes that he was barefoot instead.

At least Abigail has understood why Colton refused each and every color of a bow tie, why the only option he would consider for a tie was one that clipped on and he could remove at a moment’s notice. So far, the metallic colored one has been remaining loose, away from his throat, and not yet removed with the trembling fingers that followed whenever Colton felt something was too tight around his throat.

“I’ve been here, the whole time, Danny. And I’m not going anywhere…”

Colton covers his own eyes with one of his own hands, as if to please Abigail that he won’t be sneaking a peek of his soon to be husband and partly because he does want to be surprised anyway. Clumsily, Colton gives a kiss to the side of Danny’s nose, rather than his cheek or lips or even the tip of his nose that had been where Colton was trying to reach, but nothing stops the accompanying grin that Colton has.

“….well, except to the altar. I really don’t wanna be late for that.”

[flickerbell]

We can do this. Together.

DEVRIM LINGNAU as EMPRESS ELISABETH OF AUSTRIA and PHILIP FROISSANT as FRANZ JOSEPH I OF AUSTRIA in DIE KAISERIN | THE EMPRESS (2022) — 1.04 ‘The Hunt’

[flickerbell]

"The pure of heart shall make the leap."

@dvarapala

“Does that mean the unpure can’t jump? Or swim?”

With sand between his toes, salty sea air fresh and exciting, sunset a vivid orange and gold that paints her beautifully, Colton thinks Udyati looks as powerful as a deity. There’s something truly unique about Udyati, and though Colton hasn’t managed to figure out what it is yet, he thinks that doesn’t change the truth in the statement.

Colton thinks about the old tales that Danny has shared with him about gods and goddesses and Titans, about the bloody power battles, about tragedies that cause Colton to feel sorry for the doomed; he still remembers feeling it’s not nice that some are punished because of others, that he usually feels sadness for some that rarely are allowed it.

When he sees Udyati, he also thinks of Meena and Akash and their stories of sun scorched lands and colors so vivid that he’s surprised that the only place he sometimes sees these colors in England is in the sky above. It’s easy to be fooled by Udyati’s kindness and assume her weak, but it’s a mistake that people might make with Udyati and Colton and ones like them; it would seem that some have to re-learn that lesson numerous times.

Softness is a strength all on its own.

Then, as if realizing something, Colton looks up briefly to the seagull crying out overhead. Watching the bird in curiosity, Colton tilts his head back to watch the motions of the free animal before he finally asks, “…or are we not really talking about swimming?”

[flickerbell]

London: @mary_quincy

[flickerbell]

“You’re as beautiful as endless. You’re the universe I’m helpless in.” (tickerhart)

@tickerhart

The glass front of the clock tower seems to tremble and hum with buzzing electricity, with energy.

Startled by the sudden and surprise loud thunder clap, Colton winks out of sight for a moment before reappearing. Colton’s heart drums against his chest, seemingly in sync with the intensity of the thunder rumbling.

Just a few minutes jump forward to hours. A different thunder clap echoes and time returns to back to further than the time when Danny arrived for today. Time becomes frantic until Colton’s heart beat steadies.

A pendulum swings back and forth, seemingly in sync with his sun kissed legs. The second finger on the clock hastily moves forward, following the motion of Colton’s impatiently drumming fingers. Curious golden eyes gleam like gemstones around the clock face.

A golden eyelash in his eye becomes a splinter in the glass. One of Colton’s eyes feels dry and itchy when a bird lands on the minute or hour hand outside, but today, the rain against the glass makes Colton’s own eyes feel as if he’s dealing with hay fever or been crying, but he knows that isn’t the case at all.

Golden ribbons of time weave around the seemingly empty clock tower, around Colton’s fingertips, up and down his arms, floating like dust in the sunlight that sometimes is around Danny’s head when he visits the clock tower.

It’s a gift, Colton thinks some days about his abilities to mold time like clay between a sculptor’s hands. It’s lonely, he thinks on other days, on his worst days, on days like today where Danny isn’t able to do outside repairs to the clock tower because of the weather or can’t visit because the roads are muddy and unfavorable and prevent him from being able to do so.

Danny compares the abilities that Colton has to the universe. Or rather, Danny compares the clock spirit to the universe; something akin to a blush spreads across Colton’s cheeks, a burst of gold seems to explode around the room, as day and night are replaced with day again. Colton can’t help the giddy laugh (and he doesn’t quite realize the jarring time change that he’s enacted). However, since this is a pop-up shower (or at least, that’s what he has heard some of the locals call it), he is all too happy to allow Danny to stay longer until the lightning and thunder stops.

“I thought you said that the sun was the center of the universe? Which, by the way, I still don’t think so. Besides…”

Colton’s normally playful tone turns into one more serious.

“What would we even call that? Col-centric? Dan-centric? ‘Cause you’re the center of my universe.”

[flickerbell]

* [  PROMPT LIST ] :  nearly a kiss.

below, i’ve compiled a collection of [ 45 ] action and dialogue prompts for the kisses that nearly happened. inspired by every time those two characters in your favourite tv series inch closer and closer to each other only for there to be a usually annoying reason for the kiss to never happen. 

[  DIALOGUE PROMPTS  ]

[  ONE  ] :  “ we didn’t break up. ”

[  TWO  ] :  “ i can’t do this. ”

[  THREE  ] : “ you… you have something on your face. ”

[  FOUR  ] :  “ you should go. ”

[  FIVE  ] :  “ you owe me nothing. ”

[  SIX  ] :  “ did you really think i’d kiss you ? ”

[  SEVEN  ] : “ what about [ name ] ? ” 

[  EIGHT  ] :  “ are you sure about this ? ”

[  NINE  ] :  “ did you think it was going to be that easy ? ” 

[  TEN  ] :  “ i should really be going. ”

[  ELEVEN  ] :  “ we can’t do this again. ”

[  TWELVE  ] :  “ you’re- you’re steaming up my glasses. ”

[  THIRTEEN  ] :  “ you have no idea how much i want to kiss you. ”

[  FOURTEEN  ] : “ i got back together with [ name ]. ”

[  FIFTEEN  ] :  “ we shouldn’t do this…. ”

[  SIXTEEN  ] :  “ this isn’t how i want this to happen. ”

[  SEVENTEEN  ] :  “ i want our first kiss to be perfect. ”

[  EIGHTEEN  ] :  “ i think this means something else to you then it does to me. ”

[  NINETEEN  ] :  “  i can’t do this to you. ”

[  TWENTY  ] :  “ i don’t want to jeopardise our friendship. ”

[  TWENTY-ONE  ] :  “ let’s just call this what it is… just really close talking. ”

[  TWENTY-TWO  ] :  “ this is a bad idea. ”

[  TWENTY-THREE  ] :  “ i didn’t ask for this… to feel this way. ”

[  TWENTY-FOUR  ] :  “ no. ”

[  TWENTY-FIVE  ] :  “ the lead-up is the best part anyway… right? ”

[  TWENTY-SIX ] :  “ i think you get the point. ”

[  TWENTY-SEVEN  ] :  “ this is just a game of pretend to you. ” 

[  TWENTY-EIGHT  ] :  “ maybe next time… ”

[  ACTION PROMPTS  ] + reverse

[  GOODBYE  ] :  sender and receiver are parting ways, they might not see each other for a while. they embrace, a hug so tight it could shatter bones. their lips linger above each other’s, their eyes closed….

[  REUNITED  ] :  sender and receiver are reunited at after some time apart. jumping into the other’s arms in a warm embrace, the idea of a kiss is there but does it come to fruition ? 

[  REJECTED  ] :  sender leans in to kiss receiver, but receiver pulls away. 

[  INTERRUPTED  ] :  as sender and receiver lean in to kiss they are interrupted by a third party. 

[  STUNG  ] :  as sender and receiver are about to kiss a bee stings receiver, the moment cut short. 

[  FORT  ] :  sender and receiver are chilling in a pillow fort they spent a good part of the day building, in an intimate moment they both lean in for a kiss, only for the ill-built fort to collapse on them. 

[  RAIN  ] :  as sender leans in to kiss receiver a sudden downpour catches them off guard and they choose to run for cover. 

[  TAUNT  ] :  sender is taunting receiver, slowly moving in closer to their lips with no intention of kissing them, to see how far they’re willing to go. 

[  DRUNK  ] :  sender is drunk and while under the influence looks into receiver’s eyes, beginning to lean in to kiss them… only for them to have the sudden urge to vomit. 

[  DANCE  ] :  sender and receiver have been pulled into a slow dance together. as they sway to the music they find themselves leaning in for a kiss just as the song ends and the moment is cut short. 

[  GUILT  ] :  receiver leans in to kiss sender, but sender pulls away because they feel guilt for doing this for the wrong reasons. 

[  CHEEK  ] :  sender and receiver are leaning in to kiss each other, but at the last moment sender dodges their lips and kisses their cheek instead. 

[  PHONE  ] : sender and receiver are about to kiss when a cell phone goes off and makes them pause. + extra points if the call is from an ex/rival love interest.

[  FACE  ] :  receiver won’t stop talking. in an attempt to get them to stop, sender grabs their face, underestimating the intensity of the act. 

[  FOREHEAD  ] :  sender and receiver lean to kiss each other, misjudging the destination they bump foreheads instead of meeting lips. 

[  CHIME  ] :  as sender and receiver are about to kiss, a clock chimes interrupting the almost kiss and reminding them of the time.  

[  STRAND  ] :  receiver stands still as sender leans closer to their face, expecting a kiss but is surprised when receiver just tucks a strand of their hair behind their ear. 

[ FALL  ] :  sender somehow ends up accidentally on top of receiver, their faces are close to each other but at the last minute sender pulls away. 

[flickerbell]

Colton’s brows furrow at the question from Thomas.

While it seems an easy enough answer, only a yes or no, there’s a small part of Colton that feels as if the truth in his answer is much more complex than that. Enfield is where Colton remembers running bare foot through the open fields, with a wide open and blue sky without the congested feeling and smoke plumes that London has. Enfield is where Colton remembers a clock tower. Enfield is where he remembers the boy he loved as much as he loved life. Enfield is where he distantly recalls a sister who has to stay away from London’s smog and cobblestone streets and unsterile areas. Enfield is where Colton remembers sometimes speaking another language with his family (which to him, says that where his ancestors are from, might be somewhere else) but English with others.

One of Colton’s hands ends up wandering to the base of his own throat, absentmindedly, when Thomas mentions the word murder. There’s a fleeting moment where Colton’s enthusiastic smile curves downward into a frown. Colton’s fingers hover near the loose necklace with a small cog attached to the chain around his neck. Like a pendulum in the clock chiming the hour or a church bell ringing the hour, Colton’s mood has now swung into something closer to almost mourning; in a few moments, he might return to his cheerful self.

Instead, Colton presses forward with his own questions, because it turns out, a habit of answering questions with more questions hasn’t escaped from Colton even now.

“If you’re a doctor, then why d’you need a pistol? You sure that you know how to use it? Doctors are s’pposed to heal people. Pistols don’t really do that.”

flickerbell​:

Unable to contain the relief that he is being listened to, the relief that the other might be able to provide some sort of direction to begin understanding what had happened, the relief of offering closure to the ones left behind to mourn, Colton gives Thomas a hug.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

One thank you for each aspect he’s grateful for, and Colton thinks that list might grow. Colton then steps backward, beaming in a way that most would not consider suitable for one facing the investigation into their own murder. He feels almost warm as he does, as if he’s glowing, before his fingers tap against his thigh in almost impatient manner.

For a moment, Colton also has thoughts of warm embraces and kisses, of another boy who had hair darker than Thomas’ and eyes as green as spring grass, as emeralds. Colton has memories of sketches and art and clocks; even now, Colton has imagined what it must be like to have the feeling of hands gently running through locks of hair and legs tangling, of laughter again.

Even though the truthful answer causes his shoulders to lift in an indecisive shrug, Colton considers his answer for only a moment.

“I think so! I have so far. I mean, that’s how you’re able to see me. Well, I think that’s how, anyway.” Head tilting in his almost signature manner, Colton presses forward with his own questions in his usual rapid pacing. “D’you think anyone else can see me? What’s your name? Do you know how you’re able to see me? Who are you going to ask to help? Are you familiar with a city called Enfield?”

Thomas, not particularly a hugger, was naturally staggered by the sudden arm lock of the other. Still, he was a gentleman (arguably, he could already hear Wadsworth saying) and didn’t move away, even made the effort of gently stroking the other’s back and let him be the first to pull away. 

“Don’t thank me yet, not until we’ve seen this through.” 

But he was at least grateful for the trust he was given. Pressured, but only a little. He didn’t have the heart to just coldly let this one go, not when this ghost was being nice about it. At least, he wasn’t being spooked or worse, possessed by it. 

“Right, right - if you have so far then I should believe you’ll make it until we resolve this mur– your murder.” Sounds mad speaking about it out loud, but he’d seen far more that tested his sanity. Only someone who’s a little bit insane would bite on such a ridiculous task - which probably made him just the perfect fit for the job. “Dr. Thomas Creswell, at your service. I am gonna have to test it with my better half, and then we’ll see how it goes.” He wondered how Audrey Rose would react. With delight, he just hoped. It would help plenty if she could see Colton too. “Enfield - that’s just north of London, was it not? I’ve heard of it but never been. Hmm, I know my pistol’s made there, though. Is that where you’re from?” 

[flickerbell]

“Let every little fracture in me shatter out loud.” (tickerhart)

@tickerhart

Colton wakes up one morning (when did he fall asleep? he doesn’t remember falling asleep? did he fall asleep?). Though Colton tries to follow the trail of the rain droplets pattering against the glass window with his finger hovering (somehow, he is still amazed to find that his fingers still leave behind prints and are smudged ever so slightly on the foggy window), the task unfortunately has to be abandoned when it turns to torrential downpour.

White lightning dances across the gray and dreary sky, surprisingly bright enough to be seen even when Colton closes his eyes. Some people say that thunder claps sound like cymbals crashing or artillery fire. Colton thinks it sounds as if a sky deity is angry.

If Danny shatters out loud as he says, then Colton’s own cracks are quietly chipped away until it’s almost like a spiderweb of cracked glass; it’s not noticeable at first, until it becomes impossible to ignore.

If Danny is loud in his breaking, then Colton is quiet — forced smiles through tear stained and freckled cheeks, wiping away tears before they can be seen, pain numbed until the wound is ripped open and blood stains fabric, choking back sobs.

“D’you think… you could stay?”

Colton cringes at the rumble of thunder in reply; it seems to Colton that the sky is upset by the request, seemingly reminding him of what could be if he continues to be careless with the flow of time.

What could happen if he lets seconds turn to minutes and minutes turn to hours, isn’t entirely Colton’s responsibility anymore, though.

“At least ‘til the storms go away from here?”

[flickerbell]

“If brokenness is a form of art, I must be a poster child prodigy.” (tickerhart)

@tickerhart

“You’re not broken.”

Colton chastises, but despite the almost sharpness that slices through his tone, he is not angry at Danny.

Colton does, however, feel a hot surge of anger to those that are nothing but snobbish to the younger generation, considering how many good men and women and children lost their lives to the “War of All Wars”.

How many rest in fields full of poppies? How many families have been torn apart from the loss of brothers or husbands or fathers? How many men came home but never felt like they left the battlefield? How many lost limbs, or even their lives, in a war that Colton never could follow the logic for?

Too many, if you asked Colton.

Trumpets buzz, the percussionist has a very good rhythm that Colton finds himself enjoying immensely, and the saxophones croon in conversation. Occasionally, the pianist joins in, but seems to politely wait and he chats with a girl with a sleek black bob until it’s his turn.

In a club where laughter fills the air as if tomorrow morning is still far away, where dancing and drinking until dawn is all too common, Colton catches a glimpse of a young woman who gently says hello by brushing her fingertips over his shoulder. Colton assumes this is supposed to be friendly manner. Turning to see a girl about his age in a sparkly dress that ends just shy of her knees (to the scandal of some), ornate headband, red lips curved in a flirtatious smile, and shoes tapping as she walks away, Colton soon realizes that it was not Cassie.

In reply, one of Colton’s hands then reaches for Danny’s own to offer a reassuring squeeze in a gesture that some seem to think of only friendship, but others know of something meaning more. With the other patrons caught up in watching the girl show off what she calls the Charleston, Colton’s grateful for her providing a distraction, regardless of whether she is doing so intentionally or not. For just a moment, Colton is tempted to place his head on Danny’s shoulder; without thinking, he does so, firmly but quietly reinforcing his truth.

“You’re not, Daniel. And if you still think you are, then we’ll just have to pick up the pieces together.”

[flickerbell]

Colton beams at the compliment given to his boyfriend.

"Danny is the smartest person I know!"

Colton doesn’t mean to sound as if he’s disregarding Udyati when he says that, but rather, is excited to give his boyfriend well earned praise and recognition.

Bouncing his leg up and down, up and down, up and down in a restless sort of way, Colton gives a gentle hum of thought. Golden gaze looks at the sun setting behind the clouds, sighing as the clouds drift slowly and steadily as ever, colors bursting like a wonderful painting.

Colton gives an almost wistful sounding sigh. As if he wishes he could see more, as if in awe of the sun setting and rising, as if just trying to breathe as a normal person would and should.

“It’s better with good company.”

Colton’s fingers trace, idly, at his chin as if remembering the scar that Danny has there too. Danny said it doesn’t hurt anymore but Colton still isn’t entirely convinced. Time heals, Danny says, and Colton is grateful for the time that he has to help Danny heal, to help Udyati if she needs it too, time to be with the ones that are important to him.

“It’s okay, if it takes awhile, though.” Colton tells her kindly, before looking at her and observant as ever, comments on the obvious that he sees. “But…you’re upset by that. Or at least, you seem upset. Are you upset?”

@dvarapala | continued...

"You and me both."

Colton repeats the phrase he has often heard, though the wording sounds a little strange to his ears still. Sitting down, fingers tapping, knee bouncing as if he's unable to contain his energy, he looks at Udyati; really, and truly, as if searching for something more, Colton looks at her in a way that Daphne always straightforwardly proclaimed was unnerving.

"If we have a lotta time then at least we can keep each other company, right?"

The thought of abandonment, of being truly alone, sounds pretty awful to Colton, and he runs his hands through his hair, as he's seen Danny do, but pauses before his fingers return to drumming out a pattern only Colton knows.

"---Time heals. That's what Danny always says. And if we have a lot of time, then maybe there's more time for healing too."

[flickerbell]

"Why would I get a headache?"

Colton’s not sure if Udyati is being literal or figurative when she says that, but he also is still learning why someone would say something that they don’t mean. Sarcasm often lost to him, but he has slowly began understanding it, the more he hears it from Danny and others. Udyati doesn’t particularly sound sarcastic; however, as Colton understands it, that’s the nature of sarcasm - to say it in a way that it’s not always clear of being it sarcasm.

Colton beams brightly at the gentle bump to his shoulder, reaching and interlocking fingers with Udyati without second guessing. He’s been told that touch can be a way to express affection, and he definitely agrees, but with this, it’s content and friendship and warmth right down to his toes. It doesn’t occur to him that it might surprise Udyati of how solid clock spirits can be, since it’s the way of things have been for him…for a long time.

“Thank you!” Colton says, genuinely, and though it doesn’t sound like something that requires gratitude, it also feels like the correct response. “—have you ever met Akash or Meena? I think…some of your clothing looks similar. And I think they use some similar words as you! I think it’s the same anyway?”

@dvarapala | continued...

"I dunno..."

Colton gives a hum of thought, fair brows knitting together, before looking back at Udyati. Although some think of him as naïve, of not knowing any better, Colton has seen the aftermath of people being a little too careless, a little too nonchalant about what happens to them. One might argue that Colton himself is a study in that, though the memories of such a thing always escape his grasp at the last possible moment.

"I think that you wanting to right the wrongs mean that you're already taken a step to fix the problem." Colton says, softly, something akin to worry in his eyes. "You have people who care for you. You have people who really, really care about you, and would be sad if something bad happened to you."

Time begins to slow a bit, remaining at 11:21, not budging a few minutes later, as he frowns, thinking of Danny and how he often risked so much for him. He thought of Meena and Akash, of the way that the stories that he had been told were ones he wouldn't forget anytime soon.

"Sometimes talking it out helps. D'you wanna talk about it?"

[flickerbell]

TIMEKEEPER: a moodboard for colton and danny ( @hsinlvegas )

“Colton’s grin burst like a firework across his face. Suddenly he was sweeping Danny up in his arms, and they spun dizzily across the floor. Their laughter lit the tower from the inside out burning into a new star.”