neptuneisfree

[neptuneisfree]

Neptune chuckled as he moved his head to follow the way the colors moved around as she spun. "Find anything else as cool or was this the #1 prize?" he asked genuinely curious. Tilting his head back before nodding, "Think he can handle a guy my size? Can just spin you again if you want, the colors look cool."

As Neptune spun the floatie, Lizzie squealed in joy, kicking her feet into the water. "Found it in a closet! Just kinda dug around looking at shit for fun." As she slowed down she peaked over the rim at the other. "Wanna give him a try? His name's Alfred and he's my noble steed."

[neptuneisfree]

Neptune let out a small sigh of relief, he was worried he'd scare them off and upset Blue. Nodding he messed with the hat on his head, "Might put up an ad at the trading post, see what folks got," he said. Glancing back at Nick he nodded towards the food stands, "You hungry? We can get food food or snow cones."

"It-it's it's okay" Nick said as the other apologized for babbling. "I th-think it's pla-plas-plastic or maybe umm r-rubber." They actually weren't sure, but certain it wasn't the same as what plushies were made of.

[neptuneisfree]

Neptune had been playing with Finch's hair again, shivering when he felt Finch's breath against his neck. While he didn't like him getting overwhelmed he was happy he could at least help calm him back down. He frowned and shook his head, "I don't like it, but I know it's hard to fight the buzzing and the word echoes. I get them too," he admitted before closing the gap to kiss them again. "I love you, I'm gonna keep saying you're worth it till it's at least even in your head with the buzzing."

Immediately flushing, Finch buried his face in Neptune's neck. "Yeeeeeeees," came the muffled reply. It's not that he was embarrassed - but often Finch found himself overwhelmed with feelings that he just had to hide in his boyfriend for comfort over the intensity of his feelings. However, Neptune's hands found Finch's face again easily, and he sucked in a sharp breath. "I'm not really all that great or worth any of this at the end of the day. Letting me into your life, and getting close to Karma. You know. All the stuff I'm usually saying but you don't like when I say it."

[neptuneisfree]

Neptune added Chet's name to the list plus a few dollar signs just for his own memory later. Adding Mav's name and Lynx's note, as well as one for himself to snag the guy later and talk to them about the party. Though he shook his head, "I can take shirt off while bartending but not getting felt up by anybody," Lynx wasn't the only taken man now, though his relationship was widely different when it came to looking for attention. "Hey I mean gives us more time to plan and make sure this town doesn't have anything else going on, gotta make sure you guys get all the hype we can get ya," he said. "I can get Karma to make some neat looking invites and get em copied at the library, just make a ton and you can hand em to whoever you vibe with."

”He’s funny, he’s hot, and he leaves good tips, and thats what we need for a bachelor party.” Chet would come right? Even if they’d only spoken the once? Now Lynx was going through every person he’d spoken to once, considering an invite for them too. “Put Mav down as Main Stripper then,” he tapped at the page impatiently, “and I’ll think of who else is gonna go on the list. And if no one, guess it’s gonna have to be you,” and he gave those biceps the same playful squeeze he had the first time they had met. “Not sure. We’ve not actually spoken about it. Any of it really. We’re just gonna wing it…I think?” Cass seemed to have a more solid idea of what he wanted: a grand affair, as grand as Huntsville could allow, and a spectacle that wouldn’t be forgotten. All Lynx wanted was to dress up nice, spend time with the guy he’d genuinely bonded to and watch some fireworks, in whatever form the fires would work.

[neptuneisfree]

"I'm your baby," Neptune replied, voice taking a sing song tune towards the end as he looked at Finch, fully grinning after the kiss. He was brushing his thumbs along Finch's cheeks down to his jaw and back again as he looked at him. "Make me realize what?" he asked unsure of where he'd been going with that sentence but fairly sure he was going to disagree with the answer. "I like it too, and I like making you happy."

"You're such a baby," Finch mumbled, leaning in to give Neptune a quick kiss. "Happy now?" He froze as Neptune cupped his face, chewing on his lower lip. He knew he needed to stop deflecting every nice thing said about him, but part of him still feared what would happen if he suddenly felt like he was someone who mattered. What awful, terrible thing would rear it's head and rip him down several pegs? "Well.... you coaxed me out of my turtle shell. I'm not convinced I'm going to make you realize I'm..." He just trailed off instead of saying anything else, shrugging. "I like our relationship. It makes me happy."

[neptuneisfree]

Neptune moved his hand to brush over the trident on her skin, moving his fingers along the three points on at the end. He technically should have discouraged her away from it, but he'd been too excited over the prospect of being chosen than it never come up. He nodded his head in understanding, a part of him wanting to head home with her but knowing she'd likely feel guilty over it. "He didn't want to stay long right? I know you've been helping him get past the whole losing his person," he gave her a small look, he wasn't sure where that was going but the two had gotten closer and Karma relaxed around him, that was something he'd kept an eye on. "Sides babies get tired after a while, need naps and everything. Ask him to go home, me and Finch can bring some food home for y'all," he said giving her a small nudge and squeeze.

END

Karma's gaze dropped to the tattoo on his arm while he played with her hand. With her free hand, she reached out to trace the outline of the chameleon, remembering how he had asked which colour he should make it, and how she had happily responded that she wanted all of them. All of the colours. "Got yours on me too," she replied, sticking out her leg to show the trident that ran from the outside of her ankle to halfway up her calf. It hadn't taken a lot of effort on her part to find a tattoo parlour willing to ink a fifteen year old and she hadn't once regretted it since. After taking a deep breath, she glanced toward the crowd of people and shrugged. "I don't know," she admitted. "I told Xander I'd help with the triplets but there's a part of me that just wants to go home."

[neptuneisfree]

"I'm not being kissed right now, so technically you are," Neptune said grinning back at Finch. Moving his hands to cup FInch's face he shook his head, "Stop, you are special. You're one of the nicest people I've ever met, Karma thinks you're really cool, and I like that you joke with me more now. It's nice," he said. For someone who had only really had one solid connection, which while special and fulfilling in it's own way, the romantic connection he had with Finch had made him painfully aware how much he'd been starving for that kind of attention.

"I like being with you, too," Finch liked the way Neptune made him feel. The buzzing never went away, it was just quieter. "You always get kissed! You act like I'm withholding affection from you," he protested playfully. At Neptune's admission, though, Finch shook his head. "I'm not really anything special; that's all you. I really like that you're my boyfriend. I like that you want me close to you." Over the months the two had been together, Finch had become a lot more physically affectionate, often clinging to Neptune's arm or snaking an arm around his waist or gripping the neck of his shirt. It was a far cry from the skittish Finch that Neptune first met. He finally felt secure, and loved, and he didn't mind showing who he actually was to someone because he didn't fear constant rejection.

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"Yeah, I got a lil sister that can make plushies but I don't know if she can make a floaty." Pausing his brow furrowed as he glanced over at the lake, "I'll be honest I never actually thought about how they make those." Glancing back at Nick he gave him a sheepish smile, "Sorry I kind of babble a lot."

Nick was confused as Neptune mentioned a unicorn, but quickly realized what he was referring to at the mention of wishing he had a shark floaty shortly after. "a shark floa-floaty?" They asked, wondering if that's what he was referring to when he said he might see if anyone knew how to make one.

[neptuneisfree]

Sometimes when Neptune looked at Karma he still saw the small 15 year old girl hiding under his bed. When she shuffled closed he wrapped his arm around her. His own laughed slipped out and he shook his head, "Got your mark and everything, can't return me now," he mumbled playing with one of her hands with his free hand, the chameleon on his arm a stark array of colors on his skin. When he'd been gone in the Navy he still struggled disassociating, needing a physical reminder he had someone at home waiting for him. "I don't want them ruining your day, what do you wanna do?"

Karma didn't say anything when her brother scooped her up into his arms and started walking away—she simply curled up against him and waited until he had carried her out of sight from prying eyes. Shuffling as close as she could, she sniffled softly as he brushed the rest of her tears from her face, a weak laugh finding its way out. "I would never change my mind about staying with you," she mumbled, folding her legs under herself and fully leaning into Neptune's side. "You were the first person who ever made me feel wanted. You claimed me. I claimed you. And I'm never giving you back."

[neptuneisfree]

"You're both his girlfriends though, bet there's stuff you do that's special just cause it's you," Neptune said shaking his head. At least that's what it had sounded like when Finch explained his past relationship. Pausing he gave a nervous chuckle, "I'm trying, I like seeing him smile. I know it's his brain that makes his head buzz, just wish I could do stuff to make it go away or something, you know?"

"honestly? i'm still trying to figure out this whole girlfriend thing, so i have no tips or tricks for you." lavender let out a sigh, though there was the hint of a smile on her lips. "i usually just try to follow xavier's lead, but i also share him with someone else, so she might be better to ask. she's far more girlfriend material." she was mostly teasing, though deep down, lavender felt like it was true. "are you making sure he's having fun? finch, i mean. he looks happy."

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"I can have fun without being drunk, I do it all the time with you," Neptune said shaking his head. He was still brushing his thumb along the back of Finch's neck, "If it gets too much we can go home, I just like being with you. Garden, arcade, lake, wherever." A smile tugged at his lips and he shrugged, "Still gets me kissed so I don't mind being a dork," he felt his cheeks flush glancing down sheepishly, "I feel lucky you picked me, I really like being your boyfriend and getting to be close to you."

He let out a soft, comforted hum at Neptune's motions, taking a deep breath. "I know. I just... I guess I feel bad. Events in this town always wind up disasters. I just want to have a fun day at the beach with my boyfriend, not feel like I'm teetering on the edge of an anxiety attack." Finch couldn't help but snicker a little at the comparison Neptune was making. "You're a dork, you know that?" But the content, dreamy look had returned to Finch's face, and he leaned in to steal another kiss. "I'm really lucky to have you."

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Neptune had taken his arm off Lynx busy writing down all his comments, even if some later didn't make sense he'd could wing it. At least for now he could start the guest list, "Oh yeah I've seen Chet at the Commune, guy is pretty funny," he recalled with a nod. "Honestly with enough drinks Maverick might put on a show," Neptune mused out loud, though while not the typical show they were probably angliging for it at least be entertaining. "I'll swing by your work and snag him when he's done off stage for a drink so y'all can talk. See if he passes the vibe check with you," stopping to glance at Lynx again, "You doin a join thing with Cass or y'all keeping it separate? I can work with either."

“The more the merrier. Liquor and guests.” He had to think about who to invite, who he knew well enough to want to come to a party he was hosting. “You and Karma for sure. Noah is a definite. If he can’t make it we rearrange things until he can.” At least if Karma knew him already they didn’t have to do introductions, and could go straight to drinking. “Min has to be there. And Chet. He was pretty cool.” Could he invite Chris and Jim as a sort of olive branch attempt? Maybe not at all. He’d think on it. “Oh no I don’t mean professional strippers, I just mean anyone hot that’s happy to take their clothes off.” He’d seen a few potential candidates walking around. “Not sure I do. He cool? When do I get to meet him?”

[neptuneisfree]

"Oh yeah I did earlier, then had to dodge a unicorn," Neptune said shaking his head. "Really wishing I had a shark floaty, coulda had a water battle. Might see if anyone knows how to make one."

"Oh n-no not yet" Nick shook their head, unsure if they were going to or not at all. "Have - have you been?" they asked, thinking if Neptune had they would ask about how the water was.

[neptuneisfree]

Neptune leaned forward pressing his lips to Finch's while giving his neck a brief squeeze. "I love you too," he said softly thumb brushing against the hair on the base of his neck. He glanced around eyes flickering to the people they both shared, making a mental note of how far they were from where the two were sitting. Catching Finch's gaze again he shook his head, "That's still you, you're Finch. I'm glad you're getting better with the buzzing, but even when it's getting bad I don't suddenly stop loving you." He wasn't sure he was making complete sense but he was trying to voice his own thoughts, "If me not drinking makes the buzzing less bad then I won't drink. I know I got the planet name, but I'd rather be grounding than having you feeling like gravity is missing."

Neptune's proximity made Finch relax a little, and he peered over at his boyfriend. He was going to say something, but the feeling of Neptune's hand on his neck made him dizzy. "I- I just love you," he blinked a couple of times, taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly through his nose. "Large things like this - my anxiety spikes. I know you're pretty used to it by now, but yeah, the buzzing gets really loud, and even with everything Knightley's helped me with, I can't make it go away. I wish I didn't feel like I was going to vibrate out of my skin at the idea of you having a drink because I trust you and I love you." He met Neptune's gaze finally. "You help ground me a lot, and make me less anxious, but sometimes.... I revert back to the Finch I was before you got here."

[neptuneisfree]

Neptune remembered once that a client who'd been miffed at them had called them codependent, he'd shrugged at the time and closed the door on them. He hadn't cared then and he still didn't care what anyone else thought other than Karma, as long as she wanted him around that was all that mattered to him. He wanted to keep talking, keep comforting her but he also wasn't a fan of how in public they were even if people were currently distracted. Without a second though he scooped her into his arms, walking to a more secluded area, closer to the trees snagging his towel on the way.

Setting her back down, he laid out the towel before sitting down with her, leg pressing against hers and wrapping one arm around her. Reaching over he brushed the tears off her face with his free hand, a frown tugging at his lips. "You're at least 2 inches taller than then," he mumbled shaking his head, "She missed out, whoever she's with doesn't even come close to having a Karma. You're still the best thing to ever happen to me, I use to be scared you'd change your mind about staying with me."

Karma all but crashed into her brother when he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. There was nobody that she trusted more than Neptune. She trusted him so much that she was already nodding along with what he was saying before her brain could fully register what it was. "You and me," she repeated, swallowing hard as she pressed her forehead to his. Of course she was happy about the additional people that they had in their lives now. Of course she loved those people to death. But at the end of the day? The only person she really, truly, desperately needed was Neptune.

She clutched on to him, and when he continued speaking, she felt tears welling up in her eyes at his words. Because she knew that he meant them from the depths of his fucking soul. He really did think that she was amazing. Believed that she was loveable and that people loved her. And remembering that, reminding herself that she really was better off without the people who had rejected her, was enough to pull a strangled sob from her as clung tighter to her brother. "I hate feeling like this," she mumbled, quietly crying against him. "It's like I'm fifteen years old and unwanted all over again."

[neptuneisfree]

Neptune followed her gaze feeling a smile tug at his lips when he saw Finch, though it faded when he spotted Karma with someone he didn't recognize making a mental note to check in on that late. Shaking out of it and turning back to Lavender he had an easy grin again, "That's cool, got any tips I can steal for how to properly woo a boyfriend?" he asked, "Got a feeling it probably comes off better when you do it, but I'll do my best to match the vibe."

"oh, i definitely get that. i tower over most of my friends because they're all petite and dainty. meanwhile i'm clunky and can barely walk straight." lavender let out a little sigh, her eyes darting in finch's direction before she shook her head. "i wasn't, actually. i knew he would be here with you and his friends, so i didn't even tell him i was coming. you caught me on my way to go find the perfect spot to woo my boyfriend for the day."

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Neptune had gone into the water to take a quick dip and cool off, it also gave him a chance to be alone. Not something he was often in the market for, but even he needed to decompress. Blinking in confusion, "What the pony don't got reigns for steering?" he asked placing his hand on it and swinging her around him to watch it spin, "Where'd you even find this?" Either of his sisters would love it he thought idly.

Laying face down in her unicorn floatie, Lizzie was having a blast kicking her feet to go as fast as she could on the water. It wasn't until she stopped moving did she look up and see she hit someone. "Geez, you could have moved," she pouted.

@neptuneisfree