[ he's not really looking to drown any time soon, so he will definitely resurface, thanks. he does so just in time to hear keith grousing again. and also get splashed across the face, just as he's spitting out all the water left in his mouth. that's fine, that's fine, he deserves it after the butt-poking...
but that doesn't mean he's not gonna be smug for a second here! ]
No, sorry, it's my privilege as the likee to remind you all I want.
[ it's true, it's a mutual thing, except for the part where one is more obnoxious about it than the other. do you regret your feelings yet, keith?
but at least lance acquiesces, moving towards the edge of the lagoon again to hoist himself out. he heads for his towel pretty quickly, but only uses it to wipe off his fair and run it through his hair a couple of times. fortunately for them both, his hair's short enough that it doesn't take much, and it's with a wild mess of strands sticking up that he offers the towel to keith once he gets himself out of the water too.
[He's up and out just after Lance, without complication -- they should've just done this to begin with, as he's much more mature about handling Buttcracks. Or not.
The air isn't cold, so he's not too bothered in lacking a towel. He's in the middle of fingering through his hair, gathering it together at the base of his neck in a fake ponytail for wringing out when Lance offers his own partially-used towel.
What's almost too distracting is the way his hair sticks up, like an angry porcupine or something.
Cute....]
I'm fine...
[While actually wresting the water from his hair, violating 100 beauty laws in the process.]
[ truly, keith, you don't deserve those luscious bishounen locks...
i mean. dumb stupid mullet hair.
anyway, lance shrugs, but doesn't opt to use the towel anymore just in case keith changes his mind later. instead he just watches the other boy fuss with his hair, head tipping to the side in thought. ]
Your hair's getting pretty long. You're probably gonna have to start tying it up soon, at this rate.
[ the urge to reach out, curl a lock of it around a finger, or even comb back some of those long bangs out of his face flares up again, just like before, but this time he finds the impulse is a lot easier to control... at the very least, he can think about it, whereas before, he sort of just did it, pulling a total keith. ]
[He could run the towel over his hair, but it'd frizz out in a gross way. His hair's too long to look anything like Lance's, for example....
He shakes his head -- like a sheepdog, making his bishie locks fall in an even more natural, bishie way. Once he settles at least. While Lance's criticism(?) is constructive for a change (whoa) he can't help but to feel a little...uncertain? Self-conscious? When he goes on about how to tame his outdated hairstyle.]
I haven't had to do that before.
[So it'd...probably look worse if he tried tying it back. Trials of having a mullet.]
[It's a borderline sheepish denial, busying himself with wringing a corner of his trunks out. He keeps dripping onto his toes. It's like Chinese water torture.]
...Why do you know a guy like that, anyway?
[That's such a specific thing. Pay attention to your actual job for a change...dingus. Dummy. Boyo he feels funny.]
anyway, keith's halfhearted protest is ignored, because lance has already decided he knows best, and considering the topic of conversation, he definitely does. while keith continues his vain attempts to dry up, lance starts to look around. ]
Hey — I think I see a cave over there.
[ he perks up, already starting towards it because... why not? ]
Lance's bold statement's met with something precarious, but without a word...because that's probably true? Keith doesn't really keep tabs on the amount of people he just knows because: what an obnoxious feat. Someone should teach him how to put up some walls.
The distraction's a wecomed one; the cave? Caves are so dangerous, but whatever. The desert gremlin's fine with following him without hesitation. The lagoon was nice enough, this should be interesting.
Provided there aren't any bears.
>I didn't know you liked caves. >Stop walking so far ahead. >What's a cactus?]
Was it there the whole time?
[Wildcard option. Kinda a flop, bro. This is what happens when he kisses Lance in a lagoon and doesn't know how to proceed with life or conversation.]
I dunno... I wasn't really paying attention to much else.
[ the way he turns and flashes a sheepish smile at keith as he heads towards the cave makes it seem like he's talking about keith himself... weird... ]
Hey, you think they'll have cool cave stuff in there??
I was thinking more like cool rock formations... but, sure.
[ can someone be weird and cute at the same time... geez.
anyway, they get there, and he peeks in first, tentatively crossing the small threshold. fortunately, the glitter-lights from the lagoon provide a pretty decent look at the space, which is almost cozy... if you forget it's all hard rock. ]
Well, no alien bears, so that's one point in our favor.
[ there appear to be some cool carvings, though... ]
[That's why Lance is never prepared for the inevitable...that's why.]
So far.
[Go in deep enough and they may find a Yeti's bed. The carvings, though, those seem innocent enough. Intriguing, but difficult to parse. He's slowing to a halt as they increase in prevalence, but not without first catching Lance by a wrist.
Precautions. What if these are meant to serve as a warning?! He hasn't run conspiracy tests on them.]
[ oh holding hands already... keith moves so fast...
never mind they already kissed, whatever, whatever. ]
Don't tell me you're scared—
[ the smug teasing is short-lived because of course it's immediately right after he says that that there is suddenly a sound coming from the other end of the cave that has lance yelping sharply, jumping close to keith and somehow managing to wrap his free hand around him in the span of two seconds. ]
[When the castle was haunted by a dickbag, they were equally terrified. Here, in the face of a mystery sound (of which probably belongs to a yeti or mountain lion), he goes tense all over -- doesn't scream, can't because he has to protect Lance?! But his knife --
It's tucked in a secret pocket inside of his hands, though it's not really a secret because the handle's poking out of his waistband. He's not reaching to grab it...
But instead trying to cover Lance's mouth. Deja vu.]
You're giving away our position.
[With a clenched jaw, quietly...ish. He's starting to crab walk to the nearest Irregular Rock Formation for hiding purposes.]
Why does something always want to kill us in this place?!
[ all of this, of course, is hissed under his breath, because of course they couldn't just have something nice, could they. he follows keith as they crab-waddle over to crouch behind a nearby boulder, trying not to shiver as his nerves and still-damp body finally starts to get to him. ]
[Maybe if Lance would take a minute to stop making fun of him, they'd gain a head on these....unfortunate encounters. Though it's quiet now? He's not buying it.
There's definitely a monster lurking up ahead. Maybe it's trying to sleep?]
[ look, keith, at this point you are the boy who cried wolf... how was he supposed to know that your paranoid ramblings would one day be true...
anyway, he's ducking behind the rock but also trying to peek up over it to see if he can make out any of the shadows. maybe if it is trying to sleep, it'll just stay still and let them leave...
nothing really happens for a good long while, until suddenly he sees a flicker of — lime green light?? ]
[ rival, r i v a l. who said anything about idol! ]
No, man, it's gotta be — see!
[ lance isn't even bothering to hide anymore. he's standing to his full height, gesturing wildly at the approaching green light. sure enough, a small fire bug flutters into view. ]
Well, if Lance isn't gonna hide, neither will he. He'll slowly rise to his feet, uncertain -- not about his life, but about Lance's conclusion. Re: associating the light with the light bug from before.
What? Why? We haven't even gotten a chance to see the rest of the place.
[ it'll be fine, keith, see it's just billy... fluttering towards them, bobbing up and down in the air like he's nodding at them or something. don't mind him... he'll go on his merry way... ]
[He...falls quiet. He'll wait until shit hits the fan to revisit this conversation. Instead, he's linefacing, keeping to Lance's side. They very nearly just died (theoretically, like, Billy could've been anything), but he wants to keep probing in...
Like surviving a plane crash and hopping on a jet.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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but that doesn't mean he's not gonna be smug for a second here! ]
No, sorry, it's my privilege as the likee to remind you all I want.
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[Is that even a word? Is that what they are? Likers and Likees? He's completely unamused, despite being the triumphant assailant here?!]
You get out first.
[Reigning it all in, lest he get into a big debate over words he's never used before, even if it's a lopsided thing for sure.]
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but at least lance acquiesces, moving towards the edge of the lagoon again to hoist himself out. he heads for his towel pretty quickly, but only uses it to wipe off his fair and run it through his hair a couple of times. fortunately for them both, his hair's short enough that it doesn't take much, and it's with a wild mess of strands sticking up that he offers the towel to keith once he gets himself out of the water too.
a pseudo olive branch, perhaps?? ]
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The air isn't cold, so he's not too bothered in lacking a towel. He's in the middle of fingering through his hair, gathering it together at the base of his neck in a fake ponytail for wringing out when Lance offers his own partially-used towel.
What's almost too distracting is the way his hair sticks up, like an angry porcupine or something.
Cute....]
I'm fine...
[While actually wresting the water from his hair, violating 100 beauty laws in the process.]
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i mean. dumb stupid mullet hair.
anyway, lance shrugs, but doesn't opt to use the towel anymore just in case keith changes his mind later. instead he just watches the other boy fuss with his hair, head tipping to the side in thought. ]
Your hair's getting pretty long. You're probably gonna have to start tying it up soon, at this rate.
[ the urge to reach out, curl a lock of it around a finger, or even comb back some of those long bangs out of his face flares up again, just like before, but this time he finds the impulse is a lot easier to control... at the very least, he can think about it, whereas before, he sort of just did it, pulling a total keith. ]
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He shakes his head -- like a sheepdog, making his bishie locks fall in an even more natural, bishie way. Once he settles at least. While Lance's criticism(?) is constructive for a change (whoa) he can't help but to feel a little...uncertain? Self-conscious? When he goes on about how to tame his outdated hairstyle.]
I haven't had to do that before.
[So it'd...probably look worse if he tried tying it back. Trials of having a mullet.]
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What — never?
[ he's definitely more curious than incredulous. after a moment, he seems to decide on something, and then just waves a hand in the air. ]
I'll get you some hairties at the Market District. I know a guy who sells them for cheap.
[ the unspoken part here being that lance will, of course, teach him how now. ]
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[It's a borderline sheepish denial, busying himself with wringing a corner of his trunks out. He keeps dripping onto his toes. It's like Chinese water torture.]
...Why do you know a guy like that, anyway?
[That's such a specific thing. Pay attention to your actual job for a change...dingus. Dummy. Boyo he feels funny.]
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Because I know everyone.
[ he isn't even bragging. he literally just does.
anyway, keith's halfhearted protest is ignored, because lance has already decided he knows best, and considering the topic of conversation, he definitely does. while keith continues his vain attempts to dry up, lance starts to look around. ]
Hey — I think I see a cave over there.
[ he perks up, already starting towards it because... why not? ]
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Lance's bold statement's met with something precarious, but without a word...because that's probably true? Keith doesn't really keep tabs on the amount of people he just knows because: what an obnoxious feat. Someone should teach him how to put up some walls.
The distraction's a wecomed one; the cave? Caves are so dangerous, but whatever. The desert gremlin's fine with following him without hesitation. The lagoon was nice enough, this should be interesting.
Provided there aren't any bears.
>I didn't know you liked caves.
>Stop walking so far ahead.
>What's a cactus?]
Was it there the whole time?
[Wildcard option. Kinda a flop, bro. This is what happens when he kisses Lance in a lagoon and doesn't know how to proceed with life or conversation.]
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he could've poked lance's buttcrack. ]
I dunno... I wasn't really paying attention to much else.
[ the way he turns and flashes a sheepish smile at keith as he heads towards the cave makes it seem like he's talking about keith himself... weird... ]
Hey, you think they'll have cool cave stuff in there??
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--Like bears, or an alien Yeti?
[That's right, ground the situation. Don't get caught up in the cutesty stuff.]
I hope not.
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[ can someone be weird and cute at the same time... geez.
anyway, they get there, and he peeks in first, tentatively crossing the small threshold. fortunately, the glitter-lights from the lagoon provide a pretty decent look at the space, which is almost cozy... if you forget it's all hard rock. ]
Well, no alien bears, so that's one point in our favor.
[ there appear to be some cool carvings, though... ]
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So far.
[Go in deep enough and they may find a Yeti's bed. The carvings, though, those seem innocent enough. Intriguing, but difficult to parse. He's slowing to a halt as they increase in prevalence, but not without first catching Lance by a wrist.
Precautions. What if these are meant to serve as a warning?! He hasn't run conspiracy tests on them.]
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never mind they already kissed, whatever, whatever.]Don't tell me you're scared—
[ the smug teasing is short-lived because of course it's immediately right after he says that that there is suddenly a sound coming from the other end of the cave that has lance yelping sharply, jumping close to keith and somehow managing to wrap his free hand around him in the span of two seconds. ]
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It's tucked in a secret pocket inside of his hands, though it's not really a secret because the handle's poking out of his waistband. He's not reaching to grab it...
But instead trying to cover Lance's mouth. Deja vu.]
You're giving away our position.
[With a clenched jaw, quietly...ish. He's starting to crab walk to the nearest Irregular Rock Formation for hiding purposes.]
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[ all of this, of course, is hissed under his breath, because of course they couldn't just have something nice, could they. he follows keith as they crab-waddle over to crouch behind a nearby boulder, trying not to shiver as his nerves and still-damp body finally starts to get to him. ]
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[Maybe if Lance would take a minute to stop making fun of him, they'd gain a head on these....unfortunate encounters. Though it's quiet now? He's not buying it.
There's definitely a monster lurking up ahead. Maybe it's trying to sleep?]
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anyway, he's ducking behind the rock but also trying to peek up over it to see if he can make out any of the shadows. maybe if it is trying to sleep, it'll just stay still and let them leave...
nothing really happens for a good long while, until suddenly he sees a flicker of — lime green light?? ]
—oh my gosh, it's Billy!
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...Every weird light isn't the same light we saw before?!
[He's tempted to stifle him again, but refrains...just in case. It is moving in a similar way, emitting a very similar light.
He still doesn't like it. He's unmoving, happy to keep by the stone wall -- even if Lance kinda gave away their positions from the get-go.]
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No, man, it's gotta be — see!
[ lance isn't even bothering to hide anymore. he's standing to his full height, gesturing wildly at the approaching green light. sure enough, a small fire bug flutters into view. ]
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Well, if Lance isn't gonna hide, neither will he. He'll slowly rise to his feet, uncertain -- not about his life, but about Lance's conclusion. Re: associating the light with the light bug from before.
And if that is the same bug, where's his wife?]
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[ it'll be fine, keith, see it's just billy... fluttering towards them, bobbing up and down in the air like he's nodding at them or something. don't mind him... he'll go on his merry way... ]
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Like surviving a plane crash and hopping on a jet.]
Fine.
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