JUNE OPEN LOG

[sailmods]

[but, hey: you shouldn't be left out of the camping fun just because you didn't think to sign up, or you only got here yesterday, or actually you only got here today and you have no idea what's going on! because the camp can come to YOU!

meaning, shortly after seeing the others off, Friday returns to the atrium and begins setting up a few items she's brought from... somewhere, one assumes? a pup tent. two sleeping bags. a tent stove. s'mores accoutrements. there's a fake potted plant that she decided looked enough like a tree. all pushed together in the middle of the atrium.

at her spot behind the desk, she looks visibly pleased with herself. she's doing her best.]

Comments

[pineapplesalmon]

César has things to say. Firstly, though, he needs to carefully bend over to kiss that cheek. When he straightens, he starts walking again.

"Mmm, you were right. I threw myself into designing things to forget and forgot to even drink water." Hence that big water bottle making another one of its occasional appearances, but usually just straight up science being the cause, not upset. "Ha, what a quick thinking person they were."

Is this an apology? Was it something apology worthy? César's not sure he cares, knowing that Johnny has gone to such lengths now.

[businessorlibation]

“Or maybe they just needed something to do with their hands because they didn’t like feeling useless.”

Who knows, it’s a mystery.

[pineapplesalmon]

César's going to focus on walking for a moment as they reach the elevator. "... Oh."

An air of why is my boyfriend cute and sweet in that little sound. "They should've asked me to help."

[businessorlibation]

“Maybe they weren’t sure you’d want to, after all that. But hey, you get to eat lunch in a blanket fort, so that’s cool. And maybe we pick a couple nights and sleep out in the atrium?”

He hopes César will agree to that.

[pineapplesalmon]

The little bit of modern(?) slang just keeps that smile going.

"I'll always prefer to work through the feelings upsetting me rather than hold onto them. Always. So you know next time." César won't make it difficult, and he walks into the elevator as it arrives. "Incredibly cool. And I would love to sleep out in the atrium. I used to sleep outside my family's hacienda in the early summer. My parents would kill most of the lights so we could see the entire sky."

[businessorlibation]

“Do you think Friday would turn out the lights in the atrium for us?” He’s already asked a favor today, he might beg César to ask her this one. Look, look, people are difficult, especially when you can’t read their face.

[pineapplesalmon]

"She might; that would be lovely," César smiles softly at the idea, then looks over the atrium through the elevator glass. "Oh, wow. You've been busy!"

[businessorlibation]

"I needed to do something with my hands." Yes, he said that already, but maybe this time it'll be understood properly. "Besides, now there's space for just about as many people as might want to camp out. I don't even know how many of us are left on the ship."

[pineapplesalmon]

"Either way, it should be enough." César realizes he's missing something and looks at Johnny apologetically. "Ah, My brain can't parse the subtext in the 'I needed to do something with my hands'."

It's ESL or ADHD, he's not sure.

[businessorlibation]

"I needed to feel like I could accomplish something. Do something useful to someone, somewhere. I don't like being stuck on the ship, you know that, right? I'm not just trying to get out of the bad shit."

He's just...you know. Still beating himself up, but at least he did something kinda impressive.

[pineapplesalmon]

"Ah." He was overthinking it, and César's expression softens. "I know you don't like it. And being on the ship doesn't make you useless at all."

Ding. He steps out of the elevator. César takes a moment to simply survey everything, his shoulders relaxing with him hardly being conscious of it.

"I found purpose staying on the boat last time beyond just supporting you. I... left the cabin to do perimeter sweeps for people simply needing a human connection. Things like this. People simply being there."

César looks over to Johnny with pride. "This is a good you solution. Let's get into one of these forts and relax, because I need it."

[businessorlibation]

"I suggest the one along the portside wall, at the base of the stairs, here. I thought that space would best accommodate two grown adults, and because of how it's positioned by the air conditioning vent, it's comfortably cool--perfect for cuddles."

You know, just in case.

[pineapplesalmon]

Okay, that's a complete change of subject, but César will let it happen.

"I was wondering if you had picked one out already..." César teases slightly, heading in that direction. "Cuddles and a nap, perhaps?"

He's easy to please.

[businessorlibation]

"Cuddles and a nap sound perfect. Just what I need as well."

He trails after César with a quick glance over his shoulder, checking to see if anyone else has noticed the blanket fort city yet.

[pineapplesalmon]

César feels a momentary elation at Johnny admitting he needs it, too. Those admissions are almost always brief, blink and miss. Johnny prefers to self-soothe via taking care of others. César has accepted that, and it makes every time Johnny shows the slightest vulnerability feel like a carefully wrapped gift for César's heart. He knows if Johnny decides to care more for him this week than usual to keep some form of control, he'll accept it without question.

"Food, cuddles, and a nap. Can't think of a better way to start the afternoon." César lets his pleasure shine in his voice since Johnny can't see his face.

And indeed, that is exactly how they start their afternoon. César eats everything on his plate (Johnny knows how much he eats per sitting, too) and drinks a good portion of his water. He takes the hint when Johnny moves afterward and lays his head down on a perfectly placed lap. Johnny's hands are perfect.

Sufficiently lulled into a near sleep, César murmurs for Johnny to join him, and Johnny obliges. It isn't long before they both drift off after that. César's last thoughts revolve around how grateful he is that he's no longer alone.