Necklace Graveyard

"I could always buy you some daisies, simulate the experience for you." The alien offered with a half chuckle. Whether the former Judge accepted this idea or not, Kev was already putting it to mind to go out and get something nice for Fear. Livewire too. Perhaps flowers to brighten up the house...the moment the femme had inquired if he'd heard from Nessa, a light gloom seemed to overtake the area. An assortment of daisies and tulips, maybe that would cheer things up. Blue eyes stole a glance at the ghoul, observing as he choked down glass after glass of whiskey inside that great iron helm. On second thought, maybe flowers were too small to make much of a difference.

First, their daughter had shut down in grief, now his boyfriend was practically saturated with the emotion. Negative emotions came so easily to him, as it was in his nature. Livewire lost yet another person she loved, so seemingly close to the last...! Fear had to perform his psychic surgery and was now coasting off the events of the day, feeling just as awful for her as Kev himself. Perhaps even more so due to the empathy! His chest twisted up, tangled with several emotions as he put the finishing touches on his tray. An icy stare was settled upon the cheery wall of the kitchen, directed at nobody who still lived in this world. He allowed himself this brief outlet, before taking a deep breath and steadying himself as he set the tray down in front of his partner.

A small laugh bubbled out of the scaly man. "I had a pretty good teacher." With regards to the 'fond' memory, Kev rolled his eyes in a good-natured fashion, nudging Fear with an elbow. "That dishrag was clean, not sullied! But, that is a rather nice memory, since it lead to you gifting me with reliable ole 'Li'l Mary'." Fingertips lightly patted the purple wool of the tea cozy, eyes crinkling with some delight before he set about to pouring Fear's cuppa for him. The ghoul instantly declined his offer of sharing an actual drunken haze, insisting he needed to be alert just in case anything else happened today. The alien nodded soberly, drifting close to Fear's side. "I understand."

"Besssidesss! You're sssuch a terrible pisssspot, it'sss downright unbearable. I reckon you could barely hold a sssingle round of hard liquor."

Scales bristled over his body, the alien briefly resembling a pinecone as he squinted at the other's helm. "Hey! I'm not that much of a lightweight..." Kev protested, not wanting to admit defeat. Had he even really had hard liquor of this caliber? If he did, he certainly had no memories of it. The burp earned a huff. "Hmph. You're just a showoff is all. I bet you could win money at bars in drinking contests. Drink people under the table." That poor cockroach...he winced before an arm wrapped around thin shoulders and he drew close until his cheek rested on Fear's. "Try not to burn up all of your little 'friends' in there. You'll run out of kindling and then you might start belching flames~!"

"But I'd be throwing it away in the name of love!" Which, by the laws of romance, made it not a waste at all! A sly snicker escaped the alien, hinting that Fear had won in this game of logic. Though, it still seemed a good idea to buy some flowers to stick in vases. This place needed cheering up. As to be expected due to the mental bond between them, Kev's emotions weren't a secret to Fear. Not even with alcohol to distract him. He didn't truly mind though...it was actually a boon to have someone like the ghoul who understood his emotions. Perhaps even more than Kev himself did. Peeking over a shoulder, the scaly man nodded softly before approaching with the tea. "You're right, Keptoya. There's no use in being upset at someone who's not even here. And...and it will be alright. Eventually." These things would take time, as they always did.

Until then... He was sorely tempted to retract from society for a day or two. Leaving the house suddenly felt like a burden. All Kev wanted to do was wrap his arms around the lean corpse from behind, bury his face against his spine and spoon for hours. He wanted to grab their bumblebee, tuck her close against his side, and place his own head upon her's. He wanted to feel safe in his lover's arms, feel Livewire next to him. He wanted to be with his family.

Such modesty drew a snort and a raised eyebrow ridge from the alien. Every chuckle seemed to chip away at any lingering anger still simmering on Kev's psyche, leaving him unable to do much aside from chuckle in return.
"Alright, alright...you were a right sight better than Morgana, that's for sure! She taught me the bloody yank way, also known as the worst way." Boiling the water in a normal pan, letting the tea bags sit inside of it. The very thought made him turn his nose up! How long ago it seemed to be that he was so uncultured and ignorant. He allowed the remark about the rag to flow over his back with nary but a small laugh, especially when Fear went on to sincerely compliment his improvement. Sort of proud, is that right? A hand found its way upon his own chest, the alien letting out a little gasp. "I'm always happy to make you proud...sir~" The leaner man cooed sweetly, batting his eyes. A truly warm feeling began to spread within, like a candle being lit. Even if he seemed reluctant to admit it, Kev had done him proud with his tea! Anything positive was soaked up as if he were a sponge.

A true Englishman, the tea had done more good for the former Judge than any amount of alcohol did! "And here I thought you were humble when we first met." Kev teased lightly, shaking his head with a 'tsk'. What could have possibly changed? An eye popped open to regard the ghoul when he spoke again, listening curiously. True, with his immunity to becoming truly drunk, drinking people under the table was child's play. "Oh?" Now both blue eyes stared at the metal helm in slight surprise. "I...did not know that! Hm...guess that explains why she's not a fan of you." A hand clasped at his own chin, almost a mirror of Fear. "I would never have pegged her to be the type to be spooked but...then again, your powers can frighten everyone." Left unspoken was Kev's own immunity, though a light swing of the hips and a coy wink were all he needed to imply what hadn't been mentioned.

In the time he'd spent with Fear, Kev learned that the ghoul was a more conservative type. Though his movements were almost imperceptible for most, the alien knew better. He knew that if he felt bad, Fear likely felt the same, if not worse. He would have been fine before, arms wrapping around the corpse and feeling him lean ever so slightly into the touches, but things did not stay that way. Large hands nudged him, moving and guiding until he was seated upon Fear's lap, and long arms kept him close. His eyes widened, gawking up at his partner before he pressed himself close. Those same eyes slammed shut, not needing to see anything as he held close to the man he loved. Arms snaking around the other's thin chest, cheek pressed against his clothing. He sighed into him, breathing in the smell of delicious tea, a bit of alcohol, and undead corpse. Despite the odd scents that may make others turn away, he relaxed into the other. This. This was what he needed right now. This was home. This was perfect.

"Thanksss, love... for ssstaying with me and being yourssself. I don't know what I'd do without you, you little horny toad, ha ha... I appreciate it very much."

Fingers tightened into Fear's shirt, the alien's scales practically glowing with the flush of blood to them. "Always, love. If all I have to do for you is stay here and be myself...I'll do it everytime." It always felt so special, to be in the arms of somebody who was so strong, so powerful. To not have to worry about being carelessly killed again, to not feel alone anymore. And on top of all of that...to have his supernaturally strong partner open up and reveal a bit of vulnerability to him, a side very few saw...? It was a deep show of trust. Feeling the iron helm pressed against his temple, Kev returned the pressed and nuzzled into him. A hand rose to cup the ghoul's metal cheek. "I'm so glad you were here... I don't know what I'd do without you either." The soft scales of his thumb rubbed smooth iron tenderly. There was no way he could have handled something of this magnitude on his own. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me on the Breach."

Fear's resolute agreement did a lot to soothe the alien's soul, his large eyes more at ease. Impermanence was perhaps the greatest and most powerful lesson he'd learned from the ghoul. For too long, Kev had allowed himself to wallow in despair over things that would not last forever. Only his perception made the awful things linger. So many things had passed them by, their little family was no stranger to adversity. So long as they remained stable and loving for each other, they could keep afloat until this too, passed. Emerald cheeks darkened as his guypal caught on to Kev's thoughts, tenderly admonishing him and steering him away from tuning out the world at large. The scaly man was sheepish, turning his head downwards. "You're right, Fear. It would be unfair to shrug away my responsibilities and...and having something to keep my attention will keep me steady." Such was life when your partner was psychic, though it was actually a relief for the lean alien. The ghoul could catch onto certain thoughts and steer him in the right direction. It was an aspect of their relationship that he deeply appreciated and it was clear from the look in his eyes.

Imagining how he used to boil his tea in a blasted pot, Kev snickered to himself softly. He had even allowed his tea bags to just boil in the water! No teapot, no cozies, and his knowledge of tea flavors was mediocre at best! As was the spirit of impermanence, things had changed and he was no longer ignorant. Well...that ignorant. "I appreciate that you taught me the right way. Now I'm now as much of a savage!" Ooga booga, bang the pot and make water hot. Then slash the head off of a chicken and go roll into a dirt pit. The very mental image brought another joyful chuckle to the alien.

Ever so humble, the iron helm peeked over a cup of tea as he insisted as much. Indeed, the ghoul really was humble. He'd given up his badge and moved in with a scaly sinner. He did so much for both himself and Livewire, asking for very little in return. That had the be the very definition of 'humble'! "I'll repay your humbleness every time with tea and hugs, Kikiri." The sacrifice was not ignored, and he would hold Fear close and tenderly every morning he woke up in the ghoul's lanky arms. Kev was a lucky alien.

Yes, fear was a state of mind that all things understood. From the smallest mouse to the largest God and even including a mysterious woman like the Queen of Fae. When he worded it like that, perhaps it wasn't so strange. Kev was just used to the confident and outspoken Cailia he had typically seen for himself. Imagining her in a state of fright...seemed impossible. Smugness faded into an almost apologetic squint, immune as he was to Fear's gaze the emotion of fear did live on inside of his heart. It was just harder at times to stir the feeling in him, compared to the coward he used to be! "Right you are, sir." A bit too cheeky, perhaps. Kev's gaze furrowed quizzically as the ghoul insisted that Cailia really did appreciate his company, even if his powers were not so pleasing. "Hm...good point! She's never been the most...touchy-feely sort of woman. I guess calling you chuckles is how she expresses her affection." Alas, most people were indeed not a fan of Fear's powers and perhaps for a good reason. Still, the alien trilled softly to his partner. "At least that isn't how it goes with me. I like your powers." He deeply appreciated the intricacies of the ghoul's dark powers and respected them.

Yellowed talons rubbed over Kev's skull, eliciting a pleased hum as he leaned into the affection. Stray scales flaked, edged off by the claws and the hum turned into a rumble. Both hands grasped the corpse and gave him a gentle squeeze. Seated upon Fear, leaning into his chest...this felt so nice. "Absolutely!" A tall order but Kev was always ready to assist his guypal! The determination was definitely matched as Fear pledged his devotion to the scaly man, for it was as absolute as death. As reliable as that which claimed most living beings. A dark comparison, but his large blue eyes seemed to sparkle. The large hand over his own felt as snug and perfect as a great glove. His guypal, his partner, his other half. This ghoul was here, for him. Supportive and always ready to help! It was amazing to feel secure in his relationship. A soft sigh escaped him, rubbing his temple against the other's chest. "I love you."

Just as things were beginning to get rather fluffy, leave it to Fear to bring it right back around to being sugar glazed ham! "Second best?!" Huffing and returning his gaze upwards, Kev nevertheless had an amused look to his eye that kept him from seeming actually upset. He only snorted even more as the ghoul revealed what the 'first best' thing on the Breach was. "Huhuhu~! Well, you wouldn't even have that if it wasn't for me! So...in a roundabout way I'm also the first best~!" Who made that tea, after all? But then, Fear taught him the proper way so going down that hole made Fear the first best thing to happen to Fear on the Breach. This was a deep ole rabbit hole. Tilting his head into those nails to facilitate the best scratchies he could get, he considered the suggestion. The day had gone by so fast, and yet so slow at the same time. After the round of psychic surgery, the undead man was no doubt exhausted. Pressing up to plant a small mouthless peck to iron metal with a "Chu~!", the alien nodded his agreement. "Early to bed, early to rise, eh wot? We'll all feel better in the morning!" Tomorrow was another day.