victory_road | ❖ Act & Exposition, VR edt. [Permanent Catch-All]

'Cruise' is a new term for Sylvain in the idea that people just board a boat full of luxuries for the fun of it. But honestly, the more he thinks about it, the more he warms up to it. The sea is not a place he's familiar with beyond the frigid, rocky coasts of far-flung Faerghus. Olivine living has acquainted him somewhat, but boats still seem fascinating and distant.

Three weeks on one seems excessive. But it's also three weeks (mostly) alone with Felix, surrounded by the beautiful sea, no obligations, no awkward not-relationships to balance while being helpless to deal with them. No strange new holidays and emotionally charged situations. And suddenly 'excessive' feels more akin to 'desperately needed, but potentially not enough.'

Yes, he adores having his friends around and safe. But there's still the awkward feeling of wearing someone else's skin, and the palpable disturbance he feels as though he causes all around. A little room to breathe with one of the few people he's positive of his standing with will do him good.

He's packed lightly- mostly because he has very little to pack at all. But when he reads on the pamphlet that Pokémon battles may occur, he thinks to bring his tiny menagerie along in their pokeballs tucked into his backpack. He double checks everything one last time as he and Felix stand on the dock, and gives a lofty sigh.

Sylvain leans his shoulder onto Felix's, and offers him a tired smile. There's an ever-present gentleness in his voice as he teases Felix about such a sweet gesture in his favorite way. By poking fun at him.

"Don't know how you, of all people, are gonna be able to relax for three weeks. But I am looking forward to it."

Felix had more experience with boats and the ocean even before coming to Johto, as Fraldarius borders the warmer sea that connects it to Derdriu's port. He's never spent three consecutive weeks on one before, but he figures it can't be that different from the week they spent in Sevii for their honeymoon.

And if he's wrong, well, he brought his Gyarados for a reason.

He hasn't said so to anyone other than Sylvain and Felicity, but the tension and the crowding back at the house has been getting to him for a while, too. All the new arrivals, the messy relationship questions and deeply personal conversations, having to keep things from Sylvain and endure all the knowing looks and navigate what the hell he's even supposed to say or not say until they make up their minds about telling Sylvain or not, having to watch Sylvain pretend he's totally fine - it's too much. Felix needs things to be uncomplicated again for a while. Needs to clear his head. Remember what it was like to be unreservedly happy without feeling like the ground is constantly shifting under his feet.

Of course, he promised he would call Dimitri and Claude often, send them photos, keep them updated. It's not them he wants a break from, really. Just...the situation. The constant ebb and flow of high emotions and the uncertainty of things left unsaid.

Felix has packed lightly, too, mostly just because he's Felix. He had to choose his team carefully, knowing they might not have access to a PC on board; eventually, he settled on Zoltan the Aegislash (in case trouble breaks out), Kyphon (for Surf), Fellstar (because he always needs at least one cat and this one is psychic), André (for sparring), Rivia (for sparring and as his second-most reliable Water type)...and Inda. She's been waiting too long already.

But for right now, they're just standing on the docks waiting to board; Felix is wearing his sunglasses to shield his eyes from the bright sunlight reflecting off the water. Sunglasses he knows for a fact Sylvain looks really good wearing. He's pondering that when the contact and the smile happen. Felix gives him an unimpressed look, even as he's reaching over to lace their fingers together without glancing down or acknowledging he's doing it at all.

"Who said anything about relaxing? Maybe I just want three weeks of uninterrupted training." He says it with a totally straight face, too, despite not meaning it at all.

...mostly.

Sylvain wears an audacious look about the idea of Felix training on their vacation. Not because he thinks Felix couldn't train for three-weeks straight- because Sylvain has seen him do it- but there's no way Sylvain's about to let him. Not when they have so much private time to themselves. Sylvain's got other plans. Sexier plans.

"You're full of it." It's almost a taunt. As many of his little quips at Felix often are. But he doesn't miss a beat, and give's Felix's hand a gentle squeeze in turn. Physical affections aren't new to him by any means, but physical affection with Felix are still something he's getting used to. It's in the best way though; mostly just remembering he's allowed. He breathes out a pleased laugh. Right this is Felix, and it's real around him. Speaking of Felix...

"No, I take it back. That's not a challenge, and don't you dare. You have to at least show me the whole boat before you start on anything decidedly not fun. And maybe a nap afterwards."

"Am I?" It's a taunt right back, definitely the challenge Sylvain thinks it is, but he can't help cracking a smile at Sylvain's laughter. He seems more relaxed already than he has been since he arrived, and Felix is glad for it.

"Training is fun," Felix insists, stubborn - although even this is a concession he wouldn't have made a year ago, when he claimed 'fun' wasn't even in his vocabulary. "More fun than sleeping through our vacation. --ah. They're boarding. Come on."

The boarding process takes longer than Felix would have liked, but he takes the opportunity to scout out the competition. Yes, this is a vacation, and he is mostly kidding about the training, but of course there will be trainers challenging each other to Pokemon battles, and Felix intends to win. And if he wants to show off a little in front of Sylvain, well...there's nothing wrong with that.

Finally, they get on board the ship and find their bunk, which is really little more than a nice big bed and a small adjoining bathroom. Which means that one of Felix's plans for this trip will have to take place somewhere else...hmm. He'll have to keep an eye out for potential spots.

"One nap during a three-week period is not sleeping through our-" He doesn't get to finish as the line starts moving, and they're ushered into the luxury vessel. There's documents to be shown, and trainer cards to be swiped, along with a general reminder of the rules. Battles are allowed, encouraged even, but destruction of any property will accrue a hefty fine, there's a tab kept for any onboard purchases, et cetera. What Sylvain gleans is that there's a lot of money involved regardless of activity.

"I know that look," he says, leaning close to Felix after they finally make it aboard the ship proper. It's the same one he'd see when Felix was sizing up students and instructors alike at the training grounds in Garreg Mach. That eye for form and ability to gauge skill. "You're never allowed to call be insatiable again. We're on a luxury boat for vacation, in another world, mind you, and you're still looking for who you want to fight first."

When they get to their room, the first thing Sylvain does is flop backwards onto the bed, and heave a great sigh. It's nicely plush, perfect for a nap. And cuddling... and other things too. Yeah, he's looking forward to getting settled. Lazily, he waves a hand for Felix to come over.

"Decide who you're going to challenge first, or you really ruminating on it?"

Felix turns slightly toward Sylvain, even as his eyes remain on the other trainers wandering about. "Hmph. You'll learn soon enough that I'm hardly the only trainer here who's always ready to battle. You can't walk a single route without being challenged."

It's part of the reason Felix is so stupidly, filthy rich here.

Sylvain plops himself down on the bed immediately, which is no surprise. Felix climbs onto the bed to sit close beside him. "I've seen a few contenders. Those who don't look wealthy enough to idly afford tickets are likely those who have defeated the final gym leader of one or both regions. Worthy opponents."

He glances down at Sylvain and says, in a tone that implies he already knows how this suggestion will go, "This would be a good opportunity for you to learn how to battle, as well."

Great, more people to fuel Felix's challenger zeal- Sylvain thinks to himself. He figures voicing it aloud might earn him one of those warning slaps on the arm. The ones where he's sure Felix thinks they're only half-hearted.

He can't really be upset though, or at all really. But it is fun to give Felix guff, so the theatrics are always on. Especially when Felix suggests, Sylvain should be battling too.

Twisting around, Sylvain hooks an arm around Felix's lean waist, and keeps him closer still. He wonders if he could get away with pretending to just... fall asleep. Hm, probably not, but worth considering to get out of any kind of training.

"Vacations are good opportunities for a lot of things. For instance: not battling, napping with me, kissing, not battling, sex, eating good food, exploring ports, and did I mention not battling?" Sylvain offers him a wry smirk from against Felix's hip. He's joking... mostly. He'll follow Felix about like a lost dog regardless of what it involves, but can Felix really blame him for trying to weasel out of effort?

[he wants to be the very best like no one ever was...]

Felix drops a hand down to card through Sylvain's hair idly, even as he rolls his eyes. He can blame Sylvain for that, actually!...but for once, he won't. Mostly. "Tch. Slacker. Okay, fine, but you'll at least watch my battles." He's brooking no argument on that one. How can he ~~show off~~ demonstrate if Sylvain's not there? Purely educational, obviously.

"You left a few things off your list. Like dancing. Surfing with Kyphon. Catching some new Pokemon, perhaps."

Sylvain nearly purrs when his antics earn him those nice pets regardless. He picks himself up just enough look up at Felix, and it's plain something's caught his attention. It's definitely the dancing part.

"Of course I will. Who else is gonna be your personal espouser?" Did he ever think he'd end up getting to be like a lady at a jousting tournament, cheering for a handsome man's victory- and while on a boat? No. But he's not about to complain. Life is just strange like that sometimes.

"Hold on. You can't just drop something like 'dancing' and not elaborate. Since when do you dance?" A pause. "Wait, isn't Kyphon the angry, blue snake? Gara- Gero- whatever- the species is. Pretty sure he'll take a bite out of me first."

Felix groans suspiciously. "Do I want to know what 'personal espouser' is supposed to entail?" Because it sounds like 'draw attention to Felix,' to him. Still, Sylvain saying that of course he would watch him battle and be in his corner - Felix likes that.

"Huh?" What does he mean, since when - oh. Right. Felix didn't bother telling anyone about his secret dance practice until they got here. He rolls his eyes. "Gyarados, and no, he won't. Unless you make a nuisance of yourself."

That last bit isn't true, of course; Felix long ago proved to Kyphon that he was a trainer worth following, and Kyphon likes Sylvain besides. But Sylvain has more than earned his share of teasing, if you ask Felix.

"As for dancing, I've been studying dance since I was thirteen. In the beginning, it was just to aid in training footwork, balance, endurance - things that would improve my swordplay. Now I suppose it's...a hobby."

"Y'know," Sylvain explains as vaguely as possible. He even adds a gesture like of course Felix is supposed to know. At least after a moment, he grins and adds, "I cheer you on. I kiss you in the winner's circle. Maybe I even scoop you up like a prize."

He wont be that embarrassing, but its always a consideration. Maybe even a threat.

Sylvain cocks a brow as Felix talks about dancing though. He waves a hand, "right, gyarados, that's it." That's not the important part though. Felix has been dancing since he was thirteen, and yet Sylvain's not known about it. It draws a frown on his expression.

"Huh. Y'know, it makes sense when I think about it. You weren't nearly as offended as I thought you'd be when the professor was trying to find a volunteer for the White Heron Cup that year. Now I'm shocked you didn't take the chance to win." Sylvain tilts his head, still faintly bothered by something. "How come I never knew about this?"

Felix groans. "Absolutely not. I'm not a prize. Besides, all gym matches are broadcast on the network and people take pictures of everything. I am not going to let you embarrass me in front of literally everyone."

He shrugs. "I said I danced. I didn't say I performed. Dancing in front of a crowd of people gawking at me was out of the question."

His head half-turns to glance down at Sylvain. "Because I never told you."

"No, but I could be your prize," Sylvain amends, waggling his eyebrows at Felix like it's meant to work any kind of charm.

It's amusing to Sylvain that all these things Felix does, so many others do for the attention and accolades. Yet Felix is allergic to it by whatever twist of fate. Fame and glory could be this man's everything if he ever wanted.

"Yeah, I caught that part, O' brilliant mind." He says it with a cheeky smirk, and motions for Felix to continue. "I meant more of why didn't you tell me. Did you think I'd make fun of you or something? Because I swear, I wouldn't."

Felix snorts and covers Sylvain's face with his hand, pushing it away lightly. "Is that supposed to be some kind of incentive?"

It's true - were Felix ever to crave the public eye and their adoration, he could have them easily. But he doesn't want the attention of strangers; he barely tolerates the attention of those he knows. He had a taste of the celebrity life last winter when the Snorunts caused that whole boy band mixup, and he loathed every second of it.

Felix rolls his eyes, but has to think about the answer for a moment. "I suppose perhaps I did. Or that you would attempt to drag me into the spotlight." That's a bit wry, considering what they were just talking about a minute ago. Then he shrugs. "It was supposed to be something just for myself. Back then, at least. An indulgence. Obviously, during the war it was harder to find the time."

There's a muffled laugh against Felix's palm, and Sylvain ducks his head after a moment. Laying it on Felix' lap, he's still grinning.

"What, you're not charmed? I'm offended." Sylvain lightly bats at Felix's hand, and gives something akin to a shrug. It's a little odd given how he's half laid on Felix, and half on the bed.

"Ah, well I'd probably have suggested it at least- not that I can even imagine little you ever wanting to dance in front of people. But sometimes it's nice to have your own space, regardless. I get it."

A beat.

"Although... maybe you could still dance. But, y'know, letting me watch?"

Felix allows his hand to be batted away, only to relocate it back in Sylvain's hair again, idly running his fingers through it. "Charmed by what, the idea of 'winning' something I already have? How is that charming?"

He looks down at Sylvain with a small smirk, one eyebrow lifted. "That was my plan. But there's no room for it in here. We'll have to find somewhere else that's private on the ship."

"Oh c'mon, you like winning in general." Sylvain could sass him more, but honestly he's placated by the hand in his hair. He ends up settling his head back down again, nearly purring with the pets.

"Oh, I'm sure I can find somewhere," he says with a lazy lilt. Eyes half-lidded, he looks about ready to fall asleep in Felix's lap. His voice slurs a bit even. "With that kind of motivation, I'll find a perfect venue."

"I do. And I don't need prizes for it. The badge alone will suffice." Sylvain's been back for about a month, but even so, Felix is still getting used to seeing him so content again. The blazing determination that he would do anything to keep making Sylvain this happy forever surges through him just as it did months ago, and he refuses to think about how tenuous it truly is. Not now.

"You're falling asleep. If you want to nap, don't do it like this. Come here." He pushes Sylvain off his lap so he can take off his shoes and then pull back the covers to lie down properly. He holds them open as an invitation.

"Yeah, but I'm better than a silly badge," Sylvain half-protests, half-yawns.

He doesn't even complain when his comfy lap space is taken away. Swaying a little, he's quick to properly lay down, and try to drag Felix with him.

"Nap with me. Then we can go watch you win, yeah?"

Edited (Mooooooobile give me my damn icons istg) 2022-01-29 20:58 (UTC)

"You are," Felix agrees, not seeing this as a particularly useful argument against what he said despite it being a true statement.

He lets Sylvain pull him close, and feels more relaxed than he has in months. He's not usually one for naps, but Sylvain's not the only one who's been stressed out about the situation at the house, and right now he doesn't want to leave Sylvain's side.

"All right. A short nap." He tilts his head to kiss Sylvain before settling back against the pillows properly.

Sylvain leaves his details vague, but he does promise Felix a gift tonight. A holiday about love? Of course he'll be participating. Though wildly carousing about isn't on his agenda anymore, that doesn't mean he plans for any less fun.

So he invites Felix out for the evening in Ecruteak. The night market seems like it ought to be the perfect venue, from what Sylvain can tell. Food and beautiful lights, probably cute handicrafts and other trinkets to look at. Hopefully the night atmosphere is a not only more relaxed, but more romantic too.

"Y'know," he chirps as they warp into the center, and Sylvain brazenly takes Felix's hand into his own. He's gotten noticeably bolder about publicly showing his affection with Felix since returning from the cruise. Not from a growth in any kind forwardness (because Sylvain's always been shameless) but in security of what they have. It just feels right, like he should have always been doing this. "I didn't think I'd find anything similar to home. But this night market sounds a lot like something I'd read about from Dagda. Have you heard of the open-air night markets?"

Ecruteak is a place with a lot of memories in it for Felix. For one thing, Club Medusa is here. For another, the group spent this dumb holiday here last year, which there was no way for Sylvain to know, so it's a weird coincidence. This is where they were staying when Pwyll and Rhiannon hatched, and where Dimitri took him up to the burned tower, and where he took Claude to the archery range and then they made curry. ...it's also where Sylvain fell asleep for two weeks and Felix spent his birthday holed up in their room while people left gifts by the door.

So it's a mixed bag. But the fact that Sylvain brought him here seems to him like a chance to reclaim Ecruteak, so to speak. And he brought his camera to help with that.

One thing Sylvain may or may not have expected in Ecruteak at night is the large numbers of ghost Pokemon out and about - which is the reason Felix brought Varley the Liepard to walk beside him rather than ride in her ball. Just in case.

Felix lets his hand rest comfortably in Sylvain's without fuss. It's...a relief, in a way, to see Sylvain relaxing more into the day-to-day of being together like this. It's helped Felix settle a bit, too; he doesn't feel like anything has really changed, and it doesn't feel like he's waiting for something that may or may not ever happen. It's like Sylvain said - they're just them, and it feels right.

"I have," he says, glancing around at the impromptu little shops as they pass. "My grandmother told me about them. Sometimes, when she traveled there to visit, she would bring back things for us that she bought in a market just like this one." Except without the Pokemon, presumably. "Other things here are strangely similar to Dagdan customs, too. Like their traditional styles of dance, and some of the food."

He makes a face as they pass by some couple trying on matching Luvdisc hats and being mushy and gross about it. "Ugh, come on. I'm hungry." He pulls Sylvain by the hand toward the street food carts.

'Short nap' is relative. Sylvain's out for nearly two hours, and insists upon being cuddled with Felix the entire time. Any slight twitch, and he fusses in his sleep. Even when he's waking, he squeezes around Felix's middle, and noses against his shoulder.

Groggy, with eyes still closed, he mutters something muffled. It's akin to, "you should show me some dancing... wanna see."

Felix wakes up about 45 minutes in, and it becomes obvious quickly that Sylvain does not want him to get up. Which is annoying - and worse, boring - but he waited months never knowing whether he would ever have this again, so he stays. Just this once, he tells himself, which is probably a lie.

He can't just lie there and do nothing, though, and he's not tired enough to go back to sleep, so he manages to reach his Gear on the bedside table and fiddles with it a bit. In the back of his mind percolates a mild amazement that no matter what Sylvain remembers or doesn't remember, all it takes is for Felix to tell him he's interested and Sylvain goes from zero to must cuddle immediately. In a way, it makes Felix wish he'd said something sooner, but ultimately he thinks Sylvain had the right idea, waiting until they're no longer fighting for their lives every day.

When Sylvain eventually stirs, Felix puts his Gear down and wriggles around to face him without breaking his grasp. "I would, but you'd have to let go of me first."

Generally, Sylvain has a pretty good idea how to handle Felix's birthday. He knows the gifts he likes, the food he prefers, even the rare desserts he'll eat.

Unfortunately, he's having a hard time getting most of those things in Johto. A master smith or fletcher to commission a fine blade or bow from is not so easy here. There's the matter of vastly different ingredients in this world too. And after such a nice, but social evening at the night markets less than a week ago, Sylvain doesn't want to tire Felix with even more crowded outings like restaurants.

Which does leave him with another option he's been mulling over since the cruise, but it makes him more nervous than he cares to admit. But it's for Felix. And it's something he thinks will make this a special day for his boyfriend.

"Hey Fe," he gently prods at Felix later in the day. "Would you show me the beach we got married at?"

❖ Act & Exposition, VR edt. [Permanent Catch-All]

❖ Felix; Vacation at Sea

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Valentine's Day! ♥ For Fefe

no subject

no subject

no subject

♥ Felix; Birthday boy!