[Closed] And if I close my eyes

[metalicarus]

Who| Jet and Albert
What| Catch-all for 42 shenanigans
Where| In the forest then into the caves
When| During weeks one-three
Warnings/Notes|Language, violence, gay cyborgs the usual

The plan had always been to run from the cornucopia, lose themselves in the forest until everyone had scattered and then find each other again by sun down due east of the cornucopia. They'd both been a little late getting to the 'meet-up' point, but their plan had actually worked for once and with both of them carrying the start of some supplies. Not the worst start to an arena they'd had before, so that was something.

With the last light of that first day, they'd found some meager cover for the night and started work on a better 'base' the next day, one that was in the trees. It would allow them a bird's-eye view of their surroundings, keep them off the ground and away from any potential predators this arena had and provide some protection from any tributes eager to make a kill.

With a suitable shelter set up, now they just had to make it through the arena as far as they could and help their friends whenever possible.

Comments

Week two into three - Baby it's cold outside

[metalicarus]

After their treehouse had fallen prey to the flames caused by the lightning strike, they'd had to find new shelter, this time across the river in a small cave tucked away behind some large rocks. It wasn't much, but it was perfect for a couple people hiding out trying desperately to stay warm and dry.

They had the advantage of not needing to worry about their limbs freezing and that made it easier, but their bodies were still flesh and blood and with the temperature steadily dropping, it was getting harder and harder to keep their temperatures up. The fact the metal chilled so much that it bit into the skin it connected with didn't help, nor did the blanket of snow that had built up outside.

What did help were the blankets, parkas and sleeping bags given to them by sponsors and if they zipped the two bags together, they could even comfortably share body heat if need be, although Jet hadn't suggested it yet himself because it'd still put them in a vulnerable position. Although, the fact they had to stay in the cave with it's relatively unprotected opening made them vulnerable enough. At least they'd set up a couple snares and traps right outside and inside the cave for any unwanted visitors.

[silberfuchs]

The first thing Albert had done when they made it to he caves had been setting up a fire. Lighting it had been the easy part, their sponsors had been generous with fire starting kits, but finding dry fuel to keep the fire going was more difficult and he almost was ready to sacrifice a parka sleeve to the campfire when Jet hauled in a bundle of sticks.

The second thing he'd done was sleep, trusting Jet to keep them safe. He hadn't had a good night's rest in over a week and with the flight from the forest and fording the freezing river, Albert's certain he's the most exhausted he's ever been in his life, and that's saying something. It didn't even occur to him to check the cave for any other occupants before nodding off.

After those first two actions, Albert feels a little more human again. And warm, thank goodness. Jet's been a godsend, having found more acceptable firewood and even setting traps outside and securing the cave within. The German sits there, chewing some of their leftover meat strips and watching Jet mill around the mouth of the cave making sure none of their snares had been disturbed, and he's filled with a sense of displaced peacefulness and warmth. They may be holed up for their lives in a dank cave surrounded by a hostile environment and even more hostile competition, but all Albert wants to do with now is snuggle his husband by the fire.

He let's Jet finish what he's doing though, instead just watching him thoughtfully with a small smile on his face.

[metalicarus]

Jet noticed Albert waking up and had greeted it with the flash of a smile before he went back to finishing his 'rounds.' Nothing of note yet and that was for the better. They had ways of defending themselves, but that didn't mean he was looking forward to that possibility.

He looked out the mouth of their cave, noting the color of the sky, before heading back to sit next to his partner. "Looks like it might rain again. Or worse, who knows with this place."

He glanced over and finally noticed Albert's little smile and the affection in his face. "What? What's that look for?" It was making his chest flutter and his face feel warm for reasons that had nothing to do with the fire.

[silberfuchs]

"You," his smile grows a bit broader. It's interesting what you can get used to, given enough time, and with a year in and out of these Arenas Albert's decided that for most things he can just ignore the fact that they have an unseen audience. "I'm impressed with you, first with the tree base and then managing to set up this camp in such a short time with little help."

He had been very little help, after all, fed up as he is. Albert has to wonder if he's going soft with their extravagant lifestyle in the Tower. Well, not as extravagant as actual Capitolites to be sure, but he feels he's fallen victim to some of the amenities. Hot showers with foaming bubbles that smell like ambrosia, soft beds with softer pillows and always clean sheets, being able to shave with an actual razor and not a hunting knife.

Jet on the other hand seems to be fairing much better and Albert thanks whoever may be listening once again for his husband being in his life. That they can take care of each other when it's needed. "Come here, Sparrow. You must be cold."

[metalicarus]

Bastard. He knew Jet didn't know what to do or say when he said stupid affectionate crap like that. What was worse, Jet legitimately wasn't getting where it was coming from, but he was afraid to ask in case he got another answer like the first one. "...shut up."

As for that other part... he feels like he's nearly always cold ever since he got rained on. His clothes felt more frozen than dried and that could be part of it, or maybe he was just getting colder faster with no flesh and blood limbs to take the brunt first. So Jet moved closer so he could partially lean against the older man, a sleeved wrist coming up to brush against Albert's cheek in place of a hand.

"I'm glad you finally got some rest...I was worried." Worried enough that, had their treehouse not burned down, he had been thinking of staying on the ground for a few hours so Albert could get some proper sleep instead of wearing himself thin.

[silberfuchs]

"I know. There was no help for it until now, though." He pulls Jet into an embrace, his arms likewise wrapped in his parka and the gloves protecting his husband from frigid fingers. "But now I feel quite rested."

If those same gloved hands sneaking under Jet's own parka are any indication, rested doesn't even begin to describe the mood Albert is in.

[metalicarus]

Being pulled in close like that leaves a happy little smile on Jet's face and he very nearly settles into it like Albert has turned into one of their blankets.

But then he can feel hands sneaking under his coat and for one second, it doesn't bother him in the slightest. Then he remembers the cameras. His posture turns a little more rigid as he turns his head to look at Albert behind him.

"What're you doing? There's probably a camera in this cave, you know."

[silberfuchs]

"Probably," he nuzzles into Jet's neck, seemingly unperturbed at the existence of the cameras. It's entirely out of character for Albert even if he's still a bit groggy, but there's a sense to him that if this is going to be their lives for a month or more, and there are most likely cameras in their bedroom in the tower anyway, then why pretend at privacy at all?

"But it's been weeks." It's not a whine, Albert doesn't whine, but he does sound a little plaintive and he catches Jet's mouth with his before the blond can get another word out.

[metalicarus]

He should put his foot down firmly and not even let his (definitely whining) husband kiss him, let alone get as handsy as he was but..well..he's only human and the feeling of Albert's lips on his is comfortable and warm and completely wanted, leading him to kissing back instead of doing what he should be doing. His body even turns traitor as he turns in Albert's hold just enough to wind his arms behind his partner's neck and pull him closer.

It has been a while...but the camera he knows must be in there somewhere is like a physical presence to him and finally makes him pull away and break the kiss he wanted to continue.

"I wish we could but...even if there's cameras in our room too, I don't know they're there, I don't know that what we do will be the six o' clock special." His eyes found Albert's lips instead of those intense white eyes, but he was proud of himself for keeping the color off his face this time. "What we do...I don't want it to be some show special, I don't want it to be broadcast. It's...just for us. Does that make sense?"

[silberfuchs]

That reasoning sobers Albert up. He nuzzles into the back of Jet's neck again but this time it's not a drive to be amorous, it's to hide the flush that spreads over his face.

He hadn't been thinking. He'd been overwhelmed in his feelings for Jet, in wanting to be close when they hadn't in nearly a month. Or over a month? He'd lost track and that was a problem in more than one sense. But Jet... Jet who was more often the impulsive one, the careless one, the one to have less inhibitions and generally more drive did that... that thing he does. That frustrating, infuriating, wonderful and sensitive thing that catches Albert off guard and reminds him of exactly why he'd fallen in love with the man in the first place.

"Yes," Albert whispers into Jet's collar. If he sounds choked up, it's got to be a trick of the cave's acoustics. "Yes, that makes sense."

[metalicarus]

That wasn't the reaction he'd been expecting, the sudden show of emotion catches Jet off guard. He moved so his hands came up to cradle Albert's head, his confusion coming across bright in the form of amusement.

"Hey now...what's with that tone, huh? You turnin' sappy on me, Heinrich?" The last part was quieter, a note to it born from Jet's awareness at how hypocritical it was. Jet had just been saying how them being together was private and special and Albert was the sap? Yeah.

[silberfuchs]

"Shut up."

There's no bite to the order, the emotions underlaying it still the same as before. Albert turns his head and kisses Jet's gloved palm, closing his eyes and savoring the closeness they have now. It's more satisfying anyway, at least in this moment when his attention is taken not by his physical needs but the emotional ones, the ones that keep him where he is, wholly contented to stay tangled in the arms of his husband for the foreseeable future.

So maybe they're both saps.