Summer Sun, Something's Begun | July Catch-All | Open

[forgeabettertomorrow]

🧙 WHO: Darin Altway and YOU
⚔️️ WHAT: July Catch-All with Open and Closed prompts
🕒 WHEN: Throughout July
🗺️ WHERE: All around Camelot! Quests and shenanigans ahoy!
⚠️ WARNINGS: Some ridiculousness? Some fluff? Will update as necessary!

🛡️ SHIELD SUMMER FEVER! 🛡️ - OPEN

[Darin always felt bad for the people who could get sick. Back home, his powers prevented him from falling ill, even to such banal things as a summer cold. But he did have experience as a gofer for his town's doctor, as well as doing errands and chores for the people who fell ill. So, this job was right up his alley.]

[One thing he knew for sure, when you're under the weather, nothing beats a good laugh.]

[With the trusty use of the new EmphaSize spell he nabbed from the traders, you'll find him waddling around with huge, oversized feet as he goes from room to room delivering flowers, teddy bears, medicine, fruit baskets, you name it. If he happens to be entering a kid's room, he'll make a big show of his giant, floppy feet. If its an elderly person's room, he'll sit with them for awhile and ask them about their day or let them ramble on.]

[But it's likely leaving one of the rooms is when you'll bump into Darin. Or trip over his enormous, floppy feet.]

Oh, hey! Easy there! You okay? Sorry, I should get a signal or something for these things...

🗡️ LAVAFT BEHIND 🗡️ - OPEN

[This seemed like a pretty easy task, all things considered. Everyone knew slimes were low-level monsters, even if they had the same temperature as magma. And Darin worked professionally around molten metal all day. If there was anyone who could handle this task, it was him.]

[Though, having someone along in case things went awry was a good idea too. Especially since his blood magic wouldn't really do him much good here.]

[So back to the Diamond Falls Darin goes. He's got a pickax and some mining tools in a pack slung over his shoulder examining the hardened rock for any sign of the slime.]

So, since I know how my luck goes, what's the plan for when we free this thing and it immediately attacks us with the fury of a particularly cranky volcano?

AT THE FORGE - OPEN

[With the reconstruction from his rampage doing well, Darin's back at the forge doing what he loves. He might be down an apprentice, but that hasn't stopped him from taking orders and commissions from those who seek him out! Got something you want Darin to make? His consultations are always free so come on in! Got some gear that needs mending or ideas you want to pitch? Maybe you just need some work? Darin's door is always open! When you step in, you'll likely see him working on something or tidying the place up. If there's one thing Darin can't stand, it's a messy forge! So come on in and let's get to work!]

BAR CRAWL - CLOSED TO KATE

[It's been about a month since he tore through Camelot as a terrifying, familiar-fused monster. Barring his (and everyone else's jaunt) to Celliwig, Darin had largely avoided going into town. And when he did, he wore a cloak with a hood that concealed his hair.]

[Now, a month later and the reconstruction mostly complete, Darin is feeling a little more hopeful that maybe he won't be kicked out of town if he decides to hit a bar for a drink or two. He's still wearing his cloak, but when he settles in at the 'In For a Pound' pub, he slowly pulls his hood back to reveal his very obvious blue mane of hair. He gets a few looks, some of which he's not too thrilled with, but orders a drink and sits at the bar.]

[Unfortunately, the patrons on either side of him scoot away. Fortunately, that leaves space should anyone decide they want to pull up a stool and join him.]

MY DINNER WITH DARIN - CLOSED TO ALLURA

[So, it really only dawned on Darin about a day or so before the date that he and Allura had chosen for dinner that this might actually be a...you know. A date. In a panic, he considered calling her to clarify that this wasn't a date...but what if she wanted it to be a date? What if he tried to clarify and they called the whole thing off? That would be awful! And he'd feel terrible too! She was really looking forward to it! But did that mean she was looking forward to a date with him?]

[No, that couldn't be it.]

[Could it?]

[So, after spending a day laying on the floor and staring at the ceiling weighing his options, he decided that, you know what? He could do this! Even if it was a date! Hell, it was only a date! He could handle that! Even though he'd never been on a date before, much less with someone who was so strikingly beautiful and had spent the last six months worming her way into his every though— NOT IMPORTANT!]

[And so, it was the evening of the big-but-maybe-not date. He'd agonized over whether or not he should dress up and finally he decided on an off-white polo shirt with pink piping around the collar and sleeves (hey, pink goes good with blue, alright?), and some tan slacks. With a menu all set (he did promise it would be an amazing meal) he sets out to begin cooking, listening intently for the door to the forge to open so he could go up and greet her.]

[Everything was set for the evening. Nothing could possibly go wrong, right?]

[...Right?]

WILDCARD

[Not seeing anything that catches your fancy or want to do something else? Go ahead and top-level! And if you're not sure and want to hash it out, hit me up on Discord @ Ant#0062 or on plurk @ bitterbearface!]

Comments

[patchricide]

... no, I suppose you're right. We'll have to save that conversation for later.

[And just to demand his attention back, she starts unbuttoning the rest of the shirt. She starts with the lower buttons, below where she had been unbuttoning before, but makes quick work of those and starts reaching towards her chest...]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[She certainly has his attention. And he scoots closer as if to shield the world from the sight of her. To keep it private and intimate between them.]

[Even so, he has to ask...]

You're sure you want this...?

[patchricide]

To show you? You've already seen it...

[Though that doesn't make it much better. Especially since she still remembers how he had imagined her with larger... erm, assets. But she tries not to let that anger bubble up and spoil the moment, not when she's taking his feeling seriously.]

Yes, I'm sure. I want to get comfortable with you, and this seems like the natural place to start...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...Are you talking about the Siren? Because I don't really consider that you...

But if you're talking about when you turned around in the bath...I..um...

I-I only got a quick look and I...did my best not to try and think about them...

[But how well did he succeed in that endeavor?]

[patchricide]

You really didn't try to get a better look? Even when you were washing my back? There was, after all, no way I could have known...

[She gives him a suspicious look, just for a moment.]

If you did, you don't have to keep it a secret from me anymore.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I...was definitely was tempted to. I mean...in that situation, who wouldn't be?

But...given the fight we had and...everything...it wasn't right. I wouldn't have forgiven myself.

I mean, it was hard enough not looking at your butt...if I stole a look at your chest it would have gotten a lot more awkward...

[Does she admire his willpower or is she annoyed she couldn't get him to peek?]

[patchricide]

[She shouldn't ask about it, she shouldn't... she's going to ask about it.]

And that's because... you prefer my chest, correct? Not because you might be disappointed...?

[She's going to spare him asking about the enhanced assets of the siren directly. But she can't help but pry into that, just a little.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[How does he answer this tactfully? The obvious answer is yes, but the awkwardness wouldn't have stemmed from any fault of her own. It's because he wouldn't have been able to hide his arousal in the slightest.]

[Even now, with the buttons of her top fully undone, he's feeling that excitement start to bubble up, even though all he can see is the deep valley of her cleavage.]

I-I...Trust me, Allura...I don't think there's any way I can be disappointed...

[patchricide]

You're sure? I've seen what you would want it to look like.

[If it's noticeable how excited he's getting, she hasn't yet realized in the middle of acting sassy... or, quite possibly, she has decided not to call him out in case it makes him shy.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Honestly...he's been doing his best to conceal it...and it helps that his sweatpants are awfully baggy.]

It wasn't how I wanted them to look...! It's how I thought they looked...

The dress you wore to the party was...um...

It was very. Flattering...

[patchricide]

Wait, you actually thought that?

[It occurs to Allura that she hasn't worn the dress since, under the premise of waiting for a special occasion to bring it out again. Maybe she should make up a special occasion, if it's that flattering to her figure.]

So, you really don't mind that they're smaller, then? Because... well, I do have a spell I could try, but... I haven't practiced it. I'm not sure I like the thought of losing control of it...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Why would I mind...? And, honestly, as far as I'm aware they're not...that much smaller...

[Look, he's seen you in your flight suit, Allura. And in your underwear.]

[patchricide]

I know what's more attractive in human culture. As a whole, you're not very subtle about it.

[And it's not too far off from Altean standards, actually.]

... I mean... you as in humanity, not just... you, Darin. The whole culture isn't subtle about it. [She huffs. The more she talks about it, the more worked up she gets.]

... all right. Let me just... [She reaches towards the opening to pull the shirt open the rest of the way.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin shifts as more excitement bubbles up.]

Trust me...there's a lot more to you that I find attractive...

[But even as he says that, he's positioning himself for a better look.]

[patchricide]

[She starts sliding it open further. He can get a good look at the curve beneath each breast, and even start to see the edge of her nipples...]

[And then she stops.]

... ... ...

You know, we did say that we would be getting a feel for each other...

Would you rather be doing this part?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You...Want me to...?

[Because he's suddenly beet red.]

[Though...that isn't a 'no...']

[patchricide]

Yes... why not? I assume you shouldn't have any trouble removing one of your own shirts.

[She's already eating this up. You're a delight, Darin.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Well...you've done the hard work with all of the buttons...

[He swallows the lump in his throat and places his hands on her bare midriff before sliding them up and under the shirt...]

[She'll notice his hands shake a bit when they cup her breasts...but he pushes on, moving his calloused palms gently over the tops of them, brushing his fingertips along her nipples as he slowly pushes the shirt open and off of her shoulders.]

[At this point, his sweatpants are failing to conceal much of anything with the way they're tenting out in a rather spectacular fashion. Needless to say, it's doubtful he's disappointed by sight or feel.]

[patchricide]

[He'll feel her chest rising and fall as she breathes — and through this, he'll feel the way her breath hitches as feels her, how slowly and shakily she exhales. For how confident she's being, her body betrays that she's still a bundle of nerves.]

[She's not going to let that stop her from trying to keep up the act, though. Particularly not when his excitement is so obvious.]

So... should I be helping you out of your clothes, soon? Those pants look as though they're far less loose than before...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

... ... ...

[Somehow, that part seems much easier. And while he's reluctant to stop touching her, maybe if she sees for herself how excited he is, it'll put any doubt of hers to rest.]

[So, once her shirt is pushed down her arms, he stands slowly in front of her...which means that particular tent is right at eye level for her to appreciate.]

I...don't mind. After all...it's nothing you haven't seen before.

[Although, that's not entirely true, is it. She hasn't seen him hard and...well, needless to say, he's really straining those pants.]

[patchricide]

Yes, well... despite how brazenly you presented it to me, I still made a point to avoid looking at it...

[But the fact that she had to make a conscious decision about it means that the interest had been there. If she had known how soon she would be getting up close and personal with it, she might not have been so modest.]

[She hooks her fingers under the waistband, and tries to pull it down, but finds her progress immediately stopped by how excited he is. A few more tugs shows that it's not merely folding down to accommodate, and that the waist doesn't stretch far enough to be pulled over it. She'll have to guide him out of it, manually...]

[Which means she should reach in and grab a hold, but she's hesitating.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You...don't have to...if you don't want to...

A-After all, you did just say you avoided looking at me before...

[He moves to take a step back, and even to sit back down in embarrassment. He shouldn't have put her on the spot like that and even now he's clearly silently berating himself.]

[patchricide]

[When he starts to move, she suddenly grabs him — gripping him by the hips, and holding him in place.]

I didn't mean it like that, Darin. Please, don't misunderstand... [Right. He's sensitive. She should be more careful about her phrasing.]

I simply didn't think it was appropriate at the time... and even if you were inviting me, it would've been disrespectful to take it. Besides, I thought for sure you were trying to get a reaction out of me...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

R-Right...I suppose I wasn't the most trustworthy at the time...

[patchricide]

... well, that, and you seemed to enjoy fighting with me, sometimes.

[She starts trying to pull his pants down again, this time working them down slowly instead of tugging down ineffectively.] In fact, I think there were a few times you found it fun...