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]

['Might' notice? How could she not notice? It sends a chill down her spine just to hear his voice. ... and feel it, since she can feel his breath on her skin.]

Well... no. You do seem like someone who makes things up as he goes along. [No offense.]

But there's nothing wrong with having dreams, even small ones...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He laughs a bit and considers the moment. Where they are. How cozy this all is.]

In that case...if we're talking about 'dreams...'

...Maybe I could tell you in the morning?

Over breakfast...?

[He moves to brush a strand of hair out of her face gently.]

[patchricide]

[She lifts her head up. Her expression is... surprised, but not alarmed.]

You're inviting me to spend the night?

[Or is he inviting her to do far more than that? She's not so naive as to not realize what the implications would be with such an arrangement — but it seems like quite a leap from just their first dinner date. And considering what a great deal it was for Darin to get to this point...]

[She's not about to assume that he really just wants her to sleep over. But it's a possibility.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[When she says it like that, of course it sounds scandalous! And his face immediately goes panic-stricken and flushes red.]

I-I mean...! You just...you looked comfortable...like you could sleep just fine right here! And I would be okay with it! I mean, I wouldn't mind sleeping on the couch...! I even have some clothes you can wear if you don't want to sleep in your dress...!

[Wait, that's worse!]

O-Or you can sleep in the bed and I'll sleep on the couch! Or in the other room! Anywhere's fine! I— ...hnff...

[He drags a hand down his face as he grows more and more red. Why was he like this? Why couldn't he just say what he wants or means? Why couldn't that mask of confidence he always wore just be his real face? Why did he have to revert to that shy, stupid child at the worst possible times.]

[He takes a deep, frustrated breath, and clamps his eyes shut.]

L-Look...! I'm obviously interested in you physically! There isn't a single thing about you that I don't find insanely attractive and I've never had these feelings before so I'm terrible at not sounding like an idiot! So of course I'd be happy if things went that far but...!

...You just looked so...content. I've never seen you like that! But I also know you're far too polite to just ask to stay over so I wanted to let you know I'd love to spend the night with you! I mean, let's face it...if you went home, I'd just be up all night thinking about you. If you're here then...

[Gods why was this so embarrassing? He's starting to stumble on words.]

Th-Then I could...see your face...a-as much as I wanted. And make sure you were always happy and content a-and...

...W-Waking up next to you...I couldn't think of a better way to start a day...s-so...

[Well, she wanted him to admit all of that before, right? Well...there it is and then some.]

[He shifts awkwardly beneath her and he looks like he might try and get up after that. After all, he feels like he just made a fool out of himself with that admission! He's gonna be thought of as weird or a creep for sure!]

I-I'm... [And here comes the apology.]

[patchricide]

Shhhhh.

[She can hear that tone of apology creeping into his voice. And so, at the first sign of it, he'll find her finger pressing up to his lips, laying across them, physically shushing him.]

Darin. Darin. It's all right! I wasn't worried about it, I was simply trying to get a proper read of the situation. ... believe me, if you had crossed any sort of line, I wouldn't hesitate to let you know about it.

[Really, shouldn't the fact that she's still so close to him say enough? She's usually quick to recoil at any sign of trouble, and yet she's still here, sitting on him with a comfort born of deep trust. And touching his mouth, for that matter.]

[And with a soft smile, she finally gives him a reply:] Staying over sounds far nicer than going back, actually. And I'm not sure I like the thought of you spending a night on the couch... there's plenty of room for both of us in your bed, isn't there?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[She'll see him gradually turn a shade darker, like a thermometer. Until he's only nodding dumbly.]

[But he does manage to muster a few words.]

Y-Yes, ma'am...

[patchricide]

[He really can't handle this, can he? It's quite endearing, when she's not worried about him retreating out of guilt... in fact, it's not clear if he could retreat even if he wanted to. Not with her pinning him down like this.]

[The close contact allows her to feel just how tense this is making him. Maybe she can help him relax... though the idea that crosses her mind might just make him even more worked up.]

[She looks up at him, leans in close... and places a soft kiss on his cheek.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He doesn't seem to process what's happened, honestly. Not at first.]

[He stares off into space as if his brain were going through a rebooting process. But all at once it hits him and his eyes go wide.]

[He turns to her a bit, their faces still close, a shocked expression on his face. Looks like she got the drop on him completely.]

A...Allura...!

[patchricide]

What? Is something wrong?

[She has a sort of smile on her face that's trying too hard to be innocent, the kind that knows it has something to hide.]

[But it's fine, right? Since it seems like he enjoyed her brand of mischief.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Oh, so this is a game to her?]

Y-You're having fun teasing me, huh? W-Well, how about this??

[He closes the slight distance to give her a peck on the cheek as well!]

[patchricide]

Darin... that was quite sweet of you...

[Judging by how pleased she looks, and how warm and pink her cheeks are? What Darin did is just as keikaku.]

... it's nice being doted on like this, actually...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Oh...?

You're gonna let me win so easily..? Well then...

How about this...?

[For a moment, it looks like he might go in for another kiss. A real one this time...]

[But he stops just shy and smirks. And begins to tickle her sides playfully.]

Well~?

[patchricide]

[He might have 'won', but is she losing? Food for thought, Darin.]

[But then she feels his fingertips brushing against her sides — and the tickling is enough to make her reflexes kick in. She can't go anywhere without standing up, though, and so she twists and squirms away from him without getting very far in the process.]

[She shouts, but her voice is strained with laughter.]

D— Darin! What are you doing?! Stop, that — that tickles!!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I know! Looks like you left yourself wide open! What will you do now, hmm~?

[He twists along with her to keep hold of her, pressing the tickle attack further.]

[But her laughter is as infectious as it is sweet and he finds himself laughing just as hard.]

[patchricide]

That's not— D-Darin, really, can you— stop??

[Because 'what will she do now'? How can she do anything when she squirming and laughing so hard that she can barely catch her breath??]

[She's still trying to pull away from him, and even trying to push him back. But that might not be the most effective — and it reaches a point of desperation, where she grabs hold of the shirt and tries to use it to drag him back towards the couch cushions, pushing a space back between them.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[All of that squirming has Darin readjusting his posture so he can continue the attack. But he's caught off balance when she tugs him forward towards her.]

[He has to stop tickling her to catch himself on the couch, otherwise they're both going for a tumble. The result is Allura on her back on the couch with Darin hovering just above her, hands propping his frame up on either side of her.]

[Still, he's laughing and he gives her a moment to catch her breath.]

I got you good, didn't I~?

[patchricide]

That— that was cruel, Darin. And all that because I kissed you!

[She huffs — both because she's playing up her own annoyance, but also because she does in fact need to catch her breath after that assault. Apparently, she's very sensitive to being tickled.]

[But after she collects her composure, and that deep, heavy breathing starts to slow... she looks up and down at the very compromising position they've wound up in. Has he noticed? It really doesn't take a stretch of the imagination...]

[Maybe she should help bring it to his attention.]

... you really are bold, aren't you...?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin has indeed noticed but...he doesn't seem to be panicking too much.]

...I can't help it. When you egg me on like that, I just can't help but rise to the challenge.

If I need to be bold to meet those expectations then...well, here we are...

So, what can I say? I like a good challenge.

[patchricide]

A challenge, hmm...?

[She quirks her brow at that. Is that what caught his interest in her from the start — that she was combative, nearly refusing everything he asked of her? No wonder he had seemed downright disappointed that she was pleasantly charmed by him returning the kiss.]

[Well, then.]

[She shows just how free she still is by twisting around beneath him, until her back is to him. And she makes a motion to start crawling out from under this trap.]

Then maybe I shouldn't be making this so easy for you.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Is she aware that this position is equally compromising? Did she also forget she's in a dress??]

[It's a good thing Darin is preoccupied with the thrill of the literal chase because he's quickly seizing her by the hips and pulling her back and trying to flip her over for another tickle barrage.]

Oh no you don't!

[patchricide]

[Maybe she's not aware, Darin. Maybe you need to get your mind out of the gutter.]

Again?! [She starts squirming again, this time still trying to crawl out from under him.] Stop it — stooop!! Why don't you learn a new trick?!

[Despite her protests, there's laughter in her voice and a broad smile on her face. How can she help it?]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Well, if this didn't work so well, maybe I would!

[But at least he's running his hands up her sides and not focusing on such a small area.]

[patchricide]

How would you like it if I tried it on you?!

[She gets a grip on the armrest, and uses it to start pulling herself out from under him. So that area is moving down towards her hips—]

Okay, now you really need to stop...!!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He does stop...for a moment.]

Oh? And why is that?

[patchricide]

Because it — ghh — it is getting very difficult not to kick you by mistake!

[Also, because if she can squeeze out a little further, she should be able to escape!]