A fool and his soul is soon parted

[master_troven]

After talking with Sauriel about some things he can't change, Alec needed to talk to Phoenix about something he might be able to help with. Or at least warn Phoenix about. If Phoenix actually pays attention to him is up in the air, but he knows the angel does listen to him.

It's always kind of awkward when you have an alt who wants to kill the love of your life. Alec can't do anything about the alt either. The Fool is separated enough that he's only tangentially an alternate of him now which means his influence over the Forgotten is lesser.

After waiting for a moment when Vahl and his younger self are occupied and Phoenix is by himself, Alec pulls the angel to his location. One moment Phoenix would be walking through a doorway and the next he'd be in a bar with stars and the universe dying outside the window.

It's much nicer than the ghost dimension... realm... whatever.

They serve better drinks for starters.

"Phoenix! Over here!" he called out from a corner booth; a nice private corner for just the two of them.

Comments

[ashes_ascended]

Vahl and Alec's younger counterpart are currently in the apartment doing something decidedly not clean, or innocent, Or in any way pure.

Phoenix, as it happens, was giving them some space and just heading out of the Nexus building to wander around Central Park. So when he sees his new surroundings, he sort of does a double take... at first suspecting he's been dragged into a dream-vault, because that’s usually what it is. But then Vahl has never once taken him to a facsimile of anywhere public. Especially not Milliways... which this has to be, what with the universe going foom all around them.

He hears Alec's voice before seeing him, and grins broadly when he does lay his eyes on the handsome bastard.

“Hey,” he grins, sliding into the booth next to Alec. “What's a guy like you doing in a nice place like this?”

That may be rhetorical, because the angel doesn't give Alec much of a chance to answer.

Because.

Incoming kiss.

[master_troven]

Vahl is going to utterly ruin Alec's younger self. At least he's enjoying himself - if he were actually able to think straight.

Miliways is a favorite of his and clearly he should take Phoenix there more often. He

Putting a hand behind Phoenix's head, Alec pulled him into a deeper kiss.

[ashes_ascended]

Eh, they're in love. It's adorable. Phoenix is delighted.

There's that little groan at the back of his throat, the one Phoenix habitually makes when he's being kissed. He likes the booth. He likes.. mmh.. what day is it again? And his arms slide around Alec's neck.

I have no idea where that random "he" came from

[master_troven]

If everyone is happy, Alec is too.

Alec isn't sure what day it is, but he hasn't forgotten why they're there. After giving him a good long kiss he pulled away reluctantly.

"Hello, love."

I hadn't noticed until you said. Shows how observant I am..

[ashes_ascended]

It only now occurs to Phoenix that it might be interesting to know on which day of the week the universe will end. His money is on Tuesday.

"Hello handsome," he responds, a little hoarsely, being equally reluctant, but they are in a public place. He lifts a hand to Alec's cheek. "How've you been?"

I didn't notice it either so... there you go

[master_troven]

This is assuming that the same calendar is even in use.

Putting a hand on the hand on his cheek he smiled a little leaning his forehead against Phoenix's. "I've been fine. Been a little bit on the busy side."

[ashes_ascended]

Oh no, regardless, Phoenix would like to apply the current Keldran and Earth calendars and find out exactly what day of the week the universe goes pop.

"Busy's good, right?" He rubs his forehead against Alec's a little. "Or don't I want to know?"

[master_troven]

He can do that if he likes. There's probably a bunch of math involved. Or he could ask Alec who likely has done the math.

"It depends on the busy. Though currently the busy I'm dealing with is a bit on the ... awkward side."

[ashes_ascended]

If it turns out not to be a Tuesday, he's going to be so disappointed.

Slight pause, then, "what have you done to Moshti this time?"

[master_troven]

Why Tuesday though? Why not a Friday thus ruining everyone's weekend.

"I haven't done anything to Moshti this time." He hesitates... "Well, he might have accidentally gotten covered in vampire sparkles and is all glittery now...It'll wash off, I promise... but that's not the awkward I'm talking about."

There might have been some slight miffedness with Phoenix always assuming awkward meant having done something to Moshti... but...

[ashes_ascended]

Tuesday is officially the worst day of the week, contrary to popular belief. It's ideal.

"Okay," well, worse things have happened to the little alien. Phoenix catches the slightly miffed aura of his lover though. "Sorry, I guess my mind always goes there. Love, you shouldn't feel awkward with me, okay?"

[master_troven]

"Well... it's more like an alt of mine might try and kill you kind of awkward as opposed to anything I actually did awkward."

He probably could have phrased that better, but this is Alec we're talking about.

[ashes_ascended]

"... Oh." Well. He's used to people trying to kill him, Phoenix does after all smash demons to bits on a regular basis, but he's not sure how he feels about it being one of Alec's alts.

"Okay. You, or younger you? 'Cause it'd be nice to know who I need to watch out for. And two.. why?"

Okay so there wasn't a 'one', but he's ignoring that.

[master_troven]

It really is kinda of awkward, isn't it?

"Younger me... I suppose. The Fool to be exact. I don't think you've met him yet, but you've met the Thief in the Night who is also interested in killing you. As for why? You're an angel. They don't like angels."

[ashes_ascended]

It truly is. Phoenix can now appreciate that more fully.

"Ugh." He pulls a face at the Thief. "Didn't like him. I actually walked away from that one."

He thinks for a bit, remembering. "Yah, he called me a shining one, and kinda accused me of destroying hope... said something about his brother being able to kill me."

[master_troven]

"Good for you." He approves of this maturity from Phoenix.

"Death's Shadow. He's the fear of betrayal which gives him that ability since betrayal is probably the ultimate killer of hope. He might actually really be able to hurt you, I'm not sure."

[ashes_ascended]

"Hnh, I guess." Vahl has much to do with the new-found maturity.

"But this Fool.. he can't actually kill me? The Thief said none of the others could, although I'm not one of their angels. So I don't really represent hope - I represent fucking up demons."

[master_troven]

It doesn't matter where he got it from, he still has it.

"The Fool himself? No. He can just hit you with his walking stick and make fun of you. Which would still hurt, but he can't kill you," he said.

"And I would say that a. fucking up demons is definitely a type of hope because you're giving mortals the hope of being saved from hell or horrible, horrible things from happening to you. b. You're still an angel and they're not particular and c. Getting stabbed in the back with the knife that might have been used in the first murder - not the Cain and Abel one but when humanity was just becoming aware enough for the idea of what murder can be - is probably still going to hurt. A lot."

[ashes_ascended]

“Okay, I get your drift.”

Phoenix puts a hand on Alec’s chest and kisses him. “I'm sorry, I'm not dismissing what you’re saying. I mean if you're concerned, I'll take that to the bank... I'm just. Thinking out loud.”

[master_troven]

"I know. You don't know them like I do. Just..." Somehow Alec manages to not make a face or indicate any sort of disgust in his voice. "If Gruber gives you a pebble and asks you to keep it safe? Don't."

To explain further because Phoenix does deserve the explanation, "The Fool gave him the pebble - it has a bit of his shadow attached - and told him to keep it safe; don't let anyone know about it. He might give it to you. If you have it, then the Thief can find it because it's supposed to be a secret. If he can find it, he can find you..."

There's really no reason for him to finish that sentence. He just pulls Phoenix in for a worried hug.

[ashes_ascended]

Phoenix responds to the hug in kind, losing himself in Alec for long minutes, before nodding.

"I'll listen, I swear. It's not often you warn me about this kinda shit, but when you do, love... I swear, I'm taking it seriously. No pebble. I've got it."

Although when Alec elaborates, he can't help worrying about Simon. Phoenix is already worried about the guy's soul. It's as damned as it can possibly be. Gruber will never change. Although... the angel does have a couple of ideas to keep him out of Lucifer's grasp.

He takes it all in though. "Vahl told me some stuff about the Thief, when he lost that brooch pin... How many people have to know about this pebble.. so it's not so much of a secret?"

[master_troven]

It's nice to hold Phoenix and he does so, running his fingers through the angel's hair. Quiet moments like these are sometimes a bit too rare for him.

"I know you will."

Theoretically Alec could say that the bit of pebble can be possibly used to fix Gruber's soul but... he's not feeling that charitable. Besides, Phoenix should be able to recognize the bit of soul on pebble.

"Ah, that's the tricky bit isn't it? If the more people know then the wrong people will find out, yes? "

[ashes_ascended]

They need to spend another few days together, obviously.

Phoenix murmurs something affirmative, quite happily into Alec's neck. It's nice to be held. For a tough guy who throws himself into his work, Phoenix loves that both This version of Alec and Vahl are more dominant. More inclined to taking care of him when he just needs a cuddle.

It helps him have that bit more strength for his Omega. A kind of self-nourishing circle.

"Okay, so Simon knows about it, so does the Fool, and so do you and I. And when the thief knows, that'll be five people. Or does the Thief not count?"

[master_troven]

Really, they do. They perhaps should set up something a bit more regular.

He's held tightly since that's what he needs and kissed on the forehead. Being a big tough angel doesn't really mean anything when you need a hug or a cuddle. Alec does like taking care of him; he always had.

Which does return nicely for Phoenix helping Alec's younger-self.

"No, the thing we're worried about is where Simon puts the stone, not that it exists. If he gives it to you and asks you to put it somewhere safe and secret. The Fool was very insistent that he do that. And no, the Thief doesn't count."

[ashes_ascended]

This needs to happen, although Phoenix will take temporal measures to fit all of his life in.

He's glad for the private booth, because it doesn't do to be seen snuggling. Phoenix burrows a bit, and kisses Alec's neck.

"Okay, I'm gonna talk to Simon about that. If it needs to be kept safe - and I promise you, I won't accept it - then the hiding place needs to be known. I'm used to that kind of weird paradoxical shit."

[master_troven]

It does get rather messy, doesn't it? They'll figure something out. They always do. Or even if they don't something interesting will happen.

Poor big strong tough angel afraid to be snuggling. Though perhaps the neck kissing might not be appropriate.

"If you don't have it or know where it is, you should be alright." Simon can go fuck himself.

[ashes_ascended]

It'll work out. Phoenix has confidence.

He does quit the kissing though, seeing as they're slap in the middle of Milliways.

"I can't even know where it is?" He takes that on board, still trying to figure out how he can help Simon cover all the angles.

[master_troven]

Sometimes Alec worries about that one time he'll fail Phoenix.

While Phoenix might stop kissing, Alec isn't interested in letting him go.

"He knows secrets. If you help keep it a secret..." he gives a helpless shrug and bites his lip. It's hard. "You can take a risk, I guess. I'm not sure if they can actually find it if it's hidden off earth. They are bound to Earth."

[ashes_ascended]

Angels have an inordinate capacity to forgive.

Neither is Phoenix interested in letting go. He gives up and snuggles a bit... and then his eyes widen.

"Off-world would be perfect. I wouldn't even have to know where." Getting Simon to trust some third party might be a nightmare, though, but that's not Alec's problem.

[master_troven]

Which might be a problem. On the other hand Alec is very good at being spiteful.

Snuggling is always good and he played with Phoenix's hair a little, lost in thought for a moment.

"Now that that's sorted out," If not to his satisfaction. Really, he'd rather do the gerbil or hamster thing, "Are you busy?"

[ashes_ascended]

It's not that Phoenix is blind to the faults of those he loves. He's a dark angel. He can see those shadows, those unpleasant characteristics - even the dangers - he just finds a way to love them, in ways possibly only an angel can.

Right now, he's relaxed and happily loving Alec.

“Busy? We're at the end of the universe. I can go back to any point in time I want.” A peck on the nose. “Guess I'm all yours for as long as you want me.”

[master_troven]

Which is something that Alec couldn't do. But he isn't an angel of any sort.

"Well, you might have had something you really wanted to do right now," he said. "Even if you had all the time in the world."

[ashes_ascended]

“I do have all the time in the world,” Phoenix insists, albeit lovingly. “The universe even. And the only thing I really wanna do right now, is be with you some more.”

And then he looks a bit sheepish. "Unless you're busy."

[master_troven]

"I was planning on clipping my toenails..." But he can't keep a straight face when he says that.

"No, I've got all the time in multiverse. We could even do a few days or something?"