been waiting for the glory ((open, nexus_crossings))

[tryingitall]

Balthazar's vessel was an artist. Not a famous one, certainly not a wealthy one, but one of those sorts who cannot help but do what he does. Every now and again, he searches the Nexus' galleries and museums on the off-chance there is some world where the man succeeded and earned the recognition the angel feels he was due.

The human soul is within him, still, sleeping, waiting for a well-earned Heavenly reward. He'd wake it up to see if he found his work somewhere.

No such luck today, but the angel has found a sculpture he admires and bought it for one of his safehouses back in his own world. It will be shipped later in the week, and for now he's taking a break, sipping a margarita on the patio of a Tex-Mex restaurant that bears the sign 'Nacho Mama's' in bright pink neon.

He's not interested in the food, but a really good margarita is nothing to be missed. This is his third, and the staff is starting to look deeply concerned by the volume of tequila he has consumed this afternoon.

"It's all right," he tells the waitress as she comes by to check on him, and there is no hint he's even tipsy. "I'm just very fond of lime."

"You, um, must have a high tolerance," she says. "The bartender keeps asking me if he should cut you off."

"Oh, I see. Tell him I could clear out every bit of liquor in the place and still keep my feet. It takes real work to get an angel drunk."

"That explains it," she says weakly, and leaves him be, although it really doesn't explain it, because since when do angels get drunk??

The Nexus is rough on people, ontologically.

Comments

[iwillcatchup]

[The room is dark, with the blinds pulled and only a little light shining in from underneath the door. There is definitely a stale smell in the room, with a little hint of sweat and tears. But nothing terribly offensive, since Peter has been in the presence of mind to attend to basic bathroom needs.]

[Peter had his head out of the blankets, so he was aware when Balthazar appeared in the room. The shape of his body a presence in the shadows of the room.]

[He sits up a little, moving to turn on the light on the side table, to cast a little more brightness in the room. Peter blinks, trying to focus his eyes properly. He doesn't have a shirt on right now, but the sweatpants he is wearing seems to be a few sizes too big, since he is thinner than normal. He is paler than normal too.]

That actually worked? [His voice is soft. There is a dryness in his throat, that makes it sound like he is older]

[tryingitall]

[Oof. The room smells of misery and exhaustion. Balthazar immediately hates it. He pushes his own darker emotions away so determinedly, it's awkward to be in the presence of someone else's. But he likes Peter; they're friends. And he offered to come attempt to be cheery, so he opts to cowboy up and deal with it.

When he does land, the lights flicker ominously, and there's a sound of wings, but he looks just the same as he has before.]

Of course it worked. I told you it would. I brought you tacos! [He's beaming, visibly upbeat, but when he comes over to Peter, he puts a gentle hand on his hair and pats him.]

How bad is it? I'm shite at playing comforter, but I can feed you and clean up a bit.

[iwillcatchup]

Tacos? [That was enough to encourage Peter to move his feet out of the bed, and sit on the edge. And he leans his head into the gentle hand. It is reassuring to have a gentle touch right now]

I am not really sure. My door is gone. And the last thing I remember... [He closes his eyes. Thinking about trying to stop Jean.]

Yah... food and getting clean. Would be good. Right now.

[tryingitall]

[Aha! He hit on the right food to bring, evidently.] Two kinds. Hard-shell and soft.

[And he's happy to continue petting Peter's hair if he seems to appreciate it.]

You're stuck here, then. [Sobering, he sits beside the other man. That could mean he's dead, which would be depressing. Peter doesn't seem to want to broach that topic, though, and so Balthazar will stick with the lighter matters at hand.] Do you want to clean up first? I can do it with my own magic, if you like, but hot water might feel good and cheer you up a bit.

[iwillcatchup]

Soft tacos are the best. [Peter manages a small smile]

[He nods at being stuck here... he has thought about what that might mean. And that is part of the reason why he has been so unmotivated for the past few weeks]

A hot bath does sound nice. Could you clean the sheets with your magic?

[tryingitall]

I find I have a fondness for taquitos, myself. So crunchy! But to each his own. [And don't worry, he'll keep them from getting soggy while you clean up, Peter. Angels can do that kind of thing.]

Can do. Angelic room service! I'd even wear a maid's outfit, but I don't have one, so you'll just have to pretend. Shall I draw water for you?

[iwillcatchup]

I guess for me... it is easier to eat something soft and easily held while I am on the run. [Peter manages a soft huff of amusement]

[He stands up slowly from the bed, placing a hand on Balthazar's shoulder to steady himself. And he chuckles softly at the statement of the maid's outfit] That is definitely an image that inspires me to get out of bed.

[He nods]If you wouldn't mind. That would be appreciated.

[tryingitall]

I can see that. [Balthazar muses, getting quite the mental picture of him speed-eating soft tacos.] Although, I imagine durability is a serious concern, as well, what with the friction from the air and all.

[He has no issue being used as helpful furniture, and he'll put his arm around Peter's back to help him to the bathroom.]

Can do. Where are we, by the way? In the Nexus still, obviously, but I don't know this building.

[iwillcatchup]

When I use my sonic speed, items close to me, or held by me, sort of enter that same little pocket. That is why I can travel with other people, as long as I hold them close. [Peter explains. As they walk towards the bathroom. Slowly]

[He leans on Balthazar's shoulder, a little touch starved right now]

It is Steve's Clubhouse. He built it to provide shelter to those in need. And I just... sort of felt like this was the best place to go.

[tryingitall]

That's extraordinary. Almost like angel's flight. Mind you, I've never tried to fly while eating or drinking. [But he's going to now!

Once inside the bathroom, he guides Peter gently to sit on the closed lid of the toilet, pets his hair gently, and then steps over to turn on the bathwater. Somehow, call it an angelic sixth sense, he knows exactly what temperature to make it.]

The Steve you're so fond of? [He nods slightly.] But he's not here just now, I take it.

[iwillcatchup]

[Peter places his hands on his legs, when he sits, and leans into that touch again. He watches as the bath is drawn]

Yah. That Steve. [He sighs softly]

He is back on his world. And it is on lockdown. Because the shit that is happening there has the potential to hurt a lot of people.

So I am shut out of contact with him. [Peter shrugs. Shut out of his world. Shut out of contacting Steve.] I sent him a message that I was here, but I don't know if he got it.

And I haven't... I don't want to text him about what happened to me.

He has so many people that depend on him. I don't want to worry him.

[tryingitall]

[The angel makes a small disgruntled noise.] There's always an apocalypse happening somewhere, isn't there? Shame to miss out on something good because of it.

[He looks at him sadly.] So you've just been lying around here alone? That's not right.

[iwillcatchup]

Time rushes by so differently for me. And now that I have stopped... I want that something good. [Peter admits softly]

I don't want to be alone anymore.

I am glad you are here. [Peter looks up to meet the angel's eyes]

[tryingitall]

[Balthazar regards him thoughtfully for a long moment, some emotion in his eyes making him look older than usual. Like Steve, he's a being with a world at terrible risk--on the edge of disaster more often than not--but unlike Steve, Balthazar has given up on trying to fix it.

Mostly. There's still Castiel, the one brother he can't bear to lose.]

Heaven is broken, where I come from. [He tells Peter quietly.] I'd just been killing time until Armageddon, for the most part. Having some fun before the lights go out, you know, like you do.

Then my favorite brother comes to me with his puppy eyes and stupid ideas and tries to convince me the world can still be saved. Suddenly, I'm back into the fray again, and I don't like it one bit. Sometimes you just don't have an ideal option, though. You just keep moving because you can and choose the lesser of two evils.

I'm sure that being in the Nexus is the lesser of two evils for you, darling. And I'm happy to spend some time with you if you need a friend. I've got time to spare.

[iwillcatchup]

That whole idea that the world can be saved was why I stayed with the Xavier and the others, after we faced Apocalypse. And it wasn't an ideal situation... especially with Erik not knowing he was my dad at first. And then with him not reacting at all when I told him.

I sometimes think about all the times I just moved... just ran... because I didn't know what else to do.

And I just don't feel like running anymore.

[Peter stands, and slowly strips down, comfortable in the presence of Balthazar not to worry about his nudity. And slowly sinks into the bath] I am glad we are friends. It means a lot to me.

[tryingitall]

Ugh, absent fathers. [Balthazar sighs, grimacing sympathetically.] I can relate, believe it or not. Sort of. I think.

[Having never been human, he can't be completely certain, but angels always have referred to God as their Father, and Balthazar sure hasn't ever seen Him.

He listens attentively to what Peter has to say, for a moment every bit the sympathetic listening figure one might expect an angel to be. He pats Peter's hair gently, ruffling it and nodding. He shows no particular reaction to his nudity; this is a platonic, comforting context and there's no need to bring sexuality into it. He's ready to help him climb into the water, though, gentle and supportive.]

It's good for me, too. Having friends.

[iwillcatchup]

Peter leans back in the bath, and just lets the warm water soak away his troubles for the moment. This was a good first step for him. It will be easier for him to get out of bed more often. All thanks to his friendship with Balthazar]

Yah. Well, I love you man. [Said in that bro-friendship way, but with meaning]

[tryingitall]

[Peter may not notice, but the angel's Grace reaches out to the room they've just left, flicking over the covers and sheets, scouring them clean in an instant and leaving them tucked into place as if the bed was just made.

Once Peter is settled, he pats his hair once more and then picks up his discarded clothing, shaking out each piece one at a time, and this, the human might notice: he folds and puts each item back down on the edge of the sink and they look clean and mended as if new.

Balthazar blinks at the endearment, visibly surprised to hear it any context, then grins like a sunbeam. Look, not a lot of people say that kind of thing to an angel.]

Right back at you, darling!

[iwillcatchup]

[ooc: Good place to end. Loved this scene]