unchevalnoir

[unchevalnoir]

thriceblessed​:

At the mention of losing sleep, Genaro shook his head as he fixed the gloves on his hand, pushing them further up to block more of the cold. “Don’t worry, I’m really good at compartmentalizing or whatever the word is.” He looked up at River briefly. “Focusing on something at one point in time and then pushing it out of my mind for the rest of the day.” 

Even he had to admit that he was a bit more excited though, so he focused on it longer than he did anything back home. “That’s so cool. Even though a whole new world was opened up to us, it’s like you have access to another part of the dimension.” 

A laugh escaped River, his hot breath struck the cold air to create a small puff of condensation. “Now that’s a talent.” He replied with an arched to his left brow. “Must have been useful back on earth, but I’d say it’ll be even more useful here. Nothing’s been so bad, but a few situations I wouldn’t mind closing in a box to collect dust in the back of my mind.”

He nods before taking a seat near Genaro. “I’m grateful for it. ‘even got to meet my real sister. I’d like you to get to know her, but not at the cost of going to the underworld.”

[unchevalnoir]

[unchevalnoir]

asher-jones​:

-

“It probably is,” Asher wasn’t afraid to say, a wide, almost impish grin tugged at his lips. “But you know what they say, drunk words are sober thoughts,” or something like that. To be honest Asher probably wasn’t in the state of mind to be dropping pearls of wisdom, especially not to the oldest friend he had, the point was that he felt comfortable enough to at least attempt to. “I get it though, the struggle of trying to figure out who you were, with who you are. I was there…” he sighed, continuing to pull undress, his pants and underwear quickly discarded just as the red head’s were. Even in this state, however, Asher made the very conscious effort to keep his eyes up, despite the allure River’s body provided. 

When the question was posed to him, Asher fell silent again, taking a moment to consider it. “I guess the confidence was a mask,” he finally admitted. “Not that I was insecure or anything, not more than your average teenager growing up in Manhatten,” he chuckled. “You know how it is in that world though, right? The pressure to meet expectations, to be standard but still be extraordinary,” it hadn’t taken him long sink into the steaming pool. He almost let out a relaxed sigh as his muscles instantly succumbed to the soothing heat of the water. “At least that’s how it was with my mom. Honestly I felt like I was holding myself back more. Now, I can be unapologetically me.” Rich brown eyes focused curiously on River. “What about you? You always seemed like everything came so easily and naturally to you.”

As easy as it might have been to fall asleep and retire there for the night, Asher didn’t seem to mind the threat. There were definitely worse people to spend a night in a cave with. “What are you afraid of, RIv?” he smirked, splashing a handful of water playfully.

-

“Now you know why I stayed mostly sober at all your mum’s after parties.” Gods knew that any honest word from his mouth back then would have led to an awful mess. Within the inner circle or media. “She’d be so upset with me. That I couldn’t just relax and enjoy myself.” But River was certain she understood why as well. “’had to keep the boys in line.” Remained his excuse as he bowed his head slightly.

River felt Asher step in after him and he made an effort to give the other space. Not without failing to look back at him. Even in the dark, he could map out Asher’s form, and maybe it was that darkness that permitted River to drop his gaze for once. Otherwise, it would be the drink. He quickly pulled his gaze back where it belonged. Hopeful Asher hadn’t seen since he always wanted to be respectful of his friend. Pressure, expectations, River remained constricted by them, but Asher described it all in a way that truly suited their history.

He laughed to himself, marveling slightly, “Yeah. Yeah, that’s how it was for me.” River took a seat. Worried that the steam might enhance his inebriated state and cause him to tumble. His lips were drawn in a thin line as he listened, before forming into a gentle frown. It was a crime that Asher was made to feel that same way, but it seemed to be their true legacy. “I was worried over the stupidest shit back then. It felt like my younger brothers had way more freedom to create their own lives. Try something different. ... I was only open with one of my cousins, but even with him there were boundaries. Things you don’t say. Think.” Or feel.

“I’m almost thirty... and Demeter’s name is the only identity I truly have.” After a short pause, he let out a weak snort and shook his head again. “You at least did something before all of this. For yourself. Coming out, you know? Like... that’s huge.”

[unchevalnoir]

tellmeinstorms​:

as the question spun on its heel and bounced back to him, credence looked away. river’s ask conjured unbidden memories – hours he spent in the barracks studying about airplanes, the bone-aching drills, the cold of arizona’s deserts he had to brave during winters such as these. “i suppose we were all a little adrift before this.” his fingers pleated, then unpleated the folds of his silk robe. “unfortunately, this isn’t the vacation you hoped for, right? not exactly the bahamas.” he snorted, facing river again. there was a sort of soothing innocence about the other, like newborn flowers at spring, that made credence’s mouth arch up in a sincere smile for once. “ok, superstar, would you care to join me for some breakfast? i promise to keep the paparazzi away as best as i can.” he clicked his tongue teasingly. 

At the invitation to join Credence for breakfast, River removed his elbow from the fence post. Not eager, but willing, especially to share a meal in good company. “I wasn’t expecting vacation, no.” He grinned to himself. “Life before was sort of a permanent vacation. I wanted to do something greater... and for myself. I mean... this is life and death at times, but I have more purpose here for sure.”

Would that sound ridiculous to Credence? Afterall, River had been promised an empire. Perhaps he was selfish. Blind. In others perspectives. “I’d love to join you. Thanks.” The air was dry today, which made the first layer of snow brittle and crunchy beneath River’s boots. His tracks would make a clear path away from the pegasi stables. A pattern most should be used to seeing by now. Once they’d reached the doors, River opened the right for Credence to enter first. The fire would be roaring by this hour. He removed his overcoat and gloves before finding a spot.

[unchevalnoir]

yvesderosesexy​:

Noticing the blush reminded Yves that virginity still meant something to certain people. Though in this case it looked like River perceived his as a flaw. “Have you been with anyone at all?” he asks mostly to make sure he’s reading the situation right. “Man, you need to stop assuming what he’d want and just ask him. If you’re at all interested in him that is.” Which, not to put words in River’s mouth, looks like he is. “What’s the alternative, huh? Someone else snatching him away while you make up your mind? Come on. You’ve fought monsters, surely you can do this.”

“Yeah. Women.” River replied, matter of factly, as if it should be obvious. With how he was expressing his hesitation toward the same sex, it was understandable Yves might take it a step further. “Not that there’s a girl back home I’d write to or something.” Those relationships fell terribly short. Every time.

He considered Yves’ perspective for a short spell before shaking his head once the romantic went on. Asher had been out and proud almost as long as River had known him. While River had yet to discover what he was exactly. “... I don’t know what I’m doing. When it comes to this.” That stubborness falls to the wayside for the moment.

“I know Ash and how far he’s come. Someone who understands what that’s like... is what he would need. For a start.” There seemed to be plenty of men who fit such a description around camp. At least that was River’s impression. “Do you understand what I mean?”

[unchevalnoir]

yvesderosesexy​:

River’s admission hit that soft spot that made Yves’ mouth stretch into a wide and earnest grin. “Sure, it does. Look who you have helping you out, dummy. Me.” If anyone could get two people together it was Yves, or so he thought. “I really think you should ask him out. Make it casual, like… just coffee and a walk instead of the classic dinner date.” He waves River’s concerns away, seeing as they were in the way of his plans. “You have to start somewhere. Asher’s a good starting point. Ask him out.”

“I didn’t ask for your help, ok?” His heart was still racing slightly as the reality of this conversation and what he had shared with the other came crashing down. He should have just walked away. “I can’t--” The flush around his neck was rosy as ever. There were some reactions River simply couldn’t control. Yves seemed to see through each and every one of them. “Yves.” He put his foot down, finally, but his voice was hushed enough to keep the truth only between them. “I’ve... never been with a guy. ... Asher wouldn’t want that. No one would. He deserves better.”

[unchevalnoir]

asher-jones​:

There was something about the warmth, the drastic change from the winter chill outside the cave, that seemed to give Asher even more of a feeling of security than usual. Brows creased together in confusion at River’s comment. Not exactly following at first. “Just because it’s filled with magic and crazy fantasy creatures… it doesn’t make it a lie, you know?” he reasoned, as he continued finished unbuttoning his shirt, peeling it off. The hot, wet heat that matted against his bare chest elicited a relaxed exhale. “It takes some getting used to, realizing that the way this place makes us all feel, it’s real. Honestly, it’s probably more real than anything we felt back at home.” After kicking off his own shoes, which he hadn’t even bothered to untie, he began to make work on his belt. “I don’t know, i feel like we’re more our true selves here. Like… whatever we were before was just a mask we were wearing, and once we drank the ambrosia, it was pulled away.” Not that Asher was trying to get philosophical. He was far too tipsy for that.

As Asher went on, River felt a more genuine smile reappear across his chiseled face. “Are you sure that’s not the ambrosia talking?” He teased before shaking his head. A hint that he was only joking. To hear that someone understood what he meant and his inner struggle with himself actually meant a great deal. River had no idea this was a reassurance he wanted to hear. Just another issue he struggled to speak up about.

A small, satisfied chuckle rang off of the stone walls of the cavern. “That takes care of one mask. You’ve always been so confident though, at least... appeared that way.” There were many misconceptions to be drawn regarding people in their position back on earth. River tried to imagine what truths Asher might still hold close to his heart while he discarded his vest and then shirt. He came up empty. The warmth encased him now, his mind and body almost unable to recall that cold that whipped around right outside. Would either of them have the courage to leave before morning? Probably not, but there were worst places to sleep.

“We probably wont last long in here.” He chuckled again while stepping out of his fitted trousers and drawers that collected on top of the damp floor. “Alcohol and steam make for one powerful sleeping pill.” No side effect could keep River from stepping into the organic mineral pool. “It’s sort of spooky; swimming in the dark.”

[unchevalnoir]

ofcourageousblood​:

-

now that the camp had electricity, he’d have to think about what to do concerning buying stuff online. he was never a shopaholic but having gone without for so long, he knew he had a lot of catching up to do. he didn’t exactly think were such things as ‘demigod bank accounts’ or anything of the like. it was a quandary but one he’d have to figure out later on. “i work on my art most times. i’ve been fillin’ up the pages of my sketchbook for months now and it’s pretty great. oh! i also learned how to cook from julian. i’m tryna ‘expand my horizons’, ya know?” he was all about self-improvement and there’s been plenty of opportunities to learn new skills out in the middle of nowhere. “good different or bad different? we can change the subject if you’d wanna talk about somethin’ other than this. i don’t wanna force you or anythin’.”

“Cool cool.” River beamed as he listened intently. “Oh damn. Do you plan on sharing those new cooking skills around the house? A barbeque could be fun.” Rather than a fancy party, something light hearted in the afternoon filled with games and sports would be just as fun. Ease up on the need for a date too. Keaton’s question was appreciated. Since this was the first time River had admitted to the small hiccup outloud, he wasn’t entirely certain how to navigate through. “It’s fine.” He cracks another grin, trying to shrug off any nerves. “I was interested in a guy once. Back home. ... So if I really think about this, it’s not so bad.” His glance fell and brows furrowed while River tried to phrase everything just right.

“May be healthy. ... I don’t think the guys around here would like someone inexperienced though. With men, at least.” He laughed to himself, faintly, no more than an exhale. “I’d feel sorry for them, honestly.”

[unchevalnoir]

[unchevalnoir]

Archie Andrews in 1.03 ‘Body Double’

[unchevalnoir]

yvesderosesexy​:

Leaning over the table, Yves does what he does best - he gets physical. Both hands cup River’s face and bring it forward until all they can see is each other. “So you do like him?” Yves asks, voice firm, eyes a little narrow as he’s trying to get to the truth. “I’m the demigod of love. You have to be honest with me about these things.” It’s the most made up rule in the world and Yves can’t wait for everyone to follow it. 

“Hurting, trusting, you have all the key issues a pretty rich boy is entitled to, huh?” Seeing as he was one, Yves could relate. 

When he found himself suddenly encased in Yves’ cold palms, River couldn’t handle the intense spotlight. Blushing now, River pulled himself away from the grip. This was uncomfortable. The whole discussion was just that. River’s throat felt parched and his heart was throbbing. His glances fluttered by as he struggled to decide what to say. How to say it. Always careful with his words--or at least he tried to be. “... Y-yeah... maybe, but that doesn’t make this good.” If history served, this was actually a terrible revelation.

His gaze lifted toward Yves as he bit down on his lower lip thoughtfully. River’s posture had shifted again, one arm stretched across the table with fist subtly wrapping against it’s hardwood. His spine curved, favoring the left hip. “Sure. ‘don’t think anyone trusts all the way though.”

[unchevalnoir]

[unchevalnoir]

tellmeinstorms​:

now, that was interesting. credence would not have presumed it—someone so humble born as the heir to a fashion industry? if he was in river’s shoes (hopefully expensive ones), he would be flaunting his legacy like … well, like he flaunted his legacy now. he toed at the wheat-strand, looking down at it for a moment then back at river, wearing a curious expression. “and why did an heir to such a dynasty end up here, living primitively?” another brow arched. “skeletons in your fancy closet, wheat boy? bad scandals?” one edge of his mouth arched in a smirk, playful yet not taking away the gravitas of the question posed.

Primitive. The word stuck out as something River should feel ashamed of. He was raised to react as such. Based on tone and body language, this didn’t seem to be Credence’s goal. The son of Zeus turned his hip and eyes away from their distant admirers. Clear suspicion gleaming in both deceptively dark eyes. “We all have a couple.” River casually teased back with a smile. “But, no, I just wanted something different. ... I was pretty aimless after stepping away. Before Olympus found me. ... Weren’t you?”

[unchevalnoir]

yvesderosesexy​:

Yves runs a tongue over his teeth, trying to get a read on the guy but it was proving to be hard. River came up with all of these excuses once Yves started teasing, then looked like a stricken puppy once Yves finally agreed not to push further. It was wild. “Then why do you look so upset over it?”

Trying to recall his past was hard, because even in retrospect, Yves couldn’t pin point the issues. “I was a lot more interested in people romantically than I was platonically. So involvements always led to something more. And when they ended I moved to someone else. Why? Aside from Asher, who you claim isn’t a close friend, you don’t sound like you had that many yourself.”

Gods, how had he ended up here? Yves’ question made River’s blood run a touch too cold. He didn’t like this position, but too much had already been said. Had he dug his own grave or was he stepping into one at Yves’ command? River’s fingers knotted together atop the wooden table as he froze up. He could think back on his long history of forced intimacy, lies and instantly feel that regret. “I’d rather stay in my lane than hurt someone I care about.”

It was strange that Yves could so casually boast of his history of romance and abandonment without guilt hung on every word. He was clearly a different person. River wasn’t certain if he envied the man. At the harmless accusation, River shrugged and admitted, “I didn’t. ‘not any I could trust.”

[unchevalnoir]

tellmeinstorms​:

at ‘cameras’, credence’s one brow arched incredulously. “you were some sort of a-list person?” he rested his cheek on a fist, ghost of a smile running across his lips. it shouldn’t surprise him that people from all paths of life collected here but it still did, at least a little. “any movies i should recognize you in? model campaigns? … risqué materials?” well now he was teasing, grin a crescent on his mouth.

“Fashion industry.” River summed up, but wore a gentle smile. “Inherited by my family. My younger brother’s running the show now.” He felt much too humble to get into it, but since Credence had asked with such enthusiasm, it didn’t seem to hurt. “I did some modeling here and there. Otherwise, being the eldest, it was more my task to take over the label after my father.” The strand of wheat, now bare, fell back to the earth at River’s feet. “But I stepped away before coming here.”

[unchevalnoir]

yvesderosesexy​:

“You’re weird,” is Yves’ deduction before he turns to see if any more of his admirers are looking. Sadly, it’s just them now, which only makes Yves look a little bit sadder. “I need to find Asher a boyfriend. Last guy he started banging ran for the hills. But he wasn’t right for Asher anyway. He needs someone handsome and tall next to him. You know?”

The question brings back some of Yves smile, but not the full extend of it. “No. But I didn’t really have friends back then. Just the occasional lovers.”

The small insult took River back initially. After hearing Yves out completely, the hackles settled. He thought back on the few men he’d seen Asher date in the past. How they looked and behaved. Tall, handsome, comfortable. Then he had to agree. “Yeah. ... I’m sure I’m not his type.” River backpeddled. “Like... that guy you’re describing’s not me. We don’t, you know, work in that way you’re suggesting.”

He gulped before clearing his throat. “... Why no friends?” That was somehow sad to hear.

[unchevalnoir]

‘tis the season for vitamin c / (23 december, 2020)