day 2 (morning)

[antietam]

[ Adam is quiet as he leads Luke away from the crime scene and all the people. There's no part of him that wants to be around all of them right now but he does actually have something to talk about with Luke, something that was on his mind as soon as he was able to comprehend the murder.

He only knows how to survive. It's instinct like in every human. Adam doesn't even know what he's surviving for at this point but he's not going to give up like this.

They finally end up in the bathroom, and then Adam opens the door to the sauna. He motions for Luke to step in. ]

Miss it? [ The sauna. ]

Comments

[antietam]

[ He narrows his eyes but his posture seems to be relaxing a little so maybe that smile did do something. ] How gracious of you to give me the power to say no.

[ There's a pause like he's considering what to tell Luke. It's an automatic reaction but he guesses he can be somewhat honest with the guy he's meant to be lying with. ] I've been doing it my whole life so I have some practice. What are you thinking?

[chiseler]

I'm thinking...[He seems to change his tone then, scooting in a little closer to allow his hand to move and tilt Adam's jaw up so he can examine his face. You'd think he'd learn his lesson about invading personal space after some things earlier in their stay, but he seems to be watching Adam out of a different kind of interest now.]

You and I could build a history together. Who's going to know the difference? We've all lost memories. Maybe you and me just happened to lose memories of each other but we're drawn together anyway. It wouldn't seem to strange to be defending someone you're gravitating toward, would it?

[That smile becomes a little more flirty, fingers trailing Adam's jawline. It's a risk, sure, but he's not an idiot. He's noticed the way Adam reacts to him. All he has to do is tap into that.] Besides...would it really be so odd for two kids to take an interest in each other?

[antietam]

[ The touch makes Adam tense up, hands clenching into fists. It isn't fear but distaste from being touched by someone who's practically a stranger without his permission.

There's another sensation building up inside him though and he doesn't focus on that. His breath comes out a little faster when Luke's fingers start moving. ] You think they wouldn't notice how different we are? How could we know each other?

[ But it's not like he's forgotten the things Luke has said to him before, the cute comment. He grabs his wrist to stop his fingers but then leans down to put their faces close together. ] We're not kids. I think we can do better than innocent crushes.

[chiseler]

We're both from earth aren't we? Both of our lives tied up in magic and other strange happenings. It's not impossible for mortals to get tangled up in the business of demigods. It's just rare. All it would take is a little talking, a little interweaving. Even if we never met back home, we could come up with a believable story that we're from the same world. [The smile turns more into a smirk and the coy act drops shortly after. The message got through loud and clear. He doesn't have to keep pretending right now. Adam has control issues. That he already figured out so he lets him hold his wrist and holds his ground so that they're nose to nose again.]

I was talking in comparison of everyone else. But of course we can do better...any bright ideas?

[antietam]

[ Luke does have a point. It's not like anyone could say otherwise. He hasn't told people much about himself though he doesn't know if it's the same for Luke. He seems talkative.

But he's letting Adam handle this in his own way, so that's something. He doesn't know how to be this close to someone but he's not backing off. Luke won't win. ] Interest doesn't account for much. But attraction makes people stupid. No one would think it's weird that in a few days we've grown close because of that. And then attraction turns into more and our story is set. Who's going to call us out? As long as you play your role right.

[chiseler]

[This wasn't exactly what he had in mind when he followed Adam into the spa, but the longer they talk the more this plan makes sense to him. It's hardly any different than the things he's done back home. The difference, of course, is that back home there was real attraction involved, a girl who thought him to be nice and handsome and willing to do anything he asked.

As far as he's concerned this is just about Adam being more upfront and in on the plan. It almost seems easier.]

Attraction makes people incredibly stupid. [A shrug.] We're locked up in a building with no idea how we got here, we're about the same age...we're from the same world, you're cute, I'm me...it makes sense. [He lifts his eyebrows though.] Just what role are you thinking? Because I can play the part of being attracted to you just fine.

[antietam]

[ This is definitely not what he was expecting but it's something. It's a good excuse. Who's going to tell them they're faking?

There's a twitch in his features when Luke calls him cute again, but he makes a hmph noise in the back of his throat at Luke's ego. But no, it won't be hard to pretend to be attracted to him especially now that he can't really concentrate when their faces are so close together. ] It can't just be that. There have to be feelings involved. Can you pretend you have feelings? [ He smirks. ] Which also means you can't do the same thing with other people.

[chiseler]

[He doesn't seem to notice (or care) the way Adam reacts to the word but he doesn't bother pulling back. It's easier to read Adam this way and if they're going through with this, well, they'll have to be used to being this close. However, he blinks in surprise when Adam ups the ante and he chuckles to himself.]

That might be the harder part. [He's. Probably joking.] You realize you're asking me to pretend to be monogamous with you. Isn't that a relationship? That might be a little bit of a harder sell.

[antietam]

[ He raises his eyebrows like he really doesn't care that any of this might be harder. ]

That's the point. If you start going around with other people, no one's going to take this seriously. [ This apparently being them. ] How would a relationship be harder to sell? It starts off with attraction and it goes from there. People start dating for lesser reasons all the time.

[chiseler]

[He rolls his eyes.] And just how many people have you actually dated in your life? [But okay, this is fair and he seems to think about that.]

...if the situation was reversed and somebody else was doing this, what would they have to do to convince you they were dating? [A pause.] You know the other thing is that we have to be careful this doesn't bite is later for being too biased toward each other. It's a balancing act.

[antietam]

[ That makes him frown and he pulls away, crossing his arms. ] I've dated.

[ And that's all that comes from him on that subject. His girlfriend broke up with him like, a few days ago. It's sore. ] I don't know, act like it in public? Do what couples do. Are you going to have a problem with that? [ Pretending like he doesn't have a problem with it... ]

I don't think that'll be an issue. Innocent kids would want to see killers come to justice. If we thought our sweetheart could really be a murderer, we wouldn't defend them.

[chiseler]

[His lip curls into a smile like he doesn't quite believe it, but sure Adam.]

"What couples do." If you're asking me if I'm going to have a problem pretending I'm swapping spit with you on a regular basis...[A shrug. That's not an answer and he knows it.]

That's a good point. If you actually killed somebody I'd out you immediately to stop it no matter how much I liked you. It's just about convincing everybody else that that would be the case. For the most part though...sounds like we're on the same page.

[antietam]

[ He flusters a little at Luke's lovely description. Even his last girlfriend didn't want to kiss him... ] Well? Might as well air all your grievances now. Is it going to bother you?

[ Mostly he just wants to know. He raises his eyebrow when Luke says he would out him if he killed someone. Adam, personally, doesn't care as long as Luke doesn't kill him. ] We're going to have to prove ourselves in the trial, then. Make it look like we really care about justice being done.

[chiseler]

[Aw, that's cute.] The only way it's going to bother me is if you're a bad kisser. Is that something I'm gonna have to worry about? [It's still not really an answer, but it's Luke goading him anyway.]

As for the rest...I absolutely care about justice or whatever. [That's reassuring.] Or, at least, I care about not getting myself killed and that's probably close to the same thing. Trust me. I can prove myself just fine.

[antietam]

I haven't had any complaints before. [ Well. It's true. He seems even more nervous about it. What if Luke is unimpressed? Why does he care? ]

That's why I think you're a good pick, anyway. You have something to get back to, don't you? You're going to do whatever you have to in order to get back.

[chiseler]

I've also got some high standards. [He's teasing most, not bothering to take this seriously for now.]

...but I do. I've got a job to do and I'm not letting something like this get in my way. Don't you? You have things to get back to and your magical trees to protect, right?

[antietam]

Yeah? I bet you're not that much of an expert yourself. [ He's not sure but stop poking at his insecurities. ]

I'm sure they'd like me to get back. [ He's not sure if it's something he actively wants. Still, he wants to be alive. ] Whatever you have to do to get that, I'll help. Least I could do, right?

[chiseler]

You'll find out soon enough, I'm sure. [He even lifts a hand to wave him off.]

...okay. [He considers again before nodding slowly, getting to his feet.] I think we've got a deal. We shouldn't stay in here for much longer though. We can work out the rest of the details later.

[antietam]

Guess we'll see if we're compatible enough to be a good fake match. [ He gives him a quick smile and it's somewhat appreciative because this is kind of a lot. But it'll probably work out.

Then he steps away from Luke to leave the sauna. ]