(no subject)

[mycursedface]

It's summer in Egypt, so the Nile is a swollen, flooded thing right now. But Medusa's father built his home above the highest waterline, and in any case he is a god and weather and water can be bent to his will. (Or at least coaxed, for the Old Man of the Sea had ever been one for soft words over thunderbolts). There are a several buildings, arranged roughly in a semi-circle, and made from stone and mud and straw. There is a garden, too, with trees and flowers and a pretty little stream, but that is behind the buildings and can only be glimpsed at.

It's night in Egypt, so it is pleasantly cool. During the day it'll be hot (although, not as hot as Medusa is used to sleeping through, because gold feathers and the hot, hot sun do not always get along), but now it is merely...nice.

Also, dark. Even with the stars and the cresent moon, but Medusa has a cat's eyes (almost literally, because while now her pupils are huge to let in the light, in the Bar they are nothing but slits), so she leads Sam by the hand across the main open space to the granary.

"There are footholds in the walls, if you wanted to climb up?" She says once they reach it, grinning in the dark.

Comments

[necessary_child]

He winks. "I think so."

[mycursedface]

"Well, good."

[necessary_child]

"What do you think?" Sam asks. "Doesn't matter what I think."

[mycursedface]

"I'm not sure. But I'd hope you wouldn't insult me."

[necessary_child]

"Well. I'll definitely tease you. But I won't mean any of it."

[mycursedface]

"That's different."

[necessary_child]

He links his fingers with hers. "What is?"

[mycursedface]

"Teasing. It isn't the same as insulting."

[necessary_child]

Sam laughs. "I call Atton ugly to tease him. That's an insult."

[mycursedface]

"But you don't mean it."

[necessary_child]

"'xactly."

He swings Medusa's hand, thoughtfully.

"What about you? When are you being serious?"

[mycursedface]

"I don't...understand."

[necessary_child]

Sam bites his lip a little, thinking.

"Us. How serious are you about us?"

[mycursedface]

"Oh."

She looks down, and for a long time says nothing.

"I...fairly serious. I um. Fairly serious," she ends up repeating.

[necessary_child]

Sam laughs, softly.

"What does that mean, though? I mean, like." He thinks about this for a moment. "You and Mark Anthony flirt, don't you? Do you still want for it to be okay for you to take that further, if you wanted? Or is it just going to be you and me?"

[mycursedface]

"Ah, that." She relaxes, a little. "Flirt, kiss, sex..." It gets a shrug. "Not that I can see myself doing any such thing, but yes. I don't...work well, in cages."

Her wings stretch out, a little, and then go back to being partially unfurled.

"Serious is...that doesn't matter. Other people. Flirting and all of that. It's just...um." Medusa rubs her mouth with her spare hand. "To use Mark Antony as an example, I like him well enough. I flirt and laugh and enjoy his company, but...

I can't relax and act a fool or curl up in his arms. I couldn't take him to see a sunrise, or cry at him. I don't feel comfortable around him. I don't trust him.

But I can with you. That's...my serious. Something I don't give, and don't feel with other people."

[necessary_child]

"I'm not a fan of cages, either." He kisses her cheek again, briefly.

"But I think I like your serious."

[mycursedface]

She looks up and doesn't move her eyes, dark and dark brown, away from his face.

"You do?"

[necessary_child]

Sam looks back at her, black eyes almost as serious as they ever get.

"Wouldn't say so if I didn't, Beautiful."

[mycursedface]

Medusa smiles, quick be genuine.

"And you, Lucifer?"

[necessary_child]

Sam swings his legs. "What about me?"

[mycursedface]

"How serious are you?"

[necessary_child]

"I'm very serious, Medusa." His eyes match hers. "As serious as I ever get. But I'm not made for monogamy - I can do it, but it doesn't come naturally."

[mycursedface]

She tilts her head slightly, still watching him.

Quietly,

"I'm not going to ask for monogamy. Just...something that is ours."

[necessary_child]

Sam nods. Slowly, "That was what I meant. I'm far more serious about you than about anyone else, Meda."