A celebration, of sorts. In the sun. At the beach. Gross.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

WHO: Mr. Gold, Doc Brown
WHERE: The beach, Heropa.
WHEN: Not long after Doc finished his first semester teaching.
WHAT: A visit to the beach. Also the unveiling of Doc's new car.
WARNINGS: None, really. Will update as needed.

Mr. Gold was wearing short sleeves. Surely, this was a sign of the end times. He wasn't accustomed to going about with his arms bare, even before he was Mr. Gold, and yet here he was, standing before a mirror wearing absolutely no black at all, a pair of white linen trousers and button-up shirt that left the majority his arms scandalously bare and honestly still hinted at his bare skin underneath -- far more than comfortable for a man accustomed to leaving his home with no fewer than three layers between himself and the open air. And the sandals.

Sandals, for godssakes.

All the while he wondered when he lost control of his life.

He fumbled for his sunglasses and grabbed a few more things from the kitchen before adjourning back to the shop downstairs, where he had most everything ready to go for the trip. To start, a beach umbrella and blanket and other related sundries that would prevent him from touching his now woefully under-insulated ass to sunscorched sand. Along with that, he tucked away a couple books and had now fully stocked a picnic basket.

For someone going along more for the company than the location, he looked like he'd overpacked.

Gold heard Emmett pull up and found himself shifting bits of the pile into different positions, like he could make it look more organized than it already was. His companion had told him he was coming with the new car -- something he had heard of in previous weeks but seen nothing of, and since Emmett wanted it to be a surprise, he'd been patient about giving him his secrets.

Comments

[4thdimensional]

Emmett was over the moon with happiness, so to speak. He'd successfully graded the last few finals, received evaluations, and all was well. He was finally settled in a career he loved, living close to the person he loved. What could be better?

Spending time with him, of course! He pulled up in his newly redesigned treasure: a hovering model. He pressed a button to drop the wheels to the ground, rolled down the window...and smiled. Now that was a sight for sore eyes.

"Countering my tendency to forget something, I see," he smiled, stepping out and popping the trunk. "May be necessary once we arrive, but I assure you we'll be traveling in comfort."

[cantwalkwithoutit]

Of course it hovered. Gold opened the shop door just in time to see its wheels return to the ground. Still, the model was finer looking than he was expecting, given when Doc came from and where his aesthetic tastes tended to fall. Still more flashy than he was given to ride around in himself, but so very Emmett.

He had to smile.

A subtle levitation spell brought everything out with him, and unless you were looking good and hard at him you couldn't tell he wasn't carrying all the supplies himself. What might start the ball rolling in that direction is the fact that nobody would expect a man who walked with a cane to bring this much all in one go. The door politely and lock behind him, however.

He was about to ask him to open the drunk, but Emmett was a step ahead of him today. He packed what would fit and chose to carry the picnic basket personally. It was his first thought, because he was expecting the dogs to be wiggling around in the back seat, but even spying their absence he decided it was wise.

"I feel like I'm wearing someone else's clothes," he admitted as he sank into the passenger seat. Someone who was much bigger than him.

A look around, now that he has a chance to take in the interior.

"She's lovely, though. I'm trying to imagine when you had time to get this done."

[4thdimensional]

For his part, he was wearing a version of his usual attire: pink luau shirt, cargo shorts, sandals, and a silver visor. The typical tourist look, but he loved it.

"I worked at it here and there, afternoons between classes and coming home. It's finally absolutely perfect---wouldn't dare let you be seen in less," he said confidently. But as far as what he was seen in?

"Oh, and someone has excellent taste," Emmett added with a bright smile, pushing his visor up to look at Gold properly. "You look even more radiant than usual."

[cantwalkwithoutit]

"So you're saying you made this with me in mind?" Said with bemused skepticism. And why wouldn't he be? He remembered one of the first things he said to him, after they started this -- that he didn't know how to react to being courted.

...He also didn't want to be that person, who was endlessly demanding, high maintenance.

He didn't want to be Lacey.

Emmett cut through his reverie with that last bit, and he blinked in surprise, having to laugh. "Doctor, honestly--"

Radiant. Really.

[4thdimensional]

"With us in mind," he corrected gently, running a pointed finger over the hover button. He continued to smile at that charming laugh, then found himself leaning over to sneak a kiss for the road.

"Ready to go?"

[cantwalkwithoutit]

The hovering took a second to get used to, so he perhaps braced himself (a little noticeably, because he was started) against the frame before putting on his seat belt. He shot Doc a sheepish look.

"Ready when you are."

[4thdimensional]

"Excellent. I do hope you'll enjoy."

Hovering meant fewer bumps, and old joints would appreciate that---at least, that was his thought process. He pushed them on a smooth glide toward the shores, whistling a song or two along the way, and eventually hovered right up to the driveway of a simple-looking white house near the sands. From there, it would be a very short walk to the shoreline

"Is there anything you'd like to place inside, or are we setting up camp?" he asked, thinking back on all those items in the trunk.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

"Inside?"

Gold leaned forward a little to get a better look at the building. It was quaint, the rentals that dotted the beaches in this state everywhere, he was sure. But it was not a long way from where they lived, so he never gave much thought to getting one.

Not that this was the first time Doc had ever done such a thing.

"...I didn't pack for it, truthfully. I just thought we were visiting for the day."

[4thdimensional]

Emmett slapped his forehead. "No, no, of course not...I completely forgot to tell you in all that last-minute preparation---but yes, we have this for the night. I'll take us on a return trip to retrieve things this evening."

He unlocked the door and tossed his own meager bag inside, shaking his head. He'd have to visit a fisherman for tonight anyway, it'd be just another stop.

"But it's close enough to listen to the waves, well-furnished, and the bedroom's beautiful," he added with a small smile.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

Gold couldn't help but smile. Of course, the last time they rented a place, they hadn't reached the level of intimacy they shared now (though he spent the entire weekend mulling over whether the expense meant he was expected to -- provide, or not). "Is it?"

He figured Doc wouldn't have mentioned it if it weren't special.

"Then I'll look forward to it tonight. Unless -- you wanted to wait to go down to the beach?"

[4thdimensional]

Emmett smiled mysteriously, shaking his head and leading the way to the sands instead. It was before the big season, so perhaps less crowded than it would be in a week's time. Perfect for their purposes.

"That particular bedroom gains most of its character at night. No, it's best we breathe the sea air first. Here, can I help you set up?"

[cantwalkwithoutit]

"I'll take your word for it." And sure, he could take in some fresh air for a while first. ...Under shade. He'd already slipped his shades on by now so one couldn't see him glowering at all the light.

Gold fetched everything from the trunk with relative ease, using the same little charm to bring everything along, but when Doc asked, he didn't hesitate to hand a thing or two off to him.

"Thank you."

They chose to plant the umbrella far enough from the surf that their spot wouldn't get caught in the tide, but near enough that they wouldn't have to shout at each other to interact. He set out to lay their blankets around that, create his place to settle down -- perhaps with a little magic to help. The sand was already troublesome in sandles and with a limp, so it was called for.

Sitting now, he dug into his bag to find the sunscreen.

"So what are your plans?"

[4thdimensional]

Emmett busied himself with helping him however possible, arranging and installing. When all appeared to be ready, he grinned and sat down, immediately pushing his feet off the blanket and running sand between his toes.

"A sandcastle construction. Maybe a dip in the ocean if I can muster the courage---it's early in the summer, so the water's doubtlessly still somewhat cool. Then, I'll have myself a nap, then prepare a dinner upon waking."

He smiled. "And yourself?"

Later, late into the night

[cantwalkwithoutit]

A little more fresh air helped them settle down, and they sat a while and read together. Soon it was well past dark, and when Emmett disappeared into the kitchen to bus their tea cups and empty the kettle, Gold had slipped into the bedroom -- which among other things featured enormous skylights above the bed. The doctor found him waiting there, moonlight spilling in from above and illuminating his shape, undraped and with youthful uncertainty and faith.

A first, for them, and he devoted the space of time to follow, however long, to rewarding all of Emmett's sweetness throughout the day. They drifted to sleep practically tangled with each other.

Gold's dreams, however, were of something else entirely. A dusty, underground chamber, tiny slathers of sun chasing in, clashing with the hard wire lines of a cage. A spinning wheel.

Hands. A blade.

Too much to follow.

Gold woke. He had little idea how long he'd been asleep, but that horrible sick chill contrasted the pure heat on every part of his naked body that touched Emmett's, and he was lucid. Uncomfortable.

He gently slid out of bed and pulled his trousers on.

[4thdimensional]

Emmett had enjoyed a wonderful evening and a peaceful slumber He'd felt an uncommon warmth and happiness that night, and he'd fallen asleep full of hopes for the future.

He woke when an unpleasant chill crept onto his skin, signifying his lover's absence. Had he overslept? No, it was still the middle of the night. He blinked into the dark and forced himself upright.

"Gold?" he called, worry permeating his voice.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

Emmett tended to sleep like a rock, so Gold was a little surprised he came to so quickly. He was buttoning his linen shirt, feeling some of the willies gone from him by then, but he was still shaking a little.

"I'm here."

He sat back on the edge of the bed, wringing his hands.

"I'm sorry for waking you."

[4thdimensional]

"Don't be," he whispered, though the worry was still apparent in his voice and whatever could be seen of his expression. He pulled the blanket up against his chest, more for the chill than any self-consciousness, and scooted forward.

"Did I do something wrong?" He'd been happy, yes, but doubt lingered in his head about whether he'd pushed too far tonight.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

Gold looked back at him, a little surprised. "No," he said hastily.

Of course he was leaving him little to go on, wasn't he? He pulled away with no explanation. What would he have done in Emmett's place? What would he have assumed, however irrationally?

"I just had a bad dream, that's all. Couldn't sleep anymore."

Didn't want to be naked anymore.

[4thdimensional]

Emmett couldn't deny that it hurt---that his first instinct after such a dream was to withdraw. But there were certain blemishes in himself that would draw a similar reaction if resurrected in dreams. It was most important here to listen.

"I can listen?" he offered quietly. fingers tighening in the blanket as he tried not to let his worry overwhelm. "Please. I understand why not, but...if it's at all possible that I could help."

It was important not to pressure, to corner him anymore, but he could offer a hand. And he did, in the literal sense, untangling his arm from the blanket.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

Gold settled back into bed beside him, over the covers, slipping in close and drawing that offered arm around him. He already felt immediately better, though that lone thread of anxiety was pulling taut inside his chest.

"What I am -- where my power comes from. It's tied to an object. Anyone that holds it can -- control me. Use the power through me." Or kill him and take it for themselves. He swallowed. "Before I came here, someone did that, but that's not all she did. ...I had a son. He died as a result of her actions -- I tried to hold onto him for as long as I could, but it only meant that for about a year he suffered right alongside me. She --"

Gold bit his lip, staring up at the open sky above them.

"I rejected her in the past. As a result I always felt certain everything she did to me was a punishment for that. When she wanted me a certain way she'd -- dress me. Shave me. I couldn't say no. I couldn't even cry when my son had just died in my arms because she forbade me."

[4thdimensional]

Emmett pondered this, holding him as tightly as he could in this awkward position. The stuff of legends...almost like a genie's lamp was his first thought.

But his heart ached in so many ways. He'd been cruelly controlled, stripped of his dignity, watched his son's death, and even denied the human act of grieving. It was unconscionable...yet it explained so much about the difficulties in their relationship thus far.

"What a...hell. I've never heard of anyone so utterly loathsome. And...I'm so sorry, about your son."

His words were quiet, sympathetic...gently offering room for further discussion if it was wanted.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

And he didn't even get the satisfaction of killing her before he was stolen away to this place.

What's more, he'd been making himself think as little of it as he possibly could until now. Living above the shop helped. He almost never dreamed, or he at least had the good sense to have forgotten them all by morning. What it meant, however, was that he was thinking of Baelfire less and less, and now it was all washing over him in a torrent.

The dam broke a little. He shuddered and hid his face against Emmett's shoulder for a few minutes. His breath came in sharp hitches, but he held full sobs in.

[4thdimensional]

There was nothing to say...nothing to do, really, except allow him to share his pain. Emmett turned toward him to make this a little more comfortable, moving the hand on his shoulder to massage the base of his neck while the other hand reached for his over the sheets.

Emmett didn't want to prod or push, knowing what a delicate state this was, but he tried to offer what meager solace he could in the face of that horror. Rumpel had been bottling this for quite a long while, hadn't he.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

Gold let go of a lot so quickly, at first just trying to provide context, but gravity stole the rest from his lips. And then all that was left in him was the pain in their truth and the shame in saying so much at once.

He had told Emmett before, the first time he kissed him, that he was in mourning for many things. The life he left behind. His true love. But he never mentioned Baelfire. Part of him feared Pan's prying ears more than anything, as it'd been a stone around his neck the boy tried to yank on before to drag him under. Even after Pan disappeared, part of him didn't trust it.

And what woke Gold hadn't been his heartache over him, but now it was there, stark and real and so much more blinding than his terror.

He knew then that if Doc hadn't woken with him, he probably would have disappeared back to the shop to hide, an instinct he'd been trying to fight with greater frequency of late.

"I'm ruining everything," he murmured at last. "I'm sorry."

[4thdimensional]

"It's hardly a crime to have complex feelings," he whispered back, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "And in your situation, it's no wonder. I'm here for you because I want to be...you can let me in whenever you'd like."

He was worried about him, yes, but also very grateful that he'd been allowed further in. That he could provide whatever solace he could.