who: Quentin Coldwater & Napoleon Solo when: Saturday, August 4th where: New Orleans, the hotel room What: Taking some time to catch up and give/get comfort warnings: Nothing really? status: complete.
Margo, Quentin, and Napoleon had spent the whole day together - looking at art, going into book stores, and shopping at boutiques all along the French Quarter. They had been surrounded by the rich Louisiana culture and indulged in all types of delicious food and music throughout the day. The day had ended in gelato and a walk along the water, before they had finally returned to their suite at The Royal Sonesta.
Taking their turns in the ensuite to prepare for bed, it only took a few seconds of hesitation before it was decided that they would share the huge master suite. They were friends and they were adults. There was nothing wrong with a mostly platonic bed sharing, right? At least, Napoleon didn't allow himself to second guess anything as he pulled on a simple white singlet and silky pajama pants. He turned to see if Quentin was dressed and smiled at the long haired brunet when he saw him.
They hadn’t had a lot of time together that summer and it felt unbelievably good to be around the younger man once again. “I’ve missed you,” he said, walking over to the magician and wrapping his arms around him. From where they were, Napoleon could hear Margo running the bath for the bubblebath she had decided to treat herself to that night. A bottle of champagne had disappeared with her into the bathroom just minutes ago and he doubted they were going to see her again any time soon. The thief made a note to go check on her though, just to make sure she didn’t drown by accident.
Pressing a kiss to Quentin’s forehead, Napoleon laced the fingers of their hands together and tugged him toward the bed. “Come to bed, Margo’s probably going to be awhile.”
Quentin had enjoyed the whole aspect of getting away. Even if it was only for a weekend, there were places and ways to get away later if he needed to and right now, he needed to. Even if it meant leaving everyone else back home to deal with their things. If he’d considered all of that, he’d probably have stayed and he wouldn’t have gotten to see the things he did. He might have saved money on not buying books and other things, but that wasn’t really much of a problem.
He’d allowed himself to be more himself and worry less about how people looked at him or whether he was perfectly put together. Both Margo and Napoleon knew who he was. His clothes fit, but he’d been fine dressing more casually. And he was happy in their company. His pajamas were more along the line of black t-shirt and plaid pajama pants, but he didn’t think it mattered.
Allowing himself to lean into the comfort that came with the embrace, Quentin smiled. “I’ve missed you, too. I believe we need to remedy this problem and spend time together more often so as to avoid this missing each other thing. Maybe we can even hang out for…” And here he let out the smallest of dramatic gasps. “Fun.” Instead of emotional crises.
It didn’t take much of anything to coax Quentin toward the bed and he easily climbed into it, waiting just long enough for Napoleon to get comfortable before he stretched out next to him, happy to just be close to him in that moment. “I forgot how tall you were. You’re practically a giant.”
It was a shame that the only time, lately, it seemed like that they were reaching out to each other was in times of emotional crises, but sometimes life worked that way. Letting Quentin get comfortable on the bed next to him, he wrapped an arm around his shoulders and pulled him closer as he turned onto his side.
“I’ll make it a point to make sure we don’t let ourselves go too long without each other’s company again,” Napoleon promised, squeezing Quentin’s shoulders a bit. “And we’ll certainly do it under better circumstances.” He pressed his cheek against the top of Quentin’s head, before a laugh escaped him. “I’m not in comparison to Illya, but I’ll still take the title.” He was almost a good half foot taller than Quentin, so he could see how he could be mistaken for a giant. “It does make it so much easier to pin you down,” Napoleon added mischievously, pulling Quentin on top of him as he rolled them over.
Quentin’s eyes slid closed for a moment and he smiled. “Good, because I’m really not in a mood to know what it feels like again.” He’d already felt estranged from Eliot. Feeling estranged from other people he enjoyed being around felt tiring. Even just thinking about it. “Well, neither one of you make any sense. You, the Eliots, Illya. Fucking trees the lot of you.” His brain was distracted from any further comments on it, though, at the mention of being easier to pin down.
He’d expected the turn to go a bit different considering Napoleon’s words. He moved just slightly to hold himself up, a hand on either side of Napoleon’s head, hair falling down around his face. “For all this talk about pinning me, I’m getting the feeling I should have pinned you more often.”
“I’m giving you the chance now,” Napoleon said, grin wide as he lifted a hand to tuck the loose strands of Quentin’s hair behind his ear. Quentin truly was a beautiful man, a true culmination of soft and strong qualities in one person. If he hadn’t had such strong feelings for Illya and Gaby, he probably would have fallen in love with Quentin himself. It was just easy to get lost in his easy presence because despite the difficulties Quentin experienced constantly, he was such an upbeat and lovely person regardless. His enthusiasm about his passions, his love of books...How could you not love that?
Using Quentin as an anchor with one hand, Napoleon pulled himself up slightly to press a mostly chaste kiss to Quentin’s lips, his other hand coming around to hold the back of the younger man’s neck. Laying back once more, he tugged Quentin down on top of him so he could cuddle with him, enjoying sharing the closeness and warmth between them. “So tell this tree about the good things you’ve experienced this summer so far.”
“Is that what this is?” He likely would have, but he wasn’t entirely certain of his part in this. Even if he wanted to because no matter what seemed to be going on, there were people he easily gravitated toward. Napoleon and Eliot were two of those people. He knew that he’d been careful with himself and careful with what he felt, though, which was purposeful in a way. It was easier to be able to walk away appreciative of what you had than upset about what you didn’t. Outside of Eliot and Alice, Napoleon was, admittedly, the only other person he’d imagined he might have fallen for. Which was why he’d made the precise effort not to.
The kiss seemed like such a small thing, but Quentin happily returned it before letting himself be pulled down further for cuddling. “Well, you know about lunch with Leia, which was still great. She complimented my name of all things.” He laughed softly about that. “She asked if anyone had ever told me I had such a great name. Which, of course it’s a great name. I just never thought about it.” He paused for a moment before saying, “Don’t ever tell Kylo about this ever on pain of death...but I definitely had this weird dream once where Alice was the mother of dragons from Game of Thrones and Julia was Princess Leia and I was Indiana Jones. It was one of the nerdier sex dreams I’ve had. Also don’t tell Julia or Alice. So I had to not think about that dream the entire time. I’m not entirely sure I would say no if she seemed into it. Kylo can also never know that I just said that.”
He tried to think of other things. “And you know about the date and Moulin Rouge with Kurt and...things.” He scrunched his nose up before his face lit up. “Julia and I confused a bunch of people at this party together by quoting this super hilarious video. It was so great. I’ve watched all of her videos now so many times that I don’t think I can count how many times anymore. They’re so funny.” He felt that small happiness once again. “We’re dressing up as our astrological signs for Halloween now. I’m going to have two side buns and some truly ridiculous makeup that Julia is going to have to one hundred percent help me with. Julia’s going to wear blue lipstick. It’s going to be great and terrible. At least if we change into our costumes this year, I’ll just want to fight everyone and have no chill. So it’s a low-consequence thing.”
“Mhm,” Napoleon said, listening in delight as he watched Quentin light up as he talked about his summer. He had been briefly worried about Quentin and his friendship with Julia, as they didn’t quite seem to be on the same page for awhile, but it didn’t seem like it was a problem anymore. “As always, your crushes on your idols are amusing, but I think this Princess Leia would be honored to find herself the recipient of such a crush.” Carding his fingers through Quentin’s hair, he added, “I’m glad you and Julia seem to be doing well. And since I try not to be terrible, Alice and Julia will never know anything about your dreams, Indy.” The promise was laced with teasing, but Napoleon knew all too well how complicated friendships and attraction could get.
For example, just being around Quentin like this, he was ready to break his two month long celibacy because the other man just smelled so damn good and the affection he felt toward him as they laid there together was almost overpowering. But they weren’t here for that, they were here so that Quentin and Margo could work out some of their individual issues by indulging in a much needed getaway.
And that getaway wasn’t in Napoleon’s pants. Instead, he redirected his desires into questions to distract both of them with. “What’s this,” here Napoleon tapped Quentin’s nose, reminding him that he had scrunched up his nose when he had been talking about Kurt and their date earlier, “About, hm? I thought you and Kurt hit it off?”
“It is a lifelong crush and those are hard to dispel. Naturally.” He allowed for another laugh. “She will probably never know so that I don’t end up dead. But again...you know.” There was a small smile at that. “We’ve come back from worse fights. Like once she trapped me in my own mind and I thought I was in a mental asylum and I’d murdered my own father and that sort of thing. I could have never woken up again if she hadn’t gone to Dean Fogg for help even if he is the worst of the worst now.”
Quentin wrinkled his nose even more when Napoleon touched it. “We did. We have. I mean, I am impatiently waiting to get around to the part where we are kissing, but I don’t want to push anything and besides our date, there hasn’t been a good time.” He frowned slightly. “And this whole Eliot thing has thrown me off a little because you know…” He realized belatedly that he hadn’t clarified which Eliot he was talking about, but he hated to number them or give them weird titles that told them apart when they were both Eliot. The nose scrunch had been more thinking than anything to do with Kurt, though.
“I don’t know. I like a lot of people all at the same time and my brain is emotionally exhausted from overthinking it.” He shrugged, quietly drawing an invisible pattern on Napoleon’s shoulder. “And it feels rude to Eliot to be thinking about Eliot. I’m kind of a ridiculous human being sometimes. Of my two love interests, the only one I’ve managed to get over is Alice.” He was quiet for a moment. “I have to figure out a second date idea and maybe seriously hint at my interest in kissing him. Kurt, I mean, not Eliot. But I’m pretty sure we both know what would occur if Eliot attempted to kiss me, but he would need to be sober first.” He let out a small sigh. “This is the worst dilemma. I mean except for the part where I could forget who I am entirely. That’s probably the worst, but this one still sucks.”
“I personally know what it's like to want to kiss someone you probably shouldn't. At least, not unless you've talked it out a great deal,” Napoleon said, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of Quentin's head. “I hope you make it clear to Kurt, though, that you're ready to move forward. I think he's still relatively new to dating men. Otherwise, I would try to focus on something that's fixable rather than those things that aren't. This situation with the Monster, with losing your memories - are they something you can do much for here? Genuine question, I know you mentioned something for the Monster.”
Napoleon knew he wasn't being asked to do more than just listen, but Quentin was one of those people in his life that he thought deserved the world for everything he did for others. Because the world kept shitting on him and if there was even just one thing he could do, like offer guiding advice, he would do it.
Quentin considered his conversation with Kurt a little more, not sure exactly where he stood, which probably deserved some clarification. He’d been about to say so when Napoleon brought up the Monster and he felt himself still. “I need to talk to Betsy,” he said after a moment. “For the memories. I haven’t yet and I’m dreading it even if it’s necessary.” He frowned. “Eliot and I were sort of talking about that in an almost argumentative way the other day.” It was absolutely argumentative. There had definitely been a fight or five. “I don’t think either of us are ever going to be sensible when it comes to each other. We don’t agree with either of the other’s choices, but we haven’t had much of a good talk on that because it usually ends in arguing about taking away choices and everything.” Quentin’s nose wrinkled again. “But I can do something about the memories. The whole shapeshifting monster thing? I don’t know what’s going to happen with that or if I can do anything.”
He sighed. The idea of something the gods feared taking over someone he cared for and being able to do nothing about it? No, he didn’t like his odds or the idea. “Having the memories would be nice, actually. Before I lose my memories and forget everything. Just to understand. But I feel like it would also make things worse.” Once again, his fingers started to draw patterns on Napoleon’s shoulder. “Is the offer for escape when I’m dealing with all these revisited memories still good? Because there’s going to be a lot...and probably I won’t want to be around everyone all the time. I mean, I’m going to relive a lot of stuff with you, too, but I don’t have anything negative tied to it, so you’re pretty much the safest space I’ve got.”
“I think whenever two people love each other very much, they're never going to ever be truly sensible about anything when it comes to each other. I hope you're able to remember that he loves you, but you're also very much allowed to not take his shit either.” It was pretty clear to anyone that knew Quentin that he had a tendency to let loved ones take more of an advantage than they should. It was getting better from what Napoleon could see, but he wasn't privy to everything Quentin went through on a daily basis either. “It does sound like you're doing much better in standing up for yourself, however.”
“I wasn't joking when I told you that I'm here for you no matter what,” Napoleon explained, not for the first time. Stilling Quentin's hand from where it was drawing on him, he added, “If you need me to come with you to see Betsy, I'll be there for you. If you need me to take you away, I'll be there for you as well.” Bringing Quentin's hand to his lips, he pressed a kiss to the palm. “Say the word and we're gone.”
Quentin felt the smallest of smiles tug at the corners of his lips. “Well, that’s why we were shouting. Or why I was shouting. It just feels like he’s keeping me at arm’s length and like he’s pushing me out sometimes.” Of all the things he hated, being shut out was one of the top things. He just wanted to be there for everyone even if he wasn’t doing a good job of it recently. He’d let Margo slip through the cracks. “I’m trying,” he said after a moment.
The smile from before formed itself slowly. It wasn’t so much a happy thing, but he was grateful for Napoleon and for everything that he did and all the stuff he put up with when it came to him. He lifted up just enough to press a quick kiss to the corner of Napoleon’s lips. “Thank you.” There was a brief pause before he added, “And if you ever need the same from me, just let me know.”
“Of course, Quentin. You’ve been my shoulder to lean on when I’ve needed it and I’m thankful for that,” Napoleon explained, smiling and cupping the other man’s face with his hand. “I think, for the first time in awhile, I’m actually okay with where I am on my path at the moment. There’s some things I need clarification on, but I’m in no rush at the moment to figure it all out. I’m happy with how things are going. And you’re a big part of that.”
When he bent to kiss him this time, the kiss was deep and full of love and affection that Napoleon felt toward the other man. The feelings they had for each other might have been a bit complicated, but they were always on the same page and he was sure that Quentin knew that too.
“I’m really happy that you’re happy.” That was something Quentin was going to have to tell Eliot, too, but the one he’d been with this whole time. It was the thing he’d tried to show while also trying to hide that he was a little sad, but he wasn’t sure he’d done it as well as he’d meant to. He was also glad to have been part of someone else being in a good place. It meant he was in a better place.
The kiss felt a bit like a breath of fresh air dragging him away from the bullshit in his mind. He was content with what they’d had - what they had. He didn’t shy away from it and he didn’t hold back in that moment. He just wanted to enjoy it for as long as he could.