The smell of the sea was a sharp and distinct one, and one that Raylan loved even without it's inherent connection with James. But he knew when he turned around and finally got to kiss him, he'd breathe in the salt with the musk and everything else that made James smell Right.
"I'll work any time you want me to darlin'," he drawls, sliding the firing pin back into place before clipping in the top cover of the gun, that defined the barrel. "I thought I should make sure everythin's clean and smooth for this.. contest thing I suppose I'm doin'."
He glances over as best he can. "You okay? With.. Everythin'?" It had been a few days now, since James's open challenge of Izzy. Raylan hadn't been privileged enough to know what Kiryu said but the public feed had been cut short, and Raylan was smart enough to guess what happened.
He's honestly trying to behave and just be warm and affectionate, but Raylan does make it incredibly hard not to be naughty. Especially when sliding a lubed-up pin into place while talking about working. Why is it he can make nearly anything sound hot?
"Mn just be careful." He doesn't trust most of the Barge, so he's hoping they won't be thinking of doing more than shooting targets. He'll hover around the day of, for support and just in case anything happens. He wants to watch but he also wants to keep a close eye as well.
As for the rest, another hum and he'll turn his head to rest his cheek on Raylan's shoulder.
"Doesn't much matter if I'm not." He's exhausted every avenue.
"Enclosure is the paradigm of safety, my love, I promise. Not so much as a fly'll get hurt." God, he was suddenly struck by how lucky he was to be able to call James that, how impossibly lucky he was to have this. He wasn't taking a single moment for granted, with James's weight slacked so sweetly against his broad shoulders. The gun is set down, a cloth snatched up so he could give his hands a rough clean before he turns around and drapes his arms around James's shoulder.
"It matters to me. All that shit was a lot. I think it's behind us now, one way or another. So. How are you feelin', talk to me." This place was where they could both feel safe, where they could both express an honest opinion without worrying about everyone and their mother breaking down the door to kick at them for it. He wanted to encourage James to that kind of security.
Raylan didn't want to live with James like he'd lived with Winona, guarding every other word.
"I trust you." He reiterates because he feels it's important and as Raylan finishes up he'll pull back just enough to allow the other to turn around in his arms. His own settled back around his waist, letting Raylan drape over him and speak his reassurances. He leans up to kiss his Husband softly before sighing a little exasperatedly with the break, eyes cast down.
"Frustrated. But mostly disappointed." He frowns, "I spoke with Kiryu, it didn't really go as well as I'd hoped. I doubt we'll see eye to eye on any of this and it feels like I've lost a respected ally." A friend. Kiryu had considered him a friend.
Raylan kisses him back, fingers finding their way into the ends of James's curls that were starting to form and he frowns gently at the look on James's face. He knew this wasn't easy, he knew that James didn't feel strongly for nothing and didn't do anything half assed. So his everything had been put into it and Raylan was pretty sure not a single thing had worked out.
"I'm sorry to hear that. But Kiryu isn't the type to hold grudges over disagreements, I don't think. So long as they stay disagreements; my suggestion is to give them both a wider berth, let the rawness of it fade. This place gives us plenty'a opportunity." He combs his fingers through James's hair.
"You'll find a reason to talk to him again, about somethin' that doesn't have anythin' to do with this."
James quietly listens to the soft soothing timber of his lover's voice, allowing each gentle touch to smooth out the aches. He closes his eyes briefly to just lean into the combing of long, gun-oiled fingers like a cat giving full permission to be stroked. He sighs, opening ocean blue-green orbs to just study his husband, absorbing his words without argument and a slow nod. There's more he could say but he's tired of that man's name falling from his lips, the things he knows he's capable of that no one wants to take seriously. It doesn't matter anymore. Nothing matters but the man in his arms.
He lifts a hand to gently caress Raylan's jaw and cheek, brushing a thumb over his lower lip.
"I love you more than words can ever express, you know that, right?" His tone is a little light and playful and he leans up to kiss him again with warmth and love.
There's no helping the impulse to turn his face into James's hand, the peck dropped at the base of his palm as Raylan smiles and leans into the kiss, holding his pirate captain against him.
"I do," he purrs once the kiss breaks. "Which is the reason we should probably talk about another important topic. You saw our wedding gifts, right? The ducks, the gravy boat.. We should probably decide if we wanna do some kinda thing here on the Barge. A weddin' or somethin'. If it ain't arrogant of us to draw that kinda attention to ourselves."
HE was curious how James felt about it. They probably should have had this conversation a long time ago, but Miami was forever away and their handfasting had been impulse. But it was more than enough for him and despite that, he would marry James a hundred times if needed.
"Arrogant?" He looks a little puzzled but shakes his head, "No, I don't think so. I think this place could use more to celebrate considering the hell we're so often put through. I've had a few chances now to see how different everyone is when they can relax and enjoy themselves. I'd like to give our friends something like that, at the very least. The handful or so of people that might like to celebrate our happiness."
He tilts his head, "I was more concerned about how you felt being that public about all of this. It's one thing to do a drunken, quick, and personal thing in a Port, another entirely to plan and hold something with clear intention and a spotlight on us. But if that's something you want, then I do too."
He considers a moment, "It doesn't have to be anything fancy, hell, I'd be just as happy skipping straight to the reception."
Raylan bobs his head at the question, face screwing up and relaxing in a facial shrug to match. He feels Complicated about it all, if he were being completely honest.
"Lotta pros and cons. I'll be okay if we keep it a smaller kinda affair. Focus on the reception more, let people have fun. I'm not particularly comfortable with the attention, but it's somethin' I can handle for the sake of it. It ain't about it bein' public either; back home it would be public, just quiet. But everyone loves a wedding, right?"
He sounds more like he's trying to talk himself into it.
"Gonou will wanna come. Jedao too, I imagine. Roman, maybe Sweeney. We could do food? Maybe Kirei to officiate, since I'm pretty sure he's the only priest on board. Where would we have it?"
James nods, expression a little distantly in thought as he takes in the pros and cons.
"Smaller is good for the ceremony I think, intimate, a handful of people we are closest to who want to celebrate us, bear witness to it, and be there for us. But we could do another big Enclosure shindig for the reception? Definitely food and gallons of drink." A pause.
"Really? Only Kirei? I suppose we could ask, I don't know where he stands with me." There is the matter of the Admiral, but he wasn't sure that was an actual avenue they could take. It's not like it has to be 100% official, they already did that part. It would only really matter when they got home to Miami and did it all over again.
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"I'll work any time you want me to darlin'," he drawls, sliding the firing pin back into place before clipping in the top cover of the gun, that defined the barrel. "I thought I should make sure everythin's clean and smooth for this.. contest thing I suppose I'm doin'."
He glances over as best he can. "You okay? With.. Everythin'?" It had been a few days now, since James's open challenge of Izzy. Raylan hadn't been privileged enough to know what Kiryu said but the public feed had been cut short, and Raylan was smart enough to guess what happened.
no subject
"Mn just be careful." He doesn't trust most of the Barge, so he's hoping they won't be thinking of doing more than shooting targets. He'll hover around the day of, for support and just in case anything happens. He wants to watch but he also wants to keep a close eye as well.
As for the rest, another hum and he'll turn his head to rest his cheek on Raylan's shoulder.
"Doesn't much matter if I'm not." He's exhausted every avenue.
no subject
"It matters to me. All that shit was a lot. I think it's behind us now, one way or another. So. How are you feelin', talk to me." This place was where they could both feel safe, where they could both express an honest opinion without worrying about everyone and their mother breaking down the door to kick at them for it. He wanted to encourage James to that kind of security.
Raylan didn't want to live with James like he'd lived with Winona, guarding every other word.
no subject
"Frustrated. But mostly disappointed." He frowns, "I spoke with Kiryu, it didn't really go as well as I'd hoped. I doubt we'll see eye to eye on any of this and it feels like I've lost a respected ally." A friend. Kiryu had considered him a friend.
no subject
"I'm sorry to hear that. But Kiryu isn't the type to hold grudges over disagreements, I don't think. So long as they stay disagreements; my suggestion is to give them both a wider berth, let the rawness of it fade. This place gives us plenty'a opportunity." He combs his fingers through James's hair.
"You'll find a reason to talk to him again, about somethin' that doesn't have anythin' to do with this."
no subject
He lifts a hand to gently caress Raylan's jaw and cheek, brushing a thumb over his lower lip.
"I love you more than words can ever express, you know that, right?" His tone is a little light and playful and he leans up to kiss him again with warmth and love.
no subject
"I do," he purrs once the kiss breaks. "Which is the reason we should probably talk about another important topic. You saw our wedding gifts, right? The ducks, the gravy boat.. We should probably decide if we wanna do some kinda thing here on the Barge. A weddin' or somethin'. If it ain't arrogant of us to draw that kinda attention to ourselves."
HE was curious how James felt about it. They probably should have had this conversation a long time ago, but Miami was forever away and their handfasting had been impulse. But it was more than enough for him and despite that, he would marry James a hundred times if needed.
no subject
He tilts his head, "I was more concerned about how you felt being that public about all of this. It's one thing to do a drunken, quick, and personal thing in a Port, another entirely to plan and hold something with clear intention and a spotlight on us. But if that's something you want, then I do too."
He considers a moment, "It doesn't have to be anything fancy, hell, I'd be just as happy skipping straight to the reception."
no subject
"Lotta pros and cons. I'll be okay if we keep it a smaller kinda affair. Focus on the reception more, let people have fun. I'm not particularly comfortable with the attention, but it's somethin' I can handle for the sake of it. It ain't about it bein' public either; back home it would be public, just quiet. But everyone loves a wedding, right?"
He sounds more like he's trying to talk himself into it.
"Gonou will wanna come. Jedao too, I imagine. Roman, maybe Sweeney. We could do food? Maybe Kirei to officiate, since I'm pretty sure he's the only priest on board. Where would we have it?"
no subject
"Smaller is good for the ceremony I think, intimate, a handful of people we are closest to who want to celebrate us, bear witness to it, and be there for us. But we could do another big Enclosure shindig for the reception? Definitely food and gallons of drink." A pause.
"Really? Only Kirei? I suppose we could ask, I don't know where he stands with me." There is the matter of the Admiral, but he wasn't sure that was an actual avenue they could take. It's not like it has to be 100% official, they already did that part. It would only really matter when they got home to Miami and did it all over again.