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moehakase[Once they’ve emptied the box of ranger keys and sent them all back to their original owners, and waved goodbye to Earth and the other Super Sentai, everyone makes their way back inside and busies themselves with their normal routines. Joe goes back to his training, Luka to her money, Ahim to her tea, Gai to his... hobbies. Don sets himself to work doing a last round of checks and diagnostics on the Galleon before he starts on the preparations for dinner. He puts on his apron and goes down to the cold storage pantry to get the necessary ingredients. One of the last things they’d done before leaving Earth was restocking the Galleon’s pantries. Food didn’t come cheap in Japan, but Gai had taken them to a place called Costco where they’d been able to get all the food and supplies they needed in huge quantities for a reasonable price. They almost hadn’t been able to get Marvelous out of the store.
Don comes up from the pantry with his arms full of vegetables, humming softly to himself as he walks. He sets them all down on one of the counters in the kitchen before taking out a couple of bowls from the cupboard and putting the potatoes inside them to carry them out to the table. There’s a lot of peeling to do, but he actually doesn’t mind it - peeling is the sort of task he can easily get lost in, so it always goes quickly.
He’s about halfway through the pile of potatoes and just starting on a new one when there’s a sudden sharp pain in one of his fingers. He flinches and drops the potato, wincing and sucking in his breath through his teeth. He’d gotten careless and nicked himself with the peeler. The cut is nothing compared to any of the wounds he’d gotten fighting the Zangyack, of course, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. He looks down at his hand and sees a few drops of blood beading on his fingertip. Stupid, he scolds himself, why weren’t you paying more attention? Now he’s going to have to go patch himself up before he can continue getting dinner ready, and hope that no one spots him and makes fun of him for hurting himself.
Though he wouldn’t mind someone noticing he was hurt if they’d be nice to him about it.
He gets up from the table, cradling his hurt hand, and starts to move toward the kitchen. Maybe running some cool water over his fingertip will help it feel better.]
(no subject)
Date: 2012-03-02 10:17 am (UTC)For the rest of the crew, it's simple. Back to their usual routine, because they have absolute faith in Marvelous. Each day is a new day and they will take whatever it throws at them.
And although the decision to sail for the Zangyack homeworld wasn't a hastily made one, that doesn't mean Marvelous is done with it. If he wants to be ahead of the game when he gets there he needs to run scenarios in his mind now.
It looks a lot like dozing off in his chair, but that's only what it looks like.
His surroundings are so familiar that Marvelous can take them all in without any of it distracting him - Joe counting the number of sit-ups he has accomplished, the sound of Ahim pouring tea into a cup, the rustle of the notes Luka is flipping through. Even Gai's excited chattering as he opens out a bunch of newspapers and magazines across a table is easy to drown out these days. Can't blame the kid for being excited - they're all over every form of Earth media at the moment.
The only person who isn't making a lot of noise is Don, but Marvelous has a practiced ear when it comes to food preparation. He can hear every slicing motion of the peeler, and the sound of the potato peelings falling into a pile.
He notices when the sound stops. He glances to the side when he hears Don's quietly but sharply indrawn breath. And then gets up to follow Don into the kitchen, (grabbing a handful of peelings for the trip of course. One thing they've never needed on the Galleon is a food disposal unit).
He finds Don running his hand under the tap, which isn't exactly unsual, so this requires further investigation. He swallows the last of his 'snack' before stepping closer and opening his mouth to speak.]
What have you done?
[He takes hold of Don's hand in his own, gently but firmly, pulling it away from the running water to have a look more closely. He's pretty proud of himself for biting his tongue on the accompanying, "...and is this going to affect dinner?"]
(no subject)
Date: 2012-03-02 12:59 pm (UTC)And then he ends up so focused on his cut and the water flowing over it that he doesn’t even hear Marvelous follow him into the kitchen, doesn’t realize he’s there until the sound of Marv’s voice startles him back to reality.]
A-ah, I...
[Marvelous takes Don’s hand from under the tap and holds it up to take a look. Don feels himself starting to blush, though it’s mostly from embarrassment. This is exactly what he’d been hoping to avoid; Marv is going to take one look at it and then make fun of him for being so clumsy, or for fussing over such a tiny cut. Though now that Don is really looking at it, the cut seems bigger than he’d first thought - not huge, and no deeper than the skin, but he’d actually gouged himself a little with the peeler, and it turns his stomach a bit to think about it.]
It’s... It’s really not a big deal, I just got a little careless...
[He looks down at the floor, too embarrassed to want to make eye contact. He’s sure Marv is going to make fun of him any second now, but at the same time, he can’t help noticing how gently Marv is holding his hand, and how warm Marv’s fingers feel against his skin.]
(no subject)
Date: 2012-03-02 02:44 pm (UTC)Right now Marvelous has plenty of time to inspect Don's finger. The thing is that the wound isn't deep, but the surface area is quite large. It's already bleeding again now that it isn't under the running water.]
It's not going to stop bleeding any time soon, stick it under there again.
[As he says it he's already placing Don's hand back into the sink. He really doesn't need to keep his hand there as well, but the cold water is just water, it isn't hurting him to do so.
He just wants to make sure Don does it properly, that's all.
Marvelous curls his hand around Don's a little more.]
In a minute, when it's clean, you'll have to wrap something around it.
[He probably would've been tempted to make fun of Don a little for his clumsiness, except that Don never makes a fuss. It's a relief to think that their biggest worry right now is something so minor. Maybe the realisation that everything is over with now is finally kicking in. Hopefully Don isn't having the same thoughts, because Marv really doesn't need him going into shock.
He decides to distract Don with a question.]
What were you doing getting started on dinner so early anyway?
[Ah... actually, that is probably (definitely, always) his fault.]
(no subject)
Date: 2012-03-02 05:42 pm (UTC)I think I have a box of bandages somewhere in here.
[He keeps waiting for Marv to make fun of him, but he doesn’t, even though Don has certainly provided him with more than enough material. He just keeps holding Don’s hand under the water, keeping him still and steady, and it’s actually... really comforting, in a way. It makes his heart flutter a little to think that Marv is showing so much care over something this trivial. Goodness knows they’d both seen their share of worse injuries in all their battles with the Zangyack, and had less time to take care of them.
Before he can dwell on that thought much longer, though, Marvelous asks him (inevitably) about dinner.]
Oh. I just thought... Since we’re leaving Earth, I thought everyone might be feeling a little down, so I wanted to make a big dinner to keep our spirits up, you know, with everyone’s favorites. So I had to start early if I wanted to have it all ready on time.
[And you get so obnoxious if the food isn’t on time, he does not say, because if Marv can manage not to make fun of Don for being clumsy, Don can manage not to snip at him for prioritizing food. Compromise is important for relationships. And he’s not really feeling snippy anyway, not while Marv is treating him so tenderly.]
(no subject)
Date: 2012-03-12 08:11 am (UTC)Right now Don is the one who looks like something sunk its teeth into him.
(Marvelous isn't envious, not one bit).
Don doesn't appear to be in shock, which wasn't really very likely in the first place. Maybe Marv just wanted to be sure, for Don's own sake. And after all he does keep just... waiting. Following Marv's lead.
He's just enjoying being touched, isn't he.
Marv steps closer in order to shut the water off, though he doesn't need to. Just so that he is pressed up against Don a little. And only while he uses a cloth to dry both their hands at once.
Sometimes it's hard to resist, and somehow all this ridiculous Earth nonsense Gai is always spouting tends to come in handy.]
Have you heard about this custom they have on Earth when it comes to injuries?
[He's not going to wait for an answer to that. Marvelous brings Don's hand up to his mouth and presses a soft kiss to the wound on his finger. He's probably supposed to wait until there is a bandage over it, something about not reintroducing germs into the wound, but he doesn't care.
Marv didn't even know a person's mouth could be such a hazardous place; it's never stopped Don enjoying kissing, after all! Surely if anyone were to get panicky about that it would be Don?
But he's not, so Marv just looks at Don and tries not to smirk too much.]
That's supposed to make it all better.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-03-16 02:58 am (UTC)It’s just nice, being touched like this. It probably won’t last much longer than the time it takes to put a bandage over his wound, which is why Don doesn’t make any move to find one even though the cut should be more than clean enough now. Anything he does could upset the delicate situational equilibrium that’s in place here and make Marvelous let go of him. He’d lay his head on Marv’s shoulder if he wasn’t suddenly so worried that it would somehow ruin the moment. So he waits for Marv to move instead.
And then Marvelous steps closer in order to turn off the water, pressing his body up against Don’s side, not insistent like he sometimes is, just warm and solid and there, like he knows that what Don wants most right now is to be touched. Don leans into him a little, his face growing warm when Marvelous reaches around him for a towel and then dries both their hands at the same time, a gesture so unnecessary it has to be on purpose. He’s not hasty about it, either; he’s slow and deliberate, and takes care not to rub over the wound itself. Don has all but forgotten about the cut by now, with both of Marv’s hands wrapped around his.
Marvelous says something about Earth customs and Don barely has time to look up at him before he raises Don’s hand to his mouth and presses his lips to the cut.]
O-oh!
[Don’s face goes hot. He must be blushing all the way down his neck. It’s not like Marvelous has never kissed his fingertips before, but he’s never done it like that, so soft and gentle that Don’s hand starts to tremble. His chest is so fluttery he forgets to breathe for a second.
And then Marv smiles at him and explains what the custom means.]
I. I think I see why...
[This is getting to be sort of unbearably wonderful. Don is too flustered to hold Marvelous’s gaze any longer, so he finds an excuse to look away.]
I-I should. Find those bandages. Before it starts bleeding again.
[He ought to know right where they are, but all of a sudden he’s having trouble remembering. He opens every cupboard and drawer within reach with his free hand (even if he’s too flustered to look at Marv right now, he’s still not about to pull his injured hand away), flailing his way through them until finally he spots the bandages on a shelf inside one of the cupboards above the counter.]
(serious ;; also these tags are breeding words again 8D)
Date: 2012-03-16 11:23 am (UTC)Marvelous concentrates on looking at what he's doing, because he knows Don is looking everywhere but at him anyway. Honestly, he loves when Don won't meet his eyes; it's the best indicator of his feelings. The ones too intimate to want to share so nakedly.
Marv can read them all anyway, his averted gaze is simply a polite gesture on his part in order to relax Don. He can practically hear Don's heart racing, those little hitches in his breath. Marv hasn't really got it in him to be perfectly polite all the time though; he sends a piercing look Don's way, one that he won't be able to avoid, before making his not-so-innocent enquiry.]
So, it worked then?
[He smiles, but his smile hides something else. Maybe the potato peeler incident really was just an innocent accident. But Marvelous can't make that assumption, not when it's to do with his crew. It happens to be a good, private moment for him to bring this up, just in case Don had deeper things on his mind when he hurt himself.]
Don, the Zangyack homeworld.
["Just because we've defeated the Emperor doesn't mean it's all over", he doesn't say. Or, "we may still come up against Zangyack who will fight to the last, even when all their ambitions are in ruins around them"; he doesn't say that either. The intention is not to purposely frighten Don, after all, he's not mean. He actually wants to be reassuring.]
You know you'll be protected?
[It's a stretch too far for Marv to literally come out and say, "I'll protect you", as much as he wants to make that clear. At least he got the words out with no hesitation, because in regards to Don's safety he has no hesitation at all. It is the same for any of the crew, but Don is the one who he has always told to simply do what he can. And Marv will cover the rest.
That holds true even now.]
(no subject)
Date: 2012-03-17 04:21 pm (UTC)I... Yes, I think so, thank you...
[He isn’t quite brave enough to say “I’m not sure, could you try it again?” He doesn’t want to push his luck. And Marvelous changes the subject a moment later, so it’s just as well.
He hadn’t actually been thinking much about the Zangyack homeworld at all. It’s an Earth week’s worth of space travel away yet at least, and not something it would be productive for him to worry about right now (he’d been planning to wait at least until after dinner).
But after hearing what Marv says, he thinks he might be able to skip the worrying entirely.
Marvelous has always been looking out for him, ever since he joined the crew - Just do what you can, he’d said, back when Don had been certain that he’d never be any good at fighting, that he’d never have anything to offer the team at all. He’s always had Don’s back in fights, helped him out of rough scrapes when he was outnumbered or even just plain scared. And, most importantly to Don, Marvelous has never given up on him, never changed his mind about wanting him on the crew. Marv can be a bit of a jerk sometimes, sure, but in the end, it’s clear that he cares about Don (even if he doesn’t like to say so out loud because feelings), and Don trusts him with his life.
Don cradles his now-bandaged hand and smiles up at Marvelous.]
I know. Thanks.
[Not to mention that Don isn’t so scared of fighting now as he used to be - he’s never going to love it, never going to be the best fighter in the crew, but he can hold his own when they get in a scuffle with the Zangyack. He can be brave when he needs, especially if it’s to protect one of his friends. He’s saved Marvelous himself a few times. And he’s a legendary hero now, after all!]
And I’ll protect you too, you know. When you need it.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-03-17 10:05 pm (UTC)There's a particular look Don gets when he's captivated by something but his desire for it runs deeper than he has the courage to admit. Marv has learnt to read that look over time, to try and encourage Don gently to open up more about what he wants. Sometimes Don bites his lip without realising it, when he's biting back something he can only dream of saying out loud.
There's always tomorrow to inspect that cut again, and redress it. To speed the healing process on its way if necessary.]
You don't sound so sure, I'll have to check it again tomorrow.
[Sometimes, making Don wait for something is its own reward.
...Especially when he starts getting all cocky. Talking about his own fighting prowess! About protecting Marvelous himself, like some kind of role-reversal!
But the truth is, Don can say that, and he can back it up, too. Being on Earth has really changed him, changed them all, in positive ways. He knows what he is capable of now, the passion he has inside of him that motivates him to fight for what he cares about. The incredible power it gives him.
Marvelous is not about to start going on about any of that though, no chance. He just laughs, but not in a disparaging way; it's more a kind of relief that Don has found such continuing faith in himself. And perhaps a little amusement at how cute he looks these days when he puffs himself up to try and impress his apparent fierceness on everyone.]
Show-off!
[Marv reaches out and grabs Don in a headlock, arm only loosely wrapped around his neck as he bends him over a little. But rather than subject him to a torturous noogie Marvelous opens out his fist and ruffles Don's hair at the last moment instead.]
(no subject)
Date: 2012-03-18 03:48 am (UTC)The thought of Marvelous looking over his injury tomorrow, and kissing it again, makes Don squirm right where he stands.]
Ah, o-okay, I mean, if you really want to...
[And then when Don tries to remind Marv that he can protect him, too, Marv doesn’t say anything at first, just laughs softly. Not in a mean way, like he doesn’t think that Don can be fierce (because Don can totally be fierce, it’s undeniable); it’s the laugh he does when something pleases him. Maybe he’s proud of Don for how much stronger he’s become in their time on Earth.
Then Marvelous grins and throws an arm around Don’s neck, bending him over in a loose headlock. It doesn’t hurt or anything, it’s not even that uncomfortable, but Don’s natural response kicks in anyway.]
Uwaa-- Marvelous!
[Don can’t really get away, so he just reaches up and hangs on to Marv’s forearm, squinches his eyes shut and braces himself for what Marv is about to do next.
Which, unexpectedly enough, turns out to be an affectionate hair ruffling. Don makes a soft noise of surprise and leans into his touch, still clinging to Marv’s arm. He loves it when Marvelous ruffles his hair like this, and the way they’re pressed together now is nearly halfway to a hug.
He’s completely forgotten about the cut.
Don curls himself a little closer to Marvelous, just about leaning his head against Marv’s chest, and lowers one hand to clench it in the soft fabric of Marv’s coat. He hopes he’s not being too clingy; he just wants to hold on to Marvelous a little longer.]
(no subject)
Date: 2012-03-19 09:18 pm (UTC)He'll be reluctant to let go, but he can't hold Don like this forever; it's not comfortable for him.
Marvelous makes sure his grip isn't anywhere near tight enough to hurt as he starts to march Don back out of the kitchen with him still in the headlock.]
I think it's time for you to go back to making dinner!
[He only releases Don once they are back to his seat at the table, plopping him down into his chair from behind with a firm hand on each of his shoulders.
He stays that way until Don has had time to get his bearings again, then gives Don's shoulders a light squeeze before finally letting go.]
Gai! Come and help Hakase peel the potatoes or we'll never get fed!
[Gai is probably not Don's first choice for a potato-peeling assistant, but he is the one who will drop everything immediately and do as Marv has asked with the most enthusiasm. And ever since Marv gave him that stern talking to about his horrifyingly wasteful way of peeling he hasn't annihilated any more vegetables.
Marv would honestly offer to help himself, just to keep himself at Don's side, but he knows for certain he won't keep his hands off the raw potatoes once he's sat in front of them, even though he knows deep down that they'll taste even better when cooked.
He contents himself with a teasing glance down at Don, and one brief word directed only at him to serve as a reminder.]
Tomorrow.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-03-21 12:12 pm (UTC)At least, he feels peaceful until, a moment after Marv gives his shoulders a last squeeze and lets go, he looks back at the amount of potatoes he still has left to peel.]
Aaah! That’s right, there’s still so much left to do!
[It’s not just the potatoes - making so many different dishes for dinner requires a lot of prep work, and now he’s behind schedule! But before he has any more time to worry about how to get caught up, Marv shouts for Gai to come help him, and Don hears Gai shout “COMIIIING!!!” from somewhere else in the Galleon. Don might have preferred someone else as help, sure, but at least Gai will do whatever Don tells him without complaining. Now Don won’t have to worry about having everything ready on time.
It was thoughtful of Marv to do that for him. Don looks up at him and opens his mouth to say thank you, but then Marv blindsides him with a single word.
Tomorrow.
Don’s face erupts into a blush at the reminder. Somehow he’d managed to nearly forget about that, too, but now he won’t be able to stop thinking about it. Which, judging from the sly look on Marvelous’s face, was his plan all along. He doesn’t even wait for Don to stop stammering long enough to form a real reply before he slinks off.
Don is still trying to recompose himself when Gai plops into the chair beside him.
“Don-san! Let me help!” says Gai, bouncing up and down in his seat, though the look of excitement on his face changes to one of confusion after a moment of looking at Don. “...Don-san, why are you so red?”]
N-Never mind! Just go get the spare peeler so you can help, okay?
[Gai gives him a cheery salute before bounding into the kitchen. Don sighs and picks up the potato he’d dropped when he cut himself earlier and starts to peel it again, this time being mindful of his fingers. He looks at the bandage on his fingertip, and thinks of how Marv’s lips had felt when they’d brushed over his wound to make it all better.
Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.]