i played the sleuth and i found the clue

SUNJATA

the flood

i still get a little scared of something new
but i feel a little safer when i'm with you

It has been a while since he’d been in the Citadel, actually. The last time he remembers being here, he remembers being at the palace and Loren escorting him out, telling him he wasn’t welcome in Halo and that his brother would back the decision. This time, it’s different. Since then he’d slept with Neron, he’d married Nate, life had moved and revolved around survival and focusing on the little things here and there.

Like now, as he’s slowing his pace a bit beside Nate, tugging the Ascended into him so he might wrap his arms around his husband, might flash a roguish grin to him in order to try and capture his full attention. “Did you know, that I’d never seen snow before arriving here?” He asks, head tilting a bit before he releases Nate to step over to the side of the walkway, toward a field full of it. He still doesn’t like it, it’s not a favored thing of his, but as with most things he’s learned to tolerate it. “I had to be told what a snowman was.” He crouches by a particularly deep snowbank, a gloved hand slipping out to run through the cold snow, before he glances over his shoulder back toward Nate.

falling doesn't feel so bad
when i know you've fallen this way too

- NATE -

all we are, we're distant stars
lost in the dark, i know how to part

Its been a bit of a learning curve, having to bundle up in Halo. Most everything Nate has on was either stolen borrowed from his husband, or hastily gathered their first trip through Halo, trades made here and there for gloves, a warm hat, some boots. This has to be the best prepared he’s been for the weather in a long time, and it’s still only does so much, Nate’s mind retreating into the warm centre of himself, hand wrapped into Sunjata’s to ensure he doesn’t get lost.

It takes a moment for him to emerge, when Sunjata tugs him close, starts speaking. A slow grin spreads over Nate’s face, comprehension taking it’s sweet time to dawn. ”Really?” Its something that almost sounds familiar, though Nate can’t remember the conversation before, and accepts it easily as a new fact. ”You never did any snow stuff as a kid?” They drift apart, Nate standing near the edge of the field, only following so far without direct guidance.

Wheels in his head are chugging so intensely it’s a wonder there isn’t steam streaming from his ears, but slowly, painfully slowly, an idea occurs to Nate. ”Bart and I... we made forts, when we were little. There was a uh... parking lot, across the street, and we ruled it.” Casually, Nate bends over, nearly leaning too far and tipping. He manages to stay upright though, grabs a generous handful of snow, and begins shaping it absently, his distant blue gaze on the attuned. ”He built the best forts, no one could get us. And I...” Giddy joy enters Nate’s voice, his loosely packed snowball flying at his husband as he shouts the last part. ”I made the snowballs!”

searching high and low for life
a paradise, a light in your eyes

SUNJATA

the flood

i still get a little scared of something new
but i feel a little safer when i'm with you

“Korofi was a lot like Torchline. Though our monsoon and storm season lasted a lot longer. Never any snow, just too much fucking rain.” He hums a quiet laugh with that, glancing back toward Nate before focusing back on the snow bank in front of him, running his fingers through it as he listens to what Nate says. “The Kings of the parking lot?” He asks, finding amusement in that idea, how Saartjie and he had never ended up doing anything of the sort likely because they had been royal, noble born.

He doesn’t notice when Nate makes the snowball, simply listening and grabbing a bit of the snow in too warm gloves hands, watching as it melts and the cold bites into his fingers. And then it hits him, not anywhere important like his face, but it splatters across a shoulder and he feels the impact with a bit of enough force that has him teetering briefly. “Hey!” He shouts back, laughter reflected in the tones of his voice.

He turns back to try and spot Nate, scooping up some of the snow and attempting to make a snowball but it’s quite poorly done. After all, he’s got little experience in that regard, but when it’s made he focuses on trying to throw it back at his husband.

falling doesn't feel so bad
when i know you've fallen this way too

- NATE -

all we are, we're distant stars
lost in the dark, i know how to part

"Kings of the whole fucking block." Nate brags easily, pausing in his schemes to grin towards his husband. "You know what that makes you right?" A moment is left, a breath that gives Sunjata no time to respond. "You're king of some shitty block in another world too." A step down from Dictator maybe, but Nate hopes its a nice consolation prize anyway.

As soon as the comment is out of his mouth Nate returns to his snowball, releases the perfect sphere at his husband with a whoop. It doesn't do anything more than explode against his shoulder, but what else is a snowball meant to do? Inspire laughter? Because it does that as well, Nate almost doubled over with it, and nearly toppling again at the retaliation, a weak clump that flew apart before it even had a chance to hit him. "Sunny, c'mon babe, you can do better than that!"

It isn't as if the other man needs any encouragement, but Nate provides it anyway, using his doubled-over state to his advantage, and packing another snowball. He hesitates a moment, arm pulled back, a cocky grin on his face, while he takes his time to aim.

searching high and low for life
a paradise, a light in your eyes

SUNJATA

the flood

i still get a little scared of something new
but i feel a little safer when i'm with you

He raises a brow when Nate mentions the Kings of the whole block, unable to hide the amusement it brings. At least… Momentarily, before Nate asks him if he knows what that makes him. A shake of his head is given, fingers running through the snow and feeling the cold. Of course, the mention of some shitty block in another world, does bring a bark of laughter from the Flood.

At least Nate had gotten the shitty part right.

But he feels the spreading of snow along his shoulder, turning immediately to face his husband and toss a terribly made snowball back – watching as it breaks apart midair and huffing a cloud of white in his frustration. “Ouch.” He chimes back, unable to hide the laughter from his voice, obviously not that hurt about it. Apparently he needs to pack it better – and he turns away, trying to dodge whatever Nate throws him while trying to make another snowball as he finds Nate’s taking his time.

His foot slips momentarily on the ice, but at least he’s managed to get a handful of snow tight and in a spherical shape, ready to throw so long as Nate doesn’t pelt him in the face.

falling doesn't feel so bad
when i know you've fallen this way too

- NATE -

all we are, we're distant stars
lost in the dark, i know how to part

Nate can’t help the bubbling laughter that escapes him, a shrug rippling over his shoulders before he looses his snowball, aiming for his husbands back. It grazes him, most of the snowball falling weakly to the ground. With his brows furrowing, Nate stares first at the offending snowball pieces, then back up at Sunjata, scrambling into motion.

This is threatening to turn into an all out war, the ascended wondering distantly if they should pause, build their fortifications, their stockpiles, and start again, but his body moves on instinct and muscle memory, hands scooping up and packing down a handful of snow. His gloves are beginning to grow damp, a fact that makes the assembly of snowballs a little more difficult, with the way Nate is constantly trying to shake away the moisture.

Fun and games are all forgotten in lieu of concern, the newly made snowball in Nate’s hand falling away as he steps forward, head cocked. ”Are you okay Sunny?” Comes the warbling concern, Nate utterly open, unprepared for any retaliation.

searching high and low for life
a paradise, a light in your eyes

SUNJATA

the flood

i still get a little scared of something new
but i feel a little safer when i'm with you

There’s a shiver that runs up his spine the second the snowball from Nate seems to shower over him, breaking apart and leaving little tendrils of ice creeping beneath his collar, pelting against warm skin. He can’t help but to suck in a breath, a sharp surprise, whirling back to get ready to throw his snowball when his foot slips.

It’s not really a big deal, and if Sunjata was softer he might have appreciated Nate’s concern for him a bit more than he does. But this is a makeshift battle, is it not? “I’m good!” He chimes, arm already in motion with a better snowball, at least in his opinion.

Nate rushes toward him unprepared and Sunjata’s already letting the snowball fly, hoping that he doesn’t manage to hit Nate too hard, already stumbling through the snow toward his husband just in case he had, hoping he might latch onto the Ascended.

falling doesn't feel so bad
when i know you've fallen this way too

- NATE -

all we are, we're distant stars
lost in the dark, i know how to part

Nate’s face is split by a wide smile, grown and watered first by the impact of his snowball, and then the affirmation from Sunjata, the fact that he’s okay. It’s too late that he realizes what he’s done, what he’s not done. He’s under estimated the attuned, though he should know the other man is a fast learner, and an adult, that he’d be able to make a good projectile in no time.

A snowball hits him in the chest, at the root of his concern, and Nate stumbles, utterly shocked by this turn of events. He gets only a moment of betrayal though, before his husband grabs onto him, the ascendeds arms automatically rising to cling as well, some measure of sense, of self preservation prevailing.

And then promptly departing, as Nate pitches both of them to the side, into the snowdrift. It seems like such a good idea, such a funny idea, right up until the moment it isn’t, until the actual impact, when cold and wet suddenly surrounds him, his unprotected face. With a truly impressive whine, Nate flails, trying time right himself once again.

searching high and low for life
a paradise, a light in your eyes

SUNJATA

the flood

i still get a little scared of something new
but i feel a little safer when i'm with you

It’s truly comedic to Sunjata, the way Nate’s grinning and the way he’s already throwing the snowball without any hope of trying to retract it. He watches as it spins in the air, slamming into Nate’s chest – but he’s still moving, unable to keep the quiet huff of laughter leaving him, arms trying to reach for him to wrap onto him. And when he finally manages it, when he’s finally got his arms wrapped around his husband…

Well, Nate gets his own revenge – a very unlike Sunjata squeak leaving him as Nate brings them both down, half of his face covered in snow – much of it still clinging to the stubble of his beard, the laughter louder and brighter, cheeks flushed with red from both the cold and the reflection of the white that surrounds him.

But Nate begins to flail, and Sunjata keeps his arms around his husband, helping where he can to try and right Nate – right on top of him, to peer up at him from his little halo of snow despite the way it seeps into his clothes and goosebumps rise against his skin. “I didn’t expect it to hit so hard.” He offers, flashing a crooked grin up at Nate, reaching for his husband to try and brush off the snow that clings to his arms and side.

falling doesn't feel so bad
when i know you've fallen this way too

- NATE -

all we are, we're distant stars
lost in the dark, i know how to part

This is so close to how snowball fights had ended when he was a child as well. With a tumble into the snow, with him complaining about the cold, the wet. His rescue comes far quicker here though, Sunjata tugging on him until they're pressed close. Nate is limp, dazed for a moment and twitching away from the snow melting on him, getting into his collar. At the apology, a cartoonish from spreads over his face, bright eye looking down at his husband.

”You wounded me.” Nate pouts, once he’s happily elevated, straddling his husband, but leaning into his warm hands regardless. His own hand rises, brushing over the packed hard evidence of the snowball impact. ”I’ve been hit.” And because he can’t help it, he starts to giggle, his own joke getting him good. Leaning in deeper, and pressing Sunjata deeper into the snow as he does, Nate smiles, and rubs their noses together.

Before long though, Nate is squirming again, legs shifting as he tries to pull away from the melting snow, tries to pull his husband up with him. "You're gonna get a cold." He informs the attuned, his voice growing higher, sharper, an obvious mimic of what could only be a mother. Nate even clicks his tongue, a perfect image of concerned worry. "Oh you'll catch your death!"

searching high and low for life
a paradise, a light in your eyes

SUNJATA

the flood

i still get a little scared of something new
but i feel a little safer when i'm with you

“How dare I.” Sunjata murmurs, unable to keep that grin from  his face as he peers up at Nate. He can feel as Nate leans into his touch, and when the Ascended begins to giggle, the joke registering in Sunjata’s mind with a quiet hum of laughter himself, he can’t help but to flash his own pouting face back at his husband the further he presses him into the snow. His lips part in protest, but it goes nowhere as Nate rubs his nose against Sunjata’s, the Attuned peering up as Nate pulls away and squirms to stand.

He succeeds in dragging Sunjata to his feet, an amused smile crossing the Attuned’s face once he’s finally standing, moving to brush the snow from his jacket, to get it out from the inside of his clothes while trying to remain as warm as possible. The mimicry of a concerned mother is half lost on Sunjata, half not – similar things his mother had done but never quite gone fully in depth with it unless they were alone.

So he snorts, a puff of white, tugging Nate’s hand along. “Oh quit your worrying.” He teases, a playful chiding tone back, before he’s leaning in like he’s going to tell Nate a secret. “Besides, if it weren’t for me and my penchant of getting sick, we wouldn’t have met as soon as we did, hm?” A brow raises as he pulls away. Because he’s sure they would have met eventually – but the mud monster and his lungs had a different idea all together.

falling doesn't feel so bad
when i know you've fallen this way too

- NATE -

all we are, we're distant stars
lost in the dark, i know how to part

"How so very dare you." Nate's already grinning, already on his way to standing, and he can't help but drag the joke along with him, so long as it still wrung a chuckle from him. He moves to dust himself off as well, trying to race the melting snow and keep it from seeping into his clothes, soaking him further. There's already a breeze cutting along his legs, sapping away the impossible warmth of his body.

With a whine, Nate lets himself be dragged forwards, bumping into Sunjata and wrapping his arms around the other man. "But we've already met. We've already gotten married." There's a lilt in Nate's voice, his brow cocking, tugging at the scar strangely. "So you don't need to be sick anymore. Obviously." Nodding along with himself, the ascended even goes so far as to cross his arms, as if that settles everything.

A stubborn piece of ice drips from his pant legs down his boots, make Nate jump, stomping wildly as if the cold is a fire he can put out. "I hate this place." He declares petulantly, the pout on his face downright juvenile. "We should go warm up."

searching high and low for life
a paradise, a light in your eyes

SUNJATA

the flood

i still get a little scared of something new
but i feel a little safer when i'm with you

“How dare I?” Sunjata retorts, a reflective grin on his face while he focuses on Nate, a low breathy hum of laughter slipping from his throat. But Sunjata manages to drag his husband further along toward the path again, pausing as he’s bumped into and arms wrap around him. “We have.” He agrees easily, grin turning a bit more crooked as he peers down at Nate.

And when it comes to sickness, Sunjata does offer a bit more of a laugh, a white cloud leaving his lips as it breaks into the cold. “I suppose that’s true. But, with you here, I suppose I’ll be well off, hm?” Something about Halo and the cold, his sickness at bay for the moment has his tone shifting to something a bit more Korofian, the phrasing and words used adding up to something a bit nobler sounding.

But as soon as Nate jumps, Sunjata’s reaching out for him – pulling him along once he’s stomped out the makeshift fire, wrapping an arm easily around Nate’s shoulders to guide him toward the Kraai for the rooms within. It doesn’t matter if it’s closed, Sunjata’s still got a key after all. “I haven't been a fan ever since the incident, to be honest.” He can’t remember if he told Nate about what happened out on the Tundra, but either way it isn’t a conversation for the alleyways. Luckily he manages to navigate the paths until they reach the locked up Kraai, fishing in his pocket for a key, hoping they hadn’t changed the locks. But it turns, the door opening for them, and Sunjata quickly slips inside with Nate, turning to lock the door back up again.

falling doesn't feel so bad
when i know you've fallen this way too

- NATE -

all we are, we're distant stars
lost in the dark, i know how to part

It starts off as a whine and doesn't once shift away from that. "That's not fair." The ascended claims immediately, his gaze not bothering to focus on where he's being led, not when he can stare up at Sunjata, try to entreat him that way. "You can't take advantage of that." Nate pouts, knowing he's caught out. "You know I won't let you be sick or hurt, you can use it like that." It's a rule he's making up only after he's lost, more childish tendencies coming out alongside the snowball fight. It can't bother him that much though, or he wouldn't snuggle in, wanting to be wrapped in the warm timbre of Sunjata's voice. "Ek hou van jou stem wat jy ken."

It only takes a moment to stomp away the shock of cold, to lean into the warmth of Sunjata. This is a much easier trip to Halo than his last had been, filled with far less panic, though he'd still rather be home. "The incident." Nate repeats softly, not a question, just an echo. Then he nods, though if he's being honest, he doesn't have an actual clue which incident the incident is. And he's not willing to ask, not right now. They're at the Kraai in what feels like no time, Nate looking up at the roof while the door is unlocked. "This is much easier than last time." He comments, talking to no one in particular. They step inside without fanfare, Nate wandering towards the bar to get something warming started when he stops at the threshold and stares at the bottles, leaning away from them slightly.

searching high and low for life
a paradise, a light in your eyes