video | a finer world, part 2

[solarcharged]

[ Does this guy ever broadcast to the network from ground level?? APPARENTLY NOT because here's Apollo with yet another video message from somewhere dizzyingly high, this time sat on top of a brightly lit neon encrusted building in the heart of Jeopardy. Over his shoulder the sun sets over the desert in a picture perfect background landscape of bright pinks and oranges, but Apollo looks pensive despite the dreamy setting. He's been keeping an eye out for the so-called ghosts, you see, and maybe remembering a few ghosts of his own in the process. ]

An old friend once told me that saving the world is no good if we leave it the way we found it. She said 'saving the day shouldn't be the same as preserving the status quo'. Because what's the point in saving the world if you make no effort to change it? To make it better than it was?

That's why I joined her team, back home. I wanted to save the world and change it for the better. None of us could have done it alone but as a group... [ He trails off, turning a little wistful. ] As a group we were formidable.

But I know most of the teams currently operating here - [ you know who you are ] - are all pretty much Registered-only affairs. And that's fine if you're the Registering type...

[ Apollo's expression turns grim. Or as grim as you can look when surrounded by neon pink signage. ]

Personally? I've got no intention of swearing my loyalty to the government just because they want tame superheroes. But I still want to make a difference and if being a so-called vigilante is what it takes, then... I guess we'll see what happens next.

So consider this an open call. Is there anyone else out there who's Unsettled and wants to do their bit to save the world?

[ And yeah, maybe change it a little bit too. He hopes you're happy, Jenny Sparks. ]

Comments

[heliophilic]

[M kind of hates when people do this--say one thing and yet their body language clearly says the opposite. He's of half a mind to just change the subject to something else.]

It's upstairs.

[He reluctantly puts away his pool cue and heads up the stairs. It's immediately clear by the thin layer of dust on everything that he really does not use this space at all. There's a made bed behind the privacy screen that is clearly only used by Fubuki, and a TV that looks like it's never been used at all.

On the far wall is his closet--more specifically, a large, open garment rack where items too large to fold are neatly hung up. Of note is the dust-covered Midnighter costume Apollo might be more familiar with, given to him by the other guy's tailor upon arriving, a biker-aesthetic Batman costume, and not one, but two Apollo costumes, one of which is clearly larger than the other.]

[solarcharged]

[ Apollo follows a few steps behind. The idea of seeing (or even trying on) Andrew's costume had been interesting when M had suggested it as part of the bet - exciting, even, not that he'd have admitted it out loud. But now as he follows M upstairs he can't help but feel a hell of a lot less certain.

He notes the dust and disuse, silently observing how Fubuki must be the only person who uses the bed, and finally inspects the garment rack. Except it's not Andrew's uniform that catches his attention. ]

Jesus Christ, [ He murmurs distractedly, his hands automatically reaching for the familiar leather of his husband's coat. ] How long have you had this?

[heliophilic]

Since the week I arrived. The other guy ordered it, and I received it.

[M reaches for the hanger.]

Do you...?

[solarcharged]

Do I what?

[ Apollo glances at M, surprised. The fact that he's kept it ever since - not thrown it out, not given it away - says something. ]

[heliophilic]

[M just trails off. Why would Apollo want a reminder of the man who walked out on him?

As for why he didn't give it away, well... he wasn't going to give away a combat suit to just any rando, and, frankly, he used to admire the other, older him.]

UGH THAT ICON

[solarcharged]

[ Oh no, that's an awkward silence. ]

I'll take it off your hands, if that's what you mean, [ Apollo adds, perhaps a little too quickly. There's a weird surge of emotion as he runs a hand over the leather, clearing away the dust - longing, hurt, sadness. It's not nice, but the hurt is his. It's all he has of his husband now. ]

If you don't want it...

[heliophilic]

I don't want to hurt you. I'm still... I can't tell if this is appropriate.

[solarcharged]

[ Apollo shakes his head with a weary smile. ]

Oh, who knows anymore...

[ He starts to slowly take the uniform from the hangar, his hands moving automatically as he folds it carefully. Every inch of it is familiar to him - the surprising weight of it, the creak of the leather. The more he thinks about it the more he realises that, yes, he does want it. Whatever that means. ]

Don't overthink it. I know I'm trying not to.

[heliophilic]

Only if you turn down the glow there sunshine.

[M scoffs lightly at the comment, unsure of what the hell else to possibly do. He feels like this is the right thing, but he can't help but wonder if he's wrong. He's always so wrong when it comes to thinking he knows what Apollos need.

Reaching up to the shelf above the rack, he pulls down that Midnighter's cowl. It always felt... wrong. Moreso than his work clothes. He holds that out next.]

I have the boots if you want them too.

[Admittedly, those he's worn, though never to go out working. Much like the rest of the costume, there wasn't enough protection.

They were just super nice black boots.]

[solarcharged]

Okay, fair point...

[ Apollo's smile fades away as he realises what Midnighter's brought down from the shelf. Seeing the mask hurts more than the uniform itself; Apollo nods fractionally and wordlessly takes it in his hands as Midnighter offers it. It feels smaller, somehow. Strangely fragile, like it might disappear if he holds it too tightly. ]

Oh, don't worry about the boots. [ Apollo shakes his head. ] They're just regular shoes. Nothing more.

[ Not like the rest of it. The rest of it means something, although Apollo still isn't entirely sure what that is. ]

[heliophilic]

[For whatever reason, M finds he can no longer look Apollo's way, and instead busies himself by going through his jackets, as if he's never seen them before.]

I've noticed. The other guy's not big on protection.

[solarcharged]

I remember you saying, yes.

[ But at the time he hadn't realised that M would still actually have the costume kept stored safely away in his own house. With an armful of his husband's clothes, Apollo glances at the other Apollo's costume still on the hanger. Perhaps dealing with that too is a step too far for now. ]

I think... I'll take these home now.

[heliophilic]

[M just nods and silently summons a door for him, even though he knows he doesn't have to.]

[solarcharged]

[ Apollo hesitates, warring with how easy it would be to just step through the Door and not have to risk making this any more complicated than it already is. ]

Look, M... [ He cuts himself off, sighing. ] Thank you. It's been a good evening, Bendix stories aside. Thanks for listening.

[heliophilic]

I'll be here. Anytime you need to vent.