Lieutenant Dekas - Vulnerability
Ace Christensen
((Club Mobius))
Dekas: Cheeky. The feathers wouldn’t take long to handle this time. We’d have so much time left to fill. And I do still have that luxurious blanket nest upstairs. Haven’t laid an egg yet, pretty sure I can’t do that. But maybe if we try really hard…
It wasn’t often he got to use the slightly crass humor. He had an image of cheerful innocence. Or at least one of cheerful professionalism. And that didn’t necessarily give off the air of sexuality very often. He was okay with that. It was fun to shock people who didn’t expect it from him.
Yael: Did you just ask me to break the bounds of biological reality with you?
Dekas: Well in the event we do so good that we break the rules of reality, how do you feel about Dekas Jr. as a baby name?
Cue the little giggle fit at his own joke. Somewhere in that moment Dekas felt the music in his soul and did a fun body roll to the beat. And he owned it confidently so it looked better than it actually was. Looking cute and having a great time with minimal effort was the goal, and he was nailing it.
Yael: We may have to talk about your naming scheme. Denobulans are expected to have a *lot* of kids, and they can’t all be named Junior. ::pausing:: And you still haven’t determined if my dancing will scare you off.
It was tempting to make a joke about the fact that a lot of kids would not be a problem. The birds were included in the birds and the bees for a reason. But he refrained from such a joke. This time.
Dekas: Oh, you’re not doing as bad as you think, no one is ever as bad as they think if they’re having fun with it.
He truly believed that.
Evidently, Mr. Sparkling Eyes Yael somewhat agreed with the sentiment and did a fun dance move that worked well with the music in question.
Something that inspired this to continue for a number of songs, a mix of suave coordination, and hilariously drunk mishaps, which they playfully laughed about. Dekas was aware enough of himself generally to know that he turned heads. It was nearly impossible not to. He was bright red, and also the only Aurelian on the station at current. And he wasn’t sure that there’d be another one around any time soon. It wouldn’t surprise him to know that he was turning heads here and there even now.
It was just that he was enjoying this so much, that he didn’t care for the entirety of it. There might as well have been no one else there.
Eventually, they needed a break. Yael stalked out of the crowd still laughing lightly at their mish-mash method of crazy. Dekas was feeling a mix of still very drunk, and a specific endorphin high. Ash motioned and indicated to the nearest bartender to mix him a new Galactic Charmer, earning him a side eye, but the glass was produced and began to fill with various colors that swirled without genuinely mixing.
Yael: ::to the bird-man:: You need something?
oO You? Oo
Dekas: You. ::a huff of amusement at himself, he hadn’t meant to say that out loud right then:: Or… water. Probably could use water.
Yael: Unless you’re ready to go…?
The smile finished that implication without a single word. Dekas still got water, he still needed it whether they left in the next few minutes or not. And he did not regret that choice, it was refreshingly cool.
Dekas: I might be. It is a nice nest. Very proud of it, actually.
It was almost embarrassingly comfy, that nest.
Yael: I do appreciate an elaborate nest. ::rambling now a bit with a definite slur at times:: Did you know Denobulans hibernate? We sleep for like six days! We get this nesting instinct, and eat like crazy for days before it hits. You do *not* want to get in the way of a pre-hibernation impulse. I *love* a good nest.
Dekas: I did not know that. I wish I knew more about Denobulans than I currently do, and I’m thrilled to be learning. But the fact that you like nests for any reason makes you even more attractive than I already find you. Which is very. I am ssso lucky to know you.
It felt strangely vulnerable to say it like that, even while he was drunk, and even while he meant it with complete, genuine honesty. It didn’t have any specific intent behind it beyond simply enjoying his existence. Because he did.
For a brief moment, that vulnerability was a mental opening to some of the deep-seated insecurity he’d gained from being in places surrounded by humanoids and very few Aurelians outside of visits home. And deep-seated insecurity that some part of him really wanted to kiss Ash, and the fact that he couldn’t. Beaks didn’t allow for it in the same way. It wasn’t how Aurelians showed that type of affection to each other, either. Because even touching beak to beak was not an exact equivalent.
But before he could allow himself to feel truly inadequate while under the influence, he pulled Ash close anyway and nuzzled the side of his face with his beak, which still had a touch of cool water on it. It wasn’t the same as a kiss. Unless the unfathomable sci-fi gods decided to press the randomize button at that exact moment and give him a different form for just a few minutes, it never would be. It wouldn’t create what he’d heard described as “feeling like fireworks.” It would be just like this, or just like whatever he could give. So it was deep affection. He wanted to give him affection. And even though he’d only known him for a little over a week, he wanted him to know he was happy about that.
As happy as he’d be if he knew him for years. Or as happy as if he’d just met him tonight and happened to hit it off. Because the affection was still there either way.
Yael: ?
He gave him just a little bit of space after a few seconds but shot some Aurelian eye pinning his way.
Dekas: Got a little ahead of myself. If you’re ready to go, then so am I.
Yael: ?
Tags/TBC…
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Lieutenant Dekas
Head of Infrastructure Development
Denali Station
J239802D12
Pronouns: They/she (player), He/him (character)