[ the towel snap catches marco offguard — while boyish camaraderie isn't new to him, locker-room and gym culture specifically is, and so he has no actual frame of reference for the gesture. for a wild moment he wonders if beowulf had meant it as a genuine attack... but the snap itself was little more than a light slap against his rear, and a bewildered look the larger man's way is met only with that same bright, if slightly impish, smile, and so marco quickly realizes it had meant to be something... playful.
well then.
he considers his own towel for a moment, but the moment itself seems to have passed. so he tables the idea for now, ready to pull it out again when the situation presents itself. ]
Good idea, [ he agrees, slipping under the first rope. seems his manners don't get left behind in the ring, because he stays straddling the other two ropes so he can hold apart the top two in order to make beowulf's descent a little easier. he can only imagine how annoying it must be to have to keep ducking so often. ]
I'm not sure what you're used to, [ he says, once they're both on the floor and walking towards the back where the showers are. ] But the showers here are communal...
[ Wow, what a gentleman. Beowulf does appreciate the gesture, but he’s not a very mannerly person, so it doesn’t cross his mind to say thank you. Why should he? He’s the best wrestler in the world back home. He should be treated with respect.
But he follows right along Marco’s side. He had his own private shower back home, but he definitely had shared plenty of showers growing up in this career. He gives Marco a slap along the back and barks some laughter. ]
It's difficult to be shy, in a place like this, [ comes marco's response, in a tone too mild for all that it implies. no, marco doesn't have the kindest outlook regarding all they're made to do while stuck here — but for once he finds himself actively attempting not to be such a goddamn downer all the time. beowulf's enthusiasm — while perhaps not infectious, is a refreshing note in the dreariness of marco's day to day that he finds himself determined to keep it afloat.
so he offers the man a smile, almost playful in turn. ]
I only wanted to prepare you; you might walk out of there with even more fans, that's all.
[ That’s true. This is coming from a guy who frotted until they both came in the vehicle they both woke up in and a made a mess of their robes. Beowulf doesn’t really hesitate when placed in a situation to have some fun. He doesn’t know the rules of Game 52, but he’s already gloated about how he wants to “win” so of course he’s going to go into things without thinking it through.
Anyway, he laughs again in amusement, not a shy bone in his body. ]
That’s the idea! I want everyone to love me.
[ Because, well.. he’s sad and lonely when they don’t. ]
Love feels so much like a miracle... Finding just one person to love you feels like enough for me.
[ .... but enough about that depressing stuff. fortunately they enter the showers not long after. marco holds the door open for beowulf, and though the space is communal — similar to what they'd find in the basement levels, but of far, far better quality — it seems for the moment they're the only ones around.
he steps over to the locker area, finding one unoccupied so he can start shucking off his sweaty clothes. he hadn't the forethought to bring any extra clothes, so he will have to borrow one of the robes hanging off the wall once they're done. ]
Well, I mean, not literally love me.. like in a romantic sense. I think that might make things complicated?
[ Who is he to say, though? He's never been in an actual relationship, so he doesn't know. He meant more in an adoration kind of way! But the way that Marco says this catches his attention for a moment-- even as stupid as he is to read the atmosphere, something about all of this makes Marco seem pretty somber? What's with this guy? Did it witness a murder? (lol.) ]
Aaaanyway, it's probably not something to think about too much! Just.. y'anno.. be yourself and let the magic happen? I'm bad at advice.
[ Beowulf, he didn't ask for advice. The same goes for him, but he knew there would be robes and such for them to use! So, he also finds a locker nearby to start shedding off his clothes. ]
I will say, it's really strange being in a locker room so quiet! Have you been at this place for a long time or did you just get here recently like I did?
[ —ah, what is he even doing? this isn't the kind of thing to talk about right now. marco forces out a light laugh, lifting a hand in the air to wave the entire conversation away. ]
Don't worry — I lost my train of thought a little, that's all.
[ he draws out a fresh towel from the unused locker, wrapping it around his waist — not that it really matters at this point. ]
It's been a little under four months since I've arrived. It was... slightly more chaotic than I would have liked.
[ zombies and all... ]
You're adjusting really well though. Does very little bother you?
[ Beowulf examines him for a moment when he laughs. This guy was kind of cute in a way that he couldn’t quite articulate. He looks so strong and sturdy, but his personality is… sweet. Gentle. It doesn’t really match his appearance. (beowulf is like, whispers, i can fix him……………)
The question reels him back to reality. Yeah, actually, a lot of stuff bothers him! An easy example is when people say wrestling is fake; he’s very bothered by that. On a deeper level, he’s bothered by the state of his world; how it’s left in destruction after the war. He’s bothered by the mafia, and how one family has so much control in his city. He’s bothered by what they do to people, especially children. He doesn’t know much about the Skullgirl, but he’s worried about her hurting a bunch of people when she finally reveals herself in the city. As far as being here, no, he’s not really bothered by that.
It’s apparent he’s a little stuck in this thought, but then he waves a hand in dismissal. Beowulf is honest, but he’s also an actor. It’s easier to cover up the things that bother him. ]
You kiddin’? I ain’t bothered at all! Being here is exactly where I want to be.
[ He copies Marco and also drapes a towel around his waist, but then, one of his arms slides around the other man’s shoulders. Time for a subject change. ]
You seem bothered, though, and it ain’t my business, really, what it is or what’s on your mind, but I think you should lighten up.
[ He moves a curled finger under Marco’s chin, directing him to look up at him. His voice draws low and quiet, a contrast to how loud he typically is. ]
I could have a fun time with you and it would help with that, baby. ♡
[ ok but beowulf wanting to fix somebody is cute as heck—
now is not the time, though, because marco picks up some disturbance in the force and he realizes, with mild surprise, that he might have spoken too soon. beowulf had come across so carefree, the type that so wholly dedicates himself to the things that bring him joy that there simply wouldn't be any room for anything else, let alone the things that would normally bring someone down.
it's a humbling thing, as well as something that makes him admire the man even more. to still find the ability to smile that bright, despite harboring one's own worries, speaks to an immense strength indeed.
he lets his features ease into a smile. the showers are only a few steps away, so he keeps walking until they reach the edge. both towels he slips from their waists, reaching over to hang it on an adjacent wall, out of the spray of the showerheads. he only turns one on; from the sounds of things, they're likely to just share one. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
well then.
he considers his own towel for a moment, but the moment itself seems to have passed. so he tables the idea for now, ready to pull it out again when the situation presents itself. ]
Good idea, [ he agrees, slipping under the first rope. seems his manners don't get left behind in the ring, because he stays straddling the other two ropes so he can hold apart the top two in order to make beowulf's descent a little easier. he can only imagine how annoying it must be to have to keep ducking so often. ]
I'm not sure what you're used to, [ he says, once they're both on the floor and walking towards the back where the showers are. ] But the showers here are communal...
no subject
But he follows right along Marco’s side. He had his own private shower back home, but he definitely had shared plenty of showers growing up in this career. He gives Marco a slap along the back and barks some laughter. ]
Hah! Even better.
[ what do you mean by that, sir.. ]
What, are you shy?
no subject
It's difficult to be shy, in a place like this, [ comes marco's response, in a tone too mild for all that it implies. no, marco doesn't have the kindest outlook regarding all they're made to do while stuck here — but for once he finds himself actively attempting not to be such a goddamn downer all the time. beowulf's enthusiasm — while perhaps not infectious, is a refreshing note in the dreariness of marco's day to day that he finds himself determined to keep it afloat.
so he offers the man a smile, almost playful in turn. ]
I only wanted to prepare you; you might walk out of there with even more fans, that's all.
[ marco, what do you mean by that??? 😳 ]
no subject
Anyway, he laughs again in amusement, not a shy bone in his body. ]
That’s the idea! I want everyone to love me.
[ Because, well.. he’s sad and lonely when they don’t. ]
Isn’t that what everybody wants?
no subject
[ marco's voice grows quiet, thoughtful. ]
Love feels so much like a miracle... Finding just one person to love you feels like enough for me.
[ .... but enough about that depressing stuff. fortunately they enter the showers not long after. marco holds the door open for beowulf, and though the space is communal — similar to what they'd find in the basement levels, but of far, far better quality — it seems for the moment they're the only ones around.
he steps over to the locker area, finding one unoccupied so he can start shucking off his sweaty clothes. he hadn't the forethought to bring any extra clothes, so he will have to borrow one of the robes hanging off the wall once they're done. ]
no subject
[ Who is he to say, though? He's never been in an actual relationship, so he doesn't know. He meant more in an adoration kind of way! But the way that Marco says this catches his attention for a moment-- even as stupid as he is to read the atmosphere, something about all of this makes Marco seem pretty somber? What's with this guy? Did it witness a murder? (lol.) ]
Aaaanyway, it's probably not something to think about too much! Just.. y'anno.. be yourself and let the magic happen? I'm bad at advice.
[ Beowulf, he didn't ask for advice. The same goes for him, but he knew there would be robes and such for them to use! So, he also finds a locker nearby to start shedding off his clothes. ]
I will say, it's really strange being in a locker room so quiet! Have you been at this place for a long time or did you just get here recently like I did?
no subject
Don't worry — I lost my train of thought a little, that's all.
[ he draws out a fresh towel from the unused locker, wrapping it around his waist — not that it really matters at this point. ]
It's been a little under four months since I've arrived. It was... slightly more chaotic than I would have liked.
[ zombies and all... ]
You're adjusting really well though. Does very little bother you?
no subject
The question reels him back to reality. Yeah, actually, a lot of stuff bothers him! An easy example is when people say wrestling is fake; he’s very bothered by that. On a deeper level, he’s bothered by the state of his world; how it’s left in destruction after the war. He’s bothered by the mafia, and how one family has so much control in his city. He’s bothered by what they do to people, especially children. He doesn’t know much about the Skullgirl, but he’s worried about her hurting a bunch of people when she finally reveals herself in the city. As far as being here, no, he’s not really bothered by that.
It’s apparent he’s a little stuck in this thought, but then he waves a hand in dismissal. Beowulf is honest, but he’s also an actor. It’s easier to cover up the things that bother him. ]
You kiddin’? I ain’t bothered at all! Being here is exactly where I want to be.
[ He copies Marco and also drapes a towel around his waist, but then, one of his arms slides around the other man’s shoulders. Time for a subject change. ]
You seem bothered, though, and it ain’t my business, really, what it is or what’s on your mind, but I think you should lighten up.
[ He moves a curled finger under Marco’s chin, directing him to look up at him. His voice draws low and quiet, a contrast to how loud he typically is. ]
I could have a fun time with you and it would help with that, baby. ♡
[ pls let him smash, thank ]
no subject
now is not the time, though, because marco picks up some disturbance in the force and he realizes, with mild surprise, that he might have spoken too soon. beowulf had come across so carefree, the type that so wholly dedicates himself to the things that bring him joy that there simply wouldn't be any room for anything else, let alone the things that would normally bring someone down.
it's a humbling thing, as well as something that makes him admire the man even more. to still find the ability to smile that bright, despite harboring one's own worries, speaks to an immense strength indeed.
he lets his features ease into a smile. the showers are only a few steps away, so he keeps walking until they reach the edge. both towels he slips from their waists, reaching over to hang it on an adjacent wall, out of the spray of the showerheads. he only turns one on; from the sounds of things, they're likely to just share one. ]
What kind of fun do you like to have?