🚒🔥Galo Thymos🔥🚒 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
infernosoul) wrote2020-01-28 11:29 pm
infernosoul) wrote2020-01-28 11:29 pm
Continuation for Incensor
[From here!]
[Galo is absolutely the kind of guy that enjoys drinking Mountain Dew, so of course that's what he's going to choose. You'd think with his diet of pizza and soda he'd have trouble staying in shape, but somehow he manages it anyway, much to the delight of everyone that enjoys seeing some shirtless firefighter eye candy. It's a miracle that he even thought to put a shirt on before coming over, but Lio is Important, and Galo figures that he needs to have some manners while he's at his place if he wants to be invited over again.
Of course Lio is a gracious host, and Galo takes the glass of soda with a smile and a thanks. Damn, he should've brought some Baja Blast over so he could compare the shisha flavor with the real thing.]
I dunno. I goof up when I try to pronounce things sometimes though, so good to know I got it right.
[Amusingly enough he's pretty good at Japanese pronunciations. Probably because he's a fucking weeb.
Overall Galo really likes the feel of the place and how bright and warm it is, and he imagines that it's hundreds of times better than living in a cave or whatever abandoned buildings the Burnish would come across while they were on the run. Lio deserves a nice, cozy place to call home, even if it might not always be this neat and tidy.
He eagerly watches Lio's reaction as he takes the box of shisha, and much to Galo's delight he seems pleased with the surprise. He thinks, anyway. Lio is so hard to read sometimes, but Galo is getting better at it, especially now that he makes a point to pay extra attention to his body language and mannerisms to tell what he's feeling. He might be an idiot, but at least he's observant when it comes to people and their emotions, especially the people he cares about. Is there such a thing as being emotionally smart??
Anyway, he's glad that he picked up the pine tree flavor, and he's totally excited to try it with Lio.]
I'm up for it! It sounds so weird that I can't help but wanna try it first.
[He watches curiously as Lio opens the box and takes a whiff, and the scent of pine is so strong that Galo can already smell it from where he's standing. He leans in anyway when Lio holds it out to him though, inhaling deeply and letting his eyes flutter closed for a moment. It really does conjure up memories of the lake and the surrounding forest, and when he opens his eyes again it's with a delighted grin.]
Oh wow, it totally does remind me of it! Man, I haven't been up there in a while. I kinda miss it.
[It's not really the same now that the ice is gone, but it might still be nice to visit again sometime, especially if Lio comes with him.]
It would make a good air freshener, but I can't imagine what it'll be like when we smoke it. I got a few other flavors too just in case that one is awful though. Cherry cola and Baja Blast and a few others.
[He sets the bag down on the counter just in case Lio wants to go digging around in it to see for himself.]
So, do you wanna eat first or smoke first? I'm up for either!
BIG SAME I have a mighty need to know cause you bet I preordered it the second it went up
Galo scoffs at Lio’s comment about him becoming a delinquent, and it conjures up images of him running around in spikes and leather, causing trouble wherever he goes. Maybe he should dye his hair blond and get some piercings while he’s at it. You know, when hell freezes over.]
Hey! I might be smoking a little but I’m still an upstanding citizen, okay?
[Lio sure does love messing with him and teasing him, but Galo doesn’t actually mind it. It’s kind of fun to be kept on his toes, and it’s certainly nice to see Lio relaxed enough to be playful. It’s the perfect reward for both of them giving it their all to save the world.
...but uh. How can Lio just nonchalantly flick the coals off with his bare hands like that?? And surely the bowl is hot?? He doesn’t have the Promare anymore, so that means he can get burned, right? Cue Galo sitting up straight and zeroing in on what Lio is doing, because there’s no way he’s going to let Lio get burned on his watch.]
Lio! Be careful! If you get burned I’m gonna have to stop everything and whip out my first aid kit!
[As if a few coals would do much damage anyway, but still, he worries, okay? But then Lio is looking at him again, as if he’s sizing him up or something, and Galo is honestly baffled. Should he be worried? Maybe, but the mention of a more delectable sounding shisha has his eyes lighting up with excitement again, and all worry goes flying right out the window just as fast as it came.]
Strawberries and cream sounds great! A lot better than pine! Let’s do it!
[He’s not a huge dessert guy, but that really does sound tasty, and he looks on eagerly, waiting for Lio to pack the bowl. He doesn’t know if that’s considered a beginner flavor or what, but it doesn’t really matter. He’ll try it and hopefully endure it, and Lio won’t have to hear him whine anymore. He won’t even complain about moving the coals again if Lio sees fit to task him with it.]
I just had to have both nbd it's only money... also god the things I have googled for this thread
[Lio says it like he wasn't the one directly responsible for that. Like there hadn't been a very good reason for it. Like the cause of Galo even being there in the first place hadn't been an injustice all it's own but it says a lot they he can make light of it now, just this small part of it. People were quick to place the blame of that day squarely on the former governor's shoulders. All the death and destruction. It was where it belonged but that didn't mean that Lio would ever forget the events leading up to it that had been wrought from his own fury and by his own hands.
It's another moment before Lio waves off Galo's concerns with a low hum, halfway between something actually melodic and just an indifferent huff. He taps out the remains of the pine shisha into a paper plate, barely singed, still thick and viscous and clinging to the sides of the bowl. Despite Galo's protests of only seconds passed, Lio scrapes the last remnants of it out with his finger and then wipes it down with a little water that's already pooled at the bottom of the bowl of ice. Any trace of the cloying pine that remains would be a disaster.
It's refilled quickly enough, the new scent that cuts through the old is obviously and distinctly of strawberries and something not entirely unlike vanilla. It's replaced on the hookah, the tray settled over the top of it and then he levels Galo with a long, purposeful stare as he drops the discarded coals back into place, unceremoniously quick and his fingers warmed no more than if he had pressed them to a mug of fresh brewed coffee.
He nudges everything into place and then leans back.]
We can do this while we wait.
[Pulling the package of marshmallows out, he pitches them right at Galo's chest. If he bothers to look at what's left, he'll find a box of graham crackers and a few bars of chocolate remaining at the bottom of the bag. Which might also explain the forks that had been brought in with everything else.]
I’ve smoked a hookah like three times in my life and still couldn’t describe all the steps ahaha
[Kray having him locked up was injustice at its finest, but of course things had somehow worked out in the end. He’ll never forget seeing Lio as that big flaming dragon though, so overcome with rage and anguish after the Burnish had been captured to be used for fuel for Kray’s diabolical Parnassus project. Lio had every right to go on a rampage, but Galo still felt the need to save him from his own fury, to stop him from destroying the city and killing Kray despite his heinous crimes, and he’s glad that he did, because who knows what would’ve happened if he hadn’t intervened?
It’s not something he really enjoys thinking about, not like his fond memories of piloting a mech with Lio. Maybe one day they’ll get to do that again, though it won’t be quite the same without the Promare.
Of course Lio still acts like fire doesn’t hurt him, or that being burned doesn’t phase him, and Galo has half a mind to grab his wrists and stop him from digging around in the still-hot bowl because wow Lio he just said to be careful?? But in the end he gives in, because Lio does what he wants, and Galo kind of likes that about him. That doesn’t mean he’s happy about it though, but at least the scent of the strawberries and cream shisha is enough to distract him.]
That does smell really good!
[Almost to the point where Galo is tempted to dip his finger into it and try a bit, but he’s not that much of an idiot, so he’ll just wait patiently for it to heat up once the coals are put back on. He’s half-expecting Lio to task him with moving them again, but then he pulls a power move and grabs the coals with his bare hands and moves them back into place while staring Galo right in the eye, and Galo has to respect that.]
...okay, maybe I was worrying a little too much. Point taken.
[No more fussing over Lio getting burned, got it. He’s about to return to his pizza when Lio tosses a bag of marshmallows at him, and he looks a little confused for a second, but then he spots the chocolate and graham crackers at the bottom of the bag he’d pulled them from, and Galo’s face lights up like a kid on Christmas on morning.]
I didn’t know we were gonna make s’mores! It’s been years since I’ve had one!
[But wait, how are they gonna get the marshmallows all melty? Are the coals hot enough to do the trick? Or should he use the lighter to torch them?
...wait a minute. Is Lio trying to get him to light another fire?? By tempting him with tasty treats?? Sneaky! He’s so torn because s’mores are delicious, but usually an open flame is needed to get the full campfire experience, so...]
Lio...are you trying to get me to use fire again? Or are we just gonna eat them like this?
[A s’more is not a s’more unless it’s all melty, okay?]
I've done it a fair bit... And owned two... It the s'mores are new
Maybe Lio will give him another shot if they make it through this bowl. Or he could devise some other flame-focused torment to demand of his friend. After all, they have all day.
With nothing left to do for the time being except wait, Lio finally starts to unwind a little. He loosens his shoulders, lets his legs fall to the side from where they had been draw up to him in his seat. Carelessly, they brush against Galo's at this proximity but he doesn't seem at all bothered by it. That's just the kind of affect he has when spending enough time around him. All the problems and worries that had been on his shoulders start to melt away. And sometimes, if it's a particularly lucky day, he has a way of making them disappear completely.
That doesn't mean Lio is about to let him off easy for any dumb comment he makes however. Teasing him, is just one more of the pleasures of his company. But this time Lio does awkward it with a faint smile, one that's devoid of his usual guile.]
Think about what you just said. Galo. I know I'm not friends with the sort of criminal who consumes raw marshmallows.
[Picking up the fork Lio stabs it at the bag in Galo's hands indicating he should probably open it, then points toward the top of the hookah where the coals a burning happily away.]
They're hot enough. I'll show you how to make them the right way. [Which presumes that Galo doesn't already know how to toast a proper marshmallow. Of that, Lio is certain.]
i haven't had them in years, clearly i need to remedy that
Lio relaxing enough to loosen up a little brings a smile to Galo's face, and he playfully bumps his knee against Lio's, more comfortable and at ease in Lio's home than he probably should be as a temporary guest. He can't help it though, being around Lio makes him happy, and when he's happy he's able to relax and let loose and just forget about the headache that rebuilding Promepolis is proving to be. Galo has it easier than Lio does in that regard though, so he's taken it upon himself to do whatever he can to help him unwind and enjoy himself whenever they're together.
Judging by how much he's been teasing Galo since he got here he's already at the unwinding and enjoying himself part, and Galo answers Lio's snark by opening the bag of marshmallows and popping one into his mouth without bothering to heat it up fist. He really is a criminal.]
Aww c'mon Lio, haven't you ever had Lucky Charms? Those marshmallows are the best!
[Said around a mouthful of soft, sweet fluff. Galo quickly chews up the tasty treat and swallows before mirroring Lio's little smile with a cocky grin.]
Yeah? Well then go ahead, Boss, show me how it's done.
[The nickname is spoken with an underlying snicker, and Galo opens the bag of marshmallows back up so that Lio can stab one on his fork if he likes. Galo knows how making s'mores usually goes, though he's always left the actual marshmallow toasting to somebody else for obvious reasons, so this ought to be a learning experience for him.
A thought occurs to him then, and because there's not much of a filter between Galo's brain and his mouth he just blurts it out like an inquisitive child.]
Did you ever toast marshmallows with your Burnish flames? Like...just blast
'em and eat 'em just like that?
Re: i haven't had them in years, clearly i need to remedy that
Lio still figures he's earned the right to look less than amused and he certainly doesn't agree. But it doesn't stop him from knocking his legs back against Galo's in retaliation.
And then he goes and says that]
Alright. [Lio acquiesces smoothly, his grinning turning a touch more devious, and then he's on the move. On his knees and pressing uninvited into Galo's personal space bubble. Spearing a marshmallow is a casual process, followed the deliberate act of fixing it so it won't just fall in the coals and ruin the hookah once it really heats up.
Leaning over Galo, with one arm draped over his shoulder, Lio deposits the fork into Galo's hand and then takes his wrist in his own. Guiding it to rest over the coals, at just the right distance where it would maximize the amount of heat it absorbs over the full surfaces of the confection.]
Patience is key. [He graciously doesn't point out how that might be difficult for Galo.] You pull it away and turn it at the exact moment it starts smoking.
[Funny how Galo comes across like such a child right now. Sometimes it could be a nuisance but at moments like this, Lio doesn't mind indulging him one bit. It shows how he cares. And maybe that just makes it all the more fitting how they're doing this, here and now.]
It was actually a good exercise for burnish children. It's a lot harder than just blasting them. They had to learn how to control their flames to get it just right. But no one ever complained about getting to eat the results, successes or failures.
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He just laughs at Lio knocking his legs into his again, but then Lio grins at him like he's plotting something, and suddenly he's all up in Galo's space, and Galo can't really say that he minds. He has a bad habit of doing the same, after all, and he likes Lio, so the closer he gets the better.
He blinks a few times as he watches Lio spear the marshmallow and prepare it for roasting, and then suddenly it's time for Galo to prove himself again, the fork placed in his hand and the responsibility of not burning the shit out of the marshmallow resting squarely on his shoulders. Well, sort of. Lio is helping guide him on the first try, and while he'd normally insist that he could do it himself because he's GALO THYMOS he'll let it slide this time. Partially because he kind of likes Lio holding his wrist like this and also because he actually does need some guidance here, and Lio would see right through him if he said that he didn't.
He's careful to keep it positioned in the exact spot Lio guides him to, Lio's hand serving to keep his arm steady when he may just be a little jittery otherwise. Of course he's not scared of such a tiny flame, he just doesn't want the marshmallow to catch on fire is all.
He nods in understanding, and yeah, he's usually pretty lacking in the patience department, but he has to prove that he can do this to Lio and that he's not some weenie who can't handle roasting a marshmallow over a flame. Not that he thinks Lio would seriously make fun of him or belittle him for it, though he might laugh just a little, and nobody could fault him for that.
The marshmallow starts to grow hot, but it's not quite smoking yet, and Galo tries his best to listen to Lio and watch the marshmallow at the same time.]
Oh, I get it. So it kinda helped them practice in a way that meant food no matter what, huh? Sounds like a good idea to me!
[He is very food motivated, though obviously Lio already knew that. It's also kind of comforting to know that some of the Burnish children were able to find small moments of joy even while on the run, like biting into a tasty, gooey marshmallow that they roasted themselves.
When the marshmallow starts to smoke Galo automatically tries to pull it back, with or without Lio's help. Smoke=fire=it's gonna burst into flames if he isn't careful, and that would be quite a tragedy.]
So you just turn it to cook on the other side, right? This isn't so hard!
[Of course him saying that obviously means that Lio should task him with roasting the rest of the marshmallows since he thinks he can handle it now.]
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Though he doesn't share Galo's concerns, he keeps his eyes fixed on the coals, on the tip of the marshmallow which will heat up faster than the body. He tilts his head slightly to get a better view and the long hairs that fram his face brush up again the firefighter's. Little by little, Lio watches as it starts to puff up like a balloon, browning to once side. This was the part that had less to do with controlling the fire and more with controlling the stomachs of young, impulsive children. Lio smiling to think of them now.]
Children had a lot less fear of the flames when they became Burnish. What they lacked in ability they more than made up for with their enthusiasm to try. With the right guidance they could have grown up to be more capable than anyone.
[Of course none of that would be possible now. The Promare was gone. There were no Burnish left in the world. Speaking of it now he sounds perhaps a little wistful. But before the moment stretches too thin, Galo is pulling back and Lio is releasing his hand.]
Do the same thing on all four sides. When it looks like it's about to fall off, you're ready for that last step.
[That is if Galo could make it that far. Hopefully he possesses a bit more restraint that literal five year olds but then this is the same person that would have been just has happy making them out of untoasted marshmallows. Disgusting.]
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It's nice to hear stories about the Burnish, even if Lio sounds a little wistful when he talks about them sometimes, and when he talks about the Promare. It's a shame that they had to return to their own dimension, but at least the Burnish are free now, no longer needing to live in fear of being persecuted. Sure, there's still places where anti-Burnish sentiment exists, but at least now it's illegal to arrest them just because of what they are, or what they were.]
Yeah. I guess if you get them while you're young you have more chances to practice and get better at controlling them.
[Well, that's how it used to be, anyway.
Galo listens to Lio's instructions, and while he's already licking his lips at the idea of eating more marshmallows he manages to hold out long enough to properly roast the marshmallow on all sides. It starts to char a bit before he pulls it away from the fire completely, and he quickly grabs a graham cracker to place it on, settling the fork aside so he can finish building the first s'more.
The marshmallow is perfectly melty, and it ends up sharing it's heat with the chocolate and softening that up as well, and oh, it looks delicious. He looks up at Lio again once it's finished and grins, feeling rather pleased with himself that he got it right the first time.]
Alright! My very first s'more! That I made myself, anyway. Here, wanna try some?
[Of course he has to share, and he snaps the sandwich in half, not caring that his fingers are getting covered in sweet, sticky goo. He hands one half to Lio, and should Lio bite into it he'll find that while the marshmallow tastes a bit charred and overdone the s'more itself is still sweet and delicious.]
Tell me what you think! Honest opinion, no holding back!
[As if Lio would hesitate to tell him it was awful if it was. He'll wait to take a bite until Lio does though, because he wants Lio to tell him what he thinks before he starts stuffing his face.]
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But absolutely none of that had to do with marshmallows. Marshmallows were exactly what they were now consumed with to get away from such an omnipresent burden. Once Galo takes over, Lio finally moves away, though not to where he started, only a centimeter or so away where he draws his knees back up to his chest, languid as he hangs his arms over the tops of them and play the part of patient observer.
Galo finishes and then there's a s'more being shoved in his face and threatening to drop molten hot sugar sweet gelatin all over his pants. There's something elegant even about the way he manages to take it, perfectly sandwiched between the tips of his fingers so he doesn't get any of the sticky mess over his hands.
If it's Galo's first, that merits a thorough inspection. Lio turns it this way and that, appraising the way the surface has turned golden brown all over and just starting to turn black in some place where it squishes out around the melted chocolate and graham crackers. The way the center had practically turned to liquid. He can't wait for too long however as the first corner starts dripping, dripping and he catches it swiftly with one finger and licks it off. Then he goes in for the first bite, finishes it in two and sits there, considering the whole thing thoughtfully.]
It's impressive. [He decides after waiting just long enough that it borders on concerning. But Galo has suffered enough of his teasing by now and Galo deserves to have his accomplishments acknowledged.]
You've managed to char the outside perfectly with the least amount of fire possible. It's like you're trying to defy me.
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But it's nice to have little moments like these where he and Lio can relax and just be without worrying about others, and Galo seems all too pleased with himself for actually getting the marshmallow melting right the first time. At least he's pretty sure that he did, but he'll wait for Lio's verdict before he celebrates too much, eagerly watching as he takes the s'more oh so delicately and examines it. Lio does everything with elegance and grace, even appraising a s'more made oh so lovingly for the both of them by Galo and licking up the inevitable mess it makes, and it's honestly kind of impressive.
He's practically vibrating with anticipation by the time Lio takes a proper bite, and then another, finishing it off and leaving Galo hanging for what seems like forever before finally giving his opinion on it.
Impressive? Oh wow, Lio just called the s'more he made impressive, and Galo beams at him, looking like he's just had his greatest lifetime achievement finally acknowledged, even if it's just a damn s'more.]
Really? Awesome!
[Of course he managed to get away with making something tasty without needing to use all that much fire, because he's Galo, and he always manages to do whatever he sets out to do in the end, in his own Galo way. He laughs at Lio assuming that he's trying to be defiant here, and maybe he is a little bit, but hey, he made progress in his efforts to get more comfortable using fire, so Lio's teaching and pushing wasn't in vain.]
Do you want another one? Or should we smoke some more? Or maybe we can try roasting something else over the fire! Maybe one of those gummy snacks!
[That sounds absolutely disgusting, but Galo would try it, because of course he would.]
Y'know, this is really fun! We should hang out more, Lio! With or without fire involved!
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He brushes his hands together once he's finished though there really isn't anything to wipe off of them, then points to the other half still oozing out into Galo's hand.]
You going to try that first?
[He can't let Galo get away with missing out on his impressive work. The mention of roasting gummies earns him an even longer look. Lio doesn't respond to it but he also clearly isn't dismissing it as a possibility. More like he's filing it away among the terrible ideas that sounds like good cuisine in his mind. Wasn't there a bag of pretzels around here they could probably spear them with?
By now the bowl is adequately heated though, so the hookah should finally, finally be ready and not with some noxious, fumes that replicated an evergreen forest but only in the most chemical ways. For answer, Lio simply lifts the tongs and pokes at the coals ones more to knock off the thin layer of ash that's accumulated there. Exposed to the air, they flare just a little brighter, burning a little hotter. Lio no longer has a physical sense for such things but he still has enough instinct to know they're at just the right temperature.
Finally, he unravels the hose against and settles back into the worn couch cushions and finds a place that's comfortable leaning against Galo.]
We could. Have you really never made s'mores before? You know. Boy scouts? Summer camp? Playing in the backyard until your parents realize you stole the grill lighter and ground you for two days. Things like that. [There's a flash of a grin not directed at anything in particular and he's definitely not speaking from experience.]
We'll have to do this again only with a proper fire next time.
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Oh, right, he'd been so excited about Lio trying the s'more that he'd almost forgotten about his own share, and he quickly pops it into his mouth, his eyes lighting up at how very delicious it is. The perfect ratio of marshmallow and chocolate and graham cracker! Granted, he's not all that picky, but it's still pretty damn good in his opinion, and he gives Lio a thumb's up before licking his fingers clean of any excess goo.]
Delicious! I totally nailed it!
[Clearly he's a gourmet chef of epic proportions now. Watch out, Gordon Ramsay, here comes Galo Thymos! Of course a gourmet chef wouldn't suggest the idea of roasting gummies, but hey, Lio didn't say no, so clearly they need to try it eventually, with pretzels as the sticks used to hold them over the fire.
The room smells pretty good now, better than that fake pine forest crap, and he watches curiously as Lio tends to the coals. He really does have an affinity for fire, doesn't he? Even without the Promare Lio seems attuned to it, and Galo is honestly impressed. He's also very happy to have Lio leaning against him, and he kind of wishes they could be this close all the time. He also kind of wants to try the new flavor of shisha, but he'll let Lio take the first pull this time.
He shakes his head at the question, and the last part gets a chuckle out of him. He imagines a tiny Lio getting into trouble for stealing lighters and trying to set fires, and he can only assume that Lio had a somewhat normal childhood. That's good to hear, because his adult life sounds like it was full of nothing but chaos and unease, and Galo is glad that he finally has a warm, cozy place to call home.]
I really haven't! I helped assemble them before one time when everybody at Burning Rescue stayed overnight in a cabin in the mountains, but I didn't do any of the roasting. I wasn't in boy scouts or anything either, and I've never been to summer camp. Guess I've been missing out, huh?
[He grew up in Promepolis without any real family, so he can't say he's had many experiences like that, but he's not about to get all sad about it. He can always make up for it now, after all, and maybe he can even do all of that fun summer camp stuff with Lio.
Lio mentioning doing this again has him beaming, though the idea of setting a fire any bigger than this is still kind of...intimidating.]
What exactly counts as a proper fire? Like...a little campfire? Not a huge bonfire or anything?
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Galo was perhaps the first person that's managed to peel them away. And he doesn't find it uncomfortable to shed them bit by bit, when the situation calls for it. Like now. Passing acknowledgement that he is a person, was a child once. He had had family at one point. Came from somewhere. There's a whole history to be exhumed.
Galo himself is easier. He bares his heart as plainly as his chest, his whole story on public display for all the world to see. Lio has been aware of it on some level, for a long time now. He doesn't forget it now. Galo doesn't draw attention to it but it's presence lurks in depths of their conversation. Lio doesn't like to assume. Galo confirms it anyway.
Relaxing into the couch and fitting into the warm pocket just benath Galo's arm--in the absence of the Promare, he gives off the heat of a furnace--Lip puts the hookah between his lips ans breathes deep. It saves him from having to answer right away but the way he stares out at the sparse decor on the opposite wall, he's clearly in deep thought.
The breath he holds is a shallow one and released with great plumes of sweet, strawberry scented smoke. After the s'mores, with their chocolate notes and caramel undertones the fruit is a pleasant complement. When he smiles, it could be easy to mistake for his appreciation of the taste]
Yeah. A bonfire sounds about right. As big as you are tall and twice as wide. [Selfishly lost in the moment, he takes another drag, a smaller one before Galo can cut in too quickly with a protest.] Where we grew up. There were all these lakes. In the summer we'd have these bonfires. One week everyone would have them so the whole beach was lit up bright as day. We called it the ring of fire.
Like the old song, you know? [Tilting his head back so his hair spills onto Galo's shoulder, he looks up at him with a fiendish grin. Maybe he won't know it. It was practically a hundred years old after all.]
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There's still so much about Lio that remains a mystery, after all, and the more one on one time he gets to spend with Lio the more he learns about him. He knew that Lio had a childhood, a past, but he's never once pried about it, because that's something he figured Lio would open up to him about on his own if he really wanted to. Now Galo knows that he used to do fun stuff during the summer, and he can't help but grin as he imagines a little Lio excitedly participating in all kinds of camping activities.
He happily allows Lio to nestle under his arm, and though the temptation is there to hug Lio to his side he keeps his arm loosely draped over Lio's shoulders, a comfortable warmth built up between them now. Granted Galo gives off more heat than Lio does these days, but Lio is still warm next to him, and Galo very much enjoys his presence.
Soon Galo is treated to a cloud of strawberry-scented smoke, and he can't help but be curious about how it would taste on his tongue. Lio seems to be enjoying it, though Galo has a feeling that the little smile on his face has more to do with reminiscing that it does the taste of the shisha.
Seriously? Bonfires? Galo is about to protest, to say that he'd never be able to start a fire that big, but then Lio goes on to tell him about some fond memories he has of lakes and bonfires and beaches, and he can't quite bring himself to totally rain on Lio's parade by saying that that doesn't sound fun at all. Several bonfires burning bright and hot enough to light up the night sky? No thank you!
When Lio looks up at him with that grin (Lio please) he'll see a confused look on Galo's face. He wracks his brain, trying to push thoughts of fire bad out of his head long enough to search his memories for any recollection of such a song.
In the end he comes up with nothing. Alas.]
Old song? Not sure I've heard of that one. Or maybe I have and I just don't remember it? I'm not sure, but man, a ring of fire...
[Sounds dangerous. Galo frowns at the very thought, though it quickly turns into a little pout, because he can't actually tell if Lio is being serious here or not.
Surely not.]
Anyway, you can't just expect me to jump from lighting tiny coals to lighting a bonfire! There's just no way!
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Last time--that was weeks ago--they'd ended up back at Galo's place after some media event sprawled out on Galo's bed browsing the worst of r/showerthoughts and staying up till two am arguing about whether things could actually be on fire or fire was on things. Another particularly inane post had driven them to the convenience store where they proceeded to buy out the entire stock of oranges and take them to a near by park. Swinging side by as the sky bled from deep dark blue to pink as the sunrise crested over the high rise buildings all around him. Months out, it was somehow nostalgic. They'd promise that they should do this again. Probably say something just like it today. Something always comes up, another meeting, another late night. Another cat stuck in a tree though Lio can't really complain about those when he gets like a dozen pictures as an apology.
Little by little the daily monotonies don't just wear Lio down, the fill him up. Always pushing harder, always striving for better. It's a wonder where he keeps finding room for any of it. Until, serendipitously, days like this happen and Galo pulls out the stopper, letting it all spill out again. Bleeding him empty, until he's completely free.
Galo says he doesn't know the song and that's all Lio cares about in that moment, eyes a little wider, a little brighter, the smile spreading like an infection.] No? Johnny Cash? [Galo, please.] It's a classic.
[Maybe it's the hookah possessing him now. It doesn't take long for it to go to the head. Lio gives the stiff end of the hose a little swing and starts to hum the opening refrain of a song he knows all too well.] I fell in to a burning ring of fire. I fell down down down and the flames they went higher. No?
[He gives Galo maybe a second to respond before it's clear the recognition isn't there. Lio, with his family and his childhood and this lake in the summer and now. Music. He's just overflowing today. And it's nice. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he makes the promise, if only to himself that it wouldn't be weeks upon weeks again. That he'd make more time for this. For himself. For both of them.
Finally, the hose is a passed over for Galo to appreciate. Or choke on again. Either option is still a genuine possibility.] It's settled then. I'll torture you with a bonfire and a proper music education.
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It really is unfortunate that they don't get to spend more time together one on one. Between rescue work, reconstruction efforts and media appearances it's difficult to find the time, and even when they are free sometimes they're just too exhausted to do much more than veg out on the couch until they pass out asleep. But Galo is stubborn, and sometimes he wants to see Lio anyway, and so they meet up wherever sounds good at the time, often late at night or in the wee hours of the morning when most of the others are fast asleep, and just spend what time they can together before one or both of them eventually succumbs to exhaustion. It's never a bad time, but Galo really wishes they could just have an entire weekend to themselves sometime. Maybe someday. Now that their lives are more stable the possibility of getting together again is high, it just might not be as soon as Galo wants it to be.
Lio looks up at him, eyes wide and smiling, and it's clear that he's amused that Galo is unfamiliar with the song. Or maybe he's just happy to get a chance to tell someone about it, either way Galo is all ears, and he shakes his head at the name Lio gives him. It sounds vaguely familiar, but that probably doesn't count.]
Nope. Not ringing any bells.
[Galo is into music, of course he is, but mostly modern stuff, or like, classics from the 80's. He doesn't know many country stars of old, so Lio has him pretty much stumped here.
He's caught completely off-guard when Lio actually starts humming the song, and he doesn't think he's actually ever heard him do that before. Maybe a couple of notes, but never this much, and then Lio sings a little bit of the lyrics for him, and Galo is completely charmed. He doesn't recognize the song, no, but he still grins like a fool, and he can't help but give Lio a little side hug, just because.]
Nah, dunno the song, but I kinda liked hearing you sing it anyway.
[Lio must be in an exceptionally good mood for him to share this much with Galo, and though Lio is usually pretty relaxed around him these days this is on a whole other level. Galo likes it, and he'd love a repeat sometime, preferably sooner rather than later. They can figure something out, set aside a day or something to hang out again soon, he's sure of it. They've both been wearing themselves so thin lately that Galo is pretty sure that he could talk Ignis into giving him at least a single day off, and maybe Lio could manage to find the time to take a day off from his duties as the honorary leader of sorts for the former Burnish too. Surely just a single day of freedom from all their responsibilities couldn't hurt, right?
He takes the hose from Lio as he mulls it over, and then Lio says that, and Galo can't help but laugh, even if...Lio is probably being totally serious right now...]
You're on! I might not like it, but the great Galo Thymos will light a bonfire and learn all about music, just you watch!! Well, I won't like the fire part anyway, but the music could be interesting.
[He wonders to himself what Lio might have to teach him about music. A lot, probably. Galo is kind of looking forward to it now, especially if it involves Lio humming or singing to him.
This time he's a little smarter about taking a pull from the hookah, at least. He puts the end of the hose in his mouth and breaths in slow, steady and deep, letting the smoke fill his lungs before exhaling it in a big, poofy cloud of strawberry goodness. He smacks his lips a few times and hums, and in the end gives the flavor a literal thumb's up.]
Waaaay better than that pine flavor. Good choice, Lio.