Beach Filler Episode (OPEN)

[Dust]

By the time they reached the gate to Vasty Deep, the proud Prime was on his feet again. He had his reasons for suggesting the beach and was actually pleased that Dust seemed excited about the choice. The kid talked about celebration over what happened in Dante's Abyss, it was refreshing, to say the least, that someone could actually walk out of that place and still be able to enjoy life. Dust's mental armor had to be made from the strongest material in the omniverse for him to come out unscathed by the events, that or...

Well, there was a number of possibilities. One of those could explain the various scars on the younger prime's body. It told a story that could be interpreted as torture, easily. The Fairy Tail mage was no stranger to the marks of fire and electricity, and Dust carried that and more on his back. (Actually, he noted very quickly the claw marks down his back in the shape of an X, but chose to ignore it for the moment.) Dust could be simply desensitized to the violence of all kinds. That was almost sad enough to make Gildarts forget his own troubles.

Another explanation was that Dust was just adaptable in situations. This didn't make his unknown story any less sad, but Gildarts liked this much more than Dust being warped to thinking violence, gore, and other gruesome visions were normal.

Dust, Gildarts, and the overly dressed Doll walked through the streets of Costa Del Sol, Wolf's still bare feet - though clean now - slapped the hot stone without complaint from him. He walked with a new sense of purpose, not at all unlike a kid showing off something he thought was interesting to his dad. He was all smiles still, despite the pain in his cheeks which were healing much faster now that the younger Prime was in his element.

Without intending to, Dust had led the way to the bar he'd visited multiple times before now and Dust had to stop. He cocked his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the old 'hut'. It was clearly made of clay, where ever did the owner get it and how it withstood the hurricanes was magical, but it was a rustic brown and had no proper doors or windows. Instead, there were just holes. Wobbly holes for the windows that anyone could look through, and a rectangular cut out for the front and back door. Hanging in the doorway were a multitude of colors and shapes, beads pierced by fishing line that created a kaleidoscope like a curtain. Just past it, Gildarts could see some people already mingling. "Should we start this celebration, right? I know this place. It's great."

Gildarts paused for a moment to consider what the younger man was talking about, then he let out a laugh. Drinking his problems away didn't sound like a terrible idea, and he wouldn't mind doing it under the guise of celebration like Dust was offering, but he knew himself a lot better than that. Even more so now that his mind was his again. "How about we hold off on that until later." He offered before clapping his metal hand on Dust's bare shoulder. "Besides, what about that beach you were so excited about getting back to?" He turned the pup towards the sea, or where he could imagine a large body of water being.

That was all the boost Hokori needed to switch gears. "Fine." Dust laughed, offering his signature good mood and a laugh before waving his friend to follow once more. Behind them, the zombie-like male continued to amble along. He walked like normal, though maybe a little like his boots were a bit heavier than he was used to, the blood still smeared along his chin and his eyes focused on Dust. He continued to wordlessly follow them. "But be warned, the babes really love it." SW-808 playfully tossed back at the stronger Prime.

When they arrived at the Boardwalk Dust pockets his hands in his shorts and just beams with pride. It was odd to see such a thing, seeing how he was such a mess while talking to Tamsin. Dust hadn't shown any arrogance before, he was almost too innocent for that. And yet, Gildarts saw the pride of a man in his strong-jawed companion at that moment. In Wolf's dark gray eyes shined an intense love for this place. Dust grinned harder, even laughed and pointed towards the beach. "Look, we even have company." He teased.

Gildarts needed this. A break from fighting; fighting himself and others. He let out a sigh of relief before offering Dust a grin and patting him on the shoulder as a silent praise and then headed down the wooden stairs. Following him was the excited Dust, all but sprouting a tail and it wagging madly as he raced to keep up. The kid behind them took his time, slowly following as they strutted across the sand.

Dust looked as at home as he ever did in just the swim trunks, the jellyfish bouncing around beside him. They picked a pair of chairs in a prime spot on the beach and the two men basically flopped down on them, the umbrella between the two flopping open and casting shade over their faces as if by the sheer will of their awesome and sexy power. But before Dust knew it, Gildarts was fast asleep once more. This made the younger one chuckle. He fished out his phone for some entertainment. A message was already waiting for him, telling him he had Fan-Mail from DA. With his interest peaked and nothing else to do, he taps it and starts to go through it.

What a mistake that was...