[ His little limbs flail a bit as he's settled onto Luke's abdomen. The burst of giddiness is mirrored as his heart skips a beat and he does his best to smile with his beaked mouth. The closest he can manage is opening his mouth wide enough to show his whole jaw. Were he a normal turtle, there would be some worry he's about to bite, but America has no intention of hurting Luke.
Then the moment passes and he can feel the other boy sinking under the way America lives. It's hard to know if it's a difference in being or in personality. Forgetting is never an option, even if there are times America wishes it was. There are things that have scarred his mind beyond repair that he could do without. But friends, even ones long dead, are not among the memories he wants to discard. Leaning into the thumb on his neck, America shakes his head slightly. ]
I'm glad I didn't forget you. Any of you, or here. [ Without teeth to bare, he has to try the mimicry of a smile again, this time winking one of his eyes. On a handsome boy it would be an attractive gesture. On a turtle it just looks like he got something in his eye. ] Don't get too ahead of yourself though, I'm a real sought-after guy back home! Had some dates, even had the makings of a legend in my heart for a while. He wasn't no Luke Smith, but notorious outlaws got their own charms!
[ That relationship, if you can even call it that, didn't end happily either. America decides not to mention that. He's already garnered enough unwanted pity from Luke. ]
Anyway, I got lots more stories for ya that don't involve pining after you or puttin' tangible vestiges of memories into a box. [ More that can hopefully elicit the same giddiness instead of sadness. Enough to show that the years have been exciting and it's all been for the best. ] I live a lot longer so of course I-- wait a sec. Six times longer? But you're...
[ His mouth opens and closes a few times like he's trying to mouth the calculations. It doesn't add up at all.
He's still trying to ponder it when suddenly POOF! In a cloud of smoke and sparks that look almost like the desert sky they shared together, America is suddenly back in his usual form. Bulky and large and laying right on top of Luke, probably smothering the poor guy under the sudden weight.
He blinks a few times at the sudden change in perspective. Then a wide grin breaks across his face, hovering only inches above Luke's. ]
action
Then the moment passes and he can feel the other boy sinking under the way America lives. It's hard to know if it's a difference in being or in personality. Forgetting is never an option, even if there are times America wishes it was. There are things that have scarred his mind beyond repair that he could do without. But friends, even ones long dead, are not among the memories he wants to discard. Leaning into the thumb on his neck, America shakes his head slightly. ]
I'm glad I didn't forget you. Any of you, or here. [ Without teeth to bare, he has to try the mimicry of a smile again, this time winking one of his eyes. On a handsome boy it would be an attractive gesture. On a turtle it just looks like he got something in his eye. ] Don't get too ahead of yourself though, I'm a real sought-after guy back home! Had some dates, even had the makings of a legend in my heart for a while. He wasn't no Luke Smith, but notorious outlaws got their own charms!
[ That relationship, if you can even call it that, didn't end happily either. America decides not to mention that. He's already garnered enough unwanted pity from Luke. ]
Anyway, I got lots more stories for ya that don't involve pining after you or puttin' tangible vestiges of memories into a box. [ More that can hopefully elicit the same giddiness instead of sadness. Enough to show that the years have been exciting and it's all been for the best. ] I live a lot longer so of course I-- wait a sec. Six times longer? But you're...
[ His mouth opens and closes a few times like he's trying to mouth the calculations. It doesn't add up at all.
He's still trying to ponder it when suddenly POOF! In a cloud of smoke and sparks that look almost like the desert sky they shared together, America is suddenly back in his usual form. Bulky and large and laying right on top of Luke, probably smothering the poor guy under the sudden weight.
He blinks a few times at the sudden change in perspective. Then a wide grin breaks across his face, hovering only inches above Luke's. ]
Well hi there!