(no subject)

[monolike]

[The first thing Sorey thinks as he falls is what Lailah said as they left Camlann; that without his domain, all of them would instantly be hellions. The ground collapses beneath his feet, the wind drake behind him snaps up his cloak in its jaws and he sees the terror on Mikleo's face just before Symonne's laughter shrieks out and he and the drake fall together.

If they're too far away from me-

He can still feel their connection. He can still feel them, even if they can't go to him, and Sorey prays that's enough.

Wind rushes past them and Sorey tries to wrench out of the drake's grip (It's gotta be a wind seraph, Zaveid had shouted as they were thrown into the thick of battle in the tight corridors of the fortress), twisting and turning, sword in his hand. They'd weakened the drake considerably as a team but he's not sure he's powerful enough on his own to purify it, not even with all the strength he's gathered. Not without the others.

Hopefully, because Rose is there, they'll be okay. Please, please, I can't lose anyone else-

They fall far but hit a collapsed spire at an angle; in the mess the drake releases Sorey (or maybe his cloak tears, he can't tell) and he tumbles, bumps against it and hits the ground hard enough to rattle his teeth in his head and jar his bones. He pushes himself up, ignoring the bruises and aches, the constant, thumping worry of his heart and puts his sword between he and the drake as it sways up to its feet.]

Don't worry, [he promises the poor thing, because thank god, thank god it's not a dragon yet. There's still hope.] I'm going to save you. Don't worry, it'll be over soon.

Comments

[sylphystia]

[It's hard to find words with Sorey still clutching at him, still acting like if he lets go of Dezel's hair, the wind seraph might fly away. It's nothing of the sort. Dezel said he would stay, and he intends to fulfill that promise. He's got all the time in the world, after all.]

It's not a contest or anything, [he says gently, as if he's teaching Sorey something mundane like how to chop a tomato rather than dealing with the mysteries of a new relationship.] Just go with what feels right. You find out what works and what doesn't.

[He runs his thumb across Sorey's cheeks again, marveling at the softness of his skin, the familiar angle of his jaw. Sorey has been asleep for a thousand years but he still maintains his youth. But even if he hadn't, Dezel would still find him handsome in his own right. Sorey's soul is beautiful, pristine and clear like the sky over the land he'd purified, and that's all Dezel knows.]

We can go as slow as you want. And if you want to stop, all you have to do is say so.

[His other hand rubs gently at the small of the former Shepherd's back. He hopes it's comforting.]

[monolike]

[It's kiiinda ticklish actually, and Sorey squirms a little. He at least relaxes his hands so they slip down to rest on Dezel's shoulders instead of remaining buried in his hair like they're about to have some wild sex or something.

BUT OH BOY! His face is so hot. Oooooh boy. Sorey laughs nervously because Dezel sounds so knowledgeable about this and he knows seraphim are beings outside of time but he doesn't think this is weird right? It's not weird is it? Sorey's technically over a thousand also, even if he wasn't awake for it. And Dezel totally flounders sometimes but he's not with this and this is ssssooooo so embarrassing.] U-uh...maybe...we can just hold hands? And enjoy the view for a little while?

[sylphystia]

[Dezel can tell even before Sorey says anything that he's getting flustered, so he eases up on the touches a bit. His smile is surprisingly tender as he shifts his hold to Sorey's hands, tugging them into a proper hold.]

Sounds good to me.

[He wasn't suggesting they go down below decks and start swabbing or anything. But it's true they probably shouldn't be learning each other's mouths when they are essentially in public. It's... kind of impolite, and people would certainly expect better from what they see as a Prime Lord and his Shepherd.]

Want to take a look around?

[monolike]

Yeah! [Oh what a relief. Not that he doesn't like kissing Dezel, he actually kind of likes it too much, but this is much more comfortable.

He takes Dezel's hand in his as they climb to their feet, heart pounding but in a good way this time. He's been wanting a closer look at all the mechanisms on the ship anyway.

As they amble their way across the ship, Sorey bugging Dezel or some of the crew about the more complicated aspects of the ship's buoy system, it really starts to sink in that this is something different. This is how he'd wanted to travel the world before, he and Mikleo together, exploring cities and ruins, adventuring across land and sea until they were satisfied. The incident in the church, meeting Lailah, had changed all that. It's not as if Sorey regrets becoming a Shepherd...but having a second chance at this is definitely a blessing he didn't expect to receive.

When they finish out their day of work, Sorey manages to find a merchant who will trade him a sheaf of paper and this little stick he insists is a pen for some of the old gald he has on his person. Sorey sits himself down on the bunk he and Dezel will be sharing in the passengers' barracks with his purchase, fiddling with the pen until he figures out how to work it.] The ink is inside? Amazing.

[sylphystia]

[Dezel quietly soaks in Sorey's happiness like a beam of sunshine. He's just so warm and curious and thankful for a second chance. Dezel had some reservations at first-- he always does-- but seeing Sorey like this, seeing him living and exploring like he wanted to do... It erases them all. Abandoning Sorey to Mikleo's responsibility or hell, even Lailah's, would've been terribly selfish.

He sits beside Sorey-- and look, he has a tray of food.]

Yeah, but you have to refill it now and then.

[monolike]

[Yessss, sustenance.

Sorey beams and sets aside the pen, reaching out to squeeze Dezel's hand after he pulls the tray into his lap.] That's still amazing! You wouldn't believe how many ink pots I've broken while exploring. If I could just carry a bunch of these, I'd never have to worry about it!

[sylphystia]

[He isn't really expecting the hand squeezing, but he squeezes back. All while avoiding eye contact, of course.]

I'd be careful if I were you. If you shake them around too much, they tend to leak. Violently.

[monolike]

Are you speaking from personal experience? [Dezel covered in ink from a leaky pen...]

[sylphystia]

[... and not realizing it because he's blind.]

I ran a package to Mikleo once.

[Oh no.]

He was furious.

[monolike]

[That makes Sorey burst out laughing. He can imagine the look that was on Mikleo's face, shoulders hitched up, fist raised and everything.] Let me guess, lemme guess what he said! [Fist on his hip, scrunched up face,] "Dezel, you wind stepped the whole way here, didn't you? I swear, you wind seraphim! Always have to rush!"

[sylphystia]

[Sorey's laugh is always a treat, especially the uncontrollable kind. He's prone to snickering or chuckling when it's warranted, but the joyful burst from inside is something to behold. As Sorey does that impression of Mikleo, Dezel can't help the look of pure fondness on his face. He doesn't even realize he's smiling.

Smack him. Please.]

Almost word for word. He gave me hell for a while after that...

[monolike]

[Absolutely not, Dezel's genuine smile is beautiful.]

How long did it take for him to get over it? [He's just curious. Months? Years?]

[sylphystia]

He didn't talk to me for about three months.

[He rubs at his chin, thinking.]

He still brings it up sometimes. Mostly as a reminder to be careful with things.

[monolike]

Yeah, that sure sounds like Mikleo. [Sorey was banned from haircare for years. He's probably still banned.

Sorey eats with a little more gusto than before buoyed by the idea that Mikleo maybe hasn't changed that much after all.] So don't shake the pens, got it. Thanks Dezel.

[sylphystia]

If this one doesn't last, don't worry about it. We can get nicer things in the next town.

[He kicks off his boots, then strips off his jacket and hangs it up beside the door. He's fairly sure Sorey won't tolerate him just not sleeping, even if they hadn't kissed a little.]

[monolike]

The merchant who sold me this told me there was this thing called a typewriter? I wanna check it out. [There's unfortunately not enough room on the bunks for more than one person to a bed but Sorey will get his affection somehow!!!

Before Dezel can swing himself up into the top bunk Sorey sets aside his tray and grabs for his sleeve, cheeks pink.] Hey, could I...kiss you goodnight?

[sylphystia]

A typewriter? Oh, right. The clacky thing. You'd probably love to take it apart.

[Dezel's not going just yet, but as he moves to fuss over the bed anyway, Sorey grabs him. He pauses immediately and glances down at him, a little bit surprised-- but then that faint smile returns.]

Sorey, [he says patiently as he removes his hat,] you don't have to ask.

[As far as he's concerned, Sorey has free rein to kiss him as much as he wants. Sorey's the one who hasn't lived for a thousand years; he's the one who needs to learn how to navigate personal relationships, how to kiss and hold someone in the right way. How to ask for things when he wants them. How to take them when they're offered.

He reaches around Sorey to set the hat on the nightstand, then continues leaning in. His fingers are warm and surprisingly gentle as he cups his savior's face and guides him into a tender kiss. This one is more practiced, with less chapped lips and cool air harassing them from all sides, though Dezel finds it in him to play a little with the feather earrings.]

[monolike]

[It's really hard not to get wrapped up in Dezel; for every part of him that's straightforward and down to earth, there's another that shrouds him in mystery and sucks Sorey in, eager to solve a riddle of which he has no comprehension of the scope. Dezel slides in close and cups his face and Sorey tilts up automatically, heart in his throat as Dezel leans in to kiss him sure and soft. His earrings flick gently and Sorey can't tell if it's from Dezel's fingers or a breeze, but in the end it doesn't matter.

He's swept up for all of a moment before he reaches up to slide a hand around the back of Dezel's neck, face burning. He pulls back far enough to give him a playful scowl, flicking his forehead.]

I said I wanted to kiss you, [he points out before this time pulling Dezel to meet him instead, a little uncoordinated but all the more eager for it, tongue flitting against Dezel's lip in a fit of boldness before Sorey backs off to grin cheekily, face flushed but happy, so happy.]

[sylphystia]

[Sorey is so damn cute when he pouts like that. Dezel hears it, he sees it like only he can. He might just overflow with all this ridiculous joy. It really is ridiculous. He's like a kid again. He's found an old part of himself that he never, ever wants to bury again.]

Sorry, [he mumbles against Sorey's lips, but the smile proves that he isn't really sorry at all. The other man's shy bravery is refreshingly honest, albeit brief. It leaves the wind seraph just as blissfully scarlet.]

Wanna try that again? Or should we stop?

[He doesn't want to stop, but Sorey also looks like he might spontaneously burst into flames. Maybe he really does want to sleep. Dezel can't really fault him if he can't.]

[monolike]

Can- [Sorey hesitates, a little shocked at his own nerve, but he rubs his thumb against Dezel's neck and plows bravely onward.] Can I...see your teeth really quick?

[sylphystia]

[... Oh.

Well, now he is definitely scarlet.]

They look worse than they are. You won't get hurt if you touch them.

[A real shark would have teeth like needles and probably lose them all the time. Still, Sorey is curious, so he pulls his lips back in his usual not-quite-scowl. After a moment, he gets an idea.

He takes Sorey's other hand, warms it in his palms, and then flashes a brief grin before he nibbles on the other man's fingers.

See? It's not so bad.]

[monolike]

[SC
REAM

DON'T MIND SOREY JUST DYING RIGHT HERE]

I-I see. It's- I mean- [He probably shouldn't say aloud that it feels like that one time a puppy had chewed on his hand, mostly because that and this gave him VASTLY DIFFERENT FEELINGS.] Dezel, you- What're you gonna do if somebody comes in here?! Geez-

[sylphystia]

[Something about the way Sorey freaks out is just so satisfying. Dezel is pretty sure this is why people get him riled up instead. Welp. Time to pay it forward.]

The room's ours and it's nighttime.

[The chances of someone bursting in on them are pretty low as is, and even if they tried, Dezel could slam the door shut. But that wasn't quite a no he heard, so he just... continues... he's probably going to keep nibbling and sucking on those two fingers until Sorey gives up.]

[monolike]

You're such a jerk sometimes... [OH HO IT'S A BATTLE OF WILLS IS IT???

Well, it is sincerely unfair that on top of being beautiful Dezel is being terrifyingly handsome, and Sorey has to hide his face against his shoulder even though he knows Dezel can't technically see it. His teeth and tongue kind of tickle, but at the same time it feels so good in a way Sorey is wholly unfamiliar with. He squirms and peeks at Dezel sucking on his fingers, teeth points pricking gentle against his first knuckles and he can hear the blood pounding in his ear. What would his teeth feel like on Sorey's lips? His own tongue? ...elsewhere?

Ohhhh geez oh geez. Sorey shoves his face into Dezel's hair as shivers wrack down his spine. He's kind of terrified of it but at the same time he wants to do more with Dezel, so badly. He wraps his free arm around Dezel's shoulders, fingers digging into the firm muscle of his back as Sorey tries to hang on.]

[sylphystia]

[Sorey's quickly getting overwhelmed, so Dezel quietly chalks that up under the yes column. At the same time he doesn't want to alienate Sorey either. He breathes a soft chuckle as the Shepherd clings to him. He really is cute... and handsome, and Dezel doesn't need eyes to see that much.

He shifts his grip, leaving little kisses on the inside of Sorey's palm instead, all the way to his wrist. Then Dezel nips a little. He'd like to continue, but there's this thing called a shirt, and Sorey wears long sleeves for some reason.]

See, I won't hurt you.

[There should be an element of teasing in there, but he's honest in this. A thousand years, and he's learned to deal with his curse. He'll protect Sorey with everything he has, not as a guardian of the Grand Shepherd's resting place but--

-- but as a friend, a companion. A lover. Someone who knows his true name.

He turns his head a bit, halting the kisses so he can nuzzle into Sorey's hair.]

If you need a minute...