(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

[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...

[monolike]

[He wears long sleeves to defend against shark attacks, obviously,

There's a tinge of loneliness, of desperation that wasn't there before that helps chase off some of that overwhelming feeling. Sorey manages to pull back far enough to search Dezel's face, brows pinched in worry.] ... I've never been worried about you hurting me, [Sorey chides gently, carding his fingers through Dezel's hair.

He draws up to his full height and gently tugs at Dezel until he bends enough for Sorey to coax his ear over his heart.] Here; just listen. [His heartbeat is a bit fast, but steady and strong. Sorey plays with the ends of Dezel's hair idly.] That's not going anywhere. I'm not going anywhere. Okay?

[sylphystia]

But you asked--

[He doesn't finish. Sorey pulls him until his ear rests against the Shepherd's heart, familiar and strong. His arms are warm, too, and it's enough to get Dezel to pipe down some. That's right. He's not going anywhere. Not yet. Not for sixty, seventy years if they're lucky. Maybe Sorey can live a while longer, too, like Mayvin.]

... Okay.

[No, he wouldn't want Sorey to do that. Wouldn't dare ask. Sorey deserves a normal human life where he isn't expected to be anyone but himself. After being groomed to be the goddamn Shepherd and savior of the world, he deserves everything he couldn't get before.

Dezel presses into the touches a bit, lashes fluttering. It's very, very nice to have someone's hands in his hair... and he's forgotten. He's forgotten so many things.]

I'm not going anywhere, either. I might wander a little, but I won't go too far.

[He cracks one eye open.] If you keep doing that, though, I'll just wander off to bed.

[monolike]

Yeah, these bunks aren't exactly built for sharing, huh? [Sorey tuts. PITY.

He's not quite done yet though. He runs his still tingling fingertips down Dezel's back, walking his fingers carefully down his spine. Dezel's shoulders are so masculine and broad; Sorey had no idea he liked that but lo, he really really does, so he rubs his hand across them, relishing Dezel's weight against his chest.]

[sylphystia]

[Dezel chuckles lowly.] We could make it work if you really wanted. [He doesn't move though, not yet; he's letting Sorey explore with his fingertips much in the same way Dezel learned his face. It feels nice to be held, to have his back rubbed. He's sure Sorey would like it, too.

So he slips his now ungloved hands beneath the hem of Sorey's shirt, slow and warm. He finds the shape of his hips, traces the lines up, up, up across his abdomen and the various little scars left from prickleboar hunting and saving the world. His thumbs tease at Sorey's nips only for a moment-- and then his hands shift to Sorey's back, kneading into the muscles of his back as if he were a bird with tired wings.]

[monolike]

[Dezel's hands slip up his shirt and Sorey tenses up a little bit before he relaxes. Dezel's so touchy, and while it feels like it shouldn't be a big deal considering they've literally shared a body, this is a whole new kind of intimacy that he's just not used to. He also knows Dezel's getting a kick out of making him yelp and twitch so even when those thumbs brush over his nipples he suppresses everything except for the barest jump of his shoulders. Punk.

But then Dezel digs his fingers into Sorey's back and he relaxes again, marginally, though he does give Dezel a chiding thump to his back.]

You're not gonna rile me up again, you know. I'm not that easy! [Sorey you literally just told him how inexperienced you are, like, not even two hours ago.]

[sylphystia]

[Sorey's the punk, honestly, but Dezel wouldn't have it any other way. He straightens so he can leave a few lazy fluttery kisses at Sorey's throat.] I wouldn't say you're easy. I had to wait a thousand years to kiss you.

[Not that he was lovesick in that time. He didn't really have the capacity to think about that right after he'd been freed. Something eased when he let himself live a little and accept the chance he'd been given. Seraphim have a different concept of time, and even a loner like Dezel has kissed someone once or twice.]

[monolike]

[yOU ARe kisSINg hiS THROat

That doesn't pass without a squeak, but Sorey is way too interested/nervous to get annoyed about slipping up. He clutches Dezel and tries to pull his thoughts together into coherency, even though Dezel's lips are so light they're almost ticklish.] ....what? -uh! I mean, yeah, you...wait, did you want to kiss me before?