sempiternals | How could your heart be stolen by a human?

( He has not forgotten their talks about having a garden somewhere in the Fortress. Perhaps in the less populated areas it might be possible, given it receives the light from the ocean. However, this idea is far away in the distance, waiting the results of Kaveh's current project.

He keeps his gaze on him as he explains, watching as the water trickles down his wet hair and down the sides of his face. Any move sends a ripple of peace across the basin, sloshing water underneath the surface. Kaveh might not know this, but he has quite an attractive forehead, shaping up his brows and structure, highlighting the rough edges normally hidden by hair. He brushes it back to see him better.

The last thing in his mind is losing him. He dabs his thumb over his eyebrow, then down his cheekbone. )

You already built a huge castle in Sumeru, didn't you? I've only seen pictures of it in the Steambird. It's really impressive. I'd like to see the plans of what you're working on now. I might not be a genius, but I have some experience on building certain things. Would you want to build a house in Fontaine? Or Sumeru? Materials would depend on that.

[ A pleased flush works its way across Kaveh's cheeks when Wriothesley says he's seen pictures of the Palace of Alcazarzaray before. Of course, pictures never match up quite to the real thing, but that's what their trip is for (among other things, of course), and there's something genuine and pleased on his expression at the idea of being able to show the other man more of his work in person. Perhaps they can even go to Port Ormos, and look at the work on the lighthouse... is it showing off too much, he wonders?

And as for these plans of his Wriothesley wants to see.. ]

The palace isn't mine to live in, though. I want to build the perfect, dream place. For me, not for a merchant. In Fontaine. I have the blueprints in my book, I'm happy to show you—

[ Although not, he thinks, without making some alterations. Right now it's all too clear from his sketches that his idea connects his design to the Fortress, something designed not for him alone but for the two of them to share. Archons know he's put enough pressure on Wriothesley over the last few months; the last thing the older man needs to know is that he's designed a future for the two of them too—

He erases the worry with a lazy nuzzle of his face into Wriothesley's neck, fingers splaying slow and exploratory strokes over the other's chest, thumb rubbing over his a nipple. And Kaveh wonders what he'd look like with another bolt of metal pressed through the nub of skin, what kind of pleasure it would bring the other man— what it would feel like if he were brave enough to seek the same. The thought makes him bite his lip for a moment. ]

After our bath, I can show you.

( There is no such thing as showing off so much. Wriothesley hopes to see the sights Kaveh has created in the flesh. His interest for Kaveh from the beginning has led him to read up on older articles during the times the Palace was finished, but he's unaware of all his other projects. )

I'll be happy to see them. With your creative freedom, I have no doubts you'll make something spectacular. How big are you thinking?

( The thought briefly short-circuits when he feels Kaveh's fingers exploring his chest and nipple. It's not an area that ever gets much attention, so his sensitivity comes as a surprise. He looks down through the water, flickering his attention from it towards Kaveh. )

See something you like?

[ He smiles at the question, expression genuine, if a little shy. ]

Big enough that people from all around will want to see it, big enough that they can see it without intruding on the day to day life, but not so big that it's uncomfortable. The right number of rooms for all inhabitants and perhaps a guest room or two, but without going overboard.

[ And he would explain more, perhaps, but he sees the change on Wriothesley's face, laughs softly at the way the other's expression shifts down to look at himself and the thumb rubbing over the nub of skin, and then back to Kaveh with a question that makes the blonde smile. ]

Mm, just you. [ It's said with a playful tone, another gentle brush of his thumb, and then Kaveh presses another kiss to Wriothesley's chin. ] I was just thinking about how piercings might change the feeling of this, too. That's all.

For all inhabitants, how many people do you think you'll be living with?

( Besides just the two of them, but Wriothesley keeps the emphasis to himself. Who knows if Kaveh is truly seeing a future that far ahead with him. It would also suggest Wriothesley will have to leave his post at the Fortress and he's not sure he can do that within the next five or ten years.

It's the perfect time to be playing with his nipple, as it takes his thoughts away from the matter. He smiles down at Kaveh's thumb underwater dab over his flesh. He feels a sudden swarm of heat around it and it tickles the back of his head somehow. It must be the small hairs down his nape rising in pure delight. )

I can't imagine it being more sensitive than this, but I'm willing to try it. You want me to pierce them? I'd only have to take off the piercings whenever I have boxing matches. I don't mind doing it for you.

[ Mm... is it that Wriothesley sees right through him, to the way he's trying to avoid mentioning that he dreams of them living together, the two of them? Or is that the other man doesn't see it and hopes that Kaveh is dreaming of it? He's not sure,

and he hates how uncomfortable he feels about being unsure.

He would love to just tell Wriothesley everything, about all the dreams and ideas he's had, but he's still afraid of doing too much, saying too much, of scaring him off. And so, instead, he just chuckles (even if the sound seems thin in his own mind), nuzzles his nose against the other's chin. ]

However many I end up living with, I guess.

[ It's a terrible, horrible answer, but it hides the fantasies of them living together in a house of his own design, and greater yet, the thoughts he's entertained of taking in a kid or two, gifting lost children the childhood both of them once lost.

He redirects his attention to the other's nipple, smiling up at Wriothesley and hoping he can manage to change the topic more permanently. ]

If you want to, I don't mind. But I was actually thinking about me.

[ A pause, and then: ]

Althoguh... I was actually wondering if maybe you'd teach me a little, too. Boxing, I mean.

( The brief window of silence is enough for him to see the brief discomfort. Kaveh isn’t the only one trying to hold himself back in some way. He’s about to delve into that world and expose themselves to another difficult situation when Kaveh points out his nipple again.

Wriothesley stares in awe, as light were once again filling his eyes. He adjusts himself higher against the tub, clearing this throat. To mess around with Kaveh’s nipple as it’s pierced— he glances down at it. )

You— seriously?

Wait and the boxing?

Are you feeling alright? Is the water too hot?

[ Realistically, if Kaveh would stop and think about it for a moment, he would realize that all his thoughts will be laid bare for Wriothesley to see the moment they get out of the bath. For as much as he wanted to make changes to his sketches to protect his daydreams, he's already promised the other man that he'll show him once they're out of the bath. So there's little point either in talking his way in circles around the topic... yet he does, because he's anxious about it, and about how Wriothesley will feel.

Still, for a moment, he thinks he's not going to get away with changing the topic so obviously. And then Wriothesley's entire expression shifts and he stares, and takes over a sentence to process, and then asks if Kaveh is alright, and the blonde laughs, his arms looping around the older man's shoulders to pull him into a soft, reassuring kiss. ]

Seriously. I've been thinking about it a little lately. Not just because it would feel good, I... I think it would look good.

[ He enjoys far too much looking at the other, after all. ]

And... as for the boxing, I just... [ His eyes drop. ] I keep going back to that day in my head. If I'd been able to defend myself better, maybe... maybe things wouldn't have been that bad.

( Even kissing him doesn't erase the way his features watch Kaveh in pure awe of his input. Fine as the water is, it's about time they part ways with the relaxation unless they want their skin to prune any more. But before that, he tries catching Kaveh's gaze by lifting his chin again. Many anxieties are dormant behind those eyes, he knows that much. He'll revisit the blueprint topic later, after they make plans for their nipples. )

You know what happened wasn't your fault, but I'd be happy to teach you a few moves anyway. I won't go too easy on you, though.

In the meantime, let's get dried up. Is your throat up for some tea and dessert? I can order us some so we can discuss the fate of your nipples.

I know.

[ ...He's working on it, at least. ]

And I know you won't go easy on me. But that's good, right? [ He smiles, and steals one more nuzzled kiss, trying his best to hide his expression within it before he nods, and allows Wriothesley's words to plan their next step. He lifts himself from the bath, taking up one luxuriously fluffy towel and offering the other to the other man, nodding in response to the question— and then squeaking in scandalized amusement to the end of it. ]

Tea and dessert sound like a lovely venue for that discussion.

[ He laughs, shaking his head. Maybe while they wait for it to arrive... ]

While we wait, I can tidy my sketch up a little as well so you'll understand it more easily.

[ Read: so he can conceal some of the elements that make it all-too-clear he's dreamed up a future for the both of them, together. ]

Edited 2024-03-05 11:51 (UTC)

( He gazes at Kaveh in all his beauty rising from the water. The way he’s adorned by it and the bruising on his hip makes him an even better piece of art. Wriothesley feels a little bad, though— he was more rough than he normally would be.

He pats himself dry using the towel before leaving it tied around his waist. )

It’s the only way to get better or any actual skill. But it’ll take a while to properly use those skills, hopefully you never have to again.

( Once he’s in the bedroom again, he only wears his boxers and the shirt so he can prepare the tea in the kitchenette. He also calls for a Melusine to take the rest of the order. )

Sketch in real time? Wow, I get to witness your talent in real time. Let’s see it. No pressure.

[ If he's honest, he barely even notices the bruises. He'll feel them tomorrow, no doubt, but right now the only thing that matters to him about them is that he has something to enjoy in the way Wriothesley's eyes carve a path down his body, lingering against his hips for a moment to take in the sight of it.

He fastens his own towel around his waist too, and unlike Wriothesley doesn't think to get dressed; he makes a beeline for his bag, thinking to get as much fixing of his sketch done by the time the other is done with the tea—

only to realize that his usual sketchbook isn't here, but left in the Fortress and a younger, blanker one picked up by mistake. All his worries are completely unfounded. He has the freedom to start fresh, to conceal those parts of the design that would make his future wishes too obvious.

Visibly relaxed compared to before, Kaveh sits on one of the barstools at the kitchenette counter and starts to draw lines out on the paper as Wriothesley prepares their tea. Sprawled over two pages, he works on two things at once. First: an external view of a house half atop the water and half in, distinctly missing the Fortress deep beneath it and the elevator that takes the inhabitants directly to its depths. Second: a floorplan, with a boxing gym carefully replaced with a leisure room, and children's rooms marked instead for guests. ]

( He can only admire Kaveh as he hurries to all his things to shuffle through his books or papers. Wriothesley is still busy on the other side of the room, tending to the kettle and mixing the right amount of tea blend. As someone who likes to tinker with metal work and buildings things for himself, he likes the passion behind it. Perhaps if they built a house together someday, they could incorporate different elements they both liked.

The thought is quick to flee when he turns his attention back to Kaveh, joining him at the table with the two cups of tea. He thought Kaveh would have had the design already, but instead it appears he's starting over on a blank canvas. )

I see you're going to give me a live tour, huh?

[ If only he knew the full, humiliating story, that Kaveh's eagerness comes out of a desire to hide—

he's glad Wriothesley doesn't know the full humiliating story.

He nudges into the other's side as he sits down, though, offering him a brief smile, one tinged with that same embarrassment. ]

It seems that when I left the Fortress yesterday, I was in such a hurry that I grabbed the wrong book. My main sketchbook is still down there. So... live tour it is, I guess.

[ And it's good timing. He's just finished the outline, after all. ]

Are you ready?

Oh? Then please, by all means.

( To witness Kaveh’s creative hand lace every line and corner of dimensions he only sees in his mind is true talent. Wriothesley has an idea of what the floor plan may look like, but nothing like how Kaveh envisions it. He inches his chair closer to him, sipping tea and glancing at his face as he focuses into the task. )

Where is the main bedroom?

[ Kaveh can't quite help the small burst of pride he feels when Wriothesley asks about the main bedroom. The man may not understand blueprints and architecture the way he does, but once the foundation and structure of the house is planned out— accounted for already by the basic outline he's provided thus far— the central rooms are best with which to begin. And while there are other rooms in the design he would consider to be more central, especially in this case, the master bedroom is a good start. ]

Here.

[ Kaveh is quick to start sketching it out toward the middle of one of the outlined sections: a large room connected to two hallways and a smaller room. One hallway leads to the other public areas in the house. The other, and the smaller room, remain a mystery for now, as Kaveh adds to the side of the blueprint a more environmental sketch of the room, showcasing among other elements a beautiful skylight in the ceiling. ]

The design is mostly a subaquatic one, built onto the side of a cliff-face for support. I wanted to have some features designed around that, so the master bedroom has a glass roof so you can watch the water moving above. Of course, sunlight's important too, so this room over here, the living room— [ and he sketches out another room joined by the hallway in the area he's thinking of as public ] —has a similar layout, but is just that little taller so that its ceiling breaches sea level. At day time, it gets natural sunlight, and at night you can see the stars.

( It’s difficult putting the right image in his head, especially when so many risk factors start sounding off. A house on the edge of a cliff?! When he glances at Kaveh, he does see the stars in his face, and the intention on making this a reality. The vision is beautiful, but he is concerned as far as safety goes. He traces the page he’s drawing the lines on, following the exact line work as if he’s trying to get into Kaveh’s head. )

I see now why you made such a big name for yourself in Sumeru. This won’t be an easy feat.

There’s plenty of cliff edges near the Fortress. I will happily have some materials mined for you to make sure the foundation is stable.

And where do I sleep?

( He looks at him with a smirk almost playing on his lips, reaching out to caress his cheekbone, as if already knowing the answer. )

[ Kaveh laughs, and in response to Wriothesley's statement about making sure to help him with a steady foundation, he reaches out to squeeze the other man's hand with his free one, offering him a gentle smile. ]

That's wonderful, thank you. The foundation and support will have to be strong to support the water pressure and the height combined, so you're right— it won't be an easy project. But I already have some plans in place, and with a lot of math I'll be able to make it work.

[ He doesn't tell Wriothesley that one of those plans involves a central column acting both as a support and a quick transport to the Fortress— less for himself and more for its Warden. After all, the house is designed for the both of them, even if he doesn't want right now to show the older man just how much thought he's put into planning a future for the both of them.

His question is met with a smile, though, a gentle nudge of Kaveh's head against his as he traces the pencil over the top of the bedroom without drawing anything else just yet. ]

You'll sleep with me, of course.

( Kaveh's tenacity whenever he puts his mind to a project will always strike Wriothesley through his chest. Unlike before, when he pushed away the throbs, aches, and butterflies, he fully embraces and lets them live. They bloom through him as Kaveh continues to explain and he can only try to envision the end result, changing the Fontaine skyline forever.

He squeezes his hand back, tilting his head so he can catch a kiss from his temple. )

Of course.

( He closes his eyes as he presses his forehead to him, drawing in a deep breath. He wants to release everything he's feeling, break all the floodgates loose and confess how glad he is to have him. Instead: )

Are you feeling better? After everything.

[ Kaveh has always been able to read people remarkably well. Perhaps, if his nose wasn't all but jammed in a fresh draft, he'd notice the hint of difference in the air around Wriothesley, too, the desire for the other man to let go and be rather than to run away and hide. But as it is, he's still caught up too far in his own need to conceal, his fear that he'll push the other away just by wanting as much as he does.

(And there's irony here, because if Kaveh could just take a moment and see the change in the other man's energy, perhaps he would feel that need so strongly.)

But Wriothesley's forehead finds his, and Kaveh's hand tightens on the one wrapped around his own, eyes closing as he processes the question on the other's lips, nods slowly. ]

Yeah. I am. I'm sorry I was so quick to run.

( He was right to run. Wriothesley won’t hold it against him, but he hopes he wouldn’t do it again. Then what will the house be for? Pretty decor across Fontaine to bring in more tourism near the Fortress?

He breathes in deep, leaving his cheek with a soft kiss and a smile. The heaviness falls completely off of the air when their gazes meet. )

Is your ass alright?

[ The question, bold and upfront as it is— as Wriothesley always is— has Kaveh stuttering in surprise for a moment or two, a red flush working its way across his cheeks, and he turns into the other man just so he can brace hands on his chest, act as if he's about to shove at him. ]

My ass is fine, you absolute barbarian—

[ And then, because despite all the name-calling, he really is just as bad as Wriothesley (perhaps worse): ]

Why, are you wanting to put it back to use?

( Look, let the man show some concern about the wellbeing of Kaveh’s holes, okay. He took no mercy on his throat either, he’s surprised he can talk. Besides, isn’t Kaveh just as bad he is? Horny beyond salvage. He leans in to connect a kiss to his lips before pulling away with a laugh.

He continues to sip on his tea after, looking at the draft on the table. )

I will, but not right now. We could go shopping for a plug, like you mentioned.

[ He can talk now, sure. After a night's rest he may find that the lack of use allows things to tighten up. But at least for the rest of the day he's okay— and by the time the next morning rolls around it turns out he's alright anyway, having plied himself with teas throughout the day at Wriothesley's silent insistence.

(Insistence being merely that Wriothesley drinks a lot of tea, and has the habit of preparing one for Kaveh too whenever he does.)

But the day winds on— the drafts are left behind for now, no difficult answers for Kaveh to express, they go to the shops per the warden's suggestion and emerge not only with a plug, but with some other toys to boot. They sleep, Kaveh wakes up fine, and they return to the Fortress early in the morning with the blonde determined to get back into work now that the worst of things is over.

Getting back to it isn't so easy though. There's still an atmosphere of confusion in the air, maybe even fear, and some of the inmates have questions that are unspoken— and unanswered by Kaveh who knows the answers but would never dare voice them. There are the whispers, too, whispers that paint the scenario is something horrible and dark and almost supernatural. It's oppressive, and heavy, and despite that he makes it through the day, manages to smile through the evening in Wriothesley's quarters— now with his own things moved over too, giving him a proper space to live and work again—

Somehow it still doesn't stop the nightmares from coming in the middle of the night, and Kaveh wakes in a cold sweat, breath heavy against Wriothesley's chest and tears in his eyes, an image in the forefront of his mind that he can't shake despite everything. ]

( The sight of them in the city leaves a trail of rumors that come and go between the hours. Is the Duke seeing someone? But that someone is an exotic man. The same sentiments cross people's minds the moment they return to the Fortress as an item. More comfortable than he could ever display after a trip to the surface, hands full of shopping bags and other goods not found here.

Using some of these toys when he fucks him will redefine the meaning of sex. Just as Kaveh adds color to the depths, or more purpose to his routines. Going to sleep that night means sharing his bed with Kaveh and even his dreams have him in it. The same can't be said for Kaveh, though, as that same night he gets a sense of dread that pulls him out from his slumber.

He has some curtains pulled halfway so the dim light from the chasm holding the ship isn't as bright in his room. He feels Kaveh almost tremble, no, it's like he's struggling to breathe. He blinks a few times, unsure if he's the one waking to uneasy, unresolved feelings in his chest. )

Kaveh?

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