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

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?

No—

[ The word comes almost as a sob, Kaveh's hands bracing on Wriothesley's chest as if to push him away— and for a moment, that's what the blonde does, shoves for space between them, only for his eyes to adjust in the dark to the figure wrapped around him.

His heart pounds in his chest, trying to separate dream from reality, and tears sparkle unabated on his cheeks as he presses back into the comfort of the other's warmth, face burying itself in his chest as he tries to steady himself. ]

Sorry. [ It's breathed out on a shaky sob, Kaveh trying to right himself even as the images keep focused at the forefront of his mind, trying to drag him back into the panic and the grief. ] Sorry. I'm okay. I promise. Just... just nightmares.

[ Violent and awful, but just nightmares. ]

( In the pitch of darkness, he suspects a nightmare is truly what should be blamed. But part of him briefly thinks if perhaps this is what Kaveh does: crying in silence and agony when the rest of the world is sound asleep. He doesn't attempt to pull him in close like he's afraid to cause him to flee instead. )

Don't apologize. I'm here.

( He waits for Kaveh to come to terms with his visions and for him to slowly settle into reality. Only then does Wriothesley wrap his arm around his side to give him some sort of comfort or protection. The room is cold as ever. )

Breathe in. You're here with me.

...Thanks.

[ Kaveh mutters the word as an arm is wrapped around him, and he curls himself into Wriothesley's side with a soft sigh, breathing through the anxiety as it slowly but surely fades. He looks up at the other man with a weak smile, and in the dark there's a flash of an image, something half-remembered and bone-chilling, glint of eye and flash of teeth among the blood.

He presses closer, face into Wriothesley's shoulder, breathing in that scent he loves so much, allowing it to calm him further. ]

I'm here. I'm okay.

[ He mumbles the words half to himself, eyes closing as his breath steadies. ]

( As curious as he is, he avoids bringing up any questions about his nightmare while he's still trying to settle. He tilts his chin down to kiss his crown, then his temple, massaging his hand up and down his back to give him some warmth. )

See? You're okay. Do you want me to turn on the light?

Mm.

[ Kaveh's answer is non-committal because truth be told he doesn't really know if he wants the light on or not. The darkness swallows, it's true, but saying yes means Wriothesley pulling away from him to pierce it with light...

After a moment of silence, he shakes his head, presses in closer. ]

I'm fine. Don't get up.. I'd rather you stay here with me.

( There's still a few hours until they have to actually get up, so he pulls another layer of sheets over their bodies once Kaveh makes up his mind. He moves a hand around the back of Kaveh's skull, tangling their legs underneath the covers. It must have been something bad enough to bring tears to his eyes, and he seemed fine the previous nights. So he begins to deduce that the Fortress might be an issue in itself. It hides many secrets and much death. )

I won't go anywhere.

[ Of course, Kaveh has no idea whatsoever what Wriothesley is thinking regarding the Fortress itself being a cause of the issues... and if he knew, he'd protest it, even though to an extent it's true. Perhaps not as seriously as the other man thinks, though.

For now, he willingly tangles his legs through the other man's. The tendrils of sleep are reaching out to grab him again, coiling tight around his heart despite the momentary jump-start, and he nuzzles in closer, eyes falling shut like curtains over a dimming stage. ]

I know. You're here. You'll protect me.

[ Insight, perhaps, into his nightmares. ]

( The sounds in the Fortress are ever lively, with occasional creaking in the distance vibrating through walls from the ventilation system. Or the constant sounds of metal reacting to different temperatures as it shrinks or expands. After months, one could tune out these sounds and even find them peaceful.

Or they could be someone's nightmare, awakening memories they might have heard with the same sounds from all the nights he was attacked. When Kaveh mentions protection, Wriothesley suspects the nature of this nightmare and coils his arm tighter around him. )

Of course. See? Nothing can get you like this.

Mm. I know.

[ His voice cracks on the last word, even half-asleep, and he hates that, but there's nothing he can do about it. Nothing except to press in closer again, a soft sigh on his lips as he nuzzles closer into the other's chest, closing his eyes more determinedly against the tears wanting to well in them.

The protection is good— important— but he doesn't want Wriothesley to turn into something he was never meant to be, either. His fingers curl, grounding him against the other, voice another soft sigh. ]

I love you.

[ Isn't that, he thinks in his dreamlike state, what always breaks the spell in faerie tales? ]

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