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

( 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? ]

( He holds onto him tightly as if there is some sense of regret that he was unable to protect him sooner. Blood could have been spared if he just followed his heart from the beginning, or listened to Navia.

Kaveh’s words fall heavy in his chest, thundering through everything keeping his composure. Kaveh has used the word before, sure, but not outside a sense of urgency. This is relieved, it’s genuine. Wriothesley feels a knot in his throat as they both lay in silence, feeling his eyes slowly come to shut. )

I do, too, Kaveh.

[ Of course, in a faerie tale, the hero's confession to his prince is answered not with "I do too" but with something more open, an "I love you too" perhaps— but Kaveh's prince has always been more of a soldier, rough around the edges in a way that keeps such words at bay. Still, in the moment he finds that he's not disappointed; to the contrary his eyes open again, those tears continuing to well there as he presses himself closer, peers up at the other through the dark in silence, just taking in the sight of him with his eyes closed and a look on his face the younger man can't quite place.

He leans up, lips brushing tender over the bottom of Wriothesley's chin, his throat, resting against him in silence. And even then he can't process the words well enough to answer, letting the press of his body and tightening of his arms do the talking for him.

And he wonders: if Wriothesley loves him, too, perhaps showing him the whole blueprint is okay, secrets and all... ]

( They are words that may come back to gut him, so he uses them sparingly if ever. This estranged feeling that he has been keeping at bay keeps rushing in, and each time he gets a taste of it, it fills him more.

It would be odd using the word love to describe it, because he's not this type of cliche - he has never come close to feeling the need for it on the tip of his tongue as he does now. He shifts so their bodies are pressed perfectly against one another. Exhaustion begins to take him to sleep once again, relaxed to the scent of Kaveh next to him, his chest breathing in and out, his cock warmed against his.

But then he's up and about at his usual hour, carefully having pried himself off of Kaveh and the bed. He doesn't bother waking him since he knows he must have lost precious time to rest after having a nightmare. Instead, he sits on his table and under candlelight, shuffling through his papers and sipping tea. )

[ To Wriothesley, the sight of Kaveh waking up is sure to be something of an amusing one. The first moment is abrupt, a jolt to wakefulness that has arms akimbo, reaching and confused as he sits up; hooded crimson eyes sweep the room, alight on him, and visibly relax before the blonde sinks back into the bed, seemingly mollified. Perhaps 30 seconds pass, perhaps a minute, before Kaveh mutters something that makes Mehrak light up, the toolbox projecting the time for him in a wash of green light (an additional modification he's made since being more frequently underground) before it fades and leaves the room in candlelight again. Only then does he get up, padding across the room to Wriothesley's side, wrapping arms around his shoulders from behind and leaning to press a soft kiss to the side of his cheek, a murmur: "G'morning."

In those 30 to 60 seconds, a lot happened in Kaveh's mind. The remembrance of what happened the night before on a bigger level than immediate panic, the recognition that Wriothesley is still here with him and hasn't thrown him away, the immediate bridges his mind builds to the events of merely a day or so ago and the knowledge he has now versus that which he had then.

It's for that reason, that, aware of the time and that they have enough of it (unless the other man has work left over from their absence), he nudges his nose against Wriothesley's cheek, a slight smile on his lips. ]

Do you have time for me to show you something?

( Mehrak has grown on him lately, so he's not startled in the slightest when his room takes on a greenish, neon glow after Kaveh wakes up. He only ever gives him his attention to ensure he's still not plagued by the emotions that disturbed him previously.
When the light fades, he goes back to shuffling through his papers, counting the inventory from the factory left by one of his staff the night before.

His smile is immediately in place as soon as he feels Kaveh's arms around his shoulders. He tilts his head to meet his kiss with his cheek, lifted and content. )

Looks someone managed to have better dreams, huh.

( He leans back far enough so he can actually glance at him, more curious than any cat in the city. )

I do now. What is it?

[ Kaveh smiles. He did manage to have better dreams, largely due to the man whose shoulders his arms are wrapped around now. He nuzzles that same nose against his cheek, and while there's a part of him that just wants to snuggle close and doze, the curiosity in the other's eyes lights that fire under him, gets him moving as he gestures Mehrak over, pressing one more kiss to Wriothesley's cheek before straightening up. ]

I thought I'd show you the actual blueprint I drew, not the one I sketched out on the spot.

[ A command, and Mehrak lights the air in front of them with lines and electronic scans of Kaveh's handwriting, showing a similar but more polished, more complete version of the blueprint they looked at before. This time, the private rooms adjoined to the master bedroom are visibly labeled: a private living space, a study/workroom for Kaveh, a gym for Wriothesley. The elevator leading directly from that private space to the Fortress is also visible where it was omitted entirely last time. Guest rooms are labeled as "Guest? Adopt? Discuss." Overall, it's clear the space was designed not only with Kaveh in mind, but both of them.

He takes a breath, not saying anything for now but watching Wriothesley's reaction. The words are all ready to rush out from the tip of his tongue, to explain, to placate, to fix, but he remains silent.

Hopeful. ]

( All these kisses he’s getting will infiltrate his mind throughout the day when he starts doing his work rounds. Seeing Kaveh this content after the bad night definitely becomes a highlight— proof he’s doing something right between them.

As Mehrak once again displays light to showcase the more refined blueprint, the missing points in the other sketch finally make sense.

The model also makes it easier to envision where on a cliff the house might hold, and how clearly the elevator is aimed down to connect to the Fortress. The commute wouldn’t be long at all with Kaveh’s design, so he glances at him utterly awestruck and silent. )

How long ago did you make this?
It’s wonderful.

( There’s one other thing standing out from the design that catches his attention— a smaller room with additional labeling. He glances at Kaveh briefly, before withdrawing to himself. He won’t mention it if Kaveh doesn’t— it’s not exactly a discussion he’s ready to have, mainly because he knows the answer. )

When do you want to start construction?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

omfg 700

happy seven centuries, onto the eighth

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject