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

( 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?

[ The flick of Wriothesley's eyes over that one room, followed by a silent glance his way, doesn't go unnoticed. But for now, Kaveh doesn't say anything about it. It's not a decision he's ready to have either— not when things between them are so new and he only just found the courage to show him the map as a whole as it is— so he's happy when it's left and the warden's attention goes to the rest of it instead.

Warmth finds his cheeks between the compliment and the answer to the question, and he mumbles something about having started it an embarrassingly long time ago,

(and no he won't tell you exactly when thank you very much...!)

but the most pleasant shock of the moment comes from Wriothesley asking him when he wants to start construction.

Kaveh bites his lower lip, and his fingers move to grab a strong hand, twine together with his, as he smiles slightly. ]

If I had my way, I'd start construction today. But I have a project to finish here first. So... when the Fortress work is done? Or at least done enough that I can have someone else supervise in my stead. Finishing touches and so on.

[ Because for as much as he'd like to start now, he has a work ethic to uphold. ]

Plus, I'm sure I have to get permission from the Court to just.. build on the side of the cliff like that.

( It’s fine, the silence is louder than any word. Someday he’ll pry the answer out of him, so enjoy your peace now, Kaveh. The truth is bound to surface eventually, and Wriothesley lives to tease him.

He rises up from his seat after Kaveh squeezes his hand, and he leads him against the wall, pinning the hand up. He can’t resist the idea of a promise and longevity. He could listen to Kaveh ramble on about his ideas all day, he could kiss him like this all day. Savoring his neck, trailing hot lips against his own so he can savor his mouth, too.

He pulls away with a smirk. )

You don’t have to worry about the permits— I can talk to Neuvillette anytime and speed things up.

After your project here is finished, that is.

( He arches himself a degree just to press their lips together again, grinding him slow to feel his cock through their pants. )

You also have to survey the construction site. Hm?

[ Kaveh's not quite done talking about the permission he'd need, mouth opening to discuss the land and who owns the space— or whether it perhaps technically belongs to the Fortress, being in its vertical reach— but instead of something intelligible like that, an entire squeak comes out of his mouth as the other man stands and bodies him into the wall, wrist caught in his hand as lips press along his in that hot, teasing way.

He moans softly in answer, eyes fluttering close and leaning in just in time for Wriothesley to pull away with a smirk— his own expression becoming something of a pout, though one that quickly disappears as he grits out a soft sound at the feel of the other's hips grinding into his, the shape of his cock rolling against Kaveh's own.

He's sleepy still, but he's liable to wake up very quickly— in more ways than one— if the other keeps at him like this. ]

Mm. I do.

[ He's not really thinking about the construction site anymore. ]

( Why let him finish talking when their mouths can do so much more? Tasting him so early is as refreshing as a steaming cup of tea. Nothing says I love you more than discussing the blueprints of their future, with Mehrak at their side listening in on their make out session and kissing sounds. )

And that pout is for...?

( He teases again, of course, taking a glimpse down to their hips pressed together. For a second, he briefly wonders if women are turned on this quickly, too, from times past. It would have been impossible to tell unless his hand was in their panties, but now he gets the blessing to tell right away and oh how easy it is to get Kaveh riled up. )

Wow. In front of Mehrak. Really, Kaveh?

[ He's just about ready to explain the pout— or rather, to pout more deeply and insist that Wriothesley knows what he's done— but his attention is taken in the next moment by the teasing tone in the other's voice as he looks down between them, and the sound on the blonde's lips is indignant and undignified both. ]

...You—! Archons, Wriothesley, you— I can't believe— Mehrak, go back to sleep!

[ His words increase in pitch and tempo with each syllable spoken until he's practically screeching the command at his toolbox, face flushed red as he shakes his head at the older man. ]

You're impossible.

[ But he's not really mad. It's evident in the way his free arm winds around Wriothesley's shoulders to pull him closer, even as Mehrak beep-boops in reply (and makes a Face Kaveh's not sure he's seen it make before) before drifting back across the room to the place from where Kaveh called it originally. ]

Mehrak's asleep now. I think we were talking about surveyance.

( He sees about three different expressions phase across Kaveh's features when he's met with the hit of realization and oh is it worth teasing him. Nothing is more delightful than Kaveh fussing like this, over something practically unimportant. That is, unless Mehrak is programmed to record everything, then that's a different story. )

Is it my fault you're so easy to please?

( He keeps on egging him, palming his hand between their bodies so he can slip it in to wrap around his warm cock. If surveying is dirty talking to Kaveh, then he'll never see construction the same way again. He twists delicately at his hardness, kissing his neck. )

Mhm. The bedrock should be strong enough, but drilling deep into it will be important to keep the structure from collapse. How many floors is it again?

Obviously it's your fault!

[ Kaveh hisses back immediately— or tries to hiss, even if the sound comes out as something more of a whine as Wriothesley's hand slides between them to wrap around him, his head canting back against the wall to give the other better access to the delicate skin he so loves to mark.

(He's like modeling clay in the hands of this impossible man, he thinks wildly—)

And the warden is still talking, answering his heedless flirtation with some sultry rejoinder about the drills needing to go deep, and Kaveh sucks in a breath, trying to find the right thing to say in response. ]

Three floors. [ It's a murmur, his own hands finding the other's front, skimming along the skin as they travel southwards to his hips, tugging him that little closer. ] Although that's not counting how long the elevator shaft is...

[ Mm. He's not quite as good at this as he could be, he thinks. ]

( Kaveh asks and he shall always receive. As soon as his neck is exposed, Wriothesley takes all he can from it. kissing up against his ear and down the elegant slope to his shoulder. The scent of his flesh is always so fresh, teetering from bold to delicate. He wishes to become the reason for every one of his sounds.

When he pulls away to give him the courtesy of being eye to eye when they talk, he's still smirking. He'll gladly press closer against him, although his hand is still palming up against his cock and then down to cup his balls. Purely experimental and trying to lure out more of his whines. )

It should also be wide enough to lift any furniture up after everything is finished.

[ Wriothesley doesn't have to try too hard to lure more whines out of Kaveh. The sensation of the other's lips all over his neck, paired with the way that hand continues to move against him and cup over his balls, makes him release a soft litany of sounds, hips arching into those touches and body writhing in full display of Kaveh's eagerness for more.

Still, he manages to continue the word play, even between the sounds and with his body trembling in the other's hold: ]

I'd say we should get some men to help us with that process, but I think you're strong enough to handle it by yourself.

[ His lips move to the other's earlobe, a soft brush of his tongue over the piercing. ]

I wanna go down on you.

( The pads of his fingers press gently underneath his sack, feeling the silk flesh of his taint. He’s unsure if this is something Kaveh likes, but going by his sounds: it must be alright. He barely pushes them near his ass, pulling back to push down his pants and delicately freeing his cock. )

No, you’re right. We should hire men to do the work for us. I have plenty of connections.

( He grips his thickness tight on his hand, stroking him painfully slow until Kaveh is at his ear. The pure promise of his mouth on him is enough to send a rush down his cock, pooling blood everywhere that matters so now his pants are tight. He can only let out a silly laugh at it— Kaveh’s too powerful. )

What’s stopping you?

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omfg 700

happy seven centuries, onto the eighth

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