When he allowed himself to dwell on that, G'raha was quite amazed at how Senri turned his life upside down in such a short time. It's been barely a few weeks since his lover's arrival in the First, and not only they were so close to saving this shard – and his Warrior's future alongside it – but he felt almost overwhelmed by the… changes around him.
He was literally never lonely now – since Damon's presence – but not only the immortal was to… blame for that. He at least understood and knew when G'raha was feeling like it was quite… too much and he needed at least a short break. Between his lessons with Ardbert, work with Beq Lugg over the crystal vessels, and now the near-constant presence of Hades and his friend and while subtly preparing Lyna and the rest of the citizens for his departure… he could hardly find a moment to think.
And he had so many things he felt like he should be thinking about… but even all that didn't distract him as much as Senri's presence did, for obvious reasons. When he was with his lover… all his senses went into overdrive – seemingly trying to make up for the one hundred years of separation.
Do you wish he didn't come back for the night? Damon hummed with obvious surprise and G'raha flinched and blushed furiously, curling into himself with shame. He almost forgot about his presence… again, right after discarding his robes and crawling into their nest.
It's not that, he replied with a sigh, bashfully pulling the blanket around his waist tightly and laying back against the raised edge of the nest, folding his wrists behind his head. He flushed even darker at the reminder of what went down in the Cabinet of Curiosity – especially when he at first thought that at any moment someone could catch them – and gods, but he seemed to just discover another kink of his with that – one that wasn't that surprising considering how instinctively proud he was of belonging to his mate… And honestly, after that talk with Y'shtola and Senri's advances… Oh, wicked white… his mate really wasn't that far off saying he wouldn't mind being fucked right in front of her – the sheer arousal he felt at the idea of marking his Warrior as his was unbelievable – and confusing. He was never really a possessive type before meeting him – and even though at some level he did know it was instinctive for their kind – it still a bit freaked him out.
Oh, I get it, Damon chuckled fondly, then sighed. But it's as I said before, my boy. I am quite sure he doesn't find your feelings confining or needy. If anything, Senri seems even more fiercely possessive than you. And honestly, after your childhood – and staying here – it's only natural that you want him so much. I find it unbearably beautiful how well you fit together even with your… issues.
G'raha flinched slightly, opened his eyes, and stared at the ceiling above the nest numbly, remembering his misstep in the library.
More than a century ago – for him, anyway – at first he thought it was a joke when his Warrior bashfully admitted that he hated his looks. For him – and not only him – Senri was unbearably beautiful, inside and out. He couldn't help but admire and feel insane lust at the mere look at him… But when he laughed – in his naïve ignorance, then – and his Senri flinched as if slapped… and he understood how serious he exactly was about it – his heart broke. As crappy as was his own childhood – when he thought of Senri's – especially after now getting a full image of it after their connection – he ached internally.
When Damon quietly hummed with an agreement, he closed his eyes and sighed deeply.
Growing up, his mate was a happy kit – and if he allowed himself to admit that, he was more than a bit jealous of that part of his childhood. Especially of his mother, T'rhasa, and her obvious care for her boy. What he knew of Seeker tribes from lecture and now from Senri's memories, it was rarely a case. Male kits, seen as more of a temporary commodity than anything else, were mostly left to their own devices – fed, taken care of, and trained, but not much else. But T'rhasa seemed somewhat… unique among other females he saw through his mate's eyes.
Her only male kit – Senri was the apple of her eye. Though sneakily so as to not upset other females and his sisters, she seemed to simply adore him – spoiling his lover silly when no one was watching. Maybe because he looked so distinctively unique. He smiled involuntarily at the thought. But then – when his Warrior hit puberty and suddenly his body changed drastically nearly overnight – she stopped to be the only one to notice his… exceptionality.
Actually, we're partially to blame for that, Damon suddenly whispered sheepishly.
Huh? He frowned, opening his eyes and staring at the ceiling again. What do you mean?
His looks, Damon whispered with a sigh. Are… slightly different than in the previous timeline.
An image appeared inside his head and G'raha gasped involuntarily then frowned instantly. It was the image of his lover, yes… but distinctively different. His hair and fur were slightly browner than ink-black, his eyes darker, almost navy blue, and definitely not as tall as he was used to. He couldn't help how his jaw dropped.
My theory is that it's because of Ares's presence inside him, Damon whispered with consideration, ignoring his surprise. Same as you look almost exactly like I used to – for the first time in millennia. The spell I created – as you can probably imagine – was quite… unique and it's not like I could truly predict all of its consequences, my boy, he admitted sheepishly. And since I adored my Ares so much… it might have slightly affected it when I have woven it into his soul.
Another image, this time a distinctively Hyur-like version of Senri he was used to – though with the eyes of his immortal passenger.
That's my Ares, Damon chuckled with obvious pride… and maybe a bit wistfully. You can see what I mean, right?
Yes, he definitely could… G'raha frowned, suddenly reminded of something he meant to ask his Ascian…
Oh, the eyes? That's quite simple, the immortal answered automatically. Yours would change as well – if not for the Allagan blood. It's quite a dominating trait, you see – which I am very thankful for, I admit, since it saves me the trouble that Senri and Ares have to deal with when switching, as you call it.
I see, he replied, then scowled. But, going back to Senri… if his looks were so different, what about his childhood…?
Honestly…? No idea, the immortal sighed. I imagine he still left his tribe since I don't think my spell would affect his preferences – and I know for a fact that before me Ares – same as me – had a few female lovers. Though, probably he wouldn't be as 'pressed' to fight for the breeding position before doing that, I guess… I am sorry that my spell caused that, I am, believe me. Seeing the outcome… Ah, if I could change it, I would, Raha.
I know, he sighed tiredly then closed his eyes again, for a moment wondering what was taking his lover so long to join him… then he frowned and his thoughts drifted back to his mate's upbringing. And his own.
Sifting through Senri's memories as he did over the free moments he could find – though not having many of those lately – he couldn't help but notice how… right Damon was in his words once when he told him how integral for his lover's personality and actions was his… love for him. He almost rolled his eyes at himself, feeling a treacherous blush spill on his face. Though, he still found it hard to truly… wrap his head around – that Senri seemed almost… obsessed with him, no matter how negative and… flooring it sounded. And he honestly had no idea what he did to cause it – or if he… deserved such a pure, beautiful devotion – but…
Really…? You don't understand? His immortal sighed with a hint of amusement and resignation. Raha – as cute as I find your… humility – you're just so… well, to be brutally honest, plain dumb, sometimes. Wait… he added quickly when G'raha gasped with indignation. I know how it sounds, but listen, boy… There are only so many self-esteem issues I can take, and you're pushing it. So listen, and listen good, because I do NOT like to repeat myself, and he couldn't help but curl into himself at the clear aggravation in Damon's voice. You're a handsome man, with a brilliant mind and constantly bringing yourself down is not doing you any favors, you hear me? And about Senri… It's not only HIS CHOICE to love you as he does… but think back – and I do mean, think back objectively – and past the film of your issues, boy. In the short time that you had with him before – from the moment you met to sealing the Tower – WHAT do you think… was one thing that truly defined your relationship with him…?
G'raha blinked slowly, his thoughts racing… but as they kept arriving at the one word, he frowned because it simply couldn't be that… simple.
Simple? The immortal laughed a bit… bitterly. Do you really think that the… acceptance you gave him was that simple, my boy? Gods, spare me… Raha, honestly, you're too much sometimes, he sighed with resignation. Listen, similar to Ares, the… duality of his character – the sheer… chasm between his sensitivity and temper – for him meant that he never could truly be… himself around anyone. Until YOU saw all of it – and in your cute, though naïve ignorance – set off all of his instincts into overdrive. Between that first night, when you instinctively offered your heat to him when he was at his low – raw and vulnerable, and sure that no one can truly… accept his feelings – day after day, you broke down his defenses. And the way the scholars treated you around the camp – had his natural protectiveness shot over the roof. And that even knowing his preferences from day one, you didn't turn away from him… Can you imagine what that had to mean for someone who spend his whole adult life ASHAMED and convinced that what he felt was unnatural? And that night we woke up – after you so… easily took in stride the worst side of his temper – can you truly, honestly, tell me you don't understand?
He closed his eyes tightly and swallowed audibly, curling into himself. He moved his arms from behind his head to cross them over his eyes… as they burned.
That's better, the immortal said much more softly, then sighed again. Listen, I didn't mean to offend… But you do need to take it to heart, my boy… What Senri sees in you – it IS there. I know that after your… well, life, pretty much – it's… hard. I know, but the more you put yourself down – the more you… lose. The more you let those people who hammered their prejudices into your head and who used your inexperience for their own selfishness… win. It's not vain to see your strengths for what they are, Raha. And honestly… you only offend Senri's heart by being so… self-conscious. Or do you believe he would love this much someone who wasn't worth it? He chuckled when G'raha flushed darkly and instinctively shook his head. See… not that hard if you think about it that way, right? What I think… More so even than Ares, under all of his protective masks, Senri is very much a creature of instincts. And though I have to admit I do not have that much experience with Miqo'te quirks – since I can only judge them from the same perspective as you – and we both know you grew up quite… separated from that particular part of your nature… but, Raha… maybe if you try from time to time to a bit… let go of all of your strict self-control and nervousness, and let yourself to simply… be yourself – I think, you both would only benefit from that. When you feel so… uncertain – trust in Senri. He simply adores you – truly beyond reason – and no matter what you do or say, I don't think literally anything can change that. If you don't believe me… just try, once at least, and see what happens. I think the results may surprise you…
"I…" he gasped and cut off, feeling the pillows of the nest suddenly move under the new weight. He took a deep, steadying breath, cleared his throat, and pulled his arms back from over his eyes, sitting up slowly. "Sen…" his voice trailed off and his jaw dropped when he opened his eyes… gaping as his heart and brain simply stopped.
The purely… mind-shattering vision that met his eyes took his breath away and he grew so insanely, brutally aroused so instantly – his heart from the stop jumped into overdrive and pumped his boiling blood into his cock so quickly… he almost literally passed out.
Ohhh, Damon sounded honestly awed… and he almost snarled furiously, instantly hating sharing this… vision with anyone.
When he sat up slowly, shifting to sit on his knees right in front of his mate – his dick pretty much throbbing as painfully as hard his tail was whipping with agitation against the pillows while he fought not to… pounce – his eyes trailed slowly, in mind-numbed awe over his lover's body. Because despite his issues with his looks… clearly, his Senri did everything he could to accent each thing that in normal conditions blew G'raha's mind about him – his hair and fur simply shone, groomed beautifully, and his body… oh, wicked white, his body… His gorgeous, pale skin shone as well, clearly covered in some kind of oil… His intoxicating scent of fresh apples was even more pronounced than usual and had him pretty much sniffing the air greedily, leaning in involuntarily… as he panted, desperately trying to catch his breath and collect his scattered thoughts. And all that… unbearable beauty that instantly had him literally drool.. came with a delicate clang of fucking chain bound tightly around his lover's hands behind his back, and the only thing he loved but couldn't admire – was his eyes, covered by some sort of a white… bandage? Blindfold?...
"…oh, f-fuck…" he finally stuttered, fisting his mismatched hands in the blanket around his hips desperately as they seemingly… itched to reach out and touch… and take… and fuck… and gods, but he couldn't breathe… "Sen-Senri…? What… what is t-this…?"
"You… ah… l-like?" his lover whispered more than a bit shakily, then licked his lips nervously, shifting on his knees as his tail swiveled slightly, almost… bashfully landing on his thighs and his mate's ears twitched and lowered slightly. "I t-thought… maybe you… w-would…?"
"…like…?" he gasped breathlessly, then shakily, slowly let his hands move and this gorgeous vision of his lover flinched slightly when he delicately rested his palms over Senri's thighs, swallowing the mouthful of saliva as he leaned forward and dragged them up toward his hips. "…like isn't how I would… call it," he purred, using his crystalized hand to delicately push his mate's tail off his lap, licking his lips hungrily when his Warrior froze minutely and gasped softly. "Senri… my Snark… I love you, so very, very much… but like this… I really, really need to fuck you," he couldn't help but growl in the back of his throat as his hands, oh, so easily smoothed over the pale skin up to Senri's wide shoulders. His crystalized fingers possessively spread across the tattoo on his lover's shoulder – his mate's gift for him, his admission of G'raha's ownership of him – while the other trailed to his head and his normal fingers delicately wrapped around his lover's ear, petting sensitive shell until Senri's almost too-pretty lips parted around a moan and he instinctively tilted his head toward the caress. "And I do not think… I can be delicate with you…" he admitted on a choked snarl, holding to the last shreds of his leash.
"That's… that's the p-point," his lover chuckled sheepishly, blushing, oh, so… beautifully, then… "I don't… I want you to… I… I'm yours, R-Raha… to do as you please," he swallowed audibly, so clearly nervous… And he would love nothing more than reassure his beautiful lover… he would, but the pounding of his heartbeat was so loud, and he couldn't catch his breath – his very skin feeling somehow… too-hot, too tight and his dick, oh, so unbearably painful, begging for attention… and he lost it.
With a growl rumbling in the back of his throat, his normal hand left Senri's ear to brutally fist in his hair, and without conscious thought he shifted around his lover, swiftly pressing his crystalized hand between his shoulder blades and ignoring his surprised gasp, pushed – forcing his mate to topple forward without any of his usual, feline grace. Missing any of his usual finesse and restraint, G'raha simply crooned his approval, panting harshly while he freed Senri's hair to coil his fingers around his mate's bound wrists, pinning him down brutally while his crystalized fingers eagerly moved between his lover's buttocks.
"…oh, my Snark…" he purred, then sighed with bliss and nuzzled his cheek gratefully against his lover's back. "So thoughtful… You already prepared yourself for me…?" he chuckled – though even in his own ears it sounded more like a barely coherent growl – and when his beautiful mate pretty much squeaked with embarrassment… oh, so adorable…! So unbearably hot… "Thank you, my heart," he cooed, nuzzling insistently against his mate's back as he pinned him down harder, positioned his painful erection against him, and sank into him with a choked whine, losing his mind at the friction. "My good, good boy," he chuckled breathlessly, shakily stretching out over his lover's back as much as his bound arms allowed to brace his hands against Senri's shoulders and pin his upper body down harder, loving his mate's instinctive loud, rumbling purrs of arousal and submission but… honestly too lost to care as he rolled his hips roughly, impatiently, whining at the mind-blowingly tight squeeze of the heated muscles around his cock.
Pumping his aching dick in and out of that maddeningly snug heat, mindlessly purring loudly his approval and growling, gasping, drowning in pleasure… he was almost surprised when his mate arched under him with a choked mewl-purr of his name, the sound so distinctively pretty… oh, so unbearably beautiful… And the way his lover shook, gasping desperately… almost like he wanted to buck… He snarled loudly, hoarsely, and instinctively bit down on the nearest to his mouth heated skin, growling his claim in a warning – his mate… his to fuck and fuck and fuck… to take, take, take… - he pressed his arm around his male's side, digging his fingers into the tight muscles on his stomach while he went back to rutting into his mate furiously, groaning and growling into his bite mindlessly.
When his mate wailed his name almost in musical notes, he relaxed his jaw around his bite, nuzzling against it in praise and maybe murmuring something incoherently… he didn't know, couldn't now… utterly dazed and lost… and gods… but it felt so good, so unbearably freeing… Nothing inside his head but raw instinct – no worries, no shame, no insecurities – his only care to chase this incredible, tantalizing feeling…
By the fifth time he came, shuddering weakly and whining in overstimulation – T'senri figured numbly, that he might have… bit off maybe a bit more than he anticipated. But even as his muscles shook uncontrollably and he couldn't help but whimper softly, almost begging for a break… he couldn't regret that or even mind – almost instantly painfully aroused while Raha's churning, twisted and mixed feelings poured over his mind and soul in almost brutal waves – almost as brutal as the way he took him, time after time, barely stopping for a breath even as he felt him come more than once as well…
Well… he wanted him utterly wild and inhibited – and even if he probably can't walk later… Oh, Azeyma, but he was certainly enjoying the outcome… Oh, if he knew this was all it took to make his lover snap like this… He lost track of the thought when perhaps feeling his distraction, Raha bit him again, growling into his skin furiously and demanding his full attention. Involuntarily flushing up to his hairline instantly and merely mewling his submission and apologies desperately – because his mate seemed too… lost to understand anything coherent anyway – he gasped breathlessly when suddenly his lover pulled back with a quiet growl. But before he could really wonder about it, his world spun when he was brutally rolled over to his back. Not very comfortable with his arms bound behind his back – he shifted, trying to get a grip on the situation without seeing anything. Then he arched with a breathless whimper when his lover growled again, then pushed his thighs apart and basically dived in, eagerly swallowing his cock and barely stopping to relax his throat around it.
His mate's loud, insistent purrs vibrated on his dick so hard he felt it on his balls as well, and he mewled desperately as he came before he even could fully comprehend what happened. And if anything, that made his Raha's purrs only more intense after he swallowed eagerly. Clawing at his thighs with his mismatched hands so hard it was sure to leave marks, his lover lifted then licked and bit his way up his stomach and chest, pulling his legs up around his waist. T'senri merely whimpered softly when Raha took him again, sliding inside him almost too easily.
He blinked with surprise when the material from over his eyes was pulled off harshly and when his feline eyes adjusted to the weak light of few lit candles, he swallowed thickly at the sight of absolutely feral crimson eyes with impossibly dilated pupils. Raha looked almost drugged when his plush lips parted in a slow, vicious snarl.
"Here… you are," he cooed – though his normally low, soothing voice sounded, honestly, barely recognizable… more like an animalistic growl – and it sent his heart into an overdrive instantly. "My Snarrrk…" Raha drawled on a rumbling purr, then nuzzled shamelessly against his chin before raising on his arms above him and rolled his hips, growling as he fucked him while his narrowed eyes bore into his face with focus of the predator.
He swallowed thickly, wrapping his legs around him possessively despite his slight… uncertainty at the change in his lover, but it swiftly melted away as the pleasure mounted almost too quickly. Soon he was purring loudly, hoarsely – his throat quite… raw – but rolling his hips to meet his lover's brutal thrusts. Loving how that had Raha's expression soften in strange mix of arousal and purely male pride.
"My beautiful mate," his lover chuckled breathlessly in that raspy voice, slowing down and bracing on his crystalized arm to press the other against his sweat-dampened cheek with almost… painful tenderness in his feral eyes. "My prrretty, prrretty Snarrrk… so eagerrr… so mine…"
"Y-yours, Raha," he gasped, then licked his lips nervously and cleared his throat, suddenly hearing how hoarse he sounded. "Only yours, always…"
"…miiine…" the loud, happy note in that was undeniable and sent T'senri's heart aflutter. "Only miiine…" and his mouth fell on his, taking his breath and mind along with it and his lover kissed him the same way he went back to fucking him, furiously and possessively. Biting his lips and slamming his tongue inside his mouth in tandem with the way he shifted slightly to pummel his dick harshly against the spot that had the Warrior see stars, feeding him his desperate mewls and whimpers.
Before long he was coming again, swearing and nearly sobbing under his lover's mouth, as his pleasure edged so close to pain he wasn't sure anymore which one of the two it was… And as the wave after wave of incredible heat rolled through his body and his muscles spasmed and jerked – suddenly something flashed under his eyelids and when he peered through his lashes numbly, Raha lit up, his lips tilting in a vicious smirk on top of his as sparks of fucking lightning ran over his skin and crystal and…
He arched with a scream when those sparks went into him, setting all his nerve endings to simply blaze and sizzle… and honestly surprised, he came again, now openly sobbing and whining, and whimpering as his whole body shook uncontrollably, overcharged and completely ablaze. And while his mind simply spun and drowned in the painful pleasure of it, he felt… a push and pull and heard Raha alluring mewl-purr of his name inside his head… so tempting, so insanely inviting… so without conscious thought he gave in, happy and content and loved and adored as he opened his soul to his mate completely, mewling his submission under too-hot lips while his lover took him in the most beautiful, sinful, impossible way…
…and his mind simply went out.
"Just… fuck," Damon chuckled breathlessly, shakily falling on top of his lover. "What in the…? Oh, boy… but this boy had a looot of pent up… feelings. You okay, Ares…?"
"Honestly…? Not sure," his husband laughed softly, his voice raw and hoarse. "I think… our body can definitely use some healing, love."
"Oh, sure," he scrambled off him, then ran his hand through his hair, pushing them back. First, he unbound Ares's arms, then set to carefully heal him all over, almost… wincing at all the bites and scratches. "What brought this about… actually? I kind of… recognize the idea, but wouldn't think Senri had in him…?"
"Oh, my bad," Ares chortled, massaging his wrists absent-mindedly. "He wanted some… advice how to, well… blow Raha's mind, pretty much. I just didn't expect that the result would be so… spectacular."
"Well…" Damon snickered sheepishly. "The timing might have something to do with that, to be honest. Right before you… came in, we had a bit of a chat – and I might have suggested to him to… let loose a little."
"Ohhhh," Ares laughed out loud, his voice sounding much better as he slapped his hand against Damon's crystalized shoulder. "That… he did, definitely! Holy fuck, but that was… something," he fell back into the pillows – full of snickers and chuckles. Damon sighed, then rolled his eyes, cutting off the healing, then carefully settled on top of his husband's chest and smiled when he wrapped his arms around him. "Honestly… he almost had me worried there for a second. What was with those… eyes?"
"I'm not exactly sure," he murmured, nuzzling his cheek against his lover's heart. "Something to do with Miqo'te… possessiveness, I think?" he frowned, trying to sort out the feeling. "It's all kind of… muddled. Like… ah, when he went under, so to call it – it was nothing but hissing and purrs in his mind – but not in any way he… we ever experienced before. I think… even if I tried, I couldn't take over – he was so insanely intent on taking Senri… It's almost scary," he shrugged slightly with a quiet snicker. "As I said… a lot of pent up feelings… I guess."
"Mortals," Ares chuckled and Damon sniggered in agreement.
G'raha blinked slowly, sleepily nuzzling against the hot skin under his cheek, then yawned widely – feeling utterly… spent. A lazy, slowly purrs tickling the back of his throat, it took him a long, long moment to realize gentle, soothing fingers ran delicately through his hair, stopping to massage the back of his ear from time to time.
"…Seeenri…?" he drawled slowly, with effort tilting his head to look up with a slight mix of worry and apprehension. "I didn't hurt you… did I?"
"I feel… amazing," ice-blue irises flashed toward him from under jet-black lashes and G'raha simply… blushed at the sight of the pure… devotion and so much love in their depths… his heart stuttered to a stop for a long second.
"Sen… Snark, I…" he licked his lips nervously, then took a deep breath and opened his mouth… not even sure what he wanted to say.
"Shhh, it's okay," his beautiful lover sent him a sweet, reassuringly goofy grin then wrapped his arms around him possessively and almost painfully, burying his nose in his hair and his near-deafening purrs suddenly for some reason had G'raha's eyes… burn. Because as he closed them, curling almost desperately into his mate's embrace, the memory of the moment right before he… passed out had his heart simply pounding furiously.
For a one – singular and perfect – moment they were one. One mind and soul, Senri's thoughts and feelings his own… and he honestly could not understand it – not really – but all of his seemingly endless loneliness and that awful… thought in the back of his head that nobody could ever truly want him… were simply gone. Anything and everything – any negative, hurtful feeling just… melted under the sheer… power of his lover's utter… devotion and love for him so blinding… It felt almost like… his very soul was bathed in the surface of the sun.
He chuckled wetly, tightening his arms around his lover painfully.
"Hmmm?" Senri hummed, nuzzling against his ears with blissed-out, happy purrs.
"You're… my Sun," he whispered softly, shyly.
"Ahhh… promotion," his lover snarked with amusement and G'raha snorted instantly. "From Snark to a guiding star to the Sun… I'm honored, really…" he drawled, teasingly swatting his ass with a quiet snicker. "What's next…?"
"No, you silly mate of mine," he chuckled, lifting his head to look at his lover's grin… and his soul simply melted again. "I meant… g-gods, you ruined it!" he sighed with resignation, dropping his head against Senri's chest.
"Huh? No, now you have to tell me," as predicted, his Senri, of course, whined petulantly, now insistently nuzzling against his ear. And G'raha could scarcely hid his enamored grin against his skin, but couldn't stop his tail from going absolutely wild with enthusiasm even if he tried. "Raaaha… don't be like that," his brave Warrior grumbled with annoyance at his silence though his deep voice rang with humor. Then he growled softly and rolled them over, pinning him down into the pillows. "Teeell me," he whined needily, raining affectionate kisses over his face until he couldn't help but laugh brilliantly, shaking with it as he wrapped his mismatched hands around his handsome face and pulled him closer, until their foreheads met. And drowning the ice-blue irises so full of humor, love and devotion his heart simply… sang.
"If I'm… Seeker of the Sun…" he finally whispered shakily and almost… expired when understanding dawned in those eyes before he could even finish. "…you're my Sun," he did anyway, feeling his throat tighten painfully at the sight of tears gathering at the corners of his lover's eyes.
"S-Silly Raha," Senri snarked, closing his eyes and exhaling slowly. "Look what you did… You are going to make me bawl like a kit…" he laughed self-consciously, then sighed and buried his face against G'raha's shoulder. He smiled tenderly, then wrapped his arms around his shoulders, purring soothingly and delicately petting his hair and ears. "What do you t-think you were for me… all this time, silly Raha?" he whispered against the crystal on his throat after a moment and G'raha closed his eyes, not even aware of the tears that spilled down his temples.
"I know… now," he chuckled sheepishly, then pressed a delicate kiss on his mate's throat. "And… I'm sorry it took me so long, Snark."
"Ah… better late than never," his lover snarked, then sighed softly. "I love you, Raha."
"I love you too, my Sun," he whispered, tightening his arms around him possessively. "Then, now and forever."
"Okay, spill," his best friend snapped, cornering T'senri against the wall in the corridor between the Beehive and the main plaza in Eulmore. And considering how much smaller Alisaie was than him, it was quite a feat… but seeing the fire in her eyes, he almost wilted with a whimper. Busted.
He barely arrived in Kholusia when she pounced, under the pretext dragging him off toward this spot and shoving him against the wall with a glare.
"I… I have no idea what are you talking about," he tried, sending her a trademark grin and almost curled into himself when she growled and fisted her hand in his shirt in a warning.
"Don't give me that bullshit, Senri!" she downright hissed, glaring daggers and he instantly knew he's fucked. "Now, spill! What is up with you and Exarch? Do you think I'm blind? Either tell me, or I'll drag you down to the others and you'll be explaining yourself to us all, am I clear?"
"Crystal clear," he sighed with resignation, knowing her enough to know she never bluffed. And clearly was seriously pissed off. "Okay, okay… I know him, from… before," he started carefully, then cleared his throat when she tossed him a deadpan stare, but backed away slightly, letting go of his shirt and folding her arms over her chest.
"That much I figured out," she raised her nose pointedly, and twitched her eyebrows expectantly. "What 'before' are we talking about?"
"Before I knew you," he sighed, then pushed off the wall and scratched his chin. "It's a long story…"
"Well… are you in a hurry, then?" she scowled darkly, narrowing her eyes in a warning.
"No, I mean… we can get comfortable while I tell you everything," he said submissively, pointing toward the Beehive. "It's really a long story, Firecracker."
Everything? Ares hummed with obvious amusement.
As much as I have to, he replied, following her when she turned and headed toward it with a scoff. By the way… how did your talk with Hades go?
Don't ask, the immortal sounded honestly pained.
Well, for what it's worth… I wouldn't mind more pointers, he admitted sheepishly, then flinched when Alisaie turned in the entrance and tossed him another sharp look.
I imagine, Ares snorted a laugh. Later, my boy.
"He dares to lecture me?!" Hades scowled darkly, pacing furiously around the massive, empty room inside the recreated by him Bureau of the Architect. Room that used to host Damon's office. "Me?!"
If he allowed himself to admit that, it felt like his blush will never go away – one of the reasons he bolted from his brother after he truly understand why he cornered him. Of course, Ares being the overbearing… buffoon he always was, would think he needed a lecture in… that!
Gods… he was millennia old and not a… child anymore!
"Are you… okay?" a sudden voice behind him had him almost stumble and he turned with an involuntary growl, his face completely on fire. "Whoa… I guess, you got the… talk, too?" Hythlodaeus looked nothing if not like he was about to burst into a laugh.
"Don't… start," he hissed through his teeth, narrowing his too-bright golden eyes in fury. Maybe it was vain of him… but he discarded his mortal vessel soon after the mind-blowing revelation of his… family still being around. In a way… at least.
"You have to admit… it's kind of hilarious," his lover's lips twitched involuntarily and purple eyes shone suspiciously… but he fought against it with deep, slow breaths as he neared him. "And… maybe a bit cute. That they would think we need the… ah, pointers."
"Just… don't!" he wilted, covering his face with his palms. "I swear… I thought I'm going to die… or kill him… or both!"
"Ah, so dramatic," Hythlodaeus broke, snorting a laugh, then wrapped his arms around him when he tossed him a deadpan stare through his fingers. "You told Ares the truth?"
"Which one…?" he drawled, dropping his arms to rest his head against his lover's shoulder with a tired sigh. "That we fucked as soon as they left us alone… or that I made their bodies immortal so they can never leave me again…?"
"Maybe both...?" his lover chuckled, then sighed and rested his head against his shoulder in turn. "They'll notice… sooner or later," he whispered, tightening his arms around him.
"…and?" he deadpanned with a shrug, then wrapped his arms around him in turn. "They're back… that's all I care about. If Ares is enough of a sentimental… fool to make himself mortal for his… vessel – that's his doing. I didn't… choose to be born for them, Hyth. But they promised me they'll be always there… so they will – want it or not."
"That's such a… dishonest way to admit you missed them," Hythlodaeus laughed softly, then pressed a kiss on his throat when he hissed with indignation. "But then, you might want to cut down on… stalking your father, love… Because I'm pretty sure that's what brought this lecture about."
He knew. Hades's face flamed harder but he nodded reluctantly without a word. He could try, at least… But as seemingly constantly Ares was surrounded now by infuriating mortals, Damon was an… easy target to watch. Make sure he doesn't… disappear as suddenly as he appeared. And if Damon was around… nothing would tear him and his brother from his side. Not again…
And maybe in a few centuries, it'll get easier… to breathe without that insane need to make sure that they're there… constantly. Maybe… someday. For now – he had Hythlodaeus again… But as much as he loved him – he wasn't the one he was literally… born for. The very… reason for his existence.
And until his brother's or father's mortal vessels suffer the damage high enough to activate the spell – he won't know, for certain – that it worked. That he managed to bind their bodies' existence to his aether. And if it did… as long as he'll be alive – they will, too. As it was supposed to be since he was born. And the mortal souls they carried along…? Well, who cared what they wanted…? Certainly, not him…
"Think… we can go back for a bit…?" he murmured and winced slightly when Hythlodaeus chuckled.
"Of course, love," he said with a sigh, then smiled reassuringly after he leaned away. Then he grinned, seeing his blush. "As soon as you stop coloring so prettily, I think?"
"Infernal Ares," he growled, rolling his eyes with resignation, then he dropped his head against his lover's shoulder again and involuntarily tightened his arms around him. "Gods… I missed them," he whispered shakily, closing his eyes.
"I know," Hythlodaeus sighed, rubbing his hand over his back in comfort.
