Soon after Senri left for his daily practice, G'raha twitched when someone knocked at the door of their bedroom. He hesitated, took a deep breath, then exhaled softly before steeling his spine.
"Come in," he finally called out, hiding his nerves and leaning against the desk he was sitting by. He really liked all the improvements Damon suggested for their 'lair' – even if he didn't exactly understand why the immortal insisted on dragging those items across the rift – and honestly, hoped that they weren't 'stealing' them.
The door was pushed open and Alisaie poked her head inside, then visibly relaxed seeing he was alone. Oh.
"Hey, G'raha," she said, stepping inside and closing the door behind her. "Do you have a moment?"
"Yes, of course," he smiled reassuringly – if maybe a bit fake – and motioned toward the chair in front of the desk. He relaxed further when she dropped on it, and put one leg on top of the other, crossing her arms over her chest. Senri told him that he revealed Ares to her – and she obviously wanted to talk about it… which he thought better than discussing the whole event that led to that. He was still beyond embarrassed about his… naivety. And if he was being honest… more than unnerved by his Warrior's retaliation – even if he more than agreed that considering the… number and knowing of Senri's issues with the idea – that woman more than deserved what she got. Predators like that… never stop – but had to be stopped.
What worried him though, was the growing… uneasiness he felt coming from his lover. And after Damon with a hint of apprehension created a new spell – one he was not supposed to mention or even think about – that made them immune to Senri's/Ares's gift… He understood that even his immortal didn't completely trust his Warrior with being able to resist abusing that skill – which he disagreed with. He knew – with unshakable conviction – that Senri would never hurt him.
"Senri told me… that you know…?" Alisaie murmured, slightly tightening her arms around herself. "About…"
"About Ares?" he supplied with a smile. "Yes, I do know about him. You wish to confirm that Senri is still in charge?" he sighed when she swallowed thickly and nodded slowly – clearly more than nervous about the whole thing. "He is," he said quietly, narrowing his eyes at her with consideration. "It's still very much him… with an extra passenger. And Ares is quite… Well, helpful for one – and he doesn't share other Ascians'… ideas."
"…ideas?" she frowned with confusion.
"About Rejoining," he explained, leaning back in his seat. "He also doesn't care much about Zodiark – if anything, seems to truly… resent that creation. And considering it took half of their world's population to call it forth… well, I can't say I don't understand his feelings about it." Which Damon more than shared – if he wasn't as… touchy about it as his husband.
"But…" she hesitated visibly, then sighed with frustration, dropped both legs to the ground, and leaned toward him. "What does it… he want? Senri said that the whole thing was about Emet-Selch… So, what? Is he going to… go away now?"
He chuckled involuntarily, hearing his immortal's scoff at the notion – but Damon seemed content to let him handle this – simply observing.
"Listen, Alisaie," he sighed, crossing his arms over the desk in front of him and leaning in. "They're quite literally… stuck," he smiled reassuringly when she blinked and grimaced slightly. "Yeah, I know you may find it… uncomfortable, but Ares was born into Senri – not possessed him like it was with Lahabrea and Thancred. And before you ask… no, there's no removing him – not without killing Senri. According to… him, Ares, I mean… The Warrior he met – the one that led to this – was quite different, looks and… capability-wise. Even if he wasn't awake until Senri was an adult – his presence alone changed my husband… and we are quite sure they're too…" he frowned, suddenly unnerved as something almost… prickled at the back of his mind.
Leave it be, Damon hissed suddenly, and he scowled automatically.
"They're too… what?" Alisaie prompted, frowning.
"Too… entangled," he said slowly, narrowing his eyes over her shoulder. Damon was hiding something from him… that was obvious. And it had something to do with Senri and Ares's connection… but what? "Listen… You're one of the very few that realizes that he has… issues, yes?" he whispered, leaving considering that tidbit for later. When she nodded with a quiet sigh, he cleared his throat and leaned back. "His rage… Well, it's not exactly natural or his fault, Alisaie. But at some point – after Dragonsong War – his mind… snapped," he said quietly and watched her eyes winded impossibly. "Senri… he's been through a lot – and it was just too much. We… ah, all can be thankful that Ares was there to pick up the pieces and… keep Senri from turning into something… someone very different. And…" that sensation again, and he couldn't help but scowl.
"Are you… okay, G'raha?" she asked carefully, watching his expression. "You look… bothered about something."
"Ah, it's nothing," he murmured, rubbing his open palm over his cheek. "Just this… weirdest feeling like I'm forgetting something important. You know what I mean…?"
"Forgetting…" she frowned, then apprehension sparked in her eyes and she leaned away from him visibly. "…or did he make you forget…? That Ascian? Because, apparently, that's something he can do… right?"
"He wouldn't…" G'raha snapped his mouth close and frowned. Senri wouldn't… but Ares? If he found out something the Ascians didn't want him to know…? And Damon's apparent nervousness…?
Raha, please… Leave it be, but the immortal sounded… resigned if nothing else.
She's right, isn't she…? He replied numbly. Ares… both of you made me forget something…? Something about them and how… connected they are?
"Nah, it's nothing," he smiled at Alisaie sheepishly, hoping she believes that, but seeing her eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly told him it was hopeless. He sighed, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose. "Anyway, yes, he can make others forget… things. He can make others – basically – do whatever he wants… But you know Senri, Alisaie," he added quietly, opening his eyes and looking at her earnestly. "He wouldn't… hurt any of us. He only ever wishes to keep those he cares about safe, we both know that."
"If he's really in charge," she said meaningfully, biting her lower lip and hesitating. Then she sighed softly and stood up. "I think… I need to think about it some more. Maybe… maybe you should, too, G'raha," she added carefully, avoiding his gaze and heading toward the door. "And… be careful, okay? With Ascians… you never know," she sighed softly then left, sending him a hesitant smile before closing the door behind her.
He exhaled slowly, then leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.
Spill, he sent toward his immortal. What did you make me forget, Damon?
A long moment of silence, then…
Well, not like it matters much anymore, Damon chuckled sheepishly. Listen, Raha… I am sorry, but it was necessary… at the time. When Ares ate Esteem, he used part of his soul to make up for what Senri lost with it – in the process making himself mortal. When his host would die… he would perish with him. And since we're eternally bonded – it would destroy my soul too – and yours as well. My guess is, while you two would be eventually reborn, for us it would be over…
G'raha gasped and his eyes shot wide open, staring numbly at the ceiling of their bedroom.
"Senri will…" he said out loud.
But as I said… it doesn't matter anymore, Damon added quickly. Since… you're both immortal now.
We're… what?! His jaw dropped.
Hades, his immortal chortled. When he heard of it… Well, he didn't take it well. You see, I told you that in truth, he was born… for us, yes?
He nodded involuntarily, then closed his eyes again and exhaled slowly.
We… ah, swore to him once that we'll never leave him – and now… he took offense with what Ares did for Senri. You see… my son – sadly – doesn't much care about mortals, true, but he IS and always was the most powerful of us. Clear pride rang in Damon's voice and he chuckled at that involuntarily. Ah, I'm gushing again… sorry. But it's a fact, my boy. His aether reserves – and remember, he was never sundered in the first place – are beyond unprecedented. He's also incredibly skilled in creation magic… and when he heard what his brother did, well… since there's no way to stop souls from slipping away into the aetherial sea, he bound… our bodies to his aether. As long as he is alive – our, ah… bodies won't change. Won't grow older, won't deteriorate, and especially… won't die. Including your and Senri's souls, boy.
But… he blinked, trying to collect his thoughts and wrap his mind around that… tidbit. But that can't be…
Oh, I assure you… it's very possible, Raha. And hey, look at the silver lining, his immortal chortled. Now you don't have to worry about the Crystal Tower, right?
He blinked again, then frowned. He didn't even think of his… inheritance since the first day back – distracted between Senri and… everything else. But now, reminded… Oh, wicked white… Damon was right… wasn't he? It couldn't be left without someone able to control it – that's why he sealed himself away in the first place! But if he wished to stay with his mate – that would mean he had to… He paled instantly and cringed.
He never thought of that… aspect. And now… the thought of being forced to… procreate had bile rising in his throat. The idea of letting anyone else but his lover touch him that way… was beyond disgusting. And his experiences with his female lovers… Well, he wasn't willing to repeat that. And being mated… he didn't think he could even… get it up for anyone else – short of being drugged with some specific tonics or herbs… and probably tied down to not escape on instinct or maul the… offender.
Especially since meeting and falling for Senri… well, even before that, really – he never truly considered having… a kit. Why would he… with his freaky eyes? Then his Warrior… and honestly, he forgot all about it. That they were mated didn't change the fact that they were both male – and that even now felt like… a small price to pay for his wonderful lover.
And his Senri, so fiercely possessive and protective of him – not to mention his experiences back in his tribe – he would never stand for that. Especially knowing G'raha wanted none of that…
Yeah… he hummed with a slight nod. The silver lining, definitely…
The immortal once known as Themis – not that he remembered much of that – now simply Elidibus, the Emissary, didn't even flinch or otherwise react to the sudden presence behind his back. Knowing that there were a precise few who could reach this place – the edge of the crater on the surface of the moon – he ignored his sudden company in favor of his thoughts.
After the Garlean prince so… brutally pushed him out of his latest vessel and a brief visit to the First – and the shock of seeing the balance restored… he wasn't sure how to proceed.
After Logrif's… failure, he took it upon himself to address that. With the First at the edge of collapse – the Reflection threatening to become as useless as the Thirteenth after his brothers' first fumbling attempt at Rejoining – he saw no other option than to prime the Source toward the Light and let it take its course.
It was his Calling, after all, to keep the balance.
To protect Eitherys… or at least he thought so.
He wasn't sure if it was his thoughts, truly, or part of Zodiark's consciousness. He pulled out of the god… for his brethren… but there was so much of him simply missing. His mind, like their world, splintered into fourteen pieces.
Seven times rejoined now… but he had no more than flashes of his life before becoming the heart of Zodiark.
He used to be Themis – that he knew, from Emet-Selch – and he missed… someone. He made a promise to care for their world… to someone. But who…?
The first time he saw the newest Champion of Hydealyn… there was something so incredibly familiar about the man – for years it bothered him. Emet… Hades told him that the mortal was apparently a splintered reincarnation of his older brother's soul – Ares, the Azem, but he… couldn't remember.
Lahabrea once said that the Traveler was a taboo. That he… left the Convocation when they voted in favor of summoning Zodiark – and so, he betrayed them. He tried once to ask the other Unsundered about it – but Hades was reluctant to talk of his brother.
"Elidibus," he heard his voice now behind him. "If you can spare a moment?"
To hear the other immortal so… polite, had him frown with confusion but he turned around anyway – it wasn't his way to antagonize or…
His gaze met strangely… empty bright-gold irises and he merely managed to open his mouth before something was pressed against his chest…
…and his mind simply went out.
When his brother placed the crystal vessel in his hand, Ares hummed with approval, turning it in his fingers delicately before quickly hiding it inside his jacket.
"You're free," he whispered with his gift, then blinked innocently when will spark back in Hades's eyes. He was dizzy and felt weak like a newborn kitten… but it was the price he expected for controlling someone as powerful as his little brother. Thankfully, Damon was close enough – back in their hosts' bedroom below him – and pulling on their connection helped him to stay upright. "So, could you do that, Hades?" he asked as if they never stopped their conversation.
His younger brother smirked, folding his arms over his chest, and raised his white eyebrows slightly. Ares reflected his pose and rolled his eyes.
"…please?" he added.
"That's better," Hades had the nerve to chuckle, and no… he did not flush at that! He wasn't used to asking… that's all. "When do you want it?"
"Umm," he hummed, rising his hand to scratch his chin and considered that. Damon gave him a free hand in how to get his brother into a more… subjective state of mind and use it to get them what they wanted – but now that done… well, he could use it to his own means. "Not yet… but soon. And… don't mention that to your father, okay? It's going to be a surprise."
Something… wistful flared in golden irises and they exchanged grins – not the first time scheming behind his husband's back.
'What… was that?" T'senri scowled, blinking rapidly as he was suddenly in control of his body. He couldn't remember switching… and when something poked him in the side, he frowned and pulled out a familiar crystal from behind his black jacket.
Raha's crystal vessel, the one they used for his mate's soul to travel across the rift.
Careful, his immortal hummed… sounding incredibly tired. It's not empty anymore.
"Huh?" he turned the item in his fingers, watching the sunlight reflect in its facets. "What… Who?"
Themis, Ares sighed. Sorry for using your memento, my boy… But it was the easiest way to achieve what we needed.
He blinked slowly a few times, then scowled, hid the crystal again, and shifted slightly… uncomfortably, bracing his arms behind him on the surface of the roof and stretching his legs in front of him.
"So he's… what? Stuck inside it?" he murmured, unsummoning the mammet he was using for his practice.
Temporarily, his immortal chortled weakly. Gods… I'm tired. Word of warning, my boy… Never try to use my gift on Hades… I can barely stand the strain of it. T'senri's jaw dropped at the statement. Yeah, needed to do that – otherwise, we couldn't surprise Themis… properly. Remember my brother's and Hyth's trips? We had them… gather the missing pieces of Themis's soul from the Reflections. We used this vessel to store them – since it was designed to do that, anyway – and now… in some time, when released, he should be whole.
"When… released?" he repeated carefully.
Mhmm, Ares chuckled, then sighed. After… Zodiark is gone. We hope… no, we believe that once that thing is gone, the vessel should protect Themis's soul from following it. And once it's done… well, he won't have a choice but to accept it.
"I… see," T'senri frowned, looking up at the sky and narrowing his eyes. "If put that way… did you really have to control Hades? Especially if it's so exhausting? I'm sure he would…"
Understand? His immortal hummed. Maybe… but he can't know of… what's coming, my boy. The risk that he would try to… 'tweak' things is too big. And as I told you… there's only so much we dare to change without endangering our new world.
T'senri frowned, then stood up slowly – slightly dizzy and… beyond tired. He rubbed his face and then sighed.
"Isn't that… going to be hard, though?" he murmured, heading toward the edge of the roof. "Since, you know… he was supposed to be dead, and all. And Hythlodaeus was supposed to be a part of Zodiark…"
Don't worry, Ares assured, then sighed softly when he jumped to the ground – landing with much less… grace than usual. We have… precautions to stop them from affecting the outcome. At least until it's safe… hopefully. They're not going to like it – but until you're back from the past… we're going to cage them away, similar to Elidibus. Not in vessels, though, but the same way I secured Hythlodaeus before. Past that point… well, we can use all the help we can get – even if they'll be probably beyond pissed at us.
"I don't get it," he admitted, heading toward the backdoor leading inside. "You say it… like Zodiark is the least of our troubles. What can be worse than him?"
You'll understand soon enough, boy, his immortal sounded… ominous. Now, let me rest. And take a few days without your practice, too.
"Okay," he sighed… almost relieved to comply.
He headed to his… their bedroom and once inside, grinned at the sight of his husband – as he liked to think of him, even if he couldn't wait to repeat their Ceremony on the Source – stretched out inside their nest on his back, with his arms crossed behind his head and eyes closed. That his mate was wearing only pants – quickly had him forget his exhaustion as his eyes greedily trailed over the expanse of the tanned skin.
T'senri quietly and carefully set the crystal vessel on top of his lover's desk, then quickly discarded his jacket and a black shirt under it, to crawl on top of his mate, eagerly nuzzling against his abdomen as he hooked his fingers in the waistband of Raha's pants.
"We have to talk, Snark," his lover chuckled a bit breathlessly, but didn't stop him, instead without opening his eyes, freed one hand to sink his fingers in Warrior's hair and delicately pet his ear. Purring loudly at the caress, he set a gentle bite right under his mate's navel before a bit awkwardly pushing the offending material off his beautiful body.
"Then you shouldn't wait for me looking like a feast," he snarked, pulling his legs apart and settling between them with a content sigh. Trailing a path of delicate bites along his lover's inner thigh, he chuckled when Raha laughed a bit sheepishly, then used his grip to pull his head to his cock, already so beautifully eager for his mouth. "Oh, my silly mate, still so adorably bashful…" he chortled, then dragged his rough tongue from the base of his lover's dick to its tip, purring louder at the taste. Blindly reaching toward the pocket of his pants, he pulled out the bottle of oil and spread it over his hand while drawing small circles on the swollen head of his mate's cock with his tongue. More than enjoying Raha's choked noises at that, and the way his mate rolled his hips in a slow, eager movement, silently begging for his mouth, he growled softly in approval, pushing his pants off and spreading the oil over his cock.
Fulfilling his lover's silent request, he swallowed down his dick, barely stopping to relax his throat – purring insistently when Raha arched with a shout, then tightened his fingers painfully in his hair and mewled gratefully as he set to fuck his mouth in earnest.
He more than loved that now his lover so much more often – in more or less subtle ways – asked for him. Still so shy about needing him… but he hoped that eventually his lover really understands that he always wanted him. Any and every way his beautiful Raha would let him have him… and someday… maybe he will believe he was worthy of his beautiful heart.
Chasing away his distraction, letting his mate use him for his pleasure and purring around his flesh, T'senri pushed one oiled finger inside him and was rewarded with a lovely gasp and a whimper when his mate arched under his mouth, eagerly rocking his hips between them and the intrusion. As he started to work the tight squeeze into submission, he felt the tail of his lover curl around his neck and leash him in place while Raha fisted both hands in his hair and mewled, holding him still as his dick throbbed on Warrior's tongue. Letting another finger join the first with the next stroke into the tight ring of muscles, he purred harder, not surprised when his mate hissed loudly, then groaned deeply and came, shuddering and gasping as thick ropes of seed shot down his throat.
He laughed softly and hoarsely at his lover's dazed expression when he pulled back, setting a tender kiss right on top of his still twitching dick, then rolled him over roughly, pulling him up to his knees while Raha merely gasped then buried his blush in the pillow but eagerly stretched his back in an invitation to claim him.
It'll never stop blowing his mind, he thought numbly, closing his eyes as he leaned against his lover's back and positioning against his beautiful behind, took him slowly, moaning in bliss when the tight muscles surrounded his throbbing flesh. That his Raha mewled breathlessly into the pillow and shook with impatience… Gods, he could never have enough of him.
Fully seated and trying not to lose it, he pressed against his mate's back tightly, nuzzling against his neck affectionately and rutting into him just… slightly. Simply enjoying the feeling of it and the way his lover pressed back against his dick in each delicate movement, demanding more.
"My beautiful prince," he cooed shamelessly against his mate's neck, pulling one hand back to sneak it under his body and smooth it down Raha's stomach and abdomen to delicately wrap his fingers around his cock, pumping the already hard flesh in the rhythm of his slow strokes. When his mate arched with a breathless whine and jolted, then tried to press against him harder, force him deeper… He grinned, but kept up the slow movements with effort, waiting. "Tell me, what you need, my heart," he purred, nuzzling against his neck in reassurance. "Tell me… and it's yours."
"Y-you, Snark…" his lover mewled, fisting his hands in the blankets and gasping desperately. "O-only you, always…"
"I'm yours," he assured, chuckling breathlessly and nibbling at the back of his mate's shoulder. "Only ever… yours, Raha," he hummed, then maybe a bit… hesitantly reached out across their bond, nuzzling against Raha's neck pleadingly as his heart thumped nervously.
Feeling his mate accept his silent request and let him in, gasping as their souls connected… T'senri mewled in bliss, curling around him possessively as his mate's thoughts and feelings flooded his mind and senses. He mindlessly rutted into him and spread thankful, affectionate kisses and bites over his heated skin… until a sudden image bloomed in his head with a terrifying detail – choking all air out of his lungs.
Raha – his beautiful, soft and delicate Raha – tied down and… helpless, hopeless, when some faceless female…
Never! Ares suddenly snarled in the back of his head, and ice flooded his veins – half not his own – and he couldn't breathe…
"Mine," tore from his throat, though he wasn't sure which one of them it was when his arms shot around his lover and curled around him in a vice-like grip, pulling him back and up.
Never, never, never… His mind spun – full of snarls, hiss, and static – and he felt Raha fight against his grip, clawing at his arms and saying something… but he couldn't breathe, couldn't hear, couldn't think… Ice and rage in his veins singing in deafening chorus and something like… snarl in the back of his mind – not Ares, but something so much… colder, darker… clawing at his mind and pulling it down under the ice…
He really, really fucked up.
G'raha knew that, gasping shallowly in a ribs-crushing grip around him, still fighting to pull his lover's arms off him. Letting Senri see that… thought without the context – backfired spectacularly. He didn't think of that, lost in pleasure when he felt the delicate, shy push against his mind…
Hearing Senri whine against his neck, and shudder… he knew he fucked up, but…
Quick, use the spell, Damon almost… screamed and his ears fell against his head involuntarily. He's crumbling!
He's... what?
Senri stilled suddenly, then relaxed his arms around him and let him fall forward, gasping for air desperately. Too stunned, he braced on his arms and looked back at his lover's face – stilling as well as his jaw simply… dropped.
What in the…? Damon gasped with astonishment.
His Warrior's expression was an unreadable mask but his eyes… G'raha swallowed thickly, licking his lips nervously – and trying not to move a muscle.
Senri's left eye was his – if the slightly vertically pupil was impossibly dilated, almost swallowing the pale blue of the iris. His right eye was Ares's, too-bright, sky-blue iris a tiny ring around a rounder pupil. Both narrowed at him – showed the inhumane predatory intent – when his lover's too-pretty lips slowly pulled back from his teeth in a silent snarl… daring him to resist as he reached for him. G'raha didn't, staying utterly still when the big hand coiled in his hair brutally and pulled his head back – tearing a gasp from his throat at the spike of pain and forcing his eyes forward. Suddenly reminded that his mate's dick was still inside him, licking his lips nervously again, he tried to decide what to do… to gasp and mewl when Senri bit him, much, much harder than usual. Suddenly finding himself pinned down into the nest, while his mate hissed into his skin and caught his wrists, pinning them down as well around his head, he couldn't help the involuntary spark of arousal.
"Sen-Senri…" he gasped into the pillow under his face.
I don't think he can hear you, Raha, his immortal chortled – sounding much calmer than before but impossibly amused. Remember how you snapped…? Your eyes looked somewhat similar if I heard it right.
Oh…
"Miiine," his lover rasped, pulling back just a breath, the word more of a hoarse snarl as he pushed his hands up, forcing him to stretch out under him. "Rrraha…" he bit him again, sliding out of him to slam inside him with inhumane strength, tearing a helpless mewl from his throat when stars bloomed in his sight. Gasping desperately, he couldn't help but whimper softly in submission when his Warrior repeated that… again and again and again… sending his senses reeling as he took him brutally. Pounding into him mercilessly and snarling into his skin, in mere few strokes he came with a choked groan, helplessly whining while Senri didn't slow down even when he felt his cock throb and damp heat filled his insides.
Merely growling mindlessly, his mate broke his bite, pushed off his back, and freed his hands to wrap his around G'raha's hips. Trying to gather his bearings, still reeling from the orgasm, he gasped breathlessly when he was brutally pulled back and forth, scrambling to his arms quickly and hanging his head between them with a whine as his lover snarled in a warning, then set to fuck him again, rolling his hips on every sharp thrust.
How… long…? He sent desperately at his immortal, still flushing darkly as the insane rhythm tore a breathless whine from his throat.
Quite a while, Damon positively cackled. Enjoy.
If he could focus… he would roll his eyes, instead, his breath left him with a choked groan at another hard hit against the knot of nerves that sent jolts of lightning along his spine.
Another orgasm rolled through him like a storm, leaving him breathlessly gasping and whining in overstimulation, yet Senri only growled his name on that raspy note, then kept fucking him through it right over another edge, that had him fall face first in the blankets and mewl, begging for a break. Instead, his mate hissed and pinned him down completely, rolling and rocking his much bigger frame against his back as he kept taking him. Purring insistently against his neck, Senri pushed his thighs wider apart and tilted his hips to rut into him, at the same time with his movement forcing his cock into the blanket under him. Before long he couldn't help but whimper and mewl, rolling his hips between the two sensations. Each rough stroke tore breathless gasps and whimpers from his throat – until he couldn't take it anymore – coming again with a choked whine.
His pleasure edged into pain and he barely registered when Senri growled and pulled back, but flushed furiously as rope after rope of almost too-hot seed splashed onto his buttocks and the back of his thighs.
"Miiine," his lover rasped… possessively, smearing it over him, sliding his big hands from his knees up to his lower back.
"Y-yours," he gasped weakly, hiding his flaming face in the pillow. Somehow… that felt… G'raha swallowed thickly, then gasped when he was brutally rolled over to his back and blinked at the sight of… those eyes again, even more unsure when his mate crawled up and settled above his chest to… Blushing furiously, he complied when Senri growled softly and curled his hand in his hair, pulling his head up. Merely gasping, he opened his lips and let out an inviting purr, to almost choke on it when his Warrior almost brutally took his mouth, fucking them with no less vigor than his body.
Trying to accommodate him, G'raha curled his hands around his lover's thighs, pushing slightly until Senri purred and complied, resting his hands above him and leaning in harder to let him take all of his cock. To stun him when bare few strokes in he pulled back and with pure satisfaction in his feral eyes curled his hand around his dick and cover G'raha's mouth and chest in his cum. Then he crawled back and pinned him down, taking his mouth in a deep, brutal kiss as he pulled his legs up around him and took him again embarrassingly easily.
"All miiine," his mate purred, nipping on his lip and uncaring – or maybe because of it – nuzzling his cheek against and smearing his seed over him. "My prrrety, prrretty Rrraha…"
Blushing up to his hairline, he gasped, wrapping his arms around his lover's wide shoulders, and hiding his flaming face against his throat while Senri rutted into him furiously, groaning quietly with each stroke. Feeling a push against his soul, he merely twitched and mewled gratefully as his embarrassing pride in his mate's claim drowned in the heat of the sun, taking his mind along with it.
He wasn't aware when his lips parted in a snarl and his fingers dug into his lover's back.
"…Snarrrk…" tore from his throat.
Oh, fuck, something gasped.
"Holy… fuck," Damon gasped when he was finally able to take over, then pushed Senri's limp body off him and sat up with a grimace.
To say he… they were sore, was an understatement so he put his hand over his abdomen and quickly healed the damage – sighing with relief. He did the same to Senri, though his host's lover didn't even twitch – not that he blamed him, sensing his body's exhaustion. He wobbled as he stood up, then shakily marched into the bathtub and turned the water on – resting his hands against the wall as he let the stream wash off the evidence of the last few… bells?
He chortled, then flinched slightly when another body pressed against his back and a pair of arms closed around his waist possessively. The quick peak had him relax at the sight of pair of bright, sky-blue eyes before Ares hid his face against his neck and sighed tiredly.
"Are you… okay?" his husband murmured, almost sagging against him.
"You should have stayed down in the nest, love," he replied, wrapping his hand around his lover's wrist. "You're exhausted."
"Mhmm," Ares hummed, nuzzling against his neck but his arms tightened around him. "Just… I don't remember much. What was… that?"
"That, my dear, was Senri snapping," he almost literally giggled, covering his mouth with his free hand and leaning back into his husband's embrace with a sigh. "And soon after he did – he pulled Raha in with him… That was actually quite… intense," he chuckled again when his lover whined softly. "There, there, love… I'm not jealous. You could hardly help it, right?"
"I don't… remember," Ares sighed, then placed a kiss on his shoulder. "There was this… image of you… I mean Raha and… gods, I never before felt a rage like that… I was… weak after controlling Hades and…"
"Senri took you over?" Damon hummed with consideration, narrowing his eyes slightly. That was definitely new… and dangerous. Was their… merge growing tighter? He still felt completely separated from Raha – but in Ares's situation… could Senri consume him as his husband did Esteem...?
"No, I don't think so," Ares assured quickly – as if reading his mind – tightening his arms around him. "I think I was just too tired and he too enraged. Normally I can separate myself from him easily… What was that image about…?"
Damon sighed and explained in a few words, feeling his husband tighten his arms around him. Finally, he turned off the water, then pulled his lover out of the bathtub and back to the nest. Cleaning the… stains with a quick spell, he then settled inside it comfortably while Ares sat down next to him, visibly mulling it over.
"Well…" he finally sighed softly. "I guess… next time I see Hades I'll thank him for his 'tweak.'"
"Good idea," Damon sighed, then pulled his lover to rest on his side next to him, and resting his palm against Ares's cheek, he placed a delicate kiss on his bruised lips. "I know you're tired, my love… But I think you should remove this… knowledge from our hosts."
"Huh?" his husband blinked at him groggily, resting his hand over his. "Why? And which part?"
"The fact that they're immortal," he sighed, brushing his thumb against his lover's lower lip. "Maybe whole this… event if it'll make it easier for you?" he added with a frown, knowing that removing the specific bits of memories took a precision which in his shape… well, would be demanding a lot. "I think… it's better if they both think they're mortal, at least until after they face Meteion, love. Knowing that they aren't… may alter their behavior, choices, and change too much," he hummed with consideration. "We don't know what's coming after Senri's visit to Elpis… and now, when they're both asleep and vulnerable…" he added with a slight smirk.
"Ah, okay… You're right, as always," Ares sighed tiredly, then closed his eyes and tightened his fingers around his hand. "Let me in… I'll start with Raha."
"Mhmm," he hummed, closing his eyes, then opening his mind and soul to his lover's delicate push.
T'senri yawned widely, then sighed and blinked slowly, feeling Raha shift in his arms. His lover's delicate half-snore, half-purr had him grin involuntarily and bury his nose in his mate's hair, taking a deep breath and purring near-deafeningly in bliss at his scent.
Foggily, he remembered getting down from the roof and then pleasing his beautiful lover with his mouth… then nothing. He frowned, staring at the wall with shelves above his mate's head.
Sorry, my boy, his immortal hummed, sounding… tired and sheepish. Me and Damon… had some fun after that.
"Oh," he gasped softly, relaxing and tightening his arms around his sleeping lover.
By now, he was almost used to sometimes waking up with his mate in his arms and no recollection of how that happened – and he figured that since he agreed to share his body… well, that came with the territory. And that he didn't remember – he could understand.
For him, Raha and Damon were two separate beings… and he only wanted his mate – his Raha – and if he could, he would love to be able to keep Ares from access when they were… intimate. Since he couldn't – but thankfully his immortal was… polite enough to not remind him of himself when he was busy with his lover… well, he could live with that.
Go back to sleep, Senri… We need rest, his immortal suggested, and since he was warm and comfortable – and his beautiful lover so adorably dozed in his arms – safe and so… his – T'senri sighed with happiness and gave in, purring and nuzzling against his mate's ears until sleep claimed him.
