It's been over a year since I updated this I am so so so sorry, I've gotten constant messages about updating it and I feel awful about taking so long OTL. A lot of complications came up and lost my will to write for a while, but I'll at least try to finish this story the best I can. It will, hopefully continue past this chapter - if not, it could technically be considered 'complete' after this.
Warning for NSFW later in this chapter.
Chapter XII
"I love you."
Talon awoke from a dreamless slumber with that word repeating itself in his mind like a broken record. His dark eyes, though only opened halfway, stared blankly up at the ceiling above him as his thoughts drifted. No matter how many times it repeated in his head, he still couldn't believe he had actually said it.
Or, felt it.
As his head slowly turned to the left, he caught sight of the sleeping prophet laying just next to him. Eyes softly shut, breathing slow and steady, with a warm arm draped loosely over Talon's torso. Just the sight of him like this settled a warmth in his chest, one he was beginning to become familiar with.
It was love, and it felt blissful.
A small smile crept to his lips as he carefully rolled over, nestling himself nicely against Malzahar as he wrapped both of his arms around him. Holding him close, feeling his warmth settle against his body swept a pleased, relaxed feeling over the assassin's body. It was strange... being like this with another human - another being that was far more powerful than he could ever hope to dream of being.
It was something he could get used to.
A light brush against the back of his head caused Talon to jolt, his head raising to stare up at the sleepy prophet that gazed down at him with half lidded eyes. A small smile found its way onto Malzahar's lips as his hand stroked against Talon's dark hair, toying with the strands with his fingertips. Seems he felt the same way about all of this.
This was something that was needed, by the both of them. For two beings that had grown up nearly alone, with only the cold ice of rejection and hatred filling their hearts, love was a warm, comfortable thing. One that the two would soon grow to become used to. But only with mutual commitment.
Which Talon was certain to give him, by this point; he had settled upon the idea the previous night, and was determined to follow through with it this time.
No more lies, no more backstabs and other vile means of foul play.
"Good morning, dear." The lazy voice of the prophet drifted into Talon's ears, a quiet hum being given in reply. "Did you sleep well?"
"Well enough... better than last night, I guess." The assassin mumbled, breathing a quiet sigh.
Malzahar's arm soon left him as the prophet sat up, taking a seat on the edge of the bed as he stretched his toned arms, removing the morning kinks. Talon watched in silence, his eyes whisking over each curve and dip of the muscles that ran along his tanned skin. Truly a sight for the eyes - the assassin found himself marveling just how strong he looked.
Perhaps the assassin was just a bit... scrawnier in comparison.
"I will need to return to the market later this evening, as you may already know." Malzahar began, and Talon's ears immediately perked up in confusion and interest. "To make the proper... accommodations, for your stay here with me."
Talon's eyes narrowed, his brow knitting as he stared the prophet in a perplexed state.
"...Accommodations?"
"Well, yes. You're going to be living here with me, aren't you?"
That question hit Talon like a bag of bricks. His eyes widened, face deadpanning as his mind scrambled to process the request. Live... here? With him?
He loved him, sure... but wasn't this a little soon? Not to mention, his home was in Noxus... protecting the manor he had come to serve, searching for the General in his spare time... It was too soon to give all of that up.
Even if he truly wished to turn that rock over and leave his past behind, his duties still existed; he still held promises towards his General that he needed to fulfill, and he had been away from Noxus for far too long.
"...I can't live here." Talon muttered, hesitation nearly lacing his voice as he too sat up, watching as Malzahar turned to him in surprise. "My home is still in Noxus. I still have my duties, and this place is... too far away."
Malzahar grew silent, his mouth knitted in a firm frown as his eyes fell. In a way, Talon was sure he understood where he was coming from. Surely, he had to, right?
A sigh broke the settled silence, and soon, Malzahar spoke.
"Very well. I suppose it may have been out of line to decide something so drastic on my own. You still have your choices to make, so if you do not wish to stay here with me, I will accept it."
As Malzahar turned his head back around to face the wall, he found Talon standing in front of him. Calloused fingertips lightly grasped his cheeks, leading his head upwards, only to allow Talon to meet his lips in a chaste kiss. Through the kiss, each of them held a small smile, and a mutual understanding.
Once it broke, Talon's thumbs took to rolling across Malzahar's cheeks, tracing the dark scars that ran down from his softly glowing blue eyes. "You know... you can still come to visit me, right? My door- ...rather, my window, shall always be unlocked for you."
Malzahar snickered, taking Talon's hands into his own as he pulled them away from his face in order to stand tall in front of him, "I don't require windows, or doors. Portals, remember?"
Talon's nose wrinkled as his eyes narrowed in a look of disapproval. A low growl came from the back of his throat in acknowledgement, not at all liking that idea. There was a distant fear of Malzahar sneaking into his room whenever he darn well pleased, spying on him, or rummaging through his things when he didn't realize.
But he supposed he would need to give him more... trust, and credit, than that.
"So then... I suppose I will return you to Noxus this evening. Should you be ready to leave by that point."
The offer was one that was well received. Talon gave an eager nod, one that earned a chuckle from the Void prophet as he gave a small pat to the assassin's head. Though he didn't quite approve of that gesture, he didn't really have the current means to care. He was just excited to finally be able to go home.
Back to his sewer, back to the Du Couteau manor... and back to his technical 'sisters', as they referred to themselves as. "Yeah. That's fine."
"Then it's settled. May the rest of this day we spend together be long-lasting, yes?"
(======)
"You're sure about this?" Malzahar asked again, watching the assassin step through the window and into his spacious bedroom. "I truly wouldn't object to you staying with me in my home..."
Talon turned himself around, facing Malzahar and giving him a small smile. The poor prophet had spent the entire day giving subtle nudges to see if he could ease Talon into staying with him in his home, but each time, he was declined. Again, he knew the reasons why. It just still didn't hurt to try.
Malzahar entered the room, then, and soon Talon found his hands being held by the prophet's. His eyes rose to meet his face, scanning his expression. At least he seemed calm about this.
"You have a nice home here. I'm surprised you were able to stay parted from it for so long." Malzahar grinned, scanning the fancy interior; truly a room fit for a noble. "How impressive."
"You make it seem like I had a choice." Talon scoffed, pulling his hands away as he moved over to the light switch. Just as he reached forward to flick it on, a gloved hand stopped him, placed atop his own - In confusion, he looked back at Malzahar, seeking an answer for such an action.
"I'm sorry. For that." Malzahar spoke in a tone that was unfamiliar to what Talon had heard in his voice before. Sincerity? Perhaps that's what it was.
A sincere apology, given in a mere four words, but no more needed to be said for Talon to accept it.
A sigh tumbled over his lips as he gave a short, but soft smile to the prophet. "I already forgave you. ...Not like you need to apologize in the first place."
"May I make it up to you?" Talon's brow furrowed as Malzahar continued to press the subject, but if he was so insistent, the assassin would have a hard time refusing.
There was a small nod of acknowledgement from Talon, as he felt Malzahar's hands ease themselves into his own. Turning around fully, the assassin faced the prophet, ready for whatever it was he had in store. After all, the assassin knew that Malzahar wouldn't just drop him off and leave; there had to be something he was planning.
It came in the form of a soft kiss at first. Gentle, testing the waters between the two of them as their lips gently slid along each other. Talon was the first to press a bit harder, deepening the kiss and earning an equal amount of force from Malzahar.
The memories of the previous night came flooding back to the assassin, and in some form or another, he felt a strange feeling welling up inside of him. Determination. Determination to repair what had been broken, even if it had already been shoddily fixed with mere words.
No, words weren't enough - it was time to show it.
Reaching up, Talon gripped tightly onto Malzahar's shoulders, catching the prophet by surprise as he felt the kiss soften on his partner's side. One push, followed by two, and they were both soon stumbling and falling onto the large bed on the far side of the room. With Talon on top of him on his hands and knees, his dark eyes gazed down into the curious blue orbs that stared up at him.
Though, Talon didn't move, or speak, much to Malzahar's surprise. In fact, he remained perfectly still, as though frozen into a statue. Upon inspecting him a bit closer, and catching his face in the right light that was given off by the moon's rays from the nearby window, the prophet gained an amused smile.
There were hints of red staining his cheeks in a firm blush, his dark eyes darting to the side as he noticed Malzahar examining him a bit more closely. Ah, how uncomfortable. His cheeks felt hot and his arms were wobbly - it felt as though they were turning to jello, all because he couldn't build up enough courage to force his body to move further.
"Nervous?" Malzahar chuckled, hearing a low growl rumble the back of Talon's throat. "...Are you sure you're ready for something like this? If you're not, we could just-"
"I'm ready."
Malzahar blinked.
Talon had nearly shouted the phrase, his voice a loud growl of annoyance and embarrassment. "I'm ready... I want to show you, physically, just how much I love you."
"You don't have to do that, love." Malzahar rose his upper body then, leaning back on his arm as he rose a single hand to rest on Talon's cheek, stroking the softness with his thumb. "You proved your love when you returned to me. When you admitted your feelings. That's all it took, nothing more, nor less - you love me, and I love you, and that's all that needs to be said."
"Saying is one thing, showing is another." Talon grumbled, moving his position so he was instead sitting on Malzahar's lap, hands resting directly on his chest. Yet, his eyes still refused to make direct contact.
The prophet grew silent for several moments, before his hand slid from Talon's cheek in order to rest on his shoulder. That same amused smile still tugged at the corners of his lips, blue eyes glowing brightly as they washed over Talon's partially shadowed figure at rest on his lap. The assassin certainly was determined.
Leaning himself up fully, Malzahar planted one hand behind him, pressing firm into the soft mattress to keep his body steady as his head leaned forward, capturing Talon's lips with his own. A soft kiss, but one that was returned nearly immediately as the assassin squeezed his eyes shut and focused on the feeling. Malzahar's lips were certainly something he wanted to get used to feeling, everything from the softness, to the subtle and oddly salty taste that coated them.
Soon, Talon was flipped around by a pair of strong arms, breaking the kiss with a quiet gasp as his back met the mattress. His dark eyes shot open, staring in surprise at Malzahar, who wasted no time in lowering his head in favor of sliding his lips along Talon's neck. A shiver ran through his body, the ghostly trails of the prophet's lips gliding along his neck sent a pleased chill running through his spine.
It was an odd thought, to the assassin. He was here, with someone who was practically considered a deity in some locations of Valoran; a being of utmost power and the ability to do practically whatever he pleased. Here he was, with that being. Beginning to make love to that being, and he hadn't a care in the world what others could, or would think about it.
Even if Talon may be nervous, as Malzahar slid his hands along his body and softly nipped and sucked at his neck, all that nervousness seemed to fade away into bliss.
There was a quiet whimper that tumbled over the assassin's lips as a sharp pain shot through his neck - Malzahar had bit him. Hard. Hard enough to break through the skin and allow small trickles of blood to flow from the wound, but the prophet's tongue soon darted out to lick over the skin, easing away any pain that had once irritated it. A pleased sigh escaped Talon, his hand raising to trail his fingers delicately through Malzahar's dark hair.
The prophet's hands were gentle as they found their way underneath Talon's shirt, fingers dipping and trailing over each muscle that presented itself. The delicate motions of his fingertips seemed to lull the assassin into a near-trance, dark eyes half lidded and staring in silence at the ceiling above. That was, until those hands reached a certain point.
Grinding his teeth, Talon hissed as a shock of pleasure shot through his body. While one hand had continued its ascent and found home on the center of his chest, kneading at the muscles and gently rolling the hardening buds with his thumb, the other hand had drifted lower. Low enough to brush itself across the assassin's crotch and lightly grope. Grasping and feeling, as though trying to decipher a foreign object.
There was a strange sound that came from Malzahar's lips - a quiet chuckle, followed by what sounded like a purr. Talon was half hard, and he was amused. Amused, and honored that it took so little to excite his delicate assassin that turned to putty in his fingertips.
"Quite cute..." Malzahar purred, forcefully bunching Talon's purple shirt under his throat as his head descended to his chest, sliding his lips along the soft, warm skin. "This moment makes me realize just how different you are from the day we met, my dear. You've grown warm - approachable."
Talon released a near gutteral growl from the back of his throat, fingers balling into a fist in Malzahar's dark hair. "Don't call me cute."
"Oh, but you are. Your heart," a single kiss to the center of his chest, "has shed the wall of ice that previously covered it. Thus, to me, you are both cute and lovable."
A loud snarl came from the assassin as he tilted his head to the side, a deep blush staining his cheeks despite his sharp eyes that were fixated on the wall in a glare. Talon swore that if it was possible, his head would have exploded from the heat that filled it. ...Except, he couldn't quite tell if this was embarrassment, or love that he was feeling in this exact moment.
Perhaps it was both, judging by the way his heart thumped loudly in his chest and his fingers twitched in the delicate blankets they were furled within.
What came from Talon next, was a quiet moan of the prophet's name, made possible by the tongue that ran over his chest, followed by Malzahar's hand dipping into his pants. The assassin squirmed, his hands raising in a rough grip to his partner's shoulders. All of this was new. The moans coming from his throat as Malzahar grasped his length and quickly moved his lithe fingers along the shaft was new, also.
If Talon was completely honest - he was still a virgin. Though he didn't like admitting to that. Still, as his head moved back around to face the prophet, and his face dipped into the dark chocolate locks of Malzahar's hair... Talon knew he wouldn't mind giving his entire being to this man.
Perhaps in a way, the prophet could be his new sense of purpose in life.
"Doing alright?" Malzahar's breath was right next to his ear, causing Talon to jolt - he hadn't even realized his lips had left his torso. "Am I moving too fast?"
The assassin breathed deep, bucking his hips into the hand that was now frozen around his shaft. A chuckle from the prophet was all it earned, followed by a quiet word of recognition as his hand resumed. In some form, Talon would almost say he was moving too slow.
Though, Talon was rather surprised as he was suddenly flipped over onto his stomach, raising to his hands and knees just in time to feel Malzahar press himself firm against him. Even though clothed, the assassin could still feel the prophet's arousal pressing against his entrance, grinding against him as Malzahar kissed his back, trailing his lips gently along each scar that decorated his ivory skin. The assassin couldn't bite back the moan that tumbled over his lips, much louder than the rest.
Another bite, this time to his shoulder, and Talon hissed through clenched teeth. "Watch it."
A puff of breath tingled his skin - Malzahar had laughed at the remark, and retorted with another bite, right next to the previous mark. Talon bit his lower lip, stifling the pained groan that threatened to escape. Oddly, however, it was hard for him to notice a majority of the pain - the pleasure coursing through his veins was the only thing his mind was able to focus on.
Which was, of course, why as soon as Malzahar reached a hand around and placed his fingers on Talon's lips, the assassin allowed them to enter his mouth without giving it much thought.
Talon was in a daze, sucking on the three fingers and curling his tongue around them as his mind focused on what was going on behind him. Malzahar has used his free hand to hook his fingers under the rim of Talon's pants and pulled them down to his knees, a shiver rushing down the assassin's spine as the cool air washed over his bare skin. There was a new feeling that arose in his chest as he wetted the fingers in his mouth - excitement.
An emotion he hadn't felt in a long while. He was actually excited for what was to come next, anticipating Malzahar's next move. Everything he was doing to him felt absolutely wonderful, so it had to be leading to something great; according to Talon's logic.
Though as the fingers finally left his mouth and a small word of praise floated into his ears, Talon inhaled a sharp breath as a dull pain ran through him.
Without so much as a care, Malzahar had abruptly shoved two of the slick fingers into him, leaving Talon gritting his teeth and trying to hold back his snarls as the pain refused to subside. Even as the prophet moved the fingers, he wasn't sure what to think about this - it was only made worse as the third entered. Talon moved his upper body down onto the mattress just then, curling his fingers tightly into the fabric as he shoved his face against the bed in favor of letting loose a string of curses and pained groans.
He didn't care if Malzahar heard him - it hurt, but only for a few moments longer. Then, instead of pained groans, his voice devolved into muffled moans as the pain gave way to pleasure, his own hips rolling back into Malzahar's fingers as the prophet slowly moved and thrusted them into him. Even Talon wasn't expecting the whine that left his lips as the fingers removed themselves, earning another laugh from the prophet.
The assassin was beginning to wonder if Malzahar was getting a kick out of all of his reactions.
"To hear you making these sounds... is something breathtaking, Talon." Malzahar cooed, trailing his fingers through the mop of brown hair as the assassin slowly slid his head up from being pressed into the bedsheets. "I'm looking forward to hearing more of them."
"Don't get greedy." Talon grumbled, looking back at the prophet expectantly. ...Why was he just staring at him and not making a single move onwards? "Why did you stop?"
Rolling his shoulders, Malzahar smiled. "Admiring the moment. But if you're so impatient... I'll continue."
The prophet discarded himself of his vest, followed by his pants and boots, before he resumed his earlier position. Talon bit his lip again as Malzahar pressed his length against his entrance, the assassin inhaling a sharp breath as he finally pushed inside. Slow, but it was enough to make the assassin's legs twitch.
Lowering his face to the pillow, Talon once again pressed himself against it, wanting to muffle any odd sounds that would flow from his lips once Malzahar starts moving. He didn't want him to hear anything... embarrassing. Even if he had heard enough of it already.
His plan was foolproof, or so he thought - until Malzahar leaned forward, placing one hand beside his torso on the bed to keep him upright, and his other underneath Talon's neck.
"What're you-" Talon gasped in surprise as Malzahar pulled him up, lifting him by his neck until he was once again needing to use his hands for support.
The prophet had a sickening smile on his lips, his hips beginning to roll in a slow, steady thrust as his lips slid along Talon's ear. "Don't hide yourself from me."
Talon opened his mouth to give a retort, but his words fell silent, devolving into a low moan as Malzahar gave a particularly forceful thrust into him. He couldn't fight it, and he couldn't fight him. He didn't want to. If he wished to hear him so badly, fine - perhaps he could throw away his dignity just this once.
...It wouldn't be the first time.
Each moan that came from Talon seemed to make Malzahar move faster, the assassin moving his hips to match the thrusts with steady timing. His arms were wobbling, threatening to give out underneath him, which Malzahar took notice of. Instead of his hand resting under the assassin's throat, he moved his arm to wrap it underneath his chest, hugging him against his body.
Burying his face against the back of Talon's neck, he breathed in his scent as his fingers raked across the noxian's chest. With each hard thrust he would give, he would earn a low moan of pleasure - its volume depending on how much force he put into it. Talon felt the lips curl into a smile on the back of his neck.
Malzahar had him in his palm, right where he wanted him - like a puppet on a string.
"Malz..." Talon breathed his name through his heavy breaths, a welling pressure becoming noticable in his lower abdomen. "...Soon..."
That was when he heard it - the faintest moan leak from Malzahar's lips, his eyes shut tight as he listened to Talon's voice, and focused on feeling his body. A shot of warmth enveloped the noxian's chest as he heard that sweet sound, hearing another not long after as the prophet thrusts turned quick and desperate. Talon's arms and legs felt like jello, his entire body weak but being held up by Malzahar's strength alone - they were both nearing the edge.
Slamming his hips against him, Malzahar managed to hit a single spot that made a loud howl erupt from Talon's throat, pleasure clouding his vision as he threw his head back, smacking the back of his head right into his partner. Hearing the hiss of pain from the prophet, Talon managed to find his voice to mutter a quiet apology, before it was drowned by a loud moan from the same spot being struck again. A few more thrusts, and Talon was spent.
He gave first, orgasming with a loud hiss of Malzahar's name, whom followed right behind him. Filling the assassin, Malzahar's fingernails pressed forcibly into Talon's chest, hard enough to leave marks - which he was tipped off to the fact due to the hissed curse that his noxian gave - and only loosened his grip when he had given his final few thrusts and ridden out his orgasm inside the smaller male. The moment he removed his hand and his grip on Talon became nonexistent, the assassin fell promptly onto the bed, head turned to the side and eyes shut tight, his breathing heavy and unsteady.
Malzahar wasn't in much better shape, trying desperately to catch his breath as he sat back on his legs, giving Talon room to cool off. Though the prophet had to admit, the noxian was remotely cute like this - as his blue eyes flicked over his panting figure, he couldn't help but grin. At least he had done a good job.
They had both done a good job.
Moving himself, Malzahar laid next to Talon, wrapping his arms around him and pulling him tight, and comfortably against his chest. The assassin responded in kind, lazily draping his arms around the prophet and planting a gentle kiss on his collarbone. The poor boy was tired - but he wasn't going to sleep yet.
Or so Talon tried to tell himself.
His eyes were heavy, threatening to shut as he rested in the comfort of Malzahar's arms. This was... far too relaxing. He couldn't recall a prior period of time where he had felt such bliss, and his body had felt so calm. There wasn't a care in the world troubling his mind right now.
"Talon..." A hushed whisper caught his attention, lazy brown eyes opening to stare up at his lover. "I will be gone by morning. I trust you know this?"
Actually, Talon hadn't known that - he had planned to keep Malzahar here for at least the span of the next day, perhaps two, but given he had no idea how the other residents of the manor would react, it was probably best he left. For now, at any rate. Talon was going to have a hard enough time explaining where he'd been to Katarina without having an immortal floating man trailing at his heels.
"...Yeah." A simple reply from the assassin, met with his arms wrapping tighter around Malzahar. "You'll come back... right?"
A tired laugh filled his ears as Malzahar rose a hand to stroke his dark hair, playing with the long strands between his fingertips. "Of course."
Despite having lived his life not trusting others, Talon believed him. He trusted this man, practically with his life, and knew without a doubt his words were true. There was no reason for him to stay gone, at least not for a long period of time, and if he should, Talon would just seek him out again. Surely, he could retrace his steps to his Shurimian home if needbe.
There was a quiet exhale of breath that left Talon's lips as he finally allowed his eyes to shut. He wanted to stay awake, truly he did - his body was just too tired to currently do so. Talon knew he would fall asleep within minutes, and his body relaxed fully against Malzahar to sleep comfortably beside him.
"Talon."
A whisper in his ear this time, one that earned a very slight opening of a single dark eye.
"I love you."
Talon smirked at those words, closing his eye again and nuzzling Malzahar's chest. "I love you too."
By morning, Malzahar may be gone. It wouldn't be the first time he had slipped away from the assassin as they slept - if anything, Talon had grown used to it happening. He didn't mind. So long as Malzahar would come back to him eventually, he hadn't a care what he did elsewhere. Where he went, or what sort of activities he partook in.
Malzahar was his, and that's all that needed to be known between the two of them.