T'senri stared at his lover, blinking slowly as he tried to make sense of what he was saying.
"I have… an Ascian inside me?" he repeated numbly, really hoping that it was some kind of… convoluted joke. But when Raha nodded slowly, carefully watching his expression… he felt all the blood drain from his face and his ears fell flat against his head. "So… I'm possessed…?"
"Eh, no…" Raha shifted, taking the hold of his hands and intertwining their fingers tightly. In the swirling storm, his thoughts turned into – the slightly chilly grip of his crystalized hand seemed like an anchor. T'senri focused on it, taking a few deep, steadying breaths as his eyes dropped to the pretty crystal climbing his lover's body. He still didn't understand what was up with that… but at the moment it seemed like the least of his troubles. "According to them… they aren't exactly Ascians… and we aren't possessed – since they have been inside us since the moment we were born… And they mean us no harm…"
"They're Ascians," he snapped automatically, numbly trying to make sense of it – or why Raha seemed so… okay with that.
His lover took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, then let go of his hands and carefully moved into his lap – and Warrior was beyond grateful for that, coiling his arms around older Seeker and burying his nose against the crystal on Raha's throat – his wonderful scent as always working to soothe his agitation. Gods, how he missed that… He moved to sit against the edge of the red-black nest – a perfect thing his lover made for him, no less – sighing softly with bliss when Raha used his not-crystalized hand to delicately pet his ear. Almost like that first night, five years ago…
His heartbeat slowed down and his senses almost… swam in the haze his lover's scent spun over his mind before Raha sighed softly, nuzzled against his throat affectionately, and started talking again – his low cadence as soothing as his scent.
"Listen, Snark… There's something you need to know," he took another deep breath, then swallowed audibly and T'senri automatically tightened his arms around him – somehow feeling that whatever that is… he's not going to like it. "Because of how our… reunion went, I didn't explain… Senri, the reason why I'm… back is… you died."
"Huh?" he murmured, trying not to purr when Raha's crystalized hand snuck behind his back and his lover basically… coiled around him – which was beyond… distracting. Oh, Azeyma… They spend at least the last three bells fucking… yet it felt simply like his body was oh, so very far from having enough. Like it tried to make up for the lost time… If he wasn't who he was, he would probably already dropped from exhaustion…
He blinked, above his lover's crystalized shoulder staring at the opposite wall – beautifully decorated with a heavy, dual-colored material – as his eyes narrowed slowly while quite… unsettling suspicions started to form in his head. Because his Raha didn't seem tired at all, either.
Back at the Find, he had to carefully… measure his enthusiasm while indulging in his lover not to overwhelm him. His stamina was simply… beyond average and if allowed he would be happy to… fuck for days. He could hardly expect his historian to handle it… Yet now, his Raha… seemed beyond fine after bells of lovemaking. His recovery time as well seemed… different. It's been years, but…
He blinked, then flushed, realizing his lover was speaking and he missed it while… considering this development. But somehow in conjunction with covering him crystallization… it was beyond unsettling. And gave him an idea… that he didn't exactly like.
"…and they had a plan how to save you," he heard and blinked again, trying to focus on Raha's low voice. But…
Don't freak out, hummed suddenly a voice in the back of his head and he barely stopped himself from flinching – only years of playing up to his persona making him only slightly tighten his arms around his lover protectively while his eyes narrowed into slits at the opposite wall. Was that…? Yes, I'm your… passenger. Name's Ares… and as fascinating as Raha's story is… I think we can cut to the chase, Senri. I can hear your thoughts, you see… And as much as you hate my kind – there's something I can offer you that will overweight it.
He scowled darkly, in honest disbelief that an Ascian can have anything that would make… sharing his body acceptable – especially if apparently the asshole could take over at any time, and make him forget that! And… treat his love as he did…
Don't be hasty, now the voice sounded… exasperated. And maybe a bit amused, which only worked to piss him off. I do have something you want above anything else, boy… A way to keep Raha – and bring him back with you to the Source after your task here is done.
That… got his attention. T'senri blinked slowly, tightening his jaw and his grip around his lover.
The way you're thinking is quite correct – his surprising stamina and the crystallization are connected. You see, to survive until you get here, he had to use his control of the Crystal Tower and connect to it in a way… that is slowly killing him, it sounded very… matter-of-fact and T'senri paled instantly, pulling Raha against him tighter. His lover seemed unaware, droning on… but now he didn't even try to listen. Each time he's forced to use the thing, the crystallization spreads until there will be nothing but a crystal statue of your lover left for you to mourn, Senri. And I know you, boy… As much as you care about your duties and responsibilities… As much as you hate my kind… He means more to you than anything else in the world. So… since I'm as interested in keeping him whole and hale… we can help each other.
It… wasn't a choice, was it? The thing inside his head was right – beyond that – the thought of losing Raha again… was unbearable. Instinctively, he turned his head, delicately brushing his nose against the skin right below his lover's jaw, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes when their mixed scents filled his head, making his mouth water instantly. When it made his Raha stop talking, instead chuckling softly while he tilted his head slightly to allow him better access…
Even if it meant dooming himself or the world… no price for keeping his lover was too high.
Don't be so… melodramatic, the voice… Ares was clearly annoyed now. We do not want to destroy your world or anything silly like that. There are only two things I want: to save my brother and be with Damon. We're both quite content as we are – and since I… like you, I think we can come to an agreement that will benefit both of us. All I ask is… that you occasionally let me 'borrow' your body – you can even stay aware if you'd like – to put our plans in motion. In exchange, I'll help you keep Raha safe and by your side.
He sighed, closing his eyes with a hint of resignation and more than a bit of apprehension but…
Good choice, the voice hummed – suddenly growing quite… fond. Don't worry, Senri… I swear on my love for Damon, you won't come to regret this. I can be quite… useful, and I'm as dedicated to keeping him safe as you are. Now, focus because he's getting to the part you'll be interested in. We can talk more later… and negotiate the rules of our coexistence going forward.
T'senri blinked, focusing on his lover's voice.
"…and I thought… And, please… before you freak out, Snark, let me explain," Raha said slowly, wrapping both of his arms around his neck and pressing against him tightly, as if to keep him from… bolting. "But I thought there's no other choice than for me to… die to save you, my heart."
"Die to…?" he froze and his heart stuttered to a stop. No, not again… and not Raha, never Raha….
"It seemed like… the only solution," his lover said quietly, tightening his arms around him. "The world… the Source needs you, Senri… more than me, and…"
"I need you, more than the world," he whispered shakily, coiling his arms around him possessively until he gasped softly and he reluctantly loosen his grip, burying his face against the crystal on the other man's throat. "I need you, Raha… more than anything. Those years I was without you… were hell. I tried to move on, as you swore me to do… but I c-couldn't," he took a deep breath, then sighed and nuzzled against his lover's shoulder – where crystal covered his mark on his man. "The only thing that kept me going… was you. Creating a better world for you to wake up to, my prince. And it seems… I failed miserably," he sighed again, then leaned away and when the other Seeker did so as well, he wrapped his hands around his jaw delicately. That Raha's crimson eyes were wide as saucers and his lower lip trembled… almost broke his heart. Why couldn't he see what for T'senri was so… obvious? "You're… everything I ever wanted, Raha," he said quietly, holding his gaze as he rested his forehead against his lover's. "You're good, brave, and beyond selfless. So strong and smart, it takes my breath away. Your soul is so beautiful… it's almost scary. The day we met… was the luckiest of my life. That you looked at me and you saw more… than the title. That you… gave the best memories of my life and the meaning to go on… after I lost you… All of it, Raha… All of you… is all I ever want. If I can have you… I don't care that there's an Ascian living in my head – so long you'll swear you'll stay with me."
"Senri…" the crimson eyes closed and two huge tears rolled down his cheeks, making T'senri's heart stutter nervously while his lover slowly returned the gesture, putting his hands around his cheeks. "…I don't know if that… will be p-possible, love. I'm… quite stuck. I had to… bind myself to this Tower to survive and… I can't even leave it without growing weaker… The crystal…" he choked, then cleared his throat and leaned away, his teary eyes opening and turning toward his crystalized hand. "…it's eating me away. And someday it may…"
"Consume you?" he whispered, closing his eyes. So… the Ascian wasn't lying. He felt a fiery spark of new determination inside his chest and when he opened his eyes again, he knew they were hard as ice. "It won't happen, Raha. He says he'll help me keep you… if I play along, so don't… worry, my love," he added, wrapping his arms around him possessively and pressing a tender kiss on the crystal on his throat. "I'm not losing you again… Never again."
"Huh? Who?" his lover hesitated, then sighed and returned the embrace, resting his chin on his shoulder.
"The As… Ares," he said with a sigh. "We had… a talk – which is… sooo weird – but he says… says I can keep you. Bring you back with me to the Source, once they're… we're done here. So if it's true… I don't care about anything else."
"Are you… are you sure, Snark?" Raha whispered hesitantly, shifting slightly in his grip – and instantly T'senri grew almost too aware of the fact that they were both still completely naked and the was his lover sat in his lap… His right hand almost automatically smoothed down the other Seeker's back and wrapped delicately around his buttock, pulling him closer until his lover gasped softly against his throat, surely feeling his quickly swelling erection. He couldn't help it… he nuzzled against his shoulder again, a low, insistent purr building up in the back of his throat… growing louder when Raha's intoxicating scent swelled with arousal and his breath sped up considerably. "We sh-should… talk about how we are going to proceed, Senri…"
"Later," he murmured, then almost snorted a laugh when his lover sighed patiently, then leaned away, and though his eyes were still slightly teary… there were as well sparks of amusement and love dancing in their depths – turning them into the most beautiful rubies.
"You're… insatiable," Raha sighed with exaggerated resignation, but such a pretty blush spread on his cheeks as his mismatched hands slowly trailed down T'senri's back, the slightly chilly touch of his crystalized fingers reminding the Warrior all too well how those felt inside him… and his arousal instantly shot over the roof.
"I am," he admitted shamelessly, wrapping one arm around his lover's lower back and holding him close, shifted, enjoying almost too much his quiet gasp when he pinned him down into the pillows of the nest – he prepared for him! – settling on top of him, careful of his weight. "But I can't help it, Raha…" he added, grabbing his lover's wrists and pulling his arms above his head, almost melting when he arched under him with a soft, maddening, mewl of pleasure when T'senri rolled his hips, rutting his already aching cock against his partner's. "You're so perfect… so absolutely beautiful, my lord Exarch," he hummed, nuzzling against his throat affectionately while holding his hands in one of his, freeing the other to trail down his lover's side delicately until it coiled around his hip. "I can fuck you forever and never get enough," he purred, then claimed those too-pretty lips in a deep, devouring kiss… swallowing his choked moan as he rutted against him insistently, losing his mind at each sweet sound shooting down his throat as soon his lover writhed under him, undulating to meet his slow thrusts.
Yeah, for him… no price was too high.
For the first time in a veeery long time, G'raha was quite… thankful for his connection with the Crystal Tower when the dawn broke over the Crystarium. If not for it – he would probably already fall on his face from exhaustion.
Not that it helped him much with his current predicament…
"I have to do my rounds around the city," he repeated probably at least… fifth time?... trying to crawl away from Senri's grabby hands.
"Raha…" the brave Warrior of Light and Darkness whined petulantly, pouncing and pinning him down into the pillows… the fifth time. G'raha grumbled incoherently into the black pillow under his face, though he couldn't help the shudder that ran down his spine when Senri growled softly, rubbing his whole body against his back… if he didn't know better, he would assume his lover was determined to cover him head to toes in his scent… which if true, he wouldn't mind. His face flushed furiously, but he tilted his head to the side and tried to take on a stern tone of voice.
"I have to go, Snark," he snapped… or tried, as his voice broke into a choked whine when his lover pushed his hand between them to take the hold of his tail.
"Do you?" Senri chuckled, nuzzling into his neck as he rutted his… very interested flesh against his ass. Which if not for his practice with healing… probably would be beyond sore by now. "I'm not done paying you back for this… wonderful nest you made for us, my mate," he purred, sneaking his other hand under them to rub his rough palm over G'raha's cock, and he couldn't help but whimper softly, his flesh instantly beyond aroused at the double sensation. "See… your body's more than willing, love," he chuckled, raising off him only to pull him back to his knees and roll his arm around to let the red tail wrap around his forearm possessively.
"That's beside the poi…" he choked on a whine while his lover almost too-easily took him again, sliding his almost unbearably hot flesh inside him with a quiet, possessive snarl. He arched with a moan, then pulled the pillow against his too-hot face to stifle the embarrassing, needy noises while his lover pressed tightly against his back, bracing his free arm next to his shoulder as he rolled his hips in slow, steady strokes that had gasps and mewls drown into the soft material.
"Why pretend you're not enjoying this, Raha," his Warrior chuckled breathlessly, with his other hand petting the base of G'raha's tail when its grip around his arm tightened almost painfully. "I can feel your pleasure… and it's maddening, my mate," he growled deep in the back of his throat and the sound had the redhead whimper in instinctive submission, involuntarily arching his back to eagerly take his lover's claim. "See, my heart… You're so perfect for me, Raha…" he purred loudly, and his thrusts grew deeper, harder… until G'raha thought he was going to lose his mind or his cock is simply going to burst. "The way you s-switch between dominance and submission… is driving me mad, love…" he laughed softly – breathlessly – when G'raha automatically squeaked into the pillow with embarrassment. "So fucking perfect… I can't get enough."
A sudden thought hit his mind, shaking him out of the daze, and G'raha scowled, then let go of the pillow to look at his lover over his shoulder, despite his dark blush… loving the pure adoration and possessiveness in the darkened, icy-blue irises when their eyes met. But… his scowled was back, and he narrowed his eyes.
"Better than… Estinien?" he drawled through his teeth and tried not to flinch when his Warrior froze and his eyes widened impossibly… and a dark, dark blush spilled on his handsome face.
"How do you… oh," his heart stuttered nervously when his lover pressed his forehead against his back, moving his free hand over G'raha's abdomen, petting his skin soothingly. "That was… a mistake, Raha… I told you, I tried to move on from… you. I got… veeery drunk and thought it was… a good idea at the time… but nothing happened. I… c-couldn't."
Shifting comfortably as he buried his flaming face in the pillow again… he tried to stifle the burning feeling inside his chest. He knew it was… petty of him to get so upset, especially after he swore his lover to move on… but… he couldn't help it.
"I… couldn't even look that way at… anyone else," he mumbled into the pillow, squeezing his eyes shut. "A hundred years, Snark… But… but after you…"
"I'm sorry, my heart," Senri whispered, pressing against him tightly again, then tearing a helpless mewl out of his throat as he rolled his hips slowly, reminding his mind of his claim over his body. "You know… I want only you," he purred soothingly, nuzzling against his shoulder as his hand lowered from his abdomen to delicately wrap around his cock, pumping it as he resumed his slow thrusts. While he was spreading affectionate kisses across the crystal on the back of his shoulders, G'raha could scarcely remember what he was upset about… losing his mind in the overload of sensations. "My perfect mate," his lover cooed, with his knee pushing his legs wider apart, forcing him lower as his strokes grew in strength. Change in the angle had his flesh hit against the spot that had G'raha whine his name, dropping the pillow to fist his mismatched hands in the soft material under them. "…f-forgive me, love?"
"Wha…" he choked, gasping for air desperately as Senri's hand tightened around his cock, while the other coiled around the base of his tail and pulled in tandem with his thrusts. Before he knew what happened, he was coming with a choked groan, shuddering violently while his lover's choked groan hit his neck.
"You're so… wonderfully responsive, Raha…" Senri purred, then pulled back from his back to wrap both hands around his hips, soon pulling him back and forth while rolling his hips. G'raha could only whine and whimper his name in overstimulation as his lover seemed determined to try to completely blow his mind. "And the sounds… you make… g-gods…" his grip on him grew almost brutal before he growled in the back of his throat, then fisted on hand in his red-white hair, pinning his head against the pillow as he leaned forward again, his movement growing unbearably… aggressive. "F-fuck… this crystal… I want to b-bite you so… sooo bad," he groaned and G'raha simply… melted, instinctively purring loudly in invitation… which had his lover snarl almost desperately, shaking as he started to pound into him, fucking him with barely contained violence.
It was just… too much, and before he realized he was coming again, mewling Senri's name while he groaned loudly and went rigid, his cock throbbing and jerking inside him harshly as he rolled his hips slowly now, pumping him full of his seed up to the brim. Finally, he sagged against his back with a choked whine, wrapping his arms around his abdomen tightly and purring near-deafeningly as he nuzzled his cheek against his neck.
"Sooo… perfect," his Warrior gasped with bliss as G'raha tried to collect his scattered wits, blinking slowly as he thought there was something… he was supposed to be upset about… or do?
The rounds around the city, supplied Damon helpfully… sounding like he was barely stopping himself from laughing. G'raha flinched, flushing up to his hairline instantly. Twelve, he completely forgot about the Ascian… watching! Or his responsibilities…
"I…" he cleared his throat, blushing even darker when he heard how hoarse he sounded. "I really… have to go now."
"Ten more minutes," his lover demanded instantly, tightening his arms around him.
"Senri… enough is enough," he grumbled, trying to crawl away from under him. "I have to…"
"Okay, five," his fearless Warrior whined, nosing against his neck insistently. "Then I'll let you go, I swear. Just five more minutes, pleeease…?"
"Okay," he sagged with a resigned sigh, tilting his head to hide his stupid, lovesick grin in the pillows. Wicked white, but he was so weak for him… Especially when his Senri got so unbearably… adorable! "Five minutes and then you'll behave."
His lover purred his agreement, then rolled them to the side, coiling around him tight like a vine while even his long, black tail wrapped possessively around G'raha's thigh.
He was beyond disheveled, soiled, and slightly achy… but while Senri's loud, happy purrs made his ears twitch with pleasure, he couldn't help but sigh blissfully, closing his eyes and soon purring as loud… until his lover's hand too-innocently smoothed down his stomach, heading toward his abdomen.
"Snark," he snapped, sending him a deadpan stare over his shoulder. The hand froze and he received an innocent flutter of long, jet-black lashes for his effort… but the amused twitch of his Warrior's ears betrayed him all too clearly. "I swear… you're incorrigible," he rolled his eyes, struggling to keep on a serious expression.
"No idea what you're complaining about now, Raha," his deep voice shook with barely contained laughter, while his hand innocently petted the muscles on his stomach. "I'm hardly doing anything."
Okay, he's cute, hummed Damon in his head with obvious amusement. Like he didn't know… G'raha sighed, then moved to get himself free… not even surprised when his Warrior's grip only tightened around him.
"Time's up," he tapped the arm around his waist meaningfully, tearing a petulant whine from his lover, but at least after a few incoherent grumbles against his neck, he was reluctantly released from the possessive grasp. "Thank you, love," he chuckled, then sat up, stretching as he delicately pulled on his link with the Tower, restoring his reserves then stood up and climbed out of the nest. He headed across the room to where he discarded his robes last night, picked them up, and then headed toward the other door in the room.
"Oh?" he stopped at the sound of his lover's intrigued voice. He looked toward him – his Warrior folding his arms over the edge of the nest and resting his chin on top of them, his icy-blue brimming with amusement as they followed his every move. Trying to not cover himself self-consciously, G'raha smiled involuntarily at the messy state of his lover's hair – the inky-black strands looked almost like a… bird nest, but it didn't take away anything from his man's beauty. If anything it only made his heart stutter and a blush hit his face – knowing he was responsible for his lover's messy appearance – including many bite marks and scratches across his muscular back and shoulders. "What's through there?"
G'raha blinked, flushing even darker when he realized his… distraction and the fact that… yeah, his body definitely didn't care about his responsibilities.
"Ah… the shower and other basic… amenities," he replied, clearing his throat and with effort tearing his eyes away from his lover.
"Oh, a shower sounds amazing," Senri positively gushed, quickly scrambling to his feet and leaving the nest to head toward him.
"I don't think so," G'raha said slowly, backing away carefully from the much taller man. "You can't be trusted to… behave. And I'm already way too late."
"Aww, don't be like that," his lover pouted at him – pouted! – and his heart went simply insane. Just when he thought Senri couldn't get any more… tempting… of course he does!
"I said…" he started, trying to look anywhere but as him – and maybe if he didn't, he would predict what happened next and avoid it.
"Well… then there's no point in arguing and wasting the time, right, my lord Exarch?" his lover's chuckle was… positively evil when he pounced, then unceremoniously tore the robes from his hands and tossed him over his shoulder. G'raha flailed, hissing with indignation while his Warrior laughed and rudely swatted his bottom, then caught his tail before he could smack him with it in retaliation. "Now, now… behave, Raha! I'm just being… efficient," he chuckled again, then headed toward the shower.
G'raha sagged with resignation, bracing his elbows against his lover's back and… maybe pouting a little.
Raha… do you feel like making a bet? The immortal inside his head said with audible, choked laughter in his voice. Something tells me you're not going to make it out of here any time soon.
He just sighed patiently, rolling his eyes. No, thanks… I don't make bets I know I'll lose.
Smart, Damon positively cackled.