jikan_rpg | ✵ [Jan Catchall] Hope is not pretending that troubles don't exist.

[while Dohalim does disagree with the compliments Red Wine gives him, sometimes he does enjoy listening to them. or, perhaps, he just likes listening to Red Wine's voice. he did compliment it, after all, and with a voice as smooth as the Food Soul's, it might not come as too much of a surprise]

You're as charming as ever. I sincerely doubt I could be more beautiful than a Food Soul.

[his words are fond as he settles down on top of Red Wine comfortably, still leaning over him. the deep purple that had started at the tips of his hair creep up along his wavy locks; he doesn't pay too much mind to it, not when Red Wine throws that out to the wind. there's a curiosity he just can't shake, wanting to know more, wanting to know why that is]

Though, you've caught my curiosity. What makes me so special?

Mm...

[He moves his fingers through Dohalim's hair a few more times and lets that softly hummed out sound hang in the air between them while his dark eyes move over the other man's face. The delay in answering isn't because the response might be upsetting or unpleasant, but...]

Is it strange if I say I don't know? [Red Wine murmurs, shaking his head.]

I don't know. I only know that you are... immeasurably special. [Not just in that way, but gods, in so many other ways besides.] You are extraordinary, to have captured me like this.

[It's less a compliment and more an observation, but delivered so warmly that it could be taken as either. He pulls Dohalim down to kiss him again.]

Every time I'm with you... [He says then, the words coming out so softly in the small gap between their lips when the kiss breaks.] Every time, it feels like I'm standing on the edge a precipice, looking down... wondering how it might feel just to fall.

[if Dohalim were honest with himself, he almost expected some sort of haughty answer, a mirthful one, one they could both chuckle about before he himself tells the other man just how ridiculous and charming he's being.

but to hear something more emotional and raw, soft spoken as if they were sharing secrets with each other, chaste and sweet. to see this side of Red Wine surprises Dohalim, but, needless to say, it's not unwelcome. he knows very few people get to see the rounded edges that make the Food Soul; he has to consider himself lucky.

however, as Dohalim looks deep into those eyes as they pull away from the kiss, he has to wonder if what he's saying is what he is thinking he's saying, especially with how their conversation went during the holiday party. like falling... Red Wine did mention it, when talking about Pretzel...

and honestly, who's to say that he, himself, doesn't feel the same way? maybe not like falling, but the fluttering feeling in his stomach and in his heart do paint a very real and clear picture. a romantic at heart who's never felt such a way about someone like he has for Red Wine, he has to wonder if it's exactly what he's thinking.

how frightening.

but Dohalim smiles softly, brushing his lips against Red Wine's before speaking again]

Perhaps... It may not be so bad. To fall, I mean.

[as Raphael kisses him, Luke's hands come up to grip onto his shoulders, almost in a way to anchor himself; the kiss is a distraction enough that he nearly misses the hand slipping into his pants and pulling his cock out. the touch alone almost gets him to come, but by some miracle, Luke holds himself back, but only just]

I...

[he may as well put out the warning now, any more of whatever the angel is doing to him, and he may just let himself go. but feeling the resonance around him, enveloping him, thrumming against his own fonons, it's almost too much]

I need to...

[Luke takes the bowl with his hands, muttering a soft thanks before looking down at the heaping stew. he can already see various ingredients he's not a huge fan of (really, why are vegetables a thing? gross), but out of politeness, he'll suck it up. in his travels, he's come to terms with the fact that food just isn't as easily accessible, and he should take whatever's given to him. really, it's humbled him (along with a lot of other things).

doesn't mean he has to like gross icky vegetables, though.

he takes in a couple spoonfuls, before looking around the camp and at Vennessa]

So... Why are you all the way out here?

[It would have been easy to dismiss the question with a jovial answer, but Red Wine is in a mood to be honest about his feelings. The prideful and boastful way that he goes about his day to day life isn't entirely a front, but nor is it all there is to him. Dohalim already knows how gentle he can be, how soft-hearted, but they have never had a conversation quite like this.

He doesn't really catch on to the connection between what he said at the party and what he says now, but the connection is there none the less. Like falling, both then and now, and he doesn't mind either occasion.

Ah, how frightening, indeed...

The soft kiss tingles against his lips and he smiles a little at Dohalim's reply, bringing a hand up to slide it over his shoulder and grip lightly against the firm muscle.]

It might not. But you know... [Idly, he thumbs at the warm skin under his hand.] It's far more fun if you're not doing it alone.

[the flush creeping up on Dohalim's cheeks is ignorable for now as his smile widens slightly; he never would have known he'd be able to feel this happy again. the contentedness that falls over him, not unlike sitting outside in the park with his friends again, playing their violins and enjoying each other's company. those were the only times he felt any sort of happiness, but this... this is different. it's that and so much more; it's like an ever filling cup he can't stop drinking from.

Red Wine's company alone and any unspoken words between them is enough. enough that he can hold whatever feelings he has for the man close to him, and not fear ruining what they have by saying something out of pocket. but when he says that, Dohalim can't help but feel his heart skip a beat for a moment; suddenly he feels like he's also toeing that edge, shifting ever closer. it's a leap of faith, but is it one he's willing to take? perhaps, like he's said himself, it may not be so bad to jump, especially with Red Wine]

Hm...

[slipping a hand between them, Dohalim rests it gently over the other man's chest, right over his heart]

I think... I'd like it. Falling with you.

[ He's had to lie so much about who he is at home that it came to be a habit, almost. But the people here - he's been honest with them. For the most part, he's shared that he is the Anemo Archon - Barbatos. It's been rather freeing to not have to hide it, too. He can live more honestly with the people he loves and that means a lot to him. More than he can really fully, properly explain. ]

You can always rely on me, Diluc.

[ He's trouble, certainly, but if Diluc called for him - he'd be there in a second. There's few people he'd drop everything for, and Diluc is among them. He shifts, tucking his head under Diluc's chin, smiling. And though he knows Diluc can't see it, it's obvious in his voice. ]

It means a lot to me to hear you say it, though. I mean...to hear that I'm trusted and cared for. To hear that you know you can without me having to say it. I don't --

[ He sighs. ]

I don't have a history of being the most reliable guy, but...there's a few people that I just want to be the best I can for - you among them.

[ It feels so good to be trusted. He's...not always been a great Archon, he sleeps often and has left people to their own devices. And while in many ways he still feels it has been for the best, there's certainly times where he could have been an asset had he taken action but opted against it. ]

[Though still fairly naive in these matters, Raphael does learn quickly and the way he slides his thumb around and over the head of Luke's cock and smears the beading precum across it is anything but inexperienced. His fingers are warm around the twitching length, his lips gentle but insistent against the young man's lips as he barely lets him speak.

Raphael may not be affected by the resonance in the way that Luke is, but the situation itself has its own impact on him. The way his hair flushes red from root to tip has nothing to do with any influence of kizuna.]

It's all right. [He soothes softly, planting another kiss, rolling another wave of resonance through the air.] Do what you need to.

I find myself uncomfortable in large cities.

[Maybe it's the lack of familiarity. Maybe it's all the strangers. She isn't sure, but she had never been able to settle into the refugee housing and had yet to find anywhere else to put down more permanent roots.

She prods at the stew in her own bowl then takes a bite, looking into the fire as she chews and then swallows.] My tribe were always nomadic. I haven't been able to move around as much in the last ten years, but it isn't something I'm unused to.

[Vennessa looks up at him curiously and her lips quirk into a smile.]

And what about you?

[For all the rough ways that Red Wine might handle Dohalim physically, he has always been gentle with the man's emotions. In those times when he would push him to his limits, there was always a point where he would stop and make sure he felt all right, that it wasn't too much...

In hindsight, he was foolish for thinking that he could keep his heart out of this entirely, but how deeply and how swiftly he had fallen for this man had surprised even him.

Red Wine's pulse beats strong and solid under Dohalim's hand, and he presses his own against it to hold it to his chest. He smiles, warm and soft, and he doesn't need to say the words themselves to understand what the two of them had just confessed.]

I think I'd like that, too. [And then he pulls him in, his free hand pushed into Dohalim's hair and gripping gently at it. The kiss he presses to the man's lips isn't really like any other he has given him before. It's heated but gentle, soft with a touch of desperation about it. Still holding that one hand to his chest he slides his free arm around the other man's shoulders, gripping lightly against the skin with his fingertips.]

You truly are a marvel.

[it's almost like an explosion in his chest as he hears those words, to have his feelings seemingly reciprocated. it's more than just a desire for Red Wine's company, it's nearly a burning need to be by his side. but there's also a softer side to it, one that blooms within and warms him, one that causes more of those fluttering butterflies in his stomach.

is this what love is like? Dohalim had read many a poetic piece on the subject, and had even talked to not only Red Wine, but some others about it. if it is, he almost doesn't want to be too hopeful about it, as if he's worried that it might slip from his fingers; he doesn't want to lose this feeling. for the first time in so long, he's truly happy, and while frightening as it is that it could be gone in an instant, he holds the warm feeling close to his heart.

as he kisses the Food Soul, he matches it with his own gentle desperation, not wanting this moment, and feeling to end. there's still that blooming feeling in his chest even as they pull away, a small smile on his lips at Red Wine's words. but before he could say anything back, in the corner of his eye he sees an odd thing; rose buds entwining themselves in his wavy locks, blooming into the fullest miniature red roses. a flush creeps up on his cheeks as he reaches up with his free hand to carefully pluck at the delicate petals, before huffing out a soft laugh, shaking his head]

I suppose these say more than any words I could say, right now.

[Well... he can't exactly deny that Venti may not have always been the most reliable of people. Before meeting him, understanding who he really was, and even for a time after that... Diluc would have probably said that he was not terribly impressed with the person who claimed to be the anemo archon. He was not one to be blinded by piety and Barbatos had not impressed him.

It had taken some time after, of getting to know the archon on a more personal level, before he had seen the true thread of loyalty and firm honour that lay at the core of him. That had been something that Diluc had been able to come to respect.

Venti, he thinks, may not be the most effective archon. But he is a very good friend.]

I'm going to hold you to that. [He says, pushing his fingers into Venti's feathered wings again. Diluc tucks his free hand under his head, huffing out a soft sigh.]

Do you want to get some sleep?

[ There's a small, happy sigh that escapes when Diluc's fingers brush over his feathers. He nuzzles against the other's chest. He moves a hand up, brushing his fingers over Diluc's shoulder and arm. His own touch is gentle - almost as if he thinks Diluc is fragile. As if with every touch could possibly shatter him. The care he feels for Diluc is expressed in how he touches him, or snuggles in close. ]

I could easily sleep next to you.

[ A sign of trust, maybe? ]

You're very comfy, you know?

Ah... Hm.

[The small smile on Red Wine's face is held mostly in his eyes as his fingers brush around the edge of one of those tiny roses, then quickly move to take hold of Dohalim's hand instead. He pulls the man's fingers to his lips, pressing a firm kiss to them.

There are other things he could say right now - things he might like to say, maybe, had he the nerve - but he isn't sure that Dohalim is really ready to hear it.

Perhaps another time.]

They look good on you.

[And maybe that would be a compliment that the man would actually be able to take.]

[He lets out a chuff of laughter. Diluc doesn't miss the almost reverent way that the archon chooses to touch him and he glances away from Venti's face, following the movement of his hand instead. When he shifts in closer, Diluc wraps his arm around him and gives him a small squeeze.]

I've been told. Warm.

[Whether by virtue of his Vision or simply because he's a naturally warm-bodied person, he doesn't know, but he has been told he's comfortable and cosy by those who have been daring enough to think they can say such a thing.]

You can go to sleep if you want to. I don't mind.

Do you think so?

[he smiles softly at the kiss brushed against his fingertips; his other hand coming up to gently pluck at a bloom. as he pulls it out of his hair, Dohalim almost expects it to hurt for some reason, but it doesn't. kizuna magic is still such an odd subject that really, anything about it would surprise him, easily.

but he pushes that curiosity away for the time being as he tucks the rose in Red Wine's hair, behind his ear, before leaning in for another quick kiss]

Perhaps I should find a way to have them in my hair whenever I'm with you.

If they're appearing now, I expect we'll see them again.

[He tips his head up slightly to catch that kiss but doesn't chase it, instead settling his shoulders back down again and getting comfortable right where he is. Things feel different right now, somehow. An unspoken confession has passed between them and the gravity of it has not escaped Red Wine.

The question that he must ask himself is... would Dohalim be able to truly accept it, even if he reciprocated?

Red Wine reaches up, wraps one arm around the other man and pulls him down snugly against him.]

Are there any other minor, inconsequential facts about me that it might please you to know?

I might, then.

[ The idea is comforting. Being held and close to someone and cared for the way that Diluc cares for him. He likes to return the favor - he wants Diluc to feel the same from him. He closes his eyes, tucking into that warmth. ]

Cozy. It's so nice.

[ A sigh. ]

Get some rest, too.

[Dohalim hums softly to himself as he thinks of another question to ask Red Wine, now wanting to learn more of the smaller tidbits about the man. maybe learn something favourable that he can tuck away and surprise him with at a later date and time, if it calls for it]

What do you like to do in your spare time?

[it just dawns on him that he isn't sure what Red Wine likes to do leisurely, aside from spend some time with him. he feels bad that he hasn't asked this question before, but he supposes that now would be a great time to find out]

I will.

[And for once, he thinks he might actually do just that. Rest hasn't come easily to him for some years now, but being in a situation like this one makes it almost impossible to not relax.

He tucks one arm snug around Venti's waist, resting the other hand against his forearm as it drapes over his chest.]

I love you, Venti.

Mm... aside from you?

[He flashes a grin at Dohalim when he says that, knowing it will only take a moment for the crassness of the words to sink in. Red Wine laughs, tucks one hand behind his head and keeps the other curled around Dohalim's body.]

I read, sometimes I just explore... I play piano, so I do that when I get the chance. [The Food Soul shifts, making the position of his shoulders more comfortable against the bed.]

If there's work that needs doing, I'll do it. I've helped a few people fix their roof, things like that.

[the crass comment earns Red Wine a look from Dohalim, before he himself chuckles softly. Honestly, this man...

There's a small smile on his face as he lists off his hobbies; imagining Red Wine fixing roofs is an endearing image enough. But there's one particular hobby that piques his interest as he lifts his head up slightly with a look of curiosity on his face]

You play piano?

Mm, I do. You didn't think hands like this only knew how to use a blade, did you?

[He lifts one up into view. Pale, slim-fingered, entirely unblemished... it hardly looks like he has ever lifted a sword in his life. Though Dohalim has never seen him wielding a weapon he does know he was made for combat.]

I learned a few things at my first Master Attendant's request. Piano, violin, paper folding. I can sew, as well, and my cooking is passable, though usually too bland for most.

Ah, you play the violin as well?

[little does Red Wine probably know, he's speaking Dohalim's love language right now. Not only does he know how to play a musical instrument, but two, and one happens to be one that he's well versed in. There's an almost shine in his eyes as glances at Red Wine's hand, noting nimble fingers perfect for such instruments]

...Do you happen to have one here in Nippon?

Edited 2022-03-09 19:38 (UTC)

✵ [Jan Catchall] Hope is not pretending that troubles don't exist.

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