⌛ Who: Dohalim ilqaras, Luke re_sonate ⌛ What: Permanent Catch-All ⌛ When: Various ⌛ Where: Various; noted in threads ⌛ Warnings: Smut and other things probably
[Dohalim mirrors Red Wine's chuckle as he watches him play with his hair, catching his hand with his own to give it a gentle squeeze. as much as Red Wine had wanted it, he can't help but feel a little bad that he's the one who's causing his current discomfort, which is why he slides his other hand up to gently press against the small of his back]
I could alleviate the pain if you would like. It may be a bit more comfortable for you.
[it really wouldn't be any effort for him at all, and really, it's the least he could do (among other things) to take care of Red Wine. the man had always done so for him, so he really wants to make sure he does the same. however, the question does turn his smile into a cheeky grin, hidden slightly as he brings their hands up so he can kiss the man's fingers gently]
I quite enjoyed it. There was something about seeing and hearing you beg for me that I just can't explain. [there's a mischievous flash in his eyes for a moment] I suppose I'll have to do it more often.
I suppose you will. [And the grin he shoots at the other man when he says this is verging on devilish. Dohalim would have known long before now that Red Wine would have no objections at all to being absolutely ruined, and Red Wine is very happy indeed that Dohalim enjoyed it too.
As for the discomfort...
He shakes his head and grasps his lover's wrist, leaning in as their hands are clasped between them and pressing a kiss to Dohalim's fingers in turn.]
Let it be. I want to remember having you inside me for a little longer.
[It will be something he won't soon forget and he has never minded the ache that lingers afterwards. The sign of time well spent, he thinks.]
[Dohalim laughs softly, watching Red Wine kiss his fingers, before pulling them away in favour of kissing him proper. a soft, quick, but loving kiss]
As you wish. But my offer still stands, if you need it.
[as he pulls away, he glances into the tub; it still needs a moment for it to fill up. he's more than content to stay in the comfortable silence between the both of them, a sort of blissful afterglow settling over him. but soon the tub is filled and he turns the taps off, dipping a hand to make sure the water is at the perfect temperature]
I don't mind taking the plunge first, shall we say.
[He tests the water himself, being the kind of person who is never fond of being too hot, but finds that the temperature is perfectly acceptable. Red Wine climbs in gracefully and settles himself in the water, letting out a soft hum of pleasure as the heat works some of the ache out of the small of his back.
With one elbow resting on the edge of the tub he looks up at Dohalim with an expression that is entirely adoring, and holds up the other hand.]
Come on, now. It's getting lonely in here by myself.
[it's with that same adoration that Dohalim looks back at Red Wine as he lets out a soft laugh, before taking his hand and stepping into the tub himself. careful not to accidentally spill any water over the edge or land on top of Red Wine, he manages to settle in against the side, and pull the other man against him. Dohalim lets out a soft sigh, eyes slipping closed for a moment as the heat soothes his tired muscles]
[Red Wine follows the instruction easily enough, turning in the water to plant his back against Dohalim's solid chest and settling in against him. He shifts, making himself comfortable, then huffs out a soft sigh of his own.]
Mm... I've never done this before. [He plucks one of Dohalim's hands out of the water, holding it with both of his own and playing with his fingers.]
If you could believe it, this is the first time I've done this, as well.
[sinking into the water just a little more as his free hand brushes along Red Wine's chest and stomach, fingers drawing small circles. as his eyes open, he watches Red Wine's fingers play with his.
it's the moments like this that Dohalim has to cherish. there's a sense of serenity and calm that pushes any other thought out of his mind for more than just a moment; all that matters is the both of them, right now. he lets out another soft sigh, before leaning in to press a small kiss onto Red Wine's shoulder]
I am surprised. This is exactly the kind of decadence I would have expected you to have already indulged in.
[And it does feel terribly decadent, just lounging back like this while the hot water warms him through and steam dampens his hair against his forehead. He lets his head fall back against Dohalim's shoulder and sighs comfortably while he traces the shape of the other man's hand with his own.
Mm, by myself, yes. But with another person, I never have.
[as much as Dohalim disliked several things about palace life, there were some things he did enjoy. possibly because of his upbringing as a noble, he did let himself indulge in some things; one of them are his baths. something he realised he took for granted after he left Menancia, what with most inns not having as big a bath as he's used to, if he's even lucky to have one. and not to mention, more often than not, he had to share both a bathroom and bedroom with Alphen and Law... not the most ideal circumstances when he usually likes to soak for a substantial amount of time.
he ponders on the question for a moment, humming to himself, resting his chin on Red Wine's shoulder]
As for my life before... I feel like I've lead a double life of sorts. Would you like to know of the less than interesting intricacies of being a lord? Or my life after that?
Hmm... [He can let himself relax like this, leaning up against someone he is so very fond of with the hot water working the last of the ache out of his muscles. Red Wine always heals quickly but he had still expected to be sore the next day, but he thinks that if they did this more often he may not have that to be concerned about at all.
He mulls over the question for a moment. Not that he doesn't think Dohalim would make him choose one at the expense of the other, but which one to ask for first?]
[for all of what happened in Menancia and what started his journey to end the Crown Contest, and trying to placate Rinwell's anger towards him, among other things... Dohalim lets out a soft hum, thinking of what to say]
I suppose the most important thing that was on my mind was stopping the Crown Contest. I'd just left Menancia with my companions, to venture to the next realm and put an end to the lord's tyranny there. [Dohalim frowns slightly at the thought of what they'd witnessed] What we found was... Unexpected, to say the least. And a little distressing.
[after witnessing the Hollowing with Migal in Menancia, it was already so much. to see a wide group of Niez's citizens reach the same unfortunate end... Dohalim doesn't notice his arm around Red Wine tightening ever so slightly. he clears his throat softly, before continuing]
Though, there were moments that helped with the morale. [he laughs suddenly at a sudden memory] I'd gotten Law into some trouble with the rest of our friends, once. I'd hid our provisions to teach a lesson in food shortages within a collective, and he had an apple he'd kept to himself.
[He loves listening to Dohalim talk. Regardless of what he's talking about, his voice falls like honey on Red Wine's ears and he listens, his head faintly cocked, to every word that the other man says.
That he doesn't even really need to try anymore in order to get information about his past out of him doesn't escape him. It's a rewarding thing to know that he has managed to reach a point of trust and comfort with this man that means they can speak like this.]
You hid the food? [Red Wine laughs, half turning against Dohalim's chest to look up at him. There's a broad grin on his face.]
You little devil. I didn't see you as such a prankster.
[Dohalim matches Red Wine's grin; note that he doesn't argue the fact that he's a so called "devil". he knows what he is, sometimes, and perhaps in his adulthood, he'd calmed down quite a bit, but how else was he supposed to keep his and his friends' spirits alive and vibrant in an environment that was so stringent? it'd been such a relief when he slowly started to let his hair down a little, especially when his companions did not refer to him as a lord. for once, in seven years, he'd been able to just be Dohalim]
I was pulling no prank. I had seen him pick an apple earlier in the day and pocketed it for himself, so I figured he'd learn to share. I think Shionne and Rinwell nearly killed him.
[His light tone makes it clear enough that he's teasing as he shuffles comfortably against Dohalim's chest and stretches his legs out slightly. The base of his spine still feels like it's aching just a little, but it does feel strangely pleasant.]
Should he have picked an apple for everyone, or not picked the apple at all?
When you're in a collective of six people, including yourself, you quickly realise how precious resources are, especially when different realms are not as abundant as Menancia.
[of course, he won't get into the fact that he had spent half of the party's gald on an antique; it's not like he couldn't have let it go! or the fact that it's taken him a while to realise that, yes, resources are precious, and should be shared between each other.
no, he won't tell Red Wine any of that. this story isn't about him, after all]
And one does realise how hungry they are when there's a sudden shortage of food, only for a morsel to be dangled in front of them. It also does not help that Shionne has a very large appetite, so she was especially irritated by it.
[Red Wine hums thoughtfully, but there's a thread of amusement in it too. Those kinds of antics don't sound so dissimilar to what things were like when he, Steak and Gingerbread travelled together, and though Law's only crime seemed to be not telling everyone else about an apple tree he found, he can understand the reaction.
He smiles, tilting his head back and to the side to brush a kiss against the line of Dohalim's jaw.]
You can be assured that should I ever find an apple tree and we are both hungry, I'll pick two.
[Dohalim laughs softly at that, leaning in to press a kiss to Red Wine's shoulder. it seems like such a logical and simple thing to do, to pick enough food to feed the both of them, but Dohalim can't help but feel touched. but then again, it seems that Red Wine could do the bare minimum at this point, and Dohalim would appreciate the gesture. the feelings he has for the man causes those butterflies to flutter in the pit of his stomach; it's a strange feeling, but he finds himself not disliking it at all.
he sits in silence for a moment, occasionally moving around to gently clean Red Wine up, before humming to himself]
[He can think of few questions he might ask that Dohalim would not wish to answer. The other man has already divulged so much information about his past and how it has led to his current and often fragile mental state, where Red Wine often only offer roadblocks when his own mind is pried too deeply into...
But the offer is there, and he tips the top of his head gently against Dohalim's cheek.]
You had a childhood, I suppose. [Red Wine has long since established that he came into the world as he is, with no maturing necessary... but he is curious.] What was it like?
[Dohalim is silent for a moment, hands coming up to gently comb and play with the ends of Red Wine's hair, trying to figure out how to answer that question. it isn't to say he had a terrible childhood; no, he was very fortunate to have grown up in wealth and status. perhaps, even when he was a child, he knew just what he was destined to be, to have come from a lineage of lords, even if the idea of reigning supreme over the Dhanans made him uncomfortable. from a young age, all he wanted to do was play music, from the moment he played his first instrument. to this day, he has to wonder if any of them are still in his home in Lenegis.
the silent pause stretches for several minutes, before he speaks again]
...Austere, to say the least. I was fortunate enough to have had lived a life of luxury that a lot of the people in Lenegis could never dream of, but... It was rather lonely, at times.
[maybe that's why he prefers to be alone some of the time; just something he picked up when he was younger]
It isn't to say my childhood was miserable, but... I suppose one could look at it as repressive. I kept to myself most of the time, and the only time I was ever able to express myself freely was when I played music. [Dohalim has to smile bitterly to himself] Now that I think about it... I never really was good at showing my emotions.
[That's a little sad... but not unexpected. Dohalim having a bright and thrilling childhood would have been more surprising, and he keeps his head resting back against the man's shoulder while he talks. Red Wine gazes up at the ceiling, listening to Dohalim's voice, and closes his eyes.]
You, not good at showing your emotions? Mm, I never would have said that about you.
[If Dohalim looks at him at the right moment he'll find a mischievous smile on his face just after he says that.]
But that's a shame... though not so different to the upbringings of most nobles I've met. I never did quite understand why the upper classes wish to train emotional expression out of their children.
[Dohalim lifts his hand up to flick some water at Red Wine; the only retaliation he has against the jest. but as he brings his hand back down into the water, he pulls the other man closer to him, resting his chin on his shoulder. he ponders on the Food Souls' comment, pulling from his own experiences]
It's not proper to show much emotion. People look up to us to be beacons of sophistication and propriety, to be leaders and influences. To show a veneer of class is desirable, and emotions get in the way of that. Emotions can turn ugly, especially in the view of the public's eye. And the more prominent the family, the more those ugly emotions can bring shame and sow doubts about our abilities as leaders.
[he says all of that nonchalantly; it's just the way of life as he knows it. he'd become somewhat of an expert at hiding those emotions as soon as he arrived in Menancia, from the first time he'd heard those screams; he couldn't let the Renans with him know just how weak he was emotionally. he'd hidden behind closed doors, only to emerge from them stone faced and seemingly unaffected. he's sure that if he'd shown his true despair for the Dahnans' suffering and his own trauma, he wouldn't have been able to reform the realm. people follow leaders who are calm and collected, and that's what he gave them, when all he wanted was to lock himself away]
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no subject
I could alleviate the pain if you would like. It may be a bit more comfortable for you.
[it really wouldn't be any effort for him at all, and really, it's the least he could do (among other things) to take care of Red Wine. the man had always done so for him, so he really wants to make sure he does the same. however, the question does turn his smile into a cheeky grin, hidden slightly as he brings their hands up so he can kiss the man's fingers gently]
I quite enjoyed it. There was something about seeing and hearing you beg for me that I just can't explain. [there's a mischievous flash in his eyes for a moment] I suppose I'll have to do it more often.
no subject
As for the discomfort...
He shakes his head and grasps his lover's wrist, leaning in as their hands are clasped between them and pressing a kiss to Dohalim's fingers in turn.]
Let it be. I want to remember having you inside me for a little longer.
[It will be something he won't soon forget and he has never minded the ache that lingers afterwards. The sign of time well spent, he thinks.]
no subject
As you wish. But my offer still stands, if you need it.
[as he pulls away, he glances into the tub; it still needs a moment for it to fill up. he's more than content to stay in the comfortable silence between the both of them, a sort of blissful afterglow settling over him. but soon the tub is filled and he turns the taps off, dipping a hand to make sure the water is at the perfect temperature]
Would you like to climb in first, or shall I?
no subject
[He tests the water himself, being the kind of person who is never fond of being too hot, but finds that the temperature is perfectly acceptable. Red Wine climbs in gracefully and settles himself in the water, letting out a soft hum of pleasure as the heat works some of the ache out of the small of his back.
With one elbow resting on the edge of the tub he looks up at Dohalim with an expression that is entirely adoring, and holds up the other hand.]
Come on, now. It's getting lonely in here by myself.
no subject
[it's with that same adoration that Dohalim looks back at Red Wine as he lets out a soft laugh, before taking his hand and stepping into the tub himself. careful not to accidentally spill any water over the edge or land on top of Red Wine, he manages to settle in against the side, and pull the other man against him. Dohalim lets out a soft sigh, eyes slipping closed for a moment as the heat soothes his tired muscles]
Ah, this is much better.
no subject
Mm... I've never done this before. [He plucks one of Dohalim's hands out of the water, holding it with both of his own and playing with his fingers.]
Clearly I've been missing out on an experience.
no subject
[sinking into the water just a little more as his free hand brushes along Red Wine's chest and stomach, fingers drawing small circles. as his eyes open, he watches Red Wine's fingers play with his.
it's the moments like this that Dohalim has to cherish. there's a sense of serenity and calm that pushes any other thought out of his mind for more than just a moment; all that matters is the both of them, right now. he lets out another soft sigh, before leaning in to press a small kiss onto Red Wine's shoulder]
no subject
[And it does feel terribly decadent, just lounging back like this while the hot water warms him through and steam dampens his hair against his forehead. He lets his head fall back against Dohalim's shoulder and sighs comfortably while he traces the shape of the other man's hand with his own.
It's nice. He could stand to do this more often.]
What was your life like, Do? Before, I mean.
no subject
[as much as Dohalim disliked several things about palace life, there were some things he did enjoy. possibly because of his upbringing as a noble, he did let himself indulge in some things; one of them are his baths. something he realised he took for granted after he left Menancia, what with most inns not having as big a bath as he's used to, if he's even lucky to have one. and not to mention, more often than not, he had to share both a bathroom and bedroom with Alphen and Law... not the most ideal circumstances when he usually likes to soak for a substantial amount of time.
he ponders on the question for a moment, humming to himself, resting his chin on Red Wine's shoulder]
As for my life before... I feel like I've lead a double life of sorts. Would you like to know of the less than interesting intricacies of being a lord? Or my life after that?
no subject
He mulls over the question for a moment. Not that he doesn't think Dohalim would make him choose one at the expense of the other, but which one to ask for first?]
After that. For starters.
no subject
[for all of what happened in Menancia and what started his journey to end the Crown Contest, and trying to placate Rinwell's anger towards him, among other things... Dohalim lets out a soft hum, thinking of what to say]
I suppose the most important thing that was on my mind was stopping the Crown Contest. I'd just left Menancia with my companions, to venture to the next realm and put an end to the lord's tyranny there. [Dohalim frowns slightly at the thought of what they'd witnessed] What we found was... Unexpected, to say the least. And a little distressing.
[after witnessing the Hollowing with Migal in Menancia, it was already so much. to see a wide group of Niez's citizens reach the same unfortunate end... Dohalim doesn't notice his arm around Red Wine tightening ever so slightly. he clears his throat softly, before continuing]
Though, there were moments that helped with the morale. [he laughs suddenly at a sudden memory] I'd gotten Law into some trouble with the rest of our friends, once. I'd hid our provisions to teach a lesson in food shortages within a collective, and he had an apple he'd kept to himself.
no subject
That he doesn't even really need to try anymore in order to get information about his past out of him doesn't escape him. It's a rewarding thing to know that he has managed to reach a point of trust and comfort with this man that means they can speak like this.]
You hid the food? [Red Wine laughs, half turning against Dohalim's chest to look up at him. There's a broad grin on his face.]
You little devil. I didn't see you as such a prankster.
no subject
[Dohalim matches Red Wine's grin; note that he doesn't argue the fact that he's a so called "devil". he knows what he is, sometimes, and perhaps in his adulthood, he'd calmed down quite a bit, but how else was he supposed to keep his and his friends' spirits alive and vibrant in an environment that was so stringent? it'd been such a relief when he slowly started to let his hair down a little, especially when his companions did not refer to him as a lord. for once, in seven years, he'd been able to just be Dohalim]
I was pulling no prank. I had seen him pick an apple earlier in the day and pocketed it for himself, so I figured he'd learn to share. I think Shionne and Rinwell nearly killed him.
no subject
[His light tone makes it clear enough that he's teasing as he shuffles comfortably against Dohalim's chest and stretches his legs out slightly. The base of his spine still feels like it's aching just a little, but it does feel strangely pleasant.]
Should he have picked an apple for everyone, or not picked the apple at all?
[How could they begrudge the poor man a snack?]
no subject
[of course, he won't get into the fact that he had spent half of the party's gald on an antique; it's not like he couldn't have let it go! or the fact that it's taken him a while to realise that, yes, resources are precious, and should be shared between each other.
no, he won't tell Red Wine any of that. this story isn't about him, after all]
And one does realise how hungry they are when there's a sudden shortage of food, only for a morsel to be dangled in front of them. It also does not help that Shionne has a very large appetite, so she was especially irritated by it.
no subject
[Red Wine hums thoughtfully, but there's a thread of amusement in it too. Those kinds of antics don't sound so dissimilar to what things were like when he, Steak and Gingerbread travelled together, and though Law's only crime seemed to be not telling everyone else about an apple tree he found, he can understand the reaction.
He smiles, tilting his head back and to the side to brush a kiss against the line of Dohalim's jaw.]
You can be assured that should I ever find an apple tree and we are both hungry, I'll pick two.
no subject
he sits in silence for a moment, occasionally moving around to gently clean Red Wine up, before humming to himself]
Is there anything else you would like to know?
no subject
[He can think of few questions he might ask that Dohalim would not wish to answer. The other man has already divulged so much information about his past and how it has led to his current and often fragile mental state, where Red Wine often only offer roadblocks when his own mind is pried too deeply into...
But the offer is there, and he tips the top of his head gently against Dohalim's cheek.]
You had a childhood, I suppose. [Red Wine has long since established that he came into the world as he is, with no maturing necessary... but he is curious.] What was it like?
no subject
[Dohalim is silent for a moment, hands coming up to gently comb and play with the ends of Red Wine's hair, trying to figure out how to answer that question. it isn't to say he had a terrible childhood; no, he was very fortunate to have grown up in wealth and status. perhaps, even when he was a child, he knew just what he was destined to be, to have come from a lineage of lords, even if the idea of reigning supreme over the Dhanans made him uncomfortable. from a young age, all he wanted to do was play music, from the moment he played his first instrument. to this day, he has to wonder if any of them are still in his home in Lenegis.
the silent pause stretches for several minutes, before he speaks again]
...Austere, to say the least. I was fortunate enough to have had lived a life of luxury that a lot of the people in Lenegis could never dream of, but... It was rather lonely, at times.
[maybe that's why he prefers to be alone some of the time; just something he picked up when he was younger]
It isn't to say my childhood was miserable, but... I suppose one could look at it as repressive. I kept to myself most of the time, and the only time I was ever able to express myself freely was when I played music. [Dohalim has to smile bitterly to himself] Now that I think about it... I never really was good at showing my emotions.
no subject
You, not good at showing your emotions? Mm, I never would have said that about you.
[If Dohalim looks at him at the right moment he'll find a mischievous smile on his face just after he says that.]
But that's a shame... though not so different to the upbringings of most nobles I've met. I never did quite understand why the upper classes wish to train emotional expression out of their children.
no subject
[Dohalim lifts his hand up to flick some water at Red Wine; the only retaliation he has against the jest. but as he brings his hand back down into the water, he pulls the other man closer to him, resting his chin on his shoulder. he ponders on the Food Souls' comment, pulling from his own experiences]
It's not proper to show much emotion. People look up to us to be beacons of sophistication and propriety, to be leaders and influences. To show a veneer of class is desirable, and emotions get in the way of that. Emotions can turn ugly, especially in the view of the public's eye. And the more prominent the family, the more those ugly emotions can bring shame and sow doubts about our abilities as leaders.
[he says all of that nonchalantly; it's just the way of life as he knows it. he'd become somewhat of an expert at hiding those emotions as soon as he arrived in Menancia, from the first time he'd heard those screams; he couldn't let the Renans with him know just how weak he was emotionally. he'd hidden behind closed doors, only to emerge from them stone faced and seemingly unaffected. he's sure that if he'd shown his true despair for the Dahnans' suffering and his own trauma, he wouldn't have been able to reform the realm. people follow leaders who are calm and collected, and that's what he gave them, when all he wanted was to lock himself away]