aftercare

[duke_of_illusions]

Barma wakes up an hour or so later, yawning.

Reaching to check on Al right away.

Comments

[duke_of_illusions]

"I was someone else entirely. Remember?"

Not the Barma Al had been looking for.

[al_truism]

"Exactly."

Al gives a shiver, nuzzles into his neck. "But you were a bit different from the start."

[duke_of_illusions]

"Perhaps that's why we've kept each other."

Kissing him.

[al_truism]

"I keep those I come to love. But you were special from the start."

He whispers it like a secret.

[duke_of_illusions]

"So were you."

He admits, heart fit to burst.

"I'm still sorry, for my silly limitations."

[al_truism]

"I loved you regardless," he promises, touching his nose to Barma's.

"You were being careful, so careful. I know how it was."

[duke_of_illusions]

"My actions were not meant to cause pain."

He hopes he knows. Has to say it anyways.

[al_truism]

"I know."

He's always known.

"You've got a much kinder heart than you like to let yourself realize, Ru."

The nickname just slips out.

[duke_of_illusions]

He snorts, though at what isn't immediately obvious.

[al_truism]

Al flushes darkly.

"What?"

[duke_of_illusions]

"Your nicknames."

They're sweet.

[al_truism]

"Do you think you can stand to be called that?"

Nibbling on his own lower lip, while looking up at him.

"In private?"

[duke_of_illusions]

"As long as you can stand the laughter."

Grinning at him.

[al_truism]

"Ru," he says thoughtfully, eyes alight.

He's still a little out of it, but this is keeping him in the present.

"Sweetie. Dearest. Kitten?" He rolls his eyes upward. "Kitten...?"

Maaaybe.

[duke_of_illusions]

"You're aiming for a beating."

Kissing him soundly.

[al_truism]

Al makes a pleased, eager noise, grinding up against him.

[duke_of_illusions]

He laughs, holding him down fondly.

[al_truism]

Al huffs a laugh, wrapping his legs around Barma's waist and arching his back, slowly. Bright, happy.

"I had a dream the other night," he whispers.

[duke_of_illusions]

"Oh? What about?"

Settling down on his chest with a huff.

[al_truism]

Al plays with his hair, winding the part that sticks up right around his finger.

"I was back home, in the old village. Running through the woods, down the old trails. I wasn't a child, but I wasn't me yet either. But I was in my body."

He tilts his head back, looking up at the bed canopy, eyes faraway.

"And I came to the river. It was bright and clear, but there was red in the water. And I realized it was your hair. You were caught on the rocks, sprawled out and soaking wet. I got the sense that you were in pain, but you looked so peaceful and still, like a creature of the river."

[duke_of_illusions]

"Sounds morbid, but pretty."

Smiling.

[al_truism]

Al takes a moment to nuzzle his neck, brushing a finger against Barma's lower lip.

"I waded out and carefully helped you down off the rocks, and as soon as I did, you pulled away and slid into the water- and pulled me down with you."

He kisses him.

"And I panicked, and struggled, and then you kissed me and I realized I could breathe.

"It was such a strange dream."

[duke_of_illusions]

"Have we talked, before, about symbolism? Waters, trees, forests, keys?"

[al_truism]

"I don't think so?"

He's still a man of science, after all this time.

[duke_of_illusions]

"I study a great deal of universal imagery, as a part of illusion-making. Nightmares are effective when they're cultural, primal, shared."

He strokes his side.

"But this isn't about nightmares. Close your eyes for me."