aftercare

[duke_of_illusions]

Barma wakes up an hour or so later, yawning.

Reaching to check on Al right away.

Comments

[al_truism]

"Green," he answers carefully. "Just turning to autumn. Touches of gold, orange. Tall and old and deep. Quiet, but with life underneath. Like it was waiting for me to pass, so the small things would be able to creep out of hiding again."

[duke_of_illusions]

"The woods are the world at large, the path your journey through life. What was the key like? What did you do with it?"

[al_truism]

"It was old, antique. Heavy. It was a little dirty when I picked it up but I rubbed it off on my shirt and hung it around my neck, tucked under my jacket."

[duke_of_illusions]

"Family."

He explains, smiling.

"Your obstacle? And solving it?"

[al_truism]

"A swamp. Deep water, snakes swimming through it. I just waded on through after finding a stick to poke through the deep places with."

[duke_of_illusions]

"Life, the road ahead, your sense of self and relationship with your fears. The water? What did you do with it?"

His favourite part.

[al_truism]

"It was a river. Bright and sparkling and filled with fish. I waded in, let it wash me clean, settled down on the larger rocks in the middle. It was very peaceful."

[duke_of_illusions]

"Water is sex. Water is always sex."

Laughing.

"Your dream about me, it makes a great deal of sense, considering how hard you're wrestling with your sexuality right now."

[al_truism]

Al laughs, looking thoughtful.

"... it does make sense. And you know... when I was younger, I'd run away from things. But the river was always my place of comfort. If I was scared or unhappy I'd always find myself there."

He sighs.

"It's the same now, in that figurative sense. Sex is a comfort. I turn to it when I'm feeling insecure."

[duke_of_illusions]

Kissing his forehead, he settles back down over him, possessive and catlike, yawning.

[al_truism]

Al is very content to feel owned, right then. Warm and safe, Barma as his blanket.

"... I ask for it quite a bit from you," he murmurs. "Don't be afraid to tell me no."

[duke_of_illusions]

"Al, you don't ask for very much at all. Just a little human decency."

That's all.

[al_truism]

"Mhm. Sleep, dear. You're still tired."

Al strokes behind his ear, that soft patch of skin.

[duke_of_illusions]

"I'll be up all night if I do."

Standing, with a yawn.

[al_truism]

Al rolls over to put his chin on his folded arms, watching him appreciatively.

[duke_of_illusions]

"It's too late for breakfast in bed, but I can offer you lunch."

Reaching down to stroke his hair back.

[al_truism]

Al sprawls out under his touch like a cat, almost purring.

"If it's light...?"

[duke_of_illusions]

"You need to eat."

Non-negotiable.

[al_truism]

Al isn't hungry at all, which is very rare. But he nods.

[duke_of_illusions]

"Wait here."

Kissing his forehead.

"I'll be back soon."

[al_truism]

Al gives him a little smile and tries to doze off while Barma is gone.

[duke_of_illusions]

He returns, a comparatively long while later, with more of his food. The sort that makes Al understand cooking as art. Crisp latkes with apple cherry sauce and sour cream, a chilled cucumber and basil soup.

[al_truism]

It's like absolutely nothing Al has seen before, but he's adventurous enough to try it all. He takes a special liking the latkes, especially because of the hint of apple.

"What are these?"

[duke_of_illusions]

"Potato and onion, mostly. A touch of flour and egg."

Joining him, tucking in.

[al_truism]

"They're really delicious. Kind of like pancakes but crispy."