duke_of_illusions | aftercare

duke_of_illusions

Barma wakes up an hour or so later, yawning.

Reaching to check on Al right away.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

al_truism

"And to think, if you hadn't been in the library that day. And if I hadn't thought you were someone else entirely..."

From:

duke_of_illusions

"I was someone else entirely. Remember?"

Not the Barma Al had been looking for.

From:

al_truism

"Exactly."

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

From:

duke_of_illusions

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

Kissing him.

From:

al_truism

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

He whispers it like a secret.

From:

duke_of_illusions

"So were you."

He admits, heart fit to burst.

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

From:

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."

From:

duke_of_illusions

"My actions were not meant to cause pain."

He hopes he knows. Has to say it anyways.

From:

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.

From:

duke_of_illusions

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

From:

al_truism

Al flushes darkly.

"What?"

From:

duke_of_illusions

"Your nicknames."

They're sweet.

From:

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?"

From:

duke_of_illusions

"As long as you can stand the laughter."

Grinning at him.

From:

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.

From:

duke_of_illusions

"You're aiming for a beating."

Kissing him soundly.

From:

al_truism

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

From:

duke_of_illusions

He laughs, holding him down fondly.

From:

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.

From:

duke_of_illusions

"Oh? What about?"

Settling down on his chest with a huff.

From:

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."

From:

duke_of_illusions

"Sounds morbid, but pretty."

Smiling.

From:

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."