aftercare

[duke_of_illusions]

Barma wakes up an hour or so later, yawning.

Reaching to check on Al right away.

Comments

[duke_of_illusions]

"Strongarm Break into it. He owes you."

Tsking.

[al_truism]

"Nobody would accept him in that position. The population sees him as Lucifer's dog, at best."

Al is uncharacteristically blunt when he says it.

"And even I've questioned his judgment there."

[duke_of_illusions]

"Hm."

Not sure what to think of that.

[al_truism]

"... I would have. Before the mess over there. But I- won't say as much to him. It would break his heart."

[duke_of_illusions]

"What happened? Did he kill someone?"

Curious.

[al_truism]

"He nearly got himself killed trying to save Lucifer's life."

Softly.

"Lucifer is- he's terrible over there."

[duke_of_illusions]

"Good."

Stretching out.

[al_truism]

"Good?"

Carefully.

[duke_of_illusions]

"You know what I think of his judgement. I'm glad other people see it."

That's all.

[al_truism]

As sour as it feels, Barma is right.

Al goes quiet, shutting his eyes against the pain. He hates doubting anyone he loves.

[duke_of_illusions]

"You'll do well, no matter what."

He trusts that.

[al_truism]

Al winds his arms around him, pulls him down and close, and presses his face into his neck.

"I hope so."

[duke_of_illusions]

"I have faith in you."

Such utter faith.

[al_truism]

"I love you," he whispers, half-laughing against his skin.

"And it means everything that you believe in me this much."

[duke_of_illusions]

"I'm glad."

Smiling.

"Sometimes a little faith is all it takes."

[al_truism]

"Sometimes," he whispers back, and nibbles his neck, shifting under him.

"... tell me a fantasy. Or something you want to try."

[duke_of_illusions]

"I want to take you to more kink events, but with stricter standards of behaviour. A day for it."

Soft, stroking his cheek.

"Where you have to ask me permission to speak, where anyone who wishes to speak to you must ask me permission first. Where I sit and you rest your cheek on my knee and don't move."

[al_truism]

"I'd enjoy being your pet," he whispers back.

"I'd love all of that."

[duke_of_illusions]

"It would take tremendous discipline- and it might be very freeing for you."

[al_truism]

"Exactly."

Al gives a pleased little shiver, all the way down to his toes.

[duke_of_illusions]

"Someone likes it."

Laughing.

[al_truism]

"I like belonging to you," he huffs, softly, blushing.

"And you're the only one who treats me this way."

[duke_of_illusions]

"I hope you know it doesn't mean anything sinister."

[al_truism]

"Why would I think that?"

Al kisses his cheek, his chin.

[duke_of_illusions]

"If everyone else tells you differently-"