IC Inbox

[knowmyplace]

text // audio // video // action

Comments

[knowmyplace]

He leans into that touch. "I should, I should. But you are right that the ground is quite comfortable." He places a hand over Jedao's. "Are you offering to walk me to my cabin?"

[deuceoftears]

"You liar," Jedao says, utterly fondly. "I don't think you got any real sleep out here at all."

He pets a little more, indulging them both.

"I am, yes."

[knowmyplace]

Liar Jedao calls him and Iago smiles with warmth, finding nothing but amusement in the word.

He pushes himself up and away for a moment, stretching his arms over his head. He feels - sore in all the wrong places, but sleeping in a bed is exactly what he needs. "How do you wake so refreshed? Do you - recall anything of the evening?"

[deuceoftears]

"I remember everything," Jedao admits, pink tinging his cheeks, and the tips of his ears, a little bit of the dawn splashing him, embarrassed but not ashamed, still perfectly comfortable meeting Iago's eyes as he gets to his feet as well.

"So I know you've seen enough to guess that I'm not especially human."

[knowmyplace]

"I have met some exceptionally odd humans," he points out and stands, his eyes on that stain of pink on his cheeks for half a second too long. He looks away, rubbing the back of his neck. "But I can guess that you are much different than human."

[deuceoftears]

"Well, one of the...consequences, of what I am, is that I heal very quickly. Which, happily, includes both processing recreational toxins and apparently the aches and pains of sleeping on dirt."

He offers Iago an arm.

[knowmyplace]

He takes that arm. "Were you intending on being by yourself?" he wonders. "You were in no fit state, even as you are. Even with all the strange abilities you have."

[deuceoftears]

"I wasn't by myself. I was with everyone," Jedao says, and for a moment a little of the dreaminess slips back into his voice; he shivers happily with the memory. "But it was better with you there, because you knew you were with me."

He pats Iago's hand with his free one.

"You're very sweet to worry about me. If anyone meant me harm, they would have ended up very confused when they simply couldn't get to me. I was most in danger from poetic loneliness, from which you nobly saved me."

[knowmyplace]

That gets a laugh. "I had thought you would wish to return to a friend. A lover. Someone you have met on more than two occasions. I had hoped you would not fault me for staying."

He looks down. "It was selfishness, too."

[deuceoftears]

"Oh, good," Jedao says cheerfully, deliberately cheeky and bright, leaning over to press a brief, light kiss on Iago's cheek. "I like to be wanted," he confides, "And I did ask."

Selfishness is infinitely preferred over selflessly humoring him.

"Most of my friends and lovers had found other occupation, and my husband is being very responsible and getting supplies in the city. I thought it would be a nice time to simply...drink in the whole festival. And I did like that - but I liked it more with you there, too."

[knowmyplace]

If he has a reaction to the word husband, he doesn't show it outwardly. Instead, the blush that spreads to his cheeks and ears can be seen even underneath cheeks smudged with dirt.

"I enjoyed having you there," he admits. "Though I have found that your presence makes any moment brighter."

[deuceoftears]

He ducks his head, his own blush darkening.

Not sure quite how to deal with that compliment, he murmurs, "I care for people quickly. There's a young man, gone from the barge now, whom I've adopted as my son. It took me months to ask him, but I knew I loved him, I knew he was my child, three minutes after meeting him. So three meetings, or even two - sometimes, that's enough to know that someone delights me. And you do."

[knowmyplace]

Once again, Jedao's genuine nature stares him in the face and, once again, he's at a loss for words. He ducks his head as they approach the Barge and board, saying nothing until he's back to the reality of his prison, with the deck under his feet.

"Gone from the Barge? Will you return to him?"

[deuceoftears]

"Yes."

A fact, a promise, a loving threat. He will not tolerate the world in any other shape.

[knowmyplace]

"Good. I have no children, so I cannot imagine the pain at being separated in such a way, but - I know it must be immense."

He stops and takes his hand deliberately. "I didn't say explicitly, but you delight me as well. And we have enjoyed ourselves. But do not feel now as if you need to hide those parts of you that are hurting. Not now. I'd like to know you, Jedao. Hurts as well as pleasures."

[deuceoftears]

Jedao squeezes his hand gently.

"It's alright. I was very afraid, when he first disappeared, and I worried many of my friends, running recklessly, as they thought, into danger to find him. But I did find him, and helped him find a safe place to stay, until either the Admiral brings him back or I can return to him. I miss him, but I don't have to fear for him."

[knowmyplace]

"Recklessly is the best way, I think, to feel love. Familial or otherwise. And if we love someone recklessly, then we sometimes act the same when they are in danger." He stands there a moment and, on impulse, presses a quick kiss to his cheek.

"I'm glad you have him. And friends who care."

[deuceoftears]

"I've been very lucky in the people I've found here," Jedao agrees, instead of whining about how it's not really reckless if you're an invincible genius assassin, probably.

[knowmyplace]

"As have I."

He steps back. "You've fulfilled your duty to walk me, if you'd rather return to the festival," he points out.

[deuceoftears]

"Are you asking me to go?" he asks, voice mild, eyes piercing.

[knowmyplace]

"No."

The answer is decisive. Delivered without hesitation.

"Are you asking to continue?"

[deuceoftears]

"I'm offering to stay," he murmurs, with a quiet, earnest intensity that cannot quite be called gentle.

[knowmyplace]

He reaches out in gratitude, linking their fingers like adolescents, smitten and serious.

He ducks into the corridors and to the steps, finding his room with the small door attached. He lets go only to unlock it and open it into his room. It's dark for a moment until he can light the lantern, but nearly spartan in its display. His sword lies reverently on his desk, his journal open and pen nearby. His bed is meticulously made and the rug swept.

[deuceoftears]

His gaze lingers for a few seconds on the sword, before he focuses again on escorting Iago to his bed, watching keenly for any hint, any suggestion one way or another. Iago is tired, does need the sleep. He kissed Jedao last night - Jedao is quite sure Iago initiated the kissing at least some of the time - but also slowed him down when Jedao got too handsy. But Jedao has given him chances to shove Jedao off several times this morning, and he has taken none of them.

[knowmyplace]

He's exhausted, but some moments transcend the need for rest, especially in these circumstances. Rest, like most luxuries, can always come later. Iago has been deprived for longer and with less motivating endings, after all.

He follows, never taking his hand from Jedao's, and when they reach his bed, he cups his face so he can kiss him soundly, laying to rest his own earlier hesitations.