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[kinnie]

@merc

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[limbical]

[There's a pause from Daan, his fingers stroking down Cloud's cheek.]

In what way?

[And in some ways Cloud has as well, he thinks to himself.]

[kinnie]

You’re… I don’t know…

[ more affectionate. honest. comfortable. sweet. willing. ]

…More yourself.

[ a beat. ]

I like that.

[ “i like you.” ]

[limbical]

[It makes him think, briefly, of how Cloud expressed that he felt more like himself around Daan. Back then, he didn't entirely understand, but it's starting to reveal itself.

And maybe Daan is finding he can be more himself with Cloud in turn.]

I feel... safe with you.

[Perhaps that's what it is. That he wouldn't be judged for not keeping up appearances, remembering propriety, that sort of thing.]

[kinnie]

[ cloud's fingers trace the outline of his jaw, cupping his cheek. ]

Good.

[ he deserved that. he always did. ]

I want that for you.

[limbical]

[Closing his eye, Daan leans into Cloud's hand, letting out a content sigh.]

It's weird. [Daan places a hand over Cloud's.] Not because of you, just... in general.

[He's been guarded for most of his life. He's had to be, and he can't-- he really can't remember letting it slip for too long.

It's starting to feel more natural with Cloud.]

[kinnie]

…Yeah. I get it. Trust me.

[ it was all so incredibly foreign to him — he could hardly parse it. ]

…It’ll get easier. And I’m not… I’m not going anywhere, so…

[limbical]

[Ah. That-- yeah. Hearing that sinks into him, and Daan finds himself embracing Cloud as fiercely as he can. Daan lets out a shudder, then nods slowly.]

It's... also frightening. To think of potentially losing this.

[Losing you.]

So don't do anything too foolish.

[kinnie]

[ “losing this”—

what is this, he wants to ask. what we have, what we can’t leave behind, what we keep coming back to—

cloud holds him tightly. ]

…Right back at you, doc.

[ … ]

…I want you around — with me.

[limbical]

[Daan has known for awhile now what this is, what's developing here. But he knows he was going to let it take its course the moment Daan reached out to make his apology, that Cloud forgave him for his lashing out and cruelty. Through all that, through all of his misery and Daan's warning of his potential future, Cloud has stayed. Determined, protective, and kind. Sometimes a brat, sometimes a bastard, but still nevertheless at the heart of it he's been good to Daan.

He kisses Cloud's fingers gently.]

Well, like I said before, you're stuck with me.

So you'll get your wish.

[kinnie]

Daan.

[ it’s said softly — quietly, before the silence passes back and forth between them, and cloud finally works up the courage to ask: ]

…The sadness you felt before. Is it… is it still like that?

[ “are you any happier now — have i made you happier at all?” ]

[limbical]

I still feel grief, and loss. But it... isn't as prevalent. Less like have a gaping hole in my chest, less like I'm walking down a tunnel getting only darker and darker.

It's there, but it's not all that I have. You know?

[He still despises the resort and what it stands for. He hates how it feels like it's done nothing but toy with him, but he's also grateful for having Marina and Cloud so near and dear to him. Two very different kinds of affections he holds for them.]

I'd be in a bad way if I didn't have you and Marina. Not to put any kind of pressure on you two.

[But given an inch, and he will have dependency for a mile. Elise gave him just a hint of affection, and he devoted himself to her.

Thus, his sense of loyalty runs deep.]

[kinnie]

[ cloud listens, attentive, understanding — before a hand drifts towards daan’s jaw, folding over his cheek. ]

…Do you—

Do you have any hope for yourself?

[ he wants so desperately for the answer to be yes. ]

[limbical]

I... don't know.

[He knows that isn't the answer that Cloud probably wants to hear, but Daan doesn't want to lie to him either.]

I think... maybe I'm scared of the future. Not knowing what's going to happen. But I almost prefer that than just accepting whatever it was Olivia saw became of me.

[kinnie]

Daan…

[ if anyone knows what it means to fight fate — it’s him. ]

No matter what happens… I’m going to try and save you.

[limbical]

I know.

[That much he can say more confidently, a faint smile forming.]

I know that... no matter what happens, you'll put your all into it. To help me.

[kinnie]

…You’ve always been worth that.

[ a thumb glides across his cheek, its touch warm and feather light. ]

Even if you don’t think so, I do.

[limbical]

[Daan leans into the hand.]

I know you do, Cloud.

It's... hard for me to see what you see. I wish I could give you a better answer.

[kinnie]

...S'fine. Not your fault.

[ fingers thread through tufts of his hair, the gesture brisk and benign. ]

You've... done a lot of good. Whether you realize it or not.

[ for other people. for me. ]

[limbical]

[It feels nice, fingers brushing through his hair. Even something so simple makes him feel more at ease and comforted. It also makes him question things he doesn't feel prepared to question.

It's too easy to think of his own flaws and shortcomings -- but he tries not to. Not right now.]

I'm trying.

But I guess... I need the reminder.

[kinnie]

[ cloud shifts a bit, body weight hovering over him -- he buries his mouth into the crook of daan's neck, administering easy, gentle kisses that trail down to his chest. one hand slides down his jaw. ]

I can give you one.

[limbical]

[While bites and bruises make him cry out and squirm under Cloud, the sweeter, delicate kisses make him shiver with delight, face blushing immediately. He raises a hand, lightly ruffling Cloud's hair.]

Talking a whole lot about how good I am, but you're awfully giving, too.

[kinnie]

[ the kisses continue to linger downwards, sweeping across daan's chest, traveling down to his abdomen. cloud's lips ghost over the head of his cock; he licks at its tip teasingly. ]

...You look good when you blush. [ he remarks, admiring him from above, warmth pricking at the edges of his voice. ]

[limbical]

Ah-- [It hardly takes much for him to get hard again, even just under the briefest contact from Cloud's lips and tongue. The silky heat from it warms him up, hips twitching.

Daan gently tweaks Cloud's ear at the comment.]

Then you must be just pleased with yourself whenever you make me blush, huh?

[kinnie]

Mmhm.

[ murmured before wrapping his fingers around the base of his cock and taking him into his mouth, head bobbing downwards as swallows him bit by bit. cloud comes back up for air, just for a moment— ]

Just like you are right now… it suits you.

[ and then he descends again, lips puckering around daan’s length before he’s back at it. ]

[limbical]

[It's a beautiful sight, watching Cloud start to swallow him down. Those pretty lips are working, and stunning eyes gazing up at him. What's nearly unbearable is how gently Cloud is suddenly treating him, a stark contrast from their first round. Daan is gasping, reaching to rest his hand on Cloud's head; not to push him or demand anything, just to leave it there.]

Fuck, Cloud...

Told you-- you're spoiling me.