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[ oh, that's bold.

rafayel can't help but smile at that. though, his brows do furrow just slightly as elysium places his jacket over them. it reminds him a little of when they first got here, and instinctively, he reaches over to pat elysium on the head. you know where he had once been bleeding for what seems like ages ago.

he only draws his hand back at the question. ] You were going to tell me about the place we were first in, right? The one with all the monsters?

[ unlike val, he would like being pat on the head like a lads. He is so needy. He finds himself instinctively leaning into it, like encouraging Rafayel to keep going—a muted sound of protest leaving his mouth when he withdraws.

Does he hate him? He beams this thought directly into Rafayel's head except not really, because those are not powers that he has…. ]

Oh, yeah. My hometown. [ … ] It isn't supposed to look like that, for the record. I think the simulation had it all messed up. [ He sighs. ] That's probably how it will look if the Seaborn aren't ever contained.

Taking someone to your hometown on a first date's a bit much! But you could say the same for a volcano and the tundra…

[ ELYSIUM!!!! keep your dignity as a person... bird.

yet, despite this, rafayel is entirely an indulgent individual, and so it's clear... he'll be back for more. which can already be felt by the way he scooches a little closer, his shoulder leaning fully against elysium. ]

It is all a lot, but I think I'm... kinda glad for it. I mean, to learn more about you. Though, with the whole monster thing, I'm sure you might not feel that way. [ he seems to think about what to say, before: ] Do you think about your hometown a lot?

You're learning a lot about me, but what am I getting to learn about you?

[ What dignity…… it's been gone since the first week. Still, a hand comes up to poke his forehead at the sheer frankness of his admission. So this is the power of an otome… wow. ]

Make this feel a little more equitable and I'll consider answering your next question. So—what kind of place did you come from? We can go back and forth until one of us caves.

[ he wrinkles his nose just a bit at the gesture. not that he's actually offended, but rafayel does like putting on an act. especially, if it makes elysium smile... the power of otome and elysium who is also basically an otome. ]

My hometown... maybe isn't so different from yours. It feels very far away, though. It's different from places you see just on land. There's sea as far as the eye can see. There are lots of different fish and wildlife... [ he smiles a little as he remembers. does it warm him or chill him to think about, though? he isn't sure. ]

Maybe one day I can take you.

[ he is not an otome he is an unromanceable side character who even in sequels and fandiscs is not a route. this is word of god, sorry.

But as the warmth settles in, he realises this angle isn't exactly ideal for catching Rafayel's expression. He tips his head back just a little, shifting until he can face him properly. Curiosity is written plain across his face. ]

On Terra, the race that hails from the sea are called Aegir. We Liberi share a country with them, and I've always wanted to understand them better. Circumstances make that difficult—but still. I want to believe that one day, living in harmony won't be such a distant idea.

[ His hand searches for Rafayel's, fingers finding his. He laces them together and gives a gentle squeeze. ]

One day, but not today?

[ teasing. ]

[ why is elysium so elusive... ]

You really think something like that is really possible...? [ about the idea of two very different entities coming together. occupying the same space didn't necessarily mean they had the same intentions; he can't say if liberi are any closer to humans, but rafayel can't stop his own mind from veering in that direction.

hence, he tries to recalibrate. he isn't sure what they are, but he does trust elysium. ... and this only seems to be solidified by the warmth of his hands. rafayel relaxes into the touch for a moment, before he eventually draws their hands upwards. just enough so he can lean forward and place a kiss on the back of elysium's hand. ]

You don't think seeing one person's hometown in one day is enough?

[ time isn't real tell me why i feel like i last tagged this ten years ago ]

You don't think we can be proof of that?

[ The sea and the sky, two concepts that couldn't be more diametrically opposed. There are things he has accepted he will never understand about the Aegir, but that doesn't necessarily mean they can't find common ground.

The fish may never glide the wind the way a bird can, just as the bird cannot dive to the ocean's deepest reaches. But a fish doesn't need to be a bird to understand the wind at its back, just as a bird doesn't need fins to feel the water beneath its feet. Is that not proof of coexistence in itself?

The mouth at the back of his hand tickles, instinct almost making him pull away. Instead, he laughs, slipping his hand free only to rest it against Rafayel's cheek. ]

Look at me. How can we be talking about seeing each other's hometowns if we don't have faith in us?

[ HELP us both thinking this was from ages ago ]

Now you're getting ahead of yourself. [ but they're not words made to dismiss his claims. instead, there's a certain softness to it, as if to suggest that he wanted to believe in them. there's a certain poignance in his optimism ... and that thought continues to stay within him, even as he feels elysium hand leave his hold.

he would have instinctively pursed his lips, maybe in a weak attempt to put on an act of pouting, but the way the warmth returns against his cheek... makes him forget all about it. ] But, you have that much faith? Really? Then, you can prove it, right?

[ he says as he leans in, almost touching his lips to elysium's. ]

Is it getting ahead of myself if the other person's just shy?

[ Rafayel didn't have to do much at all, but the fact that he leans closer is encouragement enough to close the last bit of distance between them. It's a chaste press—perhaps not ideal, since both of their lips are either frozen or heavily Vaseline'd to protect against the cold if Elysium has his way. Still, it's tempting as it is to deepen the kiss and to warm in a completely different way, only—

He pulls back instead. They have to go slow… to show he cherishes him, yes? ]

There. Proof of—

…

Not again.

[ sorry, he's not like. recoiling from rafayel out of disgust or anything, because he is very aware of how cold it is and the fact that they're kind of relying on each other here, but he is turning back around to bury his face in his knees nonetheless. why this. ]

[ considering their lips are frozen solid and severely lacking in moisture and color— can they even feel the kiss? mostly, rafayel just feels the brief warmth of elysium's breath, and it's already over. before he can get settled into the touch, but then elysium suddenly pulls away, and: ]

...? [ tilting his head.

he's not offended at least, mostly just confused. ] Listen, my lips aren't always this dry.

Are you saying you want a redo when they aren't?

[ Elysium, too, is good at larping he is normal… this is fine. ]

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