transmit | inbox / purgastory.

I wish you could see how much you do for everyone.

[ he closes his eyes, letting the words sink in.

it does make how skittish elysium was around him make more sense, when thorns just assumed that the guy was weirded out over thorns insisting they were friends. but... he supposes he has assumed a lot about things that eventually led to their relationship being deeply strained.

thorns may be better at handling certain things, but part of that growth had to do with returning to iberia and meeting his crew, so losing those memories greatly hindered his ability to genuinely discuss how he felt about his cyoa. it was easier to explain events to the others, since he could do that like he was reading a book, but he floundered when it came to elysium.

he can still visualize the simulation, the other version of him that invited elysium to go with him. something that thorns isn't sure he'd actually do. not because he doesn't want elysium with him, but because he is a much bigger asset to rhodes island than thorns is. ]

I don't know how good I'd be at any of this. But I want to be with you.

Who's been helping you this entire time, huh? [ He nips at Thorns' neck like an annoying little peck. He isn't addressing the other part as that currently isn't the point. ] You'll be fine as long as you follow my lead.

That said, I'm not sure how good I'll be, either. I've got a stable job, great benefits, and practically unlimited PTO because I rarely take it. And therein lies the problem, right?

… But if it's us, I know we can make it work.

[ hm...

he eventually turns, just enough so that he can look at elysium even if it's an awkward position to sit in. ]

We will. [ he leans in, so he can whisper into elysium's ear. ] I am giving you my heart, Elysium.

[ It's okay, Thorns' legs can dangle off to the side… or he can straddle him in this library, it's fine. Everyone's probably still at the river, and even then, who's coming here when the other library exists?

Fingers tentatively touch Thorns' cheek, careful to mind the temperature. When he's sure they aren't too cold, he cups it gently, tilting him to face back towards him directly. ]

I'm pretty sure you've always had mine. But just in case you need the reminder, it's yours, too. Keep it well, mi tesoro.

[ A kiss to his mouth, more chaste than any other. Like he's truly handling something precious. ]

[ listen, there was a specific reason he chose to meet up here and it's precisely because he was aware no one would go here. they could have gone to their room but the housing area is the second most likely place to have crowding after the river.

he kisses him back, and buries his face against his neck.

there is still a lot to work on. they may be from the same world, but they would still be long distance. and while thorns is still technically employed by rhodes, the next time he'll be on the landship would likely just be if his ship and it just happen to be close by to each other. they have busy schedules. but... it's worth it, to make it work. ]

Mm. Come to me if you need anything.

Are you thinking of something specific when you say that? It sounds like you are.

[ It's his turn to whisper into Thorns' ear: ]

I try to keep myself prepared these days. So… that's really up to you.

[ —then he just bites down, pulling away after with a smile that's as bright in mischief as it is delight. ]

[ annoying... he moves again, this time to actually straddle him. hi.

he knows there's still the faint remains of bruising on elysium, and he is aware it's not something he can really mind when the two of them were only friends when he got them. but there is an intense urge to cover any evidence with his own mouth.

it is that contradiction of wanting elysium to be free to do what he wants but also wanting to hold his hand very tightly. it's fine. ]

Did you bring the cat pajamas too?

[ lol ]

[ It's funny—how much time he's spent wondering what a home is, only to realise it's been right beside him all along. For a moment, he just looks up at Thorns from an angle he's never had before, heart thudding soft and steady in his chest. His thumb brushes his cheek, tracing along the contours of his skin and bone before he leans in for another kiss. ]

Is that what you're into? [ Without pulling away, eyes crease with mirth. ] It's too bad I'm a Liberi and not a Feline. No redos. I wouldn't mind asking you to call you a good boy again, though. But—you're going to have to work for it again.

[ thinks about how rafayel did this do them. But it's whispered between breaths, tongue and teeth both coaxing Thorns' mouth open, with emphasis on the one phrase that'd started it all. ]

… I hope this goes without saying, but you're the only one I want this with. There's no telling what this place will put us through, but will you trust me? To always find my way due north?

[ well, they can't have lust week twice so it'll probably be fine. ignores that the upcoming week is probably greed which we will see if it is bad in one hour.

but thorns will open his mouth to give elysium access, his hands gripping the front of his shirt to make sure they have as much contact as possible. unfortunately his brain still has memories of being a wh*re at a brothel. ]

I trust you. I'll always make my way back to you, even with all the curses.

[ there's really no escaping them, but at least they can always regroup once they have passed. ]

[ yeah francy it's our turn to get in the cage… BUT NOT HIS BROTHEL MEMORIES!!!!! Unfortunately, Elysium's lived too loosely in the past two weeks to really think about it, greedily mapping the space of Thorns' mouth with his tongue. Every breath Thorns draws belongs to him, like it's his own—proof, maybe, that there's no filling in the gaps with other people, no matter how desperately you try.

He knows he should feel worse about it. He probably will, once the haze lifts. But it doesn't change the truth of it: this is the only place he wants to be. ]

I might get jealous. I might get petty. [ He absolutely will get jealous and petty. ] But you'll forgive me, too, won't you?

[ Which might explain why the hands already beneath his skin are shifting, tugging, intent on peeling away layers without a shred of decorum. He really should have some… alas… He does not have the excuse of his AU self having wh*re memories implanted in him, he's just out here. ]

Hm. You'll just have to make it up to me after, right?

[ well, thorns is at least aware that he will be annoying about that if it happens. but it's something he is fine with. in the end, those are all parts of elysium who makes him who he is, much like how elysium has dealt with thorns' more frustrating personality traits.

but he will easily help elysium remove pieces of clothing, and will do the same in turn. he only stops when it gets to the point where he'd have to actually move off his lap to go any further. ]

You're kind of forward.

Mhm. We live in an equitable society. But you're the one who has to make up for being naughty first…

[ By the time layers of clothing have been shed, his mouth finds Thorns' pulse, fingers tracing down the length of his abdomen before slipping beneath the waistband of his pants. ]

I've had plenty of time to think about what I want. You don't think I've wasted enough time dragging my feet? [ A bite this time. ] I have to make you forget about the brothels.

[ he is trying not to react too much, but it's difficult to hide the way his breath hitches and how his hold tightens as elysium moves downwards. ]

Okay. [ okay! ] How are you going to do that?

[ thorns admittedly would also want to forget that, but. they did not actually really discuss thorns' au self, so thorns was under the impression that it did not bother elysium. ]

[ Off his hips the pants go… Elysium's throat bobs. ]

Should we replace your memories of them one by one? [ yeah! ] I can even dance for you.

[ It is unclear how much of this is a joke and how much of it is serious. ]

[ ......

he presses his face against elysium's shoulder. give him a minute. ]

Are you flirting with me?

[ Hehe… ]

Hm? I've been flirting with you from the start. I told you. I spent a lot of time thinking about what I'd do if your curse lasted for forever.

[ he bites his neck and then kisses the spot after. punishment... ]

Keep showing me how you'd make me forget then.

… I'll show you and tell you.

[ While Thorns does this, Elysium's hand finds itself tangled in Thorns' hair, fingers gently brushing through both his braid and ponytail. Which, on the note of, I realised I never asked about what happened to Thorns' longass hair? did he ever get it cut? What's the length now??

Help me. Completely ruins the vibe. It's a good thing Elysium isn't thinking this and is just more focused on letting his hair down. ]

Any other objections or requests?

[ he cut it to try to go back to his normal length but he did as good of a job you'd expect him to. ❤️ it's uneven as hell.

he kisses the spot again. ]

I'm not requesting anything. I need to see what you come up with.

[ OKAY.

This is nothing new. ]

If you went to brothels… [ He leans in, lips grazing the shell of Thorns' ear, voice barely a whisper. His teeth catch his lobe in a soft nip. As Thorns' pants slide to the floor with a muted thump, Elysium's hands are already underway guiding his undergarment down. ] This probably isn't the usual position for you, is it? It should be the other way around, with me on my knees?

[ His voice continues to have a playful lilt to it, as if waiting for Thorns to cave first. also

val tells me that short-terms usually ftb what shall it be francy i know no shame ]

[ i suppose val had already been reading our psls

thorns is going to kill him. he doesn't, though, instead shuddering against him. he can't help but form the mental image in his head at the suggestion. ]

... I guess so.

[ he refuses to break first. his saving grace is that elysium can't see his face from this current angle. ]

[ thinks about how dana also ran away from me

Anyway, onward this goes, this test of how much that other life has left its mark. Elysium's arms circle Thorns' waist again, lifting him and setting him carefully on the chair before, as promised, dropping to his knees.

Like this, he exposes the last bit of Thorns that warrants exposing. But instead of moving further, he rests his head in Thorns' lap, letting his hair and feathers spill along his thighs, breath fanning against them. How do you like your ethereal dead wives, Thorns? He's really trying his best here. ]

What do you mean you only guess? Or is reality far better than you ever imagined?

[ it is much better in reality, actually.

his hand moves automatically to run through elysium's hair, his fingers curling around strands of it before releasing them. there are some situations you've never expected to find yourself in, and this is definitely one of them.

but despite that, this just feels like another puzzle piece slotting easily into place. ]

... I think you look very good right now.

[ Unfortunately, much like brothel workers he'd know a thing or two about his best angles. Unfortunately, also like them, he attempts to play them to his complete advantage, tilting into Thorns' touch and bearing the pale column of his neck. Had he noticed Thorns paying extra attention to the marks that were on his skin…? Maybe.

There are a few more he'd missed now in complete display.

I guess if we blame anyone we blame Yaywon for this ]

Do I? How do I look better to you? I can't just accept being 'good'. I have to aim higher than that.

[ throw him more of a bone. woof. ]

[ OKAY.

unsurprisingly, he is fixated on the spot. thorns reaches over to press a finger on the mark that's darkest, trying to gauge the time frame for this. this is crazy but okay. ]

Hm. I can't tell you. I'm not giving you any hints.

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