thehauntedfrequency | fairyland fun! (your levels of fun may vary)

fairyland fun! (your levels of fun may vary)

[New day, new town, and hopefully new opportunities. Specifically opportunities to make some money because Zel and Emery’s funds have been running kind of low after their most recent misadventure. This has meant a temporary separation while Zelgadis goes to look for merc-type work and potential cure leads and Emery goes around chatting up the locals without terrifying them.

Or at least that was the plan, until Calanthe showed up.

By the time Zel gets back to the inn, Emery’s still busy talking to Calanthe in their inn room, although the conversation’s just about wrapping up. If he’s perceptive he might even catch a bit of Emery’s words.

“...some funds this time? ...Seriously, is that it? He’s always such a cheapskate. …Okay I got it. I’ll see you later.”

A few moments later a woman wearing a green cloak exits their inn room. Her hood is up, partly obscuring a pale face and hair, and she barely spares anyone a passing glance as she drifts down the hallway.

Emery is still standing inside the inn room looking pensive, but when Zel enters he’ll give him a bright smile.]

Oh! Hey, Zel. Did you manage to find anything?

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[some of the edge of his grousing smooths out.]

...If that's fine with you. [maybe it's silly to be self-conscious at this stage, but he can only be too sure of himself.]

[There are a lot of thoughts going through Emery's mind in the moment- remembering how poorly Zel had taken Emery's offer to help him hook up with people, moments from his own dating history, the potential threat that the Field Lord could separate Emery from Zelgadis on a whim. That doesn't stop him from resting a hand on Zel's cheek and saying:]

It's fine with me.

[It's not exactly a promise, but Emery does mean it. Zel has told Emery that he's special, and Zel's special to Emery too. If Zel wants something exclusive with Emery, then Emery is more than happy to provide that.

...Assuming that's what Zel means and he isn't just. Saying that he doesn't have an exhibitionism kink. The responsible thing to do might be to clarify and discuss boundaries and whatnot, but instead Emery's going to give Zel another kiss.]

[Zel's chest tightens, flooded with a fresh rush of affection; how fortunate that Emery is already kissing him again, because otherwise Zel would've had to lunge.

when they part, Zel withdraws only enough to guide one of Emery's arms free, cradling his hand lightly and kissing at his fingers and knuckles in a careful, reverent fashion.

after kissing his palm, he murmurs:] I...don't know if I said so. But. [meekly, he glances up through his bangs.] I-I'm in love with you. Emery. [and it's scary to say so, but then, he's the clown saying this on his knees here.]

[Oh wow. When Zel takes his hand and kisses it like that, it sets the butterflies off in Emery's stomach with a frenzy. Emery stares down at Zel in an affectionate daze with his eyes soft, pupils blown, lips parted. Any coherent thoughts are being drowned out by "Zel ♥ Zel ♥ Zel ♥" so perhaps Emery can be forgiven for not fully processing Zel's confession right away.

Emery blinks, and his eyes gradually widen.]

-Eh?

[Damn it, he needs to say something- something smooth, but romantic. Something that will steal Zel's breath away as much as Zel's just stolen Emery's.

Just give him a moment to think of it-]

[Zel stops breathing, realizing that's genuine surprise Emery's conveying and not a moment to tease.

wait-- did i just--? oh no.

his face goes dark with a flush as his shoulders start to tense. quick. quick. salvage this!.]

But if-- that's...not ideal. I won't--I won't say any more. I can--

[-Oh no that was definitely a moment too long.

Emery abruptly leans forward and embraces Zel, squeezing him tight so he can't run off crying into the night or whatever.]

I love you too! Zel, I'm crazy about you!

[It's maybe not the most eloquent and suave of confessions but hopefully it's unambiguous enough to stop any burgeoning Zel panic. Just in case, Emery is not letting go of Zel (even if his hair is a little prickly.) Perhaps it's a shame Emery's not in girl mode otherwise Zel would be getting to enjoy a faceful of tits along with the love confession.]

You really caught me off guard there, jeez. You're such a romantic~

[Zel quivers, then draws back up on his knees to hug him around the waist.]

S-sorry. [his brain spins, heart hammers, eyes stinging.] I couldn't help it.

[he loves him, too! he said that, Zel heard that with his own ears! this is huge, and he's not sure how best to take this beyond holding onto him, ears still burning with the words, nose full of the smell of him, the pressure of his form held close, as tactile and true as possible.

you did this to me, Emery.]

[Emery's able to feel those quivers, and it squeezes at his heart.]

How flattering. It sounds as though I'm irresistible.

[Emery giggles. It's a little nervous. His skin is tingling all over, he's scared and exhilarated at once. Emery suspected that Zel had feelings for him, they haven't exactly behaved indifferently to one another. But actually saying it and getting it out into the open feels like a bigger step than actually having sex was.]

You do...occupy a whole lot of my thoughts. [he tries at his typical dry tone, but it's wavering with nerves. it's easier to speak his own thoughts like this, not seeing his expression and fearing confusion or disdain.] And I like being near you. Even if it's...just hearing you talk to someone else. [though it does drive him crazy and want to keep him all to himself.]

I like being around you too, you know. [Emery smiles and closes his eyes.]

You're like a knight from a fairytale, except you're also a huge dork. You're really sweet. I've never had anyone try to look out for me the way you do. [Wait, is that selfish? Does it sound like Emery only keeps Zel around for his utility?? Emery quickly adds:]

And you're really clever, you know all sorts of interesting things. You can be really cool sometimes! [Just sometimes though. See: Huge dork part.]

[he might melt from all the praise, but the dork bit at least keeps him from completely liquefying. he's...he's not a dork...! only cool sometimes?!

after a gulp:] I'm just trying... To do right by you. Even though I'm... [hideously spiky and un-squishy.]

[Had Zel tried to voice such complaints, Emery could point out that he wouldn't like Zel as much if he were cool all the time. Since Zel does not voice them however, instead Emery misunderstands what Zel says next.]

I don't have a lot of experience with this sort of thing either, actually. I mean, sex, sure. But this is- more than that, isn't it?

[Zel stifles a little flustered noise in his nose, the bristle making his head tuck a little against Emery's shoulder, momentarily cutting off a means to be heard coherently.

after a beat and a swallow, softly:] It's more, yeah.

I knew it. [Truly, Emery is the wisest of souls!

Emery tilts his head, looking down at Zel (what he can see from this angle, anyway) thoughtfully.] ...Would you mind indulging my curiosity? When did you start having feelings for me?

[Zel's grip slacks, and he sits back on his legs, his head tilted down to hide his expression while he chews on the question, uttering an unsteady sound while he's fishing for words. it's not that he minds, it's just...]

I don't know if...it was just one instance. [his chin tucks a bit further. damn - he should have that kind of shit written down, or at least cemented in memory, right? is he just going on a whim, here?!

no. but...fully capturing a feeling in one form, words or otherwise, isn't easy. or maybe it's not even possible! otherwise, some idiot poet or artist ages ago would've done it and that'd be the end of art.]

I've just been realizing that...being around you makes things better. And thinking about being apart...well, it's the last thing I like to think about. [he shakes his head a little.]

I don't want to go back to that. Being alone. Even with friends it's not the same.

[Emery stays quiet while Zel puts his words together, giving him time to express himself. When he's finished, Emery's expression is soft and serious, lacking his usual teasing edge.]

You've been very lonely, haven't you?

[Not that Emery didn't already know that. It had been one of the first things he'd realized about Zelgadis: That this tough, curt mercenary with stone skin was also a lonely young man. Even if he hadn't been in love with Zelgadis yet, that sense of loneliness had drawn him in. He'd ached to soothe it somehow.

Emery has a better understanding of loneliness than most people would think.]

Shall we make it official, then? Say we're officially... [Emery pauses. Boyfriends is the first word to come to mind but it doesn't feel right when he's a girl sometimes.]

...Sweethearts?

[Zel makes a bit of a scowly face, still downcast. it doesn't feel good to be called out on being a pathetic, lonely weirdo - he doesn't want pity! though that's not what Emery offers. sure, Zel thought it was pity at first, but it's become clear that's not the case, thank goodness.

he looks up with a more neutral frown as Emery muses aloud, his brow ridge lifting a bit with a blink.

at sweethearts, he flushes; there'd be cartoonish steam coming out of his ears.]

Y-you want to use that word?

[Emery nods, having gained some extra enthusiasm from seeing the pretty purple color that it makes Zel turn.]

I like it. It's gender-neutral, which is important considering my whole, um, situation- [Emery lifts a hand from Zel's shoulders in order to gesture briefly at his own chest. Currently flat, but not always!] -but unambiguous in its meaning. If we tell people we're sweethearts there aren't many ways to misinterpret it.

[Of course, considering how private Zel can be...] But what do you think? I don't want to use a word you don't like.

[an ear twitches, his expression growing more bashful as his gaze trails away from Emery's chest and askance.

they're sweethearts...and they're telling people. guh.

he gulps.

well, it--it's not like he's grabbing a bullhorn and yelling it out like a Seyruun princess or whatever!

...unless that was Emery's stipulation.

but he wouldn't do that!

right?

wait.

he looks back up, eyes big.] Is your boss going to have a problem with that?

[The question earns Zel a blink. Followed by a grimace that Emery fails to suppress in time. Ugh, why did you have to bring up that guy!!!

Emery shrugs.]

I don't think he'll care as long as you don't get in the way of whatever he wants me to do.

[Which, for the espionage stuff, isn't likely- if anything, Zel's an asset there! Not that Emery likes the thought of that either. Zel's a free agent who deserves better than to be under the thumb of a selfish fae lord.]

My love life is none of his business anyway, so I have no intention of saying anything to him about it.

[and if he wanted to make it his business, Zel would have to step the fuck up, he figures. he draws in and lets out a larger breath, nodding.]

Then... [his grip slacks then tightens back on Emery.] This is how it's going to be. Us. I mean.

[sweethearts.

gawrsh.]

[And Emery nods in return. Us. Now there's a word that he's not used to.]

I'll do my best to fulfill your expectations.

[The expectations of Zelgadis, his sweetheart.]

[there's an impulse to bury his face into Emery's waist, but that'd likely result in getting stuck to his clothes or worse.

he swallows, shaking his head a bit.] You're...already more than I deserve.

[Emery huffs. He really shouldn't be surprised by poor Zel's self-deprecation.]

That isn't true. I could search the fae and mundane realms twice over and I wouldn't find a better, nobler man than you.

[-However, Zel is a chimera, and Emery knows that Zel's also terribly conscious of his appearance as a result.

So:]

And you're hot.

[an ear twitches in tandem with the corner of his mouth, face coloring again.] You just--have weird taste.

[the better, nobler compliment makes him all squishy inside, but being called hot is as absurd as it is delightful.]

I won't complain about it, though. If it means I can be close. [he scoffs, trying to keep abreast of a wave of embarrassment.]

I can...touch you a bit more right now, can't I?

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