fairyland fun! (your levels of fun may vary)

[fair_trouble]

[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?

Comments

[chimerad]

[Zel shrugs their bag of gear off his shoulder (definitely always there in cape hammerspace) and sets it against the wall, doing a slight double-take at the call. he hesitates, giving Emery a contemplative look before moving.

instead of taking the spot offered him, he kneels in front of him, his movements slow and telegraphed so it's no surprise he's moving in to hug him around his waist, carefully turning his head to avoid scraping at him with his hair while meaning to rest his head against him.]

[fair_trouble]

[The move is unexpected, though not startling courtesy of the telegraphing, and honestly? Emery finds it really, really cute. He definitely melts a little and has to bite back the urge to go awwww.

He sets a hand on Zel's back and leans a little over him, lowering his voice.]

There we go. Comfortable?

[chimerad]

[it's not cute unless it's also somehow badass and cool, and since that's impossible, Zel is not cute!

once he can feel the vague press of the hand on him, he lets some of his carefully tensed-up posture settle. it's not a complete relaxing, but it's a start. he gently squeezes at Emery's waist in response, prior to a soft grunt.]

Mn. No more haggling or entertaining for a while.

[fair_trouble]

[Cute or not (it is though), Emery's definitely grinning about it.]

You did well. I think you only ran away once.

[Emery looks down at Zel's head and contemplates for a few moments. Then, very carefully, Emery reaches his other hand down and slips his fingertips in between the wires of Zel's hair. He strokes slowly, with the grain, so to speak, much as one might pet a porcupine or hedgehog.]

[chimerad]

[the action is picked up more by sound than by feel, but once some of his hair starts tickling at his ear, Zel finds himself beset by a tingling down his neck that makes him want to fidget. he fights that, wanting to keep where he's at.]

...That can't feel pleasant for you. [it's not soft at all!]

catcoded lad finally getting pets

[fair_trouble]

It's fine~ As long as I'm careful I'm not actually getting scratched. [So ruffling and mussing is out of the question, but slow, rhythmic stroking down Zel's scalp is doable. It may be limited but it's better than nothing, hopefully. Sensory-wise it's mostly just kind of odd on Emery's end- carding his fingers through dense, stiff, metallic fibers.]

catboyification at 60%

[chimerad]

[a shade glum:] Careful can't be that pleasant, either. [but it is what it is, isn't it? and it's something that Emery is being so thoughtful.

...it feels nice. hypnotic, in some sense. perhaps it's in part because of the drained social batteries, the unfamiliar landscapes, or being devastatingly touch-starved, but Zel finds the gesture easy to soak up.

when he exhales out heavily through his nose, some of the tension goes with it, and he's just a bit heavier in Emery's lap for it.]

emery'll just have to keep improving that score

[fair_trouble]

I'm enjoying it, actually. [And Emery is even if it's not the same enjoyment that he might get playing with a normal person's hair. It's an interesting sensation in its own right, but more importantly the care is well worth it when he can hear and feel Zel actually managing to relax a little under Emery's hand. Though it doesn't stop him from asking:] What about you?

[chimerad]

[he exhales a sound through his nose.]

...

[it's nice. but conceding that anything about his own body being nice beyond being sword-proof feels like inadvertently adding years and years onto his search for a cure.

but downplaying how nice the attention is would be wrong too! think, Zelgadis.]

You smell nice.

[fair_trouble]

[Emery laughs, partly out of surprise.]

That wasn't exactly what I meant but I'll still accept the compliment~

[He resumes petting Zelgadis and after a few moments decides to ask another question.] What else do you like?

[chimerad]

Y-you-- [it's embarrassing the moment it falls out of his mouth, prompting his head to turn to hide his face in Emery's lap. his arms go slack, withered by how lame he feels, ears still burning from the definitely-should-be-pity laugh seconds prior.]

[fair_trouble]

Me?

[It's truly a shame that Zel immediately has decided to hide his face because he misses out on the sight of shoujo bubbles surrounding a starry-eyed Emery. Zel's so sweet! And cute! Emery's the luckiest person around!

Well, he would be if he could adequately shower Zel in affection. Emery tugs at the tip of one of Zel's ears.]

Hey, come on~! I can't kiss you if you don't lift your head.

[chimerad]

[his shoulders draw up against the tingling sensation that ear-touching provokes, fingers twitching. with a grumble, Zel lifts his head only to the point he gets the sense of Emery's hands there, still sensitive to not scraping or scratching him up with an inadvertently sharp move even while embarrassed.

it takes a double-take from wary side glances to make eye contact and confirm there's no teasing in the mirthful look beaming down at him, and Zel's chest squeezes a little. Emery's really cute...

he gulps, sitting up on his knees to spare Emery so much of a slouch.]

[fair_trouble]

[The last time they'd kissed, Emery hadn't been able to give Zel more than a quick peck. There's fortunately no need to be so restrained this time. Emery drapes his arms over Zel's shoulders and leans down to kiss Zel with all the enthusiasm and pent-up adoration he can bring to bear.



It's not the frantic pace of a lust-addled lover (not yet, anyway) but neither is Emery leisurely about this. Zel's been very patient, and Emery can recognize that. Not to mention that he had his goddamn face cracked open because of Emery. A pinch of guilt and a spoonful of gratitude are thus mixed in with the generous serving of simple love that fuels each kiss Emery presses to Zel's lips.

He really does love this silly, fussy man, and each day, each moment only makes Emery more certain of it.]

just fucking pretend i have thematically appropriate icons

[chimerad]

[Zel is all too eager to be indulged in, savoring the warmth and texture his mouth can enjoy, his chest both light and tight. each kiss is a little like magic, working out the kinks that all the time and little stresses that have built up over the days and night - reassurance that he's not overstayed his welcome.

in a break for breath, after gently nipping at Emery's lower lip:] I'd do this all day if you let me.

[fair_trouble]

[Emery's lips tingle after they've parted and he laughs, delighted at Zel's words. Being wanted isn't a novelty by any means, but it's something special when it's coming from Zelgadis.]

You know I would let you if you didn't care so much about silly things like "privacy" and "public decency."

[chimerad]

[he pouts a little.]

It's nobody else's business... And I don't like gawkers.

[fair_trouble]

I know. You're shy~

[Because obviously only a shy person would be reluctant to make out with someone in front of an audience, right?]

[chimerad]

[grumpily:] No. Just private. It--this is...private. Not for anybody else. [he doesn't want to share any more than he wants to be ogled!]

[fair_trouble]

[Emery cocks his head, the teasing smile undercut with something more thoughtful.]

Just the two of us?

[chimerad]

[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.]

[fair_trouble]

[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.]

[chimerad]

[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.]

[fair_trouble]

[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-]

[chimerad]

[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--