voidshift | [superhell pcs] thancred

Calling someone a brat as a way to get something is a new one to me. What happened to flattery?

What happened to flattery, indeed. I can recall dispensing rather a lot of it, but you seem less inclined to return the favor.

'Tis a fine line between shyness and reluctance, and when I can't tell the difference, I assume the latter.

Oh, you're offended that you haven't been flattered sufficiently.

[he's settled in with his legs crossed, at some point-- elbow propped on his knee, chin in his palm.]

That was impressive, last night. Handling a giant sword with two knives.

There is something rather satisfying about being appreciated by my attractive comrades, I won't deny it.

[Hm. Cute.]

Ah, you were watching our little spectacle, then?

Of course I was. Hard to miss.

[thancred you were fighting at the onsen.

after a moment, though, he pivots right to:]

Are you all right, after that?

...Well.

[looks down at the big ugly bruise emblazoned square across the middle of his chest.]

Nav throws a punch like a runaway behemoth. I'm fairly certain I felt something rattle, taking that one.

[he shifts, reaching out, gloved fingertips gently touching that bruise. barely enough to make contact.]

Not enough to rattle out of place, I hope.

[Mmmmmmmm. His lips part a fraction, drawing in a slow breath at the care inherent in the touch.]

I did feel something. Difficult to say whether it was real, or merely a powerful memory. Having not observed any ill effects yet today, I was ready to assume it was the latter.

No pushing yourself, then, until you can tell for sure. Where?

[he keeps his hand where it is; he doesn't want to press on the bruise, but he does move his hand to feel around it, applying gentle pressure to make sure nothing seems to be fractured or otherwise damaged.]

When she struck my chest, the feeling of it. It reminded me of how I died.

[He's breathing slowly, more shallow than deep, but the plane of his chest still swells and recedes with air every time he draws in and releases it.]

Pressure to the center, and an ache around the heart.

And no pain since then except for the bruise...? If it isn't recurring, it might have just been a reminder, but tell me if you feel it again.

[he removes his gloves, then rests his hand flat over his heart, taking the other to press a thumb against his wrist. one more quick check.]

[Oh. Well. Not that he's one to invite being fussed over, necessarily, but there's something familiar in the way Ryn does it. The way he can almost imagine a tender art thou in need of healing offered up alongside it. There's no cool wash of healing aether, only dry skin against his own damp limbs, but he could call up the memory of it if he tried.

The fact that his pulse has quickened a bit probably doesn't have anything to do with an erratic heartbeat, however.]

You're welcome to check me over more thoroughly, if you're so inclined.

[the way he says it, it's hard to tell whether that's a serious medical offer or not.]

You're sure about that? I can be very thorough.

[but he shakes his head, letting his hand drop from his chest, holding his wrist more loosely.]

-no, I'm satisfied enough with this. Seems fine for now-- unless you meant that differently?

Really? You've never struck me as the type to be easily satisfied.

[He smiles faintly.]

No, no, I think you'd better. I'd not have you harboring doubts about my physical fitness, hereafter.

Oh, I'm not. You'll have to keep working if you want me to stay that way.

[but- hmm. he considers, his thumb rubbing lazily over thancred's wrist.]

Suppose you might have to prove that fitness to me after all.

Come have a look, then.

[With the hand not being held, he reaches up and hooks a finger in Ryn's collar, tugging at it playfully.]

Don't just pay lip service.

[THANCRED.]

[well, then. he hooks a finger in thancred's collar in turn, because two can play at this game.]

Why not? You're very good at lip service, when you're not calling me a brat.

I call it the way I see it.

[But speaking of lip service, he'll close the gap and kiss him, like the initiative-taker he is.]

[rynlan meets it easily, keeping hold of the collar around thancred's neck to ensure he stays close; this part, this is easy. he knows thancred's good, can just-- enjoy this, for a minute, without much else on his mind.

when he leans back to breathe, though, he murmurs-]

...I do have ground rules. If you want more than this, I mean.

All right, let's hear them.

[He's smiling still, in that sort of rakish playful way, but even behind his half-lidded eyes there's an alertness in his gaze. Whatever follows next, he's clearly going to afford it the gravity it deserves.]

All right.

[he's toying with the collar, a bit, as he speaks.]

I don't like being looked at too closely. Usually prefer the lights out, but it's not necessary, just-- no commentary on my looks if I'm not dressed. No touching anywhere that I haven't agreed to, and don't linger on it too much when you do.

Just using each other for mutual satisfaction, then?

[His finger looses from Ryn's collar in turn, coming up to run his knuckle down the line of his jaw instead.]

I've no objection to that, strictly speaking, but I prefer my partners willing and enthusiastic. If you'd rather I didn't seek your reactions by expressing my admiration, you'll need to meet me in the middle some other way. Your thoughts?

Not quite like that, it's-

[it's hard to explain. not in the sense that it's difficult, but that it's hard to say any of the reasons outright.

his head tilts slightly into thancred's hand, at least.]

I don't mean to imply unwillingness. But there's more to my condition than just my leg. I prefer not to... [what are the best words, for this.] To feel exposed.

Mm. Would you care to keep something on, then? Or I suppose you could always blindfold me.

[The edge of his mouth quirks up slyly. Teasing though the delivery might be, the offer seems genuine enough.]

If you think you'd enjoy that.

Usually I do just stay partially dressed. The blindfold's not a bad idea either, though.

[that gets an equally teasing little smirk from him, at the idea.]

I just might enjoy that, if you're fine with it.

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onlythans - 2023-02-27 00:30 (UTC) - Expand