dumbshow | whale post

[Corvo blinks, looking between the Outsider and the soda in mild disbelief. This sure was a thing that he was doing. Why...

He hesitates, reaching out and taking it with a mutter of thanks under his breath. The Outsider was being nice. The Outsider was enjoying himself. He was the reason he was enjoying himself.

He takes a long sip to contemplate what he says next.] ... You don't have to go back right now. [Aka, he doesn't want him to.]

[Mm. There are plenty of things he could say to that, he thinks, from dismissing Corvo completely to... being nice. Again. Nicer than just sharing his soda (that Corvo's pickpocketing paid for).

Plenty of things...]

I wasn't jumping at the chance. [so....]

I mean. [Corvo could have change the subject and not go out of his way to say anything, yet here he is, clearing his throat.] For the next... hour, or. Longer. The world doesn't have to slow down just to see things, or find them interesting, or...

... I'd rather not lose the company. Your company. [He never thought he'd be saying that.]

[Aha, so he can say it. It's just one more thing about tonight that's been new and different, and the Outsider still can't find any complaints. Spending time around Corvo without the oppressive pressure of the world changing paradigm after paradigm around them is nice.

Yet again, the disquiet that hovers just in his periphery at all times seems to have calmed down for the moment. Is he imagining that? Does Corvo truly have that profound an effect on him?]

Old friend, yours is the only company I find myself willing to keep. Until the Empress seeks you out again to stand by her side, the night is young.

At least one thing is young. [His expression lights up more than it should. Corvo spent their previous encounters counting down until the Outsider disappeared, but now it was the last thing he wanted to think about.

He looks back out at the sky, leaving from the grand old tree breezing by and the sound of street-goers enjoying themselves below. He kneels, sitting down the bottle between them and moving to sit with his legs hanging over the edge.

Once he's settled, his hand is reaching back towards the Outsider's. Come, join him, let him lace his fingers in yours again.]

[Point, there are only old men here. The Outsider watches Corvo sit before moving to join him and reaching for his hand. The real challenge will be trying not to fidget and sit in 30 different positions while holding hands, honestly. So far he dangles one leg over the edge, the other one bent at the knee so he can rest his other arm on it.

So, they're just going to sit here and hold hands, huh...? He doesn't mind; it's a comfortable silence, interrupted only by the sounds coming from below and the soft rustling of the wind.

But after a few minutes, he does find himself curious.] You've had a change of heart. [About him, that is-] Just what brought that on?

[Corvo shut his eyes, taking the silence to enjoy the familiar feel and sounds of his homeland. He wouldn't have spent the time if it weren't for the Outsider's visit, locked away in a palace he didn't remember in a bed that was just too soft. It was better, no matter how strange.

The answer to his question is probably the easiest thing that's come to him all night.] You haven't pulled me into the unknown to narrate how I can still lose the only thing I have left. Funny, how the heart can grow fonder when it isn't being asked if it'll turn to stone.

[He shifts, leaning back on his free hand and opening his eyes to glance back over.] I thought you as sadistic as the Abbey preached when I was a young man. But now, even in the face of a threat to you, you offered my daughter your mark as a choice when no one else had.

Now you're visiting me now with no other reason other than to call me an old friend. You're allowing a great many things that I'd expect others would lose fingers for if they tried. [First touching his clothes, his hair, and now holding his hand. A hand he's holding as if he might vanish anyway.] And I like that.

[Well. That's all very interesting, and he almost accepts it with a hum and goes back to looking at the sky. But for Corvo... and only for Corvo, he supposes he can give him more than a vague noise of acceptance.]

There are several kinds of power in this world, Corvo. The power to unjustly crush the poor, the weak, the sick; the power to crush one's enemies; the power to change the course of an empire with a smile and a few hushed conversations only a select few may hear. Then, there is the Void. The unknown. The ever-changing, the mysterious. A great deal of the power one might say I possess comes from fear of that unknowable nothingness.

It's hardly infallible. Delilah did not fear the Void, and she was hardly the first. [The first to stick in it like a thorn and wrap her tendrils as tightly as she could - sure. But not the first to meet oblivion and scoff.] So, then, what do I do from the depths of that great emptiness? I can give— I can offer, or suggest, but my hand pulls no strings except to present an opportunity. The Abbey believes I deal in control and dark magic and the inevitable ruin of any mind I touch, but I like to think of it as... options.

There is always a choice, Corvo. You could have made it yourself, all those years ago. [He's almost fond when he says that, like those days were great to remember.] Daud built his own smaller empire with the gifts I gave him, a thing I had never told him to do. There is always a choice. For all my gifts, both you and young Emily chose your own justice over revenge. Of course I find the two of you to be very interesting.

[He leans toward Corvo slightly, the beginnings of a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.] And you in particular are quite fond of my gifts, isn't that the truth? I can see it in your eyes, the rush, the freedom— You're welcome.

[The Outsider brought up so many things Corvo could be bitter about, but as he's done before, he held his tongue and listened with mild interest. Delilah, Daud, the Void itself. If he were honest, his realm was unsettling, and to hear him speak of it so casually was always something he couldn't wrap his head around.

But that was fine. He didn't need to. He'll hear his experiences secondhand, because at the very least it still wasn't the bad old days. He was even saying he had a choice back then, and while he'd hate to admit it, it was true. He wouldn't have used the powers if he hadn't truly wanted them.

Those powers... A smile tugs back at the corner of his lips when he leans back towards the giver. He came close to looking him in the eyes, but ultimately, his gaze settled on his lips instead.] You're itching for someone to finally tell you they feel good, aren't you?

I'll admit it, then. Using the Mark burns deep, but it's a better than any feeling a man could have. Jumping where it should be fatal, watching time slow and seeing the faces of who ever tried to take back what is ours, unable to do anything... Knowing you have the upper hand on someone who otherwise might destroy you. The adrenaline is almost maddening.

[The Outsider does want someone to tell him his gifts feel good. It's an incredibly simple desire and it's one he hasn't held very long, or hasn't acknowledged holding— he's never wanted someone to appreciate him before. He's been entrenched for so long in darkness, in bitterness and fear, that on some level it didn't occur to him as something worth wanting.

But now he wants someone - wants Corvo to say it, even if he isn't sure what that's supposed to mean. He does find it interesting to hear about his gifts being things of... pleasure, for lack of a better word. Adrenaline. The Outsider has felt nothing but a simmering anger and a gut-wrenching fear for too long; now, he wants to hear about how these things designed to bring misery and death have brought freedom and power.

Also, Corvo's face is very close.]

And yet you still found a way to heal the Empire without shedding much blood. Imagine my surprise, all those years ago. [Not that he was subtle about it. With his other hand he reaches to touch his fingertips to Corvo's cheek again, studying his face. Corvo doesn't have to look at his eyes for the Outsider to roam them all over his face, this close, taking in the details.] You never cease to intrigue me.

I don't have to imagine it. [Corvo can't help the grin he now has. The Outsider made no effort to conceal his thoughts back then. Corvo just didn't have the time to appreciate it.

He does now, though. He appreciates the praise instead of mockery, and the lips they fell from. He still looked so young, that it almost felt wrong to have such close contact, but with one look at his eyes he remembers who he's actually dealing with.] And I don't intend to start.

[He doesn't have to imagine the way he hand feels on the Outsider's neck, nor how his lips feel against his. He takes the feeling for himself, as gently and slowly as he would allow himself.]

[On some level, this was inevitable, the Outsider knows that much. They seem to have been dancing around this all night, since he walked out of the air out on the palace grounds, so Corvo's lips against his shouldn't be a surprise.

But he is surprised; once more, Corvo is able to act outside of his expectations, and that is precisely why Corvo is the one kissing him right now instead of anyone else. No one else would have gotten this close. Here he is, a being of immeasurable power, and the feel of one man's lips against his could prove to be his undoing.

It's been mere seconds that he's held still, stuck in his racing thoughts, but his fingers are still on Corvo's cheek and so without another moment's hesitation he presses his palm flat there instead, holding Corvo there. He doesn't want him to pull away, but kissing him back with any kind of poise is... somewhat beyond him.

Bear with him, he's severely lacking in life experiences like kissing and open affection. Another privilege only Corvo will earn: experiencing the Outsider awkwardly trying to kiss him with grace.]

[Corvo feels as if he's bent time, trying to determine whether fight or flight was better in this situation. He's rendered a god still, and who knew kissing would be one of the most dangerous games he's played. He could be cast into the void for this, he still had so much to do--

But he felt the Outsider's hold against his cheek, and it's more than enough to quell his fears. His lips are even curving up into a smile, and his shoulders are shaking with amusement. It actually worked, and finally he's the one who knows what he's doing.

He wouldn't have the words to guide him even if he wanted to, so runs his thumb in soothing motions over his skin and hopes he's picking up on something. It was awkward, certainly, but at the very least endearing.]

[Wow, he really should chuck Corvo into the Void for laughing at him like that. He still doesn't, Corvo is still getting away with so many things, with his hands and mouth warmer than the cooling evening air. The Outsider is drawn in to that, warmth and comfort, someone willing to chuckle good-naturedly at his guesswork despite knowing who and what he is.

Corvo almost treats him like a person, but only almost. He doesn't mind not being looked in the eye. Now he leans further into Corvo, sliding his hand back along his jaw and into his hair. Give him just a little bit of time to grow accustomed to this and he'll lose that awkwardness quickly enough, but until then, at least he's... eager.

Does the Outsider need to breathe? Almost certainly not, so when he does eventually stop kissing Corvo it's just to sass him and not for anything productive. He doesn't even pull away, only moving just enough to be able to speak.] Your hands are cold, Corvo.

[Like, don't stop touching him, but let's have a friendly reminder about exactly how close they are right now.]

[Corvo shuts his eyes, taking the moment to enjoy the feel of fingers through his hair. It's been so long-- too long since he's been enraptured by this.

The Outsider doesn't breath, but Corvo takes the opportunity to with a low laugh. Of course that's what he would say. He slides his hands down from the Outsider's neck to his sides, leaning his forehead on his.] They're warmer than yours, aren't they?

[Cool hands, warm lips, Corvo leaning against him the way he is— the Outsider still can't complain.

He might complain anyway, but he doesn't need to. He works his fingers further into Corvo's hair, idly remembering years ago when it was long. There's still enough to run his fingers through now, at least.]

Even the blackest night is warmer than the Void. [romantic] But no matter; I don't mind. Now then, you asked that I stay for at least an hour...

[Can he manage to be the one who kisses Corvo this time? He's going for it.]

At least. [Corvo reminds, sure to remind him he could spent all evening if he liked. Part of him wonders if Emily was looking for him, but that part of him vanished when the Outsider leans in this time.

He allowed him, and even pulled a leg back on the roof to bring him closer this time around.]

[At least. Well, he's been surprised so many times already, who's to say he won't be inspired to stay for longer? At the moment he's interested only in moving closer to Corvo, sliding his other hand to the back of the man's neck as he presses more confidently into the kiss.

Maybe they shouldn't be doing this on the literal edge of the roof, but since they're both equipped with teleportation abilities, surely nothing could go wrong.

So, kissing on the roof. Being pulled closer even satisfies his need to move compulsively every thirty seconds, the way he moves in so readily. What's up, old man??]

[Corvo doesn't even know what's up anymore. He only knows he'll keep kissing him until he was out of breath, and again he after. He'll drown in his hands, if he must.

The night air cools, and fires are put out in the streets as people start to make their way back to their homes. Emily was more than likely finished by now, waiting his arrival home, but he finds himself thinking she could wait as long as she wants just this once. Instead he's wrapped both his arms around the Outsider and moved to rest his head on his shoulder, staring out at the stars with mild paranoia.]

... What're the chances you're going to disappear again? [He can't help but ask. How deep was he willing to get into this?]

[An hour is an hour, or two, or more - the Outsider doesn't know. Each of these things is new to him: intimacy, the desire for it, the way he can't feel anything but intrigue for Corvo's hands on his skin, trailing down his sides... Has it been quite longer than an hour, when this thing between them finally pauses?

He supposes it doesn't matter. Corvo is wrapped around him and his own arms are draped around Corvo's shoulders, one of his hands idly touching his hair intermittently. He tilts his head slightly to get a somewhat better look at Corvo leaning against his shoulder, wondering... There are so many things he could say to answer that, as well.]

For fifteen years? [ffs outsider--] I have to wonder if young Emily would be charmed by seeing me with her father like this.

[Dad getting handsy with a god... might take some getting used to.]

If you want to see me again, you need only ask.

There would be drawings of us hanging in my office... or the safe room. [He isn't sure how he would feel about that. He wouldn't be able to frame that lest he want Overseers at his doorstep.

There's a comfort he'd never expect in hearing those words, though. Enough that he shuts his eyes and relaxes in his arms, the most vulnerable he's made himself to anyone in years.]

So much for not playing favorites. [He hums. He loves being the favorite.]

[Drawings...... That's so. Hm. He has no idea what to think about that. Should he picture an elaborate artwork or a stick figure drawing of himself and Corvo with a confused little heart in between? He's not sure.

Instead he focuses on this, Corvo leaning more comfortably into his arms, and the way it twists at something in his chest to look at him like this. A heart that hasn't beaten in 4,000 years, struggling.

In his defense, he sort of stepped circles around the favoritism thing before...]

Will you bring that up until you get the answer you so readily desire? Then let me let you in on a secret— [He even leans down to Corvo's ear, and his voice drops to not quite a whisper,] For fifteen years, you have been my favorite.

[Like.... obviously, now, but at least he said it in plain language for once.]

Depends-- [Corvo silences himself, waiting on that not-so-secret thing he has to say with bated breath. He already knew, but not unlike Outsider continously bringing up his rats, he had to tease.

Doesn't mean him finally admitting it wasn't sending him over the moon. He tilted his head up and grinned, leaning to hover his lips just over the leviathan's.] Keep that up and I'll have you stay until morning.

[There's nothing wrong with bringing up rats all the time, for the record. It doesn't stop Corvo from kissing him, evidently, so he's learned that he can do it all the time without consequence.

In any case, his attention didn't waver in the past five seconds but it's somehow fixed even more on Corvo, now that his lips are so close again. Stay until morning...]

Are you going to sneak me in through the window?

I could. [Corvo mused, closing the gap between to leave kisses in between speaking.] The Duke's guards aren't-- exactly-- perceptive.

[Not that they can see him, anyway. His daughter and Dark Vision, though... Whatever. He'd think about it later.] What do you say...?

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