[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.]
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...]
[Ah— they've been kissing for maybe-an-hour, and being peppered with these quick kisses now is still surprising. Who knew Corvo could be so affectionate (everyone in Dunwall besides the Outsider, while Jessamine was alive, but never mind that--).]
A formal invitation from the Lord Protector? [There is always a choice, he'd said earlier, and this one is apparently his - so.] How could I possibly refuse?
[Corvo almost tells him that he could refuse, but thankfully he realized he already knew that before he said yet another stupid thing. He'll just kiss the Outsider one more time before they untangle from one another.
A hand-holding journey back to the carriage (and probably more kissing in the carriage) later, Corvo had blinked to the second floor. He could have easily just... taken the elevator to the room... but sneaking through sexier.
Except he was staring at the Outsider expectantly.] Come on, now.
[This has been one hell of an evening. Having gone from floating around stating but never acting any further on his very obvious interest in Corvo, the Outsider is starting to fall back into uncomfortable thoughts as they get closer and closer to the palace. He enjoys kissing—that isn't really in question at all—but what exactly is he doing? What are they both doing, acting like this is at all normal behavior?
There is a part of him that is still afraid. He fears his own existence, so it stands to reason that as comfortable as he is around Corvo and how different (pleasantly so) it feels to be physically close to him, he is still... hesitant. He couldn't refuse; but is that in itself necessarily a good thing?
All of these unspoken thoughts culminate in him loitering outside the window, considering.] Corvo... Have you no lingering doubts?
[The turning of the world does not hinge on his questions, this time, but throw him a bone here or something.]
[Corvo had been so wrapped up in what lied physically ahead that he hadn't really concerned himself with existential. Of course he had doubts, they'd be swimming in his head since he first met him. That didn't stop him from wanting.
Perhaps he shouldn't have acted so impulsively. He frowned, leaning against the window and watching the Outsider with concern. For him, and his choices this evening.] It sounds like you are. Are you alright? Is it...
[His mortality? His age? How uncharacteristic this was of him, given his past attitude...? The more he thinks about it, the more he doesn't want to guess.]
[It's all of those things and more: the Void, the very idea of acting like a human being when he hasn't been one in so long, when that was stripped of him so thoroughly; he has no memory of affection or kindness or love, save for a fleeting moment that might have been his mother and might have been the desperate fabrication of a mind too young and lonely to believe that not a single soul in the world cared that he was still alive.
4,000 years is a long time to spend drowning. So. He hesitates outside Corvo's window, and maybe it would benefit Corvo to know that his doubts have very little to do with Corvo himself, but articulating the fear that comes to him as naturally as breathing is... a little difficult. Always, he wants to escape. Perhaps his last moments on that stone table shaped his future in the Void, and that is why—perhaps not at all.
But. Despite everything about him, Corvo stands there and asks, Are you alright? And it is as if a stone turns over in his mind that shifts the ways of everything. Is he alright?
... Does it matter? It seems to matter more that after 4,000 years, someone has bothered to ask. He blinks at Corvo and then moves closer, hands seeking out either side of his face to draw him into another kiss.
So that existential crisis is postponed for at least a day.]
[Corvo parts his lips, on the verge of asking again, to help in any way he can... But as it turns out, words were not the solution to these doubts tonight. He rests his hands over the Outsider's, squeezing them gently as if it were enough to say it would be fine.]
Come.. [He mutters after a sizable amount of time, withdrawing back into the palace with the Outsider's hands still in his.]
[Fine is a stretch. It will be... not terrible, the Outsider thinks. Corvo can set his mind at ease for a little while, and that is worth holding onto while he ruminates on the rest. So when Corvo moves, he lets himself be led into the room, finally, his hands and gaze not leaving Corvo's face.
Well. Here they are.
..... he won't mention anything about the room, but he can tell. He glances away from Corvo's face for only a few seconds, to confirm - yes, he won't say a thing.] Does the Empress need to know you've returned?
[jw... does he get to monopolize all of Corvo's time here, still,]
[Corvo was none the wiser, and that... that was probably for the best. He wouldn't rest easy, knowing the woman that plotted his daughter's death had lain here, or that the far off painting was used for that so long ago.
He only thought of his alive and well daughter, looking towards the doors and considering. He probably should considering how long he'd been gone, but.] It's late, and I don't think Wyman would appreciate the interruption. There's probably a reason she didn't come and find me.
[How awkward that would be, finding the father that claimed a dislike of the Outsider to be wrapped up in him. She'll have an opportunity in the morning, because he's turning to head for the bedroom.]
[One day when they aren't anywhere near the Duke's palace, someone will fill Corvo in on the details. But certainly not now. The Outsider follows his gaze to the doors, considering marginally less - he could politely ask who Wyman is, but he's a god, he already knows - so perhaps he'll leave alone the notion that the Empress hasn't come to check in on her father because she's engaged in much the same thing her father is engaged in right now.
People tend to get weird about that kind of thing, a fact he's found hasn't changed in 4,000 years. So - silently he lets Corvo take the lead, and he might just be hovering off the floor so all Corvo really has to do is walk and the Outsider, still attached to him, will be there. This is what Corvo is signing up for...]
In the morning, let me explain everything. [Do not let him explain everything.]
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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.
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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.]
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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.]
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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.]
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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.]
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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?
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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.]
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He allowed him, and even pulled a leg back on the roof to bring him closer this time around.]
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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??]
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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?]
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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.
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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.]
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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.]
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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.
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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?
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[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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A formal invitation from the Lord Protector? [There is always a choice, he'd said earlier, and this one is apparently his - so.] How could I possibly refuse?
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A hand-holding journey back to the carriage (and probably more kissing in the carriage) later, Corvo had blinked to the second floor. He could have easily just... taken the elevator to the room... but sneaking through sexier.
Except he was staring at the Outsider expectantly.] Come on, now.
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There is a part of him that is still afraid. He fears his own existence, so it stands to reason that as comfortable as he is around Corvo and how different (pleasantly so) it feels to be physically close to him, he is still... hesitant. He couldn't refuse; but is that in itself necessarily a good thing?
All of these unspoken thoughts culminate in him loitering outside the window, considering.] Corvo... Have you no lingering doubts?
[The turning of the world does not hinge on his questions, this time, but throw him a bone here or something.]
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Perhaps he shouldn't have acted so impulsively. He frowned, leaning against the window and watching the Outsider with concern. For him, and his choices this evening.] It sounds like you are. Are you alright? Is it...
[His mortality? His age? How uncharacteristic this was of him, given his past attitude...? The more he thinks about it, the more he doesn't want to guess.]
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4,000 years is a long time to spend drowning. So. He hesitates outside Corvo's window, and maybe it would benefit Corvo to know that his doubts have very little to do with Corvo himself, but articulating the fear that comes to him as naturally as breathing is... a little difficult. Always, he wants to escape. Perhaps his last moments on that stone table shaped his future in the Void, and that is why—perhaps not at all.
But. Despite everything about him, Corvo stands there and asks, Are you alright? And it is as if a stone turns over in his mind that shifts the ways of everything. Is he alright?
... Does it matter? It seems to matter more that after 4,000 years, someone has bothered to ask. He blinks at Corvo and then moves closer, hands seeking out either side of his face to draw him into another kiss.
So that existential crisis is postponed for at least a day.]
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Come.. [He mutters after a sizable amount of time, withdrawing back into the palace with the Outsider's hands still in his.]
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Well. Here they are.
..... he won't mention anything about the room, but he can tell. He glances away from Corvo's face for only a few seconds, to confirm - yes, he won't say a thing.] Does the Empress need to know you've returned?
[jw... does he get to monopolize all of Corvo's time here, still,]
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He only thought of his alive and well daughter, looking towards the doors and considering. He probably should considering how long he'd been gone, but.] It's late, and I don't think Wyman would appreciate the interruption. There's probably a reason she didn't come and find me.
[How awkward that would be, finding the father that claimed a dislike of the Outsider to be wrapped up in him. She'll have an opportunity in the morning, because he's turning to head for the bedroom.]
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People tend to get weird about that kind of thing, a fact he's found hasn't changed in 4,000 years. So - silently he lets Corvo take the lead, and he might just be hovering off the floor so all Corvo really has to do is walk and the Outsider, still attached to him, will be there. This is what Corvo is signing up for...]
In the morning, let me explain everything. [Do not let him explain everything.]
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