[This is... nice? Corvo doesn't know. He's a little uncomfortable, honestly, with all the years of sleeping alone. The Outsider wasn't exactly the first night since Jessamine, but he was the least likely candidate.
So he just... stares. Not directly at him, but the Mark on his hand. So much has changed. He wasn't making the best decisions.
What the Outsider just said was case and point.] Oh.
[That's all he can think to say, initially. Oh. Uh. Right. Shit.] ... Yet you've indulged me this far. Stay?
[To be fair, Corvo does have a point. The Outsider has been indulging him all night, ever since letting him take him around on a city tour, so why stop here? It isn't as if he hasn't enjoyed himself amidst the existential crises.
He hums. What harm can one night do?] So be it.
[He could stand to be more romantic... but he turns onto his side and holds out an arm pointedly. Holding Corvo for like five minutes earlier was comfortable, so indulge him now while he lies awake here all night.] Come here.
[Corvo isn't surprised when he's relieved this time. He was exhausted, and the idea of laying awake and alone again just wasn't as appealing. He parts his lips to speak when the Outsider moves, instead turning in silence with furrowing brows.
Oh, he shouldn't get used to this. He knows it can only hurt him later, he knows he'll miss it dearly if it's torn away from him. Yet he still moves under the Outsider's arm, his own going around him to make sure he was staying.] ...Thank you.
[Surely nothing could go wrong with this arrangement. The Outsider is not an optimist by nature, not at all, but... well, to say he's hopeful about this still isn't entirely true.
But he's looking forward to it, almost. He wraps his arm around Corvo to hold him closer, answering him first with another hum.]
Don't thank me, Corvo. You know better. [...teasing, but.] Sleep.
Mm... [Corvo mumbles in response, shutting his eyes and resting his head against the Outsider's chest. The ever persistent tension in his shoulders relaxed, with it probably being the fastest he's slept without aid in years.
Who knew he'd be using a god as a pillow. Emily, probably, but she won't disturb her father in the morning.]
[So this is staying until morning. The Outsider does not sleep, as promised, but he does mercifully stay where he is. He could easily fade in and out around the room, maybe read something, go through these old Delilah things... but the weight of Corvo lying against him keeps him there, fascinated by Corvo and his own desire to stay there in the first place.
There are plenty of things to think about—will he do this again, will he want to? He suspects Corvo wouldn't turn him out of bed, the way he's sleeping so soundly. So then, the logistics of this... Being involved with someone in any way but especially a staying-until-morning way certainly does remove a layer of detachment from the way he watches the wheels turn, but then, Corvo was already his favorite. He supposes rooting for someone spoiled any impartial distance he held fifteen years ago, and besides, the Void has no rules.
Corvo's hair is soft, he thinks in between all of these other things. Corvo's weight in his arms is warm, and that could very well be enough. The Outsider will be there in the morning, awake long before the rest of the palace begins its day with the earliest shift of guards and maids rising from bed, and since the Empress is likely to spend her morning wrapped up in someone much like this, he supposes there is still time before someone wants Corvo to join them for politics.
The Outsider still nudges his shoulder to wake him up. Rise and shine and pay attention to him.] It's morning, Corvo.
[Corvo wasn't fond of mornings. It was more often than not that he woke to a lingering feeling of dread, nightmares full of plague bodies plummeting and that distinct sound when they hit the ground. Or a lingering feeling of sadness over the longing of Jessamine. Or a combination of both: his love a Weeper, taking him with her in death.
This morning Corvo didn't want to get up, it seems. He was having pleasant dreams of the Hounds Pits Pub. He groaned, scrunching his nose and turning his head into the pillow.
Wait a moment.
The Outaider was still here. Corvo opens his eyes, staring blearily in mild disbelief.] You didn't leave.
[Boy, is that flattering. Not that the Outsider blames him; he is still here, and that is as unexpected as his arrival in the first place. But now that Corvo is awake, he feels he's quite free to shift and sit up properly, whether Corvo stays close against him or not. There is always his lap to stare at him blearily from.]
I made the choice. [did you want him to be Serious before breakfast, well here he is] Although I believe the phrase you're looking for is "good morning."
Oh, I'm sorry. [Corvo rolled his eyes, moving his arms around the Outsidee'/ waist and laying his head on his lap instead. He'll use him as long as he can, knowing there was another long day ahead of him.] Good morning.
[He's just going to shut his eyes and pretend the sun isn't rising yet.] I hope you haven't kept some unfortunate soul waiting.
Yes, he's decided this was worth it. Corvo all but curls up in his lap and the Outsider's hand finds its way into his hair almost immediately, ruffling his bedhead lightly before he threads his fingers through. Thanks to Corvo, he's learned how to tousle hair for fun and profit, enjoy.]
There's always something. Perhaps they'll use my silence to their advantage and put a little more blood into it, next time. [Metaphor? Not metaphor? It's never clear.]
[It was a good thing Corvo liked the fingers through his hair so much, otherwise he might have gotten more annoyed than he was.] You know who winds up stepping in those messes when you don't go see them? This guy.
[Why did they have to be so messy... ugh, maybe he should get up. He yawns, turning his head to look up at him.] You're making it very difficult to get up, you know. [By like, existing.]
[This guy... Well, how about that. Maybe this is Void-style flirting!! No, the Outsider is just a pain in the ass.] You're a capable man.
[So obviously it's not a problem! It's definitely not a problem that merits the Outsider getting out of bed or letting go of Corvo right at this second, so.]
What was it you called me? Starved and poorly cut? You could go if you wanted to. [like, you could throw him]
Some things make up for it. [He smirked, reaching up to rest a hand over his cheek. Briefly, though. He had to get up. Ugh.
He sighed, pulling himself up to sit up and inevitably rise out of bed. He ran a hand down his face and stared at his folded clothes like they would put themselves on, then looked over his shoulder.] I'm guessing you're leaving, then? We're going to the Abbey-- Emily's going. [Well, Emily was. He was going to an old childhood home next to the Abbey.]
[Real reason the Outsider has stayed a watcher all this time: he's affection-starved and abruptly has to wonder if good relations with the Abbey are worth letting Corvo get out of bed. Postpone that... he can postpone it himself, maybe influence all their water to run dark and make them cry about sorcery—
But no, no. He's older than every adult in the city combined. He will not do that. With Corvo up and about, he leans back on his hands again.]
What would you have me do, accompany the Empress to the Abbey? Listen to the strictures? "The echoes of lies come back as the voice of the Outsider." They would not appreciate me in their home, as much as some of them do think of me in wonder.
[Overseer fanboys are the funniest, he thinks. Anyway, maybe he should go... this, implied, as he continues to not get up or go.]
I didn't take you as someone to care much for what they appreciate. [Corvo rose his brows in both curiosity and amusement. The Outsider should probably go, but like Corvo should be getting dressed for the day, it's just not happening.
He shifts his weight and rests a hand on his hip.] And that isn't the one they'd recite, knowing who you were with. It'd be Restless Hands, Wandering Gaze... Or Wanton Flesh, depending on how much of a puppet they really think I am.
[Just saying. Time to start gathering his clothes before saying that half naked seems too weird. A white button up this time, and only the first vest. How scandalous.] As much as I'd love to see the look on your face, I don't think we want to find out what hearing their music does to you should things go south.
[He'd already been thinking of it, long before his night with the Outsider. But now, after he has... it was worrying.] I hate those damn things...
Are you worrying about me? [Corvo said a whole lot of things there about his wanton flesh but more importantly, is he concerned? That's so...] If Delilah could force her way into the Void and leave me mostly untouched, I doubt some zealots with music boxes could stop me.
[This is almost a matter of... pride? He doesn't want to go to the Abbey, but at least leave it on record that he could step on the Abbey without really trying. Their music might still disturb him, but there's quite a difference between Corvo's Blink and the Outsider's—everything else.]
If I'm to pick, I'd prefer to be damned with Restless Hands today. [Don't Wanton Flesh and tell, when the wanton didn't happen.]
Hm. [There was truth in that, he thought, but at the same time... it wasn't a risk he wanted to take. He turned his hand over to look at the Mark, remembering his brief disconnections to the Void. It was high on his scale of discomfort.] I wouldn't underestimate what a couple of zealots are capable of en masse. Especially with what Breanna accomplished.
[With Jindosh. Ugh, that guy. Anyway, he'll turn to look at the Outsider while he's starting to dress.] Restrict the Restless Hands, which quickly become the workmates of the Outsider. Unfettered by honest labor, they rush to sordid gain, vain pursuits, and deeds of violence. [Those hands were buttoning his shirt up instead of down, this time.] What exactly would you have them do today? Sordid gain?
If you were going to ask one of your Marked about vain pursuits, it would be Delilah. [Corvo rolled his eyes, pulling on his vest and grabbing a cloth strap to wrap his hand.] Or Daud. I don't know his habits. [Did Daud spend a lot of time looking in mirrors, or was he just naturally that attractive? The real mystery.
He stoops down to pull the Outsider's jacket, motioning for him to stand. Let him put it on you..]
Hmm. [Those two... Well, Daud is just that attractive, probably. What would he do in mirrors besides brood? And Delilah... Even giving her this much satisfaction bothers the Outsider on a purely bitter level.]
Vera Moray. She always did want to look her best. [For... him, personally... never mind that. It takes him a moment before he realizes what's going on with the jacket, standing and moving to stand in front of Corvo. Sure, do this gay thing, that's cool.]
Why do I feel like I should know that name...? [Corvo felt like he should know this, but he hadn't much time for history lessons during... everything. It just so happened it only came up when he was fighting off the plague or being turned to stone.
He does take gay thing though, going to pull it back on him one arm at a time. All this manhandling.] Perhaps there will be a little vanity at the Duke's party. Soon.
[This is an acceptable amount of manhandling, worry not. The Outsider tugs it forward so it sits properly on his shoulders, then waits expectantly for Corvo to do up the buttons for him. Since he likes doing that so much.]
And I'm sure you will be the belle of the ball. [lol........] Be sure to tell me all about it.
[Now he brushes past Corvo, heedless of how buttoned up he is because he can't hold still, and adds as an afterthought,] Granny Rags, by the way. The lovely Lady Moray.
[There he goes, he's gone. No, he'll only wander as far as the window, then turn to face Corvo again. Is that... a hint of jealousy???]
No, not in the way you're thinking. Many men fell over themselves to gain the briefest glance of Vera Moray's attention, and although her eyes clouded shut for her devotion, I cannot claim to be interested in a blind woman wasting away in her desperation.
[Things we're reviewing: he doesn't like them needy.]
But you danced, and had parties greater than the Boyle's. [Corvo might have remembered out of that hint of jealousy, but also... He wasn't forgetting that meeting anytime soon. God, he wished he could.]
I guess I will have to hold off on going insane, lest history repeat itself. [He shuddered, flattening his vest and taking up the folded sword. All set, he takes great strides to cross the room. He took the Outsider's collar, but it was just to pull him up into one last kiss for his visit.] Or blind, because I'd like to see you later.
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So he just... stares. Not directly at him, but the Mark on his hand. So much has changed. He wasn't making the best decisions.
What the Outsider just said was case and point.] Oh.
[That's all he can think to say, initially. Oh. Uh. Right. Shit.] ... Yet you've indulged me this far. Stay?
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He hums. What harm can one night do?] So be it.
[He could stand to be more romantic... but he turns onto his side and holds out an arm pointedly. Holding Corvo for like five minutes earlier was comfortable, so indulge him now while he lies awake here all night.] Come here.
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Oh, he shouldn't get used to this. He knows it can only hurt him later, he knows he'll miss it dearly if it's torn away from him. Yet he still moves under the Outsider's arm, his own going around him to make sure he was staying.] ...Thank you.
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But he's looking forward to it, almost. He wraps his arm around Corvo to hold him closer, answering him first with another hum.]
Don't thank me, Corvo. You know better. [...teasing, but.] Sleep.
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Who knew he'd be using a god as a pillow. Emily, probably, but she won't disturb her father in the morning.]
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There are plenty of things to think about—will he do this again, will he want to? He suspects Corvo wouldn't turn him out of bed, the way he's sleeping so soundly. So then, the logistics of this... Being involved with someone in any way but especially a staying-until-morning way certainly does remove a layer of detachment from the way he watches the wheels turn, but then, Corvo was already his favorite. He supposes rooting for someone spoiled any impartial distance he held fifteen years ago, and besides, the Void has no rules.
Corvo's hair is soft, he thinks in between all of these other things. Corvo's weight in his arms is warm, and that could very well be enough. The Outsider will be there in the morning, awake long before the rest of the palace begins its day with the earliest shift of guards and maids rising from bed, and since the Empress is likely to spend her morning wrapped up in someone much like this, he supposes there is still time before someone wants Corvo to join them for politics.
The Outsider still nudges his shoulder to wake him up. Rise and shine and pay attention to him.] It's morning, Corvo.
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This morning Corvo didn't want to get up, it seems. He was having pleasant dreams of the Hounds Pits Pub. He groaned, scrunching his nose and turning his head into the pillow.
Wait a moment.
The Outaider was still here. Corvo opens his eyes, staring blearily in mild disbelief.] You didn't leave.
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I made the choice. [did you want him to be Serious before breakfast, well here he is] Although I believe the phrase you're looking for is "good morning."
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[He's just going to shut his eyes and pretend the sun isn't rising yet.] I hope you haven't kept some unfortunate soul waiting.
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Yes, he's decided this was worth it. Corvo all but curls up in his lap and the Outsider's hand finds its way into his hair almost immediately, ruffling his bedhead lightly before he threads his fingers through. Thanks to Corvo, he's learned how to tousle hair for fun and profit, enjoy.]
There's always something. Perhaps they'll use my silence to their advantage and put a little more blood into it, next time. [Metaphor? Not metaphor? It's never clear.]
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[Why did they have to be so messy... ugh, maybe he should get up. He yawns, turning his head to look up at him.] You're making it very difficult to get up, you know. [By like, existing.]
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[So obviously it's not a problem! It's definitely not a problem that merits the Outsider getting out of bed or letting go of Corvo right at this second, so.]
What was it you called me? Starved and poorly cut? You could go if you wanted to. [like, you could throw him]
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He sighed, pulling himself up to sit up and inevitably rise out of bed. He ran a hand down his face and stared at his folded clothes like they would put themselves on, then looked over his shoulder.] I'm guessing you're leaving, then? We're going to the Abbey-- Emily's going. [Well, Emily was. He was going to an old childhood home next to the Abbey.]
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But no, no. He's older than every adult in the city combined. He will not do that. With Corvo up and about, he leans back on his hands again.]
What would you have me do, accompany the Empress to the Abbey? Listen to the strictures? "The echoes of lies come back as the voice of the Outsider." They would not appreciate me in their home, as much as some of them do think of me in wonder.
[Overseer fanboys are the funniest, he thinks. Anyway, maybe he should go... this, implied, as he continues to not get up or go.]
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He shifts his weight and rests a hand on his hip.] And that isn't the one they'd recite, knowing who you were with. It'd be Restless Hands, Wandering Gaze... Or Wanton Flesh, depending on how much of a puppet they really think I am.
[Just saying. Time to start gathering his clothes before saying that half naked seems too weird. A white button up this time, and only the first vest. How scandalous.] As much as I'd love to see the look on your face, I don't think we want to find out what hearing their music does to you should things go south.
[He'd already been thinking of it, long before his night with the Outsider. But now, after he has... it was worrying.] I hate those damn things...
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[This is almost a matter of... pride? He doesn't want to go to the Abbey, but at least leave it on record that he could step on the Abbey without really trying. Their music might still disturb him, but there's quite a difference between Corvo's Blink and the Outsider's—everything else.]
If I'm to pick, I'd prefer to be damned with Restless Hands today. [Don't Wanton Flesh and tell, when the wanton didn't happen.]
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[With Jindosh. Ugh, that guy. Anyway, he'll turn to look at the Outsider while he's starting to dress.] Restrict the Restless Hands, which quickly become the workmates of the Outsider. Unfettered by honest labor, they rush to sordid gain, vain pursuits, and deeds of violence. [Those hands were buttoning his shirt up instead of down, this time.] What exactly would you have them do today? Sordid gain?
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And you know all I offer is the choice. I will only ask you how you feel about vain pursuits, not force your hand.
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He stoops down to pull the Outsider's jacket, motioning for him to stand. Let him put it on you..]
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Vera Moray. She always did want to look her best. [For... him, personally... never mind that. It takes him a moment before he realizes what's going on with the jacket, standing and moving to stand in front of Corvo. Sure, do this gay thing, that's cool.]
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He does take gay thing though, going to pull it back on him one arm at a time. All this manhandling.] Perhaps there will be a little vanity at the Duke's party. Soon.
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And I'm sure you will be the belle of the ball. [lol........] Be sure to tell me all about it.
[Now he brushes past Corvo, heedless of how buttoned up he is because he can't hold still, and adds as an afterthought,] Granny Rags, by the way. The lovely Lady Moray.
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Well, it lasted like, two seconds. Granny Rags.] She must have let herself go long before I met her.
[He paused.] Another favorite of yours?
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No, not in the way you're thinking. Many men fell over themselves to gain the briefest glance of Vera Moray's attention, and although her eyes clouded shut for her devotion, I cannot claim to be interested in a blind woman wasting away in her desperation.
[Things we're reviewing: he doesn't like them needy.]
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I guess I will have to hold off on going insane, lest history repeat itself. [He shuddered, flattening his vest and taking up the folded sword. All set, he takes great strides to cross the room. He took the Outsider's collar, but it was just to pull him up into one last kiss for his visit.] Or blind, because I'd like to see you later.
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