dumbshow | whale post

[Looming over him isn't really warm and welcoming either, Corvo. The Outsider decides he'll forego more guard criticism to take a half step closer and slip an arm around Corvo's waist. Being functionally invisible is so convenient.]

I liked your note. Maybe I'll put it in a frame and hang it in a shrine.

[Ugh... Corvo remained still for the most part, but he still leans enough weight on him that they would be chest to chest... if the Outsider weren't so short.]

You told me not to create my own out of desperation. What's that going to say about you...? [He shouldn't be allowed to look this smug, but here he is.]

Will you listen to me, when I tell you not to? You're already leaving me invitations at them.

[It is the most logical conclusion for the question of how to get in touch with him, but shut up, he's teasing. His other hand slides around to Corvo's back.]

Either way, you will still be the man talking to himself at Duke Abele's glamorous celebration.

Like you don't want my gifts. [Wow, do you not want him to leave cute letters and pear soda... he's going to do it anyway, because fuck you,]

One of the first signs of going insane, probably. [His fingers twitch, but he feels eyes on him. At least the situation was leading to a rise in color in his cheeks.] I'd hoped I'd last a little longer, but...

[Um?? He does, but he's going to act like it's a nuisance. How needy. Continue to need him at just the right amount, thanks.]

How were you planning on dancing with me, by the way? I've been trying to figure it out.

You mean I can't dance with you here? [He chuckled, turning his head to look past the guests and towards the stairs.] No, if you'll unwrap yourself for a moment, there's a place I had in mind. If that pleases you.

In front of the Empress? How bold.

[This better be quick, though, since he doesn't really feel like letting go... He'll step back and withdraw his arms but not all the way, keeping one hand lingering at Corvo's side. Thrill him, come on, let's go!!]

[He briefly consider any consequences of leaving Emily's side, but when he takes one look in her direction, he notices Wyman's pulling her to the floor. She could handle herself. She had her sword and the Outsider's gifts.

After taking great pride in that, Corvo will use his own. His mark burned a bright blue as the music faded and the guests slowed. Drinks stopped mid-spill with looks of dismay and amusement by the intoxicated. No one noticed when he leaned to kiss the top of the Outsider's head. No one noticed when Corvo moved past them, a god's hand at his side. No one noticed a thing. That was just how he liked it.

A walk through glass doors and three Blinks before time ran out and Corvo had brought them to a flat where the Palace's roof met the trees. Where paint cans and tools once laid were lanterns not unlike ones missing from the shrine Corvo had used, as well as a soft pad between stone and blankets that were suspiciously close to typical purple drapes. Whiskey bottles nearby and half full from those "rough nights."

Most importantly, the music was still clear from open windows and doors, and echoed up from the elevator shaft just behind the chimney. He'd put a great deal of thought.] Well...?

[Again and again, the Outsider is surprised by Corvo. Effort went into this. Planning. This escape to the roof and Corvo's own, less heretical version of a shrine up here took thought—and care. The Outsider isn't sure he'll ever be used to this, although that may be for the best - Corvo won't wind up like Vera, if the Outsider can never truly stay ten steps ahead of him.

He stands there, taking it in and thinking. This is a different kind of bid for his attention than leaving offerings at a shrine, as if—almost as if he's an ordinary person. He'd had that feeling from Corvo last night, that Corvo can look and see him as just a man, and he... likes that.]

I'm impressed. [He's feeling real gay about this rooftop not-a-shrine but this is the best he can do.] But I can only dance the man's part.

[one of us is going to have to change,]

[Corvo, taking in his own work and thought perhaps... he could have put more effort into it. But he'd been busy, and it seems the Outsider enjoys it. No matter how last minute. That's more than enough for him.

But... oh. Well, this was going to be interesting.] There's a reason we needed Callista to teach Emily... [Once she got big, standing on his toes was apparently "not acceptable" for father daughter dances. Anyway, he stepped away from the Outsider's side to stand before him. He moved to rest one hand at his waist and thread their fingers with the other. Just assuming how this is going to go.]

Put your hand on my shoulder.

[Oh, so this is how it's going to go. Next time, Corvo has to do the lady steps, it's only fair. The Outsider still obliges, putting his hand on Corvo's shoulder and drumming his fingers there expectantly. Hey.]

Should I look forward to you critiquing my footwork?

Only if you step on my feet. So... very likely. [Corvo smirked down at him, squeezing with the hand at his side. No, he wouldn't... but also, he should probably start moving before the Outsider fidgets.

So he takes the first step back as the piano the Outsider could have sat on was put into use. See how nice it sounds when you aren't using it as a seat??]

[Rude... The Outsider is fidgeting anyway, but it's only to press himself closer to Corvo. He couldn't care less about the proper way to dance right now, actually, when he'd rather just be here with Corvo. It's sappy, he's the most embarrassing god ever, that's fine. Corvo started it, throwing purple blankets around just to be cute.

Even if it's lame. He can follow Corvo's lead, for once.]

You'll tempt me to do it on purpose. Be careful.

Tempting a god... Is there anything Corvo Attano can't do? [Corvo hums, falling into a rhythm with a just a few steps. Forward, back, sometimes a turn... YEAH, he's got this. Somewhat.] You're far too ancient to act like my daughter.

[Who brings up their daughter while romancing a god? Who does that? He's keeping up with Corvo's super informal dance, amused.]

You're far too young to tell me what I can and cannot do. There; if you wanted to start a list of what Corvo Attano can't do, that's one.

[Corvo does!! A daddy does.

For now, he laughs. It's the first genuine one of the night.] Give it time. You certainly listen when I request, so it can't be too far off from that. [Next on the list: get him to sit in a chair properly.]

[Stop daddy kinking him immediately. And he will never sit in a chair properly, Corvo can't make him.]

Such confidence. But I am cautioning you not to get your hopes up—I'm sure you've heard plenty of stories about how fickle and elusive the Outsider is.

I don't need to hear the stories to know how the Outsider is. [He's gotten much better at meeting the Outsider's eyes... at least more than he was last night.

He even winks.] He's only elusive until a certain marked so much as wants to chat. Or touch his hand.

[Stop daddy winking him immediately!!]

Not even you can get away with anything, Corvo. [You are toeing the line, mister.] And what of you? Fleeing the Duke's grand party to spin in circles on a rooftop? All because you wanted to see me.

Would you prefer I not want to see you? [He rose a skeptical brow, but of course it was an empty threat. He was too fond of their past two encounters, with the way the Outsider's fingers felt through his hair and how his hand felt in his.]

You might play your games, but you're the only person I'd spend the evening with. Unless you want me to go off with Lady what's her name...

Quite the contrary, Corvo. All I'm trying to do is call you a hypocrite.

[Love him, thanks. He slips his hand from Corvo's shoulder to the back of his neck to encourage him to lean down a little, here. Give shorty a break from staring up all the time and also let him get his kiss on.] Perhaps it isn't that I've failed to elude you, but that you've made yourself so very compelling.

[Now kiss him.]

[How hypocritical of him to call him a hypocrite ... Corvo held his tongue, leaning down to kiss the up his jaw to the corner of his lips. Then, hey, on the lips. Gotta stay compelling.

He stills, dragging his hand up from the Outsider's side to grip the front of his jacket. Don't go anywhere.]

[Don't call him out, just enjoy this. The Outsider is very much compelled by his kisses, though, so good job with that. If he weren't so invested in kissing Corvo, he'd say something about how Corvo really doesn't need to keep literally holding onto him to keep him around—but at the same time, that's the kind of desperate he finds interesting, so... feel free...

But now that their dance is put on hold, he slides his fingers up into Corvo's hair and pulls himself even more against his chest. Hey.]

[Corvo certainly won't make any complaints. In fact, he'll even make a low noise of approval. He pulls his other hand free from the Outsider's to rest it against the small of his back, ensuring they keep that closeness even as he pulls away to breathe.

He doesn't have a smart comment this time, though, idly leaning his head before going back for another. He'll enjoy the moment in silence, the music echoing as it faded off into the next song.]

[The Outsider can't complain about this turn of events either; sure, they danced for a whopping five minutes, but who really needs dancing... Once his hand is let go of he moves it to the back of Corvo's neck, appreciating how close he is.

If Corvo notices a slight difference in neck strain, it might be because the Outsider maybe is floating again. Don't call him out. A few bars into the next song he pauses to murmur against Corvo's lips,] Do you still want to dance?

[Or maybe... just an idea... get sort of comfortable on the purple curtains. Just a thought.]

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