[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.
[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.]
[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.]
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.
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.
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.
[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.]
[Corvo doesn't call him out at all, aside from the curve of his lips and the straightening of his back. He'll use this to his advantage, thank you very much.]
I'd much rather keep doing this. [It'd been much more ideal until they'd gotten back to kissing... it was just too nice. He leans in for another before walking backwards towards his makeshift shrine. He even had the nice pillows from downstairs, so it wasn't uncomfortable to lay on.]
[Ah, he doesn't even have to come out and say it and Corvo knows just the right moment to drop him into some nice pillows.
Don't actually drop him, he'll just hover there, but the sentiment is the same: nice.]
It would have been faster to meet you up here to begin with. I could feel the Overseers in attendance sweating without even knowing why, and while amusing, it wasn't what I came here for.
Didn't have much time to think about it... [Corvo mumbles against his lips, before doing just that. It isn't so much as dropping as dragging him down with Corvo, knowing he'd just remain in the air. What a convenient boyfriend.
His hands aren't off him long, adjusting all that purple fabric so it would be comfortable sitting back on. The lamps were dim in comparison to any below, but it would be more than enough to illuminate their faces and figures as the night became darker. He doesn't care much for brightening them beyond that, instead running his fingers back up the jacket to resume their position at his sides.]
We're here now. That's more than either of us were prepared for yesterday.
[Well he'll helpfully hover until Corvo is ready with the fabric, and then he'll get nice and settled. It's funny that Corvo considers some lanterns and fabric more prepared, but he hasn't stopped being flattered by the clumsy effort, either... whatever. He focuses instead on Corvo, his hands on his sides, his face in the dimming evening light—much more interesting.]
Would you believe, Corvo, that for the first time in centuries, I've been thrown into something I could never have expected? Not this, exactly- [lots of weirdos want to bang him, as it turns out] -but something much simpler, and yet... new.
[He has to shut up and cup Corvo's face with both his hands, before he says this dumb gay thing. 4,000 years old and simple emotions are still a goddamn mystery, this is his life now—] I missed you today.
[Honestly it was kind of inconvenient. Feelings??]
[Corvo braced for some speech of being the Outsider, dragged along mundane human outings just because he found him interesting. That was normal for them before, and perhaps it would continue this way. He could deal with that. He was wracking his brain for something to say when the time came, because he wouldn't allow another one-sided conversation.
A simple "I missed you today" rendered him speechless. He stared over at the Outsider with wide eyes, realizing it was as simple as that. Something vaguely insulting and creepy would have been normal, but this? It's another reminder that what he's getting into was new waters, and he has to learn how to swim again lest he drown.
He averted his gaze down to mule this over, wordlessly leaning into the Outsider's touch.] I guess it doesn't help when I tell you I missed you too.
[Hmm... Once again, the Outsider isn't complaining. He has plenty of speeches about mundane human things and how quaint they are, sure, but right now he'll give up the attitude, just a little. His hands stay gently against Corvo's face, one thumb smoothing over his cheekbone just to see. Each little way Corvo reacts to his touch and his words - he can know anything, but he wants to see this for himself.]
I had a feeling you might. It seems as though I've surprised myself, this time.
[Corvo wanted nothing more than to get lost in the Outsider's hold, and to drift off without a worry for what comes next. But he had felt this way before, he'd lain in someone's arms only for them to go cold. It anchored him to reality, and reality was too hard to ignore.]
You don't have to do this. [He frowned, leaning back to get a better view of his expression.] It doesn't hurt now, but it will. [He wasn't young anymore.] It stays with you, no matter how hard you try to forget.
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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...?
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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,]
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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.
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Should I look forward to you critiquing my footwork?
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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??]
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Even if it's lame. He can follow Corvo's lead, for once.]
You'll tempt me to do it on purpose. Be careful.
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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.
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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.]
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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.
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He even winks.] He's only elusive until a certain marked so much as wants to chat. Or touch his hand.
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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.
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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...
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[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.]
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He stills, dragging his hand up from the Outsider's side to grip the front of his jacket. Don't go anywhere.]
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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.]
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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.]
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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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I'd much rather keep doing this. [It'd been much more ideal until they'd gotten back to kissing... it was just too nice. He leans in for another before walking backwards towards his makeshift shrine. He even had the nice pillows from downstairs, so it wasn't uncomfortable to lay on.]
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Don't actually drop him, he'll just hover there, but the sentiment is the same: nice.]
It would have been faster to meet you up here to begin with. I could feel the Overseers in attendance sweating without even knowing why, and while amusing, it wasn't what I came here for.
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His hands aren't off him long, adjusting all that purple fabric so it would be comfortable sitting back on. The lamps were dim in comparison to any below, but it would be more than enough to illuminate their faces and figures as the night became darker. He doesn't care much for brightening them beyond that, instead running his fingers back up the jacket to resume their position at his sides.]
We're here now. That's more than either of us were prepared for yesterday.
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Would you believe, Corvo, that for the first time in centuries, I've been thrown into something I could never have expected? Not this, exactly- [lots of weirdos want to bang him, as it turns out] -but something much simpler, and yet... new.
[He has to shut up and cup Corvo's face with both his hands, before he says this dumb gay thing. 4,000 years old and simple emotions are still a goddamn mystery, this is his life now—] I missed you today.
[Honestly it was kind of inconvenient. Feelings??]
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A simple "I missed you today" rendered him speechless. He stared over at the Outsider with wide eyes, realizing it was as simple as that. Something vaguely insulting and creepy would have been normal, but this? It's another reminder that what he's getting into was new waters, and he has to learn how to swim again lest he drown.
He averted his gaze down to mule this over, wordlessly leaning into the Outsider's touch.] I guess it doesn't help when I tell you I missed you too.
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I had a feeling you might. It seems as though I've surprised myself, this time.
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You don't have to do this. [He frowned, leaning back to get a better view of his expression.] It doesn't hurt now, but it will. [He wasn't young anymore.] It stays with you, no matter how hard you try to forget.
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