[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.
[—Oh. This wasn't what he'd expected, all things considered. Knowing Corvo the way that he does, the Outsider knows that this—whatever it is would have come up eventually. Reassurance? Giving him a way out, should he want to take it now? It's sweet of him, but the Outsider wouldn't wait for Corvo's permission if he wanted to leave.]
Corvo. [He smooths his hand over Corvo's cheek again, for the simple feeling of it and for how he sure is about to say more of that weird Outsider stuff.] You have heard my history sung in the streets. You know the depths of darkness, and the beauty of the light. Both of us have felt loss and both of us have accepted that the world continues to turn. A week from now, a year, a decade—in a hundred decades perhaps this very rooftop will be here still, perhaps it will be nothing but dust. Everything and nothing in life is certain, Corvo.
[Which might be an odd thing for a god who knows everything to say, but it's true. Corvo may not be young, but he himself is by no means immortal. He wonders if Corvo has really absorbed that, or realized it at all; perhaps the Outsider will be the one who won't exist tomorrow. He doesn't know.
He doesn't know. But.]
I believe I told you not to tell me what to do. Know this: the choices we make are our own, and you are mine.
[Corvo could argue with how insensitive he was during his time of loss that the Outsider didn't know the particular heartache. He could argue that with the years he had left, it wouldn't be worth it, and boring. That he couldn't play games this time. He once felt more strongly on all of these things.
But he was just beginning to realize that the Outsider was not always the performance he put on for his marked, and how much holding his interest meant. He may not have much longer in this world, and he may not consider that the same could be for him, but he was right. They were both adults, one centuries older than the other. He shouldn't question it. Perhaps this one thing won't have consequences.
Instead he'll take a deep breath, tilting his head back to meet him eye for eye.] Alright. [He paused, then mustered up a faint smile.] I certainly am yours, aren't I?
[Well nobody ever murdered Corvo, if he really wants to play who's lost the most. Nobody cut his throat. On some level, because Corvo is a man and the Outsider is a being far removed from what might make him yet a man—besides this—they will never wholly understand each other. The Outsider wasn't planning on it; if he understood Corvo perfectly, where would the fun be in that?
But he can meet him in the middle somewhere, he thinks. That will have to do. He's said his piece now, and finally Corvo's old man worrying protesting has abated. Thanks.]
If that is the path you choose, then so you are. For as long as you want to be. [Well he could get bored, but he's trying to say that he doesn't think that's going to happen at this point. Corvo is really stuck with him.]
It's not all that often I get to choose a path. [He mused, but there was really no considering anything else at this point. He brought both hands over the Outsider's, pulling them down so he could lean forward.]
So I am yours, and you are mine. [He guesses??? Can he really claim something like that, he doesn't know. He's going to seal that statement with a kiss, though, so no protesting.]
[Corvo, what the hell, how many speeches at shrines does he have to give until the "there is always a choice" thing sinks in!! He's mercifully spared from repeating himself when Corvo surprises him with his next words and another kiss, which he leans into with perhaps more confirmation of those words than he'll be able to express out loud.]
Not many men possess the guts to lay claim to the Void. Plenty have tried—I've read their theories, their books, but there is a difference between arrogant and bold.
[He's not protesting, he's just saying... if he's already gotten this attached, it isn't a particularly far jump to the conclusion Corvo's made.]
Not many know what the Void's lips feel like... [Corvo countered, chuckling under his breath. He never once thought he would be bragging about this, and yet. Another brief, playful kiss.] Or how his hair feels under their fingers... [One more.] Or how his voice sounds when he's flustered.
[First of all, who let Corvo do any of this—oh wait. He played himself... He's kept to himself this long, it's no wonder that Corvo has a distinct social advantage. This old man, of all people... but no one who's been close enough to touch him has ever managed to fluster him, that much is true. It's official, Corvo is a menace.]
Is that what you're calling it? [He's not flustered!!] I suppose it's open to interpretation.
You'all dent it now and want it later. [This old man knows what he's doing. He even daddy winked suggestively at him again.
But his back was protesting, so he might as well lay back on this shrine...curtain pillow bed thing, thing. Feel free to join him and prove his point.]
[Stop winking?? Stop accusing him of these daddy things... In protest the Outsider sits up completely and just looks down at Corvo, lying there like the old man he is. Hmph. Perhaps he'll just stay up here and not prove any points at all.
At least, until his hand wanders over to the front of Corvo's Formal Attire Vest to fiddle with the fastenings, but this might be a different point entirely.]
[Wow, fine, don't join him in his daddy old man antics. He'll just take the opportunity to lay out and take all the room with a nice view of the Outsider. No complaints.
He raises his brow, though, not moving just in case he would stop. It was only fair he let im, with his Button Thing.]
[Frankly, Corvo should be thanking him for indulging his button fetish. Here he goes, just casually undoing all of these and moving on to the next layer. He'll just keep going until Corvo stops him or there isn't anything else to undo, so. Enjoy.]
Perhaps I am. Someone distracted me late last evening into the early morning. [He says it so matter-of-factly, like that someone wasn't ontop of him at the moment. He'll enjoy this work being done for him, thanks.]
Are you-- [He catches himself before he asks the same,] --having fun with that?
[He says this instead of answering the question. Obviously he's having a great time, or he'd have already stopped. Don't make him say things about his enjoyment.]
I wonder if you will invite me again. Although you should be aware that I would come and go as I please either way. [...hmm, that's-] I hadn't planned on leaving.
[Corvo holds his breath, but exhales after he added that last part. He had a feeling he wouldn't, but still, being alone after all this wasn't ideal.] Well, it apparently makes no difference, but I would like you to. If it pleases you.
[Like it wouldn't. He shifts, sitting up on his elbows to start sliding off the layers as he goes.]
[Corvo's clothing being casually removed on this rooftop pleases him, that's one thing for certain. The Outsider watches, his hand hovering out of the way but not away for how much he intends to feel Corvo's skin under his own in a minute here. Come on, old man.]
"If it pleases you." We already discussed the perils of becoming a sycophant, Corvo. [but old man chest pleases him,] You please me; satisfied?
[Patience!! Corvo successfully pulls off all his layers, tossing it aside to god knows where. Probably over the side of this platform... he'll get it later...]
Are you satisfied? [He grins, now, teasing. No, he won't be too sycophant, but the Outsider's reactions were fun to... well, make fun of.]
[Goodbye, layers... they'll be scattered over the grounds in no time. It looks like Corvo is just as unconcerned with throwing his things around now as ever. The Outsider watches this display with a raised eyebrow, then looks down at Corvo again.]
With you, and only you? Yes. Congratulations. [Literally everything else can go screw. Such is life.]
[I mean, there was a little concern when he heard a thud and a very perplexed guard. He winced, but it wasn't enough for a look to see if he was alright.]
I'm thrilled. [He leaned back against the pillows, outstretching his arms as he put his hands behind his head. Is he showing off? He's showing off.]
[Goodbye, guard... no one will wonder who suddenly lost five vests mid-party, surely. But the Outsider has already lost interest in the guard's plight, instead taking in the sight of Corvo definitely showing off for him.
Hmm.] If only your many admirers knew what they were missing.
[He slides closer, not to join him in his reclining yet but to lay his hand flat against Corvo's chest. Hey.] Ah—this one is Wanton Flesh.
[Fun relationship game: bastardize every stricture.]
[Corvo's rises and falls with low laughter, only rising over his breath when the stricture was brought into play. He could play this game well. Almost too well, given his past and future company with Overseers.] There isn't a whole lot of sorrow and misery for you to dwell in here, but we haven't gotten to any unions.
[Under the Outsider's hand, his heart beat a steady, constant rate, if a bit elevated. His smile is genuine, even with the hint of smugness behind it.] There's also more than that going on here... Errant Mind, Restless Hands... Wandering Gaze. Take your pick to damn me for tonight.
[Ah, good, playing along with his Abbey grudge is great. Corvo is great. This is a great rooftop date. Or: the Outsider is easily amused by bastardizing strictures, smirking as he slides his fingers down Corvo's chest toward his stomach.]
The Abbey would have you believe each and every one is my domain. That I will poison the mind and pervert the hands and gaze with little provocation... [He leans down, finally, lips hovering over Corvo's close enough to kiss, but not.] Why don't we give them something to talk about?
A bit more than a little provocation... [Corvo muttered, leaning up and pressing into the Outsider's hands, his lips against the other's but not quite kissing him. No, he had to be smart,] You're too overdressed to talk to me like that.
[Seriously, getting him all flushed in the lantern's pale light without even stripping one thing himself. It's alright, Corvo's covering it for him, moving to unfasten the jacket himself.]
[He'll talk to him however he likes... This not-kissing is persuasive, but he still just smirks against Corvo's lips rather than actually kiss him. Sure, take off his jacket for him, that's fair.]
They're easier. [Corvo says as if he knew the old design, but in actuality he had no desire to test that. No, the buttons were just fine, and they're coming undone with two times more haste than the night before.
It wasn't long before he's moving to drag it off him like it offends him, get out of here. Go over the side like the vests.]
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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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Corvo. [He smooths his hand over Corvo's cheek again, for the simple feeling of it and for how he sure is about to say more of that weird Outsider stuff.] You have heard my history sung in the streets. You know the depths of darkness, and the beauty of the light. Both of us have felt loss and both of us have accepted that the world continues to turn. A week from now, a year, a decade—in a hundred decades perhaps this very rooftop will be here still, perhaps it will be nothing but dust. Everything and nothing in life is certain, Corvo.
[Which might be an odd thing for a god who knows everything to say, but it's true. Corvo may not be young, but he himself is by no means immortal. He wonders if Corvo has really absorbed that, or realized it at all; perhaps the Outsider will be the one who won't exist tomorrow. He doesn't know.
He doesn't know. But.]
I believe I told you not to tell me what to do. Know this: the choices we make are our own, and you are mine.
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But he was just beginning to realize that the Outsider was not always the performance he put on for his marked, and how much holding his interest meant. He may not have much longer in this world, and he may not consider that the same could be for him, but he was right. They were both adults, one centuries older than the other. He shouldn't question it. Perhaps this one thing won't have consequences.
Instead he'll take a deep breath, tilting his head back to meet him eye for eye.] Alright. [He paused, then mustered up a faint smile.] I certainly am yours, aren't I?
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But he can meet him in the middle somewhere, he thinks. That will have to do. He's said his piece now, and finally Corvo's
old man worryingprotesting has abated. Thanks.]If that is the path you choose, then so you are. For as long as you want to be. [Well he could get bored, but he's trying to say that he doesn't think that's going to happen at this point. Corvo is really stuck with him.]
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So I am yours, and you are mine. [He guesses??? Can he really claim something like that, he doesn't know. He's going to seal that statement with a kiss, though, so no protesting.]
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Not many men possess the guts to lay claim to the Void. Plenty have tried—I've read their theories, their books, but there is a difference between arrogant and bold.
[He's not protesting, he's just saying... if he's already gotten this attached, it isn't a particularly far jump to the conclusion Corvo's made.]
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[He's got you down, buddy.]
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Is that what you're calling it? [He's not flustered!!] I suppose it's open to interpretation.
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daddywinked suggestively at him again.But his back was protesting, so he might as well lay back on this shrine...curtain pillow bed thing, thing. Feel free to join him and prove his point.]
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At least, until his hand wanders over to the front of Corvo's Formal Attire Vest to fiddle with the fastenings, but this might be a different point entirely.]
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He raises his brow, though, not moving just in case he would stop. It was only fair he let im, with his Button Thing.]
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Are you tired, Corvo?
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Are you-- [He catches himself before he asks the same,] --having fun with that?
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[He says this instead of answering the question. Obviously he's having a great time, or he'd have already stopped. Don't make him say things about his enjoyment.]
I wonder if you will invite me again. Although you should be aware that I would come and go as I please either way. [...hmm, that's-] I hadn't planned on leaving.
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[Like it wouldn't. He shifts, sitting up on his elbows to start sliding off the layers as he goes.]
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"If it pleases you." We already discussed the perils of becoming a sycophant, Corvo. [but old man chest pleases him,] You please me; satisfied?
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Are you satisfied? [He grins, now, teasing. No, he won't be too sycophant, but the Outsider's reactions were fun to... well, make fun of.]
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With you, and only you? Yes. Congratulations. [Literally everything else can go screw. Such is life.]
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I'm thrilled. [He leaned back against the pillows, outstretching his arms as he put his hands behind his head. Is he showing off? He's showing off.]
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Hmm.] If only your many admirers knew what they were missing.
[He slides closer, not to join him in his reclining yet but to lay his hand flat against Corvo's chest. Hey.] Ah—this one is Wanton Flesh.
[Fun relationship game: bastardize every stricture.]
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[Under the Outsider's hand, his heart beat a steady, constant rate, if a bit elevated. His smile is genuine, even with the hint of smugness behind it.] There's also more than that going on here... Errant Mind, Restless Hands... Wandering Gaze. Take your pick to damn me for tonight.
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The Abbey would have you believe each and every one is my domain. That I will poison the mind and pervert the hands and gaze with little provocation... [He leans down, finally, lips hovering over Corvo's close enough to kiss, but not.] Why don't we give them something to talk about?
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[Seriously, getting him all flushed in the lantern's pale light without even stripping one thing himself. It's alright, Corvo's covering it for him, moving to unfasten the jacket himself.]
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You like the buttons.
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It wasn't long before he's moving to drag it off him like it offends him, get out of here. Go over the side like the vests.]
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