[Of course he freaks out. Of course he does. He inhales sharply the moment he realizes what he'd said, and it's only because Ling clings and moans and moves the moment along that he doesn't end up throwing him off his lap and bolting. As it is, he keeps jerking his hand, returning those kisses when they land on his mouth, simply enjoying them when they hit his cheek and nose and jaw.
Love. He hadn't meant to say that. Like, that's the word he'd wanted, soppily affectionate and adoring but not loving. Love is much too vulnerable. It's offering his beating heart and placing it in Ling's hand, and surely the kid is going to drop it and run sooner or later. Of course he is. He's going to get bored of this life and go back to his riches and his family, and they'll take him in, and that'll be the end of that. He knows that's what's going to happen, because living this kind of life is nothing short of miserable sometimes.
But love is what had slipped past his lips, and now Ling is trembling against him in that way he has, all his emotions so big and bright Greed can almost see them shining out.
I love you too, you know, and he's grateful the kid can't see his face right now, he really is. His hand slows, then stops, and he tips his head, nosing against Ling.]
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Love. He hadn't meant to say that. Like, that's the word he'd wanted, soppily affectionate and adoring but not loving. Love is much too vulnerable. It's offering his beating heart and placing it in Ling's hand, and surely the kid is going to drop it and run sooner or later. Of course he is. He's going to get bored of this life and go back to his riches and his family, and they'll take him in, and that'll be the end of that. He knows that's what's going to happen, because living this kind of life is nothing short of miserable sometimes.
But love is what had slipped past his lips, and now Ling is trembling against him in that way he has, all his emotions so big and bright Greed can almost see them shining out.
I love you too, you know, and he's grateful the kid can't see his face right now, he really is. His hand slows, then stops, and he tips his head, nosing against Ling.]
Say it again.