[ Oh. For a moment, Ephemera just watches Drake. He feels better than he did earlier. Settled, in small ways. But the thing easier is still fresh on his mind, the way the sand felt as it stuck under his nails and the smell of the oil. How there was a crowd watching.
He twitches. Tries to smile. Because there's a part of him that wants to, is the thing. To make this something good. He thinks it could be good, with Drake. Something they chose versus a matter of survival and compromise. ]
[ Drake watches Ephemera closely, sees him trying to smile, knows that there's something here. And that they've never... really made that choice, it's always been for quota, or to loosen the collar. But he knows there's a dozen traumas spinning around in Ephemera's head right now and it's unfair to ask. He sets his glass down and reaches for Ephemera's hand instead. ]
I don't want it to be something you... endure, for my sake. And I know this isn't a great time. But when you want it? I'm here, okay?
[ Ephemera breathes out and takes Drake's hand. Just holds it, rubbing his thumb along the span of Drake's knuckles. Gentle, always gentle. He needs that, he thinks. Something that isn't about violence or - surviving. ]
[ It's not shocking, but it's still reassuring to hear. That this isn't one sided. Drake breathes out, smiling, and slips back off his stool to get a little closer. Still holding Ephemera's hand. ]
[ Moving slow, telegraphing his actions, Drake reaches out with his free hand to cup Ephemera's cheek. He presses their foreheads together first, eyes closed but not kissing him yet, just letting him acclimate to the closeness. To the different flavor of intimacy behind it this time. ]
Stay with me.
[ In this moment. Don't think of anyone or anything else. Just this.
He brushes their noses together, tilting his head... and finally presses their lips together into a soft kiss. For as gentle as it is physically, though, it's strangely intense. He doesn't deepen it just yet, but waits for any sign from Ephemera that it's okay -- or not okay. ]
[ It's gentle, is the thing. Slow. Ephemera's breath hitches at the touch but he doesn't jerk away, doesn't flinch. He closes his good eye and just breathes, still holding onto Drake's hand. Feeling his heart rate jump.
It's different from before, in the arena. Not quite so calm. But there's quiet, and that -
That matters.
Ephemera makes a small sound as Drake kisses him. It's gentle. He knew it would be. And for a moment he just lingers there, his good eye still closed. Getting used to it. Remembering what it felt like.
Then he shifts a little and presses into it. Not hard. But he kisses Drake back, shifting one hand to cup the back of Drake's neck. Shield the place where the implant would be, if they'd grown up in the same world. ]
[ Drake isn't certain this was right until Ephemera shifts up and closer to him, kissing back... and then it's more than right, it's perfect. Down to the protective hand on his neck. He shudders at the touch and slips his own hand back into Ephemera's hair. Tilts his head a little more, parting his lips to flick his tongue politely over Ephemera's bottom lip.
[ Oh. Ephemera shivers again, tupping his head back as Drake runs his hand through Ephemera's hair. The shivery feeling twists through him. Warm, and welcome.
Fuck, he thinks, his good eye still closed. Fuck, I love you.
He swallows hard, then presses forward again. Wanting. ]
[ It's not their first kiss, not even the first time Ephemera's kissed him back, but it feels like a first kiss. Drake's breath hitches as Ephemera presses in again and he gives in to temptation to step closer, between the other man's legs where he's still sitting.
He doesn't pull Ephemera's hair but he holds on there, and to his hand, as the kiss deepens. They're in sync enough it almost feels like it happens on its own... Ephemera's lips part and Drake's tongue slips in, tangling with his. Slow and gentle, but not restrained. This is just what feels right -- what they both need right now. ]
[ It feels good like this, Drake pressed close and still standing, but not looming. Just close. Ephemera likes the way Drake's breathing changes, how he can feel it when they're this close. Likes how Drake kisses him, how he holds onto Ephemera's hair, and how easy it feels to just be. Existing on the same wavelength.
Ephemera shivers again. It's been a long time since it's been this slow. He thinks he could kiss Drake like this for a long time. Just hold him, be held. He presses forward again, licking against Drake's mouth to see if Drake will let him. If that feels right, too. He thinks it will. ]
[ Oh, Drake lets him. He parts his lips and lets out a small, low hum of pleasure at the first stroke of Ephemera's tongue, and lets the balance of who's kissing who shift naturally. Lets him explore a little. It is the first time that Ephemera's taken initiative like this, and Drake's not about to do anything to dissuade him. ]
[ He takes it slow. Feeling it out, one hand still cupped protectively over the back of Drake's neck. A steadying touch. An important one. And Drake lets him. Hums and oh, fuck. He can feel it echo.
Ephemera shivers again. He kisses Drake until he needs to draw back just to breathe and then he presses their foreheads together. ]
Fuck.
[ It's been a long time since he's kissed anyone like that. ]
[ Drake's head is spinning a little by the time Ephemera pulls back, overwhelmed by the sensations and emotions alike. His breath comes quick and shallow as they rest against each other, foreheads pressed together, sharing each other's air. This kiss was different. This one meant something.
His hand drops from Ephemera's hair to cover his implant, other thumb stroking the back of his hand. ]
You okay?
[ It comes out in a whisper, low and breathless. One kiss, for now. But he's still coming down from it and checking in isn't the only thing he wants to say. ]
[ Ephemera opens his good eye, trying to catch his breath. Slow down his heart rate when he can feel it pounding in his throat. He squeezes Drake's hand in his.
[ I love you, he thinks, his own pulse fluttering. And then he finally pulls away enough to sink back onto his stool. His jeans are tight now, but he ignores that and just studies Ephemera's face, the pleasure and surprise at it still in his expression. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Oh, yeah? You think I'm smooth?
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Yeah?
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Yeah. It really makes me want to kiss you.
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He twitches. Tries to smile. Because there's a part of him that wants to, is the thing. To make this something good. He thinks it could be good, with Drake. Something they chose versus a matter of survival and compromise. ]
You -
[ He hesitates. ]
If you go slow, then. You can.
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I don't want it to be something you... endure, for my sake. And I know this isn't a great time. But when you want it? I'm here, okay?
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Okay.
[ He watches Drake for a moment. ]
I do. Want you. I think about it a lot.
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Just a kiss? For now.
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It's quieter. And maybe he needs that, too.
He squeezes Drake's hand. ]
Yeah. Please.
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Stay with me.
[ In this moment. Don't think of anyone or anything else. Just this.
He brushes their noses together, tilting his head... and finally presses their lips together into a soft kiss. For as gentle as it is physically, though, it's strangely intense. He doesn't deepen it just yet, but waits for any sign from Ephemera that it's okay -- or not okay. ]
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It's different from before, in the arena. Not quite so calm. But there's quiet, and that -
That matters.
Ephemera makes a small sound as Drake kisses him. It's gentle. He knew it would be. And for a moment he just lingers there, his good eye still closed. Getting used to it. Remembering what it felt like.
Then he shifts a little and presses into it. Not hard. But he kisses Drake back, shifting one hand to cup the back of Drake's neck. Shield the place where the implant would be, if they'd grown up in the same world. ]
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One kiss, but he didn't say he'd make it quick. ]
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Fuck, he thinks, his good eye still closed. Fuck, I love you.
He swallows hard, then presses forward again. Wanting. ]
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He doesn't pull Ephemera's hair but he holds on there, and to his hand, as the kiss deepens. They're in sync enough it almost feels like it happens on its own... Ephemera's lips part and Drake's tongue slips in, tangling with his. Slow and gentle, but not restrained. This is just what feels right -- what they both need right now. ]
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Ephemera shivers again. It's been a long time since it's been this slow. He thinks he could kiss Drake like this for a long time. Just hold him, be held. He presses forward again, licking against Drake's mouth to see if Drake will let him. If that feels right, too. He thinks it will. ]
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Ephemera shivers again. He kisses Drake until he needs to draw back just to breathe and then he presses their foreheads together. ]
Fuck.
[ It's been a long time since he's kissed anyone like that. ]
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His hand drops from Ephemera's hair to cover his implant, other thumb stroking the back of his hand. ]
You okay?
[ It comes out in a whisper, low and breathless. One kiss, for now. But he's still coming down from it and checking in isn't the only thing he wants to say. ]
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Gentle. Always. ]
Yeah.
[ It comes out soft. ]
That was - good. It felt good.
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I'm glad.
[ I love you, he thinks, his own pulse fluttering. And then he finally pulls away enough to sink back onto his stool. His jeans are tight now, but he ignores that and just studies Ephemera's face, the pleasure and surprise at it still in his expression. ]
We'll uh-- we'll just take it slow.
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[ He watches Drake for a long moment. There's a part of him that wants to reach for him again. Kiss him harder. Maybe -
Fuck.
Ephemera shivers a little. He watches Drake closely. ]
...come here?
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What's up?
[ Are things not actually okay? ]
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Just wanted to do that.
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You needed me to come closer for that?
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[ Ephemera grins at him. ]
That okay?
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