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[ 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. ]

Just a kiss? For now.

[ Ephemera peers up at him, swallowing hard. The memory of earlier is still there. Raw. But this -

It's quieter. And maybe he needs that, too.

He squeezes Drake's hand. ]

Yeah. Please.

[ 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.

One kiss, but he didn't say he'd make it quick. ]

[ 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.

Gentle. Always. ]

Yeah.

[ It comes out soft. ]

That was - good. It felt good.

[ Drake squeezes back, smiling. ]

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.

Slow. Yeah.

[ 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?

[ Drake blinks, but slides back off the stool immediately. It's only then that he realizes he's still holding Ephemera's hand. ]

What's up?

[ Are things not actually okay? ]

[ Ephemera huffs a little, lifting their joined hands. He kisses Drake's knuckles. One by one. ]

Just wanted to do that.

[ Wait what-- oh no that's cute. Drake bites his lip to keep from grinning but it doesn't work. ]

You needed me to come closer for that?

Yeah.

[ Ephemera grins at him. ]

That okay?

[ Ephemera what did he just say about being charming?

More than anything it's good to see him smile like that, though. ]

Yeah, that's okay.

[ He starts to lean back again, expression questioning. Anything else? ]

[ Ephemera hesitates for a moment. It was good. They could let it be simple.

Ah. Fuck it. He squeezes Drake’s hand again, then leans forward and kisses him. Still soft. Still halfway expecting something to change, to catch him, but it doesn’t. It just feels -

Nice. ]

[ It's a good thing Drake was half-anticipating something like that, or he might have been knocked off balance. Instead he just straightens back up with a muffled laugh, his free hand settling on Ephemera's waist to steady himself as they kiss again. Soft and sweet, just exploring.

It's not hard to keep it that way. What is difficult is not to smile into it, because Drake is completely delighted right now. By the kiss, sure, but more by the fact that Ephemera initiated it -- playfully, even. That they've taken this step, that not everything has to be so fraught all the time. There's trust between them and they want this, and Drake has no problem going slow.

He kisses Ephemera breathless again, and by the time the kiss breaks he's pressed even closer, back between Ephemera's legs with his arm looped around his waist. Still holding his hand. He could do this all night, he thinks, just kissing and holding and being held. With a pleased hum he nuzzles the other man's cheek, pressing a kiss there as well, loathe to pull away. ]

Still okay?

[ Ephemera huffs, smiling up at Drake. He missed this, he thinks. Being able to touch someone else like this, without the underlying thrum of violence of him losing his shit because somebody stepped in range. How it feels to have Drake holding him, an arm around Ephemera's waist and the easy way they kiss. Because it feels easy now. So little has in this place. ]

Yeah.

Yeah, I am.

[ Drake can't help the smile now, finally letting go of Ephemera's hand to wrap that arm around him too and pull him into a warm hug. ]

We should actually eat dinner. And I've got something else to ask you.

[ After that he's looking forward to Ephemera spending the night in his room, even if it's just the usual cuddling. It feels like they've broken through some barrier he didn't want to admit was there before. ]

[ Ephemera goes easily into it, resting his forehead against Drake's shoulder. Things are finally quiet now. Settled. ]

Probably should, before it gets cold.

[ He breathes out slow. ]

Yeah? Ask me what?

[ Another tiny kiss to the side of Ephemera's head and Drake pulls back to return to his stool... but before he gets on it he tugs it closer and scoots his plate over as well. Picks up his fork so he's not tempted to just keep cuddling. ]

You know those gifts we got when we came back from camp? That everybody got.

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