[ You're safe, Drake thinks, it's just me, and Ephemera gets there without him having to say it out loud. He's careful to keep his weight off the other man but can feel Ephemera uncoiling beneath him, the tension melting away under his hands. It feels nice to him, too, to be doing something where the results are so obvious. To press his fingers in and feel the knots release, to know that he's doing something good. Something where he's leaving Ephemera in a better state than he was in before.
He tilts forward with a little hum, hands still working low on the other man's back as he kisses the nape of his neck where Ephemera's shirt has shifted a little. ]
I like doing it. [ He admits it softly, hands sliding up. ] It's real good after workouts, too.
[ Ephemera huffs out another long sigh, feeling himself go plaint and boneless. It's been a long time since he's relaxed like this, since he's allowed himself to lower his guard long enough to even consider it. There's pain in his joints - there's always pain in his joints - but it feels less as Drake works him, as he leans in and presses a gentle kiss to the back of Ephemera's neck.
He shivers. It's strange, having this. It's even stranger to want it. To feel the pain lessen. ]
[ Drake shifts his weight again, straightening so that he can work down Ephemera's arms too. Easing away as much pain as he can with just his touch. ]
The trick's knowing how the muscles go. Working along the lines.
[ He squeezes Ephemera's hands and works back up to his neck, carefully. Minding the implant, just kneading away the tension there. He knows a couple pressure points that should help the headache. ]
[ Breathe. It's okay. It's just new, and it doesn't hurt. Ephemera feels his breath catch as Drake works pressure points around his neck. There are a few that Ephemera knows, though only in a violent context. Press one right below the jaw and you'll have a man howling. He never knew that others could have him melting into the blankets. No one ever taught him.
[ Drake keeps massaging carefully, letting a bit of his weight down onto Ephemera's hips -- his legs are getting tired of holding himself like that but his hands are fine. Strong and warm and gentle. ]
[ Ephemera shivers again, gripping the blankets between his fingers before he takes a deep breath and lets the tension go. Lets himself go slack as Drake's weight settles over him a little bit more. Holding him still. Holding him steady. ]
Okay.
[ He shifts, turning his head. Good side down. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't open his remaining eye and see what Drake's doing. He just has to trust that Drake won't hurt him. And he does. He always has, he thinks. And the warm feeling just -
[ He leans forward again, kissing the other side of Ephemera's neck. Just like before, soft and warm. Then repeats the massage he just did, making sure both sides are loose and relaxed. There's nothing to be afraid of in this. It's not going to hurt, not with how careful he's being.
Once he's satisfied he eases up again, sliding off Ephemera's hips to lie beside him, one hand still protectively covering his neck. Ephemera can turn his head back to look at Drake if he wants -- he's smiling with a gentle sort of satisfaction. A job well done, he hopes. ]
[ It goes on, Drake working him. Gentle - always, always gentle - and with the sort of care that Ephemera didn't think he'd ever expect from people again. He's still hurting when it's done but the baseline ache fades down, ebbing to almost nothing.
It's strange, not to be in pain. It's become his constant companion. He's not sure to do with himself when it fades.
He shifts, peering at Drake. Good eye half-lidded. ]
[ There must still be some pain, Drake thinks. He's not a miracle worker. But he helped. He presses against Ephemera's side and bumps their foreheads together gently, closing his eyes. ]
You're giving me too much credit, but I'll do it whenever you want. Yeah?
[ I'll do that whenever you want, too, Drake thinks, but what comes out is: ]
Always.
[ And he tilts his head to catch Ephemera's mouth.
It's soft, how he always makes an effort to start out. Just a brush of lips at first, a gentle pressure, until his part and draw Ephemera's bottom lip between his own. ]
[ It's gentle, like he knew it would be. But there, Drake's mouth pressing against his. Ephemera makes a small sound, shivering, and tightens his grip on Drake's arm.
He keeps his good eye closed. And he kisses Drake back, his mouth parting. Wanting. Nothing hurts right now, and he -
[ He still feels a thrill every time they kiss. No matter how many times it happens, like lightning down Drake's spine. Ephemera kisses him back and Drake shivers too. Deepens it slowly, pressing a little closer and slipping his tongue between the other man's parted lips. There's something about the way Ephemera's clutching his arm this time, though. Something about how he's leaning into it.
Drake's almost afraid to hope that Ephemera wants this as much as he does. But it feels that way. ]
[ They've kissed before. Even done it slowly like this. Ephemera sighs, pressing closer. He holds tight to Drake's arm, wanting to -
Get closer. Hold him. Ephemera kisses Drake back, his good eye still closed, and shifts closer. Pressing against him. When they break for air, he feels himself shivering and leans in to bump his forehead against Drake's. ]
[ The kiss breaks and before Drake can check in, make sure this is still okay, he hears that. Feels the state they're both in just from kissing. Slowly, so Ephemera knows exactly what he's doing, he slides his hand down to the other man's hip and presses in closer.
[ Oh. Ephemera swallows hard, his breath catching again. He's hard. He didn't -
He didn't expect that. But Drake feels good, and the way his voice sounds keeps echoing through. Like an electric charge. ]
You.
[ He hesitates a moment, then shifts to press his hand against Drake's chest. Feeling his heartbeat against his palm and then sliding lower, over his stomach. ]
[ That's both very specific and not specific at all, and Drake huffs softly, brushing their noses together as Ephemera's hand slides down his torso. ]
Hey. You've got me. Slow it down.
[ He tilts his head for another kiss, this one deeper and needier than the last... and lets his hand slip under the hem of Ephemera's shirt, caressing his lower back. If they want this to be something mutual, something they both just want? Drake knows they're going to have to go slow and steady. So it feels safe. ]
[ Ephemera keeps his good eye closed, making a small sound as Drake kisses him. And as Ephemera presses closer and kisses him back, licking into his mouth. Wanting him. There are no words. There are too many words. He used to be good at this. But Drake's hand presses against his back and Ephemera shivers with it, rocking into him. He fists his hand in Drake's shirt and tugs, wanting him closer. Wanting to get on top of him.
[ Ephemera's still good at this, as far as Drake is concerned. He's reactive, and every little shiver and squirm gets Drake a little hotter. When this kiss breaks he's immediately dipping his head to kiss Ephemera's throat, which results in the question being asked close to his ear. And he can feel the low rumble of the words under his lips. ]
Yeah. Please.
[ He can be polite, too! But at the same time his hand is trailing up Ephemera's back experimentally, dodging the scars so that he feels every touch. The fabric scrunches up around his wrist. ]
[ Drake kisses his throat and Ephemera groans, shivering with it. Everything feels like so much right now, pulling him into the immediate and away from the lingering headache still pulsing between his eyes. He's not completely free of pain but it's the closest he's come in a very long time and it -
It feels almost like a dream. Only half real.
He shivers again, and slips his hand under Drake's shirt. Pressing up, against his stomach. Feeling him out. ]
[ Drake's stomach jumps at the touch, and he makes a small sound of pleasure against Ephemera's neck and leans into it. He wants more, of course he does. He wants to know what Ephemera will do with him, to him, for him. What he's ready for and what they still need to be careful about. He just... wants.
His own fingertips dig into the muscle of the other man's back -- gently, always gently -- and he desperately wants their shirts gone. Wants to trail his mouth down Ephemera's body, but knows they have to go slow and careful. So he kisses his throat again instead, teeth dragging slightly against soft, warm skin. ]
[ The lingering edge of the hangover pulses in Ephemera’s skull but he lets it go. Dismisses it as unimportant. How could it possibly matter, when Drake touches him like this? When he presses his fingers against Ephemera’s back, when he drags his mouth down Ephemera’s neck and there’s no lingering fear - not even for a second - that Drake will take the obvious opening like an enemy and tear Ephemera’s threat out with his teeth.
It’s not like that with them. It never was.
Ephemera shivers, then makes a choice. He shifts, putting his hand on Drake’s arm, and rolls them. Gets on top of him, peering down at Drake.
[ Hurting Ephemera is the last thing Drake would ever want to do. And he's said as much to others but it was never necessary with them. He let his actions speak with Ephemera, and it's a reward that the other man isn't afraid of him. That they can do this, now.
Ephemera rolls him onto his back and climbs on top and there's a thrill in that, his eyes sparkling with anticipation when Ephemera climbs on top of him. Compliments him, his voice rough from arousal and that's fucking hot. Drake grins, then reclaims his hands and squirms just enough to yank his shirt up, lifting his shoulders to pull it off and dropping back to the pillows. The fabric lands with a soft rustle off the side of the bed. ]
Better?
[ There's no pressure for Ephemera to follow suit, just an invitation to touch as he takes the other man's hand and presses it over his heart again. So he can feel the way it's pounding in his chest. ]
[ Drake smiles up at him and Ephemera shivers again, leaning in so he can feel it properly. Drake's heart is pounding.
So is his, Ephemera thinks, and swallows hard. Shit. He stays there for a moment, just breathing and feeling the press of Drake's heartbeat against his palm, and then he shakes himself. And shrugs his own shirt off, pulling it over his head and letting it fall. ]
[ Oh. It's a view he's seen plenty, but not like this. Not intimately like this, when there's a clear invitation for him to touch. Drake bites his lip, lifting both hands. One cups Ephemera's cheek, the other settles on his ribs just to get the other man used to being touched like this. It's okay. It's safe. And he's always thought Ephemera was gorgeous, scars and all. The marks of a survivor.
He slides his hand slowly around to Ephemera's front, touch trailing up to play across his chest. Breaking new ground. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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He tilts forward with a little hum, hands still working low on the other man's back as he kisses the nape of his neck where Ephemera's shirt has shifted a little. ]
I like doing it. [ He admits it softly, hands sliding up. ] It's real good after workouts, too.
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He shivers. It's strange, having this. It's even stranger to want it. To feel the pain lessen. ]
Will you teach me? So I can do it for you, too?
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[ Drake shifts his weight again, straightening so that he can work down Ephemera's arms too. Easing away as much pain as he can with just his touch. ]
The trick's knowing how the muscles go. Working along the lines.
[ He squeezes Ephemera's hands and works back up to his neck, carefully. Minding the implant, just kneading away the tension there. He knows a couple pressure points that should help the headache. ]
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[ Breathe. It's okay. It's just new, and it doesn't hurt. Ephemera feels his breath catch as Drake works pressure points around his neck. There are a few that Ephemera knows, though only in a violent context. Press one right below the jaw and you'll have a man howling. He never knew that others could have him melting into the blankets. No one ever taught him.
He shivers again. ]
It doesn't hurt.
[ It doesn't hurt at all. ]
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[ Drake keeps massaging carefully, letting a bit of his weight down onto Ephemera's hips -- his legs are getting tired of holding himself like that but his hands are fine. Strong and warm and gentle. ]
Turn your head the other way.
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Okay.
[ He shifts, turning his head. Good side down. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't open his remaining eye and see what Drake's doing. He just has to trust that Drake won't hurt him. And he does. He always has, he thinks. And the warm feeling just -
Spreads. ]
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Once he's satisfied he eases up again, sliding off Ephemera's hips to lie beside him, one hand still protectively covering his neck. Ephemera can turn his head back to look at Drake if he wants -- he's smiling with a gentle sort of satisfaction. A job well done, he hopes. ]
You okay?
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It's strange, not to be in pain. It's become his constant companion. He's not sure to do with himself when it fades.
He shifts, peering at Drake. Good eye half-lidded. ]
It felt good. I don't - hurt anymore.
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You're giving me too much credit, but I'll do it whenever you want. Yeah?
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[ Ephemera closes his good eye, reaching out to put his hand on Drake's arm. Just holding him, for now. ]
Will you kiss me?
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Always.
[ And he tilts his head to catch Ephemera's mouth.
It's soft, how he always makes an effort to start out. Just a brush of lips at first, a gentle pressure, until his part and draw Ephemera's bottom lip between his own. ]
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He keeps his good eye closed. And he kisses Drake back, his mouth parting. Wanting. Nothing hurts right now, and he -
Wants. ]
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Drake's almost afraid to hope that Ephemera wants this as much as he does. But it feels that way. ]
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Get closer. Hold him. Ephemera kisses Drake back, his good eye still closed, and shifts closer. Pressing against him. When they break for air, he feels himself shivering and leans in to bump his forehead against Drake's. ]
Please.
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He's still a little breathless when he speaks. ]
What do you want?
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He didn't expect that. But Drake feels good, and the way his voice sounds keeps echoing through. Like an electric charge. ]
You.
[ He hesitates a moment, then shifts to press his hand against Drake's chest. Feeling his heartbeat against his palm and then sliding lower, over his stomach. ]
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Hey. You've got me. Slow it down.
[ He tilts his head for another kiss, this one deeper and needier than the last... and lets his hand slip under the hem of Ephemera's shirt, caressing his lower back. If they want this to be something mutual, something they both just want? Drake knows they're going to have to go slow and steady. So it feels safe. ]
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[ Ephemera keeps his good eye closed, making a small sound as Drake kisses him. And as Ephemera presses closer and kisses him back, licking into his mouth. Wanting him. There are no words. There are too many words. He used to be good at this. But Drake's hand presses against his back and Ephemera shivers with it, rocking into him. He fists his hand in Drake's shirt and tugs, wanting him closer. Wanting to get on top of him.
Fuck.
He opens his good eye a crack, swallowing hard. ]
Can I? Touch you?
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Yeah. Please.
[ He can be polite, too! But at the same time his hand is trailing up Ephemera's back experimentally, dodging the scars so that he feels every touch. The fabric scrunches up around his wrist. ]
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It feels almost like a dream. Only half real.
He shivers again, and slips his hand under Drake's shirt. Pressing up, against his stomach. Feeling him out. ]
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His own fingertips dig into the muscle of the other man's back -- gently, always gently -- and he desperately wants their shirts gone. Wants to trail his mouth down Ephemera's body, but knows they have to go slow and careful. So he kisses his throat again instead, teeth dragging slightly against soft, warm skin. ]
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It’s not like that with them. It never was.
Ephemera shivers, then makes a choice. He shifts, putting his hand on Drake’s arm, and rolls them. Gets on top of him, peering down at Drake.
Fuck.
Then, hoarsely: ]
You look good like that.
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Ephemera rolls him onto his back and climbs on top and there's a thrill in that, his eyes sparkling with anticipation when Ephemera climbs on top of him. Compliments him, his voice rough from arousal and that's fucking hot. Drake grins, then reclaims his hands and squirms just enough to yank his shirt up, lifting his shoulders to pull it off and dropping back to the pillows. The fabric lands with a soft rustle off the side of the bed. ]
Better?
[ There's no pressure for Ephemera to follow suit, just an invitation to touch as he takes the other man's hand and presses it over his heart again. So he can feel the way it's pounding in his chest. ]
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[ Drake smiles up at him and Ephemera shivers again, leaning in so he can feel it properly. Drake's heart is pounding.
So is his, Ephemera thinks, and swallows hard. Shit. He stays there for a moment, just breathing and feeling the press of Drake's heartbeat against his palm, and then he shakes himself. And shrugs his own shirt off, pulling it over his head and letting it fall. ]
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He slides his hand slowly around to Ephemera's front, touch trailing up to play across his chest. Breaking new ground. ]
You okay?
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