[ 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. ]
[ Ephemera closes his good eye, leaning into the touch. He breathes out slow. It's okay, he thinks. And if he shivers when Drake trails his other hand across Ephemera's chest, he thinks maybe that's okay too.
[ He keeps his hand moving, a caress just firm enough not to tickle. Not following the path of tattoos or scars, but his muscles. Dragging his fingertips down Ephemera's abs and then back up, slow and thorough. Just getting him used to being touched again. He waits until Ephemera's breathing has evened out a bit, only then daring to brush his thumb over a nipple experimentally. ]
[ Most people trace out his tattoos when they touch him, or his scars. Somehow, this feels - easier. Ephemera shivers again, breathing out through his mouth. Letting it settle. Letting himself get used to the sensation. He sighs when Drake touches his chest. Lightly, carefully, but -
It feels good. Not so fraught, this time.
Ephemera cracks his good eye, peering down at Drake. Then he leans in and kisses him. Thoroughly. ]
[ Drake did that intentionally -- not calling attention to the marks on his skin, just touching him. Taking a note from the massage from earlier and following the lines of his body, just wanting to make him feel good. It seems to be working, he thinks, Ephemera shivering and sighing above him but not pulling back.
He's about to check in again when Ephemera opens his eyes, but before he can he's being kissed. Deep and thorough, and it's all Drake can do to kiss back. And keep touching. The hand trapped between them on Ephemera's chest gets a little bolder, rolling that nipple between his fingertips until it peaks and then sliding away, not wanting it to be too much. His other hand winds up low on Ephemera's back, holding him close. Skin to skin, and he can't help squirming a little. Arching up as their tongues tangle and there's more of the other man's weight on him.
It's important, he thinks, that Ephemera stays in control here. But fuck. He wants to roll them over and just worship him for awhile, show him how good it can be. Patience, Drake reminds himself. No matter how the kissing is getting him hot and bothered, they can take it slow. ]
[ It hasn’t been like this for a long time. Ephemera’s made quota every month, even with the moments where it got tense and down to the wire. But that was necessity more often than not, something that left him anxious and tense throughout. More than once, he just felt -
Lost.
It doesn’t feel like that now. It’s good, his breath coming quicker as Drake kisses him back. Touches him. And maybe for the first time, Ephemera doesn’t have the urge to hide his face in Drake’s shoulder. He’s hard. Wanting.
So is Drake. Fuck.
Ephemera draws back so he can press their foreheads together, rocking down against Drake with a low sigh. It feels good. It doesn’t always, with other people. But this - ?
This is good. He drags his hand down Drake’s chest. Feeling it out, following the lines of muscle. Like Drake did for him. ]
[ Drake gasps as Ephemera rocks into him, holding on like everything will stop if he lets go. Easy, he reminds himself. Slow. ]
Mm... you always do.
[ But this is different and they both know it. This feels like something mutual, like something Ephemera's enjoying too rather than just bearing for his sake, or for quota. Drake arches into his touch, his breath trembling like his stomach beneath Ephemera's fingers. ]
[ He rests his hands on Drake's stomach, smoothing circles with his thumbs. Wanting to feel this, all of it. Memorize it. ]
Make you come.
[ There's a part of him that wants to fuck Drake right here, right now. On this bed they've shared so many times. It'd feel good, he thinks. All of this has. But maybe that's too much right now, he isn't sure. This, though?
[ Drake smiles at that, reaching up to mold his hand to Ephemera's jaw, thumb stroking his cheek. There's no censure in his voice, as this certainly isn't an objection -- he's on board with that -- it's just not exactly what he was asking. ]
I meant for you, babe.
[ There's a question in his eyes as well. Is this still okay? ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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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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It's just - new. It doesn't hurt.
He nods slowly, his good eye still closed. ]
Go slow.
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[ He keeps his hand moving, a caress just firm enough not to tickle. Not following the path of tattoos or scars, but his muscles. Dragging his fingertips down Ephemera's abs and then back up, slow and thorough. Just getting him used to being touched again. He waits until Ephemera's breathing has evened out a bit, only then daring to brush his thumb over a nipple experimentally. ]
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It feels good. Not so fraught, this time.
Ephemera cracks his good eye, peering down at Drake. Then he leans in and kisses him. Thoroughly. ]
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He's about to check in again when Ephemera opens his eyes, but before he can he's being kissed. Deep and thorough, and it's all Drake can do to kiss back. And keep touching. The hand trapped between them on Ephemera's chest gets a little bolder, rolling that nipple between his fingertips until it peaks and then sliding away, not wanting it to be too much. His other hand winds up low on Ephemera's back, holding him close. Skin to skin, and he can't help squirming a little. Arching up as their tongues tangle and there's more of the other man's weight on him.
It's important, he thinks, that Ephemera stays in control here. But fuck. He wants to roll them over and just worship him for awhile, show him how good it can be. Patience, Drake reminds himself. No matter how the kissing is getting him hot and bothered, they can take it slow. ]
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Lost.
It doesn’t feel like that now. It’s good, his breath coming quicker as Drake kisses him back. Touches him. And maybe for the first time, Ephemera doesn’t have the urge to hide his face in Drake’s shoulder. He’s hard. Wanting.
So is Drake. Fuck.
Ephemera draws back so he can press their foreheads together, rocking down against Drake with a low sigh. It feels good. It doesn’t always, with other people. But this - ?
This is good. He drags his hand down Drake’s chest. Feeling it out, following the lines of muscle. Like Drake did for him. ]
Want to make you feel good.
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Mm... you always do.
[ But this is different and they both know it. This feels like something mutual, like something Ephemera's enjoying too rather than just bearing for his sake, or for quota. Drake arches into his touch, his breath trembling like his stomach beneath Ephemera's fingers. ]
What else do you want?
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Make you come.
[ There's a part of him that wants to fuck Drake right here, right now. On this bed they've shared so many times. It'd feel good, he thinks. All of this has. But maybe that's too much right now, he isn't sure. This, though?
This is good. ]
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I meant for you, babe.
[ There's a question in his eyes as well. Is this still okay? ]
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