walks into his apartment cautiously. "PrimoNuvola?"
Alaude
is
at the kitchen window, feeding his ravens.
's glad to see he's still made Daemon's apartment his home. He sneaks up behind him and wraps his arms around his waist, grinning.
Daemon
says
Alaude~ I'm home.
/He elbows into Daemon's stomach, hard./
yelps, doubling over a little. "I missed you." Strained voice.
Alaude
says
I don't. /Alvene proceeds to pecking at Daemon angrily./
waves away the bird, making some offhand illusions around it to distract it so he can focus on Alaude. "Is that why you throw watermelons
off of buildings and slice them in a game?"
pauses. "Where did you hear that."
Daemon
says
A little birdie told me. I think you missed me. /leans over to kiss him boldly/
punches upwards for his chin.
nabs his fist at the last moment, kissing him as if he hadn't noticed. "I'm sorry I had to go so suddenly. How are you?"
purses his lips and looks away. "I'm fine."
pecks his forehead fondly. "Do you like that coffee candy?" Idly. "Have I missed anything?"
Alaude
says
No. Now get off me.
Daemon
says
I'm not on you. /tilts his head curiously, looking at Alaude with a thoughtful expression/ Are you angry with me?
Alaude
says
No. /he goes around Daemon to shoo Alvene out/
looks relieved. "It shouldn't happen again. So you're still a woman..." Thoughtfully. "I'll talk to Giannini. How is it?"
Alaude
says
It's okay. /pours himself a glass of water/
Daemon
is
pleasantly shocked that Alaude hasn't slugged him since he's still a woman. He must really enjoy it...or 'she?' "I missed you."
Alaude
says
Nn. /sips water/
sighs, sliding his arms affectionately around Alaude's waist to kiss the side of his neck. "What have you been up to while I was away?"
Alaude
says
...Nothing.
blinks, leaning his head lightly on his shoulder. "You hesitated."
Alaude
says
No. I just worked.
hums softly, looking out the window thoughtfully. He's glad Alaude hasn't shrugged him off. "No trouble while I was gone?"
Alaude
says
No.
Daemon
says
You smell like trouble. /he's kidding, but he's got a straight face/ I could've sworn I had missed something interesting.
's brow twitches. "Surely what happens with me is anything as big as yours."
blinks. "What do you mean by that?"
(( *nothing, not anything. ))
Alaude
says
Just saying that nothing has happened. /tears away from him to wash up the glass/
makes a little disappointed sound as he pulls away. "Are you hungry? I brought something from the European cafe you showed me."
Alaude
says
No.
sighs. He's getting a little worried at Alaude's abruptness and steps up beside him, leaning on the counter. "How many watermelons died this
month?"
Alaude
says
...I don't count. /places the clean glass back on the counter/
Daemon
says
Tell me there's a little still in the fridge? The thought of so much good fruit wasted is painful. /wry look/
Alaude
says
There isn't any.
sighs in fake sadness. "Oh well. Say...aren't you interested in what I brought you?" Sly.
eyes him from the corner of his eyes. "What?"
Daemon
has
a secretive smile. "You didn't think I'd come back without a gift, did you?"
Alaude
has
already figured there's something... "What is it."
Daemon
says
Nn, I deserve a welcome back kiss first before I give it, don't you think? Just a little one...~
Alaude
says
...Then I don't want to know.
looks hurt. "You don't want to kiss me?"
glowers at him, lips pursed.
rubs the back of his neck. "Right. I'm sorry I was gone, Alaude. Really. G called and...didn't tell me just how tight his spot was."
Alaude
says
Why would he have called you.
Daemon
says
...I have experience with the family he pissed off.
taps a finger. "Right." He turns to go to the living room.
sighs. "I'd have called you if I could. I thought it would only take a few hours."
Alaude
says
You're useless. /sits on the couch/
figures that's better than silence. "Alright, alright. You deserve the gift."
looks at him curiously.
chuckles at the look and sits beside him, reaching into his jacket pocket to pull out a little box. "I know you're going to lose something-
that isn't practical, so this is useful."
Alaude
asks
What is it?
hums softly as he opens the box, watching Alaude's reaction carefully. "A good ring. I had some of the gem we use for channeling flame in-
laid with it."
's eyes light up. Now he's interested.
's smile widens. "Blue suits you. Here, try it on." He's certain of the fit, but he wants to see it on Alaude's hand.
takes it and slips it onto his middle finger, then extends out to see how it looks. Not too bad.
admires the ring on his finger a moment and looks back up at his face, pleased by the look of approval. "I take it that's good."
Alaude
says
I prefer the Vongola ring.
hums, refusing to be discouraged. "Use them both. The blue looks good on you."
shrugs. He'll keep it anyway.
smiles a little and leans over to kiss his cheek, giving him a fond look. "Can I have a welcome home kiss now?"
stares at the ring, not responding.
sighs softly. "I'm sorry."
turns and gives him a small kiss on the cheek before turning his attention to the ring very quickly. "It's okay."
blinks, taken aback for a moment before sliding into a pleased smile. "I love you."
seems a little pink in the cheeks. "I do too..."
hums with pleasure and wraps his arms around Alaude's waist quickly, leaning in to nuzzle his neck. "I hope the apartment was comfortable."
squirms in discomfort. "It's alright..."
Daemon
asks
And Layla behaved? She got along with Alvene?
nods.
's kissing his neck affectionately. "I missed you even more than I thought I would."
just shrugs.
sighs, letting his breath blow against Alaude's neck playfully though he's a little frustrated. Well, what did he expect?
Alaude
says
...Tell me before you leave next time.
nods guiltily, twining the fingers of his hands together to lock them around Alaude's waist. "I will."
Alaude
says
...And take that laptop with you.
guffaws softly, his lips still pressed against his neck. "You've been searching my files, haven't you?" Teasingly.
Alaude
says
No! /he has/
purrs into his neck, still kissing him. "And my history, too, haven't you?"
Alaude
says
...No.
blinks, looking up at him thoughtfully. "If you haven't, there's a lot of things to explore...~"
Alaude
asks
...Like what?
Daemon
says
Things just like the files. /he should know what he means/
doesn't respond. He's fidgeting.
chuckles, nibbling on his ear lovingly. "You didn't go into my dark Internet, did you?"
Alaude
says
I don't know what that is. /he really doesn't, he just clicks.../
hums. "Don't worry, it's encrypted anyway." He does some hacking. "Could get messy without it." He licks his ear playfully.
leans away from him, grimacing. "I don't understand what you're talking about."
nods. "Good. You shouldn't be dealing with the dark Net." It's a cesspool, after all. Good for finding bad guys to hack. "So what else have
I missed besides the ransacking of my computer?"
Alaude
is
hesitating again. "Nothing. I just worked."
blinks at him, pulling back an inch to look into his face. "Alaude?"
frowns. "What?"
leans their foreheads together. "What's on your mind?"
looks to the side. "...Nothing."
hums softly. "Something's bothering you."
Alaude
gives
him a side-glance. "...Is this all you have to ask after disappearing for so long?"
Daemon
says
You've been up to something. /curiously/ Of course I care what that is.
pouts. "Only the fact that you haven't been around and you don't do anything except interrogate me after coming back."
Daemon
gives
him a guilty look. "I'm just making sure you're alright. What do you want me to do then?"
leans against him. "Whatever you want."
holds him a little tighter, nuzzling into his hair. "Oh?" He's wondering if it would be pushing it to get him into bed already.
Alaude
is
waiting.
/well, that seems like enough of an invitation to him. "When I was gone I realized how used to sleeping with you I've gotten," he murmurs,
shifting a little to kiss his forehead and then stealing a peck on the lips. "I missed you." And another kiss.
looks down, shy all of a sudden. "...I missed you too..." Almost a whisper.
hums. "It was odd not having you in bed with me. I won't leave again." He's intrigued by the bashfulness. Another kiss, this one lingering.
waits only a second before kissing back, humming a bit.
deepens the kiss slowly, gentle, holding him close. Honestly, he wants to just pick him up and bring him to bed.
Alaude
is
not objecting, circling his arms around Daemon's neck with persistence.
/well...in that case. He stands carefully and picks up Alaude bridal-style, still kissing him luxuriously as he steps towards the hallway.
Alaude
has
gotten used to that, not complaining but pressing his chest against Daemon.
shivers a little at that. Getting bold, Alaude? He approves. Softly he sets him on the bed and lays with him, pressing aside his shirt.
turns his head to catch his breath for a moment, mumbling afterwards, "Daemon...I miss you."
's eyes widen a little and his expression softens. "I'm here now." He smooths Alaude's hair back gently and is about to kiss his neck when
he pauses, eyeing his bare shoulder with an unreadable expression. "Alaude," he whispers, "have you been in a fight?"
looks at him questioningly. "No, I haven't."
goes still a moment, his face tight. "You're not clumsy. Layla didn't bite you, did she?"
frowns. "Of course not. What are you talking about?"
's movements are very restrained as he lays a hand on Alaude's cheek. "Then who did."
blinks for a while before realizing what he's talking about. "One of those people...it's still visible?"
tenses visibly, a little colour rising to his face. "What are you talking about?" he hisses.
doesn't seem to notice the tension. "I slept with a few people...to get information out of them." He pauses, then nods. "That's all." As if
it's nothing.
's fingers clench the pillow tightly. "Tell me you're kidding." His shoulders are so tense by now they quiver a little.
frowns. "I don't joke. It's not like it's a bad thing, and I've been taking the pill regularly."
backs off suddenly, fidgeting with angry energy, refusing to lay a rough hand on Alaude and frustrated at it. "You slept with someone else."
Alaude
is
starting to feel a little tense. "It's not out of affection. I told you it's for work..."
runs a hand through his hair, brows knit together. He looks hurt. "You can get information without sleeping with other people." Frowning.
casts his gaze to the side. "But it's easier. This body attracts them."
shudders a little with a flash of rage at that. Attracts them. He turns and suddenly puts his fist through the wall, not seeming to be
surprised that the drywall gives way so easily, and lets his hand fall back to his side, now bloody. Better. He takes a deep breath.
Daemon
says
I don't want to share you. Not for anything.
's eyes widen in surprise, gaze shifting from the hole in the wall to Daemon's wounded hand. He's starting to wonder now. "You shouldn't be
angry, it's only a one-time thing. And they didn't hurt me. Not that bad, at least."
Daemon
is
beside the bed in a split second, leaning over him so their faces are only an inch apart. "What do you mean, not that bad? Not only did
some schmuck touch you, he hurt you? Hell, he left a bruise. Oh, wait--they. THEY. Alaude! What are you thinking!"
winces a bit at the volume. "So a few people needed to be satisfied to get an information, what else could you do?" He's starting to sound
haughty, like he's not at fault.
shudders at that, looking as if he's been struck. His voice lowers significantly, barely a murmur. "So other men have had you the moment I
left for a few weeks."
pauses. "Not all men."
's shoulders droop in shock. "For fuck's sake." He's rubbing his temples. "Alaude..."
purses his lips. "It's just out of curiosity."
grimaces, looking to be at a loss for several seconds. "So I'm not satisfying?"
didn't mean that - he eventually did get information for excuse. "It's not...that. It's this body, it,,,does things on its own?" Just lame
excuses by now.
makes a little sound, crossing his arms as he swallows hard. "Do you really think that sleeping around is just...is fine? You think this is
just some sex friend relationship?" He sounds pained. "I love you! I don't want anyone else to have you."
turns his head, folding his arms. "It's just sex. I didn't say that anyone can have me either. I belong to myself."
Daemon
says
It's not just sex, Alaude, it's...it's... /bites his cheek so he doesn't raise his voice again/ Some other person touching you like that.
Alaude
says
I don't feel it's wrong.
Daemon
says
You wouldn't mind at all if I went out and slept with strangers and came home bruised? That's...Alaude...
pauses. He shakes his head. "No. I'll kill you. But I can do whatever I want with my body."
stares at him. "Alaude. Sure you can. The point is that you don't."
does not get it. "Look, if you don't want to do anything, then I'm going." He starts to get up.
reaches out to grab his wrist, tugging him around to look at Daemon. "Why? Don't give me BS about information. Why'd you do it?"
Alaude
says
Because I feel like it. /settles with a careless answer and tries to tear his arm away/
Daemon
says
You'd let someone else touch you on a whim? /brows furrow/ Were you angry with me?
Alaude
says
No. I said I just feel like it.
Daemon
says
You felt like getting screwed. So I wasn't enough.
shrugs nonchalantly. "So I find someone else. Problem solved." He's going to leave now.
Daemon
says
What...Alaude! /still holding his wrist/ Please. You can't be serious.
eyes him. "I can be serious as long as you refuse to do anything. Let go of me."
Daemon
says
What do you mean, do anything? What do you want me to do? /pulls him closer by his wrist/ I'm a jealous lover, Alaude. I'll kill everyone
who looks at you twice if that's what it takes.
's brow twitches. "You're also stupid. You don't know how to keep me so you kill instead, but you'll never get me," he growls.
Daemon
says
So tell me what it is you want me to do, because it's obviously that fucking strangers isn't doing it, either!
Alaude
says
It's obviously what those helpful strangers were doing, in fact. /going to punch his face now/
Daemon
asks
And what is that, using you like a slut? /watch out, he's too angry to be a punching bag/
Alaude
asks
So? /and he aims a fist at him/
grabs his wrist and slams his back against a wall. "Is that what you want? For me to degrade you? To get screwed like a whore?"
winces in pain, and then struggles to get away, aiming a knee into Daemon. "Let go of me!"
Daemon
says
Then tell me what it is you want! /notices the wince and backs off, looking guilty and frustrated/ Why won't you let me make you happy?
hugs his arms - he's shaking for some reason, he can't figure why. "...I want my body back."
looks pained. "I'll call Giannini. He'll fix it." He gulps, reaching out to touch him and then stopping as if afraid he'll be rejected.
Alaude
says
...No. Not yet.
Daemon
is
at a loss now. "Then what? What do you want?"
looks at him from below his eyelids. "...Shouldn't you punish me?"
draws a slow breath. He seems upset. "You want me to hurt you?" His voice cracks a little.
wrings his fingers. "I'm the one who did you wrong. I deserve it."
softens immediately, paling a little. What's this...an apology?! He's quiet a moment, surprised. "I don't want to hurt you."
Alaude
says
Pain is nothing to me.
Daemon
says
I promised I wouldn't hurt you again.
casts him a look. "That's very ambiguous, don't you think."
Daemon
says
...On purpose. And I'll do my best not to do it any other way. Why do you want a punishment?
Alaude
says
...It's the only way to clean myself, isn't it.
Daemon
says
What do you mean, clean. You fix this by telling me why you did it and that you won't sleep around anymore.
's hands tighten over his elbows. "I refuse to change back knowing that the last person wasn't with you."
starts to say something but stops, hesitating. There's really no words to say. He leans forward and kisses him instead, wrapping his arms-
around Alaude's waist. Good enough for him.
doesn't return it this time, his gaze shifting to one side, unable to meet Daemon's.
stops, giving him a confused look, and raises a hand to cup his cheek. "Alaude."
's gaze flits to him, and then away again, a shade of pink appearing on his cheeks.
blinks, head tilted. He's worried he's done something wrong again. "What?"
fidgets. "...I just...realize that I want you more than I thought..."
's eyes widen a little. It seems like his anger is slipping away far too fast for such a situation, but he can't help but smile at Alaude's
expression, drawing his thumb over his cheekbone slowly. "Took you long enough," he whispers teasingly.
pouts, redder than ever. "Are you going to do anything or not?" Getting impatient.
holds back a soft laugh and places another kiss on Alaude's lips, this one soft. "I have one condition."
furrows his brows. "What?"
lifts his other hand to run his fingers through Alaude's hair affectionately. "Let's take our time. No toys this time. No rush."
Alaude
is
quiet for a moment. Then he just nods.
kisses him again, tilting his head and trying to slowly coax Alaude into returning it this time, running his fingers through his hair.
does return it, softly, almost tentative.
(( I sense a private. Sending now. ))