bardische | Open Post

[ It's occurred to him, too, that if they'd met any other way, this probably wouldn't have happened. And that feels too big to really understand.

Olivine's question, thankfully, pulls a warm, watery laugh from him. ]

I'll get up and get a towel, and we can sleep in the other bed. We'll clean up the worst of it, and the rest will mostly dry clear.

[ But...he doesn't make much effort to move yet. ]

Alright... I wasn't sure if it would still be too obvious.

[that's really the most plain reminder of how little experience Olivine has, of course. even so, he's of a similar mind to Basch—moving before they must is a difficult idea to swallow, so he doesn't even try.]

Do you want to stay here a little longer, or leave tomorrow? It will take a few days to reach the city, but once we're there I can prepare a room in the church for you. I stay there too, so it can be more of just a formality, but I like the idea of having a place you can come back to, even if I'm not there right away.

If someone is clearly looking, we may be out of luck. [ He doesn't want to stress Olivine, but he isn't going to lie either. ] But it won't draw attention. If that's something you're concerned about, we can do it differently next time.

[ Next time. It makes his heart skip, and he holds Olivine a little tighter, even before the question comes. ]

I don't think there's anything to keep us here. And you've been gone a long while. I...think that would be good, yes.

[ About the rooms. He's having trouble even saying it. Because he hasn't had a place to stay in months, thought he never would again, and the idea that it's both to give him his autonomy and to cover for inviting him into Olivine's space...

It's just too many kindnesses to hold at once. ]

Mm, I don't mind that much. [a little laugh.] I just don't really know what to expect, so I think I'm just nervous.

[the prospect of next time really does leave him feeling warm and happy.]

I keep forgetting how long it's been, honestly. But I'm looking forward to it... it shouldn't be too much of a problem once we're there though. I do my own laundry.

[which... also implies how much he enjoyed just not worrying about it, in the moment. in any case, he's content to just stay like this, letting everything settle in. suddenly, tomorrow and going home don't seem so bad.]

[ Basch pushes himself up just enough that he can cup Olivine's face and press their foreheads together. ]

I know it's easier said than done, but you needn't be nervous with me. I will gladly answer your questions, and I won't think less of you for any misconceptions or desires.

[ He pecks the other on the lips, nodding to the additional information, even if it makes his heart skip with how...domestic it is.

That and the prospect of having to...be around people. Whose opinion of him will matter. ] I'll help too. For now--

[ He does push himself up the rest of the way, reluctantly, and gives Olivine another kiss before rising to go find a towel. ] It's easier to clean before it dries, and then I'd like to be able to drift off to sleep with you back in my arms.

[ Which...still makes him red, to say things like that. But he can tell how much it benefits Olivine to hear it, and so he makes the effort. ]

[their foreheads meet, and Olivine hums softly, fingers still moving absently in their soothing shifts.]

I'll try to remember.

[Basch will eventually learn just how deep those roots are, and how gnarled and thorny the stems. for now though, he has no mind for anyone or anything else, leaning into the little kiss and smiling warmly at the promise of help. he doesn't need it, of course, but he appreciates it nonetheless.]

That makes sense... and it sounds ideal to be there with you.

[letting the other go, he shifts to test his own body. definitely not as wobbly as the last time—who knows if that's more to do with the bed, the position, or the form Basch is in. whatever the case, he's a little glad to not need too much assistance in climbing to his feet.

from there, he can take a look at himself, cheeks reddening a little at the sight of all the marks on his pale skin. they look as good as they feel, honestly.]

[ Basch glances at Olivine as he stands, ready to rush back to help. But the other seems alright, so he finishes grabbing a towel before returning.

He follows Olivine's gaze, and his own cheeks redden slightly. He reallymarked the other. He steps close, shy, fingers brushing over one of the marks. ]

They'll fade in a day or two. I made sure not to leave any where they'd show outside your clothing.

[ What he's dancing around is...is this still alright? ]

[fingers brush over his marked skin and Olivine immediately leans into the warmth of them. His words bring that gaze back up to his, and even without knowing what Basch is actually asking...]

If they were too visible, I could just heal them. I like the way they look, though. It makes me feel important.

[... it's easy to soothe his worries, because he really does feel that way. Contenting himself with just one more peck on the blond's lips is harder, especially as his hands slide up to curl around his shoulders and want to continue up to clinging.

They can do that after they're done cleaning.]

[ That's right. He keeps forgetting Olivine can heal himself too. The last part, though, makes his breath catch a little, eyes getting glossy for a moment. ]

I like the way they look too [ he murmurs. That Olivine wants them there means a lot. He hums in surprise as the other leans up to kiss him, sliding back into the crook of his body. It's so tempting to just stay like this.

He forces his hands to move the towel to Olivine's torso, cleaning his skin as an excuse to stay close. ]

Go lay in the bed when I'm done, and I'll join you in a minute.

[ He takes his time though, checking Olivine's torso and running the towel over his back, between his legs, and delicately rubbing it over his cock. ]

[It occurs to him, as Basch settles in to clean him up, that he... doesn't even feel the usual need to repent and confess, here. A strange thing, but Olivine can hardly make himself mind.]

Okay. Are you sure I can't help with anything?

[It's going to take a long time to kill that habit, if he ever does. But he's happy to follow Basch here, squirming only a little when the towel runs over a particularly sensitive spot.

Finally though, he pulls away, fingers lingering as long as possible before turning toward the bed. At least he can get it prepared for them and settle in.]

[ He catches Olivine's face again, smiling gently even as he makes a note that the other is happier with a task. He can understand that. ]

You're warming up the bed.

[ He doesn't miss Olivine's fingers lingering, and it keeps that sense of awed disbelief alive and well even as his quickly cleans off his own cock and legs before turning to blot out any mess on the bed. All told, it isn't bad, and he wastes no time draping the towel so it can dry before he turns back.

To see Olivine, naked and waiting for him, and that's an image he's not ever going to get used to, he thinks. Even if it makes his heart race and his gaze soft as he closes the space to climb in beside the other man once more. ]

[at least he laughs at that, nodding. it may not seem like much—honestly, it isn't much, but it's something to secure him to this... reality, honestly.]

Okay, then.

[he's certainly warm enough to do so, a fact that amuses him in the moment. to that end, he settles the blankets down around his knees or so, resting his head on his hands as much as the pillows and not quite watching Basch finish up cleaning and setting the towel out to dry.

now that they're (relatively) clean and settled, the effort of the day is finally setting in—the blond climbs in beside him and Olivine practically sticks to him immediately, arms sliding around his torso and cheek nuzzling into his chest.]

[ It really is the right task to give Olivine he thinks as he slides in next to him. It isn't cold now, but on a night it was...

He doesn't even try to hide his contented sigh as Olivine immediately snuggles back into him, not remotely shy about wrapping around him and nuzzling into his chest. Basch shifts a little, settling in comfortably before his hand goes to stroke the back of Olivine's head and top of his shoulders, other arm so naturally finding a place to rest with his hand curled on Olivine's side. ]

It's...not usually this easy. New people fitting together.

[ He'd experienced intense attraction, but that burned hot and fast, usually overpowering concerns he knew would find him later. This wasn't that. It was...warmer, quieter. ]

[Basch is so... comforting and gentle with him, like this. the shift he makes in conjunction with Olivine's desires is fascinating to the priest, really, and he smiles softly at those words.]

That's true. We did have a fair amount of time spent together... but even so. I've heard from many people who struggle even in their long relationships, when they come to confession to receive help in how to move forward with their loved ones.

[part of him wonders if he'll also be like that one day, but the reality would be the same for him anyway. communication is what smooths over those discomforts, almost invariably.]

So, with that in mind... if anything you do is ever bothering me, I'll do my best to speak with you about it.

[ Right. Olivine has a lot more experience with people than Basch does, even if it's listening more than engagement.

He listens thoughtfully, and then sheepishly, because he doesn't feel communication is a strength of his. But -- he can be honest, at least, especially if Olivine keeps meeting it like this. And he knows he can hear criticism and reroute. It's...ever bringing up that he's unhappy that is hard. ]

I will do my best to do the same.

[ He's experienced enough to know the way that tension can grow as a relationship gets longer. It's something that terrifies him, but...it's a quieter fear right now, with how well they've navigated so far. ]

I deeply appreciate your openness.

That's all I would ask of you.

[it's true, he knows, that his ideals of romance and communication are a little thinly padded, built from literature and the limited experience he has listening to people. but that combined with Basch's own willingness to work with him... that's enough, he's sure.]

Is it not so common, being open? I'm glad I can be that way for you.

[an earnest question; he can kind of imagine it's at least less broad than his own, based on his experiences, but... it's a little sad to think that Basch hadn't at least run into more of it. arms squeeze lightly, compassionately, at the thought.]

[ Olivine is...so sweet. And earnest. Basch sighs again, stroking the other's skin, squeezing him back when his grip tightens even as he tries to formulate his response. ]

I don't know, in the greater world. But in the Guard, no, it wasn't common. Our engagements were often secret, and in the rare cases they weren't short-lived, we often didn't acknowledge them outside the privacy of an encounter. Many had political or safety reasons to keep things close to their chests; I don't begrudge them. But I often didn't know why someone was acting the way the way they were until much later, if ever. This -- is very different.

Mm... I can imagine that was difficult for you.

[and everyone else, for that matter... but he does understand that much. They already can't be too brazen about this relationship, at least for a while, but Olivine... hopes to break that necessity eventually.

Lips press to his chest briefly before he speaks again.]

I hope you can always trust in how I feel about you, at least. Regardless of how careful we have to be.

[ He's not very good at having his experiences noticed and sympathized with. It doesn't feel bad, it just isn't something he knows how to react to, and that makes him uncomfortable.

But Olivine's gentle kiss and acknowledgement that their private dynamic can have clarity even if their public doesn't is enough to make him seek out the other's hand to squeeze, not quite trusting his words until he can organize them. ]

I will default to being careful; I do not want to cost you anything. And I don't mind if I am a secret. Having your affection and companionship means a good deal to me, and is more than enough.

Basch... [his fingers squeeze warmly in turn, chuckling softly.] It's hard for me to think of you costing me anything, I admit. If anything, I was at more of a risk of forsaking what I am before this.

And I don't want you to be a secret forever. Even if it's difficult... even then, I think I can show people that this is good for me, and not bad for the church.

[he laughs as he finishes, eyes closing.]

Sorry... that's a bit of a lofty goal that might feel like too much. Right now, I'm just going to take everything day by day. There's no reason to rush, when we already have each other.

[ Normally, being laughed at leaves him feeling shamed and unwanted. But the way Olivine laughs off this concern makes him feel...wanted. Even if his heart doesn't quite believe Olivine will still feel that way in time. ]

Day by day is a good pace. I will follow your lead for how secret or public we are. But...I agree it's good for you.

[ He doesn't know how deep the isolation goes, but the way the villagers treated Olivine....the way the man is so eager to confide...he shouldn't be that alone. ]

Yes. For both of us, I hope.

[a good pace and good for them, both. right now though, he can feel the strain of sex settling in, and so he lets it. relaxing is remarkably easy like this, comfortable and warm.]

Mmn... I'm looking forward to tomorrow. I think I'll sleep well tonight.

[ Basch holds him a little tighter, not quite trusting his voice. A partner caring about his well-being is...not something he's used to.

He melts, though, at Olivine settling so comfortably against him. Knowing he doesn't have to let go, or sneak away, feels surreal. ]

I...feel the same [ he admits, still stroking Olivine gently. He doesn't notice his own body relaxing, tired from the transformation, tired from the sex, and tired from the way he's carried being alone for so long. ]

I'm glad.

[it's all he feels the need to say, or maybe just all he can manage to think of in that moment. sleep comes remarkably easily, his expression relaxing in a way that's subtly different from his normal serenity. a little bit tired, endlessly pleased.

the next morning is an easy one too, with just brief interruptions of those who want to say goodbye to Olivine. it really does seem, despite his lofty pedestal, that they do like him quite a lot—it's just not worked out well for his mental state. after breakfast, it's perhaps half a day's travel to the city, its shimmering waters and bustling markets coming into view and hearing from a decent distance. it's... a very bright city, with many of its buildings made from the white sands and stone native to the region, and the church with its blue stained glass stands tall at the center of it all.

all in all, the reception here is a little different, too. some of it is more subtle—but it's immediately clear that at least the citizens here have spent a good amount of time around him. Olivine is still Your Holiness, but they actually have reasons to talk with him in most cases, he knows them by name, and there's not nearly so much attempting to gift him things. they also regard Basch with much more plain curiosity than hostility here, as obvious as it is he's a guest of the priest's.]

[ That morning is surreal. Basch wakes up slowly, warm and safe, and with a sweet man in his arms. It's a dream he doesn't want to wake up from, and as he slowly comes to, a few silent tears leak from his eyes again, satisfactorily gone by the time Olivine stirs.

It's odd, going back into town after what feels like such a profound change in their relationship. It isn't the first time he's experienced this, but he's never felt the pull to take a hand in his or glance sidelong at his lover the way he does now. He resists, of course; he refuses to cause Olivine any problems. They have each other, and that is more than Basch ever thought he would have. Still isn't sure he ought to have that much.

He carries what Olivine will let him, and for the first time in over a year, heads toward a place with a real population. The dread coils in his stomach, but he does his best to hide it, even if his heart pounds as they cross in. It's so large, and everything is blindingly white. So many people speak to Olivine, many of them showing interest in Basch, who tries to be polite but invisible.

It doesn't remotely rival the size of Rabanastre, but he's so out of practice being around people anymore. He wants to tuck his tail between his legs and run. Literally, which is a concerning thought he uneasily pushes away.

Finally they make it into the church. It's not a space Basch has any real familiarity with, but it is cool, and a good deal quieter, and some greedy part of him wants to have Olivine alone for just a moment, even though they already had so much time this morning. It won't be unreasonable to not get any time with the other for days; all of his tolerances have faded to nothing. He feels shy, like he's already forgetting how to be a man, and he says nothing. ]

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