[... He is slightly stiff from some emotion, though he carries it well. Really, only his shoulders give him away, and the fact that Chiron has never been particularly nervous or anxious around Emet-Selch to begin with.
In any case, he will wait until they're in their usual patch of the forest before he turns and faces him directly, arms folded behind him.]
I really must wonder what, then, given your behavior.
[he raises a brow, facing chiron as well. emet-selch certainly isn't blind to the stiffness in the set of his shoulders, to the slight shift in the way he speaks.]
[... Of course he noticed. And though there's a beat where Chiron almost wants to sigh, he instead decides to embrace the humor in being caught, and attempts to relax]
[But Emet is cooperating, that’s all that matters. He’ll feel Chiron’s hand touch his, very carefully, a warning that he’s going to grasp it more fully and turn the palm up. After that he’ll feel something small and delicate being placed in the center before his fingers are urged to curl over it.
All the while, Chiron begins to talk]
I know you dislike presumptions instead of questions, but admittedly I do not take you for someone who cares for … trinkets, I suppose. [An amused laugh at that] Even still I would hope you find favor in this one, even if only for a moment.
[Emet can open his eyes whenever he likes at this point, and find that Chiron’s left a carving of a bundle of forget-me-nots there. There are five of them circled around a mount where a tiny jewel will perhaps go in the future, some of the petals fully stretched while others are only half-curled in on themselves -- like the flowers are living and breathing, even if there is no color but the pale wood Chiron chose.]
It is… not my best work. Hephaestus would not be much impressed, I fear, and I could not yet find paints that would match my vision…
[Rubbing at his neck, opening his mouth and then sharply closing it once he realizes he’s rambling a bit. Right. Focus]
I—[A breath] Before, I had made it plain that I would be content to remain by your side, and that is still true, but I do wonder if I … undersold my affections in the process. [… looking him in the eye now] Truthfully, I did not think I’d ever be this content again, or even have the chance for such happiness… it is still new to me. [He’s still struggling to unlearn the assumption that he should simply die; it might take a while.]
But I have come to cherish our time together – with you, of course, and with the others. I would… [Mm, it’s here that some of his bashfulness finally hangs him, as he offers an almost rueful sigh]
Hades. Even if it’s in this small way, I would still offer this as a token of my love, should you be willing to accept it.
[...ah. he looks down into his palm, gaze lingering on the delicate carving, the petals, the small mount. this is certainly not quite what he expected-- but it is beautiful.]
-mm, you do have the right of it. I have not often kept anything of my own; 'twas frowned upon, in our society, nor did I require personal possessions when any I had need of could be created.
[but he says this only to make it clear that his next words hold some weight.]
I will keep this, if you are certain in offering it.
[a pause, there, looking back up to him.]
I told you before that I did not know how much of myself I had left to give; then, I recalled my own death, and the knowledge that my duty no longer awaits me. Yet that burden is not fully shed, not so soon-- not when I have borne it upon my soul for so long. I will mourn it for some time yet.
...I cannot promise my heart to you, or to anyone else.
But I can promise you my time, if you still desire to have it.
[Chiron is tempted to echo sentiments from a week before -- that he's never looked for Emet's reciprocation, merely his acceptance and tolerance. Both of those would grant him happiness even with the scale of feelings a little ... larger on the centaur's end.
So this? This is more than enough for him, and despite having already relaxed when Emet-Selch promises to keep his gift, Chiron smiles further at the final admittance... and leans over, kissing the other's temple]
[a huff of faint amusement, there. he's kissed hansa, which is perfectly natural this week, so-- naturally it follows that it should be that way with both of them?
chiron has professed his feelings and emet-selch has not rejected them outright. there hardly seems to be a need for him to be restrained.]
I will caution you not to expect this often.
[that's all he says before he reaches out, a hand beneath chiron's chin holding it steady as he leans in to press a brief kiss to his lips. a small promise in itself.]
[He is still for the kiss, a hum revealing his surprise, but it seems that's just their dynamic -- Chiron forever waiting for permission on Emet's whims. He smiles into it and even chases after when the other pulls back, kissing him soundly for an extra moment.
And when he pulls away, he leans his face into the other's neck, smiling the entire while]
[oh, he isn't expecting the way chiron chases for a second-- but he decides he likes something about that. this would be boring if chiron never were inclined toward such things, after all.
he runs his fingers through chiron's hair, but then he steps back; the kiss was enough, he apparently doesn't feel like letting him be too cuddly immediately after.]
[-- Truthfully he's amused that he's already being told to watch himself here, and his tail gives a faint flicker back and forth... sometimes you really don't mind when one of your husbandos is a cat who only likes to be touched for five seconds at a time]
Oh, I am certain. Unstable communication would not be one of our hurdles.
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no subject
[... He is slightly stiff from some emotion, though he carries it well. Really, only his shoulders give him away, and the fact that Chiron has never been particularly nervous or anxious around Emet-Selch to begin with.
In any case, he will wait until they're in their usual patch of the forest before he turns and faces him directly, arms folded behind him.]
I have something for you.
no subject
[he raises a brow, facing chiron as well. emet-selch certainly isn't blind to the stiffness in the set of his shoulders, to the slight shift in the way he speaks.]
You may tell me, Archer.
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Ah, before that -- [Smiling faintly]
Close your eyes for a moment, if you would?
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[but he will close his eyes as asked, with a little sigh.]
There we are.
1/3
jesus I looked at how long this was and almost aborted the entire thing 2/3
All the while, Chiron begins to talk]
I know you dislike presumptions instead of questions, but admittedly I do not take you for someone who cares for … trinkets, I suppose. [An amused laugh at that] Even still I would hope you find favor in this one, even if only for a moment.
[Emet can open his eyes whenever he likes at this point, and find that Chiron’s left a carving of a bundle of forget-me-nots there. There are five of them circled around a mount where a tiny jewel will perhaps go in the future, some of the petals fully stretched while others are only half-curled in on themselves -- like the flowers are living and breathing, even if there is no color but the pale wood Chiron chose.]
It is… not my best work. Hephaestus would not be much impressed, I fear, and I could not yet find paints that would match my vision…
[Rubbing at his neck, opening his mouth and then sharply closing it once he realizes he’s rambling a bit. Right. Focus]
I—[A breath] Before, I had made it plain that I would be content to remain by your side, and that is still true, but I do wonder if I … undersold my affections in the process. [… looking him in the eye now] Truthfully, I did not think I’d ever be this content again, or even have the chance for such happiness… it is still new to me. [He’s still struggling to unlearn the assumption that he should simply die; it might take a while.]
But I have come to cherish our time together – with you, of course, and with the others. I would… [Mm, it’s here that some of his bashfulness finally hangs him, as he offers an almost rueful sigh]
Hades. Even if it’s in this small way, I would still offer this as a token of my love, should you be willing to accept it.
3/3
[HE HAS TO RUIN IT BY SLIPPING THAT IN, JUST IN CASE? He's not trying to trap him.]
no subject
-mm, you do have the right of it. I have not often kept anything of my own; 'twas frowned upon, in our society, nor did I require personal possessions when any I had need of could be created.
[but he says this only to make it clear that his next words hold some weight.]
I will keep this, if you are certain in offering it.
[a pause, there, looking back up to him.]
I told you before that I did not know how much of myself I had left to give; then, I recalled my own death, and the knowledge that my duty no longer awaits me. Yet that burden is not fully shed, not so soon-- not when I have borne it upon my soul for so long. I will mourn it for some time yet.
...I cannot promise my heart to you, or to anyone else.
But I can promise you my time, if you still desire to have it.
no subject
So this? This is more than enough for him, and despite having already relaxed when Emet-Selch promises to keep his gift, Chiron smiles further at the final admittance... and leans over, kissing the other's temple]
That is more than enough for me... thank you.
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[a huff of faint amusement, there. he's kissed hansa, which is perfectly natural this week, so-- naturally it follows that it should be that way with both of them?
chiron has professed his feelings and emet-selch has not rejected them outright. there hardly seems to be a need for him to be restrained.]
I will caution you not to expect this often.
[that's all he says before he reaches out, a hand beneath chiron's chin holding it steady as he leans in to press a brief kiss to his lips. a small promise in itself.]
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And when he pulls away, he leans his face into the other's neck, smiling the entire while]
Of course not. For my part, I promise to behave.
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he runs his fingers through chiron's hair, but then he steps back; the kiss was enough, he apparently doesn't feel like letting him be too cuddly immediately after.]
I will hold you to that, you know.
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Oh, I am certain. Unstable communication would not be one of our hurdles.