ᴠᴏʀᴀᴄɪᴛʏ & ᴜʀɢᴇ

2. Convince yourself you like it actually, to survive

3. Seek it out, because you like it

“How… macabre..” Kisumi noted and was indeed shocked by the smile on the other’s face talking about his possible demise. Such things never once crossed his mind, an immortal, he lived through so many moons you didn’t think of an end for yourself. He had never prepared to think of such things as to be let go. Maybe it was a thing of comfort knowing his pack would still be with him or him with them. Odd. But not his place to judge. He didn’t claim to understand his ways, only to learn from.

Closing his eyes for a moment Kisumi drunk in the moonlight. “Can’t you feel how bright she beams? Clearly happy.” As if it were plain as day to understand her intentions. Kisumi wasn’t always the most devoted but he did pick up on signs when they were being flung in his face.

It was always so interesting finding out they did not share the same gods, and learning there were so many and vastly different beliefs. Being amongst likeminded elves for so long he tended to forget that Kalego was ignorant at times. “It could be any number of reasons, far beyond me to tell you what she’s thinking. Usually during full moons,” tonight’s wasn’t quite there yet, “we held rituals in her honor. Staying up the whole night, in the deep woods we have many fauna with luminous ability.” So the forest seemed to come alive on those nights in particular.

“Your woods feels so.. empty.” Kisumi sighed softly knowing he would just need to get used to the feeling of new places and scenery. “But she loves merrymaking and togetherness. We should stick together.” He declared.

A faint laugh had come out at the thought of emptiness. "I don't doubt that." Perhaps that was why he had found a home in it. Where he lived was quiet and uneventful, though there was still some kind of mist that existed not too far from it. He would never see anyone come back from there once they've entered. Kalego had learned of its secret, but he still waited for the day he'd see anyone else return.

"Does this merrymaking require myself or can you just make up for all of it? I am not one to frolic." Of course he was moody as ever, though in all honestly he did like spending time together...but he'd sooner gut himself than ever openly admit to that. Kalego believed he would never hear the end of it if he were to speak such gentle words.

"By the way, if you ever needed something to keep any of those...practices, I do want you to let me know. I just don't want you missing out on anything while you're away with me, that's all." His gaze was fixated on Kisumi—sharp and unwavering, as he really meant it. He let it linger before he scoffed. "I'm not that much of a bastard."

"Tonight." Without missing a beat, she answered.

His faint smirk and comment weren't lost on her. She laughed lightly, amused by how well he played back. Mortem had wanted to go with someone interesting, who would genuinely enjoy the banquet, so far he was turning out to be even more delightful than she could have predicted. Her plan was going well thus far. Not only was he proving to be valuable company, but enjoyable one at that.

"It is nearby. At seven this eve." She gestured vaguely into the direction. If he was familiar with the place, it was a concert hall not far away. Down the street, around a corner. It was common that performers from the concert hall would celebrate at this park at night, or in one of the restaurants facing the park. That was just the type of area it was, celebrating the arts. She found it charming.

Kalego was one to normally be somewhat overdressed, at least in the most casual of settings. However, he hadn't planned to go anywhere that night, so he was quite too casually dressed for his liking to more formal things. There was a slight frown, seeing that he liked to pay for his own things, but that wasn't necessarily a pride thing; it was just a precaution, especially being a demon, where it felt every kind gesture had some vaguely spoken condition attached to it. Yes, he would go with her...but what was the fine print?

Perhaps he was peering too deeply into it. But still, this encounter was different from the others.

"I would prefer wearing something different..." He admitted, peeking down for a split moment, seeming both a bit irritable and embarrassed about it. It was really the shoes. They were technically loafers but on the more relaxed side for comfort rather than presentation. It really didn't fit the rest of his outfit anyway, but he hadn't cared to pay attention since his original plans were to be out for a few hours before returning to rest.

Kage feels the shift in him before he fully names it, the way Kalego settles rather than bristles, the way that old severity eases into something warmer, something far more dangerous in Kage’s opinion. That crooked fang showing with his smile does not help matters. If anything, it makes him look more devastating, all that restraint split open just enough to reveal what waits beneath it.

A low sound of amusement leaves Kage at the mention of betrayal, though it fades when Kalego’s arms come around him and hold him there. He lets himself be drawn in without resistance, one hand sliding up the length of Kalego’s back, broad and steady, the other settling at his side as though this sort of closeness has already begun to fit.

"If this....is your idea of betrayal, then trust I have endured far worse. As have you....I am sure."

There is warmth in it, but it thins when Kalego’s mouth leaves his lips and wanders lower. Kage feels every measured kiss along his jaw, every deliberate touch, and by the time Kalego reaches his throat, his breathing has already changed. Want rises through him fast and bright, caught first in the pull of his mouth, then in the heat blooming behind his eyes. Dark veins stir faintly beneath the skin of his throat and cheeks before settling again, and his fingers tighten at Kalego’s side just enough to be noticed.

His head tips back slightly in invitation.

The first press of teeth against his skin pulls a sharper breath from him. He does not stop him, does not tense to flee it either. Instead, his hand slips from Kalego’s side and spreads over his waist, firm and slow, drawing him closer until there is no uncertainty left in the space between them.

"Kalego...."

His voice comes low and rough, worn thinner by heat than before.

"Yes."

Nothing more elaborate than that. No speech to blunt it. Just permission, given plainly.

Kage turns his face enough that his mouth brushes once along Kalego’s temple, then lingers near his hairline. His hand slides to the back of Kalego’s neck and stays there, not urging him away, not restraining, only keeping him close with a touch that says far more than words need to.

His pulse gives hard beneath Kalego’s mouth, warm and unhidden. Kage lets him feel it. Lets him have the answer in the living beat of him, in the slight arch of his throat, in the quiet way his body yields instead of resisting. The room feels smaller now, dimmer, narrowed to breath and heat and the slow drag of want settling into something harder to ignore.

"Do not stop on my account."

The words are quiet, but after that he says no more.

His fingers at Kalego’s neck curl more firmly, thumb brushing once into the line beneath his jaw. The hand at his waist travels higher in a slow, deliberate pass, then settles, keeping him there. When Kalego looks up, Kage meets the gaze with one of his own, dark with hunger and far too intent to mistake.

A faint smile touches his mouth, though it softens almost at once when he leans in again, close enough that the next breath is shared. Kage does not tell him again what to do.

Kalego had been at a loss for words—his tongue bitten by a gaze that reflected his own. It only made him grow more hungry… but he did not view Kage as cornered prey. No, it was something else that he couldn't quite put a finger on, but he did know he was feeling an urge to delve into being avaricious. Permission had been granted and all he needed to do was accept it wholly.

How risky it was to let delicate flesh be exposed for his maw… How tempting it was to have the sensation of muscle and bone crush between his teeth. The nectar he craved was being served in such an enticing manner… so how could he say no?

He'd taken the opportunity, sinking in his teeth once more, but there was control behind it as he stilled and let it linger, waiting…

It was distinct this time. The yearning, desperately digging into the pit of his stomach, wasn't so simple. It wasn't something that was just the nature of some old beast; for someone who wanted to be selfish, he felt a want to also share. Would it be mutual? The answer was one he was quite confident in knowing already, but he still liked to pick everything apart at the seams, one by one.

Harder did he bite as he subconsciously let out a low moan. Ichor he had been patient for filled his mouth, pleasing his palate that had always been finicky. His tongue forced pressure on the spot, spoiling himself in a covetous manner as his grip tightened. Kalego did manage to keep himself disciplined, soon enough stopping, but not without taking some flesh to consume, even if it was only a little by his standards. It was much more satisfying this way, almost making him upset with the way he'd been when hostile before.

A chaste kiss was given on the bleeding area and he pulled himself back to look at Kage, not sure what to truly expect. It wasn't out of fear, it was because he wanted to—for curiosity's sake. Kalego hadn't even considered all the blood around his mouth. His eyes seemed to appear more vibrant in their violet hue, his lips sanguine and parted while his breath weighed heavy. He was trying to calm down from the stimulation he'd received. The beast wanted more, but he had a need to also be gracious—only for the one he'd grown fond of.

He motioned a tilt of the head as an attempt at exposing his own throat in return, but his fashion preference for turtlenecks and habit of always needing to hide every inch of skin had made it difficult, to say the least. An easy fix, of course, after the realization—he simply removed it, dropping the collared fabric onto the floor before returning closer, repeating the gesture, though not as strained, considering there was a lot more flesh exposed for offering. He may not be able to heal as efficiently, as evidenced by some scattered scarring, but that was not a concern. Quite the opposite; it was exhilarating.

"Unless it's not to your liking…"

In truth. He had been a bit nervous to leave.

Kalego had claimed it had been an easy task but if that had been the case he should have returned far sooner. What if he left and came back right when he had ventured away? That would have been cruel. So instead of leaving the longer Kalego had taken to return the more panicked Kisumi grew and wanted to leave.

Only when he heard his footsteps approaching, and the hounds too swiftly joined in, did he finally realize he was breathing once more.

“I thought they might have eaten you…” he admitted. It was a funny thought knowing the extreme unlikelihood of that happening but why else was he not coming back? “I was getting nervous because I certainly can not hunt with your beasts. I can barely stomach it..” over dramatic of course. “I shall watch but I do not wish to partake.” He agreed, knowing that it would do his body good to venture outside.

Simply setting foot into the greenery already had him settling from the stale air of the dwelling. Truthfully he wanted to be around the hounds. He was upset that they followed their master and left him alone, no sign of anyone had him worry. Kisumi wouldn’t admit but if it had gone on much longer he was going to track down this village he had ventured to.

A small smile formed on Kisumi’s face feeling the moonbeams. “The goddess is happy tonight.” He hummed in his wistful manner. As if the other was supposed to know why or what that meant.

He did wonder what Kisumi would prefer. Maybe he'd hunt less while in his company. Kalego hadn't been paying much attention, with that particular job being on his mind the majority of the time, but now that his worries were over, it was like he could breathe and really take in the view of the stars above them.

Surely the hounds could hunt for what they hungered for, since it was nature playing out its course, but Kalego did try his best to not be so cruel, even if it were to be a beast after the scent of his blood. He decided to hold off for the time being, choosing to stay behind as he signaled that the hounds could go feed themselves as they please—they'd likely bring him something regardless.

@kisumitenderly

“can we speak in flowers. / it will be easier for me to understand.”