always

Caleb sighed and wrapped his arms around his husband holding him in his arms. He kissed the top of his head lovingly. “You are such a cuddle bear. I swear.” he said with a laugh. One hand moving to play with As’ hair as he laid there against his chest. “Sleep isn’t even that fun.” he grumbled softly as he just enjoyed the weight and warmth of his husband on him. 

“Are you complaining?” he asked, nuzzling against his husband affectionately. “I love you...” He let out a yawn. “After three kids, you’d think you’d jump on this sleeping thing more.” Of course, Caleb always seemed to have boundless energy in contrast to Asrius.

“Is it really that important you get work done hmmm?” he asked softly as he continued to assault those soft warm lips. Arms wrapping tight around his husband to pull him close to his body. He rolled them so Asrius laid on top of him now. He stared up at his beautiful husband. “I can play nice too. I guess.” he said with a little chuckle. “You could always undertake the tedious task of brushing my hair for me instead.” 

“I mean, there’s always a need for potions...” Though he knew Caleb didn’t mean it literally. His husband just liked to be indulged, and Asrius couldn’t resist most of the time. Being pulled on top of him, he snuggled into the other’s broad chest and pressed his head under the larger witch’s chin. “I could do that after I use you as the most comfortable pillow ever and catch a bit more sleep,” he teased.

“How can you possibly love me more when you are already the moon and the stars to me hm?” he asked softly as he pressed another kiss to his husband’s lips. One was never enough. He’d stay that way, not letting Asrius get away. Never enough for him, Caleb kissed again and again. “What’s the problem then hmmm?” he asked softly. 

“You are the same to me,” he replied softly, nuzzling his nose against Caleb’s. He was so warm and pleasant to be around. “You are the sun.” It was a fitting comparison in his eyes. “The problem is that you never stop at simple snuggles and will tire me out and then I won’t get any work done. What will you do then?”

Alexei looked up with wide eyes, he hadn’t realized anyone else was there with him. Speaking out loud to people who weren’t actually there was the kind of thing that people stared at you for, so Alexei smiled instead. “No, you’re fine! Really, I’m not doing anything that important. I hope I didn’t interrupt you?” He set the card and the paintbrush down carefully. “Thank you, I like it I think. Or at least it’ll work for me.”

It took more than that to bother Asrius. It was rare for him to judge anyone, so long as they weren’t violent or cruel. This witch, however, seemed to be minding his own business. “How would you be interrupting me? I was just...taking a stroll.” And remembering how much he disliked being in busy settings. It was overwhelming to his senses. “Is it a tarot card?” Futures weren’t really something Asrius usually had an interest in. He was already anxious enough about present day without needing anxieties about what the future had to hold.

It was almost frustrating in a way that Lazarus was determined not to start a war. Well, actually, he was, but he didn’t want to look like the instigator in a war. It made him almost nostalgic to when he could simply express his irritation in brutal bloodlust. But he also realized that was a bit excessive, especially to someone that wasn’t a threat to him. 

“Ah, I imagine she’s rather desperate then” Lazarus sighed, bored already. He couldn’t care less for some nameless shifter and her sick children, they could do as they wished but Lazarus certainly wasn’t going to lift a hand in aid. The strong survived. “I don’t have an issue with you being here, I don’t think I’ve had any sort of quarrel with the witches lately” Mores the pity. 

Asrius was hardly interested in the politics of it all, and was especially not interested in any war. As an empath, it would only cause him great pain if everyone else was in pain. Ideally, he wanted a quiet, safe life for his husband and children. He knew that was probably asking too much though, especially with the feelings Lazarus was giving on.

“Well...fae and witches are the only ones capable of healing magic...” Though he knew Lazarus was aware. And the fae certainly weren’t going to help anyone on this side of town. “I hope we have no issues in the years to come either.” Staying neutral was ideal, and something Asrius could get behind -- even if the coven leader was probably only staying neutral for less idealistic purposes.

“Lies it is never too early for snuggles my handsome beef cake.” Caleb said with a smile as he pulled his husband from the pillow and into his chest as he cradled the beautiful man in his arms. Kissing his cheek and his forehead. “Love you.” he said with a little laugh. Large warm hands moved over Asrius’ body groping and exploring a body he had mapped a thousand times over. Enjoying each bulging muscles and perfect round curve to his physique. 

“Snuggles aren’t the problem.” It was definitely not just innocent snuggles that his husband was after. They snuggled throughout the whole night. After all, Asrius felt safe when he was tucked against Caleb -- and he had, for well over three hundred years. Even when they’d been brought to the new world, Caleb had been a regular source of comfort for him. “I love you too. Probably more...” he replied, tilting his head back to the head could press a kiss to Caleb’s lips.

Wherever the spirit led him, he never let anything stop him from fulfilling his responsibility, he never had a force like his parents stand in his way. Understanding his father’s plight, he didn’t want any harm to befall upon his son for wandering into danger. “Helping a lost soul cross over to the other side, she can’t until I deliver a message to her husband and son.” A hand situated against his father’s shoulder to ease his mind. “You have nothing to worry about, I have the dead on my side… as disturbing as that sounds.”

Asrius’ whole life was centered around Caleb and his children. They were the most important people to him, and he’d do anything to keep them safe. Like his father, Chazz always seemed to have a sort of calm to him, and Asrius didn’t really get it. He was often frantic, concerned. That may have had something to do with being an empath and living in such a dark city though. Nevertheless, anxiety swelled within him. “Well, the dead are dead so I don’t know if I trust them to keep you safe.”

To say Lazarus was irritated would be right, though much like the irritation that came from having a fly in a room. Not enough to truly send him into a rage, but if it was persistent enough he’d bring out the flyswatter. He straightened his shirtsleeves, brushing his fingers over the black metal cuff links.

Lazarus didn’t acknowledge the apology, merely keeping his dark gaze on the other. It wasn’t exactly common to see a witch in Conclave territory, they tended to steer clear or make their clients come to them. The vampire would be lying if he said he didn’t take a kind of vicious pride in creating a territory that others were hesitant to enter. Well, part of that might be Zale as well. 

“What brings you out this way then? I imagine someone’s paying a hefty price.”

Asrius wasn’t a threat to anyone. Even though he was relatively powerful, it was doubtful he could fight even in self-defense. It wasn’t in the large witch’s personality to be aggressive in any way. He just hoped the faction leader would realize that. It helped that Atticus wasn’t one to be messed with, and he doubted the Coven leader would have been pleased with Lazarus lashing out.

“Well, yes, probably....” Money wasn’t really his concern. His potions were ones to heal. “I believe it’s for a shapeshifter? Her children are sick or something.” He was quiet for a moment, and very clearly feeling uncomfortable. “I hope my presence is alright.” There were no laws forbidding people from entering any part of the city. There were just places that were...less safe.

Asrius’ Pokemon Team: