; cliffy ;

That was the only thing he really needed to hear before doing them both a favor and taking that final step. Closer now, strong arms slipped around him with a nonchalant ease - but it meant something. Actually, it meant a lot of things. He leaned down, brushing a kiss to the top of his head, not quite ready to speak, and not quite ready to let him go either. So instead, he stood like that for a few minutes, readjusting to the feel - the concrete reassurance that this was real and so were they. “I missed you.” Echoed the sentiment. “Are you okay?” 

People reacted differently when they were forced with the crushing blow, the weapon that absence could be. Kahlil knew what it looked like, and it was even easier to see when it was painted all over someone, and something he’d known so very intimately. Looking at him for a second, before instinct demanded that they come a little closer, heavy steps easily clearing the distance between them. Eventually, he was so close he could feel the other, but didn’t touch him yet. That would require an invitation, anything really, that told him that this wasn’t going to be too much after so long. A week, but it had felt like months. “Oh happy day is an interesting choice, I pegged you for much more of a if it makes you happy type.” 

Make no mistakes - the conversation was absolutely a distraction, and nothing near what he wanted to say. 

If there was fear, he wasn’t showing it. Instead, his steps were just a little bit rushed, just a little bit quicker compared to the usually lax pace of masculine swagger. Either way, it led him the destination quicker, taking the last few steps before calloused hand was reach out for familiar door knob, stepping into the place and looking for him. Once eyes landed, he stared for a minute, openly - observing reaction since they’d been apart for what seemed like too long, a deeper breath sucked in before smirk masked real emotion.

“Here I thought I may get a warmer welcome.” 

@furtheringsight

    there seemed to be a crushing weight of anxiety that had taken residence in his chest at the other man’s absence. He’d become such a staple in andres’ life on earth and coming here, finding out the truth, andres had felt this absence as a loss. Hearing the familiar voice broke his focus on whatever had captured it a moment before, his head immediately looking up to meet the others’.  He didn’t know what to do, sort of frozen in his spot, but still that anxiety started to dissipate.

noah had been bewildered when kahlil vanished. right when they were getting closer, more comfortable… at least on noah’s part. kahlil had welcomed noah in with open arms. and noah had been afraid. lost, from the brutality of his death. from the betrayal of the ones he loved. and t this past month, noah had been exploring parts of himself he hadn’t discovered before. he was more than a tool for his parent’s war. he was a person, with interests and hobbies and a personality. 

and now kahlil was gone. and noah felt dizzy with fear, panic creeping up his throat like a vice around his throat. 

but noah shoved those emotions down. he had to think about what he needed to do. think about how to get kahlil back, and how to find the rest of the gods and goddesses. the one thing going for him right now was that he wasn’t alone. there were friends here he could count on. 

❛ hey. ❜ noah said, though not coldly. his tone was even, but compassionate. ❛ do you want to come with me to the hall of devotion? could find some clues there. ❜

    andres was finally coming to grips with the reality of his situation and the part that kahlil had played in his living life. of course slight confusion still riddled his brain, but he was over that now. he didn’t want any more weirdness, andres just wanted to have some sort of resolve about the situation. but now, with him vanishing into thin air, there was this void in his chest. it felt like for the first time, ever, that he wasn’t with him. it was one of the worst feelings he’s ever experienced, his stomach churning, a tightness in his chest holding firm.

there are books scattered across the table, it’s been a little less than twenty-four hours since that fog rolled in—- which coincides to eir just vanishing before him,  something of which he really is not happy about,  if its any indication by the scowl he hasn’t seem to have lost since it happened.  “look if you’re not going to help,  then I really don’t see the point of you being here in my space.  grab a book or a computer and start searching.”

“I heard you, always.”  His honesty was easily, simple. Granted, he hadn’t given that to the boy all the time - but that was beside the point entirely. When it came to worship, there wasn’t much that Kahlil missed. It was almost a character flaw, considering he often was overcome with the voices that were still constantly clamoring on, crowding his previous head space. 

“It didn’t matter if you were stand in front of me or at home with your ritual, we don’t get to tune you out.” A finger tapped at temple like he was making a new point, or maybe even a demonstration. “How are you at rambling and walking? This conversation may be better had at home.” 

    andres paused as he listened to the other man’s words. he didn’t know what else to say at this point, it wouldn’t help him to dwell on the what ifs that swirled around in his mind. ‘ always ? ’ he repeated under his breath, more to himself than to the other. that was one of the most comforting things to hear. all that mattered was his god had been with him in more than one way. of course andres’ wished things could have gone differently, but there wasn’t anything that could be done now.

Claret-tinted lips refrained from a scowl, instead a cold, sinister expression settled on her face. Her nails digging deep into flesh, ensuring she would leave a mark on this fool. They’d made a mistake, thinking that she had the patience for childishness. This must have been their first time around Kali – well, they’d surely learn, wouldn’t they?

“Do not test me, child,” she hissed, leaning over them, as her lips brushed against their ear, the minutest hint of enjoyment appearing, “Next time, I’ll step on that neck of yours and snap it.”

“I…” Started, and then the immediate stop that followed made it evident that he struggled with the explanation that would have actually made sense. There was no rationale to his actions though, none other than his own selfishness. “Well, that had been the intention but then you know, it’s not exactly every day you slip in a good old, hey I’m your God, by the way, when it comes to conversation.” A rise and fall of broad shoulders, looking the other over, before taking a step back. The space purposely placed between the two, making sure he had room to breathe, after all. 

“Aside from that, I should have, but I wanted something without the obligation of whatever relationship you all tend to think you should have with us. There wasn’t any expectation.” 

   andres studied the other’s face as he’d paused, searching for the answer as if it would appear written on his forehead. he was right though, that isn’t something one could just say off the cuff in every day normal conversation. still there was a nagging feeling in andres’ gut thinking about the fact that kahlil had been his god all along. how would things have been different ? this all felt like some weird dream, something that couldn’t truly have happened. he took a deep breath letting it out slowly.

issa wanted connections task.

“Pity. They really are quite beautiful. If you desire– I will gift you one.”

“Ashton Kutcher is painfully Christian, I don’t think you’ll be seeing him here anytime soon.”  Admitted with a laugh that was honest, genuine. Really, he was thankful that Andres didn’t seem to be angry about the fact that while they were acquainted, Kahlil had definitely left out a few very important little details when they had met. Naturally, it wasn’t exactly easy to find a space, a lull in conversation that would have allowed him to casually explain that he was a God, but regardless. The lie, no matter how little it was, still lingered between the two of them. 

A shake of his head was obvious, before he was removing his hand from the other and instead brushing it back, chasing hair from his face with a nonchalant ease. “I really am.” Confirmed again just in case he’d needed it. “Is there a problem with that?”  Finally answered, opening himself up for the conflict he was still sure must be waiting.

   andres was still trying to grapple with what the man was saying. it was baffling that the god he had spent so much time worshipping had indeed been there right in front of him. so many feelings swirled in his chest while questions clouded his mind, unable for a moment, to really latch onto one specific inquiry to ask. anger wasn’t an emotion that racked through him in this moment, of course he wished he’d known prior so he could fully express his appreciation and devotion the first time he was in the other’s presence.

A dom kissing their sub, running their hands over their body slowly making the other whine into the kiss as they grow more needy.

“Want something baby?”

“Unconsciously dead.” Repeated the notion like he was trying to understand it better, and despite his best efforts, he was laughing. It was hard to keep the amusement under wraps really. He didn’t even attempt to hide it before head would shake. “No, I’m pretty sure it’s just…dead, dead.”  Corrected as hand was pulled from his shoulder finally. 

“Oh.”  Why was he here? He lived here. But, things with them weren’t quite that simple. However, he hadn’t lied to Noah when he arrived, which meant that there was absolutely no reason to lie to Andres, either. So, deep breath was taken, sharper inhale than necessary as he braced himself for the whiplash he was about to watch unfold in front of him. Finally, hand reached out like he was meeting the boy for the first time. “I’m the reason you’re here, Dres, and I guess it’s nice to formally meet you.” A grin crooked, as he tried to lighten whatever surprise there was with a little bit of cruel humor.

   dead, dead. well that was the least confusing part of this all. andres had always tried his hardest to be as understanding as possible and to try and look for the positives among any negatives that might be lurking in the shadows. that’s the only reason he hadn’t freaked out since arriving. clinging to the good and ignoring anything less. ‘ got it, ’ he whispered under his breath, more to himself than the other.

  –”As long as you know what they are, I care little about when you learned the knowledge.”

“Please tell me I don’t have to explain what a terrarium is to you too.”