hope is the last thing ever lost

ALEKSIS KNOWS HE’S HOT SHIT. He’s always been hot shit; the throbbing pulse of any party, the blazing sun in everyone’s sky. He’s the alpha wolf because his howl has always led the pack, has always turned heads in blind adoration. He’s charisma personified, animal magnetism made flesh.

So when he decides to take an interest in sad, sulky Egor Serling, he expects the praise to come flowing in for a free ego-boost. Expects Egor to dote with sugar-sweet words spun like honey on his salivating tongue. Expects Egor to pepper kisses across every surface he offers whether it’s skin or plaster. Expects worship to come in the form of bended knee and devoted mouth.

What he doesn’t expect is Egor staring long and hard at his exposed face once his mask gets pulled off. In the heat of their hands grabbing and fondling in one of Frank’s coat closets, Aleksis had hoped there wouldn’t be any hesitation to lock mouths. It’s not as though Serling had been that shy about slathering kisses across the bone-white muzzle of his mask. Hell, he’d even used tongue. 

But now Egor’s put a pause in the passionate exchange as broad palms cup Dorsey’s cheeks in a tenderness as foreign to him as writing checks for charity. At first, it causes him to wrinkle his nose and squint an unimpressed leer that hopefully prompts Egor to get with the goddamn program.

“Wow. Just look at you,” sighs Serling. His thumbs rub soft, slow paths along Aleksis’ cheekbones. This makes long eyelashes flicker before there’s an impatient click of The Wolf’s tongue.

“Uh, yeah? Hello? ‘Course it’s me, slut. Y’know? Big Daddy Alpha ‘bout to rock your fuckin’ world? So just–”

“Y-yeah. You.” 

Him.

Aleksis. 

No, not just Aleksis, but Aleksis stripped bare – a creature pried apart and laid raw. It’s a strange kind of nakedness where he’s completely clothed except for his face. A face with pretty cheekbones, come-hither lips, hungry eyes, refined bone structure, sleek jaw. There’s nothing about his face that looks “bad” in the mirrors he preens in. And, yet, the more he’s stared into the reflection of his human face and traced each detail, each birthmark, each line, the more it’s looked (felt) wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

The wolf’s face, though, fits into all the seams where his man’s face doesn’t. Rather than prickle unpleasantly like his features are smeared into a blur of static, his lupine likeness fills the gaps and voids and glitches that he glimpses in too many reflections. His beauty has never been in question, but the weakness of wearing a face that doesn’t match the savage hunter of his wolf’s soul? An agony he could never explain, an unsettling confusion that had pimpled itself a blemish into a life meant only to splay immaculate.

So to be without his true face – his true self – curls his lip with the consideration to maul Egor’s mouth until he gets the picture. Because he just keeps staring and smiling. Smiling like he’s only done once before and it had been whilst beholding the Anomaly.

That’s when it clicks. Egor can see the truth that eludes all others – can glimpse what is both man and wolf, both beast and billionaire. He sees the fur where it isn’t, the ears that would be better pointed, the fangs shining where they should be. It’s all there, mapped out in the eyes that gleam bright behind tinted lenses. The eyes of someone cherishing what is special, what is rare, what is sacred.

A whisper escapes Aleksis before he can help it. “…Me?”

“You.” Egor’s thumb strokes down the fresh part of his lips. For once, Aleksis must look like a deer in the headlights with his gaze so hazily transfixed. Like he’s lost momentarily in those wide eyes, that dumb smile, the face marked up in too many stupid band-aids.

O-ow! Leks, c-care– careful? You– You’re like a wolf when you bite like that. Ow…

The memory plucks at something Aleksis is incapable of naming. And it presses him suddenly closer with an actural snarl in his throat, needing to crush his mouth onto Egor’s with ravenous intent, with heated vigor. With a legitimate hunger that tastes the lamb on his teeth and abruptly wishes he could savor his iron sweetness impossibly deeper. Wants that reverent stare burned into his being, into lusting meat and bone.

@hopecaged said: [ WAIST ] from egor 🥲

In one forgotten cycle (among many, many, many forgotten cycles), they decide to build a Rube-Goldberg machine. It spirals through the entirety of Condition Detachment, level by level, from the top floor to ground. With the day always guaranteed to reset itself, the machine is the work of gradual planning over the course of sixteen loops, until they had created a process streamlined enough to assemble it in the span of an hour.

It begins, as much Rube-Goldberg machines do, with a marble. The marble travels down a tunnel towards a line of dominoes, which knock into a pendulum, which taps a needle, that pops a balloon, which drops the marble it had inside, and the marble falls into one of the cups on the makeshift mini-windmill, which is powered by an oscillating fan, and this process continues, getting gradually more complex as it reaches ground level.

They chase the marble down through the building. Egor is a few paces behind, not lucky enough to have a Slab that lets him teleport at will

The entire process culminates in a can of soda being snapped open, which they watch attentatively on their hands and knees at the base of the stairs. When fizz bubbles over the rim, they both explode, jumping up and screaming like fanatics at the world championship. Egor grabs him by the waist, hugging him from behind and peppering his neck and cheek and ear with kisses, rapid-fire machine guns pecks.

@hopecaged said: [ GAZE ] from wenkie 😔

The evening winds down with the two of them on the couch, sharing a pot of decaf coffee and dessert cookies while the rest of Aeon says their goodbyes. Harriet doesn’t mind this. She likes her conversations with Wenjie, animated and furious and rousing. Few people challenge her, the way Dr. Evans does. She does not think it’s a stretch to doubt that few people challenge Dr. Evans the way Harriet does.

Wenjie is brilliant. Wenjie is infuriatingly naïve. She’s like a child who figured out how to skip rope with the hair of a giant. Their brilliant alchemist, who discovered how to synthesize the spirit realm into a distilled and measured substance. Still, in her duality, she’s ever seeking, ever searching. 

(Her eyes, now, on the plush of Harriet’s lips. Seeking. Searching.)

Would Harriet be an experiment to her, too? The indulgence of a lingering curiosity? How much of Wenjie’s affection could circle back to her insatiable need to find out What If?

Harriet takes her by the chin, her thumb just barely brushing the bottom of Wenjie’s lip. She observes the physicist serenely, mirroring her fascination.

@hopecaged asked: [ POP ] for colt from egor ??

IT’S AFTER THEIR FIRST DINNER WITH THE OTHER AEON MEMBERS. Egor’s riding high off the success of his beloved brainchild by babbling non-stop; a rapidfire rambling machine throughout the thirty-minute drive back to the Serling lake house. Colt simply listens, occasionally offering a nod or shrug to the “conversation” when prompted. But not because he’s hoping Egor will fade into the background as his own thoughts stretch and flex elsewhere. It’s… actually more of the opposite.

There’s just something about the way the guy gets when he’s thriving in his weirdness so unabashed at full-throttle. No shame, no hesitation, just pure and unfiltered Egor Serling. It’s the passion of it, the utmost sincerity in the shine of his eyes as he recalls the toast they’d all clinked their glasses to before parting ways for the night: To Aeon! To our eternity!

It’s the “our” that had beaded tears into the corners of Egor’s eyes and made Colt smile with less snark for the first time that evening.

When they pull up at the house, they don’t head back inside. No, Egor’s too restless with excitement and the gazebo at the lakeside is already a favorite haunt of theirs at this point. Colt himself isn’t ready to turn in and feels grateful for the cool wash of fresh, open air over his face as he follows Egor out into the dark with his hands in his pockets.

There’s the crunch of gravel beneath their boots and the call of a crane from somewhere in the reeds. Egor’s still talking (“--and the look on Wenjie’s face when he said that? Did– Did you see? Ohhhh, I wish someone had gotten a polaroid! A-and, I mean, of course, I knew that she’d–”) and Colt’s content still just to lean to the gazebo’s railing and listen. Ends up watching Serling pace back and forth in strides that rock his body with a rare, loose happiness rather than the stiffness that usually keeps him rigid as a deer perpetually terrified of bigger, badder things.

Then, Egor goes still and turns to face Colt with a long, contented sigh. 

“The best part? We’ve only barely scratched the surface, Colt. There’s so much more for us to discover. And we’ll be doing it all together.”

The words resonate all the way through the Captain like the satisfying twang of a good guitar riff. Like he’s heard them before, like they slot into some kind of keyhole that eases the tightness of his ribs. Like how she had also turned to him with words like that, with smiles like that, with the stars caught in her eyes like that. 

It really hits him that maybe, just maybe, there’s something beautiful in the unknown – or, at least, in those who like to chase after it.

Which is why Colt suddenly can’t help but close the distance between them. One, two, three steps and he’s there with an arm looping around Egor’s middle to pull him flush to his chest as he catches his mouth in a kiss. Not just a quick one, either. It’s slow and firm and heavily pressed into Egor’s mouth that’s finally been rendered speechless. In fact, there’s a long, lovely silence around them besides crickets and the water lapping against rocks.

Until there’s suddenly a very loud clatter that jolts Colt’s face from Egor’s. It’s got him scowling as he squints through the gloom for an answer, only to spot the culprit after turning his puzzled gaze downwards. It’s… Egor’s right foot, which had popped out behind him and knocked over a fancy candelabra. Unlit, thankfully.

Colt laughs. Nothing mocking or harsh, just… playful, amused, warm. Been a long (long, loooong) time since he’s laughed like that. “So, uh… Must’ve meant it was good, right?” 

spiritfarer sentence starters part 4 change tenses/pronouns as needed !!  some lines have been edited for clarity / length / ease of roleplaying tw : death ,  depression / mental health ,  language  (  pt 1 ,  pt 2 , pt 3  )

‘it seemed like we finally learned to coexist. to manage, at least. but … it’s really getting stronger, isn’t it?’

‘I never took pleasure in destroying other people’s lives.’

‘you’ve never been this nice to me before! should I assume you need a favor?’

‘well, you found me, no use running from it anymore.’

‘the gods, in all their materialistic arrogance, have played a cruel trick on me.’

‘why in the name of everything that is holy and beautiful do you carry this horrible thing around?’

‘damn, I hate her stupid face.’

‘I was looking for you. everywhere I went, you were not there!’

‘I haven’t forgotten what you did. I will never forget.’

‘my life is empty without you.’

‘I’m multitasking like a champ. no one can stop me.’

‘oh what would (name) think of me?’

‘would she have judged me for my failure?’

‘as much as I hate it, it is a part of me now. it will be forever.’

‘I am so proud of you. so proud of your heart. so proud of your blossoming soul.’

‘I’m sorry to leave you.’

‘the only lesson I have left is to show you what we’re made of.’

‘this is the last thing I can teach you. that all things change, that all things end.’

‘I don’t really trust you, but what choice do I have anyways.’

‘I don’t know why, but I can’t shake the feeling that we’ve met each other already…’

‘I’ve only ever felt at home when surrounded by my work.’

‘what I loathed was this perception others had of me.’

‘maybe you could come on a little trip with me?’

‘I’m not feeling so hot right now. I’ve got a lot on my mind.’

‘has anybody told you how smothering you can be?’

‘I was scared. I thought that you had left…’

‘always such an adventurer. I’m so proud of you.’

‘I feel I could stay here forever…’

‘I’m sorry, I don’t know how I got this confused.’

‘I just need you to… take care of him.’

‘you’ve got the eyes of a damn killer.’

‘he looks broken. you broke that man.’

‘what is physical pain when you can have the thrill of your life?’

‘I know it sounds silly, but I’ve always loved a tricky situation!’

‘I love you so much I could eat you up!’

‘maybe I’ll stay out night and day. It has nothing to do with me losing my apartment.’

‘don’t come close to me. I have a rare disease where I hate when people talk to me.’

‘I have a wild imagination and you can’t stop me.’

‘I’m feeling out of control.’

‘I’ll make sure you pay for this, you murderer!’

‘ok, this is your chance, don’t mess it up. just breathe.’

‘you are a killer, you know that, right?’

‘something is wrong. I can feel it in my bones.’

‘you don’t have good taste and you know nothing!’

‘those are the eyes of someone who’s not sleeping.’

‘words can’t aptly describe the immensity of my joy!’

‘the duty of knowledge rests heavily on my frail shoulders.’

‘we are no longer bound by the laws of mere mortals.’

‘everyone knows the best pirate crimes are committed at night.’ 

‘I don’t remember ever being like that. so full of life.’

‘I never understood why they kept it from you.’

‘it’s not like you’ve ever shied away from death.’ 

‘I started screaming. it was the only thing those monsters could understand.’

‘I told them truths that would only reveal themselves later in their lives.’

‘I vowed to never let go again, and steeled my resolve.’

‘you cannot even accomplish a simple request. you have failed this task.’

‘I don’t remember us talking much during that time. I don’t think we had much in common.’

‘that’s how I wanna go out, holding the hand of the one I adore.’ 

 ‘it still felt like him. silent but dangerous.’

‘through hardship, they would learn. learn how to survive. learn how to be better.’ 

‘look at you. you look so frail.’ 

‘if you can hear me, you’re not alone.’ 

‘you’ll never be alone. you’ve never been alone.’

‘you’re the worst partner I’ve ever had.’

‘I am the enemy they would remember.’

‘right now… I don’t want to talk.’

‘nobody changes. anybody that tell you otherwise is lying. or trying to sell you something.’

‘the only thing I’d rather be is true to myself. that might make me an asshole in the end.’

‘none of this shit matters. none of it.’

‘it was nice while it lasted. it just doesn’t change anything.’ 

‘nothing’s ever gonna change. not even in the end.’

‘I am duty - bound to take that secret to the great beyond.’

‘my memories are hazy. or rather, they are too many. and I know better than to trust them.’

‘I’ll tell you what happened! YOU happened!’

‘little miss perfect just has to stick her nose in everyone’s business.’ 

‘things are really bad out here.’ 

‘you know what they can’t control? me.’

‘you are showing promise.’ 

‘don’t worry, I’m not a monster. I won’t start telling you my dreams.’

‘okay! I give up! I’m lonely! so very lonely. I hate being by myself.’

‘this room felt like a cage, and now… I am told that I am free…’

‘the freedom might be a trick.’

‘no, you are here. magic.’ 

‘you see I am adrift on an ocean of my own making.’ 

‘you are the one who listens. who knows how to listen. you can illuminate the ocean’s starless nights.’

‘these depths, I knew well, and had hoped never to visit them again.’

‘to survive, I thrashed and I flailed, so much so that I managed to shed my bond, along with strands of myself.’

‘odd things have been happening ever since you came around.’

‘I don’t believe in money and the concept of spending said money.’ 

‘only you, the chosen one, can resonate with its magic.’

‘that’s what I remember. the way it made me feel. I didn’t like it.’ 

‘nobody likes to be kicked when they’re down.’

‘I’ve been feeling like I’m losing my mind.’

‘from this period there is not much that I remember.’

‘it took some convincing for me to accept it for what it is: an echo of a previous self.’ 

‘and suddenly, I’m filled with sadness for I realize or remember one essential truth that, perhaps, I would rather not remember.’

‘you are the only one who understands the sea, that it is not something to be scared of but a miracle to be celebrated.’

‘only you can explore this strange world with me. an anchor, a buoy and a lifeline, all at once.’

‘you don’t find that creepy?’

‘I say what’s on my mind! I’m direct and precise. you should know that by now.’

‘I know you know something’s not right with me.’

‘you’re here and it helps.’

‘you need to stop thinking of such things. your past will always bring you shame.’

‘your past will bring you down. your heart needs to guide you forward.’

‘I need you to do something hard, perhaps impossible in your current state.’

‘that must have been hard. such is life. you live. you lose.’

‘flowers are resilient they remember that they want to grow.’

‘that’s what I like most about you. you were always the brightest part of my day.’

‘you look dejected. do not.’

‘you knew all along, you had to. did you think it would not end here?’ 

‘of all, only you saw the beauty within the depths. the wonders that have amazed and alienated me.’

‘I hope you see, now, that I am not to be pitied.’

‘such brilliance is a gift like no other.’

 ‘I am not getting better.’

‘I have lost too much. I am incomplete beyond repair. below the critical mass required for a continued existence.’

‘echoes of echoes can only last so long.’

‘you’re tough enough to not be broken.’

‘everyone needs a little bit of discipline in their lives.’

‘a lesson you should learn from this: if life is hard, you should not be hard to it..’

‘people have the ability to change. you have the ability to change. you can shape how you want to be.’

‘a useless object will not make you think of me, but lessons will.’

‘I just want to say, truly, from teacher to student, I am proud.’

‘never talk about looting with another looter.’

‘I feel empty now …’

‘I’m talking too darn much, again.’

‘I know when I’m not welcome.’ 

‘I don’t know why I get like that, (name). sometimes … sometimes, something happens, anything. a big noise. someone says something I don’t like. or has got an attitude. or has a bad attitude. and I just … it just gets so overwhelming.’ 

‘it just gets so overwhelming. it feels like I’m drowning. and I can’t breathe, and I can’t think.’

‘I just start seeing red. and then I barely remember what happened.’

‘I want to change, (name). you gotta believe me! please! I just… I don’t know how!’

‘we need to have a talk. I’m not going good, (name). like not at all.’

‘I know I act tough and all but truth be told … I don’t think I’ve ever been doing good.’

‘y’know, you really do get on my nerves, sometimes. always so … happy. or caring. just … sparkly. I don’t know how you do it!’

‘whenever I try to get better in my own, I just wind up sliding back in a dark place.’ 

‘I’m so sick of being angry all the time.’

‘I just think of myself. I act rashly and I wind up hurting people.’ 

‘do you think I can get better? do you think I deserve forgiveness?’ 

‘you’re smart but you’re an idiot.’ 

as promised! i might make an updated list, but these will keep us shippy fools going for a while! in the meantime, if you think of other ideas to add to the list, don't hesitate to let me know!

[ HAIR ] : as they kiss the receiver, sender tangles their fingers into receiver's hair.

[ WAIST ] : sender catches receiver around the waist right before they kiss them.

[ GRAB ] : impulsively, sender quickly crosses the room to where the receiver is standing, grabs them, and pulls them into a passionate kiss.

[ BRUSH ] : just before kissing them, sender tenderly reaches up and brushes a strand of hair away from receiver's face.

[ CUP ] : gently cupping the receiver's face in their hands, sender guides them into a tender kiss.

[ ARMS ] : sender holds receiver in their arms while they kiss them.

[ THUMB ] : sender gently runs their thumb across receiver's lips before leaning in to kiss them.

[ PULL ] : sender pulls the receiver close against them as they kiss them.

[ PIN ] : sender pins receiver against a wall and begins to kiss them.

[ STRADDLE ] : sender straddles receiver while in the process of kissing them.

[ TUG ] : sender hooks their fingers in receiver's belt loops, and tugs them in for a kiss.

[ GAZE ] : right before the kissing begins, sender gazes at receiver's lips, then back up at their eyes, waiting for them to make a move or give confirmation.

[ NECK ] : sender brings a hand up and rests it on the back of the receiver's neck, pulling them in for a kiss.

[ LAUGH ] : sender can't help laughing in the middle of the kiss.

[ POP ] : a la "the princess diaries", sender is so absorbed in the kiss, that their foot involuntarily lifts off the ground.

[ BREATHE ] : sender has to force themselves to stop kissing the receiver to take a break to breathe.

[ LIPSTICK ] : after the kiss ends, sender pulls away to reveal that the sender/receiver/both have lipstick marks on their face afterwards.

[ FOREHEAD ] : following the kiss, sender gently rests their forehead against the receiver's. basically a forehead touch but like. post kiss.

[ ANOTHER ] : following the first kiss, sender places another brief one on the receiver's mouth.