INARDESCERE

"naughty." he laughs, relaxing once again at the memory of them at the tavern. "hopefully not with gideon in the same room." his own fingertips caressing softly the scales on his neck, letting out a pleased hum as he watches him lying down. long and beautiful legs resting on the floor, his own head tilting with even more curiosity than before. despite being underwater, they don't float, they can walk and don't have to swim, and yet, he realizes there's only one thing he has never seen. aren't lemurians supposed to have tails?

Well, no. It was indeed a tracker for him to always be aware of where the other went. An emissary, he had called it. Rafayel was doubtful that the other truly understood its existence when Caleb seemed to treat the little fish like any other. Probably, he was imagining it as a little servant of his, reporting back to Rafayel like a loyal minion, like one of those animal characters from human stories Caleb had told him before. The blue fish swims around them as they lean close, then fades into the water, leaving behind nothing but a few bubbles.

"Not unless you want to." He teases, well aware that it flustered the man still when thinking about that warm afternoon. Although Caleb might not believe him, he didn't have any interest in showing his vulnerability to others or in sharing what he now deemed was purely for him alone. In that moment, he simply didn't care what others thought or saw; his vision narrowed down to Caleb, and him alone. His reaction to his voice, his touch, the heat gathered tight under his skin. The fingers once treading along the edges of his hairline now give a little flick on the surface of his bathwater, tossing droplets on the man's face. "You want to be eaten so bad." He drawls, flicks another droplet, and his eyes flicker up to Caleb's.

Listening to his story, the Lemurian hums softly and considers stopping all those demands when they could very much do those themselves, but when Caleb pouts and complains, he laughs softly and leans into the hand by his chin, holds it, and nuzzles his palm open so he can rest his face in the crook of his hold. "Here I thought I was joining those dreary meetings because you were too busy playing nice human neighbor with everyone to pay attention to me." Slowly, his lashes fluttered as he closed his eyes, and he hummed a pleased sound. "As an apology, we should run away again. There's somewhere I want to show you." Opening his eyes with a smile, he gets up on his knees and tugs at his hand.

he would be lying if he didn’t admit how tired he was. wake up, help, build, fix. that’s his routine every day, leaving him exhausted yet only shoeing a smile on his face while his thoughts drown with the idea of running away for a while with rafayel. to have their little adventures and moments of rebellion, showing the god a little bit of his own world, his favorite food and visiting the annoyingly friendly gideon back at the inn. any time he returns and finds himself alone in the chambers of the palace, that’s all his mind can focus on; rafayel’s face, voice… his warmth. he feels himself falling into deep slumber until all those things feel so familiar and close to him.

caleb leans into the touch, eyes not opening but flinching a little at the touch, wondering if he is drifting between reality and the realm of dreams. but it feels so warm against his skin, a different kind of warmth that definitely didn’t emanate from the water, but from touch instead. he finds himself almost purring, smiling at the known voice with his eyelids still closed as the fingertips against his skin send shivers down his spine.

Yet by the time Caleb opens his eyes fully, the young God is smiling sweetly, a playful, charming little master who rolls his eyes at Caleb's words, shaking his head in fake disdain, as shown by the amused smile on his lips.

"Hmm?" Rafayel hums softly, teasing as he watches him slowly gain back control of his body, moving in the tub. "Stagnancy is boring," he agrees nonchalantly, pulling his hand back but speaking softly to the waking man, whispering like he's telling a secret. "Next time, we'll bring a bottle of that sweet wine I enjoyed to douse you as my dessert. It would be a nice change to my palate." He rolls to sit sideways, leans close, lips brushing gently against his cheek, voice lowered further. "But, you can find better ways to burn my tongue than with hot water, Sunset." Rafayel watches the hand reaching out for him, tilting his chin to let him touch his scales like a cat being scratched, a shaky breath escaping him as it sent tingles down his spine, lowering himself further, deciding to just lie on the bathroom floor so their faces are nearly on the same level, poking his cheek at the mere mention of him going into that hot liquid.

"Good. You're situationally aware."

The poke becomes a pinch at the silly nickname, letting go so he can perch his head up and animate his hand as he speaks. "I found some pretty shells that washed through the hole behind the chapel before I went to the meeting, so I might spend some time working on that for a while. Maybe a bracelet, earrings, or maybe I'll just crush them into powder. I'm still contemplating." He hums with a tilt of his head. "The meeting with the elders wasn't any more interesting than usual. Their opinion of you, though, has changed drastically." Earn their trust, their forgiveness... At this point, was there anyone who truly held contempt for him within his domain other than the contempt that Algie had out for him? Rafayel had a feeling that this specific case went deeper than purely hatred, but that was a story for another day. "What about you?" He deflects the conversation, shows interest in the other. "What did our perfect, capable sir do out in Whalefall City today?" He reaches a hand out, tickling the back of his till he loosens his fingers from his makeshift pillow, enough for Rafayel to link their hands together. There's a pause of silence, a light squeeze to his hand once.

but he still gets bruised and tired. the pressure of the water cannot really hurt him, but he does feel like the labor pull a toll on his muscles.

the concept of water within water is still strange for him. he stops to take a look at the bath inside the palace, fixing his eyes on the bathtub. rafayel does spend a lot of time in there, he loves that damn bathtub and he is fond of baths himself but not exactly a fan of cold water. which is kind of ironic, considering he is under the sea. caleb lets out a sigh, clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth as he lets the water run, remembering one time he did changed the temperature with his own gravity power. and as soon as the temperature was hot enough for his liking, he jumped inside.

ahh... the sense of comfort. the hot water helping to ease his muscles, releasing the tension that the hard work left on him. it's not like he is stressed, but the citizens did ask a lot from him, so a moment of peace and rest is definitely deserved. in fact, he finds himself closing his eyes and falling asleep. what's going to happen anyway? is he going to drown? pff.

/ @inardescere

He is indeed harmless, but by choice.

It's been a long time since he first arrived in this underwater world, but also a long time since their little escape to the world above the surface, where they danced, where they watched the sky change. Walking through the paths of his home, one he's lived in for as long as his memory lasts, he wonders if he is the only one who yearns for that freedom once again. Maybe his steps become faster as he dreams of another escape with him.

Maybe not tonight, but soon.

When he opens the doors to his room, he is disappointed to see that Caleb hasn't arrived yet, walking in silently and heading for the windows to gaze out again. But as he walks further in, his little emissary appears, the blue little fish swimming around him. He's close. Suddenly, his feet feel light as he follows the little creature, entering the bathroom to find him sleeping with his head just barely above the water, supported by the edge. The young God snorts a laugh and pads across the smooth stone, sitting next to the tub, staring down at the sleeping man, leaning back on a perched arm. This isn't the first time he's come home tired, and it most likely won't be the last. Rafayel reaches out to touch the other's cheek gently, his gaze and fingertips wandering to exposed skin where he has turned a pretty pink, warmed by the ridiculously hot water that he prefers.

and who is he to refuse?

his breath catches as rafayel pulls him in, hand feeling warm from the touch as the world around them blurs. nothing else matters. all caleb could feel was the steady tempo of rafayel's heartbeat, matching the music's one. "oh. i'm not a good dancer." he says as he stares into the sea god's eyes, his voice low, yet full of confidence, obviously trying not to bluff. lies. he is obviously pretty good at everything he does. he follows rafayel's lead, taking a step forward, then another. slow movements, swaying to the gentle melody. and even though he allows the lemurian to lead first, as their bodies start moving in perfect synchrony, his confidence grows. he spins rafayel gently, hands still clasping, pulling him back into an easy embrace as their steps interlace a dance of unspoken promises. caleb's hand finds rafayel's waist, his favorite spot. a touch firm and tender as always, almost afraid to let go. his gaze softens, filled with overwhelming love and reverence as he watches rafayel following his lead. a special perk. and he notices how in every movement and every steps rafayel takes, are a gift. a quiet testament to their connection.

it feels almost as if his heart is swelling, his chest tightening with the weight of his emotions. "raf...", he whispers, his voice trembling as they sway. "if only this could be everyday. just us, like this..." the words hang in the air as he leans in closer, his forehead resting briefly against the other's. the music shifting into a slower tune, and caleb takes the opportunity to still their movements, holding rafauel in place as his eyes roam over his face, etching every detail of it into his memory.

he finds his cheeks flushed, pupils dilated like a devoted puppy, completely captivated. and he doesn't care about the curious eyes that might be around them. with a soft, almost desperate exhale, caleb closes the gap. a deep kiss, passionate even. his hands moving instinctively, one staying firm on his waist while the other slides to cradle the back of his neck as his fingertips thread through soft hair. the kiss speaking all the emotions that are too vast to even try to articulate. when he pulls back, his breath is ragged and his flushed cheeks match the pink hue of the setting sun. his hand remains possessive, refusing to release rafayel completely. his gaze lock with rafayel's, his eyes shimmering with affection and a hint of something deeper. as usual.

For someone who claims not to know how to dance, he knows how to hold him steady. But he doesn't comment on it as he sways them into a few steps, slow and steady as he puts a hand on his chest and the other to his shoulder. "I'm asking you to hold me close and be with me," he teases, smirk on his lips as he feels fingers caress his waist, using every touching part of their bodies to guide him along as he pleases. The music flows through the crowd, through his ears, but at some point, he listens to the language of Caleb's body instead, letting him take the lead, spinning on nimble feet with grace, the lapels of his clothes fluttering with movement and heels clicking with every step. With every step the other takes away, Rafayel moves towards him; with every push back, Caleb chases after him like a loyal follower. He could close his eyes and trust him to move them around the street, marbled stone clacking as they swayed closer, closer still.

"Hmm?"

The surrounding eyes had never bothered him since the beginning, all that mattered to him was in his arms with quivering lips that beg for him in the sweetest tone, when Caleb looks down at him with such longing in his eyes, reverence which pulls him in even when their foreheads already touch, their lips already sinking into each other, passionate breaths filling each other's lungs like they were each other's essence of life.

"Why 'if?'" Rafayel takes his hand and pulls it in between them, pink-tinted eyes hooded as he brushes his lips on his knuckles. "I'm yours." His eyes finally shut, lips closing over his skin in soft kisses, hot breath brushing over down to the length of his fingers, prying his fingers open with a nudge of his lips against the tip. All soft 'i love you's in silence, his love which simmers quietly under a lid, hidden is the passion forever burning, his soul a greedy vessel begging for the other's love or he'll incinerate trying. "You want to show me off?" He teases despite himself, chuckling as he bites playfully on a finger right in front of him. There's a swirl of something ticklish in his stomach, one he didn't expect to feel at such a notion. The Lemurian hums and there's a thrill in his voice as he leans up and whispers, bringing Caleb's hand to his face so he can nuzzle into his palm, maneuvering him to cradle his face, blinking oceanic eyes up at him. "You can, if that's what you want." Rafayel pulls away, leaving lingering warmth as he takes a few steps back. "But our lives are long. Immeasurably so. We will have to find a way for our love to transcend time and be told as history through stories, through art, or song." The younger clears his throat and throws his hair back. Then he smiles, one of love and devotion as he parts his lips.

It starts soft, a gentle voice that turns heads in curiosity.

Then, the hums turn into lyrics, deep and calming, a dark melody with a voice clear, enveloping all those who lend an ear to his story, of theirs. None of them would understand the nature of it; none of them could. Not when the lyrics he words are all in Lemurian, an ancient language humans had no way of learning, hearing it for the first time in a song that lulls them into a trance, a spell he weaves in between the echoes of his voice. But it was obvious to everyone, despite its unfamiliar tongue and melody, that it was undoubtedly a love ballad, one that left a comforting warmth in their hearts and longed for those it loved. Rafayel meets Caleb's eyes as his voice slows. They will remember, he sings and reaches out for his hand, pulling him out from the depths of his spell. "Don't drown, Sunset. Let's run, before they snap out of it." And he pulls him through the crowd standing still, running towards the ocean, slowing as their boots crackle on dry sand.

yeah. it didn’t matter anymore. caleb is the one with rafayel now, and whoever that woman was, she was nothing more than a horrid memory for the lemurian. the constant glances shared in between also reassured him about this. his palm occasionally laying on top of his knee, gently petting him as he speaks to gideon until it’s time to go. “i have good tolerance, yes.” even when his cheeks are slightly red, but mostly it’s because of the gesture. the soft kiss placed on his lips as he hums happily in response, wanting for it to linger for more seconds and stay connected until they are out of breath. he sighs when rafayel pulls away, the needy look on his eyes asking for more, even when he is aware that’s dangerous for both of them. if they kiss, they won’t stop, and the night will fall with no chances to explore the town a bit more.

as they step out of the tavern, the golden glow of the near afternoon basks the streets in warm hues. the sounds of the market are close, vendors calling out their wares, children laughing, and the faint melody of street musicians tuning their instruments somewhere in the distance. caleb walks a step behind rafayel at first, glancing at his profile and how the light played off his features, a flush creeping up his neck. ridiculous. they just had a moment of intimacy, yet he somehow feels shy about holding his hand. but to be fair, there’s something different about the simplicity of this moment. as he steps closer and without a word, his hand brushes against rafayel’s, curling his fingers around his. the hold grows firmer after a few second, thumb tracing small circles against his skin. “i don’t want to lose you in the crowd.” he says. a weak excuse he doesn’t even need yet somehow it helps him to hold back the urge to pin and kiss him again. after all, holding rafayel’s hand feels natural, yet every time he does it, his heart still races. the sound of the musician gets closer, and they finally find themselves in front of a crowd that’s listening and dancing.

Maybe he needn't worry about the temperature of his water ever again with the other by his side. But this compressing moment of obsession, that darkness which crept from the depths of truths within this man to possess him. It could become a danger to him one day. A liability. He was aware the other had moments, slip of a tongue, a glimpse of his hidden desires that wrapped dark tendrils around Rafayel when he let go of inhibitions or jealousy took over. Yet the young God finds himself intrigued by the way he forms them into promises, unwavering worship, and sweet affection in the very end.

How curious the young Lemurian is, to throw him over the edge and see just how dark this little puddle could go.

Out in the open, Rafayel doesn't hesitate to walk towards the markets they saw before, leading the way with a confidence a stranger shouldn't have. But he's always been like this, hasn't he? He sees something that catches his eye, and he is already moving to retrieve it. Halfway down the street, he feels a light brush on his hand. Too shy, he tilts his head curiously and doesn't respond, curious to see what comes out of that mouth of his. He chuckles when he gets his answer, endearments ringing in his mind as he squeezes his hand back and guides him through the busy street. "Well, you promised to take care of me so I'm not kidnapped, so you better hold on tight." He would rather they laced their fingers together more, weave them together so they couldn't possibly part-- but for now, he accepts this version of hand-holding, heart pulsating with happiness settling deep.

If only this simple love could be their daily forever.

he watches with a raised brow as rafayel examines the shot. he rests his chin on his hand, eyes glinting with amusement as the lemurian hesitates, sniffs and finally takes a cautious sip. "well?" caleb says, leaning slightly closer. but considering the expression on the other's face, he could tell it is not of his liking. "alright. no milk in your menu." caleb laughs softly, his eyes flickering briefly to the wine glass rafayel was reaching for. "but wine is a must, is it?" he is unsure if rafayel has ever drank something like this before, probably not so he decides to keep an eye on him as the time passes and their food plates gradually empty, he keeps talking to gideon, catching up, listening to the stories he had to tell while he was on whalefall city. cups of wine and beer come and go to their table, and even though caleb's tolerance is high, he notices how rafayel grounds himself to that cup until he decides to taste it again. when it's time to go, caleb hugs gideon goodbye, with the new promise of finding his new settled place in this town. as well, gideon waves goodbye saying he would like to visit them too someday.

Silence falls upon the Lemurian as he listens to Caleb's conversation with Gideon, giving them space to catch up, laughing softly and leaning close to catch every detail. It's a rare chance for him to learn more about the man, so he takes in every story that might give him a hint to his behavior and adventure in Gideon's words, blue and pink eyes taking in every different expression he made from the corner of his eyes. He knows he isn't being as discreet as he could be, only hiding his face with a glass raised to his lips every so often to drink that sweet wine, his gaze sideways as he admires the other's smile and ease as he converses with his friend. Their eyes meet enough times for Rafayel to realize Caleb was keeping an eye out on him as well, which encourages him to drink without worry. The truth is, they had wine like this in Lemuria as well, though the taste was different. Alcohol was also brought from the upper world sometimes when ships were sunk, and he admittedly had had his fair share of messing around with his friends and taking a curious sip. Maybe he had never told Caleb of this, seeing the way he hovers and puts a hand to his lower back as Gideon leaves them, effectively giving him an opening to lean against the Captain without a word after receiving a kiss to his cheek.

caleb's lips leave a soft hum as he smiles, head slightly tilting as he catches the teasing coming from his partner's words. he doesn't hesitate in wrapping his arms around his shoulders again, pulling him closer as his knuckles brush softly against his scales, this time with a comforting touch. "nope. i don't care about lemurians and their beauty. i am obsessed with you." the teasing exchange between them leaves him grinning, but deep inside, a genuine curiosity started stirring. he has already learned a lot about rafayel in the past few months, though, seeing his tails feels like a secret piece of the puzzle he is trying to pierce together. he cannot deny he is curious about his color and shape, and how the light might project on the scales there. did they shimmer like gemstones? or perhaps they were iridescent and the color moved fluidly like water itself. he starts growing a fascination to find out, but caleb could be a patient man, and he will wait until the day he can finally see it instead of imagining it. gideon interrupts his thoughts, mouth full of food as he speaks. "now i can't deny the stereotypes about us, caleb." he shakes his head, and it looks as if he's disapproving but despite of his serious face, it's clear he is joking. "i am curious to see them, but i'm sure if i go near you our dearest captain is going to snap me in half."

"i'm glad you know me." gideon scoffs, continuing his food and deciding to ignore caleb for the time being. gideon has never seen caleb acting like this towards someone, though, he is aware caleb can be possessive over the people and things he holds dear. with rafayel, it's obvious that intensity of his only amplifies.

caleb laughs at rafayel remarks, shrugging softly his shoulders. "i had to cope." he jokes back as he stares fondly at him eating. the warning not going unnoticed, and he simply chuckles and mouths a 'what?' in return in a playful manner. but he already had plenty of fish before lunch, so he decides to put his entire attention on the chicken he has been craving for so long. soft hums of happiness as he eats, the nostalgic taste on his tongue as the flavors dance inside his mouth. and when it's his turn to feed rafayel again, he does it willingly, without complaining. in fact, he enjoys it. he likes the idea of being needed even for the simplest things. as he continues talking to gideon, the sudden jump of rafayel's shoulders cause him to shift his attention to him. "careful, there. it's hot." he mutters as he leans slightly closer, a smile that's equal parts amusement and concern. he gestures at the waiter, hand moving to rest another glass of wine along with a shot of milk. "are you okay?" gideon asks while caleb softly wipes the small tears away. "you can't handle spice, huh?" caleb teases again, leaning more to kiss softly his cheek. the waiter arrives with the glasses caleb asks previosly, gesturing at rafayel's side as he nods his head as a thank you. "have you try milk before?" he is unsure how his stomach will react, reason why he requested a shot instead. "drink it, it will soothe you."

turning back to gideon, he finds himself conflicted. part of him wants gideon to stay but the frequency of his visits is honestly unpredicted. it would be selfish to keep him here when he has the entire world to explore. "it really depends on you." as if eating drives him away from the question, he focuses on the chicken. gideon simply looks at him, waiting, a long silence fills the table for a moment and caleb finds no other way to change the subject. "i can't really tell you when i'm coming back, so as much as i would like to find a familiar face, i can keep you here if you don't want to." gideon tilts his head, grimacing at him, questioning caleb. "so?" caleb looks back at rafayel, waiting to see if he had something to say. though, he knows he is the one who has the last word. "i don't mind staying. i have gathered enough money to settle somewhere and the market fluids well here."

"then why are you waiting for me to tell you what to do?"

Maybe, to a human, this looked pale white.

In his eyes, the color was rather damning. It was a white canvas with pink and blue, a greenish hue and swirling something else. If this weren't the world of colors he was used to seeing, he might have felt a bit sick. Instead, he sighs at the new concoction that looks weirdly familiar yet different, taking a little sniff. He brings it to his mouth and gives it a little sip, a rich flavor covering his tongue with a weird acidic taste and sweetness. Yet, he still finds it a bit too odd to take the whole shot, putting it down as he licks the roof of his mouth with a passive expression. It's fine, just a bit odd. It has the soothing effect that Caleb mentioned, the spice no longer stings on his sensitive tongue. But he knows the heat he feels isn't from the food, but the wine he so quickly ingested on an empty stomach. Yet he finds his hand going towards the glass, his appetite spoiled.

Rather than eat, he wanted to enjoy this glass of wine that sweetened his tastebuds, bringing him mellow fragrances, tart in his mouth.

After another sip, he puts it down. If he drank any more, he might actually start to feel tipsy. Pink and blue eyes slowly move to stare at the man next to him, silently watching as he converses with his friend. After another few seconds of staring, he decides to pick the glass up and put it against his mouth, slowly enjoying the sweetness he grows fond of on his lips.

    leaving their little bubble and already in their table, caleb is not even surprised gideon has no idea what was going on. strong with a head full of air, and he has never been more thankful of his friend’s cluelessness. “i think i would look pretty hot with them. don’t you think, gideon?” he nods his head at his friend, who is too engrossed in his own food. “hm?” he looks at them confused for a moment, gaze lingers on rafayel for a second, then on caleb, then on rafayel again. “rafayel has scales? i didn’t notice.” he takes a bite of his food, talking with his mouth full. “well i should have guessed it’s obvious considering i saw his skin shimmering earlier. thinking about it… why do you have legs? i thought lemurians were fishes.” caleb blinks, holding back his laughter. “don’t be rude. you don’t go around asking people why they have legs.” he jokes, elbow pressing against the table as he uses his palm as support for his face, looking at rafayel, smirking mischievously. “you haven’t shown me your tail, actually. is it as pretty as your face?” gideon rolls his eyes and decides to politely ignore them for a moment, caleb taking this moment to feed rafayel instead. 

     caleb chuckles as his lips curve into a pleased smile. “lied?” he teases, leaning his chin on his hand as he watches him. “i said it was similar, not that it was fish. but i did told you how savory it actually was, didn’t i?” his hand goes up, cleaning the side of his mouth with his thumb and licking the drops of sauce off it, still smirking at rafayel, knowing exactly what he is doing. “you got a sharp tongue, seashell.” he laughs, completely teasing him on purpose as he noticed the blush from earlier, definitely wanting it to spread again on his cheeks. but when rafayel holds out the bite for him, he leans forward with exaggerated enthusiasm, closing his mouth around the fork and letting out an approving him as he chews. ah. the first taste of chicken in months. he might have added theatrics in his movements on purpose, but it does taste like heaven. the explosion of flavor in his mouth as he closes his eyes in total bliss while he swallows the food. “hmm~ i missed this.” he says, taking his own fork and having another bite of it. “it’s coconut, yes. it helps balancing the ginger and lime. told yaaaa, perfect harmony.” 

Rafayel looks at Gideon with amusement, a hand going up to his neck and hovering over his neck where his scales rested flat against his skin. "They lay flat against my skin, transparent, so it's not visible unless you get into my personal space and take a closer look. So it's only natural you haven't noticed." He rubs his nape, brushing his hand over the scales, smooth like a polished stone but soft and malleable like skin protected under the shimmering piece. The more time he spends with Gideon, the more he has no idea how this man is still alive with situational awareness worse than a jellyfish. But it was in a way that weirdly gave him a sense of fondness, considering his bright nature, slightly reminding him of a certain Lemurian friend back home. Caleb calls Gideon out for being rude, and Rafayel just rolls his eyes as he leans forward. "It's a matter of convenience. My city is too compact for all of us to live in if we were to live day by day in our Lemurian forms." A hand goes up to his chin, a thoughtful look passes as he turns his head to the captain, looking him up and down. "You humans are obsessed with our beauty. Here I thought you liked me for my personality." Rafayel jokes right back, teasing him with a smirk as he reaches out to flick his forehead. "In due time. I'll show it to you."

Chewing the newly acquainted food now in his mouth, Rafayel decides he likes this version of chicken. It's a bit dry in some parts compared to fish, but it gave way under his teeth so easily compared to some tougher cuts of fish he has eaten before. "I never said it was fish. But you said it was close enough-- holding back on me with the critique? It tastes nothing like the fish." Rafayel continues to talk back, swallowing his food. Just as he's about to swipe his tongue over the sauce on his lips, he feels a thumb wipe it away for him, curious eyes following his movements as the other takes it to his own and licks it clean. A tease, one that provokes him, and Rafayel is surprised he has the guts. There is a warning look in his eyes as he stares back at Caleb, turning his body whole and perching a hand on his knee, warm and calming still as he holds the fork out. Try him, and Caleb wouldn't have another bite of chicken their whole trip. The warning was clear, but it disappears the moment Caleb dives in for the food, his hands leaving him to be placed on the table as he puts the utensil down, pleased that the man had eaten.

He's even more pleased when Caleb indulges him and feeds him by hand, spoiling him silly as usual. A smile stays on his lips as he takes this new piece of chicken into his mouth. It's crispy on the outside, the spicy kick now much stronger compared to the ginger and lime, prickling the inside of his mouth. It's a little too strong for his very mild palette, but he also doesn't hate it enough to stop eating. If anything, he weirdly likes it the way warm soup and hot baths had been prickly hot yet soothing at the same time. As Caleb and Gideon continue to talk in that way only old friends do, he decides to chew down on the chicken once, the inside juicy and tender compared to the exterior. His shoulders jump in surprise when his bite causes hot juices to burst in his mouth, burning the roof of his mouth and his tongue, blinking and brows furrowing as he puts a hand to his mouth, lips parted as he huffs for cold air. Saliva pools in his mouth, tears prickling the edges of his eyes as he takes another huff and swallows everything whole. Hurriedly, he reaches for the first thing his hand could grab, his glass, and fills his mouth with the cold drink.

Sweet, numbing, and cold, yet his throat burns.

     his cheeks remain dyed a rosy pink. eyes wide, shining as if he had just received the biggest treat in the world. hands rest on rafayel's chest, melting under the attention given with a boyish grin on his lips. "was i really that good? like... reaaaally really?" he chuckles, head tilting expectantly, acting like a puppy again, but this time aiming for more affection as he leans into rafayel's touch. "yes. i almost pass out." he says casually, already coming down from pleasure and regaining his composure little by little. “but i kinda like it?” as someone who has experimented death several times, he is not exactly a fan of it, but the previous taste of suffocation wasn’t as unpleasant as he would have expected. at the thought of it, caleb’s cheeks burn, the blush spreading all the way to the tip of his ears. “i mean— not exactly liked it liked it, but the way you made me feel. i have suffocated several times by now, but this time i felt safe. like i could let go and not have to think for a second.” he eyes drift away for a second, complying to rafayel’s movements and allowing him kiss him softly, lips puckering in return as the softness embrace him. “i have never been good at not being in control. so this was… different. and helped me learned a thing or two about me as well.” he chuckles, doing what he is asked, closing his eyes and allowing rafayel to pamper him in return.

     he feels the tenderness rafayel cleans him up, a smile curling on his lips allowing himself to receive this. indeed. it’s different. he is used to be at the other side, taking care of others instead. but with rafayel, he feels cherished. every second spent together brings him unbelievable happiness and a sense of reassurance, especially after the number rafayel created back in the tavern. it is a reminder that, at the end of the day, they belong together. 

     caleb stands up, being suddenly pulled but accepting the miss gladly as he fixes his clothes. as they make their way back to the tavern, he stumbles a little as they reach the table. there’s a dazed smile still present on his face, refusing to leave as his grip on rafayel’s hand becomes firm. the memory of rafayel’s tenderness and also intensity still fresh in his head, warming him up and cracking a smirk as he goes back to his seat. gideon’s eyes turn to look at both of them. “you’re back. it’s everything okay?” he nods when rafayel replies, not having a clue of why really was going on behind closed doors. “i started feeling a bit dizzy. probably because i have been underwater for so long. maybe i’m really growing scales.” he jokes, elbow poking at rafayel as the smell of the chicken suddenly fills his nostrils.

     that’s when he allows his head to be carried away again. chicken. it’s been so long. 

There is soft laughter when he realizes Caleb continues to have that cute wide grin, completely fucked out and relaxed. His feet are unsteady, he looks seconds away from being swayed into giggling, and Rafayel doesn't bother to hold back his little chuckle as they take a seat and the other gets comfortable in such a brazenly happy manner. Their hands are locked, and it seems like the Lemurian's hands would never be let go-- something he rather enjoys. The younger man rolls his eyes as he jokes about growing scales again, even Gideon seems to be laughing at his bad joke. "I'm starting to think you want to grow scales. Curious what it's like after you've seen mine?" The Lemurian raises a brow, a teasing look of his own as he sits back against his chair, trying to get comfortable first.

Once he feels like he isn't going to dive headfirst into the table, he takes a look at all the dishes. Some had odd colors, some were vibrantly colored, and the smell was intense. Rafayel thinks to reach for his drink first, throat parched after all the noise they had made up in Caleb's private room. But before he could choose what dish to start with, he saw Caleb holding out a bite in front of his lips. It reminds him of how he had done the same in his kitchen, fed him personally his first ever taste of the ocean's delights. The food in front of him was fragrant, something almost sweet wafting from what he thought of the milky substance making the sauce, an almost spicy tang that cleared his nose just from the smell alone. If it were Caleb and him alone, he would have found this intimate moment no different from their usual affectionate gesture. But he's snapped out of his thoughts when he hears Gideon's commentary as well, suddenly watched by two pairs of eyes, then four, then eight; others getting curious as the most handsome duo act like a married couple.

A light blush crosses his cheek, eyes wide and beady as he looks up at Caleb. He looks so expectant, and Rafayel decides to open his mouth and take the bite, chewing slowly to savour the taste while his cheeks slowly calm from its heat. The first taste feels spicy, surprisingly so from the ginger. Then there's a tang from the lime, something sour yet it is mellowed out by the creamy taste on his tongue. The chicken--- he is furrowing his brows in confusion now, tilting his head as he takes another few chews till he swallows the food. Lips pouted, deep in thought, he stared at the dish for a moment before looking up at Caleb. "You lied. The chicken tastes much more savory and has a depth of flavor that ocean fish don't have. What is this..." It's tender yet tough, flavor seeped into the deepest parts of its flesh, yet the saltiness was much more balanced with the sauce on it. "There's this creamy mouthfeel. Is that the coconut? I like that, it feels and tastes really good." A smile graces his lips, and he picks up his fork to get another bite, this time less methodical and simply enjoying his favorite parts of it in his mouth, moaning softly as the kick of spice satisfies his taste buds.

the overwhelming heat radiating from rafayel’s hands beneath him, the press of their bodies together leaving no space between them, how rafayel’s body responds arching under his weight. all of this ignites a primal need, an insatiable feeling leading him to finally submit. his hands grip rafayel’s hips, taking him as far as he can inside his mouth, small tears coming down his eyes and loud but muffed moans coming out as he slowly becomes a mess, drooling as the erratic movements of his head start matching the pace in which rafayel touches him in exchange. already too worked up from before, he feels his length throbbing, precum dripping down with every movement of his hand and every tease of his tongue, knowing he is close.

as soon as rafayel takes him completely in his mouth, caleb finds himself even messier than before. his body tenses a little upon feeling the fingers on his entrance, his breath catching in his throat as he pulls away from rafayel’s dick. his head starts feeling heavy, burying it on his pelvis as he sticks his hips out, melting and surrendering to the sensations provided. hand is still wrapped around rafayel's length, but he is unable to form a single movement, whimpering loudly, exhaling the lemurian's name in shaky breathes. caleb feels his head spinning for a moment, redness creeping on his face as eyes roll. the realization hits him like a wave. he likes this. he likes the weight of someone else taking control, the vulnerability of being held down and the shocks it brings down his spine as he finally feels completed, whimpering loudly as rafayel's throat becomes warmer with his climax. he doesn't even have time to react or to catch his breath before being flipped to his back. puppy eyes staring at rafayel as he nods slowly at his question. yeah, he enjoyed a lot actually, and the blush on his cheeks totally give it away. and as he feels the other's fingers on his cheek, he realizes they are not being wiped, closing his eyes softly and leaning into the touch even though they were just being smeared. as he leans down, he obediently opens his mouth, happily accepting his tongue in a messy kiss as whimpers still come from the back of his throat. he can even taste himself in it, sucking rafayel's lower lip as if his life depended on it.

his head tilts slightly, half-lidded eyes as he stares at the other and nods at his command, leaning into the touch all over his body like a dog that just had been praised. he follows the silent orders, leaning against the pillow as he never breaks eye contact with rafayel. suddenly, it warms again. the familiar taste from just minutes ago lingering on his lips along with the saltiness of sweat. he feels the intrusion in his throat gentle at first, feeling his muscles of his neck relaxing around rafayel's fingers. the tightness of his throat easing as caleb instinctively sucks the deeper he gets, adjusting to the gradual depth. each subtle motion draws a soft sound from him, between a gasp and a whimper, leaning into rafayel's control. and as the struggle disappears, he notices the other's movements are becoming more assertive while his thoughts fade into submission.

it's suffocating, how he feels half of his length completely down his throat, eyes completely lost as the tears form again and fall on his eyelashes. though, it sends jolts of pleasure down his spine. it's intoxicating. every time rafayel thrusts harder, his chest tightens and his lungs burn as his body struggles for air. caleb's head tips back, throat straining as he draws in shallow breaths through his nose. the suffocated feeling doesn't disappear but he surrenders to it, allowing rafayel to fuck his throat as deeper as he could, enjoying the call of his name. his vision blurs, sweat on his forehead losing any track of sense, eyes rolling, allowing the lemurian to slam his mouth as he pleases. as he finally feels the cum dripping down his throat and with that rafayel pulling back, caleb falls to the side of the bed, catching his breath just enough before passing out. he opens his eyes, glassy and half-lidded, meeting rafayel's gaze with a spark of triumph. and he chuckles for a second, realizing he just had an awakening, waiting to be praised.

he stays there for another few seconds, feeling how his head comes back to earth and swallowing the remaining fluids inside of his mouth, some dripping from the corners of his lips. gideon, right— shit. CHICKEN.

Pulling out, blinding sparks dance in his vision as he topples forward onto his hands, blinking away the buzz of pleasure as he crawls over to his lover to check on him, hands over his hair to pull it away from his face. He heard him gasp for air, but the sudden silence that returned at his gentle shake made him pause. It takes two seconds before blood drains from his face as he rolls him onto his back. He pats his cheek and fingers against his pulse behind his ear, breathing a sigh of relief when he feels the soft thump against his fingertips, his heartbeat just as fast as he expected under his hand. Rafayel nearly cries when his eyes blink open, but it just comes out as a wet sigh and a shake of his head when their eyes meet. Triumph and something smug dance in his beautiful purple eyes, pulling a smile onto his once quivering lips when he hears that beautiful tenor of his voice let out a husky little chuckle. There's another wave of relief once he realizes he did not mess up whatever they just had, that he hadn't read his reactions wrongly, and maybe accept just how much Caleb seemed to enjoy what he could give.

"Hey, handsome." Rafayel laughs softly, voice hoarse and deep as his heart slows from the excess of excitement, love in his eyes as his fingers push those short bangs away from his face, leaning down to kiss his forehead, lips pressed against him for a long second before he presses another to his temple. "You did so well, love. You're a sight to revere."

Rafayel lets the other take his time to come down from his high, peppering soft kisses to his face, some lingering longer than others as he whispers praises and words of affection against his skin. "I enjoyed that very much. You were perfect for me, listened to me so well. You held on for me-- thank you. Are you alright, though? You knocked out for a minute, and I was worried." He sees his mouth open, but words seem lost in his throat and a pretty blush crosses the young Lemurian's face and up to his ears as he recognizes it's his fault, a little proud and yet flustered that he had let go his himself more than intended. It doesn't help that Caleb wipes his mouth, taking the leftover stickiness, and starts playing with it, making his stomach tighten at the sight. The Lemurian straightens, gets off the bed, and mutters something about getting a cloth when he feels the other follow him, arms wrapped around his shoulders before their lips meet again. A sigh escapes his lips mid-kiss, relaxing in his hold as his hands now move to hold his waist.

"You liked it?" Rafayel peeks up through his lashes, disbelief showing in a moment of weakness before a small smile curls his lips. He pulls the captain in with a hand to their lower back, leaning their faces together for a few more soft kisses before he nuzzles their noses together, foreheads close. "Okay, let's go get your favorite food before Gideon eats it all. Let me take care of you first because you look thoroughly ravaged. It'll only take a minute."

After a tight hug that lifts Caleb off the bed and lowers him back on the edge, Rafayel turns and finds a spare cloth, using the sink far off to one side to wash it a few times before bringing it back. Rafayel leans down, a hand on Caleb's shoulder to balance himself as he holds the cloth close to his face, gaze tender. "Close your eyes and relax. I've got you." With soft urging, he waits for his eyes to close before wiping away the dried tear tracks left on his face, the spit smeared over his skin, sticky residue from fucking his mouth and the coolness of the wet cloth to help the swelling of his lips. He wipes down his whole body with quick, methodical swipes, and after cleaning his own face, throws the thing in the sink before tucking and buttoning their clothes back into place. Those soiled gloves though... Rafayel decides to take both gloves off and stuff them in a pocket to wash them another time.

The Lemurian takes his hand and pulls him up onto his feet, his other hand grabbing his waist to pull him close, pressed together as he gives one last kiss. "Let's go," he says with a grin and holds his hand tight, guiding him out of the room. For how little time must have passed, his every step felt lighter and also more dizzying, still drunk on his post orgasm bliss as they enter the tavern again. This time, without Rafayel gloating his beauty and posing for attention, not as many bother to look as they make their way through the sea of tables and chairs, sitting at the table where Gideon was already digging in, their food and drinks already served and luckily, still steaming slightly.

     “damn him.” caleb mutters under his breath, his voice thick with frustration. his cheeks keep burning as he recalls the smirk on rafayel’s face, the way he had undone him with just a flick of his fingers. so he lays half down, using his elbows as support as he gets rid of the pants that are acting like a cage right now. he leans back, long fingers wrapping around himself ad he rocks his hips up and down to match the rhythm of his own hand. it’s not the same, but it is what it is. he no longer has a need to suppress his voice. the room is at the end of the hall and the noise downstairs is enough to disguise his soft, muffled moans, as he is holding the hem of his shirt with his teeth as he touches himself. he hears the doorknob clicking open, the sweet and frustrating voice of rafayel coming thought it, calling him love. oh… calling him love. he sighs deeply, his wrist going up and down slowly, legs spread open as he nods his head. “you played unfair.” the shirt falls over his torso, red cheeks and shiny half lidded eyes looking at rafayel as he closes the door. 

     caleb doesn’t even allow him to answer, with a flick of his fingers, the air around rafayel shifts, gravity pulling him towards the bed and landing on the mattress with a soft thud. caleb smirks. “take responsibility.” from the moment they met, caleb has been eager to get control of rafayel, wanting to push him into submission, making him whimper until he begs for him to continue. and now, being on the other side he can understand the appealing behind. wondering if this is how rafayel feels, if it turns him on as much as it does to him. watery eyes glancing at rafayel, pleading for more as he climbs on top of him. he grabs his face with his palm, thumb pressing a bit harder than he initially intended to, forcing rafayel’s mouth open as he introduces his tongue, messy kissing, almost drooling, and as he continues grabbing his face, parting lips move away but not before spitting shamelessly inside his mouth. caleb smirks, arrogance all over his face as he shifts his body to undone the pretty pants he helped put on not long ago, carefully removing it as he doesn’t want to ruin the fabric with bodily fluids. 

     he puts all his weight on rafayel’s torso, crushing him down as his ass purposely rest on his chest, even bouncing it a little in front of his face to tempt him to touch it. big, plush. a little bit more and it would clap by itself. and he doesn’t even wait for rafayel to move, he keeps abusing his gravity control as he position themselves as he pleases, his dick gracing against rafayel’s lips, pleading to be eaten. “you were saying earlier you prefer dishes you have tried before.” he rocks his hips down, waiting.“bon appetite.” he plays for a moment with rafayel, despite teasing him back there he doesn’t seem to be as worked up as he was before. and well, caleb knows when to admit defeat. so he whimpers loudly, a plea as he moves his hips desperately. “you can use your pretty long fingers too if you want. i grant you full permission. i’ll be a good boy.” 

Rafayel stood with his back against the door, fingers going to the lock and giving it a light click so no one could disturb them unless they broke down that door. Oh, his eyes widened at the sight held in front of him, spread legs and a body flushed red, a very naked one as he saw the muscles of his abdomen spasm with every languid stroke of his hand up and down, the shirt between his lips falling when he looks up, their eyes meeting for a moment. Gorgeous. Dark eyes scanned him from head to toe, his cheeks still red, and the freckles on him looked darker like this, his hips never still as he bucked into his own hand, desperate whines and muffled moans filling the room with a musky scent. Was he so worked up that he couldn't even wait the minute it had taken Rafayel to climb those stairs and follow him, had touched himself to the memory of his fingers tugging for relief?

He's not allowed to take even a step before he feels himself lifted, tossed onto the bed, and the springs creaking loudly underneath. "How is it unfair? You had just as many chances as I." Rafayel smirks up at the man now towering over him, eyes taking in his form and still deciding what role he should play. Does he want the domineering God who craves endlessly to devour him till he's had his fill, or would he like the submissive Lemurian with teary eyes that serves him like a good boy? The thought is cut off when he's pulled into a ferocious kiss, all tongues and saliva, the sharp canine of his scraping against his tongue in retaliation for the rough handling of his face, moaning into his mouth with glee as they swiped tongues and lips together with greed, hands holding onto his waist desperately. When he pulls away, Rafayel jumps in surprise at the sudden sound and taste of the other's saliva pooled in his mouth, eyes wide and blood turning his whole face and neck red as he meekly closes his mouth. Did he just... spit in his mouth? He doesn't even know how to respond, not swallowing, just letting his own mix together and pool in his mouth as he sees the smug look on his face, even as his pants are pulled off his legs, shocked.

It's only when he sees the other's ass right in his face, their position pulled every other way to get comfortable by his powers that he snaps out of it, the heat in his head spreading all over his body. Caleb had been sweet before; they had touched each other that one time, but this position felt so indecent compared... It made his head spin, turned on, and yet a bit confused by the fast pace. But it's better not to think, don't overthink it, when Caleb seemed so alive as he tried to tempt the Lemurian. A soft scoff escapes him, hands placed on those pale globes of flesh, giving them a squeeze. As if he had to do all that to tempt him. Rafayel lifts his head, then decides to use his hands to pull the other's hips closer instead, getting comfortable as he fondles his back a few times, squeezing hard as he leaves soft kisses to the dick in front of him. "Yes, you were so good. Kept your voice down and took to my hand so nicely." So desperate as well, he was already leaking from his previous teasing. As much as he smelled the distinct taste of him he remembered from their last tryst, he also smelled something sweet, sticky, and thin, tongue lapping up from the base to his tip, feeling it twitch under his tongue.

Oh, it was the wine Caleb had ordered for him.

Rafayel moans softly with his head tossed aside, nails digging into his flesh as he feels warmth cover him whole. So eager, he whimpers softly when he feels the cool air hit his length before he's enveloped in warmth again, breathing hard against the other's thigh, and he bites, leaving teeth marks on his soft flesh to ease the sudden wave of pleasure. "Caleb," he whispers under his breath, thighs tensing as he starts to grow hard with every slurping sound that reaches his ears, blood thrumming through his veins loudly in his ears. His lips quiver as he kisses every part of him he could reach, hips twitching as he feels the tip of his dick touch his throat, soft groans of pleasure filling the room. Shaky hands move to his mouth and he pushes all the spit pooled in his mouth onto it, fingers wrapping around the other's dick no different from how he had in the tavern, but firmer now, wrist flicking faster than before, thumbing his slit every now and then, trying to push him over the edge. No longer did he have to worry about the swish of skin against flesh, hand squelching as he mixed precum and spit to ease the glide, hands warmed with his power to give him heat, lips peppering kisses along the base and his balls, taking them in his mouth and sucking them loudly, letting go with a loud gasp. So good, Rafayel squeezes his eyes shut when he feels his legs shake as Caleb continues to suck him off, loud and unabashed compared to the meek, blushing mess he was before.

Without hesitation, the Lemurian finally guides him into his mouth from tip till halfway, his mouth a heated cavern-- a warm, slick mess he uses to make every slide smooth, tongue swirling around him languidly, letting him enjoy the soft walls of his mouth, encouraging him to move his hips with a squeeze of his ass, guiding him in a slow rhythm as far as he could go. His fingers leave a wet trail as he fondles his ass, the meaty flesh caving under his hand in a way that felt weirdly cathartic, long fingers reaching the seam and rubbing circles at his puffed entrance. He doesn't breach it like the last time, only circles it gently as he remembers the distinct sounds he made the last time he tried, only teasing him, knowing the pleasure that came with its touch. Rafayel stops teasing him, hips rolling slowly into the other's mouth a few times before he stills, pulling off with a sigh. Breathing in deep, Rafayel swallows him whole, bobbing his head and sucking, a sudden enthusiasm as he lifts his head and pulls his hips down with a hard squeeze to his bottom, leaving red imprints. His throat clicks, swallowing each time he's fully inside. It doesn't take long before he feels warm liquid down his throat, a choked groan gurgled against Caleb's length as he milks him, sucking diligently till he's cleaned him of his seed, pulling away with a soft kiss to the softened length, licking his lips.

Then, he wordlessly flips the man onto his back, getting on all fours and shifting, a hard grip on his arm to demand he stay still, kneeling above his head to peer down at him. "You look lovely with tears... Did you enjoy it that much?" Voice hoarse and eyes dark, Rafayel spreads his fingers over his cheek. Instead of wiping those beautiful tears streaking down his face, he smudges them, paints them all over his face, and feeds it to him with his thumb. He leans down, waits for Caleb to open his mouth willingly before he kisses him, messily with tongue, drool and traces of his cum smeared on their lips. The Lemurian hovers over his lips, his next kiss gentle as a butterfly as he whispers. "Keep your mouth wide open for me, my sunset. You can use your powers and pull me off if it gets painful. Understood?" He waits till he gets a response, cooing praise and kissing his cheek before his hands spread wide, starts to wander down his body. He caresses his face, his neck, all the way down to his chest where he warms his skin, massages his muscles, palm brushing over his chest, and his fingers play with his nipples, stopping there to twirl and tease, kissing him to keep his noises from getting too loud. His hands continue to tease and explore, then he grabs a stray pillow and makes Caleb shift it under his shoulders. With the support, Rafayel circles his thick neck with both hands, thumb drawing circles with feather-light touches on his Adam's apple, fingers pressing gently against the back of his head, tilting it back against the edge of the pillow.

caleb on the other hand, couldn't help but chuckle at the remark. indeed, he loves the thrill. and as long as he could keep up with this little game, he is more than willing to play. his fingers, still tracing delicate ridges of rafayel's scales, press a little firmer, his touch becoming more and more intentional, even after ordering their food. "gewürztraminer? it's like a kiss of sunlight trapped in a glass." if there's a characteristic about caleb, it's that he knows his food. to him, every meal is an experience, a story told through flavors. his palate is as adventurous as he is. he has an uncanny ability to dissect flavors, to detect the subtle undertones that others might miss, and that, of course, allows him to know exactly what type of drink pairs perfectly with every dish. however, gideon does pick up that part of the conversation, not even disguising the roll of his eyes as the other speaks. "it's white wine." alcohol, all the same. and despite rafayel's consistent teasing touch, caleb is able to keep the conversation, for now. "ah, ah. sweet white wine. and it pairs perfectly with chicken, especially with the creamy coconut and zesty lime." his words though, catch in his throat as rafayel pushes his hand off his shoulders. he watches for a moment, confused, but then as the lemurian's fingers pull at the lapel he feels his heart thundering in his ears. nah, this is not happening. this is not about to happen, is it? he hears rafayel talking, knowing damn well what the real meaning behind his words are. however, for the first time, he is unable to summon his usual cocky return. he stares at rafayel gripping the edge of the glove with his teeth and pulling it off in one fluid motion, and his breath hitches realizing this is definitely the end for him. he knows he should say something, retreat, ask for a truce, whatever helps him getting out of this situation, but he is frozen. a blush creeps up his neck, blooming across his face leaving behind his cocky and composed demeanor when he feels the hot fingers on his delicate skin.

"when i get overheated? i take a cold shower, i guess." gideon should consider himself lucky for not knowing what's going on between them. it doesn't even cross his mind, nor notices the blush creeping on caleb's face. "it was around... five years ago if i'm not mistaking. i was a simple merchant working for my family, but my ship wrecked. i was heavily bruised, and i supposed caleb ordered his crew to check for survivors or salvageable loot." caleb coughs, trying to act normal again and join the conversation to avoid raising any suspicion. "that's right." he adds, but his voice comes strained. "no gratitude. just... 'you're late'. and well, if he has got the nerve to say that, then he might be worth keeping around." his words keep coming out clipped, the spaces between them filled with subtle gulps as he swallows hard. rafayel's touch is testing every ounce of caleb's composure. he shifts in his chair, his thighs tensing and to his bad luck, this movement only intensifies the sensation.

caleb's cheeks burn hotter, his breathing becoming heavier. he forces a smirk, determined not to let rafayel win this out. "i wasn't wrong. gideon has been... useful." his voice drops again, and he finds himself biting his tongue in an effort to suppress any sound threatening to come out. his fingers curl around the edge of the table, leaning forward slight in an attempt to appear casual. this time he bites the inside of his cheek to mute a groan, his gaze flicking to gideon for a moment before darting back down, avoiding eye contact. this whole thing is... weird. "raf—" his voice now is barely a whisper, almost name slipping his name past his lips. and for a moment, caleb is not sure if it's a plea for him to stop or to keep going, and that terrifies him a bit. he clenches his jaw, teeth pressing together as he finds it hard to breathe. his eyes probably getting watery as he suppress with all his might any sound that tries to come out of his throat. and on top of that, in front of his friend. caleb is unsure if he dislikes this or not, but one thing is for sure. if rafayel wanted to humble him, then, he is doing it perfectly.

his mind races as he fights to keep control of himself, his thoughts darting between the growing heat and the need to salvage his pride. he couldn't afford to lose, not here, not in front of gideon either. but he knows if rafayel keeps this up, he will break, and the idea of moaning in public doesn't sound like a pleasant moment. well maybe, if they had a private room he wouldn't care if the entire city listened to him. but being exposed, like this? pass. though, suppressing his natural desires obviously takes its toll on, so as his voice cannot come out, he feels his muscles twitching, accidentally bumping his knee on the table and of finally getting gideon's attention. gideon stares for a moment, and he frowns upon seeing how red caleb's face is. "whoa, are you okay?" he asks, leaning into the table to take a better look at his face.

Except Caleb.

It was a good thing Gideon seemed very unbothered with the world outside, or what caused Caleb's late arrival, or the fleet's demise. He seemed a bit too relaxed, worryingly so, but Rafayel rather liked him for some reason. He could see why Caleb kept him by his side and became friends with him, a relaxed humor and attitude that made days languid and carefree, enjoying little things in life-- something Rafayel himself loved. "Sweet white wine?" The Lemurian perks up, trying to ignore the shivers that try to ease their way through his facade. He liked wine, and it was true that he had been feeling a need for something sweet on his tongue. He moans softly, a light blush on his cheeks as he flutters his lashes and smiles. "That sounds delicious. A kiss and a drink, you're trying to spoil me."

Gideon is a good kid. The human tells him stories of how they met, and Rafayel smiles a bit too playfully when Caleb struggles to form his sentences under his teasing touch. The Lemurian wondered where this thrill came from, and if he was abnormal for finding the other cute when he struggled so. Before Caleb, he had never been truly in love or tried to form a relationship beyond one of friendship or worship. He had guidance from the elders, friends who showed him the world, and adults who taught him basic ways of life. He had read books about love and romance, how it was a deep, profound thing that two souls shared. He knew that sometimes it meant sharing a passion that was indecent in the eyes of others, but a natural part of it all. As knowledge, he had known. But to experience it himself first hand, barely keeping his attention on the topic at hand, unlike his lover who was trying his best amid his length throbbing under his fingers, how his back straightens and his thighs quiver when he squeezes tight, pointer finger toying with his tip... oh, he's a goner. He's going to come, he can see it in the way his eyes glimmer in the candlelit room from the corner of his eyes, from the way his chest heaved and his legs shook against the back of his hands. Yet he found in himself a mixture of pure adoration and greed, hunger to see him unravel and show the first human beings to lay eyes on the God that this was his lover, his follower, and no one else could--

Rafayel gasps softly when he hears the whisper of his name, broken and pleading. Even he cannot tell if he was begging him to stop or to continue, but taking pity, he starts a different conversation to take the attention away. "Well, we had a similar meeting. I found him among the wreckage of his ship, and he was barely breathing." A slow, languid tug of his length, hand squeezing him tight, ordering him to be good. "I brought him back, furious because I thought he was part of the group that tried to harm my childhood friend. A lot happened..." He flicks his wrist faster, thumb sliding in for a better grip, "--but I completely fell for him."

THUD!

Both heads turn towards Caleb now, and the Lemurian furrows his brows as pleasure spikes through his being. Oh, he was a masterpiece. Flushed from his face down to his neck, eyes brimming with unshed tears as he held back the natural reactions to his diligent hand. Rafayel slows his wrist, but he isn't relenting but edging him, thumb now pressing into his tip and rubbing in. "It might be the sudden change in atmosphere? He's been with me down in the depths for so long, the heat here would affect him badly, too." Rafayel plays the role of a worried boyfriend well, leaning in and using his free hand to caress his cheek, wiping away the sweat on his temple with a worried furrow of his brow. Even the Lemurian hadn't meant to take it this far, but as they competed for an unknown victory, the competitive side of him won over and took charge, pushing him to the edge. He could see the cogs spinning in his head, finding a way out until-- Splash! A glass falls and the cold, sweet wine splashes over his hand and the captain's crotch. His hand pulled back immediately as attention was brought upon them at the waiter's mistake. That was no mistake, but Rafayel isn't about to comment as he watches the man put on a smile and walk out in a gait. Even Gideon looks confused by his weird behavior.

"I'll go check on him. He might be feeling sick, so don't wait for us if we take too long. Here, in compensation. I just picked them up off the seabed, but I heard they're valuable to you humans."

Throwing a handful of pearls onto the tabletop gracefully so they don't roll off, Rafayel stands and rushes out of the tavern to chase after his lover. He hastens his steps as he gets to the stairs, pausing only a few seconds when he sees his reflection in a mirror next to a door. Ocean blue and pink had darkened into deep red, desire thrumming through his veins, and so visibly perturbed, even his brows arched, and his lips couldn't stop dancing between a pleasant smile and a smirk. He takes slow steps up the stairs, taking a deep breath as he calms himself, blood electric as he remembers the red blotches of a blush all over his face. Would... Caleb accept this part of him? He had always seemed so keen on making Rafayel docile, taking control over him and desiring to make him soft and submissive under his touch. He understood that need, but he also loved being taken care of; he doesn't think he could give up one or the other. He puts his hand on the doorknob of their room, hands shaking slightly in anticipation and fear. Did he... go too far? Lips thin as he pushes the door open, quickly closing the door behind him.

caleb freezes for a moment, not responding immediately as his mind drift to memories gideon could never understand. how could he? gideon didn't know of the centuries that had worn caleb down, stripping him of friends, lovers and even rivals. time had erased so many bonds in his long life, leaving behind an immortal soul with little to tether him to others. gideon knows caleb as he appears now, aloof yet reliable, the kind of person who drew people in without truing, but keeps them at the arm's length. gideon couldn't possibly fathom the weight of a life too long to measure in lifetimes. he looks down for a moment, knowing he should tell gideon, sooner of later about his secret. after all, time will pass and gideon will age, he won't and it would be unfair not to explain now that he has time. and as caleb attempts to open his mouth to respond, he feels the sudden warm more... intimate. he glances down, his brow quirking in inquiry. but beneath the surface, he feels a wave of calm settle over him. the brief and irrational worry from before, washed away by it.

his lips curl into a smirk as he leans into rafayel's touch, taking it as a challenge. he shifts slightly, his chair creaking faintly as he adjusts his posture to lean back, joining the conversation despite the subtle game being played beneath the table. "go on, gideon. tell him i make the best chicken breasts." his tone teasing as he picks up the thread of the conversation. "it's not just a bird. i told you, it's the perfectly tender meat. you won't understand until you try it." his gaze shifts lazily to gideon, as though rafayel's wandering hand isn't steadily testing the limits of his composure. but he seems normal, the confidence returning to his body as he spreads his legs on purpose, leaning into the touch. "caleb is indeed a great cook, i can't deny that. but seriously there's no chickens there either? where have you been?" gideon responds softly, blissfully unaware of whatever is happening below. caleb's arm is still wrapped around rafayel's shoulders and he decides that two can play this game. with a deliberate slowness, he starts tracing a path along the shimmering scales at the nape of rafayel's neck. his touch is light at first, almost idle, but there's a certain intimacy to the way his fingers linger. he lets his fingertips follow the pattern of the scales, each one a tactile map he's committing to memory. the textured surface draws him in, movements slow and provocative. "deep water." caleb replies back, and as rafayel's nails dig into his inner thigh, alternating between softr brushes and sharper drags, his fingers slide further along the base of rafayel's neck, tracing the edges where scale meets skin. his thumb presses lightly against a particularly smooth section, circling it with a touch that's as much as a claim as it is a challenge. his smirk grows, voice dropping just enough for rafayel to feel the intent behind his words. "then again," caleb continues, his tone mixing with a more suggestive one, "there's more to life than food. some things are harder to forget, more tempting to hold onto. don't you think?" he shifts his attention back to gideon who really seems not to notice at all the silent interplay between the two. "but you wouldn't get it! i have been months underwater eating raw fish. i miss chicken every day." caleb's fingers dip lower, brushing along the edge of rafayel's shoulder blade where the scales shift under his touch.

The Lemurian was about to join in, add onto the story with dramatic flair, when he felt a sharp pleasure down his spine. He doesn't whip his head as he would like, and the shudder of breath is covered by a hum as Gideon praises the captain's cooking, confused and curious why a Lemurian has never seen a chicken before. Before he could even answer, Caleb breathed it out for him-- the deep sea. His home, where he belongs. A place that no human could reach, a civilization that no one on land truly understood or knew about other than from myths and hearsay. Yet here was a human with his arm around his shoulder, fingertips tracing over his weakness delicately, a sensual exchange that leaves Rafayel seeing white when a thumb presses down onto tender flesh and scale, a serene smile plastered on his lips and expression calm despite how his thighs tensed, hand on the other's leg digging in as shivers threatened to wreck his body. He sighs, heavier than intended. "Well, I assume you've never seen a Liparidae on the surface. Maybe, if eight hundred years pass, we'll see sharks crawling on the seabed and sea turtles climbing trees. They say all snakes once lived in the sea." He rolls his eyes, using the motion to turn his head towards Caleb and lean his head down on his broad shoulder, a quick need for comfort when he rubs circles into his neck, heat warming his ears, chest aching as his lungs beg for mercy to breathe after the electrifying touch.

None of the conversation truly reaches his brain anymore, wanting to sob when Caleb uses a weakness that he knows brings Rafayel to his knees, his voice a deep tone that reaches straight into his core. But he takes another breath, straightens himself, and lets his hand wander further. A challenge it is, and Rafayel refused to lose one that he started. "He can breathe if he's with me. I remember it's a fairy tale in the human world as well." No one was looking anymore, everyone was too busy living their own lives and eating their lunches, and even if there were a few curious ears, what could they do? Act like a madman and call him Lemurian? "A Lemurian's kiss grants even humans the ability to breathe in the deepest sea, was it?" He chuckles, hand now cupped over the other, the thin fabric of his pants doing little when he could feel the heat radiate from under his palm. The Lemurian even thinks he has a winning chance, fingers curling to fondle him gently with sparkling eyes, wide and sweet smiles as he turns to Caleb. "You find this part of me thrilling." It's not even a question, voice a seductive whisper and he breathes out the softest whimper against his cheek when he takes his ear between his teeth, a sound for him alone, while Gideon was distracted choosing his menu.

"What's gewürztraminer wine?"

Once the waiter leaves, Rafayel is still stuck to Caleb's side, his sneaky touch now a constant tease of gentle caresses or a fondle, his palm grinding against his length while fingertips reached down to cup his sack. "I'm excited to try these new dishes. Though I do enjoy eating foods I've already tried before..." he tilts his head to one side, thumb running from the tip down to the base over his pants, the tone light enough only Caleb could tell his suggestive meaning. He turns his eyes to Gideon, his free hand taking Caleb's and pushing it off his shoulders casually with a whine that "I'm hot," as he leans forward, cutting off his teasing. "I did cook for him, so he wasn't eating only raw fish despite his claims. But I admit, most of the things in the depths are cold. I tried something hot once and realized I could get used to it." All the while, he pulls at the front lapel, lithe fingers sneaking in through them, and he rubs at the fabric searching for the slip. Once he finds it, he lifts his hand away, a damp print on his palm that's hidden to everyone but him and his lover as he bites the finger and pulls it off, shoving the glove into his pocket. "Your weather, however, is far too hot and disturbingly sticky." He reaches down again just as casually, memorized his path so that the tip slides through the already open slit easily, warm fingers meeting even warmer flesh. "What do you do when you get overheated, Gideon?" Rafayel sighs as if complaining, a whining tone in his voice as if he was getting distracted by the stuffy weather, when really he is just brimming with satisfaction as their skin finally touched without barrier, shifting in his seat to get comfortable as half his hand slithers through the small opening.

'did i misstep? did i misread him?' the questions surge from the back of his mind, twisting his thoughts. he wanted to see rafayel's desperation, to feel it radiating back at him as fiercely as his own. but he knows that sometimes he needs to be grounded and remember others are not like him. could be traces of disappointment, and the sudden intrusive thoughts messing with his confidence, making him spiral down the paths of doubt. perhaps he had gone too far, or maybe he just wasn't enough. maybe rafayel didn't want h— no.

the sharp intake of air caleb takes is nearly imperceptible, but it grounds him back to earth. he pushes himself off the doorframe, straightening his posture as his eyes followed rafayel's retreating figure down the corridor. he realizes his mind is simply messing with him, as there's no way rafayel hadn't feel it too; the heat, the hunger, the magnetism that left both of them breathless. so he clenches his jaw. refusing to let his doubts swallow him whole. but even as he descends the stairs, his pace is steady as he couldn't completely ignore the tight knot in his chest as the ache of disappointment and indirect rejection to his challenge lingers as a shadow. he believed he had baited the lemurian, but in all honestly, he hadn't prepared himself for the sting of being left wanting in return.

he shakes his head slowly, simply following the other behind without a word leaving his mind until his stride falters, just slightly as the stares start to be more noticeable. it's subtle at first, a curious glance here and there, an admiring look at rafayel. but as the whispers rise like a tide, caleb realizes he doesn't need to catch every word to understand what they are saying. admiration. desire. intrigue. all of it directed at rafayel. caleb feels his jaw tightening again, chest burning from jealousy and possessiveness. the ease with which rafayel carries himself, that graceful sway of hips as he moves through the tavern like he owned the room. it all feels like a cruel mockery of caleb's earlier turmoil. does rafayel know what he is doing? is he doing it on purpose? the though crosses his mind as his eyes narrow, fixed on the hypnotic rhythm of the lemurian's movements. the flick of purple strands against his pale skin, the way his lips, still flushed and bitten press together. caleb realizes with a sinking certainty that he knows exactly what he's doing. every tilt of his head and every glance cast towards the room seem annoyingly calculated to pull their attention. and caleb hates how it works magnificently. some poor fool even dropped their drink for seeing his precious lemurian. caleb frowns, his hands curling into fists at his sides as his nails dig into his palms as he tried—and failed—to suppress the anger boiling up within him. he notices as the other's pace quickens as he approaches gideon, so he takes a slow, measured breath to calm himself. he tries to plaster a smile on his lips, being anything but genuine, acting more of a shield than a show of confidence. so as soon as gideon is close, caleb makes his move, crossing the room with hurried steps with his gaze glued to rafayel. let them look. let them whisper. he doesn't care.

lies.

he cares. he is mad actually. he wants to break every single skull in this room.

"no. we can do whatever you want now." hm yeah— they should go back to lemuria, actually. away from all the gooners' looks. he takes another deep breath, his fingers brushing the back of the chair before he pulls it out with a smooth motion. "here. sit." he says softly, waiting for rafayel to sit down as his hand lingers longer than necessary before letting it go, taking a step back to stand behind him. he is really trying, a neutral expression on his face as he attempts really hard to mask his anger and jealousy.

though, across the table, gideon's eyes dart between them. he doesn't speak yet, but the weight of his stare is palpable. his lips press into a thin line as he leans slightly back in his chair. eyes scanning the room before settling on caleb. despite the captain's efforts to main his composure, gideon is capable to see through the façade. the tension in caleb's shoulders is subtle but telling, the way his jaw tightens exactly the same every. single. time. gideon can tell caleb is angry. "took you long enough." gideon says, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the table. so this is why he muttered sorry before. gideon is able to keep a straight face as he stares back at the lemurian. teasing? scolding? who knows. he is able to keep a straight face as he speaks. "i think your dog needs some training, rafayel. he might just decide to bite soon." incredible, how he doesn't even crack a laugh. a fully stoic expression in his face as he speaks. but caleb is able to recognize this tone in his voice. this smartass, bossy and mother-like friend is making fun of him as he always does. caleb can even see the ghost of a smirk playing on gideon's lips as he crosses his arms over his chest.

so this acts as a breaking point for caleb. lips pouting as his eyebrows frown.

"shut up, gideon."

gideon finally scoffs, a muffled chuckle as he presses his lips together again to prevent laughing too loud. "like watching a puppy trying to act like a wolf."

"remind me why i tolerate you."

For how little time they have spent together in Lemuria compared to his centuries on his plane of existence, Rafayel believes he has learned plenty of his tells. The straight and tightly locked jaw to the lips that hardened a smile on his face with force, and his eyes. The eyes were always the easiest. To see into them and the way a smile could not reach into the soul in those depths. It makes him smile a little wider, gently, as he watches the man approach him and Gideon at their chosen seat. Rafayel doesn't show a single sign of realization of the other's turmoil, simply acting like a good man who appreciatively nods with a soft thank you as he sits down in the pulled chair, feeling the heat that radiates from the hand stilled on the chair, knowing but not showing. He found it quite endearing and amusing that he couldn't play his own game. Left Rafayel wanting and frustrated, yet when the tables are turned, he throws a tantrum. He leans back in the chair, his back brushing against the fingers lingering on the chair just before it leaves, and by the time he fully sits back, it's already too late for Caleb to come back without looking too desperate.

"I admit, I haven't seen a dog before, so I can't make a comparison." The Lemurian gives a little tilt of his head, a thoughtful touch of fingers on his chin as if pondering. "Though... you're right. I can't have him biting me every time he gets impatient." His lips pout with the last word, showing off how deep the bite mark goes into his plush lower lip, dragging focus to it once again, slowly fading away as time passed and his mark healed. But he knew Caleb's eyes were on his every move, probably figured out by now how deliberate every movement was a show. Gideon would realize soon the apology had little to do with Caleb's current bad mood, and maybe more an apology in advance for Rafayel's little idea. Instead of pulling attention to it, Rafayel just chuckles softly at the banter the two shared, amused at the dynamic they had. This felt right, to see him with a friend who seemed to know him so well. After all, Caleb to him had seemed like a warm person, one with enough charisma to attract plenty to his side. So to hear he had no one left had been shocking. Here was one of the many he now knows is just the beginning of a journey of finding people he must have saved or helped without expecting any favor in return.

Rafayel hooks his ankle on a leg of Caleb's chair, arm reaching over to grab the backrest of it to pull him in with ease, his cape draping over the back, and he repositions the drape around his waist to flow over both their chairs that fit perfectly together without a seam, thighs touching and looking up at him with an amused smile. He reaches up and flicks his forehead gently, peering through thick lashes as his amusement wanes and leaves a pleading sort of look, asking for forgiveness. I'm yours. He says without words. The hand that once flicked him now lowers to rest on his knee, a warmth to ground him to the present, an intimate touch that can only be shared between them, to prove that Rafayel was still his.

"I wonder if it's simply mythical creatures that he is interested in. He was no different in my city. I've seen a few of my people professing their love to him a few times. They were offering unwavering loyalty yet, he turned them all down." He turns his attention to Gideon now, sitting across from them, still leaning back against his seat comfortably. Rafayel seems undisturbed by the stares directed at him, a small smile on his lips as he tilts his head to emphasize his words. "He seems to attract the affection of many wherever he goes. Even now, I occasionally see some look at him longingly as he helps lift heavy loads and fixes little mishaps around town." He shakes his head slightly, but his tone is light and playful, with no signs of envy or jealousy. Instead, the hand on Caleb's thigh turns warm, giving gentle pats like a reassurance. "But you don't have to worry. I won't let him die alone. I plan to live a long, fulfilling life with him." This, he was genuine. His tone is solid, unwavering as he says it, ocean blue eyes staring into the human's. A proof of his loyalty, that he was serious, and Caleb was now claimed as his in mutual respect.

Then, Rafayel's eyes crinkle in a boyish smile as he leans forward, perching an elbow on the table and resting his head in his hand as he gets closer to Gideon, voice lilting with interest. "Though, you should have seen him when he told me what he missed most on land. Can you guess?" His grin is wide, giving a dramatic pause for effect. Yet, for all his appearance seemed relaxed and unperturbed, his hidden hand did not act the same. Reassuring pats stilled, fingers spread over the top of his knee, and his thumb rubbed idly at the silken fabric of his pants, the trickle of warmth too obviously caused by his powers. "Chicken. That round, obnoxiously loud bird." He crinkles his nose, then shakes his head in exasperation, fingers dragging up the thin fabric till he's at mid-thigh, squeezing gently. "He looked so upset about not being able to eat the bird, I felt bad for him. Is this a sentiment shared by all land dwellers, or is it just him?" The Lemurian asks, creating space for Gideon to answer, leading his attention fully onto Rafayel's face, open and urging him to speak, neither his shoulders nor his arm moving even a millimeter as his fingers traveled to the inner side of Caleb's thigh, nails digging into the flesh. A tap, two taps, he lets his fingers slide up and down his inner thigh, alternating between soft featherlight brushes and nails digging painfully deep as he drags them further up, all the while his poker face is immaculate as he listens to Gideon with apt attention, nodding at the correct cues and a politely hidden chuckle when something feels funny.

     caleb freezes for a moment, his hands fastening the last strap of the boots, fingers delicately brushing against the lemurian’s ankle before dropping to his sides. slowly, he looks up when he feels rafayel’s fingers on his cheek. his eyes wide and vulnerable. and for a second, he doesn’t know what to say. there’s softness in his voice, in his touch. a type of love and affection he still not used to. “i…” his voice falters, and he clears his throat, what seems nostalgic turns into a twitched smile. “she would hit my head and complain i don’t wear it anymore now that i think about it.” he chuckles, but traces of self-deprecation are still in his voice. “i’m waaaay too far to be a prince. i’m barely—“ but he stops himself when rafayel’s thumb brushes over his freckles. he lets a loud sigh, his hands resting lightly on the other’s knees as he looks up at him. “quite the smooth talker are you, huh?” he slaps softly his thigh, standing up and tidying his own clothes. the urge of cornering him appearing again. the need to devour his lips in a silence promise that he will never self-deprecate himself again. “i will. when i’m ready. but for now, i’ll just enjoy the view.” rafayel is still in his arms, his knuckles brushing lips with desire yet not daring to make a move, simply because gideon is waiting downstairs. 

     “i don’t need to. i like my current clothes.” he replies, yet he feels his chest tightening as rafayel easily slips away from his hold. he makes it seem so effortlessly graceful it almost feels like an art form. for a second, caleb just stares, dumbfounded, his mind catching the memory of rafayel’s teasing smile from long ago.

     ‘i’m good at slipping away when i need to.’

     oh. not this time. gideon can wait. 

     his hands shoots out before he can fully escape, fingers gripping firmly around the lemurian’s waist, spinning him around and pinning him to the wall beside the door in one swift motion. the air between them thickens, charged with tension. caleb’s gaze burns into the siren’s, the hunger in his eyes leaving no room for misinterpretation, closing the distance as lips crash together in a kiss that’s all teeth and desperation, raw and consuming. his hand presses into rafayel’s hip, tilting his head just enough to deepen the kiss. it’s messy, unrestrained, pushing his body against the wall completely. a culmination of all the moments cut short since they arrived in land. and as caleb finally pulls back, his own lips swollen from the intensity of the kiss, he drags his thumb across his own lower lip, wiping away the lingering saliva as a smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth. 

“let’s go.” his voice rough but laced with amusement as he steps back, reaching for the door handle and opens the door with a casualness that feels almost out of place. he is clearly teasing, he is amused. he enjoys this playfulness as he waits for rafayel to cross the door with very slow steps. 

The tension and his gaze are too much, not when they have someone waiting for them downstairs right now. So he slips away, an easy act to do as he makes his way to the door, touching the handle with some disappointment. After all, he didn't dislike the attention or the dark way he roamed over him like he was wanted. He wanted to indulge in his touch a bit longer, interrupted from his affections before. Rafayel understands things might not be the same here... But just as the door cracks open an inch, he feels the pull on his body, warmth on his waist again. His back pinned against the wall beside the door, eyes looking up wide with surprise and panic, blood rushing to his face.

"Caleb-"

Words are swallowed up by desperate lips and teeth, eyes half-lidded as a blush creeps up to his face at the feral display of hunger that manifests in mouths crashing and teeth biting. Arms shoot up to loop around the other's back, nails digging into fabric and skin as their heads are tilted and mouths parted for a deeper kiss, clinging on as his legs stumble and he's supported by the body pressed against him and the wall behind, a hand on his hip feeling him grounded as he feels his body light and heavy all at once. The Lemurian gasps and his eyes don't close fully until the end, wanting to memorize every desperate look on the other as he devoured his lips. When he finally pulls away, Rafayel feels his lips slick and wet the same way Caleb's glistened in the dim light, buzzing and bruised from the searing kisses and bites. His cheeks stay flushed red, chest heaving as he gasps open-mouthed for air, hazy eyes peering up at the other with his own desperate need, brows downturned in a pitiful look. Even a drunken man could see the vivid desperation and plea for more, fingers tugging at his shirt begging him to give in.

But it's cold.

Like a slap to the face, the Lemurian's eyes widen in surprise when Caleb pulls away, a frustrating smirk pulling at his lips as he opens the door, bringing in a cool draft that tugs his bangs aside. Let's go. The younger male turns to stare at his walking figure, how slowly he steps out as if waiting, a predator setting a trap out for its prey to be lured, to pounce once the fish hooks onto his line so he can grab it whole. Back against the wall and his tongue licking over his stinging lips, Rafayel slowly balanced back onto his feet, mind whirring back to life from where it had shut down for pure desire and instinct. Caleb was trying to bait him, a trick that was Rafayel's own. Maybe he could find amusement in it some other time, but right now, he was left frustrated and needing, anger flashing over his face. It would be so easy to reach out, pull Caleb over to slam him against the wall he now stood against, shove him against it with inhuman strength to keep him pinned and unable to move, show him the frustration that the captain seemed eager to wring out of him.

The Lemurian rubs away the saliva over his lips and down his chin, dark eyes peering down at the floor. Static buzzes in the air, the soft scent of rain wafting through the window and open door. But it ceases as the sun peeks through the clouds, the same way his face turns into a smile with piercing eyes as he steps out of the room, closing the door behind them with a click. "As you wish, Captain." His voice is low, but gentle once again, boots clicking as he walks past Caleb in an unhurried pace, down the corridor and looking back with a curious glance that looks far too genuine, as if nothing had happened, motioning him to the stairs he starts descending first. His posture is straight but not forced, a natural grace in every step and sway of his hips as he finds his way through the building with ease. The tavern was easy to find when he could hear the noise and soft sound of Gideon's voice through the walls as he spoke to the master behind the counter. If he had a few heads turn as he walked down the stairs and corridors, now, as he opened the tavern door and peered in, one set of eyes on him caused a domino effect as they all shoved and stared, some openly while others shyly peered through their mugs and silverware. First, their attention was caught by the grand uniform, but as their eyes raked slowly up from the filled clothes to the pale face as delicate as a maiden's yet handsome as a prince, purple hair now fanning across his cheeks in light lavender under the light, a curtain of royal colors tickling a pale nape without a single blemish in sight-- that had whispers arise.

Rafayel pressed his reddened lips together as if in thought, purposefully gathering eyes to the way they were bitten not long ago. Head tilted just right, the candlelight hit his eyes and made them shine like an ocean's jewel; Deep as the seabed and bright as the glistening surface under the sun. He gives the whole room a swipe with his gaze, hearing something clatter but giving it no attention as his eyes light up, steps faster as he walks up to Gideon.

"Thank you for choosing these for me. I got to learn a lot more about him thanks to you." A genuine smile, nodding his head to show his sincerity, because for all that had happened, he was glad to learn more about his past. Then, the Lemurian leaned sideways against the tall counter, all elegant curves, an elbow perched with his head resting on the back of his curled fingers. I'm sorry, he mouths to Gideon secretly as he hears footsteps come up behind him, his other hand moving onto the counter, tapping his fingers lightly as he moves his gaze and eyes the bottles on the other side. "Shall we take a seat? Or is there somewhere else we need to go, Sunset?" He peers back at Caleb, raising a pretty brow at him in question, bringing all attention-- awe, surprise, and envy-- towards the captain.

whatsoever, it was nice gideon cold understand the circumstances, and upon seeing such scene it feels normal he wants to leave them alone in their bubble for a moment.

caleb feels how rafayel leans against him with ease, some sense of familiarity and comfort that he knows he cold bring to him. it makes his heart flutter, warms it even, because it means the lemurian feels safe whenever he is close. "they are, but so are you. so yes, you should wear it." he leaves a soft sigh as rafayel snuggles against his chest, fingertips caressing the skin of his waist softly as he listens. he doesn't speak immediately, letting the silence stretch between them, filled only by the steady rhythm of their breathing. his fingers move and trace slow, comforting patterns against his lower back. "you're stronger than you give yourself credit for." caleb murmurs as his lips brush lightly against rafayel's temple as he speaks. "it takes courage to care as deeply as you do and to also stay true to who you are." he kisses softly his temple, trying to offer reassurance. "but i'm here now. you don't have to bear the weight of it alone. i'll hold it with you, and more importantly, i'll follow and take yo anywhere you want to go." he smiles sweetly at him as he touches his face, though, at the mention of the healer, the smile turns faint. "i doubt it would be a heartwarming encounter." he has been telling the happy and funny memories they shared, but he hasn't told rafayel the complexity of their relationship. "let's say we were friends due circumstances. we had someone in the middle keeping the bond, and after she died both of us were dissociating from reality." can he even bring himself to tell rafayel how he blamed zayne on it? how he questioned his abilities for not being able to save her on time? there were situations he regretted, this one being one of those. neither of them decided to talk about it. ever. the problem was never addressed and they continued on with their expeditions, until zayne one day decided to leave with the dragon. part of him believed it was one of the reasons he left, and he couldn't blame him for it. both of them needed to move on, and being in each other's presence only made it worse. though, rafayel's remark makes him laugh softly, forgetting about the bitter memory. "oh, you just want me to show you off." he teases, feeling calmer now. "i would like to see him. i should... apologize."

as he feels the hand on his cheek, his face tilts slightly to kiss his palm softly. he nods at his question, taking a step aside and handing the shirt and pants to him as it's something he can do by himself. once the shirt is already on its place, caleb beings guiding rafayel into the outfit, starting with the ornate sash, his fongers move delicately, brushing against rafayel's as he ties it around his waist. "you know, it never crossed my mind that i would hand over my most important clothes. i've only worn this on the most special days." he mutters, though his lips curve into a fond smile. "but if it's anyone, i'm glad it's you." he adds, placing the embroidered cape on rafayel's shoulders. his fingers linger on the gold patterns as he adjusts the fit, smoothing the fabric over. "sometimes, i felt like i didn't deserve these clothes. like, they were too grand for me. but now..." he adds the finishing touches, the chains, the ornaments and the belt, only to alter step away and looking at the lemurian from head to toes. "i think it was always meant for someone like you." he kneels down, adjusting the boots and caleb lets out a chuckle. "see? now you could perfectly pass as a prince. the idea was for you to keep a low profile, but with this?" there's a grimace on his face, however his lips show a smirk as he stands up, pulling rafayel closer as his knuckles brush his lower lip. "i might get jealous of how others will look at you because of how perfect you look."

he knows it's not the moment, nor the right place. he knows gideon is downstairs waiting for them. but the urge to push him and cornering against the wall is huge right now. so he takes a deep breath, intense purple eyes looking at rafayel with his hand between them, actually holding him back from his impulses.

Eyes close as he tilts his head just right so the other's lips can brush against his temple, blinking them open with a soft look in his gaze. Affection, love, a tender feeling that warms him from the inside out at being surrounded by his arms and feeling accepted despite his wrongs, seen past the mistakes he made for the boy who clawed through everything to find peace in his life. His offer to take him anywhere makes him smile widely, eyes crinkling as he basks in the attention and buries his face into his chest once more to take in his scent. Away from the depths of the ocean and no longer tasting brine on his tongue, he smells different. Earthy, warm sunshine, a bit crisp even with the gentle breeze coming in through the windows, the smell of wood so strong and encasing them. The Lemurian rests his face in his hand when he touches him, nuzzling into his palm. "Show me your world, and I'll show you all of mine. I will light up even the darkest seas and skies so we find a path that leads us to a place we can find safety."

From his tone alone, the Lemurian knows meeting the doctor is an awkward situation. He couldn't truly understand the emotions going on within the other, but he knows at least that no matter how much he feels betrayed or angered, there is a sense of belonging and camaraderie to those you were bonded to as a child. Even if he says they had no bond when the girl had left them, they had stuck together despite the pain until the doctor had found his home in their adventures. They were what Rafayel believed was the human form of family, even if there was no blood relation to them. The doctor had moved on, and maybe, they could find something amongst what was once broken by grief. He is sure, when Caleb admits he wishes to apologize, smiling tenderly as he reaches up to give his cheek a gentle caress, a comfort for him. "Don't worry. If they bully you, I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve to make them regret it." Rafayel smirks, playful, snapping his fingers and showing a spark of flames, too small to cause harm but enough to give someone a scare.

Straightening from his position, he takes the shirt and pants, changing into them with care not to rip it. Rafayel lets Caleb maneuver him as he pleases, raising his arms and lowering his head when necessary to put all the pieces together. He watches him put it on, piece by piece in wonder, the care and soft touch he gives the fabric with nostalgia written across his face. Rafayel admires the outfit with him, each intricate pattern seeming too grand for just a simple present on a whim. The cloak was clipped and embellishments shining even with the dim light through the window. This was tailored for the other, with blessings from a girl who was now long lost. Caleb tells him he was undeserving, yet compliments him in the same sentence. It makes him frown, displeasure on his expression before he lets out a soft sigh and calms down. It wasn't something he could force, nor was he feisty enough to argue with him about it like Algie would. But... "I will wear this now, but one day, when you feel ready to accept that you were admired and loved thoroughly for who you are..." Rafayel leans down, cups his face where Caleb is kneeling before him as he adjusts his boots, rubs his thumb over his cheek where dots speckled prettily. "When you are ready to accept that in her eyes, you were the knight and prince that you see me as now in these garments, please wear them again. Every stitch was made with you in mind. How could you not be deserving?"

"I think you would look dashing in this."

A soft laugh escapes him when he mentions jealousy, the concept itself amusing to the Lemurian.

Pulled in by his strong arms and pressed close to his chest, Rafayel feels the air in his lungs subside when his knuckles brush his lips, the dark gaze now directed at him making his heart stop. It makes him want to squirm, but it also keeps him completely still in his arms, captured for him to do as he pleases. Caleb looks at him like he could devour him, a familiar look that happens when Rafayel is deliberately trying to goad him into kissing and flirting, but he had done nothing of the sort. So the admission that he's thinking of doing something reckless spikes his heart rate up ten notches. His ears burn, eyes blinking rapidly as his hands tickle with the need to grab on, a shy glance downwards.

"Yes, your friend is waiting. We should go."