𝕿𝖜𝖎𝖈𝖊 𝕭𝖗𝖔𝖐𝖊𝖓

PUCK   REMEMBERED   THE   EXISTENCE     of  poison  only  after  Kayn  brought  the  tea  cup  to  his  lips.  Perhaps  that  was  what  he  should  have  promised  not  to  give,  but  Kayn  was  either  equally  as  foolish  or  he  simply  did  not  care.  Bhaal's  Chosen  understood  the  latter  more  than  most.  That  flippant  attitude  towards  self-preservation  was  like  breathing  to  him.

The  same  could  be  said  of  the  paladin's  exhaustion.  That  bone-tired posture,  the glassy  stare.  Puck  knew  it  well  ;  he  could  see  it  in  the  mirror,  but  only  when  his  Father's  eyes  were  closed.

In  any  case,  the  tea  was  not  poisoned,  &  Kayn's  carelessness  would  not  kill  him  tonight.  That  would  have  been  boring.  Besides,  Puck  had  poured  a  third  cup  of  tea  for  the  phantom  that  sat  opposite  himself.  It  would  be  rude  to  poison  his  twin,  even  if  they  were  already  dead.

“  Hm,  or  maybe  it  is  my  undeniable  charm  that  draws  you  in,  ”  he  teased.  There  was  nothing  charming  about  him  at  all.

Maybe  there  had  been,  once  upon  a  time,  but  that  boy  was  long  dead.  He  might  not  have  ever  existed  in  the  first  place.  Puck  would  claim  that  he  died  when  his  twin  did,  but  that  was  such  a  blatant  lie  that  even  he  could  not  delude  himself  about  it.  If  that  boy  was  real,  he  died  in  a  fire,  hands  around  their  fragile  neck.  Whoever  Iago  managed  to  snap  out  of  that  initial  bloodthirsty  haze,  he  was  merely  a  ghost  of  their  brother.  A  husk.

Now  they  were  both  ghosts.

Puck's  eyes  flicked  up  to  the  empty  sky,  too.  “  The  fact  that  you  can  acknowledge  that  means  there  is  at  least  some  part  of  you  still  in  there.  ”

He  looked  back  at  Kayn,  voice  softening.  “  Proves  you  exist.  In  a  way,  I  envy  that  about  you.  I  suppose  that  may  sound  strange, though.  ”

Kayn  wouldn't  deny  that  this  conversation  was  an  odd  one.  The  firstborn  son  of  the  head  of  Evereska's  military  might  speaking  so  candidly  with  Bhaal's  chosen.  They  made  a  queer  pair,  but  war  made  for  odd  benfellows.  Being  so  close  to  death  should  have  made  his  heart  race,  his  skin  crawl,  but  he,  foolishly,  found  it  hard  to  see  the  child  of  murder  as  the  threat  he  was.  It  could  be  the  death  of  him,  but...did  they  really  stand  a  chance  against  the  elder  brain  anyway?

"Right,  your  charming  personality."  Kayn  breathed  out,  giving  Puck  a  weak  chuckle.  Though,  in  reality,  it  actually  was.  The  way  they'd  come  back  to  camp  and  he'd  be  sitting  having  tea  with  Yenna  or  seeing  him  so  casually  betray  his  allies  for  some  twisted  form  of  entertainment.  It  made  Puck  feel  like  less  of  an  enemy.  He  felt  real  to  him.

If  it  came  down  to  it,  of  course,  Kayn  would  fight  him,  but  he  wouldn't  enjoy  it.  The  paladin  hoped  it  wouldn't  come  to  that.  He  would  try  to  convince  Puck  to  join  them  before  he'd  ever  raise  a  blade  to  the  Bhaalspawn.  Kayn  knew  his  sentimentality  could  get  him  killed.  He  was  fully  aware  this  fondness  for  the  child  of  murder  was  the  stupidest  thing  he  could  possibly  have,  but...he  didn't  wish  to  hold  such  hatred  in  his  heart  for  him;  he  couldn't.  The  feeling  was  past  the  point  of  rationality,  but  he  didn't  have  it  in  him  to  fight  it  anymore.

Leaning  forward,  Kayn  placed  the  teacup  on  the  table  before  he  leaned  back  against  the  wall.  "I  don't  know..."  Kayn  sighed,  his  gaze  firmly  set  just  above  Puck's  own.  He  had  already  made  the  mistake  of  looking  him  in  the  eye  twice,  and  he  did  not  plan  on  doing  that  again.

"I  still  have  my  name."  The  paladin  joked,  rubbing  at  the  back  of  his  neck,  "But  beyond  that,  my  oath  is  gone,  I've  killed  so  many  people  not  caring  if  they  were  innocents  or  could  be  redeemed,  and  then  there's  that  thing...redemption.  Who  even  makes  the  bloody  rules  for  that  anyway?  What  can  someone  even  do  to  be  redeemed?  Is  it  forgiveness?  Something  to  soothe  the  soul  and  numb  the  mind  to  the  abject  horrors  you've  committed  as  a  part  of  some  grand  crusade.  If  we're  all  forced  to  walk  this  path  of  ruin...I  suppose  we'll  seek  out  whatever  helps  us  rest,  if  anything  can,  anyway..."

Trying my hand at some actions here! Let's have some tender moments, huh? Some of these could be construed as a little... risqué. Add reverse to flip sender and receiver!

[trail] for sender to run their fingertip along receiver's jaw.

[tilt] for sender to gently tilt receiver's chin up.

[tuck] for sender to tuck a strand of hair behind receiver's ear.

[cup] for sender to cup receiver's cheek.

[drift] for sender to let their hand trail from receiver's shoulder to their lower back.

[hold] for sender to slide their hand into receiver's.

[thumb] for sender to wipe away receiver's tear with their thumb.

[scratch] for sender to slowly run their fingernail down receiver's spine.

[trace] for sender to run their fingertips over the bones in receiver's hand.

[grip] for sender to wrap an arm around receiver's waist.

[nuzzle] for sender to tuck their face into the crook of receiver's neck.

[breathe] for sender to trail a thumb over receiver's lower lip.

[rest] for sender to trail a thumb over receiver's eyelids.

[whisper] for sender to trail a fingertip down over receiver's neck.

        𝑭𝑳𝑼𝑭𝑭𝒀  𝑫𝑶  𝑺𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑵𝑪𝑬  𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑹𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑺

        @oathwaivered  :  ❛   do  you  mind  if  i  sit  with  you?   ❜

PUCK'S EXPRESSION BETRAYS HIS SURPRISE ,  eyebrows  lifted  &  mouth  parted.  There  was  neither  hatred  nor  reverence  that  he  could  detect  in  Kayn's  tone  --  only  a  sincere  request.  Puck  has  not  been  asked  something  so  simple  in  what  feels  like  a  lifetime.

       “  Not  at  all.  Please,  join  me.  ” He  gestures  to  the  chair  next  to  him.  There  is  a  tea  pot  in  the  center  of  the  table,  little  cups  set  up  around  the  edges.

       “  Don't  worry.  I  won't  serve  you  any, ah ...  FINGER  foods.  ”

Puck  grins  at  his  own  joke,  rising  from  his  seat  just  enough  to  pour  himself  more  tea. He does not ask before filling Kayn's cup, too.

       “  You  know,  I  would  have  assumed  it  would  be  you  that  minded  sitting  beside  me.  Something  dreadful  must  have  happened.  What  horrors  have  you  witnessed  to  make  my  company  worth  seeking,  sweet  paladin  ?   ”

Puck  had  been  following  their  party  for  quite  some  time.  Honestly,  after  a  while,  the  paladin  hardly  noticed  his  presence  at  all.  He  knew  it  was  dangerous,  of  course,  allowing  the  child  of  Bhaal  to  be  in  their  camp,  but  at  this  point,  his  presence  felt  almost  normal  to  Kayn.  Of  course,  it  was  stupid,  bordering  on  suicidal,  to  allow  their  guards  down  around  him,  but...what  more  did  he  have  to  lose?

"Thank  you."  The  paladin  muttered,  his  body  war-torn  and  heavy.  Physically,  he  was  still  healing  from  the  fight  with  Gortash,  and  mentally...well...he  was  about  to  break.  Each  time  he  closed  his  eyes,  all  he  could  see  was  Dex  and  that  incubus;  it  was  driving  him  mad.

He  had  become  reckless,  and  now  he  found  himself  bone-tired,  leaning  on  the  chosen  of  Bhaal  for  comfort.  "You  have  been  with  us  for  so  long;  maybe  you've  worn  me  down."  Or  maybe  it  was  the  whole  journey  that  had  done  that.

Kayn  yawned,  rubbing  at  one  of  his  eyes  before  he  leaned  in  to  pick  up  the  cup  of  tea.  Bringing  it  up  to  his  face,  Kayn  breathed  in  the  steam.  It  could  have  been  poisoned,  should  have  been,  but  Puck  didn't  strike  him  as  the  type  to  kill  in  such  a  hands-off  manner.  Perhaps  it  could  have  been  paralytic?  Kayn  didn't  know,  didn't  care.  Sitting  in  the  presence  of  what  could  be  his  death,  he  surprisingly  felt  nothing.

The  paladin  wondered  if  the  child  of  Bhaal  had  ever  felt  the  pain  of  love,  but  it  felt  like  a  stupid  question  to  ask.  Sighing  softly,  Kayn  took  a  sip  from  the  glass  before  setting  it  onto  the  table,  "What  horrors  indeed..."  Kayn  hummed,  his  head  tilting  back  to  look  up  at  the  starless  sky,  "I  think  I've  lost  every  part  of  myself  to  get  here.  I'm  not  sure  how  much  of  me  is  truly  left."

[ tug ] sender tugs receiver behind them during a tense moment

[ pull ] sender pulls receiver out of harm's way at the last second

[ tuck ] sender stares at receiver and quietly reaches up, tucking a fallen strand of hair behind receiver's ear

[ yank ] sender yanks receiver closer to them, ending up in semi-suggestive close proximity

[ steady ] sender grabs receiver's arm to steady them before they fall over

[ walk ] sender moves around receiver and walks closest to the street as they travel down the sidewalk, keeping receiver away from any potential danger in the roadway

[ untied ] sender drops to their knee and starts tying receiver's shoe for them

[ spoon ] sender lifts a spoon towards receiver's mouth, encouraging them to eat

[ trace ] sender traces receiver's lips with their thumb

[ pin ] sender pins receiver to a tucked-away spot in the shadows to avoid being caught

[ neck ] without a word, sender dips down to receiver's throat and kisses them soundly

[ handheld ] sender slips a hand behind their back and grabs receiver's fingers as they stand behind them

[ carry ] without asking, sender takes receiver's heavy bags from them and carries them

[ lock ] sender and receiver lock eyes across the room

[ drink ] sender brings receiver a drink and holds it to their lips, insisting they take a drink

[ reload ] sender reloads receiver's gun for them in the middle of a fight

[ shelter ] sender uses their body to shelter receiver from an explosion or attack

[ carry ] sender picks up receiver and carries them off the battlefield and into a safe spot before running back to the fight

[ toss ] from a secret hiding spot only receiver and sender can see as they avoid an enemy, sender silently gestures to receiver to toss them (their gun, something valuable, etc.)

[ stairs ] sender offers out a hand to help receiver ascend or descend a staircase

[ cover ] sender covers receiver's eyes so they don't witness something gruesome

[ fix ] sender comes up to receiver and fixes their collar and/or tie

[ shake ] to convince receiver not to do something, sender hastily shakes their head from a distance

[ watch ] from a distance, sender taps on their watch to show receiver they're running out of time

[ i'll go ] sender gently pushes receiver back, taking charge and insisting they will handle the dangerous task

[ reach ] through a locked gate, sender reaches for receiver's hand

[ ship ] as receiver's ship takes off from the planet, sender waves to them from the ground and watches them leave

[ protect ] after someone threatens receiver, sender rushes over and gets right in their face to protect them

[ punch ] after someone attacks receiver, sender rushes over and punches them in retaliation

[ nip ] sender playfully nips at receiver's neck

[ knuckles ] sender kisses receiver's knuckles in a polite gesture

[ squeeze ] sender gives receiver's butt a playful squeeze from behind

[ danger ] as an all-powerful receiver is about to lose control of their powers and cause massive damage, sender finds their eyes and tries to talk them down

[ goodbye ] without saying a word, sender approaches receiver and kisses them goodbye

[ wipe ] sender wipes a tear from receiver's face

[ location ] without saying anything and giving away the surprise, sender takes receiver to a secret spot

[ hold back ] sender has to hold back receiver from attacking someone

[ game ] sender lets receiver win a game they're playing

i've often wondered what it means to truly love someone. and then, i realized it's what i feel for you. it's a love that defies the limitations of the world, that remains steadfast even in the face of chaos.

even if the world lost its color, if hope faded into the night, my love for you wouldn't falter.

i don't think romance is real. i think love is real, but not romance.

romance fades. love is a different thing.

you are so lucky you weren't scheduled today.

hey, are you good?

did you get it back?

it's gone! i dropped it down a fucking drain. of all days...

today's been awful.

i'll see you at eight?

i can meet you early if you want. you don't have to be alone just to secure the spot.

don't come back here complaining.

for a very long time, i've tried to find the best way to tell you that you're the only person i've ever met with the same sense of humor as me.

okay, right off the bat, way too strong.

my feelings are strong.

i know i'm not gonna stop you.

dude, i love trivia night. it's all i have. i wake up every wednesday rock-hard thinking about trivia night.

you gotta take her somewhere else. you have to be clear about your intentions.

do you even try to flirt with her?

if she means this much to you, and i know she does, do it right.

are you serious?

you definitely didn't say fuck.

how do you know about the gun?

how many gunfights have you been in, [name]?

stop being an ass.

didn't you say you have a crazy story?

i'm saying no to being around bad, drunk singers when i just want to go home and sleep.

who's gonna sing salt-n-pepa with me?

don't let me forget, i got you something.

i might quit. i'm just not happy there.

i feel like i need to make a big change. i'm not feeling... love. i need my head in the right place to bring this to life.

i wanna write. the good, the bad, the ugly. real shit.

is that stupid?

is that all that's been bothering you?

you always go out of your way for me, and not just me, for everyone...

you said you had something for me?

why don't you come inside, and we can have a few drinks?

i know what you're trying to do.

i have never seen you act this way.

it's not your fault.

can we go, please?

i just can't sleep in my bed. i don't want to be alone.

it smells like you.

i'm sorry i was so weird earlier.

will you sleep with me?

please, i get in my head. i'll stare at the ceiling all night if i'm in here by myself.

given the circumstances... i needed this.

you kissed me!

can you lay with me?

what the fuck happened last night?

you wouldn't believe what a crazy night i had.

i seriously think she needs help.

i slept on the floor. she was freaking me out.

how am i supposed to get home then?

i want to be transparent with you abuout some things.

i know you like me, [name].

i've known you for so long, and i'm just now realizing i don't even know that much about you.

why are you giving it to me?

i love you so much. i don't think i could live without you.

i thought we were having a nice date?

you're cute when you sleep.

make a deal with me.

i am the happiest i've probably ever been.

i was waiting for you to come home.

i can get dressed and go with you.

no one on this earth will ever comprehend what it feels like to love someone as much as i love you.

can i stand outside?

do you like me?

can you tell me you love me?

i can be anything you want me to be.

i love you in every reality.

let's fuck, [name].

you wanted this, but i'm so glad you did.

you made a shitty wish, and you want to reverse it.

what the fuck is wrong with you?

i wish for a billion dollars.

why don't you love me?

you owe me that.

we can make this work baby.

PLATONIC / STRANGERS

SENDER drapes their jacket over RECEIVER'S shoulders.

SENDER signals RECEIVER with a subtle gesture.

SENDER slows their pace so RECEIVER can keep up.

SENDER whispers from just behind RECEIVER'S shoulder.

SENDER offers RECEIVER the last piece of food without comment.

SENDER sits beside RECEIVER without needing to be asked.

SENDER asks if RECEIVER made it home safe.

SENDER shares an umbrella with RECEIVER, leaning into the rain.

SENDER listens to RECEIVER without interrupting.

SENDER steals a glance when RECEIVER isn't looking.

SENDER smiles at RECEIVER without explanation.

SENDER carries RECEIVER'S bag when it gets too heavy.

SENDER passes RECEIVER a note that says ________.

SENDER nudges RECEIVER with their shoulder playfully.

SENDER reminds RECEIVER to eat.

SENDER guides RECEIVER through a crowd by the hand.

SENDER holds the door open for RECEIVER without rushing.

SENDER offers quiet RECEIVER company instead of advice.

SENDER stays with RECEIVER even when they could leave.

SENDER brushes lint from RECEIVER'S sleeve.

SENDER leans their head against RECEIVER'S shoulder.

SENDER slips something into RECEIVER'S pocket.

SENDER hides behind RECEIVER when trouble passes by.

AFFECTIONATE / ROMANTIC

SENDER tucks loose hair behind RECEIVER'S ear.

SENDER squeezes RECEIVER'S hand gently.

SENDER rests their chin on RECEIVER'S head.

SENDER kisses RECEIVER deeply.

SENDER traces idle shapes on RECEIVER'S arm.

SENDER pulls RECEIVER into a lingering hug.

SENDER presses their forehead to RECEIVER'S.

SENDER bites RECEIVER'S lower lip gently.

SENDER rubs slow circles into RECEIVER'S back.

SENDER pulls RECEIVER closer by the hips.

SENDER presses their body against RECEIVER'S.

SENDER kisses RECEIVER'S temple softly.

SENDER cradles RECEIVER'S face in both hands.

SENDER smooths a hand down RECEIVER'S hair.

SENDER interlaces their fingers with RECEIVER'S.

SENDER trails kisses down RECEIVER'S neck.

SENDER leans in just close enough to feel RECEIVER'S breath.

SENDER kisses RECEIVER slowly, unhurried.

SENDER guides RECEIVER'S hands where they want them.

SENDER murmurs praise against RECEIVER'S skin.

SENDER guides RECEIVER closer by the waist.

SENDER whispers something meant only for RECEIVER.

SENDER presses RECEIVER gently against a wall.

SENDER traces RECEIVER'S jawline with their thumb.

SENDER pulls RECEIVER into their lap.

SENDER brushes their lips against RECEIVER'S knuckles.

SENDER tilts RECEIVER'S chin up.

SENDER pulls RECEIVER back when they try to leave.

AGGRESSIVE / VIOLENT

SENDER blocks RECEIVER'S path.

SENDER crushes RECEIVER'S fingers underfoot.

SENDER shoves RECEIVER back a step.

SENDER crowds into RECEIVER'S space.

SENDER grips RECEIVER'S collar.

SENDER shoves RECEIVER against a surface.

SENDER bashes RECEIVER'S head against a wall.

SENDER steps closer when RECEIVER backs away.

SENDER shoves past RECEIVER hard.

SENDER yanks something from RECEIVER'S hands.

SENDER slams a fist beside RECEIVER'S head.

SENDER strikes RECEIVER to instigate a fight.

SENDER chokes RECEIVER until they struggle.

SENDER grabs RECEIVER'S wrist.

SENDER slams RECEIVER into the ground.

SENDER breaks RECEIVER'S nose.

SENDER drags RECEIVER across the floor.

SENDER pins RECEIVER in place.