Outworld Delta

           :･ﾟ ⚡┇ His heart drums to the rhythm of a rabbit’s, so quick, as blood pools into his ears, warming them in the process — as do his cheeks, faint colors rushing into them. But the kiss eases him somehow, relaxes him, like a balm upon his soul. When they come apart, Raiden leans in as he chases it, but then waits patiently, though he is not sure what to do with his hands — should he undress as well? Be undressed? He decides on the latter, unclipping the sash at his front, then the belts — lets clothes fall limp at his feet. The tattoos glow upon his shoulders, sliding downward upon his pectorals: beautiful intricate designs representing storms while his back shines with the sophisticated art of a japanese dragon curling from his lower back upward, covering the entirety of his back.

             When Varanus returns for another kiss, the shock makes Raiden shiver pleasantly, the small hairs upon his arms rising in tow. Soon his lips part tentatively, inviting the Zatteren to do the same, offering himself fully as he dares let his hands travel along Varanus’ chest, upward to his shoulders — he is beautifully crafted, perfectly, in fact, and the feel of him beneath is fingers is intoxicating, like touching a smooth marble statue.

   No matter how long Varanus has been around, he never thought that he seen everything. It was just like the first time, gazing upon Raiden bare form like priceless piece of art. Red eyes drawn to glowing tattoos that painted the thunder god muscled arms. the fingers of his left hand went up to trace over a random line, feeling the slight hum of electricity from the glowing ink. He could spend hours just tracing those beautiful tattoos, only to see it in its entirety. His only thought was to go for another kiss, wanting nothing more to get closer. 

          :･ﾟ ⚡┇ He nods — remembers. How could he forget? What comes muddy are the actions, or how they got to that point. It all feels right — yet he is horrified, terrified. Laying in bed with someone is not foreign to the demi god, and yet he finds himself frozen at the the edge of the bed. Before now, they all meant nothing, bound by politics — this is different.

            His hand is placed upon Varanus’s chest settles there — for a frozen moment Raiden does naught but look where his hand touches, where his lifeline feels the heartbeat of the Zattaren. “I suppose you are right — “, he admits — what they did last was natural, and he wants it as such now. He closes the distance between them, his eyes set where his hand rests. With his other hand he removes first his hat, then the leather headpiece, revealing silver locks drawn across his shoulders. Meticulously his fingers work next to expose Varanus’ broad chest.

             His lips find the Zatteran’s next, first hesitant, than with more gusto, his hand traveling beneath the buttoned shirt and across the expanse of his chest.

    It warmed Varanus heart to see Raiden give in, literally let his hair down. Upon seeing the long silver locks, Varanus reached up with his right hand to run his fingers through them. Just silky and soft as he remember, about as surreal as the rest of him. Just a Varanus was about to comment, his words stalled as Raiden kissed him. Humming softly as he returned the kiss eagerly, threading his hand further into Raiden locks. 

          :･ﾟ ⚡┇The Thunder God’s gaze falls into pleasant times. How they had come together in the first place is a mystery, although he is well certain Varanus had been the initiator as he currently is. The memory of their pleasure had not been cast away, leaving him sometimes rather distracted to the point Fujin had noticed and teased him about it — him, Lord Raiden, always so stoic and valiant, tripping from lack of attention, but he’d brushed it off to other things, perhaps a lack of energy — except his brother was no fool: he knew. The last time Raiden had been in this state was when his sight had settled on his champion during the second tournament….

            The kiss leaves him breathless, frozen if only for a moment where half panic settles. His heart thumps in his throat, and another bout of electricity, mild, tickling at Varanus’ fingertips, returns. But Raiden, for all his sudden itched state, manages a nod and add a mild smile. ❝I would be honored….❞ A pause and, ❝— I admit I am not — certain where to begin…❞

    The tingle of electricity was an obvious sign to Varanus that the thunder god was nervous. Honestly he was not surprised by the sudden jolts though it did bring forth more questions about Raiden ‘intimate’ life, if there was one besides himself. Another inquiry for later. 

“Do you remember what I told you last time?” Varanus kept his hold on Raiden hand and led him back inside the god’s bedchamber. The Zattarren made sure to set there cups of tea down on a nearby end table which only had vase upon it. “Just do what feels right to you.” He stopped near the edge of Raiden bed, turning to face him with his back towards the bed. “And besides whatever you did last time, you did it very well.”

𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐒 :  share five songs / pieces of music that represent your muse! repost, don’t reblog!

My Way By Frank Sinatra (Preferably the cover version by Northern Kings)

Regrets, I've had a few But then again, too few to mention I did what I had to do I saw it through, without exemption

I planned each chartered course Each careful step along the by-way And more, much more than this I did it, my way

Yes, there were times I'm sure you knew When I bit off, more than I could chew But through it all, when there was doubt I ate it up and spit it out I faced it all, and I stood tall And did it my way

Logical Song By Supertramp (Cover by At Vance)

When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful A miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical And all the birds in the trees, well they'd be singing so happily Oh joyfully, playfully watching me But then they send me away to teach me how to be sensible Logical, oh responsible, practical And they showed me a world where I could be so dependable Oh clinical, oh intellectual, cynical

There are times when all the world's asleep The questions run too deep For such a simple man Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned I know it sounds absurd Please tell me who I am

Forest By System of A Down 

Take this promise for a ride You saw the forest, now come inside You took the legend for its fall You saw the product of it all No televisions in the air No circumcisions on the chair You made the weapons for us all Just look at us now

Why can't you see that you are my child Why don't you know that you are my mind Tell everyone in the world, that I'm you Take this promise to the end of you

The Kraken By Hans Zimmer/Pirates Of the Caribbean

Moonlight Sonata By Beethoven

Tagged by: @heamatic

          :･ﾟ ⚡┇ Varanus’ description of his reaction to the heavenly letter was enough to build a slow smile from the Thunder God. Shy, just almost — most of his charisma still very much present, but overshadowed by a meekness that is uncharacteristic to Raiden. He can feel the Zattarren boring his gaze into him with eyes that are both kind if not a slight hungry — Raiden finds he did not dislike this; if anything, he secretly revels in it.

            A sip of tea, and he finally meets the General eye to eye — his sharp features, intense eyes, full lips — handsome to a tee, and Raiden finds himself captivated all over again. Is he bewitched? He does wonder, but he feels no threat or magic at his core that would not belong. ❝It was long overdue — ❞, he admits then with a nod. Months are not very long for God, and he is surprised to know Varanus has been keeping track of time between then and now.

              ❝I suppose we may have — questions that need answered, if at all possible.❞ Without realizing, his large hand falls upon the General’s — almost immediately, the undertone of an aftershock draws across Varanus’ arm, soft and not at all painful, a residual of Raiden’s magic from nervousness. ❝For what it’s worth, I did enjoy our last meeting and it has been on my mind since.❞

   “Oh there is no doubt about that.” Varanus chuckled, brows raised slightly as he takes a long sip from his cup. “I’m sure those answers will come when the time calls for it.” Red eyes quickly went towards the slight connection, feeling the slight tingle from Raiden touch go straight up his arm. A feeling that was fresh in his memory, bringing forth glimpses of that last encounter. Instinctively Varanus turned his hand, now palms to palm as his fingers wrapped around the other hand. 

          :･ﾟ ⚡┇ Raiden makes to prepare the brew, rare leaves picked by the monks, leaves only blooming once a year for three days before they become unusable from their bitterness. It all feels surreal, having Varanus here, at the temple — what’s more, in his chambers. Word of mouth have already most likely reached other monks of the General’s visit from Outworld.

            He returns to the balcony soon, both ceramic cups in hand as he offers one to his guest. The proximity is not missed, and Raiden finds himself internally stammering, turning to look at the view as well. Of course, he can fly, a bird’s eye view is nothing new, but it is in its placement that makes the scenery remarkable, akin to a one of a kind painting lacquered upon a gold threaded canvas. ❝It is indeed beautiful — ❞, he admits.

             He attempts a gaze toward Varanus, his sharp features just as beautiful, he finds, then quickly returns his attention to the scene before them. ❝It is good to see you again.❞

   The Zattarren nods with a smile as Raiden left to prepare the tea. Taking this time to gather his thoughts. Some of which are questions that could easily be answered but easily turn into more Questions that never really ends the cycle. Varanus shook his head slightly, best to keep those wondering thoughts at bay and enjoy the moment for now. 

   The smell of fresh brewed tea reached Varanus, giving him an immediate sense of calm and joy. His smile never left as Raiden approached him, handing him a cup. His fingers linger across the back of Raiden hand for a brief second before gripping the ceramic cup in his grasp. “Thank you.” Varanus said as he turns back to the balcony. Holding the cup just below his chin, he took in the scents and warmth of the tea with a pleased hum. 

          :･ﾟ ⚡┇ The Zattaren holds himself proudly, and Raiden does not miss the way he touches the side of the lion’s muzzle. He’s right to feel the energy from the statue: the marble veins hold much more than visuals, for they are the lodes of the temple, vibrating against his palm.

            ❝Indeed —❞, he responds to the inquiry of his home, and then he feels himself stiffen at the mention of his chambers, unsure of the undertone beneath it. It would not be unpleasant to feel the same sensation once more, that lust filled ambition they had shared only weeks prior. ❝I — yes — this way.❞ The corridors are long, etched with the same marble walls, statues and high ceilings. A few twists and turns, through a fragrant garden and eventually into a larger chamber.

            In description it is strangely barren, not littered with riches as many gods have done so in their deed, delving into a selfish spiral — but it is their business, not his. Pristine as the rest, there is a bed with silk sheets at its center and against the wall, unused for some time, as Raiden seldom feels the need to sleep, if ever — across from the bed rest large mirrors drawn from the floor to the ceilings reflecting their forms — and finally, a balcony leading to the majestic view of the mountainside.

            ❝I suppose it is as close to what you may expect❞, Raiden comments. ❝It is a place I come to to rest when I must be on my own without distractions.❞

   Even though it was his ‘intent’ to see Raiden bed chambers, Varanus was still surprised that the thunder god had led him straight here. Either Raiden was just oblivious by his words or he was alot more inquisitive then he led on. Then again he is the protector of Earthrealm meaning he has spent a lot of time around the humans to pick up a thing or to. 

Varanus looked around the room, seeing tall the mirrors on the wall made him believe something completely odd. Two things stood out to the zatterran like a beam of light in a dark space. One being the Bed which looked very clean and barely used. The silk sheets looked brand new as if they had just been changed. The second part was the balcony with the view. Varanus soon found himself on the the balcony, enjoying the beautiful scenery before him.

           :･ﾟ ⚡┇ The invitation had come after their time at the hot springs — an event Raiden is still wrapping his head around. It seems akin to a dream, with details sometimes muddy, visions entwined with imagination — even what lead to the event is troubled waters — yet he cannot deny he enjoyed it. It had been for pleasure rather than politics — at least, this is what he believes — and that alone had turned the tides. Yet he’d not made a mention to Fujin, not out of shame, but because he was unsure what his reaction would be. A Zattaren? It’s unheard of for a God to lay with one…

              Raiden clears his throat, his hat low above his phosphorescent eyes cast in its shadow. ❝It is thanks to the monks of the mountain that the Temple remains unmarred — for millenia now, they have serviced the Temple, repaired when needed, and cleaned when necessary.❞ Indeed, it is a sight to behold, with plants and vines cascading down marble walls veined with azure and gold reaching to arched, high ceilings.

                          ❝ — Perhaps I could offer you some tea?❞

  That much he could see, this temple was surely taken care very well. every inch he laid his eyes on was pristine. The temple was the monks home and their love for it shined brightly. A large lion statue caught Varanus attention and soon the Zattaren as standing before the marble in aww. He reached out to touch the mouth of the statue, tracing his fingers along surface of its teeth. It felt odd as if the statue was alive, radiating some type of energy from the core. Maybe he can ask more about it later. 

   “Tea sounds lovely.” Varanus said cheerfully. There was so much to discover here at the temple but he had to remember his main reason behind the visit was the tall thunder god himself. Ever since their encounter in the hot springs, one that Varanus still couldn’t believe really happened to begin with. Varanus was usually the type to question everything but after his resurrection, he been questioning less and just ‘going with the flow’ as his son Lerato would say. 

  “I have to say Raiden, the sky temple is more beautiful then I imagined it would be. I just can’t wait for you to give me the grand tour.” Varanus smiled at the tall god, nearly beaming. For centuries Varanus has heard stories and seen paintings of the infamous sky temple that he could not believe he never got to visit the place. Maybe it had to do with his old form, being Zattarren made it difficult for him to travel between realms without causing alarm. Being human did have some perks, going to places he never got venture without worry was at the top of the list.