#ccnfessional

memes, accepting

august recalls a verse from the book of psalms. (the lord will keep you from all harm. he will watch over your life. the lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.)

his copper eyes drift toward stained glass window. rays of light streak yellow into church pew like arms. the boy thinks about that precious, holy sunlight embracing him, guarding him.

he weeps and hides his face within his little hands.

memes, accepting

father joe advised they drop into the eatery. we’ll warm up with hot chocolate. august couldn’t say no. the joint chugs along like a dawdling train. sleepy-eyed waitresses writing orders. customer with his cap brim yanked over his eyes. his buddy stealthily forks hash browns off his plate.

august holds his cocoa. (nearly gone save for dollop of white froth at mug bottom.) his gaze snaps to the priest. “ father, ” shy, apologetic. “ ain’t you got more important stuff to do? feels like i’m takin’ away your time. ”

He pauses the action of lifting his mug to his lips. It was all a very sudden admission. But, Clark supposes, most heavy burdens end up falling from someone's shoulders like that-—suddenly and at strange times.

He sets the mug down and laces his hands together, looks onto the holy man with a neutral but hardly cold gaze. ❝ If that is what you had wanted, I am sorry for your loss. But, you can make due with the life you have now. ❞ having to adapt wasn't a kind process, but it was doable. Humans at least had that going for them, the ability to adapt if need be.

@ccnfessional ASKED: "sorry .  didn’t mean to make you feel weird ."

He craved something to occupy his hands, a warm mug to hold and focus on. Something to just...distract from how painfully awkward this all was. ❝ It's fine, really. ❞ he insisted, picked at the cuff of one of my sleeves.

❝ I put myself in this situation, if you'll recall. I knew you were a priest all along and I still pursued the interactions. You were going to find out about me eventually. I knew that as well. ❞ he shrugs.

If the fight had been two-sided, Nikolai would probably have just stayed out of it. He didn't make a habit of stepping into things that weren't his business, particularly if it was something no one would really benefit from.

But... Yeah, that was a priest. So Nikolai stepped in, because his mother would never forgive him if he didn't, and he didn't like seeing innocent people getting bullied, and. And he was a priest, and honestly didn't look like he'd come out the other side of the scuffle well without assistance.

It was easy to put the main attacker on the ground. And they clearly hadn't been expecting trouble. A fair fight. Nikolai only spared their retreating forms a few moments of surveying—ensuring that they really were running off—with an unimpressed stare before turning his attention to his rescuee.

“Some people do not have manners.”

Nikolai quickly took in the man's appearance—tousled, but not bloody, it seemed—but kept out of arm's reach, a respectful distance away.

He frowned at the thanks. “You do not need to thank me.” But he did nod after a beat in acknowledgement.

Send my muse a 😏 to walk in on them touching themselves and I’ll write my muse’s reaction. | not accepting @ccnfessional

SEND “🔥?” AND MY MUSE WILL ADMIT WHETHER THEY FIND YOUR MUSE ATTRACTIVE OR NOT.

He looks somewhat uncomfortable, suspicious even. ❝ I don't feel inclined to tell you anything. ❞ he crosses his arms stubbornly, glances elsewhere. ❝ I'm not sure I'd tell him if he himself asked. ❞

Clark stared off for a few beats before exhaling with a huff. ❝ It'd be a bit cliché for me to say YES, no? The unholy thing finding a man of God attractive in any capacity. ❞ his shoulders bunch, his face scrunches some. ❝ He's...fine. I think I find the dedication attractive more than anything. That stubborn commitment. Lord truly help him if he knew that, though and knew from what such an opinion came from. I don't know if the poor man's heart could take it. ❞