#otabescere

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    ◆ It would be a lie to say that his companion wasn't aware of the who or the why { had ceased to question it a few mere instances prior }, when all Uta could make out here and there, were shapes and forms and the intricacies of blackened wings, greeting him yet anew. He wonders and ponders - and offers queries swiftly with all but an exhale. "Renji? I see you, stop trying to hide." A step forward and towards a display of candles unlit and forgotten on a large wooden table. Lightening them one by one the same as heartbeats chime in his ears.

     ◆ There was a chilling quiet, a softened sonance of a white rushing noise, drowning out any pain, melting it into a multitude of jarred and torn sensations by the time mind mingles and turns, slowly - slowly - far too slowly, in its endless strive to come back towards reality { while all in itself, this was nothing he even wanted to endeavour, let him rest. just let him rest }. With endless back and forth and the deeply settled, burning ache, coating and licking at his skin, muscle and tendons - still, there was the tingling sensation of a healing aspiring to soothe whatever biting bits of torment would veil his otherwise so still and unmoving physique. It's quite funny just - that this was such a peaceful feeling. Buried and hidden in the faint crashing intonation of shifting rubble, still re-adjusting, re-aligning, falling back in place for impact had been quite so severe to shift and change the outcome of what formerly was a building standing proud.

    ◆ And he laughs about it { why doesn't it stop? } in that faint, near breakable feeble chirr of trembling voice. As soon as it came, it was gone again.

    ◆ Like nothing else but a shy wind meandering further and further, reaching for him in its caressing try to find an essence of will, a desire to survive. Who would have thought? That loneliness was such a crushing, crippling burden to carry? Who would have thought, that a man like himself, was despairing with these thoughtless emotions? Just as much shifting and wandering about in his mind, like the sudden unexplainable noise-filled eruption after everything had laid so terrifyingly, so hauntingly beautiful and quiet. Not enough for his eyes to open - even thought like it was, Uta was stark aware, that he was not by himself anymore.

    ◆ [ Hey---! ] Single noise, drowned out yet once again. A fluttering breath to fill his lungs. [ Uta! Damn--- ] Something broke? Did he hear it? [ List--- I am here--- hey! ] Was it not enough? Was it not what he would want to hear? How ludicrous to see him quite like this, to watch a man of unexplainable and unimaginable powers broken and torn and like a porcelain doll unable to mend the cracks and seal the gaps. Whoever would lay eyes upon him - whoever would so truly know about what all the mask maker had hidden in the past it would explain itself as a charade of his own self. When his body had been aching and groaning, trapped still and unmoving in limp and far too still form. Healing oneself would have been such an easy task to fulfil - and healing was all blood and flesh and bones, broken and mangled, would do in deliberately setting themselves back into place.

    ◆ [ You are not alone, you know it! You were never alone! ]

    ◆ And he all but breathes when this set of words rushes through numbing mind tauntingly quaking in the back of his head { so truly dreamlike in how it wanted to mess with what little recognition of the moment had been there }. Ah, yes. Burning, the electrical surge of pain that tore him from the finely crafted body of a kakuja. Maybe he wanted it?

    ◆ ' Damnit! Wake up already. ' While sleep does elude him wholly.

    ◆ And everything that followed would come back as all but a recollection uttered by beloved lips a few hours later { fighting, fighting, they could rest up soon enough }. All had become a blur in these moments, all that had been said, desperate outcries, explanations, those hands that would wander his torn and near destroyed form { no pain at all, nothing that really would make him twitch or turn, too unbeknownst to the surrounding to try and hide from arms that - soon enough - had cradled him in strong grasp }. How delirious indeed, he could remember, when just told, that Renji tried to move them. Move them out and somewhere else, for the creatures created from a childish greed had found what was the host of far too much power and made to attack them. Wasn't it quite such a fantastical spectacle?

    ◆ That those who had been so powerful, would be unable to budge and move? And desperation, distress, pondering upon the what and the how { like a tragedy to unfurl? yes, yes just like this. the unexplainable desire to protect what he could have ripped away from life and destroyed in anger }. But never wanted to.

    ◆ And everything that happened in these few seconds---

    ◆ ---had been all but a blur.

    ◆ ' Please. ' A mind-numbing experience of a game they were not meant to play. ' Come on, I won't leave you behind. ' Louder, ever louder. A waning sensation of delight, destroying and lowering any defences his mind had built up swiftly and deliberately, now with the fine and simple cracks twisting themselves until it burst. ' Don't leave me. I love you. '

   ◆ Attackers dispersed into absolute nothingness. 

   ◆ The calm around them settling in near haunting past breaths deeply taken that Uta was able to make out. Shaking, trembling of that strong physique that finds itself so closely pressed against him. It had only taken a mere few seconds for that devastating counter-attack to fill the space and then empty it out in as if there had been nothing at all to plague their minds. So Uta guesses - and assumes - that there is still something - someone - worth living for { as much as his mind would scream at him for it to be a lie }. But was it just? When his eyes took off the brilliant shine of burning red, falling pliant and softened like the breath he took that heaved lungs and made it appear like that picture-perfect shattered puppet was all the more alive and strings severed, being left to freely walk anew.

    ◆ "Let go, Ren."

    ◆ And it is barely even palpable, spoken into the nothingness right before him when eyes focus anew and adjust with these first words ever spoken since desperate pleas had reached near deaf ears and he means it - yet tingling sensations shivering thoughts did not want it quite at all. This hold was merely a necessity, for the grip around his otherwise limb form had tightened, leaving an ache the Mask Maker decides to be quite so - pleasant.

    ◆ Laughter that follows was filled with mirth, subtle and soft and like a breeze that would travel through the opened cavity of that 'room' they had found themselves trapped inside. And even though, that he had ushered words of obvious request, arms around him wouldn't loosen from their despairing tumult felt with the shake of strained muscle felt beneath his searching fingertips. That very hand that had lifted from its unsuspicious placement onto the ground. A hidden sort of power used in leading kagune to travel through cracks and holes and pierce and destroy from below what he would not permit to lay a single touch upon him. "Ren." Once again a little softer, with his lips to travel along smooth skin of neck exposed and chasing the pulse racing and heart to beat like a drum. Heavier, harder.

    ◆ While himself was still so pliant and calm within grasp. ' ... What? Ah. ' But there was no moment to let him go anymore, all that ache and pain be damned, the sore feeling of a slow piece by piece to be placed back together - it's such a deliberate masterpiece of tranquil destruction { who would have thought? that a set of three words was all that had been needed to re-enkindle will to live? }. Alas, such a heavy outcome to a personal war. Disrupted personalities, in need to be put back into place, like small little dolls, meant to stand right next to one another { and he could have smiled about it all, and did when widened eyes do find him with questioning gaze }. ' You... I'm sorry, I... '

    ◆ Higher and higher. That touch ceasing along arms that limber themselves around his form, still cradled so close and kept in that ever-lingering warmth that could reach all but his mind and soul. ' Are you in pain... I'm... ' Stumbling words.

    ◆ "Ren."

    ◆ And so he touches that delicate and chiselled shape of face feeling near too fragile and torn from its strength and grandeur, drawling with fingertips along the fine cut of jaw in soothing a lamenting, tormented soul. Meant to turn him, to tilt that beloved one that slightest bit closer to himself in the calming and quietening motions of a lullaby. Breathing in. Breathing out { again and again and again }, and his own heartbeat such a stark difference to the one that needed to find its own setting once again. Pain, yes. How he ached with different feelings. With throbbing desires. That tender moment of nothingness all but shared between one another.

    ◆ Let the world be damned for a few seconds just.

    ◆ Let the war between their fractions rage on for a few more gusts of wind.

    ◆ He could have laughed about it again, but all he did was smile when palm does rest alongside elegant cheek and tilt him and turn him to simply kiss his parted mouth. And how that taste had been all he ever wanted. Formerly adjusted, brushed away as if never existing anymore at all. All just desired, fingertips of that beloved soul to be felt in pressing deeply into his skin.

    ◆ An open-mouthed kiss. A breath shared between one another and wanting to have more and more. But not now. Not in that unfortunate set of events that had unfurled outside, in need of eradication of a greater disaster right at this time. And he smiled still about that shocked response received to words of comfort, of worrisome feelings settling deep in his chest. Moving himself to kiss lips yet once anew, sweet and light and benign to be had. "I'm fine, Ren." Fine.

     ◆ One thing would lead to another. Would offer possibilities and opportunities, with the new one rising to be a guardian, the one that had come around to them. That would now mingle amongst them brought in by one of the King’s most trusted ones. As heard, it was the brother of the King’s choice of successor, now acting about in the garden area. The holiest of the grounds occupied by someone that exuded a feeling of stark calm and warmth. Therefore, Renji was sneaking around him, watching that slender figure in the middle of paradise, watching it engage and play with something, unable to really figure it out quite yet.

                          ‘ You should say hello to him. ‘

                                            ‘ I don’t know--- ‘

                          ‘ You might get a little gift if you do. ‘

                                             ‘ I don’t need anything, you know that. ‘

    ◆ And still, that thought would not let him go. Mingling in his mind, an opportunity to actually approach, to greet and get to know someone that seemed so elusive in their times and towards their ways. With those small little somethings toddling around him, caught and let free once more. Floating around, playing with the wind as if being nothing at all but the fine reminders of someone’s dreams and thoughts. He smiles just, that dark someone that seemed near shadowlike in his appearance sitting amongst bright colours and lights making up most of the flowers, of the water, of the sky. He smiles when a little creature of his own chirps and flutters, jumps out and behind him and in direction of their ‘guest’. Quickly being snatched by the stranger’s careful hand and lifted up, yet still { still like this }, eyes had been caught, Renji being exposed from his idle watch of such a near innocent scene unfolding.

    ◆ It chirps again. The small creature in Uta’s palms, flapping lightly those tender wings as if wanting out and let go, wanting to greet properly now that it had figured out they could play. They could find someone being their friend.

                        ‘ Just go. You want to meet him. ‘

                                            ‘ ...I don’t know. ‘

                        ‘ Don’t be like that, he will be a Guardian from now on. ‘

                                            ‘ Alright… ‘

    ◆ It only took a few seconds, a few pulses beating a little bit quicker before they were even closer, maybe half an arm-reach away { too close. too close } and the powerful man’s thoughts spiralled. How eyes widen for just a tad, as if wanting to ask something, thoughts closing in slowly upon the fact that he’s spoken to. Asked something. “May I help you~?” With how that certain someone speaks so softly and lightly. That small spirit in hands fluffs up a bit more { as if being drawn towards him }. “I think he likes you~” These sounds mean little to nothing, caught in the instances that tick away slowly in halting the clock’s hand, caught in the precious moments it takes to realise all that is going on. “Ah---”

    ◆ Say something - mind urges gradually - to finally break that moment of softened enchantment and unravel itself. “---he’s adorable.” And such smile grows a bit wider. Brilliant and light, as if being quite so delighted upon the prospect, upon the small compliment. “You can take him, if you like.” There’s no need to be shy, for how coy of a behaviour one of their own in highest ranks could display in front of something that captivated him so wholly { like nothing had done in thousands of years }. So careful hands do reach out, take the soft and light creature in palms to hold close, to hear the noises and see how happy, how truly content such a small being could be.

    ◆ How odd, perhaps, that it felt like this small bird-like ball of fluff would belong to him?

    ◆ “He’s a small raven.”

    ◆ Such it barely looked. Round and feathery. Weighing less than a single one of those Renji strokes idly with gentle fingers. “What… is he?” An odd small creation. “I call it a ‘guide’. They are made to lead you around obstacles and hardships.” How odd - indeed. He’s lifting it up, gleeful chirp erupting before small wings move and flutter, trying to pry itself off and settle down on broad shoulder, all to be watched and followed with those dark eyes and their velvety feel. What had striken Renji more? The stark softness of someone quite so captivating? Or the small spirit now being ready to find adoration? To offer it so surely in return?

    ◆ He felt like a suddenly lovestruck fool. It had taken less than a minute to find himself so sunken into this very moment, while his hand would reach up and stroke the subtle recognition of small feathers beneath searching fingertips. Absentmindedly only being able to stare. No thoughts delivered past these very few ones in awe-filled eyes. He couldn’t help but see the laugh, a faint rouging of cheeks following swiftly in return when he recognises perfect observation. When his captivated moment of realisation shakes itself just as much out as the small guide would nearly tumble down from its comfortable seat. Noise of surprise raises itself, still being caught securely in one palm.

    ◆ “Ah, sorry for that.”

    ◆ How naturally did it not come? To treat such a small creation as nothing short of a precious gem, for him to keep and care for. And all the creator himself could do? Was smile and laugh, having the taller being, the more powerful one, just turn away with blush still aptly present on his cheeks. He knows { don’t they both? } that this was only a beginning.

    ◆ Until the sound of the door unlocking with the noise of a key turning in the lock, and same way faint click of the creaking cover would stir the creator out of thoughts. Staring towards passageway from the corridor to the living room. Rising to a stand near automatically { taking a breath, blinking with eyes that had been glued to the clock-face } and wandering the few steps to take in a form he had so sorely - so painfully - missed.

    ◆ Yes, indeed, Uta had been able to visit once or twice.

    ◆ But never long enough.

          Supposing that this particular one would not search for the Reaper himself, but for his absent partner, was not far-fetched. Still, he rises to simply greet and invite, for it wouldn't be too long until Take returns. "Welcome." When the sliding doors open just to let air and sun inside. He's peculiar in own ways of appearance now: clad in comfortable clothing, covered in paint splatters here and there?

     ◆ Soft. All their movements pliant and light. Unplanned, unintended { while intending them wholly the same time }. Shifting and changing the moment one would place hand upon the other; would direct and move and all but plead for another small grace placed upon tender skin. He knew what this was all about. The growing sense of something irreversible { and how desperately would he want to keep it in his palm }. He had been coaxed. Lured just for a bit. With that devilish little smile, he didn’t know his lover had been able to show. It was enough to make him follow, to breathe easily in evening’s relaxation, the softened drive of the wind through opened windows, cracking of them to let freshness inside { it tingled just enough on his skin }.

    ◆ He could have laughed about it all. About how that perilous, crashing fight of theirs had let to a place of ruinous abandon { truly desired and cherished, the very memory of that day still burned into his mind }. They were there for one another. Only for one another. All world around them damned and forlorn and truly forgotten for those heartbeats to be shared. Those very ones he would want to taste, dragging teeth over exposed skin and muscle, lapping up each heartbeat drop by drop.

    ◆ They truly were adults now.

    ◆ Seated so unmovingly, all but the tilt of the head. Exposed collarbones barely visible in the dark of the evening’s set { all but for himself, the fine shine and shape mapping itself out beautifully. lifting up of chest with each inhale taken in anticipation }. Could have gotten lost in it, now couldn’t he? An art of its own shown before the creator’s very eyes and how this revelation { that these finely crafted nuances would become a piece of his own mind } was enough to enlighten thoughtfully set masquerade with the most telling of smiles.

    ◆ “What now~? Too shy to really come closer~?”

    ◆ Waning - Wavering: it were words settled in his mind, spoken playfully by lover’s behest, that could be ridiculed with a laughter resounding around them that dies out the second it was meant to come to reverberate and embellish their lives. Sauntering steps as if needing that very push, thoughtfully placed one - after the other - right in front of one another. It nearly appeared like a predator on the prowl. Circling its prey thoughtfully, waiting for the right moment to strike - the moment just, when the Raven’s hand would lift from thoughtful cradle around own chin and travel over the exposed planes of own skin. Slowly, slowly a little bit lower { ’ make it a show for me to want to follow. make it a sight I will never forget ’ } before hooking index-finger into the pure and stark white of a shirt still tightly clinging to broad chest.

    ◆ Except for these tempting loose ends. Those that easily fold beneath fingertips. Those that tell another story. Another set of realisations chiming out in the upcoming night { ’ you wanted it. I promised it. ’ }. Who would have thought, that this very assurance could be set in motion mere weeks after their private war - after the war of powers meant to be forgotten - would finally allow a thoughtful peace? Who would have thought, that all these words spoken in the languorous deliberation of uproaring minds, was something he would find himself so truly and easily granted?

    ◆ And suddenly they are sure so close. When he urges his beloved to uncross legs, part them slightly so that he would be comfortably placed upon lap. Long arms would wind around shoulders, hooking into one another behind the taller man’s neck, one slightly bent { near noiseless was it past the exhale of expectation he feels and tastes drawn between the diminishing distance between them } so that fingers could travel through unruly hair. Move it, push it away for a bit. The very same digits drawn to a slow exploration along the arch of neck and the crown of spine. It’s all his, so he had been told { ’ if you want to eat me— ’ }. All his. This voice of dark depth and silken feel had teased and taunted in endless nights before.

    ◆ And he would mark him, even more, as his own to behold. Stretching and flexing for a bit, knowing just well enough that those attentive eyes would never leave the slight bents and shifts that own toned form does show in well-rehearsed attitude { would be chided for it even later. making sure that the Mask Maker falls upon his own arrogance }. Their engagement was a surprisingly simple one. Pure and near unadulterated in its riveting candour.

    ◆ He already feels a retaliation with those strong arms that would wrap around his waist. Hand left off of in its spiel and guiding that bit closer who had been desired so many years. Days to turn into weeks. Weeks into months. Months into an eternity, broken and shattered, by the moment’s taken realisations—

    ◆ “Close enough~?”

    ◆ Breaths tasted and mingling with one another. An exhale given for an inhale. As if this was a meal for someone starving for the offerings of heaven in the eyes of brilliant colour, so light and truly warm, closing slowly when only Uta decided to tease him with the wisp of a kiss. That very contact that pulls the ravenous sounds of a growl from the back of his partner’s throat while hold simultaneously tightened and pulls the smaller form flush against muscular physique. It’s a game they could play for hours to come.

    ◆ If not for that very promise. A step towards commitment finally fulfilled. “No.” Stroked in soothing motions in the seconds Renji’s tongue would trace the artist’s lips. He had been invited. Had been contracted. Encouraging with each scudded pulse’s beat, while he wanders down the hidden bluebird vein beneath soft skin. Chases each heartbeat, helping himself along with the movements of his hands that tilt and turn just for a little bit that lovingly cradled head in his hold. “Greedy.” He’s low enough to speak into the crook of neck. To lick up a tremble with a hitched breath, pleading and begging for more to be had.

    ◆ He’s low enough now to need and arch own back. To constantly, yet surely gently, push Renji back against the soft padding occupied for their little engagement. Their game that they played with rules that were far beyond their former selves. With ‘laws’ of their world - set up as protagonists of their time. He could have heard himself laugh once again { if not finding far more beauty in quavering chime }. “Closer.” That demand, that would be his order. Heeding it just when he peels off the fabric, peels it back just a bit more.

    ◆ A story to be told. A story of war. Of fight. Of finding and understanding. The easy togetherness that they fought for - it all was engraved and would be traced by his lips marching abroad. “Now don’t pull away, that would be cruel of you~” For he had been promised so much. When finally accepting himself into the life of others { into the life of the very one he wanted so direly for uncountable years, mind-numbing to even consider }, engaging, indulging and never letting go again. So he wouldn’t. That kiss placed on now exposed part of shoulder, the junction flowing slowly from neck into upper arm.

    ◆ Being like that. It was sure such an intimate way to trust one another. That bit taken, a bite placed. Slowly breaking the skin and make it sure as bearable as only possible, with the breath he feels to be exhaled beneath his caressing hand, placed securely and soothingly over beating heart. A palm, warm and reassuring, soon rose to cover it, hold onto the creator that littlest bit tighter, ask him for that smallest bit more. It would only take those few deliberate and desperate seconds. Would only take it for a margin of their pulses drunken in when Uta allows himself { in the remarkable control with eyes closed for a bit } to get lost to the flooding sensation of something new.

    ◆ It didn’t take longer than this breath. A love-bite. Surely. Not too deep; but for their kind and for what he was? Desperation running wild in colourful imagination, feeling and perceiving far too much - but soon, he had been greeted by a laughter of something else, that was deep and melodic, enough to draw him out of heated delirium. With those few mouthful taken { one, then two - only the embellishing scent of coppery red } before feeling seething physique grasped for and pulled, only letting off and soothing torn and opened skin with the soft travel of his tongue. Instances later, finally a kiss would align their lips. Soon open-mouthed and wanting. Wild in how they desired each other so whole. That taste now shared, the metallic sensation of those quenching rivulets of blood drawn and running down his throat, playing on his tongue, he feels himself being pulled back into his lover’s lap, all hands and teeth and tongue. Avaricious, wanting and holding. It’s frantic for only a few seconds they needed to share—

    ◆ —and for as long as it took for them to run out of breath. Laughter was such a regular thing between them by now. Barely being able to find that common ground before and now not even knowing, not being able to perceive, recognize anymore how it had been without it. “You sure are the greedy one~” It’s whispered in these precious ticks of the clock, fine brazen taste lingering upon lips parted for the intake of a breath. He could have responded something equally as challenging and would challenge more easily with the glowing warmth of sharp and beautiful eyes.

    ◆ It’s an act as intimate as it was full of trust cradled in palms like the fabric that was set to a gentle tear beneath his curling fingers. Slowly, slowly. Only the seams would come undone before letting them go easily once more. “You wanted me—” Stops it and eases itself out within that very confession made for them both { wanted him to, wanted him whole, it’s simple enough to fall from lips that never had the time, never had had the chance to be allowed to find openness in each other }. “—I wanted you.” Like a dance. Bodies of equal pulchritude entangled into one another made whole for a few tempting tunes chiming only inside their minds.

    ◆ For the surrounding was a stark and haunting quiet.

    ◆ Only broken by breaths taken and exhaled yet once anew { ’ give it to me. I want your all. if you want me too? then make me whole again ’ }. Their pealing voices singing out in each other’s mind, only to be projected, found and reassembled. A perfect puzzle, falling into place bit by bit.

    ◆ So the Mask Maker makes him move yet once again. Lean back and get more comfortable and allow his lover to limber in his hold and release Uta once anew. A curious hum is all that is received with angling his head to lay back against soft padding beneath and close eyes that wanted see { see and take it all in, find the beauty in searching darkness that he hadn’t been permit to hold before }. Let and allowed to chase along these little marks left behind on the otherwise unscathed skin. The deepest cuts and bitten places were healed already. Made pure and clean. But his very stigma { that promise that ached so deeply in his soul } would be visible for unknown time to come.

    ◆ Careful just. Map it out with a light exploration. Traipsing way along the edges, finely mend beneath his seeking need. A craft. An artwork unimaginable. Created in seconds wished to come by yet once again. A kiss was there to seal off their little engagement { meaning the world to one another. creating a new one, where all else be left out and left to never understand }, featherlight touch to grace what had surely brought the sting of heating pain before. Sure enough - the marriage between ghouls? 

    ◆ Was so obviously a thing of purity.

    ◆ Of trust. Of faith. An intimate encounter unimaginable for the dawn of human minds. “So you did. Just like I wanted you too.”