In truth, Barty's resolve was hanging on by the thinnest thread. To have his lover draped over him like this, pressing kisses to his jaw and throat, was a treat in and of itself, so Barty was reluctant to cut the game short.

Dutifully, he notes down another number, though his certainty that it is a correct number is dwindling with each second.

Barty's quiet after his declaration, letting Kyran ponder his words and what they mean for him. After all, Kyran is right - Barty's feelings are unchanging. Perpetually.

He just wishes his lover were a little kinder to himself in circumstances he can no longer change.

"don't look," she said quietly. if memento were able to block the man's view without disturbing her work, she would. it was ugly work, stitching up skin. did no good for anyone to look at what was being done to them. all she could do was work quickly.

his insistence that he heal himself gave them pause—but only for half a moment. he may be right, but they feared how he would react if told why. but then again, what other choice do they have?

@starlyht / from here.

there is nothing that they can do about the mirthful amusement that trickles across the brightness of their gaze, but they mask it with a head turn- their stare fixated on something INSIGNIFICANT that exists in the distance, a pensive hum seeping from the seam of their mouth. the parasite is a DANGER, that is for certain, but thus far since awakening upon the nautiloid, ulysses has found themselves to be of a much more immediate concern. they, of course, hesitate to openly state these thoughts.

🔥 @starlyht said: "i've got you, okay? everything's going to be fine." kyran

this battle was particularly fierce compared to the others they'd faced—innocents consumed by the shadow curse, not just puppets of the darkness. the goblin camp felt easy in comparison. the adrenaline of battle shifted, replaced by the pure instinct of survival, when a sharp pain pierced karma's side. her golden eyes widened as the pain registered. it was caused by a blade. she fought until she couldn't anymore.

a sharp breath in, and karma dragged herself to the empty corner of the abandoned shed, her body refusing to obey. she sank to the ground with a heavy thud, her hands shaking as she reached for a healing potion. after sipping it, karma realized it wasn't enough. the battle had been short, but her fading consciousness only registered in fragments—like a flame flickering in and out—until she heard his voice.

"are you telling me that or yourself?" a weak smile tugged at her lips, an attempt to ease the tension that hung in the air, even if just for a moment. a painful cough followed, a groan slipping past her lips as she fought to stay conscious. she couldn’t fully grasp her surroundings, unsure if they’d made it to the harper’s sanctuary—last light—or if she was still caught in the haze of battle.

in their current position, there is very little laurien won't do to keep sol'rys exactly where he is. the weight of him in his lap, grinding against his already aching cock, has his cheeks tinged with rose and his eyes dark with want. however, the instant his hand ventures lower and that voice prompts goosebumps along his skin, laurien's mind pivots sharply.

He'd been having such a nice time, too, savouring their little traipse through the woods. There haven't been a lot of things recently that Kai has actually enjoyed. Next thing he knows he's being whipped in the face. By some foliage.

He stares at Kyran as the paladin laughs right in his face ( rude ) , blank-faced and stern. He crosses his arms and sighs. Annoyed.

❝ Apology not accepted, ❞ he huffs, shaking his hair out of his face. There's an ache on his cheek where the branch slashed skin. It's really not that bad.

The offer takes him a bit by surprise, but he's not one to turn down help when it's offered. ❝ That would be a good start. ❞

she'd been trying to be nice, for once. which, well. considering how difficult her relationship with sol has become was really saying something. but he took a blow meant for her. and, as frustrating as it is, she isn't sure she would be faring as well as he is ( not that he is fine by any means, but she would be lucky if she were still conscious in his place ) . which is potentially even more frustrating, but it's true, hate it as she does.

and so she closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and reminds herself that they need each other. but then she sees a flash of claws, curved and sharp and impossibly long, on the inside of her eyelids. the claws are coated in a deep, shimmering crimson that drips from them in thick globs. her eyes open once again with a catch in her breath.

still, she returns the gloom stalker's scowl with one of her own, refusing to remove her hand from where she is currently staunching the flow of his blood. he took a blow for her. she doesn't quite understand why, but she's grateful for it nonetheless. along with the frustration of said gratefulness, of course.

❝ unless that wound was to your head and i didn't notice, you'll see that i'm already bothering. ❞ ren huffs, annoyance peaking because she just knows that sol is going to be a nightmare to deal with. he is not going to let her help him, is he?

she does not want to meet his eye, her own gaze focusing on his injuries in case his were to move back to her. her brows furrow and she practically glares at her own hand, dripping with his blood. she tries to steer him back to sit on a nearby rock.