IC INBOX

[crystallinememories]

Hello! This is Raha's phone. Sorry that I couldn't answer, but leave me a message or text me.

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[thavnairian]

We will.

[Raha's room is cozy. It's not as filled with glamour as Amal's, but it suits him just fine. He presses a few more kisses into Raha's hair, then nuzzles into his pale shoulder a little. Raha is warm and very nice. Up until now, Amal's never had a chance to hold him as long as he wanted; waking him up at the Crystal Tower had been intimate but there were lines that neither of them wanted to cross back then.

It didn't make letting go any easier.]

I didn't interrupt anything, did I? I asked for a moment, but I fear I've taken up much more of your time...

But if you don't have anything urgent, we can lay like this. I don't mind at all.

["Cuddle" unlocked.]

[crystallinememories]

No, I wasn't doing anything important.

[Studying, as always, really. This seems much more crucial to him at the moment. Though he will have to get back to work eventually...]

I'm more than happy to stay like this, for a bit. [for a while.]

[thavnairian]

Studying again? [He remembers seeing some books open.] I could help you. Not that I know anything, but... I can help quiz you, or something.

[See, he can be helpful sometimes instead of completely distracting.

But he's going to be distracting right now. He gently falls back onto the bed, taking Raha with him, and begins running his fingers through the base of Raha's braid. Despite only using one hand, he deftly undoes the tie and ribbon, and wiggles it all loose.]

I imagine it's difficult to relax with your hair bound like that.

[crystallinememories]

I may take you up on that, at some point.

[But not right now. He lays down next to Amal, his hair falling from the braid. Somehow, having his hair down makes him look even softer, and he flushes a little, but he doesn't object.

He can use words, has had to learn how over the years (both here and back in Eorzea), but he is the kind of person who speaks more with actions. He never really told Amal how much he meant to him, not with his own 'name' anyway, but his actions have always made that very clear. And here, laying next to him, it is easier to show than tell.

He reaches out, resting a hand on Amal's side and the other reaching up to touch his cheek, thumbing over it with the tips of his fingers brushing against his hair.]

[thavnairian]

[He looks so soft, and particularly inviting, but Amal is quite happy with what they're doing right now. Funny how his masks and his charms vanish in the presence of someone he loves. All of his attention is on Raha, though-- first, to make sure that he doesn't mind the hair-stroking, then because the touch is being reciprocated with fingertips so gentle he forgets to breathe for a moment.

Despite his tattoos, there aren't any scars on Amal's face to hide. His cheeks are a little soft, betraying his age; he's still in his mid twenties, after all, and bushy beards are not in his genes, elfy or otherwise. His lashes flutter and then close, lips twitching into a smile.]

Difficult to believe this is real.

[He draws his nails lightly from the nape of Raha's neck upward, following the natural part of his hair, and then back down again.]

At any moment I'll have to wake up, and then explain why I can't look at you without blushing like a smitten fool. Though I am quite smitten, and very much a fool... but a happy one.

[crystallinememories]

Is it?

[For Raha it is, a bit-- Amal is so important to so many people, he felt honored to be as much of a part of his story as he had been. But... again, he did think he had always been pretty obvious.

But that's also not really important. The important thing is they are here, together, and this gentle warm and comfort is not something he ever wants to go away. He inches a little closer, face still a bit ducked and shy, but with intention.]

I suppose that makes two of us. [Two smitten fools, with one of them leaning a little bit closer to attempt a soft kiss.]

[thavnairian]

[He could have been wearing a sign that said "I Love WoL" and Amal would have asked him why he loves architecture so much.

He opens his eyes to look at Raha again, not wanting to be away from that warm gaze for too long. Even when he was disguised, Amal could feel those eyes. They were careful, watching, protective. He was never afraid in the Exarch's company, except when he damn near died. Raha is suddenly very close, however, and Amal's heart kicks into overdrive with its obnoxious pounding... He can barely hear.]

That was very smooth, [he murmurs, and gives himself over to the kiss. It's a simple and soft brushing of lips, the first time hesitant, like a bird attempting to land. But Amal finds his courage and returns the kiss with more insistence, dark lashes fluttering as his eyes close. The hand in Raha's hair twists lightly around some strands as if to say, Don't leave me.

He's been waiting for an eternity. If this happens to be a dream, he'll cling to it as long as he can.]

[crystallinememories]

[Raha does not feel smooth, but it probably doesn't matter a they close the space, leaning into the kiss. He starts gentle, but feeling them both settle into it, deepens it a little, testing the waters and their comfort level. It feels... strangely easy.

He only pulls back when he feels like he has to, but still stays close, forehead gently touching Amal's. He's blushing again, but smiling.]

[thavnairian]

[Amal is more than comfortable, which surprises him, but maybe it's not a surprise at all. He's always trusted Raha with his whole heart. There is a quiver of uncertainty somewhere, but it has nothing to do with Raha and everything to do with Amal's own feelings of self-worth. He's almost disappointed when they break the kiss to breathe, but then his partner's gorgeous eyes fill his vision and he forgives everything instantly.]

You're wonderful, [he murmurs. He unwinds his fingers from Raha's hair with a bit of a sheepish smile. He delicately runs them over Raha's lips instead, memorizing the shape of his jawline, the soft curve of his cheek.]

Hahah... I think I could kiss you all night if you'd let me.

[crystallinememories]

[Raha smiles, relaxing even more when he sees that touch hadn't bothered Amal at all. He, of course, believes Amal when he says it's hard for him, but he's really never seen any sign of it himself...

He flushes at the compliment (he is going to need to get better at taking those), fingertips still toying gently with his hair. He pauses for a moment, a little unsure of himself, before he speaks again.] Who says I wouldn't?

[thavnairian]

[It's one thing when he knows it's coming, but quite another when it's unexpected. Lizard brain things. Still, his heart is thumping so hard in his chest he worries that Raha can hear it.]

You—

[Amal's eyes dart to the side, or Raha's side actually, and he's momentarily distracted by how much he would like to—

Ah. Right.]

You shouldn't say things like that, because then I might take you up on them. [He leans in very, very close, so their noses touch. He's practically glowing.] If it were up to me, I'd spend all night studying...

[He softly brushes his fingertip over Raha's bottom lip.] ... the way your lip dips just here, and the freckles you think no one sees on your cheeks, and...

[He leaves little fluttery kisses along Raha's jawline, only to pause where it meets his neck.]

... what it takes to make the words leap off your pages.

[crystallinememories]

[The kiss to his neck causes him to shiver, but oddly enough it seems that the physical is easier than some of the words, and it's certainly more natural than he thought it might be.

He lets his eyes close for a moment, their foreheads pressed together as they just bask in each other's warmth, and there is another warmth building in him. This is definitely more important that the next draft of his chapter--]

I could use the chance to study something new. [And he leans in for another kiss, this time a bit more sure.]