for Dorian (makingmyway)

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

(( in their soul-bonded AU, early on ))


[Life has been brighter in so many ways since that moment that he and Dorian connected, when the bond that each of them had been trying to hide was suddenly allowed to see the light, to connect with its other half. Orym is happy. Despite everything that is going on, despite the dangers and the risks, things are good. He wants nothing more than to be with the bard, to make him happy.

And the bond that was denied and suppressed for as long as it was, well, that has certainly given both of them motivation to make the most of their time.

So it's probably no surprise that the two of them have excused themselves from dinner early to retire to their room for the evening. And that Orym is currently planted in Dorian's lap -- quickly becoming one of his favorite places -- hands curled in the front of Dorian's shirt, holding the other man close as he does his best to kiss him breathless.]

Comments

[makingmyway]

[ Dorian isn't sure he entirely believes that, but lets it go for a moment. Then he glances back up to the moon. ]

I... guess you could say that.

[ He's quiet a moment after that, still looking up at Catha. But instead of returning to bed, he glances at Orym and gestures him to join him at the window instead. ]

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

[Orym slips from the covers and pads over to join Dorian, hopping up so he can perch on the windowsill, a bit closer to the bard's eyelevel. And from here he can reach up and catch the pale white white ends of Dorain's hair, twist a lock around his finger.]

Do you want to talk about it?

[Because something is clearly on his mind.]

[makingmyway]

[ Dorian breathes out slowly, the light tug of his hair as Orym plays with it sending a shiver down his spine. Still, he's quiet a moment as he tries to think of the words he wants to say. ]

...do you remember much of what it was like? When you had died?

[ He knows Orym had died once, and only for a moment. But he couldn't help asking. ]

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

I...

[Wow okay that is an unexpected question, and now his heart clenches. He knows Dorian was dead a lot longer than he had been, and he hopes that the other man is okay, being dragged back across that veil.

But right yes, that question. Orym nods faintly.]

I do... sort of life it was a dream? And maybe it was just a dream. But it was warm and bright. And Will was there.

[makingmyway]

[ He watches Orym for a moment, giving a nod of his own. ]

It... was kind of like that for me too. Some parts of it felt like a dream, passing by in a haze. Time didn't really mean anything while I was there.

[ He glances up towards Catha again, and takes a breath as he basks in the moonlight. It was now or never, but even though he knows he should have told Orym this right away, he can't help feeling nervous about it all the same.

He closes his eyes, and finally forces the words out. ]

...he was there with me too. Will.

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

[Orym's breath catches audibly at that. For all that he expected, those words are clearly not it. His heart clenches in his chest as he looks up at the genasi. He reaches out for his hand.]

Really?

[A quiet laugh that is more exhale than actual sound.]

I guess I'm not surprised. That sounds like him. [Of course Will would know who Orym's heart had found life and sanctuary with.]

What... what did he say? Do you remember?

[makingmyway]

[ He finally opens his eyes again as Orym's hand settles on his, and he glances at the halfling with a nod. ]

Yeah. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I know I should have, but...

[ As much as he could blame everything happening being the reason he didn't, the truth was he had just been nervous.

The question brings a small, wistful smile to his face, and he nods. ]

Yeah. Being around Will is probably the clearest that I remember. [ He turns his hand over to give Orym's a gentle squeeze. ] We talked about you a lot. We also got to know each other too.

[ And thinking of that made the feeling tighten in his chest a bit. ]

...Have... Have you ever heard of someone being bonded to more than one person at the same time?

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

[Orym shakes his head as he makes a point of lacing their fingers together securely.]

You don't have to apologize. You've been through a lot. We both have. It's okay to need time.

[But he can't help but lean in with curiosity clear on his eyes as Dorian speaks. His smile softens at the idea of Will and Dorian, the two men who are the greater pieces of his heart, getting to know one another. He wishes he could have seen it.

The next question is also a surprise. He takes a moment to think before nodding.] It's really rare, but yeah, I've heard of it happening before.

[makingmyway]

[ He manages a small smile as their fingers intertwine, and he gently squeezes Orym's hand once again.

Though it fades a bit as a thoughtful expression passes over his face. ]

He... didn't say it outright. But I think... I think he had hinted that we... that the three of us would have been...

[ And honestly, the thought had meant more to Dorian than he could find the words to say. A part of him had always felt guilty about his and Orym's bond, torn at the thought that their bond had only come to existence because Orym had lost Will first. Like, in a way, his own existence had been the reason Will was gone in the first place.

But if the three of them had always been meant for each other...

Was it better or worse to have a bond with someone that you hadn't known? Or to only have met them after death? Even now, he isn't sure. ]

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

[Orym's heart goes and stops in his chest for a moment as he begins to wrap his understanding around those words. There's that ache in his chest, and it hurts in the sweetest way. Because he and Dorian have always been destined for each other. He knows that. Gods he knows it. But the idea that Will was, is, always will be a part of that destiny.

Orym leans in closer, tipping forward so that he can rest his forehead against Dorian's chest.]

That we were all meant to be each other's. I... yeah. That sounds right. That sounds so right.

[It soothes some of the guilt in Orym too -- the worry that he's betraying Will's memory to be so deeply in love, so happy and fulfilled in his bond with Dorian, the concern that he's still not whole and can never be all that Dorian deserves -- and he shuts his eyes against tears that want to fall.]

You were always meant to be mine, Dorian Storm.

[makingmyway]

[ He's a bit surprised when Orym leans into him, but he wraps his arms around the halfling, needing the contact as much as wanting to provide that comfort for him too.

And he can feel tears of his own burning behind his eyes, those words sending a surge of warmth through him. ]

Y-Yeah... I've always been yours.

[ It was a bittersweet feeling, though, knowing what could have been. Still, they had this, they have now.

And that one day, they could be all be together again. ]

He... wanted me to pass on a message. That he's happy we found each other. And he's sorry that he can't be here now. But he's happy to wait to see us again.

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

[Orym is intensely grateful for those arms around him, for the safety of being held. He misses Will. Of course he does, but this makes it feel like Will is closer still, to both of them.

Those words knock the tears from him though, and he laughs, a wet sound, but no less joyful for the tears that accompany it.]

And we will see him again. All of us together. But... [He peeks back up at Dorian.] We have a life to live first, and I'm... I'm grateful to be alive, to that have, to have you.

[makingmyway]

[ Glancing down, Dorian manages a watery smile of his own. ]

So am I. I’m… I’m glad I got to meet Will, and to learn about… all of us. But I’m so grateful that you and the others brought me back. I’m so glad to be here with you.

[ Even as he says these words, though, a few tears manage to slip free, and he laughs with a hitch at the end, as he tries to wipe them away. ]

…sorry, I… I-I didn’t think it would affect me this much. I only had a moment with him. I can’t imagine what you must have gone through.

[ Even if that moment had felt like a lifetime, Orym had actually known Will his entire life. ]

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

[Orym reaches up with both hands settling at either side of Dorian's face, thumbs brushing away those tears that escaped his eyes. There's a smile on the halfling's face still, and he shakes his head.]

I wish you'd known him when he was here, but I'm so glad you've met him. That you know him now, and that he knows you.

[He leans up to press a soft, lingering kiss to Dorian's lips.]

It was... it was bad. I thought all the light had gone out of the world, for a long time. And then I met you.

[makingmyway]

[ He releases a shaky breath, leaning into Orym’s touch as the halfling brushes away the tears. ]

He was incredible. I can understand why you love him.

[ Why he still loves him, no matter how long it’s been. He understands it completely, and even before meeting Will himself he never would have asked Orym to change that.

With a faint smile, he returns the kiss while he can, reaching up one hand to rest over Orym’s against his cheek. ]

I’m glad… I’m glad I could be there for you when you needed me.

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

He was incredible.

[And now he winds one arm around Dorian's neck, a very familiar embrace because Orym enjoys the feeling of having the bard in his arms, of holding and being held. The hand beneath the bard's lingers against his cheek, enjoying the warmth of him.]

And so are you.

[His beautiful, kind, wonderful love.] My Dorian.

[makingmyway]

[ A flush colors his cheeks, but his smile brightens as his own arm wraps around Orym’s waist to hold him flush against him, enjoying the contact with his bonded. ]

All yours… [ He slips Orym a quick kiss. ] I love you.