for Dorian (makingmyway)

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

(( continuation of this au ))





[It has been a hell of a night. This isn't exactly unusual, really. Orym realizes he's lucky enough to have a roof over his head given the debt that he owes, and if he doesn't work, that debt won't pay off itself. But he's still ready to call it a night and deal with the repercussions of that come tomorrow.

His last client had been... unkind. He has a reputation for being able to handle himself, despite his size, so it's not a surprise that he winds up with clients who have a taste for rough. And he can handle himself, but that doesn't mean he isn't sore and exhausted and worn down by it.

There's a large bruise in the shape of a hand at his throat, that he has tried to hide with a collar of ivy and flowers, bitemarks and other assorted bruises that are only mostly hidden by the scant clothing that he's currently wearing. He had to come out long enough to be on stage or he might have stayed in his room after the man left. But dancing is fine; he likes the dancing. He can fall into the music, into the feeling of letting his body move to the rhythm, let the rest of his thoughts fall away. It reminds him of combat in a way, and there's some familiarity in that.

But dancing done, he hops down from the stage and looks around, very ready to stealth off, when a flash of blue stops him in his tracks. Is that..? Did he actually come back?]

Comments

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

[Orym can't read the expression on Dorian's face, and it worries him. He starts to speak again but the other man is leaning close and Orym relaxes at the kiss. Then it'll be all right.

He's not expecting the cool, soothing wash of magic that flows through him, over his skin, coaxing bruises and aches into dissolving into nothing. His breath catching at the realization of what Dorian is doing.]

Dorian... [A soft murmur of his name. He didn't have to do that. They were bruises, and they would have healed with time but somehow the realization that the other man did this for him, used his magic for him...

He winds his arms around Dorian's neck and kisses him again.] Thank you.

[makingmyway]

[ The arms around his neck surprises him a little, but he smiles as he finally settles to lie down besides Orym, resting an arm over the halfling’s waist as he returns the kiss. ]

You’re welcome. You took such good care of me last time, so I just…I wanted to do something for you this time.

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

[Orym seems to go utterly boneless when that arm comes around him, relaxing into Dorian with a soft hum to his lips.]

That's...

[Honestly that's unheard of is what it is. No one takes care of him, and it feels strange... but it also feels kind of wonderful. Really wonderful. His chest feels warm. And now Dorian is holding him again.

It's nice, being held by someone this gentle and kind, someone who genuinely makes his heart flutter.]

[makingmyway]

[ He watches Orym for a moment, trying to take in his expression as doubt somehow starts to creep in to his mind once again. ]

…I-I mean…I suppose I should have asked first. You’d said it was a bad time, but I’ve heard some people like that? Or, um…I’m sorry if I overstepped or anything…

[ How he manages to second-guess healing someone will probably remain a mystery. ]

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

[Orym finds himself blinking at Dorian. Is... is he apologizing for healing him?]

Dorian...

[Just his name soft and almost painfully fond.]

Thank you for doing that. I'm not used to anyone caring that much, that's all. It's really nice.

[He leans in to steal another kiss.]

I don't mind things a little rough, sometimes. [He admits, but his voice falls quiet.] But not like that.

That was... [Well, the chokehold had been the worst of it, especially since he thinks he blacked out a little at some point.] It wasn't good. So I'm really glad it's gone... [The proof of it, the bruises, the bites, all of it.]

[makingmyway]

[ His mouth snaps shut at the way Orym says his name, abruptly halting his rambling thoughts. The kiss relaxes him a moment, and he makes a soft sound as he returns it.

But as Orym continues, his expression saddens, and his fingers gently stroke over Orym’s throat, where the worst of the bruises had been. ]

I’m glad I could help with that at least. But I’m sorry that happened to you at all.

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

[There's Dorian caring again. He shakes his head.] It's fine, really. It happens sometimes.

And besides, I'm much better now.

[His skin tingles beneath that soft touch.]

[makingmyway]

[ Dorian hums, an unhappy sound just thinking of how often something like that can happen. But he tamps it down for now, as his fingers drift up to caress Orym’s jaw. ]

Well…I’m glad you’re doing better. But maybe you should get some more rest. It looks like you could use it.

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

You're here.

[Orym shakes his head.] I don't want to miss this.

[It's been months, and Dorian is finally back here. How could he do something like sleep when he's just now back in Dorian's arms.]

I feel much better anyway. [He turns into that touch, nuzzling into those fingers.]

[makingmyway]

[ A small smile finally appears on Dorian’s face, and he leans down to gently capture Orym’s lips again. ]

I’ll still be here. Maybe we can just…talk a while? So you can rest.

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

[Orym seems to be soothed by each kiss that comes, so he quiets for a moment, listening.

Talk? Just talk?]

But you came here... [A furrowing of his brow. Dorian came here to this place to see him. No one came to this place without looking for something very specific, without looking for pleasure, for his body and what they could take from him.]

You came here for something. Won't you be disappointed? [And then, softer,] I don't want you to be disappointed.

[He wants Dorian to have reason to come back again.]

[makingmyway]

[ Dorian tilts his head a little as he looks at Orym, a bemused smile on his face. ]

How would I be disappointed? I’m here with you.

I mean, don’t get me wrong, last time was amazing. But I just…wanted to see you. That’s all.

[ He is starting to feel that creeping of doubt again, though. How desperate and lonely must he seem, to come to a place like this just for a little company and conversation? Maybe he’s just wasting Orym’s time. ]

…I-I mean…if you’d rather do something else…

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

[Orym blushes right then and there at that I'm here with you and the I just wanted to see you. His heart twists in his chest, with so much warmth and sweetness that it's nearly painful.

He doesn't even notice the sudden doubt -- that thoroughly endearing second guessing -- before he's leaning up to kiss him, slow and deliberate and tender. This is so dangerous. He feels too much for this man.]

Being with you was amazing. And I'd do it again and again, any time you like. [Just, for the record. But he moves to tuck himself in closer.]

I'm happy just seeing you, that you're here. I'm happy if I can get to know you.

[makingmyway]

[ His thoughts come to a sudden halt when those lips find his, and he tilts his head as he returns the kiss, just as sweet and slow and affectionate. He knows he’s maybe getting too close, but he really can’t help it.

Especially as he holds Orym close, feeling him tucked in against him. Though he does feel a bit nervous about Orym knowing too much about him - he’s using a fake name for a reason, after all - he still is more than happy to spend time with the halfling. ]

I wouldn’t mind doing that again with you too, but some other time, maybe. When you’re feeling better. [ Another promise that he’ll still be back. ] Right now, I’d love to get to know you better too.

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

Another time.

[Orym answers with a a pleased smile, taking that for what it is, that Dorian will come back again.

He settles into those arms, comfortably. He really could get used to these arms around him, to how perfect it feels to be close to him. The halfling is aware that Dorian is probably hiding a great deal of who he is. The air of nobility about the other man is very obvious, and this is not the sort of place that attracts wealth and privilege all that often, at least not openly.]

There's not too much to know about me these days. [He admits.]

[makingmyway]

[ Dorian slips an arm under Orym’s head and shoulders, making it easier to wrap both arms around him. It really does feel nice, just lying here together like this.

He really shouldn’t be getting so used to it…but oh is it difficult not to.

He hesitates a moment though, at Orym’s soft admittance. He wants to ask a little about his past, about how he ended up working in a place like this. But that seems like too personal information to ask about after just a second meeting, especially since he wouldn’t want to be asked those same questions. So he thinks about how to maybe ease into those topics instead. ]

Well, um…oh. I saw you dancing on stage earlier. You were incredibly graceful. Where did you learn to dance like that?

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

[Oh, well, that's even better somehow. Orym sighs a soft, content sound that he doesn't mean to make. It's hard not to really as comfortable and warm as he is right now. His arm drapes around the other man, fingers tracing up and down along his back.]

That... [Orym looks sheepish.] Don't laugh, all right, but... I never really learned to dance. I learned to fight. Take away the sword, and you'd be really surprised how similar they are. So I guess, that part came naturally.

[makingmyway]

[ Dorian tilts his head curiously. ]

Really? I never would have guessed. You looked so natural on stage. If you were moving like on the battlefield, I imagine you must have been quite skilled.

[ And now he’s even more curious about how a fighter would end up working here, of all places. But it still feels like overstepping a bit. ]

Who, uh…Who chose the music you were dancing to?

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

I'm decent with a blade.

[He's being humble. He's very capable in a fight. Or he was, before he found himself here. His sword and shield live under his bed, and he still begins his mornings with training, still goes through the steps of the Zeph'aeratam sometime around dawn. He doesn't want to forget who he used to be.]

The bard. [The lutist who plays most nights, sometimes with accompaniment.] But he knows the music I like these days.

[makingmyway]

Yeah? I’d love to see you wield it sometime.

[ Also very much not what people come here for, but he would love to see even a glimpse of the person Orym was before all this. ]

Ah, I see. It was nice. [ His words are chosen carefully, because he’d hate to speak ill of someone else’s work. ]

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

Really?

[Surprise at that is very clear on his face, but he leans up to nuzzle his way beneath Dorian's jaw to press a kiss against his neck.]

Well, stick around until morning and you'll see it.

[Stick around until morning, and Orym would be far happier than he has any right to do.

He does notice how careful those words are, and he can't stop amusement from creeping into his expression.] Was it really?

[makingmyway]

[ He hesitates a moment; he really should get back before Cyrus gets up, but…then again it’s not like they haven’t had days when they just didn’t see each other. Their estate is certainly large enough. Maybe Cyrus won’t notice. ]

It depends on how early in the morning, but…I might be able to manage it.

[ Dorian clears his throat, chuckling nervously. ]

It was…all right.

[ Okay that was closer to the truth. ]

I mean, the song itself was fine, and it was played well. It just…I don’t know, it kind of felt like the music was holding you back.

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

Dawn.

[He answers softly. He doesn't sleep a lot usually. This is very early for him to be in bed, but he's not complaining. As long as Dorian is in bed with him, he wouldn't dream of complaining.

He's still smiling in amusement as Dorian gives his actual opinion. Though he looks interested at the last part.]

Did it? [He feels that way sometimes too. But more importantly.] Are you a musician?

[makingmyway]

[ He hums softly. ] That should work.

[ He’s naturally an early riser himself, and that should give him enough time to get back before anyone realizes he’s gone.

The question has him blushing a bit, and he avoids Orym’s gaze sheepishly. ]

Ah…sort of? Aspiring, I suppose you could say. [ He winces, because that still doesn’t feel right. ] It’s…more of a hobby, really. I’ve written some music, but haven’t…played anywhere or anything.

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

Mm. Good.

[This is excellent news, so far as Orym is concerned. It means that he will have Dorian's arms to stay in the rest of the night. It's a very pleasant idea, one that is dangerous in how appealing it is.

He's going to get his own heart broken, and he knows it.]

Could I hear it sometime? I'd really like to. [He gets the distinct impression that Dorian is the type to undersell himself at every opportunity.]