shattered - for makingmyway

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

[Orym can barely think straight. His mind is an utter mess, caught somewhere between rage and guilt and relief and then more guilt for that feeling. They've lost so much already in all of this, in chasing Predathos' threats. Fuck, he'd lost so much before he even knew what Predathos was.

That moment when they'd discovered sending spells were working once again, and he'd immediately tried to reach Dorian only to be met with silence, it had torn at something in him. The fear of what could have happened, of why the genasi wouldn't have answered him. He knew Dorian would have if he'd been able, so something must be wrong. Something had to be wrong. And it was. Gods he should have known better. He should have known better and done something, to keep the other man better protected.

But he couldn't protect him. He couldn't protect any of them. The latest loss was fresh and bitter and raw, and the halfling was ready to come apart from how completely he had failed. What was the point of him, what was the good of him, if he couldn't even keep the people he loved safe?

His come apart had to be postponed when they learned that Dorian had been captured though, because there was nothing else he could think about except the fact that they had to save the bard. He was already a shattered thing, and Orym didn't think he'd survive losing Dorian too. The genasi had been the only bright point left in his univeirse in many ways, and if he lost him without ever even telling him how much he meant to him. Well.

No, he couldn't live with himself.

He couldn't live.

The rescue had been, well, a bit desperate. The halfling had fought without hesitation or thought, a frenzy that left him blood-stained and only half aware of what he was even doing. But they'd gotten Dorian back. Alive.

He's been repeating that to himself over and over in his mind, and only that. Dorian is alive. Dorian is here.

They've retreated from Ruidus, taken shelter somewhere that, for the moment at least, seems safe. Everyone is their own brand of mess, and they're all barely hanging on. But they are hanging on.

Orym has been left with Dorian, to keep watch over the bard. The halfling hasn't spoken since the battle, and blood still stains his face and hands and clothes, and he doesn't seem to notice.]

Comments

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

[Orym turns into that touch like it's irresistible, as if now that he's stopped trying to hold back and hide how he feels for the other man the floodgates are open and there's no holding it back.]

Am I still pretty?

[He teases lightly, but a moment later he's adding, quieter.] Really tense yeah. Everyone's at their breaking point, but they're strong. And we still all have each other...

[Except Letters. Except their little self-sacrificing cleric. But he'd died to save them, and for that reason alone they have to survive this.]

[makingmyway]

[ Despite knowing Orym was just teasing, his expression softens. ]

You’re always beautiful to me.

[ And he means it, sincerely.

Dorian can’t help breathing a soft sigh. He could feel the tension amongst the group, how on edge everyone was. It broke his heart, knowing all the hardships they’d been through. And he isn’t sure how much he’d really be able to help.

But he sure as hell is going to try.

He leans in and brushes a gentle kiss across Orym’s forehead. ]

You’re all so strong. So many others would have crumbled in your position. I’m sorry you’ve had to go through so much.

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

[Oh. That's so earnest and sweet, and Orym can feel himself blushing because well, he sort of likes the idea of Dorian finding him attractive, especially given that the air genasi is quite literally the most beautiful creature in existence.

His eyes shut briefly at the sweet kiss to his forehead.]

We've crumbled too. But... we've all got a lot to fight for. This world is worth it, right?

[makingmyway]

[ With a smile, he rests his forehead against Orym’s. ]

I’d say so. You’re in it, after all. You and the others…that makes it more than worth it.

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

Dorian Storm, you have no right saying things that romantic and not kissing me.

[They live in a civilization, Dorian. There are certain things that are simply rules, okay?]

[makingmyway]

[ Dorian’s laugh is brighter, fuller at that. ]

I suppose I’ll just have to remedy that, then.

[ Cupping Orym’s face in his hands, he leans down to capture his lips. ]

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

You'd better...

[Orym is already smiling at the sound of that laugh. It's a beautiful sound, one that he's missed so much. He tilts his chin to meet that kiss, melting for him, eager and pliant and at ease in a way he barely remembers even being capable of feeling, like he's coming home.]

[makingmyway]

[ Dorian can’t help smiling into the kiss, humming softly as his chest fills with warmth, getting to taste and feel Orym like this. It’s more than he’s ever thought he’d ever be allowed to have.

And his arms gently wrap around Orym, holding him close like he doesn’t want to let him go. ]

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

[Orym winds his arms around Dorian in turn, shifting closer. Another moment and he'll be inviting himself right into the bard's lap. He's trying to have some self control, but it's getting harder. The stress of the past few months since he last saw Dorian, all the things they've been through, the rush of finally confessing his heart and finding his feelings return.

Half a decade of celibacy.

All of it is catching up with the halfling, and Dorian is likely to be able to tell, a hint of desperation creeping in to the way Orym holds him, kisses him.]

[makingmyway]

[ Dorian’s breath hitches softly, surprised when he suddenly has a lapful of halfling. And there’s an intensity in the kiss, in the embrace that leaves him feeling a bit lightheaded.

Gently squeezing Orym in his arms, he gently draws back from the kiss, just barely a breath away. ]

Orym…?

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

Sorry... I'm...

[He's a bit breathless himself right now, and he pants softly against Dorian's lips.]

I've missed you, and I came so close to never getting a chance to tell you how I feel. I don't want to miss anymore chances, Dorian.

[The world could end tomorrow for all Orym knows with the way things are going and even if he doesn't want to move too quickly, doesn't want to rush any of this...]

[makingmyway]

[ Taking a few shaky breaths of his own, Dorian licks his lips, the tip of his tongue lightly brushing over Orym’s as well. ]

…yeah. Yeah, okay.

[ While he’d been imprisoned, he realized that his fear would be missing his chance to let Orym know how he feels. And now that he has the opportunity, he doesn’t want to give it up either. ]

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

Okay...

[Orym agrees with a relieved, shay breath before he's chasing the brush of that tongue to steal another kiss, letting his own tongue trace the seam of Dorian's lips.]

I need you. [Honest and achingly true. It's so much more than want, than desire right now. Orym needs the other man more than he needs the breath in his lungs.]

[makingmyway]

[ A soft sound rises from his throat as Orym’s lips find his again, his lips easily parting at the touch his tongue.

His arms tighten around him, holding Orym flush to his chest. ]

Then maybe we find somewhere a little more…private?

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

[A quick and fervent nod of agreement, arms still wound securely around Dorian's neck.]

Mmhmm. Good idea. Really good idea.

[Best idea he's heard, possibly in his entire life, because he's seconds away from starting to help Dorian out of his clothes. Because he's a helper.]

[makingmyway]

[ With a grin, he steals another quick kiss, lightly nipping Orym’s bottom lip, before hitching the halfling a bit higher against him and getting to his feet, not wanting to put him down for a second even as he goes to find someplace where they can just be the two of them for a little while. ]

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

[That grin ought to be illegal for as clearly dangerous as it is. Orym's heart goes tripping it over himself, and he's all too eager to hook his legs around Dorian and cling as the bard finds them somewhere to be alone. And since he's a considerate man, he will stop kissing Dorian so he can see enough to navigate.

He will not, however, waste his current position, letting his lips and teeth wander along his jawline, up to bite at the lobe of one pointed ear.]

[makingmyway]

[ Dorian’s breath hitches, and he squeezes Orym a bit as he feels a little weak in the knees.

He barely makes it to one of the rooms they’ve gotten at the inn they’re staying in, and he quickly locks the door behind him before collapsing onto the bed, pinniny Orym underneath him as kissing him hard and hungrily. ]

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

[Orym only half registers the bed beneath him, too engrossed in meeting that kiss, just as hungered, just as eager. He arches against Dorian, relishing in the feeling of being so deliciously trapped beneath him.

His hands slip between then, slipping inside the (delightfully) deep dip of Dorian's shirt, working it open further, hands running over his chest, eager enough that there's a trembling starting in his fingers as they explore.]

[makingmyway]

[ Dorian groans into the kiss, the feeling of those callous-rough fingers leaving a trail of heat blazing in his skin. He curves into the touch, and leaning back a bit he nips at Orym’s lip again, just shy of gentle. ]

Tell me what you want, Orym…anything at all, it’s yours.

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

[Orym wants to devour each and every sound that Dorian makes, wants to memorize the feeling of him and the taste of him. All of him. A soft gasp of his own at that nip, liking the sharpness of it.]

I want you. All of you. Heart and body and soul.

[Is that too much to ask? Dorian will have all of Orym in return, already has him.]

Fuck me? I want to feel you inside me.

[makingmyway]

[ Dorian shivers a little as the weight of what Orym is asking for settles over him. ]

You have it, Orym. All that I have, all that I am…it’s always been yours.

[ But then the second request gets a small growl from him, and he kiss Orym into the bed. ]

Gladly. [ Then he pauses, drawing back just a bit. ] Do you have any, uh…?

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

And all of me is yours... always. Always, always...

[They're making vows to each other that feel like they're echoing far beyond this little room, speaking a truth to the universe that's been a truth longer than Orym's been brave enough to give it voice.

The growl in Dorian's voice sends a jolt of electricity through Orym, straight through him, and he moans as that kiss breaks, looking up at the other man and taking a moment to parse the question.]

I... [Fuck. Does he? Wait, yes.] In my pack... 've got some scented oils. Helps with aches and bruises... should work... [What are complete sentences? Orym doesn't know. He's too busy still working Dorian's shirt open and loose and then eventually off as soon as he gets the chance.]

[makingmyway]

[ Dorian lifts his arms to help the removal of his shirt, and once it’s gone he slips another quick kiss. ]

All right. Give me a second.

[ Another kiss before he slips off the bed, and fortunately Orym’s things happen to he in this room as he hunts around until he retrieves the vial of oil.

Returning with the prize, he settles besides Orym to gaze down at him. ]

I believe you’re overdressed.

[bigmoonlittlemoon]

[Shirt off. Success. Kiss? Success. Dorian leaving the bed, less ideal, but Orym supposes there are good reason for it, and thank gods it's the room with his things, though he is not above going through the others' packs to find something suitable if they had to.

He sits up just enough to watch Dorian, reaching out to let his fingers run up along the other man's side once he's close enough to touch once more. A twist of a smile over his lips at that remark.]

You're definitely right about that...

[Thankfully at least, he'd shed most of his actual armor when they'd settled in this place and deposited their things. It makes it significantly less complicated to reach back and pull his shirt off and over his head tossing it off the bed.]

Better?