I'm a planner. I make plans.

Indie, side-blog for Edgin Darvis from "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Theives" Under Construction

[daggersword]

The thought of being restrained isn't attractive, necessarily, but if it keeps him from touching Edgin in ways he can't control...

"I wouldn't be opposed to it," Xenk admits, "if it were to keep me from giving you children without your consent."

His left hand draws down to catch Edgin's inner thigh, his palm curving around it to push it down against rug. Spread like this, open like this, he's reminded of the images his mind has given him in sleep-- of Edgin happy and willing, of Edgin's fingers clawing down his back as he clung to him-- and the heat prickling beneath his skin as he demonstrates the effects of Edgin's mark is no help at all.

Xenk swallows the saliva building in his mouth, doing his best to stay focused.

"I'm powerful, Edgin," he states, matter-of-fact instead of especially cocky. The press of his fingers to Edgin's mark turns into a press of the palm instead, and as he looks down where it rests against Edgin's lower belly, the whole mark starts to glow a bright purple. He'd read this turns awareness into desperation-- that like this, Edgin becomes more than empty.

That it makes him need to be full. That it makes his body change to accommodate it.

"Magic of this calibre, I've read, can turn you into a brooding mare if we aren't careful."

It's funny; he'd never quite considered what it would be like, being around one with a Mark of Creation. But the scent that greets him as Edgin insides turn slick drives Xenk to madness. He has to tear his gaze away from Edgin's open legs to look at him, and the amount of self-control necessary for it would be humiliating anywhere else.

"It makes you desire fullness to insanity," he says. "It makes your partner wish to complete the emptiness in your body. It..."

Holding the back of Edgin's knee, Xenk turns away to kiss it, taking a steady breath to collect himself instead of looking down at the flushed mess Edgin might be becoming.

"...it makes it terribly difficult to think."

[failchamp]

Somehow, the feeling of the paladin's hand pressing flatly agains the mark feels even more overwhelmingly magnificent he can't help the groan that's ripped from his throat. Had it been anyone else, he'd have been properly humiliated for having such a wanton sound leaving him and so unwillingly so.

But it's Xenk, whom he trusts with every fiber of his being and loves and craves even more than that.

"Nngh-uh-huh, brooding mare, got it-" the bard grumbles impatiently, squirming up against him in an eager plea to just get on with this already.

As if the way his hands had been manipulating his leg to the positioning of his liking isn't enough, the kiss to his knee is shockingly maddening.

"Well, clearly it's not as desperate a feeling as I'm experiencing right now because if it were you'd already be inside me at the least," he mutters out in a snarky manner.

He feels, well, wet for some reason, and yet, he's not concerned in the slightest. It's almost as though the wetter he feels, the more he craves Xenk.

"Please, Xenk. Just give me something- anything. I need you so badly. I don't- I can't- I-" he begins to stammer, unshed tears beginning to brim his eyelids that are squeezed shit as a heat like no other begins to engulf him.

"Please... Please, Xenk.... Gods, please."

[daggersword]

"You flatter me," Xenk says, managing a short laugh, "but I assure you I've done nothing out of the ordinary.

"You would feel it..." So he focuses, his fingers halting in their movement and resting dead centre of the mark. "...if I did."

The initial, easy heat from earlier starts to bloom brilliantly beneath his touch. What had been simple pleasure (and, gods, Xenk spares the man's own trousers a glance and has to keep himself steady amidst the signs of arousal) turns into a quiet ache-- an awareness that Edgin's empty and yet to be filled. Xenk's other hand moves from his face, caressing Edgin's torso, and without a thought he lowers his head to press a soft kiss to the side of his neck.

"Deliberate channelling of magic" -- the kisses trail lazily down Edgin's neck and shoulder, Xenk's words little more than warm breath on his skin -- "indicates what you are in this mystic transaction.

"That you could carry life." The dome of Edgin's shoulder is kissed, and then Xenk pulls back up to watch him, one hand on his hip while the other continues to pump wisping tendrils of power into his mark. "That your body could do it, if all the pieces are in place."

The heat of his own arousal makes him shiver. Xenk's never had a problem with it until Edgin, but he supposes that's what intimacy does to a man.

"This is why I worry," he admits, corner of his mouth tugging up. "I find your waist and hips wonderful to wrap my hands around. If I were to be inside you, to hold you there-- I'd undoubtedly touch your mark.

"I'm not sure what my control would become, being joined with you. And if I filled you with my seed, then..."

[failchamp]

"Shit, Xenk, you can't just talk like that," he moans lowly as he arches desperately up towards the touches of the man's hands on him. He's craving everything and anything he can get from the man. The caresses, the way his lips dance across his skin, all of it. The kisses along his bare neck and should are driving him as mad as the words leaving Xenk's deliciously plump lips.

I find your waist and hips wonderful to wrap my hands around... And this is supposed to be a deterrent??? If anything, it makes Edgin want Xenk inside of him that much more. Edgin's beginning to feel what a craving that can only be satiated by Xenk losing the control he seems to think he needs.

"Gods, Xenk, if you keeping your hands off of my mark is the only thing keeping you from filling me with your seed, I'll tie your hands behind your back myself," Edgin jests, though the words are relatively grumpy in sound.

His body is beginning to burn from the inside out and all of this talk about carrying a kid-Xenk's kid- isn't exactly a horrible sounding thing in his fog.

In fact, he had always imagined having at least three kids.

He knew what it was like to be blessed with siblings, and he had always wanted that for his children.

Kira especially deserves the companionship.

Granted, those thoughts are shoved so far in the back of his mind at this moment as he finally parts his eyes to look up at Xenk in a silent and unintentional plea.

[daggersword]

The first time touching Edgin's mark had made sparks crackle beneath Xenk's hand. He'd read in books that this was expected; if the Mark was coined in order to create life, compulsion to achieve it would only lead to success. Thus, all parties involved in conception are made ready and willing.

Xenk's self-control is the only thing that keeps him from losing his mind once Edgin's hand leads him back. The contact causes a gentle glow once more-- an involuntary magic, a little heat. It's enough for most to initiate, Xenk had read, and judging from the way Edgin's breaths shift again, it's probably enough for him, too.

"It would be…" The deliberate tracing of the mark and its intricacies doesn't change the strength of the glow, only its position beneath his touch. Xenk swallows again. "It would be irresponsible to have left you to your own devices after such a reveal."

Frustratingly, Xenk feels a slight tightening in the front of his breeches. But he ignores it in favour of following every inch of the mark with his fingertips.

"This is what it feels like," he says, "when a magic user touches your mark even without intent. I've read that the pleasure isn't quite as overwhelming, but it's certainly enough to deliver warmth where it matters.

"Your body responds to the power instinctively. And they who wield magic are… similarly affected, in an attempt to ensure the creation takes place."

[failchamp]

As much as he'd genuinely like to properly listen to the words leaving Xenk, they're moot to Edgin at this point.

Sure he managed to latch onto the part where it's mentioned that the magic wielder also feels some sort of pleasure with it, but the rest of the paladin's speaking only serves to remind the bard that he has an ever so lovely voice that makes his heart ache in the best ways.

"Oh, is that what's going on?" he mumbles despite not having truly understood what his lover said as he licks his lips and settles further.

His chest raises and sinks in a slow but intentional rhythm as he attempts to keep his wits about him, but the way Xenk's touch feels on him is too good. It's impossible to keep the stuttered breaths and tiny whines falling from his parted lips as he continues to trace the pattern on his lower stomach.

"Are you sure that it's not just you? I mean, I've-Gods that feels so nice, Xenk-I've never had anyone touch me so deliberately."

[daggersword]

"It's in my business to understand magic in order to combat my undead brethren," Xenk says plainly, his lips pressed together in an expression of utmost seriousness. "This mark is but one of many I've studied."

But it is the first of such a risque nature that he's seen with his own eyes. The memory of Edgin's chest rising as the mark glowed, of the warmth he'd felt spreading over his skin, is unmistakable.

And it almost makes Xenk want to try again. Almost.

"Would you require assistance, Edgin?" He swallows, ignoring the growing dryness in his throat. "In understanding it? What it can make you feel?"

[failchamp]

A charming grin pulls over Edgin's lips as he looks up at Xenk, his fingers dancing lightly along his back as he does so.

"Is that an offer to show me first-hand what it does?" he purrs playfully before taking Xenk's hand and leading it up towards the marking once more. His hold on the hand is by no means tight, especially should Xenk's concern of the marking lead to another comparably prudent evening.

But Edgin can't help the desire to try something more.

The way it had felt when it had glowed for the first time in his life was thrilling, and to have that feeling with someone he cares for so significantly makes it all the more alluring.

And he'd never begun creating when Forge...

So it can't be that easy for him to essentially catch... right?

[daggersword]

Edgin doesn't know.

"You don't know," Xenk says aloud. It's a statement of the obvious, yes, but the disbelief outweighs every other instinct he has-- Edgin doesn't know?

"Edgin, this... with enough exposure to a magic user, it..." Xenk's touch drifts inward, brushing over Edgin's abdomen and below. "This mark gives you the ability to bear children."

The tips of his fingers brush the curves of the design, and true enough just that brief, deliberate touch causes a faint glow to emanate from the spot Xenk touches. The sight makes him shiver, and Xenk tears his gaze away from it before his imagination runs too wild.

"This is an ancient mark, though likely younger than the sigils on my forehead. I imagine the only way to counter death is life, so it would make sense if its powers were discovered later, but..."

Xenk's fingers move away, taking their place on Edgin's waist once more.

Concerned, he asks, "You truly didn't know?"

[failchamp]

As his marking begins to glow, Edgin feels a warmth roll through his body and his own breath stutters in his throat. He doesn't understand anything that's going on, but it's as though the marking lighting up rekindled the eagerness for more from Xenk that he was so worried dwindled upon the other's noticing his mark.

Gulping thickly as he attempts to drag his mind back to the conversation, he shakes his head as he leans back against the rug on the floor.

"No... No, I've never heard of that before."

Then he gives pause once more as a new wave of curiosity overcomes him.

"How do you know about this mark?"

[daggersword]

Xenk blinks, and the moment that Edgin starts pulling the blanket, he reaches out to curl his fingers into it and halt him.

"I didn't say I wanted you to," he says, but then realising his folly he carefully lets go. "Unless, of course, that is your preference. I realise" -- his brows furrow -- "our nudity must make things significantly more inappropriate.

"I just didn't think you had... I suppose the opportunity to admit such a thing never arose, though." The question of whether Edgin had carried Kira or his lady love had comes up in Xenk's head, but he holds it back.

"I'm not disgusted, Edgin." His hand settles on Edgin's waist, the act so practised now it's like instinct. "I was only surprised because you don't often see a Mark of Creation on a man.

"But... I realise now I need to be careful." Xenk's eyes flit upward to meet Edgin's, his expression sheepish as he strokes his cheek with a thumb. "If we pursue more... physical acts, I...

"My seed might very well be strong."

[failchamp]

"Admit that I have a birthmark?" Edgin responds, his brow furrowed as he gazes up at Xenk with an utterly perplexed expression. "Xenk have you... have you never seen a birthmark before? Because they're pretty common. Like, I'm pretty sure you've got one. It's not as big but-"

He's cut off by the realization that he had mentioned a Mark of Creation and the mention of his seed.

"I... What do you mean by Mark of Creation? The only things I create are mediocre songs about drinking and adequate enough plans that don't get my friends and I killed."

[daggersword]

In the days since those first, nervous kisses, Xenk has learned plenty about the ways Edgin likes to be kissed. He knows the man's fond of tongue, and of being held close throughout it. He knows that going too slow makes him needy. For all that he's spent what feels like hours on Edgin's mouth, though, he finds the added component of semi-nakedness makes everything that much more intense.

The house they're in isn't grand by any measure. But when Xenk pulls away to breathe, and he takes in the look on Edgin's face lit up by the firelight, he's elegant like a dream. Even with his messy beard, even with his hair mussed up (Xenk likes running his fingers through it, and he very much likes the sounds Edgin makes if he curls them a little too hard), Edgin looks more beautiful than any painting Xenk's ever seen.

It's the first time he's seen him like this in reality. Some few, embarrassing mornings have had him waking in the aftermath of dreaming of Edgin in... positions, but they'd never quite prepared him for this, even if they'd done nothing more than kiss. As one hand cradles the side of Edgin's face, the other trails down his body, as if leading Xenk's gaze to every inch he ought to memorise. He touches Edgin's wide shoulders, his ample chest and perked nipples, his soft belly...

And then, eyes widening, he stops.

"Edgin..." His thumb traces the elaborate pattern on Edgin's lower stomach, stroking over skin in surprise. All this time they've kissed and Xenk's never seen this-- a Mark of Creation, right on his belly.

"You..." Xenk can't take his eyes off of it. His breath comes out shaky. "You didn't tell me you were marked."

[failchamp]

As Xenk stops moving his hands, Edgin's just a breath away from whining softly in dismay. Though, it quickly becomes apparent as to way, and the flush turns from one of bashfulness and excitement of the moment to one bordering that of humiliation.

"Oh, that? It's just a birthmark, Xenk. It's nothing special," he murmurs, truly believing there's nothing more than that. "I know it's not the most attractive thing, but..."

He looks around and leans just enough to grab a nearby blanket with the tips of his fingers.

"I can cover it up, if-if you want."

Without waiting for the paladin's answer, he begins to tug the fabric over his lower belly as he silently prays that Xenk hasn't been taken out the moment irreparably.

[failchamp]

@daggersword asked: on the floor, in front of the fireplace to warm up after coming inside from winter storm.

There should be no surprise in the fact that Xenk took warming Edgin up the moment they reentered their home for the weekend very seriously, and yet, the warmth radiating from the fireplace is nothing in comparison to what Xenk's weight on top of him and between his thighs is doing for him.

They'd shared this position before, and yet it's never been so intimate. Perhaps it's the knowledge that Holga and Kira are off on an adventure of their own aids in this feeling.

Though, he's relatively certain it's the fact that they'd stripped down to all but nothing in front of the hearth in order to get their soaking and frigid clothes off of their forms as quickly as possilbe.

Edgin's legs are wrapped possessively around Xenk's (incredibly built) body and his hands cling to him desperately as he parts his lips to invite his lover to take what he wants from him.

[daggersword]

In any other situation, Xenk would find himself asking a surprised little "you do?". But for all that they've been touching, kissing, and holding, he realises he doesn't need to. Edgin has asked him to stay even beyond the missions. Edgin has told him that whatever Xenk wants, he very likely wants, too. And to Xenk, that's more than enough.

To Xenk, it's more than enough reason to lower himself and do nothing more than explore Edgin and his willing mouth. Though his hands roam, and their bodies press together, in the end he doesn't need more than this-- than the fitting of their lips, the sounds of their kissing, the way Edgin breathes and moves his body beneath his touch.

If this is another way to show Edgin that he cares, then Xenk will do it with his heart wide open. But he's never been one for half-measures, anyway.

And kissing this man until they retire for the night, Xenk finds, is as significant to him as conversation is, too.

[leneemusing]

LOCATION  BASED  SMUT  PROMPTS

TRANSPORATION 

one muse gives the other oral while they drive. 

driver uses one hand to finger the other while on a long road trip.

muses join mile high club in an airplane restroom.

in an airplane one muse has to be quiet while the other muse plays with them in their seats.

muses tease each other in the back of a taxi cab on the way home. 

while driving home after a date,  they get too impatient and pull into a parking lot to have sex. 

while driving in the middle of a forest,  our muses pull onto the side of the road for sex. 

our muses are on a road trip but a thick fog forces them to take a break.  they have sex inside the car while waiting for it to clear. 

while at the drive in theater,  muses participate in foreplay. 

while at the drive in theater,  muses forego watching the movie to have sex. 

revenge sex in someone else’s car. 

sex in someone else’s car due to impatience and carelessness. 

a quickie while parallel parked on a busy road. 

in an empty train car while freighthopping. 

in a crowded bus,  one muse sitting in the others lap purposefully and subtly grinding to get them worked up. 

in a private jet,  on the way to a business trip. 

in a private jet,  on the way to a vacation spot. 

one muse masturbates while the other drives. 

driver instructs the passenger to touch themselves through guided masturbation. 

while one muse drives,  they describe what they want to do to the passenger who isn’t allowed to touch themselves. 

NATURE

sensual sex in a secluded meadow during a picnic. 

one muse holding the other up against a tree. 

in a cabin in the middle of a rainstorm late at night. 

in a cabin in the middle of a heavy snowstorm during the day. 

in the bed of a truck in front of hiking trails. 

in the bed of a truck while stargazing. 

a plateau overlooking the ocean on a cloudy day. 

one muse has been napping in a hammock and the other wakes them by beginning to finger them. 

muses get distracted from sunbathing and start to fool around by a poolside or lake. 

inside a gazebo while it rains. 

a little ways off from a hiking trail,  hidden by thick foliage. 

mutual masturbation while camping in a tent. 

beneath the shade of trees in the middle of an orchard. 

between rows in a vineyard. 

hidden away in the dead end of a hedge maze. 

PUBLIC

in a bar or restaurant,  one muse sneaks under table to eat out the other. 

in a bar or restaurant,  muses discuss in detail what they’re going to do to each other once they get home. 

inside the stall of restroom in a bar. 

inside a single bathroom of a place of service (restaurant,  store,  club etc.)

in a hotel room,  up against the window overlooking a busy city.

a quickie in a diner restroom before getting back on the road. 

up on a rooftop where no one is supposed to be. 

inside one muses’s office. 

inside a third party’s office they shouldn’t have access to. 

inside an empty church on a weekday. 

one muse fondling the other while they’re trying to shop. 

foreplay and teasing in the dressing room of a store. 

oral performed while hidden in a storage room or closet. 

inside an abandoned house. 

hushed sex while staying in the guest room of another’s home. 

in the middle of a park late at night. 

PRIVATE

on the floor,  in front of the fireplace to warm up after coming inside from winter storm. 

one muse on the bathroom counter while the other stands. 

in front of the bathroom mirror so they can watch themselves. 

to break in a new house or apartment,  boxes scattered about and furniture newly placed. 

bent over a table while something bakes in the oven. 

on the kitchen counter with half-eaten plates of breakfast forgotten. 

one muse spread out across the top of a grand piano,  pretty woman style. 

rushed and desperate,  messy on the couch because they were too impatient to even make it to the bedroom. 

one muse riding the other while the tv plays in the background,  movie forgotten entirely. 

on the balcony in early morning,  where neighbors might see,  but no one will likely look. 

[daggersword]

He's only heard Edgin like this a handful of scattered times: on nights he's murmured words about guilt, about accountability. About all the bad he's done and the people he's hurt because of it. Just like those times, Xenk feels an overwhelming desire to keep him safe from all of it, but for the first time, there's something he can do to fix the problem.

"I'd never," Xenk says, the arm around Edgin's middle uncurling only so he can cup his face in both his hands. Edgin's beard tickles his palms, and Xenk can't help the small smile at the feel of him.

"Even without my oath," he continues, "I could never hurt you, Edgin."

His thumbs stroking both of Edgin's cheekbones, Xenk's gaze softens with adoration.

"I care for you too much" -- his lips brush Edgin's forehead, his eyelids, his cheeks -- "to even consider it."

And he ends it with a kiss to the mouth.

[failchamp]

Edgin believes him without a shred of doubt as Xenk makes his promises, and he realizes it's the first time since he met Zia where he's trusted someone or something so unequivocally. The Harpers had been good for the soul but not the wallet. His thieving killed Zia. Forge manipulated himself, his family, and his daughter.

But Xenk? There's yet to be any sort of caveat, and Edgin realizes that he no longer is expecting one.

He leans up to meet the other's lips that caress his own so wonderfully, whispering a sincere, "I care for you, too," as his fingers dig into his shirt just a smidge more tightly.

How someone can be so inherently good, Edgin knows not, but he's grateful to have such goodness in his life.

[daggersword]

The brutal honesty of Edgin's wish hits Xenk like a truck. It's rough-- he's not sure what to do with the desire that fills him, made worse because Edgin's request had been so vague. All he knows is he'd give him anything. All he knows is that Edgin is holding onto him, practically clinging to him, and as they pant into each other's mouths Xenk is ruined by the proximity.

"Yes," he says, forearm pressing to the pillow by Edgin's head to hold himself up. But the sight of him is as overwhelming as the sound had been: Edgin's cheeks are flushed, his lips parted prettily and his blue eyes bright, and Xenk wants nothing more than to hide him away forever.

"You have me," he says, thumb stroking the greying hair over Edgin's ear. "You may ask for anything, Edgin."

[failchamp]

As he feels the touch along his temple, Edgin's eyelids flutter shut for a moment and he leans into it all too easily.

Perhaps, he's more touch-starved than he'd realized or would even care to admit. Regardless, at least this time it's from a man who seems to have his best interest in mind.

It's overwhelming and nearly suffocating how enchanting everything about Xenk is. The way his hair begins to fall in front of his face and how sincere he looks as he gazes down upon him. It's impossible not to trust him with every fiber of his being, which makes it just as impossible to keep himself from saying, "Please don't hurt me."

Just as soon as the words leave him does he feel embarrassed for making such a request, and hides face as best he can to disguise the shame.

[daggersword]

Gods, Edgin's body feels good. The pressure of his mouth, the firmness of his hand, the warmth of his body-- it's all good, good, good, and Xenk half-wonders when it is the other shoe will drop and something terrible will happen.

But because Edgin wants it, Xenk's hand finds his waist and pushes enough to get him on his back. He pulls away enough to murmur a word between them-- "closer"-- and with his touch still on Edgin's jaw, the other trails along his thigh to coax it to wrap around him.

It might be viewed as inappropriate, but Xenk isn't asking for more than the kissing in the end. He seeks Edgin's mouth, pressure sucked into the man's bottom lip, and hooks his arm around his middle to keep their bodies pressed together. Closer, closer, closer.

[failchamp]

Breath stuttering in his lungs as he feels Xenk's weight on top of him and the touch to his thigh, Edgin's never so willingly wrapped his leg around someone to draw them near. It's almost humiliating the way he whines softly as he feels the suck on his lip.

Gods, it's unfair how inherently sexy this man is.

His fingers curl tightly into Xenk's shirt, desperate for a closeness he's unsure of even being possible.

"Please," he gasps out, unsure of what he's asking for.

[daggersword]

Xenk struggles to keep calm as he exhales after Edgin's spoken, the thought of wants driving something in him mad. A steady hand slips to the small of Edgin's back, pressing gently against it, and as he considers the smile on the man's face and the light in his eyes, Xenk does his best to focus on what he's told instead of the conflict in his own head.

"I want to continue kissing you," he says, seeking Edgin's gaze in a mix of question and bubbling devotion. "I understand we tend to have... conversations, like this, at this hour, but now that we've kissed, I..."

Xenk's face warms. "I'd like more." His free hand seeks the space between the side of Edgin's neck and the surface of the pillow beneath him, his thumb brushing over his jaw.

"I really..."

Xenk hates this sudden inability to articulate his thoughts, but when he leans in and kisses Edgin again, he supposes perhaps this is better than speech, anyway.

[failchamp]

The only thing more baffling to Edgin than Xenk's ability to speak so eloquently is when he seemingly loses the capability to speak all together. The petty part of his brain is proud that he's managed to get this man to stumble over his words, but he knows full well that he's just as incapable of speaking then.

Which is part of why he's grateful the man just kisses him; though he's just as grateful for the kiss itself.

It should be no surprise to Edgin that Xenk is so tender in his touches seeing as how he's gentle with most everyone he meets, save for the Thayans that give people like Xenk a bad name, and yet he can't help it. Even Zia, delicate as she was, didn't hold the same level of grace Xenk does as he holds and kisses him.

He melts into the paladin as they share another moment of intimacy, leaning into the hand laid upon him as best he can as the one holding Xenk's cheek shifts to cup the back of his neck.

[daggersword]

Oh, to have made Edgin laugh... amidst the swirling uncertainties in his head, Xenk tells himself that this could only be good. That even one as complex as Edgin Darvis couldn't possibly fake a laugh that warm.

So when asked, Xenk says the first thing on his mind: "I'm relieved you did not resent me for taking something so selfishly."

Then, sheepish in a way he isn't comfortable with, he adds, "I'm fine, too. I'm happy.

"And you... liked that, then?"

"Fine" and "more than fine" aren't very good quantifiers to him-- they're so vague they might as well be moot.

"Kissing, I mean." A beat. "Ah-- kissing me."

[failchamp]

Even like this, he's so concerned about doing the right thing, Edgin can't help but note as he looks over the way Xenk speaks.

"I liked it very much," he finally says, reaching up to cup the side of his face once more. "And, since you seem to need to be made aware, wanting things for yourself isn't selfish. It's okay to want and try and get what you want."

A charming smile pulls at his lips.

"Fortunately, our wants appear to coincide in this situation."

He leans up and presses a quick, chaste kiss to the tip of his nose. "Don't be afraid to take what you want from me, alright? Chances are I want it, too."

[daggersword]

Edgin's mouth makes him tremble. Caught with affection, it's as if Xenk's whole mind completely stills-- there's nothing left but the pressure of Edgin's mouth on his own and the hand that covers his. That quiet fear of selfishness continues to grip him, but Xenk pushes through it; if Edgin's kissing him back like this, then that means he wants it too, right?

He isn't proud of the noise he makes, raw and quiet and coming from somewhere deep in his chest. The arm around Edgin's waist draws him closer, but even then Xenk wants him flush less for impropriety and more for that desire to be one. With eyes shut, he could almost forget where his own flesh ends and where Edgin's begins. It's just-- gods, it's just them.

When the kiss finally breaks, Xenk's breathless. It hadn't been more than the press of lips and the slight tilts of the head until they could fit perfectly, but it's so much affection that Xenk might explode with it.

"Was that--" Dark eyes open, facing Edgin with the slightest sheen of hope. "Were you... all right?"

[failchamp]

"I'm..." Edgin pauses as he tries to find the words to describe how he feels, but he keeps coming short. Instead, he lets out a warm laugh as he ducks his head to rest his forehead against the side of Xenk's jaw. "I'm amazing.

"Better than I've been in a while. Gods, I-I was worried this was a one-sided thing, if I'm being totally honest. Not that I- you know what, it's fine. I'm fine. This is... more than fine."

He pulls back to look back up to Xenk adoringly and his teeth more than visible from the smile he has plastered on his lips.

Giving Xenk's hand a gentle squeeze, he finally asks, "How are you?"

[daggersword]

What conversations they've had of partners comes to mind, but Xenk isn't sure if that's what Edgin has in mind or if that's anything he could ask of him.

But as he pulls back enough to look at him-- in those eyes he's come to know so well-- it feels like he has to do something.

"Edgin--" An inhalation has Xenk's chest rising and falling, and for the first time in a long time there's a genuine uncertainty blooming inside him.

But wavering is unlike him, so Xenk decides he won't.

It's chaste, but Xenk presses his lips to Edgin's. It's fleeting, but affectionate all the same. And when he pulls back he thinks about apologising, but what comes out instead is: "There's no obligation. I just...

"I felt--" He tries again, flounders. "I needed to--"

[failchamp]

The concern that shines in his eyes dissipates the moment he feels the innocent press of lips to his own.

While he's certainly taken aback and flushing gently as he looks up at the paladin, his heart is fluttering in his chest in a way it hasn't in quite some time.

As he stammers, however, Edgin knows he has to ensure Xenk knows he's done nothing worng.

The kiss he presses in return is gentle, but he holds it longer than the one they've previously shared. Truthfully, it's not like him to initiate something more, but it's clear that Xenk having done something as sweet yet quick was far more than he's used to. Edgin knows full well that he could have reassured him that he didn't mind, but words are wind and actions show intention far more greatly.

And, fortunately, he sincerely likes the way Xenk's lips feel against his own. He loves the way he can feel what the other's trying to convey. He loves the way his nerves quell. He loves how right this feels.

And, quite possibly, he loves Xenk, though, he knows there'll be ample time to figure that part out.