We are merely water;

✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ "You see, for what I merely am is but a sailor and you my love, you are the sea."

[marinedepth]

Drabble; Rain

Rain: I’ll write a fluffy (?) drabble of our characters kissing in the rain.

Droplets smashing against the now dark pavement, splashing as water hit the ground and if one had managed to escape the droplet on it’s way down, chances were that it’d hit instead on its way up again. It was pouring, as it always was during that time of the year, and as always it was not even near chilly. Nathan loved summer in South Korea. He truly embraced everything that summer meant, and longed for it during the other seasons of the year. Cars passed them by infrequently, at times all that was audible was the violent rain. Even though rain probably was the least popular form of weather amongst the majority of the population, Nathan really did adore it. There were few things one could do that were as relaxing and comforting as being outside whilst it rained, and letting it embrace you. Feeling the droplets roll down his skin on the insides of his clothes, the sensation of it softly hitting against his scalp to roll down his face and neck, to be completely embraced by the warm summer rain - this was one of the few things not involving his partner the young vampire took genuine joy in. 

Though, this time it did involve Asce. But his presence did not really lighten the younger of the pair’s mood, thus Nathan did try not to mind the man walking a few feet behind him, desperately trying to protect himself from the drops with merely an umbrella. Nathan was lucky they weren’t in the city that day, instead walking along the country road leading to their summer residence. It had taken a long time for Nathan to persuade Asce, because the crusnik really did not see why they had to walk all the way when they could go by car. And frankly that argument was completely reasonable, and it was merely Nathan that was being unreasonable. Maybe more so than usually. But he had felt it, he had felt that if he did not get to walk that day, he’d miss out on a very enjoyable occasion. And so, he had managed to talk his mate into walking with him from the train station, or more just stated that he was going to do so and Asce was free to do as he liked. And so, maybe a mile from the train, Nathan had fetched the umbrella he had brought with him from his bag as he felt the first drop, handing it to Asce before taking out the plastic bags he had brought to protect electronics and other items sensitive to water. The gaze his beloved had given him was painted with disbelief and almost a hint of betrayal, but he had complied nonetheless. 

As the rain had slowly increased in power, Asce had studied his husband from the side before letting out a sigh. “You were waiting for this.” Nathan had only smiled. “I did, it took longer for it to arrive than expected.” Another sigh had escaped the crusnik. “What if I ran the rest of the way home?” Nathan studied his husband for a few seconds with a fading smile. “Then I’ll miss you.” A silence followed, and a last silent whisper was heard in between rain softly hitting the fabric of the umbrella. “And I’d miss you too.” 

And so they continued on in silence, in an unnecessarily slow pace for two vampires, the smattering of rain against every surface surrounding them increasing in volume. It smelled completely different, every wet leaf almost competing with the others about who could give off the strongest scent. Senses of smell for the two completely drowned in the rain soaked landscape, and Asce sullenly followed behind his lover. He did not want to kill his excitement over the rain, and at the same time he truly did not see the joy in being soaked to the bone so he had simply decided to stay behind was the only choice in his situation. Nathan on the other hand, could not erase the grin from his features as it mirrored the bliss he could only feel when out in the summer rain. He had increased his pace though, walking a little faster than he would have in solitude, as to spare his unimpressed partner from a few extra moments exposed to the weather. 

As the power with which the rain poured down had reached its height and it was no longer possible to see if it came from the sky or if it actually went up from the ground, Asce had cached up and was walking beside his mate, with the umbrella in the steadiest grip he could muster. “Please get under the umbrella, Nathan.” The younger’s wet eyebrows had been raised, and with his dripping fringe combed backwards they were very much visible. “Why?” The crusnik had helplessly, in his own composed way, observed and noted just how soaked every millimetre of Nathan was. Another heavy sigh had been let out. “Because I really can’t comprehend how being soaked to the bone could be a feeling bringing joy. But then again I figured you’re an odd one a long time ago.” 

Nathan stopped completely and without a sound whatsoever. Asce turned around, questioningly eyeing the younger. “...Nathan?” Still without a word, he slowly approached the other, silently taking the umbrella from Asce’s reluctant hands. Closing it before dropping it to the ground,  gazing into orbs that now had noticeable traces of gold in the edges he finally let out a small chuckle. With every drop damping the crusnik’s hair and clothing, Nathan’s lips curled into a smile. “You know,” getting closer to his husband, pressing himself against him when their chests touched and soaking the other further in the process, “out of the two of us, most would probably consider you the odd one.” Uttered words hushed although they neededn’t be, Nathan leaned in to connect their lips in a kiss. Returning the action, Asce let his lips too curl into a soft smile once parted again. He huffed. “Though, with you being the vampire who married a feared vampire killer, I do beg to differ.” Once again connecting their lips, this time in a longer and a bit more satisfying kiss, tainted by the rain caressing both their features, the previous smiles just did not fade. “I might let you win that one, but only because I can’t come up with a good comeback right now.” Shaking his head at the silliness of the man he married, he did look away from the younger and in the direction in which they were heading. “Could we please run now?” Nathan too now looking in the general direction of home, he nodded. “Yes, let’s.”

[indigogypsies]

Someone asked me what home was and all I could think of were the stars on the tip of your tongue, the flowers sprouting from your mouth, the roots entwined in the gaps between your fingers, the ocean echoing inside of your ribcage.

E.E. Cummings (via cleamour)

[seokjins-wings]

[kev-rudd-blog]

[marinedepth]

A whole year has passed, since the day the two of us joined paths, in the way I used to long for so much my still heart would ache. But my needs are since long satisfied, and with them my affection, passion and respect for you has continued to grow an immense amount. It has yet to stop, but my mind doubts it will happen any time in the near future. The past year has been the happiest year I've experienced so far, and with future events in sight, I hold high hopes for the coming one to continue in the same fashion. I love you with every fibre in my body, and with every millimetre of my skin always longing for your loving touch I have become nearly insatiable. You, my love, the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me, are not only the very reason to why I am still alive, but also why there is a lingering euphoria hidden inside of my rib cage. All in all, my very dear husband to be, my mate, I am incredibly grateful for our year together and am anticipating many more with you by my side, hopefully soon truly joined together as one. — Nathan Lee [15th of February, 2015]

[marinedepth]

Madness [1961]

His breathing was heavy, chest violently heaving up and down and pale smoke escaping a full pair of lips, intertwining with the chill night air. It wasn't needed, the breathing, as it was far from necessary for his survival. But it was reflex. Traces of his since long lost humanity, behaviour still imprinted into his subconscious mind. And as it seemed, it was one of the very few still lingering traits telling about his history as a once part of mankind. Because in that very moment, it all seemed oh so very distant.

Abruptly stopping, completely cutting off the unnecessary flow of air to his lungs, not a muscle moved. He listened. A sudden shuffling somewhere not too far away, and everything Nathan was froze. It would be nothing but inconvenient if someone were to find him in his current state, his shirt hanging loosely around his shoulders, some of the buttons having been ripped off minutes earlier, and the fabric bearing visible traces of blood that obviously weren't his own. His hair just being slightly dishevelled, it was the least outstanding thing about his appearance. What was though, the already coagulating blood covering his hands up to his elbows, as well as the traces of blood that had trickled from full lips and down his neck, and down underneath the thin fabric covering his chest, might have been a bit more notable. And he reeked of it, the too sweet, almost honey-like scent that had completely erased traces the more obvious nutty tones of the sanguine fluid. It wouldn't be long until the leftovers of what had once been three of his own kind would gather more attention.

                   Up until that moment, it had all happened so quickly.

He hadn't recognised anyone, hadn't remembered the men until they had stopped him, until the had dragged him with them into the ally and pushed him to the ground. Their laugh echoing between the walls of surrounding buildings. And the memories he had worked so hard to overcome had all come rushing back. It had been memories of mental and physical abuse, rape and threats of making it worse if he didn't obey. Nothing of it had been something Nathan had been willing to re-live again. A flashing of memories of pain of unimaginable levels, and the animalistic need to survive within him had fully awakened.

The cold and hard surface of the ground, as well as grit pressing into his palms were easily forgotten, and Nathan had closed his eyes to concentrate. His ears had clearly picked up the sound of approaching footsteps, more laughter as well as an amused tone uttering something. And right before both of the pair of feet had reached him, control was obtained. As it had been some time since the last time, things had gone a bit slower than usual. But Nathan's control had quickly spread from the approaching vampire's toes, up to his knees, until, within seconds, every little muscle had been at his mercy. A smile of an unusual sort tugged Nathan's lips upwards, and he forced the body to come to a full stop. With ease forcing the other vampire's lips together, pressing his tongue down inside of his mouth, he forced the body to instead turn around to face the other two. He had no clue what the look of what the male's face might have looked like, but to be perfectly honest, whatever it looked like had had the exact impact he had wished for. Standing up and brushing off the small stones stuck to his palms, Nathan moved to stand right behind the still body, before reaching forward to whisper softly in his ear, “You can't imagine how much I've waited for this.”

Letting go of control of the vampire's facial muscles, though still not allowing a sound to escape one of his former abusers, Nathan instead reached out for silencing as well as making the other two into his own, unmoving marionettes. Any sounds coming from the main road next to the ally weren't registered, everything around them had seemingly quietened and the echoes of laughter were since long gone. All that filled its place had been a tense silence, though that had been a silence soon to be broken.

Unintentionally letting the smile on his lips broaden, Nathan's eyes spoke of hunger mixed with anticipation. Putting his main focus on the male closest to him, he made the other male undress himself, leaving the upper torso completely exposed, before placing the male's hand on his now naked chest. Fingers curled, forcing themselves through skin to in the next moment, rip it off. Though, not a single drop escaped through the hole, it was all being forced to stay inside of the male's body as Nathan made the hand dig deeper, tearing the ribcage apart and tossing the sternum on the ground. The hollow sound echoed amongst the walls, being the first quite loud sound since the laughter had disappeared. Nathan took a step forward, standing right next to the man before he looked him in the eyes. With the smile still present even though slightly less wide, he reached out his hand, palm open and facing upwards, as if waiting to be handed something. The older male's gaze met Nathan's, speaking of a physical pain out of this world, mixed with pure fear. Even so, the hand was once again placed in the hole, before grabbing the since long still heart and ripping it out of himself. As the heart had been placed in the hand Nathan had extended, some of the control had been released and the sanguine was streaming out of the hole, gathering in a pool by his feat before all control was lost and the body collapsed, resulting in a rather large splash.

Not bothering to move himself, Nathan instead simply let the other two walk to him. Just as with the first of them, fear was clearly evident in their eyes. Not being able to repress the fire burning in his throat, previously sparked by the baring of blood moments before, he moved the large muscle he held in his hand to his lips, and took a bite. Sanguine staining pearly teeth and a drop escaping from his mouth, leaving a red trace as it rushed down the skin of his chin and neck. Pupils decreasing in size at the same time, with the rays of light blue around them taking over the darker shade, contrasting even more against the black.

With the heart devoured within a couple of minutes, Nathan's focus returned to the two males in front of him. Had they been able to move their lips, begs for mercy had since long been heard.

In a somewhat bored manner, the right hand which was already covered with blood, with ease penetrated the chest of the youngest of the three, breaking bones and muscles with clear sounds of the ripping echoing in his ears. It wasn't too hard finding the heart and Nathan retreated his hand again, letting the second body crash to the ground with a rather loud thud. Moving his gaze from the now corpse with blood staining the paving stones, a troubled expression swept across Nathan's features. The sound would most probably attract attention soon, forcing him to hurriedly try to repeat previous actions. No chance that he would let the last of the three live. Mercy, was far from being an acceptable option. With one hand occupied, instead the left arm penetrated the skin, alike sounds from before audible once again. But, unintentionally, control over the other male's body was overturned and in a second a deep, animalistic growl came from the male with the penetrated chest. Nathan swiftly withdrew his hand, dropping the heart in his right hand to the ground. With fingers tugging his shirt before moving quickly, instead scratching around his neck, the younger vampire obtained a firm hold of the other's head and with more force than needed, twisting the neck of the other vampire.

With the third body collapsing to the ground, though this one still letting out wheezing breaths, Nathan put one of his feet on the lying man's back and moved some loose strands from his face and back into their place, the stickiness of blood now in his hair as well.. Crouching down, a rather breathy chuckle escaped him. “Hadn't this been a lot easier if you had just cooperated, princess? It's rather bothersome to fight, isn't it?” Voice had been smooth and rich as velvet, the tone as well as words identical to those that had been uttered to himself many years ago.

There had been no answer though, only a slightly louder wheezing from the paralysed vampire on the ground. Moving into a better position, with one foot on the man's shoulder as to keep the body in place, his hands once again placed around the head. Ripping it off completely in a swift motion, he quickly threw it away, thus completely removing it from his field of vision. Not noticing the added stains to the hems of his trousers as well as his half-exposed chest, Nathan pushed the body over so that it was now lying on its back. Putting his hand back into the hold created earlier, he hastily removed the heart before devouring that as well. Turning around to look for the one he had dropped before, he found it lying on the shirt of his first victim. Thus keeping it almost untouched. Bending down to pick it up, he quickly rose with it in his hands to instead focus on the shuffling heard not too far away. He froze, breathing stopped and he stayed still. Whatever it was, it did not scare him.

[zptp]

[marinedepth]

Richard Gaston

[chieon]

Visit Original Link

[write20xx]

You’ve suddenly become the only thing I’d never run away from.

I’ll Run to You Every Time (#604: July 9, 2014)

[marinedepth]

The Morning of Christmas || Nathan & Asce

[florasce]

— That little tug upon his heartstrings never fails, whenever he opens his eyes before his lover does. When he finds himself, and his mind, to be lonely within still enveloping spreads of darkness. Here and there, prominent traces of fear still keeps his mind chained for a few seconds, that never ending fright that he, once more, will wake up to an empty bedside and a note with scribbled words. How unlikely it may seem, that such an occurrence would ever come to separate them again. But even so, the way he turns around is slow, the way he lays his eyes upon the sleeping male beside him calm, as if unmoved. Because that is, and has always been, the way Leon wears his expressions. Calmness hides turmoil, and unemotional reactions are completely natural. But even if he has spent over an entire millennia without the slightest trace of proper emotional response ( more so during the last two hundred ) Nathan is re-awakening every single thing he has forgotten. The numbness of longing, the need of silent affection. All those things, that he still finds it hard to understand. Things he finds himself adoring, because there’s nobody who can provide him with this ; to make him feel as if his life isn’t meaningless — as if he’s still allowed to live. Nobody, aside from the male he has decided to spend the rest of his day with. The rest, of Eternity. 

Hues of dark celadon linger by shadowed features, staying completely silent in the darkness of their room. And even though he doesn’t particularly need it, he reaches back to turn on the light decorating his bedside table. It makes him squint for a moment, thinking it too bright and considering to turn it off for a split second. Although, he does let it be. Because the way the beaming artificial light reflects upon the younger of the two, how its rays lay a gentle glow to his appearance, it is indeed enticing. Leon falls back against his pillow after that, motion slow. As much as he wants to reach out and drag nimble fingertips along the curve of a smooth shoulder, or along the other’s jawline, he keeps his fingers to himself. Because he does not want to disturb peaceful slumber. Not when Nathan looks as if he’s experiencing the sweetest of dreams. Leon would know, because it is more than often that he sneakily decides to create something pretty for the younger in his sleep. As a dreamwalker, everything he does in his sleep can possibly affect others, and doing it harmlessly, seems like nothing wrong. Even if it renders his sleep light and improper. But as a cannibalistic vampire, sleep is not exactly needed either. It’s merely an easy way to shut off his mind for a while or so. But he never shares this information with the younger, never tells him that he’s always giving a little piece of himself, to make sure the one he loves is at peace when sleep makes his exterior vulnerable. 

It does not take all too long however, for those eyes he adores so much to part, to open and gaze right back at him. It fills him with warm fondness; colors his gaze with admiration as he beholds what he treasures the most. To be touched, in a manner that left his skin feeling as if it had been ignited. He shuts his eyes for a moment when Nathan shuffles closer, breathing slowly once more, as reminding himself that yes, it is the proper thing to do. He keeps forgetting — breathing and blinking still isn’t natural to him. After all these years. It almost makes him chuckle for a moment, the small curve of a smile twitching at his lips when Nathan’s am lands between hip and ribcage, and he can finally allow himself to reach his own fingertips out. He lets them brush gently along the male’s side, down along his ribs in a peaceful caress before splaying them across his back.

Hues are barely opened when lips land upon his own and he relishes the way it spreads warmth through still veins. Relishes the way, he wakes up to nothing more than love and affection for another day. It is all he can ask for these days, and all he will ever ask for too. The moment feels to brief, as soon as lips depart from his own, but even so his hues have still taken on that gleaming shade of turquoise that signifies the strongest bouts of sheer bliss within his usually troubled mind. Then words are spoken and he releases a content sigh as shifting closer, nuzzling against the younger male’s neck, to inhale his scent properly, if only for a moment, delivering the tiniest of kisses to his bare skin before he pulls back to his original position. “Je t’adore.” He then mumbles in response, French instinctual in his response. And it takes him a moment to even realise that it is what he has used. Those words are the strongest for of affectionate declaration that he knows — that he has the capability to understand, and it is rare for him to say them. Even like this, when there’s only them, together and nothing else. 

Today will be a busy day, he knows very well. But at least he knows he’ll enjoy it to its full extent. But as every other year, the days surrounding Christmas are all built upon traditions for him, and he will not come to change them this year either, rather establish them even further by including Nathan, If he’d want to, that is. The thought of forcing him to come with him for today’s service seemed more than unattractive to him. Swiftly he raises his hand to let it rest upon the male’s cheek, caressing his skin gently with his thumb as his eyelids slant a bit. ” I could, definitely stay like this for a while. ” He mumbles, as a few more seconds have passed and he looks back at the other properly once more, offering up one of his gentlest smiles. ” I have a feeling you could too. “

[marinedepth]

Closed distance and Nathan could feel the contentment spread through his body. His lower arms felt like they were covered in goose bumps and his fingers had stopped moving during the brief moment Asce's features were buried in the crook of his own neck. The smile worn widened slightly and still a bit sleepily as the sweetest words followed the ones he himself had spoken. What else could one ask for, than for the one who had become your everything, to feel the same way about you in return? It was a bit amusing, even though the memories still stung a bit, to think that so incredibly much had changed in their lives since the previous Christmas. Even though Asce did not have any memories of how his life was, Nathan could still remember clearly how it had been. How he had come to Seoul not having the slightest clue that it had – seemingly – been a little too late. To find that what he had regarded for a long time to be his Asce, clearly hadn't felt for the younger what the younger had felt for him. Because Nathan had been alone with his own misery and his now fiancé had been someone else's. It was painful to remember how hopeless things had felt back then, because of promises several decades old he had intended to hold, but the situation he had returned to had made it very hard for him to do just that. Because to be perfectly honest, he would most probably had acted the same now as he had done back then. After all, a physical friendship was, and would still be, better than nothing at all.

              Luckily, all that had changed.

Lids fluttered, and affection felt for his lover swelled in his chest as the light touch was felt upon his own cheek. His eyes did not close however, instead he keeps them focused on the man facing him, the man he would be able to call his lawfully wedded husband in the future. Asce's words coloured the silence and Nathan's smile widened even more. A light chuckle escapes him, and if possible he shuffles yet closer, intertwining their legs in the process. “You know I wouldn't mind spending every day like this. Even though the only thing that matters in this situation is you being close to me.” A light sigh and the fingers placed on Asce's back start circulating again, every once and again caressing what is most probably a scar carefully hidden from the naked eye. Camouflaged by ink.

Once again trying to learn Asce's body by heart, every millimetre of skin he wanted to have loved properly, it was an amusing game he sometimes played by himself. Lingering by some maybe unusual places in those intimate moments, trying to remember everything in detail, it was one of many activities Nathan found joy in. And this particular unevenness had not yet been noted, not until that morning. He had developed some habits in the last year they had been together, and a good majority of them involving his beloved partner.

His eyes had unknowingly moved from the pair of orbs he so often found himself adoring, and instead had settled on a very inviting pair of lips. Not being able to resist the temptation – frankly, when was he ever able to resist it during such intimate moments – he let the distance lessen to give his love a proper good morning kiss. Definitely lasting longer this time, the young vampire could feel his whole self relax, all that existed was Asce, Asce, Asce. It was bliss, to be allowed to act on impulse for once, instead of having to wait for the proper time to come. Work was getting in the way too much lately for intimacy, a whole lot too much for Nathan's liking. But not today, there were other plans for them. Ending the kiss, suddenly remembering to breathe again, the younger of the two took a deep breath out of reflex. “So, what are the plans for today? When do we have to leave?” His voice was soft, even though a lot more awake than before.

[sad-plath]

Yours 

(now I’m even losing my name - it was getting shorter and shorter all the time and is now: Yours)

Franz Kafka, Letters to Milena (via rude-kareshi)

[holograph]

[marinedepth]

The Morning of Christmas || Nathan & Asce

Sunshine tugged softly on Nathan's eyelids, or so he had supposed for a second. It had in fact been the faint light from one of their lamps, the one placed on Asce's side of the bed to be exact, that was lit in the early morning hour. It was still dark outside Nathan noted when his lids parted, though that was only because he had observed how the light hit the features of his beloved who had still been lying down, facing the younger of the two with his eyes open. It was always the best way of starting the day, to be met by the sight of the man one were to spend the rest of his days with. To let oneself quietly admire how the raven locks fell and meet the loving gaze in his fiancés orbs. Mustering some strength in his arm, Nathan let his hand help moving some loose strands from Asce's face and place them with the others, still without saying anything. It was a quiet way of beginning his day and one that he genuinely enjoyed. Shuffling closer underneath the sheets, he let the same arm from before place itself in the curve between hipbone and ribcage as chests were separated only by the tiniest distance. Still letting a tiny but nevertheless content smile play on his lips, he let his own pair place themselves on the older male's, as nothing more than an innocent good morning kiss of course.

Holding the position for a few seconds, relishing in the feeling of Asce's skin against his own as he did so, when finally parting his eyes held a special sort of admiration in them. The tips of their noses still faintly brushing against each other and Nathan felt like the luckiest man on earth. Not being able to hold himself back anymore, the very first words of the day fell from a smiling pair of lips. “Je t'aime, Asce Chaussée.” A soft chuckle followed and so did another peck. Because what Nathan hadn't mentioned before, even though it being a reoccurring situation, was that as many days as he could, he wanted to begin with a set of words describing just what he felt in that moment. It might be a simple 'good morning' some mornings, or maybe just a content sigh of his fiancés name, or something as cheesy as today, but they were all genuine ways of expression. Nathan had figured that they spent so much time during the days being close but never together, that he really wanted to begin his days as lovingly as he possibly could. And so he did.

With this particular day being Christmas Eve, and even though he was aware that they would spend some time in the house of God during the day, instead of the halls of the undying where they both found work, he wanted it to be as special as possible. The tree was to be decorated as well, because so far it was still completely empty with the box of newly bought decorations in a large box standing next to it, even though the tree had already been on stand-by in their living room for a couple of days. Nathan had to make food as well, the pudding could wait until Christmas day, but the turkey and the rest of the dishes were to be prepared. (Thankfully, the only part of pastry making he had mastered was a corner of the British tradition, his knowledge about pudding-making stretching back to being taught by one of his father's English maids. Even though that had been during the early 19th century, the calm instructing voice still echoed inside of his head every time when he was making it.)

Reminding himself to ask for help with the apple pie later, the smile he had worn on his features broadened slightly as he let a finger run over a patch of chilled skin. Asce's back it felt like, and the tips of that hand's fingers circulated around an unevenness, most probably a scar, even though he was too busy getting lost in the colourful orbs of his lover to properly notice.

[marinedepth]

Aspiring Companionship [1841]

Inspired by [x], though with some slight changes.

The glistening flakes had taken the otherwise naked landscape into its embrace; covering the hard ground, the exposed branches of trees and bare roofs, creating the ideal illustration of winter. Completely empty of any trace of human existence. There was a soft serenity to the falling snow, silence only interrupted by the whispers of the wind and the occasional sounds of sheep far away. The heard was much closer to the small village, leaving the local church and its priest’s residence isolated from the rest of the community. Only former inhabitants of the local community had residences closer to the church, on the other side of the building facing the woods, where they had been put to eternal rest beneath the ground.

Fading rays gave light to the shimmering white, but they were quickly becoming weaker as the sun was setting. Minutes would pass and at last, the last source of light would disappear to leave everything in a pitch black darkness. 

"Nathan." 

The clear voice echoed inside of the stone walls, and the male standing by the altar turned his head in mild surprise, and rather stiffly the body followed the motion, until completely facing the surrounding altar area, as well as the main and side isles of the church. The voice calling he had grown used to over the last couple of months, the owner of it was a man Nathan deeply respected and felt gratitude towards. Holding onto the cloth he had used for cleaning, the damp fabric dirtied by dust. It took a moment before his eyes noted the male sitting a number of rows away from where he stood, for he hadn’t noticed his arrival. Nathan noted the dark locks framing his features as well as the ones tucked behind one of the ears, the way it usually looked when Asce had been writing on one of the sermons he would hold for the locals. The priest’s gaze did not rest upon the younger of the two though, it was fixated on the bible he held in his hands, seemingly looking for inspiration lingering in-between the torn pages. Nathan didn’t get to answer however, the elder instead let his own words fill the air once more. "Will you be finished soon? For your sake I believe it is time for us to move to the house before it grows too chilly in here." 

The caring nature of the priest still managed to surprise Nathan, his kindness though it might be rather subtle for most, was still one of the very few things still keeping the younger alive. His previous encounters with their kind had left the young vampire with some very negative experiences, to say the least. A flash of a smile and Nathan turned back to wiping dust off of the altar. "I’ll just finish cleaning this." Even though the younger couldn’t see it, Asce nodded to himself as an answer, before turning his attention back to the book he since long could recite by heart. It was mainly an excuse for him to watch over his protégé at the same time as he did not disturb, but it also worked as a distraction. A distraction from watching the younger too closely, which Asce figured would only make him anxious. Nathan was already anxious enough for the both of them, with good reason, and so the elder decided it unnecessary to add to the already existing, though decreasing amount. 

A while later and Nathan could feel the air inside of the church growing even colder, causing him to shiver. As he was gathering the items used for cleaning after finally finishing, he failed to note Asce rising from where he had been seated and thus flinched when a hand was placed on his shoulder. "Leave that and go back to the house, I believe the fire needs to be fed." Denying those words were hard, even considering the thought of refusing caused him to shiver once again. Nathan’s body longed for warmth more than anything else, which they both knew Asce’s didn’t, and so he did as he was told. "I’ll be waiting for you by the fire." He got a single nod as his answer and didn’t linger for long before slipping out of the main entry. 

It was indeed dark outside, the new moon didn’t provide much light and neither did the building behind him as windows were growing less and less luminous. With the sound of newly fallen snow scrunching underneath his feet, he hurriedly made his way to the small house in which the two lived, quickly stepping inside and closing the door behind himself. Luckily the frost hadn’t gotten a grip of his limbs just yet and still with relative ease he made his way to the fireplace. Asce had been right - of course - the small source of warmth was gasping for breath, desperately holding onto the last log. Nathan sat down in the floor facing the fire, after placing some new wood for it to consume. Relishing in the feeling of warmth increasing and thus warming him up, he allowed himself to completely relax for a while, eyelids closed until the moment he heard the front door opening. 

He quietly observed as Asce sat down on the floor next to him, the scents of candles blown out as well as the merciless frost from outside clung to the crusnik. Nonetheless, he averted his gaze back to the fire and watched the flames for another few moments before closing his eyes again.

Asce hadn’t done anything to him yet, nothing bad at least, and there was a growing feeling of trust for the male beside him. But even so there was a fear for being used again, and a voice in his head constantly reminded him of happenings in the past, even though the volume of that voice had decreased over the last couple of months. Because of the thought that now answered that voice; “if he had wanted to abuse Nathan, he would have done that already.” And hopefully, if things proceeded like they had, the suspicious thoughts would quiet down completely in the future.

A sudden yawn escaping him cut off the young vampire’s trail of thoughts, and he noted how heavy his eyelids had grown. Blinking a couple of times, he looked over at the male still seated beside him on the rough floor, their wary gazes meeting. 

"Do you want me to accompany you tonight?" 

It took a few seconds longer than usual for Nathan to register the words that had fallen from Asce’s lips, as if the sentence had been spoken in a language he wasn’t very familiar with. Without really thinking about it, his head moved up and down as it still hadn’t really realised what exactly could have been indicated. When it did however, it was shown very evidently upon his features and it was a struggle to come up with a proper sentence. "I-, I’m not sure-, it’s not-"Quickly, there was a reassuring hand placed on his shoulder. "Sleeping, Nathan, nothing else." 

***

And so it proved to be a real challenge for the young vampire to fall asleep. The two had never shared a bed before and the whole situation had Nathan being more than aware of the male lying next to him. It was impossible to relax even long after the ‘good night’s had been said, and it wasn’t until the moment he turned to lay on his side, facing the other, that Nathan noted that Asce seemed to have fallen asleep already. It had grown completely quiet aside from his own breathing, not even breaths from the crusnik disturbed the peace. Because he didn’t breathe. At all. Though that didn’t bother him all too much.

Sitting up, Nathan had to glance over at the motionless male just to make sure that he wasn’t awake, to make sure that his eyes weren’t open even though his breathing had stopped. Which they weren’t to his relief. Laying down again, he shuffled just a tiny bit closer, the weariness helping the young male to overcome the last ounces of wariness left. Slowly his senses numbed, the thoughts still circulating in his mind were shattered and sleep finally got a steady hold of Nathan. 

During the night, unlike his older guardian, the young vampire’s body sometimes moved and so it did that night as well. He had shuffled closer and curled up next to Asce, the tip of his nose just brushing against the upper arm of the sleeping male, soft breaths tickling chilled skin. One of his arms had been thrown over the older man’s stomach and it rested there still. A strange kind of embrace one might think, but also a completely innocent one. A subconscious sense of security being the cause of it, one Nathan still wasn’t fully aware of. And hours later, with the first sounds of bleating coming from the heard of sheep, Asce woke. 

The first breath he took that morning was filled with familiar scents, though the big difference was that they were so much more intense. There was something about Nathan’s scent that reminded him of the sea, a salty touch that hadn’t been detectable before. A moment later he noted the arm resting on his abdomen as well as the closed distance between him and the vampire he had cared for more than half a year now. A strange sort of tenderness sprouted inside of his chest when noting just how comfortable the younger looked. Something tugged at the muscles in his face, but there was no smile upon plush lips. There needn’t be. But even so the celadon colour did not change, for there was only serenity, the heavy flakes of snow were still falling and faint breathing was the only sound disturbing the silence. And Asce lied as motionless as he possibly could.

[roleplayaskmemes]

The 33rd gif in your folder is your muse's reaction to seeing their crush naked

[marinedepth]

[absinthius]

[marinedepth]

Hushed breathing

A soft fluttering of closed lids, the thin patches of skin crinkling just in the slightest of ways, brows matched the motion right before lashes decided to part, though orbs still only seeing the pitch black darkness. A soft but uncertain inhale was taken, lips never parting and the air passed the male's nostrils instead. It was cold; it was always cold, but it was not unpleasant. Actually, it was so much the opposite of unpleasant it could possible be, Nathan was home after all. Home was never meant as trapped in between a certain quartet of walls accompanied by a particular floor or ceiling, there was no possible way of obtaining his home with money. For the only place Nathan called home was the place where he was wrapped in Asce's arms, and it was a mere coincidence they were located in one of their shared facilities, this one being the large house outside of the city. As orbs had gotten used to the vast darkness surrounding them, the distant twinkle of stars helped to see. Contours of his sleeping mate grew more and more evident, every single line utterly and completely mesmerising; for together they formed him.

Sounds were pouring in through the open window; the rustle of leaves touched by the soft fingers of a breeze and splashing of fish in the pond, though crickets being the most dominating of them all. As usual, the only breaths audible were his own as Asce didn't breathe whilst asleep. Possibly terrifying for other forms of living beings, but to be perfectly honest Nathan had never mind the absence of them, for neither of them were what would count as alive. Vampires only lived of the living, but would never acquire that sort of mortality, seeing as it already left when they were turned. He smiled softly at the thought, those of the same species should stick together since it was what worked, it had been proved over and over again throughout time. Humans were destined with humans, vampires with vampires and so forth. 

Daring to raise one of his hands, he moved it from it's original place to place it on a soft cheek, letting his thumb brush over the pale skin as his eyes continued to admire the sleeping male pressed against himself oh so closely. He looked so at peace when sleeping, it truly was a rare sight seeing his normally either indifferent or loving expression having faded away in the darkness, having left no visible trace. Nathan let his hand leave the cheek, though still keeping the physical contact as it tangled with the soft, coal coloured locks, missing fresh bite marks with just centimetres. Soon there would be a permanent pair there, a scar that he himself would've made and merely the thought of it filled him with the purest joy. Adoration. A soft sigh passed his own pair of lips and he shuffled closer, the feeling of Asce's naked skin against his own far from being a stranger, something Nathan relished in. 

As always when tired, whispers were destined to echo right before he fell asleep, even though there were none but the slumbering figure of his fiancé to hear them. And he would not hear them, the young vampire supposed, but they were bound to fall from his lips either way. It was a habit of sorts, though he wasn't entirely sure of when it had become one. Leaning forward, he pressed his lips against the plush but chilled pair of the other and let his lids close before the first word left him, the tips of their noses brushing against one another's. "Asce." He let the word echo for a few seconds, just listening to the quiet ring of such a short word that could hold so much perfection. "My dearest Asce, the man who holds my own very being in his two palms. You are, without a doubt, the only one I would ever want to share existence until destruction with. I believe you have compared me with your flowers during some occasions, and I have in turn compared you with what used to be my biggest source of both freedom and comfort. But those comparisons were merely droplets of rain wanting to compare themselves with a puddle. You see, for what I merely am is but a sailor and you my love, you are the sea." 

As murmurs had grown more and more hushed with every tired exhale, Nathan simply let the hold he had of his love tighten when the last syllable had been uttered, as to mark the end of it. A worn but nonetheless a smile swept upon his closed pair of lips, and he could not help himself from placing one last peck on Asce. Where exactly it was he didn't know, but it was the place he could reach with the least effort. As senses were dulling once more, the quiet and darkness sweeping over him, there were four words that managed to echo in his mind. They sounded sleepy but genuine, and what surprised him was that it wasn't his own voice.

"I love you too."