"No goodnight kiss for me?" for Nomin and Estinien? :D
hihi, janzoo! TT u TT sorry for the delay on this one. it'd been really hard to get back into the driver's seat for nomin and estinien for a little bit there! but i think this ended up coming out okay? maybe! in any case, i hope that today treats you well! thank you so much for the prompt ask!
kiss prompts
word count: 1,788
Navigating the waters of being in a relationship hidden away from the others was…interesting. It was interesting to Nomin whenever she and Estinien stole away for the quiet hours of the night to merely spend time in each other's presence. Had she told herself in the past that this was where the two of them would be, her younger self would have baked in laughter at the absurdity of the claim.
But now, it was far from being absurd. The most absurd thing for Nomin now was imagining her life without Estinien in it in any capacity.
"What is it?" Estinien asked when they had paused upon the bridge that overlooked one of the rivers that ran out into the Scholar's Harbor. His attention was set upon Nomin, this quiet curiosity only an apparition in the way he looked at her.
Nomin drew her hands behind her back and paced in large steps toward and then past Estinien. Then she turned on her heel and looked at him. In return, there was this prying sense about her.
"Words dance behind those lips of yours. Speak." It was a gentle demand from Estinien, but a demand nonetheless.
A chuckle bubbled from Nomin, muffled by still yet closed lips. Estinien's steely gaze narrowed.
"… It's nothing of import," Nomin replied, walking up to Estinien and moving her hands back to her sides. Tentatively, she reached up and rested her fingertips upon his forearm. "Merely…thinking. About us. Now that the star is no longer under the threat of the Final Days, and we…"
Nomin trailed off after a moment, her fingers dropping slowly from Estinien's arm. There were no lies that were shared between them the night before they took to the stars and beyond — only a discussion of passion shared between the heat of their bodies. However, now that they were both there — alive after everything — there was the question of where they would go from there. These were new waters to navigate, and they may have started tumultuous, but now there was this…calm. It was calm, and there was uncertainty for what future laid ahead in their uncharted course.
"Sounds like it is a matter of import," Estinien commented, catching Nomin's hand in his gingerly. His thumb ran over the smooth scales that lined the back of her hand. "Are we to pretend it didn't happen? Move on now that the star may turn in peace?"
The tone of Estinien's voice just then as well as the tug of his aether upon Nomin's Echo made it clear that he was not a fan of that idea. He came up with it, though.
"Nothing of the sort." Nomin moved her hand to be laced with his. Lifting her gaze, Nomin's cyan limbal rings cut through the darkness when she flicked her eyes up at him. "I suppose this is new. That's all… I fear I've never found myself in this situation, nor have I ever really fantasized about such a life. But…what I told you then — about how I grew to love you? That was all true."
Nomin's hand slowly tightened.
"I suppose that unnerves me in some way. When I think about myself beyond the time that is now…I wish only to see it with you at my side. While I may have had that sentiment with others I've developed bonds with, none are in the way I think about it when it comes to how I imagine it with you," Nomin explained, closing some distance between the two of them to where they were now sharing in the gentle warmth they both exuded.
"'Tis much unlike you to be so shaken over something so…mundane," Estinien chuckled.
"And yet your aether tells me that you share in this sense of unease," Nomin teased, her smile widening a fraction. With a tiny scoff let out through her nose, Nomin bobbed her head to the side momentarily. "Despite that, I…find myself oddly comforted by that. To know that I am not the only one navigating such a new path in our lives."
A quieted grunt came out of Estinien, and he finally curled his fingers to grasp Nomin's hand in turn. In an uncharacteristically softened tone, Estinien responded: "Aye, well…'tis as I said before: there is nowhere I'd rather be than standing shoulder to shoulder with you."
A flush crept up the back of Nomin's neck and into her cheeks, and her tail flicked a couple of times behind her. To have heard it then felt grounding and gave Nomin a surge of courage to actually prevent Estinien from leaving after he had bared part of his heart out to her. Hearing it now made her feel like she could be blown away by the gentle breeze that sung soundlessly over the island colony.
"… And I, you…" Nomin returned, her voice just as soft.
Cricket song and the whisper of leaves being disturbed by the wind became their companion along with the gentle chorus of water babbling its way to the harbor. It was like this for a time, and Estinien's forehead slowly came down to rest against the top of Nomin's own as they simply basked in each other's presence. This quiet companionship was something they both sought out — not so much like this, but the two of them had simply shared space before in the past. Hells…they had even sought each other out, not that either of them voiced this, or even consciously really acknowledged it for what it was.
Then the moment was over. Estinien slowly removed himself from Nomin, only looming over her with this tender look in his gaze.
"… Shall I accompany you back to your quarters?" Estinien inquired.
"Not absconding to only The-Twelve-knows-where?" Nomin playfully poked back at him, her tail curling up ever so slightly at the tip.
"If you would prefer the aching cold of your bed, I could leave you to it." That was when a smirk tugged at Estinien's lips. He knew full well that Nomin despised the chill air — that much had been gleaned during their ventures throughout Coerthas and the Churning Mists together. His jest, however, earned this pout from Nomin, even if she could feel how his aether indicated he was not serious. At least not within that moment.
"I'd like your company," Nomin replied simply.
Estinien's head bobbed in a shallow nod. "Very well."
Their time was silent in the hours of the night they spent together going back to the Baldesion Annex to make use of the Andron. The scent of parchment and ink filled their nostrils upon entering, and while it had become something of a comforting smell to Nomin, she stuck close to Estinien to get a hint of this smell of pine (or was it cedar?) that seemed to stick to him ever since they had met in the Central Coerthas Highlands. Either way, when they took pause before the doors that led to what were effectively Nomin's chambers during their stay in Old Sharlayan, Nomin found herself pinching the sleeve of Estinien's shirt between her fingers.
"You…are going to stay…right?" Nomin quietly asked.
Estinien stayed silent for a time. Ever since the events of Ultima Thule, he knew that Nomin seemed to struggle with the idea of being left again. Left permanently. If the events of Ultima Thule played out another way, she would be here. On her own. Carrying only the memories of him. Him and everyone else. Or perhaps she would not be there to carry them at all, and Etheirys would be naught more than erased from the cosmos.
"As long as you require," Estinien finally confirmed. "Till your eyes have closed. Till you open them again on the morrow."
Nomin pushed the doors open with Estinien's reassurance, her hand at his sleeve moving to take his hand. Once inside and situated with their shoes off, Nomin took to sitting on the edge of the bed. Estinien joined her as soon as he had made sure the doors were locked. Though Nomin was tired, she leaned her head — her horn, mostly — against Estinien's shoulder, a contented sigh falling from her.
"Mm…seems you still need your rest…" It was an observation made. Though Nomin had been free of the care of Sharlayan's chirurgeons for a fortnight now, there were still aches and sores that wore her out if she was up and about for too long. Now was no exception.
A pout formed on Nomin's face, and she directed it upward at Estinien.
"… What? Upset I dare to show concern over your well being?" Again, Estinien offered a jest, and Nomin only rolled her eyes, shaking her head as a smile flickered across her lips.
"No…I was thinking…perhaps I'd be more amenable to rest if I were to get a goodnight kiss?" Nomin ended her statement in question.
Had Nomin not felt that flustered tug of aether to her Echo, the only tell that Estinien was flustered by this notion was the dusting of rose that fell across his cheeks and even traveled into the tips of his ears. Still, a smile forced its way onto his face before he shook his head. Lifting a hand, Estinien ran the back of his fingers across Nomin's horn, his blunted nails scraping across the hardened surface. "And here I was thinking you'd be more taken were I to engage in your auri way of affection."
Nomin's tail slowly curled closer to her body, the tip of it pointing upward when Estinien did this. Bouncing her leg to push away the sudden tingling sensation that flooded her, she huffed. "I am also keen on trying other ways of affection that you'd be familiar with."
Again, Estinien gave this brief and quiet laugh. His voice was soft yet again, "… Very well."
Reaching for Nomin's chin, Estinien gently cupped it and pointed her face toward him. He had the more difficult task of 'threading the needle' here for Nomin. However, if it was what she wanted, then it was what she would get. Her horns only gave Estinien an ilm or so on either side to press his lips to hers comfortably, but he still managed it. He managed it, and he made sure to give her a kiss that was tender. Hopefully it would have pleased her.
Estinien could feel Nomin's lips curve into a smile, and when he pulled away, he saw it in full. Just a happy, warm smile on Nomin's face — her eyes reflected it just as much.
"Good enough?" Estinien questioned.
"Mm…" Nomin nodded. "More than good enough. I believe I may finally rest easy this eve."
There is it, the Seven part of the Conniel Week. I hope you’ll like it! And now, you now where is the door to go on AO3 if you prefer to! => | °| <=
Outside, the wind blew against the windows, making them shake. The snow was falling heavily. At the TV, they said a blizzard was coming. Right in the Michigan. Most of the cities were ready. Not Detroit. Because of all the anarchy on it. It was still hard to know what was belonging to the Humans and to the Androids. Markus really did great, trying to help Humans and even letting some inside their structures. Yes, he did it with much cautious but he did it…
Kamski himself said there was hope in these acts. He said the Humans and the Robots were made to live happily together. For him, Detroit was mean to be a Paradise, not a chaos area.
The fact was, with all the military there, and the refusal to supply the town, that hope was dying…
Outside, the wind blew against the windows and Captain David Allen sighed as he had a warm cocoa in his hands.
“Please, let him be in a safe place,” he muttered.
“Stop! Stop! Stoooop!”
“But it’s the only way! What should we do? We have no choice!”
“You have a million of choice! You make that decision, Connor!”
“Maybe! But it for the best!” the brown countered.
Daniel shook his head.
“Don’t do that.”
“It’s for the best,” he replied.
The wind was so strong he almost fell because of it. The snow falling had already covered them with its cold and pure flakes. The clouds were so bleak it was almost dark. The streetlamps shined their path. Beside them, there was Wolfie, the Wolfbot they had since Daniel had killed his master to protect Connor, to free a lot of Androids. He was shy and worried for anything. But he always followed Connor because he saw a savior on him. And there, he looked them, waving slightly his tail and sat near to the RK800. Like that, he was almost as tall as him…
“You’re an idiot, Connor. You don’t have to do that…”
“I know. But I want to do it,” he said, looking Daniel in the eyes.
This one sighed.
“Fine. Do it if I can’t change your mind.” He folded his arms and looked somewhere else.
Connor kissed softly his cheek and tightened his arms around him. Daniel felt the warm in his cheek’s biocomponent and not only because it was ridicule. But the RK800 was so happy to have him in his arms as he was carrying him like he was his princess or his wife. He even surrendered to this joy and unfolded his arms to pass them around his lover’s neck. Of course, he touched his naps so their connection could be fulfilled.
In fact, it was good to be in his arms like that. Even if he didn’t like that Connor was running out himself. He cuddled against his chest and sent all his feelings, hiding his face in the RK800’s neck. Kissing it since he was there.
Hank’s house was there, in a sad state. The car wasn’t there, the curtains were tucked and the snow was in a perfect cover. Connor could almost feel ashamed to walk on it.
There wasn’t a lot of place where they could go but they were enough about searching somewhere to go when this house was appealing them. They left because Hank needed time, they left because it was logical to go to Markus and be a part of that Android Family building softly but they were rejected. They weren’t a part of this. So they started to move around, find somewhere to go, to stay… And never find. Because, of course, the place meant to be their home, that couldn’t be somewhere else than here.
Why it should be something else? That was there they stayed to be protected. Here they shared their first real hug, kiss, feels…
Daniel came down from his arms. Connor was a bit sad but he looked if Wolfie was following then moved to hug his boyfriend from behind as this one was on the stoop and tried to open the door. It was closed.
“Hank must have closed everything when he left.”
“The habit, maybe?”
Daniel shrugged. He rummaged in his pockets and got out a little wireframe.
“What is it? What are you doing?” Connor asked, while caressing Wolfie.
“Opening the door.”
“With a wireframe? You’re sure you’re a cope?” the brown teased.
His lover threw him a kiss. He was a cop, he was a domestic Android and he had a lot of other quality. He wasn’t exactly the best cop in the world since he could become angry very fast in stressful situation and he wanted so much to keep victim alive, he killed the criminal too fast sometime. And maybe he wasn’t a so good domestic Android since the history he had with the Philips. But he loved what he was and Captain Allen always congratulated. He said he was a good cop. So, he was happy about the live Connor gave to him on saving him that day in the Phillips’ roof. He was more happy now he had Connor by his side.
With that house to stay with Wolfie, they were about to have a pretty nice live together.
When the door opened, the wolfbot sniffed, agitated. The RK800 caressed him.
“He must smell Sumo.”
“Probably.”
Daniel took Connor’s hand and they entered in the house with Wolfie. First thing surprising them was the light and the sound. The TV was on? Hank couldn’t left like that.
“Woof!”
Suddenly, a big St-Bernard came, waving the tail. Connor immediately put his hand on Wolfie but the wolfbot was only sniffing back the dog. They were discovering each other.
There was movement in the sofa and Hank appeared. He was obviously laid in the cushions. When he saw the bots, he smiled.
“Well, well, well… Look who’s there.”
“Hank!”
“Lieutenant,” Daniel smiled.
There was movement in the sofa, once again. And this time, Daniel almost choked of joy. He let Connor there and ran to the sofa, jumping on it to hug the man in the other side.
“Dad!”
Connor had shared enough thought with Daniel to know.
Of course his lover saw a dad in Captain Allen, the man who accepted to take him under his wing when he understood the mistake they had made. No, Daniel wasn’t the criminal. No, Daniel wasn’t a really dangerous person. He took care of him, tutored him and cared for him as he was his son.
That’s why Daniel wanted to be a cop. To the Detective who had given his live for him but also for his father.
And that was the real reason why Daniel was crying out that they, when he broke the link. Breaking the link with the precinct meant he won’t be able to see again his father. And he hadn’t say goodbye to him.
He lost his second family this day…
But now?
Now he was in the man arms and was smiling happily, tears of joy on his cheeks. He was so scary to never saw him again. He was almost sat on the sofa’s back but whatever. He was just happy.
Since Daniel and David Allen were welcoming each other and Sumo and Wolfie too, Hank took Connor in his arms and ruffled his hair.
“We were dead worry!”
“You were both wait?”
“Yes. I hope you’ll say ‘hi’.” Hank looked toward Captain Allen and Daniel. “When I joined David to say him about Daniel, he came to wait him with me. And then, you arrive with a wolf and by forced entry.” The Lieutenant was smiling as he looked them.
“We had nowhere to go. Since Daniel used to be the Deviant Hunter, he didn’t want us to stay. We came back because we wanted a home and we thought you’ll be out of the City.”
“I have no reason to leave,” he said. “And two to stay.”
Connor looked toward his lover and smiled. Coming there was the best thing they could do.
“Daniel?”
The blonde turned his head and froze. His eyes were empty and Connor looked toward the little corridor leading to the garage. The piece which was changed in a room longtime ago.
“E… Emma?”
“Daniel!”
He went down from the sofa and crouched to receive the little girl running toward him. This time, it wasn’t just few tears on his face but big stream. He hugged her tightly.
“Emma! My Emma!”
“I love you so much Daniel. I missed you so much!”
“I came to pick her when they asked us for leaving the town. With all the problems and the debts, her aunt and her mother couldn’t fly away. I offered to take care of her. Since I’m a cop and I live with a second one, so… Here we go.”
“Thank you, dad. Thank you.” He caressed the little girl head. “I love you so much.”
Connor came nearby and crouched as the canines were playing together. He smiled, seeing this little girl happy. His lover happy.
“You’ll take care of her?”
“Yeah. With my own live,” Daniel said.
And Connor would protect him with his own live…
Hank came near Captain Allen.
“So… It seems you’re a granddad now.”
“Yeah. You too,” the Captain said, passing his arm around his waist.
Maybe there was a blizzard outside, maybe there was the chaos. But they were together. And they will be the cutest and happiest family in the world…
Aah... I can’t believe it’s over. I can’t write short so I ended with a seven-chapter story and it was so fun to write a chapter with a challenge. Thank you so much @the-immortal-chair. I can’t wait for you to create another challenge like that! <3
Thanks to Quanti Dream for the awesome characters and to everyone who had read or like the story.
'can't sleep?' seems to be a question that persists in the times since our journey in putting an end to the dragonsong war. but if only you knew... if only you knew the turmoil that kept me awake beyond this world we know. if only you knew how frightening it is to be this relaxed around you to tell you.
some extra shots from when i did @ellieandmiaandlily's birthday gpose. i was going to include them, but i decided that ultimately, i wanted to just focus on ellie's characters at the time rather than inject my own. so this is its own upload with the obligatory tag because those are ellie's characters, too. :'>
but they were there. i did pose and plan for it. :'D also featuring @blossomblade's r'ayzel.
