Senn fiddled with Pythus' wrist, eliciting cracking from armor plate and bones. "It was fine. I mean, I got fed, had a roof over my head, and Ria kept me company."
The mention of his sister brought a smile to Senn's face, one his lover noticed and scowled. "You miss her?"
"Always," his ears droop, "always..."
"What of the others--your guardian?" lava hardened tips carded white hair, massaging Senn's scalp with hypnotic ease. "Thalleous and Osivian, yes? The former sounds familiar...yes, I remember him. He was a champion responsible for slaying multiple Voltaris camps long before the War. It was partly due to him that Ingressus sought us out."
Uh. Senn had no clue how to respond to that tidbit, so he didn't. "Osivian's strict but he was the only person willing to take me in and Thalleous-"
"Lied." Senn found himself face to face with bright eyes, one hand pushing his chin upwards and the second wrapped around his arms. "You don't smile when we talk about Osivian and ever since coming here you've grown uncomfortable when speaking on your past. Your sister is the one person you'll tell stories on. No neighbors, no friends, no family."
Senn frantically darted his eyes to the left window, earning a growl as Pythus tightened his grip, "Don't. Look. Away. Why are you lying to yourself? Running from your problems won't solve anything."
"I just don't like talking about them okay! Let go, you're hurting me!"
"Only if you state the truth," his claws relaxed a fraction, "say it. Go on, its not too hard."
"I already told you--I don't like talking about them, that's it!"
That was the wrong thing to say. Senn yelped, Pythus drawing blood bicep and chin.
"Fine. FINE! THEY HURT ME! ARE YOU HAPPY NOW!?"
Senn squirmed, attempting to leap out of Pythus' embrace. Unfortunately, while the Netheran was willing to keep his word he wasn't willing to comply with the rest of his lover's wishes, leaving the Ardoni in an awkward hug, dribbling blood down their chests, panting heavily.
"That wasn't so bad, was it?" Pythus crooned into his hair, stroking oh-so gently. "I warned you my star. Lying leads to denial which ends in harm and you, little light, are worth more than those sacks of seawater ever were. Listening to their words is as good as listening to a zombie." It takes a handful of minutes, full of feather-light touches and blanketed warmth, for Senn to respond.
Pythus' expression remained unchanged. His body does not, tension still as a lake. "Is that so?" Senn's nod had him tilting his head, "Tell me. Did they hurt you for telling the truth?"
"...It didn't matter what I said."
"Exactly," Tension seeped out of his frame, Pythus renewing his ministrations. "I asked and listened and believed. I warned you, cared for you, saved you." Delivering a tender kiss to both of Senn's horns Pythus whispered, "I told the truth. Which do you believe--my word or theirs?"
Maybe Senn spoke his answer too softly. Maybe he didn't. All Pythus knew was that his lover's horns and hair made for a fitting halo in his sleep.
Ah, rulership was a difficult career. He could have an hour to himself, recuperating and plotting over his next gift. Nothing too concealing, he wanted his little star to shine. Horn rings were out, unless he found one that didn't block his light, and the majority of his body made it difficult. Honestly, at this rate the only viable option was...
Ah. Of course, he was being ridiculous. Why go for something over elaborate when he simply needed to showcase their status?
"Now the real question," Pythus mutters, fondling Senn's ears. "Quartz or ruby?"
