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Lux is a bit out of breath as they come down the street, having run a good portion of the distance there. They stop outside of the building to catch their breath and wipe sweat from their face--which gives enough time for Mearc to conveniently arrive, and allow them to head up together. Lux does stop in the hallway though, grabbing Mearc to pull in for a tight embrace and a lingering kiss. When they pull back they look into his eyes--just a moment--but it seems enough to settle whatever lingering anxiety the Bright One had. They smile, then continue on to Raphael's apartment.
Oh, Mearc definitely does contact Raph, or urge Lux to; there is no way, given what he's heard of the situation, that he's going to break the heck in. He's in a hoodie and cargo pants, and has a large shopping bag with him.
Yep. Lux has learned that breaking into friends' places is bad...
Raphael buzzes them in and then waits, texting back instructions that his door will be unlocked. He himself is a wreck. He's got on trousers and a button-down shirt, but no vest or cravat, and the shirt is unbuttoned at neck and wrists. He is ashen-pale, sweat beaded on his face, pupils way too dilated for the light level, and is perched on the edge of the futon with both arms wrapped across to grab the other, heedless of what the blades of his fingers might do to his shirt or arms, rocking back and forward repeatedly.
"Shit," Lux murmurs, grimacing when they see Raphael. They close and lock up the door behind them, then step over to the futon, looking Raphael over. "Hey... Raph. We're here. Look at me."
Mearc double checks that Lux locked the door as the pair enter, and takes off his shoes before moving over to Raph as well, his freckles flickering red before settling into a green state.
Raph sees them and almost sobs in relief, but the look in his eyes when he sees Lux.... like a starving man looking at a steak. He tightens his hands on his arms, not even seeming to notice the thin lines of red that bloom on his sleeves. "Help me." His voice is shaking, barely above a whisper.
"We're here to help you." He goes down onto a knee in front of him, reaching out to touch the back of his hands. "We both know each other's safe words. If it gets to be too much for either of us, we know what to do. Mearcstapa is here to make certain they're heard and acted upon." Lux's voice takes on a more firm, demanding edge to it. "Put your hands on the couch at your sides, then take a deep breath."
Mearcstapa sets down the shopping bag and pulls his first aid kit out of the messenger bag. "Do what you need to do, but if you get his shirt off him, I can help with cleaning the wounds." That seems to be addressed to Lux, as he steps aside, out to the edge of the 'scene'.
Raph startles at the touch on his hands, sucking in a hissing breath like it hurts him. "Lux, no. I can't... if I move my hands with you so close..."
Lux nods to Mearcstapa, then draws his hands back from Raphael. He pushes to his feet and takes a couple steps back--well out of arm's length. But their tone doesn't change. "Take off your shirt, then put your hands at your sides, Raphael. You won't move them until you're told to. You're going to let Mearcstapa clean your cuts before this goes any further."
Raphael struggles with it for a moment, taking a few deep, ragged breaths before he can make himself unlock his hands and get the shirt off. He's too shaky and messed up to manage buttons, and instead just severs cleanly through the threads that hold them so he can get the shirt off with minimal further issue, though getting it off over his hands is giving him a hard time. When he finally manages, there's a close-fitting undershirt still, but the cuts are below that, pretty shallow, very narrow and clean - they're from scalpels, after all. He clamps his hands down on the wooden edge of the futon, under the cushion-mattress, even though he has to lean forward to do it - putting them on the cushion is not gonna work well.
Mearc moves in with his first aid kit quietly, kneeling beside Raphael and beginning to lightly and carefully clean the blood from his arms. "You're doing very good. You're going to be alright. We have you, and we're going to take care of you." His voice is low, coaxing, gentle in contrast to Lux's dom-voice. The injuries prove not to be deep, still just bashing level, so Mearc focuses on cleaning them and providing gentle contact, not bandaging them.
Lux waits quietly, standing still. Their eyes are glowing intently, almost hypnotizing to stare into, expression stern.
Raphael flinches a little at the sting of antiseptic on his arms, but doesn't move to stop Mearc. He's very pointedly looking PAST Lux at the wall, because looking at them is unbearable right now.
Once Mearc's satisfied with the work he's done, he moves back out of the way, packing up his kit and pulling a blanket out of the shopping bag, which he sets down just Lux's feet. There's something about Lux's current state that brings flickers of red up past the green of his freckles from time to time.
"You're only going to touch me when I tell you to. You'll only touch me where I tell you to. Doing anything else will cause this to stop immediately," Lux says. Any other time this would be... very sexual, but right now that's the last thing from Lux's mind. "Do you understand?"
Raphael nods, shaking, not looking at them. Focusing on keeping his hands where they are.
"I want to hear you say you understand, Raphael."
"If it would be useful, here, I can eat Raphael's fear. If he's willing." It's an aside, not an attempt to interfere.
"I.....I understand." His Mantle is in full flare, the illusory leaves red instead of the usual dry brown.
Lux considers Mearc for a second, then looks back to the other. "Do you want Mearcstapa to eat your fear, Raphael?"
"I don't know. I don't know." His voice is very small. "It....depends what you're going to have me do."
"I'm going to let you cut me and drain a little of my life from me."
Raph breathes in sharply, his head rocking back as if he'd taken a physical blow before he finally fastens his eyes on Lux. "Oh, god.....Lux..... you're.... sure?"
"It's not an offer Lux would make if they weren't sure, Raphael. And it's not something I'm opposing either." Mearc nods.
"I'm sure." Lux nods, still staring intently at him. "Having Mearcstapa eat your fear might help you keep control of yourself. Is that what you want?"
Raphael thinks about it for a second, looking sideways to get a good look at the state of the leaves, and then some of the tension goes out of his rigid pose. "Please. Mearcstapa. I'm afraid I'm going to lose control. take it."
Lux nods to Mearc for him to do it.
As Raphael says the words 'I'm afraid I'm going to lose control', they come out as a thick black smoke that Mearc inhales toward himself and seems to chew on before swallowing down; he grimaces a hair at the flavor, but otherwise, it all goes down in one swell foop, leaving Raphael without any mundane fear within him.
By the way Raph phrased it, he obviously knew what to expect, but he still sags like a puppet with his strings cut, the leaves dropping straight to the floor and winking out as his Mantle's wind goes almost dead still. He draws a deep breath - much, much deeper than before - and lets it out slowly, shaking the tension out of his shoulders as best he can without moving his hands, and when he picks up his head again to look at Lux, his expression is all predatory lust and anticipation. "Oh....that feels. So much better. Already." Still recovering a little from hyperventilating earlier.
Lux watches Raphael carefully, taking in how the lack of fear changes him. They say nothing for several seconds, just stare--maybe to give Raphael the time to breathe enough to come down from near hyperventilating. Then they point down at the blanket covered floor in front of them. "Come here. On your knees. Keep your hands at your sides."
Raphael rises from the futon, shakes his hands out a little because they're cramped from clutching things so tightly from the moment Lux said they were on the way, and then steps forward and sinks gracefully to his knees in front of Lux, a slight smile playing on his lips. The whole time, even when shaking them out, his hands never come up above his waist.
They unzip their hoodie and shrug it off, tossing it off to land on the couch. They have a t-shirt on underneath--and leave it on. Even if there's lust in Raphael's gaze, that ain't where this is going. Right now, at least. They wait for Raphael to settle, then lift their arm towards him, palm down. "Cut my forearm," they demand. Even with his fear eaten, Lux is keeping control--shifting the power onto themself, even if Raphael was going to be the one stealing life from them.
Mearc watches from the side, idly fiddling with his neon pink paracord bracelet. He seems...fascinated, perhaps, or maybe just curious. Or maybe worried in his own right, but trying to keep that out of their way.
Raphael may not have the words for what's happening here, but he reacts to it instinctively, the predatory look easing a back a little. The hunger is still there, of course, and the lust, but it seems to click properly that Lux is controlling the situation, not him. "As you wish." He lifts one hand to gently support Lux's forearm, blades held away from it, and then draws the index finger blade of the other along it, like a caress. His eyes are focused on Lux's face, watching their reaction intently. There's no sign of anything Wyrd happening, though, just... well, knifeplay.
Lux's jaw tightens, a ripple of tension going through their body--but they don't show any signs of discomfort otherwise. They breathe in slowly, then nod down to him. "Do it. Whatever it is you need to do, to... drain. Take it slow. I'll tell you to stop when I want you to."
Mearcstapa moves from standing to sitting pretzel-style, still on the edge of everything. His posture isn't submissive or dominant, it's more like a grade schooler watching a presentation in class, for the moment. Observant, attentive, a little restless.
Raphael shivers in anticipation, and then carefully lays the fingers of the hand he cut Lux with against their forearm, along the thin cut he made. He takes a slow breath, steeling himself to keep it gentle if he can, and tightens his grip just the tiniest bit, so the scalpel points prick Lux's skin, and exerts his Wyrd, his Mantle suddenly kicking back up, but with flashes of golden runes rather than leaves. As it works, the light cuts on Raph's arms visibly close and heal. Raph shudders hard, eyes nearly closed and head tipped back, letting out a low moan.
"How does it feel, Lux?" Autumns. Mearc can't resist the question, seeking more data.
Lux had braced themself, but still gasps sharply. For a split second their lights dim--then glow brighter, shifting from yellow-green to yellow--their default color. "It's..." Lux pants out a breath, hand clenching into a fist, but not pulling their arm away. "It hurts. But it's not... bad..." Their lights change to orange as the seconds tick by, starting to dim again as Raphael drains more of their life. Their eyes flutter, as if suddenly dizzy. They keep their arm still, not wanting to risk cutting themself more by pulling back--but their voice is stern, if a bit dazed. "Stop."
Raph is more than happy that Mearc asks, because he NEEDS to know that answer. He would honestly have stopped sooner if he wasn't under Lux's command, it's not like he's badly hurt. But to be allowed to continue, especially with Lux reacting like that, without the ability to be afraid of going too far.....his expression is pure, dreamy ecstasy as he gazes up at their shifting glow. The instant Lux orders it, he stops the flow of Glamour and life energy, releasing the pinprick pressure on their arm and letting the pull fade as gently as he can manage, but doesn't let go of their arm.
"Are you both alright? Give me one word for where your head is at right now," Mearc demands.
Lux is breathing harder, eyes closing. They don't immediately reply--taking a few deeper breaths in and out. Then they swallow and open them again, looking over at Mearcstapa. "...Comfortable. Just dizzy." They look down at Raphael, looking him over while waiting for his answer.
Raphael is breathing a little harder too, in a way which has nothing to do with exertion. Though words are maybe a little hard to go looking for. After a few moments' effort, he purrs, "delicious."
"Lux, when you two break contact, best for you to sit down. I'll go grab some water from the sink, once you do." What is it with Mearc and keeping people hydrated? Well. Maybe it's his way of being useful here.
Lux can't help but let out a soft amused huff at Raph's answer. Their other hand lifts to brush fingertips over his cheek. "Scene is over. You can get up, if you want," they say, their tone back to their normal--light, airy, playful. They nod to Mearcstapa, gently pulling their arm away from Raphael. Before they step away though, they lean over to give him a soft kiss on the temple. Then they step over to the couch, wobbling a bit, then sink down into it with a tired huff.
Raphael leans his head into the touch, but lets their arm go as soon as they move to pull away. He watches them move to the couch before rising, frowning at how they wobble. "Lux. You had me take far too much. Let me heal it?"
Mearc stands, moving to get that water--a cup for each of them. "The dynamics at play there...that was a thing to watch, definitely. I'm not sure I even have the words for that." The release of the tension brings a bit of a grin to his face, and after handing off the water, he takes a seat on the floor up against Lux's legs, pulling the blanket over to offer it up to them. "I've also got trail mix if eating will help at all with replenishing the energy taken."
Lux waves their hand dismissively--their uncut arm. The other is being held carefully to their side to avoid brushing it against the couch or their clothes. "If it's going to take glamour from you, then no. I'm okay, I promise. I'm not in any pain or anything. Just lightheaded. I just need to sit for a bit. Could one of you wrap my arm, though?" The glass of water is accepted and sipped from.
"Give me four minutes, and it won't." Raphael accepts the glass of water with a dreamy smile at Mearc, but sets it down, going to fill a mug with water from a Brita pitcher sitting next to the sink, and then popping it in the microwave for two minutes, pulling out a tin of herbal tea - herbs dried and mixed himself, for precisely this purpose - and scooping some into a tea-steeping ball while the water heats. Raphael then grabs that medical bag of his from near the door and pulls out proper bandaging stuff, returning to pull the mug from the microwave and pop the ball in it to steep. He sets the mug on the table, with a little dish to put the ball on when it's ready, along with the supplies, then kneels at Lux's feet again, tending to the wound gently and with highly professional skill.
"So, I think the lessons here are that Raph has control of himself and will stop when told to, so that fear can be handled when it returns. Topping from the bottom in the context of knifeplay is not only possible, it's hot. Raphael, we really need to have a conversation about power dynamics, because you're so submissive in contexts like this that you might find yourself in dangerous situations if you don't get a proper education on the matter. Am I missing anything major here, Lux?"
Lux sips the water in the meantime, watching Raphael a moment before focusing on Mearc. Their lips quirk upwards. "Yeah. That's about right. And to make it very clear--that felt great. The cutting itself I would probably limit quite a bit, and only if I was in the mood and if I knew ahead of time. But the... other thing... fucking hell. I've never felt anything like it. The only thing I can really describe it as is... like..." They squint. "Being bitten really hard. But like... deeper and like... with echoes of the feeling that went up my arm and all over. It was intense." And, well, Mearc knows that biting is a good thing to them.
"Topping from....?" He blinks, and then flushes, though he's clearly feeling too good to be upset about any of it. "I.... chose to submit, Mearcstapa. Because I needed it, to get hold of myself, and I did not want to do it without permission and....the... dynamic? Lux was willing to do it under was... quite clear." He finishes the bandaging, and then swishes the tea ball around a bit and removes it to the plate, before offering the mug to Lux. "Ah. That's why you had me go so long. I honestly would have stopped sooner, if you hadn't insisted you would be the one to stop me. My glamour is significantly depleted, but that's.... ah, god. Nothing to being able to do that." he shivers. When Lux takes the mug, he uses the loophole for Gift of Warm Breath, the light radiating from his hands looking suspiciously like an echo of Lux's own. Gauging carefully just how badly Lux is still hurt, which is just the cut on their arm.
Mearcstapa nods a little. "That sort of dynamic is something that can be part of sexual play--though not always, as we just saw. The thing is, not everyone who prefers taking a dominant posture is necessarily going to be as minded toward your well-being. So it's best to go in with a lot of communication about expectations. Safewords and so forth."
"I don't think I could do the knifeplay if I wasn't in control like that, honestly. But the draining thing--I could do that whenever." Lux lifts their arm to examine the bandages when he's finished, then accepts the tea, trading off the water for it. "I'd say sorry for draining your glamour, but..." They grin. "I'm not. Besides, I figured it was a good thing to test just how far limits were able to go, while we were doing it in a more controlled setting. So, now you know--at least I can only handle about that long, at most. Mearcstapa's limits might vary, of course, if he ever chose to do it." They sip at the tea, eyes closing contently, their lights brightening to their usual intensity. "Mmm... That feels good. But... Mearcstapa is right. You need to make sure you're completely comfortable with someone, and trust them. If we didn't have safewords, we shouldn't have done that."
"I really... I only cut you because you commanded me to. As to that, I more worry about cutting someone by accident if I should - clutch at them in the height of passion." He puts the water cup down and takes up his own, drinking deeply. "Well of course I wouldn't do that with just anyone! Dear God. I wouldn't even have ordinary sex from the... receptive position, if I didn't trust someone." He pales and the flushes as he finally gets what they like about teasing him. "oh gods. Ah. Lux, Is your light going orange normally a sign of injury? I haven't seen you be that color before."
"I have. They get even pinker as well." He grins broadly, leaning against Lux's leg.
"I wanted to know what being cut would feel like." Lux shrugs. "But if it's not something that turns you on, we can just not do that at all, in the future." They take another sip of tea, then set the mug aside, eyes rolling. "No, it's not... a sign of injury. Kind of the opposite." Do they sound a bit flustered???
Raphael opens his mouth and shuts it again. "Ah. That... really did feel as.... " Now he's the one turning pink. "...as erotic to you as.... as it did to me, then. Ah, um, Mearcstapa, do you want to sit on the couch? there's really no need for you to sit on the floor." There's room for all of them, actually, since being a futon it's the length of a full bed. "I... god. Thank you both. So much. I... was completely out of my head, and I.... did not deserve for the two of you to.... turn it into.... that."
"Deserving is a completely irrelevant matter. I don't think we would have been comfortable handling it the other way." He moves up to the couch, chuckling. "These things are intense, and adding the layers of boundaries and the almost...ritual elements, that feels like a safety net to me. Lux and I have done similar things between ourselves."
Lux huffs softly in amusement, but nods to Raphael. "Yeah. But... just to be clear... I meant what I said, over texts. This was... really fucking erotic. And amazing, honestly. But I still think it's a good idea for you and me to not rush into anything more sexual than that." Lux grimaces. "If we can, anyway." They grabs Mearc when he comes onto the couch to pull closer, wrapping an arm around them to squeeze. "I'm glad you were here. It made me a lot more comfortable."
Raphael moves to the couch too, whereever they've left him space - submissive or not, they actually knelt this time mostly because it was the best position to address Lux's wound from. "I'm glad you were here too, Mearcstapa. I had... no idea how much I was... making myself lose control by panicking over it. Though I'm also glad it... actually can be done that way, since I've never tried to before." They take a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Yeah, well. Neither of us is.... very good at not.... taking each other's bait. But damnation. I... well I knew I was a pervert," (by Victorian standards) "but not how.... much of one. I apologize if I.... accidentally rushed any of us into... all of this."
"...Lux, you hear that, he just called us perverts." Mearc's grinning, his freckles shifting red as amusement washes over him. "Anyway, I'm glad I was here, too, and I...actually quite enjoyed watching that, which gives me a little more insight into myself and my kinks."
"Do you think you're going to be okay, when the contract wears off? You're not gonna like... freak out, right? Cause you shouldn't. There's no reason to be sorry. I don't regret doing it." They shrug. "I figured it'd make it easier for you if someone else was in control. Take some of the guilt off of your shoulders if you were ordered to do it. And I enjoyed it quite a bit." They pause, eyeing Mearc with a smirk. "I am a proud pervert, babe. And... huh." A beat pause. "You know, I can see you being a voyeur."
"Only with the consent and awareness of the observed. An active observer, not a creep."
"Yes. I didn't lose control, so there's no reason to be afraid I will. And yes, I... not having to.... worry about the morality, made it.... much, much easier. Ah, god. I wanted that so unspeakably badly...." He leans into whichever of them is closer, closing his eyes. "... and it has always felt good, but that went so far beyond the... purely physical rush I have felt in the past." He blushes. "I cannot imagine how I must have looked." Like Lord Byron's wet dream, give or take a few scalpels.
"If it wasn't obvious already, I am very into being watched," Lux murmurs against Mearc's ear with a playful grin. "Might need to experiment with that more, in the future." They're pretty happy to cuddle pile, whatever the configuration is, reaching over to squeeze Raph's arm. "You looked fucking hot, that's what."
"It felt ....fucking hot." Which is a significantly higher bar for Raphael than it is for Lux.
"You both looked hot, can confirm." He blinks a couple times at Raphael swearing, then reaches out to lightly tickle at his side. "Language, young man."
Lux chuffs softly in amusement, giving Raphael a playful look as he's scolded.
Raphael twitches away from the tickling, laughing helplessly. "I use that intensive only when absolutely necessary!" he mock-protests. "But ah, god, for everything that's happened, this is still.... Jesus. Was it really only this morning we.... ?" Glancing at Mearc for confirmation.
"Fucked? Yes, yes it was." Mearc notices how Raph squirms away from the tickling, and doesn't quite let up, perhaps making an attempt to herd him toward Lux. Like a sheepdog instead of a proper Hunterheart, in this moment.
Their brows lift, looking between them. "...Oh, shit. Was that the first time...?" Lux takes the opportunity, snagging Raphael around the waist to pull close, smirking wolfishly. "Was that your first time?"
He turns beet red at having it said quite that way (Mearc's), and can only nod as Lux pulls him close. "And he was.... I understand what you meant, about.... being bitten." Shuddering a little. "What utter depravity, to have gone from virgin to... whatever this was.... in one day."
"Masochistic streak the size of the John Hancock building." He glances at Lux with a smirk.
Raphael doesn't know the building, but he has a good enough idea what was meant overall, and turns red again.
"Oh yeah? You like being bitten, Raph?" Lux teases, giving a playful nom to his shoulder--not enough to actually bite but certainly enough to get him thinking about it. Then they grin back to Mearc. "I'm so proud of you, baby. It feels like only yesterday you were a fumbling blushing shy virgin, yourself." That... definitely is not how that went, and Lux damn well knows it if the amused glint in their eyes is anything to go by.
"I'll show you, next time I've got you alone, how far from fumbling I am. You saw I got the lights."
Raphael shivers at Lux's nom, shifting position a little in their lap, because they may be having some problems with pants fit all the sudden. "Those strange dark lights above your bed? What ARE those?"
"I did, and I cannot wait for you to punish me," Lux practically purrs. "They're blacklights. Makes neon ropes glow very nicely. Especially against my dark skin."
"Ultraviolet lights. They make materials with certain types of pigment glow brightly--in a similar way to how my freckles glow. Lux and I have been known to...play...with materials with those...oh, you had to go and use the R-word. I wasn't going to introduce it yet."
"Sorry-not-sorry."
"Brat." But he's laughing, regardless, watching Raphael for a reaction.
"I did not know rope came in neon." The distracted look on his face says he's imagining neon rope against Lux's skin - not so much the part about Lux being tied up, but the aesthetics of it.... "Mearcstapa, I think perhaps you had best introduce.... proper terminology sooner rather than later. Or Lux will."
"It's true. And you're probably better at explaining things than me. Go on, give him the bondage talk." Lux is clearly having way too much fun with this conversation.
"I can send you links to websites with vocab lists as well." Mearc ignores Lux's last comment.
"Mm. Probably useful, but no, do.... give me the bondage talk."
Lux pouts at Mearc, but doesn't pressure further--letting him decide to do so or not.
Deeeeeep breath. "I enjoy tying people--actually, my only lived experience is with myself and Lux, so maybe I shouldn't generalize--but I enjoy tying Lux up in an erotic context, especially with brightly colored ropes. It's not always for the sake about immobilizing, I'm also known to just make rope harnesses and take pictures because that's fun. As are ropes that glow against their skin. The thing about doing it with other changelings means that the trust exercise is actually more...demonstrative than practical, given that one of us who's uncomfortable tied up can portal out at any time. So I can know for a fact that if someone's allowing themselves to be bound, it's because they want to be there."
"Ahhh. I see. Yes, I doubt the neon effect would be quite as pretty on me." Although actually, his Mien is in greyscale, so it wouldn't look half bad. "On the other hand, it does suggest a.... way to prevent my tearing apart the furniture. Which is rather less..... humorous than oven mitts."
"If it's something you want to try, it's an option. If not, that's fine, I don't need to indulge every single kink with every single partner." He shrugs.
Lux goes quiet for a moment, grin dimming a little as their expression shifts to more thoughtful. "Mm..." They hesitate, then huff out a breath, pushing past their discomfort. "I think I'd like to... uhh... talk about that. If it's something you two want to try."
Mearc looks quietly at Lux. "Whatcha got?"
"Mearcstapa. Do you really think I would suggest such a thing if it did not....appeal?"
"I dunno, just--I mean, I don't want to like... tell you you can't do it together, but I just had a sudden... bad feel." Lux's lips purse with discomfort. "Which I don't really know how to deal with, but... I dunno. It kinda feels like my thing which is dumb and, again, I don't want to say you can't do it with other people. Maybe if we just... make sure you have separate ropes for each of us, or something? I don't know."
"I think separate ropes is more than reasonable. Neon is not so much my aesthetic anyway. And I really.... was mostly just.... thinking it might help with the hands."
"Jealousy, I'm guessing. I can definitely do different sets of ropes and keep the UV reactive only for you, Lux. They're special. Thank you for bringing that up; I appreciate it." He moves so he can offer a soft, quick kiss as a reward for the show of candor.
They let out a relieved breath, looking appeased. "I'm happy with that. The neon ropes are mine but you guys can play around with other colors fine. I don't mind that." The kiss is returned, their hand slipping up to tangle into his hair to hold him there for another second or two. "Trust me, Raph. It's hot as fuck. I think you'll like it."
Mearc closes his eyes when his hair gets held, freckles going nice and red and warm as he smiles.
Raphael almost purrs at watching them. "As I said. I would not have suggested it if the idea was not......yes. that."
Unless Mearc pulls away, he's getting pulled in against them, and probably a minute or so of gentle making out... But their grip is loose enough that he can break the kiss, if he wishes to. Either way, when the kiss breaks: "I'd like seeing you harnessed up, Raph. I could see a vibrant red color looking very nice against your skin."
"I was also thinking that black rope would photograph well in black-and-white. If, uh, pictures are on the table."
"Hmm, black would also be good," Lux agrees.
Raph isn't even pretending not to be staring. at the hotness going on. And then gets blindsided by Lux's comment. and then Mearcstapas. as SUDDENLY MENTAL IMAGES. His eyes go distant and he shivers, half swooning against Lux. Given his Mantle is quiet and his cheeks are flushed, this is not actually a problem.
And Mearc takes advantage of the swoon to give Raphael a kiss now. Because clearly, he is an equal opportunity boyfriend.
Lux clearly does not mind taking their turn watching, a content, pleased grin lingering on their face.
Raphael moans softly, barely remembering in time to be careful with his hands when he pulls Mearc in close.
And it's a slow, lingering kiss, tempting and teasing, before finally pulling away.
Lux lets out a wistful sigh, their lights turning the tiniest bit orange. "You two are way too beautiful together. It's not fair."
Raphael blinks dazedly, looking up at Lux. "Are you kidding? you two.... match.... in a way....neither of you does with me. It's gorgeous."
"Fired in the same metaphorical forge. But the contrast can be just as amazing. Color paired with a lack of color?" He holds a hand against Raphael's arm. "Hey, hummingbird. You're the artist, what do you think?"
"Mmm. I suppose Lux does have a bit of a thing for black and white. Seeing as Jack is like me that way."
"Things don't have to match to be beautiful together." Lux shrugs. "Mm..." Their fingers caress down their arms slowly. "It's like an abstract painting. The contrast is... provocative. And yes, a lack of color in partners doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I quite like it. It makes marks left behind all the more beautiful."
".....marks?......" Raphael's voice sounds faint. Not from fear.
"Bite marks. Nail marks. Occasionally, red marks from spankings. The 'English vice' is not an invisible one. Which is why I was so careful where I was gnawing on you this morning. I'm not going to let you go to work with anything you have to explain."
"Bingo," Lux sing-songs cheerfully, then pulls Mearc in to gnaw playfully at his neck--again, not actually biting, just mock nomnoming.
Raph reaches up to touch his shoulder where the bite marks were, startled to realize they're gone before realizing what happened. "Oh, well. Unless you are doing.... considerably more than required to simply... leave marks." He strokes his palm over the bandage on Lux's arm. "I have a.... built in eraser."
Mearc closes his eyes, relaxing against his partners like a puddle of slime with glow-in-the-dark bits in it, content. "These past few days have been...really amazing. I'm not sure I've said that enough."
"Oh, shit. Draining me made them go away?" Lux looks sincerely apologetic. "I'm sorry. But uh... I'm sure there will be plenty more in the future." They watch Mearc melt with a soft, adoring smile. They kiss his cheek, petting his hair. "Good. You deserve it all, and more, baby."
"Er, yes. I was not joking about pulling life energy. You must have seen my arms heal? You....wait. you are apologizing for....they are meant to be more than.... accidental? But yes, it.... today alone.... I knew it was supposed to amazing, but I had no idea it was possible to feel like.. that. This."
"No, yeah, they're not just incidental, when I leave marks. I am, in fact, a Hunterheart and I like to mark my prey." He grins.
"No, marks aren't just accidental. It's not a hunting thing for me, but I like leaving marks on my partner, or having marks left on me. I like knowing that my partners are thinking about me after, every time they see it." Not that marks are easy to see, with their and Mearc's dark skin, alas.
Raphael's eyes go wide at what Mearc says. Right in those Autumn feels, in the best way. "Oh. Well these weren't. where i could see. but yes, they, uh, I am sorry then, Mearcstapa. I can't pull that much and not heal such things, unless I'm very badly injured."
"It's alright. There will be more marks in the future. We all have a future, as individuals and together as a group. And Jack, of course, Jack's part of this, too."
"Speaking of Jack, I'm probably not going to stay the night here. I never did go back to his place last night, so I owe him." They don't seem to be in a hurry to run off though, continuing to caress hands over them both.
"Oh, you didn't? goodness, of course then.... I.... my apartment is dreadful, anyway. Tiny. I mean to do most of my actual home things in a Hollow, I just need help carving it out."
"I can help, if you want? I just finished carving one out. I'm planning on putting all my art supplies in there. I think it'd be nice to have a place to go and be able to focus on painting." Lux? Focus?
"Careful, insulting your home. Jack and I might get a wild hair and help you redecorate." This seems almost teasing, with a glance at Lux.
"I would love the help. I'm not really sure how to go about it, my skills aren't much use on plants and buildings. Pfft. Redecorate what? Besides, I'm not allowed to so much as paint a wall."
"I just recently dealt with an intervention of my own," Lux says with a huff. "Jack and Mearcstapa are good at them when they gang up together."
Mearc tsks softly. "There's room to improve, Raph. And Lux, you're the one who insisted on us getting to know one another. It's your own damned fault."
"And I am just having the strangest luck running into people this week. Besides, what about your place? It's as sterile as mine, and you have room not to be."
"I know, I know. I'm not really complaining. I'm glad you two are becoming friends." Lux grins. "It won't be sterile for long. He agreed to let me paint a wall, in return for him organizing my place."
"I'm not very creative or artistic, and extra color and stuff isn't really all that useful anyway. But yes, Lux is going to do me a painting."
"Always with the useful. Art isn't about useful, it's about beautiful. Is putting Lux in neon ropes for pictures 'useful'?"
"Well...no." That comes out soft and sheepish, all of his freckles dimming slightly.
"He's got you there, babe." Lux's brows raaaaise. "And that's, like, our special thing."
"Right, but. I don't live my whole life with a Lux tied up at home. That's an activity, not a...stuff."
"Pictures are a stuff."
"Digital, stored securely, not..."
"No, it's not our whole life, but it's one of the many examples of important things about our relationship that have no practical use."
"As if being immaterial makes things not stuff."
Mearc's position shifts, becoming more defensive, and he goes quiet.
Lux frowns, letting the topic drop. Instead squeezing around him and kissing along his shoulder.
"Oh, dammit, no, I have broken quite enough people on accident lately." Raph, too, has figured out contact helps him, and snuggles up close. "I'm sorry, Mearcstapa. I should not have pushed. "
"I'm not mad, just...thinking." Though his freckles are as red as green, if not a hair redder.
"I don't quite have the patterns worked out, but I know the red ones aren't thinking."
Lux frowns, but then their phone is going off like crazy from multiple text messages in the span of a few seconds. "Huh..." They squirm out from the pile and fish out their phone to unlock and look at. Their brows crease tightly, quickly texting.
"Everything alright, Lux?" And now, he does turn green.
"No..." Lux pushes to their feet, eyes on the phone.
"What do you need?" Mearc sits up as well.
Raphael frowns and sits up, though being sure to stay in physical contact with Mearc.
Lux grabs their hoodie to tug on, their expression turning stormy. "What's the name of that vampire bitch, Mearcstapa?"
"Commissioner Anna-Marie Cordray of the Invictus. Why, what has she done now?"
"Don't know if it's her, but Jack was just blackmailed by a woman who knew he wasn't human. She made threats against me too, apparently. Said my place was bugged." Something happens that Mearc hasn't ever seen--they're glowing all over with dim but vibrant yellow-green light.
Mearc watches Lux, taking a slow, deep breath in. "If it's her, I'd like to know."
Raphael goes from languid prettyboy Jekyll to blade-incarnate Hyde in 2 seconds flat. Same thing he did at the club, but all at once.
"He doesn't seem to be in any state to give details over text. I'll let you know when I have more information. And probably call you to do a sweep of my apartment soon. Right now he's in a panic, so I gotta run." They zip up the hoodie, tuck the phone away, then lean over to give Mearc a kiss on the temple. "I'll be safe," they assure, then hurry to the door.
"Go, go. My place is open to you, if yours isn't secure." He nods. "Take care of him. Pass along my promise to help."
"If she harms so much as a hair on either of your heads....." Cold, precise.
"Will do," Lux says, unlocking the door, then glances back at Raphael. "Oh, there's going to be hell to pay, I'm seeing to that." Then they quickly hurry out, not quite slamming the door, but close to it.
Raphael rises from the futon in a single sharp motion, crossing to the door to lock it in the minimum possible steps.
"Of course, if it is her, I also intend to tell my closest allies among the vampires. I get the impression that she's overdue to watch a sunrise, in many of their eyes." Mearc remains seated on the edge of the futon, steepling his fingers.
Security deposit be damned. Raphael scores warding sigils into the windowframe and all the doorways and even the mirror surrounds, moving systematically. Efficiently.
Mearc watches quietly, before standing and moving to his bag, taking the blanket he'd brought and wrapping it around his shoulders like a cloak, his mantle flaring with a rustle and soft panting heard in the background. "I have duct tape or permanent markers, if you would like to make a broader line. Mini-rolls of the duct tape, admittedly."
"No. I like carved in ones. They're harder to remove." His mantle is up too, but not the leaf-flurries of panic. He's furious, even more than frightened, and the wind is so cold Mearc NEEDS the blanket, audibly howling.
"A valid choice. Do...you want me here tonight?"
"Yes. Very much. Unless you think it would be safer to both go to your place."
"Security is an illusion. I'll stay here, with you, tonight." He nods, tugging the blanket closer. "Welcome to the polycule, we're often trouble, but we come with some benefits, I'm sure."
"At least if you're here I'm not worried something has happened to you out there." Raphael nods at him, and shifts the futon down into a bed, pulling a plastic bin full of blankets and bed pillows out from underneath. "I can't help what I feel. I don't think Lux can either. And you.... well. You're here with me. Are you wearing that because you're cold? or scared?" Raph is actually rather relieved he didn't question the sigil marking except to offer other marking methods. But then, he's Autumn.
"A little bit of both. Feeling defensive, and perhaps subconsciously trying to hide." Mearc is Autumn. While he isn't a Hedge Ranger (the Hedge is a blind spot of his), he does have an appreciation of magic, fae and otherwise, and he moves toward one of the marked walls to look at the symbols chosen. "And you're flaring up cold. It's amazing to see you switch like that. You're... dangerous, Raphael, and that's part of the attraction, in case I've yet to voice that explicitly enough."
Same reason Raph is still a page, they aren't good enough in the Hedge. "I won't let anyone hurt the ones I love. Not without paying them back a hundredfold." They look over at him, and in this mindset, smirk, rather than blush. "Spoken like a true Autumn."
"I wasn't always. I spent a good year or so in Winter, when I was freshly returned. Hiding, gathering information. Waiting to figure out my self." The distinction between that and 'myself' is a clearly enunciated one, here.
"That makes a certain amount of sense. You having been Winter. you lost less time, but more of your past, then?"
He hums softly, thinking before he speaks. "I was sixteen, when I was taken. The past I had wasn't remarkable in the first place. In many ways, my time Over There was my coming of age. No one escapes without being an adult on the other side of the Thorns, emotionally. Knowing that it is truly their own job to fend for themselves, even with the support of the Freehold at hand."
Raphael steps close and embraces Mearcstapa. "Except it's not entirely. Not when you are....close with someone. A Motley. Polycule. Whatever you want to make of it."
"A little outside of the scope of the point I'm making, but you're not wrong." He relaxes into Raphael's arms, allowing the Wizened to support him this time. "Not that I have a motley, but you're right. I have support."
Raphael isn't strong, physically, but he's definitely protective when he's like this. "Jack and I got off to a rough start, but.... he is with Lux. And some.... Keeper-want-to-be vampiress" Ok, still not good at modern slang, though. "is trying to blackmail him, and by threatening them? I'll kill before I let her touch him. I'll cut her to ribbons and drain the spark out of her blood."
"I'm not sure if vampiric blood has spark. Though I have ideas for who to talk to if you're interested in experiments of that nature, someone curious how things interact and deeply aligned wit the occult, on that end." He chuckles quietly. "As for killing her, that's only if you get to her first. Word will be out soon that she's doing things like this. Very soon indeed."
"If it's not the blood, it's nowhere, and I... feel it, when I'm close to them. That it's there to take."
"Noted." Mearc closes his eyes, pressing his cheek in against Raphael's shoulder. "For now, though...can I take you to bed, to sleep?"
"You can take me to bed. I am not sure I can sleep, in this state." Bed is also like a whole 2 steps away.
"Then hold me, Raphael. Because I'm exhausted." There's a light tug in that direction. "Play with my hair, until I fall asleep."
"Yes. I'll watch over you." He goes with Mearc to the bed, letting him get settled in and then curling protectively around him, stroking his hair. Raph ponders for a second why he isn't exhausted himself, and then remembers how much energy he sapped from Lux and contents himself with keeping watch.
Mearcstapa closes his eyes, relaxing into the gentle touch of the scalpels on his scalp, impressed by how careful Raph is.
(Mearc falls asleep, and Raph holds him watchfully, only finally getting a bit of sleep toward morning.)
~END SCENE~
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