honorcladrose

[honorcladrose]

Both hands now curling against fabric, Argenti closed his eyes for a long moment, indulging in the softness of Eros' skin beneath his lips. He could already imagine how much more he'd be able to lavish once their layers of clothes were gone - and how lovely it was, that the sight and the feel wouldn't be left to only his imagination for long.

Long lashes parted halfway for him to gaze once more at Eros' sweet face, his own head tilting into the touch threaded through his hair before his mouth returned to his partner's neck. Fingers relaxed, sliding up and forward to help shed the cardigan from Eros' shoulders. "A remarkable claim," Argenti replied between kisses, "when you yourself are so enchanting."

Spread palms wandered down again to settle at the other's waist, while his mouth lingered around Eros' collarbone and shoulders. Not a skim of teeth was in sight - not yet anyway, not when there was too much armor and fabric left to deal with.

As the first pauldron was unfastened, his guiding hand instead reached to lower it to the floor. Eager as Argenti was for this, he refused to neglect proper consideration for his knightly vestments, whether armor or cloth.

"I do what I can to keep myself well-groomed and in fighting form," he allowed. It felt too much like a vain boast, a narrowing of his view of beauty, to blatantly agree with Eros' praise. "But I'm glad you find me so." A kiss to the other's neck to punctuate, then another behind one ear. Whether they brought out another soft, adorable laugh or some other sweet sound, Argenti would treasure it regardless.

He lowered the other pauldron gently, same as the first, once it was unbuckled. The fastenings for his breastplate were then easier to see and to reach, so Argenti didn't bother this time with guiding Eros' hands. Instead, he focused on trailing more slow, tender kisses over his partner's neck and jaw. One hand remained at the ready to guide his armor onto the floor when needed; his other palm, meanwhile, slid from Eros' hip to splay at the small of his partner's back.

How he wished he could pull Eros onto his lap for a closer embrace. Yet, their layers had to come first.

[honorcladrose]

[been scatterbrained again lately but i'm doin my best to get replies done soon]

[honorcladrose]

argenti woooo argenti wooooohoh ouooo

[honorcladrose]

The roughness in Boothill's voice cemented Argenti's concern. Whatever the cause, it surely bore a deep wounded fragility, for his dear friend to balk at even alluding to it. He couldn't deny a part of him wished he was considered close enough, trusted enough, to hear that reason - to shoulder a little of the weight, to offer comfort and acceptance where there could be no true healing. Yet Argenti didn't cast blame, upon himself or Boothill. Attempting to force closeness only achieved further distance.

That knowledge didn't assuage how keenly he felt his friend's absence, after a reassuring nod to Boothill's retreat into the training room. The other had such magnetism, Argenti had to remind himself to wait a bit and not give chase out of selfishness. Finishing the replacement of the fertilizer spikes and checking for any deadened spots helped fill that time, even if half his mind was occupied by lingering concern.

After he'd disposed of the depleted spikes, Argenti took one last look at the private garden. He couldn't help wondering if they'd ever get to share another moment like that again. He certainly hoped so; Boothill deserved the space and time for softness, wherever it could be found.

Only then did he descend the ladder and return to the training room himself. When he entered, Argenti refrained from slinking in overcautiously, knowing it would only lead to the wrong conclusions. Still, as he made his way to his favorite Ranger, it was at an easy, steady stroll. He said nothing, but offered another warm, gentle smile. Argenti kept a friendly yet polite measure of space between them as he too leaned against the wall, hands tucked behind his lower back and stare wandering over well-used equipment.

When or if Boothill wanted to talk, he would listen. Until then, he was content to let the silence stretch.

What also held weight was Boothill's stare, at least for Argenti. Though he couldn't parse specific intent or thoughts behind it - not without meeting that gaze - he knew he found it comforting. There was more reason than simply sharing space with another person; that it was Boothill sharing this space, watching him, talking with him, kept Argenti's lingering melancholy from turning cold.

It also ebbed some of his smile into thoughtfulness. That wasn't all Boothill had done, nor all he was capable of. Argenti believed so with the same conviction as knowing Idrila was somewhere among the stars.

He was just considering an answer when Boothill stepped closer, close enough to stand beside him. Green eyes only wandered from his dear friend's features to follow the movement of one metal hand. Argenti held the rose still, watching with a quiet admiration that bordered on tenderness. What was the sensation like for Boothill? DId the other man realize he was already disproving his own assertion?

That abrupt breath tugged Argenti's gaze up, a glimmer of concern drawing his eyebrows in as Boothill backed away. Was there a lack of sensation, maybe? Or, no, something felt deeper-struck about the look in widened, distracted eyes. He followed that distraction down to the fallen petal, and when he glanced back he could only guess how his friend's expression might've worsened. His guess was bolstered by the timbre of Boothill's voice.

"That you try to put them back together, when and how you can, matters more than one might think," Argenti answered belatedly, while he bent to retrieve the fallen petal. It was not the first to fall by accident rather than by nature, nor would it be the last. He then took a step closer, though only one. No matter how his palms itched to do so, he didn't reach for his favorite Ranger. "...If you truly need the space," he added in a gentle murmur, "the training room is well-ventilated. I can finish here alone."

Argenti didn't want Boothill to leave, but more than that he didn't want to force his friend to stay beside him out of mere selfishness - especially when the man was clearly discomfited by something.

[honorcladrose]

[welp replies put on hold a bit, brother took a bad fall on his bike and is in hospital, will be back on when i can]

[honorcladrose]

As the first pauldron was unfastened, his guiding hand instead reached to lower it to the floor. Eager as Argenti was for this, he refused to neglect proper consideration for his knightly vestments, whether armor or cloth.

"I do what I can to keep myself well-groomed and in fighting form," he allowed. It felt too much like a vain boast, a narrowing of his view of beauty, to blatantly agree with Eros' praise. "But I'm glad you find me so." A kiss to the other's neck to punctuate, then another behind one ear. Whether they brought out another soft, adorable laugh or some other sweet sound, Argenti would treasure it regardless.

He lowered the other pauldron gently, same as the first, once it was unbuckled. The fastenings for his breastplate were then easier to see and to reach, so Argenti didn't bother this time with guiding Eros' hands. Instead, he focused on trailing more slow, tender kisses over his partner's neck and jaw. One hand remained at the ready to guide his armor onto the floor when needed; his other palm, meanwhile, slid from Eros' hip to splay at the small of his partner's back.

How he wished he could pull Eros onto his lap for a closer embrace. Yet, their layers had to come first.

He could guess that shedding Eros' layers might take similarly long; a comfort, in its own small way, that Argenti wouldn't be the only one needing time to strip down. Not to mention, it'd be quite the enjoyable process, in part because he planned on a lot more kisses - and not just to Eros' lips.

His partner's nuzzling drew out a soft, fond laugh from Argenti's throat, and he answered it with one more peck to Eros' temple. His darling snowdrop was so sweet, even - or especially - in bids for attention. Sweet enough to tempt him with the thought of what those bids might be like in the throes of passion. Argenti doubted he'd refuse any of them, regardless.

Leaning his cheek into Eros' touch with a contented sigh, Argenti thus left room for those kisses under his jaw, eyes closed for a long moment and long lashes fluttering subtly. A tender smile remained on his face. "I'd love the help, thank you." First, though, Argenti crossed to sit on one edge of the bed, to make up for their difference in height. He set Eros down then, one hand resting at his partner's waist while his other gently guided black-tinged fingers to the buckle for one pauldron. "The clasps shouldn't be too difficult," Argenti assured, nose buried amid Eros' hair and lips brushing his neck.

[honorcladrose]

My fanart of pretty Argenti 🌹✨

[honorcladrose]

Huevember 10-12: Journey

[honorcladrose]

He could guess that shedding Eros' layers might take similarly long; a comfort, in its own small way, that Argenti wouldn't be the only one needing time to strip down. Not to mention, it'd be quite the enjoyable process, in part because he planned on a lot more kisses - and not just to Eros' lips.

His partner's nuzzling drew out a soft, fond laugh from Argenti's throat, and he answered it with one more peck to Eros' temple. His darling snowdrop was so sweet, even - or especially - in bids for attention. Sweet enough to tempt him with the thought of what those bids might be like in the throes of passion. Argenti doubted he'd refuse any of them, regardless.

Leaning his cheek into Eros' touch with a contented sigh, Argenti thus left room for those kisses under his jaw, eyes closed for a long moment and long lashes fluttering subtly. A tender smile remained on his face. "I'd love the help, thank you." First, though, Argenti crossed to sit on one edge of the bed, to make up for their difference in height. He set Eros down then, one hand resting at his partner's waist while his other gently guided black-tinged fingers to the buckle for one pauldron. "The clasps shouldn't be too difficult," Argenti assured, nose buried amid Eros' hair and lips brushing his neck.

Accustomed though he was to experiencing attraction in its many forms, rare was the chance for it to become actions. But with Eros, Argenti had that chance, time and shared inclination fitting together perfectly. Only Idrila Themself could've called him away from this moment.

Argenti's soft smile widened a little with the coil of Eros' tail around one armored leg, and the vibrant hue of that blush. He kept hold of his partner's chin while they met in another kiss, a faint sound escaping at the sensation of slim fingers buried in his hair. A gentle nudge of his nose against Eros' afterward, while his hand then moved to cradle one flushed cheek instead.

"To me, it only sounds perfect." Besides, given how often he'd heard himself described as 'cheesy' or 'dramatic' or 'sentimental', he wouldn't be the best judge. All he could be was honest.

He bent further first, to sweep Eros up into his arms, his grasp steady around the other's shoulders and knees. Argenti had no trouble walking as he carried Eros into the bedroom, careful not to let his partner's head or feet knock against the doorway. No sooner had he shut the door than he leaned in first this time for a kiss, holding Eros that little bit closer against his front. Another inadvertent reminder how much armor Argenti would have to remove.

[honorcladrose]

[ just got through datv

GOD what a good game

i am emotionally drained in a great way

probably won't get to replies immediately but will try working on them after i sleep, i do have a bunch across diff blogs

thank y'all for your continued patience ❤ ]

[honorcladrose]

[honorcladrose]

boothill.

[honorcladrose]

[i'm gettin there in datv i think, approaching the conclusions of character quests and building up to another big story beat

should be done and able to get to replies before long

thank you all for your patience, sorry for my silence on here ❤ ]

[honorcladrose]

[ with the new dragon age game comin out tomorrow, most of my days will probably be taken up with that - so replies will come distinctly slower

apologies in advance

i do have them bookmarked tho, don't worry! ]

[honorcladrose]

Accustomed though he was to experiencing attraction in its many forms, rare was the chance for it to become actions. But with Eros, Argenti had that chance, time and shared inclination fitting together perfectly. Only Idrila Themself could've called him away from this moment.

Argenti's soft smile widened a little with the coil of Eros' tail around one armored leg, and the vibrant hue of that blush. He kept hold of his partner's chin while they met in another kiss, a faint sound escaping at the sensation of slim fingers buried in his hair. A gentle nudge of his nose against Eros' afterward, while his hand then moved to cradle one flushed cheek instead.

"To me, it only sounds perfect." Besides, given how often he'd heard himself described as 'cheesy' or 'dramatic' or 'sentimental', he wouldn't be the best judge. All he could be was honest.

He bent further first, to sweep Eros up into his arms, his grasp steady around the other's shoulders and knees. Argenti had no trouble walking as he carried Eros into the bedroom, careful not to let his partner's head or feet knock against the doorway. No sooner had he shut the door than he leaned in first this time for a kiss, holding Eros that little bit closer against his front. Another inadvertent reminder how much armor Argenti would have to remove.

What a pleasure it was to see Eros so comfortable and relaxed with him, in genuine closeness rather than the distance of performative flirtations. Skilled as his partner was with such an act, Argenti preferred to offer the respite of honesty - to hear without judgement, understand to the best of his ability, and continue to love Eros with that greater knowledge.

Slim brows rose again when the other echoed the allowance made in his thoughts. At the suggestion it might be too much, Argenti shook his head. Just when he'd considered straightening, though, Eros leaned in to kiss his cheek and then his lips; he nearly chased the latter. His opposite hand skimmed curled fingers along his partner's jaw, to take gentle hold of Eros' chin.

"I don't doubt it. But perhaps that conversation could be tabled for later? You've sparked so much of my curiosity, dear snowdrop, and when I was also thinking that 'sometime' could be now..." The tilt of his head and the set of his expression wordlessly finished his suggestion.

[honorcladrose]

Echoes of the past give it to me Morphy

Send "Echoes of the past" for your muse to experience one of my muse's memories in a vision / dream.

@draconicfool

Argenti can tell he still has time, but not how much. The booms are in the distance, heard but not felt. Not yet. Targets changed in ways that felt random. Even this small piece of ground - once the back garden of a cafe, his parents had said, now scattered with debris and blanketed in ash - felt too open. But he had to do this. He had to. Roxane had helped and healed so many people, comforted so many who were scared. And even if she hadn't, she was his sister. His first best friend in the whole world.

He wished he could've found all of her to bury.

Thin, trembling hands, coated with dirt and half-numb from exertion, laid each piece he had found into the hole he'd dug. Most of an arm, one lower leg, an ear, a few fingers. It almost didn't feel like burying Roxane at all, just a collection of bits. But he knew the shoe on that foot. He'd made the bracelet around that wrist, just a few pieces of stone and a spare bit of twine.

Argenti hunched where he knelt beside the shallow grave, groaning sobs hoarse and somewhere between distraught and queasy. Green eyes squeezed shut, but he hadn't drunk enough water to shed tears. He didn't want to see those pieces. He wanted to see his sister as she was, as she should've been. Gap-toothed smile amid a friendly tease, gentle touch ruffling or tying back his hair, the comfort of her embrace when walls shook and buckling roofs rained dust.

His first shove of dirt and ash over the grave was more vehement than he meant to be. Stopping himself with a dry shuddering gasp, Argenti took care in the rest of the burial, mumbling apologies under his breath until he bit his lower lip and swallowed hard.

He felt the next shell's rumble. He was out of time. Even so, his palms lingered over the closed grave. She deserved so much more. He didn't have anything to mark the spot. Another, closer boom dragged Argenti's gaze up, and he could see the cloud left after. There'd been too many for him to smell them anymore, the scent clogging the air. At least, here on the surface.

He stood, knees almost buckling, stomach twisting with hunger and grief. One more moment, one more look at the low mound - then a deeper breath, and he ran. Underground was safe; Roxane had always insisted he go, though he'd refused before. Underground, he wouldn't be seen, couldn't be targeted.

Underground, he might find enough water to cry.

[honorcladrose]

Send "Echoes of the past" for your muse to experience one of my muses memories in a vision/dream.