#☼*・ﾟ Verse — ↳ bells hells

[exandriaborn]

start for @featherstcnes <333

As impressive as Caleb’s tower was, the artificial light of an extra-dimensional magic space could never compare to the beauty of a natural sunrise. With crystal blue eyes fluttering open, Dorian's thoughts immediately turned to the warm rays of sunlight he craved right now. Only for a moment, though, before he felt the weight of the familiar halfling in his arms, and his attention quickly shifted to Orym instead, peacefully sleeping, curled into his side. May I simply hold you? That’s right, Dorian remembered now. Orym sleeping—it was a rare sight, as Dorian had known Orym for quite some time now and never once had the halfling slept in past, well, any of them. Always the first one awake, always keeping watch, even at the expense of himself. And Dorian had certainly noticed the growing dark circles under his friend’s green eyes, even if he never spoke of them.

A soft light across Orym's peaceful face and Dorian felt a wave of fresh affection wash over him. The halfling looked so serene, his features relaxed and untroubled, a stark contrast to the alert and vigilant demeanor he usually carried. The trust Orym must place in him like this, allowing himself this moment of vulnerability, knowing that Dorian would watch over him as he rested. His mind drifted to the heartfelt conversation they had shared the night before, words echoing in his mind like a gentle melody. He felt terrified. He felt excited. He wanted to protect Orym, to be there for him, to ensure that he never had to carry the weight of the world alone.

As the minutes ticked by, the bard remained still, savoring the feeling of Orym's warm body pressed against his own, the steady rise and fall of his chest, the soft puffs of breath tickling his skin. Eventually, Dorian felt him begin to stir, his eyelids fluttering as he slowly emerged from the depths of slumber. The genasi watched as Orym's eyes, still hazy with sleep, blinked open, gradually focusing on his surroundings. The flutter of nerves returned and danced in Dorian's stomach and he briefly considered giving Orym some space to fully wake up. But the sight of his tousled curls and tired expression pulled Dorian in and he took a deep, steadying breath. His hand instinctively continued to card through Orym's hair as he softly whispered, "Good morning, Orym."

[feuerwizard]

@thoselittledespairs | cont.

Caleb nodded, a flicker of anger passing through his own eyes at the mention of Ludinus and the Assembly. But it faded quickly, replaced by a soft fondness as Mollymauk kissed his forehead tenderly. Just like old times. Without hesitation, Caleb removed his tunic, revealing the expanse of pale, freckled skin marred with bruises and half-healed cuts. Evidence of the brutal battles he and the Nein had endured.

And just as promised before, as Molly's fingers began to work the soothing balm into his aching muscles, Caleb let out a contented sigh, his blue eyes fluttering closed for a moment. "Thank you, liebling. Remind me to thank our friend Caduceus for all the wonderful things he supplies us." His voice was low and relaxed as he leaned into the tiefling's touch.

With each press of Molly's skilled fingers against his skin, Caleb could feel the tension and pain melting away bit by bit. More than just the physical aches, but the emotional burdens as well. In Mollymauk's presence, enveloped by their love and care, Caleb finally allowed himself to just breathe. To exist in this moment with his partner, the horrors of facing Trent and his own past gradually fading to the background.

When they were finished, he turned to face Molly fully, cupping the tiefling's face in his hands and drawing them into a deep, lingering kiss. It was soft and sweet, conveying all the love and devotion Caleb felt for his partner. As they parted, he rested his forehead against Molly's, crystal blue eyes gazing into ruby red.

[exandriaborn]

Apparently, Laudna quickly saw right through him, though Dorian supposed he and Orym never hid their closeness well. Dorian let out a soft chuckle at Laudna's words, feeling a bit of the tension ease from his shoulders. She had a point. They'd all faced death before, and there was no guarantee that any of them would make it out of this alive. If he didn't say something now, he might never get the chance. And the thought of dying without Orym knowing how he felt at all? It was almost more terrifying than the prospect of facing whatever awaited them on the moon. "You're right," he said finally, nodding resolutely. He glanced over at Orym again, his heart swelling with affection as he watched the halfling work. Orym had always been there for him, always had his back, even when Dorian didn't deserve it. He was kind, and brave, and loyal to a fault. And Dorian adored him for it. He respected everything about that little man’s strength and honor.

Dorian's expression grew more somber then, a hint of worry creasing his brow as he turned back to Laudna. "Do you really think Orym will sacrifice himself up there on the moon?" he asked softly, his voice tinged with a mixture of fear and concern. "I know he's brave, and he's always putting others before himself, but I just…" The bard's hands clenched into fists at his sides, his knuckles turning white with the force of his grip. The thought of Orym throwing himself into danger, of losing him now after just losing his brother too… it was not the ending Dorian wanted for either of them. He took a shaky breath, his gaze drifting up to the darkening sky above them. The first stars were just beginning to appear, twinkling faintly against the inky backdrop of the night. Somewhere up there, amidst the vast expanse of the cosmos, Ruidus waited for them. A silent, looming presence that held the key to their fate, and perhaps the fate of Exandria. "He’s so stubborn, Laudna. It drives me crazy."

laudna could understand the worry, the overthinking about every single thought that dorian was having. but if he was overthinking all of it, there had to be some part inside of him that had to know exactly what he was feeling. if he wasn't sure, surely, the bard would not be going through each and every thought the way that he was. " i think it's normal to be scared, " she said, her fingers picking at a thread on her dress. " i mean, there were plenty of times i thought imogen and i were definitely not very... " a sigh. " i mean, you know, having a dead lady in your chest kind of throws a wrench into things. " laudna paused, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. " just because something is going to kill us all doesn't mean you don't do anything. you're not silly, but that is silly. " she shrugged. " i mean, if i was going to die on the moon and imogen didn't know i loved her, i think i would probably go insane. "

laudna's gaze went over to find orym again, keeping her eyes there on him for a long moment. they had all been through so much - her and orym together, especially. they'd come... quite far, if she was being honest. and laudna knew of course that him and dorian had knew each other before all of this, adventures adding to all of their history. " plus, well, you know, orym does always throw himself into danger all of the time, so... " she paused, waving off her words with her hand. " i mean, he'll be fine, you both will. " she didn't shy away from using orym's actual name - who else, really, would the bard be talking about? and he hadn't commented on her almost letting it slip earlier. " but i don't see the harm in saying something. it's not like you're going to be two different people the second either of you says something. you're charming. mostly. i mean, you could definitely woo him if you wanted to. "

[exandriaborn]

@featherstcnes asked: ❛[ braid ] sender braids receiver's hair❜ // ordinary things that feel intimate;; open

Dorian sat cross-legged on the soft grass, his fingers dancing nimbly over the holes of his flute as he played a lilting melody. The gentle breeze carried the dulcet tones through the air, mingling with the rustling of fabric and the distant chirping of birds. Orym knelt behind him, his brow furrowed in concentration as he attempted to weave delicate flowers into Dorian's long, silky hair. The bard closed his eyes, losing himself in the music as Orym's fingers clumsily worked through his locks. The halflings touch was gentle, if not particularly skilled, and Dorian could feel the occasional tug as Orym struggled to keep the braids even. He didn’t mind though, it was admittedly cute, how eager the little fighter had been to try braiding his hair.

But as the final notes of the melody faded away, Dorian lowered his flute and reached up to touch his hair. He could feel the uneven braids and the stems of flowers poking out at odd angles. His words came out in a gentle chuckle, tinged with amusement rather than judgment. "You, ah, you’ve never braided hair before, have you?" he asked, the corners of his lips quirking up into a smile as he watched him fumble with the strands of hair. Dorian had always admired his dexterity and skill with his hands, but apparently, even he had his limits when it came to the intricacies of braiding hair. "It's perfect," he insisted regardless, even as a daisy slipped from his hair and fluttered to the ground.

[exandriaborn]

@featherstcnes asked: "❛  you can always ask me for help if you need it.  ❜" // caring prompts;; open

Dorian's gaze drifted to the darkening sky, the first stars twinkling like distant lanterns. The cool evening breeze carried the scent of blooming jasmine, a fragrance that reminded him of home and days of his youth. He sighed deeply, thoughts consumed by the recent encounter with his brother, Cyrus. It had been years since they last saw each other, and the weight of their shared history hung heavy in the air. He feared for his brother's safety now and while not unhappy to see him, it carried complicated feelings.

But Orym's familiar presence beside him was a comforting anchor in the midst of troubled thoughts. The halfling's kind eyes and gentle demeanor radiated warmth and understanding. "Thank you, Orym," Dorian turned to face his friend, a grateful smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I appreciate your support more than you know," the bard said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's just… seeing Cyrus again, realizing the danger he's in now… it's a lot to process. I want to help him, but I don't know where to start. And I don’t want to put our new friends in danger either."

[exandriaborn]

@featherstcnes asked: ❛[ admire ] sender stares at receiver across a room, silently admiring and appreciating them from afar❜ // ordinary things that feel intimate;; open

Vax'ildan's eyes traced the lines of Keyleth's face, drinking in every detail as if committing them to memory all over again. The curve of her cheek, the fiery red hair cascading down her back—each feature was at once achingly familiar and strikingly new. Time had left its mark on her, etching sorrow and strength in equal measure. She was noticeably different, broken in a way Vax was not sure he’d ever seen her before. Though she still stood tall and proud, her posture that of a leader bearing the weight of countless responsibilities. Yet beneath the mantle of leaves and duty, Vax could still see glimmers of the vibrant, compassionate soul he had fallen in love with so long ago.

His heart clenched with a bittersweet ache. He yearned to go to her, of course, to take her in his arms and express the depths of his love and regret and sorrow. But he hesitated, uncertain if his presence would bring more pain than comfort these days. Not just for Kiki, but for all of them. Just one night. But after all they had been through, after the sacrifices Keyleth had made in his absence, did he have the right to disrupt the life she had built again?

As if sensing his gaze, Keyleth turned, her eyes meeting his across the crowded room. For a breathless moment, the years fell away and they were young again, two souls entwined by fate and affection. Vax saw a flicker of longing in her expression, a mirror of his own desire for connection. But the moment passed, and reality settled heavily upon them once more. Keyleth offered him a small, tentative expression before turning back to her conversation, leaving Vax alone with his thoughts. He sighed, resigned to the distance between them, a chasm carved by time and circumstance and grief.

Maybe it was better this way, he mused. Better to let Keyleth continue on the path she had forged, unencumbered by the ghosts of their past. She had endured so much, grown so strong in his absence. The Voice of the Tempest, a leader to her people. Who was he to disrupt that hard-won peace of his friend’s lives? Even if he had no say in the matter. And yet, as Vax watched her move through the room, he couldn't help but leave Vex’s side for a moment to stop her, "Kiki… I’d like to talk, at least for a moment, before tomorrow."

[exandriaborn]

@featherstcnes asked: ❛[ nightmare ] sender wakes receiver up from a nightmare.❜ // non-verbal angst prompts;; open

Imogen's eyes fluttered open, wide with terror, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She sat bolt upright, clutching the blankets to her chest as she blinked rapidly, trying to orient herself to her surroundings. The fading tendrils of the red storm still swirled behind her eyelids, and she could almost feel the crackle of arcane energy on her skin. If she focused enough, she could swear she heard Laudna murmuring something to her, rubbing slow circles on Imogen's back. The contact helped ground her in reality, the nightmare's grip loosening as she focused on the sensation of Laudna's slender fingers tracing patterns through the fabric of her nightshirt.

Though their traveling arrangement, no, their friendship was still in its infancy, Imogen had already come to know and appreciate the warmth and compassion that radiated from Laudna despite her outward appearance. This was not the first time she had held Imogen close, offering comfort and solace from the relentless grip of nightmares. The moon cast a soft glow through the window, illuminating their faces as they sat huddled together.

The human woman drew in a shuddering breath, exhaling slowly as she leaned into Laudna for just a moment. "It felt so real again," she whispered, her voice hoarse from sleep and fear. "The storm… the red lightning… could feel it calling to me, pulling me in, Laudna." Gradually, the tension began to drain from her muscles, and she felt herself relax. One would think the nightmares should lose their power over her, but apparently not. "I just wish I understood. Wish they would stop."

[exandriaborn]

@featherstcnes asked: ❛[ shoulder ] a tender kiss on the partner's shoulder & [ trail ] a trail of kisses along the partner's jawline or collarbone.❜ // different ways to kiss someone;; open

The sun was just beginning to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in vibrant hues of orange and pink as Coriolis touched down on the grassy knoll. A gentle breeze rustled through the wildflowers dotting the hillside, delicate petals dancing in the wind. They were somewhere in Tal'dorei but neither was entirely sure where and, well, that was half the fun of traveling together, wasn’t it? Dorian lithely hopped down from the equine dragon’s back, his boots sinking slightly into the lush carpet of green beneath his feet. He turned to face Orym who remained perched on Coriolis, shorter legs dangling over the creature’s side. From this elevated position, the halfling had a few inches of height on the genasi for once.

The bard watched as familiar green eyes sparkled with mischief and adoration as he gazed down at his paramour. Leaning forward, the halfling pressed a tender kiss to Dorian's shoulder, his lips brushing across the exposed blue skin from the genasi’s open-chested shirt. He must have been emboldened because the kisses soon trailed soft pecks along the graceful column of Dorian's neck, sending pleasant shivers down the bard’s spine. When Orym's mouth found the sensitive juncture where neck met the collarbone, Dorian let out a breathy chuckle. "You are very horrible at keeping your hands to yourself, you know that? Well, mouth in this case."

He reached up to help Orym dismount from Coriolis' back—born of chivalry, of course, he knew the halfling didn’t need his help. "I think if we make out on Coriolis one more time, he might buck us off midair." Coriolis let out a soft hoot that sounded suspiciously like annoyed laughter as Orym slid to the ground.

[feuerwizard]

@notyetfixed asked: "42: sender barges into receiver’s home unannounced." // 100 nonverbal prompts;; open

As if Caleb was not already constantly in the company of Beauregard these days. Aside from Essek, there was no one else he spent nearly as much time with as his fellow human. She had become his closest companion, his confidant, and his best friend. But even in their close relationship, some lines needed to be carefully navigated. Unfortunately, Beauregard and boundaries were not always on the best of terms with one another these days.

Today was a prime example of such, as she barged into his home without even the courtesy of a knock or notice. Why in Exandria did Caleb give her a spare key in the first place? The sound of her hurried footsteps echoed through the quiet house, disrupting the peaceful stillness that Caleb so cherished. With a sigh, he stood up from his desk, “You know we have a pair of Sending Stones for a reason, Beauregard. What if I was in the middle of something?”

[feuerwizard]

@bloodymyhands || cont.

Caleb meets Keyleth's gaze with a solemn expression, brows furrowed in thought. “I don’t know,” he reluctantly admits. The gnawing uncertainty inside him threatens to consume him whole, and he despises the feeling. "For now, the plan is to regroup and gather our strength. We need to be prepared for whatever comes next." And clearly, he and Beauregard had not been, despite what assistance they received from the rogue adventuring party and the Voice of the Tempest.

“I have allies I can call upon, and I suggest you do the same.” The task at hand has grown far beyond what the rest of them can handle on their own. Both he and Keyleth were nearly killed at the key, but there is no turning back now, not when Ludinus poses such a risk to all of Exandria. “I’m… aware we hardly know each other, but stopping Ludinus has been a particular interest of mine for many years.”

[feuerwizard]

@funscarie asked: "what? why are you looking at me like that?" // critical role sentence starters;; open

Ach, was he staring? Caleb supposed he was, though he could not help but stare, his eyes locked on the chaotic scene before him. His usually disorganized home completely overrun by the Bells Hells, at the invitation of Essek. The aftermath of their eventful evening was evident in every corner of the house. Furniture pushed around, and a few mysterious stains on the carpet that Caleb chose not to investigate too closely, once hearing explanative stories of an arcane ritual for Laudna. Quite a sight for someone as messy as Caleb himself, who prided himself on his ability to thrive in chaos. But this… this was something else entirely.

"I am curious, admittedly," Genuine interest laced his words as he stepped closer, drawn in by the glimmering soul anchor hanging around her neck. "So your patron is truly trapped inside?" he asked, leaning in for a better look. "And Essek did this? Impressive." Strangely enough, he felt a twinge of regret at not arriving sooner, just in time to witness the complex ritual performed by his brilliant partner. He wondered if he could have offered any assistance. "Seems I have missed all the fun."

[exandriaborn]

Dorian follows Imogen's line of sight, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He recalls the conversations with Orym and Fearne upon his return, information of Imogen and Laudna's blossoming romance during his absence. The tender looks, the gentle touches, the unspoken understanding between the two women had not gone unnoticed by him or their companions. "You two seem to have grown quite close," Dorian remarks, his tone equal parts teasing and genuinely happy for his friends.

"Orym and Fearne told me," he clarifies. "I'm happy for you both," The bard adds, reaching out to temporarily rest a supportive hand upon the sorcerer’s shoulder. "You deserve all the love and happiness in the world, Imogen. And I'm glad you found it with Laudna." But Imogen is not the only one with wandering eyes of softness, his own gaze has shifted to their little halfling friend more than once across the span of this conversation.

" don't you wish it could go back to how it was? " (from dorian ) @exandriaborn

some meme i lost as per usual / probably accepting

imogen's holding a scarf, turning it over in her hands, when dorian asks the question. she glances at him then looks away, considering. it was a lot easier when it was just her and laudna -- aside from the constant torment of her mind, of course -- but so much has happened since then, it almost feels like a distant memory. the scarf warms her hands, and she wraps them as she wonders how to respond. she's sure dorian is also referring to the beginnings of their journey, when their biggest issue was flying tables and chairs. she almost chuckles at the memory.

eventually, she responds. "i don't know," she replies, as honest as possible. "i guess it's easier to think about a time when it was just me and laud." she flashes a smile to the woman in question, who's off at the tavern bar, making someone vaguely uncomfortable with pate's presence. gods, how she loves her. "but everything we've been through together, i wouldn't trade any of y'all for the world. genuinely."

[feuerwizard]

Caleb  chuckles  quietly  at  Essek's  teasing,  a  warmth  spreading  through  his  chest  that  has  nothing  to  do  with  hot  water.  "I  am  honored  to  provide  you  such  purpose  then,"  he  murmurs.

He  closes  his  eyes  as  instructed,  allowing  Essek  to  work  the  shampoo  through  his  hair.  Skilled  fingers  massage  his  scalp,  easing  away  lingering  tension  and  anxiety  that  clings  to  him  like  a  second  skin.  For  a  few  precious  moments,  Caleb  can  almost  forget  the  events  of  the  past  few  days.  The  fear,  the  pain,  the  grief—it  all  fades  into  the  background  as  he  focuses  solely  on  Essek's  touch.

"You  are  very  good  at  that,"  Caleb  says  appreciatively,  voice  slightly  muffled.  “I  may  just  fall  asleep  right  here  if  you  keep  it  up.”

Despite  his  words,  he  has  no  intention  of  drifting  off.  Not  when  Essek  is  being  so  attentive  and  caring.  Instead,  Caleb  lazily  traces  patterns  along  the  inside  of  his  partner's  thigh  beneath  the  water—random  runes  and  sigils  that  hold  no  arcane  significance.

essek   sinks   into   the   kiss,   closing   his   eyes.   he   sniffs   as   caleb   retrieves   the   shampoo,   gathering   himself. ❝    of   course,    ❞        he   says.   a   whisp   of   essek's   magic   makes   the   bottle   hover   while   he   retrieves   the   pitcher.   he   submerges   it   in   the   hot   water,   and   tips   caleb's   head   back,   using   his   arm   as   a   crown   to   shield   the   human's   face.

❝    close   your   eyes,    ❞        he   says.   the   water   streams  through   caleb's   hair,   and   down   his   back.   once   he's   fully   saturated,   essek   puts   the   pitcher   aside,   and   begins   to   work   the   shampoo   into   a   lather.

he   sighs.        ❝    this   is   my   true   purpose,    ❞        he   jokes,   as   he   works   his   fingers   into   caleb's   hair.   his partner   knows   how   much   essek   loves   his   copper   locks,   frequently   gravitating   towards   them.

[exandriaborn]

Dorian's gaze drifted upwards, taking in the vast expanse of the night sky above them. The stars twinkled like diamonds against the inky black canvas, a celestial tapestry that seemed to stretch on forever. It was moments like these, standing beneath the endless sky with his friends by his side, that made Dorian feel so small yet so connected to the world around him. The gentle breeze picked up again, carrying with it the sweet scent of exotic flowers and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures stirring in the depths of the jungle. Lost in thought, Dorian hadn't even realized he'd forgotten to make his own wish until Orym's question pulled him back to the present.

"Oh, right! A wish..." He closed his eyes, long lashes casting shadows on his cheeks as he silently made his wish. In his mind's eye, he saw his brother Cyrus, who had recently parted ways with their group to return home alone. Dorian wished with all his heart that wherever Cyrus was, he was safe and would find his way back without landing himself in more trouble. Opening his eyes, Dorian met Orym's gaze with a soft smile. "Thank you, Orym. For caring whether I made a wish or not. It means a lot." He reached out and gave Orym's arm a gentle squeeze, a simple gesture that conveyed the depth of his appreciation. "As for telling you my wish, well… let's just say it involves someone very important to me finding their way safely home." Crystal blue eyes sparkled with a mix of emotions—love, worry, and hope all swirling together. "But enough about my wish. Tell me, what did you wish for? Or are you one of those who believe in keeping it secret?"

it seemed as if dorian always knew the right things to say even if he didn't try. there was this ease of conversation about him that orym admired sometimes -- the way he could almost command a room and get everyone's attention. though, it didn't really take that much for dorian to capture his attention. that part was simple for orym. there was a slight heat that crept up his cheeks as dorian spoke and adjusted the flower in his ear, lips parted slightly as he looked up at the air genasi. " well, if you know fashion, i guess i'll have to trust you. " there was a smile then, nodding gently as he continued to speak. " i don't think anything will be quite like zephrah, but i think that's a good thing. everywhere we travel, it's all so different. " he looked around after he spoke, taking in his surroundings before his eyes settled back on dorian.

make a wish. there were plenty of things he wanted to wish for. impossible things he wanted that he knew would be pointless to wish for because they simply could never be. " make a wish, " he repeated back softly, closing his eyes for a moment to do so. as his eyelashes brushed his cheek, he took in a breath. he wanted to wish for something selfish, for something that he wanted. instead he wished for the ability to keep his friends, the ones he loved, safe. with everything they'd been getting into, he felt helpless. orym liked having his hands on the reins, knowing that he had control, the ability to keep everyone on the right track. with everything they'd been getting into, he never felt further from that point. " are you going to tell me your wish? " orym asked as he opened his eyes. " or are you one of the ones that believe that your wish won't come true if you say it out loud? "

[exandriaborn]

Dorian felt a warmth blossom in his chest at Orym's words, a sense of belonging and acceptance that he had rarely experienced before. The idea of staying by Orym's side, of being a part of his future, filled him with a sense of hope and excitement that he had never dared to dream of. And the thought of seeing Zephrah, of experiencing the beauty and tranquility of Orym's home, was an added bonus that made his heart sing. "I would love nothing more than to explore Zephrah with you," he murmured, his voice soft and sincere. "To see the places you love, to learn more about your life and your family. And if we end up somewhere else, that's okay too. Maybe you could even come with me to visit my home… I’ll have to go back eventually. I promised my father."

The bard sighed, his eyes drifting towards the door as the sounds of their friends' voices grew louder. He knew they had to get up, to face the challenges that lay ahead, but a part of him wanted to stay in this moment forever, wrapped in the warmth and safety of Orym's embrace. "I know we have to go," he said softly, his fingers tracing gentle patterns on Orym's back. "But before we do, I just want you to know… I've never felt this way about anyone before. You make me feel safe, and loved, and like I can be myself without fear of judgment. I don't know what the future holds, but I do know that I want to face it with you by my side."

With that, Dorian leaned in and captured Orym's lips in a final, lingering kiss, pouring all of his love and devotion into the gentle brush of their mouths. When he finally pulled away, he rested his forehead against Orym's, his eyes fluttering closed as he savored the moment. "We should probably get up before they come looking for us," he whispered, a hint of amusement in his voice. "But know that no matter what happens today, I’ve got your back, always."

orym had never felt quite so well rested, so... relaxed, after a night's rest before. the warmth of dorian next to him, the feeling of his arms wrapped around him all night, their fingers intertwined... orym's entire body just felt light. the fighter's eyes shut gently the moment he felt those lips pressed against his forehead. a soft sigh escaped him at the feeling, eyes once again opening slowly as dorian pulled away. " of course you can come to zephrah. i'd love if you came to zephrah. " the idea of the two of them staying together, even after all of this... " i can't imagine us being apart now. not after traveling together for so long. " that wasn't even all of it. he just simply couldn't imagine a day where he couldn't look over and see dorian at his side. he couldn't imagine waking up and not knowing where he was, not now.

the halfling took a breath, his fingers playing with a thread of dorian's shirt. " i can show you around everywhere. there's so many beautiful places that you haven't seen. so many places that i love that i think you would, too. " orym stopped for a moment, shaking his head softly. " and... you don't have to know what your future looks like, dorian. you don't have to know any of that. i don't know what mine looks like, either. all i know is that i want you there in my future. " he didn't care where he ended up or why, all he knew is that he wanted dorian there with him. " and if zephrah isn't where we end up for the rest of our lives, then... that's okay, too. "

all of this, of course, was dependent on them surviving. " i wouldn't say no to relaxing for a bit after all of this before going on any other adventures, but... " orym let a small half smile rise on his lips. " wherever we go, i just really want you there with me. " he could have said all of this days ago before any of this confession -- even as friends, orym wanted him there. but now? now that he knew that dorian felt the same as him? he didn't want to let him go. a sigh escaped his lips then, hearing some commotion from outside of the door. " i kind of don't want to get out of bed, but i know we have to. "

[exandriaborn]

The bard felt his heart swell with self-assurance at Orym's words, a flushed warmth spreading through his chest. The way Orym's eyes sparkled with a rare brightness, the gentle laughter that escaped his lips, it was a sight and sound that Dorian wanted to commit to memory forever. Eyes as beautifully green as nature itself, Dorian noted that observation to himself, but he could perfect the Orym-themed poetry another time. After they survived. He had never seen the little halfling look so content, so at peace, and the knowledge that he was the reason behind it filled him with a sense of pride and happiness. "You've wanted to kiss me for a long time, huh?" Dorian teased gently, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. He may try to seem prissy or confident, but he knew Orym would see right through him. "Well, I'm glad I could finally fulfill that wish for you."

But as quickly as the playful moment had come, it was replaced by a more serious expression as Orym's fingers brushed against the skin of his neck, sending shivers down his spine. The halfling's touch was gentle, almost reverent, as if he was trying to memorize every inch of Dorian's skin. And then came the question, spoken in a quiet, almost hesitant voice. Can I stay with you again? After everything today. Dorian felt his heart clench at the vulnerability in Orym's tone, the unspoken fear that this moment might be their last. He wanted nothing more than to wrap Orym in his arms and never let go, to shield him from the horrors that awaited them beyond the safety of this room.

"Of course, you can stay with me," Dorian replied softly, his hand moving to cup Orym's cheek once more, thumb brushing gently over the smooth skin. "Tonight and every night after, for as long as you want. I meant what I said, Orym. You’re the reason I’m here… I’ve followed you in the past and I will in the future." He leaned in, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to Orym's forehead, just like when he’d said goodbye all those months ago. Thinking of the future always filled Dorian with a certain anxiety, it still did, but there was comfort in imagining that future would involve Orym. "I don’t… I don’t know what my future looks like anymore. Cyrus is gone and—" just as quickly as he began, Dorian stopped, shaking his head. "After this… would you… be opposed if I said I wanted to accompany you to Zephrah?"

orym wasn't sure if he would ever be able to reconcile the fact that this was real -- that he was kissing dorian. there was that silent worry, deep in his bones that this would be all they had. that something would happen today and take this all away from him. he tried to push it out of his head, but he couldn't. not entirely. well, at least not until he felt the bard's fingers move into his hair, tugging him ever so closer. it was all so much more than he could have imagined. the feeling of his touch, the way their lips moved together. and he couldn't help but imagine more. but that more wasn't something they could have right now. he knew that. it wasn't the right timing, and truthfully, this was enough. this was more than enough. and above all else, he didn't want to rush dorian into anything.

as they pulled apart, orym took in a soft breath, lips parted slightly as he met dorian's eyes. he was about to speak until the silence was filled with dorian's words, and all orym could do was laugh gently, a brightness in his gaze that was a rare sight. " i'm glad that the kiss was better than kissing a werewolf. " the amused expression died down slightly and was replaced by something a bit more serious, a bit softer. " that was... amazing. " and he meant it. he'd imagined it before -- what it would be like to kiss dorian. and this had been far better than his mind could ever create. " i've wanted to do that a really long time. " maybe he hadn't fully let himself feel okay about it, but there had always been something lingering. but now, he didn't have to hide it away.

the hand that had been near his jaw moved to brush through dorian's hair near his neck ever so slightly. as he did so, orym's fingers gently grazed the skin of dorian's neck before he let his arm simply wrap around him. orym just felt so... content in a way that he hadn't felt in so long. " ... can i stay with you again? " orym asked, voice quiet. " after everything today. " he felt silly asking, but with the looming threat on the horizon, he wanted to be able to just fall asleep, wrapped in dorian's arms. whether it was in this tower or on their bedrolls, carefully placed close together. he was carefully avoiding talking as if they wouldn't make it through this -- holding onto that promise of making it out of this.