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[ He can't help but smile at that, because it's true. Maybe he should be careful about that. He turns his head, brushing his lips against Chris' knuckles. ]

Well they are better labeled now so I'll try and be more careful about that.

[ The smile tightens for a moment and then fades, looking confused. ]

I'm going to worry. And I'm going to ask what's going on... but I'll accept if you can't or won't tell me.

[ He's trying to be mature about it, even if it's rough to think about. It's not like he can go all that far, and yet there's so much trouble he can get into. ]

Are you in trouble?

[He maybe hesitates a beat longer on that than he should, eyes darting away from Caleb before daring back.]

I'm not going to jail nor in any trouble with the city, if that's your meaning.

I'm just...[He sighs.]

There's a man in the city who's hurt some people in quiet ways, ways that are easily unnoticed. I've got it in me to do something about it and I intend to. [He holds up a hand.]

Before you offer, no I don't want you there. He's dangerous to most if he chooses and, no, I won't be alone.

[He doesn't like this. He doesn't like any of it. This town is dull of dangerous people, but obviously this has affected Chris in some way and that makes Caleb worry as well.

And not have a clue that he might well be involved with the person they're going for. ]

What are you going to do when he comes back for revenge against those involved? That's all I'm going to ask. Is there a plan for that as well?

[ It's not the only question he wants to ask, but he knows it's the one he definitely needs to know the answer to. ]

[It's a fair question, even if it's born from Chris' miscommunication. He shakes his head.]

I'm not going to kill him or even torture him. Merely hold him long enough to be able to talk to him. To try and understand and reason with him a bit. He...I don't think he's unreachable, I just need to find the right angle for it.

[He hesitates a moment, but then reaches up to place a hand against Caleb's cheek.]

I don't like to see the concern in your eyes. I'm trying to keep details minimal to keep from too much fuss, but for you- [His words fail a moment, but then he finds them again.] I'll answer what I think I can, love, if only to keep that concern as small as possible.

[ He trusts Chris, he does. He trusts him not to start a war that could cause ripples over those in the LIERs community.

He just doesn't trust whoever else this might be. He's dealt with those that would harm others without it showing, to do things that went beyond someone's boundaries and then pretend they didn't know why the other person was upset.

And he knew how bad that could all get. For both sides. ]

You know asking me not to worry is like asking the ocean to be more dry, right?

[ He leans into that touch, and then turns his head, kissing Chris' palm. ]

What if he's not reachable? I want to hope you're right and they can be but what happens then? Are you at least disguising yourself in some way?

[His lips twitch up for that kiss, but he keeps his focus on Caleb.]

No...I want him to know it's me. When his memory comes back, I want him to at least have a flicker of thought as to what might have caused it; If I want him to know he's hurt people, he needs to know at least one.

If I can't...if it's all for nothing, then I hope he understands the idea of calling even and leaves it there. If he doesn't...well, I'll not be alone. We'll figure it then.

[He knows that answer sucks, but there's little else he can offer.]

[ That answer definitely sucks, and it's because he knows how those kind of people can be. He had been pushed to kill to protect himself and others long before he came to this place.

He knows Chris hasn't led an easy life and he hasn't backed down... but that doesn't mean Caleb is comfortable with him going through torment and hardship here either. Especially not alone. ]

It's something you need to think about. In case.

[ He sighs, leaning into Chris and resting his brow against his boyfriend's. ]

You know I don't like this, right? I get why you're doing it but we know this place doesn't tend to side with what's right.

[ And from what he knows, he does think Chris is doing the right thing. That doesn't make it easier though. ]

[Chris’ hand comes up to curl around Caleb’s arm as he leans into the feeling of his boyfriend’s brow to his.]

That’s why I’m doing this. If I thought the city would do something for Justice or to help, I’d consider it, but he’s a dominant and…[He pauses, his anger and self-disgust rearing up, but he tries to choke it back down.]

By rights, i consented to what we did and have no proof he did more except what I can tell’s wrong. I don’t know any other way to try and right it.

[He turns his head to snatch a kiss.]

I promise it’ll be alright. I’ll make it be alright just to not lie to you.

[Caleb had suspected it wasn't just Chris doing what was right but he wasn't going to push him on that either. Now that he's admitted the truth though, Caleb can feel bile rising in the back of his throat.

Chris doesn't need anyone defending him or protecting him but damn the desire is there. He loves this man so much and hates that anyone has taken advantage of him. Just as much as he might hate learning he's involved himself with the same person in a night at the Gray Room. ]

I trust you then, Chris. You wouldn't outright lie to me.

[ He expects not full answers and avoiding topics. Everyone does it to make things right, but for Chris to say it like that means something else. ]

Please be careful. If this person has taken advantage of you once, who knows what they're capable of.

[He doesn't tell Caleb he doesn't think it happened out of desire, he doesn't tell him he messed around with Grayson again already just to make sure it had been a power or feeding play then, to prove to himself they were both playing a game with each other. He certainly doesn't tell him he'd been planning on ruining the vampire's life long before he'd discovered the personal violation.

Caleb...saw him a certain way and Chris wasn't ready to color that perception when it seemed so undeservedly kind.

Instead, he brings his hands up to cup Caleb's face.]

I swear it to you. Here...

[He angles their faces so he can kiss Caleb again, not quick, but slow and thorough and commanding. Something to steal his breath away.

When he pulls back, he holds his own a long moment before looking to Caleb again.]

May I take your breath with me to keep within my chest and close to my heart until the gods allow me to return it to you.

[It was an old saying and not said in the language it comes out as, but the forced-translation was close enough.]

[ Caleb has been taken advantage of more than once in this place. He's dealt with betrayal and abuse and literally being treated as property by someone he trusted because of the mark on his throat.

He's dealt with things he never imagined he'd go through, and he's gained things here that make his heart seem to swell in his chest. Magic and love and this man before him. Things that make it worth all he's been through, and anything he faces in the future.

Even if he knows, in the grand scheme of things, he's been blessed compared to many he cares about.

He isn't prepared for that kiss, but he gives everything of himself to it. Pushing into Chris' touch, wanting to give everything of himself into that kiss as if that alone could give protection.

So when he hears those words, eyes still closed as he lets the sensation of the kiss wash over him, he finds himself clinging to Chris. When he speaks his tones are hushed and breathless still. ]

Dammit, you're not supposed to be that charming when I'm worrying. Thank you though. For telling me and trusting me.

[He smiles lightly and kisses Caleb's chin as he pulls away to sit back again.]

I'm supposed to be exactly that charming when you're worrying...but thank you for being...safe enough to be open with. I love you deeply, Caleb Danvers...which is why I told you, why I trust you....and why I'd like you to mark me as you like.

[He reaches for Caleb's hand and gives it a squeeze.]

I can be monogamous if asked, I know that, but it's not in my nature. We've both several partners and others we love, but I don't ever want you to doubt that you hold my heart in a way few others do, so I want to offer something you can look at and remember how I feel for you when little else in the way of promises and bonds exist here.

[He pauses and a flush builds across his face slowly.]

If that makes sense, anyway.

I trust you to be powerful and strong and to do what you think you must. I will stand by you with all you choose to do. It won't ever change that I'm going to worry.

[ He's spent so much of his life worrying for those he loves and doing all he could to shelter and protect them. He had done them no favors though. He won't do that to others, especially here with those that have endured and faced so much worse than he could have imagine. ]

I love you too, Chris. I trust you and I will do whatever I can for you. Remember that, okay? I might not always be happy with your plan of action, but I trust you enough to give you my opinion and stand by you.

[ If the words had made his heart race, coming back to the marking actually brings a soft flush to his cheeks. ]

I think we make our promises to one another in our way. I know you love me and trust me. I hope you know how much I love you and how safe and secure and loved I feel with you.

[ Caleb has faced times when he didn't feel that way. With Chris he does. He only wholly feels that way with two people, the only ones he truly feels safe with in this place. ]

I want to mark you. I want to be able to see it and touch it, for you to know how much I love you.

[ He leans in, kissing him softly. ]

I've even thought of ideas for a tattoo with magical ink. Do you know where you'd want it?

[His hands come up to brush along Caleb's cheeks as Chris simply looks at him as though there's little else he'd like to do.]

I'm ager to hear your thoughts. As to where...an arm might be good? Or a thigh, if you want a place a bit more intimate. [He lets a hand drop to wrap his fingers around Caleb's instead.]

I'm open to suggestions.

What sort of magic were you thinking?

[ His fingers curl around Chris', finding such intimacy in that simple touch and glad for it between them. They have been through so much and lived two years of their life here, together, and it means the world to him. ]

I admit, I kind of like the thigh.

[ His other hand moves to lightly brush against the spot. ]

I've actually thought about an activation charm in the ink. It wouldn't always be on but it could be activated through touch, a pattern in the design, that would guide you too me. I'm thinking to put a protection charm in the design as well.

Every little bit helps here, right?

[Caleb's hand running up his thigh? More than a little tempting considering he also has him sat conveniently on a bed. If his next breath is a little harder to pull in, he pretends it isn't.]

I like the sound of that. Magical connection in the physical form of the emotional one. [His smile tilts and he looks down at Caleb's hand, embarrassment flaring up in him. That was far more poetic than he needed to be.]

And having your protection magic on me while I know Death Ward's carried on you? Seems right to me.

[He breezes past his own fluster for the emotional intimacy and looks back up with a smirk to cover it.]

Guess I should take my pants off and spread my legs for you.

[ There's so much going on in their lives right now, that Chris is having to cope with and just coming down on their heads in this place. Though is that any different than another day?

Caleb isn't sure, but talk of this, it means the world to him. To having his mark on Chris, that he would have that and it would let him know how much he loves him, that he can always be there with him in some ways, connected. ]

I worried you would think it too much, but I know we don't know what we have beyond this place but for what we have, I want you to always be part of me and know where I am, to be able to find me any time.

[ He leans in and kisses him tenderly. ]

I know it might not keep you safe from everything but maybe it will help no matter what they try.

[ Though he blinks at those words, blushing as he ducks his head and then looks up at Chris once more. ]

I can't say I hate the i... Oh you mean for the tattoo.

[ He just can't help himself. ]

[Chris welcomes the kiss easily and the fluster in Caleb pulls Chris' smirk wider.]

Let's start with the tattoo and go from there.

[Really, the likelihood he was going to be hot and bothered after Caleb was finished was very high. He leans in to steal another kiss as he stands to start stripping off his boots and pants...and jacket and shirt, after a moment of thought. It felt weird otherwise.]

I can think of several ways I might like to spend my evening and all of them involve you in less clothing. Now...how do you want me?

[ He's brought the equipment with him since things had started with talks of marking him, and yet for that moment Caleb is caught up in watching Chris. Even as long as they've shared one another, been together in things between them, he still loves the elegance of Chris' form and the things just seeing him strip does to Caleb.

He grins at Chris then.]

I don't know. I kind of like this with me dressed and you all naked and sexy.

[ Even as he says it though, he strips off his shirt.]

Just to make it fair. Stay right like this for a minute. I want to sketch out the design on your leg and see what you think of the idea I have.

Very fair...

[Chris hums and disobeys a moment to sit up and reach over to run a hand down Caleb's exposed chest. Always one of his favorite things.

Now he can lay back down and behave.]

Alright. I'm your canvas, Mr. Danvers. I'll try not to move.

[Luckily, the inside of his thigh is not where he's ticklish.]

[ Caleb can't help but grin at that touch. ]

You know, if you start doing that, I'm going to get distracted.

[ And he wants to do this. He wants to leave this mark on Chris that is part of them. That he is part of Chris so that no matter what this place does, it's there.

Even if he goes home and it vanishes... it's still been part of Chris' skin.

He gathers up his tools, sliding his hand along his skin. ]

There's a potion I'm going to use before I start inking. It will prepare the skin, especially for the magic that will be part of it. And the design is a sigil that will link us. My magic part of you.

[ Someone had once tried to kill him to get Caleb to will his power to them and now he's giving a part of that to Chris. ]

[Chris gives a hum like getting distracted wouldn't be such a bad thing, but he doesn't press it. He definitely wants this done, he can entice Caleb later.

He laces his hands behind his head and settles in. He smiles over at Caleb for that last part, though. Affection warm and rising in his chest.]

I like that thought. Having a bit of you with me...and even if the magic were to fade, I'd still have the mark. Just...that little piece of the people I love. I think I need that more than I'd admitted to myself before.

[He's not a romantic, he'd said as much to Nick. Romance is nice, but it's not everything. He still believes that, but gods that doesn't make it nothing. Caleb's presence is enough to sooth his heart and head sometimes, having something he could look at to call on that feeling would be nice.]

[ He knows how good it can be getting distracted with Chris. He's such a sensual person and his energy, the curve of his lips, the way he looks at Caleb, it's enough to leave him trembling if he's not fighting to keep control.

And he will, for now, because he won't mess this up for Chris. ]

No matter what happens, it'll be there and we know and it's because we want this.

I love you, Chris, and you will always be part of me.

[ And with that he starts doing the tattoo, his hand steady and working to keep straight lines and the beautiful sculpted lines of the sigil he designed that is part magically image as well as hinting at wing like curves, of waves, and a gilded band crumbling. Their life, their love, them. ]

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