[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.]
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.]
[ 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.
[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.
[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.
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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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.
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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.]
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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.
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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.
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[ 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?
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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?
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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?
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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.
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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. ]
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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?
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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.
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[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.]
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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. ]
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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.]
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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. ]