[Shamelessly, Aether does not hide even a bit of his amusement at Vanitas' reactions. He only pets him more, much like he would any other cat, curious what touches would make him break into purrs.
There's a big grin on his face.]
Hmm? I'm pretty sure you should be careful not to get stabbed by some claws. [He's only saying it as it is! He doesn't want any of them to get hurt anyway.] Can I have you for myself as well?
[He leans in brushing his lips against Vanitas'.]
Oh, you would do that? Why don't we get ourselves comfortable then?
[He laughs, reaching for Vanitas' hand and leading him towards the bed.]
[It wouldn't be half as embarrassing if Aether weren't quite so smug about being able to reduce him to a feline state. But since he is, it should come as no great shock that Vanitas' cheeks heat up as his brows furrow and lip juts out in a pout.]
It would hardly be anything new. [Since Aether's seen his numerous scars already, including the set of claw marks upon his side.] I don't see why not.
[Finally, he stops being huffy in order to return the kiss, though having his hand grasped leaves him surprised and floundering.]
I'm not saying no, but-- [Even being smaller than he used to be, there's still a lot of him and not enough lap! ...doesn't mean he can't try, though.]
[Hm, no. He doesn't want any more scars to be added on Vanitas' skin. Aether smile becomes softer for a moment there, but grows as his kiss is returned and then he sees the surprise on his partner's face.]
But? [He asks, then laughs.] Don't worry, I have a different idea.
[They enter the bedroom, that now hosts a big bed that takes up majority of the space. Aether lies down on his back among the pillows and opens his arms.]
[Bad enough he got a new one through the week-long torture session, yeah. That delicate smile does wonderful things to Vanitas' heart, leaving him feeling warm inside.]
...nothing. [Somehow the sound of Aether's laughter flusters him more, leading to the briefest of scowls to grace his face.] Oh? Do tell, in that case.
[Upon spotting the bed, Vanitas can't help whistling appreciatively, then eyeing the open invitation only momentarily before following suit in order to take up position in the traveler's arms.]
Aether wraps his arms around the other's neck, bringing him close to his chest so he can freely pet his ears and hair. There's a soft smile on his face.]
Am I? I just do what I want.
[There's nothing good or bad in his actions. He's just enjoying his time as much as he can.]
[Indeed. That's why Vanitas doesn't mind the contact, warm and sweet as it is. He props his chin up upon Aether's chest, ears pricked forward curiously as his tail sways in contentment. Though at that answer he can't help marveling at him with wider eyes, as though seeing him in a new light.]
...I see. Then we're not so different.
[Because that's exactly how Vanitas himself behaves, doing as he pleases from moment to moment, without regard for others. Or so he says, anyway. Tipping his head down, he presses a kiss to the traveler's heart.]
[His eyes soften as he admires the other. The small gesture moves him to the core and his gaze is full of endless adoration for his companion.
He loves him. He truly does. He loves every moments they spend together. It gives him so much peace and happiness, just to be here with Vanitas comfortable by his side.]
We're not.
[He says with a soft laugh, then presses a soft kiss to the top of his partner's head.]
[There's so much emotion in Aether's gaze that it makes Vanitas shiver a bit; had it been anyone else, he probably would've been running for the hills out of fear of being so loved. Yet because he knows the traveler is just that - someone who can never remain - it's less frightening than it'd otherwise be.
Or perhaps that's just a lie he's telling himself so he won't get emotionally attached. It's difficult to say. What he does know is that it's not so bad, being here with him.]
Would you say that makes us selfish...?
[Ears twitch, but otherwise all he does is blush heavily, tucking his face against Aether's chest to obscure his face.]
[Aether doesn't comment on the blush, simply smiling and relaxing against the pillows. He doesn't want to overwhelm Vanitas, so he gently brushes the other's hair as he thinks about the question asked.]
Maybe a little? But as long as we're not hurting anyone... it's fine.
[Everyone could use a tiny bit of selfish moments in their life. People can't live never thinking of themselves even for a brief time. It would be tiring.]
[It's definitely a good thing that Aether is considerate enough to keep from overdoing it, as Vanitas would have likely struggled with too much teasing. Instead, he meets the traveler's answer with a smile of his own.]
Good. That's what I was thinking. There's no need for us to hold back...
[At least regarding each other. They can ensure the other is properly cared for and isn't spending too much time dwelling on things.]
[Even though Vanitas is doubtful they'll be able to remain together for an indefinite period of time, he shares in Aether's sentiments, humming softly in response.]
That's right. There's no point in bemoaning that which we can't change, or the inevitable.
[While the subject is a sad one, it doesn't lessen the warmth he feels from the traveler.]
It's good to treasure that which is fleeting, as you never know when you may lose it.
[Especially connections with other people. That's a pain he knows all too well.]
[It's sad that they both know all too well what loss feels like and how fleeting the moments can be, even though they view it in completely different ways considering Aether's long lifespan.
The traveler sighs a little, then wraps the other in a tight hug, before letting go and smiling again. There's still some dose of sadness in that expression, but he's trying to keep the mood light.]
And this is why you can't get rid of me. I'll persist by your side for as long as I can.
[It is rather odd; one would think the longer lived of the pair of them would be more bitter and jaded, yet that's Vanitas, who thinks it's better to not get close to anyone. Even with his stupid feline soul trying to have him imprint with people, he still tries to push them away.
The hug, however brief, earns a surprised noise and a bewildered expression as Aether pulls away. Sometimes he's just not sure what to make of the traveler...]
I suppose that means there's no point in me trying to get rid of you, huh?
[Despite his words, there's a faint smile playing at his lips. This guy is just so damn bright that it's hard to hide from his light.]
[Maybe Aether has lived so long that he's learned to just enjoy life and people he meets no matter what fate throws at him.
He grins at Vanitas' expression, content that he managed to cast the sadder thoughts aside. They don't need that, especially not now when they should be just enjoying one another's presence.]
Exactly. [He says with a firm nod.] Just like you can't get rid of stars in the sky.
[He admires his companion's small smile for a moment, thinking to himself that this is how he always wants to see Vanitas - just happy and bright, not suffering or saddened. Aether reaches to him and brushes a strand of hair away from the other's face.]
[Just goes to show you that personality and temperament play a huge role in how one perceives their situation and standing in the world. If Vanitas were able to live long enough, perhaps his own attitude would reverse and he would enjoy life like Aether. Alas, that's unlikely to be.
For now, however, he's happy to let such sorrows pass from his mind. Aether always brings a brightness to the proceedings; it would be a damn shame to ruin that.]
Heh... There's no fighting a celestial body, after all.
[The simple yet tender gesture is one which leaves him with eyes half closed as he savors the touch, so near and yet so far from what he craves. He laughs, the sound light and airy in the quiet room.]
That I do. One to always show me the way when I get lost...
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no subject
There's a big grin on his face.]
Hmm? I'm pretty sure you should be careful not to get stabbed by some claws. [He's only saying it as it is! He doesn't want any of them to get hurt anyway.] Can I have you for myself as well?
[He leans in brushing his lips against Vanitas'.]
Oh, you would do that? Why don't we get ourselves comfortable then?
[He laughs, reaching for Vanitas' hand and leading him towards the bed.]
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It would hardly be anything new. [Since Aether's seen his numerous scars already, including the set of claw marks upon his side.] I don't see why not.
[Finally, he stops being huffy in order to return the kiss, though having his hand grasped leaves him surprised and floundering.]
I'm not saying no, but-- [Even being smaller than he used to be, there's still a lot of him and not enough lap! ...doesn't mean he can't try, though.]
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But? [He asks, then laughs.] Don't worry, I have a different idea.
[They enter the bedroom, that now hosts a big bed that takes up majority of the space. Aether lies down on his back among the pillows and opens his arms.]
Join me?
no subject
...nothing. [Somehow the sound of Aether's laughter flusters him more, leading to the briefest of scowls to grace his face.] Oh? Do tell, in that case.
[Upon spotting the bed, Vanitas can't help whistling appreciatively, then eyeing the open invitation only momentarily before following suit in order to take up position in the traveler's arms.]
You really are too good, you know...
[Both to him and in general.]
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Aether wraps his arms around the other's neck, bringing him close to his chest so he can freely pet his ears and hair. There's a soft smile on his face.]
Am I? I just do what I want.
[There's nothing good or bad in his actions. He's just enjoying his time as much as he can.]
no subject
...I see. Then we're not so different.
[Because that's exactly how Vanitas himself behaves, doing as he pleases from moment to moment, without regard for others. Or so he says, anyway. Tipping his head down, he presses a kiss to the traveler's heart.]
no subject
He loves him. He truly does. He loves every moments they spend together. It gives him so much peace and happiness, just to be here with Vanitas comfortable by his side.]
We're not.
[He says with a soft laugh, then presses a soft kiss to the top of his partner's head.]
no subject
Or perhaps that's just a lie he's telling himself so he won't get emotionally attached. It's difficult to say. What he does know is that it's not so bad, being here with him.]
Would you say that makes us selfish...?
[Ears twitch, but otherwise all he does is blush heavily, tucking his face against Aether's chest to obscure his face.]
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Maybe a little? But as long as we're not hurting anyone... it's fine.
[Everyone could use a tiny bit of selfish moments in their life. People can't live never thinking of themselves even for a brief time. It would be tiring.]
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Good. That's what I was thinking. There's no need for us to hold back...
[At least regarding each other. They can ensure the other is properly cared for and isn't spending too much time dwelling on things.]
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That's true.
[He closes his eyes, letting the warmth of the other sink deep into his tired, lonely heart.]
Especially here, when we don't know how long we will remain in this place.
[He doesn't like stepping into that sadder topic, but...]
...I'm thankful for every moment we can be together.
[His words are spoken quietly.]
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That's right. There's no point in bemoaning that which we can't change, or the inevitable.
[While the subject is a sad one, it doesn't lessen the warmth he feels from the traveler.]
It's good to treasure that which is fleeting, as you never know when you may lose it.
[Especially connections with other people. That's a pain he knows all too well.]
no subject
The traveler sighs a little, then wraps the other in a tight hug, before letting go and smiling again. There's still some dose of sadness in that expression, but he's trying to keep the mood light.]
And this is why you can't get rid of me. I'll persist by your side for as long as I can.
[He laughs.
He wants to stay there for as long as he can.]
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The hug, however brief, earns a surprised noise and a bewildered expression as Aether pulls away. Sometimes he's just not sure what to make of the traveler...]
I suppose that means there's no point in me trying to get rid of you, huh?
[Despite his words, there's a faint smile playing at his lips. This guy is just so damn bright that it's hard to hide from his light.]
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He grins at Vanitas' expression, content that he managed to cast the sadder thoughts aside. They don't need that, especially not now when they should be just enjoying one another's presence.]
Exactly. [He says with a firm nod.] Just like you can't get rid of stars in the sky.
[He admires his companion's small smile for a moment, thinking to himself that this is how he always wants to see Vanitas - just happy and bright, not suffering or saddened. Aether reaches to him and brushes a strand of hair away from the other's face.]
Well, now you have your personal star.
no subject
For now, however, he's happy to let such sorrows pass from his mind. Aether always brings a brightness to the proceedings; it would be a damn shame to ruin that.]
Heh... There's no fighting a celestial body, after all.
[The simple yet tender gesture is one which leaves him with eyes half closed as he savors the touch, so near and yet so far from what he craves. He laughs, the sound light and airy in the quiet room.]
That I do. One to always show me the way when I get lost...