[ Emet-Selch commands him, but the expected childish petulance does not flicker to life in the hollow of Viktor's chest. And its absence, Viktor knows right away, has nothing to do with the lethargy that comes with being recently undeceased. Emet-Selch leans into the offered touch, clinging to him as though he might still drift away if he's let go for even a moment. It is not a fear Viktor shares.
Inside and out, he is embraced, tethered to the world by a man who once would not have hesitated to send his soul straight back to the Sea. Now, he gives of himself freely to keep Viktor whole, and what is offered is not given without thought, but with unspeakably dire intent. Hades, who knows well the cycle of souls, who has seen Azem live and die a thousand times, is unwilling to lose him.
Faced with such knowledge, how could Viktor ever allow himself to drift away? He does not deserve this sort of love, but it is all he has ever wanted. And now it is his, he will not let it go. He will guard this, them, with claws and teeth, with the full force of his will. They will not be easily separated again. ]
I know. I know. [ Soft, warm, apologetic. He hasn't better words, because there are none. Not in his lexicon. Not to adequately express regret for causing so much pain. Not to even begin to describe how ferociously Viktor loves him.
He welcomes the touch of warm hands with a sharp little sigh, guiltily loving the feel of being surrounded, consumed by him. Viktor shuts his eyes and listens as Emet-Selch seeks comfort in transforming something harrowing into a lesson - finds comfort there, himself, too, in the careful enunciation of each syllable. They are both alive, both well enough to get back to the familiar.
Viktor attempts to shift again. Odd, to have his body resist him, but he will not be denied this. Indulgent, he presses his face into Emet-Selch's chest just as the heavy sigh leaves him. Then, a thought occurs, almost funny, amid all this- ] What... do you suppose that m-means for my lilies, then?
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Inside and out, he is embraced, tethered to the world by a man who once would not have hesitated to send his soul straight back to the Sea. Now, he gives of himself freely to keep Viktor whole, and what is offered is not given without thought, but with unspeakably dire intent. Hades, who knows well the cycle of souls, who has seen Azem live and die a thousand times, is unwilling to lose him.
Faced with such knowledge, how could Viktor ever allow himself to drift away? He does not deserve this sort of love, but it is all he has ever wanted. And now it is his, he will not let it go. He will guard this, them, with claws and teeth, with the full force of his will. They will not be easily separated again. ]
I know. I know. [ Soft, warm, apologetic. He hasn't better words, because there are none. Not in his lexicon. Not to adequately express regret for causing so much pain. Not to even begin to describe how ferociously Viktor loves him.
He welcomes the touch of warm hands with a sharp little sigh, guiltily loving the feel of being surrounded, consumed by him. Viktor shuts his eyes and listens as Emet-Selch seeks comfort in transforming something harrowing into a lesson - finds comfort there, himself, too, in the careful enunciation of each syllable. They are both alive, both well enough to get back to the familiar.
Viktor attempts to shift again. Odd, to have his body resist him, but he will not be denied this. Indulgent, he presses his face into Emet-Selch's chest just as the heavy sigh leaves him. Then, a thought occurs, almost funny, amid all this- ] What... do you suppose that m-means for my lilies, then?