likethelight | IC Contact @ Deer Country

[ There is an elegance in Allen's movements that belies the strength within. He's seen him in combat, perfectly balanced, focused. An effigy of grace. Warm and welcoming. Forged from steel.

Shouto watches him with warm eyes, rising above him like a full moon in spring, his hair filled with starlight. He follows his movements with adoration in his eyes, his heart brimming with reverence and the passion of youth. Another seed has taken root, and he turns his head to kiss his hand, pressing a fervid kiss to his wrist where his pulse beats a melody of boundless possibilities. Their lips meet in deep-rooted affection, a tender moment, precious and elusive all at once.

I love you.

He smiles, warm and loving. A restitution for all the times he let logic speak for him instead of his heart. What is love if not this? You waited for me... again. He thinks, delicately touching his cheek with the pads of his fingers, tracing his scar. He takes his time, committing the moment to memory. White lashes. Silver eyes, framed by a beautiful smile and a curtain of starlight. He looked like an angel stained with light. ]

I love you, too.

Edited 2023-04-23 22:25 (UTC)

[ It's funny, it never bothered him that Shouto never said it back before, or that said he was still trying to figure out what his feelings for him were. After all, Allen never said it in the expectation of hearing something in return: it was just how he felt, how he wanted to make him feel. Loved. And because he already knew in the way that was important to him.

Love isn't in words alone, but in actions. So to him, it always felt like Shouto said he loved him in his own way every day.

So he smiles at that, so warm and deep, so knowing, and leans his cheek into his hand with absolute trust, pale in the lunar light. Memorizing that kind and warm smile and lulled by the naked affection between them, the tranquility of the moment in the midst of their passion, and how there's the faint whispering of the forest outside the walls of their home. The pile of their discarded clothes on the floor and the rest hung neatly by the door, or the smell of green tea and light sweat in the air. Every element something that makes up the coziness of a home.

And Shouto, solid and reassuring, touching him with love and smiling at him with an open and welcoming heart that speaks of so many more days like this. Shouto who also says I love you too, and Allen knows that means he found peace with that part of himself.

It's perfect, to him. And the gradual peace that's been filling his heart for the better part of a year... it feels complete. He feels complete like this. At peace, for maybe the first time ever, and even with Allen's natural eloquence with such things... how could he ever explain that? So his eyes soften at that, with an infinite kind of fondness and understanding that defies words, and leans in to let their mouths meet in a sweet exchange of affection and stirred ardor.

I think...

...you've made me a better "me".

Allen's arms wind around his neck, letting his weight transfer onto his shoulders as their mouths continue to move together in a languid dance of rekindling passion that says there's no need to hurry, but they're excited to get there too. An invitation to pick him up and move him; to lay back with and hold him. ]

Edited 2023-04-23 23:16 (UTC)

[ Loves is in the everyday. In finding a new pastry Allen might like and coming home to have him taste it first to see what he thinks. In learning his and Tim's eating habits and adjusting their portions. In chiding him when he feeds the koi too much because he'd be sad if they got ill. In reading to him, in this nook, of treasure islands and castles in the sky. Of waking up before him, and watching him sleep before getting up to find breakfast because he made dinner the night before. Finding him in the kitchen concerned about the width of soba noodles and kissing him on the cheek. Of packing almost every shelf in the fridge with lemons while he figures out a new recipe. It's in the everyday that he fell in love with him. In the everyday that they first met, washed up on the beach, using a piece of driftwood for cover, and turning down his offer to carry him.

It's the everyday of homelife that Shouto always wanted for as long as he could remember, and it's what he treasures with Allen. What he's always craved, not the title of hero or number one, but the reason he fought for it in the first place. To be allowed this, little moments like this, he was always denied. So, he smiles, bright and full of love he could never share. He smiles because it feels like uncovering a part of himself. How he was before the world was made and he forged a mask of stillness to keep the monsters at bay.

It feels like spring in his heart, full of blooming flowers drinking up the moonlight. He smiles into the kiss with a kind of serenity that makes him glow. ]

Edited 2023-04-24 00:21 (UTC)

[ He settles himself above Allen, one knee on either side of him, and breaks the kiss to brush his lips against his neck, letting himself lean toward passion. ]

I'm going to kiss you. [ He promises. ] Until there's no more skin left to kiss.

[ He sets his boundaries to every inch of skin that's been uncovered, so far, and gives Allen the time to set his own, while he makes a mess of his throat and collarbone. ]

It might take some time.

[ Nestled back against the now-rumpled bedding of the reading nook, there's a softly fluttered kind of sigh that escapes him the moment he feels Shouto's lips on his throat. Like the at last of another piece clicking into place, of the rightness of it, and Allen wraps his arms around his head as he stretches his neck back to give him room, chin tipped towards the ceiling.

This makes the world feel whole too, another balm that helps heal his heart. And he smiles softly to the ceiling. ]

I get to do the same to you later. [ He whispers it as a gentle kind of promise as he lays under him, relaxed, fingers carding lovingly through his hair as those lips start mapping out a now-familiar track down his neck.

That's his boundary; the rest is trust, and in wanting to find their boundaries together in their inexperience. With you, I keep realizing I want to push mine. Grow. It feels like a good thing then, not bad. The excitement about learning new things about themselves together. ]

Edited 2023-04-24 00:51 (UTC)

The same?

[ He echoes, trying to make sense of that. ]

Are you going to use ice cubes and matches?

[ Because... a thoughtful look, he would be okay with that he finds, surprised by his inclinations. ]

[ sputters, looking down at him incredulously. are you actually teasing him?? ]

Do you want me to??? [ !!! ]

[ He's being very serious right now, Allen. ]

I wouldn't mind it.

[ He says, a little thoughtfully, before nodding. ]

[ Somehow serious is worse, and that answer has Allen flushing more than the exploration of his kisses have. ]

O-oh. [ Speechless. Shouto. The more he learns about you...

He lets his head fall back with a bit of a huff, embarrassed, and ruffles a hand through his hair. ]

Let's just stick with what I can do myself.

[ diplomacy. grouchy diplomacy. ]

[ He'd only like it because it was you, silly. He'd be more fascinated with how you went around doing it than anything a match or an ice cube could do to him. He'd maybe feel a blowtorch. Speaking of which, he should probably get one for the creme brulees instead of using his finger. ]

I like that too.

[ He says, smartly kissing his mouth with an open kiss, before pulling back to seat himself on-- Oh. Now there's something he forgot to ask. ]

Can you take my weight?

[ Buying a blowtorch when you're a living one? Even Allen will tilt his head slightly at that and ask him why he needs one.

But back to the matter at hand, Allen's expression gentles at the question, softened by the intimacy of the prospect. And he gives a nod, trusting, and reaches up to touch the side of his face gently with an appreciative brush of slender fingers. ]

I can. You won't crush me.

Edited 2023-04-24 01:32 (UTC)

I know. I've seen you in combat.

[ But... ]

This is different.

[ It's not something forced on him that he has to endure. ]

You'll tell me if your legs go numb?[ He asks. Trusting him to let him know. ] Or if it's too much. I know the temperature limits of most people. I'll stick to that.

Edited 2023-04-24 01:45 (UTC)

[ It's a touching concern, and Allen smiles lightly at realizing it's about navigating the details of something intimate with each other, and at how serious Shouto is as ever. He shakes his head lightly, stroking his hair back from his face. You don't have to worry. ]

I will. [ He might choose to endure a lot, but he's not a masochist either. And choosing to be uncomfortable in this kind of situation seems to defeat the point. ]

I like it whenever I can feel you against me though. [ The solid weight of an arm over him when Allen's the one who wakes up first or in the middle of the night, or the times in the past when Shouto's dozed off against him. ] It's comforting.

Edited 2023-04-24 01:54 (UTC)

[ There's a pause there as he takes that in; learning something new about him will always take him a moment to catalog. He nods and lets the full weight of him settle on his lower thighs, shifting a little to make them both a little more comfortable.

He takes a moment to appreciate the angle, the spread of silver strands. His chest, naked to his eyes for what feels like the first time. He lets himself appreciate the view taking in the lines of him in a way he never felt like he could before. Once he's taking his fill, he starts with his throat.

He enjoys the feel of his pulse, breath, and every shallow swallow that shifts underneath him. He lingers long enough for his mouth to cool and drifts right. His cold lips brush against his collar, placing a kiss there. He sucks lightly on the thin skin so as not to bruise it, and waits long enough to warm him up again.

Little by little, kiss by kiss, Shouto makes his way down his shoulder, kissing about one inch apart across his collar and up his shoulder, counting five in total before moving to his left. This time, he starts from the corner of his shoulder and works his way in. ]

Does it feel different? [ He asks, between kisses. He keeps his head down, mouth on him. Hot now, but quickly cooling down. ] Between your right and your left?

[ Scar and no scar? ]

Edited 2023-04-24 02:35 (UTC)

[ Whenever he stops to look at him like that, taking in the whole of him with such a gentle intensity, it catches Allen so completely offguard. Looking at him like he's beautiful. So much so that he can only stare in in wonder in return, and finds the sentiment as enchanting as the realization he can stare back and appreciate gently too.

He wasn't exaggerating when he said he was going to kiss him until there was no skin left to kiss, something Allen should have realized the literalness of, and he shifts under him with soft audible breaths at the slow thoroughness of it. He grips his knee lightly with his left hand at one point, finding anchor there, and shivers lightly whenever he chills the skin.

It's the warming back up he likes best though, sliding that hand appreciatively partway up his leg when he does and sighing gently, his other hand digging through his hair. Not as caught offguard by the stimulation now, and able to enjoy them in a different way. One that has his pulse heating up again in a slower burn this time. ]

I can't feel as much on the right... [ Where the scar is. He murmurs it gently, half-focused and guard entirely nonexistent, like not wanting to disturb the air between them. ] But where I can feel it it's nice.

[ His lips part in a soft 'ah' as Shouto finds a point on the edge of the scar on his shoulder, a relaxed and pleasurable sound, intimate and quiet between them, and his fingers scrape lightly against his scalp in a gentle massage in sync with the gentle sucking sensation of his mouth. ]

It doesn't ache then.

Edited 2023-04-24 03:17 (UTC)

[ It doesn't ache then.

His heart stills, reality crashing down on him so hard, he draws back almost immediately. This whole time, you--And you never--. Threads of anguish color his eyes. ]

You've been hurting this whole time?

[ When he carries medicine for pain, unused. ]

[ O-oh, crap. This is why he tries to always be mindful of what he says. It just makes people worry!! ]

It's nothing that bad! [ He's quick to bring his hands up, waving them about to try and assuage. Please don't feel bad!! It's actually a very normal sort of thing! ]

It's just more like how old wounds can ache sometimes, you know..? [ it's just a very big old wound... ]

Edited 2023-04-26 01:11 (UTC)

[ It is not a very normal thing at all, Allen! Wounds that heal properly shouldn't ache. You know he's going to start questioning what else he's missed right under his nose!

He takes a breath, tries to contextualize this new knowledge with what he already knows about him, and comes to a decision. I don't know what bad is do I? ]

No. [ He confesses without a quiet acceptance of his own ignorance and looks to Allen in gratitude. ] Will you tell me about it?

[ How exactly does a giant soul-wounding scar that cleaves you from shoulder to hip heal properly though...

The request does have Allen biting his lip very lightly though, torn for a moment. His default answer is always immediate on his tongue after all, the one he gives anyone -- but it's Shouto so it's different. And no answer seems like a good one then, or right. Or the a good time for it.

Expression gentling, he runs his a hand softly through his hair. ]

I can try. [ Said simply and sweetly, with with eyes so fond even if his smile is a little heavy. He continues on in a soft, reflective tone however. ]

It isn't so bad anymore though. More like... a reminder. [ The same as looking in the mirror, except with a twinge or a dull awareness.

His fingers continue to sift idly through Shouto's hair though, demeanor relaxed and eyes soft and heartfelt, and he brushes it lightly from his face. ]

I don't notice it so much around you.

[ While he thinks of how to answer, Shouto wraps his arms around his neck and lets his full weight settle on Allen. He warms instantly to ease the pain and lovingly presses his cheek against his. ]

That's enough.

[ He whispers near his mouth, as Allen threads his fingers through his hair. Shouto leans into him, letting himself feel the full length of his scar across his torso for the first time. It's noticeably rougher than the rest of him, but not in a bad way, more like the callouses on his hands that formed from years of training.

He curls into him, making himself comfortable, while he thinks of how all the times he'd used his ice on him today. A few heartbeats later, he lets his fingers roam down Allen's chest, imparting enough heat to ease the ache he spoke of. ]

Does that feel better?

[ The ice feels good too. It's soothing to the skin while the heat sinks in and is just relaxing, and ironically the alternating is best of all even if that isn't the reason why he enjoys those kisses. That answer gets a blink from Allen though, that tells him he doesn't need to explain anymore when he didn't explain anything at all, but oh, that embrace--

It makes his heart swell, lodge into his throat a little, and he brings his arms up to wrap around Shouto. Curving to fit against him in kind, breath caught for a moment at the full press of their bodies and his weight resting against him, solid and reassuring, heady-- he fills up his senses and Allen squeezes tight in response, the corners of his eyes misting a bit from having what feels like feeling too much for his body to hold. Sensory and emotional overload, thoughts scattered, but in such a good way that feels like balm. Your soul...

...it's so very kind.

He breathes out low and slow next to his ear when he lets his fingers follow along the length of his scar, soft and a little heavy, and gives a nod. His muscles twitch with a small quiver as Shouto trails along them, leaving behind that seeping trail of warmth. ]

It does. [ It's whispered back just as softly, cheek lovingly to cheek before pressing a kiss against his ear. He tries to kiss the edge of his jaw as well with another gentle and relaxed sort of sigh, letting a hand run slowly down the length of his muscled back. ]

So do your kisses.

Edited 2023-04-26 03:55 (UTC)

[ Protected and protective. Scarcely has he ever felt such contradictory feelings battling inside him. Always one dominated the other, but for the first time, he's privy to both as he curls around Allen and feels him curve around him in perfect harmony without hesitation.

The whole sky fills his heart, and he, too weak a vessel to contain it, lets it spill into a nurturing smile that praises Allen with unspoken words. They're in the heat that seeps into his heart as he settles his hand there, prompted by the breath near his ear. He wants to feel more of him. His breath. His heart. The plumage of the soul beneath his fingertips. ]

I'm glad.

[ Shouto gazes up at Allen in adoration, the beginnings of devotion painted in his eyes. Silent in his joy, blue blossoms burgeon in his heart coloring his soul. ]

Are you asking for more kisses?

[ He teases, his eyes crinkling with a fondness he can no longer contain, and kisses him promptly on the mouth, sweetly and unhurried. ]

[ It's the first time Allen's ever let himself feel like that, protected by someone without feeling guilty for it; like he should reject it on some level. Even when he was a small child. Why it rattles the whole of him in such a good way, fills his heart up with a hope that comes from joy and not necessity and sets it alight in color. Because being able to love while being loved... it's poetry.

And that just feels right.

They're breahtaking, Shouto's smiles. But something more than that now too, the warmth in his eyes, even when he's looked warmly at him before-- Allen laughs softly, happy disbelief and joyous little sound that gets lost in the kiss. Are you... that isn't teasing him, is it? Shouto who's always so serious, but whose eyes seem to suggest he's laughing. Heart soaring, one hand threads back into his hair again, holding him in place as they kiss again at their leisure in what feels like nurturing that joy together. Planting more seeds to bloom and flourish, and making something new and beautiful. ]

Only if you're offering. [ Said with a playful and lightly challenging sparkle in his eyes, a soft laugh still under his breath at the thought that maybe that was a tease, as he kisses the corner of his mouth with an easygoing kind of joy. His left hand settles along the lower part of his back, idly rubbing a pattern along the dip there with his thumb. ]

I think you already promised me some.

Only to you.

[ He says warmly, knowingly. Missing the challenge in his eyes, not yet accustomed to teasing and being teased in return, yet there's a gleam in his eyes at the sound of his laughter cheerful and impish all at once. ]

I don't break my promises.

[ He turns to catch the kiss at the corner of his mouth and lets himself sink into it, letting the fire burn inside, spiking the heat radiating from his hand that slides down to rub gently at his nipple. ]

You need to stop missing your target.

[ O-oh. That's not fair, accusing him like that and then doing something like that. Now he absolutely thinks you're doing it on purpose.

-- and he loves that thought.

Spine lifting off the thin mattress and pressing their middles together, Allen gasps softly into the kiss as the touch turns something molten in him too, and it's immediately swallowed up by a faintly muffled moan as he clutches at Shouto and kisses back a harder. Toes digging into and sliding against the bedding, along Shouto's leg, and his fingers scraping lightly against his back.

He was wrong. It wasn't just that it must feel good for guys too. This goes beyond just feeling good or nice. ]

You're my target... [ It's said very softly, whispered against his lips with a gentle kind of affection before Allen kisses him again. A sweet kiss that quickly heats, becomes insistent, letting their mouths dance together as the tips of his fingers press circles into his back.

Keep doing that. ]

Anywhere I kiss you isn't a miss.

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