[ Good, good. Temenos isn't still so wound up that he can be receptive to such things, though he actually had little doubts he would be, actually. Not because of any overly optimistic feeling, but...
Well, they're close to each other. More than anything, this sort of thing will be welcome for that very reason. Even in the face of such complicated things—nuances that make their heads and heart spin, at least this feels like such a straightforward matter. And he doubts it will change.
He can feel those fingers curling in, and his heart feels like it lightens a little.
Raising a hand resting against the other's back, he curls his hands lightly to stroke through the other male's hair gently. ]
'Least it is.
[ ... ]
You bet I ain't going to object to getting some early shut-eye. So...got any preference to which room?
[ They can cuddle and be cute for the rest of the night, talk about whatever, of course. ]
[ ... it's nice. it's nice, really, to be able to be anchored somewhere like this. to feel that selfish little moment of relief, in the midst of everything.
there's a moment where he just settles, fine with the pets, fine with allowing his ever busy brain to come down to a hum. and then he pauses.
and he glances up at axel from his spot, expression going wry. ]
Oh? Are you assuming we're sharing a bed? My goodness.
I'm hecking crying. It was only a matter of time before the teases broke free of their priestly prison. But of course that only manages to get a red flush across his cheeks, as evident as ever. ]
H-hey now...haven't we shared a bed before?
[ Help, he's getting embarrassed despite it.
But he is going to reluctantly let go, if only to see if he can guide him towards, well. Maybe his room? ]
...By the way, have you gotten any, ahem. You know, odd items lately?
[ hehehehe. he looks so pleased when he flushes - when axel lets go, temenos even takes his hand, easily lacing their fingers together and allowing him to lead the way to whichever bedroom. clearly this teasing is just him being full of mischief as usual.
as for the question, he tilts his head. ]
Besides the gun? [ my nerf gun ] No, I have not. Did you get something?
see, now this was a mistake because he's never going to let this go. he blinks at his back for a moment as he's being led off, and once they get to a bedroom, slips around to step in front of him, taking both of his hands. no escape!
but he's still walking backwards in a generally bed direction, taking the lead and looking up at him, curious and intent, smiling. like a dog with a bone as always. ]
Randomly, hm...? Interesting. Would you happen to know something I don't, Lea?
[ Axel actually laughs a little when his hands are taken into Temenos', smiling a bit, gentle and honestly amused. He finds it kind of endearing the way Temenos takes them hostage like that.
He makes a slight incline of his head. ]
...A little.
[ His words are light-hearted, though he's looking at Temenos, taking a little pause, and allowing them to be heading back to the bedish direction? It's fine, however they're doing it. ]
Either way, I wouldn't wanna ruin a surprise. Especially a good one. I did think it was nice for people to be sending things to other dorms, so maybe that's why I thought, well...
With everything coming to a close so soon, I figured it couldn't hurt to ask, either way. Know what I mean?
hmmm. HMMMM. he tilts his head a little, looking him over as he starts to decide if he approves of this answer enough to drop the topic.... ]
I received that gun on Wednesday. Beyond that, nothing.
[ there's another pause.... and then he lets out a sigh, playfully overdramatic. ] But oh. Very well, if you insist, you may keep your secret.
[ so axel gets away with hiding...... for now. maybe it's because it's a surprise? he's whimsical enough that it's hard to say. he will tug him along and release his hostage grip on his hands finally to shed his cloak and go to hang it off of the bedpost or something. you've escaped the inquisition for now. ]
Everyone has been quite generous, lately. I suppose because of the rule. Have you done something nice for someone else?
I guess that was it, then. But yeah, I'm perfectly fine keeping it straight to myself for now. I'm pretty good at keeping secrets, you know.
[ Axel will wait for the other to release his hands, and put away his cloak, but then gently reach for one of Temenos' again.
Then, begins to lightly press with one finger, but it is actually like 'letters' one by one. If he is patient enough, he gets this:
'It's probably fine to say now, but just in case, I figure I'll tell it like this. I had been gifting special items at times.' ]
It probably is because of the rule, yeah.
Though this week, you mean? It's just been you, mostly. On a small note, I think I did help Hanako get some snakes too. There was some kinda crane game that had them, so I figured it couldn't help to help play and win some.
it doesn't take him long to catch on to what's happening - the bright blue color flickers in his eyes, like he's focusing in and paying close attention.
and then his eyebrows raise, and he hums, turning his hand slightly against axel's as he finishes it and squeezing. it's a nonverbal response of understanding... and, once he's finished, he pauses, then pushes up on his tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek - once, then twice.
two thank yous, for two items.
he pulls back a bit afterwards and smiles at him, a hint of twinkle in his eyes, and then tugs him back to the actual bed. let's go get comfortable - and change the subject, just in case. ]
Oh? I see. I'm sure he appreciated it. That wayward lamb needs all the support he can get, I believe. [ oh hanako. ] I've not been appreciative enough for your gestures; thank you.
[ Whenever Temenos so happens to focus, it's always something to watch it. Usually there aren't as flashy indicators, but the signs are clear nonetheless; nothing subtle about any one of them.
...But, after the squeeze and the kisses that follow, one right after another, Axel certainly is pretty much looking pleased as punch to receive them. Maybe even grinning? Because two. Two kisses!!
And look at that, twinkle in his eyes? He's not even thinking much through the stupid giddiness as he's tugged back to bed. Once they're there, he snorts. ]
Hey, for you? Anything. It's no problem.
[ A 'it's not really necessary' is on the tip of his tongue, but his heart burns hot with curiosity. Enough for him to ask: ]
[ god he's so cute. this reactiveness is maybe tem's favorite thing about him (maybe tied with that big old heart) and the smile on his face is fond as he settles down to get more comfortable, for now seated on the side of the bed.
at the question, he tilts his head, turning proper to axel as he considers. ]
What would you like? [ a pause. ] Within reason, of course.
[ a mostly open request - now that's an unusual gift in and of itself. ]
Axel pauses to consider the question. In he past, he thinks he was a bit more demanding. He took more than gave, as a Nobody. But now, sometimes it's pretty hard to do much of that.
He's moving a hand to grip a hold of one of Temenos' again, scooching so he's close to him. ]
...Phrasing it like that, it's kind of hard to ask. I could say, 'you in my arms', but I can manage that easy. I could say, 'a kiss', but that's easy too.
What about we could go somewhere else nice or fun this upcoming week? Just the two of us, of course. That'd work, right?
[ One last date before this all comes to an end seems reasonable enough to him. ]
[ the first part gets an eyebrow raise and an amused look, though he's patient. that's more along the lines of what he was expecting - more playfully, something he would have been fine to give, but the more serious answer is a bit of a surprise.
he turns to look at him when he scoots in close, and looks thoughtful at the suggestion. ]
An outing. [ the smile goes a little more fond - and for some reason, it's the sincerity of it all and the meaning of this in a larger context that gets his heart to do a flip. that last little outing feels like a hundred years ago in and of itself, and it's a poignant reminder both of the time that's stretched between them, and the time that's come to an end. ]
...Very well. That's reasonable enough - allow me to plan something in the upcoming week, should it all not be turned upside down, tomorrow. [ axel keeps surprising him, after all. ] I'll do my best not to disappoint.
[ ... and maybe then, he'll work up the courage to say what he's meant to say this entire time. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Well, they're close to each other. More than anything, this sort of thing will be welcome for that very reason. Even in the face of such complicated things—nuances that make their heads and heart spin, at least this feels like such a straightforward matter. And he doubts it will change.
He can feel those fingers curling in, and his heart feels like it lightens a little.
Raising a hand resting against the other's back, he curls his hands lightly to stroke through the other male's hair gently. ]
'Least it is.
[ ... ]
You bet I ain't going to object to getting some early shut-eye. So...got any preference to which room?
[ They can cuddle and be cute for the rest of the night, talk about whatever, of course. ]
no subject
there's a moment where he just settles, fine with the pets, fine with allowing his ever busy brain to come down to a hum. and then he pauses.
and he glances up at axel from his spot, expression going wry. ]
Oh? Are you assuming we're sharing a bed? My goodness.
[ don't bully him ]
no subject
I'm hecking crying. It was only a matter of time before the teases broke free of their priestly prison. But of course that only manages to get a red flush across his cheeks, as evident as ever. ]
H-hey now...haven't we shared a bed before?
[ Help, he's getting embarrassed despite it.
But he is going to reluctantly let go, if only to see if he can guide him towards, well. Maybe his room? ]
...By the way, have you gotten any, ahem. You know, odd items lately?
no subject
as for the question, he tilts his head. ]
Besides the gun? [ my nerf gun ] No, I have not. Did you get something?
no subject
[ There's a long pause as Axel considers something, face still red as he continues to lead them to his room, because sure. Why not?
Giving the hand in his a gentle squeeze, despite the teasing (always welcome in some manner even if he's embarrassed.) ]
I thought you might have just...randomly gotten something. From somewhere, at some point in the middle of this week. You know, randomly.
[ Using his free hand to open the door, and lead them to the bed. ]
But, I guess not.
no subject
see, now this was a mistake because he's never going to let this go. he blinks at his back for a moment as he's being led off, and once they get to a bedroom, slips around to step in front of him, taking both of his hands. no escape!
but he's still walking backwards in a generally bed direction, taking the lead and looking up at him, curious and intent, smiling. like a dog with a bone as always. ]
Randomly, hm...? Interesting. Would you happen to know something I don't, Lea?
no subject
He makes a slight incline of his head. ]
...A little.
[ His words are light-hearted, though he's looking at Temenos, taking a little pause, and allowing them to be heading back to the bedish direction? It's fine, however they're doing it. ]
Either way, I wouldn't wanna ruin a surprise. Especially a good one. I did think it was nice for people to be sending things to other dorms, so maybe that's why I thought, well...
With everything coming to a close so soon, I figured it couldn't hurt to ask, either way. Know what I mean?
no subject
hmmm. HMMMM. he tilts his head a little, looking him over as he starts to decide if he approves of this answer enough to drop the topic.... ]
I received that gun on Wednesday. Beyond that, nothing.
[ there's another pause.... and then he lets out a sigh, playfully overdramatic. ] But oh. Very well, if you insist, you may keep your secret.
[ so axel gets away with hiding...... for now. maybe it's because it's a surprise? he's whimsical enough that it's hard to say. he will tug him along and release his hostage grip on his hands finally to shed his cloak and go to hang it off of the bedpost or something. you've escaped the inquisition for now. ]
Everyone has been quite generous, lately. I suppose because of the rule. Have you done something nice for someone else?
no subject
[ Axel will wait for the other to release his hands, and put away his cloak, but then gently reach for one of Temenos' again.
Then, begins to lightly press with one finger, but it is actually like 'letters' one by one. If he is patient enough, he gets this:
'It's probably fine to say now, but just in case, I figure I'll tell it like this. I had been gifting special items at times.' ]
It probably is because of the rule, yeah.
Though this week, you mean? It's just been you, mostly. On a small note, I think I did help Hanako get some snakes too. There was some kinda crane game that had them, so I figured it couldn't help to help play and win some.
no subject
it doesn't take him long to catch on to what's happening - the bright blue color flickers in his eyes, like he's focusing in and paying close attention.
and then his eyebrows raise, and he hums, turning his hand slightly against axel's as he finishes it and squeezing. it's a nonverbal response of understanding... and, once he's finished, he pauses, then pushes up on his tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek - once, then twice.
two thank yous, for two items.
he pulls back a bit afterwards and smiles at him, a hint of twinkle in his eyes, and then tugs him back to the actual bed. let's go get comfortable - and change the subject, just in case. ]
Oh? I see. I'm sure he appreciated it. That wayward lamb needs all the support he can get, I believe. [ oh hanako. ] I've not been appreciative enough for your gestures; thank you.
Perhaps I ought to do something in exchange...?
no subject
...But, after the squeeze and the kisses that follow, one right after another, Axel certainly is pretty much looking pleased as punch to receive them. Maybe even grinning? Because two. Two kisses!!
And look at that, twinkle in his eyes? He's not even thinking much through the stupid giddiness as he's tugged back to bed. Once they're there, he snorts. ]
Hey, for you? Anything. It's no problem.
[ A 'it's not really necessary' is on the tip of his tongue, but his heart burns hot with curiosity. Enough for him to ask: ]
...What were you thinking?
no subject
at the question, he tilts his head, turning proper to axel as he considers. ]
What would you like? [ a pause. ] Within reason, of course.
[ a mostly open request - now that's an unusual gift in and of itself. ]
no subject
Axel pauses to consider the question. In he past, he thinks he was a bit more demanding. He took more than gave, as a Nobody. But now, sometimes it's pretty hard to do much of that.
He's moving a hand to grip a hold of one of Temenos' again, scooching so he's close to him. ]
...Phrasing it like that, it's kind of hard to ask. I could say, 'you in my arms', but I can manage that easy. I could say, 'a kiss', but that's easy too.
What about we could go somewhere else nice or fun this upcoming week? Just the two of us, of course. That'd work, right?
[ One last date before this all comes to an end seems reasonable enough to him. ]
no subject
he turns to look at him when he scoots in close, and looks thoughtful at the suggestion. ]
An outing. [ the smile goes a little more fond - and for some reason, it's the sincerity of it all and the meaning of this in a larger context that gets his heart to do a flip. that last little outing feels like a hundred years ago in and of itself, and it's a poignant reminder both of the time that's stretched between them, and the time that's come to an end. ]
...Very well. That's reasonable enough - allow me to plan something in the upcoming week, should it all not be turned upside down, tomorrow. [ axel keeps surprising him, after all. ] I'll do my best not to disappoint.
[ ... and maybe then, he'll work up the courage to say what he's meant to say this entire time. ]