[ Xenk quickly takes to the kiss, an arm reaching around to hold Fenris around his waist. It's easy to fall for such a man. One so kind and honest, and beautiful besides. Xenk knows he has Fenris' trust, and the oath he swore laid his feelings plain as he could speak them -- not clearly, but certain of his intent.
Fenris holds his heart. He is someone Xenk would protect to the ends of the world. Even if he himself will not live forever, the memories they make will stay with Xenk long after his inevitable passing, or indeed their inevitable exit from this world. And yet, fleeting though it may be, Xenk would not trade this moment for anything, nor indeed for anyone. It is different from how he feels about Astarion, but there is beauty in that difference. And love to be found as well.
The comfort of his kiss finds Xenk leaning further, parting his lips and meeting Fenris' hunger with his own. Of course there are benefits to living in the same home. Xenk is not one to indulge in excess, but there's no reason they can't both treat themselves to a warm and inviting welcome. ]
Fenris holds his heart. He is someone Xenk would protect to the ends of the world. Even if he himself will not live forever, the memories they make will stay with Xenk long after his inevitable passing, or indeed their inevitable exit from this world. And yet, fleeting though it may be, Xenk would not trade this moment for anything, nor indeed for anyone. It is different from how he feels about Astarion, but there is beauty in that difference. And love to be found as well.
The comfort of his kiss finds Xenk leaning further, parting his lips and meeting Fenris' hunger with his own. Of course there are benefits to living in the same home. Xenk is not one to indulge in excess, but there's no reason they can't both treat themselves to a warm and inviting welcome. ]
[ There's really no room for doubt in Xenk's mind—Fenris communicates his feelings clearly. Xenk will carry him in his heart for however long he shall live, and in so doing will ensure that Fenris' memory lives on forever. As an arbiter for the hearts of his friends, Xenk has always found this burden somewhat heavy, but for Fenris... the weight is light. It is without question.
Xenk allows himself to be touched and touches in kind, his hand rising up Fenris' back to keep a steady hold on him. Xenk recognizes that hunger and affection, for it's a feeling he knows well. When one finds oneself in the arms of someone who will love and care for them, it's easy to melt and open up for them. Words bear little meaning in comparison.
Even for Xenk, who has such trouble letting others see his vulnerabilities, there's no need to fear the safety of Fenris' affection. They are in their home. They are with each other. In this world where great risks and danger seem far off, Xenk could think of no greater indulgence. Save, perhaps, if Astarion were to join them. ]
Xenk allows himself to be touched and touches in kind, his hand rising up Fenris' back to keep a steady hold on him. Xenk recognizes that hunger and affection, for it's a feeling he knows well. When one finds oneself in the arms of someone who will love and care for them, it's easy to melt and open up for them. Words bear little meaning in comparison.
Even for Xenk, who has such trouble letting others see his vulnerabilities, there's no need to fear the safety of Fenris' affection. They are in their home. They are with each other. In this world where great risks and danger seem far off, Xenk could think of no greater indulgence. Save, perhaps, if Astarion were to join them. ]
[ They'd be poor guests if they didn't greet their host. And while they're moving here and won't truly be guests for much longer, they still owe Astarion their gratitude for the invitation. Xenk smiles at the mention of their mutual friend, the thought of being surrounded by his two dear friends enough to bring a soft, warm smile to his face.
Living in the same home, with their rooms adjacent to one another means they will have near endless time to be with each other, in every way. Xenk may not be one for urgency, but he sees little reason to delay. His hold on Fenris' waist loosens, his smile filling with mirth at Fenris' words. ]
Indeed. He would be most contrite if we failed to greet him properly. And I do believe we owe him our thanks.
[ As for what counts as a "proper" greeting, that's going to be up to Astarion. ]
Living in the same home, with their rooms adjacent to one another means they will have near endless time to be with each other, in every way. Xenk may not be one for urgency, but he sees little reason to delay. His hold on Fenris' waist loosens, his smile filling with mirth at Fenris' words. ]
Indeed. He would be most contrite if we failed to greet him properly. And I do believe we owe him our thanks.
[ As for what counts as a "proper" greeting, that's going to be up to Astarion. ]
[ Xenk blinks, this being his first time seeing Fenris' innate ability. Wow, he's really only seen Fenris being calm and sweet, huh? He'll have to challenge Fenris to a true spar to get to see his full strength.
Now there's an idea. Though one for another day, perhaps. They have more important matters to attend to right now. ]
The master of the house, is he? Let us not keep him waiting.
[ Xenk follows Fenris out of his room and to the room between both of theirs. Should he knock? He'll knock if someone doesn't just open the door. Was Astarion waiting, or was he perhaps preparing tea as he so often does, when he expects company? ]
Now there's an idea. Though one for another day, perhaps. They have more important matters to attend to right now. ]
The master of the house, is he? Let us not keep him waiting.
[ Xenk follows Fenris out of his room and to the room between both of theirs. Should he knock? He'll knock if someone doesn't just open the door. Was Astarion waiting, or was he perhaps preparing tea as he so often does, when he expects company? ]
[ Yeah, no, Astarion is just standing in his doorway with his arms crossed. What did his elf ears hear? His boys making out without him. Which, I mean, he's 100% for. But you see, the drama of standing here with his arms crossed! The opportunity to complain! ]
Yes, let's not keep Astarion waiting.
Yes, let's not keep Astarion waiting.
[ Xenk's eye twinkle with mirth at the sight of Astarion, so clearly put out yet not at all. Xenk knows Astarion well enough to tell he's joking, which makes it far easier to joke in response. ]
How fortunate for us, to be graced by his presence.
[ Xenk bows slightly, smiling. Master of the house, they said. Astarion would certainly have heard it. It's a title deserving respect! ]
It is an honor, as ever, Astarion.
How fortunate for us, to be graced by his presence.
[ Xenk bows slightly, smiling. Master of the house, they said. Astarion would certainly have heard it. It's a title deserving respect! ]
It is an honor, as ever, Astarion.
[ Astarion was totally prepared to keep the act going but then Xenk........makes a joke??? His expression softens and then turns curious, looking between the two of them as he tries to figure out whatever this dynamic is.
Still, he's clearly amused by it. ]
This is cute.
[ He holds out his hand so Xenk can kiss it, if they're going to be all dramatic and bowing and shit. He knows how to play this game. ]
Still, he's clearly amused by it. ]
This is cute.
[ He holds out his hand so Xenk can kiss it, if they're going to be all dramatic and bowing and shit. He knows how to play this game. ]
[ You read his mind, Astarion. He takes the hand and kisses the back of Astarion's palm, gazing up at him through his eyelashes with a look that speaks of warmth and gratitude. They are both the people he cares for, inexorably. He has nothing to hide, and no reason to feel anything but comfort in their presence. ]
As the lord of the house, I can imagine the wait was quite taxing for you.
[ He releases the hand, letting Fenris have a turn. Plus, Xenk can joke! At least around his friends. He has an excellent sense of humor, if you ask him. ]
As the lord of the house, I can imagine the wait was quite taxing for you.
[ He releases the hand, letting Fenris have a turn. Plus, Xenk can joke! At least around his friends. He has an excellent sense of humor, if you ask him. ]
[ Xenk shifts back on his heels, smiling as he watches both Fenris and Astarion both. This is the comfort he would never have known to long for. The warmth of familiarity that has his partly-undead heart skipping with excitement. ]
Indeed, we are at your service.
[ He says this knowing full-well what Astarion may have in mind. Well, he's not as creative as Astarion, but he's happy to treat him -- he means that. ]
How ever can we make it up to you, Astarion?
Indeed, we are at your service.
[ He says this knowing full-well what Astarion may have in mind. Well, he's not as creative as Astarion, but he's happy to treat him -- he means that. ]
How ever can we make it up to you, Astarion?
[ It makes Astarion's dead heart race too, theoretically. He was being given so much power like this. The power was almost as alluring as the men before him.
Almost. ]
Oh, I could think of a few things. Why don't you come in and get comfortable?
[ Without their clothes on, you know. He moves out of the doorway and into his room to help facilitate that. ]
Almost. ]
Oh, I could think of a few things. Why don't you come in and get comfortable?
[ Without their clothes on, you know. He moves out of the doorway and into his room to help facilitate that. ]
[ It would be Xenk's first time as well, though he's confident in his skills and even moreso at taking orders. Xenk follows dutifully, nodding at Fenris with a warmth that can't be denied.
He feels a great devotion towards the two of them, in differing ways. To see both of them together now is more than he could have dreamed, and the promise of both of them—and the promise of treating Astarion to his whims is enticing indeed.
Xenk doesn't need to be told twice. He's learned by now what "getting comfortable" means. He starts to strip out of his jacket and shirt as he makes it through the threshold. In so large a house, there is only the three of them. What has he to worry or hesitate about? ]
He feels a great devotion towards the two of them, in differing ways. To see both of them together now is more than he could have dreamed, and the promise of both of them—and the promise of treating Astarion to his whims is enticing indeed.
Xenk doesn't need to be told twice. He's learned by now what "getting comfortable" means. He starts to strip out of his jacket and shirt as he makes it through the threshold. In so large a house, there is only the three of them. What has he to worry or hesitate about? ]
[ A smile creeps onto his face as he watches Xenk get undressed. There were certainly benefits to the man's bluntness, his readiness to spring into action. And he'd found both of them so terribly attractive since he'd met them. He doesn't mind in the slightest that he gets to watch Xenk start to strip for him.
It's only a moment, though, before he starts to divest himself of clothing in kind. Each movement an unwrapping, meant to entice, although he's gotten naked for so many people in his life it no longer feels to him like it's anything special. ]
Is this what it's going to be like, having the both of you living here? That I could say the word, and you'd strip for me? A man could get used to that.
It's only a moment, though, before he starts to divest himself of clothing in kind. Each movement an unwrapping, meant to entice, although he's gotten naked for so many people in his life it no longer feels to him like it's anything special. ]
Is this what it's going to be like, having the both of you living here? That I could say the word, and you'd strip for me? A man could get used to that.
[ Kisses like this would have been hard, once. But with Fenris they almost feel easy. He opens his mouth for Fenris and receives him--receives that desperation and that love. Those emotions are still difficult. Like he is too clumsy to hold them. But where they normally feel fragile, something that might break in his unaccustomed hands, with Fenris they feel like they are forged in steel. He could drop them and they would not break.
He slides his hands from Fenris's hips into a real hug, holding him close. There's a desperation here, too, but not in the way that he'd hugged him when he'd come back, demanding and childish; needy and scared. Now, though, it is desperation borne of desire. He knows what he wants, and it's here, in his hands, at least for as long as he can hold onto him. ]
He slides his hands from Fenris's hips into a real hug, holding him close. There's a desperation here, too, but not in the way that he'd hugged him when he'd come back, demanding and childish; needy and scared. Now, though, it is desperation borne of desire. He knows what he wants, and it's here, in his hands, at least for as long as he can hold onto him. ]
[ It's certainly a display in their differences, how each of them strips with their own baggage, or lack of it. Xenk's eyes are drawn toward both of them, dancing between Astarion's practiced movements and Fenris' utilitarian movements. He cares for both these men, and holds each of them in his heart to different degrees. Yet they are both so beautiful, it boggles his mind a bit. Xenk cannot help but sing a silent prayer of thanks to whichever god allowed him to encounter and grow close to them both. (For once, his mind does not think of Tyr. Was it justice, to find such warm company? Was this what he deserved, for his service? It seems folly to even consider.)
But Xenk wastes no time and finishes undressing, tossing slacks and boots and socks aside to be dealt with later. For all his calm control, it's things like that that show how much he wants this. He strides up to Astarion's other side and helps with these as well, gaze ever-focused with intent. He shares that look with Fenris, even as his eyes take him in. ]
You need but ask, and you shall receive.
But Xenk wastes no time and finishes undressing, tossing slacks and boots and socks aside to be dealt with later. For all his calm control, it's things like that that show how much he wants this. He strides up to Astarion's other side and helps with these as well, gaze ever-focused with intent. He shares that look with Fenris, even as his eyes take him in. ]
You need but ask, and you shall receive.
Ah--
[ He's surprised to find them both at his sides, helping him undress. He holds his hands up in surrender, abandoning his attempt to allow them to take over, more than happy to enjoy the touch of their hands as they help him out of his (several layers of) clothing. ]
Well, don't let me get in your way. The view is quite lovely.
[ He's surprised to find them both at his sides, helping him undress. He holds his hands up in surrender, abandoning his attempt to allow them to take over, more than happy to enjoy the touch of their hands as they help him out of his (several layers of) clothing. ]
Well, don't let me get in your way. The view is quite lovely.
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