[... The view is nice, at least. Is he scoping the cake? Maybe just a little. He doesn't indicate as much, instead letting out a very annoyed huff. He squirms a few times against his shoulder, but doesn't try to actually get free.
That doesn't keep him from crossing his arms defiantly once he's in a seat. His leg shifts, angling so he can rest his heel against the opposite knee.]
I'm not cooking for you, if that's what you're getting at.
[That's fair, Zahliya has a very round ass. Anyway—
Tail wagging :)]
I've never seen you anywhere else! [He's teasing, of course. He's seen Luca doing other things at the bar! ...mostly cooking though!] But no, I am not hungry right now.
It is my job. And some of us need to stay busy around here.
[He knows he could be contributing more. Investigating, finding answers. Truthfully, though, he's always been a bit subdued like this. Solitude is easier, especially when this place is familiar. The presence of the spirit helps, even if they can't exactly communicate.]
If I'm not cooking, then, what would you like to do? Unless you propose staring at one another for hours on end?
[Only one thing to do about that. Luca reaches out and attempts to cover Zahliya's eyes with his palm. Can't stare if your eyes are hidden, Zahliya! What now!]
And yet you seem to be losing. What a shame!
[This is supposed to be the thread they have sex in and yet here they are. They actually just missed the fighting because they were being stupid. Incredible.]
[Yeah but sex can't be done without foreplay which can't be done without stupidity. Zahliya is... very very good at being dumb, because now that he's pulled his head out of his ass, he's sort of realised it's fine to be dumb and take breaks.
(This will bite him in the ass later.)
He grins and tries to peer around Luca's hand, stopping to grab it and lower it and...
...then he just sort of holds it, adjusting himself into a proper sit as he does.]
When I first met you, I didn't know you'd be so goofy. I thought you were going to be too... [he hums, searching for a non-offensive way to put this,] concerned about the circumstances. Not that they aren't concerning, you understand, but...
I would not have learnt to relax without you. That's what I mean to say.
[Luca is more than ready to continue this little "squabble" for as long as it goes on. What he isn't ready for is Zahliya holding his hand. For the conversation to turn so serious, bordering on heartfelt. Anyone else, and he might have pulled away in exasperation.
But Zahliya's always been a strange one. And try as he might, Luca can hardly deny the growing affection he feels for the Gargoyle.]
I am concerned, do not get me wrong. [But they both know that.] There is just something about you. It... makes me feel -
[Luca pauses, searching for the words. When he fails, he makes a vague motion with his hand, scowling faintly in his frustration.]
When I was younger, I wasn't... like this. Kiera and I were known for terrorizing our fellow nobles with all manner of foolishness. And sometimes - [He pauses, jaw tensing as he chews on the inside of his cheek.] You make me feel like that anew.
Mm, well, it took me quite a long time to adjust to that. Where would I be if we hadn't met? Certainly not bothering you for snacks or breaking into the fridge-thing.
[He is Not letting go of Luca's hand. They're mutually warm, and the touch, for once, isn't something outright scary. Luca is not dangerous to Zahliya specifically, and Zahliya's unnatural heat isn't dangerous to him. It's... nice. It's just nice.
He flips Luca's hand over and traces the lines of his palm with a claw, delicate as a feather.]
It is very funny for you to say you feel young again when you are already very small. [wow] ...and I do like that you feel like a fool around me. I've not been very put together around you, either.
[It's not hard to see that most of the Grove cares for him. Perhaps not as much as Luca, but good luck getting him to admit that out loud just yet. The point is, Luca isn't so certain he's brought all that much good to Zahliya's life. Not that he doesn't cherish the Gargoyle or -
whoa, those are awfully sappy thoughts. Yet it turns out, they go just fine with his steadily thumping heart. He can't help it, when those claws find a way to be so gentle to him. They make him feel... less abnormal. He's long struggled with the burden of his Blessing, and how it makes him stand out. But when everyone else is different..]
I'm going to choose to ignore that comment - [Said with a soft grin.] and simply say that I... think I rather like when you aren't put together, Zahliya.
[He feels warm and light, content despite the way his heart rabbits within his chest. He meant what he said about feeling young again. This feels like his first crush, like how he used to write his own name with various last names of the boys he fancied around Aerea.]
It feels like a gift. Something secret for the two of us to share.
[The logical next step is to kiss the boy but Zahliya has never read a romance novel in his life (he cannot read) and not understanding traditional romance tropes is killing this discussion.
...but his tail is wagging behind him, so maybe that counts for something.]
You are embarrassing, [he says, despite being the one holding Luca's hand here,] my clownery is not a gift.
[But.]
...though, if you would consider it such, then I don't mind giving it to you freely. I do... [Deep breaths, little garg, it's okay.] ...I am rather fond of you. More than I think I am fond of the others. Do not tell them, I can't handle when Mizuki cries.
[When is Luca going to romantically read him a bedtime story then, huh, Wolfie? Where is this?
Anyway. Luca glances toward that tail, watching its twitching back and forth and feels... emboldened. Maybe it's the words that Zahliya speaks, or the atmosphere. Perhaps, still, it's the confession that they've shared, however much they might have ducked around actually admitting anything.
Either way...]
I assure you, I do not kiss and tell.
[But they haven't - no shut up. Luca leans across the bar, almost hurriedly attempting to steal a kiss from Zahliya. It's little more than a peck before he ducks back and pretends to look for something. Just don't ask him what.]
Zahliya has that same thought. "But we haven't???" and then Luca quickly closes that gap, though not long enough to really give a proper kiss. Like hey. Wait a second, come back here??
He is not a forward person unless it comes to a battle or wanting food to eat. Not normally. Luca is a lot different, though, in many good and glorious ways, and Zahliya feels pretty strongly that he was not done there. It helps to have an outlet for all the strange, fluttering feelings besides.
So:]
That was hardly a proper kiss. [And then he gets up and swings himself over the counter, hopping down at Luca's side.] I think it's supposed to last longer. I'm giving that a two out of ten stars, try again.
[There isn't even a chance to complain about Zahliya clambering all over his bar. He opens his mouth, and then suddenly he's there. They're so close to one another, too, and it's not like Luca was exactly satisfied with the peck either.
Nevertheless, he has an image to keep. And that image forces him to press his lips into a thin line and cross his arms over his chest.]
It was a perfectly amenable first attempt. Especially when I was testing the waters. [He rolls his eyes hard enough that his head hurts.]
If you want another kiss so bad, why don't you show me how it's done?
No, I know you must have an idea how to kiss like how I have an idea how to kiss. You've seen the others do it before, haven't you?
[No, Zahliya, you just have a weird vantage point from on high.
Either way, he's going to shake off his nerves, go away nerves and let him put a name to these emotions finally, and surge forward and grab Luca's face with his hands to give him a proper kiss. ...his definition of proper, anyway, it's sloppy and uncoordinated and he has no idea what he's doing but it's a kiss!!]
Certainly not! [Does that come dangerously close to sounding flustered? Did Luca spend his teenage years staring longingly at couples and dreaming of fantastical happy endings? Absolutely he does, and absolutely he did.]
Besides, that's not the -
[Luca... doesn't get the chance to finish his sentence. Suddenly, there is gargoyle hands on his face, and gargoyle lips on his mouth. Yes, it's clumsy and out of sorts, but it isn't as if Luca's previous affairs were particularly gentle or coordinated. He's pleased enough with the attention, making a sound into the kiss as his fingers lift to card through Zahilya's hair. Keep going, please and thank you.]
[That hair is gonna come out of its sloppy bun if Luca isn't careful. Not that Zahliya really cares, although midway through their kissing, he notes that his balance is a little off. Surely it's fine. He'll just lean forward a little, tail wagging and wings wiggling, and continue to give Luca a big smooch on the lips and
tilt forward too much and send them both toppling to the floor.]
[Luca's stomach pitches wildly as he falls backward. He tries to throw out an arm to catch himself. It grants him the mercy of not bashing his head against the floor, but little else. He feels bruised even after just a few seconds, and yet -
Well. Zahliya's mouth is still on his, so he can't just abandon it. He returns the kiss eagerly, perhaps even hungrily. The remaining fingers in the gargoyle's hair finish off the hair tie, freeing that long, dark hair before coming to rest at the base of a horn.]
[What if we made out on the floor and we were both fire boys
Which, to be honest, Zahliya has no idea how makeouts work. Yes, he has seen some face-sucking from on-high, but that doesn't mean the movements of his lips make much sense. He does make some sort of gargoyle-purr at having Luca's hand in his hair, though. That feels nice. Normally he'd pull back, but... Luca is safe. He's always been safe.
So, little garg-growls instead. With no idea how to continue kissing from here, though, he breaks the kiss to kiss along Luca's cheek and jaw instead. Surely that's what he's supposed to do now? Getting off the floor doesn't even come to mind. This is where we kiss now.]
[It may not come to Zahliya's mind, but Luca is nothing if not prissy. You'd think he wouldn't be after traveling as much as he has but... now that he has soft pillows and silky sheets again, he's reverting to his natural self. That being said, it's hard to pull back when he's the one on the floor, and harder still with Zahliya's eagerness. He has no choice but to reach up and tug gingerly on a horn, just to get the Gargoyle's attention.]
If you are insisting on continuing this, I am going to insist we take it upstairs. You will not have me on the floor.
[Tug noted, Zahliya backs off with his head tilted against whatever direction Luca has tugged him.]
...oh, yes. I suppose humans do not like laying on the floor.
[If Zahliya sleeps, it's on the roof, so... you know, no standards. He gets up, though, and he'll hold a hand out to tug Luca to his feet and dust him off. If his hands linger... shhhh.]
I'm sorry for pushing you over. I meant to just kiss you normally. That... did not happen.
[Luca can only scoff. He's nowhere near as annoyed as he could be. Had anyone else done this, he might have decked them. But Zahliya is ever drawing the young boy in him out. He can't help but enjoy these sillier dalliances.]
Do I sound angry? [He shakes his head, before placing a hand on his hip.] The only thing currently making me cross is the fact that you are not still kissing me? Or at least that we are not moving upstairs.
[Oops, Luca is cracking a near impish grin. He lifts his brows up, already taking a few steps back toward the stairs. The flush of his cheeks is creeping down his neck, but right now he's feeling mildly emboldened. It's the gremlin instinct.]
It would only be right for you to fall down this time.
[He doesn't wait for a response, or even a kiss. He's already making for the stairs.]
If you feel like kissing me again, I suggest you hurry.
[They are running up the fucking stairs like two teenagers in love and honestly, it's a very pure, light-hearted feeling. Zahliya had no idea he could feel like he was walking on clouds, but here he is. If his tail wags and slaps Luca shhhh...]
I'm on a timer now?
[But they're skidding to a stop in front of Luca's door, where Zahliya fights with the doorknob until it opens. ...hopefully it's not locked or this will be embarrassing.]
[If his tail slaps Luca, Zahliya will quickly find it getting tugged. Not hard, but definitely with a standoffish little scoff! How dare you.]
Indeed! You were the one who was so eager, after all.
[He watches with no small amusement as Zahliya struggles with the door. No, he's not offering to help. It's not locked, so surely the Garg can manage it! It's only once he does that Luca takes the lead and coaxes him in.
It's... relatively sparse up here. Luca clearly has made sure all the luxuries were customer facing. That being said, the bed itself is rather luxurious. Not that Zahliya hasn't been here before but I don't think I described what a bougie bitch Luca is, what with his silk sheets and absolute MOUND of pillows.]
Ah, well. Here you are. It isn't as if you are unfamiliar.
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That doesn't keep him from crossing his arms defiantly once he's in a seat. His leg shifts, angling so he can rest his heel against the opposite knee.]
I'm not cooking for you, if that's what you're getting at.
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Tail wagging :)]
I've never seen you anywhere else! [He's teasing, of course. He's seen Luca doing other things at the bar! ...mostly cooking though!] But no, I am not hungry right now.
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[He knows he could be contributing more. Investigating, finding answers. Truthfully, though, he's always been a bit subdued like this. Solitude is easier, especially when this place is familiar. The presence of the spirit helps, even if they can't exactly communicate.]
If I'm not cooking, then, what would you like to do? Unless you propose staring at one another for hours on end?
[Wait why did that make his heart skip. Gross.]
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[Perches on a chair.
Just fucking. Stares at Luca. Those green eyes are Open baby they ain't goin nowhere.
This is how we flirt yes yes, Zahliya might be stupid.]
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And yet you seem to be losing. What a shame!
[This is supposed to be the thread they have sex in and yet here they are. They actually just missed the fighting because they were being stupid. Incredible.]
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(This will bite him in the ass later.)
He grins and tries to peer around Luca's hand, stopping to grab it and lower it and...
...then he just sort of holds it, adjusting himself into a proper sit as he does.]
When I first met you, I didn't know you'd be so goofy. I thought you were going to be too... [he hums, searching for a non-offensive way to put this,] concerned about the circumstances. Not that they aren't concerning, you understand, but...
I would not have learnt to relax without you. That's what I mean to say.
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But Zahliya's always been a strange one. And try as he might, Luca can hardly deny the growing affection he feels for the Gargoyle.]
I am concerned, do not get me wrong. [But they both know that.] There is just something about you. It... makes me feel -
[Luca pauses, searching for the words. When he fails, he makes a vague motion with his hand, scowling faintly in his frustration.]
When I was younger, I wasn't... like this. Kiera and I were known for terrorizing our fellow nobles with all manner of foolishness. And sometimes - [He pauses, jaw tensing as he chews on the inside of his cheek.] You make me feel like that anew.
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[He is Not letting go of Luca's hand. They're mutually warm, and the touch, for once, isn't something outright scary. Luca is not dangerous to Zahliya specifically, and Zahliya's unnatural heat isn't dangerous to him. It's... nice. It's just nice.
He flips Luca's hand over and traces the lines of his palm with a claw, delicate as a feather.]
It is very funny for you to say you feel young again when you are already very small. [wow] ...and I do like that you feel like a fool around me. I've not been very put together around you, either.
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[It's not hard to see that most of the Grove cares for him. Perhaps not as much as Luca, but good luck getting him to admit that out loud just yet. The point is, Luca isn't so certain he's brought all that much good to Zahliya's life. Not that he doesn't cherish the Gargoyle or -
whoa, those are awfully sappy thoughts. Yet it turns out, they go just fine with his steadily thumping heart. He can't help it, when those claws find a way to be so gentle to him. They make him feel... less abnormal. He's long struggled with the burden of his Blessing, and how it makes him stand out. But when everyone else is different..]
I'm going to choose to ignore that comment - [Said with a soft grin.] and simply say that I... think I rather like when you aren't put together, Zahliya.
[He feels warm and light, content despite the way his heart rabbits within his chest. He meant what he said about feeling young again. This feels like his first crush, like how he used to write his own name with various last names of the boys he fancied around Aerea.]
It feels like a gift. Something secret for the two of us to share.
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...but his tail is wagging behind him, so maybe that counts for something.]
You are embarrassing, [he says, despite being the one holding Luca's hand here,] my clownery is not a gift.
[But.]
...though, if you would consider it such, then I don't mind giving it to you freely. I do... [Deep breaths, little garg, it's okay.] ...I am rather fond of you. More than I think I am fond of the others. Do not tell them, I can't handle when Mizuki cries.
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Anyway. Luca glances toward that tail, watching its twitching back and forth and feels... emboldened. Maybe it's the words that Zahliya speaks, or the atmosphere. Perhaps, still, it's the confession that they've shared, however much they might have ducked around actually admitting anything.
Either way...]
I assure you, I do not kiss and tell.
[But they haven't - no shut up. Luca leans across the bar, almost hurriedly attempting to steal a kiss from Zahliya. It's little more than a peck before he ducks back and pretends to look for something. Just don't ask him what.]
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Zahliya has that same thought. "But we haven't???" and then Luca quickly closes that gap, though not long enough to really give a proper kiss. Like hey. Wait a second, come back here??
He is not a forward person unless it comes to a battle or wanting food to eat. Not normally. Luca is a lot different, though, in many good and glorious ways, and Zahliya feels pretty strongly that he was not done there. It helps to have an outlet for all the strange, fluttering feelings besides.
So:]
That was hardly a proper kiss. [And then he gets up and swings himself over the counter, hopping down at Luca's side.] I think it's supposed to last longer. I'm giving that a two out of ten stars, try again.
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Nevertheless, he has an image to keep. And that image forces him to press his lips into a thin line and cross his arms over his chest.]
It was a perfectly amenable first attempt. Especially when I was testing the waters. [He rolls his eyes hard enough that his head hurts.]
If you want another kiss so bad, why don't you show me how it's done?
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[No, Zahliya, you just have a weird vantage point from on high.
Either way, he's going to shake off his nerves, go away nerves and let him put a name to these emotions finally, and surge forward and grab Luca's face with his hands to give him a proper kiss. ...his definition of proper, anyway, it's sloppy and uncoordinated and he has no idea what he's doing but it's a kiss!!]
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Besides, that's not the -
[Luca... doesn't get the chance to finish his sentence. Suddenly, there is gargoyle hands on his face, and gargoyle lips on his mouth. Yes, it's clumsy and out of sorts, but it isn't as if Luca's previous affairs were particularly gentle or coordinated. He's pleased enough with the attention, making a sound into the kiss as his fingers lift to card through Zahilya's hair. Keep going, please and thank you.]
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tilt forward too much and send them both toppling to the floor.]
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Well. Zahliya's mouth is still on his, so he can't just abandon it. He returns the kiss eagerly, perhaps even hungrily. The remaining fingers in the gargoyle's hair finish off the hair tie, freeing that long, dark hair before coming to rest at the base of a horn.]
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Which, to be honest, Zahliya has no idea how makeouts work. Yes, he has seen some face-sucking from on-high, but that doesn't mean the movements of his lips make much sense. He does make some sort of gargoyle-purr at having Luca's hand in his hair, though. That feels nice. Normally he'd pull back, but... Luca is safe. He's always been safe.
So, little garg-growls instead. With no idea how to continue kissing from here, though, he breaks the kiss to kiss along Luca's cheek and jaw instead. Surely that's what he's supposed to do now? Getting off the floor doesn't even come to mind. This is where we kiss now.]
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If you are insisting on continuing this, I am going to insist we take it upstairs. You will not have me on the floor.
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...oh, yes. I suppose humans do not like laying on the floor.
[If Zahliya sleeps, it's on the roof, so... you know, no standards. He gets up, though, and he'll hold a hand out to tug Luca to his feet and dust him off. If his hands linger... shhhh.]
I'm sorry for pushing you over. I meant to just kiss you normally. That... did not happen.
[But it was fun! So.]
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Do I sound angry? [He shakes his head, before placing a hand on his hip.] The only thing currently making me cross is the fact that you are not still kissing me? Or at least that we are not moving upstairs.
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[and that was his first kiss in... ever. So. Anyway, he's taking Luca by the hand.]
Unless you want to watch me fall on my tail while going upstairs.
[He's not dragging them upstairs, per se, but he is leading the way, and if it's at a slight run... shh, the boyishness goes both ways.]
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It would only be right for you to fall down this time.
[He doesn't wait for a response, or even a kiss. He's already making for the stairs.]
If you feel like kissing me again, I suggest you hurry.
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I'm on a timer now?
[But they're skidding to a stop in front of Luca's door, where Zahliya fights with the doorknob until it opens. ...hopefully it's not locked or this will be embarrassing.]
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Indeed! You were the one who was so eager, after all.
[He watches with no small amusement as Zahliya struggles with the door. No, he's not offering to help. It's not locked, so surely the Garg can manage it! It's only once he does that Luca takes the lead and coaxes him in.
It's... relatively sparse up here. Luca clearly has made sure all the luxuries were customer facing. That being said, the bed itself is rather luxurious. Not that Zahliya hasn't been here before but I don't think I described what a bougie bitch Luca is, what with his silk sheets and absolute MOUND of pillows.]
Ah, well. Here you are. It isn't as if you are unfamiliar.
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