codenamem | IC Inbox for noctiumrp

[ goodness, but albert's flair for the dramatic is absolutely captivating. ignis finds himself ensnared by him, caught on just how sensuously he prepares himself and lets him watch. it is red-hot, intense desire that builds and coils, flooding their nascent connection with the ache of longing. no one has turned him on as potently as albert, and he has to swallow down a low groan as his dick twitches, eager to be buried inside him.

he doesn't tear his eyes away from jewel-green eyes, so beautiful in this lovely bathroom, and he grips him by the hip while his lube-slick fingers gently ease albert's out of him. as much as he enjoys this incredible show, they have something even more exciting lined up -- and ignis intends to acquaint himself with this man again.

he spares a few moments to admire that fine, firm bottom, reaching to give it a gentle spank before he grips his own cock, lining himself up before pushing into that tight, tight heat. he's right, nothing will prepare either of them for how good this feels, how powerful it feels to press inside of albert, to seat himself inside him again like they did their first night together. ]

You feel --

Edited 2021-04-11 09:07 (UTC)

I prefer direct confrontations. Part of my charm.

[ She snorts. And somehow, it is, seeing as she's managed to worm her way into friendships she didn't think was possible — here, and back home.

She digs into her own creation, ingredients only somewhat similar to the ones she typically uses back in Eos — and hope to all gods that they taste the same, anyway. It sure was a ride to find the noctium-equivalent of anak meat. ]

If you can't sleep at your own place, stay here. [ A beat. ] I have a guest room.

Edited 2021-04-11 10:20 (UTC)

[ william feels it, all of the emotions from albert's end of the connection, intense and brimming with guilt, with pain and confusion and love and hope, the entire breadth of it. it is true that they have much to address and talk about, but that has never been their way, no matter how much they love each other.

and love each other they do, with william having marked albert up the way only he can, a loving reminder of just who he belongs to. but that's not enough now, not with clues to the future laid out before them. there is only one way forward, a way that william wants to try to prevent nonetheless; at least, for albert.

so he waits for albert in his room, an open book resting over crossed thighs. ]

[Albert returns very late, exhausted but somehow a bit more content and confident than he felt when he left. His marks are covered with new ones, and the ones on his heart are the most firmly pressed in of all.

He said it. He honestly said it. It's out in the open now that he loves someone who isn't family, and he won't take it back. It heals him, makes him feel alive.

He doesn't expect to see William waiting in his room, so he offers him a gentle, adoring look of surprise when he returns.]

Will. Were you waiting long?

[As though William didn't just feel hours of an emotional roller coaster.]

[ william studies him when he enters, gently shutting his book as he regards albert -- he takes in his mood, the warmth in his heart even if he can't help a twinge of possessiveness, of jealousy, that someone might have taken albert away from him. there are new marks on his throat; the sight of them makes his chest tighten.

but it's quickly set aside; after all, william has never quite felt and seen him like this, and perhaps it's better this way. (is it, really? -- he has to believe that it is) ]

You seem much happier, Albert.

[ a quiet, murmured observation. ]

[Albert is still William's, always will be, even if he has enough love in his heart for someone else. This place has given him that openness.

William's quiet tone is cause for concern.]

Happier? I just took some time to gather my thoughts.

And have you?

[ his crimson gaze lingers on his throat instead of his eyes, deliberate and unreadable. he can sense albert's concern reverberating through their bond, and yet he can't help that insistent flicker of possessiveness. he knows they have much to address -- and he's more than half-certain that albert has sorted at least some things out for himself. ]

I have.

[He smiles easily, crossing over to William as he tugs the scarf a little higher on his throat self consciously. His hand drops to his dear brother's shoulder, calm and light.]

It's the same as what I was trying to tell you and Louis earlier, though I did a poor job.

[Reluctance stilled his tongue. He's more certain now.]

[ his hand comes to rest on his, gentle and warm as he gives it a squeeze. ]

I'm glad.

[ and for the most part, he is. his time is over -- he has done what he had set out to do, gifting a new world to the ones he loves most. ]

I want you to be happy, no matter what happens.

[He turns his hand over to take William's, smiling more warmly, consoled.]

I will fight for our happiness, Will.

[Leaning down, he presses a gentle, loving kiss to the crown of his brother's head.]

I want you to be happy, more than anything, but I know I should find my own happiness, too.

Does he love you the way you love him?

[ this stranger that william has never met, this person who could enable a whole gamut of intense feelings and emotions from albert -- and most importantly, that could make him feel the way he does through their bond: light and happy, unburdened.

he leans into that kiss and threads his fingers with his, accepting it even if he doesn't react to albert's assertion of their shared happiness. there is none of that for william back in their world. in their world, william will be gone, and albert and louis will have only each other and the ones around them. he only hopes that they're taken care of.

and so he only smiles, his own emotions muted. leaning his cheek against albert's hand, he muses quietly. ]

I want you to remember this feeling in the event that you return back to our world.

[There it is. The expected calling of Albert's delicate bluff. Yes, he went to someone else, someone he deeply cares about, someone who makes his heart light. He knows William could likely feel the entire thing. Still, it was something he needed to do for himself, so he did, unashamedly.

Why does he feel shame now? Perhaps... he isn't loved in the same way he loves. With William, he knows it's unequal, two different types of devotion from two different men who share ideals and a past, but hardly any of the things that would make two people lovers, no matter how much they might want that.

No. In the past, he would have wanted it all the more. Now, he wants more desperately for William to live a life he chooses, rather than one he takes up out of obligation or necessity.

Leaning down, embracing William at this awkward angle, he sighs.]

I suspect... he may truly love me. [He smiles, bittersweet.] He's a beautiful, brilliant, elegant man, with depths and secrets I haven't yet touched. Yet the more I learn, the deeper I fall. Even... if it isn't the same for him ultimately, I'm satisfied with how it stands.

[That sincere wish. He thought William would be angry with him, jealous somehow, fearsome and in need of placating, but could it just be that simple? Wishing him well? Still, Albert must be just as firm with William as he's been with himself tonight.]

That world isn't worth returning to if you aren't in it.

[ unlike a certain someone, he waits till morning, at a more reasonable hour.

(it's also because he knows that william would have gotten to albert first)

there's breakfast on the table, louis tending to a pot of tea brewing on the kitchen counter, and he looks up when he hears albert's footsteps, and louis greets his brother with a soft smile. ]

Good morning, Albert.

[ his eyes are still sharp, observant, but it doesn't take much effort to realise that albert is carrying himself just a little bit differently, and the rollercoaster of emotions he'd felt from their bond last night supports his theory.

so he brings tea over, setting a cup in front of albert. ]

You were out late last night.

[ it's soft. maybe a little bit concerned, but it's at least an opening - louis won't push too hard, but it's there for albert's taking if he needs one. ]

[ william is still parsing his own emotions on the matter. albert has been so closely bound to him for such a long time, and a part of him chafes at him finding someone else. it's new and unfamiliar, illogical, and his brows knit briefly.

but this -- isn't this what william has intended, of a sort? that he will take on their sins so that his brothers will find happiness in a new world. and for albert, tortured and in pain because of his stubborn kindness. that he has found someone who loves him, and whom he loves in return.

at length, william decides to be honest. he has never technically lied to albert, and he isn't about to start. ]

There is no place for me there anymore.

[ william gently pulls away from him to set aside his book. ] My work is finished.

[Even if it's what William intended, guilt sinks into Albert's heart. Is he abandoning his brother for some new found love? Is it something he can even excuse? Can he allow himself to love?

He wants to apologize, to ask if his path is the wrong one. He's walking this path with someone who isn't William, and it grips him like nothing else.

There's hollowness to his tone.]

I... suspected as much. [Albert's hand curls into a fist.] I'm sorry, William. I never wanted you to...

No.

[ william says firmly, cutting him off. he has seen it, the stark, telling difference between albert now and the man he was when he walked in, and he likes none of it. his frown deepens, and he rises to take his hand, feeling that guilt and uncertainty set in.

even now, william realises he holds such sway over him, and in this moment, he realises -- ]

I do love you, brother. [ he says softly, reaching out to touch his hand. in this moment, on the other side of death, in the wake of what he has found with sherlock, it would be cruel to deny him happiness. ] I have never intended for you to be shackled to me.

This look in your eyes now -- [ he reaches up, gently touching his jawline as he smiles. oh, how his heart aches, even if his face betrays none of it. ] -- I have never liked it.

[Albert is dressed as he normally would be to go out and work in the Ruby Underground already when he comes downstairs. It's still something he's becoming used to, not having to feed himself and entertain himself, just when he'd got the hang of things here. But it's good to see Louis' face first thing in the morning.

He doesn't actually see the question coming, perhaps because he was put at ease just seeing Louis there, and he freezes as soon as he sits.

He noticed, too. Louis, William... They both know he went somewhere, went to someone, and experienced an intense range of emotions. They might even have sensed more than that.]

...I was. I'm sorry if I worried you. I was visiting someone.

[His eyebrows raise, and he looks at William. Why does this feel like... torment? Not intentional, but... Why does it feel like he's being pushed away? He loved William first, will always love him best.

That's what he tells himself.

He considers their connection carefully, trying to feel out if there's a distance growing, if William is closing his heart off. He can't be sure, and that terrifies him.

Please don't.]

Dear William, I love you better than I have ever loved anyone. This... it doesn't change anything. [A small, nervous, incredulous sound.] I'm still yours, even if you say that. I'm still yours.

[His head tips into the touch, then he turns to press his lips to William's fingers.]

What look?

[ when albert's idea of feeding himself is mostly takeout, louis is absolutely going to put his foot down and take matters into his own hands.

it's the primary reason why he's awake this early, to make sure that the house is in running order before albert has to leave for whatever errands that he has to run, but the more selfish reason is that this gives louis a sense of normalcy, a taste of something that's more like before.

and of course, he notices that freeze - it's hard not to when they're in such close proximity to each other. his bond with albert may not be the same as william's bond with albert, but it's difficult not to feel just the slightest bit concerned over the intensity and the range of emotions that he had felt seeping through the edges of their bond, especially when louis knows instinctively that it's caused by someone outside their little trio.

so he pauses, parses the wording albert uses: ] They didn't hurt you.

[ it's a statement, more than a question - he can attribute it to their bond as well, but logic dictates that if albert was hurt, he would have known immediately. ]

... You seem happier, Brother.

[ it's faint, but there's a soft wistfulness to louis's tone. ]

[Ah, so that's it. Louis must have felt the anguish and elation that ran through Albert when he was with Ignis and been concerned that something bad had happened. It made sense. He looks sheepish as he stirs the smallest bit of milk into his tea, then lifts it for a sip. He's considering how to answer, so that he can meet Louis' eyes when he does so.

And when he does, he smiles faintly.]

I... feel wonderful.

[Which is an incredible revelation from Albert. He can't recall the last time he felt this good, this hopeful despite everything. His brothers are here and safe, and he has... blossoming, budding love. Love he's still not sure he has any right to, but love. And he has breakfast made by his dearest Louis that he dares not let go to waste.]

Can I tell you about someone, Louis?

[Never once in Albert's life did he think he'd be so able to be thrilled by being carried in someone's arms, held precious and close, guarded and wanted and kept. But Ignis has awoken all manner of bizarre things in him, including his desire to break away from what he was, what he's lived as for most of his life. Ignis makes him want to challenge his own heart, his ideals. One look into those pools of murky green makes his heart feel unbearably excited and impossibly peaceful at once. This man... has changed him in such a short time. Albert knows, in all his own foolish passion, that he is the sort to leap into arms that open for him in good faith.

Ignis is the prologue to a story, the entr'acte before the climax of an opera, an appetizer before a grand meal, something so easy to take for granted if one doesn't look deeper. But for Albert, these mundane things are beautiful beyond measure, comforting and cherished. Ignis is the same, a mystery in so many ways because Albert has feared digging deeper, but an open book at the same time. He reads into this one man's heart, and finds it holds all the answers he's sought his entire adult life. The answers aren't the stark black and white that Albert always clings to, but gray in every imaginable shade, subtle and nuanced.

His passion for this revelation may have spurred him to reveal his own heart entirely, but he doesn't regret it. He won't. And he wants this bundle of ideals and glorious freedom from a prison of Albert's own making to claim him and keep him. What he always needed and was afraid to pursue is here, in front of him. And he loves him, not what Ignis represents, but the truth in his words and the uncompromising way he deals with Albert's volatility.

For once in his life, Albert feels safe.

He's carried to the bed, and his arms wind around Ignis, fingers tracing through his hair with all affection.]

For now. [For as long as he can be.] Memorize every part of me, Ignis. I'll refuse to ever forget you.

[ and louis lets out a breath he hasn't realised that he's been holding, because,

albert looks happy.

and it's the kind of genuine happiness that louis hasn't seen from albert for many, many years, because the last time that he'd been allowed to see albert had been in the worst of circumstances, just the briefest of glimpses from behind albert's room in the tower, but

he's happy, and louis can't bring himself to intrude on albert's happiness, can't bring himself to ruin his beloved older brother's revelation.

so he smiles back, even if it doesn't fully reach his eyes. ]

Of course. [ it's force of habit that keeps him standing, even as he moves around closer to push the plate of food closer to albert, gesturing at him to eat before it gets cold. ] They must be special.

[ they must be, because the last time louis had seen albert this enamoured with someone, it had been with william. ]

[Albert wants to say that he is happy, even if things are uncertain. That things won't always go his way, but with all of them, he's sure he can survive, and live well.

He does catch the sadness in Louis' eyes, and while he still doesn't know the cause behind the terrible heaviness he feels whenever Louis looks at him, he imagines it has something to do with his own fate that parallels William's. He can't change that, he's sure. There is nothing about the future that awaits him that he'll be able to alter, if they have already lived it.

It's devastating. This place becomes his hope, then, his hope to be with them as brothers and people, rather than as three parts of one criminal.

He eats several bites of the breakfast--something he always misses when he's not near Louis--then smiles at him, just a touch more brightly.]

He is as remarkable as he is generous, as handsome as he is kind.

[Where does he even begin?]

He cooks. [There. Something comfortable.] Extraordinarily well, though his Yorkshire pudding doesn't hold a candle to yours. Every time I told him about one of my favorite dishes of yours, he'd try to make it for me. He... brought me roses once, and we danced together. [Albert aches just thinking about it, what a beautiful moment it was, that time that he first admitted to having feelings at all.] When I see him, my heart races, and my knees threaten to give out.

Edited 2021-04-12 14:53 (UTC)

This one.

[ his hand curls gently to let albert nuzzle and kiss, the feeling of those soft lips warm against his palm. william is pulling away, and they both know it -- the problem is that now albert knows, too. he can feel his albert searching their connection, reaching out to him, and he knows he will feel that distance, small but there, breaching with only the best of intentions.

but you know what they say about roads to hell and what they're paved out of.

for the first time in his life, william finds himself doubting his own navigation, for as skilled as he is with predicting the thoughts and actions of others, he could never predict hearts, nor love, and that small sound makes his heart ache. ]

When the light in your eyes dies. It has never been more obvious to me than now.

[ he leans in close, pressing his forehead to his. how does he stop hurting albert, whom he loves deeply, profoundly? theirs is one forged by fire and blood, a shared purpose -- albert had saved william and louis as surely as william had saved him in turn, and yet, here they are. ]

What your lover gave you, I've inadvertently taken away.

[ he frowns. ] Tell me, my dearest Albert. How do I return it to you?

And it is charming.

[He tries the food now--remarkably good--and gives her an approving look. She really is splendid. He wonders faintly if he'll remember her if he returns home.]

I do appreciate the offer. If need arises, you'll be the first one I come to. [A thoughtful pause.] I found out something unfortunate from my brothers and I'm having a difficult time with it. That's the shortest version of events.

IC Inbox for noctiumrp

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after you know what.

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also after you know what but at like a reasonable hour

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