persecutetioncomplex | Noctium Inbox

[It's not fair, putting all of this on her when she's still so devastated by the loss of the children. He almost goes back to his rooftop after dropping things off so his worry does not add to her stress. But then.... if he doesn't go home (when had he begun to think of her apartment as home?) she's just going to worry about him anyway. Grudgingly he does return to the apartment, hating the fine tremor in his hands, the silence in the apartment that seems so oppressive now without the herd of delicate little fairy creatures, the fact that he's been so caught up in his head and not able to really enjoy the time they did have with them.

Not the way she did, throwing herself wholeheartedly into tending them while he and Taner stayed out of the way playing board games and lazing about during the day while awaiting the cover of darkness for Khalid to go to work and Taner to shift his attention back to Momma.

He's quiet as he steps in, closing the door softly and pausing there to lean heavily against it.]

Oh. Welcome back, Khalid.

[There's something so domestic it hurts to think about, living together like this. Not always, and sometimes his work hours and her malleable sleep schedule means they sometimes miss meeting directly, but...

She can look up from her embroidery, and smile at him, if a bit weaker than she has in the past. She's been going out more, and trying to keep her mind off it all.

Off them all.

Her sketchbook is full of them, and their toys have been hidden away, where the sight of them can't hurt her. She hasn't been able to tidy up the last game of backgammon Taner couldn't muster the strength to finish, just yet, so it stays off to one side, an environmental bruise.]

...how did it go?

[He turns to offer her an equally weak smile, leaning against the door for another moment before he moves. When he joins her on the couch he's careful not to disrupt her work but he does lean into her a little, keeps pressed to her side.]

I mean... I left it for them, I didn't actually....

[An awkward shrug but they'd talked about his intentions before he left. He was actually glad that he hadn't run into either of them at the house. Though he had swung by to dote on Kader a little and check in with Ferdinand before he came back.]

Had to stop myself from going back and picking the stupid things back up a few times on the way here.

No, that’s fair.

[She tips against him, her head nestling into his shoulder as her fingers begin to spin back into motion.]

When I finally mailed off that painting I let someone talk me into selling, I had to fight off the impulse to hunt it down and intercept it midway a bunch of times. But, um... I-I’m proud, you know? This is a big step.

[He groans softly at the acknowledgement. A big step. Yeah. And wanting to go take it back before he has to deal with the fallout of it would be a good thing. But also a bad thing.

It's so frustrating.]

It might be too little too late.

[And to distract himself from what they're clearly going to have to talk about he begins sifting through her threads, looking for a good color to compliment the flowers she's currently stitching.]

[She could say a lot of things, here, about how they'll surely take it well, or how everything will be okay.]

It's still better than never bothering to try at all, no matter how it's received.

[She could, but she doesn't. Neither of them is the type to trust or be comforted by absolutes.]

...I've got a surprise for you, actually. I figure this is as momentous an occasion as any, to give it to you.

That... actually sort of sounds like something Ashe said to me so... hopefully that ends up being true.

[A little hesitant admitting it but he gives her a little half smile before holding a deep raspberry pink thread over the lilac purple that she's been working with, cocking a brow. Curious if she approves, if there's even anything she'd be able to use it for since he is interrupting her mid project.]

A surprise? Detta you don't have to- [A huffed breath. No, she doesn't have to but he knows better than to try to discourage her. Especially now that she doesn't have the kids to dote on and buy things for.] You gonna make me guess?

Just because you prepare for the worst, it doesn't mean you can't still hope for the best.

[And that's all she'll say about that.

She accepts his offering, immediately starting to use it to create shading on the flowers. She'll make it a sunset scene, she decides.]

You say that like you don't want to try puzzling it out. Go ahead.

[He agrees with her. Hoping for the best is something he tries to do, even if he doesn't usually succeed. But then she's teasing him and he squints at her a little, wrinkling his nose and making a show of examining her suspiciously.

You dare challenge him?!]

Do I get to ask questions or do you expect me to just guess?

[She smiles down at her stitching, almost serene.]

Just guess. Every time you're wrong is a clue on its own, right?

Hmmm well you said you got something for me so I'm guessing it's something you picked up elsewhere, not something you made.

[He leans in a little closer as she works, one arm curling around between her and the couch, fingers toying with the hem of her top. It starts as an idle motion, but he quickly redirects it into.... the threat of a tickle.]

There's not many things you'd buy instead of making yourself... unless it's some sort of technology?

Mm... well, you're half right? But, um, still pretty far off.

[She bites her lip, swallowing back a giggle.]

Half right? I'll take it.

[Another long hum as he thinks, ducking his head to drop a light kiss on her shoulder and... it's maybe cheating a little bit but he reaches out to her with synchronicity, trying to get a hint from her that way.]

Hmmmmmm

or supplies to make something myself?

[All he'll feel is a soft, deep, warm layer of fondness for his troubles.]

Still no dice, sorry.

[The lips against her shoulder turn into a gentle nip and a playful little growl of frustration. Those fingers creep under her top and wiggle just a little. Don't make him do it.]

No dice.... a game?

[Alas, she cannot lie to him to spare his feelings.]

Nope. No games.

[That's it! His mercy only goes so far and his fingers are quick and clever skittering up her side and back down, even pinching her side lightly.]

Come on~ One hint! Detta that's not faaaaaaaiiiiiiiiir

I—o-oh! I, b-bought, ah-ahahaha!

[She squirms away, laughter overtaking her.]

I-I bought it! I, I did, a-and, and then, and then I, I added to, t-to it!

HAH!

[He lets out a triumphant cheer, free hand tugging her needlework away before they end up stabbing themselves. It gets lightly tossed onto the coffee table and then he's pouncing on her, shoving her down on the couch to tickle her harder. The one bonus with the increase in beard is that he can dive in to press his face against her neck and then just rub fine hairs across the sensitive skin of her neck before she can escape.

And she's going to have to escape too. Or admit defeat.]

[She goes down with a yelp of alarm that quickly blooms into more peals of laughter. She squirms and giggles, helpless.

She finds the breath to gasp out.]

I-I c-complied! I, I gave you y-your hint! M-Mer-ha!-mercy...!

[He's laughing maniacally by the time she surrenders, grinning down at her but his fingers still as soon as she says mercy. Instead he merely settles over her, content to get comfortable on top of her now, leaning in before she can fully catch her breath for one sudden, searing kiss.]

Hmmm.... something to wear? [Finally murmured against her lips when he takes mercy on her poor lungs.]

Mm...

[She melts beneath him, laughter giving way to breathy, pleased sighs.]

...yeah. Something to wear.

[A pleased chuckle muffled against her mouth as he kisses her again, slower this time, more like his usual languid, probing kisses.]

For me or... [He pushes up onto his elbows to pointedly let his eyes slide down over her body, breath coming out in a low, rumbling purr.] or you?

Oh, um.

[She blinks up at him, a little taken aback.]

I, uh, didn’t realize there was something that you wanted to see me wear…?

There are a lot of things I'd like to see you wear, çiçeğim~

[One finger slides up to tug lightly at the collar of her top and the smile he gives her is absolutely wicked. But it is swiftly followed by a wink and another kiss, softer this time.]

You're beautiful, Detta. And you have an eye for color and design. There are so many things you'd be absolutely stunning in.

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