I don't know, guess because some guy choked me out of nowhere?
[ funny enough, at the time, he did chalk it up to the aftermath of what he's been through. but, he can't help but feel kind of wronged the more he thinks about it.
not that he was genuinely worried or anything...
though, it does make him pause to look at sylus for the first time since he's walked in here. ]
[ when he feels sylus' touch, he tries not to flinch. not because of some implicit sense of fear, but mostly because he's still doing his best to hold onto this grudge. even when he knows it's not like there's a reason to hold sylus to any sort of standards to begin with. though, maybe he does and that's kind of frightening in its own way.
but, probably not a frightening at how weird this is all getting.
when sylus draws his hand to his own neck, rafayel can only stare at him. ]
What, and let you feel better? No thanks.
[ his fingers just kind of brush against his neck, and feel around where his pulse would be. ]
[ First of all, he doesn't feel guilty about it. Why should he when Hien was going around eating people? So he had a moment of emotion, Rafayel was barely harmed.
If anything, it's impressive that his attempt was as weak and short-lived as it was. His heartache could've carried him to act beyond the logic that the Rafayel in front of him was guilty of no crime.
It hadn't. There was something in him that didn't want to see him in pain.
His head tilts, letting Rafayel's hand wander as it pleases, and he may see burn marks starting at the underside of his jaw and travelling down under his shirt. ]
[ using hien eating people as a guide of guilt... is probably where sylus is going wrong here. but, sadly rafayel doesn't know any better. as much as sylus may justify it in his head, without knowing it... rafayel himself is making just as many excuses. were his feelings hurt...? he isn't sure.
his trust didn't come easily, but ... did he trust sylus?
these are all questions he feels like he's on the cusp of having an answer to, and yet he may not have wanted to acknowledge any of this at all. it's also why he sort of lets his mind wander. silently letting his fingers trail over scarred skin, and even reach into the gap of his shirt without fully knowing it.
when he does, he looks back up at sylus. ]
Are you even trying to hide them? Instead of assumptions, it's more like you're screaming them out. I'm just having a hard time drowning out the noise.
[ Yes, Sylus has gone wrong, and isn't thinking about it normally at all. It was brief, and he was emotional. Did he expect that Sylus felt too much affection to ever bare his fangs at him?
His self-control is solid, unshakable the majority of time, but occasionally the wild thing that still lingers in his soul eeks out. ]
Isn't the noise from you changing the subject? You want to focus on me to avoid talking about yourself.
[ Tracing over his expression with his gaze, thoughtful. ]
so he does what any mature individual would do in this situation, and he splashes some water over at sylus. ]
You think you understand me, but you don't. [ rafayel's famous line...
normally, he's thinking this about miss bodyguard, but he isn't sure when he started thinking this about sylus too. but, surely there's no correlation... ] When I saw you, I was relieved. That's all. [ but, those emotions feel like a waste now, but he won't say that. ] I'm tired, so I won't spell it out for you.
[ The wetter you make him, the hotter he'll get...
Also, this is so funny. Sylus isn't sure that he understands him at all, actually, he's just making an informed observation. But if Rafayel is saying that... then perhaps he does? He knows that Rafayel is both passionate and moody, roundabout and a little self-sabotaging in the way he goes about getting what he wants—if he can admit that he wants it.
He knows that he's probably more dangerous than he lets on, and reserved with his affection, but in a way that's different from Sylus.
Despite all that, it is surprising when he looks at him, and sees what he thinks might be... hurt? He doesn't understand why he might feel that way, but it does soften the smile he wears into something less teasing and more gentle. ]
You're tired?
[ He also thinks it's funny that Rafayel is acting like this when Sylus is the one that returned beaten up and bleeding. How selfish... But he likes that part of him too. Souls filled to the brim with desire are the most appetizing, after all. ]
So the way I greeted you was disappointing. How should I have done it so that you'd be satisfied? [ Reaching out again, brushing his thumb against his bottom lip. ] Like this?
sylus' amusement is palpable, and so it's hard for rafayel to face him with anything less than annoyance. yet in spite of it, like sylus is thinking, he also realizes it's been a long day. perhaps, even longer for those who've just returned. but, as logical as it all could have been, rafayel was essentially an emotional individual. he felt deeply for what existed within his periphery, and that unfortunately extended to feelings of bitterness too. even if for all intents and purposes— he'd say he considers sylus no different than debris that happened to be brought in with the tides.
... okay, that might not be true, but the idea does make lift his mood just a little.
though, it seems to die out the second he feels sylus' thumb on his lips. there's a moment of deliberation. whether he leans into the touch, or pulls back. he decides to let it sit there. ] No, this is still too weak. Even your other greeting had more impact.
[ going to take sylus' thumb in his mouth for just a second, just enough for his teeth to graze against it. ]
[ OKAY that is a very rude thought, you punk. Calling him debris... Not that he has any clue.
All he knows is that Rafayel has decided to challenge him, but not in a way that lets any accidental honesty spill through. For a second, he contemplates pressing his thumb in further, eager to win this game of chicken.
But instead, he pulls his hand back, letting it rest against the rim of the tub. ]
I see. [ The amusement fades into something more thoughtful, like he's studying him. ] Out of consideration of your fatigue, I won't give you a repeat performance.
it's not even like he's won any real ground here, but rafayel decides to think of it as if he did. when sylus retracts his hand, he does just settle back into the bath water, doing his best not to let the tension in his shoulders and body show. ]
"Consideration." [ he repeats, before closing his eyes. ]
[ Rafayel can consider it a win... He's tired of sitting on the rim of the tub, and lets himself sink onto the floor, leaning back against the tub. Back support. ]
You ran away.
[ What was it that Rafayel said... That hunters are only interested in prey while it's running? ]
admittedly, he's never expected or wanted any apology. if he had to be honest, this is even better. it was almost like an unspoken agreement, or an implication of one. as if sylus was insinuating that he'd always follow him if he ran. not that rafayel even really thinks he ran (he did).
... and not that rafayel truly believes that's what sylus meant. ]
Spoken like a real hunter. Maybe you should change careers.
[ he reaches a hand out and gives sylus' shoulders a light touch. ]
But, for the record, I didn't run. Your chase may have been pointless.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ Looking at him... ]
no subject
[ he gives a shrug. he's stepping into the bath with his clothes on. ]
no subject
[ ARE YOU A TEENAGER ]
no subject
Oh? You were there? I didn't see you.
no subject
no subject
Sorry, but this place is off limits. As you can see, this is my studio, so you're going to have to see yourself out.
[ sorry to anyone else who has to use the bathroom. ]
no subject
What's got you in such a terrible mood?
no subject
[ funny enough, at the time, he did chalk it up to the aftermath of what he's been through. but, he can't help but feel kind of wronged the more he thinks about it.
not that he was genuinely worried or anything...
though, it does make him pause to look at sylus for the first time since he's walked in here. ]
no subject
[ Sits on the rim of the tub, looking at him. ]
Even though you found my attempt pathetic, and then complained if I were to kill you, to do it with my hands anyway?
[ Oh yes, he is no longer dirty and is in clean clothes. His eye has a bandage over it. ]
1/2
turning to stare at him. ]
no subject
It was a waste of me running, that's all.
no subject
Running where?
no subject
[ ... ] Where you just happened to be. [ ...
he's feeling awkward, so he corrects himself: ] I said some guy, but I meant a stranger.
no subject
Will hold on even if Rafayel tries to squirrel away, taking his hand and bringing it to Sylus' neck. ]
So. You want to get even?
no subject
but, probably not a frightening at how weird this is all getting.
when sylus draws his hand to his own neck, rafayel can only stare at him. ]
What, and let you feel better? No thanks.
[ his fingers just kind of brush against his neck, and feel around where his pulse would be. ]
no subject
[ First of all, he doesn't feel guilty about it. Why should he when Hien was going around eating people? So he had a moment of emotion, Rafayel was barely harmed.
If anything, it's impressive that his attempt was as weak and short-lived as it was. His heartache could've carried him to act beyond the logic that the Rafayel in front of him was guilty of no crime.
It hadn't. There was something in him that didn't want to see him in pain.
His head tilts, letting Rafayel's hand wander as it pleases, and he may see burn marks starting at the underside of his jaw and travelling down under his shirt. ]
no subject
his trust didn't come easily, but ... did he trust sylus?
these are all questions he feels like he's on the cusp of having an answer to, and yet he may not have wanted to acknowledge any of this at all. it's also why he sort of lets his mind wander. silently letting his fingers trail over scarred skin, and even reach into the gap of his shirt without fully knowing it.
when he does, he looks back up at sylus. ]
Are you even trying to hide them? Instead of assumptions, it's more like you're screaming them out. I'm just having a hard time drowning out the noise.
no subject
His self-control is solid, unshakable the majority of time, but occasionally the wild thing that still lingers in his soul eeks out. ]
Isn't the noise from you changing the subject? You want to focus on me to avoid talking about yourself.
[ Tracing over his expression with his gaze, thoughtful. ]
There's something you don't want to face.
no subject
so he does what any mature individual would do in this situation, and he splashes some water over at sylus. ]
You think you understand me, but you don't. [ rafayel's famous line...
normally, he's thinking this about miss bodyguard, but he isn't sure when he started thinking this about sylus too. but, surely there's no correlation... ] When I saw you, I was relieved. That's all. [ but, those emotions feel like a waste now, but he won't say that. ] I'm tired, so I won't spell it out for you.
no subject
Also, this is so funny. Sylus isn't sure that he understands him at all, actually, he's just making an informed observation. But if Rafayel is saying that... then perhaps he does? He knows that Rafayel is both passionate and moody, roundabout and a little self-sabotaging in the way he goes about getting what he wants—if he can admit that he wants it.
He knows that he's probably more dangerous than he lets on, and reserved with his affection, but in a way that's different from Sylus.
Despite all that, it is surprising when he looks at him, and sees what he thinks might be... hurt? He doesn't understand why he might feel that way, but it does soften the smile he wears into something less teasing and more gentle. ]
You're tired?
[ He also thinks it's funny that Rafayel is acting like this when Sylus is the one that returned beaten up and bleeding. How selfish... But he likes that part of him too. Souls filled to the brim with desire are the most appetizing, after all. ]
So the way I greeted you was disappointing. How should I have done it so that you'd be satisfied? [ Reaching out again, brushing his thumb against his bottom lip. ] Like this?
no subject
sylus' amusement is palpable, and so it's hard for rafayel to face him with anything less than annoyance. yet in spite of it, like sylus is thinking, he also realizes it's been a long day. perhaps, even longer for those who've just returned. but, as logical as it all could have been, rafayel was essentially an emotional individual. he felt deeply for what existed within his periphery, and that unfortunately extended to feelings of bitterness too. even if for all intents and purposes— he'd say he considers sylus no different than debris that happened to be brought in with the tides.
... okay, that might not be true, but the idea does make lift his mood just a little.
though, it seems to die out the second he feels sylus' thumb on his lips. there's a moment of deliberation. whether he leans into the touch, or pulls back. he decides to let it sit there. ] No, this is still too weak. Even your other greeting had more impact.
[ going to take sylus' thumb in his mouth for just a second, just enough for his teeth to graze against it. ]
no subject
All he knows is that Rafayel has decided to challenge him, but not in a way that lets any accidental honesty spill through. For a second, he contemplates pressing his thumb in further, eager to win this game of chicken.
But instead, he pulls his hand back, letting it rest against the rim of the tub. ]
I see. [ The amusement fades into something more thoughtful, like he's studying him. ] Out of consideration of your fatigue, I won't give you a repeat performance.
no subject
it's not even like he's won any real ground here, but rafayel decides to think of it as if he did. when sylus retracts his hand, he does just settle back into the bath water, doing his best not to let the tension in his shoulders and body show. ]
"Consideration." [ he repeats, before closing his eyes. ]
So, why'd you come looking for me?
no subject
You ran away.
[ What was it that Rafayel said... That hunters are only interested in prey while it's running? ]
I assumed you wanted me to follow you.
[ Not like he cares or anything, idiot. ]
no subject
admittedly, he's never expected or wanted any apology. if he had to be honest, this is even better. it was almost like an unspoken agreement, or an implication of one. as if sylus was insinuating that he'd always follow him if he ran. not that rafayel even really thinks he ran (he did).
... and not that rafayel truly believes that's what sylus meant. ]
Spoken like a real hunter. Maybe you should change careers.
[ he reaches a hand out and gives sylus' shoulders a light touch. ]
But, for the record, I didn't run. Your chase may have been pointless.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)