Open RP Post

[centuriesinspired]

What it says on the tin, give me your starters or make a request.

Pick a scenario if you need ideas.

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[centuriesinspired]

[ Even being told that Takame doesn't mind...

It isn't fear of offence that makes the Exarch--that makes G'raha hesitantly reach for the other again. ]

In the time that followed your arrival there were moments, a fair number of them, where I could not help but... [ Fingertips reach Tamake's face again, tracing over his cheek. ] ...but doubt my own eyes. For so many years did I labor to see you once more, to bring you back, that I could scarce believe the fruits of them before me.

[ He closes his eyes now, trusting his sense of touch instead as he moves more boldly to cup Takame's face. ]

Yet no matter how I yearned to prove to myself that you were truly back there was naught I could do without risking everything...

[hoshikiri]

... G'raha... [Such a fervent admission of how he felt, how plainly he spoke his heart gave Takame pause. He couldn't help but think back to their first in-person encounter where he looked at him with nothing but contempt.

The Exarch, as Takame knew him at the time, was a stranger after all. He never imagined it would be G'raha, he'd accepted the fact that he'd never see the Miqo'te again after those doors to the tower closed. He'd never even have the thinly veiled hope, he knew better than to let that cloud his mind at that time when there were more important matters at hand than to lament loss. More would come, after all, as is the fate of the Hero.

But seeing G'raha again that time on Mt. Gulg, now in this very room. He could not well describe how he felt, he rarely listened to his heart let alone knew how to describe its whims. Heavy, but at the same time weightless. Like a weathered rope around his neck was a hair away from breaking and finally allowing him to breathe. The only thing stopping him from feeling complete relief was knowing damned well that they both will do what must be done in the future.

"This is fleeting", he thought, lifting the hand off of G'raha's shoulder and laying it against the one that held his cheek. "'Tis for his comfort, not yours", he lied to himself with a heavier sigh as he leaned into the hands. At least in this moment... for his friend, not for Takame who's done nothing to earn it, he can give this security.]

I am here now.

[centuriesinspired]

[ Takame's hands are so much larger than his own. Broad and warm and calloused along the palm. Their weight is a comfort and speak to G'raha far more than what few words Takame chooses to say. What exactly is going unsaid is harder to pin down, but G'raha hopes that it means Takame is glad to be here, just as he is glad to have him.

That is his most fervent wish now. Their worlds have been saved and while there is yet work to be done, what G'raha wishes for most is for his cherished to be content.

To be happy. ]

That you are... [ A sighing laugh. ] And full glad am I for the fact.

[ With how reserved the Exarch is and how Takame can be...with those old memories stirring in G'raha's heart, he feels he may as well follow through on how he was in those days. Arching up on his toes G'raha gently returns the press of their brows together. Close enough to feel Takame's breath against his face. Bold for the Exarch, exceedingly so, but for G'raha?

For G'raha he would very much like to be even closer. ]

[hoshikiri]

As am I... [For as much as Takame refused to allow it, there were few places he would rather be right now than with G'raha. He knew his responsibilities, lingering threats about in the Source but right now? He's here. He's... warm. He wanted to keep his sense of comfort low, but from every angle it continues it's assault like the force of his friend's contentment is too strong to not be spread.

G'raha was far too endearing. Especially as he stood on the tips of his toes just to combat the vast difference in their height and be closer. His attempts would be rewarded, of course. G'raha would be able to see the shades of pink along Takame's cheeks and a softness reflected in his usually sharp eyes just being able to see his friend this close, ghosts of movement in his eyes tracing over every gorgeous feature. But... if G'raha wished to be closer...]

... Hm.

[For as tightly as Takame held G'raha's hands, without warning he released them. Though the lack of contact lasted less than a moment before he leaned further down, his intent unclear... at first. It's not until both his arms suddenly curl around the Exarch's legs that it was clear and Takame lifted him up to meet his height so neither of them would have to strain themselves. They were both being rather bold this day. But perhaps G'raha's boldness, well, inspired him.]

I am so sorry for the wait!

[centuriesinspired]

[ A moment only long enough for his ears to perk in confused surprise before G'raha finds himself lifted up and up. Now he's the one to look down at Takame if only by a few ilms. It's still enough to make him gasp even as his arms find their way around the Au Ra's shoulders.

They are quite close now; he can indeed see the color growing on Takame's cheeks and the gentle light in his eyes.

Close enough that perhaps Takame can feel how hard his heart is suddenly beating. ]

Takame...

[ Bold, so bold, but the Exarch cannot find it in him to stop himself. Carefully he touches the Au Ra's brow, his temple. Ruby eyes darken as he slowly closes them, bending until his head bunts against the other once more.

And if Takame allows it...closer still, for their lips to meet next. ]

np ;w; these are trying times.

[hoshikiri]

[There was some apprehension after lifting the Exarch, he was afraid he'd be upset by it. But the way G'raha's arms wrap around his shoulders eased that almost immediately.

There was still a nagging in his mind, though. That he must not indulge in this, must do his duty and nothing more. Though compared to the sound of both their loudly beating hearts, the nagging was more of a negligible hum.

One completely silenced by that call of his name. By that gentle touch he wasn't used to, the bunt Takame returned and the way their lips brushed against each other, the Au Ra whispering "G'raha..." against them like a needy prayer before allowing himself to press their lips together.

With their lips coming together Takame released a long, inaudible and yet trembling sigh into his mouth. The first thing Takame noted was how soft his lips were, as soft as they always looked. He'd idly wondered what it would feel like to kiss them, another thing in his mind brushed and burned away. And with the way he held onto his friend tighter, the thought of just how long he's wanted this, needed it, surfaced again.

Had he not been focused solely on kissing the Exarch now, perhaps he'd try to reflect on it.]

[centuriesinspired]

[ They both have their duties. Higher callings that will, eventually, pull them apart once more. But not yet.

Here and now the Exarch's ears quiver at the whisper of his name. He's become that young man again, seizing the chance that he'd longed for even then. First meeting Takame, seeing firsthand how he'd earned the mantle of Warrior of Light, yet failing to realize it was so much more than the man's heroics that caused his heartbeat to quicken. Not until he'd been found and awoken, when he'd been told... ]

...!

[ With a small sound he holds Takame tighter still, squeezing his eyes shut against that old grief. He'd been so blind back then, seized by the knowledge the Tower had granted him and the trust placed in him by Unei and Doga.

He should have realized. He should have done this eons ago. Even if he still had to leave he could have at least done so with no chance of regret. ]

[hoshikiri]

[The sound G'raha made had Takame's chest tighten. The fear that he'd stepped out of line almost caused him pull himself away. And he would have succeeded had G'raha not held him closer.

With eyes half opened he's able to see how the Miqo'te closed his eyes, as if willing something away, wanting nothing to do with it. What he could be thinking Takame didn't know, but what he could understand was regret towards what was left undone because of duty. Another heavy breath, another shake of his shoulders through which his grip on G'raha didn't falter.

He didn't want to drop him. He didn't want to lose him again. And whatever pained him Takame wanted gone. Lifting him up as he was, Takame couldn't hold his hands or stroke his friend's cheek as he wanted. He could only hold tighter and deepen their kiss, leaving his mouth open slightly to invite G'raha to do the same should he want it.]