Welcome to Gaia! ::

(1/10)

For his part, Illapha was surprised at how well he and Tavihe got along when the focus wasn't on sussing them out for Xenia's secret. Tavihe was clever and cheeky, their humor often dry and dark enough that he'd laugh despite his best efforts to stay stoic. They hadn't needed to be told not to act inappropriately infront of the crew; their newfound physical relationship would have absolutely no impact on Tavihe's standing in the crew, and they hadn't seemed to think it would. Which was something to their credit, as Illapha had expected that to be the reason he'd been sought out this way in the first place.

In short, their relationship was good; as long as Illapha studiously kept the question of Tavihe's loyalty to Xenia out of his head.

(2/10)

Illapha had just returned to his cabin, exhausted from a busy day of errands on his shore leave, when the door behind him knocked open. On instinct, he rounded towards it, fists raised, but at seeing Tavihe he relaxed instantly, rolling his eyes. "You tryin' to give me a heart attack?"

(3/10)

Yes, Illy let himself be shoved, but in all fairness this wasn't a new thing between them. Tavihe was very physical, a bit rough perhaps in spite of how much larger Illapha was than them, and when things got heated they weren't exactly gentle. Still, the look of pure incensed anger on their face was new, enough so that the lewd grin fell from Illapha's face, shifting instead into open shock.

That place? What was— Oh. His expression smoothed out, but inside his heart was hammering in near panic. He was so used to having no ties, no qualms about where he was supposed to meet with Xenia's various allies for support or information, that he hadn't thought twice about going to a red-light district building. But clearly, Tavihe disagreed. The reassurance that nothing happened was on his tongue, but Illapha choked on it because… because how was he supposed to explain without breaking Xenia's secret to Tavihe?

And yes, he enjoyed Tavihe a lot, but… did he trust them with this? "… You're serious. I wasn't aware this was supposed to be just us." His chest surprisingly ached to say it, but he delivered to words with an almost bored tone.

(4/10)

Illapha clocked that instantly as well, his eyebrows climbing his face in open surprise. They were crewmates on a ship that held no qualms in killing, looting, and even capturing prisoners. Monogamy was more laughable out here than sharing partners - he heard the falsehood in Tavihe's excuse in the same moment they realized it themselves.

He slowly smiled. Was he trying to tease? Maybe, but it felt more genuine than anything else; his chest felt warm because beyond Tavihe's fae-like, mercurial behaviour, this was perhaps the most blatantly honest thing they'd ever said, and… and it suggested they cared for him.

(5/10)

Illapha laughed, holding his hands up in surrender. "I didn't say anything!" His shoulders shook silently and he shook his head, letting the moment stretch comfortable. Then he lowered his hands again and really looked at Tavihe, as if seeing them again for the first time. "… I mean it. I didn't realize… that this was exclusive, you and me."

(6/10)

Oh. Illapha held his breath when Tavihe pressed in closer, swallowing thickly. It was perhaps the most sensual thing someone had ever said to him, and yet behind that wave of desire he felt… guilt.

"I didn't. Sleep with anyone, I mean."

(7/10)

"No, I mean it-" Illapha felt his face heat up with embarrassment. In this moment, he acutely felt how young he really was, how inexperienced especially in matters of lo— of the heart. He reached for Tavihe, then almost whined in loss when they moved away from his touch. "Tavihe it's- I didn't…"

It was true. He hadn't actually shared himself with someone else - he hadn't since this thing between him and Tavihe began - but he knew already that he wouldn't correct that assumption. He wouldn't tell the truth.

He loved Xenia. Not in a romantic sense, but they'd been allies long enough… and been through enough life-threatening scenarios together that he wasn't just in it for the money anymore. He probably hadn't been for a long time. Now, he was invested - he wanted Xenia to succeed, to finally be free, and he simply didn't trust Tavihe enough to bring them into the fold… no matter how much he found he cared for them. Not unless Xenia expressly allowed the risk.

… Maybe he could bend the truth though?

"I was meeting with someone. An old friend. I give them my earnings, and they… they care for old crew. Or find old prisoners the Witch has sold off."