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 Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 8:43 am
Phil hadn't dreamt of such a situation before in his life. Sure, there had been occasions where he had stopped to think, to decide if one thing or the other would have been better. Sometimes he had thought it would be nice if he could at some point in his life share his home, his house with another. There was a time when he had thought it would be nice to have a wife, perhaps kids... just maybe not as many as his parents made. He'd have never thought he could possibly consider as having a man fill that role for him but even though people would say that feelings like that would originally take time he couldn't really overlook that powerful emotion that pushed him far and further still, fighting so hard to be close.
For a moment, just a moment, he paused wondering idly if that spell that had crept over them was a result of Orpheus' magic. He, himself, possessed no magic of the sort so it would only stand to reason that it would be Orpheus' not his. Perhaps something to do with his song? He knew sirens had the ability to enchant with their song and he had heard of witches wielding that incredible weapon before but, quite honestly he didn't think that it was that kind of thing. It wasn't the fact that he wouldn't put something of the sort past Orpheus but a siren's song was artificial, it was cold and slippery like an eel filled with malicious intent while what he felt then and there was warm instead, sincere and flowing outwards from inside him. He didn't quite understand why or how but he knew as much and he wasn't afraid.
Orpheus appeared to be the same way. Judging by the way he looked at him, the way he'd speak... "I'd love to go everywhere..." he smiled, speaking softly. "...I'd love to see everything" and leave it all behind, perhaps it would be nice... But he wouldn't allow himself that thought for more than a second. He had someplace to be, unlike Orpheus he had a duty, a place he had to call his base of operation, but then again... who said the two dreams couldn't intertwine? Who'd say Phil couldn't improvise? "I could open a traveling Pharmacy, how fancy is that?" he laughed softly at the thought. Actually it wasn't that bad of an idea. Orpheus' portals could most likely transport them fast enough and during the winter they could settle in back in Makai and he could go back to working the Pharmacy there full-time... and whatever was he doing thinking of common living yet again?
And yet, there was a part in him that knew beyond any shadow of doubt that everything was perfect, just like they ever supposed to be. Phil didn't quite understand that feeling just yet but he didn't mind finding out, always as open as he could, and something more. At the time he couldn't yet know just how well the one complemented the other even though he could feel the semblance of it. He didn't dare pull away when Orpheus leaned close, partially because he was surprised and because he was slowly coming to accept that, accept the spontaneousness of the situation. It was almost like watching a flower grow within seconds from a bulb to stalk to bud to blossom. When Orpheus suggested someone should test that he dared not deny him, as a matter of fact if Orpheus hadn't pulled away he was certain he would have breached that gap between them himself, seeking to place his lips against Orpheus' own. He wanted to feel what it felt like to kiss him.
"As much time as possible." Phil agreed and underlined with a nod of the head and a shy smile curving his lip. He didn't care that he couldn't understand anymore; all that mattered was the he felt at ease. He felt like there was finally, suddenly a reason for him to be there other than nothing, other than a vague idea in his head. "I love music." he reassured Orpheus. Especially his music, Orpheus' music. There had been something wonderful about it, something different, something Phil could, in a subconscious level, relate himself to.
Phil had always been fascinated by potions. It was a line of work that went hand to hand with alchemy and a practice less often used now that people could buy all sorts of concoctions from the pharmacies. However the quality wasn't the same with that of the medicine that was produced with the elder rules and with all sorts of rare ingredients hard to come by in common stores. That was why Phil either grew his own plants and processed them himself or bought them from the few people he trusted for the job. In any case, for someone to be willing to listen, willing to learn... he'd be glad to teach all he knew however limited he thought his knowledge to be. Wisdom was only attained by age and he was but fairly young, still. "All my knowledge, consider it yours." he nodded his head. "I don't know if I have much to show you... as a matter of fact I'm learning new things myself... every day." he shook his head lightly but he wasn't exactly sad or anything. He was simply stating the fact and as a matter of fact he'd love... love it... love that kind of arrangement.To have Orpheus around more would be a blessing, one he felt too selfish to ask for by himself and yet was offered it so openly. "It doesn't have to be a trade." Phil smiled at that and tilted his head lightly to the side to regard Orpheus sitting next to him. Something about his presence there calmed him, reassuring him that it was alright, alright.
And Phil was growing greedy. He realized it seconds later when his mind managed to asses his thoughts. What exactly did he want? The answer to the question was fairly simple as expressed by the moment. Everything Orpheus had to give. He wanted it all and he wanted it all for himself. It almost felt like those eighteen years that had been his life up to now he had been waiting for him to come along and take him away, waiting for Orpheus to just come along and click the pieces together so they fit perfectly to form a whole. And now that they were so close he was afraid, he was afraid beyond comprehension that all of this was in fact a dream and it would be over and he'd be left alone and severed to fall. And he felt starved, starving. The small flame that had been lit when he took Orpheus' hand back there was kindled further by ever small intimate action and it threatened to consume him.
And even though his emotions were practically raging he was allowed one more perfectly calm, tender moment as dreams were exchanged; a familiar feeling lingering close, wrapping itself around them. And Orpheus offered him two, not just a single dream. "So... you essentially dream of healing people?" it might be of their emotional scars rather than those of the body but that was some kind of healing also... and maybe the two of them were slightly more alike than what it would seem at first. And maybe he couldn't do much to help him achieve the first but for the second... if only he could find the courage to offer him everything right then and there even if he had known him for such a little while he would. He just needed to find the right feeling, the right words to tell him without being moved to tears because only now did he understand that Orpheus truly had no other person in the world. "If... If only I could be that for you..." his voice cracked and he dropped his gaze for a moment, uncertain, feeling inadequate. "I'd be there for you. I'd wait for you... I'd-" he looked up not knowing where all those words were coming from after all. "I'd love you." he believed every word that he said even if he was uncertain how it was possible for him to mean those words in their fullest extent when he had just met Orpheus or how could it be that he felt his essence to be infinitely familiar.
Before he could react, or, as a matter of fact, even think of reacting, he found himself trapped, Orpheus arms around him. Was it still considered a trap when one had a willing victim; and it wasn't just that he was willing but borderline begging for it on top of it all. He didn't want to pull away, he wanted to be closer. And Phil gave in completely to Orpheus touch, surrendering everything that was his, placing it all in his arms and allowing him to invade, gentle fingertips exploring the expanses of skin underneath fair-colored clothing. Everything in that moment was right, in the entire definition of that word. Orpheus leaned in and he pushed his neck up just slightly, to align with him, blushing lightly, flustered at Orpheus comment about finding out about his taste. He wasn't embarrassed, oddly, but at the same time having to hear it like that made it, somehow. And then even that small, tiny space filled with nothing but air between their respective pair of lips was eliminated, Orpheus' warm mouth meeting his in a kiss that felt much more sensational than Phil could have hoped or even imagined. Just a little more and he'd be losing his mind, he'd be losing his mind for sure.
He barely flinched when he was lifted into Orpheus lap, arching his body to feel Orpheus' own under him even as he pulled the two of them closer. And he was already dizzy enough when he was transported elsewhere by means of Orpheus' portals. It would have otherwise been somewhat funny, but if Orpheus wasn't holding him so close he would have most likely collapsed, his knees unable to support his weight as things were and then as fast as they had transported they were back, Orpheus hands working their way further up his shirt in the fever that seemed to be consuming both of them at the moment. He wasn't able to phrase a reply to Orpheus conclusion about his taste, but a small pleasured noise as he moved his hands to support himself better, holding on to Orpheus' shoulders.
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Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 11:37 am
How could Orpheus have suspected that this could happen? He'd never experienced anything quite like it before, and because he was used to bouncing around from place to place, he didn't have any idea how he could have become so attached to one person so quickly. But he was. And he had never expected a family, or even another person to love him. Fun relationships were one thing, meeting someone at his concerts and making them feel good in whatever ways he could, but this was different for him. It was new territory. And he was typically logical, in that he didn't believe in love at first sight. But could it be that something about Philemon meant that they should be together? Something distinct, something so close that he could reach out and take hold if only he could get closer. So he would.
It wasn't Orpheus's magic; he had stayed away from the siren's song, though he heard it call in the distance. That was not the kind of music he played. He played music that brought the life out of the night, that made the dead dance, that glowed in the darkness. He played music that turned everything into a party. That was, perhaps, why he had felt so out of sorts hanging out around Requiem that one night. Although the boy was an outstanding musician, his music was something entirely unfamiliar to Orpheus. Orpheus played music which brought people back from the edge of death, or led them to the precipice; he was like a pied piper in that way. Mesmerizing. Requiem's music spoke of pain, and nightmares, and suffering. His music was the music of an untimely death, or lost aspirations. Orpheus, in light of that, couldn't connect in the same way. He could play musically with the boy, but that was all. Too bad. He had seemed so sweet. In fact, unbeknownst to him, most of the ones he'd liked were Majin at the academy. His pride would likely suffer to know that. In any case, Orpheus wasn't responsible for the feelings they shared. His magic wasn't to blame. Could it be Philemon's magic...? Orpheus didn't know what kind of magic he used, but he doubted that Phil was responsible either.
"Let's go, then! Someday, everywhere, to see everything," Orpheus replied, emphatic. He made sure to make eye contact with Phil, to make sure that the witch knew he meant it. Then his serious expression cracked into a smile again, a soft one, and the light of his eyes flickered and became more like embers. "I'm sure that there are a lot of small, poor communities who could really use the help of a travelling Pharmacy," he added, brushing his hand across Phil's cheek again. "Besides, think of all the new plants and medicinal items we could discover? And the music I could learn... Regional music is always so fascinating. It varies according to culture, you know," Orpheus mentioned, thinking, lost in his dreams.
Somehow, it had already become we, and Orpheus did not even want to help himself or prevent himself from phrasing it that way. Even if things had started so suddenly, and would likely continue on as passionately, he was looking forward to knowing more about Phil. Though he felt like he already did, which was strange. And their passion for potions overlapped, even though Orpheus wasn't always very good at them: it felt, briefly, as though he was thinking of Phil that whole time at the Academy, without even knowing. Could that even be possible? To know that somewhere nearby there was someone you could love, and just not have met them yet. The closer they got, the more evident the connection became.
Knowing that Phil would have kissed him, if he hadn't taken the initiative, only made Orpheus even more willing. Of course, if Phil had pulled away, or shown any signs of resistence, Orpheus would have tried his best to disregard the gnawing desire to pull Phil into him. But that hadn't happen: Phil, on the contrary, had seemed willing. He seemed like he wanted the same thing that Orpheus did. So Orpheus only grew more insistent.
Orpheus would give Phil all of his time, as much as he could. Because it was natural, and easy; it would be, it would be just like breathing. Why that was, he didn't know. But they had time to figure it out. And until then, he would be by Phil's side, patient. So long as he could continue stealing kisses, in any case. And perhaps he would be allowed to wake up with him, and then there would be no reason to fear anything; not even the darkness of loneliness which was a distant fear in the back of his mind nearly constantly. "If you love music, perhaps you'll let me see how it interacts with you, someday; your voice is so smooth, I can't help but wonder if we could wake something up inside you," he said, his voice low, soft, enveloping.
If Phil travelled with the help of Orpheus's portals, their ability to gather such rare ingredients would increase significantly. So Orpheus vowed to grow stronger; if his magic was more powerful, their distance and frequency might increase. And then he could escort Phil wherever he wanted. Orpheus leaned in, as Phil offered all his knowledge, and brushed his lips against Philemon's forehead. "Perhaps I can absorb what you know via kissing," Orpheus wondered. "But if that was the case, the more bare skin, the better..." he whispered, his voice teasing, trailing off. He laughed, and shook his head at himself. He meant what he said, but it was so forward; when was he so forward? His cheeks were flushed again, and his eyes feverbright, as if he himself was embarassed by his own forwardness.
There was no if about his desire to be with Phil. Orpheus was there, now, and he wasn't about to go away. Even if Phil someday managed to exile him to the farthest parts of his heart, or to the frost of complete disinterest, Orpheus wouldn't be able to help himself. He would burn out trying to stay by Phil's side, or he would succeed and revel in that love. At the moment, he was almost certain that the latter would be true: Phil and Orpheus could be together from this point on, if they made sure to hold on.
"Of healing people? I suppose that's true, in a way, isn't it? I never thought of it that way," he said, laughing. He always just thought of it as waking people up, sharing a side of life with them that they had not known was possible. Sometimes it was hard to find a reason to pull yourself from the darkness, but with Orpheus's music, it might become possible even for those most constricted by their own fears and sadness. He wouldn't give them time to give in to their demons. Orpheus wasn't about to cry over having nobody in the world, because that's not what it felt like. It felt like having everyone in the world, it's just that he was special to none of them. Which meant that he had to constantly keep on the move. When Phil promised those things, his voice caught in his throat, and something like the beginning of tears welled up in his eyes, the orange glow of his eyes casting through the glistening liquid. He smiled, and laughed, and turned the tears away, letting them run down his face but shedding no more. He could be loved? And when Phil said it, Orpheus believed him. He was overcome by the urge to scoop Phil up, hold him close, and love him with all his heart. "I'll love you, too, even if you don't let me, I think," he replied, closing his eyes briefly, still grinning.
And that was when he had decided to pull Phil into himself. Phil's responses to his kissing only made him want to advance further, to show Phil how he was making him feel. He moved his face down to Phil's neck, tilting his head up and kissing the skin, nipping gently at him before kissing his way all the way to Phil's collar bone, sliding Phil's jacket off with one hand, then returning it under Phil's shirt. It lifted his shirt up, so that more skin was exposed, and Orpheus pressed his torso into Phil's, moving his face back up to steal yet another kiss.
He was breathless. He was dizzy. Something in his veins seemed to be glowing lightly, and the chaos fragment nestled in his skin burned. It was all he could do to keep kissing Phil and try to keep them from being whisked away in one portal after another. But he couldn't let go, and he couldn't stop: he wanted everything. He ran his hands through Phil's hair, pulling back for a moment, to look at Phil's blue eyes and admire him. He smiled softly, caressing Phil's cheek with his hand, running the other still through the soft hair. "I'll love you," he whispered.
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Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 6:41 am
Phil wasn't romantic. He was an optimist, sure, but not quite romantic, really. When you worked that in that specific line of reality that forced you to obey a certain code, take certain steps, use, if not abuse, logic to its fullest extent you often lost a relatively small part of the naivety that made you a child. And yet, Phil was the best of that kind, still strong enough, still willing to try with every ounce of his strength, sacrifice everything if nothing for a small fragile idea of a hope that in the end might prove futile in and on its own. Phil wouldn't mind... the smallest possibilities where those that could save people. In a rather similar sense, how often was it that one could meet a person they could grow attached to in nothing but seconds? How often was it that one could meet another who's very existence drew them in for no apparent reason, one who their heart called for so strongly, yearned for so boldly that nothing else mattered? Phil calculated the chance of it happening close to zero and yet he was there, experiencing this very thing he thought so unlikely.
Phil's magic had nothing captivating about it, most of it worked in a rather underhanded manner and its most important uses involved reminding people that you could never gain something without sacrificing. At first he thought that what he wished for was the power to heal, but in light of recent events and a few very important meetings he had realized that healing wasn't exactly what he wished for; he didn't want to heal the pain, what he truly wanted was a way to keep people from being hurt in the first place. By realizing that, he had managed to make his magic branch out in different directions. But still, if he were to look at it he'd find nothing beautiful in it which is why he had told of its true purpose to none, not even his twin brother. Vaguely, he wondered what Orpheus would think of it if he were to witness his seals in the work, but that part that had so long reassured him about everything figured that he most likely wouldn't judge him for it.
With Orpheus' declaration a smile made its way on his face yet again and he found himself nodding his head, eagerly, getting the childish urge to ask when exactly might someday be, because he was already looking forward to it even if it was just stated. He wouldn't have imagined traveling ever before. His journeys had been fairly limited from Makai to his family's home in Clarus Arbor, to Lumena for his teacher and the great Library and sometimes even to Moonfall to visit his brother, but that was all there had been. Imagine of the knowledge he could obtain by traveling far and wide! Perhaps his research could be furthered also. He'd love it if such a thing was possible. "I never thought about that before." he spoke quietly, reveling in Orpheus' gentle touch. "If there's even a single soul I could help... I'd like to help them." he admitted. "It would be wonderful, truly wonderful if we could plan this." Phil looked over at Orpheus, his eyes glimmering with all the emotions that simply kept piling up on him. "All that knowledge could be priceless and... all the music, I'd love to listen to." he shook his head, a little amused "We'd make a good team, hm?" Phil laughed, thinking of how only days ago he didn't think he could be a team player.
He couldn't quite understand why or how could something change so swiftly, perhaps he should look into the rules of attraction someday soon or perhaps visit someone who could tell him more about it and the reason why this was happening. He didn't need to know, it was simple curiosity, there was nothing that could keep him from feeling the way he did for Orpheus even if he was told it was nothing but an illusion, a delusion, a trick of the mind and mood caused by colliding circumstances. Every fibre of his being called for Orpheus and if he could simply shed his skin and melt inside him to join him as one he wouldn't mind. Or perhaps he would because he dreaded the thought that even though he'd be the closest he could ever be, he'd be unable to see or hear Orpheus anymore. He started fearing loneliness. Because, for so long, he hadn't felt the need to fear such a thing but now that he was slowly tasting what it felt like to be close to another he became fearful of losing it.
He had wanted to ask if Orpheus felt the same? Was it possible that he felt the same? Part of him knew he should be, to some extent, because it couldn't possibly be some sort of single-sided attraction, it didn't feel that way; and the more he had his feelings reciprocated the more he wanted. There was no room for doubts, no room for second thoughts. Those things were for feelings of the regular sort, not of that kind of intensity. And it felt strange and stranger still, because they burned the brighter at the core, intense as they were, but mellowed out in an intoxicatingly sweet way.
He wondered how his time spent with Orpheus would feel like, and the more he thought about it, the more he realized it would be something beautiful because that was the only thing it could be to begin with. "Y-You place too much faith in me..." Phil chuckled, blushing lightly when Orpheus mentioned his voice; he, himself, didn't truly ever think he could possibly possess that sort of talent, but if Orpheus thought he heard something perhaps he was right. He was a musician, after all, when all Phil was was but a humble pharmacist. "But if you think we should try, if you think it possible, I don't mind trying even if it means failure." Phil could do nothing but believe Orpheus, and in the end, with him by his side, he wasn't quite afraid anymore. Failure wasn't something he could no longer face.
Phil found himself laughing at Orpheus' suggestion. If he could, in fact, absorb information through kissing Phil wouldn't mind learning new things all the time for Orpheus to steal from him that way. As a matter of fact, if people could do that in general lessons would look ridiculously different. He turned nearly beet red when Orpheus said that the more skin that was exposed for that purpose the better, his mind wandering off into a completely different, entirely more intimate territory. The single moment of confusion that followed what was had saved Orpheus the recoil as Phil was overcome with the desire to get Orpheus out of his own clothing right then and there... but instead all he managed to offer was a simple oral reply "If that would stand true, it would be sad to only feel with your lips, though." he returned, equally teasing, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "There are only a few thousand sensory nerves concentrated in the area of the lips but over a few trillion in the entirety of the human body." what he was indirectly implying caused him to blush more, making him wonder when it was that he became so shamelessly forward.
There was no other way, he was given a choice, perhaps, early on, when he had first greeted Orpheus, but from the moment he had taken Orpheus' offered arm on their way to the fountain there was no turning back anymore. It was as sudden as it was absolute but it was definitely something Phil would never deny. He couldn't look away, he could belong nowhere but by Orpheus' side, and if he should one day wander off to places far while leaving him behind, Phil would spend forever waiting for him, praying for his return. If he came back Phil would still love him, still welcome him and if he didn't, well... In any case, he'd never think of his feelings as wrong, as nothing more than a lie, and he'd never think it wasn't worth it. He didn't think he could, he didn't have the capacity to.
"People have a tendency to stray..." Phil spoke quietly, lowering his eyes to look at his hands. "Sometimes... other people do things to them that they cannot forget; some fight it with all they have and in the end they move forward but the scar remains. It's hidden, sure, but it aches if you find a way to brush against it, even lightly." he paused, realizing he was getting carried off and shook his head lightly. "I've seen it happening, you know..." these kinds of wounds he couldn't remedy no matter how potent his potions became, no matter how good the medicine he produced turn out... you couldn't just heal a soul like that, it took more, a lot more. "Some other times it's not people at all and sometimes instead of moving on they succumb to that darkness and let themselves fade." he sighed once more and looked up at Orpheus, smiling lightly once more. "If you could have your dream and if I could have mine..." he left his sentence unfinished but his smile widened again, becoming softer. If they both could have their dreams and if they worked together nobody would have to hurt anymore.
"If I don't let you, I think I'll be the most stupid person in all the land." overwhelmed by the truth their words carried together he felt his own eyes fill with tears. One part of him still didn't quite trust the reality of everything happening but at the same time it couldn't be anything but that. Orpheus' kisses felt like fire on sensitive skin forcing him to bite his bottom lip so he wouldn't embarrass himself by being even more inappropriately aroused than he already was. There had to be a way for him to control himself, wasn't it? But he wasn't sure he wanted to do something like that at all.
It was now his own turn to reach out for Orpheus, his own hands worming their way under his shirt, seeking to feel him even closer. It was unfair if only his own skin was exposed, after all. He took a few seconds to revel in the warmth; the expanses of Orpheus' skin feeling smooth, soft and just as warm as Phil would have expected underneath his touch. As compared to him Phil still felt pale, weak, but it didn't really matter anymore. The next thing he thought, while pressing himself closer to Orpheus still, was that he felt infinitely thankful for the fact Orpheus' clothing wasn't extremely hard to remove. His jacket was relatively easy to slide off and his shirt should be as easy as his own to push further up. And all the while they kept kissing without being able to stop. Both of them wanted this, Phil knew, they needed this, needed each other for reasons he couldn't yet discern. Afraid that the rising heat of the moment would make them move through portals yet again -and he was already dizzy enough as he was- he decided that it was about time he made himself useful by limiting the open space. Normally he needed his seals to have a respectable range but not in this case, so he didn't even chant to deploy the most harmless of his seals around them to give Orpheus the freedom to express himself without being afraid that they might end up somewhere with people and embarrass both of themselves. Perhaps in time they could work on it on a conscious level but he didn't really have the patience as of the moment.
He found himself smiling like an idiot at Orpheus words, spoken so softly, and he turned to place a kiss in Orpheus' hand that was gently caressing his cheek. "I... already do." he returned quietly, tilting his head to the side. It was a surprisingly tender moment, one he'd most like to keep close to his heart for the rest of eternity if possible.
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Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 1:09 pm
The seals, if Orpheus understood them, would fascinate him. He would even be amused by Phil's ability to prevent his portals from opening. It would, in Orpheus's opinion, mirror how Phil had somehow made him draw near so easily. Orpheus also believed that there was nothing to be gained without sacrifice, as his life was a long and enduring example of this. Not that it had affected him in an adverse way, per se; he did typically have trouble getting close to others, and he seldom trusted them, but Phil was a clear exception. A final break from the burden his past had left him with. Orpheus could not be more grateful. And in time, he was sure he would see Phil's magic, and perhaps understand what it was that this witch specialized in, apart from potions.
Someday could really be any day; since they had portals, Orpheus would only need to look at art or hear stories of the place he wished to go to. If he gathered enough stories from enough people, he'd be able to get them there. A picture was far easier, however, provided it wasn't outdated. Regardless, Orpheus would happily set off with Phil any day. He was used to wandering from place to place as it suited him; there was no such thing as a single home for the witch. Orpheus went where his feet carried him, and that was all. His job was just part-time in any case, and he worked there because he loved to bake.
"We'll make a nearly flawless team, I'm sure," Orpheus replied, grinning. With their combined talents, what couldn't they do? Orpheus was certain any conflict would be overcome, as long as they had each other's backs. After studying for so long, Orpheus was quite confident in himself, and he was not exactly afraid of anything which he felt might happen. The more he became close to Phil, the more he felt that it was necessary, that there didn't need to be a single doubt in his heart: Philemon and Orpheus needed to hold each other in balance, to be near one another. They had been bound this way all along, perhaps, and would have never known if it wasn't for this encounter.
He didn't know who could possibly tell them how or why this had happened. Perhaps Phil knew someone who might have some answers...? Not that he needed them, either. It would probably culminate in a smile from Orpheus, and an "I see" while Orpheus refused to let go of Phil. In fact, if they were in a room together, he wasn't sure he could let Phil out of his lap. Every touch, and each kiss, would be an attempt at melting together, at being as close to one whole as possible. He could almost hear their bodies humming, a chord of the same notes, changing the world around them. Even if it was just for them. And so long as Phil would allow this, he never needed to fear being alone. They would have to deal with things as they came, though; all of this was new territory, and Orpheus wasn't entirely sure how he could or would manage parting ways with Phil from now on.
Orpheus wanted Phil not just to know, but understand, that he felt precisely the same. He wasn't messing around, and he wasn't playing; Orpheus, for the first time in his young life, had fallen for one person. And it was the only one he would need, or want. Orpheus could feel his desire for Phil as a tangible thing, which wrapped around their bodies and drew them closer.
"Not too much faith; faith you deserve, I'm sure. And yes, we will try, we should try. There's no real failure, just success that we delay a little?" he joked, smiling. It was true, he didn't believe in failure. As someone with rather poor luck, he was often wrong or did not succeed. If he gave up every time he didn't quite succeed, nothing would get accomplished. Therefore he looked at it more as postponed success: if he kept trying, surely things would work out. Maybe that wasn't the case all the time, but until he ceased to exist, he had no proof otherwise.
It was hard to keep his thoughts together as Phil teased him, pointing out how few nerves were in the lips compared with the rest of the body. "Better try them all, then, in case it's easier to learn via complete contact..." he suggested, his voice rough around the edges as he tried to keep himself calm. He swallowed the catch in his throat, and added, "That's what I understood, at least. Did you mean something else, perhaps?" he asked, his eyes glittering. If he had known how close Phil was to wanting to strip him then, he would have finished the job for them. Even though they were in a reasonably public place... It was good for both of them, likely, that they hadn't tumbled over that point.
On a whim, Orpheus had offered Phil his arm to escort him back then. He'd never thought that touching Phil, that being close to him even for a moment, would make him realize what he felt for him. And suddenly it was as if he had lost a portion of his memory in which Phil must have been present. A feeling like this couldn't have risen from nothing, could it? It had to have a foundation. If nothing else, it was deeply rooted in his soul. Orpheus would not, and could not, be far from Phil. Even if it meant sleeping outside Phil's room, guarding the door like a loyal dog, he would do it. Just because the idea of being far away from him was nauseating.
"It's true, they do; I'm a stray, myself. I always have been. But I think even ones who stray can be loyal. I've never watched anyone close enough to see their scars, but if I can remind them of life without pain, then I'll do it. I want to stay with you." Orpheus said, his expression grave briefly, heavier, his eyes sad as if someone had told him he would have to part from Phil despite his desire to stay. Maybe they could both have their dreams. In any case, Orpheus would never give up on his music, and he would, from now on, never give up on Phil.
Because he saw the tears fill Phil's eyes, he hummed a soft song, a sweet one: a heavy dream, which made the heart warm and soothed fears. It was part of a sequence of songs meant to calm down those who were afraid or injured. But in this case, it was a gift from Orpheus's heart to Phil. There was nothing left to control: Orpheus made up his mind, and that was all there was to it. He couldn't change their course, now, unless Phil was extremely insistent. Which didn't seem like it was about to happen.
Orpheus sucked in a breath as Phil reciprocated. Each place that Phil's hands touched his bare skin rippled with longing, and Orpheus longed to warm Phil up, to share his natural heat. Although he felt his chaos fragment push at the skin and prepare to change their location again, some barrier prevented it. He looked at Phil, surprised: the barrier felt similar to Phil, as though he had signed it. He grinned widely. "Seems like not only can you captivate me, you can also keep me in one place?" he asked softly, before rejoining their lips, his torso pushing closer as his hands lifted Phil closer on his lap, rubbing one hand now from Phil's ankle to his hip, sliding it closer and closer to his inner thigh.
Orpheus had no words, at first, for Phil's reply. His own eyes grew bright with tears, again. He held them back, but his grin shook with emotion. To be loved at all had seemed impossible, and now to be loved without question...? To feel so loved, as though the sun rose and set on only them. That was all he could have wanted, and what he had never had. His voice was caught again, and he had to work to suggest, with his lips moving against Phil's neck and his hands searching his body, "If you take the seal down, I'll take us somewhere ... quieter? Before everyone wakes up."
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Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 3:34 pm
Phil hadn't known he might have been able to show the magic he specialized in to Orpheus openly, without running the risk of being feared as a monster of some sort. He had to admit it to himself that it most likely was grotesque for others, for most others, to witness his magic in the work. Then again Orpheus wasn't just anyone and Phil didn't really think there was anything he could possibly do that would turn him away. As a matter of fact he was so easy to accept this was the way things are that, had he known Orpheus had been burdened by a shadow in his past he'd do his best to share the weight with him not stopping to question his decision for a single second. If there was anything he could do to help Orpheus, to make him feel better, make him happy... he'd do anything, he really would.
Phil wasn't used to a life of wandering but he was willing to try, he wasn't afraid; as long as Orpheus could hold his hand he wasn't afraid. And if he wasn't afraid then it would be alright; it had to be. He'd follow Orpheus anywhere because, suddenly he had to be by his side. Being anywhere else felt wrong and hurtful. And he feared separation, more than anything in that moment.
Phil found himself smiling at Orpheus' words, a flawless team... it would be perfect if it was true. They'd have each others' backs, for sure, and the only thing remaining to be witnessed was to realize just how great their potential would become when intertwined so closely. Surely, as one they could most likely reach results they hadn't even originally dreamt of. It didn't make sense entirely, but at least there were some things he could understand about their situation. "We should stay together, then, always..." he smiled a little, cheeks flushed at the absurd offer as he looked over at Orpheus trying to read his expression as written in his facial features. He was expressing a desire that came to him pretty naturally. It was easy to do, simple enough. All that was in need to be said or done had already happened, somehow, and left him with nothing but the ability to hold on to it.
He didn't know if there was anyone that could explain it, he didn't know if there was someone that could relate, in that sense. You'd sometimes read of it in those sappy romance novels; lovers that were just destined to be together, but life wasn't fantasy, after all. He wondered if his teacher could perhaps understand this, explain maybe, but surely Phil doubted that. And he couldn't tell his brother so that left his best friend... but sadly the boy most likely wouldn't know either. In any case, both of them were there, they were here, now and there was nothing that could possibly get in between or separate them. Phil would not let it.
And Phil felt the imminent need to communicate that feeling, communicate that warmth that had been crawling underneath his skin. It didn't feel as hungry as it had been before, in any case, just accommodatingly warm. It was a shared emotion, he was sure, one that floated about them, almost like a gossamer veil, tangling itself around them and bringing them closer.
Philemon found himself laughing at Orpheus' remarks for the hundredth time, perhaps. It was almost insane, the way he could so easily relate to him on so many levels. Delayed success was almost like Phil's second name; after all there was no way you could get any potion or medicine just right from your very first try; which meant you'd have to be persistent and keep at it. And if he had known that Orpheus was also somewhat unlucky he'd have comically wallowed up in his misery, condemned to be forever unlucky. It would be somehow comforting, at the same time, to know that there were other people also that their luck was less than often something other than bad. "Then let's try for as long as it takes." he nodded, still trying to contain his laughter without much success.
"We should try them all, as a matter of fact, I wonder if the same principle would apply to me." his smile had reverted into being a lot more gentle, perhaps slightly more sly. Teasing like that had cause such a surprising little effect on him, he could only wonder, in the end. He had never been so forward before in his life. More than anything, in that very moment, Phil wanted to be enveloped in Orpheus' warmth, the one generated just by feelings not quite enough. He wanted to see him, wanted to feel him without anything getting in the way, thinking that maybe then, perhaps, he could realize what it was that pulled the two of them so close. If only he could remember, perhaps... because there had to be something, in the end. A leftover memory, anything. Had they perhaps met when younger? Phil didn't remember, and he wouldn't, in all his logic, consider toe possibility of reincarnated souls or parallel universes, all those were nothing but fantasies after all.
And if he were aware of Orpheus' thoughts he'd reprimand him; lightly only, perhaps. There was no way he'd let him guard his door when he would much rather sleep with him. The door seemed to be such a far away place and at the same time tantalizingly close. It would be torture to have him just within his reach but forced to simply watch from afar. And he paused to think for a moment of how would he bring himself to part and say good day after they were done there so each of them could return to their routine. Of course they'd have to break the spell eventually but Phil didn't really want to. He wanted to hold Orpheus' hand always, even if such a thing wasn't possible in reality, to never leave his sight; to live with the security that if he ever needed to reach a hand out he could always take a hold of him and calm himself down.
And it almost felt as if Orpheus had read his thoughts, his next reply sealing the unstated questions, resolving them. It was a sincere confession, all over again; a clean statement of a wish expressed in complete honesty. Phil shook hi head to shake his own thoughts away -never to deny-. A lot were leaning on those exchanged promises, both their lives up to know where placed on the line, in a sense and Phil wasn't afraid. "I want to stay with you also..." his voice was a lot more quiet, his heart clenched by the invisible hand of fear yet again, and what would happen if the two of them would really have to part? "Always, be with me." he begged, eyes filled with desperation seeking their respective pair to hide into.
But Orpheus' song had been soothing, calming. It held something reminiscent of a morning late in Spring. Those were the ones Phil liked best out of all the warm days. They were quiet, sleepy mornings, bather to the core with the warmth of the sun's rays that made you feel relaxed, or perhaps lazy when exposed for quite enough a time. It calmed all the turmoil inside Phil and soothed him and he got to witness firsthand Orpheus' incredible ability when it came to music. It was a wonderful gift.
Phil would have tried to explain how exactly his seals worked. Quite truly none of his seals were cast with the idea of entrapping others. Each of them had different effects but the fact he could keep Orpheus in one place was the split of space that occured as a direct result. Suddenly, inside and outside became completely separated, his barrier, erect in between almost avoiding the laws of nature, not to mention magic. He wasn't sure how to explain, though, and so he shrugged it off. "Well... that's not really its main use but it'll have to deal , for now." he admitted. That wasn't the time to explain what in the world just happened when it came to his magic and its bizarre applications. And he was kissed yet again, held closer and touched more firmly and all he could do was weakly nod his head, dizzy as was when Orpheus suggested they should move.
Phil didn't feel like he had the self restrain needed to keep himself from setting off unthinkable things where they were. He simply removed the seal and clung to Orpheus, still dizzy as he managed to whisper "The woods?" it was more of a question rather than a suggestion but it could be received both ways. And Phil wasn't the one to blame; it was just that Orpheus' caresses were already driving him crazy... to the point he feared he might be losing his mind.
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Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 10:11 am
Because of the nature of Orpheus's portal magic, Phil wouldn't have to get used to a life of travel, per se. Although Orpheus had moved around a lot, being constantly on the move wasn't his thing: he preferred to have a home base, so to speak. A place where he could feel safe, no matter what. He had never experienced that before in this capacity, however. He felt, now, that wherever he was with Phil was where he would feel like he had a home. It was true, wasn't it? For the first time, Orpheus had a home. And he would not give that up for anything, not even death.
Without thinking, Orpheus idly threaded his fingers with Philemon's, holding onto his hand tightly, while the other continued to explore Phil's body. Perhaps there was even a way they could combine the seal magic with Orpheus's musical magic? They would surely have time to figure it out. If they were partners in this way, perhaps they could also be partners in battle. Such a tight bond would prevent any separation, perhaps. Orpheus would be willing to try. He'd have to figure out a way to target his music only at specific individuals, however; he had never had to shield someone from his spells before.
"I'll give you my 'always,' Philemon. Gladly," Orpheus replied. Without hesitation. If they both held on tightly, what chance was there that they could be pried apart? And even then, would they not be like magnets, drawing back towards each other with a force that neither could comprehend? As if made to balance, and reconvene no matter the split. Strange that he had never felt this draw so forcefully. Perhaps in order to awaken it, they had to meet that once by chance, and then it was done: they unlocked something inside each other.
If they were both unlucky, Orpheus would also dread to think of the mishaps which would befall him. His luck was the kind where even the most unlikely of bad circumstances would happen specifically to him. Not out of malevolence, usually; literally just bad luck. If there was a sleeping snake right beneath a bench, for example, ten other witches could sit on the bench and never wake it, but Orpheus would have the misfortune of shaking the bench just so to anger the snake. That was largely how his life went. He did, indeed, have a first aid kit in his hammerspace.
"Hmmm... I believe that many," Orpheus paused, looking meaningfully at Phil,
"thorough..." and again, he paused, as he brought one hand up to brush his thumb against Phil's lips and slide the hand down Phil's chest, fingertips lingering at the hips,
"tests will be required to determine whether or not the same principle applies to you," he finally finished, his voice far more formal than his actions. Something in it quivered, however, and longed. His whole body ached again; the warm affection, unassuming, which had swelled over him just sentences before, was replaced by the burning desire to hold Phil against him, again.
It was possible that they had met when they were younger. Anything was possible, in terms of his childhood; Orpheus remembered very little of his early years, as they had been particularly dark. After that, it was home to home, and he had been happy in his own right. Happy, but safe; he kept himself safe by preventing anyone from getting close. It wasn't an active desire. It was something he had done naturally. He didn't care for others, but he did want to exterminate the Majin who might tear a witch's essence from them. However, as he aged, his anger had dulled.
The idea that Phil would let him share his bed had escaped Orpheus. Even in his highest hopes, his wildest dreams, he was just Phil's loyal guard dog. That was it. Because who would want something like Orpheus to follow such a sweet figure around? Orpheus wasn't good; he was only soft in his musical nature. He was a member of an underground band, and as such he was responsible for many of the typical acts such band members were expected to engage in. But around Phil, he seemed soft, and sweet; he wanted to be gentle. Sometimes his harsher nature would slip out, as Orpheus would shift Phil closer to him, occasionally take control so that he could be closer. It was a little selfish, true, but Orpheus didn't feel that Phil would resist him willingly.
Orpheus's eyes did meet Phil's, and they welled over briefly, the edges blurring with tears. He grinned, however, choking them back, so that he could reply, "Even after death. I'd find a way back to you." Orpheus' voice was rough again. He pressed his mouth to Phil's, stealing a kiss, as if sealing his promise. Always, I will walk by your side.
"You'll have to tell me its main use when we're not so... preoccupied," Orpheus suggested, genuinely curious but busy with the kisses, and wanting to pull Phil against him. Orpheus removed Phil's jacket, and was working on his shirt entirely, when Phil suggested the woods. He pressed his mouth to Phil's neck, held on tightly, and mumbled, "Agreed, and done."
That was all it took, and a brief spinning sensation, as Orpheus took them to the woods with his portals. They were in some kind of clearing, and in a second, he had removed a wool poncho from inside his sleeve. He didn't exactly carry blankets with him, but he did hate to be cold, so there was this. He laid it out with one free hand, holding Phil to him with the other, and eased them both onto the poncho.
"If I frighten you, and you want me to stop, this is your chance," he offered Phil, his voice rough, and something inside him was scared for the first time. Scared of losing someone he felt so deeply for.
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Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 11:26 am
Because of the recent flurry of events he failed to understand and because of his want, his need to accept everything as it was, Philemon was finally brought to a halt in front of limitless, endless possibilities. He felt as if he had been standing at a doorway that very morning and all it had taken was Orpheus' hand to guide him through it so he could awaken to an entirely new reality. Somehow he wasn't alone anymore, and if Orpheus was willing to stay he had no reason to feel any differently about it either. There was no need, no will to, only the desire to hold Orpheus tightly and never let him go if such a thing was humanly possible.
Phil wouldn't have considered it possible to connect his seals with other kinds of magic before but if Orpheus should ever propose it, he was ready to sacrifice, train hard just so that he could meet his expectations and become stronger through him, with him. It would appear to him, that as long as this bond that had so abruptly but surely driven them together existed he could do anything, everything. He could feel the pull grow stronger by the second still even if they were already almost as close as they could possibly ever get. Perhaps they were simply that way, almost as if designed to accommodate, fit into one another perfectly in every sense, uniting halves of a whole that had gone wayward in time. In a fairytale they would have been born to be together even if that was way too farfetched in order to be a reality.
"Then... I'll offer you mine." Phil agreed with a slight nod of the head, intense frown of concentration in place because he was still struggling to comprehend everything that was happening. To have promised their futures to one another... what was it that they were truly doing? It felt like a union, marriage? He wouldn't have thought of it that way, but now that he did he found himself blushing at it. He had offered the last of everything that was his and he was given an equal weight of things back at the same time. Somehow, even if they were to part ways he'd always be with Orpheus from now on as would Orpheus be with him. No matter how far, Phil felt as if his footsteps would eventually lead him back to Orpheus even if all the powers of heaven and hell conspired against them and the knowledge of that thing that was as simple as it was infinitely complicated put his mind at ease.
If Orpheus managed to get hurt just as often as Phil himself did then it was in a sense very neat and tidy that they should end sharing the same sleeping arrangements. Orpheus could use some of his healing magic and Phil would gladly offer it since it wasn't something that could ever get depleted to begin with. All he'd really have to do would be sleep against Orpheus, preferably with as less clothing as possible for his seal's effects to get passed down to him also. And one night's sleep was all it would really take to revitalize him as well as heal his wounds. Phil had experienced this kind of miraculous recovery more than just once before after all.
Philemon found himself flinching for a second under Orpheus' suggestive stare but relaxed soon after as the fingers tracing the expanses of his skin made what semblance of fear had lingered there sweetly melt away in that gentle warmth that had accompanied their actions for as long as they had been together. In the end, no matter what logic stated, he had nothing to fear. Nothing at all. "Then by all means, please carry me through those examinations..." Phil smiled a little speaking that, fighting back the desire to lean forward to kiss Orpheus for what felt like the thousandth of times.
Phil hadn't considered death as a possibility. He certainly knew it was there as he had to deal with those sad cases often or he'd -just as often- hear about deaths from others but he hoped to avoid it as long as possible. However, just thinking about the possibility that Orpheus might have to die filled him with such unspeakable dread that he had to force in the back of his head not to cry on the spot. He didn't want to imagine a life without Orpheus at this point, anything else felt so terribly lonely... He felt tears pooling in his eyes, threatening to fall but he bit his lip and held them back, chasing them away with the help of Orpheus' lips kissing his fears away for another time. "Don't... Don't even joke about that...." his voice nearly cracked as he fought to place out his words. "I'd rather give my life than let you die..." and because of his magic he knew it to be something that was entirely possible after all.
But there was no time to think about it any longer as Orpheus pulled both of them through a portal and in a quiet part of the woods. The silence enveloped him like a blanket, the quiet sounds of nature infinitely familiar to him. He was certain that should he get up and wander off he'd surely find some place that he could recognize. But he had no will to get up.
He peered up at Orpheus, head rolled to the side and found himself smiling yet again. He wasn't going to run and he wasn't frightened. On the contrary maybe. Phil shook his head, smiling still to make sure Orpheus didn't misunderstand. By now it should have been obvious that this was but a natural outcome. "No..." he replied reaching a hand out to cling with from Orpheus' form; keep him close while his heart was clenched by sweet, anxious anticipation setting it aflutter in his chest and furthering the effects of the previously lingering lightheadedness on him.
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Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 10:07 am
Orpheus's throat grew tight as Phil returned his own always. If they could have each other, no matter what else happened...What had Orpheus done to deserve that kindness? To deserve that passion in return? He stroked his thumb across Phil's cheek, and thought that he would try to earn that right, to earn the love he was being offered. He would never do Phil wrong, so long as he was able to keep from that. It would be interesting; he had never lived for anyone but himself, before. His shows could be wild, and the music he played with Salem was far more chaotic than it was reason and light; Phil seemed steeped in both of those. Even his appearance seemed to be one of brightness, and purification. And his heart was so good. Orpheus was not good like that, per se; he would defend what was good, but he himself was far more chaotic than lawful. Vigilante justice was something he could understand all too easily.
Orpheus hadn't thought of marriage, just then; he had not ever thought he could even be married. But had it even occurred to him in that moment, he would have known that the union he was promising Phil was like that; he was promising his better, and his worse, and he was promising to stand by Phil no matter what. When Orpheus finally did think of marriage, he likely would propose to Phil, even if they were remarkably young. It was just not something that Orpheus could doubt. Before Phil, he had not even felt moved by another. Love for Salem, as a bandmate and a sort of brother, sure; everyone else was interesting but distant. So with Phil's help, perhaps he could draw out of his underworld dwelling and become part of the daytime life as well.
He did manage to get hurt often, as he lived a little recklessly; Phil's healing abilities would get a lot of practice, with Orpheus around. Orpheus would, of course, try to learn some of that... but it was not what he was good at. His magic was all focused around his music. Battle hymns, elegies, serenades, boleros... music was the common thread. Could he somehow create a healing song, in honour of his love? Perhaps within his magic, there was something nurturing, and he had just never thought of himself that way. Sleeping against Phil undressed or largely so would not be trying in the least. In fact, he would eagerly do just that. Thinking of it made his skin flush again, and he grinned madly as Phil gave him permission to carry out his "examinations."
He hadn't meant to make Phil sad; his own death had seemed an inevitability. Orpheus was hardly afraid of the dead, or of death itself; he respected mediums, and those who conjured up the dead, but not the ones who enslaved them. Spirits were meant to rest, were they not? It was one thing for a spirit to fight in conjunction with a witch, out of choice, or a mutual pact... but to force them to do the bidding of the living was awful. Orpheus would sever those ties just as easily as he would sever a heart-eater from life, should he become a reaper. That was his path. He had no vendetta against innocent Majin; they were not his concern. Still, he felt something inside him shatter at the thought of causing Phil those tears, and he tried to kiss them away, brushing feather-light kisses all across Phil's face, brushing the tears away. "If it causes you so much pain, I will never joke about that again--" His hasty insistence was cut short as Phil suggested he would rather give his life. Orpheus held onto him extremely tightly, as if anchoring him to life permanently, anchoring him to Orpheus's own body, and replied: "Never, you can't do that; I want us to be alive together, so we can enjoy this. I can't examine you if you're not here." His voice was rough around the edges, because he was trying not to let his emotions seep out again, trying not to cry. He had never really had trouble with this particular problem, before, but with Phil he felt things so intensely.
Orpheus was hardly familiar with the woods; in their quiet, natural ambience he usually didn't frequent that environment. It was the city and the nightlife in which he flourished. But Phil seemed at home, and that made Orpheus feel comforted in turn. "Then I'll share everything with you; all of me," he replied, urged on by Phil's No..., smiling wide. He let his fingers slip down, tracing Phil's stomach, moved his face down to caress Phil's neck, his shoulders, kissing his way down Phil's arm and holding Phil's hand to kiss each individual fingertip. They had already begun to strip earlier, but Orpheus, in a moment of selfishness, would help finish the process.
It was different, this time. These actions, in this context... Orpheus knew what to do, but he had never been loved, or loved in return, like he felt now. And that passion, that love, was what characterized all he did next.
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