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 Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:29 am
Ashanite turned the invitation over in his hands. He’d gone out of his way with this one - most of them were flyers (nice flyers, but still flyers) left in bookshops for the unwary to pick up, and that was fine. But this wasn’t to lure in some random civilian. This was for someone very special.
So he’d purchased stationary and an envelope, handwritten the whole thing, and even used his signet ring as a wax seal in dark purple. He waited, patiently, in the park where he’d run into Whisler a few times before, and hoped that he would show, because that was a lot of effort to be metaphorically stood up.
If he was very lucky, he would be able to talk Whisler into helping him with his little murder mystery game, because having an implanted Order-side player would make the whole thing infinitely more fun. If Whisler wasn’t receptive, though, playing the game against someone who knew him and knew what was afoot would be equally fun.
Either way, he won, in his estimation.
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:38 am
Whisler loved to come to this park. It was his park...his and Ashanite’s park. Their park.
It was just special. That was all there was to it. Those rare times where he felt the prickle of a chaos aura...he lived for those times. Unless they weren’t Ashanite...he didn't really...well, those times weren’t as good. But...on a night like tonight, when he stepped out from behind a tree and Ashanite was there...looking devilishly handsome.
It took a huge amount of effort not to break into a grin, run over and plant a huge kiss on his lips..but somehow Whisler managed to restrain himself to simply raising a hand in greeting and giving what he hoped was nothing more than a friendly smile. “Hey stranger. Long time no see, hope you’ve been well.”
When you were utterly in love with someone and didn’t know quite where they stood about you...or where you relationship was...it was difficult. “Fancy meeting you here tonight, who could have thought we’d be in the same place at the same time, hm?”
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:42 am
Ashanite gave Whisler a smile, and he was much less restrained about moving into Whisler’s personal space, reaching up to rest a hand on his cheek.
“Hello, dearest,” he said, voice warm. It was always good to see Whisler, to be greeted with a smile, and to be certain that he was still alright. Their lives were dangerous - Ashanite know, even if he didn’t like to think about it, that there was always a chance something would go terribly wrong.
He considered, briefly, the merits of stealing a kiss, and decided that it was what he wanted to do and hwe might as well. It was a brief touch of lips, but no less fond for it, but he did take a step back to give Whisler a bit more space afterwards.
“I’ve been well. And you?” He asked, lightly. “I’ll confess this isn’t an accident. I was hoping to find you tonight. I have something for you.” He brought out the envelope containing the invitation with a flourish, and tapped a corner lightly against Whisler’s nose.
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:44 am
The word ‘Dearest’, almost had Whisler’s knees trembling. The butterflies in his stomach were fluttering so much he was quite sure that they were going to find a way out. He couldn’t figure out what it was about this man, what was it that drew Whisler back to him, over and over? It didn’t make sense, one who was trapped forever in the light shouldn’t be seeking the comfort of the dark, yet...that was what seemed to keep happening. Even when he had been sure that they were done...here they were again, with Ashanite calling him dearest and stealing kisses…
It was almost perfect.
“I’ve been as fine as can be expected, Ashanite. And...you were hoping to find me? Well, then I have to confess I’m glad I could grant your wish, even in this small way.” He reached out, taking the letter, the snowflakes on his hand glowing brightly in the darkness. “What’s this?” The knight turned the envelope over, frowning a little in confusion and slid his finger under the wax seal.
“...So you’re telling me that you wanted to see me, to give me a letter...when you could have just told me what was going on and saved yourself the trouble of writing a letter? Or did you just want to be over dramatic as always, my darling?” Sliding the paper from the envelope, Whisler began to read, interested to see just what Ashanite might want to tell him.
At least this letter didn’t hold a glitter bomb. Ashanite was far too classy for that.
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:45 am
Ashanite laughed, fondly. God, it was always so good to see Whisler. He knew this was stupid, he knew that he shouldn’t be so utterly head over heels for someone on the other side. That didn’t change that he felt…better just being around Whisler. Lighter.
Every once in a while, he even thought that Whisler might make him a better person.
(Impossible, of course, but it was nice to imagine.)
It was tragic that Whisler was forever out of his reach, because he wanted nothing more than to have him. But he was determined - if Whisler was willing, they would find a way to wipe away that glow and bring him back where he belonged.
“Seeing you is always like having a wish granted,” he said, and it was true. Sappy, certainly, but true. “And it isn’t just a letter, it’s an invitation. There are protocols around these things, dearest.”
This was how he tested the waters, to see exactly where Whisler might fall.
“I’m throwing a party, you see, and I was so hoping you’d find the time to attend.”
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:47 am
Whisler chuckled softly. “Well, doesn’t that just make me feel quite fantastic.” This was an invitation to a party? That was not what he had been expecting at all...but he couldn't say that he was unhappy about such a thing. In fact, unhappy was about the furthest from what he was feeling. “I’d love to come to your party, I’m quite sure there’s nothing I would rather do with my time…You know that being with you is one of the highlights of my life...if we’re at a party, perhaps we could find some time to slip away and be alone?”
Of course, perhaps he should have read the invitation before agreeing so hastily, and assuming so much so that was what he did now, eyes scanning the paper swiftly. When it came to Ashanite, he always ended up forgetting that things were hardly ever what they seemed to be...and he now had the funny feeling that this was going to be one of those times.
“Now...when you say...murder mystery...you’re not...actually killing people...right?”
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:49 am
Ashanite laughed fondly. It was so sweet, to hear Whisler say that, but really, this was where things got more interesting. “I’m sure we’ll be able to find a moment or two, if that’s what you’d like,” he said. He’d make it happen, somehow.
He waited in silence, otherwise, for Whisler to finish reading, trying to keep his eagerness off his face. It wouldn’t do to give away how much he was looking forward to his reaction, after all. Half the fun of the game would be in seeing exactly what Whisler planned to do.
“And if I said I was?” He asked, voice light. “I do try not to waste Negaverse resources, after all.”
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:49 am
“Oh.” Whisler wasn’t quite sure what to think. On one hand...the idea of murder...worried him, but at the same time, he figured that if he went back to the Negaverse...well. He would have to get used to it again. “I mean..if it’s all the same...you could just...you know. Not...kill them…”
He really, really hoped that Ashanite was simply kidding. He felt uncomfortable, unhappy. “I don’t know, love...it just seems so...I don’t know. Mean?” Purple eyes scanned the invitation once again, then moved up to the General’s face once again.
“...And you want me there? For what purpose? To help you kill people? Or…” He shrugged and sighed. “Or are you tired of our dance and you want a chance to get your pretty little staff lodged into my back?” He was quite sure...or at least he hoped that such a thing wasn’t the case...he thought that Ashanite loved him...or at least liked him enough to not want him dead.
Anymore.
“And...I don’t know. You’re not really the killing type...you know?”
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:51 am
Ashanite gave his best mock-regretful expression. “Unfortunately, it isn’t all the same to me,” he said, and he even managed to sound something approximating remorseful. He was fairly certain it would be obvious he was faking, but that wasn’t really his concern, at the end of the day.
“Mean seems like a bit of an understatement, but if that’s the word you like,” his tone was still casual, idle, like it didn’t really matter to him, but when Whisler looked back up, he met his eyes and immediately became more serious.
“If you wish, you can help me. Not help me kill, help me keep an eye on every other Order fool who shows up to make my life difficult. Because they will be there. They always are.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Or you can try and stop me. That’s just as interesting. But believe me,” he said, dryly, “if I wanted to kill you, I’d have done it long ago. No games for you, dearest - I love you too much for that.” It was easier to say it, like that, as part of something else, like it wasn’t an admission that made him terribly vulnerable.
“Though I have to say,” he said, “if you think I’m not the killing type, you’re terribly misinformed about the type of man I am.”
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:52 am
“Keep an eye on them and what?” Whisler reached out, taking one of Ashanite’s hands, running his thumb over the back of it. “Keep them away from...the killers? Keep them safe? Bring them to you? What would you like me to do...General?” He brought the hand to his lips and kissed the back of it, before looking up once more.
“I know you won’t kill me. I just. This caught me off guard. I’m willing to do whatever you want...I’ll be serving under you soon enough, won’t I?” He gave a wry smile, though his eyes still showed some worry and even a bit of fear. He might be saying that he was ready for this...but he honestly wasn’t quite sure about that at all.
“I love you. No matter how you are. I will love you. Killer, Mastermind, Creepy Guy who watches people over hedges...I don’t care. I love you and I’ll follow you...or...or I’ll try to.”
He would do his best, at the very least. He didn’t want to disappoint Ashanite. Not at all.
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:54 am
Ashanite squeezed Whisler’s hand, shoving away the happy little flutter the kiss gave him. Not the time. He couldn’t be Damien the lovestruck idiot, not right now; not when he needed to be Ashanite.
Though, he could admit, he was very pleased to hear Whisler call him General.
“Bring me information,” Ashanite said. “Don’t worry about herding the sheep; I’ll have that well and under control. But I need to know what they know. What they’ve deduced. After all, the game won’t be any fun if they figure it all out too quickly.” There was a dark amusement in his eyes, and he leaned in towards Whisler.
“You’ll serve under me, and it will be glorious,” he practically purred it. “We’ll find a way to make it happen.” He reaffirmed the promise both to himself and to Whisler, because they would, they had to.
He laughed, briefly, at Whisler’s rather unflattering list of possibilities. “Your loyalty is inspiring, dearest,” he said, and then he leaned in for a kiss. It was a traditional way to seal a bargain, after all. (And, well. He wanted to.)
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:54 am
“I’ll do anything you ask of me, General.” It was easier to use the title the second time and he relaxed into the kiss that Ashanite decided to initiate. It was submission, he knew it...but. It still felt right. He was stupidly messed up.
“I try to be an inspiring person, I hope you know. I mean.” He shrugged and pressed closer to Ashanite, leaning over and pressing his lips to the General’s neck. “You’re quite inspiring too, you inspire a lot in me...though, I’m sure you knew that already. Or at least, I’m sure you could figure that out.”
His hand still held the invitation, and though it shook slightly at the implications of what was happening, what he was saying and what he was agreeing to...he remained there. “I love you. This...this will be fun. Perhaps...you can get me a few starseeds as a gift or something...I might like that.” Maybe if he began to think like an agent again...the glow would fade and he would be able to become one once again.
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:56 am
Ashanite sighed into the kiss, eyes closing briefly, and he let himself just...enjoy it for a long moment, until they broke apart. He was smiling, a real, warm smile, when they did. No artifice, no play, nothing, just the soft look of a man utterly in love. A hand came up to rest on the back of Whisler’s head, gently stroking through his hair.
The kiss to his neck sent a thrill through him, accentuated with every bit of ground Whisler gave. It was intoxicating, to have him finally bend, even in such a small way, and it felt like getting everything he wanted.
“I do try to be inspiring,” he said, lightly. “I imagine it’s intended to be part of the job description.” He couldn’t really manage to keep being casual and joking, though, not when all of this was so serious but so perfect. He’d barely let himself hope that Whisler would actually bend, but here it was, and he would have his spy on the inside.
“I love you, too,” he said. “And I know you’re taking a risk for me, but I need you to do this.” A broad smile crossed his face. “I’ll save a starseed or two for you, love. I’m sure I can manage that.”
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:56 am
The look on Ashanite’s face was almost enough to make Whisler fall to his knees and beg for him to call a General Sovereign, perhaps betraying order in his heart and mind would be enough to stop this damn curse on him, but he simply returned the smile and nodded. “No risk is too big for my General. I will serve you to the death, Ashanite.”
He paused, then reached out, taking one of Ashanite’s hands once again. “Perhaps...if you’d like we could take tonight and spend it up on my Wonder...I’ve been doing some work to it and it’s quite lovely...I have food, and there’s a very comfortable bed...and lots of blankets that we could cuddle up in, if you wanted…”
There was some hesitation in his voice...but a lot of desire there as well.
He still remembered the last time he was on his wonder with Ashanite. He remembered it very well.
“What do you say, love?”
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:58 am
Ashanite felt the breath taken from his lungs. That was so much more than he had ever expected to hear, such an incredible offer of devotion and service. “I love you,” he said, because there was nothing else he could offer in response. What Whisler had given was practically a declaration itself, in any case.
The offer gave him pause, briefly - but only briefly. Encouraging Whisler to spend more time on his Wonder was a terrible idea and he knew it, but he wanted all the time he could steal with his Knight, for as long as he was offering it.
“I say of course, darling,” he said, but his expression became serious, and his eyes drifted down to the glow on Whisler’s hands. “But...be careful, please. In how much time you spend on your Wonder. We have so much work to do to remove this glowing curse from your skin, and I would hate to have it set back too far.” He brought Whisler’s hand up to his lips, pressing a kiss to his fingers.
“One trip together won’t hurt, though, I’m sure.”
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