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Mm... not really. There's a man called Zenos who could be trouble, though... I'd suggest you stay away from him.

[Connor still isn't sure what he thinks of Zenos besides vague pity, but he seems dangerous and Ethan doesn't need that in his life.]

Oh, there's a woman called Monika, too. She's very nice, she just arrived.

[He doesn't mention that she's an AI. Not his place.]

I bought her a dress because she didn't have any money yet. A change of clothes seems important, doesn't it?

Zenos, huh... I'll try to keep my distance, then.

[Ethan inclines his head, but doesn't have much more to say on that subject. If Connor thinks he's trouble, he's probably actual trouble. Were this a different situation, he'd be more apt to get into things.]

Changes of clothes have their place. I'm still getting used to the new colour, though.

[Here, he laughs and fusses with a strand of purple-tipped hair, then reaches up to absently brush through Connor's.]

Seems like you're still out there helping everyone. A wonder you have time to yourself.

[That is just teasing, and his tongue sticks out in turn. Then he settles in with a hum.]

... I keep thinking how frustrating it is with everything being in the physical world. It's funny, I never really thought about how much it'd affect me. Well, I guess I'll just have to figure out going out again. Ah... I might have to bother you to join me, though.

I really seem to be able to handle people better with you around.

[With what could almost pass for a low, amused chuckle (at least by Connor's standards), he simply responds to the tongue with a quick kiss to his cheek again.]

I still have too much time to myself. It's very inconsiderate that most people have to sleep at night, you know.

[He wasn't built to need time alone, and if he ever wants it there's probably something that he's brooding over.]

I'll come with you any time you want to go out, you know that. Just let me know, okay?

Ah, true. We're very inconsiderate creatures.

[Ethan isn't mean enough, at least right now, to push Connor's face away like some kind of brat. He's smiling too much to inject any meaning to it in either case.]

Mm, I know. It probably won't happen often, but... you can drag me out too, if you want to. I'll tell you if I need space.

[He thinks he can do that, at least. He's certainly comfortable, reaching to absently lace fingers in Connor's. There's a little snort and a shake of his head.]

It'll probably be easier to remember I need to say something if someone's talking to me, after all.

Well, as much as we do need to get you socialising it doesn't have to happen right away. Even just coming outside and sticking by me would be better than being cooped up in here all of the time though, right?

[Connor doesn't understand the desire to stay indoors. Then again, there's a lot about Ethan he doesn't understand. Maybe that's part of why he's drawn to him.]

Mm... I guess? It's a lot of effort, though. You do know I wasn't joking when I talked about no one knowing me, right?

[He sticks his tongue out with the last question, waving it off. Ethan's used to being around people more social than himself, so at least there's that when it comes to explaining why he'd rather stay inside, he doesn't really know how.]

At least if I got too weak I could rely on you to carry me.

So you won't go out and meet people because nobody knows you, but nobody knows you because you won't go out and meet people. Do I have this correct?

[He can't help the small shake of his head and the grin that follows.]

You seem to like it when I carry you.

Well, yeah. Except when you say it, it sounds like I'm disappointed that I don't know people. And I stayed inside because it was convenient, especially when I was always busy working.

[He stares up at Connor for a moment, lips curling.]

It's not unpleasant, being carried by you. You look dashing with a determined look on your face.

Why wouldn't you be disappointed to not know people?

[What a boring life Connor thinks he'd have if he didn't know anyone...]

Are you implying that I don't look dashing anyway? Besides, it's hardly a determined look. I could carry you in one arm even without the Emerald powers.

I told you before, I don't really like people. I can work fine with them in vr, so why should I need to know them in person?

[Ethan makes a face at the thought, head shaking.]

Well, I was trying not to say panicked. Or horny. Determined seemed kinder. Though I guess you haven't had to carry me after a fainting spell yet...

[Little shit.]

I guess I just don't understand why someone would not like people... I wasn't programmed that way.

[But he'll respect Ethan's right to be lonely, he guesses? Except he won't, because that implies he'll leave him alone. Connor rolls his eyes, and promptly drags Ethan into his lap.]

I can lift you no matter the reason. And if I am horny when I do it, it's probably your fault in the first place.

I'm a bit of an outlier. I'm used to that, though. It's just... people make me tired.

[Oh. Connor pulls him into his lap and Ethan just kind of nestles down, eyes closing for a moment.]

Hey, it's my fault as often as it isn't. Or at least, half the time I dunno what I even did. Not that I mind either way, granted. You look nice over me in any case.

[Flirt or fact? Both, maybe.]

Mm. You are different. I like that about you, though.

[It's easier to learn about humans when you interact with so many different kinds... but something about Ethan does draw Connor in regardless.]

Oh, do I?

[He leans in to press a kiss to Ethan's sheek again.]

You know I'm always available to look nice on top of you whenever you like...

Well, I'm glad you like that. It'd be awkward living with me if you didn't, wouldn't it?

[He just hums an affirmative at first, tilting his head up at the kiss.]

Careful, we might have to start really sharing the bed and not getting anything done.

[There's a beat, as Ethan stretches and slides his arms up over Connor's shoulders.]

Except each other, I suppose.

We'd be making plenty of Manna. That would give us a nice income... it's almost like having a job. We'd just be working very hard.

[He almost seems serious, but it's obvious he's playing around by the slight quirk of his lips as he pulls Ethan closer.]

Would that be such a terrible thing?

Maybe not, but I can just imagine how fast you'd be fidgeting. Especially since, unlike you, I usually need to do pesky things like rest and recharge.

[But it's nice... he'd forgotten how long it'd been since they did this. Connor is warm against him, comforting.]

Not such a terrible thing, though. Just waylay you from your quest to meet all sorts of people for a bit, then rest and do it again.

[He laughs with that bit, head shaking at the tease. Shifting a little, he draws his lips along Connor's jaw, pressing a kiss to it.]

I could easily be persuaded to do this instead, I'm sure...

[His hands start snaking up Ethan's shirt, fingertips rubbing circles at his lower back.]

You make a very convincing argument, after all.

[Ethan's quick to rise into Connor's touch, shifting in his lap to trail kisses along his neck.]

I guess I'm more persuasive than I give myself credit for sometimes.

[One hand slides down to toy with Connor's shirt, not bothering to undo buttons or anything just yet.]

Missed me that much already, though? I'm a little sorry.

[It's more tease than actual apology, mostly on account of, y'know. Already having apologised for the actual self-seclusion.]

Of course I missed you.

[Connor's statement is earnest enough, but he's pretty distracted by the lips on his neck all the same.]

But that's okay, you can just show me how sorry you are.

[He slides his hands down and into the back of Ethan's pants as he tips his head down to catch Ethan's lips with his own.]

Oh, gonna make me show it off now?

[As if Connor needs to, Ethan's mouth pressing to the other's without hesitation. They're always like this, aren't they?

Now, in any case, he does start working on Connor's shirt, unbuttoning or reaching for a hem as he goes.]

How should I apologise this time, I wonder?

[He's pleased when he feels the buttons on his shirt coming loose- he missed this just as much as Ethan did, him and the comforting presence he has about him. As if to prove his earlier point, he stands up suddenly with his hands underneath Ethan to keep him steady, and promptly starts to carry him off to his bedroom. He's so laughably light to an Emerald gembonded.]

We can figure that out when you're undressed.

[He needs to decide what he's in the mood for today.]

Ah--

[His unbuttoning is interrupted by Connor lifting him up, and he barely even has to adjust to rest neatly in his grasp. He'll take laughably light, truthfully, and he exhales a little laugh in response to the words.]

You're only worried about undressing me? Now I'm concerned you might get a little overzealous.

[He's absolutely not concerned (as if they haven't gone way too hard on the past and he still enjoyed it), and his fingers still toy with Connor's shirt as he's carried. Other than shifting his legs to fit through the door, there's no difficulty there either.]

I'm worried about enjoying you without these in the way.

[He sets Ethan on the bed and plucks at his shirt to illustrate his point. He's quick to shed his own shirt and dump it over the side of the bed, before settling between his legs and smoothing his hands up Ethan's stomach and chest.]

You look better naked, after all.

[He could so easily rip through these clothes, but he restrains himself. If he gave into that desire every time, they'd be spending a fortune on clothing. Instead he sits back and lets his hands wander to Ethan's zipper.]

Take your shirt off.

[Connor can handle the pants.]

You could find some way to use them to your advantage, I think. Some people even like the thrill of having a clothed partner.

[He's only half being difficult, inhaling a sharp breath as Connor's hands slide up over his skin. It's still strange, hearing that someone would rather have him naked, but... well, one day he'll have confidence. Maybe.]

I'm pretty sure you're the more attractive one when naked, you know.

[He's not complaining. Nor is he hesitating, shifting his hips as Connor's hands wander to his zipper. It feels a little enticing, thinking how long Connor might have been holding this back...

Ah, but he's supposed to be taking his shirt off. Deft fingers curl around the hem of it thus, pulling it up over his head. His skin, after this long spent to himself, is almost completely unmarked; just the typical mystery bruises he always has darkening pale skin.

He even stretches himself out a little when he's done, exhaling a contented sigh.]

Good enough?

I might explore that one day, but not right now.

[Ethan will always be here to experiment with, or so he hopes. For now, he wants him unclothed. He's busy pulling his pants and underwear down his hips when Ethan stretches out, but he does rake his gaze over him appreciatively as he works.]

Much better.

[Leaning back to get the last of Ethan's clothes off from around his ankles, he tosses them aside with his shirt before climbing over him properly, kissing at his neck and running his hand along his side. His own pants are still on, but he ignores them for now.]

IC Inbox - Noctium

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