[milliways] Run Home

[dejah_thoris]

 After their run around the lake was ended by meeting Curtis's unfortunate partner in the whole body swap debacle, Dejah headed back to the room for a good long shower.  It was pure indulgence, standing under the hot water for so long, but she was allowed.  Here, anyway.  She'd be extremely mindful of bringing these bad habits back to Helium with her.

Her mind keeps going over the implications of Curtis having a double here.  A doppelganger who is genetically enhanced somehow.  Healthy and whole.  It makes her wonder if she's not doing enough to make sure he's healing.  Replacing the arm was one thing, but an extended period of malnutrition and captivity left other physical scars.

It is all a work in progress, one that will take many years to see gains.  Much like the Work back in Helium.  She makes a mental note to research the drawings he'd spoken of.  If there is any record of all of his time on the train, surely the library here will have it preserved.  Maybe something to help Edgar understand the whole picture.  Even if he can never forgive, the least he can do is to try to understand it.  

She steps out of the shower and towels off, still turning over the human ideals of morality, of fairness and justice.  She tries to put the thoughts aside for now, knowing full well, she can easily drive herself mad if she doesn't.  Instead, she dries her hair and tries to clear her mind.

And not think about random magical spells that could rip her consciousness from her body and put into another's.  Yeah, comforting.

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[2goodarms]

His Adam's apple bobs. The heat pulses higher, nearly whiting out his whole mind; it's an effort to make himself take one step, then another, to free himself of his jeans.

She's already dressed and ready to go. He's not going to ask. He's not.

(But god, the sight of her -- )

[dejah_thoris]

She rises again, carefully folding his jeans, and he catches a glimpse of her biting her lip. She reaches passed him and sets them aside, and the air between them crackles like heat lightning before a sand storm. She reaches for the hangers and carefully lifts off the trouser pants.

She hands them to him and leans so close, he can feel the whisper of her breath against his cheek. "Maybe you should put these on yourself."

[2goodarms]

"Um." He swallows again, accepting the pants on autopilot. (If his hands linger longer than they should -- well.) Faintly, "Yeah, probably a good idea."

Moving carefully, he unfolds the pants and hikes them on, swiftly zippering and buttoning them as soon as they're in place. Curtis stifles a cough against his fist before reaching to snag the jacket; he tosses it atop the counter and retrieves the shirt beneath.

[dejah_thoris]

She turns away, her eyes closed, drawing in a deep, slow breath. His arousal is thick in the air, and she wonders if he can smell hers as well. Her hand settles at her throat and when she opens her eyes again, she watches his reflection in the mirror.

When he has the shirt on, she reaches back and presses her palm against the flat of his stomach. "Let me."

Her hands are perfectly steady as they begin working the buttons on his shirt.

[2goodarms]

His abdomen rises beneath her hand as he draws in a long breath. He nods.

As her fingers work their way along the buttons, pulling Curtis's shirt closed, the heat does a slow, winding descent. He keeps his breathing steady, letting the desire drain away until it's back to normal. Until he can focus on more than Dejah's presence, and the feel of her hands, and the way the sheer fabric shifts over her with every movement to reveal and hide her skin by turns.

Of course, that also means becoming more aware of just how weird the shirt feels.

He tugs at the sleeves, pulling a mild face when they don't move too far.

[dejah_thoris]

For the first time, she's relieved he can't feel the deep current of longing, of hunger, still running under her skin. Her palms smooth over his chest again, down his shoulders, and still, the ache sings in her bones. They're here, and no one in Helium need ever know. But she would know.

She breathes deep, inhaling his scent again, trying to drown herself in it for just another moment.

"There," she says, trying to sound measured and collected. "How does it feel?"

[2goodarms]

"Well," he says, diplomatically, "it's not as bad as being in another body."

[dejah_thoris]

The corner of her mouth quirks up and she wrinkles her nose at him. She understands.

"You look amazing," she whispers, shimmering sparks rising from the edges of her words. And through it all, a deep appreciation for his willingness to step outside his comfort zone.

[2goodarms]

He huffs out a laugh. "Thanks."

That tiny, fluttering anxiety's started to creep back, in spite of himself. Is this what you want me to look like all the time? He'll get used to it, he's sure he'll figure out how to get used to it, it's just...

He doesn't know what he's doing, up here in the Front.

Curtis tries to cover by reaching for his suit jacket. The tie stays balled up on the bathroom counter.

[dejah_thoris]

She reaches for the tie, and makes a tiny noise of surprise.

"Oh this is clever. It's already tied. You just need to slip it on and tighten it up!"

[2goodarms]

" -- Oh, hey."

That's handy. Curtis's eyebrows lift; he beckons for Dejah to hand him the tie.

[dejah_thoris]

She brings it back to him and holds it up for him to slip his head through. Careful hands lift his collar and place it.

"You have to do up the top button, I believe." That accomplished, she slides the knot up and straightens it before folding his collar down. "There. It is not metal, but I suppose it will do for now."

[2goodarms]

"I've still got my arm," he says; as if to emphasize, he smooths his metal hand down the tie before glancing at his reflection.

...Damn. The discomfort flares higher this time, and doesn't fade right away, as he stares at himself.

[dejah_thoris]

Dejah slips under his right arm, and wraps her own around his waist. She feels the waves of emotion rippling off him like the chill off a block of ice.

She leans her weight against his side and pulls him closer, regarding their reflection. She cuts a glance up at him, silently inquiring if this is as far as they go. She'd be disappointed if they had to turn back now, but she'd understand. That he's come this far at all is a miracle, truly.

[2goodarms]

Curtis sighs. As always, her warmth thaws some of his uncertainty; he glances down at her, and manages a faint smile.

"Ready to go?"

[dejah_thoris]

She reaches up a hand to touch his cheek, her fingers lightly smoothing his beard. She rises on her tiptoes and touches her nose to his, stealing a soft kiss.

"Only if you are."

[2goodarms]

He returns the kiss, just as gently, before covering her hand with his free one.

"Ready as I'm gonna be," he whispers. "Let's go."