Arden [Riku Replica] (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
boundbynaught) wrote2014-01-07 08:38 pm
boundbynaught) wrote2014-01-07 08:38 pm
Entry tags:
Voicemail / IC Contact
I'm busy right now, otherwise I'd have answered.
Texts, audio, or video - I don't mind.
When I get the chance, I'll call you back.
[Changed on 6/2 in-game]
From 3/26-6/2 in-game days the message was:
[ Rep hasn't actually set this thing up yet, but you're more than welcome to leave him a message and he'll answer after he sorts out how to work the darn thing. ]
no subject
The callback to that first night gives him pause, though - because it was in that sense, a willingness to remember or an intense need to forget, that he'd been alluding to. Not at all the possibility his body may just be too worn out to properly keep track of the evening.]
That wasn't what I
[Did it really matter? He's never done anything like this before, so he has no idea how long the anesthesia will last and what effect it will have on his shoddy memories in the first place. He doesn't get a chance to consider the matter further before he gets kissed on the cheek though, and he's startled as much as he enjoyed the too-chaste gesture from his lover.]
In the morning, I might be
[Waking up from a bolt of pain after such a welcome invitation into Edmund's bed? His luck really is the worst. So his addled mind derails the topic entirely as the trolley goes along.]
That apartment's not my home.
no subject
In the morning, I'll be there.
[He tucks Cadence more firmly against his shoulder, a hand cupping the back of his head and smoothing his hair. What Cade needed most of all right now was a solid night's sleep, Edmund's pretty sure from the increasingly more scattered texts.]
No, perhaps not. I don't know that my house here is home either, really. Not even with my family there. Perhaps home doesn't really mean anything in a place like this...but it's all we have right now. That and friends to make it more home-like.
[Edmund's rambling a bit - it's been a long night for him too, and he's really just trying to keep talking in that low soothing voice designed to make Cadence more relaxed, but it's a matter he's given a lot of thought to, how Peter's mansion really doesn't feel like a home to him. Whether he should consider getting his own place soon, and if that will start to at least feel a bit more like his and a little less like leeching off his brother's exploits.
The stop comes up soon enough, since they were already in the heart of the city, and he helps Cadence off with an arm still snugged around his waist as they walk (slowly) down the road towards the mansion with its lights softly glowing in the distance. It really is beautiful, Edmund thinks. If only it felt more like a home.]
This is it - my room's upstairs - are you able to walk?
no subject
But when they arrive, Cadence staggers up and makes his way out of the trolley. When they start moving towards the house, it becomes obvious that Cade's current method of walking was mainly waddling with feet wide apart and occasionally rolling his ankles on accident.]
Kind of.
[He hates needing Edmund's help to walk, but he hates the idea of looking so ridiculous even more.]
I'm not sure how well I'll do with stairs...
I'll try though.
[At this point it's clear exhaustion has made him much more amenable to just about any suggestion Ed can think of.]
no subject
But he doesn't try to do more than offer an arm and shoulder and side for support until they're inside and skirting the great room to reach the stairs. Edmund's rather hoping they won't run into any of his siblings on the way, just because the atmosphere of 'don't ask don't tell' is so strong around this house that he'd rather not risk setting it off with any houseguests shown about, even if the visit itself was chaste.]
Hey, no need to try. You need to get to bed as quickly as possible. Let...let me carry you up?
[It's more of a warning and a chance for Cadence to say definitely no if he strongly objected to this plan, because Edmund was already leaning down to slide his arms behind Cade's legs and back, urging him to relax and let Edmund sweep him up in a side-carry, 'bridal-style', which the imposing wind of the stone staircase should hint that it would be wise course of action for Cadence to yield to.]
no subject
But it's too late, he's getting picked up in quite possibly the only way that isn't going to hurt his front and definitely not his mouth. Although he's most definitely jostled into consciousness, he lowers his head and buries it in his hands.
Because, yeah, he's completely embarrassed.
And he doesn't speak through text the whole way up, since he has no idea what to even say to this kind of gesture. Edmund's stopped 'helping' and gone straight into "ohmygodyoudon'thavetopleasestop" territory. He feels small and helpless and dumb more than anything now, because he clearly did not think this plan through fully, never once expecting anyone to come looking for him.
The only thing consoling him at this point is the way his mind is racing to come up with ways to repay Edmund's kindness tonight.]
no subject
It's all right Cade, we're here...
[And Edmund swings open the door to reveal a room even more dimly lit with sheer curtains at the bay window letting very faint illumination in, but even in the near-dark it's clear that the room is spacious and airy, with a large four-poster bed onto which Edmund carefully lays Cadence down, to sit or lie as he chose, whatever was more comfortable. Edmund didn't know much about the piercing process or even what kind it was - he'd only seen one in porn before - and so he just tries his best to think what will make Cade most comfortable.]
Can I get you anything - water, pain medicine, something to eat? You can borrow pants or boxers of mine to sleep in if you'd like...here...
[And turning on a lamp that's on a dimmer switch so it's just partially on, Edmund begins to rummage in his dresser drawer for some spare clothes which he sets on the bed, and then pulls out a carefully hidden first aid kit that has plenty of bandages, disinfectants, and numbing cream in it. It had been one of his first investments after beginning work at a BDSM club. He sets it on the dresser with a little glance at Cadence.]
Just in case you need anything. And there's the washroom through that door over there. Is there...anything else I can do?
[He stands in front of the bed with a concerned gaze fixed on the other boy, waiting for any errand he might be requested to run.]
no subject
Can I even eat anything?
[He certainly doesn't think that's a good option, but if Edmund's more rational than Cadence is - and he suspects so very much - then Cade's fine leaving that call up to him.]
Maybe just...
Just water.
And I'll try to see how I feel in the morning about dirty clothes.
[He's working his way up to a realization and isn't sure again whether this is good or bad.]
Am I sleeping here... and you are too?
no subject
Did they say one way or the other when you got it done? Well, water is doable at least, and maybe a protein shake later?
[It's one of Edmund's staples as part of his workout regimen so there's some on hand in the kitchen.
He's not sure exactly what Cadence means about dirty clothes in the morning, but as long as what he's wearing is comfortable to sleep in...]
Whatever you want to wear to bed is fine, all right? I'll leave that up to you.
[The final question gives Edmund pause for a moment. Was that a problem?]
Um...well of course you get the bed, Cade. And I was planning on sharing it unless you think that would disturb your sleep...I could go sleep on the couch...
[The upstairs rec room had a nice sprawling couch that was right around the corner from Edmund's bedroom in case Cade called him in the night. He looks a bit uncertain, because he hadn't anticipated sharing his bed would be a problem for someone he'd already slept with both figuratively and literally, and he's not really sure what the problem is this time unless Cade really just wanted to be left alone for the night.]
no subject
After all, that had been his goal. Now he was already regretting it.
Both hands go out to grab one of Edmund's and Cade shakes his head vigorously.]
No, please... I'm sorry, I didn't mean...
I'm just tired.
And... hurting. In a lot of ways that you didn't cause - or make worse.
[He tugs Edmund down to sit next to him.]
I didn't expect you to...
And now I can't even kiss you.
Well, I guess-
[He uses one hand to tilt Ed's chin away so he can kiss him on the cheek.]
Did I say thank you yet?
[He presses the peck of a kiss firmer, then pulls back, looking both flustered and frustrated.]
Thank you, Edmund.
no subject
He squeezes the hands around his and slips down beside him as Cade pulls him to the bed. Now I can't even kiss you. Was...was that what the matter was? That he and Cadence weren't going to be lovers tonight? Edmund bites his lip at the press of a mouth against his cheek, his newly freed hand stealing around Cadence's back to wrap around his waist in a hug. If only there was something he could do about the frustration he saw on the face turned to his so anxiously.]
Hey. I'm sorry, I know you're in pain, I should have realized... but it's all right Cadence, I'm not...I mean, I'm happy to share my bed with you even just for sleeping, okay? As long as I'm not making anything worse...I'd like to stay with you tonight.
[Edmund turns his chin and brushes a kiss against Cade's cheek, lingering there a moment before drawing back to look at him once more.]
And you don't have to thank me...but you're very, very welcome here, Cade.
[In more ways than one. He gives a last squeeze to Cadence's waist, then lets go with a slight smile.]
Let me go get that water for you, and you can get ready for bed, sound good? Text me if you think of anything you need while I'm gone.
[Edmund won't be too long in his mission, just a few minutes before he's returning with a glass of water and starts getting ready for bed himself, stripping down to his underwear and slipping just a pair of pajama pants on over them. Another day he might have liked to sleep nude with Cade, like they had before, but tonight he doesn't want to make it more apparent than it already is that all they'd be doing in bed was sleep.]
Wrap up I think
Cade does think of something while Ed's gone and decides against actually texting it to him. He wants to see Edmund's reaction after the previous text - not because he thinks Ed will take it the wrong way, hardly. Something about the question just makes him want to make sure Ed isn't just indulging him when he says yes, or if he says no and still isn't sure about something Cadence can clarify. Whatever, he's tired.]
Sleeping pants like those sound like a good idea.
[Since he has the same idea as Edmund about not making a problem even worse. After standing up unsteadily to get his pants off, he accepts some help from Ed (again, argh!) getting the pajama legs started while he sits on the side of the bed. Without having to bend over, he's able to just stand up and get the pajama bottoms the rest of the way on. Then he sips the water gratefully and hands the glass back to Edmund so they can slide under the covers.]
Hey Ed... I wanted to ask one more thing?
[He leans up on an elbow so he can see Edmund's face, brushing one hand there fondly as Edmund agrees.]
Story? Of... Narnia?
[Yeah he saved up all his remaining speaking points for that question. When he gets an agreement to that too, he leans over to press a soft, closed-lips kiss to Ed's mouth and cuddles close to him afterwards, feeling so much better he can scarcely believe it. The pain's dulled, his mind clearing from the restless fog of the last day's events, and there's Edmund's voice telling him the story of how Gale slew the dragon of the Lone Islands and in so doing brought the Lone Islands under the Narnian kingdom. It gives him something else to focus on and in no time at all he's falling asleep, just after hearing that Gale's victory added a title, not just land, to the list of names attributed to Narnian royalty.
Yes, actions could make your name. You just had to be brave and confront the dragons. He never dislikes hearing about Edmund's past, but as seemingly short and small a story as it is, it's a pleasant one indeed to fall asleep to.]