inbox 🐾 songerein.

[burnbrighter]

INBOX / SONGEREIN

TEXT • ACTION • DREAMS

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Sender: Diluc

[disdelusioned]

How are you with first aid?

[Asking for a friend him, after this fiasco.]

[burnbrighter]

[ Well hey this isn't an alarming message to get out of the blue or anything! ]

Pretty decent. Are you okay?

[disdelusioned]

I could use your assistance, then.

[After a moment, a hand-drawn map drawn with where he's currently staying starred appears on the page.]

Can you meet me here?

[burnbrighter]

on my way

[ It's scribbled onto the page somewhat hurriedly, which means Thoma was already running out the door as he was writing. He does have to make a stop in the plaza for supplies, and since he doesn't know what kind of state Diluc is in, he just kind of grabs a bit of everything.

Still, it's not too long before he shows up at Diluc's door. He does knock, but if there's no answer after a moment, he's definitely letting himself inside. ]

Master Diluc?

Action time!

[disdelusioned]

Come in.

[Upon entry, Thoma will find Diluc's dwelling sparse but functional. There's a bed, a small (and stocked) kitchen with a table, and a desk pushed up against the far side of the room with Diluc's journal and various other notes. He's wasted no time in taking notes and gathering information about the dreamworld in which they currently live.

Diluc himself is seated on the bed, shirtless and holding a damp cloth against his left side. There's a dark bruise blossoming in the center of his abdomen. He looks up at Thoma as he steps inside--alert, if obviously in pain. That's a good sign, at least?]

Thank you for coming.

[burnbrighter]

[ Thoma pushes the door shut with his foot after he enters, turning to look the place over briefly. Honestly, considering they've all only been there for a short time, he isn't going to judge the decor - or lack thereof. His own home is similarly bare, save for some potted flowers sitting in the window.

In any case, Diluc is his priority. Thoma steps up to the bed and sets his bag of things down on the mattress as he frowns over at the other man. ]

As if I could refuse. What happened?

[hearthwarming]

[ A day or two after the festive dreamscape subsides and things return more or less to normal in Reverein, Thoma might find a small basket outside his door one morning. Inside this basket is a small pouch filled with vanilla cookies, another small pouch of chamomile tea, and a jar of homemade apple jelly.

There isn't a note or anything enclosed in the basket, although there is a small bundle of yellow and purple flowers. ]

action

[hearthwarming]

[ Some time after the blizzards - those that have swept through Reverein and seemingly played in a part in the collective nightmares of its resident dreamwalkers - subside, Ori finds herself cheerily making her way to Thoma's house.

Although she feels exhausted, having spent most nights walking through nightmares or staying up to prevent it happening in the first place or helping take down noctaere, she's earnestly looking forward to spending time with Thoma and Diluc in less dire circumstances, a less dire setting, and particularly so to celebrate the former's birthday. She hasn't had a chance to really celebrate anyone's birthday in quite a long time, so to be able to have this chance now for Thoma, of all people, feels special. And it really has been some time since the three of them were together in one place, too.

Ori spots Diluc similarly approaching the residence already she feels her anticipation for the evening bubbling up. She gives him a nod and a smile in greeting, while her hands are preoccupied by carrying the cake which she's prepared for Thoma's birthday. ]

Oh, hello, Diluc! Our timing lined up.

[disdelusioned]

[The approach to Thoma’s residence is less cheerful on Diluc’s end, but not because of the occasion or the company. Part of him is still reeling from everything that has happened between Ori’s nightmare, his own, and what feels like every interaction he’s had with every person he’s spoken to since. Hell, he doesn’t even know what to call the relationship between himself and the man whose birthday they’re celebrating. Neither he nor Thoma have spoken about the kiss since it happened, and Diluc isn’t going to be the one who brings it up.

However, he’s glad for the occasion to set that all aside for now. Today is a reason to celebrate, belated though it is, and that’s what should take precedence. As Ori approaches, he greets her with a pleasant nod of his own.]

It did. It’s good to see you, Ori.

[Especially smiling and happy like she is, free from the pain of her own history or the worry regarding his.

They walk the remaining few paces to Thoma’s, and Diluc takes it upon himself to knock for them both. Ori’s hands are full, while Diluc is only carrying a bottle. The decision is obvious.]

[burnbrighter]

[ This little gathering isn’t purely about celebration, though Thoma can think of no two people he would want to spend his birthday with more. After his interactions with both Diluc and Ori over the past few days, it’s become quite apparent that the three of them need to sort their feelings out, and Thoma has high hopes that they can move forward together, all of them.

He also realizes that might be kind of a hard sell, given his companions’ own hangups, but, well, they don’t call Thoma the fixer for nothing.

His invitation had stated that he’ll be taking care of dinner - that it is, in fact, his birthday wish to treat them both to a meal of his own making, so they had better not bring anything but their appetites! (But he knows they’ll both be bringing something anyway, simply because of how they are.)

After visiting the markets bright and early to find what he needs, Thoma has spent most of the day in his little kitchen working on the meal. He’s excited in a way he hasn’t been in what feels like far too long - there is a row of newly purchased and brightly blooming plants on the windowsill that say as much, as well as motes of sunshiney lights everywhere. The knock on the door sets everything shining brighter, and Thoma swings open the door, letting out a gust of warmth and light and the smells of dinner into the chill evening air. ]

Hey you two! Please, come in!

[ Inside, it smells of seafood and butter, of oil and salt and stir-fried veggies. Of miso soup, happily bubbling away on the stove. ]

[hearthwarming]

[ There's no hiding the smile that pulls at Ori's lips as soon as Thoma opens the door; how could she ever hope to when he looks so happy? Certainly, she has not emerged from the duress of the last few days of nightmares completely unscathed from her own emotions, but she's more than willing to set it all aside for a night to celebrate someone whom she treasures more than she thought would be possible.

When she steps through the doorway and makes her way to the table to set the cake down, she can't help but feel a strange sense of homecoming, in a way. It's been a while since she's been here, and she missed it and all the ways that the space feels very much like an extension of its resident. So she looks around and takes in everything that's changed, and everything that hasn't changed, until ultimately she finds herself looking at the two men inside with her. The two, tall... handsome men... inside this house with her. ]

Oh.

[ ...And that's when she remembers that she has kissed both of these men. One more times in recent days than the other. And she's not explained to Thoma that she'd also kissed Diluc, unaware that the two have already discussed it - come to think of it, she hasn't explained to Diluc that she kissed Thoma, either. Was she supposed to?

She looks a little stiff for just a moment as she comes upon this realization, but after a moment she clears her throat, remembering the much more important reason that they're here today. ]

Happy birthday, Thoma...!

[disdelusioned]

[If it were anyone else, Diluc might have pushed back on the idea that Thoma is the one cooking his own birthday dinner. But this is just how he is, and no amount of trying to talk him out of it would be worth the effort. Thoma made it inescapably clear the other night that he will do what he wants or feels he needs to do, regardless of Diluc's hard-hearted protestations.

Diluc has been thinking about that moment a lot in the days since.

They're ushered into Thoma's home, and it's impossible not to feel the warmth therein. Even without all of the dreamotion that hangs in the air, bright and inviting, there's a sense of comfort in just being here with these two people. He feels both at home and out of place, and he suspects that's going to be a frequent combination of emotions as he sorts out... whatever the hell this all is with Thoma. And with Ori, whose bright response to Thoma (and momentary hesitation for reasons unclear) has not gone unnoticed.

Why does he have the feeling that things are far more complicated than he even realizes?

For now, he'll simply ignore it in favor of being a gracious guest. It's a skill he's well practiced in.]

Happy birthday.

[He holds out the bottle he's holding.]

For you. It's a bottle of apple cider from the Dawn Winery. I figured you would be interested in trying one of our newer, non-alcoholic offerings, and with the wishing well it was easy enough to procure.

[i.e., he used one of his regains for this gift. Don't overthink it.]

[burnbrighter]

[ He steps back to admit them both into his home, noting with no small amount of amusement that they both saw fit to bring something when he specifically requested that they don’t. Ori has covered the matter of dessert, and Diluc has supplied a drink - a rather thoughtful one at that. Just like he knew they would.

He also cannot help but notice that they’re both wearing his Christmas gifts, and that observation warms him more surely than the heat of the stove does. ]

Thank you both, but I thought I said not to bring anything.

[ Said as he takes the proffered bottle from Diluc’s hand with a soft smile, a look that he casts at both of them in turn. Just having the two of them here in the same space is enough to make him feel utterly content - something he hopes they both feel as well. ]

Make yourselves at home. Dinner’s about ready.

:eyes:

[disdelusioned]

(( from here ))


Don't press your luck.

[It's a toothless threat, spoken too fondly and with too much heat to mean much of anything. That smirk alone sends a shiver through Diluc, and it takes nearly every bit of willpower he has not to lean in and kiss the expression of off Thoma's face. The only reason he resists is the knowledge that they need to get to somewhere less open before what little remains of their respective senses of retraint snaps.

He removes himself from Thoma's space with a great deal of reluctance, taking the opportunity to examine their surroundings for a more hidden place to carry on. Not far from them is a wall mean to separate sections of the garden. And in front of said wall is a series of bushes and trees that more or less obscure the wall from view. Perfect.]

This way.

[He takes Thoma by the wrist and leads him to their new, private area of the garden, not quite dragging him but coming close in his impatience. And then, once they're fully hidden behind the foliage, he pulls him back in for another heavy, open-mouthed kiss.

This time, he has no intentions of making it brief.]

nothing to see here

[burnbrighter]

[ The way Thoma grins at him indicates that he will, in fact, be pushing his luck a lot more in the future, but for now he’s more than happy to go where he’s led. They slip into the hidden alcove, and the brief moment they were parted is more than made up for by the way Diluc crowds into his space to kiss him again, heated and hungry.

His fingers slide fully into Diluc’s hair, worn loose in crimson waves around his shoulders. Thoma’s own hair likewise falls free, his hair tie having been undone some time ago thanks to a certain Tiefling. ]

Diluc… I need… [ Breathed out in a harsh whisper, the words snatched in the moments between their mouths crashing together. ] I need you to tell me what you want.

[disdelusioned]

You, in some form or fashion.

[It's not an especially useful answer, but it's an honest one. What he wants right now, more than anything, is to overwhelm Thoma's senses as he continues to chase the heat that being this close to him brings. As a lesser but still important priority, he wants that heat to reach a climax--and for Thoma to experience the same.

Those are all abstractions, however, and what Thoma needs is something concrete and actionable. So he continues, speaking into Thoma's skin as he kisses down his jaw and neck.]

I want your hands and mouth all over me, and I want to do the same to you.

[And here, for the briefest of moments, he hesitates.]

I just... may need a bit of guidance.

[That's as close as he's coming to admitting that he's never done this before, and he follows it with a light nip to Thoma's skin so that he doesn't have that much time to overthink the full implications of it.]

[burnbrighter]

[ As much as that initial request is lacking in specifics, it still makes heat roll through him. A noise that might be the beginnings of a moan slip from his lips, muffled by the back of his own hand as Diluc turns his attention elsewhere, painting lines of fire over his skin with his mouth.

And when Diluc finally gives words to his desires, everything in Thoma can’t help but cry yes. His mouth almost follows suit if not for that brief second of hesitation, the way Diluc tries to cover it up with the pleasant sting of teeth against his skin. ]

Diluc…

[ Thoma’s hands find his partner’s shoulders, easing him away just a bit. He is all for getting tangled up in one another, but he needs to look Diluc in the eyes, needs to know that this is what he truly desires, before they get lost completely.

Green eyes find crimson ones in the dark, searching despite the heat that still lingers there. His hand slips from the other man’s shoulder to the side of his face. ]

If that’s what you really want… then let me go first. Let me teach you.

[ His thumb traces the crest of Diluc’s cheekbone, soft tone gone so fond he feels like he might burst with it. ]

Let me show you how much I love you.

[disdelusioned]

[Diluc really should have known better than to expect Thoma to let it go, even with the temporary distraction of the biting. He never has let him get away with pushing through with things without discussion or consideration before, so of course he isn't about to allow it here.

Thoma pushes him back, and without thinking he grabs at the fabric of his tunic to prevent the distance from getting too far. Mercifully, it's only enough so that his partner can look him in the eyes, gaze both wanting and appraising. Diluc's own expression is a blend of many things: desire, warmth, uncertainty, exhilaration, trust.

What isn't reflected in his eyes is any sense of doubt. He wants this, and badly.

And then Thoma takes his breath away with his offer. Not because of the proposed action itself, but because of the last three words of how it's presented. The full weight of it slowly spreads across him, eyes widening with the realization of it.]

How much you...?

[Archons, he doesn't deserve this. Two lovers, warm and caring and kind in ways he hasn't allowed himself to even entertain being for literal years. Two remarkable people, who understand him and each provide their own way of forcing him to confront himself and maybe, just maybe, start to heal. The stars and the sunshine, both lighting his way as he insists on navigating night and shadow.

He's not worthy of it. But in moments like these, he wants to try to be.

Words escape him at first, and instead he catches Thoma's face in his hands and kisses him. There's less hunger in the gesture, overwhelmed with feelings as he is at the moment, but it's no less passionate for it. And then, murmured into his lips, comes the reply.]

I love you. Please, teach me.

[burnbrighter]

[ Realization hits Diluc like the dawn, and Thoma is utterly enraptured by the way it plays over his face, the slight widening of his eyes, the way he tries and fails to speak, and at last the way he answers the declaration with a kiss the likes of which they’ve never shared before. It’s beautiful, all of it, and not for the first time Thoma thanks his lucky stars for bringing not one, but two wholly incredible people into his life. People with whom he can share so much, including his very heart.

It’s a rather big night for all of them, it seems, as this isn’t the first declaration of love he’s given tonight, but the thrill of having that sentiment returned is no less poignant as when Ori had done it. Their little corner of the garden threatens to spill over with sunlight, but Thoma tamps it down. They’re meant to be hiding, here. ]

I will.

[ So saying, he guides Diluc to the garden wall that makes up part of their little alcove, pressing his back against it and crowding into his space for another kiss, this one more heated than the last as the desire they share rises to the surface once more. One hand curls into Diluc’s hair, taking it by the fistful to grip - he doesn’t pull, but the tension is there, the faint promise of more. His other hand drifts southward, tracing the lines of Diluc’s body beneath his costume until it comes to rest where he’s most wanting. It’s teasing, the way his palm presses against the bulge in Diluc’s tights, testing. He wants his partner’s reaction to guide him, though… ]

Careful not to be too loud now.

sender: Oriphi

[hearthwarming]

[ Imagine Ori's surprise when, one wonderful spring morning while walking around town, she finds a poster with her face on it, along with an incredibly sweet pitch for her nomination for Flower Queen— ]

The nomination... Thoma, was it you...?

[burnbrighter]

Ah, it was. I hope you don't mind!

[hearthwarming]

I've never been nominated for anything like this, [ or anything at all, really ] but I think I'm all right with it. I hope it's not too disappointing if I don't win, though...

Anyhow, I only wanted to ask because I think the message that went with it was really sweet, and I wanted to make sure I could thank whoever it was that wrote it. I'm so happy that it was you.

[burnbrighter]

Win or lose, I thought you should be recognized for how amazing you are, even if in some small way.

I'm glad you liked the message. I meant every word. ♥

[hearthwarming]

[ Spirits, she falls more and more in love with this man with each passing day. She takes a moment to just... hold her journal close to her chest with a smile. ]

I wish I could have written something for your nomination too... but it looks like someone was faster than me.

[burnbrighter]

Oh, was I nominated? I didn't even realize. I wonder who it could have been.