That little push knocks a groan from Essek's chest. He clings tighter to Percival, relishing being reminded of how full he is--as though it would be possible to forget. Knowing that his husband is equally as affected brings a flicker of a smile to his lips as he relaxes again.
The paw that turns over to support his head is so careful and the gesture so tender that he can't do anything but reach up for Percival's face, cradling it softly between his hands, which are so much smaller in comparison. He finds those familiar blue eyes and looks into them, his own softened with love, plain and simple. It is terrifying to give another person the power to hurt him by opening his heart this way, but he trusts Percival more than he fears possible pain. This man would never want to hurt him, even in this beastly shape.
"The opposite. A communion of souls is divine. Or so it is said." His voice remains soft, but the curl of his lips shows how amusing he finds his husband's teasing. "You know my thoughts on divinity, but I think I understand finally why so many of my people feel this way. I love you, Percival." He returns the sentiment with every bit of the powerful and layered emotion behind it. How strange it is that something he'd never thought possible could become the most important part of his life. "That love feels bigger than me. After a century spent leading a selfish life, my wants and needs have grown to include yours. I no longer live only for myself. While it may not be the will of the Luxon, I...I do believe our souls have touched."
That admission is made with a little more trepidation, like he might be found silly for it. He has rejected so much of his culture for its fanatical focus on a religion that he does not believe in. Finding a part of it that he can identify with, even just a little, stirs a buried longing for that connection, and it makes him wish even more to be understood.
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The paw that turns over to support his head is so careful and the gesture so tender that he can't do anything but reach up for Percival's face, cradling it softly between his hands, which are so much smaller in comparison. He finds those familiar blue eyes and looks into them, his own softened with love, plain and simple. It is terrifying to give another person the power to hurt him by opening his heart this way, but he trusts Percival more than he fears possible pain. This man would never want to hurt him, even in this beastly shape.
"The opposite. A communion of souls is divine. Or so it is said." His voice remains soft, but the curl of his lips shows how amusing he finds his husband's teasing. "You know my thoughts on divinity, but I think I understand finally why so many of my people feel this way. I love you, Percival." He returns the sentiment with every bit of the powerful and layered emotion behind it. How strange it is that something he'd never thought possible could become the most important part of his life. "That love feels bigger than me. After a century spent leading a selfish life, my wants and needs have grown to include yours. I no longer live only for myself. While it may not be the will of the Luxon, I...I do believe our souls have touched."
That admission is made with a little more trepidation, like he might be found silly for it. He has rejected so much of his culture for its fanatical focus on a religion that he does not believe in. Finding a part of it that he can identify with, even just a little, stirs a buried longing for that connection, and it makes him wish even more to be understood.