alignmyheart | au of an au

Essek does arch a brow as Percival drops his hand, praising the hike that Essek knows very well takes him the better part of a day. He has a quip ready about advising Lord de Rolo as Whitestone's Conservator of Arcane Interests to utilize magical advantages when they are presented, but thankfully his husband redeems himself quickly enough. His expression surely conveys enough, anyway.

The time is right for lunch, but what he would appreciate even more is a bath. A smirk flickers over his lips as Percival suggests it, and Essek reaches up to catch his chin between his fingers, leaning up as he tugs him down for a brief kiss as a reward.

"Clever boy," he purrs. "You know my mind too well."

Considering that agreed upon, he releases his husband and turns toward the door to summon a servant. Though they are indoors, he keeps his heavy cloak on as he speaks to the chamberlain who answers him about having meals delivered here. Though the extra layer does little to conceal his scent, it at the very least conserves his modesty. He wouldn't be seen by anyone but Percival in the robe he is wearing beneath it.

It really is unfair just how hearing Essek say the words clever boy in that Kryn purr gets to him, especially when he has such a delicate but firm hold on his chin. The praise sends heat prickling through him and Percy resists the urge to chase another kiss.

He watches Essek drift to the door, then shakes his head and heads into the large bathroom attached to the bedroom. Not all of Whitestone's castle has indoor plumbing - not yet - but the suites belonging to the noble spouses do. Percy gets the water running and leaves the tub to do a bit more grooming. At the very least, he brushes his teeth and rinses his mouth again, clearing any odd lingering tastes there. Whoever prepares their meal will likely send up tea and Percy is looking forward to the mint tea that will inevitably accompany Essek's preference. He finds it particularly soothing after the full moon and so it has become part of his recovery routine.

Percival looks at himself in the mirror and runs a considering hand over his stubble. He should probably wait until after the bath to shave, if he does at all.

Leaving the mirror, he starts undressing on his way back to the tub to check the water level and to add an oil he likes.

Arrangements for food made, Essek is glad to be alone again. Appearing collected while mostly preoccupied by thoughts of where and how he would like to have sex today is trying. He removes his cloak and boots at last and follows the sound of running water into the washroom wearing only Percival's robe again, bare feet on the ground.

He pauses a moment in the doorway to watch his husband pull his shirt over his head, feeling a distinct throb between his thighs. It's a difficult sight to turn away from, especially now, but Essek is a strong-willed man, and he makes himself find the things he needs to freshen himself up instead. While the majority of his things remain in his own suite, he keeps many essentials in his spouse's washroom now as well--plenty enough to clean his teeth and nails before he bathes.

That Percival clearly intends to bathe with him is both wonderful and incredibly distracting. But there is no harm in a little distraction. After the last several days, it's practically expected. Yet there is something different about approaching this now that Percival is human again, as if his beastly shape and their nest in the forest had given Essek implicit permission to indulge in his own needs and instincts without shame. Though he's sure it must only be himself imposing it, he feels pressure now to practice more restraint, even if that is the last thing his body wants.

But if he's learned anything about his husband during his experience, it's that man and wolf are very much the same person. Percival must surely still desire the same things, and desire him in the same way.

Percival is nervous in his own way. Even if he isn't so different as a wolf, his instincts seemed sharper and less complicated. Maybe his propensity to overthink does him no favors here.

He looks at Essek the moment he appears. While his sense of smell his vastly superior as a wolf, he can still catch the alluring scent of his husband, made more so by the influence of his heat. He thinks of the way Essek talked about breeding and heirs and he can't ignore the sudden rush of arousal. That is utterly compounded by the possessive pride he feels as Essek continues to wear his robe, effectively mingling their scents.

The very least he can do is let them both clean up first.

Percival finishes undressing and makes sure the water temperature is right. He adds just a bit more oil and swirls it through the water with his hand, deciding that it's very reasonable to pamper Essek after three nights in the woods.

Given that Essek fully expects to be pampered, the soft floral scent of the oil diffusing in hot water comes as no surprise to him, but it is very welcome. Finished with his pre-bath maintenance, he turns to find Percival already undressed, an especially compelling sight beside a steaming tub. Essek unties the robe's belt and lets it slip from his body, approaching the bath from the opposite side to test the temperature with his fingertips.

"Thank you, k'allis. This is what I need exactly." He glances up to catch his husband's eye briefly before stepping into the tub and sinking down into the water up to his shoulders. With his currently elevated body temperature, it doesn't feel quite as hot as it might otherwise, but it is still incredibly soothing where he is sore, and it is especially cleansing after the last few days. At last, he can wash properly.

The bath is such a size that Percy can join him without much shuffling. With a relieved sigh, Essek leans back, letting his head rest against the tub's lip.

Essek is... beautiful. Something soft and warm blossoms in Percival's chest when he sees his husband bare and pleased and able to relax. He waits for Essek to settle in the tub before slipping in to join him, deciding to sit facing each other rather than making Essek shuffle to accommodate him otherwise. It also means he can watch Essek as much as he pleases and he can feel the drow's legs brush against his own.

He closes his eyes for a second as he sinks up to his shoulders. When he opens his eyes again, he lolls his head to look at Essek, admiring him again as the wizard rests his head against the tub. A hand moves beneath the water to slide over Essek's calf, down to his ankle.

"Better?" he asks, even knowing the answer. Percival realizes that he still has his glasses on but decides not to do anything about that just yet. If he sets them down now, he'll forget where he left them. He has other pairs, but he would still rather not lose these.

Percival isn't the only one admiring. Essek watches him with a keen gaze and stretches his legs out when a hand caresses down his calf. The tips of his toes nudge at the inside of a pale thigh before sliding up over his hip, and a quietly bemused smile unfurls slowly across Essek's lips.

"Much. We must do something about the conditions in that hideaway of yours before the next full moon. I will need a tub and a bed at the very least."

Casually, he expresses his continued interest in joining Percy for future transformations, with the assumption that he will be permitted to. Why should his husband have to spend that time alone when Essek has seen all now and is still perfectly willing to be with him? Even as a wolf, Percival has proved to be kind, conscientious, and witty as ever--not to mention a generous lover.

Percy gives Essek a keen look when he so casually suggests the cave he uses could use improvements. His thumb strokes over the delicate ankle beneath his hand.

"Oh? It's served me well enough," he answers, eyes bright behind his glasses. "Are you intending to move in, darling?"

He wants to hear it. There's a shiver of excitement at the thought that Essek wants to spend time with him, regardless of his shape. Percival has to imagine his husband will not be moved to spend every full moon with him, or that he will stay every night when he does, but... the possibility that Essek will be with him at all is enough.

And he's already considering what might be done to improve his home-away-from-home.

"And I recall you sleeping on me most of the time. Was I not a good bed?"

A smile threatens. He's allowed to tease, isn't he?

Essek answers as though it should be obvious. "Certainly. So long as some improvements are made." His foot flexes under Percy's hand, and the other trails up his side just to touch his skin beneath the water. "It is a perfectly suitable place for a wolf, but less so for a drow."

For this drow, anyway. Historically, there are many drow who would be perfectly at home in a cave long term, but Essek is not one of them.

His smile grows more with a twitch of his lips. "Very good, actually. So I should like something that allows us to lay together still." He can think of a few ways to accomplish this, but he isn't lingering on the hows at the moment. "You were good for other things as well."

Percy smiles as Essek's foot moves against him. He lightly tugs on Essek's foot before sliding his hand up the back of his husband's leg to his knee, where he pulls again, trying to coax Essek to him.

"What else was I good for, hm?"

His voice is a bit lower, warmer, as the look in his eyes changes subtly. He loves seeing Essek smile. He never expected to fall in love with this man, but he is grateful for the turn their relationship took some time ago.

The tug on the back of his knee encourages Essek's smile a little more. Though he's trying to affect an air of amused indifference, it's nearly impossible with his husband behaving this way and looking at him like that. Every instinct wants him to follow that pull and go to him, slip into his lap and feel the press of their warm, wet skin.

Instead, he makes himself draw back, though it takes all of his will to do so. He's been burning for his husband's touch since he woke again, and it is nearly painful to intentionally pull away. Still, he draws both of his legs back toward himself, coyly out of reach. A brow arches.

"Guess."

Percy lets Essek pull away and doesn't immediately follow, though everything in him wants to. It's a game now, and while he suspects that he will lose, he is willing to let it start.

Gods, he looks amazing. He smells amazing still.

"It was the tongue, wasn't it?" He can't help the wolfish grin that appears, and he manages to resist the allure of his husband for all of a minute before he's moving closer in the water. His hands slide over Essek's legs, trying to coax them apart so that he can move between them.

Oh, yes. This is what he wants. With satisfaction, Essek lets Percival come to him, apparently unable to leave him alone for long. Thank the Light for that. Essek wouldn't have been able to hold out much longer himself.

"You know that it was." He manages a smirk even though the grin his husband is giving him makes his heart beat faster and the constant pulse of arousal between his legs build. Letting them fall open under Percival's touch so he can press closer makes it worse.

He reaches for his husband's shoulders, letting his nails dig lightly into his skin as he draws him in. "You were very...dedicated."

"Am I ever anything less?" he asks, quieter now that he's close. He eases between his husband's legs, knees pushing beneath Essek's thighs as he braces his arms against the rim of the tub.

He tips his head to trail kisses along Essek's neck, and realizes very quickly that he's played himself. This close, his husband's scent is overwhelming and it is impossible to forget that he is still in heat, even if he hasn't given in to urgency again just yet. He bites Essek's earlobe and grins as manicured nails dig against his shoulders. He missed that - much harder to feel when he's got thick fur.

Even with so little provocation, Percival is half-hard.

"I had to make sure you didn't lose too much," he murmurs against the delicate shell of Essek's ear.

He isn't, but he knows that. Essek shakes his head anyway, breath catching as he's crowded against the tub's side, exposing his neck willingly for his husband's hungry, wandering kisses. A soft ah slips out as teeth close around his ear, and he braces his feet against the bottom of the bath to push closer, resting his thighs over Percy's.

Though heat sweeps through him with the murmur into his ear, Essek shivers. "I don't think I was ever in danger of that," he says, wry but faint. Not with how much there was. "But the effort was certainly appreciated."

There is no avoiding the ache growing inside him or how slick he's becoming, not with his alpha against him smelling so enticing, just as he has for days now. Essek's nails drag across Percival's shoulders restlessly. He can't go much longer without admitting quietly, "I need you still."

"No," he murmurs, voice lower. "I don't think you were."

Percy keeps one arm braced against the tub as the other hand disappears beneath the water. He lifts his head and bumps his brow against Essek's as he cups his hand over his husband's cunt.

"Right here, darling? Or do you want to finish our bath?" Somehow he keeps his voice steady even if he can feel the heat of that need against his palm. He wants to plunge into this beautiful man, but... the game is still afoot, and Essek started it.

Oh, Light. The shudder that passes through his body is impossible to conceal. Percival's hand is right there, right where he needs his touch, growing hotter by the moment as his arousal flares insistently. He needs his alpha to press his lovely, deft fingers inside him, and then his cock. Here, now.

He isn't the only one. His husband is looking at him with plain desire. It would be so easy to say yes.

But how rewarding would it be to refuse? To drive Percival wild with the desire he sees in him now, and feel the full effect when he permits it at last? It will be a test of his own endurance, but after hours spent walking through the woods in this state, he feels capable.

"I want to wash," he says. His voice isn't quite as firm as he'd like, but he considers it a victory to be speaking like this at all. His accent is thick, nearly rolling his words the way he would in Undercommon. His hands slide over Percival's pale shoulders as he speaks, down onto his chest. "I want you to spoil me completely, and then I want you to take me in your bed. I want to know that you have never wanted anyone the way that you want me."

Percy hovers close, lips near enough to touch if either of them would move enough. A tremor rushes through him as Essek makes himself clear. He has always been attracted to his husband's ability to do this, and were they not in the tub, it might be enough to bring Percival to his knees. Essek may be an omega, but Percy is wrapped around his elegant fingers and all he need do is crook them just right.

He knows it isn't easy now. He can feel how much Essek needs and wants him, and Percy is sure if he presses his luck he could get that wall to crumble. But the proposition pulls at something in him, something that has existed for quite some time, unearthed fully by his husband.

Still. The game isn't finished.

Percival presses his middle finger between Essek's slick folds the barest amount, offering no real penetration or even a tease of it, but reminding Essek just how close he is. He presses a light, almost chaste kiss to his husband's lips. His heard is pounding beneath the hand on his chest.

"Of course," he murmurs as he withdraws his hand, resting it on Essek's thigh instead. "How shall I pamper you, dearest love?"

Essek is sure his flush must be obvious, even beneath his dark skin. His fingers flex against Percival's chest, and he only just resists the urge to lift his hips in response to that barely-there pressure, to encourage it deeper. If his husband pressed him, if he insisted that he wanted him now, he would not resist. In an instant he would be the wanton creature he's come to know these last few days. His control hangs by a thread that could snap at any moment.

"You can begin by helping me to--to get clean, head to toe." It's unlike him to stammer or stumble over his words, but he is absolutely throbbing between his legs, stirred up by the mere suggestion of Percival's touch. "My hair first."

His only consolation is feeling the beat of Percy's heart, and knowing through that connection that he is hardly the only one affected. He has him enthralled, and there is a satisfaction to be had in that. One that will sustain him, hopefully, until he's won the very frustrating little game he'd started just to prove he could.

"As you like, darling." Percy eases back slowly and gives Essek a little come hither gesture. "It'll be easiest with your back to me."

And, maybe, that will allow them both to recover slightly without staring at each other. Percival suspects that neither of them are going to leave their current state of arousal until they are actually satisfied, but they can try to pretend. If Essek gets close enough, there is no hiding his erection, already aching for his lover. But he can wait.

As soon as they are in a conducive position, Percy coaxes Essek to lean back until he can wet his hair, gently running his fingers through pale strands before he helps the drow sit up again. He picks up a bottle he knows that Essek uses, one he possibly left here, and pours the liquid soap into his palm. Percival is diligent and gentle as he washes Essek's hair, massaging along his scalp and down his neck. He applies careful pressure there, mostly aware of what Essek prefers and careful to adjust the way he touches his husband at the slightest sign of discomfort. He knows that sleeping in the cave couldn't have been comfortable, even with a wolf for a body pillow. He can certainly make up for that now.

And while he takes care of Essek's hair, Percival trails a few lazy kisses over his shoulder, tongue sweeping out to taste his warm skin.

Edited 2022-01-20 05:24 (UTC)

Recovery becomes something of a distant dream when Essek turns and fits himself between his husband's legs only to feel his unmistakably erect cock hot like a brand at the small of his back.

"Ah--"

He can't help the gasp that slips from his lips, unwanted. It would be so easy to lift his hips and line them up, to sink down and feel full the way he needs to.

Instead he scoots forward enough that the contact isn't so direct, enough that he can lean back when Percival prompts him to wet his hair. Putting desire of his mind is impossible while his alpha is so mindfully tending to him. There's a real tenderness in the way Percival washes his hair and massages his scalp, then all the way down to his neck, carefully rubbing out the tension in muscles that feel strained from the last several days. There are a few soft noises of pleasure and relief that Essek can't hold onto, especially when his husband's warm mouth starts moving over his shoulder.

But he can't only endure. He'll quickly be the loser in this game if he doesn't retaliate. More prepared for it this time, Essek again shifts back to align his body more directly with Percy's. With a little care for how he arranges himself, his husband's erection slots nicely against his ass.

"My shoulders are rather sore as well," he instructs, slightly breathless. "And my back."

Percival struggles whenever Essek makes a sound like that, feeling it go straight to his cock. He wants to pull his husband close again, he wants to be inside him, and he very nearly growls when Essek moves back against him with a calculated shift. His teeth graze dark skin, biting gently as his cock ends up pressed against Essek. It would take nothing to change their position, but he is not about to lose now.

"Let me rinse your hair, then I'll tend the rest of you."

Since Essek has decided to get closer to him, Percy slides his hand up his husband's back to gently push him forward, encouraging him to bend at the waist. There's no need to pull away again to lean back and certainly no need to find a cup to pour water over his husband's head when this will work just as well. It might force Essek to press against him more, but Percy is willing to take that risk. He leans against the drow once he can get his hair wet, gently rinsing the soap from his hair.

The growl and the scrape of Percival's teeth against his skin is like nothing else. Essek's breath hitches audibly. That more than anything makes him want to give in, to just admit that he needs him and he can't wait. There's no shame in that. He's in heat, and Percival has been tending to him for days. He knows already.

But the idea of being the first to give in is so unpalatable to him that he chooses to continue to suffer, entirely needlessly. Honestly, it's stupid. He thought he'd abandoned his pride days ago when he teleported into the timberlands to find his husband, but apparently it's returned along with his return to the castle.

He goes along with Percival's instructions, hyperaware of his touch and the way their bodies align, even closer now that he's leaned forward and the other man is filling the space behind him. The soap is rinsed from his hair as his husband runs his fingers through it, and it's so much, that and his cock nearly angled to slip between his thighs. Essek braces one hand on the edge of the tub, fingers curling tight around it, and contemplates just getting on his hands and knees again, as he has so many times recently.

But there is at least one more thing he can think of to bring up, and it is something he must do regardless, game or not. While Percival's mind, and therefore his choices and opinions, seems not to change much between one form and another, he still must makes sure.

"Percival," he murmurs, eyes closing, "I must know--several days ago we discussed...having a family together. Is this what you want still?"

While Essek is hard-pressed not to move onto his knees, Percival is struggling not to put him there. His mouth trails over Essek's shoulder as he finishes rinsing his husband's hair. Satisfied that the soap is cleaned away, his hands slide over Essek's sides, coaxing him to sit up again. His tongue sweeps drops of water away from the drow's dark skin.

The words catch him, though, and Percy lifts his head slowly. One arm slides around Essek's waist and the other around his chest, finally closing what little space remains between them. His hand slides over Essek's throat to tip his head back and he stops when he can gently grip his husband's jaw. It puts a delicate ear near Percy's mouth.

"I meant what I said then," he says quietly. "I want a family with you. Whether through this or finding children in need of a home."

To make himself clear, his other hand presses low over Essek's stomach. He remembers his lover deliriously thrilled over the possibility of a de Rolo heir in the next year. But he also knows that Essek is in heat and that might cloud his thinking, especially in those first few days. So he will be honest in his desires, but he will also make clear that he doesn't expect his husband to carry children if that is not something he wants.

Only recently has Essek been given reason to consider whether that is something he wants. The idea itself doesn't bother him; he's been aware of his body's capacity to bear children since he was an adolescent, and doesn't resent it. For so long he assumed he simply never would, because he also assumed he would never find someone he would wish to have children with. It seemed ridiculous to think about himself as a parent. It still does.

But Percival--as he'd expressed days ago, his husband would be a wonderful father. Understanding this, knowing Percival, loving Percival and wanting him to have everything he deserves--that has shifted his perspective. Lately, he has been considering things he'd never bothered to before, and found his own answers surprising.

Drawn back against his husband's body, wrapped in his arms and with a strong hand sliding up his throat to grip his jaw, he nearly begs for it. His ear twitches, sensitive, at the brush of lips and the hushed works spoken against it. His empty cunt tightens pathetically with a pulse of arousal that climbs his spine and spreads through his body. Of course he wants to have children with this man. Of course he wants to carry them himself. The thought has been driving him wild for days now.

That resolve could be the heat, of course. He might blame it on that if he hadn't decided weeks ago that he wanted to try. He wants to have this experience at least once--perhaps more if he doesn't find it too trying. His hand comes up to lay over Pericval's on his stomach, keeping it there.

"I too meant what I said," he confirms, whispered. "I hope our efforts this week will show results. I want this, dear one."

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