nysalogs | ( open ) out of isolation

( between the heat and the fyrra, nightingale is not his usual sharp self. the slopes of his shoulders are curved, he isn't sitting as straight, his hair isn't quite as neatly parted anymore and there are some lines in the linen of his suit. it's nothing improper, of course, but he wouldn't usually show himself quite this relaxed to the outside world.

still, there's no embarrassment when he lifts a hand to return the wave. )

It's been a while. ( he offers when randel approaches. )

[ And Randel does approach, because he's in a good mood, the fyrra feels nice and makes some of his aches slip away. He makes his way over and settles into a seat nearby Thomas. ]

I don't do much other than work. But I wanted to see this place.

It's nice.

What do you think?

I agree, it is.

( almost automatically, instinctively, his body turns toward randel. )

I cannot say that I blame them for the seclusion, however.

No. That's why I like it.

[ Randel turns towards him as well. Thomas is a good man. He likes him. ]

I might want to be here. Be away from all the conflict. It might be nice.

I feel nice right now.

Did you —

( thomas doesn't finish the sentence, at least not verbally. for a moment, he just looks at randel, then he lifts a hand to mime smoking. )

[ He's muzzy enough that he doesn't understand it for a moment but once it clicks, he nods. ]

You have to. They don't let you in otherwise.

They had me have a lot.

Ah.

( initially, yes. he remembers that. but of course, he's tried the other type of fyrra since, too. the one that has an effect beyond relaxation. )

You're a tall man. ( he replies after a moment. body weight and height translate in needing more of it for it to affect randel, right? he supposes that's how it works. )

[ Randel has also tried that other kind, but he doesn't really understand the difference. He'd wanted to keep having the good feelings, so he'd said yes. And he's feeling even better than when he first came.

It's the first time he's had something that made him feel better instead of worse or made his nightmares get worse. ]

I guess that's why. That's usually what the nurses would say. They'd need more of anything.

( thomas is feeling better than he has in a while, too. his nightmares aren't frequent, but the ghosts of the war and the loss of his world still haunt him. the heavy weight of grief is as absent now as the sense of responsibility that has, at times, been the only thing to keep him going. )

I suppose that's how bodies work.

( he smiles minutely, reaching out to set a hand on randel's arm. he means for it to be a brief touch, but it lingers a little. )

[ Randel has never had an issue with people touching him, but right now, feeling like he does, he turns and gives Thomas a smile for it. ]

Spend enough time in a hospital and you start noticing things. I'm just glad this place doesn't seem to mind.

They've all been very welcoming.

They have.

( he thinks about asking why randel has spent so much time in a hospital. he decides not to; some of his restraint still intact even as that smile makes his insides twist a little with a surge of want. )

[ He can't help himself reaching up and over to pet one finger along Thomas's cheek. ]

You look content.

( for a moment, thomas is still. not frozen, just still. then he tips his head slightly into the touch. )

I suppose that I am. ( he sounds almost surprised at the notion. )

[ Randel just nods and smiles, as if to say that that's how it should be and that he's pleased that it is. Then he looks at Thomas carefully. ]

Did you like that?

( it is how it should be — but in thomas' experience, things rarely are. or remain that way. still, he can't bring himself to be concerned with that right now. )

Yes.

[ Randel turns his hand to cup Thomas's cheek in one glove. ]

Would you like more?

( the heat that flares in thomas' stomach at the question is its own kind of answer, but he still takes a moment to consider it. even if, in that moment, he is already nuzzling against randel's hand. )

Yes. If you would.

[ He just nods, leaning in to look Thomas in the eyes, feeding the uncommon heat in his own belly. It's been a few years since he was with another man, but Thomas is nice, and handsome and well put together. He knows what he's about.

He runs the glove down to cup Thomas's jaw and runs his thumb along the cheekbone.]

( randel leans in, his thumb brushing against thomas' cheekbone. they're such small actions, but they feel like more, anticipation making thomas' stomach clench.

he leans in, closing the last of the distance between them to fit his lips against randel's. )

[ He's surprised, but not surprised long enough to do anything but kiss the other man back, kiss and reach over to pull him closer. ]

( thomas moves into it easily when randel pulls him closer, sighing a little into the kiss. clearly enjoying himself. )

[ They're both enjoying themselves. There's a strange sort of insulation the fyrra seems to be giving him, between his guilt and his fear and his worries that's letting him actually feel the pleasure of someone wanting to kiss him, of the kiss itself. He leans into it, hungry for it, and in turn, hungry for Thomas. His hand lifts up to cup his cheek as he deepens the kiss. ]

(thomas feels that insulation as well: the absence of loss, of the weight of responsibility and duty, the requirements of propriety. he can't remember the last time he's felt quite this relaxed in addition to feeling the urge, need to be closer to randel.

he moves into the kiss — and then, in a move that would surprise even himself if not for aforementioned insulation, he moves to straddle randel, pressing himself close. )

[ Randel's hands move to support him, to draw him closer, and the kiss will continue as he does. This is a kind of multitasking he enjoys, a skill he has that he's glad for. There's no terrible memories here, no awful weight to the way it feels to be with another man. This was something he'd shared with other soldiers, a respite from war instead of something intrinsically tied to it.

He actually starts to go hard instead of needing to help himself get there. Thomas is very handsome, intelligent and kind. ]

( old age means that thomas's libido is not as quick and urgent anymore as it may have been in his youth, but ageing backwards has changed some things up again. maybe it's also the drugs, the way every sensation seems heightened now. even just their kisses have him half hard and wanting so much more. )

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