❦ Empatheias Contact ❦

[thefirstbloom]

❧ Contact Trahearne by voice, image, or find him at his apartment in the free district of Verens. He works at Paulson's Books.

Comments

[thefirstbloom]

I do! [Trahearne chuckled, waiting patiently to see it. He took it himself to get a closer look, and didn't seem to may any mind to the blur. He didn't know anything about photography anyway.] It captures us very well, I think. I'm unprepared and you're inexplicably happy.

[He looks back up.] I like it.

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya chuckles and lowers the picture as he holds up the clearer one of Trahearne smiling brightly.] I do, too, and I like this one.

[thefirstbloom]

Oh, Mother save me now. [He can't help but shake his head at it, going to switch them out. He was smiling, but it slowly just faded off his face when he saw his nose. He made a face at it.]

I see why so many point out my nose.

[chronosynthesis]

It's cute! [Syrlya puts his hands over Trahearne's with the picture. Just to make sure he doesn't toss it in disgust.] I'm very happy with the way it turned out. And your nose is charming. I have always been curious about it.

[thefirstbloom]

[Trahearne looks ready to throw it out, but the corners of his lips are tugged back into a smile at Syrlya's words.]

You have been one of many. It has always been this way.

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya carefully pinches his fingers on the picture with one hand. No. It's his.]

I know! But since I have your attention on the matter, I have always wondered... [He reaches for his face suddenly and proceed to stick is index finger right on the dent on Trahearne's nose.]

It does fit!

[thefirstbloom]

[Trahearne just kind of stands there in confusion for a moment. Syrlya's finger is just up against his nose. He's going cross eyed to look at it, then allowing it for another moment before he pulls his head back.]

You just--

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya laughs and pulls back as Trahearne does, carefully freeing his photo from his hands.] I have always wanted to know that!

[thefirstbloom]

[Listen, he was going to protest and be insulted. But he sees Syrlya's smile... and it's contagious. He's far too cute for his own good.] Always? After three years?

[chronosynthesis]

Yes! I know it was such a ridiculous thought for a Sapling, but... well, why miss the opportunity for an answer when it presents itself?

But I really do think it is cute.

[thefirstbloom]

I thought I caught you focused on it... I could not figure out what you were staring at while everyone was talking.

For the record, your nose is much cuter. [He reaches over to tap the tip of it.]

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya scrunches his nose when it's tapped. He spins on his heels and returns to the counter to continue sorting his photos.] But it does not negate how cute you are!

[thefirstbloom]

Oh, so it is not just my nose that is cute. [Trahearne smirked at his expression, then turned to start going back through his photos.] Tell me how you really feel, Valiant. [He's joking, but.]

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya sets his photos down and slowly look back over his shoulder at Trahearne.]

I love you, of course.

[thefirstbloom]

[... Wait. What. He blinks and stares over at Syrlya for a moment, then move to face him more and turn him by the shoulder.]

I love you too.

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya blinks rapidly and smiles with a faint blush.] Well! I'm glad. I'm glad it is a mutual feeling...

[thefirstbloom]

I didn't think... [He pauses for a moment, and parts his lips like he's going to say something. But after a moment, he tentatively asks instead.] Can I kiss you?

[chronosynthesis]

... What? [Syrlya stares blankly at him, confused.] I'm sorry, I might have misheard... did you ask to kiss me?

[thefirstbloom]

Yes, I... [Trahearne exhales and just stares at him in exasperation, just praying it was the right thing. He put a hand on his arm, then leaned to kiss Syrlya.]

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya gasps as Trahearne's lips reach his and for a moment he's stunned.

And then he closes his eyes and leans in.]

[thefirstbloom]

[There's a brief second where he's sure it was a mistake, and he's ready to pull back.

But he feels Syrlya lean in, and there might be flowers coming up from through the floorboards from how ecstatic he is. He puts his hands on Syrlya's waist and holds him there for another minute, but pulls back to catch his expression.]

[chronosynthesis]

[Trahearne's hands on his waist are all the encouragement Syrlya needs to fall forward and throw his arms around his neck as he kisses him. It's not until Trahearne pulls back that Syrlya takes a breath and tries to calm himself, his face flushed gold.]

Oh, oh, I--[He pulls back a bit, pollen shaking out of his hair.]

[thefirstbloom]

It... It was not too much, was it...? [Despite his worry, he can't stop smiling. The lines of his cheeks glowed a matching gold.

He didn't dare move his hands from him in fear of losing the opportunity to give another.]

[chronosynthesis]

N... no. [But he's staring wide-eyed, because how can Trahearne look so happy and not shocked and embarrassed like him. Why is he the only one embarrassed!!

He may be gripping Trahearne's leaves a little tightly.]

You are... better at it than I expected.

[thefirstbloom]

You expected otherwise. [Did he really expect that? Not really. Is he surprised...? Not really. He can't imagine he looks like he would be.]

But you liked it.