[Child-like can be a good way to describe him, especially in a situation like this one. And especially because he feels way too satisfied when he sees Agreas pick up their kitten and move it over to make room for him. Even Elijah knows, abstractly, that it's ridiculous to be jealous over a cat...but he also doesn't care. He's always been the type to indulge in his petty jealousy and possessiveness anyway, which should be obvious enough.
But he at least has the decency to keep that much to himself right now- happy to settle down against Agreas and feel the other play gently with his hair.
He closes his eyes for a few moments- soaking in the warmth of the other body underneath him, and the softness of the movement against his head. For once, he hadn't actually been aiming for an end result like this...not that he's opposed to it, in any way. It feels nice too- enough to take those moments to appreciate it, before tilting his head and opening his eyes again.
There's a hint of the usual smugness on his face from that last statement. It's something that can be a little more subdued at times, but it'll never go away completely. That's just too much of an essential part of Elijah anyway.]
I do know. But I don't mind being reminded...Unless. This is your way of asking?
[It doesn't matter if it was supposed to be or not, it still ends with Elijah moving over to give the other another round of softer...and yes, sweeter kisses. Even Agreas's small hints of teasing can't veer him off from that course.
This isn't something he'd ever pictured when he'd first taken the other into his home, it's true. He'd never imagined kisses like these...ones that are simply gestures of affection. Kisses that aren't completely one-sided...that aren't full of lust. He's simply giving them to Agreas because he wants to kiss him, without any ulterior motive.
It's surprising just how content he feels with this too...and that he feels like he could get comfortable enough to fall asleep laying on the other like this. He rests his hand on Agreas's neck- his fingers gently curling around behind it, and rubbing small circles against it. But even then, there's not a trace of anything other than a surprising amount of tenderness.]
[ Even though it had been incredibly obvious before that Elijah wanted him - in a very possessively intense sense - Agreas never really understood why. Elijah was going through such lengths to try and get him to give in, but he never knew why him. Was it just because Elijah happened to get his hands on blackmail that specifically applied to him, or did he go out of his way to find something on him because he wanted him? But then what about him was it that Elijah would have wanted that other people don't have? There's a lot of questions that Agreas honestly doesn't care for finding answers to anymore. All of that is something that he's put behind him - it's the now that matters. And the Elijah that's lying on top of him, giving those sweet kisses, makes it a lot more clear why he wants Agreas specifically.. because he likes him. He can taste it on the other's lips in a way that he never was able to sense before.
This is something he likes much more than the way things were before, anyway. Elijah lying on top of him like this with Agreas' hand idly running through the dark locks feels a little like how you would just lie around or play with a cat, and it manages to bring forth every single bit of fondness Agreas carries in himself.
It makes it a lot easier to tease Elijah too.. not because he was particularly afraid of the other before - he's never been. Even when Elijah was holding the blackmail over his head, and even when he punished Agreas for not obeying him, he was always more of an annoyance than a real frightening threat. Agreas doesn't get scared easily to begin with. No, the reason that it's easier to tease Elijah is since it's always coming from a sort of fondness when it's Agreas. He's not the type to go out of his way to interact with other people, so him teasing someone says just as much about how much he likes them as physical contact does.
He has to wait until Elijah has planted more of the kisses against his lips, but when the other finally gives them a moment to breathe, his lips are definitely curling up. It's not as smug as the other can be at times since it still seems very relaxed and laidback. Maybe since it's so comfortable to lie here like this with the other. ]
You're being so cute today.
[ He knows Elijah won't like hearing that. He isn't stupid, and he's learned to know the other well enough by now to know at least that much.. but he can't help himself in this case. Elijah really is being so cute, being so pouty and petulant and giving him these sweet kisses. Isn't he at least allowed to call out the truth of what he's seeing here right in front of him now?
At least he doesn't just leave the other to suffer the embarrassment of that statement. After running his hand a little through Elijah's hair again, he moves his head slightly this time to be the first to plant a quick kiss on Elijah's lips. Maybe just to stiffle the very first bits of a possible protest to what he said, even if he wouldn't be able to block it all. ]
[In all honesty, Elijah might not've been able to give Agreas all the answers he'd wanted anyway. He had sought Agreas out specifically- that much is true. But as far as why he'd picked him...? It's not such a clear-cut answer. It's not as if he can't think of any reasons for why he likes Agreas...And even for his initial reasoning, he could still pick out a few things out. He does think Agreas is very attractive, although looks wouldn't have been a deal-breaker. Maybe it's more to do with his attitude...or maybe it's simply the fact that Agreas doesn't generally take to humans very easily... he's a difficult person, in some ways. And while Elijah might not fully admit to it...maybe a part of him wanted to make himself the one, human exception to a man who didn't generally care for them as a whole.
But even all of those answers laid out together...it still doesn't feel right. Like it's not a complete answer, and some of the reasons are a mystery even to Elijah himself. Of course that makes sense...human emotions are always messy, and complicated...Maybe it would've been stranger if he could spell it all out easily. It sounds ridiculous, even to him, but more than anything else, Elijah simply felt drawn to him at first.
Love at first sight? ...No. He's not the type to believe in that...and he is the type that had to grow into love. If he had to guess, it's probably more to do with his own instincts. Like he knew, subconsciously, that Agreas was the one for him.
And look at just how right he ended up being. No one else could've drawn out this side of him. No one else could've even drawn out a small fraction of it.
Everything he feels for Agreas is completely fresh...a new experience he's never had before, and never would have with anyone other than him. He's very sure of that much, at least. But it still makes Elijah feel...inexperienced...and deeper down, it makes him feel a little bit helpless too. But surprisingly enough, Agreas is still the type of person he can trust enough so that it doesn't really bother him either. That's exactly why he can lay here like this- curled up on the other man's lap, kissing him so softly...acting so different from usual...and still feel comfortable with it.
Even if he might not be too happy about being called "cute" for it. A scowl starts to form on his face as soon as that word is out in the air, and then it's gone again as soon as Agreas's lips meet his own. But even a kiss won't stop him from looking a little bit sour afterwards.]
In what universe do you think I'd ever want to be called cute?
[It's clear enough that he's only mildly annoyed...exactly like he is whenever Agreas teases him like this. Still, he could never get genuinely mad over it. Elijah knows enough to acknowledge that, in a way, it's a small privilege to be teased by Agreas like this. So of course, he can't help but like that aspect of it.
He sighs a little and settles back down- pressing his face against Agreas's neck to rest there.]
I don't need to take this from the guy who falls asleep on a couch with a cat on top of him.
[ That reaction sure isn't doing much to help Elijah's case. Sure, a lot of people might not exactly be inclined to call the other cute. Even Agreas knows.. Elijah can be petty a lot of the time, and he's by no means an entirely good person. Agreas maybe even knows it better than anyone else with what the other has put him through. But since they got closer, he got to see a lot of other things to the other as well. Things that probably no one else has seen. The small potential for Elijah to be good that Agreas managed to drag into full view.. the same thing that's caused them to be here like this right now, with Elijah lying - more or less, considering the frowning - peacefully on top of him. Without any bad feelings between the two of them.
Maybe noticing the possibility for it is what made him fall in love with the other. It's hard to tell, honestly. But no matter what the initial reason was, it still made them turn out like this, and like this Agreas can say without a doubt that Elijah is cute. The kind of cute that makes him want to keep the other close to him like this and practically snuggle up on the couch here.
(He knows that's not the word Elijah would ever use for it, but it's the reality in Agreas' eyes, and the other will just have to suck it up. Even though he doesn't voice the thought out loud.)
Instead he settles for moving his hand back to gently move through Elijah's hair, just like it was playing with it before. ]
Is that so bad? [ Not to Agreas, anyway. Yeah, his looks might make him seem tough and all, and his usual faily disinterested attitude towards others helps it along, but Agreas knows what he is. And he isn't afraid to admit he's a guy that loves cuddling cute animals. What's the joy in life if you can't even have that much, anyway?
The amusement is still clearly audible in his tone.. but it's a content kind of amusement. Like he could really lie here like this for a fairly long time without feeling any inconvenience. ] I could stay like this for a while too, you know.
[ He doesn't necessarily mean to draw the parallel, but it's still true on some level that this is very much exactly like how Agreas was playing with the kitten lying on him until he fell asleep before. But now is he's petting the fur of a cute kitten, but instead pulling his hand lazily through Elijah's hair as the other buries his face against Agreas' neck. He might as well be an oversized cat to Agreas - he feels the same kind of fondness right now, anyway. ]
[Agreas saying that they'd be snuggling would get a similar reaction to calling Elijah cute...But. Well, even Elijah can't deny that it's more or less exactly what he's doing right now. And it's not something anyone dragged out of him either. Agreas had been asleep, and he'd waltzed over on his own and did that all on his own. He almost hates how nice that hand feels moving through his hair...but he doesn't even have enough in him to get annoyed.
It's moments like these that really make him feel like he was the one trained by Agreas more than the other way around. But considering the way things are right now...he's content with that.
The Elijah who'd blackmailed Agreas and punished or rewarded him based on his behavior- that feels like a mindset he'd shifted out of almost completely. Not that he's an entirely different person now, but he knows he'd never be able to do anything to intentionally hurt Agreas ever again. Not ever. And while he can absolutely understand his past self...while he still thinks of Agreas as his, and wants to keep him all to himself...Elijah's still grateful for the change. He's grateful for all of this- even a small, peaceful moment like now...even if Agreas does end up bombarding him with cute words.
His head tilts into the other's hand a little bit, and he finds himself wishing again that he could be at least annoyed by it. Mostly because he's fairly certain he knows exactly what's going through the other's head after a comment like that. But he can't, and after a half-hearted groan, his voice comes out in a soft mumble right up against his lover's neck.]
No wonder that damn thing never gets off you.
[Aka...their kitten. The words sound way harsher than his tone, and it's obvious there's not actually anything malicious behind them at all. Honestly, he's mostly just phrasing it like that because there's no way he can just plainly say he's jealous of a cat.
Without waiting for a response, he presses his fingers softly against the other's neck- gently rubbing small, soothing circles against his skin. Even if he'll get made fun of a little more for it, it's fine. If Agreas is the one responsible for dragging out this side of him...then that means everything from that part of him belongs to Agreas too. Even this.]
[ Honesty, there's very little Elijah could do to ruin this moment. At least - with the way he is by now, anyway. Even though he's saying those harsh words, it has no real effect when Agreas is very well aware that the other is just being petulant as usually. Especially when he says them so softly too while lying here on top of him and moving to gently move his fingers across Agreas' skin without him doing anything to prompt it.
Even if Elijah will always be Elijah, Agreas is well aware the other has grown softer in his own way. The situation they're currently in is enough proof of it. It's why he can't help but smile a little bit, even as Elijah softly complains. It's cute in its own way. Elijah is cute. Even now it's a slightly funny thought.
At least the other might be pleased to hear Agreas letting out a low hum at the way Elijah is rubbing against his neck. It feels nice, after all. He's never been particularly affectionate before, but he just enjoys being with the other like this. Just them. Just quietly, just softly.
He can't help but poke fun at the guy on top of him though. One might say it's revenge for everything that Elijah did to him before he had a - at least partial - change of heart, but it's honestly just since Agreas can't help himself. It's like when he sees a cute animal, he just has to pet it and play with it since his heart is too soft for them compared to how it is for most people. And somehow Elijah has just wormed himself straight into the cute animal category of his heart.
The man leans his head forward a little to press a soft kiss against Elijah's head - first his temple, and then trailing more to the side until he finds the other's earlobe with his lips, pressing his teeth against it just lightly before letting go, but sticking close. ]
I see someone else who isn't complaining about staying on top of me.
[ Aka the bigger black petulant cat that is lying on top of him right now. ]
[No matter what he's saying, Elijah doesn't legitimately want to ruin the moment anyway. It's...almost unnerving to him- just how comforting all of this is. All of the contact...and hearing Agreas's humming while his fingers keep on moving along the other's neck. He never would've imagined himself enjoying any soft scene like this at all...and yet, here he is.
Although...being compared to an animal probably wouldn't be his favorite thing in the world, by contrast. But if it can get him a moment like this, he could at least tolerate hearing it. Maybe that's because, even if it's through Agreas seeing some animal-like qualities in him, it still ends up with Agreas being able to treat him like this. Even when he normally doesn't get so close to humans.
Elijah still doesn't move his head, but he nestles a little more into the other's neck when he feels the kisses and the gentle bite on his earlobe. The hand on Agreas's neck moves to blindly run up along the side of his face, and then through his hair.]
You do have the makings of a decent pillow.
[If he's going to be teased, he can at least give some minor teasing back. And there's no denying that Agreas is very comfortable to lay on. It's exactly why he couldn't get up now, even if he tried.
Honestly, as much as Elijah likes this, he still loves the idea of Agreas laying on top of him too. The other man is taller, and it creates the sense of him being completely covered by a warm embrace...which is exactly why he won't ask for it plainly. But he's happy enough just staying exactly the way they are too.]
[ Too bad that Elijah has ended up at a point where it's very, very hard for him to tease Agreas with something that actually gets to him. It's really odd compared to what he thought of the other before, but everything the other guy does is just so endearing at this point that it'd be really hard for Elijah to have even the slightest bit of impact on Agreas - well, it'd be hard as long as he doesn't go back to the way he used to treat Agreas before, anyway.
But like this.. he just loves all of this. Lying here with Elijah on top of him, gently touching him, teasing him just a little bit. Even though it's definitely not where he would ever have imagined himself being, he likes it. He always thought he'd just be by himself, never too interested in romance or anything of the sort and just content with fighting for the things he believed in. But by now he wouldn't give this up for the world. Living with Elijah like this is too nice to give it up for anything, for going back to the way he used to be. The kind of grumpy faces Elijah makes when the weather gets colder, the way Elijah sometimes suddenly touches him like he's either asking for attention or reaffirming that Agreas is really there with him.. it's all small things, but it's exactly the kind of stuff that makes Agreas' chest feel oddly light.
That's what it means to be in love, huh? It feels kind of ridiculous, but he likes it anyway. He feels a little ridiculous acting like this too, but it doesn't stop him from pressing a few more small kisses to the side of Elijah's head, happily humming in amusement at what the other is saying, before moving his head back down again to rest it against the couch and closing his eyes without actually falling asleep.
For a moment he just lies there silently, but then he slowly speaks up again. ]
Hey, Elijah. [ His hand moves across the other's back for a moment. ] If you could have anything right now, what would you want?
[ Not that the other hasn't made it very clear in the past what sort of stuff he expected from Agreas. But things have changed between the two of them since then - a lot - and he finds himself much more compelled to actually go the extra mile to help the other out now he isn't constantly forcing things Agreas doesn't want on him. (And part of it probably is still lingering after-effects from the training, but it's not like Agreas himself realises as much consciously.) ]
[To be fair, Elijah doesn't tease Agreas because he's expecting to get a reaction...but it feels like the only appropriate response to his teasing. But either way, he likes it too...everything about this.
Being in love with another person...isn't something he'd ever pictured for himself either. Doing anything romantic, or going out of his way for someone, or...just anything to do with it. But now that he does have it, he wouldn't trade it for anything. He'd never go back to the way he was before...and he'd never want Agreas out of his life.
He actually laughs softly against Agreas's neck at the question. It's funny if only because he can remember how badly he would've wanted to hear that not too long ago...He still does like hearing it now, but...it feels so much lighter.]
Nothing...I have everything I want already. Really.
[Which is true, honestly, and it even sounds sincere when he says it. He's always been content living in this apartment on his own, with a freelance job...But now his life really feels fuller with Agreas in it. Agreas is all he could ever want or need....And it's made him feel even happier with the way things are too...even sharing the apartment with their little kitten.
Except he knows why Agreas would ask him something like that...and it makes him feel a little warmer just thinking of it. Enough that he's glad his face isn't in plain view right now, since it's still at least a little embarrassing. But it gives him that same feeling from when he'd noticed Agreas doing little favors for him before...even just helping him around the house, or giving him a jacket when he was cold. And if Agreas wants to do something now for him too, Elijah can't turn it down.]
But...if I had to come up with something, I guess... Maybe I'd like it if we could.....I don't know. Go somewhere together? On a trip, I mean. I don't really know where, but...It might be nice.
[For some reason it feels embarrassing as hell- almost like he's some blushing newlywed asking his partner where to go on their honeymoon. But he really doesn't need it. He'd be just as happy staying exactly where he is right now...just on the couch on top of Agreas.]
[ It's almost a little weird to hear that answer to that specific question from Agreas. From Elijah of all people - the guy who would have been dying to get Agreas to do anything at all voluntarily for him before. But if anything, it's just proof of how much the other has grown, and one more reason that Agreas honest to god fell in love with him. It's not that Elijah is completely without his childish tendencies by now, but they've reduced so much that he can't help but feel oddly fond of the other when he thinks of that growth, to a point where Agreas plants a light kiss on top of the other's head, into his hair.
The next part makes him feel equally fond, and at least definitely not as embarrassed about it as Elijah feels right now. Ever since they've grown this close, Agreas hardly feels shame anymore at displays of affection - it's like once they broke through the barrier of him just thinking the other was an asshole and instead fell in love, all he wants to do at times like these when they're so close is display his affection for his grumpy kitten of a boyfriend. ]
Hmm. That'd be fun. [ Not that he doesn't agree with the sentiment that them staying like this is honestly just as great as them going somewhere far away or anything, but Agreas does like the idea of travelling. There's a lot of places he'd still like to see around the world, and although he always thought when he was younger that he'd just travel around the world someday by himself, by now he finds the idea of peeling himself away from Elijah for that long difficult. The other's training did have lingering effects, and feeling odd when Elijah isn't there is one of them, even though a big part of it is fuelled by love more than anything else by now.
Not that he intends to drag Elijah everywhere he wanted to go around the world.. he wouldn't do that to the other, at least. But making some trips together, just the two of them to some place where a lot of people might not even live.. he likes that thought. A lot. ]
Although we might want to avoid cold areas, huh?
[ Come on, he can't not make fun of Elijah when it comes to the other's disdain for the cold. It's not like Agreas likes the cold - although it's more like he's just indifferent to it, honestly - but the way Elijah starts grumping when the temperature starts dropping is oddly cute. And funny. It still makes him feel just as fond as anything else the other does, though, and it is true Agreas has sacrificed his jacket for Elijah plenty of times because of it. And it means he at least has enough common sense to not put the other through that kind of nightmare.
(His lips curve upward a little at the thought, though.) ]
[There are some childish tendencies about Elijah that'll never go away completely. They're just too ingrained into who he is as a person, and he's not exactly hellbent on changing them...He'll always be possessive more than any of the other traits though. But since Agreas is already his...and even loves him, no less...it's managed to tone that part of him down a lot.
Still, even as they're planning a trip together, and even though the thought of going somewhere cold makes his nose scrunch up in annoyance at the though, Elijah would still insist on going with him there too. The idea of Agreas going on a trip without him, even if he'd go by himself just...makes a twinge of jealousy pass through him.
Not because he's dying to go to some snow hell part of the world. It's simply that he wants to be wherever Agreas is...he doesn't want Agreas experiencing something major without him being there too. It's not like he can't ever handle being apart from him at all, but...that's more from a few hours to a couple of days at the most. When it's something that would be this much time? He'd endure the cold for it.
Elijah rolls his eyes though- knowing Agreas will never stop making fun of him for how much he hates the cold. Why wouldn't he hate it? Who likes being cold? The only thing even remotely good about it...is getting Agreas to warm him up.]
I could deal with it, if there's somewhere you really wanted to go.
[Except...maybe somewhere like the actual arctic. He'd have to legitimately bury himself in warm clothes.]
But I'd still definitely vote for someplace warmer for our first trip.
[Because there's no need to limit themselves to just one anyway, even if their second one couldn't be for a while...He likes the idea of looking forward to more of them.]
[ Agreas can't fully help himself when he hears that. He can even feel Elijah's face start to scrunch up a little with the way the other is resting against him - he doesn't even have to see it to know exactly what the other looks like right now. It's almost like his trademark expression everytime summer ends and the cold days start to kick in. And Agreas... well, he can't help but let out a soft laugh at the thought.
It's just way too cute. Honestly, it's almost ironic that Elijah was so intent on only showing his worst sides to Agreas at first and try to win him over with force when nothing could ever have worked as well as just having shown this from the start, just him being this cute. He's aware to a certain point though that his attitude towards Elijah isn't the only thing that's changed - Elijah himself has changed as well during their time together. He can't even imagine the Elijah who looked so smug whenever he knew he had the upper hand over Agreas being willing to cuddle with him on the couch like this.
The thought makes him pull the other a little closer against him. ]
I won't go anywhere you can't follow me without suffering. [ "Suffering" in the Elijah sort of way, anyway. Agreas rubs his nose against Elijah's head a little, like a small affectionate gesture that's way too soft for someone who looks the way Agreas does. ] Promise.
[ As funny as it would be, he's not actually going to drag his boyfriend over to the Artic. Elijah probably would never even want to get off the boat or plane. ]
I don't even want to think about how much you'd whine at me if I went off on my own.
[ Elijah is still possessive to that degree, anyway, and even though Agreas doesn't mind it, he's still aware of it. There's no way Elijah wouldn't clog up his phone's inbox with whiny messages about Agreas not being there - in a way that'd almost be kind of endearing to Agreas anyway. Elijah really acts like some sort of pet when you don't give him enough attention, maybe it's what Agreas ended up falling for with that soft spot in his heart for animals. ]
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But he at least has the decency to keep that much to himself right now- happy to settle down against Agreas and feel the other play gently with his hair.
He closes his eyes for a few moments- soaking in the warmth of the other body underneath him, and the softness of the movement against his head. For once, he hadn't actually been aiming for an end result like this...not that he's opposed to it, in any way. It feels nice too- enough to take those moments to appreciate it, before tilting his head and opening his eyes again.
There's a hint of the usual smugness on his face from that last statement. It's something that can be a little more subdued at times, but it'll never go away completely. That's just too much of an essential part of Elijah anyway.]
I do know. But I don't mind being reminded...Unless. This is your way of asking?
[It doesn't matter if it was supposed to be or not, it still ends with Elijah moving over to give the other another round of softer...and yes, sweeter kisses. Even Agreas's small hints of teasing can't veer him off from that course.
This isn't something he'd ever pictured when he'd first taken the other into his home, it's true. He'd never imagined kisses like these...ones that are simply gestures of affection. Kisses that aren't completely one-sided...that aren't full of lust. He's simply giving them to Agreas because he wants to kiss him, without any ulterior motive.
It's surprising just how content he feels with this too...and that he feels like he could get comfortable enough to fall asleep laying on the other like this. He rests his hand on Agreas's neck- his fingers gently curling around behind it, and rubbing small circles against it. But even then, there's not a trace of anything other than a surprising amount of tenderness.]
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This is something he likes much more than the way things were before, anyway. Elijah lying on top of him like this with Agreas' hand idly running through the dark locks feels a little like how you would just lie around or play with a cat, and it manages to bring forth every single bit of fondness Agreas carries in himself.
It makes it a lot easier to tease Elijah too.. not because he was particularly afraid of the other before - he's never been. Even when Elijah was holding the blackmail over his head, and even when he punished Agreas for not obeying him, he was always more of an annoyance than a real frightening threat. Agreas doesn't get scared easily to begin with. No, the reason that it's easier to tease Elijah is since it's always coming from a sort of fondness when it's Agreas. He's not the type to go out of his way to interact with other people, so him teasing someone says just as much about how much he likes them as physical contact does.
He has to wait until Elijah has planted more of the kisses against his lips, but when the other finally gives them a moment to breathe, his lips are definitely curling up. It's not as smug as the other can be at times since it still seems very relaxed and laidback. Maybe since it's so comfortable to lie here like this with the other. ]
You're being so cute today.
[ He knows Elijah won't like hearing that. He isn't stupid, and he's learned to know the other well enough by now to know at least that much.. but he can't help himself in this case. Elijah really is being so cute, being so pouty and petulant and giving him these sweet kisses. Isn't he at least allowed to call out the truth of what he's seeing here right in front of him now?
At least he doesn't just leave the other to suffer the embarrassment of that statement. After running his hand a little through Elijah's hair again, he moves his head slightly this time to be the first to plant a quick kiss on Elijah's lips. Maybe just to stiffle the very first bits of a possible protest to what he said, even if he wouldn't be able to block it all. ]
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But even all of those answers laid out together...it still doesn't feel right. Like it's not a complete answer, and some of the reasons are a mystery even to Elijah himself. Of course that makes sense...human emotions are always messy, and complicated...Maybe it would've been stranger if he could spell it all out easily. It sounds ridiculous, even to him, but more than anything else, Elijah simply felt drawn to him at first.
Love at first sight? ...No. He's not the type to believe in that...and he is the type that had to grow into love. If he had to guess, it's probably more to do with his own instincts. Like he knew, subconsciously, that Agreas was the one for him.
And look at just how right he ended up being. No one else could've drawn out this side of him. No one else could've even drawn out a small fraction of it.
Everything he feels for Agreas is completely fresh...a new experience he's never had before, and never would have with anyone other than him. He's very sure of that much, at least. But it still makes Elijah feel...inexperienced...and deeper down, it makes him feel a little bit helpless too. But surprisingly enough, Agreas is still the type of person he can trust enough so that it doesn't really bother him either. That's exactly why he can lay here like this- curled up on the other man's lap, kissing him so softly...acting so different from usual...and still feel comfortable with it.
Even if he might not be too happy about being called "cute" for it. A scowl starts to form on his face as soon as that word is out in the air, and then it's gone again as soon as Agreas's lips meet his own. But even a kiss won't stop him from looking a little bit sour afterwards.]
In what universe do you think I'd ever want to be called cute?
[It's clear enough that he's only mildly annoyed...exactly like he is whenever Agreas teases him like this. Still, he could never get genuinely mad over it. Elijah knows enough to acknowledge that, in a way, it's a small privilege to be teased by Agreas like this. So of course, he can't help but like that aspect of it.
He sighs a little and settles back down- pressing his face against Agreas's neck to rest there.]
I don't need to take this from the guy who falls asleep on a couch with a cat on top of him.
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Maybe noticing the possibility for it is what made him fall in love with the other. It's hard to tell, honestly. But no matter what the initial reason was, it still made them turn out like this, and like this Agreas can say without a doubt that Elijah is cute. The kind of cute that makes him want to keep the other close to him like this and practically snuggle up on the couch here.
(He knows that's not the word Elijah would ever use for it, but it's the reality in Agreas' eyes, and the other will just have to suck it up. Even though he doesn't voice the thought out loud.)
Instead he settles for moving his hand back to gently move through Elijah's hair, just like it was playing with it before. ]
Is that so bad? [ Not to Agreas, anyway. Yeah, his looks might make him seem tough and all, and his usual faily disinterested attitude towards others helps it along, but Agreas knows what he is. And he isn't afraid to admit he's a guy that loves cuddling cute animals. What's the joy in life if you can't even have that much, anyway?
The amusement is still clearly audible in his tone.. but it's a content kind of amusement. Like he could really lie here like this for a fairly long time without feeling any inconvenience. ] I could stay like this for a while too, you know.
[ He doesn't necessarily mean to draw the parallel, but it's still true on some level that this is very much exactly like how Agreas was playing with the kitten lying on him until he fell asleep before. But now is he's petting the fur of a cute kitten, but instead pulling his hand lazily through Elijah's hair as the other buries his face against Agreas' neck. He might as well be an oversized cat to Agreas - he feels the same kind of fondness right now, anyway. ]
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It's moments like these that really make him feel like he was the one trained by Agreas more than the other way around. But considering the way things are right now...he's content with that.
The Elijah who'd blackmailed Agreas and punished or rewarded him based on his behavior- that feels like a mindset he'd shifted out of almost completely. Not that he's an entirely different person now, but he knows he'd never be able to do anything to intentionally hurt Agreas ever again. Not ever. And while he can absolutely understand his past self...while he still thinks of Agreas as his, and wants to keep him all to himself...Elijah's still grateful for the change. He's grateful for all of this- even a small, peaceful moment like now...even if Agreas does end up bombarding him with cute words.
His head tilts into the other's hand a little bit, and he finds himself wishing again that he could be at least annoyed by it. Mostly because he's fairly certain he knows exactly what's going through the other's head after a comment like that. But he can't, and after a half-hearted groan, his voice comes out in a soft mumble right up against his lover's neck.]
No wonder that damn thing never gets off you.
[Aka...their kitten. The words sound way harsher than his tone, and it's obvious there's not actually anything malicious behind them at all. Honestly, he's mostly just phrasing it like that because there's no way he can just plainly say he's jealous of a cat.
Without waiting for a response, he presses his fingers softly against the other's neck- gently rubbing small, soothing circles against his skin. Even if he'll get made fun of a little more for it, it's fine. If Agreas is the one responsible for dragging out this side of him...then that means everything from that part of him belongs to Agreas too. Even this.]
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Even if Elijah will always be Elijah, Agreas is well aware the other has grown softer in his own way. The situation they're currently in is enough proof of it. It's why he can't help but smile a little bit, even as Elijah softly complains. It's cute in its own way. Elijah is cute. Even now it's a slightly funny thought.
At least the other might be pleased to hear Agreas letting out a low hum at the way Elijah is rubbing against his neck. It feels nice, after all. He's never been particularly affectionate before, but he just enjoys being with the other like this. Just them. Just quietly, just softly.
He can't help but poke fun at the guy on top of him though. One might say it's revenge for everything that Elijah did to him before he had a - at least partial - change of heart, but it's honestly just since Agreas can't help himself. It's like when he sees a cute animal, he just has to pet it and play with it since his heart is too soft for them compared to how it is for most people. And somehow Elijah has just wormed himself straight into the cute animal category of his heart.
The man leans his head forward a little to press a soft kiss against Elijah's head - first his temple, and then trailing more to the side until he finds the other's earlobe with his lips, pressing his teeth against it just lightly before letting go, but sticking close. ]
I see someone else who isn't complaining about staying on top of me.
[ Aka the bigger black petulant cat that is lying on top of him right now. ]
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Although...being compared to an animal probably wouldn't be his favorite thing in the world, by contrast. But if it can get him a moment like this, he could at least tolerate hearing it. Maybe that's because, even if it's through Agreas seeing some animal-like qualities in him, it still ends up with Agreas being able to treat him like this. Even when he normally doesn't get so close to humans.
Elijah still doesn't move his head, but he nestles a little more into the other's neck when he feels the kisses and the gentle bite on his earlobe. The hand on Agreas's neck moves to blindly run up along the side of his face, and then through his hair.]
You do have the makings of a decent pillow.
[If he's going to be teased, he can at least give some minor teasing back. And there's no denying that Agreas is very comfortable to lay on. It's exactly why he couldn't get up now, even if he tried.
Honestly, as much as Elijah likes this, he still loves the idea of Agreas laying on top of him too. The other man is taller, and it creates the sense of him being completely covered by a warm embrace...which is exactly why he won't ask for it plainly. But he's happy enough just staying exactly the way they are too.]
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But like this.. he just loves all of this. Lying here with Elijah on top of him, gently touching him, teasing him just a little bit. Even though it's definitely not where he would ever have imagined himself being, he likes it. He always thought he'd just be by himself, never too interested in romance or anything of the sort and just content with fighting for the things he believed in. But by now he wouldn't give this up for the world. Living with Elijah like this is too nice to give it up for anything, for going back to the way he used to be. The kind of grumpy faces Elijah makes when the weather gets colder, the way Elijah sometimes suddenly touches him like he's either asking for attention or reaffirming that Agreas is really there with him.. it's all small things, but it's exactly the kind of stuff that makes Agreas' chest feel oddly light.
That's what it means to be in love, huh? It feels kind of ridiculous, but he likes it anyway. He feels a little ridiculous acting like this too, but it doesn't stop him from pressing a few more small kisses to the side of Elijah's head, happily humming in amusement at what the other is saying, before moving his head back down again to rest it against the couch and closing his eyes without actually falling asleep.
For a moment he just lies there silently, but then he slowly speaks up again. ]
Hey, Elijah. [ His hand moves across the other's back for a moment. ] If you could have anything right now, what would you want?
[ Not that the other hasn't made it very clear in the past what sort of stuff he expected from Agreas. But things have changed between the two of them since then - a lot - and he finds himself much more compelled to actually go the extra mile to help the other out now he isn't constantly forcing things Agreas doesn't want on him. (And part of it probably is still lingering after-effects from the training, but it's not like Agreas himself realises as much consciously.) ]
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Being in love with another person...isn't something he'd ever pictured for himself either. Doing anything romantic, or going out of his way for someone, or...just anything to do with it. But now that he does have it, he wouldn't trade it for anything. He'd never go back to the way he was before...and he'd never want Agreas out of his life.
He actually laughs softly against Agreas's neck at the question. It's funny if only because he can remember how badly he would've wanted to hear that not too long ago...He still does like hearing it now, but...it feels so much lighter.]
Nothing...I have everything I want already. Really.
[Which is true, honestly, and it even sounds sincere when he says it. He's always been content living in this apartment on his own, with a freelance job...But now his life really feels fuller with Agreas in it. Agreas is all he could ever want or need....And it's made him feel even happier with the way things are too...even sharing the apartment with their little kitten.
Except he knows why Agreas would ask him something like that...and it makes him feel a little warmer just thinking of it. Enough that he's glad his face isn't in plain view right now, since it's still at least a little embarrassing. But it gives him that same feeling from when he'd noticed Agreas doing little favors for him before...even just helping him around the house, or giving him a jacket when he was cold. And if Agreas wants to do something now for him too, Elijah can't turn it down.]
But...if I had to come up with something, I guess... Maybe I'd like it if we could.....I don't know. Go somewhere together? On a trip, I mean. I don't really know where, but...It might be nice.
[For some reason it feels embarrassing as hell- almost like he's some blushing newlywed asking his partner where to go on their honeymoon. But he really doesn't need it. He'd be just as happy staying exactly where he is right now...just on the couch on top of Agreas.]
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The next part makes him feel equally fond, and at least definitely not as embarrassed about it as Elijah feels right now. Ever since they've grown this close, Agreas hardly feels shame anymore at displays of affection - it's like once they broke through the barrier of him just thinking the other was an asshole and instead fell in love, all he wants to do at times like these when they're so close is display his affection for his grumpy kitten of a boyfriend. ]
Hmm. That'd be fun. [ Not that he doesn't agree with the sentiment that them staying like this is honestly just as great as them going somewhere far away or anything, but Agreas does like the idea of travelling. There's a lot of places he'd still like to see around the world, and although he always thought when he was younger that he'd just travel around the world someday by himself, by now he finds the idea of peeling himself away from Elijah for that long difficult. The other's training did have lingering effects, and feeling odd when Elijah isn't there is one of them, even though a big part of it is fuelled by love more than anything else by now.
Not that he intends to drag Elijah everywhere he wanted to go around the world.. he wouldn't do that to the other, at least. But making some trips together, just the two of them to some place where a lot of people might not even live.. he likes that thought. A lot. ]
Although we might want to avoid cold areas, huh?
[ Come on, he can't not make fun of Elijah when it comes to the other's disdain for the cold. It's not like Agreas likes the cold - although it's more like he's just indifferent to it, honestly - but the way Elijah starts grumping when the temperature starts dropping is oddly cute. And funny. It still makes him feel just as fond as anything else the other does, though, and it is true Agreas has sacrificed his jacket for Elijah plenty of times because of it. And it means he at least has enough common sense to not put the other through that kind of nightmare.
(His lips curve upward a little at the thought, though.) ]
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Still, even as they're planning a trip together, and even though the thought of going somewhere cold makes his nose scrunch up in annoyance at the though, Elijah would still insist on going with him there too. The idea of Agreas going on a trip without him, even if he'd go by himself just...makes a twinge of jealousy pass through him.
Not because he's dying to go to some snow hell part of the world. It's simply that he wants to be wherever Agreas is...he doesn't want Agreas experiencing something major without him being there too. It's not like he can't ever handle being apart from him at all, but...that's more from a few hours to a couple of days at the most. When it's something that would be this much time? He'd endure the cold for it.
Elijah rolls his eyes though- knowing Agreas will never stop making fun of him for how much he hates the cold. Why wouldn't he hate it? Who likes being cold? The only thing even remotely good about it...is getting Agreas to warm him up.]
I could deal with it, if there's somewhere you really wanted to go.
[Except...maybe somewhere like the actual arctic. He'd have to legitimately bury himself in warm clothes.]
But I'd still definitely vote for someplace warmer for our first trip.
[Because there's no need to limit themselves to just one anyway, even if their second one couldn't be for a while...He likes the idea of looking forward to more of them.]
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It's just way too cute. Honestly, it's almost ironic that Elijah was so intent on only showing his worst sides to Agreas at first and try to win him over with force when nothing could ever have worked as well as just having shown this from the start, just him being this cute. He's aware to a certain point though that his attitude towards Elijah isn't the only thing that's changed - Elijah himself has changed as well during their time together. He can't even imagine the Elijah who looked so smug whenever he knew he had the upper hand over Agreas being willing to cuddle with him on the couch like this.
The thought makes him pull the other a little closer against him. ]
I won't go anywhere you can't follow me without suffering. [ "Suffering" in the Elijah sort of way, anyway. Agreas rubs his nose against Elijah's head a little, like a small affectionate gesture that's way too soft for someone who looks the way Agreas does. ] Promise.
[ As funny as it would be, he's not actually going to drag his boyfriend over to the Artic. Elijah probably would never even want to get off the boat or plane. ]
I don't even want to think about how much you'd whine at me if I went off on my own.
[ Elijah is still possessive to that degree, anyway, and even though Agreas doesn't mind it, he's still aware of it. There's no way Elijah wouldn't clog up his phone's inbox with whiny messages about Agreas not being there - in a way that'd almost be kind of endearing to Agreas anyway. Elijah really acts like some sort of pet when you don't give him enough attention, maybe it's what Agreas ended up falling for with that soft spot in his heart for animals. ]