[ Joshua can hear that little stumble, though. Even though it's easy to assume what Luca almost said, he won't leap to conclusions... but the idea does make his ears and cheeks warm anyway, just a little.
It's just the cold, clearly. ]
Thank you. I try my best. And it helps that you're someone I want to keep in one piece.
[ He smiles warmly, then gives in to temptation and does lift the fingers of just one hand, pressing his lips to the back of them. ]
My nursemaids always told me that a kiss heals most any ache. Hopefully it will help yours.
[Just the cold indeed. Luca, at least, can lean heavily on that excuse. The amount of body heat radiating off Joshua, however, makes him relatively immune to that. Which makes the gesture he offers, a tender kiss to freezing fingers, all the more baffling. Luca's heart thunders to life, sending fresh heat to his face and ears.]
I - [His words were already halting, considering how sluggish his mind felt. Now, they jumble about from how fast they accelerate.] You have... very wise nurses.
[He flexes the freshly pecked fingers, heart thudding within his throat.]
Though perhaps we should test it with the other hand?
[ If his actions are causing Luca to warm, then all the better. It means there is some truth to what his nursemaids said, even if they didn't mean it in that way. It all seems to be helping, and what kind of healer would he be if he stopped now? ]
I did indeed.
[ He laughs, softly, the first time in a while. His hand moves to take Luca's other hand instead, repeating the ministrations on chilled fingers. ]
[Joshua's efforts are, unsurprisingly, extremely effective on multiple fronts. The only real disadvantage is the fact that, for every ounce warmer he grows, the less emboldened he seems to feel. Shame, it seems, is quick to thaw out.
Before rationality can truly take root in Luca's mind, though, Luca finds himself shifting. He braces his fingers on either side of Joshua's face, coaxing him into looking upward. He's always been pretty, but beneath a backdrop of snow and kissed by flickering firelight, that beauty takes on an entirely new form.]
When we make it out of this - [Luca finds himself saying, before sense slams back into him. He bites down on his lip, nerve collapsing. His fingers shy away from Joshua's face as guilt threatens to overwhelm him.] ... Let me be the one to check on you, alright?
[ ... oh. That was not the response he anticipated. Beneath Luca's fingers, Joshua's skin feels incredibly warm, and not just because of his fire. A pink flush takes his cheeks, and he briefly feels his heart flutter and his throat tighten.
But just as quickly as it came, Luca is pulling his hands back, and Joshua finds himself moving before the last word can even echo against the crystals over them. His hands find Luca's face in a similar way, cupping his cheeks gently as he leans in.
To press a gentle kiss against Luca's forehead. ]
Of course.
[ He doesn't pull back much, hovering in warm proximity. In the cold, it's comfortable. ]
[At even such a fleeting touch, Luca seems to freeze up. Before he can even will himself to dash the thought against the rocks, his mind seems to whisper sinisterly don't stop and come back. He closes his eyes, swallowing down the wash of simultaneous guilt and grief, before opening them once more.]
Thank you. [He swallows, voice sounding the slightest bit thick. ] Not just for this, but for staying safe out there. If anything were to have happened to you...
[They've both lost so much over the past few months. The thought is almost enough to chill Luca once more, so he finds himself shifting, leaning up enough to lay their foreheads together.]
But that is irrelevant, isn't it? We are both still here.
[ It's comfortable, leaning against each other like this. Joshua sighs softly, closing his eyes and just soaking in the closeness and warmth. He has always been fond of touch, even when he went so long without even casually affectionate gestures. Perhaps that only made it worse. ]
I try. I do not wish to empower him by dying, and I do not wish to make you lose another. Especially after what has already happened.
[ If he's echoing Luca's thoughts, he doesn't know it. It's the truth, plain and simple. ]
We are both still here, and we are both alive. That is all that matters. And together, we can get through anything.
[Comfortable as they both are, it only makes sense for Luca to reach out, gently holding Joshua's forearms between his own, just in case. It's like he said — together they could get through anything. Luca just has to hold on tight enough, right?]
So long as I do not freeze to death, I will remain here. [Luca's smile is just a touch wry. At least he can find it in himself to be a little silly.] Well, preferably not here. Do try to pick somewhere warmer for us to settle next time.
[ However Luca is comfortable resting, Joshua will allow it. If this is how he ends up sleeping tonight, so be it. There are far worse ways to fall asleep than with a loved one in his arms.
In fact, he will tug Luca a little closer, his wings wrapping around them like a blanket. It's more comfortable than trying to lean back against the wall without squishing them, anyway. ]
You will not freeze to death on my watch. On that, you have my word. And in lieu if a warmer place, I do hope that for now, this will suffice...?
[Sitting up as they are doesn't make for the most pleasant of positioning, but compared to the alternative — teeth chattering in the open air, all by himself — like hell he's going to complain. And that was before Joshua decided to do what was arguably the most romantic thing possible.
Something that may well kill Luca, by the way.]
It's - perfect. [This time, when his words stumble, it's not from the cold. In fact, it's very clear that Luca's face, at the very least, is warming up just fine. He tucks his head downward before Joshua can get a good look at that, nestling beneath his chin.]
[ That's all he needed to hear. With a smile, Joshua lets Luca settle in however he likes, ensuring that he is warm and covered once he has found a place.
And those words make him laugh, albeit softly and not much more than a breath. ]
Do you? For what, pray tell? I am only doing what I would have done regardless.
Mm, is that so? [Tucked into Joshua's neck, hidden away from his face, maybe Luca feels a little emboldened. Or perhaps it's just how well things have been going, how comfortable he feels with Joshua. The guilt does still eat at the back of his mind but..
It's one question, right? A question that Joshua even opened the door for.]
So, if I were not - half-frozen and trembling, you would still be holding me like this?
[He keeps his tone light, near teasing. With his face hidden, there's no way Joshua can tell just how serious the question happens to be.]
[ Ah. He had opened the door for it, indeed. He couldn't attempt to cover his tracks even if he wanted to, though. No, the truth of the matter is, he truly would keep Luca warm regardless of circumstances, and he would gladly hold his friend like this even if warmth wasn't needed. There's no denying it in the slightest.
The question makes him flush, though, and he's glad that neither of them can see each other's face. ]
... yes. I would. If you would be amenable, of course.
[ Way to make it sound like you're asking to court him, Joshua. What if that isn't why he's asking at all? The cold is addling his brain, clearly. ]
[A low hum leaves Luca, thoughtful, and perhaps a touch delighted. His face feels hotter than ever, and he can't help but wonder if Joshua can feel as much, given their current proximity. If he dwells on that thought, though, he's never going to get out what he needs to.
Which is to say, looping back to what he meant to say before.]
We... should talk more then. When we return to the Grove.
[Not here on a mountain. Not just because it's completely unromantic, but because they both need time to think, of that he is certain. There is a path that they could choose to walk together here, but he won't rush onto it when there is so much else that could complicate matters.
Never mind the stress of the last several weeks. Who's to say it isn't their endorphins running high from finally breaking free, or the cold well and truly making them delirious. He has to be sure.
[ Likewise, Joshua has his own reservations, and not because he doesn't feel this way for Luca. Ultimately, the last time he'd grown close to someone, the Forest had used it as a weapon against him, a means of punishing him for digging a little too far. He doesn't want that to happen again. He doesn't want Luca to suffer for his quest for knowledge.
But that is something that they can discuss later, once they are safely back in the Grove. ]
Indeed. When we return to the Grove.
[ But rather than dwell further on it, he pulls Luca closer, more snug against him. To share the warmth he's giving off, and all that .]
[It's a relief that Joshua doesn't spurn him for his hesitation. It makes it far easier to relax, body going almost limp against his friend's side. Weeks of tension begins to melt from his body, leaving him feeling almost boneless. If he needed to, he could probably lift up his sword and fight but beasts, let it not come to that.]
That's all I need.
[No matter what came of... all of this, really, at least he could rely on Joshua being there. Maybe they would decide that friendship was better for them, but the idea of Joshua actually casting Luca out...? That one seemed incredibly far-fetched.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sticksandbonesmods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
sticksandbones2025-10-15 12:56 pm
no subject
It's just the cold, clearly. ]
Thank you. I try my best. And it helps that you're someone I want to keep in one piece.
[ He smiles warmly, then gives in to temptation and does lift the fingers of just one hand, pressing his lips to the back of them. ]
My nursemaids always told me that a kiss heals most any ache. Hopefully it will help yours.
no subject
I - [His words were already halting, considering how sluggish his mind felt. Now, they jumble about from how fast they accelerate.] You have... very wise nurses.
[He flexes the freshly pecked fingers, heart thudding within his throat.]
Though perhaps we should test it with the other hand?
no subject
I did indeed.
[ He laughs, softly, the first time in a while. His hand moves to take Luca's other hand instead, repeating the ministrations on chilled fingers. ]
There we are. Is that better?
no subject
Before rationality can truly take root in Luca's mind, though, Luca finds himself shifting. He braces his fingers on either side of Joshua's face, coaxing him into looking upward. He's always been pretty, but beneath a backdrop of snow and kissed by flickering firelight, that beauty takes on an entirely new form.]
When we make it out of this - [Luca finds himself saying, before sense slams back into him. He bites down on his lip, nerve collapsing. His fingers shy away from Joshua's face as guilt threatens to overwhelm him.] ... Let me be the one to check on you, alright?
no subject
But just as quickly as it came, Luca is pulling his hands back, and Joshua finds himself moving before the last word can even echo against the crystals over them. His hands find Luca's face in a similar way, cupping his cheeks gently as he leans in.
To press a gentle kiss against Luca's forehead. ]
Of course.
[ He doesn't pull back much, hovering in warm proximity. In the cold, it's comfortable. ]
I trust you completely. And I will not forget.
no subject
Thank you. [He swallows, voice sounding the slightest bit thick. ] Not just for this, but for staying safe out there. If anything were to have happened to you...
[They've both lost so much over the past few months. The thought is almost enough to chill Luca once more, so he finds himself shifting, leaning up enough to lay their foreheads together.]
But that is irrelevant, isn't it? We are both still here.
no subject
I try. I do not wish to empower him by dying, and I do not wish to make you lose another. Especially after what has already happened.
[ If he's echoing Luca's thoughts, he doesn't know it. It's the truth, plain and simple. ]
We are both still here, and we are both alive. That is all that matters. And together, we can get through anything.
no subject
So long as I do not freeze to death, I will remain here. [Luca's smile is just a touch wry. At least he can find it in himself to be a little silly.] Well, preferably not here. Do try to pick somewhere warmer for us to settle next time.
no subject
In fact, he will tug Luca a little closer, his wings wrapping around them like a blanket. It's more comfortable than trying to lean back against the wall without squishing them, anyway. ]
You will not freeze to death on my watch. On that, you have my word. And in lieu if a warmer place, I do hope that for now, this will suffice...?
no subject
Something that may well kill Luca, by the way.]
It's - perfect. [This time, when his words stumble, it's not from the cold. In fact, it's very clear that Luca's face, at the very least, is warming up just fine. He tucks his head downward before Joshua can get a good look at that, nestling beneath his chin.]
I owe you, you know.
no subject
And those words make him laugh, albeit softly and not much more than a breath. ]
Do you? For what, pray tell? I am only doing what I would have done regardless.
no subject
It's one question, right? A question that Joshua even opened the door for.]
So, if I were not - half-frozen and trembling, you would still be holding me like this?
[He keeps his tone light, near teasing. With his face hidden, there's no way Joshua can tell just how serious the question happens to be.]
no subject
The question makes him flush, though, and he's glad that neither of them can see each other's face. ]
... yes. I would. If you would be amenable, of course.
[ Way to make it sound like you're asking to court him, Joshua. What if that isn't why he's asking at all? The cold is addling his brain, clearly. ]
no subject
Which is to say, looping back to what he meant to say before.]
We... should talk more then. When we return to the Grove.
[Not here on a mountain. Not just because it's completely unromantic, but because they both need time to think, of that he is certain. There is a path that they could choose to walk together here, but he won't rush onto it when there is so much else that could complicate matters.
Never mind the stress of the last several weeks. Who's to say it isn't their endorphins running high from finally breaking free, or the cold well and truly making them delirious. He has to be sure.
He has to do this right.]
no subject
But that is something that they can discuss later, once they are safely back in the Grove. ]
Indeed. When we return to the Grove.
[ But rather than dwell further on it, he pulls Luca closer, more snug against him. To share the warmth he's giving off, and all that .]
For right now, we shall keep each other warm.
no subject
That's all I need.
[No matter what came of... all of this, really, at least he could rely on Joshua being there. Maybe they would decide that friendship was better for them, but the idea of Joshua actually casting Luca out...? That one seemed incredibly far-fetched.]
Thank you.