animatedsmoke | (no subject)

(no subject)

Who: Ky Kiske, Potemkin
What: New York New York
When: AU (Carvaka + Fables/The Wolf Among Us)
Where: New York

After so much struggle and work to force change on the universe, to have it show some acknowledgement to their efforts or make the barest turn toward their survival, it was change that came on them instead. Like an interstellar probe finding a star among millions, without any foreshadowing or warning a single dimension made itself known to discovery, and that was the moment when the inhabitants of Between found a world that had survived the death of the universe. At last there was some place that didn't resist life to exist on it, or resent it. The planet was alive, populated, growing, and distinctively Earth. But it was still not their Earth, and one could feel the difference with every moment taken in it. It was palpable in the air breathed, the sunlight felt, the mood of the sky. That was before even including interacting with the inhabitants, who turned out to be separate down to the physical definition of humanity.

It's not what anyone wanted. It's not what anyone asked or wished or dreamed for. But it is new chance, a fresh start, and in its purity of experience it is unfamiliar to everyone, which is both terrifying and equalizing.

Ultimately the tantalizing possibilities outweigh the undesirables. No one could bring themselves to refuse the hand. After years of waiting, the confidence had been instilled that nothing better would come, and that this escape was truly the chance of a lifetime. With the deal made, now they must deal with it.

________________

Potemkin throws a bus schedule or four on the nearest flat surface in front of Ky, the folded paper making a slap on the speckled plastic table that is audible even among the incessant sound of traffic outside. Potemkin doesn't add any words to his offering, expecting that the noise will get Ky to look up from whatever he's doing, and makes his way to the refrigerator. He had gone through a bureaucratic ordeal today, and these pieces from a Take One bin are the most significant fruits of his labor. Potemkin has a deep well of patience, but he seeks to refill it when it's drunk from.

It would be a miracle if Potemkin could fit in any form of public transportation (that isn't airship), but as shown by his flippancy he didn't pick those up for himself. Ky Kiske looks normal, at least, he will be able to pick up work, and look through both Fable and Mundie employers to do it (and maybe even someday hold a political position in Fabletown). A job anywhere in this city means some sort of commute. As for Potemkin, who stood out even in the world he was born in, he'll figure it out on his own.

Not that he has all the time in the world to do that, rent comes in a month.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The compliment surprises Ky, though not in an unpleasant way. Since the Fortress Between, he's learned how to handle and accept such compliments. He can take them at face value and allow himself to feel praised rather than ashamed. And praised he certainly feels, what with the genuine and direct way Potemkin expresses himself.

Ky sits up in his seat, newspaper momentarily ignored, his expression softening with a hint of shyness in his smile.

"I hardly deserve such praise," he says tenderly. And then a realization hits him. "Is that why you excused yourself so quickly that day?"

Potemkin has to reconsider what he just said for a moment. Is this first time actually saying something like this to Ky? Potemkin thought he came clean of everything, but some things must have passed him.

"I. Uh. Did not behave in a way to be proud of," Potemkin mumbles. Recollecting the moment is very awkward, but he can't avoid it and excuse himself in front of Ky. "But I did notice you then." He notices Ky now, and Potemkin becomes abruptly quiet again.

Edited (missing verb) 2017-06-09 06:56 (UTC)

Ky diverts his gaze for a moment as he chuckles. "I'm sorry I didn't realize it sooner. I was — I still am — oblivious to such situations at times."

But he's not being oblivious now, that's for certain. For as much as Potemkin is noticing Ky, the blond is doing the same in return. He watches the way the other man mumbles awkwardly, yet manages to continue his honesty. He watches the quiet way Potemkin gazes at Ky with such a familiar expression and face, despite the other physical changes that come with wearing a glamour. The newspaper has lost all of Ky's attention now.

"I'm... glad I know now," he softly adds.

Potemkin doesn't know what he was expecting to hear, but Ky's soft words go over him like praise. He goes from trying whatever would embarrass himself least to looking back directly at Ky. He simply can not take his eyes off him for long, as much as he tries.

"You are?" Potemkin asks with earnest surprise despite that he just heard the answer.

"Yes," Ky answers. His hand comes up to his chest, curled into a fist. "That much I know for certain. Perhaps it was the Fortress that changed me, but when I'm with you, I can feel my heart warm with fondness."

And yet nothing is without complications, and Ky is comfortable enough to freely admit it to Potemkin. He pauses, expression growing serious although no less genuine.

"But I know it shouldn't... and I don't know what to do."

"Ky," Potemkin says his name in concern, but in his chest his worry for Ky comes conflicted with the simultaneous disbelief that some of his feelings might possibly be mutual. Potemkin had been doing fine believing that there was no point in acknowledging this part of him, but now Ky brought it up to the forefront and made it ache once again.

With Ky turning to him for answers, Potemkin can't give him any less than his most serious attention. He represses the part of him that wants to ask Ky more questions.

"Regardless of what you know, you should also know to not think you can control what comes from the heart. I have my part in that too."

Ky gives Potemkin a small smile in agreement. "I know. It's something I struggled with in the Fortress as well. I've been told I'm too sentimental for what was required of us."

He could never detach himself from the act of intimacy. Each encounter had a little bit of his heart put into it during the times he was mindful. It couldn't be helped. Ky was no Sol Badguy — he couldn't shove aside and ignore his heart like that.

"...but that's fine. I understand now it is the way I am. I accept it, even if it means I may find myself in confusion in the future."

Such as now. He looks up, giving Potemkin a gentle look through his glasses. The other man is slightly illuminated by the distant light, giving him a soft glow. No matter how serious the conversation is, Ky feels relaxed. There's some relief in having a moment like this to express his thoughts.

Potemkin solemnly takes in what Ky says, and because he braced himself to be Ky's support he's surprised to hear acceptance.

"In that case...you give me hope that I can accept how I am, too," Potemkin closes his eyes, like he's finally found a break amidst all of these complicated issues. When he opens them, he sees Ky's face, showing him all of the kindness he's so fond of and the bespectacled look he just helped him out in. Potemkin raises his hand to his mouth, to subtly cover up his enjoyment. Potemkin isn't ready to be the one to deflate his own image.

Ky notices that hand. He hesitates for a moment, seemingly contemplating something to himself, before making the decision to fold up his newspaper. He doesn't feel like reading much anymore. He's far too preoccupied.

"You are a man of strength, Potemkin," he says as he sets the paper aside. "I have little doubt in your ability to accept yourself."

He slowly comes to a stand before the taller man. "But I'm glad I can offer you hope, at least."

Potemkin is surprised to see the newspaper being put away, since he was ready to excuse himself (and his faint blush), say his goodnight, and leave Ky to his reading. And then be left with a lot to think about before sleeping.

He becomes even a little confused when Ky goes up to him. Potemkin lowers his hand to talk, which exposes his expression enough - tenderness for Ky, and a small amount of nervousness.

"Ky?"

Ky reaches up for his glasses but stops short when Potemkin says his name. He looks over and catches the man's expression — the soft, gentle look that Ky can now recognize as fondness and the hint of embarrassment paired with it. Although he intended to put the newspaper away and wish Potemkin a good night, he can't help but pause.

It might be their proximity, or maybe it's old habits from the Fortress kicking in, but he's suddenly very aware of Potemkin's presence. He can be oblivious most of the time, but not now. Not when the atmosphere is like this. Calm, tender from their confessions, and... suspenseful. As if both of them are expecting something to happen.

Before he can catch himself, his hand is moving to rest on the side of Potemkin's neck.

Potemkin only realizes he was hanging in anticipation when Ky stops moving. That's when it hits him that he's been standing as if suspended in time, which isn't very conductive for Ky or Potemkin returning to their rooms. Potemkin is about to step to the side to let Ky pass first, but seeing Ky's arm move in the corner of his vision, to the side of his head, makes him stop again.

He has to remember all over again that Ky is this close, that it's this easy for Ky to reach out to him with his glamor on. To reach out, to touch... Potemkin has his restrained behavior even when his strength isn't visible, so he doesn't move an inch despite seeing his hand and giving every bit of Ky's actions an agonizing amount of attention.

He's almost surprised to feel Potemkin's warm, solid skin beneath his hand. He felt the glamour earlier, when he first saw Potemkin's change, but he hasn't had an opportunity since then. He vaguely wonders if Potemkin can feel him as well as he can. If his hand is as warm as the firm muscle beneath it.

Ky didn't intend to invade Potemkin's space like this. He doesn't usually touch without asking. And yet, without a word, he's closing the distance between them and leaning in, gently pressing a chaste kiss to the taller man's lips.

He doesn't usually touch without asking... unless he's with someone he trusts that much.

Potemkin at once feels Ky's hand on his neck and starts to savor it, even before he's fully comprehended that this is something happening in reality. For a split second Potemkin's mind runs chaotically on trying to explain what changed between them, what caused this and how and why, but he decides to stop thinking about that and allow himself to just feel. That is the last of Potemkin staying frozen, because after that he relaxes, his shoulders slumping as he closes his eyes. Potemkin stays that way, softly breathing as he accepts Ky's hand on his neck.

Now he's being kissed. Potemkin's eyelids fly open in the gentlest shock that could ever go through him, before Potemkin starts relying on his memory, of how to kiss back when a man who is at once delicate and strong is kissing him. He closes his eyes again as he meets Ky's lips with his own, returning just as much as Ky gives him.

Potemkin could have been completely absorbed with kissing, but he's just enough encouraged to also wrap his hand around the wrist of the hand of Ky's that is petting his neck.

The reciprocation is a comforting sign. The encouraging hold on his wrist is a reminder of their faith in each other. The tranquility between them quiets any thoughts that might speak against his actions.

In other words, this moment is perfect.

It is by far the most romantic thing in the world. The apartment is run down, the light is dim because the electricity is weak, and they are both displaced from their homes. But Ky feels something akin to relief as he leans into the kiss. It's almost as if he needed this. As if he needed to hold and touch Potemkin for a while now. He didn't even realize it until he actually took that step.

He... missed this. The feeling of trust and intimacy that can only be associated with affectionate contact like this. And when they finally part from their kiss, he can't bring himself to break away from Potemkin's grasp.

Because Ky doesn't pull away his hand first, Potemkin can run along his hand in his hold. He pets Ky's wrist with his fingers, eyes still closed because the effect of this action on Potemkin goes farther than just the moment of the kiss.

It's still so strange that Potemkin can even hold Ky like this, treat him with the delicateness he wants to express and feels Ky warrants without constant physical reminders of his limitations. The thought that ordinary people can experience this all the time makes him emotional, but it's an aside compared to the immediate acknowledgement, respect, and intimacy from Ky.

So he opens his eyes with a look that's not entirely happy. There's a smile on his face along with mournful, longing eyes that look only at Ky. Potemkin is still silent, partly because he's mum for words, partly because he trusts Ky to pick up what there is to understand.

The expression concerns Ky for a moment before realization dawns on him. The comparison between this moment of closeness between them — the gentle way Potemkin's hand cradles his wrist — and their previous moments in the Fortress suddenly strikes him like a lightning bolt. The caring, minute way the man's fingers move against the skin would have been impossible if he was at his natural size. For Ky, the glamour is but a change in physical appearance. But to Potemkin, it must mean more. So much more that Ky cannot even comprehend it.

And perhaps that was the cause of the pain he can see in Potemkin's eyes.

Ky silently watches him, trying to think of something to say, until he decides he doesn't need words. With his other hand, he reaches for Potemkin's to gently pry it off his wrist. If he's successful, Ky will promptly bring the hand to his face.

It's an invitation to touch him. To continue touching him. To feel. To experience.

And Ky wants to be here to support him.

Potemkin's head clears when he feels a prick at his hand, from Ky pulling at him. The reason is not obvious to him at first, and he starts to worry if he held on for too long, but true to his nature of following along almost to a fault, Potemkin doesn't resist.

What a heartstopper it is when Potemkin realizes Ky is taking his hand closer instead of off him. He picks up on the invitation very quickly, but he's much slower to act on it. Deliberately he moves his hand across, until he has Ky's cheek in his palm. He lightly curls his fingers, already almost breathless from feeling the warmness of his face.

Edited (repeating myself...) 2017-06-20 06:02 (UTC)

Ky's eyes slowly close as he leans into Potemkin's hand. He stops just short of rubbing his own cheek against the warm palm like some pleased kitten. This is what he hoped for.

This is fine. He opens his eyes to focus on Potemkin again. To see the emotions in the other man's eyes. He wants to understand, too.

Potemkin regains the confidence to steady himself as time passes, and in short order his fingers go from barely touching Ky's skin with the pads to stroking his face. Potemkin's hand moves freely in his gathering of new experiences, going from Ky's cheek, to holding the dip underneath his chin, to petting the side of his head. Each moment Potemkin gains a peacefulness in his soul, and a growing smile that cracked his usual severity no matter his intentions or whether Ky could see him.

When Ky opens his eyes, Potemkin is caught glowing in happiness, on such an intensity that almost brings out tears from the stone-like man. He returns Ky's gaze with an affectionate look of his own, and decides Ky's attention warrants sayin something at last.

"Ky... I've never felt you this way. I didn't realize how much I wanted to."

"Potemkin..."

The king who always has words of hope for his people finds himself speechless before the genuine emotion emanating from Potemkin. The mountainous soldier is but man right now. A man running his fingers against Ky's skin as if this is the first time he has ever touched him. The more Ky considers it, the more he realizes that is likely the case. The blond trusts and values Potemkin for who he is, but how many other things did Potemkin write off due to his size and herculean strength? How many options were closed from him, despite his admirable sense of duty and loyalty?

Did the man have a civilian life at all? The sudden question very nearly stuns Ky in his thoughts. He realizes he doesn't know Potemkin as well as he ought to.

Ky decides it's time to change that.

"I wonder... how many 'wants' you've dismissed from your mind." His words are slow, deliberate, and thoughtful. He's wandering into truly personal matters, and he's wary of stepping on Potemkin's metaphorical toes. "After all these years of holding back..."

Edited (repetition) 2017-06-21 07:02 (UTC)

Ky asks Potemkin to think of himself, so he does, settling his hand to a cupped position on the side of Ky's face while his actions slow. He mumbles his thoughts out loud, sharing everything with Ky as he goes through what is new and unexplored to him too.

"I did always wish I had pencils that wouldn't break... and see more places that could handle my weight.

But even when I knew it would make me a worse soldier, I wished it was easier to make the choice of not hurting people," because that would cover everything important, whether it be sparring, or working, or loving.

Potemkin abruptly turns his gaze down, away from Ky. "Ky, I could show you better, in your room."

Ky's heart strains with pity for Potemkin after hearing his wish to control his strength. It is a similar sympathy he felt when he heard Dizzy's tearful desire to hold her power back and spare people any injury. How Ky manages to surround himself with people like this is almost humorous — or is it fate? Rather than feeling weighed by guilt, his prior experience only makes him yearn to understand and relieve Potemkin of that pain.

He touches the larger hand resting against his face to prompt his housemate to look at him.

"Potemkin." There is no apprehension in his voice. "Lead the way. Show me."

The only reason why Potemkin could manage to ask that out of Ky was because there was already so much trust and openness between them. After everything that's been passed from one to the other, Potemkin felt he could say that.

Potemkin looks back up at Ky, as if confirming what he heard, that Ky is willing to better understand him. That's it before Potemkin has to stop touching Ky to turn and walk out of the room.

He stops at Ky's door. He walks in first, not looking behind him. Potemkin's eyes move around the bedroom, but mostly they stop at the bed.

"Either of us could lay down first."

Ever the romantic, Potemkin. Ky allows the darker man to walk ahead of him before quietly following. His own room is tidy, though rather unremarkable (due to limited funds) and not without a few notepads and papers strewn about on his secondhand desk. He should've put those away earlier, admittedly, but he didn't expect to have a guest tonight. The blond highly doubts Potemkin is paying it much mind anyway.

Ky doesn't completely shut the door tight behind them, though he does close it just enough to leave only a small crack open. He moves forward to stand beside Potemkin by the bed, keeping an attentive eye on the other man's face.

"Which would you prefer?" He asks. Although Potemkin offered first, Ky insists on asking to let the Zeppian take control of the situation. This is about Potemkin's heart and wants. It's about what he wants to feel and explore. Ky knows it isn't his place to give orders here right now.