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.

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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.

Potemkin is hushed by Ky's question, and after a slightly embarrassing fantasy that makes him pull a twitchy expression, he starts in getting himself ready.

"I would want to see all of you," Potemkin answers, looking back at Ky with an almost apologetic look before walking to the bed. All he takes off is the hanging nightwear, which gets pulled over his head with no effort and lightly dropped on the floor. Potemkin's pants are much closer fitting even in his glamored form, but Potemkin climbs on the bed with them.

Potemkin spins on his butt atop the mattress to set his back on it, but that's when he realizes that lying on this sort of bed is new to him. So Potemkin lies down, trying his hardest to look natural.

Ky tilts his head as he regards Potemkin laying awkwardly on the bed. It's difficult to tell if this is another first or if it's Potemkin being himself again. His methods are blunt and straight to the point — in a polite way, not in a brusque or rude way — which sometimes surprises the generally slow and more gradual Ky.

"Is the bed comfortable for you?" He asks while he slips the glasses off to place them on the desk. Awaiting Potemkin's answer, Ky turns to face the man as he slowly pulls his thin, sleep shirt off.

Edited (syntax) 2017-06-23 06:17 (UTC)

"It's fine," Potemkin answers while looking like he's curling backwards into the mattress. He doesn't know where to put his arms when he finally has so much space, so Potemkin's arms lay by his sides without following the rest of his body.

"It's just that I've never been on someone else's bed," he says like it's a small fact. But in the greater situation, Potemkin really is squirming less than expected. Just earlier, Ky undressing beside him would have had Potemkin looking for the door. But Ky has made it clear to him that he won't reject or be disturbed by Potemkin being attracted to him, so Potemkin feels he owes it to him to be more relaxed.

"Hmm, I see." After neatly setting aside his shirt, Ky takes a seat next to Potemkin on the edge of the bed. He's still wearing his trousers as well, though he's sure that won't last for too long. He looks down at the taller man, expression contemplative. "As long as you feel all right. I don't wish to make you uncomfortable."

The blond reaches out to stroke Potemkin's neck. "You'll let me know, won't you?"

Potemkin looks at Ky's face while he feels his fingers along his neck, and that seems to have solved everything. The trick seems so simple now, focus on Ky and what matters and what should be done all seem clear, Potemkin feels.

"I will," Potemkin says firmly, ready to bear all the trust Ky puts into him.

Ky nods, eyes soft as he accepts the answer.

"Thank you," he says. He trusts Potemkin's word. It gives him confidence in taking the lead and shouldering the responsibility of providing his partner with new experiences. Once upon a time, he might've been mortified or stressed by the idea. But, now, he's rather honored. To have such faith placed in him is no light matter; this is someone's heart he has been trusted to handle. And he would never want to do anything to break it.

He runs his hand along his partner's collarbone, tracing down the curve towards the chest. Ky gently rubs small circles around the area, massaging slowly with his fingers running against Potemkin's nipple.

Potemkin's gaze rapidly drops down to where Ky's hand is, and he's instantly mesmerized by Ky's graceful movements that curve down his body. He tenses slightly when Ky reaches his muscular chest, due to the initial sensitivity. But it's the same sensitivity that makes him shudder and ease into Ky's stroking.

Potemkin sighs, long and content. He already feels like he's getting spoiled, from getting exactly what he wanted for what feels like so long. Ky's touch feels just like how he imagined it to be in fantasies which Potemkin squashed and kept fleeting, and denied having even to himself. Now he's basking in it, with all the happiness of a literal dream come true.

"Ky..." Potemkin reaches out to put a hand on Ky's arm higher up than the hand that is touching him, inviting him closer.

The blond man smiles down at Potemkin, glad to see him relaxing. Ky has done so little to please him, but he already has a happy spark in his eyes. And they've only just begun. Just barely, in fact. Such honest joy makes his own heart beat a little faster, his cheeks going a little pink from the crush-like feeling.

Ky leans down, adjusting himself to half-drape over Potemkin's bare chest.

"Yes?" He asks, voice low and (unintentionally) alluring.

Potemkin looks admiringly at Ky hanging in front of him, grateful to be with this man who he loves and sees as one of the very best he's ever known, in kindness and in honor. That it's with this intimacy, half-naked and being spoken to with such a desirable tone, can get even Potemkin excited like an impressionable maiden.

He moves his hand along Ky's arm and brings up his other on the opposite side, so that both go under Ky's arms and to his waist.

"Let me hold you," he asks softly, opening his hands.

Ky smiles.

"Of course," he says as he slides himself across Potemkin's body. It's a significantly easier task than usual. Even though the man beneath him is still larger, he isn't impossibly so. And with Potemkin's changes, it only takes a little adjustment on Ky's part to fit comfortably against his partner. He practically nestles against him, resting his hands on Potemkin's broad shoulders.

Potemkin sucks in air as Ky gets on him. He would shuffle to make it easier for Ky, but Ky seems to be getting around comfortably on his own. So Potemkin stays still, letting himself be a support for Ky while their chests press together.

With Ky right in front of him, Potemkin puts his hands around Ky's waist first, stroking him in the same way like he did with just his wrist earlier. Potemkin feels a pang of embarrassment, because there was a time when this would mean he was about to grapple the knight into submission. But the government agent who would always act first for his country is now a lovesick kitten under the power of the king.

His hands move further up, pressing more and more against Ky's skin until Potemkin finally throws his whole arms across Ky's back. Potemkin embraces Ky as his arms are going over his shoulders, overjoyed that he can truly hold Ky with all of his body.

Potemkin's hands leave traces of warmth against his skin as they travel along his body. Ky's lashes flutter lightly as he savors the delicate touches. His thoughts unknowingly follow the same wavelength as Potemkin's — these are the same hands that were more commonly used to grab Ky mid-jump straight out of the air and then thrown down against the ground like a dirty rag. It was almost amazing to be the recipient of such a considerate hold in light of that fact.

The wholesomeness of the embrace melts his heart. Ky practically sinks against the curves of Potemkin's chest, resting his head in the crook of the man's neck. From Potemkin's enthusiasm, he can assume this is a first as well; an all-embracing and intimate hold that presses them close together. A gesture that others took for granted.

God, a man this gentle and loyal did not deserve to be deprived of such contact. Ky's fingers curl against Potemkin's shoulders. He never realized how unfair it was for the other man.

Potemkin can feel Ky hold on harder, just out of sight because he is currently putting his chin into Ky's shoulder. Potemkin gives a couple of light squeezes to Ky, but mostly he simply hugs, enjoying the mutual affection and comfort from holding the man in his arms. It might not seem like much, yet it is enough for Potemkin to be moved, from how strongly he feels this.

Potemkin sighs and rolls his head to bump into Ky's, slow and leisurely like he's lost himself in a good dream. He bends down and kisses the nearest part of Ky, which happens to be his bare shoulder. It doesn't end at that, and Potemkin backs off just the slightest bit, to make his way down Ky's collarbone with kisses.

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