[IC] Light bless the broken road...
The steady, dull throb of the headache he'd been nursing since the night before kept Kae from finding sleep as quickly as his lovers did. He was exhausted for all the right reasons, for once, yet still unconsciousness skittered about just beyond his reach.
It had been a trying week, but one full of satisfaction and peace unlike he's known for nearly a decade now. No longer hunted, with the backing of the Scryers as his promise of life, finally at home where he belonged, getting the chance to visit with Mephest and Merosiel and Larkspur... Yes, it was a very satisfying week indeed.
Lark was smiling again. He seemed happy enough to be a provider for Meros-- Meridas. Though that wouldn't be necessary for too much longer, would it? Meri was... well, as comfortable as one could expect, given the situation. He mused that she, too, would be thrilled to have this over with finally. Mephest, on the other hand, he didn't quite know what to make of. He gave all the signs of begging for help, for someone to be there, and yet he was as stand-offish as ever. There's no changing that man. Right down to having women flocking to him in droves. If Kae were a lesser man, he might even be jealous!
Amidst these thoughts, one hand stirs to lightly brush ginger hair back out of a sleeping face as one of the rogue's eyes crack open, shedding a faint, emerald glow on the pale face tucked up beneath his chin. Sleep was a rare thing for Oriseus, so Kae was mindful not to wake him, even as he grinned like a fool at the sight.
That had started as just the usual cuddling had quickly dissolved into something quite a bit less innocent, and now both the warlock and paladin were content to use their rogue for a pillow. Khaavren had, at some point, nosed his way under Kae's chin as well, and now slept with his face close enough to Ori's that they might as well be kissing, their shared breaths quiet and sated. Happy.
Perhaps the inability to sleep was, in itself, a blessing. Musing quietly to himself over this, a slightly heavier touch brushes across Khaavren's bare shoulder, not nearly so cautious of waking the heavier sleeper. Slowly, a warm smile finds its way across Kae's lips, just a touch lopsided but in no way as brash as his usual smirks or grins.
Regardless of all the pain he'd caused, they accepted him back with open arms. Despite having options that weren't him while he was gone, they remained steadfast. Above all else in these weeks, above facing his fears, above that rebirth by flame... This was worth it all. Stronger together. Certain. Trust and understanding forged into something that would not be easily broken.
Swallowing the sudden tightness in his throat and closing his eyes against the gentle sting, Kae bows his head just enough to nuzzle where his lovers' foreheads touched.
Come what may, we are one.
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