OOM: Orpheus

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve does not hustle Orpheus upstairs.

This is not to say he doesn't have plans. The way his hand lingers on the small of Orpheus's back is practically suggestive.



[ooc: Preemptive adult content warning.]

Comments

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Applied knowledge," Steve murmurs and kisses him.

After a moment he says, "When we finished our mission today all I wanted was to get back to you. I wanted to prove I made it--prove to you that you had nothing to worry about."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus gives him a look that is just this side of patronizing. "You made it through a mission, Steve. That doesn't mean you're indestructible."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I don't think that I am," Steve says. "But I am very good at what I do.

"And you'd better believe that I'll be coming home to what home I have."

[golden_lyre]

"I believe you'll do your very best," Orpheus says.

After a moment, he adds, "When I finished that stupid interview, all I wanted was to get here and see if I could find you."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve smiles and kisses the top of Orpheus's head again.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus smirks up at him. "I figured you'd help me take my mind off it at least."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"At least," Steve agrees. "Did I succeed?"

[golden_lyre]

"I think you took my mind off everything, Galahad."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve chuckles and kisses his forehead. "It's what I'm here for, sweetheart," he says quietly. "To make the world go away."

[golden_lyre]

"You're pretty good at that," Orpheus whispers, touching Steve's face.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve kisses Orpheus's hand.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus traces his fingertips along Steve's cheekbone and then slowly down his neck.

"How come you never ask anything of me?"

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve tilts his head. "I ask for stuff from you all the time. Usually having to do with food," he adds with a smile.

[golden_lyre]

"Nothing real, though. That's just...food."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve drops his head on his hand, puzzled. "What do you want me to ask of you?"

[golden_lyre]

"I don't want you to, particularly. I just...wonder why you haven't?"

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve traces over Orpheus's chest a moment or two before he answers.

"I suppose," he says slowly, "I've felt I didn't really have the right."

[golden_lyre]

"Why not?" Orpheus asks, letting his fingers slide over Steve's shoulder.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Because I haven't ... really been sure ... what we are.

"I mean, we're friends, and that's fine, I know how to treat a friend. But we also sleep together and I have no idea how to treat somebody I'm sleeping with, aside from gut instinct. And you haven't liked that."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus trails his hand lower, resting it on Steve's hip. "I don't...want you to treat me like a woman," he says, not sure how better to explain it than that.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I don't expect you to keep my house or bear my children," says Steve wryly.

"Beyond that, I think it would be the same with anyone, man or woman. I want to be gentle with you and look after you, protect you and take care of you ... that's just me, Orpheus. That's just who I am."

[golden_lyre]

"I don't want to be protected," Orpheus says.

The rest of it he thinks he might be okay with. "I'm not made of porcelain."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I know. I don't think you are.

"But you're the one who calls me Galahad. You can't name me after a knight and not expect me to draw my sword on your behalf."

[golden_lyre]

"I expect you to draw your sword on behalf of anyone who wants you to," Orpheus says. "I just...don't. Or not always."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"It's not about want," Steve murmurs, tucking himself against Orpheus. "It's about need."