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

[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."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus sighs and curls his arms around Steve. "I don't need it either."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve is quiet a moment, then pushes himself up to see Orpheus's face. "I carry a shield, Orpheus. Not a gun or a sword or anything used in to attack. A shield. I was made to defend.

"So if I am ever going to ask you for anything, it'll be that. Let me defend you."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus searches his face a moment. Eventually he nods.

"If I need it."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Okay," Steve says and lays down his head again.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus kisses his shoulder. "That's it? That's all you want from me?"

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"For now."

He brushes his thumb over the nape of Orpheus's neck.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus nods, settling against him. "Let me know if that changes."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I will, darlin'." He kisses Orpheus's forehead.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus tilts his face up to kiss Steve's lips.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve kisses him back gently, smiling.


[ooc: Gonna go get a burger before Doctor Who starts.]

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus slides his fingers through Steve's hair, smiling against his lips.


[ooc: kk]

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Do you need to sleep?" Steve whispers. "Are you tired?"

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus really wants to say no, but...

"Yeah."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Okay." Steve kisses him again. "Up for a second so we can get under the covers."

[golden_lyre]

"Yes, sir," Orpheus murmurs, moving to help Steve with that.