OOM: Orpheus

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Once he's in their room, Steve decides to take a shower to calm himself down.

He feels the effects of Orpheus's music all the time, but usually it's the ripples of happiness or desire or affection that wash over him. He'd forgotten -- or put out of his mind -- the downside, the gloom, the loneliness, the despair.

And most of the time, he tries not think about Eurydice. Her story would have no meaning to him beyond what he feels about other tragedies in myths, except that Orpheus loved her and it shapes everything he does, even after all this time.

He knows he shouldn't be jealous of a dead woman, but he is.

He stays in the shower for a long, long time.

Comments

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve flips back the covers in an unmistakable invitation. "I want you to get in this bed and warm me up."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus smiles shakily and nods, pausing to shuck his jeans before climbing in next to Steve.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve shoves the towel away and presses his body against Orpheus's.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus swallows as he wraps his arms around Steve. "I'm sorry," he says again. "I love you. You know that, yes?"

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve nods against his neck. "I know."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus presses a kiss to his temple. "More than any man and no less than any woman."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve sighs and holds him tighter.

"I'm sorry I got so upset."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus kisses him again and shakes his head. "No, you...you have a point."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve strokes Orpheus's shoulder. "I do?"

[golden_lyre]

"Yes? I mean...I've not been thinking of you when I should have been."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve smiles and places kisses along Orpheus's jaw.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus sighs and cards his fingers through Steve's hair.

"Would you...would you be upset if I didn't want to tonight?"

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Want to... have sex? No." He tucks his head against Orpheus's neck again. "I don't really want to, either."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus nods, nuzzling along Steve's hairline. "All right."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I love you," Steve whispers. "Even when loving you is hard as hell, I still love you."

[golden_lyre]

He nods. "I love you. And I...will try to make things easier for you."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve smiles and snuggles deeper into Orpheus's arms.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus kisses his forehead, humming softly. There's still a hint of his previous melancholy, but the overwhelming feeling is of comfort.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve relaxes in his arms, giving off his own feeling of comfort.


[ooc: Bedtime.]

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus keeps humming, shifting gradually to a proper lullaby.


[ooc: Goodnight!]

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve is soon asleep, peaceful and deep.

[golden_lyre]

And Orpheus drifts off to the sound of his peaceful breathing.