OOM: Orpheus

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

The Bar, for reasons best known to herself, has given Steve a room that could be a renovated warehouse loft in New York. There's exposed brick and lots of bookcases--which Steve has begun to fill--and a shelf for his record player and vinyl albums. The tall arched windows open to a view that could be Manhattan at nighttime, if you didn't know you were at the end of the universe. The bedding and upholstery are faded, Cape Cod-type shades of cream and red and blue, as if someone left them out in the sun during a long, lazy summer.

Steve gets another key from the bar and stands in front of the door for a few moments, breathing deeply, before he lets himself in.


[ooc: Adult content warning.]

Comments

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve clasps Orpheus to him and buries his face in his neck.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus lets go of the headboard completely and drops onto the mattress.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve drops beside him, breathing heavily.

He looks at Orpheus and smiles like he's on the verge of laughing with joy.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus has a very similar smile on his face. He flings an arm over Steve and actually does laugh.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve hugs him, laughing too.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus curls against him with a smile and a satisfied sigh.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve strokes his hair and kisses softly over his face.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus closes his eyes, laughing again.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve holds Orpheus's face and strokes his cheekbone with this thumb. "I love to hear you laugh, sweetheart."

[golden_lyre]

"You make it easy, my love," Orpheus murmurs.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Seems like I haven't heard it for far too long." He hugs Orpheus to him again and kisses his forehead.

[golden_lyre]

"I'll try to do it more, then," Orpheus says with a smile, tucking himself against Steve.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Whenever you're happy enough to laugh, honey.

"I just hope you're that happy a lot more."

[golden_lyre]

"It's not always easy to be happy," Orpheus murmurs.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I know." He traces Orpheus's face tenderly.

[golden_lyre]

"I don't mind it, lovely," Orpheus says quietly.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Don't mind what? Grief?" He sighs and kisses Orpheus's forehead again.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus laughs softly. "Steve...just because I'm not happy doesn't mean I'm in mourning. It doesn't even mean I'm sad."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I know there are other states of being than happy or unhappy," Steve says dryly. "I just..." He strokes Orpheus's chest.

[golden_lyre]

"Just what?" Orpheus asks quietly.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I just hope you're happy more often than you're not."

[golden_lyre]

He smiles faintly. "Honestly? That sounds exhausting."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I think you have a different notion of happiness than I do."

[golden_lyre]

"Maybe," Orpheus says. "I...don't need that though. I just want...contentment."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Contentment is good." He kisses Orpheus's hair. "I approve of contentment."