OOM: Orpheus

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve has had a busy day--busier than he anticipated, in fact, and he'd rather go back to base fresh than worn out.

And he has the key Orpheus gave him.

So it's one supersoldier, one sleepy shower and a solid eight hours later, who's asleep in Orpheus's bed.



[ooc: Adult content warning.]

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[golden_lyre]

"A shield is not infallible, lovely," Orpheus points out. "Plenty of men have died without sword or bullet ever piercing their shield."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I know," Steve says and taps his fingers against the shield, making it ring. "But this is just the simplest technology that's protecting us."

[golden_lyre]

"Nothing is perfect, though," Orpheus says. "And the world has a way of finding enemies to match its heroes."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve leans the shield against the bed and climbs back in. He takes Orpheus's face in his hands and kisses him tenderly.

"I promise I will come back to you."

He kisses Orpheus again.

[golden_lyre]

"Don't," Orpheus says quietly. "Don't promise something you might not be able to do."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve ducks his head and looks at Orpheus through his lashes.

"Don't you have faith in me, sweetheart?"

[golden_lyre]

"Of course, I do," Orpheus says, leaning his forehead against Steve's. "I fully believe you'll succeed in whatever quests you go on."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Then trust me on this," Steve says gently, caressing his cheek. "This is the most important thing I will ever do."

[golden_lyre]

"I know, lovely. I'm not asking you not to go. I'm still allowed to worry."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve caresses Orpheus's forehead, brushing back his hair.

"You're so much sweeter than you know."

[golden_lyre]

"Not sweet," Orpheus murmurs. "Selfish."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"You keep saying that. I've yet to see any evidence of it."

[golden_lyre]

"That's because you keep attributing my selfishness to more noble sentiments."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve leans his head on his hand. "I don't believe for a moment that everything you've done for me, everything you still do for me, is motivated purely by selfishness.

"You," he gently pokes Orpheus in the chest, "kinda like me. You said so. And you like making me happy."

[golden_lyre]

"I do kinda like you. And I do like making you happy," Orpheus admits. "And I want to keep you," he adds.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Good. I want to be kept.

"And that is why, my dearest Orpheus, I will come back to you."


[ooc: Bedtime.]

[golden_lyre]

"Try," Orpheus corrects. "At least give me that much. You'll try."


[ooc: goodnight!]

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve sighs.

"Of course I'll try. But trying implies the possibility of failure, and I'm not going to fail."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus sighs as well, rubbing a hand over his face.

"You can't know that, lovely."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve rests his chin on Orpheus's chest and gazes at him.

"If it makes you feel better...I will try. And when the war's over we'll laugh at you ever could doubt me."

[golden_lyre]

"A man's word is important," Orpheus says quietly. "Sometimes it's the only thing no one can take from him. I would not have you break yours in a foolish attempt to soothe my worries."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve gazes at him steadily. "It's not just for you, sweetheart."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus shakes his head. "Either way, I don't want you promising something that's out of your control."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Fine," says Steve with another sigh. He kisses Orpheus's chest and lays his cheek over his heart.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus lets out another sigh as well, curling an arm around Steve's waist.

Very softly, he says, "I believe that you will do everything in your power to come back to me. I believe that everything in your power is no small thing. I believe that you have a better chance than probably anyone else out there of making it through this."