Echos of a fateful meeting

[Sebastian Arcturis]

It hurt just as much as it felt good. Bastian moaned softly, his still slightly labored breaths easing with every passing moment. He did open his eyes as Leti's touch grew faintly more...suggestive, but all things considered, Bastian wasn't really sure where that line was anymore. They were quite familiar with each other, after all, and they were alone.

Brown eyes watched Leti's hands and their rhythmic motion until he almost felt lulled to sleep. Bastian blinked the feeling away. "You have been...holding out on me..." he murmured. Yet another attempt at teasing that his tone never quite conveyed. Needless to say, he was grateful for the quite moment, to not feel the need to say or do anything besides, for once, take it easy with the other man.

[Feleti Eidothea]

Leti chuckled "well I don't bring out such talents for everyone" or anyone really. He too was happy to have this quiet moment. A moment where bastian wasn't in pain and was finally calmed was rare indeed. The healer moved up to sit between bastian's legs so that he could massage what little of his torso wasn't bandaged...which really amounted more to one shoulder and the man's stomach. He couldn't help letting his hands roam the man's well defined hips. Rubbing circles with his thumbs in a teasing fashion.
The healer really did want to help bastian relax....but he also couldn't help but crave to rile the poor guy up.
He certainly not for the first time wished the soldier were a bit further along in the healing process so that his hands could have roamed every inch un-hindered.

[Sebastian Arcturis]

It wasn't the first time Leti had said such a thing to him. Bastian didn't remember every moment of that first encounter, but he was starting to feel special. No, that wasn't quite right. Leti was special. And he made Bastian feel that sometimes...he was special too. He appreciated that. And the teasing way Leti brushed it aside.

The soldier couldn't say he was relaxed often. Calm sometimes but that was a facade to cover up the discord beneath. This though...this was what it really meant to be calm, he decided.

He was, perhaps surprisingly, quite ticklish on his stomach. Bastian's abs jumped and he bit back an involuntary laugh before he could reign himself back in. He quickly warmed to Leti's touch however and melted back into the blankets once more. He hummed slightly at the man's hands on his hips, more than aware of where Leti was sitting. He too was torn by his desire to relax and to roll the healer over. The two weren't mutually exclusive, in his mind, he just couldn't pull together the effort to move.

"You are better looking with your robes off too," he said softly in encouragement between soft moans, letting one hand rest on Leti's arm as his worked. Leti didn't need to do much more to get Bastian's interest.

[Feleti Eidothea]

His own heart fluttered slightly at the feel of bastian's stomach quivering under his touch. The slight laugh it brought out was really unfair for how attractive it was. It reminded him of how little the man smiled. It felt like a small victory to see even a hint of it, even if it was just an involuntary reaction to being a bit ticklish.
Of course Leti had no way of knowing that he was in fact blessed with more smiles from the guard than most people were.

catching the ferevent looks and the soft moans delighting his ears leti did as suggested and leaned back slightly to slowly shrug off his robe. His pale chest exposed to the candlelight. He rather coyly didn't remove his pants yet. His hands returned to bastian, smoothing up his sides and leaning over close to massage what was uncovered of bastian's uninjured shoulder and neck.

[Sebastian Arcturis]

If he didn't smile often, he didn't laugh at all. Not freely anyway. Leti had been graced with quite a lot of smiles and even a few chuckles here and there. While Bastian was a bit self conscious of slip, he he was not at all conscious of how attractive his laugh was. He was simply pleased he didn't have to fend the healer off.

Bastian smiled faintly, watching the man get a little more comfortable. "Better," he noted, though clearly the healer jad left him with something to be desired. He was mostly certain that was on purpose. Leti was proving to be quite the fox indeed.

He groaned faintly as Leti massaged his shoulder. It hurt more than it felt good but he had been relying on it quite a lot to get up the steps. It actually made him more keenly aware of his upper back. "I can roll over?" He suggested after a long moment, looking up at Leti's handsome features and bare chest. If it wouldn't take so much effort to lift himself up, he would kiss the healer.

[Feleti Eidothea]

Letti was more than happy to oblige the man's request, moving aside to help the soldier roll over to his back. He was rewarded with the tan expanse of backside that honestly was a treat all by itself. The healer wasn't sure he had really gotten the chance to take in the view of bastian's back side so thoroughly before. He did have to have the man face up for obvious reasons usually.

He settled back in between bastian's legs and let his hands rest on bastian's lower back. His thumbs rubbing firm circles just above the man's hips for a moment. As his hands slid over the firm buttocks he gave a playful squeeze only to move on to massaging the back of bastian's good leg.

[Sebastian Arcturis]

Bastian was prepared for moving to hurt. What he had forgotten about was the whole breathing bit. Normally, he prefered to sleep on his side or stomach but with his injuries he had been forced to get used to something else for good reason. It hurt to breath with his own weight. But between the tea and Leti's hands he relaxed again with only a few groans and shifts to get comfortable.

He didn't think anything of showing off. He sort of assumed Leti had seen everything already considering he couldn't account for quite a few days. He really didn't have any shame. Even so Leti's touch moving down and squeezing surprised him. Immediately after that he found himself almost disappointed the man moved to his leg. He wasn't sure he wanted to encourage that, however. It wasn't like he had done anything himself before. Besides, he was quite enjoying being subject to Leti's hands. Bastian let out a few faint hums of approval, though it was readily apparent his breathing was a lot more labored lying on his stomach. It was worth it.

[Feleti Eidothea]

Leti's hands roamed bastian's body as if committing every curve to memory. He had a little more access to uninjured parts of bastian's torso from behind. Most of the injuries were of course to his front so even with the bandages it felt as though he was able to do more from this side. Even so, as vigilant for the man's health as he was he of course noticed the slight labour to his breathing. He knew that this was a luxury that would soon have to end.
Just because the tea was easing the pain didn't mean Leti had any desire to push the limit of what the tea could do.

He slid his hands up the back of bastian's thighs to give some more suggestive hand movements, again just shy of touching anywhere indecent. He was finding that this teasing of bastian actually only made him want to move on to more bold forms...but he didn't want to have another lung incident.

[Sebastian Arcturis]

Bastian could have fallen asleep like this. He didn't remember being in such a serene state before. Yes, the theriac had mimicked such a thing but not nearly so naturally. He only didn't commit to sleep because then he couldn't enjoy Leti in all senses of the phrase.

No one had ever touched him like Leti did. It was both firm and gentle and while the healer obviously couldn't massage everywhere, it was clear he was doing nearly that. Normally, leaving himself so open and exposed was impossible. But under the healer's hands he couldn't imagine breaking the spell.

"Who are you teasing. Me or you?" He asked. It was a guess, certainly, but even without seeing Leti, that the man suggested anything with his hands seemed indicative of his motivation. Though, maybe his avoidance was the opposite? Maybe he wasn't interested right now. Bastian wasn't sure. He only knew he was sorely wishing they hadn't gone down so many steps.

[Feleti Eidothea]

It was nice to see the man so completely relaxed of course. Leti had certainly seen other bodies naked, and touched strangers in some pretty odd places but all of that had been as a healer. He had never before been drawn to touch someone so intimately. It was just different.

He couldn't help a chuckle at that line of questioning. He couldn't deny that the massage was having less calming effects on himself. "was I that easy to tell?..." He continued the massage but punctuated with another squeeze to bastian's butt "Maybe it's a little of both~" He relented his tone light and playful. After the last time he didn't want to put bastian in a difficult situation if the man wasn't quite...ready...
He moved aside to help the man roll over if he needed to. "how's your breathing? anything hurt?" He asked with only a hint of the usual concern seeping in.

[Sebastian Arcturis]

Bastian snorted in amusement. No, he wasn't that easy to read, at least not to the soldier. Likely it was obvious to those with better adjusted social skills. "Safe bet, considering..." well, he wasn't sure how to say it and finished a bit softer. "Considering how much it is teasing me." That was clear, at least.

Certainly better clarity than last time. It wasn't so much a difficult situation as it was uncomfortable. Not being able to act on his desires could be...frustrating. Still, maybe taking a less active role wouldn't be that bad.

"I am fine," he maintained, resisting rolling over. It was more comfortable even if he needed to work a bit harder to breathe. He knew he couldn't sleep like that but for right now, he was determined to enjoy the position. "Wish I was not so tired..." Or so injured, his thoughts echoing Leti's.

[Feleti Eidothea]

Leti could feel his cheeks heating up knowing that the massage was actually having some effect.
He resumed massaging some of bastian's back humming a bit, clearly pleased that his teasing had at least elicited a confession. He couldn't deny that he was tempted to move the massage on to something a bit more saucy....but he decided against it. The poor guy really did need the rest after all those stairs.
After a few more minutes of quietly massaging the man he sighed and decided it was probably time to get the man to flip over. He imagined that bastian might actually fall asleep soon.
He offered his help to get bastian turned back over before settling in beside the man.
"maybe...you can just have a bit of a nap before lunch, hm?" They had spent much of the day messing about in the lower cave so it wouldn't make much difference to leti if they spent a little more time away from chores. He imagined Cain wasn't really going to be thrilled that he had shown an outsider such things....especially considering who he might be..

either way Leti was happy to enjoy a bit more quiet with the soldier.

[Sebastian Arcturis]

Bastian groaned pleasantly at finally being helped to roll pver again. He hadn't quite dozed off but it had been a blissful moment nonetheless. As much as he would have liked to continue to enjoy it, his chest was grateful to the healer for getting him settled in an easier position to breathe.

"Thanks," he grumbled generally, covering a yawn as Leti suggested he take a nap. And then mentioned lunch time. That early still? If it had been possible to wake himself up he would have in revolt again going to sleep so early but his body had other ideas. Even without a sleeping companion he was optimistic that he could manage a few restful hours, relaxed and peaceful as he felt, between the massage and the general serenity and safety of the company. He couldn't adequately express his gratitude.

"You do not need to stay," he said, words broken by another yawn and slower than his normal speech. His words were in contrast to the arm that looped around the other man to pull him gently closer. "Just do not let me sleep...too long," he mumbled, closing his eyes to nod off. Bastian was quite looking forward to lunch in all honesty, though he had a feeling he would still be sore.

[Feleti Eidothea]

His mind had been made up to stay well before the arm wrapped around him. The healer had learned his lesson by now and he planned to lie happily here where he could keep the man's nightmare's away.
It was obvious how much the man needed rest. It made sense considering the soldier was still well away from full recovery.

Leti lay in the warm embrace watching bastian's face and letting the candle in the lantern slowly burn itself out.
He felt himself almost drift off once or twice as well. As much as bastian wanted to stay awake leti had the feeling that even if he let bastian snooze in the man would still be able to fall asleep easily tonight.
The candle had drowned in it's own wax by the time leti chose to rouse bastian. It was well into the afternoon so after gently nudging bastian awake leti dug up a light lunch. A couple of sandwiches prepared with the leftover bird stew.

[Sebastian Arcturis]

The soldier had never taken so many naps in his life. But this time it was easier to give in to the comfort and warmth of the body pressed against his.

---

Sebastian pressed his back against the wet stone wall, bare shoulder blades scrapping worn smooth rocks. He couldn't see his hand in front of his face in the darkness, but somewhere way up above, there was a light. Just over an arms length away, on the other side of the well, swallowed by the black, came a soft hissing noise.

"I want out!" He shouted. "Please!"

The hissing grew loader, closer.

"Please! Father!"

Something...slithered over something else and he knew what came after that. Pain. He flinched and suddenly he was climbing the walls, impossibly slippery as they were. He could do this! He could get out! Just a little further...

Only that faint glow above never got closer. He wasn't really moving. The rustling behind him grew louder and when he took a deep breath and turned to face it, he caught a flash of fangs, poised to strike.

At nothing. He wasn't there. He'd melded into the impassable rock wall and safety and nothing could touch him or hurt him. It was just a void beyond emotion or feeling or need. He would do whatever he had to do to survive.

He stopped whimpering and crying for help and trying uselessly to climb the wall and became the wall instead. That's when the rope appeared. If only it was the last time he would need it.

---

The gentle nudge woke him immediately. Bastian twitched awake with a grunt, years of conditioning quickly pulling hin to a nearly lucid wakefulness, enough to function physically at least. He was half sitting up and on his elbows before the pain edged back in and he winced, settling back down fully awake and panting faintly. The bits of lingering dream vanished. As Leti left to presumably get lunch, the man stretched, surprised at how effective the massage had been to ease the soreness. Maybe he should do that nore often. He knew he didn't owe the healer anything, but he wanted to return the favor.

The scent of chicken nearly made his mouth water. "I had...hoped we could sit at the table?" he suggested. He appreciated Cain's company and even though he had dealt with a lot of stairs already today, he wanted to move. And to catch the last bit of sunlight left in the day.

Regardless, he took the offered sandwich eagerly. Bastian wasn't sure which he found more attractive at the moment. The food or Leti. Maybe the combination of the handsome man bringing him good food made both better.