Oh? I'm tempted to test that theory. You know how I get when I lose my temper. If I wasn't certain it would lead to you permanently ceasing to function, I would look into giving it a try.
But, no. There is no need. As long as I have you, I have no desire to change a thing.
[ as fanciful as the thought is-- riddle glowing crimson in the sky, trailing after his mate for life as they cut through the clouds... there really is no advantage, no need for him to assume that form ever again. he can't hold wanderer, can't squeeze him or kiss him or reaffirm promises of his eternal devotion to him with low, sincere whispers.
he certainly wouldn't be able to enjoy teasing him like this anymore either. no one knows a tsundere better than another tsundere, okay?? riddle sees through wanderer's words. ]
Is that so? Curious how it always seems to work out that way all the time when I'm involved. But, if that's how you want to describe spoiling me, then so be it. I won't dare protest either way.
Then squeeze you I shall. It will be the first thing I do when I arrive home, which should be in but a few moments. I'm entering the sanctuary as we speak, so I'll see you in a bit.
[ riddle stows his phone away and, just as he said, enters their section of surasthana. passing through the door does invoke memories of lush forests and freshly wetted earth; before he searches for wanderer, riddle slowly makes his way through to their room where the scent of incense and flowers is strongest.
it's strange, he thinks to himself as he stops at the edge of their large bed where all manner of bedding is piled atop. riddle wonders if he should miss home more. is it okay that he feels this way? does a child of war deserve this happiness?
whenever wanderer decides to check on him, he'll find riddle still basking in the familiar comfort of their private jungle. riddle does, however, slowly turn to greet the puppet with a smile that's affectionate and warm. ]
There you are. Or rather...
[ as charming as the apron looks on his beloved, riddle knows he made a promise a few minutes ago. wanderer is quickly treated to arms around his shoulders, an impossibly hot body fitted to his, and a face buried in the crook of his neck. there's no way he can't feel riddle's smile against his synthetic skin. ]
[ distantly, wanderer hears the sound of the front door opening. he knows better than anyone what riddle's movements are like, so he doesn't react with unease and continues preparing the rice. it isn't until a few more minutes pass—the rice now cooking in a pot, wanderer having returned to the chicken—that he decides to see where riddle ventured off to. though, only after he's put a small lid over the meat to prevent any grease from spattering the counter.
he figures that riddle in is their bedroom. having arranged it for him, he would not find it surprising if riddle wanted to delve into his nest as quickly as possible. riddle might already be lounging in the freshly-piled bedsheets, content and happily awaiting his meal.
however, that sight isn't what wanderer is greeted with.
riddle is still standing in the midst of the room, seemingly taking it all in. and for a moment, wanderer almost decides to steer back around and leave him be. but riddle notices him first, turning towards wanderer with a refreshing smile and a terribly tender look on his face. wanderer's chest aches because of it, and he remains quite still as riddle advances and hugs him. ]
...Mm.
[ he acknowledges the cute phrase with a low hum. honestly, it wouldn't take someone particularly observant to notice the slight color in his cheeks. wanderer then tilts his head away and reaches up to grasp the back of riddle's neck, silently urging him forward so that his nose nestles into the crook between wanderer's jaw and shoulder. is it to hide his own expression? possibly. or he might be encouraging riddle to inhale his scent where its strongest. ]
[ how miraculous it is that a being made only to uphold the era of eternity can turn pink when greeted by what is, at the end of the day, a beast. a pair of creatures not fit for walking among humans-- when he nuzzles into the curve of the puppet's neck, even though he feels no pulse, riddle is still reminded of age-old mating rituals, twining tails, shared plumes of fire; the overwhelming scent of spring, the taste of blood, the satisfying feeling of his back muscles stretching when he spread his wings.
riddle thinks of home. of natlan, yes, but more importantly, of how good it feels to be loved and treasured. to be himself. the hand curled against the back of his neck to hold him closer is grounding, serving only to make this daydreamy happiness even more real. ]
Were you waiting that long? My apologies.
[ his tone is more amused than remorseful. he knows wanderer isn't truly angry or put-upon. ]
I was just so enraptured by the warmth of the forest. I know it isn't like me to take so long rambling about, but you need not worry.
[ and then, riddle draws away, just enough to where he can comfortably move over to rest his forehead against his mate's. that painfully tender, adoring expression on his face remains even as he holds the puppet's gaze. riddle swears he can simultaneously see himself as well as the entirety of the world reflected in those soft, indigo eyes. ]
I'll always come back to you. You're my home, Ren.
truthfully, it hasn't been very long since wanderer received an actual name. he'd always, always longed for one, never having been gifted a name from his creator, his mother. instead, wanderer cycled through many titles over the centuries. none of them hold value to him at this point, damnable now that he has decided to own up to his past sins and live. they also lacked consideration from the very beginning—even 'kabukimono', a name to demean him for being 'strange' and inhuman.
however, 'ren' is a name that riddle chose himself. he'd intently studied inazuman culture and the many characters the people of wanderer's nation write with, determined to not settle on something flimsy and thoughtless. wanderer may not resent the traveler for it, but they had done just that—a nickname off the top of their head, joined by their little flying companion's derision. it felt more respectful of riddle to give naming wanderer proper thought.
he will treasure it. each time riddle says his name, a sliver of his broken 'heart' heals itself. wanderer is mending little by little. ]
Don't leave me.
[ only here, in the warmth of their home, can wanderer truly be vulnerable. he silently searches riddle's soft gaze as their foreheads lightly press together, wanderer's brows upturned to compliment his uncharacteristically demure expression. ]
Edited (i nerfed some icons earlier and reuploaded IGNORE THIS) 2024-12-03 07:27 (UTC)
[ he doesn't need his hormones to oversaturate his brain in order to feel a powerful, almost painfully protective urge to come over him when he sees the softness of wanderer's eyes, hears the fragility in his tone. just like a real doll, riddle thinks fondly; something precious, made to be loved, made just for him.
truthfully, qucusaurs rarely mate for life, at least in riddle's time-- and definitely not the ones with his calibur of strength. sharing one's heart and den were too risky, and the crimson tyrant truly believed deep down he needed nothing and no one. his time away from home did nothing to make him question his belief; after all, if he could thrive without lord murata, then truly, what need does he have for anyone else by his side?
maybe that still holds true in a sense, given that even now riddle may care about humans and their welfare (the poor creatures never seem to know what's good for them), but he's never found himself particularly crushed when they disappear; what he does know with certainty is that this is something he can't live without. riddle couldn't leave even if he wanted to. ]
I love you. My precious Ren.
[ he leans forward to give wanderer's forehead a light press, a display of intention and determination. ]
I won't ever leave you. Celestia herself couldn't keep us apart. I'd give her a smack for daring to try.
[ and he means that too. riddle even seals his promise with a kiss to wanderer's lips, his own still pulled into a smile. ]
Edited (crying on the fucking floor) 2024-12-16 06:03 (UTC)
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no subject
But, no. There is no need. As long as I have you, I have no desire to change a thing.
[ as fanciful as the thought is-- riddle glowing crimson in the sky, trailing after his mate for life as they cut through the clouds... there really is no advantage, no need for him to assume that form ever again. he can't hold wanderer, can't squeeze him or kiss him or reaffirm promises of his eternal devotion to him with low, sincere whispers.
he certainly wouldn't be able to enjoy teasing him like this anymore either. no one knows a tsundere better than another tsundere, okay?? riddle sees through wanderer's words. ]
Is that so? Curious how it always seems to work out that way all the time when I'm involved. But, if that's how you want to describe spoiling me, then so be it. I won't dare protest either way.
Then squeeze you I shall. It will be the first thing I do when I arrive home, which should be in but a few moments. I'm entering the sanctuary as we speak, so I'll see you in a bit.
[ riddle stows his phone away and, just as he said, enters their section of surasthana. passing through the door does invoke memories of lush forests and freshly wetted earth; before he searches for wanderer, riddle slowly makes his way through to their room where the scent of incense and flowers is strongest.
it's strange, he thinks to himself as he stops at the edge of their large bed where all manner of bedding is piled atop. riddle wonders if he should miss home more. is it okay that he feels this way? does a child of war deserve this happiness?
whenever wanderer decides to check on him, he'll find riddle still basking in the familiar comfort of their private jungle. riddle does, however, slowly turn to greet the puppet with a smile that's affectionate and warm. ]
There you are. Or rather...
[ as charming as the apron looks on his beloved, riddle knows he made a promise a few minutes ago. wanderer is quickly treated to arms around his shoulders, an impossibly hot body fitted to his, and a face buried in the crook of his neck. there's no way he can't feel riddle's smile against his synthetic skin. ]
I'm home.
no subject
he figures that riddle in is their bedroom. having arranged it for him, he would not find it surprising if riddle wanted to delve into his nest as quickly as possible. riddle might already be lounging in the freshly-piled bedsheets, content and happily awaiting his meal.
however, that sight isn't what wanderer is greeted with.
riddle is still standing in the midst of the room, seemingly taking it all in. and for a moment, wanderer almost decides to steer back around and leave him be. but riddle notices him first, turning towards wanderer with a refreshing smile and a terribly tender look on his face. wanderer's chest aches because of it, and he remains quite still as riddle advances and hugs him. ]
...Mm.
[ he acknowledges the cute phrase with a low hum. honestly, it wouldn't take someone particularly observant to notice the slight color in his cheeks. wanderer then tilts his head away and reaches up to grasp the back of riddle's neck, silently urging him forward so that his nose nestles into the crook between wanderer's jaw and shoulder. is it to hide his own expression? possibly. or he might be encouraging riddle to inhale his scent where its strongest. ]
Took long enough.
no subject
riddle thinks of home. of natlan, yes, but more importantly, of how good it feels to be loved and treasured. to be himself. the hand curled against the back of his neck to hold him closer is grounding, serving only to make this daydreamy happiness even more real. ]
Were you waiting that long? My apologies.
[ his tone is more amused than remorseful. he knows wanderer isn't truly angry or put-upon. ]
I was just so enraptured by the warmth of the forest. I know it isn't like me to take so long rambling about, but you need not worry.
[ and then, riddle draws away, just enough to where he can comfortably move over to rest his forehead against his mate's. that painfully tender, adoring expression on his face remains even as he holds the puppet's gaze. riddle swears he can simultaneously see himself as well as the entirety of the world reflected in those soft, indigo eyes. ]
I'll always come back to you. You're my home, Ren.
no subject
truthfully, it hasn't been very long since wanderer received an actual name. he'd always, always longed for one, never having been gifted a name from his creator, his mother. instead, wanderer cycled through many titles over the centuries. none of them hold value to him at this point, damnable now that he has decided to own up to his past sins and live. they also lacked consideration from the very beginning—even 'kabukimono', a name to demean him for being 'strange' and inhuman.
however, 'ren' is a name that riddle chose himself. he'd intently studied inazuman culture and the many characters the people of wanderer's nation write with, determined to not settle on something flimsy and thoughtless. wanderer may not resent the traveler for it, but they had done just that—a nickname off the top of their head, joined by their little flying companion's derision. it felt more respectful of riddle to give naming wanderer proper thought.
he will treasure it. each time riddle says his name, a sliver of his broken 'heart' heals itself. wanderer is mending little by little. ]
Don't leave me.
[ only here, in the warmth of their home, can wanderer truly be vulnerable. he silently searches riddle's soft gaze as their foreheads lightly press together, wanderer's brows upturned to compliment his uncharacteristically demure expression. ]
no subject
truthfully, qucusaurs rarely mate for life, at least in riddle's time-- and definitely not the ones with his calibur of strength. sharing one's heart and den were too risky, and the crimson tyrant truly believed deep down he needed nothing and no one. his time away from home did nothing to make him question his belief; after all, if he could thrive without lord murata, then truly, what need does he have for anyone else by his side?
maybe that still holds true in a sense, given that even now riddle may care about humans and their welfare (the poor creatures never seem to know what's good for them), but he's never found himself particularly crushed when they disappear; what he does know with certainty is that this is something he can't live without. riddle couldn't leave even if he wanted to. ]
I love you. My precious Ren.
[ he leans forward to give wanderer's forehead a light press, a display of intention and determination. ]
I won't ever leave you. Celestia herself couldn't keep us apart. I'd give her a smack for daring to try.
[ and he means that too. riddle even seals his promise with a kiss to wanderer's lips, his own still pulled into a smile. ]