Are you brave enough to see? [open]

[curruid_coinchenn]

Who: Berserker (Cú Chulainn Alter) and you!
When: Throughout Feoveuer
Where: The Wilde
What: Wilde Quest #2 Dragon's Den -- a dragon would like you to stop leaving him food offerings and go away
Warnings: none


((NOTE: Berserker will be in his full-sized dragon form, meaning he's about the size of an elephant, so keep that in mind!))

[ 1. Will you bite the hand that feeds? (Existing CR) ]

[ Food has been showing up at the mouth of the den he'd set up since he showed up in the Wilde. It's been an annoyance and it's not like he can tell them to cut it the fuck out. Instead, he just moves the offerings inside (mostly to prevent drawing in any wild creatures that might want to partake). Well, at least he won't go hungry.

Nearby footsteps draw his attention from where he's laying. He peeks his head out of the den and narrows his eyes. The dragon recognizes who's coming and huffs out a sigh. ]

... You came to find me, didn't you? Don't tell me you brought food, too.

[ 2. Will you chew until it bleeds? (New CR) ]

[ The sound of something being dropped near the opening of his temporary home gets Berserker to stand up and look out. It's not a mirrorbound that's familiar to him, so he's not about to be very friendly to them -- he's out here to be alone, after all. ]

Leave what you've brought and go before my kindness runs out.

[ Someone is a cranky boy. ]

[ 3. Will you get up off your knees? (Wildcard) ]

[ Did we plot something? Have an idea for this quest? Drop me a starter or PM me here or on Discord glitzkrieg#0673 and we can work something out! ]

Comments

[ua_duibhne]

[Humiliation burns across his cheeks- at giving such a ridiculous display, at his own wild emotions, at all of this. It's disgraceful that a knight should conduct himself in this way, particularly in front of the very person he's striving to protect. When Berserker pulls him close, then, he's almost doll-like in his pliancy, immediately sinking into his embrace. The salt on his lips and then, as he kisses him, on his partner's leaves a bitter aftertaste but he licks it away, determined to leave it in the past.

Gently, Diarmuid strokes his hair. In a strange way, it suits Berserker to be so unkempt, as though the last of the chains holding him in place and strangling him have been lifted.]

Better still that I don't break at all.

[He kisses him again and, with that gesture, seems to draw a line under the conversation. This isn't the right time to talk about it. Instead, he turns to brighter topics, even producing a genuine smile for him as he talks.]

Have you had any other visitors?

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ That kiss seals the topic for now; the wounds are still too fresh for them to talk about it. That could come later when more time had passed. His smile, that familiar smile, is reassuring in some ways. Maybe...maybe things will be alright later.

Berserker settles in closer to Diarmuid, forcing himself to be more restrained than he wants to be -- if he let himself, he would be trying to get as much as he could from the witch and overwhelm him. He lets himself be content with being draped over him. ]

Flat and Ozymandias...Flat came exactly two days after I left. [ He should have expected that. ] I...have something to ask you.

[ About Flat. Diarmuid can likely feel the apprehension through their Bond. It's very slight, but it's there. Asking what he's about to ask feels completely unreasonable. ]

[ua_duibhne]

[Diarmuid isn't quite so restrained. As Berserker settles across him, he snakes an arm around his waist and pulls him closer still, stroking his bare side beneath his shirt. It's good to be near to him again; he'd taken for granted, both in the week of his disappearance and these past few days, what a comfort his presence is.

He gives a pleased hum at Berserker's reply. Of course Flat would be the first to break his solitude- it's what he does- but it always gives him great satisfaction to know how many people care for him.]

Ha. And you have a new following of dragon worshippers- you're quite popular, aren't you?

[The good mood doesn't last; subtle though it is, Diarmuid picks up on his unease instantly and, while he doesn't outwardly react, it's a struggle. What possible request could he have that would make him nervous? Regardless, he keeps his tone light and encouraging.]

Then ask. I'm all ears.

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ He's not about to fight the extra affection; as he'd discovered when Flat slept here, he needs this contact with his Bonded to soothe the ache he feels. He'd almost forgotten how comforting it is to have Diarmuid near to him. Berserker nuzzles against his neck to take in his scent for a moment. ]

...Don't remind me about the worshippers or whatever they are.

[ He huffs out a sigh before asking the question. ]

You don't need to answer right now, you can take time to think it over, but...I want Flat to move in with us. Would you be alright with that? [ He frowns for a moment, his brow furrowed. ] He...he was so scared of losing me. I've never felt fear like that in my life...I want both of you close to me, so neither of you have to feel that kind of fear again.

[ So he can actually protect the ones he cares for so deeply. ]

[ua_duibhne]

[... well. Now there's a question he hadn't expected- although, with hindsight, he really should have. Diarmuid lifts his head, meeting Berserker's gaze with a gently surprised arch of the eyebrow. Any other time, he might have put off giving him an answer or turned him down outright; he's interacted with the young mage in a fairly limited capacity but the idea of living with him is a peculiar one. They don't seem very well matched for co-habitation. And yet the fact remains that, regardless of his own thoughts and wants, he could never say no to such an appeal. After a brief silence- not brief enough, he realises, to help those unsteady nerves he felt earlier- Diarmuid nods.]

I understand. That boy would do anything for you and I know you feel the same about him. It must have caused both of you such pain to... [He trails off, pensive.] What I mean to say is that denying either of you would be cruel.

[It might not be a completely enthusiastic yes but it's a yes nonetheless. For all his misgivings about the practicality of living with a human tornado like Flat, he's probably better off kept close to Berserker's side anyway.]

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Truth be told, he expected a denial. That would have been fine, he simply would have split his time between them as best he could. The acceptance surprises him enough to get a brief look of shock on his face. Diarmuid knows how Flat is and how troublesome the young mage can be. Inviting him to live with them may as well be letting a raccoon inside their home.

Berserker sits quietly before drawing the witch into a warm hug. It's almost as though his captivity made him just as touch starved as he used to be... ]

... I'm surprised, but thank you. I will do what I can to keep him in check. [ His expression darkens for a moment. ] We...might need to move somewhere larger. I don't want to move you further from Waver, though.

[ Consideration for consideration is only fair. ]

[ua_duibhne]

I was thinking as much anyway. We'll work something out.

[Diarmuid pauses, taking a moment to enjoy the embrace. It's strange, really, how far he's come since they first met; contact beyond that meant to cause harm was an alien concept, something relegated to unwanted, smothering affections and obsessions. Even now, it feels like a privilege and not one he's entirely earned- not because of anything to do with Berserker but because of his past. What has he done to deserve this kind of happiness?

But there's no need to linger on it. As much as he wants to steal another kiss or hold him tighter, he satisfies himself with one last squeeze before sitting back. Of course, his arm stays around his waist. Maybe he's not quite ready to let go.]

... it's a lot of responsibility, you know. [His smile turns a little teasing.] Can I trust you to take him for walks and make sure he stays out of trouble?

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ His own past makes it difficult for him to accept that he deserves this. Why should someone who killed and killed and killed until he felt nothing have anything at all? It all feels so unearned, given to him by circumstance. It doesn't matter if he deserves it, however; he will hold onto what he has until it's taken from him. He will hold on for as long as he's able. Diarmuid deserves that much, even if Berserker deserves nothing.

The teasing shakes him out of his thoughts. An attempt at normalcy...It's a pleasant distraction. The strong, negative feelings he's been dealing with settle in as background noise for now, a static hum behind more pleasant emotions. ]

You should know how young I was when I cared for a certain litter of puppies by myself...I think I can manage.

[ua_duibhne]

[Tension broken, he can't help but laugh now, eyes glittering with amusement.]

Ah, how foolish of me to forget! Your legend endures. [Even when he was considered a living "hero" himself he always- and still does, to a more subdued, realistic degree- idolised the man at its center.] You're very good with Coill too.

[Even if it had taken the hound some time to warm up to Berserker.]

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ This silly little conversation has done wonders to remind him of his humanity. Diarmuid's bright laughter fills him with...joy? It's strange and he can't quite place it. Strange though it may be, it's warm, pleasant, and comforting. Comfort and familiarity is truly what he needs and to know the burden of what happened has been lifted from his beloved Bonded's shoulders, even if only for a few minutes. A faint smile settles on his lips as he visibly relaxes.

He slips a hand beneath the hem of Diarmuid's shirt, putting his cold hand directly on his nice, warm stomach. ]

Some things can never be taken from me, no matter how hard someone might try. [ An appreciation of dogs is one of those things. ] They will always endure.

[ Just as he -- no, the both of them together -- do. ]

[ua_duibhne]

[- and that might be one of the most ridiculous sounds Diarmuid has ever made. As soon as his cold hand meets his skin, he gives a yelp-squeak of indignation and surprise, following it up with an expression that can only be describe as a pout.

It doesn't last. A split second later and, in spite of himself, Diarmuid laughs. The sound is warm and genuine but perhaps what stands out more than anything is the affection in his eyes and smile as he leans forward.]

... it's good to see you smile. [The witch places a light kiss on his cheek.] You won't get away with it next time.

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Somehow, he hadn't been expecting that indignant yelp. Berserker smiles, wider now, sharp teeth flashing for a moment as he...laughs. It's unusual, certainly, but so was that sound. He doesn't remove his hands, of course, instead settling on stroking Diarmuid's stomach lightly with the pads of his fingers.

This is the best he's felt in weeks...and it's nice. ]

I'll make sure you'll never see it coming.

[ He kisses his forehead tenderly. For as far back as he slid during his captivity, they could never take everything he's gained back -- he owed that much to Diarmuid. He owed so much to the knight he could never repay and he's grateful for it. ]