It had been a gamble, the affection showered upon the creature. It was a risk she hadn't thought out, hadn't considered all of the eventualities that might come of it. But perhaps that was why she reaped the rewards - no risk, no gain. He accepted the flutter of kisses along his head and face, moving upwards to look at her and allow the gesture to continue along his cheeks. He did not reject the movement of her lips upon his flesh, though in her opinion his neutral expression came across as almost uncertain, perplexed. Perhaps this was not something he was used to, even if for a moment he was simply a passive spectator.

Until his lips lifted to her own.

A kiss in return, brief but sparking electricity through her. Her own eyes widened, lips slack for a moment as she assessed the surprise on his own face. Another piece of her puzzle seemed to fall into place, another facet of the dark beast, another little crumb that the woman found her mind trying to piece together until all the clues lined up. Cassius just needed to be loved. His fear of abandonment, the possessive desire - the uncertainty about what to do with the affection shown to him. He was a lost boy, just starting to show his colours.

The delusional, wretched fool.

Whatever damage had been laid upon the male, perhaps in his youth and formative growth, showed itself in ugly ways. But this was softer, the hesitant look that said he wanted more but maybe didn't know how to initiate that, how to ask. Her heart softened, the emotional leash tightening around her neck as her expression loosened further, kindness and understanding painting her features as she leaned up to kiss him again, a soft brush of their lips. Perhaps this was all he needed, all the reassurance he required to trust that she meant what she said.

A low, rolling purr started deep in her chest while her pelvis tilted and rolled against him - a clear invitation for more. She was putty, utterly compliant in his paws and would go wherever he moved her, whatever position he wished for her to be in. Perhaps offering her body in such a way was a sick way of apologising, or solidifying her promise, but she had no more words to offer him. Nothing else to assuage his fears.
@Cassius ♔

Art by Moogle, Code by Minxy

He can see the moment in which she sinks further down into his web but his joy in it is only on the inside. Cassius was well aware of himself. Knew he forced a mask onto his face, keeping it there until it fused with his very skin. What was underneath could be used to his advantage - as he know was learning. Letting @Freja get but a small glimpse of the man he tried so hard to kill. The light in him could shine for just a moment. Could breathe for just a little while. So long as it remained in check. So long as it knew that the Darkling was still in control.

The kiss takes her by mutual surprise as he had hoped it would. A tinge of a smile touches the corners of his mouth. Sincere and a little bit shy. As if unsure of her response yet still hopeful for a good sign. When her purr rises and her hips roll, that small sheepish smile is quickly replaced by a look of uncertainty. Looking at her with an expression that read, "Are you sure?"

She kisses him again and he leans in, fervent but gentle; his own purr beginning to roll through him, vibrating against her chest. And the longer their lips are together the more emboldened he becomes. Deepening it, softly moaning against it. His hips push down into hers, their bodies steadily finding a grinding rhythm. And when the heat from friction and passion combine to be too much, Cassius breaks their kiss, looking down at her for further confirmation, head nodding as whispered questions and confirmations of Yeah? Yes? Yes. Are flown in a needy frenzy.

Paws moving down to her hips, pulling them up toward him, each intake of breath is warm and fast and heavy; clearly the anticipation had built up too high, too tight, it was now overflowing and needed release. Cassius guides their bodies together, his head and eyes rolling back before his mouth is once again claiming hers.

Knowing that her body was still recovering as well as him not looking to postpone said healing, this time he is gentle, and slow and oh so considerate of her needs. Ensuring she gets those needs wholly met but also comes out of it unscathed.

/fade

code by scorpixia♡︎ | art by drifter

Freja is lost.

The nail on the coffin, the straw that broke the camels back - the twinge of a smile upon his lips and the almost shy expression totally and completely flooring her. The uncertainty, the fear of the beast within lurked just out of sight; he had shown her at least enough of that for the healthy dose of respect to keep her on the edge. But his vulnerability now seemed a precious gift, an offering, an apology for the extreme overreaction. It didn't matter that she could still feel the press of his paw on her throat, that her body hadn't quite recovered its equilibrium from being oxygen-starved nor the ache of her muscles from being pressed into the floor for so long. None of it mattered when that look of uncertainty crossed his features, the reassurance sought.

As their lips met once more, the first brush of his lips intensified, pressing harder against her and returning the purr that rumbled through her chest. This was what he needed - soft, compliant, reassuring. And Freja was only too happy to oblige. She returned his kisses, rolled her hips against his and let the soft breathy moans in return encourage him. When he broke their connection, it was with frenzied affirmations that he spoke and she melted further, a shy smile of her own overtaking soft features. "Yes, Cassius." She murmured his name, trying to calm the flutter of her heart and the drum-beat of desire raging through her body. She had seen plenty of intimate interactions before, knew in theory what to do and what was expected of her, but had never experienced in first hand. Cassius would be her first and she hoped - only.

So she let him lead, their heavy and harsh breaths mingling and twining together, the firm pull of his body to hers, the meshing of their lips that held her captivated. He moved gently, considerately, the salve to wash away the explosiveness that had found her out of the Brook. If this was how to fix him, if this was how to show him unconditionally that she wasn't going anywhere, then she would do it. She would find enjoyment in his body just as he did hers. With soft moans and hard kisses, she surrendered herself entirely.

/fade

Art by Moogle, Code by Minxy