𓄿‍ ִ ‍‍景元

⠀ ⠀ 冫⠀𝐒T͟Ɍ͟i͟ƘE .ᐟ —— 𝖑i𝚐hϯ ╱ 𝓈hɑ𝘁͟͞𝘁eгed ⠀ ϟ Ʀ ɨ Ƒ Ⱦ i Ɲ Ǥ 𓋲 𝐙 Ɇ И 𝙸 𝗧 H ⠀

⠀ 〝 ... is this retribution? 〞yet he could care less about motive, simply delighting in shared presence and touch. countenance continues to juxtapose theirs, amused grin plastered on tiers.〝 do you not over—indulge in me? 〞 ⠀

⠀ ah. how cute. an unintended consequence of his teasing, but a happy one nonetheless.〝 must i give up my autonomy? 〞pursed lips express discontent, though the lack of fight says otherwise.〝 even now.. i'd say you're still guilty. 〞 ⠀

⠀ 〝 did i..? 〞merriment only seems to amplify in contrast to their mood; grin widening with expressed scowl.〝 did you not sneak me sweets? 〞tilt of head, aureates flickering to observe held hands. squeezing to debunk prior accusation. ⠀

⠀ 〝 i don't recall doing so.. 〞feigned innocence, visage riddled with an amused smile.〝 there is such a thing as over—indulgence.. ah, but even back then —–.. 〞free hand rises to thumb at chin; ruminative.〝 you were guilty, too. 〞 ⠀

⠀ 〝 i would take you with me. 〞oversimplified rebuttal; flat in statement —— like voicing the obvious, the blatant truth.〝 in moderation, perhaps. 〞light exhale of breath; quiet laughter.〝 are you going to let me have you? 〞 ⠀

⠀ 〝 hm? what gives you that impression? 〞slight swing; hands oscillating between.〝 ... i didn't say that. though i would not be opposed to it if it were to occur. 〞but their roles have seemingly reversed with age, no? ⠀

⠀ contemplative hum, feigned perusal.. thumb glosses over the back of bandaged palm; seemingly content with tightened grasp.〝 ... no. do i have a reason to be? 〞pause.〝 i quite liked it when you would coddle me. 〞^^; ⠀

⠀ wiggling digits in a fictive attempt for release.〝 i won't. 〞shake of head; half—simper adorning tiers.〝 do you think of me as a child? 〞 ⠀

⠀ shifting gaze down to conjoined hands ——.. enacting a squeeze. 〝 i won't get lost, you know. 〞 ⠀

⠀ 〝 it is rare for someone to get this close, regardless. 〞 ⠀

⠀ aureates flicker to hone on overlapped gauze, hand settled against bound chest; digits splayed.〝 covered, perhaps.. but not in any way that is beneficial or protective. 〞gaze deviates to own shoulder, eyeing sliver of skin. ⠀

⠀ arch of brow, lips pursed. anatomy tilts to face, digits extending for index to trace bonded lapel. tapping at the interstice above blackened fastening, bandaged chest peeking beneath.〝 i could ask the same. 〞 ⠀

⠀ curious glance at invasive digits —— though general remains ever stagnant; no attempts at intervention.〝 ... what's this? 〞 ⠀

⠀ 〝 ... i don't believe you to be fond of sweets.. nor flowers. 〞vox was laced with uncertainty, statement iterated in question.〝 ah.. perhaps matcha? or a dark chocolate, leaning towards the more bitter side.. 〞 ⠀

⠀ hum pervades silence —— contemplative in face of query, quiet musing riddling visage with pursed lips and knitted brows. 〝 what would you like? 〞hesitant; voiced albeit softly, thumb stroking over clutched hand. ⠀

⠀ have i not provided enough reminders..? supplemented enough demonstrations? perhaps i should work harder.. 💧* ⠀

⠀ 〝 perhaps we can do it together. 〞as if to soothe dilemma ... palm smooths over bandaged hand, digits gingerly tracing overlapped ribbons of gauze.〝 i can't leave you empty—handed, either. 〞 ⠀

⠀ 〝 yes, beloved. 〞enunciated against shell of ear, lips faintly grazing cartilage with formation of syllables. a confirmation and veiled sobriquet all the same; amorous title wisped to deliver to general's object of affections. ⠀

⠀ merely an issue of interpretation. i implied no such thing. there is nothing to be shameful about.. but we also aren't quite so faultless, are we. ^^; ⠀