( ic ) cuddlr

[posledniy]

Sasha Scala (36) Russian, dancer, happily married. Prone to sunburn. Won't agree to dates on the beach without the promise of factor 50, but will gladly hold your hand over a coffee.

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YES
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NO
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Comments

[atmospheric]

✓

80.

THE WORST!!

[posledniy]

✓

I'm contractually obligated to send you a tick. Don't make me regret it.

[atmospheric]

✓

Contractually???? Really now?

[posledniy]

It's not the most romantic way of looking at it, I'll admit, but marriage is sort of a contract, is it not?

[atmospheric]

In a way.

I wasn't joking about 80, though I guess you've toughened up a little, haven't you?

[posledniy]

It's the nicest contract. If you happen to have been lucky enough to enter into it with the absolute best person ever, which I hear is occasionally possible!

I absolutely have, you rude piranha. Not that it'd seem that way, given that I've barely left bed since getting here, but I have.

[atmospheric]

Oh do you now? I heard that's just a rumor. It doesn't ACTUALLY happen, does it?

Exactly. And you'll stay there if you know what's good for you. I don't want to have to scrape you off the road or answer anyone's distress call for a pasty man laying in the middle of the street.




How are you feeling? Really.

[posledniy]

Oh, the hopeless romantic in my imagines it probably could. Surely SOMEONE out there is lucky enough. Maybe we'll even meet someone like that here? Get a first hand account of such a charmed life...

That almost sounded like a threat, Mr. Scala. I'd argue if I physically had the strength to bother, but I've already talked myself out of making tea because it's a long, gruesome three metre walk. Another time.



I'm FINE, Konstantin. Really.

[atmospheric]

Who knows, you might find someone like that while brushing your teeth tonight. In the mirror. Just have a good, long look.

[ Someone thinks they're super clever, but they're NOT! ]

A little bit of a threat. Yes. One made out of love.



You looked like death when we got here, can you really blame me for worrying?

I bought sheets. Nice ones. And wine.

[ Your favorite for once--even though this is the part where they disagree strongly in tastes. He will do it. For u. ]

[posledniy]

Well, I'll certainly keep an eye out. In case he might make an appearance.

Ah yes, loving threats. The most socially acceptable, and ones I'll accept in this instance.

My already bruised and battered ego thanks you for the confidence boost. I mean, I thought I looked like death most of the time anyway considering how pale I am, but I suppose it could always get worse - and has, clearly.

[ HE'S JOKING he knows he looked bad ok he's just giving you a hard time ]

You did? Oh, I'm excited... I hope they're soft. These ones are fine but they're not quite like what we had at home. Does this mean you're coming back soon? All this smack talk makes me want a kiss. Or three.

is gross

[atmospheric]

It just takes time. You'll be well enough again soon. If it makes you feel better, you are the most beautiful

uh. Impersonator of the idea of death that I have ever seen.

I'm going to stop now.

You're beautiful.

[ S h h h h h h ]

And they are. Only the softest. Sheets are a worthy investment when it comes to a home.

How about five kisses? Or ten?

[posledniy]

The most beautiful impersonator of the idea of death. Wow. I feel better already.

I must look even more pitiful next to your tanned, bronze radiance.

[ these losers. ]

Good. That's what I like to hear.

Ten sounds good. We'll see if I can stay awake long enough, though.

bae is 2 sass go back to sleep

[atmospheric]

I'm neither tanned nor bronze.

That's just an illusion because in comparison right now you are VERY pale. Snow White even. Avoid the poison apples, please.



I think I can convince you to stay awake long enough once you see these.

u love it xoxo

[posledniy]

My paleness might be making you look bronzer than ever, but don't pretend like you don't have that healthy Mediterranean glow. I know it's there, you're fooling no one.

At least if I came across any poisoned apples, my true love is around to wake me with a kiss. With his antidote filled lips. I never really understood the logic of poison and kisses.

Hurry up then, I'm a ticking sleep bomb at the moment.

[ read: feeling needy and requiring kisses ]

[atmospheric]

[ Needy? Requiring kisses? Say no more??????

Mostly because hi, those are keys in the door and hi again, that door is opening and there's the soft rustling of paper bags and the gentle thud of familiar footsteps that make home a home, no matter how far away it is.

Konstantin's device rings softly in his pocket, which is precisely how you know he's there and he laughs a little bit from the living room, setting everything on a table to the side and moving towards the bedroom, where he knows he last left Sasha.

Leaning into the door frame, he smiles, jacket still donned, cheeks bitten by the cold. ]

Hi.

[posledniy]

[ he perks up immediately, wriggling and struggling from his nest of covers and pillows and throws to sit up, although his body complains slightly as he does. mostly because he's been situated in a particular position for so long that his limbs have basically moulded themselves into very specific shapes. his hair is sticking up in all sorts of daft directions, but he doesn't care. they've been married long enough.

not that sasha wouldn't make an effort for konstantin; he would, in a heart beat. but konstantin has seen him at his best, his worst and every in between — sasha knows he'll be forgiven for looking like a wild, nesting creature for now.

anticipation nips at his fingers as he stares, waiting for the familiar face to actually show himself. ]

Finally. You were gone far too long.

[ he reaches out, making grabby motions with his hands. ]

Come here.

[atmospheric]

[ Sasha is a creature unto himself, a species known to no one else and Konstantin wastes no time, shedding his jacket on the floor and stumbling out of his shoes to join him on the bed. He should have left them by the door, but excitement ruins all rituals and Konstantin is more than excited to crawl back into bed with the singular motion of Sasha's outstretched hands. ]

I was gone for just the right amount of time. You only just started to miss me.

[ He climbs onto the bed, leaning forward to press himself into outstretched arms, taking the both of them back down onto the mattress with weight and force. Making easy work of the blankets, Konstantin nests them without much effort, pressing a cold (unfortunately) kiss onto the crown of Sasha's head. ]

[posledniy]

[ the kind of smile that sasha offers konstantin is the one that people might describe as lit from within. although that's also preferred term by beauty bloggers regarding either highlighting or perfectly dewy foundation, it is in fact also the sensation of being so overwhelming with the blinding, vivid light of happiness that it pours out of you everywhere it can. if sasha wasn't categorically incapable of retaining warmth right now, he'd be radiating it. there's a soft oof as konstantin flops and presses him into the mattress, but his arms wrap around him without hesitation, breathing in his oh so familiar scent like it's the answer to a burning question. ]

But sometimes I miss you the minute you're out the door. That's more than enough time to start missing you too much.

[ beneath the touch of konstantin's cold lips, sasha shivers, but doesn't even remotely begin to relinquish his hold on him. he kisses the line of konstantin's throat, mouthing against it as though his mouth is trying to relearn this oft-wandered stretch of skin. ]

[atmospheric]

Well, then...

[ and he pauses, breath catching when he feels Sasha's mouth pressing to the line of his thrumming pulse. Dry, soft kisses to start that part and become even warmer, damp. He reaches up a hand and cradles the back of his skull carefully, thumb smoothing down the space just behind his ear, encouraging the eager exploration of his throat. ]

I'm sorry for keeping you waiting, [ he apologizes, keeping his other hand fisted in the material of Sasha's shirt. ] But the trip was well worth it once you feel these sheets, I promise.

[ He gives a pause and smiles, a bit too smugly, letting his fingers card through Sasha's hair, doing a quite thorough job of mussing it wholly and completely. ] You might say I tried to bear you in mind while buying them.

[posledniy]

[ the kisses continue upwards, along the underside of konstantin's chin, until they reach the tip and sasha's hands find his cheeks, urging him to shift so that sasha can better kiss his mouth. if there's any bright side to be found for his current anaemic state, it's that at least possession hangovers aren't contagious. as such, they can indulge in all the kisses they want — provided sasha isn't passed out asleep. ]

You know, I'd almost forgotten about them already, [ he mumbles, words muffled beneath the insistence of his kisses. konstantin's mouth has always been a source of wonder for him. lower lip with a pillow-like softness and fullness, and somehow capable of creating some odorless, colorless, intangible substance that sasha seems addicted to. ] Though they're a welcome addition.

[ he tips his head up a little, like a cat butting against a welcome hand. his hair is already a mess; what konstantin does to it now can only be an improvement. ]

You're implying something. Or making a pun. Both these options are charmless — go on, show me. So I can better groan at your awful word play, and actually understand what you're getting at.

[atmospheric]

[ An improvement on a mess.

Meaning more of a mess.

Konstantin grunts as he pulls away from Sasha briefly, making his way out of their blanket nest and returning with a package of sheets as quickly as he can, settling back in such a way that the mattress bounces just a little bit. Maybe he's overenthusiastic. Just a little. You can't blame him (or you can.) He leans back against the wall the bed is braced against, handing the package of sheets to Sasha for appraisal.

Because they are definitely covered in bears.

Cute bears.

Mostly because The rest of the patterns looked very strange and weird and the colors were oddly cold. Bears were the next best thing in his mind. ]

Charmless you said--I'm full of charm. Brimming with it. Just like these bears.

[posledniy]

[ yes, but sasha suits the bedhead, "i just had wild rampant sex" look, so it's fine.

when konstantin moves from his reach, sasha slumps with an audible noise somewhere between keening and a sigh. it's as much for show as it is genuine, a funny mixture of jokingly acting as though this is a truly tragic shift when it... is, a little. when sasha wants, he wants. and after this many years, he's not afraid to want. ]

Oh my god.

[ of course, he sits up again when he sees the pattern, wriggling upright once more and repeating that motion of outstretched arms and grabby hands as konstantin brings it towards him. ]

Alright — alright fine. You might be clawing some points back, fine. These are absolutely ridiculous. [ he draws his palm over the material, the pattern, approving that they are in fact as soft as konstantin promised. ] I love them.

[atmospheric]

They were saying "take me home" rather passionately. I couldn't help myself.

[ Konstantin looks convincingly offended for half a moment at the "clawing some points back" comment before his expression melts into that of full affection. He presses close to his side, letting Sasha have at the partially unwrapped set of sheets.

He leaves a soft kiss where Sasha's jaw meets his ear, smiling all the way through it and then kissing him again in the same spot. ]

I thought you'd like them.

[ The slight sting of teeth there, when the skin stretches thinly. He pulls back at once and sets his hands rather demurely in his lap, as if he's done Nothing Wrong when really he's definitely Done Something. ]

[posledniy]

Good. It'd be appalling to ignore such a heartfelt plea.

[ as enticing and absolutely wonderful as the bed sheets are, sasha can only marvel at them for so long before konstantin thoroughly distracts him. shuddering slightly, sasha utters a very soft noise that's between a gasp and a yelp. though the instinct is, of course, to turn and make accusatory faces at konstantin, sasha keeps his eyes forward, on the bears, biting at his lower lip briefly. ]

Do that again.

[ his hand is all that moves, snaking in konstantin's direction to curl into the hem of his shirt, ready to give it a(n extremely feeble) tug if his polite request is denied or ignored. it better not be. ]

[atmospheric]

Hm?

[ Konstantin presses the tip of his nose into Sasha's cheek briefly, a kiss there, a kiss lower, and again lower on the angle of his jaw. ]

Do what again?

[ He bites again, softer, lingering. You mean this? He knows precisely what Sasha means, nipping a little sharper in a keen line down from that place at his jaw, once beneath his ear, another just beside his pulse. Three quick pinches of teeth as he winds an arm around him and pulls him closer. ]

[posledniy]

[ sighing, sasha slumps slightly as his heart endeavours to beat that little bit faster, despite its overall sluggishness. he crinkles his nose a moment, screwing his eyes tightly shut as if he's forcibly trying to blink away his near constant sleepiness. ]

That. And that, and that.

[ there is zero resistance to the way that konstantin pulls him closer. ]

Mmnph.

[ emphatic approval, in other words. sasha lifts his hand to brush his fingers against konstantin's cheek, down towards his jaw. ghosting at the corner of his mouth. ]

[atmospheric]

[ Konstantin tells himself that he should leave Sasha be to his rest, that instead of egging him on, he should be coaxing him into relaxation. But here he is, delivering the softest of bites to his throat, feeling the way his cool fingertips brush his cheek, touching his jaw, brushing his lips.

He opens up for his finger, warm tongue, gentle teeth, turning to bite softly on the knuckle of his finger almost playfully.

Still holding fast to him, he brings them all the way down to the bed again, keeping his arm fast around him as he winds a leg around him, rather determined to stay for the rest of the evening, even longer, as long as Sasha likes anyway. ]

[posledniy]

[ but it is relaxing. relaxing with a skipping heartbeat.

he used to worry about this. that his enjoyment of konstantin lathing attention on him with his teeth was a strange fetishisation of konstantin's unique biology and maybe even his more aggressive side — but if konstantin didn't mind, or more to the point, liked it just as much as sasha did? he doesn't worry anymore.

for a moment sasha's hand catches konstantin's jaw to still him, keep him where he wants him so their lips can meet. his thigh inches up between konstantin's legs, rubbing slowly but firmly, as much as their position will allow. sasha leans deep into the kiss, humming softly, encouragingly. ]

[atmospheric]

[ That is not what relaxation is supposed to be offering your heart, Sasha.

Were it anyone else, perhaps Konstantin might take it the wrong way. It's an oddity, a strange thing when he opens his mouth to yawn or makes a tinny sound against a fork with his teeth accidentally. But Sasha's touches are earnest, sweet. This has been a part of him for so long, now even more than before, that Sasha touching these places feels like love, more than anything.

He tips his chin up in his hand, kissing him with eyes lulled shut. This is probably more active than he ought to be with him, he should be gentle, he should maybe tell him to slow down...

But Sasha has been slowed down so much. He's probably tired of that too.

Konstantin splays a hand down his back slowly, fingers moving down the line of his shirt, sliding over the curve of his ass to grab him where his thigh meets, all muscle and assist in the motion. He hums back musically, pleased with the friction, adding to it by canting his hips upward again.

When he pulls from it, it's to nip softly at Sasha's lower lip again, giving him a well-acquainted squeeze from behind. Hi. ]

[posledniy]

[ general sense of fatigue does not mean his heart is going to give out without warning, konstantin.

for all the complications they have ever had together — and my god, have they had complications — the simplest thing that sasha has ever known is that he loves konstantin. without conditions and specifics, in every form he has ever taken. on slow and painfully human mornings, and deep in the difficult nights after blood benders, possessions. he doesn't have to ruminate on the reasons why; because he is funny, sharp, kind, beautiful. because their bodies found a natural rhythm that their minds (mostly) mimicked. the fact that he has loved konstantin this long is uncomplicated and wonderful. being in love with him has been harder. but that's why they're always reaching their personal best, these days.

that konstantin doesn't resist is such a relief to sasha. yes, he's tired, he's weak, but he's so sick of being controlled by these factors. he just wants to feel like himself again.

as a hand squeezes his behind, sasha catches himself laughing softly against konstantin's mouth, grinning beneath the teeth on his lip. he folds his body a little more, so that his arse pushes back against his hand, and his thigh pressing harder. somewhat reluctantly, he opens his eyes, his voice a soft murmur. ]

Finding your favourite place again, hm?

[atmospheric]

As if I'd gone and lost it, [ he whispers softly, grip a little bit firmer, a little more possessive. His fingers dig when Sasha pushes back, pulling him closer so that they lay flush and the pressure of Sasha's thigh between his own feels heavenly. He rolls his hips up against him once more, never taking his eyes off of the cut of Sasha's chin or the way his eyes go wide, but dark. ] Still where it always is.

[ He leans up a bit on one elbow, for a moment, admiring Sasha in the afternoon light and wondering for brief seconds how they'd gotten here. He remembers awkward years on top of awkward years, fumbling in the dark excitedly, the smell of wine and the beat of music and books and papers and Sasha pulling his useless body from the couch to the bed for proper sleep.

He remembers the beach and he remembers breaking his heart and breaking it again.

So he reaches with his other hand and pulls Sasha closer by the collar of his shirt, fabric soft and stretching in his fingers. He kisses him once. Light and quick. ]

With you.

[posledniy]

[ it's always so good. always just right, never too much, never too hard, it's just — they're so in tune. it wasn't like that from day one, when sasha was embarrassed to want him so badly, so often, until he realised they were both so desperate for each other all the time. until he decided that unexpectedly sexting konstantin and throwing him off balance was an easy and extremely amusing way to brighten up a slow day. they have it all very figured out, now. they know what they're about. and konstantin's the only person in the world that sasha will let possess him in any way, shape or form, because he knows how mutual this is.

he makes a happy noise against konstantin's mouth, shifting upwards a little so that he can sit himself in his husband's lap, straddling him and instantly rolling down with his hips to make the absence of his thigh seem a little less. ]

You're such a sweet talker. [ a pause, and sasha kisses the tip of his nose. ] And I'm such a sucker for it.