Luocha wasn't expecting to be quite this surprised.
There's a combination of multiple factors here, all emerging in rapid succession, all rather more than anticipated. The stirring of the Stellaron's intent, for one, crystal clear to perceive this close--intriguingly, something that now emerges somewhat separate from Caelus's own responses. There's now, finally, a slightly characteristic sort of hunger being exerted...and yet still not in the conventional fashion. Not in the way it seems to turn its metaphorical eye upon him, purring with a desire in tandem with the sharpening of Caelus's attention. It doesn't strike as...alarming necessarily, though perhaps it probably should. Luocha instead finds himself reminded of the first time he sought to handle a flame somewhat like this one, the precaution and delicacy required therein. The heady adrenaline that accompanies such caution, unknown as the results of the slightest misstep might be. No, it seems he hasn't quite frayed that stability just yet...but to have piqued its active interest in turn instead--is this better? Worse? (Something that could be used?) New ground is being tread upon here. Perhaps ill-advised in method, but...
If second thoughts about this are to be had, it seems a bit too late for them anyhow. Because now there's a new factor emerging, isn't there? In the way Caelus reaches out like that. In the way Caelus looks at him like that. It had been noted moments earlier, of course, the too-quick nod and the stifled shiver, the way his body warms and eases under both the influence of the healing and the closeness of his presence, his voice. Things that had intended to fluster the young man, yes, and ply some more of those terribly honest responses from him. --Yet again, though, it seems Luocha has underestimated just how terribly honest Caelus can actually be. To say such a thing in such a forthright fashion. To acknowledge so very openly, that he's aware of exactly what this exchange likely actually is.
Yet still, he seeks to hold Luocha in place, instead of pushing him away. Encouragement, of this unkind toying, simply because--it's not worse?
Is he truly so confident, that Luocha wouldn't be any crueler later?
--This was supposed to be a diversion of little consequence. And it still is of little consequence, Luocha reminds himself, or at least...it ought to be. So long as he keeps it that way, within his own perception. Caelus's earnest admission here and now might be giving him just a moment's pause, and might be invoking the briefest unseen flicker of something like--no, not pity. Not quite. But oh, he thinks, you really haven't seen much of this world at all yet, have you? What terribly bitter things will Caelus find himself learning later? Someone probably ought to warn him. ...But that someone won't be Luocha, who already has too many other obligations upon his plate. Too many other debts to settle. He's hardly fit to be a teacher...but he can be a lesson learned, he supposes, whenever that time might finally arrive.
And this...is still fun, after all. Isn't it? Even despite the surprises, the renewed tangibility of the fire he's now playing with. All else aside, it's still terribly amusing how Caelus keeps bandying a term like "cute" about...when he's also all but embodying that description himself, somehow. Hazard and innocence so strangely juxtaposed.
(Luocha probably won't realize until later, how odd it is for this thought to emerge from what he'd thought to be a self-imposed indifference. He invited this meeting with the objective curiosity of a scientist examining a vessel, and now...)]
Hm. ...You know, sir, most people don't point out a ruse to call it cute. You really do say such interesting things.
[Tone still soft and even and warm, despite the pause preceding it. Luocha doesn't move away, though his hand does still over Caelus's thigh, as the tingle of the healing gently dissipates. Because the damage has been repaired, there, and Caelus will no longer be walking with that particular sort of limp by the time he leaves this room. ...But there's still the matter of the rest of his body, now isn't there? As had been discussed. It hasn't been forgotten.
But there's something else to acknowledge now, too, if Caelus is going to be so very forthright like this. (...Even if the temptation is still strong, to forego any remaining semblance of politeness altogether. Even if it would be so very easy, now, to simply take and take to curiosity's content.) No, no, at the very least...he ought to be repaid for his honesty. For being such a nicely pliable subject. So, even in having the mask pointed out, Luocha does not take it off; his smile is still kind, his manner gentle, as his left hand moves up to splay fingertips over Caelus's chest. Palm lightly settling right over the sultry pulse of the Stellaron within; half an appeal, half a provocation. Still leaning close enough for their faces to be mere inches apart, as Luocha shifts to meet the scrutiny of those gold eyes evenly.]
You must not be very used to having this asked, in that case...but I do wonder. Is there something that you want, right now?
luocha asmr...........im dying. lbr it would def be too popular tho--
...Well now...
Luocha wasn't expecting to be quite this surprised.
There's a combination of multiple factors here, all emerging in rapid succession, all rather more than anticipated. The stirring of the Stellaron's intent, for one, crystal clear to perceive this close--intriguingly, something that now emerges somewhat separate from Caelus's own responses. There's now, finally, a slightly characteristic sort of hunger being exerted...and yet still not in the conventional fashion. Not in the way it seems to turn its metaphorical eye upon him, purring with a desire in tandem with the sharpening of Caelus's attention. It doesn't strike as...alarming necessarily, though perhaps it probably should. Luocha instead finds himself reminded of the first time he sought to handle a flame somewhat like this one, the precaution and delicacy required therein. The heady adrenaline that accompanies such caution, unknown as the results of the slightest misstep might be. No, it seems he hasn't quite frayed that stability just yet...but to have piqued its active interest in turn instead--is this better? Worse? (Something that could be used?) New ground is being tread upon here. Perhaps ill-advised in method, but...
If second thoughts about this are to be had, it seems a bit too late for them anyhow. Because now there's a new factor emerging, isn't there? In the way Caelus reaches out like that. In the way Caelus looks at him like that. It had been noted moments earlier, of course, the too-quick nod and the stifled shiver, the way his body warms and eases under both the influence of the healing and the closeness of his presence, his voice. Things that had intended to fluster the young man, yes, and ply some more of those terribly honest responses from him. --Yet again, though, it seems Luocha has underestimated just how terribly honest Caelus can actually be. To say such a thing in such a forthright fashion. To acknowledge so very openly, that he's aware of exactly what this exchange likely actually is.
Yet still, he seeks to hold Luocha in place, instead of pushing him away. Encouragement, of this unkind toying, simply because--it's not worse?
Is he truly so confident, that Luocha wouldn't be any crueler later?
--This was supposed to be a diversion of little consequence. And it still is of little consequence, Luocha reminds himself, or at least...it ought to be. So long as he keeps it that way, within his own perception. Caelus's earnest admission here and now might be giving him just a moment's pause, and might be invoking the briefest unseen flicker of something like--no, not pity. Not quite. But oh, he thinks, you really haven't seen much of this world at all yet, have you? What terribly bitter things will Caelus find himself learning later? Someone probably ought to warn him. ...But that someone won't be Luocha, who already has too many other obligations upon his plate. Too many other debts to settle. He's hardly fit to be a teacher...but he can be a lesson learned, he supposes, whenever that time might finally arrive.
And this...is still fun, after all. Isn't it? Even despite the surprises, the renewed tangibility of the fire he's now playing with. All else aside, it's still terribly amusing how Caelus keeps bandying a term like "cute" about...when he's also all but embodying that description himself, somehow. Hazard and innocence so strangely juxtaposed.
(Luocha probably won't realize until later, how odd it is for this thought to emerge from what he'd thought to be a self-imposed indifference. He invited this meeting with the objective curiosity of a scientist examining a vessel, and now...)]
Hm. ...You know, sir, most people don't point out a ruse to call it cute. You really do say such interesting things.
[Tone still soft and even and warm, despite the pause preceding it. Luocha doesn't move away, though his hand does still over Caelus's thigh, as the tingle of the healing gently dissipates. Because the damage has been repaired, there, and Caelus will no longer be walking with that particular sort of limp by the time he leaves this room. ...But there's still the matter of the rest of his body, now isn't there? As had been discussed. It hasn't been forgotten.
But there's something else to acknowledge now, too, if Caelus is going to be so very forthright like this. (...Even if the temptation is still strong, to forego any remaining semblance of politeness altogether. Even if it would be so very easy, now, to simply take and take to curiosity's content.) No, no, at the very least...he ought to be repaid for his honesty. For being such a nicely pliable subject. So, even in having the mask pointed out, Luocha does not take it off; his smile is still kind, his manner gentle, as his left hand moves up to splay fingertips over Caelus's chest. Palm lightly settling right over the sultry pulse of the Stellaron within; half an appeal, half a provocation. Still leaning close enough for their faces to be mere inches apart, as Luocha shifts to meet the scrutiny of those gold eyes evenly.]
You must not be very used to having this asked, in that case...but I do wonder. Is there something that you want, right now?