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[ A husky chuckle is Cale’s response to that, even if Sylvain does shift to stretch out along the burrito’d redhead’s body. Letting one arm drape over Cale’s waist as he makes himself comfortable. ]

Promising I’d get you to eat something was the only way I could get them to stop hovering outside your door, so you’d better not make a liar out of me. They may never forgive me and then I’d be crushed.

[ That was actually true, but he’d conscripted Hans to help distract them away with treats of their own in the kitchens. And Cale might be oblivious, but Sylvain was all too aware of just how closely young Master Henituse was watched and guarded by every pair of eyes in this place.

It had been a very uncomfortable few months before Cale’s little “family” had decided he was alright. And even then, it was mostly Cale’s ease with him that had been the deciding factor. Something the redhead was also completely oblivious to. ]

[ Hmm, yes. That's much better. So much better. With Sylvain like this, he props himself up on one elbow, chin resting in the palm of his hand. His free hand reaches out to tease strands of red hair. ]

Those kids worry too much. Being able to sleep this much and not have to leave bed is a luxury. They're just too young and full of energy to understand.

[ Everyone is swayed by those children in one way or another. For Hans, it's the cat siblings. Choi Han is fond of all three kids. Rosalyn is easily influenced by Raon. Ron is probably the only person that can't actually be bought or bribed in some way. Unless, maybe, if it's Cale himself. Yet Ron seems pretty fine with allowing Cale to do as he pleases. ]

Since you're fond of them, I suppose I won't make a liar out of you. This time.

[ His lips curve into a smirk as he leans into those touches in his hair, almost like a cat begging for pets. Which is basically what he is anyway. ]

How magnanimous of you. And yeah, I get it. You’ve more than earned a chance to rest. I think some of them are just worried you’ve overdone it again. [ You do have a habit of that, you know. ] But far be it from me to deprive you of luxurious relaxation. Shall I draw you a bath? Give you a massage? Peel you some grapes?

Thank you for saying what I already know. The last several years had been all about reaching this point. Now there are no more flags I have to avoid and can live in peace.

[ He actually is a bit freer in his speech with Sylvain. No, Cale hasn't mentioned how he had known most events up until the war's conclusion or his uncanny intuition about what things to do. Or how he might know things that others don't despite his status as a trash family member. However, Sylvain does understand how transmigration works, in essence. How much he actually understands when Cale talks is another thing altogether.

There's an amused huff as Sylvain lays out different options in front of him. On impulse, he tilts Sylvain's chin up so that he can kiss him. Not quite chaste but not quite so lascivious either. ]

I'll take you up on some of those things. For now, how about you start by feeding me a pastry? That is what you came here to do, right?

[ There's been enough inconsistencies he's learned in his time knowing Cale that he's just learned to smile and nod and take it in stride. Sometimes he pushes for more information, but for the most part he chalks it up to the oddities that make up Cale Henituse. He's a puzzle, but Sylvain's not in the mood to poke at it right now.

Especially because he's too busy grinning as he leans into that kiss, lips warm and sensual as he invites Cale to linger as long as he wants. ]

I suppose I can manage that.

[ he huffs out a laugh as he rolls onto his side far enough to reach for one of the still-warm pastries, the icing atop it gooey and he's careful not to drip it on Cale's bedding.

He'd prefer not to give Ron a reason to murder him. ]

Here, try this. I gave Vicross a recipe from home.

Edited 2025-07-23 01:21 (UTC)

[ Oh don't do that to him, Sylvain. It'd be too easy for Cale to just give into that invitation. Cale is certainly feeling amicable. He's usually not easily distracted when he is "working." Yet in the few times where they are not off doing something, Cale can be convinced to give in to these sorts of desires as well - the major indicator being a quick lick to Sylvain's bottom lip.

But now he is sitting up, if only because it is sometimes a touch difficult to get the right angle to feed someone otherwise. Awkward angles and such. ]

From your home? [ Well now he's interested as he leans forward. ] I didn't think that the same ingredients would exist.

[ Opening mouth! Feed him! ]

They don't, exactly.

[ Sylvain grins as he lifts the pastry to Cale's lips. There's a hint of sugar and cinnamon and honey, and a mix of a few flavors that might not be so easy to quickly identify. The glaze is a mix of honey and vanilla, making it almost like a sweeter version of a cinnamon roll. ]

But I've been playing with some of the spices and herbs and flavors for a bit now. I started out trying to recreate some of the teas from back home, but I stumbled across other similar flavors almost by accident. What do you think?

[ Yeah, that's what he thought. It's not an exact match. Cale does wonder why that is, considering that there are more or less matching ingredients from this world and the Korea that he had once known. Something to puzzle over later as he takes a bite.

The flavor is actually familiar. Cale thinks that, maybe, he might have had something similar a long time ago. Similar, not the same. He likes the sweetness of it and the cinnamon.

A bit of glaze and a few crumbs do cling to a bottom lip. ]

I'm sure I could help with the teas. [ Cale, you should rest? ] This is really sweet. You should tell Viscross to keep the recipe.

[ Which is Cale for "I like it and want to have it again" ]

[ Luckily, Sylvain has become fluent in speaking Cale. ]

I'll let him know you liked it. I'm sure he'd be happy to make it again.

[ But his gaze is locked on those crumbs and that bit of icing after Cale has finished the pastry, especially when the redhead doesn't seem to immediately notice them. So instead, he catches Cale's chin to hold his head still and leans forward, his tongue darting out to flick the crumbs away and lap up the icing from his skin. Lingering in another series of kisses as he plays at cleaning him up. ]

Really sweet, indeed.

Keep it away from Ron. He'll try to add something like lemon to it and ruin the entire thing.

[ He still really hates sour things. Cale is convinced Ron feeds him lemonade and lemon teas just to spite him. Augh. To this day he hasn't figured out why Ron does that.

Now there is more to say. Rather, he had planned to take another bite. Sylvain beats him to that, deciding to lick and kiss first. Cale hums, returning the favor with small laps of his tongue against Sylvain's as he holds onto it for a bit longer this time.

Hopefully the children remain distracted. ]

Hmmm. Seems as though you like sweet things too.

[ he's gonna kick Hans' ass if he fails him, honestly.

But that's a worry for later. Right now, he's much more interested in distracting the redhead he's curled up against. ]

Mmm. Sweet. Spicy. I tend to be fond of them both.

That, honestly, explains so much.

[ About why Sylvain had become to attached. Cale doesn't mind. He finds himself oddly attached as well. For now he'll hum and continue to eat this sweet roll from Sylvain's hand. His tongue swipes over each finger and thumb, just to make sure that he gets every thing.

Then he tilts his head to the side. ]

Now you've kept your promise.

Sweetheart, if you think a single pastry is going to reassure them, you really haven’t been paying attention.

[ Sylvain chuckles even as he presses a kiss to the corner of Cale’s lips, tongue flicking out playfully against his skin. His eyes had darkened slightly from each of those teasing licks to his fingers.

What a tease. ]

But it’s a start.

I'm not sure what more they want. Rest, but not too much. Eat, but more than that. Between you and Raon, I'm not sure who feeds me more. Are you trying to fatten me up?

[ Actually? They probably are. Cale thinks that he is a good size? But maybe other people don't share that sentiment. Everyone seems to think that he's so unhealthy!

He tsks as Sylvain gives him another kiss. They're both teases.

Then, as though it were some kind of declaration, he fully lays back down. Chases Sylvain's lips for another kiss. Lazy, but with a touch more heat. He sees that look, sir. ]

You all can fuss less.

Maybe I am. Is it really so bad, to be fussed over by the people who care about you?

[ Cale lays back down in the bed and Sylvain follows him, cheek propped in one hand as he smiles down at the other redhead and kisses him lazily, leaning into him as his other hand comes up to cup against his cheek. Tangles fingers in his hair. ]

You’re always looking after everyone else around you. They want to return the favor.

[ Cale wants to point out that no one is duty-bound to stick around. Ron and Viscross might be in his service, but he's even Ron leave before. Even Sylvain could go and do what he wanted with whomever he wanted. All Cale had wanted for this man who gives him these lazy, sweet kisses that scream affection and fondness is Freedom of Choice. To be able to finally take his life in his hands and do with it what he hadn't been able to before.

So what is it that makes them all stay? What is it that makes Sylvain stay? ]

I'm perfectly fine as long as Vitality of the Heart never wavers. It's not as though any of them owe met for anything. Everything I did was ultimately for myself.

[ That doesn't really explain why he raised the cats and the dragon though. He fusses over them the most. Definitely acts like a parent and Cale knows it. ]

They've been returning the favor for years.

[ Sylvain just casts him a fondly exasperated look as he shakes his head, then wraps his arm around Cale's middle once more and tugs him closer, so he can tuck him across a broad chest and wrap around him more snugly. ]

For someone so smart, you can be astonishingly dumb.

[ Oh don't give him that look, Sylvain. He knows that look. There is nothing to be exasperated by here! Cale even begins to open his mouth to say as much when the man sees fit to manhandle him into a position of Sylvain's choosing. He makes a noise in the back of his throat. Sylvain gets away with that far too much, even if Cale is settling more comfortably against him. ]

I don't think you have any room to talk.

[ Mister "I never see any good traits in myself." ]

[ Admit it, Cale, you like it when he manhandles you.

But he just grins down at the redhead, leaning forward to trail playful, nipping kisses along his jaw, all affectionate teasing. ]

I have no idea what you could possibly mean.

Besides. None of them stay because of a debt owed. They stay because of you.

[ He'll admit nothing of the sort to Sylvain's face. Yet if the right person asks, Cale will likely not disagree. He'd say that it's a private matter and leave it at that. Of course, Sylvain is going to act the same way that Cale is, dodging that comment with a "I don't know what you're talking about" sort of air. All the while Sylvain knows damn well what Cale is talking about.

That's probably why there are little nipping kisses in an area that is meant to distract and make Cale more pliable.

Mostly, he hates the fact that it kind of works. His irritation ebbs, a hum accompanying those kisses. ]

Hong and On, I understand. Choi Han, I also get, to a degree. Raon Mir and some of the others? I don't know what it is about me that would make them want to stay.

[ Well... Cale knows that Raon Mir is attached to him. He just doesn't understand HOW that happened when he had given the brat freedom. ]

Because in your own way, you’ve saved them all, in one way or another. Offered them a hand when they needed it most. A light in the darkness, a doorway, when they were trapped.

[ Another light nip, this one just under Cale’s ear as he tucks an arm about the other redhead’s waist, his fingers playing along the lines of his ribs through his shirt. ]

That isn’t something you just walk away from.

The children are one thing... Most everyone else would have made out just fine without my meddling in their lives.

[ Okay, that might be true, but only to a degree. Cale won't acknowledge it, but the people around him are happier. Healthier, both physically and emotionally. They are in better places than where they would have been if things were still strictly following the novel. It's maybe the difference between surviving and thriving. Cale still doesn't think much of himself, after all. He's someone that, ultimately, gave them all those options because it would benefit him as well ( but he didn't have to and maybe that's the point ).

His breath catches at that last nip. Attacking the sensitive spots are we? Cale tsks even as his hands finally begin to wander. Mostly along Sylvain's neck, applying just a bit of pressure. Fingertips skating up into hair and then back down again to the neck then towards the shoulder. Just lazily repeating the motion, occasionally giving the back of the neck an affectionate squeeze. ]

Now if you tell me I was your light in the darkness, I might kick you out of bed.

[ All he did is offer a place for Sylvain to go. Nothing more. ]

Edited 2025-07-24 17:57 (UTC)

What, don’t you think it’d be poetic? Maybe I should start calling you my shining star.

[ He’s pretty sure Cale’s going to immediately hate that idea, which is why he’s grinning as he says it.

He doesn’t argue with Cale’s earlier statement - despite it being outright wrong - because he’s pretty sure the redhead won’t really get it anyway. Words aren’t what will convince him, Sylvain knows, so he lets the debate go for the time being.

Instead, he lets his own hands start to wander more, sliding along Cale’s body with a familiarity that spoke to all the time they’d taken to explore one another in the past. Not that Sylvain will pass up any excuse to do it all over again. He loves getting his hands - and his mouth - and the redhead’s skin and now is certainly no exception. Even as he preens and leans into those touches, soaking up the easy affection between them. ]

[ The hands and the way they move will always be achingly familiar. Sometimes Cale wonders how Ron might have threatened Sylvain the moment he sniffed the both of them out. It's not like Cale hides that fact - well, he does try his best to keep it from the kids. Sylvain's likely realized, by now, that Cale is actually an affectionate person. ]

That's right up there with Alver's name for me. I don't want to be reminded of him in my bed.

[ He's also realized that Sylvain hungers for that affection. So Cale doesn't deny him it. He strokes the area behind Sylvain's ears, teasing touches along the outer shell before placing an easy kiss on the man's brow.

...Cale is actually rather happy that Sylvain decided to stay. It would've felt too much like losing someone otherwise. ]

Don’t tell him that, he’ll be devastated.

[ Sylvain just grins at that, thinking of the Prince’s face. He was still trying to figure out if there was more to their dynamic than they showed. It was hard to tell sometimes. Especially when most of his views of the Prince were still through a magical scrying ball. And then it was mostly Cale and him sparkling annoyingly at each other.

Honestly, it was like watching Claude and Yuri in a room together, and even the idea of that was a little terrifying.

Also let’s not talk about Ron and his scary threats. Sylvain still has nightmares. ]