[ The words, though not harsh, though not unkind, allow no negotiation; it’s a statement of fact, an injunction: Enri isn’t going home alone. Enri isn’t leaving without Darius.
(A thought: It means something, that Enri suggests leaving alone. That on this weekend over which Darius has promised the boy agony and ecstasy a hundred times over, Enri would be willing to return to a lonely apartment.
It’s a terrible image, a rending image: Enri golden in the dark, plagued by what he thinks of as his failure. Enri, with no one to offer assurance, with no one to stroke his hair. Enri, alone, because he believed Daddy would like to be with Sen and Rin, because he believed he wasn’t wanted.
It’s an absurd idea, but noble in intention. It’s nothing any would-be-Puppies could have done. And Darius very, very much wants to take a fist to Rin’s jaw for making Enri feel this way. And after this. Maybe next week, after Darius has drawn Enri through heaven and hell, some day when Enri’s at work, Darius will have a few words with Rin.)
For now, what matters is Enri in the present, Enri looking unwell, Enri distant and in pieces. And Enri is where Darius keeps his focus. ]
In fact—
[ It doesn’t take so much maneuvering at all. To curl a finger beneath Enri’s chin and offer a mischief-tinged smirk. To turn his hand, guiding the backs of his fingers down the boy’s throat, drawing the back of his hand down along Enri’s chest. And at the same time caressing Enri’s shoulder and guiding Enri’s back to rest against the not-precisely-a-chair; at the same time moving himself to settle on Enri’s thighs, and make a place for himself on Enri’s lap. Smiling - warmer now, as if quite pleased with himself, absolutely pleased with his position - he returns his hand to Enri’s jaw, to caress in admiration as he nestles against Enri’s chest, as he tosses his hair and lifts an eyebrow. Setting a hand above Enri’s heart. Pressing a greeting: ’Hello, my love.’ ]
I’m afraid you can’t go anywhere, Love. Your lap belongs to god now.
[ He leans up just enough to kiss Enri’s nose, light and glancing, playful, before settling back against Enri. ]
I am very happy where I am, and disinclined to be moved, hm?
[ And, brushing his thumb along Enri’s cheek steady, rhythmic, Darius speaks with certainty, with an unwavering assurance. ]
Enri, you have done nothing wrong. You haven’t said anything wrong.
And they’re not right.
[ And, voice softening as Darius takes Enri’s hand, wrist up, and brushes his thumbs up and down along the wrist— ]
They’re frequently not right. If anyone’s erred here, it’s Rin.
It’s no fault of yours that Rin’s a prickly little shit. Intractable for the sake of their vanity. Habitually inattentive to the basic fucking tenants of courtesy. They don’t dislike you; they are being an absolute ass. I expect Sen’s talking sense to them right now.
Don’t worry about them, Puppy. And please, don’t doubt yourself. You’ve said nothing wrong. Your mouth—
[ Here Darius traces Enri’s lower lip with his thumb, slowing to relish the movement, lip ticking upward, unplanned, with pleasure. ]
Your mouth and your tongue and all that they give is dear to me. Enri. I would rather have a dozen words from you than a hundred thousand from Sen or Rin.
A dozen words and your incomparable eyes—
And a bite, as well, if my Puppy’s amenable.
[ And yes, of course yes, Darius is inclining his head, letting his hair fall back to present an ear, to blink once, twice at Enri, suggesting that Daddy would be pleased indeed by a bite right now. ]
no subject
[ The words, though not harsh, though not unkind, allow no negotiation; it’s a statement of fact, an injunction: Enri isn’t going home alone. Enri isn’t leaving without Darius.
(A thought: It means something, that Enri suggests leaving alone. That on this weekend over which Darius has promised the boy agony and ecstasy a hundred times over, Enri would be willing to return to a lonely apartment.
It’s a terrible image, a rending image: Enri golden in the dark, plagued by what he thinks of as his failure. Enri, with no one to offer assurance, with no one to stroke his hair. Enri, alone, because he believed Daddy would like to be with Sen and Rin, because he believed he wasn’t wanted.
It’s an absurd idea, but noble in intention. It’s nothing any would-be-Puppies could have done. And Darius very, very much wants to take a fist to Rin’s jaw for making Enri feel this way. And after this. Maybe next week, after Darius has drawn Enri through heaven and hell, some day when Enri’s at work, Darius will have a few words with Rin.)
For now, what matters is Enri in the present, Enri looking unwell, Enri distant and in pieces. And Enri is where Darius keeps his focus. ]
In fact—
[ It doesn’t take so much maneuvering at all. To curl a finger beneath Enri’s chin and offer a mischief-tinged smirk. To turn his hand, guiding the backs of his fingers down the boy’s throat, drawing the back of his hand down along Enri’s chest. And at the same time caressing Enri’s shoulder and guiding Enri’s back to rest against the not-precisely-a-chair; at the same time moving himself to settle on Enri’s thighs, and make a place for himself on Enri’s lap. Smiling - warmer now, as if quite pleased with himself, absolutely pleased with his position - he returns his hand to Enri’s jaw, to caress in admiration as he nestles against Enri’s chest, as he tosses his hair and lifts an eyebrow. Setting a hand above Enri’s heart. Pressing a greeting: ’Hello, my love.’ ]
I’m afraid you can’t go anywhere, Love. Your lap belongs to god now.
[ He leans up just enough to kiss Enri’s nose, light and glancing, playful, before settling back against Enri. ]
I am very happy where I am, and disinclined to be moved, hm?
[ And, brushing his thumb along Enri’s cheek steady, rhythmic, Darius speaks with certainty, with an unwavering assurance. ]
Enri, you have done nothing wrong. You haven’t said anything wrong.
And they’re not right.
[ And, voice softening as Darius takes Enri’s hand, wrist up, and brushes his thumbs up and down along the wrist— ]
They’re frequently not right. If anyone’s erred here, it’s Rin.
It’s no fault of yours that Rin’s a prickly little shit. Intractable for the sake of their vanity. Habitually inattentive to the basic fucking tenants of courtesy. They don’t dislike you; they are being an absolute ass. I expect Sen’s talking sense to them right now.
Don’t worry about them, Puppy. And please, don’t doubt yourself. You’ve said nothing wrong. Your mouth—
[ Here Darius traces Enri’s lower lip with his thumb, slowing to relish the movement, lip ticking upward, unplanned, with pleasure. ]
Your mouth and your tongue and all that they give is dear to me. Enri. I would rather have a dozen words from you than a hundred thousand from Sen or Rin.
A dozen words and your incomparable eyes—
And a bite, as well, if my Puppy’s amenable.
[ And yes, of course yes, Darius is inclining his head, letting his hair fall back to present an ear, to blink once, twice at Enri, suggesting that Daddy would be pleased indeed by a bite right now. ]