Jag

[hollow_moon]

continued from here

Val raised a brow at that, but only nodded as he led them all the way in.

 

The first room alone was huge, bigger than any flat in London, but there was no bed in sight- That was in a whole other room itself. The bathroom was also private and quite large, as was the walk in closet.

"The bedroom is, um, through those doors," he said, watching Jag as though he still wasn't certain the other man wouldn't panic or grow annoyed.

Comments

[jageskro]

"And you're not - sore, or anything?" Jag asked, turning his head to look up at Val without moving it from his shoulder. "Like you were last time." Val hadn't said, and he didn't look it. Certainly didn't move like he was.

[hollow_moon]

"Shoulders are a touch stiff, and my knees are feeling it... But it's not like it usually is. Not even close. Some months it's so bad I can hardly leave my bed," Val replied honestly, still petting Jag's hair as he spoke.

"How are you feeling?" he asked after a beat. "It was a jarring experience all around- Are you alright?"

[jageskro]

Jag nosed gently at Val's jaw, then pressed a kiss there. "I'm all right." He turned his palm up on Val's chest and created a small flame. "I've got my fire back. I'm more than all right." He fed the flame until it was large enough that he could sculp a wolf's face out of it, raising it high enough that Val could feel its warmth without risking getting burned.

[hollow_moon]

"Clever," Val said softly, smiling at the sight of Jag's flames. "How long did it take you to master them?" he asked curiously.

[jageskro]

"I was thirteen," Jag answered, and brushed another kiss on Val's jaw. "But it's still a work in progress." He changed the shape, the wolf's head morphing into a bird in flight. "It took me months to pull this one off, and I couldn't make it fly, at first." As if on cue, the wings started to beat, for all that the fire bird remained stationary.

[hollow_moon]

"It's remarkable," Val said softly. "You're remarkable, Jag. It must take an incredible amount of control to create those things," he murmured.

[jageskro]

"It's like any other muscle," Jag stated with a smile, and put out the fire with another thought. "The more you flex it, the easier it becomes. It could be like that, for you," he went on, turning over so he was on his stomach, and he could look at Val. "Maybe you just haven't found the right muscle yet."

[hollow_moon]

"I'm not sure how I'd even find the right one," Val confessed. "I have heard that there's a man near Mount Fuji who supposedly teaches those with the wolf inside them how to master the change, but... I don't know. Sounds too good to be true."

[jageskro]

"Worth exploring, though, innit?" Jag prodded gently. "Just in case?" Drina's offer had been too good to be true, and it had been the best decision of his life.

[hollow_moon]

"It's a long trip," Val sighed. "And his lessons take a month at the very least. ...That's a large time investment for something that might not work," he said quietly.

[jageskro]

"A couple of months isn't that long, if there's any chance it might be real," Jag answered with a one-shouldered shrug. But it was Val's choice, obviously, and he reached out to brush fingers through his hair. "I'd understand if you decided to go, anyway."

And anyone who didn't would be an arsehole.

[hollow_moon]

"I don't want to leave just as things are getting good," Val said, his voice soft and gentle. "I don't want to leave you."

[jageskro]

For one very frightening second, Jag considered being the reason that Val wouldn't go. Then he thought better of it - Val could have gone long before now, and he hadn't, so he was just one more reason not to go, at best. Or worst.

Before his own issues could rear more of their ugly heads, he focused back on what they were actually talking about.

"Things could be so much better, though," Jag answered, thumb stroking his shoulder. "It could change your entire life. For the better."

[hollow_moon]

"Maybe," Val agreed, smiling at the touch. "I don't know, Jag. ...I'll think about it."

[jageskro]

Jag hummed softly in acknowledgement. That was all he could ask for, really. Val's life, Val's decision. He just... gave a shit. Many shits, actually. He shifted closer and drew Val into a soft, long kiss, meant to convey just that.

[hollow_moon]

It had been a while since he'd been kissed so sweetly. Since he'd felt cared for- Not just wanted.

"I'm so glad I found you last night."

[jageskro]

"Yeah," Jag agreed with a half smile. "Whatever the fuck that was. I'm kind of thankful, now. I didn't think you'd ever talk to me again." And he wouldn't have blamed him.

[hollow_moon]

"I feared the same," Val confessed quietly, his hand rubbing Jag's back as he closed his eyes and sighed softly. "I'm glad we were both wrong."

[jageskro]

Jag just focused on the slide of Val's hand for a moment. This was worth having gone through that horrible place. This was worth the pain of burning. He knew that there were so many things they should talk about, but he couldn't bring himself to bring up any of them, right then. It felt like bringing them up might cut the moment short, and he didn't want to. He wanted those few days here, away from the world, just the two of them and no real need to ever wear clothes.

[hollow_moon]

"It's so quiet here," Val murmured. "There's no noise no stench of the city. It's so easy here to focus on you and you alone. Your scent, the beat of your heart..."

[jageskro]

"You can hear my heartbeat?" Jag asked, eyebrows raised in wonder. He'd known Val's senses were more acute than normal, but that was... wow.

[hollow_moon]

"I have to really focus on it- But yeah, I can. It's nice," he admitted. "It makes me feel that much closer to you."

[jageskro]

"It's... kind of amazing," Jag said honestly, in a whisper, as if he didn't want to drown the sound of his own heart.

[hollow_moon]

"Says the man who can sculpt flame..." Val teased, grinning and giving Jag a soft squeeze.

[jageskro]

"Says the man who can hear my fucking heartbeat," Jag retorted with a laugh. "Let's both be amazing, yeah?"