I had told you it would be. [He laughs quietly, more than content to wrap his arms around Oliver instead of holding his hands.]
Me too. I like it a lot better. [Not that it hadn't been a special kind of thrill, to let Oliver possess him and do what he wanted, but being able to hold him all the time, to reach out and share casual, unplanned touches... It's a lot better, and Oliver is happier as a faerie. That's what counts.]
[He kisses him gently, able to hold back his smile enough now to make a reasonable attempt at it. For all he said he just wanted things to stay the same it does feel a little different kissing him now. It feels safer. He likes that.]
Good. Because I am not going back to that.
[At least he hopes not. Most people who change monsters seem to reverse back, but Mana's promised he wouldn't. He wants to believe he can trust her on that.]
[Soeki returns that kiss with an easy affection, the weight of the previous conversation now off his shoulders, leaving him lighter, smiling, happy.]
No, you're not. [He'd take it up with Mana himself if this wore off, if Oliver had to go back to being a shade. If he had to go back to being unhappy.] I wouldn't want you to. You should get to be happy, or at least as happy as anybody can be here.
I'm not- good at asking for help. [That much should probably be obvious - after all, it was Oliver's place he crashed at after his last bear-related crisis. Oliver was the one who saw him a mess.] But you do help. Just knowing that you're here for me if I do crash and burn.
I know. [He leans in and kisses him again, the corner of his mouth first and then fully on the lips.] I'll come to you if I need it. And vice versa, okay?
no subject
Me too. I like it a lot better. [Not that it hadn't been a special kind of thrill, to let Oliver possess him and do what he wanted, but being able to hold him all the time, to reach out and share casual, unplanned touches... It's a lot better, and Oliver is happier as a faerie. That's what counts.]
no subject
[He kisses him gently, able to hold back his smile enough now to make a reasonable attempt at it. For all he said he just wanted things to stay the same it does feel a little different kissing him now. It feels safer. He likes that.]
Good. Because I am not going back to that.
[At least he hopes not. Most people who change monsters seem to reverse back, but Mana's promised he wouldn't. He wants to believe he can trust her on that.]
no subject
No, you're not. [He'd take it up with Mana himself if this wore off, if Oliver had to go back to being a shade. If he had to go back to being unhappy.] I wouldn't want you to. You should get to be happy, or at least as happy as anybody can be here.
no subject
[He doesn't know what he can do realistically, but he'd like to. Soeki helps him so much, he owes him whatever he can.]
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
Okay. I will.