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Neutral
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Feo froze. - The moment was so soft, so brief, that he almost convinced himself it hadn’t happened. Almost. But the faint brush of Lucius’s lips lingered on his skin like the ghost of a flame, searing itself into his memory in a way that made it impossible to dismiss. His heart, traitorous and loud, skipped a beat—hard enough that he was certain Lucius could feel it through the closeness of their bodies. - For a split second, Feo’s mind went blank. Every carefully constructed wall he’d built, every layer of defense he prided himself on, crumbled beneath the weight of that single, impulsive action. It was as though Lucius had found the chink in his armor and exploited it effortlessly, with a simple touch. His breath hitched in his throat, his grip on Lucius’s hand faltering before instinctively tightening again, grounding himself in the sensation of their fingers intertwined. - He swallowed hard, the usual composure he wielded like a weapon nowhere to be found. His wings, vast and imposing, curled protectively around them, trembled slightly as if mirroring the nervous energy coursing through him. The soft rustle of feathers filled the space as his covets puffed up in a way that made the already-massive appendages appear even larger. He was a creature built for intimidation, yet here he stood, completely undone by a single moment of closeness. - Words eluded him. Feo wasn’t sure what to say—if he should say anything at all. The rational part of his brain, the one that always kept him two steps ahead, urged him to deflect. To keep it light. To tease Lucius for his boldness and brush it off with a witty remark. But the warmth blooming in his chest, the way his thoughts kept spiraling back to the softness of that kiss, rooted him to the spot and left him utterly vulnerable. - Instead, he sighed softly, the sound escaping him like a quiet confession. His breath, warm and uneven, brushed against Lucius’s collarbone as he leaned forward, burying his face deeper into the crook of Lucius’s neck. The closeness was intoxicating in a way he hadn’t anticipated. “You really don’t play fair, do you?” he murmured, his voice low and tinged with something deeper than his usual teasing tone. - Feo pulled back slightly, just enough to meet Lucius’s gaze. His eyes, normally sharp and guarded, softened as they searched for something—anything—that might give him a clue as to what was running through Lucius’s mind. - “Impossible,” Feo repeated, the word barely more than a whisper as it slipped past his lips. A small, lopsided smile tugged at his mouth, betraying the mixture of affection and frustration churning within him. “You really are impossible, Lulu.” Feo’s gaze softened further, and for a moment, he let himself linger, his thumb brushing over the back of Lucius’s hand in a steady, grounding rhythm. - Slowly, as though testing the waters, Feo leaned in until their foreheads were pressed together. The intimacy of the gesture made his wings tighten around them once more, creating a cocoon of warmth and safety. It was as if he was trying to shield this fragile moment from the outside world, to keep it just for them. - “We should probably start making our way to the train,” he murmured, though his words lacked conviction. His gaze flicked to Lucius’s lips, betraying the internal battle he was waging. Every logical part of him screamed at him to pull away, to regain control of the situation. But the part of him that longed for this, that had been quietly yearning for longer than he cared to admit, refused to let go. - His smile widened slightly, a mix of exasperation and affection dancing across his features. “You’re lucky I’m patient with you,” he added, his voice dropping to a soft murmur. “And that I like you enough to put up with the way you make my brain boggle around in my head.” - Yet even as the words left his lips, Feo made no move to pull away. He didn’t want to. The truth was, he wasn’t ready to let go of this moment, to let go of Lucius. Instead, he allowed himself to stay, their foreheads still pressed together, their hands still intertwined, their breaths mingling in the shared space between them. - Because for the first time in a long time, Feo felt as though he was exactly where he was meant to be. - Feo hesitated, his breath still uneven as he lingered close, forehead pressed to Lucius’s. The warmth radiating from Lucius’s skin and the steady rhythm of his breathing were magnetic, grounding him in a way he hadn’t anticipated. His thoughts were a whirlwind, every nerve alight. He was shaking just the tiniest—quiet vibrations through his biceps—and Feo wondered if his confused, overwhelmed body had hit him with adrenaline. - His gaze drifted lower, catching the curve of Lucius’s neck where it met his collarbone. The faintest blush crept into Feo’s cheeks, but he didn’t pull away this time. Instead, he let instinct guide him. - Slowly, deliberately, Feo tilted his head and pressed his lips to the side of Lucius’s neck. It was soft, hesitant at first—a feather-light touch that lingered just enough to leave an impression. His lips brushed against warm skin, and he couldn’t help but marvel at how natural it felt, as if this was something he’d been meant to do all along. - To Feo's surprise, he grew bolder, his lips parting just enough to let him feel the faint pulse beneath. Feo’s hands tightened briefly around Lucius’s, anchoring himself in the sensation. He exhaled slowly against Lucius’s skin, the warmth of his breath a quiet acknowledgment of everything he couldn’t put into words. - Pulling back only slightly, Feo rested his head against Lucius’s shoulder, his lips still brushing faintly against the curve of his neck. He stayed there, letting the quiet intimacy of the moment stretch out, his lips curving into a soft smile against Lucius’s neck. - "Feel better, though?" |
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Lightbringer
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Lucius, with a rather smug jump in his own chest, could feel the way that Feo's heart skipped a beat and almost raced. Oh he knew exactly what he was doing--well, maybe not but he was getting a fairly good idea. This felt right, a little dangerous but right. If Feo was going to stick around for a long while, like he said, Lucius was going to make sure it was close enough that he couldn't bear to let go. Close enough that even he, himself, didn't want to let go. Lucius humed into a warmer chuckle with the deep grumble from the Norse demigod. No. He never did play fair. That was something he wasn't really used to doing. Play fair? Eh. That was the same old, same old that everybody else did. Play unfair? Now the stakes were high, everything was in the air and nobody knew what was going to happen next. That was when he thrived. Lucius's glittering blue eyes returned Feo's studying gaze with a rather smug and sly smile. Oh he was so proud of himself and that pride only grew as Feo noted that he was impossible. That was the idea. Lucius let out a weary sigh, pressing his forehead against Feo's. "... yeah," he murmured, "we should..." but he didn't want to. His brain was screaming for more, his heart aching to go further but he didn't want to chase Feo off. Not yet, not now. The smile that Lucius wore grew only slightly as the other demigod mused aloud. "I am very lucky," he whispered. "Lucky to have someone like you... who is willing to put up with me--even when I'm impossible." And there was still more "impossible" to come, that was inevitable. As inevitable as the sun rising and falling. The phases of the moon. Lucius was just ... a mess. He knew that. But at least he wore it well. As washed out and empty as he felt, tucked in the arms of Feo had brought a sort of renewed energy that he hadn't felt in a long while. Lucius tilted his chin upward, a small breath hitched in his throat. So that--that was what it felt like. It sent a small shiver down his spine, almost a surprise. He should do that more often, that... he could see that being a good way to help Feo ground or at least distract himself from the rest of his thoughts. Maybe not in public though, that was a bad idea. But like this? Who cared. Lucius let out a smaller noise, a relieved breath. "I do feel better," he admitted quietly, his other hand running circles along Feo's shoulder. "A lot better than I have in a while..." He sighed wearily. "But... you're right, we should probably get ready for the train." |
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Neutral
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Feo's wings fluttered once, the large feathers shifting around him, before he let them retract fully. The comforting, protective weight of them vanished, leaving his back bare and human-looking once again. He turned his eyes away from Lucius, taking a deep breath to steady himself before his gaze flickered back to the other demigod. - He stood up, his movements smooth, if not a little careful. Lucius was still nestled in his arms, and with little effort, Feo scooped him up. It was instinct—he wasn’t thinking about it; he just did it. He felt strong, almost in control for once, as he stood with Lucius in his arms, holding him like something delicate. His heart beat steadily, though it wasn’t entirely free of tension. He wasn’t used to this, to holding someone like this, to letting someone so close. - Feo lowered Lucius gently to the floor, hands lingering on his shoulders just a moment longer than necessary. He couldn’t help it. - Lucius looked so… familiar, in a way that stirred something warm in Feo’s chest. And maybe that was what made him act without thinking—grabbing his tunic, the one he’d carelessly thrown aside earlier, and wrapping it around Lucius like he was taking care of him in some small way. - “Wow, green is not your color,” Feo quipped, his voice light, though the words were wrapped in something softer, quieter. - He couldn’t stop himself from scanning Lucius, taking in the way the tunic fit him perfectly despite the casual, almost effortless nature of it. And yet, it felt right. Still, he couldn’t help but smirk, the teasing remark escaping his lips before he realized it. - “Black suits you better anyway,” he added, his gaze lingering a moment too long on the other demigod, noting how absolutely stunning Lucius looked in his clothes—his clothes. - Feo adjusted the tunic around Lucius, making sure it was properly wrapped, snapping it back closed with a quick flick of his fingers. The moment felt intimate in a way that made Feo’s stomach tighten, but he didn’t shy away from it. He wasn’t sure if he was ready to leave this space yet, but the train was waiting. - With a small sigh, he turned his attention back to Lucius. “Anything you need to grab before we go?” Feo asked, his voice less teasing now, more practical. His tone softened slightly, though his eyes were already drifting towards the bathroom. - As he stepped into the small space, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror—his messy hair, the slight flush still on his cheeks from everything that had happened. But what really caught his attention was the smile. It was faint, but it was there, a quiet reflection of something he hadn’t seen in a long time. - For the first time in ages, Feo wasn’t just standing there—he wasn’t just existing. He was… happy. A little giddy, even. It was a strange feeling, unfamiliar and yet comforting. His reflection stared back at him, and though he wasn’t ready to admit it, he knew he was in for something he hadn’t planned. Something that might just change everything. |
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Lightbringer
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Lucius let out a small noise--surprised as Feo stood up and brought him with. That was a brand new sensation, the whole 'being picked up and carried thing' was probably something he was going to have to get used to. His hands tightened around Feo's shoulders, clinging to his shirt for a few moments. "Wow--that... that's a rush," he admitted quietly, standing on his own two feet finally. His heart beat a couple times, looking up back at Feo for a moment or two, reluctant to leave. But he really didn't have a choice at this point. The hotel room wasn't really theirs for long and the train--well, who knew when it was going to be coming through. As Feo turned away, Lucius fiddled with the watch on his wrist. He couldn't hide a faint splotch of color from his cheeks as he thought about the whole thing. That was new, that whole thing was new. But it felt so right, that was the issue. It felt far more right than anything else he had really done or gotten himself into. Barring this plan, this plan was brilliant. His blue gaze lifted as Feo came up to him and wrapped the tunic around him. Green and almost cotton-like fabric in a sense. It might've been closer to wool. He raised an eyebrow just slightly, chuckling faintly before shaking his head. "Green never was," he confirmed, tossing blond hair back and forth. "Neutrals always seemed to fit best. Blacks, grays, whites were too much. I could get away with blue or red on occasion. But neutral tones for me," he gave Feo a small grin in return as his hands lowered to his side. He hadn't really worn a tunic before this and he couldn't lie, it was pretty comfortable. Lucius ran his fingers over the fabric, enjoying the feel of it for a few moments. "I think I've got most of everything, let me grab my wallet," Lucius moved into business mind again, stepping to the nightstand. "Oh--my tie too. Can't forget the tie--" he crossed the room to the closet, pulled the fabric from the hanger and instead just folded it neatly into his pocket. It would be alright to stay there for a while. Tie and tunic was probably just a bit much. Lucius knew full well he needed the vest under the tunic to help the tunic fit well. Otherwise, it'd need readjusting and all of that. The young man stepped back from the closet and wandered toward the bathroom, pausing to finally make sure he looked somewhat presentable--washing his face off from any residual tear tracts. "Alright," he let out a faint breath, hands on his hips. "I think I'm good to go. Are you?" |
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Neutral
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Feo glanced at Lucius, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he watched the other demigod move about the room with his usual fluid grace. There was something oddly comforting about the way Lucius went through his routine, even in the midst of everything—grabbing his wallet, folding his tie with practiced ease. It was the small, human moments that made it feel like everything was just a little more real. - His mind was still buzzing from the earlier exchange—the soft, unexpected kiss, the way his heart had tripped over itself, the warmth between them that had only deepened as the moments passed. It wasn’t just physical; it was something deeper, something that made him feel like maybe he didn’t have to keep everyone at arm’s length anymore. Maybe he didn’t have to hide behind walls so high that no one could get close. - Feo shook his head slightly, pushing the thoughts aside. He wasn’t about to lose himself in this right now. They had a train to catch. - “I’m good,” Feo finally replied, giving his reflection one last, fleeting glance before stepping back into the room. He adjusted his shirt as he moved, letting the comfortable fabric settle over his shoulders with ease and rolling the sleeves back up to his elbows from where they's slipped down, likely while he'd been lying in the bed. The whole setup felt… right. There was something grounding about the simplicity of it, and though his mind was still a little scrambled, the sense of belonging lingered in the back of his thoughts. - He turned to Lucius, who was looking much more put together now, his face clear of any remnants of earlier emotions. There was that mischievous glint in his eyes again, the one that always seemed to dance there, just waiting for the next opportunity to surface. - “We should get going,” Feo said with a nod, though his voice was softer, almost reluctant. It was strange—he didn’t want to leave this space, not when everything felt so quietly intimate. But he knew they had to, that time was ticking away, and there was no point in overthinking it. - “After you,” he added, motioning toward the door with a small smile that was equal parts teasing and affectionate. |
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Lightbringer
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Lucius took in a deep breath and let it out again. Something about the new potential bond between them was refreshing and enlightening. Something about the fact that he was letting Feo in--that he had essentially shown him the most vulnerable state he knew he could be in up to this point, was slightly terrifying to some degree. Something about that was absolutely mind boggling and he wasn't sure how to really express it outside of the room. Maybe they just... didn't for now. They were friends outside and more inside. That was a good start. As much as he knew the gods didn't care, the mortals did and they still lived among the mortals. Lucius stepped back from the mirror and gave Feo a sharper grin, far more reminiscent of his usual self. He gave him a brief nod, taking in a breath or two before pulling the door open. "Now," Lucius said slowly, collecting the keys in one hand. "From what I could gather, it doesn't sound like there's any train tickets we can buy. It's going to basically be hitchhiking a ride on one of the train cars and going that way. I'm not entirely sure, but I think it's something done by a lot of farmers too so we shouldn't be the only ones who have done it but we could be the only ones on that particular car." He took in a breath, enjoying the ability to yap. Oh he absolutely enjoyed to talk, mostly about things pertaining to what they were doing. "Granted, I've never really ridden a train before," Lucius admitted, setting the keys on the front desk as he gave the woman a lopsided smile and tipped his head before heading outside. "Nor do I really know where the train comes through... I'm assuming it's through the middle of town but we won't get on in the middle of town. We'll need to hop on to one headed west or south west. I think it's west," he explained further, walking down the sidewalk. One hand pushed through his hair, fluffing it up for a moment or two. "It should take about three or so hours." And as much as he didn't really want to admit it, he really hoped that whatever car they hopped onto was empty. Something about Feo was exciting and Lucius was more than happy to explore this new relationship a bit further. The whole thing was brand new to him, all in all, which was partially why it was so exciting. But even if it wasn't, the young man knew that at least... something would be better than nothing. And the Cestus would help achieve their plans without using too much violence. A part of Lucius skipped a beat though and he paused to look back at Feo. "... what... okay, pardon me and my concern here, but if we do have to go back to campus... uhm... what about... the factions?" And your dad... But that one was added silently. |
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Neutral
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Feo trailed behind Lucius as they left the room, his hands tucked casually into the pockets of his trousers. He let Lucius talk, his voice filling the space between them with its familiar cadence. There was a rhythm to the way Lucius spoke, something that made Feo’s lips twitch in a faint, amused smile. - As they passed the hotel’s small breakfast table, Feo snagged a muffin without breaking stride. It was blueberry, judging by the faint purple stain seeping through the wrapper. He took a large bite, the sweetness contrasting sharply with the tang of the berries, and chewed thoughtfully while Lucius continued to outline their plan. Hitchhiking on a train wasn’t exactly what Feo had expected when they started this venture, but it wasn’t the worst idea he’d heard either. - “Three hours on a train car, huh?” Feo mused around a mouthful of muffin, his voice tinged with a hint of dry humor. “Sounds cozy.” He glanced over at Lucius, who was gesturing animatedly as he spoke. The sight made Feo chuckle softly, shaking his head. It was hard to keep up with Lucius sometimes—not because of the pace of his words, but because of the sheer energy he poured into them. - When Lucius paused and turned back to him, the mood shifted slightly. Feo caught the hesitation in his expression, the slight falter in his voice as he brought up the factions. It wasn’t an easy question, and Feo’s jaw tightened briefly before he swallowed the last of the muffin. - He took a moment to brush the crumbs from his hands, his eyes flickering up to meet Lucius’s pure, lovely blue ones. “If we have to go back to campus…” Feo started, his tone slower, more deliberate now. “We’ll deal with it when we get there. Factions or not, I’m not letting them dictate how this plays out. They’ve done enough of that already.” - Feo’s shoulders squared slightly, his usual confidence bleeding into his posture. “As for…” He hesitated for a fraction of a second, reading the unspoken question in Lucius’s expression. He knew when someone was thinking about Loki—he had always been a looming threat. But when Feo used to know that someone was thinking about Loki, he'd beat them for it. A frown creased his lips, remembering the demigod of Zeus. As stuck up as he might have been, Feo knew he probably would have had to do a little more than shame Loki to deserve that. “As for my father, well…” His voice lowered, a flicker of something darker crossing his face. “Let him try. I’m not scared of him.” - The words hung in the air for a moment before Feo exhaled softly, shaking his head as if to clear it. He glanced down at the now-empty muffin wrapper in his hand, crumpling it into a ball before tucking it into his pocket. “Anyway,” he said, his voice lighter now, though the edge hadn’t completely disappeared. “We’ve got a train to catch, right? West or southwest—wherever it’s going, we’ll make it work.” - Feo shot Lucius a faint smirk, a glimmer of mischief returning to his expression. “You’ve got the brains for the planning, Lulu. I’m just the muscle. Lead the way.” |
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Lightbringer
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Lucius bobbed his head lightly and glanced back at him. It was a little less of an if and far more of a when. He hadn't planned to stay out too long yet and if they didn't find the Cestus... they'd have to go back anyways to regroup and find a place to stay. Lucius glanced away fora few moments. He really hadn't meant to say much but it was impossible to get out of the thinking. He had to plan something in case that didn't work. That was the issue. He needed to be prepared for everything that could happen. If they did have to get back, it sounded like Feo was relatively certain that they would deal with the factions... as in, ignoring them. Which was what Lucius had hoped to do in the first place. Feo was rather certain that they could take on Loki--which Lucius wasn't too worried about but it was more of a worry that Loki was going to use him to get to Feo. That was a worry that LUcius had considering Feo knew how much of a feather weight he was. Granted, Feo didn't know that also came with brittle bones. But that was something to come later. He'd figure that someway and somewhere down the road... well, they'd end up discovering that fact sooner than later. He just hoped it wasn't going to be too bad. "A train, yes," Lucius grinned back at him, bumping into his side slightly. "At least I've got some muscles to come along with me," he chuckled loosely, giving Feo another flashing grin. "Whatever would I do without a pair of muscles?" Lucius took in a deep breath and glanced around the town for a few moments. "I think, up ahead, I can see some tracks. If we do it right, we can follow along and, if nothing else, we can always ask a farmer or two for help and directions." He took in a breath and let it out again. "We'll make it work and then, when we get there, we... we will see if he wants to part with it. I'll offer what I've got... and..." Lucius paused for a moment, thinking and tapping his chin. "If not, maybe he will trade for a couple of authentic gold Asgardian coins." Lucius nodded firmly. "And if he still doesn't... well... the Cestus is designed to be used, not displayed. He can take it up with the actual gods when it goes missing. Besides, he won't know who we are so he won't know who to look for or chase." Lucius gave Feo a rather sharp grin. "For the greater good, of course," the young man preened. "Which may or may not be convincing the gods to be better parents. We're going to go the pacifist way first, of course, because if we don't have to use violence... we won't. If they still don't listen... well, that's on them." |
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Neutral
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Feo listened, his expression thoughtful as Lucius spoke. The way Lucius's mind worked always fascinated him—so much detail, so much planning, and all tied together with a certain charm that made it impossible not to pay attention. Feo let out a low chuckle as Lucius bumped into his side, the contact brief but grounding. - “You’d be absolutely lost without me,” Feo teased in return, his tone light and laced with humor. “Probably trying to bribe some train conductor and ending up stuck on the wrong train to who-knows-where.” - He glanced ahead, his golden eyes narrowing slightly as he spotted the faint glint of tracks in the distance. “Yeah, I see them too. Good call. If we follow those, we should be able to find a good spot to hop on without too much trouble. Farmers might help, but let’s not get our hopes up. Not everyone’s going to be thrilled to see two random guys skulking around their property.” - He appreciated Lucius’s optimism, but he couldn’t help the small flicker of doubt that crept in as he thought about the Cestus. Convincing someone to part with something like that wasn’t going to be easy, no matter what shiny treasures they had to offer. Even if the guy didn't know what it was, Feo had a feeling that it wouldn't be for sale. - Still, he admired the determination in Lucius’s voice, the way he was willing to try diplomacy before resorting to anything drastic. It was one of the things Feo liked most about him—the ability to see solutions that didn’t involve breaking bones or starting fights. That wasn’t a skill Feo had perfected yet, but with Lucius around, maybe he wouldn’t have to rely on brute force quite so much. - “For the greater good,” Feo echoed, his voice carrying a wry edge. “That’s what we’re calling it, huh? Stealing a legendary weapon because the gods can’t get their act together?” He smirked, shaking his head. “I like it. Has a nice ring to it. Just don’t expect me to start handing out inspirational speeches, okay? That’s your department.” - He nudged Lucius lightly with his elbow as they walked. “But you’re right—violence is a last resort. We’ll play nice. For now.” Feo’s tone shifted at the end, a subtle but unmistakable warning. He knew he was a lot different now. The smiling, and the jokes, and the open-ness—physical touch, as well. But he was still the same person. He had no fear of caving someone's face in with his fist for something that he wanted. And, naturally, if Lucius ever asked, he'd gladly do it. - As the tracks came into clearer view, Feo stopped for a moment, surveying the area. The air smelled faintly of iron and dirt, a scent he always associated with travel. - "Yikes. Hello, Kansas." |
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Lightbringer
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At the very least, Lucius knew that this was how things worked. People often looked down on those who used violence first. But he was going to use diplomacy first, to be the bigger person overall. The young man gave him a small smile in return. "Well, to be fair, Loki isn't exactly a great father--and we're not even addressing Zeus and Poseidon," Lucius waved his hand in a circle. "Instead of just a few at a time, why not just through all of them in at the same time? But not to mention they never pay attention to them afterwards," Lucius huffed tartly and shook his head. "That's the problem. It's the deadbeat parent that always happens. And, on rare occasions that it doesn't, it's because the god thinks their kid is something they can just use for their own benefit and enjoyment instead of remembering that they're an actual person." He shook his head lightly, huffing. "But that's why we do diplomacy first. Because then, they can't tell us that we didn't try." Lucius paused for a moment or two before sighing, looking back toward Feo. "And if we do have to use violence, well, there's a plan for that too." Lucius took in a breath through his nose and paused. The iron and dirt came to his senses finally as he paused to look around the tracks. "Alright, well, the sun is rising up from that direction," he gestured toward the East. "Which means we need a train going that direction," he turned away from the sun, starting to walk along the tracks. "... the smell could be worse at least," he commented. "Could add manure to it. That was something that always came every summer around where I grew up." Lucius let out a slow chuckle, shaking his head lightly. It had been a good place to grow up, he figured. It could've been worse but getting away from the smell for a little bit was something he didn't mind. And then all of that had happened and he had switched to a different campus. Same college, different campus. Technically. But--if Feo--wait. Lucius paused and looked back at him. "... if you... don't mind me asking... how did you end up at the college in the first place?" He had gotten a scholarship to stay at the same one that Feo had gone to. It meant he didn't have to spend much and he could, in theory just blended in. That was clearly wrong. He had done none of those things. He had failed at blending in, decided something else was a good idea and somehow, had brought someone else with him. Granted he didn't mind it. But now he was wondering how on earth Feo ended up at the same one. |
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Winter 
Night 
