He chuckled quietly at the compliment. Emmrich would love to have a peacock feather jacket for formal events, and it feels good to be called pretty by Hugh. It feels even better to be pulled over into Hugh's arms and practically his lap, positioned just the right way for kisses that went from soft and gentle to hungry and needy.
Emmrich expressed his appreciation of the kiss with a quiet moan, and he slid the fingers of one hand into Hugh's hair, while the other slid gently up the man's chest.
By the time they broke apart his heart was absolutely pounding. "We're getting to the Grand Necropolis," he said, looking up at Hugh with a slightly dazed expression, "talking to Vorgoth briefly, and then I'm leading you directly to my bed. Room. Bedroom. And bed. Obviously." He didn't know why he'd attempted to correct himself. They both knew what he meant and wanted. What they both wanted. He stretched a little, inviting Hugh's gaze to travel over him.
"We both wanted you in me this morning. We can rectify that this evening."
"Maybe more of a magpie than a peacock," Hugh was murmuring against Emmrich's neck, "My shimmering magpie."
Hugh had never been one for anything richer than the metal platmail he wore and unapologetically looked down his nose at wealth. It surprised him, at first, how he was dazzled rather than desdained the gold Emmrich seemed to be dipped in. Maybe it was the gentle soul beneath the glimmer, but Hugh suspected Emmrich did not come with a title the way Myrna seemed to. Like the aforementioned bird itself, everything Emmrich was adorned with seemed collected after starting with little.
Not that it mattered now. Emmrich could have secretly been the king of Nevarra at this point, and Hugh would still be utterly besotted.
"Obviously," Hugh chuckled as his hands fought to behave themselves and stay low on Emmrich's thighs. "I hope this mysterious Vorgoth isn't long-winded."
Shimmering magpie. They weren't as majestic, and they were known to be thieves... but Emmrich got where Hugh was coming from and would take it. Especially when prefaced with 'my.' The thought of Hugh being gently possessive of him lit a fire in his heart that had Emmrich snuggling closer as his palm continued exploring Hugh's chest.
"They don't tend to be," Emmrich assured him as the palanquin began to slow. There was one more piece of business to attend to before getting out, though. "You sense nothing of Darkspawn near here? They're not coming for the Grand Necropolis?"
That would be a massive relief. He thought of the chasm filled with murmuring undead, and how badly things could go if they were infected and sought a way out, not to mention the many strange beings that weren't causing problems but could easily devastate swaths of the world if they became aggressive.
Having heard no objections or sensed any annoyance from Emmrich, Hugh mentally pocketed the pet name—that's what it was, he wasn't fooling himself. Unless he heard otherwise, Hugh was more than likely to call Emmrich that in the future. If only in private—Hugh was bold, but not that foolish.
"Thank the Maker," Hugh said as he reluctantly started to extract himself from Emmrich as he felt the palanquin start to come to a hault. It would give them enough time to right themselves and not give the impression of a pair who were just necking like young lovers without restraint.
"Emmrich, I adore you, but even you couldn't distract me from sensing that." Hugh had taken on a more sobering countenance when he said that. "It's a bit like...an ache in the back of the head, or a song just out of hearing. Sensing the horde isn't just a feeling but a sound that rattles the teeth. Some of the older Wardens say they can even understand it, but it's not something I could ignore no matter how fine the company is."
He frowned, then and looked back out the window to what he believed was the outer structure of the Necropolis rising out of the horizon.
"Besides, part of the reason places like this aren't targeted by Darkspawn is because ghouls are only living beings tainted by the Blight—the dead can't get infected, only carry the Blight if they were exposed in life." Then, with some hesitation. "But it would be wise if I went sniffing around potentially points that could be breached from below. Blood mages have uses for corpses the darkspawn wouldn't."
He adored him. Emmrich heard the rest of what Hugh said, and was glad of it, but it was 'adore' that stood out to be treasured. Hugh adored him.
His expression was soft as he leaned in to kiss Hugh's cheek before helping finish with pulling apart. He did have a reputation to consider. With Myrna he wasn't worried, but here, with students and other colleagues, he did have to look professional.
"It's not just the dead, undead, and living here," Emmrich said carefully. The palanquin pulled to a halt and he stepped out once the door was open, offering an arm for Hugh. "There are others. I will show you what I can."
Some things were secrets for the Mourn Watch alone. Emmrich trusted that Hugh can understand that. Especially once he saw what they aren't secretive about, as Vorgoth was gliding over now.
"YOU ARE RETURNED. THIS IS THE GREY WARDEN?"
"Yes. Vorgoth, this is Warden Hugh Rivers. Hugh, this is Vorgoth." Emmrich quickly briefed Vorgoth on the situation in the village as he went to take his pack and winced the second the strap went over the newest bite wound. Right.
"YOU ARE INJURED."
"I'm fi--"
"YOU WILL GET IT SEEN TO. I WILL ARRANGE ROOMS FOR THE WARDEN WHILE YOU DO SO."
"He'll be sharing my rooms." Sometimes Emmrich wondered what Vorgoth might know about physical affection. They'd seen embraces, hand-holding, and kissing, but was physical intimacy a concept they were familiar with?
"IF HE IS AMENABLE. YOU WILL STILL STOP BY THE INFIRMARY. WHAT SHALL I DIRECT THE KITCHENS TO SEND FOR DINNER?"
Emmrich glanced at Hugh. "As agreed, you can name what you'd like. Myrna will cover the rest of the agreement with Vorgoth when she returns." Vorgoth had to know, but no one else did.
All Hugh had to worry about was righting his tousled hair and willing the flush out of his face. The inhabitants of the Grand Necropolis, either living or not-so-living, didn't know him from a hole in the ground. Emmrich, on the other hand, lent the impression that even a hair out of place or off-kilter broach would not have gone without notice.
"You mean spirits?" Hugh asked as he took Emmrich's arm and exited the palanquin. "I thought you mentioned th—...that."
Stopping dead in his tracks, Hugh found himself staring upward at an impossibly large structure looming over him like a mountain. Carved from obsidian threaded with an etheral glow that brought to mind thoughts of the Fade itself. Everywhere, there were statues of effigies in shapes that were so alien to him Hugh could have been convinced he had stepped beyond the Veil. It was so dizzyingly enormous, and he was just a speck in its shadow that he barely registered Vorgoth's approach.
For a moment, Hugh only saw another shadow in a forest of shadows until it signified that shadows don't typically wear robes. Hugh stiffened like a hare caught in the open in an instant. It was only by the grace of being able to sense Emmrich's non-reaction that Hugh hadn't snapped on the defensive at the sight of Vorgoth.
Thankfully, introductions were immediate, and the mystery of who this Vorgoth was had been at least somewhat solved. Well, hardly at all, but now Hugh had a not-face to put a name to. Vorgoth was a lot to take in. When they spoke, it wasn't even like hearing, more like a feeling from inside his head—booming without being loud.
Emmrich does the talking, mostly because Hugh's tongue had gone completely numb inside his snapped shut mouth. He's grateful that he was introduced to this behemoth as Hugh Rivers, Warden, and not Hugh Rivers, blood-sucking vampire, especially when Emmrich's sore shoulder was noted. Moreso far and away when Emmrich rather matter-of-factly said Hugh was boarding with him.
When Hugh was spoken to directly, he just stood there flat-footed before stammering out a,
"Nice to, ah, meet you. Sorry, uh. Whatever's good? I...I'm not picky. Emmrich?"
He looked with a noticeable hint of desperation at Emmrich. He waited for the older man to lead the conversation in the direction of either Hugh having to explain his vampirism or end it there.
Emmrich had taken Vorgoth mostly in stride upon first meeting them, but he'd been a child and used to odd things in Nevarra. He'd seen others react in shock, though, so he could recognize what was going on.
Gently he took Hugh's hand and met his eyes, trying to make sure the man understood the subtext of what he was saying.
"The agreement involves feeding you and our kitchens are ready, my darling. What would you request for dinner from the kitchens?" This was too public to mention vampirism. Especially if whomever was behind the attacks was after vampires.
"I will be taking whatever they make, as usual, because they're excellent cooks, but it's all vegetarian except by special request. They are prepared for you to make special requests." Emmrich glanced around. Far too public. While he trusted the members of the Mourn Watch, there were other mortalitasi around, as well as civilians who were here to mourn. The only reason the area wasn't crowded was due to classes being on the regular spring break; any student who could be elsewhere was.
"If nothing comes to mind, we can simply go to the infirmary and both of us have whatever the kitchen sends tonight. Then tonight we can decide what you'd like tomorrow."
Vorgoth hung there, patiently. Emmrich knew his colleague had picked up on something else going on, but they were hearing all of this and knew him. So far, no one around was reacting to the conversation.
As soon as Hugh had an answer, a special request or a lack of one, Emmrich would lead the way to the infirmary.
Emmrich had picked up on Hugh's shock, and most of it abated when the older man's hand curled gently around his own. Pinpoint focus on Vorgoth turned back on Emmrich, and the hunted look on Hugh's face relaxed considerably. Slowly, but surely, it dawned on what Emmrich wanted Hugh to avoid without arousing suspicion from anyone else in earshot.
"Oh," Hugh blinked a out before he let out a far too delibately 'casual' chuckle. "Vegetarian is fine for the remainder of my stay—give all the local chickens a breather."
Out of the corner of his eye, Hugh could have sworn Vorgoth turned their...head? In their direction with a more discerving stare out of whatever the, uh, indiviual saw their surrounders when Emmrich called Hugh 'darling.' It didn't feel judgmental, at least nothing Hugh could detect being directed at him.
He cleared his throat. "Which way to the infirmary? 'Fraid I didn't bring a map, love."
—Alright, with that slip, now Vorgoth was most certainly boring holes in the back of Hugh's head.
He smiled warmly at the first, glad that vegetarian dishes weren't seen as a burden, and the smile froze when Hugh called him love. It wasn't the first time Hugh had called him that, but it was the first time outside of sex. Adored, and loved.
"YOU HAVE MET BEFORE?" Vorgoth's question shook him out of his stunned state.
"Ah. No," Emmrich said, not looking away from Hugh. "We met on this mission. But sometimes circumstances are right for hearts to synchronize." He gave Hugh's hand a tight squeeze, terrified and excited. "Come, my dearest. The infirmary is this way."
Vorgoth would have further questions, and once they spoke with Myrna both would probably have many, but right now Emmrich wanted to get necessities taken care of and move on to pleasantries. When he received no objections from his colleague, Emmrich gave Hugh's hand a gentle tug and lead the way through a massive corridor filled with statues and canopic jars to an elevator. The whole place was lit by veilfire, with wisps, skeletons, and mummies moving about along with the living.
Once at the infirmary Emmrich requested replacement bandages for injuries he'd received upon the road that had been tended to. The head healer, an ancient elf woman, gave him a withering look. She handed over bandages while making it clear that if he got an infection, she'd make sure the treatment was more painful than it needed to be. Emmrich chuckled, trying to hide that he was a little nervous about that, but finally he could lead them to his rooms.
"Manfred won't be here today or tomorrow. I didn't expect to be returning so soon. The boarding students take educational but fun trips at this time of year, and he's with one of the younger classes. They delight him, and he delights them." He opened the door to his rooms with a slightly shy glance at Hugh, and gestured for the man to come in with him.
A grand fireplace flared into life as they entered, as did multiple candelabras. It was the epitome of comfort. "And these are mine. The first door on the right is my bedroom, and the bathroom is through it. The second door is my study, and through the alcove is the dining room and kitchen."
It took a tremendous effort for Hugh not to jump out of his skin when Vorgoth questioned Emmrich in that thundering voice of theirs in a way that bordered on accusative. With the span of a few minutes, Hugh had experienced being startled to confused, to deeply touched, and then incredibly awkward. Suddenly, the light tug on his hand by Emmrich was a lifeline.
Before Hugh could have hurried his way through a farewell that may have dug him deeper, they were off. The entire time, Hugh looked around with naked cursiosity and sometimes, no small amount of hesitation at the macabre trappings that filled the halls he should have expected for a necropolis. The elevator was at least interesting—he had been on more rudimentary pulley lifts, but this appeared to be driven entirely by magic. He had wanted to fire off a thousand different questions, but Emmrich seemed eager to depart.
The infirmary was straightforward, even though he could have done without the fear of the Maker the old healer put into him with a look alone. As if Emmrich getting hurt was somehow his fault—which, actually, it was. Not that she knew the specifics. She distantly reminded Hugh of the sharp-eyed crones of Chantry sisters back home, but it didn't come with nostalgia. More like an aching in the knuckles long since rapped by a wooden ruler.
"Hope I get to meet the little sprout," Hugh said as he gave Emmrich a warm smile on catching the shy look in the other's face.
It was with tremendous relief that they finally made it to Emmrich's apartment. More like an underground mansion, Hugh thought as he looked around, taking the place in. If he had to guess, he would put his money on Emmrich being someone rather high up within the ranks of the Mourn Watch. It was as impressive as it was daunting. Hugh navigated the entryway with his hands stiffly behind his back, like a boy told not to break anything.
"It's nice," Hugh remarked after a time. Right now, his attention was on a mummified specimen on display that didn't look human, but swore he saw cant its head in his direction when he walked by.
He should, probably, focus on being a good host and getting Hugh comfortable before anything else. He could make tea, offer to take his bag and make sure Hugh had everything he needed, but between Hugh's words earlier and the way he now sounded fond of Manfred without even meeting him yet had Emmrich distracted.
Once he'd set down his own pack and the bandages, he stepped over to Hugh's side and gently slipped his arm around Hugh's waist. This was a risk. But it doesn't feel like too much of one at this point. It feels like one he wants to take.
"You adore me, and you called me love outside of sex," he said quietly. There was an impossibly soft smile on his lips and in his eyes. He'd only known this man days, but as he'd said to Vorgoth, sometimes hearts lined up. "The feeling is mutual, my dearest. My Hugh."
Hugh was ever so close to asking Emmrich if anything his apartment was haunted. Only then had the man in question pressed so sweetly against him.
"What did you say to Vorgoth?" Hugh asked as he brushed his lips to Emmrich's brow before wrapping his arms around him. "'When hearts connect'? Listen, Emmrich I-"
Hugh cleared his throat as he took a step back, still keeping Emmrich in his arms.
"I know I'm a poor man, and not a very educated one at that but...I would, I mean- what little I have on offer I will gladly give if you would deign to see this beyond tomorrow."
"Oh, Hugh," he breathed out. Emmrich's heart pounded as he cupped Hugh's cheek with a hand.
"I care not about wealth or background. It is the person that matters, and you, Hugh, are a treasure. My treasure, one I would gladly keep." The man had shown a clear interest in being flattered, and if ever there was a time for flattery, now was it.
"You are kind and sincere, considerate and competent. And obviously you knew the moment I saw your face that I found you attractive." His voice was a little dry at the last. Hugh had used that, quite obviously, but he hadn't used it against Emmrich and that was what mattered.
"This was..." No. He wasn't quite ready to delve into that. He selfishly wanted tonight first, in his bed, with Hugh. "This has been an unexpected delight, and I don't want it to end. I am yours, all that I am and have."
He closed his eyes, treasuring the sound of the words. It was what he'd sought for so long. On top of that, he was feeling the exact same thing. It was mutual.
"I feel the same way." Emmrich opened his eyes back up to meet Hugh's. "My dearest. I could never have imagined the way this mission is going. I wouldn't have dared dream it."
With the hand around Hugh's waist he gives the man a little tug. "Come to bed with me, my beloved." He leaned in for a gentle, sweet kiss as he started to guide them toward his bedroom.
He felt the same way. Suddenly, the world opened up and Hugh no longer felt ridiculous for his notions that maybe, just maybe, someone like Emmrich could feel a thing for him. But love?
"Oh, my shining little magpie-"
Was all Hugh managed before being herded towards an ornate oak door. Hugh had his hands around Emmrich and wanted for nothing else as he kissed at the older man's neck as he pulled at his shirt.
"I-" Hugh kissed at Emmrich's neck as he's backed ia bedroom and finds himself falling onto a mattress.
He laughed. So that was to be his petname now, it seemed. He could perhaps do without the 'little' but it was sweet and he would take it.
"Good," Emmrich said warmly, looking down at Hugh. He stripped down one piece at a time, eyes focused. Vest, shirt, shoes, socks, and pants, until he was down to his dark blue smalls.
"Strip, love. And then pull the oil out of the nightstand next to you?" In the meantime he stepped to the wardrobe to find a belt just in case. It's a matter of no time at all before he's found a black one he never uses. On the return trip he sees the sashes holding back his bed's curtains and pauses.
"Do you have a preference for what we do?" He wants Hugh inside him but he's not sure what his partner is wanting.
Hugh props himself on his elbows and watches Emmrich intently as he practically slides out of each article of clothing. Everything the man does has a touch of grace to it, even undressing slowly enough to get Hugh's heart racing. Their eyes locked, Emmrich would have missed the full arousal tenting the trousers of Hugh's fatigues.
"Preference?" Hugh echoed as he pushed himself up. His gaze fell to the belt in Emmrich's hand, to the curtain sashes that seemed to draw his attention, and back again to Emmrich. A look of curiosity shone in his eyes, but Hugh was still entirely fixated on Emmrich. He was still fully dressed and reaching out to Emmrich and not the nightstand when he then said,
"If it weren't abundantly clear already, I want to fuck you into this lovely mattress you have, but first..."
Hugh sat upright and drew Emmrich between into a loose embrace. Arms wrapped around the older man's slender waist, Hugh kissed a trail down Emmrich's chest to his abdomen. Without much effort, Hugh then flipped Emmrich onto the bed as he stood. He then knelt between Emmrich's legs dangling off the side of the bed and started to mouth at the growing erection pressed against dark blue satin.
"Take these off before I tear them off," Hugh said in a low voice somewhere between a growl and desperation as he looked up at Emmrich.
He moans shakily as he's embraced and kissed, feeling his world shift with the new assurance that their feelings were mutual. This was everything. Hugh's hot mouth played with him through the fabric of his smalls and he trembled under his lover.
Another time he might likely have teased Hugh and made him tear them off, but Emmrich is too deep in his feelings to deny or even delay Hugh.
"Yes, my love," he breathed. Emmrich reached down and urged the fabric off of his hips even as he arched his back to make it easier. His cock was flushed and hard, a flush that's matched on his cheeks and chest. It is, logically speaking, ridiculous that he's so enchanted by this man, but the heart is not a logical thing.
"I will never have enough of you." The smalls are off, and he rests on one elbow as his fingers go to exactly where he thinks Hugh wants them: the man's hair. "You are so good to me, not just for me."
Watching the arc of Emmrich's back as he removed his smalls made Hugh's mouth water and pupils dilate to pinpricks. All lean muscle and flawless skin with grace behind every movement, Emmrich was unlike anyone he had ever been with.
"Maker, you're gorgeous." Hugh ran a hand up Emmrich's thigh, kissing the space just above his knee. "We could do this every night, and I don't think I'd be sated with how much I crave you."
Emmrich had been right to guess where to put his hands. The moment Hugh felt slender fingers and blunted nails run through his hair, he let out a satisfied groan. It urged Hugh forward, trailing kisses from Emmrich's thigh to his groin. The older man's cock was a now intitimately familiar shape and taste on his tongue as he eased it into his mouth from tip to root. Throat relaxing around the entire length of his lover's erection until his nose was tickled by the short whorl of slightly greying hair. Hugh stayed like that for a moment longer, until he looked up at Emmrich with nothing but pure adoration in his eyes as he started to move at an eager, hungry pace. He wanted Emmrich trembling and going to pieces before Hugh even undressed.
"I hope you're never sated," he said almost prayerfully. He couldn't imagine tiring of Hugh, and wanted to never lose this man. There would be complications, of course, but that wasn't for tonight.
The noise and kisses that followed were sweet, and almost instantly overshadowed by Hugh completely taking him in. Hugh's gaze met his, confident and loving, and Emmrich knew he was spoiled for everyone else. He let his head fall back to the pillow as Hugh started moving, but kept his hand in his beloved's hair.
"Oh, Hugh," he moaned, instantly swept up in the speed the man moved. Hugh clearly had an agenda, another factor that only added to the arousal. Emmrich had almost always taken the lead and made the calls in previous relationships, had to in the classroom and often did with the Necropolis, and here he didn't have to lead all the time. Here he could trust.
He lost himself in the heat and warmth and even stopped holding back verbally. His feelings were returned, the walls were sturdy and warded, no one could interfere or interrupt, which meant Emmrich was a babbling mess in seconds, spilling forth adoration and praise as he reached his peak.
Hugh hummed in answer as he continued to pleasure Emmrich with his mouth. He couldn't himself tiring of such a wonderful man who had been his first in so many things in such a short amount of time. An older, more experienced partner whom Hugh had let take him fully. Lucky had never been something Hugh considered himself, but with Emmrich? With Emmrich, he felt like the luckiest man alive.
The rushed words Emmrich fought through, sounds falling over broken syllables as he praised and begged in the same breath, was music to Hugh's wars. Eventually, the brackish taste of precum filled his mouth, and the twitch of his stomach muscles warned that Emmrich was close. It was then Hugh pulled off with a lewd pop and trail of saliva he licked away with a self-satisfied smile.
"Safe to assume this room's warded well?" Hugh asked as he slid up the bed beside his lover, looking down at a freshly disheveled and well-sucked Emmrich like he was admiring a work of art. "Love when you don't hold back, all those sounds you make."
Letting Emmrich catch his breath, Hugh looked over to the nightstand and remembered that's where Emmrich mentioned the oil being. He stole a brief kiss before getting off the bed. Hugh had toed off his boots earlier, and without a belt, stepping out of his trousers was a quick process after removing the rest of his fatigues. Just to tease, he did keep his smalls on for the time being. He gave Emmrich a wink before walking around the bed to the nightstand.
"I'm guessing your oil isn't scente- Maker," Hugh paused the moment he opened the top drawer and let out a whistle. Right away, his attention was drawn to the shape of cock that looked like it was made out of— was that veridium? The longer he looked, the more he noticed. There was another phallic shape, smaller with a flared base and what looked like a pair of rings as well as a string of more veridium but in the shape of beads of descending size. "There's, uh...there's more than oil in here."
He whimpered in protest as Hugh pulled off, going up a pitch at the too-short additional lick. He'd been so close. Which was probably why Hugh pulled off when he did, to be a tease, especially with that smirk on his face.
"Fully warded, thick walls," he managed to answer after a few moments. "Means you didn't have to stop." Not like he thought for a moment Hugh stopped due to noise. The kiss wasn't nearly enough to make up for it, and he contemplated complaining until Hugh started pulling clothing off. Then all of his attention is on Hugh's body, revealed bit by bit but not completely. Emmrich's mouth watered. One day he was going to break Hugh by tasting every inch of him, though that was going to take a surface that couldn't be broken and likely the thickest belt known to sentient life.
Hugh's reaction to his toy drawer was surprising. Emmrich didn't have anything wild in there, none of the fancy Tevene or Rivaini toys, nothing custom. "Oil is not scented, correct, and yes. I keep a few things in there."
Rolling over would require closing the legs he had spread open, and that might delay Hugh's return, so he chose to simply look at Hugh. It couldn't be a problem that he had sex toys, surely? He couldn't imagine it being a deal breaker.
"We can use anything you'd like, if you wanted to add it to your plan."
The hungered and hunting look on Emmrich's face as he undressed made Hugh's cock stir in his smalls. With an expression like that, Hugh could forget he wasn't the one being routinely chewed on. He would have loved to ask what devious designs were being formed behind those olive-green eyes. Unfortunately, the drawer and its contents knocked all clear thought out of him.
"A f-few things, right, ah— I-I mean I can divine the purpose of the one shaped like a— well, I've just never seen anything like this for, uh, the bedroom. I wouldn't even know how to—"
Hugh babbled as his face took on the color of rose petals in full bloom. Hugh had always thought himself experienced in the horizontal dance, but apparently, he hadn't a clue, and it left him flustered, imagining their toys' purpose and use. Thoughts of Emmrich pleasuring himself filled his head, deepening the blush staining his face.
"Oh, oil," Hugh stammered as he picked up a small, dark glass bottle. Holding it up with a sheepish grin.
The blush was charming and delightful. Emmrich would never have been able to predict Hugh could get so flustered over so little.
"Ask anything you'd like, darling. I want to delight in you, and you in me." And he wasn't ashamed of anything in there. Sex was natural and enjoyable and he'd never crossed any ethical lines. He sincerely doubted Hugh had crossed any either, considering how careful the man was about drinking.
"Or it can wait until later. Either way, I do need you doing something to me again; you've quite cruelly left me here in this state." Emmrich gestured down at his own body, fully intending to direct Hugh's eyes along the length of him.
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Emmrich expressed his appreciation of the kiss with a quiet moan, and he slid the fingers of one hand into Hugh's hair, while the other slid gently up the man's chest.
By the time they broke apart his heart was absolutely pounding. "We're getting to the Grand Necropolis," he said, looking up at Hugh with a slightly dazed expression, "talking to Vorgoth briefly, and then I'm leading you directly to my bed. Room. Bedroom. And bed. Obviously." He didn't know why he'd attempted to correct himself. They both knew what he meant and wanted. What they both wanted. He stretched a little, inviting Hugh's gaze to travel over him.
"We both wanted you in me this morning. We can rectify that this evening."
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Hugh had never been one for anything richer than the metal platmail he wore and unapologetically looked down his nose at wealth. It surprised him, at first, how he was dazzled rather than desdained the gold Emmrich seemed to be dipped in. Maybe it was the gentle soul beneath the glimmer, but Hugh suspected Emmrich did not come with a title the way Myrna seemed to. Like the aforementioned bird itself, everything Emmrich was adorned with seemed collected after starting with little.
Not that it mattered now. Emmrich could have secretly been the king of Nevarra at this point, and Hugh would still be utterly besotted.
"Obviously," Hugh chuckled as his hands fought to behave themselves and stay low on Emmrich's thighs. "I hope this mysterious Vorgoth isn't long-winded."
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"They don't tend to be," Emmrich assured him as the palanquin began to slow. There was one more piece of business to attend to before getting out, though. "You sense nothing of Darkspawn near here? They're not coming for the Grand Necropolis?"
That would be a massive relief. He thought of the chasm filled with murmuring undead, and how badly things could go if they were infected and sought a way out, not to mention the many strange beings that weren't causing problems but could easily devastate swaths of the world if they became aggressive.
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"Thank the Maker," Hugh said as he reluctantly started to extract himself from Emmrich as he felt the palanquin start to come to a hault. It would give them enough time to right themselves and not give the impression of a pair who were just necking like young lovers without restraint.
"Emmrich, I adore you, but even you couldn't distract me from sensing that." Hugh had taken on a more sobering countenance when he said that. "It's a bit like...an ache in the back of the head, or a song just out of hearing. Sensing the horde isn't just a feeling but a sound that rattles the teeth. Some of the older Wardens say they can even understand it, but it's not something I could ignore no matter how fine the company is."
He frowned, then and looked back out the window to what he believed was the outer structure of the Necropolis rising out of the horizon.
"Besides, part of the reason places like this aren't targeted by Darkspawn is because ghouls are only living beings tainted by the Blight—the dead can't get infected, only carry the Blight if they were exposed in life." Then, with some hesitation. "But it would be wise if I went sniffing around potentially points that could be breached from below. Blood mages have uses for corpses the darkspawn wouldn't."
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His expression was soft as he leaned in to kiss Hugh's cheek before helping finish with pulling apart. He did have a reputation to consider. With Myrna he wasn't worried, but here, with students and other colleagues, he did have to look professional.
"It's not just the dead, undead, and living here," Emmrich said carefully. The palanquin pulled to a halt and he stepped out once the door was open, offering an arm for Hugh. "There are others. I will show you what I can."
Some things were secrets for the Mourn Watch alone. Emmrich trusted that Hugh can understand that. Especially once he saw what they aren't secretive about, as Vorgoth was gliding over now.
"YOU ARE RETURNED. THIS IS THE GREY WARDEN?"
"Yes. Vorgoth, this is Warden Hugh Rivers. Hugh, this is Vorgoth." Emmrich quickly briefed Vorgoth on the situation in the village as he went to take his pack and winced the second the strap went over the newest bite wound. Right.
"YOU ARE INJURED."
"I'm fi--"
"YOU WILL GET IT SEEN TO. I WILL ARRANGE ROOMS FOR THE WARDEN WHILE YOU DO SO."
"He'll be sharing my rooms." Sometimes Emmrich wondered what Vorgoth might know about physical affection. They'd seen embraces, hand-holding, and kissing, but was physical intimacy a concept they were familiar with?
"IF HE IS AMENABLE. YOU WILL STILL STOP BY THE INFIRMARY. WHAT SHALL I DIRECT THE KITCHENS TO SEND FOR DINNER?"
Emmrich glanced at Hugh. "As agreed, you can name what you'd like. Myrna will cover the rest of the agreement with Vorgoth when she returns." Vorgoth had to know, but no one else did.
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"You mean spirits?" Hugh asked as he took Emmrich's arm and exited the palanquin. "I thought you mentioned th—...that."
Stopping dead in his tracks, Hugh found himself staring upward at an impossibly large structure looming over him like a mountain. Carved from obsidian threaded with an etheral glow that brought to mind thoughts of the Fade itself. Everywhere, there were statues of effigies in shapes that were so alien to him Hugh could have been convinced he had stepped beyond the Veil. It was so dizzyingly enormous, and he was just a speck in its shadow that he barely registered Vorgoth's approach.
For a moment, Hugh only saw another shadow in a forest of shadows until it signified that shadows don't typically wear robes. Hugh stiffened like a hare caught in the open in an instant. It was only by the grace of being able to sense Emmrich's non-reaction that Hugh hadn't snapped on the defensive at the sight of Vorgoth.
Thankfully, introductions were immediate, and the mystery of who this Vorgoth was had been at least somewhat solved. Well, hardly at all, but now Hugh had a not-face to put a name to. Vorgoth was a lot to take in. When they spoke, it wasn't even like hearing, more like a feeling from inside his head—booming without being loud.
Emmrich does the talking, mostly because Hugh's tongue had gone completely numb inside his snapped shut mouth. He's grateful that he was introduced to this behemoth as Hugh Rivers, Warden, and not Hugh Rivers, blood-sucking vampire, especially when Emmrich's sore shoulder was noted. Moreso far and away when Emmrich rather matter-of-factly said Hugh was boarding with him.
When Hugh was spoken to directly, he just stood there flat-footed before stammering out a,
"Nice to, ah, meet you. Sorry, uh. Whatever's good? I...I'm not picky. Emmrich?"
He looked with a noticeable hint of desperation at Emmrich. He waited for the older man to lead the conversation in the direction of either Hugh having to explain his vampirism or end it there.
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Gently he took Hugh's hand and met his eyes, trying to make sure the man understood the subtext of what he was saying.
"The agreement involves feeding you and our kitchens are ready, my darling. What would you request for dinner from the kitchens?" This was too public to mention vampirism. Especially if whomever was behind the attacks was after vampires.
"I will be taking whatever they make, as usual, because they're excellent cooks, but it's all vegetarian except by special request. They are prepared for you to make special requests." Emmrich glanced around. Far too public. While he trusted the members of the Mourn Watch, there were other mortalitasi around, as well as civilians who were here to mourn. The only reason the area wasn't crowded was due to classes being on the regular spring break; any student who could be elsewhere was.
"If nothing comes to mind, we can simply go to the infirmary and both of us have whatever the kitchen sends tonight. Then tonight we can decide what you'd like tomorrow."
Vorgoth hung there, patiently. Emmrich knew his colleague had picked up on something else going on, but they were hearing all of this and knew him. So far, no one around was reacting to the conversation.
As soon as Hugh had an answer, a special request or a lack of one, Emmrich would lead the way to the infirmary.
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"Oh," Hugh blinked a out before he let out a far too delibately 'casual' chuckle. "Vegetarian is fine for the remainder of my stay—give all the local chickens a breather."
Out of the corner of his eye, Hugh could have sworn Vorgoth turned their...head? In their direction with a more discerving stare out of whatever the, uh, indiviual saw their surrounders when Emmrich called Hugh 'darling.' It didn't feel judgmental, at least nothing Hugh could detect being directed at him.
He cleared his throat. "Which way to the infirmary? 'Fraid I didn't bring a map, love."
—Alright, with that slip, now Vorgoth was most certainly boring holes in the back of Hugh's head.
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"YOU HAVE MET BEFORE?" Vorgoth's question shook him out of his stunned state.
"Ah. No," Emmrich said, not looking away from Hugh. "We met on this mission. But sometimes circumstances are right for hearts to synchronize." He gave Hugh's hand a tight squeeze, terrified and excited. "Come, my dearest. The infirmary is this way."
Vorgoth would have further questions, and once they spoke with Myrna both would probably have many, but right now Emmrich wanted to get necessities taken care of and move on to pleasantries. When he received no objections from his colleague, Emmrich gave Hugh's hand a gentle tug and lead the way through a massive corridor filled with statues and canopic jars to an elevator. The whole place was lit by veilfire, with wisps, skeletons, and mummies moving about along with the living.
Once at the infirmary Emmrich requested replacement bandages for injuries he'd received upon the road that had been tended to. The head healer, an ancient elf woman, gave him a withering look. She handed over bandages while making it clear that if he got an infection, she'd make sure the treatment was more painful than it needed to be. Emmrich chuckled, trying to hide that he was a little nervous about that, but finally he could lead them to his rooms.
"Manfred won't be here today or tomorrow. I didn't expect to be returning so soon. The boarding students take educational but fun trips at this time of year, and he's with one of the younger classes. They delight him, and he delights them." He opened the door to his rooms with a slightly shy glance at Hugh, and gestured for the man to come in with him.
A grand fireplace flared into life as they entered, as did multiple candelabras. It was the epitome of comfort. "And these are mine. The first door on the right is my bedroom, and the bathroom is through it. The second door is my study, and through the alcove is the dining room and kitchen."
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Before Hugh could have hurried his way through a farewell that may have dug him deeper, they were off. The entire time, Hugh looked around with naked cursiosity and sometimes, no small amount of hesitation at the macabre trappings that filled the halls he should have expected for a necropolis. The elevator was at least interesting—he had been on more rudimentary pulley lifts, but this appeared to be driven entirely by magic. He had wanted to fire off a thousand different questions, but Emmrich seemed eager to depart.
The infirmary was straightforward, even though he could have done without the fear of the Maker the old healer put into him with a look alone. As if Emmrich getting hurt was somehow his fault—which, actually, it was. Not that she knew the specifics. She distantly reminded Hugh of the sharp-eyed crones of Chantry sisters back home, but it didn't come with nostalgia. More like an aching in the knuckles long since rapped by a wooden ruler.
"Hope I get to meet the little sprout," Hugh said as he gave Emmrich a warm smile on catching the shy look in the other's face.
It was with tremendous relief that they finally made it to Emmrich's apartment. More like an underground mansion, Hugh thought as he looked around, taking the place in. If he had to guess, he would put his money on Emmrich being someone rather high up within the ranks of the Mourn Watch. It was as impressive as it was daunting. Hugh navigated the entryway with his hands stiffly behind his back, like a boy told not to break anything.
"It's nice," Hugh remarked after a time. Right now, his attention was on a mummified specimen on display that didn't look human, but swore he saw cant its head in his direction when he walked by.
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Once he'd set down his own pack and the bandages, he stepped over to Hugh's side and gently slipped his arm around Hugh's waist. This was a risk. But it doesn't feel like too much of one at this point. It feels like one he wants to take.
"You adore me, and you called me love outside of sex," he said quietly. There was an impossibly soft smile on his lips and in his eyes. He'd only known this man days, but as he'd said to Vorgoth, sometimes hearts lined up. "The feeling is mutual, my dearest. My Hugh."
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"What did you say to Vorgoth?" Hugh asked as he brushed his lips to Emmrich's brow before wrapping his arms around him. "'When hearts connect'? Listen, Emmrich I-"
Hugh cleared his throat as he took a step back, still keeping Emmrich in his arms.
"I know I'm a poor man, and not a very educated one at that but...I would, I mean- what little I have on offer I will gladly give if you would deign to see this beyond tomorrow."
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"I care not about wealth or background. It is the person that matters, and you, Hugh, are a treasure. My treasure, one I would gladly keep." The man had shown a clear interest in being flattered, and if ever there was a time for flattery, now was it.
"You are kind and sincere, considerate and competent. And obviously you knew the moment I saw your face that I found you attractive." His voice was a little dry at the last. Hugh had used that, quite obviously, but he hadn't used it against Emmrich and that was what mattered.
"This was..." No. He wasn't quite ready to delve into that. He selfishly wanted tonight first, in his bed, with Hugh. "This has been an unexpected delight, and I don't want it to end. I am yours, all that I am and have."
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"I think..." Hugh hesitated because it was such a bold, strange thing for him to think or even to feel let alone say.
"I think I'm falling in love with you."
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"I feel the same way." Emmrich opened his eyes back up to meet Hugh's. "My dearest. I could never have imagined the way this mission is going. I wouldn't have dared dream it."
With the hand around Hugh's waist he gives the man a little tug. "Come to bed with me, my beloved." He leaned in for a gentle, sweet kiss as he started to guide them toward his bedroom.
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"Oh, my shining little magpie-"
Was all Hugh managed before being herded towards an ornate oak door. Hugh had his hands around Emmrich and wanted for nothing else as he kissed at the older man's neck as he pulled at his shirt.
"I-" Hugh kissed at Emmrich's neck as he's backed ia bedroom and finds himself falling onto a mattress.
"I can't keep my hands off you."
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"Good," Emmrich said warmly, looking down at Hugh. He stripped down one piece at a time, eyes focused. Vest, shirt, shoes, socks, and pants, until he was down to his dark blue smalls.
"Strip, love. And then pull the oil out of the nightstand next to you?" In the meantime he stepped to the wardrobe to find a belt just in case. It's a matter of no time at all before he's found a black one he never uses. On the return trip he sees the sashes holding back his bed's curtains and pauses.
"Do you have a preference for what we do?" He wants Hugh inside him but he's not sure what his partner is wanting.
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"Preference?" Hugh echoed as he pushed himself up. His gaze fell to the belt in Emmrich's hand, to the curtain sashes that seemed to draw his attention, and back again to Emmrich. A look of curiosity shone in his eyes, but Hugh was still entirely fixated on Emmrich. He was still fully dressed and reaching out to Emmrich and not the nightstand when he then said,
"If it weren't abundantly clear already, I want to fuck you into this lovely mattress you have, but first..."
Hugh sat upright and drew Emmrich between into a loose embrace. Arms wrapped around the older man's slender waist, Hugh kissed a trail down Emmrich's chest to his abdomen. Without much effort, Hugh then flipped Emmrich onto the bed as he stood. He then knelt between Emmrich's legs dangling off the side of the bed and started to mouth at the growing erection pressed against dark blue satin.
"Take these off before I tear them off," Hugh said in a low voice somewhere between a growl and desperation as he looked up at Emmrich.
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Another time he might likely have teased Hugh and made him tear them off, but Emmrich is too deep in his feelings to deny or even delay Hugh.
"Yes, my love," he breathed. Emmrich reached down and urged the fabric off of his hips even as he arched his back to make it easier. His cock was flushed and hard, a flush that's matched on his cheeks and chest. It is, logically speaking, ridiculous that he's so enchanted by this man, but the heart is not a logical thing.
"I will never have enough of you." The smalls are off, and he rests on one elbow as his fingers go to exactly where he thinks Hugh wants them: the man's hair. "You are so good to me, not just for me."
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"Maker, you're gorgeous." Hugh ran a hand up Emmrich's thigh, kissing the space just above his knee. "We could do this every night, and I don't think I'd be sated with how much I crave you."
Emmrich had been right to guess where to put his hands. The moment Hugh felt slender fingers and blunted nails run through his hair, he let out a satisfied groan. It urged Hugh forward, trailing kisses from Emmrich's thigh to his groin. The older man's cock was a now intitimately familiar shape and taste on his tongue as he eased it into his mouth from tip to root. Throat relaxing around the entire length of his lover's erection until his nose was tickled by the short whorl of slightly greying hair. Hugh stayed like that for a moment longer, until he looked up at Emmrich with nothing but pure adoration in his eyes as he started to move at an eager, hungry pace. He wanted Emmrich trembling and going to pieces before Hugh even undressed.
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The noise and kisses that followed were sweet, and almost instantly overshadowed by Hugh completely taking him in. Hugh's gaze met his, confident and loving, and Emmrich knew he was spoiled for everyone else. He let his head fall back to the pillow as Hugh started moving, but kept his hand in his beloved's hair.
"Oh, Hugh," he moaned, instantly swept up in the speed the man moved. Hugh clearly had an agenda, another factor that only added to the arousal. Emmrich had almost always taken the lead and made the calls in previous relationships, had to in the classroom and often did with the Necropolis, and here he didn't have to lead all the time. Here he could trust.
He lost himself in the heat and warmth and even stopped holding back verbally. His feelings were returned, the walls were sturdy and warded, no one could interfere or interrupt, which meant Emmrich was a babbling mess in seconds, spilling forth adoration and praise as he reached his peak.
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The rushed words Emmrich fought through, sounds falling over broken syllables as he praised and begged in the same breath, was music to Hugh's wars. Eventually, the brackish taste of precum filled his mouth, and the twitch of his stomach muscles warned that Emmrich was close. It was then Hugh pulled off with a lewd pop and trail of saliva he licked away with a self-satisfied smile.
"Safe to assume this room's warded well?" Hugh asked as he slid up the bed beside his lover, looking down at a freshly disheveled and well-sucked Emmrich like he was admiring a work of art. "Love when you don't hold back, all those sounds you make."
Letting Emmrich catch his breath, Hugh looked over to the nightstand and remembered that's where Emmrich mentioned the oil being. He stole a brief kiss before getting off the bed. Hugh had toed off his boots earlier, and without a belt, stepping out of his trousers was a quick process after removing the rest of his fatigues. Just to tease, he did keep his smalls on for the time being. He gave Emmrich a wink before walking around the bed to the nightstand.
"I'm guessing your oil isn't scente- Maker," Hugh paused the moment he opened the top drawer and let out a whistle. Right away, his attention was drawn to the shape of cock that looked like it was made out of— was that veridium? The longer he looked, the more he noticed. There was another phallic shape, smaller with a flared base and what looked like a pair of rings as well as a string of more veridium but in the shape of beads of descending size. "There's, uh...there's more than oil in here."
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"Fully warded, thick walls," he managed to answer after a few moments. "Means you didn't have to stop." Not like he thought for a moment Hugh stopped due to noise. The kiss wasn't nearly enough to make up for it, and he contemplated complaining until Hugh started pulling clothing off. Then all of his attention is on Hugh's body, revealed bit by bit but not completely. Emmrich's mouth watered. One day he was going to break Hugh by tasting every inch of him, though that was going to take a surface that couldn't be broken and likely the thickest belt known to sentient life.
Hugh's reaction to his toy drawer was surprising. Emmrich didn't have anything wild in there, none of the fancy Tevene or Rivaini toys, nothing custom. "Oil is not scented, correct, and yes. I keep a few things in there."
Rolling over would require closing the legs he had spread open, and that might delay Hugh's return, so he chose to simply look at Hugh. It couldn't be a problem that he had sex toys, surely? He couldn't imagine it being a deal breaker.
"We can use anything you'd like, if you wanted to add it to your plan."
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"A f-few things, right, ah— I-I mean I can divine the purpose of the one shaped like a— well, I've just never seen anything like this for, uh, the bedroom. I wouldn't even know how to—"
Hugh babbled as his face took on the color of rose petals in full bloom. Hugh had always thought himself experienced in the horizontal dance, but apparently, he hadn't a clue, and it left him flustered, imagining their toys' purpose and use. Thoughts of Emmrich pleasuring himself filled his head, deepening the blush staining his face.
"Oh, oil," Hugh stammered as he picked up a small, dark glass bottle. Holding it up with a sheepish grin.
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"Ask anything you'd like, darling. I want to delight in you, and you in me." And he wasn't ashamed of anything in there. Sex was natural and enjoyable and he'd never crossed any ethical lines. He sincerely doubted Hugh had crossed any either, considering how careful the man was about drinking.
"Or it can wait until later. Either way, I do need you doing something to me again; you've quite cruelly left me here in this state." Emmrich gestured down at his own body, fully intending to direct Hugh's eyes along the length of him.
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