[ There's not much of a fight at Ciro's insistence, turning to look at him with the same frown he'd given at the start of this conversation. Would Ciro be happy knowing that he had family too? Would it bother him to find his world upended by such a thing? Rune believes he would favor the positives of it, and deep down, he's almost envious of how accepting the other witch is of certain things. ]
Ciro. [ He whispers his name to ground himself, anchoring the flare of his magic between them by the touch still at his arm. ] I haven't been alone for a long time. I don't need anyone else.
[ It's a strong implication: he has Ciro. Why else would he need some other witch invading their lives? And why now, after all this time? Rune doesn't stop to think that his tag and the charms he adheres to it to keep him invisible to the ADF would have anything to do with it, and he doesn't care to.
He places his hand over Ciro's. ]
You shouldn't meet with him again. It could be a trap.
[Although he hears the words and understands the sentiment behind them, Ciro can't shake the feeling that Rune is using his affection for his partner to change the subject. Still, he isn't going to deny the warm flush he feels at the implication. At the way Rune doesn't shrug him off.
It's enough that he steps closer, his hand sliding down Rune's arm to take his wrist, not entirely sure why he felt so desperate for contact in that moment. He opens his mouth to say something, likely about how much he treasures Rune, loves him, but trying to formulate the thought takes too long and his partner has already moved past it.]
I went to meet him knowing it could have been a trap, but it wasn't. I'm here and I'm safe, and he-- [Ciro holds onto Rune's hand with both of his like he wants to be doubly sure he won't draw away the second he hears something he doesn't like.] His magic feels so similar to yours. He's smart too. He found ways to overcome whatever happened to him--the reason he can't speak. It was actually incredible. Only someone with your genes could have done something that clever to get around a spell like that. [Ciro realizes he's rambling, and that doesn't help his cause.]
[ Even their closeness does little to reassure him. Rune doesn't know what it is or why, but the longer Ciro continues to speak of this other witch, the more he refuses to acknowledge his existence. So what if their magic is similar? That proves nothing, means nothing. It's why his hand falls limp in Ciro's hold, gaze settled on the other's face in a slightly more serious examination. He knows Ciro would never lie to him, not without reason, and this isn't something he could ever keep to himself.
But Ciro isn't the problem in this situation. ]
All I can promise you is that I'll think about it. [ His expression levels into a minimal frown. ] There would be precautions to take, and you know that our work has picked up over the last week. It would be inconvenient right now.
[ Like he's already making the decision, but it's just the logical steps they'd have to take to guarantee their own safety and the safety of their home. Rune lifts his free hand to cup the side of Ciro's face. ]
[Ciro can feel something building up in rune but isn't sure exactly what that feeling is. Just knows that it's not a good one and that he should stop while he's ahead. And the limpness of Rune's hand falling away from his means he's likely overstepped and should backtrack, but he doesn't. Instead he holds Rune's gaze a while longer. Until he finally speaks.
His expression broadens to a smile the more Rune's features drop to a frown, just happy that his partner has even compromised enough to say he'd consider it. It's far better than an outright stubborn no, so he'll take it.]
Yes, of course. Take all the time you need. I'll keep my distance until you decide. [It's the least he can do. Ciro takes Rune's arm again, but this time to guide him back on his path back to the stairs, not expecting the other hand to ouch his face. His eyes widen reflexively at the touch, but instead of drawing away he leans into the contact, even turning his face to kiss Rune's palm.]
[ The contact is reassuring enough, the pressure of that kiss doing something to his chest, and in the moment, Rune blames it on his exhaustion. He'd been down in his workspace for so long that he hadn't taken a proper break until a few hours ago; Ciro's announcement of a witch he's possibly related to is strangely serendipitous. There's no capacity to consider it right now though. ]
I never said you had to stay away.
[ It's a quiet invitation, elaborating no further than that as he slowly withdraws his hands and ascends the steps. Whether or not Ciro follows makes no difference to him, seeking out his bedroom and the mess it had become in his absence. Perhaps if he agreed to meet with this other witch, he could warn them to stay away from Ciro. Regardless of their intentions, he would not see Ciro come to any harm.
And it's all he thinks about as he readies himself for bed once more. ]
[Those words coming from anyone else wouldn't have been an invitation, but Ciro doesn't see how they could be anything but. He follows Rune up the stairs, and can't help but wonder how in these moments it might be nice for his ability to pick up on people's emotions to be something they both possessed. If only for the convenience of having Rune pick up on the reason why Ciro doesn't return to his own room, but joins the other witch in his instead.
Perhaps it's unnecessary, though. They both know why. And Ciro will say it's so Rune may rest easily with physical confirmation that he's safe and not going anywhere. And Rune, if Ciro is so lucky, won't protest his presence.]
You must be exhausted. [Ciro says, shrugging off his jacket to reveal the pajamas he had on beneath.] We can talk more in the morning. [He lingers near the doorway like he might turn away once Rune is settled into bed, but instead joins him, not offering any explanation, just his presence.]
[ When it comes to things like this, Rune never usually minds the closeness. Ciro's presence alone, especially without words, is something he's always taken comfort in, and he remains quiet as they settle against each other in the familiar darkness of his room. He isn't sure he wants to speak about it tomorrow, already devising a plan to make himself scarce once he's awake again; there are things he needs to do, spells he needs to practice in a less confined space. Ciro will want to go with him, but if he doesn't tell him, he won't know he's gone until it's too late.
The silence settles until he reaches out and allows his fingers to brush against Ciro's arm. ]
You smell like smoke, [ he comments, wondering if it belies the truth: he can sense the other witch on him. Thick, almost, but not unpleasant. ] How long were you gone?
[ If he hadn't been in the basement for so long, he might have picked up on it as soon as Ciro had stepped outside of their wards. ]
[The added benefit of assuring Rune that he wouldn't disappear in the night again was that it would be even just a bit harder for him to sneak away come morning. But that was only if he was able to wake before the man beside him. And Ciro was also exhausted.
Rune's voice is the only thing keeping him awake and attentive once they're comfortable under the covers.]
I made tea and had a cigarette before I went to meet him. [Ciro doesn't bring up the fire scrying for a lot of reasons, but maybe he will if they do have that conversation tomorrow.] Maybe an hour?
[Ciro looks at Rune curiously for a moment, wondering where that line of questioning was going, but too exhausted to think any deeper about it. He closes the space between them for a simple brushing of their lips, barely a kiss in contrast with the way their magic, even inactive, settle and meld together seamlessly. If Rune notices Sage's presence still on him, Ciro doesn't pick up on it, just closes his eyes to sleep.]
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Ciro. [ He whispers his name to ground himself, anchoring the flare of his magic between them by the touch still at his arm. ] I haven't been alone for a long time. I don't need anyone else.
[ It's a strong implication: he has Ciro. Why else would he need some other witch invading their lives? And why now, after all this time? Rune doesn't stop to think that his tag and the charms he adheres to it to keep him invisible to the ADF would have anything to do with it, and he doesn't care to.
He places his hand over Ciro's. ]
You shouldn't meet with him again. It could be a trap.
no subject
It's enough that he steps closer, his hand sliding down Rune's arm to take his wrist, not entirely sure why he felt so desperate for contact in that moment. He opens his mouth to say something, likely about how much he treasures Rune, loves him, but trying to formulate the thought takes too long and his partner has already moved past it.]
I went to meet him knowing it could have been a trap, but it wasn't. I'm here and I'm safe, and he-- [Ciro holds onto Rune's hand with both of his like he wants to be doubly sure he won't draw away the second he hears something he doesn't like.] His magic feels so similar to yours. He's smart too. He found ways to overcome whatever happened to him--the reason he can't speak. It was actually incredible. Only someone with your genes could have done something that clever to get around a spell like that. [Ciro realizes he's rambling, and that doesn't help his cause.]
You should meet him, then. See for yourself.
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But Ciro isn't the problem in this situation. ]
All I can promise you is that I'll think about it. [ His expression levels into a minimal frown. ] There would be precautions to take, and you know that our work has picked up over the last week. It would be inconvenient right now.
[ Like he's already making the decision, but it's just the logical steps they'd have to take to guarantee their own safety and the safety of their home. Rune lifts his free hand to cup the side of Ciro's face. ]
I'll tell you as soon as I decide.
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His expression broadens to a smile the more Rune's features drop to a frown, just happy that his partner has even compromised enough to say he'd consider it. It's far better than an outright stubborn no, so he'll take it.]
Yes, of course. Take all the time you need. I'll keep my distance until you decide. [It's the least he can do. Ciro takes Rune's arm again, but this time to guide him back on his path back to the stairs, not expecting the other hand to ouch his face. His eyes widen reflexively at the touch, but instead of drawing away he leans into the contact, even turning his face to kiss Rune's palm.]
Thank you, and I'm sorry for worrying you.
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I never said you had to stay away.
[ It's a quiet invitation, elaborating no further than that as he slowly withdraws his hands and ascends the steps. Whether or not Ciro follows makes no difference to him, seeking out his bedroom and the mess it had become in his absence. Perhaps if he agreed to meet with this other witch, he could warn them to stay away from Ciro. Regardless of their intentions, he would not see Ciro come to any harm.
And it's all he thinks about as he readies himself for bed once more. ]
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Perhaps it's unnecessary, though. They both know why. And Ciro will say it's so Rune may rest easily with physical confirmation that he's safe and not going anywhere. And Rune, if Ciro is so lucky, won't protest his presence.]
You must be exhausted. [Ciro says, shrugging off his jacket to reveal the pajamas he had on beneath.] We can talk more in the morning. [He lingers near the doorway like he might turn away once Rune is settled into bed, but instead joins him, not offering any explanation, just his presence.]
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The silence settles until he reaches out and allows his fingers to brush against Ciro's arm. ]
You smell like smoke, [ he comments, wondering if it belies the truth: he can sense the other witch on him. Thick, almost, but not unpleasant. ] How long were you gone?
[ If he hadn't been in the basement for so long, he might have picked up on it as soon as Ciro had stepped outside of their wards. ]
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Rune's voice is the only thing keeping him awake and attentive once they're comfortable under the covers.]
I made tea and had a cigarette before I went to meet him. [Ciro doesn't bring up the fire scrying for a lot of reasons, but maybe he will if they do have that conversation tomorrow.] Maybe an hour?
[Ciro looks at Rune curiously for a moment, wondering where that line of questioning was going, but too exhausted to think any deeper about it. He closes the space between them for a simple brushing of their lips, barely a kiss in contrast with the way their magic, even inactive, settle and meld together seamlessly. If Rune notices Sage's presence still on him, Ciro doesn't pick up on it, just closes his eyes to sleep.]