agoge | >>@ENTERTHEDRAGON

[ ... He lets out a genuine laugh at that, surprised by the irony of a perfect stranger likening him to a lion. ]

That's right! [ Now he's ruffling his hair pretty roughly, enjoying himself as he makes a mess of it. ]

But this lion's full tonight, so don't go worrying about getting eaten while you sleep.

[ Yeah, maybe there's a bit of a sexual undertone to his jokes. He has no clue it's going over Ryuji's head. ]

[He doesn't quite get the laugh that proceeds, but something about it makes him smile too. Ever since joining COST, he hasn't felt his facial muscles stretch in this direction too often. The roughness against his head is met with a disdained grunt from his vocal chords, but even if he's giving off some opposition to it, his aura says otherwise.]

The lion is full tonight? [Does he even want to know?]

I wasn't worrying about sleepin' but man, you're giving me a cold wind over here!

[He doesn't dare push him again. He doesn't know if his HP can survive another flank attack.]

Thanks, by the way.

For savin' my ass.

[ His thanks is met with a smile, looking much to kind for someone who had decided to capitalize on the opportunity to benefit himself. Not that he wouldn't have saved an innocent from getting kidnapped.

No, he's smiling fondly because he's partly fascinated by the way in which he's receiving this thanks. It isn't packaged with the typical reverence he'd usually get when being thanked by someone he saved. It kind of makes him realize how different the culture of today is. ]

We're comrades, aren't we?

It's only natural we look out for each other. [ And he believes this in earnest despite... what legend says. His myrmidons had been important to him because they belonged to him; since then, he's learned to appreciate his comrades as much as his underlings. As long as one proves their goodness, he'll do anything to protect them and and their integrity.

Moving up on his feet finally, he stretches long arms up towards the ceiling, shifting and rolling his shoulders as a way of limbering up. ]

I'm going to get Keraunos here something to eat. And I suppose you'll need to fill your stomach before you sleep as well.

[Probably better that Ryuji didn't have to know about that right now. The guy deserved what he got, honestly, but he didn't know if he had it in him to stomach the talk about Achilles and how he sustains himself. It's been... already a pretty long night. Ryuji, though, looks undeterred for the most part. All this energy, never having a place to actually go; would he even be able to sleep properly tonight?

But he shares that sentiment. He would have died for them if it meant saving them. They didn't have to prove anything in particular, he just... feels it at the core of his being. He trusts...trusted... every single one of them without batting an eyelash.

It feels like forever ago that he almost did, making a risky move at Shido's palace to put the rest of his friends out of harm's way, and he would do it again even with lesser odds of survival. That's the type of boy that Ryuji is- and Achilles will eventually figure that out on his own.

Watching Achilles get up, he notices the sheer amount of muscular strength that he has. If it looks like a small window of admiration, it's definitely there. Ryuji wanted so badly to fix the problems with his leg, to compensate by building muscles elsewhere and being the exact type of hero that came to his own rescue tonight. Creepiness aside, he is thankful. Without even realizing it, he had started what would eventually become a certain respect and appreciation for the other. For now, he just feels it as a heat in his cheeks.]

Huh? Yeah. Some food would be... really 'effin nice right about now. I hate to be a bother, though. [He feels his stomach rumble, not sure if it's the mention of food or the pain that's still shooting through it from that punch.] I uhm... I don't really have much, but. [And he rifles through his pocket, taking out a few scant bills. He's already been enough of a burden for one night.]

[ He takes the crumpled bills in his hand, looking them over like he isn't quite that impressed. He's about to open his mouth to refuse, but looking down at Ryuji and seeing that ... stupid earnest meek look makes him think twice about stepping on the poor boy's pride.

He pockets the money. ]

You're right, it's not much at all. [ He pokes him right in the forehead. ] It might be enough for a loaf of bread, but you're not going to get any butter to go with it.

[His eyes cross as he rears a hand straight up to him, and he shakes his head. This guy is really into physical touches, huh? He grimaces internally about the bread situation, but doesn't argue.]

Man, why couldn't we be in Italy or something, instead? Then we could at least have, like, pasta or something. [Be careful what you wish for, Ryuji...] I take it back. I don't want to hate pasta.

Pasta? [ He's never had it... It wasn't a thing in his era and his location of the world. ] Don't go complaining about what you end up getting, now.

[ Waving him off, he'll start approaching the exit. ] I'll be back. Look after Keraunos for me.

No complaints here, yo.

[In the end, he won't. He's not that ungracious of a guest to do that sort of thing. Even if he has not-the-best-manners in the world, he knows that he was raised better than that. His eyes follow Achilles to the door. Something about seeing him leave makes him a little dismayed. He's not alone; he has the horse to keep him company, but after spending a year with people, seeing them almost every single day, it was weird to be thrust into these missions where he had to learn to be by himself again.

He makes himself comfortable, at least for now. Untying the cloth belt around his waist to let himself have breathing room, he reclines in bed and places his hands behind his head. Even with the window open, he feels a slight bit of warmth tickle up to his chest, so he unbuttons the top fold of cloth of his loose fitting shirt and starts to feel the air getting inside him.]

Rider, huh?

[It doesn't take incredibly long for him to doze off. It wasn't even what he intended to do, but once his eyes close, he feels consciousness for a few more moments before it's suddenly not there at all anymore. His body must have been tired after everything- which was weird, since Achilles being in the room made him feel far more alive, more energetic. But here he was, in some stranger's bed, in a strange land, a strange time, but the sheet smell nice and the soft sound of the horse not far away is reminiscent of the white noise he used to fall asleep to back in Tokyo.]

[ Teenage boys need a lot of food. Achilles remembers a time when he'd been that age, and how his growing bones needed the proper amount of nutrition to expand.

So he doesn't go to just any bakery; not that any bakeries would be open at this time of night. Instead, he ventures into a rowdy tavern close to the hotel he'd left the boy at, and makes a few extravagant purchases.

A bottle of wine, a hunk of cheese, a loaf of bread, and a few apples.

He carries them back to the hotel, expertly opening the door leading to their room with his foot on the handle.

Luckily for Ryuji, Achilles isn't so much of an asshole that he'll just wake him up for the hell of it. He'll arrange all of the food and the bottle on the table in the corner of the room and proceed over to his horse to feed it about two pounds' worth of apples. ]

[It's probably an hour or so before he winds up stirring back into consciousness. Sleeping, for Ryuji, is always a bit of a crap shoot. Sometimes he lays there calmly, spread out in all corners of the bed and taking up as much room as he could possible. Other times, he's restless. Not the type of tossing and turning style of restless, but his feet make involuntary movements and his body twitches from time to time until he ends up rolling over (rinse, repeat until he's back to sleeping like a log). He yawns, rubbing his eyes before the shape of the room takes its form in his eyes, and he looks over to see the assortment nearby.

It looks... a lot nicer than what his own money could've procured. And sure enough, no butter. Still rubbing one eye, he looks out over Achilles.]

Huhn... weren't kiddin' about the butter...

[Another small yawn, and he cracks his neck. Eventually sitting upright, he works to fasten his cloth wrapping again, just so that they don't threaten to fall off when he actually gets out of bed.]

Sorry. Were we s'posed to have like. Some sorta romantic dinner 'cause I think I might've overslept and stood you up. [Over to the corner he goes, looking at the... cheese.

That's cheese.

Actual cheese.]

[ Achilles likes cheese. But no one around here has... the real shit, like the cottage cheese he remembers back when he was a human. Seeing Ryuji's eyes light up when seeing the solid, inferior cheese on the table is quite amusing, though.

Also... why all these mixed signals. Achilles is starting to think he's completely dense. ]

You won't be stealing my heart anytime soon like this. [ Playing along... carefully. ] If that had been your intent...

[Funny enough, cheese in his day is mostly the solid stuff, and the health nuts are the ones who eat cottage cheese. They'd have to compare notes one day. He breaks off a piece of bread (u g h), but notices that all this stuff's been relatively untouched. Was he... waiting for Ryuji?

He incorrectly guesses as such, and takes the piece he had cut off for himself and cuts that in half, offering it to the spirit.]

Well. Uh. They do say that the key to a man's heart is through his stomach. [Have some bread, Achilles?]

[ What the hell... He just leans back in his chair easily, resting an arm on the table and looking like a douchebag with his legs spread. He regards him with a knowing smile, reaching over to the bottle of wine on the table. ]

You're gonna have to do a lot better than bread that's not even buttered.

[An equal what the hell comes from Ryuji's side of things. He puts the other piece down, and then breaks off a chunk of cheese, adding them together. As he takes his first bite into the mixture, and swallows down, he...

okay, he understands the type of fire he's playing with now.

He stares at Achilles. That is somehow the greasiest and most elegant thing he's heard all night. As if challenging him, he comes closer and coaxes the bottle out of his hand before taking a sip. He doesn't know why, but sure. He'll play along.

Side note, it's the first time he's ever had wine. He doesn't know if he likes the taste or not. Gingerly, he holds the bottle back out to him. This little shit.]

Huh. Guess I'll have to save up my tip money, then.

[ He allows him to take the bottle, even if he'd just uncorked it. It was cheap, and its flavour probably reflects its value. He half-expects Ryuji to spit it out, but he swallows what he tips back into his mouth and Achilles just about laughs.

He takes the bottle gratefully, placing his lips against the opening and letting the wine slide between and down his throat. ]

There's no need for that. Just ask and I'll gladly hold you for a night. I'd be grateful for the mana.

[Erm.

None of that made a whole lot of sense to Ryuji. His gaydar is going through the roof right now, and he feels like he needs a whole lot of more wine swig to get that kind of swag. He furrows his eyebrows in contesting for a moment.

But actually.

He'd almost been abducted tonight. That thought, as if suddenly, starts to creep up inside him as much as the alcohol stirs in his virgin stomach (virgin because he's never had booze before, not like that, Achilles). It puts things into perspective, and casting aside the rampant amount of "no homo" that usually makes up the composition of Ryuji's thoughts... it wouldn't be bad having someone near him tonight. Things could be so, so much more worse. If had been awoken by the sound of the door opening, would he have been a mess, thinking that all of this was some longer con? Would he be able to be sitting here, eating bread and teasing Achilles?

It's like it's finally settling in. And god, it's fucking terrifying.

Truth of the matter is... yeah. Maybe he'd like that. And he's straight forward enough to tell the green haired hero how he feels.]

I... uhm. Would you... [He holds his arm, looking the other way.] Would you mind staying with me tonight? I just. I don't wanna wake up in the middle of it, scared I'm gonna get taken away or anything.

Listen, this sorta stuff ain't really my style. But. I'm still kinda shook up.

[ This is

So romantic. Achilles is so pleased.

He isn't dense, but he is a man who'd been wanted all his life, by men and women alike. In his time of glory, just suggesting his interest could drive anyone to throw themselves into his arms, eager to be taken by his legendary power and strength.

Ryuji doesn't know who he is, but it seems his charm has not lost its touch despite the the variation of era and culture. He listens to the younger man's plight, eyes softening in silent understanding as he considers his words. Because he hasn't refused him, his request is processed way differently than it was intended to be received.

Gently, he reaches forward, looping his arms around him so he can drag him into the space between his spread thighs. He ... basically hugs him, resting his forehead against the middle of his chest. ]

I'll stay until morning, if that's what you want. Until then, I'll hold you gently...

Edited 2017-11-17 06:27 (UTC)

[He doesn't know shit about Achilles. And even if there was some big, dramatic reveal, chances are he'd only know that he was a Greek hero who had done big things in his lifetime, but he wouldn't be able to pin much more than that to him. He doesn't think it's so much "charm" as it is... just the comfort of knowing that he feels safe around him (logically, he shouldn't, and he probably knows he shouldn't- but maybe that's what the perceived charm really is. A trust that he probably doesn't deserve, at least, not yet).

And then Achilles is pulling him forward, closer to him, between his legs. He's about to raise his voice, to yell at him, scream profanities about how he shouldn't be doing this- and then he simply places his head up against his chest.

Ryuji looks down at the mess of spiked back strands of hair below him. Fuck. This was weird. All of this was. Feeling conflicted, he stands there, not knowing what to do with this situation. What the hell was the right thing to do in this situation? With a sigh, he awkwardly raises his hand up. With some level of trepidation, his eyes affix downward at the man whose currently got him fixed in position.

It's not what he meant by asking him to stay with him. It's not even fucking close.

And yet, still, his hand moves as if to betray him, and he pushes back Achilles' bright emerald locks until his hand is softly rifling through his hair. Just once, just straight back to the undercut beneath the sway of tinted hues.

Whatever.

Rationalize it all he wants, but... it's not the worst thing in the world to feel his chest tighten up like this. He doesn't want to be left alone tonight, even if that means compromising a part of how he views himself that he thought he knew for the short sum of the last 17 years of his life.]

Yeah. Okay. [Gulps.] I'd kinda like that.

Edited 2017-11-17 06:46 (UTC)

[ That's all the permission he needs.

He sighs appreciatively at the fingers carding through his hair, pulling Ryuji closer so he can tuck his face closer against the slender column of his throat. Having a physical body has allowed him to indulge in exploring his senses, whether he's inhaling the pungent stench of gore or breathing in the sweet scent of a lover. He relishes it, but he enjoys the sensation of touch even more.

Achilles is too hot... He is a beautiful man with beautiful eyebrows. It only makes sense that this horny teenage boy would give into his advances.

Given his acceptance, Achilles lifts his head, craning his neck in an effort to catch the boy's lips in a sure kiss. His hands are pushing underneath his shirt... already, blunt fingernails scraping at his back as he tries pull him down and coax him into his lap. ]

Edited 2017-11-17 07:28 (UTC)

[Honestly, he should've seen this coming a mile away. Ryuji was playing with fire when he had raked his fingers softly through Achilles' hair, but it wasn't as if he'd expect Achilles to start eating that shit up, to become as forward as forward gets. He's young, stupid, inexperienced- not piecing together that to share an intimacy like touch, or to come to him while his legs are positioned open and receptive... god, of course that's what it meant. He wanted Achilles to stay close to him because of that pit in his stomach, that fear that being alone would be worse than being near. And here he was, crowding up to his neck.

He should feel sick to his stomach. He should be pushing Achilles away, should be telling him that this isn't fucking right, because he's not into dudes that way. But, that attention, that careful, slow acknowledgment of Ryuji as a person that could actually be desired by someone, makes him feel something that he hasn't before. It's not just a weakness to it, it's a fucking sledgehammer against his heart, and he feels himself being swept up into it, letting it just envelop his body. Maybe this is Achilles' wicked charm, but for a moment, when he's this close in Achilles arms, he actually feels like he's worth being someone to be held. It's probably pathetic. He's probably done this with so many people before, centering the focus on himself so strongly, so enchantingly, that the individual ego starts to dissipate and Ryuji is just... there, somehow okay with these advances.

Achilles is a hero. One of the greatest heroes in the annals of history. Even though Ryuji only knows him as Rider, there's this charismatic draw to him. He's not horny. It's not just the hormones that rage through his body. Something about being held by this man makes him feel stronger, like the limelight focused on him has its own radiant path that makes him feel like he's worth enough to be in a hero's arms. That's the type of current that drags Ryuji into the undertow, drowning him whole.

When he's kissed like that, his face blooms into a flurry of heat. From this angle, he must look so innocent, so unsullied, and for all the tough boy image that he tries to exude, the reality of it all is that he's just a regular person who's been dealt a really shitty hand in life. The taste of wine is inlaid against those lips, and the room suddenly feels like it's ten times smaller than it was just a second ago. It sends chills down his spine, both scared by and comforted by the thought that this is something he actually likes, and as he raises his hands up to Achilles' chest, he half-heartedly pushes at him in protest, at the same time that those skilled hands make blunt warnings against his back, almost like they're scolding him to not bend away from this. He doesn't. He presses his lips more firmly against the other's, indulging himself into it like he's walking straight into the grape-stained darkness of the evening.

And Ryuji arches his back forward, his posture realigning itself as he's moving, forward, dangerously, coming to Achilles' call like a war horn. But he accepts it, because, fuck. He wants all the affection and intensity of that attention on him.]

I... uh... fuck, you're a good kisser.

[ Ryuji's inexperience is evident by the way he refuses to completely yield to the motion of his own lips moving against his own. He's rigid, obviously tense, but that will change in due time. For now, he focuses on aligning their mouths and teaching the younger boy how to move and when to part. Clearly, Achilles is more practiced, having kissed countless people in his previous life and bedded just as many. Fortunately for Ryuji, that includes those just as inexperienced as he, so he knows how to lead.

He holds him up by his arms, letting his body relax and slump against his broad chest. With one hand drifting to the outside of his hip, he tries to coax him again, to lift his leg and hook it around the hard post of Achilles' own thigh. He takes his time, understanding that his hesitance is based on his lack of knowledge, and pushing him would only make him rigid.

At the murmured praise, he lets out a pleased chuckle, dropping his hands... to his ass... so he can pull his hips flush against the hard wall of muscle at his abdomen. ]

I'm good at many things. I'll gladly show you.

[ He rears up to kiss him again, but within that split moment, a man... comes literally crashing through the wall. The horse that had been standing there practically shrieks from the shock, jerking back sharply before taking off in some direction away from this spectacle.

Achilles is shoving Ryuji off of his lap before the man has even landed on the floor on the other side of the room, summoning his spear in preparation for an attack.

Sorry, Ryuji. ]

I told you to shut up!

[ Mordred follows through the hole in the wall — which is easily big enough for someone as small as her to hop through. When she sees Achilles with his spear drawn, she pauses, not noticing as the random guy scrambles out of the room behind her. ]

Rider. [ She doesn't know Ryuji's name, so she just... ignores him. Sorry. ] Am I interrupting something?

[Okay but he's.

Thrown aside.]

[That smash through the wall scares the ever loving hell out of this kid, and Achilles is already up and arms and ready to attack whatever it is that's coming in at full force. Ryuji manages to get to his feet, and. Okay.

This? This isn't awkward at all.

Nope.

It's a sign from god.]

You two... know each other?

[Wait, who's the third wheel? (It's Ryuji, isn't it.)]

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i'm so sorry

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