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[ The image is, technically, nothing Set hasn't seen before.
It's Matt in his hospital bed, bare-chested with the thin sheet pulled over his hips. Hanuman is still coiling over his right hip, the anahata still gleaming emerald on his heart, the square bandage still secured with tape to his left side.
But the vibes are a bit different. There's a pleasant languor in the way Matt stretches out, a relaxed and inviting smile on his face that no Set, in any reality, has yet received.
And the message is new: ]
they're letting me out today ... prognosis is a few weeks of no heavy activity
which I'm pretty sure means we're good to have sex if you're on top
<3
It's Matt in his hospital bed, bare-chested with the thin sheet pulled over his hips. Hanuman is still coiling over his right hip, the anahata still gleaming emerald on his heart, the square bandage still secured with tape to his left side.
But the vibes are a bit different. There's a pleasant languor in the way Matt stretches out, a relaxed and inviting smile on his face that no Set, in any reality, has yet received.
And the message is new: ]
they're letting me out today ... prognosis is a few weeks of no heavy activity
which I'm pretty sure means we're good to have sex if you're on top
<3
[ I would say "no Set, and not for lack of trying", but this is definitely the first time he might be able to get with Matt in ANY way, and that's delightful. Clobbers him.
He's not — unwilling to play along. It feels like something he can do, and some part of him thinks back, back, to Horus. To not feeling... ready, or versatile, "for" him. Not being ready to take on those determined affections. Why not give a few things a try here? Clobbers him twice, because his response is — unskilled, to say it kindly. It might not be as smooth or OVERTLY sexy, either. A bit too pragmatic, maybe. ]
You know if you do not put clothes on, I WILL throw you over my shoulders and carry you away as-is.
S sex aside, you would
You
I would break you in half, no matter how we arranged it.
He's not — unwilling to play along. It feels like something he can do, and some part of him thinks back, back, to Horus. To not feeling... ready, or versatile, "for" him. Not being ready to take on those determined affections. Why not give a few things a try here? Clobbers him twice, because his response is — unskilled, to say it kindly. It might not be as smooth or OVERTLY sexy, either. A bit too pragmatic, maybe. ]
You know if you do not put clothes on, I WILL throw you over my shoulders and carry you away as-is.
S sex aside, you would
You
I would break you in half, no matter how we arranged it.
[ This might sound totally wild, but the reason Matt doesn't immediately say oh sorry, this was for someone else is because he doesn't want Set to feel slighted again. Like the least favored god among Saltburnt's spread. Matt already feels like he might have been unfair to Lucifer (yes, that Lucifer); if this becomes a pattern, he'll have to do some serious soul-searching as to whether he deserves the powers he was gifted with.
Also, Set's reply is riddled with tidbits that are just begging for follow-up. Are these tidbits erotic? Maybe not strictly speaking. Matt's intrigued nonetheless. ]
You'd literally break me in half?
No way. You've already touched me without breaking anything.
[ Is Set really going to carry him off??? It'd be like the fourth time since he got to this manor, if so. ]
Also, Set's reply is riddled with tidbits that are just begging for follow-up. Are these tidbits erotic? Maybe not strictly speaking. Matt's intrigued nonetheless. ]
You'd literally break me in half?
No way. You've already touched me without breaking anything.
[ Is Set really going to carry him off??? It'd be like the fourth time since he got to this manor, if so. ]
[ that's very nice of matt not to do that because set WOULD feel deeply slighted because he DOES have a horrific sense of self and value bestowed upon him via soul-rending curse. he WOULD become ANGY again, and that would not be fun. he also doesn't understand that you can like,
send a text to the wrong person, or butt-dial. ]
I could. I absolutely could. I am very strong.
[ He's also curious. About a lot of things, and ( SHOCKINGLY? ) painfully shy. ]
I nearly crushed your ribs with my thighs alone, Matthew.
I am not
It's not that
I would not do it on purpose. At least not while NOT mad at you. And s
sex isn't something you do while mad
send a text to the wrong person, or butt-dial. ]
I could. I absolutely could. I am very strong.
[ He's also curious. About a lot of things, and ( SHOCKINGLY? ) painfully shy. ]
I nearly crushed your ribs with my thighs alone, Matthew.
I am not
It's not that
I would not do it on purpose. At least not while NOT mad at you. And s
sex isn't something you do while mad
Edited 2024-08-28 18:07 (UTC)
[ Matt devours the lines of Set's text messages like they're a poem that leads to buried treasure. His lips twitch in fond recollection for nearly crushed your ribs with my thighs alone; he lingers on that line a moment before following the rest of the messages down to--
Oh.
Oh. ]
I mean
maybe it's not something YOU do while mad, but ...
I can say I've had some pretty satisfying angry sex. Mortals in general seem to manage to straddle that divide in a fun way more often than you'd think
Oh.
Oh. ]
I mean
maybe it's not something YOU do while mad, but ...
I can say I've had some pretty satisfying angry sex. Mortals in general seem to manage to straddle that divide in a fun way more often than you'd think
It should not be done angry at all! By anyone!
[ damn why is HE getting so mad about the angry sex other people are having wow set ]
How is being hurt during sexual intimacy at all "satisfying"? Or fun! Or survivable, depending on how strong an angry partner might be!
[ Oh.
Maybe he's worried for Matt? ]
[ damn why is HE getting so mad about the angry sex other people are having wow set ]
How is being hurt during sexual intimacy at all "satisfying"? Or fun! Or survivable, depending on how strong an angry partner might be!
[ Oh.
Maybe he's worried for Matt? ]
I have survived 100% of the sex I've had to date
[ STRONG START ]
I mean, if it doesn't do anything for you then it doesn't, but all the same pulse-racing, adrenaline-producing lines of thought apply here.
or maybe how a little salt can make something sweet taste better
[ STRONG START ]
I mean, if it doesn't do anything for you then it doesn't, but all the same pulse-racing, adrenaline-producing lines of thought apply here.
or maybe how a little salt can make something sweet taste better
[ ... Oh.
Matt is beginning to map out a number of textures and touchpoints in the vast, diaphanous landscape of Tropical Storm Set. Some are sharp, lashing, all "nature red in tooth and claw." Some hit like a punch to the mouth. But some, he finds, are surprisingly tender. ]
Noted. That's okay.
That's good.
I only want to do things that other people want.
[ Clumsy phrasing, and a massive understatement, but it's true. ]
Matt is beginning to map out a number of textures and touchpoints in the vast, diaphanous landscape of Tropical Storm Set. Some are sharp, lashing, all "nature red in tooth and claw." Some hit like a punch to the mouth. But some, he finds, are surprisingly tender. ]
Noted. That's okay.
That's good.
I only want to do things that other people want.
[ Clumsy phrasing, and a massive understatement, but it's true. ]
[ Well, he is, one day, the god of chaos. A god of disorientation and confusion, meant to bring to light the fallacies of devotion and rattle faith to its core. He's also made of conflicting things, so yeah. Tender bastardcore. ]
Okay.
So, when you say... you are good to have sex, if someone is on top.
Is that a medical assessment or because someone wants it of you?
Okay.
So, when you say... you are good to have sex, if someone is on top.
Is that a medical assessment or because someone wants it of you?
A little of both. Not quite either.
It's my interpretation of "no heavy activity," which is a medical assessment
and it's something I want to do.
[ Really, really wants to do. Saltburnt has spoiled Matt in terms of access to charming partners for frequent and mind-melting sex, and at this point in his routine, he's not used to going this long (d a y s) without some form of sex. ]
It's my interpretation of "no heavy activity," which is a medical assessment
and it's something I want to do.
[ Really, really wants to do. Saltburnt has spoiled Matt in terms of access to charming partners for frequent and mind-melting sex, and at this point in his routine, he's not used to going this long (d a y s) without some form of sex. ]
I still do not follow.
[ not easily at all! but when set is injured, he has an animal hindbrain that thinks anyone approaching him has ill intentions, even if he's invited then into his space. ( it's the trauma :( ) ]
But, if it is what you want, who are you to be denied it! I guess it is your body to use against others, even though you are so crushable.
I definitely am on top, though. Injured or not, you will not best me for it.
[ not easily at all! but when set is injured, he has an animal hindbrain that thinks anyone approaching him has ill intentions, even if he's invited then into his space. ( it's the trauma :( ) ]
But, if it is what you want, who are you to be denied it! I guess it is your body to use against others, even though you are so crushable.
I definitely am on top, though. Injured or not, you will not best me for it.
I use my body FOR others, o Lord of the Red Land
with them too.
And although I think it'd be pretty hot to fight you and lose and then you ravish me, [ Matt decided a long time ago, if decide is the right word for it, to lean into physical vulnerability as both a way to reclaim his sense of agency and a rebuke of the notion that witches are predatory monsters (it's! the trauma!!!) ] in the name of keeping all my stitches in the right place, I promise to play nice
with them too.
And although I think it'd be pretty hot to fight you and lose and then you ravish me, [ Matt decided a long time ago, if decide is the right word for it, to lean into physical vulnerability as both a way to reclaim his sense of agency and a rebuke of the notion that witches are predatory monsters (it's! the trauma!!!) ] in the name of keeping all my stitches in the right place, I promise to play nice
[ for? with? SOUNDS FAKE...... jk ]
Well, of course you would lose and be r
ravished by me.
I am competitive. So, also in the name of keeping your injury from being re-opened, if we are to fight, when I tell you to submit — do so. Deal?
[ He can do this. It's like the time he snuck into Horus's quarters to dominate him, except there's no animosity between himself and Matt. It's a — what had the others called it? "An imaginary situation", in which masks are worn and they play pretend. He can play pretend very well! ]
Well, of course you would lose and be r
ravished by me.
I am competitive. So, also in the name of keeping your injury from being re-opened, if we are to fight, when I tell you to submit — do so. Deal?
[ He can do this. It's like the time he snuck into Horus's quarters to dominate him, except there's no animosity between himself and Matt. It's a — what had the others called it? "An imaginary situation", in which masks are worn and they play pretend. He can play pretend very well! ]
Deal. [ To be honest, just reading the words when I tell you to submit has him feeling fluttery and warm. ] Whenever you wanna stop by, I'll be in my room.
[ Matt knows Set knows how to get there because of how he didn't need any guidance before grabbing his clothes. He also knows "whenever" is a pretty vague window, so he could be waiting for twelve hours or five minutes. Which means he has to hurry. Matt gets up, stitches pulling slightly, and starts working.
By the time Set arrives, whenever that happens to be, the door is cracked slightly. Nothing seems amiss; Matt's even visible on the bed, sitting propped up among the luxurious pillows in his pajama pants. (No shirt, because: why?) There's a faint magical gleam about the doorframe, but it's not a visible thing. Its golden energy is only detectable to the discerning. ]
[ Matt knows Set knows how to get there because of how he didn't need any guidance before grabbing his clothes. He also knows "whenever" is a pretty vague window, so he could be waiting for twelve hours or five minutes. Which means he has to hurry. Matt gets up, stitches pulling slightly, and starts working.
By the time Set arrives, whenever that happens to be, the door is cracked slightly. Nothing seems amiss; Matt's even visible on the bed, sitting propped up among the luxurious pillows in his pajama pants. (No shirt, because: why?) There's a faint magical gleam about the doorframe, but it's not a visible thing. Its golden energy is only detectable to the discerning. ]
[ He can do this, he repeats to himself. Entering the circumstances knowing that Matt will cleave to him when he is told to helps; control is what he fears the loss of, and perhaps beginning to expand his horizons with this man will be easier than having to fight one of the rougher ones. ( Set will lose, he knows. If someone tests their sexual dominance against him, he will lose. And it will be just like before, just like every time before with hands and teeth and flesh tearing him apart. )
To go to another man, knowing that he is going to partake in intimacy of the flesh ( for reasons, he cannot YET simply call it "sex"!!! ), he feels anxious. A crawling thing inside of his belly that tells him that he must not. It is silly to seek the heat of another man. Yet, he can remember kissing Horus. He can remember the way he'd thrown his arms around his shoulders and dove into the urgent, strong fold of his mouth; the way Horus's broad hands and strong arms had held him, and the brilliant, adoring blue of his eyes that looked upon Set with such glorification of his person.
He goes to Matt, because he wants to be knowledgeable and worthy of that worship. He doesn't want to flounder and flinch. And he pushes the door open without paying any mind to the spellwork around it — why would he? he's endless! — and he lowers his head and bunches his shoulders when he sees Matt, waiting and topless. It's different, when someone wears a shirt, for them to be bare. The war god's hair falls over his shoulders, pupils blowing wide and black within the red of his eyes, teeth bared in a sharp smile. ]
— what manner of fight is this, Matthew Jamison? [ and he just STEPS RIGHT IN :) get fucked set ]
To go to another man, knowing that he is going to partake in intimacy of the flesh ( for reasons, he cannot YET simply call it "sex"!!! ), he feels anxious. A crawling thing inside of his belly that tells him that he must not. It is silly to seek the heat of another man. Yet, he can remember kissing Horus. He can remember the way he'd thrown his arms around his shoulders and dove into the urgent, strong fold of his mouth; the way Horus's broad hands and strong arms had held him, and the brilliant, adoring blue of his eyes that looked upon Set with such glorification of his person.
He goes to Matt, because he wants to be knowledgeable and worthy of that worship. He doesn't want to flounder and flinch. And he pushes the door open without paying any mind to the spellwork around it — why would he? he's endless! — and he lowers his head and bunches his shoulders when he sees Matt, waiting and topless. It's different, when someone wears a shirt, for them to be bare. The war god's hair falls over his shoulders, pupils blowing wide and black within the red of his eyes, teeth bared in a sharp smile. ]
— what manner of fight is this, Matthew Jamison? [ and he just STEPS RIGHT IN :) get fucked set ]
[ So listen, Matt's mental calculus goes a little like this:
Set has said he's competitive. Set seems to grok the appeal of physical confrontation in a way he doesn't immediately apply to sex. Matt is constrained by a promise to yield when told to yield. Matt still wants Set to feel fulfilled by this encounter--flush with the thrill of victory, whatever exactly that means to him in his vast and glittering mind.
Therefore.
Set crosses the threshold, his question barely out, when the sigils limning the doorframe blaze like white gold. The space around him seems to collapse inward, dense as a star, and Set finds himself encircled by a scrim of demi-transparent golden light. For such a gauzy thing, the barrier is surprisingly resistant to being crossed.
On the bed, Matt sits bolt upright, giving a peal of bright laughter. (There's a teeny hint of strain in the way he sits, but for the most part, adrenaline seems to be carrying him along.) ]
That, [ he exclaims, ] is the art of motherfucking war.
[ PRACTICE DISSIMULATION AND YOU WILL SUCCEED. ]
Set has said he's competitive. Set seems to grok the appeal of physical confrontation in a way he doesn't immediately apply to sex. Matt is constrained by a promise to yield when told to yield. Matt still wants Set to feel fulfilled by this encounter--flush with the thrill of victory, whatever exactly that means to him in his vast and glittering mind.
Therefore.
Set crosses the threshold, his question barely out, when the sigils limning the doorframe blaze like white gold. The space around him seems to collapse inward, dense as a star, and Set finds himself encircled by a scrim of demi-transparent golden light. For such a gauzy thing, the barrier is surprisingly resistant to being crossed.
On the bed, Matt sits bolt upright, giving a peal of bright laughter. (There's a teeny hint of strain in the way he sits, but for the most part, adrenaline seems to be carrying him along.) ]
That, [ he exclaims, ] is the art of motherfucking war.
[ PRACTICE DISSIMULATION AND YOU WILL SUCCEED. ]
[ He doesn't even know this guy beyond: Paul has a baby grudge, and if he were to kill someone, it'd be THOROUGH. ]
If they form a voting bloc against you, I cannot save you alone. We would need allies to tie a vote up and hinder them.
I want to win the competition, the Homelander. That means you may count on me.
If they form a voting bloc against you, I cannot save you alone. We would need allies to tie a vote up and hinder them.
I want to win the competition, the Homelander. That means you may count on me.
[ dani goes to set as soon as he can get away without being obviously followed. that rage is still in him, simmering just barely beneath the surface. he hates them, he hates them, and he's going to hate them more if lexi ends up behind bars for this.
before he knocks, he checks again that he's not followed. that woman implied she'd be sticking close. ]
Set, it's me.
before he knocks, he checks again that he's not followed. that woman implied she'd be sticking close. ]
Set, it's me.
[ While he doesn't REALLY care who dies, who gets blamed and whodunnit, the fact that there is a group working together that could threaten his victory? That could overtake the whole game, and lock down opposition?
They bring out the rebel in him, vying to thwart any authority they have. And Dani is both a useful pawn and someone he... feels for. Slightly. Sorry, Dani.
He greets the other man when he can get away, opening the door to his room to the first individual he has ever allowed into it. ]
Daniil. I am sure you are feeling wrathful, perhaps even betrayed.
[ Good. ]
I do not know if I can help your partner. But, I can help you avenge him.
They bring out the rebel in him, vying to thwart any authority they have. And Dani is both a useful pawn and someone he... feels for. Slightly. Sorry, Dani.
He greets the other man when he can get away, opening the door to his room to the first individual he has ever allowed into it. ]
Daniil. I am sure you are feeling wrathful, perhaps even betrayed.
[ Good. ]
I do not know if I can help your partner. But, I can help you avenge him.
[ dani comes in. he doesn't really look around; he would under better circumstances. but he's full of energy, full of anger.
nothing is okay. and honestly, he's having a hard time just keeping his light chained inside. ]
I was betrayed. I trusted that Koby. I told him about our world, I told him how vampires treat humans there. Now he's told those others and they're throwing it against Lexi as if it's any sort of proof for this.
I hate them. But I think they're watching me, too. The woman said they would. What do you think we should do?
nothing is okay. and honestly, he's having a hard time just keeping his light chained inside. ]
I was betrayed. I trusted that Koby. I told him about our world, I told him how vampires treat humans there. Now he's told those others and they're throwing it against Lexi as if it's any sort of proof for this.
I hate them. But I think they're watching me, too. The woman said they would. What do you think we should do?
And now you have learned that their "trust" is a lie unless you are one of their own. Which you are not.
[ Set breezes past the angry man, swinging his door shut behind him before he flops indulgently upon the bed. ]
I think we should break them up. I doubt we can then them against one another, but removing some of their votes by having them thrown in cells ought to satisfy for now. It is what they conspired to do unto your Alexei.
[ A pause, and. ]
There is also physical harm. If you have the stomach.
[ Set breezes past the angry man, swinging his door shut behind him before he flops indulgently upon the bed. ]
I think we should break them up. I doubt we can then them against one another, but removing some of their votes by having them thrown in cells ought to satisfy for now. It is what they conspired to do unto your Alexei.
[ A pause, and. ]
There is also physical harm. If you have the stomach.
[ it is what they conspired to do.
what they're conspiring to do.
though, he stops short at that last. ]
No.
[ a beat. ]
They'd only use that against us. Accuse us along with Lexi. He wouldn't want us to do that, he'd want us to be clever.
[ actually, he'd want dani to stay far out of it, and dani knows it. but cooler heads are not prevailing, currently. ]
But breaking their vote? We must do that. So far he has the most votes of anyone, solely because they've banded together.
what they're conspiring to do.
though, he stops short at that last. ]
No.
[ a beat. ]
They'd only use that against us. Accuse us along with Lexi. He wouldn't want us to do that, he'd want us to be clever.
[ actually, he'd want dani to stay far out of it, and dani knows it. but cooler heads are not prevailing, currently. ]
But breaking their vote? We must do that. So far he has the most votes of anyone, solely because they've banded together.
just "homelander." no "the."
but i think we're getting a good sense of who's voting with who, now. the kid's only got sway over two, maybe three more votes. the pirates are probably a bigger problem.
can't say i don't wanna win, either. doesn't seem like ol portia really thought things through, but that doesn't mean we have to take things the same way.
but i think we're getting a good sense of who's voting with who, now. the kid's only got sway over two, maybe three more votes. the pirates are probably a bigger problem.
can't say i don't wanna win, either. doesn't seem like ol portia really thought things through, but that doesn't mean we have to take things the same way.
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