[Milliways]: Breaking the dry spell

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus is trying very hard not to just drag Steve up the stairs to their room. Despite having been waiting in the bar, he hasn't been spending much time here at all. It made him think far too much of Steve, and the drawings Steve had left for him didn't really help on that score.

He manages to restrain himself, though, as he unlocks the door.

Comments

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve touches Orpheus's chest. "We're both unique to the world."

[golden_lyre]

"Not entirely unique in my case," Orpheus says, but he puts his hand over Steve's.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve presses his palm to Orpheus's chest. "Some other guy went to the afterlife to plead for his wife?"

[golden_lyre]

"Not that I know of, but others have been to the underworld and come back," Orpheus says.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Really? I didn't know that. How did they get out?"

[golden_lyre]

"Most of them just walked out again. Odysseus, Aeneas, Heracles, Theseus..."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Oh. That's different, though, isn't it? None of them died--they just dropped in for a bit."

[golden_lyre]

"I didn't die either, lovely."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Right, but--but you went in because someone did.

"I had a point. I seem to have lost it."

[golden_lyre]

"They all went in for someone else. But I can see how it is at least a bit different."

It's easier to talk about this, albeit abstractly, than he thought it would be.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve just nods, not wanting to pursue it. He tucks his head under Orpheus's chin.

"I'm glad you're here."

[golden_lyre]

"I'm glad you are as well," Orpheus murmurs, kissing his temple.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I was so afraid I'd never see you again, and I just ... had to."

[golden_lyre]

"I was going to wait," Orpheus says quietly. "However long it took, I was going to wait."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve doesn't say anything -- can't say anything -- and traces shapes on Orpheus's chest.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus kisses his hair, sliding his fingers down Steve's forearm.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I love you," Steve whispers finally, and places a gentle kiss at the base of Orpheus's throat.

[golden_lyre]

"I love you," Orpheus echoes, reaching up to stroke the back of Steve's neck.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve sighs contentedly, stretching out, and then pulls the bedding over them.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus smiles gently and slides his arms around Steve.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve whispers, "I'm just sorry I can't tell Bucky you love me."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus gives him a squeeze. "Maybe someday. He might show up here."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve shakes his head vehemently. "No. I don't want that for him. I don't want that."

[golden_lyre]

"Why not?" Orpheus asks, stroking over his back.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"When I came in here after he died, someone said that to me, that maybe he'd show up, and I just... recoiled. It sounds more like a curse than a second chance to me."