[Milliways]: Reunion

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus had dutifully eaten, if not as much as Steve wanted him to, at least enough to be able to say he was taking care of himself.

And after...well, upstairs had seemed like a good idea. Especially good considering this was the first time it was Orpheus who hadn't seen Steve in over a month rather than the other way around. He tugs Steve into the room with a smile, not willing to let go of him even for a second.

Comments

[golden_lyre]

"Yes, clearly I'll have to try to be less obtuse from now on," Orpheus remarks dryly.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Was 'we should get your things' an invitation to move back in?"

[golden_lyre]

"It was, yeah," Orpheus says. "I didn't think it needed to be engraved."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve cocks an eyebrow at him. "I think we need the space," he says and moves onto his back.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus sighs and moves onto his back as well.

"All right."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve stares at the ceiling.

"Yeah, definitely need the space," he says finally and pulls his trousers up.

[golden_lyre]

"Gods," Orpheus mutters, scrubbing a hand over his face.

"What did I say this time?"

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I don't think you want me here right now," Steve says as he puts on his shirt. "In fact, I'm questioning how much you want me at all because you--you never--you don't--" He makes a frustrated sound and shoves his hands into his hair.

[golden_lyre]

"I don't what?" Orpheus says, growling a little in frustration.

"Understand? Because I really don't. Is this because I didn't ask you properly?"

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"No," Steve says. "I'm not that petty. I just--I feel like something's missing and I don't know what it is, and I don't how to ask you for it. I just know that it's not there."

[golden_lyre]

"So there's nothing I can do to fix this?" Orpheus asks, sitting up and looking around for his jeans.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve looks away from him and swallows. "Why don't you try something and see?"

[golden_lyre]

"I would, but I don't know what to try. I don't know what you want. I don't know what's wrong or what's missing. I don't know fucking anything."

It's not a feeling he likes well or one that he's particularly used to.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve nods and bends to put on his boots.

[golden_lyre]

"Steve, please," Orpheus says softly, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Don't go. Not like this."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve looks at him a moment, then walks on his knees to the bed and lays his head on Orpheus's lap.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus strokes his fingers through Steve's hair. "If you need to go, if you really need space, I'll try to understand. But don't leave like this," he whispers.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"You make me crazy," Steve mutters, clutching at the bedding.

[golden_lyre]

"I'm sorry," Orpheus says, bending to kiss Steve's hair. "I don't mean to."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve exhales slowly and stays kneeling for a few moments more, then straightens up.

"I'm sorry too," he says quietly and kisses Orpheus. "The last few days have been so confusing and frustrating. I've been mixed up and all over the place. That's why I haven't been home--I didn't think I could function on the next mission like this."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus cups Steve's cheek in his hand.

"I want to make it better," he says quietly, his voice rough. "I just don't...know how."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve wraps his hand around Orpheus's. "I don't know either."

[golden_lyre]

"All I have is music. Music and words, and that's nothing. All I have to give you is nothing."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve shakes his head and crawls onto the bed, and pulls Orpheus to him. "Your music isn't nothing. It's beautiful. It's always spoken to me."

[golden_lyre]

"But it isn't enough," Orpheus argues, settling against him but not able to relax.