bsumone | ❝ Earth is strung with lovers’ pearls ❞

"I'm not with Tiras 24/7," he explained. "I actually have a job, too. Though I can do a lot of my work from home, we're apart enough that it's easy to think about you both." Su-jin pressed his lips together in thought. "I wonder what he's doing to pass the time when I'm here, but... Yes, I do think about him. But I try to keep my focus on you when we're together like this. What we have, you and I, it's softer, more affectionate."

"Yeah I gathered that what we have is different based on how you talk about him." Which wasn't a judgement at all. It was just interesting that his relationship with Su-jin was so different than the one Su-jin shared with Tiras. It was like his mate was living two completely different but beautiful lives. And, as long as his mate was happy, he was happy for him.

Silvio smiled up at him. Even if he didn't have a cloth over his eyes he still wouldn't be able to see him but that had never mattered to him. He could always see this man's heart. "I love what we have, by the way."

It really was like living two different lives. Maybe that's why Su-jin loved it so much. Two very different people who loved in two very different ways, both of which satisfied his emotional needs.

"I do, too. I'm so happy that you wanted to be with me."

"Still want to too. You're really amazing, Su-jin." He loved him so damn much. Yeah, Su-jin had really saved him in a lot of ways, ways he wasn't even sure that his mate fully understood. But, he could just make sure to keep showing him each and every day for the rest of their lives until the man could believe in himself. He was happy to do that.

Su-jin chuckled. He probably didn't understand. He didn't know what the true attachment was between a pack. He was only glad that he could fill some void in Silvio's life. Even if they had only remained friends, knowing the wolf wasn't alone anymore brought Su-jin some peace.

"That's fortunate since, I'm afraid, you're stuck with me now. I don't let go easily."

"You're my pack now, Su-jin. You'd have to try very, very hard to get rid of me."

Because it took something major to cause someone to be able to break the bond a pack had. True it wasn't typical for a pack to include those who weren't wolves in it but it wasn't completely unheard of. After all, packs were known to do what his did and adopt outside races. In the end he'd become a wolf himself but he knew that wasn't an option for Su-jin and that was alright. He was happy to have him as he was.

Su-jin exhaled slowly. He pressed his fingers to his lips, then brushed them against Silvio's. It was too difficult to lean down and kiss him properly with the wolf's head on his thighs.

"I take that bond seriously, Silvio. And I always will."

He heard the kiss and the sound of his arm moving and knew what was coming. For that reason, he lifted his head up so that way he could press his lips to the incoming delivery with a smile.

"Thanks. That means a lot."

Finally, he slowly tried to get himself sat up. It was slow going since his body would require another day to fully heal from the silver burns, slowed way down by how it was fighting the silver trapped in his eyes. "...shit..." he groaned but still moved, catching the cloth as it fell. "Help me get upstairs? We can bathe together."

As soon as Silvio began to move, Su-jin shifted. He moved an arm around his shoulders to help the wolf sit up. Once Silvio was upright, Su-jin gave him a moment, then draped Silvio's arm over his shoulders to help him to his feet. The perks of inhuman strength was that he didn't have much trouble managing Silvio's weight. He navigated the stairs slowly, making sure his precious wolf's footing was sound. But if it wasn't, Su-jin wouldn't let him fall.

It took a few minutes because he didn't want to bodily drag Silvio through his own home. When they reached the bathroom, Su-jin helped Silvio onto the toilet so he could get the bath started for them.

"How hot do you like it?"

Slumping a little when he was sat down, he panted hard. That had been a lot more work than he was used to it being. Man. But he was here now and that was what mattered the most. Okay.

"Not that hot right now. The burns still hurt." They'd be gone by tomorrow, healing slower than a fire burn. But that meant heat was not something he was a fan of that day.

Su-jin nodded and hummed softly in acknowledgment. Soon the water was running, maybe a step above lukewarm. He didn't mind. For a very long time lukewarm was all the better one could get by the time servants carried enough pails of water to actually fill a tub for a bath. Besides, he would be there to help keep Silvio warm if he wanted that. When the tub started to fill, Su-jin turned his focus back to Silvio. His fingers ghosted over the wolf's shoulder, down his arm to clasp his hand.

"Can you stand?"

"With help."

He wasn't so proud a wolf that he would deny help when he needed it. So he took the offered hand and let Su-jin help him get to his feet. The walk over would be slow but he didn't mind that. At least he was walking. This was already better than what he used to have to deal with.

"That's part of the reason I'm here," he teased gently. The other, bigger part of why he was there was simply to spend time with someone he loves. Su-jin's a caretaker at his core, so looking after others -- especially those he loves -- was so very important to him. Even if it was as simple a thing as helping Silvio get across the room and into the bathtub.

He went at Silvio's pace, keeping hold of his hand and using the other to rest on his wolf's back. If Silvio needed more support, Su-jin would give it. Once Silvio was in the bath, Su-jin helped to ease him to sit down in the lukewarm water.

"How's the water? And do you want me to sit in front of you or behind?"

"Behind. Thanks, it's good."

He figured that way if he felt weak or tired at any point he could just lean against Su-jin. It would be better than slipping in the water, that was for sure. Not that he believed his mate would let that happen but better safe than sorry, right? Right.

No, Su-jin's not about to let him drown. That's for sure. Nor did he mind playing lifeguard if it meant he's able to spend some intimate time with Silvio.

Stepping into the bath, he settled himself behind Silvio. His legs stretched out on either side of his wolf, and he brought his arms gently around his waist. It wasn't the sort of piping hot bath he was used to, but the coolness of the water hardly bothered him. Besides, it was just an extra excuse for him to snuggle with Silvio.

"If you get tired, just rest. I'll keep you safe," he promised softly.

"You're amazing."

Eyes closed since they were really hurting right now, he melted back against his mate. Feeling that solid support behind him was everything and he fell quiet a moment as he found himself able to relax for the first time in a long time during the full moon. It made him smile and he shifted his head to nuzzle against Su-jin.

"Tell me what you've been up to. I like listening to you."

In turn, Su-jin canted his head to return that nuzzle. He adores that sort of affection immensely and would never deny Silvio of it in return.

The question brought a thoughtful inhale as Su-jin pondered what interesting things he'd been up to. He was certain Silvio didn't want to hear about the stories on TV or the minutiae of his business dealings.

"I am working on the purchase of a rare 1862 first edition of Christina Rossetti's The Goblin Market; and Other Poems for my collection." Well, Tiras' collection really, but Tiras gave him access to his extensive library. "It's being sold from a private collection, but the owner is treating it more like an auction making it a bit trickier."

This kind of talk should really be boring but honestly he loved hearing about things like this. Because Su-jin was the one doing them and the one interested in them. So he smiled as he listened.

"Are auctions trickier than normal sales?"

"Mm," he hummed with a slight nod. "The owner has invited a select number of collectors to make offers on it. It's not a traditional auction with an auctioneer or an agency taking bids on the owner's behalf. They're doing it all themself."

Su-jin hummed again, letting his fingers trail mindless patterns over Silvio's bare skin. "I don't know if they're taking any other criteria into consideration other than price." He secretly hoped so since he (on Tiras' behalf) was a prolific collector. "Are you familiar with Rosetti's works?"

"And you got an invite? You must have a reputation." Him or his partner. He knew Su-jin had told him in the past that Tiras apparently had his fingers in a lot of honey pots. Usually without even remembering that he did. The stories were honestly always funny when his mate brought them up.

"I'm not familiar though. Tell me more about it."

"'Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann’d:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad. '"

He'd been expecting that Su-jin would tell him about the works. Or would describe the history of it. Getting to hear a poem instead, made him go quiet so he could hang on to every syllable. When it was done, he smiled softly. "Love you too, Su-jin."

Hearing those words filled him with warmth. His arms tightened by degrees around his beloved wolf and he sighed happily.

"Say it again."

He smiled a little more. Su-jin really loved when he said those words to him. It was sweet every single time. "I love you too, Su-jin."

After several centuries, it's nice to hear now and then. Such words are never exchanged between him and Tiras. They don't need words. Su-jin doesn't need them from Silvio, either. But he likes them, soaks them up like a sponge.

"I love you very much, Silvio," he answers with an audible smile. There's such fondness in his tone, it's unmistakable. He sounds like some young lover who's just been able to actually his feelings. Is that too far from the truth? Though they've known each other nearly a century, this aspect of their relationship is very new.

He breathes out a soft sigh and returns to trailing his fingers over Silvio's skin. Mostly, they follow lines of muscle and the natural curves of bone. There's a silent marvelling in the gesture, a deep appreciation for the creature Silvio is and the big heart he has.

"I would not have imagined this when we first met. Though I did think you very handsome from the start."

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