[Norton gives John a look like he's dumb to even ask. Then reaches behind himself, pulls his pistol from the small of his back, and then tosses it away. Then to his left sleeve to remove a small knife hidden there. The knife he doesn't toss away just yet.]
[He holds up a hand and picks up Norton's jacket from where it had fallen, folding it neatly and setting it on the back of a chair. Taking a blanket that he had settled on the couch, he dislodges Phoebe from it and spreads it on the ground before settling down.
He's quite aware of how much trust he's placing in Norton at the moment, but it truly stems from not giving a shit what he does. Either he gets pain out of this, or Norton slits his throat.
[While John is setting up, Norton strips off his white button-up shirt, and the white undershirt below that, to avoid getting them potentially stained with blood. And while he's at it, he decides to take off the rest of his clothes as well. His trousers are feeling tight and this...whatever this is...is definitely not aloof anyway.
He straddles John's hips and starts with the "ENVY" that's already been touched up recently, laying the point of the blade along the top of the "E" and pausing there.]
[He slots the blade into the grooves John has already carved out and lightly runs the knife over them again, one slow letter at a time. Since this one is fresh, it's already tender and doesn't need much.]
Hm, I'll just have to guess then. Is it Jon, with his ability to compel the truth out of anyone? From what I've heard, it results in a hell of a confession.
["ENVY" goes fairly quickly. "PRIDE" will take longer. He'll be properly breaking skin for this one, and it's a longer word. Norton still remembers exactly what it feels like.]
I suspect having the truth ripped out of you is a sort of pain in and of itself.
[He's got through the "P" and the "R" and "I" is easy, but he takes his time on the wide and difficult curve of the "D." John did ask him not to ruin his handiwork.]
[He's opening a very, very old wound. One that's normally covered by his shirt. Pride, he tells people, is not one of his sins, but it doesn't mean that he's never been guilty of it. It's just not one he struggles with. And it's not his main one. But as Norton carves through that D, he actually cries out in a mixture of pleasure and pain. Moving his hand from Norton's, he slams the heel of his hand into the floor so hard that he knows it'll bruise.]
No. He's - he's done it to me before. It isn't pain. It's cheating. It's a shortcut.
[Norton sets the knife down on the blanket next to John and rests his palms flat on John's chest. Carving into John was extremely cathartic, even if it doesn't erase his own scar. He leans down and gives John a soft, lingering kiss.]
[He quickly wraps up his arm and his hip, where Envy and Pride had been carved, and drags Norton off to his bed, leaving their daemons in the other side of the room.
He ends up a tangle on the bed, entire body alight in pain, panting slightly from it as he pulls Norton against him, pressing kisses against his neck.]
Yes. [Even before John asked, Norton wasn't in any hurry to leave. His eyes are half-lidded and blissful, his neck stretched out to receive John's kisses, and his whole body feels relaxed and faintly euphoric, even as he's still breathing quickly from the exertion. He'd needed that. He thinks John did, too.]
[One hand finds the scars underneath Norton's collarbone, fingers trailing along the lettering there. He had been so tense before, so wound up, but this is exactly what he needed. Things back in order, though it feels like something has changed. John doesn't feel as in control as he was before. Things with Norton feel more even than they did before, which is not what John was expecting.]
I like you in here with me. I don't think you have ever stayed over.
I don't usually. Stay the night with people, that is. [Which means that something is different now, since Norton is agreeing to do so without any hesitation or calculation involved.]
[John tangles one leg through Norton's and sinks playful teeth briefly into his shoulder. He doesn’t think about the fact that he's finally found people who can keep up with him. People who push him. Challenge him. Because if he does that, he loses.]
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2021-12-18 04:03 am (UTC)[He pauses, hands on his waist as his fingers dig into his hips.]
Did you come armed?
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Date: 2021-12-18 05:01 am (UTC)What sin would "snitch" fall under, do you think?
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Date: 2021-12-18 05:06 am (UTC)Pride. Envy, perhaps.
Are you going to hurt me with that, Norton?
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Date: 2021-12-18 05:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-12-18 05:15 am (UTC)If you want.
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Date: 2021-12-18 05:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-12-18 05:32 am (UTC)[He holds up a hand and picks up Norton's jacket from where it had fallen, folding it neatly and setting it on the back of a chair. Taking a blanket that he had settled on the couch, he dislodges Phoebe from it and spreads it on the ground before settling down.
He's quite aware of how much trust he's placing in Norton at the moment, but it truly stems from not giving a shit what he does. Either he gets pain out of this, or Norton slits his throat.
Either way, it seems like a fun adventure.]
no subject
Date: 2021-12-18 05:44 am (UTC)He straddles John's hips and starts with the "ENVY" that's already been touched up recently, laying the point of the blade along the top of the "E" and pausing there.]
What make you add this one?
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Date: 2021-12-18 05:56 am (UTC)[He looks up to the ceiling, then Norton's face.]
There is someone here with an ability I want. With powers I wanted more than I should. So it's a reminder.
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Date: 2021-12-18 06:00 am (UTC)[He slots the blade into the grooves John has already carved out and lightly runs the knife over them again, one slow letter at a time. Since this one is fresh, it's already tender and doesn't need much.]
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Date: 2021-12-18 06:06 am (UTC)I'm not telling.
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Date: 2021-12-18 06:12 am (UTC)["ENVY" goes fairly quickly. "PRIDE" will take longer. He'll be properly breaking skin for this one, and it's a longer word. Norton still remembers exactly what it feels like.]
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Date: 2021-12-18 06:14 am (UTC)It isn't a Confession unless there's pain involved.
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Date: 2021-12-18 06:19 am (UTC)[He's got through the "P" and the "R" and "I" is easy, but he takes his time on the wide and difficult curve of the "D." John did ask him not to ruin his handiwork.]
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Date: 2021-12-18 06:23 am (UTC)No. He's - he's done it to me before. It isn't pain. It's cheating. It's a shortcut.
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Date: 2021-12-18 06:42 am (UTC)So it's a Confession without worth because it isn't earned?
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Date: 2021-12-18 06:46 am (UTC)[He brings his hand up to his face and covers his eyes with his hand, breathing through the last few marks.
And finds himself wanting more.]
A Confession cannot be trusted if it's given without pain and suffering. What is the sacrifice otherwise? What are you giving up?
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Date: 2021-12-18 07:05 am (UTC)I forgive you now. Absolvo te.
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Date: 2021-12-18 07:09 am (UTC)Now will you let me take you to bed?
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Date: 2021-12-18 07:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-12-18 07:31 am (UTC)He ends up a tangle on the bed, entire body alight in pain, panting slightly from it as he pulls Norton against him, pressing kisses against his neck.]
Will you stay?
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Date: 2021-12-18 06:08 pm (UTC)As long as you like.
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Date: 2021-12-18 06:23 pm (UTC)I like you in here with me. I don't think you have ever stayed over.
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Date: 2021-12-18 07:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-12-18 09:08 pm (UTC)Should I make breakfast in the morning?
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