(( Is he joking? Probably not. Being the presence of something so very malicious is a feat. Standing strong in its face? Herculean. Even Emmanuel, who's gone toe-to-toe with some vile, evil creatures, wasn't fully prepared for the devil himself. When he's less exhausted by the encounter, he'll have the sense to feel a little bit pleased with himself over it.
For now, he's so happy to have Osiris help support him. He's not confident he could walk on his own at this point.
Lucas pads closer once the throwing up is done (gross!). Once he sees that the priest is still conscious, he discards worry and offers Osiris a smile. ))
Candy is my favorite form of currency, but I'll accept ice cream, too. How do you plan on getting out of here? Did you drive or...?
I can certainly manage those. [Osiris's smile is a bit wan, given the state of the man hanging off him, but it reaches his eyes.] Next time we meet, there will be ice cream and candy involved. And I drove us here so we'll be alright getting back, thank you.
[Once Lucas is back out of earshot, Osiris shoots Emmanuel a sidelong glance and says, with the slightest hint of humor in his voice:] If you have any objections to me picking you up and carrying you to the car, you'd best voice them now.
[And if he doesn't object, that's exactly what Osiris will do: bend down, loop his other arm behind Emmanuel's knees, and carry him out of the old works yard as if he weighed little more than a small child.]
(( There's only a weak objection. Please, carry him like a man on your back, Osiris! This princess carry is humiliating! As evidenced by the very weak kicking of his feet. ))
I'm really going to sleep for days... Don't be worried, okay?
That isn't a promise I could keep. But I will try to keep the worrying to a minimum.
[Osiris just knows himself too well. There'll be a certain amount of pacing, watching his face, watching his chest to make sure he's still breathing, all the classics. He's sure Horus will be in the same state - and that gives Osiris an idea, one that he doesn't think he'll trouble Emmanuel with right now. Let him awaken after his long sleep to find two people watching over and caring for him; it can be a pleasant surprise.
Back at the car, Osiris sets Emmanuel back on his feet and helps him in, then climbs into the driver's side and notices the phone he left charging on the aux cord absolutely blowing up with messages. Another text alert pops up before he can even take out his keys and he chuckles to himself.]
Feel free to put your seat back and doze, if you like - unless you have anything you'd like to tell Horus, because he's demanding information right this second.
(( He talks as if he's coming to be comatose for days when the truth is he'll wake up long enough to eat something, use the toilet, maybe wash up, then go right back to bed. It's a routine he's familiar with after facing particularly foul beasties.
Once he's settled in the car, Emmanuel reclines the seat just a little (not enough to be fully laying down), but he eyes Osiris buzzing phone. He wouldn't take it without Osiris' permission, which is granted before he even asks. Somehow, seeing the evidence of so much concern makes something very warm blossom in his chest.
Everything's ok, he writes back. This is Emmanuel btw. Heading back now. Going to sleep a while. Bye.))
[Horus is waiting in the hotel parking lot when Osiris and Emmanuel return, his face pale with worry. He rushes over as Osiris gently shakes Emmanuel awake and opens the passenger side door, then crouches down to get a good look at Emmanuel's physical state right away.]
His color is actually better than it was when we left, [Osiris reports when he sees the alarm on Horus's face, and that news does give Horus the strength to take a more joking approach instead of fussing over him like Osiris has undoubtedly done.]
Not gonna lie, man, you look like roadkill. No more dealing with the devil for you.
[Horus is ready to help him out of the car, and both of them will assist however he needs to get him to their room - though if Horus carries him, it'll be thrown over his shoulder rather than bridal carry.]
(( Emmanuel drifts off very quickly once he puts Osiris' phone down. Especially once they're driving and the soothing vibrations of the vehicle help. However, when Osiris wakes him, it's easy despite his exhaustion. It really feels like he's just done battle with the worst monster he's ever faced and all he did was stand int he devil's presence.
He offers a silent smile in thanks to Osiris (for waking him, for driving while he slept) and then a very subtle frown pulls at his lips when he sees Horus' worry. Thankfully, he follows up with a joke that sets Emmanuel at ease. ))
I think... I think you may be right. He's... a lot.
(( No, no more carrying please! Emmanuel will accept Horus' help in hauling himself out of the car and lean on one or both Osiris and Horus to get to the room. He should change into pajamas but... he's really just tired to the marrow of his bones and wants nothing more than to faceplant into the bed. At least he'll get his shoes off first. ))
[Once they're back in the room, Horus takes over keeping Emmanuel upright while Osiris turns down the bed for him. The two of them didn't plan any of this and yet they don't have to speak at all - when the task is caring for Emmanuel, they just seem to be in perfect sync.
Sure enough, Emmanuel knocks out the moment he climbs into bed. Neither Horus nor Osiris can bring themselves to leave at this point and they're both rather worn out as well, Osiris from the meeting and Horus from worrying about it, so what to do next seems rather obvious.
The first time Emmanuel awakens from his deep restorative sleep, he'll find himself snuggled between the two gods that have fallen in love with him. Horus lies in front of him, facing him with one of Emmanuel's hands in his own, while Osiris is curled up behind him with his forehead resting lightly against the nape of Emmanuel's neck.]
(( All Emmanuel manages is to unbutton his shirt cuffs and the second button at his collar before the gods tuck him in for a proper sleep. AS soon as his head is against a pillow and the blankets pulled up around him, he's lost to the world. Please don't have any emergencies without him.
When he does rouse for the first time, some hours later, it's only briefly to turn and readjust, completely unaware that he's not alone on the bed. It's more hours before he actually opens his eyes. Though he didn't fight anything, he feels like he did. His body aches like every muscle was exerted too much for too long. It takes a moment for him to realize he's pleasantly warm.
Pleasantly warm because he's surrounded. Even resting with him like this, they're both being so considerate of his boundaries. Emmanuel doesn't want to wake them. They must be tired, too, after everything. Maybe they all should have gone back to the Church's private medical facility so they wouldn't have to get up for anything. Then again, Horus and Osiris would never have been able to lay with him like this if they had.
If they went there, Emmanuel wouldn't have the courage to curl his fingers between Horus', to tip his head back against Osiris'. It's a stolen moment: this peaceful bliss between the three of them during the chaotic battle. Double so because it forces Emmanuel dangerously close to a line he's no longer sure he won't cross. ))
I'm awake.
(( Said so very softly, as if he doesn't actually want to rouse the others. ))
[Horus is the first to stir at the sound of Emmanuel's voice, attuned as he is to the sound of it from this time spent guarding his safety. He lets out a drowsy noise and stretches out his legs like a comfortable cat, then cracks an eye open and grins at Emmanuel.
This really is a stolen moment of perfection, not least of all because his father's presence on Emmanuel's other side keeps Horus from even considering any actions that could ruin their peace. It's a lesson in how to admire Emmanuel's features when they're all flushed and muzzy with sleep, to bask in his natural warmth and scent, without automatically defaulting to desire as a first reaction. And oh, Horus doesn't think he could possibly be any crazier about Emmanuel when he sees him like this: every guard lowered, impossibly soft and vulnerable.]
Hey. [Horus speaks in the same quiet tone; maybe it's greedy of him when he spends every morning with Emmanuel, but he doesn't want to share this moment just yet.] How're you feeling?
[On Emmanuel's other side, Osiris lets out a snuffling breath and nuzzles closer but still seems to be dozing.]
(( Maybe he shouldn't be so taken with the way Horus looks right now, half-asleep, relaxed from just waking. And oh the way he's looking at Emmanuel. He'd eagerly face the devil himself again for a moment like this.
And the warmth of Osiris behind him. He can tell the other god's curled against him, even being mindful of their contact in sleep. But that minimal contact is an anchor that reminds Emmanuel Osiris is there. He didn't leave the priest's side, either when there's so much still to be done.
For a few second's, Emmanuel's utterly speechless. He squeezes Horus's hand lightly, his own eyes drifting closed again. ))
I'll order some food for all of us. Take your time getting up.
[As soon as Horus frees his hand from Emmanuel's, he's unable to resist the urge to comb his fingers through the priest's tousled hair. Just once, just an affectionate little caress with no heat behind it, but it still feels on the border of forbidden when they're lying in bed together.
Then he sits up and checks his phone - no messages, which feels like a good thing for the moment. This rare sliver of peace can last just a bit longer. Yawning hugely, he shuffles into the bathroom.]
[Here's something Emmanuel doesn't know and might not have guessed about Osiris - he skates by on so little sleep as a rule that when he actually lies down and lets himself get a proper rest, he takes much longer to wake up than Horus. He's still closer to asleep than awake as Horus leaves the room, and looking considerably less regal than usual with his long black hair covering the better part of his face and his mouth hanging open.
He's also blissfully comfortable with a warm body in bed beside him, something he's missed for awhile, and that might be a large part of why he keeps avoiding the tug of wakefulness to doze a bit longer.]
(( Horus is right. It does feel like it's toeing a line. But Emmanuel can't help wanting it. Just this small piece of affection to burn into his memory. He can't help the way he tilts his head subtly against Horus's hand until the second it's gone.
Once the mattress shifts as Horus gets up, Emmanuel pries his eyes open again. Then he turns, gently so as not to disturb Osiris, but also still feeling very heavy. He's never seen Osiris like this before: all the worries gone from his face, softening his features (does Emmanuel look the same to them when he sleeps, he wonders). He reaches over with some significant hesitance to brush the hair away from the god's face. ))
Rest longer if you need to.
(( Such a very quiet line, spoken as if meant only to live in the small space between them. ))
[That touch is what finally pulls Osiris back to the waking world, along with the deep flush its gentle tenderness brings to his cheeks. Yes, he's aware enough to know who's touching him and register Emmanuel's words, but that still doesn't prepare him for the reality that will greet his eyes when they open and sure enough -]
Oh - ! [He gasps at Emmanuel's close proximity, his heart suddenly racing. There are so many little details about the priest's features that Osiris has never noticed until now: the length and thickness of his lashes, for example, and how much fuller his top lip is than his lower one. Being this close to him is electric. Nothing could've prepared Osiris for the feeling.
And now is entirely the wrong time to bask in the electricity for a moment longer, so Osiris forces himself to sit up and finger-combs the rest of his hair back himself.]
That's alright, I'm just being indulgent at this point... did Horus leave somewhere?
[At least he's not immediately visible, which means he didn't have to witness that moment between Emmanuel and Osiris. Awkward wouldn't have begun to cover it.]
(( The proximity was fine when Osiris was still half asleep. Yes, now that they're both awake and able to look in each other's eyes... It feels much warmer than it was a moment ago. Yet, he feels a little bereft when Osiris sits up and puts some extra space between them. He shouldn't. Emmanuel knows he shouldn't feel that way, but he does.
The priest pushes himself up with some effort. His mind still feels hazy and his body like lead. He may be awake now, but he clearly still needs more rest. Once he's upright, he looks toward the bathroom door. ))
(( Something sad creeps unmasked into his features and his eyes go distant. ))
I was told I slept for the better part of a week after I ripped the demon out of my brother...
(( He was told because he doesn't remember. That whole part of his life is hazy at best. Emmanuel always figured that was the mind and heart's way of coping with the loss and the guilt. ))
[There's nothing Osiris can say to that. No words would be sufficient. He just takes hold of Emmanuel's hand and gives it a firm squeeze, and when Horus emerges from the bathroom and looks from Emmanuel to Osiris in concern, Osiris waves him over without speaking.
Something about the look on Emmanuel's face tells Horus everything he needs to know. He sits on the bed in front of the two of them and grabs Emmanuel's other hand.]
However long it takes this time, we'll be here. This is the very least we can do.
[And for the first time, the seed of an idea is planted in Osiris's mind: there must be something more I can do to help Emmanuel heal this wound. But what?]
(( It's always hard opening up much about Elijah. What more does anyone close enough to him need to know other than he had a twin and now he doesn't? Osiris might know the most about it outside of his own blood relatives. Has Emmanuel even told Horus he's the one who killed his brother? He's pretty sure he hasn't because it might change things... And he doesn't want things between them to change.
Emmanuel gives a little shake of his head, maybe to wake up more or maybe to press back the memories and feelings. He squeezes his eyes closed, scrunches up his whole face to ward it all off. But it's impossible to forget the hands holding his and the clutches them tightly. A momentary lifeline to pull himself out of exhaustion-induced wallowing. ))
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(( Is he joking? Probably not. Being the presence of something so very malicious is a feat. Standing strong in its face? Herculean. Even Emmanuel, who's gone toe-to-toe with some vile, evil creatures, wasn't fully prepared for the devil himself. When he's less exhausted by the encounter, he'll have the sense to feel a little bit pleased with himself over it.
For now, he's so happy to have Osiris help support him. He's not confident he could walk on his own at this point.
Lucas pads closer once the throwing up is done (gross!). Once he sees that the priest is still conscious, he discards worry and offers Osiris a smile. ))
Candy is my favorite form of currency, but I'll accept ice cream, too. How do you plan on getting out of here? Did you drive or...?
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[Once Lucas is back out of earshot, Osiris shoots Emmanuel a sidelong glance and says, with the slightest hint of humor in his voice:] If you have any objections to me picking you up and carrying you to the car, you'd best voice them now.
[And if he doesn't object, that's exactly what Osiris will do: bend down, loop his other arm behind Emmanuel's knees, and carry him out of the old works yard as if he weighed little more than a small child.]
1/2
You're my, uh, second favorite god!
2/2
I'm really going to sleep for days... Don't be worried, okay?
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[Osiris just knows himself too well. There'll be a certain amount of pacing, watching his face, watching his chest to make sure he's still breathing, all the classics. He's sure Horus will be in the same state - and that gives Osiris an idea, one that he doesn't think he'll trouble Emmanuel with right now. Let him awaken after his long sleep to find two people watching over and caring for him; it can be a pleasant surprise.
Back at the car, Osiris sets Emmanuel back on his feet and helps him in, then climbs into the driver's side and notices the phone he left charging on the aux cord absolutely blowing up with messages. Another text alert pops up before he can even take out his keys and he chuckles to himself.]
Feel free to put your seat back and doze, if you like - unless you have anything you'd like to tell Horus, because he's demanding information right this second.
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(( He talks as if he's coming to be comatose for days when the truth is he'll wake up long enough to eat something, use the toilet, maybe wash up, then go right back to bed. It's a routine he's familiar with after facing particularly foul beasties.
Once he's settled in the car, Emmanuel reclines the seat just a little (not enough to be fully laying down), but he eyes Osiris buzzing phone. He wouldn't take it without Osiris' permission, which is granted before he even asks. Somehow, seeing the evidence of so much concern makes something very warm blossom in his chest.
Everything's ok, he writes back. This is Emmanuel btw. Heading back now. Going to sleep a while. Bye. ))
Wake me when we get wherever we're going.
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His color is actually better than it was when we left, [Osiris reports when he sees the alarm on Horus's face, and that news does give Horus the strength to take a more joking approach instead of fussing over him like Osiris has undoubtedly done.]
Not gonna lie, man, you look like roadkill. No more dealing with the devil for you.
[Horus is ready to help him out of the car, and both of them will assist however he needs to get him to their room - though if Horus carries him, it'll be thrown over his shoulder rather than bridal carry.]
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He offers a silent smile in thanks to Osiris (for waking him, for driving while he slept) and then a very subtle frown pulls at his lips when he sees Horus' worry. Thankfully, he follows up with a joke that sets Emmanuel at ease. ))
I think... I think you may be right. He's... a lot.
(( No, no more carrying please! Emmanuel will accept Horus' help in hauling himself out of the car and lean on one or both Osiris and Horus to get to the room. He should change into pajamas but... he's really just tired to the marrow of his bones and wants nothing more than to faceplant into the bed. At least he'll get his shoes off first. ))
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Sure enough, Emmanuel knocks out the moment he climbs into bed. Neither Horus nor Osiris can bring themselves to leave at this point and they're both rather worn out as well, Osiris from the meeting and Horus from worrying about it, so what to do next seems rather obvious.
The first time Emmanuel awakens from his deep restorative sleep, he'll find himself snuggled between the two gods that have fallen in love with him. Horus lies in front of him, facing him with one of Emmanuel's hands in his own, while Osiris is curled up behind him with his forehead resting lightly against the nape of Emmanuel's neck.]
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When he does rouse for the first time, some hours later, it's only briefly to turn and readjust, completely unaware that he's not alone on the bed. It's more hours before he actually opens his eyes. Though he didn't fight anything, he feels like he did. His body aches like every muscle was exerted too much for too long. It takes a moment for him to realize he's pleasantly warm.
Pleasantly warm because he's surrounded. Even resting with him like this, they're both being so considerate of his boundaries. Emmanuel doesn't want to wake them. They must be tired, too, after everything. Maybe they all should have gone back to the Church's private medical facility so they wouldn't have to get up for anything. Then again, Horus and Osiris would never have been able to lay with him like this if they had.
If they went there, Emmanuel wouldn't have the courage to curl his fingers between Horus', to tip his head back against Osiris'. It's a stolen moment: this peaceful bliss between the three of them during the chaotic battle. Double so because it forces Emmanuel dangerously close to a line he's no longer sure he won't cross. ))
I'm awake.
(( Said so very softly, as if he doesn't actually want to rouse the others. ))
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This really is a stolen moment of perfection, not least of all because his father's presence on Emmanuel's other side keeps Horus from even considering any actions that could ruin their peace. It's a lesson in how to admire Emmanuel's features when they're all flushed and muzzy with sleep, to bask in his natural warmth and scent, without automatically defaulting to desire as a first reaction. And oh, Horus doesn't think he could possibly be any crazier about Emmanuel when he sees him like this: every guard lowered, impossibly soft and vulnerable.]
Hey. [Horus speaks in the same quiet tone; maybe it's greedy of him when he spends every morning with Emmanuel, but he doesn't want to share this moment just yet.] How're you feeling?
[On Emmanuel's other side, Osiris lets out a snuffling breath and nuzzles closer but still seems to be dozing.]
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And the warmth of Osiris behind him. He can tell the other god's curled against him, even being mindful of their contact in sleep. But that minimal contact is an anchor that reminds Emmanuel Osiris is there. He didn't leave the priest's side, either when there's so much still to be done.
For a few second's, Emmanuel's utterly speechless. He squeezes Horus's hand lightly, his own eyes drifting closed again. ))
Still tired. But also hungry.
1/2
[As soon as Horus frees his hand from Emmanuel's, he's unable to resist the urge to comb his fingers through the priest's tousled hair. Just once, just an affectionate little caress with no heat behind it, but it still feels on the border of forbidden when they're lying in bed together.
Then he sits up and checks his phone - no messages, which feels like a good thing for the moment. This rare sliver of peace can last just a bit longer. Yawning hugely, he shuffles into the bathroom.]
2/2
He's also blissfully comfortable with a warm body in bed beside him, something he's missed for awhile, and that might be a large part of why he keeps avoiding the tug of wakefulness to doze a bit longer.]
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Once the mattress shifts as Horus gets up, Emmanuel pries his eyes open again. Then he turns, gently so as not to disturb Osiris, but also still feeling very heavy. He's never seen Osiris like this before: all the worries gone from his face, softening his features (does Emmanuel look the same to them when he sleeps, he wonders). He reaches over with some significant hesitance to brush the hair away from the god's face. ))
Rest longer if you need to.
(( Such a very quiet line, spoken as if meant only to live in the small space between them. ))
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Oh - ! [He gasps at Emmanuel's close proximity, his heart suddenly racing. There are so many little details about the priest's features that Osiris has never noticed until now: the length and thickness of his lashes, for example, and how much fuller his top lip is than his lower one. Being this close to him is electric. Nothing could've prepared Osiris for the feeling.
And now is entirely the wrong time to bask in the electricity for a moment longer, so Osiris forces himself to sit up and finger-combs the rest of his hair back himself.]
That's alright, I'm just being indulgent at this point... did Horus leave somewhere?
[At least he's not immediately visible, which means he didn't have to witness that moment between Emmanuel and Osiris. Awkward wouldn't have begun to cover it.]
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The priest pushes himself up with some effort. His mind still feels hazy and his body like lead. He may be awake now, but he clearly still needs more rest. Once he's upright, he looks toward the bathroom door. ))
He's just in there.
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Oh, and Emmanuel still looks quite tired now that he's sat up, too. Osiris can't help but smile sympathetically, and more than a little bit fondly.]
You've barely even started sleeping this off, have you? Poor thing.
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I was told I slept for the better part of a week after I ripped the demon out of my brother...
(( He was told because he doesn't remember. That whole part of his life is hazy at best. Emmanuel always figured that was the mind and heart's way of coping with the loss and the guilt. ))
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Something about the look on Emmanuel's face tells Horus everything he needs to know. He sits on the bed in front of the two of them and grabs Emmanuel's other hand.]
However long it takes this time, we'll be here. This is the very least we can do.
[And for the first time, the seed of an idea is planted in Osiris's mind: there must be something more I can do to help Emmanuel heal this wound. But what?]
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Emmanuel gives a little shake of his head, maybe to wake up more or maybe to press back the memories and feelings. He squeezes his eyes closed, scrunches up his whole face to ward it all off. But it's impossible to forget the hands holding his and the clutches them tightly. A momentary lifeline to pull himself out of exhaustion-induced wallowing. ))
I don't think it will be that long.