#aka im always inclined to make dialogue changes for dimitri

[impossible-rat-babies]

Writing Snippet #31

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Dimitri has more than one caveat before jumping into a relationship with Tekehu.

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The sunset bathed just above the horizon of shimmering water, painting the sky and clouds above in brilliant shades of yellow, orange and red. Dimitri leaned against the deck railing, carefully whittling away at a piece of wood he had picked up on one of the many islands they had taken their steps into. He smoothed his fingers across a freshly cut area, his ears twitching as he heard footsteps on the deck.

The crew was all below, the evening meal going over well. Dimitri would pick up his own meal later as he always did; he was a reclusive Captain, but one who had the crew’s respect and condemnation for his actions when it counted. None of them minded that he spent meal times away from them in his own privacy.

He tucked his knife back into his belt, watching as Tekehu approached, the source of the footsteps.

“Captain, a word?” Tekehu’s eyes widened in proportion to his smile and Dimitri grinned. Tekehu always had a way of filling a room and demanding all the attention within it, Dimitri’s attention included.

“What’s on your mind?” He asked, fussing with the carved wooden piece, his thumbnail stroking the still rough edges.

Tekehu came to stand next to Dimitri and he watched the Godlike’s face until he spoke.

“You came to the Deadfire for your own reasons. The problems of others, they must be noisy obstacles by comparison.” He spoke and Dimitri held his tongue until he finished. Tekehu looked back at him, blue eyes searching his. “We both know the burden of being looked to as a source of hope.”

Dimitri heaved a sigh, pulling himself up onto the railing of the ship. He held onto the edge, just in case; the ship was steady and secure in the calm waters, but he knew to expect the unexpected.

“It tests my patience now and again.” He grumbled, sitting nearly at eye level with Tekehu. He always did prefer equal footing.

“And you wish for a moment of silence to dampen the rabble.” Tekehu let out a deep sigh and planted his hands on the railing beside Dimitri. He searched for his eyes, making no move to look away from his venture.

Dimitri swallowed hard, his gaze dancing everywhere but at Tekehu.

“Dimitri.” He spoke and his eyes snapped to his; it was rare for Tekehu to use his name and the smile on his face suggested he knew well what he was playing at. Something in Dimitri’s chest skipped several beats, his breath growing short in his lungs as he refused to break their stare.

He knew Tekehu was watching his struggle, a grin spreading across his features. His gaze never left his, something in Tekehu’s gaze searching for something deep within his eyes.

Dimitri couldn’t break away, the feeling in his chest rising up into his throat in a way that made him feel like no matter how many times he cleared his throat, it wouldn’t be enough to dislodge the feeling.

Something black in the pit of his gaze drew him in, and it didn’t take long for Dimitri to realize he was leaning close to him, his grip loose on the railing to keep him anchored. Tekehu moved a fraction closer, and he could smell the ocean on his skin.

A flickering appeared deep in Dimitri’s own eyes, something like fire silently roaring deep in the red pits of his eyes. Tekehu could swear he could almost smell the smoke, but the feeling of Dimitri’s hand pressing against his chest pulled him back.

Dimitri trailed his hand across his collar bone, feeling both the smoothness and roughness the scales had to offer under his touch. He smelled like the deep salt water and the wind that would kick up before a storm, a tingle setting the hairs of the back of the neck to rise. Tekehu’s chest rose and fell with every deep breath under Dimitri’s touch, his grin both knowing and excited.

A long moment passed between them, Dimitri’s fingertips still exploring the skin around Tekehu’s collarbone. The dying light of the sun made them shimmer in reflected oranges and reds, painting him a red fish rather than a blue one.

“It is relaxing to lose yourself in another.” He spoke so slowly that Dimitri almost missed the words. The world pulled back slightly from Tekehu, but not enough to draw him away completely.

“I’m feeling braver than normal. Ekera, a good Captain has that effect on their crew.” He nearly purred and the sensation traveled down Dimitri’s spine, sending a shiver chasing his skin. Their eyes met again and Dimitri could’ve sworn Tekehu leaned in closer. “All the powers in the Deadfire have their eyes on the Watcher of Caed Nua. Tell me, is the Watcher...watching anyone?” He tipped his head coyly to the side, his grin making Dimitri brave.

He took the necklace around Tekehu’s neck, pulling on it just enough to pull the Godlike even closer. Their faces were mere inches apart, each breath sharing the same air

“Just you, pretty fish.” Dimitri breathed, his red eyes nearly smoldering under his gaze.

“For once, Ngati answers my prayers.” He grinned and Dimitri shared the look, gently biting his tattooed lip.

“Captain, I would speak plainly. Are you as excited about the possible...what I mean is, if we were to...” Dimitri blinked at his words, especially as he cleared his throat and studied him, eyes wide and imploring. He was far from used to modesty from Tekehu.

Dimitri hummed, gently teasing at the necklace he still held, keeping their faces close. “Let’s say I’m intrigued. Speak on.” He urged, letting go of the necklace as he pulled himself back. Tekehu pulled away as well, not realizing how much the elf had pulled him close. The thought would’ve made his flush if the story in his head hadn’t already made him flush.

“If such things interest you, my last...haphazard coupling was no so long ago. In Neketaka in fact.” He chuckled to himself, lips pursing in thought.

“Sounds like you have a story to tell.” Dimtri urged him on, watching the Godlike intently.

“Ekera, I am the hope and destiny of my people. My heart is full of stories.” He reminded him and something in Dimitri’s laugh made his heart skip a beat.

“She was a Godlike—one of Amira’s brood, her hair as neat and orderly as a raven’s wing.” He launched into his story, pulling out a black feather from a pouch on his belt. He drew his fingers down the fibers, smiling in rememberance.

“We found each other in the market, and...made ourselves comfortable behind a fishmonger’s stall. She left me this as a keepsake.” He sighed, holding the feather up to the dying light painting the sky deeper shades of orange.

Dimitri watched silently, a soft smile on his face while his eyes tracked his every movement.

“I never knew her name. Now I do not have to suffer the pangs of forgetting it.” Sighing, he let the feather fall from his hands. It danced across the sky before it fell into the ocean, disappearing to Ondra’s depths.

“Didn’t you want to keep that?” Dimitri asked and Tekehu hummed, eyes tracing the path the feather had taken.

“Most desperately...but I do not cage love or force it to be anything but itself. A bird fluttered away. She was not mine to keep.” He looked back to Dimitri and he cocked an eyebrow. Dimitri’s ears reddened and he looked away, moving his hair from his face.

“That was some fast seduction on your part.” He remarked, looking at him. Tekehu gave a knowing grin, teeth flashing.

“It helps when both parties are beautiful, full of desire, and have no afternoon plans.” Tekehu hummed and Dimitri gave a weak nod. He bit his lip, wondering how much that meant for him. It couldn’t; Tekehu was and had many things Dimitri lacked and he knew he didn’t have much of anything to offer back. It was a pointless venture.

“I was expected at the guildhall, but one must have their priorities.”

“If you are trying to charm me, talking about your past lovers is a strange way to do it.” Dimitri spoke quickly after he finished, a serious expression crossing his face. Tekehu blinked and chuckled, curiosity kissing his tone.

“Charm? Not so Captain. I would have you know me by my desires. These are the Tekehu as much as the living god.” He explained and Dimitri shook his head, chewing his lip.

“And who do those desires encompass?” He inquired and Tekehu gave a knowing grin.

“Well, the one before me is awful tempting.” He proposed and Dimitri snickered bitterly, jumping off the railing to walk away. And now the gig was up.

“And that is the problem...” He spoke just loud enough for Tekehu to hear and the Godlike let out a chuckle, folding his arms over his chest while his eyes tracked Dimitri’s every movement.

“Ekera, how so?” He asked incredulously and Dimitri shook his head, stopping his pacing around the deck. He let out a heavy breath, shaking his head yet again.

“I am...many things, but desirable is far from them.” He fussed with his hands, running them up his arms. He couldn’t feel the scars, but he knew they lingered under his thin cotton shirt. “I am picky, overthink...this body of mine is a...a disaster is one word that would come of it. Hardly a decent comparison, or match—” He bit his lip and Tekehu quickly stopped him, putting his hands on his shoulders. His shoulders were so small in his hold, but Dimitri refused to look at him.

“Dimitri.” Tekehu spoke. “I do not want you to misunderstand. I am a sea anemone—hungry and eager to close around stimulation. I would draw you in with care. With patience. Regardless of what you believe about yourself.” He raised a brow and studied Dimitri, looking for a reaction.

Dimitri’s lips pursed to a thin line, refusing the urge to shake his head. He sighed instead, chewing his lip again.

“If...if you—I cannot deny my attraction to you. And if you believe this persuing of each other is a worthy venture...” He spoke and he saw a question rise with Tekehu’s brow.

“I don’t wish to misunderstand me.” He added quickly. “My...my ameanablity has nothing to do with your status. It bears no will towards me in these matters. It’s all simply...internal for me. I wouldn’t wish to give you an unworthy chase.” Dimitri explained and Tekehu chuckled, carefully lifting his chin before he took his face in his hands. They were cool to the touch, a surprise he had not anticipated.

“Ekera, the chase shall be a worthy one for both of us.” He smiled in a genuine way Dimitri had yet to have seen. He pulled away a moment later, blue eyes easily looking him up and down, clearly appreciating the view.

Dimitri’s face flushed along with his cheeks, pale freckles in stark contrast to his deep complexion. He opened his mouth to speak, but Tekehu spoke over him.

“We could blunt our teeth on more chatter, but...I cherish the suspense.” He grinned, beckoning for Dimitri to follow him down into the hold.

As Tekehu finished speaking, his words slowed to a crawl, the world paling and slowing as well. The sensation of sinking into a pool of water began to touch him gently, starting at his ankles and easily washing up the rest of his body. Dimitri took a breath he knew he didn’t need, but he took it nonetheless.

I want better for him than you.

Ngati’s voice rang out in his head, her great bulbous eyes narrowing to pinpricks. A shiver crawled down Dimitri’s spine, more left unspoken between them. But the sensation of saltwater filling his nose pulled him away, the world reaassembling itself in front of his eyes. Even so, the sensation of moisture and depth pulled away, the sensation tracing his skin for longer than required. A reminder one might call it.

Tekehu paused and looked back at Dimitri, a question in his face. He easily waved him on, joining him. He gestured again towards the door, a strained smile painting his face. He glanced out of the doorway to the deep blood red sky and a soft sigh escaped his nose. He quickly shook his head however, dipping down into the hold below.