calderamemes | TDM #4

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!tdm

TDM #4

ARRIVAL

It happens in an instant. A heavy weight in your gut, a trembling of your limbs, the world spins and you barely have time to register that you're falling before you lose consciousness. And when you awaken, it's not where you were last. Dark, unadorned oak walls surround you in a tiny room, the only furniture the bed you are currently resting upon, and the bedside table with a folded piece of parchment resting atop it that simply reads:

“The Tavernkeeper is awaiting your arrival downstairs.”

As you exit you find others like yourself emerging from the surrounding rooms. You are indeed in a tavern, but there is no hustle and bustle one might think to hear in such a place. The only person down on the main floor is a humanoid figure wiping down the bar, who smiles when they see you. They're familiar, but not, and you can't quite place their face. For some reason, however, their presence is comforting and warm.

“Welcome, Visitor. I'm sure you have a lot of questions.”

And you most certainly do.

Due to popular demand, the starter tavern and the drinks provided are available to in game characters via a portal accessible only to those with a faction gem.

DRINK MENU

WINTER'S WHISPER A fragrant spiced tea that calms the nerves and inspires the drinker to share their hopes and dreams.

JINGLE BELL A crisp, bright drink...that makes jingling bell sounds as you walk. There are no bells, and yet you jingle.

S(LAY) RIDE This drink has an earthy, woody taste. Almost as woody as the tavern floor it forces you to lie down upon. You cannot get up unless someone else helps you.

MISTLETOE MEAD Made with honey from enchanted bee hives and a touch of mistletoe leaves. Time to find a smoochin' partner!

HOLLY JOLLY SPICE A bold and fiery blend of rum, cinnamon, and cloves with a secret twist—just a dash of enchanted holly berry syrup that makes your cheeks flush with warmth and your laughter contagious. One sip, and you're the life of the party, even if you're by yourself.

CANDY CANE CRUSH A festive burst of minty sweetness with a cool, refreshing sensation that tingles the tongue. The drinker’s mood subtly shifts the color of their surroundings, briefly changing the hues of objects or lights in the room to match their feelings.

GINGERBREAD MAN A thick drink that tastes exactly like a gingerbread cookie. However, candy and other delicious accents start appearing on you as if YOU were the cookie. Is that icing on your nose? Candied cherries in your hair? Gumdrop buttons? But on the bright side, free candy!

CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY

As the effects of your drink wear off, the Tavernkeeper speaks once more:

”It is time, my friends, for you to find your new homes.”

You are compelled to walk through the only door leading out of the tavern, finding yourself not outside, but in a deep black, seemingly endless room with five portals arranged in a circle. As the last of you leave and the door closes behind you, gone when you look back again and replaced with nothing but that black void, three of the portals illuminate:

The first portal is surrounded by an almost blinding light, prismatic rainbows shining brightly in the dewy air outside of the tavern. A soft breeze may gently caress you, pulling you toward it. The portal seems to lead to a city in the clouds, airships and winged beings of all sorts soaring through the skies. Of the little bits of visible land, much of it boasts giant waterfalls that look like clouds melting into the land below. The portal calls to those who crave independence and freedom; and especially to anyone that wishes to find the strong bond of a family not forged in blood.

The second portal is encircled by a fairy ring of spotted white capped mushrooms, the faint scent of damp stone and rich earth wafting from within the faint green glow. Peering inside, one can see a sprawling harbor city of gray hewn stone, a melting pot of humanoid beings going about their day, and beyond, rolling green farmland and cottages clustered in small villages. This portal is destined for those who crave stability and solid ground beneath their feet. A simple life, an adventurous one, and everything in between can be found within.

The last portal is adorned with shells and seaweed, the glow of blue around it catching on droplets cascading down the circular opening. Beyond it you see a city housed inside a massive bubble deep under the ocean, spiraling towers encrusted with coral, and a variety of different creatures mingling about the streets. Outside of that bubble, merfolk swim, a massive squid engulfs the view from the portal as it smoothly glides through the water, and schools of fish disperse as it passes. A sanctuary in the sea that calls to those with a hunger for knowledge and a desire to aid those in need. Or perhaps it is the mystery that beckons you - the lure of the unknown in the depths that bids you explore it.

Upon following the pull of the breeze through the first portal, you are thrust into the beauty of a lively city that goes by the name of Heaven's Bow. Much of this main city feels exactly as you would expect on a city below, but there are clouds surrounding every direction you look. The walls of buildings are made with light-colored limestone, and buildings are generally built up to heights made even more grandiose by their position in the sky.

The Skyfall Docks are the first thing you notice, boasting hundreds of airships sailing in and out across the clouds with shouts that accompany a typical port city. Just outside is a fantastic market with goods not only from the other regions of Caldera, but from what some shopkeepers claim are other worlds--items sold or left behind by Visitors. Almost anything can be found in the markets if one is willing to look hard enough. Transport to other locations throughout the sky and even to the land or sea can be found here.

If the docks are too lively for you, you may instead find yourself roaming the underbelly of Heaven's Bow and finding brothels and gambling parlors filled with the promise of pleasure and fortune. The guild house for the Sylphs can be found here as well, giving out quests and training to prospective adventurers and guards alike--though none of them seem concerned with the illicit activities that surround them. Perhaps the freedom the Sylphs boast of extends to what others may deem an undesirable activity.

But most curious of all, you find a shimmering opal gemstone in your hand. When placed anywhere on the body, it will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.

If it was the second portal that called to you, you will find yourself in the busy city of Grey Ward, with its cobblestone streets and sturdy grey stone buildings. You are in the heart of the city, the Glass Market, so named for the colorful stained glass windows of the surrounding buildings. The scent of cooking food and the sound of barkers fills the air; watchful guards keep an eye out for pickpockets and thieves, and citizens go about their day. From here, one can investigate the rest of the city: the Sundown Docks, where both sea and sky faring skips transport people and goods. The Soot Spire, home of inventors and engineers. The Hearthstill, the main residential area. The Downs, a smaller residential area for those with less means.

Outside the city walls, one can explore acres of farmlands to the east and west, or follow Terra’s Pass to the less settled areas, but take care. Past the Skyward Range, out in the smaller burrows and villages, the influence of the city guard diminishes quickly, and you’ll have to keep your wits about you. Bandits along the road are always a risk, and the wildlife are less controlled by regimented hunting.

In your hand is a gemstone, a brilliantly green emerald that, when placed anywhere on the body, will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.

If the last portal beckoned you through it, you find yourself within that bubble covered city beneath the sea, the city of Salt Spire. Your ears pop with the change in pressure, and the smell of the salty sea fills your nostrils. All around you buildings made of dark stone encrusted with coral and seagrass tower high above your head, the backdrop outside the dome a deep blue, seemingly endless sea filled with fish and merfolk and all other manner of creature swimming through the water. You stand in the heart of it all, surrounded by people with gils on their necks and scales upon their vibrantly colored skin, all of whom seem intrigued by your arrival. You have many options of where to visit in the city under the sea, but where oh where will you go first?

The Salt Spire Library is right before you, an impossibly large building housing thousands upon thousands of books of all genres. Fiction, non-fiction, romance and mystery and all between. You may even find books from your world and others! Oddly enough though, no Calderan history books are to be found, and if you ask for them, the librarians and locals all choose to ignore your questions.

If scholarly pursuits aren't to your interest currently, perhaps a trip to Bluetide Market would be more your style? The marketplace is host to every manner of shop one might ever need: artisans of all varieties, apothecaries and healers in the Shimmer Quarter, the most in fashion undersea clothing shops, food stalls, and all between can be found in Bluetide. There are also the Tideshore and Fogbottom docks on either end of the city. The former allows transport to the surface via large, magical bubbles for those that cannot hold their breath or make the swim themselves yet. The latter allows people to venture further into the sea. Those without their underwater abilities are offered rebreathers for travel that last for four hours before needing to be replaced.

In your hand is a gemstone, a shining sapphire that, when placed anywhere on the body, will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.

Visitors in all starter cities are offered a standard home with basic necessities provided (your choice in design, etc.) that can house 1-4 people if they so choose. Home upgrades can be purchased via rewards.

FANNING THE FLAMES

The renewed seething of the lava flows brought on by the tempestuous events deep below the sea seem to have been dealt with, though city guards have been stationed around the crater and are barring anyone from approaching to investigate any further than the outskirts. Interestingly, not only does the crater seem calm, it appears to be changing. Any remaining lava flow is being directed as if by unseen hands, and when the light catches just right, the barest hint of a shimmer can be detected surrounding the glowing rivers. New rock formations take shape as the days pass, though one never can catch the presence of a mason working on the structures. It's as if something intangible or invisible is repairing what was broken, turning what was previously chaos and ruin into order and life.

SEASON OF LIGHT

The world remains unsettled, still bearing the scars of the trials endured just a month prior, not to mention the oddities happening with the volcanic crater and the ominous shadows creeping in from the sea continue to haunt the collective psyche, leaving both locals and visitors on constant edge, fearful of a sudden, unprovoked assault. Despite these lingering anxieties, the leaders have publicly reassured all that calm has been restored. They claim that the worst is behind them and that every measure is being taken to prevent such devastating magics from ever threatening Salt Spire again. The protective bubble holds, new Undine are being ushered into their roles, and the world, it is said, is slowly healing. Or so they claim.

Whether or not the assurances of the leaders ring entirely true, life, as it often does, presses on. The people of Caldera have once again immersed themselves in the comforting bustle of distraction, turning their attention to the imminent Season of Lights celebrations. This holiday, it seems, bears a striking resemblance to the festive cheer of Christmas (and a mix of new years), with gifts exchanged in abundance and decorations of shimmering silver and radiant blue casting their glow across the sky, sea, and land in harmonious splendor.

One of the seasons's highlights is the grand Feast of the Sky, a night when the people gather beneath a star-filled canopy to exchange gifts—ornate trinkets, hand-crafted items, and tokens of affection that carry deep personal meaning. In the days leading up to the feast, a tradition of "Lightwalking" emerges, where families and friends embark on midnight strolls through streets aglow with lanterns, singing carols and sharing stories of hope and renewal. Sea-going vessels, too, partake in the festivities, their sails and riggings festooned with glowing orbs that drift like stars across the waters.

The Season of Lights is, above all, a celebration of resilience, a time when the people of Caldera set aside their worries, if only for a little while, to bask in the glow of community, generosity, and the promise of brighter days ahead thanks to the Visitor's arrival...

THE GRAND MASQUERADE

Another highlight of the season is the Grand Masquerade that unfolds high above the world in Heaven’s Bow, the floating city where the wind dances in the sky and the stars seem close enough to touch. The event is more than just a celebration of the Season of Lights—it’s a gathering of hope, a last-ditch effort to save Caldera from its slow unraveling. Here, among the clouds and the wind, the people of Caldera and the mysterious Visitors from other worlds come together in a shimmering, ethereal celebration, their faces hidden behind elaborate masks and appropriately fancy dress provided when one steps through the threshold of the castle gates.

The palace at the heart of Heaven’s Bow is a breathtaking sight, its walls adorned with silver and blue decorations that catch the light from thousands of lanterns floating in mid-air. The atmosphere is both jubilant and tense, a world on the brink of collapse holding its breath in the hopes that this fleeting night will offer a glimmer of salvation. The sky above is painted with the colors of dusk and dawn, swirling in a palette of purples, blues, and silvers.

Sylphs—the free-spirited, airborn people of the Sky—flutter about, their wings glinting in the light, performing acrobatic feats in the air, their laughter and music mingling with the sounds of the celebration. Guests, their masks intricate and stunning, move among the crowd, exchanging pleasantries and stories, some joining in the dances while others linger near the grand tables, laden with food and drink from every corner of Caldera and beyond.

As the night unfolds, the guests find themselves drawn into different corners of the event—each space offering the Visitors a chance to prove themselves worthy of the leaders’ favor. There is no shortage of opportunities to learn, grow, and, perhaps, change the course of this dying world.

THE SKY'S ASCENSION

At one end of the palace's terrace, a floating platform hovers above the clouds, surrounded by shifting air currents. Sylphs glide effortlessly through the space, their wings leaving trails of light as they move to the lively music, which seems written by the wind itself.

Aella, Admiral of the Slyph, stands at the center of the platform, her cloak of shimmering feathers rippling in the breeze. She surveys the crowd, inviting those brave enough to take part in her challenge. Before them, a maze of floating platforms stretches out, some wide and stable, others narrow and swaying in the wind. The task is simple: leap from one platform to the next, navigating the shifting air and ever-changing obstacles.

The platforms move unpredictably, some rising higher, others sinking, and a few disappearing entirely. Guests must time their jumps perfectly, balancing agility with timing as they avoid falling into the clouds below.

Those who succeed will earn Aella’s favor (in the form of 100 Bones and a single white feather). And those who falter will simply reappear the start of the challenge to begin anew or give up with no repercussions for the latter save perhaps a bit of embarrassment.

THE SEA'S SECRETS

On the other side of the terrace, a serene water garden unfolds, its shimmering pools reflecting the stars above. Water flows in delicate, endless cascades, filling the air with a soft, soothing melody that mingles with the distant sound of waves. The Undines, graceful and serene beings of the Sea, glide effortlessly through the space, their robes flowing like gentle currents, their movements as fluid as the water itself.

Cordelia, Queen of the Sea, stands quietly on a raised platform at the edge of the garden, her presence calm and powerful. Her eyes, deep and unfathomable, seem to reflect the vastness of the ocean, and though she watches the guests, she does not engage with them. Her stillness holds an air of mystery, as if she is both present and yet unreachable.

The Undines move silently through the garden, offering peaceful company to those who wander nearby. The garden is a place of contemplation, where guests can simply pause and connect with the tranquil beauty of the water—its soothing flow, its quiet depths, and its promise of renewal. There are no tests or challenges here, only the peace of the Sea to calm the mind and soul.

Those who linger may feel the weight of ancient knowledge in the air, a silent understanding of the oceans' mysteries and the healing power of water. In this place, the answers are not spoken, but felt—a quiet reminder that some of the world’s deepest truths are best discovered in moments of stillness.

As the evening fades, those who have found solace in the garden’s stillness will discover, tucked gently in their palm, a lustrous pearl. Unlike any found on the shores, this pearl is soft and warm, its surface shimmering with an inner light. It is a symbol of the wisdom that comes from quiet reflection—the knowledge that some things, like the depth of the sea, cannot be rushed.

THE LAND'S EMBRACE

In the heart of the palace gardens, beneath a canopy of flowering trees, the Dryads drift gracefully among the guests, their earthy skin glowing with life and their eyes bright with the vitality of nature. The air is thick with the scent of blooming roses and jasmine, while the ground beneath the guests' feet pulses with a quiet energy, inviting them to pause and feel the garden’s magic.

Terra, the Lady of the Land, stands at the center, her form adorned in living vines and blossoms, moving as if the garden itself flows through her. Her presence is both nurturing and fierce, a silent invitation to those seeking connection—to the land, to love, and to one another.

Guests are drawn to the tranquil beauty of the garden, stealing soft moments with their partners among the flowers. Lovers exchange quiet glances, touch petals with gentle fingers, and share unspoken promises beneath the soft glow of lanterns. The garden hums with romance, as if the earth itself is blessing these tender moments, offering the quiet assurance that love—like the land—can grow in the most unexpected places.

As the night draws to a close, Terra’s gentle power is felt in the air, and for those who have taken the time to connect with the garden’s beauty, a soft gift of nature is bestowed. A flower—unique and radiant—appears in their hand, a token of love and growth, a reminder that even the briefest moments can take root and blossom into something everlasting.

QUESTBOARD [NEW QUESTS ADDED]

Settled in? Good. It's time to make your way to the Questboard located in every city in numerous, easy to access locations. That is, if you want to make any kind of impact on the world or just get some Bones for anything you might wish to purchase. Visitors are given a very small stipend in which to survive every month, but all it does is keep you fed and housed. These quests will assure you greater wealth, and they're the main reason you're here: each finished quest helps the Calderans fix their shattering world.

Quests can be accepted at the questboard via magically signed parchment upon the board. Just sign your name to accept and the paper will be whisked away... somewhere. You're not actually sure. Probably nothing to concern yourself with.

Once quests are completed, earned Bones will be dropped off at the character's residence by Bonita, the mysterious artisan who has supposedly handcrafted every Bone circulating in Caldera. Please do not speak to her, she startles easily.

OOC NOTES

Welcome to Caldera's fourth TDM! All characters awaken in a strange tavern with nothing save the clothes on their backs, all of their powers stripped, and a piece of parchment directing them downstairs to the Tavernkeeper. There is a thread of all questions answered by the Tavernkeeper here, and if you have more, feel free to ask there for what would be offered ICly.

For OOC questions, please direct themhere.

All locations are available to be explored!

The TDM is game canon and all completed quests can be carried over once accepted into the game.

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Henry went, and he was laughing.

It was a free sound, the way that he enunciated it and with his eyes dancing and sparkling playfully, and then he hooked his hands around those shoulders and dragged Alex with him, thereby keeping him their firmly ensconced.

"So your prick's name is almost as long as mine." and then he coughed a little bit, perhaps his voice cracked a little bit as he attempted not to laugh. "Not my penis, I would dare not name it, perhaps I will just call it anonymous?" he did not just suggest it, with those devilish eyes sparkling.

Alex could get drunk on the sound of Henry's laughter. It was more intoxicating than any liquor he'd ever had. He also did not fight being dragged with him, the two of them tumbling back to the mattress in a pile of limbs and laughter.

"Anonymous? Seriously? My first dick and you want to call it anonymous? Unacceptable. Can't we at least give it a cool title? Its Royal Hardness? The Prince's Scepter? Big Ben? Fuckingham Palace?"

Someone really ought to forbid him from ever speaking again.

"Wait a minute, Alex.. you want to call my prick what?" was Henry hearing this correctly? Was that a dirty pun play on Buckingham Palace? Oh dear lord, entire dynasties were rolling over in their graves right now, Henry was sure of it-- and there was not a whole lot that he could do to stop it.

"That is it, Alex-- we are getting you a muzzle. You should be ashamed of yourself, as David does not even need to be muzzled."

But would that stop Alex from speaking? In all fairness, Henry doubted it.

In Alex's defense, he had no defense for himself, but also no remorse whatsoever. "Fuckingham Palace," he repeated, smug and pleased with himself given the way that Henry was looking at him right now. "I thought it was more original than the crown jewels."

Honestly a muzzle was probably a good idea, for the good of the world in general. But it only made Alex laugh at the threat because really, it didn't sound like such a bad time.

"I didn't know you were into that sort of thing, baby. Pretty kinky, but I'm not not into it."

Nothing would stop Alex from speaking, Henry. Are you sure you want to sign up for this?

Henry was charmed, had been charmed since the moment that they had met; the effervescent way that the man managed to capture his heart and absolutely wrung it out of every single bit of sentiment; a soft little smile that was more playful than anything else.

"Fuckingham Palace, I wonder how fast your mind works that you have come through all of this." and then a blink as Alex started to list out the things that he would and wouldn't do and there was a bit of interest there. "Very well then so you are in to muzzles.. would you like to list other things you are in to? For science?"

Henry should really question his taste at this point, shouldn't he? But Alex would count his blessings that Henry somehow had come to like him in spite of himself. In spite of both of them maybe.

Alex looked down at his well-tackled prince, considering that question. "For science, huh? I mean yeah, well, if it's for science how could I possibly refuse?" A shake of his head and he laughed before making himself comfortable draped on top of Henry. This is about where Alex realized that he couldn't just tell Henry that when he'd essentially been good boy'd even if it was in comparison to an actual puppy, he'd desperately wanted to do the human equivalent to wagging his tail. Nope. Not putting that one into words right now because he was still wrapping his own mind around it.

"You know it haunts me to this day that I missed the chance to lick frosting off you." The true tragedy of Cake-gate.

Henry was only questioning his taste lightly, in that he knew that Henry was bloody gorgeous-- it was that smile and the sparkling eyes and the quick humor that continually kept him on his toes, but yes the smart mouth was enough to keep him guessing. There were many worries that he would've had to have if they were out there in the real world but here in Caldera, he could focus on how much he loved this man as opposed as how impossible it would be to maintain something that was destined to be so public.

"Oh?" well that was something, licking frosting off of Alex was something. "Well I have to admit I was not feeling very charitable toward you after that whole bit so perhaps I have not thought about cake frosting.. but now I am?"

But now he was, even as he started to run his fingertip lightly against that shoulder. "I daresay that I have not had a chance to build up things that I would consider kinks so much.. that would involve having a trusted partner that was more than a one-off, which I have not had much of that since Eton and..." a chuckle, "There is not that much creativity when you are sixteen."

"You were so mad," Alex laughed quietly, nostalgic even. He'd never seen Henry quite so furious before or after for that matter. Now though, well, now he could only be grateful for the whole mess. If that hadn't happened, if they hadn't been forced to play nice for the cameras, he never would have gotten to actually know Henry, to see who the prince was behind the public image he portrayed (and the admittedly uncharitable vision that Alex had of him). He wouldn't have those texts and phone calls that had carried him through days on end just waiting for his phone to chime again.

He wouldn't have this, the soft touch of that fingertip over his shoulder, the warmth of Henry's body against his own. He lifted his head so that he could brush a kiss against Henry's jaw. "I mean... me neither, really. But... it might be fun to get a little creative together." And well, Alex did trust Henry completely. He honestly didn't know what this was -- casual? friends with benefits? a fling? -- but he knew he wanted whatever it was to last, to continue. He wanted it to be something.

Right now without the stressors of their public lives, he would let this live and breath; he wouldn't summarily attempt to kill it at it's source, whatever it was. He took a deep breath and then allowed his head to fall back against the pillow, looking up into Alex's whiskey eyes and how they managed to catch all of the emotion there.

He was full of spend and quite lazy about it. "I would like that, I suppose I trust you-- cake and all." a wry tongue-in-cheek grin, those blue eyes sparkling and his palm rubbing against a rather bared pectoral, gods-- he had such a gorgeous physique, it was not fair really.

"Shower?" which was a good idea, of course it was. He figured he could find his way to the shower and possibly drag the other man along with him.

Alex rolled his eyes at cake and all, but the feigned annoyance wasn't too believable given the way that softly content smile lingered on his lips. If anyone who knew him could see him in this moment, they'd probably be struck by how fucking smitten he very clearly was.

But Alex didn't notice.

Henry did have a good idea with the shower, and Alex nodded in agreement. "Shower." He stretched, the movement languid and slow, deliberate arch of his back, arms reaching above his head. That done he sat up and slipped to his feet, offering a hand out to Henry. "Come on, babe."

Indeed, Henry would not have traded in the cake for anything because it symbolized the start of their unlikely friendship. It had compelled him to make the first move in the friendship after their broom closet adventure, he'd found out Alex's phone number and texted him covertly and it had blown up from there.

It became something beautiful over the course of the months; being able to look down and see a text from a friend, where Alex would share aspects of his daily life, and that had compelled him to do the same, and now here they were-- this mess was not really a mess but a happy accident.

So he took the hand offered to him with a raise of his brow. "We are a sticky mess so a shower is probably a good idea." and then a leaned in whisper. "You like making me a sticky mess, don't you?"

"It's not my fault getting you dirty is so much fun." Alex could not be held responsible for his actions in the face of that sort of temptation, could he? He leaned in as well, brushing what was, by all accounts, a completely unnecessary kiss to his temple.

"Getting clean could be fun too though." Though he did have to wonder if they'd manage to actually focus on the clean part of things. Henry was incredibly distracting, Alex had found. Naked Henry all the more so.

He squeezed the hand held in his gently before leading his prince off to the bathroom, starting the water for the shower -- weird but much appreciated magical indoor plumbing.

"As if I would complain at the messes you seem to make." he said this with a smile as he was dragged into the bathroom which was part of Alex's sanctuary. He was new here with this so he would fully enjoy the closeness that shower-time could absolutely spread, and speaking of spreading it would definitely be not that hard to get him to indulge in a little bit of soapy play time between the two of them.

The kiss to the temple though undid him in such a core way, his eyes softening and looking as if his entire world had been upended. It was not fair that the other man was doing this to him, and how was he to go back to life after this. He only hoped that here in this moment he could prolong this.

Alex was affectionate by nature, drawn to easy touch and proximity with those he cared about. And Henry had certainly gotten himself on that list, though Alex was still not consciously clocking the fact that Henry was very quickly being swept from friend to something more.

Besides, when Henry looked at him like that it would only encourage him further.

The water warmed quickly, steam rising from the spray. Alex still hadn't released Henry's hand. "Since I made the mess, I should be the one to clean it up. I take this responsibility very seriously."

"I think that this is what the americans call 'threatening me with a good time?'." he said this with a wry smile as he stepped into the waters, once of course he could feel the steam rise up which told the story that the waters were now bearable, stepping in and then settling in close.

"That is very commendable, you deserve a knighting for your selfless acts of service." Henry said approvingly, certainly he would not complain at all to being washed thoroughly, in fact he was looking forward to it.. at the deepest core of his emotionally and sexually starved self.

Alex followed after the prince into the spray of water, slipping his arms around Henry. The water was hot, a pleasant sting against his skin, and Henry was warm and solid, and Alex couldn't hold back a content little hum.

"Knighting, huh? You just want me on my knees again, don't you?" Alex teased, lips pressing just to the corner of Henry's before finding his lips properly.

With that he picked up the soap, working up lather before his hands began to move in slow massaging circles over the prince's back, which did mean they were pressed quite closely chest to chest.

Was there anything more perfect than this? It felt like a scene out of a Rom-Com, the type that were guilty pleasures for him and which he would not apologize for at all-- being caught under the spray with his man (oh gods, he secretly thought that Alex was his? This would be embarassing, that is if the reality of it didn't feel so good).

"Well I actually want you every which way I can get you, Alex Claremont-Diaz." Henry said this honestly. On his knees, on his back, hovering over, backed against the wall, side by side, and here his mind started swaying toward the painfully domestic.

His arms snaked around Alex's shoulders and he allowed his mouth to find a very wet neck and then he was nibbling on it while Alex did absolutely distracting things to his back.

Oh that was nice. That was way too nice. Alex's eyes fluttered shut as he exhaled a softly pleased sigh at the feeling of that mouth at his neck. Henry was welcome to do that as long as he liked.

"Pretty smooth answer, Prince Henry-- wait." His brain and his hands stopped for a moment while his thoughts caught up with his mouth. "I don't know your full name. Do you have a full name? Or is it like a Cher or Madonna situation here."

Probably more Madonna with the blond. Alex went back to working lather along Henry's back, taking his time but very clearly bound for southern climes. He couldn't be blamed if he snuck in a bit of groping at that frankly perfect ass while he was at it, right?

The quirk of a brow as he realized that they were going to hash this part of it out, he takes a deep breath and then he speaks, because generally when he speaks his full name he relies on that breath. "Henry George Edward James Hanover-Stuart-Fox is the name that is on my birth registry." there is a bit of chagrin. "My brother has a name that is far longer, so I managed to luck out I suppose."

A muffled sound as his ass was groped, alright since Alex has been inside of him? He'd allow it.

"Though I do not mind if here you call me Henry Fox, we can cut out the middle names I think."

"Was there a two-for-one sale on names that day? Your parents had a coupon?" Alex teased gently, suddenly finding his own name a much more reasonable length in comparison. But all right. "Henry Fox," he repeated, like he wanted to taste the shape of it on his lips. Yeah, that felt very right for the man he'd come to know. "Until you're in trouble anyway." Then he'd break out all the middle names, as was tradition.

His hands meanwhile lingered in appreciation of that ass before returning to the very enjoyable task of pampering his... oh god. Not that Henry was his anything, right? Except Alex's heart was quite insistent that yes he was. Clearly. His Henry.

"Turn around baby?"

A laugh bubbled from Henry's laugh at the statement even as he turned around as Alex asked, finding that he liked the term 'baby' quite a bit. It was very american and very much Alex to call him that, he would quite honestly cling to that nickname for as long as possible. "You may get exhausted before you force all of my names out of your mouth." there was a smirk as he leaned back against that chest.

"Also, who says that I will be the one to get into trouble? As I seem to recall, your track record is much worse than mine." you could not argue that, don't even try Alex Clarement-Diaz.

A laugh of his own as he considered that. "Might run out of breath somewhere around the first hyphen, yeah. I'll have to pace myself." His hands ran over Henry's shoulders once more, this time to rinse away the soap lather. Then he stepped in closer, arms sliding around Henry once more so that he can work on washing his front now.

It's his turn to nibble at Henry's neck, tongue teasing along the water droplets there, lips kissing lazily against skin. He was clearly in no hurry with this shower, enjoying the time with his prince in his arms.

"Hey. I'm an innocent man. Always." What trouble? He was an angel. "But in case you ever need it, it's Gabriel." His middle name. For when he is in Big Trouble (TM).

"Alex Gabriel Claremont-Diaz, I have noted that in my dossier on the First Son of the United States, for future reference." he arched his neck as he felt the tongue lightly swipe at his skin, and he had to keep his toes from curling at the touch of it, the tongue that he could feel even with the moisture coming from shower.

"But you are not innocent always, point in fact what are you attempting to do right now, sweetheart? As far as I can tell-- you are trying to start something."

"Who? Me?" Alex murmured to the side of Henry's neck. Perhaps the prince would be able to feel the way those lips pulled into smile against his skin. Alex was absolutely trying to start something.

His hands worked lather over Henry's chest, slowly working working down, his destination probably quite clear even before his fingers encircled the other mans prick. Look, he was only human, and could only resist temptation so long.

Yes, that was a hand around his prick and before that a rather unconvincing play toward innocence; he could not do anything much save a well placed groan as he started to arch his hips right against the other guy.

Oh yes, there was a great deal of time to he made up for and a great deal of that time had started at the Paris Climate Accord when he'd first been aware of how absolutely sexy Alex was.

Fuck his life, he was absolutely smitten and this was doing nothing to help him resist this, it was a good thing he did not need to, so perhaps he'd just ride out this attraction.

"I hope you realize you are fooling no one."

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