Welcome to The Duality of Man, an original animanga role-play that features numerous supernatural creatures. Unfortunately, these various species have distanced themselves because of the war that occurred thousands of years ago, plaguing some with eyes that only see their dualism. While others meddle themself with their differences, two groups fight, each attempting to eliminate the other in for their definition of worldly peace. These two groups of the Terror Response Syndicate (TRS) and the Assembly of Phantoms (AP). With individuals fighting merely over their differences, it brings uncertainty to the outcome of this war.
We happily accept all role-players as long as they obey the rules and are capable of meeting our word count of 50. This does include those who are unfamiliar with this style of role-playing. The staff of The Duality of Man are willing to happily help those who are new to the role-playing world so they feel comfortable on site. Feel free to message the staff if you need help, they can be found here or in the site Discord and will gladly answer questions alongside calm concerns. If you have any suggestions we would love to hear them; guests may use the support board as a suggestion area as well. Should you decide to join, may I say welcome to the site and we all hope you enjoy your time here.
Yours Truely,
The Staff
season
Summer 2022
Heat has broken through into a glorious summer. The snow has entirely dried through the spring, leaving to the brilliance of the warmer months. Terror activity has risen as people are brought out of their homes, leaving the TRS in a position of consistent work. Each are attempting to maintain victory in the endless struggle for power.
With April, an activity check has arrived for members to do! Please post on the AC and tag all your accounts, including WIPs and OOC accounts. Failure to post on this AC will result in your accounts being marked inactive or deleted. Please note, due to a late start, the due date for this check has been adjusted for one time and one time only.
Pleasant aromas of freshly cooked food brought a smile to Zeke’s face and an empty sensation to his stomach, however, breakfast only manifested a portion of his excitement. Thoughts of sitting beside Kiernan as they peacefully consumed their wonderful food intensified the growing exhilaration inside of the dragon. In a rapid rhythm, his heart thumped against his sternum, a broad grin forming onto his lips as minutes ticked closer to meal time. Despite his years, it felt like centuries had passed since Zeke gained the opportunity to adore a meal with his crush.
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Initially, when Zeke returned to Lorsette, endless fears about the radical changes he underwent during his torture filled his mind. The moment he opened the door, brown eyes locking onto Kiernan for the first time in years, the former general was terrified that their connection would never resurface. Alas, the following months proved their bond was stronger than ever, Kiernan's supportive attitude when Zeke was broken and vulnerable. Comfort was discovered in those welcoming arms, those pleasant words assisting in mending the damages caused by the abhorrent torture.
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A soft laugh escaped Zeke's mouth when Kiernan teased about consuming his food at a slower pace nowadays. A large smile curved onto the dragon's lips as he glanced over at the adorable kitsune.
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"Sooo, I am improving?" He asked, chuckling softly.
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Serving breakfast for Kiernan was a spectacular experience despite how mundane an action it was. The moment absorbed Zeke, the dark-haired dragon feeling as though he was properly playing the husband role. While everything was a fantasized notion, the former general savoured every second of the heartwarming sensation arriving with a job well-done. Once he successfully retrieved the forks, Zeke returned to the table, giving Kiernan his fork.
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Concern entered the dragon's mind when he successfully detected Kiernan's lie. A frown breached his countenance, something stirring inside him and providing the inclination of the kitsune's lies. Although, Zeke's smile slightly returned when Kiernan shortly confessed the reason behind his lying. Initially, the smile was small as Kiernan explained he wished to arrange the best vacation for him. A subtle shade of red was painted across the dragon's face, the grin broadening when his crush stated he desired to handle the what if's.
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Alas, the mention of hugs increased the blush immensely, the dragon bashfully glancing away as he slowly sat beside Kiernan. There were pleasant flutters occurring in Zeke's chest at those incredible offers and thoughts of a relaxing vacation. Every morning involving warm embraces and cheering from the long-haired man sounded magnificent. Eventually, the red faded from his cheeks, but endless smiles remained.
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"... I love that idea... When we go there... I want a hug every morning... If that's okay of course. Thanks for everything Kier, I really appreciate you for doing this for me," Zeke happily responded.
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Gradually, Zeke's heart rate elevated, the ice dragon craving the courage to finally say I love you to his long-term crush, however, trepidation kept him silent. Losing Kiernan because mutual feelings of romance were nonexistent was a terrifying and anxiety-inducing notion. Desperately, he found himself clinging to the support the kitsune, going lengths of depending on his positive words. Slowly, the fork was softly grasped in Zeke's hand as he began using the fork to ferry food to his mouth, sparing a moment to admire his own cooking.
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At a steady pace, Zeke proceeded to consume his breakfast, eyes flitting sideways to glance at his crush through his peripheral vision. Promptly, the dragon's eyes widened as his head turned to witness the spectacle Kiernan hastily shovelling food into his mouth within minutes. Gradually, the former general enjoyed his breakfast, chuckling when the long-haired kitsune stated he was finished while Zeke food remained unfinished. A soft, happy laugh flowed through his mouth while a broad, toothy grin lit up his face.
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"I guess you're right, I do eat slower now," he playfully teased. "It must have been good if you enjoyed it that much."
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There was a pause as Zeke allowed Kiernan to respond, the laugh slowly fading as a soft smile graced his mouth. A single thought entered his mind, the dragon's eyes becoming gentle as a subtle red touched his cheeks again. Bashful grasped him briefly, Zeke sucking a breath deep into his lungs before slowly exhaling.
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"Um... Kier? ... Do you think I could cook for you again sometime? Cause... this was really fun," he shyly confessed. "It's just... I love being able to do these types of things for you... You've done so much for me, and it feels like I can show my appreciation by doing this."
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The nervous confession summoned flutters in Zeke's heart as he glanced at Kiernan for a fleeting moment before his brown eyes returned to his breakfast. Calmness slowly managed to reclaim the former general, allowing him to proceed to eat his breakfast again. The delicious meal was consumed in a timely manner, Zeke cleaning his plate and enjoying the refreshing taste of water to wash down the food. When he completed his breakfast, the dragon was surprised when the kitsune fetched his plate, taking it to the sink.
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"Thanks, Kier. Now, do you want to wash or dry?" Zeke inquired.
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There was no hesitation as Zeke rose from his chair and walked over to the sink. Patiently, he waited for Kiernan to decide which portion of the chore he wished to accomplish. While the kitsune decided, Zeke grabbed a drying towel from the hook under the sink, the rack and finally the dish soap to finally set up the job.
Kiernan nodded his head yes. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh how Zeke was so adorable, but he lacked the courage to say it. He felt relieved when Zeke had taken a seat next to him, continued talking about their vacation. He blushed, side glancing for a moment to calm himself, once more returning his gaze in Zeke's direction, thankfully Zeke hadn't been looking his way, so maybe just maybe he had failed to see how flustered he felt, of course that meant missing Zeke being flustered as well. "That will be perfect." He answered in return, caught in the moment of being able to hug Zeke every morning. Though frankly, why stop just there when hugs were such a bliss. Once more his cheeks went red and he side glanced away as to avoid Zeke possibly noticing. "It's no problem, I'm going to enjoy this vacation." He answered rather boldly, once more looking towards Zeke after calming himself. Goddddddddddd I'm getting so flustered today. He thought to himself, determined as ever to keep it in check from now on. Eating food had brought silence, but it was alright, he was too focused eating to notice.
Of course upon finishing, he had noticed Zeke's plate still had food on it. Now look to see who eat super fast.... He thought to himself awkwardly as he patiently waited for Zeke to finish. "Very good." He answered, thinking he must be in heaven. It would make sense, since Zeke was his companion and all. Once more he blushed at the idea of being able to remain by Zeke's side, it took a lot of effort to side glance in hopes Zeke had missed it. He blushed even more when Zeke asked if he could cook for him again sometime. Calm yourself, you've been looking away so often, he might be worried about you not looking towards him. He thought to himself, hoping his cheeks were no longer pink as he looked directly at Zeke. "I'd love that." He confessed, loving the idea of Zeke cooking for him again. A small smile touched his lips, "Zeke, your so good at showing your appreciation." He complimented, hoping that he'd get Zeke flustered. Silence once more entered the room while Zeke ate more of his food.
Oh how I want to remain by his side forever, but it is dangerous. He thought to himself in sorrow, choosing to keep such thoughts to himself. Plus he didn't even know if Zeke liked him, the last thing he wanted was to risk pushing him away. He wasn't sure if he could bare the idea of parting ways with Zeke so soon, not when he barely returned back to him. Once Zeke was finished, he arose from the chair, taking the dishes from the table before walking over to the sink to place them inside. He smiled when Zeke asked if he wanted to wash or dry, unsure of which one he wanted, besides if he could get Zeke to pick, that would be even better. "Now now now, I think the real question is, which did you want to do, wash or dry?" He teased him in return, prepared for either washing the dishes or drying them. Ohhhhhhhh how he loved teasing Zeke when given the chance, it almost gave him hope that a relationship could possibly blossom between them.
But he knew that it wasn't so. He watched as Zeke grabbed the drying towel and dish soap. Regardless of the task he'd be assigned, he just knew it would be all the better with Zeke standing next to him.
Eye contact avoidance and bashful glanced away kept the pair of love-struck men from noticing their mutual emotions for once another. Flutters inside his chest maintained a subtle redness to Zeke's cheeks as he giddily smiled over their current interaction. A shyness grasped him, his endearing long-term crush easily conquering his heart and inspiring positive emotions. Paradise existed wherever Kiernan and his family was, the darkness clouding his mind being fended off by the everlasting love and support.
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Fantasies of their vacation together entered the dragon's mind, a wonder-filled smile stretched across his lips. Morning hugs and pleasant hours spent conversing and enjoying his time with Kiernan. A zealous sigh escaped the dragon, excitement pumping into Zeke's veins at the mere thought of spending those wonderful days with his crush. The response to his desire was answered with perfection, blood immediately pooling into the dragon's cheeks. Heat consumed his face as Zeke bashfully glanced away, mentally gushing over the fact Kiernan found the idea as perfect.
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Immediately, the smile widened, heart, beating rapidly and nervousness consuming his body. The answer was endearing to Zeke, intense positive emotions intoxicating the young man. Minutes passed until the blood escaped his cheeks and heat dissipated from his face. A breath was taken, deep and filling his lungs, only to finally be released in a slow exhale. Shortly, his eyes flitted towards Kiernan, the bold comment bringing a heart-warming smile onto his lips. Mutual enjoyment of their vacation made the notion attractive to the ice dragon.
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"I'm glad... I want us to both enjoy this, you know? It only seems right if we're both having fun," Zeke responded, still smiling.
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Smiles continued to play across Zeke's lips when Kiernan stated his cooking was good. The former general was pleased he could cook a delicious breakfast for the man he adored. The happiness only increased when the kitsune confessed to adoring the idea being cooked for again. The dragon gazed at the long-haired man, noticing the subtle redness evident on the man's cheek manifesting endearment. A small smile graced his crush's lips, the following compliment making Zeke's heartbeat increase while redness embraced his cheeks.
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"You... really think so?" He asked, evidently flattered by the comment. "You're too sweet."
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The comment escaped his lips naturally, Zeke's cheeks turning redder, glancing away from Kiernan. Embarrassment grasped him, heart fluttering and face slightly red. Instead of focusing on those intense emotions, the dragon prepared the sink for dishes, putting the plug in. The sink handles were twisted, water flowing through the sink as Zeke squirted dish soap into the water. A soft chuckle leaving his lips when Kiernan began teasing him again.
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"You pick, I decided the breakfast and I don't care which job I get," he responded, smirking.
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Redness faded from Zeke's face as he assured everything was prepared for the dish washing. Afterwards, he leaned against the counter, peripheral vision carefully watching the rising water and bubbles piling up as time proceeded. When the water level proved to be high enough, the dragon turned the handles, shutting off the water. Already thoughts were circling through his mind, Zeke already planning on taking the oftentimes disliked chore of scrubbing the dishes clean should Kiernan decide to remain stubborn about him picking his task.
Kiernan kept missing Zeke's blushes as his friend continued missing his, unaware of their mutual emotions for one another. He knew that he felt embarrassed and somewhat emotional, but he had no idea that Zeke would be able to relate since they cared so much about each other. He breathed faster upon hearing Zeke saying that he wanted them both to enjoy it. "Oh I will." He answered, believing it because what could be better than spending his freetime with Zeke? "Yes, I want you to enjoy it too." He added, trying to correct his earlier comment, clearly excited for this vacation. Kiernan had glanced towards Zeke, noticing he too was blushing. It was a strange sight to see, giving him some hope that it was hinting towards feelings towards one another. Instead of acting on it, he glanced away, trying to push such emotions in the back of his mind. He was previously AP, Zeke TRS, he didn't want to drag Zeke into anymore problems. He knew it would happen if he remained around Zeke at the time, so he had to be cautious on spending time together, but Zeke was just so addicting so it was difficult to keep his emotions in check.
"I know so." He countered, attempting to fluster Zeke some more. He had noticed him blushing before and he wanted to continue on this path. He had teased him about picking between washing or drying the dishes. "Oh?" He teased him in return, going silent as the water filled up. On the one hand, washing dishes means I get my hands wet, but it is a harder and longer task than drying the dishes. He already cooked me breakfast, I'd rather not trouble him with washing the dishes. He thought to himself. He had still been in thought when Zeke had turned the water off. "I still say that you should pick." He answered in return, unaware that Zeke had planned on taking the washing part if he refused to pick between the tasks. At the last second, he would reach for the scrubber that was on the counter, unaware that Zeke also had plans to grab the scrubber too. Upon touching it at the same time, he'd blush immensely, finding it enjoyable.
He was going to wash dishes too? He thought to himself, completely surprised. Of course hand touching wasn't about to end on his part, so he chose to keep grip, secretly hoping that Zeke would as well. What was supposed to be a chore turned into a flirtatious moment. I want to see him blush more..... He thought to himself, "As comfy as ever." He answered in a teasing tone, seeing as they held hands as children. He found himself savoring this moment, despite it being in soapy water. Was he going to regret it? Hell no. He was going to savor this as long as Zeke would allow, then'd he'd savor it in secret because he enjoyed it so much. Of course it would make things difficult when it came to cleaning dishes. "Wait.... I got it....." He answered, setting the plate on the counter, he retrieved the scrubber, cleaning the dishes with one hand.
Mutual enjoyment of their future vacation resulted in a series of heart flutters entering Zeke's chest as a broad, warm smile graced his countenance. Days spent accomplishing oftentimes mundane tasks together while relishing in a therapeutic atmosphere sounded like a dream. Entertainment discovered in conversation and general time spent together would finally provide Zeke with the opportunity to relax alongside Kiernan. A daydreamer's smile crawled onto the dragon's face, the former general's infatuation with the notion of a vacation clinging to his mind.
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Blush became evident in a subtle hint of redness on Zeke's cheeks at Kiernan's desires for him to adore the vacation as well. Both possessed redness on their face, the former general's gaze locked onto the magnificent beauty of blush resulting in his heart rate increasing. Positive emotions surfaced, the grin widening he admired the stunning view of the long-haired kitsune. Everything about Kiernan blushing was viewed as adorable, reddened cheeks, slight shyness working alongside his natural attractiveness.
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Time spent with the kitsune was addicting, Zeke fancying every second of his time with him. He absolutely adored the man's company, the playful teasing summoned once forgotten smiles and assisted in coping with the damages inflicted by his extensive torture through those hellish months. While PTSD proceeded to linger inside his mind, Zeke found himself recovering from the mental struggles to a degree because of his family's endless support, but also due to Kiernan's closeness and dependability. The compliment his long-term crush provided were the heavenly words of an angel to his ears.
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Red consumed his face, painted itself vividly against his fair skin and making his flustered state obvious. Direct flattery from Kiernan was unexpected, being something he only heard in pleasant dreams of the stunning man. Rapidly, Zeke's heart thumped against his chest, desiring freedom from the cage it was trapped inside. Freedom was desired by his heart as it wished to proclaim his endless love for Kiernan. After a few moments, Zeke glanced away from his long-term crush, his flustered emotions struggling to handle the gracious compliment.
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Silence reigned over Zeke because of the compliment Kiernan was willing to provide him. Minutes passed before the blood flowed out from his cheeks, the redness and heat finally decreasing. When the kitsune insisted on being stubborn, the dragon laughed softly and shook his head. Composure was found as his mind focused on his friend's strong-willed attitude in forcing him to pick. A smile was evident on the dragon's as he spared a glance at Kiernan, an extreme loving-nature obvious in his dull brown eyes.
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"Still as stubborn as ever, eh?" He teased in return.
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Scrubbing the dishes clean was viewed as the harder and more disgusting task, thus Zeke reached for the scrubber. If Kiernan planned on being stubborn, he decided on picking the less-favourable job. Unconsciously, without even glancing at the scrubber, Zeke reached for it, only to discover a pleasant surprise. Softness collided with the prosthetic hand, the dark-haired dragon promptly glancing down to notice his hand touching Kiernan's. Immediately, Zeke's heart rate increased, blush covered his cheeks and the bridge of his nose.
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He found himself frozen, unable to pull away from the kitsune's delicate hands. Breathing became faster, Zeke's eyes slowly glancing at his long-term friend's face. Heartbeats became faster, the dragon's eyes widening when he noticed the redness painted across his crush's face. Their hands remained close, the former general finding himself lost on how to proceed, however, his crush displayed his plan first. A grip became evident around his hand, Zeke's gaze briefly glancing at their hands before returning to Kiernan's face.
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The teasing compliment in their flirtatious instance further increased the intense blush evident on Zeke's face. The sound of his heartbeat echoed in his mind, the dragon flattered by his hand still being referred to as comfortable. Silently, the dragon listened to Kiernan requesting him to wait, his open hand grabbing the scrubber to one-handed clean the dishes. A deeply inhaled breath filled Zeke's lungs, being held for a few seconds before being gradually released. Confidence embraced him, slight, but something for the timid man to cling to.
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After a few moments, he led Kiernan's soft hand to his side, adjusting his to improve his grip of the man's hand. Another slow breath was taken until, finally, Zeke intertwined his fingers with his long-term crush's. Meanwhile, his open hand grabbed the dish, dipping it into the water and allowing Kiernan to scrub it. A bashful smile curled onto his lips, reddened cheeks faded slightly as his brown eyes gazed at the man he loved.
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"We're... suppose to work together," he softly stated, "and... your hand is comfy too... I missed holding it."
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Despite the prosthetic hand being unable to sense similar to the real one, Zeke's hand was encompassed by a sense of warmth. Comfort, happiness, embarrassment and endless nervousness mixed together inside of the dragon's body. Everything about the current situation was pleasant, however, nerve-wracking as fears possibly failing to please Kiernan entered his mind. The last thing Zeke desired was the possibility of losing their connection; of accomplishing something which could push him away. Fortunately, according to their current actions, things were transpiring excellently between them.
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As they proceeded to wash dishes, Zeke took fleeting glances at his stunning crush. A small, heavenly smile was evident on the dragon's face as he continued to assist his friend.
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"I'm... really excited for the parade... I bet it will be colourful," Zeke casually stated.
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Anxieties grasped his mental state, however, Zeke was determined to continue conversing with the long-haired kitsune. Admittedly, Zeke was head over heels in love with his long-term crush, those feelings refusing to die despite the distance which strained their relationship. Even when he dated the mother of his children, the dragon found his thoughts occasionally returning to Kiernan, still desiring that connection. He could never explain those emotions but in this current moment, Zeke was over-joyed to be standing beside the man he loved since childhood.
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Hands clasped together, working on a single goal while they appreciated one another's company. It was absolute bliss for the man attempting to handle the darkness in his mind.
Kiernan found himself breathing slightly faster as to calm himself. Being able to have the privilege to spend more time with Zeke would become a bliss. They had noticed each other blushing, which in turn even made him more flustered. Oh how he wished he could control his own emotions but he liked Zeke to much to make more effort right now. Upon deciding which task they should do, he found himself determined as ever to take the washing dishes part. He never would have imagined Zeke to think the same thing. "Very much so." He answered in a teasing manner. Their hands touched, when both had been going for the scrubber. He had glanced in the direction of his hand to see he was touching Zeke's. Instead of keeping his grip on the scrubber, he had adjusted to hold hands with Zeke instead. They were both blushing, they had both noticed the other blushing and frankly, he wasn't about to let go. Oh no, he wanted nothing more than to have this hand holding last forever. Zeke looking between him and their hands was adorable. He made his comment about the hand holding in an attempt to fluster him even more.
He had then grabbed the scrubber with his other hand, placing the plate on the counter, before proceeding to scrub it clean with just the one hand. I never thought cleaning dishes would prove to be so much fun, but this is great. I'll do dishes forever if it means holding his hand in the meantime. He thought to himself, being pulled from his thoughts as he felt their hands moving so that they'd be centered. Kier felt Zeke's fingers intertwine with his and he couldn't help but blush more, watching the action that he had started and Zeke had finished. He was going to get his wish, they'd be able to continue holding hands during this chore. The thought made him so happy. Before he had a chance to counter, Zeke had stolen the dish from him, dipping it in the water before allowing him to scrub it. He was about to comment but blushed when Zeke stated his hand was comfy too. Soooooooo embarrassed........ Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. He thought to himself, silent as he tried containing his fluster.
Meanwhile, his cheeks remained red from embarrassment. "Your so sweet." He whispered, still flustered as he scrubbed the plate clean with Zeke's assistance. Zeke broke the silence between them as they proceeded to clean the dishes. "I'm excited too and I'm sure it will be." He answered in return, glancing at Zeke briefly before blushing again. "At the very least, I get to spend it with my best friend." He answered, quite pleased that he will get to go with Zeke. The only person I ever want to be around is my best friend. He thought to himself, pausing to notice all of the dishes were washed, just waiting to be dried off. "Shall we?" He asked in a teasing manner, he'd drain the sink before turning the water on to rinse his hand off, allowing Zeke to if he felt the need after touching the dirty plate before turning it off to dry his hand. He'd then grab the plate so that he could assist Zeke in drying it off. Still determined as ever to try and accomplish the task with one hand when one normally did dishes with two.
Fictitious eternities were spent dreaming about spending blissful and flustered moments alongside Kiernan. These fantasies danced inside his mind of precious romantic moments and sweet, flirtatious exchanges. Nervously, Zeke's heart thumped hard against his sternum, motivated by the subtle signs of mutually shared feelings between himself and his long-term crush. Alas, hesitance grasped him firmly, refusing to release the dragon from those dreadful thoughts of confessing his intense emotions too soon. He refused to accidentally push Kiernan away by taking everything too fast.
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A specific time was required to confess his deep emotional connection to Kiernan, however, picking the correct moment felt nearly impossible considering this man created stability. Every shred of support was required for Zeke's potential recovery from his PTSD. Determination already surrounded him, the father knowing his children needed him, but supportive words and comforting conversations were required to assure he could partially recover or cope with the symptoms. Crumbling under the pressuring circumstances of his frightening members needed to be avoided at all costs, else he could be lost to despair.
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Softly, Zeke chuckled when Kiernan admitted to still holding the stubborn trait. Merely witnessing it rear its horns was oddly comforting to the dragon. Changes over the past months appeared neverending, thus this sense of familiarity embraced him warmly, reminding him not everything was destined to change. The mere thought was comforting, resulting in Zeke revelling in Kiernan's stubborn attitude. Amusement breached his expression, obvious by the small smile and briefly fixated attention on his wondrous crush.
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"I'm glad you're still stubborn. It's nice knowing some things won't change anytime soon." Subtle hints of a serious tone touched his answer, Zeke genuinely seeming thankful for something familiar.
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When their hands connected, a spark manifested inside Zeke as bashful emotions gripped him, quickening his breath, reddening his face and influencing an extreme heat to transcend over him. Perfection, it existed in this moment where their hands maintained closeness and both parties debated the following actions. Fleeting glances at Kiernan's reddened face provided hints about the romantic opinions one another held. There was heightened breathing and cheeks painted red, Zeke detecting the symptoms of fluster in Kiernan's reaction to their spontaneous hand holding.
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Viewing those traits inspired Zeke to take the initiative and weave their fingers together, creating a new sense of closeness in their hand holding. His endless affection towards the delightful kitsune influenced thoughts of how exactly to inform him of those passionate emotions. Alas, the dragon found himself submitted to an awkward state of silence over his romantic thoughts and feelings. Trepidation hung over him, whispering through sharp teeth about the possibility of completely losing Kiernan should he fail to become an adequate boyfriend.
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Furthermore, interpreting these signs affection was always an anxiety-inducing task consider a single read too far or misunderstanding could place strain on their relationship. While they scrubbed dishes, a soft sigh escaped Zeke's lips. There was mild annoyance discovered in these pesky reminders of what he could potentially lose should he date Kiernan. What if the relationship went completely awry and they ended up on nightmarish terms? A brief glance was spared towards his long-haired crush, the dragon wondering if he could gamble this relationship for the one he desired for decades.
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Reassurance was craved, Zeke unconsciously squeezing Kiernan's hand while he shoved those thoughts into the back of his head to focus on the present conversation. Their discussion about the pride parade allowed a tiny smile to reach the former general's lips, although, it nearly wavered. Friend, was that how Kiernan still viewed him in this present moment? Perhaps he merely desired the nostalgic sensation of holding hands from when they were children? Nervousness insisted on reading too far into the simple word, playing hard on Zeke's fears of rejection from his long-term crush.
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"Yeah... I'm excited to spend it with you too," Zeke responded awkwardly.
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Slight lukewarm emotions breached his cheerful facade, Zeke flinching subtly from hearing the tone of his own voice, however, he concerned himself with the future task of drying dishes. A deep breath allowed for a secondary reassurance, hectic thoughts reminding him he stood a chance. Even if the hand holding was merely nostalgia, it lasted for an extensive time, and certainly, that meant something, right?
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"We shall," he teased back, confidence slightly renewed.
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The moment Kiernan grabbed the plate, Zeke automatically reached for the towel, slowly rubbing the porcelain surface. Tightly, the dragon held his beloved crush's hand as they dried dishes together. Alas, each second was spent desperately attempting to shove his anxieties away. Nervousness needed to be vanquished before confidence and courage could finally hail.
Kiernan found himself deep in his thoughts about how he wanted to be with Zeke but he knew it was a bad idea. How he wanted to be with him but he feared being rejected, Zeke already had been with a woman, just because he was flustered didn't mean he wanted to be around him too, though he knew there would be one way to figure out once and for all how their relationship would go and staying in the dark wouldn't cut it. But he wasn't ready to confess his feelings just yet, though as they washed dishes, he couldn't help but peek at Zeke ever so often and imagine what it would be like to kiss him. He was pulled from his thoughts when Zeke spoke about his stubbornness, finding himself flustered over the idea of Zeke being pleased about his personality. "You want to know a secret?" He asked in a teasing tone, pausing the washing he would whisper. "I don't find that you changed much either. I mean I enjoy being in your company." He was serious, despite his words coming out in a teasing tone. And that will never change, you'll always be my Zeke even if god punishes me by having me lose you forever.
The idea of losing Zeke for any known reason was saddening for him, but he knew for the sake of his friend and his family to remain safe, it would be better to lose such connections or at the very least, not make progress on them. Still, he was struggling with his mixed feelings in containing his emotions that wanted to be let loose. To declare to Zeke that he cared about his well being. The longer he got to hold his hands, the longer he found himself desperate in taking a drastic action. He breathed faster as he found comfort in their hands being intertwined, his fingers against his. He felt Zeke squeeze his hand, he returned the gesture. They were talking about the parade. He called Zeke a best friend, having not meant any harm on the comment. He just wanted Zeke to know that regardless of what would happen, he'd care about him always. He was happy to hear Zeke said that he'd be happy to spend it with him too. They had started the task of drying dishes.
He asked if they shall, chuckling when Zeke had teased him back. He held the plate as Zeke would dry it with the towel. Once more, silence would come between them. The moment of truth is now, I... I must know. I need to put this on the line to figure out where it will leave us. He thought to himself, feeling somewhat brave. He'd wait for the last dish to be dried off before breathing in and out. They had never spoken about such a relationship more but he felt a great need to find out what would happen next. Slowly he turned towards Zeke, looking into his face. He found himself looking in this eyes as a small smile touched his face. Then he'd proceed to lean closer with the hope that Zeke would at the very least be too stunned to move as he attempted to kiss him.
Seconds passed, Zeke's heart proceeding to pound inside his rib cage, nervousness draping heavily over his burden-filled shoulders. Closeness with Kiernan sparked anxieties of potentially doing something foolish or possibly anything unattractive while in his presence. Undoubtedly, he adored the kitsune's presence, the warmth from their intertwined hands alongside their general close proximity. Flustered emotions swirled around the dragon, those restless emotions he held towards Kiernan stirring, insisting he confessed the secret he held for decades.
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Each fleeting glance towards Kiernan inspired the fantasies again, images of him sweeping the long-haired off his feet, murmuring those words of affection, finally confessing his love and kissing those soft lips. Alas, Zeke found himself motionless, glued in place because of the extensive list of fears surrounding the fanciful idea. Bravery, something lost which he desired to hold firmly so he could have the confidence and reveal his intense emotions towards his best friends. It was the oldest secret buried in his mind, something he dare not tell a soul.
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Subtle hues of red tinted his pale cheeks, embarrassment flowing through the uncertain dragon. Already, his future was a muddled mess, questionable in the direction as navigation became blurred. Recovery, the only objective for the man battling PTSD but beyond the single word was nothing. Paths were everywhere and he stood in the center, lost, confused and frightened of what his future held. Involving Kiernan would provide him comfort, however, fears of stressing the man he loved lurked amidst the recesses of his mind.
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Shakily, a breath was inhaled before escaping his lips slowly. Those wretched thoughts were pushed away, the former general desiring for happiness rather than the endless worries of his ever-changing life to consume him. Perhaps unknowingly, Kiernan assisted in avoiding those thoughts. A secret was mentioned, however, Zeke's eyes widened at what his closest friend informed him of. I don't find you have changed much either, those words astonished him, the former general sparing a few moments to merely stare at his crush, stunned by the compliment.
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Gradually, shock broke into a small, heart-warming smile, the slight red tint increasing briefly before finally fading. The dragon's heartbeat increased, the flattery successfully uplifting his emotions, the teasing tone hardly bothering him. A content sigh escaped his lips, Zeke's gaze left Kiernan, but returned shortly afterwards.
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"Thanks, Kier... I needed to hear that," he responded softly. "You're the best."
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Anybody who wondered how he fell in love with Kiernan was foolish in Zeke's opinion. Supportive conversations similar to this always assisted with the gradual mending process. Those boosted positive emotions were small, but significant in his mental recovery. Without these moments, Zeke would undoubtedly fall deeper into the pit of anxiety induced from psychological trauma. Imagining his world without his family and Kiernan was impossible nowadays, those smiling faces providing him with a sense of stability in the changing currents of life.
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A tightness enclosed his hand, Zeke briefly peeking down at their intertwined fingers and noticing the reciprocated squeeze. Gradually, the dish washing began, the pair working together to dry their plates and cutlery. Silence engulfed them, however, it was not hated by the dragon. These moments spent quietly working beside Kiernan was oddly comforting, a pleasant moment to truly enjoy his long-term crush's companionship. The final plate was tried, the soft rattle of it being set aside filling his ears as he reached to hang the towel on a hook beneath the sink.
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Their hands remained clasped together, Zeke refusing to release the long-haired kitsune's hand. Once the t-towel was adequately hung, his gaze turned to his long-term crush to discover those stunning, silver eyes locked onto him. Caught up in the view, the dragon stared back, mesmerized by Kiernan's slender face. Rapidly, his heart pounded in his chest, heat rising in his face as a subtle blush played across his cheeks. Suddenly, his heartbeat increased, his face seemingly burning as blood flooded his cheeks and Kiernan's face grew closer.
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Was this really happening?! The moment consumed Zeke despite his intense nervousness as he leaned closer until their lips pressed together as he returned his kiss. This was Heaven. Warmth filled the dragon's body, the sensation of his crush's soft lips against his own capturing his fixation. Only in dreams he successfully kissed Kiernan, however, the reality of the situation made it magnificent.
Kiernan slowly leaned closer, somewhat expecting Zeke to pull away but deep down he wanted him to remain close, close so that their lips could touch. He felt their lips touching as he had hoped, his eyes closed as he kissed Zeke briefly, savoring it. Though, having felt what appeared to be Zeke kissing him back, he attempted to kiss him deeper, inching closer in the process as his hand remained interlocked with Zeke's. Seconds turned into minutes, the kiss seemed to ignite a spark. In his head, the only thing he could imagine was how describing this kiss would be that of fire works being shot in the background. He had only meant to briefly kiss Zeke but he was just so addicting and this, this was long over due. He didn't make any effort in pulling away as he savored it a tad bit longer. This is everything I ever wanted. A dream come true. He thought to himself, though another was soon to interrupt his thought process.
Is this what he wants though? I know he is kissing me back but is that just a reaction or does he like me too?I really shouldn't have kissed him without permission. I don't want to lose him but I very well might have done so by this kiss. This kiss I've longed for since high school. He thought to himself, trying to enjoy the kiss but his thoughts kept getting in the way. Slowly he would pull away from Zeke, not having meant to ruin the moment. His cheeks went a bright pink as he came to realize now would be the time when his friend would tell him off for kissing him. Reject him since he most likely only wanted to be with a woman. Thoughts in the back of his mind reminded him that starting a relationship would be a bad idea, hurtful to leave but dangerous to stay. "I'll be right back." He whispered, slowly pulling away as he released Zeke's hand. I need to collect myself for what is surely about to come. He thought to himself as he headed towards the bathroom. Once inside, he'd close the door but keep it unlocked before reaching to turn the water on. He'd place his hands under the water before smearing it all over his face. He felt so nervous, nervous that he had done that.
They had plans to go to the parade, would it be placed on hold because he had kissed Zeke? A plan to go on a vacation so that Zeke could relax, would that be canceled? He had meant to come out of the bathroom but instead he remained in there, somewhat in a hiding mood as he debated with himself on what the hell he was supposed to do now. I should have waited till we got back. He thought to himself, finding his action rather stupid and rushed. I don't want to lose him. He thought to himself, staring at the mirror, he was able to see a reflection of himself, clearly still flustered. His hands gripped onto the counter as he tried calming his beating heart. I told him I'd be right back but I don't dare leave. Because when I do, surely he will say something I'm not ready to hear. I thought I could do this but I just can't, I'm not ready to let him go if I ruin our friendship. He thought to himself, worried of the outcome that would surely occur.
Plush lips pressed against his own, a sensation of warmth radiating throughout the entirety of his body and the gleeful skipping of his heart were welcomed experiences for Zeke. These kisses from his ravishing, extraordinary man ignited a spark across his lips, the special tingle of excitement tracing them. Everything about their spontaneous make-out session was perfect in the dragon's mind. The long-awaited romantic interaction finally being captured in his grasp after years of fearing rejection or losing Kiernan.
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Redness encompassed his face, accompanied by intense heat from the blood pooling into his cheeks. Seconds transformed into minutes, however, nothing felt long enough after denying himself his deepest desires for decades. When he kissed back, they plunged into another world of open affection, unexpected and hardly resisted despite the possibility of children with wandering eyes chancing a peek. The former general was completely enthralled by the notion of a relationship with Kiernan; it was something he always wished for.
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Closeness was gained on when the kitsune kissed him deeper, the blush increasing from the sudden action, however, Zeke failed to resist. Those urges to kiss Kiernan were surfacing, determined to make themselves present. Heart rate increased, temperature rising from the pooling blood. Cheeks were conquered by the reddening forces, the bridge of his nose falling promptly afterwards and shortly the remainder of his face. Courage and confidence were provided fuel as Zeke remained still while kissing Kiernan, allowing his long-term crush to venture closer.
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Pulling away was thrown off the table, thoughts fixating on this magnificent moment where everything the dragon wanted was provided to him. Complete privacy would only be provided should they hide inside the bedroom or restroom, however, those thoughts were pushed aside as repressed urges and released dopamine took their place on stage. Rational thought left him, forgotten because of how intensely the dragon desired the opportunity to kiss the man he loved intimately. Slowly, their lips were pulled apart, the signs of a thorough fluster evident on Zeke's face.
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Lovingly, he stared into those enchanting, silver eyes, lips gradually twitching into a smile as he readied himself to confess those emotions he held dearly to his heart. Preparations to speak were accomplished, mouth set to state those words, only to notice Kiernan pulling away further. Instantly, the smile broke when his crush stated he would be right back. They drifted apart slowly, the dark-haired kitsune releasing his hand and fleeing into the washroom. Positive sensations faded, depression filling in its absence as the dragon's heart ached.
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A single question rang in his mind, did he do something wrong? Was the romantic moment inadequate or downright deplorable? Abysmal to degrees where Kiernan felt required to run opposed to informing him of those mistakes? Perhaps feelings were being spared since their kissing exchange dumped those undying emotions of love and affection. Breathe in, sigh sorrowfully, a common pattern when disappointed. Briefly, Zeke glanced at his prosthetic arm, the hand which firmly held Kiernan's mere seconds prior, already mourning the sensation of hand holding.
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Negative emotions proceeded to enter Zeke's mind the longer he waited for Kiernan's return. Unbearable thoughts of their friendship potentially being over because of a single action filtered through the former general's mind. He pleaded mentally to any god who would listen that Kiernan would not leave him. Each step towards recovery and happiness was imparted because of his crush's benevolence and support, furthermore, changes became a nightmarish creation for the suffering man. Trauma made these abrupt altercations difficult to handle, thus losing a pillar of support suggested being launched deep into the darkness.
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Minutes passed, emptiness entering Zeke's recently filled stomach as endless dread perturbed the dragon. Worry manifested about Kiernan and his extensive washroom break. Another sigh flowed through the general's lips as he locked eyes with the floor. Gradually, the man began moving towards the restroom door, fear pumping through his veins. The rejection was inevitable at this point, but this moment would be the only opportunity to confess his feelings to Kiernan. If they drifted apart, it would be a consequence he would be forced to handle, alas, disconnecting felt unavoidable.
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Confidence was required to approach the bathroom door, fears of the upcoming words manifested plenty of upset emotions. Softly, Zeke sighed, ears listening to the sounds of running water. Silently, he listened to the running water, seconds passing until it became obvious the abrupt evacuation from the situation was not a mere potty break. A frown hung on Zeke's lips, sadness brimming in his brown eyes as he realized the gravity of their actions. Shakily, the former general lifted a hand, fingers curling into a fist as he rapped on the door.
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One... two... three...
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Breathes were taken deeply, entering his lungs before being slowly exhaled. Just breathe... it settles anxious emotions... take a moment to breathe.
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Fingers curled around the cold door as he shouted, "I'm coming in..."
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Gradually, the door was opened, Zeke becoming thankful when the other side of the threshold revealed a decent Kiernan. The frown increased as the dragon awkwardly glanced away from his crush, unable to meet his eyes. Shame consumed him, the former general certain he did something wrong, however, he needed to confess. Breathe in, exhale slowly, take a second to think.
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"Kier... I... I need to tell you something... It's... a very old secret," he murmured, struggling to soothe his rampant emotions.
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Slow breathing consumed Zeke as he attempted to gain the confidence to finally say those precious words; the ones he always wanted to say to Kiernan. Heart rate increased as a subtle blush tinted the dragon's cheeks a slight red. Despite the deliberated plans on how to confess his emotions, he found himself nervous and tight-lipped. Frightful thoughts of losing Kiernan wrestled fatalistic notions of everything already being over. Today was ruined, rejection inevitable, it was simply a matter of saying those words he longed to.
Kiernan had noticed Zeke's fluster but he wasn't sure if it had been from the kissing putting him on the spot or if he had enjoyed it just as much as he had. He had pulled away, too worried about what would happen next as he claimed that he'd be right back. He had planned on doing so but found himself wandering towards the bathroom, unsure on how long it would be before he could muster the courage to face Zeke. The image of Zeke's smiling breaking, broke his heart. He hadn't known what to expect, but pulling away had proven the wrong choice and he couldn't help but feel terrified on what would surely happen next. I shouldn't have kissed him without permission. I should have started with an attempted relationship first. I'm not ready for this. I hope this time doesn't end.... because as much as I enjoyed the kiss I'm terrified of losing him. He thought to himself, still by the sink as he debated on what he should do now. He hadn't heard the footsteps walking down the hall, heading towards the bathroom. The scent was strong but he had mistaken it for an older scent, having been too focused on his current thoughts.
A hand knocked on the door and he froze. He may have failed to notice the scent before but he knew who was standing on the other side of the door and he wasn't ready to handle the consequences about to be dished in his direction. He remained quiet and unmoving as he looked back at the door, waiting for it to open because he knew Zeke well enough to know what surely would happen next, especially because he stayed silent. It was a quick motion as the door was opened and Zeke was the person he saw on the other side. Zeke was frowning at him, he felt so shamed at kissing him without permission and then fleeing to the bathroom instead of just talking about it. Here it comes.... I'm about to get rejected. He thought to himself, quit saddened, despite the fact of knowing Zeke would likely be polite and friendly about this. He listened to Zeke's words, quite surprised to hear what was coming out of his mouth. A very old secret? He thought to himself, curious on what that would be.
But just before he got the chance to hear it, there was more footsteps walking down the hall before he saw her looking at them. Though it wasn't the time or place to be hiding, he found himself quickly moving towards the shower so that he could hide from their view, failing to turn the sink faucet off on the process. His breath quickened as he tried to process exactly what would be happening in a few moments. Other than Zeke saying he had something to tell him, Zeke's mother had caught them in here, together. So besides kissing him without permission, she caught us together. Now what the hell do I do? How do I solve this? I can't just flee, he is right by the door and she is behind him... I want to know what he'd say but I don't know if that secret is something that will make me happy or not. He thought to himself, worried over the outcome. Secret... Is that about us? Oh how I hope it is about us. He thought to himself, still breathing faster as he remained in the shower.
Endless anxieties resulted in Zeke's heart pounding hard against his sternum in fabricated thunderous thumps. Each beat filled his ears as blood pumped through his veins, thoughts jumbling as a result. Intimate feelings were difficult to admit to the person they were attended for, especially when the individual has been a major crush for decades. The heart-pounding circumstances resulted in the former general missing the quiet steps of his mother's approach. Unfortunately, the already soft-footed woman could have easily accomplished the action.
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Quietly, Fiona listened, curious and evidently interested in snooping on her son. Admittedly, developments in her son's PTSD kept her slightly paranoid, the guardian frequently worrying about the child she raised. She kept her distance, merely listening and observing the spectacle unfolding before her eyes. Concerns flooded through Zeke when Kier suddenly retreated, venturing deeper into the washroom. A broad frown breached the dragon's face, a long sigh escaping through his lips as sorrow struck nerves inside him.
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Those actually subtly hinted that mutual emotions were nonexistent between them, however, the dragon still desired to inform the kitsune of his feelings. Even if happily ever after never existed, Zeke believed Kiernan held the right to know his feelings. Decades of intimate longing could not be thrown away without an attempt to make the individual one loved privy to their admiration, those would never be wasted words. Slowly, the former general reached, grabbing the sink handle and ceasing the flow of water for near-silence; his heart still sounded like a jackhammer in his ears.
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Breathe, in and out, calm yourself, prepare yourself for the day. Those words echoed through Zeke's mind as he regulated his breathing, gradually motivating confidence and courage. Years of longing to state those precious words and the opportunity finally arrived, although, more forcefully than he cared for.
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"Um... Kier... I... I..." The lovestruck man paused, allowing a deep inhale to enter his lungs once again. "Since we were little... I liked you a lot, and when I came back... those feelings did as well... I care about you, Kier... You mean a lot to me, but... you deserve to know that..." There was a pause as he steeled himself for those final three words. "I love you. You are a wonderful person and I'm grateful for everything you do for me... When I needed someone, you came to help me... I appreciate everything you do for me... and... you deserve to know that I will always love you... If you no longer want to talk with me... I understand... but that is how I feel. I just wanted to know how much I care..."
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A figurative weight lifted from Zeke's shoulders after stating those words, however, he prepared himself to handle the consequences of confessing his feelings for Kiernan. Pessimistically, the dragon believed the outcome could only be negative considering his crush was hiding in the shower and retreated after their long, passionate kissing exchange. Behind him, Fiona displayed no signs of astonishment, her suspicions proving correct. Despite the correctness in her assumptions, she maintained silence, allowing the boys to interact and praying for a positive outcome.
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Slowly, Zeke inched forward, reaching to carefully push aside the curtain to view the magnificent, long-haired man he adored. These few moments could become their final minutes together if reciprocation of love was not accomplished. A sorrowful glaze dulled the dragon's brown eyes as he awkwardly avoided eye contact in preparation for rejection. Everything that transpired previously established the belief Kiernan's possible love was extinguished during their abrupt kissing session. Perfection, Zeke would use the word to describe his long-term crush.
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Throughout their years together as friends, Kiernan manifested broad smiles and obnoxiously loud laughs. Pleasant days spent together, enjoying one another's company were fantastic. Unfortunately, Zeke believed those days filled with splendour would disappear forever because of his romantic feelings towards the incredible kitsune. Intimate feelings complicated friendships, it was a mere fact. They would drift apart, and Zeke would be left to wallow in endless sorrows and the darkness which haunted him daily.
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Imagining life without Kiernan was impossible, uncertainties about his future already darkening Zeke's fragile mind. What would he do without him? Suffer? Feeling eternal loneliness? Would he recover and eventually discover stability? It was a notion gods would fail to predict.
Kiernan breathed faster because he knew Zeke's mother was in ear shot. Leaning against the shower wall was an attempt to calm his breathing that had started beating rapidly from being so embarrassed. His cheeks remained pink at the idea of her catching them both in here even though nothing had happened. In fact he was expecting Zeke to give him a rejection and that he'd further be kicked from the house because Zeke wouldn't have a need for a best friend that wouldn't be able to keep his lips to himself when he harbored feelings for him. He listened as the faucet that he had forgotten to turn off, had become silent, most likely thanks to Zeke. Silence came between them and it had become quite clear that Zeke must not be aware that his mother is just outside the door listening to them. I should tell him that she is there, so that we can have privacy.... He thought to himself, still trying to get control over his rapid beating heart. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could get a word out, Zeke had started so he closed his mouth for the sake of listening to him go first. His heart froze as he listened to Zeke's words, they weren't of rejection but of love.
His heart seemed to break when Zeke hinted that he had reason to believe that he wouldn't want to be around him anymore. That isn't true, I'll always want to be around you. I love you too. He thought to himself but remained silent because he had become more flustered to the idea of Zeke's mother still outside listening to their conversation. He listened as footsteps had inched forward, knowing it likely was coming from Zeke. The curtain was pushed aside to show him extremely flustered, looking to the side. Slowly he forced himself to glance towards Zeke to see that he wasn't even looking towards him. He didn't want him being upset, but happy, for the rest of their lives. Slowly he reached out in an attempt to touch Zeke's check so that he could encourage him to look towards him. "Your mother is just outside the bathroom door, in the hallway." He whispers before glancing towards the door. "Hello Mrs. Durmont." He answered, struggling to calm his beating heart because he was out there listening to them.
He'd wait for some privacy, hoping to get it so that he could say to Zeke his exact feelings as well. He looked back towards Zeke, having not meant to interrupt their moment with pointing his mother out but he honestly didn't feel comfortable with others hearing it. "I love you too." He whispered, staring up at Zeke before side glancing to the floor. "But I shouldn't have kissed you without permission, it was uncalled for and I'm so sorry." He was ashamed that he had kissed him without permission. He didn't want to volunteer his feelings prior to Zeke leaving because he didn't want him feeling bad for leaving him here all alone. Zeke had after all, met a wonderful woman and had children with her. So he had at first believed that Zeke had come into the bathroom to reject him because he hadn't been into men or him, though Zeke had surprised him with a confession instead. "If it is okay with you, I'd like to continue this in private." He didn't feel comfortable with the door being wide open.
Eye contact was entirely avoided as fear soaked into Zeke’s mind. The constant thud of his heart inside his chest refused to soothe, the reason itself was an extreme fluster or trepidation of rejection and losing Kiernan. Unfortunately, he suspected it was both intermingling and ultimately worrying him for the expected outcome. A tightness entered his chest while his heart proceeded to rapidly beat, fear and anxiety meeting together for a suspenseful dance. Patiently, he waited for those words and possible criticism should he have angered Kiernan with his feelings.
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Part of him wanted to allow tears to flood his eyes at the mere thought of rejection from the man he loved for decades. Silently, he locked eyes with the tiled floor of the washroom, unable to even spare a fleeting glance at Kiernan. Breathing was quicker than average as Zeke mentally prepared himself for the inevitable. Nervousness increased, fright running rampant in his body as he awaited those horrible words. Warmth and softness encompassed his cheek, a gentle hand guiding his gaze and sending flutters into his heart. His gaze was lifted, Zeke finding his brown eyes staring into Kiernan’s beautiful face and stunning silver eyes.
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Speechless and thoroughly flustered, the dragon found himself staring, lovestruck and dumbfounded by Kiernan’s reaction. Words of rejection or hatred were nonexistent, at least, not in this current moment. A soft hue of red touched Zeke’s cheeks the longer he stared at the kitsune. He waited, the subtle movement of his crush’s lips manifesting the belief he would receive his answer. Alas, he was surprised by the words which escaped his mouth. Immediately, Zeke's face was consumed by blush as he glanced over his shoulder and through the threshold.
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Upon being caught, Fiona giggled, a wide, tight-lipped smile stretched across her face. She was oddly amused to be noticed by her son and Kiernan. Being eavesdropped on by his mother flustered Zeke; if she did not know before, she most definitely was aware of his crush now. He listened as Kiernan greeted her, however, Zeke was too embarrassed to speak a word.
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“Hi boys,” she joyfully greeted with a laugh.
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The guardian lingered not a second longer before grabbing the item she required from a supply closet and turning to leave, an amused smirk on her face. Moments later, Zeke slowly returned his gaze to Kiernan, awkwardly giving fleeting glances. Uncertainty filled the dragon, thoughts of his mother being a convenient distraction worrying him. What if he wanted to forget about what happened and ignore his feelings? Wide-eyed, Zeke's brown eyes met his crush's when he heard those four precious words which sent plenty of flutters to his heart.
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Astonishment shone in the former general's eyes, an extreme sensation of pure happiness transcending over him as surprise slowly transformed into softened eyes and a wide smile. When Kiernan apologized, Zeke reached to carefully grasp the hand not touching his cheek.
[break][break]
"Don't worry about it," Zeke whispered, evidently flustered. "I'm just... thrilled you like me too..."
[break][break]
Silence surrounded Zeke as he struggled to proceed with the conversation, his happiness over his long-term crush holding mutual feelings stealing his voice. Nothing could describe the intense joy over his feelings being accepted. Those forceful anxieties only made the reward of confessing feel absolutely magnificent. The request for privacy was unexpected, Zeke glancing briefly towards the door before returning his gaze to Kiernan. Discussing romantic feelings inside a washroom would be unsuitable to the emotional atmosphere in Zeke's opinion.
[break][break]
"How about... we go to my room instead? It might be a bit better since nobody will knock on the door needing the washroom," Zeke suggested quietly.
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Any form of agreement from Kiernan would prompt Zeke to lead him down the hallways and into the safety of his quiet bedroom. Childhood memories would swirl around the former general's mind with the location since he slept in the same room from when he was a kid. Thus, the dragon felt the location would be a comfortable area to discuss their feelings for one another. The nostalgia of a positive type was always discovered inside his bedroom from years ago, therefore, he fancied the idea.
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The skin is created by Wolf of Adoxography and Gangnam Style. The thread and conversation remodels are by Kagney. The Strange Reality board list, Heal My Soul info center, I Remember Now mini profile and Electric Requiem profile remodel is made by Pharoah Leap. The Who's That Member member list remodel was made by Tictactoe. The Cbox.ws Shoutbox remodel was made by Trinity Blair. All templates used for claims, information sheets, applications, etc are credited to their owners; credits for these can be found in the threads the templates are use on. Images that are used on The Duality of Man are credited to their owners, however, they have been edited by Zac with a few being edited by Chibi Magician. The plot, rules and various other information pieces for The Duality of Man are written by Chibi Magician with the assistence of her co-admins, Finnegan and Dremulf, alongside other unlisted people who were kind enough to give their input. The TRS, AP and face claim were all created by Fleur for specifically the use of TDOM. All plugins used on The Duality of Man are credited to their owners. The templates my members use are credited to their maker, if you find a template that belongs to you, but is uncredited, please speak to Chibi Magician or the member themself. Characters created on The Duality of Man are credited to their owners and should not be used elsewhere without the creator's permission.
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