[it takes everything in him not to collapse on the spot, but he manages to stay on his feet. it's a completely different sensation from what he's used to; physical pleasure, localized to a single point instead of spreading aimlessly through his being. it's soft, wet, tender -- nothing like the way the Captain's fingers burn through his bones.

he strokes the Captain's hair, watching him through lidded eyes. his hips twitch forward, his own great restraint only barely holding.]

That's it. That's perfect, darling.

[he catches the Captain's gaze and moans. no amount of restraint is going to keep him from coming too soon, not when he could live with these sensations forever. he drops his free hand to cover the one on his hip, while the fingers of his other hand curl into the Captain's hair, pulling lightly.]

Fuck, that's -- mmmh, such a good boy, I'm no match for you.

[his best is more than enough for Skulduggery. the last time he ever felt this way was before he died, celebrating a short-lived victory against the cult of the Faceless Ones and passionately in love with his wife. it's almost a disservice to her memory to compare her to the Captain, but the truth is, she only ever loved a fraction of him. as passionate as that love had been, it could never be as deep as this one.

(insert funny deep-throating joke here)]

Ah, but you are gorgeous. [he tangles his fingers in his hair, torn between guiding and simply hanging on.] I love you -- mmmhh, I'm not going to last much longer. [they'll have to practice more. the thought alone is toe-curling.]

[he tightens his hand around the one resting on his hip, abandoning the attempt at restraint as his hips rock forward. he can't keep himself from chasing the pleasure threatening to overwhelm him.]

Oh, yes, yes... [his body is wracked with shudders, visible for once now that there's flesh on top of bone, his voice stutter-stopping over mindless words as he tips over the edge and comes.]

[his face scrunches up in playful disgust as he laughs.]

Just what a man loves to hear.

Says the man who put the glamour on me to begin with...

[he strokes the Captain's hair, his own expression light and easy as he bends over to kiss him.]

You are amazing. Well and truly astonishing. [and he doesn't need any flowers to get him to say as much.]

[as much as he enjoys looking down at the Captain's naked form splayed out among the flowers, he'd much rather be down there with him. he drops to his knees, pinning one of the Captain's legs between his own.]

There's no skeletal substitute for it. I could probably use more practice, considering how long it's been...

They're certainly not going anywhere. [he bends down, pressing his lips to one of the Captain's shoulders.] Neither am I, for that matter.

[a quiet laugh.] Of course.

[he trails a few more kisses along his shoulder, up his neck.]

...You don't have to pretend that you wouldn't toss them all into oblivion if I didn't care so much about them. I won't hold that desire against you. [sometimes, he even shares it.]

So... ninety percent, then?

[he has the impulse to lick the Captain's throat. this isn't the first time it's happened, but it's the first time he's had a tongue to do so, so... lick]

[he can't get used to this. he doesn't want to get used to this. but it does feel good to feel again. and he can't deny the thrill that runs up his spine at the embrace, knowing he isn't posing an awkward and uncomfortable challenge for every touch like normal.]

Color me impressed. You officially have a higher tolerance than I do. [he's joking! mostly.]

Are you saying being better than me isn't its own reward?

[he slides his knee further up between his thighs, giving his throat a light, playful nip with his teeth before soothing the spot with his tongue.]

Not all...

["the time" is how that sentence is supposed to end, but he cuts off with a strangled moan.]