justdontgiveame | Labyrinthum Inbox

The barest of nods in acknowledgement and thanks, as Loki breathed. Holding Puck's hand, letting the fae anchor him. No tears, no hitches of breath, but a definite tension in Loki for several moments.

Before a deep breath in, and out, a squeeze of the other's hand, and a kiss against his hair. All ways of saying thank you, and that Loki was alright again. Even smiling softly, was he shifted to get comfortable around Puck once more to continue the story with the illusions still paused.

"Now, where were we?"

Puck smiled back as Loki signaled he was ready to continue, and rested against him. Some tea was had before he answered.

"I think I was enjoying your storytelling while trying to hide how much the atmosphere of it was getting to me." Puck answered, only slightly joking. Really, the story's atmosphere was effective; but that made it more fun.

"Ah, I see your ploy now. Though if you wanted me to curl you close and hold you, you don't need an elaborate play with a book to get that, my Puck."

Loki teased with a soft chuckle. Certain they were both comfy, he resumed where they'd been in Chapter 1 with a strong and steady voice. The characters spoke as the illusion played out, different voices. Acted, moved--like watching a full and proper 3-D film that was immersive around the pair.

"Oh no, here I thought I was being clever." Puck said in mock surprise as he brought his free hand up to his chest to try to sell the shock.

As the story continued though, Puck felt himself getting lost in both the mix of it and Loki's storytelling skills. He tensed slightly as plot points started to be set up; sure they were going to pay off later in the story. Ever a good audience member.

Loki adjusted himself as needed so that Puck could be comfy and close. They'd gotten a bit further, as Loki read well into chapter two now.

"We heard their voices gabbling in animated dialogue as we approached. We joined them at the drawbridge, and turned about to admire with them the beautiful scene.

The glade through which we had just walked lay before us. At our left the narrow road wound away under clumps of lordly trees, and was lost to sight amid the thickening forest. At the right the same road crosses the steep and picturesque bridge, near which stands a ruined tower which once guarded that pass; and beyond the bridge an abrupt eminence rises, covered with trees, and showing in the shadows some grey ivy-clustered rocks.

Over the sward and low grounds a thin film of mist was stealing like smoke, marking the distances with a transparent veil; and here and there we could see the river faintly flashing in the moonlight."

So the surroundings went dark but for the moon, though Loki kept the pages illuminated for reading. The mist stole in just as in the story, obscuring the characters and their surroundings.

" “I have got into one of my moping moods tonight,” said my father, after a silence, and quoting Shakespeare, whom, by way of keeping up our English, he used to read aloud, he said:

“‘In truth I know not why I am so sad.
It wearies me: you say it wearies you;
But how I got it—came by it.’

“I forget the rest. But I feel as if some great misfortune were hanging over us. I suppose the poor General’s afflicted letter has had something to do with it.”

At this moment the unwonted sound of carriage wheels and many hoofs upon the road, arrested our attention."

The illusion was quite immersive and complete, such that the sound of wooden and metal wheels and hoofbeats upon dirt sounded loud compared to Loki's voice.

As things were described and the room kept providing a stage for everything, Puck grinned quickly at the Shakespeare reference. "The Merchant of Venice." he remarked, amused. "Maybe the father was trying to keep things lighthearted."

The sound effects came in and if Puck were any closer to Loki, he could be mistaken for a tunic that Loki was wearing. Usually horror didn't bother Puck to the degree that it was currently, but everything was working in tandem into a very affective setup.

Not to say Puck wasn't enjoying himself, he was, very much so. But the creepiness of everything was also winning out nicely. It was an interesting contrast of emotions.

Loki had noticed how close Puck was, considering the other was all but glued and on top of him. He let out a small chuckle, pausing in his reading as the illusions paused once more. "Too much? I really don't mind you being this close, but there are far more pleasant ways to achieve it than because of fear." Teasing gently.

"A little, but I'm also enjoying it. There are worse things to be caught between, I'm sure." But Puck's answer came out a little shakily. He could see the humor as much as Loki did, and laughed at himself as his cheeks colored again.

"A compliment to your skills, if anything, I'd say."

"I had meant to come here to help relax you though, and I doubt this is relaxing." Blue-green eyes dared Puck to lie, and claim he wasn't tense. "Should I keep going, or perhaps a break and another time?"

Puck met Loki's eyes, saw that unspoken dare, and considered it for a second before he just pushed back. A challenge? Easy. "You're wrong for doubting- just because I'm pressed against you like this doesn't mean I'm tense. Far from it."

"You're the one telling this, what do you want to do?"

"I think--" Loki started to speak, while vanishing the book in a shimmer of green. Smirking somewhat too, as nimble and quick fingers moved to find Puck's sides. Seeking out ticklish spots. "that you're provoking me and I want to prove I'm right."

If Loki had been misdirecting by putting the book away via magic, it worked. Puck was caught off guard and began to laugh, but quickly tried to dodge Loki's hands. "You practically encouraged-" He got out before more laughter won out. Catching his breath, Puck finished that thought.

"You practically encouraged me!"

Unfortunately for the fae, with as close as he was on top of Loki it meant that there was no easy escape. And Loki was merciless, as fingers danced along Puck's ribs, his belly, the inside of his arms. Anywhere he could get to that would make the other laugh.

"I see, blame it on me. You know I'm a bad influence."

It wasn't a difficult challenge at all, as Puck was pretty ticklish. His laughter continued, cut in with words where he could manage. "You are!". Instead of trying to fully dodge, Puck switched to trying to reach Loki in turn. Not quite a wrestling match as he knew them, but a spirited fight nonetheless.

Unfortunately for Puck, Loki was the 'younger' brother. Granted, Thor had usually held back (which Loki was called by and grateful for both). But it meant a tickle-wrestling match was something he was used to. "Sorry, my Robin. I've experience with this game." But Loki laughed anyways, and was glad for the play-fighting. Even rewarding Puck with a kiss or two to his cheeks, or hair, or an ear.

There was no sort of sibling hierarchy in Oberon's court, so Loki had the advantage of actually having the kinds of experiences that came with being a younger sibling. Playful fighting with intent to hurt was common in Avalon, but play fighting where the goal was to just have fun? It was about as rare as snow in summer. It was part of the reason Puck liked a good sparring match when he could find them.

The laughter would occasionally drown Puck's words, and it turned out that trying to divide energy between attacking, blocking attacks and returning the occasional reward with a kiss of his own was also working against the fae. "It's nothing to apologize for!" he assured Loki after one such kiss. This was outside of his wheel house, but it was still fun.

"It's cute you thought I meant that as an apology." Loki murmured, then gave another kiss to Puck's hear while his fingers danced near the fae's ribs once more. Affectionate, teasing and playful, but they could only do this for so long really. Loki very much enjoyed Puck's obvious enjoyment and playfulness in turn, and his laughter was cherished.

Still...

Eventually though, Loki shifted Puck in his arms. No more tickling, just up into a hold and carry. Heading for the bedroom.

"Oh? Well, look at me misunderstanding." Puck responded with another soft laugh. As fun as this had been, it was starting to run its course. As the tickling subsided from both of them; into simply holding for a moment, Puck took a breath and then gave a surprised yelp as he was picked up. It would probably never not catch him off guard.

He looked up at Loki as they moved towards the bedroom. "What now, then? You don't look tired." Puck gave him a playful grin, but didn't say anything else.

There was a low chuckling laugh of amusement, and Loki then leaned in to kiss Puck softly. Holding it, making his intentions clear he hoped. Paused in his movements while he did that, once the kiss was broken Loki resumed his path. "Seducing you. Returning a long ago favor. I suppose I could pretend to be a vampire if you wanted."

The intentions were very clear as Puck returned the kiss. Once they were back to moving, Puck considered the offer as the steps continued. "Oh? If you're just wanting to enjoy my neck, you don't have to pretend to be anything. But I also wouldn't say no to the idea." The more Puck considered it, the more amused he was at the entire situation.

"Should I change outfits while I'm at it? Summon in dim lightning? Throw open the window dramatically and cause flowers to wilt? Or just swoon a bit? There are so many options to go with."

"I leave it to you, my Robin. I will have fun regardless." A wink, and a deliberate nuzzle of Puck's ear. "Be certain that I am seducing you though. Tell me how." A hint of dare and challenge in that statement too, echoed in blue-green eyes.

Puck was half considering some of the ideas he'd thrown out and would start to put some of them into work in due time. The nuzzling and promise of a seduction had Puck at a loss for words for a second. Another dare and a challenge, but Puck would respect the promise and confidence both. "Touch. But also have fun with this as much as you might take it seriously."

Besides recalling what Loki had said during their last foray into more playful sex, it was simply an honest answer. Puck liked his lovers to enjoy themselves. He didn't consider physical affection any sort of chore and likewise tried to carry that playfulness through all aspects of a relationship where it was appropriate.

"What makes you think I won't have fun, my Robin?" Loki asked, voice a bit lower but still serious. Never breaking stride either, as they moved into the bedroom and closer to the bed.

As they crossed the threshold into the bedroom, Puck sent out some magic and redecorated the area. With the window now covered with dark curtains and ambient lighting adjusting the mood of the room itself (while keeping things visible, Puck wasn't about to sacrifice functionality over decorating), it looked fitting. Bleak but somehow inviting- much like the novel Carmilla itself.

He admired the work for a second and then looked back to Loki. "Oh, I don't doubt your ability to have fun- But I figured a reminder was at home as much as all of this."

Loki paused to admire the new decor, then leaned in an deliberately nuzzled Puck's neck affectionately. "Are we still taking inspiration from the reading then? I think we're both currently the wrong gender, if that matters at all." Teasing, content to keep Puck in his arms and hold for the moment.

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