so_far_fallen | For immortal

Aria hadn't taken well to sea life at first - the motion of the ship rolling on the waves had done nothing for his health and he'd been rather poorly. They'd been at sea a while now and he'd become used to it.

He'd spent a lot of time with Morgan during the day when he could, but he'd been sure to retire to his own room each evening.

This evening he'd settled himself against the ships railing to watch the sun set on the horizon and then spotted a pod of dolphins. He'd never seen the sea mammals in the flesh before, he'd heard about them, but this was his first sight. He was enchanted by them and completely lost track of time as he watched them weaving and and leaping about the waves made in the ship's wake.

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Aria rolled onto his side and gently and absentmindedly traced patterns over Morgan's chest with his finger, nuzzling against him.
"Do you mean that? Truly? Or is it just something you say?"

"I mean it truly. It's not something I say often," he ran his fingers through the younger man's tangled hair. "Not like some men. Have you ever had anyone before who wasn't a ah... client or master?"

"Yes...once..."
Aria sounded as though he wouldn't continue for a moment, but eventually he sighed and spoke quietly. "I had a lover, he was like a husband to me. He looked after me."

He listened quietly. He hadn't meant to upset Aria.

Aria found his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze to show he wasn't upset.
"You are the first person since to make me feel safe and worth something."

He laced his fingers with Aria's. He kissed Aria gently. "You're the first person in a long time for me."

"You don't think badly of me because I.... because of where we met?"

Aria couldn't help but ask. He didn't know how anyone could take a lover who had sold himself.

"No. Not at all," he frowned softly. "Aria, you did nothing wrong. You didn't do it voluntarily." Not that he would think any less of him if he had.

Aria bit his lip, looking away from Morgan. His insecurities were rooted deeply and it would take a little more time before he could forget them.
"Every time I look in the mirror all I can see is how dirty I am, how used, and I'm scared that when you look at me you see that too..."

Morgan held him close, kissing his neck. "Shhh, it's all right. You're not, you're not dirty, love. You're beautiful, Aria."

Aria put his arms around him and held him tightly.
"... thank you."

He held him and kissed him. What else could he do? He didn't know how to convince Aria that he was fine. He would have to give him time.

Aria lay there a little longer, quiet and calm now.

"We should probably clean up and dress, Andrew must be nearly finished with supper - he'll wonder where we disappeared to."

He laughed. "Andrew has no illusions us. He'll know. But yes, we should get up and get dressed for dinner."

Aria slid out of bed and collected their clothes, folding them neatly into two piles. He waited to see if Morgan wanted to wash before he did.

The ship had all the modern conveniences. Including a bath and basin with running hot and cold water. He started to fill the tub with water. He was not opposed to wandering around their suite naked and Andrew was used to it.

Aria watched him, sitting on the end of the bed with one leg crossed over the other, his arms folded across his chest. Aria wasn't as comfortable with his body as Morgan - although it was slim and toned his flesh was also littered with scars from over zealous clients.

He went back into the bedroom and saw Aria was sitting nervously on the bed. Morgan sat next to him and slid his arms around the younger man and kissed his shoulder.

Aria relaxed with Morgan's arm around him and rested his head on his shoulder, a small smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.
"I'm not used to people being so kind to me, I keep saying thank you because I don't know what else to say."
He chuckled quietly and nuzzled Morgan. "I really do love you."

"And I love you, really," he smiled and kissed Aria's neck and ear. He had waited and been patient so long to hear that. "I fell for you the first night," he traced one of the scars on Aria's back with a gentle finger.

Aria's smile grew, "I'm glad. You were... different. I noticed you, and the more time that went by the more comfortable I felt with you and the more I warmed to you. I'm just sorry it took so long for me to say anything to you."

"Some things, the ones that are the most worthwhile, cannot be rushed," he smiled and took Aria's hand and brought his fingers to the scar tissue on his own chest. It was old and very faint, but with his fingers he could trace the capital 'P' that was mostly hidden by chest hair. "And I want you to know, that you're not the only one who has been hurt."

Aria traced the scar, frowning.
"Are you alright? What happened?"
He kissed Morgan, concerned.

"I'm fine. It happened a very long time ago when I was young. I was held captive and branded as a pirate." He smiled, ironically. "At the time though, it was true."