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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"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."

"You were a pirate?" Aria looked shocked, "Goodness..."
He coudln't help but remember his past lover's opinion of pirates.

"I was young and foolish," he smiled softly. How long ago that was and how young, he wasn't ready to tell Aria yet. "Not all my money is from legitimate endeavors. At least, in the beginning, now it is."

"I'm glad to hear it."

Aria wasn't sure how he would have felt if he'd discovered Morgan was some kind of crook.
"I think your bath may be done."

"Come then, there's room enough in the tub for two." he smiled and held out his hand to his lover.

Aria grinned and nodded, going to the bathroom with Morgan. He carefully slipped into the water and sighed.
"Mmm... goodness. I love so much to have a bath."
He closed his eyes a moment, enjoying the warm water immenseley. "Thank you."

Smiling, he kissed Aria's forehead before stepping into the tub himself. He sank down in the water next to Aria.

"Don't let me fall asleep," Aria laughed.

He was quiet for a moment, just enjoying the comfort of the warm water and Morgan's company. It was nice.
After a while a quizzical expression appeared on his face and he spoke. "Morgan? ... what happens now? I mean when we reach New York what happens to me? Where do I go?"

He smiled softly at Aria. "All right, if I don't fall asleep myself." The warm water after very satisfying sex would be hard not to fall asleep in the tub.

"Mmm. When we get to New York, you can do as you like. You can stay with me or have a place of your own. Live your life the way you want for a change. The point is, you're a free man, you get to choose, Aria." Though, in truth, he hoped Aria would choose to stay with him. But he didn't want the younger man to feel like he'd escaped slavery in the brothel to end up being a slave in Morgan's house.

Aria had never known what it was like to choose his own path in life, the feeling was a little overwhelming. To be completely free and able to do whatever he wished, to steer his life in any direction he wanted, it was an entirely new concept to him.

"... I think.... I think, if I may, I'd like to stay with you... If only just for a while, if that's alright?"

"I'd like that," he leaned in to kiss Aria's shoulder. He would help Aria become independent if he wanted. But he was more than happy to have Aria stay with him.

Aria smiled gratefully and kissed Morgan's cheek. "Thank you."
The blonde found a wash cloth and carefully began to wash Morgan, rubbing the cloth gently over his skin.

Morgan closed his eyes in pleasure as Aria bathed him. "That feels good."

"I'm glad."

Aria moved so he could wash Morgan's back, sliding the soapy cloth over his skin and rinsing away the bubbles with a cupped handful of the warm water.

He moaned as Aria continued to bathe him. He leaned back, wetting his hair.

[Aria couldn't help laughing quietly at his reaction, glad he's pleasing him]

This is one of my favourite things to do.

"Really?" he smiled. "I hope you don't mind if I take baths with you from now on?" he chuckled softly and leaned back to kiss him.

"I think that will make it even more of a favourite passtime," Aria replied. "But then I think spending any time at all with you is going to be wonderful."

"I quite like spending time with you too," he kissed Aria again. "Turn around, let me bathe you."

"You don't have to," Aria said, but he turned around anyway, offering his back to Morgan.

"I want to," Morgan said taking the sponge from his lover and soaping it to gently wash Aria's back.

Aria smiled and let his eyes close in satisfaction, smiling.

"Mmm, that feels lovely, Morgan, thank you." he murmured. He loved the water, he loved everything about it - one day he hoped he'd have the chance to learn how to swim.