What glances Marcus manages to catch of Max will show nothing but a sympathetic look to match the rest of Max's tone. His expression draws in more when he sees that tattoo, and recognizes it for what it's meant to depict. He wants to ask if the church gave him that, but isn't sure if the question would be upsetting.
"I promise, you wouldn't be putting me out. The offer is a genuine one. And it will always stand."
He worries his bottom lip between his teeth a moment, deciding if he wants to make this next offer. The way Marcus said it... he'll manage, somehow. Well. Max could help with that too.
"Marcus... don't take this as some kind of pity or... well, you know. I'm just going to lay this on the table, is all."
Max is the one looking slightly anxious now. "If you wanted to give it a try with me, I'd really enjoy it."
"Yeah?" Marcus takes a bite of cookie and looks Max up and down, considering. Max was pretty close to exactly on the money for him, and he's definitely noticed that before - he likes them tall, and the muscles are nice. Even the light touch of scruff (though a beard would have worked too). He's not sure what a guy like that would want with a scarecrow like him, but... he's thinking about it.
At least he can tell Max is sincere, and it really isn't just pity. He smiles, nudging Max's calf with his toe. "I'll think about it. Dunno if I'm... ready yet."
It's nice to get an offer, at least. Makes a guy feel wanted.
There's no hesitation from Rowan as well, moving to start shucking their own clothes. As they do so, though, they stand up, pulling Max with them to the bedroom, so they can curl up together in bed, and just bask in one another's presence until Lucas joins them and they can pull him into the pile.
"Yeah." Max's smile is warm and inviting, even while he knows he's being appraised.
Marcus should really give himself more credit, too. Scarecrow isn't the word Max would use. Regardless, attraction has always been less about aesthetics for Max and more about liking the person underneath. He likes Marcus a lot.
"That's all right. Like I said, you should take as long as you want. No need to rush."
And, because Max really can't stand not to anymore, he gets up and comes around to Marcus, so he can start to pull the man into a hug.
Marcus lets Max pull him in and wraps his arms around him in return, holding on tight. It's been a while since hugged anyone, he's not sure he even remembers the last person he hugged. And by hug standards, this is a great one - Max's arms are strong and warm and he's tall enough that Marcus doesn't have to lean down but not so tall that Marcus is suffocated in his shoulder.
He closes his eyes and sinks into it for a moment, but when he feels his breath hitch threateningly in his throat he pulls back. He's not gonna cry just from getting a hug. He has some dignity. "Right. Uh. I'll let you know."
Max will politely pretend that he didn't hear that hitch of breath. How long has it been since Marcus had anyone comfort him like this, Max wonders, if a hug is enough to choke his poor friend up? Doesn't matter, because Max is determined to make sure it's not that long between them anymore after this.
For now, he pulls away with a little chuckle. "Day or night, just a tome call away. Or, you can always wait here having a snack until I get home." Max grins and grabs another cookie for himself.
"Dark chocolate is a good way to get in the mood."
Marcus can't help a bit of a laugh. "Oh, it'll probably be the latter. Never been much for prior warning." Popping up unexpectedly is one of Marcus's greatest joys in life. No one is safe.
He'll scoop up one last cookie and wave with it. "I'll be off, then. See you 'round, Max."
Max is doing his best to sit and listen. Though his fingers are fidgeting in his lap, he's otherwise doing a pretty good job--until she drops that second bomb.
A BABY?
His eyes are once again about as wide as they can go. He's making a sound in the back of his throat that sounds like an attempt at saying something but also he might just be choking on his own spit.
It's for the best as she speeds on to the next bombshell after that. Goblin raids. And they... "They kidnapped you?"
"Y-yeah. Sorry." He shakes his head at the same time so... jury is out on this one.
"It's a lot to take in. I mean, you have a baby? That's... that huge. And, I just... I think I've doubled the amount of questions I have for you now, but I'm trying to hold it in until you finish."
"Yeah, it -- yeah." She sighs ruefully. "I know it's a lot. So--
"They held us for a while. I don't know how long, exactly, but long enough that Luc wasn't doing well. None of us were. So one night, we ran. Uh, I'm pretty fast, so I went one direction to distract the goblins, and Yeza took Luc and went the other way. And it worked, they got away. But I didn't."
She hesitates a moment, sorting her thoughts, bracing herself for the next part.
"So. They caught me. I fought back, I had some acid on me and I threw it in their leader's face, but they caught me, and they didn't -- like that. And the leader's, uh, wife, I guess, she took me to this woman, this magic-user, and they -- drowned me. In the river. And I blacked out, and I woke up." She stretches her hands out in front of her, green and clawed. "I woke up like this."
His eyes are beginning to shine with the first hint of tears by the time she gets to "But I didn't" and as she keeps going, right to the bitter end of her story, one urge overwhelms all others.
He flings himself at her, arms wide, to pull her into a hug.
"I don't know if you want to hear this but... I'm so sorry. You made such a huge sacrifice. And you've been dealing with this alone? All this time?"
The hug catches her off guard, and she goes stiff for half a second before relaxing into it.
"Yyyyes? It's -- it's weird because Caleb and Beau, when I got here, they already knew. But I hadn't told them, so it was like, I don't know, like they knew a different person. Two different people, the Nott who told them and Veth, and neither of them was me? Gods, that sounds stupid."
"No. It's not stupid. It's confusing and complicated. And, if you think about it... you didn't really get to reveal this to them on your own terms. Not the you that you are right now."
He's not letting her go for at least another half a minute. So, his next question will be slightly muffled in her shoulder.
"What does this mean for you here? Do you still want to be called Nott? Or, should I use Veth?"
"I don't know, honestly." A sigh. "I don't even know if it's something the fae would fix. Caleb says we figure it out back home, eventually. And if they wanted to see me fuckin' people like that, why wouldn't they have kidnapped me then?"
"Hmmm." Max considers it. The fae very well could have taken her at that time before. But, would she have been less willing to participate with a husband and kid at home?
"A lot of people come here when they've got less to lose by doing what the fae want. Doesn't it seem that way? As Nott you've got a lot more to gain by trying to earn favor, don't you? It feels like they take from people what they would do anything to get back. So, I don't know, maybe that's the game. Either way, I think it matters more what you want for yourself. If you want to be Veth then I'll do anything in my power to help you achieve it. I'm sure others will too."
He's looking at her, dead serious. She deserves to feel at home in her own skin. He knows, after living with Rowan for so long, watching their struggle, that it's easier said than done. But he's willing to help her on the journey.
"Caleb is good with magic, right? Or, hell, we could go ask Jackie to use their flesh changing ability on you. I've seen them do some amazing things with it. I have a good report with Jackie, I'm sure they'd agree to help if they can."
Max is still surprised sometimes by how much more he knows of Jackie than most. But, logically he shouldn't be since the vampire... well, ex-vampire, keeps to themselves a lot.
"They are very talented with it. I know for a fact they've helped some people with very complicated requests." Rowan, for one, but Max isn't going to name any names.
"And they offered to completely remove the brand on my neck for me. I turned them down, but they could have done it without leaving a trace."
"I'll ... I'll think about that," Nott replies slowly. Every time the actual offer comes up, the idea that she might actually be able to fix this, the enormity of it all makes her balk. What if goes wrong, or doesn't work, or -- or something. What if everything changes?
He pats their thigh, nodding his understanding. It's a big step. If it were him, he'd need to mull it over a while too. Well, even getting a scar removed had taken a lot of thinking, and that's not nearly as drastic a change.
"I really thought long and hard about it. At one point, I'd even resolved to do it but I didn't feel ready yet. There are still some things about my old life that are... unresolved. This brand sucks, but it's also a reminder of where I came from. What I went through. Maybe at some point I will feel like I've really put it behind me. Until then, I want to keep the proof. If that makes any sense?" It's not a badge of honor, or anything like that, but it is a physical representation of his struggle. Maybe he'll never be ready to leave it completely.
"You should take all the time you need to think about it. I know it's a big deal. But, if it helps at all to hear this? I want you to know that no matter who you decide you want to be, you're my friend and I'll always care about you. I'm willing to bet a lot of people feel the same way."
She shifts over to lean against him with a sigh, both to offer some comfort back and to acknowledge the offer, and speaks up again after a moment.
"I thought about telling you about this before. When you told me about your -- situation. It's not the same, it's just, I know a little about getting away from people."
( Night Sky nearly drops her tome when she finally gets a hold of Max. )
Max. Hi. I'm looking for a third for a threesome and the guy - do you know Heisenberg? - anyway. He has a huge cock and, uh, you have a huge cock sooo... ( DO THE MATH. )
[Max blinks in surprise as he takes all that in. Well, he has said before that he's very open to being anyone's third. That's finally paying off for him.]
I don't think we've met before. But how can I say no to a recommendation like that?
[If large cocks are what she desires, who is he to turn down an offer? Not like he hasn't fucked people on the first day meeting them before.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-26 06:45 pm (UTC)"I promise, you wouldn't be putting me out. The offer is a genuine one. And it will always stand."
He worries his bottom lip between his teeth a moment, deciding if he wants to make this next offer. The way Marcus said it... he'll manage, somehow. Well. Max could help with that too.
"Marcus... don't take this as some kind of pity or... well, you know. I'm just going to lay this on the table, is all."
Max is the one looking slightly anxious now. "If you wanted to give it a try with me, I'd really enjoy it."
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-26 08:15 pm (UTC)At least he can tell Max is sincere, and it really isn't just pity. He smiles, nudging Max's calf with his toe. "I'll think about it. Dunno if I'm... ready yet."
It's nice to get an offer, at least. Makes a guy feel wanted.
Shall we end here?
Date: 2021-07-26 08:40 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-26 08:53 pm (UTC)Marcus should really give himself more credit, too. Scarecrow isn't the word Max would use. Regardless, attraction has always been less about aesthetics for Max and more about liking the person underneath. He likes Marcus a lot.
"That's all right. Like I said, you should take as long as you want. No need to rush."
And, because Max really can't stand not to anymore, he gets up and comes around to Marcus, so he can start to pull the man into a hug.
"Don't worry too much. You'll get there."
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-26 09:17 pm (UTC)He closes his eyes and sinks into it for a moment, but when he feels his breath hitch threateningly in his throat he pulls back. He's not gonna cry just from getting a hug. He has some dignity. "Right. Uh. I'll let you know."
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-27 12:27 am (UTC)For now, he pulls away with a little chuckle. "Day or night, just a tome call away. Or, you can always wait here having a snack until I get home." Max grins and grabs another cookie for himself.
"Dark chocolate is a good way to get in the mood."
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-27 12:38 am (UTC)He'll scoop up one last cookie and wave with it. "I'll be off, then. See you 'round, Max."
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-28 05:29 pm (UTC)A BABY?
His eyes are once again about as wide as they can go. He's making a sound in the back of his throat that sounds like an attempt at saying something but also he might just be choking on his own spit.
It's for the best as she speeds on to the next bombshell after that. Goblin raids. And they... "They kidnapped you?"
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-28 06:24 pm (UTC)"It's a lot to take in. I mean, you have a baby? That's... that huge. And, I just... I think I've doubled the amount of questions I have for you now, but I'm trying to hold it in until you finish."
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-28 08:35 pm (UTC)He flings himself at her, arms wide, to pull her into a hug.
"I don't know if you want to hear this but... I'm so sorry. You made such a huge sacrifice. And you've been dealing with this alone? All this time?"
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-28 08:50 pm (UTC)He's not letting her go for at least another half a minute. So, his next question will be slightly muffled in her shoulder.
"What does this mean for you here? Do you still want to be called Nott? Or, should I use Veth?"
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-28 11:37 pm (UTC)"Does that mean you're planning to ask the fae to restore your halfling body? Do you need any help with favor for that?"
(no subject)
Date: 2021-08-03 02:57 pm (UTC)"A lot of people come here when they've got less to lose by doing what the fae want. Doesn't it seem that way? As Nott you've got a lot more to gain by trying to earn favor, don't you? It feels like they take from people what they would do anything to get back. So, I don't know, maybe that's the game. Either way, I think it matters more what you want for yourself. If you want to be Veth then I'll do anything in my power to help you achieve it. I'm sure others will too."
He's looking at her, dead serious. She deserves to feel at home in her own skin. He knows, after living with Rowan for so long, watching their struggle, that it's easier said than done. But he's willing to help her on the journey.
"Caleb is good with magic, right? Or, hell, we could go ask Jackie to use their flesh changing ability on you. I've seen them do some amazing things with it. I have a good report with Jackie, I'm sure they'd agree to help if they can."
(no subject)
Date: 2021-08-03 03:59 pm (UTC)Max is still surprised sometimes by how much more he knows of Jackie than most. But, logically he shouldn't be since the vampire... well, ex-vampire, keeps to themselves a lot.
"They are very talented with it. I know for a fact they've helped some people with very complicated requests." Rowan, for one, but Max isn't going to name any names.
"And they offered to completely remove the brand on my neck for me. I turned them down, but they could have done it without leaving a trace."
(no subject)
Date: 2021-08-03 05:10 pm (UTC)"I really thought long and hard about it. At one point, I'd even resolved to do it but I didn't feel ready yet. There are still some things about my old life that are... unresolved. This brand sucks, but it's also a reminder of where I came from. What I went through. Maybe at some point I will feel like I've really put it behind me. Until then, I want to keep the proof. If that makes any sense?" It's not a badge of honor, or anything like that, but it is a physical representation of his struggle. Maybe he'll never be ready to leave it completely.
"You should take all the time you need to think about it. I know it's a big deal. But, if it helps at all to hear this? I want you to know that no matter who you decide you want to be, you're my friend and I'll always care about you. I'm willing to bet a lot of people feel the same way."
video;
Date: 2021-08-05 02:52 am (UTC)Max. Hi. I'm looking for a third for a threesome and the guy - do you know Heisenberg? - anyway. He has a huge cock and, uh, you have a huge cock sooo... ( DO THE MATH. )
Re: video;
Date: 2021-08-05 03:18 pm (UTC)I don't think we've met before. But how can I say no to a recommendation like that?
[If large cocks are what she desires, who is he to turn down an offer? Not like he hasn't fucked people on the first day meeting them before.]
I'm free any evening.