⚞ 𝑺ₑ𝒸ₒₙ𝒹 ✶ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ 𝔯ᵢ𝓰ₕₜ ׅ ⌑

⠀⠀  ৎ ﹡    ៹⠀ @neverI4nds ꓹ ⠀ “  oh,  i know for certain i'd be mortified.  ” ⠀it made yusef chuckle at the mere thought.

〝  oh i plan on doing that.  just wanted to hear you say it first ＂ came his cheeky reply before he begun to litter slow and attentive kisses along yusef's face,  digits intertwining with the other's while doing so〝  i'm happy you're here.  it really made my day seeing you ＂

@neverI4nds ，  a sharp sneer is heard,  then he mutters. ⠀ʿʿ  a kiss would've been nice you know.  ʾʾ ⠀the pirate frowns,  clearly expecting one.

〝  what,  were you expecting a red carpet to be rolled out for your arrival or something? ＂ he joked as he let his head rest comfortably on yusef's shoulder〝  and you should've just taken a nap then.  that's what i would've done ＂

〝  alright,  fine!  you win,  so gimme a sec to breathe first! ＂ he squirmed around between fits of laughter before managing to get a grasp of yusef's wrist,  pushing them away from his sides before letting out a sigh of relief〝  i'm sorry  ( . . . )  that i'm just better than you! ＂ he said with a mischievous grin before placing an obnoxious kiss on the pirate's cheek and scurried out of his hold

@neverI4nds ，  ʿʿ  so? do it right now little twerp- i won't be stopping anytime soon ∼  ʾʾ ⠀an evil grin graced onto yusef's lips, fingers still working onto its magic to tickle hin.

the warm contrast of yusef's hands along his waist made him shudder as if a chill went down his spine,  causing his posture to straighten.  a few silent yet comfortable seconds passed by with ajax noticing the other not making any moves,  causing emerald hues to lightly roll in realization〝  you know what?  i'm starting to think you were making that up earlier..- ＂ he commented aloud as his head tilt back to lightly bump the pirate's head who was still immersed in his own staring

@neverI4nds ，  yusef could not fathom how easy it was to convince ajax with that poor excuse.  although,  it worked very well in his favor. ⠀ʿʿ  mm,  hold still.  ʾʾ ⠀without ado,  rough hands grasped his waist──keeping the figure from moving.  golden eyes scans upon the sprinkled skin,  the muscles..  so immersed it was as if he'd been staring upon a starry night sky.

〝  ( ! ) if there was something on my back why didn't you say so earlier! ＂ he exclaimed in sudden panic before trying to swat at whatever was on him〝  my misfortune isn't your entertainment,  so help me out here-! ＂

〝  why would i do that when you look so charming like this? ＂ he briefly pulled down the scarf to set a quick kiss on yusef's lips before making it cover his nose once more〝  hm,  i don't have any other qualms right now.  but the snow on your hair makes you look especially festive ＂

@neverI4nds ,     “babe,  fix it.”  his eyes blankly stared at him,  words?  muffled against the knitted red scarf.  “‘lright,  anything else you want me to do other than shield you from this sheer cold,  carrots?”

〝  i do have my scarf if that makes you feel better ＂ he said before wrapping the dark red material around yusef's neck,  making sure a bit of it was also covering his nose〝  awe,  look at you all wrapped up and cozy for winter! ＂

〝  what's up with you trying to one-up me all of a sudden with your sappy words? ＂ he jokingly asked in a failed attempt to mask the faint hue of red along features.  ajax's flusterings caused him to bury his face against yusef's neck to hide himself,  yet a boyish smile could still be felt against the soft area〝  if you end up saying anymore vows like this,  i'll no doubt cry at our wedding.  i can't handle how sweet you're being.  give my heart a break ＂ he said despite his words being muffled due to his own bashfulness

@neverI4nds ,     after parting from the shared kiss,  ajax’s words just made the brunette gaze upon him endearingly.  “pah!  you’re so silly,  ajax..”  the chortle that left his lips were contagious,  it would ensue for a minute till he adds.  “you could be anything right now and i’d still choose you over anyone else.  i’m proud of just..  you.  without the expectations,  without the strain of being perfect.  just…  you.”  a smile evenly etched charming features.  “you were never a choice.  you’ve always been mine when we met.  and i don’t regret anything..  my vow remains the same.  you’re my lifeline.”

〝  good,  i was hoping to make you proud ＂ he managed to say before their lips breifly connected,  a small hum being heard from ajax as his arms settled over yusef's shoulders〝  i want nothing more than for you to be proud that i'm yours.  i want to live up to your expectations of me and make you don't regret your choice ＂ his words came out quiet,  as if he only wanted the brunette to be the one to hear his spoken promises

〝  you promise you won't leave me..  right...? ＂ he asked in such a meek tone that it would've been a shock to others to hear from him.  the facade he normally put up had fully crumbled down,  only revealing now the vulnerable boy he'd always been deep down.  but yusef was already used to this side of him,  bringing comfort to his despairing form as the other briefly kissed him.  ajax could try to push away the brunette as much as he wanted,  but yusef would always find a way back to him everytime — the thought alone made him smile ever so slightly through his tears〝  i really don't deserve you..  but the thought of losing you makes me so scared.. ＂ he uttered as the ink that once consumed him begun to slowly retract from his form

  ⠀།  ︲   ᆢ⠀ @neverI4nds ，  a worrisome look.  yusef gently thumbed away the faltering tears,  "  shh..  it's okay.  " ⠀he coos softly,  kissing the tear–stained cheek.  how could he even say that to himself?  in yusef's eyes,  ajax had always been an amazing individual that inspired others.  someone worth cherishing.  all yusef could see was the same small boy he met from the orphanage,  crying..  not the man he so  proclaims to be tainted. ⠀"  i love you,  ajax.  " ⠀he'd take the chance to kiss his lips,  full of want despite the fraction of it parting away. ⠀"  we'll fix this,  okay?  i'll help you..  just let me take care of you.  "

the light that seemingly left his emerald hues earlier sparked once more through his tears as yusef embraced him,  the sudden source of warmth sending a shiver through his body as he curled closer to the other〝  hurting you is the last thing i want to do... ＂ he said in a strained tone and sniffles.  the ring that yusef proposed to him with was worn on his finger,  remaining untainted despite the ink that consumed him as if it was proof that he was still fighting〝  i'm sorry i'm like this..  i promise i'll do better... ＂ he apologized.  that being the only thing he could muster up and say,  believing it was his own fault he still remained in this state despite everything they went through〝  i'm so broken and useless..  i'm not worth loving... ＂

⠀⠀  ৎ ﹡    ៹⠀ @neverI4nds ꓹ ⠀ "  oh,  i know.  you're just saying that to scare me.  "

〝  how is it that it's hard for you to believe they're real?  we live in a vast system of planets for crying out loud.  anything's possible! ＂

⠀⠀  ৎ ﹡    ៹⠀ @neverI4nds ꓹ ⠀ yusef blinked. ⠀"  what..?  no..  those aren't real.  that's basically impossible.  "

〝  how am i the one at fault for this?  you weren't complaining about it earlier! ＂

⠀⠀  ৎ ﹡    ៹⠀ @neverI4nds ꓹ ⠀ "  well fuck.  what am i supposed to say?!  this is all your fault for being too careless.  "

〝  my patience is wearing thin.  we've been walking for the past twenty minutes already! ＂

⠀⠀  ৎ ﹡    ៹⠀ @neverI4nds ꓹ ⠀ "  nothing's weird.  can't you wait?  you're always rushin' me.  there's no use to it if i tell you.  "