Return Road (Private)

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Akim realized he should have worded his statement differently a bit too late and he didn't know how to comfort his guest without at least partially lying to him about the townspeople.

-"I have a sort of... grudge against the locals and I would like it if they gave you a reason to dislike them as well. Don't become alarmed because I say these sorts of things, it's only my opinion but I would rather keep you away from them." He tried to explain his thoughts properly so the human wouldn't have to interpret them himself and come to any more grim conclusions.

 

After they'd passed by countless doors, had taken a turn and come down a small, narrow flight of stairs into a less spacious hallway they finally made it into the kitchen. The room had obviously been built to support a house full of people and be the work place of more than one person. Akim knew something like that would never be reality and it only seemed unnecessarily big to him.

 

-"I like a lot of things... I suppose I'm not too picky either." He admired with a faint smile. "Even if you don't have any favorites though, is there anything you would like now?"

[ACuckoo]

Then why didn’t he leave? That was the only thing running through Snow's mind. Why didn’t Akim leave? Why did he stay in this town when he didn’t like the townspeople, when he was by himself, when there was no one and apparently nothing here for him? He stared at the other curiously, this enigma of a man, and could only wonder why. Why he did the things he did. Why he lived in such a big house. How he managed to wind up in this town and stay here for as long as he did.

 

They eventually made it to the spacious kitchen, a place Snow could tell should have been occupied and used by several people. Had Akim had a family and lost them just like Snow? Maybe the townspeople hurt them or worse, killed them, and now Akim was biding his time in getting revenge. There was a multitude of possibilities though a lot of the scenarios running through Snow’s head seemed far-fetched even to him. Then again his life wasn’t exactly normal either. Perhaps that was why he had found himself in this place. A town for those who were a little less than normal?

 

“Oh ummm….” Akim broke him from his numerous thoughts and Snow had to refocus himself to answer his question. “So you’re not picky either? As long as there’s meat on the plate I’ll eat anything,” he said with a laugh, though it was short lived. He went back to thinking about the man in front of him and spoke before he could stop himself. “I’m curious about you, Akim. I won’t force you to reveal anything about yourself that you don’t want to, but… The more I talk to you the more questions I have for you.” He left it there, knowing he didn’t leave much room for a response, but it was all he could think to say. That and, “I’m sorry. I keep overstepping my boundaries, don’t I?”

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Akim would have pretended he didn't mind being questioned but he was aware his expression had already given him away. The only option he was left with was to be honest with his guest and only try not to sound rough or impolite.

 

-"I would like to get to know you as well." He started but was amused by how innocuous the statement sounded and how little it revealed of just how much effort he put into finding out more about the human. "I'm glad we both feel the same regarding that... but there are things I want to keep to myself, and as much as i hate it I know there are questions that can make me angry even if I don't intend to answer them." He spoke the truth and was fully honest as he explained his thoughts and feelings.

 

Akim didn't give himself the opportunity to analyze the smaller man and instead moved through the kitchen gathering food and utensils, gathering them all up in one spot on the counter. It seemed he'd put an end to the topic and had nothing more to say but after a long while he returned to it.

-"We should try to keep things simple when we talk... I still want to help you find out what you need to about the town but maybe it's better I only tell you the important things, so you stay safe, and let you figure out the rest yourself."

[ACuckoo]

This was exactly what Snow wanted to hear. More of what Akim was about, more of what he was thinking, more of who he was. Now he knew that there were boundaries he couldn’t cross with Akim. What those boundaries were he didn’t know, but at least now he knew there was something. Akim wasn’t just being private, there were things he didn’t want to talk about. That being said, if Akim was being truthful and wanted to help him, then he probably needed to know these things he was keeping a secret.

 

But for now…. “Okay.” Snow gently put on a hand on Akim’s shoulder, smiling softly at him as he began to lightly rub his hand there, trying to loosen the tense muscles. “I’ll keep it simple. For now anyway. And I’ll try not to be so scared either. But… I need your help, Akim. I need help learning about this town and figuring out if there’s way to get out. I simply can’t do it on my own.”

 

He went ahead and moved behind the other, putting another hand on his other shoulder to give him a proper massage. “But for now, we can keep things simple. I’m in no rush. I’ve stayed at places for short periods of time and long periods of time. This shouldn’t be any different. Plus, I have a good person to stay with so… What’s the rush?” He chuckled, his smiling widening at his new perspective on his horrible situation. Well… It didn’t feel so horrible now.

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Akim wished the human would simply forget the rest of the world and not think about leaving any more but he knew how ridiculous that was to hope for and instead was thankful that his guest agreed to spend some time on the manor without worrying and wasn't in as much of a hurry to escape. "I want to help you." He confirmed in a half whisper though it made no sense even to him that he wanted so badly to make the other man happy and be there for him but without giving him what he wanted.

 

Only a simple touch from the younger man would had been enough to distract Akim and just as he'd expected a massage made him grow still and silent and he drop what he was doing. His attention shifted to the humans hands placed on his shoulders and he sighed quietly, a long while passed before he convinced himself to say something in protest.

-"You don't have to do that..." He commented but didn't move away or do anything else to stop the other man. "Do you always do these sorts of things for the people you stay with?" Akim asked a moment later curious if this was only a way his guest showed his gratitude and something he did often.

[ACuckoo]

The poor thing was so tense, probably even more than he realized. Akim seemed like such a laid back guy, someone who didn’t worry or have many cares, but based on how hard Snow had to massage him to work out the knots in his back and shoulders showed that Akim carried burden on them… Or at least he had at some point if not now. “I’m glad you want to help me. Perhaps we’ll help each other. How I can help you I don’t know, but I’ll do what I can.”

 

The silence between them was nice. He could feel Akim start to loosen a little, relax some under his touch. Together the two of them stood in the kitchen and Snow easily lost himself in his task of helping the other relax while also enjoying the feel of the rough skin and strong muscles under his hands. A chuckle escaped him when Akim asked his question and Snow shook his head though he remembered the other couldn’t see it.

 

“No. Usually I just pay the people I stay with. I pay them with money I mean. Or if they happen to be good friends they let me stay for free. But you… I don’t think you need money. In fact, I don’t have money since a lot of my stuff went missing. I think this is better for you, no? You’re special, Akim. I’ve never met anyone like you. So I think that you deserve a special payment for allowing me to stay here. That and well... I want to do it.”

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Akim couldn't stop himself from grinning like a child being praised when the other man chose to call him special. He was thankful the other was behind him and only hoped he wouldn't notice his expression. "If this is what you want then I don't have any complaints but I don't want you to repay me for anything, just keeping me company is more than enough." Akim said but took a step away from the human afterwards and took his hand. "I have to stop you for now thought, to make sure you don't starve." He commented with a hint of a smirk. He could have staid in place and let the smaller man massage him for the rest of the day but he remember what they'd been doing before that and grew worried for the human again.

 

-"You can take a seat here if you'd like but I don't mind bringing you something to another room either." Akim explained shortly and placed a soft kiss on his guests hand before returning beside the counter to continue what he'd been busy with. Really he didn't have much to do considering how he was only putting together a few things and didn't even have the need to use anything else than a knife.

[ACuckoo]

How many times had he blushed since he’d arrived at this man’s house? More times than he could remember, and he just added another one to the list. He couldn’t stop the blood rushing to his cheeks when his hand was kissed; the warm feeling of lips on his skin stayed there even when he was let go entirely. It was rare that he bonded so quickly with another person. It was even rarer that he wanted to become good friends with someone he had only just met, but… There was a connection there. Somehow, the two had connected before Snow even realized it had happened.

 

“Why don’t you come find me?” Snow grinned, gently twisting the ends of Akim’s hair around his fingers, if only to flirt back a little. “Don’t worry. I won’t go anywhere that looks like I shouldn’t be there, but it’ll fun to play hide and seek, right? I’ll be around! Come find me when the food is ready!” He giggled as he ran out, pulling his shirt down a bit more as it rode up when he ran off. The house was big and he could only hope that Akim truly did come look for him and find him as well… He didn’t want to get lost. But the house was beautiful. During his time by himself Snow took in all of the beautiful decor, the engravings on the walls and ceilings, the old but maintained stone. “This is so beautiful,” he whispered to himself, turning in a circle as he looked and walked up the long hallway.

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Akim felt a tingle when the human played with his hair and slightly pulled a few thin strands unintentionally. It was another distraction and he glanced over his shoulder at the his guest just to see him run off. There was no place inside the building where he didn't want the younger man to go so Akim didn't worry. However he would have complained and disagreed to play hide and seek if he'd been given the chance, simply because the game was no challenge to him. He didn't care much about being fair and allowed the rest of his being to follow after the human right away, not loosing sight of him even for a second. It was a reflexive action by now for him to follow his guest through the manor and he knew himself enough to realize he would be very uncomfortable now if he truly had no idea where the younger was.

 

It didn't take Akim more than a few minutes after that to finish putting together a plate of food for the human. He didn't even bother to make anything for himself, instead he'd taken a piece of bread and chewed small pieces while he prepared the rest.

The rest of himself that was keeping close to the boy picked up his comment and Akim smiled softly to himself at the mention of beauty, feeling something close to pride even though he knew he could do much more than he does to keep the manor in good shape. It took him no time to rush over to the smaller man and upon coming close enough behind him he wrapped an arm around his waist while balancing the plate with the other.

 

-"Found you." Akim said quietly and this time knew he might have frightened his guest.

[ACuckoo]

“Gahhh! Ahhh!” Snow didn’t know when the last time he had shrieked like that was. He tensed up in the other’s man arms, his reflexes and instincts failing him as he was grabbed. He liked to think of himself as someone who could defend himself, someone who wouldn’t freeze up just because he was scared, but he did. He froze up entirely, but thankfully for him there was no real danger. “God, Akim….” His body fell limp in the man’s arm as he rested against his chest, trying to catch his breath. “You frightened me… How did you catch up to me so quickly? You did that earlier too!”

 

He took a few deep breaths to calm down, resting his arm over the one around his waist as he glanced at the plate of food. “At least the food looks good. That’ll help me relax.” He slowly turned around in the other’s arm, smiling at him though his face was still red from his yelling earlier. He gently pressed a finger to Akim's cheek before taking the plate from him and smelling the food. “It smells delicious.” It was then he noticed there was only one. “You’re not going to eat?”

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Akim smirked at how well his plan had worked and his expression seemed nearly devilish but soon morphed into a more sincere and gentle one as his lips moved into a soft smile again. "I'm just fast." Of course he couldn't tell the human why he was really so good at sneaking up to him so instead he made up this simple explanation which could be questioned but was easily believable.

 

-"No, I'm not very hungry." Akim said shortly and hoped he wouldn't have to explain this too since his inhuman nature factored into him not needing much food as well. He took the young man's hand easily, like by reflex now and moved his thumb over his skin the same way he done numerous times before. This was meant to comfort the human if he was at all still frightened but was also a sort of apology for doing something so mean as to internationally scare him. "Would you still like to pick out a room where we can take a seat?"

[ACuckoo]

All was forgiven the moment Akim took Snow’s hand in his own, rubbing it tenderly with his thumb. Akim was a playful type it seemed, but even he worried if he upset his guest too much. Snow just smiled at him, bringing his hand up to his cheek and nuzzling it gently. It was his own way of saying that everything was fine, that he didn’t mind being teased or startled like that. He nuzzled him for a few seconds longer before looking around at the long hallway and pointing out a room that caught his attention. There didn’t seem to be anything special about it, but it was the room he wanted to go in.

 

“You have a lot of rooms here, Akim,” he said, still holding his hand as he made his way to the room. “You actually remember what’s in all of them?” When Snow opened the door the room seemed to be a foyer of sorts or maybe an office? There were chairs, small sofas, even a loveseat and Snow brought Akim to one of the couches to sit next to him. “Thanks for cooking for me.” Without a moment’s hesitation he took a bite, smiling delightful at the flavorful food. Food was a comfort for him, and in that instant he forgot all about this strange town and his strange situation. All he could think about was this amazing dish his new friend had made for him.

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Akim had hoped for a confirmation that his guest wasn't angry with him, a smile or a few words would had been enough but when in stead the human placed a hand on his cheek he became too distracted by the sensation to even think about the meaning behind it. He was caught off guard and seemed frozen for a moment , his eyes fixed on the other man and a hint of a blush formed on his face. He couldn't think of a way to let him know how the touch made him feel and was sure it was better to just seem confused, however once his guest moved his had away Akim didn't stop himself from frowning.

 

-"I don't use all of the rooms so I forget about some. I'm sure I would be able to tell you what is in every one if I was in the hallway and could see the door and where it is in the house though." He explained as they entered one of those spaces that he rarely spent any time in. "I brought you to a bedroom close to my when you fell asleep last night but you can choose another one to stay in while you're here." He remembered to mention , though he hoped the other man wouldn't move away from him.

 

-"Stop thanking me... I liked it in the beginning but now it just seems unnecessary." He was more honest than he would have liked and revealed things he preferred stay secret but became aware of that too late. He should had been accustomed to growing closer to a guest after so many times but there was something special about this new person that made him slip up and say too much. He wondered though if he'd perhaps thought the same about all the previous ones. Maybe this man was only special because he was right there at that moment and not part of the past like the rest.

[ACuckoo]

Snow shook his head as he ate, waving his hand to dismiss the idea of switching rooms. “Don’t worry about it. I think it’s better to have you close by in case I might need anything. It was so hard to sleep last night so… Well you know.” It was embarrassing to remember how he had ran around last night looking for Akim in his fear. But maybe now that Snow was feeling more comfortable, better about his situation, sure that he would eventually make it out of this town with Akim’s help, he would be able to sleep tonight. He didn’t want to keep bothering the other man like this…

 

Another chuckle escaped him when Akim told him to stop thanking him. He couldn’t help the laugh even though Akim sounded so serious. “I’m sorry. It’s hard for me to not thank you. You’ve done so much, but yeah… I can see how I’m making you uncomfortable. Just know that I’m eternally grateful.” He held up the now mostly empty plate as a gesture of thanks, then finished off the remainder of the food. “That was delicious. Maybe you can show me how to make some food when we eat again. I can cook a bit, but I never really learned. I guess I just learned the basics for... Survival.”

 

Now that he had finished eating and leaving for town was out of the question, Snow was wondering what they would do. “I wish I had more interesting things to tell you about myself. I’m not very fun. I’ve traveled a lot of places, but I don’t think I even have interesting stories about those places. But I’d really like to get to know you more, Akim. Maybe we can ask each other questions, simple ones to try and get to know each other better.”

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Akim smiled softly at the mention of the previous night, it seemed his guest had little idea just how eager he was to be around him and not be alone. Everything from being sought out at such late hours of the night to having to balance on the edge of the couch the entire morning wasn't any bother, especially when Akim would had been wide awake observing the human either way.

-"I'm hoping you'll feel more safe here by tonight but I'll be up late if you have trouble sleeping alone or wake up again." He offered and hoped they would end up together again for some reason.

 

-"If you'd like to learn how to cook perhaps you can try to make lunch. I'll still be there to make sure you don't burn down the kitchen." Akim suggested with a smirk and was a bit curious to find out what the other man meant by 'the basics for survival'. He leaned back into the couch and made himself comfortable with as little concern for seeming polite as always.

 

-"Is there something you would like to ask me then?" Akim didn't bother mentioning that he would like to hear more about the younger man's travels even if the stories aren't anything special. He could still find out more about that through this game the human proposed.

[ACuckoo]

There was a lot Snow wanted to ask him. There was so much Snow wanted to know about this man, mostly about him and his connection to this town, but he couldn’t ask that. Akim had already told him he didn’t want to talk about this place, but those were the only questions Snow had running through his head. Why this place? Why not leave? Where are your friends and family? Are you important to this place? So many questions, but none could be answered.

 

With a sigh he subconsciously tugged his shirt low to make sure nothing was accidentally showing and opened his mouth to speak. “What do you for fun?” Came out, and he was thankful he didn’t unintentionally ask a more personal question. “I just… This house is so big and you live alone. Surely you get bored. What do you for fun? And… If it’s something I’m interested in did you want to do it? We could entertain ourselves.”

[ZX-MetalMonster]

-"There's nothing to do here." Akim blurted out so suddenly that he surprised himself, though it was no wonder he had such an answer ready considering how annoyed he was with the monotony of the manor without another living soul to keep him company.

-"Well... that's not completely true... I've just been really bored lately so it feels like it." He corrected himself after a moment, though his tone was such that even this sounded like a complaint.

-"I have books lying around and a few other things... mostly unnecessarily long novels and games only an old man could like." He mumbled and frowned at his own thought that in a way he was an old man but quickly corrected himself again upon remembering that in human measures, he was much closer to a corpse or a plain skeleton.

-"I'm sure there's something I'm forgetting but for now at least I think we'll have to be each other entertainment."

[ACuckoo]

The sudden answer was surprising to Snow, but the more he thought about it the more he realized he wasn’t all that in shock. Akim didn’t seem to have many friends. He kept to himself. He was all alone. People like that never seemed to do much and if they did it was usually something not so fun. But to Snow, Akim himself was fun. He was kind and caring and overall Snow was enjoying his time with him.

 

“So another massage then? Just to keep ourselves entertained.” Snow smiled and let out a chuckle as he moved Akim so he was facing away from him and prepared to give him another massage. “I’m pretty decent with my hands, but I’ve never had a real job or anything to prove it with. You can be my experiment. Tell me if you feel better if I do this for you enough times.” It also didn’t hurt that Akim was extremely attractive… Right up Snow’s alley.

 

“Do you like to read?” he asked, laying the other face down and straddling him so he could begin to work out the kinks in his back. “Or do you just do it because there’s not much else to do? Why don’t release some of your creativity and write something? We can even write something together. I’ll get us started.” Snow looked up into the air while he thought for a moment, his hands continuing to work along the other man’s back. “Our characters will be named Alice and Russ. And they live in a world that has fallen in eternal darkness. Now you add something.”

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Even when he'd spent time with other people in the past, Akim wasn't use to being moved around and positioned how the other person wanted. He expected of himself to be annoyed or at least somewhat alarmed to have someone control him like that and move on top of him in the end, but as the smaller man actually did these things he only followed along and didn't even have any complaints. After a moment his eyes slid closed and he sighed softly at the humans touch, relaxing completely thanks to how he was being treated.

-"I feel better already..." He mumbled in approval and grew quiet again as he shifted a bit underneath his guest to make himself more comfortable.

 

-"I don't think I use to like reading but after going through enough books I suppose I started to have fun, I've finished all of the one's I have on the manor... I don't think I would be able to write anything good though." He replied honestly but was willing to play along and help put together the story so the other man wouldn't become bored with him.

-"Does it have to be a world in darkness? I would rather talk about a bright place for a change." He requested before they continued.

[ACuckoo]

“I’m glad. You’re really tense, Akim.” It was nice that at the very least Snow could offer some type of service to the other man for his kindness. His hands maneuvered around the other’s back, not only working out the knots but enjoying the feel of the strong muscles. He started at his shoulder blades, at first being gentle, his touch light and graceful before working more to actually loosen the other man’s body.

 

“You’re right. It’s too dark in this town. Let’s say that Alice and Russ are in a light place. A place with flowers. Pretty houses. Small ones. Not huge ones like this. And they run around every day in the fields, picking berries and chasing small rabbits. Does that sound nice?” Snow smiled as he spoke softly, almost as if he he were trying to lull Akim to sleep. He was surprising himself by his actions, but this whole experience had been a surprise to him.

 

“Alice is wearing a little white dress that flutters in the wind. She also has a little sunhat to protect her pale skin from the sun. She doesn’t wear shoes because she likes the feel of the grass on her feet.” If Snow wasn’t careful he would hypnotize himself. The motions on Akim’s back became softer again, and he moved his hands down to the man’s lower back, once again smiling at how tense he was. “What about Russ? What is he wearing?”

[ZX-MetalMonster]

It was calming to be spoken to so softly and touched as he was. Akim could guess the other man's thoughts just from how gentle or rough the hands moving along his back were but even despite that a living mass gathered in the walls around them so he could watch his guest even while his eyes staid closed.

 

-"Something light? " He suggested but sounded reluctant, he wasn't sure what kind of story the younger man wanted this to be. "They are in such a nice place... it makes me think they are both children." He commented but didn't explain why he thought so. Essentially he considered a bright and good place was somewhere a naive and pure-hearted person should be so they could live without worries. Also, someone different would only spoil it all.

 

-"Maybe they've known each other since forever?" He asked again, waiting for his guest to approve of his ideas. His voice was quiet and made it seem as though he really was about to fall asleep. As he continued to think more about their story he wondered why he cared so much that it turns out right when it was only part of a game, a way to pass the time.

[ACuckoo]

“Yeah… I agree. I think they’re both children too.” Snow continued to speak quietly, as though if he spoke any louder the air around them would shatter and their peace would be completely and utterly dead. His hands were just as gentle as his voice; he nearly forgot he was supposed to be giving the other a massage as his hands seemed to just roam around his back, his fingers gliding over his skin.

 

“Maybe they have known each other that long. And maybe they’ll know each other for the rest of time. I’ll bet they’re brother and sister and that they take really good care of each other.” He hadn’t meant to remind himself of his own sister, the one he had lost so long ago. Well, it didn’t seem long ago, but enough time had passed. He wished he could have her here with him. He wished she was somewhere waiting for him to come home. He wished she could brush her hair and eat candy and fall in love….

 

“Don’t you think so, Akim?” he asked, smiling sadly as he tried to push his thoughts away from his deceased sister. He shook his head to clear his mind, his sad smile turning to one of happiness as he forced himself to stop thinking about her. “Brothers and sister do that for one another. I’ll bet Alice picks really nice flowers for Russ. And Russ… He probably does things like take her swimming.”

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Despite how quickly the human recovered his happy smile Akim noticed the brief change in his mood and went through the necessary struggle to shift underneath him so he was lying on his back. He didn't want his guest to think this was a sign to move away though and put his hands on the younger man's legs to keep him in place. However, shortly after he realized exactly what he was doing and how it might be interpreted in a wrong way so he repositioned his hands over his own torso.

 

-"Is something bothering you?" Akim decided to be straightforward and kept his gaze on his companion's eyes as he asked him this. He remembered they'd promised not to ask any difficult questions that might cause either of them discomfort but he wasn't sure what this was about. It was possible the human was being bothered by something in his environment again and Akim could help resolve that and if it was something else, something the younger didn't want to discus he could simply lie and say everything was fine.

[ACuckoo]

Snow blinked in confusion when Akim adjusted himself, and blushed slightly at the new position they were in. The view might have been a bit too good for Akim considering Snow had only then remembered he wasn't wearing pants. He decided to avoid bringing attention to it though, and kept his arms by his side as the other man spoke.

 

"You're good at reading the atmosphere, aren't you?" His voice quieted a bit, though he didn't necessarily feel a need to hide anything from the other, especially since he was the cause for the change in mood. "I just..." Ha sighed as he closed his eyes, allowing himself the small joy of touching this attractive man along his chest. If he was going to talk about something painful then he could at least enjoy the eye candy while doing it. "I just reminded myself of my sister. She's gone... Died along with my parents. It's... It's why I'm all alone." He shrugged, not sure how to continue or what to say next. "I don't like to think about them. I..." He shook his head, chuckling from his nerves as he slowly lowered his head, his hands still all but groping Akim's chest. "I guess I'd much rather think about giving you a massage. Or just touching you in general." He lifted his head again to wink at the other, flirting now to try and save the conversation from going down a dark and saddening path.

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Akim's expression seemed nearly blank while he listened to his guest and tried to remember more ways they could pass the time that would help the human think of something else than these gloomy things. Of course it was hard for Akim not to take note of the younger man's missing clothing now that they were positioned in a way that couldn't be described as anything else than intimate. The hands placed on his chest made him more aware of it as well but somehow he managed not to be too distracted by it.

 

-"You're not alone now... I know you were thinking of a different kind of loneliness and that just being around people isn't compensation but it's better than being truly all alone." He commented, trying to comfort the human at least a little. He took his hand but rather than move it away kept in place on his chest as he smiled softly. "And if that helps you, feel free to do whatever you like with me." Akim offered and was aware it seemed like he was flirting in return. That was partially true, but more than anything he was trying to make the other man feel better in whatever way he could.