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He'd just arrived in Serkonos. It was a long trip with little rest, and Corvo's bones ached with exhaustion and a pain he resented. He couldn't believe this was all happening again. Every second Emily was trapped in that stone made his blood boil. He can still see her, frozen in helplessness reaching out to him and there wasn't a goddamned thing he could do about it. His nails dug into his palms in an attempt to relieve the build up of fury; he was going to save her and put her back on that throne and Delilah was going to pay. Dying was not an option.
He made his way further up the docks, trying to ignore the putrid smell of whale guts leaking out of the gutters and into the streets. Home sweet home. It had been many years since he'd visited his birthplace and he wasn't quite sure he could say he missed it, but the warmth of the sun beating down on him was a welcome friend. He decides to follow Megan's advice and makes nice with the black market shopkeep, then begins to make his way towards Addirmire. He maneuvers through an infested apartment and follows the song of a nearby rune until he can feel it buzzing through his veins. It was unfortunately accompanied by the buzzing of bloodflies that had made a home of the dilapidated building. His firebolts make quick work of them and he couldn't help thinking back to the days of the rat plague, and wondering which was worse: the swarms that would devour every last morsel of your being, or this new threat that would hollow you out and make a new home for itself of your corpse? He wonders what it would be like to live in a world without either.
Corvo makes his way out and blinks onto a nearby balcony when he hears heavy footsteps and loud voices coming from inside. Overseers. Whoever carved this rune must have been brave building an entire shrine in their apartment with an overseers outpost right next door. Stupid, but brave.
Corvo works his way from the bottom up. It takes him longer than he'd like to admit to clear out the space with a series of sleep darts and sleeper holds, but he's grown to rely on certain abilities he hasn't gotten back yet after Delilah stripped him of his mark. A chill rolls up his spine as he remembers how it felt to have the Outsider's magic ripped from his being.
Once he reaches the top floor he sees the purple light coming from the back room and hesitates. His reluctance to see the Outsider again fights with his need for the rune itself. He is going to need every advantage he can get his hands on if he wants to get back to Emily as soon as possible, Outsider be damned. Corvo makes his way further into the abandoned apartment and sees the black-eyed bastard himself. It takes him aback for a moment until he realizes he's staring at a painting, a Sokolov original that takes up most of the space in this small broom closet. How it got here, in this shithole, is a different question entirely. Corvo takes it in, letting the call of the rune fade into the background, studying the delicate paint strokes that make up the familiar chiseled jaw and pale skin of the Outsider. The longer he looks, the more his blood boils and he feels heat rise in his face. He hadn't heard much from the Outsider in the years following the rat plague (though there were the dreams that he could never quite determine as real or fantasy). The mark never faded. The magic still came when he called for it. But there were no more visits to or from the Void, no more infuriating expositions to listen to. What should he have expected really? How interesting could he be when there's not an empire on the line, he thinks bitterly. All it took for the god to reveal himself again was another cous and Emily's life at risk once again. He should have thought of that sooner, Corvo thinks snidely. He clenches his jaw and thinks about putting his boot through that pretty face. "Bastard." He mutters under his breath.
Corvo was not a fanatic. Or a follower even, but he was devout. After Coldridge all those years ago something broke inside him. He had lost Jessamine and been completely hollowed out. The Void filled him. The only things that he could hold onto were getting to Emily, getting revenge, and the magic flowing through him that would make that happen. Of course he knew it was for the god's own intrigue and entertainment, but there was still a small part of his heart that skipped every time he heard "My dear Corvo..", his blood electric anytime he was near a shrine. It was addicting. The Outsider had given him something to live for, and then abandoned him completely.
Suddenly, Corvo feels a shift in the air that makes the pressure drop and fills his nostrils with ocean air, "Were your ears burning?" he asks, without turning around.
"You're angry with me" that cold, familiar voice says behind him. Corvo still doesn't turn, knowing he'll see the actual Outsider, with his knowing smirk and obsidian eyes.
"I'm angry with a lot of people right now" Corvo grits through his teeth.
"Tell me Corvo, what have I done to appear on that list?" The Outsider steps forward into Corvo's line of vision, in front of the painting. It's larger than life and yet the presence The Outsider carries with him makes even his own visage fade into the background as the Void distorts the air around him and forces himself into Corvo's point of focus.
"You used to pray at these shrines", pale fingers ghost across the purple fabric, "thank me, talk to me. you don't anymore. Why?" The young looking man asks this with a simple tilt of his head, earnest in his curiosity.
"You disappeared"
The Outsider chuckles, "I always disappear"
"Eight years," Corvo grits through his teeth. "Nothing from you for eight years and then this happens. And now I'm fighting again, fighting for Emily." He feels the rage bubbling up in his throat. He's never been a man of many words and eight years ago he would have never thought to even speak to The Outsider like this, but now, with everything he loves cast in stone he's struggling to give a damn. "But, at least now I suppose I'm entertaining enough, fascinating enough, for you to show your face again."
"My dear Corvo", the pale god steps past him and comes to sit on his own shrine, "Did you really think I abandoned you that entire time? Yes, your life did become very mundane. Other shiny baubles might have caught my eye for a time. But that's what you wanted wasn't it? A peaceful life with your precious Emily back on the throne, and me, with the rest of my Marked out of your hair?" Corvo refuses to look fully at him, but with a glance up he sees the Outsider's features have slipped into an unreadable marble expression. The one with the intense gaze Corvo can barely hold for more than a few moments. "Despite your own mortal perceptions, Eight years is nothing to me. Eight years is a blink," the Outsider leans forward, "it is pages turned in a book. And believe me dear Corvo, it is nothing for me to weather the calm between the storms."
Corvo still isn't meeting his gaze, when suddenly a cool hand reaches out and grabs his chin and forces him to look into that inky blackness. "Corvo do not believe for a moment that you are like the others, like Vera or Daud," pale fingers stretch out across Corvo's cheek to hold it gently, "Of all the paths I see, there has yet to be one where you are anything other than utterly captivating." His dark eyes bore into Corvo's own as he leans in closer and whispers, "That's why I chose you."
Corvo just stands there, struck by his words, never deigning to believe that the god could be so enamored with him, even now. Hearing the confirmation of what he had hoped, what he felt...he felt like he was going insane.
"Tell me, my dear Corvo," The Outsiders pitch black eyes search Corvo's face, "what would it take to have your faith again?"
Corvo can't even process what's happening. Where the Outsider's hand is cradling his face is sending electricity through his entire body. It makes the mark on his left hand sing with sensation- he opens and closes his fist in an attempt to shake it off and try to order his thoughts. The Outsider always did like to vie for his attention, he's known this, but this is different. Attention isn't enough, he's asking for Corvo's... affection? His devotion. Is it possible that he too craves to be in the other's good graces?
Corvo can never be sure what it is the god in front of him wants, but he knows himself enough to be sure of his answer. Before he can stop himself Corvo takes that last step towards the god, still sitting on the altar like a throne, placing himself in between the Outsiders legs, those dark eyes never leaving his own. The Outsider stays completely still except to tilt his head slightly, awaiting Corvo's answer. Corvo knows what he wants, knows that this could completely backfire, and end with him floating for eternity among the leviathans in the Void. But he doesn't know what else to do with the aching in his chest and the rage that grips him like a vice. Its too much, he's almost vibrating with the energy coursing through him, He's so close and Corvo feels like he is on fire. He stares into that endless blackness swirling, but has to close his eyes as he leans forward and kisses the Outsider's lips. His skin is cool to the touch, and Corvo can taste the sea salt air on his breath. After a few seconds the Outsider still doesn't move, and terror starts to overwhelm him.
This was a terrible mistake.
Corvo starts to pull away, shame overwhelming all of his other emotions, but is stopped by the hand still holding his face.
"Corvo, I don't think you understand the significance of what you've just done"
Corvo starts when he realizes the atmosphere around them has changed. he pulls his gaze away from the Outsider's and realizes that the walls have fallen away and left the contents of the room on a slab of rock floating in the Void.
"No one, has ever done what you have just done, Corvo." Says the Outsider, with something akin to awe in his voice, as a pale finger traces its way down Corvo's stubbled cheek, "A god comes to you, offers you..anything. And in that moment you are one of the most powerful men in all the Iles," Corvo has all but stopped breathing. What was he thinking, what has he done? "And what do you do, my dear Corvo?" Cool fingers brush against his lips, "you give that god a tender kiss," a wry smile cracks open across his face, "Oh my, you are spectacular."
Corvo is paralyzed by this reaction. He still has no idea what he was thinking, kissing him. He hates this creature in front of him- selfish, careless, completely apathetic and manipulative to anyone who crosses his path, and yet- and yet...as he searches across the face of the Outsider, all angles and harsh shadows, he sees the face of a young man. Someone once human and not so separated from human affairs. And as he stares into the dark oceans of the god's eyes, he feels that familiar thrumming inside him. Not unlike the kind that warns him of a nearby rune, he feels it at every shrine, every visit from the Void. A pull, that starts in his gut and reaches out through his veins, pulses behind his eyes. It drives him crazy, like a hunger that can never be sated and it begs for him to devour the god in front of him. He feels it now, felt it the minute he broke into this makeshift sanctuary and looked at that painting-
Corvo's suddenly pulled from his thoughts as the Outsider leans in, and presses his lips against his. This kiss is searching, curious even, like the Outsider just wants to familiarize himself with the concept, to drink Corvo in. He doesn't meander though, soon he's licking into Corvo's mouth, biting his bottom lip. Corvo's hands grip at the Outsider's shirt and as they press closer together he can feel his want reciprocated. He gives as much as he gets, as the electric thrumming in his limbs grows louder and louder, so loud. The mark actually begins to burn, humming with energy unspent and still building. All he can hear is blood is rushing in his ears and he can feel adrenaline coursing through him, he feels like he might explode-
Corvo pulls back abruptly, chest heaving. The Outsider shushes him gently and brushes the hair out of Corvo's face, a very soft and unexpected gesture.
"Shhh, its alright," he whispers.
"There's...so much.." Corvo gasps between breathes. He searches the Outsider's face.
"Power?"
Corvo only nods his head. The Outsider looks at him thoughtfully, "You can take it."
And those words somehow are terrifying, because Corvo knows he's right.
"Its okay to want, Corvo." The Outsider whispers, His black eyes searching, "what do you want?"
Corvo attempts to gather his thoughts, to form some sort of coherent answer. He wants so much. He wants Emily to be safe, finally. He wants to feel safe, he wants to rest. He wants revenge and he wants answers. But here, in this moment, he wants to keep touching the Outsider. He wants more.. wants to consume him.. wants to be consumed by him.. he wants he wants he wants...he wants to give himself over completely. But Corvo can't find words for any of that at the moment, so his body answers for him as he slowly lowers himself onto his knees in front of the altar.
Corvo makes slow work of the belt and buttons of the Outsider's trousers, barely breaking eye contact, waiting for the moment that he's realized this was a grave mistake.
..What do you want...
He looks into the Outsiders eyes one last time, asking permission, before he takes the gods already half-hard cock into his hand and licks a hot, wet stripe up the length of it. Corvo hasn't done this since he was a young man; he's reminded of summers in Serkonos, of quick trysts in alleyways. He strokes him to fullness and moans at the taste of precome beginning to gather at the head. The Outsiders cock is longer than his own, not quite as thick, but still a challenge for him to take into his mouth in one go. He tries to relax and breathe through his nose as he swallows the Outsider's cock as far as he can until his gag reflex can no longer be ignored. He pulls off with a wet choke, keeping the rhythm going with his hand. Undeterred, he swallows him back down, slower this time, and loses himself in the rhythm. He's needs to be good for him. He looks up at the Outsider and sees an expression of fondness etched into his face.
For a second he thinks about Jessamine, and a jagged scar in his heart aches as he does. There was never anyone else after her- just utilitarian one night stands and.. Him.
Corvo's suddenly pulled out of his thoughts by a painful tug at his hair, "Keep your eyes on me, Corvo."
He hadn't noticed he had closed his eyes, but to make up for his transgression he stares up at the Outsider and doubles his efforts, taking him as far as he can, relaxing his throat and trying not to choke. The small sounds of pleasure emanating from the god above him set his mind on fire. He can do this for him, Corvo can give this, if anything to him. But he knows its not enough for either of them. He wants to be good for the Outsider, he needs to make him feel good and it's not enough. Corvo stills, puts a hand over the one the Outsider still has twisted in his hair, pushes against it and let's his jaw go slack.
The Outsider searches his face, an amused curiosity playing at the corners of his lips. Corvo just looks up at him and moans. He reaches down to palm his own painfully hard cock through his pants. The Outsider's free hand affectionately rubs his thumb over Corvo's cheekbone before the other tightens on its fistful of hair as he begins fucking into him. And its perfect. Its overwhelming but its so good. He struggles to form a thought that isn't yes, more, or fuck. Tears start to prick at the corners of his eyes and he starts to get light headed from the lack of oxygen. Suddenly the hand in his hair pulls him off sharply and Corvo gulps in lungfuls of air.
"Steady now, Corvo"
He's being pulled up onto his feet, and is suddenly being kissed like the Outsider is trying to taste himself on his tongue. "Amazing", he says against Corvo's lips.
They're pressed together now, the Outsider's legs wrap around his hips, his fingers wrapped around Corvo's cock, who makes a sound unbecoming of a man his age, and ducks his face in the Outsider's neck. The Outsider chuckles softly, basking in the moans he's drawing from Corvo, "That's why....you're my favorite"
These words pierce through Corvo like a blade, a straight line from the Outsiders lips to Corvo's heart- damn near cleaves it in two. He moans and the quiet "iloveyou" murmured into the other man's shoulder slips out before he can stop it. But before Corvo has the chance to be mortified, the mark on his hand suddenly starts burning with that strange energy once more and the steady build of his climax becomes a surge, the point of the Outsider's hand stroking him is the point of oblivion and soon he's coming harder than he can ever remember.
It seems to last forever, and when he finally comes back to himself the Outsider is still holding him like he weighs nothing. When Corvo meets his eyes, he's already gazing at him fondly, brushing the hair gently out of Corvo's eyes.
A few peaceful moments pass before Corvo decides to ruin it, "Why?" He asks, barely above a whisper.
"Hmm?"
"Why am I your....favorite?" He feels childish asking, but he can't stop his curiosity.
The Outsider takes a moment to ponder this, not because he had to search for the answer, but to figure out how best to distill it. "You still whispered to the mark, even when you thought I wasn't listening," he replies in an equally soft tone. "I watched you, those restless nights when the mundanity of your new life became too much and you slipped on the mask and out of your tower window just to feel my power flow through you," He leans closer now to whisper directly in Corvo's ear, "And those lonely nights when you sought release, only to find it when you used your left hand, I was there. I felt it." Corvo feels his face burn. Trapped between humiliation and the adoration of the Outsiders confession, he could turn into a pile of ash in this moment. "The way you worship me is exquisite, Corvo, because it's not lust or madness. It's not power hungry, or a means to an end. It's love."
"It always fascinated me how a nobody from Karnaca ended up stealing the heart of the most powerful woman in the isles. But I've come to understand, to be on the receiving end of your love Corvo, is formidable. Succumbing to it is inevitable, not unlike those who find themselves at the end of your blade. An empress never stood a chance... tell me, what chance do you think a god has?"
And with that, Corvo's ears pop as he's pulled out of the Void and returned to the run-down apartment he started in. He's alone, but he feels lighter, yet more solid. And as he makes his way back through the windows in to the city, he can't help but try to put on a show.