With the challenge having come to an end, Genesis accompanied Epi on their way back. He would have been a fool had he not noticed how he deflated at his words and part of him felt a little guilty. He didn't understand why he felt this way, but he didn't want to leave the man feeling upset. Sure, he may have been nothing but a tool for Enyo or the rest of the Dunamis, and that's typically how he saw others as well, but there was something different about the golden dog. Even he was a little surprised with himself that he enjoyed the company of the other man more than just in bed, but that wasn't something he felt like he needed to, or even could, explain.

Intentionally leading Epimethius to the willows instead of the border, their trip had been mostly silent. Partly because Gene was trying to figure out exactly what to say to the man, but also because he didn't want prying ears to listen or family to follow. Relaxing underneath a willow, he gestured for Epi to lay alongside him before offering him a small, genuine smile. "I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings with what I said at the challenge," he started, his voice soft. Apologizes felt different on his tongue, it wasn't something he was used to, but for some reason hurting Epimethius made him hurt in a way he couldn't explain, nor would.

"But please understand, they only think of you as a tool, a pet even. I must appease them, or we'll both be punished. But you are more than that to me, I can see your worth outside of a den," he paused, looking for more words. "My family is very strict and... picky, to say the least. They only see you as a dog, but if you prove to them the worth I know you have, then their attitude will change,"

He hoped that Epi understood. It would seem that despite their knowledge of his activities, they would have to play it safe and remain mostly secret. Though he wasn't quite sure he understood why, since their acts of desire and need wouldn't reproduce and wondered if Enyo held herself to the same standard she apparently expected of her family when choosing a woman to lay with. "I like your company, so please don't take what I said today to heart. You are more than nothing but a toy," he whispered now, though even he knew that Epi wasn't equal he wouldn't say it. He wondered if he could ever be seen as equal though, if Erebos and Enyo would accept him as one of their own if he could prove himself. He just hoped that he wasn't wrong, and that Epi could prove it to them- prove that he was more than just a dog.

Speech ─ Think

─ by Skelle !

Epimethius followed Genesis silently, his paws landing softly against the ground as they left the challenge. A subtle feeling of losing something settled into his chest, he had remained quiet. Unspeaking, he had not been spoken to so perhaps Genesis did not want to hear his voice either. He followed the man, sticking close by. Even being slightly hurt his body spoke of strength, and protection, as he stayed behind Genesis. His ears perked forward and rotated on his head, picking up every rustle and noise that carried to him. One thing that was clear when he was around Genesis was that he would stand between him and any threat that came their way. Such was the way when he... er.. cared for someone. His thoughts paused as the black and white brute slowed. His head raised to look him in the eye. Epimethius looked around briskly as he realized that they were at the willows, and a tilt of his head was offered to Genesis before the male gestured for him to lay alongside him. He took the invitation, moving to the man's side and offering a soft affectionate nibble on his cheek. If he had wished for intimacy all he needed was to say it. And then Epimethius froze as Genesis began to speak. An apology hung in the air, and he sat his head on his paws as he watched the male intently. Unsure of what to say or if he should speak yet. And then Genesis continued his speech, and Epimethius could feel his tail begin to slowly wag as the brute continued. He knew very well what Zephyros and Enyo saw him as, and that didn't bother him. He offered a nod as he spoke of it, he understood. And then Genesis spoke of how he saw his worth and Epi moved his head just slightly off his paws, something lingered in his eyes. Perhaps hope? As Genesis paused he moved to nuzzle along his neck and under his jaw, a reassuring action that his words weren't falling on deaf ears and a way to try to coax more of his sweet words from Genesis's mouth. Genesis continued by adding that his family was strict and picky, which he knew was code for kinda racist, but you know can't bad mouth family too much. He spoke of Epimethius proving himself, showing them his worth. And he nodded his head again, that was what he had wanted to do anyway. He let Genesis continue, ears perked as he explained that he didn't want him to take his words to heart. That he had not meant what he said and that he enjoyed his company. And just like that Epimethius was staring up at Genesis with his signature grin, pushing his shoulder against him gently. "I want to prove my worth to them, just as I want to prove my worth to you. Gene, I don't mind them seeing me how they do, it doesn't bother me how the rest of your family sees me. Even Enyo," he paused, a flicker of emotion clouding his gaze. For a moment he wasn't going to continue before he said fuck it, "But Genesis the thought of you seeing me like that, of you seeing me as nothing more than a thing to warm your bed. That bothers me, it hurts. And I'm not quite sure why. But I know I enjoy being around you, talking to you," a pause as he leaned forward to brush a soft kiss against the brute's cheek. "Touching you," another pause as he moved back to look him over playfully. "And of course sparring with you." He was not ending that sentence by saying he enjoyed fucking him, that was crude. (Even if it was kind of true) "I won't take your words to heart anymore when it's around your family at least. As long as you promise to whisper sweet nothings like today to me in private. When no one but the sky can hear us, and I have you all to myself." He moved to push the man onto his side, aiming to pull him close to cuddle him with their faces still directed toward one another. "I will be whatever you need from me Gene, you can shape me however you please and I will do my best to abide by whatever you want. But there is a part of me that wants you to want me for me." An admission he wasn't sure why he needed to have it said, most viewed him as useful for a thing or two and that is all he was to them. Usually, it brought the man no strife, but he needed just one person to look at him and see him. And he really wanted Genesis to be the one that saw him. He moved to cradle the man, wrapping his forearms around him. Trying to pull him closer into his fur. He wanted to be near Genesis, in more ways the one. And he wouldn't lie a part of him was worried, maybe even scared. He had never grown so close to someone, most people he had the pleasure of staying with were brisk flings in the dead of night. A moment of weakness after a battle, or in the middle of winter when there were few ways to stay warm. He didn't have much experience. Life had been hardy for Epimethius, and he had never let himself grow accustomed to finding the softness inside of someone and let himself begin to crave that. Everything had always been a transaction to him before this. But with Genesis, he just couldn't find himself letting that happen, he didn't want that to happen. He wanted more, and maybe he was greedy, maybe it was wrong for him to want the male's attention for himself. But he did not care at all. If hiding in the dark, stealing secret kisses underneath willow trees was the only way for him to have Genesis then he would build a den here. Soundproof the walls, steal every secret kiss, and remember and savor them for the rest of his life as long as he could have them. "Talk" OOC: FIRST 1000 WORD POSTTTTT !!

As Epi settled down beside him and playfully nibbled his cheek, he was thankful the man didn't seem to ward off by his earlier words. He knew they had to have had some sort of effect on him though, even if he wasn't exactly showing it at the moment. Epi gave him the time to speak however, filling in the gaps with nuzzles along his cheek and jaw, a silent confirmation that he heard what he was saying, and that he understood. He started to feel a little better even before he started to respond, but hearing that he wasn't bothered by what the other Dunamis thought of him wasn't as uplifting as he had hoped, though it was grateful it rolled off him like water off a ducks back.

He hummed softly as Epimethius continued, smiling as as he was kissed on the cheek softly and looked at in a way that he couldn't describe. Sure, he'd shared a bed with many others, but the only time anyone looked at him the way Epi was looking at him was as Gene sent them over the edge in pleasure. They weren't in the throws of pleasure though, so he was confused by his gaze but didn't let it show. Instead, he basked in it. He wanted Epi to look at him like that more, always.

He let Epi finish without speaking, not wanting to interrupt as Epi hadn't him, and allowed the man to push him onto his side and hold him close. If they would only ever get to share this warmth in private than so be it, his family would probably prefer him to keep his desires to himself anyway. But with a lesser canine, he was certain of it. A secret den came to mind almost immediately, but nothing could hide the other mans scent on his coat... and he didn't want anything to, either. But he had to be smart, he couldn't let his family suspect that this was anything other than carnal lust and desire... but even he didn't understand that it was becoming more than that.

"You're a good man, and I hope my family will see that in time. Your devotion to our family will not go unnoticed, just as long as we remain so," he hummed softly as he nibbled underneath the mans jaw, into the thin and sensitive flesh above his throat. "I like you just the way you are, any change you should strive for should be to appease my family, to make them see how invaluable you are... not just to me, but to all of the Dunamis," he mumbled some more as his nibbles trailed lower, to where a collarbone would sit if he had one.

Speech ─ Think

─ art by medilic, code by Skelle !

He lets out a satisfied grumble as Gene nibbles on his flesh, moving his head up to allow the man easier access. Epimethius was weak for him, and while the feeling was new and slightly scary he would be an idiot to not let himself fall victim to it. Epimethius usually would have responded to Genesis, reassuring him and offering him plans on how he could win his family's favor but right now the only thing that mattered to him was Genesis and his touch. He watched him with eager eyes as he slid down, his teeth leaving a trail of fire growing against his skin. A need so desperate he would have to sate it soon. But right now he would relish in the affection, savor it. He slid his paw under Genesis's maw, finger aiming to hook onto his lip as he stared down at him. And then to pull him up to meet his lips in a passionate kiss. If he did not have the words to show him how much he burned for him, he would give him the pleasure and affection to show it. He would worship Genesis as if this was the first and last time he would ever see him again. His paws moved, sliding down Genesis's back as he aimed to turn himself onto his back and pull the lighter male on top of his. Paws settled onto Gene's hips as he rubbed slow circles against them, soft and loving. There was no need to rush it, he would make sure that either way it ended with the man a mess beneath him after all. He pulled his head back, eyes trailing over Genesis' form. The emotions that flickered inside of them were strong, greedily so. Hunger, lust, desire, adoration, care. Everything that made Epimethius need Genesis at this moment, that made the world fade out in the background. That made Epimethius want to sink to his knees in front of the altar of whatever god made Genesis and his kin, to beg for forgiveness, and acceptance, to pray and worship the god until there was no doubt in how much of a loyal follower he was. He craved to sate every need Genesis had, to hollow himself out and replace his insides with whatever Genesis needed from him. He would fight for him, bleed for him, even kill for him. Epimethius distracts himself from his train of thought as he moves to drag his paw down Genesis's belly. Slow, tantalizingly slow. Genesis would be a fool not to feel the devotion and worship in Epimethius's touch. His paw moved from his stomach, sliding up Genesis's chest, neck, face... Cradling his face so delicately, gently as if maybe he would disappear or shatter beneath his touch. "You are beautiful, deathly so." He'd whisper, voice raspy with lust, "I can only wish for you to let me devote myself to you for as long as I am able." Or until death? It was unspoken as he stared at him. After giving the brute time to speak, he would move to connect their lips again. This kiss would be all-devouring, hungry, lustful, a show of admiration. It would be the words he could not speak, a language they could carefully construct to show each other all the things they could not name. "Talk"