Orbit All The Way Around You // [Embryze]

garnet beauford d8 [earthling]
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Orbit All The Way Around You // [Embryze] Jan 8, 2013 1:13:24 GMT -5

Quote

Post by garnet beauford d8 [earthling] on Jan 8, 2013 1:13:24 GMT -5

for what it's worth, I have a slow disease that sucked me dry... I always aim to please
but I nearly died

Another Games over, another year without a victor to accompany him home. But Mace had known that for days, as had Julian. It was unusual for them to both be tributeless, but they made good use of the time. Mace visited Ara and Kieran regularly, ate with the other recent victors. One day he even sat next to Arbor, and he literally felt the tension dissipate. He'd snorted, and that's all they had needed to move forward. It was actually good to have something to focus on, other than the rich Capitol food. He'd taken the hint, at last.

As it turns out, losing weight was about 90% of what you ate, and only 10% working out. He was discovering this the hard way. No matter how often he creeped down to the training center, or went for the run with a mask over his face, it wasn't good enough. Not with all the butter, breaded concoctions the Capitol provided at every opportunity. Alcohol was also a calorie bloater he'd been told, and it had been surprisingly easy to pass on it, provided that Lethe wasn't in the mood to party.

So he ate vegetables and seasoned meat, forced himself to look at his companions rather than at the tempting desserts.

And it all fucking sucked.

Dieting wasn't for weenies, as he'd always assumed. He barely made it through their last lunch together, while Peridot was being flown in from the arena. Mace spent more than an appropriate amount of time during the meal staring at Topaz. Mrs. Topaz Ross. Wondering what it was like to be married, wondering what it was like to be able to let someone in that deeply, wondering what it would be like to have company on train ride to the arena, after Julian had already gone to Two to be with his tributes. His dead grey eyes lingered, full of her brilliant red hair as she walked away.

He wrapped his hand around Julian's, coarse calluses against baby soft, despite the fact that Julian had always trained harder than Mace. "We've got the afternoon before we have to pack up, right?" He swung his gaze to his boyfriend's, met it for a moment before looking towards the exit again. "I want to try sparring with you. You know, for fun."

His lip twitched, the best attempt he'd made at a smile since Damion had died.

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pthalorarity
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Orbit All The Way Around You // [Embryze] Jan 8, 2013 21:18:58 GMT -5

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Post by pthalorarity on Jan 8, 2013 21:18:58 GMT -5

Through each regret and each goodbye
was a mistake too great to hide

The noise the escaped his lips was something between a laugh and a gag. Julian had nearly choked on the carrot he was chewing when Mace suggested the two of them spar. After a few moments of coughing and trying not to laugh, Julian looked back at his boyfriend with a failed attempt at containing his cocky smile.

“Mace,” the little blonde batted his lashes as he drew circles on Mace’s large hands with his thumb “don’t be ridiculous.” He withdrew his hand slowly and stood to stretch. It was out of habit that he arched his back and rotated his limbs in such ways that demonstrated how well muscled his light frame truly was. His predatorial instincts always kicked in whenever a challenge was brought forth, whether he was aware of it or not. Then again, Julian would hardly call facing his out of shape beau a challenge. The notion was almost enticing though… there was something in it that tugged on Julian’s heartstrings, something that rang of distant memories—his training days with Midas. The connection was a bit startling.

After a deep breath, Julian deflated his chest and smiled with more warmth. He leaned over Mace’s shoulders, letting his arms wrap loosely around Mace’s chest. “I’m not saying there wasn’t a time you might could have given me a run for the crown, but a few days back at the gym isn’t going to make you capable of taking me on.” Julian kissed him on the cheek as he pulled away once more. He wanted Mace to know that he had been paying attention and noticed the effort he was putting back into his body. It didn’t matter much to him though; he wasn’t in love with Mace for his abs… in fact, he couldn’t remember him really having them in the first place.

By now his show-off mode had been activated though, and his testosterone levels were rising; Julian Bryze couldn’t resist continuing a production. He stepped one foot onto the chair and with his next step placed himself atop the dining table. In one fluid motion he arched backwards onto his hands before propelling the rest of his body up into a handstand. His loose fitting tank-top fell to his chest, revealing his perfectly sculpted abdomen while he walked atop table with his palms. This was intentional of course—nearly every move he ever made was calculated. He knew how Mace's thought process worked, and if there was anything that could distract him from his silly notion of sparring one of the most lethal people of Panem, this was it. “Besides, Mace, if you’re looking for an excuse to get your hands all over me, there are other ways you know.”

Last Edit: Jun 15, 2014 18:45:42 GMT -5 by pthalorarity

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garnet beauford d8 [earthling]
Administrator

9,452 POSTS
Pronouns: She/Her
last seen Apr 18, 2024 8:31:45 GMT -5

cameron stood in line for an hour for a stupid ride for me <3 best <3

Orbit All The Way Around You // [Embryze] Jan 8, 2013 23:57:10 GMT -5

Quote

Post by garnet beauford d8 [earthling] on Jan 8, 2013 23:57:10 GMT -5

for what it's worth, I have a slow disease that sucked me dry... I always aim to please
but I nearly died

Mace shifted so that he could see Julian more easily, didn't have to strain his neck or his back, all of his muscles there sore from the two weeks of working out he'd endured at the hands of cruel Capitol trainers. The lip twitching faltered, faded at Julian's ribbing, which Mace could never quite expect. Sometimes he reacted with total humility to Mace's silly suggestions, and others they seemed to offend his lover. He glanced aside, towards the remaining victors before Julian drew his attention away with an embrace.

He breathed steadily, deeply, a horse enfolded by its rider. His expression never changed as he processed what Julian was saying. Not in love with him for his abs? Who would be in love with someone for that? It had taken him long enough to even express that word. The idea that it could be so base, so physical, sent him reeling. "Guess not," he grunted, affirming Julian's assessment of his physical prowess. But the trouble is, he hadn't asked to spar with even the remote possibility that he might win. He just wanted to wrestle a little, test his strength, see how much further he had to go.

And even though, Mace wasn't sure it was a wise idea for him to best Julian, not now, not ever. He drew in a long, deep breath, held it to help steady his hands as Julian launched himself onto the table. He let out the breath with a bemused expression, not quite a smile, but the same pinching occurred around his eyes, his lips. He cocked his head to one side, admiring Julian quite publicly. If he was willing to play, so was Mace.

He clasped his hands together, leaned forward so that their faces were mere inches apart. "I'd rather save that for after dark," Mace said, stole an upside-down kiss and then pushed back from the table. He folded his arms as he stood, both admiring his boyfriend's prowess and feeling a very old tendril rise up in his gut. Was it... could it be... was he jealous?

It was a living, breathing feeling, and Mace reveled in it. "Got any other skills you want to demonstrate?" Mace asked, arching a heavy brow.

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Orbit All The Way Around You // [Embryze] Jan 9, 2013 1:07:03 GMT -5

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Post by pthalorarity on Jan 9, 2013 1:07:03 GMT -5

Through each regret and each goodbye
was a mistake too great to hide

Julian’s grin spread until his pearly whites beamed playfully back at Mace. “Day light has never stopped you before, Mace Emberstatt.” He lifted one hand off the table to balance on just his left for a moment before carefully lowering himself and sitting upright upon the edge. He leaned forward, pursing his lips to the left as he pondered his next move.

He supposed there really couldn’t be that much harm in humoring Mace. By policy, Julian never held back, but if there was anyone worthy of any exception in his life, it was the young man who stood before him. It’s not like Mace was weak either, Julian knew his boyfriend was out of shape, but he wasn’t fool enough to underestimate a fellow victor. Julian’s strengths lay in his agility and combative finesse, but Mace’s size would be enough to level the playing field in the rancher’s glory days. Still now, a solid blow from Mace’s large fist could knock him out cold… of course, Julian had no doubt in his mind that he was far too quick for that.

“Fine,” Julian said with a coy smirk, “if you want a demonstration, I’ll spar you.” He slinked off of the table and closed the gap between the two. “But!” His smirk spread into a full, bright smile once more as his icy eyes drifted up into Mace’s grey gaze. Julian’s hands reached up to rest upon Mace’s shoulders and he leaned backward and tilted his head to the side. “When I win, I do expect a prize.” With a wink, Julian poked Mace in the gut before turning away to head into the training room.