Who: Sean and Kong What: Conversation When: Tuesday December 3rd [backdated] Where: Outside and inside Sean’s wagon Rating: Mild Status: Complete
The evening was winding down, thus some of the attractions were as well while others were just getting started. Sean had finished his readings for the day and ‘closed the door’ to the spirits.
He walked the quieter portions of the grounds as he wiped his face. Thoughts of Kong softly cams into his mind and color lightly stained his cheeks.
Kong had wrapped up the final performance of the evening. Soft footfalls would bring him from the tent, robes flowed around him as if he were a gust of gentle wind rather than a man. Fingers brushed through that ebony hair and his mind wandered a bit to Sean. It’d been a few days since they had seen each other after that glorious evening spent together.
Even now his thoughts traveled.
Hand would brush those long, dark strands over a shoulder. Preparing to leave for the evening he took his stick in hand, beginning the journey back toward the area where the wagons were. His stomach rumbled some but the hunger could wait.
Sean wore a long brown coat as he traveled from his tent to his wagon. The air was beginning to chill and he wanted to start a fire in his little stove. Yet the thought of his friend and that evening kept him warm for the moment.
Soon he entered his wagon. There Sean tucked short sections of wood into the stove along with some tinder before striking a match, setting it inside, and closing the iron door.
He pulled off his coat and tucked inside his coat cubby. Then taking an axe and a normal length of wood, Sean exited his wagon to cut it down to size. The spirit medium let out a sigh as he recalled Kong and his slightly hurried nature to get into his wagon not too long ago.
In spite of the bitter chill, the wind never really seemed to bother him. The weather all around didn’t seem to have much of an effect though he did get cold the way anyone else would. Being what he was tended to have it’s advantages in certain situations.
Catching a familiar scent on the breeze Kong would slow down on his way. He had to pass Sean’s wagon on the way to his own and it seemed his friend was lingering outdoors. A fire sounded nice, warm.
“Beautiful night,” he commented, slowing pace to a pause. The blindfolded eyes would lift as if he were looking at his friend.
Splitting the wood, Sean stopped and heard footsteps. He turned and saw Kong approaching.
“It is,” he smiled as he rested his axe against his wagon and toed the cut wood away from being a hazard. Sean gazed at Kong, resting his eyes on Kong’s blindfold.
Chin would tilt to the side slightly as if he were listening to the air. “What are you doing?” The question came lightly, curious. It sounded like chopping, perhaps wood, which made a bit of sense. His own wagon had a small stove but he never used it mostly because it didn’t know how to operate it.
Lips would pull into a smile. He didn’t mind braving the bit of chilly weather for a conversation. The loose clothing he wore billowed gently, as did his hair.
“I am cutting wood for my stove,” Sean answered with a soft smile. It was wonderful to listen to Kong speak and to watch him. A flicker of relished memories appeared in his eyes.
Slowly, he approached his friend. Sean noticed how Kong’s clothing and hair billowed. He wondered how that felt considering how ground he himself felt. His fingers ached to touch the other man, but refrained. “How are you?”
The words in the explanation made sense; it was cold outside, why wouldn’t someone be carving blocks of wood for their wagon stove? A nod of understanding would come and Kong realized he was probably keeping his friend from the current task. Cheeks would color slightly. “I see. Do not let me keep you,” he replied softly.
But then Sean’s footfalls drew close. Kong would listened to each one and was glad that his friend approached having missed the connection they shared. “I am much better now,” he admitted, “and what of you?”
His wood-chopping could wait. Sean wasn’t sure if Kong used the stove in his own wagon. If it came to it, he cut some wood for him.
He saw the big of color reach Kong’s cheeks as he walked over and smiled as he couldn’t resist be close. “Good,” Sean whispered, “Likewise - much better. It is a lovely evening.” The connection they shared echoed in his mind. And he hoped their friendship still remained.
Glad that their situation was mutual, Kong nodded. “It is. Very fine.” The sky above was pristine albeit cool, dotted with stars. Without seeing eyes the experience was lost upon him to behold. He would take Sean’s word for it knowing it was true.
“With the wood you are chopping, you will be warm.” It was more a statement of observation. Part of him was sad for it, that warmth, as it meant Sean wouldn’t need company to take care of that for him, though he was happy for his friend.
The sky was beautiful, but Sean felt it dimmed in comparison to the gentleman who stood before him. If asked, he would describe the sky to Kong. The spirit medium often wondered if his friend could perceive the sky in ways he could not.
“Yes, yes. But only for so long,” he breathed as he took a step closer. The warmth they shared a few days ago was much different and he missed it. “Would you like to warm yourself inside my wagon?” Sean asked softly as he lightly brushed a hand along the knuckles of one of Kong’s.
He could feel a shift in the air as Sean drifted closer. He bathed in the scent of the man, the warmth and comfort his friend exuded. As the offer came he couldn’t help but accept, yearning to be close again. “Thank you. That is kind of you.”
Skin crawled with nerves, heat, as Sean brushed his hand. Kong chewed at a full, plump bottom lip keeping himself from taking his friends fingers.
Waiting for Sean to lead, his fingers would boldly, but discreetly brush upon his friend’s.
Sean couldn't resist the calm and strength Kong exuded. He smiled at the acceptance of his offer. “You’re welcome.”
The urge to capture Kong’s lips with his own was burning within him as he let his eyes falls from his friend’s blindfold to their hands.
A breathy sigh escaped Sean’s mouth as he felt Kong’s hand. Willing himself to move out of the moment, he toed the chopped lumber to the side before leading Kong into his wagon.
His hand would draw backward so as not to allow any with prying eyes a view to judge upon. But he did allow Sean to escort him in the direction of the wagon. Across the small slivers of wood, carefully and around with Sean’s direction.
There was comfort found inside the wagon. His mind calculated all of the steps it would take to get across from the door, toward the area to sit. The inside was warm and inviting because of the little stove burning merrily.
Stick set aside, he sat carefully. Shoulders straight, head up, Kong placed himself and waited.
Sean curled his fingers slowly as he escorted Kong into his wagon. Always careful and alert, he did not want the judgment from others or injury to Kong.
Once the both of them were inside with door closed, locked, and curtained, he sighed. Sean went over to his stove and tended to the fire for a moment before wiping his hands and turning his attention back to his friend.
“What shall we talk about,” Sean grinned as he stepped over and carefully sat beside Kong. Gently he placed one of his hands palm up on the other man’s knee.
“What would you like to talk about?” Kong inquired, chin tilting so that his blocked gaze would settle upon Sean’s. Hand would find the one of his friends at his knee, taking it.
“Was your experience tonight a good one?” Work could oft be hectic at times but Kong enjoyed it as much as he was able to.
They could speak of anything Sean chose.
Sean’s fingers would thread between Kong’s as his hand was taken. “Yes, my experience was good. Happiness, hope, sadness, but thankfully some resolution.”
There was a hint of fatigue, but he would recover from it quite easily. It was a different story in the rare amount of times Sean let a spirit temporarily inhabit his body.
The tone of Sean’s voice led Kong to believe that it was exactly the way his friend described it to be. He was glad for the positivity. He knew that not every day would bring or hold such promise of happiness and resolve or hope, but a raging storm did not always bring only destruction. It also brought calm and peace, renewal.
“I am glad for you.” His own show rarely changed. Many of his paying customers came time and time again to see his show before they moved. “What was the thing you enjoyed most about the day?”
Sean found himself comfortable with telling Kong the truth about his day. But he knew he’d soften the severity if the readings were emotionally difficult. He had learned over the years to keep the spirit communication to the readings.
“Thank you.” Sean wondered if Kong knew that he had watched his act once or twice. They were so breathtaking and calming all around the same time. Then he smiled brightly. “Other than sitting here with you?”
Whatever was divulged between Sean and the spirit world was for them alone. While he was curious, it was not his place to pry into the affairs of those who had moved on or those who still lingered. Many ancestors of his own had privacy which needed to be respected and honored. Kong cared for the man sitting with him enough to acknowledge the finer parts of his day and no more or less unless it was willingly given.
Humbled by the question, Kong smiled a bit. “So sweet are your words.” Sean was good to him in many ways he had only ever dreamed of. “But yes, other than just sitting here with me. There has to be something else that you enjoyed.” What else was life for?
The only bits of the spirit world that Sean brought with him once he ‘closed the door’, in order to have peace and control, were the scars in his firearms and ankles. The spirits could be as intense as the living, sometimes more so.
“They are the truth,” Sean grinned. He felt lucky to have made this connection with Kong. It was difficult not to be enthralled. “Watching the sky as clouds moved by, lunchtime. Seeing you walk over just a few minutes ago.” Feeling how he felt about Kong was difficult to pull away from.
Fingers entwined with Sean’s as the man spoke of the things about his day he enjoyed. For the second time his friend mentioned him. Kong still wasn’t quite sure what Sean saw on him but he wouldn’t protest. Only a nod and a smile were offered in reply.
Processing the illustrations in words took a moment. “I am honored to be such a high point in your day.” His frame would shift and he drew closer to his friend, pressing lightly against Sean comfortably.
He was taking in the simple things, letting them settle with happiness. Sean treasured his friendships. Yet he was amazed by those who befriended him. Many people were uneasy around someone who could speak to the dead. He wondered what Kong saw in him when they first met.
Sean smiled softly and loosely curled an arm around Kong as he pressed against him. “Always,” he sighed, “How was your day?”
The limb curled around him brought a sense of comfort. Whatever it was about Sean that he found so calming he didn’t want to lose. His friend felt like an anchor, a tie to reality that he needed. While he knew that Sean was a distraction to his focus and training, Kong welcomed it.
“It was enjoyable,” he remarked thoughtfully. The same as any day, though he did find himself glad to be there just then in good company.
Being able to share the greatly hidden portion of his life and being with Kong was a surprise and a highly treasured state. Sean felt calmer, less cut off in their time together - more so the times spent in his wagon.
“Good,” he sighed and squeezed Kong’s hand. There was a thought at the forefront of his mind, but a part of him feared to ask - an assessment of their connection two nights ago.
As he waited for an answer Kong tilted his head, laying it down upon one of Sean’s shoulders for a moment. He took in the atmosphere; the crackle of the logs drenched in a dance of flame, the aroma of Sean’s skin and hair, the sound of the wind outside knocking against the slats of the wagon.
Like a stone aged and worn with time he could have sat there endlessly for the rest of his days, perched in a state of eternal bliss.
That squeeze of his fingers prompted a smile.
Sean smiled and let out a soft laugh. “There’s that smile,” he smirked. Bowing his head, he breathed in the scent of Kong’s hair. He could have sat there with his friend for the rest of his days. But he knew they couldn’t and best not when there were more comfortable places to rest.
A moment was taken to commit this to memory. He wanted to ensnare it and save it for harder times to reflect back upon. He knew he would outlive many, possibly Sean included though he couldn’t be sure that his friend wasn’t like him.
“Only you seem to draw it,” he confessed softly. Lately that was the truth. No longer did he find joy in the things he had before Sean and their connection. The air felt stale without his friend around to warm it, the sun felt dim.
Being so content to sit here was lovely. Sean often wanted to take in the moment. It was something he wasn’t able to do most of his life, but since the last ten years of Zion - he had been able.
“Mmm, that is both beautiful and sad, Kong,” he whispered. Sean gently rubbed his friend’s shoulder, hoping whatever sadness his friend felt would be short-lived. “Is there something I can do?”
It didn’t feel so sad to him though he understood how it could seem as such. Lifting his head, Kong turned his head so that any shame would not be seen in his expression. He’d spoken what was on his heart and didn’t realize until it was pointed out how pitiful that sounded. Sean needed better, deserved better.
“I am not sure,” came the reply.
Sean frowned as Kong turned his head. Had he harmed his friend? He didn’t mean to. Loneliness seemed to rise from the words.
“Have I offended? If so, I am sorry. I never meant to cause you pain or sadness,” he whispered as he bowed his head. “Please, I wish only for your happiness.” Sean still whispered as he gently stroked Kong’s hand with his thumb.
Perhaps that was the gist of it, the loneliness. It was only himself, after all, by himself. He’d left his family, his country behind for this and it wasn’t without it’s fair share of second thoughts though there hadn’t been a choice but to flee. That or die a prisoner.
“You could never offend me,” he promised. Kong would lift his head, turning to seem to look at his friend. “I will try not to burden you, my friend. You have been good to me. My apologies.”
Sean had a feeling ever since he first met Kong that the exotic and beautiful man was lonely. He thought perhaps it was rude to assume and Kong looked regal and perfect. But Sean treated him as an equal.
He looked down at Kong as he spoke, nodding a little as he softly sighed. “Please, you have nothing to apologize for,” Sean replied and leaned down to gently press his lips against Kong’s. He would do anything for his friend to feel happy and content as he was.
That press of skin upon skin had Kong sighing with relief. Sean did something to him he didn’t understand but something he liked a great deal. “Thank you,” he began, leaning in to catch those lips again. “I do not want to disappoint you, only see you happy always.”
His free hand would lift and it would find one of Sean’s knees, resting upon it. Frame would twist to accommodate and not be awkward.
Touching Kong, kissing him always gave Sean a sense of calm that settled in his chest. It was the acceptance and comfort in the moment. “You’re welcome,” he whispered again the other man’s lips and kissed him back. “Never think you are less than. You make me happy. Please tell me what I could do to make you happy.”
His heart soared at those words. He made someone happy. Happy. That was a word used often in the wrong context except for this situation. “You make me happy as well. That is all I need.” He could have survived on that alone, no food or water. Just happiness to endure.
“Good,” he smiled. Making Kong happy was something he always wanted. Seeing him happy, hearing him happy was like cloud-watching om a spring day - content and beautiful. His hand left Kong’s shoulder to pull back and reach up to comb his fingers through his hair. Then Sean kissed his friend again slowly and parted his lips.
He felt like a magnet when Sean touched him that way, a moth drawn to a burning flame. Lips would part for Sean easily, there was no hesitation. It was dangerous to be so willing, Kong knew this quite well, and yet he bore the risk. Whatever denial or self-deprecation he felt washed away when his friend was around. It was as if Sean filled the holes inside of him that no one else had ever been able to.
Frame twisted toward the other to make it as easy as possible to connect. He could’ve spent the rest of his days there, trapped in this moment, and been content. No, happy. Happy.
Sean felt like a complete person when he kissed Kong. There was no need to hide who he felt attracted to. He was drawn as well. A part of him deep down feared they would be caught and judged. Yet he also knew he would defend his friend. Smoothly, Sean slipped his tongue in and smiled.
He wanted to just sink into the moment with Kong. The whole evening could be timeless. Feeling Kong’s twisting, Sean pulled back a little and asked, “Do you want to stay here or go to my bed?”
That fear was shared. It would always linger in the back of his mind like a storm cloud choking the sky. But he didn’t want to live in fear. There were rumors of others like them being together. Whether or not that was true he couldn’t say, but he was sure that his feelings for Sean was real.
Tongue lapped at tongue. A soft groan was released and then he felt the kiss sever gently. He lifted his head and peered blindly albeit curiously at his friend.
“That depends on what is on your mind,” Kong replied. He didn’t want the pinnacle of their friendship to always be physical. He wanted to know everything about Sean.
Sean hoped one day that no one would be judged. But for now he feared and would protect. He believed what he felt for Kong was true and natural.
Clinching his lover’s hand at that lovely groan, he sighed. He wanted to look at him forever.
“Mmm, yes. I want you to be comfortable,” Sean whispered as he gently his nose against Kong’s.
Forever was quite a long time; he had many days more than most other people if he played his cards right and just then he knew he wanted to fill those days with as many as Sean would let him. He was hooked.
Hand would stay in Sean’s. Fingers would fall between and Kong would squeeze gently. “I am, with you.” That brush of his nose sent shivers down his spine. He smiled and nudged at Sean’s nose with his own in a playful way.
Desperately he longed to see Sean, if only for a few seconds. That chestnut hair, those eyes.
The sense of peace and balance that Kong brought was what Sean loved. What days he had, he wanted to be with his lover and away from what many people called his calling, his purpose - speaking with the dead.
“And I, with you,” he smiled at Kong’s playful nose-brushing. Tilting his head to the side, Sean kissed his lover softly and pulled away to look towards Kong’s blindfolded eyes.
His free hand smoothed Kong’s hair and he tenderly massaged his scalp with his fingertips.
He was glad to hear as such. Few made him as happy as Sean did and losing him was unacceptable. “I am glad to know that. You make me happy.” The words were soft and all for Sean, as was his heart of the other wanted it.
When those fingers combed into his hair Kong would lean into the touch. A patient exhale would leave his lips.
“I am glad,” Sean smiled. He never wanted to be away from Kong. The sense of peace and stability centered him. Yet he still held fears of losing him. His heart was open to the other man.
Breathing softly, he lightly rested his forehead against Kong’s. “I have a question.”
Curious, Kong couldn’t help but wonder what would be posed. “You may ask anything,” he offered. The pressure of their foreheads together was calming and grounding. Heart would flutter with the anticipation, unsure of where this was going. It all happened so quickly.
Hand was still firmly planted within Sean’s. Whatever came of the question nearly asked would be taken as best he could interpret.
This wasn’t something he said to anyone out of fear of judgement or misinterpretation. Sean breathed as he closed his eyes. He was thankful for Kong’s openness. His fingers slipped into the other man’s hair.
Squeezing Kong’s hand gently, he asked, “What would your thoughts be if I said that I loved you?”
With bated breath he would wait. Those fingers in his hair were comforting, soothing. Leaning into the touch he nearly purred with delight until the bombshell was dropped into his lap. “You do?”
Kong would sit up straight, shoulders squared. If he could have seen Sean he might have looked perplexed. As it was, the blindfolded gaze settled at where he thought his friends eyes might be.
“You love me?”
Then Sean bit his lower lip at Kong’s question. Had he made a mistake in saying that word?
His hand left his lover’s hair as the man sat straight up. The posture often struck Sean as closing off. Bowing his head a little, he sighed as he continued to nibble nervously at his lip.
“...I do,” Sean confessed in a breathy whisper.
A moment was taken to process what Sean had just said. They still barely knew each other and yet there was this profound emotion that sat heavily upon them. Could he say he loved Sean too? Loved him as deeply as his friend seemed to love him.
Losing the connection left a cold feeling where warm had once was. He felt hollow and less.
Kong reached out. Fingers would struggle against cloth, touching at Sean’s shirt with desperation. “I am sorry. Nobody...I have never heard that before. I am surprised, grateful.”
Sean felt profoundly throughout his life and he learned quite a few lessons the hard way when he let himself be open and speak out of turn.
His hand came to rest on his leg as he kept his eyes down. He felt less for being so bold all too soon.
“Don’t...don’t be sorry.” Sean lifted his hand to embrace the back of Kong’s at his shirt. “Grateful is good. I am sorry if I have spoken too soon.”
The sensation that something had gone awry loomed overhead. “It is alright that you love me,” Kong began, keeping his voice low so as not to spoil the moment. “You are a good man, and anyone would be worthy of your love. I will do my best to live up to what you expect, but I will not tell you that I love you because it would not be the truth. I do have feelings for you, strong ones. But I do not know you. I want to know you better.” He hoped that made sense. He hoped that Sean wouldn’t feel disappointed.
Grip on Sean’s clothes lessened. Kong did his best to relax, to not be so stiff. Leaning forward he pressed a soft kiss against the corner of Sean’s mouth.
Sean listened, squeezing Kong’s interfaced hand with his. The other man spoke the truth. He was much more rational and level than he could be at times. Opening oneself to someone had its own set of risks much like being a spirit medium. He had relied on the fear of who he loved being found out...to keep him safe. But was learning.
Softly, he returned the kiss and leaned into it a little. “You are quite wonderful.” Sean whispered.
“We need to work on existing together so that we may grow what we feel for each other.” He had never been in a serious relationship before, his personality could be flighty, but he was willing at least to try for Sean if that was what the other man wanted of him.
To him, love was like a small seed. It needed nurturing, sustenance, water, sunlight to grow. Cultivating too early meant failure.
“Yes, I agree.” Sean hadn’t had a serious relationship either. For a time he didn’t believe he’d ever have one. Many times people told him that his gift was his calling and he should devote himself to it completely. He would hold Kong to anything if he did not wish it.
His hand returned to Kong’s hair, smoothing each strand slowly. “I do not deserve a strong and wise person like you,” he spoke in a whisper.
“What do you think we should do?” If Sean wanted to be together then he would ask, if not they would figure it out and Kong would roll with it from there. This would be new but he wanted to try for Sean. Sean seemed to believe in him more than he believed in himself which was uplifting.
“And I do not deserve someone who believes so strongly in me in ways I do not believe in myself. Maybe we are good for each other in that aspect.” He leaned into Sean’s touch, basking in the warmth.
Sean listened and nodded to himself. “Go slow, take our time.” He whispered. Being reckless wasn’t something he wanted in regards to his relationship with Kong. If he could avoid it, he would. And yes, he always believed in his lover and always would.
“May we are good for each other.” He echoed as he brought their hands up to his lips, and pressed a kiss to Kong’s knuckles.
“I think that is a wise idea,” came the reply, coupled with a smile. Recklessness, being hasty, would cause the relationship to fizzle out once the momentum finally paused. Developing real feelings sounded like tje best approach and Kong was grateful that Sean wanted to try.
“I know that we will be.” As those kisses pressed across the back of his hand he could feel color warming his cheeks.
Sean was willing to try, he wanted to try. How deeply he felt would be tempered and handled. This balance and accepting feeling was something wanted, he needed. Their acquaintance to friendship was beautiful and refreshing and the next steps they have taken and will take were ones he didn’t want to tarnish.
A smile tugged at his lips as he lowered their hands and lifted his head to see the color in Kong’s cheeks. Then he leaned in to press a tender kiss to his lover’s lips.
As that kiss came Kong would lean forward into it, and return it. It felt like a milestone there - connecting again on a deep level after they confessed things in their heart. Once the kiss was finished he pulled back some.
“Do you have anything on your mind?” Any questions for Kong, any preferences, anything at all. They’d been through a whirlwind just then.
The warmth had receded some. Kong would turn in that direction and a hand would lift. In three seconds the fire was going again, as if he could control the very flames though he couldn’t. “Much better.”
Sean found himself realizing how tired he was after the milestone they reached. Yet he was happy for Kong’s returning the kiss. And he sat there still as he pulled away.
“Many things. But most of them can wait.” Sean whispered as he gently smoothed Kong’s hair.
He turned his head to look at the stove as the fire was rekindled. A warm smile spread across his face. “Would you like to stay and keep warm?”
“If you say so,” Kong breathed. He nodded and turned that blindfolded gaze back toward Sean. Any questions posed would be answered as best he was able. Some he would not have good answers for, while others would have elaboration.
The invitation would be accepted in the form of a nod and a smile. “I would like that. Thank you.” The loose garment he wore would allow for him to remain cool enough.
Once Sean had rested, unwound his mind, he would ask questions. “Ask me any if you wish.” he offered in return, willing to tell Kong the truth.
“You’re welcome.” He smiled and ran his hand down from Kong’s hair to protectively curl around his lover’s torso to bring him close to share his body heat.
He couldn’t think of anything just then that seemed important but he was sure something would come to mind. “I will when I think of something.” He wanted to know all about Sean. Hand would find one of Sean’s and he held onto it gently.
Shifting close, he took up any remaining space between them with his presence. His head would tilt to the side and rest against Sean’s own.
“You are warm,” he commented softly.
“No need to hurry,” he breathed as he curled his warm calloused fingers around Kong’s hand. Sean was okay with the questions coming later. As long as his lover knew he was open to answering them.
A breath escaped Sean’s lips as Kong rested his head against his. This connection made him feel safe, whole.