[ Since the disappearances happened, John had packed himself a bag and taken off for the Down. Not entirely because the Up had become a bit more unpredictable in a sense, but more because with everyone he pretty much knew or cared about gone, he was on his own again and fell back into old habits abd routines of when he had been like that before coming here.
Just surviving.
When he catches wind of people who disappeared coming back, he slowly makes his way back to the house he shares with the demon. Part because it's just slow in general for a submissive to do and he doesn't fly, and part because he doesn't know if he wants to go back and find that Caliban is still gone.
So when he does return, it's maybe a day after the initial return of the kidnapped - of those who disappeared - and it's with gentle apprehension that he opens the door and stands there for a long moment before thinking to step inside.
He's dressed rather poorly- well. Goggles on his head, long coat that's a little dirty, knit sweater that's unraveling in a few places, boots scuffed, and pants with some tears and stains. The scarf around hos neck and the fingerless gloves are an added touch to this homeless look he's sporting and he doesn't bother to remove his boots as he makes his way inside a little, bag slung there on his shoulder.
Even as he does, he doesn't call out. Maybe a little afraid of doing so and not getting anything back in response. ]
[ The time away had been...less than pleasant- and it had taken Nate dragging his statue back to the Midnight Theatre and sparking the demon's body with magic for him to return back to his usual cocky form. So perhaps it took him a little longer than most to return home as it was.
And yet the moment life was breathed back into the clay statue of the King of Hell- he only thought of John.
By the time John actually came back home, Caliban was looking like he'd never left as he wore that familiar silk black shirt that was open and a pair of loose black pants. His long blond hair was tied up in a little ponytail. The sound of that door creaking open echos through the house and a few moments later, the demon was rounding the corner with a furrowed boy but a smile broke along his face at the sight of the other-
Even if he had a few questions about the other's current look.
He moves even without question- a hand finding itself on John's neck as he moves himself closer to the other.]
[ There's a moment where John doesn't really know what to do or say when he sees Caliban. He's dealt with his disappearance once before and to have it happen again (albeit different circumstances), he'd quickly emotionally disconnected himself from everything as a means to Keep Going. Especially when he'd been, more or less, left on his own.
So when Caliban moves in - when he touches him and speaks to him, John can only just stand there and stare at him for a long moment before he realizes he's doing that. Gently, he lifts a hand, fingers wrapping softly around the demons wrist there at his neck. ]
Hi.
[ Is all he can manage to get out at the moment. ]
[ Caliban said those words softly back at the other- the other had filled his thoughts more than he'd ever admit. John's fear of abandonment was pretty well known by this point and he knew the moment he was taken that John would think he'd been swept away to his own world again.
The thought of that had twisted inside him.
There's a little moment of him leaning forward and lowering his head as he tries to catch that eyeline proper, to make sure the other was all right.]
Nice look. [ There was a soft tease in his voice at that.]
[ His gaze drops, unsure with what to say or even feel with seeing Caliban here again. Bag sliding off his shoulder, it hits the ground with a loud thunk, the fire manipulator lifting his gaze up to the demon as he stands there before him. ]
[ It's not like he could have done anything anyways. He couldn't against the sentinel that hunted, chased, and killed him. What good would he be were his powers cut off and he was unable to manipulate fire? Never mind the fact that he's no hero and no has desire to be one. ]
I just... I don't know. Expected it, I guess. For you to leave again... for this place to take you away.
[ Because that's what had happened the last time when he woke and found himself alone here in the house. ]
I feel like I should say I'm glad it didn't, but... I don't know if it's better you went through... whatever the hell you did.
And you left your home the moment you thought I had.
[ He murmured, mostly to himself as he felt his brow furrow slightly at that information.
A hand reached up to brush through those long blond locks of the demons at those next words.]
I'm not entirely sure you wish to be privy to the details of such an experience but...I'm glad it didn't steal me away, even with what happened. I have no desire to leave you.
Figured it was better to leave before they made me.
[ He's a submissive after all. He doesn't own anything. Not without a dominant's signature attached to it.
There's a sliver of truth there in the words Caliban gives concerning whether or not he'd want to know what had happened. John's the type to just Not talk about things, much as he hadn't about his own death or kept Alec's second departure to himself for a week or so before saying anything. Whatever happened to the demon had happened and there's nothing he can do to fix it.
So, he nods, looking down to the ground — to the scuffed boots he still has on. ]
Everything in my kingdom should be yours by right, John. Even this house. You have earned that.
[ While he knows Magnus left him the bar in his will when he left- he's not entirely sure John's wrong here. Still, he was going to remind himself to make an effort to find some sort of city rule to allow John to hold such a thing in case he was ever taken.
If only to prevent such a reaction again. A hand reaches out to slip into Johns and the demon easily lets his magic flare up between them as that hellfire jumps and licks up John's hand as if it's missed him just as much as its owner.]
And I have no intention of leaving for the foreseeable future. I might just keep you in my arms for a weeks.
[ A glance down, he watches the way the fire magically wraps around his hand, unafraid as always, even if it's not manipulated by him. It's a comfort he always leans on, especially when alone: the warmth of a flickering flame across his skin. ]
I'm sorry.
[ He says then, soft. ]
For what happened... for what you've been through.
[ There's a little nod at that as he just keeps their hands connected- as he lets that flame easily wrap around the other arm a little higher as he kept the other close to him in a way that was so uniquely them. ]
Thank you.
[ Being here with John already made things better in ways he couldn't even describe. Away from the noise and the lights- the anger he felt at the guards and the slow creepiness of his body turning to stone.]
It was...I'm just glad I'm here with you again, my love. My light.
I guess at least you and Nate had each other to lean on.
[ Or so he assumes. Fuck if he knows what happened or how bad it had been. He'd spent the last two weeks moving around the Down and surviving in whatever ways he could. ]
Well, guess it's a good thing you had each other then. That he's not all weird about you like he used to be.
[ He still remembers the days when Nate had been wary about the demon on account of the things he'd been told of him by the Nick from Caliban's world. Seems so long ago now. ]
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coming home;
Just surviving.
When he catches wind of people who disappeared coming back, he slowly makes his way back to the house he shares with the demon. Part because it's just slow in general for a submissive to do and he doesn't fly, and part because he doesn't know if he wants to go back and find that Caliban is still gone.
So when he does return, it's maybe a day after the initial return of the kidnapped - of those who disappeared - and it's with gentle apprehension that he opens the door and stands there for a long moment before thinking to step inside.
He's dressed rather poorly- well. Goggles on his head, long coat that's a little dirty, knit sweater that's unraveling in a few places, boots scuffed, and pants with some tears and stains. The scarf around hos neck and the fingerless gloves are an added touch to this homeless look he's sporting and he doesn't bother to remove his boots as he makes his way inside a little, bag slung there on his shoulder.
Even as he does, he doesn't call out. Maybe a little afraid of doing so and not getting anything back in response. ]
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And yet the moment life was breathed back into the clay statue of the King of Hell- he only thought of John.
By the time John actually came back home, Caliban was looking like he'd never left as he wore that familiar silk black shirt that was open and a pair of loose black pants. His long blond hair was tied up in a little ponytail. The sound of that door creaking open echos through the house and a few moments later, the demon was rounding the corner with a furrowed boy but a smile broke along his face at the sight of the other-
Even if he had a few questions about the other's current look.
He moves even without question- a hand finding itself on John's neck as he moves himself closer to the other.]
My love- you're back.
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So when Caliban moves in - when he touches him and speaks to him, John can only just stand there and stare at him for a long moment before he realizes he's doing that. Gently, he lifts a hand, fingers wrapping softly around the demons wrist there at his neck. ]
Hi.
[ Is all he can manage to get out at the moment. ]
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[ Caliban said those words softly back at the other- the other had filled his thoughts more than he'd ever admit. John's fear of abandonment was pretty well known by this point and he knew the moment he was taken that John would think he'd been swept away to his own world again.
The thought of that had twisted inside him.
There's a little moment of him leaning forward and lowering his head as he tries to catch that eyeline proper, to make sure the other was all right.]
Nice look. [ There was a soft tease in his voice at that.]
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[ His gaze drops, unsure with what to say or even feel with seeing Caliban here again. Bag sliding off his shoulder, it hits the ground with a loud thunk, the fire manipulator lifting his gaze up to the demon as he stands there before him. ]
Thought you left again.
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[ There's a soft sigh at that as he sucks on the inside of his cheek as he peers down at John when he finally meets his eyes.]
I was taken by force. Many of us were. Nate, Laura...
[ He pauses because..well, that's not really the point.]
But it was not by choice.
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[ About what had happened, eventually. It's not like he'd stuck around here after all. Not when he thought he was alone again.
Unsure with whether or not he should ask, he decides to just go ahead and do so, carefully looking the demon over as he does. ]
You ok?
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I was briefly a stone statue- you almost had me back as a lawn ornament.
[ He mused lightly as he cupped the other's neck again, brushing his thumb along the skin of the other softly.]
I am a fine- Better than fine now that I'm here with you again.
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Are you... I mean...
[ Tilt of his head, he sighs, eyes heavy in closing. ]
I didn't look for you. For anyone. I just assumed you were all gone.
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[ Caliban sucks in his cheek at that- at that reaction. It was hard not to feel whatever passed for his heart twist at the sight.]
The city...has been cruel at times. Your assumption is understandable.
We-
[ He gave a little soft breath as he tried again.]
I get it. Who could blame you?
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I just... I don't know. Expected it, I guess. For you to leave again... for this place to take you away.
[ Because that's what had happened the last time when he woke and found himself alone here in the house. ]
I feel like I should say I'm glad it didn't, but... I don't know if it's better you went through... whatever the hell you did.
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[ He murmured, mostly to himself as he felt his brow furrow slightly at that information.
A hand reached up to brush through those long blond locks of the demons at those next words.]
I'm not entirely sure you wish to be privy to the details of such an experience but...I'm glad it didn't steal me away, even with what happened. I have no desire to leave you.
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[ He's a submissive after all. He doesn't own anything. Not without a dominant's signature attached to it.
There's a sliver of truth there in the words Caliban gives concerning whether or not he'd want to know what had happened. John's the type to just Not talk about things, much as he hadn't about his own death or kept Alec's second departure to himself for a week or so before saying anything. Whatever happened to the demon had happened and there's nothing he can do to fix it.
So, he nods, looking down to the ground — to the scuffed boots he still has on. ]
At least you're here now.
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[ While he knows Magnus left him the bar in his will when he left- he's not entirely sure John's wrong here. Still, he was going to remind himself to make an effort to find some sort of city rule to allow John to hold such a thing in case he was ever taken.
If only to prevent such a reaction again. A hand reaches out to slip into Johns and the demon easily lets his magic flare up between them as that hellfire jumps and licks up John's hand as if it's missed him just as much as its owner.]
And I have no intention of leaving for the foreseeable future. I might just keep you in my arms for a weeks.
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I'm sorry.
[ He says then, soft. ]
For what happened... for what you've been through.
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Thank you.
[ Being here with John already made things better in ways he couldn't even describe. Away from the noise and the lights- the anger he felt at the guards and the slow creepiness of his body turning to stone.]
It was...I'm just glad I'm here with you again, my love. My light.
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[ Or so he assumes. Fuck if he knows what happened or how bad it had been. He'd spent the last two weeks moving around the Down and surviving in whatever ways he could. ]
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Yes. I am quite grateful he was there. He got me out at the end. Bought me home.
[ Or at least the statue version of him. It was even Nate's spark of magic that bought him back to his regular form.]
We helped each other through it.
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[ He still remembers the days when Nate had been wary about the demon on account of the things he'd been told of him by the Nick from Caliban's world. Seems so long ago now. ]
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[ He teased lightly- the joke cutting though the air between them before the demon gave a little nod and a soft hum.]
He was worried about you- you know. Just as much as I was.
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[ There had never been any true animosity between them before? At least John doesn't think there was, but. It had been different, he knows. ]