driftfleet | [snuggle up real close everyone]

Making a New Mark
[After the incident at the masquerade, it's been made painfully more clear that the Stalker was going to be an issue at some point or another. It was certainly a reminder of home that he would've gladly have left behind. Instead it decided to stare him in the face, barely hidden away behind a mask. At the very least Ordis had been distracted so the incident didn't garner a rise out of him.

He wanted to prove that he didn't belong to that man. Sure the scar across his back and chest was enough to show his defiant survival but he wasn't willing to flaunt that about. No the main detail that was easily shown was the stalker's sigil branded into his left bicep. A sickening reminder worse than the scar. So he took matters into his own hands.

A large stitched up laceration now crossed over the mark. It had been painful but worthwhile in his mind. That and there now was a new tattoo going along his right arm. Circuits in blue and black, pulsing but much more vibrant and alive than the darks of the sigil. It had been a search to find someone who could do it on the moon but he managed. Now he had to be more careful in his job because of it all.]

Work and All
[More often than not, the tenno can be found nearby the armory doing a majority of the clean up and moving of supplies. It was his part of the half while Wrath continued to take it easy due to her back. Most of the time it wouldn't be unusual to see Ordis glued to his side while he did his duties about the ship. The cephalon prattling away about new discoveries and whatnot while he listened intently.

Other times, he'd be down in the cargo bay by the fish tank trying to meditate and relax.]

[Separation is beginning to grow easier, but any time his Operator is gone for extended periods of time still leaves Ordis anxious. It's silly when he thinks about it, the Operator was away so often back home. But those had been missions, and he had always been able to contact the man, to offer air support, to do something.

This is far different. It feels isolated, lonely. Useless. And so he's stuck mulling about the Tenno's cabin, haphazardly organizing the few things there over and over again to try to quell his nerves. It isn't until the hatch hisses that he's startled out of his routine.]

Operator!

[Why doesn't it surprise him that the first thing he sees in his cabin is Ordis? Probably because the cephalon has been making a point to spend more time there than in his own bunk when he can, especially after the Snuggles incident. He raises a brow at the rearranged shelves. Did he not leave this place the entire time?]

Ordis. Shouldn't you be off doing your job?

[He thought he had more time to get ready for the surprise. Bad enough the mark peeked from his shirt on both his arm and neck.]

Ordis is doing his job.

[It's automatic, but truthful; his job is to help his Operator, and that's what he's doing. At the question he straightens, turning back to peer over. His expression immediately changes though, because are those....stitches? Has Operator been injured? That's a terrible thought, and it fills him with dread.]

Operator??

I didn't know rearranging my room was a part of that.

[He wasn't going to do anything more than shake his head with a soft sigh. The cephalon wasn't going to get into trouble for doing such a thing honestly. However that sharp change doesn't bode well. Did he notice the mark? Crap maybe this had been a bad idea.]

Yes? Is something wrong?

It-is the.Operator displeased with this manner of organization?

[A thought he hadn't considered in his desire to be at least somewhat useful, and now there's more concern. It's dwarfed, however by his fixation on the perceived injury, and there's a hint of a frenetic tone in his voice as he steps forward to try to get a better look.]

Operator are you injured?

[He doesn't want to say the name, to give attention to someone who deserved none, but the fear is still so very there.]

No, I'm fine with it. It works and all regardless of how you set it up.

[He didn't exactly have much so everything was still easily found despite Ordis's messing around with the positioning. Raising a hand to wave off the concern, the tenno closes the distance to place a kiss onto the cephalon's forehead.]

I am. It was a stupid mistake on my part. I....wanted to ruin it somehow.

[Please understand. Don't freak out.]

It won't happen again. I promise.

Operator, I am here to serve. Things should be set to your particular liking, not just 'fine'.

[But the tenno is close and it helps soothe at least some of the biting in the back of his mind. Still, with the Stalker having made an appearance, it's difficult to truly relax.]

Ordis-I-worry.

[That feels so difficult to admit, especially with their current circumstances.]

I'm used to your sorting, Ordis. It's honestly fine. I assure you.

[For once, the Stalker had nothing to do with his injury. Besides it wouldn't take too long to heal from such a thing. It was more so a mild annoyance than anything else.]

I know. I'm sorry for causing you to.

[His attention is far more focused on the spark of colour and bandages, rather than his Operator's words. Perhaps that's poor of him, he should really be at his tenno's beck and call, but the curiosity is there and it's nigh overwhelming.]

Operator. What has transpired?

I ugh...

[How was he supposed to exactly explain this? Or rather why was he getting tripped over such a thing? Maybe because it was important to him and hopefully to Ordis as well.]

I took care of the Stalker's mark and got one for someone else.

[That...he hadn't even realized it was possible to remove a mark so cruelly branded. Perhaps this new place they found themselves in drained some of the Stalker's malicious power, which was honestly a good thing in itself.]

For someone else, Operator?

[A mark of his Operator's choosing, no matter whom it was for, was certainly better than a mark forced upon him.]

[Well moment of truth then. The tenno bites his lip before tugging the shirt over his head to show the new mark in its fullest. There was slight redness due to irritation around the area but otherwise the blue circuitry was bright and pulsed steadily.

He glances back at Ordis after checking it over and rolling his shoulders.]

...For you actually.

For-

[It's a strange concept that he can't quite grasp. Why would anyone do anything for him? His purpose was to benefit others, after all.

But the lines catch his attention, draw his eye in the way only expertly equated formulas could. The symmetry and pattern is pleasing, and he's lost for a moment just following each angle, taking it in.]

You...honor me, Operator.

That's its job. I wanted to show my appreciation for everything that you've done for me before.

[Maybe there was a chance that he could talk to Ordis about something else. Wrath had been helpful in sorting out the mess that was his idea of a relationship so it couldn't hurt to try. For now, he'll wait until a proper time to discuss such a thing.]

It has been nothing though, Operator.

[It's his job to serve after all. But he can't help the small, shy grin that threatens to creep across his lips.]

Thank you.

[The lines still draw him though, and he raises a hand without thinking to reach over and trace one. When common sense finally kicks back in, he draws away quickly.]

I apologize.

It's so much more than nothing. Even if you don't believe it to be so.

[His own smile flickers to life in return. This was going much better than he had worried over.]

No problem.

[The touch though comes unexpected and he stills a shudder before it worsens. He blinks at the apology and shakes his head, reaching out to gently stop him. His grip is loose in case he desires to pull away fully.]

No. No, it's fine.

You flatter Ordis again.

[But he's being stopped? A strange thing, for from everything he's encountered it's considered incredibly rude to merely touch without permission.]

It is a wound, Operator. I do not wish to cause undue duress to it.

[Even if he's gently brushing his fingers across a line again.]

[He once again shakes his head before releasing his hold on the cephalon. His arm falling back to his side after a brief moment of hesitation.]

Different set of variables to this. I can't scratch it or expose to extremes but it won't be aggravated by such thing as soft touches. Especially from you.

Perhaps the Operator should be resting, for once then.

[There's a hint of wry amusement in his voice, even as he continues at his explorations. It isn't a very good joke, they both know there's always been far too much that needs to be done, but he's trying nonetheless for his Operator's sake.]

Are you saying I should take you to bed?

[The teasing tone is returned albeit he isn't certain that the cephalon would catch on to the meaning that he was going for but that could be lived with. He sets his jaw against a shiver but remains smirking nonetheless.]

Wh-?

[He's never really heard his Operator so carefree, and it catches him by surprise. He decides it's a good sound though, something that he'd like to hear more of given the chance, and it has him grinning wryly back.]

If that is what the Operator wishes. Ordis is here to serve.

Don't think either of us are tired though.

[Still wasn't too sure on if Ordis caught the meaning but he'll continue to toy with the idea regardless. At the very least until the cephalon showed signs of not wanting anymore of it. A hand moving to gently press against the small of Ordis' back.]

If the Operator needs rest, then the Operator needs rest. Regardless of sleep involved.

[The hand on his back has him pressing closer though.]

And what if I want to do something else with you? Still involves the bed.

[The tenno ducks down to kiss along Ordis' pulse slowly. His fingers toying with the hem of the cephalon's shirt before slipping them underneath to inch up along his spine. He needs to be more obvious but delicate still.]

Might need rest after if we do it.

[snuggle up real close everyone]

OTA

u kno wat

I do in fact know wat

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