poly_chromatic | ♦ ♦ 25TH CONTRACT

Entry tags:

darker than black - hei

♦ ♦ 25TH CONTRACT

... This is pathetic. How the hell am I supposed to go out like this? I can't even cross the street without getting strange looks. It's like I'm a frea - gjrjzarg

[ The device jolts into video-mode as it clatters to the floor -- facedown. There are sounds of scuffle offscreen. Glasses smashing. A man's startled yell -- aborted by a thud. Then: a female voice -- one of those smoky contralto registers. Any other time, it'd sound attractive. ]

[ Right now? It's just frigorific. ]

Back off. I'm armed. You're not. Consider this in detail.

[ Guess who got genderswapped while visiting the Underground? Ask Hei about his day. He dares you. ]

[ Options for Run-Ins: ]

[ Home: He'll be in the bathroom -- trying to settle to the new body. His hair falls in choppy hanks around his scowling face. There's a dark pile of snipped-off locks in the wastebin, and a box of bandaids overturned in the sink. He rubs at the steamy mirror with his palms, smearing the glass, breathing slowly around words even he doesn't immediately register as cursing. ]

[ Out and About: No plum-red lips. No hair-flips. No swivel-hips. He emerges from a clothing store in nondescript clothes -- baggy blue jeans, a plaid flannel shirt and a hooded-down parka in dull brown. Smaller boots rub at his heels and toes through ugly socks. Inspecting himself in a store window, he wrinkles up his nose and scowls. Ugh. ]

[ Move along, gentlemen. Nothing sweet or kittenish about this little number. There's an unwomanly directness in those eyes. Stay the hell away. ]

[ ooc: Replies will come from

two_zero_one. Please keep in mind that unless you've interacted with Hei -- not Li -- the grumpy lady will be hard to recognize. Replies will be sloooow, so backtags are a joy<3 ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[You don't always see what you're not looking for.]

The only toddler I know is bald. This is more an Ikki hairstyle. [She wonders how the little girl is doing. Yes, everybody says that when you leave the City, it's as though you never left, but it's hard not to feel sometimes like life there has to be going on without you.

His fingers on her neck -- so different from the ones she's used to -- draw a faint shiver out of her. She turns her head and leans into him. Slowly, giving him plenty of warning to back away. She doesn't know if he'd be interested, or if he's too uncomfortable in this temporary body for any kind of touch.]

Who's Ikki?

[ It's a passing curiosity. He doesn't particularly care. The names Korra drops are reminders, more than anything, of the dots that connect her life together. Friends, family, goals. A support system. While Hei grants she's no raving beauty in comparison to Amber, she has a bright charisma and a way of collecting people, in a way that's very different from Amber's mysterious allure. Not the sort of person who should be near Hei at all. ]

[ But here she is. He tries not to puzzle out the why's and why not's. Something prickles through him as she leans in, something that begins at the base of his spine and radiates up and down all through him. Hesitancy, that corresponds with an airy fluttering sensation. He's uncomfortable with this body, true. But shucking off that discomfort is both a working process and a work in progress. Ultimately, Hei is nothing if not adaptable. ]

[ He doesn't wait for her to close the space between them. A tilt of his head, and he leans in. It's a flutter of lips more than a real kiss. Experimental. Even so, Korra will register the differences -- the ticklish fall of hair, the same heights, the softer pillow of lips. Even his scent is different, a little muted, a little alkaline. Like sugary bread, almost. ]

[She'd answer, but her lips are busy. She pushes in just a little closer, not pressing but... exploring. Chaste and curious, mapping out all the differences. In many ways, it's like kissing someone else entirely, and the question isn't what makes this kiss different, but how it's still so recognizably Hei.]

[ Just a chaste kiss. ]

[ But Hei feels his pulse answer with an inner-kick. Familiar, even if the rest of the reactions aren't. There's no hot immediacy of Want Take Have -- or if there is, it's softened in pitch. Subdued. He's not sure if it's a quality exclusive to this body, or all in his head. Still, he likes it. Likes the brush of sweetness, Korra's bottom lip fitted against his, like they're sharing heat and breath. After a moment, the caution fades. He finds that same electric-charge, that drive -- slipping his tongue into Korra's mouth. Concentrating not on what isn't there, but what is, the press of his hand warm and smooth against the side of her neck. ]

[He's so squishy. That's one of the nice things about kissing girls... Well, girl bodies. She hums and sucks on his tongue while her hands settle on his hips. (Hips... Another thing she likes. Just curvy enough to give her a real handle on him.)]

[ That's another thing he's trying to get accustomed to. The soft padding over the cut of bones, the shadowy dips and curves pressing out at strange angles. But underneath he still has all his muscle tone -- the body is a sonsy version of his usual physique, long-limbed and sinewy. Outdoors, fighting in the Underground, he'd moved as if his strength was never in doubt. ]

[ His lips are moist and pliant on Korra's. There's a low sound that drifts from his throat, pleased, almost purring, as she draws his tongue in, her hands descending on his hips. It's all strange-familiar sensation and new-old territory. But Hei doesn't play anything by ear -- already, he's sketching out bits and pieces of the afternoon ahead. Explorations. Experiments. A series of tests to be run, a course to be chartered. Almost like riding a different model of bike on a deviating route -- seized by a particular antsy mix of anticipation and uncertainty. ]

[ Eventually, on a slow inhale, he draws away. Framing her face in both hands, he lets his fingers card through her hair, half-lidded eyes on hers, ]

You want a bath? [ Bath, not Shower. Good way to get Korra clean, to get the mild grunge from outdoors off his own skin -- and to offer themselves an arena for any further games. ]

[Her breath is already a little shaky, and her fingers grip him like she's afraid he'll pull more than just his lips away. Strands of hair fall out of the buns as he cups her face.

She smiles at him -- for once not looking up. (She likes that too.)]

Yeah, I could use one.

[ Hei's fingertips trail across the line of Korra's jaw as he lets her face go. Stepping away from her is hard. His whole body resists it, wants to pitch forward and taste her again, tea and pancakes and the staleness of sleep, take time to really experience the tactile shimmery feeling that suffuses this body. He's aware of carrying a warmly pulsing knot between his thighs; an excitement not boldly-telegraphed, like in his normal body, but more like a secret message. ]

[ One only he can read. ]

[ Taking her wrist, he tugs her into the bathroom. The tub-shower unit is narrow; he's rarely used it for soaks, except after particularly punishing workouts or battles. As the bath fills, Hei avoids glancing at the mirror, or at his small pink-toed feet on the cool tiles. Once the tub is filled, he coaxes Korra to slip out of her clothes, and hands her into the water. He doesn't follow suit right away. Instead, he perches on the uplifted tiling around the tub, the cuffs of his pants rolled up, legs bracketed around Korra. Smoothing the hair away from her neck, he rubs the joint of his thumbs along the muscles over her nape, hands working their way down her back. ]

[ It's simple hesitance that stops him from stripping down and joining her at once. He needs a moment to settle into the subtler reactions of this new form. ]

[Even with the heat, the hot water feels so good on her muscles (which aren't sore, per se, but still quite aware of how much they did last night). She tilts her head back to look at him when he perches behind her instead of sliding in.]

Aren't you coming in?

[She leans into his hands, enjoying the touch, but she'd like it better if he were in with her.]

In a bit. [ It's hummed under his breath -- on this particular voice, the sound is lazier, more ariose. From this angle, he enjoys the view of Korra's smooth golden back, the beads of her spine. With the heel of his hand, he presses firmly into a spot near her shoulder-blade -- one of the benefits of breaking bodies down into mechanical segments, as in Hei's profession, is learning the tension centers. While usually he uses the knowledge to administer excruciating pain, right now, he's aiming for relief. ]

[ The roteness of the task makes it easy to remember himself. Even if he is stuck in a different package. Leaning in, he presses a kiss to the nape of her neck. ]

I don't give back-rubs for free.

[ It's implicit that he'll expect some form of repayment. ]

[Okay wow that was a moan. Korra had forgotten how good massages can feel. She wraps her arms around her knees and leans forward, giving him better access to her back. For once, the transactional implication doesn't bother her. She's too warm and tingly and high on kisses and oh man, this feels so good.

Whatever repayment he wants, he'll have earned it.]

[ That moan reverberates off the tiled walls and climbs up Hei's spine. He feels his lips curl at the corners, as he digs his thumbs into the sides of those shoulderblades, leaning in to use gravity for leverage. He knows he can be good when he wants to be, but that doesn't mean it's not nice to hear. Reducing Korra to a pile of boneless jelly has its own rewards, most of them ego-related. ]

[ Lips against her nape, he murmurs, ]

I should be insulted. All that trouble, and I rarely hear you get so loud.

[ Not that he's stopping the back-rub. His hands, fine-boned and tapering, continue on their path, massaging down her spine. ]

That was [hitch in her breath as he finds another spot] luck. [She shivers at the brush of his lips on her neck. A part of her wants to tug him in and move things along, and another part of her will hurt him if he stops.]

[ He does plan to get in eventually. With every hitched sound she makes -- each one shooting little electric eels up his spine, and an aching sort of warmth between his thighs -- it's becoming intensely appealing. Still, he keeps on. Going deep and doing it efficiently, a knee braced between Korra's shoulders now to help her along. Listening for any hint that the pressure is too much for her to take, as his thumbs dig under the wings of her shoulders and focus on the tightness there. ]

Luck? [ Languidly, he leans over her to see her face. From this angle, he knows how he'll look to Korra -- black hair, dark eyes and a soft-edged smile in the wafting steam. ] No such thing in my experience.

Hmph. [She makes a face at him, and leans up to press a kiss to his chin.] Maybe a little talent too.

[ Hei's eyelids drop lower at that touch, gaze darkening. Angling his head, he treats her to a kiss of his own, upside-down, a little awkward, but perfectly on-point, teeth catching and sucking her lower-lip before he breaks to straighten again. The pads of his fingers nudge at the base of her neck, encouraging her to bend forward before he skims his knuckles down the center of Korra's spine, running his thumbs firmly against the muscles.]

[ It's only after he's completed that careful assault on her shoulder-knots that he lets his hands slide up and around her, pushing under Korra's arms to cup her breasts. Leaning in, he lightly kisses the gleaming tip of her shoulder, then up and up, along her neck and the shell of her ear, tongue circling smooth and slick. ]

Mmmmmmmm. [She had no idea how much she needed that. She smiles and sighs as his hands make their way to her front and his lips make their way up her neck.

But there's one problem.]

Come on.

[She pulls away and -- awkwardly but with surprisingly little splashing -- turns around to face him.]

Seriously. It's weird having you all fully clothed behind me. [She wants to plaaaaaaaaay.]

I -- [ Hei sets his teeth against his lower-lip. For a moment the look on his face is completely devoid of its usual cool reserve. The eyes go shiny with unease, darting left then right to take internal soundings. Because while it's apparent that this body isn't unresponsive, that he can employ almost all his usual tricks with it -- he's unsure of it's more intimate capacities. Can he actually get off in this form? Learning how to do that is apparently something women spend ages training themselves in. He's only been in this body a few hours. ]

[ You're overthinking it. Even so, he feels a faint blush rise up his neck, spreading across his face. Finally, a little sulky, ] All right. [ Furtive -- nervous but unwilling under any circumstances to show it -- he discards the shirt, hair fluffing messily around his face. The sarashi follows, more slowly, then the trousers. He has no underwear on beneath. Slipping into the tub with a little plop -- almost slipping, his instinctive grace somewhere absent -- he regards Korra from the corner of a dilated eye. ]

[He may not be willing to show it, but Korra catches hints of it -- in his pause, the slowness of his movement, the pinkness at his neck that can't be just from the hot water. It's kind of endearing, seeing him almost-shy.

She reaches out to tug him against her, back to chest, a reversal of their usual positions.]

[ Hei resists -- almost with a violent jerk -- before he lets her wrap herself around him. It's not distrust, but it is very much instinctive. He never puts his back to anyone. Where he'd avoided glancing at the mirror before, now he locks both eyes on it. Again: instinct. Keeping Korra perfectly in his sights. Seeing where she puts her hands. For the second time, he's struck by the picture they make. His own body all pale gold, the lines of him like licks of flame. Korra darker by contrast, glossy and smooth like something poured from rare rich toffee. His legs stretch out in front of him, the feet unfamiliar except for one little detail -- the second toe is longer than the first. ]

[ Settling carefully against Korra, he lets his head loll against her shoulder. Not kissing, but gazing at her with a wry expression, dark-eyed, absorbed. ]

You really are enjoying this too much.

[She notices the jerk -- how could she not? -- and immediately stops until he relaxes. (Relaxes isn't quite the right word...Adjusts, perhaps.) She's glad he does. It feels nice, holding him like this. For the moment, she just wraps her arms around his waist in a loose hug.]

No more than you usually do. [with a kiss to the top of his head]

Tell me how this feels. [This she says in a kiss behind his ear, as a hand comes up to lightly stroke the top of his breasts, slowly working her way down to the nipple. He's usually not sensitive here...she's curious if that's different now.]

[ It'd be so easy to disconnect from this scene. He's done it enough times on more unpleasant assignments. Better to detach completely, then to pay the psychic price of acknowledging what your body, a smililarcum of your mind, are doing. His head feels so light, anyway, as if his brain has floated up to the ceiling and is stuck there like a lost balloon. Snugged up against Korra, he watches their reflections. The expression on his face isn't aroused so much as ... tepid. Whole body inert. Like a big doll Korra is fooling around with. ]

[ No more than you usually do. He has no idea why that makes him so self-conscious. His skin goes fiery. Avoiding looking at the mirror now, Hei watches her hands stroke one breast. Which is. There. That's all he wants to think about. It's there, and that is all. Instead he tries to focus on other details. The slippery warmth of Korra's skin against his, her breasts against the plane of his back, her lips behind his ear, the ticklish-hot sensation of them. Trying to make this palatable, to own this experience. ]

[ To her question, almost apologetically, ]

They're not ... I'm not sensitive. Not like you are. [ Hesitantly, his hands cover hers. Fingers twining, but not stopping her. ] It's not that I'm numb. But it just feels like holding hands. [ What a waste of space. He'd said as much to a few lovers with little sensation in their breasts, who didn't understand why he'd want to play with them. Now he wishes he hadn't been so scornful. ]

[He doesn't stop her, but she stops anyway, squeezing his fingers before moving their twined hands back down to his waist. Just holding him right now because he seems so uncomfortable.]

Okay. [Left unsaid: Nothing to be sorry for. Bodies are different; one of the many things she learned, working in the Underground, interacting with all different kinds of people. Too much information, she had thought at the time, but it's made her a more open-minded person.

She kisses his neck.]

What do you wanna do? [She'd been planning to let her hands explore downward, but she doesn't want to do that if he's not into it.]

[ Part of Hei is -- relieved? grateful? -- when she drops her hands. But the uncertainty, however justified, is braided too closely with helplessness in his mind. He doesn't do helpless. Certainly doesn't shy away from trying something new. His expression, in the mirror, seems intimidated, which is a look Hei hasn't seen on his own face in years. It isn't reassuring. On a deep breath, he tries to expel the strong sense of disconnect, to bring his consciousness back to the Now. ]

[ The kiss on his neck has his eyelashes fluttering over hazy eyes. Still keeping his fingers laced with Korra's, he brings them to a breast. No fluttery touches. He lets the weight settle against Korra's palm. Lets her closed fingers catch against the nipple, to see how much pressure and tugging it can take. The sensation is uncomfortable at first. But as he makes her fingers stretch and then snap the nipple, there's a short shock of sensation, prickling under his skin, making his hips stir. ]

[ Oh. ]

[ Tipping his head back, he lets his open mouth press against Korra's pulsepoint, moist and halfway to biting. ] Keep going. Don't be so delicate.

[She's surprised when he brings her hands back to his breasts, but lets him take the lead. She likes how they feel, their softness and heft.

Don't be so delicate. Her lips twitch in a grin. Those are words she doesn't hear often. She reaches up with her other hand and pinches both nipples at once. She rolls them in her fingers, alternately tugging each, keeping her attention on his reactions (even as her own nipples twinge jealously and his lips on her neck do their best to lure her away).]

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