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( in a morbid way, it's because of this game they find themselves in the middle of once more that they stand where they are now: together, husband and wife. shanks certainly wouldn't have made the vows he did in that chapel if it hadn't been for their unconventional partnership during the last game, if he hadn't been swept up so swiftly into a blazing desert storm. if he hadn't sought set out to feel something, only to realize it was more than just something he wanted.

here, it isn't the roof of an english manor that they steal away to — out of sight from prying eyes, out of range from prying ears — but it would be impossible not to recall that day an alliance was formed and sealed with a kiss, not to feel some sense of history repeating itself. they've done this once, and they'll do it again, better than before.

wryly, shanks thinks, at least i can see his whole face this time. his palm sweeps over set's cheek, settling warm against the length of his neck. as if this sort of discussion needs an anchor, lest set slip away. )

You have a role? What is it?

[ A pause.

He has gotten far, on campaigns and battlefields, because he has been smarter than his rivals and enemies. Quick on his feet, adaptable, and able to draw on a wealth of experience ans tactics. The game of wolves is always a strange one, because there are too many variables at the start; before factions have truly formed, and targets are being singled out.

The relative quiet, as all slip into smaller groups to scheme, is a different breed of danger. Telling Shanks, who could be a wolf, anything is — an exercise in foolishness. Even if he adore the man, there are certain things a god of war would never do ( anything to cost him victory, is one ). He frowns, heavily. Read to filth before he can control the conversation, and immediately he wants to misdirect. ]

— speaker to the dead.

[ Not a power unknown to him, actually. ]

I will be a target, if they uncover me.

( shanks smiles innocently, or possibly apologetically in the length of that pause, and he can see the hesitation written in the downturn of set's mouth.

still, set answers and shanks' smile flattens, his jaw tensing. )

Then we won't let them uncover you. ( a beat, considering. ) How does it work? Do you need to be near the body?

( it might be difficult, with so many clamoring to investigate. )

I can manage that. I am being helpful, this round — attending bodies, assisting loved ones in caring for them. Access is not the issue.

[ He thinks, hands holding steady on Shank's waist; as if the two of them were about to step into a slow dance. As if Set needs the proximity, while his brain reels and thinks. ]

What I need, is a way to divulge the information through someone else. I can last two rounds, if I have deniability in this one.

Are you asking me? Or did you have someone else in mind?

( idly, he pulls at one of set's hands on his waist, lacing their fingers together, drawing the back of set's hand to his mouth, pressing a kiss there as if to say you have me in this and all things. then, with a thoughtful hum: )

I may not be the best candidate, though, considering. ( the fact that they're married and shanks would do anything for him, which is generally public knowledge. ) It wouldn't be a great logical leap for those suspicious enough to suggest an ulterior motive on my part because of our relationship.

( and ... they wouldn't be entirely wrong, especially after his previous deception involving set. )

Not you. You only just returned to me.

[ His hands go to Shanks's face, fingers cradling his jaw while thumbs glide along the soft skin just below his eyes; dipping through the scars, until he is kissed so tenderly. ]

I will not use you so publicly, this time. Instead, you will be my recordkeeper: those who know of my role and to whom I divulge it, those who I speak to of pertinent matters and dealmake with... I need you to maintain that record. In case anything happens.

[ He wants to bait out a killer, if able to. In the second round. ]

( his hand trails after set's, coming to rest upon that slender wrist, the one which bears his curse. it will always be unsettling to have his senses stolen from him, made painfully obvious by the way shanks chases each point of contact like a blind man. )

Alright. ( he returns the kiss, lingers with his forehead pressed to set's. in prayer or, perhaps, in confession. ) I can't protect you here in the way I promised, but whatever remains in my power to do, I will. ( a quiet huff as he pulls back. ) And I still owe you a favor.

( he hasn't forgotten that's how this all started. )

[ He buries his mouth to Shanks's, desperately seeking points of contact to stave off the terrible, yawning emptiness he's felt
now for longer than not. His divinity hacked away, his demigod status removed, he feels fragile — his mind tiring, his schemes brittle and haphazard. ]

No, you do not.

[ Owe him. Not a thing. ]

You did, once. That you have loved me as you have, has been more than enough. I only want you to be careful, watch out for your Koby, and Nami, and Sanji. I will do the rest, if you will stay my harbor.

( shanks presses in, his hand dropping to set's waist, the small of his back, drawing him closer by touch and taste alike, licking past that plush bottom lip into familiar desert heat and always the lingering hint of spice —

and the world falls away, for a moment.

for a moment, nothing else matters but this: that you have loved me as you have, has been more than enough, and the swell in his chest, and the bright adoration in his eyes when he looks upon the man who is god and wife and chaos and desert and love. his love. for as long as they are bound to this place. )

And you, my Red Force. ( he would give that name to no other. ) You have my harbor, always.

You silly thing.

[ With affection, he sighs the mild insult against Shanks's mouth; against the rough line of his jaw, as he rocks his teeth along the bone there, against the scratch of his unshaven skin. He bites, bites again, lower on his throat where his pulse throbs — feeling the warmth of Shanks's palm against his back. Wishing, briefly, it was on his hip, or thigh. Curled around his ankle to drag him back into an embrace. ]

I am busy, stop groping me already. I haven't the time yet to take you to bed.

[ He's teasing. Some part of him has warmed to the feeling of Shanks's hand pawing at his body, some part of him craves it, nowadays. ]

( a warm huff of laughter rises to his throat where set's teeth graze and bite, his hand dipping lower, squeezing at the swell of set's ass. it would be easy, to lean down and scoop his wife into the bend of his arm, to slot their hips together right here, where anyone could come across them. but he simply turns to chase set's mouth instead and kisses him once more, a quick, chaste thing. )

No?

( he sighs, playfully dejected. how cruel a fate it is to be left abandoned in such a state! then again, he knows when the wife needs enrichment, it is a losing battle to distract him from his goal for too long. but shanks, ever a child at heart, can't help being a little cheeky about it, his hand lightly smacking set's ass to get him going. )

Go, then. Play your game. Speak to your dead. You know where our bed is, when you're done.

( and, oh, he looks so satisfied indeed. )

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