[se] chasing the rapture

Deimos What a spectacle they must’ve made, had either of them cared – circling, like vultures, like raptors, like birds of prey eager for the hunt and chase. He’d revealed himself far too early, ardent and avid, which only served to kindle the incoming rush and game. That was their pattern, taking eons to ever compel layers of forthrightness, a tease, a ruse, well-versed and rehearsed humor they both reveled and shared, twisting and turning, unfolding back upon the other with a due diligence to mischief and mayhem. Before and before and before, the Reaper wouldn’t have made a prime candidate for anything other than distortion, demolition, and obliteration – and now, here he was, striving to peek and glance at a gift meant for him, molded, entrenched, so firmly in devilry, in juvenile, infantile antics, that scarcely anyone would recognize him. Perhaps the baker wouldn’t have been either, hiding and tucked away, diffident and reserved, until everything else came into view, and there they were, tucked and sequestered in savage, silly nuances. He turned. She spun. He revolved. She rotated. They were on an axis, on a rotation, whirling and spiraling, their own dance with all the layers tossed amidst defiance and sedition. She stepped forward and he did the same, towering and expanding again, the beast of burden pressing his shadow into her light. It was a challenge, a dare, a provocation, and affection all in one swift movement, snicker enclosing itself upon his lips, an arch to his brow. He could easily reach his hands out and pluck the basket out of her grasp – greedy, mercenary, acquisitive, ruin the entire damned surprise and fun because his patience had suddenly become paper thin – but he willed back his composure, the state of his control. His chest heaved on a theatrical sigh, as if he were put upon by the inclinations of one more diversion and distraction (he’d always welcome her as a divertissement), but hummed and crooned straight into it, the speciousness and mask not well established. “Deal.” The agreement was quick and short, like all their other ones, and though no dancers were currently threatened, who knew where the moments would lead - but his fingers were not, purposefully shaking her hand and then intertwining their fingers together. With the other hand still behind his back, holding, hiding precious wares, his eyes lifted towards the clouds and shadows, pretending to think and mull over, taking a lengthy amount of time for the sheer amusement of it. Finally, his gaze slid back down to her, inclining and tilting his head much like a curious hound. “Can it be used as a tool?” Out of sight and out of mind Make everything alright So let the sky and sea collide Just not in our lifetime