Ursalo touched him so gently-- it was unlike the way anyone had touched him in the past, didn't hold the same feelings of ownership or emptiness as when customers had run their hands over him.  The demon had not paid for this, and he had not demanded anything; they had simply fallen together because they wished to, and the way they fit was so utterly perfect...  Jera enjoyed the sensation of the other's fingers gliding over his old scars, soothing the raised skin and making him want to curl up in those strong arms.<br/><br/>He saw the smile change, grow softer and less joyful, and made a small sound of understanding once Ursalo explained.  Ah, snakes were as deadly as they were beautiful...  "That's a shame," he murmured wistfully, secretly a little disappointed.  And then the elf's ears perked at the mention of a secret, and he listened intently.  What secret did Ursalo mean to share...?<br/><br/>A little body unfurled itself, disentangling from the others curled around him, and Jera peered at it curiously.  Artes... as lovely as the rest, with some small differences to tell them apart.  And this tiny snake had a surprise...  Antivenom.  An antidote to its master's poison.  How curious.<br/><br/>The revelation made Jera smile again, eyes bright as he gazed at Artes, and he let out a soft bubbling sound of laughter as the snake rubbed sweetly against his cheek.  "Ah, I see..."  He reached out and softly stroked the snake under its chin, finally planting a kiss on its scaly snout.<br/><br/>"Then I'll have to make do, and kiss where I can..."  An impish grin, dimples faint in the starlight, and Jera returned the nuzzling gesture with affection, pressing his lips to Ursalo's high, sleek cheekbone.  He could accept the limitation, as tantalizing as the thought was: having any of Ursalo was enough.