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[For his part, Constantin— well. Kissing is perfectly fine, he has no qualms at all about kissing whoever he'd like to kiss whenever he'd like to kiss them, so it's very much this bumbling aftermath that throws off his rhythm, as it were. If he's somehow put Lorenz into some kind of crisis, ah... he'll feel bad? He isn't callous, even if he has no patience in his own life for fretting over propriety.

So. He waits, tilting his head to look at Lorenz as he comes to stand beside him, saying nothing, still waiting. The first brush of fingers does surprise him, but hmm— he decides he'll accept this concession, shifting to hold his hand in a loose grip.

Whatever's happened here- whether or not they ever actually kiss again remains to be seen, he supposes, but this will do for now. He's quiet for a moment, just standing there, holding hands...

(Very bold, to take off the gloves to hold his hand. Impressive.)]

Nobody's waiting on me, if you'd like to stay here a while.

Edited (casually adds missing word) 2020-09-20 07:18 (UTC)

[It is bold, thank you very much! He has actively removed his gloves to touch someone else precisely three times. And one of them was... well to hold Constantin's hand at the cafe.

Was this going to become some sort of trend?]

If I haven't made things too awkward for you.

[A little bit of a gentle tease, though whether it's directed at Constantin or himself is hard to say.]

It was- is surprisingly fun. Making up a dance like that... [The pause following is charged, nervous energy obvious, the need to say something more.]

... the kiss was nice, too.

[Did it count as his first since, technically, the first was something forced by Harpy intervention? The jury is still out on that.]

[Oh, he'll have to try harder than that to make things too awkward for Constantin. He swings their hands back and forth a little, not too much, but just sort of... because they're holding hands, a silent acknowledgement and approval of this other thing besides kissing.

...But speaking of kissing.]

It was, [he agrees, giving Lorenz's hand a tiny squeeze for emphasis.] Honestly, you surprised me— in a very delightful way, mind you.

[Suddenly sweeping him into such a dramatic embrace? Well! Surprising indeed for the man who blushes at the merest suggestion of touching another person.]

[See? This is precisely the problem. He gives himself leave to relax a little and then he just does things and it's so far beyond what he'd have wanted to do (except that clearly he did want it). But Constantin swings their hands and it's such a boyish gesture that Lorenz chuckles despite himself.]

I surprised me. [He returns that little squeeze, grateful for the gentle reassurance.] I don't know what came over me. I-

[No. He bites down on that next sentence hard enough that his teeth click. No, he said he wasn't going to apologize.]

[Constantin shrugs, not wanting to turn this conversation into something overly complicated yet again. It's not? It isn't, it's fine, and so instead he will lean into an old standard: quips.]

I daresay it was my innate charm.

[Actually kind of ironic, as many of the fussy nobles he's brushed elbows with at home for years and years consider him, hm, a literal nightmare if not a disappointing embarrassment, but— away from court he's very charming, indeed. So there, mystery solved.]

Edited (I forgot the icon.......) 2020-09-20 18:05 (UTC)

[Another delicate blush, lips curving up in a soft smile.]

Maybe so.

[Lorenz lifts their clasped hands, turning his so he can press a light brush of lips to Constantin's knuckles. His breath comes out shaky, embarrassed at himself, conflicted about simply acting on something instead of holding it close and turning it over for days, weeks, over thinking every angle.]

I believe you were supposed to be teaching me actual dances, though. Weren't you?

[Oh— hmm, that's sweet? Constantin doesn't blush, but he does smile warmly, tugging Lorenz's hand and sidling a step closer to him. He cants his head to the side, raising an eyebrow.]

I was. Would you like another? I do know a few actual dances, although there will be some stomping.

[Well, hopping? Stepping? And some clapping, but that would be a surprise.]

[Lorenz rolls his eyes, huffing out a put upon sigh and pushing away from the wall. He lets his hand slide away from Constantin's as he moves out to the center of the room again. When he reaches it he spins on his heel to face the blond. One brow arches and he adjusts his stance to bring his feet together with the sharp rap of hobnailed boots on the floor.]

I think I can handle that part. It's not such in Fodlan's dances but I do know some other regions use dance as some... part of the percussion?

[Okay no he doesn't know that but he's pretty sure he read it somewhere.]

Something like that!

[Once again, it would be better with the music, but they'll have to keep improvising. He claps his hands together and follows Lorenz out into the middle of the room, dropping his hands to his hips and looking side to side to judge if this is the optimal space to do some... noisy stepping.

Sure, why not. He motions for Lorenz to stay where he is, shuffling into place next to him but also facing him, so they're looking in opposite directions.]

Alright, well... do the opposite of what I do, then.

[He is not a dance teacher, as should already be obvious. This particular dance is the least boring and courtly he can recall, mostly because it has a bit of pep in it. He'll start slow, though, going through each step and stopping for Lorenz to mimic him before he goes on.

Will it wind up even sillier than the dance he made up? Maybe so.]

I rather think I do that already.

[The tiniest smirk as Constantin moves into position, one last tease before he.... very quickly gets overwhelmed. This is not completely off the cuff like the last one but it's also not the measured steady rhythm of something nearly so slow as a waltz. There's a lot of steps, a lot of turns, a lot of this direction then that direction and he tries, he really does, but- ]

Goddess, there's still more?

[He lifts a hand, shaking his head and laughing under his breath. It's a lot to keep track of.]

Give me a moment, Constantin, please. This is... I've read music less complex than this.

[Maybe some of it is still made up, who knows. It's definitely more fast and loose than a waltz, and so while Constantin isn't surprised Lorenz doesn't take to it immediately— well, he pauses mid-step, holding the position a few seconds longer before, ah, his talented partner has totally lost the thread...]

Once you've got it, it's easier.

[He relaxes, crossing his arms and turning to face Lorenz.]

I suppose we could keep working on the first part for a while longer. Unless...?

[Are you tapping out, bud. This is the moment.]

[Definitely lost the thread.

He huffs a breath, one hand coming up to settle on Constantin's shoulder for a moment as though he needs to reorient himself. But he's been trying to watch Constantin's feet, his own feet, and still prance around in circles. He's pretty dizzy at the moment.]

Let me.... just let me get up to being able to actually do the first bit at the right tempo, okay?

[Just think, they could simply spin around in circles some more and save so much time. Constantin touches his arm lightly, steadying. Lofty goals, sir...]

Alright, alright. That will be enough to bump you from beginner to novice.

Hah-

[Exasperated and unamused. You keep your criticisms to yourself, sir.

It takes him a few moments and he has to close his eyes so he can focus on what he's doing over what he's seeing. It, honestly, helps a lot. Once he's gone through it decently on his own he adjusts his position, offers Constantin a weak smile.]

Okay, okay let's try this one more time and then... I guess we start the next section?

[Oh but doing this without needing to focus as hard on his feet means there's an awful lot of just barely brushing against the other man and very intense eye contact. He hadn't even really noticed at first with how much he was concentrating on his feet.]

[Take him how he is, Lorenz, this is the Constantin package deal. He nods, shifting back to the proper starting position.]

I am ready and willing to try as long as you are, my friend.

[Credit where credit is due: this time, it's better, although how much of that is the technical skill and how much of it is the way their eyes meet every other step is anyone's guess. Both? Probably both. This is hardly a dance to try without looking, lest they smack into each other, and so intense eye contact it is.

And then, just towards the end of this first section, Constantin turns one of those almost-brushes into an outright touch, reaching to catch Lorenz's hand and bring it to his lips this time, a quick kiss to the backs of his fingers before he lets go again.

...Tada!!]

[It's be...tter?

No, actually it isn't exactly because every time they rush back into the center he seems to forget himself for a moment, utterly captivated by honeyed eyes and pinked lips and Goddess help him Constantin really is beautiful isn't he? It's distracting and makes him fumble his steps a few times but never enough to actually call it quits.

Then the blonde goes and steals his hand and even when he releases it Lorenz doesn't take it back, instead he turns his hand to cradle Constantin's cheek, thumb brushing gently over one high cheekbone, absolutely fascinated by him all over again.]

I'm... not very good at this...

[Well, this is nice, so Constantin is calling this dance a success. He tilts his head into Lorenz's touch just so; a moment ago it was tempting to lean into his supposedly boundless energy and go right into the next section of steps, but now, well... Now there's a different energy between them, softer but no less charged.

It's warm, comfortable— hmm!]

At learning a new dance?

[Hah... because he's not doing half bad at showing affection right this second, all things considered. Constantin takes a half-step towards him, covering Lorenz's hand with his own and threading their fingers together. A very large part of him wants to lean in and kiss him again, and who could blame him!— but the line is delicate between this moment and spoiling it entirely, it feels.]

From where I'm standing, you're doing quite well.

[Yes at learning new dances, at dancing in general, at all of this close contact, everything about this afternoon. But Constantin is still so softly encouraging, even with all his fumbling. Holding his hand so gently that it makes Lorenz' heart race.

Slowly he shakes his head, a quiet denial of something in his mind.]

Oh... If we were in Fodlan... I would run from you.

[A fragile little laugh, barely more than a breath. It's not the first time someone has affected him so strongly but there was no room in Fodlan for the Prime Minister of the Alliance to take a man as a partner, not when the demand for heirs and crests was so great.]

Or be petty... cruel, even. [As he'd been, still was in some ways, to the one person he hadn't been able to flee from. Another shake of his head. He doesn't want to do that, here. Doesn't want to be that person anymore. Hasn't for a long time but when had there ever been time... space...

Violet eyes flicker down to his lips briefly, tilting ever so slightly closer to the other man.]

Constantin...?

[A breathless request, hope that the other man might cross that line for him. He'd been caught up in it all earlier. This? This is a decision, a concession, one he's not sure he's brave enough to make on his own just yet, no matter how much he wants to. ]

[Oh, running away is very seductive, indeed. Or: Constantin raises an eyebrow at him, more than a little skeptical, but not interrupting. This is going somewhere, he supposes, or at least the implication left to dangle at the end of it is meant to do the work without being said—

He has to stop himself from jokingly thanking him again, for not being cruel or what have you; Lorenz is so, hm, delicate? Uncertain, when it comes to this? He is so very something compared to the other people Constantin has met and connected with here, but Constantin has more patience for one man fumbling through propriety than he does for propriety itself. So. He will not quip about this, at least not right now.

So that leaves them with the simple facts of the present, notably that they are very much both thinking about the same thing, that is well and truly obvious, and it is up to him to give the go ahead. That's fine; that is a dynamic he's rather familiar with.

He reaches up, free hand coming to rest at the back of Lorenz's neck again, like before, this time to pull him down closer— gently, but still—]

It's alright, I know.

[And he leans the rest of the way in to kiss him slowly.]

[If he couldn't avoid him, or this feeling, then his only defense against someone as charming as Constantin was to be mean. Constantly criticizing and biting out sarcasm and never allowing anything remotely close to these close, quiet moments to happen.

He's been doing it with Claude for years.

For a long moment he wonders if he, perhaps, wasn't as obvious as he thought. Constantin hesitates and fear starts to creep into him, coiling tight in his shoulders and- the warm press of fingers against his neck, dipping under the ends of his hair makes him shudder, melts that growing tension out of him.

Constantin urges him closer and Lorenz doesn't resist in the slightest. That soft assurance earns a tiny nod, grateful acknowledgement for a fleeting moment before Constantin kisses him again and Lorenz absolutely melts against him. A small sigh of pleasure muffled against the other man's lips, the hand on his cheek sliding back into his hair a little. Lorenz' other hand drops down to Constantin's side though, drawing him closer, facing him properly.]

[With a low hum Constantin closes that last bit of distance to fit himself up against Lorenz, winding his other arm around his shoulders as well. For someone so fussy he's surprisingly easy to actually kiss; the earnest relief and that soft sigh do wonders for Constantin, all things considered. To be wanted in some way is such a simple pleasure, and so now - indulging.

It's a good kiss again, some few degrees more comfortable and warm than the one before, and Constantin is far from shy, eagerly kissing him again after a stop for breath. He takes, slowly, a step back without letting go, to none too subtly get Lorenz to come move with him, towards the wall and more specifically the door to a smaller room he knows has furniture in it, more of a proper lounge unlike this comparatively empty space.

Like, he will accept backing himself up to the wall in a pinch, but-]

Lorenz, [he breathes, without pulling away more than is necessary to get a word out.] Come and sit with me.

[That first careful step back almost breaks the moment, the fingers in his hair tightening, the hand at his side curling into his shirt, trying not to let him go. There's the slightest delay for him to realize Constantin isn't trying to move away but to guide him. That is a little difficult, trusting someone else to move him but also far too anxious to dare open his eyes at all.

It isn't until Constantin speaks against his lips that he really lets himself follow his guidance. A soft hum against his lips, a vague nod, steps awkwardly loud in the emptiness of the room now without their laughter. Kissing is new and uncertain for him, kissing and walking is nearly impossible. It's more of a press of lips, a slight pause to breathe in each other's air while he takes a step, and then another kiss.

Lorenz doesn't dare let himself give them enough space to actually step back or look at Constantin, though, knowing well enough that he'd lose his nerve the moment they stop.]

[Kissing and walking is an important skill just like making up dances and pretending they're legitimate, so: this is educational, surely. Constantin squeezes his arms around him fondly for a brief moment rather than break apart to say anything else, leading them mostly blindly toward that other room. It's a slow walk until the last few steps, hastily fumbling for a door handle to open and slip inside, and lo: a room with some lounge furniture.

Decent chance any of the entertainment in here that's currently tucked away is like, super lewd, so don't look around too closely or anything. Simply stumble with Constantin to the nearest couch, which he finds by bumping into it backwards and tugs Lorenz down with him as he sits. He makes it that far before he breaks their latest kiss to murmur softly again, only the one word:]

Good?

[Sitting down on a couch is hardly incredibly racy, but Lorenz does seem to appreciate the baby steps, so— just checking.]

[He'd argue that it's not really an important skill but then he's beginning to think he's, perhaps, not learned quite as much of what is important as he'd once thought. He was always still learning things, perhaps he'd never really expected to be doing that learning quite like this but he'd be lying if he said it wasn't nice.

There's a moment, fumbling at the door, where he realizes his jacket is likely in the way. A small, slightly distressed noise in his throat. He should move that, or help? Something. He should do something other than just cling to Constantin. But then he masters the door and Lorenz is quietly grateful not to have to let go of him.

Constantin might think of them as baby steps but to Lorenz it's more like scaling the ramparts of a fortress he'd thought, once, that he might find the key for. That soft question is met with silence, a shaky breath, hesitant and for a moment Lorenz isn't sure he can really breathe properly. Both hands slide up into pale strands and he tilts his head a little, leaning his forehead against Constantin's.

There are so, so many reasons not to do this, not to have even let himself get to this point. This is something he's supposed to hold close to his heart, to keep locked away secret and precious and he's just-

Goddess, he can practically hear his father's disapproval, the biting words he'd said about That Gautier Boy when things like propriety and social status was worth talking about, how much worse it would be for his own son. Things he's told himself for months now that he doesn't care what his father thinks... it's easier somehow, when it's something so big. To defy him and everything he stood for on a principle something he believed in so fully he had vowed to give his life for it.

But something so small, so trivial in the grand scheme of things, and somehow there's more guilt and shame that weighs on him for this. If pressed he could give righteous speeches on why Count Gloucester was wrong for supporting the Empire (had, in fact, in front of the Great Lords). What could he say to justify this? To make it okay that he would simply give away something that was meant to be treasured.

Because it was difficult to keep it here? Because it was inconvenient? Because he was swayed by a pretty face and earnest eyes.]

I'm not... certain.

[Finally an answer for Constantin, his voice weak and shaken, brow furrowed where he presses into the other man's warmth. It was a kiss for Sothis' sake. Nothing more, nothing that held more weight or bearing. Only a kiss. A delightful kiss that left his lips warm and eager for more... and maybe that's what scared him the most about the whole thing.

He wanted more.]

[Alright— well, this is why he stops to check, so that's a good thing? Certainly, that there's a pause here, now, before things get out of hand. If indeed they were going to get out of hand, which was not the plan, but neither was kissing in the first place.

Point being: Ah. Constantin's expression softens as Lorenz leans against him and he feels, for a moment, quite unequipped for this. For the intricacies of Lorenz's persistent inner turmoil, if only because - besides his lacking full context - it's been a very long time since he earnestly worried about... this kind of thing. Any thing someone might turn their nose up at when it comes to him, if he's being honest; his long since trained response to disapproval from his father or otherwise has been spite and not shame, and spite leaves very little room for uncertainty after long enough. Uncertainty lives in a little box and he doesn't have to look at it or open it ever, so—

So, well, he'll try. He can do this much: slipping a hand back from around his shoulders to touch his face, fingertips light against the side of his neck, his jaw, his cheek. Perhaps a comforting touch will confuse more than it helps, but this is the best he's got.]

You don't— [Mm, well, you don't have to be would almost certainly not help, here where uncertainty is the issue du jour. He purses his lips, then, second try:] You've time to think. I told you, I've got a clear schedule.

[A little lighthearted, but the sentiment is there: he's not going anywhere? He knows what it's like to be abruptly left alone with tumultuous thoughts and even for something as ostensibly simple as kissing, he wouldn't consciously do that to someone else.]

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