takeroot | erku inbox

Hardly!!

[He practically shouts that last, tugging at his collar and looking at his reflection. It's hardly as clear as a mirror would be but it is still clear enough to show the soft red mark on his neck.

Surprisingly, though, Lorenz' shoulders relax and he lets his hands fall away from his collar once he gets a look at it. He's seen enough in his academy days (often on Sylvain) to have expected something large and dark, a heavy purple bruise. This... is actually relatively small and light.

He rounds on Constantin, grabs at one wrist, tugging him in close. Still very much not impressed but not as outraged as he had been.]

What was that? What are you going to tell me to earn your forgiveness?

[Go on, sir. Tell him how beautiful he is. It's a start, at least.]

[Ah, hello— Pulled in close, he looks up at Lorenz with a faint blush, momentarily surprised by the abruptness. He does get over it quickly, lifting his other hand to brush against Lorenz's cheek.]

Only that your beauty struck me so very deeply I could hardly think about anything else! Just look at you— no one could blame me.

[Nobody at all, perhaps not even very pretty men fussed over what he does with his mouth, hmm. Consider it. Constantin's hand drops down to his chest, fingers curling lightly in the fabric of his shirt.]

And as lovely as your sweet skin just so happens to be, I thought, why, I must of course endeavor to make this man feel... good.

[He was there, he heard the noises, he thinks he did a pretty commendable job at that much. Should he add marks under poorly-timed laughter on his mental list of things to avoid? Pity.]

[Lorenz can't help it. He laughs despite himself, smiling and tilting his head in to rest against the hand at his cheek.]

Well I see your flattery gets more... mmm verbose when you think you're going to get in trouble.

[Still the pause, the way he says that last word, it makes his cheeks flush and he glances away briefly. Ah... yes. He did achieve that quite well. Maybe too well.]

Well, is it working? Am I narrowly escaping certain disapproval?

[Eh? Eh? Just look him in the eyes and try to stay mad at him, go on. He shifts his hand to catch a lock of purple hair and twirl it loosely around his finger.]

Make no mistake, I mean every word. And I think you might just agree with me, at least in part.

[Hmm, yes? It was a net positive despite the errant, ah, metaphorical fumbles? He steps sideways, to turn them both and lead Lorenz away from the window. Come away from there, it's fine...]

Certainly not, there's still plenty of disapproval.

[Huff! Don't... play with his hair Constantin. Stop being sweet this instant, you fiend.]

Perhaps escaping a well-deserved scolding...

[Because... fine. Fine! back over to the couch but once they're settled again he swats the blond lightly with his cravat, dropping it into his lap and perching on the edge of the couch with his head tilted up.]

You are going to fix this so that there's not even a chance of glimpsing it, however.

[A well-deserved scolding he can do without, thank you, O Generous Lorenz... Back on the couch he blinks at the cravat, picking it up and turning it over in his hands a few times idly as he watches Lorenz.

Does Lorenz even know— oh, he's being smug and disapproving, sure, this is some kind of facetious punishment, Constantin is certain; but does he know the attitude is also very appealing? From any other prissy noble he hadn't just thoroughly kissed it would be different, but ah...]

What would you do if I said I don't know how to tie one of these?

[He does, he's already scooting closer to do just that, but what if! And if he can't resist brushing his thumb over that little mark he's left as he tugs Lorenz's shirt collar into place, well, don't shove him again.]

I ought to resist encouraging this, but you're pretty when you've won, too.

[Punctuated by a pointed tug to his collar, leaning in to kiss him on the cheek before sitting back to work on his arduous task of cravat-tying.]

[Lorenz is allowed to be a little self-satisfied, thank you. He's been on the brink of a panic attack for weeks and has finally, today, managed to work through enough that he's made rather a lot of personal progress. Just be grateful you're the one that he indulged with Constantin!

That question earns him a scoff and an eyeroll, Lorenz' expression going haughty and disapproving its a familiar expression but there's something a little fun about it when there's a hint of teasing about it as well.]

I would tell you that dishonesty is unbecoming of a man of nobility... I expect better from you, Constantin~

[A sharp little click of his tongue, tsk tsk.

Lorenz doesn't really help his case though. Not when the gentle pressure of Constantin's thumb over the mark has him tilting his head, the gesture an offering despite orders to the contrary. A slow hum, righting himself to look at the blonde, something warm and wanting in his eyes though he says nothing about it. Yes, tell him he's pretty, tell him he's won something, even if it is something silly and petty like this. Yes.]

Don't be a fool, Constantin. I'm always pretty.

[Pfff, unbecoming... Almost everything he does is unbecoming of a man of nobility, or so he's always been told. That makes him smirk, especially the teasing lilt to his voice. Ohh, this guy--]

A prince could have you punished for such a disdainful attitude, but! I am much more pliant than my predecessors.

[Ha ha, nobility humor... He relishes that look, letting go of the cravat to stroke a fingertip down the line of Lorenz's throat appreciatively, practically appraisingly, like he's a genuine work of art. Mmph. A pretty face gets him every time. Yes, he's always pretty, it's very distracting.]

Calling me a fool isn't very nice...

[Pretty boys. Tut.]

If I am not Prime Minister here then you are no prince, either.... Even if you are certainly charming enough.

[Goddess but he does like having the other man's hands on him. Scandalous but true.]

I didn't call you a fool, I told you not to be one... Very different.

[And perhaps he had a thought to possibly reward him for good behavior if he did acknowledge how pretty Lorenz is. Pity he won't say it.]

You haven't met a lot of princes.

[Oop, but that's Daddy Issues, so never mind— back to the work at hand, touch gliding up to skim along his jawline and then his cheek. The cravat— well, he'll get to it. Lorenz didn't set a time limit in his rules for fixing it, so, in a bit.

Anyway:]

Hmm. Semantics. Perhaps I should only imply that you're beautiful.

[Daddy Issues and Survivor's Guilt. Ah yes, lets perhaps not talk about your princely status, Constantin. Much more interesting topics include how beautiful he is.

And how delightful the light trailing touches Constantin offers him are. The delicate touch creeping from the back of his jaw up onto his cheek earns a sigh, content, pleased. Oh these sorts of touches, light and exploratory and aimless... these are what will completely unravel him some day. A thought that makes his pulse jump under those clever fingers.]

Such a pity... perhaps... If I am not beautiful enough, I should deny you further touches.

Really, that's what you want? You had me fooled.

[Perhaps Constantin should be the one denying any more touch, actually. He does not, taking his sweet time to trail his hand back down from Lorenz's cheek to the nape of his neck, but maybe he should, just to see what happens.

But not right now.]

Would you rather I keep my hands to myself?

[The longer Constantin touches him the harder it is for him to maintain that smug pride and self-satisfaction. Breaths coming out as sighs again, the smile on his lips softening. His fingers slide back down to his neck, to the back of his neck, and Lorenz shudders.

Ah, they're supposed to be playing at this whole cat and mouse game, coy and teasing and Lorenz falls apart when Constantin's fingers skim through the short hairs at the back of his neck. He had every intention of saying something else but he's lost the thread entirely, responding to that question far too immediately.]

No! No... please-

[Ah— well, that's their little back and forth gone straight out the window, but that hasty response is endearing enough to make up for it. Constantin urges him closer so he can steal a kiss, now definitely not even pretending to fix his collar and cravat. He'll get there.

First, though, this quick kiss and another brush of his fingers across the back of his neck, slow but intentional. Hmm.]

You know... you can touch me.

[Below the neck, even! Just in case that was somehow not clear, ahem.]

[Another shiver, another sigh as he leans into that kiss. Constantin speaks, something warm and inviting and Lorenz slowly leans back. One hand slides up to draw the other man's away from his neck.]

That is not fair.

[Not playful now, not coy, even if it is soft, gentle. He's... not used to people touching him at all, having such a distracting weakness exposed makes him a little uncertain. The fact that he just melts into Constantin's whims with so little effort is a bit scary. It's something he needs time to think about, to try to mentally brace himself for. Which means he needs some time without Constantin's hands on him.

Instead of taking him up on that offer Lorenz shifts back on the couch a little, puts a bit more space between them.]

I'm sorry... that... wasn't fair. [He reaches over to take his cravat back, adjusting his collar himself this time, motions practiced and familiar as he ties the cravat into place.] As enjoyable as... all of this has been. I...

[Too much too fast and he sort of feels like he's reeling already. But if he keeps leaning on Constantin, touching him, no matter how innocent it might be intended it... clutters things up in his mind too easily.]

[Ah, alright. There's something disappointing about that, he can't deny it, but he sits back in turn, crossing his arms to resist reaching out and touching Lorenz again without thinking. Because that has a sort of finality to it, doesn't it? Constantin knows a this-has-been-fun-but-it's-done-now when he hears one.]

Fair enough! Perhaps some other time.

[Not even next time, just some other nebulous time, the offer is still open. He watches Lorenz tie the cravat, smiling faintly; all things considered, his efforts wouldn't have been quite so brisk and tidy.

Hmm.]

Well, I've enjoyed myself, as well. You are a fascinating man, you know.

[some other time Because it's absolutely expected that this sort of thing continues here, no matter how much he has to evaluate on a personal level. It makes him blush but there's also a level of excitement that comes from the offer he didn't expect. Another time... so he must not have mucked up his first kisses too terribly.]

I could say the same of you, Constantin. There are so many little things that seem familiar and then you expound on them and I find myself marveling at you all over again.

[An earnest smile even as he reaches for his waistcoat, shrugging into it to start fussing with the clasps and ties.]

And I still have every intention of mastering that... dance. What do you even call it?

[Some other time, indeed! Of course he offers; there's nothing quite the same as the earnest enthusiasm of all but unraveling at a few chaste touches. Lorenz might consider his efforts bumbling, but from Constantin's perspective, it's more... persuasive. So, of course.]

Hm—? Bourrée. Maybe you ought to wear different shoes next time.

[Unless all the extra loud tapping and clacking is part of his learning process...? Who knows. Anyway, one second, circling back... what's this about complimenting him!!]

Just what are you marveling about, exactly?

I don't have any other shoes.

[That at least gets a laugh from him.]

But... well your ability to seem simultaneously so simple and straightforward and also so unpredictable. I think I have an idea of how you'll answer something and you continuously surprise me. I've spent so many years in politics that having an actual unknown factor is... rather exciting.

[Oh, well... that's a sentiment he's heard before, actually, although it's never come with the positive twist. People don't often enjoy that unpredictability! So— he honestly doesn't know what to say to that, when it isn't phrased like an annoyance or an insult.

Happy to... entertain? No, that's nothing, never mind.]

Oh— sure. [Anyway... ahem.] Well! Can I walk you home? I feel as though I ought to...

[One does not simply kiss and run, that would be rude.]

[Lorenz purses his lips a little, weighing the options. Does he trust them both to keep their hands to themselves on the walk? Does he trust them both to simply say good evening and go their separate ways.

He has to stand for a moment, turning to draw his laces tight, fingers working quick and efficient. Practiced just like the way he tied the cravat. Lorenz stays there for a moment, draws in a shallow breath, lets it out slow and measured. He feels far more himself, bound up in the more restrictive layers of his suit. Breathing carefully again, posture perfect and no opportunity to actually crumble against Constantin's charms.]

I think that would be lovely. [A gentle smile as he turns, inclining his head towards the door. All prim and proper and certainly not a man that flusters at a touch or would ever have a hickey.]

[Constantin, ah, waits; he has no elaborate tidying up of his outfit to do, and it is at least interesting to watch Lorenz fuss over himself. He does seem to be feeling better the more fastenings he closes, something Constantin notes silently and puts the thought away for another time. Finally he hums and pushes up from the couch, stepping around Lorenz to get the door, holding it open with a flourish. Let's go, sir.]

After you! Particularly because you will have to give me directions.

[He cannot be a good escort when he doesn't actually know where Lorenz lives, so humor him and he'll at least be good company on the way.]

erku inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject