![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
[Unfortunately, Taryon's eyes are speaking to Astarion. It seems positive. Positively wooed. Astarion feels warm inside. He settles back, but now closer than before. He returns to drawing light circles on the back of Taryon's hand.]
Oh, I should have thought of an answer myself, shouldn't I have? I might be able to answer in a more, hm, sexual aspect, but romantic? [A pause follows that answers that. He adds, after a thought:] I think a kiss to the forehead seems nice.
[Is he thinking of how Gale would do that to Tav and how mad and sad that had made him? Perhaps...]
Oh, I should have thought of an answer myself, shouldn't I have? I might be able to answer in a more, hm, sexual aspect, but romantic? [A pause follows that answers that. He adds, after a thought:] I think a kiss to the forehead seems nice.
[Is he thinking of how Gale would do that to Tav and how mad and sad that had made him? Perhaps...]
[Oh, now he must move from his comfortable spot and present Astarion with a forehead kiss. He shuffles forward and lifts his head from the bed to rest his lips atop Astarion's. It's smooth. It's cool and pleasant. His silver hair tickles his face, and Taryon pulls away with a smile.]
That's a very romantic spot.
That's a very romantic spot.
[Taryon could avoid Astarion forever, or until they have to work together when they find Ereshkigal. Perhaps then, as per Gilgamesh's theory, she won't register them as a couple and let them be. Would that be worth losing a friend?]
Even if we did more than kiss, why were you angry at Johnny? Can't I have friends?
Even if we did more than kiss, why were you angry at Johnny? Can't I have friends?
[How can he answer this? He doesn't think he was out of line for being uoset when he realized who it was, and Johnny had started it when he could have just let Astarion's lie that something wasn't wrong pass.
Though, Astarion also knows if Johnny had he probably would have said something himself eventually.]
Of course you can.
I wasn't mad when I first came in. Maybe wary but a stranger in a familiar space is worth being wary about, is it not?
[Surely everyone thinks like that, and it wasn't due to his years of knowing when he was summoned to a room in the palace and there was a stranger there something bad was going to happen, right?]
But I also don't believe I was that out of line once I realised who he was.
[A longer paused between messages this time, then:]
Was I?
I was going to try not to say anything while he was there, but...
Though, Astarion also knows if Johnny had he probably would have said something himself eventually.]
Of course you can.
I wasn't mad when I first came in. Maybe wary but a stranger in a familiar space is worth being wary about, is it not?
[Surely everyone thinks like that, and it wasn't due to his years of knowing when he was summoned to a room in the palace and there was a stranger there something bad was going to happen, right?]
But I also don't believe I was that out of line once I realised who he was.
[A longer paused between messages this time, then:]
Was I?
I was going to try not to say anything while he was there, but...
Edited 2025-06-02 18:46 (UTC)
[He ducks his head slightly as Taryon lifted himself up and his forehead is graced with a kiss. Gentle with the soft brush of his mustache. A small smile tugs at his lips as they part.
Yes, that had felt as nice as he thought it had looked.]
It is. [He squeezes his hand warmly, coming closer at a languid speed, talking until his lips ghost over Taryon's temple ] I'm happy I suggested it.
[He gives him a kiss there, then down closer to his eyebrow.]
Yes, that had felt as nice as he thought it had looked.]
It is. [He squeezes his hand warmly, coming closer at a languid speed, talking until his lips ghost over Taryon's temple ] I'm happy I suggested it.
[He gives him a kiss there, then down closer to his eyebrow.]
[It's the ideal way to kiss: chaste, slow, affectionate. Though many that Tary speaks with would bemoan the lack of escalation, he's happy to keep it this way. A reminder that Astarion's heart is true.
Taryon presses his head into the kiss as it it were a hug.] I like this, too.
Taryon presses his head into the kiss as it it were a hug.] I like this, too.
[Ah, cute. Taryon is being very cute, and Astarion only wants to keep him smiling. He can feel the warmth of flushing cheeks and hear the beat of his heart, all of it driving him on.]
I'll remember that...
[He nudges his nose against his cheek, lips brushing the lightest kisses as he does.]
I'll remember that...
[He nudges his nose against his cheek, lips brushing the lightest kisses as he does.]
[Now his nose? This is a level beyond respectful kisses. He has already forgiven the open blinds - it's not often that he gets this close to a man. It's not about the physicality, as pleasant as it can be. This is the kiss of someone who loves being in his presence, and that makes it all the more meaningful.
His fingers curl around the blanket; the light brushing of lips over his skin tickles. He'll repay Astarion soon for the kisses, once he's done with his cheek, obviously.]
His fingers curl around the blanket; the light brushing of lips over his skin tickles. He'll repay Astarion soon for the kisses, once he's done with his cheek, obviously.]
[He pulls back just enough to look Taryon in the eyes again, pleased to see how happy Taryon looks. Astarion is making him look like that, like so many others he has made feel special, but the difference is Astarion wants this. He wants to only make this man feel special.
He closes the distance again, now kissing him gently on the lips.]
He closes the distance again, now kissing him gently on the lips.]
[Taryon's eyes shoot open when Astarion isn't aiming to the side of his mouth; he's going straight for the lips. The last time it happened, his hands were around Taryon's neck while the latter was rapidly coming to a surprising conclusion. Here, the reason is known, the goal is well telegraphed, and--
He can actually be very gentle.
This is what being fully desired is like; it has been years since Taryon could remember how it felt. It's a vulnerable thing, to be open to a kiss and to see the same openness on another's face.
Taryon turns his head away, eyes quivering while he processes it. Taryon is no innocent virgin; he has been kissed before, but it has been so long since he could feel the love behind it.] Ahem. I...
[To hell with it. Taryon tilts his head to rest his lips on the bridge of Astarion's nose. It's technically a kiss, but more importantly, they can cuddle comfortably in this position.]
He can actually be very gentle.
This is what being fully desired is like; it has been years since Taryon could remember how it felt. It's a vulnerable thing, to be open to a kiss and to see the same openness on another's face.
Taryon turns his head away, eyes quivering while he processes it. Taryon is no innocent virgin; he has been kissed before, but it has been so long since he could feel the love behind it.] Ahem. I...
[To hell with it. Taryon tilts his head to rest his lips on the bridge of Astarion's nose. It's technically a kiss, but more importantly, they can cuddle comfortably in this position.]
[Taryon's heartbeat is fluttering, and though he looks away he doesn't seem bothered or upset. Astarion cups his cheek, thumb running along it, and when he turns back his next kiss is to his nose. Quite unexpected, and he makes a small sound in the back of his throat.
That was very nice. Maybe he liked that more than the forehead.
His hand runs back into Taryon's hair, carding delicately through it to hold the back of his head lightly. He turns his head up, out of Taryon's cuddle not realizing his attention, catching his lips again. A little more heated, lips a little more pliable, inviting.]
That was very nice. Maybe he liked that more than the forehead.
His hand runs back into Taryon's hair, carding delicately through it to hold the back of his head lightly. He turns his head up, out of Taryon's cuddle not realizing his attention, catching his lips again. A little more heated, lips a little more pliable, inviting.]
[Taryon draws into Astarion as his fingers comb his hair and cup his head. It's safe; he feels protected by this roguish man despite the fangs, despite the knives, despite his history that should turn away all wise men.
Then their lips meet once again, but what was once delicate caresses is now wetter. It's deeper. Taryon is pulled into a wanting gesture, not thay it feels bad, but he thinks of the roller coaster and the sudden drop of thr first hill. There must be thrill that comes after the frightening change. He just has to wait for it to happen.
For now, Taryon lers his most remain closed but relax, testing what Astarion offers.]
Then their lips meet once again, but what was once delicate caresses is now wetter. It's deeper. Taryon is pulled into a wanting gesture, not thay it feels bad, but he thinks of the roller coaster and the sudden drop of thr first hill. There must be thrill that comes after the frightening change. He just has to wait for it to happen.
For now, Taryon lers his most remain closed but relax, testing what Astarion offers.]
[They're close enough now their feet touch, knees brush against each other. He finds himself wanting to be closer, to ease a leg between his, put his hand on his back and urge him to roll on top of him...
But he needs to be slow. Taryon can be nervous, probably is nervous, he can't just go right from gentle kisses to body-on-body.
He continues to kiss him like this, turning his head one way, then the other, testing how they can slot together. Still slow, lingering kisses, until he finally parts his lips to trace the tip of tongue across Taryon's lower lip.]
But he needs to be slow. Taryon can be nervous, probably is nervous, he can't just go right from gentle kisses to body-on-body.
He continues to kiss him like this, turning his head one way, then the other, testing how they can slot together. Still slow, lingering kisses, until he finally parts his lips to trace the tip of tongue across Taryon's lower lip.]
[Taryon has gotten used to the rhythm of Astarion's head shifting one way and another. Each new movement alights different points on his sensitive lips, both terrifying and exciting.
Although, it's a pretty serious step from the sleepy kisses they exchanged just a minute ago. He's learning that Astarion is very good at this, maybe he should consider kissing more often instead of holding out--
Something wet touches him, and Taryon draws back before realizing that he had just been the recipient of kissing with tongue.] AH- Did you just--?
[His expression falters. This has crossed the line from interesting to uncomfortable.]
I think it's a bit too early for that? [His polite way of saying "please don't, that's weird."]
Although, it's a pretty serious step from the sleepy kisses they exchanged just a minute ago. He's learning that Astarion is very good at this, maybe he should consider kissing more often instead of holding out--
Something wet touches him, and Taryon draws back before realizing that he had just been the recipient of kissing with tongue.] AH- Did you just--?
[His expression falters. This has crossed the line from interesting to uncomfortable.]
I think it's a bit too early for that? [His polite way of saying "please don't, that's weird."]
[He's taken aback by that reaction, and his brows furrow.]
That was too far?
That was too far?
You were licking me.
[He tries to find the eroticism in that, but in the moment, he's failing.]
Can we go back to kissing?
[He tries to find the eroticism in that, but in the moment, he's failing.]
Can we go back to kissing?
[What Taryon says is so incongruous with the current moment for Astarion he stares blankly at him. Then:]
You haven't kissed with tongue before?
You haven't kissed with tongue before?
Yes! [...Hold on, he has to think back on whether he enjoyed it.] Maybe? Someone tried it before, but it just felt slimy and gross.
[Oh, gods, does he truly have another Sebastian on his hands? He chuckles, letting his hand slip from Taryon's head to his neck, resting it there.]
It's true it's not the most cleanly of things, but same can be said of sex overall. [A grin, promising ] But with the right person the pleasure can outweigh that.
It's true it's not the most cleanly of things, but same can be said of sex overall. [A grin, promising ] But with the right person the pleasure can outweigh that.
[He sighs. Astarion has a point - when he actually enjoys a sexual encounter, he can overlook the sticky and messy parts.]
I know, I know. But we don't have to do all of that on our first night. It's about the right person in the right moment, right?
[A quirk of the eyebrow. Please agree that was a clever phrasing.]
I know, I know. But we don't have to do all of that on our first night. It's about the right person in the right moment, right?
[A quirk of the eyebrow. Please agree that was a clever phrasing.]
I suppose so.
[There's no enthusiasm or true agreement in his voice. He feels...lost?
He sits up, worrying his upper lip for a moment as his gaze focuses on the cracked open window curtains.]
[There's no enthusiasm or true agreement in his voice. He feels...lost?
He sits up, worrying his upper lip for a moment as his gaze focuses on the cracked open window curtains.]
Astarion?
[Tary also sits up and peers through the window.]
Did you see something?
[Tary also sits up and peers through the window.]
Did you see something?
What? [He blinks, turning his attention back to him.] No, I--
I was just wondering. Is there something wrong with me?
I was just wondering. Is there something wrong with me?
That's [Not a question he'd think to ask on a small date night.] ...I think something better to ask a therapist. I mean, nothing wrong with it, but I know a guy on base who's helped with these sort of questions.
...I don't think there's anything wrong with you. A bit irritating at times, but...I think you're doing okay considering your...life.
...I don't think there's anything wrong with you. A bit irritating at times, but...I think you're doing okay considering your...life.
No, Taryon, that's not what I meant.
[He gives him a pained look. All that may be true, but that's for him to dwell on later.]
Wasn't this the right moment? [Pause.] I'm not the right man?
[He gives him a pained look. All that may be true, but that's for him to dwell on later.]
Wasn't this the right moment? [Pause.] I'm not the right man?
Page 8 of 14