[ the tavern's mostly cleared out at this point! everybody's gone off to pc land...
taair's sticking around as the place has closed down for the night, helping out here and there with cleaning up, helping out with little tasks. by the time everybody's gone, he's slightly less tipsy than he was a few minutes before, and sits on the edge of the tavern stage, leaning back on his hands and just radiating warmth and contentedness. ]
Not bad. Less tired than I probably should be after all that.
[ still some unpleasant messy feelings lurking in the background somewhere, especially when his gaze falls on the bar for a moment... but it's mostly warm and fond ones coming through. ]
Still feel like that dance, or do you want to save that for another time?
[ poor del got god jumpscared the last week...........
that doesn't go unnoticed - he's kept an eye on that rumbly background feeling since gabriel revealed himself - so the distraction is welcome in more ways than one. comfortable with the arm around him, there's still a soft wash of warmth in his emotions when he suggests it. ]
I would love that dance. [ so he will extricate himself from his initial comfy spot, pink cheeked, and hop off of the stage. he sets one hand to his chest and bows, the motion just a little theatrical, and then holds out his hand with a flourish. ]
[ at least it's only a background feeling now; it was front and centre and just bad in a lot of ways during that meeting yesterday. gabriel probably made a good choice in skipping the party tonight.
as it is, he smiles and gets up on his feet, briefly reaching back to the music player behind him to switch to a more fitting track before accepting the offered hand. ]
it's fine. he's just as glad to help that feeling fade away - taair smiles back at him once he's up, his emotions a warm mix of bubbly happiness and fluttery affection when the song switches down to something slower.
taking his hand, he easily settles into the proper position for a dance across the tavern floor, content to lead or to follow either way - though leading does come more naturally. his own skills at this are formal, clearly taught in ettiquette lessons instead of the loose, easy vibes of a casual dance, at least right away. looking down at him, the smile on his face remains, gentle. ]
[ they're almost comically mismatched for this. fidelio is also used to leading but has no formal training and doesn't know the name of a single step; he's all about just going with the flow of the music and doing whatever feels right in the moment.
but it also means he's adaptable and picks up the steps and patterns easily, especially after already having that brief go at it earlier during truth or dare, so he can follow taair's lead on this for now. ]
[ opposites as ever. though his steps are very formal, they do lack the easy confidence that fidelio has with his movements - the unsureness of someone who has only recently learned to spend time with others, who knew so, so many things in theory but so few in practice.
as they take a few easy turns across the tavern floor, though, it starts to relax. the shift is subtle, but noticeable, as taair places his trust in fidelio's hands as much as he has anything else, watches his easy movements with the wonder and warmth of a lifelong learner, following them instead of the other way around. bit by bit, that formality starts to loosen, and instead, he steps a little closer to him, maybe boldly, but maybe because it feels right, too. less of a formal waltz. more of a slow dance.
and... well, as he starts humming, taair does not speak again - there's a soft touch of joy in his emotions, corners of his eyes crinkling with his smile, and innocently, he quiets down to listen, instead. to observe and experience all at once, in an empty tavern that feels no less lively than it did when it was full of people an hour ago. ]
[ this really is pretty much the one area where he can be like this — confident and natural and light, not stressing himself to death over every little detail and every mistake. and it's nice to feel taair getting there himself, freeing himself from stuffy formality and others' expectations and just doing what he wants to do.
as taair moves in closer, fidelio's hand that had started on his shoulder and then moved to his upper back now slides down to rest at his waist instead, making it a little more intimate. ]
oh, that's nice. his emotions are melty, a twitterpated little burst at the closer touch, accepting of it immediately. it's not entirely unfamiliar, after a handful of warm nights spent snuggled up in a too small bed, but the little wonder of it never quite goes away, either. years of isolation make for a touch starved bird.
after a moment of just-slight hesitation, he pulls his hand free from fidelio's in the formal dance, and instead gently drapes both arms over his shoulders. definitely more intimate - it cuts the space between them a little further - and he closes his eyes, trying to commit every piece of this moment to memory, from the low hum of his voice to the warmth of his hands. committing happiness to his memory, because that's really what it is. he's just happy. ]
they can go on like this for the rest of the song — which i'm retroactively assigning as this as part of his collection of instrumental versions of '50s songs — just enjoying the closeness and the music and the atmosphere, not thinking too much about god or death or what they're going to be returning to in their own worlds in just a few days.
as the song comes to an end, he reaches one hand up to rest against the side of taair's cheek and guide him to lower his head a bit so he can reach to press a kiss to his lips. ]
he goes easily - led, but this time knowing what's coming. there's another flutter of warmth and anticipation, that same giddy little ! feeling, as he easily leans down to return the kiss, so he doesn't have to stand on his toes.
for the first time, this one lingers. not a quick peck, but holding. relishing in the warm hand on his cheek, the soft mouth against his. the remaining time here is so small, and there is no better time to linger, to leave your coat in someone else's life a little longer, so they might be able to return for it.
when he does pull back, it's just a little, flushed pink as ever, and for one of few times in his life his words fail him - he huffs, a tiny, helpless thing, matched by a helpless little smile - and just nudges his nose briefly against his instead. there's a brief, vague thought about how they're both hale and healthy again, and about how this is nice and maybe there should be more of it, actually, but it doesn't verbalize. ]
[ a little laugh at the nose bump... and whether that thought is actually coming through or not, they're on the same page.
the hand on taair's cheek moves to tuck some hair behind his ear, but he doesn't break his gaze, looking up into his eyes with slightly rounded pupils and flushed cheeks. ]
...Can go back to my room if you want.
[ dw 504'd me the first time i tried to post this so i guess it does not approve ]
oh. oh! okay. well!! fidelio gets the pleasure of feeling taair's heart practically do a backflip between the gesture and the way he's being looked at, and of course the suggestion, and even if he couldn't feel it, his skin warms up under his fingertips.
there's a beat of surprise - and then, slowly, a smile blooms across his face, just on the edge of thrilled, certainly romanced and certainly, certainly interested. in fact, taair nods, voice a low murmur in his answer in this intimate space between them: ] I... think you may have read my mind.
[ the smile widens a little more, enough that he has to bite his lip - and impulsively, simply unable to resist, he ducks in to steal another kiss. straightening up, mouth tingling, emboldened by a little adventure and what's to come, he offers his hand with a twinkle in his eyes. ]
[ this is one of those times when emotionshare is a very handy thing, because being able to feel that reaction on top of seeing its outward expression makes it impossible to mistake it for anything else or downplay it.
that's sort of thrilling for fidelio too, easing any self-consciousness he might otherwise have and making him break into a smile that only grows after the second kiss. this is what all this is like, huh? it's sort of nice, actually, that they're both so late to the party.
he takes the offered hand, a warm feeling fluttering in his chest. ]
[ oh, seeing that bigger smile gets another burst of affection from him, too. Such a handsome smile. onwards!
god knows there are plenty of people milling about after the festivities of the night, but that's kind of fun, too - ducking around corners to avoid loving if very overbearing cupid-minded friends, and/or roommates, hurrying past tipsy, happy groups of people enjoying the warm parts that remain of heaven. it's a little silly, but it adds to the thrill of it all. his attention's focused on fidelio the entire time, aiming to slip into the mansion without being seen, and genuinely having a blast doing it.
he's trying very hard to muffle giggles by the time they manage to actually slip the others, still a little tipsy, and leans against the door when it's shut (blissfully, empty for just the two of them.) with an overexaggerated phew, taair beams at him, fingers still threaded with his and flush with adventure and tipsy courage. ]
Well done, well done! [ tugging a little on his hand. ] That was close.
[ laughs; he imagines most of them were probably caught up enough in their own drama that they wouldn't have really noticed them anyway, but. ]
Hey now, don't underestimate my skill at stealth missions. Even broke a bunch of people out of a jail cell before.
[ he reaches around behind taair with his free hand to lock the door quick just in case, then tugs on his hand instead to lead him over toward his bed. he honestly has no idea how far they're actually intending to go, but given the height difference, even a little kissing session isn't going to be too feasible anywhere else. ]
this little factoid makes him light up, delighted - then he laughs in realization at himself, with a little click of his tongue. ]
Oh - you must not tell me things like that, it'll be terribly distracting...
[ because it's hinting at a fun story, his very favorite sort of thing, though it's partially just playful banter in response. it does make a fun picture, a dashing del and bas sneaking an innocent group of wrongly accused out from the clutches of a cruel captor... but now is really not the time, especially as he's being tugged along - he makes a little noise as he peels off the door, laughing, and follows right along towards the bed.
this part is all very familiar. he's limped off to this bed a few times now, injured and sore, slept like a baby curled up here the past few nights, probably even brought over extra blankets from the evening after his adventure for extra comfort. and so, easily, he goes, dropping down to sit a little less gracefully than usual, stretching out his long legs and tilting his head up to look at him. instant height different equalizer!
his other hand comes up, too, reaching up to briefly cup his cheek, this time, fondly: clearly, content to be swept up in the moment. ]
[ honestly it would be hilarious if one of the like two times he came in here was now. also the jailbreak was so much less dashing than he's imagining but that's fine. ]
Save that for later, then.
[ fidelio kicks off his shoes and unbuttons his waistcoat before getting up on the bed; he's already a little too warm between the crowded party, the rush over here, and... everything else. he sits up on his knees, giving the illusion of a height advantage, and briefly touches taair's hand as it rests against his cheek, brushing his own fingertips over it and smiling at him with fondness and a little glimmer of excitement.
then he's leaning in over him and putting that hand down on the mattress to steady himself, meeting his lips with a much more fervid kiss than anything they've shared up until now as his tail flicks enthusiastically behind him. ]
ooh! oooh. you know, the height illusion is actually really very nice. he does not mind that he's taller than fidelio by a good margin (and quite frankly, it could be much worse - thankfully taair is pretty small, too) but there is something to be said for looking up at him like that. truly his power levels would have been too strong if he was a tall paripus.
the excitement is matched - his heartbeat skips in anticipation, and he's leaning up the moment fidelio starts to lean down. the hand on his cheek stays there for a moment, as taair tilts his head to the right angle, and then slowly sides back, to thread into his hair, to hold him in place. it's a lot with the sensation, let alone with the occasional ping of emotionshare, but it's a good kind of a lot, if his are any indication, the way he makes a very soft noise of interest into his mouth as the kiss is returned, his eyes fluttering closed on the outbreath of a sigh between presses of their lips together. it scatters all of his usually ever-churning thoughts into nothingness in the best way you could ask.
as you might expect, taair kisses the way he does most everything - like a learning experience, curious and bold in shades. his free hand, which was acting as a support, comes up, instead, curling in the front of fidelio's shirt, then smoothing over his shoulder, then curling around the back of his neck, touch for the sake of touching like he simply can't resist the urge to. he's warm and soft and right here, and it's a wonder to be able to snatch away a little moment of privacy like this in the lively chaos of heaven made whole. however far this goes is the last thing on his mind, at the moment - what is on his mind is that he does not have any interest in stopping anytime soon. ]
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historicals) wrote2025-02-17 06:17 pm
w7, post party...
taair's sticking around as the place has closed down for the night, helping out here and there with cleaning up, helping out with little tasks. by the time everybody's gone, he's slightly less tipsy than he was a few minutes before, and sits on the edge of the tavern stage, leaning back on his hands and just radiating warmth and contentedness. ]
That was a rousing success, hmm?
no subject
[ comes over to sit next to him, looking out at the place. ]
Glad we get to go out on a high note.
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[ it’s still that week of effects, so - he shifts, leaning over to tilt his head against the side of fidelio’s and rest there. ]
A raucous, rowdy high note. [ he wouldn’t have it any other way. ] How are you feeling? The night’s not quite over yet.
no subject
Not bad. Less tired than I probably should be after all that.
[ still some unpleasant messy feelings lurking in the background somewhere, especially when his gaze falls on the bar for a moment... but it's mostly warm and fond ones coming through. ]
Still feel like that dance, or do you want to save that for another time?
[ not that there's a lot of it left. ]
no subject
that doesn't go unnoticed - he's kept an eye on that rumbly background feeling since gabriel revealed himself - so the distraction is welcome in more ways than one. comfortable with the arm around him, there's still a soft wash of warmth in his emotions when he suggests it. ]
I would love that dance. [ so he will extricate himself from his initial comfy spot, pink cheeked, and hop off of the stage. he sets one hand to his chest and bows, the motion just a little theatrical, and then holds out his hand with a flourish. ]
May I?
no subject
as it is, he smiles and gets up on his feet, briefly reaching back to the music player behind him to switch to a more fitting track before accepting the offered hand. ]
Let's do it.
no subject
it's fine. he's just as glad to help that feeling fade away - taair smiles back at him once he's up, his emotions a warm mix of bubbly happiness and fluttery affection when the song switches down to something slower.
taking his hand, he easily settles into the proper position for a dance across the tavern floor, content to lead or to follow either way - though leading does come more naturally. his own skills at this are formal, clearly taught in ettiquette lessons instead of the loose, easy vibes of a casual dance, at least right away. looking down at him, the smile on his face remains, gentle. ]
I'll admit, I was looking forward to it.
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but it also means he's adaptable and picks up the steps and patterns easily, especially after already having that brief go at it earlier during truth or dare, so he can follow taair's lead on this for now. ]
Yeah, me too.
[ hums along with the music. ]
no subject
as they take a few easy turns across the tavern floor, though, it starts to relax. the shift is subtle, but noticeable, as taair places his trust in fidelio's hands as much as he has anything else, watches his easy movements with the wonder and warmth of a lifelong learner, following them instead of the other way around. bit by bit, that formality starts to loosen, and instead, he steps a little closer to him, maybe boldly, but maybe because it feels right, too. less of a formal waltz. more of a slow dance.
and... well, as he starts humming, taair does not speak again - there's a soft touch of joy in his emotions, corners of his eyes crinkling with his smile, and innocently, he quiets down to listen, instead. to observe and experience all at once, in an empty tavern that feels no less lively than it did when it was full of people an hour ago. ]
no subject
as taair moves in closer, fidelio's hand that had started on his shoulder and then moved to his upper back now slides down to rest at his waist instead, making it a little more intimate. ]
no subject
oh, that's nice. his emotions are melty, a twitterpated little burst at the closer touch, accepting of it immediately. it's not entirely unfamiliar, after a handful of warm nights spent snuggled up in a too small bed, but the little wonder of it never quite goes away, either. years of isolation make for a touch starved bird.
after a moment of just-slight hesitation, he pulls his hand free from fidelio's in the formal dance, and instead gently drapes both arms over his shoulders. definitely more intimate - it cuts the space between them a little further - and he closes his eyes, trying to commit every piece of this moment to memory, from the low hum of his voice to the warmth of his hands. committing happiness to his memory, because that's really what it is. he's just happy. ]
no subject
they can go on like this for the rest of the song — which i'm retroactively assigning as this as part of his collection of instrumental versions of '50s songs — just enjoying the closeness and the music and the atmosphere, not thinking too much about god or death or what they're going to be returning to in their own worlds in just a few days.
as the song comes to an end, he reaches one hand up to rest against the side of taair's cheek and guide him to lower his head a bit so he can reach to press a kiss to his lips. ]
no subject
he goes easily - led, but this time knowing what's coming. there's another flutter of warmth and anticipation, that same giddy little ! feeling, as he easily leans down to return the kiss, so he doesn't have to stand on his toes.
for the first time, this one lingers. not a quick peck, but holding. relishing in the warm hand on his cheek, the soft mouth against his. the remaining time here is so small, and there is no better time to linger, to leave your coat in someone else's life a little longer, so they might be able to return for it.
when he does pull back, it's just a little, flushed pink as ever, and for one of few times in his life his words fail him - he huffs, a tiny, helpless thing, matched by a helpless little smile - and just nudges his nose briefly against his instead. there's a brief, vague thought about how they're both hale and healthy again, and about how this is nice and maybe there should be more of it, actually, but it doesn't verbalize. ]
no subject
the hand on taair's cheek moves to tuck some hair behind his ear, but he doesn't break his gaze, looking up into his eyes with slightly rounded pupils and flushed cheeks. ]
...Can go back to my room if you want.
[ dw 504'd me the first time i tried to post this so i guess it does not approve ]
no subject
oh. oh! okay. well!! fidelio gets the pleasure of feeling taair's heart practically do a backflip between the gesture and the way he's being looked at, and of course the suggestion, and even if he couldn't feel it, his skin warms up under his fingertips.
there's a beat of surprise - and then, slowly, a smile blooms across his face, just on the edge of thrilled, certainly romanced and certainly, certainly interested. in fact, taair nods, voice a low murmur in his answer in this intimate space between them: ] I... think you may have read my mind.
[ the smile widens a little more, enough that he has to bite his lip - and impulsively, simply unable to resist, he ducks in to steal another kiss. straightening up, mouth tingling, emboldened by a little adventure and what's to come, he offers his hand with a twinkle in his eyes. ]
Shall we?
no subject
that's sort of thrilling for fidelio too, easing any self-consciousness he might otherwise have and making him break into a smile that only grows after the second kiss. this is what all this is like, huh? it's sort of nice, actually, that they're both so late to the party.
he takes the offered hand, a warm feeling fluttering in his chest. ]
Absolutely.
[ and they'll be on their way! ]
no subject
god knows there are plenty of people milling about after the festivities of the night, but that's kind of fun, too - ducking around corners to avoid loving if very overbearing cupid-minded friends, and/or roommates, hurrying past tipsy, happy groups of people enjoying the warm parts that remain of heaven. it's a little silly, but it adds to the thrill of it all. his attention's focused on fidelio the entire time, aiming to slip into the mansion without being seen, and genuinely having a blast doing it.
he's trying very hard to muffle giggles by the time they manage to actually slip the others, still a little tipsy, and leans against the door when it's shut (blissfully, empty for just the two of them.) with an overexaggerated phew, taair beams at him, fingers still threaded with his and flush with adventure and tipsy courage. ]
Well done, well done! [ tugging a little on his hand. ] That was close.
no subject
Hey now, don't underestimate my skill at stealth missions. Even broke a bunch of people out of a jail cell before.
[ he reaches around behind taair with his free hand to lock the door quick just in case, then tugs on his hand instead to lead him over toward his bed. he honestly has no idea how far they're actually intending to go, but given the height difference, even a little kissing session isn't going to be too feasible anywhere else. ]
no subject
this little factoid makes him light up, delighted - then he laughs in realization at himself, with a little click of his tongue. ]
Oh - you must not tell me things like that, it'll be terribly distracting...
[ because it's hinting at a fun story, his very favorite sort of thing, though it's partially just playful banter in response. it does make a fun picture, a dashing del and bas sneaking an innocent group of wrongly accused out from the clutches of a cruel captor... but now is really not the time, especially as he's being tugged along - he makes a little noise as he peels off the door, laughing, and follows right along towards the bed.
this part is all very familiar. he's limped off to this bed a few times now, injured and sore, slept like a baby curled up here the past few nights, probably even brought over extra blankets from the evening after his adventure for extra comfort. and so, easily, he goes, dropping down to sit a little less gracefully than usual, stretching out his long legs and tilting his head up to look at him. instant height different equalizer!
his other hand comes up, too, reaching up to briefly cup his cheek, this time, fondly: clearly, content to be swept up in the moment. ]
no subject
Save that for later, then.
[ fidelio kicks off his shoes and unbuttons his waistcoat before getting up on the bed; he's already a little too warm between the crowded party, the rush over here, and... everything else. he sits up on his knees, giving the illusion of a height advantage, and briefly touches taair's hand as it rests against his cheek, brushing his own fingertips over it and smiling at him with fondness and a little glimmer of excitement.
then he's leaning in over him and putting that hand down on the mattress to steady himself, meeting his lips with a much more fervid kiss than anything they've shared up until now as his tail flicks enthusiastically behind him. ]
no subject
ooh! oooh. you know, the height illusion is actually really very nice. he does not mind that he's taller than fidelio by a good margin (and quite frankly, it could be much worse - thankfully taair is pretty small, too) but there is something to be said for looking up at him like that. truly his power levels would have been too strong if he was a tall paripus.
the excitement is matched - his heartbeat skips in anticipation, and he's leaning up the moment fidelio starts to lean down. the hand on his cheek stays there for a moment, as taair tilts his head to the right angle, and then slowly sides back, to thread into his hair, to hold him in place. it's a lot with the sensation, let alone with the occasional ping of emotionshare, but it's a good kind of a lot, if his are any indication, the way he makes a very soft noise of interest into his mouth as the kiss is returned, his eyes fluttering closed on the outbreath of a sigh between presses of their lips together. it scatters all of his usually ever-churning thoughts into nothingness in the best way you could ask.
as you might expect, taair kisses the way he does most everything - like a learning experience, curious and bold in shades. his free hand, which was acting as a support, comes up, instead, curling in the front of fidelio's shirt, then smoothing over his shoulder, then curling around the back of his neck, touch for the sake of touching like he simply can't resist the urge to. he's warm and soft and right here, and it's a wonder to be able to snatch away a little moment of privacy like this in the lively chaos of heaven made whole. however far this goes is the last thing on his mind, at the moment - what is on his mind is that he does not have any interest in stopping anytime soon. ]