[Luca only huffs in response at first, snatching his hand back with a playful scowl. It's significantly defanged by the warmth spreading over his cheeks, never mind the clear adoration in his eyes. He does his best to deflect by giving Clive's bicep another shove, but quickly undermines his own efforts with a thoughtful smile.]
You are doing terrible things to my stoic persona, I hope you know.
[He... doesn't hate it. He's long lamented the loss of the boy he used to be. He's not the only one, either. Kiera still seems to hold fast to that young man. It would be easier for all of them, he thinks, to be a little more like that.
But he can turn that thought over more later. Clive is here and now at the moment, happy with Luca as he is. He reaches up, cupping the man's cheek and gingerly thumbing over the scar there. He waits only a second before leaning up to steal a kiss, one that he hopes conveys the endless gratitude he feels.]
If you could only ever do this, it would be enough. It's more than anyone has been able to accomplish thus far.
[He shifts just enough to lay his forehead against Clive's shoulder.]
I know you will. Perhaps it's too early to say but... you have yet to let me down once.
[ The yank and the whack makes him laugh again, and he playfully rocks with it like it did anything, his mouth turning up into a little smirk in return. ]
You? Stoic?
[ The cup to his cheek makes him close his eyes and lean in to it, relaxing into it like a touch starved animal, his hand coming up in turn to cover over Luca's. The soft touch to his mouth makes him smile and lean in to return it, a brief warm brush.
As Luca leans in to him, he shifts his arms to cradle the other, just letting him rest against him and making sure he's secure so he can just relax. They did just get done pushing each other to the limits after all, Luca deserves to relax. ]
I vow it. I will not fail you.
[ He turns his head to press his mouth into Luca's head, letting it linger there for a moment. ]
[Clive is lucky he doesn't get shoved again. Instead, Luca crosses one arm with a huff, settling for fixing a glower upon the other man. He tries to manage a scowl, but it falls apart given the fact that he's still holding Clive's face with the other hand.
Which, speaking of, yes he's melting as Clive leans his head into the touch. He can at least be pleased by the fact that for all the comfort the other man gives him, Luca seems to give the same right back.]
I trust you, Clive Rosfield.
[A smirk crosses his lips after a moment, He glances toward the Watchtower, then back at Clive.]
I suppose if you're offering to carry me up the stairs and start a hot bath, I will not complain. It's only fair, after the work you made me put in.
[ His voice is musing but he's smiling as he says it, finally opening his eyes so Luca can see the sparkle in them. He doesn't say anything else as he shifts his other arm under Luca's legs to easily gather him up off the ground and into his arms proper. Then stands with him. ]
I did challenge you, it's only fair.
[ He pauses only to kneel so Luca can grab his Rapier and Clives sword for him, before straightening again and carrying him into the Watchtower proper. He will carry him up stairs, people watching be damned, and he WILL draw him a bath, see if he won't. ]
[That's the sort of glimmer that could melt a man's heart. And oh, does it. Luca wasn't going to fight being carried, mind you, but now he practically melts within Clive's arms. He nestles in close, head resting comfortably at his shoulder for a brief moment.]
Never mind the fact that you rendered me so emotional.
[There is, of course, no real complaint to those words. It's a very precious gift that he's been given, and he'll be grateful to Clive for as long as he draws breath.
For, now, though, he twists his body in order to properly sheathe his rapier. It's a bit more effort to get Clive's sword tucked away, but he does it with the same care as his own weapon. Eventually he settles once more, opting to glare daggers at anyone who dares to cast them a sideways glance.
Once they're out of earshot, Luca sighs. There's a faint laugh in his voice.]
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no subject
You are doing terrible things to my stoic persona, I hope you know.
[He... doesn't hate it. He's long lamented the loss of the boy he used to be. He's not the only one, either. Kiera still seems to hold fast to that young man. It would be easier for all of them, he thinks, to be a little more like that.
But he can turn that thought over more later. Clive is here and now at the moment, happy with Luca as he is. He reaches up, cupping the man's cheek and gingerly thumbing over the scar there. He waits only a second before leaning up to steal a kiss, one that he hopes conveys the endless gratitude he feels.]
If you could only ever do this, it would be enough. It's more than anyone has been able to accomplish thus far.
[He shifts just enough to lay his forehead against Clive's shoulder.]
I know you will. Perhaps it's too early to say but... you have yet to let me down once.
no subject
You? Stoic?
[ The cup to his cheek makes him close his eyes and lean in to it, relaxing into it like a touch starved animal, his hand coming up in turn to cover over Luca's. The soft touch to his mouth makes him smile and lean in to return it, a brief warm brush.
As Luca leans in to him, he shifts his arms to cradle the other, just letting him rest against him and making sure he's secure so he can just relax. They did just get done pushing each other to the limits after all, Luca deserves to relax. ]
I vow it. I will not fail you.
[ He turns his head to press his mouth into Luca's head, letting it linger there for a moment. ]
Do you need help returning to the Watchtower?
no subject
Which, speaking of, yes he's melting as Clive leans his head into the touch. He can at least be pleased by the fact that for all the comfort the other man gives him, Luca seems to give the same right back.]
I trust you, Clive Rosfield.
[A smirk crosses his lips after a moment, He glances toward the Watchtower, then back at Clive.]
I suppose if you're offering to carry me up the stairs and start a hot bath, I will not complain. It's only fair, after the work you made me put in.
no subject
[ His voice is musing but he's smiling as he says it, finally opening his eyes so Luca can see the sparkle in them. He doesn't say anything else as he shifts his other arm under Luca's legs to easily gather him up off the ground and into his arms proper. Then stands with him. ]
I did challenge you, it's only fair.
[ He pauses only to kneel so Luca can grab his Rapier and Clives sword for him, before straightening again and carrying him into the Watchtower proper. He will carry him up stairs, people watching be damned, and he WILL draw him a bath, see if he won't. ]
no subject
Never mind the fact that you rendered me so emotional.
[There is, of course, no real complaint to those words. It's a very precious gift that he's been given, and he'll be grateful to Clive for as long as he draws breath.
For, now, though, he twists his body in order to properly sheathe his rapier. It's a bit more effort to get Clive's sword tucked away, but he does it with the same care as his own weapon. Eventually he settles once more, opting to glare daggers at anyone who dares to cast them a sideways glance.
Once they're out of earshot, Luca sighs. There's a faint laugh in his voice.]
Oh, the gossip we've once again inspired.