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[unheiring]

“The Watchtower Will Always be Open to You”

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username: Aurelius

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[kingincognito]

[ He thought Luca might say something like that. Joshua lets out a soft laugh against his hair, closing his eyes and gently pressing his nose into the strands. ]

I know. And I appreciate it so very much.

[ He lingers there, just for a moment, then pulls back to look into Luca's eyes. His smile is warm and fond, and his thumb resumes stroking the skin of his cheek. It doesn't quite feel real yet. Like a dream he'll wake from any moment. ]

I am glad to know a soul as kind as yours. It only makes you even more beautiful.

[unheiring]

[Though Luca's cheeks burn, though he leans into that touch, a faint sigh leaves him. His expression falters, eyes briefly darting away. It isn't the first time someone has said as much to him, and every time the words sit uneasily upon his shoulders. He's shared much about his background with Joshua but...]

I wish I could claim it has always been kind.

[Alas. He turns his head faintly, shifting just enough to card his fingers through Joshua's hair.]

But at least I have someone to learn from now.

[kingincognito]

You flatter me.

[ Oh, but it feels nice. He hasn't had anyone run their fingers through his hair in a long time, and the sensation immediately makes his muscles relax and his eyes slide shut.

He wouldn't normally give in, but... to hell with it. He feels as comfortable with Luca as he had with Dion. ]

Luca... Might I ask if it would be too forward to kiss you?

[unheiring]

[The politeness all but makes Luca's heart seize. He huffs a tiny breath out, trying to ignore the way his cheeks positively blaze anew at those words. Certainly anything to distract him from the way his heart ratchets ever upward.

Desperately, he forces a sly little smile to his lips, anything to play off how boyish this all makes him feel.]

Mmm. You may ask. And if you did, I would perhaps say yes.

[kingincognito]

[ Joshua almost feels foolish with how much his heart has been fluttering and skipping beats the past few minutes. He almost feels drunk, in a way, or at least what he'd assume being drunk feels like, and his heart feels so full, near to bursting. ]

Perhaps?

[ His lips curl up into a smile, but this time, it surpasses the simple warm and affectionate one that typically graces his face. This time, it could qualify as a grin, with the barest hint of teeth showing. Both hands now cup Luca's cheeks, and he leans in, just enough to be close without contact, breath ghosting against dampened lips. ]

Then, Luca, would you do me the honor of allowing me to kiss you?

[unheiring]

[That grin sends a thrill straight down Luca's spine. It takes everything in his power not to lunge forth first, to capture Joshua's lips in a kiss before he can think twice about the whole thing. Practicing patience in the face of all of this feels like it's going to set him alight.

But he finds it in himself to find restraint, even if he does pout faintly at the delay. And if their lower lips just so happen to brush in the slightest, oh well.]

You have my blessing.

[kingincognito]

[ If they do, it sends a spark through Joshua, urging him to take his claim faster. But no. He mustn't. There are ways to go about this, after all, and he is nothing if not a gentleman.

So, he ignores it. He takes his time, wetting his lips briefly - and if it looks like a more hungry gesture, it's imagination at work, clearly - before he moves in. One hand leaves Luca's cheek, taking perch on his shoulder instead for a more even balance. And once their lips finally touch...

It's soft, warm, tender and chaste. Joshua doesn't let it go any further than that, no matter how much he would like to. He wants to savor this first touch, committing it to memory like the precious thing it is. ]

[unheiring]

[Joshua is so impossibly sweet. Even at just the faintest, chastest of brushes, Luca's head feels like it's spinning. Like his partner, he does feel the urge to press onward, especially given the nature of their earlier conversation. So much had been lost to both of them in the past for taking their time.

And yet he cannot bear the idea of not taking this as slow as possible, savoring the touch and the taste. So he keeps things slow, only going as far to allowing his fingers to finish drifting through Joshua's hair in favor of settling at the back of his neck. He angles his body just enough to fit them together a little more comfortably, sigh leaving his nose even as he does.

Sorry, but he won't be the one to break this kiss, thanks.]

[kingincognito]

[ Joshua won't be either, which means they are at a stalemate. One that will only be broken by the need for breath, as far as he is concerned.

But it's nice, being able to do this. Perfect, like a beautiful dream that he's only just realized is anything but. He has more experience now, compared to when he'd first kissed Dion, but now he gets the delight of a whole new experience. Luca and Dion are not alike, he's finding. The kisses are different in subtle ways, though he certainly likes both.

Joshua's hand slides from Luca's cheek, fingers threading into his hair in a mirror of Luca's own just moments ago and trying not to snag or pull. He lets a soft, pleased noise pass through the kiss at the feeling of Luca shifting and very gently tilts his head to deepen the angle, though the kiss remains as chaste as it has been. For now. ]

[unheiring]

[For now, indeed. A small noise leaves Luca's throat as Joshua shifts, his own body pliant beneath Joshua's touch. A rather large part of him wants to go entirely belly up in this moment. His lips do indeed part, as if to allow permission for things to continue further -

But just as he does, Luca pulls back. He draws in a careful breath, trying to steady himself before he makes a number of bad decisions.]

Well - [A breath of a laugh leaves him.] - Was it as you dreamed of?

[kingincognito]

[ Fortuitous timing, honestly, because it doesn't take long for Joshua's breath to grow tight, a lifetime of illnesses and the Curse to blame for his ability to become easily winded from shallow breaths. If Luca hadn't broken it, he surely would have, both because of that and because of a strong sense of decorum. It has only been mere minutes, after all. It would be ungentlemanly to take it any further, even if he wants to.

He can draw in a breath without coughing, but only barely. A victory is still a victory. There's a soft laugh, and he closes his eyes, opting to tip his forehead down to meet Luca's as they rest. ]

Everything and more. As I hope was the same for you.

[unheiring]

[Though Joshua may not be coughing, Luca still takes a moment to study his face all the same. His partner's more delicate constitution had not been forgotten, after all. Still, when nothing seems entirely amiss, Luca allows himself to once more settle within their embrace.]

Of course. As if there was any doubt. [Luca angles his face just slightly, allowing his lips to brush over Joshua's cheek.] A gentleman, through and through.

[kingincognito]

[ Oh, that feels nice. Joshua hums softly, turning his head just a little to give Luca more room to do whatever he wants to do. Still, the gentle touch makes his feathers ruffle, and the hum turns into a soft laugh. ]

If I were ungentlemanly, it would be a stain upon the Rosfield name. And you deserve the grace befitting a nobleman, besides.

[unheiring]

[Well, if he has free run of it, he'll shift to brush their noses together once, then presses the kiss to the tip before settling back down once more.]

You know, burdensome as the Aurelius name could be, I never had to worry about that particular matter. My forebears took care of that.

[Thanks for being a whore, Cyrus.]

[kingincognito]

[ That is entirely welcome. It sets Joshua's cheeks to turning pink, and he laughs once more, briefly playing at chasing Luca in his retreat and giving his nose the same treatment. ]

My mother would have been horribly disappointed in me had I acted otherwise. Though I am not concerned of what she thinks of me these days.

[ Not that she's alive anymore to see it. ]

And though Rosaria may not rise again, I am still a Rosfield nonetheless. We may no longer be royalty, but we are nothing if not chivalrous.

[unheiring]

[The immediate response almost seems to catch Luca by surprise, and he finds himself stunned into both stillness and silence. He blinks a few times, trying to draw some sense back into himself, before erupting into a small bout of laughter.]

I have heard plenty enough about your mother to know not to care about her opinion. [He'll leave it at that, though.] But all the same, if your chivalry matters so much, I will not press you.

This time, at least.

[Threat.]

[kingincognito]

[ This time. Though it's clearly a threat, Joshua can't help but laugh. His heart is so full that he can't keep it in. ]

Oh? And what will you do next time? Or is it a surprise?

[unheiring]

[Well, now that he's being called out on his plans, Luca might get a little flustered. He lets out a faint little huff.]

Next time I might be a bit more insistent. That's all.

[Don't mind him, burying his face against Joshua's shoulder now, thanks. Time to hide.]

[kingincognito]

[ Oh. ]

Oh.

[ Insistent, hm? It's probably a good thing that Luca has hidden his face, because the thought leaves Joshua's cheeks blooming pink. ]

Well, I... I suppose if it is a request, I will simply have to do my best to fulfill it.

[unheiring]

[Muffled though his words are, Luca still manages to find it himself to be a little bit of a gremlin.]

And being that you cannot besmirch the Rosfield name, you certainly would not let me down, right?

[kingincognito]

[ A gremlin, indeed. If Joshua's cheeks were pink before, they're a flushed red now. ]

I, ah. I would not, no. I could not bear to disappoint you.

[unheiring]

[Luca tips his head back just a little. He feels better, now that the shoe is in the other foot.]

Ah, that's what I thought. Now we have something to look forward to, don't we?

[kingincognito]

[ At least Joshua takes it gracefully. Even if he can't make his face stop flushing red. It will have to do that on his own. ]

I suppose we do. You are certainly setting the stage.

[ Not that he's complaining. It's rather... exciting, having such a teasing partner. ]

[unheiring]

[Unfortunately, there is plenty more to come, in that regard, especially as Luca grows more comfortable with their relationship. Joshua may not survive.]

Mm, well... I ought to let you go until then. Lest I tempt you into abandoning your chivalry.

[Not that he particularly wants Joshua to leave but... alas.]

[kingincognito]

[ Not surviving is suddenly a tantalizing prospect. ]

How kind of you, truly, after rendering its legs trembling.

[ But it's said with a smile, as he reluctantly parts and stands up. Their talk has been had, and with quite the favorable outcome, at that. He couldn't have hoped for more. ]

I shall take my leave for the evening. However, ere we part...

[ He moves, collecting Luca's hand in his own and bending down as he brings it to his lips, pressing a gentle and delicate kiss to Luca's knuckles. ]

Thank you. For everything.