[An accurate title for Joshua? Maybe not. But as far as pet names go, Luca is fond of it all the same. And not just because it fills him with such a thrill to even consider.]
It seems rather adult of us, doesn't it? Mature and some such. [Luca's laugh is gentle, if muffled as he finishes off his glass of wine.] All that said, I believe we did have other plans to carry out this evening?
[ 'My prince'. The title, for all that it isn't quite accurate, still makes his ears erupt in a warmth that steadily spreads to his cheeks. Joshua only lets the surprise catch him in stillness for a moment before he shakes it off, laughing softly as he lowers his head. Too late to hide the flush, but it isn't like he minds.]
Indeed. I believe I was to read to you to lull you to sleep.
[ He collects Luca's empty glass, setting it aside with his own and collecting the book in exchange. ]
Feel free to make yourself as comfortable as you see fit, and then tell me where you would have me.
[No small amount of satisfaction floods through Luca when he sees that response. He resists the urge to grin deviously, to revel in his triumph. No, if he is going to bask in anything, it is how utterly charming Joshua is in moments like these.]
Well, we ought not delay any further.
[Luca stands, and is very much about to offer the same advice to Jsohua. Instead, he muffles a laugh with his hand, before shaking his head.]
I am afraid I must insist otherwise. You get comfortable first. I will be just a moment.
[If he's going to fall asleep, he's going to be dressed down. Luca quickly pilfers a few items from his dresser, before stepping into the washroom to disrobe. Have fun with free reign of the bed-nest, Joshua!]
[ Oh. Luca's words take Joshua by surprise, and he pauses a moment, expression sobering into a flushed and innocent confusion. Perhaps he has made a habit of falling asleep wearing his clothes. The idea of Luca wanting to change for bed hadn't even occurred to him. ]
Ah. All right.
[ He will at least wait until Luca leaves the room before he turns to assess what "getting comfortable" means. The bed-nest certainly looks comfortable, but if he is to read, he should be sitting on the edge of it, yes? Besides, his wings take up far too much room, and he assumes he will be departing the room once Luca is good and asleep. So, he fluffs the pillows, arranges the blankets, and sits primly near the foot of the bed to wait.
When Luca returns, he will find Joshua sitting there with one knee crossed over the other, his wings tucked neatly against his back, and the book held in one hand. ]
[When Luca emerges — dressed down in a pair of sleeping shorts and a button up — he finds himself tilting his head in the slightest. He gives Joshua a once over as he pads toward the bed, then swings himself up and toward the center.]
Do you always read so... rigidly?
[Maybe he gets where Joshua is coming from. He probably wants to easily slip away should Luca fall asleep. It's on him for not being more specific, probably. But even still...]
Maybe you ought to get comfortable yourself? I am certain no one will judge if you find yourself falling asleep at the same time as I.
[ Oh. Those are indeed pajamas, aren't they. A stark contrast to the sweater and trousers that he's wearing. ... and the boots. He's still wearing his boots. Founding Flames take him. ]
Well, I. Ah. I didn't want to assume.
[ But, if Luca is asking... Joshua shifts, tugging his boots off before anything else. And once they're off, he will very carefully find a way to climb in to the bed beside Luca, without either hurting his wings or hitting Luca with them in the process. He ends up on his side, wings tucked against his back and book held to his chest. ]
[By the time Joshua has settled, Luca has buried himself beneath a near impenetrable mound of blankets. He peeks over them, makes a show of looking Joshua up and down, before nodding once.
When he settles once again, it's with his head angled toward Joshua.]
Much better, I think. But how do you feel? [He meets Joshua's eyes, earnest as can be.] Are you comfortable? I will not force you to remain in this position just for my own whims.
[ It's adorable, frankly. Even if he was uncomfortable, he thinks he'd feel it melting away under that gaze. Joshua smiles, lifting a hand to push some hair from Luca's face. ]
Perfectly comfortable. You are not forcing anything. Should I find myself dozing, I would have a perfect night's sleep.
[ He will still try not to, but... maybe not as hard, now that he's been given permission. This, like many possibilities, is a spark issue - and Luca has felt it, so who would he be to deny it, when he'd been the one to propose the solution in the first place? ]
Now, are you prepared for the thrilling tales of local botany?
[Luca doesn't once hesitate to lean his head into that hand, humming out his contentment as he does. When that alone doesn't feel like enough, he even angles his head to press a kiss to Joshua's palm. Sue him, he's feeling affectionate.]
That's good, then. You are always welcome here, by my side.
[With that in mind, Luca allows himself to stretch out, languidly as you like, before finally settling. His eyes fall to the book.]
Ah, yes. Nothing like a riveting explanation of the local flora. By all means.
[ At this rate, the flush will never truly leave his face. Joshua smiles, soft and gentle, and leans in. To return the kiss to his palm, he leaves one against Luca's lips. ]
Then I shall ever be here, as long as you will have me.
[ He lingers there for a moment, inches away and looking so fondly, so lovingly into Luca's eyes. But it doesn't last for long. They do have a book to get to, after all. ]
Well, I find it riveting. But if you do not, that means it will be a perfect bedtime story.
[ His fingers part the pages, moving to a random section. ]
[The kiss is so dreadfully sweet that Luca wouldn't dare tarnish it by trying to steal another one. Instead, he closes his eyes and basks in the lingering warmth it provides.]
Then I hope you are ready to linger here for some time.
[And indeed, Joshua does. As Luca's eyes open, that warmth spreads into an inferno. It's enough for his cheeks to darken, and for the heat to spread down his neck. He feels... incredibly seen, pinned down even, but it's not unpleasant.
And thankfully it doesn't last forever.]
I suspect it being in your voice will make it far more engaging. And if not, then you are exactly right.
[Once more he allows his eyes to slip closed, ready to listen.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2025-11-17 03:56 am (UTC)[An accurate title for Joshua? Maybe not. But as far as pet names go, Luca is fond of it all the same. And not just because it fills him with such a thrill to even consider.]
It seems rather adult of us, doesn't it? Mature and some such. [Luca's laugh is gentle, if muffled as he finishes off his glass of wine.] All that said, I believe we did have other plans to carry out this evening?
no subject
Date: 2025-11-17 04:32 am (UTC)Indeed. I believe I was to read to you to lull you to sleep.
[ He collects Luca's empty glass, setting it aside with his own and collecting the book in exchange. ]
Feel free to make yourself as comfortable as you see fit, and then tell me where you would have me.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-17 05:18 am (UTC)Well, we ought not delay any further.
[Luca stands, and is very much about to offer the same advice to Jsohua. Instead, he muffles a laugh with his hand, before shaking his head.]
I am afraid I must insist otherwise. You get comfortable first. I will be just a moment.
[If he's going to fall asleep, he's going to be dressed down. Luca quickly pilfers a few items from his dresser, before stepping into the washroom to disrobe. Have fun with free reign of the bed-nest, Joshua!]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-17 11:51 am (UTC)Ah. All right.
[ He will at least wait until Luca leaves the room before he turns to assess what "getting comfortable" means. The bed-nest certainly looks comfortable, but if he is to read, he should be sitting on the edge of it, yes? Besides, his wings take up far too much room, and he assumes he will be departing the room once Luca is good and asleep. So, he fluffs the pillows, arranges the blankets, and sits primly near the foot of the bed to wait.
When Luca returns, he will find Joshua sitting there with one knee crossed over the other, his wings tucked neatly against his back, and the book held in one hand. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-18 12:09 am (UTC)Do you always read so... rigidly?
[Maybe he gets where Joshua is coming from. He probably wants to easily slip away should Luca fall asleep. It's on him for not being more specific, probably. But even still...]
Maybe you ought to get comfortable yourself? I am certain no one will judge if you find yourself falling asleep at the same time as I.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-18 12:36 am (UTC)Well, I. Ah. I didn't want to assume.
[ But, if Luca is asking... Joshua shifts, tugging his boots off before anything else. And once they're off, he will very carefully find a way to climb in to the bed beside Luca, without either hurting his wings or hitting Luca with them in the process. He ends up on his side, wings tucked against his back and book held to his chest. ]
Is this better?
no subject
Date: 2025-11-18 03:58 am (UTC)When he settles once again, it's with his head angled toward Joshua.]
Much better, I think. But how do you feel? [He meets Joshua's eyes, earnest as can be.] Are you comfortable? I will not force you to remain in this position just for my own whims.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-18 07:23 am (UTC)Perfectly comfortable. You are not forcing anything. Should I find myself dozing, I would have a perfect night's sleep.
[ He will still try not to, but... maybe not as hard, now that he's been given permission. This, like many possibilities, is a spark issue - and Luca has felt it, so who would he be to deny it, when he'd been the one to propose the solution in the first place? ]
Now, are you prepared for the thrilling tales of local botany?
no subject
Date: 2025-11-18 11:29 pm (UTC)That's good, then. You are always welcome here, by my side.
[With that in mind, Luca allows himself to stretch out, languidly as you like, before finally settling. His eyes fall to the book.]
Ah, yes. Nothing like a riveting explanation of the local flora. By all means.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-19 01:39 am (UTC)Then I shall ever be here, as long as you will have me.
[ He lingers there for a moment, inches away and looking so fondly, so lovingly into Luca's eyes. But it doesn't last for long. They do have a book to get to, after all. ]
Well, I find it riveting. But if you do not, that means it will be a perfect bedtime story.
[ His fingers part the pages, moving to a random section. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-19 02:00 am (UTC)Then I hope you are ready to linger here for some time.
[And indeed, Joshua does. As Luca's eyes open, that warmth spreads into an inferno. It's enough for his cheeks to darken, and for the heat to spread down his neck. He feels... incredibly seen, pinned down even, but it's not unpleasant.
And thankfully it doesn't last forever.]
I suspect it being in your voice will make it far more engaging. And if not, then you are exactly right.
[Once more he allows his eyes to slip closed, ready to listen.]