037 » on and on we carry through the fear

[shiruyeh]

CALL ME OUT MEME.

♛ please refer to this list for canon muses and this list for original characters. ♛ "call" one of them out — you can do so by putting their name in the subject line of your post! ♛ this can be informal/formal/comment spam/crosscanon/shippy/smutty/whatever tickles your fancy! ♛ here are some prompts inspired by other memes! ❶ — texts from last night. ❷ — morning after. ❸ — drunk/drinking. ❹ — picture prompt. ❺ — insomnia. ❻ — sharing the same bed. ❼ — snow day. ❽ — sky gazing. ❾ — roadtrip.

Comments

[valhourdin]

A good idea.

[ Francel's suggestion is an improvement, and his reward begins with an approving smile. Once more, Zephirin leans in, closer until their mouths meet, but this time, the kiss lingers; gently, he nips at Francel's bottom lip, tracing it.

There are, of course, other ways to kiss than taking it so slowly, but for now, Zephirin acts with caution for the sake of easing Francel into ascertaining what he enjoys. ]

[haillenarte]

[francel braces himself for a more demanding kiss, all tongue and teeth and hard, unyielding pressure, but zephirin surprises him with yet another soft, gentle kiss. the older man's lips brush questioningly against his, then nibble on his bottom lip; an involuntary jolt of nervousness runs through francel's spine, making his shoulders jolt forward.

this, he thinks, feels strangely nice. not as brief as the kiss from before — so brief that for a moment he found himself doubting whether or not it actually happened — but it's prolonged and gentle. tender. it makes him feel loved, and just a little anxious, like he is being investigated by an inquisitive wild animal, one that might change its mind and eat him at any moment.

fingers trembling ever so slightly, francel slides one of his hands over zephirin's back, between his shoulder blades. slowly, and somewhat timidly, he parts his lips, kissing back, sucking gently on zephirin's bottom lip in turn.]

[valhourdin]

[ Zephirin hasn't kissed anyone in a while, and he has never kissed anyone in quite this way, as if these are first kisses for him and Francel both, the two of them exploring unfamiliar ground together. To a degree, that is the case; their bodies are new to each other, to the discoveries to make as this kiss deepens. It isn't uncertain and fumbling on Zephirin's part, simply measured so as not to startle Francel, a gradual shift from tender and sweet towards something that hints at more beneath the surface, assuring the boy that his love is not unwanted.

Open-mouthed, the kiss turns hungrier, teeth and tongue and pressure — but appreciatively so, and Francel's reactions remain Zephirin's focus. So far, Francel has been receptive despite his nervousness, drawing closer instead of away even as he trembles. His time with Aucheforne doesn't cast its shadow over this moment, then.

When they part, Zephirin leaves his hand upon Francel's cheek, his gaze attentive as it flicks over the boy's features, from his eyes to his reddened lips. ]

[haillenarte]

[their parting leaves francel starry-eyed and breathless, panting quietly, looking at zephirin as though he has never before seen the man quite so beautiful, so raw. he feels weak in the knees, aching in a way that aucheforne never made him ache; his heart flutters violently in his chest.

and he wants more. he is certain that he wants more.

he never felt this way with his first boyfriend. he never even felt this way with his first love.]

...That... that was good...

[valhourdin]

[ Francel's verdict settles the matter decisively: this has brought the both of them enjoyment. What Zephirin sees written in the boy's expression now is deeply gratifying, appealing. He smiles, caressing the curve of Francel's cheek with his thumb. ]

I'll keep that in mind.

[ This is only a first step towards something more, the door opened. Though they might keep going where they are — might be tempted to do just that — it's getting late, and they have their respective classes to attend tomorrow. ]

Unfortunately, it's nearly past our bedtime...

[haillenarte]

[zephirin speaks only the truth, but francel is not so easily convinced to relent. he bites his lip, nodding his assent, but his eyes sparkle with greed, even as he retreats some few ilms, taking his warm blankets with him.

aucheforne never let him argue — never let him talk back — but zephirin has been kind to him. he decides to try and bargain.]

I-If I do well on my exam tomorrow, will you... I mean, um... can we can we do more?

[perhaps that wasn't the best of offers. professor charibert de leusignac most likely will have not been kind to francel, after all. he tries again.]

O-Or we can, um... I mean, I can do whatever you want. I'll make dinner or...

[valhourdin]

[ Francel isn't alone in wanting more, but the boy seems to believe himself so, judging by his efforts to offer Zephirin something in exchange for his affection. Arching a brow, the professor takes his hand from Francel's cheek as they move apart, only to hold Francel loosely in his arms, over the blankets. ]

On its own, doing more gives me all that I would ask of you. [ It's hardly something that Zephirin yields reluctantly. ] It's the end of the week, so we could be less strict with ourselves then — whether or not you do well on your exam.

[ Again, Zephirin's lips quirk slightly. ]

You've been making progress, however. Don't forget that.

[haillenarte]

[at first, francel nods along, understanding — but the professor's final comment seems to miss its mark. his thin brows furrow as he stares at zephirin uncomprehendingly.]

Progress..? I've raised my average from a C+ to a B, but I don't think it's possible for me to get an A unless I get a perfect score on the final. Which... well, yes, I don't think that's possible.

[francel has the wrong idea of progress, it seems.]

[valhourdin]

[ Francel's improved average is definite progress in Professor de Leusignac's class — it's exceedingly rare that the man deigns to give any student a perfect score, ever swift to find some flaw to mark them down. At home, his progress can't be measured according to a grading scale, but his improvement here is just as encouraging, despite the few moments when he almost backslides.

Zephirin unmistakably wears a smile, as if he has a secret to share with Francel. When he leans in now, he does so to secure his arms around the boy, intending to lift him out of the armchair. ]

You'll be rewarded regardless.

[ Not for his grades, specifically, but for expressing his wants. ]

[haillenarte]

[it's been many long years since anyone thought to try and pick francel up, but he remembers what it feels like, and he instinctively secures his arms around zephirin's neck in turn, to make carrying him a bit easier. he leans his weight into zephirin's arms, staring up at the professor with a sleepy, adoring smile. he answers in a somewhat babyish tone.]

I like being rewarded. Will it be something good?

[valhourdin]

I would hope so.

[ Sober and awake, responsive, Francel is easier to pick up and carry through the apartment than he was after Emmanellain's get-together, fast asleep. The boy is tall, nearing Zephirin's own height, all long limbs, but the professor adjusts Francel's weight in his arms with ease, holding Francel against his chest.

Together, they leave the hallway behind them, and cross the bedroom floor. Zephirin carefully transfers Francel to the mattress once there, evidently not intent on monitoring the boy's dental hygiene in earnest. The bathroom is Francel's first nonetheless — Zephirin takes a seat beside him, on the edge of the bed. ]