realpolitik | Leon Magnus | Stahn Aileron

[It's admittedly true and Leon knows it. The king received his report, and knows just how close that mission was. He doesn't have to report for duty today--honestly, it's a day off. Sometimes, those happen, and Leon knows he has this day to himself. He could probably have the next day as well, but...

... Well, laying abed this long feels wrong even so.

But he can still tell that Stahn's watching him, waiting for his reaction, and it strikes him that this is still pretty early for Stahn himself to be up. But... maybe he wanted him to...stay...

Leon's quiet for a moment, shifting a little uncomfortably, and when he looks back at Stahn, it's with a ducked head and through messy hair, almost sheepish.]

I... suppose I do not have to get up just yet.

[If that's...okay? It feels odd, but maybe...]

[of course to stahn, it's okay.]

You don't have to work today? [there hadn't really been time to discuss any of that the night before—there was barely time for anything but each other—so stahn isn't really aware of it. it wouldn't be the first time that he's gotten a day or two off after a long and arduous mission, but there've been plenty of times when that hasn't happened as well.

though it isn't necessarily like leon's answer matters that much, since he's suggesting he could stay in bed a while longer. regardless of whether or not he reports in, if it's an offer he feels like he can make... stahn isn't about to say no. he reaches for leon's wrist, tugging in a way that's so gentle that it's more like a nudge—a quiet way of saying to lay back down and get comfortable again.]

It's getting cold... [he grumbles a little (playfully) with a pout, as if to emphasize his gesture and play down leon's embarrassment a bit. it also says "so keep this spot warm with me," but that implication is definitely obvious enough.]

[Leon just shakes his head quietly--no, he doesn't have to work today--and then Stahn is gently tugging Leon's wrist, and Leon goes along with it, allowing himself to settle back into the place he was in before, warm and cozy and tucked against Stahn. It's... nice like this, even if the expression on his face still makes it very clear Leon has no idea what he's doing.

Clearly, sleeping in and remaining abed after he's woken up are two things that are very much outside of Leon's expertise or even general experience.

He hesitates only a moment longer, before he tentatively shuffles even closer, resting his face right next to Stahn's on the pillow. It's not like anyone is going to scold him or be upset at him for not being up and awake right now, but...]

This is...unusual for me. [Yeah, it's obvious, Leon.] But even if I do not have to work today, we cannot remain abed all day.

[And yet.

He's only curling closer.]

I know.

[stahn knows that, as much as he would love nothing more than to just remain like this until the next day, that's not something they can do.

but as leon shifts and moves closer to him, it's hard for him to think about things going any other way just yet. he lifts a hand to sweep some of the messy hair from leon's face. the smile on his lips is still sleepy enough and full of affection. it's all simple and new to him as well—even if he's slightly less awkward about it.]

Just a while longer... it's still early. [it's not that early, and stahn knows it. normally even he's up by nine, so it's not like staying in bed that much later is normal for him. but with leon there so close, he doesn't want to move.]

Maybe we should do something nice today. [if leon doesn't have to work, stahn can push off any tasks he had for a day or two. he's not sure what they'd do—even sitting out in the garden with a nice meal would be enough. just something relaxing, something they can do together without having to worry about things like work and missions.] It's been a while.

[Doing something nice...that sounds nice. Leon automatically moves ever-so-slightly into Stahn's touch as he brushes his hair away, but he doesn't seem to notice that he does (likely for the better, don't bring it up), more focused on pondering Stahn's suggestion instead.

It has been awhile, he won't deny that; lengthy missions keep them apart for too long, even if Leon could never really complain. Even if it can be difficult sometimes, he's...Leon Magnus, he's a knight, he's earned his position and he doesn't intend to throw it away now.

Even if it means missing Stahn when he goes to sleep in his bedroll while out camping, and not having Stahn nearby on said travels. It's difficult, but... he knows that that's just how it has to be. But now that he's home and with Stahn, there's...no reason why they can't do something nice.]

...Perhaps. [He can't even say he has errands to do or anything like that, since the maids take care of those. When he's free from his missions, he's officially free for the entire day.] Though if you truly intend to do something nice, that is even less reason to remain in bed.

[And yet... Leon shows no signs of moving to get out of bed, now that he's tucked in close and warm again.]

We have time for both.

[which means it's fine if leon doesn't start to make any motions to move. stahn himself isn't exactly doing that either, because he wants to stay just like this for as ,long as he can.

he's still perfectly content to gently stroke strands of hair away from leon's face, even as they continuously fall back to the same position. he's content to keep his eyes trained on leon's, studying his every feature and soaking in his appearance while it appears before him. this is good, it's warm and cozy and perfect, and so much of what he wants is within his reach right now. what more could stahn really ask for?

and maybe that's why he doesn't have any good immediate suggestions for what "nice" thing they could do.]

I don't want to waste the day, though. [by which he means, he wants to spend every possible waking moment with leon. it doesn't matter much what they do, does it? it's about being together and enjoying the time they have.

he always misses leon when he's gone, after all. he's never mad that leon has to go, or that sometimes the missions feel impossibly long—stahn would never stand in the way or leon's job or a knights duty in general. he respects that work, even when it means bearing the difficult discomfort of being alone for long periods of time.

though even stahn realizes that for as lonely as he feels, it has to be lonelier for leon. stahn still has marian and the rest of the staff in the manor, he makes friends easily and has time to chat them up. but leon is away from the people who love him and left with nothing but duty.

—it's a passing thought that makes him scoot a bit closer, letting their noses touch lightly while their heads remain on the pillow.] What would you want to do with a day off?

[He supposes Stahn isn't wrong. They do have time for both. They have all day to just...remain together, to do whatever makes Leon happy, and if Leon is completely honest with himself, he knows what he looks forward to on days off. Before, it was spending time with Marian, being able to enjoy her tea and not having to worry about anything interrupting them.

Now... it's being able to do that and spend that time with Stahn as well. Leon's two most important people, in one place, not to be interrupted... it sounds nice, doesn't it? To be able to sit and enjoy Marian's tea with Stahn, and maybe something sweet, if she feels like indulging him with how long he's been away--

But on the other hand, maybe Stahn has something legitimate in mind? Maybe there's something Stahn actually wants to go out and do (it strikes Leon that that is probably a thing couples occasionally do), and in that case, it feels a little silly to say something like that he wants to just...stay in, or sit in the garden with a cup of tea and Stahn, and not do anything but that.

(But that's what's true, and after a moment, Leon sheepishly clears his throat and breaks that contact between them by ducking his head. He's so confident in the day to day, but in things like this...)]

I...am satisfied with simply... spending the day here. [Is that....bad.....

Ah...]

Was there something you had in mind?

Edited 2016-04-29 15:14 (UTC)

Not really.

[there's no real hesitation in his response; no thought really goes into that answer. he didn't have anything in mind, since he just wanted to do whatever would make leon relax the most.]

Whatever you want to do... that's fine with me. [stahn's content with just staying in this position all day, burying his face in leon's hair and just lazing about if that's all they could come up with. not that they'll do that, he knows, but stahn would be more than willing to do just that if leon said the word.]

I just want to spend the day with you. [it's an embarrassingly sappy sentiment, but one that stahn doesn't seem to care about openly expressing at this point. it's raw and honest, and as he shifts a little to stretch before pulling leon closer to him, it only seems right. the previous evening, in both actions and words seemed to open up a lot of new doors and possibilities that make it feel a little easier for him to say what he really feels about things.

and that much is the truth. even if it's just taking in the nice weather and drinking tea in the garden, he'll be happy because leon is there with him. even if he wants to go for a stroll through the neighborhood, or go sit at the cape and take in the harbor's breeze, there'd be no complaints from stahn.]

[It is an embarrassingly sappy sentiment, said so open and warmly and clearly, and Leon's stunned for a moment, staring up at Stahn with wide eyes before he looks away--but it's out of embarrassment more than anything. That sort of warmth... he's still not sure how to deal with it, but that doesn't mean that he dislikes it.

To the contrary, he enjoys it, even if it flusters him immensely.

With a sigh, he shifts again, but instead of rolling away from Stahn, he ends up rolling on top of him, propping himself up on Stahn's chest with his forearm and looking down at him with a more certain look.]

Then I would prefer not to have your attention further taken by others. [Because Stahn is a do-gooder and naturally gets distracted when they're in crowded places. Leon can state that much certainly, quirking an eyebrow at him.]

[stahn's surprise is almost palpable when the weight is shifted to be on top of him. it's not a position that leon typically takes, but it's not unwelcome, either. leon's weight is hardly too much to handle; if anything, it's a bit comfortable just because it feels so intimate.]

You can have all of my attention today. [regardless of whether or not they go out. at least, that's the way stahn would attempt it. he can shrug off small things, but it's true that he can get distracted by others just thanks to the nature of his personality. he can't really even try to argue that they'd go any other way.]

We can just stay here at home if that's what you want. [stahn shifts slightly, so that he can rest his hands on the small of leon's back. he smiles sweetly, leaning up to steal another chaste kiss. it may fluster leon, but he also wants leon to know that he's dedicated to making this day relaxing for leon and also staying very close. personal space... what is that today? we just don't know.]

[It is a little flustering, but...it's also sweet, and nice, and warm. Leon leans into the kiss quietly, satisfied, and then hums under his breath quietly as he pulls away just enough to speak, lips a scant few centimeters from Stahn's. Personal space is clearly going to be a lost cause today.]

... Then that is what we'll do.

[They'll stay home. They'll have Marian's tea. He'll have all of Stahn's attention and Stahn will probably burry him in affection and...there's absolutely nothing wrong with this at all.

Leon settles himself on top of Stahn more comfortably, inspecting Stahn's face thoughtfully. This isn't a bad view at all, really. And after the night before, it feels as though a lot of those barriers with physical affection have been knocked down--at least in this bubble of safety in their bedroom.]

I would be satisfied with that.

[a step forward is a step forward, stahn isn't going to complain that the barriers they've broken down only seem to be the case behind closed doors. there are some things that stahn never expects, and one of those things is leon being affectionate where others can see it.

even within the manor, it feels rare to get anything but an unacknowledged grasp of the hand—and that's around people who are all fully aware of the circumstances (considering if anyone hadn't figured it out before, when stahn started sleeping in leon's room every night was a pretty clear indicator). stahn doesn't need it, and he doesn't expect it. he's perfectly content with stolen kisses when nobody is looking and doubling up on those affections once they're alone.]

Me too. [just to confirm that there's no complaints at all. there's nothing that even hints at disappointment or wanting to go anywhere.

stahn really is content to stay home.]

I think I'd be fine with just staying like this all day, if we could. [he'd be fine not even leaving the room if he had a say.]

But I'm sure Marian probably prepared something for you too. [she usually does when he returns from long missions, and he doesn't doubt that she probably picked up quickly on things based on how he entered the home.]

[Even with the quick progress of the night before, some things will take time, especially with someone like Leon. Still, he's observing Stahn as he speaks from his position perched on top of his chest, and it seems that whatever he sees, he likes. There's something about what Stahn's saying that Leon likes--or maybe it's his expression, and the warmth and understanding in it. Maybe it's the utter lack of disappointment.

Maybe it's the contentment that mirrors Leon's own.

Either way, he likes what he sees, which is why almost before Stahn's even finished speaking, Leon leans forward, pressing their lips together firmly, lingering there certainly.

He likes it.

He likes what they have, he likes what they are, he likes this, and there's something less chaste about the kiss, though it's neither desperate nor intense like the night before. No, it's...simply a thorough enjoyment of the way that their lips slot together perfectly, and the taste of Stahn and the knowledge that Stahn just wants him to be happy, and he is happy.]

[kisses like this, in some way, happen to be stahn's favorite.

though there's little doubt that he enjoys the gentle, chaste kisses they often share, and the excitement of the sort of kisses they had the night before amaze him, these are the best ones for stahn. they're warm and passionate, full of love and understanding. there's almost a silent language they speak with their lips, where stahn can understand everything that leon wants, needs and feels just from the way their lips touch.

there's really nothing else in the world quite like it to him.

stahn's eyes flutter shut, not being quick to let the kiss break. his hands slide a little further up leon's back, not quite exploring but just feeling leon there. it's all so right in ways that stahn never knew were possible. he's happy, and leon is happy.

there was once a time when he wondered if anything could actually make leon happy; his sour attitude had caused friction often early in their journey. but now he gets to see leon being happy, and he has the knowledge that he is the reason for it (at least partially), and that in itself makes him never want to let go.]

[It feels amazing, pure and simple. It feels like the situation is perfect, that the way that their lips fit together like this is perfect, and that having Stahn here, warm and content and happy beneath him, is also perfect.

The kiss can't go on forever, of course, no matter how good it is; eventually, Leon breaks away, breathing in a slow, somewhat shaky breath.

But he's satisfied with that, because he knows that Stahn understood him, even if Leon wasn't entirely sure himself what the message was. That he's happy, that he's comfortable, that he couldn't ask for more than this and so much more--well, it's enough.

And then he sits up (still straddling Stahn's waist, but he's not thinking too hard about that), stretching slowly and sleepily with one arm over his head, the other gripping his elbow. Now it's properly morning.]

[well, leon may not be thinking about that, but...

it's a little more challenging for stahn. being the one laying flat on the bed while leon innocently straddles him does push a passing thought through his mind. he's sitting that way, stretching, and it's easy for stahn to just watch as he does this. looking at the lines of his slender, petite body, his flexibility—

stahn catches himself though, and coughs pretty abruptly, gaze averting and his cheeks flushing slightly. this may have been innocuous on a normal day, but after the previous night and the way things had been going, some part of his brain is still a bit worked up over it.

life is hard when you're attracted to your boyfriend who happens to be innocently straddling you.]

[He was still half asleep, okay... don't blame him for not catching on immediately, not when last night is still basically a pleasant fuzzy half-dream and this morning is warm comfort and contentedness and...

Stahn coughing and looking away.

Leon blinks, though he's going to wait until he's stretched the other arm first (sorry, Stahn, he's precise like that) before he finally settles back into a proper sitting position (still...innocently straddling him yeah) and arch an eyerbow.

Stahn looks flushed......... he's not getting sick, is he? He did cough--]

Stahn?

—Eh?

[for some reason, leon calling his attention like that so suddenly is a bit startling, which in turn embarrasses stahn just a little more. the roles are a little reversed from the normal, considering stahn isn't the one who usually gets so flustered by things.

but with leon still in that position and looking at him in a way that is so innocent and unaware of any implications from their positioning, it has that effect on stahn. it's not like there's anything wrong with it, of course—but it does lead his mind to wander in the way a teenage boy's very easily could.]

What is it? [he manages to say it without sputtering, but he's obviously still embarrassed, as he doesn't meet leon's gaze even when being addressed.]

[He's...definitely bemused by this. They were on the same page beautifully a few seconds ago, but now he feels like he really doesn't get it at all. What's wrong here, exactly? Why is Stahn looking away? He doesn't seem upset, at least, but there's definitely something not quite right about it.

Unfortunately for poor Stahn, Leon's distracted by this new mystery, which means that while he'd usually have gotten off of Stahn by now, he's not moving.

Instead, he peers closer even, frowning slightly.]

Is something wrong?

[Leon has picked now to be both observant and unobservant, clearly...... don't worry, it'll click eventually. Maybe.]

[drawing attention to this situation is definitely not helping any. it's not really leon's fault, of course; stahn is usually the one to make situations like this a little more obvious.

but it's not helping right now. not with leon still on top of him, so unaware of how dangerous this position is and yet all the same being cute as he questions it. this is completely unfair to stahn.]

No—! [okay, that may have come out a little too obvious. he's been spending a little too much time around leon, it would seem like... at least, without the knowledge that stahn is just trying desperately hard to not let his mind wander at inappropriate times.]

I mean... nothing is wrong... It's just... [stahn makes an indistinguishable face—he's not really sure how to say this out loud at all.]

I got caught in my own thoughts, that's all... [his own embarrassing thoughts.]

[Stahn's caught in his own thoughts... but clearly flustered and embarrassed by them. He's flushed and he's trying to avoid meeting Leon's eyes and Leon's brow furrows a little, clearly bemused as he tries to figure this out.

Ironically, if he wasn't...straddling Stahn right now, he might actually be figuring this out a little more quickly. But because he's in this position while presented with this puzzle, he's distracted from the fact that he is in a bit of a compromising position, focused as he is on Stahn's expression.

In other words, everything is conspiring to make Stahn's life hard.]

Your own thoughts? [???] They appear to be flustering thoughts.

[Hmmmmm....... What could be flustering Stahn right now? Is he thinking about the previous night?]

[that's probably not the only thing he's making hard right now, honestly.]

It's nothing! Hahah... Don't worry about it, I'm okay.

[he's fine! this is fine!

except he is thinking about the previous night and also a little about right now and just how easily things could take such a different direction if they allowed it. but they're not even doing anything to warrant that, and stahn knows that it probably wouldn't help the situation.

it's something they need to talk about at some point, but not right now. not like this. so stahn is going to try and just get off the topic. the more leon tries to figure it out, the most stahn can't stop thinking about just putting his hands all over leon this way.

he forces a smile (only forced in that he's trying to force away how flustered he is), shaking his head a bit).]

You can keep doing what you were doing...

[He'd probably notice that thing, honestly.

Stahn??? Stahn.... Leon's still baffled, but he does tilt his head to one side at that. Continue...doing what he was doing? He wasn't doing anything in particular, he thinks, but when he casts back, he does realize--]

Stretching?

[??? It's not even his proper routine, he was just getting the kinks out of his back, why are you looking at him like that.]

I haven't done anything. I suppose if you were looking to join me in my routine [no not like that] that would be possible.

[no... that's not really what stahn wants at all. even if he's flustered by the positioning and the fact that leon is completely clueless as to why he's flustered, he still doesn't want leon to get up.

getting up means starting the day properly, it means having to be more reserved with their feelings and general.. well, everything. so stahn scrunches his nose a bit at the suggestion. even if it probably would be better for his heart rate for leon to get off of him... he still doesn't want that. especially not when leon is so confused.

it would also probably be better to let it go, especially after he's insisted that nothing is wrong (nothing is wrong, but-), but stahn can't do that. for some reason, it feels a little dishonest. he doesn't have the words though, so he seeks out leons hands, guiding them to his chest to feel the way stahn's heart is beating. it's racing, pounding hard enough that it seems like his chest could explode. ...he may just be a little worked up right now.]

You... don't usually sit that way, Leon. [THERE. somehow, he said it.

kind of.

talking about this kind of thing is difficult.]

[He...doesn't usually sit this way?

It still takes a moment for that to sink in, even as Stahn gently grabs his hands and guides them to his chest, and...

That's Stahn's heart beating so rapidly, as though it's going to beat right out of his chest, but it isn't as though they'd been doing anything that was particularly heavy exertion-wise--]

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