realpolitik | Leon Magnus | Stahn Aileron

[It works for Leon. If he was on his own he'd probably be shivering by now, but instead he can just press himself to Stahn's side and stay warm that way. He's close enough now to just rest his cheek on Stahn's shoulder, though he doesn't move any more than that. When he tries to, his body complains a little--the exertion was new and different from his typical forms of exercise, and on top of that, he's just so intensely content right here that moving seems entirely unnecessary.

Even if there's a part of him that does want to get cleaned up, even if he's not quite as much of a mess as poor Stahn is. He just isn't fond of not being clean.

For now, though, that problem is put away, because...well, Stahn's talking, so Leon lifts his head slightly to look at him instead, and the way he speaks about it is so goofy, which means it's utterly ridiculous that it sends a flush of warmth through him, that same warmth coiling a bit in his stomach.

He's sincerely glad, though, he knows that much. That Stahn enjoyed himself as much as Leon did, that it was as pleasurable for him... that's important. It's very important, so Leon won't even prevaricate much. Instead, he just sighs and rests his head back on Stahn's shoulder.]

...Good.

[That's what really matters, and...that's all he really wanted out of this. The fact that it was that good for the both of them--doesn't that mean that even if they didn't really know what they were doing, it was a success? And that just makes him even more pleased. But he's satisfied with all of that, which means that he falls silent again after that little bit, basking in the warm feelings still lingering.]

[with his head resting on stahn's shoulder, it's a little easier for him to shift his position just slightly, pressing his lips into leon's hair and kissing the top of his head softly. it's pure affection, just an expression of warmth and love.

those words still sit somewhere on his tongue, but now more than ever, stahn knows they don't need to say them. he loves leon, he loves leon more than he ever thought he could love another person. that's why he knows he doesn't need technicalities like marriage or verbal expressions to display that. this... this is love the way it's meant to be, he's sure. when he dreamt of settling down one day...

this was the goal, wasn't it? with someone he loves purely and completely, and with someone who loves him with just the same sentiment. leon... leon is absolutely that person. there's never really been a question in his mind about that, but there's no way to deny it.

true love is the sort of thing people tell stories about, but stahn has never been so sure in his life that those stories were based on what he feels right now. it's so warm, and it makes his heart race in a different way than when they'd been in the thickest of heat. he's content to stay this way for a bit, but... well, not too long.

he may not be the sort of stickler for cleanliness that leon is, but what was warm and sticky has now been exposed to the air too long and it's just getting... well, more disgusting. so after a moment, he'll break the silence with what needs to be said.]

I want to stay like this, but... [and he sincerely does, because he loves when leon is close to him.] I think this really needs to be cleaned up now.

[he's pretty sure he doesn't have to say what "this" is.]

[This is definitely not a surprise to Leon, because Leon was thinking the same thing. This position is nice, the lingering euphoria is nice, but even Leon's feeling far too disgusting to remain like this, so he just sighs softly and slowly shifts to sit up. He runs a hand through his hair idly, blinking as he finally properly and completely comes back to himself.

It's a bit like waking up in a way, with how oddly warm and content (and cuddly, though he'll never admit it) he felt. It was something strange and different, but...well, it fit the situation if nothing else, since the situation is also strange and different.

But it's time to come back to reality, and he can accept that much. Seated upright as he is, he sweeps his eyes over Stahn, prone on the bed (eyes lingering despite himself on occasion, because they were in far too much of a rush before for him to get a good, proper eyeful, and it's a pretty picture to see Stahn sprawled out like this, even despite both their state of general disarray), before he nods quietly to himself. Stahn got the worst of it, what with him being on the bottom and helpfully lending his hand to their righteous cause of getting each other off, so it's only natural that--]

You may go first.

[Look at how generous he's being--he'll let Stahn clean himself up first in the bathroom.

(Clearly, going together at the same time has just not crossed his mind at all.)]

[stahn himself is cautious in sitting up, very noticably so in that he's trying so hard to be mindful of... well, what a mess he is. he keeps his hand close to his torso, scrunching his nose a little because... it's kind of gross.

but also because leon is making a suggestion that while a natural one, is not really satisfactory.]

Mm... [he hums, but he doesn't seem very quest to actually move. his brows furrow and for a moment, he looks pretty concentrated, like he's using all the brain power he has left to figure out what he wants right now. he's honestly concentrated enough that he misses the way leon checks him out—something he'd honestly be sad to know he missed (while also embarrassed; is that something even worth looking at? he isn't sure).]

No... [he's not accepting going first.] You should come with me.

[it's a bold statement... but stahn isn't really one to shy away from what he wants. and what he wants right now is to be close to leon. he doesn't want to be apart for even a second after that, because he's afraid that euphoric feeling my fade too soon otherwise. for the first time since this relationship started, he's telling leon exactly what he wants despite it being something that pushes boundaries; for the first time, he's being that selfish and not hesitating in fear of leon balking and rejecting him. he has no idea if that's a good move to make but...

leon said he doesn't always have to hold back... he's hoping that means at times like this, that holds true.]

[Well.

It certainly is a bold statement, and despite himself, Leon's eyebrows crawl up towards his hairline. He had told Stahn to stop holding back, it was true--but in a lot of ways, it's still surprising for him to hear it coming from Stahn.

He likes it though.

Because... for all that Leon's adjusting to this "being in a relationship" thing, as much as he adjusts to affection and care, there are still a lot of times when he wants that sort of thing and doesn't know what Stahn would like or even how to ask for it. So Stahn stating flat out what he wants legitimately makes it so much simpler.

Besides, it really is logical. They can both get clean this way, so Leon doesn't really hesitate to dip his head in a nod. He may have been embarrassed by the thought before, but after all that? Being naked together in the bath really doesn't seem like a big deal.

Instead, he shifts to get off the bed, stretching as he goes with a brief sigh as some muscles that he's not used to using protest.]

Fine then. I'll go draw the bath.

[Wow, that was easy!

Since there is no way in hell he's calling any of the staff in here, and Stahn's still a disgusting mess--so instead Leon's just going to wander his way over to the bathroom entirely naked. It's fine.]

[oh.

for a moment, stahn is going to remain where he is, for two reasons.

the first is that he's a bit dumbfounded by how easy that was. leon was always so prone to putting up a fuss about things that he didn't expect no argument at all. it's... surprising, in the best possible way.

the second reason is that...well, why would he get up yet? why would he do that when he can watch leon walk towards the bathroom? he's completely bare and it's... a sight. there's something different about seeing leon's back getting further away when it's like this.

he needs a second to catch his breath before he finally pushes himself carefully off the bed. his knees still feel a bit weak from everything that happened, but he presses forward, making his way into the bathroom. before anything else, he's still rinsing away the worst of the mess so they're not bathing in... themselves...

but once he's done that, stahn will encroach on leon's space a bit, leaning over to hug him from behind while they wait for the bath to fill.]

[There's something incredibly intimate about Stahn wrapping his arms around him like this. It's not an entirely unfamiliar position; Stahn has held him like this before. But naked as they both are, Stahn pressed against him means there's nothing to hide and nothing to hold back.

There's everything to feel instead.

He doesn't tense, but his breath does shudder as he breathes out a slow, long breath. Having Stahn pressed against him like this after everything they just did...it's just another warm step in their relationship, so gentle and warm. It keeps him physically warm as well, because now that he's up and about, it's definitely a bit chilly to even as the sweat dries for Leon.

But Stahn, as ever, keeps him warm.

And that's more than enough.

After a brief pause, Leon gently reaches a hand up to rest it lightly on Stahn's arm. He'll accept that warmth, he'll accept that grasp, and he'll just gently lean into it, sighing softly as the bath fills.

This...is fine.]

[it's so warm, and intimate in ways that stahn himself never really anticipated. the sort of huge he's given leon so many times before feels completely different when they're both so bare and exposed, but all the same... it feels comfortable and it feels right.

he doesn't feel exposed so much as he feels completely comfortable in ways he never expected to be able to. it's different than the kind of horsing around at the hotsprings, with towel-pulling and guys just being guys with no real care for the exposure; this is intimate and full of love. it's knowing that from the way leon leans into him and touches his arm that he's completely comfortable and not just trying to appease stahn. it's the knowing that they've opened up doors tonight that won't be closed again.

it's the knowing that as much as he's known for a while that he loves leon, and that leon loves him, they took a step forward that there won't be any turning back from—not that he'd even want to, of course.]

You know... [he speaks softly, hugging a big closer and resting his cheek against leon's head.] I'm really happy this way.

[even though that much is probably obvious, he still wants to say it. he still wants leon to know how far his happiness runs right now.]

[Leon is really happy this way too. It's clear, even in just the way here leans back against Stahn's chest. They're completely naked and pressed together, but there's no tension to it.

Not like the sort of tension that they've been suffering from lately. He hadn't realized how long it had been there, lingering, until finally it's gone, and it's like he can breathe again.

He's content with it, now. He's pleased that finally, they did what needed to be done.

So Leon sighs softly and leans up, shifting just enough to press his lips to Stahn's jaw before he properly pulls away finally to turn off the water.

It seems good now, and honestly, as comfortable as that position was, Leon wants to be clean.

But he'll let stahn go first, arching an eyebrow at him and nodding towards the water.]

I'm content with this as well, but I would be more so if we were clean.

[Leon will be Leon after all.]

[stahn wants to be clean too, but he also really doesn't want to let go of leon, either.

so even as he steps into the comfortable warmth of the bathtub, he's not actually letting go completely. his hand will trace leon's arm as he passes, lightly holding onto his hand even as he sits in the tub. stahn shifts his position slightly, sitting with his legs apart and knees pulls up; it exposes them, but it also gives leon room to sit in the tub in a position where stahn can stay as close to him as possible.

it wouldn't be the first time stahn's taken a bath with someone else; he and lilith used to when they were very little, and he'd do the same with thomas at a young age—but this is decidedly different. even if the actions of getting clean and helping to watch the other other are more or less the same as bathing tends to go... this is warmer, more adult, and more intimate. there's nothing inherently sexual about it since that tension has finally escaped them, but there isn't any denying the fact that there are certain sentiments that linger.]

Mm... we'll get cleaned up and then we can get in bed afterwards. [but they'll probably linger here for a bit, stahn doesn't really have any intention of making this a strictly functional bath. the more time he has to be close to leon? the better, absolutely.]

[It makes his skin shiver under Stahn's touch, even as he gently slides his hands along Leon's arms and down to his hands. And admittedly, there's something about being invited into a bath with another person that is just a level of intimacy and trust that Leon's never practiced before. He's vulnerable and naked, but he's willing to be that way with Stahn as he gently holds his hands.

And even if a lot of that sexual tension has dissipated, Leon still can't help the way that he swallows when Stahn spreads his legs and creates that space for Leon--it's still an opportunity for Leon to finally really get to see all of Stahn, and...

Well, he's a healthy teenage boy. He likes what he sees, and every time he gets a good eyeful, he's reminded all over again. Stahn's an incredibly handsome person, but the fact that Leon loves him so much means that it just has even more of an impact on him. But he doesn't linger there for too long; he catches himself doing it, and shifts instead to get into the bath as well, taking a seat and shifting into that spot Stahn made for him, slowly and tentatively leaning against Stahn's chest.

It's...pleasant, though, very pleasant, between the warm water and Stahn sitting behind him, though Leon's still not entirely relaxed; it's hard, when this is something completely and totally new. But he's trying to roll with it.]

[it doesn't really take much for stahn to realize just what leon is staring at...

which is by no means a bad thing, but being so exposed in this way where leon can really see all of him is a little embarrassing, which is just why stahn averts his gaze and dips his head slightly to try and mask the way his cheeks are flushing. it's obvious that leon doesn't disapprove, and maybe he should embrace that part.

not that there's really much time to think about it.

it's only seconds before leon is making use of the space made for him; he feels the rise of the water and the way leon leans against him a bit, and he can only initially be relieved that leon doesn't have to see his embarrassed expression for the moment.

but he'll ease into things, able to sense the leon is a bit tense and unsure. slowly, he wraps his warms around leon's torso, hugging him gently. he'll shift lightly to rest his head against leon's.]

You can tell me if you're uncomfortable. [because he can tell leon isn't quite relaxed, and he wants that to not be the case—he wants it to be enjoyable and relaxing for them both.]

[Stahn's obviously made a little uncomfortable by the staring, which was never Leon's intent--but it's not really that surprising either, and he feels almost a little sheepish about it. He hadn't meant to embarrass him, after all.

Instead, he just focuses on trying to relax in the bath. It's strange that this is what makes him tense of all of the things they've just done, but on the other hand...this is the sort of intimacy that he can't fake or pretend. As soon as they got in deep before, their bodies took over for them, but here? He's got no guide, and he's not really sure what he's doing here.

But Stahn gently wraps his arms around him, and when Leon rests back against him he can hear his heartbeat, slow and steady, and even though this is the first time in Leon's entire life that he's ever been so gently intimate with someone in such a loving way... it still settles him a little to be so close to Stahn, as it always does. That's come to symbolize safety and warmth for him in so many ways, after all.

Slowly, by small degrees, he begins to relax a little more. Besides...the water is nice.]

It...isn't that.

[He is uncomfortable, a little bit, but it's not Stahn's fault. This is just...entirely new to him.]

I'm fine. [A slow breath in, and he slowly lets his shoulders slump back against Stahn more.] ... This is fine.

[And...it really is, isn't it? When he lets himself relax and just enjoy it...it really is nice.]

[when leon starts to relax, it's easy for stahn to notice just from their close proximity. and it's fine, because when leon speaks and states that he's fine...

he believes it.

he doesn't have any reason to believe that leon would lie to him or try to assure him that he was okay when he's not. if he really wasn't okay with things, he would tense more, or be in refusal to comply.

si instead, stahn just remains as he is, with arms gently hugging leon to him. after a moment, he'll dip his head to rest his chin on leon's shoulder.]

We can clean up in a bit. [since they may as well wash up properly if they're here, right? but stahn breathes out quietly, gaze hooded and watching the small ripples that form in the water. he can see more, of course, but it's not entirely his focus.] I want to stay like this a little longer.

[embracing leon so warmly, so intimately—there's something about it that sets his heart at ease while filling him with so much warmth. there's... so much love, enough that he doesn't know how to contain it all, and it's just spilling into his words and general sentiment right now.]

[Leon's not really oblivious to the fact that Stahn can see everything from that position with his chin on his shoulder--and it's something that is a lot more difficult to ignore than when they were already in the midst of their overwhelming passions.

He tries not to think about it--instead, he tilts his head slightly to press his lips to Stahn's cheek, because as ever, Stahn is trying so hard to make sure that Leon's comfortable.

And he does want to get cleaned up, but...staying like this for a little longer isn't so terrible either.

Still, he doesn't like not having anything to do with his hands, and after a moment it strikes him that Stahn's hair is even more of a mess than usual with their previous activities--so he lifts a head to start to thread his fingers through said hair, pulling it back from both of their faces and tidying it. And as he does so, he sighs a response.]

You do not have to be so sentimental.

[Leon says, as he's sentimental.]

[the feeling of leon's fingers in his hair feels as nice as it ever does—and that following a gentle kiss warms stahn even more.]

...There's nothing wrong with it, you know. [he knows that his feelings are spilling out a bit more than they normally would, but it's hard for stahn to help. he feels pretty strongly about everything, and what happened tonight it a huge part of it.

he can't really contain his love for leon, not after what they did, not when they're in this position now, and not when leon himself is being so gentle and kind with his touch. he shifts just slightly to kiss leon's shoulder anyway—

yes, it's defiance for being told to not be sentimental—

and then rests his chin in that position again, closing his eyes.]

It's warm. [not the bath water. the situation. everything about the situation is just so warm and so loving that stahn doesn't know what to do with it all.]

[... Leon makes a vaguely amused noise at that, Stahn's lips at his shoulder sending the faintest of shivers through him before he settles back properly against Stahn's chest again. It is warm, he isn't wrong about that.

But seriously, is this the sort of Stahn he gets when he tells him to stop holding back? Defiance and certainty and demands?

(He likes it.)]

Honestly. You are impossible.

[But in the best of ways, and Leon's focused completely and totally on his task, moving sweaty strands of hair back from Stahn's face and neatening his mane, running his nails ever-so-lightly along his scalp as he works.

It's warm, and this is pleasant, and Leon's never been good at just sitting--so this gives him something to do with his hands.]

... And did not I say there was anything wrong with it.

[it's stahn's turn to get those slight shivers, because the feeling of leon's hands in his hair is always good; but when it's like this, with the water and the feeling of nails against his scalp is exciting... but it's warm and gentle all the same.

leon is careful and considerate in his motions, helping him in such a way that it's hard not to let out a quiet chuckle at the contradictory words.]

...Then don't say it like it's a problem. [he says, and naturally, there's a pout that comes along with it. not that it stops him from leaning his head into leon's hands, or that he's shifting just slightly to better accommodate his actions.

stahn doesn't want to stop hugging leon, but... it doesn't necessarily feel like enough. not that he lets go yet, he's still undecided on what to do next, though... maybe he could help leon better clean up?

yeah, this is definitely new and now that they're here, he's not exactly sure what to do either... though he's definitely still happy for this newfound intimacy.]

Do not make that face.

[That's the immediate response, even as Leon scoffs gently--after everything they've just been through, he doesn't want to see anything resembling a pout on Stahn's face, even if it is just a playful expression.

So he shifts as well, tilting his head up to press his lips to Stahn's firmly, entirely intending to wipe that expression right off of his face. This is problem solving.

But in order to best have a proper angle in order to do so, Leon does have to shift his position, turning so that he's facing Stahn instead of away. He can't lean against his chest like this, and like this there's also no way to deny that they're able to see each and every part of each other, completely exposed and naked--but this way it's also possible for Leon to scoot forward, tucking his legs beneath Stahn's, and sliding a wet hand to the back of his neck to hold him close for that kiss.

He doesn't know what he's doing here either, of course--but he just feels like this way, he can better face Stahn as they do figure it out.]

[oh.

somehow, it's all the more a bit embarrassing when leon is facing him this way, but he barely has time to show that he's embarrassed by it before he feels a wet hand on his neck and a kiss to his lips.

it's nearly impossible not to melt into that kiss, when it's strangely assuring that he's trying to keep a certain mood to their bath. but... well, it's a little exciting. it's exciting and it probably shouldn't be after all that's happened—but it's hard not to. not when they're both unclothed, exposed, and so intimately close. not after everything else that's happened...

the position they sit in isn't held for long, not before stahn shifts his own legs to wrap them around leon's body, forcing them a bit closer. which... well, it's probably a bit of a tease when he breaks the kiss and tries to assert...

well, distracting from the fact that he's getting excited again. so he'll lift a hand to run it through leon's hair, in turn getting it a bit wet—at least he's smiling again, though, pink as his cheeks may be.]

I guess... we should clean up at least a little.

[Oh.

Leon can't help the way his pulse speeds up when Stahn's legs wrap around him, drawing him even closer, and Leon's breath catches when the kiss is broken, because they're so close now, it'd just be a matter of pressing forward just a little bit more and it would be like before, and Leon can't deny that there's appeal to that thought, a great deal of it really, enough so that it gets him to lick his lips almost subconsciously--

And then Stahn decides to be the biggest tease after all, and Leon blinks up at him, a little bemused, even as water drips down his face from the wetness Stahn went ahead and added to his hair. Stahn's not wrong, of course. They drew a bath to clean up together, and Leon...can't even really think of the logistics involved in doing what they'd been clearly contemplating doing in a bath.

It'd been complicated enough on the bed.

So he sighs softly (and undeniably a little regretfully), but all he does otherwise is nod simply, because Stahn is right.]

Of course. It will get cold if we linger in here too long.

[They need to...get clean!!!! ...Which Leon supposes means he should look for the soap instead, of contemplating how close he and Stahn are again.]

[it's a thought that appeals to them both, so even as leon is agreeing with the sentiment aloud, stahn can see that he's none too pleased with it.

and maybe stahn was hoping a little that leon wouldn't agree so easily. maybe he'd been hoping that leon would throw rhyme and reason out the window for the sake of a good time. he shudders out a quiet breath, closing his eyes—it's almost like he's trying pretty desperately to push anything out of his mind that will further excite him.

a hard task to accomplish when leon is close to him like this.]

Mm... we... don't have to rush anything. [he's trying to remind himself of this more than he is leon.

either way, getting the soap is good—there are still things they can do, things that aren't inherently sexual in nature.

but it doesn't stop stahn from at least kissing leon's lips lightly.]

Sorry... It's a little hard to hold back sometimes. [he's been holding back for so long that it's like the dam breaking with how far they've gone tonight, after all.]

[Admittedly Leon's not entirely sure why they're both torturing themselves like this. If they both want it... what's stopping them? The thought crosses his mind, and he's slow to respond to Stahn because of it, eyes sliding over Stahn thoughtfully as he considers it.

On the other hand....he wasn't lying about the water getting cold, and he's still not entirely sure how that would work in the bathtub. Obviously they couldn't properly lay down here, and obviously there'd have to be some awkward maneuvering....

Leon's thinking about it a little too hard, so the pause lingers until Stahn kisses him, and then he snaps back to himself, blinking. Ah. Right. A problem for another day.

He shakes himself then, nodding simply. He understands, that's for sure. Now that they've opened that door, it's a lot harder to hold back, but....... even as he grabs the soap, he just clears his throat, somewhat embarrassed.]

Yes, well... it is not as though today has to be the end of our experiences in--in this.

[There's always tomorrow, isn't there?

He'd like for there to be more of this tomorrow, he thinks.]

Right. Anytime we want... we can.

[he's sheepish to admit it too, though. it's still definitely a bit difficult to speak about it so directly. even though they've now been some form of intimate, even though they've touched in the most personal of ways... it's hard to speak it aloud.

this is probably one of the first times it's easier to see that stahn's ears are as flushed as his cheeks—he can always feel it, but his hair does well to mask it, generally.]

I... I don't want to hold back too much with you. [which is to say that he wants more of leon. that he's wanted more of leon for a while...

it's a strange thing for stahn to admit, when he's always the one pegged as oblivious to these things. to others, it probably even seemed strange that he thinks of them at all—but stahn is normal and healthy, he has wants and needs too.

it just so happens that all of his needs are leon, and he's been really patient in waiting for them to both be completely ready.]

[It's cute..... It's cute how Stahn goes red, it's cute how he stammers and speaks like this about all of this--it's all cute. And much like usual, when Stahn's unsure and still trying to get his bearings, Leon's a bit more confident.

Still, Leon doesn't want to be too provocative in this case. They've both decided that they're going to clean up and call it good for the evening, but Leon also doesn't think that this opportunity where they're in the bath together should be squandered either.

So it's his turn to lean forward, pressing his lips to Stahn's carefully, making an earnest attempt to keep everything completely chaste, and then he settles back, reaching for the shampoo. He can help. He can keep them on track. And tomorrow...they can try something new, maybe, or do what they did before--that would be fine too.]

Then don't. [It's a simple answer, even as he reaches out to slowly start to lather the shampoo into Stahn's hair. This...allows him to still be close and intimate with Stahn while still keeping it tame, and it has the bonus of letting him bury his fingers in Stahn's hair at the same time.

Where's the problem there?]

If there is a problem, I will stop you. [If there's something he doesn't want, or doesn't like, he'll make it very plainly clear. Leon keeps his eyes and his focus on Stahn's hair, and his words are entirely calm.]

So if you do not want to hold back with me...then don't.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject