realpolitik | Leon Magnus | Stahn Aileron

[That's the excuse Stahn's going with... he doesn't want Leon to catch a chill? Really? Leon has to fight even harder to keep the smile off his face at that, because it's just...it's honestly ridiculous. Sure, the bath water is starting to cool, but not so much that Leon's in danger of catching cold. How delicate does Stahn think he is?

Still... he'll go ahead and call that bluff, standing.]

Very well then. I suppose that's a sign that it is time to get out now.

[WHICH HE'LL DO.... just putting even more distance between him and Stahn at this point as he reaches for a towel.]

Ah—

[leon gets up so quickly and soon he's just out of reach... and it feels kind of strange. even if the intimacy isn't really gone from the room, leon feels a lot further away when it's like this.

and he doesn't want that.

so stahn is practically leaping to stand—in turn splashing the water and getting water everywhere just from the movement of his hair as he does so... which is somehow even more embarrassing. a smooth operator, stahn definitely is not, and even though he tries to be the more stable force between them because he's generally better at expressing himself... well...

he's definitely still an awkward teenager in love, and he's definitely still not-so-good at some things in this situation.

which is why he's standing in shin-deep bathwater, fully naked and exposed, dripping wet and...? yeah, that was a rash action with no real conclusion.

good job, stahn.]

[... Stahn is a bit of an embarrassment, but it's endearing--and Leon will take pity on him. He reaches for a second towel, and holds it out towards Stahn, but not too far from himself either.

Come join him then, they'll dry off and be warmer and cleaner and altogether far more satisfied.

And...well, the mood is already pretty good, so Leon has no complaints to be made, even as he wraps his own towel around himself after he towels his hair dryer.]

Ah... th...

Thanks. [he fumbles on his words as he's realizing how stupid he looks standing there like that. he'll take the towel as he steps out of the bath, first leaning over to drain the water from the tub (leon gets a nice extra show of ass this time) before he stands and starts to attempt to towel off his hair.

there's no point in doing this the other way around, though he probably still looks just as dumb rapidly trying to dry so much hair with his towel while the rest of him is exposed.

but hey, at least he's not shying away from that much, right?]

[Poor Stahn...so embarrassed now, and Leon only gets more and more comfortable. It helps, of course, that his hair is much easier to dry, and that he's able to wrap the towel around himself pretty promptly; he watches Stahn struggle for a bit before he pulls at the towel gently.]

Wrap that one around yourself. I will get you another for your hair.

[SO MUCH HAIR... how does Stahn handle it.

Either way, Leon's gotten an eyeful of Stahn, and as much as he appreciates all of it, he's more interested in making sure Stahn feels comfortable right now.]

[yeah, for once... it's stahn who is embarrassed beyond belief, so he just nods as he wraps the towel around his waist and lets out a quiet sigh.

he's not used to being the one who fumbles so much or so easily gets embarrassed; apparently... even stahn has things he's a little self-conscious about, and in this case, it's being so exposed in front of the person he loves most. while in the heat of the moment, and even with the bathwater partially covering them, it didn't seem to matter all that much...

but stahn is still a kind of sheltered kid that isn't used to this brand of intimacy either. even if he's okay with leon seeing all of him, doing so after a bath, standing there feeling a bit unsure and exposed embarrassed him a lot.

especially in conjunction with just not wanting to be even a foot too far away from leon on a night like this.

at least he looks a little more relaxed this way, even if still embarrassed it ended up this way at all.]

Sorry... I guess it's a little too much for me too right now. [it's been an emotionally overwhelming night, even if it's in the best way possible.

he's... in love.

he's disgustingly in love and it's hard to contain all of that while also wanting to put his best face forward to make that person he loves proud and comfortable too.]

[It really is cute. Of all the things, out of everything they've done tonight, this is what embarrasses Stahn. It's really something, but... Leon just grabs another towel, shaking his head. He won't tease him for it or make fun of him for it--he has no interest in making Stahn feel any worse about himself.

He's just...glad to be able to help even a little to maybe settle Stahn.

And maybe he's also a little glad to know that they're both in the same boat here about a lot of things. They both get embarrassed, they're both new to a lot of things, and they're both figuring it out. And just as Stahn is always trying to look out for Leon, Leon will do his best for Stahn as well.

Quietly, he uses the second towel to start rubbing at Stahn's hair, drying it.]

... There's no need to push yourself either. I said not to hold back, but you do not have to pretend to be comfortable with something you are not, either.

[Leon would be perfectly willing to put clothes on from here and go back to sleeping how they typically do, if that would make Stahn more comfortable.]

No... it's not that.

[stahn's quick to clarify, doing so as he dips his head a bit to make it easier for leon to dry his hair (which feels good. this is good. more of this, please.), but he sighs quietly as he tries to find the right words.]

I was okay before, but then you got up so quickly and I—

[yeah. this is still embarrassing and new so he sounds a bit sheepish as he makes this admission.] I didn't want to be too far away...

[it sounds stupid out loud, and stahn is wincing a bit because even hearing himself say that is embarrassing.] Heh... Then I was just standing out there with everything...

[which is to say it was being exposed after being so embarrassed at how desperately he wanted to stay close to leon that compounded everything. stahn wants to be honest about this though, because tonight... leon was so honest with him and it brought them to amazing places. the least he can do in return is be honest.]

I guess it was just a lot at once...

[He supposes that really would've been a lot at once. He doesn't feel bad for getting out of the bath so quickly, but he hadn't wanted to set off this chain of events either, and at first all Leon does is make an acknowledging noise as he dries Stahn's hair off.

His eagerness for Leon is endearing, isn't it? Not that Leon doesn't get it, really; tonight of all nights, being away from Stahn for even a moment feels like a moment too soon. It must be even worse for Stahn, who has been waiting so long for this and who has been holding back so much simply for this cause.

Finally, Leon just wraps Stahn's hair up in the towel rather neatly--it's still a bit damp, but he's done what he can in terms of drying it--and then gently lifts his chin with a hand so he can press their lips together gently but certainly.

It's okay. He's not going to make fun of it, or think it's strange, or laugh about it.

He understands. And when he pulls back, his tone is still rather simple and almost gentle.]

There's no need to concern yourself with it. [He understands.] ...Come on. Let's get clothed and into bed. We've lallygagged here for long enough.

[He'll just try to usher it along so they don't dwell on Stahn's embarrassment.]

[there's something incredibly warm and considering about leon's every action right now—from his efforts to understand what stahn is feeling, to the way he cares for the mop of hair, his gentle and confident kisses and straight through to the way he addresses the situation. he's not laughing or condescending, he's not balking or acting as if getting a bit embarrassed is a bad thing.

leon just... understands. and he's doing his best to try and make stahn feel comfortable.

it's important. it's really important, because leon is being so gentle and kind, even if his words are the same as they ever are, the sentiment behind them is much sweeter.

and that's why stahn can't help himself; even though leon's already suggested what they should do—and what needs doing—he's pulling leon into a very sudden hug. all that's separating them is their towels, but it doesn't matter. the feelings of love that accompany this are strong, because leon being this considerate, this warm, this loving without any question or hesitation is a bit new-feeling, and he needs to embrace it.]

Yeah... I'd like that. [he's agreeing, despite the fact that he hasn't let go yet. he wants to be close to leon, he wants to stay in some kind of embrace, and if that means getting in bed properly, it's fine. once he pulls away, of course.]

[the hug startles him enough that he doesn't have even a moment to struggle or resist; he's pulled straight forward into Stahn's embrace, still slightly warm and damp from the bath.

It's hard to really be annoyed, of course, but he just blinks. Oh.....well then. Maybe he can assume that...he did something right?

That wouldn't be bad at all.

Quietly, Leon relaxes into the hug, and though his words are chiding, it's gently so, without any bite to be found.]

Enough of this. We will be more comfortable out of this small room, and it is not as though we will be apart for long.

[they've been sleeping together far longer than these new experiences after all. It's nothing new to sleep close and tucked together.]

Mm, right.

[he feels a lot more at ease, if nothing else—it's definitely clear that what leon's been saying and doing has helped to assuage stahn's insecurities a little bit. he'll press a light kiss to the top of leon's head, clearly not minding his still-damp hair before he finally pulls back.]

Right... you're right. [he lets out a small breath, and it's pretty clear that leon has done a pretty good job of easing that embarrassment that seemed to crop up in the wake of their bath. only leon could do that—only leon could so easily say a few simple things and take the most basic of actions and completely put stahn's heart at ease. he'll reach for leon's hand, intertwining their fingers so he can lead them out of the bathroom and back into the bedroom so they can get into their pajamas. but first...]

...Thank you, Emilio. [because he helped a lot, and he eased an uncomfortable situation so swiftly without ever once making stahn feel stupid for how he felt.]

[At the very least, it seems like he helped. Leon was able to help Stahn settle himself, and that's what's most important right now. As usual, when Stahn is uncertain, Leon is moreso--

And then Stahn says that. Leon was already turning to go into the room to grab clothing to wear to bed when it reaches his ears.

And there's nothing strange about it. Stahn has gotten more in the habit of calling him Emilio in private, when he's happy with him or when he's touched by something he's doing. Leon has gotten somewhat used to that by now.

But Stahn saying that name so warmly brings to mind only one thing, and that's the way Stahn had sounded when he'd said that name beneath Leon, warmly and hhoarsely and more than a little obscenely and Leon turns away even more sharply, but he really can't hide how intensely he's blushing.

He clears his throat and strives to sound normal, but he still sounds a little strangled.]

...yes. Naturally. Of course.

[that was about three responses too many.]

—Emilio?

[stahn repeats the name, turning to look at leon from where he stands. he's making his attempt to grab his own clothing (or... a pair of pants, at least), but the choked way in which leon responds feels... a bit out of place compared to their conversations from inside the bathroom.

stahn himself feels a bit more at ease, not wanting to dwell on his own insecurity. leon was okay with this, and he did everything he could to assure stahn—and that was enough. he trusts leon so wholly that the notion that he isn't judging stahn assures him there's nothing to be judged over. this is new to them both, and they'll find ways to feel out situations and grow more comfortable together.

but now leon is turned away, and his tone sounds like... he's struggling? so naturally, stahn needs to question it, albeit if only by way of gently and curiously stating his name. he probably won't make things any better either if leon is to turn his head at all—

because stahn is absolutely dropping his towel to the floor now so he can put on pants. leon tried to hard to make him feel better, and leon's already seen it all already anyway... so there's no reason to turn away or shy away from it. he wants to get more comfortable being exposed to leon, because he knows the first time won't be the last.

and he wants to be better. he wants to do better, so even if the idea of leon getting the full view is still a little embarrassing, he'll work harder to overcome it, because if there's anyone in the world he wants to be that comfortable with? it's leon. it's always leon, and it's always going to be leon.]

[There's no doubt that it's the name. It's a reaction to the name 100%, because even if it's said more lightly now, with a little bit of concern and in general a lot lighter of an atmosphere, Leon can't dissociate it from Stahn choking it out beneath him in bed, and it's just--

It's too much.

He can feel the warmth radiating from his face, so he keeps his face determinedly away from Stahn, frantically trying to gather his composure and honestly incapable of doing so. He needs to get changed too, but instead he's standing there dripping in the middle of the room, tense, but not in a bad way. Rather--it makes him shudder to remember, makes a thrill go through his body and he has to lick dry lips as he remembers.

And then he shakes himself quickly, stepping towards the closet. He... needs to put on clothes.

... He needs to also respond to Stahn, he realizes, which means he has to clear his dry throat as well again, before he finally manages--]

What is it?

[but he is still very much not facing Stahn, because if he does, his embarassment will be all too clear.

(Is it normal? Is it normal to want to hear Stahn say his name in that tone again? Would he be able to make him do so, the next time to do this? All he feels when he thinks that is... anticipation.)]

...Is everything okay?

[leon suddenly seems so tense, and it feels almost too deliberate the way he falls quiet and doesn't even look at him while responding.

funnily enough, it also means the thought of actually putting his pants on leaves his head—as ever, stahn cares a lot more about leon than about his own comfort, so even if he's a little chilly from being exposed while still a bit damp from the bath... leon is more important. it's still impossible for him to know what leon is thinking.

he can't know that there are things like being thrilled or anticipating another encounter, he can't know that leon is somehow embarrassed over what happened earlier, and he can't know whether or not he's thinking of certain things. all he knows is that leon seems to be almost avoiding him in a really sudden way...

and it's kind of disconcerting.

is he... regretting something?

stahn won't get too far ahead of himself, but he's still standing there with a concerned look on his face in the meanwhile anyway.]

[The note of concern isn't going away. In fact,i t just sounds worse, and Leon grimaces to himself before he takes a deep breath to try to regain his composure and turns to Stahn.]

I'm fine--

[He doesn't get it all the way out before he's turned completely, though, and then there Stahn is, still naked, and Leon can't help the way he gets an eyeful of that, just as he can't help the fact that with the thoughts in his head that he's been having still close in his mind, the first thought that crosses his mind here is if he could get Stahn back on the bed, if he could dig his fingers into his hair and press their lips together and--

No. Wait. Not now, this isn't the time for this. Leon blinks, clearing his throat a little awkwardly, and still somewhat red.]

...Put your clothing on. You'll catch a cold, and that will be troublesome for all of us.

[As if Leon has room to talk, but at least he hasn't removed his towel yet.]

[well, at least leon is responding now... and looking at him. of course, he has no idea that leon is thinking about the ways they could start a second round of excitement—and with leon still toweled, it's not the first things coming to his own mind, either.

sometimes maybe stahn is just a little too pure, even if he took a lot of initiative tonight.

he seems leon's cheeks are still flushed, and he wonders what the reason why is—until leon speaks and stahn's forced to realize that he's standing there still completely exposed. ...which in turn, makes his cheeks flush a bright shade of pink.]

A—Ah! Right! Sorry, ahaha...

[awkward as ever, and he practically trips over his own feet trying to get his pants on and up.

what a mess. he's such a mess.]

[SO AWKWARD. SUCH A MESS. Not that Leon is much better--as soon as Stahn starts to hastily put on his pants, Leon turns back away, trying to calm his teenage boy hormones and also just calm his emotions down in general. He also needs to get changed, so he's quick to reach for his own pants, only dropping his towel when he has them up, because he's a bit better at this than Stahn "country bumpkin" Aileron.

When he is more properly dressed, though, pulling on his shirt, he finally turns back to look at Stahn, a bit calmer and more in control now, expression placid and less panicked and flustered.]

There. [That's better.

............]

I suppose it is late enough to sleep now.

[BED........ is for sleeping yes, of course.]

[well, now they're both mostly dressed—stahn is still without a shirt, but judging by the way he makes his way over to the bed, it doesn't seem like he has any intention of putting one on, either.]

Ye, yeah... I guess time really got away from us tonight. [considering all that really happened was an awkward conversation when leon got home that spiraled into their first truly intimate experience...

but it's pretty easy to lose track of time that way, and if leon is feeling things as much as stahn is, then the excitement has probably tired him out a bit. stahn will make the effort to properly pull back the covers (the bed may be kind of a sloppy mess instead of totally neatly made after their endeavors, but the sheets are largely in place) and motion for leon to come on over.]

I think we can lay a little bit before we call it for the night though, right? [which is an indirect way of saying that he just wants to hold leon for a little bit before they actually go to sleep.]

[It sure did...and he sure is feeling it now. They're both very fit and in shape, but even so, that sort of new exertion in such a brief and quick period of time has to tell on even them; Leon's not going to hesitate to trail after Stahn, crawling onto the bed as well. Resting sounds like an A+ plan to him, honestly.

And once he's on the bed, well......being horizontal also sounds excellent, so Leon's not going to hesitate to do that, settling onto the bed with a thump that's slightly less than his typical elegance.

Okay no it's quite a bit less than his typical elegance.

Don't judge. He's tired and a tad bit overwhelmed.]

... Fine.

[Look, if Stahn wants to cuddle, Leon's not going to say yes, but he's also definitely not going to say no.]

[it's a good thing that stahn knows perfectly well that that the fact he doesn't say know counts just fine as consent.

so stahn will get himself into a comfortable position, draping an arm over leon's body before scooting closer to ensure there's very little in the way of gap between them.]

If it's uncomfortable... just let me know. [he says quietly; even if he doesn't really want to let go of leon at all right now, he still always leaves the freedom open for him. stahn can't help it, even on the heels of his own incredible discomfort, he puts the way leon feels about things first. if he's tired and uncomfortable and just wants space, stahn is willing to give that to him too.

as long as leon is happy.

even if stahn would like nothing more than to keep leon in a cozy hug and stay that way until the morning.]

Hmph.

[That's...literally the only response Stahn gets to that, even as Leon turns to face him, tucks his head down a little and uses Stahn's shoulder as a pillow. He's gotten used to sleeping in the same bed as Stahn, and even to being this close to Stahn when they're getting ready to sleep; the fact that they've taken another step in how intimate their relationship can be has certainly not harmed that comfort in the least.

He's grateful as ever that Stahn is so careful about his comfort and his boundaries, even now--the problem is that...well, Leon's not sure that he really has many left at this point, not after Stahn's been carefully knocking them down bit by bit.

But also, that's too embarrassing to say so he doesn't bother; he just firmly closes his eyes and settles himself there, close to Stahn and comfortable.]

[it's a fine enough response, and it makes it a lot easier for stahn to find the most comfortable position for them both, keeping leon close to him.

it's nice and it's warm; there's something so comfortable about it, especially when he can feel leon's body relaxed against his exposed skin. he loves this. he loves this so much because even with the moments of being unsure up until now...

every feeling, even. whether it was excitement and arousal, being scandalized, nervous or sheepish... somehow, when leon is in his arms this way, stahn feels warm and safe. he feels loved, and he feels like he can give so much love as well. there's something about it all that's so important, because even though they've done this for so many nights, it's different. tonight, it's really different because of everything else that happened.

he feels like he's overflowing. and that's why after a couple of minutes, he draws in a breath as if he's about to say something...

...and then ultimately, says nothing.

because what he wants to say has been sitting on his tongue all night (and maybe even longer than that), but he knows that saying it wouldn't be the right thing to do here and now.]

[Even with his eyes closed, Leon doesn't miss that Stahn was about to say something. He draws in a breath as if to speak, and with his head resting on Stahn's shoulder, Leon absolutely feels it.

But he doesn't say anything.

Leon wonders what he was going to say.

There are words in the silence, of course, but Leon can't quite parse them; he's not that capable, or maybe he's just not ready to. But he knows...whatever Stahn isn't saying? It's weighty, and it's big, and so instead of pushing him, Leon selfishly just...wants to hold onto this moment for just a bit longer. While their bodies are still satisfied and pliant and tiredly pleased, while he's close to Stahn and they're both warm and tucked into bed... this moment is important, and he wants it seared into his brain, and he doesn't want anything to interrupt it.

So he lifts his head to gently but firmly press his lips to Stahn's.

Another time, he can say what he was going to say.

Right now? Leon wants to preserve just this.]

Leon Magnus | Stahn Aileron | 071

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