quatre: they will put away the sword

[untamedantinous]

There are a number of kitchens to be found in the mansion, as most people know. Enjolras is in one of them, flour speckling his flannel shirt and black jeans. There is a recipe book open on the counter near him, open to a page on baguettes. The young man in question is currently absorbed in kneading some dough: once again, something new to concentrate on. (Yes, he had known that Combeferre and Courfeyrac were only here for a day, but that does not really make it much better.) So, inspired by Laertes -- and, perhaps, the underwhelming boeuf bourguignon the mansion had provided the other day -- he is attempting a French classic. Perhaps a homemade baguette will taste better than mansion-provided food.

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[timebethine]

"And thou hast made a good start on dancing," says Laertes, grinning. "Not a single missed step, and thou wert talking all the while."

[untamedantinous]

“You distracted me,” fondly. “I suppose I am not as rusty as I thought; my mother would be proud.”

[timebethine]

"Would she be proud to see thee dancing with me?"

[untamedantinous]

“Oh, likely not,” with a laugh. “She would be confused, I think, mostly. I do think she would like you though.”

[timebethine]

"I'm glad." The music has trailed off without his notice, and now there's only the easy sweep of the dance, the joy of matching each other step for step. "Wilt thou dance with me, when the time comes? I would like to have thee in mine arms, and have all of my friends see how I care for thee."

[untamedantinous]

“Of course, if you do not mind me potentially making a fool of myself.” He is, in fact, moving with much more grace now that he is distracted. It’s not perfect by any means, but it will do. “I am sorry we have not seen each other much as of late; I was wrapped up in the café.”

[timebethine]

"I'm glad thou wert. It makes me happy to see thee flush with purpose--I hope what little I and Sagramore can offer by way of coffee and pastries is helpful to thee."

[untamedantinous]

“It is, yes,” he assures, with a brief pause for a kiss. “It is very gracious of you both, I appreciate it.”

[timebethine]

"So many kisses!" Laertes laughs. "I've tried to be moderate for thy sake--should I be amorous?"

[untamedantinous]

“Not too amorous,” with a grin. “I shall have to separate the dough soon, I’m sure. I am just, ah, enjoying your nearness for now.”

[timebethine]

"If thou wouldst like it, I could share thy bed tonight," he offers. "We need do nothing but hold each other, and enjoy each other's nearness. But I would like to spend a night with thee."

[untamedantinous]

“I would like that too,” he smiles. “….I…I am sorry, at times, if it seems that I do not want you. I do, it is just not—“ He makes a vaguely frustrated noise, trying to find his words. “It is not immediate, I think? I don’t know if I am explaining myself well. It is …present, but…muted. So sometimes, just lying with you is lovely. Other times, I would like more. Do you see?”

[timebethine]

"It's well," says Laertes warmly. "I do not account myself stinted. It's enough to hold thy hand, and to comfort thee by it. If thou shouldst never want more than for me to hold thy hand, I would still account myself a very lucky man to have thee thus."

[untamedantinous]

“Sweet man,” with a smile and a nuzzle against him. “I am becoming extraordinarily fond of you, you know.”

[timebethine]

"And I of thee--fonder still, for having met thy friends. It suits thee, to hold them so openly in thine affections."

[untamedantinous]

“They are more family than friends, in all truth. I am very glad you all liked each other so well.”

[timebethine]

"Art thou making more friends, here?"

[untamedantinous]

“No more than the few you already know of. I have been reading to Temeraire, sometimes, when Galahad is not.”

[timebethine]

"A dragon in arms against the crown--there's fine revolution." Laertes urges them into a turn as they near one of the walls of the practice room.

[untamedantinous]

Enjolras is still doing a decent job of following, though he does miss his steps a few times. “I cannot say that is even my fault,” he says, laughing. “Temeraire was a Jacobin before I ever met him, but I suppose I am encouraging it.”

[timebethine]

"As thou shouldst! I think I've even got Sagramore to see the main thrust of The Social Contract; soon thou wilt have all the lively discussion of Rousseau and Voltaire thou canst wish."

[untamedantinous]

“I have given Claudius some other writings from the first republic as well, let me know if you are interested.”

[timebethine]

"Always, my heart. I'd know everything that nourishes thy mind."

[untamedantinous]

“Ah, well. The men whose writings I gave him did not have the happiest of ends; their desire for order and justice turned bloody soon after they came into power.” He shrugs a little. “It is still important to read them, however, some of their ideas were sound.”

[timebethine]

"I could say the same of many great thinkers; Aristotle and Marcus Aurelius likewise had their faults--" And there's the chicken again, ringing so loudly that Laertes nearly leaps out of Lucien's arms. "That cannot have been forty-five minutes."