closed: and i soar through a world that is new, that is free (post-dance)

[untamedantinous]

Enjolras has been puttering about the mansion in the past few days since the wedding dance. Today, he has spent some time outside with Temeraire -- it's getting colder, and the warmth of Temeraire's pavilion has become quite a snug little place to read to him, when Galahad is not. He had moved onto some canne de combat practice after their customary few chapters a day, which had occupied him until just recently.

The winter is coming in faster, now, and Enjolras has never been one for the cold. Certainly the south of France is not as far south as many other places in the world, but he grew up accustomed to it being somewhat warmer there than it was in Paris. So now, he is curled up in front of a fire that is crackling merrily, sipping at some vin chaud as he leafs through a book of recipes. There is, indeed, a pile of books nearby -- both cookbooks and others, but right now he is looking for something easy to set his sights on for his next baking adventure.

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[timebethine]

"What thou didst like best," says Laertes, and kisses Lucien's cheek in answer. "And what went hard with thee."

[untamedantinous]

“I liked —when you marked me,” he says, running his hand across his throat tentatively. “I liked testing my limits, knowing I can be marked; it is good. I think, however, I would be better at giving orders than receiving them. It does chafe at me a bit; but perhaps I am only in need of practice.”

[timebethine]

"Needst not learn for my sake--I only enjoy commanding someone whom it pleases to be commanded. And in truth, even that goes hard with me. I always ..." He folds his hand over Lucien's, pressed lightly against the deepening marks. "I always feel as though my lover will realize how foolish it was, to entrust himself to my care."

[untamedantinous]

“Oh, no, certainly not.” He snuggles a little closer. “That is another thing I liked, putting my trust in you. I knew you would only go as far as I asked.”

[timebethine]

"I think thou wilt have greater need to command than to obey with Grantaire, if Claudius's insinuations have merit in them," says Laertes, with a provocative lilt and a savoring kiss where Lucien's jaw meets his throat. "He might have used the word 'biddable.' Wouldst thou have that sweet man do thy bidding, Lucien?"

[untamedantinous]

He considers it for a moment, Grantaire on his knees, only waiting for a word fro him —and shivers a little. “If that is what he would have, then I shall not deny him. I just fear…he would not stand up for himself, if I was involved.”

[timebethine]

"What would ease thy heart on that account?"

[untamedantinous]

“I do not know. Perhaps, as you said, a word to stop at. But we are far from anything such as that just yet.”

[timebethine]

"I'll not try thee further today," says Laertes, a little apologetically. He drops one last kiss on a bruise blooming at Lucien's throat, then ducks his head to settle his brow against Lucien's clavicle. "I'll only thank thee for thy willingness to learn."

[untamedantinous]

He settles an arm around Laertes’ shoulders, in that case. “I should thank you for being such a patient teacher. Even if I don’t listen, some of the time.”

[timebethine]

"Thy defiance charms me," laughs Laertes. "Thou wouldst not be thyself, if thou wert meek and obedient."

[untamedantinous]

“That is so,” he agrees, smiling a little. “At least it charms someone, hm?” It charms more people than he would think, actually.

[timebethine]

"It does. And although there is no impulse in thee to obey--I think there is all the same a desire to serve that's the mirror of mine own."

[untamedantinous]

“I do enjoy being yours. It pleases me to please you.”

[timebethine]

Apparently this is the day when all of Laertes's insecurities will have their airing, because he admits, voice hushed, "At times I fear I ask too much of thee. I know thou art less desirous than I am--and I would not ask more of thee than thou wouldst gladly give."

[untamedantinous]

“You have not yet, mon cœur, do not worry.” He pets at Laertes’ hair a little. “It is enough just to spend time with you, sometimes. I will tell you, should it come to that.”

[timebethine]

"I'm glad of it." That reassurance eases the last tension lingering in Laertes's body. He closes his eyes and lets himself enjoy being held and petted, curled up close so that he's warm all through. He dozes a little like that, safe and cozy in Lucien's arms.

[untamedantinous]

Lucien will let himself doze too, eventually. He still has much to consider -- both from their recent activities and in general, but right now he is content to continue petting and snuggling until he, too, dozes for a short bit.