[Closed] | Closer to the Skies

[portolan]

Who: Balthier portolan, David helpdesk_hero
What: A date
When: early/mid August
Where: Balthier's house, Excelsior
Content Warnings: nsfw intimacy



David comes over more regularly these days, so it isn't hard to be natural about suggesting a dinner in on a Friday evening after work. What's more difficult is hiding the evidence that he's working on something up on the roof, especially since David is more comfortable coming in and out without much warning these days. Balthier loves that, truly, and is willing to work around it, even if he thinks his cover has been blown more than once. One night he had to illusion a package of lights to look like anything else. Normally he'd never use his power on David, so he hopes this is alright.

Regardless, it comes together, and he takes the day off work to spend it cooking. He's been slowing practicing throughout the summer, figuring out how to put together things that remind him of home. And he does know how to make cake, so he does that too.

David's running late that day -- Balthier might have asked the office to delay him -- so that by the time David makes it over, the sun is getting close to setting and everything is ready to go. Balthier is still getting a hand of the new powers he discovered when his own came back to him, but the slow spells have been particularly useful for keeping food hot or chilled.

The only thing left to do is change, something else he's been working on all summer, trying to find pieces that still feel like himself. So it's the first time he's wearing both a simple black crop top and a high waisted, flowing circle skirt with a patterns that reminds him of home. His earrings and rings and bracelets are all on of course, and a heavy pair of leather shoes, and somehow he feels...settled. Like himself. Home.

The only thing that's missing is David, and that's not going to last hardly any longer.

Comments

[portolan]

He lets out a low chuckle. "Oh? What will you do to me if I spoil you too often?"

But he hears the tenderness in that admission, knows David's history. And more food can wait a minute, because they aren't out in public, so for once he can just tug David into his lap and kiss him with all the force of his love the moment he wants to.

"My most cherished find," he agrees softly, cradling David to him a few moments longer.

[helpdesk_hero]

David might ask him for even more of their relationship, which he doesn't think he should be doing. So he just smiles warmly, because he does love his partner so much.

Though being pulled close to Balthier to be kissed like that was... Oh it was breathtaking. Actually took his breath away. Fuck.

"I love you," he says, breathless after the kiss.

[portolan]

Balthier would encourage him to be indulgent if he knew that line of thinking. But David accepts so much from him, and gives it right back. What they have is good, and as much as he always wants to see his love more, he also doesn't really ever want that desire to fade.

And David's breathlessness still leaves him as content and giddy as the first few times. "I know," he says. And he does, believes David entirely. "I still like to hear you say it, though."

[helpdesk_hero]

"Then I'll say it even more," David promised as he caught his breath once more. "I love you, my sweet star."

[portolan]

He should know better by now, but it still always surprises him when he makes a passing comment of a desire or a preference and David immediately moves to fill it. He feels like he already has so much more than he ever could have expected, and here this man is constantly happy to offer him more.

Balthier cups his love's face, shaking his head slightly with a curling grin. He still can't quite believe being this wildly in love. "And I you, my precious moon. Somehow more every week that passes."

[helpdesk_hero]

Giving more and more of himself is always what David will do. It's in his nature. It's how he loves.

"I'm glad to hear it," he chuckled warmly. "I wouldn't want to wax and wane."

[portolan]

"My love for you does not wax and wane," he chuckles back. "But to be clear, you are very much allowed to. I even like when you're tired or being thick." He's grinning, teasing even if there's truth to it.

[helpdesk_hero]

"Nor mine for you," he promises with a soft smile. "But I'm glad you want to keep me around even when I'm an idiot."

And he knows that's a non-zero amount of time.

[portolan]

"Wouldn't be you otherwise," he says with a smirk and a raised eyebrow.

Alright, he has to pull his attention back to the meal or he's just going to start undressing David, which isn't unappealing but he has other plans this evening too.

"What can I get you more of?"

[helpdesk_hero]

Yeah, he supposed he wouldn't be.

"I think I'd love to try the entree."

[portolan]

Balthier serves rice and bread and a mix of the lamb and goat and vegetables together where it’s easier to both reach them. Then he scoops a mix of it onto the bread to hold to David’s mouth because he isn’t quite done teasing.

[helpdesk_hero]

Oh what a tease he is.

"ANd here I thought I was the one that was the tease. But you? Oh you my dear, you keep me caught up in wanting," he laughs before leaning in to take a bite.

Which comes with such a noise of pleasure from the taste.

"Fuck, man, that's amazing. You need to cook for me more."

[portolan]

"Getting a taste of your own medicine is good for you," Balthier teases back. David's not the only one caught in wanting, and when David wants to make Balthier weak with desire, he has no difficulty.

He's particularly pleased how well this is going over though, grinning at David's continued praise. "So demanding. I fear I've created a monster." That's an order he'll happily take, David.

[helpdesk_hero]

"Rawr?" he teased with a smile, before shrugging. "What can I say. I like a man who can cook."

And that man who can cook is also beautiful and cares about him.

[portolan]

"You must really like me, then, since you were satisfied before I cooked for you," he teases back.

Balthier starts on the meal as well with his own sound of pleasure, but in case it's more nostalgia. "Scions it took awhile to get this right."

[helpdesk_hero]

"I really do," he promised. And for a moment his fingers toyed with his ring. He meant it. It felt so damn good to be so possessed.

"It did. In every sense. But we're good now.

[portolan]

Balthier watches David fiddle with his ring and smiles quietly. What an absurd thing to have given him so early, and Balthier is glad he did every time he sees David with it.

He laughs at David's response, though. "I meant the food but you're also right."

[helpdesk_hero]

At this point, not wearing it when he was with Balthier was rare. Every little gift was so often treasured and showed off.

"I didn't. But I'm glad that you care."

[portolan]

He adores that David cherishes whatever he's given -- energy, labor, gifts, affection.

"We've both come a long way, haven't we?" And what a gift that was, being able to grow, being able to listen. The trust they have is something he cannot overvalue.

[helpdesk_hero]

They were all things of great value. Better ones than even words he thinks.

"So very long. Six months, Balthier. You and I for half of an Earth year. Through the worst and the best."

[portolan]

"I'm still planning on many more," he says with the lift of an eyebrow, memory warm at the first time they talked about that. Jokes aside, it's wonderful to be here and now still saying it, still wanting more, still feeling wanted. Truly, feeling even more wanted. Those lows were nothing small, but there's a stability in them, too. "I'm greedy and demanding and possessive and never satisfied."

[helpdesk_hero]

"Many, many more," David agrees, his voice soft as he reached out to lay a hand on Balthier's leg.

And then he smiled. "Reminder: the skirt is super cute."

And Balthier should hear that too.

[portolan]

"It really is, isn't it?" Balthier says with a grin. Honestly, he'd forgotten he was wearing it, which is its own joy. His face is warm though, because he likes David making sure he knows all of this is supported, likes when his voice gets soft like that.

And because he is who he is, "I'm looking forward to fucking you in it."

[helpdesk_hero]

Well that earns a bark of laughter, David grinning and shaking his head.

"Choose your words carefully. I can't tell if you want me to put it on or not."

[portolan]

"Mmm you make a good point -- a type of garment we can actually share." He likes that idea. And David's laugh. "But to be clear, I will be giving you the pleasure of fucking me while I am in a skirt and heels." His turn to be taller. And skirts were easy to fuck in.

Of course, he'll give David whatever else he wants too.