[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]

Oh, Balthier agrees, but the harder that is for him to do, the more fun it is when it happens.

And right now David's reaction has all his attention. It doesn't drain him like at used to, flying far like that, but it still takes its toll, which will make the sex all the better, both of them blissed out from the evening but David still full of energy.

"I thought you might be. I'm honestly surprised we haven't actually managed to see the city that way yet."

They've nearly cleared their share plate, though they've made no dent on the food on the table. "Here," he says, because he's making sure David tries this before they're both full of other things. He puts what's more or less the equivalent of two grape leaves on their plate, fragrant and full of rice and spices. "I used to beg my mother to make these."

[helpdesk_hero]

"ANd what are the chances I'll be begging you for them?" he asks, selecting one and lifting it to his lips. It was a damn good bite of food too. Earns another noise of desire and happiness.

[portolan]

"The way this night is going you'll be begging me one way or another."

Sharing these foods with David, though, is lovely.

[helpdesk_hero]

"I intend to be begging," David agreed with a grin. "Or maybe have you begging. Who knows. I'm open to surprise."

[portolan]

Alright, he's getting aroused, and he's not remotely trying to hide it.

"The wonderful thing about us," Balthier says, running a knuckle down the curve of David's neck, "Is we are excellent at having it all."

[helpdesk_hero]

It's a good look on him. David won't complain about that.

"I guess that makes us greedy."

[portolan]

"I'm a pirate, that's a given. More surprising on you." He loves when David is greedy.

Speaking of, "What else can I tempt you with before I ply you with cake?" And yes, non-food answers are welcome. He knows what he did.

[helpdesk_hero]

"Maybe I just want to be loved and accepted," he notes. Because that's true. He's desperate for it.

"You could tempt me with you."

[portolan]

“That’s my favorite kind of greed.” Because he wants that too; the most decadent and wonderful and necessary thing in the world. “I will always encourage that.”

To the latter he lounges back, very aware of his best angles including the way the skirt tents lightly as his interest. “Am I not tempting already?”

[helpdesk_hero]

Oh dear.

"You wanted to fly, dear. Remeber that."

[portolan]

“Which of us are you reminding?” He grins. When they finally get around to that part of their evening they’re both going to be properly riled up.

[helpdesk_hero]

"Yes," he said. Because both of them seem ready to be up to no go. "Should we put the food away."

[portolan]

“That’s probably wiser than waiting.” Too bad he doesn’t have a spell to move things quickly, but he also likes the ritual of cleaning with David.

[helpdesk_hero]

"I don't know how much waiting I can do, and food can always be returned to."

Now if only he could find a way to make this space private for them, so they didn't even need to go down. But instead he rose, awkwardly, so he could pick up some trays.

[portolan]

Balthier lets him stand but then he slinks his arms around the other, nestling his chin against his neck and pressing himself against David. “We don’t have to wait.” As for privacy, he does have illusions.

[helpdesk_hero]

Oh come on, seriously? Feeling the man's body against his own, David just wants.

"The food," he says, his voice soft and nervous.

[portolan]

“If you tell me to wait again I’ll listen,” he says softly. “But the food will be alright a little longer.”

[helpdesk_hero]

"You know I don't want to wait," he says with a sigh. "Just like you don't want to."

[portolan]

“Consent is important,” he says, taking one of David’s favorite reminders, but he’s chuckling. “You sound so put upon.”

[helpdesk_hero]

"I should be taking care of the food," he says. "My need to put away the food definitely is at odds with wanting you."

[portolan]

That gets a very affectionate chuckle. “Does it help if they’re all under a slow spell and will stay exactly like this until I fall asleep or get out of range and can’t maintain the spell?”

[helpdesk_hero]

"And what could lead you to not being able to maintain it?" David asked, suddenly far more interested.

[portolan]

Balthier grins at the change in David’s tone. “Technically I maintained one through sleep — it’s not a demanding spell. But I imagine if I’m utterly exhausted it may waver. I haven’t finished my research though.”

[helpdesk_hero]

"Research, huh?" David asks. And David was very much about research. So he turns to pull the man closer. "You know I am down for research."

[portolan]

Mmm he loves the way David pulls him close. “Anything for research,” he agrees. And he is the taller one like this, a subtle but noticeable shift in their usual configuration.