metalogs | (closed) | good old fashioned romance

[It had been a long few days, made all the longer by David trying to be patient. Which was harder when his thoughts kept turning to Balthier. His mind kept flitting back to the man as he went about his life, working with Allison to find clothing, or talking to his new Alliance contact, or doing any number of other things. Probably didn't help that he kept Balthier's first letter in the breast pocket of any coat he wore, just to keep the words close.

That morning, before heading out for another consultation meeting with his Alliance rep, David had gone and left his finished first letter, along with gift, at the desk for Balthier. That should have been enough for him, to go with the waiting to see if the man might really want another date.

Patience was David's strong point. And yet he couldn't wait for an answer. So, at midday, when he was on a break from his meeting, he sent Balthier a text. And why shouldn't he? Why shouldn't he reach out to the man?

Balthier, hate to be a bother, but I don't have plans for tonight. What would you think about me coming over to give you some tech lessons. Maybe even expose you to some pop culture stuff.

[ Balthier's days haven't been much different, thoughts of David creeping in pleasantly as he meets with a few Society contacts about possible job placement, what skills he may need to round out to blend in here, and the looming question of a secret identity. When he's not working, he's out wandering the city, partly to get a feel for the place, and partly because it frees his mind to replay the other night.

He doesn't reach out to David because he feels like he's already been too eager, though he doesn't regret the effects. But he thinks he needs to back up a little, make sure this is more than a quick tryst, or worse, risk scaring the other man off. Still, he's kept the poem with him and reads it at least fifty more times in those few days.

He gets the text before he's gotten home to the letter and the gift. He's out, and he's a horridly slow typer, so he ducks somewhere quiet to use talk to text. ]

By all means, you are welcome to bother me any time.

[ He deletes it and tries again. ]

By all means, please come bother me this evening.

[The affirmation pops up over David's glasses as he pours himself another cup of coffee from the big press that the consultant had made. And then there it was, the answer he'd hoped for. It made him smile and clearly the consultant wanted to ask but David ignored their look before sending a response.]

Are you cool with a relaxing evening in then? In your room. I can bring over my laptop and some food, if you think your roomie won't mind.

[ Does he mind? No. Is he significantly more intimidated because he has absolutely no social script for this kind of interaction and can't rely on spaces where he feels charming and in command? Yes. Very much yes. Does he find himself affirming anyway because he's more interested in seeing David than potentially looking like a fool? Also yes. ]

My roommate is in the flower of his youth and thus will likely be occupied with evening plans, but I will inquire. Also, I have no idea what a laptop is.

[ He sends the message, and sees in plain text he once again has not directly addressed the inquiry. His cheeks warm a little at the memory of David not kissing him until he directly expressed desire. ]

I am very interested in a relaxing evening in, though honestly would have said yes regardless of the destination.

[ His thumb hovers over the delete key for a long minute while he debates sending the second half, as it feels potentially too-eager. He finally clicks send. ]

[The information is late in coming but David is happy with it anyway. Can't even explain how happy he is. So he quickly shoots off another message.]

A laptop is a computing device. Like we saw at the first shop. I've set it up for you.

[He has not, but by the time he's in Balthier's room it will be.]

Turned out it didn't fit my computing on the go needs and I don't want to return it and ruin the lady's commission. As for food, what have you tried here? Have you tried Chinese? If not we're ordering Chinese.

[ Okay Balthier needs a few minutes to process David is both reaching out and providing him with a gift he’s going to teach him to use. He’s absolutely thrilled about it, but he finds himself a little speechless. He walks another block or two completely consumed by how to respond. ]

You are too kind. Just be prepared for many many questions. I am 2000. I do not know how to use the technology of your Earth youth.

I don’t know what Chinese is so it sounds like we are getting Chinese.

[The age thing gets a snicker, just as the rep is going over benefits packages with the company that was trying to recruit David for his variety of skills. And so she looked very much like he'd found something ridiculous. Finally realizing he can't just leave her hanging, he asks for a moment while he composes a reply.]

Breathtakingly beautiful and sprightly for your age then. But I'm going to teach you how to use it. That's how good I am.

Definitely Chinese then. I'll dress comfortably tonight, if that's okay.

[ Well Balthier has just learned about staring at your phone waiting for a response. He grins as it comes in and responds immediately this time, relaxed by the flirting. The still wanting to flirt with him. The alluding to something new that would likely take more than one meeting. ]

Being a man of legend does keep me young. Learning the technology will further my youthful appearance. Though I may be a slow study with such a dashingly attractive instructor.

Comfortable clothing it is. I’ll dress to match.

[ He pockets the phone and heads toward the Diadem, because otherwise he’s going to stand here in this alley texting David until he stops or night falls. ]

[At least David's responses are, on average, quite quick. There was some good there, because Balthier would not need to wait nearly so long as David did.]

I think you'll be youthful in appearance no matter what you do. And I'm told I'm a very good teacher. See you tonight. Let's think six. Unless you need to go to bed early. Let me know what you think of the time. i've got to get back to this meeting.

[ When Balthier enters the Diadem the concierge waves him down, presenting him with a package adorned with a gold ribbon. He doesn’t move to open it here, but the grin on his face doesn’t waver between there and his room.

Peter is home so he clears having a guest and then anxiously finds a few tidying tasks to do until the boy leaves. He opens the letter first, tracing the marks with his fingers. He can read those strokes and blots, too. David spent some time on this. Which meant he’d been thinking about Balthier. A lot.

He reads it, smile only widening. As he gets to the part about being a pawn who transformed himself, that feeling from the other night, the pressure at once ecstatic and like letting something huge and painful out overwhelms him. But he immediately reads the letter again, a fluttery feeling in his stomach that he’s coming to associate with David.

He sets the letter down and opens the box. He laughs with delight, delicately pulling out the cup and saucer. He will read the letter over and over before he places it with the poem, and he will fret over where to put the cup. He’ll have to get something to light it with. He already savors the idea of having tea in the cup once it’s burned out, being reminded of David when he’s doing something else he deeply enjoys. Something private and personal.

He finally checks his phone. ]

Six it is. I look forward to your arrival.

Thank you for the very thoughtful gift. You have food taste in teaware. And candles.

[It's a while before David responds given all the paperwork and legal jargon he is reviewing. On the way out he asks after Chinese restaurants in the area and has a handful of takeout menus shoved into his hands. From there is was the cab ride home.

Only then did he text back.]

Good to know. I spent maybe two hours reviewing all the options I could find online.

[The rush delivery charges has been high but it was on the Guilds' bill so whatever. With the text sent he closes his eyes for the ride, using the wireless on his glasses and other routes to tap into the laptop in his hotel room and start formatting it for a beginner. Every easy program he would offer the computer illiterate, a minimalist but elegant UI, and of course a beautiful background made from one of the pictures he had taken on their ride. Seemed right. And of course an update text when he hit the hotel itself.]

Do you mind if I order something to drink with dinner as well? I would need to talk to the concierge to get it so I need for warning.

[ David will have to explain that he set the computer up specifically for Balthier or he’s just going to think all computers are like this and be very confused later. He’ll recognize the background image though. How could he forget it?

He’s showered and changed in the time since the last text. He doesn’t keep the sound on so limits himself to checking only every so often as he works on some organization and by-hand scheduling for his own guild operations. When he can’t focus, he puts the notebook away and pulls out paper to begin scratching at a poem for David. ]

By all means. I’ll ask room service for some glasses.

[ A thing he knows how to do because Peter showed him when he was recovering from the migraine. And he gets to host a little in his own room. ]

[In the time between texts David made it back up to his room and had the laptop open, his headphones on, and was ignoring anything that was even a glimmer of his roommate as he worked on programs while using his superior rig to load a wide variety of pirated movies, television shows, recorded stage productions, music, and of course audio books onto an external. He was nothing if not bountiful in his lessons. Maybe, he thought, he should make Vidana a care package like this too, so Balthier didn't think David was trying to spoil him with gifts. A 'welcome to the information age' bundle. Oh, and he put in the message to the desk to find the particular cherry blossom wine he wanted.]

Way to think ahead. You might want plates and tableware too. Take out Chinese comes in waxed paper cartons and sometimes plastic containers. Very chill but also somewhat messy for sampler eating.

[ Spoil away. It's giving him ideas -- and boldness -- for gifts of his own.

Balthier isn't going to quite appreciate the full range of David's particularity in decision-making yet, given he has little context to ground it in, but he is going to love piecing it together. It will also make him enjoy pleasing David's tastes all the more. ]

Will do. What is plastic?

It is all around you, beautiful. We'll over that too. Now, looks like I am due over in half an hour. I'm going to put you down and go shower and change. See you at six, promise.

[And, sure enough, David was knocking on the door at six, all ready for the evening. In his messenger bag was the laptop, external, and all the important parts including a cable to connect it all to the room's television. That was the entertainment. Also with those items was the bottle of cherry blossom wine, though no corkscrew. The food he would order once they were more settled.

And then of course there was David. Casual had meant casual. None of the more dress clothes style he has used before. Just him in a slightly too large to the point of attractively baggy yellow sweater, black leggings so tight that they did nothing to hide how strongly muscled his legs were (though the length of the sweater did hide the sheer wonder of his ass), and some simple black canvas shoes. Oh, and a hint of makeup because he was still trying to impress, and it took nothing to get a bit of gold over the eyes and a faint dusting of it over his cheekbones and the visible parts of his collar bone.

Flirty casual was absolutely a thing.]

[ Balthier practically springs up at the knock on the door. He forces himself to walk heel-toe to the door. Whatever lines he'd been composing fall out of his head when he opens the door to see David standing there, golden powder glimmering in the overhead lights. He hasn't even gotten to the rest. ]

Well I'm going to have an even harder time looking away from your face tonight. Here, let me.

[ He reaches for some of the things in David's hands, keeping the door open with his foot as he steps out of the way for David to enter.

He did follow instructions tonight. He's wearing black harem pants and a fitted but comfortable tan sweater. The latter shows off his slim but fit torso, further accented by the looseness of the pants. His earrings, per usual, glint on his ears.

On the coffee table behind him, two settings are laid out expertly, with the tea cup candle in the middle. ]

[Cue puns about David being a treasure fit to steal? Or perhaps another time. For now David lets himself be freed of baggage as he smiled at the compliment. Smiling and being pleased was a good cover for trying to figure how how to greet Balthier. He wasn't the sort to take the man's hand and kiss his knuckles, but it felt too soon for a kiss hello, even on the cheek. So he just offers the smile and steps in.]

Looks much like I remember it. Brighter though. An almost radiant space. Careful with the bag, literally everything but the cords are some form of fragile.

[He revises down some of his intentions on ordering for dinner, just based on the size of the table. But that is for later. For now he looks at the candle and smiles. Further confirmation. He doesn't comment, though. No, he would rather let it be an unspoken sign of affection between them.]

[ For Balthier, on the other hand, a kiss on the cheek is a fairly standard greeting from home. He'd had every intention of doing so before he got distracted by David's face. ]

David, you wound me. I am an exceptional connoisseur of rare and delicate items in circumstances much more precarious than this.

[ He sets the bag gently on the table. Then, hands freed, turns to David. He takes both his hands and gives him a quick peck on the cheek -- nothing more than greeting, but definitely the warm greeting of someone he already knows and enjoys the company off. ]

Also, hello, it's wonderful to see you.

[ He releases David and gestures to the table. ]

Also, is this to your standards? Peter insisted the table and couch was a more appropriate set-up for a, ah, 'flicks and chill' date. Also I have a kettle on if you'd like tea.

[ He only has the bland white coffee cups from room service and some disposable tea filters, but he found a black and rose blend at a local market that's closer to the one he likes from home. ]

[The kiss on the cheek earns a light blush from David. Yes, he knows it's a normal form of greeting, but from Balthier it's more sweet than that. At least it is in his heart.]

IT looks good, and tea would be lovely. Though I'm going to roll my eyes at this Peter for assuming an 'and chill' date. That has a whole connotation that I doubt we'll be reaching toward. We're going to be a bit more focused than that.

[He toes off his shoes to leave by the door before heading to the couch to take his bag and start pulling things out.]

[ Don't worry, David. It's more sweet than that in Balthier's heart too. He hasn't greeted anyone else on Earth that way.

Balthier raises an eyebrow, although he now has a firm idea what that meant. ]

Shall I ask you or Peter to elaborate? I think he may squirm more, which may be more fun. That said, I think we can trust he won't come home early.

[ While David starts disassembling the bag, Balthier goes to the counter to check the kettle and spoon tea into the tea bags. Steaming cups in hand, he turns back, pausing a moment to just look at David, here, in his room. Looking absolutely stunning. The sweater is color is gorgeous against his skin, and the opaque tights show off his very fit legs.

He sets the cups on the coffee table. ]

Tea for the handsome gentleman. You know, if you weren't already here, I might have to think about stealing you away.

Oh trust me, if he thought this is an 'and chill' he won't be coming home early at all. It's a euphemism. I don't know WHY it turned into a euphemism. But it basically means 'inviting someone over to watch something, but you both understand that the point isn't watching anything'.

[He nods his approval at the tea as he takes out an extension cord and runs it to a plug before plugging in the laptop so he can show Balthier about the tech.]

I'm glad I meet with your approval. I wanted to go casual comfy, but pajamas seemed a bit too relaxed. Hope you can forgive my leggings though. Usually they're marketed to women, but fuck that. They're comfortable and don't inhibit movement too much.

[ Balthier doesn't think Peter would be doing this to mess with him. He's mildly amused at the boy's implicit endorsement. He will absolutely follow up on that conversation though, just to see what Peter does.

Balthier takes a seat on the couch, eyes taking in the pieces David has. Cord is the same as the way the electric lights work; that makes sense. And he does recognize the laptop structure now that he sees it. ]

Nothing to forgive. You're comfortable, I'm having a hard time keeping my eyes off you; everyone wins.

As to being women's clothing, well, you already know my opinion on that. I may have to ask you where to find a pair.

If by 'everyone' you mean me and you, then yes. We do win. And yes, I do know your opinion. I got these online and I'll show you how to do online orders. As for the other more feminine clothing styles...

[David gives Balthier a shy smile. He may already have been making inroads on that.]

Well, we might have answers there soon enough. Now because of how small the screen is and the fact that I want to start with actually handling the technology, you're going to have to sit close to me, okay?

[He could link the thing to the TV in the room already, but he wants Balthier to understand the technology as he would most normally work with it.]

Does anyone else matter?

[ He's partly joking and also entirely sincere. ]

I enjoy you in any presentation, but you certainly have me curious about what you're up to.

[ He does not mind needing to be patient; he's still savoring the promise of more meetings, of getting to know each other more deeply, and he enjoys a good bout of anticipation.

He slides closer to David, their legs touching. He's happy to be invited, and he feels comfortable enough tonight to tease. ]

Somehow I doubt that with your expansive technological capabilities that there was no solution that involved our sitting like strangers.

[ He briefly squeeze David's leg just above the knee. It's affectionate, but not particularly suggestive. He's very happy to spend time in this light but touching space. ]

I hope it is abundantly clear that I am not complaining.

In this moment and this place? No. Not even remotely.

[He has other people he loves, people he cares for, people that matter. But here and now? No. Only Balthier.

The teasing earns a smile.]

Oh trust me, there are other ways I could do this, but the thing is that some of what we're doing, I want your hands on it. Now here.

[He places the laptop in Balthier's lap.]

Let's show you how to do this.

[And with that he takes up his tea cup to sip it before launching into a slow, careful explanation of all of the parts of the laptop, well before they're being used. For now it's the simple explanation of power buttons and what the keys are for, and how to use the tracpad as an initial method of the mouse. Got to start there.]

Who Said Once Was Enough? - Balthier's Room, The 12th

Who Said Once Was Enough? - Balthier's Room, The 12th

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