(closed) | good old fashioned romance

[portolan]

Who: Balthier portolan and David helpdesk_hero
What: a series of dates following the Love Potion #9 event
When: Feb 9, 12
Where: Central City
Content Warnings: N/A



Tabbard Winery

[ The Tabbard Winery sits in an old 19th-century building in Central City. The walls are rich wooden panels imported from Europe and the furniture is heavily tufted leather. Oil paintings and chandeliers decorate the space, punctuated with antiques and exquisite plants. It reminds Balthier of some of the modern luxury spaces at home, and he remembered that David mentioned an affinity for wood panels.

He's seated in a big leather chair in a back corner near a multi-paned window that looks onto a snowy patio. He's dressed more modestly today -- an admittedly pirate-esque white shirt and fitted black pants.

He doesn't quite have the habit of checking his phone obsessively yet, but he's doing the mental equivalent, spinning the ring on his little finger. While he has his gaze fixed on a painting across the room, his head tilts involuntarily every time he hears the door open.

Scions he's giddy and nervous as a schoolboy. He chooses a bottle of wine, though he doesn't recognize the makes or locations. He asks for something full-body, for David's coffee tastes. Given three options, he chooses the one that has a ship on the label. Everyone here seems to think that's what pirate means. He finds that amusing. ]

Comments

[helpdesk_hero]

[HIs hand on Balthier's leg is, in David's mind, a bit more racy than Balthier's hand on his own. Why would that be? He didn't know. But he liked the warmth that he could feel in his fingers.]

You're clearly not cut of the same cloth. And I had to investigate those fireworks. I had to know. I still find myself wondering. But my opinion of you is measured by what I have seen of you until now. Though I suppose, with invitation, I could make it of what you know of yourself. But that seems... far too forward.

[But he smiles at the suggestion and nods.]

Yes, pilots basically control the way the ship sails. It takes a lot of work to plot routes and hte like. But the joke of his apprenticeship is very much in how it's worded, Balthier. Remember the line. His twenty-first birthday.

[portolan]

[ David’s comment has Balthier thinking about the phrase he used in his letter, a premonition of falling in love. Maybe that’s what the fireworks were. A prophecy of potential. Or maybe they were nothing and the two of them just got extremely lucky in meeting. His mind keeps running through it too. ]

I think some day I’ll let you do that and compare notes, but for now let me maintain the illusion of being suave and charming.

[ It’s not like he has deep dark secrets. It’s just…vulnerable. A lot of poor decisions. A lot of loneliness. Grief he hasn’t processed. ]

Alright important line noted and committed to memory.

[helpdesk_hero]

[Well, David's not going to ask the goddess of Fate he intended to meet later on. No, he had other things to recover first.]

It's no illusion when I look on you. So I think it's alright. You truly are charming.

[David, finished with his light selection of entrees, puts his plate on the table and then moves to sit a bit closer to Balthier again, so their bodies could touch along the line of their legs.]

I know you'll enjoy the joke.

[portolan]

[ Given the chance, Balthier wouldn’t want to know. Maybe some of that is still fear, that he’s not in the steering position for his own life, but some of it has shifted to protectiveness. This is his and David’s and it’s precious and private. ]

You know you’re probably the person I’ve been most honest with, besides maybe Fran, but that took a few years and seeing me in some very unflattering situations.

[ David sidling up against his side sends Balthier’s heart racing in a way it hasn’t yet tonight. He put his own finished plate down and takes David’s hand again. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[And lord knew that David needed more people to protect him. Which wasn't even sarcastic. Though he'd hardly admit to the need. Because he did need it, people to care about him. Because while he gave so much of himself, he wasn't very good at accepting people caring about him and protecting him.]

Well then, I feel rather special. To earn so much so soon... I don't know that I've given enough for the privilege though.

[Still, the hand in his makes him feel damn fucking special. So he just accepts it with a smile. And maybe leans a little more of his weight against Balthier.]

But I feel the honor of what you show me, and try to live up to it.

[portolan]

You ate that ridiculous cake and came and touched me when I was under enough of a spell to take a leap. And then you caught me. Over and over again, long after that silly oversharing spell was gone. I think that's more than entitled you to my honesty.

[ The truth is, he's not entirely sure what he's done to earn that acceptance, and maybe that's the point -- that it's given, not earned. That maybe chasing the affections of people who want to give them, who value what you value, is a better way to build support, and lord knows Balthier needs that love and support too. ]

One more piece of honesty: I still can't quite believe you're real.

[helpdesk_hero]

I date that ridiculous cake, yes. But touching you was a random choice. We both ultimately took the leap, and caught each other. And have yet to let go I think. Which is for the best. I think I might start floundering if you were suddenly out of reach.

[The comment about not believing he's real actually earns a chuckle from David, and a contented sigh as he rests his head on Balthier's shoulder.]

Oh, my life has been pretty unrealistic, but here I am, am I not. Should I pinch you so you can be certain you're awake?

[portolan]

[ David's head on his shoulder sends a pleasant mixture of nerves and warmth through his stomach and up his spine. He sighs contentedly, leaning his head against David's. ]

Me as well. Maybe you shouldn't pinch me. Just in case I wake up.

[helpdesk_hero]

[Yeah, this is great. But no one should ever say that David doesn't know how to break the tension of a moment. He hums to himself in consideration, then reaches and pinches Balthier's leg.

He's a little punk sometimes. You gonna be mad at him?]

[portolan]

[ Mad? Balthier lets out a hearty laugh, swatting non-committaly at David's hand. ]

You, sir, are terrible. But good news. I'm still here and so are you.

[helpdesk_hero]

[David pretended to be pained by this, taking his hand back and blowing on where it was swatted at like that would make it better. Then he held it up toward Balthier's lips.]

That hurt. Kiss it and make it better?

[portolan]

[ He takes David's hand with his, pulling the knuckles to his lips. He kisses them slowly, eyes on David's. ]

How is it now?

[ His voice is low and he still has the hand close to his lips. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[Oh damn him, upstaging David with that held gaze. It's a wonder, to be pinned by those beautiful eyes. He feels so seen. He has to lick his lips for want of kissing Balthier, and then he smiles to control himself.]

Much better. Thank you.

[portolan]

[ Oh Balthier is feeling that urge too. The only thing holding him back is that desire to protect this ember from burning out. That’s only deepened as that warmth grows. ]

Anything for you.

[ He releases David’s hand and forces his attention back to the play because it’s safer. ]

You know I find it hard to believe he couldn’t put together what a young woman may look like from some of those lovely lads in the back, but I do appreciate the absurdity of it.

[helpdesk_hero]

Don't offer me that large of a promise, Balthier. One day I might collect.

[Those words were whispered though, his attention more on the operetta, trying to follow the plot. Which he already knows perfectly well.]

The point of the play is, in some ways, the absurdity of it. Operas, almost more than anything, like to fall hard into the two categories of either comedy or tragedy. So if you're going for even a lightly funny premise, even with a romance, it's going to have to be absurd.

[portolan]

[ Balthier squeezes the hand he’s still holding. He thinks he’d probably already do anything in his ability that David asked, and that frightens him. ]

Why this one? Pirates, yes, but when was the first time you saw it?

[helpdesk_hero]

Honestly? I've never seen it before. One of my teachers really loved Gilbert and Sullivan, and this was one of his favorites. I know it because he knew it. But it has pirates and you like theater, and I thought the elements of being loyal to one's word and yet still believing in the romance that can bloom in the world would entertain you.

[And with Balthier, he had an excuse to see it. There was so much in life he hadn't experienced except second hand. Things he didn't know about himself because he'd learned them and couldn't pull himself from remembered experience.]

I think I'm finding that I like it too.

[portolan]

[ This time, Balthier wants to wrap his arms around David and kiss him on the head and not let him go. The thought of that leaves him more fluttery than the flirting or touching has.

He feels his mind writing and rewriting what he wants to say, weighing what's too revealing, and forces himself to just say what he's thinking. ]

That was a better answer than I expected. I like that you wanted to do something new but meaningful together. Maybe I shouldn't have talked through so much of it, though.

[helpdesk_hero]

You severely underestimate my ability to take in lots of data at once. It's survival for me. But I have also been distracting you. Not that you can't watch it again.

[He does smile at Balthier. The man made the small gesture seem so much larger. Maybe he saw what David didn't.]

I guess I figured that since you've got to learn your place in this world a little, and what you do and don't like, it isn't so bad for me to explore too.

In fact, most of these dishes I have memories of liking even if I haven't had them before.

[portolan]

I think you just raised me to a challenge, and I don't like to lose.

[ But he nuzzles his head against David's. He doesn't have any quippy remarks or flowery sentences. ]

I like that.

[helpdesk_hero]

[Well that feels nice, to be nuzzled like that. And as much as David doesn't know how to say it, he feels he has to.]

You should know that you're also the most freely affectionate a romantic partner of mine has ever been. And I'm finding I like that too.

[portolan]

I'm quite surprised by that, given how affectionate you are. But I'm glad to hear it.

[ Balthier will hold that admission close going forward. The newness, the delicacy. He wants to give David beauty and security. Because his increasing sense is that David hasn't been given that, not enough.

Where their hands sit still clasped, he strokes David's finger gently with his thumb. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

One of my-

[You know what, he probably shouldn't call it a love language]

One of the ways I best show and receive affection is through touch. It's important to me, to not feel alone.

[And he doesn't feel alone right now. Or like he might get betrayed. Which has, of course, happened before. No, this is a light comfort. And even if it doesn't work out, he's got the memories to cherish.]

Oh! Focus. This is the reveal.

[portolan]

[ Balthier files that away too but directs his attention back to the play. ]

Wait, I understand the joke is some clerical error but how is that possible? Does your calendar oscillate?

[ Ivalice didn’t have leap years. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[Does their... Oh god.]

When we're done with this, I have to show you the mess of calendars and tell you about leap years. Oh god, I thought you should have seen the joke coming and I've clearly failed you here!