(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

[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!

[portolan]

[ This pulls a hearty laugh from Balthier. It’s not entirely humor so much as delight. ]

I’m thoroughly amused regardless. And not complaining about more lessons from my dashing instructor.

[helpdesk_hero]

I have a feeling we'll need to set up weekly lessons that's part 'here is how this world is weird' and part 'let's watch something'. If that's welcome in your books, of course.

[Please say yes. He just wants more time.]

[portolan]

[ Is David asking to…? ]

I can think of nothing that would please me more than having a regular standing date with you.

[ His stomach flutters as he says it. It feels greedy to ask for more than they already have. No, not greedy, because this isn’t about taking, and David is the one who asked. Euphoric? Disbelieving?

He feels like he owes it to David to share. ]

I have a habit of picking romantic partners who don’t want to be tied down or think of anything more than a day or two ahead of us. I have a premonition that I’m going to prefer this.

[helpdesk_hero]

[Of course he's asking to. Why would he not? Wasn't Balthier enjoying this? Still, he smiles t the confirmation that Balthier wouldn't mind reserved time with David.

Still, as Balthier speaks, David thinks he gets the shock. Even if he feels bad for it.]

I imagine you might prefer it too. I tend to. But, if you prefer, we could consider nights like this as 'friend nights', with perhaps a bit of snuggling on couches of course, and have different date nights where we don't hold ourselves to a couch, sort of like what you threw together for us.

Honestly, it may be greedy, but I'm not adverse to both.

[portolan]

[ Deeply enjoying it. And deeply enjoying that it's reciprocated. ]

By all means, please be greedy. I'm feeling that way myself. I'm really not too concerned about what we call any of it -- I just find myself wanting to spend time with you. Though of course I'm going to take the opportunity to sweep you of your feet in beautiful settings as often as reasonably possible.

[helpdesk_hero]

By all means, sweep.

[The whole show had wound down now, moving on to the cast bows, and David reached for the mouse to pause it so he could look at Balthier.]

I don't know what you'd call it back home, but I would like to call it the continuing start to something. I want to be able to point at you in a crowd and say 'that one? he's with me'. I want to have, if you'll allow it, a bit of a claim.

[portolan]

I’ll happily allow it. Encourage it even. Provided I get to do the same.

[ He’s completely engrossed in David’s gaze, made all the more intense and radiant by the gold on his lids. He reaches up without entirely meaning to, cupping David’s face in his hand and running his thumb over that beautiful skin. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[It's a good touch, so intimate, and David closes his eyes as he leans into the touch. Tenderness is so forgotten in his life, and this was the most beautiful thing.]

I want you to do the same. Please. I would love to be able to give a name to this new delight you've given me.

[portolan]

[ Balthier smiles as David closes his eyes. He had been tender when he was young, but he'd quickly learned that was a liability with anyone but Fran. It was wonderful to just...be and have that appreciated. Wanted, even. ]

We sometimes say courting, but this is...more grounded, I think.

[helpdesk_hero]

In my world, courting has a lot more weight to it. It's basically 'intention to win them for marriage'. We prefer dating, and for people who are dating, boyfriend or girlfriend or significant other.

[portolan]

Fascinating. Ours usually implies some level of games or political maneuvering. Dating it is.

Do you prefer one of those terms over the others?

[helpdesk_hero]

I mean, there is that too. But I really do like the idea that this isn't a game, or maneuvering. It will just be you and me being honest.

[One of those terms over another? No, not really, so he opened his eyes and shook his head.]

Not really. But there's no reason to call you a girlfriend, and most people would understand boyfriend is dating, because significant others can be something else entirely.

[portolan]

Agreed. I've no interest in playing games. Not that kind anyway, and not with you.

[ He's had enough that for a lifetime, thanks.

Though he laughs at David's explanation. He lowers his hand but sets it onthe one he's already holding. ]

And maybe eventually I won't ask you so many questions with so many complicated answers. Thank you for the connotation lessons.

[helpdesk_hero]

No, don't say that. Complicated questions are a good way to convey information that is equally complex. And caring for someone is a beautiful form of complexity.

[He moves to kiss Balthier's brow]

And caring for you is a beautiful complexity that I think I couldn't do easily escape. Nor would I want to. So let's ask it directly. Balthier, would you be alright with me calling you my boyfriend?

[portolan]

[ David is so thorough and methodical and clear. Balthier smiles at that and at the forehead kiss. ]

David, you are most welcome to call me your boyfriend. May I call you mine as well?

[ He doesn't fully have the connotation of boyfriend yet, but asking someone to be his, and to be his in a way that can be asserted to others, he absolutely understands. He had hoped he we get here with David, but he hadn't expected to do so this quickly. He's glad for it, because it makes him feel less like he's a fool deep in unknown skies; or if he is, he's not there alone. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[David hadn't expected it either. But these two dates had been amazing already. And he wanted more of them. A lot more of them. He wanted to know he could speak to the man as someone cared for, someone that he could continue to expect time for.]

I would be delighted to have you say that, Balthier. Because to be considered yours at all would be a delight.

[portolan]

[ It definitely changes something, to know there will be more meetings, to know the other person wants to build this too. ]

Whether you are mine is entirely up to you, but so long as you want to be, I will covet you like the most precious of treasures. I know the worth of rare and beautiful things.

[ His voice lowers, and he presses his forehead to David's. He really does like that they are of a height. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[Rare and beautiful things? The man sure had a way with words, and it made David's heart leap with longing. He wants this so much. And he feels so special for it as well. All he wants to do is kills Balthier in the moment. But maybe that would be overreaching.

And honestly, there was something so much more intimate about this little forehead press. It's a good contact.]

I'd like to be yours. I'd like you to be mine. I would like this to be a two way street.

[portolan]

It is very much mutual. I am yours, dear one.

[ He presses his lips to David's. It's not demanding, but it's longer and slower than they've kissed before. ]