(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]

I understand the risk going forth from this moment. But I might be amused to see what happens.

[Difficult to believe. Daivd wants to laugh. He doesn't have the highest opinion of himself. Holding Balthier's attention is a wonder to him.]

You're still in the smitten phase.

[portolan]

[ Oh he’s poorly serenading David at some point. It’s on. ]

You, sir, can keep misusing that clever mind of yours to negate my affections, but I am clever and stubborn and painfully romantic and will just find louder and more creative ways to give them to you.

[helpdesk_hero]

Should I be worried about how public these louder, more creative ways could be?

[Still, he's a bit pleased at it all. To be told that he'd get what he deserved, and have that mean something positive was... it was a lot.]

I don't suppose I could ever stop you, so I shan't try.

[portolan]

Trembling in your boots. Though if there's anything you genuinely don't like, do let me know.

[ The goal is to make the man feel desired, not uncomfortable. ]

But you're absolutely right. There's nothing you can do to stop me from showering you with affection.

[ He kisses David's head and nuzzles against him. He likes the feeling of his hair on his cheek. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

My stylish but affordable boots.

[Nothing huh? That makes David smile just as much as the affectionate touches. But he's amused, more than anything, at Balthier's nuzzling.]

You sure you want to do that? It's not too rough, my hair? Some people are weird about it.

[portolan]

You know I'm starting to have an awfully low opinion of these "some people" in your life. Mayhaps I should challenge them to a duel, for your honor.

[ Oh, David. Who has failed to help you see how precious you are? ]

[helpdesk_hero]

That's not people in my life. That's people in my world. White people can be weird over our hair. But by all means, duel. I'm not going to stop you.

[So many people, Balthier. So very, very many people.]

[portolan]

[ This information is culturally outside Balthier's understanding, but it sounds like a wound so he's not going to ask further. ]

Well I like your hair. And I think you'd be grinning ear to ear if I dueled for you.

[helpdesk_hero]

[It's not even as major of a problem in this world, though David doesn't fully know that yet. For now he's just... he's just happy.]

I would be. But I'd be upset if you got hurt.

[portolan]

That would be unfortunate, but I presume you would be my marvelous star-crowned physician again. And I wouldn't complain at that.

But I'm an excellent shot. I'd likely intimidate my opponent into not even drawing.

[ He has a few times, actually, although at home cure and raise spells take care of any accidents. They're only really something to be worried about when there's no magic and no restoratives nearby. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[Star-crowned physician. Damn but the man found ways to make him blush.]

Well, you look a little too sweet and cuddly to be intimidating but I'll take your word for it. You haven't led me wrong so far.

[portolan]

Only for you, l-

[ The word love nearly slips out. It's a common enough term of endearment at home, but it feels overreaching here, somehow too earnest and not genuine enough. He pivots, barely missing a beat. ]

light of lights. I assure you, to everyone else I'm terrifying.

[ It's not really true, but anyone who has seem him angry or with a purpose has a healthy respect for him.

He likes David thinking of him as sweet and affectionate. He likes being that Balthier. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[Definitely overreaching in this moment. David, distracted as he is, doesn't catch the pivot. He does hear the name and smiles.]

Well, you can claim what you wish, Dread Pirate Balthier. I'm just going to see you as you are to me.

[portolan]

[ Balthier laughs heartily at that. So much laughter with David. ]

I think I have a new favorite title.

And that's precisely what I like about you, David.

[ Please continue to tell him he's full of shit, that you can see through his nonsense. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[David offers a low chuckle, and it's practically a rumble due to the depth of his voice.]

We're going to make you watch Princess Bride soon. You'll like the Man in Black.

What is what you like about me? The way I make you life?

[portolan]

[ That low voice is sexy. ]

Next time?

[ It's so lovely that there's a standing next time. ]

And yes, I like the way you make me laugh. I like the way you observe and think and analyze. I like the way you see me, even when I'm trying not to be seen. And I like that you're kind and thoughtful. And gods I like that you're fun to talk to.

[helpdesk_hero]

{And here he was just used to people telling him he should do audio books or voice overs or something.]

Next time. I'll put it on the top of the list. It's on the external hard drive though. If your roomie wants to watch it, tell him you're saving it for me.

[Damn, but the man is just flattering him so much and David, he can't help the way his heart is racing. Maybe it will soon be time to slip away, just because he's too caught up in how wonderful this is. He keeps needing to take a step back to be sure this is real.]

Maybe I'm the one dreaming, to hear you say all that.

[portolan]

You have my word. I look forward to it.

[ Balthier will have his own stepping back to do, once David is gone again. And it is starting to get late. ]

No dream, dear one. Though I can return that most kind and concerned pinch to the leg should you need affirmation.

[helpdesk_hero]

[Yeah, he almost feared it would end him with a pinch.]

No, that's alright. But I think I should probably start thinking of the fact that I need to leave your side. Not that I want to.

[portolan]

[ He sighs, but it's with a smile. ]

Time is always a spoil sport, isn't it? It is getting late -- thank you for spending your evening with me. And the food, and the laptop, and the lessons. I've been quite spoiled.

[helpdesk_hero]

I fear it is. It takes me away from you and I don't want it to. But I do need to rest.

[Spoiled. Not even by half. David has so much more spoiling to do.]

You need to pick which of the food you want to keep. Remember, you get to keep the ones you like.

[portolan]

[ As lovely as all this is, it is definitely not restful. ]

Who am I to stand between a gentleman and his rest?

[ But he squeezes David's hand and moves to start helping separate the food. ]

I quite liked the tripe, the steam buns, and the eggplant. Do you want the rangoon or do you want me to feed it to my teenager?

[ Balthier also has something he wants to give David to find later. ]

Let me get you a bag.

[ He takes their teacups to the sink and pulls an empty plastic bag. Back turned to David, he slips a folded poem from his pocket into the bag. He brings it back and puts a container David has said aside next to it, making sure it's one that is not soggy with sauce. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

Your teenager has no right to my rangoon. I'll grab the other veggie dishes, I like those. I'll leave these ones [he gestures to the beef dishes] here. With my compliments to your roommate.

[It is still enough for a bag so he absolutely waits for Balthier to bring it over and pack things away.]

Keep the rest of the wine, would you? So you can remember that kiss like I do.

[He takes the bag and then moves to go put his shoes on and acquire his shoulder bag. Figures Balthier will meet him at the door for the kiss goodbye.]

Thanks for tonight, being willing to see me.

[portolan]

[ Balthier is just one smile after the other. It's its own kind of intimacy to start recognizing David's moods and different modes of speaking. And the bit of teasing. Some small part of him feels the desire to say stay, to drag the night on, to kiss him harder, but it's much quieter than that part that wants to keep this beautiful dance, this balance. And he senses David's need to pause, to retreat. It's a wise urge.

And it's much easier, knowing there's already a next time. ]

I don't think I'll easily forget, but I'll happily take the reminder.

[ He does follow David to the door, offering to hold his things while he puts his shoes back on. ]

Thank you. For organizing. For the computer. For expressing you wanted something more formal between us. It is all sincerely my pleasure.

[helpdesk_hero]

[He is happy to let Balthier hold his bags as David quickly slides on his shoes. They don't need tied up too much when he's just down the hall. Once he's standing he reaches out to brush a hand over Balthier's cheek.]

May I have a kiss before I go? From my boyfriend?