![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[Continued]
Oh, I imagine it's quite past the time of worrying whether we'll be up all night, yeah?
[Somebody has his thoughts going... elsewhere, after all.]
But that sounds like a brilliant start, love.
On your back for me.
Oh, I imagine it's quite past the time of worrying whether we'll be up all night, yeah?
[Somebody has his thoughts going... elsewhere, after all.]
But that sounds like a brilliant start, love.
On your back for me.
not necessarily
i don't feel half as tired as i used to even if i'm keeping you up late
that said we don't have to go at it all night
unless you want to
[ His ego isn't so delicate as to be offended at the mere implication that he couldn't go all night, and even if it was he can't imagine feeling genuinely defensive like that around Steven anymore. ]
i thought you might like that
but i wasn't going to ask you to do all the work either
[ Since he's the one who can't sleep here.]
i don't feel half as tired as i used to even if i'm keeping you up late
that said we don't have to go at it all night
unless you want to
[ His ego isn't so delicate as to be offended at the mere implication that he couldn't go all night, and even if it was he can't imagine feeling genuinely defensive like that around Steven anymore. ]
i thought you might like that
but i wasn't going to ask you to do all the work either
[ Since he's the one who can't sleep here.]
Well, staying up all night listening to you is much better than reading or puzzles, yeah?
You've already got me awake and thinking about other things anyway.
[And Steven can't-- deny he's rather enthusiastic when it comes to finding ways to please Marc, in breaking down his that stoic outside just a little.]
Yeah? What else did you have in mind, love?
You've already got me awake and thinking about other things anyway.
[And Steven can't-- deny he's rather enthusiastic when it comes to finding ways to please Marc, in breaking down his that stoic outside just a little.]
Yeah? What else did you have in mind, love?
all that was just distractions to keep you awake anyway wasn't it
[ Marc's just as enthusiastic about it, and he thinks that Steven knows that despite that tough exterior and his tendency not to let his emotions show. He's been smiling more despite himself, and reaching out just to touch Steven even when it's just an platonic kind of passing touch.
... And the very non-platonic ones are pretty damn good too. ]
that's as far as i got before i texted you
just your mouth on me, or mine on you
or both
and the noises you'd make for me
[ Marc's just as enthusiastic about it, and he thinks that Steven knows that despite that tough exterior and his tendency not to let his emotions show. He's been smiling more despite himself, and reaching out just to touch Steven even when it's just an platonic kind of passing touch.
... And the very non-platonic ones are pretty damn good too. ]
that's as far as i got before i texted you
just your mouth on me, or mine on you
or both
and the noises you'd make for me
Mhm, but I'd much rather you be that distraction.
[Platonic or not, Steven's-- gotten used to those touches, craves that intimacy. He's not had much of it in his life, and Marc... well, Marc makes him feel safe. Cared for. Whatever issues they've had, he knows Marc-- cares.
And actually, he likes this texting stuff. It makes it easier to at least appear confident. Not a stuttering, fussing mess.]
Oh, I do like the sound of that. Both of us...
But then I also like the idea of winding up in your lap at some point. What do you think of that, Marc?
[Platonic or not, Steven's-- gotten used to those touches, craves that intimacy. He's not had much of it in his life, and Marc... well, Marc makes him feel safe. Cared for. Whatever issues they've had, he knows Marc-- cares.
And actually, he likes this texting stuff. It makes it easier to at least appear confident. Not a stuttering, fussing mess.]
Oh, I do like the sound of that. Both of us...
But then I also like the idea of winding up in your lap at some point. What do you think of that, Marc?
[ Steven definitely isn't the only one feeling touch starved, Marc's just had years of practice at repressing it. ]
i think we could start with that since i'm not in bed right now anyway
[ He won't say it, but there's an undeniable charm to Steven's tousled hair and clothes after he's been rolling around in the bed for a while. Or in the morning when he's just woken up. ]
you can come out and join me whenever you're ready
i think we could start with that since i'm not in bed right now anyway
[ He won't say it, but there's an undeniable charm to Steven's tousled hair and clothes after he's been rolling around in the bed for a while. Or in the morning when he's just woken up. ]
you can come out and join me whenever you're ready
[If that's what Marc likes, that's what he gets when Steven unchains himself from bed and comes to find Marc. His hair is mussed and his oversized sleepshirt is hanging as he gives a bit of a grin at the other.
Something torn between excited and flustered all at once. It seems like the butterflies never leave when it involves Marc.
He also gets a lapful of Steven straddling him soon enough, hopefully not too clumsily as he slides his arms around his shoulders to brace himself.]
Hey, love.
Something torn between excited and flustered all at once. It seems like the butterflies never leave when it involves Marc.
He also gets a lapful of Steven straddling him soon enough, hopefully not too clumsily as he slides his arms around his shoulders to brace himself.]
Hey, love.
[ Marc has doubts about whether or not he'll ever get used to this. Being able to see and hear and talk to Steven like this, let alone the specifics of what they've been doing with that kind of autonomy, is just not something he ever thought he would have wanted. Until the Duat anyway, but he still wouldn't have let himself get caught up in thinking about impossible 'what if's. Which meant that he was fully unprepared for this.
But that didn't stop him from accepting it. Just like he shifts easily now to make room for Steven on his lap, letting his own arms slide around Steven's waist and leaning forward into it. He's shirtless he has been for a while now, the only thing he didn't bother to take off was a pair of boxers, since it's just the two of them here without even an overbearing god barging in whenever he feels like it.
Not that Marc would have cared much anyway but he can imagine how embarrassed Steven would be on his behalf if anyone caught him looking like this. ]
Hey.
[ He's already close enough that he's almost nuzzling at Steven's chest, but he tips his head back so that they're facing each other instead. ]
If I really wanted to sleep I should have just come to bed, huh?
But that didn't stop him from accepting it. Just like he shifts easily now to make room for Steven on his lap, letting his own arms slide around Steven's waist and leaning forward into it. He's shirtless he has been for a while now, the only thing he didn't bother to take off was a pair of boxers, since it's just the two of them here without even an overbearing god barging in whenever he feels like it.
Not that Marc would have cared much anyway but he can imagine how embarrassed Steven would be on his behalf if anyone caught him looking like this. ]
Hey.
[ He's already close enough that he's almost nuzzling at Steven's chest, but he tips his head back so that they're facing each other instead. ]
If I really wanted to sleep I should have just come to bed, huh?
[No, it isn't the sort of thing that's-- easy to get used to, is it? Steven isn't any more certain that he'll get used to it either. But-- he likes this. What they do. He doesn't think he'd trade it, even if their connection to each other has changed from living inside of each other to living with each other.
Maybe it's wrong, the connections they seek out now with each other. But it doesn't feel like it when Marc's arms around him and he's looking at him like-- he's something special. Like he's worth all of this.
There's a flush that creeps up from his neck, towards his cheeks as Marc nuzzles into him, a slow smile tugging at his lips.]
But you don't want to sleep, yeah?
[He slides his hands up through Marc's hair, stroking through it gently. Then he leans in to press a kiss to his lips, letting it linger.]
And we don't need the bed for that.
Maybe it's wrong, the connections they seek out now with each other. But it doesn't feel like it when Marc's arms around him and he's looking at him like-- he's something special. Like he's worth all of this.
There's a flush that creeps up from his neck, towards his cheeks as Marc nuzzles into him, a slow smile tugging at his lips.]
But you don't want to sleep, yeah?
[He slides his hands up through Marc's hair, stroking through it gently. Then he leans in to press a kiss to his lips, letting it linger.]
And we don't need the bed for that.
[ Steven's probably rubbing off on him, because Marc finds it easier all the time to let himself relax into this. He might have started it, more or less on an impulse he still hasn't tried to examine too closely, but Steven's genuine openness about expressing these things is mirrored in the way that Marc reaches out to touch him too. In this case it's smoothing out his palms over Steven's back while he leans into the kiss with a muffled hum of agreement. ]
No, we don't.
[ It might be a little unexpected to realize that he would have wanted this much even if more immediate sleep had been his goal here, just the kissing and the intimacy, it's nice.
He could go with that too, would have if Steven had been stubborn about not losing the sleep, but considering how thar conversation went Marc knows that he's the only one with that kind of thing on his mind now. The kind that has him dropping his hands lower, still gripping and squeezing as he slowly pulls Steven more tightly to him. ]
Tell me what you wanted to do on my lap.
No, we don't.
[ It might be a little unexpected to realize that he would have wanted this much even if more immediate sleep had been his goal here, just the kissing and the intimacy, it's nice.
He could go with that too, would have if Steven had been stubborn about not losing the sleep, but considering how thar conversation went Marc knows that he's the only one with that kind of thing on his mind now. The kind that has him dropping his hands lower, still gripping and squeezing as he slowly pulls Steven more tightly to him. ]
Tell me what you wanted to do on my lap.
[It's what Steven's-- here for, right? To hopefully make things better for Marc, to help him out. Show him it's... okay to open up, to be a little bit vulnerable. Or maybe that's a pretty lie he's telling himself because he thrills under Marc's attention and the way he cares about him.
Marc's-- handsome and charming and protective. He looks at Steven like he's-- someone special and precious. He gave up paradise to come back for him, like an absolute bloody fool. How can Steven not be head over heels for that?
And he likes to think that it does help Marc in a way. It's not hard to notice the way he returns those touches, how much he seems to appreciate touch and affection, how much effort he puts in for Steven to be just that much more open.
Not that it's all just affection right now. There's a noise when Marc's hands grip at him in a way that sends want coiling through him. He lets out a soft noise. It's-- definitely not easy to be as vocal when this isn't a text. He can't reword everything fifty times before sending it. Marc can see him flush and fuss and attempt to not panic over whether he's coming off like an absolute knobhead instead of a suave or sexy.
For someone who's generally full of words, who can chat all day, Steven fumbles a bit here. Instead, he takes some time to kiss along Marc's jaw, to nuzzle in against his neck.]
I was thinking-- um. [There's a careful, tentative rake of teeth somewhere along Marc's neck.]
I would like to... ride you, yeah? In my pocket-- I brought some stuff from the bedroom. [Because it would be bloody awful to have to get up in the middle for lube, right? Right.]
Marc's-- handsome and charming and protective. He looks at Steven like he's-- someone special and precious. He gave up paradise to come back for him, like an absolute bloody fool. How can Steven not be head over heels for that?
And he likes to think that it does help Marc in a way. It's not hard to notice the way he returns those touches, how much he seems to appreciate touch and affection, how much effort he puts in for Steven to be just that much more open.
Not that it's all just affection right now. There's a noise when Marc's hands grip at him in a way that sends want coiling through him. He lets out a soft noise. It's-- definitely not easy to be as vocal when this isn't a text. He can't reword everything fifty times before sending it. Marc can see him flush and fuss and attempt to not panic over whether he's coming off like an absolute knobhead instead of a suave or sexy.
For someone who's generally full of words, who can chat all day, Steven fumbles a bit here. Instead, he takes some time to kiss along Marc's jaw, to nuzzle in against his neck.]
I was thinking-- um. [There's a careful, tentative rake of teeth somewhere along Marc's neck.]
I would like to... ride you, yeah? In my pocket-- I brought some stuff from the bedroom. [Because it would be bloody awful to have to get up in the middle for lube, right? Right.]
[ Marc knows that eventually Steven's going to get the hang of this, of them, just like he is, and he probably won't be as prone to fumble and stutter whenever he's not fully preoccupied in a heated moment, but that's never bothered him. It's just one of those things that Steven does that's just sweet when he knows how damn genuine the man behind it is, and now even when he does chuckle or roll his eyes it's only with affection, he knows that if he's patient Steven will get around to it.
And Steven's patient with him and his introversion, reciprocating isn't actually hard. Not since they got to know each other better, more than ever lately. He can't even begin to describe how it feels, to not have that loneliness constantly weighing him down.
Besides, he likes knowing that he's said or done something that gets Steven worked up in a good way, and he's absolutely encouraging him to keep talking, despite sometimes saying that Steven could stand to talk less. That doesn't apply here. ]
Do you like it when I tell you how good that feels? [ Riding him, that is, but he's also liking Steven's mouth on his neck, if the way he's tipping his head for it is any indication. And since Steven's got the same idea he had it's too tempting to resist turning that slight friction between them into a slow roll of his hips, just enough to press the hard length of his arousal right between Steven's legs. ] You don't have to be embarrassed about it if you like the dirty talk too.
[ Or if it doesn't do a lot for him, that's good to know. ]
And Steven's patient with him and his introversion, reciprocating isn't actually hard. Not since they got to know each other better, more than ever lately. He can't even begin to describe how it feels, to not have that loneliness constantly weighing him down.
Besides, he likes knowing that he's said or done something that gets Steven worked up in a good way, and he's absolutely encouraging him to keep talking, despite sometimes saying that Steven could stand to talk less. That doesn't apply here. ]
Do you like it when I tell you how good that feels? [ Riding him, that is, but he's also liking Steven's mouth on his neck, if the way he's tipping his head for it is any indication. And since Steven's got the same idea he had it's too tempting to resist turning that slight friction between them into a slow roll of his hips, just enough to press the hard length of his arousal right between Steven's legs. ] You don't have to be embarrassed about it if you like the dirty talk too.
[ Or if it doesn't do a lot for him, that's good to know. ]
[Marc is so much more hopeful than Steven is, then. He's not sure he'll ever get the hang of it. He'll certainly never be as smooth as Marc Spector. But that's okay, because Marc seems to like it, and that's the important bit. If he wants him, then Steven is glad to fumble his way through the awkwardness and eat up all the affection he can get out of Marc. Those little moments make everything worth it --
And oh, this is nice too.
The way Marc offers his neck up for Steven's eager exploration, the way he moves and arches beneath him. He's nowhere near as charming or handsome as the man beneath him, similar looks or no, and it's... beyond flattering to know he's wanted in so many ways by him. The proof is shown in so many ways, but especially the hard length pressed up against him that makes his breath hitch. He pauses as he debates how to answer that.
But Marc tells him not to be embarrassed--]
I always love hearing you talk. [That's the simple truth of it. Marc doesn't do it all that often and hearing his voice? Oh, but it's very welcome. He shifts up to press another lingering kiss to Marc's lips.]
And I like knowing how good I make you feel. [He murmurs with as much confidence as he can muster.]
Tell me what you want, right now?
And oh, this is nice too.
The way Marc offers his neck up for Steven's eager exploration, the way he moves and arches beneath him. He's nowhere near as charming or handsome as the man beneath him, similar looks or no, and it's... beyond flattering to know he's wanted in so many ways by him. The proof is shown in so many ways, but especially the hard length pressed up against him that makes his breath hitch. He pauses as he debates how to answer that.
But Marc tells him not to be embarrassed--]
I always love hearing you talk. [That's the simple truth of it. Marc doesn't do it all that often and hearing his voice? Oh, but it's very welcome. He shifts up to press another lingering kiss to Marc's lips.]
And I like knowing how good I make you feel. [He murmurs with as much confidence as he can muster.]
Tell me what you want, right now?
[His nerves are riding kinda high right now, but-- Steven's been quiet all day, off to whatever bit of their brain he goes when he's not in control and when he isn't present. Maybe he's just having himself a long nap, who knows. Doesn't matter, not when Marc's put himself to use setting up a full-length mirror beside the bed, put a few more around the flat here and there so maybe.
Maybe they'll get to see each other a little more... properly.
It's not the same as being face to face, not like in the Duat. But this is going to require some compromise if they want to give this sort of... relationship... thing a go.
And all Marc can do is hope Steven doesn't end up resenting him for it later, hating him.
A little late to give into nerves now as he sits on the edge of the bed, hands nervously placed on his knees as he stares into the reflection.]
Steven? You there, buddy?
Maybe they'll get to see each other a little more... properly.
It's not the same as being face to face, not like in the Duat. But this is going to require some compromise if they want to give this sort of... relationship... thing a go.
And all Marc can do is hope Steven doesn't end up resenting him for it later, hating him.
A little late to give into nerves now as he sits on the edge of the bed, hands nervously placed on his knees as he stares into the reflection.]
Steven? You there, buddy?
[It's strange not fronting but being aware of it, being in a place where he's just bordering on conscious but not quite. Steven is still getting used to it at all but the idea of "resting" while Marc is in control of the body doesn't feel as terrifying as it once did. For what it's worth, Steven is glad to give Marc more time to exist without him, to take care of... whatever it is he takes care of in his day to day.
That being said, when he senses Marc calling out to him, needing him, he surfaces almost immediately.
He blinks while taking in his surroundings, or at least whatever he's consciously aware of through the mirror. Marc is sitting there waiting for him and Steven smiles warmly, raising a hand up from the reflection, his shoulders naturally haunching a bit more than Marc's stature.]
Cheers, mate. Are you alright? [It's then he realizes this angle toward the bed is new and his eyebrows rise up, peering around as if he can see beyond this space.] Well, this is new...
That being said, when he senses Marc calling out to him, needing him, he surfaces almost immediately.
He blinks while taking in his surroundings, or at least whatever he's consciously aware of through the mirror. Marc is sitting there waiting for him and Steven smiles warmly, raising a hand up from the reflection, his shoulders naturally haunching a bit more than Marc's stature.]
Cheers, mate. Are you alright? [It's then he realizes this angle toward the bed is new and his eyebrows rise up, peering around as if he can see beyond this space.] Well, this is new...
Huh? Yeah. I'm alright. [Aside from the fact that, you know, his nerves are spiking right now at the look Steven's giving his bed. He bites at his lower lip idly, shifting his weight a little bit.]
Is it too much? Just, uh. You know. Thought... we could at least see each other. [And not just for-- the raunchy stuff they'd talked about. Just-- in general.]
Thought it'd be nice.
Is it too much? Just, uh. You know. Thought... we could at least see each other. [And not just for-- the raunchy stuff they'd talked about. Just-- in general.]
Thought it'd be nice.
[It's clear that Marc is nervous and it's something rare to see, so Steven is far more alert. He hopes he hasn't made him uncomfortable somehow, especially after their last conversation, but he knows this is something they both want to try. He tries to calm Marc with a smile, his own hands unfolding to rub down his knees.]
No, of course not - it's nice. [He eyes Marc a beat longer before letting some tension bleed out with a quiet laugh under his breath.] I've never seen you look so nervous, Marc. It's really alright.
No, of course not - it's nice. [He eyes Marc a beat longer before letting some tension bleed out with a quiet laugh under his breath.] I've never seen you look so nervous, Marc. It's really alright.
It's-- [He clears his throat and tries to bury his nerves. Last thing he needs is Steven freaking out because Marc's worrying over things he probably doesn't even need to.]
Just don't want to make things weird, you know? Or make you feel like I'm rushing you into anything.
Just don't want to make things weird, you know? Or make you feel like I'm rushing you into anything.
See? That sweetness I was talking about is popping out again.
[Spoken gently, fondly, Steven's expression relaxing into something so clearly affectionate. He can't help himself, especially when Marc seems so wound up.
Shifting a little on his end of the bed, he rubs a hand along his own knee, putting his absolute focus into it, as if he can transfer some of those warm and comforting feelings to Marc.]
I don't feel rushed. This is something we talked about and- and I want to at least try. I trust you, Marc.
[Spoken gently, fondly, Steven's expression relaxing into something so clearly affectionate. He can't help himself, especially when Marc seems so wound up.
Shifting a little on his end of the bed, he rubs a hand along his own knee, putting his absolute focus into it, as if he can transfer some of those warm and comforting feelings to Marc.]
I don't feel rushed. This is something we talked about and- and I want to at least try. I trust you, Marc.
C'mon... I'm not that sweet.
[He huffs out a laugh despite himself, something short and quiet before he ducks his head for a moment.
And then he's scooting back to stretch out on the bed with a sigh, looking over at Marc.]
Almost like sleeping next to each other, right? [Sort of.]
You want the body back?
[He huffs out a laugh despite himself, something short and quiet before he ducks his head for a moment.
And then he's scooting back to stretch out on the bed with a sigh, looking over at Marc.]
Almost like sleeping next to each other, right? [Sort of.]
You want the body back?
[Steven is still smiling to himself at that reaction, and when Marc lies down he follows soon after, curling up in the reflection like he would if he was the one truly in bed right now.]
Almost. Would be nice, yeah?
[He shakes his head against the pillow, eyes still on Marc.]
This is fine, I don't mind. How was your day?
Almost. Would be nice, yeah?
[He shakes his head against the pillow, eyes still on Marc.]
This is fine, I don't mind. How was your day?
Yeah...
[It'd be really nice.
Marc almost feels a little-- awkward. He can't tell if it's because he's the one navigating when he doesn't usually want to be, or if it's because he's not entirely sure what to do next that won't be too awkward.
He folds his hands over his stomach and looks over at Steven.]
You know, it was good. Spent some time tidying up... don't worry. Didn't throw anything out or disturb your books.
[Just in case Steven has a panic attack at the thought.]
But I, uh, added some mirrors here and there. Thought it'd be easier to see each other that way. [Thought it'd be nice, maybe.]
[It'd be really nice.
Marc almost feels a little-- awkward. He can't tell if it's because he's the one navigating when he doesn't usually want to be, or if it's because he's not entirely sure what to do next that won't be too awkward.
He folds his hands over his stomach and looks over at Steven.]
You know, it was good. Spent some time tidying up... don't worry. Didn't throw anything out or disturb your books.
[Just in case Steven has a panic attack at the thought.]
But I, uh, added some mirrors here and there. Thought it'd be easier to see each other that way. [Thought it'd be nice, maybe.]
[Steven remains on his side watching him, comfortable despite being "inside." He's happy just seeing Marc attempting to relax, even if he's nervous. Maybe it is easier not being the one in control but he's glad Marc is trying.]
Does this mean you want to spend more time with me beyond me rambling in your ear? [He smiles, just teasing, because he knows that's the whole point. It doesn't stop Steven from being nervous too because this is all so new.]
I'm... certainly enjoying the view from this angle. [His face heats up immediately but he blurted it out so - there.]
Does this mean you want to spend more time with me beyond me rambling in your ear? [He smiles, just teasing, because he knows that's the whole point. It doesn't stop Steven from being nervous too because this is all so new.]
I'm... certainly enjoying the view from this angle. [His face heats up immediately but he blurted it out so - there.]
Maybe. [He teases back, but that-- comment gets a bit of a smile out of him. He shifts a little bit, stretching before he looks back towards Steven.]
Yeah? It's not a bad view from where I'm at either... [Especially when he's flushed like that. An odd look on his face, but fitting for Steven.]
Look how good you look.
Yeah? It's not a bad view from where I'm at either... [Especially when he's flushed like that. An odd look on his face, but fitting for Steven.]
Look how good you look.
[It is different saying and hearing these things versus texting them, or some other communication that isn't face to face. Bold as Steven tries to be he still gets shy under Marc's attention, like now, flustered at the simple compliment. It makes his legs curl up a little on his reflection of the bed, head ducking just a bit, but he doesn't look away.]
I like seeing you... relaxed. Less tense, I suppose.
[Fingers drum a little on the bed before Steven stills, taking a deep breath, and he tries to push toward the front a little more, to take subtle control over Marc's fingers, his hand, letting his touch smooth gently over his chest where it was resting.]
Is that working?
I like seeing you... relaxed. Less tense, I suppose.
[Fingers drum a little on the bed before Steven stills, taking a deep breath, and he tries to push toward the front a little more, to take subtle control over Marc's fingers, his hand, letting his touch smooth gently over his chest where it was resting.]
Is that working?
Page 6 of 10