leicesters | IC INBOX: isleofavalon

[Claude reads the letter and rereads it a few times, and it's only when he's satisfied he's understood the gist of it that he sends a voice response -- not video, since apparently that might prove too distracting for poor Lorenz.]

Hey Lorenz, thanks for writing to me. I read your fancy letter. So to summarise -- you, um, want to know what my 'plans' are? And you want me to tone down the teasing?

I can do the second thing no problem, but in regards to the first, what 'plans' are you talking about? If you mean about us, that's something we decide together, not something I'm secretly devising on my own... Though I suppose I can see why you would think that way.

Anyway! We can talk about it now, or you can take the time to think about it and write to me again? Your call.

[He's a little put out by this way of communicating, but if it's how Lorenz is comfortable expressing his thoughts, he'll roll with it.]

[He's not going to... to ignore him or spend forever writing him again. Getting his thoughts out was the point. Now it's more... sorting out the details. Which is easier done over conversation and, honestly, Lorenz has no real issue turning on video. He's not in a position to allow himself to get caught up in warm touches and soft kisses and completely lose the thread of what they were talking about.]

I expect a certain level of teasing but- just... perhaps less so on... things I'm actively working at trying to improve. [It feels... a bit too much like dismissing his efforts simply because they're not the sort of thing Claude would have any issues with himself.]

And you are not scheming any sort of nefarious plans for us, I know that... I- [Oh and his face is so very red when he continues.] K-kisses are ah.... still new and a bit overwhelming at times... and then you- if you... that is-

[He continues to fumble for a moment one hand rising to curl over the side of his neck, as though he can protect himself from even the memory of Claude's mouth on his skin. It's something that makes him shiver even now.]

[Well, if Lorenz is happy to use video he is too, turning it on to reveal his perplexed expression. When it's clear Lorenz is getting tongue-tied, he holds up a hand to quiet him so he can chime in.]

Lorenz, slow down and breathe. In the simplest terms possible, what are you trying to say? Don't overthink it, just tell me.

[Lorenz gives him a look that is equal parts miserable and scathing.]

If it were that simple, clearly, I would.

[He huffs sharply shaking his head and covering his face for a moment. Then he shifts, leaning over the phone with an absurd look of concentration so he can type even though they're meant to be talking right now.]

I got so flustered and upset before because you started kissing me OTHER PLACES

[Another frustrated sort of grumbled sigh.]

Wh-what was I supposed to do with that?! [Freak out was the obvious answer. Clearly.]

[He'll just wait patiently while Lorenz is typing, even if he's looking more and more confused by the second.]

...I don't know, enjoy it? It wasn't supposed to freak you out or make you angry.

[He certainly seems annoyed right now, so Claude can only assume he's in trouble for something he thought was relatively minor.]

I'm not angry.

[As flustered and annoyed with himself as he is Lorenz is very quick to reassure him of that. In fact it's the only thing he's said so far that is just as firm and steady as his usual words.]

But, as you've pointed out yourself, simply.... allowing something because I enjoy it is- [An awkward little gesture, he's floundering again already.]

difficult.

[Claude nods. He's put some thought into it himself since their initial conversation, so--]

Would it be easier if you took the lead on things? We'll do things you're comfortable doing, or things you say I can do. Then there's no risk of you getting surprised and not knowing how to respond.

[As much as he's still blushing violently he does cock a brow and smirk slightly at the camera, bashful but also cautiously intrigued.]

You suggesting I take the lead on... well, anything really. Never thought I'd see the day.

[A laugh.] Didn't I once tell you that you'd be a great leader, and I'd trust you with the job more than anyone?

Granted, this wasn't quite what I had in mind, but still! I give credit where it's due.

Well then... I suppose you have my thanks for entrusting me with this particular task.

[Goddess he feels a little like he's going to faint just from how hard he's blushing, light headed and he ends up actually legitimately waving a hand near his face like it will help him cool down at all.]

Alright, I love you, I'm going to go.... I-I don't know.

[Run cold water over his face???]

Lie down in a darkened room?

[nah he definitely looks like he needs a whole bucket of ice dumped on him... but Lorenz said no teasing, so he'll bite his tongue.]

Love you too. Call me if you need to talk again! [He's always welcome to just come over, of course, but he's referring to this discussion specifically.]

[He huffs, even if it's not meant to be nearly as teasing as he usually is Lorenz is still embarrassed. So much so that he almost hangs up on him.

But he freezes, looking startled for a moment and then, abruptly, his expression collapses into something misty-eyed and tender. Slowly he nods, trying not to make a big deal out of it or Claude will just not say it again.]

I will...

[He doesn't call him, though. He hangs up and thinks... and thinks... and over thinks... and eventually, texts him again.]

You know I don't know what I'm doing, right?

What do you like? Just... to give me some ideas.

Now there's an open-ended question! [fortunately he has the sense to delete any more teasing after this statement before he sends it. gotta catch that force of habit...]

But if we were to start small, I'd like it if you kissed me too. Somewhere besides my mouth or my hand, I mean. Wherever is comfortable for you.

Like your neck? Like you did to me?

[A pause, long enough for him to steel his resolve enough to ask]

Or did you have somewhere else in mind?

Neck's good. But you could go a little further down to my collarbone, if you liked. Or my chest. Or my stomach... Orrr...

Well, if it's you doing it, you can kiss me anywhere you want, Lorenz.

[The amount of time between these messages is liable to start getting on Claude's nerves before too long.]

Or...?

[There's an implication there, he knows that. He isn't so sheltered or naïve to not follow the suggestion but there's also some part of him that insists the only reason he thinks of such a thing is because there's something wrong with him. The same something that makes his heart skip at the idea of sharing these kisses with Claude rather than someone that would make a proper wife.

What if that's not what Claude meant at all and he's just... some sort of... deviant?]

What if I want to kiss you where you want to be kissed?

Tell me.

I said anywhere, Lorenz. Nothing's off-limits for me. So if you're thinking of something but don't want to say it, I want to be kissed there too.

[He just doesn't want to make Lorenz explode with embarrassment more than he already is.]

oh

[It's highly likely Claude might think he's just going to leave it there as he freaks out a little, tries to calm down, fails, goes to make tea, comes back....... and only then]

That's

something people do?

[Claude's just going to patiently keep checking his phone until he hears back from Lorenz. No need to be pushy for a response-- and sure enough, he gets a reply.]

It is! If you ever feel comfortable with it, I could give you a demonstration.

A demonstraedf

oh

[Give him a moment to wrap his head around that. They had very much been framing this as Lorenz doing things to Claude and now-

Well now he's burning up all over again, oops.]

Only when you're ready, and only if you want me to. You're in charge, boss.

Alright.

I'll think about it.

[Probably far too much, Goddess forgive him.]

I mean, because you brought it up. Not to be weird or anything.

There's nothing weird about it.

And you should think of something you'd like to try too, of course! Anything at all that springs to mind.

Isn't there?

[He genuinely doesn't have an answer for that.]

I don't know. I really liked being in your lap, letting you play with my hair. It was nice.

Maybe next time you can touch more than just my hair. Or something? I'm sorry I'm not very good at this.

[Here Claude is suggesting racy things like kissing very scandalous places and the best he can come up with boils down to, essentially, "pet me?"]

I liked it too. You looked really content... until I opened my big mouth and ruined it.

I'll touch more than just your hair next time, then. And if I cross any lines, tell me right away.

IC INBOX: isleofavalon

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject