sterngaze | open post

[ Of all the things he might have expected to happen next, this seems even less likely than the thing that preceded it. He almost forgets about the assault on his bodily temperature -- except it's impossible to ignore the frozen fingers crawling up towards his sternum, and, frankly, really unfair of Liem to choose to dissolve into laughter at the same time.

For a moment, Cardan questions his sobriety, even though the last time he'd touched a wine glass was before their snowy trek.

It's not like Liem hasn't laughed before-- but not like this. Not like he's helpless against his mirth. It's unfair because he's cold, because he's leaning against Cardan, and because Cardan suddenly finds it impossible to do anything but sigh and hold on to him, even though Liem continues leeching all the hard-won heat from his body. He should be annoyed, not charmed. He should be trying to preserve himself by getting away while Liem is still incapacitated by his own mischief.

And yet.

He sighs again, suppresses yet another shiver, and then reaches to tug at the servant's bell. When the door opens some moments later, it's his grip that tightens on Liem. ]

The young master is chilled. [ For some reason, he makes it sound like this is the staff's fault for not anticipating the peril to Cardan's well-being. ] Run a hot bath.

[ And, before Liem has a chance to protest, Cardan is going to bend down in an attempt to sweep him off his feet and into his arms.

The harder for him to escape, presumably. ]

Edited (extra words) 2023-02-17 06:01 (UTC)

[It's an effort of will for Liem to finally rein in his outburst and regain some measure of his composure. He'd half expected, leaning against Cardan as he shook with laughter, that he'd use the chance to extricate himself, leaving Liem to his mirth. He's pleasantly surprised when his only reaction seems to be resignation.

The servant's arrival finds Liem attempting to master himself, dragging in deep breaths he doesn't need as he clings to his long-suffering spouse. He doesn't turn his head to watch as the servant disappears toward their bathroom, but hears his footsteps retreat over the plush rugs. It has been a long time since laughter has robbed him so fully of composure, and never before in front of his husband, but as long as Cardan is still holding onto him, he cannot bring himself to care.

Though he does make a small noise of surprise when he's scooped up into his arms, and he lets out another small, breathless chuckle.]

You've not had enough of me yet?

[He drapes an arm around the back of Cardan's neck, regarding him with a small, amused smile and a raised eyebrow.]

What are you intending to do with me?

[ It's pleasing to have Liem in his arms, not least because it removes his icy hands from beneath Cardan's shirt, but also because he's intriguingly lithe and compact. It's odd to feel possessive of Liem's arm about his shoulders and of his breathless little laugh, but Cardan is not wont to question pleasures as they come his way.

It's surprisingly challenging not to meet his laughter with an answering smile, though Cardan holds fast. He still smells like snow. ]

As I told the man: you are chilled.

[ His mien is one of solemn concern. But his arms tighten around Liem, as if expecting a need to hold fast to him shortly. ]

I am going to deposit you in the bath, lest you catch cold.

[ That he doesn't particularly plan on removing any of Liem's clothing will become evident shortly, if it isn't already. Nor is Cardan concerned about the near-certain immunity vampires must have to illness. His path towards the bath is certain and inexorable, steps unhurried only on account of the time it takes to fill the tub. ]

Oh? Is that right.

[Liem eyes Cardan's solemn expression dryly, finding that his look of sober concern is somehow more untrustworthy than if he was grinning outright. He doubts very much that he would ever look thus at him out of a feeling of genuine worry, even if he weren't obviously angling to dunk Liem like an uncooperative pet in need of a wash.

An uncooperative, fully clothed pet who has not so much as removed his indoor shoes.]

Wait… Cardan.

[He tenses in Cardan's grasp, straightening — as though he could stretch right out of his husband's grip — as he begins to almost stroll toward the bath. The sound of briskly running water echoes saliently from a couple rooms away.]

It hasn't even filled yet. Shouldn't we stay by the fire? Cardan. Cardan.

[ Cardan's carefully solicitous expression breaks a little at Liem's entreaties -- just a tiny twitch at the corner of his mouth, curling up into the hint of a smile.

He holds fast to his husband like one might to a squirming cat. ]

Oh no. I think it best, for both our sakes, that you warm up quickly.

[ He doesn't actually intend to dump Liem in a mostly empty bath -- so his protesting is helpful, as it gives Cardan an excuse to slow his steps, ostensibly to wrangle him into compliance. If this involves experiencing more of Liem's chill as Cardan presses him tighter against his body, well, it's but a small sacrifice. ]

Of course, you are welcome to help yourself to my heat as you wish in the interim.

[ The glint in his eyes suggests that Liem really shouldn't, if he wishes to court no further retribution. ]

I would not want you to suffer undue discomfort, husband.

[It's not dignified for the son of a duke to wriggle, but Liem wriggles against Cardan's hold, uncooperative as his husband attempts to keep a good grip on him. It is not the most effective thing he could be doing, intended more as an inconvenience and objection than anything else. But he isn't willing to sacrifice his husband's pride to save his own by forcing his release — which, unfortunately, he suspects Cardan knows.

He does not miss the twitch of that smile threatening to ruin his sober appearance.]

I can walk my own self there, as you well know. You needn't carry me.

[Not that he expects his husband to be swayed by this objection, nor any that would allow him to escape Cardan's grasp and his retribution. Liem abandons his pursuit of attempting to climb over his shoulder in order to aim an exasperated look at him.]

At least let me take off my shoes first, you hound. I like this pair.

[ The wriggle prompts another reaction: the pleased, smug looping of Cardan's tail behind him, like that of a cat watching a bird. He cheerfully (yet somberly) ignores the nonsense about letting Liem walk -- what sort of caring spouse would permit such a thing? Besides, he's having far too much fun.

The note about the shoes gives him pause, though. He stops, tilting his head back to stare at the ceiling in consideration. It is a nice pair of shoes, and though their ruination wouldn't be undeserved, Cardan finds himself uninclined to go quite so far in his quest for vengeance. ]

Hm. I suppose I could be persuaded.

[ He's so magnanimous about it. ]

What are you offering me in return?

[ Well, a bargain is a bargain, and one-sided ones are hardly in a faerie's nature. ]

[Though Cardan does a respectable job of keeping his expression sombre as he carries his struggling and protesting spouse toward the bathroom, he still seems quite cheerful by Liem's estimation. His tail is too lively to reflect any proper sobriety, and his heartbeat a little too quick. The joy that this activity seems to bring him is the only thing keeping Liem in his arms, considering that he is not keen to be dumped into his bath fully dressed.

It is his own bad fortune to be charmed by so wicked a man.

He's just optimistic enough to take it as a good sign when Cardan stops to consider their ceiling. Liem considers the line of his throat, which now presents a salient point of interest as Cardan tips his head back. He retains just enough self control not to slide his fingers along it, frigid as they still are.

Cardan's question, however, persuades the intent look from his face, replacing it with a dry one.]

If you don't dump my shoes in the bath with the rest of me, [he says mildly,] I promise not to pull you in also.

[ Cardan's look is one of reproach, with a dose of entirely insincere hurt. ]

Offering me something I do not want makes for an exceedingly poor bargain.

[ Offensively so, even. Granted, he wasn't planning on getting dragged into the water immediately, but he's not inflexible nor unwilling. Plus, unlike his eternally put-together husband, Cardan has not bothered with shoes.

He'll resume his advance towards the bathroom. Judging by the water's lilt, the tub should be mostly full by now. ]

I want a secret. I was going to ask for anyone's, but given that my husband takes me for a rube-- [ The smile he flashes Liem is as bright as it is sharp. ] --I have decided I want one of yours.

One that I don't already know.

[ Which should be easy, since he knows so few of them. ]

[The reproachful look Cardan aims his way makes Liem reconsider his restraint in leaving his neck alone while he was mulling things over. By his own estimation, he's already being generous by meekly letting Cardan toss him into his own bathtub, clothes and all. He doesn't have to indulge him, and he's not entirely sure he wants to if his shoes are going to end up as collateral.

As ever, though, his husband proves difficult to remain vexed with. Perhaps it is simply a talent he has cultivated over the years, given his equal and opposite skill at being vexing. At the word "rube," a smile twitches stubbornly over the firm line of Liem's mouth, and he releases a small, soft sigh.]

Very well.

[He doesn't bother arguing — not with that sharp little smile. Based on their progress toward the bathroom, he doesn't have time for such luxuries regardless. He thinks instead, snatching at the first acceptable secret that comes to mind, one nudged to the surface by their proximity to smooth tile and hot steam.]

I will tell you a favour you did me that you do not know about.

[He is unhurried in his delivery, relying on Cardan's desire for his secret to keep him from sweeping into the bathroom and dumping Liem in part way through. He does, however, lower his voice, tilting his lips to Cardan's ear as if to keep his words from a surrounding crowd.]

Weeks ago, when you commandeered my bath, you know that I was frustrated enough to spend the day in my study instead of returning here to sleep. What you do not know is that I was also perverse enough to decide, at that time, that I was not going to come at all until you made me.

[He raises his eyebrows slightly.]

It could have been quite vexing, but — I had to wait less than a night.

[ Cardan blinks; the tail does an odd little twitch in time with the heady pang of desire, more potent for being unforeseen. He hadn't been sure of what to expect -- they hadn't played this kind of game before -- but it hadn't been this.

For the second time within the hour, he finds himself surprised.

He doesn't respond immediately, aside from a slight intake of breath. First, he steps into the bathroom -- where the valet is just closing off the taps -- and dismisses the man with a nod. Once the door is closed behind him, and they are alone, Cardan will deposit Liem onto a chair and then-- go down on one knee before him with all the grace but none of the armour of a chivalrous knight. ]

That is perverse.

[ Long fingers reach for Liem's right ankle: it seems that Cardan has decided to honour their bargain by divesting his husband of his shoes with his own hands. It's only practical: who knows what Liem might get up to if Cardan lets him out of his grasp? ]

How did you know I was going to get you off at all?

[Ah, there it is: That little jump in his husband's pulse. The slight intake of breath. The smile flirting with Liem's mouth curves a little bolder, stays in place when they enter the bathroom. He inclines his own head to the departing valet, but his mind is still elsewhere, intent on hot water and warm, clever hands.

When Cardan sets him down and kneels before him, the look he aims down at him is quietly pleased. He lifts his foot slightly, accommodating.]

I didn't, of course. That was the point.

[Particularly during that interminable day, he'd thought it possible that Cardan might never deign to get him off at all. The thought of only ever touching himself had seemed too lonely to contemplate — but the prospect of courting a difficult, mercurial lover, of being at the mercy of his whims and cruel moods, was a little exciting. He'd always had a bit of a masochistic side when it came to his lovers.

And anyway, he decided he preferred frustration to loneliness.]

Though I didn't consider it likely that you wouldn't. Especially since I still intended to make peace with you. And, [he murmurs, mildly,] I was feeling stubborn about it.

[ Cardan's mouth twitches into a smile, too, though there's something a little wry about it, and he doesn't look Liem in the eye. He remembers too well the anxiety of that day -- and the resignation that followed it, buried under bottles upon bottles of liquor. The tryst in the woods had been guided by desire, urgent and undeniable, but before that--

Before that, he had been afraid. ]

What a shame, then, that I denied you the full gauntlet of my whims.

[ He makes quick work of Liem's laces before pulling off his shoe... and then sliding fingers up his leg, under the hem of his trousers, to pull down the sock, too.

...well, he might as well be thorough. Besides, the chill on Liem's skin is a little easier to deal with when it's Cardan choosing where to touch him. His fingers linger on a slim ankle, content to take his time just a little longer. ]

Should I have been less overt with my desires?

[ This time, he does glance up at Liem, and the half-smile is teasing rather than ironic. He cannot quite wrap his head around it-- Liem taking Cardan's mean prank and deciding to give him even more power over himself as his reward. And yet it is suddenly impossible not to want such a thing, now that Liem has dangled it in front of him once.

He'd suggested, before, that Liem liked being denied things, but he can't help but wonder if he's woefully underestimated the extent of it. ]

[It's a little strange, the flutter in Liem's belly at the deliberate touch of those slim fingers. He wouldn't have expected such a mundane activity to be especially titillating; it certainly never has been before, when anyone else knelt to remove his shoes. He can easily think of far more exciting places for Cardan's hands to linger. It doesn't seem to matter where his husband touches him, though. The thrill of having his attention remains regardless.

Of course, the topic of conversation only encourages the tenor of his thoughts. For that matter, so does the beckoning tub, with its heated bath filled and awaiting mischief.]

No…

[He laughs gently — a little ruefully.]

I don't feel especially bereft. Besides, I prefer when you're direct.

[He's not sure how well he would really have liked more frustration than he'd ended up getting from Cardan, after the weeks of teasing he'd already endured. He wasn't entirely joking when he said Cardan had done him a favour, for all his masochistic proclivities. He'd been frustrated already, enough to lean into it when he'd suffered the keen sting of denial — but he would have preferred not to be stung in the first place.

It doesn't matter. He already gave Cardan the secret he promised. He needn't speak more of the unhappy reasons for things he's done.]

I like not being in control of such things. It's exciting. But I best enjoy the game when there is a reward at the end.

[The smile he aims down at his husband is wry.]

Especially given the various demands on our time, I think I would get cross if we spent much of it simply fucking around.

[ Cardan is learning so many exciting things about his husband this night. His black gaze lingers on Liem's face as he reaches for the other shoe, untangling the laces by touch. Cardan studies him -- the sharp contours of his face, the reticent curve of his smile, his snow-mussed hair and piercing eyes -- and feels an odd, tender longing snake its way into his chest.

Which makes no sense because Liem is right there, because Cardan is touching him now and has no plans to release him from his clutches anytime soon. ]

There has been far too little time, [ he will agree as he strips Liem's other foot of its vestments. He lingers there, kneeling, for a moment longer, fingertips poised just barely against Liem's bare skin.

Then he rises, and his touch does too: following the line of his husband's body over his legs, his hips, his flanks -- until Cardan is leaning over him, braced against the chair.

His easy, wicked smile has returned. ]

Are you ready for your punishment?

[ He has, evidently, abandoned the pretense that it was meant to be anything but. ]

[Liem sometimes wonders what Cardan is thinking when he looks at him like that, with that intent air in his dark eyes. Being the focus of his attention is ever thrilling, even at inconvenient times, but even after months of marriage, Liem has trouble imagining the person Cardan sees when he regards his husband. Like a mirror, Cardan seems often to avoid showing him that which he's most curious to see.

Well. His curiosity would probably bite him, sooner or later, were he to find what he sought.

Liem tips his head up when his husband regains his feet and scales his body to loom over him. Tiny shivers climb in the wake of his touch, beneath his clothes; he feels electrically aware of his nearness as he leans closer. Letting out a slow breath, Liem finds Cardan's chest with his hands, fingers splaying over the thin fabric separating him from bare skin.

In answer, he peers up through his lashes and asks, with a winning smile,]

Are you sure you wouldn't like to undress the rest of me first?

I would.

[ His smile back is equally bright; he exhales lightly at the touch of Liem's palm, the coolness of his fingers just tempered enough by the fabric to send a different kind of shiver through him. Cardan leans down further, his hand sliding behind Liem's back, face tucked close to Liem's neck to better breathe in his blood-and-snow scent. For a moment, he imagines the pleasure of teasing them both as he peels back the layers of clothing from his husband's body, button by button. It's not like it hadn't crossed his mind-- ]

But the bath will get cold.

[ And a bargain is a bargain.

The arm around Liem pulls tight; Cardan will lift him again, and this time he does not dally before crossing the room to the tub, where the aroma of scented oils rises subtly from the water.

The rose petals probably make it romantic when he does dunk Liem into the hot water, suit and all. ]

[Excitement curls irresistibly in the pit of Liem’s belly when Cardan leans closer, his face tipping to Liem’s neck, breath warm against his skin. His fingers curl in the fabric of Cardan’s shirt, and he slides a hand into the soft hair at the back of his head, as if to keep him close regardless of his designs. As if he might persuade his husband to set aside his mischief in favour of seduction.

But of course, he’s still bound to suffer Cardan’s retribution one way or another.

A huffed laugh escapes him as his husband scoops him up regardless, carrying him unerringly over to the steaming bath. Liem has just enough time to press a brief, chilly kiss against his jaw before he’s dumped wholesale into the scented water. He doesn’t bother resisting, but slides bonelessly into the tub to disappear beneath the bath’s heaving surface.

The heat hits him like a full-body slap, making his skin tingle. Chilled as he’s become, the sudden warmth feels liable to cook him; it takes a few scorching moments for his body to be convinced otherwise. Liem shudders, relaxes, then finally pushes himself upright, sodden clothes and a smattering of rose petals clinging to him as he looks up at Cardan.]

I feel like a wet cat, [he informs him, raking wet hair out of his face.] Are we even now, your royal highness?

[ His skin tingles where Liem's icy lips brush his jaw.

Though he knows Liem doesn't need air, it's still a little startling to see him disappear underwater without coming up immediately. Cardan watches him, fascinated -- through from some distance away. He hasn't forgotten about Liem's threat to pull him in, nor that he'd rejected his offer to rescind it.

Once he surfaces, Liem's complaint prompts a soft laugh out of Cardan, though his gaze on his husband is more greedy than not. Even covered haphazardly in rose petals, Liem has managed to retain his usual cool elegance; the way his wet hair and equally sodden clothes frame him turns out to be strikingly attractive.

He grins and plants himself on the edge of the bath -- the far end, still cautious of attack. ]

I should have divested you of more of those clothes.

[ Not all of them, though. His gaze slides down to the cling of petals on Liem's neck, towards his collar, what he can see of the shirt clinging to his chest--

Well, nothing for it. He will reach towards his own shirt cuffs, unbuttoning them with the unhurried, thoughtful air of a scholar. ]

I am satisfied. For now.

[As Liem watches the way Cardan perches cautiously on the tub's far edge, amusement lifts the corner of his mouth. For all that he didn't want Liem to refrain from pulling him in with him, it seems like he's wary of letting him fulfill his threat. As well he should be; Liem's gaze on him as he undoes his cuffs is keen with predatory interest.

But like any good predator, Liem knows the value of patience. He stays sitting where he is, feeling the damp on his head and chest rapidly chill while warmth soaks into the rest of him, and glances down at himself at Cardan's comment. Lifting a hand, dripping, out of the bath, he flicks a petal clinging to his lapel back into the water before glancing back at Cardan with a raised eyebrow.]

For now?

[Shifting, he sinks a little deeper into the water, reclining casually against the tub's edge as he watches his husband's hands.]

Have I made you wary of further mischief?

Of course.

[ Not that he minds. He hadn't expected Liem to attack him -- had barely even expected him to get riled into the business with the snowballs, frankly -- but now that he's no longer experiencing his husband's frigid-fingered terrorism, he finds himself oddly charmed by it. He has rarely seen Liem mirthful, or anything approaching happy, for that matter. It is gratifying to see him in a playful enough mood for pranks, even if they are at Cardan's expense.

His mouth curls, unbidden, with the memory of Liem shaking with laughter. It feels like a victory.

His cuffs undone, he moves on to his collar, unwinding the tie knot there to pull the silk off his neck. It drops onto the tile floor silently. The intent nature of Liem's gaze at him hasn't escaped him; that makes him smile, too. Cardan has never not liked being watched. Here, now, it fills him with a slow-building anticipation, sending the slow, familiar coil of heat down his spine.

He meets Liem's eyes, tilting his chin up -- a smiling challenge -- just as he starts working on his shirt buttons. ]

Should I not be?

[Unsurprisingly, lounging in the bath fully clothed turns out to be not entirely comfortable, especially on the parts of Liem that are sticking out of the water. Exposed to air, his wet clothing quickly feels clammy and constricting; he sinks a little lower into the bath as he watches Cardan's measured removal of his clothing.

It would be too easy, though, to do the same. He hadn't shrugged free of his jacket or undone his tie when Cardan released him to unlace his shoes, and stubbornly, he doesn't wish to now. If his husband wants to see more of him, touch more of him, now that he's had his revenge, he can undress Liem himself.

He wants those clever hands on him, undoing his own buttons, peeling away concealing layers of sodden fabric. His wanting simmers beneath his skin as his eyes stay fixed on his husband, meeting his look of challenge with intent consideration. The curve of his smile is small and secretive.]

I cannot truthfully say you shouldn't.

[He cannot say that Cardan's punishment has dissuaded him particularly, or that he didn't relish the look on his husband's face when he realized the trap Liem had set for him.]

But then, you make it so rewarding.

Edited 2023-02-20 02:40 (UTC)

[ Cardan doesn't go so far as to shrug off his shirt -- once it's hanging open and pulled out of his trousers, he seems to lose interest in disrobing further, at least for now. Besides, given that he's down to two items of clothing, he sees no point in prioritizing himself. ]

I suppose influencing you to wickedness is its own reward.

[ He cannot imagine Liem pulling pranks on anyone else -- he can still hardly imagine him pulling pranks on Cardan, despite recent events. Worse, the thought strikes an odd jealousy into him; Liem's playfulness has been so hard-won that it irks him to think of anyone else laying claim to it.

He distracts himself by rising. The threat of being pulled into the bath looms at the back of his mind, but since he plans to end up there anyway, it's hardly very threatening. He steps close, reaching out to stroke Liem's cheek with the back of his fingers. ]

You've warmed up.

[ Which means Cardan is no longer in danger if he leans down, bracing himself on the side of the tub, to kiss him. Not from the cold, anyway--

Though the last time he'd done this exact thing in this same place does flash through his mind. ]

[In this particular area, at least, Liem would absolutely judge Cardan a bad influence. He has nudged Liem into being late to appointments or even cancelling them, distracted him at all hours of the day and night, and now tempted him into plotting mischief of his own initiative. The trend worries him a little; his father won't be happy to see it continued. He's not supposed to be neglecting his work on idle whims.

But he cannot care enough to stop. He doesn't want to relinquish one of the most persistent pleasures in his life, regardless of how unwise it might be not to. And he would rather please Cardan than his father.

He sits up again, attentive, when Cardan rises to draw nearer. The thought of pulling him into the tub with him surfaces again as he draws within arm's reach — but it would be so predictable to do so now, at the very first opportunity. So hasty. He has no wish to be either.

But he does want to get his hands on Cardan again. It's impossible not to, when even the stroke of fingers over his cheek makes longing flare bright in his chest, and the slide of lips against his own fans it even hotter.]

I should hope so, [he murmurs.

His hands, warm now from their time in the bath, are dripping wet as they slide beneath Cardan's undone shirt and over the bare skin of his waist, of his back. His kiss is hungry. Though he doesn't tug Cardan closer, the arm around him clings stubbornly, unwilling to let him retreat again.]

I've been waiting all night to touch you.

[ He breathes in with something akin to relief when Liem touches him again -- though it's odd, having his hands be warm when Cardan is so used to their cool whisper over his skin. Odd, too, to have the sopping wet fabric of his sleeves send water trickling down Cardan's back, over his ribs.

It's difficult to kiss Liem once. Cardan always wants more of him, and especially when he is like this-- when Cardan can feel the hunger in his touch, can feel himself respond with equally eager want. He thinks he could spend hours, probably, just kissing Liem -- if they ever had hours to spare. ]

I am yours, [ he murmurs between greedy kisses, and if he forgets to add a qualifier -- like to do with as you please or tonight -- then who can honestly blame him? Cardan is distracted, even as he takes another perch at the tub's edge to free both his hands. They sneak under the shoulders of Liem's jacket, now heavy with water, to push it off him. Cardan wants to touch him, too, especially with the novelty of warmth emanating from him.

Though it can only shift so far if Liem refuses to move his arms. ]

Off, [ Cardan will demand, to that end, before smearing his mouth over the sharp line of Liem's jaw, unwilling to keep away from him for any longer than that. ]

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