Duv "Oopsie" Galeni (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
komarran) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
garrulously2016-05-25 07:47 pm
komarran) wrote in garrulously2016-05-25 07:47 pm
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The cancelation of their next sessions doesn't come as a surprise to Ivan, who figures that the other man will -- eventually -- cancel them all. When he doesn't show at the one after, he's prepared to write him off. But then he hears someone at the door, and blinks.
"David!" Fortunately the recovery period is brief, and Ivan gets to his feet to usher him in. "It's good to see you."
"David!" Fortunately the recovery period is brief, and Ivan gets to his feet to usher him in. "It's good to see you."
Ivan nods, gesturing him on to the couch. He's got the idea down. "Please, go ahead." There's an eyebrow raise at make a stop somewhere that he lets go. For now.
Ivan waits until he's taken a seat to sit next to him, relaxing against it and throwing an arm on the back of the couch. "I didn't know if you were coming again."
Ivan waits until he's taken a seat to sit next to him, relaxing against it and throwing an arm on the back of the couch. "I didn't know if you were coming again."
"I wasn't sure either," he answers as he takes a seat on the couch. He's near Ivan though he leaves some space between them. Ivan won't have to wait long to find out about what the stop was since it's burning a hole in David's pocket, so to speak.
"But I want to figure this out. Even if I can't pursue it very far once I get home." He pulls out a small jewelry box and toys with it for a moment before offering it to Ivan. "I thought I'd start with new earrings."
They're much the same as the ones he's wearing now. Seeing an LSP to figure things out, so he's uninterested in a relationship presently, but with a new mark to denote that his preference is for men and open to flirting. The last part had been something he'd debated on for a while, a major part of why he was late in the first place. But he's on Beta Colony and no one's going to care with how they wear their sexuality on their ears. Hopefully it'd be more help than harm.
"But I want to figure this out. Even if I can't pursue it very far once I get home." He pulls out a small jewelry box and toys with it for a moment before offering it to Ivan. "I thought I'd start with new earrings."
They're much the same as the ones he's wearing now. Seeing an LSP to figure things out, so he's uninterested in a relationship presently, but with a new mark to denote that his preference is for men and open to flirting. The last part had been something he'd debated on for a while, a major part of why he was late in the first place. But he's on Beta Colony and no one's going to care with how they wear their sexuality on their ears. Hopefully it'd be more help than harm.
Ivan takes the earrings, getting their meaning in a quick glance. He grins, first at them, then at David, as he hands the box over. He's surprised, but glad -- "You know what I said about making good progress? I meant it." And hell, he admires the other man even more for being willing to try this out anyway, in the face of everything.
"Do you have plans to test these out?" Ivan asks, curious. Half of this was about getting comfortable with oneself, and he'd like to know if David had thought that far ahead. He doesn't close the space between them -- leaving that to the other man's discretion -- but does lean forward onto his arms a little, giving the other man a curious look. He knows earrings are odd for galactics to adjust to; his mother had worn do not ask for most of his childhood. Turns out still angry at a dead husband wasn't actually a choice here.
"Do you have plans to test these out?" Ivan asks, curious. Half of this was about getting comfortable with oneself, and he'd like to know if David had thought that far ahead. He doesn't close the space between them -- leaving that to the other man's discretion -- but does lean forward onto his arms a little, giving the other man a curious look. He knows earrings are odd for galactics to adjust to; his mother had worn do not ask for most of his childhood. Turns out still angry at a dead husband wasn't actually a choice here.
He takes the box automatically and toys with it in his fidgeting hands. At least he can say that of his trip, his LSP thinks he's making good progress. The one part he can't really mention to anyone else back home. Very few even know this is where he decided to take his sabbatical and they assumed the Galen with no interest in any of the bondings offered to him was cutting loose, for one reason or another.
"I was thinking of trying them, yes," he answers carefully. "I wasn't sure if I should wear them out of the office or not."
"I was thinking of trying them, yes," he answers carefully. "I wasn't sure if I should wear them out of the office or not."
Ivan smiles, although he won't have a helpful answer for that. "It's up to you, David. Do you feel comfortable with the idea of wearing them out?" He understands that some people do -- especially visitors. In his experience visitors tend to opt for more passive earrings; they can't read them like a native would, and so theirs tend to be invitations or warnings away. Ivan's own are inherently complicated: LSPT; bisexual; open to sex outside of work, but not interested in serious long-term relationships.
"If you'd like to wear them in the office to get used to the idea, you're welcome to."
"If you'd like to wear them in the office to get used to the idea, you're welcome to."
He stares down at the box in consideration for a moment before nodding. That might help. Wearing earrings at all is an adjustment and maybe if he wears them in here long enough, he'll forget to swap them out. Throw himself into the deep end, as it were, with the warning still attached that he was seeking professional help. He's forever thankful that's not a taboo here and while the encouraging comments are awkward at times, he'll take them over the judgmental ones.
"I think I'd like that," he says and reaches to remove his current ones. Putting on the new ones however would be far more difficult and offers the box to Ivan once more. "Ah -- would you mind helping me put them on? I still have trouble without a mirror."
"I think I'd like that," he says and reaches to remove his current ones. Putting on the new ones however would be far more difficult and offers the box to Ivan once more. "Ah -- would you mind helping me put them on? I still have trouble without a mirror."
"I'd be happy to," Ivan says, taking the box back from David. With one hand, Ivan takes out one of them and with the other, brushes back the hair from around David's ear, tucking it back behind it with a lingering touch to the curve of his ear, trailing down to his neck before dropping his hand away to focus on putting the earrings in.
Ivan finds himself appreciating the line of the other man's neck, jaw, even the way his hair curls slightly against the skin there. He's not handsome in the traditional sense of the word -- profile suggesting something sharper and more memorable than the constructed faces of the people around him. No, it's a natural striking effect, and Ivan likes it. "Other ear?"
Ivan finds himself appreciating the line of the other man's neck, jaw, even the way his hair curls slightly against the skin there. He's not handsome in the traditional sense of the word -- profile suggesting something sharper and more memorable than the constructed faces of the people around him. No, it's a natural striking effect, and Ivan likes it. "Other ear?"
He smiles shyly at the care in which Ivan applies the first earring. The man's handsome there's no doubt that was a deciding factor when David had made his choice in LSP, but he was the right mixture of kindness and encouraging that he needed right now. When prompted, he nods and turns his head to make his other ear easier to reach.
"Thank you." He adds after a moment, "For everything. I'm not sure what I would have done if I had to handle this alone."
"Thank you." He adds after a moment, "For everything. I'm not sure what I would have done if I had to handle this alone."
He repeats the same routine while putting in the other earring, although this time when he pulls away his gaze goes to David's lips. Not an excellent kisser, but if he'd let Ivan instruct him in that, too, he could be. Maybe he should ask the other man if he's interested in that one of these days.
Ivan smiles at him, handing back the empty box to him. "It's a pleasure, David." A genuine one, rather than an obligation like it can be.
Ivan smiles at him, handing back the empty box to him. "It's a pleasure, David." A genuine one, rather than an obligation like it can be.
He carefully places his old set of earrings in the box and pockets it. A set he hopefully won't need to switch to unless things go poorly. It's then that he notices Ivan's staring and he flushes lightly. It still feels strange receiving this much attention from another man, but he rather likes when he catches Ivan's eye. Even if he is paying the man for his time.
"I'm afraid I didn't review my plan before coming in here," he quips lightly. Whatever this session is supposed to entail is beyond David, but at least he's here.
"I'm afraid I didn't review my plan before coming in here," he quips lightly. Whatever this session is supposed to entail is beyond David, but at least he's here.
Having not looked it over, thinking David might not come, Ivan's struck with a small idea to celebrate David's step forward. "Why not have a free session? Whatever you want to do, we can. Doesn't have to be stuff we've covered." Just so long as it moves them forward to his goal.
He stares at Ivan like a deer caught in headlights. A free session? His mind had defaulted to monetarily until Ivan had continued on. What does he even do with that?
"I'm not..." He frowns thoughtfully as he turns his attention down to his fidgeting hands. He's not sure but what would he like to do? There's a long pause before he finally settles on, "I'd like to try cuddling again. If that's all right."
"I'm not..." He frowns thoughtfully as he turns his attention down to his fidgeting hands. He's not sure but what would he like to do? There's a long pause before he finally settles on, "I'd like to try cuddling again. If that's all right."
For a moment, Ivan wonders what he's gearing up to ask for, and is pleasantly surprised by the simplicity of the request. He readjusts on the couch, turning towards David and gesturing for him to curl into his open side. "Of course it's fine, David." Alright, so it's not making out, but Ivan has... never really dealt with this odd feeling of disappointment before and ignores it.
It feels almost natural to curl up into Ivan this way. Which he knows is wrong, the man's his LSP not a surrogate boyfriend, but it certainly helps to make him feel better. He relaxes against the taller man and lets out a small sigh as his eyes slip closed. Just some time to relax and he'll be ready.
It feels just as natural to have the other man there, Ivan's arm going around his shoulders to keep him tucked in against his side. He debates anything else before remembering that cuddling was the request, and rests his cheek on the top of the man's head, thumb rubbing comforting circles with a relaxed, practiced ease. He doesn't say anything, waiting for David to start the conversation, although the warmth of the other man against his side is an odd temptation. A nap, maybe?
He didn't ask for one, however, so Ivan lets his eyes fall into half-open slits as he just breathes, waiting for David to set any further terms.
He didn't ask for one, however, so Ivan lets his eyes fall into half-open slits as he just breathes, waiting for David to set any further terms.
'Further terms' are far from his thoughts though he realizes that he should be doing something other than relaxing against his LSP's side. Even if it is incredibly comfortable. After a moment, he nuzzles his head against Ivan and pulls back slightly. Even asking for anything is a step for him and he studies Ivan's face for a long moment as if considering what he should request.
"Ah..." Mentally he curses. Not the most intelligent start, but he presses on. "Can I kiss you?"
"Ah..." Mentally he curses. Not the most intelligent start, but he presses on. "Can I kiss you?"
The movement snaps Ivan from his mind, and he's alert when David pulls back, arching one brow and waiting for him to speak. And when he does, Ivan just smiles at him, wide and handsome. "Yes you may," he answers, managing to keep most of his glee out his voice. He shifts them slightly, pulling David more into his lap for an easier time of it. But he does nothing else, just waits.
Sitting sideways in Ivan's lap isn't quite how David imagined this going, but he's certainly not arguing as Ivan shifts his position. One hand settles hesitantly on Ivan's shoulder and after a noticeable pause, his other reaches to take one of the man's hands. If he's going to get used to this, he should dive in. Never mind that his heart is actually skipping a beat at their close proximity.
His approach is cautious as he leans in to kiss Ivan, eager, but chaste.
His approach is cautious as he leans in to kiss Ivan, eager, but chaste.
Edited 2016-06-15 21:47 (UTC)
He threads his fingers through Duv's hand automatically, giving it a warm encouraging squeeze as he lets Duv set the pace of the kiss. Ivan's not the one showing, after all, although he could if David wanted it. Instead he's letting the other man lead, his free hand sliding into the hair at the nape of his neck.
None of this stops him from being completely thrilled with this turn of events, however. He's warm in his lap, eager in a way Ivan finds completely endearing. This could be a problem, Ivan's back brain supplies, while most of Ivan promptly ignores it.
None of this stops him from being completely thrilled with this turn of events, however. He's warm in his lap, eager in a way Ivan finds completely endearing. This could be a problem, Ivan's back brain supplies, while most of Ivan promptly ignores it.
He can do this. The way Ivan's responding gives David confidence and he feels secure pressed up against the other man. His hand clutches Ivan's shoulder more tightly as a small sound of want escapes his lips before he presses his lips back against his.
Perhaps he should have more shame, but this is the same man that helped give him a handjob only a few weeks prior. If anything, he feels safer doing this with Ivan than flinging himself at the whim of Beta Colony.
Perhaps he should have more shame, but this is the same man that helped give him a handjob only a few weeks prior. If anything, he feels safer doing this with Ivan than flinging himself at the whim of Beta Colony.
Well. Ivan attempts to ignore the first instinctual response to that sound and tries for the more professional. His hands come up to cup David's face -- thumbs smoothing along the lines of his cheek, fingers brushing the edges of his jaw -- and parts his lips, deepening the kiss.
He's careful not to hold the other man tightly, to not press for too much, but for encouragement, reassurance. David's doing fine, and Ivan wants to make sure he knows that.
He's careful not to hold the other man tightly, to not press for too much, but for encouragement, reassurance. David's doing fine, and Ivan wants to make sure he knows that.
Is he--? Yes, yes he is and there's a moment where David almost shys away. But Ivan's touch is reassuring. After a second of hesitation, he follows the man's lead, as clumsy as he is at it. When he leaves here, David isn't going to have trouble with his homework though the need feels more pressing in the moment.
He's pressed firmly against the other man's chest as a strained moan slips past his lips. Good god, does he really sound like that right now? He pulls back, embarrassed, and offers a quiet, "Ah, sorry. I think we might need to stop."
He's pressed firmly against the other man's chest as a strained moan slips past his lips. Good god, does he really sound like that right now? He pulls back, embarrassed, and offers a quiet, "Ah, sorry. I think we might need to stop."
Ah. Right, yes. Ivan lets him pull away, and nods in order to convey his understanding of David's boundaries. "Alright. Would you like to go back to cuddling?" He asks, and tries not to look disappointed. Because he's not. Even if he really, really wants to hear the other man make that sound again.
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