Where Ivan truly achieves his life goals

[komarran]

Comments

[komarran]

"There's a series of museums in London, not too far from the circle of embassies, that details the origins of each major planetary government. I'd like to see their exhibits and what materials they have available to the public." It's a good topic to get him on and he's distracted in part by Ivan's hands and by this fantasy research trip to Earth.

He shifts in his seat as his tone turns more thoughtful, "I may be able to get my university on board with granting funding if they have enough there covering Komarr's origins."

[whatdidisay]

Absolutely the best topic to turn the conversation to, and Ivan drags his thumbs along the side of David's spine, occasionally stopping to continue working out all the tense spots. His first guess was right: he's never felt someone so goddamn worked up in his entire career.

"Would there be anything different though? I mean, wouldn't Komarr have everything already?"

[komarran]

Oh god. Instinctively he shivers as Ivan works closer to his spine and there's the nagging thought in the back of his head that when he leaves this office, he's not going to have any trouble doing his 'homework' this time. It's becoming a rather apparent problem as his back brain is acutely aware of the very attractive man rubbing his back.

"That would be what I could find out," he answers, voice dipping lower. "There's always information that slips through the cracks."

[whatdidisay]

Ivan notices the change in voice and doesn't remark upon it -- he knows David has to know what the effect is on him. That's a good start, he thinks, and should be reassuring to the other man in general.

"Even now? That seems impossible."

[komarran]

He knows. It's both reassuring and uncomfortable as he shifts in his seat. How would that toy feel? He suddenly wishes he had it on hand, but if he hurries home he can damn well find out.

"Ah, no one's bothered to check. Are you certain Beta Colony has all that can be found of its past?"

[whatdidisay]

"Well, no," Ivan admits, going lower on Duv's back, "but we were the first, you know. Well, second after Alpha Colony." Ivan blinks at that, and considers David's profession. "I don't suppose you know anything about what happened to them, do you?"

There's another difficult spot, and Ivan nearly leans against the other man to work it out. "No offense, David, but you could stand to have more of these on occasion."

[komarran]

"It never crossed my mind before," he confesses as his body shifts at the sudden increase of pressure. "I'm sorry if it's too much trouble." A misstep on his part and now one he realized he was making.

As for Alpha Colony, well. "Unfortunately no, I don't. My specialty is Komarran modern history and politics. I suppose I could try to find out..." At least locate material that had a better idea than he did.

[whatdidisay]

"I would have planned on it anyway, but at least you can benefit from it in more way than once," he points out, digging in. "You've got enough on your plate as is. I was just curious if you knew anything."

[komarran]

"Thank you. I rarely have time to do much for myself." Like getting a massage. He's incredibly glad his vacation here has led to that changing very quickly. "If I see any references to Beta Colony that might be useful, I can send them your way."

[whatdidisay]

"Time for you to learn how to treat yourself," Ivan mutters, with a small grin. "Relax and do something nice for yourself." Not exactly LSPT advice, but hey -- Ivan feels like it still holds. "I'm not sure I'll be your best target for that. High academic - goes right over my head."

[komarran]

"I thought that's what I was doing with this trip," he murmurs, deciding to let slide the bit about high academic. He realizes how that might sound and quickly clarifies, "Ah -- by getting my personal life in order. I'm doing independent research, but it's not nearly as grueling as managing that on top of teaching."

[whatdidisay]

He only speaks the truth, David. "Still related to the work you're paid to do, isn't it? But no, getting your personal life in order is a break from everything." Finally satisfied with the fact that he got most of the knots -- if not all -- out, Ivan drags his hands back up to Duv's shoulders before starting again, this time far more focused on the sensual aspect of it.

[komarran]

"Yes, and time off planet is new for me." David notices the shift instantly, Ivan's touch having an entirely different focus. A light shiver goes down his spine as he presses lightly into the touch and he glances over his shoulder to catch a glimpse of the man's face. Maybe he could do this with Ivan's help.

[whatdidisay]

That's the point of an LSP, David. But Ivan shoots him back an encouraging smile and a slight nod -- however the other man wants to respond is fine by Ivan. "I've never been off," he starts in an attempt to find some sort of common ground. "Well, besides from being born on a different planet. There's just no need."

It's Beta Colony. Everything he could want is here.

[komarran]

"Yes, I remember you mentioning that. You don't wonder what your home planet is like?" He can't imagine being separated from where he's born, but then again, he didn't grow up away from it. "I haven't had much need to travel, but I see the uses in it."

[whatdidisay]

"Besides still embroiled in a civil war? No, not really." It's Barrayar, David. Everyone knows what everyone else says about Barrayar. "M'mother talks about it differently than anyone else, but I don't know. It doesn't sound like the sort of place one would even want to visit."

[komarran]

"Would you go if things calmed down?" If they ever would. It had been a lucrative trade route when the fleets felt it worth their time to go into that part of space. "We're five wormhole jumps from the planet, but I don't go seeking out much news." Ivan's likely heard more from his Barrayaran mother.

[whatdidisay]

"Maybe. I've got a cousin there, and an uncle. If they live through it I suppose I wouldn't mind meeting them." And an aunt, who he owes his life on Beta Colony to. "I don't know if it's going to happen, and m'mother keeps making remarks about how it's almost like the Time of Isolation now. That can't be good."

[komarran]

A whole side to the man's family? He frowns as he glances back at Ivan. "I'm sorry, I can't imagine what that's like."

He may need to pull out some materials regarding Barrayar when he returns to his flat. Why, he's not sure. It's not like he needs to impress his LSP with what he knows or something, but if the man has family there, surely he'd want to know more.

[whatdidisay]

That just gets a shrug from him. "I haven't met them. I don't even know what they're like." Apart from what he sees on the news. Uncle Aral seems terrifying, that much Ivan is pretty sure on.

[komarran]

"Ah. Sorry I'm prying," he says as he straightens in his seat. "We're the closest to Barrayar, but I've never met someone with roots there." Nor has he paid much mind to the planet. Komarr on a whole had few trading happening in the region and his own family focused on their routes to and from Earth.

[whatdidisay]

"They don't get out much, from what I hear. Although if your family's involved in trade they'd have a higher chance of running into them, right?" He's still not sure how that system works, but then again everyone in the Nexus seems to think the Betan way of running a democracy is odd, so maybe there's a tradeoff somewhere.

[komarran]

"In a different part of the Nexus," he says with a vague wave of his hand. "They work more with the routes going to and from Earth, not Barrayar. As far as I know, they haven't done any trades with Barrayar."