Where Ivan truly achieves his life goals

[komarran]

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[komarran]

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."

[whatdidisay]

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.

[komarran]

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.

[whatdidisay]

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.

[komarran]

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."

[whatdidisay]

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.

[komarran]

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.

[whatdidisay]

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.

[komarran]

'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?"

[whatdidisay]

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.

[komarran]

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.

[whatdidisay]

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.

[komarran]

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.

[whatdidisay]

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.

[komarran]

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."

[whatdidisay]

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.

[komarran]

It's less boundaries and more David is concerned he may end up requesting something more than he should. He hesitates at the question before nodding. "Is it all right if I stay here?" In Ivan's lap, where he can rest more fully against the other man's chest.

Maybe it was a good thing he changed his earrings out. On Beta Colony he could at least try to experience a real relationship instead of relying on his LSP.

[whatdidisay]

Ivan's an LSPT, David, there's no limit to 'more than you should' unless it's 'this is what makes me uncomfortable'. Ah, Beta Colony. Ivan runs a hand through David's hair, resettling on his shoulder to encourage him to keep himself close. "It is, yes." He's not too heavy, and Ivan takes good physical care of himself -- he knows he's good looking, but it never hurts to put in a little more effort.

"Has what you wanted out of this changed at all? With this revelation and decision -- I know your original goal was to get comfortable with the idea of having sex with men, but if there's anything else--" and he might have to refer him away if he did. Somehow that thought is-- well, Ivan doesn't like it in the slightest.

[komarran]

He pillows his head against Ivan's chest. There's a lot he's gotten used to since coming to Beta Colony. Explicitly asking his LSP to help get him off because he feels like he can trust the man and simple making out had been a huge turn-on, is not one of those things. Being able to stay close to Ivan is enough.

"I'm not sure," he answers with a frown. "I suppose... I'd like to get used to being with men, generally. I'm not sure if I'll get to try on Komarr, but I'll be walking over a minefield without adding my obliviousness to the mix."

[whatdidisay]

"It's not all that different from women, except for the sex. Perhaps more of its own unique minefields on planets with antiquated gender roles," Ivan offers in an attempt to be reassuring, fingers threading through David's hair. "There's always the assumption of machoism or inability to express emotions or talk frankly about a relationship, but none of those are unique to a relationship between men."

He's silent for a moment or two, and offers: "Why don't we set aside time near the end of every session for questions or whatever you want to do? You're making good progress as is-- but sometimes we don't account for everything."

[komarran]

The motion of Ivan's fingers has him closing his eyes and breathing out deeply in pure contentment. He really could fall asleep like this if there was actually time. The Komarran part of his brain is quick to point out how much money he'd be wasting if he did nod off during one of these sessions and it's enough to keep him more-or-less alert even while relaxing.

"I would like that." He thinks. "Though I'm unsure I'll always have something at the ready. I confess, I'm still getting a handle on what I should be doing in these sessions." And what he can even ask for.

[whatdidisay]

"Anything to encourage your end goal," Ivan prompts, although he doesn't press him for any more details. "I left the plans open ended to allow for your own comfort, but I can restructure them for a more ridged plan if you'd like. I think we can cut out some of the lessons in the one I gave you at this point."

Like the ones about easing him into sexual contact, as he hadn't seemed to mind before. But he's not sure about that, in all honesty.

[komarran]

He shrugs lightly as he uncurls himself from Ivan and slides off to sit beside the man. As enjoyable as sitting in Ivan's lap was, he's starting to feel it makes for a rather silly image given David's age. That little bit of self-consciousness has kicked back in again and is always hard to kick.

"If you think it would help," he answers. "I came here because I was rather lost at the start of all of this."

[whatdidisay]

"It might." Ivan doesn't complain when Duv slides off of him, although he misses the warmth and the weight of him as soon as he leaves. "And you can always tell me when you don't like the plan or reshuffle it around. Although--" He gives David a more searching look.

"And you may have to be more willing to visit our provided sex shop for a dildo eventually, since you'd rather use one of your own."

[komarran]

David's not going far, instead leaning against Ivan's side. It isn't until the mention of a dildo that he tenses and his face flushes red. That's a reality he knew was part of this, but one he certainly has no experience with. But he trusts Ivan, more than he realized as he feels less adverse to the idea than he expected he would.

"I can do that," he murmurs before clearing his throat and speaking more loudly. "Do you have any, ah, recommendations to start with?"