I could take up swearing more often if it helps you worry less. [Jokes... Mm, but he leans into the kiss, soft and tender and unhurried. He does gently nudge the rest of the water back into Viktor's hand, but. Never mind that right this second.
When he pulls back it's only far enough to lean their foreheads together, smiling. Look at this guy. Mmph.]
Every time I introduce you to someone, or I meet one of your friends, they think you're witty and brilliant- true, of course I wouldn't introduce you to complete fools- and never tentative about being kind. You don't give yourself enough credit.
but fine, he takes the water and allows another sip, only because pal wants him to. it's sweet, that he cares, as though viktor handling the probably well deserved irritation of a morning headache for this isn't acceptable. he's having feelings again, ones that have him take the time to finish the entire glass! wow! before taking pal's face in both his hands and kissing him soundly.
it goes on for a while, enough he nearly forgets to answer pal being sweet again.] Oh I am quite witty and brilliant, I know. [dry] But I am not brave the way you are. You make me want to be, though. I think that is... important. That you make me wish to be better than I am, not because I need to be or should be, because you make it easier to be.
[Hmm, very good, he should get another glass— no, he won't, even after this lengthy kiss. This is perfectly non-tentative, nonsexual affection, sir; but that's beside the point. Palamedes leans into it to the point that he's scooted all the way to the edge of his shitty kitchen chair and bumped their legs together repeatedly, and immediately snorts inelegantly at Viktor's incredible display of humility.
Like, yeah, he's amazing and intelligent and funny, obviously, but the timing. True comedic genius.] More than anyone else I know.
[Ah, but then he softens, and presses his next kiss to Viktor's cheek, lingering there a moment. Hmm.]
If I offer to help with whatever you need, are you going to tell me I do it too much? [he does. he knows.] I am. For the record. Anything for you; I'll be here.
[ugh, pal gets another kiss for that. sweet of him, being wife guy, maybe more so because he's so glaringly honest it's easy to see he believes every word, no angles. his hand rests on pal's knee, moving up to a quite risqué place on pal's thigh as he leans in for another kiss. they're married sort of now so it's probably not a sin, it's fine.]
No. You have gotten a bit better at that too. Besides, we are partners. We help each other. [another kiss, then down the line of his jaw. maybe pal still needs reminders but hey, work in progress.] And you already are, waiting up for me with water and crackers. You are... impossibly sweet, Palamedes.
[Those hands should be eating crackers. Like, Palamedes won't nudge him away, of course not; but crackers? He put in the effort. It's only being on separate chairs that stops Palamedes from wrapping around Viktor's waist and tugging him closer, lest they wind up on the floor; in spirit, though, he's there.]
Only a bit? [damn... he's slacking.] And yet, you're rewarding me for only a little progress, anyway... Finish your crackers and I'll even tuck you into bed.
[viktor's head falls against pal's shoulder, a helpless laugh. he turns his head to press a kiss to pal's neck, then another, deeply considering trying to push his luck and see how much distraction he can manage. the last time they were frisky at the chairs here was Blueberry Time Loops, which he'd be happy to just thoroughly erase from their memory with a new, improved one.
so pal's got his work cut out for him as he ponders how helpful he wants to be, and murmurs into pal's neck,] The fact we missed each other so often last month is proof you are still taking on a great deal. I suppose it is a sin of mine as well.
[and a soft laugh against his skin.] I am weak to you. And surely the crackers can wait? [vile temptress.]
[Viktor, good god. Let it not be said that Palamedes isn't tempted, because he is, but he also wants Viktor to eat his crackers and get some sleep after what has clearly been a long - if good! - evening. He huffs, leaning into Viktor despite himself and letting a hand slide down to his waist, then his hip.
Listen... listen. Crackers.]
I couldn't just quit the Sanctuary, or the children's team, [he murmurs, enjoying the affection and persistently not caving to it, huff.] I could work fewer hours at the Lumenarium? But...
[It's literally a hospital, oops maybe he does have 500 obligations. He'll blame not seeing Viktor so much on the ghosts and the days spent wandering around in tunnels for too many hours, and not his myriad jobs. Ahem. Now then: snacks.]
Viktor, [terrible; he laughs. so scolding.] You're going to sulk until lunchtime if you don't eat the crackers now.
[......a metaphorical lightbulb dings on above his head, and,] I'll remove one piece of clothing for every cracker you eat.
[ha, he's winning. he squeezes pal's thigh like a victory, his other hand moving to press under the hem of pal's shirt and to skin.] Palamedes, [he copies the tone, lost in some smug amusement himself.] I will sulk if you push me away for crackers.
[but then pal offers that, and the laughter viktor has to bite back makes his shoulders shake. he pulls back just enough to kiss him again, with endless fondness, eyes bright with it as the kiss breaks.]
You are ridiculous and I adore you. Fine. [a cracker gets picked up, meaning he has to sit back which is a shame but this is too fucking funny and sweet and ridiculous. strip crackers. incredible. and this is how pal wins and gets him to eat the damn cracker already.]
[Surely Palamedes is not so easily seduced that he's undone by a pointed tone and a warm hand... surely not. Maybe just a little. He hums, so scolding, like he has something very biting and reprimanding to say about Viktor's threat of sulking, but nope, that's it. He even squeezes his hip a little, a smidge disappointed to lose the touch of skin on skin.
Stalwart, Palamedes. Strip crackers, a game for real adults who aren't being ridiculous at one in the morning in their own home. He raises an eyebrow, waiting patiently for Viktor to eat one (1) cracker. A shame he's already in his old man pjs, or he could really milk all his usual layers for a whole stack of crackers, but he's still going to be a little shit and kick off one slipper, first. It counts.]
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I could take up swearing more often if it helps you worry less. [Jokes... Mm, but he leans into the kiss, soft and tender and unhurried. He does gently nudge the rest of the water back into Viktor's hand, but. Never mind that right this second.
When he pulls back it's only far enough to lean their foreheads together, smiling. Look at this guy. Mmph.]
Every time I introduce you to someone, or I meet one of your friends, they think you're witty and brilliant- true, of course I wouldn't introduce you to complete fools- and never tentative about being kind. You don't give yourself enough credit.
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but fine, he takes the water and allows another sip, only because pal wants him to. it's sweet, that he cares, as though viktor handling the probably well deserved irritation of a morning headache for this isn't acceptable. he's having feelings again, ones that have him take the time to finish the entire glass! wow! before taking pal's face in both his hands and kissing him soundly.
it goes on for a while, enough he nearly forgets to answer pal being sweet again.] Oh I am quite witty and brilliant, I know. [dry] But I am not brave the way you are. You make me want to be, though. I think that is... important. That you make me wish to be better than I am, not because I need to be or should be, because you make it easier to be.
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Like, yeah, he's amazing and intelligent and funny, obviously, but the timing. True comedic genius.] More than anyone else I know.
[Ah, but then he softens, and presses his next kiss to Viktor's cheek, lingering there a moment. Hmm.]
If I offer to help with whatever you need, are you going to tell me I do it too much? [he does. he knows.] I am. For the record. Anything for you; I'll be here.
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No. You have gotten a bit better at that too. Besides, we are partners. We help each other. [another kiss, then down the line of his jaw. maybe pal still needs reminders but hey, work in progress.] And you already are, waiting up for me with water and crackers. You are... impossibly sweet, Palamedes.
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Only a bit? [damn... he's slacking.] And yet, you're rewarding me for only a little progress, anyway... Finish your crackers and I'll even tuck you into bed.
[not horny. just soft.]
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so pal's got his work cut out for him as he ponders how helpful he wants to be, and murmurs into pal's neck,] The fact we missed each other so often last month is proof you are still taking on a great deal. I suppose it is a sin of mine as well.
[and a soft laugh against his skin.] I am weak to you. And surely the crackers can wait? [vile temptress.]
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Listen... listen. Crackers.]
I couldn't just quit the Sanctuary, or the children's team, [he murmurs, enjoying the affection and persistently not caving to it, huff.] I could work fewer hours at the Lumenarium? But...
[It's literally a hospital, oops maybe he does have 500 obligations. He'll blame not seeing Viktor so much on the ghosts and the days spent wandering around in tunnels for too many hours, and not his myriad jobs. Ahem. Now then: snacks.]
Viktor, [terrible; he laughs. so scolding.] You're going to sulk until lunchtime if you don't eat the crackers now.
[......a metaphorical lightbulb dings on above his head, and,] I'll remove one piece of clothing for every cracker you eat.
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[but then pal offers that, and the laughter viktor has to bite back makes his shoulders shake. he pulls back just enough to kiss him again, with endless fondness, eyes bright with it as the kiss breaks.]
You are ridiculous and I adore you. Fine. [a cracker gets picked up, meaning he has to sit back which is a shame but this is too fucking funny and sweet and ridiculous. strip crackers. incredible. and this is how pal wins and gets him to eat the damn cracker already.]
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Stalwart, Palamedes. Strip crackers, a game for real adults who aren't being ridiculous at one in the morning in their own home. He raises an eyebrow, waiting patiently for Viktor to eat one (1) cracker. A shame he's already in his old man pjs, or he could really milk all his usual layers for a whole stack of crackers, but he's still going to be a little shit and kick off one slipper, first. It counts.]
Keep going; you've got work to do.