[Hmm. Henry shifts them so that he’s turned with his back to the entrance of the store — given his height, he obscures the coming and goings of anyone who enters or leaves, since she’s so tiny.]
But don’t you like it when I touch you? To know that you’re irresistible?
[ but the more he coaxes at her, the less she wants. too vulnerable, too public, too nauseating to consider as Waterdeep churns around her and the snow falls silent on briny waves. she lingers in his kissing for a moment before turning her head aside. ]
[Henry doesn’t reply immediately, taking stock of how to proceed. The weight of everyone’s judgment and criticisms will be heavier for her than they are for him, and this kind of burden manifests itself so clearly in moments like these.
He could suggest making themselves unseen to the world at large with his powers, which would be a simple enough solution, if not a bit premature. But he’s not sure of that, either — for as much as they’ve experimented in the past, as much as he’s encouraged her beyond initial uncertainty, he thinks he loves her too much to force her into something she’s truly uncomfortable with.
So instead, he just straightens and takes her hand.]
[ the relief presses down on her like a great weight. thank Mammon. thank Mammon she doesn't have to do this. for a moment, she'd thought he would press again, luring her on like he always does: stepping out into the water and waiting for her to follow, then stepping further, and again, until they're miles away from the waterline.
[He has learned not to expect apologies from Sprezzatura Vaux.]
Come on.
[Leading her out from the veranda and back onto the path they had trodden before. For what it's worth, Henry's disappointment doesn't hinge precisely on the act itself not taking place, and what does exist is always smoothed over by his mannerly demeanor.]
[ she wonders if there is disappointment—perhaps not so much for the denial of intimacy, but because she shied away from his persuasion at all. if there is, he will never let her see. ]
I would like to know. Yes.
[ the snow crunches underfoot. it's coming down faster now. ]
[He won’t! But there are other things to draw their focus towards: it’s been a long time since he’s seen snow quite like this — coming down thick, yet not oppressively. Not since he was a young teen, and even then, the memory is very fuzzy. Many of them are.]
Christmas isn’t celebrated here, but I consider it one for you, anyway.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
vecna) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
finalflight2024-12-26 07:22 pm
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I thought you liked it.
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No one can even see it under your coat. For all they know, I’m grabbing your butt instead.
[He’s kidding. But also, it’s true.]
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squeezes
I don't know, you tell him]
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Ne'er-do-well!
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Henry laughs, light and fond despite his gremlin ways.]
Can you blame me? You’re impossible to keep my hands off of.
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So try.
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But don’t you like it when I touch you? To know that you’re irresistible?
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You know I do.
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[Another squeeze, but gentler this time. He kisses along her jaw, then her neck.]
You can return the favor, too, if you want.
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No; I can't.
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Sprezzatura… do you really think anyone passing by cares about two people kissing?
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[ as she pushes his hands away, too. goodbye, squeezing. :( ]
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Hands just alighting gently on her hips, then.]
What, that you’re seen kissing someone that you’re dating?
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[ and it's compounding on her; she doesn't think she can pull through, despite her better (worse?) intentions to. ]
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He could suggest making themselves unseen to the world at large with his powers, which would be a simple enough solution, if not a bit premature. But he’s not sure of that, either — for as much as they’ve experimented in the past, as much as he’s encouraged her beyond initial uncertainty, he thinks he loves her too much to force her into something she’s truly uncomfortable with.
So instead, he just straightens and takes her hand.]
…It’s okay, Sprezzatura. We can just go home.
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her hand is a little clammy. ]
...Good.
[ no apology. ]
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Come on.
[Leading her out from the veranda and back onto the path they had trodden before. For what it's worth, Henry's disappointment doesn't hinge precisely on the act itself not taking place, and what does exist is always smoothed over by his mannerly demeanor.]
I bet you're curious about what I got you.
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I would like to know. Yes.
[ the snow crunches underfoot. it's coming down faster now. ]
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Christmas isn’t celebrated here, but I consider it one for you, anyway.
[A Christmas present, he means.]
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[ subtle anxiety: should she have gotten him something, too? ]
You did not spend money on this, did you?
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No. Just did a few favors for people, that’s all.
[henry creel getting into dnd shenanigans off screen]
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[ surely her family and detractors know who he is— ]
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Just some people who needed help here and there. It seems like even in this world, the aid of a telepath is worth something.
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