vrdantwind | IC Inbox

[Claude has been listening to Dimitri pacing the hall, chatting with the others, and the fact that he's controlled his endless curiosity all throughout to the point of not investigating is honestly a testament to how much he values all of them. They were doing things together - talking, at least - and shouldn't he let them? And, after all, it was only a few days ago that he'd gotten to have Dimitri all to himself for a night, sleeping on his shoulder. Maybe this is Dimitri trying to even some invisible score by fussing over the others. ~~Or seeking reassurance that he hasn't made Claude a ruined man for sharing his bed before marriage, even if it was completely innocent bed-sharing. Also not out of the question.~~

So he's surprised but pleased when there's a knock on his door - apparently, good things come to those who wait, and it simply wasn't his turn yet. He opens the door with a smile.]

How could I not be, wondering what you've been up to out here? I've been dying of curiosity for an hour.

[Has it been an hour, or is Claude exaggerating? Dimitri ~~and the content of his other threads~~ knows.]

[Dimitri is red faced already when Claude opens the door, and his skin only turns an even more vivid hue at Claude's teasing. Still, with two of his lovers spoken to beforehand, he thinks he's getting the hang of this, and he reaches out to take Claude's hands in his.]

Then... Allow me to answer that curiosity of yours, my love.

[It does not take very much effort for Dimitri to lean down, or to lightly press his lips against Claude's, a chaste little kiss that lasts only a moment.]

[Oh, that's completely unfair. Dimitri sweeps Claude's legs out from under him by calling him 'my love' when Claude isn't remotely prepared for that level of romance right off the bat, and then...the elbow drop from the ropes on Claude's already prone psyche that is suddenly being kissed. By Dimitri, the one man he's dating that he hasn't kissed before.

Claude's eyes fly wide open, and they're still wide when Dimitri pulls back. (Unsurprising, since Dimitri doesn't let the kiss last long.) He stares at Dimitri, momentarily breathless.]

...I think I just have more questions now... [The words are weak, but he's doing well to have gotten them out at all.]

[There's a little tickle of delight, seeing such a flabbergasted and breathless expression on Claude's face. Part of it is no doubt a holdover from their student days, knowing he could surprise even the world's greatest tactician.]

[The other part is just happy to give such a moment to him.]

I love you. [He presses a kiss to Claude's cheek, having grown at least a little confident over the night.] I hope that is a suitable answer.

When you say and do things like that, how am I even supposed to remember what the questions were? [Claude's voice is almost plaintive. Dimitri, how can you do these things to him. He's dying, Dimitri. He's dying and you're killing him.]

Does this mean I'm allowed to kiss you now?

[Oh - Dimtiri lets loose a breathy little laugh, swaying slightly in place as he keeps Claude's hands in his, and can't help going more pink despite the fact that he has now kissed multiple men in a very short time frame.]

I - if you would like to.

[Claude laughs quietly.] Do you know how long I've been waiting to? [It's only a brief teasing, as a hand reaches up to guide Dimitri's head down by the back of his neck into a kiss.

This one is...significantly longer. And less innocent. Claude's not forcing anything on Dimitri, of course, but it's definitely an open-mouthed kiss.]

[Oh.]

[Dimitri, roughly, vaguely, understands that there are a variety of different kisses. That's just how things are. However, to actually experience it, the passion and hunger in Claude's lips as they press against his own and the heat from his breath...]

[Dimitri shudders, fingers squeezing around Claude's free hand, and he breaks the kiss briefly with his forehead pressed against Claude's.]

I... don't know how to reciprocate properly, this kind of kiss...

You could just follow my lead. [Claude chuckles breathlessly.] Learn by example, that sort of thing...

Is that alright? [Dimitri is just as breathless, one hand brushing against Claude's waist.] I want this to be good for you...

Oh? And you think your kissing me the way I want to kiss you has any chance of being bad for me? [Claude's eyes are dancing.] Dimitri, if I didn't want a kiss like that, I wouldn't be the one making it happen.

I just - I don't know how -

[But Dimitri supposes the only way to change that is to do it. So, swallowing his nervousness, Dimitri wraps his arm around Claude's waist and pulls him close.]

[Kissing Claude like this... feels as though he's going to swallow him whole. There's a heat bubbling in him, a heat fed by this kiss, and he can't help but chase it as his attempts at this new way of kissing slowly grow all the more ravenous.]

[If Dimitri expects Claude to stop him, much less to complain, he's going to be disappointed. Claude instead makes a breathless, eager little sound against Dimitri's mouth as the kiss between them only grows more intense; even with his active encouragement, he'd never have believed his first time getting to kiss Dimitri would go quite so well or progress so fast as this. He should be flattered, but he's got nothing to spare for that; the warmth spreading from Dimitri's lips against his is quickly escalating to a heat that burns all conscious thought out of him. He could probably think if he tried, if he put real effort into it, but...nothing feels remotely as important as giving himself over completely to this, and enjoying every second of it.

When he does finally break the kiss, it's because he's overwhelmed enough that Dimitri's arms around him are practically needed for support, and Claude feels like he needs to get his bearings in some way. He blinks dazedly at Dimitri, skin flushed and lips parted.] For someone who doesn't know how...you're a fast learner.

[Dimitri is just as dazed as Claude, although he seems to be doing a much better job at keeping himself upright on his own two feet. He's slightly transfixed on the way Claude's lips are parted.]

Ah... You are a good teacher. I - apologize. This is a lot...

What are you apologizing for? [Claude licks his lips, smiling at him.] That was incredible. I think if you weren't holding me up, I'd melt.

[If Claude is trying to break some world record with how red he's making Dimitri's face, well, he's definitely going to get that trophy.]

I am still only a novice at kissing. And - Nevermind.

No, tell me what you were going to say. [Claude's eyes gleam with curiosity.] I have to know now that you started.

[Ugh. He really did sign himself up for this kind of embarrassment. Dimitri tilts his chin down slightly.]

I feel I might have been... leaning in the direction of going too far and too fast.

And how is that? [There's a smile on Claude's lips; he looks the furthest thing from bothered by this idea.]

[Dimitri's face could melt marshmallows.]

It was - our first kiss - [Technically their third, but who's counting] - and I was starting to get... far too passionate, I think.

Is it still too much if I want you to get that passionate with me...? [Claude leans a little closer, eyes roaming over Dimitri's face.]

[Oh, shoot.]

I... think so, yes. We have only so recently agreed to any of this, and... It is too much, isn't it?

If it's something we both want, why is it too much? [Claude raises his eyebrows.] Who are you holding yourself back for, if not for me and not for yourself?

Is it not for us? [He's starting to look a little perturbed, now.] A relationship should be... It is important. Especially so early on...

Is it? [Claude tilts his head.] What is it you're worried about, Dimitri?

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