![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Her eyes flutter closed as he rests his forehead against hers, she cradles his cheek in her hand and hugs him closer, wanting to feel him nearer but not sure how to go about that beyond just hanging on and enjoying the moment for what it is.
"It's still difficult to imagine, isn't it? I fear I don't know how it will work, but, I'm very happy to learn."
"It's still difficult to imagine, isn't it? I fear I don't know how it will work, but, I'm very happy to learn."
As she presses closer, he holds her more firmly. A contented sigh escapes him as he breathes in her scent, heart racing and mind blank.
"We have both carried impossible burdens," he murmurs, his heart full to bursting with every additional affirmation that she wants this. "I do not know how this will work either, but, I believe it something we can successfully navigate in partnership."
Partnership. It's bold and almost crass, elevating himself as her companion and even equal, but she has asked, and he will honor that.
"Shall we take lunch together? And perhaps you'd like to join me when I visit the armorer this afternoon?"
He steps back a little, arms still around her, feeling for all the world like an awkward youth. He just wants to be with her, whatever they are doing.
"We have both carried impossible burdens," he murmurs, his heart full to bursting with every additional affirmation that she wants this. "I do not know how this will work either, but, I believe it something we can successfully navigate in partnership."
Partnership. It's bold and almost crass, elevating himself as her companion and even equal, but she has asked, and he will honor that.
"Shall we take lunch together? And perhaps you'd like to join me when I visit the armorer this afternoon?"
He steps back a little, arms still around her, feeling for all the world like an awkward youth. He just wants to be with her, whatever they are doing.
[ from here ]
Basch sits at the end of the bar's counter; it's early afternoon, and it's not particularly busy. His stein is half-empty, and he's been fidgeting with his phone since Gladio said he'd join him.
He glances up and catches his eye, waving him over. Inside, he's squirming, regretting all of this, but he's not one to back out once he's begun.
Basch sits at the end of the bar's counter; it's early afternoon, and it's not particularly busy. His stein is half-empty, and he's been fidgeting with his phone since Gladio said he'd join him.
He glances up and catches his eye, waving him over. Inside, he's squirming, regretting all of this, but he's not one to back out once he's begun.
Hello. Don't mind him. He's just going to sit on the stool next to Basch, lean over the counter, and smile.
"Fancy seeing you here."
"Fancy seeing you here."
Almost a good line. Gladio grins.
"That's a good one, if you're keeping a list."
"That's a good one, if you're keeping a list."
"You're welcome to," he says with a smile. "And you should I think."
Alright, he's fairly certain Gladio is returning his interest.
Well, somewhat sure.
He thinks?
He wants to sink into his chair and deliver this query to the wall, but he also respects Gladio too much to do so. Mustering his courage, he meets the other man's gaze, even if he has to clench his hands into fists on his lap.
"Am I adequately conveying that I'm interested in you?"
Well, somewhat sure.
He thinks?
He wants to sink into his chair and deliver this query to the wall, but he also respects Gladio too much to do so. Mustering his courage, he meets the other man's gaze, even if he has to clench his hands into fists on his lap.
"Am I adequately conveying that I'm interested in you?"
"The text definitely conveyed it," Gladio laughs. "But this is helping."
"We already talk," Gladio points out with a chuckle. "Used to the conversation. Gives me a bit more leeway to work with."
"Is it any surprise that it's a long time since I've done this?" Basch asks, but he's much more at ease, the teasing coming out correctly at last. "I think I'd have been too scared, if we didn't already talk."
Not that he -- had hit the mark on that. Last time he listened to Balthier's advice.
Not that he -- had hit the mark on that. Last time he listened to Balthier's advice.
No, it's not a shock with what Gladio knows. He smiles.
"You're a beautiful man, Basch. Don't be afraid to shoot your shot."
"You're a beautiful man, Basch. Don't be afraid to shoot your shot."
Basch opens his mouth to protest, either his attractiveness or that that's any basis for what he's looking for, and then it catches up with him that Gladio is complimenting him and he blushes into his drink.
"So if we called this a date, you'd be...interested?"
Because he knows a lot better than to assume, even if sometimes it makes him come off as obtuse.
"So if we called this a date, you'd be...interested?"
Because he knows a lot better than to assume, even if sometimes it makes him come off as obtuse.
"No," Gladio said. "Because a date means I pick you up, sober, and I take you somewhere nice to eat. Then we walk through a nice park while I compliment you. And after, fro-yo I think."
Basch finally laughs, even if it's short and barely audible. That's...specific. And pre-considered.
"Somehow you're the one taking me on a date now." But his stomach feels tight and warm. He -- likes that. Gladio makes him feel alright in his own skin, and like the other can take charge without ever making Basch feel secondary, though he'd be alright with that too.
"Somehow you're the one taking me on a date now." But his stomach feels tight and warm. He -- likes that. Gladio makes him feel alright in his own skin, and like the other can take charge without ever making Basch feel secondary, though he'd be alright with that too.
"Maybe. I could let you take charge on that, but initial sobriety is non-negotiable."
Why would he ever negotiate on that? It means someone cares about him and wants him. There's only good to be had there.
Why would he ever negotiate on that? It means someone cares about him and wants him. There's only good to be had there.
"A future date," he agrees with a smile.
"So, why day drinking?"
"So, why day drinking?"
Ah. Well, he knows how to handle that.
"Finish your drink. We're going for a walk."
"Finish your drink. We're going for a walk."
Gladio downs his own beer, or half of it at least, until Basch finishes up his tab. Then he offers an arm.
"Come on. Let's distract you."
"Come on. Let's distract you."
The offer of an arm isn't something he expects, or is entirely familiar with. He stares a moment too long, eyes tracing from the arm to Gladio's face and back.
Then he shakes his head slightly and loops his arm through. He feels a little ridiculous. But, he always does when someone is seeing to him rather than the other way around.
"I am already quite distracted. Thank you."
Then he shakes his head slightly and loops his arm through. He feels a little ridiculous. But, he always does when someone is seeing to him rather than the other way around.
"I am already quite distracted. Thank you."
Page 4 of 25