leicesters | IC INBOX: isleofavalon

[Claude settles down with Lorenz, enfolding an arm around him and pressing a kiss to his cheek.]

I know you're worried, but any horse from Archimedes is a toughie. They'll be okay a while longer.

[And he's right, a reprieve from the bitter chill of the snow will be good for them both. He looks up at the tree canopy overhead, of the bitter late autumn sunlight trying to peek through the trees.]

Y'know, I never would've guessed you'd be such a cuddler.

[Lorenz nods, knowing Claude is right. Archimedes' horses are sturdy, he really needn't fuss so much. Something he's able to acknowledge a little more readily when he has Claude beside him.

Of course the kiss and the comment make him blush and though his initial instinct is to withdraw and apologize he takes a deep breath and simply leans back a little to look at the other man.]

Is... that a bad thing?

Do you think I'd be right here cuddling you if it was?

[Claude laughs, but it's good-natured. He tips his head to rest against the tree and takes off his glove, so he can reach up fondly to cup Lorenz's cheek.]

It's sweet. And it's a sign that little by little, you're learning about the things that you like about being close to someone. [...Rather than freaking out about so much as thinking about them.]

I... never had the opportunity to really be close to anyone. Not like this.

[Not just as a lover but also simply as a friend. There were so many ways such things could be taken out of context he'd always been terrified to allow it. Even if he knows Hilda and Leonie both would have happily given him hugs if he'd have let them. Maybe even Lysithea and Flayn too.

Lorenz tips his head, pressing into Claude's touch lightly.]

It's not that I don't like... other things. [And there he goes, blushing again.] You know that, right?

I just- [He trails off helplessly, uncertain how to explain the hoops his mind jumps through to get him so worked up over things that "aren't allowed" when there's no one to enforce such arbitrary rules anymore. Not here or at home.]

I know. [Claude leans in and captures Lorenz's mouth in his, briefly, his hand sliding down from Lorenz's cheek to rest on his chest. When he draws back, his voice is soft.]

You just need to learn to let go. Don't overthink it.

[He's not contrasting him to the people they saw in the forest... but he's not not making that comparison, either.]

[They're both thinking it and he knows Claude is and he feels so foolish, somehow, that he's made such a big deal of so much that everyone else seems to find unremarkable. Maybe... that's part of it, though. How casually people discuss such things, the way they speak as though there's nothing to it...

He doesn't know how to do that. To separate his heart from his actions like that. There's no way for any of this not to mean everything to him. But Claude's already possessed his heart for longer than he could say... surely he should be able to simply let everything else follow.

Lorenz huffs softly, lips curling up in a wry little smile.]

Liberating, hmm?

[Is that what he's going for here? Not that... Lorenz is complaining exactly.]

Yeah. It'd be nice not to be tied down to anything any more, wouldn't it? Living however you like? I want everyone in our new dawn to be able to live like that.

[And that goes for Lorenz, too. He presses another kiss to the corner of his mouth, peeking up at him.]

What do you say?

[There's another moment of hesitation, Lorenz biting his lip lightly as he considers it... That's just the trouble isn't it? Always thinking about it and never doing anything about it. So, after a deep breath he nods, something small and as much to himself as to Claude.

He tips his head to one side, reaching up to snag the seam at the tip of one finger between his teeth, pulling at the supple leather to free himself from at least one glove so he can cradle Claude's face in his hand. The glove gets dropped unceremoniously into his lap and then he leans in to kiss Claude this time. Sighing contentedly against his mouth.

Just... don't think about it, just savor the warmth of him, the softness of his lips, the weight of him... don't think.]

[Claude's eyes slide shut as he feels Lorenz melt into the kiss. There was nothing to think about, no one around them except the distant sound of birdsong or a breeze rustling the trees. It's... nice, just getting to be alone together like this.]

I love you. [He says it softly, between kisses.]

[The words gain a soft hum of acknowledgement though there's a good delay to indulge in more kisses before he finally manages to draw back enough to murmur an answer against Claude's lips. That's the important part, isn't it? They love each other and every thing else is secondary, every stupid thought that snags in his brain, every worry he can't force away.]

I love you too [Another kiss, long and lingering.] So much.

[As evidenced by the way his fingers slide back into those unruly curls and he gradually, gently pulls Claude a little bit closer, kisses him a little bit deeper. Goddess he will never tire of the thrill of kissing him, no matter how long he has to do so.]

[Claude is fully pliant in being pulled closer, deepening the kiss. It's nice, he thinks, to hear Lorenz finally sound so sure of something. And that something is him, of all people. The person who hid so much that until recently, Lorenz didn't even know his real name.

Touching is mostly a no-go given the conditions and how many layers they're both wearing, so he settles for resting a hand on Lorenz's thigh, letting out a contented noise against his lips. He's happy to stay like this for however long Lorenz is -- or for however long it takes for the cold to catch up to them, whichever happens first.]

[Ah but Lorenz at least has the benefit of an Everwarm potion still lingering over him and there's something absolutely perfect about this. Warm, gentle kisses, being so close to one another but utterly unhurried. Rather different than the last time they'd been in a similar position and Lorenz had gotten all twisted up in the rush of it that things had spiraled out of control.

He's no better at keeping quiet this time though, soft hums of enjoyment and delicate gasps peppered between kisses. Lorenz' hands settles over Claude's on his thigh, fingers curling lightly around his wrist, just somewhere to hold onto the other man. He'd be perfectly content to stay here for the foreseeable future as well.

Safrano, it seems, has other ideas. Before too long there's a heavy chuff and the gelding is pushing his nose against the side of Lorenz' head, clearly deciding that lipping at his hair is the best way to get his attention.

Of course sitting still and no longer causing a ruckus is all the horse needed to come meandering back to Lorenz' side and the man is too busy laughing and pushing Safrano's nose away from his hair to notice that a couple of the others seem to have decided the other horse was trustworthy enough to follow.]

[Claude's so absorbed in the moment he's startled by the interruption, sitting back so rapidly he hits his head on the tree trunk behind him.]

Ouch! Don't spook us like that, Safrano. [He rubs his head and grumbles. Well, the moment is ruined now, but it does prompt Claude to look around, spotting movement behind Lorenz's horse. He tilts his head to get a good look.]

I see you brought... friends...? [He laughs nervously, getting slowly to his feet. The cursed horses were definitely creepy, but if he could just get close to them without scaring them away, maybe he can catch them.]

[For all his grumbling it's clear Claude isn't actually hurt at all and that only makes Lorenz laugh more, tipping forward for a moment to hide his face against Claude's shoulder as he does so. Once Claude mentions the others though Lorenz gets up as well, taking Safrano's reins in hand. He does his best to remain largely behind his steed so as to not offer another target to potentially spook the others. ]

You see what I mean?

[Murmured softly after Claude, not expecting an answer. Goddess seeing them again is really..... distressing.

Before he's willing to join Claude in the challenge of catching the others though he does a quick once over on Safrano's tack, making sure everything is in order after his little adventure. Thankfully all he needs to do is adjust the girth where his saddle had shifted earlier. Then he gradually moves around the horse, keeping a tight hold on his reins lest he try to run off again, slowly moving opposite Claude to try to flank the others.]

[Claude tries to creep closer to the nearest horse. Not too fast that it would be spooked, but not so slow that it could likewise make it nervous. As he gets closer, though, he grimaces.]

Ugh. You do not look any prettier close up. [The horse stamps the ground with a hoof, and he hastens to add,] Oh, but it's nothing personal! The curse isn't your fault. Just come with us, and we'll get it lifted.

[His silly chattering away to the horse seems to be settling it, at least, and he's able to snag the reins. He pats the horse's neck (just don't look at the face and it's fine... mostly...) and looks over to see how Lorenz is doing.]

One down! Any luck on your end?

[The horses are at least used to being at the outpost, around people coming and going, the lull of easy conversation is liable to calm their nerves as well. So Lorenz follows Claude's lead, keeping his voice even as he approaches one of the others.]

Yeah, you just want to get home to Archimedes and your dinner, don't you? All this snow covering the sweet grass, that's no good....

[He cocks his head slightly, the only acknowledgement he gives Claude's success when he's focusing on approaching the horse. Lorenz makes sure to offer the horse his side as he moves closer, even if he can't.... really move in from the side the way he normally would. It must be so disorienting for the poor things, so used to having more of a side view to watch for predators, to have forward facing eyes.

No wonder they keep getting spooked, they can't see any of what they'd normally be able to.]

That's right...

[It's only after he's gotten the lead rope around the mare's neck that he finally shifts his focus to Claude.]

We can tie these two off to Safrano's saddle. Hopefully once we get moving with a few of them some of the others will rejoin the herd.

Good idea. And if the gang doesn't feel like getting back together, we can make a return trip back here once these guys are safely home.

[Claude leads his horse over to Safrano, looping the reins and tying them in on the saddle. He gives the cursed horse another reassuring little pat on the neck before he gives Lorenz a sly look.]

Or maybe some of the people who are, uh, busy in the forest right now might catch a horse or two for us later.

[Lorenz is nodding along, guiding the other horse over to Safrano as well only to stop short, cheeks flushing brightly at that little tease. His lips press into a thin line and he huffs a breath before continuing. The cursed horse whinnies and stomps a hoof, resisting the lead rope and Lorenz has to stop again, scowling at Claude this time. Don't antagonize him when he needs to keep a skittish animal calm, Claude!]

Yes, well, assistance would be appreciated, Archimedes' herd isn't exactly small.

[One last huff before he turns his back on Claude entirely, giving the poor spooked horse his attention. It takes another moment before he can get her tied off to Safrano's saddle but once he does he wastes no time mounting.]

I should make you walk for that.

[But they are going to be in knee deep snow before long and Claude is pretty miserable when he's cold. So, despite the threat, he reaches out to give him a hand up onto the back of his horse.]

You could do that, but then you'd listen to my complaints about being tired and cold the whole way back. Maybe I'd pass out in a snowdrift! Imagine the emotional toll that would take on you.

[Oh Lorenz, it's still way too easy to get a rise out of you. Claude just laughs and takes his hand, climbing up onto the horse and settling in behind him. Once he's comfortable, he wraps his arms around Lorenz's waist for balance... and for a little extra warmth. He's definitely not cuddling in to be distracting.]

All right! I'm good to go.

[Lorenz gives Claude the most deadpan of looks, not rising to the bait again. At least not so soon. But exasperation aside when Claude wraps his arms around him he hums softly, pressing back against him just a little. A small, affectionate nudge before they head off, slowly but surely weaving their way out of the woods.

It will be slower going, coaxing the other two back out into the snow, picking out pathways wide enough for the group to walk abreast. But it's worth it for the relief on Archimedes' face when they do manage to get them back.]

IC INBOX: isleofavalon

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.... wrap?