portolan | Open Post

portolan

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

helpdesk_hero

All he could do was look this over, a bit in awe that he might be worth drawing. That he might be cared for enough to be studied like this.

"Which one was that? The first one?"

From:

portolan

David, love, of course he is worth drawing and caring for. And maybe Balthier is a little sentimental, and a little nervous, and wanted a keepsake and a memory for when David was away from him, for when he inevitably left. Though he's less concerned about the latter now.

"They're generally in chronological order, yes." He chuckles, pleased. "I'm glad you like them. I was afraid you might find it clingy, though I admit I'm rather proud of myself for you not realizing. Normally you can see right through me."

And there's a question hanging in his throat now. He takes a sip of tea. He'll let David look a little longer, doesn't want to rush this moment with another. Because sharing a sketchbook is high on Balthier's list of intimate gestures, and he's savoring being seen and delighted in as well.

From:

helpdesk_hero

"I find it charming. That someone thinks me important enough to put on paper," David answered, letting a bit more awe linger in his voice. He flips back and he goes until there's no pictures of him and then flips back. There he is.

"I don't want to see through you. I want to see you. And here you are, seeing me."

From:

portolan

"Are you fishing for me to remind you out loud, or are you being thick today?" Balthier asks affectionately. He sets down his tea and comes to hover behind David, wrapping his arms loosely around the man's shoulders and settling their heads together. "I think you're important enough to be stupidly heroic for, and the make poor decisions for, and to put down on paper so I'll always have you with me."

He kisses David's hair. "You only see through the parts that aren't pretense. That is seeing me." And he loves David for it.

From:

helpdesk_hero

"I might be fishing," he admits with a soft smile and sets the pad aside to better allow for the embrace.

"You'll always have me with you, beloved. I swear it. And I like looking at you as you are."

From:

portolan

Balthier likes that David enjoys so much attention, likes things said directly and repeatedly. It's helped him so much in being open, in getting back in touch with the pieces of him that like to be that way.

And he loves that way that, after all this time, David still melts happily into his touch. Scions does that make Balthier feel important.

"So you know what I'm going to ask you now, don't you?"

From:

helpdesk_hero

"No, I don't," David answers, looking at him before returning his attention to the little morsels he could nibble on.

From:

portolan

"I want to draw you without having to hide what I'm doing," he chuckles. "If you're comfortable, of course. It will involve a lot of staring. I can offer back that I shall be terrible self-conscious when it's not going the way I want."

From:

helpdesk_hero

Oh! David smiles. Of course he's going to have to allow this.

"Where do you want me? And how?"

From:

portolan

Balthier laughs. He hadn't anticipated David being ready now but he's not complaining. He loves when David's enthusiasm grips him like this.

"Somewhere you're comfortable. You could go back to reading or just talk with me. I could put you in a pretty chair or on the sofa or the bed." He's still behind David so the other doesn't see his smirk, but he probably hears it. "Or you could let me do some proper figure study, document you in various states of undress. It's up to you, love. Model has to be comfortable."

From:

helpdesk_hero

"You know that I'm comfortable with being bare before you. Please, just tell me what you want."

And he wants it, so much. To see what the man draws him like.

From:

portolan

He didn't want to be pushy, not if David wasn't in the mood for something like that, but he's thrilled that David is, hears the wanting in his response. Well, maybe he doesn't regret waiting this long to tip his hand.

So Balthier tilts his face down close to David's ear, lowering his voice. "I want you naked on the couch pinned under my gaze, and I want to spend the hours it takes to make a good image inspecting every inch of you. And then when I'm done looking for the day, I'll come check the accuracy of my rendition against the feel of you in my hands."

From:

helpdesk_hero

Oh jesus. David shivers, trying not to make a soft noise of wanting. Damn.

"You're getting back at me for that whole four hour worship sessions, aren't you?"

From:

portolan

Getting David to make noises was half the fun; he was so good at restraining himself. Balthier feels that shiver though, and his body answers with a pang of warmth. Well.

"Getting back at you implies some level of complaint and I assure you, there were none." He'd like to be very clear on that, thank you. That day had been incredible and he'd been entirely wasted for two days after. And maybe, privately, he'd teared up at how utterly loved he felt.

"Returning the favor while attempting to dishevel you, well, what can I say. You fell in love with a menace." He disentangles from David only so they can move inside.

From:

helpdesk_hero

"It is a propensity of mine," David agreed as he selected another snack to nibbled on as they head back in. "but I'm not on display for everyone, so make sure you position me in a place that means no one will look in."

That was what he needed.

From:

portolan

Balthier’s possessive heart is thrilled that David, while so open and willing, wants to keep seeing him naked to Balthier only. What can he say, he’s weak for feeling special and chosen.

“Of course, my love. Here, take this for me.” He hands him the notebook and his pen so he can take the tea and snacks. Inside he’ll pull the gauzy inner layer of drapes over the patio doors, obscuring the outside view from the inside of the apartment. He wants the good light though.

From:

helpdesk_hero

Of course he takes the items, and strides in himself to consider the room. The drapes earns a smile, because the concern is so immediately addressed. He appreciates that.

"Will this be bright enough?"

From:

portolan

He sets the food and drink on the coffee table, freeing his hands to take David by the shoulders and press a kiss to his brow. “Plenty. But if it gets too chill tell me. Now, my love, your job is to disrobe and let me know if I can get you anything else before I limit you to that couch.”

It’s a good room for this, really. Lovely couch, good lighting, good clean background. He will depart briefly to go get a pitcher of water and refill the snacks.

From:

helpdesk_hero

"Of course," he smiles, setting the things by Balthier's chair before starting to strip.

"This is where back home I'd joke 'paint me like one of your french girls'."

From:

portolan

“What is French?”

He arranges the refreshments where David will be able to reach them then goes to select another notebook. It’s bigger, and more importantly, “I’ll keep these separate and not in the notebook I carry with me.” Because he does respect David’s privacy.

And then he’ll enjoy watching David strip the rest of the way, something he’s seen a thousand times now, but with the context changed and Balthier not joining him it’s suddenly tantalizing.

From:

helpdesk_hero

"Larger? I'm being flattered here," he teases as he finishes stripping down. Bare as Balthier could want, and he moves to sit lightly on the couch.

"French is, well, it's like calling someone Arcadian. It's just a place people are from."

From:

portolan

“Oh, did you catch on to that?” He teases right back.

“Alright I’m going to arrange you, and while I do, let me address a few common misconceptions. You’re welcome to eat and drink and shift naturally. The beauty of drawing is capturing an essence not a perfect likeness. If you stray too far I’ll correct you. If you’re uncomfortable, shift as needed.”

He’ll guide David to lie on his side, one arm propping up his head, elbow cushioned by a pillow, and then bending one leg to be up with the other outstretched. His hands linger more than they strictly need to, to tease and admire.

“You’re beautiful,” he murmurs.

From:

helpdesk_hero

Oh wow, that's definitely interesting to hear Balthier talk about.

"Thank you, dear. I didn't like the idea of getting too stiff in one position."

It's easy to let himself be posed, but he's very intrigued by it all, if he's honest. The whole process feels nice, because he knows it will mean he's being appreciated.

"I love that you feel that."

From:

portolan

Balthier grins, sliding a hand up David’s side and stealing a kiss. “The point is to spoil you not to torture you.” And he can see that glow already spreading, the one David gets when he feels doted on. The one that always makes Balthier feel weak.