crescentview | FALL CATCH-ALL

[Syrlya is casually downing his champagne as he watches Trahearne eat one of his chocolates. Well that's one less crop for him.

And then he stops, the glass touching his nose as Trahearne's expression shifts and he speaks. His... laugh?

He stares, unblinking at first, as his cheeks tinge gold.

Then he sets the empty flute down slowly, leaning forward and resting his arms on the table. His expression grows soft, his gaze wandering Trahearne's face, searching.]

I don't need a chocolate to tell you that. [His gaze locks with Trahearne's, staring intently.] The things I love about you are uncountable, but... I love the consideration and care you give something when you have dedicated to it. You are--earnest, in your pursuits, like they are the most important thing that exists. It is a good look on you.

[ Oh, Pale Tree, the way Syrlya looks at him--

Trahearne thinks, in the quiet moment after he speaks, that he will melt under his gaze. Something in his chest warms--a phantom sensation, surely, since that is not actually possible--and his head cants to the side. He meets Syrlya's eyes with equal affection, but isn't quite ready for what comes next.

His expression widens a touch, not so much out of surprise, but simply for how moved he is. His lips part as a flush settles on his cheeks, and it takes a moment before he smiles again. ]

I'm...touched, Syrlya. It means a lot to hear that from you. [ Genuinely. It's just hard to convey with words. He reaches over the table, palm up for him to take it, if he so wishes to. ] You have always had a keen intuition when it comes others. I do love how attentive and caring you are in that regard--you have a big heart, and that's something worth cherishing.

[Syrlya's hand slides over to rest over Trahearne's.

It isn't often he sees Trahearne blush, a more subtle tinge against his darker skin. He likes the sight of it a lot.

His gaze sits just a second too long in Trahearne's lips before he locks onto his eyes once more.] You always have room in it you know. The space you've carved within my heart is permanent and you may always have perch.

[ As Syrlya's hand comes over his, he squeezes. ]

As you do in mine. [ Though he is aware of the meaning, the weight behind his words. Syrlya spent a lifetime without him, after his death. The implication that he carried that hole in his heart with him in all that time pains him to think about. But they are here now, and he can do what he can to heal him.

Trahearne, on the other hand, is much the opposite--who wandered his life not really knowing what it is he needed until he met Syrlya.

Not once has his gaze left Syrlya's, piercing yellow on blocked briefly by a slow blink. ]

Sometimes, I wish I'd dreamed about you.

[ Life before meeting him feels like a haze, a colorless blur in hindsight. It's incredible how much power a single person can have on his life. ]

[Syrlya tilts his head sideways.] You would have been waiting a long time if so.

[He's not sure he was even a concept in the dream yet, let along a soul. He has always assumed, even with Orr, Trahearne had a full life before him. Would pining for a face that doesn't exist have improved it?]

I'm glad fate ensured we would meet.

[ That would have been a long time. But if he would be the seed of hope in his heart that would have pushed him with optimism into the future, then he would have endured the pining for centuries if it meant knowing he would one day meet him.

If only he could have carried him longer in his heart.

Gently, he brushes a thumb over Syrlya's knuckles, admiring his delicate features, how his hair frames his face. ]

As am I.

[ Trahearne clasps his hand over Syrlya's. He's so small. ]

And that fate brought us together again here. Our souls are entwined, and I don't think I would have it any other way.

[ His eyes drop, just for one second, to settle on Syrlya's lips. A lightness, butterflies fill his chest in his joy. He loves him so much. ]

[Syrlya smiles warmly, his fingers curling around Trahearne's hand as he stares back at him. He's so caught up in the moment, he doesn't realize the silence dragging on as he appreciates every detail of Trahearne in the low light.

But a presence moving by the table shocks him, and he turns quickly with surprise only to realize it's their waiter with their plates.] Oh, thank you. The service is so fast here.

[Reluctantly, he pulls his hand back so the table is free for their dinner to be placed.]

[ Trahearne is so enamored with the sight before him that his reaction is much the same. He jumps when he sees movement in his peripheral vision, sheepishly lets go to make room, and pleased, observes the bowl of steaming risotto placed before him.

He offers a word of thanks as the waiter leaves, and he eagerly grabs his spoon. ]

This smells delicious.

[ And with one last, little glance at Syrlya, he digs in for a bite. Yummy. ]

[Syrlya down the rest of his second glass of champagne before reaching to just refill from the bottle himself.

He starts with a sip before he grabs his fork to cut through the salmon and take a bite. Careful, for once, as he doesn't want to make a mess of this dress.] It is delicious. The chef here is fantastic.

[ Trahearne is already several bites into his risotto by the time Syrlya looks up. He gives an enthusiastic nod as his eyes light up. ]

We're truly lucky.

[ They could easily be stuck with a bad chef. Or bad food. Or bad drinks. Or no restaurant at all. Trahearne reaches for his own glass to take a big sip. ]

In multiple ways, I think.

[ Back to the risotto! It's so good. ]

[Syrlya hums in affirmation., digging in for another bite. And another.]

Let me know now if you'd like to try this. [Otherwise he's going to finish it awfully quickly, it's so good.]

[ Trahearne pauses, and looks at the plate. That went quickly.

And since they'd done this at the resort already, he does it again. He leans forward, mouth open, ready to receive food. ]

[Syrlya does indeed cut a bit of salmon with plenty of sauce and scoops it onto his fork before stretching his arm to offer it to Trahearne.]

[ He closes his mouth over the fork, making sure none of it drips onto the table. And as he pulls back and chews, he beams a bit.

With an enthusiastic nod, he gives Syrlya his approval. That is good!

And while he's eating that, he takes a healthy spoonful of rice and tasty morsels and holds it up in offering. This is pretty good, too. ]

[Oh, well, if he's offering Syrlya sets his fork down so he can stand enough to carefully lean over and eat the risotto off his spoon. His expression lights up with approval as he sits down.

...

Dinner is nice. Syrlya is a little tipsy after three glasses of champagne, but it's really the mood of it all that has been buzzing with happiness.]

Should we share a dessert, or are you full?

[ The buzz of joy bounces between them, and Trahearne seems to have a silly little smile plastered on his face at all times at this point. He's almost certain it isn't the alcohol, either. ]

I say we may as well get the full experience while we're here. I'd like to share a dessert with you.

[ Dessert menu...is here! He scans it briefly before tapping the page. ]

Tiramisu?

Sure. [Tiramisu it is. Syrlya doesn't actually know what that is exactly but it promises cream and coffee... and anything sounds good three flutes in.

When dessert arrives, much quicker, Syrlya takes the fork to try and feed Trahearne the first bite.]

[ When the food comes to him, Trahearne leans in to bite it! They're getting good at this. They're so gross.

Trahearne takes his fork to repay the favor, but something about...the whole situation tickles him so much that he pauses, faint flush over his cheeks, and begins to...giggle? He giggles, affectionate gaze fixed on Syrlya. ]

[Is Trahearne... giggling?

Syrlya has to pause, because he's never heard such a sound out of Trahearne before. He sticks his fork into the tiramisu again, but doesn't quite cut the piece.] I'm sure you drank less than I did...

[ Indeed. Trahearne hasn't finished his third yet.

The joy is still on his voice, though-- ]

I find you more intoxicating than any drink, it seems.

[ It's true. If he had a heart, it would be bursting right now.

He composes himself enough to take a piece of the tiramisu with his fork and hold it out to Syrlya. ]

Flatterer. [He smiles coyly as he closes his lips around the fork, pressing together and dragging off it so he can claim all of the tiramisu.]

[ Trahearne is unusually focused on the way Syrlya's lips press and drag around the fork, to the point that his smile almost drops for a moment.

Oh...

He gulps.

When Syrlya pulls back, his smile comes back. ]

Isn't it good?

It is. [He drags his own fork, deftly twisting it in his fingers to offer Trahearne another bite.]

[ "when the ust rears its head on your cute dinner date"

Trahearne does the same, closing his lips over the portion of tiramisu. And for a brief moment, his eyes flit upwards to meet Syrlya's.

And he takes his food with him as he pulls back, already digging his fork into the last portion to feed Syrlya. ]

[The meeting of their eyes makes him pause as Trahearne repeats the gesture. There's the briefest clench in his stomach--he decides not to think about what it means.

Instead he leans for the last bite off Trahearne's fork--and tries to take that fork with him as he pulls his head back.]

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