crescentview | a catchall through the end: fall and winter

[Just like that, those words make him feel like all of the weight has been taken off of his shoulders. His trademark smile returns as he gets down to meet Kaspar on the floor.

As Kaspar watches the horizon, Sylvando's eyes remain on the glowing form beside him. It's hard not to be captivated by such a pretty view.]

Have you enjoyed your date so far, darling?

[He's not going to launch right into what he wanted to strike up a conversation for, especially with some of the tension immediately out of the air. He can ease into it.]

[ Kaspar hums softly at the question, smiling to himself a moment. In the wait, he offers Sylvie a sip from his champagne glass even before his gaze wanders back to him.

The look on his face may be subdued, tired even, but it is genuinely content by the time he finds the words. His date has been lovely, drama aside. ]

I have. [ His eyes fall, but his small smile does not. ]

And... have you, enjoyed yours?

Edited (Jimself) 2023-02-10 13:22 (UTC)

Aw, thank you, honey.

[He'll happily accept a sip, gently receiving the glass before bringing it to his lips. The thought of a little indirect kiss makes his lips quirk up in a brighter smile.

But, ah. He should return the glass now.]

I'm glad to hear it! They really went all out to give us plenty of options for a good time here. [Even with the drama looming ever so present in the distance, the activities on the boat have made it easy to keep it at bay in the meantime.] I think you made a great choice with Johnny, too. He's a bit hard on himself, but I always knew he was a sweet boy.

[He breathes out an amused noise when asked about his own date.]

I wouldn't say it's been the fairy tale date of my dreams, but it's been nice. Barry, he's...well, I know he feels terribly about what happened. I've been going easy on him because of the circumstances, but I did make my piece known.

[He turns his gaze toward the ocean.]

I'm really sorry this didn't turn out as planned. I knew you were excited to go with him, and...

[Well, here they are.]

[ Kaspar takes a sip of his own once returned. Holding the glass loosely, he may be quiet through most of Sylvie's words, but Kaspar listens actively despite his gaze drifting off again.

He hums, expression openly fond as Steinbeck gets mentioned even before he nods his agreement. His little smile is otherwise hard to read. The warmth never really fades again, even when the discussion heads in the direction Kaspar helped lead it down. It feels natural, when Sylvie trails off and Kaspar still hasn't the words, to reach over and try to calmly cover the other man's closest hand with his own. Warm, calloused beneath softening efforts, and as undemanding as the silence that accompanies it for a stretch. On Kaspar's end, it is a comfortable quiet broken only by the sound of the ocean.

But Sylvie needn't be as patient as most, since he filled the time before this with so many words. Talkers, ones he cares about hearing, lend him more. ]

I was... but I wanted to go with someone I care for, who cares for me. And I believe he outbid me for you, for a reason.

But... [ If his hand was accepted, it tightens and warms now like the slight flickering of his glow. For as polite as he is, his most genuine thanks are generally earned. ]

Thank you, for worrying about my feelings. About... our feelings over your own. You deserve a fairy tale too.

[ Kaspar still isn't quite used to this. ]

[Kaspar's hand is more than welcome, and he'll actually feel Sylvando's squeeze back before he does. He lets out a gentle huff when they get into van Zieks' actions for a moment.]

I still can't fathom what was going through his head then, but if you were to ask me to guess, I'd say nothing at all. He was being ridiculous.

[While he's relieved that Kaspar understands where he was coming from during the auction, he wants to make it extra clear that he's in Kaspar's corner on this.

Kaspar's expression of gratitude follows, leading Sylvando to close his eyes and bow his head a little. His feelings on this have been so jumbled ever since the auction, but finally talking about it is clearing up so much.]

Barry can say whatever he likes, but I could see his affections for you from a mile away. I may have had drunk goggles on at the time, but he certainly didn't. [He returns his gaze to Kaspar, both sincere and fond.] So when you outbid me, it reaffirmed that you felt the same way about him, you know? I care about you both so much- I couldn't bear to drive a wedge between you.

[He sighs and leans back a bit.]

Then came the human cyclone named Barok van Zieks.

[ Kaspar listens again, with his own soft sounds of amusement and eyes drifting back to Sylvie when he bows his head. He breathes his own amused sound, a soft exhale of a laugh after the comments are made, the air cleared between them. Cyclone indeed. ]

He crafted the wedge alone.

Though... I suspect I may have overestimated my worth to him since. This is all new to me, but his affections for you are greater, I believe. And I would not begrudge him that, most especially if it is you.

[ He sounds way too serene about that, looking away again. But he goes on airily anyway. ]

Otherwise, I'm afraid I would have bid on you again too.

Edited (clarity orz) 2023-02-12 05:04 (UTC)

[It's true. Sylvando was so worried about making things complicated, only for van Zieks to come in and make it complicated on his own. However, he doesn't seem convinced by the conclusion that Kaspar has drawn here.

He shakes his head, trying to be reassuring.]

Oh, honey, I really don't think that's true. He's reminded me at every opportunity that it's nothing serious between us. He's never once looked at me the way I saw him looking at you.

[Not outside the goddess' influence, anyway.

But he can't even sound entirely convinced about what he himself is saying. Van Zieks' bidding history can't be ignored. Something is clearly there that Sylvando didn't think was.

That's not the train of thought he ends up going down, though. Kaspar reiterating the bidding makes something click and his eyes widen slightly. For Kaspar who isn't looking, a light gasp signals that Sylvando has finally caught on.]

Kassie...

[He's at a loss for a moment, but not in a bad way. Eventually, he lets out a soft laugh.]

The auction sure was illuminating for a variety of reasons, wasn't it? You know, darling, if you think of it this way... You still ended up getting me to yourself for a bit in the end.

[Should Kaspar look his way, he'll give a little wink.]

[ Kaspar quietly allows Sylvie his loss and gain. Ears slightly brighter, otherwise he is serene in his gaze over water. It isn't a no, but he'd had no expectations beyond being understood.

He hums his agreement softly, looking over to Sylvie to catch the wink. His heart stutters. Kaspar leans over, fluidly aiming to plant a kiss to one cheek before retreating again. ]

... you're sweet.

[ Kaspar smiles, mood lifted. ]

Wherever our affections take us, might we still dance together?

[Oh!! Kaspar's little kiss on the cheek gives Sylvando an immediate case of the warm fuzzies and he can't help but giggle like a schoolgirl over it.

Of course, if Kaspar thinks he's getting out of this without receiving a kiss of his own, he's sorely mistaken!]

I would love nothing more.

[His shoulder presses up against Kaspar's as he leans in to return the favor on Kaspar's cheek.]

You're such a fast learner. Would you be willing to try a routine I've been aching to perform with someone?

[ Kaspar doesn't dodge it, his shoulders are relaxed when Sylvie's press against one. He leans into the touch like a salve, letting their arms slot together with proximity.

There is no hesitation this time. ]

Of course.

[ He goes on, more openly curious but also a shade cheeky-- ]

How spicy is it?

Yay~

[It's the most subdued "yay~" that Sylvando has ever uttered, but that's because he wants his excitement to be for Kaspar's ears only in this moment.

What's this, though? Kaspar being cheeky? Oh, he loves that! A conspiratorial smirk appears as he gives Kaspar's shoulder a gentle nudge.]

Oh, very. It's a tango, and it doesn't get much spicier than a tango! It has a lot of lifting involved, so it's been tricky to find another strong man willing to give it a go with me.

[ Kaspar revels in it, smile sweet in turn and meant only for Sylvie. He tilts his head after a beat with half lidded consideration cast in Sylvie's direction.

There is earned confidence in his words, the only brand of it Kaspar knows. ]

I can lift you.

[That confidence is extremely attractive- enough to make Sylvando's heart soar.]

That's exactly what I wanted to hear.

[He's always wanted to be swept off his feet, after all.

Now that would be a fairy tale experience.]

Whenever you feel like practicing, you know where to find me.

a catchall through the end: fall and winter

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