[ There's one last kiss pressed against his neck before the two of them must part. Strohl's response reassures Will that it won't be for very long. Yes, every part -- both the beautiful and the more unsightly shades, the ones that Strohl has potentially spent so very long trying to keep concealed out of fear of impropriety: Will wants to see and experience everything. After all, he's always had an appetite for the unknown.
His heart thrums within his chest as Strohl's hand slides down his sleeve, bare fingertips brushing against naked skin peeking between that same fabric and the cuff of his gloves. And Strohl holds him so gently, lifting the hand to plant another kiss against the pale skin of his wrist. This is how Strohl has always been with him, suspending Will within his hands like something precious even when those very same hands were capable of wielding that giant greatsword of his with ease.
In fact, that very same energy is on full display as Strohl's fingers fall away from Will's wrist to begin tugging his own clothes off. There's a small laugh from Will, though the sound it makes is barely a slight exhale. No matter how measured and controlled Strohl tried to conduct himself, Will knows this is Strohl in his element, fire in his veins while driven by heart as opposed to head.
Not that it means Will isn't any less eager than Strohl. His fingers work deftly to unbutton his own coat, setting it aside before the rest follow shortly afterwards. There's a moment of hesitation as he glances down at Strohl's own laid upon the grass. Like this, it may inevitably result in streaks of dark green. Will has seen how meticulously Strohl minds that one article of clothing, given how it is adorned with his house's crest. But here he is, readily offering it up for the sake of Will's comfort. If that's the case, Will thinks he should ensure that his gratitude for Strohl's thoughtfulness is reflected in his future ministrations.
So he reaches forward, a smile curving upon his lips as he takes Strohl by the hand, coaxing him to join him as he settles on his back. This is far from the first time they'd seen one another like this, given all the times they'd indulged in the Altabury hot springs. And because of that, there is no need for Will to feel self-conscious about the mottled flesh over his heart and the shadows of briars stretching across his chest. It is, however... certainly the first time that Will has laid eyes upon Strohl from this particular angle. His general, the person he has always loved first and foremost, has always been breathtaking, but to see just how deeply Strohl has wanted this based on the flush dusting his cheeks...
He reaches up with both hands, cradling Strohl's face between two palms. ]
Let me see it all, Strohl. Let me feel you, every part of your heart.
[ When he first laid eyes on the remnants of the curse, he recalls his own surprise but did not wish to burden Will with his emotions. That seems to be the story of how he has carried on; his emotions have been a burden yet also a crutch through these long days.
To cherish each moment that he had with him; to anger at the injustice that he's suffered. The machinations of cruel men did this to him, and he would not stand for another to ruin him - even if that hand may be his own.
But wasn't that conceited? Wasn't that wrong? They've walked together and traveled through so much; he was one of his beginning companions but Will was Strohl's first. He was the first one he felt he could believe in; felt he could rely upon; felt he could die for without any regret.
It was such a heavy burden to put on another person that he feared what would happen if he let Will know how deep his feelings ran.
. . .
Certainly, it is nice to have these introspective thoughts as he's ripping the clothes off his own body.
His thoughts and actions are at odds with one another. That has always been a problem for him, in one way or another. Before it was because he spoke before he thought; then it became he thought before he spoke. To grow, he found new weaknesses, but he would always have one true vice.
He would give Will just about anything he asked for; in the hands of a wicked man, he knows that could spell so much ruin. But Will is ... Will. Fallible, hopeful, and good. A person who seeks out answers and questions his actions rather than believe himself to always be right.
His arms wrap around him, pulling him in close; naked flesh against naked flesh. He's kneeling slightly so that he can press his lips against where the mottled flesh is over his heart. Kissing the wounded area as he wanted to do when he first saw it. Running his hands and fingers over the shadows of those briars - believing his touch to be healing something deep in his soul. Or feeding into the fire of what is being created here.
Just tasting the skin under his mouth is enough to make his breath come out hard and heavy. It's a longing that he has denied himself yet is being allowed to indulge. ]
I can't promise it won't be suffocating... but what is in my heart is yours.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2025-01-16 03:09 am (UTC)His heart thrums within his chest as Strohl's hand slides down his sleeve, bare fingertips brushing against naked skin peeking between that same fabric and the cuff of his gloves. And Strohl holds him so gently, lifting the hand to plant another kiss against the pale skin of his wrist. This is how Strohl has always been with him, suspending Will within his hands like something precious even when those very same hands were capable of wielding that giant greatsword of his with ease.
In fact, that very same energy is on full display as Strohl's fingers fall away from Will's wrist to begin tugging his own clothes off. There's a small laugh from Will, though the sound it makes is barely a slight exhale. No matter how measured and controlled Strohl tried to conduct himself, Will knows this is Strohl in his element, fire in his veins while driven by heart as opposed to head.
Not that it means Will isn't any less eager than Strohl. His fingers work deftly to unbutton his own coat, setting it aside before the rest follow shortly afterwards. There's a moment of hesitation as he glances down at Strohl's own laid upon the grass. Like this, it may inevitably result in streaks of dark green. Will has seen how meticulously Strohl minds that one article of clothing, given how it is adorned with his house's crest. But here he is, readily offering it up for the sake of Will's comfort. If that's the case, Will thinks he should ensure that his gratitude for Strohl's thoughtfulness is reflected in his future ministrations.
So he reaches forward, a smile curving upon his lips as he takes Strohl by the hand, coaxing him to join him as he settles on his back. This is far from the first time they'd seen one another like this, given all the times they'd indulged in the Altabury hot springs. And because of that, there is no need for Will to feel self-conscious about the mottled flesh over his heart and the shadows of briars stretching across his chest. It is, however... certainly the first time that Will has laid eyes upon Strohl from this particular angle. His general, the person he has always loved first and foremost, has always been breathtaking, but to see just how deeply Strohl has wanted this based on the flush dusting his cheeks...
He reaches up with both hands, cradling Strohl's face between two palms. ]
Let me see it all, Strohl. Let me feel you, every part of your heart.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-18 05:53 am (UTC)To cherish each moment that he had with him; to anger at the injustice that he's suffered. The machinations of cruel men did this to him, and he would not stand for another to ruin him - even if that hand may be his own.
But wasn't that conceited? Wasn't that wrong? They've walked together and traveled through so much; he was one of his beginning companions but Will was Strohl's first. He was the first one he felt he could believe in; felt he could rely upon; felt he could die for without any regret.
It was such a heavy burden to put on another person that he feared what would happen if he let Will know how deep his feelings ran.
.
.
.
Certainly, it is nice to have these introspective thoughts as he's ripping the clothes off his own body.
His thoughts and actions are at odds with one another. That has always been a problem for him, in one way or another. Before it was because he spoke before he thought; then it became he thought before he spoke. To grow, he found new weaknesses, but he would always have one true vice.
He would give Will just about anything he asked for; in the hands of a wicked man, he knows that could spell so much ruin. But Will is ... Will. Fallible, hopeful, and good. A person who seeks out answers and questions his actions rather than believe himself to always be right.
His arms wrap around him, pulling him in close; naked flesh against naked flesh. He's kneeling slightly so that he can press his lips against where the mottled flesh is over his heart. Kissing the wounded area as he wanted to do when he first saw it. Running his hands and fingers over the shadows of those briars - believing his touch to be healing something deep in his soul. Or feeding into the fire of what is being created here.
Just tasting the skin under his mouth is enough to make his breath come out hard and heavy. It's a longing that he has denied himself yet is being allowed to indulge. ]
I can't promise it won't be suffocating... but what is in my heart is yours.