It doesn’t have to be now. [ quick to interject, not knowing what exactly he’s up to or if she may be stealing his attention from something else. someone else. ] But we should probably discuss it before it expires. For both our sakes.
I don't mind, Daphne. I'm not very busy right now.
[ it's just one of those nights where he's feeling restless and maybe a little homesick. seeing her is always a comfort to him, so maybe it's best if he go to her now rather than later. ] I'll be there in about half an hour. [ he just has a quick stop to make on the way. ]
[ and she is, dressed for bed as she usually is when he’s out haunting the streets of the up and down, and wherever else. she makes a point not to ask. there are things she probably shouldn’t know. doesn’t want to know.
but she always feels better when he’s near. now more than ever, especially. after anthony’s disappearance and rescue, she’s been jittery, nerves still recovering. she hadn’t wanted to let him out of her sight, but eventually, she had.
the key jangles and the door opens, attracting her attention from where she stands in the kitchen, brewing tea. her wet hair hangs around her shoulders and down to the small of her back, the scent of strawberries on her skin.
she puts her empty hand out to him without thinking. ] I didn’t mean to drag you back here to me so early, you know.
[ larus hums quietly in agreement before disconnecting the call, navigating through the down to take the elevators back up.
on his way, he stops at a shop near the building to purchase a gift for her. shortbread biscuits with some kind of floral note to them. lavender maybe. or some other herb that he thinks she might like because. well. things have been difficult lately, and he's not completely heartless. especially with her. almost exclusively with her. (and maybe two others.)
once he's inside, he doesn't need to smell her to know she's there. her heartbeat is strong, but the warmth of her is even more enticing, shedding out of his jacket and his boots before following her presence into the kitchen. he sets the small bag on the counter and takes her hand, soaking up the touch quietly. ]
I was thinking about coming back anyway. [ so she doesn't get the wrong idea about why he's there. ] I brought you something.
[ but he doesn't reach for the cookies, only tilting his head in their direction for her to open whenever. ]
[ she pipes up at the suggestion of a surprise, turning her eyes onto the package where it lays, a quaint little parchment bag with twine. very her. it brings a smile to her face to see it. but it’s the fact he thought of her at all that makes her turn into him with the softest eyes, getting to her toes to press a kiss to his cheek.
he smells good, like the brisk air he’s been walking through, laced with the amber of larus beneath it. ] You didn’t have to. [ but she’s very pleased he did. it’s the little things that have the most impact with her. a diamond necklace from a prince only went so far. ]
Thank you. I hope you’re not trying to apologize for something. [ teasing. ]
[ his own expression warms considerably at the look on her face, catching her hand so she doesn't pull away too far after she kisses his cheek. he gives it a gentle squeeze, soaking up her warmth and keeping his eyes focused on her despite the fact she hasn't really moved to investigate the box. if he allows himself to remain there too long, he might get lost in the sound of her heart beating and the faint scent of fruit clinging to her skin. ]
I wanted to. [ and not because he's apologizing for anything. ] Anyway, you can take it in the other room if you don't want to talk here. I'll bring your tea to you.
[ it's one of the more human things he likes doing occasionally—as a reminder.
at least he knows how daphne takes her tea, and as kind as she is to others, larus doubts there are many in the city who would spoil her the way she should be spoiled. ]
Okay. [ with anyone else, she might have been more resistant to the suggestion, playing the hostess per how she’d been taught to act around her peers. having never imagined she would rank so highly as a duchess in the first place. she might be a gentlewoman from birth, painfully aware of status and gender, but she is under no illusion of superiority. duplicity had robbed her of any such idea.
her mouth spreads into another smile, a little flush on her cheeks. another kiss to his cheek, stubble-free, and she traces her footsteps to her bedroom to wait for him. ]
[ he only lingers long enough to prepare her tea, waiting for it to bloom and steep, and once the cup is ready just the way she likes it, larus easily trails after her, unconsciously following the loud echo of her pulse in the back of his mind. he offers it to her gently as soon as he's close enough, moving to settle next to her as soon as she takes it from him. ]
What did you want to ask me?
[ might as well get that part out of the way before anything else. ]
[ the room is, in every which way, daphne. from the silks to the vanity to the vase of fresh flowers and the unfinished embroidery she’s been toiling over.
the only part missing is the pianoforte. but she will remedy that, in time. she has designs.
the teacup seems somehow large cupped between her dainty hands, the steam curling above it. and — ah, that. the whole reason he’s here now.
she takes a breath. ]
The — our contract, [ she’s not sure why she makes the point of clarifying when there’s no need. because, to her, there is no other contract. there hasn’t been so much as another submissive she’s given serious thought to contracting with. only larus. ] ends in seven days. I was unsure if you knew.
[ he doesn't let his gaze wander to any of her things, really only focused on her because that's all he cares about right now.
it's not that she seems nervous either, tilting his head somewhat to watch her as she speaks. but there is something there in her voice that might betray her feelings on it later. in the entire time they've been contracted, they haven't spent too much time together as a submissive and dominant probably should. for various reasons on top of the time daphne hadn't been awake, and that's something he considers before he answers her. ]
I hadn't thought about it, [ he says genuinely, posture relaxed. ] Do you want to keep things as they are? I won't be mad or disappointed if you decide you need space.
[ not that he's implying she does. he's just stating their obvious choices. ]
[ her lashes flutter, hooking up to look at him squarely. the way he says it, she’s both surprised and not by the approach. if larus has been anything with her, it’s understanding. patient. unfailingly so. ]
I — [ she begins, then stops. considering. there are choices. his tone says so. a part of that is relieving, and maybe a part of it isn’t.
after a long moment, she shakes her head, looking down into her cup. ]
[ things have never been forced between them, he thinks. since that first moment he'd walked her back to this very apartment, there's been a sort of pull that he's allowed himself to feel his way through, and even now, eyes slanting to meet hers before she looks away, it's there.
any other time, he would have spoken without the need to touch her, but he reaches out to rest his hand against her forearm. gentle, careful. ]
Then I won't. [ though he should make an effort to be around more than he has. ] But we can change the contract if there's anything you want to add to it.
[ that touch draws her gaze, first to it then back up. her shoulders relax, visibly shifting down from where they’d begun to gather. she’d had her concerns. she still does, but it’s easier to weather if they’re honest with each other.
she sets the mug of tea carefully down between them on her bed, reaching to set her hand on his. it’s a conversation worth having. ]
Are you certain? [ she asks for a reason. ] I know there are others you go to. [ she hesitates for a split second to continue, simply because she doesn’t want him getting the idea she’s being self-deprecating. she’s not. ] They may suit you better. Provide better than I am able to, to meet your needs.
[ it's just something else convincing him that he needs to spend more time with her. ]
There isn't anyone else I go to that I could contract with. [ Except Ace, but he doesn't mention him. ] I don't think I would want that anyway.
[ why would he when he's never been uncomfortable here? he might not stay often, but that's an old habit he's slowly trying to break. that, and larus wants to know their surroundings, needs to piece together every bit of information he can about this place. he turns his hand to take hers, shifting in closer. ]
If I wanted to be with someone else, I would have told you before we even had this conversation. [ their arrangement works, and he can protect her easier if he's at her side. ]
[ she’s noticed his absence more often than not. she’s never made more than note about it — except during the kidnappings, when she’d been scared he would go missing as well. she had wanted larus beside her, but she hadn’t demanded. not like a proper dominant might have.
they have, she thinks, been far more lenient than any dominant and submissive should be. she has been. but that is all this was intended to be. a sheet of paper. to protect them both.
he could be better protected by someone else.
she rubs her fingers over his knuckles, lifting their hands to press a kiss to them. ] Tell me why you want to stay. [ beat. extending their contract isn’t riding on it, that seems mostly settled. but she would like to hear. ] Please.
[ part of him expects that to be the end of it. no more discussion of contracts or whatever else the city decides to put on their shoulders. but she says that, and larus visibly stills next to her, his hand loose in hers until he sighs and tightens his fingers.
this should be easy, he thinks. something he's already decided since they'd met, but daphne is so much more than some helpless person in need of someone taking care of her. it's not quite what their designations demand of them, but larus has never really needed daphne to be his dominant in any other way except name and purpose.
it simply comes down to one very specific thing, and it takes him several long seconds to voice it, his tongue pressed to the back of his teeth. there's a list that unravels in the back of his head, but he's never been one for speeches or long explanations. he's upfront, and this moment, too, deserves that. ]
I could give you countless reasons, Daphne, but I like being here. I like being with you.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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I can be if you need me. Are you okay?
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I had a question for you. It felt more appropriate to ask in person — it’s about the contract. Our contract.
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I can come back now so you're not waiting for me all night. We can talk about it then – if you want.
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[ it's just one of those nights where he's feeling restless and maybe a little homesick. seeing her is always a comfort to him, so maybe it's best if he go to her now rather than later. ] I'll be there in about half an hour. [ he just has a quick stop to make on the way. ]
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I will be waiting.
[ and she is, dressed for bed as she usually is when he’s out haunting the streets of the up and down, and wherever else. she makes a point not to ask. there are things she probably shouldn’t know. doesn’t want to know.
but she always feels better when he’s near. now more than ever, especially. after anthony’s disappearance and rescue, she’s been jittery, nerves still recovering. she hadn’t wanted to let him out of her sight, but eventually, she had.
the key jangles and the door opens, attracting her attention from where she stands in the kitchen, brewing tea. her wet hair hangs around her shoulders and down to the small of her back, the scent of strawberries on her skin.
she puts her empty hand out to him without thinking. ] I didn’t mean to drag you back here to me so early, you know.
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on his way, he stops at a shop near the building to purchase a gift for her. shortbread biscuits with some kind of floral note to them. lavender maybe. or some other herb that he thinks she might like because. well. things have been difficult lately, and he's not completely heartless. especially with her. almost exclusively with her. (and maybe two others.)
once he's inside, he doesn't need to smell her to know she's there. her heartbeat is strong, but the warmth of her is even more enticing, shedding out of his jacket and his boots before following her presence into the kitchen. he sets the small bag on the counter and takes her hand, soaking up the touch quietly. ]
I was thinking about coming back anyway. [ so she doesn't get the wrong idea about why he's there. ] I brought you something.
[ but he doesn't reach for the cookies, only tilting his head in their direction for her to open whenever. ]
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[ she pipes up at the suggestion of a surprise, turning her eyes onto the package where it lays, a quaint little parchment bag with twine. very her. it brings a smile to her face to see it. but it’s the fact he thought of her at all that makes her turn into him with the softest eyes, getting to her toes to press a kiss to his cheek.
he smells good, like the brisk air he’s been walking through, laced with the amber of larus beneath it. ] You didn’t have to. [ but she’s very pleased he did. it’s the little things that have the most impact with her. a diamond necklace from a prince only went so far. ]
Thank you. I hope you’re not trying to apologize for something. [ teasing. ]
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I wanted to. [ and not because he's apologizing for anything. ] Anyway, you can take it in the other room if you don't want to talk here. I'll bring your tea to you.
[ it's one of the more human things he likes doing occasionally—as a reminder.
at least he knows how daphne takes her tea, and as kind as she is to others, larus doubts there are many in the city who would spoil her the way she should be spoiled. ]
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her mouth spreads into another smile, a little flush on her cheeks. another kiss to his cheek, stubble-free, and she traces her footsteps to her bedroom to wait for him. ]
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What did you want to ask me?
[ might as well get that part out of the way before anything else. ]
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the only part missing is the pianoforte. but she will remedy that, in time. she has designs.
the teacup seems somehow large cupped between her dainty hands, the steam curling above it. and — ah, that. the whole reason he’s here now.
she takes a breath. ]
The — our contract, [ she’s not sure why she makes the point of clarifying when there’s no need. because, to her, there is no other contract. there hasn’t been so much as another submissive she’s given serious thought to contracting with. only larus. ] ends in seven days. I was unsure if you knew.
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it's not that she seems nervous either, tilting his head somewhat to watch her as she speaks. but there is something there in her voice that might betray her feelings on it later. in the entire time they've been contracted, they haven't spent too much time together as a submissive and dominant probably should. for various reasons on top of the time daphne hadn't been awake, and that's something he considers before he answers her. ]
I hadn't thought about it, [ he says genuinely, posture relaxed. ] Do you want to keep things as they are? I won't be mad or disappointed if you decide you need space.
[ not that he's implying she does. he's just stating their obvious choices. ]
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I — [ she begins, then stops. considering. there are choices. his tone says so. a part of that is relieving, and maybe a part of it isn’t.
after a long moment, she shakes her head, looking down into her cup. ]
I don’t want you to go anywhere.
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any other time, he would have spoken without the need to touch her, but he reaches out to rest his hand against her forearm. gentle, careful. ]
Then I won't. [ though he should make an effort to be around more than he has. ] But we can change the contract if there's anything you want to add to it.
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she sets the mug of tea carefully down between them on her bed, reaching to set her hand on his. it’s a conversation worth having. ]
Are you certain? [ she asks for a reason. ] I know there are others you go to. [ she hesitates for a split second to continue, simply because she doesn’t want him getting the idea she’s being self-deprecating. she’s not. ] They may suit you better. Provide better than I am able to, to meet your needs.
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There isn't anyone else I go to that I could contract with. [ Except Ace, but he doesn't mention him. ] I don't think I would want that anyway.
[ why would he when he's never been uncomfortable here? he might not stay often, but that's an old habit he's slowly trying to break. that, and larus wants to know their surroundings, needs to piece together every bit of information he can about this place. he turns his hand to take hers, shifting in closer. ]
If I wanted to be with someone else, I would have told you before we even had this conversation. [ their arrangement works, and he can protect her easier if he's at her side. ]
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they have, she thinks, been far more lenient than any dominant and submissive should be. she has been. but that is all this was intended to be. a sheet of paper. to protect them both.
he could be better protected by someone else.
she rubs her fingers over his knuckles, lifting their hands to press a kiss to them. ] Tell me why you want to stay. [ beat. extending their contract isn’t riding on it, that seems mostly settled. but she would like to hear. ] Please.
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this should be easy, he thinks. something he's already decided since they'd met, but daphne is so much more than some helpless person in need of someone taking care of her. it's not quite what their designations demand of them, but larus has never really needed daphne to be his dominant in any other way except name and purpose.
it simply comes down to one very specific thing, and it takes him several long seconds to voice it, his tongue pressed to the back of his teeth. there's a list that unravels in the back of his head, but he's never been one for speeches or long explanations. he's upfront, and this moment, too, deserves that. ]
I could give you countless reasons, Daphne, but I like being here. I like being with you.