[ The inevitable question. In another context, it might be an uncomfortable one. But as long as Julius doesn't press him for some form of apology, for having developed such feelings towards her when he did, Marcus doesn't feel compelled to offer one. ]
I had been curious, first, [ he says, after a time of thinking back. ] Attracted in an ordinary sort of way, but because she is a compelling person. And presence. None of that might have mattered, if not for the things we turned to talking about.
And in those conversations, I saw her courage, and her conviction. Those things that hadn't diminished her hope, but bolstered it. She is, [ he adds, ] easy to talk to. About things that are hard to talk about.
We should note our praise to share with her later. She'd be delighted.
[It's warm, affectionate despite a touch of wryness.]
You could enjoy even more of her conversation, you know, if you rearranged your housing assignment.
[It's light, but the invitation is genuine. He feels confident enough to extend it, even with Petrana absent; he knows her well enough to suspect that it was of a piece with her expressed intention to have Marcus in their bed again. That said, Marcus may want to keep a bit more independence at first, and perhaps it will be easier for him to say no to one of them than it would be to turn down a united front.]
[There are worse possible answers, in fairness. If Marcus hopes to distract him, it is arguably working; there's something very compelling about their warm, lazy proximity. Something less urgent suits him to the ground, and he takes another slow kiss when the first one ends.
Eventually, he murmurs more or less against Marcus's mouth:]
I will warn you, Vysvolod will jump up on the bed, occasionally at the most inconvenient moment.
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I had been curious, first, [ he says, after a time of thinking back. ] Attracted in an ordinary sort of way, but because she is a compelling person. And presence. None of that might have mattered, if not for the things we turned to talking about.
And in those conversations, I saw her courage, and her conviction. Those things that hadn't diminished her hope, but bolstered it. She is, [ he adds, ] easy to talk to. About things that are hard to talk about.
no subject
[It's warm, affectionate despite a touch of wryness.]
You could enjoy even more of her conversation, you know, if you rearranged your housing assignment.
[It's light, but the invitation is genuine. He feels confident enough to extend it, even with Petrana absent; he knows her well enough to suspect that it was of a piece with her expressed intention to have Marcus in their bed again. That said, Marcus may want to keep a bit more independence at first, and perhaps it will be easier for him to say no to one of them than it would be to turn down a united front.]
no subject
I see how you both might have similarities.
[ —which, of course they do, but it stands being said.
It isn't a no or a yes, but maybe a deferral for later answering. The fact that he rolls in closer to Julius to bully him into a kiss definitely is. ]
no subject
Eventually, he murmurs more or less against Marcus's mouth:]
I will warn you, Vysvolod will jump up on the bed, occasionally at the most inconvenient moment.
[Only fair that he be prepared.]