TDM 010: PARTNER UP, PARTNER

[erkumods]

TDM 010: PARTNER UP, PARTNER

00. Arrival This time, you come out of the water, the Nameless Island's own inherent energy drawing people in. It's like being suspended between realities and abruptly pushed from behind through a rift in dimensions. It may make you sick, or that might be the motion of the ocean, lifting you to the surface and carrying you to shore. Waterlogged and covered in sand, new arrivals will be greeted by robots who welcome them with towels and bracelet devices. The A5 card is already loaded up. Feel free to explore the Island, though there isn’t much to see. Most of the buildings are abandoned and in dire need of repair, and beyond the city lingers a thick fog that obscures much of the wilderness from view. Wander too far into this fog, and you will find yourself mysteriously looping back to where you began, your memories of what you were doing and how you got there erased. With that in mind, it may be wise to stake your claim on a rundown apartment, a tent on the beach, or a bed in the “comfortable” barracks. Your inventory will be found a day later, wrapped up haphazardly and delivered to each person's makeshift home. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● I. Laid Bare Basics There is a new addition to the scenery at the beach, and everyone is welcome! Especially new arrivals, who will be ushered to the recently-established Laid Bare Spa, where (provided they don't slip away from the bots' helpful grasp) their uncomfortably wet, sandy clothing will be stripped away and they will be lovingly pampered by the cold metal hands of the resident robots. Long-time Islanders and newbies alike are welcome to enjoy such amenities as hot and cold baths, sauna rooms, scrub-downs, thorough whippings with birch brooms, skin treatments, massage and energy work, and more! All rooms are thoughtfully decorated with tasteful murals of naked and disrobing bodies. Maybe you'll see someone you recognize?! (Maybe you'll see... you?) Islanders who happen to find their clothing mysteriously missing are welcome to borrow a Laid Bare branded towel to cover up with on their way home. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● II. Tattoo to You, Too The Augur understands that sometimes, it's difficult to find a partner to indulge you in those favorite Auspicious Acts - especially for new arrivals, but surely even long-time residents could benefit from a little assistance now and then. That is why ever-benevolent entity has gifted Her precious Islanders with tattoos which feature their most secret, urgent, and/or shameful of desires! (Even if that desire is to simply complete a Bingo.) The tattoo may be a picture or a word, and it can appear anywhere on the body. At first it is pleasantly warm to the touch, like a soft glow of light on your skin. It soon becomes apparent - through either robot advice or a notification on your communication device - that your task is to find a match for your tattoo and complete the depicted act with that person. The longer one goes without completing the act, the more the tattoo seems to heat up, until it feels like it is burning into your skin. Take too long, and the tattoo may become permanent. Otherwise, the tattoo will fade within hours of completing the Auspicious Act. [ For TDMers: feel free to select any favorite kink for this prompt! If you complete a kink that doesn't appear on your card, you may switch one square for the completed kink. For current players: by participating on (tagging into) this TDM, you may switch one kink into your card (it must be the kink in the toplevel prompt you responded to). ] ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● III. Creepy Crawly Caterpillar Crawl Are you on the hunt for credits? Then have the robots got a task for you! The 'bots of the Nameless Island are recruiting Islanders to go bug collecting in the caves, crevices, and hollowed-out logs of the wilderness. The quarry? The (shudder - literally, the robots will shudder) doom-summoning harbinger bug. They describe these creepy creatures as fat, fuzzy, and rainbow-colored, with long, fluffy antennae that look like rabbit's ears. The robots describe these critters as so dangerous that Islanders should only hunt them in pairs. Should your team return successful, you both will be rewarded very handsomely for every caterpillar caught! The bugs are typically very docile and seem to enjoy soft pets, judging by the cooing and squeaking noises they make (especially to scritches behind their "ears"). Poke or disturb them however, and they may bite! Body parts bitten by angry caterpillars will swell up cartoonishly, and can only be treated by having someone else suck the venom out. Good thing you're traveling with a partner! The 'bots strongly recommend against keeping these little buggies as pets, but they're not your dad. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● N A V I G A T I O N

Comments

[funsizedfistfights]

Caspar easily accommodates to let Lin get comfortable. This is nice and comforting and familiar. Just the same, sleepy friend he's had since he was a kid.

"There's no need to get all bashful about it." He laughs as it seems the blush didn't escape him. Being able to read your best friend like a book goes both ways, after all. An assuring hand smooths over the mage's back.

"Yeah, well I mean. of course you can do what you want it's your hair, but I do think it's really nice like this." He tilts his head, "Oh, is he? I was just meaning to say that Hubert has no taste." Perhaps a little mean of him, but it was low-hanging fruit.

"Oh. That's so strange. So things happened differently for both of us then, but we're both here now. We remember some of the same stuff, clearly. Like the noodles, and me telling you not to cut your hair. We stayed with Edelgard though... huh. Crazy." He doesn't actually seem to bothered, though he is quiet for a period of time while he mulls over the information.

"Things must have gone really differently then. Are you okay? She didn't make you fight a bunch did she? I guess it doesn't matter too much though. We're both here and you're still my friend right? We have the important things that are the same. I mean- not to say the war wasn't important but just... I guess I'd rather not let a war define me or you. You're still my best friend Linhardt, who is super cool and smart and very good looking." He nods firmly, smacking a fist into his open hand. "That's what matters. I'd never hurt you, and I know you wouldn't hurt me."

[idratherbeasleep]

"I'm not bashful," Linhardt retorts, wrinkling his nose, although he does lean into the touch. Caspar is somehow a presence that manages to be at once chaotic and comforting. A comforting tornado. He yawns, "I'm just not used to people saying things like that to me."

Oh, that's right. Not his Caspar. Linhardt smiles, this time it's a conspiratorial smile. The smile of a friend with information to share, "Well, of course Hubert has no taste. He drinks coffee and likes Ferdinand. They bring each other gifts. It's absurd but it keeps them out of my business."

Now it's Linhardt's turn to go quiet. Is he okay. Caspar's the first person who's asked. No, he's not, but was he this way when he arrived or is it because of what he's learned since?

"Yes, of course we're still together and still friends. Of course I wouldn't hurt you."

He's still quiet, sitting against Caspar for several moments.

"I was going to explain, but I think the answer to your question is no. I'm not okay."

[funsizedfistfights]

"You are so bashful! Look at that!" He gives Linhardt's cheek a playful tug before slinging an arm around him. "Well that's kind of a crime isn't it? I figured people'd be telling you that kinda stuff all the time."

He's delighted by the gossip on Hubert and Ferdinand too, so much so he slaps his knee.

"Get outta here! Seriously? Gifts? No way, no way! Hubert and Ferdinand! That's hilarious! I can't even imagine. Oh wow." The mirth dies down a little though, when Linhadrt goes quiet again. He's used to silence around the man, but there are different types of silences. This is the heavier kind. He doesn't pester, just lets him have his moment to think.

"Yeah?" The tone immediately dropping from jovial and his smile fades. "Aw Lin. I'm sorry. I can't really imagine what you've been through. I'm glad we're together in the Fodlan you come from. I hope I'm nice to you there, too." Slowly he flops back, letting Linhardt rest against his chest. "If you wanna talk about it you can. I won't force you though, but I'm here for you, you know. No matter what. I'll do whatever I can to help fix things, or just listen if that's what you need. Heck, I might even let you talk me into a few naps. But just a few."

[idratherbeasleep]

"I am not." Something about being around Caspar reverted Linhardt to being around nine years old. Bashful. He isn't bashful. Linhardt makes a grumpy sound and swats at the hand on his cheek, "The only time I was called beautiful in Fodlan was that one time back in the academy where you started a fight with him afterward."

And Caspar had been the one who'd wanted to go to a tavern to begin with!

Linhardt smiles; his Caspar had the same reaction to Hubert and Ferdinand. And he definitely will need to relay the information he'd gotten from Lorenz to Caspar at some point in the future.

But for now, he'd rather lie next to Caspar, using his friend as his personal pillow as he has for years. It's comforting to lay his head on Caspar's chest and listen to his heartbeat. It's a consistent reminder that Caspar is alive.

"A few naps." Linhardt reaches out and touches Caspar's forehead as though he's checking for a fever, "Are you certain? That's a generous offer."

Then he sighs; he can't hide things from Caspar. Not personal things. Caspar's too earnest, and while Linhardt knows Caspar won't prod him, he also knows Caspar will worry until he tries to explain. And perhaps he'll end up with a collection of owl feathers.

"You're always nice to me, Caspar. I just constantly feel as though I'm going to get something wrong, and someone is going to die. Not just on the battlefield. I don't know how to train healers without the Church's teachings, and I don't know what to tell the soldiers who can't sleep or who wake up screaming."

"Our supply lines are constantly on the verge of failing, the war is taking such a toll on the people... and Edelgard wants to start another one against the Slitherers afterward. Against people who can turn a city into Ailell in under 10 minutes? While tripling our administrative area and trying to repair a war-torn continent?"

There are no good decisions to be made. Is he even doing the right thing by involved? But what's the alternative?

"I'm not seeing anyone, and I'm not." He sighs, "Caspar, I find strangers to take to bed because I just want to do something that's good sometimes. To make someone happy, to have a positive influence on the world."

It sounds pathetic. No. It is pathetic.

"I don't know if your Linhardt is doing the same thing. He may not be."

[funsizedfistfights]

"You so are, and he totally had it coming." Caspar says this very matter-of-factly, almost a little proud of that incident. "The guy was doing it in a creepy way and not a complimentary one."

The hand on his forehead earns a brief laugh from Caspar.

"I know, I know, it sounds crazy but I care about you that much, so just appreciate it." He usually had a hard time sitting still, but if he was going to nap for any reason, Lin would be it. He did have somewhat of a pacifying effect on Caspar.

Everything else comes as a surprise. His smile fades again as he listens.

"Lin..." Ah, there's that pit in his stomach that he doesn't like very much. "Lin that's terrible." Quietly, he's glad that things didn't turn out that way for him, that he did end up turning against the empire in the end, but that does very little for poor Lin. "The way you say that, it makes it sound like you're a hostage." Not so much in the literal sense, but you don't have to be in chains to be stuck in a situation. Honestly, hearing the whole admission makes him want to cry.

"I don't think he is. Me and him are traveling together, he's writing a book I think." There's no judgement in his voice though. War, regardless of how it turns out, is ruinous in so many ways. He'd be lying if he said he didn't have the nightmares sometimes, too. Everybody did, that's just how it was. You kill people, and you don't forget that. It breaks his heart knowing that Lin was made to though.

He pulls the slender man closer, tightly hugging him.

"I'll stay here then, with you. I think you need me more than he does right now. Don't worry, no matter what I'll look out for you."

[idratherbeasleep]

"Yes, he was rather annoying." And therefore it had been satisfying to watch his tune change when he'd realized they weren't random students. Generally, Linhardt isn't very fond of their positions, but once in a blue moon they end up useful, "I much prefer it when you say it."

"Believe me, I'm honored." Caspar never stayed still, even when people dared him to. Linhardt's friend was a chaotic bundle of energy, and he isn't any more likely to change than Linhardt is. But sometimes they compromise.

A hostage. Linhardt smiles, but it's not a particularly happy smile, "I suppose in a metaphorical way. Hostages of our own decisions." Because leaving would be even worse; to let the consequences of their actions fall on the people of Fodlan instead of on himself. Linhardt may be a coward, but he draws the line at getting others hurt.

But more importantly, the war is over for Caspar. His smile turns warm, "I'm glad for you. Is it odd to say I wish I could read his book? Or would it be my book?"

He would be more than content to continue that line of discussion, but Caspar knocks the wind out of him with his declaration of protection, "Thank you, Caspar. That's nice to hear." It's honest, to the point, and sincere, "I'm sure your Linhardt will be fascinated by all of this."

"Although he might judge me for not figuring out this tattoo problem more quickly." Linhardt leans back on Caspar's chest and holds up his wrist again, "I fear I'm not representing the Linhardt collective very well right now." He gives his friend an encouraging smile, to say 'I'm okay, thank you for listening'.

[funsizedfistfights]

"I think you two would get along." It's funny, imagining the meeting of two Linhardts. Caspar entertains that thought for a while. Two Lin's would be great, actually. The more the better. One could sleep while the other keeps him company... or maybe they'd both sleep. Either way, Caspar presses his cheek into the top of Lin's head. "He'd probably have a billion questions for you. I wish you could both be here, but you're sorta the same person so...?"

"Well, maybe we can put our heads together. It's a feather right? And like... this place wants all kinda funny business." He struggles a moment but can't seem to put the pieces together. "Well we have a feather! Actually we have two!" He produces another owl feather from seemingly nowhere. Byleth had a habit of giving them to him for lack of anything else.

He stares at it intently, and it's clear from the expression in his face he's already lost the plot or lost interest in whatever it was he was tryin to work out in his mind.

"Hey are you still ticklish?" He doesn't wait for an answer, he just dives the feather into the crook of Linhardt's neck.

[idratherbeasleep]

"Oh, I agree. I would love to meet myself from other Fodlans. We could conclusively answer the question of how much of a personality is derived by one's experiences." Because of course that's what the group of Linhardts would do. What else would they do?

...

Guide Caspars, apparently. Because oh dear. Linhardt badly hides a smile as Caspar shoots past what Linhardt is suspecting is the correct conclusion. Then he's looking at a feather and now there's one near his neck.

"No, Caspar. No." Yes, Caspar, he is still ticklish. And now he's squirming away from you.

[funsizedfistfights]

Grin spreads across Caspar's face and he has clearly already decided what he's going to do instead of helping. Clamping an arm around his friend he goes in for the kill.

"Yes! Yes you are! Ahaha!" Well, so much for that. He's intent on pinning Linhardt and going for the ribs and belly. "C'mon you know you wanna laugh! Gimmie those giggles, Lin." He's abandoned the feather in favor of simply using his hands.

[idratherbeasleep]

"Caspar!" Goddess damn it. Why do they always end up in these situations? It's almost enough to make Linhardt believe the Goddess does take an interest in affairs and is punishing him for his frequent heresy.

"I swear I will Warp you 10 feet into the air. I will. And then you'll fall down and I'll have to fuss over you and fix you. And I'd much rather skip those parts and proceed."

Proceed into what, Linhardt doesn't say. He wants to see if Caspar has figured it out yet or if he's just gone in a weird direction.

[funsizedfistfights]

"Aw c'mon, Lin. You're cute when you laugh." For what it's worth he does stop, though only once he's managed to pull Lin's shirt un-tucked. The fact that he's come very close though, to the correct conclusion, is evident. He can feel his own pulse under the tattoo now and it's not beyond him- not completely anyways. He knows he shouldn't be breathing this hard.

"What if I do it nicely?" The abandoned feather is carefully picked up again now, and he very gently slides it against his friend's neck.

[idratherbeasleep]

Cute? What is he supposed to do with that information? "Cute? Is that a compliment?" He's not exactly sure. It's heating up his cheeks either way, but while Linhardt's hand shoots up to capture Caspar's wrist, he doesn't actually stop Caspar from stroking his neck gently with the feather.

It causes pleasant shivers to run across his neck and down his spine, so Linhardt sighs happily like he does when Caspar plays with his hair. He arches his neck to the side, offering Caspar more skin in case he feels like doing that again.

[funsizedfistfights]

"Of course it is!" Caspar seems happy, and for a few minutes, there's something else unreadable. Excitement? Uncertainty? He swallows harshly with the silent permission to continue. Slower this time, the feather strokes around the cuff if his ear and down his neck.

"Is that nice?" It certainly does well to scratch his own itch, and that tattoo feels slightly less irritating right now. "Wait- c'mere. Lay against me."

Caspar takes a moment to prop himself up, motioning for Linhardt to come lean against him. This now, with intent, sends a little thrill through him. Maybe they are going to do something. Maybe- maybe, maybe, maybe, they'll get to kiss.

[idratherbeasleep]

"Yes, Caspar." Linhardt murmurs, his voice warm and fond, "It's very nice."

Goddess, it's all so... innocent. That's what it is. Linhardt opens his eyes to stare at his friend, but he does as he's told turning to lay so that Caspar is up against him. How long has it been since Linhardt has felt innocent in any way?

He stares up at Caspar and presses himself against his friend, enjoying Caspar's warmth, "Did you have an idea?"

Is he teasing? Possibly. Really, their friendship demands it. Some promises are too ancient and binding to be broken.

[funsizedfistfights]

Wiggling to get comfortable, Caspar gives his friend a squeeze before continuing with his ministrations. Turning the feather on it's side, he continue to drag it gently over his ears and neck, paying close attention to any changes in his voice or breathing.

"Maybe." He returns the teasing tone, smiling into Lin's hair.

Carefully, he edges his fingers up under the hem of his shirt, lifting the fabric away enough to let the feather reach and slip under, flicking along his bare stomach and the edge of his trousers.

"Tell me if you want me to stop, okay?"

[idratherbeasleep]

The squeeze is comforting and familiar, and his friend's weight against him is comforting and familiar, but being teased like that isn't. But two minutes ago wasn't Caspar wondering what was going on? Why is he now the one wondering what is happening? Why does this always happen?

He jumps when the feather falls on his midsection, laughing sharply. Ticklish. He shakes his head Caspar's question, "Caspar, I'm not so..."

So what? He checks in with his partners, why is the idea of being checked-in with so strange? It just is. It's strange to be on this side of it. To be the recipient of such care and concern.

Linhardt smiles and shakes his head again, this time at himself, "Thank you, Caspar."

[funsizedfistfights]

Caspar is glowing with happiness, especially to be rewarded with that laugh. He scribbles the feather tip there playfully before returning to slower strokes. He can't help but feel giddy.

I'm going to paint your body with this feather. The thought smacks him squarely in the back of his mind like a ton of bricks. He actually gives a startled laugh at himself.

"Boy howdy, this place really does it to you, doesn't it?" He chuckles, "Hand me that other feather, would ya?" He has two hands after all, and not only is this clearly making Linhardt feel good, it's making him feel good, in more ways than one.

"Also... hey. Um. Can I kiss you?" This as he's dragging those soft tines up further to the cleft of Linhardt's chest.

[idratherbeasleep]

When Caspar is happy, it's as though his body can't contain the emotion and it spills to those around him. Linhardt gasps in laughter and squirms when Caspar tickles him, "Caspar!"

At least he stops, though. Linhardt lets himself breathe and enjoy the slow strokes of the feather on his body, it's oddly gentle from someone like Caspar that Linhardt knows as an overflowing weight of enthusiasm. He peeks one eye open to look at his friend.

"This feather?" Linhardt holds it between his fingers, "Someone very important gave me this feather for a special occasion. I can't just go around handing it to anyone." He pretends to consider this very important request, "I suppose, since it's you." Linhardt kisses the tip of the feather and presents it to Caspar, "Especially since I don't need one."

Linhardt calls up the barest wisp of power and uses the air to tickle the back of Caspar's neck, only to stop and look up at Caspar seriously when he mentions the island, "Are you alright?"

Well.

Apparently, he is, judging by the next question. It's so innocent, Linhardt has to fight the urge to reach up and kiss Caspar himself.

"Yes, Caspar, you can. I'd like that."

[funsizedfistfights]

"Sorry, sorry! You're just so-" He struggles with the word, "Pretty when you smile. But I swear I'll let you get me back ok?"

He grins so wide it looks like it almost hurts. "Promise I'll take good care of it, cross my heart." He takes the feather, passing the tip over his own lips as if to somehow absorb that kiss off of it. The magic gets him though, and he gives a delighted bark of laughter.

"Yeah, I am I just like. Y'know. Feels a little warm all of a sudden." No matter that he's blushing all the way down his neck. He works his hands back under his friend's shirt, now armed with two of the soft owl plumes, tracing them up the contour of his torso again.

"I can? Oh that's. Awesome." He looks like he has to prepare himself, vibrating with excitement before he leans in and almost too carefully presses a kiss into Linhardt's lips. Caspar can't contain the happy hum that rises in his throat. Breaking away after just a second before deciding he needs another.

[idratherbeasleep]

"Am I not pretty the rest of the time?" Linhardt asks, looking up at his friend with wide eyes. Of course, it's a question-trap. He loves setting question-traps for Caspar: Questions where his friend doesn't know the right answer but he knows the wrong ones? Those are hilarious.

And the fact that he's flushed and his breath is hitched doesn't mean that messing with Caspar isn't hilarious.

A bit warm. Yes. Linhardt can see that. Goddess, how is his friend so oblivious and yet so good at this? Because the return of those warm hands underneath the fabric of his shirt contrasted with the softness of the feathers makes him wriggle- Linhardt isn't sure if he wants more of Caspar's hands or more of the feathers- or both.

That's awesome? Linhardt can't help but give Caspar a flat look with a raised eyebrow, because really? But his friend makes up for his lack of eloquence with his enthusiasm, his carefulness. Linhardt would say Caspar is treating him like a delicate gift, but Caspar doesn't show this much consideration for his gifts.

He returns the kisses softly, then brushes some hair out of his face before leaning in to initiate a kiss of his own. Linhardt is slow, teasing open Caspar's mouth with his tongue and taking the time to see what Caspar likes. Should he nip at Caspar's lip? How should he move his tongue? Does Caspar like it when Linhardt pushes his way into Caspar's mouth or would he rather be guided into Linhardt's?

Eventually he breaks off because they do require air. Sadly.

He lies back and looks satisfied, licking his lips slightly, "Still 'awesome'?" Linhardt asks.

[funsizedfistfights]

"Wh- uh, yeah! Of course you are! Duh!" He sputters for a moment but he's very familiar with this game, and he retaliates buy fluttering one of the feathers up under his arm very briefly. He's still clearly excited, nervous too. The way his hands shake a little as he's trying to be as gentle as possible, a hard task for someone who usually punches first and asks questions never.

The returned kiss, far less chaste earns a soft gasp though. He opens his mouth obediently, hesitating as he works out what he's supposed to be doing. The feeling of Lin's tongue passing against his own makes him feel dizzy. It's a good dizzy. It's not long before the excitement takes over and helps him. Caspar seems to appreciate everything. There's something thrilling about letting Linhardt push into him like that, and when he returns the gesture there's even more pleasant shivers waiting for him.

When they do finally part again, he's panting, mouth still half open. His hands are braced, still clutching the feathers that he's forgotten to move.

"Uh-huh." He nods, eyes wide with just a little awe. "I didn't know kissing could be so good." Now he's definitely shaking, his hands remember to move and he draws the feathers up further, up the mage's chest, the tines catching over the soft peak of a nipple. It's unclear if that was intentional though, the starry-eyed expression on Caspar's face doesn't betray anything other than absolute adoration at the moment.

[idratherbeasleep]

The revenge tickling is not unexpected and yet somehow Linhardt still ends up slapping over his arm and inhaling for a laugh. Goddess, Caspar. Stop that. It's some form of torture, not knowing if he should prepare for a tickle or a caress. Which isn't an issue when they kiss, as Caspar seems to forget he has hands.

At first, Linhardt worries that he's broken his friend. He doesn't know if he could live with that: With ruining this... this innocence that Caspar has somehow managed to hold onto after everything. Linhardt couldn't. He can't. He had to feel something, after he walked off a battlefield covered in blood and realized he didn't care. How can there be innocence after that? How can there be the way that Caspar is looking at him now?

This isn't. He shouldn't be doing this. He can't be looked at like that. Caspar is thinking of a better Linhardt.

Linhardt inhales when the feather travels over his chest, gasping slightly as it trails over his nipple. He catches Caspar's eye. The man is looking at him with such love and adoration he doesn't know what to do.

Linhardt's eyes fill with tears and, not able to verbalize why, he simply rolls on his side and curls up into a ball, arms wrapping around himself and eyes scrunching shut.

[funsizedfistfights]

It feels a little helpless, watching this unfold. He can see the gears turning for Linhardt. He tucks his knees up when Linhardt curls up to better support him.

"Whoa, whoa, hey." Caspar's voice is that soft sincere tone that he reserves for a handful of people, "It's okay. What's wrong? Talk to me." His hands collect the feathers briefly, setting them aside so he can better hold his friend.

"Am I that bad of a kisser?" He tries to break the tension with a little quip but he doesn't really commit to the joke all that fully. He just draws a hand over Linhardt's back. There's a part of him that worries he's done something wrong, naturally. That's the easy conclusion to come to, but he knows Lin better than that. This is something else. "Hey, you know you can tell me anything, right? I'll do whatever I can to help you out with anything. Just say the word."

[idratherbeasleep]

The configuration is from when they were children: Caspar lying behind him and holding him after long days of playing, Linhardt both tired from healing Caspar and worried because he understands something important is happening in the areas of the house that are still lit by candles but not knowing what. They just never changed once Linhardt grew taller than his friend. Why would they?

"No!" Linhardt's muffled voice is sure to object. No, Caspar isn't a bad kisser at all. Just an inexperienced one. Which is what makes him want to curl up and hide. How is he even supposed to explain? He doesn't know, and isn't that what he does? Explains things?

He sighs and lets himself unfurl slightly; Caspar's presence is comforting.

"It's the way you were looking at me. And how you were...are... experiencing all of this. It's clear to you that this is supposed to be for someone special."

[funsizedfistfights]

Caspar smiles, though it's a little more strained.

"Lin. It is for someone special. I couldn't think of anyone who I'd want to do this more with." His hand strokes down that smooth green hair, tucking it behind his ear. "Before you say anything, don't tell me that you're not. Okay? I can tell that's what you're thinking isn't it? Listen, even if this whole weird mismatched events thing is what you say, don't you think my Linhardt would want you to be happy too? He's going to be okay. You on the other hand-" He thumps his free hand against his own chest, "Look like you need some Caspar von Bergliez in your life! Nothing less, no substitutions, hold your applause please."

He steals a little kiss to the top of Linhardt's head, it isn't often he has access to it, after all.

"And no, I don't care about what you did before this. It doesn't make you any less you, and really Lin? That's what matters to me. Does it make you care any less about me?"