It must be love

[leitstern]

Where: Heliodor
When: Before marriage
Summary: Meaningful conversations

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Letters of Admiration

[leitstern]

[The upcoming date for their marriage has him wondering. Of emotions, of passions, of desires he cannot name. He writes those thoughts across one page. His pen scribes them on another. Affections that can only beat within his breast and never leave his tongue. For he would perish of shame before offering their name.

Love. Devotion. Adoration.

Lust.

Differences are identified and analysed. Hendrik would understand their contrast and characteristics - and for once best him in their games. Perhaps laugh when he reads between the lines about said games. So he drafts a letter - pours his heart out on the page - and seals it within an envelope. Then he allows himself inside his partner's quarters. Hendrik should be busy so he can leave this letter and run.

But the sight of his partner is all he needs to tell him he is not so lucky.]

[standvastig]

[The weather still runs cold in the new year, the hints of spring still several weeks away. In spite of that, or perhaps because of that, Hendrik finds more reason than not to be in his quarters. Yesterday was spent doting on Obsidian, pent up in the stables when not allowed to walk on the frost-glazed field. Today's time is spent polishing his array of weapons, a few of which have gathered a bit of dust between his preference for his greatsword and a somewhat more lax training regimen because of the season.

That is why he is in his room when Jasper enters, though his attention is on neither Jasper or what is in his hands. But the large double doors opening is quite difficult to miss, and he looks up from his desk, where he sits with a longsword across his lap and an axe and poleaxe on the desktop.]

Jasper? Are you in need of something?

[leitstern]

[Jasper says nothing. The letter is tucked beneath his arm before he turns and bolts the door. Each second and moment means he avoids explaining the contents of his writing. Every effort is put into avoiding opening his mouth to talk.

But talking is why he came here.

He pivots on his heel and sees his partner polishing his sword.

One could make jokes about that. One man with a poor sense of humour.]

Your company and nothing more.

[His letter, gentle in his hands, is fanned against the air.]

Perhaps your ear as well.

[standvastig]

[Hendrik slows in his polishing, setting the dark-stained rag on his desk to pick up a cleaner one to try wiping his callused hands. While somewhat surprised to see his dear friend, that emotion doesn't make its way past his slight frown for the moment.]

Oh? Only perhaps?

[Considering it sounds like Jasper is not here for business reasons, he doesn't mind presuming a coy tone in his words.]

[leitstern]

[Oil on his fingers. Grease on his thumbs. Jasper catches both and curls his lip. He frowns at his letter, sealed in an envelope.]

No. Not tonight.

[There is a giddiness - the impulse to play and tease - that he ascribes to this new turn in their relationship. But he relaxes by tapping his letter against his nails.]

I have something I want you to read.

[He offers the letter: a confession of emotion through words that never leave his mouth. Though with the way this day is going they might.]