How wonderful life is while you're in the world

[leitstern]

Where: Heliodor.
When: Four months into reconstruction.
Summary: Little moments of comfort.

Comments

[standvastig]

Jasper, I greeted you with a kiss as soon as the door was closed. Your hands on my chest or arms is hardly intrusive by comparison.

[He lifts their hands lightly and leans over to kiss Jasper's regal fingers. It's a slow, meaningful movement, meant to draw in his friend's eyes.]

You allow so much from me as it is.

[leitstern]

I dare say I have allowed much from you over the years.

[He wrinkles his nose - his only sign of surprise at the display - but lets it continue. There is a pleasing warmth and nourishing comfort in being respected. Both establish a good mood, but between watching Hendrik's grand gesture and keeping track of his thoughts, his words emerge a trifle slow. Each needing double deliberation.]

But I suppose the next will be no different. Tell me, do you seek private audiences on your birthday often?

[standvastig]

[This question is worth a pause and an awkward shift as Hendrik lets their hands drop to a more natural position between them.]

...Well, no. I do not have many audiences in my quarters in general, if it can be helped.

[He would much rather just go to the training hall or something, but of course his position requires more reports than a normal soldier.]

Why do you ask?

[leitstern]

[Jasper laughs to himself and looks at Hendrik for a second. Though slight by anyone's standards, his expression brightens: lips and brows rising faintly and softly. Truth be told, he prefers indulging in his friend's company.

And so he lifts their hands and uses them to poke him slightly.]

Indulgence, mostly.

[The smile lightening his lips twists in warning. Full of sly trickery and mischief.]

It is a pleasure being your first.

[Guest? Friend? Companion? It's Hendrik's word to decide.]

[standvastig]

[Slightly startled by that twisted little smile, Hendrik blinks a few times before smiling back, awkward as it may be in the face of that comment.]

I am happy to share the moment with you.

[After a moment's thought, he carefully disentangles their fingers to let his hands skim along Jasper's arms to his shoulders, slow and steady in their descent along a slim but firmly built silhouette.

His hands twitch with nervous enthusiasm as they slide to rest on Jasper's hips. He's never done such a thorough ... journey just to rest his hands.]

[leitstern]

[Fingers touch. They skim down his arms, pressing gently through thin silk. The firmer they lean, the more he smoothes his trousers, managing to contain his excitement enough to think about relocating himself for the evening.

Until Hendrik holds him still. He gently lifts his hands and rests them upon steady forearms. His head bows soon after.

Upon reflection, embracing his friend isn't making him uncomfortable.]

I know.

[The admission is subtle and small - his comfort sharing that he feels likewise.]

[standvastig]

[There is a part of him that feels like he can stand here, holding Jasper, for a countless length of time. But his fingers are restless, and his mind perhaps more full than normal, so he gives Jasper's hips a slight squeeze.]

Shall we-- ah, get ready for bed, then?

[It's ridiculous how easy it seems to get off track, simply staring at his dear friend.]

[leitstern]

Oh, yes.

[After touching Hendrik's forearms and finding himself growing used to the idea of personal contact, Jasper finds himself distanced from it quickly. He steps backwards, lifting his fingers as he goes, and glances around like he doesn't know where to be. One second his eyes are on Hendrik's, the next they're on his bag.

He grumbles to himself, frustrated.]

Too late to be fooling around for sure.

[standvastig]

F--

[Hendrik cuts himself off before he lets out a baffled inquiry, trying to calm down as he's arrested by Jasper's eyes for a moment and then following his gaze to his bag.]

Er... Fooling around?

[It doesn't quite work. His neck and cheeks feel distinctly warm as his mind latches onto those words.]

[leitstern]

[Why is he nervous?

Jasper refuses to answer as he strides over to his bag. He unbuckles the straps while trying to focus on nothing but undressing - failing abysmally.]

We found plenty to talk about when young.

[Staying up late to shoot the breeze. Sneaking out past curfew. He remembers both as he sits on the edge of the bed and begins to braid his hair.]

Imagine the temptation to enjoy time like that again.

[standvastig]

[Oh. Oh.

Hendrik deflates a little as it becomes more obvious what Jasper is talking about, somehow both relieved and disappointed by his own understanding. He gingerly joins his friend on the edge of the bed, eyes focused on the water pitcher he keeps near his bed in case he needs something to drink.]

I see nothing wrong with that. Better that than trying to count sheep.

[leitstern]

[Having combed his hair before arriving, Jasper focuses on weaving his hair together with three separate strands. It diverts his attention from Hendrik for a moment - fingers backtracking slightly when he mistakenly layers the opposite way. He remembers then how much he loathes plaiting when engaged in conversation. His hands freeze and his shoulders tense and he begins unpicking everything.

His hair is back to hanging in waves when he finds the capacity to reply.]

Better dreaming than trying to count sheep.

[The comment drifts into silence. There are a few good things he is dreaming of this moment.]

[standvastig]

[Though he isn't paying deep attention to what Jasper is doing, he does catch his movement coming to a stop before he responds -- just out of the corner of his eye. He turns to regard him, gaze curious.]

Yes. That is the preferable outcome most nights.

[His eyes trail down to the bed and Jasper's lap, taking in the way his friend's hair is divided and arranged. His lips part to ask a dumb question before he catches himself.]

You stopped.

[...And he makes a dumb, obvious observation instead.]

[leitstern]

[Jasper wrinkles his nose. Next time he will plait his hair to within an inch of its life before coming across. His fingers claw and grasp at loose strands when he catches Hendrik watching - and promptly lets go.]

You distracted me.

[Blunt. Bolt. Totally false and incorrect - but the man is misleading.]

[standvastig]

[There's confusion, followed promptly by a murmured apology as Hendrik remembers this must be part of Jasper's bedtime routine. He stands up to go about his own routine, fetching a candle for the bedside table as a backup to the oil lamp, which he lights.

Then it's time to turn down the other lights in the room and smother the fire in the hearth.

He does all of this quietly, as to not distract Jasper again.]

[leitstern]

[When the torches and candles darken one after another, Jasper pauses slightly to take in the ambiance. Soothing and comforting darkness. His face hides why that is hauntingly familiar as he resumes braiding his hair. He decides it best to end his own routine as swiftly as possible and works swiftly now there's no distractions.

He eyes the long nightshirt in his bag and holds his breath. One second later he is looking over his shoulder - towards Hendrik but not at him - and weighing bravery against caution. Two months. It's been two whole months, hasn't it? Or even three? In any case, he has been witnessed in barer states than this.

In. Out.

An instant later, he doesn't feel so breathless.]

You best not awaken me in the morning, you know.

[His words are out and he sits there in silence, finishing what's left of his hair.]

[standvastig]

[With the fireplace taken care of, Hendrik makes his way back to the bed. The very faint smell of burning wood and soot still cling to his clothes from the fire, but it is beneath his notice as he starts arranging the bed as well.]

If I do, it will be purely an accident on my part. You are usually the first out and about, as I recall.

[But he does wonder if this is to mean he will need to be careful about moving around in bed. He does not usually toss and turn, but he also does not usually sleep with someone else in the bed with him.]

[leitstern]

[Jasper laughs and makes his feelings clear. A little focus, a little diligence. His hair is almost done. One hand clasps it all together whilst the other searches behind him for his hairtie.]

You know perfectly well I never awake till necessary. Be that six in the morning or nine.

[And if he has to kick Hendrik out for a good night's sleep, well...]

[standvastig]

[Hendrik says nothing right away, glancing at Jasper and seeing him still working at braiding his long hair. He busies himself rearranging the pillows; he usually only makes use of half of the pillows available, setting them aside unless he finds he needs extra back support while he's reading in bed.]

...That is true. I suppose I should have asked if you have anything important occurring tomorrow morning.

[leitstern]

[The hustle and bustle of Hendrik's rearranging sounds behind his back. It is difficult not to smile at the thought of being worth the effort - and his own efforts are rewarded with a flick of the wrist and a twist of his hairtie. He stands, finished with his own work, and bends down to pull back the covers.

Enough for them both. He clears his throat a little at the thought of sharing such space before sitting back down. One leg is swinging onto the bed as he prepares to lie down.]

Do you not think I rescheduled after hearing your wish to enjoy my company?

[He lies there in several seconds in silence. The second leg follows and soon he's on his back.]

Worry not. It is your birthday, friend. Enjoy it.

[standvastig]

[As Jasper makes a move to pull at the covers, Hendrik pauses to watch him. He seems to sprawl so comfortably on his bed, as if the circumstances and environment do not affect his ability to relax.

He sits on the opposite side of the bed, carefully moving his considerable bulk so the mattress doesn't shift around too much. It's also a bit odd to be sitting in bed, ready to sleep, while still dressed in a shirt and comfortable bottoms.]

I ... did not wish to presume. It is not my birthday tomorrow, after all.

[But he is pleased to hear that.]

[leitstern]

Perfectly true, I dare say, but should it matter?

[Hendrik claims one side of the bed and he marks his own. Outstretched legs move and his back shifts on the mattress. Fingers pin his fringe behind his ear, hands coming to rest against the middle of his chest. It is a small concern, sharing this space. He tilts his head, trying to remember whether Hendrik locked the door.

Meanwhile, his gaze lingers on the ceiling.

What happens next?]

You know well how I plan for all eventualities.

[standvastig]

[Rather than sliding down to stare at the ceiling, Hendrik rolls onto his side to look at his friend. Why look at the ceiling when he can gaze upon someone like his strikingly beautiful friend?

He lets Jasper's words sit without comment, his focus already moving to a different topic.]

When did you start braiding your hair?

[It's a silly topic, but he's been fascinated by Jasper's hair for a long time. Few people kept their hair so long in their lifetime; the only other person he can think of whose hair rivals the length of Jasper's is the Princess herself.]

[leitstern]

[Jasper turns his head and studies Hendrik for a moment. Strong, dependable Hendrik. As curious and inattentive as always. He makes to speak but turns his head back towards the ceiling. Just like the man laid his words to rest, he lies these down in turn.]

About since the time length became a complication. Sixteen years, now . So I believe.

[It's a topic that has more behind it. He clears his throat of his bitterness for the situation and mulls over it for a while. It is easier to speak of those lost years today - but it is hardly a compliment he's offering. He thinks over it a great deal - communication is what Hendrik wants, right?

Inhaling deeply, he lays it out.]

You were too busy to notice. Then again, it was mostly for the night.

[standvastig]

[Hendrik lifts a hand, as if to reach out to Jasper, before letting it fall to the coverlet, smoothing and shifting the fabric. He frowns but manages to keep a pained expression from his face.]

A pity I was so blind to the change. Had I been chattering your ear off into the evenings all those years, you would be impervious to my current attempts at attention-breaking conversation.

[The words are awkward in their attempt at wryness, but the attempt is made.]