[How is it that she can say all that without missing a beat? Not that he's going to argue with any of it— she's absolutely right, of course, the two of them make quite a pair by pretty much every possibly definition, but there's a level of apprehension he still can't shake. No, not the right word— it's not like he's worried about what comes next, he's definitely looking forward to it and is extremely confident in his abilities, it just feels—
Big. In a really, really great way.
He sets her boots aside, moving to kneel over her on the bed so he can close in for another heavy kiss, willing to pause in getting rid of their clothing for the opportunity to touch again. One knee comes to rest on either side of her hips; he dwarfs her in size, parting his lips to steal a taste.]
No kidding. Gonna turn heads wherever we go, huh?
[Really, they do that already. They've been a pair for awhile, even if they haven't quite been honest with themselves about it.
He leans back so that his weight is on his heels, his grin remaining.]
Feel like taking a turn?
Edited (I broke my html :c ) 2021-09-29 01:22 (UTC)
I spent an uncomfortable amount of time staring at this man's ass and crotch while writing this tag
[Hilda's a smooth talker, but that doesn't take away from the fact that she's feeling a lot of the same things that he is. For all that he's impressed with what she's able to say, she's equally blown away by how much he communicates without saying a damn thing. The firmness with which he pulls off her boots, the careful way he sets them aside, the look in his eyes as he crawls over her and settles his weight over her and kisses her in just that way...
Goddess, if he pinned her down then and there and had his way with her, she'd let him.
The moment is over too soon, and this time it's her who needs a few moments to collect her thoughts before she's able to respond.]
...yeah, I think that's a good idea.
[She shifts her position, crawling over and stealing another kiss--lips parted, tongue running lightly over his bottom lip--before she wraps her arms around him to work the buckles that hold his belt onto him. It would be easier to do this if he turned around, but she doesn't want him to. She wants to press close, face pressed against his chest and body flush against his.
After a few moments of fighting with it, she gets the straps open and the ridiculously-oversized accessory off of him. For now, she sets it next to her on the bed as she leans in to take care of a much more important clasp: the one that holds his ye olde jock strap groin guard in place. She has a much easier time releasing that, allowing the leather strap to fall and allow the guard to hang loosely rather than flush against him.
She pointedly looks down, noticing the way it shifts now that it's free, and looks back up at him with a grin and a gleam in her eye.]
I'm sure that feels better.
Edited (I found like three typos :c) 2021-09-29 06:50 (UTC)
some people would commit atrocities for the pleasure
[That kiss is met by a soft moan of approval that turns into a low rumble at the back of his throat; her tongue against his lower lip is impossible to ignore, and he goes to deepen the kiss on his own terms just before it breaks out of necessity— she'll need to be able to maneuver some to get his clothes off, which means being parted continues to be a necessary evil.
They'll make up for it soon enough.
He draws in a deep breath as she presses herself flush against him, and burying his face against her hair to take in the scent of her as she does battle with those stubborn straps. Of course, she's met with success— he'd never doubted that— and he feels a distinct sense of relieve wash over him as his protective gear comes loose and leaves him more room to breathe, among other things.
He clears his throat at her pointed comment, his face flushing all over again as he gives her a sheepish smile.]
Yeah, ah—
[Well, it's not like it's a secret how men's bodies work.]
Least there's no doubting how damn happy I am to be here, yeah?
[Hilda laughs, her reaction not nearly as pointed as her comment before. Balthus's sheepishness is so endearingly out of character for him, which makes sense given the enormity of the moment. All the same, she still finds herself wanting to reassure him, to let him know that there's no way he could disappoint her here, that his desire is everything that she wants and needs right now.
He knows that. Of course he knows that. But she wants to say it to him all the same, just in case.]
No, there's no doubting that.
[She pulls herself up onto her knees, kneeling up so that she can cup his face in her hands and look him in the eyes. It's easy to get lost in them, but she forces herself to focus.]
You aren't the only one who's happy to finally be here like this. I...
[Want you.
Need you.
Will follow you anywhere.]
I love you, Balthus. You know that, don't you?
So, please relax. This is supposed to be fun, and I promise that there's no reason to be bashful with me. [After a pause, her face flushes a bit deeper--although she doesn't shy away at all.] Trust me, I've dreamt of moments like this and much, much more.
Edited (Hilda, in fact, has two knees and not just one) 2021-09-30 18:37 (UTC)
[Even now, after all this time, she manages to surprise him— it's not that Hilda isn't capable of being genuine, but she hides it away from most people. She speaks her mind openly and bluntly, so it would be misleading to say she wasn't straightforward, but things like this? Feelings, the real stuff?
It hits him hard, every single time, and now moreso than ever. She's said a lot of things over the years that have touched or stirred something in him, let him know how she feels without actually saying it straight out, but this...
He's never seen or heard her like this before.
Even as the color of her face deepens, he manages to tear his gaze away from hers long enough to lean in and kiss her hard, his face still held between her hands as he brings one of his own to rest against her hip, the other cradling the back of her neck so that he can kiss her until the need for breath forces him to stop. Even then, he doesn't pull away, just presses their foreheads together and grins the biggest grin he's ever managed.]
I love you, too. So yeah— I know. But I don't hate to hear it.
[The way he kisses her is heavy and passionate and perfect, and Hilda has no issue kissing him back in kind. By saying the words aloud, they've crossed some kind of threshold. It felt real enough before, but it feels even moreso now. His reaction more or less seals the deal. They're intertwined, him and her, into perpetuity.
Goddess, she's so excited by the possbility.
When they finally break to breathe, Hilda finds herself breathless and grinning ear to ear. He says that he loves her too, which is no surprise but still causes some part of her to soar even higher. She runs her thumbs over his cheeks, the gesture tender rather than hungry. They'll get back to the sexy stuff in a minute. Right now, it's time for Feelings.]
Yeah, I did. Don't get used to it. It just seemed appropriate in the moment, given what a big deal that statement is and all.
[She nuzzles his nose against his, unable to restrain her affection.]
Would it feel better if I don't? Because I love you, Baltie.
[Maaaaaybe she's just looking for an excuse to say it again.]
[Given the state of his smile and the heat of his touch against her skin, it's not as though he disapproves, but when she says it again, he laughs, leaning in to steal another kiss— this one lingering, but not quite as heavy as the one before, if only because he's in a hurry to get out of the rest of his clothes. They're starting to feel more and more restrictive by the moment, which is impressive, considering how little they actually cover in places.]
I'm never gonna get tired of hearing that.
[If she was looking for an excuse, he'll be glad to give her plenty.
He starts to shrug his way out of his brawler's harness, his hand breaking away from her hip long enough to make room for it to slide down the length of his arm.]
Thinkin' about what else I wanna hear, too— gonna need a lot less clothes for that.
Good, because I'm not going to get tired of saying it.
[If anything, she has to make up for lost time in not saying it to him for various reasons.
Goddess, his laughter and good nature are so infectious. Hilda kisses him back, a task made only a little difficult by the way she can't wipe the smile off her face. When he releases her to start removing his harness, Hilda sits back on her heels and begins the process of pulling her dress off. The strappiness of the top part makes it a somewhat delicate process, and as much as she loves this man she doesn't exactly trust him not to rip it apart. She's lost enough clothing to war and bloodshed; while losing some to love and passion is much, much nicer, she'd rather avoid it if she can.
She leans around him to toss the discarded garment onto the chair. Once that's accomplished, she sits back in earnest and looks up at him, dressed only in stockings and underthings. Her exposed skin is covered in scars that she wishes weren't there, some still red with recency and others having faded to a paler color. With other partners, this is the part where she has to swallow back to the urge to remind them that she's been through a war and please let's just pretend that her skin is smooth and unmarked like it was five years ago before everything went to the abyss thanks to powder keg that had been simmering for far longer than anyone realized.
With Balthus, the scars just are. The thought to try and excuse or minimize them doesn't even cross her mind, and even if it did she'd be able to quickly dismiss it. She knows Balthus well enough to know that he won't care--or, if he does, he'll consider them badges of honor and a testament to her continued survival. Besides, he probably has more of them than she does, and she's sure she won't find him any less breathtaking for it when he finally gets his damn clothes off.
Speaking of which, she's in a very nice vantage point to watch him do it right about now.]
Is that so? What if I'm disapprovingly quiet in bed, hm?
[She barely gets the words out before she laughs again. Her? Quiet? Please.]
Edited (added a couple sentences) 2021-10-04 22:47 (UTC)
[His head is turned away from her as she poses that particular question, but she can probably imagine the grin he's continuing to wear as he lets out a snort of laughter in response, shedding the last of his upper-body gear and dropping it unceremoniously to the floor. He'll deal with it later— and while he would have taken care to be more delicate with her clothes, he's not that worried about his own.]
Am I gonna get in trouble if I say I wouldn't believe that for a second?
[Maybe, but he says it anyway. They both know who they are— and to be perfectly honest, there's nothing she could do that he would disapprove of at this point. Maybe he has her on a pedestal, but he believes with every fiber of his being that she deserves to be there.
He kicks his boots off and lets them join his harness, turning back towards her with only his pants left to deal with. He freezes midway through reaching for them, his gaze arrested for a long, long moment before he lets it roam with open and obvious appreciation.]
Hilda, you look...
[She's perfect. He doesn't even notice the scars; they're a part of her, a mark of everything she's been through— much of it, events they had been through together, and it's clear they give him no pause. He easily has twice as many. His face flushes a deep red as he struggles to find his voice again, swallowing hard.]
[Her feelings are clearly hurt, given the way she giggles as she speaks. In another circumstance, Balthus could be in trouble for the clapback. But this is too pleasant, the banter too easy and charming to discourage. There's a sense of comfort and familiarity in it, since it's not all that different from how they carry on in other circumstances.
Hilda props herself up on her elbows and watches with rapt attention as Balthus peels off his own layers, appreciating the view as more and more of his body is revealed in the process. This isn't the first time she's seen him dressed down like this, but the sight hits her differently given what they're working toward. He's magnificent, taut muscles under skin, and it takes more willpower than she'd care to admit to stop herself from getting up and running her hands all over him.
She blushes deeply when he stops and takes the opportunity to really look at her, his gaze appraising and approving. It seems they're in agreement on their appreciation of the other's bodies.
Not that it's much of a surprise. They've been stealing glances at each other for what feels like ages.]
[Goddess, was it even possible for him to grin even wider than he already was? He doesn't think so, but it sure feels like it as he joins her on the bed— almost too eagerly, nearly missing the edge of the mattress with his knee and narrowly missing a stumble before he catches himself with one hand.
He leans into that little misstep, planting that knee beside her hip so he can bend down for another open-mouthed kiss, hungry and searching. The hand that isn't propping him up comes to rest against the side of her neck before trailing down over her shoulder, gently tugging at the strap of her undergarments with one finger before he slides his palm over one breast to cup it, kissing her insistently all the while until he has no choice but to break for breath.]
Better? Close enough for you to get a real eyeful?
[It's going to be affectionate teasing all the way down with these two.]
[The stumble causes Hilda to raise her hands in order to catch him if necessary, but he manages to catch himself first. After a few moments of stillness, she plays it cool by placing her hands on his chest as if that were the intent all along. Whether he buys it or not doesn't matter--it's not like letting her hands roam over his skin is a hardship. He's strong, and warm, and other wonderful things that she's sure she would have thought of had he not distracted her with that kiss.
No matter. Kissing is better than thinking right now.
She hums her approval into his mouth when he pulls on the fabric of her bra and cups a breast in his hand. It fits way too well, as if they were made to press together like this. Perfect.
In response, she reaches up with one hand and buries it into his hair. It's way too long these days, but for once Hilda finds herself grateful for the curly locks rather than annoyed by them. All right, she'll concede that the longer hair has its perks.]
Much better.
[Even as she catches her breath, she presses soft, open-mouthed kisses along his jawline as she returns the affectionate teasing in kind.]
I notice you couldn't help but get a handful while you're here~
[Caught red-handed— not that he was trying to be stealthy about it in the least. They've got full reign to put their hands all over each other right now— lips and tongues, too— and he definitely plans to make up for lost time. There's no part of him that regrets waiting, if only because everything coming together like this feels pretty damn perfect, like a reward well-earned after all their hard work.
They've fought side-by-side for years, putting the war effort before their own needs. About time they did this for themselves, isn't it?]
Couldn't help myself. I've had to keep my hands to myself for a long time.
[And it does feel like a perfect fit. Everything, in fact, feels incredibly natural with her, easy despite the fact that he finds himself just a little anxious moving forward, and he lets out a low groan of appreciation as she trails kisses along the hard line of his jaw. The tug of her fingers in his hair is also more than welcome, and he brings a hand to her hip as he steadies himself on his knees.]
The rest of this stuff is gonna have to go before too long...
[His own trousers and underthings, definitely, though he's a little more hesitant to strip her of those stockings.
Well. They have nothing but time. At least for tonight.]
[Hilda similarly doesn't regret waiting. Things were too complicated before, too heavy, and this would have felt desperate and sad if they had tried it then. Despite her general impatience, she has to admit that now--free and in a world full of cautious optimism--is the right time for this.
With a laugh, she removes her hands from him in order to reach behind herself and unhook her bra. Balthus has it half pulled down anyway, and it's easier to just be done with the garment altogether. She lets it slide off her shoulders and chest, tossing it aside. The time for caring about the treatment of her clothing is passed.]
So, what I'm hearing is that I'm going to have to get used to you pawing at me at every opportunity.
[Judging from her tone and the smile on her face, she's more than okay with that.]
I'll allow it, but only if I get to do the same to you.
[Her smile grows a touch wicked, and she reaches up to cup a hand between his legs.]
[He can't help but stare as she exposes herself completely, discarding her bra so that there's nothing to keep him from touching her in full, but there's so much more in his gaze than just lust. Appreciation, rather than objectification; it's softer, admiring, though the line of his gaze is broken as she takes a handful of her own, causing him to let out a breathless little laugh as his eyes slam shut.]
I mean, yeah, we gotta keep things fair, right?
[He has zero complaints about that arrangement, and he rolls his hips forward to grind against her hand as he leans in to trail a few kisses against her jaw, moving to drag his lips down the curve of her neck as his hand comes to trace the slope of her bared breast. She's so warm, even moreso than he'd expected, and he forgets about the removal of his own trousers as he bears forward a bit, inhaling the scent of her as he kisses his way back up her neck and drags his thumb in a circle around her nipple.]
Can't get over how beautiful you are. Always— not just now, but... especially now.
[Because the way she's been looking at him since the training grounds? It's pretty damn incredible.]
[Goddess, has he always looked at her in that way? Hilda feels herself practically melt in response. It's a good thing Balthus gives this freely, or else she'd be tempted to give everything up just for the chance to see that expression from him again. Everything, from his reaction to her touch to the way he touches her in return to the timbre of his voice near her ear, is perfect.
How did she ever get to be so lucky? Or such a hopeless sap, for that matter? He really has that kind of effect on her.]
You're making me blush...
[For once, the statement is truly sincere instead of her being coy or flirtatious. There's a flush spreading across her cheeks that goes beyond warmth and arousal, and Hilda removes her hold from between his legs to cup his face and gently pull him up from where he's buried it into her neck. She intends to say something, to tell him all of the wonderful ways he's making her feel just by being here and wanting her and caring about her, but the movement of his thumb replaces her words with a soft hum of pleasure. She's reasonably sure he'll get the gist of it from that noise alone.
Pressing her forehead to his and closing her eyes, Hilda takes in a deep breath of air to try and steady herself. It doesn't work. She doesn't really care.]
[That pleasant hum of approval definitely gets the point across, and he laughs against the soft curve of her neck as she asks for an encore. He can definitely do a lot more than that, and plans to, but for now, he'll give her exactly what she asks for— they have time, and as much as he wants to get on with things, he doesn't want to rush it, either.
After tomorrow, they'll be apart for awhile. Maybe not long— but he wants to make the most of tonight while they have it.]
You bet.
[He grins, the pull of his lips brushing against her skin before he starts leaving another series of kisses in their wake, working his way up towards her jawline and kissing his way back towards her ear as his thumb circles her nipple again, then lightly slides across and tugs against it, a tease that only barely hints at all the other ways he wants to touch her.]
[The combination of his kisses and the continued attention to her breast causes Hilda to arch up into him a bit, a breezy sigh rising out of her chest and passing over her lips.]
Is that a promise? Because I have very high hopes for tonight, Baltie.
[Tonight needs to be good enough to last them for however long they end up separated before he follows her home--she hasn't invited him, exactly, but it sort of goes without saying that he'll end up there eventually now that they have the freedom to be and do whatever they want. In all honesty, Hilda is certain he won't let her down here. He hasn't disappointed yet tonight, and even with how they've barely started he already has her body singing and eager for more.
The fact that she's been waiting what seems like ages doesn't help, of course.
With a turn of her head she catches his lips with hers again, heavy and eager. Hilda is not interested in rushing things, per se, but she's not a patient person either. She doesn't let the kiss linger for long, pulling his bottom lip a little with her teeth as she pulls back.]
Those hopes involve you taking your trousers off. I think I've waited long enough to see all of you.
[She deserves a medal for being tasteful about asking to see his dick, if you ask her.]
[He gets pulled into that kiss before he can come up with any kind of response about her expectations; it's a heavy and all-consuming thing, and even with what's looming just ahead of them, all it takes is a kiss to thoroughly distract him and command his full attention. He's wanted to kiss her for so long, there's no possible way he can get enough of it now.
He sighs against her lips when it breaks all too soon, the sharp press of her teeth full of promise, but her next suggestion has that grin of his pulling wide again. Of course. Next natural step, right?]
Think we can arrange that.
[He's reluctant to pull away from her at all, but some of that is eased as he's treated to a particularly nice view of her reclining on the mattress to watch him. He's inspired to make short work of his trousers, dropping his belt and the attached guard she'd already loosened before kicking off his boots and sending the rest of his clothing in their wake. He'd been slow and cautious in removing Hilda's boots, but none of that caution remains now; his things end up in a heap on the floor and, unsurprisingly, he's revealed to be incredibly wanting— to be expected, given the progression of things so far.]
[Not only is Balthus treated to a nice view of Hilda laying back and watching him undress, he also gets to watch her peel off her panties and kick them off to the side. She keeps her legs slightly parted as she settles back in, all the better for him to see the effect he's had on her. Her wetness is less obvious than his own arousal, obviously, but it's no less wanting.
Once Balthus is finished removing the last of his clothing, Hilda sits up, stretches luxuriously, and crawls over to the edge of the bed to meet him there. Grinning like the cat who caught the canary, she slowly runs a finger up and down the length of him.]
Finally.
[She's been waiting literal years to see him naked and hard like this. She's allowed a comment or two about it.]
You look amazing without any clothes on, you know. Definitely can get used to seeing you like this.
[Any composure he might have managed to hold onto in rejoining her on the bed is absolutely shattered as she gives that catlike stretch and moves to drag her finger along his length; he swallows a groan to no effect, a low and needy sound that escapes him despite his effort as he reaches for her shoulder to balance himself.]
Could say the same for you.
[And he will, at length, because even now, with a shudder threatening to roll through him at her very touch, he cannot take his eyes off of her. He rolls his hips forward in a bid for more touch, even as he nudges his way closer to the bed— he could easily pick her up and join her, and he just might, but he's definitely enjoying the view of her perched at the edge after crawling her way towards him.
How the hell did he get so lucky?]
Don't think you've got anything to worry about there, anyway... we're gonna be seeing a whole lot of each other just like this.
[It's not being conceited when they both know it's absolutely true.]
Feel like makin' room for me to join you, gorgeous?
[Like he can pass up that invitation. The sound he makes in response is somewhere between a laugh and a pleasant grunt of approval; he's not about to give her the chance to make that suggestion a second time, and his knee presses against her hip as he returns to the mattress and straddles her, both of his hands moving over her breasts and down her sides until they come to rest against her waist, pulling her against him so that he can maneuver the both of them onto the bed in full.
It's definitely a tight fit; these barracks beds weren't made for two, but they'll manage.
He bends his head to kiss her headily, lips parted, his teeth catching against her lower lip as he nudges her further onto her back, one hand sliding down her hip to cup beneath her thigh and hoist it upwards, encouraging her to drape her leg against his waist.]
You won't hear me complainin' about having to share the space.
[It's a tight fight by design, at least right now with the two of them together like this. They hardly fit, but really they only need to have enough room for him to be either on top of or below her. With luck, they'll have a chance to try both out tonight.
Hilda can't help but purr in response to the way in which Bathlus repositions her, wrapping her legs around him with ease and eagerness. His body is warm and close and strong in a way she's wanted to appreciate for ages but only now has the opprtunity to do so. She can practically trace every muscle on him, and as he runs his hands down her body she reaches up to trace patterns across his chest. Goddess, he has a wondeful body. And it's hers, just as much as her body is his.
Tonight--and many other nights after this--is going to be a damn good one.]
I didn't think you would.
[She leans up and nuzzles his neck just under his ear, smiling widely as she does so.]
A bit hard to fuck each other's brains out if we aren't willing to be close like this~.
[Subtlety has its place, and this sure as hell isn’t it. He laughs loudly, her blunt assessment of the situation the perfect amount of irreverent, and he responds by nuzzling against her jaw in turn before pressing a series of hot, eager kisses along the soft curve of her neck.]
That you trying to tell me you want me to get on with it?
[Teasing, of course, because there’s nothing coy or coded about any of this. They both know what they want, and there are no barriers left between them to slow their efforts.
He smooths one hand over the curve of her breast, thumb dragging against her nipple before he turns it to let his knuckles lightly follow the slope of her ribs, her waist, her hips, kissing his way along her collarbone as his touch finds the cleft between her legs and parts her with steady fingers to find her just as wanting as he is. For as inelegant as he is on the battlefield, his touch is steady and surprisingly gentle as he finds her clit and deliberately circles it with his thumb, breaking into a grin as he kisses his way back towards her mouth.]
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Big. In a really, really great way.
He sets her boots aside, moving to kneel over her on the bed so he can close in for another heavy kiss, willing to pause in getting rid of their clothing for the opportunity to touch again. One knee comes to rest on either side of her hips; he dwarfs her in size, parting his lips to steal a taste.]
No kidding. Gonna turn heads wherever we go, huh?
[Really, they do that already. They've been a pair for awhile, even if they haven't quite been honest with themselves about it.
He leans back so that his weight is on his heels, his grin remaining.]
Feel like taking a turn?
I spent an uncomfortable amount of time staring at this man's ass and crotch while writing this tag
Goddess, if he pinned her down then and there and had his way with her, she'd let him.
The moment is over too soon, and this time it's her who needs a few moments to collect her thoughts before she's able to respond.]
...yeah, I think that's a good idea.
[She shifts her position, crawling over and stealing another kiss--lips parted, tongue running lightly over his bottom lip--before she wraps her arms around him to work the buckles that hold his belt onto him. It would be easier to do this if he turned around, but she doesn't want him to. She wants to press close, face pressed against his chest and body flush against his.
After a few moments of fighting with it, she gets the straps open and the ridiculously-oversized accessory off of him. For now, she sets it next to her on the bed as she leans in to take care of a much more important clasp: the one that holds his
ye olde jock strapgroin guard in place. She has a much easier time releasing that, allowing the leather strap to fall and allow the guard to hang loosely rather than flush against him.She pointedly looks down, noticing the way it shifts now that it's free, and looks back up at him with a grin and a gleam in her eye.]
I'm sure that feels better.
some people would commit atrocities for the pleasure
They'll make up for it soon enough.
He draws in a deep breath as she presses herself flush against him, and burying his face against her hair to take in the scent of her as she does battle with those stubborn straps. Of course, she's met with success— he'd never doubted that— and he feels a distinct sense of relieve wash over him as his protective gear comes loose and leaves him more room to breathe, among other things.
He clears his throat at her pointed comment, his face flushing all over again as he gives her a sheepish smile.]
Yeah, ah—
[Well, it's not like it's a secret how men's bodies work.]
Least there's no doubting how damn happy I am to be here, yeah?
[And he is— he really, really is.]
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He knows that. Of course he knows that. But she wants to say it to him all the same, just in case.]
No, there's no doubting that.
[She pulls herself up onto her knees, kneeling up so that she can cup his face in her hands and look him in the eyes. It's easy to get lost in them, but she forces herself to focus.]
You aren't the only one who's happy to finally be here like this. I...
[Want you.
Need you.
Will follow you anywhere.]
I love you, Balthus. You know that, don't you?
So, please relax. This is supposed to be fun, and I promise that there's no reason to be bashful with me. [After a pause, her face flushes a bit deeper--although she doesn't shy away at all.] Trust me, I've dreamt of moments like this and much, much more.
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It hits him hard, every single time, and now moreso than ever. She's said a lot of things over the years that have touched or stirred something in him, let him know how she feels without actually saying it straight out, but this...
He's never seen or heard her like this before.
Even as the color of her face deepens, he manages to tear his gaze away from hers long enough to lean in and kiss her hard, his face still held between her hands as he brings one of his own to rest against her hip, the other cradling the back of her neck so that he can kiss her until the need for breath forces him to stop. Even then, he doesn't pull away, just presses their foreheads together and grins the biggest grin he's ever managed.]
I love you, too. So yeah— I know. But I don't hate to hear it.
[He'll say it plenty himself, too.
Also:]
—did you call me 'Balthus'?
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Goddess, she's so excited by the possbility.
When they finally break to breathe, Hilda finds herself breathless and grinning ear to ear. He says that he loves her too, which is no surprise but still causes some part of her to soar even higher. She runs her thumbs over his cheeks, the gesture tender rather than hungry. They'll get back to the sexy stuff in a minute. Right now, it's time for Feelings.]
Yeah, I did. Don't get used to it. It just seemed appropriate in the moment, given what a big deal that statement is and all.
[She nuzzles his nose against his, unable to restrain her affection.]
Would it feel better if I don't? Because I love you, Baltie.
[Maaaaaybe she's just looking for an excuse to say it again.]
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[Given the state of his smile and the heat of his touch against her skin, it's not as though he disapproves, but when she says it again, he laughs, leaning in to steal another kiss— this one lingering, but not quite as heavy as the one before, if only because he's in a hurry to get out of the rest of his clothes. They're starting to feel more and more restrictive by the moment, which is impressive, considering how little they actually cover in places.]
I'm never gonna get tired of hearing that.
[If she was looking for an excuse, he'll be glad to give her plenty.
He starts to shrug his way out of his brawler's harness, his hand breaking away from her hip long enough to make room for it to slide down the length of his arm.]
Thinkin' about what else I wanna hear, too— gonna need a lot less clothes for that.
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[If anything, she has to make up for lost time in not saying it to him for various reasons.
Goddess, his laughter and good nature are so infectious. Hilda kisses him back, a task made only a little difficult by the way she can't wipe the smile off her face. When he releases her to start removing his harness, Hilda sits back on her heels and begins the process of pulling her dress off. The strappiness of the top part makes it a somewhat delicate process, and as much as she loves this man she doesn't exactly trust him not to rip it apart. She's lost enough clothing to war and bloodshed; while losing some to love and passion is much, much nicer, she'd rather avoid it if she can.
She leans around him to toss the discarded garment onto the chair. Once that's accomplished, she sits back in earnest and looks up at him, dressed only in stockings and underthings. Her exposed skin is covered in scars that she wishes weren't there, some still red with recency and others having faded to a paler color. With other partners, this is the part where she has to swallow back to the urge to remind them that she's been through a war and please let's just pretend that her skin is smooth and unmarked like it was five years ago before everything went to the abyss thanks to powder keg that had been simmering for far longer than anyone realized.
With Balthus, the scars just are. The thought to try and excuse or minimize them doesn't even cross her mind, and even if it did she'd be able to quickly dismiss it. She knows Balthus well enough to know that he won't care--or, if he does, he'll consider them badges of honor and a testament to her continued survival. Besides, he probably has more of them than she does, and she's sure she won't find him any less breathtaking for it when he finally gets his damn clothes off.
Speaking of which, she's in a very nice vantage point to watch him do it right about now.]
Is that so? What if I'm disapprovingly quiet in bed, hm?
[She barely gets the words out before she laughs again. Her? Quiet? Please.]
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Am I gonna get in trouble if I say I wouldn't believe that for a second?
[Maybe, but he says it anyway. They both know who they are— and to be perfectly honest, there's nothing she could do that he would disapprove of at this point. Maybe he has her on a pedestal, but he believes with every fiber of his being that she deserves to be there.
He kicks his boots off and lets them join his harness, turning back towards her with only his pants left to deal with. He freezes midway through reaching for them, his gaze arrested for a long, long moment before he lets it roam with open and obvious appreciation.]
Hilda, you look...
[She's perfect. He doesn't even notice the scars; they're a part of her, a mark of everything she's been through— much of it, events they had been through together, and it's clear they give him no pause. He easily has twice as many. His face flushes a deep red as he struggles to find his voice again, swallowing hard.]
Wow.
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[Her feelings are clearly hurt, given the way she giggles as she speaks. In another circumstance, Balthus could be in trouble for the clapback. But this is too pleasant, the banter too easy and charming to discourage. There's a sense of comfort and familiarity in it, since it's not all that different from how they carry on in other circumstances.
Hilda props herself up on her elbows and watches with rapt attention as Balthus peels off his own layers, appreciating the view as more and more of his body is revealed in the process. This isn't the first time she's seen him dressed down like this, but the sight hits her differently given what they're working toward. He's magnificent, taut muscles under skin, and it takes more willpower than she'd care to admit to stop herself from getting up and running her hands all over him.
She blushes deeply when he stops and takes the opportunity to really look at her, his gaze appraising and approving. It seems they're in agreement on their appreciation of the other's bodies.
Not that it's much of a surprise. They've been stealing glances at each other for what feels like ages.]
I could say the same.
[With a smile, she beckons.]
Come here so I can have a better look at you.
[And touch. And taste.]
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[Goddess, was it even possible for him to grin even wider than he already was? He doesn't think so, but it sure feels like it as he joins her on the bed— almost too eagerly, nearly missing the edge of the mattress with his knee and narrowly missing a stumble before he catches himself with one hand.
He leans into that little misstep, planting that knee beside her hip so he can bend down for another open-mouthed kiss, hungry and searching. The hand that isn't propping him up comes to rest against the side of her neck before trailing down over her shoulder, gently tugging at the strap of her undergarments with one finger before he slides his palm over one breast to cup it, kissing her insistently all the while until he has no choice but to break for breath.]
Better? Close enough for you to get a real eyeful?
[It's going to be affectionate teasing all the way down with these two.]
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No matter. Kissing is better than thinking right now.
She hums her approval into his mouth when he pulls on the fabric of her bra and cups a breast in his hand. It fits way too well, as if they were made to press together like this. Perfect.
In response, she reaches up with one hand and buries it into his hair. It's way too long these days, but for once Hilda finds herself grateful for the curly locks rather than annoyed by them. All right, she'll concede that the longer hair has its perks.]
Much better.
[Even as she catches her breath, she presses soft, open-mouthed kisses along his jawline as she returns the affectionate teasing in kind.]
I notice you couldn't help but get a handful while you're here~
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They've fought side-by-side for years, putting the war effort before their own needs. About time they did this for themselves, isn't it?]
Couldn't help myself. I've had to keep my hands to myself for a long time.
[And it does feel like a perfect fit. Everything, in fact, feels incredibly natural with her, easy despite the fact that he finds himself just a little anxious moving forward, and he lets out a low groan of appreciation as she trails kisses along the hard line of his jaw. The tug of her fingers in his hair is also more than welcome, and he brings a hand to her hip as he steadies himself on his knees.]
The rest of this stuff is gonna have to go before too long...
[His own trousers and underthings, definitely, though he's a little more hesitant to strip her of those stockings.
Well. They have nothing but time. At least for tonight.]
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With a laugh, she removes her hands from him in order to reach behind herself and unhook her bra. Balthus has it half pulled down anyway, and it's easier to just be done with the garment altogether. She lets it slide off her shoulders and chest, tossing it aside. The time for caring about the treatment of her clothing is passed.]
So, what I'm hearing is that I'm going to have to get used to you pawing at me at every opportunity.
[Judging from her tone and the smile on her face, she's more than okay with that.]
I'll allow it, but only if I get to do the same to you.
[Her smile grows a touch wicked, and she reaches up to cup a hand between his legs.]
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I mean, yeah, we gotta keep things fair, right?
[He has zero complaints about that arrangement, and he rolls his hips forward to grind against her hand as he leans in to trail a few kisses against her jaw, moving to drag his lips down the curve of her neck as his hand comes to trace the slope of her bared breast. She's so warm, even moreso than he'd expected, and he forgets about the removal of his own trousers as he bears forward a bit, inhaling the scent of her as he kisses his way back up her neck and drags his thumb in a circle around her nipple.]
Can't get over how beautiful you are. Always— not just now, but... especially now.
[Because the way she's been looking at him since the training grounds? It's pretty damn incredible.]
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How did she ever get to be so lucky? Or such a hopeless sap, for that matter? He really has that kind of effect on her.]
You're making me blush...
[For once, the statement is truly sincere instead of her being coy or flirtatious. There's a flush spreading across her cheeks that goes beyond warmth and arousal, and Hilda removes her hold from between his legs to cup his face and gently pull him up from where he's buried it into her neck. She intends to say something, to tell him all of the wonderful ways he's making her feel just by being here and wanting her and caring about her, but the movement of his thumb replaces her words with a soft hum of pleasure. She's reasonably sure he'll get the gist of it from that noise alone.
Pressing her forehead to his and closing her eyes, Hilda takes in a deep breath of air to try and steady herself. It doesn't work. She doesn't really care.]
Do that again?
[Please.]
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After tomorrow, they'll be apart for awhile. Maybe not long— but he wants to make the most of tonight while they have it.]
You bet.
[He grins, the pull of his lips brushing against her skin before he starts leaving another series of kisses in their wake, working his way up towards her jawline and kissing his way back towards her ear as his thumb circles her nipple again, then lightly slides across and tugs against it, a tease that only barely hints at all the other ways he wants to touch her.]
I can do better than that, though.
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Is that a promise? Because I have very high hopes for tonight, Baltie.
[Tonight needs to be good enough to last them for however long they end up separated before he follows her home--she hasn't invited him, exactly, but it sort of goes without saying that he'll end up there eventually now that they have the freedom to be and do whatever they want. In all honesty, Hilda is certain he won't let her down here. He hasn't disappointed yet tonight, and even with how they've barely started he already has her body singing and eager for more.
The fact that she's been waiting what seems like ages doesn't help, of course.
With a turn of her head she catches his lips with hers again, heavy and eager. Hilda is not interested in rushing things, per se, but she's not a patient person either. She doesn't let the kiss linger for long, pulling his bottom lip a little with her teeth as she pulls back.]
Those hopes involve you taking your trousers off. I think I've waited long enough to see all of you.
[She deserves a medal for being tasteful about asking to see his dick, if you ask her.]
forgive me I return
He sighs against her lips when it breaks all too soon, the sharp press of her teeth full of promise, but her next suggestion has that grin of his pulling wide again. Of course. Next natural step, right?]
Think we can arrange that.
[He's reluctant to pull away from her at all, but some of that is eased as he's treated to a particularly nice view of her reclining on the mattress to watch him. He's inspired to make short work of his trousers, dropping his belt and the attached guard she'd already loosened before kicking off his boots and sending the rest of his clothing in their wake. He'd been slow and cautious in removing Hilda's boots, but none of that caution remains now; his things end up in a heap on the floor and, unsurprisingly, he's revealed to be incredibly wanting— to be expected, given the progression of things so far.]
yay welcome back ♥
Once Balthus is finished removing the last of his clothing, Hilda sits up, stretches luxuriously, and crawls over to the edge of the bed to meet him there. Grinning like the cat who caught the canary, she slowly runs a finger up and down the length of him.]
Finally.
[She's been waiting literal years to see him naked and hard like this. She's allowed a comment or two about it.]
You look amazing without any clothes on, you know. Definitely can get used to seeing you like this.
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Could say the same for you.
[And he will, at length, because even now, with a shudder threatening to roll through him at her very touch, he cannot take his eyes off of her. He rolls his hips forward in a bid for more touch, even as he nudges his way closer to the bed— he could easily pick her up and join her, and he just might, but he's definitely enjoying the view of her perched at the edge after crawling her way towards him.
How the hell did he get so lucky?]
Don't think you've got anything to worry about there, anyway... we're gonna be seeing a whole lot of each other just like this.
[It's not being conceited when they both know it's absolutely true.]
Feel like makin' room for me to join you, gorgeous?
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She’s the lucky one, if you ask her, getting to see him standing over her and hearing that voice in her ears.]
I’m looking forward to each and every time, Baltie.
[Not conceited at all to make a simple statement of fact. They are going to do this a lot, goddess willing.
There’s a playful sparkle in her eye as she considers his request for a few moments before she shakes her head.]
Hmm. I’m thinking “no.”
[With a grin, she scoots away from him and lies back onto the bed.]
Looks like you’ll just have to climb on top of me.
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It's definitely a tight fit; these barracks beds weren't made for two, but they'll manage.
He bends his head to kiss her headily, lips parted, his teeth catching against her lower lip as he nudges her further onto her back, one hand sliding down her hip to cup beneath her thigh and hoist it upwards, encouraging her to drape her leg against his waist.]
You won't hear me complainin' about having to share the space.
[Not for a moment.]
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Hilda can't help but purr in response to the way in which Bathlus repositions her, wrapping her legs around him with ease and eagerness. His body is warm and close and strong in a way she's wanted to appreciate for ages but only now has the opprtunity to do so. She can practically trace every muscle on him, and as he runs his hands down her body she reaches up to trace patterns across his chest. Goddess, he has a wondeful body. And it's hers, just as much as her body is his.
Tonight--and many other nights after this--is going to be a damn good one.]
I didn't think you would.
[She leans up and nuzzles his neck just under his ear, smiling widely as she does so.]
A bit hard to fuck each other's brains out if we aren't willing to be close like this~.
[Sometimes, it's best not to be subtle.]
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That you trying to tell me you want me to get on with it?
[Teasing, of course, because there’s nothing coy or coded about any of this. They both know what they want, and there are no barriers left between them to slow their efforts.
He smooths one hand over the curve of her breast, thumb dragging against her nipple before he turns it to let his knuckles lightly follow the slope of her ribs, her waist, her hips, kissing his way along her collarbone as his touch finds the cleft between her legs and parts her with steady fingers to find her just as wanting as he is. For as inelegant as he is on the battlefield, his touch is steady and surprisingly gentle as he finds her clit and deliberately circles it with his thumb, breaking into a grin as he kisses his way back towards her mouth.]
Anything you want, Hilda, you’ve got it.
[As if he could ever deny her anything.]
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