[ He knows what game Cain is playing now, and the sad thing, it's working. Try as he might to not notice, those stockings are distracting, and that silly pose makes him want to shake Cain as much as cover him up from other wandering eyes.
He draws closer and removes his cloak to do exactly that, drawing it around the other's shoulders. ]
What am I beholding, other than a buffoon who's never going to get his proper clothes back?
[ He huffs a bit, but there's a hint of a smile. ]
[ His grin only gets cheekier as he feels the weight of Percival's cloak settling around his shoulders. It's hard to take Percival's words at face value most of the time, but impossible now when he can feel the warmth of Percival's body lingering, warming him through.
He puts a hand to the cloak's collar, drawing it a bit closer around himself, and snuggles into the soft fabric with a little happy sigh. ]
After all, I may need someone to protect my virtue.
[ His "virtue." The "virtue" that currently has him tilting his head back and batting his eyes at Percival like some starstruck maiden. ]
Not only is that presumptuous of you, but you couldn't be anymore wrong.
[ But there's something contagious about Cain's smile, and though he doesn't smile externally, his hardened gaze softens the longer he looks down at Cain bundled up in his cloak. Ignoring that ridiculous outfit, Cain is the picture of endearing at the moment, even as he continues this stupid charade, or perhaps because he so shamelessly continues this stupid charade.
Protect his virtue. That's funny, considering how little he hesitates in invading Percival's personal space in decidedly non-innocent ways.
Percival sighs, exasperated.
In a moment of allowing himself to act on impulse rather than rational thought (a rarity, but increasingly common the more he interacts with Cain), he takes a step forward and draws Cain's chin upward, leaning down to kiss him firmly and without warning.
[ The very clever, witty retort right on the tip of Cain's tongue doesn't have a chance to meet the air. It gets swallowed up by that kiss, the warm, faintly sweet press of Percival's mouth to Cain's lips.
Cain's eyes go wide; he doesn't back away, or even try to stop the kiss, but there's a frozen moment of shock before he relaxes into it. Before one hand comes up to wrap slender fingers in Percival's collar, holding Percival close until the kiss is done.
And only then does Cain tip his head back and search for the mistletoe. Because there must be enchanted mistletoe, for Percival to be kissing him in such a public place.
Right?
But there's none, and Cain blinks, and blinks again, and turns to stare at Percival, a question in his eyes and red spreading across his cheeks. ]
[ The gravity and implication of what he's done, in plain view, doesn't hit Percival immediately. He enjoys the brief moment of recklessness and impulse for what it is. These are certainly not the circumstances that he would have imagined kissing Cain of his own volition, to be sure, not when he looks like that, but at this time, it seemed like the best retaliation to the other man's smugness.
And he'd wanted to do it. It seemed right. It felt right.
He cups Cain's jaw gently, indulging in a few seconds of the warm, affectionate kiss that makes his heart beat a little faster.
Cain pulls back before he does, and it is then, at the first breath, that Percival realizes he's going to have to answer for his actions. Before his face can redden too much, he stands back upright, lowers his hand, and turns to walk away. ]
[ THAT'S TOO SMOOTH. NOT ALLOWED. WHO LET PERCIVAL DO THIS TO HIM??
Cain's cheeks go bright, bright red, and for a second, he's too stunned to move. But only for a second, and then his brain catches up with the thudding of his heart. There's no way he's letting Percival do... do that and then just walk away from him!
(But he is keeping the cloak. That's his now.) ]
Wait—!
[ He lunges forward, feeling the breeze as he jogs after Percival, and grabs Percival by the elbow to keep him from getting too far.
...is that a blush on Percival's cheeks he sees? ]
[ At the moment, the only thought running to his mind is to get to another balcony, preferably far away from others. There's embarrassing, and then there's this, and though anyone who happened to be onlooking wouldn't care (there's people doing weird things with candy canes, even), he still doesn't want to be seen like this.
He thinks he's escaped, but is forced to stop as he feels a pull on his elbow.
Oh great, it's him. Perhaps the moonlight is enough to betray the fact that he's nearly as red as his hair. ]
What do you want now? Your clothes will come back in a few minutes.
[ Yes, Percival's definitely red. So, not nearly as unaffected as he'd seemed. Which makes Cain feel a lot calmer. His heart might be pounding in his ears and his mouth might still be tingling a little, but at least he's not the only one who's been so affected by the kiss.
The kiss.
He's only half joking as he asks: ]
So you do like them... You didn't do that just because of the clothes, right?
[ This puts him in a situation of not knowing what to do, and the best course of action seems to be to not address it. It's new territory for someone who's usually so direct and blunt, so he's not very good at it. ]
What do your clothes have to do with anything?
[ What should he say next? Think of something. Anything. ]
You may, if you wish. This is supposed to be a good viewing spot.
[ Phew. Cain seems to be going along with the BS he just spouted. To be fair, there is supposed to be a moonshower soon, but that definitely isn't his reason for running away, and he doesn't even know when it's supposed to happen.
Also, this spot doesn't have a very good view of Thesa, seeing as the balcony is lined with trees. ]
[ Cain turns to look at the trees. The very tall, leafy trees through which only a bare sliver of anything resembling a moon or stars or moonshower can be seen.
Slowly, he turns back to Percival, keeping his face carefully blank. ]
Right. [ Clearly, he's on the right track here. ] Was it the skirt you just couldn't resist...?
[ Helpfully, he flashes a little leg. Surprise, the previous line of questioning hasn't been dropped at all! ]
[ He was almost excused. Truthfully, it bothers Percival to avoid the subject altogether, but it's difficult to explain himself when he doesn't fully understand it himself.
Cain isn't making it any easier, so while his face darkens, he turns away with a small huff, defeated. ]
Find someone else to pester. I've had a long night.
[ Since Percival's not looking, Cain takes his time studying Percival's back. He smiles at Percival's huffiness, fond, very amused. He's too curious to just let the subject drop, but he can still appreciate the way Percival's so terribly dishonest about his own feelings.
More gently, he leans against the railing beside Percival, nudging at Percival's elbow with his own. ]
[ His intention was to take a few moments to gather his thoughts alone, but since that doesn't seem to be happening, Percival settles for a few moments of silence between them.
Finally, he looks over when Cain nudges him, relieved that Cain has dropped the act for now. Maybe he can even find amusement in all of this. Just a little. ]
This is a terrible spot for that. We should relocate.
[ Because of the trees, yes, but Cain's not quite willing to let Percival get away with this so easily. His curiosity is still burning at him, not to be brushed aside so easily.
He's not going to let Percival forget the cause of this whole thing.
Cain tips his head back to look Percival in the eyes, impish. ]
You already took my cloak, what more do you want? I refuse to be your servant and bring you a hot drink.
[ Besides, he has an inkling of what Cain is getting at, and if Percival can't give him a good explanation for his oddity tonight, the least he can do is oblige with this.
Besides, he wants to. It always comes back to this simple fact: he wants to be close to him.
He wraps one arm around Cain's waist, bringing him closer and then shifting so that Cain stands before him. Now, he can wrap both arms around him, looping them over his shoulders. ]
[ Cain freezes for a startled second — he'd been angling to steer the conversation back to his clothes, not to get a hug. He relaxes a moment later, though. Now that he's being hugged, it's hardly objectionable, and Cain tilts his head back onto Percival's shoulder with a surprised little laugh.
He is much warmer this way. ]
What about the moonshower?
[ His "new" clothes fade away, returning him to his suit. The glitter, after all, is only temporary. Still, Cain doesn't move away even with his pretense vanished. ]
[ At least he can finally admit that he doesn't actually know himself.
He doesn't make a further move, satisfied to linger just a few seconds longer. The view from this spot really is shit, since all they can see is branches and slivers of moonlight, but he's not really paying that much thought. ]
[ Laughter in Cain's voice, a little teasing. He wants Percival to enjoy himself at the party, to have a good night, but he can't let this go so easily. Not when the moonshower was so obviously an excuse to cover up Percival's flustered feelings.
Cain shifts, going up on his tiptoes, balancing on the balcony's railing. It's a precarious position, maybe. If he leans over much more, he might tip over and fall. Maybe. ]
Weren't you the one with the grand plans to see it...?
[ The words are accompanied by a sunny smile, directed at Percival as he tips his head back, not looking where he's going — letting Percival pull him along, trusting that Percival will lead him safely.
Really, Cain gets it. What Percival does is far more important than what Percicval says. As long as he's being kept close, it's fairly obvious that Percival wants his company, no matter how irritated Percival seems by his antics. ]
Is that what you think? If that means you plummet to an early grave sooner, you can keep fooling yourself.
[ He gives Cain a brief sidelong glance before he's pulled the both of them towards where most of the guests seem to be congregating. Surely, the crowd would eventually show them the way.
That line of thinking is right, at least, but by the time they've gotten there, the ideal spot for a clear, unobstructed view of Thesa has already gathered a sizable crowd. ]
[ Cain follows along, towed behind Percival by that grip on his wrist. It feels oddly like being led, though he won't mention that to Percival; he's sure Percival would bluster and grump and refuse to touch him for the rest of the evening, and this sort of casual familiarity is too pleasant for him to ruin it for the whole night.
Idly, Cain goes up on his tiptoes a little, trying to see over the heads of everyone who got to a real viewing spot before them. Hmm, he's just a little too short to see clearly... ]
[ Though by the time he says this, it's pretty damn difficult to make their way to any part of the balcony's edge.
The're also unlucky enough to be right behind nothing but apparent giants. Percival can barely see himself, and he notices that Cain is struggling more. ]
We should have gotten here much sooner. [ hindsight ]
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cain - dec 2017
[ He knows what game Cain is playing now, and the sad thing, it's working. Try as he might to not notice, those stockings are distracting, and that silly pose makes him want to shake Cain as much as cover him up from other wandering eyes.
He draws closer and removes his cloak to do exactly that, drawing it around the other's shoulders. ]
What am I beholding, other than a buffoon who's never going to get his proper clothes back?
[ He huffs a bit, but there's a hint of a smile. ]
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[ His grin only gets cheekier as he feels the weight of Percival's cloak settling around his shoulders. It's hard to take Percival's words at face value most of the time, but impossible now when he can feel the warmth of Percival's body lingering, warming him through.
He puts a hand to the cloak's collar, drawing it a bit closer around himself, and snuggles into the soft fabric with a little happy sigh. ]
After all, I may need someone to protect my virtue.
[ His "virtue." The "virtue" that currently has him tilting his head back and batting his eyes at Percival like some starstruck maiden. ]
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[ But there's something contagious about Cain's smile, and though he doesn't smile externally, his hardened gaze softens the longer he looks down at Cain bundled up in his cloak. Ignoring that ridiculous outfit, Cain is the picture of endearing at the moment, even as he continues this stupid charade, or perhaps because he so shamelessly continues this stupid charade.
Protect his virtue. That's funny, considering how little he hesitates in invading Percival's personal space in decidedly non-innocent ways.
Percival sighs, exasperated.
In a moment of allowing himself to act on impulse rather than rational thought (a rarity, but increasingly common the more he interacts with Cain), he takes a step forward and draws Cain's chin upward, leaning down to kiss him firmly and without warning.
There's no mistletoe in sight. ]
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Cain's eyes go wide; he doesn't back away, or even try to stop the kiss, but there's a frozen moment of shock before he relaxes into it. Before one hand comes up to wrap slender fingers in Percival's collar, holding Percival close until the kiss is done.
And only then does Cain tip his head back and search for the mistletoe. Because there must be enchanted mistletoe, for Percival to be kissing him in such a public place.
Right?
But there's none, and Cain blinks, and blinks again, and turns to stare at Percival, a question in his eyes and red spreading across his cheeks. ]
Percival—?
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And he'd wanted to do it. It seemed right. It felt right.
He cups Cain's jaw gently, indulging in a few seconds of the warm, affectionate kiss that makes his heart beat a little faster.
Cain pulls back before he does, and it is then, at the first breath, that Percival realizes he's going to have to answer for his actions. Before his face can redden too much, he stands back upright, lowers his hand, and turns to walk away. ]
Return the cloak to me later.
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Cain's cheeks go bright, bright red, and for a second, he's too stunned to move. But only for a second, and then his brain catches up with the thudding of his heart. There's no way he's letting Percival do... do that and then just walk away from him!
(But he is keeping the cloak. That's his now.) ]
Wait—!
[ He lunges forward, feeling the breeze as he jogs after Percival, and grabs Percival by the elbow to keep him from getting too far.
...is that a blush on Percival's cheeks he sees? ]
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He thinks he's escaped, but is forced to stop as he feels a pull on his elbow.
Oh great, it's him. Perhaps the moonlight is enough to betray the fact that he's nearly as red as his hair. ]
What do you want now? Your clothes will come back in a few minutes.
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The kiss.
He's only half joking as he asks: ]
So you do like them... You didn't do that just because of the clothes, right?
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What do your clothes have to do with anything?
[ What should he say next? Think of something. Anything. ]
They say a moonshower is starting soon.
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It doesn't seem to have any apparent connection, so all he's left with as a response is: ]
—are you asking me to watch it with you?
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[ Phew. Cain seems to be going along with the BS he just spouted. To be fair, there is supposed to be a moonshower soon, but that definitely isn't his reason for running away, and he doesn't even know when it's supposed to happen.
Also, this spot doesn't have a very good view of Thesa, seeing as the balcony is lined with trees. ]
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Slowly, he turns back to Percival, keeping his face carefully blank. ]
Right. [ Clearly, he's on the right track here. ] Was it the skirt you just couldn't resist...?
[ Helpfully, he flashes a little leg. Surprise, the previous line of questioning hasn't been dropped at all! ]
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Cain isn't making it any easier, so while his face darkens, he turns away with a small huff, defeated. ]
Find someone else to pester. I've had a long night.
[ What does he do... ]
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[ Since Percival's not looking, Cain takes his time studying Percival's back. He smiles at Percival's huffiness, fond, very amused. He's too curious to just let the subject drop, but he can still appreciate the way Percival's so terribly dishonest about his own feelings.
More gently, he leans against the railing beside Percival, nudging at Percival's elbow with his own. ]
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Finally, he looks over when Cain nudges him, relieved that Cain has dropped the act for now. Maybe he can even find amusement in all of this. Just a little. ]
This is a terrible spot for that. We should relocate.
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[ Because of the trees, yes, but Cain's not quite willing to let Percival get away with this so easily. His curiosity is still burning at him, not to be brushed aside so easily.
He's not going to let Percival forget the cause of this whole thing.
Cain tips his head back to look Percival in the eyes, impish. ]
I'm still a little chilly.
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[ Besides, he has an inkling of what Cain is getting at, and if Percival can't give him a good explanation for his oddity tonight, the least he can do is oblige with this.
Besides, he wants to. It always comes back to this simple fact: he wants to be close to him.
He wraps one arm around Cain's waist, bringing him closer and then shifting so that Cain stands before him. Now, he can wrap both arms around him, looping them over his shoulders. ]
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He is much warmer this way. ]
What about the moonshower?
[ His "new" clothes fade away, returning him to his suit. The glitter, after all, is only temporary. Still, Cain doesn't move away even with his pretense vanished. ]
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[ At least he can finally admit that he doesn't actually know himself.
He doesn't make a further move, satisfied to linger just a few seconds longer. The view from this spot really is shit, since all they can see is branches and slivers of moonlight, but he's not really paying that much thought. ]
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[ Laughter in Cain's voice, a little teasing. He wants Percival to enjoy himself at the party, to have a good night, but he can't let this go so easily. Not when the moonshower was so obviously an excuse to cover up Percival's flustered feelings.
Cain shifts, going up on his tiptoes, balancing on the balcony's railing. It's a precarious position, maybe. If he leans over much more, he might tip over and fall. Maybe. ]
Weren't you the one with the grand plans to see it...?
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[ No thanks. Percival "No fun" of Wales reaches forward to firmly grip Cain's shoulders and pull him back to the safety of the balcony. ]
I'm going to look for a better vantage point. [ The implication being that he wants Cain to join him, which is only conveyed with a pull of his arm. ]
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[ The words are accompanied by a sunny smile, directed at Percival as he tips his head back, not looking where he's going — letting Percival pull him along, trusting that Percival will lead him safely.
Really, Cain gets it. What Percival does is far more important than what Percicval says. As long as he's being kept close, it's fairly obvious that Percival wants his company, no matter how irritated Percival seems by his antics. ]
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[ He gives Cain a brief sidelong glance before he's pulled the both of them towards where most of the guests seem to be congregating. Surely, the crowd would eventually show them the way.
That line of thinking is right, at least, but by the time they've gotten there, the ideal spot for a clear, unobstructed view of Thesa has already gathered a sizable crowd. ]
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Idly, Cain goes up on his tiptoes a little, trying to see over the heads of everyone who got to a real viewing spot before them. Hmm, he's just a little too short to see clearly... ]
Ah, you mean you wouldn't catch me?
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[ Though by the time he says this, it's pretty damn difficult to make their way to any part of the balcony's edge.
The're also unlucky enough to be right behind nothing but apparent giants. Percival can barely see himself, and he notices that Cain is struggling more. ]
We should have gotten here much sooner. [ hindsight ]
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that icon slays me
it's bad
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