shipmaster | (no subject)

[ Miles half-lids his eyes, trying to put this together coherently... ]

I was constrained. Willingly in some ways, unwillingly in others. I was judged enough for my stature that I found myself hurling myself against it in specific ways. LIke - joining the military.

The Dendarii are different.

Mm. Most of us end up out here for our own reasons. You're hardly alone with us.

... You understand even better than most, eh?

[ Miles hesitates a moment, then reaches out a hand for Bel's face. ]

[Bel's eyes slide closed at the touch, chin lifting a little.]

You do remind me that we have an agreement. Unless you've remembered too much....

[ Miles shakes his head slightly. Sure, he's gotten back more, but it's the Barrayaran side that feels unreal... ]

You promised me a full cycle after I'd resettled.

[They smile at that. Bel's hand settles over Miles' keeping it there as they lean into Miles' space.

Bel... hadn't expected it to hold once he got enough Vorkosigan back. But they'd take it. If it was just once, damn if they weren't going to make it something to remember.]

I'm not sure if you're up to all that. [Bel smirks cheerfully.] But there's more than one way to make sure you're well rested.

[ Miles' own expression goes fond and sly. ]

Planning to tire me out?

Feel free to take it as a challenge. [They're that confident.]

Oh, I intend to. You may find me to be a bigger handful than you expected.

The question is here and now or really make a scandal on Barrayar.

[Because someone IS a little shit.]

[ Accordingly, Miles flushes darkly at that. ]

I ... er, I'd prefer not to rock that boat until I'm sure of my footing. Here is better.

Well, as long as we're clear.

[Bel's expression is filled with a certain vile humor.. and quite practically, is pulling the teacup out of Miles' hands even as they pull him in for a first, intent kiss.]

[ Well, good. Miles would hate to break the cup or spill any of that precious tea. He leans into Bel's hands gladly, reaching one of his own to tangle in Bel's hair. He's ... rather more awkward than he was on Kharas, but he knows he likes this, dammit. It's a matter of rekindling it. ]

[Bel had a fairly good idea something had shifted, if just by the fact that Miles hadn't stubbornly, impulsively made the first move. The teacup rattles lightly as it is set down, and clothing whispers as Bel shifts a little closer, the kiss deliberately soft, breasts pressed against Miles arm, those little familiarities and safer starting points.

God, how long have they wanted this, though? They unhurriedly deepen the kiss. They've got a whole cycle to enjoy this.]

[ It is comforting to deal with breasts first. Miles can handle breasts. Has handled breasts, on multiple levels. He slowly deepens the kiss as he warms up to Bel's body. ]

-- Sit down on the bed?

[ It's kind of awkward with the table here. ]

Don't mind if I do. [The nice thing about small cabins, even the Captain's, is that the reshuffling is rather minimal.

They pause in reaching for Miles, a more considerate run of a hand down his side.]

Let me know if you need to stop, right?

[ Miles just snorts at that. Even if Bel's concern is entirely valid. ]

Me? I'm fine. I need the exercise anyway.

Try not to trip on all that male pride, Miles dear. [They tease and just. Drag Miles down with them.]

It's not - [ Oof. Even that small movement hits a sore spot. But he settles in next to them, gladly settling on top. ] - well. We'll take it slow.

[They have the good grace not to smirk. As hard as it is not to - this is quite a good view from down here.]

We're not short on time.

No, I suppose not.

[ Miles looks down at Bel rather fondly himself. ]

You did promise a whole cycle.

[Bel's smile is notably softer than the usual ones. That edged, angry humor evaporates, leaving an almost new set of features: a simple, wistful happiness.]

Lets make it count. [Even as they lean up on one elbow, pressing their lips against Miles' again, a finger hooks in his collar, tugging at the clasp.]

[ Miles gladly leans down to meet them. Finding Bel's mouth with his as his hands carefully start undoing the front of his uniform. ]

[What follows is anything but rushed. The only real hiccough was the moment of quiet anguish and reflected pain at the new scars, new lines from the last time they'd seen Miles (the far less interesting circumstance of kitting up in space armor for a mission). After that, they took their time warming Miles up. Lips, fingers and the occasional graze of teeth found every inch, as if trying to memorize him by touch.

It was only when Miles became emboldened by frustration, eagerness, or both, that a fair portion the cycle passed in pleasurable experiment.

Promises and vast enthusiasm aside, there's a limit to what the body of even an athletic herm can sustain. (Or a recovering Barrayaran.) It's still quite some hours later that they lay next to Miles, that pleasant, warm wrung out they hadn't had in years on years. A certain catlike drowsiness takes their tone,]

That's ... was a good start...

[ Meanwhile Miles is, perhaps, more worn out than he looks. He'd met Bel with his usual fervor, his awkwardness bleeding away in anticipation of the newness of all of this. As soon as Bel had properly warmed him up, anyway. He's deliciously warm now, if also feeling like his bones are the consistency of gelatin. He curls in closer to Bel, leaning his head on their bare chest. ]

Just a start, eh? [ His voice is soft, exhausted. ] I'm not sure what else I can manage this cycle.

[ Because Miles is truly and ridiculously exhausted. But it's a different sort from his gray seizure haze, and he's glad of the distinction between the two. ]

Was it everything you hoped it would be?