abraxaslogs | [ CLOSED ] the dawn is opening

[ Claude’s immediate reply carries on the humor he’d started and, well… he had no one to blame for that but himself, didn’t he?

It doesn’t keep his heart from dropping somewhere down into the depths of his stomach anyway. Still, he laughs, a wry chuckle, fingers tightening momentarily around his tankard as he tries to shove off the automatic sinking of disappointment all the same.

What had he expected, really? And why had he let himself expect anything to begin with? He knew better than that.

He doesn’t know what his face is doing when Claude glances up to finish his thoughts, but he doesn’t think he’s managed to convincingly match it to his chuckle as well as he’d hoped. ]

Well, then I can’t be doing all that badly, then. Or your memory’s just getting faultier in your old age.

[ Better to keep the topic light, then. Like always. Nostalgia or not, he doesn’t want to ruin Claude’s efforts at a celebration for the evening. Two friends celebrating a milestone reunion, and all that came after. It’s a dance he can bluff his way through well enough, at least. Claude makes it easy, as he does most things. ]

Or maybe that ale is more potent than you realized.

Just remember that every time you call me old you're really calling yourself old since you're still older. Not even the Singularity's sparing you from that one.

[ There was no way he wasn't going to latch onto that immediately, much of a call back to their friendly squabbling as it is and what with his birthday being all of a month ago. Call it another version of that while he puzzles through the rest of Sylvain's reaction.

It's that time spent together on top of years spent watching people to be able to read them which tells him something is out of sync between how Sylvain's reacting outwardly versus whatever it is on the inside. But what the inside could be - that's the part which feels like a totally unknown variable for why something about that answer so clearly hit wrong. It wasn't as hidden as Sylvain meant it to be, Claude thinks. ]

Maybe the ale's secretly taking us both out in revenge for my casting aspersions upon it. Even if it is, that still doesn't change my answer about not regretting the rest.

Please. I age like a fine wine.

[ Considering Hilda’s hilarious reaction when he’d adopted a Lorenz impression as a distraction technique, he figures it can’t go wrong here, complete with an upturned nose and disdainful sniff.

But it’s quick to melt into a cheeky grin a moment later as he sets his tankard back down on the tabletop, making a face. ]

…Which this is most certainty not. Goddess. Maybe my memory is faulty, I don’t remember it tasting this bad. Maybe Mags is the one getting revenge here.

I think admitting you age well is still the same as calling yourself old in the process.

[ Claude grins shamelessly, endlessly pleased as always to have found what feels like a loophole he can use to continue teasing Sylvain. For the sake of it, and not at all because he disagrees about the fine aging part.

It feels extra fitting after that impression of a certain noble which couldn't be mistaken for anyone else on the topic of snobbery or something adjacent. Something he's certainly entertained by even while taking another drink of the thoroughly slandered ale. ]

Well, she might be considering she has us back to cause trouble for the night. Though we don't have to stay here for too long since, [ with a casual shrug of one shoulder, ] following along with the whole night as we knew it isn't terribly exciting, and I do have some other places in mind.

Well. We’ve established that you’re allowed to be wrong every once in a while, so I’ll let it go this time.

[ Maintaining that snooty impression for one more reply, he lets it go for good with a laugh. Especially since Claude’s followup comment has him arching an eyebrow in surprise as he drains the last of his ale and leans back in his chair. ]

Wait, you planned more?

[ Rather than giving that a signature eye roll as much as he's tempted to do, Claude stays in the spirit of Lorenz mockery and offers up a very particular scoff. It'd be more effective with the handwave that usually went with it to dismiss whatever utter nonsense was said, but Sylvain will probably get that effect regardless.

Dwelling on anything Lorenz related is less entertaining than capitalizing on the surprise of the man in front of him, after all. ]

What, you thought I was just going to leave it at bringing you to somewhere we always go, let alone used to live? Now I'm insulted. [ Said insult is assuaged by Claude finishing his own drink even as he sets the now empty glass down with a deeply pained look. ] Who do you think I am, Gautier? I always have a hundred plans to go with everything.

[ Sylvain arches an eyebrow to regard this show with a mixture of curiosity, amusement and skepticism. But then he just breaks into a grin as he sets his empty tankard back on the table and jabs a finger in Claude’s direction. ]

If any of those plans involve a horse-sized scorpion, I’m out.

Then I guess you'll just have to follow me and find out if they do.

[ Claude's already sliding out of his seat while speaking since - what better way to talk about the potential of plans than while dangling them (sort of) right in front of Sylvain's face? In actuality there's no scorpions involved in any part at any time aside from there being some figurine if he can find one in the markets to gift as yet another tease, but he's happy to play along with it like so many other things they do.

All of those things adding up to a far greater sum of being happy around Sylvain ways he couldn't have accounted for months ago, and yet here they are as he holds out a hand for the other to take it. ]

Besides, you said a scorpion and nothing about if there's scorpions plural, so I'm holding onto that loophole.

[ For a moment, Sylvain doesn’t move. Just gives that outstretched hand a suspicious look, as if he’s half expecting Claude to just pull a scorpion out of nowhere on him, just because he can.

Actually, he wouldn’t put that past him. Just for dramatic effect. The troll.

But then he just gives a long-suffering sigh, putting his hand in Claude’s and letting the other man haul him to his feet. ]

You’re a terrible person. Remind me why I like you so much again?

Oh, I can think of a few reasons why. But I think I'd rather have you say them since that's the point of flattery, right?

[ Yes, he'll take that as a chance to supposedly inflate his own ego rather than responding to the teasing question and sigh, though the latter gets a slight quirk of a smile out of Claude briefly before he goes back to the smirk that better matches all those statements. With a wave to Mag on their way out, they're on their way down the street towards another destination he's going to choose to not reveal yet, because of course he isn't. ]

I won't even blindfold you this time since that's just how nice I am, though I might make you guess just to entertain myself.

[ Which - probably goes without saying. ]

You need more flattery about as much as Hilda needs a new hat.

[ Not including the one he almost flung off the roof. That had been an accident. Totally.

His hand is still tucked in Claude’s, even as they head out of the tavern and down the street. To whatever surprise Claude has planned next. Because they have a direction, but Sylvain can think of half a dozen places in this direction and isn’t sure which one would have tugged on Claude’s devious attentions.

He tries not to get distracted by the warm grip still tangled with his, but he can’t quite hide the small smile either as he falls into step at the other man’s side.

At least until that last statement drags a snicker free from him. ]

And now he implies I’m boring him. Wow, Riegan, maybe we need to work on your flattery skills. You’re clearly rusty.

So I need it desperately if we're going by the hat scale? Thanks, Gautier. On that we can agree.

[ Because Claude knows Hilda will agree in a second flat, much as he's watched her accumulate hats and other accessories over the years and all of them with their own distinct purposes, and that response is fired off as quick as ever and with all the cheerfulness to match being deliberately ornery.

It's a nice evening, Sylvain's hand in his feels nice - many other sentiments crowd into that, none of which nice fits anymore as Claude now knows given that it'd been so flimsy of a descriptor, a cover for everything else to begin with. But it's the sort of private thing he'd decided to keep to himself a bit longer like a growing flame sheltered from wind threatening it, though the glow it casts is no dimmer to him as they walk hand in hand. ]

Besides, and to borrow a line out of your book here, [ cheeky grin on full display now for being completely unrepentant about this as well, ] I think you've heard plenty of praise from me in different scenarios by now. One might even say enough to last you a lifetime, but I'll think of a few more ways if you give me long enough.

I said need, not want.

[ Can you tell where his opinion on Hilda’s hat collection stands? Probably right around the same level as her shoe collection. And Claude’s book collection. Although at least those are pretty useful, even if Claude does tend to leave them everywhere.

His face screws up as he considers this comeback, lips twitching faintly in his amusement at Claude once more stealing his lines. That’s only fair, he supposes, considering he steals Claude’s just as often. ]

I suppose that’s true. Alright, I’ll let you pass with an ‘acceptable’ this time.

Acceptable. How am I supposed to not be mortally offended over that?

[ That's clearly a slight and not just Claude winding it up into something ever more dramatic as they both do just to see what the other one will do. A scoff follows though no further protest ("protest") follows it up when he sights the busy place he was hoping to find right up ahead.

That means eagerly stepping forward some more and tugging on Sylvain's hand in a universal hurry up signal, possibly from excitement getting the better of him. ]

You can make up for it though since I think you'll like this place as much as I do.

[ There's already music drifting outside and temporarily louder when someone opens the door to leave and more sound filters out. It's another tavern but this one slightly bigger than Mag's, and known for the band performing all sorts of lively tunes. And the areas cleared both beside and in and around the tables meant for dancing which adds to the overall sort of joyful chaos he enjoys, but Sylvain will find that part out for himself when Claude merely flashes the other man a wide grin before opening the door to let them both inside. ]

I dunno, that’s your problem to solve.

[ Said with a cheeky grin as Claude shoots him a very ‘mortally offended’ look, complete with scoff, which just makes his grin grow even wider.

He laughs, though, when Claude darts ahead and tugs on his hand like an impatient child, but he doesn’t resist, letting himself be pulled ahead at a faster pace, curious what has the other man so excited.

He hears the place before he sees it. Sylvain’s been to this pub before - there’s very few left in Cadens that he hasn’t sampled yet, actually - but never on one of the evenings they were hosting live music. Which was clearly a mistake on his part, from the lively sounds filling the night air.

Interest and curiosity sparks in his warm gaze as he lets Claude lead him inside, eyes scanning everything and taking in the packed room, the dancing figures, the cheerful tun filling the air. It’s absolutely the type of atmosphere he loves, the energy that fills up the space, spilling out into all that fill it.

He turns surprised - and pleased - eyes on Claude a moment later, one eyebrow arching up in quiet pleasure. He leans forward to speak the words into Claude’s ear, since otherwise he’s certain they’ll get lost in the noise and bustle of the place. ]

Claude von Riegan, did you just bring me out dancing?

[ The minor (and playful) squabbling's forgotten from Claude's mind as soon as they step in, aside from that caveat about making it up which is also less important than looking around a bit. It's as busy as the noise promised and no less of a flurry of activity. The sort of thing Claude's always preferred for any celebration, which - this is a celebration for tonight, for a year, for everything else, isn't it?

Before that thought can loop around into the something deeper it's pulling on simply by existing, it's better to focus on watching Sylvain's reaction as he takes in the atmosphere through that careful look around the room. If there's a smile on his own face, Claude certainly doesn't notice.

Not even when it stretches a little wider as the other man leans in to talk in his ear as a cheer goes up from one particularly rowdy section of the dancefloor(s) which get his attention. ]

That depends. Are you going to dance with me?

[ Claude's not going to give him much of a chance to answer. Or rather, the answer will have to come while they're on their way towards where that cheerfully haphazard dance is going on. He doesn't have the slightest idea of what the steps are but he does have faith they can figure it out, which is why he flashes Sylvain a grin right before stepping right in to let them get swept up in it. No better way to figure it out than by experience. ]

Was that a real question?

[ As retorts go, that one's mostly a laugh as he's tugged through the crowd towards one of the more rowdier corners of the dance floor. Which he's fine with, because that looks like where all the fun is happening.

If he stumbles a little when the press of bodies gets a little too close, he covers it up quickly in a move to invade more of Claude's personal space with a smirk, hand possibly sneaking in a highly appropriate grope in public, but there's so many bodies around them, he's pretty sure no one could see it anyway.

The tune is lively and the steps even more so and Sylvain is pretty sure it's gonna take him a minute to be able to catch the rhythm of it - let alone the steps as bodies whirl and swing around them. But he keeps hold of Claude's hand, eyes lighting up at the challenge of it.

That, and the energy here is infectious and it's impossible not to get caught up in the exhilaration of it. ]

It might've been!

[ Just some playful confirmation shouted out over the sounds both of the crowd and the music as it picks up again, and complete with a grin meant to further his teasing of Sylvain as that hand passes over him in what's definitely no accident.

That's more than mere playing around alone as he catches a glimpse of the expression on Sylvain's face as they move through the steps - Claude perhaps inventing a few every so often as needed to keep them mostly in time with everyone else even if they're not at all the right moves. It takes him another second to place what it is: it's happiness that's there and etched into all of the other man's features, and not in anything which reads like what Claude's come to understand over the past year are masks as carefully crafted as his own variety of them ready for any occasion.

On this - this he doesn't have to wonder about when it shines through that bright look, and he has to stifle the urge to let go of the person next to him's hand in his other one as they step through an elaborate group move. Claude doesn't have to work against it long when they separate back into pairs. He's finally placed this dance from watching it a time before, which means he's entirely ready to slide a hand around to Sylvain's lower back use both to dip him backwards as he steps forward to crowd him into the motion, grinning all the while. ]

Hey, one might think you've danced a time or two before based on this.

[ He's completely unaware of the expression on his face, and in an even rarer occasion still, he doesn't actually give a damn what he might be giving away right now. It's too much bother to care right now, with the music filling the air with a fast beat and the bodies are swirling around them with a matching rhythm. It takes most of his concentration to keep up with them, match them, and he's quick to pick up on the steps, even if he still stumbles his way through a few of the more difficult patterns.

It's not helped by the fact that he's pretty sure Claude's just making up half the steps as he goes. But he's doing his best.

He's still not prepared for the way the other man just suddenly stops to dip him, his hands scrabbling to get a grip on Claude's shoulders before he ends up on his ass. Luckily in this, at least, Claude does seem to know what he's doing and Sylvain just laughs as he lets himself settle into it as gracefully as he can. ]

I'm pretty sure that should be my line right about now.

[ But when Claude tugs him up from the dip, he purposefully presses into Claude's personal space, chest to chest, bending his head enough to trail teasing kisses back along his jaw. ]

But I might've, a time or two.

[ An extreme understatement. The amount of time he's spent in taverns in his life had made this a much more fun way to pass the time there than just drinking. Or stuck in aimless conversation with someone he had very little interest in to begin with.

Which wasn't the case here, of course, but it is combining two of his favorite things - not that he's going to tell Claude that he ranks there now. His head's big enough already. ]

Alright, so you don't entirely suck at planning surprises after all.

Maybe your lines are so good I've decided to steal them all.

[ It's not the best teasing he's ever done, distracted as he is by Sylvain's flustered reaction in being dipped and then when he's pressing close, and then those kisses along his jaw which have his eyes falling shut to enjoy them. An easy sort of affection they've fallen into Claude's reminded of once more, and one he'd stopped questioning long ago. Mostly, anyway, and certainly not in the actual moments themselves any longer.

It's enough to get a pleased sort of hum from him after, and if he makes no move to send Sylvain whirling back across the floor? Well. Maybe it's convenient when the song ends and turns to something slower like that makes it less noticeable. It probably doesn't, but Claude can't bring himself to mind that either.

That's not going to stop him from offering a light swat of a hand to the other man's chest at that ending remark, however. ]

I think I've more than earned a better rank than that, thank you very much. [ Sounding put out goes hand in hand with that as he peers up at Sylvain in supposed appraisal before shrugging with amusement still barely hidden as it was before. ] Especially from you never going dancing before. Seems like that should've earned a lot of points on that alone.

I suppose that’s fine, since I’ve mostly retired them.

[ He snickers as he winds his arms around Claude’s shoulders, staying very much in his personal space as the music slows, shifting into something less of a group dance and far more intimate than that. He’s okay with that, too. And he can already feel the energy of the dancers around them already adapting and shifting accordingly.

He doesn’t pause to think of what an odd statement his words might be, especially to someone who has known him a long time. Maybe especially someone who has known him a long time. Then again, in his year here, there’s been alarmingly little of his old habits and actions popping up to make an appearance. Oh, he’s flirted still, to be sure, had more than a few flings just for the fun of it. But a different girl - or boy - in his bed every night, or on his arm at the tavern… that Sylvain has never really made an appearance here in Cadens.

And he’s oddly okay with that remaining the case. Leaving that version of himself behind him, to be buried and forgotten in Fodlan. ]

I never claimed to never go dancing before. Just never with you. You’ve never asked, after all. A grave oversight on your part, clearly.

[ There's certainly a thought - that those lines have been retired, and while it's not like Claude forgets about that when the arms around him are a bigger distraction, it's the arms and that bit of Sylvain's laughter which has a grin crossing his face as he slides his own arms down to loop them around the other man's waist.

It's enough to have Sylvain close, something again which crosses his mind when there's so few others he's ever let in for anything sustained. A word he has to apply here when there's been a year of proof to support it with no end in sight. And more than that, he's not even looking - or planning - for an end. ]

Clearly, [ he echoes Sylvain with laughter he doesn't bother to keep out of his voice as they dance and the smile on his face doesn't fade as he looks up at the other. ] But it's not like you asked either and that's even with all those chances we've had, what with there being lots of months of chances in there. Maybe I'm not the only one making oversights here.

But, [ as the music lulls a bit more making it a perfect time for Claude to lean up and stop just short of kissing him, ] no time like the present to make up for it, right?

[ He's still thoroughly enjoying the dance - and the excuse to press close, arms winding around the other man as they move in time with the music.

But that doesn't mean he can't spare a moment to be dramatic at Claude at the same time. He heaves a deep, disappointed sigh. ]

Man, I really do have to do everything around here, huh? All that flirting and seducing you. You're way more high-maintenance than you appear, you know that.

[ Those words aren't even remotely convincing a complaint, too much laughter lurking in his tone. Especially when he bends down and captures that kiss before Claude can pull back. Or start bantering back at him. Because he knows that's coming. ]

[ What Sylvain gets is laughter again immediately, and whatever retort Claude starts to offer is immediately muffled into the kiss. A good way to silence him temporarily and one he won't ever protest. Well, mostly won't protest.

Now's one of those times since there's that stomach swooping feeling again he's come to know well and not one he can attribute to this moment alone. Not when it's only been growing in intensity for months, and just this once - really more than once, lots more than one time alone as an isolated incident, Claude allows himself to admit he doesn't just like Sylvain. It's well and far past that.

And it's easy enough to tuck away again to the corner of his mind, or so he also tells himself, when the kiss ends and some of that laughter surfaces in chuckling. ]

Unfortunately for you, I've never once claimed to not be high maintenance. I can hardly be blamed for you thinking otherwise. [ Or - something like that. Now's a good time to trail a hand up Sylvain's side until he can rest it on the other man's jaw with no small amount of fondness he can't keep off his face either. ] You're not doing half bad, though. One might even say you're doing quite well, especially on both counts.

[ He turns his head to the side just enough that he can press a playful kiss to the heel of Claude's palm, affection and laughter still lingering in his warm gaze. ]

I guess it was just wishful thinking on my part, then. And here I thought the worst of the high maintenance would be keeping your room clean.

[ Will he never not tease Claude about that? Nope. Probably not. ]

Luckily for you, I've got a lot of stamina to keep up with you. Which I've clearly needed.

[ Moving into the music this time, he spins Claude out to a distance before tugging him back in with an impish grin, not giving him any warning beforehand. But he's pretty sure Claude will be able to adapt easily enough. They both have a knack for that. ]

[ CLOSED ] the dawn is opening

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