abraxaslogs | i'm reaching for the clouds

[ There's nothing to say to Sylvain's hat predicament that a fond smile can't say better than anything else about Hilda's antics. The same goes for the complaint about it supposedly being terrible - one he's voiced himself a few times, and had done so while putting this dress on - in what's also a familiar routine.

The rest of it, however? ]

How very coy of you. You know leaving that so open-ended is a dangerous move, don't you?

[ Look - that's not a tease. Or not completely one since there's still plenty of that in there, especially when when he puts on a mock frown following it. ]

I'm not so sure that saying your preferences don't involve something really counts as an answer, anyway.

Did you really expect me to make it that easy on you?

[ He's still teasing, because the strange combination of bickering and flirting he and Claude seem to frequently dip into is becoming one of his favorite things. It's responsible for the mischievous grin lingering on his lips, at the very least. ]

Besides. I know you love a mystery. I'm totally helping.

[ Not that he expects Claude to buy that excuse either. ]

That's an interesting idea you have in mind for 'helping' considering the whole point of asking was to benefit you.

[ Just to make that clear, though he has a feeling Sylvain knows that already. What would be the point of even wondering aloud otherwise? Time for a shrug just to further the teasing. ]

But fine, keep your secrets. If ruffles aren't your preference then I always knew it was lace anyway. And you could - [ time to lean over slightly in his seat to appraise Sylvain's current shoe choice before nodding as he sits back like he reached an important decision here - ] find some nice lace stockings to go with those boots.

[ Sylvain just laughs as Claude leans close and then nods at what he finds. But before he answers, he gives a very pointed look at Claude’s crossed legs, letting his gaze travel up the entire exquisite length of them. ]

I’m pretty sure we both know the lace stockings would go much better with your boots.

[ Yup. Still his favorite part of the whole outfit. Although he appreciates how much the skirt lets him openly admire them. ]

[ Even if Sylvain was being subtle - which he isn't - Claude would've been all too aware of that gaze. And, well. If Sylvain wants something to watch, that can be arranged. ]

Huh. Guess I was right about lace being involved, but maybe I should've specified laces instead.

[ There's emphasis on the plural in obvious allusion to the ones on the front of the boots Sylvain can't stop admiring every time they're mentioned. Or moved, which is really the helpful part here and what spurs on testing a boundary because sitting still for too long is rather boring.

All the better to uncross his legs to stretch one out to wedge it between Sylvain's. Kind of. At ankle level, anyway, which is hardly exciting given they're both wearing boots and makes for a lack of... any contact, and ankles aren't particularly noteworthy for it either. But. What was that about anticipation again? ]

No, I think these particular boots would cover them up far too much. You've spent a lot of time staring at them tonight, so wouldn't you agree?

[ Sylvain's favorite thing about boundaries... is tossing them out the window when they no longer apply. And since that was definitely either a flirt or a challenge - or both at once - he decides to roll with it.

In a move that probably shouldn't be as smooth as it is, he separates his own ankles where they'd been crossed beneath his chair, casually keeping the heel of Claude's boot hooked overtop his own. With a movement that looks like he's about to cross his own legs, he instead ends up lifting that booted foot to rest atop his knee with a smirk, reaching down to catch it and steady it with one hand, just in case. Not that he needs to, but it gives him the excuse to partially curl his fingers around the leather-covered ankle. Which Claude doesn't think is all that exciting, but Sylvain knows anticipation builds in different ways and he knows how to play with it.

In fact, the laces up the front are just loose enough that he can slip a thumb beneath them to rub against lace-covered skin tucked away underneath. ]

I don't know. I think there's something to be said about the anticipation the tease of what's hidden just enough can build.

Now you're just stealing my lines, Gautier.

[ Claude sits back in his seat with a smirk, all too pleased that it feels like Sylvain's taken the bait. He's well aware of the chances he'd being led towards something just as much. That doesn't mean he won't enjoy pulling strings along the way now that he's been presented with an additional array of them. All the better to see where they all lead through one orchestration at a time. ]

Weren't you the one who tried to say there was such a thing as too much anticipation earlier? Look how that's turned around now.

[ The touch to his ankle is a small distraction, certainly, given that Sylvain's taken the chance to be crafty all on his own at the open invitation to do so. But it'll take more than that to make him waver or lose his focus, and with his free hand he gestures to what's happening. ]

Not to mention you're telling on yourself entirely, what with not disagreeing about your very careful studies tonight.

Did you want me to keep lying?

[ The question is bland, even though there's still mischievous humor lingering in his gaze. And his hand works its way from Claude's ankle up his shin. He lets his other slide up to cup beneath Claude's knee for support, with how his legs stretched out between them. Which also means he can tease against actual flesh there with his thumb.

He doesn't break Claude's gaze, however, exploring by touch alone. ]

I'm pretty sure we're well past the point of the evening where I can convincingly claim that I haven't been watching you for months. Thinking about it. Wondering what would have happened if I had kissed you that day in Nocwich.

You could if you really wanted to entertain both of us.

[ Entertain being the operative word there considering both of them know the answer to the question posed is no, and Sylvain certainly seems to be entertaining himself plenty with hands wandering slowly while he holds the other's gaze.

It's not a bad method, but now Claude's smirk just grows a little wider. And, solely in the interest or rather Sylvain's interest, after the other's hand moves where it won't be trapped he moves his other leg to cross it over the ankle propped on Sylvain's knee. All the better to stretch out again for the view, of course, even if the skirt's still doing its heavy fabric job of staying in place where it should be.

There's probably some etiquette that says he should care that they're in the middle of a decently fancy restaurant right now, but. Claude never has been one to care much about propriety. ]

Sounds like you certainly have an active imagination. [ Said as if that doesn't apply to them both - ] And more importantly, that you've been putting it to use. Now seems like a good time to remind you you're the only one keeping yourself from finding out what would happen.

[ He cocks his head to the side and considers his options here. Because he's half tempted to lean across the table and test that theory. But when he does, he'd prefer it not to be in the middle of a crowded restaurant. No matter how good the food is.

Which is why, after a moment, he slides his fingers up a leather-clade shin again and arches an eyebrow. ]

Oh, trust me, my imagination is very healthy. Certainly enough to think up a better form of entertainment. And while I'll be thrilled to find out, I think I'd prefer it to be without an audience. Or the chance to be interrupted. So I suppose I will continue to suffer the anticipation. At least until you've eaten your fill.

No hidden exhibitionist streak then, hm?

[ Now he's just teasing because Sylvain had certainly considered that very carefully even if he'd decided not to act on it in the end. Or more like not act on it right then since the rest certainly sounds like a promise of sorts, now that it's Claude's turn to consider his - their - next option.

There's probably an innuendo in there now that he's thinking about it, but rather than comment on it he casts a deliberate glance at their collection of plates across the table before looking back to Sylvain. ]

I never have been one for traditional desserts, so I can't say I'm interested in the rest of this place's menu.

Probably not so hidden. [ He just snickers at that, smirking across the table at Claude again. ] But that's not how I want to start this.

[ Not that he has an actual plan just yet, but he's very adept at adapting things on the fly. Like in response to Claude's counter and pointed glance back at him. He hums, popping one more bite in his mouth as he drags the moment out, contemplating him thoughtfully. ]

Well. I suppose we could get the leftovers here wrapped up to take with us. Gives us something to snack on later if we get hungry again, or share with the girls. Are you sure you've had enough?

Sounds like you really have been picturing all kinds of things.

[ In regards to starts, wants, or anything falling in between, and he raises an eyebrow to go with it for his own entertainment. There's a comment about stalling on the tip of his tongue though it's thankfully thwarted before he can play right into Sylvain's ploy. Far better to stretch his legs out a little further as if to settle in and get comfortable after leaning over to pick up his drink. ]

I can be patient, if that's what you're really asking considering you're the one with all the plans. Including a snack for later, since I'd hate to think of you tiring yourself out.

Oh, I don’t think that will be an issue. Especially since I think I’ll save you for dessert instead.

[ Screw being patient. He lifts a hand to call their server over so the can wrap what’s left of their array of dishes. Although they did make a pretty decent dent in it by now. Then again, Claude had ordered a lot. ]

Ah, so you did pick up on the point of my dessert comment after all.

[ Just saying. Sylvain's too sharp to have not read into that exactly what it meant, let alone has it in his repertoire based on the use now, but. Claude's delighted anyway, and as Sylvain signals the server he withdraws his legs to sit up properly with a smirk conveniently hidden behind his glass while finishing the last of what's in it.

There should probably be a limit to misbehaving when it comes to here alone. When the server returns he flashes them a premade smile as an automatic reaction as they whisk the leftovers away before his focus goes right back to Sylvain. ]

Anticipation get to be a little too much to handle, did it?

Can you blame me?

[ Sylvain had slipped the server an extra few coins as he paid them, both as a tip and a request to have the food sent back to their hotel for them so they didn't need to carry it themselves. Then, grabbing the remaining bottle of wine in one hand, he reaches out the other to Claude in invitation. ]

Come on, there's one more place I want to take you.

[ He's got a flippant remark ready for that in regards to blame and possibly also whether he'd been counting on the answer to that being no, but then Sylvain stands and it's not with an invitation back to their hotel. Or - it's theoretically not, since surely that would've been phrased as much.

Claude raises an eyebrow as his first reaction, but: the method of saying there's somewhere yet to go but not telling him where or any specifics is an effective one. Something Sylvain certainly knows by now, and so it's with no hesitation Claude reaches out to take the hand offered while getting up from his seat. ]

I take it this is another stage of me learning you're full of surprises.

What, you didn't know that already? Shocking. And here I thought you'd been paying attention.

[ He tsk's his tongue in mock disappointment as he helps tug Claude to his feet and then tucks his hand against his arm as he casts him a playful wink. He's definitely not giving away any of his secrets just yet. Just leads him out the door and into the dark streets beyond. ]

( moving this over here just in case. )

i'm reaching for the clouds

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