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[Seeing the room change slowly but surely is nothing on seeing Ariel change. It's frightening, to find his brother still awake on his bed, alert, mind working hard, and he's always unable to keep that rush of nervousness from making his heart squeeze when Ariel's face and eyes take on that look, that very familiar calculation. But in this Ariel it isn't malevolent, he reminds himself, draping his cloak over a resting cat and sitting on the edge of the bed to work his boots off.]

I'm afraid it is. You can update me on what you've worked out in the morning, it's time we both slept.

[He doesn't take the papers away, but he does brush his fingers over Ariel's cheeks, to distract him from what problems have his mind so occupied.]

I think at this hour we've both earned a rest.

[That is certainly distracting. He looks up from the papers, his sheepish smile as far removed from his old self as his thinking face was similar, and sets his work aside on the end table.]

I guess so. I keep losing track of time.

[It's a relief to see. And he tucks a strand of hair behind Ariel's ear.]

You at least ate dinner didn't you? I'm glad being occupied makes you happy, but there's no need to push yourself so you forget to take care of yourself.

[He's one to talk.]

I ate. You know, winter berries are coming into season, so we had them in cream for dessert.

[He has his priorities, in all lifetimes. He scoots over to drape himself over Tristan's shoulders, snuggling against his cheek comfortably, warm from his spot under the covers.]

But it's kind of boring if I'm not doing work. Jupiter doesn't come around anymore, lately...

Ah, that sounds delicious.

[He leans into the drape, turning to kiss Ariel's cheek with too-familiar fondness. Warm and pleased.]

...Doesn't he? He was avoiding me but I thought he'd at least be talking with you.

No... Did we do something to upset him?

[He flushes a little at that, but doesn't comment. It's just part of the changes, his clear awareness of Tristan that wasn't there a few months back. He holds on a little tighter, pressed against his back but not quite acknowledging to himself that he's doing it.]

....I might have done something.

[He shouldn't, but he turns a little and wraps an arm around Ariel, tugging him forward half into his lap, where he can hold him. He's always liked touching his brother, but lately it's been harder to keep it even barely innocent.]

I guess he doesn't want to argue with me about it.

[He easily slides the rest of the way into Tristan's lap. It's just a natural place for him to be, right? Only these days he feels warm when he sits there, and suddenly he's conscious of how his nightshirt bares his legs -- something that hasn't ever mattered before, but now seems oddly exposed, leaving him tugging down the hem in an uncharacteristic show of shyness.]

[Tris rests his hands on the small of Ariel's back. He's well aware of Ariel's exposed legs, has been for a long time, but Ariel's self-awareness is a thrill he can't suppress.]

Would you argue?

It depends on what you did.

[He smiles to cover for his blushing, teasing lightly. He probably would defend Tristan in most cases. But there's a chance he wouldn't -- there's more of a gap than Tristan's aware of, and it's only Jupiter that's allowed to know.]

Oh does it?

[He lifts a hand, cupping Ariel's cheek, fingers stroking his jaw, gentle and close and warm and he wants, he wants his brother so much and it's distracting.]

I flirted with him too hard I think.

You are a terrible flirt.

[In fact he's starting to realise he's being flirted with himself. His cheeks go pink at the thought, and he looks down suddenly, catching Tristan's wrist in his hand and holding without pressure.]

You must have scared him.

Am I so terrible?

[Ariel's so pretty like this. Tris splays his fingers and tangles them with the hand over his own, gently drawing Ariel's hand up to his lips where he can kiss his brother's fingers. ]

I might have. What do you think I should do about it?

You could apologize.

[He glances up again, just enough to watch Tristan kiss his fingers. Tristan really is a flirt. But does it mean anything? Between him and Jupiter, or between him and Ariel? He can't quite be sure -- Tristan's always been tactile, and Ariel's only just figuring out the difference between one touch and another.]

But... Do you mean it? When you're flirting with him like that.

I don't want to apologize.

[He lets go of Ariel's hand, settles his own on Ariel's hips, tilting his head to watch his brother, just quiet a moment at the question.]

I don't want to apologize, because I do mean it.

And with me?

[He's far too conscious of Tristan's hands like that. They're warm through the thin shirt, and Ariel feels a flush start in his cheeks and travel all the way down to his belly.]

Do you want me too?

[He shouldn't tell his little bother he wants him. But Tris is so far from personal morals and has been for so long that instead his fingers curl against the thin shirt Ariel is wearing, one hand lifting to brush his hair back and cup his cheek, draw his face close. ]

I do want you. Will that scare you off as well?

[His voice is soft, his eyes intense, never leaving Ariel's face. ]

...No.

[Tristan's eyes are hard to meet. Ariel is sheltered, certainly virginal, but he's not entirely clueless -- that look runs straight down his spine and makes his whole body heat up. He squirms a little in Tris's lap, blush deep and fingers trembling when he takes his brother's hand, pressing his face against it and then pulling it against his chest, where he can feel Ariel's heart pounding.

He shouldn't be this way, this wanting, with his brother. But he's never learned that, so there's nothing to stop him from chasing after the feeling of Tristan's hands.]

I won't go anywhere. I want to be with you.

[The time when fucking Ariel seemed wrong to him was so long ago, another lifetime, another world. He presses his palm to Ariel's heart, shivering to feel it race beneath his hands and the thin shirt. He curls his fingers, gathering cloth, and uses that to tug Ariel forward. His other hand sliding down Ariel's thigh until his fingers brush over exposed flesh.]

Good. Tell me what you dream, when you wake up hard and wanting.

Edited (HAM IS GREAT SHUT UP) 2014-09-12 10:15 (UTC)

Tristan...

[He's not that bold. Not in this life, anyway. He just flushes more and looks down, holding Tris's hand tight.]

I can't just say that.

You can. I'm curious.

[His lips brush over Ariel's, soft, holding him close by the thin nightshirt while his other hand explores Ariel's thigh, up along the curve of his ass. He's teasingly close to kissing his brother, but not quite following through.]

You're embarrassing.

[He gasps softly at the touch, breath warm on Tristan's lips. He moves in for the kiss, touching Tristan's face gently, just a little nervously.]

No wonder you've scared Jupiter.

But not you.

[His hand slides up under Ariel's shirt and he rests it at the small of his back, tilting his head up and kissing Ariel sweetly, lips parting to deepen it immediately.]

Not just yet.

[He kisses back, clumsy with inexperience but not too shy. Even if he's embarrassed, he has no reason to fear this -- he wants it, he knows it's okay, he trusts Tristan completely. So he puts his arms around his neck and holds on, mouth open and inviting just as his body is, pressed eagerly up against his brother.]

[Tristan takes the invitation readily, tongue slipping between Ariel's lips to explore his mouth, hand roaming up his back to feel his skin and press him ever closer, until he has to move the one holding Ariel's shirt, so he can feel Ariel's chest pressed to his as he kisses him greedily.]