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[Harry watches Lincoln with delighted interest. He loves animals, always has.
He looks to Koby and smiles more easily.]
Well, then we shall endeavour to at least maintain a similar level of anxiety.
[Harry lets Lincoln investigate, petting her with one foot as he'd seen Koby do. He nods, blushing fiercely.]
It felt nice for me, too.
[He laughs softly.] Indeed it would!
[He sets his tea aside and looks at Koby, eyes bright.]
I can't imagine any time spent with you would be upsetting, Koby. I find you, if you'll forgive me my frankness, incredibly charming.
...and I did promise you a reward.
He looks to Koby and smiles more easily.]
Well, then we shall endeavour to at least maintain a similar level of anxiety.
[Harry lets Lincoln investigate, petting her with one foot as he'd seen Koby do. He nods, blushing fiercely.]
It felt nice for me, too.
[He laughs softly.] Indeed it would!
[He sets his tea aside and looks at Koby, eyes bright.]
I can't imagine any time spent with you would be upsetting, Koby. I find you, if you'll forgive me my frankness, incredibly charming.
...and I did promise you a reward.
[pleased, koby turns completely towards goodsir, sitting almost at attention, a clearly military-influenced posture, slipping into the role smoothly, now that he's had time to think it over, turn it around in his head. being commanded, being told what to do feels -- strange, toeing around territory that he usually keeps shut firmly away in his mind. but there's a safety in it being another sailor, someone older, someone koby can easily place his trust in. it's more like following a command from an officer, and that isn't scary at all.]
You did indeed, sir. [it slips out smoothly, brightly.] And I'll have you know I followed your orders to the letter. I'm afraid all I have is my word, but -- but I assure you it's honest. I'm a man of my word, after all.
[from beneath goodsir's gentle petting, lincoln lifts her head, looking between the two, then standing and waddling off to find a book to sit on. she's well-practiced in the art of making herself scarce whenever her human companion is occupied.]
You did indeed, sir. [it slips out smoothly, brightly.] And I'll have you know I followed your orders to the letter. I'm afraid all I have is my word, but -- but I assure you it's honest. I'm a man of my word, after all.
[from beneath goodsir's gentle petting, lincoln lifts her head, looking between the two, then standing and waddling off to find a book to sit on. she's well-practiced in the art of making herself scarce whenever her human companion is occupied.]
[The secret here is that Goodsir has no idea what the hell he's doing.
He's had the most mind blowing sex of his life only recently, after a long period of not just celibacy but erectile dysfunction. Prior to that he was hardly what anyone would call experienced. And now he's sitting here with this beautiful young man about to act like he's in charge?
And their chaperone is waddling away?!
Well.
Sure, the drink had prompted his behaviour in Otherworld, but it wasn't as if it had handed him a script. He pulled it off once, why not again?
Harry leans forward a bit, hands clasped between his knees.]
I believe you, Koby. You are very trustworthy, which is why I feel I can task you with such things.
But now you must tell me - did you continue to have those sorts of thoughts? Have you had them since?
And if so, which scenario is foremost in your mind?
He's had the most mind blowing sex of his life only recently, after a long period of not just celibacy but erectile dysfunction. Prior to that he was hardly what anyone would call experienced. And now he's sitting here with this beautiful young man about to act like he's in charge?
And their chaperone is waddling away?!
Well.
Sure, the drink had prompted his behaviour in Otherworld, but it wasn't as if it had handed him a script. He pulled it off once, why not again?
Harry leans forward a bit, hands clasped between his knees.]
I believe you, Koby. You are very trustworthy, which is why I feel I can task you with such things.
But now you must tell me - did you continue to have those sorts of thoughts? Have you had them since?
And if so, which scenario is foremost in your mind?
[is koby aware of that? to some extent -- he can feel the gentle undercurrent of awkwardness, laced with desire and self-consciousness, that runs through goodsir's warm, welcoming aura, the same way he can tell there are darker, hidden places in his mind and soul. it's all ambient, noise in the back of koby's mind, things he remains aware of, but doesn't focus too intently upon.
still, there's a knowing sort of look on his pink-cheeked face as he mirrors the posture, leaning forward, hands clasped on his knee, overalls and earnestness and innocence radiating like a corona of sunlight around him. it's carefully schooled away, because they're slipping back into this game, this persona, where koby is the wide-eyed, unknowing subordinate. it's part of what he liked so much, had thought about since the other night.]
I'm afraid so. I'm having them right now. [soft, a little shy, even as his gaze drags slow and careful and lingering over goodsir's frame, lingers on his broad shoulders, his chest, lower.] Foremost is definitely, ah -- relieving you of some of your layers. For comfort, of course. It gets so warm here in the midday, when the sun comes in through the windows.
[tilting his head, sweet, earnest:] Don't you agree?
still, there's a knowing sort of look on his pink-cheeked face as he mirrors the posture, leaning forward, hands clasped on his knee, overalls and earnestness and innocence radiating like a corona of sunlight around him. it's carefully schooled away, because they're slipping back into this game, this persona, where koby is the wide-eyed, unknowing subordinate. it's part of what he liked so much, had thought about since the other night.]
I'm afraid so. I'm having them right now. [soft, a little shy, even as his gaze drags slow and careful and lingering over goodsir's frame, lingers on his broad shoulders, his chest, lower.] Foremost is definitely, ah -- relieving you of some of your layers. For comfort, of course. It gets so warm here in the midday, when the sun comes in through the windows.
[tilting his head, sweet, earnest:] Don't you agree?
[Koby's lack of self consciousness helps immeasurably. The fantasy is right there, easier to slip into than Harry had expected once Koby plays along.
Harry nods.]
Terribly warm, yes.
I don't suppose you'd help me? The buttons on this waistcoat are quite stubborn.
[He sits back, allowing Koby full access.]
Harry nods.]
Terribly warm, yes.
I don't suppose you'd help me? The buttons on this waistcoat are quite stubborn.
[He sits back, allowing Koby full access.]
Oh, of course. [polite, solicitous, standing immediately and carefully pushing his chair back in, because it's all about manners for koby, always. he maintains that earnest sweetness as he steps closer, "hmm"ing softly at the buttons like they're a particularly tricky puzzle he needs to solve.]
Let's see, I think...to best assist... [it's soft, mostly to himself, arms crossing and chin propped in one hand before giving a decided sort of nod and -- sliding into harry's lap, in one smooth, practiced motion, straddling his legs, expression remaining as innocent and guileless as ever. a pleased nod, and koby starts carefully undoing the buttons, knees on either side of goodsir's hips, shifting and squirming a bit to get comfortable.]
There. This is so much more efficient, don't you think? [the innocence slips a little, and koby's expression goes smug, both eyebrows quirked as he slowly undoes each button.]
Let's see, I think...to best assist... [it's soft, mostly to himself, arms crossing and chin propped in one hand before giving a decided sort of nod and -- sliding into harry's lap, in one smooth, practiced motion, straddling his legs, expression remaining as innocent and guileless as ever. a pleased nod, and koby starts carefully undoing the buttons, knees on either side of goodsir's hips, shifting and squirming a bit to get comfortable.]
There. This is so much more efficient, don't you think? [the innocence slips a little, and koby's expression goes smug, both eyebrows quirked as he slowly undoes each button.]
[A lap full of Koby is, Harry decides, one of life's great pleasures. He loops his arms around Koby's waist and watches him work with an expression of bemused interest.
Waistcoat open, he nods as if he's just reviewed an impressive piece of work, then catches Koby's eye.]
Very efficient.
The shirt, I think, may also require attention. And I am quite concerned about your own. After all, I can't have you overheating. You could be injured.
Waistcoat open, he nods as if he's just reviewed an impressive piece of work, then catches Koby's eye.]
Very efficient.
The shirt, I think, may also require attention. And I am quite concerned about your own. After all, I can't have you overheating. You could be injured.
[koby maintains his intently focused expression, teeth notched into his lower lip as if undoing the four or five buttons is taking every scrap of his attention, then resting his palms flat against harry’s chest, feeling the contour of his body, the rise and fall of still-underfed ribs, the steady beat of his heart. he smiles, brightly.] Thank you. I think it’s some of my finest waistcoat-divestion work.
[there’s a bit of a flicker in koby’s expression at the prompt, a momentary tension in his shoulders before he breathes in, out, slowly, lets them relax again.] I would never presume to argue with a doctor’s recommendation, but...well. There are some things I'd like to make clear.
[a moment of hesitation, then he’s unstrapping the overalls again, letting them fall off his shoulders, then carefully pulling his shirt off over his head. months of using saltburnt’s (impressive) gym facilities means that koby’s gained a good amount of muscle in his chest, his arms, his stomach, the line of his back, but the jagged scars beneath each pectoral are still vividly obvious, shiny and pink. whatever surgery caused them was inexpert – the scar tissue is gnarled, irregular, speaking of haphazard knife work and insufficient recovery, as if the stitches had been torn open again and again and again.
there’s significantly less anxiety in koby’s body language than there would’ve been even a few months before – he doesn’t anticipate goodsir will be anything but curious or, perhaps, bewildered about the scars, can’t imagine him being disgusted or cruel. and if he is – well. then koby misjudged him, that’s all. but he doesn't think he has, so he waits patiently, hands still resting on goodsir's broad chest, awaiting his reaction.]
[there’s a bit of a flicker in koby’s expression at the prompt, a momentary tension in his shoulders before he breathes in, out, slowly, lets them relax again.] I would never presume to argue with a doctor’s recommendation, but...well. There are some things I'd like to make clear.
[a moment of hesitation, then he’s unstrapping the overalls again, letting them fall off his shoulders, then carefully pulling his shirt off over his head. months of using saltburnt’s (impressive) gym facilities means that koby’s gained a good amount of muscle in his chest, his arms, his stomach, the line of his back, but the jagged scars beneath each pectoral are still vividly obvious, shiny and pink. whatever surgery caused them was inexpert – the scar tissue is gnarled, irregular, speaking of haphazard knife work and insufficient recovery, as if the stitches had been torn open again and again and again.
there’s significantly less anxiety in koby’s body language than there would’ve been even a few months before – he doesn’t anticipate goodsir will be anything but curious or, perhaps, bewildered about the scars, can’t imagine him being disgusted or cruel. and if he is – well. then koby misjudged him, that’s all. but he doesn't think he has, so he waits patiently, hands still resting on goodsir's broad chest, awaiting his reaction.]
[If you want to completely fascinate an anatomist, show him a scar.
The warmth doesn't leave his eyes, but the hazy arousal is replaced with a piercing curiosity that is just shy of being delighted. The playacting of doctor is forgotten in the reality of actual medical inspection.
Harry places gentle hands on Koby's upper abdominals, safely below the scars.]
Koby... these are quite serious. Are they self inflicted, my dear?
[His eyes flick up to Koby's.]
May I touch them?
The warmth doesn't leave his eyes, but the hazy arousal is replaced with a piercing curiosity that is just shy of being delighted. The playacting of doctor is forgotten in the reality of actual medical inspection.
Harry places gentle hands on Koby's upper abdominals, safely below the scars.]
Koby... these are quite serious. Are they self inflicted, my dear?
[His eyes flick up to Koby's.]
May I touch them?
[there's a soft exhale, a breath koby hadn't realized he'd been holding. his shoulders bow in a little, relaxed, a touch shy now. the broad warmth of harry's hands is soothing, calming -- he doesn't flinch, doesn't shy away from the once-gnarled wounds.]
In a manner of speaking. I mean -- I paid for them. I used to use bandages instead, but it got too hard to breathe while doing my chores, so. I bribed a surgeon in a port. [the words make him wince, even now, remembering knives and the scent of rum and his teeth clamped into a belt so he wouldn't scream.] More of a butcher, really. It was the best I could afford.
[a pause, then koby nods, squaring his shoulders back so it's easier to see -- he recognizes that glint of curiosity in harry's eyes, finds it endearing, actually. it's the same reaction he'd have.] You can touch. I can't really feel much on the scars themselves.
In a manner of speaking. I mean -- I paid for them. I used to use bandages instead, but it got too hard to breathe while doing my chores, so. I bribed a surgeon in a port. [the words make him wince, even now, remembering knives and the scent of rum and his teeth clamped into a belt so he wouldn't scream.] More of a butcher, really. It was the best I could afford.
[a pause, then koby nods, squaring his shoulders back so it's easier to see -- he recognizes that glint of curiosity in harry's eyes, finds it endearing, actually. it's the same reaction he'd have.] You can touch. I can't really feel much on the scars themselves.
[Harry has a very gentle touch. It's something that he's always been proud of, professionally.
He winces at the very idea of poor Koby under the knife of some portside butcher. His fingers probe softly at the scar tissue, noting the thickness with a soft hum.
It's only as he absorbs Koby's words further that he really truly realises what sort of surgery Koby had done.
He looks at Koby's face with a dawning understanding, but also a deep sympathy. He massages the scar tissue without thinking.]
Oh, my dear. This must have hurt terribly. You are very strong.
So. You were... ah. Born... But you're now...
[He leans forward and kisses Koby's forehead softly.]
I cannot claim to understand. But I don't mind.
He winces at the very idea of poor Koby under the knife of some portside butcher. His fingers probe softly at the scar tissue, noting the thickness with a soft hum.
It's only as he absorbs Koby's words further that he really truly realises what sort of surgery Koby had done.
He looks at Koby's face with a dawning understanding, but also a deep sympathy. He massages the scar tissue without thinking.]
Oh, my dear. This must have hurt terribly. You are very strong.
So. You were... ah. Born... But you're now...
[He leans forward and kisses Koby's forehead softly.]
I cannot claim to understand. But I don't mind.
Just to be safe.
I'll help you as best I can. Not sure that I'm the best you know - you're an excellent one yourself, remember?
My naps are never important enough to avoid time with you. Do you want to come to me or should I find you in the library stacks again?
I'll help you as best I can. Not sure that I'm the best you know - you're an excellent one yourself, remember?
My naps are never important enough to avoid time with you. Do you want to come to me or should I find you in the library stacks again?
[the softness – of the words, of the touch – disarms koby’s carefully-planned explanation, and he falters for a beat, voice catching in his throat as harry leans in, kisses his forehead.
then, soft, voice quavering like the child he’d been when the scars were left on him:] Yes. It hurt a lot. [it was excruciating, it was like being flayed alive, there on the grimy table and every day after, as his endless chores tore the stitches again and again, no time allowed to rest or recover, not when there were sails to mend and decks to swap. koby wonders if harry can read the story in the gnarled scar tissue, the long horizontal lines with irregular vertical notches where the stitches had been.
swallowing tightly, koby manages a small smile, looks back up through the round lenses of his glasses and nods.] I grew up in a – girl’s orphanage, on an island. But I could, um. Tell from very early that something wasn’t right, it didn’t – it all felt terrible. And then I left and started calling myself Koby and cut off all my hair and things started to feel better.
[a bit more shyly:] I’m glad you don’t mind. I wasn’t sure, um, what your…preferences were?
then, soft, voice quavering like the child he’d been when the scars were left on him:] Yes. It hurt a lot. [it was excruciating, it was like being flayed alive, there on the grimy table and every day after, as his endless chores tore the stitches again and again, no time allowed to rest or recover, not when there were sails to mend and decks to swap. koby wonders if harry can read the story in the gnarled scar tissue, the long horizontal lines with irregular vertical notches where the stitches had been.
swallowing tightly, koby manages a small smile, looks back up through the round lenses of his glasses and nods.] I grew up in a – girl’s orphanage, on an island. But I could, um. Tell from very early that something wasn’t right, it didn’t – it all felt terrible. And then I left and started calling myself Koby and cut off all my hair and things started to feel better.
[a bit more shyly:] I’m glad you don’t mind. I wasn’t sure, um, what your…preferences were?
[Another soft kiss, this time to Koby's lips. The scars tell their story very well indeed - the damage was done, obvious to anyone who knows anything about the way a wound is supposed to heal.] Yes. Yet here you are. My dear, strong one.
[Fingers still massaging (and did anyone tell this bright young boy that doing such could have helped with the scar tissue? of course not) Harry smiles in return.]
Yes, apparently my tastes are a bit of a mystery to people. Although to be fair, I've not enough experience to definitively give many answers.
[Slowly, as if Koby might startle, he leans forward and kisses his neck. When he speaks again it is against the smooth skin there.]
I am aware of the... the details? Of either set of, ah. Genitals. I am an anatomist. [Another series of slow, gentle kisses as he moves down Koby's neck.]
Only you must tell me if I do or say something foolish, or distasteful to you. To my knowledge I've not met a young man like you before. Although who can say, really? Perhaps I've known dozens without recognising it.
[Fingers still massaging (and did anyone tell this bright young boy that doing such could have helped with the scar tissue? of course not) Harry smiles in return.]
Yes, apparently my tastes are a bit of a mystery to people. Although to be fair, I've not enough experience to definitively give many answers.
[Slowly, as if Koby might startle, he leans forward and kisses his neck. When he speaks again it is against the smooth skin there.]
I am aware of the... the details? Of either set of, ah. Genitals. I am an anatomist. [Another series of slow, gentle kisses as he moves down Koby's neck.]
Only you must tell me if I do or say something foolish, or distasteful to you. To my knowledge I've not met a young man like you before. Although who can say, really? Perhaps I've known dozens without recognising it.
Considering how loud we’ve been in the past, I have no doubt they have.
I’ll show you some tricks I used on the ship. Perhaps one day on a ship of our own.
I’ll show you some tricks I used on the ship. Perhaps one day on a ship of our own.
Here I am. [it's a bit wondering, said on a laugh as harry presses in, kisses at the side of koby's neck, followed by a soft sigh. there's a chain there, around his throat, a silvery collection of links, resting over a still-healing bite mark that he seems to wear as a badge of honor, where his neck and shoulder meet. still, he tilts his head invitingly, humming softly at the odd sensation of mixed numbness and sensitivity where those skilled anatomist's hands massage at his chest.] And here you are. Sort of impossible all around, isn't it?
[the word "details" gets a snort, an undignified thing, even as koby's reaching to push his glasses up into his hair, eyes brighter, bemused, without the thick, round lenses covering them.] I'd expect nothing lest from an anatomist, of course. I don't mind what -- words you use, really. Nothing's foolish to me.
[then, hands slipping back to the buttons of harry's shirt:] I tend to use "cock" only when I'm wearing one, though. I'm not, today, because -- well, it's sparkly and purple. It tends to be a little distracting, especially on first sight. [koby plucks the buttons free, one by one, taking his time as with the waistcoat.] And you might have. There are medicines people can take, ways they can...replace what their bodies can't make on their own. I've read books about it, it's all very fascinating.
[the word "details" gets a snort, an undignified thing, even as koby's reaching to push his glasses up into his hair, eyes brighter, bemused, without the thick, round lenses covering them.] I'd expect nothing lest from an anatomist, of course. I don't mind what -- words you use, really. Nothing's foolish to me.
[then, hands slipping back to the buttons of harry's shirt:] I tend to use "cock" only when I'm wearing one, though. I'm not, today, because -- well, it's sparkly and purple. It tends to be a little distracting, especially on first sight. [koby plucks the buttons free, one by one, taking his time as with the waistcoat.] And you might have. There are medicines people can take, ways they can...replace what their bodies can't make on their own. I've read books about it, it's all very fascinating.
Utterly impossible.
[Harry chuckles in the endearingly awkward way he has, knowing that sometimes he just sounds a little ridiculous. He watches with interest as Koby opens his shirt.
He lifts his gaze to Koby's face.]
Sparkly. That will be quite new to me.
Are there? I should like to read them. Do such medicines exist here? Should you want them.
[He drags his fingers down Koby's chest and belly before ducking in to kiss Koby's neck again. The bite is noted and wondered at a little.]
You are so incredibly lovely, Koby.
[Harry chuckles in the endearingly awkward way he has, knowing that sometimes he just sounds a little ridiculous. He watches with interest as Koby opens his shirt.
He lifts his gaze to Koby's face.]
Sparkly. That will be quite new to me.
Are there? I should like to read them. Do such medicines exist here? Should you want them.
[He drags his fingers down Koby's chest and belly before ducking in to kiss Koby's neck again. The bite is noted and wondered at a little.]
You are so incredibly lovely, Koby.
I've been here for almost a year, I know how to copy a link.
Don't actually go. It'll be too obvious.
All of it. Hawk approves of him, which is weird. He doesn't even like Quentin.
[ The most agreeable man in the world, as they both know. ]
It feels like something has to go wrong. I don't know what. But it can't possibly be that easy.
Don't actually go. It'll be too obvious.
All of it. Hawk approves of him, which is weird. He doesn't even like Quentin.
[ The most agreeable man in the world, as they both know. ]
It feels like something has to go wrong. I don't know what. But it can't possibly be that easy.
[it is endearing, a sort of softness that koby feels oddly protective over, though harry is fully twice his age. it makes him smile, hands coming up from the unbuttoned shirt to cradle either (fluffy) side of the man's face, beaming in that bright, earnest way he still has, even after all this time.] One of them is, at least. You should ask Tim about it. [a quirked eyebrow, a thread of the wickedness that had gotten such a sweet-faced young man nominated for such scandalous things during prom.
harry's hands slip lower, tracing over the contour of muscle, more defined than the overalls and sweatervests would suggest. koby wakes early, pushes himself, training the slender slip of a body he's been given into something he's happy to exist within. the fear and shame is mostly gone, burned away with the searing heat of how good every bit of him can feel.
shifting his hips, legs spreading wider, koby leans in, words soft and heated against harry's mouth:] Am I? Then you should probably give me my reward now, hm? [the muscle in his stomach, his waist goes tense, flexing as he slowly rocks his hips again, more deliberate this time.] Or do I need to say please?
harry's hands slip lower, tracing over the contour of muscle, more defined than the overalls and sweatervests would suggest. koby wakes early, pushes himself, training the slender slip of a body he's been given into something he's happy to exist within. the fear and shame is mostly gone, burned away with the searing heat of how good every bit of him can feel.
shifting his hips, legs spreading wider, koby leans in, words soft and heated against harry's mouth:] Am I? Then you should probably give me my reward now, hm? [the muscle in his stomach, his waist goes tense, flexing as he slowly rocks his hips again, more deliberate this time.] Or do I need to say please?
He was fine with Aemond, and that was a disaster.
Not that Harry's anything like that.
This is getting really intense, really quickly.
Not that Harry's anything like that.
This is getting really intense, really quickly.
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