definingfuture | IC inbox for duplicity

[Herbert wasn't really expecting anything, so this isn't exactly more unexpected. It's mostly just confusing, as Tony's statements and requests often are to him.]

Why...what for?

Would that be a problem?

[It seems like he's always doing things that make Herbert uneasy. Tony can't tell yet if that discomfort is nervousness or disgust. At least he knows now that it isn't dislike, which is nice to know. He can take more of a risk now.]

Not really for anything, just... I thought I would ask. You don't have to worry about it.

[Herbert decidedly has no experience with this, with someone just wanting to kiss him. Not as a side effect of sexual intercourse, or some strategic purpose, just...

Does this imply Tony likes him as an actual, physical person, beyond an interest in his work or a general friendliness? It...might, and he doesn't know what to do with that. People, especially people like Tony, don't like him, they tolerate him for his genius. Or they don't.

His expression goes soft and a little lost.]

No, no problem--you can if you feel, inclined.

[ Herbert looks like he's trying to figure out what Tony just said, like he suddenly started talking in another language. Then his eyes look more than confused. The expression is something else, almost sad, and Tony suddenly has the urge to protect him. He knows that Herbert can take care of himself, but he leans in and puts his hand around the back of his neck almost like he's trying to hug him. He presses their foreheads together with a smile before tilting his head and guiding Herbert into a kiss. It's chaste, but held out, and when Tony pulls back again he strokes his fingers over Herbert's neck. ]

Thank you.

[This is a feeling that Herbert doesn't really know what to call, what to attribute it to. He's felt it before, or something very like it: a thick excitement in his chest while demonstrating his work to a fascinated Tony or Dan. Shared spirit of scientific discovery with someone on his level, he assumed.

But this isn't that, even if it feels the same.

He blinks at Tony when he presses their heads together, closes his eyes a little belatedly when their lips meet. It's not pointless, then, under certain circumstances, maybe, not a waste of better spent time when it's indicative of rare trust.]

Mm. Feel free to...take that as, blanket permission.

[Herbert is quiet, but actually not as put off by the kiss as Tony initially thinks he might be. He's never really seen Herbert show much enthusiasm for romance or physical contact, but he's never been against close proximity either, which is why Tony has to make his move. And when he does pull back to examine Herbert's reaction, he finds that his advance is being accepted rather well. Tony smiles, cupping Herbert's cheek with his palm. He's feeling more confident now that he has that assurance.]

In that case, maybe I should ask for more.

[Herbert's hands are still loose at his sides, so he lifts the right one to place it a bit vaguely at Tony's waist. He wants control over some of the contact that's occurring, even if he does feel weirdly safe. With how he's been raised, the amount of time in and out of asylums, he usually has a fair amount of indifference to contact, no real reaction to people in his personal space. This is...positive, though, and he's coming by it naturally this time, rather than in some desperate drug-induced haze.]

You should--really, no need to ask, I did say.

[He doesn't make another move, just staring up at Tony.

He has no idea what the fuck he's doing.]

[It's subtle, but the response is very much there. Tony can feel the interest as Herbert puts a hand on his side and looks up at him, almost stuck there like he's trying to solve a puzzle. It's a look that many people would probably call awkward, but Tony thinks is attractive. He's trying to work him out. There's a glint of mischief in Tony's eyes as he leans in.]

In that case, I won't ask.

[Tony kisses him again, this time running his fingers through Herbert's hair as he strokes the back of his neck, trying to coax Herbert to grant him access to deepen the kiss.]

[Good. It's easier that he doesn't have to ask, when he's still working this out. Usually he just charges in, whether or not he understands what he's doing but...he might care about getting this right? He doesn't know, and the only way to work it out is to have it happen and decide on it later.

There's a lot of input. It makes sense that people close their eyes for this, to focus on the more important aspects. Herbert's lips part and his whole body tilts forward and up, leaning into Tony and the kiss. It's a muscle, obviously, threaded through with fibres, so it's technically not a surprise that there's strength in a kiss, but it feels like a discovery anyway.]

[The way Herbert leans in is encouragement enough and when Tony feels Herbert's lips part, he presses in, exploring his mouth with his tongue and then retreating slightly, only to tease his lips and nip at the edges of them with a brief, sharp pressure. Then he's back again, smoothing over that as he pulls him closer, his hands sliding down the slope of the man's shoulders, urging him to relax as he wraps his arms around him.]

Did you want more?

[He whispers the question when they pause, watching Herbert's face for his reaction.]

[That's...a lot, it's more than Herbert really expected a kiss to be and he makes a small surprised noise, half opening his eyes again to look sidelong at Tony's face. It's not bad it's just...well, it isn't as if Herbert's studied kissing. (He's watched Dan and Meg subtly from a distance on some occasions but not enough to really know. It wasn't as if he was studying Dan's methodology, obviously.)

Closing his eyes again, he cautiously engages his own tongue, just trying to work out its inclusion, but it's hard to follow like it's a new lesson. He does want to be good, he wants to impress Tony, but he also wants to just...let it happen. They're close enough that he eventually puts both his arms around Tony's back at his waist, looking a bit dazed when Tony parts from him slightly to ask his question.]

I-I...yes. [He just came here to be certain of a home and a position in the city and suddenly there's all this...is this something to expect? To look forward to? He hadn't thought to.] Do you mean, now or more generally?

[The sound Herbert makes is a rewarding start. He can feel him pause and shift, as if he's trying to find the right position and motions. He's not experienced, or if he is, it's not with a man and he's second guessing himself. Tony can understand that much. Coming onto him like this was probably a surprise. As pleasant as Herbert has been, he's never seemed very open toward others and not sexual at all. Tony thinks he might be scaring his new partner-to-be, but when he finally asks his question, Herbert does seem interested.

Just experience, then. He can work with that.]

Would you say yes if I said now? Another kiss?

[He leans in so the words brush Herbert's lips when he speaks.]

If you want to, you can keep your eyes open.

IC inbox for duplicity

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject