Careful, Laurent. Damen was easily distracted by all of...that, that stuff he was going, all of it. His senses were hyperaware of Laurent's nearness, of how close to kissing range he was, of the softness of lips over his hardened knuckles. He was listening, but it took all his effort not to think about the length of limbs currently filling his lap.
As they had before, Laurent's words found a ready mark in Damen's imagination. He thought of the kyroi he had trusted, the advisors and delegates who kept him abreast of his kingdom's matters. Each of them had a story. Did he know them? Did he make their lives better or worse by his kingship?
His features rippled with this realization, and the deeper one that Laurent could help him so much mesore than he had ever dreamed. Damen had been prepared to lead in battle, but with Theomedes in the best of health before Kastor's betrayal, none had thought Damianos would ascend the throne so soon. He had not needed to know these things...but now he did, he must know them.
He let his arms settle around Laurent's waist, hands spanning his back. "You are right, of course. I am used to thinking as I might in war, where enemies are clear and loyalties are a simple matter. That's why I - need you to help me see these things as they really are."
Damen's eyes slid down to Laurent's chest, unexpectedly abashed that he had admitted as much out loud. Yet he absolutely did need all of those skills that Laurent had in abundance. His gaze lingered on the soft pink of nipples.
no subject
As they had before, Laurent's words found a ready mark in Damen's imagination. He thought of the kyroi he had trusted, the advisors and delegates who kept him abreast of his kingdom's matters. Each of them had a story. Did he know them? Did he make their lives better or worse by his kingship?
His features rippled with this realization, and the deeper one that Laurent could help him so much mesore than he had ever dreamed. Damen had been prepared to lead in battle, but with Theomedes in the best of health before Kastor's betrayal, none had thought Damianos would ascend the throne so soon. He had not needed to know these things...but now he did, he must know them.
He let his arms settle around Laurent's waist, hands spanning his back. "You are right, of course. I am used to thinking as I might in war, where enemies are clear and loyalties are a simple matter. That's why I - need you to help me see these things as they really are."
Damen's eyes slid down to Laurent's chest, unexpectedly abashed that he had admitted as much out loud. Yet he absolutely did need all of those skills that Laurent had in abundance. His gaze lingered on the soft pink of nipples.
(Distracting.)