marlowemuses | Fools in Love, for gentry

Laurent was even more beautiful with his clothes off. Slender, pale, like the beautiful ideal men in some of the Queen's imported paintings. He used to look at them when he was a child and wonder if skin so flawless and white really existed; Gansey was always tanned and golden like an outdoor Adonis.

That was not, however, what struck him most the moment those trousers were nothing but a sloppy pile on the floor. It was the intimacy, the exposure. Having Laurent bared to him when it was something he'd been so nervous about before. Even now Gansey could tell that his prince wasn't wholly comfortable; much better than before, but he still had to be careful. They were both vulnerable but in the absolute best way. The only way two people with strong feelings for one another could.

His intense gaze was filled with adoration, affection, and attraction. Gansey had never wanted anyone like this before. So wholly.

Every time Laurent said his name his heart skipped. The sound encouraged him—keeping his hands busy, he slid them down Laurent's sides as he worked his mouth against that nipple some more. Once he was satisfied, he moved onto the other one, sucking and tugging it with his teeth.

And then down again. He skimmed his lips along Laurent's ribs and left another mark there, lovingly bringing forth a beautiful red spot on that otherwise flawless skin. Kissing, trailing down his tummy, and after a moment's pause slipping his tongue into Laurent's belly button just because he did say he wanted to kiss all of him.

For the most part, Laurent restrained all of his little sounds and reactions. His tells were all small, subtle things, many of them being obviously repressed. Hitches in his breath, twitching fingers that clutched at the sheets. Stifled whimpers and bitten-back moans. He was expressive, even despite his restraint, and his whole body was sensitive. Every little kiss and bite got a reaction.

The pleasure of it was like nothing he'd felt before. Laurent felt adored, and completely safe. He belonged utterly to Gansey, and he felt adored by Gansey's explorations. He'd never known that lovemaking could be like this. His head was spinning with pleasure, desire, and trust.

Resting one hand in Gansey's hair, Laurent's fingers tightened and quivered against Gansey's scalp whenever Gansey did something he liked, and Laurent liked almost everything that Gansey did.

Laughing with pleasure and delight at the feeling of Gansey's tongue slipping into his belly button like that, Laurent arched off the bed. His restraint shattered for a moment, too delighted--and aroused--by the gesture to hold back. "Gansey!" he yelped, dissolving into laughter.

When he felt Laurent's hands twist into his hair he groaned, closing his eyes for a good long moment as a ripple of arousal dragged through him. They encouraged him to keep going so he did, emboldened by the continued gasps of his name from those perfect lips.

And he laughed, joyously, when Laurent gave such a strong reaction to the tongue in his belly button. Gansey loved hearing his fiance. There was no need for restraint; no one would hear them all the way up here unless they were climbing the stairs and right outside the door. Flicking his tongue, he sucked gently over Laurent's belly button before nipping his way down the soft flesh of his lower stomach, worshiping the handsome jut of hipbones with his mouth.

God, he wanted to put his mouth on Laurent's erection, but he practiced his own restraint. That would be the last spot. Gansey was dedicated to loving every inch of Laurent's body; he knew he would end up terribly distracted from that once his lips found their way to the other man's cock.

So he teased. Brushed his cheek along inside of Laurent's thigh and dragged his fingers down the outsides. Placed nips and kisses along the length of his legs once he'd moved back enough, gently parting Laurent's legs so he could kiss along his calves and knees.

Laurent watched him through low-lidded eyes, attention fixed on his beloved. He tensed more than once, breath shuddering out of him whenever Gansey went somewhere new or when he parted Laurent's legs, but a few more soft kisses were enough to ground him back in the pleasure of Gansey exploring him, worshiping every inch of Laurent's slender body.

He kept his hand possessively in Gansey's hair, making a soft mew of frustration when Gansey moved down far enough to be out of reach. As soon as he could touch again, he did, fastening his hand into Gansey's hair with a little sigh that he wasn't aware of making. "Gansey."

The name was a prayer, and Laurent couldn't stop saying it. No other word could contain his adoration and awe.

Gansey's goal didn't occur to him. As knowledgeable as Laurent considered himself to be, his views of sex had been warped, and he didn't entertain the possibility that Gansey would willingly perform oral sex.

It wasn't until Gansey's kisses kept moving higher along his thighs that Laurent got some clue, eyes widening and body tensing again as he realized that Gansey's exploratory kisses might well go everywhere. His hand tensed, eyes riveted on Gansey's face.

Exploring Laurent's body with his hands and mouth was a treat like nothing else. Every part deserved affection; Gansey was more than willing to give it. The mantra of his name had him close to another edge, drowning in desire and longing, love and adoration. God, it was a voice he could never tire of hearing. The sound was beautiful when in ecstasy.

Treading into possibly dangerous territory, Gansey paused when he felt Laurent's hands tense in his hair. Glancing up, he studied the man's handsome face, lips parted as he ran his tongue across them shortly. Heart thudding in his chest, it almost hurt. So close. So close he could almost taste Laurent on his tongue.

"Do you want me to stop?"

Of course Gansey wanted to perform oral sex on him. Right now, he wanted nothing more than to give Laurent incredible pleasure, and he had something of an oral fixation. But if it was too much for the other man he wouldn't. To him, it was an action of love and trust—as all things related to sex were for him, really.

He rubbed his palms against Laurent's thighs, kneading his thumbs down against the muscle.

"I don't..." Laurent frowned, struggling to understand. His body urgently wanted Gansey to continue, but his heart couldn't bear the idea of forcing Gansey into something that Laurent's experience said was miserably unpleasant to perform. "I don't understand why you'd want to."

His brow furrowed deeply, certain that he must have misunderstood something, or that Gansey didn't intend that at all, but his hand stayed in Gansey's hair, unwilling to break the connection between them. "I'm not going to reciprocate... that."

Tense and spooked, Laurent frowned at him, struggling to comprehend why Gansey would consider oral sex unless he hoped for reciprocation.

Gansey blinked in mild surprise, one fine eyebrow raising at the declaration. He hadn't even been thinking about reciprocation; his mind had been solely focused on pleasuring his beloved, not on himself.

"You don't have to," he answered, refusing to break their gaze either. Perhaps it was something cultural? A thing more demeaning in Vere? Not that Gansey much cared about that—he'd do things far more demeaning if it would please Laurent. Sensing that his lover was tense, he continued to massage his hands gently against the man's thighs in a soothing manner.

"I just want to make you feel good. For your pleasure." Pausing, his lips curled into a slight smile as he tilted his head, "Ah... and, I guess, I want to taste you." That was true, too. He'd get pleasure through Laurent's pleasure. Paired with the taste of him? It was more than enough for Gansey.

"You don't have to do anything for me."

Ignoring the fact that he already had, using his hand earlier. That had been perfectly lovely.

Gansey wasn't planning to continue until Laurent relaxed. If he relaxed. So he remained steady, studying Laurent's expression as he rubbed loving hands up against the inside of the man's thighs. They would work this out together.

The steady devotion in Gansey's eyes calmed and soothed him. Laurent reached for him, drawing him up for a few soft, sweet kisses, feeling reassured by them. Nuzzling gently at Gansey's cheek, Laurent hugged to him, considering what Gansey had said. "If you're sure. If you don't... you don't feel you have to."

Taking a deep breath, Laurent let go of him, willing to trust Gansey's word. "I love you," he said, audible this time, unable to look away from Gansey's sparkling eyes. "More than I ever dreamed I could love anyone."

His hand returned to Gansey's hair, mussing it slightly. He smiled tentatively, willing himself to relax. "I trust you."

The kisses were sweet and only reaffirmed Gansey's desire to draw Laurent to his climax in the most pleasurable way possible. He dissolved into those kisses and sighed with the nuzzling, returning each action with utter delight.

When Laurent said I love you, loud and clear, his heart skipped a few beats. There was nothing more in the world that he wanted than this. Were a bee to fly in the window and prick his shoulder now, he'd fall down dead fully satisfied.

Gansey reached up to catch Laurent's wrist. He pulled the man's hand down to his face, pressed Laurent's palm against his lips so he could drop a kiss right in the center. "I'll never betray that trust," he promised, meaning it with every fiber of his being. He'd die first. And then he let the hand go. Sliding back into his earlier position, he started again by kissing up Laurent's legs rather than just launching right into oral sex.

Moving up, slowly, fingers creeping and tracing patters onto Laurent's skin, he stopped when he reached the top of his lover's thighs. With a playful nip at the top, he moved from legs to that lovely cock, fascinated by the dusting of slightly darker golden hair at its base. Gently, he began by pressing a kiss to the tip. Getting Laurent used to the feeling of Gansey's mouth. The crown he lavished with his tongue, massaging his tongue down against the slit and around the head before easing his lips over the tip. Nice and slow, so as not to startle too much.

As he worked he glanced up at Laurent for approval every so often—when he wasn't looking up at Laurent, his eyes were lidded, dark eyelashes curling against his cheeks.

Laurent watched him closely, worried that Gansey would hate it, but Gansey's devoted attentions quickly reassured Laurent's nerves and convinced him that Gansey wasn't displeased by what he was doing.

He'd watched performances before. Sometimes there was no way to avoid watching them, in the casual sexuality of the Veretian court. The likelihood of nobles allowing their pets to fondle or pleasure them in Laurent's vicinity had gone down sharply when Laurent had started offering pointed commentary and feedback on the performances. He'd seen enthusiasm before. He'd never seen oral sex offered out of love or devotion. It was utterly different, and Laurent couldn't look away.

Keeping his hand in Gansey's hair, Laurent was careful not to push or tug, not even when the pleasure of it started to win him over and made him want more. It felt exquisite, better than anything he'd experienced before. Certainly better than anything he remembered, and he instantly regretted that flash of memory. Breath hitching, Laurent's hand tightened briefly, eyes wincing shut.

He forced his eyes back open, focusing stubbornly on Gansey's face. Gansey, who loved him.

"Stop," he said after a few minutes, even though his body ached for more. He tugged at Gansey, curling into his arms and pressing his face against Gansey's shoulder as he tried to stop trembling.

He stopped.

Gansey had been expecting that something might happen; he saw the wince before Laurent had uttered the words. Their eyes had met and Gansey had watched, keenly, as the fine lines in the other man's brow had grown deeper. When he pushed himself back up he licked his lips, eyelids fluttering. It was pathetic how much more he wanted. The selfish part of him wanted to taste even more, swallow Laurent's come if he could. But he'd never push.

Laurent tugged and Gansey's arms were open instantly, wrapping around his lover tightly as though he might melt otherwise. Pressing the curve of his lips against the crown of Laurent's head, he pressed a gentle kiss against flaxen hair. Shaking like a bird, poor thing—Gansey hated seeing Laurent so distraught.

He rubbed a hand against his lover's back, making soft noises of affection to comfort. Before that moment when the man's pupils had dilated suddenly it had seemed like he was enjoying it. What had happened to him? Gansey could only assume it was something terrible, and all signs pointed to something sexual.

Patiently, he made no moves until it seemed like Laurent was feeling better.

Laurent's trembling stopped soon enough, soothed by Gansey's comfort and attention. He nuzzled at his lover, relaxing a little bit. He'd ruined the moment and disappointed Gansey's desires. The shadow of his memories, besmirching the sweetness of their love.

"Talk to me," Laurent asked, resting his head on Gansey's shoulder so he could just see the profile of Gansey's face. "Tell me more about your thoughts. Your desires. I want to understand. I want... I want to see it the way you do."

As Laurent said that, he fastened upon it as a new center of his entire world. If Laurent's experience had been that something was miserable, but Gansey thought it wonderful, he wanted to understand. He wanted to see Gansey's perspective on things, and to erase the shadows and defenses that were so deeply embedded in his own. Instead of mentally dismissing Gansey's perspective as naive this time, he categorized it as right, and sought to make his own fall into line.

Gansey was normally quite adept at explaining. He could go on for hours at court, describing in great detail the history of so-and-so king or telling stories. Often times he'd been told that he even had a lovely speaking voice, and that despite the fact that his history lessons were so dull, they had been enjoyable simply because Gansey had been the one telling them.

Talking about his romantic inclinations, however? He found that to be more difficult. Expressing his feelings, putting what was so delicate and close to his heart into formation...

He swallowed, sighed slowly, resolving to finding a way to do it without sounding like an utter buffoon.

"For me..."

He cleared his throat, ignoring the way his neck warmed. No doubt his ears were pink.

"Ah. Did you know that the lips are one of the parts of the body that are most sensitive? Due to the nerves... so, when applying pressure..." No, not the scientific route. He made a soft noise and shook his head, laughing at himself.

"I'm sorry. I'm a little embarrassed." Holding Laurent tighter against him, he closed his eyes as he spoke. "But... it's an intimate act, isn't it? Both people put themselves in a vulnerable position and... well, I think that's beautiful. It's about trust and making someone you love feel good. I love you and I want to get you there. I want you to feel amazing. And I want to taste you—I want as much of you as possible. When it's with someone special... it feels brilliant. Feeling every response, knowing that I'm the one doing it..."

He trailed off, pressing another kiss against Laurent's head.

"But if you don't like it, it's okay."

Laurent smiled as Gansey spoke, feeling safe, content, and utterly charmed. Gansey's babbling was endearing, and Laurent wanted to memorize every word.

"I like it," he murmured, basking in the contact. "You looked irresistible like that, you know." Smiling, Laurent skimmed a fingertip over Gansey's lips, entranced by everything about him. It was difficult to explain himself, and Laurent wasn't accustomed to sharing his secrets, but he needed Gansey to understand that it wasn't a rejection. "I want more, and I want you. It's only that... I don't always see you. Sometimes I remember, instead, and then... this... is tainted. By pain and fear. I want to erase all that, and paint over it with you, and you, and you, until there's nothing left in my heart but love."

Laurent tilted his head for a soft kiss, smiling as he drew away and put his head back on his lover's shoulder. "Gansey."

"I know."

He rubbed his cheek against Laurent's head, kissed his hair again. If there was anything Gansey was confident in it was that Laurent was telling it true. It wasn't a rejection of him. It was pushing away those unfortunate memories. That, as he knew, would not take a day. It would be a slow process and it would take a lot of work. As far as Gansey was concerned, every second would be worth it.

"We will. One day, it'll be better. I promise."

Time heals all things. Even if it's 20 years from now—Gansey's committed, and the commitment doesn't scare him. It's been so short as it is—sometimes he has to remind himself that their relationship is still quite new. No need to rush, no need to push. They had until oblivion and beyond.

A smile quirked at his lips, "I am quite pleased to hear that you enjoyed the view, at least."

Even if he hadn't truly gotten to suck Laurent off he'd still gotten a taste. It was fresh on his tongue still, salty and delicious, making his stomach roll with butterflies.

Laurent laughed at that, sweet and joyous, hugging his arms around Gansey's neck and kissing him exuberantly. Gansey made it easy to laugh, and Laurent let himself drop into that feeling, eager to pretend that the past and the dangers of Vere had never existed at all.

"I'm starving," Laurent said, when he could bear to pause in kissing for a moment. "As much as I want to stay in bed and kiss you all day. We should probably eat something. And speak to your mother. And I've been promised a tour of the castle."

Instead, Laurent kissed him again, and then again after that, starting to laugh again when the procrastination became ridiculous. "Lend me some clothes," he insisted at last. "And tell me what you were going to say about lips and applying pressure."

Gansey groaned in dismay at the thought of his mother. She would no doubt try to snag Laurent from him and he selfishly wanted to keep the prince all to himself. Between that and the fact that zero part of him wanted to get out of bed, he was almost depressed. Dramatically, after the kissing, he threw himself back across the bad and slung his arm across his forehead.

"But if we leave we'll have to face the day, and I simply don't want to. Because that means I'll be required to share you." Sighing, he looked up at the ceiling, feeding off of his own sulking for a moment before rolling back up so he could swing his long legs over the edge of the bed.

With a laugh he added, "Really? You want to hear about that? I could tell you sweeter things. Like poetry, or stories." With another groan he stood, heading over to the wooden chest along the wall to draw out some clothes. Laurent, while similarly tall, was not quite the same build as Gansey. HIs shoulders were not quite as broad and his shape was not square. Which was why when Gansey pulled out something he thought wouldn't make him look like the crazy baggy clothes man from town it was from the bottom of the chest.

A pair of fine black britches paired with a soft burgundy linen shirt and black vest. It had been a gift from Helen three years ago, when he was still more slender of a boy and less square. It was too nice to get rid of so he'd just kept it.

"Will this do?" He turned and held the clothes up. No complicated lacing, though they were tailored enough to give a form fit.

Laurent laughed at the sulking, because it was still so good-natured and had so little heat. He gave Gansey another quick peck to encourage him out of the sulk, and then followed him curiously over to the chest. His hand lingered on Gansey's elbow, unwilling to be out of physical contact with him even for a moment.

The clothes offered were lovely, and Laurent smiled as he accepted them. "Yes, thank you." Kissing Gansey's cheek, Laurent stepped into the clothing. It was all much easier to get into than the Veretian clothing, and fit him well enough. It was comfortably loose, and he smiled, stepping into Gansey's arms for a lingering kiss.

"Going to be sorry to lose this view," Laurent teased, giving Gansey's ass a playful grope before he stepped away to let Gansey get dressed. Pleased with his new clothes, he sat on the edge of the bed to watch, lounging comfortably and never taking his eyes off Gansey.

"You—...!"

When Laurent groped his ass Gansey gave a tiny jump, red dusting his cheeks as he spun to look at his fiance, "You fox." Never before had he been so pleased to be the subject of an assgrab—it had happened before, though it was usually 40 year old ladies that were bored with their husbands, or lords that didn't know when not to cross the line.

If his lover wanted to watch him dress, Gansey had no complaints. Other than: can't we just go back to bed? But that didn't count. He pulled on a loose pair of brown britches and a soft green tunic, pairing it with a brown vest of a darker green. Presentable, yet not too stuffy. There would be plenty of time for Laurent to see him in stuffy clothing.

"Let's have ourselves a big breakfast, shall we?" He opened the door, peering down the stairs before glancing back, "I'm sure the staff will be shocked that I'm getting up this late. I'll bet you that there are rumors already."

Laurent laughed at the jump and the blush, watching Gansey with a happy grin as he dressed.

As soon as Gansey was ready, Laurent claimed his arm again, kissing his cheek and basking in the pleasure of having a partner like this. "If there aren't rumors, I shall be terribly disappointed. I want to be the talk of the court."

He met Gansey's eyes with a smile for a moment and got caught in them, overwhelmed with warm affection for his beloved. "And what about my surprise?" he asked at last, tugging at Gansey's arm and keeping hold of his hand as he made his way down the stairs. "You haven't forgotten, have you?"

"I haven't," he promised, delighting in the fact that Laurent touched him so frequently. It was little things like that, touches and brushes, that Gansey adored. Tokens of affection. Assurances.

"It's something I have to go and get, however."

Partially true. He could send one of the maids to go fetch what he wanted but that seemed so... he didn't want to do that. It didn't suit him, for one. For two? It made it a little less romantic in his eyes.

"So while my mother is drowning you with questions I'll sneak out the back and do just that." He flashed Laurent his award winning smile; it was a thing that had made ladies swoon before. "Sounds like a plan, yes?"

He opened the door at the bottom of the stairs for Laurent with a gentlemanly bow, "After you, my dear."

Laurent grinned back at him at that smile, unable to resist another breathless kiss before he stepped through the door. Realizing he didn't know where he was going, he tugged Gansey forward, kissing his cheek and tucking himself against Gansey's side. "You're going to have to lead the way. At least until I get my tour and a better sense of my bearings."

He was confident that he could find the way, if it was necessary, but it wasn't necessary, and he didn't know what Gansey had in mind for their breakfast. More fun to cuddle and tease their way down the hall, with Laurent flirting shamelessly.

His happiness radiated off of him. Even his brother would have been hard-pressed to recognize this laughing, teasing Laurent. He'd always been quiet and restrained, even as a child. Being with Gansey made him bloom.

"And here I was hoping I'd get to look at you from behind," he flirted, batting his eyelashes innocently as he lead the way. It gave him good excuse to return those light touches, resting his hand on the small of Laurent's back as they made their way through the curious hallways of the castle.

"How about we do the tour after breakfast? And then maybe drop by the stables to see how Butternut is doing?"

No one had come to tell him of the mare giving birth yet, but Gansey liked to visit her at least once a day, if not more.

Curiously, he did not lead Laurent to the banquet hall. He headed straight to the kitchens, where there was a smaller room for private meals. Dinner was the biggest affair when it came to the court; for the most part, otherwise, Gansey did whatever he wanted. As did Helen—she was on her way out of the room, giving the two a curious look and a knowing smile.

"Good morning, Helen." Gansey smiled back, not bothering to remove his hand from Laurent's back. Helen's gaze flicked before she tapped her chin in thought. "Good morning," she said, giving Laurent most of her attention, "I do hope my brother has been treating you well."

"What about your mother?" Laurent reminded him, laughing at their crowded schedule.

He relaxed into the touch at Gansey's hand on his back, surprised at how it made his whole mind feel quiet and calm. The urge to curl into Gansey's arms and kiss him breathless was constant, but Laurent was determined to focus on the important business of seeing them both fed. After that, maybe more kisses. Or maybe their tour.

Declining his head in polite recognition at Helen, not quite a bow, Laurent returned the smile, nearly sparkling with playful charm. "Very well. I think he has a mind to spoil me. My compliments to you on having such a charismatic and well-mannered brother. I can only assume that I have your guidance and wisdom to thank for that."

Helen laughed and Gansey snorted, both finding the notion quite amusing. She gave her dress a pat, "You're quite right. He would be nothing without my gentle sisterly guidance."

To wit Gansey promptly responded, "She sat on my head whenever she was mad at me. Until I was ten."

Helen wrinkled her nose and lifted her chin, giving off the airs of a delicate lady as she passed them, "You deserved it. Have a good day, boys. I'll be attending some other guests of the court." She gave a polite wave as she turned down the hallway to hurry off, never a moment of peace.

Gansey shook his head and held the door open for Laurent. The smell of breakfast was strong: eggs, bacon, sausage, buttered bread, potatoes, and other baked goods. Gansey had even dropped a mention to one of the maids that Laurent seemed to be fond of chocolate; there was a basket of croissants stuffed with chocolate on the table, waiting for them.

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