[Duval stop shoving his foot in his mouth challenge.]
You’re doing well. [Any discomfort comes purely from Duval’s own inexperience with being held and his curious heart beat. After a moment, he lifts his head to prop his chin on their shoulder.
And after another moment, he shifts again to press his nose into their hair.]
I didn’t think I would be, but I’m actually quite comfortable.
[Look, it's fine - even though Duval's good at shoving his foot in his mouth, Purple doesn't seem upset by it! If anything, it's just more to learn and figure out.
But feeling him shift closer, though... the skin on that side of their face prickles with a little bit of warmth, and they can't help but tighten their hold on him to match. It isn't very tight at all, of course, even with that. He can likely feel how thin their arms are, just thanks to this hug. But still.]
I feel there is some way we could be doing this that would be more comfortable... But I do not know what to do with my arms even when I am at ease, let alone trying something so new.
... Yet another reason I like my robes, I suppose.
[Are they implying they just float around with their arms hanging at their sides like some kind of stupid banshee? Yeah, kinda.]
[Purple is such a bizarre little (big) creature, and Duval wouldn't change them for the world.]
It's something you'll figure out eventually. It may even vary with different people. [As for their other point...] We could - hold each other on the couch? Or in bed would be - less cramped.
[He's not getting saucy. He's not getting saucy!!! Just truthful!!!]
Sometimes. When you hold someone from behind while laying down, it's called spooning.
[Duval wants to die.]
hands duval a shovel so he can dig his grave further
[That has them thinking about it, which is... at least sorta obvious from their tone. Sorta. They're leaning on him a little bit more as they think it over.]
[Duval’s grip on the back of Purple’s cloak tightens.] It’s very intimate...
[One of them would have to expose their back to the other. It’s an extremely intimate and vulnerable position to be in.] So spooning is off the table then.
[For now.
He takes a deep breath, easing back into the space he made for himself in the crook of their neck.]
I did not say intimacy is bad. Just that the act sounds intimate - If I'm recalling this correctly, you said you have difficulties with affection. Affection goes hand-in-hand with intimacy. I have no wish to see you push your boundaries for me.
As for me, it would be very new... but I trust you, Duval. I don't mind treading new ground with you.
["With you" being the obvious caveat. Anyone else, and they wouldn't have even gotten as far as sitting shoulder-to-shoulder. They'd have to be willing to be very patient with Purple as they feel everything out... something Duval's been managing surprisingly well.]
If there's anyone I'm willing to push my boundaries with, it's you.
[So they're on the same page there.]
And with you, I wouldn't call it "pushing." [He noses again. As if those gentle touches aren't also intimate. Like everything he's done for Purple isn't intimate in a way. Maybe he'll realize it later.] I trust you, too, after all.
[A thought briefly flashes through their mind - something akin to "I should tell Duval what I've done" - but it's gone as quick as it appeared. They're not even going to bother chasing that thought down again. They've got their priorities in order, and "telling Duval I'm probably considered evil by most" is not very high up on the list. But learning what exactly spooning sure does top that list, now!!]
Well. Shall we go? Together. Teleportation would be my first choice, but you seem incapable of such a thing... so I'll accompany you at your speed.
[Duval blinks. And looks in the direction of his bedroom.]
It’s just down the hall. [He keeps their hands intertwined.] You’re so funny.
[Their hands stay intertwined as Duval leads them into the other room, too. He only lets go when they’re at the bed, which he then climbs into.] I'll... be the little spoon.
[Because Purple is so much taller than him. Bigger than him. And Duval, despite all his overthinking and weaknesses, has never had a target on his back. Turning his back on someone doesn't make him as nervous as he thinks it might make Purple.] Which means you'll hold me. If that's okay.
This way you can touch me as little or as much as you want.
[The confusion's heavy in their voice, but there's no offense at the idea. They just don't get what was humorous about whatever they just said. It's also said as they float along behind him without any issue at all, staring down at their hands the whole way, of course. Thinking.
... But they're pulled out of whatever esoteric thoughts they were having when Duval clambers onto the bedsheets, and for a moment, they simply... stare at the bed.]
... "Little spoon." It follows, then, that I would be a... "big spoon"?
[And NOW they're settling themself on the bed to match, though they don't climb on - they just float themself up onto the bed outright, settling down with their magic rather than doing it with, you know, their limbs. Like their arms or legs. Why would they bother with that when they have magic to use instead??]
Yes, exactly. You’re the big spoon. [Why is he explaining spooning to an ancient mage. How did this happen to Duval. (besides that he literally did this to himself)] Again, I’m assuming that would be the best position for you - If I were the big spoon, I’d have my entire body pressed to your back and my arms around you.
You’ll have more control as big spoon -
[Stop Saying Big Spoon. Stop saying anything related to spoons!
Duval pinches the bridge of his nose, throwing himself back into the pillows much like an exhausted toddler. A short moment later, he releases the pinch to look over at Purple.]
[For a moment, just a little blip of a second, Purple considers asking Duval if he's sure he wants to do this. He doesn't look very comfortable after all, especially with the way he cuts himself off like he's frustrated with himself. But the thought only lasts for that second. Again, Purple doesn't even bother going down that path, because why should they?? He said it's okay. So it's okay.
Fortunately (unfortunately?) for Duval, Purple has no plans to waste any time, either. Just going for the hug earlier proved to be much easier than hesitating like they had been with touch before - like ripping off a bandaid, or jumping into a cold pool. So that's what he gets treated to this time around, too. Their arms quickly tuck around his middle, eyes squeezed shut as they bury their face in his hair - it's almost like they're expecting something to happen and bracing themself for it, but fuck if they know what "it" would even be. After a moment, however... their hold on him loosens up a bit - not that it was all that tight, with how thin they are - and they open their eyes again, blinking a bit as they pull back from his hair enough to see.]
[It's not just Purple bracing themself. Duval does so, too: just about holding his breath as he waits for "it" to come.
Then, all "it" is, is the warmth of Purple pressed into his hair and their arms around him. Nothing catastrophic or uncomfortable about it. It's not even as awkward as Duval was expecting it to be.
It's - ]
It's nice. It's actually not so bad at all, is it?
[In fact, they'd have to agree that it's nice. Really nice. Being able to just hold someone like this - someone they know they can trust beyond a shadow of a doubt - is wonderful, of course, but more than that... The warmth and weight of someone else in their arms, someone who trusts them this much, gets something in their chest to tighten.
And without thinking about it too much more, Purple buries their face in his hair again.]
... I know you asked that I stop doing this as much as I have, but - Thank you. Sincerely.
[Their voice is hushed, saying as much, and there's a gentle heaviness to it that suggests this is a bit more than just a hug to them.]
I'll accept it this one, last time because I should thank you too.
[He breathes a quiet, humorous huff.]
I've never been held like this, either. [It never made sense for Kenta to hold him from behind due to their size difference and his sister holding him like this just simply wasn't appropriate lol.] I didn't think I'd ever want to be.
[But he'd be... more than okay with doing this again with Purple. Hopefully that will be clear in how Duval lays his hands over Purple's.]
[... The hug tightens a bit, drawing Duval just a little bit closer. Almost as if they need to duck into his hair to hide their face.]
I had given up affection long ago. It seemed so trivial compared to what I had to contend with, acting as a servant to someone like Gold Pig... Perhaps I felt as though I was "above" it. Or, perhaps I felt I was undeserving. I do not know.
But I do know that I'm happy I have been given the chance to try.
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You’re doing well. [Any discomfort comes purely from Duval’s own inexperience with being held and his curious heart beat. After a moment, he lifts his head to prop his chin on their shoulder.
And after another moment, he shifts again to press his nose into their hair.]
I didn’t think I would be, but I’m actually quite comfortable.
[That might just be because it’s Purple, though.]
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If anything, it's just more to learn and figure out.
But feeling him shift closer, though... the skin on that side of their face prickles with a little bit of warmth, and they can't help but tighten their hold on him to match.
It isn't very tight at all, of course, even with that. He can likely feel how thin their arms are, just thanks to this hug. But still.]
I feel there is some way we could be doing this that would be more comfortable...
But I do not know what to do with my arms even when I am at ease, let alone trying something so new.
... Yet another reason I like my robes, I suppose.
[Are they implying they just float around with their arms hanging at their sides like some kind of stupid banshee? Yeah, kinda.]
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It's something you'll figure out eventually. It may even vary with different people. [As for their other point...] We could - hold each other on the couch? Or in bed would be - less cramped.
[He's not getting saucy. He's not getting saucy!!! Just truthful!!!]
Sometimes. When you hold someone from behind while laying down, it's called spooning.
[Duval wants to die.]
hands duval a shovel so he can dig his grave further
[That has them thinking about it, which is... at least sorta obvious from their tone.
Sorta.
They're leaning on him a little bit more as they think it over.]
... Is that okay? That sounds... intimate.
digs to the center of the earth
[One of them would have to expose their back to the other. It’s an extremely intimate and vulnerable position to be in.] So spooning is off the table then.
[For now.
He takes a deep breath, easing back into the space he made for himself in the crook of their neck.]
There’s nothing wrong with staying like this.
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If I'm recalling this correctly, you said you have difficulties with affection.
Affection goes hand-in-hand with intimacy. I have no wish to see you push your boundaries for me.
As for me, it would be very new... but I trust you, Duval. I don't mind treading new ground with you.
["With you" being the obvious caveat. Anyone else, and they wouldn't have even gotten as far as sitting shoulder-to-shoulder.
They'd have to be willing to be very patient with Purple as they feel everything out... something Duval's been managing surprisingly well.]
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[So they're on the same page there.]
And with you, I wouldn't call it "pushing." [He noses again. As if those gentle touches aren't also intimate. Like everything he's done for Purple isn't intimate in a way. Maybe he'll realize it later.] I trust you, too, after all.
[Okay. Okay. Duval pulls back, albeit reluctantly.]
We can try. Stop the moment it feels weird.
At the very least, the bed is more comfortable.
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[A thought briefly flashes through their mind - something akin to "I should tell Duval what I've done" - but it's gone as quick as it appeared.
They're not even going to bother chasing that thought down again. They've got their priorities in order, and "telling Duval I'm probably considered evil by most" is not very high up on the list.
But learning what exactly spooning sure does top that list, now!!]
Well. Shall we go? Together.
Teleportation would be my first choice, but you seem incapable of such a thing... so I'll accompany you at your speed.
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It’s just down the hall. [He keeps their hands intertwined.] You’re so funny.
[Their hands stay intertwined as Duval leads them into the other room, too. He only lets go when they’re at the bed, which he then climbs into.] I'll... be the little spoon.
[Because Purple is so much taller than him. Bigger than him. And Duval, despite all his overthinking and weaknesses, has never had a target on his back. Turning his back on someone doesn't make him as nervous as he thinks it might make Purple.] Which means you'll hold me. If that's okay.
This way you can touch me as little or as much as you want.
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[The confusion's heavy in their voice, but there's no offense at the idea. They just don't get what was humorous about whatever they just said.
It's also said as they float along behind him without any issue at all, staring down at their hands the whole way, of course. Thinking.
... But they're pulled out of whatever esoteric thoughts they were having when Duval clambers onto the bedsheets, and for a moment, they simply... stare at the bed.]
... "Little spoon." It follows, then, that I would be a... "big spoon"?
[And NOW they're settling themself on the bed to match, though they don't climb on - they just float themself up onto the bed outright, settling down with their magic rather than doing it with, you know, their limbs. Like their arms or legs.
Why would they bother with that when they have magic to use instead??]
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You’ll have more control as big spoon -
[Stop Saying Big Spoon. Stop saying anything related to spoons!
Duval pinches the bridge of his nose, throwing himself back into the pillows much like an exhausted toddler. A short moment later, he releases the pinch to look over at Purple.]
Do whatever you’d like.
[He means it. The trust is there.]
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But the thought only lasts for that second. Again, Purple doesn't even bother going down that path, because why should they??
He said it's okay. So it's okay.
Fortunately (unfortunately?) for Duval, Purple has no plans to waste any time, either. Just going for the hug earlier proved to be much easier than hesitating like they had been with touch before - like ripping off a bandaid, or jumping into a cold pool.
So that's what he gets treated to this time around, too. Their arms quickly tuck around his middle, eyes squeezed shut as they bury their face in his hair - it's almost like they're expecting something to happen and bracing themself for it, but fuck if they know what "it" would even be.
After a moment, however... their hold on him loosens up a bit - not that it was all that tight, with how thin they are - and they open their eyes again, blinking a bit as they pull back from his hair enough to see.]
... Is this okay?
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Then, all "it" is, is the warmth of Purple pressed into his hair and their arms around him. Nothing catastrophic or uncomfortable about it. It's not even as awkward as Duval was expecting it to be.
It's - ]
It's nice. It's actually not so bad at all, is it?
[Purple will feel him relax in their hold.]
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[In fact, they'd have to agree that it's nice. Really nice. Being able to just hold someone like this - someone they know they can trust beyond a shadow of a doubt - is wonderful, of course, but more than that...
The warmth and weight of someone else in their arms, someone who trusts them this much, gets something in their chest to tighten.
And without thinking about it too much more, Purple buries their face in his hair again.]
... I know you asked that I stop doing this as much as I have, but -
Thank you. Sincerely.
[Their voice is hushed, saying as much, and there's a gentle heaviness to it that suggests this is a bit more than just a hug to them.]
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[He breathes a quiet, humorous huff.]
I've never been held like this, either. [It never made sense for Kenta to hold him from behind due to their size difference and his sister holding him like this just simply wasn't appropriate
lol.] I didn't think I'd ever want to be.[But he'd be... more than okay with doing this again with Purple. Hopefully that will be clear in how Duval lays his hands over Purple's.]
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I had given up affection long ago. It seemed so trivial compared to what I had to contend with, acting as a servant to someone like Gold Pig...
Perhaps I felt as though I was "above" it. Or, perhaps I felt I was undeserving.
I do not know.
But I do know that I'm happy I have been given the chance to try.