[ the air around them seems to grow hot and heady, charged with something that timothy laughlin hasn't felt before in an encounter like this. were they out on the streets, in one of the many pubs or shanties, he might try to form something out of it. he might try and press and prod and earnestly seek the sensation at its source. but here? here he can do nothing but blink in wonder at the man, taking his dirty hand with ease and rising back up to his feet.
there's a press of his fingers as their hands part for the sake of propriety, but they stand closer now than they had but moments ago. other nobles and counselors might balk at having the remnants of blood, dirt and sweat on their own hands, but it's familiar to tim. it always will be.
but there's a smirk on hawk's face, an appraisal made in the cool blue of his eyes and tim wonders if the bath water may be warm enough already for such a man. he can feel the way the heat settles in his cheeks, the way it creeps slowly to his ears as that same filthy hand from before delicately twines his hair to fit within the clip. it is perfect - how he knew the height, the placement, everything, to keep the loose curls from falling across his brow when he reads, tim can't help but marvel.
he should not be considering how those hands might feel in his own, or tangled into the curls instead of the clip. this man will be princess lucy's husband, will be king. he is not some piece of meat to seek out, though as hawk's eyes drag over him from head to toe, he finds the thought escaping him altogether. ]
You're very kind.
[ he smiles on a little, baffled huff, a hand reaching to touch the clip and feel the way it's settled. hawkins fuller has wooed many a woman before, if this is how easily he manages accessories like this. it's what he must tell himself to cool the heat that has begun to creep toward the line of his throat. they stand so close still, and the honey brown of his own eyes finally lifts to hawk's face. ]
Mm. You are no enemy of the Crown, my lord. [ there's an honest urgency there, and he shakes his head, a hand reaching to steady against his forearm to emphasize his point. ] And should anyone make such accusations, you inform me immediately. It is your doing that bloodshed has stopped, a ceasefire called and although the circumstances may be complicated, I assure you that the Crown is grateful for what you have done.
[ he shakes his head and pulls his hand back then, smiling a little sheepishly, shaking his head. ]
I forget myself. My apologies. I - yes, your bath. I will join you, of course - and you may utilize me at your will. King Smith has asked I be your advisor, to help you learn the ways of our court and to assist you in anything you may need here.
[ he takes a half step back to round hawk toward the large bathing pool that settles in the back center of the room. it's covered by gauzy, expensive drapery, allowing the light to filter in from broad, clear glass in the ceiling above. tim always loved these rooms, and when he first arrived in the castle as a young man, he'd dreamt about a room like this, with its wide, expensive bed and filling the whole room with shelves of books and artwork.
his accommodations are meager and humble - he's been given everything out of generosity by the king himself, of course, and he would never complain. but the romantic in him loves the elegance of this room with its wide windows and hearth, the bright ceiling looking upon the sky in day and night. tim thinks, suddenly, he will have to ask the court decorator to be sure there are vibrant flowers in here, fresh and hand arranged every week.
hawk may not like them - he'll have to ask. but it would be a beautiful backdrop to the cool darkness of a man such as he. ]
Come. There's a changing screen, should you wish it and I will of course keep your privacy until you are well and settled. Bath oils and soaps on the edge, and ah - let me stoke the flames a moment yes? It will warm up by the time you're ready.
[ he smiles sweetly, settling down his papers and journal to one side before he traverses to a small, built in furnace burning off to one side. scooping the fabric of his robes behind him and pushing his sleeves to his elbows, he bends, unknowingly revealing more of the strong line of his thigh as he uses an iron poker to stoke the embers so he may add another log. ]
If there are scents you prefer, or things you need, please you must just tell me. I want you to be comfortable here.
no subject
there's a press of his fingers as their hands part for the sake of propriety, but they stand closer now than they had but moments ago. other nobles and counselors might balk at having the remnants of blood, dirt and sweat on their own hands, but it's familiar to tim. it always will be.
but there's a smirk on hawk's face, an appraisal made in the cool blue of his eyes and tim wonders if the bath water may be warm enough already for such a man. he can feel the way the heat settles in his cheeks, the way it creeps slowly to his ears as that same filthy hand from before delicately twines his hair to fit within the clip. it is perfect - how he knew the height, the placement, everything, to keep the loose curls from falling across his brow when he reads, tim can't help but marvel.
he should not be considering how those hands might feel in his own, or tangled into the curls instead of the clip. this man will be princess lucy's husband, will be king. he is not some piece of meat to seek out, though as hawk's eyes drag over him from head to toe, he finds the thought escaping him altogether. ]
You're very kind.
[ he smiles on a little, baffled huff, a hand reaching to touch the clip and feel the way it's settled. hawkins fuller has wooed many a woman before, if this is how easily he manages accessories like this. it's what he must tell himself to cool the heat that has begun to creep toward the line of his throat. they stand so close still, and the honey brown of his own eyes finally lifts to hawk's face. ]
Mm. You are no enemy of the Crown, my lord. [ there's an honest urgency there, and he shakes his head, a hand reaching to steady against his forearm to emphasize his point. ] And should anyone make such accusations, you inform me immediately. It is your doing that bloodshed has stopped, a ceasefire called and although the circumstances may be complicated, I assure you that the Crown is grateful for what you have done.
[ he shakes his head and pulls his hand back then, smiling a little sheepishly, shaking his head. ]
I forget myself. My apologies. I - yes, your bath. I will join you, of course - and you may utilize me at your will. King Smith has asked I be your advisor, to help you learn the ways of our court and to assist you in anything you may need here.
[ he takes a half step back to round hawk toward the large bathing pool that settles in the back center of the room. it's covered by gauzy, expensive drapery, allowing the light to filter in from broad, clear glass in the ceiling above. tim always loved these rooms, and when he first arrived in the castle as a young man, he'd dreamt about a room like this, with its wide, expensive bed and filling the whole room with shelves of books and artwork.
his accommodations are meager and humble - he's been given everything out of generosity by the king himself, of course, and he would never complain. but the romantic in him loves the elegance of this room with its wide windows and hearth, the bright ceiling looking upon the sky in day and night. tim thinks, suddenly, he will have to ask the court decorator to be sure there are vibrant flowers in here, fresh and hand arranged every week.
hawk may not like them - he'll have to ask. but it would be a beautiful backdrop to the cool darkness of a man such as he. ]
Come. There's a changing screen, should you wish it and I will of course keep your privacy until you are well and settled. Bath oils and soaps on the edge, and ah - let me stoke the flames a moment yes? It will warm up by the time you're ready.
[ he smiles sweetly, settling down his papers and journal to one side before he traverses to a small, built in furnace burning off to one side. scooping the fabric of his robes behind him and pushing his sleeves to his elbows, he bends, unknowingly revealing more of the strong line of his thigh as he uses an iron poker to stoke the embers so he may add another log. ]
If there are scents you prefer, or things you need, please you must just tell me. I want you to be comfortable here.