Give me your promise. [He answers her clasped hands with his own squeezed tight.] Promise that if you ever come to harm, you will call on me. I will not hesitate to come for you, no matter how this war draws its dividing lines.
Because she believes in trying to keep them, always.]
I will promise.
But know that I will do what I can, to warn you, should anything come your way. And if you need shelter, escape, that you call on me. I will do what I can within my power to help you.
[She removes one hand from his, and brings it to rest on his cheek, a thumb ghosting over his cheekbone, pale eyes looking into his.]
I am no fragile thing, Dorian.
[She has withstood more than he could know.]
But very few have ever showed such care for me, as you do.
A smile fights grief at the corner of his lips. His eyes gain the shine of water. Dorian is still ill-prepared to mask his emotions, and in this moment, they are too much.]
I would that the whole world realized what value you have, worthy of all the care that can be offered.
[It is not the first time Dorian has been kissed, not the first time he has been kissed at a moment of vulnerability, when he was not expecting it. And it isn't the first time he has felt the vulnerability of the woman kissing him in return. Perhaps that is why it is easy to him to answer back. His hands seek her face to hold, and they don't leave when his mouth breaks away.]
[His eyes search, brows drawn, lips on the edge of hope or despair. Does she mean it? Does she feel as he does? He doesn't know, and he is trying to find in her expression an answer.]
No one kisses her, as Dorian does. The past, the future one... there is always a spark there. The thing within her stirs, asking for more. But it's dull, not understanding what Dorian is, as he isn't the same as the one before.
And that is for the best.
So when the kiss breaks, and he frowns, Vanessa reaches up a hand, using her thumb to gently rub away the frowning brows.]
That look does not suit you.
[No, not at all. She isn't sure what he is looking for. But she wants so desperately to believe in him. That he can become a better man than the one she knows. It's what she so desperately needs.]
[For his own sake, more than anything, he tries to smile, to joke,] You did once tell me you had no concern for scandal.
[He never would have said such a thing a month ago, but then, he is not who he was a month ago. He has lived since then. One hand slips, but only to her shoulder. His eyes are open with their innocence, but with desire, too. He cares for Vanessa in a great many ways.]
I should like to kiss you again, Miss Ives. If you would permit it.
[He speaks now with a certain care, wanting to express himself. Wanting her to know.] I am not afraid of rejection, Miss Ives. Vanessa. I am not now, even, particularly afraid of offence, not as I was at home. But . . .
[And it stops him then, because he doesn't know the words or the idea. He can't formulate it in a way that seems to convey what he means. He tries again, but more halting.] But I think sometimes . . . not with you, of course, never, but—but sometimes, when one is kissed, and one isn't expecting it—when one doesn't welcome it—it . . . the feeling is of fear, sickness. A kind of pain. Even if it passes a moment later, even if you come to welcome the embrace.
[His fingers curl in, move over her shoulders in an unthought gesture. He feels suddenly anxious about being so exposed.] I swore not to let you come to harm. I would never wish to give you cause for pain in the expression of my own affections for you. If even only for a second you associated my touch with a sickness, I would not forgive myself.
[Dorian Gray smiles again. It is a return to all the promise of youth and innocence, a relief in breath and lips.]
Thank you.
[For both things. With promise he kisses her, the expression sweeter in the softening of surprise and desperation, in its return to the purity that his portrait preserves. The same purity marks his laugh when he draws back and ducks his head.]
I always knew my uncle would not approve of me courting a woman of a Catholic family, although I can't say I would care for his injunction. I imagine there would be even more disapproval that I bring my suit to a woman across enemy lines. It will be a great task, being discrete.
Fortunately, the hand of time has gotten to him before you could. [Not a flinch of sorrow at it: Dorian never liked his uncle, and frankly, he is happy to be out from under his control. He is certain he and Isadora are better off without that man as guardian.
He follows her glance, and conscious, he draws back.] Yes. And nor should I. [With a whistle, he calls Íde; the mist horse swoops down, covered in the snow she has been rolling in, and prancing over to her master's side. Mostly so she can shake off the snow in his face.
Dusting the snow off, he doesn't notice the way that Íde refuses to get too close to Vanessa, always eyeing her warily, ready to kick off into the sky and run at a moment's notice.
Dorian takes hold of Vanessa's hands again. Too happy, too smitten, he can think only of his affection for her.] We'll speak again, soon, I hope? You need only contact me through the stone. Tell me the place and I will come to you.
[Vanessa squeezes his hand, and after one more moment (ignoring the horse, she misses riding horses, but she won't have much of a chance to do that again), she moves to pull Dorian into a hug breathing him in. She releases him, and nods.]
Of course. The same for you. I will find a way for you to reach me, if I can not reach out.
[He presses his forehead to hers one moment before drawing away.] Be safe.
[And with that, Dorian mounts Íde, who does not wait even a moment before she takes to the air to get away from Vanessa. But as eager as the horse is to escape, Dorian wishes he could have stayed, and lingered in that moment eternally.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2015-01-14 05:37 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-01-14 05:49 am (UTC)It is not an easy promise for her to make.
Because she believes in trying to keep them, always.]
I will promise.
But know that I will do what I can, to warn you, should anything come your way. And if you need shelter, escape, that you call on me. I will do what I can within my power to help you.
[She removes one hand from his, and brings it to rest on his cheek, a thumb ghosting over his cheekbone, pale eyes looking into his.]
I am no fragile thing, Dorian.
[She has withstood more than he could know.]
But very few have ever showed such care for me, as you do.
[Even her Dorian has not.]
no subject
Date: 2015-01-15 10:53 pm (UTC)A smile fights grief at the corner of his lips. His eyes gain the shine of water. Dorian is still ill-prepared to mask his emotions, and in this moment, they are too much.]
I would that the whole world realized what value you have, worthy of all the care that can be offered.
no subject
Date: 2015-01-18 03:19 am (UTC)[She says the words quietly, as if she sees something sad in his words, that he doesn't understand.]
I care not for the whole world. I'll be happy enough for your esteem.
[For now. And with that, she leans forward, and presses her lips to his.]
no subject
Date: 2015-01-18 04:34 am (UTC)[His eyes search, brows drawn, lips on the edge of hope or despair. Does she mean it? Does she feel as he does? He doesn't know, and he is trying to find in her expression an answer.]
no subject
Date: 2015-01-18 04:41 am (UTC)No one kisses her, as Dorian does. The past, the future one... there is always a spark there. The thing within her stirs, asking for more. But it's dull, not understanding what Dorian is, as he isn't the same as the one before.
And that is for the best.
So when the kiss breaks, and he frowns, Vanessa reaches up a hand, using her thumb to gently rub away the frowning brows.]
That look does not suit you.
[No, not at all. She isn't sure what he is looking for. But she wants so desperately to believe in him. That he can become a better man than the one she knows. It's what she so desperately needs.]
no subject
Date: 2015-01-18 04:51 am (UTC)Do I suit you, Miss Ives?
no subject
Date: 2015-01-18 04:58 am (UTC)[She can't make light; because she doesn't. It isn't what she does.
But still--]
You do, Mr. Gray. More than you know.
[More than he could ever fathom.]
no subject
Date: 2015-01-18 05:12 am (UTC)[He never would have said such a thing a month ago, but then, he is not who he was a month ago. He has lived since then. One hand slips, but only to her shoulder. His eyes are open with their innocence, but with desire, too. He cares for Vanessa in a great many ways.]
I should like to kiss you again, Miss Ives. If you would permit it.
no subject
Date: 2015-01-18 05:16 am (UTC)[But still, she gives a slight nod, a small flash of a smile across her face.]
Do not ask me; you should try, and risk rejection. Take the bolder step.
And you did gain permission to use my true name...
no subject
Date: 2015-01-18 05:29 am (UTC)[And it stops him then, because he doesn't know the words or the idea. He can't formulate it in a way that seems to convey what he means. He tries again, but more halting.] But I think sometimes . . . not with you, of course, never, but—but sometimes, when one is kissed, and one isn't expecting it—when one doesn't welcome it—it . . . the feeling is of fear, sickness. A kind of pain. Even if it passes a moment later, even if you come to welcome the embrace.
[His fingers curl in, move over her shoulders in an unthought gesture. He feels suddenly anxious about being so exposed.] I swore not to let you come to harm. I would never wish to give you cause for pain in the expression of my own affections for you. If even only for a second you associated my touch with a sickness, I would not forgive myself.
That is why I asked.
no subject
Date: 2015-01-19 12:14 am (UTC)[Meaning that he doesn't need to explain. If there was any doubt that this Dorian was not the one she knew...his speech, now, is high proof.
It calms something in her, settles her more than before. She is sure of this.]
I would tell you, if you ever did anything like that.
So yes, you can kiss me again, Dorian.
no subject
Date: 2015-01-19 02:28 am (UTC)Thank you.
[For both things. With promise he kisses her, the expression sweeter in the softening of surprise and desperation, in its return to the purity that his portrait preserves. The same purity marks his laugh when he draws back and ducks his head.]
I always knew my uncle would not approve of me courting a woman of a Catholic family, although I can't say I would care for his injunction. I imagine there would be even more disapproval that I bring my suit to a woman across enemy lines. It will be a great task, being discrete.
no subject
Date: 2015-01-19 02:45 am (UTC)She hasn't felt like this in ages. In truth, she knows she shouldn't do this. This is reckless; it is against all she has asserted herself towards.
But yet, she can't help but give in. Let her have this one indulgence. Just one.]
Well, being both Catholic and Unseelie, I am sure I would mortify him to death. [she is sadly good at that.]
And yes, it will. But with myself in control of a Spire, there may be ways.
[She glances back towards the main group, who are just through the trees.]
I'm afraid I can't tarry much longer.
no subject
Date: 2015-01-19 03:41 am (UTC)He follows her glance, and conscious, he draws back.] Yes. And nor should I. [With a whistle, he calls Íde; the mist horse swoops down, covered in the snow she has been rolling in, and prancing over to her master's side. Mostly so she can shake off the snow in his face.
Dusting the snow off, he doesn't notice the way that Íde refuses to get too close to Vanessa, always eyeing her warily, ready to kick off into the sky and run at a moment's notice.
Dorian takes hold of Vanessa's hands again. Too happy, too smitten, he can think only of his affection for her.] We'll speak again, soon, I hope? You need only contact me through the stone. Tell me the place and I will come to you.
no subject
Date: 2015-01-19 04:21 am (UTC)Of course. The same for you. I will find a way for you to reach me, if I can not reach out.
no subject
Date: 2015-01-19 05:56 am (UTC)[And with that, Dorian mounts Íde, who does not wait even a moment before she takes to the air to get away from Vanessa. But as eager as the horse is to escape, Dorian wishes he could have stayed, and lingered in that moment eternally.]