King Xander of Nohr (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
advancements) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
sranks2019-09-23 03:02 am
advancements) wrote in sranks2019-09-23 03:02 am
advancements) wrote in sranks2019-09-23 03:02 am
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The landing isn't particularly painful, and he has a moment to be grateful he didn't hit his head. Then he's reminded that they did this in the middle of the dance floor, surrounded by an alarming number of their peers, and worst of all Claude is right here in his face.
Honestly, hitting his head would have been a mercy.
Lorenz has gone a shade of scarlet to match the rose that is (thankfully) still pinned to his suit and for a brief moment, embarrassment and horror mingle seamlessly within him, driving him to seriously consider a tactical retreat and doing that aforementioned screaming into his pillow anyway.
And then Claude opens his mouth and completely ruins (saves?) the moment and Lorenz is suddenly laughing.
It's not a short laugh, or even something pretending to be dignified. It's genuine amusement - hilarity, perhaps - and it gets his shoulders to shake and his head to fall back and Goddess, Claude is such an idiot.]
I'd go so far as to call it your stupidest idea! What made you think you could pull that off?
[And even though they're still sprawled on the ground (and Claude is so close, so much closer than he normally would be) there is nowhere in the world he'd rather be.
As their fellow students begin to move away or resume dancing, Lorenz only has eyes for Claude.]
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Honestly, Claude doesn't want to be anywhere else in the world. Lorenz is so close and the temptation to close that gap is right there in front of him, but more than anything, Claude only has eyes for Lorenz in this moment, even as his own face starts to redden and it's certainly the first time anyone's seen Claude flush.]
Hey now, you don't get ahead of the game without taking a few risks! I thought I'd up the stakes a bit in our little competition, and well, you can see how that turned out!
[Claude doesn't even know how he's managing to say all of that without laughing inbetween words, but he does manage to get it out and he's practically wheezing from laughter.]
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[But it sounds delighted instead of... well, anything else. Anything would probably be better than how gleeful he sounds when saying it, though it's admittedly followed by more laughter, so perhaps he can pretend that he's just finding the whole thing really funny. Maybe he can pretend that there isn't anything more to this. Maybe he can pretend that they're really just two friends who have tumbled to the floor in a moment of pure stupidity. Maybe he can ignore the tension that's still there, thicker than before, and maybe he can ignore the temptation to break it.]
I can take some solace in knowing that your pride has taken more your fall than I have, however.
[They're teasing words as the laughter dies down, though the amusement hasn't lessened any. Claude's still so close and he's positively blushing now, and that is completely and utterly unfair—]
I suppose the fall was worth it, if it managed to get you to flush. [He places a hand over his heart.] It is a sight I will take with me to my grave.
[It's supposed to remain teasing. It's supposed to be part of the ridiculous games they play, things that are fun and definitely not flirting.
But the words are entirely too sincere, and for once, Lorenz can't really say he minds it any.]
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[That much is said easily with no bite behind it, and even after the second bit, Claude is more than ready and willing to fire back--
But then Lorenz brings up the fact that he's flushed and suddenly, it feels like his whole throat has closed up. Him, flushing? Like some sort of child?]
Oh, you've gotta be kidding me...
[Ohhhhhh shit, why has his life suddenly taken this turn??? No, no, he can't let his charisma slip, he's gotta keep it up somehow, and that answer comes from looking at Lorenz's face--]
Yeah? Well, you're looking pretty rosy red yourself. I may just have to take that sight with me to the grave and beyond, just for that!
[...That's perhaps surprisingly genuine too, because he doesn't want to forget this sight. As much as Claude tries to hide it behind an amused expression of his own, he's pretty sure his heart's gonna thump out of his chest.
Claude von Riegan may have sincerely miscalculated.]
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[He hasn't missed the way Claude needed a moment, however brief it was. And he does want to keep teasing, to see just how far he can push Claude. He wants to see how far that blush spreads, to see just how red he can make Claude, and that...
That isn't the sort of thing he should be doing here in public, where so many people can see them. It's improper, though more importantly, it looks like Claude is genuinely a bit flustered with this. He's recovering well enough, certainly, but it would be exceptionally rude to continue this and risk upsetting him or genuinely embarrassing him.]
...Though I suppose it is a bit warm in here... Shall we step out for a moment?
[He moves to stand, brushing himself off and adjusting his suit as he does. Of course Lorenz doesn't want to move from their proximity on the floor, but this is for the best. It'll give them both a chance to recover and that's probably what they need most right now. If they want to do anything about this tension, then it shouldn't be in front of so many sets of eyes.
After a moment of thought, he holds out a hand for Claude. Not that Claude needs his help to stand, but it would be rude to do otherwise.
(And maybe he just wants the contact.)]
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[...Of course, shortly after, Claude's flush does start getting worse and he wants nothing more than to peel himself off of Lorenz and flee the scene with a modicum of dignity intact. Even the slightest bit would be nice? Lorenz isn't about to give it to him, he's sure, but he's getting more and more flustered and--]
...You know what, it is getting pretty warm in here. [claude that's just because your face is hot enough to be used as a portable heater] Yeah, let's get out of here.
[Claude gets up shortly after, and he isn't sure what to do with Lorenz's hand when he offers it to him so easily, but...well, it takes a second or two, but Claude takes it gladly. Lorenz is bound to know the best place to step out for a moment and...do whatever...
(Maybe Claude just wants the contact too.)]
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Being alone with Claude right now will either help tremendously or hurt tremendously, and he has no idea which way it will go. He doesn't exactly think Claude is cruel enough to hurt him intentionally, but Claude has his secrets and he has no idea what to expect from them. For all he knows, Claude is entirely too dumb to realize Lorenz's... interest in him. He has no idea where this will go and he's suddenly seized with fear that he doesn't want to know.
Maybe the tension is just fine where it is. Maybe it's best not to ever think about it again. Honestly, that's starting to sound tempting the longer he stares at Claude.
...Oh, right, he should... probably move... Lorenz quickly pulls away and turns, leading Claude out and toward the gardens. It's hopefully good enough to hide how he's somehow getting even more red.
The gardens are empty - though they aren't far from the dining hall, there aren't many students here at this time. The dance is still in full swing, so most people aren't out here. If any are out and about, they're undoubtedly headed toward the Goddess Tower, which is exactly why Lorenz doesn't try to lead Claude there. That sort of thing - making a wish at the Goddess Tower and the rumors associated with it - would be a little... much, he thinks. The last thing he wants to do is frighten Claude into shutting him out entirely.
Because for as many secrets as Claude keeps, he's remarkably open about how he keeps people at arms' length. If he's let Lorenz in this much, then the least Lorenz can do is to be careful with him.]
Ah, it truly is a nice night...
[It's mostly to break the silence as he pauses, not far from the gazebo. He knows Claude is still following him, but it's mostly just pointless words to try to reset the mood to something a little less... embarrassing, perhaps.]