we are the cursed we came from fire and ice

[advancements]

(catchall for camilla's and xander's adventures through fódlan!)

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[begalta]

Alright, alright, maybe it is. But I'm not about to let you pull one over on me! Seeing someone as dignified as you red as a tomato is the real rarity here.

[...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.)]

[nobiliteased]

[He helps Claude to his feet and then for a brief moment, Lorenz ends up standing there, simply holding Claude's hand. This is the sort of thing he would be teased mercilessly for and he knows he should pull away and lead Claude outside to somewhere less crowded but he's suddenly struck with the realization that he is in way over his head.

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.]