maskormenacelogs | FANPORT OVERFLOW LOG

That's all right. It gives me more time to catch up.

[ Still, he can't hide how pleased he is with the whole affair. Him getting presents from a suitor is just delightfully novel, over and above getting them from Gregor in particular. ]

[ They eventually get home and dump their detritus from the convention, merch and all, haphazardly on the main table to sort out later. Everyone else is still out, fortunately, them having abandoned ship early; Gregor really would prefer not to have an audience for this.

He turns to Miles, finally. ] I feel as if I should have a much more properly romantic reveal for this, [ he says apologetically. ]

[ Miles' buzzing anticipation turns a bit nervous at that. Was he hoping it would be romantic? He's really not sure. With an inelegant little hop, he sits on the table so he's loosely eye level with Gregor (or at least not quite so far down.) ]

Go on, then. You're just keeping me in suspense at this point.

[ Oh, well, he can't resist that temptation, now that he doesn't have to. Gregor almost swoops in to kiss him, taking his time about it, thorough and tender.

He uses that intermission to pull a ring box out of his jacket pocket, open it, and pull the ring inside it out. Should Miles prove sufficiently distracted with kissing, he's hoping to get all the way through hooking the clasp for the silver chain around his neck, letting the ring itself thump softly to his breastbone before breaking away and letting him look.

It's a narrow band of brushed black titanium with a strip of lighter gray through it, but the inside is a familiar rose gold, with a tiny Vorbarra circlet of olive leaves around a VB engraved on the interior.

Quietly, ] It's one of the tracking ones. So I can find you.

[ The gesture prompts a deep sense of satisfaction from Miles. God, ever since he'd figured out his own feelings about Gregor, he'd had much the same impulse every time he'd hopped up somewhere. Add that to the fact they've gone all day without kissing and he's more than a little enthusiastic about it. Distracted enough by Gregor's face (and mouth) that he doesn't notice the chain until the ring drops into place.

Then, quite abruptly, he stares at it. There's a part of him that's rather relieved that it's just a tracking ring and not, say, an engagement ring. For once in his life Miles isn't ready for a proposal. He turns the ring over in his hands, admiring the color scheme and craftsmanship even before he gets to the crest on the interior. Oh. That's ... A swell of feeling rises up in him, grateful and overwhelmed. ]

It's beautiful, Gregor.

[ Having spent the whole day teasing each other mentally hasn't left Gregor unaffected either, and it's not until he's kissing Miles and, as he's pulling away, leaving him wrapped loosely in his arms that he fully appreciates how hard it'd been to restrain himself all day. Honeymoon period indeed.

He's warmed and relieved that the ring appears to be having the effect he'd intended. Gregor had thought it over hard before deciding it was just the right proportion of gesture, demonstrating just enough intent and not too much... Almost but not quite a promise of more, left inexplicit... ]

I thought-- you could wear it like this. [ He finds himself incapable of saying, At least for now, because. No. Too much. Instead, softly: ] I'm glad you like it.

[ Miles leans back up to kiss him again, lightly. Quick and affectionate. ]

Yes ... yes, I think so. [ He also mentally adds For now, though not in so many words, and not precisely directed at Gregor. A feeling, instead. He turns the ring over in his hands so as to see it from every angle. ] And practical too, given everything else going on.

Yes. Some piece of reassurance.

[ He draws back enough to let his hands settle on Miles's waist comfortably, leaving enough distance to speak. ]

You asked me for something with my crest on it.

And you've outdone yourself, as always.

[ He keeps turning the ring in his hand, awed. ]

I really am going to have to catch up...

... Don't strain yourself.

Now I wonder if you're ever going to put it down.

Only after I've had my fill of it. That could take a while, you know.

That's what it's there for. [ Slightly bemused, but pleased, too. This is only Gregor's second time giving someone a token and in this sense, Kitty and Miles are very, very different. ]

Feel free to show it off to all and sundry, [ he teases. ]

You laugh, but I might very well do that ...

[ It's another layer of feeling claimed - of having proof right here in his hands that Gregor wants him. It's still an electrifying truth to contemplate. He may never truly get used to it. ]

[ Truly, for all Miles's previous promiscuity, Gregor has no concerns whatsoever about him cheating. He's so blatantly taken with the idea of being, well, taken. Gregor suspects he might well get more satisfaction out of being off the market than he'd ever had sleeping with people. ]

I'll let you take care of all that. [ Gregor shakes his head. He's never been one to broadcast anything. ] The only people that matter to me about this already know.

[ Oh yes. Infinitely more satisfied with being taken. Especially when it involves waking up next to Gregor in the morning ... Reluctantly, he finally lets the ring fall slack on its chain, but that doesn't stop him from continuing to peek down at it. ]

Is there anyone we haven't told yet? Father knew about my feelings, but not that we were actually together ...

[ Miles's continued fixation on it is gradually becoming less humorous and more touching. Gregor places a quick kiss on his forehead, impulsively, to focus his attention before answering. ]

Tex and Captain Galeni, I think, are the principals yet to be informed. Unless you haven't told Lieutenant Kirk. And I expect Lucy would like to be told as well, and Nicolas, if he's going to be working for us so closely...

[ Gregor is absolutely hoping to foist all of these social duties off on Miles if he can.

A pause, before he adds blandly, ] Perhaps we can just not tell Ivan.

Edited 2016-04-25 23:13 (UTC)

[ Gregor might think of it as social duties; Miles feels much more like he's bragging. And thus relishes it greatly. His eyes half-close as he leans into Gregor's kiss with a small flare of warmth. ]

I've already told Jim. Tex may know, but hasn't been told ... I can take care of the rest, if you like.

[ And then. A pause. ]

Except Ivan. Dear god, the groaning on that one ...

Edited 2016-04-25 23:16 (UTC)

[ Told Jim already. Of course. Yet that thought has none of the sting to it it once would have had, and Gregor is merely left thinking that Tex might shoot them if they leave her out of the loop, given how often she serves as bodyguard.

Gregor looks doleful and put upon. ] As I said, let's just not, [ he suggests succinctly. ] As long as you stop short of putting out a bulletin, you can deal with the rest.

What, you don't want me to post it all over the network? For shame, Gregor.

[ Completely teasing at that. Miles likes being public ... but not that public. ]

[ A wry look. ]

I'm going to thoroughly enjoy our relationship being no one's business but our own-- and Kitty's. [ Since, obviously, that wouldn't be the case on Barrayar. ]

I suppose that's fair enough. As long as I get to tell some people.

Tell who you like, I swear, [ he assures him. After a hesitation: ] I hope you know it's not my intention to hide you. I'm not ashamed.

[ Which is a loaded word to use and he knows it. Part of Gregor's reluctance to confess had been having to reach a point where he could say that confidently, that he's not ashamed of Miles or himself for their relationship. Even on Barrayar. He couldn't do that to him. ]

[ Miles may not have all of the context for that statement, but he's got enough to appreciate it, at least. His grin turns shy for a moment, and he reaches to take Gregor's hand. ]

I'm glad, Gregor. [ A pause. ] I know that isn't easy for you.

[ He clasps hands gratefully, his voice turning low and a little rough. ]

It seems ridiculous to me. It's not as if I don't know better. I grew up with your mother same as you. [ And the character of Miles's own difficulties realizing his sexuality seem different to Gregor than his own... ]

That doesn't mean we grew up the same. You had different shadows to escape from.

[ Same as Miles, really. At last he didn't have a specific monster in the form of Serg, only the diffuse and looming shadow of Barrayar. ]

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