splitmemory | training buddies

I'd forgive you. Maybe. As long as I didn't end up in the infirmary.

[ Inside the little box, is something of an art that Epel was known for: an apple carving, this one specifically in the shape of a rose. ]

That's... my apology.

[ A soft murmur, an explanation that's most likely unnecessary. ]

Heh..... how very generous of you.

[Rook takes the apple out to hold up to the light and admire. The bright healthy gleam of its skin, the delicately carved petals, the clean lines that betray the confidence and skill needed for such clever and steady hands.... It really is something special, to see the beauty in the heart of even something so simple and seemingly mundane, and be able to bring it to life through talent and hard work.]

Oh..... it's beautiful! Thank you, Monsieur Pommette. But you know you have nothing to apologize for, don't you?

[ As Rook takes the apple out, Epel's hands finally pull back from his shoulders, settling back by his sides. He watches closely, almost with bated breath, hoping that it was enough to add to the not-so-little confession he'd offered Rook mere minutes before.

Nothing to apologize for? ]

It was my carelessness that... allowed for the situation that arose the other night to happen at all. You took care to ensure I was alright and instead of thanking you... I made you have the same disgusting taste in your mouth as me. That was a consequence only I should've been dealing with.

... Now you can have a much sweeter taste.

Heheheh..... Oh, Monsieur Pommette, there's no need to blame yourself. Almost everyone falls for that trick, didn't you know? Ask nearly any second or third year, and they'll probably be still be mad about it.

I'd say a bit of a foul taste was well worth it, personally. Why don't we share this? Oh--but we should take a picture, first! Art so lovely deserves to be remembered.

[Just give him a second to dig out his phone and ambush poor Epel for a group selfie--]

Are you sure? You want to share...?

[ He'd love that. It's clear in the way he lights up, that cute little smile he flashes Rook. That is, until his phone is pulled out. He never knows how to pose for selfies. Must he?? Must he really? ]

Wait why do I have to be in it? Can't you just take a picture of the apple and leave me out? C'mon...!

[ Ducking under and away, Epel moves over to plop down on the edge of his own bed, crossing his arms. No thank you...!!! If Rook wants a picture that bad, he's going to have to pull him in so he can't move.

Which, he doesn't suggest aloud, because he's half sure Rook's already going to try. ]

Now, now, there's no need to be shy! Why not take pride in the beautiful art you've created?

[Guess who's plopping down on the bed to throw an arm around Epel's shoulders for the picture? He's beaming, the beautiful carving is angled properly towards the camera, Epel is pulled in close against his side--perfect!]

[ In true Epel fashion, he's clearly still surprised by the sudden arm around his shoulders, his eyes widening and-- well, doesn't that picture look just adorable, with how Epel gazes at Rook, how he looks so bashful and surprised, pressed up against Rook's side.

There you go, Rook, have your picture. Not that Epel's happy about it!!

Really, Rook's lucky...! That...!!!! He didn't take it back! Or try to steal his phone to delete the photo. ]

It isn't such a big deal.

[Oh, how precious. What a perfect photo! He'll treasure it for sure--and back it up, in case Epel gets the idea into his head later to try and delete it. Isn't it nice how he doesn't need to worry about the what next anymore?]

Au contraire, such skill and talent deserve to be celebrated! I'm confident in my own knifework, but I doubt I could manage such a feat--nor could anyone else I know, I suspect.

[Well..... maybe Silver? He's quite a formidable swordsman in his own right, isn't he? And one with far more patience and finesse than Sebek seems to have.]

I could teach you. If you wanted to learn.

[ A small offer, one made without hesitation, that shows just how genuine it is. The practice required would take weeks, months maybe... but with Rook's already existing knife skills, he might pick up on it easier than most could. ]

Or I could make more for you, when my family next sends more fruit my way. To share with you again... maybe.

Oh, learning sounds fun! Maybe I'll manage to make something for you too, eventually.

[It's only fair, right? If he's going to train Epel, Epel deserves to have the chance to be the expert sometimes, too. Isn't it nice to be able to share your talents and passions as a way of growing closer?]

[ With a nod in agreement, Epel carefully moves to lift the apple into his own hand. Leaning close to Rook, his chin tilted up towards him, he brings the apple to his lips. ]

C'mon, you have to take the first bite.

[ Pushy, pushy, now that he'd gotten through that little awkward confession he'd wanted to say, huh? ]

Oh là là, with an offer like that, how can I refuse?

[Adorable. Rook leans in to take a bite, licking his lips and humming in approval.]

Mmmm~ You're going to spoil me, you know. How will I ever be able to go back to normal apples after tasting Harveston's finest?

[ Epel can’t help but laugh at that comment, barely thinking through his response. ]

You’ll have to settle for me in the meantime, I guess. Might as well be hooked on all of Harveston’s finest goods.

[ With that little joke, he takes a bite himself, before offering it back to Rook. Once he swallows his bite, Epel seems to fully process the rather flirtatious joke he made, trying to hide the flush to his face by leaning in against Rook. ]

Ahahaha! I suppose I'll have to be, won't I? I hope you taste just as good.

[He certainly can't taste any worse than he did after drinking that potion, after all. Maybe don't look up from where you're hiding, Epel, you're going to see him eyeing you appraisingly.]

[ He’s about to comment, to say something else along the same lines, when he peeks up from his hiding spot. Those watchful eyes, looking him up and down, appraising him in such a hungry way. How is he supposed to keep his cheeks from burning?? To remember what he’d been about to say? ]

You… I’d say you should test it, but I just had some…

[ Can’t exactly test his taste when there’s the apple’s flavor rich on either of their tongues. ]

Unless you test it to the point where that flavor leaves my mouth.

[ Epel’s playing with fire and he knows it… a little. Halfway. ]

Mmmmm, should I? In that case, we'd better enjoy this to the fullest, first.

[Another bite, and Rook holds the apple up for Epel this time. How does Epel like the idea of anticipating being kissed senseless once they finish their little snack? He's already turned such a pretty shade of red.....]

[ Really, Epel should’ve expected a response like that. He stammers, unable to find the words to say anything coherent in response to that. Luckily, the offer of another bite distracts him long enough to dissipate the immediate flustered state. That doesn’t mean his face isn’t as red as the apple they’re sharing. Really, at this rate it would only be one or two more bites each before they finish.

The anticipation would have Epel squirming and shifting impatiently, but he’s trying to be so very good and proper. As much as he dislikes the rules, there were parts of them that he understood the reasoning behind by now. ]

… I think you should. What better way to learn what taste’ll hold you over while you wait for my family’s delivery?

[ He’s definitely flustered, but hey, he’s trying! How commendable. ]

[Is that a devious little smirk, seeing Epel floundering like this? Rook is clearly enjoying playing with Epel far too much while they finish their apple. Especially when he's doing such a good job clapping back!]

How true! I wonder, will you be just as sweet? Or perhaps you have a bit more bite to you.....

[ Poor sweet Epel, with his obvious embarrassment, the struggle to keep his reactions steady. His hands end up resting against his own knees, his fingers curling lightly against the fabric of his pants. His shoulders are tight, and it’s clear by the position that he’s flustered. He doesn’t want to wait, by this point. The anticipation is almost too much.

He can do this…! If Rook was going to have fun watching him stumble along, then he must give his senior a good show, right? ]

I might be more akin to a poisoned apple than this one. You might sink your teeth in and… realize all too late just how much of a bite I have.

[ Bringing one hand up to the back of Rook’s, he leads the other boy’s hand to Rook’s mouth, to lead him to take his final bite of the apple. At the same time, his body is turned to face Rook better, his opposite hand resting down against Rook’s thigh as if to keep himself steady. Just how much longer can Epel keep this up? … Not much. He’s used up almost all of his bravery for the day, obvious in the slight heaviness to his breathing, the redness of his face, the tension in his shoulders as he tries his best to not only match the energy but push it a few steps forward. ]

Edited 2024-08-21 16:59 (UTC)

I've heard the Fairest Queen's poison apple was an enchanting ruby red. I wonder if such a beautiful sight was simply irresistible, even if you knew not all was as it seemed?

[One last bite, and Rook reaches for his pen again; a quick gust of wind blowing the door shut. They could stand to have a little privacy, after all..... Just because most students are out enjoying their weekend doesn't mean everyone is gone.

And they don't want to be interrupted, do they? Not when a gloved hand settles to cover the daintier one on his thigh, and another reaches out to cradle one adorably reddened cheek. Not when he leans in ever so slowly to claim Epel's lips, and eagerly awaits this promised bite.]

[ His eyes focus closely on Rook as that hand settles over his own. Was he going to really just go for it? Like that? This seems like second nature to Rook, something he does so easily...

Still, Epel manages to relax enough to kiss back, bringing his other hand up to grasp his shoulder, tugging him closer. This time, it's Epel that begins to deepen that kiss so easily, his tongue tracing along Rook's bottom lip.

It almost seems like he's being gentle, that he was bluffing when he said he had any bite to him at all. That is, until he tilts his chin up further, deepening that kiss. His teeth catch Rook's bottom lip, hand moving up to tangle easily in Rook's hair. Following that bite is the sweetness again, coating the ache of the nip with such a gentle drag of his tongue. For someone with such little experience, it seems he'd at least been thinking about how he wanted this kiss to go. ]

[It's funny how far a bit of self-assurance can take you, isn't it? When he'd been in Epel's shoes, a fresh-faced first year, he doubts he ever could have done this. Unrestrained and unself-conscious as he was, he wasn't exactly afraid to reach out and get intimate..... But he hardly could have done so smoothly. He would have simply been operating on eagerness and instinct--not the grounding knowledge that he's attractive, that he's worth pursuing, that he's capable of enticing someone. He wouldn't have been ready to reflect on himself and the deliberately cultivate image he wants to present, or how to hone his skills in intimacy, emotional and physical alike.

And yet, already Epel is so bold! Rook graciously allows himself to be pulled closer, leans into the grip on his hair--but there's no mistaking the little physical startle of being nipped at. Rook chuckles quietly into the kiss, lips parting invitingly. Epel's proven his point, hasn't he? Go on, Mister Dominant, you've earned the opportunity to take the reins. Show him exactly what you want out of him, and they'll see just how far Rook is willing to indulge it.]

[ Having such confident boys around him at all times... well, how could they not rub off on Epel a little? Before the other night, Epel had been content to hide away the budding feelings, to ignore them until they went away. After that first kiss, he wanted more. The desire was inescapable then, making it difficult to think about anything but doing it over doing it right. No matter how embarrassing his inexperience could be, he'd get to that point!!!

And here he was. Rook's lips part and Epel wastes no time in slipping his tongue into the other boy's mouth, tentatively exploring him. Tasting his tongue on his own. He may have tried to start off strong, but he's quickly losing that bravery and courage of before, as he gets more distracted by the kiss. Even so, he pushes himself to shift closer, sitting up onto his knees to allow himself to lean in even further. He seems to want to get as close as he can, but he's hesitating.

At least he's trying to claim Rook's mouth, following the steps that Rook had shown him the other night. ]

Mmmm.....

[It's okay if Epel is stumbling on the dismount, when he's here to help keep the momentum going, isn't it? A hand on the small of Epel's back tugs him closer, all the better to pull Epel straight into his lap even if the younger man is hesitating. He's doing so well, already improving so much..... There's no need to stop just yet, is there? Rook is quick to tangle their tongues together, sighing encouragingly against Epel's lips as he coaxes him further.]

[ The small tug helps drag Epel into Rook’s lap, settling there, straddling him. This was comfortable, allowing his body to press up close to Rook’s. A soft noise resounds against the older man’s mouth and tongue, momentum easily regained. Just as he had the other night, Epel seems to be getting the hang of it the longer their mouths continue to move together. Both of his hands come down to Rook’s uniform, beginning to undo the rope and sash around him, the first step in getting him out of this uniform.

Would Rook let him take it that far? What about with the way Epel’s pressing their hips together, grinding down on him? The way he retracts his tongue only to nip at his lip again, pushing forward with a renewed intensity.

All he really needed was that little encouragement, in the form of Rook healing to pull him in. ]

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