in the spring we climbed the rolling hills and talked about our budding plans

[discretion]

Who: Franz (discretion) & Daedalus (gaveherwings)
When: 4/19, some time after 3PM
Where: Versaid Lake
Summary: Franz wanted to go look at the flowers and hold hands. Daedalus obliges.
Warnings: This log may give you allergies, or was it cavities? Will warn as necessary.

[Franz sits on one of the benches near the lake, waiting for Daedalus. Somehow, little meetings like this always hearken back to the earlier days of their relationship - making some pre-arranged, innocuous meeting, greeting each other as friends and continuing the illusion. Maybe that's why he entertains a stupid, private romantic fantasy of just walking, holding hands - because they can now, and it's their right to.

There are flowers blossoming fragrantly all over the place. The warmth of spring is starting to show, and Franz is wearing only a light jacket over his cotton button-down. Casual, for him. He finds his spirits lifted, in spite of the worry and depression that's often furrowed his brow. He's looking forward to this. Nothing too particularly special, when it gets right down to it. But it's nice, isn't it? Anticipation for a sweetheart, maybe, more so than a lover at this exact moment.

It's juvenile, but it makes him smile a little, admiring the lacy sight of branches against sky.]

Comments

[gaveherwings]

That's...the Earl Grey tea smell, right? Bergamot?

[Daedalus is still aware of boundaries out in the open, and maybe that's why he doesn't place his hands at Franz's side, or around his middle- he'd certainly like to, but there's a certain pleasure in restraint of the urge.

He lets Franz lean, though, looking down at the flowers...his first association with 'elegant and white' are still consumed in memories young Re-l, joyfully scattering camellia petals around the regent's courtyards...and of Monad too, white-winged and beautiful.

It adds a melancholic layer to the happiness of this moment, but it doesn't overshadow the pleasant feeling of being here and now with Franz.]

It's a public park, but that wouldn't surprise.

[discretion]

Exactly! Bergamot is also a very popular base scent in colognes.

[Though Franz won't admit it, the white puts him in mind of weddings, and the recent conversation he had with Kurt about engagement.

He wants lilies at his wedding, someday, he thinks, though not white ones. Maybe tiger lilies, and white roses that smell of lemon, and rhododendrons...]

Someone must take care of this place. I'm surprised the city has money enough for it. Or maybe all the rich folks of the neighborhood donate to keep it in good care...

[gaveherwings]

[Daedalus shrugs, as if admitting that Franz would know much better than he would.

Versaid Lake is certainly one of the nicer places in the city, rumors of a monster in its depths true or not. The footpaths and gardens are enjoyable.]

Maintenance budget is determined by Sector property tax... isn't that right? [He reasons- not that it's a very good way to divide administrative spending. Districts in Romdeau never showed such stark divide between haves and have nots (discounting the immigrants. Everyone else lived well.)] So... Sector 6 would have a significantly larger budget to work with.

[discretion]

Right. Just like Paris. Right down to the snobs who will give you a dirty look for not being dressed up enough to go to the damned park...! [Sufficiently amused by the flowers at the moment, Franz continues down the path, pulling Daedalus with him by the hand.]

[gaveherwings]

Well in that case, I should have just stayed in my scrubs!

[He teases in the way of social defiance, keeping pace with a bright laugh.]

I don't mind dirty looks- I get enough of them just for being a newcomer doctor.

[discretion]

They're just jealous of you. They wish they could be as brilliant and full of achievement as you are, and you did it all without a silver spoon in your mouth. [More like a creepy steel feeding tube, with how Romdeau was, but in spite of Daedalus being pushed to do his very best, Franz isn't sure his lover's upbringing is truly an advantage. There's still a lot about society he doesn't know, or understand.]

[gaveherwings]

Oh, you didn't know? [He shrugs airly, stepping ahead to clasp hands coyly behind his back.] I was called 'the Prince of Romdeau', if only in jest.

There's really nothing to be jealous about. I was made to be as I am. There's little to be said for the things I decided to do on my own.

In any case, here it just holds up because all the medicine and procedure is so primitive. Of course they think I'm advanced!

[discretion]

You're still excelling in spite of being a newcomer, and that dries them crazy! [Franz laughs, hurrying to catch up.] If you're a prince and I'm a Baron, that means I should be at your service! Loyalty to the throne! [He stops to do an exaggerated little bow in front of Daedalus.]

[gaveherwings]

Well, it probably drives them crazy with you, too, that a newcomer's running for office, and running management up at a place like Lion's Gate.

[The mischief winds to a halt when Franz is mock-bowing in his presence, though- Daedalus reaches for his chin and lifts his head up, leaning in for a brief peck on the lips, right in the middle of the sunny sidewalk.]

Aha- but you're a real Baron.

[discretion]

[The way that Franz's glow brightens might not be immediately noticeable in that patch of sun, but it's obvious in the sudden lightness he carries himself, the pink on his cheeks, the way he's both so surprised and happy he doesn't immediately respond.

And when he does, he clears his throat shyly then slips his hand back into Daedalus's.]

As real as it gets here, I suppose...

[gaveherwings]

[And he's proud of that, the sudden surge of pleased and palpable joy. There's a certain smugness in his eyes, puffy as they are with mild irritation from the pollen, and he gives Franz's hand a firm squeeze in return.]

What more could I ask for?

[discretion]

[Franz's smile falters, just barely, at the corners, as he thinks of all the other things Daedalus could ask for.

He takes some comfort in the thought that Daedalus doesn't seem to want more, and squeezes his hand.]

What more indeed! It's not as if I do many baronial things...!

[gaveherwings]

Well, you do all the baronial things worth keeping, I'd imagine?

[He shrugs airily. There's not much he knows about noble society, beyond what Franz has said of Paris... there's much he sounds scornful about, but all the good, sweet, socially graceful habits? He's more than happy that those that around.]

[discretion]

I still walk as if I have a book on my head, and pretend I have more money than I do and then flirt and charm to get free things? [Franz chuckles and shakes his head.] Or were you talking more about all the self-repression? [He's teasing, of course, as he holds his male lover's hand. Mostly.]

I do miss having someone announce me when I arrived at a party or to someone's house. It was nice to have a cue when to start behaving myself.

[gaveherwings]

[Daedalus clucks his tongue in annoyance and rolls his eyes- because Franz is telling the truth, of course, but not in a way that's particularly positive. He enjoys Franz's good graces- in the same way that he assumes some of his own born-and-bred traits are somehow endearing.

...it's just that Franz is incredibly easy to hold dear, when he's not being so self-effacing.]

Stop discrediting that you're very handsome and carry yourself well as such a terrible thing- [His fingertips wander Franz's knuckles, tapping out meaningless messages. Self-repression is why we're probably so good together. It's good to have someone who understands it, most if not all of it.]

Hmmm. [He leans in and secrets another sly murmur at his ear.] So I'll tell you when you're not allowed to misbehave from now on, how's that?

[discretion]

[Franz gives only the slightest indication of a change in demeanor. The sort of thing no one but Daedalus was likely to notice, how he licks and then bites his lip slightly, how he pauses, posture stiffening a little in response to the implication of not being allowed to misbehave. It pleases and excites him completely, the very offer of that sort of verbal limitation. He does so love that game with Daedalus, and it is all he can do to keep from springing to the opportunity, puppylike and eager.

He swallows. So close to controlled, but he knows it'll be a tell to Daedalus.]

Well [a merry grin] if you really think I need that sort of discipline...!

[gaveherwings]

[Sometimes it really is amusing, how the gentlest implications resound immediately with Franz. They have their own coded language, and it suits them well. And it's the little indicators that he likes, the throb of a swallow in his throat, the sudden arch in his spine]

Hopefully that really won't be necessary though, will it?

[He teases on with a small lift of his shoulders.] You're so very good in public.

[discretion]

[Franz swallows again, pressing his tongue to the roof of his mouth and sucking to keep from rushing into his next words. So very good. Oh. Oh how he wants to show just how good he can be. But he gets the sense that right now that 'being good' is maintaining these boundaries and decorum. They're only meeting up for a brief time, after all.]

I'm well-trained, when I want to be. [His smile is almost shy. Bright with that need to please.] I could lead you around by the arm for a perfect turn about the park, and speak excellently at length about the weather and the songbirds, if that's what you'd like.

[gaveherwings]

...Or the rhododendrons? [He adds, flippantly dry- sometimes it's hard to figure out how much of Franz are things he presents for show, and what are the little things he truly enjoys.]

I'd like you to speak at length about the things which matter to you. (Respectable or not. After all, genetics certainly isn't- most things I do sit controversially with most people.)

[discretion]

'Rhododendrons', as a word, is too cumbersome to utilize in a make-nice conversation. I only share my boring opinions on them with you. [Franz stifles a laugh and pats Daedalus on the shoulder.]

As for the things that matter to me... hm, well, I've still been waffling on finding a new doctor. I suppose it's sort of a moot point, though, barring massive injury I'm perfectly healthy.

[Aside from still getting massive headaches, sometimes, from the stress of others' lies. And the drinking, but they don't talk about that. And of course there's always the risk of seeing some kind of drugging or traumatic injury, given what Siren's Port is like.]

[gaveherwings]

Is it cumbersome? [He blinks owlishly, shaking his head innocuously. If flowers weren't serviceable small talk, what was?] I don't think so. A mouthful, perhaps... [Daedalus considers, justly, but then that turns into a sharp curve of a smile and a smoother insinuation] ...ahh, but you're so good at that, aren't you?

You aren't boring. [A quieter murmur, sliding his hand to the small of his back.] But you can always save it for me.

[Oh...and that was right. Franz hadn't replaced Dr. Xavier yet as his primary. There was really no excuse for that.]

McCoy's proven reliable? I don't know when Helen will be practicing again- she's still on leave, and I never did get a straight answer from her, what that was about.

[discretion]

['Mouthful' has Franz swallowing again, licking his lips. A knowing smile hides in the corner of his mouth, but is quickly distracted by their conversation.]

I think I've gotten over the awkwardness of being naked around you, can't I just keep you instead? [Franz knows it's not really viable, but he doesn't want to try and move on. He can't imagine sharing things in confidence with anyone like he had with Dr. Xavier, and that is far more his reason for avoiding the change than simple laziness.]

[gaveherwings]

You can keep me, [Daedalus laughs softly, warmly fond.] but...just not professionally.

[There was enough difficulty in juggling his role in Re-l's life. He didn't really want to be Franz's doctor, so much as he wanted to be something even more intimate.]

But that's alright, you see enough of me, don't you?

[discretion]

Is that your subtle way of saying you want to see less of me? [Franz holds up his free hand as if to accept defeat.] It's okay, I get it! I just don't know if anyone will be able to help me with... everything, so much as he did. But I'm an adult now after all.

[A grown-up doing grown-up things, obviously he never has those teenage worries and moments of needing guidance.]

Right, I'll make an appointment with this Dr. McCoy...! I'll need to make up a list of things to ask him...

[gaveherwings]

Remember, while he's very experienced, Dr. Xavier isn't the first doctor in Port to be accustomed with working in powers-development care.

[Daedalus shrugs pleasantly, helpfully, and a little modestly in speaking for his colleagues in the field.]

There are plenty of people better trained than me in helping you cope with psychic adaptations.