backstreetbard | a lion among ladies

[ Dorothea doesn't exactly love spending time in the cathedral of Garreg Mach's campus, as stunning as the stained glass windows and flying buttresses are to behold. She hasn't put stock in the Seirosi faith since she was six years old.

In spite of that, she can still be seen there often in the days following the mission to quell the Western Church's rebellion in Gaspard territory, her hand rubbing circles in Ashe's back. She understands what it feels like to lose a parent, though she doesn't speak of it; instead, she only listens as he very gradually works his way through the shock and pain. Sometimes the only comfort is commiseration.

It's draining, though. She has to step back eventually, to try and shake off the old familiar feelings that watching another orphan in mourning dredges up in her.

Standing on the bridge that leads to the cathedral, she inhales the fresh mountain air and releases a sigh as she looks out over the scenery. A flash of blue in her peripheral vision catches her attention, though, and she's back on stage, turning to face her new house leader. ]

On your way to pray?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

backstreetbard

You can't help being prince, but you have friends and advisors who can help carry whatever burden you're responsible for, right?

[ With their hands linked together, she gently begins to guide him away from the training grounds and down towards the dorms. She knows that Dedue, at least, is watching like a hawk as they leave, and she honestly wishes he'd stop worrying so much. What exactly do they think she's going to do to him that's bad enough to warrant that kind of scrutiny? Goodness gracious.

It's not long before they're standing near his door. The courtyard out in front of the dorms is mercifully vacant at this time of day, so there aren't too many people who might have seen her leading him up to the second story where most of the nobles are housed. ]

Which one of these is yours?

From:

hauntedking

[ Dedue is protective. And mostly wants what's best for Dimitri. They've talked a little about Dorothea, honestly, and while Dedue is happy that she makes Dimitri is happy, he still worries. Hence the watchfulness. For now, though, it's just the two of them.

Dimitri glances at the door and nods. ]

This one.

[ He doesn't think anything of it until he's swung the door open and walked in, with her behind him.

Oh.

Wait.

His face goes red. ]

Ah. It's... not much to look at.

From:

backstreetbard

It's perfectly fine; all the rooms look about the same, don't they?

[ Dorothea does a small circuit of the room before she plops down onto the bed, then pats the spot beside her. ]

Come and sit down with me.

From:

hauntedking

Well - as you wish.

[ He hesitates for a long moment and then settles onto the bed next to her. He's a bit drawn in and nervous. It's the first time he's been alone in his room with Dorothea, after all. ]

From:

backstreetbard

Come here.

[ Gently, her fingers comb through the hair at the base of Dimitri's skull as she pulls him into her arms. It takes a little bit of maneuvering, but she guides his head down to rest on her shoulder and then wraps him up in a loose embrace. ]

Just relax for a little while, sweet heart.

[ Smoothing her palm down over his back, Dorothea hums an old lullaby that her mother taught her when she was a child. It's always soothed her since then. ]

From:

hauntedking

[ Oh. Dimitri's face flushes a little darker, but after a moment of awkward stiffness, he slowly wraps his arms around her and sinks into her embrace. He takes a slow, deep breath and then another. This is... actually comforting. He can't really recall the last time anyone has actually held him like this and it's... pleasant. ]

...thank you, Dorothea. I... really don't know what I'd do without you.

From:

backstreetbard

You don't even have to wonder. I'm here for you, darling.

[ Holding and being held by someone isn't just comforting for Dimitri; it does her a world of good as well. As flirtatious as she comes off, Dorothea has always been a guarded person. Open and friendly and compassionate, of course, but growing up on the street like a stray cat teaches you very quickly that an outstretched hand is more likely to strike you than to offer help.

Dimitri will never hurt her, though. She's certain of that.

She kisses the top of his head, holding him a little tighter. ]

From:

hauntedking

[ With the door shut and just the two of them, he can pretend that the rest of the world is very far away. There's nothing else to worry about, at least for a little while. They can just sit and take comfort from one another. He takes a few deep breaths, letting the silence stretch out.

What does he say?

The only thing that comes to mind. ]

Dorothea... I think - I love you.

From:

backstreetbard

[ When he speaks those words, Dimitri will feel Dorothea's body going tense in his arms. So many emotions are rising in her, and she can feel the telltale stinging in her nose that means tears aren't far behind. She could ask if he means it, but Dimitri is such a sincere person that she can't imagine him saying such a thing without being fully convinced of it.

So, she does the only thing she could possibly do in response. Lifting his chin so he can meet her watering eyes, she smiles brilliantly at him. ]

Dima, I love you, too. So much.

[ And then she kisses him, leaning in and closing her eyes. Everything in her heart is conveyed through this kiss: all her hope and her longing, all her desire and affection--she holds nothing back. ]

From:

hauntedking

[ Maybe they're rushing into this too quickly for a teenage love affair. But Dimitri has never been more sure of anything in his life - so he clings to her in turn and returns the kiss with a passion of his own. His heart feels as if it's going to burst and he's happy with that. Content. He shifts his weight a little, leaning into her, a sigh escaping his lips.

And then when the kiss breaks, he looks a little bashful. ]

That was... a little sudden, wasn't it?

From:

backstreetbard

Sudden? I feel like I've been waiting my whole life to hear those words.

[ She chuckles softly, a little breathlessly, and kisses him again. ]

Even if it's sudden, that doesn't mean our feelings aren't real. I love you. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. [ She kisses him once more, tears sliding down her cheeks. ] I know I--I'm not worthy of you. I'm just a peasant, really, but... I'll dedicate my life to you. Everything I have. Oh, Dima.

[ Dorothea kisses him yet again, more fervently than before. Her arms wrap around him, pulling their bodies close. ]

From:

hauntedking

[ Dimitri's head feels like it's spinning. Everything is happening all at once - and here they are, but it makes his heart want to burst. He drags her closer, kissing her in reply, over and over again as he allows his emotions to run away. If only for a little while. ]

I know - I know. All I want is to keep you close. To make sure you're loved and valued. Your birth - your birth has never mattered to me. It shouldn't matter to anyone. You deserve the world and I want to give it you.

From:

backstreetbard

Just give me your love and I'll be satisfied.

[ It's almost overwhelming. This is everything she has ever wanted: love and validation, someone who will take care of her for the rest of her life, someone who will cherish the children they'll eventually have whether or not they're crested.

Dimitri has pulled her so close that she's basically straddling his lap at this point, so she settles in for more kisses, basking in the warmth of his body. She could kiss him forever, she thinks, but her lips stray from his after a moment, across his cheek to the edge of his jaw. Finding his pulse where it's fluttering in his throat, she kisses him there too. ]

From:

hauntedking

You can have all of it...

[ For a long few moments, he's lost in her. The press of their bodies, the heat mingling, the soft flutter of lips. He breathes deep - can feel his body tense - and then there's a moment where he remembers where they are. His face is flushed a deep red and he reluctantly gives her a gentle push, taking her by the shoulders. ]

I - we should - slow down. We're still in school... and - well. People will wonder where we've gone to.

[ And the unspoken idea of, well, if something happens, he doesn't want her (or him) to have to leave because of it. ]

From:

backstreetbard

[ It's a little disorienting (and embarrassing) to be pushed back, even with as much care as he uses. ]

I... I'm sorry. I got carried away.

[ But she can't exactly step outside looking as she does now--breathing hard, flushed from her forehead down to the hem of her shirt, eyes dark with wanting. Clearing her throat, Dorothea hops up and sits at Dimitri's desk, taking deep breaths to steady herself and fanning her face with her hand. She can't meet his eyes for a moment. ]

Even so, I--I do love you. And we won't be in school forever.

From:

hauntedking

No, no, don't apologize-!

[ He's almost in as bad a shape as she is. His trousers, for example, feel painfully tight at the moment. He follows her to the desk, settling a hand on the back of his chair and hovering with a look of adoration and mild concern. ]

I just - I do want - I want to hold you. I want to be close to you. Please don't think I don't. But you're right. We won't be in school forever. So... we'll have time. All the time in the world. The... the rest of our lives.

From:

backstreetbard

[ Taking off her hat to help herself cool down a little, Dorothea looks up at Dimitri and bites her lip. She knows he wants to abide by the rules, and there's good enough reason for that, but at the same time she can still feel her desire for him like a physical ache.

They have time enough, too--class is over for the day, and dinner is still an hour off at least. ]

You know... we don't have to get undressed for you to hold me close. [ Her hand extends, pressing her palm flat against his stomach--high enough to be technically appropriate, but with the implication that it could easily travel lower. ] Sometimes it's enough just to touch, and to be touched.

From:

hauntedking

I - well-

[ The temptation is there and very real and - well. He can't say no to her. Not right now. He reaches down to slide his fingers against her wrists. ]

Well - alright. Um. Show me?

From:

backstreetbard

[ She honestly expected a little more resistance, but his easy acquiescence brings a smile and a fresh blush to her face. Standing, Dorothea guides Dimitri back to his bed and urges him to lie down. She joins him the next moment, renewing her kisses. Her lips are tender on his as she runs her fingers up and down his stomach, each time letting them stray farther south until she's able to lift up his tunic to reveal the tenting in his pants.

Licking her lips once, Dorothea begins to massage his cock through the fabric of his trousers, cupping her hand to feel the full shape of it. ]

Girls want the same things boys want, you know. It just isn't as easy to tell, with us.

From:

hauntedking

[ He finds it hard to resist her, in all honesty. So she has that going for her. He allows himself to be guided back to the bed and he sprawls himself out, watching her with wide eyes - eyes that flutter half shut as they start to kiss again. His breath escapes in a little gasp as her hands slide over him. Even through the layers of clothing that cover him, there's an enticing, seductive quality to it. He's full of nervous energy and it takes him a moment to figure out what to do with his own hands. He eventually settles on wrapping his arms around her to hold her closer, a little half-moan escaping his lips as she brushes her fingers over him through his trousers. ]

D-Dorothea - I-

[ His teeth worry at his lower lip and his hips lift, pressing into her exploring fingers with an eagerness he didn't quite realize he had. ]

I believe you. [ He's red-faced now; flushed and panting and just as turned-on and heated as she probably is. ]

I - I want to touch you, too.

From:

backstreetbard

[ As much as she wants to rip her shirt off at his last remark, Dorothea did promise that they wouldn't have to take their clothes off, and so the garment remains. ... Well, she does unbutton her jacket, but there's still a shirt beneath it so it's technically not cheating.

She pauses in her movements over his groin to take his hand and bring it to her chest. ]

Like this, to start.

[ She directs him to hold her breast, shows him how to knead it gently in his hand, how to trace the outline of her nipple through the fabric, to roll and pinch it ever so gently. That's a good place to start.

Her hand returns to his cock, squeezing and stroking. ]

How does it feel?

From:

hauntedking

Ah-

[ He trembles a little, voice shaky as he tries to get a grip on himself. Everything about her is soft and warm and delightful and he's trying to figure out what to do with himself. She's inviting him to start, though, and so he does his best to at first imitate her movement and then to continued, even as her hand gropes at him through his own clothing. The pads of his thumbs outline her nipples, tracing them, and his fingers squeeze at her breasts tentatively.

Give him a moment, he needs to work on his confidence. ]

From:

backstreetbard

[ Dorothea sighs sweetly in response to his touch. ] Feels nice.

[ To encourage him, she grips him more firmly, stroking faster. She could reach down into his trousers--that wouldn't technically be breaking the "clothes on" rule, would it? But she refrains for now, shifting a little so she's kneeling over him. ]

There's, ah... another place you can touch me that feels wonderful.

[ Taking one of the hands at her chest, she moves it down to the apex of her thighs, gently adjusting his wrist so that his fingers slide over her pubic mound. Her undergarments are unmistakably damp, and she has to take a steadying breath. ]

Can you feel... here, where the folds part. There's a l-little nub. Just rub it gently.

From:

hauntedking

Is there...?

[ He's not ignorant. He knows how it's supposed to work. But having real, first hand experience is leaving him a bit stunned. It's all happening very fast. Not that he minds (much). He allows her to guide his hand, the other still massaging and pinching at a breast - but he can feel the heat of her through her clothing now. He can feel the dampness just beyond the barrier. And he swears he's going to burst. ]

I - I think so-

[ He murmurs in reply and leans up (in) to press a kiss against her throat as his fingers begin to explore, slow and gentle and tentative. ]

From:

backstreetbard

[ Dorothea is warm and pliant in Dimitri's hands, shivering and rewarding him for his touches with breathy, needy little noises so soft that only he will hear them. The barriers of fabric between their bodies are limiting, but it keeps them from taking things too far.

She can't keep her hips from rocking against his hand, though. It's only natural that their bodies want to move together, and his lips on her neck feel like a fire brand burning little marks on her skin as proof he was there, he kissed her and loved her there.

Languid heat pools in her limbs, and it occurs to her that this touching is so much more intimate to her than the times in the past when she'd actually slept with a few of the younger tenors or stagehands that had pursued her when she was with the Mittelfrank. None of them ever made her feel like this, so she slows her movements to try and savor their touches even more. ]