timewasting | OPEN POST 2020.

[ she smiles, at the offered hand, and she places her hand in his, rising to her feet easily before she interlaces her fingers with his, squeezing gently. ]

Ready.

[ warmly, as she gently rests her shoulder against his, letting him lead the way. ]

This place is so peaceful.

[ she says after a moment, as they move up the stairs, to get to their room in the far corner. it's nice, to have a lovely dinner and just walk up to their room . . . something that can't really happy in the slat without being interrupted fifteen times from point a to point b. ]

It's like it's removed from the chaos of the rest of the world.

[ Her shoulder leans against his and he takes an easy pace back to their room. After all, there's no rush, even if there's a flare of anticipation under his skin.

There's something nice about this too and he wants to hold onto it. It's rare the two of them can just have dinner and go up to his attic room without interruption. Whether it's Dregs socializing or asking questions, the two of them end up stopped along the way.

Here, they're just normal people. Well, as normal as they got. ]

News takes time to come out this way. Ketterdam hears it first, being on the coast. Belendt has a delay of half a day, the areas around it—varies. [ The pros and cons of a quiet town like this. ] Depending on the news, Lij wouldn't hear anything from the city for a week.

[ So definitely quote removed. He can't say he disagrees with that fact right now, it's giving them a chance to rest.

Coming to their door, he unlocks it and gestures for her to go first, following in after. He sheds his coat and hangs it, feeling warm from the wine. ]

[ the first thing she does when she gets inside their room is dip down to unlatch her shoes, slipping out of them quickly to have bare feet on the carpet. the shoes themselves are actually rather comfortable, but it feels nice to be free of them. particularly after a few glasses of wine and a lovely dinner.

alas, her extra inch of height is now gone. but she soon moves close to him, to stand on her toes and slide her arms around his neck, with a warm grin. ]

Hi.

[ she murmurs, before pushing herself up for a gentle kiss. which is, as always, a careful artform because she is so much shorter than he is, but she manages. mostly by tugging him down an inch or two to meet her halfway. ]

[ He has time to hang his jacket and set his cane aside before she loops her arms around his neck. There's an equally warm smile curving his mouth when she says hello and he sets his hands on her waist, tugging her a bit closer. ]

Hey.

[ Then he's ducking his head down for the kiss eagerly, now warm all over. He breaks away only because he drops his hands further, to the backs of her thighs, lifting her the short distance to the bed. There, he leans in to kiss her again, his palm settled at the side of her neck. ]

[ she's about to suggest that they go to the bed when he shifts to lift her up. the movement sparks a soft laugh, returning the kiss earnestly as she's set on the bed, hands finding his face as she runs her thumbs over his cheeks. ]

Have I told you that I missed you?

[ she murmurs, pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth. ]

Because I have.

[ Her hands on his face pause further kisses, which is fine by him for the moment. He always likes when she does that—it feels like he can't turn away. Not that he wants to, really. ]

I could stand to hear it a few more times.

[ He smiles a bit, running his hand down her side to her hip. Tipping his head forward, he leans his forehead to hers briefly. ]

I always miss you when you go. As soon as you step back on your ship.

[ Is that pathetic? Kaz supposes it's ok if she knows that's how he is about her. ]

[ he leans his forehead against hers, and inej grins to herself before she gives him another kiss, running her thumb along his cheek. ]

I think about you every day.

[ quietly. sometimes it's so all-encompassing that it's painful. it's when it gets to that point that inej knows she needs to return to ketterdam, to rest, to rejuvenate. and, most importantly, to see him. ]

I am whole again, when I come back to you.

[ He returns the kiss, gentle, turning his head a fraction to press another to the palm of her hand. And then one to the inside of her wrist, right over the pulse point. ]

I worry about you every day.

[ Of course, he thinks of her without the worries, but those are the most pressing. All that open water—how could he not? There is the worry too, about her getting injured. But those pale in comparison to the possibility a storm will just capsize the ship. None of her skill could do a thing about it. ]

I am too. [ They are their own people but she is his better half. She's everything good about the world, even if she has a right to be furious with it. He kisses her then, words failing with just how much she means. How grateful he is that she comes back, that little smile of hers turned in his direction.

(If he were the type, he would've teared up over it.)

Instead, he'll kiss her, the kiss going from soft to something deeper, passionate and eager. ]

[ maybe it’s the wine, or the fact that they’re away from the chaos of ketterdam, or that they can finally just relax, but inej is loose-limbed and warm, grinning into his kiss.

intimacy is still hard. or, at least, parts of it is. they’ve made an incredible amount of progress, and inej feels that familiar itch under her skin, a warmth and a need for him to be closer. and she feels somewhat adventurous, tonight.

maybe it’ll be a good night. or not. either way, she’s determined to make the most of it until it’s no longer fun.

so she returns the kiss just as eagerly, a little breathless once she pulls away just enough to press her lips against his cheek, to catch her breath. ]

Mmm...

[ it’s a soft noise, with a smile pressed against his cheek. ]

I like you.

[ quite a lot, as she slides her hands to his chest, to idly undo a few buttons on his shirt.

just a few. ]

[ There's always a subconscious gauge, when they do this. Checking in with himself to make sure he doesn't just push her away. Seeing if he can catch the warning signs before it gets too bad.

He's also learned enough of her tells that he considers those too, waiting for that straightening of her spine or the tension that shows up in her shoulders.

Neither of those things are happening now; both of them are relaxed as they can ever be. Whether it's being in a new place or the privacy, he can't say. Perhaps it's a combination, with the drinks helping them along. Whatever the case, he simply feels light and warm all over when she pulls away, lips brushing his cheek. ]

I want to make you feel good. [ He murmurs, tilting his head to kiss her jaw. His hand slides from her hip further down her leg, fingertips searching out the knife he knows she's hidden. It's a smaller one, no less deadly in her hands, and he finds it halfway down her thigh. There might be a small noise he makes when he does, the knowledge of it being there sending heat through his gut.

Reluctantly, he pulls away after he feels her start to unbutton his shirt. He finishes what she started, untucking the tails and leaving it open as he carefully drops to his knees between hers. The skirt of her dress has hitched up now that she's sitting and he starts by running his hands up her shins, gaze pinned to hers. ]

Tell me if you want to stop.

[ well, he had said he wanted to hitch up her dress, and as he does so, inej feels no anxiety or concern. instead, she focuses on the feeling of his kiss, half a grin appearing as he tells her that he wants to make her feel good. ]

You always make me feel good.

[ she murmurs as he pulls away, settling between her knees, and she reaches out to lazily run a finger along his cheek, trailing down his jaw. ]

And I don’t want to stop.

[ this is one of the few things that works. she only remembers one time she had a negative reaction, and that had been because of fingers. penetration was touch and go, though she’s gotten much better. it just requires patience and practice.

so she leans forward to give him a gentle kiss before she shifts her hips forward, so he has a little bit of an easier time.

though inej is pretty sure kaz would find a way. ]

[ She says she doesn't want to stop and he waits a beat, searching her face. They've gotten better at this but sometimes they're stubborn. And that occasionally means "I want to keep going" can lead to disaster. There's no pinch around her eyes though, the usual indication for when she's simply pushing through the battle.

So he gives her a grin, verging on boyish, as he pushes her skirt over her knees. He leans down, kissing the side of her one knee and following up the inside of her leg as more of her skirt is slid up and out of the way. The fabric gathers around her hips when he's done, the sheathed knife and strap holding it in place now bared. Easily, he undoes the holster from her thigh, setting it to the side and kissing where the buckle has left a light impression on her skin.

Dipping his head between her legs, he kisses above the curve of bone and then just below it, eyes flicking up momentarily. Then he's pushing her underwear to the side, kissing the exposed folds before he licks lightly. ]

[ the kisses along her thigh cause a hitch in her breath, not out of anxiety, but anticipation. and she huffs to herself in (faux) annoyance as he deliberately teases her before undoing the strap around her thigh, shifting his attention to between her legs properly. ]

Tease.

[ she murmurs, shifting a little to lay back on her elbows, letting her eyes close to relish the feeling. she rarely had trouble with this particular type of intimacy, but it was still important to focus.

as she lays back, though, she does spread her legs a bit more, to give him a little more room, artfully draping one of her legs over his shoulder with a hum. just in case he was considering moving anytime soon. ]

Mhmm.

[ He teases a little more, just barely brushing his lips across her. There's a few passes of this, amused, though he can't keep up the teasing. Mostly because he wants this nearly as much as she does. Pushing her panties aside some more, he licks her fully, groaning at the taste.

When she puts her leg over his shoulder, he slowly strokes his hand up and down it. Eventually, he slides both hands to her hips, hooking his fingers into the waistband of her underwear and tugging down. ]

[ what an annoyance. the gentle kisses feel wonderful, but are only leaving her wanting a little more than that, and when he finally does taste her, it draws a soft noise from her throat, tilting her head back a little.

his hands against her thigh feels divine. she feels warm, and part of her wants him to keep going, but the other part of her wants him to join her on the bed . . . and she's about to voice this option when she feels him tugging her underwear down, which she assists by lifting her hips . . . though she does need to move her legs in order to actually get her underwear off.

she shifts backwards a little on the bed, lifting her legs to allow the panties to be removed. her cheeks are a little pink from the warmth settling underneath her skin, and she reaches out to brush his hair back a little, the touch soft and affectionate. ]

I still don't want you to stop.

[ quietly, just in case he needed to hear it. but, after a blip of thought, after she settles back on her elbows: ]

But I want to make you feel good, too.

[ part of her is still grappling with the idea of the totality of the pleasure being focused on her. which she knows isn't actually the case, and that kaz gets something out of this, otherwise he wouldn't do it. (or, well, he probably still would, but he obviously enjoys doing this.) but it doesn't change the fact that she wants to focus attention on him, too. ]

[ She lifts her hips and helps him pull her underwear down and off, which really is a sight once she settles back down. The back of her dress is flared out underneath her legs and the front pushed all the way up to her hips still, the fabric clearly going to need ironing. Her legs look long this way, muscles tensing and loosening as she gets comfortable.

And there's a bit of shiny wetness from where his mouth's just been. It causes some color to rise in his face, a mirror to hers, his own body reacting to the sight.

He leans in and picks up where he left off, licking with the flat of his tongue, both hand skimming up her thighs. ]

This does feel good. [ Kaz flicks his gaze up to her briefly, seeing if the message comes across. Because the truth is, he could very nearly get off to this alone. Very nearly– he knows he'd have to touch himself at least a bit, to push himself over the edge.

Still, giving her this attention and seeing her reactions make him feel too hot all over, arousal layering on as he goes. ]

[ she does catch the meaning, and her expression reflects that, the uncertainty in her eyes softening a little.

but then, he decides to keep going, and the feeling of his tongue against her elicits another noise of approval as she keeps herself pushed up on her elbows, to watch.

something about him being between her legs, on his knees, eager to please her causes a warmth to spread underneath her skin, and she lets her leg drape over his shoulder again, tone quiet but nonetheless heard: ]

I don’t want you to find your release yet.

[ she has ideas, for that. and she has figured out (mostly on accident) that he genuinely enjoys being told what to do. so she may as well make him feel really good, too. ]

So take your time. [ as she adjusts the hem of her dress to settle along her hips. ] And don’t touch yourself.

[ Oh, so this is how she's going to play it? Really, he can't complain, since the hidden command in her tone scratches at a particular itch. It's not like he can't enjoy what they get up to when she doesn't boss him about. But there's something that sharpens the moment she does.

She adjusts the hem of her dress and says more, the words having their intended effect, leaving him breathing out a moan against her. His pants are now uncomfortable but he has no intention of straying from what she's demanded of him. Even if it's just to undo the front of his trousers.

Instead, he licks her more pointedly, breaking up the motion when he puts his mouth on her fully and sucks gently. He pulls away slowly, releasing her folds to press against her clit, applying pressure as he drags his tongue across the nub. His hands drag along her thighs and up to her hips, fingertips digging in just enough as he works them into her muscle.

Moving his mouth downwards, he teases at her entrance, the tip of his tongue just barely slipping in. Though he can't stop the groan that comes out when he tastes the wetness that's grown there, eager for more of it. He tips his head away just enough for a breath. And to swear, because he's completely addled; too hot all over, his cock an insistent press against the front of his pants. ]

Fuck, Inej.

[ he explores her with his tongue, and she groans to herself as he licks her, paying particular mind to her entrance. and when she feels his tongue press against it, a soft moan escapes as she forces herself to stay pushed up a bit, so she can watch.

he looks good, honestly, with his cheeks flushed and his hair a little mussed as he explores her with his mouth. she can tell that he’s uncomfortable, that he has to be hard by now. but he’s done as she’s asked, and not touched himself, focusing on her, instead. ]

Good.

[ she breathes, as he takes a breath. and while he does that, she shifts her weight to one elbow to delicately stroke herself once with her own fingers, sighing to herself. she’s slick, and right now, she feels the urge to try something a little more daring.

but, first things first, as she withdraws her fingers: ]

But you can do better.

[ she murmurs. ]

Keep your hands where I can see them.

[ He didn't think it possible but he flushes even deeper when she says good, the word hitting just right and firing along his nerves. It's just as potent as soft groan she'd given a moment ago, voicing her appreciation for what he'd been doing. She's usually so quiet that any sound is gratifying.

Of course, not much compares to her reaching down to touch herself while he watches, her small fingers stroking as she lets out a sigh. He lets out a groan at the sight, unable to take his eyes away. His gaze travels up, though, when she tells him what she wants, and he studies her face briefly.

At this point, it's probably safe to push a bit. Try something different. She seems assured and comfortable and he's willing to do anything to keep that going.

Still, he nods and carefully slides one hand further up her thigh, thumb grazing along the soft inside. Gently, he strokes a finger along the outside of her folds, feeling a small prickle of heat at how wet she's gotten. He slides that same finger to her entrance, glancing up at her curiously. ]

Okay? [ They've tried this before and it hasn't always worked. ]

[ it’s like walking the high wire, testing the limits. one wrong step and it all falls apart. but she’s comfortable, loose-limbed and warm, her breath hitching as he explores her with his fingers.

at his question, there’s only a moment of pause before she nods, sure of herself.

the only way she’s going to conquer this is to keep trying, after all. ]

I want you to keep going.

[ she murmurs, voice low. ]

[ There's a moment of pause, where he can tell she's thinking it over. Checking with herself to make sure she's still feeling alright. He doesn't pull away, just remains where he is until she nods.

Then she confirms it, voice a murmur, and he gets to work.

It hasn't always worked but it's worth another shot—he leans in to tongue her clit as he slides his finger in. The motion is careful, not wanting to push too fast and have her lock up. Just as gently, he pulls out and back in, stroking, his other hand petting along her hip.

He's all too aware of her reactions, keeping everything to a slower pace. She's relaxed right now but he knows how quickly that can change, how fast past demons can come knocking. Maybe tonight they'll leave her alone. ]

[ it can happen quickly, which is what’s so frustrating about it. she can be completely fine one moment and the next near tears and unable to breathe. she’s gotten better and nothing has been permanently damaged.

— well, mostly. she had the bright idea of trying to go down on him once, after going down on her was so successful. she had vomited for hours. she hasn’t been able to work up the nerve to try that again. not yet, anyway.

at any rate, she exhales slowly, as he enters her. the anticipation is the worst part, in fearing a reaction. but when he focuses on licking her too, it distracts her — and once her mind catches up, it feels too good to be anything but a positive experience. ]

Mmmmmhmm...

[ it’s a soft noise of approval, as he slowly fucks her — and she soon lays on her back completely, feeling a coiled warmth form in the bottom of her stomach as he continues to work. ]

I like that.

[ almost a little dazedly, drawing in a deep breath to let it out in a soft gasp as his fingers hit a particularly sensitive spot. ]

[ She exhales slowly and he can tell she's trying to relax. Thankfully, she does, letting herself drop back onto the bed with a quiet hum.

He licks her a little less gently, especially as she gasps, wanting to draw out that feeling. Of course he notes where he'd been touching her and doesn't hesitate to stroke the same place. Her encouragement has sent a spark down his spine and he is idly wishing he could get his pants off.

But he's also loathe to move from where he is. That wins out.

So as she clearly lets herself relax more, he gently slips another finger in. It's a tighter fit that has him moaning as he sucks her off, providing a distraction as much he's simply enjoying this. Now both fingers feel out for that sensitive spot, stroking gently as he finds it. He moves his other hand up to her abdomen, thumb tracing the dip with a soft touch. ]

[ the addition of another finger causes the muscles in her stomach to tighten, an involuntary movement as she tightens around him —- which only causes the sensation of kaz applying delicate pressure against her to increase.

the stroking feeling inside her causes another shuddered gasp to escape, the sound ending in a groan. somewhere in the back of her head, inej knows that this is usually where it falls apart . . . but it doesn’t.

instead, her breathing gets a little more uneven. part of her wants him to stop, not for any bad reason, but because she wants more than his fingers. . . and the other part wants him to keep going.

if she finishes now, she may not be able to do more. better to ride the high, right? ]

Wait -

[ she says in a breath, controlling her breathing with a deep inhale. she doesn’t sound scared or freaked out whatsoever, but she definitely sounds like she’s trying to focus through the overwhelming wave of pleasure that’s rolling through her. ]

I want — [ how does she say this??? saints, the feeling of him inside her is distracting, and finding words at all, let alone in kerch, is difficult — ] I want you —- come onto the bed.

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