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[lepidity]

Aah, this is quite bad, isn't it. Serpico's expression remains as calm and placid as ever as he steps out of the carriage. But unseen, his thoughts churn as he gazes over the mess strewn about the narrow mountain pass.

This was supposed to be a straightforward journey to one of the border duchies to assist in negotiations and delivery messages, so it had seemed appropriate to bring only a small handful of servants and guards, leaving the rest to assist with keeping his estate running. How was he to know that a group of bandits had just started roaming the area, just waiting to ambush them?

Serpico sighs as he circles around the dead horses, the littered corpses of bandits and servants alike, and glances at the broken wheel to the carriage before looking off the edge of the pass. They're a long way from the base of the mountain, and further still from any towns or settlements. To his knowledge, this isn't a very commonly-traveled path, either. He gives a soft hum in thought before turning to the only other man still alive -- his guard. Or rather, his bodyguard-cum-executioner.

"I hope you haven't been injured in the skirmish?"

He asks it politely enough because it's the proper thing to do, but they both know that Lon'qu is completely untouched. After all, the higher council wouldn't have assigned this man to watch over him unless he was exceedingly skilled. Lon'qu could probably fight off a mob twice this size without breaking a sweat, Serpico imagines.

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[lepidity]

Serpico's made a big show of acting calm, but it's actually taking him all his effort to maintain control of himself. And even that, only out of habit. A lifetime spent in service of others' desires has meant the only thing he's ever had to call his own is his mind, and he's maintained a stubborn, iron grip on it all this time. It's vexing to think that some ridiculous curse is what will finally force him to relinquish control of himself, and the low simmer of anger at the back of his mind only makes the heat in his gut burn hotter.

Strained so tight against the curse's effects, he's tense as a bowstring when Lon'qu reaches for him -- and flinches when the hand halts halfway there.

His kneejerk response is a low huff of frustration. And then he hates himself for being frustrated, for wanting that hand to make contact and relieve him of the curse's burn. The longer this goes, the worse the circumstances are. Serpico closes his eyes and exhales slowly, brow knitted.

Then he steps forward, throwing his arms over Lon'qu's neck to pull him close for a kiss.

If Lon'qu was expecting any sort of sultry grace, he'll be disappointed. What Serpico makes is a pragmatic gesture, and a surprisingly rough one; even as he deepens the kiss, trying to drown out his doubts with the heat exuding from that curse, he drags Lon'qu back two, three steps until he can lean back against a tree. Purely for practical reasons. His legs already feel wobbly, and he's in no mood to topple over backwards.

He pulls back for air after a moment, and gives Lon'qu a look that the other's never seen from him before -- sharp, vicious, and cold. It's at odds with his unfailingly polite tone of voice.

"'Let us be done with this,' yes?"

[frosteel]

He hates this, hates being caught in that moment of weakness, but before he can berate himself any further Serpico’s quick to distract him, and Lon’qu finds himself lean into that kiss with a more intense fervor than he realizes.

He wants this. By the gods, he wants this, and that want tugs him forward as surely as Serpico does, until even Lon’qu has to grace an arm against the trunk of the tree to steady himself. The fact that it’s not some dainty little peck like he’d expected from a spoiled noble does occur to him, but only for a moment, the thought far too fleeting and too unimportant in light of that kiss—harsh and heated and aggressive and just the way, he’s realized, he likes it.

When Serpico pulls away he gasps, staring dumbly at Serpico’s lips, realizing too that he’d bitten them more than he’d intended, before his gaze ratchets upward. He remembers to breathe.

And he frowns, flushing up to his ears. The nerve of this bastard.

“You’re not easy to like.” It’s probably the nicest thing he’ll every say to Serpico, but any more provocation and he might reach for his sword after all.

Some part of him thrills at the thought, and not in any way that he considers normal.

[lepidity]

A hot sting lingers on his lips, pinpricks of sensation where teeth have dragged a little too hard, and Serpico distractedly touches his tongue against them.

Even if he's had the company of women before, it's never been like this, not even the most heated moments. Is it just because of the curse? ... no, there has to be more than that. Maybe it's the fact that Lon'qu is a very real threat to him, and his heightened awareness makes every touch and movement feel all the more vivid. Or maybe it's the sheer strength and viciousness he can feel wound tight in Lon'qu's body, especially evident now that they're in such close company.

"So I've been told."

Serpico smiles, but there's no hiding the flush to his cheeks, the way his breathing is a little rougher now.

"Come closer. It's cold."

And he's never liked the cold. His arms tug insistently at Lon'qu's shoulders, dragging him closer, fingers drifting up to toy with the longer strands of his hair before nails drag lightly against the back of his neck. A needling gesture. Daring Lon'qu to do something, too.

[frosteel]

“We’re close enough,” he replies breathlessly, letting Serpico draw him in anyway. He hates that it’s gotten this far, but he can’t quite let it come across in his words and actions anymore.

And somehow he doesn’t feel as bad about it as he might have been.

“And you’re the experienced one between us.” He thinks. “So how should I”—clicking his tongue—“touch you?”

But this is as good as admitting that he’s never really done it, and he’s not sure he wants to know how Serpico feels about that. Or rather, he feels far too much excitement at whatever reaction he’s anticipating from this nobleman, who really isn’t quite what he seems, is he?

One thing Lon’qu knows for sure: just because he’s inexperienced doesn’t mean he wants to rut like animals out here. They’ll conduct this properly, if they must do this at all.