rosebyanyother | duplicity inbox

As Jaime apologizes, Peter shakes his head as if to refuse it.

"I was very proud of you, actually. You played the part so well. It helped me to play my own role much more easily."

With the others, most of them, Peter was concerned about them in the moment. Concerned about their own mental state, concerned about whether or not they would falter or do the job. He didn't need to do that with Jaime. Which meant taking away at least one source of stress.

"Are you alright?" And without answering Jaime's question, he simply turns it around. "What can I do for you?"

"You're wretched for trying to take care of me when I've come to take care of you."

Jamie rests his hand against Morrigan's chest and leans up to kiss his cheek.

"Proud of me? Really?" He runs fingers along Morrigan's jaw, then gives him a gentle push. "Whatever we do, we aren't doing it just inside your door. How are you feeling? You must be sore."

At the push, Peter lets out a huff of a laugh, allowing it to carry him a few steps back.

"We can take care of each other, can't we? I think that's a fair trade." He reaches out, takes Jaime's hand and starts to lead him further into the apartment, down the hallway to that little reading nook. "Physically? I'm alright. Some irritation yesterday, but..."

But it was never about the pain. That's not what had made the whole ordeal such an....ordeal.

In the nook, there's a blanket on the window seat, a half-finished bowl of berries sitting within reaching distance of it and a glass of water. Peter has clearly been holing himself up in here.

Jamie follows Morrigan. Somehow, picturing him curled up in the nook only makes this worse. He sits on the edge of the window seat and holds his hand out.

"I'm not as good at taking that away," he admits. Physical pain he can manage. Jamie frowns. "Would it be better to talk about it or just... not?"

Peter takes that hand, and then sits down beside Jaime. His thumb strokes back and forth over the back of Jaime's hand.

"Quite honestly?" An interesting proposition, the idea of being honest. "I'm not terribly sure." He considers it for a few long moments, then shrugs.

"I don't think it would hurt. But I also don't think I'm...strongly in need of it either.

Would you like to talk about what happened?"

He knows he keeps turning Jaime's questions back on him but it's for a reason. Peter was hurt, yes, but he's fairly certain Jaime was harmed by his participation as well.

Jamie lifts an eyebrow and a little smile quirks the corner of his mouth as Morrigan turns the question back. Again. He moves closer, until he can lean against Morrigan and rest his head against his shoulder. He keeps his hold the man's hand.

"I'm fine, darling. Maybe it's terrible, but I am. I didn't like that you were forced to do it. I don't like that it--hurt you, in any way. I don't like that I think I could have liked it."

He sits up so that he can meet Morrigan's gaze again.

"But this is far from the first time that I've played a role. Not even the first time I've done it to try to help a friend."

Peter seems to be searching Jaime's face, his expression, for a moment before he nods.

"Alright, then.

You really did play the role beautifully. And I appreciated it."

He leans down slightly, kissing the top of Jaime's head. Then he sort of shifts sideways so he can tuck himself into the nook properly, urging Jaime to follow.

"...There's also nothing wrong with the idea of enjoying a thing like that, you know. If it's consensual, of course."

Jamie moves after Morrigan's settled, content to tuck against him and just be close. He laces their fingers together.

"Flattery will get you everywhere," he teases with a wry little smile. It always feels good to be praised, and coming from Morrigan, that sort actually means something. He strokes his thumb along Morrigan's.

"No, of course not. But it wasn't, and I'm not sure I like who I am when I get wicked." He's grateful it was only a role. He's grateful it wasn't difficult to come back out of it when it was all over. "You were absolutely stunning, though. Is that terrible to say?"

"Mmm. No more terrible than the fact that I sort of liked you wicked."

Which is to say....perhaps. But that Jaime also isn't alone in being a little bit terrible, if that's the case.

"I wish it wouldn't have happened that way, but as I said...with you, it was possible to fall into the scene. I couldn't do that with the others. And I've actually submitted to two of them before."

"Did you?" Well, that gets his attention. And it really is oddly flattering to hear that confession. Especially if Morrigan had experience with others.

"Well, if you ever decide you'd like to explore that again under far better circumstances... I'd be open to that."

Peter smiles wanly, though there is a note of curiosity to his expression.

"I think it might take me some time, but...I can't say the thought doesn't interest me a bit." He squeezes Jaime's hand. "I'm curious. And I think it might be nice to...overwrite what happened yesterday. Eventually.

I appreciate your softness but I think I'd also like to...properly appreciate you being sharp."

"I'll be sharp for you, darling. When you're ready to try it."

There is something a little thrilling about the prospect. Jamie tells himself the situation will be much different: Morrigan will have a choice, they'll have boundaries and rules in place so that things can stop and go and slow down as needed. Neither of them will be forced into finishing anything.

"I was like that all the time when I first got here," he admits. "Still am half the time at the Gray Room."

"Were you?"

Peter's expression takes on a bit more curiosity.

"Not that I don't believe it....but you've always been so sweet to me.

I know you're capable of just about anything. It's just slightly difficult for me to picture."

Despite having the proof right in front of him. He has a model for the other side of Jaime but he is so used to that softness.

"Consider, darling, that's because I like you." Jamie brushes his fingers along the line of Morrigan's jaw with a soft, fond look. "I think you've done a bit to earn some sweetness from me."

Morrigan has been good to him, and that makes Jamie very inclined to be good in return. And besides, Morrigan has always felt like something of a kindred spirit in more than a few ways.

"And this place has absolutely pushed me to be my worst self at least once." He wrinkles his nose at the memory. "I'd much rather have more control if I'm going to be wicked with you."

Peter chuckles a bit at the rejoinder. Yes, alright. A fair point. Leaning in to the caress, he smiles a bit.

The smile fades a little at the reminder of...worst selves, and he hums half-under his breath in response.

"...There is that, yes." Then, he clears his throat, smile reasserting itself. "And I agree. I'm interested in what you would do."

Not some twisted version of Jaime.

Jamie tips Morrigan's head toward him so he can give a kiss. What does he want to do? So many things, all of them pulling in different directions. He nudges his nose gently against Morrigan's and a small smile flickers across his mouth.

"I keep wanting to offer you things. Some way to make it better. To make you feel better." But this isn't exactly something he can just fix, nor can he rush Morrigan's recovery. "I can at least promise that whenever we decide to try, you'll have all of me."

Peter bends easily for the kiss, eyes slipping closed. A little bubble of laughter - short, but sweet- comes at the way Jaime bumps noses.

Then he pulls back, running his hand through Jaime's hair and letting his hand settle on the back of his neck.

"The fact that you're here with me is enough, really." He bends his head of his own will, resting his forehead against Jaime's. "I'm very, very fond of you too, you know."

Oh, that's so very dangerous. But Jamie closes his eyes as their foreheads touch.

"You say the sweetest things, darling," he murmurs, voice just a bit strained. He'd not expected this, even if he feels it deeply. Jamie takes a quiet, shivering breath.

"I can stay as long as you like," he says after a moment. "I've let Wolf know."

Well, he hadn't given details, but his Dominant knew how to find him if need be. Jamie doubts it will come to that: Wolf's always respected his social needs and relationships.

Peter does hear the strain, the way his breath shivers. It is interesting. He contemplates opening his eyes to take a look but decides against it. Not everything needs to be interrogated.

"Stay the night? I'd like to have you here."

"Of course, darling."

He shifts, tucking close against Morrigan for a full cuddle. He supposes they'll have to move eventually, but he's content to stay like this for as long as Morrigan wants to. And he's already decided that he'll order dinner for them, but they can worry about that later.

duplicity inbox | un: prince

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