ǫ | quentin toma (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
longitudinal) wrote2024-07-06 09:29 pm
longitudinal) wrote2024-07-06 09:29 pm
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WELCOME TO THE SALTBURNT NETWORK
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longitudinal
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quentin toma NOTES: sailor, navigator, loverboy, war-bringer. |
WELCOME TO THE SALTBURNT NETWORK
USERNAME:
longitudinal
text ❖ audio ❖ video
From the looks of things, you never were what she thought you were. She just made sure you were afraid of yourself more than you were of her. She's a right cunt.
[ he shrugs a little bit, knowing very well what the implication here is, but he's met many people in his travels that seem to have been born in the wrong body. that seem to be and exude something else entirely than what they're made to fit in. and isn't that just what they are? bodies with souls inside of them, trying their best to live?
he sighs, petting koby's back, tracing soft little patterns over it to help soothe everything that's happened tonight. still, he finds a furious heat burning in his chest, a rage that can only be matched by what he feels for the regent. and yet, when he looks down at koby, his expression softens a little. ]
I don't waste time saying what I don't mean. I just like to say what I mean in a variety of ways. Come to my room whenever you see fit. My bed is your bed. You're staying here tonight, whether you like it or not. I insist.
[ he dips his head in, kissing him gently, sweetly, nudging their noses together. ]
Do you understand, Commander?
[ he shrugs a little bit, knowing very well what the implication here is, but he's met many people in his travels that seem to have been born in the wrong body. that seem to be and exude something else entirely than what they're made to fit in. and isn't that just what they are? bodies with souls inside of them, trying their best to live?
he sighs, petting koby's back, tracing soft little patterns over it to help soothe everything that's happened tonight. still, he finds a furious heat burning in his chest, a rage that can only be matched by what he feels for the regent. and yet, when he looks down at koby, his expression softens a little. ]
I don't waste time saying what I don't mean. I just like to say what I mean in a variety of ways. Come to my room whenever you see fit. My bed is your bed. You're staying here tonight, whether you like it or not. I insist.
[ he dips his head in, kissing him gently, sweetly, nudging their noses together. ]
Do you understand, Commander?
[There's more Koby could say, more about the horrors of those two years, of the things he was told, the things he endured -- but the insult is so bluntly savage, so unexpected that he chokes out a surprised laugh, chin tipping upwards, amused and teary in equal measure.] She -- she really was. Just terrible. And her ship was ridiculous, it was shaped like a duck.
[Then Koby stills, watching the silhouette of Quentin in the dim light from the moon outside, from the hall outside the warm safety of the room, watches the shape of his mouth, the tumble of his tangled hair. The kiss comes, sweet, soft, feeling like forgiveness, like absolution for every shameful tear, every choked-out memory. Koby's hand reaches up, finds Quentin's cheek in the dark, strokes along the sleek line of his jaw, his beard.]
I understand. Yes. [Another kiss, quicker, but no less fervent.] Thank you, Quentin. For -- for being awake. [For everything, he means, sniffling and drawing away long enough to prop himself up on his elbow and tug his shirt off, letting it drop on the floor for now, then snuggling back closer.]
[Then Koby stills, watching the silhouette of Quentin in the dim light from the moon outside, from the hall outside the warm safety of the room, watches the shape of his mouth, the tumble of his tangled hair. The kiss comes, sweet, soft, feeling like forgiveness, like absolution for every shameful tear, every choked-out memory. Koby's hand reaches up, finds Quentin's cheek in the dark, strokes along the sleek line of his jaw, his beard.]
I understand. Yes. [Another kiss, quicker, but no less fervent.] Thank you, Quentin. For -- for being awake. [For everything, he means, sniffling and drawing away long enough to prop himself up on his elbow and tug his shirt off, letting it drop on the floor for now, then snuggling back closer.]
[ What time is it? Tim’s certain that it’s already come morning, at least from the time they met in the baths. The breakfast food still on the plate confirms it. He must have been sitting in that room for eight, ten hours? With no end in sight. He’s far too tired to resist the hug, which he might have otherwise out of a sense of propriety that would forbid it even if he didn’t have a lover laying injured on the other side of the wall. Now that it’s happening, warm, strong arms wrapping around him, it’s only a fraction of a second before Tim admits to himself that he needs this. He clings back, holding tight like some small, drowning creature climbing back to the surface, tears welling again at the corner of his eyes at the first true physical comfort after the longest, scariest night of his life.
He races to wipe his eyes before Quentin can see them, and loses. It’s uncomfortably vulnerable, but it’s a vestige of the past that’s making him feel that way, old scoldings about which feelings boys are allowed to have in public, old accusations that were true before Tim even knew what they meant. Old judgements. He doesn’t feel judged by Quentin in the least, even if he feels like he should be. ]
I will. I promise.
[ Quentin will get a picture of an empty plate in a couple hours. ]
I should get back, though. I need to be there when he wakes up. Thank you, for this, again.
He races to wipe his eyes before Quentin can see them, and loses. It’s uncomfortably vulnerable, but it’s a vestige of the past that’s making him feel that way, old scoldings about which feelings boys are allowed to have in public, old accusations that were true before Tim even knew what they meant. Old judgements. He doesn’t feel judged by Quentin in the least, even if he feels like he should be. ]
I will. I promise.
[ Quentin will get a picture of an empty plate in a couple hours. ]
I should get back, though. I need to be there when he wakes up. Thank you, for this, again.
[ oh, quentin can't stand the tears, and not out of anything nefarious - only that pretty-faced boys like tim laughlin shouldn't be sad like this. but he can understand what it's like to nearly lose someone you love, and feel like it's your fault. his father died because of him. he'll never forget it.
so he squeezes tim one last time before releasing him, and reaches up with one thumb to gently swipe away a rogue tear. ]
Good.
[ a small smile and his hand drops to tim's shoulder, giving a squeeze. ]
Yes, you should be there when he wakes. And no need to thank me - eat your breakfast or I'll have to come back and scold you.
[ he gives his arm a final, firm pat, swipes one more pastry off tim's plate with a little amusing waggle of his brows, and starts away from him, hands in his pockets, walking back down the hallway he'd come from. ]
so he squeezes tim one last time before releasing him, and reaches up with one thumb to gently swipe away a rogue tear. ]
Good.
[ a small smile and his hand drops to tim's shoulder, giving a squeeze. ]
Yes, you should be there when he wakes. And no need to thank me - eat your breakfast or I'll have to come back and scold you.
[ he gives his arm a final, firm pat, swipes one more pastry off tim's plate with a little amusing waggle of his brows, and starts away from him, hands in his pockets, walking back down the hallway he'd come from. ]
Edited 2024-07-30 22:39 (UTC)
Shaped like a duck? Wow, she really is a cunt then, to walk around acting like that with a duck shaped ship. Ridiculous.
[ he laughs a little, shaking his head and nosing into koby's hair when he returns from removing his shirt. quentin reaches to pull the covers up over them both, making sure koby is nothing if not secure in the bed beside him. he reaches again to brush any stray tears and dampness from the man's face, leaning into the little kisses offered. ]
It is no small feat that I was awake for you - you do know how sailor's enjoy their rest. [ a grin and he settles back into the bed himself, rolling to his back and tugging koby up along side him, keeping him close. ]
So you should stop thanking me while you're ahead and just let yourself in next time. No questions asked. It will be easier for both of us. [ a tease. ]
[ he laughs a little, shaking his head and nosing into koby's hair when he returns from removing his shirt. quentin reaches to pull the covers up over them both, making sure koby is nothing if not secure in the bed beside him. he reaches again to brush any stray tears and dampness from the man's face, leaning into the little kisses offered. ]
It is no small feat that I was awake for you - you do know how sailor's enjoy their rest. [ a grin and he settles back into the bed himself, rolling to his back and tugging koby up along side him, keeping him close. ]
So you should stop thanking me while you're ahead and just let yourself in next time. No questions asked. It will be easier for both of us. [ a tease. ]
that's so very restrictive, but i know some people prefer it that way. i travel so often between places it can be difficult to connect with anyone buy my crewmates. sex is one way to connect even with a stranger.
wouldn't you agree?
so no, i don't think fantasies and little games are selfish at all. sometimes not doing anything at all about them can be half the fun.
wouldn't you agree?
so no, i don't think fantasies and little games are selfish at all. sometimes not doing anything at all about them can be half the fun.
I don't usually feel connected after. Just dirty.
Except for the man I was with at the hospital. And you. Which is confusing. I barely know you.
Except for the man I was with at the hospital. And you. Which is confusing. I barely know you.
that's a shame
but you care for that man deeply, i can tell. and as for me? well, i don't know. i don't expect anything from my partners, as long as we both enjoy ourselves. it's hardly fun if i'm only going after what i want.
but you care for that man deeply, i can tell. and as for me? well, i don't know. i don't expect anything from my partners, as long as we both enjoy ourselves. it's hardly fun if i'm only going after what i want.
Or a reminder.
You gave me exactly what I needed at the time. I guess I'm used to more selfishness than that.
You gave me exactly what I needed at the time. I guess I'm used to more selfishness than that.
you deserve better.
but you should also consider you gave me exactly what i needed, too. it's not a one way street.
but you should also consider you gave me exactly what i needed, too. it's not a one way street.
[There's another of those laughs, watery, soft, against the warmth of Quentin's mouth in the dark, as Koby tucks himself down into the cocoon of blankets and smooth, warm, bare skin, as he finds that place where he's worried marks into the other man's skin, where neck and shoulder meet.] Her mace was shaped like one too. She was very big on theme. I think she liked that I had the same hair color, maybe? I don't know, it doesn't matter.
[Koby sighs, one hand stealing out, sliding over Quentin's chest, past the piercing to where his heart beats, steady and soothing. One fingertip traces absent designs -- loops, swirls, something that might be a K.] Mmm, that's fortunate timing, isn't it. Stroke of luck.
...I'll knock. Just in case you're indecent. [Also teasing, but in a way that suggests he's going to take Quentin up on the offer, punctuated with Koby's roughened palm settling flat over that pulse, settling there.]
[Koby sighs, one hand stealing out, sliding over Quentin's chest, past the piercing to where his heart beats, steady and soothing. One fingertip traces absent designs -- loops, swirls, something that might be a K.] Mmm, that's fortunate timing, isn't it. Stroke of luck.
...I'll knock. Just in case you're indecent. [Also teasing, but in a way that suggests he's going to take Quentin up on the offer, punctuated with Koby's roughened palm settling flat over that pulse, settling there.]
I doubt it looked half as good on her. Again, a royal cunt. Though that might be offensive to associate her with all other royal cunts in the world. She's a breed of her own.
[ he yawns a little as they finally settle in, one of his arms looped around koby, keeping him tucked in tight and close, the other settled on his arm above his elbow, so as not to impede the soft little movements over his chest. he's tired, but he doesn't plan to sleep until koby drifts off - wanting to be sure that the dreams don't chase him into his sleep again. ]
No need. I prefer you to find me indecent - and where's the fun if you don't take a little gamble here and there. [ he tips his head, pressing a kiss to his forehead. ]
You should rest.
[ he yawns a little as they finally settle in, one of his arms looped around koby, keeping him tucked in tight and close, the other settled on his arm above his elbow, so as not to impede the soft little movements over his chest. he's tired, but he doesn't plan to sleep until koby drifts off - wanting to be sure that the dreams don't chase him into his sleep again. ]
No need. I prefer you to find me indecent - and where's the fun if you don't take a little gamble here and there. [ he tips his head, pressing a kiss to his forehead. ]
You should rest.
it was my first day here in this place.
my home is quite different. you were sweet and warm.
my home is quite different. you were sweet and warm.
I'm happy I could give you a warm welcome, then. I'm working through some things right now, but I am glad. I really do like you. I'd have shut down the flirting messages if I didn't.
Different how? Other than the sailing.
Different how? Other than the sailing.
oh best of luck to you shutting down my overt affection - I've been told I'm insufferable.
we don't have these devices for one. we have electricity, but not so many devices. it's run by the sea, and lights our homes and such. people here mention countries that don't exist in my land. the laws are different, the rules are different, the customs.
we don't have these devices for one. we have electricity, but not so many devices. it's run by the sea, and lights our homes and such. people here mention countries that don't exist in my land. the laws are different, the rules are different, the customs.
You're on the borderline. But I like it.
We didn't have these either. Mine is kind of close to this one, but in the past. A lot's changed in fifty years, but not everything.
How are you adjusting? I've been doing alright at it, if you need a hand.
We didn't have these either. Mine is kind of close to this one, but in the past. A lot's changed in fifty years, but not everything.
How are you adjusting? I've been doing alright at it, if you need a hand.
i do enjoy a borderline and seeing how far i can move it.
but at least your home is similar. the foods here are different, the culture. the comfort. i've enjoyed it, but there are things i'm sure are similar here and home - none of this can be free.
everything has a cost. i've been figuring things out, with a little help. i've recently been made aware that you can take pictures with these devices.
but at least your home is similar. the foods here are different, the culture. the comfort. i've enjoyed it, but there are things i'm sure are similar here and home - none of this can be free.
everything has a cost. i've been figuring things out, with a little help. i've recently been made aware that you can take pictures with these devices.
I don't know how how I'd cope if I was from somewhere completely different. You're braver than me.
You can. It's handy. Where I'm from, we have cameras, but they're bulky, and it takes time. This is instant.
You can. It's handy. Where I'm from, we have cameras, but they're bulky, and it takes time. This is instant.
[Again, a soft huff of a laugh, this one vague, sleepy. The shattering weight of the nightmares that had seemed so insurmountable, so overwhelming now feels very, very far away. Already drowsy, Koby mumbles into that notch where shoulder and neck meet:] She can't get me here.
[Then, drawing another vague looping shape, a circle or a heart or the like, over Quentin’s breastbone, then tapping it gently:] You rest. Decent or no. Dream something nice.
[Then, drawing another vague looping shape, a circle or a heart or the like, over Quentin’s breastbone, then tapping it gently:] You rest. Decent or no. Dream something nice.
No, she can't. Not here, and certainly not with me here.
[ it's gentle, a sleepy murmur into the soft pink head of hair against his side. it's easy to grow comfortable here, to settle into koby and imagine his visiting nightly on better terms. for them to come together and drift lazily on their own paths on a calm sea. ]
I hope you have a sweet dream to chase all the others away.
[ he's not sure if he falls asleep or if koby does, or if they both do, but quentin goes still, his breathing evens out, and sleep pulls him back down into the comfortable dark. ]
[ it's gentle, a sleepy murmur into the soft pink head of hair against his side. it's easy to grow comfortable here, to settle into koby and imagine his visiting nightly on better terms. for them to come together and drift lazily on their own paths on a calm sea. ]
I hope you have a sweet dream to chase all the others away.
[ he's not sure if he falls asleep or if koby does, or if they both do, but quentin goes still, his breathing evens out, and sleep pulls him back down into the comfortable dark. ]
i don't know about brave, but i'm certainly not afraid to throw myself into new places. i'd be a terrible sailor if that were the case.
change is all part of my landscape. but i like the pictures - i wish i could have pictures of my home to show you. the boat, the water. do you miss anything about where you're from?
change is all part of my landscape. but i like the pictures - i wish i could have pictures of my home to show you. the boat, the water. do you miss anything about where you're from?
You could be. You never specified.
My family, obviously. My church, too. Not a lot else, really. I was running away from a lot when I ended up here.
My family, obviously. My church, too. Not a lot else, really. I was running away from a lot when I ended up here.
oh, well then i suppose you’re right. please consider me the most inept sailor you’ve ever met.
running from things? that i can understand. do you like this place better then?
running from things? that i can understand. do you like this place better then?
Guess it's lucky you're so handsome.
Those things all followed me here. I don't know. There's a lot to like and a lot to hate. It's overwhelming.
Those things all followed me here. I don't know. There's a lot to like and a lot to hate. It's overwhelming.
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