cravating | (no subject)

I'm not worried. [He's enjoying himself too much to be worried]

Do your worst. [That comes with a little teasing smile.]

You know you might regret saying that. You can't take it back later.

[ But he smiles back, because god if it's nice to see him looking like that. Did Nate's smile always make him feel so warm inside?

And then he will eat food but eating food is boring, just assume it's happening okay. Weird pretentious food is being consumed here. ]

[Yes, so much food and fancy beers that probably aren't at all the sort Matt would prefer, but they're fancy or something.]

Not really interested in taking it back, am I?

[Oh, flirting is nice. Flirting while they're on a date. It's so strange to think about, but a good strange.]

[ And he'll be looking at him over the rim of said beer, his smile touching the corners of his eyes and making them crinkle. ]

So what are you interested in, Nate? Indulge me.

Interested in loads of things. Art, music, movies. Unless you mean something... else?

[More teasing. It's his favorite thing now.]

[ The smirk widens. Oh he missed this cheeky little fucker. ]

I mean something else.

[ No beating around the bush there. He leans forward a little, arms on the table, all expectant look in his eyes. Well? He's waiting. ]

[Oh, they're really going to talk about this in public. Well, he shouldn't be that surprised. He had asked Matt to do his worst.]

I haven't tried much out of the ordinary, honestly. Let someone tie me up once. That was kind of mad, but not in a terrible way. Have to be in the mood for it. I, uh- I've heard a bit about something called edging? Been wanting to try it out.

[ Matt listens with clear interest, still leaning forward a bit over the table as he does so. But then as Nate goes on his brow raises a bit in something like confusion. ]

Am I gonna have to get my phone out and google what that it?

It's... [He's not embarrassed, exactly... but his voice drops a bit, just in case anyone is in earshot.]

Where you don't let me- [He clears his throat] finish. Right away, that is.

Oh. [ and then it clicks better ]. Oh! Wait-- [ he looks around like a big old gossip, leaning in a bit more and speaking in a whisper ] you're telling me you've never done that?

Not really. I mean, I've held off for the sake of making everything last longer, but this is more about keeping you right there, right on the edge without actually...

[He shakes his head and laughs]

So you have?

Well I've kept myself going. Kind of pride myself on never finishing too early, you know? But you mean like holding it back? Okay yeah no. I mean isn't the next bit kind of the whole point?

[ educate him, Nate. ]

Yeah, but if you wait, it can feel even better. Or so I hear.

[ Huh. Well that's interesting. ]

You know I don't think I've ever had someone ask me to not make them come before.

[Nate chokes on a laugh]

I'm pretty sure in the moment, I'd be begging for it. But that's part of the idea. It wouldn't be up to me.

[He shifts a little in his seat. Talking about this, thinking about this... Well, it's having the stat of an effect.]

[ Oh that's an interesting thought isn't it? Sort of distractingly so, and Nate isn't the only one shifting a bit. He clears his throat and leans back. ]

You always talk about fucking on a first date?

[ Yes he said the thing out loud. Actually a date, definitely a date. And yes, he's pushing it all back to him like he started this. ]

Not always, no.

[He manages another smile because he called it a date!!]

I don't think you seem to mind.

[ That makes him laugh, and he shakes his head a bit. ]

So is that how you think I am with these things? Just all about sex. Means to an end, that sort of thing?

I don't think you're just anything, Matt. Never have.

You know that's why I-- [ fuck he almost said it, like a reflex, it'd be so easy, but something stops the words before they slip out, and he shifts again instead, leaning forward again, elbows on the table before casually leaning one of those hands forward, palm upturned so he can take his hand. If he likes.

He takes a deep breath. ]

So what is it you do think then?

[He wants to ask. He wants to know just how that sentence was going to end, but he doesn't want to press his luck. The offered hand is a huge step, though. They're in public, after all. People could see that.

Nate moves his hand and rests it on top of Matt's, his fingertips gently tracing circles over his wrist, feeling the rhythm of his pulse, like a drum beat that grounds him in this moment.]

That you're pretty fucking wonderful. And messy. And talented.

[Each word is said with intense sincerity. His mouth curves up into a small smile, his teeth catching his bottom lip briefly before he adds]

And hot.

[ It makes him smile, almost blush, a clear flush rising to his cheeks. Yet still he laughs a bit and responds with a grin. ]

Yeah well I know I'm hot.

[ It's bravado though, even if he's more than aware he's not bad to look at, it's all delivered with a flippancy that almost dismisses how nice it is to hear all of that. ]

You know you're not so terrible yourself, Nate. [ He echoes Nate's own words ] Pretty fucking wonderful, actually.

[His hand wraps around Matt's a little tighter, giving it a squeeze.]

So did you want to look at the dessert menu, or..?

[ Gently, Matt's hand shifts a little, letting his fingers move so they can slip between Nate's. Yes, this is happening. He grips slightly. ]

You know... [ he takes a breath. ] I probably shouldn't be coming back to yours. I mean I don't want you to think that's why I'm doing all this.

[It's funny how natural it feels to hold Matt's hand like this.]

I don't think that, though. And I... I don't want to say goodnight when we leave here, so...

[Quit trying to be a gentleman, Matt. Or at least come be one at his flat.]