"I don't mind being something out of a fairy story," he breathes, utterly enchanted. Solin is even more handsome close up, now that they're talking to each other. His mouth is lush and pink and Hebert's gaze keeps being drawn to it.
"Yes, well. Father does like to throw rather lavish balls. He loves having guests over, you see. It makes the castle feel less empty.
But you looked so solitary, here in your corner. I knew at once I had to come keep you company."
"See, between your name, the castle, and the ball - maybe we're in a fairy story right now. Wouldn't that be something?"
Funny, but he does seem to be drifting closer by degrees to the taller man - like he's being drawn in. His heart is fluttering, hammering in his chest, and he feels...nervous. After all, he's...well, as far as he knows, here in town, he's probably one of very few -
Hm.
Well, there's a way to know, isn't there? He clears his throat a little, looking a little sheepish. "Well, I have had some lovely young women come to ask me to dance - but - they were...a little disappointed at my...reaction, I think."
"Oh, I - I like dancing, even if I'm not very good at it - it's just...as you said. The right partner. Someone a little bit less, um...." A bit less female? Why is this always so difficult? He swallows hard.
"Someone a little bit...stronger...than the ladies who have asked me. If you - if you take my meaning?"
He can't help it - his bright green eyes flick down Herbert's body, briefly, before rising hurriedly back to his face. It's unmistakable - the young shepherd is looking.
Herbert drags his teeth over his lower lip, reaching up to toy with his cravat. Blushing under Solin's gaze. He's so handsome, so pretty with his wide eyes and delicate features.
Those eyes. So green. Like the grass he imagine Solin sits in under the sun most days.
"And if a young man asked you to dance? Would you be more willing?"
The pause in conversation, the blush, the biting of the lip - time feels like it's stopped, and part of him is waiting for the hammer to fall, the other part praying, hoping -
At the question, he lets out a little fluttery gasp, like a butterfly had caught in his windpipe. He blushes a little deeper, his smile going a bit dreamy. "I...I would be, yes. I really would." Taking a gulp from his wine, he tries to steady himself with a deep breath, before adding:
"Especially if it were...oh, I don't know...a beautiful Prince from a fairy story?"
Herbert sets his wine aside and holds out his hands, looking over the moon. This beautiful boy likes other boys. Could possibly like him, and he gets to hold this exquisite creature close and dance with him.
He offers his hands with a wide smile, his expression utterly delighted. "In that case, may I have this dance?"
Solin looks similarly excited - the color hasn't left his face, and it's in a flash that his own wine is set down. He reaches out, taking delicate, soft hands in his slender, dexterous, work-worn ones. His eyes sparkle, his smile utterly smitten.
"I thought you would never ask," he breathes - and now that he's sure of where they both of them stand, resting a polite little kiss on the back of Herbert's left hand.
"...And I'm not just being flowery, I - thought I was the only one here. I genuinely didn't think you would ask."
"Me too. I - that's part of why I keep to myself, in town. People are - well, I suppose you already know."
How long has it been, since he's been close to anyone like this? He can't even remember. Whenever it had been, it hadn't been anything important, just a moment of indiscretion in the city. Now he has a strong, warm body pulled up close to his, close enough that all he can smell is Herbert's perfume.
(He's glad, all at once, that he had thought to bathe before coming, to get at least some of the livestock smell out of his hair.)
The compliment has him blushing again. "The feeling is mutual. You - you're the most beautiful man I have seen in my life."
"Well we're safe here, in the castle. My parents know about me. They don't care." Which is comforting, for him, knowing that he can be who he is, at least within the confines of the castle. The world can be cruel, but here, at least, it's safe. He can dance with Solin and not be judged for it. Or at least, not by anyone that matters.
The compliment makes him blush, and he noses into Solin's hair to try and hide it. "Well. Clearly you haven't seen yourself in a mirror, lately. But thank you, I will happily accept the honour of being the most beautiful man you've seen."
"Oh, that's - that's lovely. They seem like lovely people."
Solin's been alone for quite some time now - his parents long gone. He never did figure himself out until after...sometimes, he wonders whether they would have understood. But he isn't unhappy now, and he likes to think that would have mattered.
In fact, he's very happy right now, stumbling around the dancefloor with this radiant, vivacious young man. He reddens right back when he feels the nestle into his hair. (Again, really glad he washed it. He still smells a little of lanolin, of grass and hay.)
"Me? Oh, I'm - I'm just a farmer, a weaver. I'm such a plain thing. I'm pretty sure they could put out every candle in here and you would still be glowing."
"I'm going to drown in your compliments," he laughs, giving Solin a twirl before pulling him close again. He loves the way Solin smells. Like the earth. It's refreshing, especially since Herbert doesn't spend much time outside.
"Your eyes are the colour of sunlight through the leaves of trees. The most bright, brilliant green I've ever seen."
"Well then, we're going down together, at this rate." He takes the twirl a little clumsily - but he's finding it pretty easy to fall into step with Herbert. Like they match up, somehow. It feels...good, it feels right. He wonders a little whether he's going to wake up any time soon. He hopes not.
"Thank you," he breathes, laughing softly. "Yours are - they remind me of crystal, almost. Like polished quartz, with bits of amethyst throughout. And...your hair - it reminds me of spun silk. It looks so soft, so bright, and I- oh, I hope that wasn't strange of me to say. Spoken like a true weaver."
"You speak so poetically. You're going to have to write me letters," Herbert declares, pressing his hand more firmly against Solin's back. "Every day, sheets and sheets, telling me how pretty I am. And I will save them all and read them over and over again until the pages fall apart.
Will you let me visit you? You must. I'm going to, you don't have a choice."
"Oh, well, I shall have to make time between feeding the sheep and spinning for that." Herbert is - excitable, quick. Solin finds it endearing rather than pushy, laughing breathlessly like he's being swept out with the tide.
His thumbs rub a little at Herbert's waist where they find a place to rest. A nervous little motion, a fidget.
"Of course you can visit - whenever you like. It - it's not much, nothing like all this. Just a farm and a cabin...but if you don't mind sheep, you are more than welcome."
"I don't mind!" he assures Solin quickly. "I'd love to meet your sheep. I would love to see you spin. I don't know any of these things. All I know is books. Books are -- solitary.
I want to learn more about the world. I want to learn about you." He laughs, light and nervous. "Teach me witchcraft."
That touches the young farmer - the word solitary. He's getting the picture. Herbert is...lonely. Just like him. The nervous laugh, the jabbering, the way he's holding on.
Biting his lip for a moment, he reaches up, cupping the other man's cheek gently in his hand. "I would...like to learn more about you, too, Herbert. I really would." A little pause, and a wry little smile. "I'm not technically a witch, though, if I'm honest. I...I can teach you some herbalism, though. So I guess I do know some potions."
He's a little flushed with excitement - normally, he's a slow moving, patient person, but...oh, he really was just a moment from asking this boy to come home with him tonight.
Herbert leans his cheek into the touch, unable to keep the smile from his face. Solin's hands are rough, compared to Herbert's soft, well manicured hands. But he likes the way they feel against his skin. "I think I could happily listen to you teach me about anything -- everything. There's only so much you can learn from reading."
Herbert is flustered as well. Impatient to know more about this beautiful boy in his arms. To see his cottage and farm and sheep. To see how he makes those beautiful scarves.
"Would you like to find some place to sit and talk?"
"Then let's. As enjoyable as I find dancing with you, of course. And I truly do. We'll have to dance again, sometime. But if you come out into the hallway with me, there's an alcove not too far away, with a bench we could sit on. I'll even get us another drink, if you want one."
"Oh!" Hebert laughs, loud and light and bright. Absolutely delighted at the joke. He presses a quick kiss to Solin's cheek, blushing at the boldness of the move.
Bolder still, he slides his fingers down Solin's arm to take his hand. "You are quite the charmer. I'm thoroughly charmed."
Solin's heart skips a beat at that little kiss - the line had been more than worth the self-embarrassment if that was the result. He grasps back at the hand that slides down to take his, grin a little bit dopey.
"I'm not usually," he admits, laughing softly. "We shepherds aren't known for our social graces. The only living things I've ever swept off their feet have been lambs and ewes."
"I bet you look completely adorable, holding a lamb. Like a French pastoral painting, with the sunlight in your curls." He leads Solin to the hallway outside the Grand Ballroom, where there is indeed an alcove with a bench.
He sits, and leaves enough room for Solin to sit with him. "Have you always lived in the village?"
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"Yes, well. Father does like to throw rather lavish balls. He loves having guests over, you see. It makes the castle feel less empty.
But you looked so solitary, here in your corner. I knew at once I had to come keep you company."
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Funny, but he does seem to be drifting closer by degrees to the taller man - like he's being drawn in. His heart is fluttering, hammering in his chest, and he feels...nervous. After all, he's...well, as far as he knows, here in town, he's probably one of very few -
Hm.
Well, there's a way to know, isn't there? He clears his throat a little, looking a little sheepish. "Well, I have had some lovely young women come to ask me to dance - but - they were...a little disappointed at my...reaction, I think."
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Well it doesn't hurt to try.
"Do you not enjoy dancing? Or are you simply waiting for the right partner."
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"Oh, I - I like dancing, even if I'm not very good at it - it's just...as you said. The right partner. Someone a little bit less, um...." A bit less female? Why is this always so difficult? He swallows hard.
"Someone a little bit...stronger...than the ladies who have asked me. If you - if you take my meaning?"
He can't help it - his bright green eyes flick down Herbert's body, briefly, before rising hurriedly back to his face. It's unmistakable - the young shepherd is looking.
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Those eyes. So green. Like the grass he imagine Solin sits in under the sun most days.
"And if a young man asked you to dance? Would you be more willing?"
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At the question, he lets out a little fluttery gasp, like a butterfly had caught in his windpipe. He blushes a little deeper, his smile going a bit dreamy. "I...I would be, yes. I really would." Taking a gulp from his wine, he tries to steady himself with a deep breath, before adding:
"Especially if it were...oh, I don't know...a beautiful Prince from a fairy story?"
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He offers his hands with a wide smile, his expression utterly delighted. "In that case, may I have this dance?"
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"I thought you would never ask," he breathes - and now that he's sure of where they both of them stand, resting a polite little kiss on the back of Herbert's left hand.
"...And I'm not just being flowery, I - thought I was the only one here. I genuinely didn't think you would ask."
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But he pulls Solin close, and it feels right, with his arm around Solin's waist like this. Close enough to kiss, if he wanted to.
"I think you're exceedingly handsome, you know."
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How long has it been, since he's been close to anyone like this? He can't even remember. Whenever it had been, it hadn't been anything important, just a moment of indiscretion in the city. Now he has a strong, warm body pulled up close to his, close enough that all he can smell is Herbert's perfume.
(He's glad, all at once, that he had thought to bathe before coming, to get at least some of the livestock smell out of his hair.)
The compliment has him blushing again. "The feeling is mutual. You - you're the most beautiful man I have seen in my life."
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The compliment makes him blush, and he noses into Solin's hair to try and hide it. "Well. Clearly you haven't seen yourself in a mirror, lately. But thank you, I will happily accept the honour of being the most beautiful man you've seen."
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Solin's been alone for quite some time now - his parents long gone. He never did figure himself out until after...sometimes, he wonders whether they would have understood. But he isn't unhappy now, and he likes to think that would have mattered.
In fact, he's very happy right now, stumbling around the dancefloor with this radiant, vivacious young man. He reddens right back when he feels the nestle into his hair. (Again, really glad he washed it. He still smells a little of lanolin, of grass and hay.)
"Me? Oh, I'm - I'm just a farmer, a weaver. I'm such a plain thing. I'm pretty sure they could put out every candle in here and you would still be glowing."
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"Your eyes are the colour of sunlight through the leaves of trees. The most bright, brilliant green I've ever seen."
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"Thank you," he breathes, laughing softly. "Yours are - they remind me of crystal, almost. Like polished quartz, with bits of amethyst throughout. And...your hair - it reminds me of spun silk. It looks so soft, so bright, and I- oh, I hope that wasn't strange of me to say. Spoken like a true weaver."
You can take the boy out of the farm....
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Will you let me visit you? You must. I'm going to, you don't have a choice."
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His thumbs rub a little at Herbert's waist where they find a place to rest. A nervous little motion, a fidget.
"Of course you can visit - whenever you like. It - it's not much, nothing like all this. Just a farm and a cabin...but if you don't mind sheep, you are more than welcome."
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I want to learn more about the world. I want to learn about you." He laughs, light and nervous. "Teach me witchcraft."
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Biting his lip for a moment, he reaches up, cupping the other man's cheek gently in his hand. "I would...like to learn more about you, too, Herbert. I really would." A little pause, and a wry little smile. "I'm not technically a witch, though, if I'm honest. I...I can teach you some herbalism, though. So I guess I do know some potions."
He's a little flushed with excitement - normally, he's a slow moving, patient person, but...oh, he really was just a moment from asking this boy to come home with him tonight.
In time, Solin. In time. Don't scare him off.
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Herbert is flustered as well. Impatient to know more about this beautiful boy in his arms. To see his cottage and farm and sheep. To see how he makes those beautiful scarves.
"Would you like to find some place to sit and talk?"
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He feels - he feels something, here. He feels something and he doesn't want whatever it is to stop.
"Yes!" The word is blurted out, and he laughs at himself, at his eagerness.."I mean - of course, yes, I would...I would love to."
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But he laughs, not pulling away, but ready to follow.
"That sounds wonderful. Lead the way. I - I only had the couple sips of wine you saw me drink, though. I I am fine without. Your...." Oh, should he?
Eh, why not?
"Your company is intoxicating enough."
Nailed it.
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Bolder still, he slides his fingers down Solin's arm to take his hand. "You are quite the charmer. I'm thoroughly charmed."
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"I'm not usually," he admits, laughing softly. "We shepherds aren't known for our social graces. The only living things I've ever swept off their feet have been lambs and ewes."
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He sits, and leaves enough room for Solin to sit with him. "Have you always lived in the village?"
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