"No one to sing with." There's moment of sadness there, a wistfulness in his voice. But then he takes one of Alfred's hands to kiss his knuckles, squeezing it tight.
"Now I have you, though. I could sing a little something while you played piano. If you'd like."
"Then we ought to. We'll gather everyone around and play and sing for them. A lovely little night of entertainment for everyone." And a chance for Herbert to be at the center of attention, which he loves.
"Perhaps I want to show off how incredibly talented you are. You can do so many lovely things, Alfred. You make so much beauty in this world." He looks down at the sleeve of his shirt, which has flowers embroidered on it where a blood stain used to be.
"Well...sort of. Most of the time it isn't creating beauty...."
Reaching up, he twists two lengths of Herbert's long bangs back behind him, tying them off neatly so he can pin a bow on. Leaning forward, he smiles over his lover's shoulder, eyes bright.
"... It's just shining a light on what's already there."
"How does this always end up with you complimenting me in some way," he teases, reaching up to set his hand against Alfred's cheek. "Not that I'm complaining, of course. You can compliment me all you like.
You have such a poetic way of speaking, you know. Perhaps that stems from your music."
At this, the younger man just smiles. He knows a part of it is deflection, but he really does love complimenting Herbert, telling him how wonderful he is. His lover may not admit it, but he needs that just as much as Alfred does.
"Maybe," he muses in a soft little purr, nuzzling into Herbert's hand, "My family name does come from a line of writers, too. It was the only part of my family I ever felt any kind of connection to. I...I like it, saying these things to you out loud."
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2022-01-24 03:37 am (UTC)The statement made into the quiet feels...personal, charged, and so it's gently that Alfred replies.
"Did you? ...Why did you stop?"
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Date: 2022-01-24 05:20 am (UTC)"Now I have you, though. I could sing a little something while you played piano. If you'd like."
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Date: 2022-01-24 07:33 am (UTC)"I wouldn't like that, Engel, I would love it. I would love nothing more than to make music with you."
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Date: 2022-01-30 02:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-01-30 02:37 am (UTC)He places a little kiss at the nape of Herbert's neck.
"It could be a lot of fun."
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Date: 2022-01-30 02:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-01-30 03:09 am (UTC)Reaching up, he twists two lengths of Herbert's long bangs back behind him, tying them off neatly so he can pin a bow on. Leaning forward, he smiles over his lover's shoulder, eyes bright.
"... It's just shining a light on what's already there."
no subject
Date: 2022-01-30 11:57 pm (UTC)You have such a poetic way of speaking, you know. Perhaps that stems from your music."
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Date: 2022-01-31 12:30 am (UTC)"Maybe," he muses in a soft little purr, nuzzling into Herbert's hand, "My family name does come from a line of writers, too. It was the only part of my family I ever felt any kind of connection to. I...I like it, saying these things to you out loud."