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[He knows he's an elven asshole, but the gorgeous part is new. Thankfully, Eithan is having none of it. He smiles completely disarmingly and it makes Belth blush, clear on his cheeks before he ducks his head.]

W-whatever, do what you want.

[Tsun mode engaged. He turns around on the bed and offers up a wide-toothed comb over his shoulder.] It's messy. You'll have to brush it first.

[He shoves his hands into his lap afterward, immensely embarrassed by all of this. He's still grateful, though.]

[ Hah. Eithan chuckles a little, basking in having totally "won" that~ ]

I will, thanks~

[ He takes the comb, shifts a little closer to Belth... And he hesitates, for a second, as some part of him is just somehow in awe that he's actually allowed to touch Belth's hair. Just... gotta let that sink in. You know?

But then, he gets to work - easy, gentle pulls with the comb, each pass followed by letting his fingers run through the elf's hair. He's clearly done this before. ]

It's not that bad. You make it sound like it's one huge knot, and it's not.

[Belth lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. Something about having someone's hands in his hair brings him back to simpler times. Caspa would comb it. He remembers. Adrasteius and Alrune sometimes take that role now, but it's been a long time since someone in the Fleet was able to touch his hair.

He missed it. There's something about actual physical contact that just can't be replicated any other way.]

Not one knot? I assure you there is usually a lot of knot and soon your combing will be for naught.

[... Someone's been hanging around Sokka too much.]

[ This is simple. And it's nice. Nostalgic. More than that, it's closer than he thought he'd let himself get to anyone here, period. But he doesn't mind. Far from it - he appreciates it. ]

I'm not sayin' there's none. [ Yep, on cue, there's one - you and your book-sleeping, geez - but he expertly works it through and carries on~ ] ... Also you did not just say what I think you said.

[ puns. why. he already deals with Sokka on the regular okay. ]

[He's surprised at the gentleness, and soon enough he's all but melting against Eithan. It just... feels really good? Something about the comb reminds him of home, and besides that, his scalp is pretty sensitive.

His breathing is slow and shallow, eyes closed.]

What, am I not allowed to crack a joke now and then?

[ Man, Belth sure is comfortable... Eithan was not expecting this to happen, but here they are - the demon with his fingers curled into the elf's hair, and the elf slumping all the closer. It's Eithan's turn to blush, clear as day. It's also absolutely impossible for him not to smile. ]

Hah. 'Course you are! Just expect to get a hard time for puns. That's like, the first rule of puns.

[ Or it should be. ... But he's grinning as he leans just a little bit closer. Almost done... ~~but does he have to stop? this is so good~~ ]

That's true.

[His own voice sounds distant to him, as if he's already drifting away. He squeezes his own knee to remind himself to stay awake. Belthazar already slept a few hours; he certainly doesn't need to sleep the rest of the day away.

Even his ears are drooping. He realizes he's leaning into Eithan and... he doesn't want to sit up. Eithan is so warm.]

Goodness... You came in here to give me a present, not for me to fall all over you. I'm sorry.

[... He doesn't move, though.]

Mm, nah. I don't mind at all.

[ His voice is just as soft, gentle - a completely different side of Eithan, honestly. Belth could fall asleep right here, and Eithan would just... stay put. Gladly.

One hand continues gently combing through Belth's hair, and he drapes his other arm over his shoulder, palm up. ]

Ribbon?

[He sighs, deep and slow, like there's nothing he needs to think about besides Eithan's hands in his hair. And maybe right now that's true.]

Ah... right.

[He parts somewhat reluctantly with the ribbon. It's just so gorgeous. He can't believe Eithan saw it and thought of him. He's so honored and yet so undeserving.]

[ Eithan smiles as he takes it, reluctantly sits back the smallest bit from the elf so he can gather all of that beautiful hair in his hands. He ties the ribbon around it, secures it with a few simple crosses, then ties the bow on top - perfect form, perfect lengths at the end. Just like he'd always do for Ari.

... Okay yeah, he's gotta show this to Belth properly. He pulls out his device, takes a picture of it.

And then he leans back in, drapes his arms over Belth's shoulders, and shows him the picture with a grin. ]

There. What do you think?

[He isn't quite expecting the draping so there's a moment where he sucks in a breath, unexpected, but he's quick to relax again; he's pretty chill right now thanks to the hair brushing. Maybe one day he'll get used to receiving physical affection. Maybe.

He turns a bit red when he sees the picture. His hair still looks terrible to him.

But the ribbon looks wonderful.]

I-- I think you make a very compelling argument for why I should keep my hair long.

Besides, I can't let your gift go to waste.

[He leans into Eithan a little, eyes closed. He's blushing but smiling all the same.]

... Thank you.

[ If Eithan's worried about that reflexive gasp, he doesn't show it - especially since Belth immediately relaxes. And then proceeds to be just plain cute, the way he reacts to seeing the picture. Eithan gives a huff of a laugh. ]

Hey, just say the word and I'll tie it back for you again. Or show you how, if you want. Either way, gives me an excuse to play with your hair, yeah?

[ He really enjoyed getting to play with your hair, okay. shhh.

He puts the device away, though his arms stay around Belth. He rests his chin on the elf's shoulder, lets his own eyes close. ]

Welcome. I'm really glad you like it.

[Belth makes a noise halfway between a grumble and a squeak. Eithan totally has his number at this point, but somehow it's okay.]

You don't need an excuse to do that.

[He fidgets with the hem of his sleeves.]

Just give me some warning first. I... I'm not really used to... people touching me. I've gotten better, but Silvermoon society is so different...

[ He doesn't? ... Oh. ♥ He's actually pretty happy to hear that - not sure he expected that. ]

Yeah, sure, 'course I can do that.

[ He does pick his head up, looks at him, just to be sure. ]

I mean, is this okay? Or should I...?

[ The last thing he wants is to make Belth uncomfortable, after all. He knows that, historically, he's had a habit of invading personal space bubbles unless otherwise told not to. Usually ends up with him getting smacked. And he's pretty sure that Belth would not hesitate to smack him if he did have a problem, but hey - better to ask? ]

[Belth is still blushing but that's basically his state of being when people are actually acknowledging he exists. And Eithan. Eithan too.]

It's fine. If I wanted you to stop, I would've told you. [He feigns disinterest and looks away.] Or set you on fire-- though I have a feeling that wouldn't actually work.

[ Yeah, he thought as much. Still, confirmation get! He'll go ahead and lean back in, thanks. Though he does have to chuckle - which of course he does right by Belth's ear, a fiendish smirk on his face. ]

Nope, won't work. You'll have t try somethin' else.

[... yeah, okay. Now he knows Eithan's doing that on purpose. His ears pin against his hair not unlike a cat's, and he reaches up to gently push Eithan's face away.]

Excuse you, those are sensitive.

[A huff.]

I need to clean myself up and start preparations for dinner. [Dinner is in six hours but that doesn't deter him any.] As much as I hate to detach from you, I fear I must.

[ Yeah, Eithan can't help but push buttons every now and then, and it's always all the more tempting when it's someone he's already comfortable around, someone he likes and cares about... So he's pretty much expecting that face shove, and he laughs good-naturedly as he backs off, holds his hands up like a surrender and grins. ]

Right, fair enough. I'll get out of your way. I should probably think about doin' somethin' productive with my day anyway...

~~[ Even though he'd love to just spend all of his time with Belth, he really is trying not to be an imposition. ]~~

Edited (remembered one html tag, forgot the other :|) 2017-03-26 07:26 (UTC)

[Belth reaches up to feel the ribbon in his hair and make sure it's secure, and then he finally slips off the bed.]

I'm sure you can find something. If not, I can always have you do chores.

[ It's an unconscious thing, but his smile softens when Belth draws attention to the ribbon again. He really is glad he likes it, that he wasn't being presumptuous to get it for him...

Ah. Chores. Well, truthfully, he actually doesn't mind doing chores and helping out a bit. Hell, he actually even keeps his room relatively neat in general. But, it's more fun to pretend otherwise. ]

Ehhh, I'd love to help, but! I've got a guitar to play, and probably some other people that need botherin'. So sorry.

[ He stands, finally, casually rolling his shoulders before heading for the door. ]

But if you do need help in the kitchen or somethin'? You know where to find me, yeah?

Ha. I thought you might say that.

[Funny how people allllways find something else to do when chores need to be done. Belth glares at him but there's no heat behind it; the smile peeking out from beneath is obvious.]

Of course I know where to find you. Now go on, get out of here. I'll be in the kitchen preparing the dumplings if some kind of magic-related emergency arises.

[He turns back to his bed and tries to rescue the sheets. As soon as Eithan is gone, though, he grabs a pillow and shoves his face into it. Violently.

He's got it bad.]

[ Yyyyep. Way more fun to pretend. Means he gets reactions like that, and he just grins all over again. ]

Yeah, yeah -- I'm goin'. Don't set anything on fire, that's my job. [ He waves over his shoulder as he goes. ] See you later.

[ But once he's shut the door behind him, he lingers for a just a second, smiling one of the freakin' stupidest, sappiest smiles he's probably ever managed. And that thing's gonna stay in place the entire walk back to his room, he's pretty sure, so he seriously hopes there's no one in the hallways to call him on it. fdjsakl

Goddess. Yeah, he's got it bad, too. ]

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