[He closed his eyes at that and made a little bit of a face. Not because what Courfeyrac said offended him in any sense; no, of course not; but because it was so sunny and kind that it was almost difficult to accept, without some form of deprecation. Jehan was not very used to a constancy of compliments, and was very timid of snapping them up so easily, without protest.]
I cannot continue; you've cut me off, I'm afraid. You're impossibly... [Generous? Gentle? Good?] ...impossible.
[He decided, leaning into him, and returning the kiss to his cheek.]
You are amiable enough to make even an Aztec funeral mask smile, and I feel sure you could turn a pebble into a seed and have it blossom, if you spoke kindly to it for long enough.
And now you've the upper hand. Indeed, such is your effect.
[It's sometimes a miracle of all the saints that he is able to still think after something Courfeyrac has said, much less to speak.]
I get a little joy out of feeding it, if I am honest. Too large and it may knock me over; but pleasantly kept, and I have no trouble in coddling it. Please forgive me that.
[He didn't see himself running out of praises any time soon.]
[He gave back at the comparison, still predictably a shade of pink from the aforementioned actions. He did finally go to return those kisses, though less in number; one to his chin and the other to the corner of his mouth.]
I feel as if it is lucky we are among the stars... on earth, surely one god or another would be jealous over my having so much.
[He sincerely felt that way; over-fortunate, in having such a person love him in return.]
[Well, since he had the rare occasion of having his eyes open while Courfeyrac had his closed...
He took the opportunity to press a butterfly kiss to each lid, and smile softly.]
No one could punish you on that count, surely, God or man. I believe; and will hold no argument against; that I am the luckier of we two. It is a pretty thing, to be so enamored. And while I am prone to it, you... that is. Never quite to this extent.
[Admitted, softly, before--]
Ah. Do you know what 'Roman de la poire's' design is, cher?
[He flicked his gaze to the side at him when he agreed that it had never been to this extent for himself either, then smiled.]
Roman de la poire is medieval French romantic narration. The manuscript is by Thibaut, and uses mainly allegory to describe love, in large part from the lover's own perspective-- revolutionary, at the time.
In it, a woman gives a fruit she has peeled with her teeth to her lover. The man, in reply, gives her something too.
[Shifting, he picked up both hands, and used his two pointer fingers and two thumbs to form a heart, then peeked back again at him with another little smile.]
An illustration shows him to offer his heart, in this shape. It is the first time in recorded literary history that the heart was used as a metaphor for love, or that this shape; which you recognize, no?; was the associated design for the human heart in love.
[Courfeyrac listened with unwavering attention, nodding as Jehan explained what it was. He maneuvered his arms around him to copy the way he held his hands.]
So that is the reason for the simplified heart drawing to represent love? It was created that long ago?
[He took the chance to nuzzle his nose into Jehan's cheek.]
[Unhinging his own fingers after Courfeyrac had the shape, he went to trace the version he had made with two fingers, smile re-alighting at the prod of a nose against his cheek.]
It is, and it was. Of course, it would be a French invention; it seems we grow a culture of the best and worst things in humanity. But this, surely, is one of the best.
[Still tracing his fingers, he settled in on the bed finally, kicking off his shoes as nimbly as he could manage before getting onto the mattress properly to join him.]
It's true of most men too, isn't it? Great, balancing with terrible. Yet I think...
[He tapped his fingers again before letting his hands fall back lightly against his own lap.]
...That when one feels like this, the flaws seem few, and are designed so that they only add to the greatness.
[He would cease with this now, really. But he was very grateful that Courfeyrac, and what feelings he did have for the man, kept him from becoming as bleak as he felt he may have upon returning.]
[He glanced up, nearly going a bit cross-eyed, to try to stare at Courfeyrac after his statement... then kept from shaking his head, if only not to knock his chin, which was pleasantly placed.]
Fair, absolutely. But I don't think it makes so much sense as all that. There must be something to it beyond our understanding, no? There must be something more to it-- but what, I scarcely know. I don't think I would want to. Life is sometimes better being mysterious, don't you think?
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2013-07-23 05:32 pm (UTC)I cannot continue; you've cut me off, I'm afraid. You're impossibly... [Generous? Gentle? Good?] ...impossible.
[He decided, leaning into him, and returning the kiss to his cheek.]
You are amiable enough to make even an Aztec funeral mask smile, and I feel sure you could turn a pebble into a seed and have it blossom, if you spoke kindly to it for long enough.
no subject
Date: 2013-07-23 05:46 pm (UTC)[He cannot help but jest back at him.]
You say such things, I can gladly test those theories of yours... But I'm afraid you are all but feeding my already too large ego.
no subject
Date: 2013-07-23 05:54 pm (UTC)[It's sometimes a miracle of all the saints that he is able to still think after something Courfeyrac has said, much less to speak.]
I get a little joy out of feeding it, if I am honest. Too large and it may knock me over; but pleasantly kept, and I have no trouble in coddling it. Please forgive me that.
[He didn't see himself running out of praises any time soon.]
no subject
Date: 2013-07-23 06:40 pm (UTC)[Pressing kisses along his brow softly, he chuckles.]
Though, since I am not nearly as good with words, I'll be content to returning the favor with actions.
no subject
Date: 2013-07-23 06:46 pm (UTC)[He gave back at the comparison, still predictably a shade of pink from the aforementioned actions. He did finally go to return those kisses, though less in number; one to his chin and the other to the corner of his mouth.]
I feel as if it is lucky we are among the stars... on earth, surely one god or another would be jealous over my having so much.
[He sincerely felt that way; over-fortunate, in having such a person love him in return.]
no subject
Date: 2013-07-23 06:51 pm (UTC)[Closing his eyes at those kisses, he smiled a little more.]
How lucky we are, yes... I would hate to tempt any higher being into punishing us for being so lucky to have found each other as we have.
no subject
Date: 2013-07-23 06:55 pm (UTC)He took the opportunity to press a butterfly kiss to each lid, and smile softly.]
No one could punish you on that count, surely, God or man. I believe; and will hold no argument against; that I am the luckier of we two. It is a pretty thing, to be so enamored. And while I am prone to it, you... that is. Never quite to this extent.
[Admitted, softly, before--]
Ah. Do you know what 'Roman de la poire's' design is, cher?
no subject
Date: 2013-07-23 07:12 pm (UTC)Never quite to this extent. Yes. But I do believe we are both the lucky ones.
[At the following question, he opens his eyes and looks at him questioningly, shaking his head.]
I can't say that I am familiar with it, no.
no subject
Date: 2013-07-23 10:22 pm (UTC)Roman de la poire is medieval French romantic narration. The manuscript is by Thibaut, and uses mainly allegory to describe love, in large part from the lover's own perspective-- revolutionary, at the time.
In it, a woman gives a fruit she has peeled with her teeth to her lover. The man, in reply, gives her something too.
[Shifting, he picked up both hands, and used his two pointer fingers and two thumbs to form a heart, then peeked back again at him with another little smile.]
An illustration shows him to offer his heart, in this shape. It is the first time in recorded literary history that the heart was used as a metaphor for love, or that this shape; which you recognize, no?; was the associated design for the human heart in love.
no subject
Date: 2013-07-24 12:24 am (UTC)So that is the reason for the simplified heart drawing to represent love? It was created that long ago?
[He took the chance to nuzzle his nose into Jehan's cheek.]
no subject
Date: 2013-07-24 12:35 am (UTC)It is, and it was. Of course, it would be a French invention; it seems we grow a culture of the best and worst things in humanity. But this, surely, is one of the best.
[Still tracing his fingers, he settled in on the bed finally, kicking off his shoes as nimbly as he could manage before getting onto the mattress properly to join him.]
no subject
Date: 2013-07-24 04:01 pm (UTC)As Jehan shifted and settled himself in the bed, Courfeyrac moved so he could easier join him.]
Yes, I would be mad to disagree with that. It is only fair to the other cultures that ours balance out our best with some terrible...
no subject
Date: 2013-07-24 04:36 pm (UTC)[He tapped his fingers again before letting his hands fall back lightly against his own lap.]
...That when one feels like this, the flaws seem few, and are designed so that they only add to the greatness.
[He would cease with this now, really. But he was very grateful that Courfeyrac, and what feelings he did have for the man, kept him from becoming as bleak as he felt he may have upon returning.]
no subject
Date: 2013-07-24 05:29 pm (UTC)That's only fair, isn't it? If the flaws weren't so flattering, it would be impossible to get along so well.
[At least, that makes sense in his head.]
no subject
Date: 2013-07-24 07:24 pm (UTC)Fair, absolutely. But I don't think it makes so much sense as all that. There must be something to it beyond our understanding, no? There must be something more to it-- but what, I scarcely know. I don't think I would want to. Life is sometimes better being mysterious, don't you think?