Oh! [Miyano turns to look at the soldier, impressed that someone not from Gotham had not only been raised as a son, but risen so high in the army's ranks. Then he ducks away, a bit shy still at the fact that he's held so close to the ruler. What must everyone be thinking? Did everyone else know Bruce's intentions for the acolyte?
Swallowing back his nerves, Miyano looks upwards again, pink-cheeked and doe-eyed.] But you -- want something different for me? Unless, um. You have other...consorts. [Not that the thought makes him jealous!!]
( The cool blue stare follows Miyano's attention to Jason, watching his adopted son for a moment before turning his attention back to the teen in his arms.
He takes in the sight of those big eyes and pink cheeks before he lifts his hand, gently tipping the other's chin up further. ) You would be the only one, Miyano.
[The rush of heat that coils low in Miyano's stomach, then rises up through his chest, making his heart go staccato-quick, knotting in his throat and making it hard to breathe -- it isn't unfamiliar, exactly. He's felt it before, a couple times, towards other acolytes or regular worshippers. He's always been taught that it was something he should ignore, some sort of sin that he had to transcend, somehow. It wasn't befitting of someone promised to the temple and the gods.
But it's never been this intense before. It's never made his whole body go hot and shivery and weak. It's never made his head spin so hard that he instinctively grabs onto Bruce's cloak to steady himself, heart racing so loud he's sure the man can hear it.]
Oh. Okay. [It comes out hoarse, a whisper. Miya isn't sure if it's agreement or permission or -- something like that. Or if it's just the only thing he can verbalize just then.]
( There's a world of differences between them. Everything from their homes and their sizes to their ages. It doesn't surprise Bruce that Miyano seems so blindsided by the seriousness of the request. He doubts such things have ever been offered to the acolyte before.
And to have it offered now, when he's already been shaken by the kindness of the man who led the charge that wiped out his home... It's a lot to process. So it doesn't worry Bruce to feel the grip on his cloak, to hear that hoarse whisper. He doesn't take it as an agreement.
Instead, he reaches up to curve his hand around Miyano's, holding it gently. )
You have time to think about it. You'll have plenty of options if you decide against it.
( Carefully, he adjusts his hold around the teen to gather him close, holding him against his chest. )
[There's is, in fact, plenty of time to think about it. They ride all day, the motion lulling Miyano into a doze, curled up against Bruce's chest, lulled by the steady rhythm of his heart. It's comforting, in a way. More so than almost anything the temple acolyte had ever experienced.
Normally horseback wouldn't be the best place to sleep, but Miyano sleeps clear until they stop to camp, curled up in the warm cloak, sleeping too deep to even dream. He stays asleep up until the tents are pitched -- with Bruce's, as the commander and king, the most luxurious and well-furnished. He even stays asleep once he's placed in the large bed that had been made up in the tent.
In fact, it's only when he hears Bruce return, late in the night, that Miyano sits up, sleepy-eyed, hair a mess, the too-big shirt falling off one pale shoulder. He blinks upwards, drowsily.]
( It's been too long since Bruce has had someone in his arms. It's strange in a way to have it now with an acolyte they'd pulled out of the rumble. But it feels... nice.
He's mindful not to disturb the teen in his arms, but he manages to carry on with business as usual as the day goes on. And once the tent is ready, he's careful in the way he strips off the borrowed cloak before tucking Miyano into the fine silks and furs of his temporary bed. There's a thought as he leaves the tent to attend to other manners that it would be such a beautiful sight to walk into his bedroom back at the manor to see Miyano nestled into it.
When he returns to the tent later in the evening, he raises a curious brow at the sight of Miyano sitting up, the soft glow of the lantern he'd left alight casting it's light on the soft features. His gaze is drawn to the slip of fabric from that pale shoulder. )
If you have space for me. ( He replies easily, one corner of his lips curving upwards as he slides his cloak off his shoulders. )
[Still half-asleep, Miyano doesnt realize how intently he's watching Bruce undress -- not for a few moments, at least. Once it hits him, he immediately turns redder, turning away quickly in favor of running his hands over the furs on the bed.]
Well it's -- your bed, after all. [His voice goes high, a little squeaky, and he swallows hard a few times.] A-And it's pretty big, so...so of course there's room.
( Bruce can see how intently Miyano is looking at him, but he continues stripping off his layers as he normally would. The layers of leather armor, gauntlets and shin guards. Too many weapons than are immediately obvious.
When he's finally done, he's in just a pair of pants. He leaves the lantern he'd lit for Miyano burning in the center of the tent before he makes his way towards the bedding. )
Good. ( It's all he says before he moves to peel back some of the layers of furs and silk to slide into place. ) Get comfortable.
[Miyano doesn't do a great job of pretending to avert his eyes, mostly settling for frequent sideways looks that just serve to intensify the blush rising up his neck. By the time Bruce actually gets into bed, the teen's so red he's surprised he doesn't glow in the dark.
For a moment he considers just curling up and going back to sleep -- there's enough trust built that he isn't afraid Bruce will hurt him, or even try anything untoward. But after a pause, Miyano rolls to his side, shirt falling off both shoulders now. The lantern is just bright enough for him to see Bruce's face. He looks tired.]
I was...thinking about what you said earlier. Um, before I fell asleep, I mean.
( While Miyano might be embarrassed to look, Bruce doesn't give another thought to modesty. He's a warrior and the number of people who have seen him undressed or completely bare on and off the battlefield only continues to grow. Still, he doesn't comment on the brightest of those cheeks. He doesn't expect different from an Acolyte, after all.
His own attention is caught by the way the top large top only slides further off those narrow shoulders, and he lets his gaze linger for for a few seconds. He settles on his back, tucking his arm opposite Miyano under his head as he turns to glance at the teen. )
Is that so? ( He wonders, brow going up slowly. He's tired, of course. Days of riding, of fighting, and the safety and comfort of home still another day away. And even at home, it's difficult to find time to rest. Always too busy with nothing to draw his focus towards the idea of something that isn't work or duty. )
Y-Yeah. [Miyano swallows hard, feeling the heat from his blush on his cheek and neck and ears. He must look ridiculous, but he has to see this through, now. He'll seem like even more of a fool if he stops.
So he looks down at his hands, knotted in the shirt across his thighs and says as quickly and smoothly as he can:] A-And if you really meant it and don't mind that I might be bad at it at first I'd be willing to give it a try if you still want that of course.
[Then he clamps his mouth shut, peeking up at Bruce from under his shaggy hair.] D-Do you? Still want that?
( The way Miyano flusters as he tries to speak is cute, and his nervous gestures are met with an arched brow and a low, amused sound. But he doesn't press the teen to continue, only watches him patiently.
He hums softly at those words, his lips curving just the slightest bit as he reaches out, brushing the messy bangs from Miyano's eyes. )
I do. ( Reaching out, he catches the small hands in one of his own, lifting it to his lips to press a soft kiss to his knuckles. )
We have plenty of time for you to get better at it.
( It's not like he's been good at any romantic relationship he's ever had, but Miyano doesn't need to know that. )
I-I can be romantic! [Miyano blurts this out mostly because the gentle kiss to his hand is the most romantic thing he's ever had happen to him.] Definitely, I could d-do that. If, um. If you'd like me to...to be. I'll try and be whatever you'd like.
[Ears flaming red, he looks down at his lap and forces the next words out.] It's the, um. Other stuff. I've never -- I might be bad at it. I-I learn fast, though, I promise.
[Miya coughs a couple times, looking up at Bruce.] I know what it is, though. What -- what happens in, um. In bed with...with brides. [He's read...a lot. Still, it's one thing to read about such things and another entirely to say it.]
( It's easy to see how little involvement Miyano's had with others in this sort of capacity. The stuttering, the outbursts... It's cute in a way. Curious in others.
Bruce shakes his head, trying to dismiss any concern about some of the more intimate details. )
[He's definitely smirking, and Miya's ears are bright red as he covers his face.] Doooon't laugh at me! I'm trying to be serious!
[But it's sort of nice. The attention. He'd never gotten this much attention back in the temple. Honestly, he'd gotten used to being ignored, had resigned himself to it. This is -- new. Strange. Kind of addictive. Miyano could get used to having Bruce's attention on him.
Peeking through his fingers:] I understand the basics. You won't have to worry about that. Whenever, um. Whenever we. You. When we.
( Miyano is so different to what he's used to, Bruce can't help but be fascinated. Among his family, they're all so open without the stuttering and flustering about so much. It's such an interesting contrast.
He only arches a brow at the way the teen peeks through his fingers. )
There is? [All right, so maybe he'd hyperfocused a little. Bruce is a very...physically distracting person. It's only natural that Miyano's mind would go there first.
But he settles down on his side, propping his cheek on one hand.] What do you mean?
( Bruce is similar in that his thoughts had gone there first as well. Still seem to wander back to it especially now with how much of his shirt exposes more of that fair skin. But he's far better at containing his own desire than Miyano.
So when the teen settles on his side, Bruce lets himself sink back into the bedding, tucking one arm behind his head. )
We'll be married. I'll be committing my life to you - to giving you a home, comfort, family.
Hmmm. [Miyano is quiet for a long moment. Then, hesitantly, watching Bruce's face for any sign he should pull away, he reaches out under the covers and slides his much smaller hand onto the man's arm. He's very warm, and despite the heavy blankets, Miya is still chilly.
So he inches closer, still very cautiously.] I've never really had those things. But -- they sound really nice. All of them.
[The careful inching forward has the much-too-big shirt falling even more off Miyano's shoulders, but he seems oblivious to that.]
( Miyano moves so slowly, it reminds Bruce of a small, skittish animal. He hopes that'll pass in time and that the teen will become more comfortable in his company.
He stretches his arm out, nodding his head towards it in invitation for Miyano to come closer. )
You will here. I'll make sure of that. ( That's a promise he has every intention of keeping. )
A lot of our family was like you once. They'll welcome you with open arms.
[Part of Miyano is, admittedly, thinking about the wreckage of the village, how thoroughly and mercilessly Bruce had conquered it, the chaos in his wake. He knows the warrior king is powerful, ferocious. Have a comfortable bed and some kind words really won him over so easily?
Yes, Miyano has to admit, slowly moving until his knees bump against Bruce's thighs, reminding him again how much smaller he is. How the man could wreck him without even trying. But yes. He's been won over.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2023-02-11 04:37 am (UTC)Swallowing back his nerves, Miyano looks upwards again, pink-cheeked and doe-eyed.] But you -- want something different for me? Unless, um. You have other...consorts. [Not that the thought makes him jealous!!]
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Date: 2023-03-07 01:24 am (UTC)He takes in the sight of those big eyes and pink cheeks before he lifts his hand, gently tipping the other's chin up further. ) You would be the only one, Miyano.
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Date: 2023-03-08 03:19 am (UTC)But it's never been this intense before. It's never made his whole body go hot and shivery and weak. It's never made his head spin so hard that he instinctively grabs onto Bruce's cloak to steady himself, heart racing so loud he's sure the man can hear it.]
Oh. Okay. [It comes out hoarse, a whisper. Miya isn't sure if it's agreement or permission or -- something like that. Or if it's just the only thing he can verbalize just then.]
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Date: 2023-03-14 11:41 pm (UTC)And to have it offered now, when he's already been shaken by the kindness of the man who led the charge that wiped out his home... It's a lot to process. So it doesn't worry Bruce to feel the grip on his cloak, to hear that hoarse whisper. He doesn't take it as an agreement.
Instead, he reaches up to curve his hand around Miyano's, holding it gently. )
You have time to think about it. You'll have plenty of options if you decide against it.
( Carefully, he adjusts his hold around the teen to gather him close, holding him against his chest. )
lil timeskip if thats cool~~
Date: 2023-03-18 03:37 am (UTC)Normally horseback wouldn't be the best place to sleep, but Miyano sleeps clear until they stop to camp, curled up in the warm cloak, sleeping too deep to even dream. He stays asleep up until the tents are pitched -- with Bruce's, as the commander and king, the most luxurious and well-furnished. He even stays asleep once he's placed in the large bed that had been made up in the tent.
In fact, it's only when he hears Bruce return, late in the night, that Miyano sits up, sleepy-eyed, hair a mess, the too-big shirt falling off one pale shoulder. He blinks upwards, drowsily.]
Are you coming to bed?
works for me~
Date: 2023-03-19 01:11 am (UTC)He's mindful not to disturb the teen in his arms, but he manages to carry on with business as usual as the day goes on. And once the tent is ready, he's careful in the way he strips off the borrowed cloak before tucking Miyano into the fine silks and furs of his temporary bed. There's a thought as he leaves the tent to attend to other manners that it would be such a beautiful sight to walk into his bedroom back at the manor to see Miyano nestled into it.
When he returns to the tent later in the evening, he raises a curious brow at the sight of Miyano sitting up, the soft glow of the lantern he'd left alight casting it's light on the soft features. His gaze is drawn to the slip of fabric from that pale shoulder. )
If you have space for me. ( He replies easily, one corner of his lips curving upwards as he slides his cloak off his shoulders. )
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Date: 2023-03-19 06:23 am (UTC)Well it's -- your bed, after all. [His voice goes high, a little squeaky, and he swallows hard a few times.] A-And it's pretty big, so...so of course there's room.
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Date: 2023-03-20 08:22 pm (UTC)When he's finally done, he's in just a pair of pants. He leaves the lantern he'd lit for Miyano burning in the center of the tent before he makes his way towards the bedding. )
Good. ( It's all he says before he moves to peel back some of the layers of furs and silk to slide into place. ) Get comfortable.
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Date: 2023-03-21 04:44 am (UTC)For a moment he considers just curling up and going back to sleep -- there's enough trust built that he isn't afraid Bruce will hurt him, or even try anything untoward. But after a pause, Miyano rolls to his side, shirt falling off both shoulders now. The lantern is just bright enough for him to see Bruce's face. He looks tired.]
I was...thinking about what you said earlier. Um, before I fell asleep, I mean.
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Date: 2023-04-04 12:35 am (UTC)His own attention is caught by the way the top large top only slides further off those narrow shoulders, and he lets his gaze linger for for a few seconds. He settles on his back, tucking his arm opposite Miyano under his head as he turns to glance at the teen. )
Is that so? ( He wonders, brow going up slowly. He's tired, of course. Days of riding, of fighting, and the safety and comfort of home still another day away. And even at home, it's difficult to find time to rest. Always too busy with nothing to draw his focus towards the idea of something that isn't work or duty. )
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Date: 2023-04-09 12:51 am (UTC)So he looks down at his hands, knotted in the shirt across his thighs and says as quickly and smoothly as he can:] A-And if you really meant it and don't mind that I might be bad at it at first I'd be willing to give it a try if you still want that of course.
[Then he clamps his mouth shut, peeking up at Bruce from under his shaggy hair.] D-Do you? Still want that?
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Date: 2023-04-28 10:19 pm (UTC)He hums softly at those words, his lips curving just the slightest bit as he reaches out, brushing the messy bangs from Miyano's eyes. )
I do. ( Reaching out, he catches the small hands in one of his own, lifting it to his lips to press a soft kiss to his knuckles. )
We have plenty of time for you to get better at it.
( It's not like he's been good at any romantic relationship he's ever had, but Miyano doesn't need to know that. )
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Date: 2023-04-29 02:55 am (UTC)[Ears flaming red, he looks down at his lap and forces the next words out.] It's the, um. Other stuff. I've never -- I might be bad at it. I-I learn fast, though, I promise.
[Miya coughs a couple times, looking up at Bruce.] I know what it is, though. What -- what happens in, um. In bed with...with brides. [He's read...a lot. Still, it's one thing to read about such things and another entirely to say it.]
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Date: 2023-05-09 02:05 pm (UTC)Bruce shakes his head, trying to dismiss any concern about some of the more intimate details. )
You'll get plenty of practice.
( He might be smirking. )
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Date: 2023-05-10 03:26 am (UTC)[But it's sort of nice. The attention. He'd never gotten this much attention back in the temple. Honestly, he'd gotten used to being ignored, had resigned himself to it. This is -- new. Strange. Kind of addictive. Miyano could get used to having Bruce's attention on him.
Peeking through his fingers:] I understand the basics. You won't have to worry about that. Whenever, um. Whenever we. You. When we.
You know.
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Date: 2023-05-10 09:36 pm (UTC)( Miyano is so different to what he's used to, Bruce can't help but be fascinated. Among his family, they're all so open without the stuttering and flustering about so much. It's such an interesting contrast.
He only arches a brow at the way the teen peeks through his fingers. )
There's more to my offer than just sex, Miyano.
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Date: 2023-05-13 06:42 pm (UTC)But he settles down on his side, propping his cheek on one hand.] What do you mean?
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Date: 2023-05-16 11:13 pm (UTC)So when the teen settles on his side, Bruce lets himself sink back into the bedding, tucking one arm behind his head. )
We'll be married. I'll be committing my life to you - to giving you a home, comfort, family.
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Date: 2023-05-18 04:32 am (UTC)So he inches closer, still very cautiously.] I've never really had those things. But -- they sound really nice. All of them.
[The careful inching forward has the much-too-big shirt falling even more off Miyano's shoulders, but he seems oblivious to that.]
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Date: 2023-05-19 10:11 pm (UTC)He stretches his arm out, nodding his head towards it in invitation for Miyano to come closer. )
You will here. I'll make sure of that. ( That's a promise he has every intention of keeping. )
A lot of our family was like you once. They'll welcome you with open arms.
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Date: 2023-05-20 02:17 am (UTC)Yes, Miyano has to admit, slowly moving until his knees bump against Bruce's thighs, reminding him again how much smaller he is. How the man could wreck him without even trying. But yes. He's been won over.]
Your family? Who else is in your family?