The Black Widow and the Peacock: First Date

[Aurelio]

He kissed her neck, her cheek, her forehead. He kissed her on the lips, the touch light: a brush of skin on skin. He shifted his weight a little to the side so that his weight was mostly on the floor rather than his elbows, one of his legs slung over hers. His hands moved, the first to prop his head up, and the second to pull her yet closer to him. He looked down on her, and there was something so open about that expression, vulnerable. A second intimacy.

"Where's your bedroom?"

[Ivone]

Her hair fell around her head in a golden nimbus. The kisses were accepted and returned with more of the same, contented smile following. His gestures were so natural and sweet. The expression, so open and vulnerable. It was too easy to forget it was just a mask. Certainly, she wore no mask. If she didn't learn soon, she'd regret it. There was a depth to her gaze, all smokey violet-blue. But, for now, she didn't want to be fake. She was enjoying the companionship and the closeness, even if it wasn't real. The moment these moments stopped, reality would start and she didn't want to be alone with her thoughts and reflections.

"Mm. Upstairs." His body had slipped from hers, an inevitability, and now it rested, cold, wet, and a little sticky, against her thigh as he shifted his position. "The master bath is, too." An invitation for more intimacy. It'd be fun to wash his hair, his back, and everywhere in between.

[Aurelio]

"Milady," Aurelio murmured, slight smile ruining the serenity of the moment as he pulled himself up, and then slid one arm under her back, and the other under her legs. "Forgive me the familiarity." He straightened with her in his arms, ignoring the mess as if it wasn't even there. They were not even fully naked, and from an outsider's perspective it was likely to be seen as highly undignified, what with his trousers and her shirt, and his -- ruined all, in some manner, though not beyond fixing. With or without dignity, he behaved with the manner of a gentleman (albeit one with mischief on his mind), as he turned them away from the scene of the tryst and back towards the interior of the house.

He invaded her privacy, even though it was with her permission: they were yet strangers, familiar as they were with the topography of each other's bodies. He did not ask for forgiveness, and nor would he. They had each an assignment to fulfill, and he was content, appearing even pleased with her and the situation as he found the stairs and carefully bore her up them. The affection was certainly genuine enough in seeming, as was that gentle way in which he treated her. There was no disrespect, no condemnation: for those stolen moments, he was hers. Utterly. Without conceit.

Endearments were whispered, fading memories of heat and friction enflamed by his saucy recollections and impressions. He had enjoyed her. He thought her beautiful. He was enamored of her cleverness. Each had its own measure of honesty, chased with kisses and hints of further desire, future encounters promised in the space of a wink and a hot breath down her neck.

Only once he reached the border of her master bath did he give pause to his tender assault, and then to whisper something of another sort into her ear. "I would see you freshened up, milady."

[Ivone]

“Hm?” Ivone shook her head, a bemused smile on her face. He’d gone from sardonic, sharp wit to formalities and sweet nothings. He was as mercurial as she, it seemed. Ivone gasped softly when Aurelio lifted and carried her with ease. She rested her head on his shoulder, arms looped lightly around his neck.

Again, it was too, too easy to forget this was an act; just a part he played. Ivone was caught up in the moment. She felt capsized by an overwhelming sense of emotion. It was an act? Wasn’t it? Was that real or was it really empty words? Wasn't there some truth? He did not appear to be wearing his social mask. She reminded herself again that what passes between them is empty. She couldn’t tell the difference and that bothered her. His sharpness, his haughtiness – those things made her feel like fighting back, but this was different. She was undone by it. The trip upstairs was not a long one, but time failed to pass all the same.

As he whispered in her ear, she could feel tears beginning to well in her eyes and stifled them. She managed to laugh softly as he recounted impressions, because they did make her laugh and chuckle. She would happily have him again, too, and said as much. She placed her own kisses where her lips could reach. She responded to his other observations with her own in a shy, yet bold, way.

“The bath is big enough for two. Join me?” Ivone looked up at him, a flirty smile on her face. She had managed to fight back the emotions. Turning her head to look at the large tub, she said, “I’d like that...”

[Aurelio]

Aurelio chuckled, and rewarded her with a devilish grin. "Think you I could resist an invitation like that? Your confidence in my manners is misplaced."

He set her down on her feet, forgoing a clumsy and perhaps dangerous drop into the tub as he started to fiddle with the controls on the tub. That he'd been around running water before was evident in the competent way he handled the controls; not all of Marn's residents had the proper plumbing setup. Not even all of those who were conceivably wealthy enough to have it installed were able to do so. Many of the more traditional families eschewed technology on some flimsy basis or another, claiming that it encouraged slovenly behavior the same way magic did. Aurelio was, quite obviously, not among them.

"Now then, where are your bath oils?" He rubbed his hands together, skin pebbling over as the sweat on his skin started to dry.

[Ivone]

Ivone’s hand rested on Aurelio’s chest for stability as he placed her back on her feet. She smiled again. “Good.” She sounded pleased. She let her fingers slide across his skin. If she was going to do anything today, she was going to enjoy herself.

The bath was big enough to fit two adult men. Ivone often chose to use the guest tub as it was smaller, but for today, the master bath suited well. She stuck her hand into the water for a moment, testing the temperature, before moving to a cabinet. She still wore the shirt, though it hung open now. Presenting her backside to Aurelio, she reached up to open the cabinet. Her rear barely poked out with the motion.

Within the cabinet sat a few vials of different oils. Ivone grabbed them with both hands and offered them up to Aurelio. Maybe one of these would suit his preferences. Six vials in all, the scents were all masculine. Her own scent was down the hall in the guest bath.

“Go on, get in.” Ivone looked happy and pleased. She had wanted to do this and he had agreed. On the side of the tub, closest to the wall, cradled in two metal prongs, lay a shower nozzle. One could lift it and rinse one’s body or hair. She looked forward to running her fingers through his hair as warm water drifted over his scalp. Was that an odd thing? She also realized she wanted to help him from his clothes.

"Wait. Let me..." The vials were placed within reach for him to peruse, but first... Ivone smiled a little secret smile and reached to slip her hand inside the one sleeve still remaining on him, drawing it off his arm. The shirt was discarded to the floor. Next, she pushed against his chest lightly, encouraging him to sit on a bench near to the tub. "Here... sit." He still wore his boots. Had they really been in such a state that he'd barely removed any clothes? A little pleased thrill ran through her.

"I don't think you'll need these in the bath." Ivone looked up to Aurelio as she gestured to his boots. She was no unaffected valet, but his peer (as much as he might view her as such) and a Lady. The things she did now, she did because she wanted to, not because she was required to. "Or these." Ivone placed her hand on his thigh and plucked the fabric of his pants.

[Aurelio]

"Hmm." The vials clinked as Aurelio maneuvered them, fitting five into his left hand as he opened the sixth in his right. His eyes softened as he looked down at Ivone for a brief moment, nodding at her to do as she willed with his boots and pants. While she undressed him he selected two of the vials. Finally, he handed them off to her and gestured to her shirt as he stepped into the tub. He rested his arms along the sides and stared at her -- appreciation visible in the lines of his face -- and waited for her to get in.

[Ivone]

Her eyes met his as he nodded. A pleased, little smile curved her lips and showed in her eyes. One could imagine Ivone doing this sort of thing as a happy wife, if one chose to think along those lines. Ivone took the vials from his hands and sniffed them. She nodded. Those two had been her favorites. Another pleased little smile, albeit a tad sadder. When Ivone looked at Aurelio again, he was gesturing for her to take off the shirt. Funny, that. They'd already been physically intimate, but taking off the shirt was a whole different thing. Suddenly, she was nervous. But for the marks she'd left on him, his skin appeared flawless. While she, she bore a fresh, pink scar just above her pubic line from hip to hip bone. The doctor's work had been very thorough and the scar was minimal, but it was still a scar. Over time, the scar would fade to barely visible, but for now it was very obvious against the pale skin of her flat belly. Normally, the scar was hidden beneath the band of her panties, but not now. Now, they were in broad daylight, lights lit, and for all they'd experienced of each other, still strangers.

Placing the vials on a little shelf near the bath, Ivone steeled herself. She was sure the appreciation would slip from his gaze, even if he were such an excellent actor as she thought him to be. He wouldn't be able to help it.
He would be disgusted and the fun, fairy tale would end. She shrugged out of the shirt and let it fall.

"Here, I'll wash your hair and back for you." She smiled at him as she moved to step into the tub.

[Aurelio]

Aurelio looked at that scar. He didn't deny its existence by pretending some sort of polite inability to see it. He gave it a good stare, the same way he gave the rest of her a good looking over. It was a judgement of sorts, the kind of appraisal that men and women gave each other both in and out of clothing. He acknowledged her, and let his expression show that he saw her -- both for the maturation of her body with its curves and softness, and for the line that bisected her.

He pulled himself forward, turning so that she had access to his back and hair (though the latter he scooped up and away from his neck, presenting it to her without flourish). "Only if I get to do the same."

He sat with his knees pulled up in front of him, each leg listing towards the sides of the tub. His knees stuck up out of the water, giving him a rather childish air.

[Ivone]

"Certainly."

Ivone smiled again as she slipped in the tub behind him, butt perched on the edge of the tub and feet in the warm water. Aurelio's back gave testament to the encounter they'd shared. Red score marks from her nails marred the pale skin. His neck, too, bore marks from her teeth. Those would last longer than the marks on his back. At least, for a time, they were both imperfect.

Ivone reached for the water sprayer, turned on the water, and tested the temperature - not too hot, but not too cold. "Let me know if it's too hot or cold," she said, adjusting the temperature should he comment. She began by cupping her hand at his forehead and allowing the warm water from the spray to run down his scalp, making sure to keep the water from his eyes. Her fingers dragged through his hair, nails lightly scratching his scalp and fingers massaging. Once his hair was thoroughly wet, she turned off the sprayer and replaced it.

"Here..." Ivone gently reached for his shoulders, encouraging him to rest against her knees. Her voice was soft and gentle. With that, she began to wash his hair. She was careful with him. She had long hair and knew that tangled, wet hair could tug at the scalp. So, she combed her fingers through gently. She massaged his scalp, the back of his head, and even his neck and shoulders. The red of his hair darkened substantially, more dark auburn now, and made the blue of his eyes seem even bluer. All the while, she smiled content in the giving. Once finished, she reached for the spray again, to rinse the strands clean. Where before it had stuck some, his hair was now smooth as silk as it fell across her legs and floated in the water. She used the scents he had selected and also began to wash his back.

As with his hair, she took care with his back, using her hands to massage the muscles there as well. A washcloth, rubbed in circles, washed not only his back, but his neck, shoulders, arms, and chest. As she leaned forward, her breasts pressed against his head. A kiss was pressed to his forehead when she'd finished there. She wasn't done washing him, but to do the rest meant she needed to move.

[Aurelio]

"Mm," Aurelio relaxed into Ivone, letting her take the weight of his upper body. "That's nice."

He closed his eyes as she massaged him, letting slip a sigh of contentment. "Tell me something about you. Something I don't know." He remained lax against her, seemingly unconcerned with their decision to wash each other. He even reached back to touch her calf, idly trailing his fingers against her skin. It was a familiar gesture, the sort of thing traded between people who had some reason to care for the other.

[Ivone]

Her skin was soft and smooth beneath his fingertips, something to be expected of someone in her station. Ivone put the the cloth to the side for a moment and used her fingertips to massage his forehead before resuming the massage of his shoulders. The question caught her by surprise. She didn't know what he knew or did not know. Many things ran through her head, but she realized they were really not about her at all. Did she even have her own personality? Was she really so defined by the roles she was supposed to play? How sad.

"I especially like the color of Tanzanite."

The gem was not one easily come by, but it was the color she liked. She thought the color was a good one on her.

Ivone let her hands drift over his shoulders and collar bones. "What's something I don't know about you?"

[Aurelio]

"Tanzanite?" He sounded, if anything, perplexed. But he did not push her answer, letting it go as she asked her question. "I like the shades of umber the best, but it clashes so with my hair that I own fair little with that color. It does go against my image."

He fell silent after he spoke. He didn't move but for the slow caress of his hand against her calf. For that time, there was only the sound of their breath, water, and whatever small sounds came from the slide of skin against skin as they touched each other. It was not an awkward silence on Aurelio's part; he was relaxed against Ivone and his expression -- or what she could see of it -- was tranquil. It very well could have been the sort of silence after lovemaking that provoked confessions, the sort of thing that made pillow talk what it was.

Or not. It could have simply been the exhaustion of a man who had done his best to please the woman he coupled with. Who knew.

[Ivone]

Again, Ivone gave a soft smile.

"I can imagine it does," she murmured.

Taking up the washcloth again, she resumed her self-appointed task. This time, when she leaned forward, her hand slipped further down his stomach and between and over his thighs. Her hair fell across his shoulders and chest, sticking in spots to his wet skin.

"The bed is big, if you care to have a nap before you go. " He certainly earned one. Ivone pressed a kiss to his shoulder. "You certainly earned one." A little smile curved her lips again, in memory.

[Aurelio]

The hand that caressed Ivone's calf reached up to catch her at the back of her neck. It was with gentleness that he strove to hold her there; if she moved back at all he would not struggle to keep her in place.

"Stay with me," he said, his voice nothing more than a breath of sound.