[Ferdinand's brow lifts as the question takes him momentarily off-guard, and then he looks somewhat apologetic.]
My thoughts have been far from food, so... no, as you indeed suspect, I cannot recall the last time that I had a bite to eat. Despite this, I am anything but hungry.
[It feels as though it would take seeing Hubert smile at him to whet that appetite back into any shape.]
You've got to try and eat something. Hubert would want you to take care of yourself.
[He leans up to kiss Ferdinand's cheek.] Wait here a moment.
[ Stepping into the kitchen nearby, Huaisang fetches some steamed buns from the fridge and brings them to Ferdinand, returning to curl at his side. ] Try eating just one?
[Yes... Hubert would nag him, too, even though he would be one to talk about not eating properly, what with how suspicious the food in this place made him. Ferdinand consoles and privately entertains himself with the notion that in some way, Hubert was conveying this directive to eat through Huaisang, even though he is most likely gone. It makes it feel as though he is... here, some way, in spirit, being exercised through Huaisang's will.
Huaisang returns with the bun and his presence, the latter of which he sidles up next to. He prods at the doughy offering, then takes one into his hand with curiosity decorating his expression.]
I will try harder for you. And for Hubert, of course. [He musters the will to try eating his offering and gives it an experimental nibble, finding it inoffensive and easy on the palate, the texture pleasing and encouraging him to take a second bite. Already this is going well.]
[Huaisang eats one as well, in order to set a good example. The dough is filled with a spiced meat, delicately prepared. It's soothing comfort food, warm and filling.
He stays close against Ferdinand's side, grateful for the warmth and strength of him.] Do you want to stay over at all? I'd be glad to have you here for a night or two. I don't want you to be alone while you're feeling like this.
[Ferdinand chews the last bite he had thoughtfully, nodding over until his head rests atop his friend's.]
I appreciate and accept your invitation. Being here in your home and in your presence is heartening. I believe it would be better for me.
[Dare he hope that maybe... he would sometime come around to letting his stay be a little more permanent? They have grown closer since the first day he showed up here to have tea with him and get a bit more acclimated to their expectations, after all. But after his reaction to the possibility of falling for him, he might still harbor some reservations about the idea of letting him contract as a friend with all the benefits of a lover. After all, he had made it extremely obvious how much he felt for Hubert, and he would not be able to get over that so easily. And all told, they have only really known each other for a few months. Did he want to save his contract for someone else? Was it really his place to ask to be taken care of to that extent? It was kind enough of him to extend it even this far.
Ferdinand sighs at the trouble brewing in his heart.]
If he is gone, then... I do not think that I will be permitted to stay there for much longer, anyway.
Good. I'm glad you'll stay. [Huaisang jams the last bite in his mouth and hugs his arms tight around his friend, holding on fiercely. But his grip softens at Ferdinand's next words, because he wants to lift his head to see Ferdinand's face. He remains tucked close, arms around Ferdinand's waist.]
Yes. I don't remember ... do they give you some kind of buffer, at least, so you don't have to move immediately? I do not want you to have to go to the public housing in the down, but I also don't want you to be rushed in having to think about what to do next.
Oh. Right. I'm sorry, darling, I wasn't thinking. They haven't made you move yet, anyway. I think I remember you having a month grace period upon loss of a dominant, before you have to leave your housing. So you do have some time to figure out what you might want to do.
[It's occurred to Huaisang, too, that he might be one of Ferdinand's top choices for a contract, and he'd be glad to have him. He's fairly certain that Hannibal would be amenable to this. Once, Huaisang had loved having his house full of two or three submissives who all adored him, but his time with Javert had made him wary of picking up any contract unless it was very, very serious. It's hard to break that habit of feeling like he can't offer a contract.
More importantly, though, it seems all too soon to offer. Huaisang wants him to know he has a safety net, but Huaisang isn't sure if Ferdinand's ready to think of such things yet.]
That would be nice. It would be a rough transition for a Submissive to be told to pack everything and go back to the Down...
[He does not much like the Down, nor the sad little apartment they are given. Or maybe he is just spoiled. Ferdinand takes another bite of the bun, the flavor of the interior quite strong to him yet marvelously delicious, stimulating to his appetite, and makes sure to swallow it down before attempting to speak again.]
I will have to mull over my options, and perhaps meet some new Dominants. There might even be some out there who have yet to contract, and if they are a kind person who I get along with, it would be nice to be able to help them avoid the fate that happens to those who go uncontracted for too long. I understand that... you may still have reservations about contracting with just anyone, and I would like to respect that. These decisions should not be rushed. However, if I am to find myself in a bind with the deadline edging too close... would you ever consider contracting with me, even for just three months?
[Huaisang is already ready to answer while Ferdinand is still talking, so the moment he pauses with an actual question, Huaisang answers with a quick] Yes.
You're not just anyone. You're very dear to me.
I'd need to make sure that my current submissive is comfortable with it--did you meet Hannibal at my party?--but I do have a guest house. You may have seen it, it's around the side of the house? It's very comfortable. I'd offer to have you stay there now if it weren't for the city getting grumpy about submissives staying over for more than a few nights uncontracted.
I'd be very glad to have you, Ferdinand. Without hesitation.
[Being told he's dear to him warms his heart, which shows on his face.]
No, I believe I must have missed him amid all of the lovely diversions catching my attention. [The kind of smile he flashes is the equivalent of a wink. After all, Huaisang was one of them!] Whatever the case, I would not want to step on anyone's toes, so do discuss it. I will still take advantage of the few nights I can get away with retreating to your lovely place.
[Huaisang smiles back, happy and fond, and leans in to kiss Ferdinand's cheek again.] Good. We shall have a lovely time. You can stay in my bed, or in the guest house and I can stay with you there or you can have the time alone. Whatever pleases you best. I'm just happy to have your company.
[He hugs his arms tight around Ferdinand again, nuzzling his cheek against Ferdinand's shoulder.]
[He nods down to kiss him atop his head, then wraps his free arm around him snugly to return his hug.] And I am happy to have yours.
[His arm stays there to keep Huaisang close, for however long he tolerates it. By this point, his heart has been lifted, and his hunger rears its head. He makes quick work of the remaining bun as a result, and with his other hand now free he enfolds that arm around his comforting friend and squeezes.]
Mm, I like hearing that. You're welcome to hold me whenever you'd like. [Huaisang snuggles close, happy to just remain like this for as long as Ferdinand wants. He's sad for them both that Hubert is gone, but he's happy to have Ferdinand's friendship and affection, and glad that he can offer his friend some comfort.]
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My thoughts have been far from food, so... no, as you indeed suspect, I cannot recall the last time that I had a bite to eat. Despite this, I am anything but hungry.
[It feels as though it would take seeing Hubert smile at him to whet that appetite back into any shape.]
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[He leans up to kiss Ferdinand's cheek.] Wait here a moment.
[ Stepping into the kitchen nearby, Huaisang fetches some steamed buns from the fridge and brings them to Ferdinand, returning to curl at his side. ] Try eating just one?
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Huaisang returns with the bun and his presence, the latter of which he sidles up next to. He prods at the doughy offering, then takes one into his hand with curiosity decorating his expression.]
I will try harder for you. And for Hubert, of course. [He musters the will to try eating his offering and gives it an experimental nibble, finding it inoffensive and easy on the palate, the texture pleasing and encouraging him to take a second bite. Already this is going well.]
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He stays close against Ferdinand's side, grateful for the warmth and strength of him.] Do you want to stay over at all? I'd be glad to have you here for a night or two. I don't want you to be alone while you're feeling like this.
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I appreciate and accept your invitation. Being here in your home and in your presence is heartening. I believe it would be better for me.
[Dare he hope that maybe... he would sometime come around to letting his stay be a little more permanent? They have grown closer since the first day he showed up here to have tea with him and get a bit more acclimated to their expectations, after all. But after his reaction to the possibility of falling for him, he might still harbor some reservations about the idea of letting him contract as a friend with all the benefits of a lover. After all, he had made it extremely obvious how much he felt for Hubert, and he would not be able to get over that so easily. And all told, they have only really known each other for a few months. Did he want to save his contract for someone else? Was it really his place to ask to be taken care of to that extent? It was kind enough of him to extend it even this far.
Ferdinand sighs at the trouble brewing in his heart.]
If he is gone, then... I do not think that I will be permitted to stay there for much longer, anyway.
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Yes. I don't remember ... do they give you some kind of buffer, at least, so you don't have to move immediately? I do not want you to have to go to the public housing in the down, but I also don't want you to be rushed in having to think about what to do next.
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I do not know, seeing as this is the first time I have lost my contract partner.
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[It's occurred to Huaisang, too, that he might be one of Ferdinand's top choices for a contract, and he'd be glad to have him. He's fairly certain that Hannibal would be amenable to this. Once, Huaisang had loved having his house full of two or three submissives who all adored him, but his time with Javert had made him wary of picking up any contract unless it was very, very serious. It's hard to break that habit of feeling like he can't offer a contract.
More importantly, though, it seems all too soon to offer. Huaisang wants him to know he has a safety net, but Huaisang isn't sure if Ferdinand's ready to think of such things yet.]
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[He does not much like the Down, nor the sad little apartment they are given. Or maybe he is just spoiled. Ferdinand takes another bite of the bun, the flavor of the interior quite strong to him yet marvelously delicious, stimulating to his appetite, and makes sure to swallow it down before attempting to speak again.]
I will have to mull over my options, and perhaps meet some new Dominants. There might even be some out there who have yet to contract, and if they are a kind person who I get along with, it would be nice to be able to help them avoid the fate that happens to those who go uncontracted for too long. I understand that... you may still have reservations about contracting with just anyone, and I would like to respect that. These decisions should not be rushed. However, if I am to find myself in a bind with the deadline edging too close... would you ever consider contracting with me, even for just three months?
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You're not just anyone. You're very dear to me.
I'd need to make sure that my current submissive is comfortable with it--did you meet Hannibal at my party?--but I do have a guest house. You may have seen it, it's around the side of the house? It's very comfortable. I'd offer to have you stay there now if it weren't for the city getting grumpy about submissives staying over for more than a few nights uncontracted.
I'd be very glad to have you, Ferdinand. Without hesitation.
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No, I believe I must have missed him amid all of the lovely diversions catching my attention. [The kind of smile he flashes is the equivalent of a wink. After all, Huaisang was one of them!] Whatever the case, I would not want to step on anyone's toes, so do discuss it. I will still take advantage of the few nights I can get away with retreating to your lovely place.
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[He hugs his arms tight around Ferdinand again, nuzzling his cheek against Ferdinand's shoulder.]
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[His arm stays there to keep Huaisang close, for however long he tolerates it. By this point, his heart has been lifted, and his hunger rears its head. He makes quick work of the remaining bun as a result, and with his other hand now free he enfolds that arm around his comforting friend and squeezes.]
You are so nice to hold...
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