OOM -- for Jack Benjamin

[capture_eternity]

Dorian's room is of late, late Victorian opulence bordering on Art Nouveau, and encompass in its small space a little bit of everything that a gentleman of leisure might keep in his home.

The walls are papered in deep jewel-toned hues and covered with paintings -- portraits from all times of history, but no landscapes or still lives -- there is a small writing desk, a book-case filled with books bound in linen, silk, or leather, two chaise-longues arranged around a small table that, at this moment, only holds a potted orchid but has enough room for drinks, even a small repast, and a rococo bed in the corner, head and foot curved gently as if to encompass those that will rest, or play, upon it. There is a fire in the fireplace, a view of the greenhouse behind the rich, purple drapes on the window, and chandeliers to light the room.

Dorian holds the door open for Jack with his free hand, and bows. "Welcome to my home away from home."

Comments

[capture_eternity]

"I plan to," Dorian says, kissing him again. "One bit at the time. I do like the straight darkness of your eyebrows. I am sure you can scowl impressively, using those."

His lips now brush the eyebrows against the grain.

[holy_or_broken]

Jack scowls at him, just to show he can.

[capture_eternity]

"Just as I thought," Dorian says, nipping gently at the tip of his nose.

[holy_or_broken]

Jack chuckles, and looks at Dorian through his lashes.

[capture_eternity]

Dorian bends down to kiss him.

"Lovely expressive eyebrows to scowl with," he pronounces.

[holy_or_broken]

Jack holds Dorian's face and kisses him back.

"I suspect you never scowl," he says softly. "Not with this sweet face."

[capture_eternity]

"I can try and look earnest," Dorian offers, and does.

It is something of a hangdog expression.

[holy_or_broken]

Again, Jack laughs and kisses him.

"Sweet," he affirms, and kneels up so he can kiss Dorian more deeply.

[capture_eternity]

"I don't do angry very well," Dorian chuckles.

He moves out of reach, lies back on the chaise longue, extends a leg, and beckons.

"Come, join me here," he says. "You certainly deserve to."

[holy_or_broken]

Jack climbs onto the chaise lounge and straddles Dorian's hips. He rests his hands on the back and dips his head so he can kiss Dorian again.

[capture_eternity]

Dorian bends his knees upward to push him closer; his hands wander over Jack's broad back, and he pulls him closer, deepening the kisses.

[holy_or_broken]

Jack lowers his body onto Dorian's and wraps his arms around him, to kiss him leisurely.

[capture_eternity]

Dorian leans his head back and sighs, giving himself over to the pleasure of touch.

"You do have wonderful lips," he murmurs.

[holy_or_broken]

"Thanks," Jack murmurs, "you too, wonderful lovely lips..."

[capture_eternity]

"You must be missing both touch and companionship so much," Dorian murmurs, hands stroking Jack's shoulders, "what with the strictures that your wars and your position impose on you."

[holy_or_broken]

Jack lays his head against Dorian's neck for a moment.

"There's a kind of companionship on the battlefield," he says quietly. "I would die for my men. I nearly did," he adds with a ghost of a smile. "But it's not the same as a lover, that's true."

[capture_eternity]

"Could you trust them with seeing -- this?" Dorian says, slipping a hand underneath Jack's shirt-collar.

[holy_or_broken]

"Yes," Jack whispers. "They know. They don't care. All that matters to a soldier is how you act on the battlefield."

[capture_eternity]

"That must be good to know," Dorian murmurs, craning his neck to kiss Jack again, "that you can show your true colours to the men you stand beside, facing death."

[holy_or_broken]

"It's very good," Jack says, kissing Dorian. "It's the best thing I've got."

[capture_eternity]

"Do you enjoy fighting?" Dorian asks, curious.

[holy_or_broken]

Jack pulls back, his expression thoughtful. "No. But I'm good at it. I've got a far better mind for strategy than anyone suspected -- much to my father's chagrin," he adds with a wry twist to his lips. "I'm actually pretty good at covert ops, my openess at the bar notwithstanding.

"But I take no pleasure in killing, if that's what you're asking. I've known men who do, and all they do is is get the rest of us in trouble.

"I think my men like me because I don't lead them into danger for the sake of glory."

[capture_eternity]

"You care about what you do, even though it hems you in with duties and expectations," Dorian nods. "That deserves admiration."

He leans up again, to once more kiss Jack.

"As does the fact you don't risk other's lives lightly, and also that you do risk your own. Enough generals in my time lead battles from a safe hill, through binoculars and messengers."

[holy_or_broken]

"That's for old men," Jack scoffs. "I'm not going to hide behind my royalty."

Then his face falls, and he adds, "Though since I got wounded, I've been removed from the battlefield. I'm behind a desk for the time being."

[capture_eternity]

"Where were you wounded?" Dorian asks.