Tim Laughlin (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
holyposition) wrote2024-06-13 06:55 pm
holyposition) wrote2024-06-13 06:55 pm
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WELCOME TO THE SALTBURNT NETWORK
USERNAME:
t.laughlin
text ❖ audio ❖ video
WELCOME TO THE SALTBURNT NETWORK
USERNAME:
t.laughlin
text ❖ audio ❖ video
[ ??? ]
What are you talking about? I talk about all kinds of things without complaining. I think it's healthy to talk about it.
If you feel good with him, that's what matters. As long as you don't get ripped to pieces in public.
What are you talking about? I talk about all kinds of things without complaining. I think it's healthy to talk about it.
If you feel good with him, that's what matters. As long as you don't get ripped to pieces in public.
Do you not have faith in my ability to fight him, Tim? I could be just as vicious. I am myself a murderer as well.
[ it's not something he wants to remind tim, he realises. but with aegon here — with helaena here, who he must always protect more than their mother — he finds himself cleaving to old habits, to old defences. ]
Good work does not need praising. It should be the foundation of all efforts, not the standard to which one must rise.
[ it's not something he wants to remind tim, he realises. but with aegon here — with helaena here, who he must always protect more than their mother — he finds himself cleaving to old habits, to old defences. ]
Good work does not need praising. It should be the foundation of all efforts, not the standard to which one must rise.
I don't doubt your ability to defend yourself, but you shouldn't have to, from a lover. If you trust him though, that's good enough for me.
I'm talking about how you feel about it, not the quality.
I'm talking about how you feel about it, not the quality.
[ from a lover. have they agreed to call themselves lovers, he and pierce? did they not reject the softness of such terms wholesale, or was that just aemond? ]
I trust him. And I trust you. Does that make us... that?
[ sometimes he is very much his age; shying away from things that might make him seem softer, or weaker, more human. ]
Am I also your lover now?
I trust him. And I trust you. Does that make us... that?
[ sometimes he is very much his age; shying away from things that might make him seem softer, or weaker, more human. ]
Am I also your lover now?
[ The dots bounce around on screen for a moment longer than normal. ]
Do you want to be?
[ He's told him about how his early experiences were Aegon's choice instead of his, so Tim's careful, unwilling to impress anything on him. The ball has to be in his court. He's fond of him, despite all of his sharp edges, or perhaps because of them, some silly notion that he might be able to wear them down if he himself is soft enough. He's not naive enough to think that accepting that title will be an easy thing to do, but...maybe. If he wants it. They're bonded now, through fire and death. ]
I can't offer you fidelity either. Would that bother you?
Do you want to be?
[ He's told him about how his early experiences were Aegon's choice instead of his, so Tim's careful, unwilling to impress anything on him. The ball has to be in his court. He's fond of him, despite all of his sharp edges, or perhaps because of them, some silly notion that he might be able to wear them down if he himself is soft enough. He's not naive enough to think that accepting that title will be an easy thing to do, but...maybe. If he wants it. They're bonded now, through fire and death. ]
I can't offer you fidelity either. Would that bother you?
Would that not offend your Hawk? That he should not be enough for your satisfaction?
[ fidelity. what does it even matter? some days, awful as the thought is, aemond thinks he would've liked it if viserys had been adulterous; it would have given him more reason to hate him, a more outward reason than just his glaring neglect. he was an unattentive husband to alicent at worse, but he had been — almost kind. almost beneficient.
almost fatherly to the second wife he made carry four pregnancies within five years, only to ignore both her struggles as a mother and the children themselves. ]
I cannot promise you more than I already give you.
[ fidelity. what does it even matter? some days, awful as the thought is, aemond thinks he would've liked it if viserys had been adulterous; it would have given him more reason to hate him, a more outward reason than just his glaring neglect. he was an unattentive husband to alicent at worse, but he had been — almost kind. almost beneficient.
almost fatherly to the second wife he made carry four pregnancies within five years, only to ignore both her struggles as a mother and the children themselves. ]
I cannot promise you more than I already give you.
It might, honestly. But we both have other people that we’re seeing, and we’re honest about it. I can’t commit to him fully right now, and he knows why.
But it is a commitment to me. If not for fidelity, then trust, honesty, support, and affection. I would need all of that. And a straight answer.
But it is a commitment to me. If not for fidelity, then trust, honesty, support, and affection. I would need all of that. And a straight answer.
[ a straight answer. of all the things tim is asking, this is perhaps the tallest order of them all. ]
You don't have to extract a promise from me for these matters. I give you my honesty. I give you my trust. I give you my hands, for so long as you can accept that my family will always come first. And I give you my affection, when perhaps I should try to resist it.
You are a committed man, after all.
I will not be Hawk. I do not want to be. I will only be myself, if you'll have me.
You don't have to extract a promise from me for these matters. I give you my honesty. I give you my trust. I give you my hands, for so long as you can accept that my family will always come first. And I give you my affection, when perhaps I should try to resist it.
You are a committed man, after all.
I will not be Hawk. I do not want to be. I will only be myself, if you'll have me.
Good. I don't want you to be Hawk, I already have Hawk. I want you to be you. Maybe a slightly gentler version :)
Speaking of your family. I don't want to lie to your mother, but I don't think she'll like it.
Speaking of your family. I don't want to lie to your mother, but I don't think she'll like it.
Who's the bitch in heat, again?
It's different than with Pierce because I'm her friend. She was furious and hurt, and rightfully so, when I didn't tell her what I knew about Embry. I've kept your business private, but I don't like sneaking around.
It doesn't need to be right away, but once we're comfortable. I'm past the point in my life where I'm willing to be a dirty little secret.
It's different than with Pierce because I'm her friend. She was furious and hurt, and rightfully so, when I didn't tell her what I knew about Embry. I've kept your business private, but I don't like sneaking around.
It doesn't need to be right away, but once we're comfortable. I'm past the point in my life where I'm willing to be a dirty little secret.
It's still you, brother mine, though I have an appreciation for it now.
If you feel it required, you should tell her. You do not need my permission for it, when you are as involved as I. We don't do very well with secrets, either, my family and I. We tend to take them very personally.
If you feel it required, you should tell her. You do not need my permission for it, when you are as involved as I. We don't do very well with secrets, either, my family and I. We tend to take them very personally.
I could get you to appreciate a lot of things if you don't rip any chunks out of me.
And Aegon? You made it seem he gets his kicks from humiliating you.
And Aegon? You made it seem he gets his kicks from humiliating you.
He does, he's my brother and my king. He takes liberties I would not otherwise allow.
It will be fine. I would rather you didn't tell him directly, but if he learns of it, then he learns of it. He's like to have done worse than I have, regarding the matters of carnal desire.
He's the father between the two of us, after all.
[ as for the biting — ]
I don't get even a little allowance?
It will be fine. I would rather you didn't tell him directly, but if he learns of it, then he learns of it. He's like to have done worse than I have, regarding the matters of carnal desire.
He's the father between the two of us, after all.
[ as for the biting — ]
I don't get even a little allowance?
What you described sounded like more than brotherly teasing.
But that's fine. I barely know him, I don't feel obligated.
You can have a little. No blood. And nowhere that'll make my training any harder if it's sore.
Where are you now?
But that's fine. I barely know him, I don't feel obligated.
You can have a little. No blood. And nowhere that'll make my training any harder if it's sore.
Where are you now?
Remember that you saw me being involved with mine own uncle in ways most uncles do not engage with their nephews. Or that my sister is also my goodsister, and shares children with my brother own.
[ is the incest getting diluted? should he play for baela's attentions now, too? ]
I'm in my room. I've put up some of the gifts I have received of late. You might like one of them, come to think of it. Put names to faces.
[ is the incest getting diluted? should he play for baela's attentions now, too? ]
I'm in my room. I've put up some of the gifts I have received of late. You might like one of them, come to think of it. Put names to faces.
I'm very aware of your family's royal traditions. It's got nothing to do with him being demeaning.
Give me 15. Where I'm from, we seal these things with a kiss. And then I'd be happy to see it.
Give me 15. Where I'm from, we seal these things with a kiss. And then I'd be happy to see it.
No lover of mine goes without affection for very long. You'll get used to it. See you soon.
[ He said fifteen, but he's there in ten, letting himself in with a curious grin, as if somehow he's sneaking in, despite being explicitly invited. ]
[ He said fifteen, but he's there in ten, letting himself in with a curious grin, as if somehow he's sneaking in, despite being explicitly invited. ]
[ Alicent knocks lightly, a gentle warning, before easing open the door. She has done this too many times now, in Westeros and at the manor, but her face is no more impassive for it. Every loss injures them anew, blood fresh and wounds agonising. Even the hope of return will not dull the first pain of it. And now he will think of it whenever he looks upon you, this is the lot of the mother.
She crosses to Tim quickly, a hand fluttering to his arm. Part of her wishes she had given this duty to Ash, and yet she could not fathom shirking it. Although the werewolf game may have cost him her trust, her care for him has never wavered. ]
It's Hawk, sweetling. [ The sorrow seeps into her otherwise even voice. She does not make him wonder or wait, despite knowing that each detail will come as another blow. There is no sparing him from this. Her fingers curl into his soft pyjamas, grounding. ] Danny killed him.
She crosses to Tim quickly, a hand fluttering to his arm. Part of her wishes she had given this duty to Ash, and yet she could not fathom shirking it. Although the werewolf game may have cost him her trust, her care for him has never wavered. ]
It's Hawk, sweetling. [ The sorrow seeps into her otherwise even voice. She does not make him wonder or wait, despite knowing that each detail will come as another blow. There is no sparing him from this. Her fingers curl into his soft pyjamas, grounding. ] Danny killed him.
Hi.
[ Tim leans the whole of his head into Aemond's hand, a soft, cat-like nuzzle before he turns and presses a kiss to his palm. This gentleness suits him, Tim thinks, even if he thinks to settle him the same way he might a horse, or rather a dragon. Is that not, at least subconsciously, the highest mark of fondness that Aemond could give?
He puts his hand over the one on his cheek and shuffles forward, uses his other to tuck a stray bit of silver hair behind Aemond's ear, stroking the shell with his thumb. Before he's asked, but he assumes permission now, to lean in and kiss him. This too is soft and sweet, warm without the urgency of pushing it any further than a kiss. Warmth doesn't so much rise within Tim as it is his natural state, spilling outwards in search of someone to share it with and drawn especially to Aemond, who knows it only in the extreme of blazing fires. ]
This is what you want?
[ Stubborn devotion, needy affection, a nagging angel on his shoulder. ]
I want to hear it from your lips, valonqar.
[ Tim leans the whole of his head into Aemond's hand, a soft, cat-like nuzzle before he turns and presses a kiss to his palm. This gentleness suits him, Tim thinks, even if he thinks to settle him the same way he might a horse, or rather a dragon. Is that not, at least subconsciously, the highest mark of fondness that Aemond could give?
He puts his hand over the one on his cheek and shuffles forward, uses his other to tuck a stray bit of silver hair behind Aemond's ear, stroking the shell with his thumb. Before he's asked, but he assumes permission now, to lean in and kiss him. This too is soft and sweet, warm without the urgency of pushing it any further than a kiss. Warmth doesn't so much rise within Tim as it is his natural state, spilling outwards in search of someone to share it with and drawn especially to Aemond, who knows it only in the extreme of blazing fires. ]
This is what you want?
[ Stubborn devotion, needy affection, a nagging angel on his shoulder. ]
I want to hear it from your lips, valonqar.
[ it's almost tender, the way tim leans into him and presses their mouths together. tender in a way that aemond knows he would run from, but he doesn't run now — why? why doesn't the panic rise in him this time? why does he find himself rooted in place, welcoming the softness, welcoming the warmth of tim's mouth on his, the touch of their tongues against the other's own?
tim tastes like mint leaves and coffee and sweat; he tastes like himself, and his skin is warm against aemond's fingertips, and he is here.
he chose to be here, tim of the lakes. ]
I want this from you. Kesīros ao jaelan, ñuha valonqar.
You understand what this will mean, don't you? You are choosing me, too.
tim tastes like mint leaves and coffee and sweat; he tastes like himself, and his skin is warm against aemond's fingertips, and he is here.
he chose to be here, tim of the lakes. ]
I want this from you. Kesīros ao jaelan, ñuha valonqar.
You understand what this will mean, don't you? You are choosing me, too.
It's yours then.
[ His kisses are slow, between words and smiles, some of them open, seeking Aemond's tongue with his own, all in the service of knowing him better, claiming a part of him as his, and giving that up in turn. Tim hums softly into it, his hand running through his hair and brushing against the eyepatch - not purposely, but simply because it's there, all around his head. ]
I know.
[ Alicent will be furious, he knows. Koby will think he's lost his mind. Hawk might actually be the least of his problems, here. ]
I could have brushed it off as a one-time thing, or a mistake. I'm choosing not to. And I'm not taking that lightly.
[ His kisses are slow, between words and smiles, some of them open, seeking Aemond's tongue with his own, all in the service of knowing him better, claiming a part of him as his, and giving that up in turn. Tim hums softly into it, his hand running through his hair and brushing against the eyepatch - not purposely, but simply because it's there, all around his head. ]
I know.
[ Alicent will be furious, he knows. Koby will think he's lost his mind. Hawk might actually be the least of his problems, here. ]
I could have brushed it off as a one-time thing, or a mistake. I'm choosing not to. And I'm not taking that lightly.
Good. A dragon protects it hoard. You shouldn't take that lightly if you mean to live in its fire.
[ he lingers — or perhaps the better word is nuzzles, running the tip of his nose along the bridge of tim's own. lean, callused fingers trace over the rising slope of tim's cheeks, slipping light over the bone, along the brow, mapping out the shapes that make up his face.
touch is a luxury, back home, and tim has given him freedom to drown. ]
Will you tell Mother this, too?
[ he lingers — or perhaps the better word is nuzzles, running the tip of his nose along the bridge of tim's own. lean, callused fingers trace over the rising slope of tim's cheeks, slipping light over the bone, along the brow, mapping out the shapes that make up his face.
touch is a luxury, back home, and tim has given him freedom to drown. ]
Will you tell Mother this, too?
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