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
Oh, yes, I'd like that very much.
[It's only after he says it and looks up that he realises he is awfully close to Tim. Close enough that if Tim were a lady people might raise an eyebrow.
Well, what the hell, he's been closer to men than this. ...on a ship with no room.
Harry straightens and moves to put his book back, warm in the face.]
Whenever is convenient for you, of course.
Now. I've taken up quite enough of your time. You've no doubt got other plans this evening beyond listening to me go on and on.
[He looks over to Tim, now a safe distance away, and smiles.]
And I will go on and on, Tim. Even if I am admittedly quite tired.
But I will of course see you at breakfast tomorrow.
[It's only after he says it and looks up that he realises he is awfully close to Tim. Close enough that if Tim were a lady people might raise an eyebrow.
Well, what the hell, he's been closer to men than this. ...on a ship with no room.
Harry straightens and moves to put his book back, warm in the face.]
Whenever is convenient for you, of course.
Now. I've taken up quite enough of your time. You've no doubt got other plans this evening beyond listening to me go on and on.
[He looks over to Tim, now a safe distance away, and smiles.]
And I will go on and on, Tim. Even if I am admittedly quite tired.
But I will of course see you at breakfast tomorrow.
Well, how about tomorrow? If the weather’s good.
[ Ever so slightly overeager, as he does not have other plans and would be quite pleased to be lectured about beetles by someone with such clear and infectious passion. But maybe it would be best to retire, before he says something stupid. Leave the man to rest. For his health. ]
I’ll be looking forward to it. [ Standing from his seat and taking back his glasses from the table, likewise smiling as he straightens them. ] Goodnight, Harry.
[ Ever so slightly overeager, as he does not have other plans and would be quite pleased to be lectured about beetles by someone with such clear and infectious passion. But maybe it would be best to retire, before he says something stupid. Leave the man to rest. For his health. ]
I’ll be looking forward to it. [ Standing from his seat and taking back his glasses from the table, likewise smiling as he straightens them. ] Goodnight, Harry.
Dearest Tim,
I write to you from within a tempest of emotions. Firstly, I must apologise for any liberties I may have taken with you last night. I can offer no excuse save that your presence inspires an ardent and sincere passion within me that I am ill equipped to understand, let alone contain. I will endeavour to reestablish my control; you are a most precious creature and not something to be pawed at.
Would that this be the only reason I must apologise to you, then perhaps I would not be so heavy hearted. Alas, It is not so, for I have committed another most egregious sin. In spite of your fair warning, I partook of drink last night and suffered the subsequent effects. I shall not burden you with the details, but I must confess to you that I behaved most inappropriately with your own trusted friend, young master Koby. I feel most ashamed at my actions, and I am trying to sincerely make amends to him. To you, too, I feel I owe an apology as you are most close to him.
I understand if this lechery on my part is too distasteful to you, and while a cessation of your affection would indeed wound me deeply, it would be well deserved. Thus I can only beseech your forgiveness for my indiscretion.
Yours ever sincerely,
Harry Goodsir
I write to you from within a tempest of emotions. Firstly, I must apologise for any liberties I may have taken with you last night. I can offer no excuse save that your presence inspires an ardent and sincere passion within me that I am ill equipped to understand, let alone contain. I will endeavour to reestablish my control; you are a most precious creature and not something to be pawed at.
Would that this be the only reason I must apologise to you, then perhaps I would not be so heavy hearted. Alas, It is not so, for I have committed another most egregious sin. In spite of your fair warning, I partook of drink last night and suffered the subsequent effects. I shall not burden you with the details, but I must confess to you that I behaved most inappropriately with your own trusted friend, young master Koby. I feel most ashamed at my actions, and I am trying to sincerely make amends to him. To you, too, I feel I owe an apology as you are most close to him.
I understand if this lechery on my part is too distasteful to you, and while a cessation of your affection would indeed wound me deeply, it would be well deserved. Thus I can only beseech your forgiveness for my indiscretion.
Yours ever sincerely,
Harry Goodsir
Dear Harry,
As I told you last night, and I will repeat again with a clear head, you don’t need to be sorry for your behavior towards me last night. While I do consider your respect for decorum a welcome change from this place’s usual shameless debauchery, I’m not an innocent maiden. I’m a man, and my blood runs hot just like yours. I liked all of it. Your hands, your lips, the scandalous photos. I wouldn’t want to go any further in an environment like that, but it was a thrill. I wouldn’t change a thing.
As for Koby, I thank you for your honesty, but considering my own relationship with his partner, I don’t believe I have any right to be upset about that. But I’m not perfect, so I do sometimes get jealous, regardless of whether it’s right of me or it makes any sense. I think...if you were more inappropriate with him than you were with me, then I might be unhappy, since you deserve better than something you were drugged into. Selfishly, I’d hoped to be the one to show you that.
You’ve confessed to me some of the darkest things that a man possibly can, and I don’t find you monstrous or distasteful. Having a little too much to drink or leaving me a love bite isn’t changing that. I’m afraid I can’t forgive you, because that would imply wrongdoing, and I think I’d like you to do it again. Somewhere private this time, of course.
With affection,
Tim
As I told you last night, and I will repeat again with a clear head, you don’t need to be sorry for your behavior towards me last night. While I do consider your respect for decorum a welcome change from this place’s usual shameless debauchery, I’m not an innocent maiden. I’m a man, and my blood runs hot just like yours. I liked all of it. Your hands, your lips, the scandalous photos. I wouldn’t want to go any further in an environment like that, but it was a thrill. I wouldn’t change a thing.
As for Koby, I thank you for your honesty, but considering my own relationship with his partner, I don’t believe I have any right to be upset about that. But I’m not perfect, so I do sometimes get jealous, regardless of whether it’s right of me or it makes any sense. I think...if you were more inappropriate with him than you were with me, then I might be unhappy, since you deserve better than something you were drugged into. Selfishly, I’d hoped to be the one to show you that.
You’ve confessed to me some of the darkest things that a man possibly can, and I don’t find you monstrous or distasteful. Having a little too much to drink or leaving me a love bite isn’t changing that. I’m afraid I can’t forgive you, because that would imply wrongdoing, and I think I’d like you to do it again. Somewhere private this time, of course.
With affection,
Tim
Tim, you are too good to me, too infinitely patient with both my ignorance and my fickle courage.
I did not mean to imply you are anything less than a man. Indeed, I am acutely aware of it. I confess that this is all a bit frightening when I allow myself to dwell upon it, but I am comforted in knowing that you too come from a time when liaisons between men were quite illegal.
Sweetest Tim, I assure you that you would (will?) be the one to show me such things as I can scarce consider putting into words.
May I be presumptuous enough to assume, then, that I am still welcome to see you this afternoon? You are of course welcome in my lodgings at any time, or I shall meet you at the place of your choosing.
Gratefully and ever affectionate,
Harry
I did not mean to imply you are anything less than a man. Indeed, I am acutely aware of it. I confess that this is all a bit frightening when I allow myself to dwell upon it, but I am comforted in knowing that you too come from a time when liaisons between men were quite illegal.
Sweetest Tim, I assure you that you would (will?) be the one to show me such things as I can scarce consider putting into words.
May I be presumptuous enough to assume, then, that I am still welcome to see you this afternoon? You are of course welcome in my lodgings at any time, or I shall meet you at the place of your choosing.
Gratefully and ever affectionate,
Harry
One of the first people that I met here informed me that homosexuality isn't nearly as looked down on as it used to be, that it's not illegal and actually can have recognized marraiges in many places, including the United States - and still, the first time that I even held another man's hand here, I felt like I had to look over my shoulder, like maybe he was pulling my leg and the police were on their way after all.
So I understand. We certainly did more than hold hands last night.
I'd still very much like to see you this afternoon. I can come to you, if meeting in your room wouldn't be too inappropriate, considering the change in our relationship.
So I understand. We certainly did more than hold hands last night.
I'd still very much like to see you this afternoon. I can come to you, if meeting in your room wouldn't be too inappropriate, considering the change in our relationship.
Yes, that's very much the feeling! It is a serious offense in my time, although depending on where you are it isn't that often enforced. Once again, there is quite a gulf between what we claim to be and what we are.
I would be honoured if you were to visit me.
I believe we can be trusted alone together.
[Bullshit, he just wants to be able to touch those pecs.]
I would be honoured if you were to visit me.
I believe we can be trusted alone together.
[Bullshit, he just wants to be able to touch those pecs.]
I know the feeling very well. But I’ve been here for nearly a year, so I can promise you, it won’t be punished. Sometimes it’s actually rewarded.
Gym, and then breakfast, and then I need to help out with some things at the restaurant. After that, I’m all yours. I’ll need to run back to my room to get my ipod and the speaker. I’ll find something you’ll like.
And I trust you.
[ to get, respectfully, hornt up. ]
Gym, and then breakfast, and then I need to help out with some things at the restaurant. After that, I’m all yours. I’ll need to run back to my room to get my ipod and the speaker. I’ll find something you’ll like.
And I trust you.
[ to get, respectfully, hornt up. ]
My reward is you.
You don't need to rush on my account.
You have provided me with much relief, Tim. I look forward to seeing you.
[He's actually glad to have some time because it means he can settle his mind further. And clean up his room (although it's near spotless already) and make himself look presentable. This naturally still means layers - trousers, shirt, waistcoat, coat. It's hard to look in the closet and reach for, say, just a sweater. He supposes he should try, but...
He has tea and water available for whenever Tim comes by, of course. Harry himself is - unsurprisingly - reading.]
You don't need to rush on my account.
You have provided me with much relief, Tim. I look forward to seeing you.
[He's actually glad to have some time because it means he can settle his mind further. And clean up his room (although it's near spotless already) and make himself look presentable. This naturally still means layers - trousers, shirt, waistcoat, coat. It's hard to look in the closet and reach for, say, just a sweater. He supposes he should try, but...
He has tea and water available for whenever Tim comes by, of course. Harry himself is - unsurprisingly - reading.]
[ Tim, on the other hand, is perfectly comfortable just reaching for a sweater with a thin tank underneath, pairing it with dark blue jeans and a big smile. He pulls his shoes off at the door once he's let in, and greets him with a kiss. But he doesn't linger, instead fiddling with cords to a little speaker he's got, which has to then plug into the ipod, then...there. ]
Come here, I'll show you how it works.
Come here, I'll show you how it works.
[Just that simple kiss is enough to make Harry feel both forgiven and blessed.
He trails after Tim, watching curiously. The sudden music surprises and, predictably, delights him.]
Please, yes.
[A whole world, he thinks. A whole world available through the touch of a few buttons.]
What is this? Is this from your time?
He trails after Tim, watching curiously. The sudden music surprises and, predictably, delights him.]
Please, yes.
[A whole world, he thinks. A whole world available through the touch of a few buttons.]
What is this? Is this from your time?
[ He’s perched on the edge of the armchair, with the speaker set up on a table right beside him, as he scrolls through a bit to make sure his playlist has only the best on it. Once he’s sure it’s perfect, he smiles up at Harry, invites him to sit beside him. ]
The device is new, but the song isn’t. It’s from a musical from the 40s called Oklahoma. A romance. I heard they made a movie a little after I left, but I haven’t gotten to it yet. Even after this long, there’s so much to catch up with, I’ll never see it all. We should go again though, I’ll show you something more narrative.
[ Though Planet Earth was, admittedly, fantastic. But enough yapping. ]
Here, you just roll your thumb around the outside, and press the middle one to choose. Fever’s good. A little suggestive, but not as much as the stuff from last night.
The device is new, but the song isn’t. It’s from a musical from the 40s called Oklahoma. A romance. I heard they made a movie a little after I left, but I haven’t gotten to it yet. Even after this long, there’s so much to catch up with, I’ll never see it all. We should go again though, I’ll show you something more narrative.
[ Though Planet Earth was, admittedly, fantastic. But enough yapping. ]
Here, you just roll your thumb around the outside, and press the middle one to choose. Fever’s good. A little suggestive, but not as much as the stuff from last night.
[He nods, not fully understanding but eager to absorb this new media. All of his awkward embarrassment is gone, replaced by almost childlike wonder.
He selects 'Fever' and listens with rapt attention. He's used to songs sung by men as they work, the occasional tune plunked out on a piano. The sultry sound of Peggy Lee and the bass behind her is entirely new to his ears.
Harry looks at Tim with open enjoyment, completely at a loss as to what to say.]
He selects 'Fever' and listens with rapt attention. He's used to songs sung by men as they work, the occasional tune plunked out on a piano. The sultry sound of Peggy Lee and the bass behind her is entirely new to his ears.
Harry looks at Tim with open enjoyment, completely at a loss as to what to say.]
I told you it was better.
[ Watching as Harry listens, charmed by his open appreciation, the wonder of it. His own shock had come from the advancement in electronics that would allow him to easily carry it all over here more from the music at all, on account of not liking much of the modern stuff (Fleetwood Mac was good though - maybe later), but now that he thinks of it...Tim has no idea what they did for music in the 1840s. Sea shanties? The opera, if one were well-off?
As subtly as he can manage (which isn't very), Tim slides down from the arm of the chair and into Harry's lap, letting one arm hang loosely around his shoulders while he watches him get familiar with the device. ]
It can store hundreds of songs. You could have it on all day and not even repeat one. There's a catch, though.
[ Watching as Harry listens, charmed by his open appreciation, the wonder of it. His own shock had come from the advancement in electronics that would allow him to easily carry it all over here more from the music at all, on account of not liking much of the modern stuff (Fleetwood Mac was good though - maybe later), but now that he thinks of it...Tim has no idea what they did for music in the 1840s. Sea shanties? The opera, if one were well-off?
As subtly as he can manage (which isn't very), Tim slides down from the arm of the chair and into Harry's lap, letting one arm hang loosely around his shoulders while he watches him get familiar with the device. ]
It can store hundreds of songs. You could have it on all day and not even repeat one. There's a catch, though.
Edited 2025-04-15 00:33 (UTC)
[Harry nods. He takes Tim into his lap almost absently, so enchanted with the music is he. He wraps an arm around Tim's waist and keeps him close as he listens.
Harry blinks and looks up.]
There is?
[He lets the device play whatever is next on the playlist, staring at Tim with wide hazel eyes.]
Harry blinks and looks up.]
There is?
[He lets the device play whatever is next on the playlist, staring at Tim with wide hazel eyes.]
[ He regrets it as soon as the words come out of his mouth, betrayed by a deep blush that creeps down his neck, and with nowhere to hide, since Harry's looking up at him. Tim covers the bottom of his face with his hand and leaves the ipod to play, looking down and sighing through his lips before he explains. ]
Under normal circumstances, I think, you would buy new songs for it, but since there's no real currency here, I get credits I can trade for new ones every time I...um. Engage. Intimately.
Under normal circumstances, I think, you would buy new songs for it, but since there's no real currency here, I get credits I can trade for new ones every time I...um. Engage. Intimately.
Edited 2025-04-15 02:18 (UTC)
[The music distracts Harry for a moment, but then he's watching Tim carefully. The blush makes sense soon enough, and one rises in his own cheeks in return.]
I see.
[Gently, he nuzzles Tim's neck.]
Then you'll never be wanting for more music, I suspect.
I see.
[Gently, he nuzzles Tim's neck.]
Then you'll never be wanting for more music, I suspect.
Harry!
[ Tim's jaw drops, gasping at the audacity. Or is it, perhaps, lips and beard rubbing against his neck, as if he's looking for the mark left last night, right beneath his collar? It tickles enough to make him laugh and squirm in his lap. ]
What kind of boy do you take me for? You make it sound like I have men lining up down the hallway!
[ Tim's jaw drops, gasping at the audacity. Or is it, perhaps, lips and beard rubbing against his neck, as if he's looking for the mark left last night, right beneath his collar? It tickles enough to make him laugh and squirm in his lap. ]
What kind of boy do you take me for? You make it sound like I have men lining up down the hallway!
What, did Hawk tell you that?
[ It's not untrue. It's a surprise though, to hear him speculate on it at all - for Tim's entire time here, he's been trying to find a way to comfortably adapt to the lifestyle here without too much awkwardness or jealousy. He hasn't found that balance, but the closest he's gotten is acceptance without asking detailed questions. Speculating on his lovers' sex lives with other people is something he tries not to do at all.
He shifts so that he's facing Harry, straddling his hips and getting comfortable, squeezing strong thighs around him and putting his hands around the back of his neck. ]
Don't think about anyone else right now, okay? Unless it's Frank Sinatra.
[ It's not untrue. It's a surprise though, to hear him speculate on it at all - for Tim's entire time here, he's been trying to find a way to comfortably adapt to the lifestyle here without too much awkwardness or jealousy. He hasn't found that balance, but the closest he's gotten is acceptance without asking detailed questions. Speculating on his lovers' sex lives with other people is something he tries not to do at all.
He shifts so that he's facing Harry, straddling his hips and getting comfortable, squeezing strong thighs around him and putting his hands around the back of his neck. ]
Don't think about anyone else right now, okay? Unless it's Frank Sinatra.
No! Good Lord, Tim, that would be awfully inappropriate of us to discuss. I just assumed, as I can't imagine men not wanting to please you.
[Oh, yeah. That's a lap full of Tim alright. Harry's mouth suddenly feels dry. He loops his arms around Tim's waist after letting the iPod rest on the seat cushion.
He looks up into his face, enraptured.]
I couldn't possibly. Even if I knew who that was.
[Oh, yeah. That's a lap full of Tim alright. Harry's mouth suddenly feels dry. He loops his arms around Tim's waist after letting the iPod rest on the seat cushion.
He looks up into his face, enraptured.]
I couldn't possibly. Even if I knew who that was.
[ Harry's...praise? Flattery? Maybe it's just honest esteem. Whatever it is, it's overwhelming. It's not especially true, even, outside the two men relevant enough to mention, but he says it like he believes it, he looks at him as if he were the sort of beauty that wars get fought over.
Easily impressed, from so much time in isolation. Tim will enjoy it while he can. ]
That's the singer.
[ He leans back just enough to take his glasses off, folding them carefully and setting them on the table next to the speaker. ]
Do you want to please me, Harry?
[ Asking a question he knows the answer to, because he's sure it'll sound even better than Sinatra. ]
Easily impressed, from so much time in isolation. Tim will enjoy it while he can. ]
That's the singer.
[ He leans back just enough to take his glasses off, folding them carefully and setting them on the table next to the speaker. ]
Do you want to please me, Harry?
[ Asking a question he knows the answer to, because he's sure it'll sound even better than Sinatra. ]
Edited 2025-04-15 14:39 (UTC)
[ His fingers are running over soft cashmere and hard muscle underneath, his shoulders flexed to keep his arms held around Harry’s. It makes Tim squirm, in a good, anticipatory way, settling down over his hips and leaning in until their chests are nearly flush, heartbeat thudding violently, eager to burst through and join the other behind his ribs and leave Tim’s own empty. Ready to be filled up with more adoring words and needy caresses.
He holds his face with both hands, cradling him, claiming him. His eyes are warm, but there’s a spark of something hungrier in them. It’s just been waiting for the time and place. ]
I want to please you, too, Harry.
[ A plea, more than it is an admission. ]
He holds his face with both hands, cradling him, claiming him. His eyes are warm, but there’s a spark of something hungrier in them. It’s just been waiting for the time and place. ]
I want to please you, too, Harry.
[ A plea, more than it is an admission. ]
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