the CONFIDENCE in krem’s voice is reassuring , even if he doubts the man fully knows what he’s getting himself in for , at least not yet . still , dorian has no intention of letting anything happen to krem ; he’d blow their cover and damn the entire mission before it came to that . granted , krem would probably never forgive him for it if he did , but that’s a fight he’ll deal with if ( and , possibly , when ) it happens .
❛❛ i’ve ample reason to fuss , believe me . being trapped in a room full of magisters is bad enough when you’re among their ranks . ❜❜ hands smooth across the silk fabric and squeeze at muscular shoulders beneath .❛❛ i have to admit , though , you do clean up rather nicely . it’s a SHAME you won’t let me take you shopping . ❜❜ it’s a QUIP , mostly , meant to lighten the mood , though there’s more than a kernel of truth in it .
a gentle hand at krem’s hip guides him out to the carriage , uncharacteristic silence wrapped tight around them for the bulk of the ride . much as he wishes to break it , they have a character to maintain shortly , and they both need to be believable . thankfully for them , the party is a MASKED one ; the imperium does at least publicly condemn this sort of slave trade . maker knows if anyone knew who he was —— well , dorian hasn’t exactly been QUIET about his feelings among the magisterium .
the carriage pulls to a stop just outside the estate , and dorian moves to exit first . ❛❛ remember —— stay behind me , keep your eyes down , and let me speak for you as much as possible . oh —— ❜❜ a grim smile just barely tugs at the corners of his lips . ❛❛ —— and DO try to have a little fun , will you ? it’s not every day you get to crash a party full of magisters . ❜❜
the flush deepens and he clenches his jaw, looks away from dorian and hopes his face doesn't betray his feelings. part of him figures it's hopeless. there's no way dorian doesn't KNOW. he's by no means stupid. that doesn't stop the bubble of panicshameembarrassment in his chest at the thought of dorian seeing the WANT in his eyes, of him sensing the way krem's heart flutters at his touches even now.
❛ maybe if we get out of this unscathed, ❜ he murmurs, a slight, tense smile on his lips.
the hand on his hip feels HOT, burning through the thin cloth covering him. he wants to grab dorian's hand though he's unsure if that's to pull it away or just cover dorian's fingers with his own. krem resists the urge, lets himself be led out to the carriage waiting for them. dorian's silence makes something uncomfortable settle in his stomach but he pushes it away, well aware that they both need the time to get in character. but worse than the silence is the MASK covering dorian's features, hiding his expression. krem's fingers itch to pull it off and he forces himself to fold his hands in his lap.
tonight... it's going to be a hell of a test, just throwing themselves in there and hoping no one realizes the ruse. it's going to be a hell of a test for the two of them as well, neither used to playing this role. both having actively AVOIDED this role, in fact.
dorian's voice startles him and he jerks his head up to look at the other man. fun. krem almost laughs hysterically and he knows it shows on his face. he nods tersely instead, slides out of the carriage after dorian. careful to stay a step and a half behind dorian, he takes in the estate. it's breath-taking, all bold stone-work and soaring towers, and krem finds himself staring. he tears his eyes away, focuses instead on the small of dorian's back, memorizes the patterns on his robes.
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