Athos had sometimes wondered what Aramis’ many dalliances had seen in him that made them willing to risk their skins, their marriages, their reputations on a few nights in his arms. Those Athos had seen enough of to judge were not vapid women, turned by any pretty face or kind word. And so why?
Now, he thinks he understands a little. With Aramis’ murmur in his ear, it’s easy to forget all his carefully crafted rationalizations and allow cracks to form in the wall around his desires. When Aramis steps away, it is disappointment that floods him, and not the relief of being freed from temptation; his eyes flicker shut briefly, and his jaw trembles.
He does not dare speak when he steps forward, face impassive but a brightness in his eyes betraying him, and he meets Aramis’ gaze steadily as, with care, he slides the tie from the man’s neck. As he steps behind him and sets to work repeating the knot that Aramis had shown, his fingers are deft, even if the work is slow. Athos refuses to let his hands tremble, choosing deliberation and care over fumbling that would give away just how distracted he had become.
And if his confidence, however feigned, brings a flush to Aramis’ skin that matches his own, that is an additional and worthwhile victory.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2015-01-28 01:27 pm (UTC)Now, he thinks he understands a little. With Aramis’ murmur in his ear, it’s easy to forget all his carefully crafted rationalizations and allow cracks to form in the wall around his desires. When Aramis steps away, it is disappointment that floods him, and not the relief of being freed from temptation; his eyes flicker shut briefly, and his jaw trembles.
He does not dare speak when he steps forward, face impassive but a brightness in his eyes betraying him, and he meets Aramis’ gaze steadily as, with care, he slides the tie from the man’s neck. As he steps behind him and sets to work repeating the knot that Aramis had shown, his fingers are deft, even if the work is slow. Athos refuses to let his hands tremble, choosing deliberation and care over fumbling that would give away just how distracted he had become.
And if his confidence, however feigned, brings a flush to Aramis’ skin that matches his own, that is an additional and worthwhile victory.