at the feet of untamed things

[amistillenough]

Barnaby is restless. At first, he thought it was maybe boredom, just a moment of not being able to focus on anything, but no. He can feel an itch to do something, anything, that has him moving.

He'd tried playing music, which didn't really get him anywhere. It felt good for a few minutes, but then it only seemed to build up the restlessness even more. So he put down his violin and traded it for pacing the length of the livingroom with a book in hand.

It also doesn't really help, but doing two things at once makes things settle a tiny bit more. He needs to do something though, something that makes him move and keeps his attention.

Putting down the book, he digs up some of the rope they keep around, running his fingers over it before he starts to tie and untie it until he finds himself doing a series of ties on himself. It's at least posing enough of a challenge to keep him occupied, which is all he wanted.

The thought of going to get Jeremy had crossed his mind, as had going to go talk to Birch to see if they would be a good distraction, but this would do for now. He can pivot to something else when it stops working.

Comments

[amistillenough]

"If you want," he starts, kissing his jaw. "I can untie the ropes, lay down with you, and just keep touching you until you fall asleep?" He smiles. "That way you can have both things."

[kinginred]

"That would be nice." He kisses his love's shoulder. "But if you get restless again you can wake me up and we'll figure out something to do."

[amistillenough]

He smiles. "I can do that," he says, then starts to undo the rope. As he does, he continues to run his hands over Jeremy's skin, touching him with all the love he has. Every so often he leans forward and gives him kisses where the rope had been until he's completely freed him.

Setting aside the rope, he then gets out of his clothes before coming to lie down with his boyfriend, stretching one arm out so he can come press in against him as much as he wants.

[kinginred]

While his love gets undressed, he gets under the covers. Holding them back for his love when he comes to join him.

There's no hesitation to press up against his beloved's side. He gives kisses to lips and skin before he settles in.

[amistillenough]

He eagerly accepts each kiss, sharing a few in return before he lets him get settled. Even then, he scatters more into his hair and against his forehead. One hand is against his love's back, holding him close, while he adjusts just enough to make it easy for his other to run up and down his arm and side.

"I can stay here while you sleep," he starts after another gentle kiss. "OrIi can stay with you." He nudges his temple with his nose. "I don't mind either way."

[kinginred]

"Both are restful for my body, and it is nice to share my mental space with you. I guess I am tiredly agreeing to have your company in my mind." He yawns and stretches against his love.

[amistillenough]

He giggles slightly. "Very tiredly," he says with another kiss. "That sounds good to me though. I can keep cuddling you there."

[kinginred]

"Cuddle in all the places," he says and then tries to let himself drift off to sleep.

The tired he feels now is better than earlier. He feels soothed by having his love close and focused on him. It doesn't take long for him to slip into sleep, and it is almost difficult to tell that he has fallen asleep. He is still snuggled up to his boyfriend just as when he was awake.

However, now there is a sense of being outside. It is still warm and comfortable, but a breeze can be heard in the trees overhead that provide a soft canopy. Unlike a forest floor that might be found in the waking world, this one is completely comfortable, curving slightly around them for a feeling of being enclosed and close to one another.

[amistillenough]

Barnaby smiles as he settles in, his eyes closing as he enjoys the warmth and breeze. Then he's rolling onto his side and wrapping himself around his love all over again. Pressing his face against him, he leaves a few kisses on his skin before he looks up and nudges their noses together.

"Hi, you."

[kinginred]

"Hi," he says with a smile and nudges their noses together again.

[amistillenough]

He wriggles at the nudge and then moves in for a kiss.

"I'm glad you're actually going to get sleep now," he says when the kiss ends. "I really did try and let you before."

[kinginred]

"You did. I could see that," he says and smiles at Barnaby. "My unsettledness was just calling to yours. Now we are both much more settled."

[amistillenough]

He nods, then wriggles again and holds him a little more tightly. "That's true," he says, "I still feel a little bit restless, but being here with you makes it so much easier. I think I need to start going on more walks, though." Then he nuzzles into his love, rocking them both just a little. "Or I can keep tying you up I guess. That's also an option."

[kinginred]

"You can do both, but maybe not at the same time. Difficult to tie knots while walking," he says with a grin.

[amistillenough]

He considers that for a moment. "I think it would depend on the knots and where we were walking. I could probably manage it with some planning. I bet if we did it on the roof I could make it work since it's pretty much flat up there."

[kinginred]

"We can practice that and then find out if that would be something Birch and Emery would enjoy watching," he says with a little grin.

[amistillenough]

He nods, "Yeah we can definitely do that. I feel like we should do something more interesting than just walking around though. Don't ask me what, I'm not sure I could dance and tie you up at the same time or anything like that, but I could try."

[kinginred]

"I will be happy to let you practice on me until you find something you're satisfied with."

[amistillenough]

He wriggles again, not quite ending on top of his love this time. "Thank you," he says brightly, nuzzling into his neck again.

"I promise I'll try and make it fun for you."

[kinginred]

"Oh it will be, because it is you." He tips back a little. "Did you want to lay on top of me?"

[amistillenough]

He makes a pleased sound, then nods. "Yes, please. You are a good place to be on."

Once he settles on top of him, he sighs, a soft purr starting up. Kissing Jeremy's jaw, he lets his eyes close as he further relaxes. Maybe he should have just made his boyfriend into a bed instead of trying everything else, he feels so much more relaxed now.

[kinginred]

He runs his fingers over his boyfriend's sides. "Sometimes we have to try the wrong things so we know when they are right."

[amistillenough]

He makes an agreeable sound and then touches his teeth to his skin. It feels good to be tucked away in the safety of Jeremy's mind. It's comforting in a way nothing else has ever been and being able to touch his love in this particular way is something he'll never get sick of.

"I love you," he murmurs into his skin. "You're amazing, and I love every part of you."

[kinginred]

"I love you too," he says. "I'd try to argue that you might learn something you don't care for, but you've been able to see more of me than anyone else has."

[amistillenough]

"And I love you anyway," he says with a smile. "I've known a lot of people and you're still my very favorite one. I don't want to be anywhere but with you." He kisses his cheek, then his lips.