[Siffrin rushes to correct and it is one hundred percent the assurance they intended it to be. Imagine! If everything came crashing down now, because he'd dared to date before! Honestly, Isabeau shouldn't have suspected it of them in the first place, but when nerves and feelings are on the line... it's easy to panic. And jump to conclusions. The hand he'd offered them in comfort now comforts him in turn, and he breathes a sigh of relief, rubbing his thumb across their knuckles in gratitude.
And then he stops. Because maybe. They only like holding hands, and don't like it when touches get too tender. Isabeau will be spending a very long time trying to suss this out if he doesn't ask about it.]
Yeah, I'm okay with that. Promise.
[And they're both pretty well aware of what he thinks of Siffrin learning about him and paying attention to him, so... The conversation idles there, before Sif takes advantage of the segue to bring up something else.]
Things...? [What subject could Siffrin possibly feel the need to dance around when they're alone like this? Something embarrassing, something like... AH. Ohhhh the way his face darkens when he gets it.] Oh! Doing things.
[The sudden ramp up to physical intimacy catches him off guard, and he takes a moment to let his own encroaching embarrassment have its way with his nerves. A little shiver, a deep breath. It's okay. He can talk about this. Talk about it like a normal person. Despite the surprise, he... already knows his answer.]
That's totally fine. We don't even have to kiss all that much, if you don't want to.
[Don't get him wrong. This is definitely something he internally lamented, back when he first realized he was falling in love. Because... Siffrin (seemed to) dislike being touched from the beginning, right? But he's also had, like... months to figure out how he wanted to handle being in love with someone who might not want the same level of physical affection that he does, and Isabeau discovered early on that he was surprisingly cool with it. That he just loves them more than he craves that kind of closeness with a partner.
Siffrin sure is special to him.]
Just tell me what your limits are! [Oh, oh right, lack of experience. Ummmm, he's gonna hold onto that hand in his for dear life as the awkwardness mounts,] Or, uh, if you don't know what those are yet, maybe... we can figure them out... together?
no subject
And then he stops. Because maybe. They only like holding hands, and don't like it when touches get too tender. Isabeau will be spending a very long time trying to suss this out if he doesn't ask about it.]
Yeah, I'm okay with that. Promise.
[And they're both pretty well aware of what he thinks of Siffrin learning about him and paying attention to him, so... The conversation idles there, before Sif takes advantage of the segue to bring up something else.]
Things...? [What subject could Siffrin possibly feel the need to dance around when they're alone like this? Something embarrassing, something like... AH. Ohhhh the way his face darkens when he gets it.] Oh! Doing things.
[The sudden ramp up to physical intimacy catches him off guard, and he takes a moment to let his own encroaching embarrassment have its way with his nerves. A little shiver, a deep breath. It's okay. He can talk about this. Talk about it like a normal person. Despite the surprise, he... already knows his answer.]
That's totally fine. We don't even have to kiss all that much, if you don't want to.
[Don't get him wrong. This is definitely something he internally lamented, back when he first realized he was falling in love. Because... Siffrin (seemed to) dislike being touched from the beginning, right? But he's also had, like... months to figure out how he wanted to handle being in love with someone who might not want the same level of physical affection that he does, and Isabeau discovered early on that he was surprisingly cool with it. That he just loves them more than he craves that kind of closeness with a partner.
Siffrin sure is special to him.]
Just tell me what your limits are! [Oh, oh right, lack of experience. Ummmm, he's gonna hold onto that hand in his for dear life as the awkwardness mounts,] Or, uh, if you don't know what those are yet, maybe... we can figure them out... together?