[ He wonders if he's being presumptuous, leaning against Dimitri like this. Honestly, he's hardly putting any weight on him, but... their arms are touching. He can feel him warming up after their walk through the snow. It's... nice.
Ashe does what he can to pull his blankets around them, to keep them nice and cozy. ] Yes. And how about you, Dimitri? Are you comfortable?
I am. [It's very nice. They're cozy. Dimitri feels content; more content than he's felt in a while.] What books did you get? [He already has so many around the room; how many more are left for him to read!]
[ Ashe pulls one of the ones from his stack into his lap. ] Oh, just a few of my favorite knight's tales! I recently reread Loog and the Maiden of Wind, so I picked up Sword of Kyphon. [ He reaches for another book. ] Ingrid recommended this one to me the other day - do you know of this legend? A long time ago...
[ ... and, like that, he begins retelling the tale to Dimitri. He loses himself in the story, eyes sparkling and hands gesturing dramatically as he narrates epic battles and heroic knights. ]
[Dimitri is fairly familiar with knights' tales. Especially the ones about Loog and Kyphon. They were a part of his upbringing, and are still very prevalent in his life. Yet, he finds he can never tire of listening to Ashe talk about these legends. Ashe has such admiration for these knights of legend, and while he is idealistic in regards to them, it isn't... it doesn't put an uncomfortable weight in his stomach the way other people do. Ashe respects the knights but he would never glorify the death of one.]
I don't mind. I quite like hearing you talk about this. You're so passionate. [In a way Dimitri doesn't think he could ever be. He chances a brief glance at his own pile of books and realizes.. his interest in his own books has waned significantly. He just wants to listen to Ashe talk.] Would you read to me, Ashe?
Are- are you sure? I wouldn't mind reading to you, but surely you'd rather read one of the books you picked out. [ His fingers curl around the cover of one of the books. ] I know not everyone's as interested in knights' tales as I am.
And I - [Dimitri pauses, thinking of the right words. He can't look at Ashe's face because he knows his expression wont match his feelings.] - more than anything, I like hearing you speak. Not just about knights' tales. I like listening to your voice.
[ It's probably for the best that Dimitri doesn't look at him, because Ashe is positively beaming over that simple compliment. He tucks his face against Dimitri's arm and waits for the sudden swell of chuckles to subside before trying to speak with that voice he likes so much. ]
Well, when you put it like that, how can I say no? I'd be happy to. [ Still keeping his cheek pressed against his bicep, he positions himself to spread the book open over both their laps. ] But please, tell me if you'd like me to stop.
[ He clears his throat, then begins to read. Though it's been quite a long time since he's told a story like this - not since he and his siblings were younger, and still living under Lonato's roof - he falls back into his old habits easily. He narrates with as much passion as he talks about knights, and each character gets their own (slightly) distinct voice. He's clearly having fun with this, and he hopes Dimitri is, too. ]
[ With how absorbed into the story Ashe gets, it takes a while for him to notice Dimitri's dozed off. But at a point, he looks up and is struck by the sight of his prince, relaxed enough to actually fall asleep around him.
Ashe smiles to himself and slips a bookmark in between the pages (he'll have to ask dimitri later what he last remembers, so he can pick up from that point) before continuing to read quietly. He'll let Dimitri rest as long as he needs - goodness knows he probably needs it. ]
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Ashe does what he can to pull his blankets around them, to keep them nice and cozy. ] Yes. And how about you, Dimitri? Are you comfortable?
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[ ... and, like that, he begins retelling the tale to Dimitri. He loses himself in the story, eyes sparkling and hands gesturing dramatically as he narrates epic battles and heroic knights. ]
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[ He flushes red, ducking his head down sheepishly. ] I- I'm sorry, Dimitri. I don't know what came over me there.
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I don't mind. I quite like hearing you talk about this. You're so passionate. [In a way Dimitri doesn't think he could ever be. He chances a brief glance at his own pile of books and realizes.. his interest in his own books has waned significantly. He just wants to listen to Ashe talk.] Would you read to me, Ashe?
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Are- are you sure? I wouldn't mind reading to you, but surely you'd rather read one of the books you picked out. [ His fingers curl around the cover of one of the books. ] I know not everyone's as interested in knights' tales as I am.
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And I - [Dimitri pauses, thinking of the right words. He can't look at Ashe's face because he knows his expression wont match his feelings.] - more than anything, I like hearing you speak. Not just about knights' tales. I like listening to your voice.
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Well, when you put it like that, how can I say no? I'd be happy to. [ Still keeping his cheek pressed against his bicep, he positions himself to spread the book open over both their laps. ] But please, tell me if you'd like me to stop.
[ He clears his throat, then begins to read. Though it's been quite a long time since he's told a story like this - not since he and his siblings were younger, and still living under Lonato's roof - he falls back into his old habits easily. He narrates with as much passion as he talks about knights, and each character gets their own (slightly) distinct voice. He's clearly having fun with this, and he hopes Dimitri is, too. ]
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But Ashe's voice is soothing, and it's very warm all cuddled up with him as they are, and perhaps he is more tired than he thought...
Without even realizing it, his eyes eventually close and his head droops.
zzz.]
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Ashe smiles to himself and slips a bookmark in between the pages (he'll have to ask dimitri later what he last remembers, so he can pick up from that point) before continuing to read quietly. He'll let Dimitri rest as long as he needs - goodness knows he probably needs it. ]