private PSL

[srsbznss]

[Part of the problem with being a financial advisor, Ali realized, was that it meant he had to work. And it wasn't even the fun kinds of 'work' like stacking coins and sorting them by the quality of their gold or silver, oh no. The king had made it quite clear that any coin-counting was to be done only when requested, or outside of working hours. No, Ali had to do things like read and fill out paperwork, or run analytics on tax revenue and what kind of surplus or expenditures there were in the quarter. Or, at the very least, he had to assign all of that work to one of his several secretaries. After all, he at to at least keep up the appearances of being a financial advisor, and over the last few decades he had gotten pretty good at that. It wasn't impossible, but it also wasn't nearly as fun as counting coins.

Of course, he would get odd looks if he just sat around counting coins all day. To anyone else looking in, they did not see the fearsome dragon Aligrezoph, guardian of the kingdom's treasury. They saw Ali, a normal- albeit quirky- man who kept a very small social circle in the finance department and spent most of his days trying to keep expenditures to a minimum while saving up as much as he could. All for the kingdom's benefit, of course. It totally wasn't so there would be an even bigger pile of coins for Ali to count on his breaks.

Indeed, most who looked at Ali would just see an average-looking man. shoulder-length black hair tied back with a black ribbon, piercing blue eyes, a perpetual frown stuck on his face in most situations. A lean body that was more built for flexibility and speed than strength, and a very simple style of dress in neutral colors. He looked every bit like a stuffy accountant, though Ali would argue that he wasn't really THAT stuffy. He was just comfortable with the form!

He also would not talk about his other form under any circumstances.

On that day, Ali had an armful of expense reports with him. There was to be a meeting, and he had stayed up all night with two of his secretaries preparing these reports. With the midsummer festival coming up, the festivities had to be decided upon and paid for. And, as usual, Ali wanted to keep the expenses as low as possible. For the good of the kingdom, of course. Ultimately his team had prepared a few possible expense reports, with varying amounts spent on decorations, hiring out staff, and paying guards for keeping the peace. Any one of his plans would be acceptable, but Ali was sure that someone would complain. There was always someone who complained and called him a 'coin-pinching cheapskate', but those complaints had picked up more in recent years. Already Ali was annoyed just from the thought of the argument that would happen that day when he butted heads with a certain other advisor. Sparks would fly as usual, and these weren't the good kind of sparks.

But Ali was willing to give it a chance. As people arrived at the meeting- a meeting between the king and his dozen or so advisors in the various ways of running the kingdom- Ali worked to lay out one set of expense reports at each desk. It was only two pages of paper per table spot, so hopefully everyone liked to read!

Of course, when Ali passed a certain advisor, he had to fight the urge to make a snide comment. Instead, he just held out the two-page document to him, trying not to show too much contempt when he spoke.]

Do take care of those papers, will you? My staff stayed up all night finishing them.

[He was a dragon in hiding, not a snake in hiding, but his words still had bite to them.]

Comments

[srsbznss]

[It's so good. The way Concord speeds up his hand makes Ali's toes curl in his shoes, it makes him press desperately into Concord's hand, chasing after his own building release.

And then Concord grabs his hair, and for that split second Ali remembers what Concord had said about mates and hair-pulling. But it's barely a moment of conscious thought, because then their mouths are crashing together and Ali is gasping Concord's name against the other man's lips.

Moments later, as he feels Concord coming undone, Ali spills over himself. Groaning loudly as he holds onto Concord and rocks firmly into Concord's hand, he covers the both of them in a mess of his own making too. Between the two of them, they're absolutely going to need a bath. Ali can't bring himself to even think of that in the moment though, his mind is absolutely gone right now.

When he does pull away from Concord's mouth to breathe, he finally does thunk his forehead forward against Concord's impressive chest. He's worn out now, though he's also satisfied by the outcome. Give him a moment to think of something to say though, he's still trying to catch his breath.]

[virtuesignal]

[There is a deep satisfaction in Concord caused from that gasp against his lips, then the moan that follows. Ali hits his peak right along with Concord, their cocks twitching and pumping while still held together. He strokes them much slower, milking a shared orgasm for as long as it could last. Not all that long, for Concord, he's not used to getting off with someone else and is quickly spent from the shared intensity. His grip loosens, sticky from their mixed cum. The messiness is a strange turn on, seeming so wrong and yet being entirely natural, for what they were doing together.

Ali breaks the kiss first, falling into Concord's chest with a slump of weight. A brief impulse flashes through the unicorn's mind, wishing to tease him for it. "Done already-?" but for all his soldier's stamina, he's winded himself. He tips his head back, catching back deep, panting breathes. Ali bobs up and down with the heave of his chest. Concord doesn't mind... it's rather cute of him.

A radical new concept that Concord fears will now lodge itself permanently into his mind.

Ali. Cute. He might have thought it before, but he could deny it to himself. Now, that's impossible.]

[srsbznss]

[A lot is about to change about the nature of their relationship, there's no coming back from what they have done. This moment is going to be stuck in his mind for days, Ali just knows it. At the next meeting he's going to be too distracted, thinking about how different Concord looks when he's in the middle of a passionate moment.

It takes a little bit, but Ali eventually catches his breath, his breathing slowing down to a more normal pace as he comes down from the high of sex. Without hormones controlling his thinking, Ali is starting to realize what exactly just happened. He's not entirely sure what to think of it either, as Concord is one of the last people he ever expected to sleep with. A part of him says it's not so bad, and they had just been talking like two normal people and all. Even if it's a little awkward now, it's not bad.

Another part of his brain- the more competitive part, the side of him that always wants to one-up Concord- is peeved that Concord was the one with more of the control in the situation. Next time he has to be the one pinning Concord down, there's no other way about it.

A moment later he's realizing that even thinking in terms of 'next time' opens this whole situation up to new interpretations. IS there going to be a 'next time'? Ali wouldn't mind that, but he can't just come out and admit to that. Since when has he ever been honest about his feelings?

Ali lifts his head up to peer at Concord. He should probably say something. They do need to talk about this. But is now the right time for that conversation? He's not sure, and the complicated nature of all of this is making him frown.]

...that...was not your intention when you brought wine, was it?

[Did Concord actually like him? Or is this all 'spur of the moment' for him too? Ali isn't sure which he would prefer though. Concord is quite handsome, and Ali is finding himself quickly taken with this man. But feelings...those are complicated. And Ali doesn't really like talking about his feelings.]

sorry for delay I got ate by the new year

[virtuesignal]

My intention..? [He echoes at the question, needing to hear it back in his own voice. What did intention have to do with any of this? Or wine, even, unless dragons lose all inhibition after a sip of the stuff. In which case, why would Ali imbibe while around Concord at all, if that was possible?

His mind spins out on the thought, before settling. His intention. His, not Ali's, he clicks his teeth]

No. It was a peace offering. Then you got so frustrated you kissed me. What was your intention? [classic "you started it" from a man who probably started it]

It's ok! Totally understandable

[srsbznss]

[Oh, Ali could absolutely hear that 'you started it' in Concord's tone, and it made Ali furrow his brow in irritation. He's still in Concord's lap, but he's sitting up now, putting his hands on Concord's shoulders to prop himself up so he can look at Concord properly and show his disapproval.]

My intention was to hear you out and then politely share the gift you had brought, since you made an effort at a peace offering. Then you got in my space and started acting like a- like a hormonal teenager!

[Yep. He might have kissed Concord first, but he's totally blaming the escalation on Concord. Even if they both fed into it, he can still claim Concord started it.]

[virtuesignal]

I got in your space because you pulled my hair. [Concord moves very briefly to gesture, but the stickiness of his hand makes him reconsider flinging his hands about. He flushes dark again and grumbles, reaching his free hand into the splayed open chest front of his coat.

A handkerchief is slipped out and he'll begin cleaning his hands and... well, still exposed cock. Should he offer to Ali? Certainly that would be considerate, but for now it just feels embarrassing. He notes the spilled wine, too, sighing out]

... this is a mess. [in a lot of ways, really, but he can't begin to name them all.

He feels swiftly guilty to not offer to help clean up Ali, going ahead to slide the cloth over his dick in turn. They did both do this, it would be dishonorable to claim he hadn't fully wanted and indulged Ali. Would he do so again? He shouldn't even be thinking about that, not after it's only just happened once-]

[srsbznss]

[The cum-covered hand is a perfect way to break the tension of the situation, because Ali doesn't even respond with his attempt at a witty comeback. Instead, he looks to that hand, and then he watches for a moment as Concord just cleans himself up.

He's right though, it is a mess. Ali is going to have to wash his clothes a day sooner, which will throw off his whole schedule. How annoying.]

Well yes, that's generally the point.

[Ali had been planning on saying more, but he jumps a little in surprise as he feels Concord clean himself up as well. They did both do this, but he hadn't thought Concord would clean him up too. Even though they had been touching each other very intimately not too long ago, Ali ends up going pink in the face as he reaches for the handkerchief.]

Come on now, I can clean up myself.

[He's more embarrassed than anything else. Now that the fun is over, he's feeling self-conscious.]

[virtuesignal]

It is not much... better than nothing. [Concord grumbles, before passing over the handkerchief for Ali to take. He's still sitting in the unicorn's lap, still pressing his weight down against him, still exposed so intimately... Concord pulls his eyes away, digs his fingers into the bridge of his nose. No getting turned on again, not after what they just did! Hormonal teenager sounds all the more correct, thinking like that. He can not prove Ali right.]

Was that... [he starts, then stops, puts his palm over his mouth to lean onto. What is he trying to say? Should he say anything?] ... Nevermind. It does not matter.

[it happened, what good does asking after it do, now? Even if Concord has about a million questions forming one after the other. Prying at the other man seems wrong, like seizing upon someone when they're vulnerable. Not that Ali seems weak, more just self conscious.]

[srsbznss]

[Ali takes a few moments to get himself as clean as he can, but he's definitely going to need a bath. He just hopes that he doesn't run across anyone when he absconds back to his private quarters, even if he looks clean he's sure the smell of sex is lingering on him. Humans might not smell as well as a dragon does, but even they must be able to notice this smell.

He looks back up to Concord, ready to hand him back his handkerchief, but then he suddenly becomes aware of how he's still sitting on Concord and how Concord is pointedly looking away. Whoops. If anything, the sudden realization makes him even more flustered. But this time, instead of blaming it on someone else, he just climbs off of Concord's lap and hastily adjusts his clothes once he's standing up.]

Right.

[Okay. He can do this. He can pretend everything is normal and he didn't just have sex with someone. And that the 'someone' wasn't Concord. Could he avoid talking about everything? That's what he's trying to do at least, by politely saying 'okay time to go'.]

It's getting late, and we both have work tomorrow.

[virtuesignal]

Right. [Concord echoes, in his usual tone of stern and quiet. Ali rises from him and gets smoothed out, leaving Concord to do the same. He'd gotten so settled into the cushions, weighed down on as he was, that it feels like his bones creak to move from the spot. No complaining, though, he puts his cock back into his smallclothes and buttons up his slacks. When he stands, he looks down to his coat... turns out cum splatters still show up against a pristine white uniform.

A long breath in, before he shrugs the whole outer layer off. This is Ali's office, the dragon's room wasn't far off. He, however, needed to traipse halfway across the castle to return to his quarters. Concord isn't going to do so stained in... fluids. His image is to be maintained as much as Ali's, after all. How shocking people would find that from him. He folds the coat over itself so the mess is on the inside, out of sight. He hangs it over the back edge of that lounge before tucking back in his tunic and lacing back up the front, covering... the majority of hickies left by Ali on his skin. Ah- They did not think this through in the slightest.

It wouldn't have happened if they had, would it? He gestures to the coat,]

... can I leave this here? I will return for it when I have my other uniforms to wash. Tomorrow. We will say... I spilled wine on it, until then. Amicable?

[srsbznss]

[Good, Concord is going along with it too. Just cover everything up and act like nothing happened. Nobody else needs to know what went on between them in this room. One passionate moment could be explained away by repressed hormones at least, and Concord seemed like the kind of man who didn't like talking about feelings any more than Ali did. They could just forget this whole day happened.

But not really, Ali is realizing as he looks to Concord. Even if Ali washes their stained clothes, and even if they both act like nothing happened, there's still evidence on Concord's neck. Someone is going to see that eventually. And when Ali looks to Concord to answer him, he sees those hickeys and realizes that they will be a problem eventually. A problem that Ali doesn't know how to fix.]

Right, yes. I'll wash it tomorrow, and then...

[He trailed off, considering. when could he return Concord's coat in a manner that would not seem suspicious? If he just carries it around with him, people will ask questions.]

...come by tomorrow evening to pick it up, we can say we have another meeting for you to pick up funds.

[It gives Ali more work to do tomorrow, but technically he only needs to sleep 5 hours a night to be rested, so it's fine. It gives him something to keep his mind occupied so he doesn't spend time mentally berating himself for sleeping with a unicorn he fights with all the time.]

[virtuesignal]

Understood. [A simple affirmation and nod from Concord. He gives himself one more pat down to be sure he's decent and then turns, goes out the door. A shift of his braid to hang over the marred side of his neck covers it up, inconspicuously enough. What it also does is remind him and only him of how such a mark got there. He marches back to his own room with little on his mind but Ali. His taste, those noises he made, the sensation of his lips and elegant hands groping at him-

By the time Concord is back at his room for the night, he needs to stroke off again. Even though he's in complete private, he feels embarrassed by the act, thinking of Ali's insults to the fact there wasn't any containing himself. The shame wraps back around on itself, just becomes more tantalizing to get off to. Concord needs to get that dragon off his mind, he can't have this happen at any stray thought of him. They work together! Concord cannot just avoid him. He's going to have to look him in the eye the very next day.

To Concord's benefit, nobody in the castle could read him all that well, not even the King. Most people were used to him, his often strange manner mixed with stoicism was expected, if not well understood. The following day proceeds as normal. When he sees Ali passing through a corridor, he spares a long glance, perhaps curiously. Nobody believes it strange of him, it's just Concord being Concord.

That evening, as bid, he is at Ali's office door. He opens and closes a hand twice before knocking. No wine this time. He's not sure that's the right message to send.]

[srsbznss]

[Ali spends the rest of his night cleaning up his office and trying his best to get rid of any sex smells present. He even ends up dumping more of the wine on the couch itself, if only to give an explanation as to why it needed to be cleaned in the first place. His assistants would ask questions, and he needs an airtight story.

No, he is not thinking about how overcomplicated the story is, and how it makes him even more obvious. Ali has always been a strict planner, and a cover-up story is no exception to that. It's only by the grace of his assistants that he even thinks he's not being obvious, since they are secretly happy that Ali has something new to occupy his time and don't want to make Ali realize he's not fooling anyone.

Ali says nothing to Concord the next day. They have no meetings, so they just pass each other in the hall on occasion, and nothing really needs to be said there. But each time, Ali finds himself looking to Concord, giving the man a level of consideration that he never had before. And each time his gaze is drawn towards Concord's neck, looking for the marks he knows are there, only to glance away quickly when he remembers himself. Ali wants to forget about the events of last night, but the reminders are everywhere. How awful.

When evening arrives, Ali has long since finished the laundry and has Concord's jacket hanging in the office. It's cleaned and pressed, with no evidence of the bodily fluids that had once stained it. Ali is nothing if not thorough in his cleaning. Even the spilled wine and messy couch are cleaned and show no evidence of what occurred the night before. Only the barest hint of wine fragrance remains.]

Ah, yes, good evening. Come right in.

[Ali is trying to be cordial, but he might be overdoing it just slightly in his attempts to act like everything is normal. He does step aside so Concord can enter the office though, and will close the door behind the other man.]

I trust your day went well?

[virtuesignal]

[Ali answers and Concord is promptly overthinking every moment of this interaction.

Ali could have just shoved the coat at him and slammed the door, but no. He's invited in. Why? To talk? Is there something to talk about? Ali closes the door behind him. Doesn't lock it. Okay. So, he should be leaving soon enough. They're not going to... get up to anything. Again. Probably. Not with an unlocked door.

Had the door been unlocked that first time? Could someone have walked in on them?

He takes a deep breath in and out before responding. He notes how much it smells like wine. His tone is usual; level and quiet. Unreadable.]

Yes. It did. Did yours? [Small talk-? They're doing small talk, now!? His mind races so much more than anybody could ever know. It can gallop a mile a minute while he's standing stone still,]

[srsbznss]

[He could have just shoved the coat at Concord, it's true. It would have been the most logical choice. But for some reason, Ali is struggling to make logical choices when it comes to Concord. He still can't figure out why for the life of him, and part of him worries that the 'hormonal teenager' accusations he had made against Concord yesterday might also apply to himself.

Concord staying calm helps Ali stay calm too though. It's hard to get into a yelling feedback loop when there is no yelling going on yet.]

As much as can be expected. The work is never boring at least.

[This is when he steps over to where the coat is and picks it up. He looks at it for a moment, inspecting it for the tenth time to make sure all of the stains are gone. It's not because he wants to touch it of course, or because he can still faintly smell Concord's scent on it beneath the washing soap.

After a moment, he will step back over to Concord, offering him the jacket.]

I do apologize for, er, the inconvenience. Of you having to come back here for this.

[Ali rarely offers apologies, and even this one isn't quite straightforward. Is he apologizing for his actions the night before, or just for the extra work in cleanup that was needed? For someone so strict with his budgets and making plans, he can sure be vague when he wants to be.]

[virtuesignal]

Your work has always seemed very tedious to me. [a bland, if honest remark. It isn't biting, it's not even calling Ali tedious, just the kind of work he does so. Given his comments the night prior on Ali's valor- is that what started all this? A simple, truthful compliment?- it is actually said with respect. Ali's work is not something Concord could do, even if he wanted to. He's not of that sort of mind.

He takes the jacket, also looks at the front. No stains. Impressive, given the paleness of the cloth. He hums in the back of his throat.]

I should thank you, for cleaning it. So. Thank you. [He folds it over the bend of an arm before another hum escapes him. Concord reaches to his slacks and pulls something from his pocket.]

Right. I found you this. [he offers his hand, awaiting Ali to reach a palm out to take it. Concord drops a single silver coin into Ali's hand. It has been shined to a pleasant gleam and is stamped with a horse insignia. Not of their country, so likely worthless beyond the silver it was made from, but Concord continues]

... you know. To make fun of you. [Very difficult to tell if he's being funny, tender, or snide.]

[srsbznss]

[To make fun of him. Of course.

Briefly Ali's mind flashes back to their conversation from the night before, and he quickly assumes that it's not just for the purposes of teaching. But he can't just accept that, can he? No, he is not one who is so quickly wooed, and even if the attention to detail is practically screaming that Concord cares enough to try Ali is going to go with the 'teasing' explanation. He lets out a soft snort- somewhere between acceptance and faint amusement- before pocketing the coin.]

Of course. It's only fair, given that I pulled on your braid. Tit for tat, and all.

[He is absolutely keeping that coin and adding it to his own private collection later. Even though he's trying to be cool about it, there's something a bit too genuine about the way the corner of his mouth turns up in a smirk.]

[virtuesignal]

[Concord should go. He should nod, reach for the door, and leave. They're settled up, they could go back to normal, couldn't they? Not mention this again.

That little upturned smirk, though.

He reaches forward the arm not occupied with his spare coat, pressing his palm into the door behind Ali. Stepping forward, Concord closes the distance between them, effectively pinning Ali back against the door without actually touching the smaller man. He leans in to speak closer, close by Ali's temple. He's very quiet in the private space,]

Now, Ali... [he almost used that full name again, but no. That won't work twice, will it? Saying it all heated and warning, like he had, baiting Ali to do something about him-] ... did you want to do that again, with me?

[that being very vague, but Concord wasn't sure what precisely what he was referring to. Pulling his hair? Kissing him? Having sex-? Whatever that is... Concord wants to know if it is still on the table. He really must know.]

[srsbznss]

[Even without being touched directly, Ali sure does feel pinned down right now. There's not that much of a height difference between them- a couple inches at most- but he absolutely feels smaller in this moment. He might have been bothered by it, if Concord's actions hadn't left him feeling so turned on. Even that near-whisper right by the side of his face sends a shiver down his spine. It takes all of his restraint to keep from grabbing onto Concord and making further questionable choices.

He can't give in so easily though. Ali can tell, Concord is doing this on purpose. And Ali definitely wants to give a smooth response in turn, but the problem is that Ali is anything but smooth. Attempts can be made, but he's a bit on the neurotic side and overthinks things too much. Which is why there's a long pause, during which Ali is wide-eyed and emotionally exposed, before he collects himself and at least tries to look more neutral.]

If we're going to do that- [Emphasis on that word, still being vague in the same way Concord had been.] -then you will do things my way.

[Does he want all of 'that' again? Yes, yes he does. His body is practically humming with excitement at the thought, and he has to press the palms of his hands against the wall to keep them steady and not give his excitement away. Does Concord really want a repeat of last night? Would he even agree to doing things Ali's way?

In all honesty, Ali doesn't expect Concord to agree. He doesn't even know what he'll do with himself if Concord does agree. He's flying by the seat of his pants here.]

[virtuesignal]

[Concord is also, entirely and thoroughly, out of his depth here. He practically locks himself into place, solid as a soldier should be, posture strictly held. It's largely out of nerves, an automatic response he finds some comfort in the familiarity of. There's no loose and casual with him, he's not really that type.

While his tone can remain utmost composed, like none of this is really effecting him all that much, his heart is absolutely pounding. He can hear it in his ears and worries that Ali might be able to catch on to it. Don't dragons have very good hearing? Unicorns can... it's usually a defense mechanism of their kind. For a moment like this, it feels like it betrays his confidence.]

What would your way be, then? [cautious, not giving too much away, not fully agreeing without testing the waters. Smart of him to be reserved, see what Ali has to offer... even though he wants to just agree with his whole chest. Yes, whatever you please, I want it, he holds his tongue from letting slip]

[srsbznss]

[Ali might have picked up on that heartbeat, except his own was pounding in his ears. He couldn't hear the subtle sounds over his own racing heart.

His mind is racing here too. Concord didn't say no. Instead, he wants examples. Just the thing Ali hasn't thought of yet. So he draws it out a bit, trying to come up with a good enough answer as he stalls for time.]

Well...for one, it should be in a bed. With our clothes safely out of the way, so I don't have to spend the whole morning doing wash.

[He can feel his hands twitch against the door, and he can't stay still for much longer. He wants to touch Concord so badly, to just break through the tension they're both building up and finally claim his lips. But not yet, he tells himself. He broke first last time, he has to make Concord take the first action. So instead, he finally pulls a hand away from the wall and slips it up behind Concord's neck, gently touching the back of his neck to try and get Concord to lean in more closely.]

There's a lot more we could do that way, after all.

[virtuesignal]

[While Concord's expression could remain unyielding, as if none of the tension was effecting him at all, what he couldn't help was the reddening of his face. Ali reaches for him neck and his skin prickles under the touch, rushing hot beneath his eyes and across his nose. Cute, maybe, contrasted overtop his stoic look. Ali's fingers travel over hickies hidden by his mane of hair. Hair he really wouldn't mind being tugged on, about now...]

That is... amicable. To me.

[He clears his throat with a grumble. Not taking the bait just yet. He's good at containing himself, or at least, always had been. Ali broke first, he reminds himself. It's good, that way. He likes it that way.]

And what more are you thinking of, Ali?

[srsbznss]

[It is very cute indeed. Ali thinks he likes that look, actually. The contrast between a stoic man and the way his face flushes is quite a thing to see, and Ali wants to find out if he can goad more of a response out of him.

Taking a bit of a risk, Ali swirls his index and middle finger around at the base of Concord's neck, catching a few of the loose hairs there at the base of Concord's braid. It's not tight enough to be a pull, but those fingers are definitely getting the wispy hairs to curl around them. It's a light, teasing touch, one aimed to provoke.]

I saw a few things in a book that might be better than what we did last time.

[He has to bite back to keep from automatically saying 'You DO know how to read, right?']

[virtuesignal]

[Playing with his hair absolutely gets a rise out of Concord. He lets the coat hung over his arm simple slip off, fall into a heap on the ground. That arm is needed to reach for Ali, place a broad hand to the dragon's hip. He rubs his thumb in place, crumpling fabric slightly beneath his touch. All their clothing off, Ali says. Demands. As apart of his way... Concord wants to see all of him.

Two responses to Ali's words again come to mind. Suave, "so, you'll teach me something," or vulnerable "you may need to take your time, with me". Again, neither make it to his voice.

Instead, he defaults to making fun of Ali. Tone dry as ever,]

You had to read up on it? [It isn't that he knows any better, but it sounds like such a funny way to explore this. What part of the castle library has those tomes, he wonders...]

[srsbznss]

[It's a part of the library that Ali had sought out on his own, too embarrassed to ask for help with searching. He hadn't had time to read everything in it, of course, just browse a few sections. He would have to investigate it more thoroughly later.

It's hard to ignore that hand on his hip though, and he let out a surprised breath at the sudden touch. But he quickly covers it up by looking vaguely annoyed, which is a look Concord should be familiar with by now.]

Of course I did, do you really think I would try anything without gaining some base knowledge?

[To vent his frustrations, he gives a gentle tug of those hairs wrapped around his fingers.]

I should like to see you try to impress without reading up first.