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

[virtuesignal]

You are welcome. [Said with his usual dry seriousness, but the dragon should clock how sincere he is being.

When Ali scoots in even closer, Concord wraps him up in both arms. A bearish hug from a man who is more like that animal in his protective spirit than most would think of a unicorn. He buries his nose in Ali's dark hair and nuzzles there with utmost affection, taking in his smoky scent. The warmth is downright addictive, he fears he'll never want to be far from Ali now that he's been so close to him. There are duties beyond this bed, after all...

Also, they're both quite sticky.]

... did you wish to bathe together? I need a wash.

[srsbznss]

[It's a little strange to him, as such close affection isn't very common for dragons, not even among parents and children. But Ali likes it, he thinks. He likes being this close to someone.

But a mess will separate them, it seems. He sighs and starts to untangle himself from Concord.]

Might as well. The baths should still be largely unoccupied at this hour.

[Most people are probably still at the festival, even if the fireworks are over.]

[virtuesignal]

[Concord eases up his embrace so Ali can roll away and untangle them. Of course, the absence is felt immediately. He wants the dragon back in his arms as soon as is possible. He doesn't know when that will next be, if not in the baths- that might be too public? The castle baths were beautiful, built around natural hotsprings, some parts interior and some exterior. These were open to any who worked within the palace, the King insisting all should get to enjoy what he did. At busy times quite the raucous spot. They may be entirely empty about now, especially some of the more isolated pools. That didn't mean people couldn't arrive after festivities looking to wash off or relax in the steamy waters.

He's getting ahead of himself,]

Do you have a handkerchief on hand? [top prior: no come stuck to his chest or running down his legs. Being at least that decent before tossing back on his casual set of clothing to walk to the baths is a must.]

[srsbznss]

[To be fair, Ali is absolutely considering embracing Concord more often, even tonight. Though some of the 'embracing' would be non-sexual in nature, even if he won't admit it easily Ali is fond of the idea of cuddling up and sleeping in the same bed.

Also, he wants to wash Concord's back in the bath. That's pretty intimate in his mind.

But Concord's question snaps him away from those thoughts, and with a bit of flourish he speaks as if it's silly of Concord to even ask.]

Of course.

[He has one in the pocket of his pants, which he goes over to pull out. Of course, when he picks up his pants he hears the two coins clinking against each other, and he smiles with a bit of warmth before shifting it to something a bit more smarmy as he hands over the handkerchief.]

Knowing how messy you are, I'll have to be sure to bring several towels next time.

[virtuesignal]

[Concord does flush a bit red at the comment, taking the handkerchief when it's given. He scoffs lightly, standing and striding to the small water basin in the room. Ali can enjoy the appealing sight of Concord's ass and thighs stained wet with his release leaking downward.]

I would not think I am any messier than a dragon, in this way... [he scrubs off with the regimented movement of a soldier, getting himself at least decent enough to be redressed. Once he's decent, he's ready to trek onward to the baths, which weren't necessarily far from Ali's den besides the treasury]

[srsbznss]

[While Ali looks a bit smug about Concord being embarrassed, that smugness quickly becomes his own embarrassment as he sees the signs of the things he has done to Concord. For some reason, he didn't realize any of that would leak out. He looks away quickly, covering his mouth with his hand and trying to act normal as he works through those complicated feelings.

He eventually does get dressed though, only pulling on a shirt and pants for the time being. No need to dress up super-fancy when they're just going to the baths. Together. Post-sex. He wonders how many people have done just the same thing.

Once they arrive he'll indicate to one of the more secluded pools.]

Let's go over there.

[Even if someone does wander in after the festival, they're unlikely to catch the two of them far in the back.]

[virtuesignal]

[Concord will ask to borrow a brush or comb, hoping to wash out his long mane while they're at it. He pockets whatever is offered and follows along with his usual stoic demeanor, keeping Ali in the corner of his eye as they make the short journey. It is a bit strange, doing this after being so intensely intimate, almost pretending it didn't happen, just in case they passed anybody. The halls are still abandoned and silent of all but the distant revelry in the castle square.

Making it to the baths, they're likewise empties out still. Spotting the far pools, tucked away beyond walls for a bit more privacy, Concord follows. If anybody came in, they could probably hear and... adjust themselves. That is, if they return to such intimate displays as before.

Concord isn't sure he could resist, it feels like a given. He strips back down and enters the warm water with a sigh. His braid will get undone in time, for now he needs to bask a while, watch as Ali enters in after him, hopefully]

[srsbznss]

[Ali has a comb to offer up, luckily. It will probably take a while to fully comb out, but that's fine. Ali is patient.

So patient, in fact, that he doesn't enter the warm water immediately. He takes time to remove his clothes and set them nearby, folded loosely. Then he takes the time to untie his hair and let it fall down to just past his shoulders. Once the tie is set aside, then Ali makes his way to the water.

...carefully. The water is steamy and he has to squint a little as he feels around for the edge with his foot. He will not be falling in and making a fool of himself today. But soon enough he gets settled next to Concord and sighs as he sinks down a bit in the water.]

I should bathe more often, I keep forgetting how amazing this feels.

[virtuesignal]

I imagine you would not care for cold bathing. [Concord hates that, too, it reminds him too much of perpetual winter to submerge in icier water. The castle, perfectly placed as it was, offers this fine luxury to them.

Speaking of warmth, he reaches back out for Ali, impatient already. He already took such time joining, Concord doesn't help the urge. His large palm smooths over Ali's hip on one side and he leans in to kiss the man again]

[srsbznss]

Oh, not at all. Cold water is horrible. Dust baths are much better, but I find myself liking hot water baths nowadays.

[Now there's an interesting fact: dragons take dust baths.

Ali sees Concord reaching for him, and he sighs. He has this 'Really? Again?' look on his face, but at the same time he's not saying no to the touches or the kiss. In fact, he kisses back with interest as he reaches for Concord, touching his closest shoulder.

When they part for air, Ali speaks up:]

We didn't bring the bottle, you know.

[They can still get creative even without that thing. There's plenty of soaps and oils all around the bath, they could find something suitable.]

[virtuesignal]

[Despite the cleanly ideal of a unicorn, they are more truly beasts of nature. A dust bath is a pleasing thing by his standards, so he just hums in agreement. The second comment, though, needs to more articulate response]

That did not stop us the first two times... [Concord reminds, breath close to Ali's mouth. He does separate after, sure that despite any desires they should probably not immediately fool around again. Isn't Ali tired? Or does he, like Concord, find himself stirring for more soon enough.

He sinks himself into the water, wanting to get his hair soaked through. While dunked beneath the surface, he can't help himself planting another kiss on Ali's navel, just to tease him some]

[srsbznss]

[Okay, fair point. While Ali is a little curious to feel what it would be like to have Concord inside of him, they can get creative for now.]

That sounds like you have something in mind.

[But then Concord is underwater, and that kiss makes his whole body shudder despite the warm water. It's instinct- somehow- to grab onto Concord's hair when he's like that. But he remembers how sensitive Concord's hair is, and he opts to hold onto the edge of the bath instead.]

There's no way you can hold your breath for long enough to do that.

[Even if Concord probably can't hear him right now, Ali feels the need to say that.]

[virtuesignal]

[Concord cannot hear him, but he'd have probably just rolled his eyes if he did. He rises from the water after a moment getting his hair wet. They should probably focus on getting cleaned up, but Ali is right there, naked and wet and warm. Concord again leans in close, speaking in his usual hushed tones to the dragon's ear]

I used to have better self restraint. You make me very impatient for what is next, Ali.

[they've always had a knack for frustrating one another, but this is a whole new game]

[srsbznss]

[A small chuckle escapes Ali. The game has changed, it's true, but he can already see ways to assure his victory. Now is the time to play coy.

He grins as he tucks a bit of hair behind Concord's ear, taking care not to let the touch linger for too long, as he speaks.]

I never would have thought that I would be able to hold such control over you, you know. To make you so impatient so easily, I'll have to remember that trick.

[He says this like he's not going to get fucked so hard he'll see stars when Concord gets the chance to do that.]

[virtuesignal]

[Any attention to Concord's hair both draws his attention to a laser point and also makes him look hazy. Dreamy, but only thinking contentedly of Ali. Considering no small part of this escalation was the dragon pulling his braid and dragging a heated moan out of him,]

You figured that out a week ago. [it is on his mind, if he'll be fucking Ali the way he was taken, wondering if maybe he's too hung for the dragon to dare]

And you said you like control... but are you going to let me inside you, one day?

[srsbznss]

[That draws a bit of a wry smile out of Ali.]

'Control' isn't about who is giving and who is receiving, Concord. You could be inside me today if you wanted to be.

[Yeah. Ali is saying he'll powerbottom if Concord wants it that way. He does want to keep control for now but he's not exactly picky about how they do it.]