[ Ah. So that's the problem. It wasn't just a matter of some fiddly laces down his back; Dan Heng asked for help because his costume is one of those. Caleb understands instantly, and meets Dan Heng's rueful smile with a shake of his as if to forestall any apology. ]
It is no trouble. But since the rest needs to come off this way, I will close the curtain.
[ He suggests this gently, and shuffles the rest of the way into Dan Heng's small changing room so he can do so, giving them a little more privacy from the rest of the space. Having just met, he has no idea how concerned with modesty Dan Heng may or may not be; probably not very, given he's just appeared as a lead actor in a porn film. Still, he would rather err on the side of caution. Having all but abandoned his prerogative to avert his gaze as much possible--partially out of necessity--it seems the least he can do.
The gleam of scales was impossible to miss, and now that more are revealed, Caleb is struck by the loveliness of them. The graceful way they flow with the contours of Dan Heng's body, their seamless integration with his skin, the contrast of color and sheen and, he must imagine, texture. As his hands, warm and wide and slightly rough, slip beneath the waist of the negligee to tug the whole thing down over his hips (easier that way than up, with Dan Heng's long hair), the temptation to stroke the pad of his thumb over a patch of scales following the shape of his hip grows increasingly distracting.
Stay on task, Widogast.
There is a mirror in here, but Caleb doesn't dare glance up at himself. Feeling the heat continuing to rise in his face and spreading down his neck to his chest, he can guess how red he must be. ]
Which was your favorite? Of the novels, I mean.
[ If he doesn't keep talking, this will get awkward quickly. ]
no subject
It is no trouble. But since the rest needs to come off this way, I will close the curtain.
[ He suggests this gently, and shuffles the rest of the way into Dan Heng's small changing room so he can do so, giving them a little more privacy from the rest of the space. Having just met, he has no idea how concerned with modesty Dan Heng may or may not be; probably not very, given he's just appeared as a lead actor in a porn film. Still, he would rather err on the side of caution. Having all but abandoned his prerogative to avert his gaze as much possible--partially out of necessity--it seems the least he can do.
The gleam of scales was impossible to miss, and now that more are revealed, Caleb is struck by the loveliness of them. The graceful way they flow with the contours of Dan Heng's body, their seamless integration with his skin, the contrast of color and sheen and, he must imagine, texture. As his hands, warm and wide and slightly rough, slip beneath the waist of the negligee to tug the whole thing down over his hips (easier that way than up, with Dan Heng's long hair), the temptation to stroke the pad of his thumb over a patch of scales following the shape of his hip grows increasingly distracting.
Stay on task, Widogast.
There is a mirror in here, but Caleb doesn't dare glance up at himself. Feeling the heat continuing to rise in his face and spreading down his neck to his chest, he can guess how red he must be. ]
Which was your favorite? Of the novels, I mean.
[ If he doesn't keep talking, this will get awkward quickly. ]