In contrast, misinformation, obfuscation, and lies have been Barnabas' bread and butter. Not that he had always been that way, but life has a way of changing you, and sometimes for the worst. Thus he has kept most everything private, revealing only what is strictly necessary, or what might be enough of a seed to plant in someone for a result he wanted to cultivate. If people were plants, he would be their gardener, maintaining everything as it needs to be to get the exact yield he wants.
Just as he's been doing this whole exchange with Noctis. Little touches of intimacy to plant that which begs to be seeded, but not enough to make him fully retreat. One cannot over-till the soil, after all. Meanwhile, he's garnered himself some useful bits of information that he will pursue further. Not now, of course, for now, he is interested in this King of Kings.
For now he won't touch further on the conversation of wills and men being released of them. He's said enough on that front as is, and he knows it will earn him no favors if he goes any deeper into it at present. Thus he focuses on that which leaves Noctis feeling exposed and vulnerable. As he regards himβglancing over that body he's borrowing. Unfolding his arms, he brings a loosely curled hand to not only catch his chin, but to tilt his head to look at him.
"You truly thought I would not notice the titillation exuding from you? Any man worthy of the name would catch the sweet scent of it." His dark eyes seek Noctis' own as he gazes down at him, though he removes the hand from his chin to swiftly curl it around Noctis' waist to pull him against his chest.
no subject
Just as he's been doing this whole exchange with Noctis. Little touches of intimacy to plant that which begs to be seeded, but not enough to make him fully retreat. One cannot over-till the soil, after all. Meanwhile, he's garnered himself some useful bits of information that he will pursue further. Not now, of course, for now, he is interested in this King of Kings.
For now he won't touch further on the conversation of wills and men being released of them. He's said enough on that front as is, and he knows it will earn him no favors if he goes any deeper into it at present. Thus he focuses on that which leaves Noctis feeling exposed and vulnerable. As he regards himβglancing over that body he's borrowing. Unfolding his arms, he brings a loosely curled hand to not only catch his chin, but to tilt his head to look at him.
"You truly thought I would not notice the titillation exuding from you? Any man worthy of the name would catch the sweet scent of it." His dark eyes seek Noctis' own as he gazes down at him, though he removes the hand from his chin to swiftly curl it around Noctis' waist to pull him against his chest.
"Shall I free you from its searing burden?"