oneman_onevote | (no subject)

Havelock, in an effort to keep his mind of various things, is writing letters in the library, secluded at a desk and left alone by librarians, possibly out of recognition of a kindred spirit, possibly just out of self-preservation.

(Admittedly, this is itself part of an experiment into how completely he can keep his mind clear of incriminating thought trails. Multi-tasking is a way of life.)

Most are still in the draft stages, although one to Lilly is finished - writing in cipher is easy enough, even if their delivery methods are rather roundabout - and he has several piles of sheets in various stages scattered around him. It's organised chaos to Havelock, and presumably just chaos to anyone else.

He stares, intent for a moment on the line he has just written, narrows his eyes critically, and crosses it through.

It's such a temptation to go too far into irony when manipulating politicians.

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Puck opens his mouth.

And shuts it.

"Whatever it may be, I suppose at least now I may seek it out," he says miserably.

Havelock sighs faintly, then strokes a gentle hand over Puck's shoulder and leaves it there, holding on.

Well, at least the plans to undo this are already set in motion.

And now secrecy is no issue...

"Well," he says slowly, in a tone that on anyone else would be mildly sheepish. "At least I was somewhere in working around that. Next time you see River Tam, please could you think clearly about your terms and any possible methods of gaining your release? She is forewarned."

This really does feel better than doing it without Puck's knowledge. Hmm.

Puck blinks, surprised.

Then he laughs.

"Oh," he says. "I thought you were up to something."

"Hardly up to something," Havelock says, with creditable sincerity.

"Talking to certain people, yes."

He grins.

"Oh, yes."

And casts a curious glance to Havelock's hand on his shoulder, which he takes in both of his and turns it over, tracing out the ink-stains.

He glances at Havelock from under his lashes.

"Master Riddle ... River Tam ... Master Wells. I had no notion you were ever so agreeable in company."

Havelock lets him have his hand with only a mildly puzzled look. Puck is probably very well acquainted with it already - under the black inkstains are pale, finely articulated fingers with smooth calluses and the occasional thin scar, just as always - but whatever he likes.

"Yes, I am a social butterfly," Havelock deadpans in the meantime.

Puck snorts softly, and brings Havelock's hand to his lips to press a kiss to a dark smudge.

"I shall make my thoughts as clear as I may," he murmurs, "but I feel I ought to warn you--"

He sighs.

"You may read the contents of my heart, Havelock. But I am not certain what may be made of it."

Havelock shrugs.

"We will see when it comes to it. Lord Ostium has offered his assistance in interpreting what Miss Tam may discover."

It's a veritable chain of mind-reading.

Now with 100% more prior consent!

"Yes."

Puck has not released his hand, trailing soft kisses over his fingertips.

He's momentarily stuck for ideas.

Havelock nods once, watching him.

After a moment,

"You'll get ink on your mouth."

Puck pauses, and blinks up at him.

He laughs in a soft gust of breath.

"I scarcely mind it."

Havelock shrugs, as this is a fair point - then reaches up to press one fingertip deliberately onto Puck's forehead.

It makes a light but recognisable grey fingerprint.

He snorts, eyes rolling upward towards the spot he can feel but not see. "You shall make a very motley fool of me, darling."

This is not something he minds, if the light grazing of his teeth and lips over the pad of Havelock's hand is any indication.

For a moment, he is very intent on the progress of his lips along the side of Havelock's thumb.

Then, pulling away slightly:

"I shall have to speak."

Havelock just grins at him, watching his progress with polite interest. Puck's bravery in risking inkstains is somehow unsurprising, and certainly pleasant.

"Shall you?"

That grin of his gets one in return, though it quickly fades into something more thoughtful.

"I shall," he says, "which is, I think, the root of the trouble."

His lips close over Havelock's index finger-- and, because this is a strategy session, he only sucks down a little bit.

Mmmmink.

"Otherwise," he adds, as an afterthought, "the thing shall remain unbroken, and myself obligated still by my own words."

Havelock nods thoughtfully.

And considers one or two options.

"Forcing speech is not my particular area of expertise," he says. "But I think it may be possible."

"Do you?"

He smiles faintly, releasing Havelock's hand.

"Irresistible though your persuasions may be to me, sweet, I hope you shan't be offended if they profit us little in this case."

"I had something rather more active in mind than asking you nicely," Havelock says dryly.

"Do you remember where we put that lasso you found?"

Puck snorts, sticking out his tongue-- and then his face lights up with conspiring curiosity.

"I thought I had inquired the same of you," he protests.

"And not so long ago, at that."

"Hmm," Havelock says, thoughtful.

"Well, it can't have gone far. It seems a fair place to start."

He laughs.

"Oh, my. I suppose we may begin by searching the Lost and Found ..."

He cuts himself off with a small fit of snickering.

"Havelock," he says, "if this scheme falls out, I shall think it the most agreeable end to a curse ever devised."

Havelock shrugs.

"I think it will be agreeable to have this ended any way it comes about," he sighs. "Enforced silence just doesn't suit you."

Obviously, this is the only reason he cares.

Slowly, Puck's eyebrows climb.

"How curious," he murmurs owlishly.

"I seem to recall an occasion or three upon which you have expressed a decidedly different opinion."

Is this a good time to mention he's still in Havelock's lap?

Havelock's eyebrows raise in answer.

"Oh, that was quite different," he assures Puck. "Because I was the one enforcing it."

...He did say he would work on his jealousy.

Puck laughs again, softly.

"Oh," he says.

"I see."

~~He gets all tingly when Havelock takes control like that.~~

"In that case-- after this is ended, perhaps we might do well to keep hold of that lasso." His head cants pleasantly to one side. "Simply for security's sake."