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"Mm… five more minutes." Came a mumble beside him, half buried into a pillow. Laurence had his back facing him, curled up with three-quarters of the blankets on his side.
Ludwig let out a quiet laugh, voice low with sleep. "You said the same five minutes ago, my love."
He made an exasperated noise, before turning over onto his back, looking up at Ludwig. Hair fell over his face in a black veil, sharp gray eyes soft with sleep. Ludwig felt his heart ache at the sight.
"I don't remember that." Laurence pouts.
“I didn’t think you would.” Another chuckle passes his lips, warm and full of love. Ludwig can’t help but look at him. How his eyes squint ever-so slightly without his specs, or the lazy half-smile on his face. He was a vision, one Ludwig could still hardly believe he was lucky enough to be witness to. It was an exercise of Laurence’s trust, letting himself be vulnerable like this. He could only hope that Laurence knew he was safe here in this bed and in his company.
Laurence brushed his hair out of his eyes, movements slow and sleepy, before bringing his hand up to cup Ludwig’s cheek. Without a thought, Ludwig brings his hand to his lips, pressing a kiss soft and searing to his palm. Laurence’s cheeks flush at the gesture.
“…I wish we could have more mornings like this. Together.” His voice is whisper quiet, laden with guilt. “I feel like I’m never around when you are… I miss you terribly.” He looks at Ludwig, an apology on his tongue with no way to voice it.
“I know it’s no fault of your own, things simply don’t run without us, I’m afraid.”
“But what if they could?”
His question takes Ludwig by surprise, having been said with such sincerity, almost like a prayer. The waking morning has left Laurence’s features, a serious expression filtering in. There's a nervous feeling in his stomach. Ludwig fears too honest an answer would overwhelm him, but he can tell it's what Laurence wants. As burning and bright as that honestly may be.
“If they could,” He starts, tentatively. “I’d only want to spend more time by your side. We wouldn’t have to talk, or say anything at all, we could just… be. I’d do anything to give you that, a day without responsibility, so that I may love you without bound.”
Ludwig felt like his heart was in his throat speaking for him. As a consequence, the moment he finished he wanted to pull all of his words back and hide them away someplace unseen. He looked at Laurence’s hand, still held by his own, calloused fingers against smooth skin.
But then there's a tug, and Ludwig feels himself being pulled down into a kiss, a surprised sound smothered by Laurence’s lips on his. He kisses him with a certainty he doesn't often have, a reassurance, melting away any doubt in Ludwig’s mind. When they part, Laurence keeps them close.
“You still can. Love me without restraint, so that I know you to be honest. So that I may do the same.” He presses their foreheads together, words meant for no one else in the world but the two of them. Ludwig shuts his eyes, feeling tears threaten to well up and spill.
He’s certain that he’s never loved another as he does Laurence. Love so strong and unabashed he’d always thought none could reciprocate it — but here is someone who wants to, who isn't afraid of the shameless indulgence that comes with it. Here is Laurence who loves him back. Ludwig feels himself melt in the moment.
Words do not come to him to voice this, and he is sure no word in the spoken language could quite convey it. So instead, he takes Laurence’s head in his hands and kisses him again. It's a gesture meant to speak for him, to whisper sweet nothings, to say 'I love you' in every language conceivable. Laurences lips are soft, willing listeners.
Ludwig looks into his eyes, breaking away. They are deep and shine with only a hint of the faintest blue, but they shine nonetheless. The two have a silent conversation, where Ludwig tells him how he loves those eyes, and Laurence smiles, all the while keeping their noses but a hair from each other.
He can't stay here forever. Laurence has duties as a Vicar, and he himself has his hunters to care for, and people he's to meet. Yharnam is awake outside, blind to the quiet moment between its finest hunter and his love. Laurence, his moonlight.
Rising from their bed, getting ready for the day in unison, something that happens so rarely with how busy they both are. Ludwig relishes in it, even if it means he'll have to part with Laurence eventually. They will see each other again. Laurence will meet him at the gate after the night's Hunt, like he always does. And Ludwig will smile, doused in blood as the Hunt always has him.
He says goodbye to Laurence with a kiss, sweet, almost chaste. It's a promise, a wish to see him once more. And with that, the day moves on as though nothing were different. Though, if his hunters notice the extra spring in Ludwig’s step, they think not to comment on it.