I'm no criminal.

He nearly stumbled over his own feet the moment he was pulled from their straightforward path. But, Rire’s sudden actions weren’t so much a surprise at this point. Dragging him to a secluded spot, hidden from view – it had happened more than once during their outings, and each time was all the more thrilling than the last. They could be caught at any time, and yet, Jacob felt safe in his presence. In his arms that would hold him tight.

The rush was far too addictive.

Helplessly melting from the feel on those lips on his right then, Jacob hungrily kissed him in return without a second’s hesitation. He would sigh with eyes closed as hands found themselves upon Rire’s chest, fingers curling into a grip on his vest. Tugging him down just a bit more, just a bit closer. But he knew this couldn’t last long, couldn’t allow himself to be this eager for the man’s attention. What he was given now would have to be cherished.

So willing he would allow his tongue to wander, prompting Jacob to give a muffled groan. How he wished they were truly alone for another time, free to do just as the wished without current restraints… He could laugh. Just from a kiss, and he was already like this.

Gaze half-lidded, catching his breath in short, quiet pants, he would appear dazed the moment Rire so decided to draw back from him. As desperate as he was to reach forth, drag his body near once again – He simply couldn’t. With their prior engagement already agreed upon, spontaneous acts had to stay just that. Rire did have the habit of teasing him, giving him just enough for him to crave more, have him nearly begging… Never would he fail either.

“Ah, hm,” Clearing his throat then in an attempt to regain composure, he reached a leather thumb to his lips, quick to wipe what evidence remained of their heated kissing. Though he lingered in thought for a moment longer, a playful little grin soon made itself known. 

   HE WAS SO QUICK to be reminded of how FRAGILE humans tended to be. How intriguingly entertaining it was, seeing what means were required when it came to taking them apart, and BREAKING DOWN those walls. Some were certainly stronger than others, such as dear little Jacob here… never an impossible target, no, no. But wanted that had required a greater deal of time when compared to many other PLAYTHINGS… 

   But the moment that vulnerability would reveal itself for all to see, the moment they could finally find one they could place just that bit of TRUST into… that was where the CHASE would truly reached its utmost peak…

    Y͘ơ̜̦̰̘̳͚u͉̤̹̞͔̫͖ ̷c̨͇͓͙̠̣a̜͓͕͙͘n͔̙͘ ͏̠̮t̴̙̘͔̱r͓͔͓̱͙̀u͏s̩͎̘̝͉͘ͅt͓ m̧͕̗̩̞e̥͓̣̖̝.̤̞̩̗̖..

   This one needed to be treated differently, it wasn’t as if he could have taken the other by the waist then and pull him right in. Unlike so many others… Rire still had to take things a little more slowly than he should. By this stage, CHARMING him would have put an end at it all– but then again, where would the fun be in that? Offering a slight raise of his brow, Rire had the fight that temptation to smirk. For it hadn’t at all been a question that arose out of suspicion, but one from genuine gratitude itself. Soft, almost barely below a whisper… uncertain, and yet, certainly what the other was more than willing to offer to him, right then.

   "To know that you find solace in my presence– as I do yours– is all that I could possibly ask for.” Words that would slowly bring itself to an almost dream-like murmur. Leaning down enough that those words would whisper themselves– graze itself across the shell of the other’s ear. Getting closer each time, with each word that escaped him, and especially the other. With his tone laced in a manner that was perhaps made obvious enough to the human then– longing. “Though, I suppose…”

For a moment, it’s as if he’d forgotten to breathe. He’s close, almost touching him. And yet all Jacob could do was stand there and begin to lose himself, undeniably entranced by his actions. He wasn’t entirely ignorant now; however... Was this all right? To desire the man as he had? Here, of all places? He looked to Rire, seeming unsure, though taken all the same.

How wrong it should have been, giving in. To let his mind wander, his wants becoming known. This... was wrong, but at the same time, it was right, for it’d be an outright lie to say he hadn’t been captivated by him since what seemed forever ago. Should he resist, despite that?

... No. 

He shouldn’t question morals. He shouldn’t allow himself to hesitate anymore, especially not when he’d made it clear how trusting he was of the other. Desperately he wanted to reach out, act on his own then, but still he waited. Waited for that opportunity that would eventually come, given a little more patience. And so eagerly Jacob would follow.

   REGRET BUT OF COURSE REVEALING ITSELF IN TIME, INNER TURMOIL that would ever so often twist itself back upon sullen features. For was it not such impertinent emotions that would make these humans what they are? A wooden palette with dabs of paint that would only continue to smear itself upon the surface itself. Often a mesmerizing sight, especially before fresh, brand new paint would attempt to conceal what was beneath. 

   He would laugh. As he always did. Never realizing how VULNERABLE he would actually appear to these feasting eyes. Watching as the tension itself had been so quick to leave the other’s form– so easy, little one. 

   Even as he would still refuse to meet the other’s gaze then. So would Rire have to be the one to initiate it all, he suppose. To offer that hand out to the other, when it was so needed. While far from a timid little creature, such moments of vulnerability from this man were only but ever offered to him alone. Him and only him.

   Forgive you? Why, there was nothing to forgive, little human. Especially after all which you have and will offer to him, in time.

   “It is quite alright.” A soothing baritone set upon another purr of the tongue, Rire would bring himself that much closer to the other, “For what sort of person would I be if I were to ever disregard you in your time of need…?” An innocent enough few steps taken, as he passed on by him, before setting himself right beside him. A LOOMING SHADOW, whose gaze now fixated itself firmly down upon the human himself.

   “… You know that all your secrets are safe with me, Jacob.”

Attempts aside at merely laughing off his worries, for Rire to be so honest with him now... It robbed him of his previous thoughts, leaving him contemplative. Having been betrayed, deceived not just once, perhaps he should’ve at least hesitated here (or so, perhaps that’d be the wise advice of another). Though in the end, how could he not trust him? After all...

Rire was different.

Whatever told him that, he couldn’t say for sure, but he knew it without a doubt. 

Silence prolonged for a while longer, Jacob momentarily coming to realize how close Rire had positioned himself once he lifted his gaze. Tempting as it was to step back, regain his former space, he wouldn’t -- only stare up at the other somewhat curiously instead. All he was met with was a smile, reassuring, and those eyes he’d never see. Since when had he begun to long for the time he would...? How peculiar it was, hiding his identity in such a way; how funny it was that his first impressions had hardly changed. He was strange, but somehow that wouldn’t change Jacob’s trust. A helpless little tug of his own lips then, he rose a brow.

“I suppose I should thank you -- but is that really enough?”

   It was in a way, no different to any of their other meetings, truth be told. Perhaps with the exception that it would just be the two of them, then. In a secluded enough area… Oh, dear boy, if only you knew. The other’s TENSE FORM would ease ever so slightly, the moment he had gone over to his side. With his arms still folded firmly across his chest– Jacob however, had still been kind enough to offer him a smile. Enough of a gesture to express how he had still appreciated his company. Precious. Tried as he might to keep it up for a good while longer, before it would fall once more from his face.

   It hadn’t taken much this time to coax the other into opening up, with Rire remaining silent until Jacob had been ready. With one simple gesture, so would the both of them look out to the waters themselves. Waiting as the other allowed himself to calm down just a tad and think his words over, before finally sharing it all with him. To play the role of the trusted friend, the very one who had this seemingly miraculous ability to make one such as him feel so completely at ease… it was all too easy, really.

   … Ah yes, the sister. One such as her had certainly made this entire game… all the more entertaining for the demon. To have her be involved in such a manner– who was to say that Rire didn’t like a challenge? For little obstacles (Pitifully small as they still tend to be) like this would make his REWARD at the very of it all, so much sweeter. Satisfaction so often painted upon his own features, at her attempts to persuade her brother, and to even go so far as to send a few APPETIZERS after him… Oh, dearest Ms Frye, you had this one’s utmost gratitude, truly.

   “… My deepest apologies,” Somber enough tone was summoned then, “It certainly pains me to hear of this… for your own kin, for your very own flesh and blood, to never understand all that you have put yourself out there for– for the sake of her and so many others.”

His own flesh and blood...

Yes, perhaps he was being too harsh, too quick to lose his temper; in the end, Evie was his other half. His only remaining family. Yet having been met with frequent ridicule from the woman, especially so as of late, their oppositions had led to... Well, exactly this. The both of them unable to stand one another. Jacob held no regrets for leaving her in the manner he did this very evening -- at least, not for the time being. Distance and time proved a great remedy in cases such as these. Though now, he couldn’t care less about what tomorrow may bring.

Being in the company of a friend, particularly one such as Rire whom he honestly found much solace in whenever around, it was enough of a distraction. Certainly allowed him to loosen up from his once very tense state. Jacob hadn’t even that same anger in him left to respond with much more than a light shrug of his shoulders. “Not a thing we can do about it now, hm?”

Relieving as it was to discuss his worries, another part of him couldn’t help but feel guilty once he had a few silent moments to collect his thoughts. No doubt he was now much calmer than before, those empathetic words seeming to ease him significantly, but... This wasn’t Rire’s conflict to solve. Certainly no other’s business but the twins’ own. That realization prompted a soft, sullen chuckle from Jacob, his gaze soon falling to the ground.