live to be dangerous

Taking a deep shaky breath, the boy nodded mutely and swallowed the stone in his throat, making sure he kept his eyes averted while he ran his fingers through his dark hair a few times and scrambled off of the bed to grab his boots, stepping into them before moving in front of the mirror glass that hung near the door. “What are we going to be doing?” He asked softly, licking his lips that looked oddly swollen from how hard he had been chewing them moments before, causing him to scowl at his reflection before his sapphire gaze darted over to Finn in the mirror, looking at the redhead who sat behind him in an old ratty armchair, while Quin stood there staring and hoping he didn’t notice the effect he had on him.

"We're going outside of the city."

Obviously it wasn’t the drugs that had made him act so loving before— or say the things he had said, they had merely taken away the inhibitions that kept him from saying them otherwise. “Did you really mean that? That you’d stay?” The boy asked, his eyes fluttering open once more to look up at Finneus hopefully.

Turning around with mischievous eyes, Finn looked at the boy on the bed. "I'm borrowing you for the day. Better get ready, and fast." After that, he settled himself into a sort-of comfortable chair near the window and waited for him to do what he said.

Quin settled on Finn’s shoulder. “You’re really comfortable.” He murmured, a soft giggle bubbling up out of his throat as he struggled to keep his eyes open, wanting them to focus on the redhead even though they just couldn’t. “I don’t want to go to sleep. I want to stay up with you.” He whined like a petulant child. “You’ll be gone when I wake up.. you won’t be here..” The boy trailed off in a whimpering voice, snuggling closer to the older boy as he floated in the drugged world that he had thrown himself into by smoking the poppy. After a few more moments of clinging to Finn, the fingers latching onto the redhead’s lapels slowly relaxed as he fell into a deep sleep.

The redhead slept peacefully, with the vague feeling of Tarquin's touch. Not even sleep could blot out the feeling that his hands were on him. The older ones eyes slowly flickered open, auburn eyelashes twitching with sleep. Sun was floating happily through the windows of the apartment. It didn't even seem to be morning anymore, more like just settling on noon. The sleep didn't seem to have lasted long, and Finneus wondered if they had actually stopped up for a long period of the night without realizing it. With a slight turn of his head, Finn watched Quin sleeping calmly against his shoulder, his mouth slightly gaped open. He couldn't help a smile as he raised his hand without really thinking about it, using it to weave softly through the brunette's hair. The touch was surprising even to himself, but it would be a lie to say he wasn't enjoying it.

With heavy lidded eyes, the brunette murmured dreamily. “Come with me..” The boy’s arm then snaked around Finn’s lower back as the hand on the redhead’s cheek curled and he pulled him close, laying back so they were supported by the lumpy pillows, Tarquin’s cheek rested against the other’s shoulder blade— and then he fell into the poppy haze— and drifted out of the Earthly plane and somewhere else altogether.

[Something strange and unfamiliar stirred up inside of his chest as Quin was touching him. It was not exactly uncomfortable, it felt sweet. Bittersweet. Something different and new- something he so desperately wanted to explore. He was so lost in his own hazy world when the younger slipped his arm around him, again catching him completely off guard. What was it about him that made Finn feel this way? As the two men fell onto the pillows, their faces were so close to one another that Finn could hardly breath for a second. He revelled in the feeling of the boy's head on his shoulder as he feel asleep. The sight was causing his own eyes to droop lazily, sleep tugging them down into oblivion. He fought it for a while though; wanting to sit awake and stare at the boy. Memorize that face. In the end tiredness beat him and he drifted off like that, the ghost of a smile gracing his features as he slept happily.]

The boy piped up a moment later. “Actually, you do look like you would. But maybe I can tell you some since you don’t know any. We can go on an adventure together without even leaving this room.” Quin smiled, even as his voice wavered, becoming thick with emotion as he listened— and wrinkled his nose. “No, no bad stories. Only good. How about I tell you a story th—?” He asked, pausing completely and even losing his train of thought at the way the redhead said his name. Just saying it in such a simple manner had his heart racing to beat the band— and all he wanted was for him to say it again and again. He sat up fully, forcing himself even under the drugged haze to sit up so he was eye to eye with Finn. The only reason he felt enough courage to do what he did next was because of the drug. But boldly, Tarquin lifted a hand and placed it on the round of Finn’s cheek, cupping it as he moved closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “You don’t have to leave.. you can stay here with me. I know its small.. but I don’t mind— I’d like it— if you stayed.” He swallowed hard, his adam’s apple bobbing along the ridge of his throat as he tried to swallow his heart back down into his chest. He hadn’t known the redhead for more than a few hours but even in that short amount of time— Tarquin knew he didn’t want Finn to exit his life— not ever.

[The air and atmosphere of the room seemed to had changed. It was not one hundred percent comfortable anymore and everything seemed to be thick with underlying tension and emotion. Along with things that they both wanted; needed to say, but just couldn't get the words out. As Tarquin's sentence all of a sudden cut off, Finn wasn't thinking much of it as he was floating in a dream-like trance. He was immediately snapped out of it though, as he felt fingers skating across his skin. He almost jolted at the touch because he wasn't expecting it at all, his eyes immediately going wide and blazing into the sapphire gaze of the man touching him. His heartbeat picked up speed, without him really knowing a reason why. Finn knew that the confidence coming from the boy must of came from the drug. Hey, maybe the whole idea had. He wasn't in his right mind. He would regret it come morning. As he had previously been tensing at his touch; the redhead relaxed, feeling like it was the most normal thing in the world. He wasn't sure what surprised him more, the fact that Tarquin actually asked him to stay in the first place or the words that came from him as a reply.] "Yes." [It was a simple word but it meant so much, even though Finneus knew something about his decision was wrong, and it would be so easy to hurt him, being the destructive man that he was. Plus what if Quin; himself, didn't even feel this way in the morning when the drug had worn off?]

"You should tell me a story, about an adventure." Tarquin grinned dreamily, his generous mouth curling into a relaxed smile as he gazed up at Finn and reached for the bottle, propping himself up on his elbow to bring it to his lips to drink. Wine and poppy— probably not the best combination. "If you get hungry, in the bottom desk drawer, there is a loaf of bread wrapped in paper and a wedge of cheese in cloth. You can help yourself to it." The boy propped himself on one hand as he let out a mischievous giggle and leaned over Finn to pluck the pipe from his hand, his movements already sluggish. After another hit, the brunette stretched out on the bed on his side, mimicking a cat as he curled close to the older boy, feeling oddly safe in his presence, something that hadn’t happened with another person since he was very young.

"I've never been outside of the city. Have you?" [He looked at Tarquin again, everything in his view swaying slightly.] "Do I look like the type of person who tells stories?" [His tone was only slightly bitter, with an inkling of a smile hiding beneath. He laughed- thinking through all the events he had been through and whether any were appropriate enough to share.] "I can tell you about the time I almost beat someone to death." [His tone was only slightly sarcastic, but he honestly had nothing to tell him.] "I don't go on adventures, Tarquin." [It was the first time Finn had said his name out loud, and it was strange on his lips. Long legs stretched alongside him, and he could already tell the younger man was getting tired. With a long swig of wine, Finneus had entered the magical world inside of his own head. The one he always went to when he used the drug.]

[Tarquin let a little gasp when Finn pressed his palm over his heart, his sapphire eyes flaring wide as his heart picked up speed, his cheeks flushed pink and he quickly averted his eyes, nodding fervently.] “Alright. I’ll try it that way.” [He took the pipe back, placing it between his lips as he slowly yet deeply inhaled— this time he didn’t cough. And when he shifted again, he noticed the effects of the drug already working at his senses— which were already starting to deaden.] “Is it supposed to work that fast?” [The boy murmured, leaning his head back against the wall for a moment before snapping upright again to gaze at Finn with wide blue hues. Suddenly he found himself slightly frightened.] “You aren’t going to leave me are you? You’ll watch to make sure I’m alright? And I’ll watch over you too?” [The brunette moved closer to the other as he took a third hit off of the pipe and passed it back to him with a small smile.]

"Well, yeah. It's pretty stronger than anything else." [As he gazed into the younger's wide blue eyes full with a sudden fear, Finn found himself giving him a reassuring smile. He found himself doing a lot of unexpected things around this particular boy, and he wasn't sure what it was that started it. The more he spent time with him, the more genuine his smiles seemed to get around the other.] "I'm not going to leave you, I'll be right here." [He knew the words were true as he spoke them which again, left him slightly surprised. Taking the pipe back from him, Finn handed him over the now open bottle of wine. Lifting the pipe to his lips once again, he leaned back against the bed and waited for the full effect to kick in.]

[Watching as the redhead inhaled off of the pipe after making sure it was nice and lit, Quin stared and then nodded.] “I think I got it.” [He grinned, nearly bouncing on the bed in his excitement to try it. Returning Finn’s smile, the boy reached for the pipe, noticing it was still lit. He put it to his lips and took a slow, deep inhale and held it. Seconds later he coughed hard and blew a long stream of smoke out from his nostrils. Almost immediately the room began moving.] “Ah fuck..” [He whispered, his sapphire eyes flaring as they tried to focus better as he leaned against the wall near Finn’s shoulder and giggled.]

"Good." [An amused smirk found its way across his lips as he stared at Quin in fondness. As expected, the boy coughed and sputtered and Finn let out a deep chuckle. He shuffled himself sideways so that he was sitting opposite him but still they were very close, their knees touching. Leaning in slightly, the redhead reached out a long arm and used his hand to press lightly on Tarquin's chest.] "It needs to go here. Don't take it in so fast, it avoids the coughing." [Gently taking the pipe back, Finn took another drag, blowing the smoke out softly, all without taking his emerald eyes off the other man. He handed it back.] "Nice and smooth, see?"

Certainly. I've definitely met worse people in my time.

[Anyone could tell by the hundreds of books that lined the walls that the boy was infatuated with literature and adventure. If he couldn’t leave the walls of the Emerald City with his actual person, then he definitely would with his mind— and now maybe with poppy as well.] “You look so uncomfortable Finn.” [The boy observed mischievously in a light voice with a playful chuckle, canting his head as he watched the other load the pipe. He scrambled to his feet a moment later on top of the bed and snatched a couple books of matches out of a decorative bowl on one the many shelves before plopping back down next to the redhead and laying them in front of him.] “I know how to smoke cigarettes. So is it anything like that?” [He asked softly, intently curious, staring from the pipe to Finn when he thought the redhead wouldn’t notice, admiring him silently, the splattering of freckles his eyelashes. Of course he looked away whenever the other glanced up, his cheeks flushing again as he leaned back against the wall and tucked his knees to his chest in anticipation— his heart thudding so loudly in his chest he was sure that Finn could hear it.]

[Not long after, the pipe was loaded. The redhead held it up above him, tilting his head from left to right.] ".. Kind of but also, no." [Throwing a huge grin at him, Finn felt his normal confidence flowing back through him again. It made him feel more than comfortable, which was satisfying. Totally oblivious to Tarquin's watching at the time, Finn lifted the pipe up to his lips and took a test draw, making sure it wasn't too jam-packed with poppy. As expected, it was perfect. Swaying his head slightly to the side so that he could look at Quin, he moved his gaze to the pack of matches before him and got a hold of one, all without asking. "Just watch my movements." [Once he lit it, he let it burn for a few seconds and then again, lifted the pipe up to his lips. It took about ten seconds until Finn stopped moving the match over the bowl filled with poppy and it was evenly lit. His own heart was full of strange and unexpected anticipation and eagerness as he took a slow drag from the pipe. It was nice to feel the familiar sensations entering his senses again. A contented sigh made it's way out of him and he didn't even realize it.] "Did you take that in or shall I show you more closely?" [His tone held no bitterness as he threw a charmingly crooked smile at the younger.]

[The brunette’s insides were a flutter of excitement and fear, a definite adrenaline rush at the upcoming adventure. Minutes later he led his new friend up a very narrow staircase above a bakeshop and after unlocking an even narrower door, Tarquin opened it on a small attic room. There were books everywhere from floor to ceiling, a bed shoved up in one corner, the head of it in a window seat. A desk was in the same corner against the bed and a large cage sat on top of it, no doubt the rat’s home. Quin went over and opened the door to the pet house made of chicken wire and out of his pocket scrambled Bazil— right into his house. The boy gave him a hunk of bread that appeared from his other pocket as if out of thin air and then locked the animal in his house before turning to Finn with a smile.] “I hope it isn’t too cramped, I normally don’t have anyone up here.” [Tarquin kicked his boots off and sat indian style on the bed near the window, glancing up at the multitudes of blown glass balls, trinkets and ornaments that were hung in the window on different lengths of twine that threw prismatic colors and holograms all over the room. It was clear that Quin was oddly a lot alike his rat when it came to collecting pretty things.] “Here, have a seat.” [He gestured to the other part of the bed, even moving the lumpy pillows around so the redhead had something comfortable to lean on.]

[Still following quietly behind Tarquin, Finn entered the tiny apartment just as silently after him. The space was crowded despite the smallness of it and the older of the two couldn't help but be slightly impressed. Even the tiny place he squatted in from time to time was not as homely as this. If he did manage to get in it for a night, his belongings just ended up splattered around the floor in a messy heap. At least Quin knew this place was his for as long as he wanted it.] "It's fine." [Finneus waved him off with a dismissive hand. If the boy had known anything about his life; he would know that what he just said he actually meant. At least this time. Offering the younger a pleasant smile, he went to sit at the other end of the bed, sitting somewhat awkwardly. Or however awkward he was capable of without oozing confidence. The baubles and trinkets that were hung all over the boy's room seemed to cast exquisite patterns of light and colour around the atmosphere, bouncing off of everything and making it somewhat pretty. Leaning forward, Finn rummaged through his backpack, looking for the right necessities. There seemed to be a lot of substances in little packets flowing through the bag, he had to make sure to get out the right one. Getting out a pipe, Finn worked on filling the bowl up with dried poppy. With it being completely his first time, Finn was going to have him share. The last thing he needed was to have him coughing up his guts everywhere by smoking too much at once.]

"Yes, he’s my dearest friend. I found him in a trap when he was a baby and nursed him back to health. He’s been with me ever since. Even helps me steal food and procure things at times. He’s very intelligent." [Bazil scurried down Quin’s arm, making a running leap for the pocket of his coat before burrowing back inside, all of this caused the boy to giggle, his hand moving to cup the pocket and gently pat it. His sapphire gaze then returned to Finn as he flushed.] “And what do you mean by that exactly? How would you steal me away?” [Tarquin’s gaze sparkled with mischief as he canted his head, grinning wide at the older of the two.] “I think you won. I’m too damn curious to say no. Do you want to do it with me? I have a room, its small but we could…” [He shrugged, looking hopeful at the potential chance of making a new friend— and he liked Finn, the guy was charming and had a sweet face, so who wouldn’t fall for his game?]

"That is kind of you." [Finneus knew fine well that if he had been the one to have found the rat in a trap, he would of just left it there to wither away. Maybe Tarquin's kindness would rub off on him after awhile, though he seriously doubted it.] "Oh, you know.. animals can sense things that we don't. He might know that I plan to.. make a friend out of you." [He grinned mischievously at Quin, light green eyes sparkling in his direction. Finn wasn't expecting him to ask the question that he did. He had never smoked with a customer before- or at least anyone who was trying his stuff. There was just something about Tarquin that captured his attention completely, and he wasn't going to turn down the offer.] "Sounds good to me! I have the stuff right here." [He pointed to the rucksack that was hanging loosely off his shoulder, actually managing to keep his tone quiet.] "I just need to prepare it, but we can bother ourselves with that when we get there. Shall we?" [Finneus motioned his hand out towards the street, letting the young man know that he was all up for the idea.]