Hold // Choke

full name: Micah “Keys” McKey

nicknames: Keys!!!! He doesn’t like being called Micah.

birthday / age: February 14 (pisces)  / 30

gender: Cis-male // He/him

sexuality: You can imagine him laughing, shrugging and never actually answering this question.

status: Queer (autistic) disaster who has just moved in with his nifty movie star boyfriend

height: 5′11 but if he tells you 6′ he’s having a really good day

occupation: Musician, mostly, but he produces, composes and writes for others. He also owns his own business that houses a multitude of other ventures.

PERSONALITY TRAITS (+) generous, eccentric, romantic   (+ / - ) observant, secretive, charming (-) guarded, reckless

𝔹𝕚𝕠 ▶ 𝕎𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕕 ℙ𝕝𝕠𝕥𝕤 

TAGS OF INTEREST social media ▶ important articles ▶ musings ▶ personality ▶ work  ▶ self paras

As soon as Keys gets out the edibles, Luca knows where they’ll end up in a few hours, and he’s not one to complain about going out for the best dumplings he’s ever had, even if it’s quite the trek in the snow. He’d even worn his puffy jacket upon special request from his partner despite fully knowing he looks like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man, but then again there’s not anything Keys could ask of him that he wouldn’t do. It was just luck that Keys’ favorite table was in the back next to the kitchen since he preferred a table with a clear view of the door, an old habit he had a hard time shaking. This was just one of the many places he wouldn’t even know existed if Keys hadn’t taken him there, like he was being allowed into a secret part of the city that was just for them. He was still just stoned enough for everything to feel a little softer, and the smell from the kitchen tempted him to ask for about 10 more orders of dumplings.

His focus on eavesdropping on the couple on a first date that’s clearly not going well when he sees Keys take the shot on the table in his peripheral vision. His partner’s small shudder makes him chuckle a little, like every time he takes a shot is the first time. Luca nods eagerly in agreement as he takes a sip of whiskey before shoving another dumpling into his mouth. “We gotta get a weenie?” he chokes out excitedly over the dumpling before swallowing it whole to finish his thought. “We’ll get a rescue one, maybe we could get a senior one, give ‘em someplace warm and safe with two cool dog dads to live out their golden years.” The smile on his face grows while he watches his partner, and there’s nothing he wants more than to spend the rest of his life sitting at tables like this across from the love of his life like they’re the only two people in the world.

🎹

His chewing slows to a near stop as he stares at his partner, actual glee apparent all over his face. Luca being so animated was a rarity to most people and every time keys got to see it, it was water colors and celestial glitters combined at the base of his skull and sent the rest of him short circuiting in a way he’d never felt before. It’s one of the things that surprised him most about luca. Despite the gruff exterior, luca had given him a new sensation and it wasn’t one that dulled over the years they’d known each other. In fact he swore it was stronger every time. It made him smile his doofy smile and pick up a napkin to reach over and pick some dumpling out of the other man’s beard as he continued to speak excitedly. Keys nod matches luca’s in energy as he wipes at luca’s face, knowing there’s just going to be more in there five minutes later that he’ll also, happily pick off. “Yeah, that would be friggin’ awesome.” Keys lingers for a bit, admiring how obnoxiously handsome the man is, even this close. There’s no move for him to lessen the distance, instead making himself comfortable practically on his knees in the booth as he rests his elbows on the table. “So I was thinking, this is going pretty well. I mean, extraordinarily well?”” His voice goes up an octave. A question of genuine surprise. He’d managed to do something right for once in his life, and although the situation wasn’t ideal given the decisions, he had to make to get here, he never regretted it for a second since. Luca was the only person he’d ever been sure of once he mind up his mind, and luca was the one who was patient with keys while he did that. And here they were. Amid the surrounding chaos, happy. Eating dumplings. Talking about adopting dogs.

“If we have dogs and shit, especially senior ones or even ones with special needs, hauling them up and down all day every day for the rest of their lives would kinda suck for them, I feel. so...Maybe in another six months we can start looking at actual houses just on the edge of the city somewhere. With space and privacy to start like....a life...” Large, hazel eyes go soft, as nervous as he is to present the idea before he leans in, closing the small distance between them thanks to the dork still sitting on his knees in the booth to kiss luca. Perfect. Like he knew it’d be, the taste of whiskey and sesame oil present on his lips just the comfort he needs to know that no matter what the answer, they’d be okay.There was no rush, anyway.

Where: Keys’ apartment @ofmasterkeyx​

It was a little ironic and funny that for someone with such inadequate knowledge of music, especially when it came to artists of the most recent generation, that she had managed to befriend so many musical artists. Though a year younger than herself, Amelia found herself comfortable in Keys’ company - especially for the fact that despite the worldwide fame he had at his fingertips, he never seemed the type to wield it inappropriately. Unfortunately, with her father and godfather being who they were, Amelia had been at far too many society events to conclude that not everyone was that way. 

The pair had decided to paint today - well, more like Amelia was going to learn how to. She was rather good at drawing, one had to be able to tell whether a design was made for chiffon or organza after all, but painting was a whole new ballgame the nurse had not quite mustered. Not exactly nervous, the nurse was actually rather excited to be in a room with another creative for she always found the energy that filled the room enabled her to push the limits of her own imagination and abilities. Moreover, Keys’ had just moved in with the actor he was dating, so in a way she thought of it as a small housewarming too. As per usual, she baked a cake and a pie - the latter perfect for the still cool weather. Dressed down for the occasion, she came prepared wearing an apron she bought at the art supplies store. Buzzing the apartment door, Amelia waited for her friend to answer. “I made it! And these…are for the pair of you to enjoy.” The blonde held out her baked goods. “I’m gonna be upfront and say I’ve only stayed awake until three this morning watching YouTube videos on easy painting tricks for beginners.” She informed Keys with a laugh.

🎹

Keys already has paint smudged across his cheek and forehead when he comes bounding halfway across the condo at the sound of the buzzer. To say he was excited would be an understatement. It was hard convincing any of the few friends he had that crafts were actually way more fun than drugs. Sometimes. It was pretty niche in that it required a certain amount of concentration. The only time he had company doing it was when he volunteered with the kids and elders at one of the community centers when he found he had the time. With amelia, he got the sense it was something she might actually be interested in although he didn’t bombard her with the question outright. There was still a sense of apprehension in bonding with people, but at this point, it was a cycled beast of his own making. One he was desperately trying to break the loop of. Actually inviting someone to his home for something other than sex or partying and regulating them to one room because he was too paranoid of them going through things, specifically his studio, was something he never really did until he moved in with luca. It made sense trying to break from his old ways, learn how to be an actual person. Even with the added weight now of fame. Painting helped. So did sketching. Almost like music, although nothing came close to touching the catharsis of that. Music, it felt, was embedded into the very fiber of his being. Even when he wasn’t thinking about it, it was there. An almost constant array of colors and sounds drifting around in his head. 

It’s way he was even more excited today. It felt like a day with bright yellow and orange swirling around just behind his eyes as he swings open the door. They immediately widen and he smiles brightly at the sight of cake. He takes one from her so she doesn’t drop it before he goes in with one arm for a casual hug, giggling as he pulls away and gently takes the other cake from her hand and moves to the side, ushering her in with an awkward gesture of his head since his hands are full now, but it doesn’t stop him from rambling through a toothy grin. “You know, I asked that guy if he wanted to paint with us and he said he had business meetings. Can you believe? More important than cake and painting?” Shaking his head, looking genuinely disappointed as he leads her further into the condo and towards the kitchen. “I’m gonna eat them both. If he wanted it he should have been here.” He totally wasn’t. Keys knew he’d feel bad for eating cake that was meant for luca the second he picked up a fork, but the thought was amusing, at least. “It’s okay.” The man practically bounces over to the counter to grab a knife from its holder because while paint was waiting for them, he wouldn’t leave cake waiting. “Mostly it’s about having fun. You know what my favorite part of painting is? Making mistakes and getting the shit everywhere. I actually find the most fascinating parts in what I didn’t mean to do.” He shrugs, opening a cabinet door and grabbing some plates for them. “You might have a thing or two to teach me though. I have no formal training and youtube people probably do.” Turning with the plates in his hand, he grins and shrugs before working on cutting one of the cakes. 

The city was as resiliant as ever. Even in the midst of the a storm, their favorite hand pulled noodle spot was buzzing with customers. Even at three am, all bundled up, more than likely having to walk the majority of their way, just like he and luca had done. Even before the storm and even well before luca, this was keys favorite place to come out of all the places the city had to offer at this hour. There were others he liked to visit, no doubt, but there was something about how cozy this place was. He’d grown to love the family running the place which is why, no matter how packed it was, keys always got the best table. A booth in the corner just next to the kitchen, which he loved especially in the winter. The warmth and the smell of the food hitting them every so often when the door swung open was another one of his favorite things. His most favorite though, was getting to share such a sacred space with who he was most certainly convinced at this point was the love of his life. He wouldn’t have walked a mile through the snow from their condo at three in the morning after keys had not only a bowl, but two edibles. He was high as hell. And luca, more than likely knowing exactly where they’d end up given its happened plenty of times before now, easily obliged keys antics. One of the so far never ending reasons why keys was pretty sure he’d fight god for luca.

It was why the older man’s favorite whiskey was already on the table. Along with a plate full of the dumplings keys paid extra to get made without the little noodles in it, the way luca liked. Keys was still waiting on his usual, massive order, watching luca stuff a dumpling into his mouth. It’s probably disgusting how enamored he looks watching the striking, bear of a man eat. He actually huffs before finally downing the shot sitting in front of him. Shuddering a bit, one eye screws shut for a second as he sets the glass back down on the table. “We gotta get a dog. It’d be rad in times like this. We can be those awful, terrible people who put them in little snow boots and expensive winter jackets.” Grinning, keys picks up his chopsticks to grab one of luca’s dumplings as he speaks excitedly. “I’d wear the fuck out of a dog in a little harness if need be. Rescues only though, so I’m not too picky about breed. Although,” he raises his hand, chopstick and dumpling coming with it. “A little weenie dog would be an absolute dream.” The musician hums happily at the thought, the sound only growing louder when he pops the food into his mouth in the midst of it.

“Okay so!” Keys speaks, one hand waving in the air excitedly, the other stuffed into his pocket as he walks right passed them once he gets the door open, not even allowing him time to scowl at him like he knew he would. “I was trying to get your rent paid up for the year but I was thinking, if I was gonna do that, I’d offer you the opportunity to move some place better because this place is ass. I’ve told you a thousand times.” Hand continues drawing shapes in the air as he speaks at a rapid fire pace. Something wolfe is used too by now having spent years in the man's presence. “And before you use that cute ass sarcastic british accent I’m still not entirely convinced is even real, to say ‘are you trying to bribe me now?’“ He imitates said accent as he goes. “No. You know I give my money away,” to which you will reply ‘so I’m I charity case, innit?’ to which I’ll have to say no dumbass,” he pauses, picking up a pillow from wolfe’s couch, tossing it at him as he continues to act out the conversation, “you’re my friend, and you know I take care of those too." Bottom lip juts out as he huffs, the few rogue pieces of hair always bobbing hopelessly along his head, fluttering as he does so. Hands come to rest on his waist as he grins at the taller man, glasses sliding down the bridge of his nose as he nods in wolfe’s direction. “Let me know though because there are some places my agent can only hold until the weekend.” 

His tongue juts out from the corner of his lips as he pours syrup over the pancakes he’s made the large, grumpy looking man sitting across from him. Just like plenty of other nights, keys got lucifer home after some party they’d gone too. Of course, he knows his friend can find his way home on his own just fine, but that was never the point. For keys, his favorite part was doing his best to make sure the people he cared about were taken care of. Even sometimes people like lucifer, who ironically enough, knew as mad at him. Had been for months. It was entirely expected. The situation he found himself in was of his own making, even if for genuine lack of having any clue how to navigate it. For the musician, having feelings for people wasn’t an entirely foreign feeling. It was always having a knack for being drawn to the ones who had the same problem of not knowing how to get past that point for one reason or another. To often, the reasons were ones he could relate to because the feelings that came along with them were the kind that pulled from the darkest parts of his mind. It resulted in the sort of bone aching loneliness that led him here. Finally having found someone who showed him what genuine love was like for the first time, while awkwardly fumbling through trying to juggle lingering feelings and hesitancy until he could even recognize love for what it was. Although he doesn’t feel guilty about making a choice, knowing it was the best thing for them all in the long run doesn’t exactly fix his frustration with the situation currently. Logically, keys knows that lucifer’s jealousy isn’t really about him and more typical of what the other man does, keys has also been lucky enough to see a side of lucifer others rarely get to see. He was still unsure of how he got someone as impressively unlikeable as lucifer to let his guard down around him, although sometimes he chalked it up to being stupid enough not to be afraid of him and having nothing at all to gain of his vulnerability. At first, all keys had wanted to do was be underneath the dark-haired man. The thing is, as he accomplished that…countless times, he couldn’t ignore that there was something he actually liked about him. Or was drawn too, and once he somehow got lucifer comfortable enough to open up, he understood why. It was the curse of finding people too alike to need. It was whatever darkened the corners of lucifer’s mind that keys wanted to cradle. To one day see the man he knows when they’re alone be able to make it past the doors of his place, even though he knew the chances were slim, 000.1 was enough for keys to try. Because he couldn’t bear the thought of lucifer still being resigned to bitterness. Keys had found his 000.1 and maybe one day, lucifer could too.

“Enjoy dickhead!” Bright, signature grin on his face as he chirps affectionately and slides the plate across the counter to where lucifer is sitting. He knows how to make them perfect by now. Just the way the other man likes them. His hands come up and he leans forward, resting his chin in them as he continues to smile. Big hazel eyes wait excitedly for his friend to take the first bite, as if he hasn’t watched him do this before because it makes him happy every time to see the look on lucifer’s face when he digs in. “Hurry up and get to the part where you pretend you don’t like them even though half the plate is already gone.” Tilting his head, he chuckles, a few, almost always unruly strands of hair bounce along his head as he speaks animatedly.