Oli

“A dab,” he confirmed with a nod, “even though I’m like, 90% sure those aren’t even cool anymore. I’m truly outta touch.” Chance scuffed a foot; woe is me. Then he turned to the crowd of people dancing, looking over them with a sniffed laugh. “See, if I was out there instead a’ right here, you’d be saying the same thing! I ain’t got no type of rhythm,” he replied, pumping an offbeat fist as an example. But he nodded through Oliver’s explanation, accepting it readily. “Kinda figured you were waitin’ to get slizzered first, but that’s a much more wholesome answer.” Oliver looked like the strong, silent type – or, at least, that was the first impression Chance had gotten. Either way, Chance struck an angle in an effort to show off to the man. “Found anyone yet?” he asked, striking another angle, “Maybe now?” 

"Kids these days," he rolled his eyes unable to keep from laughing, "attention spans are so short, somethings hot one second and lame the next."  Jesus, he sounded like he was a grandpa right now, maybe he should hike his pants up some and start talking more about when he was a kid?  "You'll get them next time, Champ," after the scuff of his foot, playing into the role he'd just put himself into feeling ultimately a hell of a lot older than he should.  This caused him to once again crack up, unable to keep himself serious when behaving in such a manner.  "Slizzered?"  He quirked a brow unable to fathom what the other was saying, "is that ACTUALLY a thing?"  He was so behind on the times, first being the dab and now this, though he assumed it meant to get hammered in which case he wasn't much a fan.  He did some pretty stupid shit when he was three sheets to the wind and would prefer to avoid making a fool of himself at the Haus, though the last question to him perked him up as he looked the man over.  "Is that what you're hoping?  That you've piqued my interest enough i'm going to ask you out on the dancefloor?"  He asked, a broad grin spreading across his lips - OBVIOUSLY he'd been interested otherwise he wouldn't have bothered keeping the conversation going.

“Oh, so it’s altruism that’s keeping you from dancing.  Maybe we’ll have to call in an emergency wall repairman so you can be spared the monumental effort of keeping the wall up,” Alec teased.  “Or…” he tugged the man away from the wall a little further and made a show of inspecting.  “Just a weird shadow.  Guess you’re free so absolutely we shall,” he said with a grin as he pulled the man onto the dance floor.

This would have been the PERFECT place to throw in a corny presidential joke about a wall, but Oliver hadn't yet shown the more foolish side to anyone and certainly wasn't about to start now.  Instead he let the other lead him to where he wanted on the dancefloor, not too concerned about where they ended up, his attention on the man infront of him.  He hadn't seen him before around the Haus but if he had to guess he'd say staff, not that tonight any of that mattered.  When the staff finally turned back towards him, signaling that this indeed was as good a spot as any, Oliver stood there somewhat awkwardly looking around.  "I'm having second thoughts," he chuckled as everyone was really moving around him, "right now the walls not looking so bad."  Shadow or not, but instead he slowly began to move his body, having to build up the confidence that everyone else already had - he certainly could have used a few more drinks for this one.

Valentine’s Day.

What a depressing festivity that reminded singletons that they were still alone and brainwashed couples to buy their better half the world in what was supposed to be the most romantic day in the year. Nothing but a massive scheme from the chocolates and card companies, making people think that Valentine’s Day was just… that important. If you love someone, Valentine’s Day is every single day. Every second of every minute. Now to be brainwashed into buying a lot of shit for that special someone? Or manipulate the weak minds to find someone to spend that day with so that they wouldn’t be alone? Ridiculous. Arthur rolled his eyes and adjusted his tie for the fifth time that night. A part of him wanted to attend the event. Be a social person, see what the fuss was all about and perhaps enjoy a good drink with good company. Another part? Why bother? He could just stay in his room, order some food and not join the mindless sheep that saw nothing more than hearts and love all around today. Depressing, really. Almost tempted to undress, it was only the knock on the door that stopped him from removing his garments and getting in bed early. “Just a minute.” Who the fuck? Maybe some staff member with chocolates or professing their undying love for his dick. Or something along those lines. Maybe. But in the end, it was Oliver on the other side of the door which almost made Arthur smile at the sight before him. Impeccable as always, wearing an expensive suit and looking nothing short of divine. “Don’t tell me you came to pick me up. Don’t you have a line of staff members dying to be your Valentine today?”

“Well enough,” Alec murmured with a grin for the man.  He’d come to the ball dressed up in a nice slacks and a crimson silky shirt that clung to him in all the right ways.  He didn’t expect romance regardless of the holiday, but he was hoping for a good time.  “What’s a handsome man like you doing holding up the wall?  A man like you would be a hit on the dance floor,” he said, gesturing with head towards said floor.  “Not that the wall isn’t improved by your presence.”  That was maybe laying it on a bit thick, but he wanted to dance with a hot guy before going to his blind dinner date, so why not?

"Could have swore I saw a pressure crack here earlier," he looked back towards the wall as he found himself actually running a finger along the wall, as though tracing the imaginary crack.  "I'd hate to have the place come crashing down while everyone's having a good time.  Consider me the unsung hero of the night," he teased though the other did have a point.  He knew he'd be a hit on the dance floor, "i'm not really the type who goes out there on my own," not that he has to be dragged either but still, "it's better when I have some company."  He could tell the other was interested, "I suppose five minutes won't topple this place to the ground."  He stepped away from the wall pointing towards the dance floor, "shall we?"

Alexander had just arrived at the ball a little late perhaps but he had gotten lost in the latest book that he was reading. It was quite the interesting find and he had barely been able to put it down since finding it. He had decided to stay at the edge of the room at least at first. His book tucked under his arm as he stood against the wall watching the dancing going on before him. He truthfully hadn’t even noticed someone was standing so close to him until they spoke. He couldn’t hide his little jump of surprise at the voice but hoped that he covered it quickly enough with a smile. “My night is going fairly well thank you. What about yourself?” He asked with a smile his eyes drifting back out to the dance floor. “Are you not a fan of dancing?”

"Can't complain," he answered the others question as he found himself soon shrugging, "i'm not terrible at it, it's just kind of weird to go out there alone you know?"  He chuckled, always being so awkward at parties even though he did enjoy events like this.  "I don't see how some of them do it," of course the dancers who were alone and mingling sticking out like sore thumbs as they bounced from one body to the next, "guess I just don't have that confidence."  He didn't mind though, he would much rather hang out here all night if it meant finding someone WORTH taking out on the dance floor.  Noticing the book though had Oliver's interest, "how much of that were you expecting to read tonight?  I take it this isn't really your scene either?"  A man after his own heart, Oliver understood ENTIRELY.

Chance nodded, faux-solemn, before giving Oliver the tiniest salute. “Me?” he confirmed uselessly, pointing a thumb at his own chest “Oh, bro, I outgrew my party phase years ago. My sister used to drag the fuck out of older people at parties, so it just kinda stuck with me.” Those were twenty-somethings at high school parties, but he figured it applied to the rest of life just as well.. “’Sides, I don’t even really know how to dance. I could maybe spin & hit a dab, but that’s about it. Stakin’ out snacks is a better look on me, yanno?” Chance followed the other’s lead, though, and took a brownie of his own – which was surprisingly rich. Either way, he didn’t bother to finish chewing before speaking again, his question much more pertinent than good manners. “What about you, huh? Too hungry to break it down?” 

It was BEYOND refreshing to hear that he wasn't the only one at the Haus who seemed to lack an interest in parties, though the more he thought about it he wasn't necessarily even sure if he'd had a party phase to begin with.  The parties he did manage to attend were NEVER this well decorated and lavish.  "A dab?"  He found himself laughing, "I still can't even figure out how that's even a thing.  All the supposed dances these days," he rolled his eyes though whatever made people happy he shouldn't complain about.  "It doesn't take much to dance though, look at 'em all out there," it was mostly just swaying to the music, granted there were a few who were getting much more involved and grinding.  "I see drycleaning bills in some of their futures," he chuckled once again turning his attention towards the man beside him. The question returned brought a shrug out of the client, "I don't really see the point in going out there and making a spectacle of myself until i've found someone i'm interested in dancing with."  He knew a lot of men were able to just waltz right out on the dancefloor, but for him it was much easier to mingle first amongst the wallflowers.

Chance spent his time at the ball thus far in two ways – looking like a snack, and perusing the snack table. By the end of the night, he was going to have eaten one of everything; that much he knew. The real question was which snacks would actually be good – and by the time Chance had made it to the macarons, he was sure the answer would be somewhere under 5%. Rich people. He shoved one in his mouth as inconspicuously as possible before turning around, jumping out of fright as he found himself face to face with another man. “Oh,” he mumbled, wiping his hand on his lapel, “my bad, dude. Treat yourself.” Chance motioned towards the table with a lopsided grin. “but uh, between you and me, everything on the left side’s trash.”  

Parties were never Oliver's scene and yet he did enjoy a sea of handsome men dressed in their finest.  Everyone looked straight off of a page in a magazine, himself included as he dawned a blank suit with red tie for the event.  It was Valentine's Day after all, he had to incorporate at least a LITTLE red into his wardrobe.  He wasn't one who liked to be the center of attention though, much preferring to stand along the wall and watch - until someone caught his eye anyway and then he'd be more than happy getting dragged anywhere.  Right now though he had more pressing issues to attend to, like the fact that he was hungry and had opted out of the dinner.  There were a few men he WANTED to invite but it'd feel weird, so instead of going at all he stayed at the Haus.  Once at the snack table, the opinion of the other who'd just started talking noted, he stepped to the right and reached for something that looked like a small brownie bite.  "Thanks for the advice Chief," because who would want to be eating trash at an event like this?  "How come you're not out there shaking it with the rest of them?"  He asked, the two of them the only ones at the snack table right now.

Alexander hadn’t been on very many vacations and he had certainly never been to a place like this. He had dropped his luggage off at his room and grabbed his current book to read deciding he would find his way to the library. He had no sense of direction though and naturally he had been wandering quite a bit trying to make his way around the Haus. When he turned the corner he saw someone up ahead of him and decided to take a chance on trying to get directions.  “Excuse me!” He called in a soft tone as he picked up his pace to approach them. “You wouldn’t happen to know where the library is do you?”

"You're asking the wrong person that question," Oliver didn't even realize there was a library in the place at all, nor would he have thought given what the resort offered than someone would be more interested in books.  "I know a lot of people search out the bar, the playrooms are pretty popular on people's lists of places to go, but the library?"  Hey, there were some people who quite enjoyed a good book on vacation, who was he to judge them?  "If you want company on the search I could manage some time, it might actually be nice learning where it is...you know, in case i'm ever asked this question again."  Besides, even Oliver liked to tangle himself up in a good mystery that further captivated him each page he read.  "The names Oliver, by the way."  He was TERRIBLE at introductions, so wanted to make it quick and to the point.

All Arthur was trying to do was focus on the conversation part of their gathering. They were friends – really close friends, so things between them should be anything but awkward. They had met during work and from there on out, Oliver quickly became someone special in his life. Someone with whom he could talk about not just work but his private life. Someone who would often joke and provoke him in ways that not many were capable of. So why not spend time with someone whom he hasn’t seen in a while? Enjoy some television, hot chicken wings and beer. Plus, some very good company. Things shouldn’t be awkward. There was absolutely no need for them to be – not after the kiss. Perhaps Arthur was looking too much into things. It had been just one kiss. Friends could kiss. Friends could suddenly hold the other’s face and shove their tongue in their mouth and leave them breathless for a couple of seconds, wondering what the actual hell had happened.

No effort was made to remove his hand from Oliver’s leg. Instead, Arthur pretended that what he was doing was the most natural thing on earth, glancing on occasion towards the screen rather than focusing on Oliver’s eyes. Or on his lips. All he needed to think was that they were friends and that there was nothing more to it. There were no secret feelings being harbored. There was no hidden agenda. Friends could be close to one another. They could be intimate on occasion. “I don’t know why you are remembering that of all the things.” Arthur scoffed in response, shaking his head and finally turning his head towards Oliver, his gaze pursuing the other’s blue eyes. Yes, he did remember that night. The glitter had been quite the trouble to get rid of. Not even two consecutive showers did him any good. It had been horrible – but Oliver’s presence had more than made up for the unfortunate circumstances. “Maybe we would have fucked.” Wetting his lips, Arthur glanced towards the hand on his arm, pretending that meant absolutely nothing. Just a friendly touch. “We somehow became fast friends and we proceeded to see the other as someone off-limits.” Probably because they were too afraid to ruin what they had. “If we didn’t click the way we did, we would have probably had sex and meet every now and then for a pillow kissing session. We probably wouldn’t be as close as we are now.” Cause fucking would ruin everything between them, right? “Do you think about that? About what would have happened if we didn’t… became this?”

Of course Oliver thought about it, usually the mornings after he'd passed out on Arthur's couch and had to crawl back to his hotel room.  What could have been had they not taken the route they did, had they not became the friends that they had, "maybe once or twice."  Understatement of the year, he certainly thought about it much more often than that but could you blame him?  He'd seen it happen to friends around him though, relationships changed ENTIRELY because friends couldn't keep it platonic, and that scared the hell out of him.  "You've got me thinking about it right now," OBVIOUSLY, but he could only assume that his friend had the same thought on his mind considering the conversation.

He paused for a moment, no longer needing to fill the silence with his voice as his attention seemed to stay on the others hand against his leg, how natural it had felt there.  His own hand was resting somewhere against Arthur's forearm now, his eyes lifting their gaze to rest back on Arthur's.  "It's normal to wonder what could have been, isn't it?"  He liked to think that it was, "what we could have ended up as had our lives not taken the turn they had?"  Honestly, meeting up for a few pillow sessions here and there, although it'd give him PHYSICAL satisfaction, didn't sound nearly as appealing as having him as the well rounded friend who he sought out anytime he could.  "I'd rather have a best friend than a booty call," and if sex would do that to their relationship why would he want to risk it?

Not that the two of them were talking about wanting to have sex, fuck how did the conversation shift like this so damn casually?  You could tell between the touches and the damn look in their eyes, the tension was BUILDING, much more than it'd ever been damn near reaching it's peak.  At least for him anyway, call it influence of the Haus if you must, he just found it harder to deny himself the urges that surged in his body around his friend.  They were obviously both missing something, that being the reason they'd came to the Haus to find it, but he couldn't do that to himself - to them - they couldn't go down that road that'd change their friendship.  He wouldn't do that to them, though the struggle was real and he found himself arguing inside of himself - both heads in battle, his heart playing mediator trying to make heads or tails of it all.

oliver’s flirting expression and voice confused daniel. all the thoughts and mental pictures he usually was able to pull away were now flooding his mind, filling up his brain with naughty images and his underwear with his pretty awake dick.  “ yeah, you- you did good, i guess… ”  he said in a whisper, quickly going inside of the building again, scared his friend would see the boner he got - and it was like that all the way till the man’s room, he trying his hardest to not get caught with an erection. god, that was what going to happen from now on? he would get hard with that little stuff, when in the past two jocks could have him for hours and hours and he still wouldn’t come?  “ a lot, a guess. the staff are really good at their jobs, don’t you think? ”  he sat down on the comfortable bed, immediately pulling a pillow to his lap, trying to do it as discreetly as he could.  “ what about you? been, y’know, enjoying everything here? ”  he couldn’t help but be a bit jealous when he thought about oli with some of those boys… they were great, probably perfect for oliver, they would make the man feel the best he ever did. he just wished he could do that too.

"Ah, not as such,” Salim grinned, “For the night, sure, but no one has tried to tame me completely, to be honest i doubt it is even possible,” he gave the other man a confident grin, as if challenging him. “In fact, i would be willing to bet money that i could not be completely broke in. I think i am the type to always have a wild streak in me.”

It was a little complicated to navigate the room when the client ordered him to, given the fabric obstructing his vision, but he obeyed nonetheless. Without making more than a small, affirmative sound to signal that he had heard the man – not yet knowing if he was allowed to speak in this particular scene – he crawled over in the direction of the bed, hands feeling out in front of him so that he could tell when he was about to run into something. Soon enough, his fingertips brushed the heavy wooden bed frame and he gripped it, hoisting himself up into a standing position, placing his hands flat on the mattress, waiting obediently for further instruction rather than climbing on the bed just yet, wanting to be sure he was doing exactly as the client wanted him to.

Eyes shifted to look at the male that spoke, not having expected anyone to humor him, and he simply gave a nod and lifted the shot glass he had in his hand. “Already ahead of you,” he stated, setting the now empty glass aside as he let his gaze size up the male next to him. Broad shouldered, thick arms, chiseled jawline and baby blues that could kill anyone… yeah, he had a feeling that this guy was going to definitely enjoy his time at the Haus. “Every time I land on the ground, it’s a cause for celebration.” Hell, it was something he started in the marines - taking a shot after every successful flight. “Name’s Rafael, though,” he said, moving to offer a large palm to the male.

"Maybe you'd like it up in the air just the same if you brought the celebration up there," he mentioned nonchalantly.  "Do something for yourself ONLY while in the clouds, something you like obviously, but limit it while your on the ground.  You can train you brain to enjoy flying because it's the one time you're giving into whatever you've made exclusive to flying?"  It probably would NEVER work but it's not like Oliver himself had to worry, he was made for the ground and hardly had a reason to fly.  "What's got you flying so often?"  He just had to ask, curiosity getting the best of him as he just didn't know how to shush.  "Pleasure Rafael, the name is Oliver."  He accepted the hand for a firm handshake, one that was DEFINITELY impressive.  "Strong hand you've got there," a memorable handshake at the Haus.