#tanelukela

This was the Wasteland, and a waste of time. No one was ever truly here. An unmitigated realm of atrocities immortalized well before his existence. Before the existence of his mother, and a thousand generations before her. The realm was every Catholic’s nightmare. Every appalling torment and passive suffering man could fathom made its way here. Not to punish, not to dwell, but to teach. The Shadowlands were south of here. Battlegrounds lie beyond the rain. Wraiths were not interested in this place. They had an entire universe to themselves, and their own private Hells.

This was a beast in and of itself, and he must have walked here for a reason.

Rune lowered his hand from his ear. The small scars on the left side of his face warmed and his body stilled as the man screamed again.

He wasn’t real. This was just… a memory. That’s all this place was. If he kept his eyes forward, focused on just the one, the others could fade from his periphery. A woman in a chained box begging for food; a man crawling on his belly, dragging his dead and mangled feet by the sinew.

First come first serve. This man had screamed first. Must mean something.

“Ben je nog in leven?”

Rune: The stench of smoke hit his nostrils hard, but it was the stink of burning hair and flesh that slowed his pace. He tried again. Called out in his native tongue. Called out in Japanese. In hesitant Spanish.

“Are you still alive?”

Why couldn’t he find the carnage? There were memories here he didn’t want to see, and this one, the only one he wanted, he couldn’t.

The air had become hot and viscous. The Gauntlet. His hands rubbed vigorously together, warmed by primal static, he rubbed his palms against the brown gummy surface. The depth of color, the black at its core, reminded him of obsidian.

Harder and harder he rubbed. Like body heat against cold oil. Eventually, after what felt like an hour of diligence, a slit had been made just wide enough to squeeze through.

The sooner the better. He couldn’t have shimmied fast enough through the already tightening exit. This realm preferred its solitude, and couldn’t be bothered remaining open to the realm of its creation.

Autumn trees and cold grass. The threat of honest rain above and the scent of nearby hydrangeas. This wasn’t London. This... wasn’t London at all. Not where he had fallen asleep, anyway. Something in his gut told him he wasn’t anywhere in England.

But that could wait. Just five minutes. Covered in a sticky residue, having fallen out of – ah yes, a tree. Of course a tree. Just give him five minutes.

Kelly: Kelly Rose dug the heel of his hand into his hip and closed his eyes, cursing the coming rain for all he was worth. The bath he’d taken to ease the myriad aches in his body had helped but not enough.

Nothing was ever goddamn enough.

He limped into his kitchen for a bottle of water. It was darker now than it had been when he’d gotten into the bath. It was only afternoon, but the thick layer of storm clouds hanging over Edenton gave the appearance of late evening.

“Probably gonna rain all fucking night,” he sighed to himself, popping a couple of Vicodin. Just his luck.

He glanced out the window, vaguely wondering if it was dark enough for the light above his shed to have turned on, only to frown.

“What the f…”

He grabbed his cane and stepped out of the kitchen door and onto the back porch, staring at the man who had appeared in his yard.

“Who the hell are you and what are you doing on my property?”

Rune: Despite the steam rising from his clothes, the prone man was shivering, hand hovering over his left ear, but it was all he could manage for movement. Stepping sideways to and fro through the Gauntlet was an arduous task. Exhausting despite a century of practice.

But what he had heard was English, and having the authorities called would be a pain in his ass. He had no excuse for the primal slime covering his body, and couldn't think of anything better to do than raise a shaking finger. The index, for starters.

Kelly: Kelly’s eyes narrowed as he studied the man before him, his head at an ever so slight inquisitive tilt.

Something was…off. Besides the fact that a man in a suit was in the middle of his yard, of course. There was the steam sure, and the presence of some kind of something all over him that was visible even from his distance. But there was also a scent in the air beneath the humidity that seemed at once foreign and familiar, and with it a niggling sensation that he should know what it was.

Unfortunately for the stranger, this was the wrong man to ask for patience in a situation like this.

“Are you drunk? High? How’d you get into my yard?”

Rune: With a groan and a sigh, Rune rolled onto his back, eyes forced open despite the rain. What kind of luck had him sidestepping into even more rain?

But that voice... he tried to focus his gaze.

"I'd like to be."

The stranger's face was young, but that cane added years. He didn't mind the scar. Had some of his own. He was no Verbena.

"You wouldn't believe me."

Kelly: Both the rain and a healthy sense of survival kept Kelly firmly rooted to the porch. He’d already had one experience with being caught off guard recently and he wasn’t looking for a second one.

Just because this man looked harmless laying on the dying grass and being pelted with cold rain didn’t mean he was harmless.

“Try me,” he said, eyes still narrowed in suspicion. There wasn’t any hostility in his gaze or in his voice (for now), just a heavy and palpable caution.

Rune: "Prima," the mage took a breath, tried to sit up, and managed to lean on his elbows. "I fell through that tree, I think. I was at a friend's house in London, then I was sleepwalking, and then ik - I think I heard your voice."

Let's just leave out it was the Atrocities Realm, and I think I know why you sound like a walking pack of cigarettes.

This had to be the screaming man. The scars, the cane, the voice; he just didn't know why. And it was nearly impossible to concentrate in this cold.

Kelly: An ordinary person, having heard the explanation this stranger gave, would have gone back inside with a quickness and called the cops.

A person like Kelly, by contrast, gave the tree in his yard a long, speculative look.

The man said he’d fallen through the tree, not out of it. Now, as far as Kelly knew, the tree wasn’t a portal, and certainly not a portal to London. For someone to have entered his yard through it, a portal would’ve had to be created.

Then there was the matter of his voice…

“You think you heard my voice,” he repeated in a neutral tone. “What makes you think it was me?”

Rune: Rune was just hoping his luck would rear its head in a minute. He didn't want some persuasive spell between them, tainting this acquaintance so soon.

"I'll freeze to death before I can explain," was his throwing a baited line.

Kelly: “Don’t be dramatic. Worst you’ll get is pneumonia.”

That being said, it was annoying having to talk across the yard and through the rain, however wise it was to do so. But he wasn’t about to let this man in his house just because he supposedly heard his disembodied voice in London and decided to trespass about it.

Kelly nodded toward a bench beneath one side of the porch. The stranger could have shelter from the rain if he so wished.

Rune: Ah. There was his luck. Still, his arms were heavy, and his legs were like jelly. Too much adrenaline in thinning the Gauntlet without previous existing tears in the rift. He felt his age when hobbling to his feet, taking a moment to rest, hunched over with his hands on his knees.

You play poker to not feel this way, he thought. And people looked forward to that? Idiots!

The closer his approach, the stronger the scent of mint and pine cut through the tar-like stench left behind by the Umbra. His invitation was taken before an objection could be made, leaving behind the sticky residue without so much as a warning as he dropped his full weight on the bench.

Kelly: Man, if Kelly didn’t know any better he would assume this man really was just drunk. Going through a portal didn’t normally cause the sort of fatigue he was seeing on display here.

Normally being the operative word there. With every passing second, it became more and more apparent that exactly nothing about this was normal.

Only the substance clinging to his visitor and the scent he assumed it was emanating were of interest to Kelly. He just couldn’t shake the feeling that he should know what it was.

“You’re out of the rain. Start talking.”

Rune: Dark eyes roamed his host from toes to eyes. Lingered on his angry scar, not bothering to pretend otherwise. He was in the middle of an internal debate, about how to even explain knowing someone's voice based on their scream. He'd lived long enough to know.

What he decided to go with felt just a little too intimate.

"I know your scream."

Kelly: His host, standing with his arms crossed, was dressed comfortably in sweatpants and a long-sleeved T-shirt that covered the majority of the scars on his body. His hair was still damp from his bath and smelled of some sort of citrusy shampoo.

He would almost seem cozy and relaxed if not for cold skepticism in his eyes.

“You know my scream,” he repeated, perhaps a bit more sarcastically than he intended. “And apparently heard it all the way in London. Do you know what I’m about to say to you?”

Rune: Sarcasm or not, skepticism or not, the man was... pretty to look at. He needed some eye candy after his night.

"Know what not calling the police says about you?" The mage squinted. "You know screams have accents? You know what fire does to a voice?" That should confirm, shouldn't it?

Kelly: “I don’t scream.” It wasn’t an answer to any of the questions posed to him and positively reeked of layers and layers of defense mechanisms but intimate comments should always expect to meet a wall of resistance.

“You can’t identify someone based on a scream and even if you could, that still doesn’t explain how you ended up in my yard or why. Don’t be so quick to think I won’t call the cops.”

Rune: This wasn't a duel. Couldn't be called a battle of wits or any dispute. This was a trial, and a trial required evidence. He could have hobbled away by now. Could have forced himself back through the Gauntlet and hoped to keep his sanity, but he wanted to see how far this could go. Morbid curiosity.

"I followed your scream until I smelled smoke, extra crispy skin and hair. I followed until I hit a wall."

He scoffed and shook his head, droplets of water and muck flying every which way.

"I didn't hear you in London. I heard you in the Wasteland."

Kelly: The lightbulb finally went off in his head, prompting a very long, supremely exhausted sigh.

“You came out of the fucking Umbra. Of course you goddamn did.” Out of the Umbra and for his rotten luck, into his life.

The allusions to smoke and burning flesh would simply not be acknowledged, just like the comment about what fire did to voices. Acknowledging it would more than likely be interpreted as a willingness to answer questions or talk about it, which was most definitely not happening.

“Well, you found me. Consider your curiosity sated.”

Rune: "Hey, no fucking blasphemy."

Fingers combed through his hair, only to wince with surprise. Surprise out of plain forgetfulness. Now that he had found his man, he was finally aware of his body. More than adrenaline, he felt suffocated.

"I need a shower."

Kelly: “This is my house. I can blaspheme all I want. If god has a problem, he’s got a storm already brewing. He can strike me with fucking lightning.”

Kelly uncrossed his arms and leaned on his cane, nodding toward the side of the house as he opened the door.

“Hose is over there.”

Rune: Reckonings came in many forms, he almost said. He wanted to stay in whatever graces this was, so he kept his mouth shut. Maybe for an hour longer.

Fine. Guaranteed Umbra tar-jelly would make something interesting out of his grass. He'd call this probably-not-bluff and walk back into the rain. There was already a human-shaped darkness where he had landed.

At least it was never boring. The Mirror Zone made puddles surrounded by various mushrooms. The Null Zone caused sinkholes and enough tunnels to impress a gopher. What would the Wasteland create?

Kelly: A human-shaped darkness and weird happenings with the grass wouldn’t be out of place among everything else this particular yard had endured in the time Kelly had been living here.

Anything short of the house being swallowed up by the ground could be dealt with.

He had more important things to consider right now, like whether to call Leslie.

Leslie would probably get a wet stranger in his yard a towel…

Fine.

Rune: His host would return to a grumbling half-naked mage, muttering about the cotton fabric of his suit and never being able to recover his precious clothing. Soaked from head to toe with hair over his eyes and a puddle of unfortunate grime at his feet as he soaked his suit jacket with the hose. His shoes, his only salvageable possessions, sat neatly on the porch.

Kelly: While Kelly had been getting the towel, it had occurred to him to grab a garbage bag as well. He seriously doubted there was a single item the man had been wearing that hadn’t been ruined.

The bag was offered first. “There ain’t a hose in the world that’s gonna be able to save that suit.”

Rune: Where the hell was that accent from? he wondered. He looked from the hose to his precious suit to the bag with contempt.

"Did you bring me a shirt?"

Kelly: Kelly had to fight not to roll his eyes. Was this man really about to get precious about throwing his clothes away?

“You can borrow one after you shower.”

Rune: While one fought rolling his eyes the other was fighting a smile. Hello again, Lady Luck.

"Bedankt knapperd," he winked, stuffing his wallet into his shoes and stripping then and there what remained of his clothes, hesitating on his equally precious Calvin Klein boxers.

Those could wait.

Kelly: Kelly picked a spot above the stranger’s head and kept his eyes fixed there as he held out the towel, feeling distinctly like he’d just lost somehow.

He blamed Leslie Issott.

“Dry off before you step inside so you don’t drip all over the floor.”

Rune: "Aye aye, Captain." He had no name to give, so he couldn't be blamed. He'd make his way back around to dry off, otherwise that towel was useless.

Kelly: As soon as the towel changed hands, Kelly pushed the door open with his cane and pointed toward a corridor to the left of the kitchen.

“Bathroom is the first door on the right.”

Rune: A salute later, Rune made his way inside, as casual as he pleased. Wanting to take in his surroundings and anything outwardly unwelcoming.

Kelly: To say the surroundings were sparse was putting it generously.

There wasn’t much in the way of decor and the furniture had been chosen with an eye toward practicality rather than style, but the house was clean enough to pass a military inspection.

The only personal touches—if they could even be called that—were the grab bars around the bathtub in the bathroom.

Rune: Either he was ready to leave at a moment's notice, or hadn't the energy to try. Not at all colorful like his house in Curaçao. Not that he was ever there. The house had probably collected all the dust on the island.

He made his way to the bathroom and locked the door.

Kelly: With the click of the lock, Kelly finally felt like he was able to breathe out. Just what the hell had his life become in the last half hour?

First order of business.

He went into his bedroom and selected a plain black shirt he didn’t care if he ever got back and a pair of joggers. They were too big for his visitor but they had a drawstring. He could deal.

He grabbed a chair from the kitchen, set it outside the bathroom door, and put the clothes on it.

Second order of business.

{Text to Leslie} There’s a stranger in my shower and it’s your fault

Rune: Leslie stared at his phone for an entire sixty seconds of consternation.

{Text} What did I do?

Kelly: {Text} You got inside my head and made me be nice

Rune: {Text} Ok so you made a friend?

Kelly: {Text} Not exactly

{Text} Some guy fell through a portal in the tree in my backyard I didn’t know even existed

Rune: {Text} Since when did we have portals this close?!

Kelly: {Text} I don’t fucking know! But I’ll tell you what, it wasn’t there before

Rune: {Text} Sure it was a portal? Heard a loud thunderclap kinda noise?

Kelly: {Text} Man I don’t know, he was laying in my yard when I got out of the bath and said he fell through the tree

{Text} He was covered in umbra gloop, what else would it be if not a portal

Rune: Ohhhh. Oh. Leslie stared for another sixty seconds before calling Kelly's phone.

Kelly: “I only have a few minutes,” Kelly greeted in a low voice. “I don’t know how long he’s gonna be in the shower.”

Rune: "Kelly, I love you to death but why are - you don't think he's dangerous?"

Kelly: “He isn’t armed and if he was going to do something, he would’ve done it as soon as he saw my cane.”

Rune: Leslie wanted to protest the last remark but refrained.

"You said goop? Gloop. You're familiar with it?"

Kelly: "Familiar enough to know what it is and where it comes from."

Rune: Not a vampire, given the hour. Could have been anything else. What was he supposed to say?

"Never had a porter take me anywhere and wind up with gloop."

The word had put a smile in his voice.

"Glad you're safe, but the moment you're not, you know the song, ain't no mountain high enough. Have fun I guess." Something about those parting words hit his ear wrong. He rubbed at an itch on his chest.

Kelly: "If the tree wasn't a portal then he had to have created one right? Or fucking something, people don't just pop out of the Umbra and into people's yards." Kelly cast a glance toward the bathroom. Just what kind of power did the stranger in his house have?

"Have--Les, there's a rando in my house who's probably a mage! I want him out!"

Rune: Oh, he couldn't help the snort Kelly heard. Leslie squeezed at his nose and that helped a little. That was the response he was hoping for. This was still his Kelly.

"Mhm."

Kelly: Would Leslie be able to hear his frown? "What, you think this is funny? I should've left him outside to get pneumonia."

Rune: "That's not you. Wouldn't do that to me."

Kelly: "And you have the nerve to ask me what you did. This is your fault!"

Rune: "I didn't make you be nice!"

Kelly: "Yes you did! Your voice in my head told me to get him a towel and let him shower!"

Rune: "If you really thought he was dangerous you woulda covered my mouth!"

Kelly: "He was all pathetic and wet and you would've gotten him a goddamn towel! I wasn't thinking about danger, I thought he was just drunk."

Rune: "A drunk mage from the Umbra covered in gloop?"

Kelly: "He's not drunk, that was just the most plausible explanation at the time. Tell me how to get him out."

Rune: "How would you kick me out?"

Kelly: "He's not you, I wouldn't kick you out."

Rune: Leslie scratched vigorously at his chest and rubbed the back of his head, trying to think quickly. About to ask what had been said when the bathroom door creaked open. Brown eyes looking around and landing on the chair.

Kelly: Fuck, time was up.

"Gotta go, bye," he said in a hurried whisper, hanging up the phone. Now to switch back to text.

{Text} He finished showering

{Text} Tell me what to do

Rune: {Text} What has he said?

Rune had used most of his time washing his shoes and boxers. He would be damned walking around naked in a stranger's house. That's what this man still was. Names had to be exchanged at some point, but he didn't feel compelled to rush.

Shoes lined the edge of the tub. Boxers wrung and hung over the sink.

And an arm was reaching desperately for the clothes, fingers flailing before catching the sweatpants, slipping back between the gap.

Kelly: Now it was Kelly who felt something uncomfortable itch at his chest. In the moment he'd been able to dismiss what the stranger said because saving face was vital, but that didn't mean he didn't understand the implications of what he'd been told. He did.

And he hated that someone else did too.

{Text} He said he heard my scream in the Umbra

Rune: {Text} That's a whole thing I'm not familiar with. I just know the name.

Leslie bit his lip and leaned against his kitchen counter. Debated on telling Tristan, but his merman would have no answer, either.

{Text} Not in a menacing "I want more!" kinda way?

Kelly: {Text} It was the answer he gave when I asked him why he was in my yard

A far from satisfactory answer at that.

{Text} I don't know. But he's sure it was me and was curious enough about it to end up here

Rune: {Text} If he's telling the truth, it must mean something. I wouldn't kick someone out knowing something like that about me without knowing more. Aren't you curious?

This coming from the same witch that found a former angel vessel and invited him home for eggs and tea.

Kelly: Kelly sighed. It did mean something. It meant that no matter how much time had passed or what he did or where he went, god still fucking hated him and wouldn't ever stop reminding him.

{Text} I'm pissed is what I am

{Text} A stranger has no business knowing something about me that I wouldn't voluntarily choose to share

Rune: Ever the optimist, Leslie texted back with his own perspective.

{Text} Maybe he didn't want to know either and wants answers.

The bathroom door opened fully this time. Dark brown hair with black roots towel dried to chaos. Warm skin dry and bare from the waist up. A black and brown crucifix hung around his neck.

At least now he could walk out and grab the shirt. Had this been a friend's home he would have been just fine with his nudity, but not today.

Kelly: {Text} Well then he's gonna be disappointed because I have none to give

Kelly looked up and immediately looked back down at his phone, and there his eyes would remain until he was spoken to. Why the hell hadn't the man put on the shirt at the same time as the pants?

Rune: Since he wasn't looking at his guest, he wouldn't see him make himself at home on the couch. Knees brought to his chest with a tired sigh. Like a cat allowed in a stranger's home, one might think this was his domicile.

Kelly: He waited a moment longer to see if Leslie would reply. When he didn't, Kelly slipped his phone in his pocket and went to plant himself at the entrance to his living room, arms crossed.

What the hell should he do with this intruder?

"I let you shower and gave you something to wear. You indulged your curiosity. I think you know what comes next."

Rune: Let's subvert those expectations a bit and pat the other side of the couch.

"We... listen to the news and complain about how the world's gone to shit."

Kelly: Let's not and say we did.

"'We' don't do anything. I get back to my life and you go back to London or wherever it is you came from and we pretend none of this happened."

Rune: "I can't just pop back to London. That's not how it works."

Kelly: "We both know that's exactly how it works."

Kelly pulled out his phone again.

{Text} Les, can I have your porter's contact info?

Rune: "Captain Cane, I was sleepwalking. I'm tired. I'm fucking drained. You're the only thing that woke me up."

{Text} I can see if he's available but he doesn't like me giving him out like that.

He'd already gotten an earful when giving his information to Bo without his permission.

Kelly: "Not my problem. I didn't wake you up because I didn't scream. Feel free to go back to sleep anywhere that isn't here."

{Text} If he needs to be bribed I will pay him whatever he wants

Rune: {Text} Is he threatening you or something?

Rune just sighed. Planted his forehead on his knees. This man wasn't getting it. He really, really didn't want to talk about this. Understandable, but the last time he'd ignored an obvious sign, people had gotten hurt. He didn't know why he was here, and he didn't enjoy it either.

But he wasn't young and willfully blind.

He had an idea.

His head popped back up.

"Name's Rune, from Amsterdam. Yes, I am a mage." He tapped his good ear. "You get me out by talking to me. No, I don't bite. Not in the mood."

Kelly: Kelly took a deep breath and tried to summon some patience from somewhere. Anywhere.

"I have nothing to say to you, Rune from Amsterdam. I don't know you, I didn't tell you to come here, and I'm not playing this game. I have to go to work soon and if I have to call the cops to get you to leave, then that's what I'm gonna do."

Rune: "What are you afraid is gonna happen if we talk?" Too strong of a question out the gate, but it was his way. He held his hands out, arms resting in his knees, as though he could catch his question.

"Look, I'm... " he sighed, "I'm... an exorcist." He never liked the title, but it hadn't rubbed off in a century. "Just... tell me you're okay."

Kelly: It was the wrong think to ask. The wall that slammed between them at Rune's question was almost palpable.

A fucking exorcist? Was this guy serious or just grasping at straws to get him to talk?

"Then let me save you some time. I'm not possessed. I'm not yakking up pea soup and my head doesn't spin 360 degrees. I don't need an exorcism."

Rune: All this bait and no catch. He had better luck with Russian roulette than he had with this man. He tried not to make this a matter of pride, but it was tempting.

He had been awoken by fire. Could have been anything. A house fire. An explosion. He looked around the room while his host bricked his wall. A photograph. A plaque of honor. A uniform. Something.

The room was impeccably neat, but anything?

Kelly: There was nothing in the room save for the cleanliness of it that gave away anything about the man who owned it. There was a couch, a coffee table, a lamp, and a rather nice television, but no personal effects. No personality reflected anywhere that was currently visible to Rune.

There wasn’t even a plant.

In fact, the only indicators that his host had a personality were his carved cane and the small hoops in his ears.

Kelly sighed. This wasn’t working. “Look, if you don’t believe me you can press that cross you’re wearing to my forehead.”

Rune: Dark eyes returned to his host. Now that was an idea. Actually, what it was, was progress. He didn't have a framed photo to go by, but he did have that cane, and more confusion than he'd started with.

But he was intrigued.

Rune got to his feet and tugged at the crucifix buried deep in his shirt. Every stranger underestimated him. He didn't look at all as one would expect from an exorcist. Everyone wanted the stereotype.

But with a cross in his hand, it might as well have been a witch's wand. A gentle warmth would wash over Kelly's body as he neared. His movements slow, wanting to avoid having the cane broken over his spine.

His right hand laid flat over his host's heart. The cross to his forehead. Host might have expected nothing, but that warmth had become a comforting blanket over his being. Tension lessening in his muscles, as though experiencing the aftermath of a massage.

Kelly: Really? Kelly hadn’t been expecting him to actually do it but if that’s what it took to convince him and get him to leave then fine.

Kelly’s eyes flashed with warning when he was touched and if possible, he stood even straighter and stiffer than he had been already.

Rune was correct in thinking that his host hadn’t been expecting anything to happen, so when something did—benign though it was—it made him flinch. Not exactly what he wanted to have happen when he was trying to convince someone he wasn’t possessed but he couldn’t help it.

Shying away from comfort was second nature. It had taken years for him to be okay with it from Leslie and this man wasn’t Leslie.

Kelly leaned away.

“See? No sizzle, no burn mark. I’m not possessed. Satisfied?”

Rune: Heading towards 162 years of age, and the only benign creatures to ever flinch were those reliving trauma. He had tried to avoid touching his skin, but holding an object so close, it was bound to happen.

The cane had been an obvious sign but seemed a little on the nose. Now that he knew, he didn't know what to think. Standing there, watching dumbfounded as the wolf retreated.

He was healthy, and not healthy at all. Their connection hadn't been long enough to feel anything beyond the conspicuous, and it was fucking irritating.

The cross was squeezed in his fist. He didn't know how to approach this any other way than his own. He was a blunt object at best. This was a strike on his confidence, despite miniscule gains.

This discovery had awakened the insatiable. He needed some time to think.

"Okay."

Still holding his necklace, he turned his back on the Garou, retreating to the bathroom for his shoes, wallet, and underwear.

Kelly: Kelly was fully aware that in their world, a touch could betray just as much as a confession, if not more.

That wasn’t why he broke it. His knowledge of the Umbra had already given away that he wasn’t a mere mortal and Rune himself had confessed to being a mage. They were on a fairly even playing field.

What difference did it make if the man knew he was a wolf?

Kelly watched Rune with a frown. Okay? Had it worked? Had he actually managed to convince this man to leave him be?

It appeared that way but he wasn’t counting his chickens just yet.

Rune: Rune made his way into the kitchen, looking around for any sort of rag or towel to dry the inside of his shoes. A fruitless endeavor, seeing as he was about to walk back into the rain. What a shame this man was going to just allow that to happen. The world outside was howling, and as tempting as it was to play pitiful, he had said okay, and he was a man of his word.

Kelly: There was a dish towel hanging by the sink and a roll of paper towels on the counter, beside which sat Kelly’s forgotten water and a half-empty prescription bottle of Vicodin.

As for the man himself? Rather than follow his guest into the kitchen, he was rooting around in the coat closet for a stupid umbrella because he could still hear Leslie’s voice in his head.

Rune: Rune lowered to read the name. Considering the day he'd had, he could have this. Did he look like a Kelly? Maybe if he smiled.

His loafers were as dry as he could manage and still he winced from the cold.

Kelly: Kelly finally came into the kitchen, looking from Rune to the pill bottle without a single word.

He offered a clear umbrella handle first.

Rune: And Kelly was looked at with fresh eyes. Kelly Rose. And this Kelly didn't even have his full name.

He took the umbrella with a small bow of his head, and made an attempt at civility, just to see, offering his hand.

Kelly: It was safe to assume that the cat was already out of the bag. Rune probably knew what he was and now he also knew his name. There wasn’t much more that a handshake could give him that he didn’t already have.

Kelly took his hand and shook it.

Rune: The same handshake Leslie gave, pressing his index finger into his pulse. The mage shuddered, biting the inside of his cheek to keep from flinching.

Kelly: Kelly pulled his hand away as quickly as he could but it was too late. He noticed Rune’s shudder and it told him that, brief though the contact had been, it hadn’t been brief enough.

Something had been felt or seen that Kelly probably didn’t want to be felt or seen.

Rune: The same familiar gesture, but the old mage witnessed more than the young Verbena could. More than Rune had intended, and he had intended to pry. He needed something. Anything. Kelly had a stranger in his yard, but it was Rune who had traveled across an ocean, away from the comforting acrid haze of cigarettes and rotting wood, two-hundred-year-old playing cards and dirty carpets. Away from the sanctuary of a centuries-old hole in the wall, for this.

That scream began to replay. The sensation of torn muscles and charred skin.

This was why he drank. Was this why they both drank? Something to drown.

"Why are you afraid of being seen?"

Kelly: This man was determined to ask impossible questions, determined to open doors he had no right to open and that had been shut for a reason.

And for what? What exactly did he think he was going to change by doing it?

“Tell me where it’s written that I have to be,” he muttered, taking the pill bottle and tossing it back in its drawer. “I don’t owe anybody a damn thing.”

Rune: "You thought you did?" was all he could think to ask, taking a deep breath from his nostrils and out his mouth. Slow, so as not to draw attention. Probably didn't matter.

Kelly: “You asked a question and I answered it. There’s nothing that says I have to be ‘seen’ and I don’t owe anyone my indulgence while they try.”

Rune: "You don't have to do anything," he echoed. "It's so easy. You don't have to look in the mirror. You don't have to look back. You don't have to think about anything. It's so easy! You can just exist. Yeah... so easy," he said to himself, shuffling towards the door feeling more like Kelly than Rune.

Kelly: Sure, Kelly thought, shaking his head. Judge the cripple for trying to make it through the fuckin’ day.

“Facile, mon cul.” He snatched his water bottle from the counter and went into his bedroom to change for work. He trusted Rune could and would see himself out.

Rune: The hours rolled by, and the mage named Rune was nowhere to be found. Leslie text back well after his departure, explaining his porter's refusal to work with any changing breed. The paragraph of apology that followed was rushed and dripping with Leslie's tone.

Rune had walked and walked, managing a mile from Kelly's doorstep before squatting down to breathe. Feeling as though he'd been holding his breath with every step, lungs burning and skin hot.

The umbrella was planted against his back, forehead to knees as he collected himself. What a strange fucking afternoon. What a broken creature. What a waste of time.

The thoughts that had followed him out the door hadn't tapped his shoulder since his youth. A broken creature, but a powerful one. Power granted by torment was especially potent. Might as well have been a sorcerer.

Rune rose to his feet and continued. Not nearly strong enough to hunt for rifts or attempt one of his own. A hotel would have to suffice.

But he could only last so long, lying on the top covers, hands on his stomach, staring at a popcorn ceiling. At least he had somewhere to return. A pub would do just fine.

Kelly: Kelly couldn’t even find it in him to be annoyed at Leslie’s porter. Not now that there wasn’t a need for him anymore.

He reassured Leslie that everything was fine and that he didn’t have anything to apologize for. He told him that the stranger had left on his own but made sure to leave out what had transpired.

That was for Kelly to overthink as he donned his black button-down and dark jeans and made himself presentable.

Why are you afraid of being seen? Why the hell did it matter? And what did Rune from Amsterdam care anyway? It wasn’t like he could actually do anything. Talking about the past never changed or fixed anything, all it did was tear open wounds and let people indulge their curiosity about things that weren’t any of their business. He didn’t need some nosy pretty boy mage coming in and poking at him just because—

Kelly paused with one arm in his jacket. Pretty boy mage? Where the hell had that come from?

He shook his head and finished putting on his jacket. “Don’t go there, Rose,” he told himself, grabbing his keys.

Strictly speaking he still had some time before his shift, but he was hungry, and he remembered Bobby saying something about making clam chowder for the dinner special today.

He’d go in, have himself a good meal, and he wasn’t going to think about Rune or the look on his face when he’d pressed his cross to Kelly’s forehead one second fucking longer.

Rune: His name was becoming a mantra. Kelly Rose. Kelly Rose the werewolf. The werewolf with burns he could not heal. With a scream so sharp he was never the same.

He almost blasphemed, sighing through his nose as he entered Pete's Pub. Not at all like a dive in London, but it had its charms. Very... American. The music especially.

Still dressed in Calvin Klein loafers and Kelly's rags, his shoulders wide and confident, Rune took a seat at the bar.

If only he could have a cigarette. He'd sell a year of his life for a proper Elysium.

His new umbrella was hung from the bar, leaning forward on his elbows, only to plant his forehead on the cold wooden surface.

Pete: This time of year and this time of day, Pete’s pub was filled with mostly locals having dinner and a post-work drink. With the storm still raging outside, the fire roaring in the hearth, and the mix of blues-rock and conversation, the atmosphere was positively cozy.

And with Kelly Rose the werewolf tucked away in the pub’s kitchen having his dinner and talking to Bobby, it was Pete who approached this new forlorn-looking patron.

“You all right there?” he asked.

Rune: "Jet lag," sighed his customer.

Shit, how much money did he have left? He sat up and smiled, reaching carefully between his legs, opening his wallet and losing his hand beneath a portal the exact width of the leather. Blindly he felt around his dresser in Willemstad. He needed to remedy this before having to resort to gold coins.

The texture felt right. He pulled from the dresser, through the portal and - fuck. Why did he still have yen?!

A slew of Dutch curses left his lips as he lined his money on the table. Yen, euros, pesos - why pesos? When was he in Mexico? - zloty - thank you, Lord! Thank you for one last Benjamin Franklin.

"What'll this get me?"

Pete: Pete looked on in amusement as currency after currency appeared on the bar, much to his customer’s apparent dismay. He couldn’t place the language he was speaking but the sound of swearing was universal.

“You weren’t kidding about that jet lag,” he chuckled. “Looks like you’ve done a full lap around the planet.”

He smiled at the hundred-dollar bill. “In here? Just about everything. Pick your poison. If you’re hungry, I’ve got a menu you can look at. Special today is homemade clam chowder.”

Rune: The bartender's amusement was contagious, and for a moment he felt just a margin improved. Money was stacked alphabetically and stuffed back in his wallet - the actual wallet this time.

"Don't think my stomach can handle milk."

Rune perked. "You have genever?"

Pete: At least he looks a little less depressed, Pete thought. It was the gift of the small town bartender to put people at ease and he was very good at it.

“You’re in luck.” He turned to the shelves of bottles behind him and took the one he needed after a quick scan.

“Want it straight or you in the mood for a cocktail?”

Rune: "Just nectar in a glass. Stop me when we've reached Benjamin."

He was hungry, but right now he was also poor, and this wasn't the kind of pub with gambling, from the looks of it.

"Where can someone play poker around here?"

Pete: “You got it,” said Pete, pouring a healthy measure into a glass and placing it in front of his customer.

He gave him a curious look at that question. Not something he got asked every day.

“For pleasure or profit? If it’s the former, I can point you in the right direction. If it’s the latter, you’ll have better luck with pool.”

Rune: Rune stared for a moment, taking a little longer than usual to translate back to Dutch before raising his chin in understanding.

"Not snooker?"

Pete: “Not here, but there’s a place the next town over if pool’s not your thing. But…” Pete thought for a moment. “My bartender can probably give you better answers than I can.”

Rune: Next town over without a car. So pool it would be.

"Okay," he said into his glass.

Kelly/Pete: Pete looked toward the door that led to the back and smiled. “There he is. Hey, Kell, any places in town to play snooker?”

Kelly shook his head as he made his way over, distracted by the apron he was in the process of tying. “Nope, just pool and just at the Brig right now. Charlie’s table is still being re-felted and it’ll be another…few…weeks…”

As he finally looked up and saw who was sitting across from his boss, he could swear he heard god laughing at him.

“You cannot be fuckin’ serious…”

Rune: Rune was staring as well, lips still on his glass and unsure whether or not to be confused or pleased. What was it? Former or latter? Was this destiny his captain loved to go on about, or was this luck?

He would just ignore that last comment, looking at what he assumed was the owner, given his comment.

"Where's - you have a brig?"

Pete: “Uh…” Pete looked between the two of them, more than a little surprised at Kelly’s reaction to who Pete thought was some random tourist.

“No, um, The Brig is another bar here in Edenton. They have pool tables. Do ya’ll know each other?”

Rune: Well, Kelly's reaction had let it slip, might as well have fun before he finished his drink.

"One wild summer. Married in Vegas. Divorced the next day." He leaned his head toward Kelly, eyes playful. "He's a wild one."

But his smile was quick to fade. The Benjamin was placed on the table and slid across.

"Where's this Brig?" he said to just one, not even casting a glance.

Kelly/Pete: “Is that right,” Pete chuckled. Something weird was going on here. He couldn’t remember seeing Kelly like this with anyone in all the years he’d known him.

The wolf didn’t look hostile or anything, but he had the face of a man begging for the earth to swallow him whole.

“I’ll let Kelly tell you where it is while I get your change.” He took the money and disappeared over to the register before his bartender could protest. A perfectly reasonable thing to do but just for a second there he’d felt a June-like urge to meddle.

Telling himself to be professional, Kelly took a deep breath.

“Gimme your phone.”

Rune: "You've seen me half-naked," he said into his drink. "I don't have it." He could reach through his wallet or create a spontaneous portal, but the truth of the matter was he'd be feeling around blindly and with the potential of his London host finding a floating arm in the middle of the day. That wasn't going to happen.

Kelly: As if mocking him, a flash of that very image came unbidden into his mind before it was viciously chased away.

“Right.”

Kelly reached into his apron pocket for a pen and his notepad and began drawing Rune a map. He told himself it was just to get him out of here faster, but he was also going to the trouble of adding some landmarks and other useful places in town just in case.

In case of what? He refused to think about it.

“You’ll hear it before you see it,” said Kelly, ripping the page off the pad and offering it. Because the sleeves of his button-up were rolled up, more of the scarring on his hand and arm were visible, no longer hidden beneath the T-shirt he’d worn earlier.

At his chest, the couple of buttons he’d left undone revealed more of the same.

Rune: He must have been comfortable at this job, Rune thought, having finally looked up from his empty glass. It wasn't like him to avoid a glance, or even sound the retreat, but he knew staring would only summon his curiosity. He wanted to touch those scars. Abstract art they were.

And he wasn't ashamed of that thought.

"Lot of gambling?" he asked, taking the map between his index and middle finger, keeping his touch strictly to paper.

Kelly/Pete: “It’s very present, let’s just say that.” Most people went for the dancing but there were a good few who lived at the pool tables. “Just don’t piss off the bouncers and you’ll be fine. And if you know what’s good for you stay away from the preppy asshole and his friends, you’ll spot them right away.”

“They have a second home in one of the holding cells in the sheriff’s station,” Pete said as he returned, handing Rune his change. “They play dirty and when it doesn’t work they like to wait for people outside to gang up on them.”

Rune: "Preppy people? Sweaters over shoulders preppy?"

And why was Kelly telling him any of this? Made more sense coming from the other man. Seemed well-intentioned enough.

And looking at the map, he had quite a bit more walking to do. And once more curious why the extra details.

"How many miles?"

Kelly/Pete: “Couple miles.” Hell if Kelly knew why he was bothering to tell Rune all this. Wasn’t like a mage couldn’t take care of themselves. Maybe he was feeling a little guilty.

Or maybe he was just getting soft.

Pete nodded. “Yep. Polos, sweaters, boat shoes. The type that look like their life is just one long brunch.”

Rune: "That's half the men in Amsterdam," he smirked.

It was something to do. He was ready to turn what he had left into profit. It would suffice until he had the strength to riffle through all of his caches.

"Thanks for the drink. Time to walk."

Pete: “Walk?” Pete repeated, turning to look out the windows. The storm that had begun earlier that afternoon showed no signs of letting up. “In this? You don’t have a car?”

Rune: "I just dropped out of the sky." He shrugged. "Seen worse."

Kelly/Pete: Kelly threw Rune a pointed look as he pulled a beer for a customer who’d just approached the bar, as if telling him to mind his comments.

They were in public, after all.

“You’ll get sick if you go walking in this mess. I can give you a ride. It’ll be a lot quicker.”

Rune: Rune just tilted his head in return. The wilder the story the less he was taken seriously. Fine in most aspects of his life. Saved him a lot of trouble.

Unless a certain wolf gave him away with that grave look, he was in the clear.

What did he care, anyway? The question was becoming as much of a mantra as his name.

"You're a prince if you do."

Kelly/Pete: Pete shook his head. “Hardly. Just don’t want you to have to deal with a cold on top of the jet lag. Hold the fort for me?” he added to Kelly as he took off his apron.

“You got it.”

“Thanks. I’ll bring my car around. Gimme two shakes.” And with that, their buffer disappeared through the door behind the bar.

Rune: Rune was willing to let the silence stretch. Fingers traveled up his shirt - Kelly's shirt - feeling for his necklace, his crucifix just below his chest.

He didn't have to look directly at him to watch from his peripheral.

Kelly: In watching Kelly—and the people he interacted with by extension—it would become obvious very quickly which patrons were locals and which were tourists. The locals called Kelly by his name, asked for their regular orders knowing they were remembered, but otherwise didn’t really treat the bartender any particularly noteworthy way.

The tourists stared. They looked at Kelly’s facial scar instead of his eyes when they spoke to him and when they weren’t speaking to him, they stared at the scars on his arm, neck, and chest. It wasn’t uncommon for him to have to repeat things because they simply weren’t listening.

It got old real fast but fortunately for him, there weren’t too many tourists tonight. Some good came from the rain after all, even if it had also dumped a mage in his yard that he could feel looking at him.

Rune: One of the men staring Kelly down was being watched in return. Two fingers tapped at his cross as his lips thinned tight.

He could say something. Do something. He wanted to, and it hadn't crossed his mind to question reason.

He could stare. All he pleased. He wasn't staring in horror. He was admiring. It was his right.

A corner of Kelly's map was torn. His pen swiftly borrowed to sketch a little symbol.

Rune made his way over to the stranger, leaning over, he made a show of bowing.

"Sorry. Sorry. You look familiar. Do you know Marco?" Putting on his best Japanese accent, he played the role of confused tourist, and slipped the piece of paper into the stranger's pocket. The accent, the question, the bowing, all distractions, and no one, save Kelly, the wiser.

"So sorry, so sorry." Dumbass.

Kelly/Pete: Kelly’s brow furrowed ever so slightly as Rune put on his little song and dance with the tourist and slipped him something. Where had that accent come from? And why?

He watched from the corner of his eye just like Rune had done with him as the guy confusedly brushed the mage off and said he didn’t know any Marco, then moved away from the bar entirely in favor of a table.

Kelly was almost smiling to himself when Pete came through the front door and waved Rune over.

Rune: No more avoiding his gaze. Kelly was looked in the eyes, given a wink. "Good luck."

His map was gently folded. It was useless now but pocketed regardless. Just like admiring Kelly's scars, it was his, and his right.

And back into the rain, leaving his umbrella behind.

Peter's ride was given a whistle of approval before slipping in.

Kelly/Pete: The wink only made Kelly more curious about what Rune has done. So much so that for a second he even forgot to look annoyed at him.

But then Rune was going out the door and Kelly was distracted by a patron and the moment was gone.

“You like?” Pete said, beaming with pride as he gripped the steering wheel of his car. “It’s my pride and joy.”

Rune: "It's really nice!" His smile lingered, awkward, and then, "What is it?"

He hadn't bothered with a seat belt, but knew better than to raise his knee and rest his foot on the seat.

Pete: “Cadillac,” Pete chuckled as they got on their way, immediately glad he’d offered this man a ride. Rain was really coming down.

“So how long you been in town? Enjoying your stay so far?”

Rune: "Cadillac." The word just didn't fit his accent. Sat heavy on the base of his tongue.

Rune fought a smile. "Just a day. Had my clothes stolen."

Pete: "Stolen? Damn." Pete was silent for a moment, head tilting curiously after a beat or two. "That why you're wearing Kelly's clothes?"

Rune: "Hmm." He held the shirt again, to what was hidden underneath.

Kelly was about to have some entertainment. Not seven years of bad luck, but one horrific evening was going to unfold before him.

"You memorized his wardrobe?"

Pete: "You smell like him." Which, when he'd initially noticed, Pete had taken to mean that the two of them knew each other on a very personal level. He'd never seen Kelly with anyone but that didn't mean the man was a monk.

Rune: "I pity your nose."

Might as well see. He offered his hand, eyes on the road.

"Rune."

Pete: He laughed and reached over to shake Rune's hand. "Pete. That's just what happens when you spend a long time in proximity to someone."

Rune: Rune hummed again. Like with Kelly, his finger pressed into the driver's pulse. Natural age. Healthy. Not... Garou. A bear! That was a first.

He shouldn't say anything. Self-preservation demanded silence, but he wasn't concerned.

"A bear and a wolf walk into a bar..." he shook his head. "Are there no vampires in this place?"

Pete: If Rune had picked literally any other two animals, Pete would've thought nothing of it. He would've laughed it off and chalked it up to small talk. But it was just too specific a comment, especially once the vampires were brought into the fold.

Still, his smile remained easy and casual. He trusted that if this man was close to Kelly Rose--close enough to let him borrow his clothes--and meant any harm, then Kelly never would've let Pete give him a ride, much less be alone with him.

"Oh, Edenton's practically a storybook," he chuckled. "Everyone lives in harmony."

Rune: "Storybooks I read usually end with hunters." Some people just loved to tack that title to his collar, but it just wouldn't stick. He didn't care what Kelly was, or Pete, or the vampire down the street. He had only one rule: don't be an unhinged psychopath.

"You don't want to purge them?"

Pete: He shook his head. "Nothing like that, no. Everyone who lives here understands that it's best not to cause any trouble and keep to themselves. Edenton and its surroundings are an Elysium, you might say." For everyone and everything that lived within its borders.

Rune: Ah. He knew that word very well.

"Everything but the humans," he said, leaning against the car door and his forehead to the chilly window.

"No judgment," he sighed, suddenly feeling tired.

Pete: "It extends to them, too," Pete said thoughtfully, thinking of his youth and how very normal and safe he had felt growing up here. He knew now that back then there had already been vampires in his hometown but he'd been an adult before he realized it. Maybe it was inexperience or naivete, but he thought that was a sign that the Elysium was functioning as it should.

"Granted, people are gonna be people. Take the wannabe Heathers at the Brig for instance."

Rune: "You know this?" It was curious for a changing breed to know as much as this one. To sit cozy with a vampire and not feel compelled to rip the body in two.

"Heathers?"

Pete: Pete nodded. "I do."

Even though they were speaking relatively openly, just coming out and saying 'oh, I thought I was human for most of my life and a vampire and a Druid taught me the ways of the supernatural world' was a bit much to be sharing with someone he didn't know.

"The movie. Ever seen it?"

Rune: Rune had his doubts, but only because in all his years, it was difficult to fathom every recipient of a vampire's bite to be consenting. Then again he had no room to judge, given his proclivity for gambling. There were mortals walking around with shaved years because of him, and he felt no shred of remorse.

"I don't watch TV. Not interesting after Technicolor."

Pete: Technicolor? Just how old was the man sitting next to him?

“There’s a lot of great stuff that’s come out since then. Might be worth giving it a shot one day if you’re bored.”

Rune: He placed his hand on his chest. "Not to sound like an old man, but there are better things to do. Games, music, books, fucking."

Pete: Pete laughed. “You don’t sound like an old man. There’s no single thing that’s gonna be for everyone. As long as you’re enjoying yourself, who cares.”

Rune: "You're a hippie, aren't you?"

Pete: He laughed again and shook his head. “Not really, I just calmed down like we all do as we go through life.”

Rune: "Says the bear."

Rune bit his lip and sat up. There was a question on his tongue, but it could make or break his plans.

He decided to make a play with casual.

"How long's Kelly been here?"

Pete: “Hey, being a bear is a very peaceful existence.” At least it had been for him, minus the first couple months.

“Uh…around about three years now, I think. Give or take six months. Why do you ask?”

Rune: Just a noncommittal sound and a shrug. Better to stay vague in this instance. His chin in hand, he looked back out the window again.

"Are you taking the scenic route?" This ride felt so long. He'd blame the rain, or maybe this Pete was up to something.

Pete: “This whole town is one big scenic route.”

There was no stalling or anything underhanded afoot. Pete’s speed was in deference to the rain but even so, it was only another moment or two before the bass pumping out of the Brig would start to be felt and the building came into view.

“We’re here. This is The Brig.”

Rune: The map was referred to, making a mental note of where Kelly's house was and the distance to Wayside Inn. He could make a night of this place and ignore the rain, if he was determined.

"I owe you, Pete," he smiled, getting out of the car before he could refuse.

Pete: “Don’t worry about it,” Pete called after him. “Just watch out for the Heathers!”

The rain might have been slowing things down over at Pete’s pub, but it was the opposite at The Brig. The bar was as packed as usual with locals and tourists alike, drinking and dancing and shooting pool under the watchful eye of the bouncers.

Rune/Q: This wasn't the worst fashion Rune had ever endured, but he certainly missed his comfortable suit when he walked through the door. A few lingering faces were expected. This was a small town and his face was nothing familiar. The hair, the shoes, the sweats, he looked nothing short of homeless.

He hardly noticed the curly-haired bartender staring him down, looking at the bouncer behind him with a raised eager brow.

"He's pretty," Q mouthed, smiling across the room at his best friend.

Tane: The town may have been small and Rune's outfit may have been unusual, but this was an environment accustomed to the unusual and whatever attention he garnered would soon shift in favor of something else. No one ever looked twice at a place like The Brig.

At least, not the patrons. The employees were a different story.

Tane smiled back at Q and followed the newcomer with his gaze, giving his bartender a nod of agreement. He was pretty. Tane just hoped he wouldn't be one of the ones to cause trouble tonight.

The group at the pool tables was already forcing him away from Q and the bar just so he could keep an eye on them.

Rune/Q: Q flipped a bottle of vodka and set about making a dirty martini for a local. He could and would stare as he pleased, but only after orders. The job came first.

Rune argued with wants vs needs, standing at the end of the bar, watching a game of pool happening between a biker and what looked like a living breathing fisherman stereotype. He couldn't come off too eager, begging for a waged match.

So he forced himself to sit at the bar, counting what was left of his money. He needed a drink in his hand, at the very least.

Kelly/Tane: Tane didn't like the look of that biker one bit but so far all there had been nothing that required interference. Trouble was more likely to come from the Abercrombie crew at the next table if they kept knocking drinks back at the same pace they had been for the past half hour.

Wouldn't be the first time, Tane thought to himself, recalling the last time he'd had to haul them out. They hadn't gone quietly then and they wouldn't now, he was sure of it.

Those same boys were on Kelly's mind as he stared at the umbrella that had been hanging on the bar, though it wasn't them so much as someone who was now in proximity to them.

All that bellyaching about not wanting to freeze to death and the damn mage had forgotten the umbrella. If he got pneumonia he'd have no one to blame but himself.

So why the hell did Kelly keep thinking about taking it to him?

Rune: He was shit out of luck for a glass of Holland's best. The cheapest strongest drink would have to do. Smelled like rubbing alcohol and didn't taste much better, but it was something to have on hand as he approached the tall round table between the two groups. One of the Heathers, as they were not-so-affectionately called, seemed to have taken notice of his clash of fashion.

For now he would watch, sizing up east and west for the most favorable option. Eventually holding out fifty dollars, taunting who was ready to lose their money and their jacket to a tourist.

Kelly/Tane: Well, well, well. It looked like their pretty newcomer was going to join the crowd at the pool tables, which meant that Tane got to have a nice long look at him. It made a good consolation prize since he couldn’t be within flirting range of Q.

Whether there was going to be trouble was yet to be been, but the second money started being waved around, the potential for it went way up. Those Abercrombie boys were never ones to back down from a challenge and it was clear even at this distance that they’d already written off the pretty boy as an easy mark.

Moving it out of sight hadn’t helped.

Even though he couldn’t see it anymore, Kelly was still thinking about the stupid umbrella and about whether or not he should do anything with the stupid umbrella and about that damn mage by extension and it was all starting to annoy the daylights out of him.

When the annoyance reached a fever pitch, he pulled out his phone and sent a message to his dealer asking him to meet. He needed a top up.

Rune/Q: Q couldn't help but look. It was his way, his drive, and he enjoyed watching Tane work up his appetite. Their understanding of each other had spanned years. No conversation needed to be had; no hint of jealousy.

Nothing but luck. Rune agreed to a game with the Heathers, checking the table for roll-off before a lag shot against his opponent.

Card games were more his speed, but the Noble Game of Billiards had been a part of his life since childhood. Underneath a table was where he would often find his father after days of neglect.

Pocketing half the balls on his first break might have silenced the Heathers, but disallowing his opponent even one turn at a stripe was perhaps a bit too petty. He had been warned, and taking his money, thought it best to turn his attention to the laughing biker and his fisherman friend.

Kelly/Pete/Tane: Tane exhaled a laugh and shook his head, silently glad for the pretty boy. Although if looks could kill, those Abercrombie boys would be nailing his ass to the wall.

The biker and his buddy would probably be better sports and maybe more enjoyable company, but Tane doubted the others were going to take their defeat and walk away.

Oh well. That’s what he was for. He’d keep his eye on them and hope for the best.

It was half an hour before Tony got back to Kelly and it would be another hour on top of that before he’d be able to meet him.

And that was assuming Tony wasn’t late which he always fucking was. At least this time Kelly wasn’t desperate.

Near the appointed hour, Kelly took off his apron. “Got an errand to run. Shouldn’t be more than an hour.”

Pete nodded and gave him the go ahead. “Drive safe, it’s still pouring.”

“Yep.”

Kelly grabbed his jacket and the umbrella and headed out the back.

Rune: The Heathers had been about pocketing their money. The biker and fisherman were going to be much more enjoyable company, given their good-natured humor. Rather than fifty, Rune slammed down a quarter and earned another laugh.

Of course, he wouldn't call himself an exorcist. As far as anyone here was concerned, he was a professional gambler. The biker, Eagle, and his best friend Jerry didn't give two shits, and their conversation was much more stimulating.

Didn't stop the hard looks from the next table over, but it wasn't their money anymore, now was it?

Kelly: He was just going to meet his dealer. No other reason, no ulterior motive. He was halfway through his Vicodin and needed a refill, that was all.

That was what Kelly told himself the whole drive to the Brig. He was running an errand, not rushing off to give some mage he didn’t even know an umbrella, because that would be an insane thing to do and he was not an insane person. He was just being practical.

And a champion of denial like him could tell himself he believed that and almost manage to do it.

He didn’t look for Rune as he entered the Brig, instead making a beeline for the quietest side of the bar and immediately flagging down Q.

“Club soda when you get the chance.”

Rune/Q: Rune had every intention of allowing himself to lose a game or two. Though he hadn't walked in with a cue in hand, he doubted an Elysium as Peter had described harbored no other mage. There were some things you just didn't do around other mages. Gambling was one of them.

So far, he hadn't found an opening. Skill was to blame. Eight-ball was just a little too easy once the law of reflection was understood.

That was, until Rune heard a familiar voice, looking up as he took his shot, not even bothering to call out the pocket. Eagle threw his head back and cackled as the cue ball fell into a corner pocket.

"'Bout goddamn time!"

"Don't blaspheme," Rune sighed.

Q slid Kelly his drink. On the rocks without even asking. There was another interesting specimen. Reminded him of Tane. Apparently, he smiled to himself, he had a type.

"Thought you were at work tonight," Q greeted, looking back over at the opposite pool table.

Kelly: No one could appreciate a small town bartender like another small town bartender. There was a strange comfort in having someone just know what you wanted without having to ask.

Kelly gave Q a grateful nod and took a sip. “I am. That’s why I’m not ordering bourbon. Just came in to catch up with our mutual friend.” Who, as expected, was late.

There were too many competing scents in here to be able to distinguish any single one, so he’d have to rely on casual scans of the crowd unless he got lucky and was able to pick out a voice above the music.

Not that he wanted to, of course.

Rune/Q: At least... he thought he had heard - the man was working. Two miles away or whatever at some other pub. Between the crowd back and forth from the dance floor and the patrons sitting at the bar... must have been his bum ear playing tricks on him.

Q leaned forward on his forearms. He knew exactly how much time he had for a quick little chat.

"Thought you just got some." But his smile was devilish. "Want some pain relief, can give you that in the bathroom. Have you all better in five minutes."

Kelly: Q’s smile was met with a gently amused look. The suggestion wasn’t entirely unappealing.

“Unless a quickie in the bathroom is gonna stop the rain, I still need that refill. The cold doesn’t like me.” And it was only going to get worse as the autumn wore on and turned into winter.

Had he left? Where the hell—there. At the pool tables.

Kelly sighed into his glass.

Rune/Q: "Babe, you need, like, Utah or Arizona or some shit." He gave a quick pat to his cheek and turned back to clean a few glasses.

Skin-to-skin touch affected more than one this evening. That simple touch was enough to warm Q's skin, causing a sigh of his own. The look he gave Tane was one he had received before. Many times. His bartender was aching for stimulation.

Rune hadn't taken notice of the fact that he was being watched. Not only by Kelly, but the blond behind the trio. Jerry had, sitting at the table with his beer, waiting patiently for his turn against whomever won.

"What chu want, son?"

Rune looked up at Jerry and behind at - he didn't catch his name.

"You. Let's go again."

Rune looked around the bar, assessing the square footage before sighing. A lot of that going around tonight.

"With my arm behind my back? Let you go first? What about with my eyes closed?"

Kelly/Tane: In this whole town there were only a few people Kelly was okay being touched by, and Q was one of them.

“Mormons and the desert are depressing as fuck. I’d rather be in pain and perpetually waiting for Tony to learn how to read a clock.”

Tane had only looked away from the pool tables for a second to wink at Q and somehow in that split second, trouble had managed to brew from at least one party.

“Don’t take the bait,” he said under his breath as, unnoticed by him, Kelly Rose’s attention zeroed in on the same scene.

Rune: Rune wouldn't say he was at the end of his patience, but when his thoughts began to filter in his father's language, he knew he was reaching his limit. He reached for his drink on Jerry's table, only to be stopped by a pool cue. The sharp thwack cause several to jump.

"I want my money back. Let's go, goddammit."

What was it with Americans and this word?

"Don't fucking blaspheme."

Just two fingers, a quick, harsh flick to the tourist's scalp.

"Do somethin'."

Kelly/Tane: Oh hell.

Before Kelly could debate with himself about interfering, Tane was already doing it. The man could cross distances and cut through crowds with remarkable speed, especially when he was prepared.

And, since Kelly had seen him watching the tables, he knew he had been.

Tane grabbed the blond kid’s arm and shook his head. He was bigger and stronger and one flick was all the kid was going to be able to do.

“What did I tell you the last time about fucking around and finding out?” He pulled the kid away from the pretty boy. “You gonna cool it or you gonna get the hell out of my bar?”

Rune: "Don't fuckin' touch me!" Phones were coming out, as expected, and Rune put another foot of distance between himself and the ordeal.

"He's cool, man," said the only Heather without his phone at the ready.

"Hey, he can't touch me!"

Tane: “Get your pal under control or I’m tossing him out,” he said to the calmer of the Abercrombie boys, releasing the kid for now. Glenn had long ago given him permission to ban troublemakers at his own discretion and tonight could very well be the night to break that particular camel’s back.

But whether it was or not, he wasn’t going far. Maybe the silent threat of his presence would be enough deterrent.

Rune: Of course he wanted to stay. He had a bone to pick with the skinny Asian prick. He faked a toothy grin and threw a peace sign at his target. The last man to be given a peace sign, it didn't end well.

"Still want my money."

"Oh, shut up, kid," Eagle frowned.

Kelly/Tane: Tane didn’t like that taunting bullshit one bit but unless the kid tried to pull something else, there was nothing he could do. His hands were tied.

The singular silver lining was that the pretty boy knew how to show some restraint.

Kelly felt every bit as annoyed as Tane as he watched things settle at the pool tables. Hadn’t he told that damn mage not to go near the Heathers? Hell had he been thinking?

Before his mood really got a chance to simmer, Tony finally showed up.

“Do I need to buy you a watch?” Kelly muttered, shaking his head. “I told you I was working, I need to go back soon.”

“Stop riding my dick, I’m here aren’t I?”

And thus began the usual song and dance. They’d play their part, just two friends catching up over a drink while under the table, their exchange was made. There’d be no negotiating from Kelly over the amount he was given this time since this was really just an excuse, which Tony was grateful for.

Kelly was barely listening to his hushed lecture about having to be cautious. Most of his attention was at the pool tables. That preppy bastard was cooking something up, no doubt about it.

Rune: There was a part of Rune that wished the voice he had heard was real. But then again, he wondered why, and why he had followed that voice through the Umbra to begin with. First come first serve was usually the policy, but why? One incident some hundred years ago he could barely remember. Traditions made from nothing more than a single unique experience.

Rune looked at the money he had earned. He wanted to call this a night, but he wasn't yet finished. The stupid American succeeded in sucking the energy out of his eyes.

Rune turned back to the Heathers. What was one more game?

The only one with sense stepped forward, tried to smile.

"Look, man, he didn't mean nothin' by it."

Rune placed a quarter on their table. Another quarter, and another. Then every dollar in his possession.

"Match it. Let's go."

Kelly/Tane: “Goddammit,” Kelly hissed under his breath as Rune placed his money on the table. Hadn’t he told him to steer clear? Why hadn’t he fucking listened?

“What’s that?”

He turned back to Tony and shook his head. “Nothing, don’t worry about it. We square?”

The dealer nodded. “Yep. Pleasure doing business.”

“Great, thanks. Quin.” Kelly flagged Q down again and paid for his drink before he made his way closer to the pool tables, keeping a low profile.

Tane didn’t notice Kelly’s approach. He had the sheriff’s station’s number pulled up on his phone, finger on the metaphorical trigger in case this pool game ended the way he feared it would.

Rune/Q: Q didn't think he'd ever be accustomed to hearing that name. Back home he was Quintin. With his brother and the rest of the world, he was Q. That hybrid in-between had turned his legs to jelly the first time Kelly had ever said it. A warm feeling lingered in the pit of his stomach with its utterance ever since.

One of those clients he would miss when no longer required.

Rune pointed to the rack. By now he was bitter, petty, and tired. He would have the insufferable jackass choose his cue for him. Of course, the blond would choose the lightest stick. Out of his own spite, he insisted Rune break again, believing wholeheartedly lightning couldn't strike the same place twice.

Rune rubbed one of his many rings. A gold ring with an onyx center as he stared a hole into the green felt.

The mage chalked the tip of his cue, lowered, and lined his shot. The sharp snap of cue stick to cue ball succeeded by the pocket of every last stipe and solid. The cue ball slowly rolled back to position, and there Rune stood, staring the blond down as he leaned against the table.

"Your turn?"

Q kept busy, wiping down the length of the counter and watching for Tane's reaction, scoffing.

"Guy's about to get his ass whooped."

Kelly/Tane: Knowing something was caused by magic didn’t take away any of the wonder of seeing it, but Kelly couldn’t even feel it over the profound sense of foreboding.

If Rune knew what was good for him, he’d grab that money fast and get out. The lead Heather wasn’t going to take another humiliation well but he wasn’t going to get the chance to do more than yell if Kelly had anything to say about it.

He could do a lot more damage with his cane than some preppy blowhard could do with a pool cue.

Tane was in a similar boat as Kelly, looking absolutely floored as he pressed the call button on his phone and looked from the pretty boy to Q with an incredulous shake of his head.

Who the hell was this guy?

Rune: The look on everyone's faces was quite similar. Shock, confused, impressed, and furious. All save the blond. His cue stick was placed on the table. Hands up. He just laughed. Everyone was waiting for something and he knew they were. He was seeing red, but managed to fathom a plan in his drunk haze. There was no way this smuggle little asshole had taken his money twice.

"Kay." He finished his drink, raised his hands again, and headed for the door.

Rune remained perfectly still as he watched and waited. That wasn't the outcome he'd expected, and he hated being wrong.

His money was gathered and stuffed in his oversized sweats. At least now he could afford some decent clothes. Maybe a meal. His arms were feeling rather weak.

"Eagle, Jerry, been a pleasure."

Rune turned towards the door and stopped in his tracks.

Oh.

Kelly/Tane: No way that little punk had miraculously found some common sense and was actually walking away. Tane didn’t believe it for one fucking second.

He followed him to the door at a distance, ignoring the looks from the crowd as he spoke to the sheriff. It was better to be safe than sorry, especially when dealing with people that didn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt.

Yeah. Oh.

Kelly didn’t pause. He simply kept walking toward Rune and as soon as he reached him, he would place his hand on Rune’s shoulder with surprising gentleness with the intent to lead the mage toward the door.

Rune: Had it been Kelly's voice all along, or a vague whisper between minds? He stood there, staring, until finally moved by that massive scarred paw.

One question at a time.

"What are you doing here?"

Kelly: Good. Rune wasn’t resisting Kelly’s efforts to get them both out of the bar. That made things a lot easier.

People were quickly losing interest now the show was over, but a few curious souls still threw some looks their way as they made their exit. Like Tane, Kelly ignored them.

“Running an errand.” He nudged the door open with his shoulder and made for his truck.

Rune/Q: Q was certainly watching. The last he had expected was for Kelly to know some random foreign tourist. Evident in the look given to Tane. They could be confused together. He certainly was.

A figure stood in the shadows, leaning against the wall of The Brig with a cigarette between his lips. Of course the blond hadn't left, but he'd expected to catch this man alone. At the very least with one of those fat old fucks.

He knew Kelly Rose. He had enough sense to know he'd be fingered for his retaliation.

The broken-off tree branch he'd been holding was dropped.

Rune was oblivious to the sound, but something had dawned on him in almost the same instant.

"Where the fuck are we going?"

Kelly/Tane: Tane shrugged and shook his head. ‘What the fuck?’ he mouthed.

Kelly wasn’t.

Despite the rain, he managed to catch the soft thud of the branch hitting the ground and turned toward it, immediately spotting the human shape in the darkness.

The blond Heather was well-hidden from most, but not from Kelly. He pinned him there with a look of warning, eyes seeming to glint in the low light for just a moment before he turned away to unlock his truck.

He ignored Rune’s question until they were both inside the truck and the engine was rumbling to life.

“One thing,” he muttered. “I asked you to do one thing and you just couldn’t help it.”

Rune: The figure froze against the wall, pressing his back against the brick as his mind tried to make sense of what he had just witnessed. Delirium came into play long enough for Kelly to throw his truck into drive and put their backs to the bar.

So long as Rune remained in Edenton, this wasn't over. But it was over tonight.

"Tell me where it's written that I have to obey." Knees were brought to chest. "You have nothing to say to me, remember?"

Over a day of fasting, only alcohol in his system was taking its toll. His head lulled back against the seat, refusing to look in Kelly's direction.

"Got my money. Geld maakt mij gelukkig," he snorted.

Kelly: Kelly’s jaw twitched as Rune threw his words back in his face. He knew this had been a mistake. He should’ve ignored the stupid umbrella and left well enough alone. If the damn mage had forgotten it and got sick as a result, that was his problem. He was an adult.

Why the hell did Kelly even care?

“Where are you staying?” He would drive Rune there and wash his hands of this situation once and for all.

Rune: His eyes were closed. He tried to keep his hands at his knees, but they were simply too weak. Seeing Kelly this soon hadn't been his plan. There was no plan. He didn't know what he would have done differently. Might have made an effort to eat. Prevent this pathetic trembling.

"Water," he said, managing to maintain his smile.

"I was fine."

Kelly: That gave him zero helpful information. They were in a goddamn fishing village; everything was near the water.

But rather than play twenty questions, Kelly was just going to take them back to Pete’s. He needed to get back to work anyway.

“Fine, my ass. Your blood sugar’s in hell.”

Rune: "More genever helps." He motioned to the world outside of the truck, but forgot what he was going to say. Something about a wayside. Kelly was a nice distraction.

"My what?"

Kelly: “Your blood sugar. You’re shaking.” Bobby could make him something for dinner if he didn’t want clam chowder. Bobby was good like that.

Rune: "Don't let it go to your head." Another snort. His smile was quick to fade, staring out the window again.

"Wayside," he sighed.

Kelly: Ah, an actual answer. Well, it was too late. Kelly wasn’t turning around so Rune would just have to deal. Eating at Pete’s was cheaper anyway.

“Why would I do that? You’re the one who didn’t eat until your body started to complain.”

Rune: "I had no fucking money, Kelly."

Kelly: “Bullshit. Managed to pay for two drinks just fine.”

Rune: "Had a reason to drink."

Kelly: With no room to comment on that, Kelly chose to keep his mouth shut. It was for the best. Absolutely nothing he was saying was making any damn sense to him and he was starting to get sick of himself because of it.

The rest of the drive back to the pub would be made in silence. If Rune wanted to fuck off once they got there, Kelly wouldn’t stop him. If Rune chose to follow him inside, Kelly would lead him in through the back and to the kitchen.

Rune: The silence was uncomfortable. Downright unbearable and he couldn't think of anything worthwhile to say that wouldn't be met with another denial, another flinch. The same flinch that hadn't left his thoughts since leaving Kelly's house.

The mage sighed, felt for his wallet and sighed again. He should eat. He was here... for some reason. Why didn't Kelly take him to the inn? Why had he taken him at all, and why had he just complied without complaint?

Questions left at the door as he followed quietly into the kitchen.

Kelly/Bobby: “Oh hey,” Bobby greeted as Kelly stepped into the kitchen. He was at the counter putting potatoes through his fry cutter. “Where’d you go?”

“Errand,” said Kelly, gesturing behind him. “This is Rune.”

“Oh!” Bobby’s brow furrowed in confusion for a moment before giving Rune a smile and a nod. “Good to meet you, man.”

“He hasn’t eaten. Mind if he eats in here with you?”

The cook shook his head. “It’s cool. What’ll you have, Rune?”

Kelly excused himself.

Rune: Rune managed a smile, and as with Kelly and Peter, offered his hand to figure out what exactly he was talking to.

Sometimes he wished he hadn't memorized this rote.

"I'm a stray off the streets." In this case, the truth was adjacent. A glance was given to the wolf before dropping his gaze entirely.

"Potato sounds good."

Bobby: Unlike with Kelly and Pete, Rune would find nothing out of the ordinary. Bobby was an ordinary human, in both good health and good spirits.

“Well then you’re in luck! About to fry these up. What you want with them? Got some fish I can fry up for you, got clam chowder, got some leftover clams I can make into a po boy. What are you craving?”

Rune: Rune could have hugged the man had he been more familiar. Nothing against Kelly, but against him completely. A sweet oblivious human was rare in his circles, and to be treasured. Perhaps he was in the wrong for his manner of thinking; little different from a human petting an adorable animal in a pet store.

He wiped at his mouth at the mention of milk. God, please no.

"Salt, pepper, vinegar. How much?"

Bobby: “Ah, worry about that later. Just the fries though, you sure?” Bobby asked as he walked over to the sink and gave his hands a quick wash.

“Not to brag or anything but my po boy making talents are coveted by more than one in this town. Got people trying to steal me away from this place every day.” He nodded toward one of the stools at the counter. “Take a load off.”

Rune: "I'm," he scoffed, shook his head, "so hungry I'm not hungry." That had to make sense to someone who wasn't tortured for the knowledge, surely.

Kelly was right. He needed to eat. Had he gone back to the inn, he would have raided the mini fridge and passed out on the edge of the bed. This was arguably better. Arguably.

Bobby: Bobby nodded sagely. “Dude, I’ve been there. Feels like your stomach is digesting itself. Sucks. But I tell you what. I’m gonna make you these fries and start prep on this sandwich. Guarantee it’ll sound more appealing once your system gets going.”

Rune: "I can take it with me." If he remembered. That is, if he didn't sleepwalk away from his leftovers. Fuck... that might very well be the case.

Rune leaned against the counter, looking around the room as though his solution was somewhere in here. A sigh.

A sense of dread washed over him. Stomach and throat tight and hot. That wasn't the alcohol. An attempt was made to clear his throat.

"Talk to me." Shit. "Um... about this town. Where am I?" he tried to laugh the question off.

Bobby: “Perfect.” He dropped the potatoes in the fryer for their first round, chuckling at Rune’s question.

It wasn’t his first time hearing it by a long shot. Hell, he’d asked it himself more than once.

“You are in Edenton, North Carolina, my friend. It’s not much, just a fishing town, but we’ve got good food and nice beaches.”

Rune: "I saw some... Wayside." Seemed the prettiest place in town, but he was biased for anything nautical-themed.

He looked up, watching the door where Kelly had disappeared. Wondered if he could hear them.

"How long has he been here?"

Kelly/Bobby: “Oh, you staying at the Wayside? Good choice. It’s a real nice place, restaurant’s good too.”

Bobby looked up from the fryer. “Hm? Who?”

Pete’s wasn’t as packed as the Brig, but it was busy enough to keep Kelly occupied and as was his custom, he tuned out everything but the patrons in front of him.

Rune: He had that going for him and had no idea.

"The," knappe mannen beest, "big... fellow. Kelly."

Rune stared at the many bits of linen and paper in his wallet, pulling out the newest crisp twenty, looking to Bobby for confirmation.

Bobby: “Oh, gotcha. Kelly’s been working here about…three years-ish? Somewhere around there.”

Bobby shook his head at the money. “That’s way too much. Wait.” He gave Rune a curious look. “I thought you knew Kelly.”

Rune: So, Peter and Bobby had a consistent timeline. Helped hearing from more than one. Asking the same question again only served as an opening to ask something else.

"Word gets around fast," he scoffed.

Bobby: He shook his head. “It does in a town this size but that’s not why I mention it. Kelly isn’t really what you’d call the social type. He doesn’t have a lot of friends.”

Rune: "That answers if he's always this cheerful."

Rune stared off into space for a moment. The twenty was placed on the counter despite Bobby's protest. He was paying for information. Cheaply.

"Goes hand-in-hand."

Bobby: Bobby chuckled. Rune hadn’t really answered his question but it was fair to assume there was some connection between him and Kelly. Otherwise Kelly wouldn’t have brought him here.

“Pretty much, yeah. He’s prickly but don’t let that fool you. He’s a good guy.”

Rune: He had him hose down in the rain. Brought him into his house. Took care of his clothes. Allowed him a shower. Indulged his persistence. Followed him from one bar to another just to bring him back.

Saying it like that, saying it all together, he was... nice.

Still a prick.

He was staring off into space again.

"Tin man has a heart. Just needs some oil."

But to change the subject, "Smells good."

Bobby: “Believe it or not, what you’re seeing is the Tin Man already oiled. He used to be even pricklier. Downright surly even.”

Bobby beamed with pride as he seasoned the fries and poured them into a basket for Rune. “Damn right it does. Best in town. Eat up.”

Rune: English wasn't his first language. Not even his third, but a few seconds of buffering and Rune smiled, nodding his gratitude for something to eat. The fries could have been absolute trash and he would have moaned.

But what luck, they were perfect.

"What fixed the Tin Man?"

Bobby: “Same thing that fixes everything. Time.” With fries done, Bobby started preparing the clams for Rune’s sandwich.

“Wouldn’t really say he’s fixed though. People aren’t leaky pipes, no one ever gets fixed. He’s just less prickly and speaks in complete sentences now.”

Rune: "I thought therapy and sex fixed everything."

This man, this mortal, he was special, wasn't he? He was... wholesome. Must be the small town mentality.

"Mm."

Bobby: Bobby snorted. “Yeah, those help, too. Doubt someone like Kelly would ever go to therapy though. Doesn’t seem like his thing.”

Rune: "Someone with the same experiences will always be better." But that was just his opinion.

Bobby: “Probably true for a lot of people.” But Kelly? Who could tell, honestly. Man was an enigma and about as forthcoming as a clam.

“Anything you don’t like on your sandwich?”

Rune: "Milk," he snorted. Another glance at the door. This was probably a lost cause. He should head back to the inn and fall asleep with his head over the tub. Maybe a bottle of something strong. He'd certainly earned it.

Bobby: “No milk, copy that,” Bobby chuckled. “I won’t put milk on this. How you feel about mayo and mustard?”

He gave Rune a curious look. Why’d he keep looking at the door? Was he waiting for Kelly to come back?

“Missing someone?”

Rune: "Hmm?" Annoyingly perceptive. Wait, no. He was just thinking. He wasn't missing anything. Or anyone.

"Just mayo." He pointed to a nearby lemon. "And that. You don't have Joppiesaus?"

Bobby: “Dude, I gotta be real, I have no idea what that is.”

But mayo? That he could work with, as well as some lemon juice on the clams as soon as he got them out of the fryer and started to put the sandwich together.

Rune: Bobby was just given an exasperated sigh. Not his fault, but didn't make the cultural differences any less frustrating when it hadn't been his idea.

"Thanks."

Rune crossed the room to the back door to assess the rain.

Kelly/Bobby: The rain had yet to let up, just as Kelly had feared. Calling Tony had been an excuse but he was starting to feel very glad he had as the painkillers he’d taken earlier began wearing off.

When he went to go grab a couple more, he noticed the umbrella still with the rest of his things and realized he hadn’t given it back to Rune like he’d intended. Was the mage even still here? Had to be. No way Bobby was letting him leave without a meal.

Sighing, Kelly entered the kitchen just as the cook was wrapping a sandwich.

“Oh hey,” Bobby greeted.

Rune: Sonofabitch, why had he left the umbrella? Because he thought the rain wouldn't last this long. Just... that. It wasn't his. Maybe hoping Kelly would do exactly what he did.

That was saying too much. That was thinking too much.

But why, of all of the voices in the Wasteland, had he first heard the sound of someone still alive.

Rune was off in his own little world, staring out the door when Kelly returned.

Kelly/Bobby: “Hey,” said Kelly, watching Rune’s back for a moment before crossing to the counter and placing the umbrella on one of the stools without a word.

“There any Gatorade in the fridge?”

Bobby nodded. “Yep and to answer your next question, I did get blue ones. Want a sandwich?”

“Maybe on my break.”

Rune: It was the sound of the umbrella that stole Rune's attention, standing straighter with a soft flinch, looking from the umbrella to its owner.

"What's blue supposed to taste like?"

Kelly/Bobby: Bobby just smiled and shook his head. “They didn’t even bother coming up with a flavor to put on the label. It’s just called ‘cool blue’.”

Whatever it was, it appealed to Kelly. He grabbed a couple of pills from his pocket and downed them.

Rune: "This is where I insert an "Oh, America" joke."

Bobby: “And you’d be right,” Bobby laughed. “We love our artificially colored and flavored beverages. They hit the spot.”

Rune: Rune was staring at Kelly, at where he'd placed his pills, and back to the rain.

"Thanks for the sandwich."

Kelly/Bobby: Kelly, meanwhile, was focusing very intently on the drink in his hand. He didn’t want to catch Rune’s eye lest either he or the umbrella be questioned.

And although the pills had come from Kelly’s pocket, neither he nor Bobby seemed to think very much of it. Casually taking pills in the kitchen seemed rather a common occurrence.

Bobby nodded. “You’re welcome, man. Guarantee you’ll be back for more after trying it.”

Rune: "We'll see."

He looked at the umbrella and back to its owner. Took his wrapped sandwich and tucked under his arm.

The umbrella was taken with some reluctance, unwilling to open indoors. For the last time, he looked at Kelly, wanted to say something... but couldn't imagine anything profound with an audience.

"Goodnight."

Kelly: Only when Rune made to leave did Kelly finally look at him again. The lack of privacy prevented them from speaking openly but would they even if they could?

He didn’t know what to say or if he should say anything at all. A part of him almost resented thinking about that to begin with. He’d done enough, hadn’t he? Rune wasn’t being tossed out with nothing and besides, he could take care of himself.

So why did Kelly feel oddly responsible for him? Just because Rune happened to appear in his yard? That didn’t mean anything.

It didn’t, Kelly repeated in his head as he nodded.

MJ: "What's your favorite?"

Rohan: "White."

MJ: "What kinda white? That uh...chardonnay?"

Rohan: "I do enjoy chardonnay, but I prefer pinot grigio. It's smoother."

MJ: "I don't really know any of that. So, let's try em all."

Rohan: "In that case, we're going to the nearest vineyard. Going to need to pick up some grapes."

MJ: "What. You're supposed t'be the vineyard!" he laughed.

Rohan: "I'm not as good at poofing up things as Xavier is!"

MJ: "I got a trick for ya. I gotta practice on someone anyway."

Rohan: "Oh?" Rohan ducked his head to kiss his vampire. "What trick?"

MJ: "Yeah, it-" MJ smiled into the kiss, seemed dazed for a heartbeat. "Uh, yeah. Do we have wine any - of course we have wine."

Time to get up.

"C'mon."

Rohan: "We're lousy with wine. We just can't steal Christine's, she'll hang us by our thumbs in the garden."

One more kiss and he would let MJ get up.

MJ: "Xavier has a shit ton. I know he does!"

Rohan: "And you're right. He has the most ridiculously huge wine cellar in North America."

MJ: "Well let's go down there n'steal some."

Rohan: "Borrow, puiule, borrow." He took MJ's hand and led him down to the basement.

MJ: "Yeah, sure. That word." His hand was given attention during their descent. Each pad of his fingers given their own little kiss.

Rohan: Rohan smiled at all the affection, taking the first opportunity to pull MJ into another kiss.

"Any particular kind of wine you want to borrow?"

MJ: "Nah. I don't care. Hey, c'mere." Those lips required more of his attention.

Rohan: He was only too happy to oblige, wrapping his arms around MJ's waist to keep him close. "You come here," he whispered against his vampire's lips, wine temporarily forgotten as he let himself get lost in this beautiful man.

MJ: Arms were made comfortable around Ronan's neck. The wine also forgotten by the man sighing into their kiss.

"You're so beautiful," he purred.

Rohan: Rohan hummed in response, kisses migrating to MJ's neck. "I'm no match for you, puiule."

MJ: "Don't be ridiculous." Oh, his neck. He was still sensitive enough to shiver, massaging the back of his neck.

Rohan: He smiled against his vampire's skin, nipping and kissing and nuzzling more, hoping to elicit more shivers. Maybe even one of those soft moans he loved so much.

MJ: Moans which were given freely. Both hands grasped softly at his hair, tugging and combing as a means to keep himself busy.

Rohan: There it is, Rohan thought to himself. He loved those sounds. Those gorgeous, sweet little sounds.

"Beautiful," he murmured, tugging MJ's shirt aside to feast on that lovely spot where MJ's neck met his shoulder. "I have half a mind to take you back to the bedroom."

MJ: "What if I take you in my mouth right here and now?" One hand to the back of his neck, the other reached to cup him. "Lemme have this."

Rohan: Rohan's answering chuckle tapered a soft, barely-there growl at the touch. "Is that what my vampire wants?" he asked, pressing into MJ's hand. "Because there's a very comfortable looking chair right over there we could make use of."

MJ: The growl would have caught his breath in his chest had he been able. What an unexpected sound from the witch. He felt compelled to fall to his knees, but he was right; there was a chair better suited for their activities. Rohan would be carried to it.

"What now, sir?"

Rohan: It was rare, but every time MJ called him 'sir', a special kind of warmth pooled in Rohan's belly. It was almost enough to make him growl again. Almost.

He kissed MJ again as he was taken to the chair, settling in comfortably and taking that beautiful face in his hands, holding him in place for more kisses. "Now, my vampire can take what he wants," he whispered.

MJ: "I gotta undress ya." He kissed him again. "Ya gonna let me, sir?" It hadn't taken long to figure out what that word did to the witch. He used it at every appropriate opportunity for their mutual pleasure. Never around company, of course. It was their own private fetish.

Rohan: This time he couldn't quite manage to keep in the growl, quiet as it was. It, too, would be something kept private between them, something they only indulged when they were in their little bubble.

"Of course I am, puiule." Another kiss, two. "Go as quickly or as slowly as you want."

MJ: "Tell me why ya call me that." Tell me while I undo your belt, your button and zipper. Let me hear your voice while I expose you to the cellar air, kiss and swallow you whole.

Rohan: "It's a Romanian term of endearment." Though Rohan's voice was soft and laced with affection as he watched MJ, his eyes were a different story. They were no less affectionate, no less soft, but they were alight with lust and anticipation. At least until the feeling of MJ's mouth around him closed them.

"It means baby, but simply calling you baby just wouldn't feel the same." His voice was breathier now. "Puiule holds more meaning." Puiule felt closer to his heart.

MJ: Puiule. He'd have to memorize other words for Rohan as a gift. Just thoughts while he sucked down and tickled scrotum. He worshipped this man as he believed he deserved. It was all just spontaneous lust...but something more. He knew Rohan loved him. He knew Victoria would never allow their romance to flourish.

His movements began to slow.

"D'ya wanna fuck me?"

Rohan: MJ's ministrations were rewarded with soft moans and jerky little movements of Rohan's hips as he slipped deeper and deeper into his blissful state. His vampire felt so good around him, so perfect. Rohan could spend hours with him like this and be completely content.

He was thinking about saying as much when he felt something...shift. It was subtle, but it was there.

He opened his eyes, instinctively caressing MJ's cheek with his thumb. "Only if it's what you want as well."

MJ: "I just want ya t'take me."

Rohan: Rohan sat up, bringing MJ in for a lingering kiss. "Let's go back up to the bedroom."

MJ: "Kay. One sec." He was still going to grab one of Rohan's favorites before they returned where they had began.

Rohan: He smiled as MJ grabbed the wine. Even in the heat of the moment, his vampire still thought of him.

Once he'd gotten himself at least halfway decent, he took MJ's hand and led him back up to the room and into their private little bubble, pulling MJ back into his arms the first chance he got.

………………………………………………………..

Q: Q Traxler turned once again to check on the man behind him. His blazer was undone and draped over Luke Graham's shoulders.

"You alright?"

Luke: Luke smiled, Q's gesture seeming to pull him out of his reverie. His mind felt like it was a thousand miles away.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just distracted."

Q: "We don't have to do this tonight if you don't want, babe."

Luke: "No, I do. I need a distraction from my distractions. They're all work related."

Q: "Which work? You're running yourself thin, you know. You sure you want a house party?"

Luke: "Law firm. Been mentally calculating how much of Ryder's workload I'm going to get once he goes on his honeymoon in a couple months." He stopped long enough to tug Q down for a kiss. "I'm sure. It's exactly what I need."

Q: Down he went, plenty content to give as many kisses as Luke required. "Then I'll give you what you need and then some when we get home," he winked. "Just keep Stacey at arm's length. She's a chatty Kathy."

Luke: That earned Q another smile, and another kiss. "Looking forward to it like you wouldn't believe."

"Pfft, don't have to tell me twice. Her two favorite questions to ask me are 'are you rich yet?' and 'are you sure you're gay?'."

Q: "She has an agenda against anything not straight. Hides it behind a sweet smile and "I swear I don't care" attitude."

Luke: "Makes her the worst kind of person. You know she's scared of Stella?" he added with a grin.

Q: "Is she really?" he laughed. "And you don't mind meeting my friend Tane?"

Luke: Luke nodded. "Yep. Stella can and has beaten people up in the past for giving me and Pete shit for liking men. It's a treat to watch."

"No, not at all. June said he's really tall and nice."

Q: "And handsome, and gay, and mature, and can hold his own, and his hugs are the best you'll ever get. Next to mine."

Luke: "He's gay and he has to work near Stacey? I should send the poor guy a condolence card." He chuckled. "They'd have to be pretty amazing to beat yours. You're my sexy teddy bear, remember?"

Q: That word won't belong to me after you meet him. I promise."

Luke: Another stop, another kiss. "We'll see about that, sugar."

……………………………………………………………………………………….

Lawrence: Lawrence Atlas checked his watch for the third time in less than five minutes. He paced towards the tea kettle and back to his account book on the dining table. A page flipped. Back to the kettle. Watch, book, kettle, repeat.

"How long is it until we see the results?" He already knew the answer, but he just wanted to hear it again.

Gina: Lawrence's pacing was making her nervous, but she knew she'd be even more nervous if she got up to pace with him. Better to just stay put and jiggle her leg.

"Just a couple minutes," said Gina. "Are you sure you don't want tea? You keep looking at the kettle."

Lawrence: "I do but I don't know if I want - I prefer coffee. Can you even drink that if you're - probably not. Right?"

Gina: Yes, good, something to do with her hands. "I'll make you coffee." She was already getting up before she'd finished the sentence.

"I can, just very small amounts." 200 milligrams if she remembered correctly. "So herbal tea for me. Chamomile I think."

Lawrence: "Gina." He took her hands and squeezed them. "Is this what you want? If the test comes out positive, are you ready for that?"

Gina: She took a deep breath. She'd been asking herself that very question since she realized she'd missed her period and there were two facts she knew for certain.

"I'm terrified, but...yes." Her voice softened to a whisper. "I think I am. What about you?"

Lawrence: "I...If you - if you're willing to be with me, despite what I am and how I - I came to be... Of course I'm ready."

Gina: Gina brought a hand to his cheek. "Who you are is Lawrence. My Lawrence, who I love. That's what matters to me. I couldn't even imagine being here right now or doing this without you."

Lawrence: "So..." After nearly an hour without, his smile returned. "We're gonna have a baby? Wait - Are we having a baby?" he laughed. "Check the stick-thing."

Gina: Seeing Lawrence smile made Gina relax enough to smile back. Hearing him say that just...

"Oh, lordy. Let's check the pee stick." She walked back over to the table and picked it up, taking a deep breath before looking down at the little screen.

".....Lawrence...."

Lawrence: Well, that was that. "What shall we name him or her? What if we have twins or triplets? Gotta think of multiple names. Colors for the -" the room. "What are...we gonna do with...the room?"

Gina: His questions just washed over her for a moment. She stared at the little window, vision going blurry with tears as she read the word 'pregnant' over and over. It was right there, written in plain English.

"It's going to be our baby's room," she whispered, finally looking up. Her eyes were swimming and her smile was as radiant as the sun. "Our baby. We're having a baby. Lawrence, we're having a baby!"

Lawrence: The more she said it, the brighter Lawrence's expression became. Each equaled a hundred kisses. His heart had flown to the heavens.

"A baby!" he laughed. "Oh my god!" His sweet fiancée was lifted into his arms, brought into his lap as he sat. "Can I do that? Will that - I should get into the habit of not picking you up."

Gina: Although she was now openly weeping, Gina's laugh as she was picked up was pure joy. She hugged her arms tight around Lawrence's neck, still reading the word on the test over and over just to make sure she wasn't dreaming. This was real. They were going to have a baby.

"We'll be okay on it for a while," she sniffled, smiling wide as she kissed him. "When I start showing it might not be a good idea but for now..." She took one of his hands and placed it on her abdomen, holding it there as she twined their fingers. Their baby was in there, probably no bigger than a grain of rice.

Lawrence: "That's ours," he whispered, fascinated by what he couldn't see and yet to feel. "Is that...alright to say and feel right now? I know this is your ordeal and...I don't want to overstep by - I don't know what I'm trying to say."

Gina: She nodded immediately, not feeling or showing an ounce of hesitation. "Ours. Always ours, never just mine, okay? Always ours. Our ordeal, our weird cravings, our pregnancy, our baby grain of rice."

Lawrence: "You already have names in mind, don't you? We need to - I'd like for us to be married before the baby is born. Do you want the baby in the photo? You showing, I mean."

Gina: "A few might've popped into my head," she chuckled, resting her forehead against his.

"I'd like that, too." She'd imagined it more times than she could even count. "And I'd love for the baby to be in the photo. It could be something simple and lovely. Down at the beach maybe, or at the inn."

Lawrence: "So, a beach wedding six months from now, and we also reveal the sex at the reception?" he grinned.

Gina: "To everyone else. I want us to know as soon as possible." She grinned back. "Our little secret."

Lawrence: "Really? You don't want it to be a surprise until then?"

Gina: Gina shook her head. "I want to know right away. Too impatient to wait."

Lawrence: "Then we gotta think of names quick!" he laughed.

Gina: "What are you thinking? Tell me the first names that pop into your head."

Lawrence: "I like...the name Brogan...Brenna...Loreto. I've always liked the name Juna." However long was "always". "What about you?"

Gina: "Brenna," she repeated softly. "I like that. It's very sweet. I've always liked Camilla. Kelly, for a boy. Noelle. Sam."

Lawrence: "Kelly for a boy? That's one of those names like Ashley or Lindsay?"

Gina: "Yep," she said with a nod. "My dad's brother's name is Kelly. He's my favorite uncle."

Lawrence: "Kelly Lawson? Has a nice ring to it, like a lawyer." As did Mason Atlas in his opinion, but he wouldn't say that. "What are we going to do with...her room?"

Gina: "Close, he's an investment banker," she chuckled. "His favorite thing is to meet people who think he's a woman when they hear his name and see their faces when they realize he's a man."

Gina leaned against him. "I want it to be the baby's room. But I don't want the baby to feel like he or she is living in her shadow, but I also don't want to just...push her aside."

Lawrence: "I think we can honor both children. I don't see anything wrong with our baby playing with her toys, or wearing old shoes. It doesn't - it'll be fine, as long as you're alright with it."

Gina: "I don't see anything wrong with it either. Those things should be used. Maybe if the baby uses them, they'll feel less sad." Not that the things themselves would feel sad, although this was the same woman who named (and bonded with) all her kitchen appliances and her car.

Lawrence: Gentle kisses were peppered from ear to ear and to her lips. He wanted her to feel loved and appreciated more now than ever with such a delicate subject.

"Our baby will know about her."

Gina: Gina smiled softly, letting his love wash over her. There would be some sadness and fear and maybe some grief as her pregnancy progressed, but right now there was only joy. Joy and love.

"Thank you," she whispered, wrapping her arms around him and squeezing him tight. "I love you so much."

……………………………………………………………

Q: Q balanced three cocktails with ease as he waded through the familiar faces towards where he had left Tane Lukela and Luke Graham. He knew Stacey would be on the hunt; he knew she would find a way to learn who was dating or fucking or trying to fuck whom.

Two couples passed agonizingly slow, women versus men, forced him to wait. He took the moment to tilt his head up to the setting sun and quietly bake.

Tane/Luke: Luke liked to think he was perfectly equipped to handle Stacey. His poker face was second to none, his suspicion of her general person was always at its peak, and he was just cold and hostile enough to deter her and still somehow manage to be polite. She wouldn't get so much as the damn time from him.

But Tane Lukela? Yeah, Luke was in no way equipped to handle him.

He'd been flustered from the moment Q had introduced them and it only got worse when his pretend boyfriend had gone to fetch them drinks. He felt like he was bright red and radiating heat as he explained what he did for a living.

"Ah, so you're one of the good guys," Tane was saying.

"Yea-yep." Luke nodded. "One of the good guys. Only represent the good people. No bad ones."

Q: Q smiled at the mere sight of them. He loved their natural contrast. Already he wanted to see more...so much more. A friendship was all he hoped for, but given the tint of Luke's cheeks, pleasantries only scratched the surface here.

"Are you that intuitive to know which are honest and which are playing you?"

Drinks were passed around, and a wide flirtatious smile was given to both. Step one into easing them into his scheme.

Tane/Luke: Oh, thank god. Alcohol and Q. Maybe now he could make himself calm down.

Luke took the drink gratefully, forcing himself to sip slowly. Being drunk wouldn't do him any favors right now. "With some people, but others require some looking into." Fuck, don't smile at him like that. There was nowhere they could sneak to for a kiss which, unbeknownst to him, was Tane's exact thought.

Tane returned Q's smile before turning to shifting his attention to Luke again. He was so cute with his blush he was trying to pretend wasn't there. "Looking into?"

"Yeah, we um..." Luke cleared his throat. "We have a P.I. on retainer."

"Seriously? How often do you use them?"

"A couple times a month at least, when there's a case that gets ugly."

Q: "More than the usual scandal, I hope? Can't be the same old same old in Raleigh. Too much military around." He was just going to play off their exchanged glances and that obvious look in Tane's eyes. Best he could do for both of them, he believed, was to play as casually as possible.

"So, we're going back to Hawaii for Tane's birthday. Yours being in September, you know, you should come with us."

Tane/Luke: "Never is." He took another sip. He was already starting to feel a little more composed. "People always find new ways to screw each other over, which would be impressive if it weren't such a pain to deal with."

Luke's face lit. "Hawaii?"

Tane nodded. "Yep, Honolulu. Ever been?"

"Never. I've always wanted to though."

"Then you should absolutely come with us. We're taking Logan, too, hopefully."

The offer got more tempting. "When's your birthday?"

"July 30th."

Q: "If I had it my way, we'd be there until your birthday, but as it is, it'll be for four days. What I /really/ want to do is hop around. Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand. I want a whole month dedicated to it, and then a whole month dedicated to the best places on Earth to snowboard."

Tane/Luke: "A month and a half would be nice, but four days in Hawaii is better than four days pretty much anywhere else."

Tane smiled at that, which made Luke's blush just a little darker. He was definitely flustered. "Exactly. Knew we'd get along."

Just drink, Luke told himself. Drink and try to act like a person. "If you want to snowboard, definitely go to Colorado," he said to Q. "And Canada."

The thought of all that snow and cold made Tane shudder. "You go to Canada, I'll stick to showing you around my homeland and adopted homeland."

Luke blinked. "You're Australian?"

Q: "I'll take Colorado. I was thinking more like Sweden, but you know, I should have something to compare it to. Oh and, you are coming with. No excuses."

Tane/Luke: Tane nodded at Luke and shook his head at Q. "I'll freeze to death and go broke buying dad sweaters!"

Q: "You'll be fine! You'll have us to warm you up." He winked at Luke.

Tane/Luke: Luke? Oh Luke wasn't here anymore. A tomato with blond hair had taken his place. "I take it you're not a fan of the cold?" he asked, voice sounding squeaky and nervous to his own ears.

"Not one bit. I grew up in Hawaii and Australia, dealing with snow is not in my wheelhouse. If I go, I'm going to spend the entire trip inside by a fire with a mug of hot chocolate."

Q: "You'd hate Chicago. Especially in winter. It's just an excuse to wear your best clothes and an even better excuse to strip the one you're with."

Tane/Luke: Tane tried not to smile too much when Luke choked on his drink and coughed at Q's little comment. "My step-dad worked in Chicago when he was younger and he told me his eyelashes got frost on them when he was waiting for the bus in the winter. Fuck that. I'll stick to the warmth."

Q: "I going to have to show you Chicago. If you wanna hide that's fine. Maybe you'd prefer March. Everything becomes green."

Tane: "I'll go anywhere in the spring and summer. Colorado, Canada, Chicago, anywhere. The sun is my friend."

Q: "Then it stinks and you can feel the pollution aging your skin."

Tane: "You can go to the beach and swim and have barbecues and bonfires."

Q: "Getting half-naked and sweaty, dropping wet after a swim."

Q looked Luke over and grinned from ear-to-ear. "Am I being too much, baby?"

Tane/Luke: Tane couldn't help but chuckle when, rather than answer, Luke returned to his lovely crimson shade and downed some more of his drink.

"That looks like a yes," he said, taking a drink himself.

Luke cleared his throat, trying to save face a little. But there were two handsome men smiling at him and flustering him and god, he couldn't get it together. "I'm fine. Totally fine."

Q: Q just smiled on patiently. "Would you be totally fine if I kissed you right here and now?"

Luke: "Not with our current audience." And he didn't mean Tane. There were four judgy people just in his line of sight.

Q: "What if weeee were to excuse ourselves from the party in a few minutes?"

Tane/Luke: Luke blinked. Glanced to Tane. Tane put two and two together. Luke blinked again.

"Seriously?" he asked, feeling the sudden need to look around for Stacey and make sure she couldn't hear. So much for his poker face.

Q: Q's tone remained as calm as ever, though with flecks of lighthearted libidinous still present. "Only if you want to, if everyone is comfortable. We don't have to do anything you don't want, baby."

Tane/Luke: There was a certain deer-in-headlights look in Luke's eyes that tugged at Tane. Something was making him nervous, and it wasn't the notion of taking a private moment with Q.

"She won't bother you," he heard himself say as he caught Stacey's voice somewhere in the crowd. His own had gone reassuring and gentle. "Her attention can be focused elsewhere."

Q: "We all arrived as friends, and we're all leaving as friends. That's all she has to know." She had made mountains out of less material, but that wasn't something Q cared about in the least.

Tane/Luke: "And if he tries to say something or stick her nose where it doesn't belong, we'll have Charmaine's little sister Mira say something mean to her." He pointed toward the other side of the room. "She's right over there flirting with that Jason Bourne look-a-like."

That got a smile out of Luke.

Q: The escort laughed. "Yeah. We'll use Mira. Super effective and devastating attack." He wanted to touch Luke, to give him the usual assurance as he would in private.

Tane/Luke: Tane smiled. He could see Luke start to relax, even if it was only a little. "She takes after her Uncle Glenn. She's a third his size but she's just as scary in that really quiet way." The perfect deterrent against Stacey and her big mouth.

"She is scary," Luke said, chuckling softly. It was one of the things he liked best about her. "I'm okay, really."

Q: Stacey, at least in this moment, seemed harmless as she chased her child around the yard yelling, "I'm going to get you!" She wasn't all bad, just a gossip. A really fucking annoying gossip, but her faults were few.

"Smells like the crab boil is almost done. Ever had that before? You know, grab and potato and corn on the cob in one pot?" He grinned at both. "Maybe Tane, but not you."

Luke: Luke grinned back. "I did grow up here, remember? If it has a shell and it came out of the ocean, I've had it cooked a thousand different ways."

Q: "But you're my posh lawyer. There's not a dirty bone in you."

Luke: Now there was a laugh. "Before I was a posh lawyer I was a squeamish kid who used to hide in his brother's lap when fishing with our dad so I wouldn't see the fish guts."

Q: "That's so adorable and also makes my point," he laughed.

Luke: "There are no fish guts today though," Luke chuckled. "I'm fine as long as I can't see or smell them."

Q: "But you're cracking into their hand! They needed those for eating! You're a monster," he teased. He figured Luke was one squeamish moment away from being one of those vegan people.

Tane/Luke: Hearing Tane chuckle made Luke smile even more. "They're chilling out in crab heaven, they're totally fine!"

Q: "You can justify your eating their insides. You're more devious than I imagined!"

Luke: "Oh, yeah. The most devious, posh family lawyer in all North Carolina."

Q: "And you're mine."

Luke: And there went that blush again, this time accompanied by a ridiculous smile that Luke tried to hide by ducking his head.

Q: "What's that? You're hiding from me?"

He stepped closer, but not to touch him with his mouth. That would be too much for their setting. Instead, he whispered in his ear how much he wanted him, how much he wanted to kiss every inch of blush.

He looked into Tane's eyes and winked.

Tane/Luke: "Not from you," he managed, smile obvious even in his voice. He was hiding from everyone else, not wanting to draw any attention to their little corner of the party.

Of course, there was no telling how Luke was going to be able to avoid that with all the lovely, swoon-worthy things Q was whispering to him. He wished with every fiber of his being that they were in an invisibility bubble so he could snuggle into his pretend boyfriend's arms and kiss him.

Tane chuckled silently over Luke's shoulder. "You're flustering him," he mouthed to Q.

Q: Oh, I know, Q thought. I bet you could fluster him just as easily.

Ignorance was bliss, thanks to an elegant past lover, no idea that he possessed an innate preternatural talent. The very same power which could have inflicted Tane Lukela since night one.

"Do you really want to stick around for under seasoned food, or do you want to feign a headache and have us walk you home?"

Tane/Luke: "I thought there was no such thing as under-seasoned in the south," Tane mused, eying the food table suspiciously.

"You'd be surprised." Luke cleared his throat, finally lifting his face. It was very much red. "It's tempting. I could feed us properly seasoned food. Got some mahi at the market I was planning to grill."

Q: "Now that sounds like a party I want to be a part of." An extrovert though he was, time spent with Luke was spent as though paid. His happiness and satisfaction were still very much a priority. He wanted Tane to be a part of Luke's life.

"You do that, and maybe...maybe I'll put on a show for you...both."

Tane/Luke: Tane quickly nodded in agreement. "You had me at mahi. Not enough places around here serve it." Plus, he was curious to see what Luke was like when he was in an environment he felt confident and secure in.

Luke's brows shot up in surprise. "Is that code for a strip tease in my living room?"

Q: "Is that something Mr. Graham would like from me?"

Luke: Ordinarily yes, but Q had said 'both' so...

"....Perhaps. Perhaps."

Q: "What are the conditions required for a yes?"

Luke: "No conditions, just...mulling."

Q: "You don't have to do anything you don't want to, baby."

Luke: Luke nodded. "I know," he said, smiling softly.

Q: "Tane has been a surprise I've been debating for you for a while now." He smiled to Big T, gentle and, as the bouncer would probably recognize, loving. His attention returned to the lawyer, fingers brushed over his hand as he took his glass from him.

"I'll get refills."

Tane/Luke: Of course Tane recognized that smile. It was one of the many, many things he loved about Q, and he would always give one back in kind when he was gifted with it.

Meanwhile, the look of flustered embarrassment on Luke's face had been replaced by one of, well, surprise.

Tane was a surprise? For him? Did Tane know he was a surprise? Even if he didn't, he seemed perfectly fine with it. He was still smiling and friendly. That was probably a good sign, right?

He nodded at Q while the conga line of questions danced through his head. "Okay. Thank you." He turned to Tane. "So...you're...."

"Your surprise," Tane said softly, smiling at Luke in his gentle, soothing way. He hadn't known beforehand but as Luke surmised, he was perfectly fine with it. "Is that okay?"

You're giant and gorgeous. Of course it's okay. "I--yes."

Q: Q took his sweet time in the kitchen, watching them every once in a while from the open window. They were unique. The contrasts between them didn't negate either man. He wouldn't always be what Luke Graham needed. Someday he would have to move on. Tane Lukela was the only man he could think of worthy of his company. He knew he would treat him preciously, like the gift he was. Watching them, it was already apparent that his assumption had been accurate.

Small talk redirected his attention. He allowed it, and allowed himself to relax.

Tane/Luke: Even though he was starting to relax, what remained of Luke's nerves still made Tane smile. He'd never met a lawyer this soft and cute before, and yet he couldn't help but think that not everyone got to see this side of Luke, or even knew it existed. He struck Tane as a very private person and that just tugged at him in some kind of way.

"What Q said still holds up, you know. Surprise or not. You don't have to do anything you don't want to or anything that makes you feel uncomfortable."

Luke nodded again. He hadn't needed it, but the reassurance was still nice. And appreciated. "Thanks for that."

"No need to thank me. It's a given, always will be. For me and for Q." Another smile. "He cares about you a lot, and I can tell you care for him."

A warm tingle settled in Luke's chest. "I do."

Q: Q slowly began to make his way back. Every sectioned crowd was given a greeting and his input. Those outside by the giant pot were assisted in cutting up a new batch of potatoes with his pocket knife. A beer was chugged with the most heavy drinking competitive. Finally, he made his way over.

"What did I miss?"

Tane/Luke: This time around, Luke wasn't nearly as anxious for Q to return as he had been the last time. Which wasn't to say he wasn't keeping an eye out for him, waiting for his warm, comforting presence to make itself known again. Still, it was a good testament to Tane's powers of distraction and innate ability to set people at ease.

He even managed to make Luke laugh. He was still patting himself on the back for it when Q came back to them. "Not much. I was just telling Luke about how my brother Derek scarred me for life literally and metaphorically with the frisbee."

Q: "Oh, that story. You're going to have to get over it, Big T. I'm going to throw one at you every day until you chill. That's what's going to happen."

Tane: "I already did!" he chuckled. "When I played with you and Logan. I even caught it a couple times."

Q: "You still flinched."

Tane/Luke: "But I still caught it!"

Luke couldn't help but smile. He just couldn't imagine this giant man flinching,

Q: "I'll show you later, Luke. It's fucking adorable and yet you want to make it worse and do it again."

Tane/Luke: Tane gasped in sheer, dramatic betrayal and Luke lost his battle with his giggle.

"It is not!" said Tane. "I am not adorable when I'm ducking from rogue frisbees."

Q: "Luke will be the judge of that later," he nodded.

Tane: "Luke is gonna be Logan today because I will hide behind him if you throw the frisbee hard on purpose just to make me flinch."

Q: "Luke will know that getting out of the way is good for you."

Luke: "Luke also has a healthy fear of getting hit in the face," Luke chuckled. "But I will simultaneously protect and help provide exposure therapy."

Q: "You're going to protect him? Tell me how. I want it all."

Luke: "I may be a ref now but once upon a time on my college team I played goal keeper. I'm very good at blocking foreign objects coming at me."

Q: "Are you going to reach the top of his head? Maybe if he ducked. He does that often." Oh, he was grinning from ear-to-ear.

Tane: Tane was squinting at Q. "You're enjoying this far too much." He was definitely going to have to do something about that later.

Q: "What are you going to do about it?" Tell me in front of Luke.

Tane/Luke: A smiled tugged at the corner of Tane's mouth. "Not entirely sure buuuuut…..that ass of yours is very bite-able."

Luke inhaled sharply.

Q: Q smiled knowingly, breathed slowly. "What do you think, Luke? Any truth to that?"

Luke: You would think by now Luke would've relaxed and gotten his blushes under control, but that wasn't the case.

His face was still very much red as he gave a jerky nod. "Mhmm." He didn't trust himself to speak.

Q: "What's the matter, baby?" Q tilted his head, completely innocent.

Luke: He just smiled and shook his head. "Nothin'." Ah ha, he found his voice! "Nothin' at all."

Q: "What's good, then?"

Luke: "Ah, well...Tane's suggestion has merit. A lot of merit."

Q: "Want a demonstration?"

Luke: He gave a slow nod. Not hesitant, just slow.

Q: "Want to go home?" A question asked to both men.

Tane/Luke: Another nod from Luke, along with a smile from Tane. "Let's go have ourselves some seasoned food."

Q: "You know the way to my house." His keys were given to Luke. "Going to say goodbye to our host and explain how so very ill you are, and we need to take care of you."

Luke: "I do," Luke said as he took the keys. If his smile got any bigger his face was going to start to hurt. If anyone believed he was really feeling sick, it would be a miracle. "Just gonna have to stop by my house to grab the food so I can feed you both."

Q: "Take Tane with you. I'll meet you there."

Tane: "You sure?" Tane asked.

Q: "He won't bite unless you want him to."

Tane: He laughed. "I meant about walking all the way back."

Q: "I'll be fine. Promise."

Tane: "All right." Since he couldn't give Q the kiss he wanted to give him in their current setting, he simply gave him a smile that promised one soon. "Come on, Luke, let's go get the food."

………………………………………

MJ: The expensive bottle of wine had almost fallen to the floor, rescued in the last possible second. The vampire exhaled and set it safely aside.

"Are ya sure ya wanna?" The idea had been planted by no other, but it had been a heat of the moment suggestion.

Rohan: Rohan inhaled sharply the moment the bottle slipped out of MJ's hands, exhaling in the same fashion and chuckling as it was caught. They'd narrowly escaped a lecture from Xavier about the carpet.

He smiled at his vampire. "I'm sure. Are you?"

MJ: "I...It's - I'm dead, Ro. I don't...understand. Xavier tried t'explain that I - I dunno what m'sayin'."

Rohan: "You are but you're not." MJ was given a gentle kiss. "It's all right if you change your mind, either now or during. We'll start slow and if you want to stop, we'll stop."

MJ: That sounded reasonable. Of course. Solutions were quicker from the witch than with himself. Answers which saved everyone. And those kisses.

"I wanna be...naked with ya."

Rohan: You like the kisses? Have another, beautiful vampire. "As you wish, puiule," he whispered, locking the door and leading MJ over to the bed.

"Want me to do the honors?"

MJ: "So long as I get t'undress ya." So satisfying it was to peel away his clothes like an ugly second skin for something so appealing.

Rohan: His smile radiated with affection for the man before him. "I would never dream of refusing you."

Rohan stepped within his vampire's reach, taking the liberty of removing his shoes before allowing those lovely cool hands to roam everywhere they wished.

MJ: This was a favorite ritual of his. To slide his hands underneath Rohan's shirt, allowing him to siphon his chill before removing the barrier altogether.

"Ro..."

Rohan: Rohan hummed softly at that initial difference in temperate, smile slowly growing as MJ's evened out with his own. He lifted his arms obligingly so his vampire could remove his shirt and stole another kiss before asking, "Yes?"

MJ: "Do you ever think 'bout anyone else?"

Rohan: "In the same way I think about you?" Rohan shook his head as he kissed MJ's shoulder. "No."

MJ: "Not...ever?" He cupped his face and leaned away enough to study his expression.

Rohan: MJ would find nothing but sincerity, and perhaps a bit of curiosity. "Not since the day I met you."

MJ: "The day I came in here all bloody n'crazy?"

Rohan: He nodded. "That day."

MJ: "But..." I was a catastrophe. "Are we... What are we?"

Rohan: A thumb caressed MJ's jaw. "I suppose you could say we're dating or simply....together. Together has a nice ring to it. But what do you want us to be?"

MJ: He leaned into his hand and quietly debated. He knew his instinct.

"Like...a... Ya know like...when ya smoke, or drink, orgasm or pop a pill. That high like... it's not all perfect, but, life ain't shit anymore? S'what it's like with ya. I wanna keep it, but I know the high goes away."

Rohan: "Eventually, perhaps." The perhaps was very important in this scenario. Even if MJ wasn't ready for something permanent or didn't want to label whatever was between them, Rohan wasn't planning on going anywhere anytime soon.

"But not now. Not for a long time," he whispered, nuzzling his beautiful vampire's cheek.

MJ: "N'ya still wanna..." Those kisses were distracting, simple though they were. "...Ya still wanna...have sex with me? Real sex?"

Rohan: Rohan nodded. "I do, but still only if that's what you want too."

MJ: "N'ya don't see it as...as..."

Rohan: He shook his head. "I don't."

MJ: "Then...finish undressin' me. Please."

Rohan: MJ was given a soft smile and one of those kisses he loved so much as Rohan pulled him close. He wanted every bit of his vampire in reach while he eased his shirt off, while he undid his jeans, while he lavished every inch of exposed skin with affection.

Rohan was going to take his time and take great care with the precious man in his arms. He wanted tonight to be as pleasurable for MJ as possible.

MJ: Bare skin, pale, dusted with the occasional dark freckle. A mole over his rib.

He wanted to give Rohan similar treatment, but he wanted to wait. He wanted to be completely nude before offering the same to his witch. It felt... submissive.

Rohan: Every one of those freckles was given loving, lingering attention, as was that sweet little mole. As was all of MJ.

Rohan's lips followed MJ's jeans as he slid them down the vampire's legs, and once they had been tossed away, the process was repeated with MJ's boxers until at last there was nothing between him and all that lovely skin. He would slowly work his way back up MJ's body, pausing briefly at his groin to press a soft kiss just above the base of his shaft.

MJ: No one had ever made him feel so feminine. No one had been given the opportunity. Not even Peter Graham, the man he believed to be his and his alone.

What an inappropriate time to think about the man that had broken his heart.

Rohan was suddenly held around his shoulders, face nuzzled into his neck.

Rohan: The sudden movement took Rohan by surprise. For half a second he expected and prepared for MJ to tell him to stop, that it was too much and that he'd changed his mind. But then his vampire was simply holding him.

"It's all right, puiule," he murmured, arms immediately coming up to hold MJ close, to offer reassurance and comfort and affection. "I've got you. It's just you and me. I've got you."

MJ: "M'alright," he muttered. "Don't need t'talk t'me like that. M'not gonna break." Not yet, anyway. Not by this.

Rohan: Rohan nodded and kissed MJ's shoulder, hands rubbing over his back for both the pleasure of feeling his skin and to reassure.

MJ: "Ya feel so warm," he marveled at the differences in their skin. "Aren't ya hot all the time?"

Rohan: He chuckled softly. "Only in the summer. All other times I'm comfortable, even when it's cold. I have that thick Romanian blood."

MJ: "Show off." What would Rohan do with fangs teased against his throat, with the obvious arousal against his thigh? How would he feel to the deliberate breaths against his skin...

Rohan: How would he feel in the face of so many signs of MJ's attraction and arousal?

Absolutely divine.

Rohan gave an appreciative little hum, hold tightening around MJ so he could feel more of him. That beautiful face required kisses, as did that shoulder. And that perfectly sculpted ass? Well that needed a loving squeeze.

MJ: Rohan must have known that such a hold made him feel secure, protected from that which was within. It would do nothing against Victoria, he assumed. He was mistaken. The stronger he felt, the less control she could wield.

"Tighter."

Rohan: If MJ wanted to be held tighter then Rohan would practically fuse them together. He'd lower him to the bed and all but wrap around him as he covered him with kisses.

MJ: No one. Not one man or woman had ever - he must have repeated that thought a hundred times.

He hadn't given Peter a chance to.

"Just...um... If we, uh, do this...are ya gonna be rough, or...?"

Rohan: Rohan shook his head. "No, puiule. If we do, it's going to be nice and easy. I want you to be comfortable."

MJ: "How do you want me. Like this on my back?"

Rohan: "For now, yes." They could change positions later if MJ preferred or needed it. They had all the time in the world and Rohan intended to use it all. MJ deserved for his first time being with someone like this to be special, for the person he chose to be gentle and thorough and put his pleasure and comfort above all else and Rohan was immensely honored to be that person.

"I'm going to prep you first. We'll go slow, I promise."

MJ: "Ya -Ya don't gotta - Ya ain't gotta be gentle. I mean...m'not gonna cry. Not much can hurt me, so..." A tough front, unwarranted bravery in the face of sex. He wondered...if Peter would be this caring. He wondered if Fletcher Goodman had been careful with him.

Rohan deserved better.

"Are ya sure ya want me? Are ya sure - Why me? I'm trash."

Rohan: "I'm sure, puiule," Rohan murmured, pulling MJ into a kiss and pouring himself into it. It was far more eloquent than anything he could ever say.

You're the farthest thing from trash there is. You're good. You're beautiful. You mean the world to me and I want you so much.

MJ: Naked and vulnerable, MJ involuntarily mewled into their kiss. Safe, he chanted. He was safe here. This man loved him. This man...

He kissed his jaw and fiddled with the witch's hair.

"If we're a thing, are - Ya won't...ever...cheat, will ya? Just be honest. I can take it." He couldn't.

Rohan: That was the sweetest sound he'd ever heard his vampire make and it made every single fiber of Rohan's being clench with feeling.

He nuzzled MJ's cheek, kissed it. "Never. I'm yours, MJ. Only yours."

MJ: He'd told Peter to move on, so it hadn't been cheating.

No, he'd come back. Peter had every opportunity to tell him. He hadn't. He lied.

He deserved it for having Victoria inside him.

When had his eyes glazed pink with tears he couldn't say. He didn't realize.

"Promise?"

Rohan: More kisses were placed on MJ's lips, his face, his hair. It broke Rohan's heart to see him cry.

"On my life."

MJ: MJ covered his face when he realized what had happened. A soft growl of frustration followed.

"Sorry." Man the fuck up.

Rohan: "Don't apologize." So many more kisses, for distraction and affection and everything in between.

MJ: "You're too sweet," he grumbled.

Rohan: He smiled against MJ's skin. "No such thing when it comes to you."

MJ: "See! There ya go again!"

Rohan: Rohan would simply continue to smile and lavish affection on MJ every which way he possibly could.

MJ: "Stooooop," he whined, laughing a moment later.

Rohan: Ah, there it was! That lovely laugh he didn't get to hear nearly enough of.

He finally lifted his head, smile triumphant. "Stop? As you wish! My kisses will be locked away!"

MJ: "Good." No, no not good at all. Now it was his turn to lovingly assault his beautiful witch with kisses from his face to his neck to his shoulder.

Rohan: MJ would be immediately rewarded with soft, appreciative hums as Rohan melted into the affection. He'd never get his fill of those lips and those kisses. They were just too perfect, and the only way he could think to communicate that was sneaking in some more affection of his own. MJ's chest was right there, after all. It would be positively criminal not to love on it.

………………………………..

MJ/Lawrence: MJ held his arms around Rohan's head and breathed him in. His shampoo, his natural scent, the subtlety of the wine cellar.

Lawrence looked over the list for what felt like the hundredth time. Things they would need. Things they would want. When they would need to see the doctor, and the pros and cons of leaving his home with Mason Atlas.

Rohan/Gina: Whatever MJ did, if he was within easy reach he was going to be held tight and lavished with all the love Rohan could possibly give him.

Gina watched Lawrence stare at his paper, imagining she could see the wheels turning in his head. It was a good long time before she said, "If you look at that list any harder you're going to burn a hole in it."

Lawrence: "Hmm?" He managed to tear his eyes away to look at her.

Gina: She smiled. "Where are you?"

Lawrence: "Finances, months ahead of us." He tapped his pen over the last of his tasks. Possibly moving out of Cameron.

"I don't want you to have to see him."

Gina: "I haven't in months." She didn't have to ask who Lawrence meant. "Something tells me I'm a subject he avoids like the plague. Maybe even more so now."

Lawrence: "Mason doesn't hate you."

Gina: Gina gave him a disbelieving look.

Lawrence: "He has no reason to. You didn't influence Callum. With you or not that man doesn't care about me."

Gina: She reached for Lawrence's hand and held it to her cheek. "That's his loss. You're wonderful. Possibly the most wonderful human being ever."

Lawrence: Her fiancé smiled. "You're just putting a daisy chain on the truth."

Gina: "No daisy chains. Just the truth." She kissed his palm. "What else is on your list?"

Lawrence: "I need to rethink and...or...expand my career. I want to be on the right foot for this."

Gina: Gina smiled. He really was the most wonderful man she'd ever met.

"You already are. Tell me what you're thinking. Your career has to be a source of happiness. Or it should be anyway."

Lawrence: "Notary is Mason's job, his life, a source of satisfaction. It's not difficult to maintain, but I'm not also a contract demon. I love...domestic work."

Gina: She considered for a moment. "Could I run something by you? If it's too weird you can absolutely say no."

Lawrence: He gestured for her to continue, sitting back in his chair.

Gina: "What if you worked at the inn? Supervising the cleaning staff?"

Lawrence: "Is that - Is that something you actually want?"

Gina: "I've been thinking about it for a while. I just didn't know if you would like the idea or think it was too weird but....I would love it if we ran the inn together. It's going to be our inn now. Not just mine."

Lawrence: "I don't want you to feel obligated or compelled to share with me. I don't want to take away your independence. This is yours and I don't want you to write me in any documentation."

Gina: "I don't and you aren't. I own a business and a home and a car, my independence is well established." She leaned over to kiss him. "I'm offering because I want to."

Lawrence: "So... you want me to be the housekeeping manager? And who is right now?"

Gina: "Would you be interested? Mary-Beth Carter is right now, but she gave notice nearly two weeks ago since she got a new job in Kitty Hawk."

Lawrence: "She moved? Where has my mind been..."

Gina: "Not properly. She's been moving slowly over the past few weeks instead of doing it all at once."

Lawrence: He resisted the urge to ask if she needed assistance. With a child on the way, such good will would have to take a backseat. To an extent.

"...Alright. Yes, then. But if and when you're done with me, say so."

Gina: "Yay!" Gina gave him another kiss and squeezed him tight. "I could never be done with a man who attacks a dirty oven with the white-hot passion of a thousand suns."

Lawrence: To that he actually laughed. "To think I found a woman with as much passion for cleaning as I have."

Gina: "It's so satisfying!" she chuckled. "And dinner's more fun when we have dance parties with the kitchen clean up afterward."

Lawrence: "We're an 80’s movie about coming of age."

Gina: "We are. All we need is ridiculous hair and denim jackets."

Lawrence: "I'll have you know denim jackets are cool."

Gina: She chuckled again. "Sweetie, you might be the only person who can pull one off."

Lawrence: "And men with long hair, with tassels on the sleeves."

Gina: "You could pull of those too. And aviator sunglasses and saying 'bitchin' every other sentence."

Lawrence: "What kind of image have you made of me?"

Gina: "It's forming as we speak," she laughed. "We should have 80's themed costumes for Halloween."

Lawrence: "What will you be?"

Gina: "Madonna."

Lawrence: "Pointy breasts and everything?"

Gina: She laughed. "Yep! Although by that point it'll be a little difficult to pull it off."

Lawrence: "A pregnant Madonna. You'll be fine!"

Gina: "That's one word for it," she said with another laugh. "You know, I bet there really is a maternity size Madonna costume that exists."

Lawrence: "You could be a victim from the Alien films, too."

Gina: "Ooh, I could! Or Ripley!"

Lawrence: "The best part of being pregnant is going to be Halloween, isn't it?" he laughed.

Gina: Gina grinned. "Absolutely. I get to eat all the chocolate I want!"

Lawrence: "How..." He shouldn't be shy about the subject, but he was. "...How many complications did you experience the first time?"

Gina: It was understandable, considering her history. She squeezed his hand. "None with my actual pregnancy. I had anemia but so did my mama when she was pregnant with me."

Lawrence: "Anemia. What - What does that entail while pregnant?"

Gina: "It basically means I'm not producing enough healthy red blood cells for me and the baby, so my doctor had me take iron tablets and vitamin B12."

Lawrence: Nodding, the pad and pen were take once more to write what she said.

Gina: "Oh, also folic acid and ginger since I had pretty severe morning sickness which was partially what caused the anemia."

Lawrence: "I'll look into pregnant friendly foods with the highest iron content. Probably dark leafy greens."

Gina: She smiled. "Yep, that's what I ate. All I wanted was spinach salad with strawberries. And lobster rolls."

Lawrence: "You can have lobster?"

Gina: "Yep, in moderation."

Lawrence: "I feel...like being alive for a lifetime could have come in handy at this time."

Gina: "Pregnancy is a weird and complicated topic. Even people who have been alive for a lifetime have plenty to learn."

Lawrence: "Is that...Does that bother you any?"

Gina: Gina shook her head. "Not one bit. There was a lot I didn't learn before that I'm excited to learn with you. Not just about pregnancy but raising a baby, too."

Lawrence: "And...what about other things? Things like what I am and behind the veil?"

Gina: She shook her head again. "What you are has never bothered me, the things beyond the veil don't bother me. All that matters to me is that we're together and we love each other and that we communicate. I always want us to be able to communicate."

Lawrence: "I understand that you were taken aback by my big reveal, but you don't miss what I was? Is this," his face to which he gestured, "actually alright?"

Gina: Her face softened as she smiled. "This," she said, lifting a hand to his face, "is absolutely beautiful. You look different but you're still you. You still /feel/ like you. My Lawrence."

Lawrence: Lawrence softly blinked, stunned by her positivity and acceptance. This woman gave more than his own - no. He didn't want that thought like a plague rotting his future. If he did, he knew he'd also think of her own, wherever her soulmate was.

"I'm robbing someone of you."

Gina: "I really don't think you are. Call it a gut feeling."

Lawrence: "You're just saying that, Ginnie."

Gina: "If I didn't believe it, maybe. But I do believe it. I don't think I have a supposed soulmate out there. I believe you're it for me. You're the love of my life, the father of our child, and soon my husband."

Lawrence: "I wish I had your kind of belief. It's beautiful, like faith."

Gina: She smiled, kissing his knuckles. "Maybe one day you'll have it, too. Babies bring faith and belief."

Lawrence: "I'm going to be a father," he mused. Smile slowly returned to light his features. "I want to forget - forget why I exist and give myself a new reason. You."

Gina: "Yeah, you are." More kisses were given to his hand and then his face. She was so very grateful he existed. "Not just me anymore, sweetheart." She placed his hand over her belly again. "Don't forget little name-to-come."

……………………………………………

Q: Q felt his pocket for the second time as he wound the sidewalk leading up to the apartments. He hadn't expected to see his Tracker under his personal carport. They had real chemistry, and his expectations for their budding relationship was high. High enough to offer his own body for their mutual pleasure. Who knew? Maybe Tane would realize he would never find true love with a prostitute. He would have to wait and see.

Tane/Luke: The trip to his house and then to Q's wasn't nearly as awkward as Luke had (briefly) been afraid it was going to be. They made small talk, Luke gave Tane a tour of the first floor of Pete's house, he introduced him to Midas. All with only a couple of moments of silence. Definitely something to be proud of.

When Q entered his apartment, he'd find Tane dutifully playing sous chef while Luke prepped their meal. Luke was blushing something fierce and Tane had a distinctly amused look on his face that Q was sure to recognize as the one he wore when saying random and scandalous things to make someone laugh.

Q: Q had quietly shut the door behind himself. Not wanting to surprise, but wanting to have a better study of the two without their notice. This was Tane and Luke without his influence, and he liked what he saw.

"Whatever he said, it's probably true."

Tane: Tane looked over when he heard Q's voice, grin still in place. "It is. I'm telling him about that really really drunk lady at that bachelorette party who hit on both of us, Stacey, some random girl, and then the boss. Remember, she was yelling everything she wanted us to do and thought she was whispering?"

Q: "Ah, yeah. I've never seen her since. I think she's too embarrassed to ever show her face again."

Luke: "I would be too," Luke muttered, trying to compose himself. "I'd probably never leave my house again."

Q: "Don't say shit like that. I will come up with horrific ways to embarrass you in public. I'll fall to my knees and kiss your ass."

Luke: "I'll spontaneously combust. You wouldn't make me spontaneously combust."

Q: "I will if the spirit grabs me," he grinned.

Luke: Have a puppy dog look.

Q: He would have it, and he would dare kiss those lips in front of Tane. Soft, slow, deliberate. What would Tane think? feel?

"Just like that," he purred. "The spirit grabbed me."

Tane/Luke: The spirit had made Luke's entire face and probably his body go bright red and immediately burrow into the crook of Q's neck to hide. From the embarrassment? From Tane? Who knew.

But if Luke was worried about Tane, he needn't have been. The reaction to that kiss had to be one of the sweetest, most intimate things he'd ever witnessed, and he felt strangely...moved by it.

Q: Arms wound their way around Luke's shoulders, swaying him in an effort to coax a laugh or smile. He turned them just so to lay eyes on the bouncer, locking eyes with an interest in his thoughts and compulsions.

Tane/Luke: Q succeeded. It wasn't a laugh, but Q would definitely be able to feel a smile against his skin.

Tane was looking on with a soft smile, one that just got softer when he met Q's gaze. What he was seeing there was a lot of trust from Luke. Trust that he would be able to hide against Q, that Q would hold him and make him feel safe. It was beautiful to see. So much so that a part of him wondered what it would be like to experience it for himself.

But he and Luke weren't there yet. Developing that trust took time and they'd only just met.

Q: Trust was part of his job. It had been since his first hundred dollars. Trust to be clean, appropriate, skilled, the perfect pseudo boyfriend. But Luke was more than a client. He had been since before the checks stopped flowing. He didn't know what to call them.

"So," he whispered, "dinner, yeah? You're teaching him how to be a proper chef?"

Luke: Luke nodded. It was so tempting to just stay snuggled against Q; it was by far his favorite place to be.

"Yeah. He's a decent chef already."

Q: "Is he now?" he chuckled. "He sure fooled me."

Tane: "Hey," said Tane. "I'm an excellent sous chef and part time chef."

Q: "What have you ever made me besides breakfast?"

Tane: "Shrimp, in many ways. Sometimes with rice."

Q: "Your Hawaiian is showing."

Luke: Ah, what was that? A giggle from a certain lawyer who had yet to emerge from hiding?

Q: Oh, that noise. He wanted more of it. He would take it by loving force, tickling at his ribs without mercy.

"What was that noise? Did that come outta here?"

Tane/Luke: Luke was helpless to stop the flood of giggles caused by such a loving assault, or to keep from squirming in a half-hearted effort to get away.

Just like Tane was helpless to stop the smile from splitting his face in half. It was official. Luke Graham was the most adorable lawyer in the world.

Q: Once Luke seemed too exhausted to resist, he was lifted into his arms by his ass. He loved hearing this man laugh. He loved being the cause just as much.

"No room on the counter for you. Guess you're trapped in my arms."

Tane/Luke: Luke all but wrapped himself around Q, nuzzling in even further as Tane's expression went all soft and melty again.

It wasn't just trust that Luke had with Q; it was complete trust. Luke could relax and be vulnerable and maybe even forget Tane was there because he knew Q wouldn't drop him.

"Guess I am," Luke said happily.

Q: Luke would hear a soft chuckle in his ear, followed by a trail of kisses down his neck. Precious man. He needed to be protected for when he'd no longer be around. Hence Tane Lukela.

Time to give the neglected Tane some attention.

"What stage are you guys on? Need help, Big T?"

Tane: Tane tore his mind away from the sweetness that was Luke and smiled at Q.

"We're nearing the end. Need to get a grill pan going and marinate the fish."

Q: "You'll be the first to use any of that stuff. You know what I eat on the daily."

Tane: "Yes I do. You and Logan are on the same level cooking wise."

The grill pan was placed on the stove before he went to grab the fish from the fridge.

Q: "I beg to differ. She can actually bake. I make smoothies."

Tane: "That's still amazing to me. We both watched her make a full fledged baked Alaska and burn pasta in the same day."

Q: "She's quite the catch." Just like the man in his arms. He deserved another kiss and sweet nothings whispered in his ear.

Tane/Luke: "Yes she is." He looked over in time to see the affectionate exchange and it made him smile once more.

Luke had braved enough to return Q's kisses, albeit in a much more demure way than he usually would. There was a big part of him that wanted to say screw food and just stay right where he was, but that would be rude.

Q: "So, before...you agreed with something Big T said. Do you remember what that was?"

Luke: Luke's blush returned as he nodded.

Q: "Why don't you tell me."

Luke: He would, but he'd whisper it very softly, so only Q would be able to hear.

"That your ass is biteable."

Q: "Do you want to see that?"

Luke: A moment. A pause. And another nod.

Q: Eyes never left the man in his arms. "T, you want to show Luke what it's like to bite my ass?"

Tane: Tane could practically sense Luke burrowing again without even having to turn around.

"You know," he began, tone light and gentle, "I really think I would."

Q: "Might want to turn the stove down, then."

Luke was gently tossed onto the touch, and the man he enjoyed calling boyfriend turned back to the kitchen and placed his hands on the fridge.

"All yours," he purred.

Tane/Luke: The sudden absence of Q's warmth left Luke feeling cold enough to want to protest, and had it not been for the anticipation of what he was about to see, he would have. As it was, he'd keep himself warm and give himself a hiding place using one of the couch pillows, because apparently Tane's presence was enough to make him as shy as when he...nope. He'd never been this shy. Ever. This was a first for him, one of many he suspected would come today.

Tane chuckled and turned the pan all the way to low. "Just like that, huh? No ceremony or anything. Right to the point." Have a chaste kiss to your shoulder.

Q: Q knew what Tane was going to do. At least he assumed, going off of every other time he'd played the same game with him before. What he knew for certain was Tane's lips against him, clothed or unclothed, was both soothing and arousing. He could calm his mind and divert his thoughts, but instead allowed himself to bask in the attention and his own selfish erection. This was what Luke wanted to see, after all.

"Slow," was his command. "Give baby a show." Much like his own, trailing his hands to the top of the fridge, allowing full access to his ass.

Tane: Oh, Tane could do slow. Tane loved slow. It gave him time to lavish and explore at his leisure, and now it would also offer Luke a very special show.

Starting at the back of his neck, Tane kissed his way down Q's body, letting his hands trail ahead of his lips and stopping when he hit the small of his bartender's back. Only then did Tane lift up Q's shirt, finally kissing bare skin as he slooooowly inched his pants just far down enough to expose that beautiful ass of his.

Q: His ass so exposed for Luke's viewing pleasure was exactly what he had expected. This had to be a positive experience for his favorite lawyer. He wanted him to enjoy every moan of pleasure and approval. Bare skin needed to be admired by both men. His shirt was tossed aside, offering a better view of his lithe willing body. Sun kissed skin warm and inviting. Almost everywhere. The subject matter at heart was still very much pale.

Tane/Luke: Luke wasn't sure how he was feeling about all this--there was a lot going on in his head at the moment--but so far...this was a very positive experience. He didn't feel weird or jealous seeing Tane with Q, like he was afraid he would, but there was still a lot of shyness and vulnerability he had to work through. No matter how enjoyable it was to experience, he simply wasn't used to being in an intimate situation like with anyone other than Q. Sure he'd had his share of boyfriends but Q was different.

A fact that was obvious to Tane, who was making sure not to move too suddenly or look at Luke directly for fear of embarrassing him further or making him feel uncomfortable. He wasn't only being gentle with Q; he was being gentle with Luke now, too. This would be a show, but it would be a gentle, loving show.

As gentle and loving as the series of open-mouthed kisses and teasing nips he placed all over that beautiful pale skin, watching Luke's reaction out of the corner of his eye.

Q: Q remained as still as he could, allowing his approval to show with soft hums and dips and turns of his head. If he focused, he wouldn't have to submit to arousal.

"What do you want to see now, Luke?"

Tane/Luke: Ah, but they hadn't gotten to their main event yet. The thing that had piqued Luke's curiosity and landed them here.

Before Luke could try to respond, Tane gave him a wink and gave a playful little bite to Q's ass.

Q: "Ahn!" Nails lightly scraped over the stainless steel fridge. A laugh quickly followed. "Goddammit. Ya got me."

Tane: "Oh yes I did," Tane chuckled warmly, pressing a kiss to the same spot to soothe. "Lulled you and your ass into a false sense of security."

Q: "Neither of you will gain access to this temple." Another little something for Luke.

Tane: "Promises, promises." Another playful bite and Q's pants were set to rights.

Q: And it was back to their cooking, playing it smooth for Luke's sake.

"How was that?" he asked the man on the couch.

Tane/Luke: Luke would've responded, but he was busy blushing and trying to gather himself.

Surely the look in his eyes would answer for him; it had been a very pleasant sight.

Q: "I think we broke him," he whispered.

Tane: Tane smiled to himself. "Maybe just a little. Better go kiss him back to life."

Q: Then his spoon was set aside. He joined him on the couch and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

Luke: Luke immediately leaned into Q. "Hi," he murmured softly.

Q: "Are you alright, baby?"

Luke: He nodded, offered Q a shy little smile. "Better than."

Q: "Good." A kiss to his cheek, his temple, and his hand.

Luke: The smile got brighter. "We should go to the beach. Get some sun."

Q: "Today? Tomorrow?"

Luke: "Soon. I know all the good beaches without any tourists. Completely private."

Q: "So you're saying a nude beach," he grinned.

Luke: "Not officially but yes," Luke chuckled.

Q: "Is...Tane invited?"

Luke: He glanced over to where Tane had resumed dinner prep and nodded. "Yes. He is."

Q: "So you're alright with Tane?" he quietly asked.

Luke: Another nod. "Yeah, I think I am," he said just as softly. He's a lot like you."

Q: "Twice the fun," he smiled.

Luke: "And twice the handsome. I might swoon."

Q: "Swoon, will you?" He kissed his neck again. "What a romantic notion."

Luke: "Yep, maybe more than once." He hummed softly at the kiss, nuzzling him. His blush had started to fade in the face of such lovely affection.

"What can I say, you bring out the romantic in me."

Q: "You understand why I want Tane here?" The apartment was small. He expected the bouncer to hear every word. That was somewhat the point. What was more critical was Luke's understanding.

Tane/Luke: Tane did, but he didn't plan to interrupt unless he was spoken to directly. This was a moment Luke needed to have with Q.

And to that end, Luke tried to speak as softly as possible. "Kind of?"

Q: "I won't always be in Edenton," he continued on just as gently. "I want you to have another friend. And...maybe more."

Luke: "What do you mean you won't always be in Edenton?" Was Q leaving?

Q: "Someday I am going to move. I love this place," and he paused, allowing Luke to fill in the blank, "but it's not my forever home."

Luke: His gaze fell to his lap. That sounded too much like he was never going to see Q again and Luke didn't like it. He didn't even live in Edenton full time himself but something about 'it's not my forever home' sounded too much like....

Q: "Baby? Talk to me." That silence was much too long.

Luke: Luke shook his head. "It's nothing." He didn't want to think about Dana. That was for nights at his condo when he was alone and couldn't sleep.

Q: The very thought which had Q pressing his forehead against his neck, breathing him in.

"Why are you here?"

Luke: He reached for Q's hand, suddenly in need of the comfort it provided. "To spend time with you," he whispered. "To get to know Tane. To have dinner."

Q: Q took his hand and kissed each finger.

"Is knowing Tane like you do me going to make you happy?"

Luke: He smiled and leaned against Q. "Time will tell, but I hope so."

Q: "Good. Mind if I kiss you?"

Luke: "I don't mind one bit."

Q:  Now for another question.

"Will you mind?" he asked the man in the kitchen.

Tane: The man in the kitchen simply smiled and shook his head. "Not one bit," he echoed.

Q: A temptation crept into his chest like every sexual inkling. Would he mind kissing Luke? He bit his lip and considered, but thought better of it. Instead turning back to his favorite lawyer for his lips.

Tane/Luke: Tane wouldn't mind at all, but it was probably too soon. They'd have to ease Luke into it, help him feel comfortable and safe.

And nothing could do that better than Q's kisses.

Luke hummed softly, melting against his pretend boyfriend, aware of Tane's presence but feeling at ease.

Q: Easing Luke probably didn't mean placing his hand between his legs. It probably didn't mean squeezing, gently biting his throat, humming against his skin knowing what it would do to him.

Luke: It probably didn't, but that didn't mean Luke wouldn't react to the touch.

His breath caught in his throat as his thighs closed around Q's hand. He wouldn't let the moan building in his chest escape.

Q: "Do you want me to stop?" he whispered.

Luke: Luke shook his head.

Q: Then he would continue to squeeze.

"Tell me when to stop." He would unzip him if allowed, though his hand would not dip on the other side just yet. He wanted to gauge his reaction. Luke's security was his number one concern.

Tane/Luke: Tane had stopped mid-chop to watch the scene unfolding on the couch, eyes alight with quiet but very focused interest. He could tell Luke was holding back some, which wasn't a surprise at all, but what he wasn't holding back? Now that was a beautiful sight to behold.

Luke was clinging to Q, hiding his face against the bartender's neck. His lower half was starting to give jerky little movements, clearly aching for more but again, holding himself back.

Q: Squeeze after squeeze without relief. He wanted to torture, just enough to coax a beautiful sound from his companion. Give me something more, his fingers commanded, his lips plead, nuzzling in order to capture that perfect mouth.

Tane/Luke: It was the kiss that did him in. He never could resist those wonderful lips, much less control his reaction to them. Especially not when they were paired with those fingers.

The softest, sweetest little whimper finally managed to escape him, making him hide more at the same moment Tane felt a shock of lust go straight to his groin.

Q: Q's smile would have hurt had he allowed it in full. He had suspected such gentle and submissive noises from this man. Opposite of his brawny and hirsute body. Now there was a witness, a willing audience. Despite his assumption, it had not prepared his body for its reaction.

That cock belonged in his mouth. He asked permission in his ear, and kissed it.

Tane/Luke: Permission was given with another soft whimper. His body's need was successfully trumping his shyness, although not entirely. Absent Q's neck, Luke would be hiding his face in the couch pillow again.

Meanwhile, Tane had given up on cooking entirely in favor of watching the two men on the couch. His hands were itching to touch but he didn't dare approach. This situation was still so new and fragile.

Q: Slowly, with the same attentiveness as Tane, Q dropped to his knees. No sudden movements. His shirt was raised. Open mouth kisses and tongue across and around his navel.

Luke: Luke clung to the pillow like a man clinging to a life preserver. Behind it, his face was bright red and his breathing was quickening. It was just now hitting him that Q wouldn't be the only person seeing...well. A tiny part of his brain wondered what Tane would think. Of him, of this situation, of his reactions. What if he didn't like--

The potential litany of 'what if's' was cut off by Q's wandering mouth.

Luke's breath hitched, hips moving in an attempt to follow the affection. More. He wanted more.

Q: His gaze quickly turned to Tane, questioning his appeal. His crotch was studied and admired.

Flesh was softly bitten. Nudity was the logic in which to follow. But first, "Luke. Look at me. Tell me if this is okay."

Tane/Luke: The appeal and Tane's response to it was written all over his face and reflected in his eyes and his stance. All of his attention was on Luke and on the erection nestled against the soft looking blond hair on his abdomen. He wanted to touch so badly. Would Q be able to tell? Would Luke?

It took a few long seconds, but eventually the pillow lowered just enough for Luke to be able to peer over the top. He could feel Tane's gaze even without meeting it.

He nodded. "It's okay," he whispered.

Q: Wasn't he just beautiful, Tane? That golden hair and sun kissed skin from his weekends of soccer. His shyness, his masculinity, his femininity. He was just so fuckable.

The approval given, he smiled, kissed his stomach one more. "I'm going to undress you now. Want to undress me? Take my shirt off."

Tane/Luke: Absolutely beautiful, and all the more so because he strongly suspected Luke had no idea.

Luke whimpered softly again, burrowing his face against the pillow once more. Just for a little while though. The thought of being able to feel Q's bare skin against his was too appealing to pass up.

Very carefully, the pillow was set aside and the hem of Q's shirt grabbed. Up and over his head it went.

Q: Good. That's exactly what he wanted to see. He raised his arms and chuckled, allowing Luke to keep the garment if he wanted to.

"You're so fucking edible," he teased, nipping softly at his stomach (again) before giving the same treatment.

Luke: Oh, he was keeping it. It was soft and smelled like Q and that was even more comforting than having a pillow to hide his face with.

Ah ha, Q finally managed to get a teeny little smile from Luke! "Edible?" he asked quietly, feeling all warm and glowy and squirmy inside when Q gave more affection to his stomach.

Q: "Mhm. I'm gonna just eat you up, Mr. Graham." Starting with those lips. His tongue offered only a heartbeat into their touch.

Luke: There was a soft chuckle that turned into a soft, dreamy sigh at the kiss. If Q's shirt was a comfort, then his kisses were where Luke felt most at ease, most relaxed, most free to be himself and enjoy.

He let go of Q's shirt in favor of clinging to the man himself, wrapping his arms around his pretend boyfriend's neck to bring him closer.

"Promise?" Luke whispered.

Q: Those needy arms did things to him. This man had been one of his favorite clients. He would become a fond memory when the time came.

Those warm arms were kissed, followed again by his lips.

"I promise I'll eat you nice and slow."

Luke: Shy, embarrassed Luke seemed to be dissipating with every new kiss, allowing more and more of smiley, loving, needy Luke to shine through who hummed into every kiss and made a tiny noise of protest if Q's lips moved away for any reason.

"And you'll give me all the kisses?"

Q: "Every single kiss you want from me."

It was time to remove every article of clothing between them. His pacing was no longer slow and mindful. He felt confident in himself and Luke to move forward, to relax and trust Luke's response to Tane's gaze.

Tane/Luke: "I want a million," he said, smiling so brightly Tane felt his heart clench across the room.

He felt like he was walking a fine line between appreciating the sight of Q rapidly undressing Luke and making him uncomfortable, but from the looks of things he was successfully staying on the appreciation side. He might've even taken a step or two closer.

It was all he could do to keep himself from heading directly to the couch to see if that chest hair was as soft as it looked.

For Luke's part, he was helping Q undress him and returning the favor, resuming his clinging the moment they were both completely bare. And that lovely neck? Well it had gone far too long without some affection. As had those shoulders. And that chest.

Q: Q closed his eyes and allowed Luke to seduce him. His body was warm with life and appropriately turgid. He leaned closer to whisper his proposal.

"Do you want to make love to me? Do you want to watch Tane's hands on me?"

Tane/Luke: The proposal may have been whispered, but Luke's reaction was more akin to it having been shouted. They'd only switched roles once or twice before, and it had never been in a situation quite like this.

Still, the idea of loving on Q and watching someone else do the same.....it had an appeal that made his heart race.

He looked from Q to Tane's stunned face and nodded very slowly.

Q: Q didn't want to put Luke in a position so vulnerable as to be the submissive in Tane's presence. It was a choice he made, but one Luke could refuse if he wanted, which was why it had been a question. He was mindful of those wide eyes and what they were truly saying.

"Yes to both?" He wanted his answer clear.

Luke: It was a consideration Luke would be immensely grateful for later on. The fact that Q gave his comfort such priority and took such care with his trust made Luke treasure him that much more. No one had ever had a better boyfriend, real or pretend.

Another nod. "Yes to both."

Q: One more kiss, one more gentle, loving, slow kiss before turning around, exposed, to Tane Lukela.

"He wants your hands on me."

Tane/Luke: That one kiss was all it took to have Luke practically melting in Q's arms, and have Tane's heart melting along with him.

He gave a single nod before shutting off the stove and washing his hands. When he approached, he did so slowly, waiting for Luke's go ahead before closing the rest of the distance.

Q: Q watched his approach and wanted to laugh. He was so damn cautious. As cute as it was, he could bet it was appreciated by the beautiful nude man beside him.

"I think you're too clothed, but that's my opinion," he grinned.

Tane/Luke: It absolutely was; as was Q's opinion on Tane's current state. Appreciated and shared.

Tane chuckled softly. "Is it now? Then I better do something about that." Starting with his shirt. It was pulled up and over his head, tossed onto the coffee table. "Naked enough yet, gorgeous?"

Q: "You tell him when to stop, Luke. I sure enjoy the fucking view." Goddamn eye candy is what Big T was.

Tane/Luke: Eye candy was right. Luke didn't think people who looked like Tane existed in real life, yet here they were.

All it took was a glance to Tane's belt and off it came.

Tane was hyper-focused on this tiny blond lawyer, you see. Everywhere those eyes went was exposed to his view.

Shoes and socks followed the belt, then his jeans....and then his boxer briefs.

Q: Q leaned back and watched their silent exchange, marveled at their living Adonis and proceeded to touch himself with gusto. In that moment, life was completely and utterly perfect.

………………………………………………………………………

Rohan: To an onlooker, it would be astounding that Rohan managed to move so much while moving so little. MJ was being explored to both their hearts' content all without being denied the safety and comfort of Rohan's embrace.

He wanted his vampire to be delirious with pleasure, to feel nothing but a warm glow as Rohan made love to him. And this was most certainly making love.

While his lips delivered an onslaught of kisses, his hands eased and explored. Rohan wanted MJ to get accustomed to not only his touch, but being touched in all those lovely intimate places he had yet to explore and learn. The length of him was traced with feather light strokes, his sac cupped with the gentlest pressure.

MJ: The warmth of those hands was almost too much for his pale cold skin. The intimate fondling caused shivers up his spine and into his lungs. Another first.

"You're wearin' too much," he purred.

Rohan: "By all means," he whispered, peppering kisses along MJ's chest. "Feel free to rid me of all this cumbersome fabric."

MJ: With pleasure, he thought. Sitting up, he began with the belt, ripping one of the belt loops and sending it flying across the room. His short trimmed nails lightly raked over his hip. He continued with the jeans, wishing he could breathe life and celebrate being with this man the way he deserved.

"D'ya...love me?"

Rohan: Rohan laughed softly as his belt went flying, watching to make sure it didn't hit (and break) anything valuable.

The laugh was short-lived, however, soon replaced with a fond smile and appreciative hum. He adored those cool hands and the man they belonged to. Surely MJ would be able to see it in his eyes. And if he couldn't, Rohan's kisses and murmured endearments should show him.

"Yes, puiule," he whispered against his vampire's lips. "I love you." If his declaration halted things in their tracks so be it. MJ needed to hear the words.

MJ: His vampire - his? - stared up at the witch with blank expression. The expectation had been succeeded by truth. Had he breath to lose it would have vacated.

"I... You..."

Rohan: He smiled, kissed him again. "I love you, MJ." Another kiss. "I love you."

MJ: "Thanks." The realization of his reply caused a headache like cringe. "Not that. The fuck would I say that - I...I...love ya, too."

Rohan: That just made his smile grow more. It was such an MJ response, and that made his heart just as happy as the 'I love you, too'.

Rohan held MJ close, hands briefly abandoned his vampire's groin to hold him properly and drown him in kisses. This was a beautiful moment; it had to be savored. "I love you so much," he whispered.

MJ: "Alright, alright," he laughed. "Don't make it all mushy. We...We got love. So, back t'sex, right?" Oh no. Sex with...romance? Love? More emotional and tender than any night before.

"I shoulda asked after ya fucked me."

Rohan: Rohan gave him one more kiss, just to make really sure his vampire knew how much he was loved.

"Whether I said it aloud first or not, the sex would've been emotional. You would've been able to feel my love even if you didn't hear it."

MJ: "S'why I asked," he said softly. "Just had a feelin'. You're too sweet t'me, old man."

Rohan: "I'm exactly as sweet as I'm meant to be. And you, are very intuitive." Maybe just one more kiss.

"Do you still want to...?" It was fine if he didn't. There had been a lot of emotional intensity today.

MJ: One more? They would have many. "Yeah. Yeah, of course." Of course he said. What the fuck are you doing, his mind exclaimed.

Rohan: If MJ wanted many, there would be many, along with all the loving touches Rohan's two hands were capable of.

"Are you sure? We don't have to. I know it's a lot."

MJ: "If ya keep sayin' that I'll never go through with it," he laughed.

Rohan: "Nothing wrong with that, puiule," he said with a soft smile, letting his hands roam below MJ's waist again. "Promise me you'll tell me if you want me to stop or slow down." He kissed his vampire's shoulder. "Your comfort is the most important thing." A kiss to his chest as his hand gently cupped MJ's sac. "Your comfort and your pleasure."

MJ: MJ swallowed and licked his lips. Somehow he'd forgotten what that felt like. He placed his hand over Rohan's wrist. Closer. Harder.

"I'm fine. Keep doin' that."

Rohan: Rohan obligingly increased the pressure, massaging more firmly, occasionally stroking MJ's length from base to tip and back down to his scrotum.

MJ: Blood had to be willed between his legs. The act nearly took him from the scene, but the witch's lips fueled him. Softly, he hummed.

Rohan: Rohan smiled against his vampire's lips, giving him an approving and gentle squeeze.

"That's it, puiule. You're doing so well." His lips began to migrate lower. "So beautiful."

MJ: That feminine sensation again. He shivered, brought his hands to Rohan's hair and squeezed. So lucky, he thought. So unworthy. Tonight, this moment, this was for Rohan. Giving in to his nature was an indulgence.

"What d'ya wanna do t'me?"

Rohan: "Love you," Rohan said simply, kissing just below MJ's navel. Tonight his vampire was going to be positively worshipped and thoroughly pleasured.

A soft, open-mouthed kiss was placed on the tip of MJ's cock. "All of you."

MJ: Oh. More familiar. Not quite sensational, but the mere idea of Rohan's mouth against him was enough for the butterflies to flap their wings.

"Love ya, too. I wanna taste ya. Let me taste ya."

Rohan: "Of course you can," he purred, nuzzling and kissing MJ's scrotum. "Where do you want to taste, puiule?"

MJ: "Sit on my face, Ro. We can have each other."

Rohan: "Mmm, I like the sound of that." He liked it very much.

He leaned up to give MJ a proper kiss before straddling him and adjusting positions, making sure MJ was comfortable before continuing his exploration and letting his vampire explore.

MJ: His mind wandered to the first time he had ever kissed someone. To the warmth of their lips. The sloppy urgency. The fumbling hands which followed. None of which felt present tonight. Every move Rohan ever made was deliberate. He was beautiful and mature. Even now, with his body for the taking. He was brought into his mouth, tasted and played with, with two uncertain hands.

Rohan: MJ was immediately rewarded with a soft moan. It didn't matter how uncertain his hands were; Rohan loved their touch, loved his vampire's mouth's attention. And he wasn't shy about making his pleasure or his approval known, and he definitely wasn't shy about lavishing every single inch of MJ's groin with affection.

He kissed and tasted his cock and his sac and his thighs, lips gentle and thorough. "Beautiful," Rohan murmured to himself, pressing a kiss to MJ's abdomen as he petted over his entrance.

MJ: Fuck. This was Rohan Delca. He might as well be a prince, or an angel. The man was meant to be worshipped. He was so elegant and intelligent and yet somehow tolerant and patient - didn't he grow tired of being so wholesome? Somehow this man loved him. He would never deserve him.

Which was motivation in his attempt to offer himself as one of the druid's best experiences. He kissed every available inch of perfect skin and massaged firm muscle.

Oh. His legs spread submissively. More touches, please. Invade me at your will. Love me with your fingers and mouth.

Rohan: That was precisely what Rohan intended to do. The word 'beautiful' played on a loop over and over in his head as he reached for the lube and generously coated one finger, never ceasing his lavish kisses and warm little nuzzles against MJ's cock.

Sash/Q: "Oh." Well, that made sense, then. Of course he was. Look at that hair.

'A deejay, a tattoo artist...' he glanced to Q, lost in his own world with Tane Lukela, '...an entrepreneur.' That's how Q described Ronan Archer.

Sean/Conor: Entrepreneur. Right. Sean grins.

'We have a lawyer in the family too.' He looks over at Conor who had a drink in either hand and was searching for them. Lifting a hand to get his attention, the hybrid starts to walk over to them. He hands Sean his drink and sips his own, looking Sash up and down.

Sash: Conor was given the same treatment as his brother, with a brilliant and honest smile. 'Hey, nice to meet you. I'm Sash.'

Sean/Conor: Conor looks away to Sean, who glares at him. He had told him to be nice on their way there.

'Conor.' He takes another sip and offers his hand for a shake. For the visions, obviously.

Sash: In his past life, Sash had been a poor frozen soul, life drained somewhere in the Atlantic ocean, long after the Titanic had sunk to its watery grave. His new life in its current timeline, cancer would be his robber.

A quick shake, and his attention was back to Sean.

'Dance with me.'

Sean/Conor: Oh. Boring. He wondered what Bo was doing. When Sash turns to Sean and his brother's attention is stolen he makes his way back over to the bar. Might as well sit this one out.

Sean smiles and nods. 'Sign dancing?'

Sash: 'I...I've never done that in front of so many hearing people.'

Sean: 'What people?' Sean moves closer. What do you mean? It's only us.

Sash: Idle hips swayed to a beat of his own based on the vibrations. A hesitant hand was placed on Sean's chest, bunched his shirt...pulled him to the dance floor.

Sean/Conor: Yes. Yes. He licks his lips and gives a glance in Conor's general direction to make sure he's okay. He's a big boy, who looks like he's texting someone.

Sean moves more than willingly in the direction he is pulled, placing a hand on Sash's hip once they come to a stop. He starts to move to the music with a playful smile.

Sash: Sash's hands remained at his side for a beat or two, purposely keeping his hands to himself, biding his time for the perfect moment and touch.

After a moment of absorbing their surroundings, his hips began to roll, arms raised to the air.

Sean: Sean smiles as he sings along to the song, dancing with him and rolling his body. His gaze trails down Sash, but soon returns to his face.

Sash: Sash tried his best to read his lips despite movement and limited light. So enamored with Sean, he didn't notice other men and women watching them.

Soon he was turning around, leaning just enough weight against Sean's just for him to feel it.

Sean: Perfect. Sean can't stop smiling as he sings along and lets every word and beat move through his body. He allows Sasha to guide their movements, but soon leans the upper half of his body to one side of Sash, then the other, and back. He laughs.

Sash/Q: Sash attempted to meet Sean's gaze, but the second time he disappeared to his other shoulder he turned, wrapped his arms around his neck. No trickery this way.

Q leaned his weight against Tane and sighed. Cargos and a sleeveless shirt, his staple, made him better dressed for summer in Florida than dead of winter in Raleigh.

"I'm feeling something light. How about a mimosa with me?"

Tane: Tane's attire was the complete opposite; he was wearing dark jeans and perhaps one of the only sweaters he'd purchased in his entire life. He hadn't even taken off his scarf.

He smiled into Q's hair. "Absolutely. I'll go get us a couple."

Sean/Conor: Sean is still laughing as he straightens, wrapping arms around Sash's waist to bring him close. He's lost his beer somewhere but he doesn't care in the slightest. His body continues to sway, working every inch he can to the music.

Conor is still sat at the bar texting.

Sash/Q/Bo: Sash felt a juxtaposition of awkwardness and jubilance vying for dominance. This was a first. His first dance with a young man that had seen him dance with sign; a man that understood his sexuality; a man that had openly pursued him.

"Are you going to try and kiss me at midnight?" He spoke only because he didn't want to detach.

Q felt naked without Tane's warm body. Since he had a moment to spare for himself, he reached for one of the three necklaces he wore, unscrewing the top of the dark wooden cross for a quick inhale of coke.

{Text from Botan} Are you sitting there scowling? Don't go into another year looking like a menace.

Sean/Conor: Sean licks his lips. "... Yes." He's sure to enunciate, hoping he was lit enough to be seen and have his lips read. "If you will let me. We don't have to. You don't owe me anything."

{Text} I am hardly a menace.

{Text} I am bored.

Tane: Maybe it was because he spent the majority of his time in a crowded bar, but Tane managed to navigate through the mass of people and find his way back to Q in record time.

"Your mimosa," he said, offering a glass to Q.

Sash/Q/Bo: Just something fleeting. A kiss, a dance, whatever else might come; he'll be back in New York before he can regret much.

"I know." He bit his lip. "I will let you," he grinned.

Q smiled. His return was just in time, clutching to his cross as though it meant more than it was.

"Why thank you, sexy."

{Text} So do something.

A photo was sent to Conor, the house decorated in white lights, black and gold balloons strewn about. He smiled subtly into the camera.

Sean/Conor: That fact broke his heart. But he knew he had no right to have a say, or an opinion. So he'll enjoy what he can. He smiles, takes Sash's hands and wiggles him around playfully.

Conor was half way through replying when he receives the picture, he stares at it for a moment before lifting his phone to send one back.

His lips are parted, eyes are hooded, head slightly tilted so his purple hair fell over an eyebrow. With his drink and the bar in the background, he hoped he was proving why he had a right to be bored.

{Text} Everyone here is dancing or making out with someone. Two things I don't do.

Tane: Tane smiled back and pulled Q closed again, burying his face in those curls and kissing them. "You're welcome, gorgeous. Having a good time?"

Sash/Q/Bo: His dance partner laughed, pulled him closer by his hands and sighed contently.

"What's this song?" Something so new he couldn't recognize.

The photo was saved.

{Text} What do you do when you're not brooding, swimming, riding busses, or breaking bones?

"I am, I am. Indeed. What about you?" His arm rested around his date's waist, fingers playfully scratching at his hip.

Sean/Conor: "Ed Sheerhan." He lifts an arm to get Sash to spin for him.

{Text} That's a very big question.

{Text} You tell me. What do you do?

{Text} Also, I don't brood.

Tane: "I'm with you." Tane smiled. "I have a mimosa. You really like how I look in this sweater. And I'm going to kiss the hell out of you at midnight. How could I not be having a good time?"

Sash/Q/Bo: Sash laughed, surprised from being spun, coming back around to press against Sean's chest.

{Text} I work for the police, I read, collect books, converse with demon-reaper hybrids, break the law.

{Text} You very much brood.

{Text} Happy new year

Q smiled against Tane's chest and swayed.

"I agree with all of that. You look sexy as hell if not a little bit on the Dad side, this mimosa is delicious, and I can't wait to taste your tongue."

Sean/Conor: Well, with him like this he can't resist. A hand goes to Sash's waist, the other remaining entwined with the human's. They're going to waltz.

{Text} That's nice for you.

Conor did plenty of things, but he didn't feel like getting into that with Bo.

{Text} Sure. Happy new year.

Tane: Tane laughed. "I can take looking a little on the dad side as long as I'm warm."

He ducked his head, kissing Q's jaw before whispering, "You can taste it right now. There's a heater out on the terrace upstairs."

Sash/Q/Bo: Sash leaned away to look them over, laughing at their stance.

"Waltz is not sexy."

Bo rolled his eyes and set his phone down. There were better things to do than subject himself to that on the last night of the year.

"Mm," Q smiled, leaning into Tane's neck and shoulder. "We should make out on the terrace until midnight, and then keep going."

Sean/Conor: "Oh, you want sexy?" his grin is playful as he starts to move his body slowly, rolling his hips and chest, giving attention to the movement of his ass as he dances in a circle. He drops to his knees at Sash's feet and works the floor, returning to his feet with a hand travelling up Sash's thigh, all up his side. Better?

Any emotion Conor had or wanted to have couldn't be portrayed through text. Bo had the ability to make him smile and laugh, but he didn't know how to have a virtual conversation that carries that message. Emojis are stupid and childish, 'lol' and 'lmao' are idiotic, 'haha' is fake. No matter what he wanted to gain from messaging Bo, he would be unable to articulate it in such a way. He isn't too surprised when he gets no response. He just focuses on his drink and ensuring not to make eye contact with anyone around. Why did Sean bring him here? He knew he hated being around drunk horny people. He wanted to leave.

Tane: "That sounds like an excellent idea. Let's go."

Tane took Q's hand and led him upstairs.

Sash/Q: Sash ended up standing still to watch with absolute humor in his eyes, obvious smile beginning to ache.

'Getting some touches in too, I see.'

He wasn't paying any attention to the drunk a few meters away mimicking his sign.

A glance was given through the crowd to his brother. From the other side of the room, Q didn't notice the asshole, either.

"I want a ride, Big T."

Sean: That smile made Sean feel warm, and he returned it with ease. The hand slips around to Sash's back to draw him in closer with a nod. He didn't notice anyone around them, he didn't care about them. Only they mattered.

Tane: Tane smiled. "Then a ride you shall have. Bridal style or piggy back ride?"

Sash/Q: Hands returned to where they'd wanted to be for some time, in Sean's short hair, idly stroking the back of his head. He loved moments like this. The exploration into the unknown and the discoveries which made meeting new people worth his while. They were by no means a perfect match, but on the dance floor that didn't matter. Here they seemed made for each other, and every sway of his hip felt in sync with his partner.

Q wrapped his arms around Tane's neck from behind and laughed. "You know what I like, babe. Why bother asking?"

Sean: Sean licks his lips, unused to feeling hands on his head like that. He didn't mind it.

He moves to the music though it seems like background noise at this point.

Tane: "It's tradition! Can't knock tradition." Tane finished off his mimosa and bent down so Q could climb on. "Hang on tight, gorgeous."

Sash/Q: Sean would quickly learn Sash's love for touching the back of his head, for feeling his hair and the back of his neck as an affectionate gesture. He was beginning to enjoy the simultaneous sensation of skin and vibrations. He didn't care what song was playing.

Q set aside his empty glass on a passing waitress' tray. He climbed aboard with practiced ease, kissing Tane's ear and promising wild fantasies on their return home.

Sean/Conor: Sean glances away, just to see if he could spot Conor but he was unable. He's sure he's fine.

He starts to mimic the action, running fingers through his hair, adoring the strands with a permanent smile.

Tane: Tane started up the stairs, grinning like a loon while Q whispered those delightfully wicked things into his ear. It was a good thing they were heading somewhere with more privacy; he was starting to have a bit of a.....reaction.

"Behave yourself," he chuckled. "Gonna make me drop you."

Sash/Q: Sash took a moment for himself to absorb the moment, to breathe in what he could of Sean and their nearness. Intentional restraint like this a new concept. That calm before a storm. That tingle between his legs which encouraged him was momentarily humored by a quick and seemingly innocent kiss to Sean's cheek.

"I'm thirsty. Want to get something?"

Q was also grinning, letting his ride feel it against his skin. "I fucking love when you say that. Makes me want to do the opposite. Makes me want to..." he pressed himself in, squeezed his thighs so Tane could feel his arousal, "...do so much to you."

Sean: The brief kiss made Sean laugh. He nods, though doesn't personally want anything. Sash will have to pull away and get them moving, because Sean wasn't going to.

Tane: Feeling Q's grin made Tane's even bigger. He loved that. He loved being able to feel Q's reactions as well as see them. "I know you do, beautiful. Why do you think I say it so often?"

Tane inhaled sharply as Q pressed into him. "Does it now?" Once on the roof, he sought out the most private corner, lowered Q onto the nearest bench, and immediately attacked him with kisses.

Sash/Q: "Think you can sneak me a shot of tequila?" A joke, or was it? His smile was certainly mischievous, but he wasn't pulling Sean with urgency.

Q was laughing into their kisses, pulling Big T on top of him as he fell back, knowing full well eyes would find them, aroused or disgusted or indifferent to the way Q invited Tane closer with demanding hands.

Sean/Conor: "Your brother would kill me." he moves to the bar with a smile, where Conor was doing nothing but trying to avoid being too disgusted by the people around him.

He didn't want to be there anymore, surrounded by drunk people, a sea of sexual tension. He gets up and makes his way out, eyes to the sky. He felt a strange sort of emptiness.

Tane: Any eyes they might attract and the opinions that might come with them were of absolutely no consequence to Tane at the moment. Not when Q's beautiful laugh was echoing in his head and those perfect, soft lips were melding so beautifully with his.

"Behave yourself," he whispered between kisses, shifting so he was leaning back on the bench with Q in his lap. "Don't want to give these fine people too much of a show."

Sash/Q: Sash took a seat at the bar, hands between his legs gripping to the stool. The leather was worn with age and use. He fiddled with a hole his fingers discovered, distracted by his thoughts to realize he was making it worse.

He wondered how his friends were doing, if they too were having fun heading into the new year.

He wanted to get laid, but as much as he enjoyed Sean's company, he didn't see that happening tonight; didn't seem a possibility after their first semi-serious conversation.

Oh well, he smiled when catching Sean's gaze.

Those words were beginning to stir Q's body. Whispered like that? Forget about it; his dick couldn't be more turgid. Later on he would have to reflect, disappointed in his self-control, but for now his face ached with jubilance.

"Who says?" The law. "We should be porn stars so everyone can witness."

Sean/Conor: As far as Sean was concerned, that first meeting had been a missed opportunity, a mistake. That night, all cards were on the table. He wouldn't be regretting anything else. As he took a seat he glanced around the area, looking for Conor but was unable to see him.

'Can you see my brother anywhere?'

The hybrid was already making his way to the docks, where he wanted to sit and look out at the water.

Tane: "The law," Tane chuckled, unknowingly echoing Q's thoughts. That lovely jaw of his was looking very un-kissed. Best fix that while he found a way to rub Q through his cargo pants without their audience noticing.

Maybe they'd eventually be uncomfortable enough to leave them the terrace to themselves. Something to hope for.

"Their imagination's giving them plenty."

Sash/Q: Sash looked around the club and the pulsating sea of faces. No wild hair sans the typical club accoutrements.

'I don't see him. Maybe went outside for air.'

"Yeah?" Q didn't think his smile could be any wider. "For them, maybe. For us? I'm gonna use my high-end camera and make some memories with you as soon as we're alone." By this point, hints of his Chicago upbringing began to surface.

"What's that hand doing?" he whispered.

Sean/Conor: Sean looks around with him, only to nod at Sash's explanation. Yeah. Maybe. Conor can handle himself, he knew. He shouldn't worry. Instead, he ordered them drinks (a weak shot of vodka for Sash) and smiled.

At the docks, Conor was sat looking out at the water and the sky. He takes a picture of the new scenery and debates... before sending it to Bo.

Tane: Tane nipped Q's jaw. "Are you now? And what are you going to do with allllll those memories we're gonna make together?" His affection moved down to Q's neck. "Going to pull them out when you miss me?"

Out of the corner of his eye he saw people starting to make their way inside, probably for more drinks or more dancing or probably just to get away from him and Q. Whatever their reason, Tane was happy.

"What hand?" he whispered back, gently cupping Q's erection.

Sash/Q/Bo: Sash swigged his tiny shot of alcohol as soon as the bartender had his back to them. He wanted more, but beggars couldn't be choosers. Wait, yes they could...

'Q got us a hotel room. Booked it long ago apparently. We got top floor. What are you guys doing?' Something nearby, he hoped.

Bo smiled down at his phone, pursed his lips because it confused him why it would make him happy, and saved the photo.

{Text} It's you

{Text} https://youtu.be/0_gljD6_nTU

Maybe Conor would find it funny. Probably not.

{Text} Don't jump in. I'm not there to save your hair.

A particularly ticklish spot near his collarbone caused Q to laugh. "Yeah. I'll watch us and think of you and cum in your honor." Words. Just words spewing from his lips because he couldn't concentrate past that very masculine hand.

"You're making me want to leave a party early. That's not fair."

He just prayed that Sash didn't come up here looking for them, find them in such a compromising position and that faraway look of drunken romance in his eyes. Tane found subtle ways of swallowing his lust whole.

"We need to leave or we need to find a quieter spot."

Sean/Conor: 'A hotel too.' He licks his lips and sips his drink. 'Are you sharing a room with him?'

Mostly, the video confused him. He's never seen anything like that before in his life.

{Text} Why?

{Text} If I jump maybe you'll definitely have to come to rescue me

Tane: "Am I? I can't imagine why," Tane purred, hand kneading softly into flesh. He placed one more kiss on the ticklish spot and lifted his head to take a look around.

Q was right; they'd need a quieter, more private spot for what he had in mind. And as much as he hated to be a cliché, sometimes you had to do what you had to do.

"We're in luck, gorgeous." Two more kisses and Tane was getting to his feet with Q in his arms. "There's a bathroom right over there."

Sash/Q/Bo: 'We are but not really. He bought a room with two beds before he decided to bring along his not-boyfriend boyfriend. The not-boyfriend has a room but I'm taking it. I'm not stupid.'

Bo had little idea to explain without killing the joke, so he ignored it for now.

{Text} You'll have soggy fingers by the time I get there.

Q got to his feet and led Tane to the rooftop bathroom without any hesitation. This wouldn't be his first time experiencing bathroom sex and dammit it probably wouldn't be his last, but right now he was too overwhelmed by lust to give a shit about propriety and cleanliness.

Tane was pushed forward and the door closed and locked.

Sean/Conor: 'So... he wouldn't notice if you... weren't alone tonight?' ... Eyebrows raise.

{Text} Does that mean you wouldn't be willing to hold my hand?

... That even felt weird to Conor, but it was too late. The message had been sent. He felt like throwing his phone into the water.

Tane: Tane couldn't help but grin. Oh, the lovely things he had in mind for this man. The cleanliness of the bathroom was the absolute last thing on his mind.

He chuckled as Q pushed him inside, taking him into his arms and kissing him with renewed vigor the moment the lock clicked.

Sash/Q/Bo: 'You want that?' He just needed to confirm, given their last face-to-face conversation. Of course he'd love for Sean to join him tonight, to wake up in the morning to a cup of coffee and a gorgeous man looking out from the balcony. It was a fantasy right out of a novel, and fleeting. Unfortunately, he was still laboring under the assumption that this was only temporary.

{Text} If I have to save a reaper I have the right to wear it as a badge of honor.

Bo once more sat his phone down to give Brett Parker his attention.

Demanding and borderline suffocating arms wound around Tane's neck, using his barely-inebriated strength to lift himself onto his toes, pulling him down to level their height difference.

Sean/Conor: Sean nods, 'I want you- I mean... That.' a playful smile accompanied a wink. He did want that, and he did want Sash. Whatever happens will happen, at least they won't spend months wondering what could have been.

Conor scoffs.

{Text} I'll make you one personally.

Back to staring out at the horizon, then.

Tane: "Such impatience," he murmured against Q's lips, obligingly ducking down.

...and down...

...and just a little bit further down....

....until his mouth was level with Q's groin.

Sash/Q/Bo: "I know you want me," he grinned. 'Came to my brother's house because of a photo. I'll never let you forget that.'

Sean's stool was pulled a few inches closer, his hand remained on the edge of his seat. If Sean wanted he could take it.

Bo kissed Brett Parker's cheek, his hand, and glanced down at the ring on his finger again.

{Text} You shouldn't be alone right now.

He'd wanted kisses, but watching Tane dip down his body...he'd forgotten where he initially wanted those lips. The bouncer had better ideas. By all means. Kiss him everywhere. He would help; he would unfasten his jeans and caress and tug Tane's hair.

"Don't stop."

Sean/Conor: Sean's smile is wide. 'It was a good decision.' he adjusts his legs so that one would be outside of Sash's and the other would be between them. The hand is taken. He just wanted the night to go well.

Conor tilted his head at that.

{Text} Why not?

Tane/Brett: Brett smiled softly at the kisses, following the direction of Bo's gaze. "It looks just as perfect on you as I hoped."

Tane gave a chuckle that tapered to a purr as he eased Q's pants down just enough to expose him. "Eager and impatient." A beautiful combination in this man.

Stop? He had no intention of doing such a thing. No, he was going to take this beautiful man into his mouth and caress every last inch of him.

Sash/Q/Bo: As his hand was occupied, there was only one choice for communication. He leaned closer so that Sean could utilize his hearing.

"Do I get a kiss before midnight, or are you going to make me wait?"

Bo leaned his weight against the sheriff's chest and continued his conversation with Conor. If Brett wanted to know, he would tell him. Otherwise he wouldn't mention this mysterious stranger he was texting at eleven at night.

{Text} I just imagine you drowning in a sea of faces, alone yet suffocated.

Quintin was lost in his own little Heaven, gasping Tane's name, giving his lover an awkward private dance for his mouth to feel.

Sean/Conor: Sean bites his lip at the proximity, the question had been one he was wondering himself. He didn't think he could wait until midnight, that felt years away. He didn't want to rush, but, fuck.

Turning his head, he kisses Sash's jaw. "There." He teases with a fairly smug smile.

The hybrid stared at his phone. That assumption... wasn't far off, really...

{Text} Some of us were born to be alone.

He was fine with that. He didn't feel lonely. He didn't feel anything.

At least, that had been true for the past hundred years. What about now? He looked to the sky for the answer.

Tane/Brett: Brett nuzzled his face into Bo's hair, breathing in his shampoo and immediately feeling comforted.

"Are you mocking Peabody for celebrating New Year's at the station with his girlfriend?"

Spurred by Q gasping his name with such abandon, Tane hummed around his shaft, bobbing his head while his hands massaged Q's hips and ass.

He wanted to take his time, to explore and drive Q crazy with need, but there would be plenty of time for that later tonight. Right now his only focus was making Q completely fall apart at his hands.

To that end, he took Q completely to the root without warning.

Sash/Q/Bo: Bo frowned at his phone, but smiled once again at the mention of Peabody.

“No, but I should. I shall after this.” Still no indication of the person on the other end of his texts. A large portion of his being hoped Brett didn’t ask questions. He would be honest, and he didn’t want to frighten the sheriff after what he’d been through. He still couldn’t remember having met Conor Archer, still didn’t know just how dangerous he could be and he didn’t want to underestimate him. Still, he continued.

{Text} That’s such a mawkish answer, but I understand where you’re coming from.

Sash’s mind had fallen somewhere short of paradise by nothing more than a prudish kiss. His smile was a Traxler classic, wide enough to cause deep creases in his cheeks; the same kind of smile Sean would have seen from his bartender for many nights prior.

‘More’ and ‘kiss’ were similar signs, but he was sure Sean would get the gist despite their limited light.

Upstairs, Q felt as though he’d lost his mind. Once more he felt his strict control fly out the window, moaning his lover’s name while desperately fucking his mouth, squeezing his hair with both hands, doing a piss-poor job of keeping quiet.

Sean/Conor: {Text} No, it's true. Some of us are destined for bigger things than falling in love with someone.

That's so trivial. He could do so much more with his life.

That smile made Sean's heart skip a beat, and he could do nothing but obey. Lips press to the same spot they had before, only to trail along his jaw and lower down his neck.

Tane/Brett: Brett laughed softly. Satisfied by Bo's answer, he saw no need to press further. "As much as the two of you snark at each other, I just know you're secretly really good friends."

That's it, thought Tane, redoubling his efforts only to pull away, kissing and nuzzling Q's thighs and scrotum, taking him again.

He'd repeat this random pattern until Q simply couldn't hold off any longer.

Sash/Q/Bo: {Text} What do you think you're destined for that's left you so alone?

"I don't hate Peabody." He couldn't say he cared enough for such a caustic emotion. Few people he loathed, and the deputy was nowhere near that list. No, the man, though a little foolish in his relationship, was harmless.

Such a simplistic kiss, as the one before it, stirred Sash to the point of visible shivers and leaning away. Oh, he was floating away yet anchored by his libido.

"That's good," he grinned.

Tane was bordering on torture, and Q was barely holding himself together. Each time he was denied his orgasm he whimpered, fucked the air and hoped the bouncer would take him back. The fourth time was one too many, and Tane was held in place by his hair.

"Don't move, please, fuck...fuck..."

Sean/Conor: Conor had to wonder why Bo was even still replying to him.

{Text} I play a very big role in this life and the next. The type of role that requires thought, not feeling.

Sean blinked when Sash moved away, his concern was fleeting and easily replaced with a grin.

"Isn't it my turn?" He taps his own cheek.

Tane/Brett: For some reason that made Brett smile. From anyone else, that statement would sound petulant. From Bo, however, it was almost an expression of fondness.

"I'm sure he feels the same. He wears the gloves you gave him every day."

Tane would've smiled if he'd been able. How could anyone resist those sweet, needy little whimpers?

Resolving to get more of them out of Q before the night was out, Tane gave his hips a squeeze, encouraging Q to use him to completion.

Sash/Q/Bo: The answer was simple, and one he would keep to himself. He didn't want Conor to be alone tonight.

"Everyday? Whatever for?"

{Text} I believe that might be the case, though without emotion, I must wonder what is left to live for. Even in the name of intellectual fulfillment one must have passion.

"I've wanted to kiss your forehead since we met," Sash laughed. "And your nose." He wanted both of those. He would start by holding Sean's face steady, pressing his warm lips against his smooth brow.

To completion he would. Q had made a point of saving himself sexually for tonight. His app had been placed on hiatus for the past three days with Tane in mind. It all led to this moment, filling his lover's mouth with his white seed, moaning his name in those needy little whimpers the bouncer loved so much.

Sean/Conor: Conor tilted his head as he read, going back over it two or three times before responding.

{Text} Nobody said anything about having something to live for.

"What?" Sean chuckles. Really? That's interesting. He remains still, trying to keep his grin under control and failing. It was sweet and loving and made his heart skip a beat.

Tane/Brett: "He despises the cold and apparently those gloves are surprisingly warm." At least that was what Peabody claimed. Brett had a sneaking suspicion the reason was far more sentimental.

"Plus he's been out in the woods a lot."

Tane felt himself begin to throb as he swallowed Q down and gently worked him through his orgasm, all those gorgeous little noises going straight to his cock. He'd have to do something about that eventually but for now his only focus was the beautiful man above him.

He would only pull off when he was sure Q was spent, licking him clean and whispering praise as he pressed tiny kisses to Q's thighs and abdomen.

Sash/Q/Bo: {Text} To have role is to have something to live for, or you're just existing because you're used to it.

"Well, that wasn't what I had intended them for. They're utility gloves."

Bo looked up from his phone, forced it aside.

"Does he hunt?" He couldn't think of why else Peabody would be walking around in all of that filth.

The purposeful kiss to Sean's nose was sneaky, closer to his cheek than the supposed intended area. He nuzzled and kissed again, just shy of his mouth. "Are these good?"

Q felt for Tane's hair, squeezed and tugged. He was much too far away, though he did so love the care and affection. It's what set Tane apart from everyone else, save for a certain lawyer.

"I need to kiss you right now," he panted. "And we need a condom or I need to be the one on my knees."

Sean/Conor: {Text} I am an in fieri God. The latter.

Oh, his weak and fragile heart. So susceptible Sean is to such kisses from beautiful, playful boys. Especially ones named Sash.

He clutches his chest. "Go easy on me."

Tane/Brett: "A little," said Brett, nodding. "He's mostly been clearing some of the smaller bridges at the creek and the river and some of the hiking trails. All the snow broke off a lot of dead branches."

Q would be able to feel Tane's smile against his skin as he kissed his way up Q's body until he landed at his lips.

"You're in luck, my beautiful," he said in a low, rumbling whisper in between kisses. "I've got one in my pocket."

And as soon as he got Q's pants all the way down, Tane was going to pick him up and set him on the counter against the wall.

Sash/Q/Bo: Bo frowned, but there was nothing to warrant the expression.

"Is he going to invite us to go hiking? Tell him I'm still sick." His injuries were nearly a year old and well healed, so it was very much a lie. Only a single cramp in his thigh remained, but it wasn't something he'd willingly reveal.

His phone was momentarily forgotten. He couldn't imagine Conor being very interested to begin with.

"Is it midnight yet?" Oh. Oh! Speaking of. Sash suddenly straightened, looked around the club.

'Do you see Q?'

Still tucked away on the roof, Q laid back for his lover's viewing pleasure and access. This wasn't exactly how he'd planned for tonight to go. Neither Tane nor Sean had been part of his original scenario. Overwhelmed by his vociferous libido, he was trapped with tunnel vision.

Sean/Conor: Sean started to shake his head, only to be distracted by the question. He starts to look around in search for Sash's brother. "No, we can go look for him if you want." as much as he enjoyed being semi-alone (they definitely weren't physically alone, but Sean felt mentally alone) with Sash, he understood he'd want to spend this time with his brother. It was why he had come to Edenton after all.

Conor figured he'd stop replying sooner or later anyway, he had better things to do than engage in nihilistic conversations with a demon hybrid. That's fine. He'd go back to staring at the sky.

Tane/Brett: Brett laughed softly and kissed Bo's hair. "He hasn't, but if he ever does I'll be sure to tell him no. Why?" He kissed Bo's hair again, nuzzling against it. "Don't fancy walking through the woods while Peabody complains about Bridget?"

Tane was humming in approval as he took in and lavished every inch of Q in affection. He wanted to get his gorgeous bartender completely naked and devour him whole, but that would mean letting Q's clothing touch the floor.

Much better to simply move all that cumbersome fabric out of his way.

"What do you say, gorgeous?" he asked Q, freeing himself from his jeans with a relieved groan before slipping the condom on. "Are you going to let me take you?"

Sash/Q/Bo: "I don't want to hear him complain like an old bitter husk in a failed marriage. If I have to sweat out in nature being eaten alive by bugs, I'd rather with you." He smiled, clearly about to be rude. "You don't talk nearly as much."

Sash tried not to let his relief shine too brightly. He wanted to see Q, but if it wasn't midnight yet, then that meant he had more time with Sean.

'I'll look when there's ten minutes left. Want to get back to dancing?' he smiled.

Q couldn't contain his smile. Despite coming down from his high, this body was eager. Hunger for another felt cliché, but the reality was just that. Still, he couldn't help himself.

"Two hundred dollars, and you have to sleep in my bed tonight."

Sean: Sean didn't have to be asked twice. He stood, offering a hand. He was excited to have Sash's body move against his again. It made him feel free and happy, and there's nothing more perfect than that.

Tane/Brett: Oh, Brett recognized that smile. It always preceded something that almost always made him want to laugh, especially in an inappropriate setting.

Luckily for him, there was no one around to judge him for laughing.

"Why talk when I could kiss your beautiful face?" he said, eyes full of mirth. "Don't ever let Peabody hear you call him a husk though. He might invite Bridget to the station more often and we'll have to hear her complaints about the décor."

"Just try to keep me out of it," Tane said with a grin, getting rid of his shirt before pulling Q into another kiss. He knew very well how much Q loved touching him, and Tane would be remiss to deny him. "Just wait until we get home. We're going to do a lot of things in your bed, but sleeping isn't one of them."

He pulled out another packet, this one containing lube. Just because they were about to fuck in a bathroom in a club didn't mean he would allow Q to be uncomfortable for even one second. Q would be prepped with loving, relentless fingers, and only taken when he was completely ready.

Sash/Q/Bo: His companion made a face. “Don’t talk like that. You’re the sheriff. Be more masculine,” he laughed. That was too much romance on a night such as this.

“She told me plants have brains and feel pain, so that’s why I should eat a cow. Please don’t let her into the station. Every brain cell is sacred and she’s a murderer of mine when she talks to me.”

Sean’s hand was taken; he was led back to the dance floor with purpose in Sash’s step. As soon as he recognized the vibrations of the new trendy song, he turned his back to press against Sean’s chest. If not for the crowd, he would be concerned (somewhat) for breaking some rule on physical boundaries. For as long as no one tapped their shoulders and told them to stop, he would enjoy Sean’s nearness in a way one might assume was to sexually arouse. It might have been, but who was to say?

“Home?” Q tried to breathe. “First, we’re going to destroy our hotel room, then we can destroy my bed.”

Of course he loved touching the bouncer. One might consider those two hands on his throat to be violent, but they were anything but. He wanted to feel Tane’s jaw move with his kiss. He wanted to possess this man in a way he hadn’t felt in a long time with anyone. For tonight, this was his. He earned him.

“You brought a little packet of lube,” he laughed. “You had this all planned out, didn’t you, baby?” Nevermind being on the bathroom counter. He turned, offered his ass out, chest pressed against where he’d sat.

“Fuck me like you mean it.” He was more than ready.

Sean: Sean hadn't been expecting that, and he has to just take a second for himself to enjoy the view. He leans back an inch, looking down at their bodies together.

With a smile on his face he takes hold of Sash's hips and starts to move along with him. Everyone was practically doing the same thing, and were mostly too drunk to notice or care about them, so he felt confident. His only wish was to be able to see this in third person, it must be incredible.

Tane/Brett: Apparently tonight was going to be one of those nights where the mighty sheriff of Edenton was going to be giggly and carefree and not at all masculine.

"I can't help it." He gave one of those kisses to Botan's cheek. "I need a concrete reason to kick her out, but I promise the next time she comes in I'll protect you. Can't very well have her killing everyone's brain cells."

There was that grin again, saying far more than words ever could. "Neither of them stand a chance."

Tane let Q feel him as much as he wanted, nuzzling and kissing those hands when he could bear to move away from Q's lips. "Not planned," he chuckled. "Just prepared for any eventuality."

What he wasn't prepared for, however, was having all of Q presented to him on a silver platter.

For a moment all he could do was stare, taking in that perfect body and that perfect ass, growling softly as he bent to kiss Q's lower back before easing inside him. Tane would be gentle at first, allowing Q to adjust to him, allowing Q to feel him.

Then that beautiful body was going to be yanked back against Tane's chest as Tane gave Q exactly what he wanted.

Sash/Q: Sash wanted to feel Sean breathe against him, every rise and cave of his chest as his own. There was something sexually appealing in watching someone like Sean Archer pant for breath. He wanted an excuse to see him shirtless, sweating, and out of breath. A gym was an innocent fantasy, the other…made him wonder what Sean’s hotel room looked like.

For now, they were dancing, and so long as they were, he would forget about time, about the crowd of people, and for the time being, about where his brother had gone.

Fingers found their way to Sean’s hands, felt for his wrists and squeezed. He rolled his hips and closed his eyes. He dared to find his dance partner’s fingers and sink his between them.

Something about the combination of growl and affection sent a shiver up Q’s spine, one Tane would have the pleasure to witness. He didn’t care if he knew what he did, how he made the bartender feel. Moments like these, he wanted Tane Lukela to know everything, especially when he entered his body, causing him to scratch at the counter, moan his name in full. Not Big T, not tonight. Tonight, he was Tane, and his name would be uttered many times before he came.

“Ah, fuck me,” he breathed. “Fuck me, yeah.” Oh, the bathroom mirror. His naked form stretched, spine curved to accommodate their position complemented the towering figure behind him.

“L-Look at us.”

Sean: "Careful." Said into Sash's ear, and both their hands lifted to sign it. Sash's fingers held between Sean's while he made the action. He didn't want to let go. He didn't want Sash to think he wanted to let go.

Careful, because you're going to turn me on.

He would feel Sean's breath, hot against his neck. He was tempted to let his mouth explore, but didn't want to push his luck with any of this.

Tane: Pleasure didn't quite do justice to how it felt to see the effect he was having on Q. It was a powerful feeling, knowing you could elicit such a visceral reaction from someone you were attracted to. Someone you were enamored with.

However strange their relationship might seem, in this moment, sheathed inside Q while he moaned Tane's name, there was no mistaking how they felt about each other.

Every sound Q made spurred Tane on, making his hips move harder and deeper and more purposefully. Not faster though. He wasn't going to go faster just yet. He wanted Q to feel each and every thrust, to remember it every time he moved for the next week.

"Look at us?" he murmured, meeting Q's eyes in the mirror. "Look at you." Tane kissed Q's neck and shoulder, never breaking their gaze. "Do you see how beautiful you are?" That shoulder was nipped. "How absolutely fucking perfect?"

Sash/Q: The intimate signing made Sash giddy. His smile was ridiculous, it had to be, but from their position Sean would barely see it. Be brought his hand to his mouth and gave his knuckles a quick and seemingly innocent kiss. That was careful, wasn’t it? What about his wrist, or his forearm? It was as far as he could go with that limb, so he turned to kiss his opposite shoulder. Look how careful he was being!

“I am fucking perfect,” Q laughed. “You’re fucking perfect; you know you are.” He couldn’t decide which to do. He wanted to hold and caress the back of Tane’s head, squeeze and comb his hair, but he also wanted to touch himself, to make himself cum all over the dirty bathroom. He could have both.

“Touch me…stroke me.”

Sean: That was definitely not careful. The electricity he felt coming from Sash's lips shot all the way through his body. It didn't matter where he kissed. It all felt the same - intoxicating and addictive. He suddenly wanted to ask Sash to stay. Don't go. You don't even like your school.

But that was not his place.

He kissed below Sash's ear, just a little bit more than a peck. Then, further down his neck.

Tane: Tane wasn't so sure about that, but he took and enjoyed the compliment all the same. Something about Q made everything he said and did in regards Tane left him feeling satisfied in some way.

"Touch you?" Still keeping eye contact, Tane's right hand snaked down Q's front, wrapping around him and stroking lazily while his lips occupied themselves with Q's shoulder and his other hand with Q's nipple.

"Like this?" he whispered against Q's skin.

Sash/Q: Sash closed his eyes in an attempt to tune out their surroundings. He wanted to feel only sensation itself via vibration and luscious lips. He wanted to remember if they were warm or soft or felt correct to his skin. There was no need for apprehension whether or not their lack of propriety was glaring, but no place so condensed with life was free of antagonists. They still had their unadoring audience.

Sash visibly shivered, laughed at Sean's affections. The sound was bubbly; no need to fear malicious intent.

"Not how I thought I'd spend tonight." He turned himself around, wrapped his arms around Sean's neck, weaved his fingers together.

"When is the wedding? I can go as your date?" If Sean could even hear him over the music.

Q smiled at the mirror. Somehow it was possible for more blood to rush to his cock. Tane would feel an approving throb accompany his soft uneven moan.

"Just like that. Fuck... I'll cum." And he would by the end of Sean and Sash's song. Not long at all, but this was Tane. He couldn't help it. He would spill out all over the floor and his hand, grunting his lover's name and laughing at his peak.

"I need your cum," he purred.

Sean: The laugh filled Sean with warmth. He straightened as Sash turned, moving his hands to Sash's hips. Audience? What audience? This world was theirs, and they would rule as kings; they would rule this world together not with fear, but with... desire.

Of course he could hear Sash. If not, he'd read lips. If he couldn't do that, he'd tap into the vibrations of the universe and locate Sash's unique vibe.

"Every day. You'll jus' have to be my date every single day. They're jus' gettin' married over an' over again for about... fifty years."

Tane: The approving throb and moan were met with a soft growl and more affection, this time to the back of Q's neck. Tane wanted access to those beautiful collar bones more than anything, but for now he contented himself with this. There would be time later tonight.

He rewarded Q's declaration by finally speeding his thrusts, wanting to bring his beautiful bartender to another orgasm that much sooner, to feel his seed coating his hand while Q said his name over and over and over again. And god, that laugh. He was fucking enamored.

Another growl, more kisses. "Where?" he murmured.

Sash/Q: Despite what he normally would have felt over such a committing declaration, Sash laughed and kissed his dance partner’s chin. It had taken him a moment to understand what Sean was saying in their limited light, but putting it together, he had to admit, Sean had a way with words which made him feel warm and desired. He didn’t have to take his flirtations so seriously. It was all just a joke. Wasn’t it?

“They’ll get tired before we will,” he grinned, played along. “I have great stamina.” Maybe he’ll find out later, if Sean wanted such intimacy. For now, he would have to be content with many, many kisses scattered randomly on his face.

Those growls would make him live forever, Q believed. He gasped and tried to collect his thoughts before they flew away.

“Inside me.” He could demand that with confidence while wearing a condom. He wanted Tane to enjoy as much as possible. He wanted to feel those arms around him, their raw strength when he came. He wanted to hold onto his lover the best he could and memorize how they looked in the mirror.

Sean: Of course, Sean was just being playful. It was quite obvious it was a joke, despite the sentiment behind it being... probably accurate. He laughs under all that affection, unconsciously bringing Sash as close as possible.

"I have endless stamina," said with lips pressed against Sash's ear, he may not even be able to hear what he's saying but he'll sure as hell feel Sean's mouth against him. Fuck. Yes. He wanted to see proof of Sash's stamina. He wanted to see his beautiful little body, he wanted - ah, snap out of it, Sean!

He exhaled and pulled back to sign, 'I told you to be careful.' He was about one kiss away from getting hard. This wasn't fair.

Tane: Tane couldn't remember ever being more grateful for a condom in his life. He would've finished anywhere Q had asked him to, but he couldn't deny how glad and relieved he was not to have to leave Q's warmth. He wanted them to be connected like this always, to feel Q clenched around him every moment of every day so he could pleasure and adore him the way his bartender deserved.

Just like he deserved every kiss Tane was placing on his neck and shoulders as he finally focused on his release, every brush against his skin, every light, loving pinch to his nipples. The image Q would see in the mirror was nothing less than Tane trying to devour him whole. And after a few more hard, well-angled thrusts, Tane was squeezing Q tight and dissolving into a mess of moans and groaned curses.

Sash/Q: ‘I am being careful,’ he signed, still pressed against Sean as best he could without crowding his hands. ‘I’m being a very good boy.’ See? Feel these soft kisses against your neck, your jaw? Aren’t these so nice? He wanted to give him more than that, but he reminded himself of their first night. He wanted to respect Sean’s restraint. However, that perfect mouth against his own neck had told a different tale. Maybe something might happen tonight. He would absolutely love that. He wouldn’t demand it, but he would sure appreciate keeping this man close and bask in his warmth. This was going to be a good memory, regardless of sex.

Q made sure those arms were wrapped around him like a belt. Tane’s strength was something to admire. This man could crush him; he was letting go yet withholding. It was as beautiful as he knew it would be despite their surroundings.

The thunder in his veins had abated, as too did his heavy breathing, lulled into a gentle hum of bliss. He wanted to remain in their position for as long as possible. He was filled and he was loved and it was dangerous and it was freedom.

“You feel so good,” he purred. “Perfect man.” My perfect man. Mine tonight.

Sean: Sean wouldn't call this careful, he'd call it the opposite. It was dangerous and naughty and... fucking beautiful.

Sash's face is stilled, cupped gently in Sean's hand. He looks the other over, wanting to understand his thoughts, his hopes. He wished he could know exactly what Sash wanted or needed from him. A thumb moved over his lips gently, signalling, he hoped, that he wanted him but would be gentle and patient if it was required.

Tane: Q needn't have worried; Tane and his arms weren't going anywhere. He was going to keep right on holding Q to his chest as he caught his breath, kissing and nuzzling everywhere he could reach.

He barely even noticed that they were still in the bathroom, and even if he had it would've made little difference. His only focus was the man tucked safely in his arms.

"Mmmm, so do you, my beautiful," he whispered. I'm all yours. Tonight and always. "You're the perfect one. So good and so perfect for me."

Sash/Q: Sash answered his touch with a kiss to Sean's thumb, eyes locked to his. He wanted excitement, treasured memories; he wanted Sean in whatever way he was allowed tonight.

Did his kiss answer his pondering?

"Do we gotta wait for midnight?"

The mirror could only satisfy so much. Q had to turn himself just so to capture that handsome mouth. He wanted to thank someone, something for creating this impressive specimen of man.

Oh, shit.

"We left my brother downstairs with Sean," he laughed, pressed his forehead against his lover. "Fuck, we're terrible."

Sean: Sean doesn't really have to think. In fact, come morning he'd believe he hadn't been thinking at all. There was a buzz in the air, in his hands, in his heart and lips.

He shakes his head, and continues to do so until his mouth presses to Sash's.

He was effortlessly passionate and attentive. So easily did his lips care for the other's. A tongue moves along his bottom lip, only to then gently and faintly taste the inside of his mouth. He wouldn't shove too hard or be too gentle, it was need and want mixed with affection and sweetness.

It was Sash's first time with a man, and this might cause uncertainty or anxiety. He may even just be a curious experiment for the other to explore and deduce his sexuality from. He didn't think that was the case, but he'd let Sash's reaction tell him.

Tane: Tane was only too happy to oblige, loosening his hold just enough to let Q adjust before holding him close again and pouring himself into the kiss. He couldn't wait until they were back at the hotel so he could kiss Q all over.

"We did," he chuckled, nuzzling Q. "He's hanging out with Sean though, he's covered." More kisses. "We'll be down by midnight."

Sash/Q: Sash placed his hands on Sean’s head, ran his fingers over what little hair there was and enjoyed his nearness. Sean was so warm. Despite their crowded sweaty surroundings, it made Sash feel safeguarded. Protected enough to hug his neck, enough to sigh into their kiss and offer his tongue. This felt natural, as though they’d known one another far longer than they had. Right now, that wasn’t an important sensation. Not nearly as significant as pressing himself against him, allowing Sean to feel what he had caused. Firmness which he would know he was responsible for.

Maybe it was the vibrations, the bits of alcohol he’s stolen, the lights, the heat, the intimacy. He was free, but this was a high. He would have to come down eventually.

Q was coming down from his own high, nuzzling the bouncer in return. “They look good together, huh? Hope they can enjoy themselves and keep it realistic.” Realistic, like this? Like pretending for thirty minutes that Tane was his and his alone, that he could belong to this man exclusively? He could not speak of realism.

“We need to clean up.”

Sean: Oh - oh his goodness. He hadn't been expecting that at all. He does consider the atmosphere and the alcohol, almost enough to make him want to push Sash away. No, Sash. Your head is cloudy. You only want this because of where we are, not because of who we are. Could I be anyone else? Am I just the lucky one against your lips tonight?

He didn't want to make the decision for him, he didn't want to demand that Sash isn't thinking right if he is. So he'd let Sash's body do the talking. Pun intended.

Hands focus on the other's hips, bringing him closer and rolling their bodies in time with the music. He pressed more into Sash's crotch, wanting to provide him with teasing friction while they kissed.

Tane: Tane nodded, smiling. "They do. If I were a betting man, I'd say they'll be doing plenty of enjoying before the night ends." And if not by the end of the night, then definitely by the end of the week. You could only resist that kind of attraction so much, and he should know.

"Mmmm, let me help you with that." Q was given three more kisses before Tane (reluctantly) pulled himself away, bending to clean his bartender with lips and tongue before dampening a paper towel with warm water and finishing the job.

Sash/Q: Sean’s advances would be met with youthful firmness, obviously eager and delighted with their dance and with their kiss. He knew Sean would feel it. If he didn’t want to, he would lean away, and Sash wouldn’t make a single complaint. He would have no right to. He watched Sean carefully, leaned away to force eye contact and bit his lip. How would that make him feel?

“I don’t know about that. I’m not interested in anything but knowing that a condom was involved.” Whether Sean arrived with protection was irrelevant. Sash had been provided plenty from his brother.

“Mm, you’re just too perfect.” And the proof was on his skin. Q leaned his weight against the counter and sighed blissfully, watched as Tane cleaned his body of sweat and semen.

“Still like how I taste?”

Sean: When Sash pulls away Sean takes to catching his breath, eyes only on the other. His gaze lowers to Sash's lips, causing him to lick his own, and then travel further south. He wondered if he could see Sash's bulge. He wondered where Sash's brother was, and when he'd come back to find them like this. He wondered where his own brother was, and if he should message him to come back. He wondered how Sash's cum tasted.

He felt himself hardening, and it made him laugh. Such a freeing feeling this was.

He kisses the other's chin, and jaw, and neck. How could he resist? He had felt intrigued by Sash the moment he saw a picture of him, he had found him beautiful and hadn't changed his mind.

Tane: He chuckled softly. "I'm sure it will be." Especially if either Sean or Sash were anything like Tane. One always had to hope (and prepare) for the best.

"Mmmm, of course I do, my beautiful," Tane murmured, kissing just below Q's navel, then straightening to kiss his lips. "I love how you taste. All of you. You're going to go really well with caramel sauce later."

Sash/Q: Seeing Sean laugh, feeling the rhythm with his hands on his chest, made him in love with that moment. In his young opinion, moments were what made life bearable. Moments just like this. Someone somewhere in the world, many people he hoped, were filled with the same sensation of euphoria. Without joy and all its accompanying emotions, life was not worth the arduous repetition.

Sash tilted this way and that to enjoy those giving lips. They were on a dance floor, so, he had to sway his hips, make every movement seem purposeful.

His hand pressed deep over Sean’s heart, pumped as an indication of his own heartbeat. See what you’ve made him do? His pulse was racing.

Q was grinning from ear to ear. Hearing that pet name never got old. Tane made him feel sexy in a way so few clients could. More than an object of relief, but a person of worship. Someone to be admired for just a little more than his ass and cock. Perhaps more than a little.

“If we’re licking each other clean, maybe I need to get on my knees. Hmm?” No, they needed to go. He knew that Tane knew. He knew what Tane would say and he looked forward to it.

“I brought a special cherry oil with you in mind,” he hummed, tapping his fingers over those perfectly full, perfectly aged lips.

Sean: Sean smiled. Fucking hell. How is this really happening? It's too... perfect. Something is going to ruin this, right? It has to. Nothing could possibly go this well.

The hand is taken and brought to his mouth to be innocently and sweetly kissed... and then playfully bitten between the index and the thumb.

Tane: "What happened to needing to get back downstairs, hm?" Tane asked with a grin of his own, kissing Q once, twice. "Not that I don't want to. I wanna spend hours licking each other clean. Adoring every single inch of you."

Cherry oil? He was intrigued. "And just what are you planning to do with that?" he asked, kissing Q's finger.

Sash/Q: "Rude," Sash laughed. He hoped tonight would end on a smooth note, but he wasn't going to hold his breath. The life he'd lived meant enjoying what was available until it was depleted. Sean was going to stay here and he had to go back to school. Enjoy this moment with Sean's sexy smile while it lasted.

"What do you think I'm going to do?" Demonstration, licking Tane's taut neck and down to his chest. He hummed, growled in frustration at his own procrastination.

"Alright, alright." He had to force himself to finish dressing and straightening his clothes.

"Do I look like I just got fucked by Hercules?" Oh well. One more kiss and it was time to head back downstairs.

Sean: Sean tutted and shook his head. "I would never be rude t'you." to prove it, he kisses where was bitten, and trails his lips all up Sash's arm, until finding his neck once again.

Tane: Tane gave a soft, pleased hum, letting his head tilt back as he savored these last moments of precious contact before he had to give Q up and share him with the rest of the world again. And as much as he hated having to do it, he was very much looking forward to having Q to himself for the rest of the weekend.

In all its cherry oil and caramel sauce glory.

He reluctantly followed suit, setting himself to rights and grinning at Q in the mirror. "Yes," he said with no small bit of satisfaction. "To a trained eye."

Sash/Q: Here Sash thought Sean was about to nibble and suck on his finger. He would have been pleased either way. Given the moans Sean had elicited, there would be no doubt how he felt. Unfortunately, big brother Q was coming downstairs to interrupt their escalating flirtations.

"Look at those two," the bartender chuckled. Of all of the men to pursue his baby brother, thank God it was someone like Sean Archer.

Sean: That is far too raunchy. He couldn't possibly do something like that in the middle of somewhere so public... but nibbling his neck a little wasn't out of the question.

Something behind Sash caught his attention and made him ease back. He laughed. "Your brother is back."

Tane: "Very close and cozy," Tane chuckled fondly. He knew exactly how they both felt and it was simultaneously the best and worst feeling in the world.

"Would a certain gorgeous bartender like another drink before the countdown starts?"

Sash/Q: There was no sense in hiding that pout; Sash loved the theater, but his own acting was mediocre at best. Moments like this were meant to feel like a lifetime, instead, it was over as soon as it began.

"Time?" he asked, taking a step back to compose himself.

Q brushed his fingers over Tane's ribs.

"Something with cinnamon? I need a boost and a distraction from you," he grinned.

Sean: Bringing out his phone Sean checked the time, then showed Sash. They had about ten minutes. His phone background was him sat on a stool, singing into a microphone with a guitar on his lap.

"We cheated a little bit," he joked.

Tane: "A distraction, you say? Sounds like a raw deal for me," he chuckled. "I should bring you something that reminds you of me instead."

He stole a quick kiss. "Ever had a cinnamon sparkle?"

Sash/Q: 'The rule wasn't in writing so it doesn't count.' The strobe lights had dimmed. Sash could barely see his own hands, but his attention returned to his brother. He blinked, watching his brother being kissed by the giant. He still couldn't say whether or not he approved of Big T.

"I can tell you I've rarely seen anyone order one." Rum and cognac? "Yes please, I'll have one."

Sean: "Mmm hmm." He happily hummed. His smile faltered when Sash looked away. He followed his gaze and wondered if that bothered him - seeing his brother like that. Was he okay with it? A hand lightly placed on his back, silently supportive.

Tane: "People don't know what they're missing." There wasn't anything not to love about rum, cognac, and peach goodness.

Another kiss. "Two cinnamon sparkles coming right up."

Sash/Q: Sash leaned his weight against his hand and turned, giving Sean a look to prove he was alright. He was just thinking.

Q danced his way through a small crowd of drunks and greeted his brother with an affectionate smack to his shoulder.

'Having a good time?'

'Sean is very good at entertaining,' Sash smiled.

Sean: Sash could say that again.

"Where have you two been?" signed and said.

Tane: The bartender was surprised at Tane's request, echoing what Q had said about it rarely being ordered. Way he saw it, those were often the best drinks; the hidden treasures.

He returned to Q in time to hear Sean's question, trying his best not to look too self-satisfied. "We went up to the roof for a while," he said as he handed Q his glass. "Beautiful view up there." Of Q getting, as he has put it, fucked by Hercules.

Sash/Q: "You guys should go see. Maybe we can see some fireworks from up there. They're going to pop streamers and glitter all of em us at midnight. You choose which you'd prefer."

His drink was sipped, a nod of appreciation given to Big T. "Good call."

Sean: "It must be really packed up there." How did they even manage to find any room to squeeze up on the roof? Surely everyone has the same idea.

Tane: "Kinda, but it's not too bad. The heaters they have up there don't seem to be enough to make many people brave the cold."

Tane smiled. "Told you people don't know what they're missing. Glad you like it."

Sash/Q: 'Do you want to go up there after we get covered in slutty glitter?' Sash was grinning from ear-to-ear. His brother was rolling his eyes.

'You're a bi Emmett Honeycutt. I should have never watched Queer as Folk when you were home.'

He looked to Sean. "He learned how to cuss from the TV shows I watched. Our mother still hasn't forgiven me."

Sash had caught most of that. Enough to retort. 'It's fine. She doesn't understand half of what I say now so I can cuss all I want.'

Sean: What started out as funny, ended up being saddening. His mother didn't even understand him. Just as his own father hadn't taken the time to learn sign language for Conor.

Where is his brother, anyway? He should come enjoy this with people who care about him.

"Don't worry. We'll go up. Let me jus' find my brother."

He brings out his phone and sends a text, asking where he is and if he's okay.

Tane: Tane smiled into his drink. "Reminds me of my and my step-brothers on my mom's side. They cursed in German around me and I ended up repeating everything they said to my mom and my step-dad. They're both still steamed." And it still came up every Christmas.

Sash/Q: 'She's trying. She's been trying for years. Give her better credit.'

Sash waved away Q's scolding. Both frowned.

"I keep forgetting you have brothers," Q said aloud. Sash's eyes darted between them trying to gather as much of the conversation as possible. When his brother realized what he was doing, he reminded himself to sign as he spoke, regardless of his focus.

Sash's fingers gently brushed over Sean's wrist.

'Everything okay?'

Sean: "Hilarious." said sarcastically, and hopefully his expression portrayed this for Sash. He hadn't stopped signing his speech. Aidan would've killed him for that.

Conor lazily checked his phone, and simply responded saying he's fine.

{Text: Con} Come back. It will be midnight soon.

Sean lifts his arm so that Sash's fingers can be brought to his lips. He nodded and smiled reassuringly.

Tane: "Yep," he said with a nod, reminding himself to speak clearly so Sash could read his lips. "Three of them. And three sisters. I'm lousy with siblings."

Sash/Q: Sean was a damn good distraction. He had to force his eyes away.

'Do you have to remember birthdays and wedding anniversaries and niece and nephew birthdays? That's too much. I'd go crazy.'

Q translated for his brother and chuckled. "Same. One of you is enough."

Big brother was weakly shoved.

Sean/Conor: "Hey, I grew up in a house with five siblings and I wouldn't trade it for anything. It was the best." but... he also grew up in a very /large/ house, where they each had their own bedroom and more than enough of their own personal space.

Conor mentally sighed.

{Text: Sean} I don't like it there. It's claustrophobic. Sorry. I'll be in my hotel room. You can video call me if you want to.

Sean bit his lip and read the reply a few times.

Tane: Tane chuckled and nodded. "Yes I do. My calender is a mess of important dates. Got my siblings' birthdays memorized, it's just just the rest of it I need help with."

He smiled at Sean. "Nothing like family chaos."

Sash/Q: Sash was watching Sean with concern. He seemed to be the only one paying any attention to his expression. It was subtle, but noticeable. Enough so to gently rub Sean's lower back and offer an oblivious but comforting smile. He didn't need to know what was being said to know it was putting a nail in his pillow.

Q glanced from Tane to Sash to Sean and back. He arched his brow at the bouncer and sipped his drink.

"Maybe I could have handled more Sashes if I'd lived in a house like Margot's, or anything bigger than a thousand square feet growing up."

Sean: Sean snapped up. Was he being rude? He quickly responded, saying okay, but to come back if he changes his mind. He'll have to stop by Conor's room when they go back.

Putting away his phone he smiled, "Nothin' else is like havin' a siblin'." He moved closer to Sash, appreciating the thoughtful touch.

Tane: He exchanged glances with Q, silently acknowledging the strange vibe but not calling attention to it. He didn't want to put Sean on the spot if he was dealing with something.

"My siblings were spread evenly over two houses so that made it a little easier most of the time. Still had to do the fighting over the bathroom thing.

"You guys do that?" he added to Sean.

Sash/Q: Q smiled to himself, remembering the time a very young Sash tried to use the bathroom stool he stood on to brush his teeth as a barricade to keep him out in the mornings, determined to do everything "all by himself like a big boy".

He began to explain the memory after Sean's response, signing to the best of his abilities as he recollected. It was imperfect, but Sash was grinning.

"I seriously don't remember," he laughed.

Sean: "Uh..." he thought, "nah, we all had our own bathroom." ... How did that make him sound?

He was glad when Q filled the air with his adorable story. Sean's expression matched Sash's.

"Cute." Signed and spoken, like everything else.

Tane: "I would've loved that," Tane said with feeling, recalling mornings spent arguing with his step-sisters before school and every time one of his siblings had barged in when he was showering.

The story made him smile as well. "Very cute. Did you manage to get into the bathroom eventually or did Sash stick to his guns and dominate the morning routine?"

Sash/Q: "It was like a two pound plastic stool. He'd make his bath water like lava! He'd forget the cold knob existed and then whine -"

"I don't like feeling cold," which was why he had no problem whatsoever with the crowded club, with the sweat on his brow, with his jacket forgotten back at the hotel.

Tane: "I feel you, brah." He gave Sash an understanding nod. "I don't like feeling cold either. I never thought it would snow so much when I came here. Q's been teasing me about my Dad sweater," he added with a smile at his bartender.

Sash/Q: "Nothing funnier than a giant of a man in a wool sweater," he smiled right back.

Sash leaned his weight against Sean and nudged his arm with two fingers.

'Aren't they just cute.'

Sean: Sean rolled his eyes with a smile. 'We're cuter.'

Tane: "I'm a Hawaiian giant!" Tane laughed. "I need wool to keep me from turning into an iceberg or a popsicle. I bought a wool scarf too."

Sash/Q: 'You're going to be more cute with glitter all over your body.' Shameless.

Seemed they were already beginning to drift into their own conversations again.

But Q gave the new and possibly temporary couple his attention once more. "You're here with your brother, right? Younger or older?"

Sean: Sean was literally on the verge of leaning down to kiss Sash - because, ah, how fucking delicious - when Q distracted him and made him straighten up.

"Younger. Aidan is the only one older than me. Conor's two years younger, and Ronan's four years younger."

Tane: Tane looked around, trying to spot Conor's hair in the sea of people. "Did he go outside? I don't see him anywhere."

Sash/Q: Sash was back to staring at the man Q had introduced as Big T. He could barely register a word said when the man smiled.

'Do you understand anything I say when I sign?'

Q casually smacked his brother's elbow.

"Guess Conor wants to celebrate differently. To each his own."

Sean: He chose to ignore their little moment. "This isn't really his scene, he came 'cause I made him." Sean shrugged. "I didn't want him t'be alone."

Tane: "Nothing wrong with that." With Conor leaving or with Sean not wanting him to be alone.

"If he comes back in for the countdown we'll get him a drink." He glanced at the brightly lit clock on the wall. "Which is in just a few minutes."

Sash/Q: "If you want, we can go be with him instead," suggested Q. Sash almost pouted, but turned to Sean and nodded in agreement.

Sean: Sean hesitated. He didn't want to ruin their evening, but he didn't want Conor to be alone, either.

"Maybe if we go up to the roof he'll be more comfortable there?"

Tane: Tane smiled and nodded. "I think he would be. It's quieter and less crowded up there. Plus, we'll get a great view of the fireworks."

Sash/Q: "Let's go get him, then."

'We can,' Sash tapped Sean's arm and grinned.

"Well, haven't you guys gotten so cozy."

Sean: It really warmed Sean to know that although they didn't really know Conor they were still willing to care for him and accommodate him. Whether that was for his own benefit or his brother's, he didn't know. It didn't matter. It was so sweet and generous - so rare, that it made him smile and touch his chest.

"Thank you. We could just tell him to meet us up there, if you want?"

He'll let Sash respond to Q's comment.

Tane: "Sure thing." Tane subtly nudged Q and nodded toward the stairs. "Let's go stake out a good spot on the roof." And leave the cozy love birds to have a moment to themselves before the festivities broke out.

Sash/Q: 'As cozy as you two,' Sash replied coolly. Q was ready to respond, but Tane was a well-needed distraction.

'Text him, yeah. Do that because it's cold out,' he laughed.

Sean/Conor: With a nod, out comes his phone.

{Text:} Con, come back! There's somewhere spacious on the roof. Tá grá agam duit xx

Conor smirked and rolled his eyes.

{Text:} Are you drunk?

{Text:} No! Come on.

{Text:} You'd like me to be the fifth wheel?

{Text:} Yeah! See you soon. Xx

"He's on his way."

Tane: Once they were out of sight of Sash and Sean, Tane stole a kiss from Q.

"Ready for the new year, gorgeous?"

Sash/Q: Q smiled, relieved for the kiss. His brother seemed to be in a mood and was getting on his nerves. Not the best way to start the new year.

"Ready as I'm going to be. How are you? Feeling good?"

Sash smiled and nuzzled himself against Sean's shoulder, motioned back to the bar.

“I want what I can't have. I want a Jack and Coke.”

Sean: "Like you said," Sean smiled crookedly, "you can't have it."

Tane: "That's the spirit." Tane kissed him again. "I'm feeling very good. I always do when I'm with you." Maybe just one more kiss. "We're about to celebrate a new year, we're going to have sex all night. Gonna be a good start to the year."

Sash/Q: "Oh yeah?" Q laughed into the extra kisses. "Still watching over Sash, and he might or might not be going with Sean. I can't tell what they want to be."

'Spill some of your Jack into my Coke?' Sash laughed. He wondered if Conor's disappearance had something to do with him, if Conor didn't like the idea of their nearness, if he knew about it at all.

Sean: Sean bit his bottom lip and shook his head. Ah. This much grinning will surely end up harming his face.

"I don't want to be a bad influence."

Tane: "They look like they want to be....." Tane affected his best philosopher face. "In the moment. They seem very in tune with each other."

Sash/Q: "Guess we'll see what happens." In truth, not much stock was going into the idea. Lovely whims, nothing more.

The temperature seemed to have dropped in the space of just minutes. He should have brought a jacket.

Sash was back to pouting, obviously a tease. It didn't matter that much. He could fix himself at the hotel with those adorable little bottles of booze. He'd order himself a soda and keep his plans to himself. For now.

Sean: "Aww. None of that." He kissed the corner of Sash's mouth. "Do you want to go up to the roof now?"

Tane: "Cold?" Tane asked, seeking out the nearest heater and leading them over to it.

And wrapping his arms around Q as soon as he could. Couldn't have him being cold.

Sash/Q: "It's nothing," but still he followed, and still he smiled at Tane's concern and affection. He wondered if this was how Luke Graham felt in his presence. He leaned his weight against him and began to plot their meeting.

"We waiting on your brother?" Sash wrinkled his brow. He was willing to wait if it was what Sean wanted.

Sean: Sean shook his head. "He can meet us up there. It would mean he has to spend less time down here, which I think he'd appreciate." A hand slips into the other's so that he may kiss the back of it.

Tane: Tane smiled to himself, resting his cheek against Q's hair. This right here was exactly how he wanted to start the new year; with the man he loved safe in his arms.

"We should go to Hawaii again this year."

Sash/Q: "We'll go once a year, maybe. Probably. Definitely." For now, he closed his eyes, enjoyed the sound of city life. He missed the clamour.

Sash looked around, seemingly stunned by Sean's little kiss.

'Sir, that is inappropriate behavior,' he laughed. Sean's cheek was given similar treatment, and soon he was being dragged upstairs.

Sean: That only made Sean laugh. Fuck, Sash is so adorable and funny and.... just straight up enticing. He wanted to always be around this vibrant energy. He squeezed Sash's hand as they made their way up the stairs, soon after he was receiving a text from his brother saying that he was about to make his way up to the roof.

Tane: He nodded and kissed the top of Q's head. "Definitely every year. Maybe we could even pop over to Maui or Lanai next time. You'd love both."

Sash/Q: "When Sash gets better settled in college, gets a job, I'll be moving out there. Someplace warm or someplace loud. Hawaii has both, so..." Q turned his head enough to smile. "So you should show me more."

Sash was immediately distracted by city life; seeing his brother's nearness to Tane had him turning his back to them completely.

'Do you have a PS4? Tell me yes. We're going to play together.'

Sean/Conor: Sean laughed, "Nah, Ro does though," he spoke and signed. "I could borrow his."

He then felt a hand on his back, making him turn and grin at his brother, exclaiming his name and giving him a hug.

Tane: "Yes it does. You'd do very well there." Tane firmly believed everyone on earth would do well in Hawaii, and not just because he was biased.

He stole a kiss from that smile. "I'll show you everything, beautiful."

Sash/Q: "Goddamn right you will. I'll do a sweep of every area so we don't get ambushed by a model again." He wondered what Alister was doing this very moment, wondered if she was happy.

'Borrow? I'll buy you one.' He would buy Sean a console with Q's money, so Q will buy him one.

Sash ducked his chin, mentally preparing himself for having to share.

'Hey,' he waved.

Sean/Conor: Sean instantly cringed. No, no. "No way. I can get myself one."

Conor returned the gesture lazily.

"Have a good time, Con?"

'No.'

"Bet you wish Bo was here, huh?" Sean's grin was wide and cheeky. Here, have a middle finger.

'Has Sean been this irritating all night?'

Tane: He laughed softly. He could now, but in that moment with that distinctly irritating woman the encounter hadn't been nearly as amusing. "I doubt we will. Gonna take you to all the nice secluded parts of the islands."

Sash/Q: "So long as we get to skydive next time." Sean's voice had Q turning towards their group. Still couldn't get a read on the brother.

'He won't buy me a real drink. He's not a risk-taker,' he laughed. 'So, is Bo your boyfriend?' Seemed to be what the dots were connecting.

Sean/Conor: Conor shook his head. Not with disgust, no cringe or real rejection of the idea could be seen. He was just correcting an assumption.

'No, a friend, merely.'

"Best friend." A hand goes over Sean's laughing face. Stop that.

'He's being responsible because he cares.'

Tane: "We can go skydiving if you promise not to laugh at me when I scream the whole time."

Sash/Q: "Oh, I'll be recording your ass and I'll be putting it on YouTube. Dont worry, I'll give you all the profits."

Sash smiled at the banter, finding comfort in its similarity to his with the man behind them.

'Will you care less when we get to the hotel?' A not-so-sneaky way of asking their near-future plans.

Sean/Conor: Conor raised an eyebrow while Sean just smirked. "I'll be even more carin' then." His wink made Conor want to gag.

'Disgusting.'

Tane: Tane laughed. "Like hell you are. You're gonna be too busy protecting me from the extreme height."

Sash/Q: Sash simply laughed at the remark. 'So disgusting. He needs to practice better lines.' He simply couldn't tame his smile.

Q's was similar in fashion. "Maybe we'll have to be attached for your first jump. No, actually, no maybe. We will be."

Sean/Conor: It was more the wink that Conor was grossed out by.

'I sometimes feel as though Sean has too much energy for his own good.'

Tane: He had a feeling that even the act of being attached to Q wouldn't curb his fear, but there was no way Tane was jumping without his bartender.

"Yes, we definitely will be. It'll be like when we went swimming together. Remember?"

Sash/Q: 'Too much?' He could think of ways to tire him out. Of course he wouldn't say that in front of Sean's brother. Even he knew that to be in poor taste.

'Has it ever gotten him into trouble?'

"Yes, it'll look hilarious. I'm prepared for comedy. Yeah. I'm gonna purchase a GoPro just for this."

Sean/Conor: 'All the time. Our father caught him-' Sean suddenly caught Conor's hands, stopping his form of communication. Which, obviously, pissed Conor off. His instant reaction was to grab his fingers in return and squeeze, but Sean quickly pulled from his grasp.

"Oi!"

'Don't do that.'

"You're right. I'm sorry." Conor's hand was taken and kissed. "Let's jus' say it's gotten me into a lot of trouble. Like, bein' caught by my brother kissin' a guy before I was out kinda trouble. Breakin' bones kinda trouble."

Tane: Tane laughed and shook his head. "Gonna buy a GoPro just to capture my embarrassment and laugh. Shameful." Q was kissed anyway.

"Gonna show Logan?"

Sash/Q: Sash glanced away as Sean was corrected for silencing his brother. He wasn't going to get involved with that. He returned his eyes seconds later.

'How many bones have you broken?'

"Maybe we can invite her with us when the time comes. That would be the best distraction for her, if you two can get along at that point."

Sean: "My elbow." He'd point to the exact place, by his elbow. "My shoulder." He'd gesture. "My rib. My knee. My ankle." My skull, when a bullet tore through me.

Tane: Tane smiled at the thought. Logan hasn't been to Hawaii since she was still in her mother's belly.

"I hope we can. I want this year to be the one we finally reconnect properly. I want to be in her life."

Sash/Q: 'Were you in a car wreck?' he laughed. 'How the hell...?' Suddenly his broken leg didn't seem like such a war story. His ear, on the other hand...

"We're gonna see about that, okay?" Q whispered in Tane's ear, gave it a quick kiss. "You'll see. I have the magic touch. You two are going to be alright." He hoped.

Sean/Conor: "Not all at the same time!" Sean laughed.

'But almost all due to idiocy. Jumping from a tree, or swing, climbing something he shouldn't be. Taunting people he shouldn't be.'

"What's life without some bruises?" He winked at Sash.

Tane: "You do have the magic touch," he said softly, nuzzling Q. "I wouldn't feel nearly as hopeful about it if you weren't helping me." He'd already proven to himself that his own efforts weren't enough.

Sash/Q: Sash smiled in return, shook his head at Conor's list. "Better than staying indoors all the time where it's safe."

Tane was give a warm squeeze. They could talk more about Logan later, but his confidence in their situation was firm, so long as he remembered his place and patience. Q had to trust him in keeping an appropriate distance from her.

Hearing their conversation, he found a perfect opportunity to tease. Catching Sash's attention.

'You're indoors almost all the time now. What's your favorite video game?'

'It's Fuck You that's what,' they laughed.

"You used to love basketball."

"I still do."

Tane: Tane squeezed him back, sneaking in another kiss to the top of Q's head while he still could. The festivities would be starting any moment.

Though he couldn't understand it, he smiled at Q and Sash's brotherly banter. It made him miss his own brothers.

"When was the last time you played?" Tane asked, lifting his head and turning so Sash could see him properly.

Sash/Q: Sash blinked and processed the big man's sentence. "A month ago."

"See? Practically never," his brother shook his head.

Sean/Conor: "What d'you mean?! That basically makes him a pro!"

Conor slunk back a little, looking out at the sky. Shouldn't it be midnight soon? That was why they had called him back, isn't it? His movement distracted Sean.

Sean nudged him. "C'mon let's send a picture to Bo." He took Conor's phone before he could respond and lifted it, snapping a picture of himself grinning and Conor just staring. It was sent to Bo. "Picture time before midnight!" He waved over the rest of their group. "Tane, you've got the longest arms, right? Take it?"

Tane: Tane smiled to himself. It really was sweet watching Sean and Sash interact. There was definitely something there between them; he hoped they got a chance to explore it.

"That I do," he said, nodding at Sean's question and taking the phone. "Absolutely, I will." He positioned himself right beside Q. "All right, everybody get in here and smile pretty for the camera!"

Sash/Q/Bo: {Text} Was your phone stolen? You seem quite displeased.

The sender was smiling, subtle though it was. He headed for the door, took a photo of the fireworks over the water, and then one of himself, positioning himself to be at the center of the gold and blue explosions.

The positioning couldn't have been better. Conor, Sean, Sash made a point to wedge himself between Sean and his own brother, leaving Tane to take the other end. Tonight, the Traxler brothers were huggers. Sean and Tane were at the center of their affections. Sash pressed his lips to Sean's cheek, and Q smiled widely to the camera.

Sean/Conor: Sean laughed, while Conor resumed looking unamused. He didn't smile. Not the way Sean did, pressing closer to Sash and puckering his lips for the picture. Conor's eyes cut through the darkness, while Sean winked. Conor had noticed the notification of Bo's response and hoped nobody would open the conversation.

They probably seemed like a very mismatched group.

Tane: Mismatched perhaps, but very photogenic.

Tane's smile matched Q's for its brightness, both for the picture and in appreciation that he got to hold his bartender as close as he wanted without anyone batting an eyelash.

"All right, everyone ready?" He took one picture, then a couple more for safety. He'd barely put his arm down when the countdown began.

"It's almost time!"

Sash/Q/Bo: Silence from Conor meant he was either preoccupied or just not interested in replying. Either way, Bo added "happy new year, flame" and called it an evening. There was a sheriff in need of attention.

Q pulled out his phone to text his mother good wishes. He wanted the photo taken to send to her email as well. Sash tapped his shoulder and began to ask, having the exact same thought.

"I'm -" 'Mom.' The one word was enough, and his brother nodded.

Back to Sean. "I'm still kissing you at midnight."

"Get a room."

Sean/Conor: "Good." His own phone is brought out so that he could message his brothers and all of his friends. Meanwhile, Conor had taken his phone back and slipped away. So they're all going to be kissing and Conor will just be... over here.

He sends the picture to Bo and responds, 'Happy new year, Flower.'

Sean counts down with the rest of the crowd, excites and smiling brightly until the time came to offer his lips to Sash.

Tane: There would be no texting family for Tane; his family preferred phone calls. As soon as the countdown ended he'd be fielding calls from two moms, two dads, and many, many siblings. More than likely they'd all be on speaker and shouting at once.

The thought made him smile as he pulled Q back into his arms once he'd finished texting.

"Ready?" he murmured into his bartender's ear, letting the loud, cheerful voices counting down fade into the background and zeroing in on Q's face.

Sash/Q: Sash made himself comfortable against Sean's chest, wanting to feel those arms around his shoulders, trapping him in warmth and momentary security. He was accustomed to the other way around, but tonight was an exception. When the clock struck midnight, he turned just so to capture those lips. He couldn't have asked for a better night.

Q had been ready before the countdown had begun, all too eager to hold Tane's face in both hands and offer his tongue. He did feel a little sympathetic towards Sean's brother, but not enough to stop, or say anything to take away from his own selfish happiness.

Sean/Conor: Sean knew his brother well, he knew that he's happier not being squashed into a group of people, forced to act happy. He knew this, and Conor appreciated not being made to act friendly with people he barely knew.

'You feel like coming back to my room tonight?' he smirked cheekily.

Tane: Tane smiled as he closed the distance between them, holding Q snugly against his chest as he sunk into the taste and feel of him. The fireworks booming overhead were a distant echo, the raucous cheering a faint buzz.

In that perfect moment there was nothing but Q, and though he wouldn't say it aloud, poured every single ounce of love and devotion he felt for this perfect man into their kiss.

"Happy New Year, my beautiful," he murmured.

Sash/Q: Sash was grinning from ear-to-ear. "Is your brother going-" he glanced up at the fireworks. No way Sean could possibly hear him. 'Is your brother going to be upset if I do?'

Tane's nose was attacked with a nip and a kiss. "Another year in our little town at our little bar. Not so bad." Not as boring as it used to be. He could feel...something, but that couldn't possibly be love. It was just alcohol and ecstasy.

"What do you wanna do now?"

Sean: 'We booked separate rooms.' he winked playfully, taking one of those hands to kiss.

Tane: Tane's smile was pure joy. "Not bad at all." He kissed Q again. "Now I wanna whisk you away and make love to you alllll night long."

Sash/Q: 'You want to share a night with me?' His smile faded. 'We don't have to have sex.'

Q was ready to turn and ask his brother if he would be alright, but by the time he faced the budding couple, Sash was already signing.

'You be alright here? I'm going with Sean to his place to chill.'

"Just to chill, huh?" he said and signed.

'Yeah. We'll be fine. I won't be stupid, promise.'

Q looked over to Sean. Please be careful with him, his eyes said.

Sean/Conor: Sean briefly felt confused. He had just been about to tell Sash tbe same thing - no reason to have expectations or pressure.

Conor noticed the conversation from a distance and looked concerned. Sean's knowing nod, you have my word as a big brother, gets interrupted by Conor tugging him aside.

'Are you sure this is a good idea?' signed in BSL so that hopefully Sash doesn't understand. Sean verbally responded in Irish, it will be fine, brother. He won't do anything stupid, he promised.

Conor didn't seem convinced... 'You're hoping to have sex with him, aren't you?' Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew.

Sean shoved his shoulder gently. Stop. Before returning to Sash's side. Great. Now the hybrid has that image in his head. Kill him.

"You ready, Sash?"

Sash/Q: Sash watched the two of them, and for a moment felt insulted. The offense didn't feel the same as someone might feel being interrupted, or having their mouth covered or signing cut short, but similar. He couldn't complain. One of the reasons Sash had opened himself to signing was because of its uniqueness and privacy.

"Ah, young love," Q laughed, turning from the conversation. He was on Conor's side, he was sure, assuming this was brotherly concern.

'Ready when you are,' Sash smiled. 'He give his blessing?'

Sean/Conor: 'He doesn't have to, I'm older.' Conor gave him a dirty look while Sean just smiled and offered his arm. Take it and he'll guide you through the crowd to his hotel.

{Text: Flower} Maybe I should've brought someo

Ah, no... He deletes that and tucks his phone away, noticing a girl who was watching him. Ew.

Tane: "Goes hand in hand with brotherly concern," Tane said with a smile, wrapping his arm around Q's shoulders. "Come on, let's leave them to it." He kissed his bartender's hair. "I've got plans for you."

Sash/Q: 'Arm in arm?' he laughed. 'What about hand swinging?' He took Sean's hand and swung the same way a parent would a child, just once, before kissing his knuckles. Lead him anywhere. He didn't care.

"You've made plans? Oo, look at you." Q turned back to the fireworks and sighed, content. He wanted a few more minutes of that.

"How's the family?"

Sean/Conor: Well clearly Conor won't be staying here, either. Thanks for bringing me into this super uncomfortable situation, Sean. He made a disgusted face before walking away from them all. He'll just head back to his hotel room, too.

Sean laughed, smiling brightly at the other. Hand swinging is fine if it's with you. He was torn between taking is time and walking briskly. He wanted to kiss Sash without any eyes on them. He wondered if the other felt the same.

Tane: "Oh, yes. We can't let that caramel sauce and cherry oil go to waste. Have to ring the new year in the right way."

Tane pulled his phone out of his pocket, smiling at the veritable flood of texts and voicemails. "In very good spirits. Wanna stay and watch the fireworks for a bit while I reply to some of these texts?"

Sash/Q: Sash didn't mind the eyes, so long as they were without malice. The asshole from before seemed to have left, or was still upstairs. So far so good.

He glanced behind, noticed Sean's brother.

"Coming with us?"

Q looked over to his phone and laughed. "Yeah. You deal with that. I think I'll make a quick video, too. Shouldn't take but five minutes."

Sean/Conor: 'I'm not here.' Conor signed. Sean hadn't realised his brother had left too and looked back in confusion.

"Why'd you leave?"

'Q and Tane were acting like I wasn't even there, so there would've been no point staying. They were too preoccupied with each other's mouths.'

Sean laughed, but his brother was being deadly serious.

"It isn't like you were tryna get involved in any conversation."

Conor just waved at him to stop before turning off to go walk alone. Sean rolled his eyes.

Tane: "Go for it," said Tane, stealing another quick kiss before listening to his voicemails. His very loud, cheerful, and slightly tipsy-sounding voicemails. As he'd suspected, his family was all together and shouting into the phone at the same time.

Sash/Q: Sash watched the both of them, then as Conor walked away, he turned back to Sean, concern in his eyes.

'Is he bothered that I'm coming with you? I don't want some fight because of me.'

Q angled his phone at the most attractive angle, and said his hellos to his fans. He recapped his night, including as he called it, a "spontaneous sexual encounter with a beautiful Australian", and not to worry, he had been safe.

"I hope everyone's had a great fucking night. Life's too short. See you soon!"

The video was then reviewed and posted to his RentMe profile.

Sean/Conor: Sean shook his head, 'He's upset because he's surrounded by...' well, he couldn't exactly say couples... 'people who are pairing off. You and I, Q and Tane. He's alone.'

Alone his ass. Conor had... uh...

Tane: There was no way in hell he'd be able to call his family with all this noise and all the noise they were obviously making, so Tane simply returned as many texts as he could, wishing everyone a happy new year, telling them to be safe, and promising that he would all tomorrow.

As soon as he finished, he looked up to see if Q had as well, holding out a hand in invitation.

Sash/Q: 'Should we do something with him, something where we're not making him uncomfortable?' The one and only time he would ask this. One chance, and he would be back to walking shoulder to shoulder with his...date? Yes, his date.

Tane's hand was taken. An attempt to pull the giant closer miserably failed, and so he carried himself forward on still tipsy feet.

"Let's go home and fuck." Life is short.

Sean: Wait, what?

'I want to be alone with you. You're going home soon, and he'll be fine. Is that selfish of me? Does that make me seem like a bad person?'

Tane: "You read my mind," Tane said with a grin, kissing Q as soon as he was close enough. "Would my beautiful bartender like to be carried to the hotel or would he rather walk?"

Sash/Q: 'I don't know. I want to be selfish, too. Do I get points for trying to be nice?' he quietly laughed. 'I am leaving. I like you. I don't want you to have a fucked up conversation with him next time you two are alone.'

"Well, since you offered, I'd love a piggy back ride back to our room," Q grinned. "I'll never say no to being carried."

Sean: 'I'll give you ten points. Now you're at a thousand Sean Points.' he joked, before shrugging. 'We'll be okay.' we have eternity to patch things up if not. 'Can we just enjoy our time together?' he offered his hand.

Tane: He chuckled. "I know you don't. And I'll never not offer." Tane gave Q another quick kiss and turned. "Hop on, gorgeous." It didn't matter if anyone stared at them; everyone might as well be invisible tonight.

Sash/Q: "But I'm already enjoying it," he laughed again, taking Sean's hand and squeezing it. Despite the commotion he couldn't hear, the buzzing vibrations of emotion and music, the crowds, family, there was only Sean Archer. That was the way he'd wanted it all night. It seemed he and Tane Lukela were of the same mindset.

Q climbed aboard with natural ease, wrapped his arms around his shoulders and settled in, his cheek resting in Tane's hair.

"You smell like shampoo and cigarettes. I blame the bathroom we were in."

Sean: Sash was only released once they reached Sean's hotel room. He opened the door, holding it out for the other to go in ahead of it. A double bed, a bag in the corner, clothes over a chair.

"The light switch is on the right."

Tane: "I do?" He brought the sleeve of his sweater to his nose and inhaled. Yep, that was smoke. Smoke and alcohol and Q.

He grinned.

"In that case, I think we're going to have to add shower sex to our itinerary for the night."

Sash/Q: Sash blinked and squinted, eyes focused on Sean's mouth. Something on the right. He looked and - ah, probably the switch. Maybe when he turned back around Sean would be naked.

"Does your mini fridge have baby bottles of booze?"

"Shower sex, bed sex, against the wall sex, pressed up against the glass doors to the balcony sex, on the bathroom counter sex. Am I missing any?" he laughed.

Sean: Sean definitely won't be naked. At most, he'll shrug off his jacket.

'Not for you.' he smiled, slowly closing the gap between them. A hand gently places on Sash's face, feeling his skin with a thumb. Green eyes look into the other's.

Tane: Tane considered the list very carefully, nodding after each location listed. "Sounds about right," he said seriously, though Q would be able to hear the smile in his voice. "We should get started immediately, starting with shower sex."

Sash/Q: "What?" He frowned. "I get not having a drink at the club, but there's no cameras in here...unless you want there to be." Well, fuck, he leaned into his hand anyway.

"Shower sex sounds so fucking good right now." As soon as they arrived at the hotel Tane was going to lose his shirt, his pants, every-fucking-thing. If the bouncer wanted equal treatment, well, he'd have to wrestle for it.

Sean: An eyebrow raises. What? "A camera?" he smirked. "You're bold, aren't ya?" Sash is brought in for a slow kiss. "I don't want alcohol t'influence any of your actions."

Tane: "Yes, it does." Everything on that list sounded good and he fully intended to get through it all and reduce Q to a very satisfied puddle.

He laughed as Q divested him of every article of clothing, and of course he wanted Q to join him. He would chase, he would grab, and he would wrestle, not resting until his beautiful bartender was naked in his arms and Tane was carrying him to the shower.

Sash/Q: "I'm gonna want you now or if I have a shot of tequila, or ten shots of tequila. You're not taking advantage of me." He would however, take advantage of his nearness, of his inviting mouth, and offer his tongue.

It was a half-hearted wrestling match, one Tane had more muscle and patience to prevail. His prize was plenty content to settle in his arms and squeeze his bicep.

Sean: Sean would be taking no chances. The human is kissed generously. Lips brushed over lips, hands explored as feet took him forward, guiding Sash backwards to encourage him to sit on the bed. He wanted to climb into his lap. He wanted to taste his tongue and let it make his heart sing.

Oh, how freeing this all was.

Much more free than Conor felt, who was staring at his phone, at the pictures they had all taken together. The one Sean had sent to Bo. He was probably doing what everyone else was, kissing their partner and getting nasty in privacy. He exhaled, putting his phone away just as he was approached.

Tane: "Hold on tight, gorgeous," Tane told Q, kissing his hair. "We're gonna try to do this without my having to put you down."

By 'this' he meant freeing one arm turning on the shower, getting it to a comfortable temperature, and stepping inside, all without Q leaving his arms.

Sash/Q/Bo: Closer towards everything is how Sash felt. Sean was drawing nearer and the bed that much closer. He felt the mattress behind his knees and he buckled, taking his lover with him. He didn't want those lips to stray more than an inch. He wanted to see bare skin as though for the first time.

"I wanna see everything. I'll show you mine if you show me yours," he laughed.

Bo had taken a shower alone. There would be no intercourse tonight or any other night. However, there would be spooning. Something about tonight made him feel so miserably lonely, despite Brett hugging him from behind.

That was fine by Q. He was making himself comfortable with his monkey hold, clinging with his legs around Tane's thighs, his arms around his neck. He could maintain this stance for hours, or so he believed. Minutes at best.

"Good job," he praised. "Now tilt your head back." Not at all said to be helpful. He just wanted to kiss his throat.

Sean: Sean licked his lips and grinned. "Everythin', huh?" He chuckled. "Are undressin' ourselves or each other?" Fingers that teased Sash's hem, barely brushed against his skin, showed him which option he preferred.

Tane/Brett: The lack of intercourse mattered very little to Brett, as it always did. While Bo showered, he locked up the house and set their alarm, got a toy and a blanket for a certain sleepy puppy so the fireworks wouldn't scare him.

And once the house was safe he was more than happy to snuggle in beside his boyfriend, to hold him close and kiss his hair and thank God and all the saints in heaven that he'd gotten another year with the man he loved.

Miles away in a hotel bathroom, Tane was giving the same thanks as he did as the precious man in his arms commanded. He hummed softly, holding to Q with both arms again.

"How's the water?" he asked.

Sash/Q: I like the idea of undressing you. A thought which he wouldn't bother to say, as he lifted Sean's shirt in response. The fireworks continued though abating, unheard, but the colors dancing on Sean's skin was something to behold. Sash sat back on his elbows and grinned.

"You look like a painting," he laughed.

Q glanced up, momentarily confused as to what Tane was even talking about. Oh right. Duh.

"Not nearly as boring as taking a shower by myself." He softly nipped at soft, warm skin. Quietly, he marveled at how gracefully and yet how harshly this man had aged. Scars over supple skin, sun kissed yet conditioned. He hoped to age like this. Less battle wounds, but...

Sean: It was so easy to smile. The situation was just... beautiful. It felt almost like a dream. He leaned back and lifted his arms, encouraging the action. Yes. Let's be free together. Let's be generous with ourselves.

The compliment had him chuckling - for that, he'll pose as flamboyantly as possible, fluttering long eyelashes and pretending to flick back long, flowing hair. But now it's Sash's turn. Hands reach for material, to tug and guide it all away to get Sash's chest just as bare as his own.

Tane: "Well I should hope not," Tane chuckled, nuzzling as Q explored him. "Otherwise I'm not doing my job." He liked to think his scars had healed well, and for the most part he didn't mind them. His chest hair either covered them or they were so faded he barely noticed them. There were only a few that brought him shame, however, and they had nothing do with his age. "What's going on in that head of yours, beautiful?"

Sash/Q: Sash held up an invisible camera and snapped a photo, even going so far as to make a click sound. Gotta have that shutter. He then lifted his arms into the air, giving Sean all the aid needed to make them equal. An iridescent star sticker had been placed over his heart sometime in the night. The human glanced to his left arm, covered in 8-bit tattoos. His smile turned sheepish, but still, he twisted his arm this way and that for Sean to see. Pacman chasing Inky, Clyde, Blinky, and Pinky on his forearm; an 8-bit mushroom above his elbow; three little hearts on the other side of his forearm just below his elbow. He gave a thumbs up, revealing a tiny and simple smiley face on his thumb.

"Just that you're great to look at," Q laughed. "And I need to probably get down. My thighs are starting to feel like rubber."

Carefully he climbed down and stretched his arms, twisted his back, and yawned. "Fuck, how am I already tired? It's not even 1 am yet."

Sean: Well, that just made him laugh. "This is what happens when they let hooligans get tattoos." he joked. The only tattoo he had was on his right hand. Cursive writing that said 'Meara'. He showed it and flicked his wrist. "My ma's name."

But that didn't matter. He was going to busy himself with kissing those ridiculous tattoos, even that thumb - which he had noticed multiple times during their signed conversations.

Tane: "Right back at you, gorgeous." Tane kissed Q's temples, keeping Q close in order to steady him should his legs betray him.

"I wore you out." He reached for the shampoo. "I'm about to wear you out more." Very gently and lovingly.

Sash/Q: "Whooo-?" What was that? Whoo - no. Hoola - whatever. He was easily distracted by the name Meara.

'Cute.' How sweet to have a mother worth inking.

Back to marveling at how fucking gorgeous this man was kissing so many inches of his body as though he mattered. He felt handsome; he felt desired. That earned an open mouth kiss from the human, humming faintly.

"Is that a promise?" Q purred. Long fingers combed through Tane's hair, gently tugged just because he could. "Could start now. Get on your knees and put your face right where I need to fuck your mouth."

Sean: Of course Sash was handsome. Of course he was desired. He was that and more. Sean never wanted him to leave. Stay. Stay. Please, please stay. Wait - had he been saying that out loud? At most it had been whispered against Sash's lips, so hopefully it would go unnoticed.

He gently moved to get Sash onto his back, wanting to press his lips to the human's throat and then explore his ear with his tongue and teeth.

Tane: "It's a promise." He grinned as Q tugged on his hair, pouring shampoo into his palm and gently massaging it into his bartender's curls.

"Is that what my beautiful wants?" He stole a kiss. "Patience. We've got all the time in the world for me to drive you absolutely crazy." He was going to work his way down that body more than once tonight.

Sash/Q: There was something in between those kisses, but he couldn't make out what Sean was saying, not with his eyes closed. When he finally opened his eyes, there was a tongue by his ear. He lost his damn mind with laughter.

"Sorry," he giggled, "that fucking tickles."

Tane was much too sweet and generous. If those hands remained in his hair for much longer he was going to get sleepy.

"I gotta undo what you just did. Shitty hotel shampoo is gonna give me Bob Ross hair." Hell, by now the bouncer knew his routine. They'd spent enough nights together, but that meant more pampering.

"Lean down. It's your turn."

Sean: Sean quickly reacted by leaning away. He laughed too, "Yeah?" So what if he did it one more time, will Sash laugh again? Because that was really fucking cute and it caused the reaper to smile like crazy.

Tane: "It's just to get the club smell out. Got something extra powerful to counteract it." Tane nodded toward the counter, where a pretty bottle of fancy looking conditioner waited. Because yes, Tane Lukela had even prepared for that. He might as well be a boy scout tonight. "June got it from the flower shop owner's cousin and it's supposed to be the greatest conditioner known to man. And it smells like coconut."

He obediently leaned down and ducked his head, taking the opportunity to steal another kiss from Q.

Sash/Q: "No!" he nearly screamed. His attempt to push Sean away was limp at best, though his legs were alive with kicks of protest. "God, no! Stop! Haha!"

"You got me a special conditioner?" This man was just looking for brownie points, thought with utter amusement as he began to shampoo his hair.

"Didn't you make a new year’s resolution?"

Sean: Sean laughed against Sash's skin. Soon enough he felt terrible and instead resumed kissing his neck, pressing in between his thighs, holding just above his knee in place to prevent further kicking.

Tane: "Of course I did." As much as he'd love to see what Q looked like with Bob Ross hair. Perhaps another time.

"Yep. To make up with Logan and to spoil you as much as possible," he said with a grin.

Sash/Q: Laughter soon died as he was held in place. He tested Sean's strength, more curious of his commitment to restraining him.

"Think you're so tough," he sighed, quelled by those soft kisses.

"We have a date set for seeing her. Either you'll get some kind of closure or it's gonna go over really well. Just be patient, Tane." He was going to ignore the part about himself.

Sean: Sean's grip tightened, only a fraction to ensure he wasn't shoved away needlessly.

"Yeah. Tough enough to take you on." Purred before offering his tongue to Sash's mouth.

Tane: Tane nodded. "I know, and I will." He had to trust and believe that everything was going to go well. A negative attitude wasn't going to do anyone any favors.

"Still going to spoil you though."

Sash/Q: Despite his grip, Sash wasn't unnerved, not remotely worried about where this would lead. He welcomed Sean's tongue with a playful bite, sucked in apology. Kisses and bare chests was enough to firm between his legs.

"You spoil me enough," said Q in scolding tone, his chest lightly tapped. "Now rinse and give up the conditioner."

While lathered in, he thought. "So, what are you going to say to her?"

Sean: A quiet sound of pleasure accompanies Sean's roaming hand. It slips from thigh to ass. The human wasn't alone in this, his companion was also hardening.

"I love your body."

Tane: I don't spoil you nearly enough, Tane thought as he ducked underneath the spray and blindly reached for the bottle of conditioner sitting on the counter.

When the shampoo was all rinsed out he said, "I'm not sure. Thinking I'll just follow her lead, answer her questions. I don't want her to feel pressured."

Sash/Q: "What?" asked softly. He almost hadn't caught that. He really needed to train his eyes to remain open. People had a tendency to talk to him during these delicate moments. It should have been irritating, but he smiled. "Say it again." Sean would have to repeat while Sash pressed into him, curious to know how their cocks, constrained by clothing, would feel.

"If you look like tight ass that won't help, either. When the time comes, just relax, okay? I'll even give you a massage the night before," he smiled, wet strands of curl hiding his closed eyes. "Maybe! maybe even ride you. Eh? Would you like that?" he laughed.

Sean: It's also Sean's fault, he should know better, but he couldn't help himself. It also reminded him that Sash would be unable to hear any moans or sounds of pleasure if it came to that... which saddened him, quite a bit.

Inhaling sharply he bit his lip. The reaper leaned away to speak again, "I love your body." Which... having now repeated it he felt silly for saying. "Sorry." His smile was sheepish though charming.

Tane: "I'm nervous about looking the opposite. Too eager, too hopeful." Too desperate to connect with Logan.

He was in the middle of taking a deep breath when he chuckled. "Now who's spoiling who? Bring those curls over here." Tane took over lathering the conditioner into Q's hair, treating every strand like a precious object. "Of course I would, gorgeous." He kissed Q's shoulder. "I always do."

Sash/Q: "You love it?" He grinned. "Yours ain't so bad, either. Why don't you show me all of it." He pressed again. He wanted very much to see what he was feeling; he wanted to taste clean hot skin and kiss between his legs and possibly fuck until dawn. It could have been the festivities and the adrenaline, maybe the drink he'd had with a woman when no one was looking. Whatever it was, hadn't thought about it; it didn't matter.

"You always want me to ride you?" he hummed, entranced by Tane's skillful scalp massage. "Fine. No other position for you. Just me dancing on your cock day in and day out."

Nails lightly raked over his stomach, hip, thigh. "Hey..."

Sean: As in, he could really get used to it.

"It would only be fair if you did the same..." Fingers unfasten Sash's trousers, though he doesn't start to pull them down. He was still giving Sash every opportunity to change his mind.

Tane: Tane smiled. "I meant I always love it when you do. But if you want to ride me day in and day out, you will not hear me complaining."

He repaid the affection with another kiss to Q's shoulder, adding one to the corner of his mouth for good measure. "Yes?"

Sash/Q: Sash watched those hands intently. His mouth felt dry enough to moisten. This was going to go somewhere, and just knowing was enough to flutter his stomach with anticipation.

Finally, a breathy command was given. "Don't stop."

Q chewed the corner of his lip in though. After a moment he shook his head. "It's nothing. Lean down." Time to condition his hair as well.

Sean: Sean nodded. Hands got a grip and slowly started to tug them down. His gaze is purposefully only on Sash's face. He has all night to look at his body, but it was important than he ensured Sash was truly comfortable with this. He didn't want this to be a mistake, he didn't want this ruin anything, and he of all people was aware of how damaging sex can be.

If the other was perfectly happy with it Sean would lean away to pull him free of his trousers, any shoes and a single sock coming with it.

Tane: Tane gave Q a quizzical look but leaned down anyway. He didn't want to dampen the spirit of their night and if Q didn't want to talk about what was on his mind, Tane wouldn't push. They could always talk tomorrow.

"How are you liking this conditioner?" he asked instead. "Smells really good."

Sash/Q: Sean was watching Sash's expression, but the human underneath him was focused on his hands. He liked the contrast of their skin tones, of how masculine yet soft they seemed. He wondered if those were the hands a dancer was meant to have. Something to strive for. He didn't bother to ask if the Irishman liked what he saw.

Hands quietly reached out for Sean's jeans. Now it was his turn. This required all of his attention, going so far as to get on his knees.

A few blocks away, Q was smiling.

"Feels good. Not the biggest fan of coconut, but this isn't bad. Reminds me of sunblock, you know?" Reminds me of you.

"So, when are you gonna let me suck your cock, hmm? After I rinse your hair?"

Sean: Sean moved so that Sash could easily undress him. Sash could take whatever he wanted, he wouldn't mind... but as soon as he was free his mouth would go straight for Sash's neck, wanting to adore his throat with kisses and tasting before lowering down his body. He would continue down for as long as he'd be allowed, until coming to a stop at Sash's crotch. A wet tongue would meet the human's bulge over underwear as green eyes raise to focus on his face.

Tane: "I do. I think there's something else mixed in here though." Tane leaned in, inhaled. "Pineapple? Orange? Something sweet."

He grinned to himself. Q said that so matter-of-factly, like they were walking about the weather or going or a stroll. "That sounds just fine to me. Want to suck mine first or want me to suck yours?"

Sash/Q: Sash had no intention of leaving Sean's underwear. Everything must go. He didn't have the patience his host seemed to possess and why bother? At least while he was tasted he could press their bodies together, torment with his cotton barrier of boxer briefs.

Green eyes looked into green. He glanced to himself, to the wet spot which had formed the moment he'd seen Sean's flushed cock.

'Lay back.'

"It's pineapple," he nodded. "I'd rather fuck your mouth, but why not have both?" he grinned. "We've got all night. But," firmly placed hands squeezed on wide shoulders, massaged their way up to his scalp, "get on your knees, T."

Sean: Lay back? He obviously doesn't want a blowjob then. That's fine. He'll raise to lay back on the bed, getting comfortable against a set of pillows.

Tane: "Yes we do," Tane agreed with a smile, pulling Q into a languid kiss before letting his lips wander all the way down his bartender's neck and torso until he reached his groin. Q's cock was given the same loving treatment as the rest of him; it was kissed and nuzzled and tasted at a slow but determined pace, coaxed into full hardness before being taken into Tane's mouth.

Sash/Q: Oh, wow. He hadn't expected the scene to be so perfect. This was a warm body, but somehow Sean made lying back an art. Don't touch the art, dammit, his mother would say at each and every museum and gallery. The rule would be broken tonight.

Sash leaned up, cupped Sean's face with both hands and kissed. He wondered if offering his tongue again would trigger something from his crotch. He reached between his legs to see and feel for himself, breaking their kiss to observe as he squeezed.

Q remained perfectly still, watching with nearly neutral expression as Tane obediently kneeled and filled his mouth. Flickers of warmth in his eyes revealed the truth. He was saving his composure to be broken later in the night. For now, he would pace himself, finger combing the knots from the larger man's hair, and hum.

Sean: Those lips could remain against his for eternity and he'd never tire of the sensation they sent all throughout his body. Such kisses could only be labelled as magical, and so they would be.

The reaper was left breathes and staring. He calmly moved fingertips over Sash's cheek, as if attempting to soothe him and put him to sleep.

"I want you t'know there's no pressure." Said and signed when he felt like it would be noticed. "I won't be disappointed. You should be honest with me about how you feel."

Tane: Ordinarily such seeming neutrality would've made Tane want to work extra hard to crack his partner's composure and delight in it but it was as Q had said. They had all night long. The opportunity to send that neutral expression flying out the window would soon present itself.

Again, Tane thought to himself, resting his hands on Q's hips and relaxing his throat to take him all the way to the hilt, giving a hum of his own. He would follow Q's lead, indulging himself in exploring everywhere he could while his bartender's hands were busy detangling his hair.

Sash/Q: As opposed to a lie, he thought, smiling. Not disappointed, right, he nodded, playing along as though seriously considering those words, all the while stroking from base to tip.

"This feels pretty good," he laughed.

"Jesus," Q whispered, "your mouth feels so fucking good. Stay just like that." All untangled just to trap his fingers again and lightly pull him back. Back and forth. One of his favorite pastimes, and finally they were utterly alone. He could fuck that perfect mouth at his leisure.

Sean: Yes, exactly instead of a lie. Instead of enduring something you aren't enjoying. Sash's nod was enough for Sean to allow himself to enjoy this. He relaxed and exhaled, smiling lazily. A quiet moan was released.

Tane: Q's wish was Tane's command. He was content to let Q maneuver him as he wished, humming and swallowing around that beautiful cock to make sure each slow thrust was as pleasurable as possible while his hands continued to wander.

He massaged Q's hips and thighs and ass, fondled his scrotum, brushed his fingers lightly over his perineum. Q might've been the one fucking his mouth, but Tane Lukela was still making love to him.

Sash/Q: "What does your voice sound like?" asked mid stroke. He had no intention of stopping, ready to eat up Sean's reaction.

All the while, Q couldn't keep quiet if only to save his life. Tilting his head back against the cold tile, his mind was lost in a blissful flood of ecstasy.

"Goddammit, T. Fuck. Ahn, fuck."

Sean: "What?" He laughs, letting out a gentle sigh. He wrapped a hand around Sash's, encouraging a tighter hand. "You tell me." It sounds like a strained purr.

Tane: The only thing keeping Tane from smiling from ear to ear was the fact that his mouth was currently occupied. That was exactly what he'd wanted to hear, what he hoped to hear for the rest of the night.

He continued to massage Q's perineum and scrotum, touch still gentle but far more deliberate, giving his bartender a taste of what Tane's mouth and tongue were going to do later.

Sash/Q: "I've been guessing," he mused, seemingly to himself. His fingers became obediently rigid, teasing the tip of his cock with every stroke. "Warm, deep, breathy right now," he grinned.

Q placed his foot on the edge of the tub. Perhaps an offering, but he wouldn't say. He was obsessed with that mouth and fucking it with gusto. Happy fucking new year.

"I..." Not the L word. How fucking cliché. No. "...love that mouth."

Sean: Teeth dig into a pink lip. "Like that..." He whispered.

"You're definitely takin' my breath away." Fingers caress the human's jaw. He couldn't really answer the question, he didn't know what his voice sounded like well enough to describe it. People always had distorted views of how they sound.

Tane: Well now. What did we have here? It would be incredibly rude of Tane not to take advantage of such an invitation. Damn near criminal, in fact.

He hummed softly in response, never losing an ounce of concentration as he let the fingers of one hand brush over Q's entrance, teasing, exploring. Would it get more of those lovely sounds from Q? Tane just had to find out.

Sash/Q: … breath away. Oh. He'd taken his breath away. That's what he thought he read from those lips. He leaned forward with the intent to silence, offering his tongue for affection, which felt like some distorted promise. Down his body he kissed until he reached his hand. Each hesitant breath warmed the tip of his cock. His mouth was much warmer.

First a gasp, then a laugh. "Ah, what's that hand doing?" asked the bartender. "Deeper, baby. Ahn - Deeper and kiss me." Suddenly, all he wanted was Tane's mouth against his own. He could cover Tane's face in his climax in a minute.

Sean: Sean's breathing stuttered in his throat. Oh. Oh. Sean was still, patient. He was allowing Sash to explore, discover what he wanted and what he liked.

He refused to be a bad experience. He refused to be a bad memory. He'd never forgive himself for hurting the other, for potentially scaring him away with his masculinity. He didn't want Sash to ever feel badly for enjoying his sexuality. That would not be something the reaper would take from him.

Tane: Tane's grin was finally visible as he released Q's erection and kissed his way back up that beautiful body until reaching his lips. If Q wanted a kiss, then Tane was going to kiss the breath out of him.

But not without letting his bartender keep feeling him, not without a finger or two breaching him, searching for his sweet spot.

Sash/Q: Sash could swear he felt that shudder all the way through to his feet. He could see the results of his touch, his breath, and it drove him to suck as much of the older man's cock into his mouth and down his throat as his body would allow without gagging. The taste was unexpectedly simple; skin and a hint of something salty, nothing so disgusting as to spit him out.

Tane would feel every shuddered breath, gasp, and groan. Fuck. Fuck. Why did his body feel so tight suddenly? Why, he wondered, did his stomach feel as though it were lurching up into his throat? Butterflies. Of all the hours, the nights to feel so rejuvenated...it had to be the festivities, the hype of the new year and new resolutions to break. A new man to love and lose.

No, not that word again.

"Your hands are - ah - too slow."

Sean: A low rumble moved through Sean, he tilted his head back and breathed through parted lips. Eyes close and he sighs. "Focáil-" fuck. "go mothaíonn maith." That feels good. "Ná stad." Don't stop. "More."

Tane: "Too slow?" Tane asked, feigning innocence as he tilted his head and deepened their kiss, wanting to take in all those lovely sounds while he sped his pace.

Not too much too quickly of course; steadily, so he could see what each increase did to Q. Would he get more of those lovely whimpers the faster his hands got? As he added a third finger and lovingly and unrelentingly massaged Q's prostate?

Sash/Q: Sash blinked several times, again confused by his lip reading. He could assume it was his awkward angle, or Sean speaking Irish, but quietly it was quite irritating. Being deaf in general was an irritant for him, but he refused to allow his setback to spoil his evening. Sean was enjoying himself, and that in turn was so fucking arousing. So much so that he had to reach between his legs to squeeze himself.

Tane managed to successfully reduce his lover into a whimpering mess, moaning his name with every other breath, warning him of his appending orgasm. The bouncer had him down to a science. He couldn't recall when exactly Tane had mastered his body, but in that moment, chest heaving, cock swollen and tearful, he was a slave to his will.

"T-Tane...I - I'm gonna cum."

Sean: It wasn't being done on purpose. It was automatic. Instinct. He didn't have the headspace to translate. He didn't have the ability to focus enough on English to speak the language.

He reached down to feel Sash's hair, hopefully offering... anything.

Tane: That's it, Tane thought, his smile once again hidden by his busy mouth. That was exactly what he'd been after. He swallowed each and every one of those moans and sweet whimpers, glorying in them, letting them spur him on.

"I've got you, my beautiful," he murmured, placing one final kiss to Q's lips before moving back down his body and taking him into his mouth again, hand never stopping, encouraging his gorgeous bartender to let go.

Sash/Q: Sash tried to create a rhythm between his clumsy self-stroking and sucking up and down his gorgeous lover's cock. This was all still new for him. His jaw felt sore and eager to surrender. He couldn't for the life of him figure out how people could do this on a day-to-day basis.

He had to sit up, allow his mouth a moment to rest. He could use both hands. This ambidextrous feat he could do with ease.

Q had no qualms whatsoever with filling Tane Lukela's mouth with his orgasm. The bouncer wanted it, after all. It would be rude to deny his lover after such splendor.

Both hands squeezed and attempted to tangle his silly dark hair.

"You're so fucking good at that," he panted. "Fuck, baby."

Sean: Sean knew exactly how people could do this daily, and he'd gladly be on the giving and receiving end for as long as Sash was willing.

He exhaled when Sash left his erection wet with saliva and out to be hit by the cold air. Biting down his lip a gently hand encouraged the other to feel his balls, to explore.

"Get on your back." let me show you what I can do.

Tane: Tane hummed softly around Q's erection, mouth and hand both gentling little by little as he worked Q through his climax. Both were removed once his lover had completely spent himself, but Tane couldn't resist kissing all over Q's thighs and abdomen and letting himself enjoy the hands in his hair before returning home to those lips.

"And you did so good," he murmured. "Sounded so beautiful."

Sash/Q: Sash didn't have to be told twice. As he laid back, he took Sean's hand with him, placing it between his legs. If he was going to explore, he wanted his lover to follow his trail. Something about multiple hands admiring his body was so incredibly arousing.

Tane would find eager lips awaiting him; his tired tongue gently asked for entry. "Something about good, yeah," laughed the escort. "Mm, beautiful...that's you. Now you can carry me to bed and put your dick in my mouth. Where it belongs." Wanting an all-nighter wasn't just a sweet nothing promise.

Sean: Fingers feel and press into Sash confidently but carefully, he was confident the actions would feel nice but still wanted to keep on top of Sash's reactions.

His lips press to the human's jaw, coat his neck in kisses, and work their way up to his earlobe and behind it. His tongue very much enjoyed the journey.

Tane: Entry was granted in a far gentler and calmer way than it was a few moments ago. Tane just wanted to savor Q for a bit, to enjoy him in every way possible.

"Whatever my beautiful wants, my beautiful gets." Tane finished washing and rinsing them both off, stepping out of the shower first so he could wrap Q up in a towel and carry him to bed. The urge to hold him and nuzzle and kiss him was just as strong as the desire to make love to him over and over and over again.

He had every intention of doing both before the sun came up.

The moment Q was placed on the bed, Tane was kissing him again.

Sash/Q: Sash watched his hands, caressing his own over and under his fingers. He wished he could hear the noises Sean made before, but his lamenting was short-lived. He could appreciate what was in front of him, what he could experience without interruption.

"Kiss me." He would remember this for the rest of his life, or so he hoped.

Q laughed the moment he was lifted, tucking his knees closer to his chest. He felt so safe in those sizable arms. He knew Tane was aware of how he appreciated and admired his body. How could he not?

The moment his back touched the bed the towel was unraveled, arms wrapped around his neck, and he lost himself in their kiss.

Sean: Sean did as instructed, giving the human lips and tongue, practiced yet spontaneous in its passion. He pressed down closer needing him, wanting him. His hard cock throbbed at the anticipation until he couldn't wait any longer. A hand wasn't enough.

Soon his mouth was back to exploring, it travelled downwards and further down until finding his crotch. Green eyes look up to Sash, both to ensure any form of communication wasn't missed and to show Sash how very sure about this he was. A tongue pushed into the slit. He wanted the familiar taste of precum.

Tane: Oh, Tane was aware. Tane was more than aware. Q's love and admiration of his physique never failed to flatter or make him smile, especially on the days he didn't feel particularly attractive.

He all but draped himself over his bartender, lifting those beautiful legs of his and wrapping them around his waist. He would give Q what he wanted, but Tane just wanted to be completely enveloped by him for a moment, to feel every bit of skin pressed together as he slowly devoured his lover with kisses.

"So beautiful," he murmured. "My beautiful Q."

Sash/Q: Sash could say for a split second he had forgotten about the rest of his body, forgotten everything but the taste of Sean's tongue and how supple his lips felt. The moment was over as soon as it begun, and his lover was moving on. He watched on elbows, stomach softly rising and falling with even breaths.

"Sea - ahn." Whatever he had intended to say was lost.

Tane had succeeded in making his companion laugh, kissing his body as though it were a competition.

"Yours?" he teased. "I mean, I guess I'm yours." That throat needed a mark of claim. "I saw you give that redhead the eye for mentally undressing me."

Sean: The reaper's hand smoothed along the bed, feeling the material, searching for Sash's fingers. He wondered what kind of music would be playing if this was a movie. An instrumental. Piano. Nothing raunchy, nothing to cheapen the moment or make it too average - piano, a harp, the violin. Just beautiful sounds that Sash would hear, too. His mouth lowered, expertly closing around the human as his tongue explored his shaft.

Tane: Tane's grin was all affection and triumph, doubling down on the love to Q's body now that Q had decided to join him. "All mine, gorgeous. Beautifully, perfectly mine." A long, languid kiss was placed to Q's lips.

"Did you now? Well he deserved it. Some random redhead isn't worthy of mentally undressing you. That's my job."

Sash/Q: "Sean," he breathed. "Sean, fuck." Sash was aware of how vocal he could be. Concern just wasn't applicable. He wanted to comb his fingers through his lover's hair, but alas. That didn't stop him from trying and enjoying the prickly sensation. Every little movement was felt, and with such sensitivity, it would be just moments until the human unintentionally released. Sean would have to be very careful.

"Just your job? It's my job to make people want to mentally and physically undress me." His smile widened. "I'm off duty when I'm with you." Really, Tane had nothing to worry about.

He kissed him, softly as was given. "Spread out for me. It's my turn."

Sean: That's okay. That's okay. Sean understood, and he was nothing but a true sport about it. He swallowed with a soft cringe and wiped his mouth. Up onto his hands he went to hover over the lovely human. He had a very proud smile on his face.

Tane: "My job and my pleasure, gorgeous," he said, returning that beautiful smile and kissing it some more. "And you're very good at it." While he wasn't insecure in the least, Tane stood by his statement. That redhead simply wasn't worthy.

Tane obliged with another smile, shifting so he was laying on his back and stretching, knowing exactly how much Q loved it when all his muscles were on display.

Sash/Q: 'I'm sorry,' he signed, silently laughing at his own misgivings. Not nearly as embarrassed as he thought he should have been, he reached out for his partner to hold to his chest.

"You need to cum," he whispered.

Q leaned back to watch and remembered what he had brought for just this occasion. He felt for his backpack and the camera somewhere within.

"Stay like that."

Sean: Sean tutted and shook his head. No need. "It's a compliment." or did it just speak volumes about Sash's inexperience? Whatever the reason, Sean was glad to be the one to have witnessed that, at least he could trust himself to respond respectfully to it.

"You feel like helpin' me or are you about to fall asleep?" he asked before kissing across his jaw.

Tane: "You got it, gorgeous." Tane didn't have to be told twice. He was perfectly comfortable stretching for Q's enjoyment while Q was....

"What are you looking for in there?"

Sash/Q: 'First one then the other?' But before all of that he was going to steal himself a kiss or two.

"My camera. I swear I put it in here." He'd meant to bring it for Sash and capturing the fireworks with him. He had forgotten that Sean and his taciturn brother were going to tag along.

Sean: Oh, a kiss after swallowing his cum? How generous. He smiled softly against the other's lips.

"How are you goin' t'help me cum?"

Tane: Tane chuckled softly. "Ah yes, you want pretty pictures of me for when you miss me. Could always use your phone."

Sash/Q: 'What do you want me to do?' Walk me through your fantasy. I'll see if I can handle it.

"I could, but my camera has better - Here we fucking go."

First experimental picture, Tane as he was, no additional posing. He was going to keep these for a lifetime.

Sean: Wow. He hadn't been expecting that. What does he want Sash to do? Nothing penetrative, he wouldn't ask that of Sash, not yet. That's an entirely different ballgame and nobody had prepared for that.

"How do you feel about dancin' for me?"

Tane: As Tane was meant the photo would show him completely relaxed, stretched out with the languid grace of a cat as he smiled fondly at Q.

"How do I look?"

Sash/Q: 'Are you going to jerk off while I do it?' Obviously he didn't find the notion disgusting, given the wide grin on his face.

"You look like you've done this before." And he wanted to see those photos as well. "Turn around and show me that ass."

Sean: Sean bites his lips and nods. "If you're any good." He teases.

Tane: "Does posing nude for an art class count?" Because he'd definitely done that a few times when he'd needed some extra cash.

Tane turned over onto his stomach, wiggling to make Q laugh.

Sash/Q: Was that a challenge? Accepted. 'Never danced for someone with my clothes off before.' Just a warning in case it was god awful. He got to his feet and stretched with arms high above his head.

"I want the art from the class." He wondered if anyone still admired their work from time to time. How could they not?

The camera was set aside long enough to caress perfect ass in two greedy hands.

"Would you let me fuck you?"

Sean: Sean's smile was going nowhere. He moved towards the edge of the bed to sit up and spread his thighs. Eyes greedily take in every inch of the other... he was more than ready for this.

Tane: Tane smiled to himself. "You can have it all. The professor that taught the class made prints of the best pieces and gave them to me as a thank you. They're back in Hawaii." They could get them the next time they went.

He hummed, delighted at the warmth of Q's hands. "Of course I would. It's you. Been a long time since someone did though so I'm probably rusty." And tight.

Sash/Q: Sash wished he was wearing something for the sake of removing as part of his performance. Maybe next time, if there would be a next time. Watching Sean adjust to the edge of the bed...he hoped. He didn't want this to be labeled, but...that word kept reappearing in thought.

I sure hope to see you again tomorrow.

'No vibrations.' So he'd have to make something up. A slow roll of his hips, arms where they loved to be, over his head.

"Yeah? No one's allowed in your temple?" He would honor his body with a kiss...and a bite. "I'll go nice and slow for you."

Sean: That's fine. Even if they had put music on Sean would not be able to hear it. He watched the way Sash stretched and licked his lips. Yes. Yes. For a few moments he stared - unable to do anything else, dumbfounded by Sash's beauty. It would be clear on his face, how entranced he truly was. Hopefully that didn't make the human stop, if not his hand would eventually find his cock.

Tane: "Not for a long time." The last person didn't even bear thinking about. Q already knew about his asshole ex.

He gave a small grin. "I have no doubt you will. Before or after I make myself at home in your mouth?"

Sash/Q: It damn near did, but only because he'd never seen anyone stare at him the way Sean did. There were lecherous eyes once in a while, yes, but Sean's intensity was surpassed by no one. Those eyes almost seemed to look through him into some place much deeper. Maybe he could. A part of him believed he could.

Ah, but the moment his hand came into contact with his cock, the dancing came to a halt, dropping onto his knees between Sean's legs.

"I want you to cum first...and last," Q grinned. "A whole new session. Earlier today doesn't count. How about I help you cum by fucking you, and then I polish you off with my tongue?"

Sean: His back straightened when Sash lowered. A smile crept up on his lips. As he continued to pump his free hand reached for the human's face, feeling his jaw, his bone structure, all of him with a curious and gentle touch.

Tane: Tane grinned back, shifting so he could pull Q on top of him and into his arms, where he'd be kissed as sweetly as he deserved.

"Sounds like a perfect plan," he murmured.

Sash/Q: Sash leaned his face into Sean's hand. Only for a moment. He wanted the taste of Sean's mouth, graze his lips over his stomach, suck his cock with gusto. His skin flushed with exhilaration. Sean would bear witness to every gentle heave of his chest and every little hum of pleasure.

Tonight he would be submissive, because why not? Tomorrow he could be dominant. It didn't really matter with Sean. He would suck him off until his lover wanted something else. He would lie in bed with him, naked, and talk about anything and everything. If this man wanted to explore him he needn't ask.

The human would refuse to sleep. It was a necessity for the drive home, not for what he thought would be his only night to experience what it would be like to date Sean Archer.

 For Q, there was nothing but a sense of serenity. He was in his element. He had hours of Tane to himself, but he would have the same luxury at any time he chose. His pacing was due to the same mindset of his brother, a rationality to the very thing Sash didn't believe he had. Time.

Kisses, conversations. Fingers slowly circled and invaded. There would not be a moment allowed to register discomfort. Lubrication had been packed in his duffle bag for this very reason. Condoms, poppers, and a pair of handcuffs, if Tane was interested.

Tane: The only things Tane needed to spend the night in pleasure-drenched comfort were Q, plenty of lube, and a bit of patience. The handcuffs were a nice surprise though, and just what he needed to keep his beautiful bartender still while he made use of all that caramel sauce he'd bought for the occasion.

It was the best New Year's he ever could've hoped for. Good company, good music, and of course, a whole day and night of having Q to himself. It almost felt like they were in a bubble, where time stood still and the most pressing matter was where to kiss next, all with the cheerful pop of fireworks in the distance.