After Dark

[disassemblies]

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[switchaxe]

[The town may be a bit of a haven for werewolves and the like, but that doesn't mean Ash has a pack. Or, well, it's more that his pack isn't here and he's not really interested in telling them where he is. He needs some time to figure out what he wants and what he's doing, and so he's split from the pack for a while to do just that.

Unfortunately, this means he's kind of gone lone wolf and that just sucks. He's making do by hitting up what's probably a supernatural hang out, given how it looks but he's not sure. Either way, he's just sort of off by himself.]

[infezione]

[It's definitely a supernatural hangout--though, the one running it isn't a werewolf; in fact, there's only one werewolf around besides Ash.

Bucciarati and the others have been something of a makeshift pack for Fugo, but it's been a little lonely all the same.

... Fugo doesn't have to be asked to go check on Ash; he would've done that anyway. Fugo brings over a large plate of food (Mista's been roped into manning the grill, since it's something he can do particularly well, at least) and a couple drinks.]

Hey.

[switchaxe]

[Ash looks up, momentarily surprised by the cute guy coming over before he realizes that oh there's food.]

Hey. Need me to move?

[switchaxe]

[Ash is...a little concerned, not gonna lie. He and Pan have been dating for a while, and while he's pretty sure he knows his boyfriend's moods well enough he has no idea what's going on right now. Pan's been clingier and just generally more up in Ash's space.

Which is fine! Normally! But it's not really like Pan, and he's concerned. No one else seems to have noticed anything different or knows anything, so it's left Ash stumped.

Not so stumped he can't read while he waits for Pan to get back from some errand Bucciarati had him run, but still.]

[infezione]

[Pan knows he should just outright say something instead of leaving Ash to wonder what the hell's happening, but... Well, there's some things he has a hard time being blunt about.

He's taken a bit longer on this errand than it'd actually take, but he's got a good reason for that!

When he comes in after the errand, he's draping on his boyfriend as he sets the bag he brought in on the coffee table.]

Hey. I got us dinner while I was out.

[He presses a kiss to Ash's temple.]

[ripetuto]

[Leone cannot believe he let Hots drag him out here tonight. He also can't believe he's friends with a person who goes by Hot Pants, but frankly when your name is Hortensia you can have whatever nickname you want he guesses. Besides, she is in fact wearing hot pants.

The point is Leone cannot believe Hots dragged him to this bar then ditched him to go hang out with other people. They're rude, frankly.

He just ends up chilling by the bar, all done up in tight black jeans and an open shirt, and no one to talk to.]

[nellacerniera]

[Leone's not the only one dragged out to the bar and then ditched, at least. Bruno is going to have words for Gyro later, after the guy dragged him out and then ditched him to go flirt with some American he spotted. Asshole.

... But, well, maybe it was a bit of a blessing in disguise, considering the hot guy by the bar. Maybe Bruno can get a drink and strike up a conversation...

Though, the idea of the stranger approaching first is the last thing on his mind, despite how he himself is dressed to attract attention, his own shirt half open to display the lace underneath, tight jeans of his own, and the jewelry.]

[infezione]

[So after that first time, Pan has discovered a few things about himself:

1. He very much enjoys having sex with his boyfriend.
2. While he would not think himself insatiable, he's certainly hornier than he expected. And possibly more than Ash may have expected.
3. Being fucked is nice and all, but he keeps thinking about being the one doing the fucking.
4. He keeps thinking about taking the lead every now and then.

He's also just... not sure how to bring that up. It's not the primary concern on his mind right now, though, as he's comfortable in his boyfriend's lap and kissing him.]

[switchaxe]

[And kissing is all they've done, and really Ash is fine with that. Sometimes it's bullshit working retail, and he hasn't found a better job just yet.

This does not stop him from leaning back to let Pan have more room to kiss and move, however.]

[quicksilverwings]

[It starts with, as many things do, a text.]

So, three things (technically four):
1. What do you want for dinner tonight/what does Veritas want for dinner tonight?
And these next two are connected, even if it doesn't seem like it at first:
2. You're just as sick as I am of how Veritas gets when the two of us try to compliment his looks, right?
3. So. You remember that mirror that Veritas was grumpy about me bringing home because it was "too big to be practical" right? I think I might have figured out a use for it. :)

[takesitall]

[Oh-ho]

1. Anything at all, if you ask him, so maybe sandwiches from that new sandwich shop down the stree?

2. Yes. Yes I am. Aeons just let us compliment you!

3. Why my dear Ciar, are you thinking mirror sex?

[takesitall]

[The party isn't anything too special, honestly, at least in Aventurine's opinion. But he's been sent to make a statement, is allowed to bring a plus one...and frankly, he's been looking for something to take the good doctor to. Not that anyone knows it's Ratio, thanks to his veil and state-of-the-art-technically-canned-but-that-has-never-stopped-them identity obscuring jewelry. Everyone just thinks the elegant gold cuffs and fancy chain harness are for looks, but that just means no one realizes they emit a particular frequency that distorts someone's perception of the emitter. All it takes is wearing something that is attuned to that particular frequency to nullify it. Like earrings, for example. Or a wristwatch.

Anyway.

Aventurine walks in with his partner on a leash walking as close as he can behind him. Everyone stops and stares, admiring both Stoneheart and the man behind him. Aventurine just smiles.]

Sorry I'm late. Traffic, you know how it is~

[More like "I got distracted by my very attractive, shirtless, decked out in gold partner".]

[ignoranceisblight]

[Ratio does not enjoy going to these.

He tolerates it for Aventurine, but he does not enjoy these and Aventurine knows he does not enjoy them.

But here he is anyway. He's just glad for the measures taken to hide his identity and the earplugs. This is still going to suck, but at least these things make it a bit more bearable.

He remains silent as he stays close to Aventurine. He does a decent job of pretending he'd not prefer to be literally anywhere else, at least.]

[ignoranceisblight]

[Some days, Veritas still can't believe he's been in a relationship.

For as rocky as things between him and Aventurine had been before they'd gotten together, the relationship itself has actually been relatively smooth sailing. It helps that they both try to communicate as clearly as possible after the utter nightmare that was Penacony.

Anyway. Veritas is content in his relationship with Kakavasha, and it's almost hilarious how soft he is for this man. Whatever the other asks, it won't take much for Veritas to agree to it.

Currently, Veritas is sitting in the living room and reading, blissfully unaware of anything that might be on Kakavasha's mind at the moment... for the time being at least.]

[takesitall]

[And then Veritas's phone pings. Kakavasha is on his way home from work, so a text isn't surprising.

A photo of someone roughly Veritas's build modeling golden chains and the like might be, though.]

[takesitall]

[So.

A weird quirk of the whole incident on Penacony and having his Cornerstone broken and then repaired is that Aventurine is able to turn into his Cornerstone Form a lot more easily and without really pulling on the power at all. He thinks it has something to do with his "divine luck", as always, and that when combined with whatever the hell Acheron's sword actually did it just. Kinda made that a little screwy.

So needless to say, one day when he's bored and on extended vacation (no reason, just his schedule), he decides to transform. And then send a selfie to Veritas. Because bored.]

[ignoranceisblight]

[Thankfully Veritas isn't doing much of anything when he checks his phone.

He has to take a moment when he sees the photo.]

Is this a hint for me to hurry things along here, dearest?

[... the Cornerstone form really is attractive as well, honestly, if he thinks about it.]

[takesitall]

[Ratio really should learn not to make jokes. Joke enough times, and Aventurine will follow through.

That is why he slides his boyfriend a handy little remote with a kiss and a wave and no other explanation before heading to his office.]

[ignoranceisblight]

[What in the world...

Ratio doesn't even get the time to ask what the hell before Aventurine's gone. He looks over the remote with confusion. Such a simple little thing...

At first, the remote gets set aside while he works, but it's only later once the two of them are in one extremely boring meeting that really should've been an email that he finally clicks it on. Maybe Aventurine being right there will give him some indication of what this is for.]

[quicksilverwings]

[Sometimes, when Ciar gets ideas, he just kind of goes with them. Sometimes, he needs to do some persuasion for some of these ideas. Like the most recent.

Today is Kakavasha's birthday and after the meal (cooked by both Ciar and Veritas), it's time for gifts. Ciar and Veritas are on either side of him on the sofa, the gifts spread out on the coffee table.]

The one in the plain teal paper with the white ribbon is from both of us~ Open that one last.

[takesitall]

Oh? Any particular reason?

[He asks, reaching for what he can tell is a bottle of his favorite wine.]

[ignoranceisblight]

[Ratio is not a fan of bars. They're typically an affront to his senses. This particular one on Edo Star is... classier, and quieter, and he very much appreciates that. Somehow, though, tucking himself into a corner of the bar with a book has not stopped people from approaching to flirt with him.

Mostly women, much to his chagrin.

The current one simply will not leave, despite the clear signs he's not interested. He glances up from his book at a man who's passing by with what's almost a silent plea for help.]

[takesitall]

[Aventurine happens to glance over at the (very attractive) other man when he looks up and in an instant he's sliding into the seat next to him, arm around his shoulders.]

There you are. Sorry, babe, I got held up. Everything okay?

[quicksilverwings]

[His boyfriend is overworking again.

Ciar understands this is a stressful time, he's familiar with it--but he also knows his boyfriend doesn't need to push himself quite this much. There's still plenty of time left to take care of things.

(He also might be feeling a tiny bit neglected since this has been going on for a couple weeks now.)

After dinner, after Kakavasha has gone back to taking care of some work, Ciar goes over, suddenly draping on his boyfriend.]

Hey, Vasha. Save your progress on that.

[His pout is audible.]

[takesitall]

[Absently:]

What's up, babe?