✧ wrong target

[quicksilverwings]

[On the surface, it seemed like a simple task. From the information Wing had been given, this Aventurine guy was root of his client's troubles, so the plan was to get in good with him and find the right leverage to bring him down.

This casino's a pretty high-class place, so he's dressed nicer than usual, and a touch of magic smooths away scars and signs of sleepless nights handily.

Well. Mission start. Now, where's the target...]

Comments

[quicksilverwings]

[He nods thoughtfully at the part about fighting games--it makes sense, and Aventurine does seem like the type who'd be pretty good at those--but the comment about the board games makes Wing's expression brighten.]

Yes! Those are the best kind!

[takesitall]

Yeah? Do you still play them?

[Someone else who likes those games!!]

[quicksilverwings]

I do! ... I just don't have people to play them with, usually.

[takesitall]

Well, if you don't mind re-teaching me, I think I'd love to get back into them~ They're a lot more fun for me, since there's less randomness and my luck won't influence them too badly.

[quicksilverwings]

I wouldn't mind at all, I'd love to!

[Sounds like it'd be a blast, honestly.]

[takesitall]

[Dinner's amazing, if you ask Aventurine. Wing is engaging and intelligent, and they just sort of hit off like he hasn't with very many other people. They're both way too full for desert right away, but he doesn't want the date to end just yet.]

Why don't we walk around, take in the evening sights, and see if want something sweet in a bit?

[quicksilverwings]

[Wing is... honestly surprised by how well he and Aventurine hit it off. This doesn't happen often for him--at all, really.

His expression brightens a bit at Aventurine's suggestion. He isn't ready for the date to end just yet either.]

I think that sounds like a wonderful idea.

[takesitall]

[Aventurine flags the waiter down and hands over one of his cards. They come back quick enough.]

Any place you'd like to go in particular, or is it just based on vibes?

[quicksilverwings]

It's just based on vibes.

[takesitall]

[He stands and offers his arm with a smile.]

Then let's go~ The night's only just begun.

[quicksilverwings]

Yes, let's!

[He stands, happily taking Aventurine's arm.]

[takesitall]

[The rest of the evening is one of the best Aventurine's had in a long, long time. Wing is remarkably easy to talk to and he doesn't feel like he needs to put on too many masks. Just the sociable one, which is basically his default at this point and is only half a mask.

Eventually, though, the night must come to an end.]

Do you have a ride home?

[quicksilverwings]

[... This is the best night Wing's had in a long time. Aventurine is just... wonderful company--wonderful in general!

And idly, there's a part of Wing hoping he'd be interested in a second date.]

Ahhh, not really, no...

[He's got one of the rideshare apps on his phone, but.]

[takesitall]

Then why don't I get you home? Or wherever it is you're going?

[Home, his place, somewhere else...]

[quicksilverwings]

Home, yeah. It's not too far from here.

[... He doesn't want to part ways with Aventurine quite yet, though...]

[takesitall]

So, there? Or...maybe somewhere else~?

[quicksilverwings]

... To tell you the truth, I don't think I want to part ways with you quite yet, so...

[takesitall]

Then why don't we go to the penthouse they keep for me here?

[quicksilverwings]

I like the sound of that.

[takesitall]

In that case...

[He pulls out his phone to call up one of the company's rideshares.]

It's on the edge of town, so it'll be a bit of a ride.

[quicksilverwings]

I can't say I mind that any.

[takesitall]

[Aventurine smiles. The rideshare arrives, he opens the door to let Wing in...and then slides more or less into Wing's lap as he gets in.]

Good~ Tell me if this is too much?

[quicksilverwings]

[He grins a little when Aventurine slides into his lap, arms immediately moving to wrap around the other man's waist, pulling him closer.]

Not at all. I rather like this, actually.

[takesitall]

Good~

[They spend the night thoroughly enjoying each other's company, and continue on the next morning. And then again a week later. And so on. If asked, Aventurine would hedge and eventually say he's dating Wing, but he'd never say it outright. Dating requires that there be something more than physical attraction there, and he can't be sure there's anything more than that on Wing's end.

Nearly a year passes. Aventurine has to cancel a few dates, but promises to make it up to Wing later if he's still interested. That might be a weird thing to hear, but a few days after the last canceled date, Aventurine--or rather, Kakavasha Iyengar--makes news as being the biggest whistleblower on the International Prosperity Company in decades. Everyone knew they were corrupt, but it took Kakavasha's digging to bring to light just how badly it is. Most of the lower rungs are spared, and a few higher ups are painted with the "could honestly have done worse and were working within their means to not be awful" brush, but by the end of that week the IPC is in shambles.

Kakavasha himself is placed in protective custody, though his sister Isha manages to get Wing's number and tell him that Wing is one of the people allowed to visit him. "He just won't tell you that. He's afraid of rejection."]

[quicksilverwings]

[Wing hardly bats an eye over the few missed dates as the months-- gods know that Wing himself has to miss a few because of his work (he's always incredibly apologetic, with a promise to make up for it later).

And then, well.

Holy shit. Wing has to admit he is particularly impressed with that takedown of the IPC.

... Wing sends Isha his thanks shortly after he gets the news that he's allowed to visit. And once he knows where to go, it doesn't take him long to show up.]