Rolling the Dice

[Azraeth]

A Z R A E T H :

Wearing

Okay. So sometimes Az was a total creeper. He didn’t mean to be, but...well. For example, he sometimes liked to watch Flynn sleep. At times, he did it from a seat near the bed, where he would curl his legs under himself, and just enjoy the lines of the human’s body like some kind of muse for an artist. Azraeth liked to fancy that his man was perhaps one of the most beautiful men to have ever lived. That every stretch of skin and bit of muscle was deserving of love and affection, and attention. It took everything in his power not to reach out and touch. But touch he didn’t, because he didn’t want to wake his lover. Other times, they fell asleep entwined tightly together and Az roused only a short time later, to feel Flynn’s body under his own. Those were the best nights, when he could feel the way his man moved in his sleep, the way the Paladin felt so relaxed and serene. When he could softly kiss over that vulnerable patch of skin at the neck whenever he worried the other man experienced nightmare. Or talk to him in hushed tones as if he were awake. It was all very reverent, and not inherently designed to be weird. Because when Az loved someone, when he really and truly accepted them into his being, he couldn’t help but worship them as an aspect of the things that made him most happy.

He woke one night, sitting up in his bed groggily, dragging the heel of his palms over his eyes before he got up like a zombie so he could amble to the kitchen and put on some tea. The kettle was on the stove when he went to his room again to grab his phone, which was blinking at him, telling him he had some new texts. Including one from Flynn that said he’d be dropping in at sundown because they had to go out. There were no other details, and Az just kind of stared at his phone for a moment in confusion. And then he scrambled to get clothes on. His socks were of the Nyan Cat variety, and they went into blue suede shoes after he’d pulled on a pair of slacks that were blue and maroon in a tartan fabric design. He then pulled on a tight knight blue sweater. Which was basically exactly the moment the kettle went off. So he was in the process of hopping into a shoe when he pulled the thing off the burner so he could yank the top off and dump a slightly overstuffed cloth (reusable) teabag into the pot. Immediately the water began to darken and the scent lifted into the air, herbal and floral at the same time.

And that was when he heard the doorknob turning. Oh ****. He flung himself onto his own counter into what was meant to be a sexy pose but which was essentially ruined by a shoe (which was only half on), and his elbow in the sink. But hey...at least he had made the tea. Right?

F L Y N N :

WEARING

The setting sun cast eerie shadows through the windows of Flynn’s apartment, reminding him that it was just about time to head out for Azraeth’s place. The vampire would be rousing from his dead slumber soon enough, and if the human didn’t beat him to the punch...he would, no doubt, be met with the familiar tug of a summoning. The god awful thing that it was, even if it meant being with him that much sooner. That didn’t mean he had to like it. And while he had sent the text with a warning of his arrival, Az wasn’t exactly patient when it came to the Paladin. With a month under their belt, he was usually well prepared before that happened, these days. Like an internal clock or early warning system that the thought was even about to cross his partner’s mind. With two sets of similar footsteps following in his wake, he moved into the bedroom for his blade that he never left home without, tucking it against his hip with the hilt hidden beneath his sweatshirt. Glancing over his shoulder at the two canines, the vast differences between the two struck him for what was likely not to be the last time, but they got on surprisingly well. “Athena, you’re in charge tonight. Keep Ares in line, okay?” he said to the husky that sat there, dwarfed by her much larger, and younger, caucasian shepherd brother.

Leaving with some affectionate scratches for both of them, the human locked up the apartment and headed out for the transit, having decided against using the tome tonight for the sake of getting some fresh air. During the trip, he had his phone out, looking up the possible locations of the destination he had in mind. Flynn hadn’t told Az the plan for the night, nor did he have any intentions of doing so. The vampire would find out when they got there. Once the transit reached Tomkin, he set off for Dragon Tower, his feet taking him there without much thought, his eyes still glued to his phone. Only when he came to his boyfriend’s apartment did he put it away for the sake of grabbing his keys. Before he was even fully through the door, he called out, “Az? You functional, yet?” That’s when he heard the commotion from the kitchen, leading him to search in that direction for the man in question.

And then came to sudden halt in the doorway, taking in the scene before him. A hand came up to cover his mouth, hiding any signs of the amusement that threatened to bubble to the surface in the form of laughter. And despite the fact that it was pretty decent failure to execute on the sex appeal factor, Flynn was provided with a reminder of why he found the man so endearing. The little ways he came across as so inherently...human. “Well...starting the evening off on a good note, I see,” he teased, moving further into the room to properly greet the vampire.

A Z R A E T H :

Azraeth very carefully lifted his elbow out of the sink, while Flynn was watching, and yet the way the vampire looked at the mortal, it was very clear right then and there, that he was not going to acknowledge just how poorly he’d managed to mangle his ‘sexy pose’. Instead, he slowly sat up, and twisted so that he could let his legs dangle off of the edge of the counter while the Paladin made his way inside. The amusement evident on his lover’s features didn’t bother Az. On the contrary, being able to make his man smile, even if it was because of his ridiculous antics (Or perhaps especially because of them), filled the vampire with this sort of feather light feeling. Like he could dance on his tip toes and float away. So as soon as the other man made it close enough, he reached out like some kind of venus flytrap, and curled his arms around a set of shoulders. His legs, which had previously been dormant, also slid to curl around a middle, and then he wriggled closer to the edge of the counter, whilst simultaneously squeezing his partner close against his chest. “Hi, I missed you.” He said as he rested his chin right on his lover’s shoulder, perching it there while he squeezed. He only let go because his gaze fell upon the tea itself, which led him to press a quick kiss against a cheek before he was detangling himself and bouncing over to the kettle.


He leaned to grab a mug from the cabinet and then poured, before reaching for a little glass sugar dish. “There’s some cream in the fridge.” He explained a moment later, before holding up the strong brew for his partner to appraise. “I thought maaaaaybe since you feed me so well, I could start preparing little things for you.” He said, as he rest his hips against the edge of the counter. “I also wasn’t really sure where you had in mind for us to go, so I picked this.” Which was totally Az’s not subtle way of digging for clues to figure it out. Though knowing Flynn, the man wasn’t going to tell him anything. But that was also part of the fun. He always knew, when it came to doing things with his partner, that they were going to find some sort of adventure to get into. It wasn’t necessarily an ‘us against the world’ type of situation, rather it was as if they were always caught up in this intricate dance or game of chess.

“You look so handsome tonight.” He said as he assessed the outfit Flynn was wearing, his gaze flowing from shoulders all the way down to the floor. And then he grinned, because it was impossible not to be infectiously happy when he was so close to the mortal.

F L Y N N :

Green eyes never left Az as he sat up on the counter, studying him intently, as if to memorize the way he moved. While the attempt at being enticing hadn't particular landed, that didn't make the man any less attractive. If anything, his occasional immaturity or, to use his word, "nerdy" tendencies, only made him more so. And if he hadn't pulled the human in first, Flynn probably would have tugged the man from the counter top as soon as he was within reach. As it so happened, that wasn't necessary, thanks to the very usual full bodied clinging that the Paladin had gotten used to from the vampire. A pair of arms settled on either side of his boyfriend, one hand resting at the small of his back while the other palm pressed against the counter. "Mm, and I missed you." The daylight hours were generally the worst part of his day, in part because most of his life revolved around the sun being down, boyfriend included. "It must be hard to be without me for all the twenty minutes you've been awake," he commented with a crooked sort of smile, though there was nothing condescending in his tone. As they were forcibly separated, Flynn took a step back to watch as Az grabbed for a mug, his eyebrows raising in union.

Taking the offered drink in hand, the first thing he did was lift it to his nose in an attempt to get a better idea of just what he was about to be sipping from. With the intermingling herbal and floral scents, it was hard to pinpoint exactly what kind of tea it was, but he lowered the mug regardless for the purposes of leaning in leave a kiss against his partner's forehead, "That's sweet. Hardly necessary, but sweet. Thank you." Before he made any moves for cream or sugar, he gingerly took a sip for a taste test. Cream and sugar wasn't a necessity, by any means, but it was entirely dependent on the tea. There was a slight wince from the initial burn on his tongue, but it passed quickly. It was different, but he liked it. Rather than add anything to it, he left it as it was and used a single finger to push the sugar dish back toward Az. With a lick of his lips, he allowed his gaze to drop over the vampire's frame with an appreciative little smirk, "You're perfect. Much better than me, at the moment."

Leaning back against the counter, he cradled the mug in one hand, soaking up the warmth that it provided. Deciding to throw his partner a bone, he reached out with the other to hook his finger in a pant's pocket, tugging to urge the man closer. "Actually. We're...going to be going shopping. For what, you will have to wait and see. But, shopping, nonetheless. Does that work for you?" It was more than fair to say that shopping wasn't really his thing, in most cases. This time, he had something specific in mind.

A Z R A E T H :

It was a common trope used for comedy, drama, tragedy, and horror. The happy place. That space the mind went to when life got too difficult to handle, usually some sort of memory a person was able to cling to in order to maintain their sanity when dealing with inhuman conditions. Az’s happy place was right there. And maybe that made him basic. Because it was remarkably common for people to find joy or solace in the arms of their lover. But it was more than that as well? The way in which the two men fit together was comforting in its own right, but the warmth he felt when he was tucked against the human made him feel just...very normal. Like he totally wasn’t a blood sucking, murderous vampire. That was the magic shared between them. That the Paladin was able to reach into the very soul of him and find the man Azraeth had been. It took the weight of the world off of his shoulders briefly and so when an arm slipped around him and he felt Flynn’s body press against his own, a calming shiver wormed its way down his spine.

But he didn’t have time to indulge in just revelling in the feel of the other man. There were, after all, things to be done. “It was fucken miserable.” He insisted. “Almost summoned you as soon as I got up, but I wanted to make the tea first.” The tea was naturally a little on the sweet side. In fact, it honestly didn’t need sugar or cream at all, because it was made with rose hip, hibiscus, apple pieces, orange peel, vanilla and ample peach. The strongest notes were the peach and vanilla. The tea itself even had a natural sort of creamy undertone to the taste, almost as if the mind was tricked by the vanilla flavoring into believing there should have been ice cream mixed in. It was fragrant, and Az had honestly taken a while going through different options at a local tea, spice, and herb vendor before he’d settled on it. Not that he could actually taste it, but the smell. The smell had been absolutely intoxicating and he’d wanted to share it.

And so when the sugar was pushed back in his direction, he carefully put it into place, only very briefly distracted (completely), by the way Flynn’s tongue slipped past his lips. He decided that, and the way the human didn’t reject it were both good signs. And then he was being pulled closer and he let his arms slip around either side of the Paladin, squeezing gently around a middle so he could carefully position himself with his abdomen pressed to Flynn’s (giving enough space between their chests for the steaming tea). His hips pressed close to his lover’s, leaving him pressed between the smallest wedge between legs. “I will have you know it was totally necessary. Actually…” He said as he made a little bit more room for himself by shifting his weight from one foot to the other, tucking himself snug so he could watch his partner sip. “I was thinking maybe you could give me a list of some of your favorite foods so I can have them around here?” He asked, a single brow lifting in question as his upper row of pearly whites pressed down against his own lower lip.


But the temptation was too great. He tipped his head closer so he could very briefly drag his eager tongue across the seam between Flynn’s lips. Mostly so he could get hints of the flavor the other man was enjoying. It wasn’t even a proper kiss at first, and only really morphed into one when the vampire realized he was being weird. Normal people didn’t just lick their mate’s lips. So he righted himself to finish that expression of love off chastely. “Shopping?” He asked when he pulled back. “Like. Together? In public? Holding hands? Walking down the street?” His smile just seemed to get bigger with each question. “Okay! I just need to uh...get my shoe on.” But first, he fully intended to monopolize on Flynn’s vulnerable position and stay plastered against him till he finished his drink.

F L Y N N :

This wasn't the first time that he had enjoyed such a human pleasure in front of the vampire, by any means, but those occasions were generally few and far between. It was entirely possible there hadn't been a single instance where Flynn had actually eaten around Az, usually doing so well before the sun set. The reasons for it weren't so much to avoid any possible awkward moments around a creature who no longer needed to engage in the habit for survival (drinking blood, excluded), rather than simply getting it out of the way. Eating was a time-consuming process. It required preparation, and then the time it took to actually eat, and the clean-up that followed. That took up a decent chunk of time, and the Paladin didn't have all that much to spare when it came to his night-dependent boyfriend as it was. So, the necessary part of being human had been kept on the human's schedule as a "before sunset" task. Now, he had that very same man asking for his favorite foods for an apartment that had previously had no need for them. Before he said anything, he brought the mug to his lips so that he could sip at the sweet tea within, eyes trained on his partner's expression over the rim.

Lowering the mug with the intentions of answering that question, Flynn was met with a tongue grazing over his lips, licking away the possible flavor of the tea left behind. Whether that was the intention or not was unclear, because the human was rarely surprised by the reasons for Az's behavior, as unconventional as they could be. The goal for the day was momentarily forgotten with his hand sliding down along the man's spine and only coming to a stop as they hit the hem of a sweater. Tightening his hold, the vampire was kept close to the point that no space existed between their abdomen and hips. Because he wasn't content with that small moment of affection, he claimed those lips with his once more, far less chaste than his partner had been. While it was still relatively tame, it was a lingering kiss with Flynn taking his time in the pull away. With that out of the way, he grinned. "I suppose I can make a list. To be honest, though, I'm not a particularly picky eater. Except for peas. No one likes peas..." he commented, nose wrinkling at the idea of the mushy green vegetable.

The growing smile on Azreath's face at the idea of going out together only caused Flynn's own grin to expand. He had his reasons for being excited about the trip, already, but it was hard not to be charmed by his partner's enthusiasm. "Yes, together, walking down the street, and I suppose I will even agree to hand holding. So long as you manage to put on the other shoe..." The Paladin snorted as he was once again met with the image of Az in the sink, needing to physically shake his head at the absurd things the vampire managed to get himself into. To prevent the possibility of poking fun, he brought the mug up to his lips again so that he could finish off the liquid within, letting it warm his very core, which was nice considering the chillier the nights were becoming as winter approached. Hopefully, when said season did decide to greet Harper Rock, the human could convince his vampire counterpart that he was required to sit in a heated blanket for at least ten minutes before touching him. He was already rather cold to the touch, and cold weather would only make it worse.

Note to self: Buy Az a heated blanket. Or two.

[TO BE CONTINUED]

[Flynn]

A Z R A E T H :
He felt pressure on his lower back that invited him closer to the source of that warmth, which he most craved. There was the softness of Flynn’s breathing, a sound that Az took comfort in, and the more prominent beating of his heart. There was the solidness of his body, of his chest and abdomen, paired with the unmistakable heat of their bodies planted together with the vampire tucked carefully in the intimate space between the human’s thighs. Even if there were layers of clothing between them, that didn’t matter. It wasn’t about being physically close in that way, so much as fitting together the way only two people comfortable and familiar with each other could. The way the men touched, spoke volumes about what they meant to each other, and Az’s fingers curled tighter against his partner’s sides, because he might as well have been floating in a void then. All he could see were his mortal mate’s eyes, those deep green pathways which beckoned him to get lost deep in the Beautiful Wilderness. Everything else was just gone. The kitchen. The apartment. There was no room for it in the Mystic’s world. And then their lips touched again, this time instigated by the desire of the human and Azraeth’s need became more insistent, their mouths pressed closer so the vampire could feel the force behind Flynn’s affection, how that too was an invitation to come deeper into that wild place created by their love.

When they finally parted, his human’s breathing had changed, and he could see deep inside that the man wanted more. Az did too. However, there were some shops that closed shortly after nightfall, and Az didn’t want to be the reason they didn’t get to do what was planned for the night. However. He could think of one fairly reasonable compromise. So he leaned back without actually pulling away so he could reach down and tug his sweater up over his head, revealing the pale expanse of his chest. He looked as if he had been carved a lean and masculine figure from alabaster. “Okay, well I have to admit, that means I’m going to have to experiment. Is there anything you absolutely can’t eat? Lactose? Any allergies?” He questioned before he carefully placed the sweater on the counter, only to let his digits slip under the hem of Flynn’s own shirt, which he wriggled upwards - not just because it meant he got to see the other man’s body, but because he was totally going to steal it, and wear it. “Yeah...the other shoe is going on in a second. First you need to put on that little piece of clothing right there.” He instructed. It wasn’t really phrased as a demand, but since they weren’t going to be getting into each other’s pants for...well. At least a couple of hours…

However, before the sweater could slide onto Flynn’s body, the vampire pressed a kiss to the middle of his chest, and then reluctantly pulled away so he could crouch to finish getting his shoe on. Seconds later, he was up, and yanking the hoodie his human had been wearing over his head, only to pull the actual hood back after it flopped over his eyes. That meant they were ready to go didn’t it? And Az wasn’t even going to just teleport them somewhere, which admittedly was half because it meant he got to shove himself against Flynn’s side for a little longer, in transit. His digits slipped to weave their way through his partner’s, only for him to give them a tug towards the door. “Come on, handsome, we should totally nab some baking supplies while we’re out. There’s a 24 hour grocer not far from here though, so we can hit that place on the way back from this mystery shop.”

F L Y N N :
If it hadn't been for the carefully laid plans for the night, Flynn would have foregone going out right then and there. The second that sweater began to rise, revealing the porcelain expanse of skin underneath, his eyebrows shot up in surprise and his focus went out the window. With the hand that previously sat above the sweater freed of the fabric, fingers splayed out across his back, slipping up and over the defined muscles of shoulders where it finally stilled. While he was tempted to pull the vampire in against his chest, it wasn't so much about the physical contact as just the connection of their bodies. A craving that never really seemed to go away. With his gaze locked on the unique blue hues of his partner, there was no rush to leave the apartment. The human was more than content to stay there, in that exact moment, with the air quiet and calm surrounding them. It was so drastically different from the atmosphere of the streets, that he almost dreaded the thought of leaving its comfort. In a vague understanding of the words coming out of Az's mouth, the Paladin shook his head. Allergies? No. Not that he knew of, anyway.

The nonverbal request for his sweatshirt was answered by the human pulling it up and over his head the rest of the way, though he had no idea why it was coming off until his boyfriend mentioned his own abandoned shirt.. With a glance over his shoulder at the blue article of clothing, he hummed with a shrug at about the same time he felt lips against his chest. If the goal was to avoid temptation, Az made it a hard one to achieve, and to ensure he kept his hands to himself, Flynn quickly pulled on the sweater and deftly stuffed his hands into his jeans pockets. A glint of ivory flashed as he began to worry his lip while watching the vampire pull on the hoodie, creating an odd sense of possessiveness in the Paladin. Because the man was his, and somehow, wearing that sweatshirt confirmed it with the universe. The human reached out for his partner, then, just as he moved to lace their fingers together and tugging in the process. "Yes, dear. Whatever you say." he said, unable to hold a grin at bay in the face of Az's eagerness to apparently supplement his apartment with food related items.

As the duo made their way out of the building and in the direction of the transit, Flynn offered up one more clue as to their destination. "We're headed for Wickbridge. My mystery shop happens to be in the Mall." It also happened to be the one shop that stayed open the longest during the night hours, allowing them plenty of time to get there and browse, and for Flynn to still manage to show off. Just a little bit. "But, let's backtrack for a minute...baking supplies? So, not only are you going to experiment, now you are planning to bake, too?" He cast a questioning look to the man at his side, though his telltale smirk was still in place. Flynn had this sneaking suspicion that he wouldn't make it to his boyfriend's apartment without some kind of food being presented to him from now on, a new creation, a new experiment. "Should I be scared?" he continued on to ask, giving the other man's hand a soft squeeze.


A Z R A E T H :

Boyfriend’s Rights. That was what Az called this sort of running list of different rules, which allowed him to get away with his various behaviors, or at least justify them in his own mind. He had yet to bring them up to Flynn, but he suspected he was going to have to at some point in the near future. And why were they important? Well. Az was of the opinion that his lover looked substantially better in the dark blue sweater than he ever had. Now. Logically, it made sense that because the vampire avoided mirrors (for his own reasons), and wouldn’t have been able to use them even if he did get near one - that he couldn’t actually confirm his opinion as fact. This meant it was almost entirely grounded in bias, and therein came the aforementioned rights. Because if he was in a relationship with Flynn, which he was, and loved him, which he also did, then it only seemed fair that Az could also single the man out as the handsomest in the whole world. So yes, it was shameless favoritism. But that was also totally the point. And it helped that he got this warm feeling that made goose pimples form on his arms whenever he saw the human clad in his garb. As if everything was exactly the way it should be, with a very primal part of the vampire’s brain contented in knowing that when he got closer, in that intimate space, he would scent himself there, mingled with Flynn. Two distinct flavors becoming one.

“See, that’s exactly the right answer.” He decided as they made it through the door of his apartment, which he hurriedly locked on the way out. “In faaaaact.” He continued as he pressed himself snug against the human’s side, their hands still clasped together between them. They totally didn’t tell you this in ‘The Lovebird’s Handbook’, but walking in tandem while physically close was not as easy as it looked. Az had figured th is out the very first time he and Flynn had attempted, which was mainly just because the human was a very laid back creature, and the vampire was...well. He wanted to get places. So Azraeth had learned that he needed to just sort of relax, snuggle against his lover, and let the other man designate the pace. Which. Well, as it turned out, the Mystic’s desire to get places quickly was dwarfed by his desire to enjoy the comfort of being close to his mate. Which was to say that the two of them had mastered the art pretty quickly. “I may just have to reward you for every time you say exactly that.” He concluded as they slipped onto the elevator, and were taken down the single floor needed to exit into the lobby and then Tomkin itself. The transit was only one block over (which was sort of amazingly convenient). Because Tomkin wasn’t inside of Harper Rock itself, that meant they were going to have to take the bus into town as opposed to the underground rail. And Wickbridge was totally on the opposite side.

“You know that’s like doing a magic trick and then pointing to the entire deck and saying ‘was this your card?’.” He said even as he glanced sidelong to the other man, only to turn his head and lean a little closer to nip the man’s jaw in the barest of punishments. Because he was secretly totally fine with the mystery. Though with clues...okay no. He was not going to turn this into a game. He was totally going to turn it into a game. “I bet I can guess what we’re shopping for by the time we get there. But you have to give me a clue for every incorrect guess. If I win, you totally owe me sexy mouth stuff.” There. Challenge offered. Not that the mall itself had narrowed the options down at all. “And my first guess is that we’re going shopping for luggage because you totally want to move your things over to my place.” He insisted with a devious glint to his expression.

By that point Az had flashed his HRCT card, the variety with a chip in it that automatically docked his account. It was automatically set to subtract funds. Moments later, they were boarded onto the bus, huddled together in a lone set of seats. The HRCT was privately owned, and charged enough that they were able to provide a comfortable, but not luxurious experience. None the less, things were clean. The bus itself was mostly empty because it was night and there just weren’t a ton of people in the area given the sparse population density on the outskirts of Harper Rock itself. “And I will have you know, baking is close to chemistry, which I excelled at in school. I’m certain it is going to be easier than other forms of cooking. Plus, it’ll help me learn how to do the other kinds. Like a gateway drug, but without the drug.” He rambled as he hooked one leg over his partner’s knee so he could get just a smidge closer. “How does pie sound? Would you like to eat my pie?” Smiiiiiiile.

"Ohh oh! Or I could combine baking and cooking and make you pigs in a blanket." He then rather openly glanced to his boyfriend's groin. "Would you like me to...warm your hog?" His brows gave a little waggle. Okay. He needed to stop. Innuendo powers off.

F L Y N N :
There were a couple (though, probably more) running themes when it came to Flynn’s relationship with Azraeth. One of them being a reward system, which was admittedly more the vampire’s thing, and the other being that everything, somehow, turned into a game. Of course, those games had served as a driving force in getting them to that point, so the Paladin didn’t foresee them going away anytime soon. If he was going to be honest with himself (he usually was), he didn’t want them to. In a way, the two themes accomplished the same goal, really; that being an excuse to demand some form of sexual favors (most of the time), that lead to most of the night being spent tangled up in each other. Not that they needed an excuse when they rarely kept their hands to themselves, anyway. That totally tended to be instigated moreso by Az and his obsessive need to be as close as possible, but he never caught Flynn complaining. Nor would he, because whether he instigated it or not, didn’t mean he got any less enjoyment out of it. And in the amount of time it took for them to leave the apartment and get settled on the transit, the human was presented with both. “I really wouldn’t get into the habit of rewarding me for letting you be right. That seems like a slippery slope, with you being unable to keep up with the owed favors…” Actually, that sounded like a habit his partner should definitely take up. After a brief pause, Flynn continued with a wicked glint in his eyes, “On second thought...I take that back. You can be right any time you want.”

As they came up on the transit, just as the vampire voiced his protest to the clues he had been given into their destination. The Paladin’s mouth twitched at the corner, like he was about to smile,, but managed to keep his expression neutral as he shook his head. “At least, if I point to the whole deck, I would still be right. Your card, would, in fact, be there.” And then came the game. His attention immediately shifted, solely focused on his partner as he paid for the bus and they moved to board. It wasn’t the bet itself that had Flynn staring, but the first (incorrect) guess Az had made. He searched over the other man’s expression, looking for any signs that it was even a remotely serious offer, that it was something he wanted to happen. Granted, the two of them hadn’t spent a single night apart, but they each had their own space. A place that didn’t necessarily have to be shared, because one of them always had a reason to go back to own apartment. The more he thought about it, the lighter he seemed to feel, like he couldn’t quite get his feet to touch the ground as he sat there and overanalyzed. Which was stupid, because he still didn’t have any idea that it was even a serious thought in his boyfriend’s head. And, he wasn’t going to ask. But, were they not going to be getting groceries for a vampire’s apartment, purely for the sake of the occasional human occupant? “I…” he started, attempting to bring his focus back to the matter at hand, rather than a future concern that he could bring up...well, later. “...will take that bet. But, if I win, you have to put on a show of the stripping variety.” And he was pretty confident he was going to win.

“Oh, and since you were wrong...the next clue you get...is that, depending on the choice, can be a pretty extravagant purchase. Definitely cost a pretty penny, at least.” Getting settled into their seats, and Az quickly making himself comfortable by being as close as possible, Flynn slid down in the seat that he was slightly slouched, hands folding against his abdomen so the was looking up at the vampire as he talked about baking. The human’s lips pursed together in a tightlipped smile, though his eyes made it clear that it was in no way a forced gesture. For a man that tended to keep his emotions under lock and key, it only seemed to be getting harder to do that around his partner, as if that hadn't been hard enough, already. With a constant smile on the other man’s face, it was a little like laughter, in the sense that it was impossible not to do the same. Especially when he made terrible innuendos. “By all means. I would never say no to you warming it, and who doesn’t love pie?” he replied, playing along for the moment. The bus was basically empty, and he wasn’t worried about someone overhearing. Not that he would have cared if they had, either. “I have also come to the conclusion, now, that you have no experience in cooking or baking, and that brings me back to mild terror. I’m going to come to the apartment one day and find it burned to the ground…”

A Z R A E T H :

Az honestly wasn’t worried about being able to keep up with those favors. Which totally wasn’t to say that he could necessarily stay on top of them all. Regardless of how passionate the two men were, how young, and filled with the virile need to express their intimacy physically. Well. Eventually, the both of them could get exhausted. That was just biology. Rather, Az wasn’t worried because he revelled in the idea of owing his partner so much that he drowned in the debt; it was, by his estimation, the best red that could exist in his proverbial ledger. It would really only become an issue if Flynn decided that the vampire was so far behind, that he just didn’t have to agree with him anymore. Naturally, Az totally had the foresight to predict this, but that was a problem for Future Azraeth to deal with. Right? So rather than directly answer, he just gave a pleased little hum. Which was something he found himself doing a lot recently. It was like there was this musical aspect to being with his partner. This thing about being near his mate that made him feel so light that he could just break out into song. As if they were on the set of some kind of Disney movie. Actually. As the vampire considered it, he realized that Flynn had picked up the Flynn Ryder.. Perhaps another movie night needed to happen soon. And if Az just happened to sing along, that was neither here nor there.

He was so absorbed not only by his thoughts of the movie night, but also of their bet, that he almost didn’t pick up on the subtle shift in his partner while they were moving to sit. But he totally did. And so he wriggled closer, the leg of his, which had been carefully dropped between Flynn’s used to help draw him closer till their sides were smooshed together. His hand looked for a place to rest and it settled against his own hip, digits pressed lightly into the space between there and his lover’s abdomen so he could gently squeeze, a possessive and yet loving gesture to help bring Flynn back down to Earth. “You know.” He said, his voice soft as he very carefully pressed his lips against an ear. “I know this is a conversation we can table for another time, but I would love to give you more than a key to my apartment. Think on it a bit.” He insisted as his grip just barely tightened and he massaged softly, a touch designed to comfort more than anything else. “And I can agree to those terms.” He decided. He made no move to slide back into his own space, having essentially invaded his boyfriend’s personal bubble as if he lived there too. In a way, he did.

And then it was time for him to put his thinking cap back on, his lips idly dragging back and forth against his partner’s facial hair in thought, near an ear, his fingers remaining pinned to that warmth. The problem was that Az wasn’t really the type of guy who went to the mall all the time. He actually abused parcel delivery services for a lot of the things he needed just for the sake of convenience. A car? Well sometimes they had those...cars stored in shopping malls, for people to enter for a chance to win. Except that didn’t really make sense, because under those terms, it wasn’t a purchase at all. What else did mals have? Furniture? Appliances? Outdoor equipment? “Okay.” He settled on. “I hate to go with a theme, but you’re planning to get an oven, because I’ve already seen your living room set and I know how nice it looks.” Which meant it totally didn’t need to be replaced. And then his gaze dropped once more as his hand slipped briefly out of the way. “Looks like I read your mind.” And then his palm dragged into place and mostly stilled. “I have basically zero experience doing any cooking except for like. Macaroni and cheese, cereal, and grilled cheese.” He admitted “BUT.” He continued, before Flynn could elaborate on this ‘apartment burned down’ scenario. “I have the very best reason to learn how to cook, so you can bet I’m going to give it every ounce of my attention.” There was also an implied ‘And you’d better ******* love it’ thrown in there, but that was beside the point.


F L Y N N :
With Az moving in closer to his side, Flynn moved his arm from being squished between them, laying it out flat against the cushion and pressed into the crook of where it met the backing. When the vampire seemed satisfied with his placement, the same arm circled around him, coming to rest against the opposite hip with a gentle pressure of his fingers. The entire time, the human was distinctly aware of his partner's hand placement, but he did his best not to focus on it and instead on the conversation at hand. Which was easier said than done. As the other man leaned in, he could feel the breath against his ear and the words that accompanied it, his eyes falling shut. Though the exact phrase hadn't come out, the implication was there. What had previously been a stupid irrational thought process became completely rational, with the realization that it was, in fact, a serious consideration in Azraeth's head. A tension settled in Flynn's chest while his heart raced at the notion, like the fluttering of a thousand butterflies, amplified by ten. It was the sort of feeling that left him feeling breathless, without actually suffering from an ability to breathe. Sure, the man had said they could table the conversation for later, but the Paladin was thinking about it right now. Even as the topic shifted back to the bet.

A soft sound that could only be called a whimper passed his lips from the attention, his eyes opening for the sake of turning to look at the vampire pressed against him. Maybe it was just Flynn's general ability to read people fairly well, or he was just that in tune with Az (and had been for day one) to see the subtle ways his expression changed when he was lost in thought. The way his eyes seemed to gloss over as his focus turned inward, or the smallest shift in his smile. Unable to resist, Flynn reached up to brush a thumb over his lover's lower lip with the remaining fingers tucked under his chin. His head moved from side to side when Az made his guess, signalling that he was wrong for the second time. "Mm, read this..." he muttered, pulling the man's face forward to close that miniscule distance so that their lips could touch, gentle and chaste, but full of all the emotion the human had going on in his head. After he had pulled away so that his partner could continue on to explain his cooking experience, the human's hand fell back to his chest with a knowing smirk, since he had hit the nail right on the head with that one. So, if the apartment burned down, at least he could even pretend to be surprised. "Would you rather learn on your own, or do I need to teach you?" Being that he, in essence, raised himself...cooking was nothing new to him, and he was pretty good at it. But, he would deny the vampire the right to spoil him, that's what he so chose.

At that point, the bus was pulling into Honeymead station, where they would have to swap out for the subway if they wanted to make it to Wickbridge in a decent amount of time. With any number of stops on the bus route, Flynn wasn't going to take the chances of missing shop. Gently removing Az's leg from around his and taking his hand, he tugged the man up so they could exit. "Oh, your next clue..." he began, humming in thought as he tried to make sure it wouldn't be too obvious while they made their way through the station to reach the stairs that would take them to the rails without releasing his hold. They still have a subway ride to go before they got to the mall, and that left plenty of time for guessing, and he rather wanted that show. "It requires a certain a certain skill set. Well, at least if you want to use it well, I suppose." Because, anyone could use it, and try to make it work out in their favor. That didn't mean that it always worked out that way, of course.

[TO BE CONTINUED]

[Azraeth]

A Z R A E T H :

The two of them were sectioned off into their own little world when an arm slid around the vampire and came to rest against the a swell which fit naturally into the human’s palm. And Az could tell there was a lot on his partner’s mind. But that had been intentional. He knew the other man well enough that he was well aware of how big steps like that, in relationships, how they gave Flynn pause. Some people might have dismissed them as commitment issues, the likes of which were commonly used to explain why men put off getting into situations like marriage. Of course, the Mystic knew better. He knew that Flynn’s childhood hadn’t always been pleasant, that the man hadn’t really had a dependable mother and that his father was, at best, a criminal. He knew that when his human had been younger, he’d been forced to handle things on his own, rely only on himself to survive. So inviting anyone into his world wasn’t an easy task. Giving someone the power to hurt him? Unheard of. Which was precisely why Az had said that it was a conversation they could table. And why he’d decided to distract from the thoughts he was sure were running through his man’s head. He figured it was a better tactic than his original plan...which had been to steadily steal all of Flynn’s clothing one outfit at a time by wearing them. Or his second plan, which had involved tying the mortal to a chair until he agreed to stay permanently. While both of those schemes certainly had their merit. Well. It was an important topic. And he had to treat it with at least some reverence.

That whimper told him the distraction had paid off.

But the kiss. The kiss told him even more. It told him that he’d ultimately made the right call. That no matter the human’s trepidation, they would figure it out. That they could overcome anything if they did it hand in hand. Even if that hadn’t been Flynn’s intention. It was a soft, pleasant affection, and it left him warm and slightly buzzed. “I want you to teach me.” He said almost immediately. As if the whole thing had been rehearsed. “That’s actually...okay so I don’t know if I’m weird for this, but when I was younger, I used to always picture myself in the future with...someone. Not a specific person. And there were always things I wanted to do. Maybe it was my big imagination. Anyway, one of those things I always pictured was cooking meals with my someone. Just...quiet moments together in the kitchen, preparing food for us to share. Laughing over talking about our day and what new culinary adventure we were going to journey into. I loved the idea of taking something so mundane and turning it into this magical set of moments only because it was shared with ‘Him’. You.” He inhaled and exhaled. “It’s been forever since I thought of that.” He admitted. “I guess when I became a vampire...you know. Sometimes life takes you a certain direction and you have to adjust your dreams accordingly.” He blinked a couple of times to clear the faint mist from his eyes.

“But teaching me should totally also be on movie nights.” Because that Disney sing along was going to happen.

And then they were moving, up and out of the seat so they could make their way from the bus down the set of stairs which led to the subway beneath. The trains themselves came like clockwork every few minutes, and from there, it was almost a direct shot to anywhere in Harper Rock, in a massive circle. Az didn’t have to look at one of the maps on the wall to know they were only a few minutes away from the Westwall stop. From there, they just had to wait through Coastside before they finally got to Wickbridge. The cool thing about the trip was that it involved passing underneath the river which nearly divided the city into two halves. So it didn’t take very long at all for them to get past the automated tripod turnstile (though they had to totally go through single file). In no time at all, they were waiting for the train itself to show up, and Az had decided, it seemed, that going through the turnstile just moments before was ample excuse for him to plaster himself against his lover’s back, arms curled tight around a middle. “A sewing or embroidery machine.” Those totally took skill to use and were certainly an investment depending on the brand.


F L Y N N :

When it came to priorities, Flynn's privacy was usually on the top of his list. Maybe that was a result from living a life where his actions and motivations were no one else's concern but his own, and that translated into a man who would rather keep aspects of his life guarded. Protected behind his carefully maintained defenses. They had done their job well. Keeping others at an arm's length, while providing enough of himself to at least show he cared in some fundamental way. Up until very recently, only one person in his life saw an uninhibited version of himself; the man he was, rather than the man he wanted someone to see, and that person wasn't even in the same city. Then, Azraeth had come along and, like a specter, seemingly moved through those defenses without a passing glance. Like they were never there in the first place to keep him out. And as easily as he had gained access to the knowledge of Flynn's vulnerability, the vampire seemed to possess this uncanny ability to know when it was safe to push for more, but also when it was best to leave things be and let the Paladin work them out on his own. The prospect of them living together was one of those instances, where rather than pry into Flynn's thought process, Az was content to leave the topic. For now, anyway. The human doubted it would stray far from his mind, and it would likely come again sooner rather than later, or risk it burning a hole through the back of his skull.

Thankfully, he was saved from having to fill any possible silence while his mind were far off and preoccupied by Azraeth's agreeance to being taught in the art of cooking. With a story following, Flynn brought 100% of his focus on his boyfriend, blocking out his turbulent thoughts for the time being. They could be a problem for Future Flynn to unpack and pick apart. In that moment, he could practically see the vampire's need for him to be present and available, indicating it meant something to him. And as it continued, the Paladin suddenly understood why. From what he could recall, it was the first time he had ever really heard Az refer to the change with any form of a negative connotation. Like it had cost him something. Other than his brother, but that conversation had been shut down so quickly that he had never really had a chance to learn more about it. Just by being a human, Flynn provided Az with an opportunity to still have that, even if wasn't exactly how he had originally envisioned it. The gleam in those deep eyes brought on this compulsive desire to make it better, to bring back the light that so often appeared in that stare. Anything else just felt wrong. Which was the exact moment that those previously conflicted emotions in the background of his mind fell into silence, and a sort of peaceful calm took over.

Since they had to be up and moving off the bus before he had the opportunity to say anything, he held up a finger in the universal 'one minute' motion, as he had every intentions of coming back to this topic, but first he provided the next clue as to their destination to temporarily distract him from the previous conversation. So, they wove their way down into the underground tunnels to the platforms below, only to wait for the next transit to come through. It would only be several minutes, at most, once they boarded, it wouldn't be long before the two stops passed and they reached Wickbridge. Thankfully, the mall was only a block over from the station, so they wouldn't have too much further to go. With Az pushing against his back with the next guess, Flynn turned in his boyfriend's hold so that he was facing the man, forearms resting over his shoulders. For the third time, he offered a slow shake of his head and a wrinkle of his nose. "No. I could never pull that off. But, before you get the next clue I have to say something..." he began, his green eyes locking on blue. There was a pause, which could have been misconstrued as hesitation, but it was moreso to ensure Az wouldn't be thrown off by the shift in conversation. "I will teach you how to cook every night, if you want me to, because I want my home to be where you are. I want to know that when I come home, it's to you." He paused once more to let that sink in, before he pressed on. "But. I don't know that your apartment is where I need that to be. I like my private space, and your apartment is far from it. Too many people can come and go. What we do about that, we can table, for now. But I felt you deserved to know my answer." Because that was something that would require discussion, thought, and planning.

A minute or two later, the train pulled into the station and Flynn untangled from his partner so that they could make their way into one of the cars. Like any subway, they were never particularly clean, or luxurious, but they got the job done in getting from Point A to Point B and that was all that he cared about. Though, he did make a mental note to pull his motorcycle from storage come the Spring. Dropping down into one of the plastic bench seats, he pat the spot next time with a small grin. Because, now, he needed to return to their bet and think about the next clue. "It can take up very little or quite a bit of space. And, it's fairly dynamic." So, the last part was a little more abstract, but that didn't matter. Az had wanted clues, and it was hard to provide them without outright saying what it was or providing one that was too obvious not to guess.

A Z R A E T H :

The terminal where they waited for the subway train to come pick them up wasn’t the cleanest place in the world. It was seemingly carved out of the ground, and was chiefly solid blocks of concrete. There were a few places where some vandal had tagged the symbol for whatever gang was trying to take over the territory, which was perhaps fittingly under the control of the Vooodoo Dragons. Of course, it probably wouldn’t be long before an employee of the HRCT came along to paint over offending markings. The smell was like stale air, and there were a few trash bins that were filled way too high. So it should probably have been impossible for Az to feel that warm, soft, melting sensation inside. The one he always felt when Flynn said something that just...cut through him. That made him feel more loved than he had ever been in his entire life. It started when the other man turned to face him, and arms slid over his shoulders. Az leaned closer and pressed his cheek against one of his boyfriend’s biceps through the sweater, though he never broke eye contact. It would have been impossible for him to, with Flynn peering into him the way the human was. Mesmerising. And then he said those words. And it was as if time stopped. Like everything was put on pause. Maybe they broke the vampire’s brain a little bit, because, his eyes widened as if in panic, though that wasn’t what he felt. And then he swallowed thickly, which made his adam’s apple move awkwardly. His gaze grew watery and then when he blinked, tears cascaded down his cheeks.

Because Flynn wanted to come home to him. Which was as good as saying that he was the human’s home. Maybe it was like the crumbling of a wall. Or maybe Az was just emotional from a combination of those words, and their conversation from only a few moments before. Or maybe it was the realization that after he had been turned, Azraeth had forced himself to fit into a mold. Analytical, opinionated, intelligent. He had been strong. Always strong. Because that was what people needed of him. Quiet as a mouse, always willing to act when the moment called for it, but never afraid to try and give advice. Always desiring to protect the other vampires, always being rejected. Always trying to protect the Worthington. Always being rejected. Always trying to protect the Dragomir. The only people he had ever been able to hold onto for years. He had seen so many terrible things. He had died. He had lived again. He had fought with everything that he was to try and ensure a future that nobody else seemed to want. He had become bitter, and angry and he’d lost himself. Because nobody wanted order. Nobody wanted rules. Nobody wanted safety. They just wanted superiority. Over humans. Over each other. And Az was just one voice that wanted everyone to shut up, and work together. And that had consumed his life for years. Trying to become more powerful. Trying to understand the root of magic. Trying to make himself better and more learned so that maybe he could do something to protect what was his.

And in doing so, he had lost sight of what had set him on that journey to begin with.

And Flynn was just this perfect reminder of his humanity, and his ability to love, and why he had fought the battles he had.

So maybe Az shed those tears in that moment because the things he felt for his human were overwhelming and beyond words. He pressed his face against one of Flynn’s shoulders so he could drag his cheeks against the sweater. “That would make me so happy. You make me so happy. We should...yeah. We should talk more about this later. I’m ready to move in with you. Or find a place. I don’t know. I do know that with you is my place.” He admitted. And then it was time to load onto the train itself, so Az slipped inside with his boyfriend. And then ended up very nearly toppling into the man’s lap. Yeah. Okay. So the invitation had been to sit beside the Paladin, but Azraeth was pretty sure nobody in the history of ever was going to buy that he was going to do that. Instead he tucked himself into a lap, leaning into the human’s chest, his legs stretched out into the seat the mortal had just patted. His cheek once again pressed against a shoulder. Because the emotional conversation had the vampire extra extra clingy. “I don’t think I’m going to win this bet.” He finally said, after a moment. But he was thinking, trying not to be totally distracted by thoughts of moving in with the other man, which was difficult.

He walked through each of the clues, one right after the other. He repeated them in his head. And then the first stop happened at Westwall. People got on. People got off. So he kept running over the stores, his lips pressed against Flynn’s neck, his hand having slipped once more into his boyfriend’s to squeeze. And the second stop happened at Coastside. People got on. People got off. He thought about the answers he had given. And not only the shaking of Flynn’s head, but how he addressed them. For example, Flynn had said he could never pull off embroidery and sewing. That probably cut out items like a loom as well. And so it wasn’t until they arrived right at Wickbridge that the Mystic finally spoke again. “Expensive, takes skill to use, can take up a lot of space...is it a...keyboard or piano?” But did that make sense? He had never gotten the indication that Flynn was musically talented. Or at least the human had never brought it up. Then again, the man’s tastes seemed to be expensive in general. Maybe it was a decoration? Or maybe there were things about his lover Az didn’t know yet. Either way, it was time to get up, so he reluctantly did that, peeling himself away from his partner’s lap, pulling softly at the mortal’s hand.

F L Y N N :

Tears were something that Flynn had minimal experience with. He was the type of person that rarely cried, and that had nothing to do with the societal misconception that tears made men appear weak. He just happened to deal with those intense emotions more in the form of a physical outlet or the occasional musical one. Exercise, mostly, but his hunting trips had their merits. They provided him time to think, while simultaneously releasing the energy created by them. Especially when it came to anger. That wasn't to say that he never cried, but those instances just happened to come few and far between. Thanks to his lone wolf lifestyle, witnessing the tears of others was just as rare. Save for Dhara, in the recent past, when they had broken up. But even then, the tears had been related to a negative thought in the form of her irrational fear of abandonment. And that was why the tears leaving their trail down Azraeth's face came as a surprise, leaving Flynn to stare at him a little like a deer caught in headlights. The words he had said played back in his head, picking them apart to try and find the slightest reason they could have upset the vampire. Which only succeeded in confusing the Paladin further, because Az had only just said that he wanted Flynn to consider the idea, which meant he wanted it. Yet, when it was confirmed that his partner wanted it to... the opposite of the expected reaction was received. Regardless of the reason behind them, the human pulled his arms back so that his palms found either side of the man's neck, allowing the pads of his thumbs to brush over the tear-streaked cheeks to wipe away the proof that they were ever there.

It was only in the moments that followed and the vampire finally spoke that Flynn actually came to understand the tears were completely related to anything other than an emotional overdrive, fueled by happiness, rather than anger or sadness. Because they had agreed to table the conversation, the human didn't reply to comments made on where their shared space would be, instead choosing to simply smile. While he had never said it, he had long since accepted that Azraeth's place was with him. Literally and figuratively. Even at the start, when every fiber of his being was encouraging him to despise the very air the vampire invaded, being in his presence had felt...right. Like, that was exactly where Flynn belonged. Tucked in that moment of time where the only thing that mattered was the way the man moved, the rise and fall of his voice as he spoke, and the way his gaze was capable of feeling like a comforting caress that draw the Paladin closer. Like a moth to a flame. Maybe that was why he never complained when it came to the vampire's clingy behaviors. Such as the way he dropped into Flynn's lap, rather than sitting beside him with the emotional conversation coming to a temporary close, to make way for the much lighter bet that his boyfriend apparently felt he was going to lose. "You still have time to guess..." Flynn replied, voice low and quiet, almost soothing in its tone.

With his partner going quiet, the Paladin was content to watch the tunnels pass as the train took them under the city streets. With the first stop that came and went, his attention would fall on the people who came and went, nothing the very human nature of about 80% of them. Likely rushing to make it home before the curfew fell over Harper Rock, the safety measure put in place after the Longslade fiasco. A hand slipped into his, to which Flynn lifted them, only so he could carefully lace their fingers together. Truth was, he didn't mind the silence. It was comfortable, companionable. The kind of silence fitting of a couple that didn't need to fill it to feel connected and in touch with each other. They could have spent an entire night like that, and he still would have went to bed satisfied with the way it turned out. Only when they reached Wickbridge and Az finally spoke up, again, did Flynn look at his partner with a soft snort of disbelief. "Your power of deduction is impressive..." he drawled, standing from the seat without losing hold on his boyfriend's hand. As the pair moved off off the train, the Paladin pulled the vampire in against his side just long enough to press his lips against the man's temple. "Then again, your intelligence was never called into question."

Since the reason for their shopping trip was now out in the open, there was little time wasted on the human's part in getting them out of the station and the one black over to 8th Dimension Mall. Just before they entered, his gaze cut to Az with his usual smirk back in place, "You aren't allowed to comment, yet." He had come through the area more than a handful of time, having found a little shop particularly useful into getting from place to place thanks to a few cleverly placed portals they happened to keep around. But, alas, that wasn't their destination, though it was just across the way. Circling around the escalator, Flynn gestured to Curlew Musical Supplies without stopping. "Alright, come on...I have to show you something." Making their way into the shop, it wasn't hard to find the area sectioned off with keyboards, pianos, and the various racks of sheet music particularly for them. The human hummed only once before settling on one of the benches, bringing Az down to sit next to him. Only then did he release the man hands, his eyes falling to the keys as he ran his fingers over them without actually putting down any pressure on a single one.

Head tipping from side to side in contemplation, his hands finally stilled on the keys. What was perhaps one of the most relaxed smiles the vampire would ever see on the human's face took over as he began to play entirely from memory. And his focus was entirely on the song, with only the vaguest awareness of Az beside him. It had been awhile since he had the opportunity to play, and in that moment, he was perfectly content.

[TO BE CONTINUED]

[Flynn]

A Z R A E T H :
Az had heard the phrase ‘knock me over with a feather’ before, but he’d never actually felt that way. Completely and totally surprised, but pleasantly so at the same time. He honestly hadn’t even gotten over how he’d somehow managed to guess what they were shopping for correctly, by the time they got to the music supply store. The whole situation leading up to the moment when his butt was planted on the seat beside Flynn, in front of the piano, was surreal. And then the other man’s fingers moved over the keys and the sound that came out of the instrument was soft and beautiful. There were moments during it that sounded like this combination of laughter and water bubbling shallowly over rocks. The music made him go still, because it was something that his lover made, that the human brought to life in front of him, with his bare hands. He played it from memory, which brought to mind so many questions. Who had taught him? How long had he been playing? But it was more than that too. Flynn just looked so...at peace. The vampire had only ever seen him like that when they were curled up together and the human had passed out for the night. And he looked so beautiful in those moments, as beautiful as he did while his fingers moved over those keys to bring life to the air around them.

He could feel emotion rising again, and he sucked in a breath through his nostrils.

Azraeth William Carpenter. You are not going to cry twice in a day, like some kind of baby. Get a grip.

But you know this song. This is the song you’re going to always think about from now on, when your mind wanders to him. This wordless melody is going to be the sound of his heartbeat in your ears.

You know he’s the one, don’t you? You know he’s the only one it could ever be.

You know you love him.
So show him, and stop talking to yourself, you lune.

He waited. It might have been a minute. It might have been an hour. It was another one of those moments when the rest of the world just didn’t matter, because the only thing Az could see was the human playing the piano. As if they were on a stage and there was a lone spotlight in the darkness. And even he. He wasn’t really there. It was just his boyfriend freeing all of those chords and harmonies into the room. And when hands finally came away from the keyboard, he reached out, so he could twist, pulling the other man with him when he caught a wrist in one hand. The other palm laid against the back of a neck so he could lean closer and press their lips together. It wasn’t a passionate kiss per se. Not the kind that was designed to get the flames burning hotter, nor to stir the loins. It was drawn out. Slow, and soft. But there was still lust there, like smoldering embers. It wasn’t about taking his lover’s breath away or driving him wild, but about saying how much the vampire appreciated the show. How much it meant to him. How deeply he had felt the notes played, and how much it made him want to buy a piano right then so he could see that same serenity on Flynn’s face every single night. That was the kind of kiss it was. Not fireworks, but a different kind of light in the skies. Two stars twinkling together, side by side. Faint to the naked eye and yet with their illumination dancing together for eons.

“That was…” He grinned as he pulled away just enough to peer into Flynn’s eyes. “...what I want our home to be like.” He whispered to the other man. “I want our home to be a place with the sweet smells of pie and cake baking, with the sound of your music in every hallway, with laughter, and stories, and games. I want ours to be a home of warmth. I think we both deserve that, so let’s build it together.” He said and then he kissed right over his partner’s cheek before he moved to stand, carefully backing away so he could reach into his back pocket for his wallet. “And the first step can be letting me pay for this.” Well. Assuming that it was the one Flynn wanted. There was obviously some selection to choose from, but leave it to Az to jump the gun with his eagerness.

F L Y N N :
When the impulsive idea had come to Flynn that he should purchase a piano, the 'wow' factor hadn't really been his intention in bringing Azraeth with him. He could have very easily gone and done so on his own, with his boyfriend being none the wiser until he happened upon the instrument the next time he stayed at the human's apartment. In either case, Az still wouldn't have known that the Paladin possessed any sort of musical talent, and been surprised to learn otherwise. Sure, Flynn could have told him what they were going shopping for from jump and all the questions floating across his partner's expression would have already been answered, but that would have left anticipation. A knowledge of what was to come that could potentially hinder a truly genuine reaction. Not that he was even aware of his surroundings enough to truly take note of the way Az seemed to freeze, momentarily captivated by both the music and the man making it. The thing about music was that it was an uncomplicated process, while still being possible of such complexity that left the mind to wander and question the motivations behind it, the emotion. Yet, it was infinitely relaxing to the Paladin, as it brought him back to the few times in his childhood where he could recall a decent memory, a level of happiness.

As the song came to an end and his fingers slid away from the keys, he wasn't quick to break the calm that had washed over him. But, he moved to turn his head and answer the questions that were, no doubt, on the vampire's mind, only to be met with the pressure of his lips. His eyes widened in surprise, but it faded within moments as he melted. Flynn wanted to be closer, to feel the way Az just seemed to fit against him as if he were made to be there with a fleeting wish that they were anywhere else. And it was an innocent desire, rather than one fueled by lust. He craved the intimacy, without the act of being intimate. This was about as close as he was going to get for the moment, so he savored it for what it was. With the peaceful state of mind and the sudden rush of love that seemingly flowed between them left him feeling high, delirious. Like a hit from the most potent of drugs that threatened to never let him come back down, while also keeping him grounded, rooted to that bench in that moment with a man that he never expected to come to mean so much. And when the kiss came to an end, he had to take a minute to recover, which almost caused him to miss the first comment Az had made.

It was such a storybook notion that Flynn almost had it in him to laugh, to shake his head like the cynic he was. To have such a happy home, full of only warmth and love, like the ones you saw in movies. Where nothing bad ever seemed to happen. But, this was no movie, and their lives were far from a storybook. But, the look on Azraeth's face kept all of those thoughts buried within his head, because whether or not the home they made for themselves actually turned out that way, there was one thing about it that Flynn couldn't deny. No matter how cynical he might be, or how little he believed in the reality of a truly 'happy ending'...They could have lived in a cardboard box, and so long as Az was there with him, he would be happy, at the very least. And that...that was a start. Then the talk of payment came up, and the Paladin's gaze immediately narrowed. But, the vampire was already up and backing away, leaving the human to scramble after him. "That was not, I repeat, was not, the plan. I brought you here so you could learn a little known fact about me, not so you could buy what I came here for..." he huffed, since he had this sinking feeling that his boyfriend would find a way to do it, anyway. Hadn't he said once that he didn't need a reason to give Flynn things? Well, this time, he had a reason...whether the Paladin agreed with it or not.

Rather than chase after the other man, he suddenly stopped, and a slow smirk formed on his lips. "Fine. You can pay for the piano. Just remember this night when it comes time for us to move and I refuse to let you pay for anything. Possibly an entire apartment." So, they weren't even remotely on the same level. That didn't matter. Flynn had stated it, and he would stick to it. And Az knew that as well as he did.


A Z R A E T H :
He was already up and walking away, back towards the front of the store, when he heard the shuffle of the bench backwards and the rise of his lover to his feet. The words hit him next, and then that sound. Az had noticed that Flynn huffed whenever he knew he was about to lose an argument, or when he knew he had been bested. It was a tell, like when someone gave away if they had something good or bad in a hand of poker. It was also one of the cutest things the vampire had ever heard in his life, and it just made him want to slip back towards the mortal to drag him into a hug. And kiss over those lips softly in apology. An apology that admittedly wouldn’t have meant all that much because regardless of how disarming his boyfriend was, the vampire was still totally going to pay for the piano. Because...well. Flynn didn’t usually talk about the things that he enjoyed. Azraeth was very aware that the human enjoyed him, but he wanted to give the Paladin more than that. It went back to what he’d said only a few moments before. He wanted to have a home with his partner. He wanted it to be filled with things that reminded them of each other, of gifts, and things acquired on their adventures. He wanted, when Flynn woke up every morning, for the man to see the piano, or put on an article of the vampire’s clothing and know in that moment that even if they were separated by daylight and hours, that Az was always there. Every minute.

So he made his way back, though his wallet was still in his hand. His arms slid around his lover’s neck, framing against the sides and curling around the back to pull Flynn closer. “Wipe that smirk off of your sexy face.” He whispered before his lips pressed against the expression, though the intention wasn’t to get rid of it. He loved that cocky half-smile when the mortal wore it. But it certainly made for a very convenient excuse to kiss him. “I’m going to buy this piano, and every time you play it, you’re going to think of me and how much you mean to me. And when I hear the music, I’m going to think of this moment, and how I felt the first time you played, and how I was able to be part of it, even if it’s a tiny role.” He insisted as one of his hands slipped so that he could push his fingers through Flynn’s hair, right at the back of the skull, lazily worming against the nape of the neck upwards. “How about, instead of you paying for everything in our new place...we buy things for ourselves and each other? Or together?” He offered by way of compromise, peering into his lover’s green eyes.

He waited until he got an answer, and then rather than running for the front (which had totally been his original plan), he let his arm slip lower, looping around a waist as he pressed against the other man’s side. And on the way to the front, he wedged his unoccupied fingers right into one of Flynn’s back pockets. It wasn’t until they got to the front that he spoke again, his fingers tightening just a little possessively. “Hey! We’d like to buy that piano back there.” He twisted and used his wallet stuffed hand to point one finger at the exact one. And from there, they had forms to fill out. Like deciding to where the piano was going to be delivered (Flynn’s apartment), warranty, certificate of ownership (Because apparently the one chosen was from a limited production). Which meant that about twenty minutes later, the pair of them were exiting the shop once more, hand in hand, with a packet of papers for Flynn to hold onto. And Az feeling like he had a particularly enormous spring to his step. In fact, they were about to make their way past the food court when he decided to yank his fingers from Flynn’s back pocket so he could instead climb his boyfriend, a process that involved his legs hooking against the human’s sides for balance, and his abdomen shoved against a chest.

He didn’t actually confirm if anyone was around, because that totally wasn’t the point. He instead pointed directly at Flynn’s head. “Who just got the best present ever? THIS GUY!” And then his index fingers went down and his thumbs popped out to pull the pointing motion back at himself. “And who is dating this handsome, sexy, wonderful beat? THIS GUY!” Okay. So maybe it was a little obnoxious. But he was excited.

F L Y N N :
The fact that the vampire even turned around, at all, was an accomplishment in itself. Flynn was fully expecting Azreath to make a beeline for the front of the store and pay for the piano without a backwards glance, to ensure that he didn't hear any arguments against why he shouldn't be the one doing so. Instead, the human watched as the man retraced his steps and came to a stop in front of him. That whispered command only served to make the smirk grow as he wound his arms around his partner's hips, but it was temporarily disrupted by the kiss that may or may not have been intended to make it disappear. It did just that, but it never resurfaced with the serious tone in the vampire's voice quickly dissolving his initial humor into a dull knot of pressure in his stomach. Not for the first time, and what he doubted would be the last, Flynn was faced with Az's unique ability to express his love as if it were as easy as breathing. The way the words just rolled off his tongue, quiet and unassuming, but with more power than if he were to have physically hit the Paladin with them. There was no need to actually say those three little words, because everything Az said and did expressed that for him. "Your role is not, nor will it ever be, tiny..." So, the human wasn't quite so eloquent, but he knew he didn't necessarily need to say those words, either. The vampire already knew. "And, I suppose...since you had to go and be reasonable about it, that I can accept this compromise. Even if you did take away my leverage in doing so." His lips found his boyfriend's forehead as his eyes fell shut. He would have rathered they did it together, anyway.

There was no other sounds of protest or complaint from Flynn when it came to Az buying the piano, even when the final price work was done and the numbers flashed in front him. Well, his lips pursed a little, clearly showing a little displeasure at the idea of the extravagant gift, but he didn't voice it and if his partner noticed it, he didn't say anything. The paperwork was perhaps the worst part, if only because there was so much of it, with far more explanation than Flynn thought was really necessary. So, when they finally left, the Paladin let out a literal sigh of relief that the process was over and that he would have a piano delivered in 5-7 business days. Az looked almost too proud of it, the way he seemed suddenly buzzing with energy. Though, it was still unexpected when the vampire decided to, once again, climb the human. Doing so in public was literally nothing new, and Flynn was content to just roll his eyes and accept the behavior, because, eventually, the vampire would get down. That was, until he pulled the obnoxious card and starting making even more of a scene. There weren't many people around, by any means, but a few that passed by stared at the couple with amused expressions. Thankfully, moving on without comment. Still, the Paladin couldn't let the moment go without some form of punishment for his boyfriend's antics.

He couldn't say what brought the idea to mind, or why it seemed like such a good one, but as they were passing the food court, Flynn caught sight of one of the trash cans scattered around the seating area. His gaze locked on the few Mall employees moving throughout, changing the garbages as they went. Humming, the human made a sudden detour to one of those that had been freshly emptied, because...well, ew. Coming up to the receptacle, he shot an innocent smile up at Az, using one hand to pull him down for a quick peck of their lips, while the other slid over the vampire's thigh to come and rest at the crook of his knee. "Thank you. For the piano..." he whispered as he pulled away from the kiss, only for his expression to shift into one of complete neutrality, giving away nothing of his intentions. "But, your shopping and climbing privileges have now been revoked." Without warning, the hand that had taken up shop under his partner's leg swiftly pushed it free from his hip so that the grip was lost, leading the vampire to slip downward and land perfectly into the inner rim of the can used to create a smaller opening for the trash to be thrown into. That was to say, he wasn't exactly in the can, itself, but the point would get across all the same as his *** sank inward. "THIS GUY still loves you, though..." he insisted, backing away from the trash can with hands up in surrender, as if this couldn't possibly be his fault.

Finally laughing at the absurdity of Az literally sitting in a garbage can, the human actually went so far as to turn around to walk away, but he had no intentions of going very far. Just to the group of benches still within view from where he had dumped his vampire, assuming he even made it that far.

A Z R A E T H :
One moment Az was riding around on Flynn like the human was some sort of extremely attractive bipedal horse, and the next, the vampire’s butt was sinking into a trashcan. His expression right then was priceless. Eyes wide. Lips having formed a little ‘O’. His ears suddenly burned a vigorous red, which looked almost comical against the paleness that was the rest of his features. His legs kicked, and he gripped the edges of the trashcan to pull himself up, though it proved to be surprisingly difficult, because he just kept slipping and maybe his backside was wedged into position. He actually ended up kind of gracelessly throwing his weight to one side, which resulted in a crashing sound as the can hit the floor. And then he had to just kinda...wiggle out from the rim only to pop up on his feet, brushing his slacks off as if the whole thing hadn’t happened at all. “What?!” He called out as he moved to do the polite thing and right the trash bin, setting it up straight and making sure it looked at least mostly the way it had when he’d been dropped on top of it. He then marched right along after his boyfriend, his pace rapid enough that he broke the distance in only a couple of seconds, before he grasped a hand to whip Flynn around.

“First.” He said, his gaze narrowing as he got very close to his lover’s chest. “You may revoke my shopping privileges, but climbing is a hard nope on.” He almost wanted Flynn to call him on it too, because Az had every intention of clinging to the human with all of his limbs, and digging his claws in (perhaps literally). Not that he wanted to actually hurt his mortal lover, but the mystic was not about to be dissuaded from being close to the man he loved. “TWO.” He said, not realizing that his volume had gone up. Thankfully there weren’t a lot of people there, which meant that they thankfully weren’t attracting a crowd or anything like that. Though there were a few persons milling around who did take note of what probably looked like a lover’s spat. “Come with me.” He said, his voice returning to normal before he gave a firm jerk at Flynn’s hand, as he pulled the human with him through the shopping mall. He didn’t speak as they moved. In fact, there was a look of determination on the vampire’s features that might have indicated something really terrible was going to happen. Soon, the two of them were pushing through the doors and out into the night air, which had managed to pick up a little bit of the autumn chill, dropping a few degrees even from when they had first entered only a short time before.

They were illuminated by a mixture of moonlight, and street lamps as they turned a corner onto what looked like a long row of shops, most of which were still open thankfully. Though Az’s exact destination didn’t become apparent until a hand slid out and pushed the door to a local costume shop open. There was a chime, and what seemed to be a teenager at the front desk whose face was buried in his phone. “Hey.” The vampire said in passing, though it was clearly just a perfunctory greeting. The costume shop itself was expansive, with what looked like numerous shelves lining the interior walls with boxes that had any number of masks in them. The costumes themselves were hung in different sizes. Every single genre seemed to be covered, and there were even accoutrements to be purchased to make everything seem all the more real. In the very back was a fitting area, so Az pulled Flynn in that direction. He then pushed his human companion to sit down *** first in a plastic seat (most likely used by those waiting for those in the changing area).

“You. Stay here.” He said to his lover before he disappeared behind Flynn. Seconds later, he returned with a costume hidden under his hoodie. Only to slip into the very back, past an opaque curtain. Only a short time later, he stomped right back out, wearing a costume that seemed to fit with the theme of being put in a trashcan. “Okay. Is THIS what you’re into?” He asked. Arms folded over chest. Gaze narrowed on his boyfriend ‘dangerously’.

F L Y N N :
The crashing sound of the can hitting the floor told Flynn everything he needed to know in regards to how Az got himself out of the situation he had been placed in, and it only made the moment that much sweeter. If he wasn't fully expecting the vampire to be on him in seconds once he was free, the human might have laughed even harder, but that would only add fuel to the fire that was no doubt burning hot. Proving that the Paladin knew his vampire fairly well, he was forced to come to a stop and face the narrowed gaze of a dragon that had his heart doing flips in his chest. His head fell back slightly at the proximity, though the amusement at the situation hardly faded. In true Azraeth fashion, there was no mention of the fact he had just been canned (literally), with his main concern coming in the form of his revoked privileges that Flynn was so, so tempted to debate right then and there. Curious, really, to see just how far he could push the insistence that that boundary between them not exist. At the increased volume, the human cleared his throat and glanced to his left at the few people making their way by, though his smug expression may have made it hard for them to believe that he was taking the man before him all that seriously. Truth was, he was fighting the sudden inclination to drag his boyfriend off into some secluded corner and offer up an apology the man wouldn't be able to resist accepting.

Sadly, that never came to pass, because the Paladin was being dragged off to who knew where. Az didn't offer an explanation and Flynn didn't ask. Instead, he let the silence take over as he did his best to keep up with the vampire's determined strides. Sure, he wanted to know where the **** they were going, but he would find out eventually and he had enough patience to wait until they got there. As they exited out into the crisp night air, the Paladin opened his mouth as if to finally speak, but then quickly shut it as they turned onto another street of shops. So, more shopping? It was only when Az pushed open the door to the costume shop that the human rose his eyebrow in question. Not that the other man could see it with 100% of his focus on...whatever he was headed for. Flynn gave a short, albeit confused nod to the teen at the desk as they passed and then he took a survey of the collection of costumes, masks and wigs, and the various paraphernalia that went along with them. Halloween being the followed day, it was no surprise that several of the shelves were sparse. But, Az was a vampire, and he got to wear his 'costume' every day. Therefore, what need did he have for anything in this joint?

That was about the time he was pushed into the chair with instructions to stay put. "Hey, wait, what are yo-..." he began to ask, only to have his man disappear behind him. With a indignant sniff, Flynn slumped down into the chair with his arms crossed over his chest. He felt a little like a child in time out, but that might have been deserved. He did put his boyfriend in the garbage. Sorta. It had been empty, and he didn't actually go in it, but still the garbage, nonetheless.

Like a sixth sense, green eyes lifted just in time to see said partner pass by him again without a word and disappear behind the curtain. With the dramatics worthy of a theater performance, he let out a long and drawn out sigh that he knew the vampire would be able to hear. Still, he remained in his designated chair, twiddling his thumbs in the perfect image of boredom. The soft clanging of the curtain sliding along the metal rod holding it up drew his attention to a stomping vampire. A vampire...dressed as a raccoon. Immediately, Flynn's lips pressed together between his teeth, though it did little hide the twitch at the corners in the beginnings of a smile, his eyebrows furrowing. The expression on Az's face only served to make it all that much better. Not only was he a raccoon, but a cross one. Sliding up into his chair, the Paladin let his head fall to the side to appraise him fully before answering, "Mm, I don't know, Azcoon the Grump..." Standing up from the chair, he made a slow circle around his boyfriend, unable to hold up back the smile any longer with obvious laughter in his gaze. "I could be. Depending on what I get out of the man in the costume." He came to a stop in front of the vampire, doing his very best to look apologetic, and likely failing. Miserably.


A Z R A E T H :
It was very hard to keep his vexed expression when he saw his lover straining so valiantly to keep the amusement off of his features. Because Az, of course, totally wasn’t really annoyed. In fact, one of the things he loved most about his boyfriend was that the man knew not only how to take a joke, but set one up as well. And the world was such a dark and chaotic place as it was - especially for the denizens of Harper Rock. It was commonplace to see death, to lose loved ones, to see the things a man had built crumble in his hands. So sometimes the best way to tackle a life like that was to find a way to laugh. Because that was the difference between a king among men, and someone who would always be pulled under by the harshness of reality. And then he was called Azcoon the Grump. Which was the first nickname Flynn had ever given him, and it was very much in the same vein as the numerous ones the vampire had doted on his partner. He bit into his lower lip to try and hide it. But he couldn’t. The flesh seemed to pull away from his ivory gate and soon he was showing off that broad and unhindered smile. The same one that invited a person to get a look at every tooth from those at the front all the way to his molars.

“Get out of him?” He asked, and then he flung himself at his mate. His legs immediately wrapped around a middle, and his arms curled about a neck. He leaned back enough so that he could keep the distance between their faces and peer right into those eyes. He might have swung the pair of them around just a little bit in the process, due to the momentum of his movement. And he growled just a little bit. “Silly human! I am Azcoon...and I have...THE RABIES!” He said before he pressed his lips against the height of a cheekbone,only to part them, and give a pronounced suck, which was probably a lot wetter than it needed to be. He didn’t pull back until he’d left that spot on his partner slicked with saliva. Then he tipped his head back once more. “There is only one thing you can do to save yourself.” He said as his brows lifted ominously, as if he were telling a scary story and were about to reach the point of climax, when the badguy was going to jump out of a bush or...something. He glanced to the front, where the teenager had glanced up from his phone, and was peering at them. Which meant that Az had to whisper his next words. “You have to get a very special type of injection.” He appealed in a hushed tone before lifting one hand to press a single finger over his lips. And then after a pause, to let that sink in, he decided it was best not to leave things up to chance. “It’s my penis.” He said “My penis is the cure.”

And then his grin was back full force as he hopped down. His hand moved so he could curl his digits into the other man’s belt and the waist of his jeans. He made sure he had a good tight grip and yanked hard, pulling the Paladin towards himself. “However, it turns out this cure must be administered by your boyfriend and not a rabid racoon so you…” He began as he peered into a pair of deep, beautiful green eyes. “You. My love. My partner. My mate. (Who is mine). Need to come and help me transform back into an Az instead of an Azcoon with a different type of magical medicine.” He insisted before he gave another yank, pulling his boyfriend towards the changing room as he backed towards it. His free hand lifted to pull the top component of the costume off, the furry helmet of a thing that had the features of the racoon head on it. He tossed it to one side before they ever got past that curtain which separated the changing room from the rest of the shop. Thankfully, after making sure they weren’t breaking anything, the guy at the front went right back to paying attention to his phone. Ahh. The disinterest of the modern era. Such a beautiful thing. And as the vampire stepped backwards, he kept that eye contact, his tongue dragging across his lower lip.

And right as they disappeared from view, the curtain swishing to cover their retreat, he spoke again, this time more softly, less to do with making a joke. More to do with sharing something purely for Flynn. “I love everything about you. I love you so ******* much.”

[CONCLUDED]