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That answer was something Lucas expected, but it wasn't any easier to hear. His long ears seemed to droop a little, but he didn't comment on it. It was hard to ask a man driven by love of what he does to not throw himself into it recklessly.

Lucas nodded slightly, his smile there but not quite reaching his eyes. "I'm kind of hoping he wont stay long enough to discover that." He didn't have to say why: their unconventional romance yielded three damnably good reasons.

"I wouldn't do that to mine, but I also know all their embarrassing stories, I practically changed all their diapers." The werewolf shook his head, vaguely amused. "Besides, I'd rather hear your stories from you." He inclined his head slightly at the response to his question, and again, he didn't comment on it. Rylan was certainly more well-paced and open about what was going on - and knowing what Lucas did of his past, he still wanted to make a difference in the firefighter's life. To be real.

For a moment, he didn't do so much as blink at Rylan, expression stricken. Finally, he lifted a hand and ran it over his bearded mouth, hiding a grin. "Been with? Like, romantically or just...one night? Because one number is going to be a lot larger than the other." Lucas couldn't hide his small laugh, clawed prosthetic rubbing around to the back of his neck. "Romantically, only two. Impressive, I know. There was my high school sweetheart, a girl, we dated for two years, but our paths didn't progress together so that was that. I met the other before I joined the Army, and she was cool about it, but..." Red eyes shifted away. "...she Dear John'd me two years into my time. After that, it was men, women, inbetween -- traveling around the world, it was an easy way for me to explore what it meant to know pleasure and peace. Nothing close to a relationship."

His gaze turned back to Rylan. "You and Thorne are the realest thing I've had in over a decade. And that's on the heels of nothing and no one for a good year." If anything, that only made him more confident and comfortable with the two, having experienced so many walks of life and wanting this more than any of it. "But in the same path, ah," he grinned back at Rylan, lifting one brow, expression mirroring the other's wicked countenance, "have any kinks or preference I should know about? Just in case?" His grin was every inch of wolfish. "Hope you're into tails."

His leg bumped against Rylan's again but he said noting, instead continuing to eat while he watched the other. Lucas himself was a man of affection, stolen touches and lingering glances, and this was the only way he knew how to tell Rylan that he wasn't alone. They were probably all afraid of a magnificent crash and burn, but for once in his life, Lucas was willing to take the risk because the success...it would be everything.

The answer he received, however, made him choke a little, thumping his chest with his fist in an attempt to clear his airways. Tugging the collar of his button-up, he mumbled, "It just got a lot hotter in here," clearing his throat again. "I...uh, I enjoy a bit of power play, a bit of dominance and being dominated." Lucas paused, staring hard at his food before he added quietly, "If I ever get you in bed, it'll be the greatest and most torturous experience of my life, I think." Red eyes flickered towards Rylan with a small but coy smile, his heart rate having increased significantly and his tail swaying slowly at the mental image their words painted.

It took a few more minutes (and the decision to open a beer after all, good lord did he need it) before he could compose himself, still a bit flushed. "My type of woman is typically any that can keep up with me. Lots can find me off-putting or single-minded, when really, I just want to have fun. I like to be challenged, and if a lady can match my push ups or run with me or eat as much steak as I do, I mean, that has my attention." He laughed a little. "I don't think I've had any visually similar lovers, I'm an equal opportunity type of guy. And," he looked to Rylan with a crooked smile, "believe it or not, I usually prefer men more level to me, someone I can impress. You, and Thorne, you guys are -- a million times out of my league. This is all quite new to me."

His food had, for the moment, been abandoned. It was obvious where the man's mind was stuck, though Lucas did an admirable job trying to push beyond it. "I'm gonna turn that one back on you, though -- what's your type? I see you, this playful, competitive sweetheart and I look at Thorne and I and -- what were you after if we're so different?" He rubbed his bearded cheek in thought, adding completely out of left field, "And aside from Fidget, what's your thoughts on dogs?"

When Rylan took Lucas' hand, he uttered a faint sound, somewhere between surprise and pleasure. There was a sort of wonder on his features, red eyes watching the play of the firefighter's strong hand over his metal clawed one, the digits gently rubbing over Rylan's knuckles. "But -- " Wolverine is indestructible, I got these from being the opposite, he started to say, but he lifted his eyes to Rylan's amber ones and found that he didn't want to protest, didn't want to put himself down just then. He really needed these moments. "...you're impossible," he finished with instead, managing a smile. His tail wagged a moment faster.

Lucas raised a single brow at the description of Rylan's type. He himself was a bit darker than the standard brunette but if he was a female...he was pretty sure he'd fit that bill. Not that he was going to say it.

"Back at you, being all studly on the green with Fidget." He could not resist his desire for affection, putting his fork down and adding his good hand to the hold Rylan had, needing that brief skin to skin contact. "And the washing the truck thing, that was a sham." Lucas grinned a little, remembering well their little game and -- well. The turning point in it all. "Good, glad you like dogs, because I'm getting one for Thorne for his birthday." He lifted his good hand and mad a 'shh' gesture, squeezing Rylan's hand with his prosthetic but loosening his hold so the other could pull away if he wanted.

"Mm, good date questions. Let's see..." Leaning back in the chair, he idly ran his bottom lip between his teeth, considering. "That type of thing changes for me, but uh, I like Norman Reedus - I saw him in Boondock Saints and was sold, I'm not all that into that show he's in. Actress, hm...probably that one that's synonymous with Tim Burton -- Helena Boham Carter? Is that her name?" He laughed softly under his breath. "Sorry, I haven't really had a lot of time to immerse myself in entertainment culture. But she's really versatile, I respect that. Movie...okay don't judge me here," he grinned again, sheepish, indicating he could totally be judged, "but I really liked that Pink Panther remake with Steve Martin. That whole 'hamburger' scene had me crying I was laughing so hard. I like anything John Favreau touches pretty much.

"And last but not least...that's like, the hardest question ever." He shook his head, eyes unfocused at a point on the table as he thought. "My mum, she raised us on a lot of American music, so, I have a lot of Fleetwood Mac, Simple Minds, Bon Jovi type of loves. Papai, he kept us 'honest' with homeland music, like Cazuza and Titãs. Then Avery infected me with his blues and jazz." He chuckled, returning his focus to Rylan's eyes. "Personally I'm stuck in the old days of Queen, Bowie, Hall & Oates. I like some stuff today but nothing really sticks, nothing really - ugh," he groaned at himself for what he was about to say, "touches your soul, so to speak."

Lucas sat up and wrinkled his nose, trying to wave his own cheesiness away. "You can expect being serenaded with Marvin Gaye and Lionel Richie if you catch me cleaning up or doing menial chores, we'll put it that way." He fell silent for a moment, before remembering it was his turn. "Favorite dessert? Color? Let's get all the survey questions covered. But also!" He held up a finger, clearly not going to let Rylan get away with simple questions only, "How's your bird buddy?"

Rylan's immediate interest made him grin a bit, touched. "I'm not sure yet, I'm still researching facilities." He paused, hesitating for a second visibly before pushing forward. "It's going to go through PTSD training." The grin faded to a smile, tight but stubborn. He wasn't sure how much Rylan knew on that front with Thorne, but in the interest of being boyfriends and all, it was important to him that the firefighter was in the know. "Once I have that picked out, then I'll look at the dogs. I was thinking a golden retriever, seems to be up Thorne's alley." He tilted his head and regarded Rylan in an invitation, a way to say he could partake if he wanted...or not, if he preferred. It was a big thing to tackle.

The man's confession at his own question made him laugh, soft and understated, warming his eyes. He was more than happy to hold into Rylan's hand, listening to the answers with a returning grin. "I can see that," he admitted, "you and The Godfather, Rocky. Good classics. Powerful shots. Seems like it suits you -- and for what it's worth, I know your musical taste and I wont ever forget it." Another soft laugh escaped him, eluding to the day they'd all discovered they'd known each other. Lucas wan'st a die-hard romantic but even he would be hard pressed to forget being serenaded by two of the most gorgeous men he'd ever met. Just the thought of it made him lower his eyes almost shyly.

Answers to his questions and reference to Vlad the Impaler made his eyes return to Rylan, arching one brow in amusement. "What am I supposed to do for your birthday, then, a pile of green steak?" A soft snort chased his words. "I like a good vanilla bean taste. My favorite color is - unsurprising, now, thinking about yours - ocean blue, Mr. Forest Green." Clearly he wasn't going to let that go. "I'd like to meet your little vampire, some day - " and he paused, staring at Rylan for a moment. The word warg came back to him, Lara holding the bloodied lump of dog, Autumn's reaction to ******** ******** ********> he could almost feel the panic welling inside him, not now, not now, not now.

Managing to smile, Lucas lowered his eyes the hand holding his. "It's, um. It's nothing, really. The change was...seamless. I was upright, and then...I was a wolf. An honest to god wolf. That, I think, was easier than -- than the tail, than this, it's...it's telling. The tail, I mean. Everything I think, that thing is hard wired to." As if on cue, the tail shifted and curled close to the leg of the chair. "Makes it hell to sit easily and I haven't mastered sleeping yet." Despite his words, his gaze upon their hands was gentle, touched with wonder again. "But...but if I can take anything from this, it's -- I can feel your hand, Ry."

His prosthetic thumb lifted, ghosting over one of Rylan's fingers. "I can't feel...temperature, or your skin, but the weight of your hand, the pressure, it's there. I can feel you with this thing." His voice lilted and became thicker at the last part, struggling with the strange emotions and sensation of having something close to all four limbs again. "I -- I -- I don't know if it's a blessing? Or a curse, because...it wont last. This will pass." And it will come back. "But, ah -- that place. It's...it's like here, but it's a greyscale version. Everything is destroyed and in some stage of decay." He bit the inside of his lip. "It rains, all the time. I kind of get the impression that it's like...the remains of what happened the last time the war failed."

But he didn't know how much Rylan knew, or how much he wanted to know. Clearing his throat, he shook his head and smiled a bit more warmly. "Mm, where are we? -- I think that makes seventeen for me." Scooting a little closer to Rylan, he lifted the hand that held his and pressed a chaste kiss to the back of it. He could feel his hand, but it still wasn't skin contact, not like this. "Three left. Mm, okay." Another chaste kiss was pressed before he lowered their hands, aware of his beard and a touch self conscious of it. "If you had a super power, just one, what would it be? I think that rounds out the date questions, and ... do you think you'll keep this house for the rest of your life?" There may or may not have been ulterior motives to that question, his tail wagging slowly. "We still have a tour planned of the house and your room -- after this, of course," he motioned to the tail that was now wagging at a faster pace, "right?"

Werewolf or not, Lucas was still a man and Rylan was still his boyfriend. He took no responsibility for the question.

He nodded in agreement to Rylan's suggestion, taking it as an invitation that he'd share information as he progressed at a later date. The man's concern was met with another slight smile, eyes a little distant. "I promise, there's no pain as long as I'm on that side. I'd say you could come along next time, but if you've never been...I'd just as soon make sure you never go." Lucas offered an apologetic glance, lowering his head a little. It was in Rylan's nature to protect, but it was also in the werewolf's, and that consideration extended to the firefighter.

Unprepared for the stolen touch, Lucas looked utterly smitten at it, adoring and grateful. While he was struggling to accept himself, it was a comfort that Rylan seemed to be able to look beyond it. A soft laugh escaped him at the immediate answer, shaking his head with a grin that clearly said he should have known better. "My hero," he replied warmly. "Usually, my answer would have been shape-shifting, but ah...not all it's cracked up to be."

Dark brows lifted a little at that. Raising a family. He supposed that would be a question they'd have to ask each other at some point, but maybe not just then. "That's really cool of your dads," his tone was fond, "especially since you said they aren't far. Not that I wouldn't cross state lines to see you, but it's still nice to know you'd be local if anything changed."

A light chuckle chased the confirmation - Lucas was being a s**t and he knew it - his tail giving a few good wags at it all the same. "You'd need to know I'm the eldest, which means all eight of my siblings will be out to ruin me." He grinned despite the words, affectionate when speaking of his family. "And they're going to ask you a million questions to make sure you're 'worthy' of the station of dating the big brother - my siblings, we wrestle, so I can assert my alpha status, so some of the smaller ones might try to do that with you too." A short laugh followed those words - oh, the irony of his position now. "My parents are going to love you because that's what they do - they love, big and whole-hearted to anyone who is good to their kids. They'll want to cook for you, and make plans for you to visit California and where I was born in Brazil and basically map out a vacation none of us will ever be able to take, but it makes them happy to think otherwise."

He lightly tapped the table gently with his clawed fingertips, a slight nervous gesture. "Like I said before, one of my brothers is here -- his name is Nicolau. You could always meet him for a crash course if you really want."

"That so? Sounds like another couple of guys I know," he teased gently, amused. Lucas had the feeling he'd love both of the Rylan parents, but he wouldn't press for a meeting. It would happen organically, when his boyfriend was ready.

He tipped his head to the side in agreement. "That's just the official kids. My folks adopted my pal Avery - not literally, but might as well - and all manner of strays. It's still weird for me to be living without animals, but I've apparently attracted three cats, so...that's something." His clawed fingers stretched out over the table, red eyes flicking down to them. A wolf and his cats.

Lucas smiled at the recollection, nodding slightly. "You'll get to relive it, and most of my brothers are broad - Nico is shorter than me but he's got a dancer's build. Don't let him fool you." And at that, his smile softened. "Rylan, I would love for you to meet my family. Honestly, if it was a problem, I wouldn't have told you he was here. Besides, he's been a terror asking when he can meet either of you. It's just, uh," he drew in a breath and let it out in a slow sigh, glancing to his clawed hands again, tail tucking low, "it's been a little crazy. I'm just not really sure life is going to get any easier."

There was no resistance in the directing of his head, prosthetic fingers curling against Rylan's elbow in response. "If anyone can do it, it's us," he agreed lightly, dipping his head to press his cheek against the man's hand. "I think we've dealt with some of the worst curveballs any relationship has had to manage and we're still going strong."

Lucas gently kisses Rylan's palm, his skin feeling a little warm. Damn this man's ability to make him get precariously close to a blush.

The last part made his brows raise in surprise. "You'd want me to be there?" He'd assumed they'd want to meet on their own - Nico would spill all his secrets that way. But if he was there... Lucas flinched a little. "...but then you'd miss out on my brother tormenting me and my reactions, of course." He huffed softly. "It can be arranged. Let me know the next time you have forty-eight hours off, and it'll be done."

God help him.