|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:25 pm
Before the jaws of the trap could snap over Niamh, Talan burst in to ruin the fun once again, laying down an ultimatum Leukos was hard pressed to refuse. He HAD been caught, fair and square. Feeling sufficiently called out, he leaned to pick his glass up off the floor, pausing as he eyed the liquor. “Alright...that only seems fair; I will accept the penalty,” he said, tossing it back as he made a face.
This whole experience could have been made more enjoyable if the drink provided was actually palatable; but then again, avoiding having to stomach the nastiness DID serve as a good incentive to tell the truth. Thinking this game seemed far more planned out than it had any right to be, Leukos listened to the patchwork answer to his question provided by the two boys, eyebrows raising. They certainly were a resourceful pair; just how long had Niamh been planning the display in the first place? He shifted in his seat as Talan’s eyes landed on him, a bit surprised by the sudden intensity.
The most embarrassing thing…
Well, he certainly had a large bank to choose from. He'd certainly made his fair share of mistakes and blunders, just like any other person. And being a play-thing for the nobility's whims came with its own brand of activities designed to damage a person's pride. But those instances were more brutally humiliating than embarrassing, and not something that would exactly help the mood of comradery the trio had going on right now; bringing up any of those stories would just be a buzz kill. No, better to go with something that happened later in his life, without all the extra baggage attached. Something that was still embarrassing, but a bit more in line with what Talan was probably fishing for…
Grimacing as a memory came to him, he glanced up at the pair. This particular story probably wouldn't earn him any points with Niamh. But nonetheless…
“Alright, you want a story? Well let me tell you one,” he said, sighing as he leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “A couple years ago, we made a stop in Sulburi for one of our week long performances. Standard routine, we'd done it many times. And, well...I happened to meet a girl. She was a pretty thing; had the nicest green hair. We hit it off, spending much of the week together. Many of our rendezvous had to happen in the morning, since she worked during the day, and I had the circus to keep me busy. But that didn't stop us from getting into our fair share of mischief.” He paused a moment, glancing over at Niamh before continuing.
“The fun couldn't last though. Eventually, it was the last day we would be in the city, so it seemed best to end it on a good note. Rather than going our separate ways like we usually did, I decided to walk her home, to say goodbye properly. She took it pretty well, all things considered; but then again, she knew from the start that I wasn't going to be there forever. Her brother happened to answer the door right when we were kissing good-bye. As you might imagine, that was a bit awkward.”
His eyes met Talan's, grinning.
“But not as awkward as the fact that I had kissed him already.”
Reclining back into his seat, he rested a knuckle on his brow, sighing as he closed his eyes. “Turns out, sometimes it's better to keep all your eggs in one basket: it's easier to keep track of them that way. You see, while my mornings were occupied, my nights were rather open, so I'd taken to joining my co workers at some of the local bars. And while there, I happened to stumble (quite literally) upon a young man that was rather interested in getting as drunk as possible in as little time as he humanly could manage. And being a good sport, I was more than happy to help him out with that. Well...it turned out he was looking for something else too. And all he needed was alcohol to gather up the courage to try. Needless to say, I was more than happy to help with that as well~”
“And that didn't just happen once, but a few times more. The funny thing is...he always left in the morning before I woke up.” His lips pursed, wincing. “I didn't make the connection at the time. As it turned out...he wasn't exactly out of the closet yet. But he sure as hell was after he slapped me.”
He exhaled, clasping his hands in his lap with a pained smile. “Understandably, the siblings were not exactly thrilled to discover that they had been sharing a romantic partner. More than a few choice words were exchanged. Someone might have...gagged. Let's just say that I was glad to not have to take further part in the screaming contest that happened inside the house. I don't know how long it took them to be on talking terms again; I didn't exactly seek the pair out again for any resolution. But...I'd like to say I very much learned my lesson after that unpleasant experience.”
Holding up his empty shot glass aloft as one might a trophy, he cocked his head, looking Talan’s way again. “So, was that mortifying enough to satisfy your curiosity? And yes: you may count that as my question~”
Now, whether or not Niamh was as entertained by that particular story was another matter entirely. Leukos was honestly a little scared to try looking his way again, flushing a bit through his nonchalant smile as he tapped the rim of his cup nervously.
[8/10]
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 6:20 pm
 He should have seen this coming when Talan hadn't left on the Esrahim. And while Leukos's story held elements of both humor and embarrassment, it reminded Niamh of a similar story that hit a little too close to home for him. His mood quickly soured as he stared down Talan; he was trying to make Leukos look bad as if to reveal something about him he hadn't already known.
"What's this? All out of questions already..." Talan's lower lip popped out into a pout as he raised the shot to drink, "You hardly asked Niamh a thing~ and this was the perfect opportunity to get to know each other..." he grinned, "unless, of course, you're just in it for the sex - you don't really have to know someone for that~"
Rising to his feet, Niamh set his shot down, "That's enough Talan... You-"
Scooping up the bottle in the middle of the circle, "Oh, no. I'm just getting started~" he crooned while cradling Niamh's chin between his fingers, "Because we both know how careless you can be with your fragile little heart." As Niamh pulled free of his grasp, Talan took a sip off the bottle, "Well now, It's my turn again~" He proclaimed, "Since It's likely my last I ask this to you, Dear Niamh, Whatever do you plan on telling your father when he comes to town tomorrow morning with that shipment of leather you rerouted to-"
"I said that's enough," he snarled, hands curled into fists of rage, "You've gone too far."
"Just far enough, in fact." Talan corrected extending his index finger as he gently poked his shoulder, "Remember a little over a year ago... You said all you needed was a warning...." He watched Niamh ponder his words until he could recall the moment he spoke them. As his gold eyes raised to meet his own, he continued, "You've been warned."
Niamh recalled the memory. When they first met was a few months after he had learned that Kaj was joining the crew of the Calixto and was "breaking up" with him. Calling it that was a mercy in its own right... Breaking up required there to be something to end when there wasn't. He was simply used, a means to an end, a tool. He was willing to do anything to forget, to make it all go away and then he met Talan. They had a moment... or two but he was always sure to keep Niamh an arm's length away; not get attached, not let him get attached. And it was great fun for the time, Niamh had confessed what had happened with Kaj to him that night saying he just wished he would have been warned... That someone would have just made him look a little longer, a little harder, and maybe he would have seen... "You're wrong." He whimpered not even sure if he believed his own words as they escaped his lips. He wanted to; Gods he wanted so desperately to be right, but where had the evidence pointed thus far?
Taking the shot as the answer to his question, Niamh murmured, "My turn...Why even help me today?"
Talan brushed the side of Niamh's face and kissed his cheek gently, "My love, I had no idea who it was you were so enthralled by~" His voice soft and soothing turned cold as he continued" And once I learned, I was left wanting..." Looking to Leukos he gave a nonchalant shrug, "You're barely more than a pretty face."
"Get out." Niamh seethed, barely giving his friend a chance to defend himself as he started backing him out to the balcony, "Get out and don't you dare-"
"Easy kid," Talan coaxed as he raised his hands defensively, "This doesn't have to-"
"No, get out. Now." Niamh gave him shove out onto the balcony, "Raz, See to it that Talan doesn't enter this room again." Slinking out from the closet, Raziya paced the open doorway of the balcony, just taunting Talan to try and come inside.
"Not cool, Mr. ScruffScruff..." Talan scolded as he stepped over the edge of the balcony, "We're supposed to be on the same side you goofy thing~ But Alas, I believe I have done enough damage for the evening, Rest well fierce beast." he chuckled as he repelled his way back down the side of the building.
Stepping down from the balcony, Niamh rested on the edge of the bed, clinging to the sheets as he scanned his desk, mind running with the various paths his life could take. His closest friend, a man whose opinion was only challenged by his sisters.... was telling him to run. Yet here he sat, unwilling to move - or incapable of it? Looking up to Leu he managed to crack a half-hearted smile, "Well, I had imagined that would go a little better..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 9:25 pm
Realizing all too late that divulging that information had been a mistake, Leukos’ eyebrows knit themselves together as Talan’s speech took on an accusatory tone, his fidgeting halting as he sat motionless in his seat. Leukos wasn't even trying to fake a smile anymore; the humor had fled his eyes entirely. Everything that left Talan’s mouth somehow got worse and worse, dragging Niamh to his feet as well. His fingers grew white as boney claws, gripping to the armrest and threatening to shatter the small glass held in his hand.
They weren't just friends.
No way. There was history between the pair, a connection that ran deep. Friends don't touch each other like that. Friends don't kiss like that.
Leukos was left simmering in his own anger, likely because of the insults Talan was so flippantly throwing his way, or because of the heat gnawing through his gut at the thought of the pair being intimate. Or really...perhaps the most turbulence came from another source, one far more internal: he was angry at himself. As painful as it was to hear it said out loud, Talan was saying exactly what Leukos was afraid of.
He had a tendency to be careless when it came to considering other people's feelings, what they were looking for in a relationship. He was terrible at reading the signs. If someone was simply looking for entertainment, verses something more: he couldn't tell the difference. Or maybe he knew full well what a real relationship entailed, but didn't want to admit it. He was afraid he couldn't perform in that department; he'd never really learned how. People were confusing...their wants changed so often. At least physically, you could tell if you were doing a good job of pleasing them. Everything else was so much harder.
Maybe that was all he really was: just a pretty face. What else did he have to offer that was truly his own, that was real?
As the other man disappeared over the balcony, Leukos watched him go with a begrudging lump in his throat: it was obvious who the winner had been in this game. And the worst part was...he’d walked himself right into defeat. He deserved it.
Feeling that same numbness draping itself over him like an all-too-familiar old lover, wrapping its arms around his chest with cold fingers as it nipped at his throat, Leukos remained where his sat, staring out into the shadowy night. Even when Niamh spoke, he made no indication he had heard him.
“You know,” he eventually said. “Earlier...that was one of the nicest things anyone’s ever done for me. I don't even remember telling you my favorite color is purple...”
Tearing his eyes away from the darkness, he finally met Niamh’s gaze, smiling with little warmth. “I don’t think I know what yours is?”
[9/10]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2017 5:36 pm
"Truth be told, I don't exactly have a favorite, per se," Niamh spoke while rising to his feet, "But pink tends to catch my eye most often... So I suppose pink would be my favorite." He couldn't help but crack a smile at how he came to that conclusion - Nothing was ever easy, was it? And while Pink had always caught his eye, it was never a color that was meant to be front and center. It tends to be a bit overpowering on its own - more like an accent color. Grabbing a candle, Niamh lit the oil lamp, "As for the color purple, it was a gamble, really..." Then lit the wick of the stick candle in his hand, "When you came over for brunch. The bouquet you brought with you had a variety of purple flowers. I had assumed you liked the color, but also, purple is considered a rich and neutral color-" cutting himself off as he went into explaining he laughed, "like I said, it was a bit of a gamble, but I'm glad it paid off~"
Extinguishing the lamp, he stepped through the darkness and placed the candlestick where the bottle once was. Joining Leukos on the couch, Niamh rested his head on his shoulder, "I'm so sorry things turned out the way they did. You didn't deserve that, and Talan, he's not usually like that. I'm not-" Pausing mid-sentence he sighed gently trying to push his friend's words from this thoughts. Talan made some decent points, and given all that he knew about Leukos it was easy to see how he could come to those conclusions, but what he didn't know made all the difference.
Because what may have just been dinner, Niamh saw as their first date... And though Leu may have only seen it as dinner, part of him didn't. The next morning he stopped by his parents' house and despite the fact Niamh wasn't around, he stayed, met his mother, likely learned more than he ever wanted to know about his childhood, and they shared a wonderful evening together... and while it may have just been a wonderful evening that was meant to be their final meeting - he wrote a letter. Leukos left Nated, made a clean break, then divulged the very thing that could have kept them apart - his location. Niamh wasn't sure when the letter actually arrived, and though his delayed response led to some undesirable repercussions... Leukos sought out Niamh to apologize and had given him one of the most thoughtful, considerate gifts he could have ever received.
Sometimes it isn't what a person has done, it's what they are doing to change.
Resting his hand on Leukos's lap Niamh purred, "Looks like I will have to find another way to make up this evening to you~" He began tracing gentle circles on his thigh. Leukos really hadn't deserved the harsh treatment Talan had given him, and if there was a chance the evening could still be salvaged, Niamh had to give it a try~
Missmisnomer *^* Yeah, That's right~ His RP color has purpose finally~ x'D
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2017 3:17 am
Listening to Niamh prattle on about the pros and cons of various colors, Leukos couldn’t help but smile with more sincerity, studying the boy as he puttered around the room tackling various flames. He had this funny way of using his whole body while working on completing a task he set up for himself: his talking matched the tempo of his hands, like he was trying to capitalize on every second of his time. It was as efficient technique: you’d expect no less from an aspiring business man.
What had just transpired, the things that were said, still hung about in the room, an after-image ghosted upon the current moment. And while Niamh’s presence at his hip, alongside the apologies he offered, helped warm up the cold atmosphere, they weren’t quite enough to bring Leukos back to the point he’d been at when he’d first come through the door. Even if they had been said by a drunk that didn’t mean it, Talan’s accusations still felt like they carried some merit to them. They might have been true, and Leukos wasn’t quite comfortable with that possibility. He could do better than that.
Leaning to set the empty glass down by his feet, Leukos shifted a tad, rotating so that Niamh’s head was off his shoulder and looking up at him instead.
“Niamh,” he began, resting his hands atop the boy’s as he moved them off his lap. “You don’t need to do that. I wasn’t expecting anything from you when I came here; you gave me something truly special, and I just wanted to repay that thoughtfulness with one of the few things I know I’m really good at. But I should not have just assumed that was what you wanted from me, especially after what happened yesterday.”
He slid a hand along Niamh’s cheek, cupping the nape of his neck as a thumb stroked his speckled cheekbone. “I don’t want you to think that the only thing I can bring to the table is sex. That doesn’t have to be a cornerstone of what we’re trying to build here, and it doesn’t need to feel like an obligation. Being intimate never should.”
“So please,” His fingers tensed a moment, ensuring he had Niamh’s undivided attention. “Just listen until I’m done.”
Pulling back again to watch the candlelight dance across the planes of his face, Leukos continued. “The way he said it might have been crude, but that didn’t stop your friend from being right; we barely know each other. And if we want any chance at keeping this from falling apart, we need to stop working backwards, and start building on our foundation instead.” His serious expression softened, smiling quietly as he tucked hair behind Niamh’s ear. “I’ve made mistakes. I also know I’m going to keep making them, and that’s something I’ll never be able to fix. And sometimes...it may seem like I have all the emotional aptitude of a rock.”
Bringing his hands lower, he took hold of Niamh’s once again, rubbing his thumbs along the small crests of the boy’s knuckles. “But I’m trying to get better. I want to get better. I’m not good at real relationships: I never have been. But if you can be patient, and let me know what it is you want, I promise I’ll try to become whatever it is you’d like me to be.”
Leaning forward, his lips touched Niamh’s cheek like snow falling on a lake, resting their foreheads together as he said with an air of finality, “Because being with you makes me happy...and I hope I can at least make you feel the same way.”
[10/11]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 4:24 pm
Listening intently, his heart was warmed by Leukos's soft embrace, "How could anyone ever ask for more?" he asked simply. This was all he had ever wanted. Now that it has been established this feeling is mutual, Niamh knew things were going to get much easier from here.
"And for the record..." He added while gently working his fingers through Leu's hair, "Any time I get to spend with you is a gift... Never an obligation." As if it needed to be stated. He was painfully aware of how giddy he became in his presence; it was almost embarrassing to reflect upon, but he was in love, and for the first time he was finally receiving it back.
Rising from the couch he scooped the candlestick up off the floor, "Well, as much as I would love to spend the evening cuddled up with you, I haven't eaten since early this afternoon. And considering I'm not in the best graces with the inn's staff... I don't think they would be very anxious to do me a favor." Offering his arm to escort Leukos out, Niamh grinned, " If you'd do me the honor of taking you out for dinner, I believe there is a lovely little cafe down the road - If I ask real nice they might even slice up and bread some fish fillets for us~"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 9:47 am
Rising from the lounger, Leukos dipped his head in a semi-formal bow, replying in a tone saturated with mock formality, “I would be honored and delighted to be wined and dined by a classy gentleman such as yourself, Mr. Lorcan~ Please, lead the way.” He then looped his hand around the arm offered to him, more than happy to return the gesture. Truth be told, he was rather hungry himself: he'd rushed over here after just getting back from a full day at work, paying little mind to the thought of dinner. But now he was reminded just how barren his stomach really was, and how positively ready he was to fill it with food.
As the flame wavered in the dark casting smokey light across their faces, he felt a rosy warmth filling his chest. They were finally getting onto the right path, doing things the way couples should. He was going to prove Talan, and himself, wrong. This time...he was going to make it work.
[11/11]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
