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"It'd be pointless if I went to sleep. I'll stay up with you." Dante smiled at that, happily cuddling with Jeremy and burying his head into the warmth of the guy. For a moment he didn't say anything, couldn't, so he simply nodded against the guys chest. "I would like that." He whispered, so low it was unlikely the guy would actually hear his words beyond the mumble of sound.

"We could talk the way we did that night." In part that appealed, yet at the same time memories of that night and what followed came flooding back, perhaps leaving after such a thing wouldn't be the best? Or perhaps doing so would be the only way to break the cycle? To stop this anxious feeling in his chest that made it hard to breath, hard to let get of Jeremy. Though he doubted that was simply because of the idea of talking, Dante knew he feared leaving only to find things completely changed when he returned.

"Play some games, maybe...what usually keeps you up?" Dante continued to listen, taking a moment to consider what he usually did. "Read, call someone, watch a film or something.... eh.... bake a cake...." He was drawing a blank on the whole topic, but maybe that was simply because his mind was thinking of all the things it wanted to be doing rather than what he usually did. Randomly a thought occurred to Dante, and before he could stop himself he found himself saying; "My Father actually ate the rest of the cake I made for you that time... funny thing was he asked me where I bought it from, didn't want to tell him I baked it." He blushed slightly, as if he was sharing some secret with Jeremy that he hadn't with others... but it was true, only Jeremy knew that he had once wondered what it would be like to be a baker rather than a business man.

Sitting up a little on his arm, Dante allowed his eyes to wander around the room before landing on the suitcase, part of him really did wish that Jeremy was coming with him, but as he looked at the thing an idea occurred to him. Rolling over onto his stomach he opened up his bedside draw and pulled out a wooden carved wolf that he had picked up at some time or another. It wasn't overly big, roughly the size of his thumb with a key ring attached. Turning back towards Jeremy he held it out as if it was the most precious thing in the world to him. "Here." He said, feeling a little silly... and very much like some teenage girl with a crush... "A little something to remind you of me." He laughed, "Or at least a token of me... doubt I could be compared to a wolf." He said smiling, in truth the thing actually reminded Dante more of Jeremy.... he was far more wolf-like than him. A trait Dante felt strangely drawn to, like a rabbit unto the slaughter, one day he wouldn't survive their entanglement.

He remained silent for a moment, wondering how Jeremy would react to his gesture. Dante hates this constant questioning, it was as if his confidence completely disappeared around the guy, as if everything was suddenly in a world of a grey that Dante had to sort out to find his way into the light.

"I doubt anyone would appreciate our call right now...unless they were in a different country." Dante nodded in agreement at that, plus, why would he call someone when he had Jeremy right here? He would rather give the guy his full attention than spend his last few hours with him talking to someone else.

Dante laughed a little at Jeremy's admittance that he would likely fall asleep while watching a film, an image of the guy doing exactly that once before sprung to mind. Back then he had felt torn about staying or leaving, now he knew he didn't want to leave but must. How unfair life was at times. The worst part was that Dante knew he would busy when he returned, he had several things he had to catch up on when he returned, meetings galore and then of course planning for the party at the end of the month. Would he even get to see Jeremy much when he got back? He could almost feel his sadness at the thought settling into his features but pushed it aside as quickly as it had appeared, no wasn't the time for that... he could wallow in self pity later.

"But I'd be happy with that...Baking a cake would be fun for old time's sake as well. But do you think you have all the ingredients?" Dante rolled his eyes teasingly at that, "Do you think I wouldn't?" Ok, so he might not have the ingredients for the original recipe he had baked for Jeremy but he was sure he could at least muster up a victoria sponge... sugar, flour, butter and eggs... easy! He chuckled a little and spent a moment simply breathing in the scent of Jeremy. He smelt good, if only a little sweaty... but that only added to the guys appeal.

"Oh, and I can? So that's how you see me." Dante shrugged, his heart in his mouth as he watched Jeremy for any reaction, what he got instead actually surprised him. "I can see you as a wolf...a lone wolf, maybe. Independent." A lone wolf? Did Dante really come across as seeking to be alone? Pushing those around him away in order to keep his peace? Then again, Dante didn't really let many close to him, fearing they would hurt or betray him.... maybe he really was like a lone wolf after all? Yet, a part of him didn't want to remain such. A part of him wanted to be part of something more... a 'pack'... in wolf terms, even if it was just one person with him. Jeremy.

In an effort to push aside his thoughts he found himself saying, "You obviously don't know a thing about yourself!" He chuckled, "You like to eat men alive, have this strange animal magnetism about you... a very wolf like playfulness about you, and sometimes I swear I a wolf tail and that it is wagging." Dante said with a wink and another laugh, even as he watched Jeremy attach the thing to his keys. In a way he was really flattered that the guy did that, and since there were no markings or words that might give away the fact that Dante had given Jeremy it he would be free to keep it on him without a worry.

"You're really worried about me forgetting you, huh?" Dante's smile faded and a rosy blush burrowed into his cheeks, "Eh.... maybe a little..." He found himself saying, even as Jeremy moved closer and kissed him. "Well there's no way that'll happen. You're much too memorable." Man, Dante hoped that was true! He really did! Though maybe it wasn't so much a fear that he would be forgotten as much as a fear that Jeremy might wake up and start to believe he had made a huge mistake.... separation could do strange things to a person after all, and despite longing for the guy for over three years Dante wasn't even sure where this would end... where it could end... he was in uncharted territory and scared out of his mind that a shark was about to eat him.

His thoughts swirled into a storm as he lay on the bed simply enjoying the presence of the man he loved beside him. These arms, so much stronger than his own, had the power to made or destroy him. His heart pounded in his chest, and for a moment Dante felt as if he wanted nothing more than to lie like this for the rest of the night, to simply feel close to Jeremy.

That thought was displaced when Jeremy spoke once more, "So...cake? And a movie while we wait for it to bake, perhaps? That might be nice." He smiled softly and looked over at Jeremy and his baby blue's before nodding, "Sure. Let's go make a cake, but... you've got to take whatever we don't eat tonight with you, ok? Would be a shame to waste it. Give it to Phil or something if you don't want it... but yeah.... don't waste it." Dante stood up then, his fingers running down Jeremy's arm until his fingers were touching the guys hands, they lingered there for a moment before he claimed Jeremy's hand in his own and pulled him up. "Come on then," He chirped. "Before I decided on indulging on a completely different kind of cake." He allowed his eyes to run down Jeremy's body in a meaningful look before chuckling and walking towards the kitchen.

Releasing Jeremy so that he could seek out the ingredients he leaned up into his cupboards, cursing as always the fact that was smaller than he wished to be. Still he managed to find what he was looking for, including some chocolate and cocoa that he hadn't even realised he had in. "So," He said reaching into one of the draws and pulling out two half aprons, they had been buy one get one free so Dante had bought the pair without thinking. Plain and black there wasn't much special about them, especially in comparison to the one he used to use. "Shall we get dressed first or just wear these?" He teased.

"Well you certainly hadn't eaten one in a long time before I brought you those samples."

"True, but I have to watch my figure now." He said a little sadly; though that wasn't really the real issue or reason... it was time, time and pressure and all the things that came hand in hand with them. His time with Jeremy had pretty much been the first time he had relaxed in too long. He shrugged as if it meant nothing. "Doesn't matter." Though maybe it did, maybe in truth Dante had always felt like he had lost part of himself... lost the indulgent imp he used to be, buying a cake after his walk from the tube... when was the last time he had even taken the tube? He couldn't remember. Too long.

"Of course. I'm sure plenty of people will enjoy it. His wife has quite a weakness for cake as well. " Dante laughed a little at that. "You either know lots of people who will pretty much anything... or you have great confidence in my cooking skills." He laughed a little at that, but shrugged it off as a simple enough compliment. "You two would probably get along quite well, actually." Dante grinned, "You mean as long as I don't get caught staring at her arse or something?" He said, remember how Jeremy had told him about Phil being protective of Shelby, something that part of him could relate to since he was feeling rather possessive of Jeremy right now.

"However are you going to contain yourself when we're thousands of miles apart?" Dante pretended to think about it for a minute then just smiled, "I have my five-fingered friend... and two pictures of you." He added with a wink. Truth was he probably wouldn't do any of that, well except look at the photos and hate himself for how much he was missing the guy. It seemed Dante had revealed his greatest weakness.

For some reason, the idea of Jeremy in his boxers and a half apron appealed to him, probably more than it should. "Where do we start?" You just had to love the enthusiasm. Taking out the scales and a few bowls. Taking a moment to tie on his own apron he looked over the ingredients before looking over at Jeremy, "We'll do a simple Victoria I think, so.... 4,4,4,2. 4oz self-raising flour, 4oz caster sugar, 4oz butter and 2 eggs." Setting the scale and bowl up in front of the guy he handed over the butter first. "Go on then." He chuckled, enjoying the idea at throwing the guy in the deep end of things.

Bringing the eggs, sugar and flour over and placing them next to Jeremy and the scales he wrapped his arms around the guy and peeked under his arm to see how he was doing.

"Once we've done all the measurements, we need to mix them all up with a fork until nice and smooth.... then we can add the chocolate." He placed a kiss on the nearest flesh to his lips, enjoying the slightly salty taste of Jeremy's skin.

"But who knows? You might have lost your touch after all these years. This cake may turn out to be a failure that even Shelby won't enjoy."

Dante elbowed Jeremy playfully, "Ha, Ha." He rolled his eyes with a chuckle, "Of course, it would be our failure so I will just have to use that as an excuse."

"When is that again?" Dante washed his hands before looking over at Jeremy as he spoke of the party and getting caught by Phil... but the one thing that stood out in Dante's mind was the word 'boyfriend'... he couldn't recall a time he had heard Jeremy call him such, and well, it was rather nice. In fact, he rather enjoyed the sound of it.

Still, he didn't comment on that though... but instead only lingered on it in his mind. "End of the month." He said, "Have you got an outfit yet? Or do I need to make my assistant annoy you and harass you until you do?"

"All it takes is one picture of my face and you're set?" He chuckled at that and shrugged, "I guess I am just that easy. Would explain how you got me that night." He winked, teasing the guy back. Still, Dante didn't regret that night.... even if there had been quiet a lot of drama to follow.

As Jeremy measured out the ingredients Dante couldn't help but smile, the guy was clearly concentrating, and that just made the wicked part of Dante want to mess with him so that he would make a mistake or fumble a little. "You haven't lived if you haven't had chocolate sponge, but fudge butter cream and oh, oh.... chocolate shavings!" He laughed at himself, he was getting far to carried away with this. "We only need to add a few spoonfuls of Cocoa powder." Dante had picked this recipe on purpose, you could pretty much do anything with it and it would taste good; including mixing the ingredients in various orders and ways. He couldn't recall a time that this recipe had gone wrong.

Dante loved how Jeremy reacted to his touch and kisses, which of course only made him want to do it more. Running his hand down the guys naked back he paused for a moment. Wow, he was really going to miss the touch of the guys skin. He moved forward and kissed the nape of his neck. He was going to miss the way his flesh tasted and felt as smooth as silk. Allowing his hand to wander Dante groped Jeremy's arse a little and grinned. Yeah, he would miss this too.

Taking a step back and acting as if nothing had happened he checked the oven temperature. Seemed a little high so he lowered it since they were planning to make a chocolate cake now. "So," He asked with lazy interest, though in truth he was more than interested, "Do I need to order Phil to try and keep you company?"

"...feel the pressure." Dante laughed at this, "This isn't pressure." He commented, "Pressure is sitting in a room facing twelve old guys who all expect you to be as good as your father or better.... all ready to rip you to shreds like wolves after a sheep." He shivered a little at the memory of his 'introduction' to the longer standing clients of his father, not to mention most had been his father's friends. To this day Dante had no idea how that particular meeting had gone, he had pretty much avoided everyone for a little while after....

Dante watched Jeremy's reaction and couldn't help but laugh. "I don't think I can even pull off the pirate look."

"Is that what you're afraid of? That you won't look hot?" He laughed a little more, not able to stop the playful sound from escaping his lips. "Trust me.... you're going to make me jealous when everyone else gets to see you dressed like that." He smiled then and saluted, "Captain Wilkinson."

"The designer will look after you, don't worry so much." Dante said softly, he really did think that the guy would suit a pirate coat, boots, swords, and a bandanna and hat.... or whatever. Of course, Dante was going to enjoy taking him out of it more. He closed his eyes for a moment and tried to focus. Dear lord, the idea of stripping Jeremy of the outfit everyone else had loved, of being the one he came home to at the end of the night.... well, it was all too appealing, and likely to be enough for Dante to loose himself in. He was really going to have to pay attention to his behaviour at the party.... no jealous out bursts, no following Jeremy with his eyes.... nothing suspicious.... cr*p... he was going to have to ignore the guy for most of the evening wasn't he? Something he was sure Jeremy might not like, but perhaps he would at least understand? Dante could only hope.

"Of course. All thanks to my sexy face." Dante rolled his eyes at the comment but didn't say more... after all, Dante didn't need the guy to tell him he had a sexy face... especially when they got busy.... yeah.... very sexy! It was enough to make Dante feel hot all over just from the memory.

"I should have seen that one coming. You're such a caveman." In reply Dante groped the guy again and kissed his shoulder. "You love it when I give you attention." He teased, kissing up Jeremy's neck and back down again. In the past he might have felt a little self conscious at being called out about his slight fetish.... but now, well, he wasn't willing to waste a moment.

"He'll probably be even more active once you're gone." Dante simply wrapped his arms around Jeremy's waist again and watched as he poured the mixture into the greased cake tins. "Should I be jealous?" He asked, half serious, but he caught himself swiftly by remember the guy was happily married to a woman, and his relationship with Jeremy had been in college..... at least Dante hoped that was the last time; for all he knew the guy had comforted Jeremy after Dante had left.... he reacted automatically by squeezing Jeremy a little harder. Realising he was reaction he let go and turned to lean on the counter with his arms crossed.

"Needless to say, I'm sure I'll find plenty of productive ways to keep myself busy while you're gone." Those words coupled with Dante's overactive imagination had him imagining all sorts of unsavoury things.... drats! He couldn't think like this, he had to trust Jeremy.... he did trust Jeremy.... it was the rest of the world he wasn't quite so convinced about.

Then Jeremy held out his finger with some of the cake mixture on, something that suddenly reminded Dante of the first time he had cooked for the guy. He went to move towards the 'treat', though in Dante's mind he wasn't thinking about the cake, when Jeremy pulled back and licked it himself. Dante blinked in surprise for a moment before laughing. "Tease." He commented, rolling his eyes.... he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed but he hoped that didn't show too much.

"You, however, are just going to have to be stuck with obsessing over how much you miss me."

"Probably." He admitted before Jeremy continued, already Dante was sure that his mind would end up wandering from the task at hand to thoughts of Jeremy. Especially at the wedding, surrounded by happy couples, and laughter and smiles.... it was almost enough to make him feel sick to his stomach. He continued to listen to Jeremy's words, if he really thought that he would not have time to think about the guy simply because he was likely to be 'busy' then he didn't know Dante all that well. Obsessing and worrying were far more accurate descriptors for how his time would be spent. Still, Dante didn't want to voice any of that, didn't want to come across as desperate or express just how lonely he was likely to feel.... that would just be rather pathetic after all, right?

Watching as Jeremy put the cake in the oven, he allowed himself to look the guy up and down, even half naked he looked like a God who had stumbled from Olympus simply to play with the mortals for a while. His thoughts had begun to change to something else when Jeremy spoke, snapping him back to reality. "So... a movie while we wait? Or would you like to do something else?" Dante grinned at those words and stepped towards the guy, running a finger down his chest. "There are many things I would like to do to you... but I shall settle for a movie." He teased, retaliation for the Jeremy's own teasing earlier. He pulled away and sauntered off before Jeremy could stop him. "Want to sit near the fire in the living room? Or on the bed?" There were TV's in both rooms after all, and it felt only right to let Jeremy pick were they should go.

Still, he pulled open the DVD draw to reveal his selection, he pretty much had a little of everything, though not all of them had been watched since Dante had never picked them. "What do you want to watch?" He asked, looking back over to Jeremy to see if he had joined him or not.

"Well...not in so many words." Dante smiled at Jeremy's mumbled words, the mere fact that he mumbled them told Dante all he needed to know. Running a finger down Jeremy's front. "You do realise, that you will likely be the hottest man there." He grinned, "Have you seen some of the men I work with?" Pretends to shiver. "Oh so many wrinkles and grey hair." Dante chuckled a little. Ok, so it wasn't a completely truth or a complete lie. Dante worked with some very attractive people, some not so attractive people, and a lot of the old clients that his father worked with. Still, Dante was sure the women there would 'appreciate' the image of Jeremy if nothing else, so yeah.... Dante was already jealous of them. They would be able to dance with Jeremy, flirt openly with him and be flirted back with.... while all Dante could do was talk for a moment and then try to ignore. Yeah, this was not going to be a fun evening for him, was it. Still, Dante would make the best of the situation. Maybe there would be at least something he could do to distract himself.

"I feel like I'm on a naval ship." Dante pouted, "You would love that, wouldn't you? All those men...." Ok, so it was silly, but Dante seemed really jealous of just about everything right now. It was probably all due to his dread for the Company Ball but still... he was acting like a toddler and he knew it.

"That doesn't take away from the fact that you're a caveman. Doesn't mean it's such a bad thing." Dante batted at his own chest, "Ogga-ooogga Og og!" He chuckled, "I just like what I like." He said, kissing Jeremy back and proving his point by groping him once more. Being able to touch the guy, to confirm he at least had a place with him actually helped to calm Dante's jealousy.... a jealousy that was all in his head. It wasn't even as if Jeremy had done anything with anyone.

The Green Jealousy train only continued though, and Dante actually felt a little silly and embarrassed at himself. Especially when Jeremy's words of reason reached him. "You realize we're talking about Phil here, right? He's practically a little brother to me now." Dante rubbed the back of his neck feeling overly self conscious all of a sudden. "Yeah.... I'm sorry. I.... I guess I'm just feeling sensitive today." He frowned a little at his own words, feeling suddenly as if he had managed to reveal far too much. "Eh.... so.... yeah." He said mumbled, stepping away a little and busying himself by putting all the dirty dishes in the sink.

The tone between them didn't stay melancholy though, especially when Jeremy spoke again, "Who says we have to settle?" Dante chuckled at the words and looked the guy up and down. Yes, who said they had to settle. Dante suddenly wanted to make it so that Jeremy's body wouldn't accept another, so that his every waking thought lingered on him in one form or another. They would start with a movie... though already Dante suspected they wouldn't get to see most of it.

Smiling when Jeremy followed and wrapped his arms around him and rested his chin upon his shoulder, Dante couldn't help but want this moment to linger a little longer. He suddenly found himself completely uncaring about the movie selection, would watch the worst film in the world if it meant he got to snuggle with Jeremy for a little while longer. "I won't make fun of it." He said, just as his eyes watched Jeremy reach forward and pick out a romantic film, well mostly... if memory served this was one was rather tragic at times. Still, it was a good film, and one of the few that Dante had actually seen in his collection... he just hoped that Jeremy would mock him for that fact. He didn't comment as he took the case off the guy, turning briefly to kiss him before pulling reluctantly out of the embrace to wander to the TV in front of the sofa, he put it on and tossed the remote to Jeremy so he could sort the film out before turning his attention to the open fire. Part of him had bought the thing in the hopes of one day getting to sit with someone he cared lots about. Ok, so the image his mind had always conjured had always involved Jeremy.... but Dante wasn't about to admit that now, was he?! It didn't take him long to light the thing and join Jeremy. At first he sat a little awkwardly next to the guy, his body suddenly uncertain about it's place.... was it ok to snuggle up with the guy? To distract him from the movie with more primal urges? He wasn't sure, and started to fidget a little because of it.

"You have to say that because you're my boyfriend." Dante rolled his eyes at that, "No I don't. I could say you are ugly with three heads and a small... you know." He chuckled, not that any of that would be true, but still he could say it if he wanted to, he turned a little more serious for a moment though and added, "Of course, even if we hadn't got back together or you weren't my boyfriend... I would say the same thing. I thought so that first night we met too." He blushed a little at the admittance but didn't linger too much on it.

You know, I'm sometimes amazed that I even top you." He chuckled at that, there were certainly no complaints from his side, not that he was planning to reveal that to Jeremy... if he didn't already know, then why not let him suffer just a little. "You know what they say," He started with a wink, "It takes a real man to let another man dominate him." Dante shrugged a little then, not really seeing the need to go into it.

Sat on the sofa he continued to fidget a little until Jeremy spoke and brought his attention straight back to the guys face, not that he hadn't been aware of his every movement mere moments ago.... still, the words took him by surprise. The sudden weight on his lap more so, especially when followed by the near possessive action of being pulled down and his lips claimed, not that Dante had any intention of fighting. No, instead he indulged in the kiss and didn't press for more even when he found he wanted more. What surprised him even more were the three sweetest little words to follow. "I love you" There was a time when he had never expected to hear those words, not just from Jeremy but from anyone. Now, he seemed to have everything he could dream of and more. He had a great man, no, not just a great man... the one man he had wanted but feared he had hurt far too badly to ever have a chance with again. It seemed, dreams really did come true. "I love you too." He said softly, smiling down at the guy with what was sure to be interpreted as a goofy smile, but it was true, and Dante didn't see a need to hide his happiness.

When Jeremy turned to watch the film Dante found himself listening but watching Jeremy instead, for a while he kept still and kept his hands to himself, but before too long it was too much temptation having him so close... and so, he brought his hand up and gently caressed the top of Jeremy's leg near the bottom of the guys boxers. Slowly he brought it up, caressing tenderly as he went, until his hand was on the side of the guys chest. Such smooth flesh. So much temptation. Did Jeremy even know what kind of effect he had on him? Was he aware how much his concentration was shattered whenever the guy was around, how every thought and image seemed to suddenly turn to thoughts of him? Yeah... he was a suck it seemed, and there was no hope for him... but you know what? Dante didn't want to be saved.

"Enjoying the film?" He said idly, grinned playfully down at Jeremy, his hand still caressing and exploring... though it had moved the definition between the muscles on the guys chest. "I must say..... this sight is rather...." licks his lips, "...appealing." Dante chuckled a little and forced himself to look up at the film and faint nonchalance. "Oh, I like this part...." He said, almost absentmindedly, his mind far too distracted with his impure thoughts.