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"... inspiration for another novel?" Jeremiah was being just a little cheeky, lips twitched towards a smile. Always the one to try and make light of a situation but he was very much aware of the consequences, especially considering the magically scarred back and the his heart possibly being eaten.

His shoulders rolled at the kiss, the taller man stretching out just somewhat. He rolled onto his side and moved to catch Algie's wrist. It was a quick, albeit it gentle, tug to pull him back to him. Enough that he could press a kiss to his lips and then let him go. "I'll never say no to drinks and you and my bedroom."

Jeremiah laughed, something warm and content and happy, as he shifted at the pinch. Not that he really moved away, instead moving in the bed to sit up properly. The pillows were rearranged in a way that they would warm his back and he would not be up against the headboard.

He was quiet again as he watched Algie pour the glasses. Taking his, he swirled the liquid around before he was taking a drink. Blue-green eyes focused on too green eyes and he gave Algie that look. The one that was entirely his. It a look he had been given for years but now it was far, far less guarded.

"I doubt I told anyone," a soft, quiet voice, "because I think I enjoy the idea of this being ours for a little bit longer." People assumed anyway but they had been wrong (they were not anymore). If they were super obvious then everyone would likely start saying things and ...

No. Not ready for that yet.

His fingers reached out for Algie's free hand to hold.

"I don't," he admitted, fingers squeezing Algie's. "My perspective is a bit different than it was, Alg. Before all of this I might have just kept watching and not done anything." Jeremiah's head rolled a little bit and he rested it on the other's shoulder like he had done before.

Comfortable and close.

"Hearing that helps," the not going anywhere, "but for someone who thinks he's no good at these sort of things you're doing just fine." There was no way of him knowing he had said it before but he meant it all the same. Algie knew how to do things right. "... or it's just because it's you and me, like it's been for years." Jeremiah's head tilted, lips pressing to the side of the man's neck. "You've always been the one who knows how to deal with me."

As much as he joked about herding Algie, in the end it was Algie who was the best at herding Jeremiah where he wanted him. Even if he was a stubborn git about it sometimes.

"I could say the same about you," Jeremiah chuckled, still letting his head rest where it was a little bit longer before he was shifting position to take a drink.

"... but I'll try, Alg." To let him deal, to let himself be herded, to maybe not make decisions without talking to him first. If they were going to have a relationship, and especially with everything that was going on, then communication was a thing.

Another drink and his head was back to resting on Algie's shoulder, thoughts turned a different direction. "So have I managed to convince you to stay here every night yet?"

Lucky for Algie, Jeremiah could not see the pink-tipped ears. Not with the way he was sitting, not with his head on the other man's shoulder.

"Good, I'd be upset if I had forgotten that." More upset because that was a conversation he wanted to remember having. He tilted his head again, nose pressed to Algie's neck and then let out a sigh. Not tonight, at least, he would not bring it up, but if he had already been coming up with ways to have the other stay ...

Jeremiah would want it all the time.

"You will stay tonight?" he asked, voice still soft and quiet. Not that different when they had been younger and spoke close like this to share secrets.

Algie's hand was warm and still had that calming effect. It saved the other man from any immediate snark back about being horrifically deformed.

"I always want you, Alg," then, because he realized how that sounded added, "with me." Still sounded ... Jeremiah did not regret saying it but with the feeling the other man could bring over him with a simple touch and his relaxed state, he was a little loose-lipped.

"Don't know that I should be happy you've got a ..." he waved his hand only a little bit because it held the glass in it, "Jeremiah off-button," he huffed. Then rolled his eyes because he seemed to recall that being something that had come up in conversation with their friends in Italy.

Jeremiah held his glass out for a refill as well which lead to sitting up properly. He finally caught sight of those pink-tipped ears and it brought a smile to his face.

"The universe is kind of nosy," he replied, taking a drink once his glass was topped off. A roll of his eyes as he settled back into the pillows and against Algie's side. His back was just now starting to hurt once more, the chill slowly easing its way back.

"Wouldn't want anyone else to have it," was murmured with a look as he took another drink, fingers finding their way to Algie's then to press against the pulsepoint of his wrist. Besotted.

For all that had happened during the day, this evening was just that much better. His head rested back against the other man's shoulder, fingers staying on that steady pulse while they continued to drink.

A small personal heaven if there ever was one.