[He follows after Larus and that kiss, drawing him in with the hand wrapped around his neck and capturing the other man's lips again for another, more insistent kiss.]
Both. [But his cultivated air of mystique is suffering for Larus going straight to the heart of the matter as usual]
I did say that I cared whether you lived or died-- [He smiles, and presses a hand against Larus' chest to ease him back against the arm of the couch. Less playfully, and with an edge of dryness:] apparently more than you do, too.
[ there's little resistance against the push, larus' expression carefully neutral as his hands slip into dorian's robe to feel skin. he's warm, as always, and it's almost nice to have this sort of freedom to touch and be touched in return. the heaviness that had weighed on him with casimir doesn't exist here. ]
I never said I wanted to die. [ it's a gentle correcting, tilting his head back to look at him. ] And though I have other reasons to keep me from feeling that way, you're interesting to me.
[ not to say it's enough, but larus' own curiosity gets him into trouble more often than anything else, which is what drives him. ]
[The combination of those words (his own admission of caring being met with curiosity -an analytical and unromantic impulse- and nothing else) and that emotionless expression is catnip. Inspired, Dorian leans in to lay himself into Larus' touch and against the length of the other man's body, pressing velvet kisses steadily up the length of the vampire's throat. When he gets there, he'll nip lightly at the hard line of his jaw.]
I can get even more interesting, [he decides, smile tugging wider.] And lucky us, you still have hours before you can go anywhere.
[Arms are in the way of him doing anything to Larus' shirt, but he can still shift his hips to slot them between the vampire's legs, pressing their lips together in a deeper kiss than any of those previously shared.]
[ larus feels himself still for a moment, the fan of dorian's breath against his throat stirring something difficult in his chest, but it passes just as quickly, one of his hands sliding free to come up and push through dorian's hair. with the deepness of that kiss, he can taste coffee and something sweeter on the other man's tongue, and for several long seconds, larus savors it for what it is. a connection, another reminder that he's with someone who's beginning to understand him. a little.
he gently grips at the curl of dark hair, nudging their noses together. ]
You don't have to try so hard.
[ a hint, soft as it is before he arches up just enough to press into him. whatever dorian might want, larus will give, and it's not as if his mind isn't elsewhere already anyway. ]
[Dorian hesitates, something in him tripping and catching at those words. Rather than latch onto the annoyed impulse that follows right away, he places a last kiss on Larus' jaw, and then tilts his head to meet his gaze, frowning.]
How am I trying hard? [As if he wouldalthough he kind of did.]
[ was that the mood being ruined? rather than disregard it, larus pursues it, sifting his fingers even deeper into dorian's hair. there's a brief glance over his shoulder towards the blocked windows and then back to look at him steadily. ]
You already have me. [ as if it's that easy. and there's a slight quirk to his lips. ] What were you going to show me that's interesting?
I don't... [Why is this throwing him off? Unexpectedly, it's hard to know how to act. Larus isn't much more than a child, if even that compared to himself, so he isn't sure how a small comment and then attempt to rebound has disarmed him like this.
[ slowly, he lets his hand slip away to rest against the back of dorian's neck, his expression curtailing slightly before smoothing out again. a brief moment of confusion, and it's tucked away for another time to think on. the way he huffs is almost... cute. ]
[ that still doesn't answer anything. larus runs through their exchange in his head and sees nothing wrong with it. ]
You are interesting. And you don't have to seduce me – I already decided to give myself to you. [ he's just a little on the end of perplexed about this. ] What were you expecting me to say?
[ he thought he was very clear about his intentions??? ]
[He doesn't know how such plainly spoken words are managing to still throw him off. Who just-- is honest about everything like Larus is seeming to try to convey that he is?
Confused, Dorian finally pulls himself up and off the other man, watching him with furrowed eyebrows.]
We didn't stipulate that the contract had anything to do with sex, [he points out firmly. They'd barely started ironing out all of the finer details of their contract, let alone signing it. So what could that mean?]
[ and he hadn't been. larus could sense the direction things were going and had followed suit, but now? rather than let him go, larus moves to grab dorian, to keep him close. it's a gentle pull, one he'd relent if dorian didn't want it, and some part of him, too, wants to smooth out the expression he wears. ]
I'm talking about right now. You were trying to seduce me, and I'd decided then. I want you. [ plainly, honestly. ] I don't think that's going to change, so you don't have to try so hard for me to agree to sex.
[Dorian doesn't resist being tugged at, but he braces himself on his hands on the couch so he can still watch, and look into Larus' face. It's not exactly helpful for getting insight into what he's saying, but it's still a habit and a strong preference.]
So, what.
If I want to initiate, all you'd want is to hear something like 'I want to have sex with you'?
[The idea isn't totally foreign, but it does seem so... plain.]
[ the urge is incredibly strong now, and he can't help it.
he rolls his eyes. ]
I think you're a little more clever than that.
[ they're obviously missing the mark, and larus doesn't want to spend hours trying to clarify when he couldn't be any clearer. he's not sure it matters now anyway, mouth thinning just slightly. it shouldn't be so difficult to remember that dorian doesn't know him well yet or his nuances, and it's certainly not fair to compare him to someone who does. ]
The urge is incredibly strong now, and he can't help it.
He sighs.
Didn't this man just tell him that he didn't need to be clever? And imply that he didn't really want it?
He isn't truly angry, but he is annoyed and confused. It's also becoming clear that nothing's going to happen now, which is its own kind of frustrating.]
I'm not the one who tried to change what was happening. I didn't ask for anything from you.
What are you talking about? I wasn't trying to change what was happening. [ and then, a little softer: ] You pulled away.
[ it's not accusing, only a fact. somewhere, things had gotten crossed, and larus slides his hand up to grip at dorian's arm as he moves closer, an attempt at coaxing him forward so there's less space between them. he meets his eyes, gaze dipping to his mouth before looking back at him. ]
[It's a tempting reconciliation and offer to try to find a way back to where they were before, but it's a bit of a climb right now. There's still a tug of indignation in his chest when he looks at Larus, and that means the moment's over.]
Nevermind. I'm not in the mood anymore. [He doesn't remove Larus' hands, but he is going to move, and then shift his way off the couch.]
I'm going to go take a bath. I'll be back later.
[Offhandedly, as he starts to leave to head back to the master bedroom:] There's plenty of reading material around everywhere, not that it's Shakespeare.
[ the frown that had crept up slides right back into place, letting him go without a word beyond some quiet acknowledgement. he doesn't even know who that is, but there's no point being so obviously about it, watching him go and listening to his heartbeat when dorian's no longer physically in the room.
it gives larus time to sit and think, not moving from his seat as he takes in the things he hadn't noticed there the first time he'd visited dorian's place. he doesn't like this feeling at all, and if he's expected to live there, what would it be like all the time? perhaps he should make some inquiries about the contract and what is or isn't necessary to add. a precaution, of course, and after a few minutes, with a thought still nagging at him, he decides to venture into the kitchen, searching quietly through the cabinets until he finds a bag; the jacket that had been discarded in the trash is stuffed inside before he ties it shut, washing his hands in the sink so as not to get any of the dried blood anywhere.
maybe someone can fix it. he doesn't know, but it's worth trying.
and by the time dorian returns, larus is once again sitting where he'd left him, scrolling through the network and some other assorted things he's found to read. it's not very interesting, and he's clearly doing it for the sake of something to do rather than anything else. ]
[There is one downside to having a Moment with a vampire when it's the middle of the day: no personal space. It's a feeling he remembers well, and it's not much more pleasant now than it was then. Before he's dressed and back in the sitting room, Dorian does himself briefly consider leaving out of an impulse of petty spitefulness, but in the end he decides against it.
But it's awkward.
He smothers the aggravation still buzzing faintly in the back of his head, and picks up the box of clove cigarettes sitting on the windowsill as he passes them. Tapping the box in the center of his palm, he draws a dark cigarette out and sticks it between his lips. He checks to make sure he's far enough away that any light coming through won't fall near Larus, and then pushes out the (absurdly high up) window as he settles himself to sit next to it on the large sill.]
Anything new? [Referencing the network on Larus' device as he flicks at his lighter at few times.
He'd rather move past the awkwardness than talk about it.]
[ he doesn't feel like it's awkward—at least on his part. maybe that says something about the moment, glancing in dorian's direction when he pushes the window open. it's far enough from him that all he sees is the residual gloss of light on parts of the wall as it fills some of the space and highlights dorian's features. larus can't help the way he stares, immediately drawn to the shadows and the natural elegance of his skin. it's something, he thinks distantly, that casimir would do on occasion, pushing open the doors of his balcony and letting the air inside during the day if he still happened to be there. the thought is a nice one, though it sparks some strange guilt in larus as he looks away.
a glance at his phone, and he puts it aside. ]
No. Gossip, warnings – if you like that sort of thing.
[ some of it could be useful, but he's not that interested in it. after a second or two, he turns to look at him again. ]
[It's helpful (and convenient) that any conflict is being let go of, or very well may already be forgotten. Larus is always hard for him to read. But either way, it suits Dorian well enough.
He gives Larus most of his attention as he listens, the rest of it focused on the busy cityscape outside. Dorian takes a short drag off of the black-papered cigarette in his hand, and then exhales out the window, his gaze following the progress of a cloud of birds that seem, suspiciously, to be following the trail of the people walking further down on the street below.]
Receiving deliveries and starting to set everything up in here. I have a shipment of books I picked out coming in [A few informational, but the subjects otherwise mostly dedicated to the modes of poetry and literature the city has to offer. He has no idea what might be of quality or not, but on the recommendations of a few store owners, he has to start somewhere.] and there's a stereo, too.
I wouldn't mind hearing if this place has any radio or news programs broadcast through its airwaves, or seeing if the voice posts on the network can't be channeled through it. [He has his doubts, but if he can manage it he'd vastly prefer it.]
[ so he was intent on staying in anyway. or for the most part, sounds like. larus doesn't know if that's good or bad, listening to him speak and running over what he's learned about this place. chances of some program like that existing shouldn't be impossible considering their technology, but then again, he isn't sure. it could be something to inquire about, making a mental note of it the next time he can leave this room. ]
I can ask about it, but maybe someone bringing your things will know. [ it'd make sense, though he can't say how helpful people are going to be about that. they're not helpful about anything else. ] I can help move whatever you need, too.
[ what else is he going to do? he's certainly not used to being so idle.
and that's fact enough when he stands and makes his way towards dorian, conscious of the sunlight and how his body is equally averse and drawn to it. he could see him just fine from his position on the loveseat, but there's still some lingering tension he'd like to wipe away somehow. walk into this contract on as good a note as they can before things potentially turn upside-down. it seems to be the way of this place anyhow, crossing his arms loosely over his chest as he watches him when he stops far enough away to remain in the dark. ]
And if you're not busy tonight, you could show me some of the other places you like to visit.
[When Larus comes closer, Dorian reaches out smoothly with his free hand to press the window shut more, turning the steady beam of sunlight into the room into a thinner slice. It's automatic, given that his longest-lived living experience with a vampire had been with a clumsy one prone to tripping over his own feet and falling down staircases when excited. The movement pushes a cloud of sweet and slightly spice smoke into the room.
Whether more offered from kindness or the need to shake off restlessness, Larus' help would be useful. It's a nice conciliatory gesture, and he thinks he gets the point of it.]
Nothing that big is coming, but... thanks. [But his gaze does leave the window and fix curiously on Larus at his next offer.]
You want to go out on the town? [The thought's a little amusing, if doubtful. Apparently, Larus really isn't going to engage in the drama of what happened at all. It's odd and not what Dorian's used to in someone he likes, but it's... comfortable? As usual, he isn't totally sure what to make of it.] Or are you offering that for my sake?
[ he only acknowledges the thanks with the slightest nod, unable to help himself when it comes to breathing in. there's the taste of that smoke, something he knows will grow familiar over time—much like everything else between them. if they're going to stay together and live together, he's going to have to make this work and accommodate some of dorian's apparent idiosyncrasies. ]
You want me to stay here. I'd like to know what there is and what I should avoid. [ larus considers moving closer but remains right where he is. ] I also think it would help me understand you better.
[ so it's not exactly a want so much as a necessity, and it's not as if he's really opposed to outings. there had just never been many opportunities unless he was crashing some sort of vampire party or a meeting thrown together by the sea snakes in the district. this is different. and besides, it's his own way of trying to make amends for whatever it is he must have said to throw them both off balance. ]
[That's straightforward enough, and as he's learning more and more, it's best to take these statements like that at face value with Larus. It's an appealing enough offer that he can shrug the last of whatever it was that happened between them off in favor of interest.]
All right.
There are three places I hadn't checked out yet that I was interested in, [he admits. Bringing his fingers to his lips, he takes a last drag off his cigarette, before flicking the butt out the window with a final exhale. He pulls the window decisively shut.]
But one of them isn't the most cheerful place in the world. [But it bears visiting. He needs to know exactly what 'The People Zoo' is, and if it's as much of what it sounds like it is.] But from what you've told me so far and what I've seen you shrug off, you've got a strong stomach.
[He slips off the windowsill and pushes dark curls out of his face.]
I want to know everything about this city. [And the company and conversation along the way won't be unwelcome.]
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Both. [But his cultivated air of mystique is suffering for Larus going straight to the heart of the matter as usual]
I did say that I cared whether you lived or died-- [He smiles, and presses a hand against Larus' chest to ease him back against the arm of the couch. Less playfully, and with an edge of dryness:] apparently more than you do, too.
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I never said I wanted to die. [ it's a gentle correcting, tilting his head back to look at him. ] And though I have other reasons to keep me from feeling that way, you're interesting to me.
[ not to say it's enough, but larus' own curiosity gets him into trouble more often than anything else, which is what drives him. ]
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I can get even more interesting, [he decides, smile tugging wider.] And lucky us, you still have hours before you can go anywhere.
[Arms are in the way of him doing anything to Larus' shirt, but he can still shift his hips to slot them between the vampire's legs, pressing their lips together in a deeper kiss than any of those previously shared.]
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he gently grips at the curl of dark hair, nudging their noses together. ]
You don't have to try so hard.
[ a hint, soft as it is before he arches up just enough to press into him. whatever dorian might want, larus will give, and it's not as if his mind isn't elsewhere already anyway. ]
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How am I trying hard? [As if he would
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You already have me. [ as if it's that easy. and there's a slight quirk to his lips. ] What were you going to show me that's interesting?
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He huffs, flustered.]
Do you have to do-- I don't know. Do that?
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I'm not doing anything.
[ meaning he would like an explanation, please. ]
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Someone doesn't just-- say something like that when they're being seduced.
[They're flattered. They return the favor. They play with him.
They don't suggest that he might as well stop.]
Especially after telling them that what they are is interesting.
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You are interesting. And you don't have to seduce me – I already decided to give myself to you. [ he's just a little on the end of perplexed about this. ] What were you expecting me to say?
[ he thought he was very clear about his intentions??? ]
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Confused, Dorian finally pulls himself up and off the other man, watching him with furrowed eyebrows.]
We didn't stipulate that the contract had anything to do with sex, [he points out firmly. They'd barely started ironing out all of the finer details of their contract, let alone signing it. So what could that mean?]
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[ and he hadn't been. larus could sense the direction things were going and had followed suit, but now? rather than let him go, larus moves to grab dorian, to keep him close. it's a gentle pull, one he'd relent if dorian didn't want it, and some part of him, too, wants to smooth out the expression he wears. ]
I'm talking about right now. You were trying to seduce me, and I'd decided then. I want you. [ plainly, honestly. ] I don't think that's going to change, so you don't have to try so hard for me to agree to sex.
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So, what.
If I want to initiate, all you'd want is to hear something like 'I want to have sex with you'?
[The idea isn't totally foreign, but it does seem so... plain.]
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he rolls his eyes. ]
I think you're a little more clever than that.
[ they're obviously missing the mark, and larus doesn't want to spend hours trying to clarify when he couldn't be any clearer. he's not sure it matters now anyway, mouth thinning just slightly. it shouldn't be so difficult to remember that dorian doesn't know him well yet or his nuances, and it's certainly not fair to compare him to someone who does. ]
I'm just not sure what you want to hear from me.
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[But
The urge is incredibly strong now, and he can't help it.
He sighs.
Didn't this man just tell him that he didn't need to be clever? And imply that he didn't really want it?
He isn't truly angry, but he is annoyed and confused. It's also becoming clear that nothing's going to happen now, which is its own kind of frustrating.]
I'm not the one who tried to change what was happening. I didn't ask for anything from you.
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What are you talking about? I wasn't trying to change what was happening. [ and then, a little softer: ] You pulled away.
[ it's not accusing, only a fact. somewhere, things had gotten crossed, and larus slides his hand up to grip at dorian's arm as he moves closer, an attempt at coaxing him forward so there's less space between them. he meets his eyes, gaze dipping to his mouth before looking back at him. ]
I was interested in more.
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Nevermind. I'm not in the mood anymore. [He doesn't remove Larus' hands, but he is going to move, and then shift his way off the couch.]
I'm going to go take a bath. I'll be back later.
[Offhandedly, as he starts to leave to head back to the master bedroom:] There's plenty of reading material around everywhere, not that it's Shakespeare.
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it gives larus time to sit and think, not moving from his seat as he takes in the things he hadn't noticed there the first time he'd visited dorian's place. he doesn't like this feeling at all, and if he's expected to live there, what would it be like all the time? perhaps he should make some inquiries about the contract and what is or isn't necessary to add. a precaution, of course, and after a few minutes, with a thought still nagging at him, he decides to venture into the kitchen, searching quietly through the cabinets until he finds a bag; the jacket that had been discarded in the trash is stuffed inside before he ties it shut, washing his hands in the sink so as not to get any of the dried blood anywhere.
maybe someone can fix it. he doesn't know, but it's worth trying.
and by the time dorian returns, larus is once again sitting where he'd left him, scrolling through the network and some other assorted things he's found to read. it's not very interesting, and he's clearly doing it for the sake of something to do rather than anything else. ]
.... forgot about sunlight woops shhh
But it's awkward.
He smothers the aggravation still buzzing faintly in the back of his head, and picks up the box of clove cigarettes sitting on the windowsill as he passes them. Tapping the box in the center of his palm, he draws a dark cigarette out and sticks it between his lips. He checks to make sure he's far enough away that any light coming through won't fall near Larus, and then pushes out the (absurdly high up) window as he settles himself to sit next to it on the large sill.]
Anything new? [Referencing the network on Larus' device as he flicks at his lighter at few times.
He'd rather move past the awkwardness than talk about it.]
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a glance at his phone, and he puts it aside. ]
No. Gossip, warnings – if you like that sort of thing.
[ some of it could be useful, but he's not that interested in it. after a second or two, he turns to look at him again. ]
What are you doing today?
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He gives Larus most of his attention as he listens, the rest of it focused on the busy cityscape outside. Dorian takes a short drag off of the black-papered cigarette in his hand, and then exhales out the window, his gaze following the progress of a cloud of birds that seem, suspiciously, to be following the trail of the people walking further down on the street below.]
Receiving deliveries and starting to set everything up in here. I have a shipment of books I picked out coming in [A few informational, but the subjects otherwise mostly dedicated to the modes of poetry and literature the city has to offer. He has no idea what might be of quality or not, but on the recommendations of a few store owners, he has to start somewhere.] and there's a stereo, too.
I wouldn't mind hearing if this place has any radio or news programs broadcast through its airwaves, or seeing if the voice posts on the network can't be channeled through it. [He has his doubts, but if he can manage it he'd vastly prefer it.]
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I can ask about it, but maybe someone bringing your things will know. [ it'd make sense, though he can't say how helpful people are going to be about that. they're not helpful about anything else. ] I can help move whatever you need, too.
[ what else is he going to do? he's certainly not used to being so idle.
and that's fact enough when he stands and makes his way towards dorian, conscious of the sunlight and how his body is equally averse and drawn to it. he could see him just fine from his position on the loveseat, but there's still some lingering tension he'd like to wipe away somehow. walk into this contract on as good a note as they can before things potentially turn upside-down. it seems to be the way of this place anyhow, crossing his arms loosely over his chest as he watches him when he stops far enough away to remain in the dark. ]
And if you're not busy tonight, you could show me some of the other places you like to visit.
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Whether more offered from kindness or the need to shake off restlessness, Larus' help would be useful. It's a nice conciliatory gesture, and he thinks he gets the point of it.]
Nothing that big is coming, but... thanks. [But his gaze does leave the window and fix curiously on Larus at his next offer.]
You want to go out on the town? [The thought's a little amusing, if doubtful. Apparently, Larus really isn't going to engage in the drama of what happened at all. It's odd and not what Dorian's used to in someone he likes, but it's... comfortable? As usual, he isn't totally sure what to make of it.] Or are you offering that for my sake?
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You want me to stay here. I'd like to know what there is and what I should avoid. [ larus considers moving closer but remains right where he is. ] I also think it would help me understand you better.
[ so it's not exactly a want so much as a necessity, and it's not as if he's really opposed to outings. there had just never been many opportunities unless he was crashing some sort of vampire party or a meeting thrown together by the sea snakes in the district. this is different. and besides, it's his own way of trying to make amends for whatever it is he must have said to throw them both off balance. ]
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All right.
There are three places I hadn't checked out yet that I was interested in, [he admits. Bringing his fingers to his lips, he takes a last drag off his cigarette, before flicking the butt out the window with a final exhale. He pulls the window decisively shut.]
But one of them isn't the most cheerful place in the world. [But it bears visiting. He needs to know exactly what 'The People Zoo' is, and if it's as much of what it sounds like it is.] But from what you've told me so far and what I've seen you shrug off, you've got a strong stomach.
[He slips off the windowsill and pushes dark curls out of his face.]
I want to know everything about this city. [And the company and conversation along the way won't be unwelcome.]
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