roneal | (no subject)

(no subject)

The lake is an ancient place, dark and deep. Apparently it's some sort of tourist destination now, and Jade can see little vacation homes dotting the edge of the lake, pale smudges against the darkening twilight.

What does Heine thinks of these trespasses to his territory, he wonders? Does he resent these humans and their entrepreneurship, their never-ending desire to expand and tame every bit of wilderness they lay eyes on? Or does he see it as an opportunity - a veritable feast for that black lake of his?

Whatever the case, Jade is of the opinion that Heine has more than enough mortals to amuse himself with. He walks slowly along the lakeside, breathing in the clean, sweet air as the evening deepens around him. Heine must know he's here, but he hasn't shown himself yet; he seems determined to continue making a nuisance out of himself.

It's not until dusk falls that Jade finally speaks out. "It's not polite to leave a guest waiting, you know."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He blinks, caught off-guard. "You don't want me to come in?" He asks, looking deep into Heine's eyes. What could be holding him back?

Ah. Of course. Fairies and their thresholds; more and more, the evidence piles up. Casually, he says, "Jade said I was free to come any time. I do apologise if I'm inconveniencing you, however. Should I call ahead next time?"

Why would Jade say that? Heine's eyes narrow briefly, but he shakes his head in response. "You can come in," he mumbles a moment later. After Jonathan is inside he shuts and locks the door, leaving them in privacy.

"You didn't come back with him." Heine says it more as a statement than a question as he pads around Jonathan, circling him with obvious interest.

It's like having a wolf circle around him. Jonathan stands his ground, calmly watching Heine.

"I was working from home today," he says. "I finished earlier than I expected, so I thought I would pay you a visit. You... You fascinate me, Heine."

Well, good. Heine's not surprised, though; he hadn't bothered being subtle at all yesterday when attempting to draw Jonathan into his sphere of influence. He stops walking after a moment, standing at Jonathan's side and looking back at him quietly.

"What do you want?" he asks. Whether he can give it to him or not, knowing it will give Heine leverage.

"I want you, Heine," he says simply, looking back at Heine. "All of you. Everything you're willing to offer."

Heine shifts away, eyes narrowing. But Jonathan didn't ask for control, just what he's willing to offer. It isn't binding.

"Come," he says, and starts to walk towards the bedroom. Humans like comfortable places. "Show me."

"Gladly." He isn't quite sure what to make of Heine pulling away and inviting him along in the same breath, but he follows him anyway.

Jade's bedroom is quiet and empty without Jade there, but Jonathan isn't very concerned. He's here by invitation, isn't he? Looking into Heine's albino-red eyes, he makes himself comfortable on the bed, settling down cross-legged.

"Do you usually wear the collar?" He asks. "You look wonderful in it."

Heine remains standing for now, arms loosely crossed as he looks at Jonathan. The mortal is awfully relaxed for someone in the space of a fae. Why had Jade invited him?

Oh, the collar. Heine brings his thoughts back to the present and fingers the light ribbon at his throat.

"Jade bought it for me," he says. He doesn't want to explain about his bridle and lead. Instead, to avoid lying, he climbs onto the bed to change the subject. "Do you want to touch it?"

"Can I?" He reaches out, fingers out-stretched, but doesn't touch yet. There's a part of him that wonders why Heine is asking, of course, and what he would stand to gain or lose from all this. But Jonathan had played along with their games so far and he intends to continue for awhile yet.

"You can touch," Heine says after a moment. He's hidden his true lead away, outside of Jade's domain—but outside of his own as well.

Jonathan touching will do little. Heine positions himself more comfortably on the bed and allows him to approach, gazing steadily at him.

Jonathan takes his time, unhurried as he smooths his fingers over the pastel fabric, careful not to be too rough with it. He is right at Heine's neck, right where his pulse beats, and the fabric seems so terribly flimsy besides.

"Where is your lead today, pet?" There's a brief pause before that last word, as if he's testing out the sound of it.

Heine's eyes narrow the moment Jonathan uses the term, unable to keep his genuine response off his face. This mortal seems to already have suspicions about his and Jade's true nature. Does he think he can win like this?

"I put it away," he says. "Since I wasn't going outside."

Trying to smooth out his expression, Heine tilts his head against Jonathan's hand.

He can see Heine isn't fond of the pet name, but he doesn't protest, so Jonathan decides to keep using it.

"Do you go outside much?" he hums, stroking at Heine's cheek. "Your skin is lovely, but you must burn easily."

"Not out here," Heine replies slowly. He lets Jonathan touch his face, eyes half-closing.

"Do you want to go somewhere with me?" Come with me. To my domain.

Accepting a fae's invitation is dangerous. Still, Jonathan finds some part of him moved by the promise in Heine's red, red eyes. He tilts his head back slowly, watching Heine.

"I'm busy, I'm afraid," he murmurs regretfully.

Damn. Well, that would've been too easy. Heine frowns mildly as if disappointed, then pushes forward against Jonathan.

"Too busy for me?" he asks. Keeping his voice low and intimate, Heine leans forward and kisses Jonathan, pressing their lips together gently.

What a possessive little fae. Jonathan chuckles, kissing Heine back. "I'm afraid so," he says, low and intimate. His fingers brush against the soft fabric of Heine's collar. "But maybe I can be persuaded otherwise."

"What if I made it worth your while?" The silken fabric of the collar around Heine's neck is soft to the touch. Heine himself makes certain to keep his voice as alluring as he can make it, not bothering with subtlety as he leans forward to rest his forehead against Jonathan's.

"I can make you very happy."

"Oh, Heine." The words are almost a sigh. Heine has such beautiful eyes, the deep red of blood magic. He wonders if Heine bleeds red like a mortal. He wonders how easy it will be to bind him. "You already make me happy. But go on, tell me more about your home."

Heine feels a slight tug, another bond between them. There's a connection wrought of emotion growing already.

Giving up information about his lake, however, is something Heine is reluctant to do. He tilts his head slightly to the side.

"It's up in the mountains. Aren't you tired of working in the city all the time?"

"No," he answers honestly. He can't stop looking at Heine, greedily drinking in the red of his eyes. "There's much to do in the city. Have you been here for long? Has Jade shown you around yet?"

"No," Heine answers a moment later. He lowers his eyes for a moment, giving Jonathan's mind a brief reprieve before he makes contact again with full force.

"Jade hasn't brought me outside since I came here. Will you go with me?"

He isn't actually sure if Jade doesn't want him outside. He certainly doesn't want Heine at his workplace. If Jonathan is more amendable to it, then all the better.

He feels a twinge of disappointment when Heine looks away, but then their eyes meet again, and Jonathan smiles.

"Jade hasn't been taking good care of you, has he?" He reaches out, hand resting on Heine's back, rubbing slow circles there. "Why don't I steal you away with me, hmm?"

He chooses his words deliberately, speaking of Heine like he's an object to be possessed.

Jade definitely has been taking care of him. Not that he's supposed to, though. Heine just hums vaguely and arches his back under Jonathan's hand.

"We can go somewhere together." He avoids responding directly, climbing slowly on top of Jonathan's lap to rub against him. "After this. Okay?"

That's probably as good as he's going to get for now. He nods, laughing softly to himself. "And what do you mean by this, hmm?"

Although he has a good idea. Several good ideas, in fact. His hand rests against Heine's back, preventing him from climbing off him easily.