roneal | (no subject)

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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."

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How else does Jade think he pulls people in? Heine moves to sit fully on the bed, legs crossed, and looks at Jade more closely.

"I had fun," he says a moment later. "You're going to see him at work tomorrow."

"Yes." He lets the glamour on his eyes fade, red light shining through as he studies Heine. He doesn't associate him with the word 'fun'. Then and again, he hadn't expected Heine to be the type that indulges in intimacy with mortals.

"Are you jealous?"

"Of you?" Heine huffs and sprawls out on the bed, shifting around until he's comfortable. "No."

There are parts of Jade's life that he likes—the way it's so connected to what's going on in the world, how convenient it is to find sustenance. The rest of it isn't worth it. Pretending to be human, being surrounded by pollution and the mess of humanity. His lake may be relatively isolated, but he prefers to be alone, and the forest around it still hums with green energy.

He doesn't ask Jade if he's jealous. Even if he were, Heine doubts he would admit it.

"I'm going to sleep," he says a moment later, and starts to get up.

"Please, try not to shed on my couch." Because that's where Heine will be sleeping, right? Jade is already picking up his book again, ready to settle in for the night. Having his room back to himself will be a relief. He prefers solitude, the quiet of a calm winter night.

...Even if he should probably clean his sheets.

Still, it had been an informative day. He's privately glad that Heine won't be seeing Jonathan again for a few days yet.

Heine just doesn't reply, ignoring Jade and shuffling back to the living room. He does situate himself on the couch. Shedding or not, however, isn't guaranteed.

Heine remains in dog form until Jade leaves for work, at which point he goes on two legs so he can have the opposable thumbs to use the TV remote. Clothes don't come to mind, even when a persistent knock at the door makes him get up and look through the peephole. After he sees who's on the other side, he opens it quickly.

"Jonathan." Bothering to stand behind the door and away from the hallway doesn't occur to him. He knows he can't invite the mortal in, so he stays where he is, eyeing him with open interest.

When the door swings open, Jonathan hadn't expected to be confronted with the sight of a very nude, very alone Heine. Automatically, he glances behind him, making sure nobody else is on the floor. They're alone. He turns back to Heine, satisfied.

"Heine," he greets him warmly. Jade is at work. Now is a good chance to find out more about his strange companion - and perhaps walk away with another pleasant memory to add to his collection. "I hope I'm not imposing?"

Heine shakes his head slightly. He hadn't been doing anything that important, and he did want to see Jonathan again anyway.

If they're to talk outside, though, he'll have to put on clothes. Heine steps away from the door and leaves it open, slowly backing up as he looks into Jonathan's eyes. "Wait here," he says.

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."