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[This is not at all how he thought this would go.] That'd be an odd thing to come all the way out here to lie about.
[His brow furrows-- something else must be going on here. There's something he's not getting. After a moment of thought, a question.]
Is there anyone who uses magic in your pack?
[His brow furrows-- something else must be going on here. There's something he's not getting. After a moment of thought, a question.]
Is there anyone who uses magic in your pack?
[ She mimics him, shaking her glass lightly before sipping her water again. ]
You're kidding, right? I live for cliche's. [ She pauses and sets her glass down. ] I don't know if I'd be considered a regular... But I'm definitely glad I decided to come tonight.
You're kidding, right? I live for cliche's. [ She pauses and sets her glass down. ] I don't know if I'd be considered a regular... But I'm definitely glad I decided to come tonight.
[ after the loss of his wife, regulus flounders. he's a young father--a young widowed father, now, and while he's independently wealthy and money is no object, he doesn't know what to do with himself. his children--three and five, a boy and girl, respectively--are too young to understand, and regulus just can't handle things on his own.
it's a car crash that does it: on the way home from some gala he'd hardly paid any attention to. the wreck turns his entire life upside-down and for months afterward he's laid up in physical therapy and dealing with survivor's guilt. they're barely in their twenties and now his wife, the mother of his children, is gone. he doesn't know how to explain to the children that their mother is never coming home, and to top it off he can barely walk.
his wife's mother takes care of them for him while he recovers. his own mother isn't suited to the task, which is perhaps for the best. he's working himself back up to 'dealing with the public' again when he decides he can't just force his mother in law to mother her grandchildren after the loss of her only daughter.
no... he puts out an ad, asks around, and finally settles on a potential nanny for the children. he'd hired remus lupin on a trial basis at first, but the children adore him already and are finally settling into a routine again, so it's starting to look permanent.
which is why regulus calls him in to his office a month into his work, cane hooked over the edge of his desk. it's getting late: the children are already in bed and regulus himself is tired. he's probably going to knock back a glass of whiskey with his pain pills after this, but that's a horrible coping mechanism for after he's given remus a formal job offer.
the butler is ... somewhere, buttling, but he'll have told remus of regulus' request to come see him before he calls it a night, at least. ]
it's a car crash that does it: on the way home from some gala he'd hardly paid any attention to. the wreck turns his entire life upside-down and for months afterward he's laid up in physical therapy and dealing with survivor's guilt. they're barely in their twenties and now his wife, the mother of his children, is gone. he doesn't know how to explain to the children that their mother is never coming home, and to top it off he can barely walk.
his wife's mother takes care of them for him while he recovers. his own mother isn't suited to the task, which is perhaps for the best. he's working himself back up to 'dealing with the public' again when he decides he can't just force his mother in law to mother her grandchildren after the loss of her only daughter.
no... he puts out an ad, asks around, and finally settles on a potential nanny for the children. he'd hired remus lupin on a trial basis at first, but the children adore him already and are finally settling into a routine again, so it's starting to look permanent.
which is why regulus calls him in to his office a month into his work, cane hooked over the edge of his desk. it's getting late: the children are already in bed and regulus himself is tired. he's probably going to knock back a glass of whiskey with his pain pills after this, but that's a horrible coping mechanism for after he's given remus a formal job offer.
the butler is ... somewhere, buttling, but he'll have told remus of regulus' request to come see him before he calls it a night, at least. ]
[Remus had gotten quite a lucky break with this job-- Mr. Black was paying him very well, had been quite understanding when he'd needed a weekend off for health care reasons, and the children were an absolute delight.
He didn't see their father terribly much, but their interactions had been pleasant, and the young man certainly had a charm to him. Remus couldn't imagine, having been a husband, then a father, then a widower in such short a time. At so young an age. If he can make Mr. Black's life easier in the wake of that, he is happy to do so.
When he's asked to come to the man's office before leaving for the night, he can't help but be a bit nervous, but he's also hopeful. Young children are very honest in how they think about people, after all, so he knows they like him. He has confidence in his teaching and caregiving abilities, and he has already let Mr. Black know that if he were to be hired on permanently, he would gladly continue his own education to be properly certified in the next step of the children's schooling before they reach it.
Once the children are properly settled into bed, he makes his way to Mr. Black's office, knocking politely at the door before letting himself in.]
Good evening. [Remus smiles politely, but not without kindness.] You asked to see me?
He didn't see their father terribly much, but their interactions had been pleasant, and the young man certainly had a charm to him. Remus couldn't imagine, having been a husband, then a father, then a widower in such short a time. At so young an age. If he can make Mr. Black's life easier in the wake of that, he is happy to do so.
When he's asked to come to the man's office before leaving for the night, he can't help but be a bit nervous, but he's also hopeful. Young children are very honest in how they think about people, after all, so he knows they like him. He has confidence in his teaching and caregiving abilities, and he has already let Mr. Black know that if he were to be hired on permanently, he would gladly continue his own education to be properly certified in the next step of the children's schooling before they reach it.
Once the children are properly settled into bed, he makes his way to Mr. Black's office, knocking politely at the door before letting himself in.]
Good evening. [Remus smiles politely, but not without kindness.] You asked to see me?
[ regulus is trying to not be the distant father his own father has always been, but it's difficult when all he can think of is the loss of their mother. it doesn't help that both children look like her, and not him, so he's doubly reminded every time he sees them.
he throws himself into charity work, since he doesn't have need of a paying job, but he hasn't been able to bring himself to go to any more galas. more often he's just holed up in his office working, showering the children with attention whenever he comes out of the private space.
he's seen what good the older man has done for them in the short time he's been around, and honestly he can't think of any better person to do the job. so when he comes into his office, regulus smiles and gestures toward the chair across from him. he'd stand in greeting, normally, but he's sure the other man will understand why he doesn't. ]
Yes. Please sit, Mr. Lupin. I have to admit, the children have been singing your praises since the first day you were here. They adore you, and honestly I can't see any more large changes in their lives being good for them at this juncture.
[ he pauses, glancing out the window, then looks back toward the other man and cants his head. ]
I'd like to make your position permanent. I know this is a difficult career path to tread, so I'd like to draw up a contract between us so that you can be sure you'll be taken care of. I know that there are--those in my social circle that leave no recourse for the people that watch their children, and if I'm honest I think that's stupid. I want you to feel comfortable staying on with us.
he throws himself into charity work, since he doesn't have need of a paying job, but he hasn't been able to bring himself to go to any more galas. more often he's just holed up in his office working, showering the children with attention whenever he comes out of the private space.
he's seen what good the older man has done for them in the short time he's been around, and honestly he can't think of any better person to do the job. so when he comes into his office, regulus smiles and gestures toward the chair across from him. he'd stand in greeting, normally, but he's sure the other man will understand why he doesn't. ]
Yes. Please sit, Mr. Lupin. I have to admit, the children have been singing your praises since the first day you were here. They adore you, and honestly I can't see any more large changes in their lives being good for them at this juncture.
[ he pauses, glancing out the window, then looks back toward the other man and cants his head. ]
I'd like to make your position permanent. I know this is a difficult career path to tread, so I'd like to draw up a contract between us so that you can be sure you'll be taken care of. I know that there are--those in my social circle that leave no recourse for the people that watch their children, and if I'm honest I think that's stupid. I want you to feel comfortable staying on with us.
[Remus takes a seat when offered, chuckling softly.]
Well, I adore them too, Mr. Black. Your children are a delight to work with.
[His smile brightens as Regulus continues to his offer. Even if he wanted to say no, he'd be a fool to. There just wasn't going to be a better deal somewhere else in his field.]
I would be happy to accept this as a permanent position. I know we discussed this briefly during my first interview, have you decided whether you want me living in-home or not?
[Honestly, that's something Remus has a bit of mixed feelings about-- on the one hand, no commute and room and board taken care of are unique and rare perks in this line of work. On the other, he wouldn't really have "off" time in that case. Maybe officially, but he's not going to deny a child something they need just because he's technically off the clock. And as he becomes more of an established presence in the house, it's likely they'll start to come to him when they need something in the middle of the night, rather than their father.
But the idea of not having to stay in his tiny studio flat with the broken heating system and the utter lack of water pressure and the roof that leaks when it rains... it would be hard to say no if Regulus asked for that.]
Well, I adore them too, Mr. Black. Your children are a delight to work with.
[His smile brightens as Regulus continues to his offer. Even if he wanted to say no, he'd be a fool to. There just wasn't going to be a better deal somewhere else in his field.]
I would be happy to accept this as a permanent position. I know we discussed this briefly during my first interview, have you decided whether you want me living in-home or not?
[Honestly, that's something Remus has a bit of mixed feelings about-- on the one hand, no commute and room and board taken care of are unique and rare perks in this line of work. On the other, he wouldn't really have "off" time in that case. Maybe officially, but he's not going to deny a child something they need just because he's technically off the clock. And as he becomes more of an established presence in the house, it's likely they'll start to come to him when they need something in the middle of the night, rather than their father.
But the idea of not having to stay in his tiny studio flat with the broken heating system and the utter lack of water pressure and the roof that leaks when it rains... it would be hard to say no if Regulus asked for that.]
[ his shoulders slump a little in--relief, it seems. he's just glad this has been as painless as possible, all things considered. he sighs, but it's a pleasant enough sound: he's still smiling, in any case, and nods slightly. ]
You can't imagine how glad I am to hear that.
[ one of his hands rests on his knee, the one of his near-useless leg, and clenches slightly. this is the best decision for everyone. things have to move forward, and he can't just live in stasis. the children have needs, even if he just wants to curl up somewhere and ignore his problems.
well, mr. lupin is very good at solving them for him, isn't he? ]
As for living in-home, I wanted to leave that up to you. We certainly have the space, and the children would adore the setup, but I'm aware that it can be uniquely taxing to not have privacy or to have your down time invaded because they don't understand personal space. [ a beat. ] If it troubles you, I'd be willing to give you a bump in pay to accommodate for it, and we can discuss the matter of set days off to give you space to yourself.
[ he thinks that's a good offer? he's not--sure. his wife had always handled everything, when it came to the children. so he's a bit adrift here, and he knows that were the other man some kind of con-artist he could get taken easily in his time of grief, but he doesn't think that's the case. he pauses, considering: ]
As for the certifications you offered to obtain should the position become permanent, naturally I'd be paying the courses.
[ okay, he might be a little desperate to get him to stay. ]
You can't imagine how glad I am to hear that.
[ one of his hands rests on his knee, the one of his near-useless leg, and clenches slightly. this is the best decision for everyone. things have to move forward, and he can't just live in stasis. the children have needs, even if he just wants to curl up somewhere and ignore his problems.
well, mr. lupin is very good at solving them for him, isn't he? ]
As for living in-home, I wanted to leave that up to you. We certainly have the space, and the children would adore the setup, but I'm aware that it can be uniquely taxing to not have privacy or to have your down time invaded because they don't understand personal space. [ a beat. ] If it troubles you, I'd be willing to give you a bump in pay to accommodate for it, and we can discuss the matter of set days off to give you space to yourself.
[ he thinks that's a good offer? he's not--sure. his wife had always handled everything, when it came to the children. so he's a bit adrift here, and he knows that were the other man some kind of con-artist he could get taken easily in his time of grief, but he doesn't think that's the case. he pauses, considering: ]
As for the certifications you offered to obtain should the position become permanent, naturally I'd be paying the courses.
[ okay, he might be a little desperate to get him to stay. ]
That is-- a very generous offer, Mr. Black. [Remus is honestly a bit shocked-- he'd be a hell of an idiot to say no. There simply wouldn't be a better offer anywhere else.
Well... fuck it. Maybe this will finally get his friends off his back about finding a better place to live.] I can agree to those terms. I'm willing to be flexible regarding my days off as your schedule requires.
Well... fuck it. Maybe this will finally get his friends off his back about finding a better place to live.] I can agree to those terms. I'm willing to be flexible regarding my days off as your schedule requires.
I'm inclined to be generous when it comes to my children, Mr. Lupin. I want what's best for them, after all. And this... is what's best for them, in my opinion.
[ it helps that he has the funds to burn, of course. but he's genuinely glad that the other man's agreed, honestly, and it's a load off his mind. he sighs, settling back in his seat and relaxing somewhat. ]
Of course. With my--lack of cemented schedule, should anything of import come up for you please just let me know and I'm sure we can work around one another's schedules to find something suitable.
[ he smiles, faint: ]
They'll be very glad to hear the news, you know.
[ it helps that he has the funds to burn, of course. but he's genuinely glad that the other man's agreed, honestly, and it's a load off his mind. he sighs, settling back in his seat and relaxing somewhat. ]
Of course. With my--lack of cemented schedule, should anything of import come up for you please just let me know and I'm sure we can work around one another's schedules to find something suitable.
[ he smiles, faint: ]
They'll be very glad to hear the news, you know.
[ the city isn't normally kind to them, not really, but this is worse than usual. at least alucard and remus know one another, sequestered together for some nonsense or other as they are, but it's clear they're not allowed to leave until they do something and on top of that, something is keeping alucard from maintaining a corporeal, human-shaped form. he can shape like a body but he's still a writhing mass of shadows, endlessly shifting and changing no matter what he does.
unsettling, since he likes controlling his form, but what can you do?
he sighs, the sound a throaty thing coming from somewhere in the middle of his mass, as he huddles low to the ground. there are eyes, of course--too many eyes, both looking around everywhere and resting on remus, and a few mouths, though they're not doing anything untoward at the moment. a bundle of black and red and white, feral, ravenous. when he speaks, he sounds a little put out, but at least he's not mad. ]
I'm afraid I'm stuck like this.
unsettling, since he likes controlling his form, but what can you do?
he sighs, the sound a throaty thing coming from somewhere in the middle of his mass, as he huddles low to the ground. there are eyes, of course--too many eyes, both looking around everywhere and resting on remus, and a few mouths, though they're not doing anything untoward at the moment. a bundle of black and red and white, feral, ravenous. when he speaks, he sounds a little put out, but at least he's not mad. ]
I'm afraid I'm stuck like this.
[Remus is getting pretty used to situations like this, but whoever's trapped with him being incapable of keeping a physical form is a new one. He'd be lying if he said all those eyes and mouths in a black mass wasn't a bit disconcerting.
Still, he smiles wryly; they both know what's expected of them here, don't they?]
They'll require the usual toll to fix it, I'm sure.
[At least it's someone he knows... "trust" may be too loaded a word, but he's familiar enough with Alucard. He hasn't given the vampire reason to harm him.]
Still, he smiles wryly; they both know what's expected of them here, don't they?]
They'll require the usual toll to fix it, I'm sure.
[At least it's someone he knows... "trust" may be too loaded a word, but he's familiar enough with Alucard. He hasn't given the vampire reason to harm him.]
[ he knows this form can be kind of unsettling, but there's not much he can do about it right now. and it's true--there's enough familiarity for things to not be a big problem, and some of the mouths even smile at the comment, toothy and a little too amused. ]
I'd hope for them to come up with something new, but I don't think I'd like to see what they'd come up with.
[ his voice is low, and it sort of revertibrates in the bones. he's everywhere and nowhere all at once, which is probably also odd, but he is what he is.
he shifts closer, in part human-shaped but only sort of, and one dark, smoky hand slips out to idly touch the bone of remus' wrist. it's slow, testing--they're not going to get out of this easily, but he doesn't have to spring the whole shebang on him at once.
the touch will feel odd: smooth, soft, cool. it's not bad but it's certainly in no way even remotely human. ]
I'd hope for them to come up with something new, but I don't think I'd like to see what they'd come up with.
[ his voice is low, and it sort of revertibrates in the bones. he's everywhere and nowhere all at once, which is probably also odd, but he is what he is.
he shifts closer, in part human-shaped but only sort of, and one dark, smoky hand slips out to idly touch the bone of remus' wrist. it's slow, testing--they're not going to get out of this easily, but he doesn't have to spring the whole shebang on him at once.
the touch will feel odd: smooth, soft, cool. it's not bad but it's certainly in no way even remotely human. ]
[Remus huffs out what's almost a laugh.]
Every time I think I've run out of new things to see or try, there's always something.
[Like this. This is definitely new to him. And as intimidating and unsettling as this form is, there's still a pull in the pit of his stomach at the idea of being-- most literally-- completely surrounded and enveloped by a sexual partner.
The touch to his wrist is strange, but not unpleasant. Aside from the relative temperature, it's not near even the feeling of a vampire touching him. There's nothing that hints at skin-- of course there isn't, he's a bloody mass of smoke.
He doesn't know where to look-- if he should look Alucard in the eyes (if so, which ones?) or about where he thinks his face perhaps ought to be, or-- his eyes just don't know where to settle. Experimentally, he reaches a hand out to touch-- about where he thinks Alucard's shoulder might be, if the vague human-adjacent shape is anything to go by. If he even has a shoulder like this.]
What are you still able to do like this?
Every time I think I've run out of new things to see or try, there's always something.
[Like this. This is definitely new to him. And as intimidating and unsettling as this form is, there's still a pull in the pit of his stomach at the idea of being-- most literally-- completely surrounded and enveloped by a sexual partner.
The touch to his wrist is strange, but not unpleasant. Aside from the relative temperature, it's not near even the feeling of a vampire touching him. There's nothing that hints at skin-- of course there isn't, he's a bloody mass of smoke.
He doesn't know where to look-- if he should look Alucard in the eyes (if so, which ones?) or about where he thinks his face perhaps ought to be, or-- his eyes just don't know where to settle. Experimentally, he reaches a hand out to touch-- about where he thinks Alucard's shoulder might be, if the vague human-adjacent shape is anything to go by. If he even has a shoulder like this.]
What are you still able to do like this?
[ The High Warlock of Brooklyn is a self-made man. Too old to have gotten into Hogwarts in his childhood years, he had had to teach himself the basics of magic through mentors and books, practice and trial and error. But after some false starts, and several decades of ne're-do-well-ness, he had succeeded in becoming one of the leaders of the United States, well known throughout the world despite calling a single borough his territory.
While he enjoys having a drink (constantly in hand) and some fun and frivolity, spends several hours each night at his own club where he watches naturals and supernaturals dance, he also takes his job very seriously. Which is why he's taken such an interest in one Remus Lupin. Dumbledore had asked that he look out for the young man while he's in New York, to show him the ropes but also to take care of himself. Only one meeting with Mr. Lupin had shown Magnus how much he really, truly, needed someone to take care of him.
So Magnus had begun a campaign. Slow and subtle at first, Magnus had set up the framework for a friendship. They went on little "dates" to bookstores and coffee shops in the sunny side of Brooklyn, went at Remus' pace and kept to Remus' interests. Which was easy, because Magnus enjoyed a slow pace, too, and loved books, secretly. They talked shop and Magnus brewed him wolfsbane every month. They worked together to improve Remus' skills, magical and social.
The High Warlock of Brooklyn keeps late hours and, at times, needs company to keep him going through a long and difficult brewing of a potion. The High Warlock of Brooklyn is also an insanely classy man, which is why he texts Remus at 2 AM with a simple: ]
U up?
While he enjoys having a drink (constantly in hand) and some fun and frivolity, spends several hours each night at his own club where he watches naturals and supernaturals dance, he also takes his job very seriously. Which is why he's taken such an interest in one Remus Lupin. Dumbledore had asked that he look out for the young man while he's in New York, to show him the ropes but also to take care of himself. Only one meeting with Mr. Lupin had shown Magnus how much he really, truly, needed someone to take care of him.
So Magnus had begun a campaign. Slow and subtle at first, Magnus had set up the framework for a friendship. They went on little "dates" to bookstores and coffee shops in the sunny side of Brooklyn, went at Remus' pace and kept to Remus' interests. Which was easy, because Magnus enjoyed a slow pace, too, and loved books, secretly. They talked shop and Magnus brewed him wolfsbane every month. They worked together to improve Remus' skills, magical and social.
The High Warlock of Brooklyn keeps late hours and, at times, needs company to keep him going through a long and difficult brewing of a potion. The High Warlock of Brooklyn is also an insanely classy man, which is why he texts Remus at 2 AM with a simple: ]
U up?
[Like many before him, Remus had come to New York for a change, and he'd certainly gotten it-- he'd been at a very low place in his life when he'd met Magnus, but slowly, the warlock had gotten him to open up. He hadn't expected to find a friend, a mentor... a lover... but somehow, he'd found all three. Or rather, Magnus had found him.
Remus has difficulty keeping a decent sleep schedule at the best of times, and with the full moon a little over a week away, it's not at all unusual for him to be up at 2 am. Which he is when he gets Magnus' text, huffing out a laugh at the brevity of it but unable to judge given that... well, he is, in fact, up.]
I am, as a matter of fact.
Remus has difficulty keeping a decent sleep schedule at the best of times, and with the full moon a little over a week away, it's not at all unusual for him to be up at 2 am. Which he is when he gets Magnus' text, huffing out a laugh at the brevity of it but unable to judge given that... well, he is, in fact, up.]
I am, as a matter of fact.
put down ur book and come here.
[ They usually spend time together at Magnus', if only because the warlock's loft is so much more spacious and well-appointed than Remus'. There was a better view, better furniture, better and more books and access to everything magical that they could possibly need. Plus, Magnus just liked being king in his own castle. In this instance though, they have to be where the potion is.
So in the instant after Remus' phone signals a message has come in, a swirling vortex of a portal appears in his living room, demanding Remus' entrance. You don't keep the High Warlock waiting after all. And floo powder is so dusty. ]
[ They usually spend time together at Magnus', if only because the warlock's loft is so much more spacious and well-appointed than Remus'. There was a better view, better furniture, better and more books and access to everything magical that they could possibly need. Plus, Magnus just liked being king in his own castle. In this instance though, they have to be where the potion is.
So in the instant after Remus' phone signals a message has come in, a swirling vortex of a portal appears in his living room, demanding Remus' entrance. You don't keep the High Warlock waiting after all. And floo powder is so dusty. ]
[Remus barely has time to read the message before the portal swirls into existence, prompting another laugh and an amused shake of his head.
Why is it always the pushy ones?
He'd already marked his place in the book he'd been reading in order to text, so he walked straight on through the portal into Magnus' living room. It was a much smoother way to travel than floo powder or even apparition, that was for certain.
It had taken Remus a while to really be comfortable in Magnus' place-- he's still convinced almost everything in there costs more money than he makes in a year-- but he doesn't begrudge the other wanting to spend more time together there than at Remus' tiny, book-cluttered flat.
It is two in the morning, and Remus had made a valiant attempt to sleep earlier in the evening, so he's still dressed for bed. It certainly says something about his level of comfort with Magnus that he came right over in flannel pajama pants and an oversized pullover.]
Someone's impatient. Difficult brew going?
Why is it always the pushy ones?
He'd already marked his place in the book he'd been reading in order to text, so he walked straight on through the portal into Magnus' living room. It was a much smoother way to travel than floo powder or even apparition, that was for certain.
It had taken Remus a while to really be comfortable in Magnus' place-- he's still convinced almost everything in there costs more money than he makes in a year-- but he doesn't begrudge the other wanting to spend more time together there than at Remus' tiny, book-cluttered flat.
It is two in the morning, and Remus had made a valiant attempt to sleep earlier in the evening, so he's still dressed for bed. It certainly says something about his level of comfort with Magnus that he came right over in flannel pajama pants and an oversized pullover.]
Someone's impatient. Difficult brew going?
[ Magnus, on the other hand, is still impeccably dressed, glittering and shining in leather pants and an open front silk shirt, drenched in jewelry. Like he's just come from a club. His club. And he had been there earlier this evening and just... never got around to changing.
Good thing, too, because he does so like to "impress" Remus with his shine. Rather, it's just hard to get the warlock out of his makeup and fashion, his armor against the world. Even when Remus stays the night, Magnus is up before him, perfecting his makeup and hair so the wizard never sees him out of place except when unconscious. ]
Just tedious.
[ Magnus sighs as he tosses aside a potions book he had been reading. It lands with a thud on the table and nearly falls off. But doesn't. ]
You're much more exciting.
Good thing, too, because he does so like to "impress" Remus with his shine. Rather, it's just hard to get the warlock out of his makeup and fashion, his armor against the world. Even when Remus stays the night, Magnus is up before him, perfecting his makeup and hair so the wizard never sees him out of place except when unconscious. ]
Just tedious.
[ Magnus sighs as he tosses aside a potions book he had been reading. It lands with a thud on the table and nearly falls off. But doesn't. ]
You're much more exciting.
[Truthfully, Remus treasures those moments, when he gets to see Magnus without all his glitz and carefully curated fashion. But he likes this too, the polished show of it, and how the warlock enjoys putting it on, even if it's just for Remus. He'll never understand why he'd be worth the effort, but he can't say he doesn't enjoy the results.
He's not terribly subtle about looking Magnus over, and he's not trying to be, never tiring of the fit of those tight leather pants on the man. His lips curl in warm amusement at the overdramatic tossing of the potions book.]
Glad to know I'm more exciting than watching a cauldron bubble for hours.
He's not terribly subtle about looking Magnus over, and he's not trying to be, never tiring of the fit of those tight leather pants on the man. His lips curl in warm amusement at the overdramatic tossing of the potions book.]
Glad to know I'm more exciting than watching a cauldron bubble for hours.
Mmm, you're much more exciting than that, even. More exciting than any one else.
[ Overstatement, maybe. Remus is not more exciting than, say, Lady Gaga, but at the same time, Magnus wouldn't necessarily choose the singer over the werewolf wizard. Remus has his charms and Magnus rather fancies them. A lot.
He steps forward to greet Remus properly with a little kiss on the lips, letting his hands move from his shoulders down his arms. His ringed fingers link with the other man's. ]
I know I've interrupted your reading. What would you like me to do to make up for it?
[ Overstatement, maybe. Remus is not more exciting than, say, Lady Gaga, but at the same time, Magnus wouldn't necessarily choose the singer over the werewolf wizard. Remus has his charms and Magnus rather fancies them. A lot.
He steps forward to greet Remus properly with a little kiss on the lips, letting his hands move from his shoulders down his arms. His ringed fingers link with the other man's. ]
I know I've interrupted your reading. What would you like me to do to make up for it?
[Remus shakes his head on a laugh, with only a small amount of self-deprecation.] If you say so.
[A pleased hum escapes him into the kiss, his expression warm and more than a little adoring.] Well, you're more exciting than the book I was reading. It was hardly an inconvenience. But I suppose if you insist on making it up to me, this is a good start.
[He squeezes Magnus' hands, looking him over again.] I feel rather under-dressed.
[A pleased hum escapes him into the kiss, his expression warm and more than a little adoring.] Well, you're more exciting than the book I was reading. It was hardly an inconvenience. But I suppose if you insist on making it up to me, this is a good start.
[He squeezes Magnus' hands, looking him over again.] I feel rather under-dressed.
I do.
[ Magnus has had experience with lovers who don't have the best self-esteem. Secretly, Magnus is one too, someone who plays at knowing what to do with compliments but deep down not believing them. Thinking they only extend so far.
So he's firm with his praise of Remus, but always stops short of embarrassing the man. Or, tries to. He doesn't mind a little bit of a fluster, but he's not about to goad Remus into more than that.
He smiles slyly as he leans in for another brief kiss. ]
Would you like me to strip for you, so we can be under-dressed together? All you need do is ask.
[ Magnus has had experience with lovers who don't have the best self-esteem. Secretly, Magnus is one too, someone who plays at knowing what to do with compliments but deep down not believing them. Thinking they only extend so far.
So he's firm with his praise of Remus, but always stops short of embarrassing the man. Or, tries to. He doesn't mind a little bit of a fluster, but he's not about to goad Remus into more than that.
He smiles slyly as he leans in for another brief kiss. ]
Would you like me to strip for you, so we can be under-dressed together? All you need do is ask.
[It's a question Remus actually has to think about-- of course he'll always enjoy seeing Magnus naked, but... sometimes, he wants something in particular. And when he feels that urge, that deep-seeded need, to give himself over entirely to the warlock... it can help set the mood, Magnus remaining clothed while Remus is stripped down, literally and figuratively.
His tongue wets his lower lip briefly, unconsciously. As the full moon gets closer, that urge to be completely overtaken tends to rise up more often.
The trouble is doing the asking. At least while he's still capable of overthinking everything. His face flushes but he doesn't look away, having developed a fragile sort of confidence in this.] I-- would like for you to do whatever you want. [It's a vague and purposefully loaded reply. Very forward for Remus, which he is equally embarrassed by and proud of himself for.]
His tongue wets his lower lip briefly, unconsciously. As the full moon gets closer, that urge to be completely overtaken tends to rise up more often.
The trouble is doing the asking. At least while he's still capable of overthinking everything. His face flushes but he doesn't look away, having developed a fragile sort of confidence in this.] I-- would like for you to do whatever you want. [It's a vague and purposefully loaded reply. Very forward for Remus, which he is equally embarrassed by and proud of himself for.]
[ There's a pause there before Remus' answer that Magnus pays sharp attention to. His eyes flicker briefly down to the young man's mouth when he licks his lips, and isn't that pretty, but he focuses on what's being said and not said.
His playful smirk remains in place, but there's a small tilt of his head to the side, as though he's considering, or listening for something that's very faint, very quiet.
He lets go of Remus' hands and steps into the space between them, bodies very nearly pressing together, and moves his hands to the young man's hips. ]
You want me in control, do you?
His playful smirk remains in place, but there's a small tilt of his head to the side, as though he's considering, or listening for something that's very faint, very quiet.
He lets go of Remus' hands and steps into the space between them, bodies very nearly pressing together, and moves his hands to the young man's hips. ]
You want me in control, do you?
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