drear | tell me who you are, i can be the gentle boy

[ It's later than usual when he's able to respond to the text, having stayed up through the early hours of the morning after working in the basement all night. Fine-tuning his magic is taking longer than he would have liked, so it's just easier to indulge He Ming with the things he wants to do rather than obsess too much over everything else. Which is why Rune is squinting at his phone minutes after waking up and trying to decipher the words on the screen before slowly typing out a reply to the first message. ]

Should I bring anything?

[ Is that a weird question to ask?

It's not as if he doesn't go out ever, but parties are something else. Parties with someone he's involved with are even more different than that, and Rune's sitting on the edge of his bed when he finally receives that picture and — it's really a shame he can't see more of his legs because of the angle and the apron. ]

I really don't think that's appropriate to work in.
But it looks good on you.

[ At work, even though it's early hours, He Ming doesn't have the time to reply right away. By that time Rune's comment has been proven true—he's sure that he's getting both more looks and more messy than usual. He's not used to having clothes that get caught on furniture. ]

Bring yourself! And some candy if you want to be the most popular person there.
Come see it in person... you can see if I'm wearing it appropriately or not.₍₍ (ง •౪•᷄)ว ⁾⁾

[ Does he want to be popular? Rune's never cared about that before, so he doesn't see why he should start now. Currently, he's in A Mood, but that will ease by the time he makes it to He Ming's to dress and show up at his place of work. Which means things must be very serious if they're doing things together in a public place where someone will recognize at least one of them. ]

I only want to know if you're wearing anything underneath it.

[ But only because he won't be happy if anyone tries to get particularly handsy with him. ]

Haha, I wore boxers today!

[ Which hardly match the dress or the garterbelt, but he hadn't exactly had any reason to guess this ahead of time and choose his underwear accordingly. ]

Don't worry. No one's seeing anything except for you.
If you want.

[ Rune isn't entirely sure he believes that considering, but he's trying to be optimistic as he rejoins a world he'd rather not function in so quickly. The thought of seeing He Ming motivates him, which also prompts him to arrive early just so he can a little longer than usual. ]

I really think that decision is up to you.
I'll be there to rescue you at midnight.

[ But probably before, and hopefully, He Ming doesn't mind any of the affection Rune gives him where everyone else can see either. ]

I'll try not to lose a shoe! (∩❛ڡ❛∩)

[ Midnight doesn't come soon enough. It's not busy enough for He Ming to be fully occupied, so he hangs around behind the bar chatting with people.

Something about having his legs exposed, however, is extremely distracting. He's not used to having so much of his thighs visible. Fortunately no one has said anything, but as soon as he steps out to meet Rune near the door, he feels eyes on him.

Well... he doesn't mind that. He Ming slings an arm around Rune and gives him a short squeeze. ]

You're here early! Want a drink?

[ Rune's eyes are on him just as quickly, realizing then that the picture he'd sent hadn't done the outfit much justice. He does make an effort not to stare though, instead focusing on the weight of that arm around him as He Ming gives a partial embrace. It's not enough to really please him or deviate from the fact that there are more people than not glancing in their direction, but Rune ignores that too.

At first, he only shakes his head in response, but... hadn't he decided to come in an attempt to have fun? For this to be some normal thing that other normal couples did together? ]

What do you suggest?

[ The words are quiet, reaching out to smooth his fingers through He Ming's hair. His own costume doesn't feel like much of one, but maybe He Ming will appreciate the glamour he'd used to help his teeth sort of look the part if and when he does decide to smile ]

[ There's plenty of space up at the bar. He Ming takes Rune over to one of the stools at the end, near the employee gate that he lifts and ducks under to get behind the bar. ]

Well! [ It's his domain, back here, and though he doesn't have magic he can mix up something good. He Ming starts reaching for a few syrups, lining them up on the mat. ] We've got lots of good stuff on tap, some local brews in cans. But I can mix you something. What flavors do you like? Something bitter, citrus-y? Sweet?

[ He leans forward on the bar, propping his chin up on his hand too close to Rune's face to be proper. ]

But we don't serve blood here. Sorry.

[ It feels remarkably mundane, allowing He Ming to seat him and then return to his station behind the bar to serve him, but there's also something nice about it. Rune doesn't have to think about what dangers there could be or how to best protect them both from it, and so, when he makes the comment about not serving blood, he's almost confused. Yet, it only takes a moment to realize it's like a game, and rather than shy away from it, he leans forward so that their noses brush before even bothering to answer. ]

I suppose I'll have to drink whatever you make me until I get what I really want. [ Settling back, almost uninterested, Rune purposely lets his gaze drop to what he can see of He Ming's throat. There might even be a flash of glamoured fang, but that's if He Ming doesn't blink too fast. ] Sweet but a little spicy. Or you could just surprise me.

[ A pause, and Rune still watches him intently, the only person he sees in the room. ]

What would you have?

[ Rune's voice sounds no different than before, but He Ming's eyes travel to his mouth and stay there when he sits back. ]

I'll start sweet. [ He finally looks away. Measuring the ingredients into the shaker, he wonders at what he thought he'd seen. Those certainly aren't the fake fangs he left. And of course, he'd been joking about the blood, but way Rune had looked at him seemed... hungry.

He Ming likes it. He turns to get something from the shelves behind the bar and doesn't bother holding down the back of the dress as he goes up on his toes and leans to fetch a rarely-used bottle of wormwood liquor for the drink before answering the question. ]

I like drinks that are a little weird. [ In goes the last ingredient and then alcohol. He Ming pours generously. As he picks it up to mix, ] You'll have to try and guess my secret ingredient!

[ The mixed drink is an intense and herbal one, sweetly citrus at the front, ending with the bitterness of wormwood, fragranced by the curl of grapefruit peel He Ming carefully positions on the rim. He slides it to Rune—decidedly neglecting his duties at this point—and gives him a bright smile. ]

[ It's probably something he shouldn't have done since it might have been insulting had a real vampire walked in to join the party, but Rune's only thought of that now, watching He Ming work and admiring the stretch of his back and legs when he turns to reach for something. There's no point being subtle about it, not when he's certain everyone in this place knows they're together—at least in some capacity.

And when he takes the drink, all Rune does is look at it for the longest moment. He doesn't indulge in these things much, if at all unless it's involved in some ritual, so his tastes aren't exactly refined. There's no point guessing what might have also gone into this since he doesn't know; if Ciro had been there, he would have been able to define every single ingredient with the slightest taste. ]

I'm not really good at that. [ Plus, he doesn't find it very fun either. Still, he takes a drink and savors it. ] I'd much rather have you tell me all your secrets.

[ There's another purposeful pause, taking another drink and leaning towards He Ming. Now, there's no denying the sharp curve of his fangs. ] But somewhere private.

But try it anyway!

[ He goes through all the steps of cleaning and putting away the equipment he'd just used. It's an almost automatic process, and while he's clearing the bar he inclines his head at Rune and hums, thoughtful. ]

All my secrets? [ Putting the last pieces away, He Ming frees his hands to support himself on the bar as he leans forward even further. His eyes drop to the odd, sharp points of his teeth. Are they real? What would they feel like, on his skin? Inhaling slowly, He Ming tugs at the low cut-out neck of his dress. ]

I think that'll have to wait until I'm done with work.

[ He stands back up. As much as he wants to wrap himself around Rune, kiss him in front of everyone, or go "somewhere private", there are other customers to attend to. Besides, patience is a virtue. Right? He Ming reaches across to touch the back of his hand briefly. ]

I'll be right back.

[ Rune watches him as he moves, enjoying the drink without much thought as to what he'd actually put into it. That alone should tell He Ming how Rune feels about him, but it's not quite the same as saying it aloud. It's something he thinks about, gazing dropping to the exposed curve of He Ming's throat for just a moment too long.

He can almost feel what he's thinking. ]

I'll hold you to that.

[ There's another flash of fang, purposeful, and when He Ming wanders off to work, Rune turns from the bar to observe some of the other patrons. The costumes he sees vary in degree of creativity and provocativeness, but he's not particularly impressed. It's not a place he would frequent on his own, and so, he loses interest particularly fast, downing the rest of his drink and searching for He Ming in the people who've gathered at the bar to drink.

Rune's so attentive to undressing He Ming with his eyes that he pays little mind to whoever decides to step up and hit on him. ]

[ Some premature revelers arrive in costume, competing with or matching their companions and the bar staff themselves. He Ming steps out from behind the bar a few times to cover duties when he has to. He smiles at guests. He flirts, a little, because that's practically the spirit of Halloween!—aside from the spooky stuff—and laughs good-naturedly when people flirt back.

People look towards Rune as well. He Ming thinks, of course they do, because Rune looks sleek and sophisticated and edged with danger. The fake teeth (real teeth?) are hot.

It's unfortunate for them that Rune isn't reciprocating at all. He Ming sees out of the corner of his eye someone try to whisper into his ear and get completely ignored. A second entrant is more forward. He Ming thinks that they're offering to buy a drink, but he looks away from them to meet Rune's gaze when it flicks up from the hemline of his skirt to his face.

Eyes up here, he mouths. He makes sure to turn around with extra speed so the dress flares out and up as he trots away to fetch more limes. After fulfilling another few orders, he returns to Rune, this time on the customer's side of the bar. ]

Hell-ooooo. [ Leaning forward, he sets his hand on the tiniest sliver of space next to Rune's thigh on the barstool for support. ] I'm almost done. Party starts in ten.

[ He doesn't care for this part of the evening, but Rune does try to be as amicable about it as possible. Somewhat.

The first comment is completely ignored, the offer for a drink brushed off because he's not really interested in that. When He Ming flutters away to work, a third approaches him and asks him something about a dance – would there be music? that's how these kinds of things work, he assumes – but Rune doesn't answer since he can practically feel He Ming gravitating towards him. Rune turns and completely forgets about anything else, sitting still in his seat so he can't instigate something that might be considered inappropriate. ]

How long are you wanting to stay once it starts?

[ He's in no rush, really. It's just a casual question followed up by a casual lean towards him, smoothing some of his hair down and tucking it around the curve of his ear. Then, Rune presses into his personal space to murmur into the line of his jaw, ] I still want to know all your secrets.

[ Which is punctuated by the gentlest touch of lips to his skin. Rune smiles at him after that, purposely keeping his fangs from showing this time. ]

[ There really wasn't any space on the seat for He Ming's hand. He bends his thumb, feeling the warm solid muscle of his leg. Rune's voice slips out of his mouth and down He Ming's back; he shivers slightly at the words coming so close to his ear. ]

An hour or two, maybe. [ He peeks over Rune's shoulder and grins at the person who'd just approached. Turning so his own mouth can't be seen, he whispers, ] Can you hide us in the bathroom?

[ Whatever that means to Rune. He Ming thinks they can squeeze in some fun before he's missed from the festivities. ]

[ It means something, but Rune isn't so sure he wants to share any part of He Ming with the people here. They've already gotten to look at him enough. Still, he presses just the slightest bit into the pressure of He Ming's hand as he eases forward to slip off the stool, and now that he's standing, he's practically flush against him.

Hiding them would be easy. It'd only be a matter of how much if he was going to use his magic that way. ]

You should go in with me and find out.

[ A light nudge, and he moves around He Ming without another word, not bothering to glance back at him to see if he follows as he heads straight for the bathroom to check that it's clear. ]

[ That's what he was hinting at... Rune should wait for him! He Ming stands up straight after the nudge. Within the second he realizes that he should probably wait a little bit before following. His coworkers will probably rib him later, regardless, but some discretion is good for the sake of the customers.

He cleans equipment for about a minute before hurrying back.

A peek down low proves there are only two other feet in the bathroom, belonging to one Rune. ]

Hi. [ He can't help how quickly he wraps his arms around his waist and beams. ] Mr. Vampire.

[ His reasoning about the world hasn't yet expanded to include vampires as well as witches, and he's only teasing as he nuzzles up to the underside of his jaw. ]

You can touch now.

[ Moments before He Ming enters the door, Rune casts a spell over the small space. It's mostly to lock the sound in place and something to negate people from wanting to enter until they've left; it's nothing so elaborate as the spell he'd used when they'd been in the park but only because this is where He Ming works and Rune doesn't want to cause him any problems. So, he sticks to simplicity, crowding He Ming back against the stall as he curls an arm around him.

This is what he's wanted all night, jokes and teasing aside. ]

And how long am I allowed to do that?

[ The words are light, but there's a firmness to them that he punctuates by ghosting is lips over He Ming's jaw and towards his ear. He lets him feel the scrape of his teeth along the curve of his neck, making it a point to use his fangs. That they even have time like this and that He Ming feels comfortable enough for it is something Rune doesn't take lightly, though he can't help returning what He Ming has given him. ]

[ He Ming responds with a hum of consideration, lifting his chin to give Rune more space under his jaw. His teeth do feel especially sharp today. He thought glamours weren't physical, but he's happy to be corrected. ]

They'll miss me at the party soon enough. [ There are a few minutes before it's supposed to begin, though there will be time after that before anyone starts looking for him. As much of a typical bar bathroom as this is, he keeps his arms around Rune, letting himself be pressed against the stall without complaint. ]

But... I think we have a while. [ He extends his leg to hook around the back of Rune's knee. With one hand he reaches down and lifts up the hem of his skirt. Underneath, as he'd mentioned, he's wearing plain boxers. They're entirely incongruous with the frilled petticoat and thigh garter. Snorting a laugh, He Ming tugs on them and gives Rune a gentle nudge with his leg. ] What do you think, should I get rid of these before we go back out there?

[ He knows what he's doing, and Rune isn't sure he should give into it just yet. How long could he draw it out? Would it even be the same as He Ming working as he'd watched him move around in this very skirt that seems to offend him somehow? Rune considers it and promptly decides he doesn't actually care. ]

So they can wonder if you're wearing something underneath all this? [ A pause, and Rune lets his hand slide down to curl into the waistband of those boxers. ] Or so that I spend the next hour knowing the truth?

[ Apparently, that's how long Rune's socializing is going to last. Until then, he takes advantage of the position and leans into the warmth of He Ming's body, ignoring the placement of his arm so he can nudge his face up and kiss him. The press of his mouth is firm, letting the scrape of a fang drag along his bottom lip to entice him to ask for more. ]

Well, they're already wondering. [ He doesn't need magic or clairvoyance to feel eyes on him, and he doesn't have the modesty to feel any shame about it. It's fun. It makes him feel good.

Rune's fingers are hot against his lower stomach. He Ming pushes up against his firm presence, kissing him back. The catch of one of his pointed teeth makes his mouth go slack with a moan. ]

It's about you. I want you to know. [ He returns to the kiss, intent on showing Rune that despite all his teasing and messing around, Rune is the center of his attentions. A soft noise of need slips from him as he shifts his hips, trying to get Rune's fingers to pull his underwear down. ] I want us to share a secret.

[ He Ming is warm against him, and suddenly, he's almost frustrated that there isn't a decent place to really have his way with him. The only real steady surface is the sink, but that seems like such an arduous task considering what's happening right now.

Rune welcomes the kiss with a little more tongue, eventually giving in to what He Ming wants and tugging those boxers down enough to free his cock. He doesn't touch him though, pressing his fingers into his hip as he breaks contact to trail his mouth along his jaw to his ear. This is a dangerous line to walk with so many people outside a door that he's barred with magic, but he's still determined to tease He Ming until he begs him for exactly what he wants. ]

We have plenty of secrets together. You know mine, and I know yours. [ Mostly. Semantics aside, Rune doesn't have many that he doesn't just state or put on display. ] But you're right. I want this one to only belong to me. The same way you do.

[ He murmurs that last part, leaning into He Ming as he kisses his neck, and slowly, Rune's hand presses between them to touch him, the edge of his thumb the only real pressure he applies. ]

[ The way Rune talks to him makes He Ming feel like the most important person in the room, or at least the cutest. The words are so intimate and so close to him, warm and liquid, pooling at the base of his spine.

But even with that heat, He Ming shivers violently as he's exposed to the air. ]

Mm, I— [ His hips jolt. The motion causes Rune's fingernail to press in, but that too only makes him harder. Arching away from the sticky plastic of the stall, He Ming clutches at his back, nails catching on the fabric of his shirt. He has to close his eyes. ] I do.

[ When he manages to catch a breath, he turns his head to chase Rune's lips again, just so he can speak against them, fervent with want. ]

You're the only one I let touch. Rune, don't tease me for too long. I want to get off. I want you to get me off before we go out there so I feel it in my legs. [ Despite the limited point of contact, he tries to thrust into Rune's hand, not very much caring if it looks needy. His skirts swish with the motion. ] Please.

[ It's good to feel this again, after everything they've been through. The intimacy, the closeness. Rune doesn't really have a driving need for things like this, but it's something that had connected them first when they'd met.

So, regardless of place or what might come after, Rune wants to give He Ming everything he asks for. Whatever that might be. ]

I know. [ It's meant to be reassuring, turning back to kiss him again until neither of them can really breathe. ] Let me hear you.

[ And rather than shove him back into the stall, Rune presses him into the corner between the wall and the sink before sliding to his knees. Directing He Ming requires taking his hands off of him, but it only lasts as long as it takes him to grip his skirt and hold it out of the way. Then, with better access, Rune jerks him off as he presses his mouth to a thigh. He licks his way to the sensitive skin of his inner thigh, letting his teeth scrape there to tease just in case He Ming's forgotten about the glamour of his fangs, and as he rubs his lips over the length of him, he's looking up to watch He Ming's face when he finally takes him in and sucks. ]

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