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

[ 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. ]

[ He Ming makes a breathless noise of assent, a little uh-huh that pops out of him when his back hits the wall. He's not sure if Rune put a ward on the bathroom to keep the noises in when he locked other people out.

He presses a thumb to the corner of his mouth and looks down. ]

Rune. [ Pushing against the wall, he brings his hips forward, already moaning again as the skin at the inside of his leg reddens. It stays pink, visibly so, when Rune comes to the tip of his cock.

People may hear, but that pressure and the rush of it all reduces any other doubts to dust. He Ming's breathy sounds become louder when he's engulfed in the kind of wet heat that is uniquely intimate to sex, in his experience, and his first desperate words disintegrate to unintelligible gasping. ]

S-So good at this— [ He keens, thrusting forward. ] You're so good, Rune, I'm gonna come...

[ This is what he loves about him: the shamelessness and the exuberance.

Rune wants to hear just how much he likes it, how he enjoys the way he swallows him down and increases the suction back up to the tip until he's practically writhing with how good it feels, and it's been so long since they've had anything like this – the pleasure of one another, focus on something that isn't curses or witches or trying to survive – that Rune doesn't even bother to pace himself, urging He Ming to come until he tastes it. Then, he coaxes it out of him and breathes once his mouth is free, resting his forehead against his thigh for a moment to compose himself.

There's something he wants to say, but Rune remains quiet, turned on but not so much that it would hinder the rest of the evening spent mingling with the people just outside this door. He's certain the spell is going to wear thin soon anyhow, and as he stands, he's already helping He Ming adjust his clothes, crowded in close and soaking up the proximity.

He brushes his knuckles along the curve of his cheek. ] I want more of you later.

[ But he has to get through this social event first. ]

Don't say that. [ He Ming is still out of breath, as much as Rune is if not more. He reaches up to feel his hair with his fingers, holding him in close. ] I won't be able to keep my mind off of it while we're out there.

[ He lets his eyes unfocus and half-close, all the better to notice every soft touch from Rune's hands and the press of his whole body. The garter has to be straightened again, the skirts smoothed out. He doesn't even feel too uncomfortable back in his underwear. The rest of the situation, meanwhile, is oddly novel. He can catch a glimpse of the pointed eyeteeth in Rune's mouth when he speaks—never mind the clothes. There are so many new factors that He Ming can barely dredge up memories of that room from months ago.

Breathing out quietly, He Ming turns his head, seeking a brief kiss. His arms feel weak. He keeps them draped over Rune's shoulders, pausing with their noses just brushing. ]

But I always want more of you. I want more of you than those people did, when they tried to flirt with you out there.

[ It's sweet. This is sweet.

There's something about the way He Ming reaches for him that moves him just a little, drives that conviction deeper through him so there's no mistaking that he would do anything and everything to make him happy. To keep him safe. It's always a constant thought in the back of his mind, leaning to rest his forehead a bit more firmly against He Ming's as they embrace one another. They could have more of this if only he allowed himself to, which might not have been so difficult in that moment had they been somewhere else. The sound of music filters in, unbidden, and Rune presses a soft kiss to the corner of the He Ming's mouth. ]

I want you to think of me. [ As if it should be any other way since He Ming is all Rune can think about himself these days. ] I want you to need me until you can't stand it and ask me to take you home.

[ Another kiss, and Rune breaks the contact, reaching down to take his hand. ] So tell me more of what you want from me when you're done having fun. I know they're waiting for you. [ An exaggeration, surely, but He Ming would certainly be missed if he disappeared now since he does tend to fill up a room with his smile. ]

[ For a moment in a dirty bathroom, it feels romantic. He Ming has watched movies that don't feel half as rosy, even though movies have the advantage of suitable music and not thudding bass from the bar outside.

He draws in a breath that shakes when Rune speaks to him again. ]

Mm, yeah. [ Right, party. He Ming lifts Rune's hand with his own, interlacing their fingers as he starts walking towards the door. He doesn't quite stagger, but he leans heavily into his side, head dipping to rest on his shoulder. ] When we go back, I want you to put your whole body against mine. See you. Not in the bath.

[ He Ming opens the door for them. There's no one immediately outside, thankfully, so He Ming tugs Rune along towards the back part of the bar where his co-workers are. The closer they get, the more he slows down. He looks at Rune again. He can't not smile when he sees his face. They remain far away enough from the group that the music covers his low voice. ]

Do you want to fuck me in this dress when we get home?

[ He accepts the way they touch and the weight of He Ming leaning into him without so much as a second thought, glancing around at all of the guests even as he thinks about anything other than this party. Rune hadn't wanted to be here, but in doing so, there's a different sort of closeness that comes from it that he craves. He's able to watch He Ming in a way that he doesn't normally get to, and it's a chance at pretending nothing terrible had happened in the weeks before.

So, he follows his lead until they're slowing. The question itself doesn't draw any real physical reaction out of him, though he does lean so he can murmur in He Ming's ear. ]

I would fuck you in that dress right here if that's what you wanted.

[ Casual, quiet. He kisses at the lobe of his ear and lets the scrape of his glamoured teeth ghost his jaw until he can kiss his chin. Then his lips. It's brief, like he's giving He Ming a sendoff before he goes to join his coworkers—who seem to be staring just a little too hard. Then, Rune straightens up and gently smooths down some of He Ming's hair. ]

You're not working now. Do you want a drink? [ Or a dance? But he doesn't offer that quite yet. ]

[ Upon first spotting them, one of the other bartenders had called out. He Ming raises a hand in automatic greeting. As Rune leans into him, however, he breaks into a slightly distracted-sounding laugh and ducks his head. He lifts it again to kiss him back, humming against his lips and finally releasing him when he draws back. ]

Drink, please. [ His coworkers' attention is noticeable in his periphery. He Ming just smiles. He wonders if Rune's pointy teeth would make real marks on his neck. ] I'm gonna steal this dress and bring it home.

[ Finally peeling away from his side, He Ming trots off to his group of off-duty coworkers. They welcome him in and there's some good-natured ribbing about their respective costumes, as he'd expected. He Ming slots into a familiar rhythm of repartee. When Rune comes back, He Ming opens his arm to the side to pull him in. ]

You're back! This is Rune. Introduce yourselves and be nice.

[ That last warning is directed towards his coworkers, not Rune, and it mostly works. The only real question that gets asked is, ] So how did you two meet?

[ They separate, and he's back to wading through the people who've swarmed the bar, deciding on something bottled so it'll be easier to handle. Not only that, he realizes a little too late that he's going to have to socialize more and not make a scene, some attempt at being cordial when he'd exhausted most of that simply by walking into the place.

It's not the worst situation though, offering a polite nod of his head at all the introductions as he stands next to He Ming. He doesn't sense anything out of the ordinary about any of them either, which probably makes it easier to answer the question with more tact than he would have otherwise. Would it have been crude to say that He Ming had technically picked him up when he'd been "working"? ]

I run a tea shop not too far from here with my partner. We met there.

[ The look he gives He Ming apparently prompts a longer list of questions that Rune only shakes his head at, declining to answer and instead making a comment about the party to divert the conversation. It works well enough; at least for a few minutes.

It's long enough that Rune can lean in close to He Ming, tucking hair behind his ear as he half-murmurs into it. ]

Do you want to dance? [ It's what he wants, isn't it? Rune might also flash him a warmer smile with a bit of teeth—just in case he needs convincing. ]

[ Frankly, He Ming has no shame, even in front of his coworkers, and he'd readily describe being drawn to the shop and "falling" for Rune as soon as he saw him. Rune's briefer explanation comes out first, however, and he isn't so crass as to talk over it and reveal any more details. Instead he just sips his drink intermittently and keeps his arm around Rune.

The conversation has the odd (though not uncomfortable) tone of an already-formed group trying to welcome a new member. He Ming lets Rune find his own place on the edges of it, and he's not surprised when he suggests another diversion. ]

Do you want to dance? [ Well, it's evident enough that Rune doesn't want to stick around the others for much longer. He Ming gets to his feet so it looks like he's leading their exit strategy. ] Come on.

[ It's not a real dance floor like there might be in a club, just a space far enough from the bar that servers won't have to brave the fracas to reach the other tables. The music is some popular track that He Ming has probably heard a dozen times before in the past week. As he pulls Rune to a spot among the milling crowd, He Ming swings his hips into him a few times, just for the sake of making the dress move. His arm moves from Rune's shoulder to encircle his waist and touch where his shirt is tucked into his pants. ]

You do look like a real vampire. If your hair was a little longer, you could do the romance-novel thing.

[ With the music and the other people around them—normal people—He Ming finds it easier to tease, to be playful. He curls his arm until they're front to front, and begins to move Rune along with the melody, a slow series of steps that involves more shifting of their bodies against each other than dancing. ]

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