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I know, right?
[ It would probably be easier if Nate wasn't such a goddamn bleeding heart for him, an easy mark to no man except the one at his side, whose exploration is both titillating and clearly trying to earn a rise.
It works, to an extent. The heat swells in his skin like a flush and Nate is pressing a soft, open-mouthed kiss to Ian's pulse when those fingers curl into a ticklish spot and the sound he makes is undignified at best, startling in callused hands with a little jerk. ]
Hey- [ His palm settles at the back of Ian's neck, squeezing gently. ] Watch it.
[ It would probably be easier if Nate wasn't such a goddamn bleeding heart for him, an easy mark to no man except the one at his side, whose exploration is both titillating and clearly trying to earn a rise.
It works, to an extent. The heat swells in his skin like a flush and Nate is pressing a soft, open-mouthed kiss to Ian's pulse when those fingers curl into a ticklish spot and the sound he makes is undignified at best, startling in callused hands with a little jerk. ]
Hey- [ His palm settles at the back of Ian's neck, squeezing gently. ] Watch it.
( An excellent deduction, detective — he is, in fact, trying to earn a rise. When he gets one, the only thing hiding his smug, self-satisfied beaming is the fact that Nate's tucked up against his neck. )
Oh, I'm sorry, was that-
( Is he skirting right back to that little patch of success? You bet your ass. )
Was it- there, that I shouldn't, or- I just wanna make sure. So I know. For the future.
Oh, I'm sorry, was that-
( Is he skirting right back to that little patch of success? You bet your ass. )
Was it- there, that I shouldn't, or- I just wanna make sure. So I know. For the future.
[ All it takes is that arrogant edge in his voice, that knowing satisfaction and Nate is immediately, absurdly aware of the hands up his shirt in a way he wasn't aware of before. Ian doesn't always try to feel him up in the most obnoxious way possible, but when he does-
Nate jerks again, more violently, flinching away from the contact with another sound of discontent that actually pulls his face back from the tantalizing canvas that is Ian's throat. Interrupted mid-masterpiece his free hand grasps for one of Ian's wrists, holding it in place while he levels a look which would probably be more threatening if they weren't less than an inch apart.
Any closer and he could feel that smirk against his own mouth. ]
Ian. [ An unmistakable warning, though not without humor. ] You really wanna go there?
Nate jerks again, more violently, flinching away from the contact with another sound of discontent that actually pulls his face back from the tantalizing canvas that is Ian's throat. Interrupted mid-masterpiece his free hand grasps for one of Ian's wrists, holding it in place while he levels a look which would probably be more threatening if they weren't less than an inch apart.
Any closer and he could feel that smirk against his own mouth. ]
Ian. [ An unmistakable warning, though not without humor. ] You really wanna go there?
( It would be an outright lie to say Ian's not ridiculously into that warning tone, that clear threat written in his expression. Sometimes he does it just to get that. Most of the time it's for pure selfish delight, but sometimes he's angling to provoke exactly this.
His teeth sink into his lower lip in a manner most incorrigible, eyebrows hiked up, and — yeah, he clearly wants to go there. )
I'm not scared. I know something you don't know.
( Conspiratorially, the sound of a man with a Great Secret. )
His teeth sink into his lower lip in a manner most incorrigible, eyebrows hiked up, and — yeah, he clearly wants to go there. )
I'm not scared. I know something you don't know.
( Conspiratorially, the sound of a man with a Great Secret. )
Edited 2020-12-10 07:25 (UTC)
[ His hands have stopped moving, at least, and for that Nate is eternally grateful, but the expression on Ian's face gives him cause for concern. He's delighted, pinched with his teeth in his lip in anticipation, that look of sheer and unbridled glee that Nate loves fiercely for all the devastation it tends to wreak. Up to something, and not of a mind to hide it. ]
Oh?
[ The palm around Ian's wrist shifts, thumb rubbing against his pulse as if trying to determine his tell, his motives. A fruitless effort when he's as predictably unpredictable as they come. ]
What's that?
Oh?
[ The palm around Ian's wrist shifts, thumb rubbing against his pulse as if trying to determine his tell, his motives. A fruitless effort when he's as predictably unpredictable as they come. ]
What's that?
( Solemnly, and with great gravitas: )
I am not left handed.
( It's a classic, and really, shame on him for not seeing that coming. Has he made Nate sit through the Princess Bride yet? There's no way he's left that off of the old movies he shoves down Nate's throat sometimes.
Nate's got his left wrist, but his right flits in with the grace and dexterity of a hummingbird — if a hummingbird was ridiculously swol and worked with its hands all day.
Gentlemen, it's war. )
I am not left handed.
( It's a classic, and really, shame on him for not seeing that coming. Has he made Nate sit through the Princess Bride yet? There's no way he's left that off of the old movies he shoves down Nate's throat sometimes.
Nate's got his left wrist, but his right flits in with the grace and dexterity of a hummingbird — if a hummingbird was ridiculously swol and worked with its hands all day.
Gentlemen, it's war. )
Wh-
[ It's the last thing that leaves him before Ian's other hand darts into a ticklish, sensitive spot and Nate arches away from the contact as though his skin were burning.
Thank goodness they've already finished eating, because Nate's elbow slams into the coffee table and he hisses, grabbing for Ian's other wrist. He's never had an outright problem subduing Ian if necessary, though he's still a significant opponent, but another part of him wants to see how things play out of he lets him have this. ]
Don't make me- pin you to the damn floor-
[ It's the last thing that leaves him before Ian's other hand darts into a ticklish, sensitive spot and Nate arches away from the contact as though his skin were burning.
Thank goodness they've already finished eating, because Nate's elbow slams into the coffee table and he hisses, grabbing for Ian's other wrist. He's never had an outright problem subduing Ian if necessary, though he's still a significant opponent, but another part of him wants to see how things play out of he lets him have this. ]
Don't make me- pin you to the damn floor-
( Oooh, damn, that one sounded like it hurt. Nate earns exactly one second of faltering before it's abundantly clear he's fine, and then comes the onslaught. Catching wrist number two means he's yanking wrist number one away, twisting up onto a knee, trying to take the high ground. )
You don't got the moves.
( He declares confidently, despite knowing full well Nate definitely has the moves. He's got so many moves it was kind of stupid for him to think a coffee table was gonna incapacitate him when he makes a living surviving an area of two dozen people that want to murder him.
But.
Right now that part doesn't exist. )
Throw the white flag, man, I'll go easy on you.
You don't got the moves.
( He declares confidently, despite knowing full well Nate definitely has the moves. He's got so many moves it was kind of stupid for him to think a coffee table was gonna incapacitate him when he makes a living surviving an area of two dozen people that want to murder him.
But.
Right now that part doesn't exist. )
Throw the white flag, man, I'll go easy on you.
[ He absolutely has the requisite moves, it's just a matter of deciding whether or not he wants to employ them for something as low stakes as Ian wanting to demolish him with tickling. There are worse fates, and it's been a long day, and therefore Nate doesn't altogether mind the new pressure from above, making a show of fading strength in the onslaught. ]
You'll never...take me...alive...
[ He informs him dramatically, sagging weakly and doing an extremely poor job of hiding the afflicted sounds of agony. With a last, exaggerated groan Nate falls over, back on the floor, face contorted in a mask of pain.
Wearily, hoarsely: ]
I yield.
You'll never...take me...alive...
[ He informs him dramatically, sagging weakly and doing an extremely poor job of hiding the afflicted sounds of agony. With a last, exaggerated groan Nate falls over, back on the floor, face contorted in a mask of pain.
Wearily, hoarsely: ]
I yield.
so you're definitely familiar with what older brothers are like, then.
[ :') ]
[ :') ]
[After he wakes up in New Amsterdam, in the apartment he hasn't been in in days--or a lifetime?--it takes some time before he's able to really mentally process that happened and put it together in a way that makes sense. It was an... Event, sort of, like had happened in Hadriel, and like he'd heard about happening here with Zerzura. That's all it was.
It's also easy enough to put together why he's now awake here, and so it's with trepidation that he reaches out to contact Nate as one of the first things he does; he wants an answer, but at the same time he doesn't.]
Nate, when you get this, let me know.
[Whenever that might be, if ever.]
It's also easy enough to put together why he's now awake here, and so it's with trepidation that he reaches out to contact Nate as one of the first things he does; he wants an answer, but at the same time he doesn't.]
Nate, when you get this, let me know.
[Whenever that might be, if ever.]
( Nate hits the floor with such exaggerated ham it's a genuine struggle not to laugh. It's become a point of pride to not devolve into cackling whenever they do something like this -- and as well as he's managed to swallow it down in his throat and in his chest, he can't quite stifle the expression on his face.
Nate goes down, Ian goes partway down with him. His back hits the floor, and Ian hovers over him just above his chest, legs gone out long and slipped comfortably between Nate's during the dramatic descent. )
I accept your surrender.
( Announced gravely, before he lowers himself down a little farther on his forearms. Nate's shirt slipped up an inch or two at some point, and he dips in to press his lips against the skin there. )
When historians talk about this day, they'll say you fought bravely 'til the end.
Nate goes down, Ian goes partway down with him. His back hits the floor, and Ian hovers over him just above his chest, legs gone out long and slipped comfortably between Nate's during the dramatic descent. )
I accept your surrender.
( Announced gravely, before he lowers himself down a little farther on his forearms. Nate's shirt slipped up an inch or two at some point, and he dips in to press his lips against the skin there. )
When historians talk about this day, they'll say you fought bravely 'til the end.
i say this as someone who is a former criminal, but crime is going to happen no matter what. it's a constant, so cracking down on it just isn't logistically possible. that's not pessimism, it's realism.
having worked there for a little while now i think you're right: we need more eyes. they don't have a lot of sway right now, but they're looking to change that. the next opportunity they get is one they're going to take.
having worked there for a little while now i think you're right: we need more eyes. they don't have a lot of sway right now, but they're looking to change that. the next opportunity they get is one they're going to take.
You can be frustrated.
[ It's not Nate's place to tell anyone how they should or should not feel, because it doesn't matter what his take is on it. If someone is upset, they've got a reason to be. Whether or not he agrees with it doesn't actually hold weight. ]
With the Sam thing...it was just us for a long time. Then it was just me.
[ Nate starts to peel the plastic label off his beer bottle with an intent look on his face. ]
I didn't want him to be alone here. And I didn't want to renege on my offer to let you stay and share the rent. That was...selfish. With the extra job, it's- I didn't think it was important. But I also guess I just didn't- think. I saw an opportunity to get more information about the mercenaries, and I took it.
[ And that's the problem, is it? That it never occurred to him that there would be blowback, he just reacted to the consequences of a mistake he made, and it was easier not to tell the others when he wanted to put as much distance between them and the casino as he could. ]
I didn't think about you, or Sam, or anyone else. I just wanted to get somewhere and do something so I could get a break from the fucking ghosts.
[ It's not Nate's place to tell anyone how they should or should not feel, because it doesn't matter what his take is on it. If someone is upset, they've got a reason to be. Whether or not he agrees with it doesn't actually hold weight. ]
With the Sam thing...it was just us for a long time. Then it was just me.
[ Nate starts to peel the plastic label off his beer bottle with an intent look on his face. ]
I didn't want him to be alone here. And I didn't want to renege on my offer to let you stay and share the rent. That was...selfish. With the extra job, it's- I didn't think it was important. But I also guess I just didn't- think. I saw an opportunity to get more information about the mercenaries, and I took it.
[ And that's the problem, is it? That it never occurred to him that there would be blowback, he just reacted to the consequences of a mistake he made, and it was easier not to tell the others when he wanted to put as much distance between them and the casino as he could. ]
I didn't think about you, or Sam, or anyone else. I just wanted to get somewhere and do something so I could get a break from the fucking ghosts.
[ Nate shifts more comfortably beneath him, legs spreading to accommodate, unable to maintain the façade long enough before unmistakable fondness slips through. It's a stupid game but it serves to lighten the load and as Ian ducks his head to press his mouth to the space over Nate's sternum, he sighs. It's the little things he can come back to again and again that make the rest of what he does tolerable, because someone is waiting for him.
And tickling him, unfortunately.
Both hands immediately push into Ian's hair, without prompting or thinking, and Nate gets a waft of that cucumber melon scent they came out with last month. A slow grin stretches across his face. ]
There are worse ways to go.
And tickling him, unfortunately.
Both hands immediately push into Ian's hair, without prompting or thinking, and Nate gets a waft of that cucumber melon scent they came out with last month. A slow grin stretches across his face. ]
There are worse ways to go.
It's true.
( He says grimly into Nate's shirt, inching down to rest a little more weight on him. When his hands slip back under Nate's shirt, it's back to something peaceful and nice rather than an act of treason. He lifts his chin enough that it might dig in a little, just for a second. )
I know a teenager who got a grand piano dropped on them from a second story window.
( And then it's back to absently nudging along the seams and folds of Nate's shirt with the tip of his nose. )
( He says grimly into Nate's shirt, inching down to rest a little more weight on him. When his hands slip back under Nate's shirt, it's back to something peaceful and nice rather than an act of treason. He lifts his chin enough that it might dig in a little, just for a second. )
I know a teenager who got a grand piano dropped on them from a second story window.
( And then it's back to absently nudging along the seams and folds of Nate's shirt with the tip of his nose. )
Edited 2020-12-15 01:20 (UTC)
[ Nate chuckles, the sound low in the back of his throat as his chest shakes and warm hands start creeping up under his shirt again. The touch is deliberate this time, not tripping over itself to startle him, and the fingers in Ian's hair push dark curls out of his face. ]
Was that before or after the anvil with "ACME" written on it?
[ He inquires politely, relaxing into the floor and bracketing Ian's sides with his knees. The man isn't subtle - never has been, but that's just one of many things Nate loves about him - when he gets that sharp edge in his eyes, intent and soaked in mischief. ]
Or the case of dynamite?
Was that before or after the anvil with "ACME" written on it?
[ He inquires politely, relaxing into the floor and bracketing Ian's sides with his knees. The man isn't subtle - never has been, but that's just one of many things Nate loves about him - when he gets that sharp edge in his eyes, intent and soaked in mischief. ]
Or the case of dynamite?
That was a very serious, very traumatic incident.
( He reprimands sternly, looking up again and oh-so-sneakily rucking Nate's shirt up a few inches while he's got the opportunity.
With a thousand-yard stare and all the manufactured grief he's capable of: )
I'll never forget the sound of A-flat minor.
( He reprimands sternly, looking up again and oh-so-sneakily rucking Nate's shirt up a few inches while he's got the opportunity.
With a thousand-yard stare and all the manufactured grief he's capable of: )
I'll never forget the sound of A-flat minor.
[ He knows this game, the one of distraction, that soft, soothing voice compelling him with absolute absurdities until it's all he can dwell on and only then does Nate realize his fly is open. Ten goddamn years and he's as predictable as ever, but Nate knows the angle and feels the draft when his hips and stomach are exposed. ]
You know.
[ He says wryly, clenching and unclenching his fists for that brief pull on the hair in his hands. ]
This has got to be the most romantic conversation we've had to date.
You know.
[ He says wryly, clenching and unclenching his fists for that brief pull on the hair in his hands. ]
This has got to be the most romantic conversation we've had to date.
( That little tug on his hair starts up a spark, and it contributes to the wide grin that hovers over Nate's stomach. )
Uh-huh.
( He agrees easily, dipping down to absently, lazily kiss along the neat dips between muscle. )
Top three, no contest.
Uh-huh.
( He agrees easily, dipping down to absently, lazily kiss along the neat dips between muscle. )
Top three, no contest.
Edited 2020-12-15 03:37 (UTC)
[ You know a person as long as they've known each other, and you pick up tells and preferences as easy as breathing. Ian's beautiful head has always had just the perfect amount of hair to curl his hand in and get a good grip, and better still: he likes when Nate does exactly that.
Hard not to smirk at the ceiling, up until hot breath ghosts over his navel. ]
You're teasing.
Hard not to smirk at the ceiling, up until hot breath ghosts over his navel. ]
You're teasing.
I'm what?
( Just, the most scandalized, the most offended. How could you? How dare you? He would never, his honor as a scout is being tarnished by the very notion. )
That's an appalling accusation.
( To whit, he'll kindly abandon the waistband of Nate's jeans to swoop back up over him again. He hovers there on his forearms, not quite planking, an eyebrow arching up. )
I mean. I could be. If you asked nicely.
( Just, the most scandalized, the most offended. How could you? How dare you? He would never, his honor as a scout is being tarnished by the very notion. )
That's an appalling accusation.
( To whit, he'll kindly abandon the waistband of Nate's jeans to swoop back up over him again. He hovers there on his forearms, not quite planking, an eyebrow arching up. )
I mean. I could be. If you asked nicely.
[ Ah, there it is. That delightful petulance that borders on Ian throwing a bullshit tantrum with how offended he is, how perfectly devastating it is that Nate would ever say such things.
For these reasons Nate looks slightly smug beneath him, making a show of stretching comfortably and eyeing him with a soft, half-lidded gaze. His traitorous fingers smooth over Ian's sides, resting there as Nate's attention flickers briefly to his mouth and back again. ]
Tease, if you please.
For these reasons Nate looks slightly smug beneath him, making a show of stretching comfortably and eyeing him with a soft, half-lidded gaze. His traitorous fingers smooth over Ian's sides, resting there as Nate's attention flickers briefly to his mouth and back again. ]
Tease, if you please.
( There's a huff, part laughter and part indignation, but... you know what, you can only posture for so long before you just admit what you're after. He does please, as demonstrated by the forward shift and downward swoop to gently catch Nate's lips. Light, barely there, soft as hell.
Probably totally counts as a tease.
He doesn't linger there long; instead, he makes a gentle path toward his jaw, then up toward ear.
Finesse. )
Probably totally counts as a tease.
He doesn't linger there long; instead, he makes a gentle path toward his jaw, then up toward ear.
Finesse. )
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