#RichardNTrevor

[semiramis-audron]

There’s British things in British Columbia

It was half past six when the medics finally packed up their equipment and the police had finished their report, made all the photos for the property damage charges and the insurance and allowed him to finally close up the place. 

It hadn't been that big of a deal. He wouldn't press charges for the door or the glass. But there had been humans involved and hurt, so there was no way around calling an ambulance and the police. Doing things the human way was so… involved.

So he had to wait for them to arrive, while the bouncers held the demon who had been the reason for the fight. Really the human started it but…  ah well, no use crying over spilled glass and blood. The human got fixed up and was on his save way home. As was the lady, who thankfully suffered no harm and as far as he knew also the demon. A friend picked him up and made sure of it... as he was assured…

Trevor locked the door to the pub and began putting up the chairs while the dust and wood and glass on the floor moved itself into a heap and then hovered towards the bin. He mopped the blood off the floor and sighed at his shirt, and his watch. They were cleaned a finger snap later, but the glass of the watch had cracked, the mechanism had stopped. He could fix that later, or get a new one. Maybe Richard would like to help him pick one.

He reached for the bandage tape at his ear. The area was throbbing with pain. Even more so when he realised too late that hair was stuck to the tape.  A sharp breath of air through his teeth and he pulled it off all the way. The gauze pad came off dark red, the bleeding had stopped by now. He removed the hair gel before his fingertips felt for the stitched gash. The wound closed swiftly, there would be no traces left in a day or two. The pain subsided a little, nothing to bother a healer about.

He looked around the pub. All done.

Fixing the door would need to wait a bit to not seem suspicious. Then again, no one was going to even attempt a break in to begin with, so he wouldn’t lose sleep over that detail.

How late was it anyway? He checked his phone. Almost 7… And there were several messages. Huh. 

All of them from Richard. Did he get wind of what had happened?  No, the messages were from earlier in the night… day… Right he was in… Vancouver…  they were 8 hours behind London.

Apparently he could see all the skyscrapers of the city from the meeting room. 

Trevor imagined it was a great view, if one wasn't afraid of heights. There was supposed to be a meeting and the other party was late? So Richard was busying himself. 

They had a bowl of maple candy with the city flag of Vancouver pressed on at the reception desk, but it was for kids visiting the tower for the lookout platform. So he wasn’t supposed to get one, sadly.  But he had charmed the lady and got a sealed bag full.

He did have a childlike wonder to him sometimes, Trevor admitted.

Earlier in the day he had also been to the Capilano Suspension Bridge in the nearby forest, in also terrifying heights.

✉ You can walk through the treetops! It's all safe and up to code ;) They are very strict about their regulations. And so many trees! You would love it! ✉

Trevor couldn't help a sensible chuckle escaping. He did imply that he enjoyed it whenever Richard sent him updates and fascinating things that he encountered on his travels. The photo on the bridge was breathtaking. It was kind of Richard to take his time to make it. And yes, he would probably love it there. If he had been aware of the messages earlier, he would have asked him for more pictures. Accursed timezones…

The other party of the meeting had been a no show according to a later message, so he got a selfie of Richard in front of the McDonald's on Main Street with it's architecturally intriguing angular glass roof. He was holding a box of nuggets. The message implied he was craving nuggets, and an evil  >;P smiley. Outrageous! 

He was staying in Canada for another day since the meeting was now planned for the next afternoon and Jeff had made it clear that the partner had in their previous, very lucrative deals, always been reliable. So should be given some leniency especially in this important case. 

Richard informed Trevor, that he was reminded of him, when he learned about the British Properties a good 700m air line from the bridge, where only people with an actual British passport used to be allowed to live. They excluded non-white and Jewish people in olden times, but were less racist now. At least something?

After that Trevor was treated to some facts about Richard’s hotel. 

His balcony had wooden covered flooring that smelled like freshly cut pine trees. They must use a special varnish. He was going to try and find out about that tomorrow.

And the Lookout of the Vancouver Harbour Center was clearly visible. Not as high up as the meeting room, but equally beautiful.

According to the bartender at that Hotel bar, it was regularly used as a set for movie shoots, because Vancouver was considered the “North Hollywood” with how important it is to the film industry. 

To Richard’s delight, they also served sushi. It was from the same bartender, that Richard apparently learned that the so-called California Roll wasn’t invented in California! It was invented in Vancouver, by a Japanese Chef, owning a restaurant nearby. 

Trevor yawned slightly in the dark, wondering whether he should be concerned about Richard finding a more interesting bartender than him. He took off his shoes and made it to the kitchen, pointing a finger and a snap at the stove, heating some water for tea to settle down while scrolling through the messages.

He was further informed him that Richard could see the hills of Stanley Park from his Hotel room, and that all of the grey squirrels found in Stanley Park, which is by the way 10% bigger than Central Park, are descendants of eight pairs of grey squirrels that Vancouver received as a gift from New York City in 1909. 

And that the Beaver Lake in the park, was ironically beaverless until just 2008.

Also, that he was again reminded of London and Trevor, because right next to the Hotel was an apartment building called London Place and because Vancouver, due to its geographical and vegetational zone, had one of the mildest climates in Canada, but more rain. So kinda like London. But more trees.

✉ So if you want me to check out any trails or trees for you tomorrow, drop me a message. <3 ✉

Right, Vancouver was basically in a rain forest. 

The latest message was only a few minutes old. The light of the phone was casting eerie shadows on Trevor’s face, reflecting the message in his eyes. The dim coloured glow of the Streets of SOHO, shining through the window like moonlight through the stained glass of a church. 

He hadn’t bothered about the brightness, but slowly the glare of the screen was beginning to irritate his tired eyes. He put the phone in his pocket and leaned against the counter, waiting for the water to boil, stifling another yawn, closing his eyes.

After this long night in the bustling pub, the quiet of his empty flat was a stark contrast.  At first there was just the background hum of silence in his ears, then slowly the natural noises in it grew louder. The muffled sounds of the awakening streets outside became more clear and the soft pearly bubbling of the water. Finally he could hear himself breathe in the quiet of the morning, opening his eyes again, now more used to the dark. 

He was looking at his clean and neat kitchen table, the polished counters and precisely closing drawers. Everything had its place in the greyish darkness. There was pristine and almost sterile order, even more so in the monochrome colours of the night. 

And towards his living room, a bit more homely, that lay also vacant in the dull grey. The fireplace was empty, wood neatly stacked, the tv pitch black. Books and magazines shelved proper and no spine out of line. Unless SOMEONE took one out to leaf through it and didn't put them back properly. Or put them on the coffee table instead. Or just dropped his stuff there, even though he had a nightstand just for his stuff...

The coffee table was unburdened though. The flat was quiet, his solitude undisturbed, his privacy uninvaded and isolated from the life of human beings. He checked his watch, sighed at the shattered glass, then took out his phone again. The little circle next to Richard’s name was still green. 

The tea kettle whistled and the water stopped boiling as the soft magical aura disappeared around it.

~~~~~~~~~~  🍁  ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Richard was leaning on his balcony, shirt half unbuttoned. Zooming in on some of the more extravagant buildings to get a better look. There had been some changes made in recent years by starchitects, or those that were paid as much at least. And there were still suggestions in the air, as far as he was keeping track of the business. Maybe an opportunity or two might arise from this prolonged stay yet.

“Mind if I join you?” the voice was husky and a bit tired, but very familiar and unexpected. He whirled around.  “Trevor!? Of course! Sure! Hi! I mean, yes, I’d be happy.” He welcomed him with open arms, then realising the gesture might be a bit much, dropped the arms a bit and smiled. The barkeeper was still standing in the door to the balcony, one hand clutching the frame. Also barefoot, as Richard noted.

“The view is even more impressive than you described…” Trevor pointed out, not making eye contact, with either Richard, or the view. “Ah, you noticed the high quality wooden panelling of the balcony too.” this was bad. Trevor was clearly stuck and apparently too proud to admit it.  “I- didn’t send you any pictures of the bathroom, would you like to see it? The tub is huge and it’s spotless. Great for relaxing.”  Richard watched as one naked foot touched the wooden boards and the knuckles on the already pale hand at the frame stood out white. The helplessness would be adorable if it wasn't born out of stubbornness. 

Their eyes met. “It’s fine…” Trevor said, taking a deep breath. “I’ll look at it later…” And the brown eyes motioned towards their left hand. Which was reaching out for him. For Richard, to take it, silently pleading for help.

He put his fingers around Trevor’s wrist and felt him return the gesture. It was a safe grip, reliable.  He slowly led the acrophobic man onto the balcony and offered him a chair. Into which Trevor slumped with an apologetic smile. “It’s really… high up… But it IS beautiful.”  Richard sat down on the other chair, the little wrought iron table between them. Staring at the man who was now staring at the view with the colour returning to his face.  "Thank you for dropping by, that's a welcome change." also a bit of an awkward one. Just sitting there, all settled into the chair now. Hard to make physical contact like that. Why did he show up all of a sudden. Why was he there in the first place? He never teleported to him before. Should he ask? Should he offer him a drink? A snack? A tour of the hotel? Of the city? He was going to ask!  “Canada is bloody cold! Do you want tea?” Trevor huffed, rubbing his arms and looked at Richard who had been a bit lost in thought staring at the more calmly breathing man. He nodded with a soft “Uh… uh huh.” and a snap later there were steaming cups on the table. They smelled warm, and a bit of spices that made Richard think of winter. The milk still spreading in amber clouds through the liquid. The brew was sweet, and with a dash of something foreign, that didn’t taste like a bitter British cuppa. Trevor shuddered, rubbing his now socked feet together. “And you said Vancouver was mild! That’s better, do you need more sugar?”  Richard shook his head, watching the goosebumps on Trevor’s forearms go down.

“Well, it’s not exactly Summer. You never teleported to me before?” He really wanted to say something and Trevor took his sweet time to answer, this was a bit nerve wracking. The night air hummed with the murmur of the city beneath them and the wind rushing around the skyscrapers like a serpentine river. Trevor kept sipping his tea. His breath afterwards was visible in the air.  “You made it sound like an interesting city to visit.” was the blasé response after a minute or two. "But it's a bit late for sightseeing now, isn't it?" Richard leaned partially over the table, trying to make sense of this sudden behaviour change.  “The sights I’m seeing are good for now.” Trevor looked away and back out over the balcony, clearly uncomfortable. He took another sip of the tea. 

Richard slumped back in his chair, picking his own tea up. They fell silent again. Watching the change of colours in the street and the clouds above. Richard was sure the tea was different than what Trevor was usually drinking. He enjoyed the thought of sharing in something special. Bitter at first, then sweet and with a hint of something exciting. Trevor tea.  He watched the angel’s eyes observe the sky and the blinking lights below them. One might even say, he looked relaxed now. How peculiar. What was going on?

The deep voice sent a shiver down Richard’s spine as Trevor cleared his throat. “It’s unusual for you to be so quiet. Are you okay, Richard?” The verbal equivalent of having his chair pulled out from under him.  "It's unusual for YOU to come to me! I didn't think Vancouver of all places would do that." he searched the man's face for a real reason.  "Well, …" Trevor sighed. "...my watch broke and I thought you could help."  A smile popped on Richard's face.  "Oh it's probably the battery, I'll charge it. For you, free of charge." a small wink as he took Trevor's wrist again. "The… glass is broken." his smile faltered a little when he saw the raised eyebrow. "And it's an automated watch, yes, no battery." that explained why he couldn't find one! His own always remained charged through himself. "No problem! I get tons of fancy watches from business deals, there's bound to be an automatic one among those."  He flinched when Trevor pulled his hand back, rubbing the wrist around the strap a little. He hadn't actually held him that tight? Maybe a small shock when he had tried to charge a non existent battery? 

"I was actually thinking about getting a new one from a watchmaker… or jeweller." Trevor didn't make eye contact, his face a strange expression that Richard couldn't decipher. "I was hoping, with your impeccable style, you knew a good one and… would help me pick one you think will suit me…" still no eye contact, but his face had become more rosey and, yep, the goosebumps were back. 

"I just wear them as I get them? But sure we can have a look tomorrow?"  Trevor sighed, and emptied his cup. Wrong answer apparently.  "It's a bit out of nowhere, I'm sorry."  Richard waved his hands. "No, I understand, keeping your schedule is important to you and you need your watch for that. There's actually a Vienna watchmaker with 30 years in the business, right here in Vancouver, we can go there. I walked past his shop today, I didn't know ‘cause he has no website. His name is Fritz Irrgang which is funny cause his watches are all going right. Very interesting old guy---"  He had gotten up in excitement and now hesitated and looked Trevor in the eyes again. He didn't look annoyed as expected, he was listening, with an amused, soft smile, and half lidded eyes.  "--- but it's almost 2 in the morning so we… can't go now…” Richard continued slowly. “-- it would be rude to get him out of bed---" thoughts trailing off into nonsense as he made sense of what he was seeing. Trevor's eyes weren't just half lidded. They looked tired and unusually reflective, shimmering. Then the angel sniffed.  "I'm fine with tomorrow, if you have time." he smiled, then rubbed his eyes with his index finger and thumb and sniffed again.

Oh.  Oh no. 

"Trevor, it's almost 10 in London. - You should be asleep."  The Brit laughed quietly at what sounded like honest worry in Richard's voice, though not sneering, really. "You're absolutely right.” he replied with a more firm voice. “- we should both go to bed." he got up and vanished the cups, ignoring the view from the balcony.  He squeezed Richard’s shoulder, then waved at him as he went through the sliding door and into the hotel room. 

Stopping there in the dark, with his back to the air demon, toeing off his socks. Unbuttoning his Barkeeper vest, taking it off. Folding it and placing it neatly on a chair, before beginning to unbutton his dress shirt. 

He tilted his head a little back to the balcony. "Are you coming or do you plan to stay there all night?" 

A speaking, nightly Fata Morgana in the middle of his hotel room.  Unbelievable.  Richard slowly made his way into the room. 

"Please close the door and turn up the thermo, it's as cold in here as out there." 

Richard closed the door and stared at what amounted to an optical illusion. Watched the white shirt slide down over the other man's lightly freckled shoulders, like the casual routine it probably was. Watched him slip out of it, the light from outside enhancing the soft shadows of his spine’s curvature and shoulder blades on the fabric of his close-fitting undershirt. 

This mirage however seemed, though unbelievable, to be physically there. Trevor had not left and he was doing what Richard thought he saw him doing. Unless it was a cruel trick of the light. He could maybe try to reach out for it, touch it even, if he dared.

Trevor was in the process of folding his shirt when he felt two arms wrap around his waist, a chin coming to rest on his shoulder and a chest pressing lightly against his back. The comfort that hit him when he smelled Richard's aftershave almost rolled over him like a wave.  "I'll keep you warm, okay?" The angel nodded into the embrace with a shaky breath. Fingers clutching into the fabric of the shirt, while the arms lowered in defeat.  "This isn't about the watch, is it?"  He felt Richard’s breath at his ear, on his temple, where a few hours earlier glass had cut deep. All pain that had still been there, now suddenly gone. He shook his head slowly, quietly, leaning into the embrace, closing his eyes. Like a hot, sweet tea going down his throat and spreading warmth and courage in his stomach on a cold Canadian night.

Then he felt Richard’s nose tousling his hairline as he kissed the nape of his neck. Gentle lips. A shiver going down his spine, goosebumps flaring up, heart beating faster, but also calmer... somehow. Richard’s hands moved to his belt buckle, until Trevor’s fingers interlocked with his. The angel shook his head almost imperceptibly, one hand still clutching the shirt. “I’d like to…” Trevor whispered hesitantly “... replace some old broken things… with new ones… but gradually...” 

Richard nodded, warm face against the angel’s cold shoulder, taking the shirt out of his hand.  “Gradually…” he replied, folding the shirt against Trevor’s belly, one hand guided by the angel’s.

The shirt appeared neatly onto the chair, as the two men-shaped beings sank into the soft covers of the bed. 

“...I’d like that…” Trevor mumbled curling his back up against Richard’s chest, pulling the demon’s arms tighter around himself. Richard buried his face in the angel’s surprisingly soft hair, breathing calmly, deeply. No gel tonight? He smelt incense and styrax but also salt and a hint of iron. “Sleep well, Trevor.” The tension in the other’s muscles broke away as he relaxed and he felt the skin noticeably heat up. The demon chuckled and kissed the angel behind the ear, before closing his eyes as well. “... thank you, Richard…”

[asheewrites]

Rich Wednesdays (pt1)

DING DONG.

Trevor patted down his shirt and closed his eyes to take a breath. Inhale. Exhale. He was later than Trevor had thought.

But well. He didn’t give him a time. So. Next time he would.

He started towards the door to his flat.

And was promptly stopped in his tracks when he watched a Richard toe off his shoes and put them in their designated spots even brushing off some dirt with the cloth left there for that purpose.

“And here I thought people rang the door to be let in,” Richard full-body-twitched at the sound of Trevor’s voice, immediately standing and turning in the same motion. His body language changed from stiff limbs, an insecure stand and a business smile to lowered shoulders a stance that was slightly shuffled and more relaxed corners of his mouth. His eyes seemed darker, too. 

Richard took a breath, jingled the keys still hanging from his middle finger and said: “Sure, but someone did give me keys”

“… well. I do think someone did, yeah,” Trevor said, taking the last steps towards Richard and... hugged him: “Welcome. It’s… nice that you could make it”

For a moment, Richard stood still. then he put his arms around Trevor and just... breathed. One breath. Two. Three. Then he froze and raised a finger - wher Trevor couldn’t see, obviously - and pushed him the slightest bit away and looked at his phone, pressed seven buttons and put it away again, a tiny and tight nod added to it.  Then he resumed smiling and said: “I got invited Trevor, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Fair, fair. But… uh, what was that about?” Trevor indicated the phone that... apparently was enough reason to break up the greeting. Huh?

“That?” He grinned. “Oh, don’t worry. Someone might become frantic and try to call me. But I told them I’m unavailable and that’s that. They’ll live”

“… are you sure this is alright?” If it was enough reason to-

Richard laughed. Covering his mouth and everything. And waved it off: “It’s my assistant. Really, he’s perfectly capable of handling it. He proved it to me yesterday. Talking to me will not help. It is alright”

Trevor raised a brow: “… if you say so, I suppose it is”

“Mmh, yes, I do,” he looked a bit tired. But he smiled. It was fair.

“… just take the red wine to the dining room. I’ll be with your shortly,” because if he really was tired, they would need the water to spare him the headache come morning

He blinked at Trevor… and looked around. After three failed attempts,he say the decanter in the middle of the table, indicated it and nodded with a lopsided smile. 

Definitely the water.

When he walked over to the dining table, there was a soft thud when he put the wine down. And it took another two seconds until Trevor could hear: “Woah! What fancy restaurant did you rob for us today?”

And Trevor chuckled when he got to the room, water and glasses in hand. He said: “Some of us did find use in learning how to cook”

Trevor placed a kiss on the cheek of the slightly awestruck face of his boyfriend. He might be tired. But he apparently could still be visibly delighted.

[asheewrites]

Rich Invitations

Trevor still laid in bed. And frowned at the ceiling. Because he couldn’t actually frown at Richard’s night table anymore. Since the clutter he constantly left there was gone.

No phone – the man had too much money and apparently had an exact copy available at all times, so he didn’t even get it back immediately.

No hair pin he insisted he needed – until he apparently didn’t, since he left them here.

No air pods – as if normal headphones wouldn’t be perfectly adequate.

And no sun glasses – why had he even brought them? This was London.

 The thing was, though: All this was gone. Trevor could not frown at this cluttery heap any more.

And it bothered him.

He still laid in bed, phone in hand, staring at the screen. It had gotten dark three times already.

It didn’t get better from staring at it.

So he finally pulled up the messenger, chose Richard’s contact and wrote: ‘You can come over on Wednesday’.

 One checkmark. Two Checkmarks. One blue. A second.

 Three points indicating typing.

They stop.

More typing.

Stop.

Longer typing.

Trevor was still in bed and his frown had deepened.

‘Out with it already!’ he typed and hit send. This was getting ridiculous.

More dots. But this time, an actual message followed: ‘I… am speechless Trevor, you never invite me!’

His eye twitched as he answered: ‘I gave you my keys, Richard’

‘Sure, but you never invited me’

Trevor audibly huffed, then answered; ‘Well, it’s not like it was ever necessary. You come by constantly’

‘When my time allows, at least. It’s rarely more often than once every two weeks. Sometimes months’

This man was… he… what did he even want!

‘If you don’t have time, you can also not come. I’m not forcing you’

And with this, the phone landed on the nightstand and he just wanted to sit up to finally get up when-

 - his lap was filled with a warm body. Whose hands reached out to cradle the back of his head, fingers scraping over his scalp and lips coming closer too fast and… capturing his. Morning breath and all. Lips simply lingering there.

Trevor’s hands settled on the suit jacket. In waist height. Not really holding. Just… sitting there, somewhat disgruntled. He stared at the closed eyes, frown still etched on his forehead.

Then Richard finally moved back, hands still in his hair, smiling softly: “Thank you for the invite. See you Wednesday”

And with another peck, he was gone again.

…

And it smelled slightly burnt.

Trevor’s frown deepened more.

‘You idiot. You know the ban circle is active after I sleep!’ – if he actually got injured! This idiotic man, he-

‘WORTH it! See you then! <3’ – the message said and his green dot became grey.

 And that left Trevor with a tingling scalp, a slightly burnt smell – more wooden than anything else – still warm hands and also very sensitive lips.

His heart was beating faster than it should.

…

Wednesday, then.

He took a deep breath.

What a start to the day. He will decide at the end if it was a good one or not.

… he might be leaning towards yes.

[asheewrites]

Rich Opening Hours - almost

„You want to swap Some Chicken Nuggets for my sun glasses?” Richard said, tilting a steaming Six Piece Pack towards Trevor. It smelled like a piece of heaven. And this was no exaggeration. After all, he knew the smell of heaven rather intimately.

After the second he needed to pull his eyes away from the carton, he stared at the smirking man leaning on the counter. Open suit jacket, tousled hair, dress shirt wrinkled, looking less than awake…

‘Attractive’ should not be listed as one of his descriptors. Not under these circumstances. Not at all.

Trevor frowned, putting the glass he just polished down and said: “If you sneak onto my property already, you could have just gone in and taken them, you know where I put the things you constantly leave to clutter up my flat”

“Really? Going into your flat without your permission?” Richard said, and tilted his head in addition to the Nuggets, still spreading Nugget-aroma everywhere.

For a moment, Trevor gritted his teeth and grabbed the next glass, then said: “You do have my keys, Richard. I would not have given them to you without… implications”

“Mmmmh,” Richard said and smiled downwards, at the carton that was now in his palm. And picked at the beholder he held hostage. Opened it. And showed the golden brown pieces to the world, “So I can walk into and out of your flat any time I damn well please?”

“…” Trevor stared first at the nuggets and then at him, frown deepened, “… a warning might be appropriate beforehand. A text message would work, too, really”

Richard smiled widely and held out the nugget in Trevor’s mouth-height: “And this is exactly what I’m doing here. Warning you”

With a huff, he bit into the nugget… to take in in completely afterwards. After chewing, he said: “I make my fingers dirty if I touch it”

“That’s why I held it out to you. And now, may I get my glasses? I’ll put the rest in the fridge”

Trevor was silent for a moment.

One corner of Richard’s mouth was pulled up when he said: “I’ll bring them in the kitchen, the water for washing your hands is closer. May I? I do have to get behind the counter then”

Trevor rolled his eyes: “It’s fine..”

When Richard swung open the door, Trevor still blocked the pathway to actually reach the alcohol.

With a chuckle, the Nuggets were deposited on the dry counter next to the sink and he came back to a disapprovingly staring Trevor, hands against his sides, still frowning.

Richard stood there for a moment, hand on the door to the stairwell upstairs, where the apparently coveted sunglasses were, and looked at him.

“Well, go already” Trevor huffed out.

The more than huffy person did not expect Richard to dive towards him, sneak a hand on the small of his back, just brushing over the clothed skin, and press a soft kiss on his cheek and whisper: “And maybe I just wanted to see you and don’t care about some sunglasses I can get around the corner”

After one last pull closer, pressing Trevor against him against the whole length of his body and breathing in, Richard let go and said: “I’ll get them anyway, I know it bothers you that I leave things here” and disappeared up the staircase.

Trevor stood there. And Richard had only touched him for a few seconds. Very lightly. There was nothing demonic about it, either. But these places were tingling. Tingling and slightly burning and a wave of warm and cold went over his whole body and he shuddered for a very long moment.

Then he blinked.

Shit.

He should eat those nuggets. And maybe, just maybe, invite Richard. For once. So he didn’t have to find excuses. And left, then. Immediately.

Because it might be okay, if he stayed a little longer.

Maybe he actually wanted that.

His cheeks were ears were red and burning, too.

This man was… was a strange influence.

Trevor bit into a nugget.

Maybe the day wouldn’t be so bad, really.

[asheewrites]

Rich Mornings

BEEP BEEP BEEP

Trevor opened his eyes. And switched off the alert. Two minutes more. His eyes needed the rest. And he did enjoy the moment of peace before the whole routine started again. Then he got up.

The shower was a good and quick refreshment. He ran his hand through the still wet hair and nodded to himself in the mirror. Ready to face the day.

A delicious, skillfully-made breakfast was the next point on his agenda.

A solid foundation for a good start in the day.

Reports from angels, notes to answer - duties he had to fulfil before the pub opened, additional to the current gardening-cycle… the familiar routine went through his head while he walked over to the kitchen, pulling on the most appropriate shirt to get on the roof and-

He stopped mid-motion. His attention returned to the living room. He’d just passed it. And something was off.

One step back, and his fingertips touched the wall separating floor and living room. with a somewhat confsed expression, he turned his head around the corner.

Trevor blinked, eyeing the man now plain to see.

He knew the man. Of course he did. Richard was hard to forget. Worming himself into your life without you even noticing.

Richard’s laptop seemed to capture his attention quite aptly.

For once, no suit hung from his frame. T-Shirt, jeans, ruffled hair, falling just to frame his face. Feet bare and balanced on an armrest.

Apparently, he felt unsupervised, since he abused the nail of his thumb with his teeth and frowned at the screen. His whole form tried to be still, but a light movement from side to side ruined the calm. Nervous energy was coming off him in waves. And he ran a hand through his hair, picking out the pen from behind his ear, tapping with it.

Trevor chuckled. This seasoned businessman looked like a boy. Grown up and definitely of age, but the way he couldn’t sit still simply-

Two very blue eyes turned to Trevor. Dark and questioning until-

“Trevor!” Richard said, eyes lighting up, the fog clearing, every bit of nervousness dropping instantly. His lips turned up into a smile, staring for a long moment. “You’re awake,” he said in a soft voice, eyes darting to the edge of the screen “Like clockwork”

Trevor raised a brow, mouth a bit twisted: “Unlike some people that show up unannounced”

The helpless gesture he made was almost worth it. His hair was actually still wet, Trevor noticed, but he hadn’t heard the shower. He came here directly af-

“I wanted to see you” he said, smiling sheepishly, “My free time was unexpected and-”

“It’s fine,” Trevor said, surprising himself. “It’s fine,” he repeated a bit softer.

Richard tilted his head and the smile turned more brilliant, eyes still bright and posture relaxed and calm: “Thank you”

“I’ll see you after my hair is done,” he said, looking away from this silly man, walking towards the bathroom.

“Looking forward to it!” Richard called after him, sounding perfectly delighted. “A lot”

… the smirk on Richard’s face was audible. Ah well.

Trevor walked on, shaking his head. If ‘fond’ was a word to describe it, he could always deny it.

[asheewrites]

Entirely human

Richard fell on the bed.

Not much to it, really. The hotel had been booked for him. He’d been invited.

Invited to broker a trade deal, just as usual.

Both sides greedy and entirely sure of what they wanted. It got even heightened with his own presence.

And when the deal is struck, both feel more in control und had lost a significant amount without even noticing…

Not of their money, but well, their soul was valuable in a much different, but more important way.

He should be content.

He should feel accomplished.

He did the best of jobs in his given demonic field.

… and he just felt tired.

Arms and legs were heavy, a headache was haunting him – absurd as it was – the champagne tasted terrible, he wasn’t hungry…

He felt terribly, terribly human.

Even wanted the terrible human feeling.

It felt a little more real, the slightly sweaty shirt under his jacket, the shoes slightly chafing on his toes, the bridge of his nose compressed by the glasses he took to wearing during these meetings…

… and now the soft bed under him. The light was dimmed, some light classic was playing… And the gently curated airflow of… no smell in particular.

Made to relax a businessman, make sure one sleeps tight.

He looked at the clock. It was 3:17 am in Samoa…

Plus eleven…

He blinked slowly… and got up, to walk towards the door, toeing off his shoes, walking on carpet until he wasn’t, stepping on solid floor and the light changing from dimmed night to bright daylight, shining through the windows.

He took a few more steps, out of the living room, only just catching Trevor’s morning robe, pulling him back into the room, against the closing door.

“Richard? What is-“

And kissed him. Because he wanted to.

Trevor smelled the after shave he insisted on using that made him smell just slightly too old, felt the wrinkles already forming around his eyes, splaying his own hands against Trevor’s facem before they moved downwards, the crisp, newly shaved skin under his fingers as they went down.

Trevor wasn’t having it, of course, pushing against his chest, nose slightly scrunched, the kiss impossible to deepen.

But it was fine. Having Trevor’s hands on his body, even to force him off.

Today, he ignored the protest, moved his lips against Trevor’s, one hand moving backwards, into his unspiked hair, grabbing a hold of it, scraping the scalp with his nails. The other moving down and grabbing onto his morning robe, a bit of fabric so easily shoved aside.

The protests ebb. Trevor’s hands wander as well – into the jacket and around his waist. Long fingers, clever fingers, not doing anything particularly clever this time around, just feeling, like his own.

His tongue swiped Trevor’s lower lip, and this time, he could easily get access, Trevor having relented and indulged.

It was a moment Richard could concentrate only on the other. Only on this moment. Hands and skin and smell and maybe a bit of taste. Nothing else really matters. He decided to remember this.

Him and this moment and how he didn’t feel terrible anymore. But still human.

It was a five minute long moment, and the morning robe was undone, hand roaming over bodies. Somewhat chastely.

Until Richard put his forehead to Trevor’s: “That… was very human. Remember that, will you?”

Trevor… raised a brow. And grinned: “I will”

There were three seconds of a pause that Richard could use to find a bit of peace before Trevor continued: “It’s not often that I discover that you can actually sweat”

And Rchard blinked at that. Before he laughed longer and harder at this tiny slight than he possibly should have. Trevor flicked at him

And Richard… felt eentirely human.

[asheewrites]

Wizard battle 1

As the priest of Baal Zebul said, ‚She shall be free of demons’, there was a moment of silence. And she was no longer speaking in tongues.

The lord of the province nodded and gestured at the second wise man in the room, challenging the prophet of his court: “As you can see, our priest performs miracles, what is it that makes you doubt his abilities, to discredit his lord?”

The visitor spoke: “Let it be known that the Lord of Judaea is the only lord, none else is to be consulted, or there shall be retribution” and the priest’s staff grew hot and broke when it fell to the ground.

Two arms snaked around the waist of a very pale man, standing atop a building, not visible from the street, but able to watch the proceedings on the town square. A chin was placed on his shoulder and words came from the intruder: “Greetings, new messenger. It seems the rules are not entirely familiar to you yet?”

The pale man stepped away and decidedly out of the grasp of the other, much more climate and area-appropriate man’s grasp. While straightening his tunic in a slightly fussy manner, he raised his chin: “How dare you!”

“I dare because you are obviously new to this. And I won’t win because of bad form, thank you”

The pale man stared at him, frown clearly etched onto his face.

On the market square, the ruler of the providence still continued on about something or another, there was time.

“First – props, you have the correct number of eyes and wings – second: You can call me Abir. Third: being visible isn’t the intention here, really. Four times you were noticed already,” three times by birds and one time by him, but it was still the truth.

“Abir is not your name!” He looked unamused, but less fussy. A net positive.

“Really? And here I thought I’d give you a means to summon me. Damn,” he even made an effort to look put out. “Don’t worry, it’s still not a lie”

His nose still wrinkled. It was almost endearing: ”… you are a fiend in the eyes of the Lord! You deceive and lie. I will not trust a word you speak!”

Abir looked. And then laughed. With a shake of his head, he answered: ”You really are new, aren’t you? If you are properly found out we are both in trouble, little… mmmmh… Sol. I’ll call you Sol.” He had burned the staff after all.

More nose-wrinkles. Yes, definitely endearing. ‘Sol’ – he certainly was bright enough for that, too, all in white and wrong skin -  held himself properly, though. Not skittish, not nervous… might really just be his first earth-assignment.

“So, Sol, what do you say? Wanna make it a bit of a spectacle? Can only get us bonus points, right?” And for him, a little more earth-time.

[asheewrites]

Richard laid on the sofa next to him, seemingly incapable of sitting like a normal person, but he had gotten used to that. This seemed to be variety forty-three, one leg over the side arm, the other foot placed on it, leaning against him in a 45 degree angle. Many pillows under his back.

‘Best for occasional head-pets and ultimate back-support’, he’d proclaimed. And maybe he was right about it, because he did occasionally get a pet on his head. How he could pay attention to the documentary was another question. ‘I just listen, otherwise I get too distracted,’ from never made clear, but he was mostly silent. Only occasionally rubbing his head against Trevor’s arm. And making comments about particularly weird naming conventions.

And giggling.

A grown man did that.

But he could be forgiven. He brought chicken nuggets. And the appropriate sauce n addition to the one that ‘must be tasted’.

… wasn’t terrible, at least.

So, all in all, it was a relaxing evening, with an additional, warm, sometimes wriggling person in the room, which played on his phone.

Until…

“Trevor?” He asked, looking up during the credits.

Trevor pet his head, mostly it was done with that: “Mh?”

“If I’m counting correctly, your wings should be clean in about 20 weeks,” he said, looking back at the phone.

The pets stopped: “… ah… yes…?” It did sound somewhat suspicious.

“Mmmmh… I did think we could celebrate that”

His hand resumed petting: “Ah… sure, why not. What did you have in mind?”

“Well,” he tapped a little more around on his phone, “Travelling is great. Just a tour of the world! Seeing the sights! Doing the weirdness! Getting involved and dressed up and meet other people every day! Maybe even using some of those feathery buggers!”

Trevor’s nose crunched up a little. It… was a lot.

And then Richard flicked his phone to the side and looked up: “But… I don’t think you’d like that” HE saw the scrunched nose and smiled a little lopsidedly, “Thought so”

The he even sat up and turned around to look properly (terrible posture #12: one leg trying to cross the other on the floor) and scratched his head, looking everywhere for a bit.

Then he continued: “Look. The thing is… you don’t get necrosis on your wings if you just don’t clean them. It’s… not ideal, certainly, but it’s not that bad. I’ve looked at mine once in my current life and they are fine”

Trevor raised an eyebrow. Hypocrite. Not getting a check-up himself. And after all that trouble.

“So… maybe… we could try to get you an employee for the pub?”

The eyebrow got a bit lopsided. Trevor didn’t exactly expect that.

“Like… maybe part time. For now,” he looked away again

“Richard, you already have a job. I don’t really know what it is, but it doesn’t seem a goo-“

“Trevor. We are dating. Working together is the absolute worst idea,” Richard poked Trevor’s forehead, focused again, at the very least, “No, I meant someone… new. Someone you might be able to trust. And talk to. Not for advice, for once. And you can be a personal boss to… and see how it is. Just… try to have a help? Maybe?”

Trevor frowned: “I like how I run my pub. I don’t need any help”

Richard scratched his head and laughed a bit: “I didn’t say that.  I didn’t say you need it. But I think it would be… not bad? I know you like it and I think you’ll continue to like it. Would be terrible if you didn’t. It… well… sometimes you don’t really have the time to give proper advice with people if customers want more drinks. Cause the person wanting it feels like they’re keeping you from working. And there are sometimes a lot of orders. And… yes, I think it would be good if you just had… an employee,” he paused and waited for some kind of answer, gesturing hands now still.

When he didn’t get one, he gestured a little more: “And maybe you have a little more time, too. Not in the beginning, hen it will be much worse, but… yeah,” he scratched the back of his head with another lopsided grin.

Trevor’s brow raised completely and he sighed: “… … … it’s my pub, Richard”

Richard deflated a little bit: “I know, I didn’t want to intrude, it’s jus-“

“But I can maybe try. See how it is. If… mh… yeah, I guess I can just try. I suppose”

“Really?” He piqued up again, “There are a maybe a few candidates. It must be a really good fit, of course, and you can check them, and they might-“

Trevor ruffled his hair, interrupting the words, and tilted his head. Such a ridiculous man.

He had started with his wings. And vacations. And now had tried to convince him to have a part-time employee.

… it seemed somewhat disconnected.

But a lot of things did.

Richard still always meant well and sometimes… ridiculous things he proposed worked out.

Whatever it was this time. It wouldn’t hurt to try.

Richard fell back against him. And squeezed his shoulder. Weird sitting-position #2 might be fine, this time around. When there was a kiss on his cheek.

Ah well.