#sorry. dujour got me thinking. lol.

[amatres]

oh, fun! i dont need to change laylas background at all, i can just add in a little more to make her work

[thesolemnhour]

Hello Lairiend :) 3, 4, 15, 17 for Agria?

omg hey dujour! nice to meet you! i love all of your writing you were a huge inspiration to me to start sharing my stuff!❤️

tysm for asking these are such fun questions! sorry this got long under the cut lol

3. Companions: your OC’s platonic best friend?

LANN. Agria thinks Lann rules and likes him immediately. He also agrees with her choices maybe twice in the whole game, so it's the duality of man(n), I suppose. Agria recognizes qualities in him that she really wishes she had herself: honesty, stability, straightforwardness. Lann takes slightly longer to warm up (he rightly thinks she's annoying), but he similarly appreciates things Agria has that he lacks in comparison: she's outgoing and sensitive in a way that he struggles to be.

It strikes a nice balance, and she basically considers him family by Act 3.

4. Companions: your OC’s rock / person they go to for reassurance?

Agria trusts and admires Seelah tremendously. Early on, she's kind of in awe and crushes on her for a hot second in Act 1. Faith is one of Agria's very few insecurities, and she's deeply impressed by Seelah's confidence in hers, even when what she wants to do might be at odds with conventional doctrine. In the moments where she is truly unsure of what to do, she goes to Seelah.

Later, as they start to get closer, she also goes to Woljif! He is the one she really trusts to understand her, whatever the circumstances may be. She spends so much time trying to get a read on him and anticipate his choices in Acts 1 and 2 that it actually really takes her by surprise that he was watching her back just as closely.

She is briefly mystified by the realization that all her little tricks for deflecting and getting people to only ask her the questions she wants to answer suddenly aren't working anymore. That kind of awareness of her would be terrifying, but there's a real sense of safety there. It's just us; what's there to be afraid of?

15. Your OC’s backstory?

This got so, so long, and I can only apologize.

Agria is a card-carrying member of House Lebeda, one seven great houses of Brevoy, but she's not an important one. Her father Victor was a deeply disposable fourth son, which meant that he would inherit precisely nothing but was afforded a certain level of freedom his brothers never got.

The first thing he does with this freedom is make himself a very unconventional love match with one Lady Alase Istul. The Istuls are former Sarkorians who only gained lands recently: wild choice for the son of a great house, but everyone decides that at least the novelty keeps them entertained.

For a while, everything is great! The junior Lebedas certainly don't have the kind of status their cousins have, and Alase and the in-laws don't get along, but that's to be expected. And, hey! Agria is born an aasimar! That's probably a good sign, right?

Even if Victor is busy all the time, Alase and Agria get along just fine. Mom cultivates in her daughter a deep love of Sarkorian culture and history.

As she grows, she picks up the typical knack for fire magic common to ember-kin aasimars. Trouble is, little Agria is igniting the drapes, so she's going to need some help here. Dad had some instruction as a kid, so he pulls himself away from work for once to teach her the basics.

And, wow, uh? She's really good? Huh, interesting. Victor has spent enough time desperately trying to break into the world of politics to know an opportunity when he sees one. When the ruling Surtovas start making noise about turning Brevoy into a legit hub for magic in the north, he can't raise his hand fast enough to volunteer his daughter.

He moves his family to the capital, and for the first time, the junior Lebedas matter. Agria thinks, "Well, maybe I'm working really hard, and I don't have time for stuff other kids do, but it's for magic!" And she loves magic!

That is, until her mom dies when Agria is fifteen. Agria was so busy she barely knew she was sick. Then, she thinks, "Uh. Um. Guys. Maybe I should slow down?" Dad reacts like she just stabbed him.

It takes a few years, but eventually she does blow up her life spectacularly. Agria limps out of New Stetven with a ruined purpose in life to match her new broken leg. No one who she loved will speak to her after that.

The only one who will speak to is her mother's sister-in-law, Dalla. She has a young daughter, Gwyneth, who only just started doing magic herself and needs a teacher, and this is the pretext Dalla uses to justify inviting her to stay with Clan Widowknife for a while. Agria, nursing a leg that will not heal, is determined to hate life, but but Gwyn wears her down. Damn that sweet kid and her bug collection.

Over time, she starts actually listening to Aunt Dalla, who becomes her guiding star. Aunt Dalla is the coolest person ever, so why not do everything she does? She starts worshipping Desna because she so admires the way that her aunt sees the world.

But she's still Agria, and love is an action, so she needs to do something meaningful for the Istuls and Clan Widowknife. After a few years, Gwyn wants to learn the kind of summoning magic the Godcallers of Clan Widowknife did before the Worldwound. But they can't find a single person who still knows it! This sparks her grand quest to seek out the scattered Sarkorians to collect their lore for future generations, which leads her to Mendev!

17. Your OC’s high point?

Right after the Mephistopheles fight on the Azata path in Act 5!

Agria is not a good Desnan and is so desperate for clear instruction that she doesn’t really suspect “Early Sunset” until Arue points it in the Abyss. Then, it seems completely obvious. No Azata would ever have made it this easy for her!

So, going into this fight, Agria keeps the mythic powers, choosing to take their manifestation in this particular way as a sign that she’s on the right path. But she doesn’t feel great about it yet. It’s the kind of going out on a limb that free-spirited Desnans live for and that she is terrified of.

Going back to the island for the first time since Act 3 is a little bit like facing that unsure version of herself that still needed Early Sunset to feel confident in her choices. She figures killing Mephistopheles properly is more work than it’s worth, but making sure that he knows she’s better than him feels pretty great.

The big moment for her really comes when Maitresse Olla Devara tells her that Elysium backs her up on the decision to keep the mythic powers. She says, “it doesn’t matter who or what was the original source of your powers. What matters is where your heart calls you.”

It’s the first time Agria really feels sure in her faith, and it’s an incredible feeling.

She also gets the “run away with me” event in the Woljif Romance Mod right afterwards, which is both the nicest thing anyone has ever done for her and the moment she knows she’s in love with him. I will happily elaborate on that if anyone would like lol!

[artificialqueens]

Alaska's Christmas Extravaganza ~ Hobnob

AN: You know, i love this time of year but people seem to really miss the true meaning of Christmas. I felt obliged to put it into context for the lovely folks at home. Lets have a look at some reviews shall we?

“The spelling was ok.”- Daily Mail

“There was a good attempt there.” -The Sunday Times

“I think i need to watch the show before getting any of this sweetie.” -My Mum

I hope Shangela reads this and finds the strength to win AS3~ Hobnob

–The scene sets in a small living room, adorned with various Christmas ornaments strung up around the mantlepiece. A crackling log fire fills the air with a certain smell akin to the time of year, and occasionally spits the odd ember onto the beige carpeted floor. An artificial tree in the far corner emits a low hum as it partially lights the dim room. Three individuals inhabit the area, sitting on a rather worn looking sofa whilst watching BBC news in ugly Christmas sweaters.–

Jinkx: Alaska you little shit.

Alaska: Hiee.

Jinkx: The nextdoor neighbours said you smothered their Christmas tree in faeces and ate their dog.

Alaska: (Gnawing at a bone) I can’t help it. Christmas is shit.

Jinkx: (Getting up and turning the telly off) You’re gonna have to go get it together before we go to my nans Christmas party on Saturday.

Alaska: If you make me go i’ll set her milky eyes on fire!

Jinkx: Jesus christ Alaska thats messed up.

Alaska: Yeah well you’re jewish. You don’t even celebrate Christmas.

Alaska: Christmas can suck my wang!!

Roxxxy: (Speaking up with a mouth full of mince pies #thickandjuicy) Sounds like you need…the spirit of Christmas.

Alaska: The spirit of Christmas?

Roxxxy: Didn’t you know? Legend says Shangela has the ability to grant unlimited holiday cheer with a single holy halleloo.

Alaska: Gay.

Roxxxy: (Sobbing, but continuing to eat) Its not gay Alaska!

Roxxxy: And you’d better find your Christmas cheer before Jinkxseses nans party.

Alaska: I don’t see it for me but ok.

Jinkx: I won’t have you ruining it like last year.

Alaska: Wasn’t that bad.

Roxxxy: You killed 5 salvation army workers with a decorative star.

Alaska: And I’d do it again!!!

Alaska: I couldn’t care less about that party. I don’t care for Christmas. Tiny Tim can contract ebola!!

Roxxxy: (Checking her casio sports watch) I’m late for the bus guys gtg. Bingo is in half an hour.

Alaska: Hmmmm…the spirit of Christmassssss🤔🤔🐍sssounds gay…

–Alaska gets up and walks to the window. The snowfall isn’t all that heavy as small flakes are illuminated by a street lamp with lewd drawings carved into the side. She could drive around to find the Shangela, except she owned a BMW, and rear wheel drive is shit in winter so she’d probably crash into some schoolboys on their way home.–

Alaska: Jinkx i need a lift.

Jinkx: I can’t, my cars in the shop.

Jinkx: you keyed the entirety of Aja’s Valentina speech on it last week.

–A shadowy figure in a Santa hat approaches the window and taps the glass with a skeletal finger.–

Ru: It’s me, God!

Ru: Wait.

Ru: It’s me, Rupaul!

Alaska: Rupaul? I thought Miss Fame set you on fire for eating meat?

Ru: (Neck rolling) My body is an illusion chiilde. My existence is merely a string of conscious decisions ive made prior to this mortal realm.

Alaska: Party.

Alaska: Please mawma. Help me find Shangela so I won’t be a cunt to my loved ones all the time.

Ru: Well…i suppose I’m all out of queens to block on twitter…

Ru: Aight lets make this quick, i have a bingo game in half an hour.

–They both get in Rupauls Toyota Camry and speed off whilst remaining under the speed limit. Road safety is important at this time of year as 70% of road collisions occur at Christmas.–

Alaska: (Shedding her skin) Where the bloody hell would Shangela be?

Ru: In todays maxi challenge, we’ll be traveling to the happiest place on earth!

Alaska: Lapland?

Ru: Close.

Ru: Scotland!

Alaska: Oh.

Alaska: (Hissing at the radio) Change the station rupaul this is making my ears bleed.

Ru: Oh? But this is the latest hit off my smashing Christmas album, ‘The beggining of the realness glamazonian peanut walk-the rumix.’

Alaska: Well turn it off. Its upsetting Jinkxes nan.

–The pair of them turn around to see Jinkxes nan having a Christmas seizure.–

Ru: If you don’t like it Alaska, get out. I don’t have to put up with tomfuckery. I’m God!

Ru: Wait.

Ru: No yes thats right.

–Alaska ejects the CD and throws it outside at a schoolboy. She takes a CD from her bra and pops it in as one of her many compelling songs begins to play.–

Alaska: Anus now available at your closest pound world.

Ru: Get out.

–Alaska is thrown out the car into a pile of snow.–

Alaska: Fuck you Rupaul you saggy bastard!!

Ru: See you at all stars 17 lad.

Ru: (Neck rolling) Oh you…forgot this.

–Rupaul throws Jinkxes nan into the pile of snow and speeds off.– Alaska: Shit.

–Alaska spots a warm glow in the distance. On further inspection it’s a humble pub. She approaches it, stepping over Jinkxes nan along the way. Once inside she spots a booth of old geezers.–

Alaska: Mrs. Kasha Davis? Tempest Dujour? Why you here?

Mrs. Kasha Davis: Us old folk have a hard time finding a place to stay during winter, and you know what they say!

Alaska: There’s always time for a cocktail?

Mrs. Kasha Davis: No. Mrs. Kasha Davis: (Tearing up) I have no grasp of my drinking problem and I’m sadder than I’ve ever been help me please.

Alaska: Lol hiee.

Tempest: Your aura is jacked. What’s troubling you?

Alaska: I need to find Shangela. Legend says a single halleloo can light a soul on fire with Christma-

Tempest: Dont talk to me about legend you lanky shit. I invented that story.

Tempest: Besides, that’s just a myth i created.

Alaska: But why Tempest?

Tempest: To get those kids off my danm lawn!

Charlie: (Raising her pint) Here here!

Alaska: Then that means…I’m doomed to hate Christmas forever…

Mrs. Kasha Davis: Yeah looks like it.

Alaska: I think I’ll go watch the Sherlock Christmas special.

Alaska: Thanks for literally nothing.

–Alaska hangs her head and pushes a pint glass off the table sadly :( She begins to exit the pub.–

Charlie: Wait!!! You have passed the test.

Alaska: (Turning back around) Pardon?

Charlie: Most people prefer the Doctor Who Christmas special, but the Sherlock Christmas special is far superior. You have passed the test.

–The seniors huddle together and whisper amongst themselves before turning back to Alaska.–

Tempest: Shangela is in fact real.

Tempest: We were only goofing you before because you’re sort of a dick.

Alaska: So Shangela is in the happiest place on earth Scotland?

Mrs. Kasha Davis: (Guffawing) Dont be silly.

Mrs. Kasha Davis: Scotland doesn’t exist. Shangela lives in Sheffield, up in the block of flats behind Lidl.

Tempest: I hear the Lidl fruit cake is very good this year.

Mrs. Kasha Davis: Yes Ive heard that too.

Tempest: Mmm very good.

Charlie: Bit too dense for me. Gives me diarrhoea.

–They all look around to Alaska who’s disappeared.–

Tempest: Shit.

–Around an hour later and Alaska finds herself outside a large council estate. She travels up the flight of stairs to a door with a Christmas wreath. She rips it off the door and knocks. A Christmas present rolls out the door and Shangela pops out.–

Shangela: Haleoo?

Alaska: Hiee are you…

Alaska: (Looking down at her hand) Shanjello?

Shangela: Maybe i am. maybe i arent.

Shangela: I just huffed an entire tube of paint i genuinely don’t know anymore.

Alaska: This entire holiday is aids.

Alaska: I got frostbite on the way up and i left Jinkxes nan to die in a pile of snow.

Alaska: I need some Christmas spirit.

Shangela: (Taking out a fat blunt and taking a massive chong) Listen here you lanky shit.

Shangela: Many before you have tried, and most have failed.

Shangela: Just like on drag race, consequence for failure…is death.

Alaska: I’m not sure that’s correct.

Shangela: Yeah sorry its the drugs.

Shangela: Alright go get me some Lidl fruit cake and i’ll give you my sweet Christmas goo.

Alaska: Ok but i never want to hear the phrase ‘sweet Christmas goo’ ever again.

Alaska: Biee

Shangela: (Waving and grinning) No problem giant purple rat.

Shangela: Is the sky melting?

–Alaska makes her way inside Lidl and grabs a big ol fruit cake. At the counter she couldn’t help but feeling she knew the cashier dressed up in a reindeer costume. She pushes a schoolboy over and places her baked Christmas goods on the counter along with a litre bottle of tizer which was only a quid insane bargain.–

Raja: 3 quid mate.

Alaska: Raja??? You work in Lidl???

Raja: Aye.

Raja: You know how it is. Crippling debt and all that.

Raja: Turns out 75,000 pounds goes quickly if you spend it all on grey hair dye.

Alaska: I didn’t ask but ok, werk.

Raja: What are you doing here? You hate Christmas and seasonal foods.

Alaska: it’s not for me, Shangela is exchanging Cake for Christmas spirit.

Raja: (Gasping) That idea is a boot from me. Shangela is a very vengeful and evil spirit!

Raja: OI RAVEN.

Raven: (From across the room working another counter) WHAT.

Raja: THE CUNTS ONLY GONE AND MADE A DEAL WITH SHANGELA.

Raven: WELL GET HER OUT THE STORE I WONT BE CLEANING UP BLOOD OFF THE FLOOR.

Raja: (Turning back to Alaska) Would you like a bag for an extra 5p?

Alaska: Vengeful spirit? What are you on about?

Raja: Well, back on our season there happened to be a Christmas challenge…

Raja: All was going well. The room was full of seasonal cheer! That was all until a large box was rolled out and we were all proper gagged.

Raja: Shangela popped out of the box after being eliminated from last season. She was ready to snatch the crown by any means necessary.

Raja: As it turns out she did so badly in the challenge, she landed herself in the bottom 2 once again.

Raja: Fuelled by her hatred for tulle fabric and Mimi Imfurst, she managed to stay in the competition. But at a cost…

Raja: Ever since, she’s hated Christmas! And steals the souls of those who cannot bring her Christmas cake!!

Raven: RAJA DID YOU TELL HER THE STORY?

Raja: I’M TELLING IT NOW FUCK OFF.

Alaska: (Hands over the money) Sounds fake.

Alaska: See you at Jinkxes nans party!

Raja: Bye.

Raja: Daft cunt…

–Back outside Shangela’s door, Alaska knocks three times. Did she have anything to worry about? Was Raja’s warning true?–

Shangela: Haleoo?

Alaska: I brought you fruit cake.

Shangela: Who are you?

Alaska: We met 10 minutes ago.

Shangela: Ah! Giant purple rat!

–Alaska hands over the cake and Shangela observes it for a moment.–

Shangela: This…this i-is not Christmas fruit cake…

Alaska: Oh man really? Haa i must’ve picked up partytime gyozas by accident my bad.

Shangela: (Fists trembling as she goes red) YOU HAVE MADE A TERRIBLE MISTAKE..

Alaska: Omf the look on your face right now…priceless.

Alaska: Hey what’s your wifi password?

Shangela: IM-IM.

–Shangela begins to transform as she morphs into a disgusting snowman creature. Finally she lets out a blood curdling screech and lunges at Alaska.–

Shangela: HAAALEEELOOOOOOOOOOO

Alaska: (Dodging Shangela’s punch) Hmm i think Raja may of been on to something…

Alaska: I’d better get out of here huh.

–Alaska begins to boot it down the stairs, Shangela hot on her heels, throwing glasses of Absolut cocktails at her. Alaska’s lanky knees give way as she clatters to the floor. She was at the mercy of Shangela, who towered over her menacingly.–

Shangela: I DONT HAVE A CHRISTMAS CAKE IVE NEVER HAD A CHRISTMAS CAKE IF I WANTED CHRISTMAS CAKE YES I PROBABLY COULD GO OUT AND GET ONE BECAUSE I AM WHAT? HUNGRY. YOU COULD NEVER HAVE A CHRISTMAS CAKE BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL BABY EVERYTHING I HAVE EATEN IVE WORKED FOR AND GOTTEN MYSELF I HAVE BUILT MYSELF FROM THE GROUND UP YOU FUCKING BITCH.

Alaska: (Cowering and shaking in fear) IM SO CONFUSED IS THIS A REFERENCE TO SOMETHING?

–Suddenly a Toyota Camry screeches to a halt. The door opens and it’s Rupaul!–

Ru: Alaska! Get in!

–Alaska picks herself off the floor and hops in the car. They speed away as Shangela runs after them, her snowman body gaining power in the heavy snow.–

Alaska: Rupaul? Why did you come back?

Ru: Ive been listening to Anus!

Ru: I relate a lot to the message of nails.

–Shangela lets out another roaring halleloo as she continues to throw acid cocktails. Alaska cooks up an idea stew.–

Alaska: Ru! Drive back to Jinkxes house!

Ru: What? Why? She’ll destroy the place!

Alaska: Trust mawma.

–When they arrive at Jinkxes house Ru does a sick tailspin and stops in the driveway. They leg it inside as a confused Jinkx is setting out party foods and drinks.–

Alaska: JINKX! DID YOU BUY CHRISTMAS FRUIT CAKE FOR THE PARTY?

Jinkx: What? Yeah it’s my nans favourite.

Alaska: Your nan is dead Jinkx!

Alaska: Go get the fucking cake!!

Jinkx: Wait what?

Alaska: No time to explain go grab the cake!!

Jinkx: Did you say my nan-

Alaska: Jinkx really gurl priorities. Get the fucking cake.

–Jinkx goes into the kitchen and comes back with the baked goods in hand. Alaska hurries to the front door and swings it open to find a now 50 ft tall Shangela running towards the house. She readies her throwing arm into Shangela’s agape mouth and takes aim.–

Alaska: Merry Christmas.

Alaska: motherfucker.

–She throws it with her massively lanky arms as it lands in Shangela’s throat. Shangela munches for a bit before nodding her head and returning to her original size.–

Shangela: Bloody good cake that. Aight you’ve earned your Christmas spirit Alaska.

Alaska: Thanks.

Alaska: But you know, i don’t think i need it.

Alaska: I’ve learnt that Christmas isn’t about Holiday spirit, or even our loved ones.

Alaska: It’s about food. I get it now.

Ru: Good job chiiilde. You figured it out.

Ru: Looks like my work here, (Winks) is done.

Alaska: But where will you go?

Ru: Wherever I’m needed.

Ru: Plus i hear Michelle got in trouble with the feds for smuggling coke in her boobs, so i’d better go help her out.

Alaska: Bieeeee.

–People start arriving for the Christmas party. Tempest Dujour, Mrs. Kasha Davis, Charlie Hides, Raja, Raven and even Roxxxy take their places at the table and begin to chow down on the delicious munchies. Just before Alaska goes inside Shangela lets out a small cough.–

Shangela: Hey, I’m sorry about earlier. You’ve taught me the true meaning of Christmas, and I’m forever grateful for that henny.

Alaska: You know…there is an extra place at the table since we killed Jinkxes nan…

Alaska: Want to join us?

Shangela: Well, i am out of paint to huff…

Shangela: You know what? Halleloo i do!!

–And so everyone gathered around for this most festive of holidays, rejoicing and eating those mini sausage rolls that taste better cold. Roxxxy’s bingo game went well, the old folks had a place to stay, Jinkx was sobbing into the tablecloth, and most importantly, Alaska had found out the true meaning of Christmas. Merry Christmas to one and all reading this, and i hope you go to Lidl for your shopping this festive season. Halleloo.–

[artificialqueens]

Baby, New York City: Chapter Six (Biadore) - Boleyn

AN: Remember that time I said I would submit the next chapter soon and it took me over a week to get it to y'all? Lol whoops!! Anyway, this chapter has nearly 2k words of smut at the end as an apology! It’s the first time I’ve ever written smut so I’m sorry if it’s a bit rough (pun intended). I hope you enjoy this next installment! All my love always xx Boleyn

Chapter Six: Career Anxieties and Evening Activities

Roy walked into the large hall where the awards ceremony was being held, still glued to his phone texting back and forth with his adorable musician.

“Roy!”

He looked up from his phone screen and saw his longtime friend Chad enthusiastically waving him over. He smiled and made his way over, stopping only to scoop a champagne flute off the tray of a waiter as he passed.

“I haven’t seen you in a minute, how the hell are you?” Chad greeted him warmly.

Roy smiled. “I’m doing well. How have you been?”

“Doing great. I finally managed to talk DuJour into joining my program to teach my Contemporary Voice and Fiction Techniques courses. I’m actually so glad to have more faculty and especially someone so different in personality from Mrs. Davis, our adjuncts, and I.”

Roy barely managed to disguise his laugh as a coughing snort. He remembered Danny vividly describing his Fiction Techniques professor walking into class the first day and dropping a baby doll out from underneath her skirt after a buildup of groaning and grunting. DuJour had picked up the baby doll and apparently offered it up as a casserole thereafter. Having thoroughly mortified and confused the class of freshman Master’s students, she had thrown the doll atop her lectern and deadpanned to the crowd, “this is what fiction can allow you to create. Chaos. Drama. Confusion. A world that doesn’t operate by the constraints of our own.” Roy had to keep from smiling as he remembered Danny animatedly telling him how he literally thought he might have accidentally taken a hit of his roommate’s acid before leaving the apartment. He also remembered the way Danny had bit his lower lip and told Roy how much he liked his laugh. He took a sip from his champagne glass in an effort to hide his ridiculous grin.

“Her style is a bit eccentric, I’ll admit-,” Chad continued on, at which point Roy couldn’t contain himself any longer and burst out in laughter.

“I’ll fucking say,” Roy managed to spit out between cackles.

“I know she comes off a bit odd, but I promise her style is with reason,” Chad began blindly defending his employee, but Roy waved him off.

“No, I’m sure she’s great at what she does, I just know one of her students and he’s shared stories with me of her in the classroom.”

Chad perked up at that. “Which student?”

“Daniel Noriega.”

“Danny! Gosh, he’s really excelling. He’s got a ton of potential. I’m really excited about what he’s going to be able to accomplish in the program.”

Roy was surprised by the amount of pride he felt. “He really is amazing. I haven’t had the chance to read his work but I know how much of himself he puts into his writing,” Roy agreed.

“You really should try and read some of it. How do you two know each other?” Chad asked, popping a mini quiche into his mouth. Roy wanted to roll his eyes at the pretentiousness of the entire event that extended all the way to the food served.

“He works at a coffee shop that I go to a lot.”

“And that was enough for you to know he’s passionate about his writing?” Chad asked with genuine curiosity.

“Well, no, but we got to talking and I actually happened upon one of his shows. He’s an amazing singer.” Roy smiled into his glass as he took another sip.

“Hmm,” Chad hummed, looking at Roy pointedly.

“What?”

“You have a lot to say about this boy.”

“I have a lot to say about most things. What’s your point?” Roy exasperatedly questioned.

“Well you’ve yet to say anything shady about him,” he explained with an attempt at a nonchalant shrug that reeked of curiosity.

Roy rolled his eyes. “Quit being a fucking mute and just say what you’re thinking. You’re being more annoying than Bunny when she’s sober.” Roy could feel his skin prickling in annoyance. Chad had a tendency to dance around what he really wanted to get at and Roy wasn’t interested in his friend’s games.

“I think you like this kid.”

“Congrats Sherlock. You want an award for your work?” Roy snapped.

“You’re defensive tonight.”

Roy forced himself to take a deep breath before answering. “And you’re testing my patience.”

“Roy … He’s very young.” Chad looked at him gently, almost warily. It only increased Roy’s annoyance.

“You’re astonishingly perceptive,” Roy deadpanned.

“Cameron was younger than you and it was a problem for you two. Danny’s incredibly emotional. His writing practically screams insecurity. How are you going to make sure this relationship is healthy for you both?”

Roy thought back to his ex. He had been with Cameron for over two years. It had been good in the beginning, but he had still been performing as Bianca at the time and had been making it big. Cameron was younger and it threatened him. He had been constantly worried that Roy would meet someone else or become so big that he would forget him. Roy had done just about everything in his power to convince Cameron he wouldn’t do that to him. The fighting had eventually gotten so persistent that Roy had stopped performing to appease Cameron. He knew what toxic was. Toxic was giving up something you loved doing in order to make someone you thought was your forever happy.

“Danny’s not at all like Cameron. Yes, he’s younger than me, but he’s … he’s not secretive the way Cameron was. He says what he feels when he feels it. He’s not going to hide shit away until it boils over. Okay? Don’t talk to me like I’m five years old.” Roy felt himself getting overly defensive. He knew that Chad had at least somewhat of a point. But hell, he had given up performing already! He was a fucking theater teacher. What was there that Danny would be insecure about? Danny was the star in this relationship!

“Yeah, sure, but c’mon Roy. He’s very young. He’s where you were ten years ago career-wise. He’s just coming into his own. He’s unpredictable and emotionally erratic. He doesn’t even know himself yet. Is that really someone that you want to be with? It’s going to be a huge amount of emotional investment for you.”

Roy was over this conversation. He didn’t need Chad telling him everything he already knew about Danny and him. He had already thought all these things through and barely come out of it confident in his decision to continue pursuing Danny. He really did NOT need someone he respected putting him through that entire experience again. He had come to the conclusion that going after Danny was good as long as Danny reciprocated. He had never felt this strongly this quickly before and that wasn’t something you just ignore. It wasn’t unhealthy for him to engage in a relationship with someone who made him feel happy and young and like there was something worth feeling excited about in the morning. Danny had improved his life. So Chad could fuck off with his negativity. Roy had thought this through. Ten times over. This was okay for him. This was good for him.

“Not to mention how hard it could be on Danny,” Chad continued, throwing Roy off.

He gritted his teeth and struggled to let out an even breath through them. Doing his absolute best to keep his temper even. “What does that mean?”

“Just that Danny isn’t even at the peak of his writing ability yet. He needs to be in a place where he can focus on cultivating his talent. His emotions completely impact his prose and his focus. Is being with someone right now really what’s best for his growth?” Chad said carefully, looking at Roy meaningfully.

“I’d never do anything to get in the way of him or his art. You know that’s not me.”

“I’m not saying you’d do it on purpose. But, just think about it. Is this what’s best for Danny at this point in his life?” Chad gave him a careful smile, his eyes wide with concern, before he waved over a waiter and plucked two fresh champagne flutes off the tray, handing one to Roy. “But, for now, I’ve got an award to present, and you’ve got an award to accept.”

Roy bit the inside of his lower lip. Chad wasn’t entirely wrong. He thought back to when he was 23 years old. He had been in no place for a serious relationship, having just been displaced from home and determined to become something big. The last thing he wanted to do was get in the way of Danny pursuing his dreams. Roy couldn’t imagine Danny not becoming a star, either through his music or his writing, or hell, both! Danny needed to fulfill his dreams and Roy felt anxiety sink its cold claws into his stomach as he contemplated his ability to destroy that.

He sighed, drawing his phone out of his pocket and checking the screen.

He saw the unopened notification from Danny.

Danny N: I miss you too.

He read it and felt a bit of his nervousness subside. Danny wanted this. It wasn’t one sided. But his throat still felt far too tight as he turned to look toward the stage where Chad was preparing to announce Roy. He pocketed his phone and began to make his way slowly to the front. His eyes barely focused on anything along the way as he struggled to get Daniel and his sudden guilt out of mind and remember the speech he had so carefully mulled over all day.

–

Danny smiled ridiculously as he pushed the door to his apartment open, practically running into Matt as he entered the hallway.

“Hey stranger,” the mellow blonde drawled. “How’d the review go?”

“Hey Matt!” Danny smiled, closing the door behind him. “It went so fucking great, man. Like way better than I expected. Dr. Michaels really liked my shit and was super supportive and wants to help me and it was very that.”

Matt slowly curved the left side of his mouth into a small grin. “Proud of you, kid.”

“How have you been? Haven’t seen you around lately,” Danny asked, tossing his bag into his room before heading to the kitchen.

“Yeah, umm, I’ve been hanging out with Jason a lot so we mostly go to their place since it’s closer to work. But we’re going out tonight to a place nearby so we came here.” Matt looked down and away, avoiding direct eye contact.

Danny smirked knowingly. “We? Oh my god. Fucking finally. I literally didn’t think you guys would ever actually start fucking,” Danny laughed, enjoying the flush of red that began creeping up his roommate’s neck.

“Whatever,” Matt sighed, rolling his eyes.

Danny laughed, pecking a kiss to his cheek, before flipping around and heading back to his room, a can of beer in hand. He collapsed onto his desk chair and cracked the can. He spun around to grab his bag and slide his laptop out from it, grabbing several of the now heavily marked up pieces of work that he had shown Dr. Michaels as well.

He absentmindedly sipped the beer as he went through the first short story, keeping pace on his monitor with the corrections he was scanning on the paper copy. He made his way through the piece, taking in the suggestions, making quick work of fixing minor mistakes, and taking time to add or delete work in certain places where more attention needed to be paid. He had finished his drink a while back but continued to furiously type away, working through two short stories and one poetic narrative before his eyes began to glaze over. He looked out his window and realized with a start that night had fallen. He allowed his imagination to wander as small specks of light managed to break through the light pollution of the city and dot the night sky. He smiled wistfully as he began to think about Roy. I bet he looks amazing on stage in that well-fitted tux. Accepting awards and shit because he’s fucking incredible. Danny bit his lip and smiled softly. He’s so fucking incredible.

Danny jumped as the harsh buzz of his phone vibrating on the metal surface of his work desk reverberated through the room and brought him back down to earth. He flipped it over to read the screen and felt a small twinge of disappointment when the name on the screen read “Michelle” and not “Roy”.

He pushed it down before swiping to accept the call.  “Hey boss!” He greeted warmly.

“Hi Danny. You got a sec to talk?” The New Jerseyian said, the faint sound of a keyboard clacking in the background.

“Yeah! What’s up?”

“Do you know the music duo Precinct 75?” Michelle asked, the keyboard still pounding away.

“Yeah man, of course I do! They’re so fucking punk. I literally stan the fuck out of them on insta,” Danny answers, his tone incredulous at Michelle’s apparent lack of knowledge regarding the electronic heavy pop punk experimental music project.

“Excuse me for checking,” Michelle chuckled into the phone, her keyboard finally silencing. “Well, they had an opener lined up for a four week winter tour, but they bailed out. I checked the dates, and all of the performances fall in your school break. It’s a ten show run. I can get you on the tour as the main opener.” Her business side was so brusque. It was such a contrast to Danny’s constantly emotive and descriptive approach to speech. It was one of the things that made them work so well together, but, right now, it was what was preventing Danny from feeling able to share with his manager the reason why this amazing opportunity made his body grow cold and numb and made his stomach clench into a knot.

Four weeks. That’s almost an entire month. It seemed only a few days ago that Danny and Roy had first met but it had already been almost two months and they had only been on one real date and barely managed to get to a real make out. They hadn’t even begun to discuss what they wanted. I would be gone for a month. In just over a month. Where would that leave Roy and I? Fuck. What if it changed everything? What if Roy didn’t want to wait around for something?

“Danny? Earth to Daniel? …. You better be coming up with all the hundreds of ways that you’re going to thank me for this opportunity …. Danny?” Michelle’s tone grew increasingly confused and closer to concerned as Danny’s end of the line remained silent.

Finally, Danny managed to regain control over his voice. “Where?” he asked quietly. Maybe if it’s all nearby gigs then I can be in the city on days we don’t preform? Four weeks … ten shows. That’s like three shows a week. I can come back. I don’t have to be away the entire time…

“You’re going to love this. It’s two stops in Canada, six in the States, one in Mexico, and one in Puerto Rico. You’ll be running from airport to airport but it’s the farthest reach we’ve come across. They want you and this couldn’t be a more perfect chance for you, Danny. It’s literally during your winter break. I talked to Bonnie and even promised her we’d find a way for you to go home for Christmas Eve and Day. You’re welcome for that if that’s why you’re so quiet.”

God. I wish it was just my chola mom needing me home for the holidays. Danny worried his lower lip before letting out a quiet breath. “I … I think I just need to take a second to let it sink in…” He muttered, trying to buy time. I can’t say no. This is literally like the biggest fucking gig I’ve ever landed. But how am I toing to tell Roy? It’s four weeks away. The logical side of his brain screamed at him that four weeks wasn’t even all that long, but the part of him that had begun to see a future with Roy, a real, actual, possible relationship with a man he could see himself completely falling for, was desperately clawing through the surface. He felt trapped and nearly nauseous with indecision.

“Daniel. What’s going on? Is everything okay with you?” Michelle demanded in a softly caring yet harshly intimidating motherly way. He almost smiled at her attempt to disguise her concern. Almost. But he couldn’t. Not right now. Not when he felt like he was losing two things so important to him at the same time, watching them slip out of grasp. He needed to smoke.

“Umm, yeah, it’s just a lot to process. Ummm. I’ll think about it. I don’t know. It’s .. yeah. Can we talk about it later?” Danny mumbled, fumbling with the window lock to his room and clambering out onto the fire escape. Fuck. Okay. Fresh air. This is good. This is better. It’s okay.

“No, Danny. This isn’t a ‘think on it’ kind of situation. This is a ‘could make your career’ kind of situation and you need to take this opportunity!” Michelle scolded him, unimpressed by his ramblings.

“I’m just in a weird head space. I can’t talk about this right now.”

“Is this because of that guy you’re seeing?” Michelle asked gently.

Fuck.

“Maybe?” Danny said after a few moments of debate. Michelle always saw through him. It wasn’t worth lying. “It’s just so soon and it’s not a super huge amount of time but like it also is because we’re not even a real thing yet and it could keep us from being a thing you know? And like, I don’t want to choose right now.” Danny slumped into one of the lawn chairs on the escape, grabbing the tin box out of the flowerpot. Popping the lid open, he growled under his breath when he realized that his flat mates had polished off all the joints he had neatly rolled and stashed in there. He reached into the pot and grabbed the small booklet of rolling papers they kept there.

“Daniel, if it’s right, he’s not going to leave you because you’re going after what you want. Remember how many chances the ex took away from you? I’m not letting that happen again. You need to do this. For your career and for you.” Michelle’s firm voice was almost soothing by how steady and predictable it was.

“I know,” Danny whispered, staring at his hands. It was so hard to readjust his senses. He didn’t know what it was like to be with someone supportive of his career and his aspirations. Of course Roy’s going to tell me to go. Of course he’ll want what’s best for me. He’s not Gregg. He’s Roy. It’s going to be okay. Danny tried to force his nerves down below the surface, but they refused to go. A small part of him held on to the idea that Roy would find someone in his absence. A voice inside him whispering that he wasn’t worth waiting for.

“Okay, look. Sleep on it. We’ll talk tomorrow. But you know what the right choice is Danny. This is for you. Choose you this time,” Michelle sighed into the phone before reminding him how much she cared about him and bidding him goodnight.

“Night,” Danny replied on autopilot, ending the call and throwing his phone on Do Not Disturb.

He quickly threw some weed into his grinder and rolled a fresh joint, lighting it and drawing a deep breath through it. He felt his shoulders relax as the smoke danced over his taste buds and filled his lungs. He tried to follow the smoke, imagining it being absorbed by his blood and traveling through his limbs, calming his nerves, easing away the tension, bleeding through the screaming anxiety with whispered tranquility.

But it wasn’t enough. His brain wouldn’t stop thinking. Fuck it.

He grabbed his phone, swiping it open to his conversation with Roy. His fingers danced above the keyboard for a moment before committing to a message.

Danny N: How are you handling all that fame and recognition?

He sat there, mulling over the message for a few minutes, pulling a few more times on his joint, before some tendril of courage made the decision for him, his finger pressing decidedly onto the send button.

Well, man. Fuck it. The only way to know is to talk to him about it.

Danny wanted to be confident about this. But he wasn’t. What if Roy isn’t receptive to me going away? What if he doesn’t see this thing, whatever we are, lasting that long anyway? What if bringing it up ends it all?

Danny started as his nearly forgotten joint dwindled to a nub, the lit end biting into the skin of his fingers.

“Fuck,” he hissed through his teeth, stubbing the largely wasted joint out and tossing the remains into the flowerpot. He forced a breath of air out harshly into the nighttime breeze. It was nearly November and he suddenly realized that, while it wasn’t exactly freezing outside, it was certainly cold enough to warrant a jacket. He shivered, rubbing his hands over his exposed arms to warm them. I should get a jacket. I should go inside and calm the fuck down.

He didn’t move. Choosing instead to roll a second joint and focus on actually making use of this one instead of allowing it to burn to nothing while he stared at a blank phone screen.

Throwing his phone down on the side table, he closed his eyes and tilted his head back, willing calm to overtake him. 

The window beside him opened and Jason slipped through. “Want some company that’s not your negativity?” they asked, despite not waiting for an answer, choosing to fall into the chair next to him before even completing their question.

“Whatever, man.”

“So, what the fuck is the attitude about?” Jason quipped, one eyebrow tilted quizzically, their hand extended, silently demanding the joint.

Danny relented, passing the joint over while huffing out a breath that was somewhere between annoyance and begrudging gratitude that he would be able to talk this out with someone painfully honest yet genuinely astute. “I’m … I don’t know man. I guess I’m just freaking the fuck out. I got an offer that’s seriously so good for my career but I recently met someone and, like, it’s the first time since my ex that I can really see something happening, you know? But this guy, he’s just, he’s so amazing. He’s like a teddy bear, man. Like honestly. He’s sassy but so like fucking genuine, too. He mellows me out when he’s around. It’s like being stoned but better. Seriously.” Danny lolled his head onto his shoulder, turning to make eye contact with Jason.

Jason looked back at him evenly. “So what’s the problem?”

Danny frowned, thinking for a moment. “I’m just scared that he won’t want to wait around for me. Like, why would he wait around if he can find someone else? Or what if he never wanted to be anything at all and this just is it?”

Jason rolled their eyes, pushing the joint back into Danny’s hands. “You’re being a fucking idiot right now. I’m sorry but you need to find some confidence like yesterday. You’re hot Danny and you’re talented. He won’t find someone else because what he has right now is pretty fucking great and he sounds like the kind of guy to know that. Quit bitching and just talk to him. Nothing’s going to be fixed by smoking your way through all of the apartment’s weed,” Jason said flatly.

“Thanks for the great pep talk,” Danny moaned, choosing to sulk just a little longer. He put the joint to his lips and dragged a large breath of smoke into his lungs. He let it linger there for a moment before breathing it out.

He passed the joint back to Jason and looked at his phone screen.

Roy H: Well, I’ve decided it’s only right I move into a one room cabin in the middle of the Montana forest to begin writing my autobiography in isolation. I’ve also realized that it’s time for me to get serious and adopt a few babies from a third world country. I’m thinking Cambodia. Does Angelina have one from there yet?

Danny N: Fuck if I know lol

Roy H: Well I’ll plan on Cambodia for now but we can add Morocco to the list as a back up.

Danny N: We???

Roy H: Well, any real rich and famous artist has a young piece of arm candy by his side to keep the tabloids talking about him. So I was thinking you’d be willing to do me that favor?? *winky face*

Danny N: What can I say? I’m honored to be your sugar baby. Are you going to fund my music career? *tongue out face*

Danny smiled at his phone screen.

“Stop. That’s literally gross.” Danny looked up to see Matt step through his window onto the escape, ambling over to pluck the mostly spent joint from Jason’s fingers and catch it between his lips.

“What?” Danny asked, looking at him only briefly before turning his attention back to his phone.

Roy H: I never said shit about being your daddy, queen. I only said that I would let you walk a red carpet with me *hair flip emoji*

Danny N: Well … I guess the exposure is good for my career.

Roy H: It’s a win-win.

Danny N: How’s the ceremony going?

Roy H: I’m dying to get away.

Danny N: Anything I could help with?

Roy H: Want to fake an emergency and call me??? *upside down face*

Danny N: I could do that….

Danny N: But…..

Danny N: I think it should somehow benefit me too… *winky face*

Roy H: And what exactly would you be requesting in exchange???

Danny N: I was thinking that maybe I could see you again?

Danny N: Soon??

Twenty minutes had passed since Danny had sent his last text. He had, by now, relocated to the couch in their living room where he was uncomfortably perched right beside an obviously preoccupied Matt and Jason. Jason was fully straddling Matt and there was clearly nothing that would halt the coming sexual tryst, so Danny moved himself off the sofa and to the fridge to grab another beer. He heard a few faint knocks on the door.

Pulling the tab open on his beer, he walked over to the door. Who the fuck knocks nowadays??

He pulled the door open to an adorably disheveled Roy. A faint hint of five o’clock shadow was barely visible along his jaw line and his bowtie hung around his neck, still tied, but barely.

“Roy,” Danny breathed, a huge smile overtaking his face. “Why’re you here?”

Danny leaned against the doorframe so fucking suggestively. There wasn’t anything innately sexual about it, but the pure fact that it was Danny and he was biting his lower lip, looking into Roy’s eyes, supporting his weight on the exposed beam of his shit apartment made Roy’s heart accelerate. Fuck, I’m tipsy.

Roy had downed a few … several … glasses of champagne at the ceremony before he could get away. He had spent the whole time thinking about Danny, attempting to justify what they had despite the risks it posed to Danny’s career. God did he want Danny to succeed … but was it guilty for Roy to want Danny to succeed with him by his side?

Roy was at once grateful and wary of the liquid courage that was pulsing through his veins. “You said you wanted to see me. So I came.” He smiled tentatively. Danny felt a wave of affection crash through him as he looked at this precious man before him. A man that cared enough to come racing across town just because he wanted to see him again. God, he’s so fucking gorgeous.

Danny stared into his amber eyes for a moment longer before leaning in to press a gentle kiss to his lover’s mouth. “I didn’t think I’d get to see you this soon,” he whispered against his adorable professor’s lips. “Aren’t you supposed to wait before seeing someone again? Something about building anticipation,” he giggled into Roy’s smiling lips.

“The whole waiting thing is for guys who don’t have your perfect ass. Speaking of which, I’d really like to see that magnificent part of you in person,” Roy crooned, leaning in to gently pull his teeth against the underside of Danny’s jaw, eliciting a quiet but undeniable moan from the younger man.

“Fuck,” Danny exhaled, feeling Roy’s tongue trace a line back to his earlobe before placing a gentle kiss to it.

“Do I have your attention?” Roy muttered, still pressing lazy, open-mouthed kisses to the exposed skin of Danny’s neck.

“Baby,” Danny breathed. “You’ve never not had my attention.” He let his head fall to the side, exposing more of his neck to Roy. God, this is good.

“Mmm.” Roy continued to lavish the length of Daniel’s neck. “I want you. Alone.”

“My roommates are here…,” Danny remorsefully admitted.

“I need to let my dogs out anyway.” Roy laughed. “Want to come over to my place?”

“Fuck yeah,” Danny whispered as he kissed the hollow of Roy’s ear. He smiled at him dangerously. God he’s so fucking sexy. Fuck. His ass is like a shelf. I swear to god, I’ll bury my face in it and suffocate and I’ll still die with a smile on my face. Roy took a deep breath. Okay. I’m tipsy. Like close to drunk tipsy. But he’s so cute. Fuck, I really want him to fuck me.

Roy could feel himself biting his lip. He hadn’t told himself to do that. But the way Danny’s eyes followed that small action made him grateful for it.

“Do you want to spend the night at mine?” Roy asked, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness.

“Yes,” Danny smiled, bending toward his adorably sweet partner, “I would love to spend the night with you.” He chastely kissed the edge of Roy’s smile. “Give me a minute,” he breathed.

He ducked into his room to grab his wallet and keys. He grabbed his patchwork jean jacket from his bedpost before turning the lights off in his room and returning to Roy. He kissed him, trying, and almost failing, to restrain himself from starting a full on make out session in the doorway to his apartment.

He pulled back, smiling softly at Roy. “Let’s go.”

“Party,” Roy said in a ditzy voice, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Danny mocked offense before turning around. “I guess you don’t want to get laid tonight. Sucks, man. I have a few tats you haven’t seen yet and they’re really fucking cool. But whatever. Bye.” He made to go through the door but was stopped by two arms wrapping around him and a head resting on the crook of his shoulder.

He growled softly into Danny’s neck. “I’m sorry babe, I take it back. Please come home with me so I can finally see what you really look like without all of your dilapidated, falling apart at the seams clothes covering your body. And I really want to become acquainted with every tattoo on you.” Daniel smiled and leaned into Roy’s touch.

He turned himself around without breaking their embrace. He brought his hands around Roy’s neck and brushed through the hair there. “Party,” he laughed, kissing him before closing the door behind him and dragging Roy to the stairs.

“Oh, fuck you,” Roy giggled.

“Please,” Danny smiled over his shoulder as they made their way out of his apartment building and onto the sidewalk.

They worked their way back to Roy’s place, stopping several times to make out against some unsuspecting building wall or conveniently placed tree.

When Roy pulled him into a nice building off of 11th and 27th in the midst of a bunch of art galleries, Danny swallowed heavily. The doorman smiled politely at them as Roy walked him through the lobby. Fuck … this is bougie. Danny gaped as Roy ushered him into a beautiful elevator with marble flooring and floor to ceiling mirrors. Roy took out his keys and pressed a fob to the wall next to the 7th floor button and pressed it. He turned and smiled lazily in Danny’s direction, leaning over to press a gentle kiss to his lips.

Danny smiled into the kiss, still slightly overwhelmed with the grandeur of Roy’s apartment complex. The doors opened to an equally opulent hallway with very few doors. Fuck. His place is nice.

Roy pulled him to the door at then end of the hallway. He slipped his key into the lock and turned it. He looked back at Danny. “My babies aren’t always the friendliest at first but I promise they’re wonderful and perfect, they just need time to warm up to new people.”

“They get that from their dad?” Danny laughed.

Roy rolled his eyes and opened the door. Immediately two small bundles of golden fur swarmed him. They excitedly jumped up on Roy’s legs, their tails wagging faster than Danny thought should be possible. Roy gingerly moved around them, heading into the apartment. Danny smiled as the dogs registered his presence and began sniffing his feet. He crouched down, letting them sniff his hands before he tried to pet them. Their tails slowed as they took in his scent but then sped back up again as they jumped up on him too. Danny laughed.

“They’re not usually this friendly,” Roy smiled, looking at his two babies who were apparently as drawn to Danny as he was.

Danny looked up from the dogs smiling. “Which one’s Sammy and which one’s Dede?” He spoke, the wild grin never leaving his face.

“Sammy’s the one who’s trying to lick your face and Dede is the one that’s trying to get in your lap,” he laughed. A liquid warmth spread through his chest as he imagined coming home to this everyday. Danny and his dogs. Danny’s excited smile as his two dogs showered him with love. When did I get this fucking sentimental?

“You said they need to be walked?” Danny stood, Sammy and Dede still excitedly circling his feet.

“Yes, I grabbed their leashes. You can hang out here while I take them. It’s not a long walk,” Roy offered, bending down to hook their leashes to their collars.

Danny was frowning slightly when he stood back up. He looked remarkably like a puppy dog. “But I want to go on the walk too,” Danny pouted, his lower lip pushing out past his upper one. God I want to bite that lip.

“Do I need to get you a leash too?” Roy sassed.

At that Danny’s face lit up. “That could be fun,” he whispered as he leaned in to peck Roy’s lips. He pulled away with a suggestive smirk on his face as he grabbed one of the leashes from Roy and walked back toward the elevator. Roy locked the front door and took a minute to appreciate the view. Danny walking away from him was never something he wanted to see, but he was always happy to see that man’s ass in action. I really could get used to this. Danny, the dogs, domesticity.

Roy surprised himself when he realized just how badly he did want this. How natural it felt for Danny to be here, walking his dogs with him. And how good he looked while doing it.

Danny pressed the call button for the elevator and turned around. “You coming?”

Roy cackled. “I hope so.”

Danny laughed. “Baby, you’ll come,” he teased, leaning in to kiss Roy again. He moaned when Roy surprised him by immediately deepening the kiss. He opened his mouth, letting Roy tangle their tongues. He brought his hand up to cup Roy’s face, tilting their heads slightly, pulling Roy’s body closer to him. They jumped apart when the elevator dinged open.

Roy laughed breathily. He looked down to find two pairs of chocolate eyes staring back at him quizzically. “We need to walk these dogs now so I can get you naked,” he said decidedly, moving past Danny into the elevator.

“Party,” Danny mimed in the ditzy voice Roy had used earlier.

Roy rolled his eyes. “Really queen?”

Danny laughed and pecked Roy’s cheek.

They managed to bring Sammy and Dede on a short walk, barely making it through the park without stopping every five seconds to kiss one another.

Roy was amazed by his own neediness. He wanted Danny, badly. He felt some of the effects of his earlier champagne fade slightly but still felt incredibly light and giggly. He was literally acting like a high school girl. Pull it together, Haylock. You’re better than this. He tried to ignore Danny’s hand that had gone from being wrapped around his waist to tightly gripping his ass.

Once they entered the elevator to go back upstairs, Roy growled, pinning Danny to the wall and aggressively kissing him.

“You’re so fucking hot,” he snarled into Danny’s lips.

The elevator stopped moving and he pushed himself away from Danny. He liked the way he looked right now. All mussed up and thoroughly kissed. His naturally juicy lips were even plumper now from Roy’s teeth having sunk into them several times during the night.

They stumbled back into Roy’s apartment, quickly unleashing the dogs and throwing them into their crates before Roy practically dragged Danny through the small corridor into his bedroom. Roy had that incredible grin on his face, that one that Danny would imagine when alone, able to shut his eyes for a few moments before sleep overwhelmed him. Danny bit his lip as Roy slumped onto his bed in what was probably supposed to be a sexy move but ended up being closer to a disaster.

He laughed. “You’re a fucking mess, babe,” Danny whispered as he bit his lower lip.

“I told you I’m tipsy,” Roy groaned, arms stretched toward Danny, inviting Danny to join him on the bed.

“Are you sure you want to do this,” Danny asked. He didn’t think Roy was drunk but if he was, he didn’t want this to be something the alcohol decided for him to do. He didn’t want to be a booze-induced regret.

“I’ve wanted to do this since you gave me that stupid chocolate croissant two months ago,” Roy admitted, rolling his eyes shyly before beckoning Danny closer. “Please, Danny. I really want you,” he said earnestly.

Danny smiled, biting his lip as he fell onto the bed, pushing Roy back until he was straddling him. “I want you too, babe.”

He leaned down, kissing Roy’s neck as he worked to unbutton his shirt. Roy threaded his fingers through Danny’s hair, grazing his nails across his scalp. Danny moaned softly. “Fuck babe,” he breathed against skin at the base of Roy’s neck. He gently bit the exposed bit of clavicle, soothing the mark with his tongue. He finally managed to undo the last button, pushing the clothing away from Roy’s chest to expose his skin. Roy pushed Danny away from him in order to pull the shirt off, throwing it to the side. He fell back to the bed. Danny stared at hungrily at him. Swaths of smooth caramel skin pulled taut over surprisingly well-defined muscles. Danny raked his nails over the skin before beginning a trail of open-mouthed kisses along Roy’s chest, stopping to lavish attention on each of Roy’s nipples, smiling when he heard Roy moan his name as he did so.

Roy began pushing away Danny’s jacket, his actions only slowing long enough for Danny to allow it to fall away from his shoulders. He leaned back down, passionately kissing Roy. Roy rucked Danny’s shirt up and over his head, allowing his hands to drag over his back. His skin was warm and electricity shot through Roy as their exposed chests molded perfectly to one another. He sucked on Danny’s lower lip before turning them over so that he was on top. He propped himself up on one arm, using the other to cradle Danny’s face. He lined their hips together and rocked a bit, desperate for any amount of friction. He was way too hard for just a few minutes of making out. Danny was so different from the guys he usually went for but he couldn’t remember a time when he was so desperate to be with someone. He pushed Danny down, moving to suck gently at the skin below his jaw line.

They traded steamy kisses, Roy dividing his time between kissing Danny’s mouth and suckling on the delicate skin over his pulse point, a satisfied smirk spreading across his face at how fast Danny’s pulse was. He repositioned his hips slightly and let out a guttural moan when his hard length dragged along Danny’s deliciously.

“You’re so beautiful babe,” Danny breathed as Roy began his own tour of Danny’s skin, licking and nipping his way down Danny’s body.

Danny let his head fall back, enjoying the feel of Roy’s teeth biting into his skin. He was so hard, every scrape of Roy’s teeth against him shooting electricity through his body, excitement collecting in the pit of his stomach. His heart was racing.

Roy bit into the skin below Danny’s navel before hurriedly undoing his belt and unzipping his jeans. Roy rested back on his heels as he tugged Danny’s pants away, freeing his incredibly hard dick and leaving him lying gloriously naked on the bed. Roy licked his lips as his eyes took in the scene before him. Danny was by far the most attractive man he had ever been with. “You’re so incredible.”

He leaned down, trailing one hand along Danny’s hip, the other gingerly resting on his inner thigh. He brought his face down, kissing the skin near the base of his shaft. He grinned when Danny thrust his hips upward and groaned his name. He tipped his head to the side, taking a moment to appreciate Danny’s breathless wantonness.

“Eager?” he laughed, relishing the hungry look he elicited from Danny.

“Baby, please?” Danny moaned, his eyes hooded with lust.

“Since you asked nicely,” Roy teased, licking his lips before dragging his firm, flat tongue along the underside of Danny’s shaft, from base to tip. Danny was warm and velvety soft and god so hard. Roy had planned on teasing him longer but suddenly had the overwhelming urge to just take all of him and pleasure him and watch him come apart at his tongue.

He engulfed Danny’s length, welcoming his hard member into his mouth, pushing himself to accept the entirety of Danny. He wanted to bring Danny to the edge. He wanted to be the only thing Danny could think about for a long time. Fuck, I’m tipsy.

 He hollowed his cheeks, drawing Danny further into him. He was thick and not necessarily over the top big, but big enough to warrant appreciation. He drew back, bobbing down again after swirling his tongue around Danny’s head. He set a steady pace, relishing in the noises he was drawing from Danny. He dragged his fingertips gently over Danny’s skin, moving towards his balls which he kneaded softly. He pulled all the way back and ran his tongue beneath his foreskin. He felt the fantastic sound he earned from Danny shoot straight to his own rock hard member. He moved away from Danny long enough to remove his pants and lick his fingers. He returned to where Danny was incredibly slick with his saliva and teased his asshole with one hand while pleasuring himself with the other and continuing to use his mouth on Danny, though less intensely than before.

“Babe, fuck, I can take more, please,” Danny whimpered, pre-cum leaking deliciously from his head.

Roy traveled up the bed to kiss his beautiful lover tenderly before grabbing lube and a condom from his bedside table. He coated his fingers with it before returning them to Danny’s hole, pushing first one then two in and waiting until Danny ground down onto them before moving. He crooked them and grinned devilishly when he elicited a raw growl from Danny as he pushed against his prostate. “That good babe?” Roy whispered into Danny’s ear, moving his free hand to press their dicks together.

“Fuck,” Danny breathed. “Yes, fuck, that’s good, mmm, Roy.”

Roy watched Danny’s face, his jaw slack, breathing heavily, his eyes screwed shut in pleasure. He looked like sex. Roy inhaled sharply when Danny involuntarily jerked his hips upward, their dicks rubbing together roughly. “Fuck.”

“Roy, please, I want you inside me,” Danny whispered into the hot air between their open mouths.

Roy wasted no time, shifting away from Danny and tearing open the condom. He rolled it onto his still rock hard, leaking dick and lathered it with lube. He moved over Danny, spreading his legs apart and moving a pillow below his ass to lift him to his height. He kissed Danny as he teased his entrance, slowly sinking in and waiting for Danny to relax around him. “You’re so beautiful,” he groaned when Danny turned his head to the side and grabbed a handful of bedding. Danny tipped his hips upward and grabbed Roy’s ass with his free hand, encouraging him to begin moving.

Roy pulled Danny closer to him and began to move in earnest, rocking into Danny with firm, steady strokes. “God, you feel so good,” he moaned into the spit-slick skin of Danny’s neck, continuing to lave suckling kisses onto it.

Danny enjoyed how vocal Roy was during sex, tilting his head to share a sloppy, all tongue and some teeth, kiss with his lover. He dragged his nails over the skin on Roy’s ass, stopping to firmly squeeze it before raking his nails up and over his back. He left one to draw lines over the muscled curvature of Roy’s back and dug the other into Roy’s hair, tugging it. Roy hissed and retaliated by pulling out of Danny and flipping him around so that his ass was in the air. He smacked one cheek but paused, looking at the other one. “You’re so sexy,” he growled, bending to nip at the crescent moon tattoo adorning the side of Danny’s ass. He pulled back, giving it a resounding slap before plunging his dick back into Danny.

Danny sunk his teeth into his lip and whined, the sting of Roy’s palm hitting him going straight to his dick. He bunched some of the bending into his fists, grabbing for purchase as Roy continued to push into him. He was surprised at how good Roy’s dick felt in him. He had been almost exclusively a top in his last relationship and had never experienced this much pleasure when bottoming. He couldn’t remember the last time he climaxed as a bottom but he could feel his muscles tightening in his lower stomach and knew he wasn’t far away.

“Babe,” he breathed into the bed linen. “I’m so, mmm, so close.”

Roy lowered himself so that his chest was to Danny’s back, reaching around him to give attention to his neglected dick, pumping it in time to his thrusts. “I want to see your face when you, fuck, come,” Roy hissed into Danny’s neck. He turned his head so that one cheek was on the bed and sought out Roy’s eyes. Roy leaned to the side to accommodate him, never once loosing rhythm with either his hand or his hips.

“Fuck Danny. You’re so sexy, fuck, so beautiful. Come for me babe,” Roy groaned, extremely close himself and needing Danny to let go so he could find his own release.

Danny breathed out a strangled moan as Roy felt hot liquid cover his hand. He slowed his pace to let Danny ride out his orgasm, thrilling pride coursing through him as he watched the beautiful man beneath him gasp out his name in pleasure.

God he was close. Seeing Danny climax was the sexiest thing he had seen in his life. He kissed Danny’s cheek. “Are you okay to keep going?” he asked, anxious not to push his partner too far.

“It’s your turn to come baby,” Danny sighed, his voice sinfully low and sated.

“Fuck,” Roy breathed, pulling back to lave kisses over the butterfly tattoo at the base of his lover’s neck. He began pumping in and out of Danny with quick, shallow strokes, feeling his stomach tightening. He felt his own release approaching quickly and groaned out Danny’s name as he came inside of him.

He kissed Danny’s neck as he pulled out of him, removing the condom, tossing it into a waste bin beside his bed and using a tissue to wipe Danny’s come from his hand. Danny rolled to his side, his face blissfully relaxed and glowing. Roy kissed his nose and pulled his comforter over them, cocooning them in their post-coital haze.

“You’re amazing,” Roy breathed into the space between them.

Danny wrapped his arms around his lover and kissed him sleepily. “No, that’s you,” he sighed, yawning. Roy smiled, his heart fluttering with affection. God he’s so cute.

“Go to sleep, baby,” Roy teased, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

“See you in the morning,” Danny whispered, shifting even closer to Roy.

“Goodnight,” Roy breathed into Danny’s hair, closing his own eyes, a smile plastered across his face as he held his lover close and let sleep overtake him.