For Reeve

[emovampboy]

When it came to use of his phone, Vincent was very much like Cloud. He left it on, received messages and listened to or read them, but quite rarely responded. The few times he did respond tended to be if he deemed an actual answer to be required, or when from time to time Marlene got hold of Cloud or Tifa's phone and contacted him. Since it was so rare for her to do so, he always took it as a good thing to answer.

Which meant he had answered when she called him a few days after a message from Tifa asking him to come to a party for the girl, which he had ignored; his first mistake. Once answered, the girl had spent several minutes speaking to him, until suddenly springing the question of if he were coming to her party and making it quite impossible for him to really say no without seeming like a total heel, and so he agreed to go; his second mistake. And then he had made his third mistake - actually going.

At first, it really wouldn't have seemed to have been a bad idea. He knew everyone who was invited, how they acted around one another, and that Tifa would keep the whole group from going completely crazy over the course of the night, but he had not expected having to assist in breaking up one of Cloud and Barrett's squabbles when the woman had to leave for a short time to fetch something, and honestly he was glad that Reeve was invited and could help diffuse the situation with; especially when Yuffie and a very unhelpful Cid decided it would be a great idea to bet on who would win if they actually took to fistacuffs over whatever stupid thing it was this time which set them off.

All of this had left him rather done with company, and as soon as Tifa was back to be the adult in the situation, he'd snuck outside for some relative peace and quiet.

Comments

[emovampboy]

"You seem to like when I'm a little mean." Is Vincent's own counter, as he lays down a straight. And he can always do the kissing, so there! "Perhaps you should just ask your question."

[plate_builder]

"I suppose I do," Reeve smirks, shaking his head. "But that is just cruel. To make a mockery of my math skills. I'll have you know my line of work requires a lot of math."

Not defensive, just playful. And for right now, pleased with what he was doing.

"Perhaps I should earn the question," he insisted as he dealt a new hand. "I put down the rules, I must play by them. Anything else would be an abuse of power."

[emovampboy]

Vincent just hums gently, but he seems to accept the amswer for the moment, taking his cards up.

[plate_builder]

It's an easy enough night, cards and the like. So much in the way of games. He didn't manage too many questions from Vincent. What he did instead was put the cards away he wound up talking about other things. About his father's grave now being inaccessible and how he hated that. How he was considering a lot of things with his life like making a small memorial to them where he had grown up as a kid. About how he was going to miss his place in edge and he was a bit nervous about one of his investors.

Reeve talked to fill the gaps because he wanted to talk. To share with Vincent. And in the end of the night he asked a question that felt important to him.

"Can... I stay here? Tonight?"

And by here, he meant Vincent's bed. Won't touch him. Just wants close.

[emovampboy]

Perhaps it was a good thing that Vincent was now the quiet sort, as it did not seem to bother him that Reeve did most of the talking. It did bother him a little that the man seemed to limit his questions to when he won, but he supposed that was Reeve considering Vincent's feelings.

He would sometimes interject questions of his own, though. Overall, he was content enough to let Reeve talk though.

The last question causes confusion, however, Vincent tilting his head. "Hadn't I already offered to let you stay?"

[plate_builder]

Oh well.

"You did. I forgot," he said softly, smiling as he rose and moved to his pack so he could get dressed for bed. Pajamas and all of that. Get him dressed for bed and lay down on the bed meant for him.

[emovampboy]

"You haven't even drunk tonight." Vincent smiles a little from behind his cloak. "Or were you worrried I might change my mind after speaking more with you?"

[plate_builder]

"Would you prefer if I had?" Reeve asked. "No, I don't think you're going to change your mind. I'm not that foolish. I just was asking something else, and my subtle nature made it hard to understand I think."

He gathered up his clothes and headed toward the bathroom. Changing in there is better.

[emovampboy]

Vincent tilts his head a little. Asking something else? Vincent can take many meanings from that, but as they have shown that neither reads each other well in these situations...

Vincent stands, the movement of cloth all Reeve will have as warning, moving quickly to grab for the other man's wrist, to turn him and look him in the eyes if he can.

"Don't be subtle. Ask what you want to ask."

[plate_builder]

He is stopped by the grip and Reeve looks at him for a moment. The strength of the grip is... welcomed. But he keeps a level head.  “Turks are not the only ones who learn to be vague to cloak their intentions. Forgive me. But I feel that asking would make me look the fool.”

[emovampboy]

Considering half his issues with Lucrecia were him not speaking up, and her doing the same until things were a mess, this is not the best answer to be giving him, and although he remains entirely calm in appearance, the red eyes keeping steady on Reeve likely tell that more is going on behind them.

If he asks again for Reeve to be clear, will he receive another vague answer? Would it be alright to receive such, and let things alone? Or is this a time to push?

His grip tightens subtly, not painful but meant to keep Reeve from freeing himself, voice lowering and carrying the smallest edge of the danger a former Turk can produce.

"Tell me."

He isn't risking letting things sit this time.

[plate_builder]

Interesting reaction. Reeve was neither expecting it nor sure of how to proceed beyond obeying.

"I was thinking that if I wished a night alone in a bed, I'd go home. In asking to stay I did not mean in this room, that was already the intention, if only so I can spare the efforts of my security. I meant closer to you."

A shared bed. Need he be more specific? He would.

[emovampboy]

More interesting is Reeve. He had seemed to be avoiding much in the way of contact, seeming to worry it would be a bad idea, and now he was suggesting a shared bed? Potentially even something more? What a curious thing.

Yet he doesn't let go, just staring quietly at Reeve. Thinking and debating what his next course of action should be. It may even seem, for a time, that Vincent has frozen in place.

Finally he does move, though, and it's not slow. Releasing Reeve's wrist, he grabs his shoulder instead and shoves, following the shove with a rush so he can press Reeve back against the nearest wall, body flesh against him.

"Closer, like this?"

[plate_builder]

Not at all what Reeve meant. He had stood there through the appraising silence, expecting and waiting for encouragement to be more clear. Or quiet permission that yes the space could be shared. Instead a flurry of motion and there he was, back stinging just a bit from hitting the wall, and then to immediately have Vincent there, so close, pinning him.  Reeve was forced to bite his lip to hold back any potentially embarrassing noises. Which of course would do little to hide the way his body reacted to it all. His heart was racing and he could swear his lips ache from the pounding of it. And no doubt Vincent would be able to tell the other reaction, further down.  But Reeve was trying to stay dignified here. He didn’t want to be the man he was when he was younger, driven into beds quickly and out of hearts even faster. He wanted more than that, and wouldn’t give in to an ache for pleasure because it was easier than building a relationship.  “This was not exactly what I meant,” he answered, somehow managing to keep his voice level. “The beds are wide enough for two men to share one. Proximity was the goal I had in mind. Not that you are not beautiful enough to make a man burn with desire.”

[emovampboy]

This close, even the oblivious Cloud would notice the reaction. Of course, this close, it is fortunate Vincent is not a certain red-headed Turk, because what Reeve is saying would be completely un-listened to.

As it is, Vincent is unsure he believes it completely. He is sure Reeve wants to be close, and probably wouldn't mind just being beside the vampire, but then why act so coy when Vincent has already been ok with a lot?

"You confuse me." Vincent moves back just a little, but not enough to let Reeve free. "You know I lack skill in this department, so you have to be clear with me."

[plate_builder]

He doesn’t mean to be coy. He really doesn’t. 

“If you wonder whether I want you physically, the answer is yes. But that wasn’t my intention tonight. I’ve had relationships that seemed viable at first and fizzled out after a romp in bed. I am more serious about you than that. I want more than that. But... being straightforward about it is strange.”

All his partners before had been men he had to dance around the subject with. And few had ever been the sort to take ‘cuddling’ over ‘fucking.’

[emovampboy]

"If you're not straightfoward, I don't understand." Vincent still doesn't seem ready to move. "You keep acting like physical contact is dangerous, but then you seem upset because I don't take your request as wanting contact..."

[plate_builder]

“I am sorry,” Reeve sighed. Apparently his words did nothing to explain himself.

“Do not mistake me. I want physical contact with you in many meanings of the word. I shall try to be more clear in the future. It has not been in my nature for a good many years. I do want you, Vincent. I just want to be certain whatever is happening here is more than sexual tension. It’s been a while since you were intimate with someone no doubt. The same is true for me. I know that sometimes the need for contact with another person can seem to be a desire for a lasting relationship when it is only an ache for sex. Or a need to just be close. I’m trying to figure out what is what.”

If he just wanted fucked, after all, he could ask Reno.

[emovampboy]

Vincent listens silently, letting Reeve spell things out. It's easier if he explains this, and Vincent seems pleased in his way to be hearing it, relaxing slightly and pulling back enough Reeve can move if he wants.

"I don't mind if you are in the same bed."

[plate_builder]

Reeve wants to applaud himself over not whining over the loss of Vincent’s proximity. Even with all he said he still wanted the man. In many, many ways. He’s... going to just stand here and continue to be a bit embarrassed over how little control he has over his body.

“Thank you.”

For wonderful new things to imagine, among other things.

“I... uh, is it okay if I borrow your shower? Having a ridiculously handsome man restrain me against a wall he slammed me into is... well, it does things to a man with an active imagination.”

[emovampboy]

Vincent shakes his head a little, and doesn't hide a chuckle. "You truly confuse me... but, feel free to use the shower."

[plate_builder]

"How so?" Reeve asked, frowning. He knows he's not exactly the easiest to follow at the best of times, but he still wants to know how he can make this easier.

[emovampboy]

"I just don't know what you mean sometimes..." He can't really explain well, but he'll try. "Your words sometimes conflict. I suppose because you are always worrying what I will think."

[plate_builder]

"I admit I am worried a bit what you will think. More than that, I'm worried about doing this right. And I think not sleeping with you on the first night is probably the right choice."

Right? Please tell him it's right because he wants it bad, and he needs reassured he's doing the right thing.

[emovampboy]

"Is there a right or wrong?" A little deep, maybe, but true. "It's fine to take things slow, or fast... but I suppose we should discuss things more when you are done showering. As in what we want, on both ends."