Who: Gabriel Allen, Caspian Finn What: You know the drill. Canoodlin ahoy. Where: Spectacular Review When: 24 January, 1889 Rating: S for Schmoopy
The rest of the cast was long gone after a successful dress, the hour was ridiculously late, and the only two creatures left in the theater -- Caspian’s theater -- were currently settled into front-row seats, looking up at the dimly lit set for the next iteration of Spectacular Review.
It’d cost a pretty penny, and had taken some legwork to accomplish, but buying Caspian his own theater had no end of practical purposes, so Gabriel figured it was entirely worth his while.
Cas no longer had to bother about sending in requests to renovate, or add anything permanent to the stage, for one.
He no longer had to worry about paying rent every month, either (a rent which had been steadily increasing along with the Review’s popularity).
That, and seeing as Cas was king of his own castle now, they could do… this.
Sit in the dim theater, holding hands, without a care in the world -- no need to worry about the building manager chasing them out, or the security guard seeing something he shouldn’t.
Gabriel sprawled in his chair, leaning against Caspian, his fingers linked through the Mer’s. “Tell me again about the next act you’re hoping to book?” He asked, his voice bouncing gently off of the yawning proscenium.
It had been too much, a large gift he’d not expected but was more than happy to have received. The person he’d inherited the place from had been a mentor, one he’d eaten after the man had passed, and he had run the place since then.
The money he was saving in rent alone was allowing him the opportunity to save where before he was breaking even. His flat was not cheap, as small as it was.
Caspian beamed. His fingers were laced in Gabriel’s. He wore that ring he’d been given proudly and though some of his dancers had asked (to which he’d said nothing) he remained neutral.
“I thought I’d make it a romantic comedy,” Caspian purred. “There’s a trio that I’ve seen that does a dynamic job.”
“Ah,” Gabriel replied, looking over at Caspian fondly. “That’s right. Now… what sort of romance are you envisioning? Two ladies after the same man? Two boys both swooning for the same girl? Some sort of Twelfth Night caper, where one of the trio gets mistaken for someone else?” He grinned, leaning over to kiss at Caspian’s cheek. “Or perhaps they all fall in love with each other and live happily ever after,” he added, his grin decidedly cheeky.
Caspian chuckled softly.
“If only the world was so accommodating,” he mused, hoping that one day in the future people in love like they were had more acceptance.
“I was considering the first, having two ladies after the same man. Both eager and desperate to win his love, both vying for his attention. At some point they discover each other and the competition gets quite heated.” He was looking forward to putting the trio to work.
“Indeed,” Gabriel replied, running his thumb over Caspian’s knuckles, brushing against his ring.
“That sounds like quite the pleasant inversion from the typical story,” Gabriel continued. “Having women take the lead for once could be quite funny in the right hands, and I’ve no doubt you’ll do a marvelous job of it. And this…” he indicated the set with a tip of his head, designed to look cunningly like an island paradise, “is just about the perfect way to raise the spirits in the middle of winter, now that all the holidays are over and done with.”
“Mm,” he replied, casting a glance up at the stage and the props. “It’s my duty to the citizens to provide escape. Reality can be quite a harsh thing.” Especially in their present time.
He hadn’t minded the holiday season, the festivities were always pleasant. It’d taken him a long time to really understand and appreciate the holidays considering he had no family and no real ties to anyone. This year had been especially nice.
“Women need the strength right now,” Caspian explained softly. With all of the slaughtering happening, strong women were a necessity.
“Too right,” Gabriel replied, stoutly, “and you’re just the man to help give them voice. It’s one of the many reasons I adore you so.” He nestled against Caspian’s neck with a sigh.
“I’m curious,” he asked, his voice quiet and low, “the sea seems so frightfully cold this time of year. Do you feel it terribly? The cold, I mean?” He wondered whether mer were more numerous in places that were warm, tropical, like the set they were currently seated in front of, which brought another thought to the surface. “I should very much like to whisk you away to someplace tropical,” he said, grinning at the notion. “Steal you away for a week, and take you to an island with no end of beaches and turquoise waters, with freshly caught fish every night for supper, and hardly a stitch of clothing between the two of us.”
Caspian was proud to assist the women of their city. He was proud to help anyone, really. No hero, he did what he could to play a small role in his community.
In regards to the weather, Caspian shrugged. “Where I am from the water is almost always cold. I’ve learned to acclimate to warmer temperatures of course, and I do favor the warmer climate.” The prospect of being whisked off to a paradise with Gabriel would get no protest from him.
“I would like that tremendously!”
Gabriel straightened. “You would?” He replied, looking over at Caspian, the Mer’s tone making his idle fantasy oh so slightly more tangible. “Would you…” he bit his lip, feeling bold. “If you give me a week, any week you please, I’d make arrangements,” he said, a grin spreading across his face. “I know your work here is your calling, I’d never want to take you away for too long, but give me a week, my darling, and I’d make it well worth your while.”
Caspian laughed with delight and nodded. “Of course I would. Why wouldn’t it? Any time away with you is time that I cherish. What about next week?” This week was no good, he had to get the trio established but the following week would work fine.
He leaned over and pressed a kiss against the corner of Gabriel’s mouth. A vacation to a tropical paradise was something he’d only ever dreamed of.
Gabriel couldn’t help but laugh in reply, and returned the kiss in a burst of affection, before resting his forehead against Caspian’s. “Next week it is,” he said, quietly happy, tipping over to kiss Caspian a great deal more thoroughly this time, his free hand brushing the Mer’s cheek. “Oh, Lord, the mischief we’ll get up to,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble, his mind a vision of fruit and sun and sand. “Tell me what you’d like to do most once we get there?” He asked, kissing at Caspian’s jaw. “...other than the obvious, that is,” he added with a wicked grin, his hand brushing the Mer’s thigh.
Gabriel’s laughter always warmed a place in his heart; it was like music in its own right, joyous and perfect, and he loved knowing it was him that coaxed the sound.
His smile blossomed with that kiss and he returned it in kind, not hiding anything. When the connection severed he looked into his lover’s eyes and grew thoughtful at the question posed.
“Take you swimming.” He wanted to really show Gabriel the wonders of the water.
Caspian lifted his hands, setting them upon Gabriel’s shoulders as he leaned in to once more capture those lips. This time the kiss was more firm and inviting.
Gabriel’s hand shifted higher on the Mer’s thigh, his thumb brushing suggestively, his eyes shutting as they kissed. “I can only imagine how you look in water,” he exhaled as they broke off for a moment. “Given how prettily you move on land, it must be a thing of beauty, and I cannot wait to see it.”
He laughed, low and soft, leaning forward to rest his forehead against Caspian’s shoulder. “God, I love you,” he sighed. “...Fair warning, I’m also inches away from doing something delightfully filthy to you, and if you ever want to look at the front row with a straight face again…” he looked up at Caspian, grinning.
It wasn’t something Gabriel had seen before, the Mer side of him. He’d probably seen Mer before, in his long life Caspian had no doubt he’d probably seen a few, but he wanted to finally share that part of himself with Gabriel.
“I cannot wait to show you,” he said, grinning like a fool.
And a breath of relief escaped him. “I love you too, Gabriel. Very much.” He laughed, and looked down at his lover with interest, “Oh? It will forever change my perspective of the front row but it’ll be more than worth it. Though I will suggest we relocate somewhere more comfortable unless you’re destined to have me in these chairs.”
“Shall we christen your new offices?” Gabriel replied with a laugh. “I’ll admit, I’m rather impartial to the couch in your dressing-room. Or I might just be capable of enough restraint to see you home and in that glorious bed of yours,” he added, his fingers brushing Caspian’s cheek.
He swallowed. “Barely,” he added, “but it’s a hardship I could manage well enough given the rewards.”
Mischief twinkled in his eyes. “That couch is not offered much consideration though it is quite sturdy. There’s a larger, more accommodating couch in the new office. I heard a rumor that it was very comfortable, too.” Why didn't they make couch beds?
Caspian leaned into those touches, welcoming the contact. “Whatever your heart desires, my love.” He waved a hand in the air as if to say silently choose whichever place you want. It wasn’t like they’d be disturbed.
Gabriel huffed as he laughed, and stood, extending a hand to pull Cas up. “Office,” he replied, definitively. “Let’s test the limits of the comfort of that couch.”