Dorian Sloan (nullumpotentia) wrote in tukiparadise, @ 2022-03-27 17:00:00 |
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Entry tags: | caspian finn, dorian sloan |
Who: Caspian Finn and Dorian Sloan
When: A few days after this
Where: Caspian's room
What: Talking - catching up
Warning(s): None
Dorian kept walking the island, exploring areas and looking in on some of the businesses to narrow down a list of ones he’d consider working. But if Caspian asked him to work with him at Poseidon, he would. But there was more to life on this island than work. Between the fingers of his left hand, Dorian fidgeted with a link of ribbon he had procured as his hair fluttered in the sea breeze.
He walked back inside the hotel and made his way to Caspian’s room. The tall, lanky man had questions regarding a certain speedster. No matter if his bracelet gave him access or not, Dorian knocked on his dear friend’s door. Privacy mattered. Manners mattered.
—
‘Hello, love’.
A visit from his friend was always a welcomed event. While Dorian hadn’t been here very long, Caspian was thrilled to have him there outside of the obligations and duties left behind in New York. He couldn’t exactly blame the other man, and he wouldn’t. Circumstances in the world presently were beyond anyone's control. Thankfully it had been Dorian, though, who had come and not Laura.
There would be only a few steps before Cas was at the door. He tugged it open and stepped back to allow Dorian inside. “Always a pleasure to see you, darling. How have you been faring?” They couldn’t be as connected here as they had been in New York, though this situation was easily the more favorable.
—
Caspian’s voice in Dorian’s mind was a comfort.
He had developed a routine much like one or teo of the ones he had in New York. It was easier. Dorian was also allowing himself time to take in things. But he had not acquired a job. Feeling useful and wanted were always there underneath the personal imperative to keep a protective eye on Caspian.
Smiling as the door was opened and seeing his friend, Dorian nodded. “Always.” He stepped inside and stopped a couple of feet in to wait for Caspian. “Doing well. I am still moving about the island.” His brown eyes lightly scanned the room before returning to his friend.
—
“You always have had a bit of wanderlust, darling. Are you finding the island suitable?” For many it posed challenges because of the stark differences from where they were used to being. For others the island life came naturally. He, himself, had been one of the former slots and still struggled with the atmosphere at times.
The door eased closed behind his friend. At any point Nate could drop in. Caspian had given him unregulated access to his quarters for trust building and lack of anything to really hide. But for the moment all was clear.
He waved a hand at the room, a signal for Dorian to make himself comfortable. “I am always glad when you come to visit. I do wish you would drop by more often.”
—
Smiling softly, Dorian nodded. “I think so. It is still a bit off-putting to have all of the open areas, the horizon, the ocean.” He was used to the concrete jungle. But, yes, he wandered a lot. It was a habit to keep an eye out. The long-haired man wanted to relax, to take in the leisure activities.
He smiled again at Caspian and walked over to one of the chairs near the balcony and sat down. “I am glad we are here together. I,” Dorian spoke and paused for a moment, a thought returning to the forefront of his mind. “I met Nate. He tracked me down.”
—
“Did he now?”
Caspian followed suit. He settled down in the chair opposite of Dorian’s and stretched out a bit in an effort to relax. “And what do you think about him?” He wanted his friend’s honest opinion based on their conversation. He had an idea that both were vetting each other in their own ways.
He inhaled slowly, taking in the pure air. “You should find an activity, love. Something relaxing to do. All of that pacing will just wear a hole in the ground.”
—
“Yes.”
Dorian reached up and pulled his hair back from his shoulders and face. He looked over at Caspian. Whatever or whoever made him happy or fulfilled the need within reason, right? “Energetic, honest. Infatuated with you.” Questioning Caspian’s motives wasn’t something Dorian did without permission unless he felt it necessary.
How could he relax when he still hoped for the both of them to leave this place and get back to the business? But then he had a feeling if they could go back, it would take a long time. “Do you have any suggestions?”
—
Caspian didn’t put that past Nate at all. The kid was curious, if anything. And seeking out Dorian was the next step in the chain of events. “I appreciate you indulging him, then.” Clearly things had gone well enough that both parties came out unscathed.
He took a moment to admire the lines of his friend in the light of the balcony. “He is quite infatuated and I’m afraid that sometimes I don’t know what to do,” he chuckled.
For a moment he considered a few options. “Have you tried reading a book in a hammock on the beach?”
—
“It was the polite thing to do. And I think he was either trying to find out if I was good to you or not. Also if you were all around a good guy.” Dorian shrugged a little. He still wanted to watch Nate, look out for any hidden red flags.
Dorian lifted his chin a little at Caspian’s chuckled words. “I thought you had him in the palm of your hand or wrapped around your little finger.” Maybe he was overestimating.
“No...no I have not. So..Poseidon?” He looked Caspian in the eyes, always liking those eyes no matter if their owner was happy or angry.
—
“Are you?” Caspian laughed. Dear Nate was looking out for his interests. Caspian could appreciate that. He was so thoughtful.
Then he blinked. “Ah, was that a challenge, then?” It wasn’t often that Dorian spoke up. “And just what are you assuming, Dorian? That I can’t take care of my loose ends?”
Caspian nodded. “Mm, as a favor to a friend. Matteo. Have you had the chance to meet him? He’s powerful.”
—
Dorian’s smile deepened, his eyes squinting a little with mirth. Yet he still was protective of the man sitting across from him.
“No, I know you can. Thought you already had Nate under your charms.” Dorian only spoke up when things were important to him or the situation. Caspian would always be the most important person.
He shook his head. “No. How powerful?”
—
Caspian nodded. He smiled at his friend. Ah, this was nice.
“He is. Effectively so, but it’s good to let him gather his own information. I didn’t lie to him, Dorian. He knows nearly everything that I played a part in. I did not divulge your story as it was not his business or pertinent. He does, though, know what you do.” That was relevant to the conversation at the time. “It’s up to you how much you say, if anything at all.”
Then Caspian smirked, “Oh, darling. He could be the one person on this rock who could rightly end us all.”
—
The calm, the banter. Simply being around his closest friend was wonderful.
An eyebrow raised a little, not out of surprise but of curiosity. “I will let him ask. It’s better to hear what he knows or thinks before I say anything” Dorian breathed. Nate must be important to Caspian or valuable to give the young man all of this information. But Dorian trusted Caspian and his reasons.
“And I could shut him down.” There was a flicker of mischievousness in the younger man’s eyes. He’d only use his power to that degree if it was needed. But he had a feeling this place had to have some sort of plan when it came to tremendously powerful people.
—
“I find that is the best policy, love. Let them come seeking information first. Do not feel like you have to divulge. With Nate, honesty is the best approach to avoid putting him in a bind later. He’s chosen to accept what I’ve told him. We can trust him.” Caspian trusted his new interest deeply.
Caspian smirked. “Ah, yes. That is what I do enjoy about you, dear. Always so eager to help.” Taking Matt down could be a challenge. He wasn’t looking to start anything, simply passing on important information.
“You’ve seen those implants?” He caught that bit of Dorian’s though. “That’s how they control the powerful ones, love. Perhaps a shock or something.” Cas had avoided it. He’d used his ability to escape the fate. Not all were so fortunate.
—
“Okay.” Dorian spoke. He trusted Caspian and if he said Nate was okay, then he’d go with it until he saw or heard otherwise.
He shook his head slightly, shifting his posture to sit forward and rest his forearms on his knees. “Always eager.” The smile stayed, his dark eyes carefully looking Caspian over. The younger man felt as if he had a debt to repay and also a hopeless heart.
Nodding, Dorian spoke, “Or more if needed. I haven’t seen anyone being affected by theirs yet.” He too had avoided the watchfulness of the implant. Though he did wish to remove it.
—
Trust was a large part of what Caspian thrived on. That, and loyalty. He needed those things to ensure all would continue to run smoothly. Even without an operation to run, there were other things to manage.
“It’s what I admire most about you, darling. You’re always seeking opportunities to shine.” He could appreciate that. It was how Dorian had made it to be as close as he had.
With a nod, Cas smiled. “I sincerely doubt you will ever have to find out what that feels like. I believe it’s more precautionary - you know those pyrokinetics do like to show off a bit now and then.”
—
It was hard to trust people. And it took a lot for Dorian to let someone in. Caspian was the exception. Always. Everything his dear friend had done had moved him and them forward - both in life and the business.
“And you always shine, Cas.” He admired the other man even now.
Nodding, Dorian smiled. “I think that is the most amusing here - all of the different abilities.”
—
At the compliments, he could only smile.
“Mm. Indeed there are a unique array of abilities at our disposal. Many of them are likely part of my group. If you happen upon anyone who may be intriguing, do gather as much intel as possible if you can. The more knowledge we have, the better prepared we can be.”
He didn’t expect Dorian to become a social butterfly but the man was keen and had a good judge of character in these last years. He truly was the most coveted asset that Caspian had the privilege of knowing.
—
That smile always warmed Dorian’s heart.
“I will, I will.” He nodded. Dorian had heard of a man who was a pyrokinetic, another who could just duplicate himself at will. There had to be more and he would look out for them.
Circling back around to his concerns about Nate, he sighed to himself. Should I expect to see you remaining close to Nate? Sometimes it was less nerve-wracking to keep his own mouth shut.
—
“Good. Any reports on any we may find interesting would be helpful.” Cataloguing skills wss a good place to start and a way to keep busy while flying under the radar.
The next part caused Cas’ eyebrow to arch. ’That is what one does when they are in a relationship, is that right? Or did you mean in a different context?’
—
That was something Dorian could do. He was observant and quiet. Any other significant activities were still not on his list yet. Maybe he could branch out in a few weeks.
Deep down Dorian flinched a little at that eyebrow arching. From what I’ve seen and read, yes.
—-
With all of the things Dorian was, sometimes the other asked questions that eased themselves under Cas’ skin. The blue eyed devil knew it was only because his friend cared that he bothered to ask at all. Caspian expelled a breath. “Dorian, I plan to stay as close as possible to Nate unless something stands opposed otherwise.” If they broke up or Nate found interest in someone else. Those options weren’t likely but they could happen. “That does not mean you are no longer valuable, love. You will always be my best friend and most trusted confidant. Nathaniel doesn’t have Laura’s vindictive attitude or the ability to burn me if I don’t agree. Just think of it as a better situation with less arguing and more actual conversation.” He could think of a good many times where he and Laura never spoke a word, communicating only through glares exhchanged over Caitlyn’s head.
—
Sometimes Dorian could care too much and find himself irritating his closest friend, his only friend. He trusted that devil and he listened. But there was still a small portion of him that still felt uneasy. Change was terrible and he’d only been here two months. Breathing in deeply, Dorian took in what Caspian had to say and gently nodded. “As long as he’s good to you.” He whispered and slowly rose to stand.
—
Caspian could respect the care and consideration. It was what made Dorian so special. “He will be,” he assured his friend. “And I pity the day that I am wrong.” It happened but in this circumstance he was certain that Nate would work out. He also moved to stand up. His knees popped like they always did. Age was nothing to fuss with. “But I trust you’ll keep an eye out for me, won’t you?” He couldn’t be everywhere at once and again he would rely on his friends' astute observation skills.
—
Feeling like he had missed out on so much and still reassuring himself he hadn’t failed Caspian by not being in the City and looking after things, Dorian breathed deeply and nodded. He tucked some stray strands behind his left ear. “Always.” Valuable and so much to repay. He would be Caspian’s eyes and ears. Dorian was sure the blue-eyed devil was right. “I guess I will go and do that.”
—
His smile was warm. “Then I shall leave you to it. Report back if you find anything useful. And if it’s all right with you, I will come and check on you again later.” He meant what he said about Dorian not becoming a third wheel; they would still operate as a singular unit in most contexts with Nate as the newest addition into the mix.
—
Dorian’s dark eyes remained low for a moment and then looked up to catch that smile. “I will. Yes, if you like.” He would not push Caspian to do anything unless his safety was at risk. The younger man still felt he was just starting to find himself back in the loop.
“Take care, Caspian.” The long-haired man spoke as he stepped away and made his way to the door.
—-
“I will,” Caspian replied. And he knew that Dorian would, too. They would reconvene later and discuss observations or even just sit and reflect on past events. The island wasn’t all work, after all. And with Dorian looped back into the connection things would get easier. “Farewell, I’ll see you later.”