Who: Balthazar & Zevran Arainai (guest appearance by Samandriel) What: Scandal! When: Saturday evening, 10/19. Where: Lux. Rating: High for sex. Status: Complete!
It hadn’t escaped Balthazar’s notice that his large-dicked friend had been thinking of him. Between a very expensive bottle of wine and quiet notes that he’d been seen at Lux, it was pretty obvious.
So, Balthazar came, lounging on a very comfortable couch while he sipped wine and watched the boy play his violin. No matter what he said to Lucifer on the subject, he was glad his occasional friend had the boy. They seemed to do well together no matter that the poor thing looked like he was 12.
When Balthazar arrived, Zev was already at Lux. He sat at the bar, grinning at the bartender and ordering his second glass of wine. He crossed his legs, wearing a comfortable pair of suit pants and a white button down shirt, his dove grey tie loose. When the bartender told Zev that ‘his Mr. Balthazar’ was there, Zev turned around and grinned.
Balthazar, for his part, was going to wait for Zevran to come to him. He was just fine where he was appreciating Lucifer’s pet’s rear in those trousers. Lucky man. It was a delightful bit of objectification that would have continued if there weren’t suddenly wings blocking that ass from view and a very stern look from the boy playing the violin.
Stop it, Balthazar, rang out in his head in a very, very similar tone to a cry he’d woken up to in the middle of the night not long before. Gaping, Balthazar couldn’t pull his eyes away from those annoyed blue ones. What on Earth had Lucifer gotten his dick into?
Zevran walked over to Balthazar, and sat down on the sofa as well. He was sitting further away from Balthazar than one would have expected for someone about to flirt, but Zev knew better than to interrupt someone when they were ogling someone else. And Samandriel was awfully pretty. Just not for him. Or Balthazar either, for that matter.
Admiring his wings and his playing both, Zev closed his eyes and listened to the music.
“Did you see that or have I just gone entirely mad?” Balthazar said, finally turning his attention to...whatever he and Zevran were to each other.
“What, Samandriel’s wings?” Zev blinked innocently. “Of course I did. Did you not before?”
“And that didn’t strike you as odd at all?” So the child did have a name. God, that was a bit of a mouthful, how did Lucifer ever manage?
“Not really, no. I am an elf, he is an angel, there are many different creatures around. I once kissed a girl who could broadcast her feelings as tangible ... ghosts, really.” Zev leaned back, looking languid and entirely unruffled.
“I’m sorry, but have I actually walked back into the closet and out into Narnia?” Balthazar asked, brow raised. He wasn’t actively trying to be offensive, but surely it had to be understood how batshit this all sounded.
“Surely you noticed my ears. And my height. And how fantastic I look for my age.” Zev smirked a little, looking over at Balthazar. “Have you not had Dreams yet? Or are you one of the sad few who does not at all?”
Balthazar shrugged. “People modify their bodies all the time, a pair of pointed ears is nothing too out of the ordinary, nor is a short man or someone who takes care of himself.” He could logic himself out of a lot of weird, but wings and a voice in his head? Nope. “I have no idea what you’re on about young man.”
Smiling, Zev reached out to pat Balthazar on the hand. “You will eventually.” If what Samandriel had said was true, he’d be able to experience them for himself eventually.
“Please don’t patronize me, darling. I’m too old for that.” Ignoring them both, Balthazar took another sip of his wine.
“What do you wish to know of them? They’re different for everyone.” Zev shrugged. He knew that his dreams were different than Samandriel’s and Balthazar’s would be. “I dream I am an assassin, trained to seduce men and women of state.”
Balthazar figured that explained rather a lot of the other man’s career. “How well trained?” he asked, arching a brow while he studied his apparently elfen companion.
“I was bought as a child out of a whorehouse, and they spent the next sixteen years teaching me how to kill, how to seduce, how to have sex, how to flatter - I killed three or four kings,” Zev said proudly. And all of them had been on purpose, thank you very much. “I didn’t start having these dreams until after my career was already where it is. It was early last year that I did. Nobody really noticed a difference.” Apparently he’d already been skilled.
“And yet you miss the subtlety there,” Balthazar smirked. “You’re not going to seduce me with tales of conquests or regicide, I do hope you know that.”
“I highly doubt I will seduce you at all unless you wish it,” Zevran retorted. He hadn’t moved, still appraising Samandriel. “You remind me a bit of my mentor in those dreams.” Talesin had been his lover as well, but when Zevran had chosen to fall in love with another assassin, Talesin had spread rumors so that Zevran would slit the other woman’s throat. It still made Zev’s stomach flip sometimes.
“I wouldn’t have asked you about your skill if I didn’t wish for you to demonstrate.” Balthazar watched Zevran watching the boy. “Or do you have your sights set on a more dangerous game?”
Zev turned to give Balthazar a ‘bitch please’ face, followed by a lopsided grin. “Lucifer Morningstar is a very nice man. His lover as well. But I do not find myself often drawn to people who look so profoundly underage, or someone so incredibly in love with someone else.”
Finished with his wine, Zev set down the glass. “And who says I’m not seducing you now? You seem the sort to appreciate the witty banter.”
Balthazar continued to sip his idly. “Lucifer Morningstar is a pompous ass and likely ruining that poor boy beyond all redemption.”
“I thought you two would have had sex.” Zev couldn’t help but smirk. “People do tend to enjoy fucking themselves.”
Balthazar shrugged and was about to make a snide remark when he realized the music stopped and the child in question was standing in front of them.
“Yes, and apparently he blames Lucifer for the destruction of a twenty thousand dollar suit, but I sincerely doubt that.” He smiled at Zevran. “Hello, Mr. Arainai.”
Zev chuckled, reaching out to shake Samandriel’s hand. “Hello, Samandriel. It’s a pleasure to hear you play once more.” He clucked his tongue at Balthazar. “And you did not rip any of my things. For shame.”
“It’s because I have manners and Mssr. Impatient does not,” Balthazar said dryly. He turned a very charming smile on the boy though. “It’s a pleasure to finally hear you speak, young man.”
Samandriel shook Zevran’s hand, glad of the elf’s company even if Balthazar refused to show it properly. “Were you under the assumption I could not, Mr. Gordon?”
Snorting at that, Zev couldn’t help but chuckle. He was aware that Balthazar was likely going to try to charm the pants off of Samandriel, either to prove to Lucifer that he could or to make Zevran jealous. Probably both. He didn’t really need to help Samandriel defend himself either; the young looking man was likely more witty than either of them would ever hope to be. Well. At that point.
“Darling, Lucy wouldn’t have kept you around at all if you weren’t in possession of a very talented tongue,” Balthazar responded coolly.
Samandriel snorted dryly, smirk just barely pulling at the corners of his mouth. “You know, for a while there I thought I had a type. Thank you for proving me wrong about that assumption.”
Zev laughed long and loud at that one, recrossing his legs. “I love jokes where I am one of the few who understands them!”
Balthazar gave Zevran a sideways look. It wasn’t any secret that he and Lucifer were nearly the same age and clearly that was what the boy was referring to. “Child, you wound me. Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to call a girl old?”
Samandriel just rolled his eyes dramatically. “For someone so concerned about being patronized, you certainly do it often enough. Anyway, I came to politely ask you to please stop thinking your pornographic fantasies so loudly, Mr. Gordon. It’s distracting.”
While Zevran was aware that Samandriel was talking about angels, he didn’t mention it out loud. Let Balthazar figure that out on his own. “Tell me about said fantasies,” Zev grinned. “I am sure they mostly involve you. He has had only eyes for you since he has sat down. Even I know this.”
The angel smiled charmingly at his elfen friend. “Apparently you’re rather well-endowed and they mostly involved him watching you make me take it. Not that I’m not curious, but I’d need to get permission and I’m pretty sure that Lucifer wouldn’t allow it based on observing parties alone. Separate from him, perhaps.” Samandriel winked.
Balthazar meanwhile, turned a fairly flattering shade of pink. “Darling boy, you can’t blame an old queen for wanting to see a poor twink get his first taste of something worthwhile.”
That made Zev snort out loud. “Well, if he ever changes his mind. Perhaps Balthazar could submit his request in writing. I know a few people who will do private filming for personal uses.” Really, the porn community was pretty cuddly and sweet when you got to know them.
Looking over at Balthazar, Zev clucked his tongue. “Such a deviant.”
Samandriel kept his positive attention on Zevran for a moment. “Did you ever happen to work with someone called Bruce Van Halen?” he asked before turning his attention to Balthazar.
“Darling, if your name isn’t Dean Winchester or Lucifer Morningstar, you don’t get to call me boy. I could take you apart at the molecular level and not break a sweat.”
Balthazar smirked darkly. “My my, science foreplay. Haven’t been there in a while. Tell me, ought I be making a stool sample joke or a pipette one?”
Zev blinked. “I did, a few years ago. I thought his career would take off, but then he quit. I do not think he enjoyed himself as much as people enjoyed watching him.” But then he was watching Balthazar and Samandriel face off, and that called for asking for another glass of wine.
“I think you should apologize. You did see that he is a bit different from normal sorts, yes?” Zev tapped a shoulderblade. Assassin rule number forty-three: know when you’re outmatched in killing things and back the hell off.
Samandriel handed Zevran a business card for Dean and Scud’s shop. “They haven’t opened yet, but you can find him there pretty regularly if you’d like to catch up.” And of course, right on the card was Dean’s name. He had no doubt that Zev would connect the dots between Dean being allowed to call him boy and what he did in his spare time.
“He won’t,” Balthazar said, lounging and looking up at the alleged angel. Freak with wings, more like. “This is Lucifer’s place and he wouldn’t dare cause a scene. Am I right, dear boy?”
Taking the card, Zev smiled as he put two and two together. “You are a very lucky man, Samandriel.” But holy Jesus, he knew that Balthazar was about to get smacked. Wincing, he shook his head at Balthazar. “I am going to get another beverage while you two sort things out. Balthazar, do not say I did not tell you so.”
Samandriel just smiled peacefully at Balthazar. “No, you’re right old man. I won’t do anything here. Unfortunately for you, I know an archangel who will absolutely leap at the opportunity to have a new toy. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to resume playing.”
“Bring it, toddler,” Balthazar said to Samandriel’s retreating back, knowing he’d be heard. A waiter came and refilled his wine and the actor found himself completely approving of Lucifer’s new toy. “Well done, dear,” he murmured, not caring at all where his friend actually was, not that he’d ever call Lucifer Morningstar a friend to his face of course.
Zevran soon came back to the couch with a rosé in hand, smiling to himself as he sipped. It would be nice to reconnect with Mr. Van Halen - Dean Winchester. That name suited him more, he supposed. He wanted to check in on the boy since he’d worried about him since the first time they’d had a scene together.
“So. Who is bigger?” Zev couldn’t resist teasing.
“I’m not sure you ought to be allowed to ask that question,” Balthazar said smugly. “The boy suits him. Lucifer chose well. I’m glad to see he’s not simply a little namewhore looking to make his place in the world. He has a cunning little brain to go with that talented tongue.” What happened with Samandriel wasn’t foreplay. It was family, much as Balthazar was loathe to admit it, he was fond of Lucifer. Deeply. Anyone whom Balthazar kept in contact after the destruction of a suit that expensive had to have clawed his way into his withered old heart.
Balthazar looked over at Zevran. “He wasn’t lying, you know. I get a great deal of pleasure out of just watching and taking mine later.” And with Zevran’s dick, the twinkier, the better.
“I knew he was not lying.” Sipping his wine, Zev was quite pleased that Balthazar and Lucifer got along. It just didn’t make sense for them to bicker so much and not like each other. If he truly didn’t like Lucifer, why not just cut ties? Why come to the place he owned?
“Alas, you cannot pick out the one you already have. Perhaps a second choice?” Zev tucked his hair behind his ears, trying and failing to look innocent.
Balthazar scanned the room casually. “My only preference is someone of a similar build to our delightful musician. Beyond that, your dick, your choice, love. We’ll even be kind and call him a cab when we’re through debauching him. You, however, I’m keeping.” Yes, he and his new friend were going to get on just fine perhaps for far longer than initially expected.
“Are you now?” Zev turned to look at Balthazar, eyebrows quirked. “For how long? And will the bartender suit?” He was a nice boy, a bit older than Samandriel, but someone who’d actually enjoy himself.
“I haven’t decided yet, and the bartender would, but I do believe he’s working,” Balthazar pointed out. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught one long, dawn colored wing stretch out and point to a young man who very clearly fit the bill. “Well,” Balthazar said, “I suppose holy eavesdropping does have its uses.”
Zev chuckled, shaking his head. “I suspect that unless I grow wings, I will find it difficult to keep your attention. Should you flirt with him, or should I?”
“They’re terribly distracting. It’s hardly my fault,” Balthazar pointed out. “Why don’t you reel this one in? I’d love to see you in action.”
That just made Zevran laugh. He stood up and readjusted his tie, letting his hair go a bit more loose to cover his ears. He moved toward the boy Samandriel had targeted, pretending to stumble a bit on one of the chairs at the table. He apologized profusely in Spanish first, then in English, playing every bit the part of the confused tourist.
The young man looked up at the stranger and all his tattooed charm. Balthazar smirked deeply. The poor creature could have been Lucifer’s boy’s cousin or some such. He wondered what this one had been thinking to get him pointed out. No matter, he was sure he’d find out soon enough.
Watching Zevran work was like watching an artist paint, arousing in so very many ways and Balthazar wasn’t even part of it. He could tell the very moment that Zevran had his hooks in and the boy was lost to his charms completely. This was going to be a very good night indeed.
Zevran was very good at putting people at their ease, especially people he was about to try to get to sleep with him. He knew when to put a hand on the boy’s hand, when to smile, when to laugh at his adorable nervousness. He also knew when to suggest - with a blushing stutter, of course - that his friend wanted to watch him sleep with someone else, just because of what he did for work. Because of course the boy knew what he did.
Soon enough, Zev had an arm around the boy’s waist. “Balthazar? Meet Samael. Sam, if you like him.” That was eerily coincidental. Well, probably not; Samandriel probably knew.
You cocky little shit, Balthazar thought loudly in Samandriel’s direction. The only response was a cheery uptick in the music. Sam’s eyes were distractingly blue and nervous. He’d caught the gentle hint of spanish in his...whatever Zev was’ voice and responded in a very smooth french accent to go with it. “I do indeed. What a lovely young man. Shall we then?”
Smiling to himself, Zev was more than content to let Balthazar lead him and Sam toward a vehicle. Zev seemed to calm Sam, to anchor him a bit, and he supposed that was advantageous for all three of them.
Balthazar’s car was expensive and fast, and he was more than fine with letting the pair of them sit in the back seat. It was rather difficult to keep his eyes off the rearview and on the road though.
Sam sat in the back as close to Zevran as he could get, fingers lightly brushing his thigh. He wasn’t entirely sure how this was supposed to go, someone watching him or...or really someone taking an interest in him at all. “Why me?” he asked, but his eyes were only for the man he was next to.
“Because you are young and beautiful,” Zevran answered honestly. “And because Balthazar wants to watch me to see if I can get you completely, wholly undone.” He moved carefully, turning Sam’s head to kiss him lightly. Really, the trick was to start out gently, and then as the person grew warmer, introduce other things. Too many people came on too strong from the word go. Seduction was a dying art, and it made Zevran sad.
Sam leaned up into that kiss, legs shifting a little tighter together as he found his interest piquing further. “Zev,” he murmured.
Balthazar smirked and forced his gaze on the road. “Why don’t you warm him up a bit, love? I’m sure he’d not say no to some backseat fun without eyes on him.” The quiet, almost desperate moan he heard the boy make only confirmed that thought.
Letting his hands drift up to Sam’s cheeks, Zev kissed him just the tiniest bit harder, knowing that Sam was enjoying himself. That whimper had made Zev have to shift in his seat as well, and he sighed contentedly when their chests came into contact. Even through his shirt, he was warm.
Zevran knew that he was being watched, and while that was arousing, it would have been just fine all on its own being with Sam. The boy was responsive and sweet, and he was being careful not to spook him. The game of fingers and inches and where could he put his hands was one Zev knew well.
Sam practically melted into that touch, and based on those moans, Zevran really was magic for those willing to give him the satisfaction of giving into it. Balthazar deliberately slowed down, so he could let them take their time, took the scenic route even. “Keep your clothes on, boys,” he said firmly.
“Yes, Balthazar,” Zev murmured, making sure Balthazar could hear him. Zev pulled Sam into his lap, running his fingers lightly over the kid’s spine, gently running his fingers over the ridges. “No, no, not my tie. We have to stay dressed,” Zev murmured. He nibbled Sam’s earlobe, meeting Balthazar’s eyes in the rearview. Well. If that was how physics worked.
Balthazar arched a brow in the rearview. So, this was how it was going down was it? Zevran would please the boy completely, Balthazar had no doubt about that, but that little look said it was all for the brit’s pleasure.
He felt more than saw the shifting of the boy’s shoulders as he rolled his hips against the elf’s. He really did doubt that the time they spent with their temporary toy was going to last long at all.
Smirking back at Balthazar, Zev rocked his hips up against Sam’s, letting his tongue run slightly over his Adam’s apple. Zev resumed nibbling gently at Sam’s neck and earlobes, as well as pressing them to his chest. He did it over Sam’s clothes, but still, he could tell the boy was getting aroused.
The boy whined and writhed even after Balthazar pulled into his underground garage and shut the car off. “Shall we?” he asked, and with a soft noise of both protest and defeat, Sam moved away from Zevran.
“Soon, I promise,” Zev smiled. He took Sam’s hand once he was able, walking with him into Balthazar’s home. He kissed him contentedly as they walked toward the bedroom, chuckling when Sam bumped into things.
Balthazar deliberately led the way to the guest room and not his own. He didn’t know this poor boy and had no desire for him himself. The guest room would suit well enough. He caught Zevran by the arm and spoke lowly enough that their guest wouldn’t hear at all, but his…fuck the elf would likely, and on the off chance that the boy did hear, Balthazar did his quiet whispering in Spanish.
“You are going to fuck him, and you are going to come and once you’ve seen him off to his cab safely, you are going to come to my bed and get me off with only filthy words and your hands.”
With that, Balthazar moved to the armchair and got comfortable to watch. “Clothes off, young man.”
Sam didn’t have to be told twice to get out of his suit. He was more than ready, hands fumbling a little with his eagerness.
Zev shuddered a little at what Balthazar had said, especially since it was in his native tongue. He nodded, threading his fingers with Balthazar for half a moment before moving to Sam. He smirked a little as he undid his tie, watching Sam strip excitedly. Zev, on the other hand, just tugged off his clothes, not caring much about buttons popped or zippers broken.
The young man was certainly attractive and interested enough, all pale skin that stretched nearly too tightly over those hipbones. He was almost exactly what Balthazar pictured Lucifer’s boy looking like under his well-tailored suits. There was just something about him that Balthazar didn’t like, and it almost sickened him to think that that thing was that he was going to be touching Zevran. Zevran wasn’t his at all, but some possessive part of him wanted to grab the young man by the dick and snarl at him until he understood.
Fortunately, someone as clearly inexperienced as this one didn’t seem like he was going to last long at all. “Lube’s in the drawer, love, and do make sure you don’t bore me,” he said dryly to the pair of them. The young man went and got it like there was fire on his heels.
“How do you…?” he asked, trailing off and looking at Balthazar for guidance.
“Ride him,” was all the elder man said. He wanted to watch someone bounce on that dick after all. It just wasn’t nearly as gratifying when he wasn’t getting what was Lucifer’s. Perhaps with Sam’s back to him, he could imagine that it wasn’t this boy at all.
Zevran was kinder than Balthazar, especially to near complete strangers. He lubed himself up before putting on a condom, using still-slick fingers to give Sam at least some sort of prep before slicking himself again. Sprawling out, Zev nodded, murmuring in Spanish his approval. He watched as Sam’s nearly translucent skin moved closer to him, liking the way shadows played off of their bodies, liking how warm the boy was.
“As slow as you want. When you’re ready,” Zev murmured. He propped himself up onto his elbows, wishing Balthazar was closer. A nibble to his lower lip gave away what he was thinking, and he looked over at Balthazar longingly.
Balthazar worked very hard to keep from being kind to anyone too obviously. That the young man was in his house and touching his elf was kindness enough. He watched the boy take in Zevran’s massive cock slowly, or rather, he was aware of it, but his gaze was only for the elf. Mine, his mind kept rolling over and over again. He hadn’t realized he’d been setting up a test for the both of them (himself and Zevran, not the boy) until they were already deep in it.
Which was exactly where Zevran’s cock was when he glanced over at the pale young man who was murmuring words like he was in one of Zevran’s films. Dear god, he almost got up to join them just so he could put the boy’s mouth to work doing something other than speaking.
Zev waited until the boy had bottomed out before reaching up and sliding one of his fingers into the boy’s mouth. It would give him something to focus on besides his silly whimpers. Eyes locked onto Balthazar’s, Zev arched his back and started to thrust upward as hard as he dared, gasping and wishing that this was the older man, that he’d be able to kiss him at some point that evening. If he wasn’t going to be sleeping with Balthazar, Zevran was going to give him a damn good show.
Balthazar smirked darkly, watching that finger disappear into that hungry mouth and the boy relax into actually bouncing on Zevran’s dick. There were slick slapping sounds echoing off the walls, moans wrapped around that finger and in the brunet’s throat. At least the boy seemed to enjoy the ring along with everything else he was being given.
“Touch yourself,” he said, watching Sam’s hand hovering, wanting to but clearly not sure if he should.
Zevran groaned when Balthazar spoke, eyes closed, imagining that it was Balthazar on top of him instead of Sam. But the hips meeting his were too thin, too slight, and Zev opened his eyes to watch what the older angel was doing.
He wasn’t even distracted when Sam started to pump himself. Instead, Zev decided that he wanted to do something to Balthazar. But to do that, he needed to get off Sam. So instead of watching the man he had a fairly distinct crush upon, Zev grabbed Sam’s hips, growled a little in his throat, and proceeded to move his hips as fast as he could allow.
And that was the beginning of the end for the poor young man. Balthazar watched him go from surprised to spiralling wildly out of control right up to and then over the edge. Ah to be young and handled so easily. Balthazar almost missed those days.
Zev smiled when Sam came, and even though he wasn’t really close himself, he thought of what he was going to do to Balthazar later. That was enough to make his hips pump again, to make him cry out quietly. Zev was breathing deeply, and he couldn’t help but grin at Balthazar. Sighing, Zev stretched out, chuckling when Sam flopped off of him and curled up.
When the young man was asleep almost immediately after, Balthazar remembered exactly why he really didn’t miss the days of not having to actually work for his own orgasm. Still he got up, tossed a throw over Sam and made a mental note to call a cab for him in the morning. It wouldn’t do to forget about his terribly underwhelming guest.
After making certain Sam was fine (and clearly contentedly sleeping,) he started heading for his own room. Either Zevran would follow him or he wouldn’t. The choice belonged entirely to him.
Zev tossed the condom into the garbage, cleaned himself up, and followed Balthazar to his room. Still nude, the elf walked with poise and confidence afforded to someone who spent ninety percent of his life naked.
When he got to Balthazar’s room, he smiled. “Were you entertained?”
“Darling, I really don’t think you actually need me to answer that question,” he said, casually undoing his own shirt once he was in the sanctuary of his space.
“Neither was I,” Zev sighed. He padded to a window, admiring the view. “I think your small friend at the bar may have picked out someone boring on purpose to spite you.”
“His revenge was likely justified,” Balthazar said once he’d gotten his clothes sorted and settled in bed in his underwear. “I was thinking some rather graphic things for a while there. Though he really ought to learn to filter that out better.”
“You can help him practice, no?” Zev smirked, standing near the bed. “Why were you there tonight?”
“Because playing hard to get is only entertaining for so long and then both parties lose interest after a while. I rather wished to prevent that.” Balthazar turned the light out.
“Mmm, fair point.” Zevran moved to straddle the older man, pushing the blanket down. He hadn’t forgotten what he’d said, and if Balthazar didn’t still want Zev to get him off, Zev would just go to sleep as well. “Shh, you have to be quiet. You’ll wake the little one.”
“When have you ever known me to make a great deal of noise?” Balthazar asked and gently guided Zevran next to him rather than on top. “I’m under the impression that you’re...interested in more than just cocks and ass here.”
Sighing, Zev moved to his side and chuckled. He moved to the other side of Balthazar and started to carefully knead his shoulders. “I went to massage school before my career in pornography started to pay off. I was kicked out after a week, but I picked up a few things.” Enough stalling. “Yes. I know you are not, and I apologize for that.”
“I might be,” Balthazar replied, shifting away from that contact if only because he wanted to focus thank you very much, Zevran. “Beyond the fact that your mere existence in my life absolutely infuriates my management, of course.”
“You might be. Are you still deciding?” Zev sat up, still sprawled out, but not touching Balthazar. It wasn’t in his nature to curl up, but he did close his eyes, erection suddenly gone.
“Yes, but not perhaps in the way you might think.” He was deciding whether or not to give himself permission. It was a very, very delicate line. “I’m old, Zevran,” he said, reaching out to stretch an arm over the other man’s shoulders and play gently with his hair. “Old and tired of offering my heart out only to have it handed back even more broken than it was in the first place.”
“You are not old. Tired, certainly, but not old.” Zev cautiously burrowed closer to Balthazar, looking up at him. “You are not the only one who feels that way.” Zevran wondered if Balthazar knew the real reason Zevran had come to the States, the monthly payoffs that his senator father gave him to keep Zev out of Spain. Zev had never really had family, never really had many good relationships in his youth. It was only in his twenties that he’d made contact with people, and even then, his profession had shot those in the foot.
“Nearly fifty,” Balthazar said, “and for a gay man, that qualifies as more than old.” Gay death was what? Thirty? Something like that. “If we’re going to try this...perhaps we should go about it differently than we have.”
“I’m thirty-four,” Zev murmured. “I suppose it does. I’m not entirely gay, I’m more ... well. I sleep with whoever pleases me.” He reached up to lightly stroke Balthazar’s jawline. “How would you like to go about it, then?” It was difficult not to kiss him, but Zev managed.
“I’m withholding sex. We can be intimate or romantic or what have you, but we’re not having sex for a while.”
“May I kiss you?” Zev actually sounded quite sad about the prospect of not kissing, like maybe his ears were wilting.
In response to that, Balthazar tipped Zevran’s chin up and gave him a slow, sweet kiss. “Not without warning,” he said when he pulled back. “You don’t have to say anything. I just need to know before it happens.”
Zev gave a contented little purr at that, reaching out to wrap strong arms around Balthazar. He twined their legs together, bringing them closer. “I think I like you this way, Mister Gordon,” Zev teased. “Easier to see your lovely eyes.”
Balthazar snorted. “You are incorrigible.” He kissed the top of Zevran’s head, allowing him the cuddle. “You said your friends call you Zev.” Balthazar’s voice was rich like honey against the elf’s ears. “I much prefer Zevran.” His tongue rolled over the r lowly. “Though I suppose it fits since I have absolutely no intention of being a mere friend.”
“While being incorrigible is one of my better features, I think with you I am simply honest.” Closing his eyes, Zev smiled. He liked the idea of Balthazar keeping him closer than a friend. That was what Zev had wanted since they’d met. “I think, Balthazar, that you aren’t ever a mere anything.”