𝚏𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚗 𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚎 (faeyou) wrote in worldsapart_ic, @ 2019-06-22 23:17:00 |
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Nikolai was particular. About a lot of things. People, things, what he did or did not do, how he looked, what he said, but most especially who he let into his space. It was after all his and it was the one place he could escape to where The Broker wouldn't come looking. That would require leaving his lair and he wasn't overly fond of that idea whereas his indentured Hellhound liked being out of that place and having somewhere to call home. His first hadn't exactly been inviting after all.
Fallon however was one of the few people, maybe even a handful, that he was comfortable in letting into his space. He didn't know if the Fae understood the gravity of the invitation or what it meant for Nikolai (or Nikki as he had become known to Fallon) to invite him to his place. Ordinarily he would have gone along with the suggestion of going out somewhere to drink but from the sounds of things Fallon needed to let loose, unwind, and offload, which was always better done in private.
The Hellhound hadn't been lying when he'd said he had a wide selection of alcohol, not all of it human either, some of it he'd procured from other supernaturals who had a habit of making their alcohol that much stronger to accommodate for the supernatural element of their clientele. All of which was open and accessible with optional ice on hand because sometimes you wanted it on the rocks and sometimes you just wanted it neat.
Given that he was about to have company Nikolai had taken a shower and changed into a slightly more relaxed outfit than the one he'd been wearing. Dark muscle tee (which showed off a tease of the tattoo on his chest), relaxed fit jeans, bare feet, and a towel which he was currently using to dry his hair as he dug out glasses.
He'd also put on some music, light jazz, mostly there for background noise.
---
There were a lot of things that Fallon could pinpoint as causing the near unending frustration that built in his bones. Constantly.
Humans, or people in general. Cressida and her sheer stubbornness. His clients and their idiocy with certain things. Gair running into walls all the time.
So a night where he could take a load off, blow off steam, let loose without worrying about the off chance his loosely controlled magic flared a little. And there was a part of it that was mostly just about settling the knowledge that Nikki was once again back in Los Angeles and presumably for a while. Coming from a host that typically functioned as a community, Fallon wasn't used to people slipping in and out of his life. He'd known Cress for centuries, those he'd fought with and alongside as well, they'd come up through the faerie structure together.
And now, in the human world, where people died so easily and creatures moved along so constantly, it was an odd adjustment. It was honestly what surprised him the most about acquiring a dog. It wasn't like the canine would have an extended lifespan from being around Fallon, and yet there he was with the companion.
A night in worked the best all things considered, Fallon made his way from his own apartment to Nikki's, very much aware that the invitation to spend the night in was bigger than spending time out -and possibly because Fallon's mood was fairly offset at the moment. He appreciated the thought for it. It allowed him a sense of casualness all the same, worn in jeans, an open collar, no need to avoid his neckline being obvious. The number of humans that got uncomfortable around his throat was ridiculous and Fallon had finally stopped caring. (That was a lie, he still cared, it was still annoying.)
Despite the fact the Nikki likely knew he was there, Fallon pressed on the buzzer at the main entrance, waiting somewhat patiently for access before making his way inside, blessedly devoid of interaction with anyone else in the building.
---
Fallon was correct, Nikolai was very keenly aware that he had arrived, but buzzed him in all the same way. The door he'd left unlocked on purpose so Fallon could let himself in and it was rare that he was concerned for his own safety given what lay beneath the human visage so it wasn't a worry for him.
He placed the glasses on the table in the middle of his living area and then rummaged out a couple bottles that he placed easily within reach including putting a few on ice to keep them chilled as some alcohol tasted much better when it was cool.
The towel he'd been using to dry his hair was set aside and his fingers simply combed the dark strands into some sort of semblance of order before he also secured menus as he suspected that food would be needed at some point.
---
The stairs and Nikki's door already unlocked meant that Fallon was inside the apartment fairly quickly, shrugging off his jacket as he entered. "Any of your neighbours get a shock that you were back?" Fallon was teasing just a little, but at the same time, Nikki was one of those sorts that was here and gone in a flash, work taking him all around for any length of time.
And Fallon did understand that, at least from his own period of time when he'd be in one realm and another in no time, where their host would send him all over the place whenever trouble was brewing. It helped somewhat that he never really went alone, following Cress with their forces all the time.
The promise of drink, and the fact that Nikki actually stood a chance of keeping up with Fallon, and that Fallon wouldn't need to worry about the possibility of idiot ideas coming in and ending up on a federal wanted list like he would with Cress. At least tonight Fallon could unwind tonight.
---
Nikolai shot Fallon a look that spoke more than words ever could and he knew the Fae would be able to read it without the need for explanation. "If you're not careful, Fallon, I'd think you missed me." He shot the other a smirk sharp enough to cut glass before he closed the distance and helped himself to Fallon's jacket which he hung up on a nearby hook, the door being shut a moment later.
"Grab a seat, make yourself at home," he offered with a sweep to his newly purchased couch and chairs. "I think I have enough alcohol and variation to keep your interest."
---
There were few people that Fallon would tease around, Nikki was a breed that wouldn't naturally be affiliated with a fae, but Nikki himself was an interesting character, and Fallon had long since gotten bored of the politics of maintaining many connections with fae still affiliated with the Court. Cressida had really offended the royals when she turned them down, adding the defeat was just a convenience that allowed them to justify the repercussions.
Fallon had been told he'd die for his loyalty before an enemy killed him, but that was just the company he kept. Loyal sorts.
"Terribly so," Fallon accepted the offer to make himself at home, slouching into a seat with a sigh, "Shall we start alphabetically or by the proof count then?"
---
"Too kind," Nikolai drawled with a smirk as he dug into the choice of alcohol, beginning with the proof of count seemed to be the best way to go about this. He poured them both a glass and held one out to Fallon before he slid onto the couch, tipping his head to regard the other. "If this doesn't do something then you've clearly been spending too much time with Cressida."
His lips pulled into an amused smile before he took a slow sip from his own glass.
"You'll have to fill me in on what I've missed."
---
Long fingers wrapping around the glass, Fallon accepted it gratefully. “I haven’t gotten just to the point where alcohol takes up my entire bloodstream, no.” Cress was, Jesus, she was a worry sometimes. But he had to remember that she was a centuries old warrior and if she wanted to be drunk more than two thirds of the time, it wasn’t his job to treat her like a child.
He just worried was all.
“Not much, actually. A few rallies that almost got out of hand, but were stupidly concocted anyway. Cress used me as bait twice in the last three weeks on some fishing hunt for cheating housewives, I felt violated. And two clients thought they could buy in cheap vodka and pass it off as real vodka without trouble.” Fallon took a sip from his glass, taking the time to appreciate the liquor before continuing. “I should say former clients really.”
---
Nikolai’s eyebrows arched at the admission from Fallon that he had been used as bait for cheating housewives though he could see the logic in it. Fallon was a very good looking man with a jaw that could definitely do some serious damage and he imagined that his shoulders were good to hold onto. “I can see how that would work,” he grinned faintly around the rim of his glass which hinted at his slightly less than human teeth.
He snorted faintly. “You would think they’d know better but apparently not.”
He glanced in the direction of his phone which was honestly never far from sight or sound though he didn’t need it for The Broker as he could summon him whenever and however he wanted. Tonight however the phone was on silent and he knew The Broker well enough to know that he was busy with other things. That did mean that Nikolai was all Fallon’s this evening.
---
“Middle aged human housewives are terrible.” Not just because of this age of BDSM books, but they completely opted to unfilter themselves at the third glass of wine, and Cress’ commentary did nothing to help. “Next time, I’ll suggest you.” Although in that case it would probably backfire and there’d just be umpteen women fawning and throwing themselves at Nikki.
“You would think, but apparently not.” The good thing about trusted company was the ability to just let himself go loose, relax back into Nikki’s stupidly comfortable sofa, glass balanced expertly between his fingers and let himself stop waiting for something.
Battle instincts were hard to shake off, even after all these years. “How was your trip?” Bumping his knee into Nikki, aware that the details would likely be thin, he felt the need to ask anyway, not that a Hellhound could really come up against too much in this world that would cause him trouble.
---
“I don’t think I’d be a patch on you,” Nikolai replied easily and genuinely as he swirled the liquid in his glass around before he tipped what remained down the back of his throat.
He tipped his head to look over at Fallon as the Fae knocked his knee into his own. “Successful. I got what was needed and came away relatively unscathed. People seem to be under the mistaken impression that I’m easy to kill.” He smirked over at Fallon and returned the knock of the knee with one of his own before he leaned forward to pour himself another drink though as he did his sleeve rode up ever so slightly to expose a still healing wound to his forearm.
Iron bar, nasty things.
---
Fallon opted not to get into the argument of just how thirsty a certain breed of women were, or how Cress’ recent cases had been less than something the commander had expected in her line of work -and who really wanted to deal with adultering idiots anyway.
The thing about relatively unscathed and unharmed was that they didn’t really go together -for folks like them at least, the harder to kill of the supernatural species, less vulnerable than mers and witches, but not completely impervious. Just because they walked away from things didn’t mean they didn’t leave marks, something Fallon was very much aware of.
But Fallon’s eyes traced over the mark yet to leave Nikki’s forearm, ice blue eyes darting over to the hound with a raised eyebrow to match. “Sometimes I think it’s just as well you’re a little harder to kill than people expect.”
---
Nikolai’s lips lifted into a small smirk as he tipped his head to regard Fallon. “Is this your way of saying you’d miss me if I was gone?” He didn’t take his eyes off the Fae as he lifted his glass and took a sip of the newly acquired alcohol.
Rum with a touch of vanilla if he wasn’t wrong.
---
For the most part, Fallon kept people at arms length; it worked out in some sense, the fewer people around the better, it was easier given the lifespan of humans, and the realm he was in meant that more often than not he was around humans and sub-species of human that had a similar lifespan.
And then there were the few people he met outside of those sections, the ones who understood the bone deep exhaustion that came with a lifespan that could, potentially, be endless. “Do you need a little validation Nikki?” There was a tease in his voice, a small smirk on his face, enough to tell that while he was teasing there was a bit of sincerity there too.
“I’d miss you terribly, I’d have no one to ply me with alcohol and listen to my bitching.”
---
“Well, I’m hardly appreciated by the owner of my contract,” Nikolai pointed out with a small smirk before he settled back back into the couch and all but melted into the cushions, long legs stretched out in front of him and glass clasped in his hand. “I’m a useful tool, a heavy hammer, a persuasive imposing voice and whatever else I need to be to get the job done and keep him happy.”
He exhaled a breath and tipped the glass to his lips, downing what remained of his alcohol.
“Mm, I’d miss you too.”
---
Fallon was lucky he’d had Cressida as a commander, rather than the Host themselves giving the commands. Nikki didn’t exactly have that kind of benefit since his contract holder only really saw a tool, nothing outside of that.
“Tragically, I don’t think I could kill him and steal the contract, but would that I could.” It wouldn’t exactly be feasible, but Fallon was sure that Nikki would get the implication either way.
“Of course you would, I’m a fucking delight.” Which he was definitely proving with the terrible company just soaking up all the alcohol.
---
“And so modest as well,” Nikolai threw over with a well natured and very amused smirk in Fallon’s direction. He shifted and rose to his feet, fingers snagging on the neck of a nearby bottle which contained whiskey if he wasn’t mistaken. “Care for some?” He asked, wiggling the bottle.
It had honestly crossed his mind to take out a contract on The Broker but he knew that ultimately it would be pointless because the dragon hadn’t survived this long without being pretty damn hard to kill.
“Beginning to think I should make up the guest room.”
---
Why they’d bothered with glasses in the first place, Fallon didn’t know. It wasn’t like he was human and his liver would give out, if that were a problem he’d have buried Cress decades ago and followed not long after. But no. For some reason they started off at least pretending to be civilised rather than sensible.
“Why would I need the guest room?” Although he took the bottle from Nikki with fairly clever fingers. “This couch is perfectly comfortable if a little short.” Then again, it wasn’t like sofas were made for sleeping on if you were taller than the average human teenager.
“I did warn you it would happen.”
---
“Don’t say I never did anything for you.” Nikolai fished out a remote and clicked a button at which point the chair Fallon was sat on reclined and rapidly expanded to accommodate those long limbs of his.
He sat back down and had in his hands a selection of takeout menus which he umm’ed and ahh’ed about before settling on Thai.
“Thai food okay for you?”
—-
“I might move in. Alcohol on demand, food on hand. I suppose I could forgive you for vanishing all the damn time.”
It wasn’t like Fallon needed it, but he did appreciate the thought all the same, his bones did tend to ache a fair amount when he had to squeeze his oddly larger human form into all the spaces he wasn’t typically suited for. It wasn’t like he was weirdly large when in his true form after all.
“Thai is fine, although I’d suggest ordering doubles.” Bottomless pits of an appetite joined with the likelihood of continuous drinking would undoubtedly lend to constant hunger.
---
“Keep talking like that and I might start to think you actually like me.” Nikolai snorted quietly before he turned at the waist to latch his long fingers around the nearby phone so he could at least get food on its way.
It wasn’t like Nikolai was an amazing cook so takeout was his go to and as such he was well known amongst the local restaurants though his order did vary on occasion. Mostly when he had company which was honestly rare so it was always some sort of event when it happened.
He rattled off some of his favourites along with some choices he knew Fallon enjoyed and made sure to ask for doubles of everything.
—-
Food, alcohol, decent company. Fallon didn’t exactly mind abandoning a quiet evening for something of the sort at least.
“Hmm, I should ghost you for a week then, make sure you don’t get too cosy.” Although he was reclined comfortably, letting his eyes drift for a moment, Fallon was in no danger of falling asleep. “Might give you a taste of your own medicine too.”
The smirk at least offset Fallon’s words, allowing to at least present as a gentle ribbing.
---
“You forget, Fallon,” Nikolai purred. “I’m a hellhound, I would find you wherever you were.” That was in equal parts touching, heartwarming but depending on your point of view could be seen as quite… intimidating.
Fallon he hoped knew where he stood.
—-
Fallon’s smirk turned into a full smile, lazy and easy, still relaxed enough to show he understood the lack of deadly intent, even from something as threatening as Nikki was.
“Have you been watching rom-coms? Do I need to unplug that ridiculous television?” There was a snort as Fallon took another drag from the bottle, “That was only vaguely threatening and far more in line with some silly movie with pirates and princesses, and I can assure you, I am no princess.”
---
Nikolai tipped his head thoughtfully. “I don’t know. I think you have the right hair for it.” His lips tugged into a full on smirk that wasn’t even tempered by him taking a sip of his drink.
He trailed back and settled on the couch before he mirrored the reclined posture of Fallon through the use of technology.
“Food should be here soon.”
—-
Throwing a side glance at Nikki, Fallon resisted the urge to roll his eyes, “You have no room to talk about hair, Nik.” No room at all. But then, it was something that Fallon could appreciate too. There was nothing wrong with having a little respect for your appearance after all.
“Don’t let me fall asleep like this,” although it was annoyingly, frustratingly comfortable and easy to relax around someone he trusted, “I promise to drink a fair amount of your alcohol.” And it wouldn’t do to fall asleep before the food even got here.
---
Nikolai snorted quietly and a hand lifted to touch the hair in question, tapered tips of fingers idly catching and carding through the dark brunette strands that his human form had taken when he had been summoned.
“I’ll be sure to poke you if it looks like you’re dropping off,” he assured the Fae and to prove his point he leaned over to poke Fallon in the side.
—-
The poke went right between Fallon’s ribs, making him squirm slightly, enough to shift on the sofa, “Not there, dummy.” And that was a juvenile come back sure, but still, he didn’t need a claw going into his lung. Not that Nikki would lose control or poke too deep. But it was slightly ticklish too.
“You know, I seldom slip off like this at home, you’re clearly a very bad influence, showing my age and all.” Given that age was a very loose term between the pair of them, “Making me feel old.”
---
“Bad influence, relaxing influence,” Nikolai hemmed and hawed. “One and the same.” Remarkable as well given that he was a Hellhound summoned from the other side to carry out horrible terrifying acts so he was by his nature a rather scary thing.
He curled his hand around the back of his head.
“You don’t look your age so there’s that.”
—-
Listing just a little to the side, more of an automatic protective hunch for his ribs than an effect of alcohol, Fallon weighed up Nikki’s comment, “Well, if I looked my age, I’d be a bag of bones.” Given the tendency towards reincarnation for Hellhounds, the inability to properly tell their age, Fallon didn’t imagine that he could guess Nikki’s age.
In truth, Fallon had long since stopped counting the years himself, somewhere around half a millenia it seemed foolish to keep going. He’d been around for almost the entirety of the current King and Queen’s reign though, and that was something not everyone could claim.
“I’m older than some human nations.”
---
“Don’t think a bag of bones would be as an effective lady killer as your current appearance.” Nikolai smirked over at Fallon though he like his Fae friend was older than some human nations and then some. Honestly he’d been alive so long it was a wonder he hadn’t found a way to piss The Broker off to the point where he decided to destroy the contract, but then that would mean going back to where he had come from and Nikolai had no interest in that.
He’d rather die permanently than ever go back.
---
“Or it would be an entirely different kind of effective. Like the literal kind.” Bone dust was deadly after all. But on the whole there wasn’t much lady killing to be doing anyway, Fallon barely had the energy for things like that. Maybe he was getting old.
“Maybe something to worry on next century, if I get the energy back to care for it.” Maybe it was just this generation, or the newly hyped up equality nonsense, or just his siblings news travelling through the grapevines to him making him feel nostalgic.
---
“Only time will tell,” Nikolai concluded with a nod of his head. “And you and I? We’ll be here to see it.” Of that he was certain.
He even went so far as to toast to that.