It amazed him that he could be pronounced gorgeous fresh out of the shower and in casual clothing. He was, however, very pleased that his lover felt that way about him. If the redhead kept up the compliments then he might start having to pick his attire with greater care. Christian had a brief vision of standing in front of his mirror holding up two slightly different black suits and asking Rowan whether they made him look fat. He snorted inwardly resolving to not become that indecisive about his fashion choices, no matter how much fun it would be to put on a show for his lover.
"So you did." Cris smiled up at Rowan as he commented on their first elevator ride together. The following day Christian had viewed, then locked away, the security footage of their drunken journey to his apartment. The memory of it and the very warm results wrapped around him, made him smile.
His lover gave his opinion on why animal crackers were not called cookies even though they were sweet. Christian glanced over at the AI to see what her response to that was.
"Ah, you are correct, Doctor. Thank you for providing information."
Settling into Rowan's embrace, he enjoyed the brief ride up to the fifteenth floor.
Once the doors opened, he reluctantly pulled away from his companion and stepped out into the hallway. [Sometimes I think she simply asks questions to see what the 'lifeforms' have to say about it. Surely she already knew the answer to the questions.] Cris had mixed feelings on the idea of the AI. He enjoyed the efficiency of machines that simply did their job but at the same time MARI was something new and if she truly could think and evolve on her own, which she appeared to do, then vampires would have finally created a wholly new being. That thought always inspired within him a humbled sort of awe. MARI, herself, made him smile quite often. He was secretly quite fond of her.
As he didn't know where he was going, Christian waited for Rowan to lead the way. He was interested in seeing where his partner was staying. Despite knowing that most of Rowan's things were in boxes and there was very little to see, it would still offer a tiny glimpse into his lover's life.
Hit the Snooze Bar Again (attn: Cris)
Rowan opened his eyes. There was a long moment of confusion. The ceiling looked oddly familiar yet not...
Five minutes of blinking cleared his memory as he woke himself up without the use of nine or ten alarms. By then he realized he was in Christian's home, in the big bed with the white cover and the blue sheets. And Christian himself, wrapped snugly around him, very obviously still sleeping for he was silent and still, the only indication of his being alive at all a deep breath once every minute or so.
Rowan looked down at his lover. He was beautiful on a regular basis but now, he seemed even more so. Completely carefree, not a line to mar the perfection of his face. Not a single muscle tense. Open, free and perfect.
Rowan was amazed to have woken up before Cris. He grinned to himself; he really must have worn his lover out earlier that day. Rowan never woke up before anyone. Although he didn't sleep long usually. Maybe Cris did. He would have the opportunity to find out now, he supposed, and that knowledge made him smile.
He softly began to stroke Christian's side, turning his head toward his lover, letting his hands wander over the scar-dotted skin, down to his stomach and hips. If he was going to wake Cris up, he was going to do it as pleasantly as possible.
Christian Bern
13 years ago
Rowan Murphy
13 years ago
Rowan raised his brows at MARI's assessment. "You're welcome," he said, bemused. He was sure there was more to the answer than what he'd given. He'd been vague on purpose, not actually know what about how crackers were made set them apart from cookies. Henri would have known. As it was Rowan's Creator probably would have gotten a kick out of the fact that Rowan, not a fan on culinary arts on account of there being far too much fire involved, had actually managed to spit out an answer.
He smiled as Cris exited the elevator with him. [It seems that the fantastic MARI should have figure out to use Google on her own by now, yes,] he agreed. [Glad I could hit one for the home team though.]
He led the way to the end of the hallway. His apartment was the very last one on the left, for no particular reason other than he hadn't expressed any preference for living space and this was what he'd been offered. He opened the door and gestured Cris through, turning on the light as he followed behind.
It was not a large apartment; Rowan didn't need one. They entered into a living room dining room. There was a small galley kitchen off to one side, and down a short hallway off to the left was a master bedroom and the one bathroom. There was a utility room and storage closet in the hall. Mostly the living room was full of boxes, but near the front window there was his writing desk, the only area of his place kept meticulously neat with its assortment of pens and quills and inks, and his current diary sitting closed on top of it. There was a single chair at the desk and a small lamp on it. His new guiter stood next to the desk on a little guitar stand. The rest of the room was home to about ten boxes and four steamer trunks which had been shipped to Rowan when he'd arrived in Nachton.
About half of the boxes were open but not unpacked. There were an assortment of items inside them; books, papers, things Rowan had cared enough about to bring with him to Nachton. In one of the open boxes, unpacked but obviously with no place to store, was his collection of flutes and whistles. In another there was a collection of blacksmith's puzzles, but instead of being done in metal and chain they were all crafted from wood and rope.
Rowan pulled Cris close and kissed him soundly. "You're welcome to poke around if you like," he said. "I'll be right out."
He grabbed some clothing from one of the steamer trunks and headed into the bathroom to groom himself, tidy up, and change. He tried to be fast but dressing quickly wasn't his forte. He probably took about twice as long as Cris had taken even though he really was trying to hurry. It didn't help that he had to change clothes twice before he was satisfied with his appearance.
When he emerged he had managed to dress himself down sufficiently, having started by going overboard. He'd eventually settled on a pair of pale blue washed out jeans and sleeveless black shirt. He added his favorite black leather braided arm bands and a silver pendant in the shape of a stylized treble clef on a leather thong around his neck.
"Sorry, he said to Cris when he emerged from the bathroom. He smiled as he bent to put his shoes back on. "I'm all set now."
He smiled as Cris exited the elevator with him. [It seems that the fantastic MARI should have figure out to use Google on her own by now, yes,] he agreed. [Glad I could hit one for the home team though.]
He led the way to the end of the hallway. His apartment was the very last one on the left, for no particular reason other than he hadn't expressed any preference for living space and this was what he'd been offered. He opened the door and gestured Cris through, turning on the light as he followed behind.
It was not a large apartment; Rowan didn't need one. They entered into a living room dining room. There was a small galley kitchen off to one side, and down a short hallway off to the left was a master bedroom and the one bathroom. There was a utility room and storage closet in the hall. Mostly the living room was full of boxes, but near the front window there was his writing desk, the only area of his place kept meticulously neat with its assortment of pens and quills and inks, and his current diary sitting closed on top of it. There was a single chair at the desk and a small lamp on it. His new guiter stood next to the desk on a little guitar stand. The rest of the room was home to about ten boxes and four steamer trunks which had been shipped to Rowan when he'd arrived in Nachton.
About half of the boxes were open but not unpacked. There were an assortment of items inside them; books, papers, things Rowan had cared enough about to bring with him to Nachton. In one of the open boxes, unpacked but obviously with no place to store, was his collection of flutes and whistles. In another there was a collection of blacksmith's puzzles, but instead of being done in metal and chain they were all crafted from wood and rope.
Rowan pulled Cris close and kissed him soundly. "You're welcome to poke around if you like," he said. "I'll be right out."
He grabbed some clothing from one of the steamer trunks and headed into the bathroom to groom himself, tidy up, and change. He tried to be fast but dressing quickly wasn't his forte. He probably took about twice as long as Cris had taken even though he really was trying to hurry. It didn't help that he had to change clothes twice before he was satisfied with his appearance.
When he emerged he had managed to dress himself down sufficiently, having started by going overboard. He'd eventually settled on a pair of pale blue washed out jeans and sleeveless black shirt. He added his favorite black leather braided arm bands and a silver pendant in the shape of a stylized treble clef on a leather thong around his neck.
"Sorry, he said to Cris when he emerged from the bathroom. He smiled as he bent to put his shoes back on. "I'm all set now."
Christian Bern
13 years ago
Christian realized as he returned Rowan's kiss that they were once more in a private place. They might -not- make it out of the Towers. He smiled at his lover and looked around the living room.
It was interesting that the one place that was especially tidy was his partner's desk, obviously very important to Rowan. Having seen, in a close up and personal way, the evidence of his lover's beautiful handwriting he was not surprised. [So, how unhappy were you with the take over of typewriters and email?] The art of writing a truly eloquent letter was nearly dead. If that weren't bad enough texting was brutally kicking the severely wounded body while it was down, with short phrases, no punctuation, and the death blow, words that were not even remotely spelled correctly but were now becoming an accepted part of every day communication.
He looked around the open boxes for a minute or two, finding that his lover obviously played the flute, liked to read and had a thing for wooden tavern puzzles. Cris wandered into the back room and found the air mattress and another box being used as a nightstand. Easing down onto it, he stretched out, placing his hands behind his head.
When Rowan found him again, Christian lifted his head. "This is not very comfortable. For you sake I'm going to have to insist that you find more suitable accommodations."
It was interesting that the one place that was especially tidy was his partner's desk, obviously very important to Rowan. Having seen, in a close up and personal way, the evidence of his lover's beautiful handwriting he was not surprised. [So, how unhappy were you with the take over of typewriters and email?] The art of writing a truly eloquent letter was nearly dead. If that weren't bad enough texting was brutally kicking the severely wounded body while it was down, with short phrases, no punctuation, and the death blow, words that were not even remotely spelled correctly but were now becoming an accepted part of every day communication.
He looked around the open boxes for a minute or two, finding that his lover obviously played the flute, liked to read and had a thing for wooden tavern puzzles. Cris wandered into the back room and found the air mattress and another box being used as a nightstand. Easing down onto it, he stretched out, placing his hands behind his head.
When Rowan found him again, Christian lifted his head. "This is not very comfortable. For you sake I'm going to have to insist that you find more suitable accommodations."
Rowan Murphy
13 years ago
Rowan frowned as Cris hit on one of his pet peeves. [I didn't mind the typewriter, and I don't mind email. It's fast. It's efficient. I still hand-write regular letters to most of my good friends. And keep my diaries of course. But... butchering the language. Ah. That hurts. Cuts me deep.]
He saw Cris lying on his makeshift bed and smiled. Crossing the room to him he knelt on the floor and leaned on the air mattress, his chin resting on his crossed arms.
"It's not so bad," he said. He leaned forward a bit more as Cris raised his head, brushing his lips against Cris's, kissing him softly, taking his time before relaxing back onto the floor.
"My accommodations are fine," he insisted gently. "Although if your offer still stands I have to admit I'd prefer it. I think I'm addicted to you."
Spending his days in Christian's bed sounded so much more appealing than spending them alone whether he bought furniture or not. He sighed and shifted a little so he could lay his head on the flat plane of Cris's stomach, turned to look up at his lover's face. Rowan closed his eyes briefly, letting a feeling of peace wash over him, experiencing a quick moment of quiet and comfort and utter satisfaction. Eyes still closed, he smiled a little and reached out to share what he was feeling with Cris so he knew why Rowan had fallen silent.
When he opened his eyes he buried his nose in the fabric of Cris's shirt and rubbed his cheek against it. He felt full somehow. It didn't matter that his apartment was empty. With Cris here it felt just right. Curiosity got the better of him though so he raised his eyebrows, still resting lazily on Cris's stomach.
"What sort of accommodations would you consider suitable?"
He saw Cris lying on his makeshift bed and smiled. Crossing the room to him he knelt on the floor and leaned on the air mattress, his chin resting on his crossed arms.
"It's not so bad," he said. He leaned forward a bit more as Cris raised his head, brushing his lips against Cris's, kissing him softly, taking his time before relaxing back onto the floor.
"My accommodations are fine," he insisted gently. "Although if your offer still stands I have to admit I'd prefer it. I think I'm addicted to you."
Spending his days in Christian's bed sounded so much more appealing than spending them alone whether he bought furniture or not. He sighed and shifted a little so he could lay his head on the flat plane of Cris's stomach, turned to look up at his lover's face. Rowan closed his eyes briefly, letting a feeling of peace wash over him, experiencing a quick moment of quiet and comfort and utter satisfaction. Eyes still closed, he smiled a little and reached out to share what he was feeling with Cris so he knew why Rowan had fallen silent.
When he opened his eyes he buried his nose in the fabric of Cris's shirt and rubbed his cheek against it. He felt full somehow. It didn't matter that his apartment was empty. With Cris here it felt just right. Curiosity got the better of him though so he raised his eyebrows, still resting lazily on Cris's stomach.
"What sort of accommodations would you consider suitable?"
Christian Bern
13 years ago
Cris looked up at Rowan with a dubious expression, though he would admit that the air mattress was far more comfortable than the ground and he had slept on that for many years. He enjoyed his lover's kiss and turned to watch him as he settled onto the floor next to the bed.
He smiled at Rowan and said. "Is that so? Well you should ask your doctor what he recommends you do about that. I personally think it is a tolerable condition. I have some beneficial properties and the side effects are mild."
With a smirk he added. "Just remember not to drive or operate heavy machinery while on Cris." Rowan settled down onto his stomach and he wrapped an arm over him. [because Cris prefers to have your total attention.] He sighed happily, content to look down at Rowan's peaceful features. It was not a surprise to find through his lover's glamour that Rowan was feeling a very similar emotion.
Christian smiled at the adorable affectionate nuzzle and answered his partner's question.
"Oh, I'm thinking an alpine lodge would be more suitable for someone of your caliber, complete with a large bed, an excellent, if artificial view, and a Swiss attendant to take care of all your personal needs. That has to be better than a lonely air mattress, no matter how comfortable you say it is."
He sat up, turning so that his legs were off the bed to one side of Rowan. Cris leaned forward and kissed his lover gently, teasing lightly along Rowan's lips with his tongue. Leaning back he said.
"Your accommodations will be ready [more than ready and plenty willing.] when you return this evening."
He smiled at Rowan and said. "Is that so? Well you should ask your doctor what he recommends you do about that. I personally think it is a tolerable condition. I have some beneficial properties and the side effects are mild."
With a smirk he added. "Just remember not to drive or operate heavy machinery while on Cris." Rowan settled down onto his stomach and he wrapped an arm over him. [because Cris prefers to have your total attention.] He sighed happily, content to look down at Rowan's peaceful features. It was not a surprise to find through his lover's glamour that Rowan was feeling a very similar emotion.
Christian smiled at the adorable affectionate nuzzle and answered his partner's question.
"Oh, I'm thinking an alpine lodge would be more suitable for someone of your caliber, complete with a large bed, an excellent, if artificial view, and a Swiss attendant to take care of all your personal needs. That has to be better than a lonely air mattress, no matter how comfortable you say it is."
He sat up, turning so that his legs were off the bed to one side of Rowan. Cris leaned forward and kissed his lover gently, teasing lightly along Rowan's lips with his tongue. Leaning back he said.
"Your accommodations will be ready [more than ready and plenty willing.] when you return this evening."
Rowan Murphy
13 years ago
Rowan laughed softly at Cris's opinion on the topic of his new addiction. "I think I'll take your advice on this one," he said. "I don't need to ask my doctor if Cris is right for me."
He smiled happily as he considered operating heavy machinery and then gave another pleased laugh into Cris's shirt at the voice in his head. "Oh believe me," he said, "You have one hundred fifty percent of my attention."
Rowan sighed at Cris's description of suitable accommodations. "I can't argue. That sounds pretty nice. Why are you spoiling me? Do I get to do any of this 'caring for personal needs' in return?" He put on his most serious professional work face. "I'm a doctor. You can tell me all of your troubles."
He gave a pleased little moan at the sensation of being wrapped up in Christian as his partner leaned down, sort of curled around Rowan, to kiss him. He returned the gentle caress, giving a shiver of delight as Cris's tongue ran over his lip. He met it with his own, caressing and teasing back.
When Cris leaned back Rowan smiled again at his words. "Really Cris. What can I do in return for you letting me stay until I get my place in order? There has to be something."
Of course he wanted to stay with Cris. But by his own admission Cris was used to being by himself. Rowan in his space all the time might get to him. He didn't want to be in the way; Cris didn't have to put him up.
He smiled happily as he considered operating heavy machinery and then gave another pleased laugh into Cris's shirt at the voice in his head. "Oh believe me," he said, "You have one hundred fifty percent of my attention."
Rowan sighed at Cris's description of suitable accommodations. "I can't argue. That sounds pretty nice. Why are you spoiling me? Do I get to do any of this 'caring for personal needs' in return?" He put on his most serious professional work face. "I'm a doctor. You can tell me all of your troubles."
He gave a pleased little moan at the sensation of being wrapped up in Christian as his partner leaned down, sort of curled around Rowan, to kiss him. He returned the gentle caress, giving a shiver of delight as Cris's tongue ran over his lip. He met it with his own, caressing and teasing back.
When Cris leaned back Rowan smiled again at his words. "Really Cris. What can I do in return for you letting me stay until I get my place in order? There has to be something."
Of course he wanted to stay with Cris. But by his own admission Cris was used to being by himself. Rowan in his space all the time might get to him. He didn't want to be in the way; Cris didn't have to put him up.
Christian Bern
13 years ago
"Because you deserve to be spoiled." Cris looked at Rowan with an expression that suggested such a thing should have been self explanatory. He wanted to take care of his lover when he came back home after a long hard day of taking care of other people. Christian saw Rowan as so very selfless and giving, such a person deserved to be spoiled a bit in return.
"I didn't think you were that kind of doctor." Christian smiled. "But I will definitely let you know if anything hurts and let you personally take care of it. Its nice to have a physician that I can trust."
He reached out and brushed his fingers along his partner's cheek. " You don't need to do anything, Rue. I don't see you being a burden in any way. So aside from cleaning up after yourself there is nothing in particular I would ask of you in exchange for staying."
Cris bent down and kissed his lover on the forehead and smiled. "I wouldn't ask more of you for staying with me but...I will confess to hopes of plenty more because you want to."
He looked around the empty room and then back at his partner. It was hard imaging finding much solace here alone. Christian had spent a great deal of time and effort into making his place a bastion of relaxation when he returned home. It was ironic then that he always ended up going out in order to find that release that he was looking for.
Cris smiled down into the grey-green eyes watching him. He no longer needed to go looking for that social interaction so long as Rowan was a part of his life. He had not felt this much peace and happiness in a very long time. He sighed contentedly once more before squeezing his partner's arm.
"Okay, we better go before I give in to the temptation of those delicious lips. Then I will be wanting to try out this bed of yours...and we'll never make it out of the Towers."
He trailed his hand lightly down Rowan's arm before adding. "Not that that is a bad thing... but I'd hate for you to think that its all I am interested in."
"I didn't think you were that kind of doctor." Christian smiled. "But I will definitely let you know if anything hurts and let you personally take care of it. Its nice to have a physician that I can trust."
He reached out and brushed his fingers along his partner's cheek. " You don't need to do anything, Rue. I don't see you being a burden in any way. So aside from cleaning up after yourself there is nothing in particular I would ask of you in exchange for staying."
Cris bent down and kissed his lover on the forehead and smiled. "I wouldn't ask more of you for staying with me but...I will confess to hopes of plenty more because you want to."
He looked around the empty room and then back at his partner. It was hard imaging finding much solace here alone. Christian had spent a great deal of time and effort into making his place a bastion of relaxation when he returned home. It was ironic then that he always ended up going out in order to find that release that he was looking for.
Cris smiled down into the grey-green eyes watching him. He no longer needed to go looking for that social interaction so long as Rowan was a part of his life. He had not felt this much peace and happiness in a very long time. He sighed contentedly once more before squeezing his partner's arm.
"Okay, we better go before I give in to the temptation of those delicious lips. Then I will be wanting to try out this bed of yours...and we'll never make it out of the Towers."
He trailed his hand lightly down Rowan's arm before adding. "Not that that is a bad thing... but I'd hate for you to think that its all I am interested in."
Rowan Murphy
13 years ago
Rowan blinked at Cris. He deserved to be spoiled? He had never heard anything like that before. Frankly, he thought it better if he were to spoil Cris instead. Well, maybe they could just spoil each other. That was how loving worked after all.
Rowan grinned at Cris. "Technically I'm lots of different kinds of doctor. That's why they keep giving me so many shifts!"
He pressed his cheek into Cris's caress. The conditions weren't so very difficult. Rowan wasn't a mess. He wasn't as neat as Cris seemed to be but he did have a pretty strict sense of following certain rules when he was a guest and cleaning up after himself was one of them. In his own space he tended to get slightly cluttered and somewhat scattered but never messy, really. He could manage to be good.
He sighed softly at the kiss on the forehead and gave a soft little moan. "Oh I want to. Oh god do I want to."
They were going out, right? Because he was getting other ideas. Other bits of him were also getting other ideas.
Apparently Rowan was not the only one whose thoughts had gone in that direction. He buried his face in Cris's lap with a groan and breathed out a long sigh, quite possibly intentionally against the zipper of Cris's jeans.
"You're right... we should go before I demand that you be more interested in sex again."
He grinned at Cris, his expression clearly conveying his humor. He didn't for a second think that was all Cris wanted from him. Standing, he slid his arms around his lover, pulled him up from the bed, and kissed him deeply. Insurance, for later.
"Okay. let's go get all skated up. I promise to be appropriately clingy. So long as it doesn't knock you over."
With that cheery thought they did, indeed, manage to get out of the Towers before on of the beds... or couches... or other random pieces of furniture... happened to suck them in.
((ooc: Omg Rowan and Cris actually out!))
Rowan grinned at Cris. "Technically I'm lots of different kinds of doctor. That's why they keep giving me so many shifts!"
He pressed his cheek into Cris's caress. The conditions weren't so very difficult. Rowan wasn't a mess. He wasn't as neat as Cris seemed to be but he did have a pretty strict sense of following certain rules when he was a guest and cleaning up after himself was one of them. In his own space he tended to get slightly cluttered and somewhat scattered but never messy, really. He could manage to be good.
He sighed softly at the kiss on the forehead and gave a soft little moan. "Oh I want to. Oh god do I want to."
They were going out, right? Because he was getting other ideas. Other bits of him were also getting other ideas.
Apparently Rowan was not the only one whose thoughts had gone in that direction. He buried his face in Cris's lap with a groan and breathed out a long sigh, quite possibly intentionally against the zipper of Cris's jeans.
"You're right... we should go before I demand that you be more interested in sex again."
He grinned at Cris, his expression clearly conveying his humor. He didn't for a second think that was all Cris wanted from him. Standing, he slid his arms around his lover, pulled him up from the bed, and kissed him deeply. Insurance, for later.
"Okay. let's go get all skated up. I promise to be appropriately clingy. So long as it doesn't knock you over."
With that cheery thought they did, indeed, manage to get out of the Towers before on of the beds... or couches... or other random pieces of furniture... happened to suck them in.
((ooc: Omg Rowan and Cris actually out!))