Take Away (private)

((OOC: Continued from Breaking the Ice ))

Well so much for keeping it under wraps. Crystal's display could hardly have gone unnoticed by Alfarinn. Rowan had to wonder what exactly Cris's friend would think of it. His words, though, were more appreciative and less annoyed as he seemed to be humoring them.

Rowan was trying to figure out how the hell to make it through this meal with any sort of grace whatsoever when Crystal stood and excused them. He looked up, shocked, as he was commanded to come with Cris... Christian. Not Crystal. It was growled in a soft, hoarse voice than made Rowan's knees weak.


"Uh. Excuse me. Us. I'm sorry. We'll take a rain check."

He actually almost blushed at the Elder's expression of indulgent amusement as Rowan glanced back to see Alfarinn raising his glass. Almost. Not quite.

They made their way across the lobby and down the hall to Cris's home, Rowan's hand firmly caught up in Cris's. Cris placed his free hand on the entry pad and the door opened for them. Rowan was pulled in through the entrance, but as the door closed behind them he tugged back, pulling Cris toward him, gathering his lover into his arms. He splayed his hands across Cris's back and held him close.


"Well... that was not as far as I thought we'd get," he said, his tone just as strained as Cris's had been a minute before. He didn't say anything else, just lowered his head and kissed his partner, ignoring the makeup, not worried about it; it could be reapplied. He flicked his tongue gently against Cris's mouth, his hands playing along the smooth fabric of the blue dress. When he was permitted access, he proceeded to kiss Cris deeply, sweetly, until they were breathless, before breaking away and regarding his lover with intense eyes full of desire and need.

Christian Bern 12 years ago
Rowan did his best to be distracting the entire journey up the stairs and Cris loved every second of it. Holding his partner close and being truly affectionate was still something of a novelty to him. Not long ago after a bit of blood and a round of vigorous sex with a stranger he would have been rushing out the door.

As he headed down the stairs, Cris pulled the wig off and ran his fingers through his hair. He set it on the sofa before heading into the kitchen for a couple of glasses and a bottle of wine. Grabbing a tray from one of the cabinets, he also collected some cheese and green grapes that had looked particularly enticing at the little local market nearby. The mental image of feeding them to his boyfriend one at a time was cliche but still enjoyable.

Christian returned to the room, setting it on the bed. He crawled over to Rowan burying his face in his lover's neck. [Hmm, I brought a little food since we managed to walk out without ours...but I think I'd rather eat you.] He nibbled playfully before leaning back with a smile.

"Shall we go see about that bath?"
Rowan Murphy 12 years ago
Rowan uncurled himself when Cris returned, just long enough to gather his lover close and wrap himself up around him again. He shivered with pleasure at the feel of Cris's face in his neck, tilting his head to the side to let his partner play if he liked; Rowan would love every second of it. He remained wrapped up around him though, enjoying holding Cris, enjoying the feel of their bodes naked and warm against each other, perfectly snug.

He chuckled, the sound still low and lazy, when Cris admitted to having a culinary preference, and pushed his neck up against his lover's mouth. [Take your fill, my own,] he sent. [The tub can't possibly be ready yet.]

Rowan smoothed his hands over Cris's back, down his sides, pulling him closer still, a soft hum of enjoyment escaping his lips. After that delicious, full body hug he began to gently massage Cris's back and shoulders from where he was, fingers making small circles over each muscle, up and down the length of Cris's spine, softly caressing the nape of his neck.


"A pre-soaking rub-down can't be a bad idea either," he murmured happily as his hands lovingly roved over Cris's back.
Christian Bern 12 years ago
Cris shook his head silently in response to Rowan's offer of blood. He was far too comfortable curled up as they were, besides he would much rather do so when it might be the final push toward ecstasy for either or both of them. [Later] He nibbled a little more before leaning up a little further and playing with the lobe of his partner's ear, capturing it between his lips, his tongue gliding only the edge of it, toying with the jewelry.

He half hummed, half moaned his approval as Rowan's fingers began to knead the muscles of his back. Cris uttered another sound of pleasure at the light touch on the back of his neck. Moving down, he pressed himself even closer to his partner and laid his head on Rowan's chest, closing his eyes.

"You're probably right." He murmured. "Plenty of time"

Just so long as he could tear himself away soon to check on the water. In a minute.

"Depends on how distracting it gets." Cris smiled and rubbed his check contentedly against his companion. [You are so good to me.]
Rowan Murphy 12 years ago
It was difficult to stay focused with Cris at his neck; Rowan loved to be touched there as it was. The fact that it was Cris and he was teasing and nibbling like that nearly sent him over the edge of ecstasy. As it was he was growing hard again, just with Cris's light touches. He nodded slightly when Cris said later, understanding instinctively what his lover meant and agreeing. There would indeed be plenty of biting later. That mischievous mouth on his ear made later difficult to wait for, but Rowan closed his eyes and softly sighed his satisfaction as Cris played with his earrings. "I love that," he breathed.

He smiled as Cris seemed to melt against him, his head against Rowan's chest. Rowan began to work his fingers over Cris's back in earnest, rubbing, kneading, small circles, larger ones, from the sensitive nape of his neck all the way down to the small of his back.
"I love this too."

He considered for a moment and then dipped his head down, using his fingertips beneath Cris's chin to gently turn his face up. He kissed him softly on the lips.
"And this."

Rowan resumed his massage, reveling in the feel of holding Cris against him, bringing him pleasure however he could. He had still not recovered from the surprise, the pleasant shock, of discovering in Nachton someone with whom he truly did want to share this eternity with. He had spent many long years, centuries, really, playing the field. Lots of fields. He knew 'different' when he felt it.

It was easy to give everything he had for Cris. He very much wanted to. For the moment he simply sighed happily, trying to impart as much of that love, warmth, and adoration as he could, as if it by willing it so, it could pass from his fingertips into his lover's body and soul.
Christian Bern 12 years ago
Cris smiled as Rowan detailed all the various things that he loved, demonstrating in several cases with very convincing examples. He would admit to loving all those things too and said so with a happily murmured 'me too'.

He continued to lay lazily against Rowan's chest as his lover's fingers worked magic on many of the muscles they had previously exercised. Sighing contentedly, Cris leaned over and placed a kiss on his companion's chest. He really didn't want to move. This felt so good.

Reluctantly, he pushed himself up, and went to check the water in the tub. It was now near a decent level and they should probably get in to determine how much more they wanted. He returned to the master bedroom and leaned against the door jam. The sight of Rowan stretched out on his bed was enough to take his breath away, every time he saw it. Cris stood and simply stared appreciatively for a moment.

"Care to join me?" he smiled. "Though its tempting to come back and join you, it'd be a shame to waste all that warm water."
Rowan Murphy 12 years ago
Rowan could feel his lover's reluctance to move and just the fact that he was able to impart that sort of feeling to Cris made him happy. He rolled over toward the bathroom and followed Cris with his eyes while he disappeared in for a minute. He was still watching the bathroom door when Cris returned and Rowan took in the sight of his partner leaning against the frame. It was a beautiful thing to see; Cris was gorgeous.

He grinned at Cris and stretched like a big cat, from his toes to his fingertips, cracking his spine as he did so.
"Well, as long as someone joins someone else," he nearly purred. "You're way too far away."

Swinging his legs over the side of the bed Rowan slid from it and caught up the tray Cris had brought upstairs. Even if eating in the tub was ill-advised, a glass of wine for each of them would be wonderful. As he reached the bathroom doorway Rowan bent to kiss Cris once again on the lips, completely unable to resist. Winding one arm around Cris's narrow waist Rowan pulled him close, in order to kiss him more deeply.


"That's much better," he said with a sigh and a smile. He continued into the bathroom, setting the tray on the counter top and busying himself with the pouring of wine.

The room was pleasantly steamy. He didn't normally enjoy it; the humidity and thickness of water vapor reminded him of smoke and fire and often made him tense. It was all right here, though. Cris's presence was reassuring and the tub looked quite inviting.

Rowan handed Cris a glass and said,
"So. I understand the theme here, but why only in this room?"

Cris's literary tastes were displayed on the bookshelves so the futuristic appearance of the bathroom wasn't a big surprise, but why the theme wasn't present in any other rooms of his house made Rowan curious.
Christian Bern 12 years ago
Cris enjoyed every second of Rowan's kiss, lightly placing his hands on his lover's waist and leaning closer, his eyes drifting closed as he savored the feel of Rowan's lips on his. He smiled as his partner pulled away and pronounced the new closeness 'much better'. Cris felt inclined to agree.

He followed Rowan into the bathroom. His companion paused to pour the wine, a nice Cabernet to go with the hard cheddar that he had also added to the plate.

Setting two towels within reach of the tub, Cris stepped up and climbed in so that he could take his lover's glass while Rowan eased himself down into the water. There was a ledge around the edge of the tub which allowed him to set both drinks out of the way while they became situated. There was a bench that went around part of the tub that allowed a person to sit with the water chest high, or a little lower on Rowan, and a lower set of two seats that placed the water up to his neck. He had splurged on the tub, knowing that he would need it to soak sore muscles and injuries that were simply a hazard of the job.

For the moment, Cris sat on the higher bench, scooting over to give Rowan enough room to sit down on it next to him. He reached over and handed Rowan back his glass and then looked around the room.

"Well, I see a lot of black. I have thought of doing a sort of fifties robot themed room with bright colours but I have no more spaces here to play with." He shrugged. "I wanted each room to sort of have a life of its own and suit its purpose." Gesturing around the space themed room with the stars and the nebula moving slowly past, he added. "This always felt very serene and private to me. The spaceship portion was meant to give a feel of being alone in the sanctuary of space. I could come in here, soak and relax and be a million light years away from home for a while. Though I am happy to share my little spaceship with you, we can be together on a two man mission to explore...well, I'm sure we'll think of something"

Scooting closer to Rowan, he smiled. "If you could decorate however you like, what would you do?" He was curious to see what his partner might like, perhaps he would get a chance to help make it a reality in the future.
Rowan Murphy 12 years ago
The hot water in the tub felt wonderful on muscles so recently taxed. Pleasantly taxed, but still taxed. Rowan closed his eyes for a moment and sighed in pleasure as the warmth sank into every bit of him. Sitting next to Cris on the bench of the tub he accepted his glass with a word of thanks, sliding himself closer to his partner and offering his outstretched arm.

He nodded, listening to Cris's explanation for this particular decor, smiling softly at the creativity behind it. Rowan loved things like that. He had a very active imagination and, while he generally only applied it to his interactions with the children he worked with, he appreciated it when he found it in others. It didn't surprise him to discover it in Cris. His lover might play the straight man at work but clearly, he enjoyed the process of creation as much as Rowan did. They expressed it differently but the basis was the same.

He grinned at Cris and leaned down to kiss him suggestively, rather than softly, when his spaceship was offered up for sharing.
"I think I could manage to explore some uncharted territory," he said with a little smirk. "As long as I get to claim what I find."

Rowan sipped his wine thoughtfully when Cris asked him what he would do with a room like this.
"This is beautiful, actually," he said. "I might not have thought of it myself but you're right... it is like being millions of miles away from it all."

He considered a bit longer, enjoying the mingled tastes of kissing Cris with a hint of Cabernet, closing his eyes and imagining all the things he might do with his apartment. It was difficult, for once... all he could see was Cris's home. He'd spent more time here than the apartment that was supposedly his, and he didn't want to leave.


"I miss green," he finally said. "I love the city and the life within, but sometimes I would love to be back in Ireland. Maybe furnish it with the colors and views from Killarney."

He named the popular national park, having spent a good deal of time hiking and exploring before the days of technology, computers, and staring at screens.
.. and before it had been turned into a national park at all. "Have you been? It's pretty there, still very wild and... fae, I suppose. It's very lush and green; you can nearly part the mist with your hands in the mornings if you walk down by the lakes. The ground in Reenadinna is covered in moss, thick like a blanket. And there are the Purple mountains beyond."

He sighed happily, envisioning the roughened bark of the yew trees in the wood, the various vibrant shades of green, the purple mountain peaks. It had been quite some time since he'd been in Ireland and he wouldn't mind going back to visit... but not without Cris.
Christian Bern 12 years ago
Cris leaned closer, pressing himself against Rowan and closing his eyes to better feel every little nuance of his lover's kiss. When they parted and Rowan spoke of claiming any uncharted territory, he laughed.

"I am fairly certain that I have been thoroughly explored, Love, but I am all yours." Cris quickly added. "But, please, feel free to explore some more. Perhaps you missed something."

He sat back and listened to Rowan's words as his partner considered what he would do with a room if he could furnish it any way he liked. The description of the place in Ireland sounded absolutely marvelous. It would be something worth waking up to or enjoying in some other room they spent a great deal of time in.

"I've been to Ireland but not there. You'll have to show me around sometime." It was easy to envision the way Rowan painted the picture but he knew that being there with his companion would be even better. Cris looked forward to the vacation that Rowan wanted to take.

Throwing his legs over his partner's lap, Cris scooted closer and placed his head against Rowan's shoulder. He sipped his wine and considered this future space. "A pub room would be nice and poetic for Ireland but I am not sure how often we'd use it. Maybe if it were an entertainment room as well as a bar, perhaps. What do you think?"
Rowan Murphy 12 years ago
Rowan smiled, an expression of satisfaction and lazy promise. "I will," he said, "just to make sure." He was pretty sure he'd explored every bit of Cris there was to explore too, but there was an off chance he'd missed a toe or something, and that had to be rectified.

The smile widened at the thought of going to Ireland with Cris. Not what he had planned for their first getaway together but for a future vacation it would be fantastic. He had lists of places they could go together, as he was sure Cris did. There was no hurry; they would get to them all. He suspected each would feel different, even if they'd been there before, just due to the fact that they would be seeing them together. It was interesting to him, that the world suddenly seemed a whole new place to explore with his partner. There were plenty of places Rowan had yet to spend a great deal of time in that he wanted to visit.

Rowan slid his arm off the back of the tub as Cris pressed close, wrapping it around his lover's shoulders and hugging him to himself. He sipped at his wine and then set the glass aside, letting that arm fall into the water to hold Cris's legs. If he explored some, well, who could blame him? He let his hand wander idly over Cris's thigh and hip, stroking gently.


"An entertainment room?" Rowan nodded agreeably. He loved having company to visit. As much as he enjoyed a half hour here or there to write, read, or otherwise do something solitary for himself, he mostly craved company and was largely a social person. "But where?"

Cris's apartment was being utilized to its fullest and Rowan's... well, aside from being fifteen floors up, he had yet to do anything with it. He had, in fact, very nearly forgotten about it. He could not stay here as Cris's guest forever as wonderful as it was to spend every moment they could get together. He'd been dragging his heels on furnishing his own place though, and he wouldn't lie about the reason - he liked living here. He wanted to be here. This place felt more like home to him than anywhere else he could imagine. It was Cris's though, not his. He needed to get his own space in order, his own area to write, to make a little bit 'his own' lest Cris tire of his presence.

He tightened his arms around Cris, resting his cheek against his partner's head with a soft sigh.
"Maybe up at my apartment," he suggested reluctantly. "It's a blank slate, really. We could do anything with it. All I really want from it is a quiet corner for my desk."

And to not be parted from Cris. Ever. At all.
Christian Bern 12 years ago
Cris looked up at Rowan's interest in the entertainment room and smiled. His lover then asked where they would place it and he shrugged. He had no more space, having already taken the open living room design and sectioning it off into three different smaller areas, each almost intimate in their size. His place had never been designed with a big party in mind but a few friends at most.

He thought of Rowan's apartment on the fifteenth floor but that required his companion's place to be finished and livable. Cris really didn't want to contemplate that idea. Fifteen floors was just too far away.

His partner mentioned his apartment while holding him close. He thought he sensed a reluctance there but he wasn't sure if he was imagining it because that's what he hoped for. Cris peeked at Rowan's aura, which was a kind of weird sensation while sitting this close. He was within the colours that he could see and it was as though he was a part of Rowan's aura as it flowed around him and his own. He saw the usual colours of his lover's beautiful personality and normally cheerful approach to life but right this moment there was a dark blue that was reluctance and fear for the future and grey colour overlaying the romantic pink which appeared to him as loneliness.

Taking a sip of his drink, Cris leaned over Rowan in order to place the glass on the ledge. He ran his hand along his lover's neck and shoulder, smiling at him. "I don't know. Its not terribly important right now. Perhaps some time in the future we'll have more space."

His hand played along Rowan's chest and Cris watched its course, feeling the water slick skin beneath his fingers. "Besides," He confessed quietly. "I like you here." He looked up at Rowan and smiled shyly.

They had been together only a week really so perhaps Rowan might soon want a little space and time to himself. Cris wouldn't suggest his partner give up his apartment so soon but he was equally reluctant to see Rowan leave.
Rowan Murphy 12 years ago
Rowan smiled and kept his arms wrapped tightly around Christian, enjoying the soft caress of his hand. He nodded at Cris's words although he couldn't see how there would be more space. Well... his apartment, sure. But he couldn't see Cris moving out of the Towers into a bigger place. It did make Rowan think though. Maybe he should buy a house. He'd never bought property so soon upon arriving in any city or town. He did own several in various cities in different countries since he enjoyed moving around but for the first time he knew, quickly or not, that he was not leaving Nachton. Not without Christian.

He watched his partner, who was looking down at the movement of his hand beneath the hot water. And then Cris looked up, his face beautiful with that soft surprisingly shy smile, and told him he liked him there.

Rowan's heart skipped a beat, or maybe two or three. He squeezed Cris close.
"I like me here too Cris," he said. He ducked his head, slightly embarrassed. "I should have done my shopping now. I know that but... I just... can't find the motivation."

He sighed softly.
"My apartment seems so far away from here."

Rowan gently began to kiss Cris's face, from his brow, working his way down with small sweet brushes of his lips. He gave a soft laugh between kisses.
"It doesn't really feel like my apartment." He journeyed over Cris's temples, his cheek bones. "I was barely in Nachton for a couple weeks and then you happened."

He grinned, demonstrating that Cris happening was certainly not a bad thing.
He returned briefly to kissing Cris, working down to his nose, his cheeks and jaw. Then he frowned.

"I've become some sort of freeloading wanton hussy, haven't I."

Kissing Cris gently on the lips he remained serious, pulling away and regarding his partner solemnly.
"Cris, do you really want me here? It's okay to need your space. I'm all right with it. This has been so fast, but I love it. This all feels so right to me, but I don't want to go too far too fast for you."

Oh God but he loved Cris already. Rowan didn't hesitate to admit it to himself. But Cris had been reluctant when they'd begun this. Rowan did not want to ruin things later by being the annoying freeloading clingy boyfriend right off the bat.
Christian Bern 12 years ago
Cris smiled and closed his eyes as Rowan's lips traveled across his face and his lover explained that his apartment had not been high on his priorities of late. He was not sure where his partner would have found the time for decorating with his schedule anyway. Cris supposed that Rowan would have told Eiryk what he wanted and then let the viking have his way with the place. How many people ever said that? There was a television show in there somewhere...

He frowned when Rowan stopped and asked if he had become a freeloading wanton hussy. Cris reached down and pinched his lover's nipple and shook his head. "No, you are not."

"The space is here, Rue. One of us in it or two makes no difference to the home so the only person who might complain is me...and I'm not complaining."

Cris listened as Rowan became serious, worried that he found him a burden to his privacy or free time. Sliding out of the seat, Cris sat down straddling his partner's lap so that he could better look Rowan in the eye.

He took his lover's face in both his hands and told him the simple truth. "I need you."

Sighing softly, Cris smiled and added. "I've had my fill of space for a long while. You make me happier than I've been in centuries, Rowan." He turned around and settled down on his partner's lap once more,leaning against Rowan's chest. "I wouldn't tell you to give up your apartment. You might want the space yourself in a few months. Who knows. Besides it'd give Eiryk something to decorate. But as for me, I don't want you to leave unless it made you happy to do so."

Cris twisted around enough to reach his wine glass and, while he was turned in such an awkward position anyway, he used the opportunity to kiss Rowan once, quick but with depth and purpose, illustrating that he meant what he said.

Returning to lay back against his lover's chest once more, he went back to his earlier brief musing. "You know, Eiryk should have one of those decorating shows. He could call it "Raid, Burn, and Pillage" and it could be a show for homes in dire need of a makeover. The friends and family call it in to the show. Then he and his crew could come storming up in a viking themed moving van and take the owners by surprise, hence the raiding part. They could then go through the house cleaning out anything worn beyond repair, tossing away any clutter...perhaps there could be a ritual burning of things that were long overdue for the trash. That would give the show its burning part and then, together with the home owners, they could go pillage the local flea markets, antique shops and discount stores for interesting and unique replacements for the redecorating stage."

He turned around to his companion and grinned. "What do you think? We could pitch the idea to him next time we see him."
Rowan Murphy 12 years ago
Rowan grinned at Cris's affectionate pinch, flinching away playfully but not actually moving away. Cris responded to his worries with words that brought a softer smile to his lips and he reached out to wrap his arms around Cris's waist when his lover turned to straddle him.

Cris's hands on his face were warm and gentle, and the three words he stated so plainly, so simply, would have staggered him if he'd been standing. He didn't interrupt, but he did hold Cris tightly even after his partner turned around and leaned back against him.

When Cris paused Rowan took the opportunity to return his kiss and then continued to caress his lover's neck.
"I need you too Cris," he murmured softly. "I feel so lucky to be able to bring you happiness. And I know... I don't want to leave you. If I need space I have two boats down at the docks and all the space in the world, literally, on the ocean. I can't imagine needing that though. I have everything right here."

His embrace made it clear exactly what 'everything' entailed as he gently spread his hands over Cris's chest and sides, smoothing them lazily over his partner's body as Cris leaned back against him.
"I want to stay here, as long as you want me."

Rowan reached back and took a sip of his own wine, replacing the glass again so he could continue to slowly run his hands over Cris's body in imitation of the massage he'd begun out on the bed.

He laughed, trying not to jostle Cris, when his partner came up with the off-the-wall suggestion to thrust Eiryk in a Viking themed redecoration reality show. Cris turned around with the adorable grin on his face and Rowan, still laughing, couldn't help but kiss him again.


"I still think you're a genius," he said. "There needs to be a Viking helmet involved. Maybe on top of the van. Eiryk will bitch about it but it just has to be done."

He thought for a moment.
"And instead of the burning things maybe they can recycle them and Eiryk can make snarky comments about the lack of taste. That's a burn in its own way."

He'd heard Eiryk make plenty of acerbic one-liners regarding others' decorative tastes so he didn't think that would be too difficult to achieve. He was generally against fires of any kind and the doctor in him was immediately imagining the potential for disaster.


"We're just going to have to make sure you get your cut of this show," Rowan said. "Then, when you're filthy rich, I will retire and be your kept love slave. Or something."

He grinned, himself, at the idea. He was pretty sure either or both of them currently had the funds to do such a thing but Rowan couldn't abandon his job any more than Cris could... their professions defined them both. Even if they tried something else on the side, they'd likely always do what they had been doing for years.
Christian Bern 12 years ago
Cris felt relieved that Rowan was going to stay, that his lover wanted to stay and that everything was out in the open and all settled. He smiled wondering how he went from being alone for so long to not ever wanting to be alone so quickly. There was a qualifier and it made all the difference; he never wanted to be without Rowan.

He took a sip of his drink and settled back against his lover as Rowan spoke of viking helmets on top of the moving van. "Or all the assistants could have them. Eiryk can complain about it each week and let everyone know that its historically inaccurate. It can become an extra part that people are amused by because I am sure Eiryk will be colourful in his rage."

Frowning thoughtfully at the snarky comments said about people's terrible furniture instead of the actual fire, Cris finally shrugged. "People like destruction but they also like cruel wit directed at someone else. So that would work as well." Watchers felt better about themselves for not being on the receiving end of biting comments, within reason. "Of course Eiryk will have to find some reason to take his shirt off at least once a week. Not too often or it will become expected but enough that the fans will be happily anticipating. That will improve ratings."

"I can help produce it. That should be enough." He turned around to Rowan with a lecherous grin. "Sex slave hmm? Would you be waiting at the door for me, naked and ready?" Cris smiled and pushed back against his lover with a satisfied sigh, bringing one arm up to slid around the back of Rowan's neck. "If that's the case, then, yes, definitely. I could become accustomed to such a thing."

He leaned sideways and tilted his head up so he could look at his partner
. "But do tell me more so that I am further convinced." Cris regarded him with a mischievous grin. "Consider it a job interview."
Rowan Murphy 12 years ago
Rowan loved the feel of Cris relaxing against him so easily, as if they were meant to fit together like so. He kept his arms wrapped around Cris's waist, stroking his skin gently, moving one arm only once in a while to pick up his wine glass at sip at the Cabernet.

He laughed softly at the continued speculation about Eiryk and his now Viking-hat-wearing team.
"I like that, too," he said, "and no doubt he'll be colorful. Eiryk doesn't know how to do anything without being colorful. Figuratively and literally."

The idea of his friend taking his shirt off to improve ratings made him laugh more.
"Oh God, just don't tell him that," Rowan said. "Ratings might go up but his head will swell so large that we'll never fit him through another doorway. Then the show would be over."

The conversation moved away from Eiryk, which Rowan approved of. He liked his friend but there should only be to of them in this tub right now. The lusty expression on Cris's face was an immediate turn-on. Rowan raised his eyebrows and softly corrected,
"Love slave. Definitely." In his opinion they were two distinctly different things.

He sighed happily as Cris pressed against him. Rowan tightened his arms around his lover and ducked his head to Cris's neck, letting his mouth travel lightly up and down it, gently lapping at Cris's skin with the tip of his tongue.


"If you like naked and ready I can arrange it. But there's merit to having to unwrap your present too," he said, a lazy smile on his face as he softly sucked Cris's earlobe into his mouth, released it, and proceeded to draw the lightest of faint circles around the edge of his ear, just barely brushing the skin, something that never failed to give him chills. He was eager to see if it had a similar effect on Cris.

His partner leaned over to look at him and Rowan returned the playful grin with one of his own. Cris loved the words as much as the actions, which was one of the fun things about him. Just look at how this evening had started... they could easily drive each other to distraction with descriptive terminology. Being at work hadn't been any easier either... and Rowan loved it. Every second.

He kept his voice low, murmuring into Cris's ear as he continued to play with it, his words punctuated by soft kisses, little sucking caresses against his lover's neck, and tantalizing almost-but-not-quite bites.


"I'd love to meet you at the door," he said. "Wrap you in my arms as you come in, kiss you even before the door's closed. From the moment you come home I'd want you to focus on nothing but relaxing."

Rowan smoothed his hands down Cris's sides, over his hips, and ran them over his thighs before coming back up to his stomach.


"I'd take you upstairs and spend a small eternity removing your clothes, tasting every inch of your skin as I bare it."

He continued sucking his way over Cris's shoulder, moving over to Cris's turned head to caress his jaw.


"Every inch," he reiterated, his fingertips brushing faint trails along Cris's inner thighs under the still steamy water.

Moving around behind Cris's neck he stopped to pay loving attention to the sensitive nape with his mouth, gently sucking his way across it to the other side of his partner.


"Of course, no long day at work would be complete without a massage. Just like before, but fuller. I wouldn't be able to wait to get my hands on you. Touch you until you're almost asleep."

His fingertips wandered lightly over his partner's balls, very gently playing with them, circling them.
"And then I would wake you up again," he said slyly, his voice darkening with desire. "Slowly sucking my way over your neck and chest, heading downward ever so slowly."

He paused, peering at Cris's face.
"Would you like me to continue, or have I already been fired?"
Christian Bern 12 years ago
Cris nodded at Rowan and reached up a hand to his lover's jaw, gently stroking his thumb across Rowan's cheek. "Love is definitely more appropriate."

He set his glass down then and prepared to take this interview seriously, or at least give it his full attention. Cris quickly thought it fortunate that he relinquished the glass as Rowan started nibbling on his neck while holding him close. He sighed softly and leaned to the side to grant his partner more access.

Nodding his agreement that there was merit to unwrapping certain things, Cris ran his hands along the outside of Rowan's thighs as his lover continued to talk. He moaned softly and tried his best to hold still while his partner delicately teased the outer shell of his ear. They were always quite sensitive, perhaps from wearing an earpiece so often and therefore being made aware of them throughout his day.

Rowan's hands trailed lightly over his body, stirring the warm water into an additional feather light caress in their wake. Cris pressed back against his lover once more, his lips parted in a silent gasp of pleasure while his partner continued to tease. He squirmed slightly in Rowan's lap as hands trailed across his inner thighs.

His lover talked about massaging him until he was almost asleep and Cris smiled at the thought. It would take a long time to ease the tension and anticipation out of him to that point, especially when he had spent all day away from Rowan, but he had faith in his lover's patience and ability.

The smile was erased and the thoughts of sleep flew from his head as Rowan's hand crept higher to cup his balls, playing with them gently. He arched his back, pressing against his lover while holding his lower body still, gently trapped as it was in his lover's gentle grasp.

He searched for an appropriately witty response, while clutching Rowan's legs a little harder. "No...but I think I need to hear more... just to be sure I have the right man for the job."
Rowan Murphy 12 years ago
Rowan reached out and gently moved both wine glasses further away from them, just to be on the safe side, keeping his lower hand in place, playing teasingly along Cris's balls and over the base of his hardened shaft. When the glasses were moved he wrapped his arm around Cris once more, trapping him again, spreading his hand across Cris's chest.

"More," he questioned softly, "but it's a choose your own adventure at this point."

He gently bit his way along Cris's neck and then returned to the ear he hadn't played with yet. He treated it to the same feathery, light caresses with his tongue, loving the moan he'd elicited from his lover on the other side. This time he drew a light spiral, beginning outside and working his way slowly in, controlling himself to make the touch so light as to barely touch Cris's skin.

At the same time Rowan brushed his hand over Cris's chest, rubbing the pad of his forefinger over the hard bead of first one nipple and then the other.


"So you get the choice," he breathed into Cris's ear. "You can have me now, or you can have me later."

He grinned, knowing it wasn't so much a choice as a requirement. If Cris felt anything like he did now, desire was quickly mingling with need. It was what Cris did to him. It was, physically, what made him so appealing above and beyond any lover Rowan had had. Never mind the emotional and mental connections. Those were things he would never take for granted... things that blew his mind in and of their own right. But here, when they made love, Cris inspired such great and overwhelming urgency in him that when they began this dance Rowan, at least, had to finish it. Would do almost anything to finish it, as evidenced by their hasty departure from dinner.


"Of course," he added playfully, "choosing later just ends the whole game. So I'm really urging you to go with 'now.'"

He sucked a bit harder at Cris's neck.
"Or we could go with 'both.'"

His hand, teasing Cris's cock, finally closed around it and stroked slowly, painfully slowly. He pressed close behind Cris, both hands, tongue, and lips very devoted now not to telling Cris, but showing him.
Christian Bern 12 years ago
Cris became very still and focused on what Rowan was telling him when his lover's arm wrapped around him once more. He closed his eyes, leaning his head back against his partner's shoulder while Rowan told him that there would be choosing involved.

He raised his head back up as his lover's lips found his neck and traveled upward once more. He wanted to be certain that he gave Rowan as much access as possible. Cris shivered in pleasure at the delicate touch of his partner's tongue as it barely ghosted over the soft skin of his ear. Rowan was going to tease him to the point of madness at this rate. His partner continued touching, licking and teasing.

Cris gasped.
"Rue..." He wasn't sure what he was asking or saying really, perhaps it was just a one word commentary on how well his lover had stripped him of higher thought.

It seemed like an eternity of Rowan's agonizingly arousing touches before his lover asked his question. Cris would have thought that the answer was...evident but he could be more demonstrative of his wishes if it was required of him. He arched again in his partner's grasp as Rowan bit his neck harder after gently urging him toward the 'now' rather than later option of their adventure.

"Rowan..."Cris sighed softly, his hips moving restlessly in his lover's lap as Rowan started stroking him with tortuously slow movements. Hoarsely he answered. "Now, definitely, now."
Rowan Murphy 12 years ago
Rowan couldn't help but smile when Cris's answers were reduced to gasping and sighing his name. Truth be told his own ability to communicate was rapidly diminishing, so he was glad he didn't need to continue story time... not verbally anyway.

He didn't know how to express to Cris just how beautiful he found him; how Cris's responses evoked a desire to give more of himself in Rowan. He wanted that so badly, to give everything he had and everything he was, that it ached. In moments like these when Cris seemed so focused on what they were doing together, when Rowan felt like there was no one but the two of them in the universe, he thought he might explode with the need to give more.

Rowan trembled a little behind Cris at the sound of that sigh followed by the raspy breathless choice. Now, later, whenever... Rowan was ready.

He raised the hand on Cris's chest, gently turned Cris's chin toward him, and kissed him softly, starting by gently nibbling his lower lip and then softly sucking. Moaning softly against Cris's mouth Rowan gently requested access, shivering in bliss as it was granted. Deepening his kiss he tasted Cris's mouth, his tongue gently teasing as his hand lovingly caressed Cris's erection. He stroked, still moving slowly, fingers gently smoothing over Cris's tip for a few seconds before closing his hand around the hard shaft and gliding down it in the warm water.

When he finally broke away from Cris's mouth, Rowan brushed his fingers over Cris's cheek, trailing them down the side of his neck.
"Now," he agreed.

He released Cris, placing both hands on his lover's waist and lifting him easily, turning him around so they were facing each other. Rowan pulled his partner close, gently kissing him again, his lips traveling down Cris's neck to his collar bone, leaving a trail of sucking kisses in his wake. Supporting him with both hands, Rowan let his mouth travel over Cris's chest in a mirror of his fingers' earlier process. He pinched gently as he nibbled each nipple in turn, sucking and biting carefully.

He sighed as he moved back up. Sliding his hands up Cris's back Rowan pulled him in once again, smiling lovingly into those eyes which were still a beautiful green. Without another word he leaned forward and pressed his lips to Cris's neck. Closing his eyes Rowan sent forth a wave of mirrored glamour, demonstrating to Cris what he felt, that ache of perfection, the need and desire to give his partner all of himself, the love that nearly overwhelmed him. Opening his mouth he grazed his fangs along the soft skin of Cris's neck before sliding his hand between them once more, wrapping it around Cris's shaft and stroking firmly as he pressed his fangs into Cris's neck and bit him with another moan of sheer ecstasy.