RP with kingofgray

[deacon_briggs]

To say that Deacon was nervous was a bit of an understatement. Not only was Norton coming to visit New York, he was also the first bloke Deacon had found remotely attractive - and not just in the friendly sort of way. Still having a bit of difficulty labelling himself as anything, whether it be heterosexual, homosexual, or something in between, he

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[kingofgray]

He'd gotten off the plane and the first thing he did was find a rental car station. He'd seen the things called cabs and they were a bit dodgy at best. He'd, of course, asked for his preferred method of travel, a motorbike. And they'd had one, a Ducati to be precise. His brand of choice.

He'd looked up where Deacon lived in advance and studied the map so thoroughly he'd had it memorized. He'd almost been pacing the security terminal he was so nervous about finding the way there. But when he got odd looks from security personel, he stopped fidgeting.

He shouldered his sack and made his way to the black bike. He straddled it and turned the engine on, a truly happy smile creeping over his face as he listened to the engine purr. Finally, he crouched down and took off, speeding through the traffic like a mad man.

When he finally pulled up to the flat, he parked the bike and climbed off. He'd had to readjust his suit and tie, which was site to be seen on a motorbike in itself. He sighed and finally put his hand up to ring the buzzer to the flat.

[deacon_briggs]

The sound of the buzzer literally made Deacon jump. He'd been walking towards it, oddly enough, and as he neared it, the sound cut through the stale air around him. His heart now pounding in his chest, he took a moment to catch his breath - he didn't need to sound like a frightened child on the intercom.

He pressed the button by the speaker and put his mouth close to it so he didn't have to yell.

"Norton?" he asked quietly, but loud enough so the person on the other end could hear. He wasn't quite sure why he'd asked who it was; it wasn't as though he was expecting anyone else.

[kingofgray]

He smiled when he heard the quiet voice of Deacon over the intercom. He buzzed back, the joy evident in his voice as he joked. "Yes, it's me I'm afraid. I didn't get lost after all."

He let go of the button and readjusted his pack. It probably looked terrible with the suit he was wearing, but all of his clothes were in it.

He looked down at his palms. Sweaty as they were. He wiped them on his slacks and then joined then in front of his abdomen, his old life still evident in his stance.

He was excited. This was the first person he'd honestly found on his own and could be somewhat open about it.

[deacon_briggs]

The pounding his heart was quickly replaced with the jumping, which he couldn't control, at hearing Norton's voice coming through the slatted speakers. He felt the apples of his cheeks heat as he cleared his throat and pressed the button to speak again.

"Come up. Apartment 5B." He pressed the second button that unlocked the front door remotely as he looked at his flat. What a state of disarray. He wondered what sort of places Norton was used to; he must've been used to posh living - perhaps a castle. Or a palace. All Deacon really had to offer was a modest flat. Still, it was his and there were splashes of his personality everywhere, from the picture of the Notting Hill Gate Tube station by the door to the scattered pictures of he and his family.

His puppy, Cargo, came down the stairs from the lofted bedroom at hearing movement and voices.

"We have a visitor," he explained, crouching down to pet her head.

[kingofgray]

He walked up the apartment looking around curiously. It was quite odd. He'd never been in an apartment building before, only big homes and the castle proper when he lived year round. But he liked it, it was quirky. And you were never lonely, for all the neighbors.

Even though he'd been invited up, he still felt the proper need to knock on the door to Deacon's flat. He pushed his ear to the door when he could hear the scratching on the floor from some sort of animal.

"Deacon, it's Norton. Are you quite alright in there?"

[deacon_briggs]

Deacon tried to stop Cargo from going towards the door, but she'd gotten to it before he could scoop her up. She was already getting a bit too large for him to pick up easily, but he grabbed her and tucker her under his arm before opening the door.

He couldn't stop the large smile from spreading across his face at the sight of Norton; Cargo seemed to sense this and barked happily, wagging her thin little tail back and forth.

"I'm alright. Afraid Cargo got to the door before I could grab her." He paused. "Are - are you alright with dogs? Or should I put up the gate upstairs?"

[kingofgray]

When Deacon opened the door, his smile grew wider. He probably looked like a loon. But oh, well. Deacon was more attractive then right up close. He was glad he'd come.

He almost didn't look down from the other's face as he spoke. "No, I'm fine with dogs. I have giant schnauzer back home named Frodo." He turned pink at that, embarrassed he'd had a dog named after a characther of a book they'd talked about in their first conversation.

He slipped his pack off his shoulders and looked around. "You've a very lovely place here."

[deacon_briggs]

Deacon's smile grew larger at hearing the name of Norton's dog. He would've said something had he not been distracted by the absolutely adorable flush of his face. He stepped aside so that he could enter the flat. He shut the door behind them and let Cargo down on the ground, who immediately went over to investigate this stranger. Her tail was maniacally whipping back and forth, her bright gray eyes beaming up at him.

"Thank you," he replied quietly, his own face flushing. "And I quite like the name of your dog, without having even met him. If he's named after such a fanastic character, he must be an equally as fantastic dog." He walked over and stood beside Norton, glancing around at his home. "In the process of packing some things up, actually. I'll be moving in September. Where to, I'm not quite sure yet, but my lease is up and I'd fancy a change."

[kingofgray]

When Cargo came over to investigate, he put his pack down on the floor and bent at the knees. He put his hands behind the dogs earns started to scratch, just like Frodo always liked.

"He's a lovely dog, Frodo. Looks like a miniature horse with curly brown hair. He's the only thing I regret not being able to bring. That and my motorbikes." He finally stood back up and looked at all the boxes. "If you'd like, you can use the cottage by the beach. Long Island I believe. I'm not quite sure. I bought it yesterday."

[deacon_briggs]

Deacon folded his arms and rested back against the wall as he watched Norton play with Cargo, who was revelling in the attention. She looked to Deacon happily, her tongue hanging out of her narrow snout. With a laugh, he shook his head.

"You keep that up and she won't let you leave. She does that to me in the mornings, when I've got teaching - will literally put herself in front of the door so I need to fight her to get by." He looked to Norton, his eyes bright. "..Are you.. quite sure? I'd.. you only just bought it and you've only just met me - isn't that a bit.. quick?"

[kingofgray]

He looked down at Cargo and could almost see the smile in the dog's eyes. "I won't mind a bit if it means I'll get to be around you more often." He looked to the other man, a light finally shinning through in Norton's eyes where it'd been missing for twenty years.

"I'm very sure," he laughed. "Thank my father. He's paying for everything I've purchased. And you don't have to worry about him finding you and doing anything, my purchases are untraceable. And I won't be around all year, someone might as well get some use of it."

[deacon_briggs]

Deacon's face turned bright red as he glanced to the ground as he kicked about an invisible pebble with his foot. He cleared his throat a bit to refocus himself, stealing glances at Norton every now and again, until he finally let his gaze linger there.

"I'd quite like that, as well," he replied softly, the corners of his mouth lifting. "I don't suppose your father'd get very suspicious if he received a thank you letter from some random bloke, would he?" He let out a laugh; had Norton not told him about his father, he would have considered doing such a thing. But given what he'd heard, he assumed it was better not to. "I very much appreciate that, Norton - it's very nice of you. I'd love that, actually."

[kingofgray]

He actually laughed at the prospect of his father getting a thank you note from Deacon. He smiled and leaned into the other man slightly. "I should say, "Dear HRH Jules Alexander Gray: You don't know me, but I'm living quite nicely through funds of yours used by your son, Norton. He's doing well and he's flourishing. He's quite fit, and yes, I did say fit, because guess what? He looks like he'd quite like to kiss me. Because he's terribly into that with men." I believe he'd have a heart attack and I would be king."

He pulled the keys from his pocket and unwound the spare from the key chain. "One beach house, for Mr. Deacon Briggs."

[deacon_briggs]

He felt his skin heat up at being closer to Norton. It was all a bit over-whelming, feeling all these things with him. His entire life, he'd be raisd with the belief that men fancied women. There were those that fancied other men, but they weren't quite right; something was always... wonky about them. He wasn't ever sure what that 'something' was, but it always haunted him, especially the first time he'd ever really considered a bloke attractive. He was tired of pretending as though he didn't fancy blokes in general, and Norton in particular.

At the mention of snogging, Deacon again cleared his throat and let out a bit of a breath. He glanced over at the spare key and, as he reached for it, wrapped his hand around Norton's. He pulled him a bit closer, the heartbeat once again resounding in his ears.

"Perhaps I will write that note to your Father, and toss in the fact that I'd quite fancy kissing his son, as well. Think that'd go over well?"

[kingofgray]

He could feel the heat coming from the other man and it was intoxicating. He'd never had the chance on his home country to be so forward with another man of his actual liking. He'd always had to pay for discretion and even then, the men he'd been with were just-- voids. No emotions. No kissing. It was what it was. Now, he was doing being himself, and being forward, with someone he actually wanted to do anything with.

His breath caught in his throat as Deacon's hand wrapped around his. And he was sure his heart would fail as he was pulled into the other man. He closed his eyes and leaned in, taking in the smell of the other man.

"I'd not think it would, but to see the look on his face when he realizes what it means would be a great treasure."

He breathed out and, in the boldest move he'd ever made, closed his eyes, leaned in further and softly placed his lips upon Deacon's.

[deacon_briggs]

"Then perhaps I should send it. Make sure someone takes a photo of the moment, eh?" Deacon whispered through his tightly closed throat. He could feel the distance closing between he and Norton's lips. As the centimetres turned into milimetres, he could hardly stand it. He was sure that Norton could hear the sped-up pounding bleating from his ears. Until finally - he could feel him there.

Deacon's breath caught, before it even made it to his throat. He couldn't seem to will his lungs to breathe; he was certain that he'd collapse within the minute, but, given the circumstances, he didn't seem to mind so much.

His free hand went up to Norton's face, gently swiping at the heated skin with his thumb, as he opened his mouth a bit wider. In that moment, he felt like, for the first time in his life, he was being true to himself. The feelings of what was "right" versus what was "wrong" didn't matter. What he knew was that this, with Norton, felt right - a feeling he'd not yet experienced with anyone else.