Blenner's Apartment, Tuesday Evening [7/3]

[noapte_denoapte]

Vlad was stretched out on the sofa, flipping through the latest thick manila envelope the Ruthven had forwarded him. He perused the stack of newspaper articles, documents and magazines until he came upon one in particular

Comments

[noapte_denoapte]

One last flourish to usher in a new beginning.

Vlad gazed a long moment at that last signature. He smiled a little and took a deep, unnecessary breath.

"I think I'm going to have that pen bronzed..."

[walter_n_wires]

"If I'd known, I would have brought champagne."

Walter set the pen aside and added the last packet to the stack before standing up to come around the desk to where Vlad sat.

"I'd say I have nothing to give you in return, but I know how you'd answer that."

[noapte_denoapte]

Vlad nodded.

"I'd say give me your pants, and we'll call it even."

[walter_n_wires]

Walter started unbuttoning his trousers, then stopped with a calculating look on his face.

"All of them?"

[noapte_denoapte]

Vlad tilted his head.

"I'd still let you wear them..."

[walter_n_wires]

"Hm..." Walter swayed forward until he was leaning against Vlad's chair, hands still on his trouser front. "I suppose we might be able to make that arrangement work."

[noapte_denoapte]

Vlad leaned back in his chair.

"You 'suppose' we 'might'? You sound like a man who needs convincing."

[walter_n_wires]

Walter leaned in as Vlad leaned back. "I'm certain you could convince me with a kiss. That's how these things should be sealed."

His tone was teasing, his face was smiling, but his eyes were serious.

[noapte_denoapte]

Vlad kissed him.

It was, he hoped, a kiss that showed exactly what Walter and the promise of what had just happened meant to him.

That's how these things should be sealed.

[walter_n_wires]

It was. It was how these things should be sealed - between the two people involved, making their promises to each other.

Walter kissed Vlad and then drew back to smile down at his - there weren't good enough words - at his companion.

"I'm convinced," he said softly.

[noapte_denoapte]

"Good."

Vlad laid a kiss on Walter's jaw and slipped a finger into his waistband to tug him forward.

"So, come here."

[walter_n_wires]

Walter moved to join Vlad on the chair, straddling him and using his legs as a seat.

"Yes?"

[noapte_denoapte]

Vlad shook his head.

"Nothing," he said, tucking a strand of Walter's hair behind his ear, "Just come here."

[walter_n_wires]

"I'm here," Walter assured him.

Here and a little off balance, still.

"After all, my trousers are here. Or your trousers, rather."

[noapte_denoapte]

Vlad sat up and rested his hands on Walter's hips.

"Our trousers?"

[walter_n_wires]

"If what's yours is mine," Walter said, moving closer, "then yes, our trousers. Very kind of you to permit me to wear them."