The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live.

[iago_excolo]

[Monday, April 5 (day 309)]
[Early evening - Tavern of Hell]

I've been steadily packing since a bit after I got to work and I'd say I was tired but my recent three-day nap says otherwise.   A few more days like this one and all the boxes should be ready to go to their respective locations.   It feels like an ending and as angry as I am at Dorian, I

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[jaeresteade]

Usually when I have a night off, which isn’t very often, I spend it at home with Tarquin, doing things that need to be done or just talking and then going to bed early. The last week has been so up and down, though, that I I’ve been thinking hard about what the hell I’m doing here. If Excolo seems close, our apartment seems really close. I think Tarquin understood when I told him I was going out. He didn’t ask too many questions. He’s working his way through every book the library has, I think

[iago_excolo]

For as quiet as Mondays usually are, I'm glad this one has a bit of interest to it. My grin widens as I turn to Jarmyn. "Not at all. In fact, you arrived just in time because I don't think I can eat all these cookies by myself," and I slide the plate closer to him. "I likely shouldn't eat them all anyway."

I take another drag and look him over. He's quite attractive and I recall my conversation with Milady Glass. I contemplate what sort of circumstances would have landed him in bed with Lucien before asking pleasantly, "How've you been lately? We've not had the opportunity to chat since the card game. You live in Excolo so I doubt it's been boring." Isn't that the truth and I chuckle before downing my double.

[jaeresteade]

Iago turns to me with a grin, offering the plate of cookies. I knew I liked the man. I slide into the chair beside him as Thomas sets my beer in front of me. I fish my wallet out to pay him, and being busy with that gives me an excuse to pretend I don’t notice Iago running his eyes over me. I’m not opposed to the attention, just curious as to why he’s looking.

He goes back to looking thoughtful as he asks me how I’ve been. And that’s a question that’s more complicated to answer than usual. “Had one hell of a nap last week, along with the rest of the town. I like my sleep as much as the next man, but that’s pushing it. And…saw you at the wedding yesterday.” And that neatly leaves out Saturday and Lucien and arguing in the street. Come to it, he might have heard or seen some of that, seeing as he lives and works across the same street. Oh God, I hope not. “Well enough, I guess. How’re you and Glass?”

[iago_excolo]

I chuckle when he mentions the long nap and I say, "Yes, that nap wasn't like anything I've ever experienced before," and I shrug before adding, "But that's Excolo for you. Never a dull moment around here and not for lack of trying either." He mentions the wedding and I give him a sly grin. "Yes, I saw you there as well and surrounded by no less than two sexy women. Would it be fair to assume that you had a good time?"

"Well enough, I guess. How’re you and Glass?"He's not aware of my recent marital troubles and I'm not the type to pour my heart out in a public place to a near-stranger but I like him and he's a bartender as well. This likely isn't new to him. After all, how many times have I been on the listening end of a sad tale? I'd sigh but I'm not doing that today. Ah well, nothing's free but I'd be willing to make an exchange of sorts

[iago_excolo]

As I shove him into the wall, it's obvious from his reaction that he's enjoying this, much more than I expected. I've known others that enjoyed this sort of game but it's not something I'd normally engage in. If it was, I'd have already visited Wanda for more than tea. As it is, I'm left quietly curious, turning over questions before setting them aside for the moment

[jaeresteade]

I follow him up the stairs, keeping two steps behind him and treading softly, though he hasn’t told me to be quiet. Just feels right, I guess, like the way I’m keeping my head down and my shoulders back. When he gets to the landing, Iago unlocks the door and stands aside. I stay behind him, waiting for permission to enter. I’ve been here before, for the card game on his birthday, but the apartment is shadowed now, and with only the two of us here it seems a different place entirely

[jaeresteade]

Very slowly and very steadily, I crawl back across the room toward him, the glass balanced on my back. I’m praying as much as I ever pray, willing myself not to ruin this, hoping that I at least look good, like something he wants to punish, not a hardship to touch. It seems ages until I reach him, but when I can see his boots in front of me, I reach back and take the glass and hold it up to him. I’m down under in my head, and there’s nothing but the smooth, blissful feeling of having at least gotten this small thing right. Even if he never tastes the drink, even if he pours it over my head and kicks me, I gave him this sight

[iago_excolo]

His tone is low and breathless as he addresses me, "Yes, sir." And again, there's that heady rush of power ...but it's nothing compared to how I feel as I snap my fingers and watch him crawl to the kitchen. The shake and wiggle of his ass only adds to it. I pull my gaze away long enough to notice the tattoo on his back. It's a cross but without a closer examination, I can't tell what sort it is. Soon enough, I suppose, and I close the door behind me.

I lay Jarmyn's shirt on the arm of the couch and as I settle myself comfortably, I sigh. I love this couch but I likely can't take it with me. How fucking disappointing but I'm quickly distracted from that by the tinkling of glass. I glance in his direction and he's got his head in the icebox, giving me a bit more time to ponder all of this. Rules are rules are rules and I chuckle low, contemplating how I found myself in a place where the restraint is mine and not someone else's