Re: Attachment (18+, Private, SapphireD910 & brinary)

[SapphireD910]

 

Name: Roman Moretti

Age: 43

Hair: Chocolate Brown, temple length

Light beard growing out from a gotea

Eyes: Caramel

Height: 5'11"

Skin: Olive

Build: Fit, but under weight

 

Personality/History:

Born to a traditional Italian family, food, wine and passion seem to be in his genes. He can be a little hot-headed, yet it seems to come from pent up frustrations and stress from work as he runs his own restaurant. He's become dispassionate in recent years though frustration still seems to boil to the surface more than other emotions since his divorce. Yet, that fieriness can present itself in other ways, it's just been years since anything has really provoked him. He fills his time with work and random distractions and vices.

 

 

 

Roman sat at one of the bar stools for the last fifteen or so while people made their entances for the party. An old friend Angela was turning the big 4-0 and wanted to behave half her age for one night before it sank in completely. Roman had already passed the milestone and wasn't too interested in listening to someone younger wallow in how old they were when they were younger than him, but thats part of being a friend he guessed.

 

Another part of being a friend and running a decent estsblishment was opening it up special for a friend's party. Though it wasn't an open bar, he just wasn't that generous knowing the people coming to the party. He was the only one allowed free range of his own stock.

 

He was currently in the middle of his rum and coke watching a few familiar faces and forgotten names enter. Somehow Richard, Angela's fiance had snuck up on him while he was eyeing the door, nearly making him spill his drink. The guy was blond and tanned, like one of those guys who spend all their spare time on the beach. He was paying for this shindig so Roman was going to keep any annoyances to himself.

 

"Hey, Roman, really happy you decided to come," he said it in a manner of surprise that made Roman's brow arch. He was practically the host. All the same, Angela was still a pretty close friend, at least given their age and busy lives, why wouldnt he come to her birthday party?

 

"You know I run this place right?" Roman tried to keep the distaste out of his voice.

 

Richard just gave a hearty laugh, patting him on the back. "Its good to see things can be put behind us now that its been a few years."

 

Roman continued to stare until a look of realization hit, not because of Richard's obnoxious reassurances to something he couldn't figure out, but because he watched as an all too familiar figure came into the lounge, gift in hand to add to the rest. Roman swug his seat around avoiding being seen and paying Richard no regard, who turned to glance at the cause of Roman's discomfort.

 

"Wait, didn't you know he was coming? I thought Angela told you." Roman could care less how sincerely apologetic the man seemed, anxiety was building up inside of him now. He let his eyes wander to the corner of his vision to observe the other man.

 

"You know its alright, Beli and I can be in the same place without issue. We're adults after all." Only the last part wasn't a proven lie about Roman and his ex. The last time he'd seen the other man it ended terribly for them and their friends. He hadn't expected any of their friends to try this show again by inviting them to the same place without being open ahead of time. Though didn't the other man know this was his place?

 

Was Angela doing this on purpose, or was she too absorbed in this whole party thing to have mentioned the other man at all? Roman finished the last half of his drink with a heavy exhale, before facing Richard again. "Its Angie's birthday for crying out loud, nothing's going to happen between us."

 

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[brinary]

 

Name: Beli Moretti, nee Lackman

Age: 45

Hair: Dark, dark brown, with grey condensed into curls and waves, just under his ears

Eyes: Brown

Height: 6'1''

Skin: Cuban-coffee brown

Build: Thick thighs, thick arms, gained weight in muscle, and also in weight

 

Bloop: Beli was raised in the Bronx with his family after moving from India at 13. Heavily confused and entranced by the slums and glamour of the city, Beli was raised with school as a priority and fun mixed in. The eldest of three sons, his complex family situation, facing many downfalls, made him into a person of unbridled curiosity, passion, and an attachment to working and making sure people were happy. Recently, Beli's been off-the-radar since his divorce. Book and computer clubs abandoned, he mostly sees the outside of his home in grocery stores, the library, or park. He is an elusive creature.

 

 

 

Beli swipes a tongue over his teeth as he pulls up to the venue. There's still a slight stain from the lip gloss he swiped on hours earlier, but there's not much that can be done with that. He's opted out of the valet- dragged out for the evening, he's positive- and settled for maintaining a distance from the entrance. He didn't want his entire presence announced. The red carpet affair was a tad bit annoying- but he tried not to dwell on it. He took out a cube that had been loved and goaded into handling the wrapping paper Beli'd selected gently. No signs of creases or crinkles, perfectly folded. Smiling, Beli walked across he parking lot and into the restaurant of Angela's fiance, Rikard. Richie? Something. He didn't really care about him.

 

There were squeals from the group he knew after he added his present with the others and turned to socialize. Smile big, he embraced Angela, rocking in her embrace before exchanging hugs and kisses with the other women. His excitement for her was not as large as it could have been, but Beli didn't really see the wonder in turning another ten-divisible number. With Angela's capacity to drink and the shoes she gravitated towards, the woman was hurtling towards death with every glass of a good Chardonay. But it was the meaning of it. Celebrations that mattered to someone so strongly thus mattered to him (even if they were a little dumb).

 

"I haven't seen you in god knows how long." Beli sat with Charlise, a woman who, much like himself, already passed the "milestone" of turning 40. He sat down with her after a few minutes of idle conversation and catching up. Everyone really seemed surprised to see he made it. The awe made Beli flush in self-awareness and rub at his neck, laughing good naturedly with her. He felt so much more aware of himself here.

 

Everyone there, besides a few choice individuals, were beacons that held so many recollections. It was sensory overload. Beli felt the gnaw of days past at his throat and his eyes. He didn't know that this kind of happiness and hurt could resurface from awkward, drunken dancing. Smiling at Charlise, the man shrugged.

 

"I'm sure someone is keeping track."

 

They giggled again. She reaches across, grips his hands and says, so genuinely, "I am so proud of you."

 

Beli smiles obliviously and mimicks the intimacy. "For what?"

 

She nods over to the bar, to two men talking under the low lights. In his corner, Beli knows he is more hidden, but the candles and lights still illuminate him faintly-- he is somewhat secure that he can blend in a little better for spying purposes. He looks on with a continuing oblivion, before a roar is at his ear. A beacon. Fucking, a monolith of memories. Charlise's voice comes in halfway, her thumbs stroking over Beli's hands.

 

"…so happy you can put these things behind you and really come here looking fine A-F tonight. Your lips are gorgeous, your body is a slam dunk, you are thriving, Beli…"

 

He was just there. Literally just at the bar talking to Reece, or whatever his name was, with apparent causality. He could see his back underneath his jacket. He could see the tailoring. The new seams. Bought it in.

 

Did Angela plan this? Was this an elaborate set up- was that why she was so insistent on him coming, because she knew Roman would be there? Speaking of, she comes, tears Beli away nearly as she chatters about Richmond's, or whatever's, hard work and their love for one another and this that and the other. The only thing the man can think of is the diminishing distance between he and his ex-husband. Love of his life. Took his fucking name.

 

Riley, or whatever, is talking to him- he thinks he says hello, Angela laughing with her fiance, as he slowly smiles at Roman and nods his head. Voice catching-- push through- "Hullo, Roman. Nice evening." Accomplishment.

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[SapphireD910]

Roman had to suppress a curse when Beli came over to the bar. It wasn't necessarily his presence, just that Roman honestly didn't know how to act around him yet. At this point all his mind could reach for was to possibly behave as near strangers. That might create a sense of civility, but even that wouldn't be fair nor would it stop the memories from barging their way in. Each look at Beli made him think of some time, event, conversation, or touch. That last part was the hardest.

 

He is given a greeting. If his ex can do it, why can't he? "Hey Beli." His voice comes out softer and sadder than he meant. Suddenly he feels as though others around them are too focused on the two of them. Sure they still chat and laugh, but he feels them looking and their atticipation for what will happen next. He wanted to attempt to turn his attention away from his past partner, but found his eyes catching Beli's lips. They looked full, soft, and they shimmered slightly in the bar lights. He wondered if it was just a basic gloss or if Beli's lips tasted of some flavor from it.

 

"How ya been? You haven't been to this place before have you? What do you think?" Roman smiled a bit, flicking one of his hands a bit in a presentational manner, directing attention to the whole space. "It's been doing well so far." He had a thoughtful look, eyes cast to the ground for a moment. "Let me get you something to drink."

 

He felt rediculous trying so hard to play nice suddenly. Supposing it had been long enough since their last encounter that he almost forgot the argument that had ensued, at least not from his fault alone. He definitely missed the other man more at night, when the sheets were cool around him and the bed felt a little big for just one. Roman had met up with a couple of guys since Beli, but none of remarkable note. It was especially terrible when he found those same old annoyances with none of what he liked from his ex in other men.

 

The way his thoughts were going he chose to take another large gulp from his glass. Over the rim of the glass he checked out more of Beli's figure. He was in one of his thicker swings, not that Roman minded, not that it mattered what Roman thought at all. He put his glass down a little hard drawing Angela and her fiance from their own little conversation. He gave an apologetic smile, taking the opportuntity to drive the attention elsewhere. "Angie, sweet, when are we tearing open these gifts?" He stretched out a leg to nudge the birthday girl.

 

"Alright alright. Geeze Roman... so eager all of a sudden?" Her tone didn't please Roman at all. It sounded mischievious, if only to be kind.

[brinary]

It makes him want to vomit. Years of hearing his name like that. A memory overtakes him, an apology, and he was just as sad then. Hadn't Beli taken the sheets and turned over roughly. Growled out a goodnight. How could he have been so cruel? Could it have helped, to face him and kiss it away? He was so sad. Roman sounded like a boy sad. Just a vulnerable boy. Beli found his voice stuck again. His eyes burn but he makes them stop; a memory is just a mirror reflecting the past. The present is as transient and flowing as water. Let the negativity swim away. He is here, now, facing his man-- what was once his man.

 

Was he looking at him? Disgust, anger, frustration? Sadness? Happiness, lust? Did he want him? Did he want him? Months filled with papers and screaming matches passed by his mind. Beli hardened his insecurities and beat some sense into himself with the new mallet.

 

'You do not want him. You will not succumb.'

 

"Been alright. Working and everything." He used to chew Roman out for half-truths still being lies at a time. He detested falling back on old memories. Through the divorce, the man had realized that half-truths were still truths, and in some cases, were needed to survive. Like now as his lip pulled back to reveal more teeth in a smile, looking around and nodding to himself. "Yeah, it's pret-ty grand," Beli rejoined as he leaned against the bar, standing near but not next to his ex-husband. From here, he saw his legs, his shoes, the watch on his wrist, how close the shirt was on him now.

 

Tailored jacket for losing some filling.

 

Another memory of Roman complaining about how he was fed too much on both sides. Making dinner for hours, piling dish after dish on the table for the two of them only. He'd kiss the swell of his stomach afterward. Roman's eyes would look down at him--

 

They were on the floor now. Beli thought of politely refusing, but his arm was already on the bar, hand propping his chin."If you please, a screwdriver would be nice." Beli needed the tart in his mouth. Something to cut into his senses. The eyes were burning holes into him; they had to be nice, sweet to each other, with their every move being watched. To have something to do, Beli looked around the bar. It was difficult to resist the urge to drum his fingers against the surface of the cold metal top, second only to the rising desire to straighten Roman's jacket, or fix his hair.

 

The hard contact between Roman's glass and the bar made him startle. He played cool and chose to glance over in a belated fashion, not want to reveal the extent of his attentiveness. Watching the exchange between he and Angela, Beli reserved his judgement and smiled to fan the fire. Something else. Please, God, something else. "I agree. The birthday girl's all going about her party but neglecting her presents. I say we go!" with his voice with excitement in little barbs, the best he could fake, and he was a pretty great faker, smile turning the ideas in people's heads towards that very event. They began to agree and guests hovered over to the gift table. Beli's shoulders sagged in relief. Something else- anything but the attention.

[SapphireD910]

"A screw it is," Roman noted, moving himself around behind the bar as his bartender was worked enough, making up Beli's drink himself after urging the guest of honor to open her dammed gifts already, knowing that the main purpose of the party was yet to come until at least those were out of the way.

 

He watched them move over to the table, noting the slump in Beli's shoulders. Still a faker, still pretending in some things. It still ate at him thinking how many times those smiles may have been faked for him as well, among other things. It never ever seemed fake. He remembered a few times neither one could reach climax, either tired or too focused on something else, but even upset they seemed determined to prove something. At least Roman did. He wanted to prove he still loved him, could still touch all the right places, still put him first, even when the whole act of sex was a bit selfish.

 

It didn't stop him from claiming Roman was consumed by work and accusations that there was someone else. He could say the same about Beli at times the way he was sometimes out late or on his phone with no one in particular. Days where Roman seemed to do nothing but piss him off for breathing especially made him feel there was someone else, someone different from him. He'd reach out and slide his hands over his lovers hips, kiss the corner of his lips, but the other man was so cold and would shrug away. At night, when even at their lowest they could find something in each other's arms, even letting out frustrations between the sheets, he'd instead pull away making space between them where Roman thought there was no room possible. The bed would suddenly grow in size while he laid in it.

 

He'd feel pushed away, so he'd start staying away until at least some of the accusations were true and at least thoughts about other guys occured to him. Roman was staring at him now as he walked over with the glass. He'd watch out the corner of his eye when those glossy lips made contact with the already sweating glass, bringing back memories when there was still affection and lustful acts between them.

 

He suppressed a laugh thinking of Beli on his knees taking him into his mouth after a long day and a large meal. He used to spoil Roman. Suddenly a squeel ripped him from his thoughts and he turned to Angela opening a giftcard to a lingere store. He rolled his eyes. It was almost the laziest gift, but it made many women happy, and he'd made sure to make it a pretty good amount.

 

"Seems that gift is partly for me too," Richard teased and Angela giggled, but was too shameless to blush.

 

"You're welcome Richard," Roman said with a snottiness only slightly covered by his jolly laugh. Still Angela smiled.

 

"Thank you Roman," she dragged the words dramatically to try and emphasize her true thanks.

[brinary]

Yes. It was very difficult to not watch his ex. He still had such great hands; Beli used to absolutely obsess over every inch of Roman's physique. He remembers when they first started going out and how he would just be consumed with constant thoughts of how beautiful and handsome his lover was. How lucky he'd been to get quite a catch. For someone like himself, at that time, he saw only an undesirable wisp of a man. Beli had always had problems accepting that there could be a time where someone could whole-heartedly want him.

 

He was weird and skittish with affection until his late teens, and awkward even more into his 20s. His glasses made his eyes look miniscule. Coke-caps, that's what his Mother called them, and the god-damn Mrs. Claus string attached to the ends so they wouldn't fall. Hairy and pudgy. Hair was a mess of curls. Acne scarred. Pudgy. He thought he was so ugly, got to the point where he loved himself because he felt he'd embraced his ugliness. And then Roman turned around and showed him so much affection, touched him tenderly, let his eyes run down what Beli thought was a walking vat of sludge compared to his personal Adonis.

 

His Italian Stallion.

 

The man was trying not to laugh at himself and a cringing smile behind his hand. Why was he so fucking lame well into his 30s? Did his friends still have those letters where he launched into the deepest hellpits of fawning? Ugh. He's so fucking ugly he can't stand himself. It is ruefully Beli grins at the turn the party takes, once he's done watching Roman and chortling in his mind. A screwdriver wasn't a good choice of drink- it could be shortened to screw, and now Beli was thinking about Roman giving him a screw, a well-deserved screw, and wanted to scream at the direction his thoughts went. From laughter, from embarrassment, from the sheer pain of it all.

 

Yes, he could not wait to leave. It was enough that even Angela's falsetto didn't bother him as much as it typically would. The more squeals meant the quicker the time passed. Beli had already said he was planning to embark on some more work after this. In the thick of the events, the man realized that this would most likely be his last social gathering for the next few months. This had been the first in a few months. Beli thought often on what he was missing; wow, what happy faces, the quirks of old friends, the glow of an event and its excitement.

 

Fuck that. He was tired and wanted to return to his well-worn condo, with its clutter to be cleaned and cluttered again, with all its papers and its food. He wanted to lay down and fuck himself good to memories that would make him cry pathetically while he lay, spent, missing his husband and hating himself for his mistakes, for Roman's mistakes, for their inability to work through the shit.

 

With the sadness came an anger. He felt bitter looking at the affection between Angela and Ri-eally-Don't-Care-About-His-Name. Divorced and gay was a weird combination for a city where young bucks were commonly held as ideal, and the tangle of hair and accent Beli held was probably somewhere under 100 on the PornhubGAY ranked category. They were so young and excited. What nerds. Misguided fools. He hoped that they had the best lives. He wanted nothing but their excessive, annoying happiness. Maybe, in time, he would warm again to company so he could pretend to be there in that moment with them- wrapped up in that bubble.

 

He remembered when Roman used to flirt like that. He remembered too much.

 

Beli hung back and tried to limit how long he stared out into space. His present wasn't going to be anywhere near next; other exclamations were sounding, people talking about the background behind why they got whatever. Inside jokes. Roman's hands. Leftovers to microwave. He taps Charlise and motions that he'll be in the bathroom.

 

"She might open yours," the woman protested quietly.

 

"Meh." Offering up a shrug, Beli pecked her cheek and excused himself, which wasn't difficult, to jog down to the toilet. He was pretty sure he was kind of aroused, absolutely nervous, and needed a little break. It ended up that he was a little aroused- which made pissing difficult- and the solution to that was to rest and think about other things, like papers, cleaning. Two problems solved led him to the sink where he wet his face after washing his hands, clicking his tongue in disappointment at the man in the mirror. Was he crying? Tiny bit. Ok, this wasn't a good idea to come here tonight.

 

In the bathroom, Beli began to search for a window that he could climb through.

[SapphireD910]

Maybe the offer of a drink was a really bad choice. As much as he wanted to avoid it, really, Roman couldn't help but catch glimpses of Beli as he slipped into the effects of his screwdriver. Maybe Roman also knew how to make one that was rather easy to slip down. Normally people stayed away from their own crafts; cooks tended to slack on cooking at home, a carpenter probably was less likely to hammer away in his own garage, but Roman could make 'em and drink 'em. It was definitely a vice he picked up in some of the worst periods and it was sick how he made it a bit of a talent to feed his habit directly. A time in which his heart felt torn apart he made it almost a goal to treat his liver with similar abuse.

 

He looked back at Beli, his puppy... former puppy? Point was Roman had always thought him so loyal and down on himself, eager to please. That last part he did so fucking well at times too. But Roman took that as an invitation that much like a puppy, rather than a man, he only had to do so much and Beli would still be there, happy to see him, eager to play and please and shower him in affection. Until he really did neglect him.

 

Shittier still, Roman knew that Beli didn't see how desireable he was all the time. He remembered how surprised Beli was from his attention initially. It was cute, and at first he thought it was humbleness rather than insecurity. Did it make Roman that much more awful that he liked how insecure his partner was, that he felt he had less worries about him leaving him? That he felt his affection was received as that much more because his lover didn't know how true it was, even feeling the opposite about himself. Sometimes Beli not realizing how gorgeous and sweet and erotic he could be turned Roman on. He knew people considered him a pretty handsome guy, but that meant that certain egos approached him many times. Beli needed to be told how beautiful Roman saw him. But then he started to get lazy, because his sweet Beli was so loyal, like a puppy, and he'd never truly realize what Roman saw in him, to make Roman feel threatened... until Roman found himself threatened.

 

Looking over he could see the other man tuning out and swinging back in to giggle at himself. He wondered with deep curiosity what could be running through his ex's mind right now. As wrong as it was he couldn't help but note that in this relaxed but giggly state that Beli looked arounsing and arounsed himself. Why couldn't they ever meet without the others, outside of a party, away from their friends' banter and close eyes watching. Before that thought went on too long he saw the other man excuse himself.

 

Unconsciously without warning he found his limbs pulling him up and escorting him off to the bathroom too. In through the door his mind told him his own drinks were catching up with his bladder. He saw Beli move from a urinal to the sink, so quick Roman wondered if he'd peed at all. He went up to another and immediately taking a piss. He'd had too many drinks even before the party.

 

"You doin' alright Beli?" He tried to suppress a smirk. "My bad on the drink. I may have mixed it a little heavy handed." When he got to the end of his puss with a shake he actually found himself stroking himself a bit. He snorted to himself. "Can you believe those two? I don't know what's going on with Angela, but fourteen doesn't look good on a four-TY year old." He chuckled, his hand still lazily moving. "Still, if it brought you out..." He couldn't finish that thought. "It's been good, almost refreshing seeing you tonight. You know... if I made it too strong on the drink, my new apartment isn't far." He tucked his semi hard rock back into his pants. "I know you well enough to know you're done with the spectacle out there. You could crash and sober up at my place."

 

He thought about the house they used to share, the one that neither wanted to keep after all the fighting, but both would actually miss more or less. At least he remembered Beli looking sad, yet he hadn't fought Roman to get it either. Or perhaps they were just sad about what it represented at the time.

 

"Anyway, I have a couple of people helping out that'll close for me. But I'm done."

[brinary]

He started when the door opened and nearly balked at the sight of Roman, there, in the small bathroom. Beli felt his throat run dry. He practically swaggered in. And when he'd been thinking of leaving it happens. The imposing spectacle that is Roman can't help but draw his eyes and he snaps them back to the sink as he nods slightly in greeting. He hadn’t expected an actual conversation to start up.

 

"Oh." What did he say? What was an answer that assured not only Roman but also himself. "It's alright. Tasted great. Nice… tartness," he finished lamely. Beli kept looking at him from the mirror, watchin g the reflection of his ex-husband as the water ran. He had to pretend he was washing his hands extra thoroughly. Scrubbing away the shame. Roman was always a charismatic fellow and Beli had always felt compelled to engage in anything that was presented to him, so at the comment, he chuckled- he didn't know if he actually found it funny or not, though it was a little cute with the word play. Again, he continued to look. Roman's arm was moving; he didn't know how. But he could imagine.

 

His stomach clenched at the thought and he felt blood rush to his face and to his cock. He clenched the sink and shook his head a little to clear his thoughts, but they were becoming increasingly overwhelmed. Beli shifted a little by the sink and listened to the proposition. It didn't make sense. He hadn't imagined himself in this situation- leaving here, with his ex-husband, to maybe have a toss in the car, on the couch, in the bed, against the kitchen counter. He turned his head a little, looking at Roman as he spoke, eyes flickering to his lips and then taking in his hands, his legs, his jaw and his eyes. He probed them for trickery or lies. And oddly, he couldn't find any.

 

And it became difficult to deny the fact that he still deeply desired Roman. He wanted what they had before, even though it was hard to have a pure desire with the fact that there was still so much anger and hurt pent up inside.

 

It could be easy, though. It could be good.

 

They didn't have to have sex. But this could be the start to a new relationship phase, where they get to know eachother again. Where they can have a real and blossoming friendship. There was a saying Beli remembered-- never look at a horse's mouth for gifts? Take gifts from horse mouths? Whatever it may be, he could see how it could apply to this current situation. It was a decision he made based on logic, reasoning, and adulthoodness. The man standing before him, half-erect and graceful, did little to inform his decision. And he'd been planning to leave already, hadn't he?

 

"Um. Thank you for the offer." Beli wiped his hands in the paper towels, crumpling them up and putting them in the recycling bin. "I was about to duck out, so… going with you, it shouldn't be a problem at all. I'm grateful," he finished with as much smile as he could muster, feeling young all over again, the urge to drop his eyes winning out as he looked at the door then at his shoes, felt around his pocket for his keys. "You wanted to go now then?" the man asked, raising his head finally to look across the bathroom at his ex. "I'm all set."

[SapphireD910]

"You're not looking for your keys are you?" he asked with a confused smile. "We can get a taxi. Promise I won't have you towed. I'm not that huge an ass." He walked to the sink rinsing his hands, peeking at his reflection and eyeing Beli's too. Roman could see he'd let himself go, but he was looking better than most days for appearances around friends. He pulled out his phone to arrange a ride.

 

Thinking about Beli's supple form compared to his seemed to strangely excite him. He'd always been curvier, which Roman liked. His eyes darting to that round ass. Even when Beli left him, the scummy side of him couldn't resist staring at that nice ass of his. Some nights all he could think of were times his ex walked away, leaving the divorce meeting, the times he bent over packing all his stuff. Roman couldn't help but eye that ass and think back on it those lonely nights touching himself.

 

He took a deep breath drying his hands, feeling himself twitch in his pants. "If you're all set then so am I." Reaching for the door he held it open for Beli with a lopsided grin. Again he watched that ass as it walked out ahead of him. How pathetic the stir of excitement he had just from that alone. It wasn't as though he'd gone completely without since their divorce, it just, it just wasn't the same.

 

The gathering was still just as lively, a bigger mess of wrapping paper and boxes scattered around. A gentle note to himself to pay the rest of the staff a bit more for the cleanup. He nearly skipped up to the birthday girl. "Hey, I'm heading out," he motioned his head towards Beli, voice barely more than a whisper. "The others will take care of you. And if more of my booze is missing than on your tab I'm splitting the diff between your tab and their pay. Got it?" All she did was curiously eye Beli.

 

"Uh huh. Night Roman." She smiled around him and waved. "Night Beli! Have a good night."

 

He rolled his eyes leading Beli out. The taxi was already there. "After you." He smiled, only now realizing how many doors he'd held or the other man in just under 15 minutes. They got in, finding themselves sitting rather close. "It has been really good seeing you." He felt the way their knees barely touched. "Sorry the place isn't up to your usual standards, but I'll make sure it's nice and warm at least. Even make you breakfast like you like." He bit his lip, stifling a snicker.