tampered | (no subject)

Oh, he gets it now, and no, this is Lestat's game to play, not his. He knows all about comfort zones and he likes Reeve, as much as he knows him. He reaches over and squeezes Lestat's leg, and it's as much a warning as a gesture of affection. A don't do anything mean, lover type of move.

Of course, Lestat will do exactly as he pleases no matter what. It's one of the things he's always loved about him and he wouldn't change it for the world. Still, Anita and Reeve are being so nice.

And his boyfriend will do whatever he does and he'll do it in such a way that everyone will thank him for it afterward. Such skill has to be admired.

Reeve's hand moved from the back of Anita's hair to her shoulder, hugging her briefly. He wanted her to know that this wasn't about her, and he wasn't ashamed of their relationship in any way. His fingers found their way to the ends of her hair, playing with the curls absently.

"I could," he agreed, a good natured smile just touching the corner of his lips, "But I don't usually make a show out of my affections. Especially for your entertainment, Lestat."

He might just sneak a kiss from her when they were clearing dishes, though. After all, it had been several entire hours since he'd gotten to hold her.

While the brief hug is appreciated, her smiles turns a little faint as she looks back down at her plate. She knows he's a private person and she appreciates that, and she knows Lestat's up to his usual tricks, but deep down, she kind of wishes he would. It isn't that she doubts things between them, but she's so very used to being with demonstrative lovers. Such contact might embarrass her to no end, but she find comfort in it, especially now.

Well. This is cheery.

"I think I can make enough of a show of affection all by myself to keep Lestat entertained for days. I'm sorry if we're making you uncomfortable, Reeve. That's certainly not my intention." He won't speak for Lestat. He'll only speak up for him. "I think it's just that we're so fond of you both. I've certainly seen you unhappy more than happy, Anita, and for me -- and I'm the only one I can speak for -- it's such a delight to see you with a smile on your face."

Yes, Lestat likes to push boundaries and test everyone's limits; he wouldn't be Lestat without that. He turns back to Reeve now, though his hand never leaves his boyfriend's thigh. It's too comfortable there.

"So Reeve, tell me what kinds of things you're doing at Lux. I usually don't get to really know what goes on behind the scenes there. Only from the stage forward. I feel like I miss a lot."

Something is said quietly about it not being for his entertainment as he quietly studies Anita now. Since he isn't eating, he has the time for that. Privacy for kissing. That is cute but Anita clearly would like otherwise. Reeve is interesting but he really doesn't care about him. Her, though, her he still cares about.

He still loves her. Even as he encourages others to make her happy. Encourages her to be with others. They had a falling out and he can't have her back. He knows what those are like and he accepts them.

The smile of mischief fades as his face becomes thoughtful and he listens for Reeve's answer.

Now he feels bad. He squeezes Anita's fingers gently and smiles at Gren. "I don't mind, really. I just enjoy bantering with Lestat." He'll stop, though, because he has a feeling that while he and Lestat are fine, the other two might not be.

They can discuss work, though. He's fine with that. He actually likes his job now. "Scheduling, mostly. Inventory, ordering. Honestly, nothing terribly exciting. Really, whatever Niko needs me to do."

Anita falls silent, enjoying the company around her as she finishes her dinner.

"Our banters are entertaining." He does have to admit that. They have been from the beginning. That job however...

"Do forgive me but that sounds like the dullest line of work I have ever heard of."

He smiles to show that while, yes he's serious, he doesn't really mean anything by it.

Under the table, he squeezes Lestat's hand. There's a reason he works in the front of the club instead of in the back. What he does isn't for everyone and he knows that, but it takes all types. The ob being described actually sounds like it suits Reeve's temperament.

"Niko seems like a good person." He doesn't know him very well, but then he didn't know Ishiah very well either. He only knows Ishiah left the music at the club to him, and that's a responsibility he takes seriously. "I'm sure he appreciates it. He doesn't strike me as the type to do that stuff himself."

But really, what does he know? He's just the musician.

"Oh, he pulls his fair share. More than." It's true, though, the ninja is an unusual choice for a bar owner.

He flashes a smirk at Lestat. "The world doesn't end if I forget to carry the decimal. It's refreshing, honestly."

A quick glance of dinner shows that those of them who are eating are finished. He squeezes Anita's hand again and gives her a quick peck on the cheek. "I'll clean up, love. You cooked."

"Nah. I got it. Thanks, though."

Before he can protest, she's up and gathering plates and such, nodding at Gren's glass to see if he'd like a bit more.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he wonders what his hand is being squeezed for. The rest of his mind is busy focusing on the peck to the cheek and Anita picking up dishes. It won't be a version of a public display of affection but... "Why don't you both go? Gren and I can entertain ourselves while you two are occupied."

That should please Anita.

And it will give him a few moments alone with Gren.

He declines the offer of more wine; these days, he's pretty careful about how much he drinks and not even so much for his own sake as for Lestat's.

And then he makes the mistake of turning to look at Lestat and he gets a little bit lost in those fantastic eyes, almost leans forward to steal a kiss right off his lips. But he remembers where he is and shakes his head just a little, straightens up again.

"Or you could let us do the dishes for you. After all, you made and served such a delightful meal. It seems the least we could do." That might just be a thinly-veiled excuse to get Lestat alone with him... as if they don't have more than enough time for that sort of thing on a normal night.

He can't help it.

"I'll just steal the scrub brush from you before you can do any work," he told Anita, but, playing along with Lestat, he followed her into the kitchen.

Besides, he had a feeling those two were about to be all over each other again. Which is fine, but they deserve their privacy.

"And you still seem to think you're faster than I am."

After a quiet comment to both of the men, she pads off into the kitchem, Reeve close behind her. She glances back to smile at him then starts in on at least rinsing the dishes.

He's never done dishes in his entire life. So, he's quite grateful when Reeve and Anita disappear into the kitchen. Grinning, he's up and dragging Gren to the couch. He starts kissing him before they've finished sitting down. This is his lover and he finally has him all to himself.

He'll stop when he hears the other two leaving the kitchen. It won't be difficult. Both of their footsteps are memorized.

Pulling back, he can't keep the grin off his face. "Finally."

So that's what he was up to. There won't be any complaints.

"Hi." They can pretend it's the Saturday night he missed at work if Lestat wants; he's easy. "You're adorable, and I love you, and I think you'd better do that again."

(Did he mention he's easy?)

He'll just trust Lestat to stop when the time is right, because heaven knows only one of them has that super-sensitive hearing.

"It's not that I actually think that. Aren't I allowed to retain ridiculous fantasies?"

He slides his arms around her hips when she dumps the dishes, stealing that kiss he promised himself earlier.

Anita smiles into the kiss, pulling back after just a brief return. "You can harbor all the fantasies you want."

"Oh I'd better, hm?" He laughs and leans over Gren to seal their lips together again. The other two are still in the kitchen, enjoying themselves.

Good.

His lips move down to his favorite weak point of Gren's. That long, pale neck. "I'd ask what would happen if I didn't only I've already kissed you again."

"I didn't know you were so eager. Maybe I should have said you'd better take me home instead." There are some lines he won't cross -- especially when they're not at home or somewhere equally private -- and he's sure Lestat knows that. He won't deny him a thing because he doesn't work that way, but he does have a tiny sense of propriety. He might make him wait.

"Etiquette probably dictates we ought to at least try behaving while we're here. This is Anita's house, not ours."

But he's a sucker, and his eyes close and he melts into the kiss to his neck. Saying no just got a lot harder.

Smiles, resting their foreheads together and playing with a curl on the side of her face.

"Good. Now scoot and let me wash. It'll distract me from thinking about what's happening to your couch."

"Be glad your hearing isn't as good as mine. You'd be blushing right now."

She scoots a little out of his way, watching him take care of the dishes before she absently reaches down and flicks some suds at him.

So Anita is listening. How amusing. He'll have to give her a better show then. For her ears of course.

"If she had a problem with it, she'd tell me to stop." Nips slide up and down Gren's neck as he laughs softly. "Besides, I think she would rather watch. She does like things like this. Luckily for me, she will never get to see our secrets."

Let her chew on that one a little. "And as eager as I am, we are guests, are we not? It would be rude to just leave so I can seduce you all the way home."

He has things to say about that but he doesn't really want Anita or Reeve hearing, so he makes that silent communication sign. Lestat. What if I don't want her watching? What if I have a problem with that? I love you and I'll do anything for you, but I don't necessarily want to do it in front of other people. Just remember that.

It just feels so strange to him to be sitting here on someone else's sofa doing this. It might all be a big game to his partner, but he doesn't really want to make a game out of what they have.