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Renault:
You know it, you love it, it’s the Unnamed Goth Bar! The vibes are chill but refined and the decor is dark, the music tends to be about the night or mysterious women, and Renault looks like he fits in perfectly as he sits at his favorite table, drinking something red.
He’s dressed in his semi-formal attire of a turtleneck and slacks, black of course, and he looks dark and dashing and content as he waits, politely ignoring the glances he gets.
Jack:
Renault probably hasn't seen Jack in a month. Maybe more. The Changeling had let him know in advance, of course, Christmastime is always hell for him, but now that that new year is here and everyone would rather stay cozy inside than go out to see theater, Jack has significantly more time off. And that means time to check in on his partners and have all the dates he'd been too busy to go on.
His signature scent precedes him, that rain-and-blood mixture, and here the man is, wandering over from the entrance, shrugging off his jacket as he does. He's in jeans that aren't quite painted on, but close, and a gauzy sheer button-down that's a few sizes too big, draping just the right amount.
"Baaabe," he draws out the word with a delighted smile, and reaches out to pull Renault up for a hello kiss. "It's so nice to see you, fuck..."
Renault:
Renault stands and presses close to Jack to return the kiss, smiling. “Mmm, it’s nice to do both those with you too, my dear,” he replies with a wicked grin and a peck on Jack’s cheek. “Lets sit a while, before we dance and our thoughts leave us. Cranberry soda, no vodka?” he asks, gesturing to his drink, “or would you like something else?”
The Changeling chuckles and blushes, and sinks down with a quiet groan into one of the chairs, his knees clicking. "Honestly, after this past month I don't know if I'm up for dancing..." he's mostly joking, based on his tone, and he leans in to take a sip of Renault's drink. "Nah, this works, unless you wanna buy me one of those fancy zero-proof cocktails? I usually don't bother with them myself."
Renault:
Renault leans over to kiss the side of Jack’s head. “You’ve been working hard, it’s my treat. I’m sure they have some very nice ones on the menu, after I made some suggestions to the manager,” he says with a wink, sliding the menu in front of Jack and turning to the non-alcoholic beer and cocktails page.
Jack:
It makes Jack blush still more, the concept of Renault nudging the manager to get more non-alcoholic options on the menu, and the quiet birdsong that seems to float around him occasionally gets a little louder for a few moments. Just loud enough for Renault to here when he's close.
"Yeah, it's been...Christmas is always a hell of a paycheck, every year it feels like more and more people would rather spend time with their families than work, so...I get more and more hours. Not...a bad thing, depending on the show I get stuck on..." he shakes his head and picks a citrusy, spiced drink that's a winter special, and sits back with a sigh.
"How have you been? How's things in...mm. Your world? I...there's been shit going on that's touched just about everyone."
Renault:
After the drink is ordered, Renault sits and gets squished right up to Jack’s side, throwing his arm around the Changeling. “Mmm, you’re a wonderful man, you know that? You work hard and are passionate. I’m glad you get paid well for it. I wouldn’t mind getting to spend more time with you around the holidays, but it is what it is.” He smiles warmly.
“Mmm, my neck of the woods…” he continues softly. “Murders of Elders with religious overtones, so that’s fun.”
Jack:
Jack snuggles into Renault's side with a contented hum, and looks up at him with something very close to adoration. "You're pretty wonderful yourself. Religious overtones is up your alley, isn't it, at least? And...well. Do you think it's....specific to you all? Or is there a risk of it spreading? There's been a lot of...'cross-departmental' troubles, recently." He can't help but chuckle at his word choices, as serious as the conversation is.
Renault:
Renault peppers Jack with some kisses. “It is, and I have some leads I’ll be looking into. So far it’s just my department, but I’ll let you know if I find out it touches on more than that.” He smiles and gives Jack a more solid smooch before his drink arrives.
Jack:
It's easy for Jack to melt into that kiss, and he runs a gentle hand down Renault's hair and back. "I hope it gets less...deadly. But I know you'll figure that shit out." Another short kiss as the drink arrives, and he gives the server a grin and a wink.
"Now that regular work hell is over I'm being pulled into...not so much 'hell' as...some diplomacy with a group near here. They haven't been the most friendly, so I've got my work cut out for me. Not...that I've even started. Too busy catching up with people, but -" he takes a sip of his drink and nods appreciatively "- fuck, this is good - 's like Christmas, but all the good parts."
Renault:
“I’m glad you like it,” Renault says warmly, stroking Jack’s hair. “I hope your diplomacy efforts go well. If…you ever need a hand with anything you know you can ask me, ok? I don’t need to know details if it’s for you.” He smiles softly, looking at the Spring for a moment. “But, back to happier things. I’m glad you’re getting to catch up with folks, especially me.”
Jack:
"It's internal negotiations, yeah," Jack says with a grimace. "I'd absolutely ask, otherwise, I know how good you are at chatting folks up." He winks and leans in for a kiss. "But yeah, it's...I desperately needed the break. Even if these next few paychecks are gonna be nice ones. I'm eyeing - union elections are this year. I'm thinking it might be time to get myself in there. I've thought about it in the past - I'm on enough committees - but the timing never felt right, y'know?"
Renault:
“I think you should,” Renault says with a smile. “If that’s what you want. It’s clearly something you’re passionate about, and something you absolutely get to have.” He leans in to kiss Jack’s cheek. “I’d be so happy for you.”
Jack:
"It's like..." he pauses at the kiss, smiling. "I'll be campaigning. Never thought I'd do anything that sounds like politics, but here we are..." he chuckles. "But...a lot of the 'old guard' is just...old racist, sexist white dudes. I wanna change that, and I feel like I can do more about it if I'm on the board. More of the face of the local, y'know? Not just on the diversity committee. But...thank you. It's gonna be a lot of work."
Renault:
“Mmm, you don’t have to tell me about how old white men are,” he says with a smile, kissing Jack’s cheek. “I think you’re a natural for politics. It’s all just relationships and people putting on airs, and I think you can handle that. And you’ll be a great local representative for Philly, I say.”
Jack:
"Look I know you're an old white man, but I like you." Jack teases with a grin. "I just have this idea of politics being...not for me. Not for..." he pauses, gathering his words. "Not for...'people like me' if that makes sense. I know it - it's just internalized bullshit. But I see...all these politicians, supposedly 'for the people' getting more power and breaking all their promises and I don't wanna do that. I don't wanna be that, you know? But nothing I'm saying is any different than anything any of them say. So..." he shrugs. "I guess you have more faith in me than I do."
Renault:
“If you want my totally not an expert opinion, then only promise to try, be open about what you’re trying to do, and don’t forget you’re not a liar, unlike most politicians. The fact you feel like it’s not for you is exactly why you’re the sort of person who needs to be involved in politics.”
He smiles warmly. “And you’ll have me supporting you, yeah?”
Jack:
"See, not being a liar makes me wonder what the point of getting into politics is," he says with a laugh. "But...I don't make promises, anyway. So you won't see me making 'em - not even promising to try. I don't do that shit for...well." A shrug. "You know."
Does Renault know? Jack seems to think he must, and he takes another sip of his cocktail.
"How's your...mundane life going? Hopefully not as intense as mine?"
Renault:
“Ah, it’s been fine. Quiet. Definitely not as intense,” he says with a little chuckle. “But I avoid the limelight, as you know. For…well, you know.”
Jack:
"Mmmmhm. I do know." Jack rests his cheek against Renault's shoulder. "You being mysterious is hot, it works for you. I tried it, for a while. Not for me. I just date the mysterious types, I guess."
Renault:
“Well…I do enjoy being mysterious. But I couldn’t make the daytime appearances and all that, is more what I meant,” he says with a chuckle.
Jack:
"Oh I know, I'm just being silly. Is that...mm. Do you miss it, at all? Having a...I dunno if 'regular' is the right word, but...a mundane life, like that?"
Renault:
He shrugs. “In some ways, it didn’t change that much. I did copy work for money, and spend my time with artists, sex workers, and other interesting people. My free time hasn’t changed much, since I’ve always been unavailable during the day, in some way.”
Jack:
Jack opens his mouth, changes his mind about what he was going to say, and closes it again with a shake of his head. "I was gonna make a joke about the shit Jesus got up to but...not so much of a joke, yeah?" He grins and sneaks a kiss.
Renault:
Renault chuckles into the kiss. “I mean, it’s still a little bit of a joke. But yes, there are some parallels. It more a peer thing for me, in those years, I have to say. But yes, my current mundane life goes on. I’m still in little experiments. I’ve been meaning to talk to one of your people about that, but I haven’t wanted to impose on you.”
Jack:
"Oh?" The Changeling leans back to regard Renault curiously. "What kinda experiments...?"
Renault:
“They deal with dreams, and the lack thereof. It’s a bit much to explain here. But concerns had been raised to me, so I wanted to talk to someone about them.”
Jack:
"...Oh." Jack takes in a breath and lets it out slowly, that hint of birdsong getting a little louder for a half-second. "There...yeah. Lux is the Dream Person - not the only one but, the one I'd go to first. I'm biased, I admit it," he smiles there. "I can hook you two up if you need - there's been some dream shit going down, maybe your stuff is related...?"
Renault:
He strokes Jack’s hair reassuringly. “I’d be very happy to speak to them. I…certainly hope my stuff isn’t related, it would be rather disconcerting. But if there’s something going on I could help with, I’d be happy to try to do that, too.”
Jack:
"Unfortunately, it's possible, but that's not a conversation for here." He gives the rest of the bar a vague look around. "Lots of...interdepartmental bullshit. All 'above our heads', as it were, it..." He grimaces. "Like I said, it's a private conversation."
A beat.
"Which I wouldn't mind having - when was the last time we 'took things elsewhere' for actual serious business?"
Renault:
“Mmm, I don’t know, several of those were quite serious,” Renault purrs with a little grin. “But yes, we could slip away and actually talk…for a while, at least, I think.”
Jack:
"Mmmm..." Jack leans in to brush his lips against Renault's. "My place or yours? I can't promise not to get distracted..."
Renault:
“Mmmm, your place, though that means we’ll have to finish earlier so I could get home, unless…but I wouldn’t want to impose. That’s kind of a big ask.”
Jack:
"Babe, I live with Alex. We'll figure it out if you need to stay over. I'm not worried." He presses a flurry of kisses against Renault's cheek and jaw, and pulls back so he can finish his drink and grab his coat.
Renault:
Renault pauses, then smiles warmly and stands. “Ok, I won’t worry about it, then.” He pulls on his coat, then pulls Jack in for another kiss. “Ok, let’s go.”
Jack:
Renault has surely been to Safe Harbor's house in northeast Philly. It's old, and big, on the corner of streets of old and big rowhouses. It was probably apartments at one point, but the motley-to-be has transformed it into a spacious, comfortable home. A philly pride flag hangs proudly by the door, and Moss greets the two of them excitedly as they step into the entryway.
"I'm gonna take her out real quick, make yourself comfortable, mm? Kitchen, or my room, wherever."
Renault:
“Ok. See you in a minute then.” He kisses Jack’s cheek and heads to the kitchen after hanging his coat, just…looking around the space for a bit, leaned against the counter.
Jack:
It's clear that this is the home of at least one artist. Even the kitchen resists the monochrome minimalism that so many new kitchens tend to have. They've painted the cabinets a deep, saturated blue, with white and yellow flowers in the corners to complement the Mexican talavera tiles that make up the backsplash under the cabinets. Even the island is that same blue, and while the space is relatively clean, it's still clearly lived-in - there's dishes in the dish drain, a half-full bag of chips closed with a rubber band on the counter, a few spice jars scattered around the oven for easy access while cooking.
A white-board calendar takes up a portion of the front of the fridge, with chores and schedules, the day-to-day of a tightly-knit household. It's not too long before Jack comes in from the backyard, without Moss. "She knows it will probably get cold tonight, but she really prefers being outside. Don't blame her, really," he says as he slips around the island to pull Renault into his arms. "We...had business...?"
Renault:
Renault seems a tad distracted at first, blinking and then smiling as he’s pulled into Jack’s arms. “Yes, we had at least a few things we actually wanted to discuss away from unknowing ears. I think there was some implied cuddling in there, if I heard right, and I’m usually right about that sort of thing,” he adds with a grin.
Jack:
Renaults gets a soft kiss on the cheek. "You looked far away, anything I need to know?" It's gentle, rather than teasing, and Jack starts to tug the Kindred toward the hallway so they can head up to his room.
Renault:
He follows easily, smiling softly. “You have a beautiful home. And your kitchen feels alive with the people living in it. I was just thinking about…living, I suppose you’d say.”
Jack:
"We've worked hard as fuck to get it here. There's still spots that aren't finished - I won't invite you to the attic, for instance - but...it's home. It's...I mean it's the most...safe I've ever felt, living here, you know? I guess...part of my question from earlier was kinda getting at that too. If you miss...living, in the way you used to."
Renault:
Renault thinks as he follows Jack. “I miss…the people. I don’t miss how difficult life could be. But I miss my friends, and the brightness that the harsh life brought out of them.”
He kisses Jack’s cheek. “I don’t have bad thoughts about how I exist now. Heavy thoughts, and old, worn thoughts sometimes, but not bad. I was appreciating your home, not saddened by missing something.”
Jack:
"I can understand that. I...mm. Not that my life Before was that long ago, but...it's different. Nothing that I could go back to, at this point. There are times when I miss it. This -" he gestures generally to the place, "wasn't something I could even dream of, then. But here we are, you and me both." He smiles warmly and tugs Renault into his room.
It's...a little bit of a mess. Understandably so, from the last few weeks. It's not dirty, necessarily, but there's piles of paper on the floor here, an overflowing laundry basket there, he pauses and blushes when he sees it. "I...didn't think about this. We can...hang out in the living room instead, if you'd rather."
Renault:
Renault grins and kisses Jack’s cheek. “It’s very…you. I don’t mind. Not the mess, I mean…your scent, your presence, it’s everywhere here I like it.”
Jack:
Jack wrinkles his nose with a smile. "That sounds like you're saying I smell."
Renault:
Renault smiles and kisses Jack. “I have a very sharp nose. You smell like you, and I enjoy that scent very much.”
Jack:
"Well I hope so, 'cause you're kinda stuck with it." He grins and flops down on his bed, pulling Renault with him. "So...business. The short of it is that...there's some evil mages working with some...mm. The things that made me not human. They wanna take over the world, and..." he frowns slightly as he tries to recall everything. "Someone who is trying to stop it sent a bunch of people weird dreams, and apparently there's a map in those dreams. Lux is trying to find the pieces. So...I worry that it's only a matter of time before it bleeds into your side of things, too."
Renault:
“Ohhh….huh. I don’t know anything about that, but…it sounds, how do you say…dire, yes, that’s the word.” He cuddles up to Jack, and kisses his cheek. “I can ask around a little, and point people to Lux. Interesting, all this business of dreams…”
Jack:
"It's our...well it's not my specialty, but...it's big, for us. So...I don't know. Careful about your dreams, I guess. "But yes it's...pretty fucking dire." Jack sighs heavily, and moves over so Renault has more room to cuddle. "I just want all my people to be okay."
Renault:
“Sounds like a good goal to me,” he murmurs as he rolls over to cuddle up more with Jack. “I will be careful. And I think I should talk to Lux, definitely.” He closes his eyes, relaxing against his warm partner. “And now that you’re not so busy, let me know when you want an evening in this stressful time. I’m always happy to have your company.”
Jack:
Jack wraps his arm around Renault's shoulders, holding him close. "It is nice to get away, have a quiet evening with you. Even when 'business' intrudes." He lets out a dry sort of chuckle. "If I do run for the Local 8 board I'm gonna go right back to being busy again. But I'll find time to spend with you as much as I can."
Renault:
“I appreciate that. I enjoy being part of your life,” he says with a smile. “A real jet setter, you’ll be.”
Jack:
"There's a few people who think I should apply for a position at the international, but it would mean moving to New York, and there is very little you could do to make me actually do that. So many reasons why just...no thanks, you know?" Jack's eyes are closes, and he relaxes against the Kindred a little more.
Renault:
“Mmm, yeah…I think Philly is a good place for you, I know it is to me…mmm…” He kisses Jack’s head. “I like it here a lot…”
Jack:
"I like you a lot," Jack mutters with a chuckle. "But yeah. I'm not going anywhere."
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