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Drake Pike: Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park is perhaps not the most romantic place in the world one can bring another. The greenery is mediocre, the little fountain display isn't bad, and there's a sort of open air temple feeling pseudo-gazebo along a bit of water.
This, however, is perhaps countered by the fact that a dragon in slacks, very expensive looking shoes, and a harness that fits better in a bondage club is currently placing heavy-looking geodes on the corners of a gingham picnic blanket in the grass. He's apparently brought a few pillows, and 3 different large picnic baskets. If one had been watching a bit earlier, they would have seen him shooing off a cute Indian boy who helped him carry things out there.
Much scurry. Very romance.
Asbolus: There was a hint of nervousness about Asbolus as he made his way into the park a few minutes before the appointed time, as was his wont. It had been close to a decade since he had done anything of this sort, after all, and the time inbetween had done some rather firm mental rewiring. Nonetheless he was there, dressed neatly in an all-black ensemble of dress slacks and long-sleeved shirt, pale eyes scanning for the man he was there to meet.
Drake Pike: It did help that Drake glinted easily in the sun, though in the shadows sunset hues always seemed to hang, didn't they? But when he stood up - as if it made much of a difference - he looked around at everything if to check again. But there seemed to be something off as he kept darting in and adjusting the baskets just so and moving the pillows so they looked more fluffy and comfy.
Asbolus: Seeing the Wizened zip back towards the spread earned a small smirk, glad to see he wasn't the only one a little on edge. Asbolus offered Drake a brief salute as he turned to head towards the blanket, looking rather impressed as he took it in in full. "I'd say you've outdone yourself..."
Drake Pike: When Drake finally had no more time, he gave in and gave the half salute half wave for hello. He looks up, searching the other's expression before gesturing over him. "You have dressed for comfort, but also to hide. Easy to downplay parts of yourself and your personality in black as a blank slate, easier to work and keep everyone from identifying markers. But it might be warm. Or you intend to push up your sleeves to indicate the brawn of your forearms in a sexual display of casual confidence in physical prowess." He smiles. "I could have done more, but this felt good."
Asbolus: "More that I don't have much in the way of more formal clothing at the moment since I rarely need it, but I'll take that as well." Asbolus replied with a small smile, quietly amused. "It looks lovely."
Drake Pike: "Should I have done formal? I could still text and have a violinist brought," offers Drake with all too serious a comment. "And maybe candles? And a table. It's hard to be formal on the ground."
Asbolus: "No, this is perfect. I just have mostly jeans and the like, and figured this was an occasion for something a little sharper."
Drake Pike: "You are very sharp," says Drake before reaching out to pull the other forward like the impatient present opener waiting to get for the unwrapping. "Let's sit. I have things to eat, things to drink, and I have flowers for your crown... or a different one."
Asbolus: "Thank you. You're looking good yourself." Of course he knew the man most likely was referring to his mien, but a compliment's a compliment nonetheless. The Darkling moved to sit as Drake tugged him towards the blanket, giving him a curious look at the last comment. "'A different one'?"
Drake Pike: "I could maybe make one of magic, the height of spring itself," says the artist. "It's a very nice flower crown, but it's very spring."
Asbolus: "Ah." Asbolus nodded, smiling a touch. "I leave it to your best judgement. You are the artisan of the two of us."
Drake Pike: Drake settled down a bit as he considered Asbolus. "... Desire likes when one shares those things that they keep close to the heart so... I'll tell you why I wanted to hire you," decides the man as he picks at the grass. "I wanted something of my son's. I miss him, but I can't be too close to him. I thought pictures might help."
Asbolus: Asbolus paused at that, eyebrows going up slightly at the admission. After the moment of surprise passed he gave a small nod. "I'd be honored to."
Drake Pike: Drake took a look around to assure himself that they were far enough away that one wouldn't see. Then the Artist began to weave his hands together, little sparks of pink and purple and deep, deep red seeming to get caught up from the air and beginning to take form...
Drake's hands seem to call forth passion and desire into tangible, physical form, a wreath of morning glories. He makes a delighted sound as he goes to place it on Asbolus's head...
And then as the crown vanishes from sight, he just stares. "... I've... never used that contract before. Is that supposed to happen?" he asks himself.
Asbolus: The flowers called forth earned a pleasant smile from the Darkling, the memories tied to them ones worth having. He blinked as the crown vanished and the contract settled into place, suddenly seeming rather more...relaxed than he had been until that point. "And what was that supposed to do, exactly?"
Drake Pike: "It makes you feel the heart of spring at its most fae," explains Drake slowly. "Do you feel better? Warmer, more full of life and excited for things?"
Asbolus: "Ah...I see." He thought a moment on the question posed, eventually giving Drake a smile in return. "I would dare say so, yes."
Drake Pike: "What do you want to do first?" asks Drake as he starts signing along with his words in excitement. "I brought real flowers too - I could make you a real crown then that won't turn invisible?"
Asbolus: The obvious excitement made his smile widen, pale eyes glancing over the gathered baskets before looking back towards Drake. "Eat first, I'd say, then see where things go from there."
Drake Pike: Drake near instantly shifts and skitters to get out grapes, blueberries, weirdly slightly melty chocolate strawberries (it's somewhat warm out), and then a weird veggie tray??? He came prepared. But with that comes bottled water or... "Do you want champagne?"
Asbolus: "Sure, why not. It's an evening worth celebrating, no?"
Drake Pike: "I hope so," says Drake as he pops the cork, shifting a couple glasses under to catch spilloff before holding out some over to Asbolus. "Drink," he says with a grin before lifting a bunch of grapes and shifting closer up onto his knees so he can hold them over the Darkling's head as if it was the world's weirdest mistletoe. "This is how the Dionysus paintings have them, and you should get those fawning moments. Grape?"
Asbolus: "It's the end of a seven year dry spell, at the very least." He took the offered glass and raised it in a small salute before taking a pull, chuckling as the bunch was held above of him. "If you'd be so kind."
Drake Pike: "Why so long? Arcadia?" guesses Drake as he lowers the grapes so the other could eat directly off the bunch, a big grin on his face. "I made you laugh."
Asbolus: "Primarily, and a lack of interest after the fact." He nodded, sitting up enough to claim a grape for himself. "Too busy keeping myself in one piece, as it were."
Drake Pike: "Mmmmm... it's a good piece," says Drake as he oggles the other man openly before focusing back on his face. "Is there anything that helps? Or things that you want? Things that feel better than just survival?"
Asbolus: "Thank you." Even while temporarily under the Verdant banner the compliment earned a light blush from the Darkling, pale eyes watching Drake in kind. "Getting back out into the world in general, honestly. Having a place for myself again, even if it's not precisely where I was before."
Drake Pike: "A place full of books and maybe leather couches and a fireplace to snuggle in front of?" guesses Drake. "Because I could see that in your future." He puts down the grapes to get out the sexiest of all veggies - a celery bit to dip lightly in ranch and offer to Asbolus as if this were the height of romance.
Asbolus: "Am I that easy to read?" He smirked, taking the offered bite before settling down once again. "That would definitely be part of it, yes."
Drake Pike: "No!" says Drake with that grin before taking a moment to survey the other in his position. "You're hard to read. I can't tell if I'm doing this right. I want you to have the best date."
Asbolus: He was sitting cross-legged but comfortably at the moment, smiling as he took a sip of the champagne. "I'm thoroughly enjoying myself at the moment, so you're doing very well."
Drake Pike: "Good." Drake fidgets a moment before starting in. "Part of this is to ask that you read to me. I like watching your lips move. I like seeing you when you're not thinking about me staring - which I've been told is uncomfortable." And, of course, he is staring. "Can I ask what you secretly hoped for from this? Any fantasies of how this evening and date would go?"
Asbolus: "It can be. Moreso for me at times, as I always had eyes on me where I was." A hand reached up to tap under his left collarbone in the spot where the black circular brand was. "Was worse about it before, but it's gotten better over time."
"I was more nervous than anything, truth be told. After that first night I knew you would be good company, though, so I tried to come in with an open mind." He paused, chuckling softly. "Although it's a little more open now than I was expecting..."
Drake Pike: "That's a good thing, right? Always try new experiences." Drake reaches out, pulling the shirt collar down. Boundaries aren't apparently a thing for him..."I saw that before, but didn't want to ask. You seemed like you'd had enough talking."
Asbolus: Asbolus didn't seem to mind, even moving his head out of the way to allow for a better view. "I was ready to answer if you had. I've thought about removing it, but in a way it's a reminder that I'm no longer under Her eye as much as one that I used to be."
Drake Pike: "That's good. You could use more symbols though. Reminders that you're not alone, and you're wanted, and you belong," coaxes Drake before he let go so he could go pull out a few different tulips to start weaving together from another of the baskets.
Asbolus: "Perhaps..." He seemed to be mulling the idea over, idly taking a sip from his glass as he watched Drake work. "It is impressive how you can do that sort of fine detail work with the talons."
Drake Pike: "I make jewelry. Or, well, I make many things, but I care for jewelry." He considers as he starts working on it. "I've gotten very used to using them for fine work. Jewelry is... meaningful. Personal. Better as a gift than as something to sell, but it lets people give emotions in their own way." He looked up as he continued to weave. "If you're thinking about it, no. I won't cut you with them unless you ask in the moment. I can be very gentle if you end up wanting me to touch you."
"They are good for helping me rip and mold metal, though," he adds as an afterthought.
Asbolus: "True indeed." He nodded quietly, smiling as Drake continued. "So I noticed during that massage...I hadn't felt that relaxed in...years, probably."
Drake Pike: Tulip crown done, he reaches up to set it on the man's head before squirming forward and coming to adjust it just so before going back for his phone for pictures. "Do you want another massage?"
Asbolus: Asbolus sat still as the crown was put in place, posing just so as Drake went about taking pictures. "Do send those to me, if you would. And I wouldn't say no..."
Drake Pike: "Of course," says Drake before he turns around and presses himself back against the Darkling for a selfie style shot or two. Then a look up at the other. "Here? Or where will you be most comfortable?"
Asbolus: "Hmm..." He mulled that over for a moment. "Maybe later, when you could do it more thoroughly?"
Drake Pike: "I like the sound of that. Are you trying to imply feet and legs or sex? I can't tell," states the very blunt one before going back to drinking and trying to eat a bit, sharing approximately half with the other as he lays across a pillow.
Asbolus: "The former, in this case." The Darkling chuckled softly, scooting closer on the blanket to be in easier reach of the offered bites.
Drake Pike: Drake grins up at the other before sliding a talon down the other's chest. "What's something that no one would think to ask you, but you always wished someone would so you could talk about it?" poses the Spring.
Asbolus: "That...is an excellent question in its own right." Asbolus sat back to think on it, seeming rather content with the trail the talon traveled along his torso. "Why I chose to stay in Philadelphia would be one. No one's ever asked."
Drake Pike: Drake, of course, immediately used this question. "Why do you stay in Philly? What keeps you here?"
Asbolus: "I came initially due to a request from a classmate of mine from university to assist him with a project he was working on with the theatre department at UPenn. I stayed then because of a...want to reconnect with him, along with being enchanted with the city as a whole. When I came back, there was no real place for me in London anymore...and I think it would have reminded me of there too much, truth be told. Too large and winding, if you follow."
Drake Pike: Drake nods slowly. "I think I do. This classmate is important to you?"He traces a little heart pattern over the other man's heart. "Would you like to go to school?"
Asbolus: "He was, yes. I would say 'is', but as far as I know he's left the city entirely with his current partner." He let out a quiet breath at that, shaking his head at the question that followed. "I'm happy with what I have on that front, and my...brother, shall we say, is a professor at UPenn himself these days anyway."
Drake Pike: "... Do I get a second date?" asks Drake tentatively.
Asbolus: "Certainly...tonight has been lovely so far." He looked to Drake with a smile. "You did say something about me reading to you, though. Did you have a particular book in mind?"
Drake Pike: "Then I want to watch a play together. I've got a big theatre we can settle in," offers Drake before shaking his head. "I... didn't actually remember to bring something, but I've got my phone, or we could go back to my place...?"
Asbolus: "Sounds like a fine idea." He nodded, thinking a moment as Drake continued. "I'm up for either, truthfully, although your place would allow us to get more comfortable..."
Drake Pike: "Do you like fast cars?" asks Drake as he sits up. "I could let you drive this time since you're not drunk."
Asbolus: "Well enough, although I'm still rather rubbish at driving here in the States." Asbolus sat up as well, smirking a touch. "May be better if you drive."
Drake Pike: "Let's clean up, and then we can make our way there." He snatches up one of Asbolus's hands to kiss his knuckles. It's not practiced, but hey, he tried. And then he's skittering around trying to get everything settled.
Asbolus: The smirk shifted to a proper smile at that kiss, with the Darkling giving a nod before getting up and helping with gathering everything up. He still seemed quite content, all told, the walls of ice truly gone for the moment.
Drake Pike: After a bit of movement forward, he'll get them settled in the car and heading on over. With music left on for Asbolus as he focuses on it, but when it does finally stop in the garage, he's getting out and smiling again. "What do you want to do first? Read? Get a massage? Hang in a hot tub? Cuddle? Though if you're staying the night again, you'll be cuddled again anyway if you're ok with it."
Asbolus: "I'd say read first, if only because if you're as thorough with the massage this time around I won't be in a state to do much else." He said with an amused smile, making an 'after you' motion towards the house once they were out of the car.
Drake Pike: Further into the house this time. With less of a drunk goggle set, it could be very clear that Drake really just likes things. Nothing specific exactly, but hoards on hoards. When he leads into 'the library' however, one might have expected nothing less. Posh furniture in a two story library with a spiral staircase up. Here, legitimate occult tomes stand alongside lgbt erotica and then books on taxidermy practices with plenty of organization, but no overall lack of breadth. Drake waves his hand. "You may pick your book. I am in no hurry."
Asbolus: Asbolus paused as they entered the library, that 'Belle walking into the Beast's library for the first time' look almost endearing in a way. "My word..." He said quietly, smiling as he moved to look over the shelves. "This is exquisite."
Drake Pike: "I like to collect books," explains Drake. "I'll go get some drinks. Give you some time to explore."
Asbolus: "Sounds good." He nodded, his gaze still on the collection for the moment...
Drake Pike: So, so many books. Both rare and 25 cent paperbacks. Just so, so many options by the time Drake's come back with a soft blanket, several drink options on a little cart, and some more of the veggie finger food options just in case. Then he settles in on the couch to watch Asbolus explore with a contented look of a lizard on a hot rock...
Asbolus: By the time Drake returned there was a small stack of tomes sitting on one of the reading tables, all on various subjects, and the Darkling was still combing the shelves. "Any of those catch your interest?" he asked along the way, smiling warmly.
Drake Pike: Drake points a talon to the Darkling. "You catch my interest. I have time. We can read all you want." The Wizened knew how to trap a book fanatic...
Asbolus: "Very well then..." He replied, claiming one more for the stack before gathering the lot and moving to join Drake on the couch. "Think this will be good for starters."
Drake Pike: Drake seems to decide, much as a cat might, that sprawling over the other and getting nice and comfortable where he could be both a table for the book and stare up at Asbolus let him settle in and be trapped in the moment.
Asbolus: Asbolus chuckled quietly as he was sprawled upon, looking down to the Wizened with a smile. "Comfortable?"
Drake Pike: "Mmmm... yes. I'd be more comfortable pawing at your chest, but that can wait," says Drake with a smirk.
Asbolus: "Look forward to that." He replied, choosing one of the books from the pile and resting it in a proper place so he could read it clearly and Drake could read him just as clearly. "Shall we?"
Drake Pike: "Yes please," he murmurs while making himself a good ish table.
Asbolus: And from there the readathon began, with Asbolus keeping an even pace to make sure that Drake was able to follow along with him. He paused now and again to take a drink, not wanting to have a dry throat stop things short, but otherwise kept at it, glancing towards Drake occasionally to see how he was enjoying it.
Drake Pike: Drake is nothing if not fixated on Asbolus. He seems to let the time pass with only minimal shifting, and lightly gripping at the other's arm from time to time as if a check in. But after so long, now he was leaning up and taking the book off to hold it out to the side. Then a kiss is placed so gently to the underside of the man's chin. And then as he sat up, the book is given back. "Massage time. You can keep reading before, during, and after if you want, but I want to touch you." Demanding little dragon...
Asbolus: The kiss made him pause more than the movement of the book did, smirking a touch as Drake sat up. "Sounds good to me. Shirt off like last time?"
Drake Pike: "Maybe more, if you want feet and legs done too," suggests Drake as he studies the other. "Did you like that?"
Asbolus: "Perhaps." He nodded, begining the work of unbuttoning the dress shirt. "I did, very much so. You?"
Drake Pike: Drake nods. "The reading and the kiss." He eyes the other's shirt, catching his hand in his other to not reach out and 'help'.
Asbolus: "Good." He smiled, finishing the job in short order and folding the shirt neatly before setting it to the side along with the books.
Drake Pike: "Normally men are much hastier in taking off their clothes in front of me," jokes Drake before reaching out to run his hands over the other's chest. "Where do you want me to focus tonight?"
Asbolus: One would swear that the Darkling almost purred at the other man's touch, something that seemed to surprise even him before he smirked. "Shoulders again, perhaps?"
Drake Pike: "Do you want me on top of your or behind you?" he asks without any of the humorous inflection such a question naturally demands...
Asbolus: "Hmm...on top, I'd say. That was lovely last time."
Drake Pike: "Is that what you usually like?" asks the blunt Wizened even as he pulls the pliable one around to push to lay across the couch, careful to keep an eye on mouth.
Asbolus: "Usually..." came the reply, followed by a pause as Asbolus realized exactly what he had just said and a flash of crimson on his face. "Well then."
Drake Pike: "I guessed right. Probably because you also like being bitten," states Drake in that oh-so-blunt way as he goes to warm up the oil on his hands after fetching it. "Don't worry. We're not doing that tonight, but I am going to kiss you if you don't say no," he informs.
Asbolus: "Noted..." He murmured, folding his arms and resting his head atop them for the moment.
Drake Pike: This time, things were different. Yes, it was still a deep tissue sort of massage, but here and there, if not waved off or stopped, Drake took moments to kiss the muscles, waiting to see reactions before moving back in to working at joints and in general kneading and rolling tissue until it came fully relaxed.
Asbolus: Asbolus made no move to stop Drake as he worked, the blush slowly fading as he relaxed under the other man's touch. "Out of curiosity," he looked towards the Wizened as he spoke, "what's something that no one's ever asked you that you wish had been asked?"
Drake Pike: "At all or about myself?" clarifies the other as he moves downward and then starts taking off Asbolus's shoes for him.
Asbolus: "Either or."
Drake Pike: Drake considers that for a long, long moment as he starts in on the other's feet. "If I would stay. For them," says Drake as those talons work into the other. "Every time I've left a city, there's maybe been a party, but no one's ever wanted me to stay."
Asbolus: Asbolus watched Drake as he worked up the answer, giving a small nod once it was offered. "I hope you're here for a while, for what that's worth."
Drake Pike: Drake offers a small smile. "... Are you wearing underwear or should I not tell you to take off your pants?"
If anyone could swing from the sadness right back into full blush territory, it was Drake Pike.
Asbolus: He smiled quietly in return, although the blush did follow as expected. "I do have boxers on, yes..."
Drake Pike: "I'd like to take off your pants for three reasons," says Drake as his hands slide up the man's legs and thighs. "One, I want to be able to finish the massage. Two, I want to see what boxers you choose for a date. And three, I want to see you in your boxers. May I?"
Asbolus: "In for a penny, in for a pound." He nodded, taking a deep breath to try and banish that blush again. Drake wouldn't find anything particularly exciting, admittedly, just a pair of dark blue boxers.
Drake Pike: Drake did try to make it... memorable, pulling down gentle and slowly, but with intensity in the gaze before he went to kneeling between the other's legs to massage up them, also planting those kisses, especially on the inside of thighs as he works. When he reached the line of the boxers from below, he shifted forward, pressing himself behind the other and on top of him. He reached up, lightly tugging at the other's hair. "If you would like me to massage further next time, wear smaller boxers," he suggests with a chuckle.
Asbolus: The kisses led to an occasional shiver now and again but no move was made to stop Drake just yet, enjoying the pampering quite a bit by all telling. He looked up towards Drake at the tug of his hair, smirking in response. "Will keep that in mind."
Drake Pike: "You've pictured us kissing by now," claims the other as he searches the other's gaze. "What's your favorite in your mind? Do I kiss you or you kiss me? Is it slow and gentle or passionate and maybe nearing on reckless?"
Asbolus: "Perhaps..." He quietly replied, looking the other man over in kind. "More the former, on both counts."
Drake Pike: Drake squirmed a moment where he was before shifting back and urging Asbolus to sit up. It seems the Wizened must be fond of physically posing the Darkling with how demanding he could be with his hands. If he went, he brushed back the other's hair. "Tell me you want to kiss me," demands the needy little dragon.
Asbolus: Asbolus waited until Drake had moved back before he sat up himself, looking over the Wizened for a long moment. "And if I do?"
Drake Pike: "Then I will kiss you, slow, and wrap you in my arms, and take you upstairs, where I can allow you to be the little spoon even though I'm smaller. The little spoon is the safer spoon, and I will be there to defend you," he says with a grin.
Asbolus: "Ah hah." Asbolus nodded, a small smile settling into place. "Then yes, I do."
Drake Pike: "It's the wise choice. I come with wings in case of falling out of bed," notes Drake before the inner eyelid closes and he leans forward into that kiss. Every bit of it has just a moment of letting stress and worry melt away as Spring keeps it inviting and building a slow heat in the chest, the ember at the heart that one could flare one day.
Then, true to his word, when the kiss was broken, Drake swept the larger man up with a grunt to carry like a princess, objections ignored, to lay down in a very plush bed and take selfies in bed together so Asbolus had a keepsake...
Asbolus: There was a brief moment of hesitation, but the moment passed and the kiss was joined, kept light but pleasant nonetheless. Getting scooped up led to a quiet-if amused sigh, relaxing against the Wizened as they made their way to the bedroom for the evening. "You are something else, you know..."
Drake Pike: "Yes," agrees the most humble honest dragon one would ever meet...
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