NIKOLAS AVIS IS A SCOUNDREL

[havesomedecency]

[This evening we have an illustrious member of Hearts making his way up to a certain floor in Clubs on a purported promise of a game of chess. He's no more or less grumpy looking than usual as he knocks on the door to the dorm room, politely waiting for a reply.]

Comments

[oneinfive]

[it hits him in the stomach; Nikolas doesn't touch it, lifting his hands]

No, I don't! It was unmarked! I didn't look in there. If it really was mistletoe again it was chance, Elliot.

[havesomedecency]

Tch—then damn the odds.

[Elliot shifts on the bed, curling his hands in the sheets and pointedly not looking at Nikolas]

[oneinfive]

. . . Elliot. You can go, if you like.

[he folds his arms on his legs with a very quiet sigh, looking at Elliot and then down at the chess board, picking up a bishop and twirling it in his fingers.]

[havesomedecency]

[that actually makes him pause, turning to look back at Nikolas, watching him]

Just why are you so intent on that—?

[oneinfive]

[he looks back up at Elliot, rather serious.]

Ah. I don't pressure people. It's a policy of mine, you see. I teased you, giving you that, but I hate if you took it because you thought I might browbeat you all night if you hadn't. I wouldn't do a thing like that. I swore years ago I'd never make a man or woman feel obligated to that with me.

[havesomedecency]

I'm not talking about the obligation or not—I'm asking—if I'd taken it willingly, if I kissed you willingly—why are you intent on that?

[oneinfive]

[he leans forward a little on his legs, watching Elliot over his hands, clasped up in front of him]

I liked it, last time. If it's chance, if it's like this, and if it feels good for us both, why shouldn't I want it?

[havesomedecency]

[Elliot leans forward as well, but holds himself back after a moment, watching Nikolas intently now]

It's not as simple as wanting it or how it feels—there's the feelings of other people to consider. It's not just you and me, Nikolas.

[oneinfive]

I do know that, Elliot. Do you want to leave?

[he reaches out to try and take one of Elliot's hands, though.]

[havesomedecency]

[hesitates a moment but he allows it, turning his hand to hold Nikolas's]

I'll stay—if you tell me what you intend to do with it.

[oneinfive]

I really didn't have any particular intentions! I'll kiss you, if you want it. I'll stop when you ask me to, in whatever we do. Is that fair?

[he pulls Elliot's hand up to his lips, kissing the fingers, watching his face.]

[havesomedecency]

[he sucks in a short surprised breath and the gesture and then immediately flushes because of it]

I meant—if we did—what you would do regarding the others??

[oneinfive]

Well. That depends on the rest. Of course I'd tell them, either way.

[that reaction was good, though. Nikolas kisses Elliot's hand again, along the knuckles.]

[havesomedecency]

[he squeezes Nikolas's hand more tightly on an impulse, watching his lips now more than he's watching his face]

Aren't you worried about what they might say—?

[oneinfive]

[he notices that--he's watching Elliot pretty intently--and doesn't pull back from Elliot's hand, speaking so that his lips brush against it as they move.]

I swear I will stop when you stop me, Elliot. Do you not want to stop me? If you don't, I'll go as far as we both want to. And I do think the both of them would understand.

[havesomedecency]

[Elliot's breath hitches, he licks his lips in a nervous gesture]

Do you believe that, truly . . .

[oneinfive]

I do, or I wouldn't say it; they mean more to me than that.

[Nikolas gets up on his knees to crawl closer, doing his best to avoid the chess board, without letting go of Elliot's hand.]

You're doing better this time pushing it down, aren't you? You might even escape without a kiss if you try.

[havesomedecency]

[o-oh you're closer. Elliot doesn't recoil, he holds his ground, swallowing audibly]

Last time—there were the other objectives as well.

[oneinfive]

So. You could go, if you like, since we aren't in public--I'm not hitting that one. Is that all of them . . . ?

[he finally gets himself right up next to Elliot, inches away, and reaches up with his free hand to drag through his hair, fluffing it.]

[havesomedecency]

[he shivers at that, breath catching]

I can't go out like this—if I found someone else between Clubs and Hearts—

[oneinfive]

Aha. You do have a point. And I would rather you not.

[Nikolas leans in close enough to press their foreheads together, though he doesn't kiss him yet--he's near enough that they'd only need to tilt their heads, press into one another a bit more . . . ]

[havesomedecency]

[Elliot leans in to meet him, pressing his forehead firmly against Nikolas's for a beat, sucking in a quick breath before he leans in the rest of the way, firmly kissing him]

[oneinfive]

[he responds immediately, letting go of Elliot's hand to press against the small of his back, holding him closer, and parting his lips invitingly. if Elliot wants to take charge for the time being, let him; Nikolas is completely willing and eager.]

[havesomedecency]

[It takes a moment before Elliot realizes he's being given control. When he does there's only a moment before he pushes in. He's not moving much deeper yet, but angling his lips against Nikolas's with a soft sound that makes it clear that he's setting the pace, he's taking charge.]

[oneinfive]

[oh, that's good. it isn't at all how Nikolas usually imagines it--which he's done plenty of times, thank you--but it's good for being unexpected, and for how personal it is. he makes a soft sound back, something low and hungry: go on, as you like, I want it. his hands tighten on Elliot's back and in his hair, kneading.]