judgementor | [Avalon IC Inbox][un: redwine]

Mm, I will.

[It's been no small bone of contention for him that the wardrobe he'd managed to build up in Aefenglom is now lost and he has to start from scratch again. At least there's never any shortage of work for a mercenary in places like this.

He sits down beside them and looks over what they bought. Nothing really unexpected, but then it wouldn't be like Bailey to buck those kinds of expectations. They wear what they're comfortable in and he can respect that.

Red Wine smiles, reaching over for their hand.]

When I have some money, I'm getting you something special.

Good.

[One of the bigger downsides to starting all over is - well. Starting all over. No clothes, no money, no nothing. They have each other, but all Bailey came in with was the clothes on their back and, inexplicably, the pocket watch they had in Aefenglom.

At least it's not too hard to get work.

They raise an eyebrow at him, and they want to reject the idea of Red buying them anything at all, but they shake their head with a soft, amused huff.]

Are we talking something special for me, or something special you're going to immediately take off of me?

[He laughs immediately. Ah yes, Bailey definitely has an excellent grasp of his motivations at the moment, but for once that isn't what he meant.]

Something special for you. [Red Wine confirms with a warm smile, running his thumb across the back of their knuckles.]

You deserve the finest things in the world, and even they wouldn't be good enough for you.

[They're onto you, Red!]

Just had to make sure.

[They look down, flustered all over again. Red says these things so easily, and once again Bailey doesn't know what they've done to deserve all of this.]

I don't need the finest things - all I need is to wake up with you next to me. That's more than good enough.

[While at his heart Red Wine is an unerring gentleman who would step in front of a sword for almost anyone, he does tend towards being materialistic on the surface. Even Bailey had to have noticed his preference for fine things, and the way he would often display his affection with gifts.

Still, the food soul does know that Bailey has no need for such things. That doesn't mean he doesn't want to give them.]

Well, [He says, and he punctuates the word by kissing the back of the faun's hand.] You can have that, every day, for no cost at all.

[They've certainly noticed - and it's something they've had to get used to. It's strange, but... if it's what Red wants to do, who are they to stop him? And it became something... Nice, as warm and familiar as Red's hand in their.

Still, they don't matter as much as the man giving them those gifts.]

Then I'll be happy, no matter what. If that's the only thing you give me, I'll love it all the same.

[They smile down at him, ears twitching and tail wagging happily.]

Maybe I'll get you that other something special on my own.

[Not everyone is like him, he knows that, but it doesn't mean he wouldn't give Bailey all the finest things they wanted if he could. He's sure, though, that they would be happy if he could find them some baklava, or even if he simply stayed by their side.]

Is that right?

[Ah, they're cute with their tail and ears moving like that. He places his hands on their hips, pulling them close enough that he can press a kiss to their chest, right against their breastbone.]

And just what would you get for me?

It is.

[They laugh, trying not to be too flustered by Red’s words and actions. They know they have their work cut out for them, though.

They toy with his hair, humming.]

What if I want it to be a surprise? Would that be okay?

Hmm.

[While Bailey's fingers comb through his hair, he leans his head forwards and rests it lightly against their chest, placing his forehead where his lips had touched. There, he closes his eyes and listens to their heart beating.]

I'm not always a fan of surprises. [He admits mildly, rubbing his thumbs against their hip bones for a moment.] But I'll trust you to make it a good one.

[They manage to keep from rolling his eyes, but only just.]

I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Maybe I’ll even get you to help me narrow down some choices, if you’re all that worried.

[They’ll die. They’ll die but it’ll be worth it.

Hopefully.]

Ah? It's that kind of surprise, is it.

[Did he catch the subtle quickening of Bailey's heartbeat with how close his keen ears are to it? Yes. Yes he did. He smirks a little where the faun can't see, then looks up with a smile.]

You're getting bold. I like it.

Obviously.

[What else would it be...!! They look down, meeting his eyes, and they're just... So hopelessly enchanted by him.]

I don't think I'll ever be as bold as I was the first time...

[Considering, you know, they did just kind of barge in and fumble their way into Red's bedroom.]

I have wondered what possessed you that day.

[Nothing he knows about Bailey now would make him think that they were the kind of person to walk into someone's home and then end up falling into bed with them. It wasn't as if Red Wine hadn't given them plenty of opportunity to back out, before...

He lets his hands drop from their hips, sliding down to curl very loosely behind their thighs.]

But I am glad you did it.

I was worried about you, and then things just kind of... Escalated.

[Yeah, escalated is a good word for it. They don't regret any of it, not for one moment, though. Things were better, after that.

They're sure Red can feel their tail wagging, brushing against his hands, and he can more than likely hear their heart rate kick up another notch.]

Yeah? I'm pretty glad, too.

[He has to laugh then - a genuine laugh that reaches his eyes and warms them with humour. Yes, he can hear the way their heart is racing, and he won't deny it excites him a little. He's never pushed Bailey into something they didn't want to do, though.

Gently, he pulls them forwards to perch on his lap.]

You have a funny way of showing when you're worried about someone. [It's a tease, a tiny smirk wrapped around it.] I hope I was just a special case.

[They settle on his lap, shaking their head.]

Oh, definitely. Pretty sure if it had been anyone else, that would have never happened.

[They go back to toying with his hair, and being so pressed to Red they can appreciate all over again how warm he is now. He's alive, and they hadn't even realized how big of a change that would be.]

I guess I'm just a sucker for handsome guys with nice hair.

[A playful tug.]

[It isn't just different for Bailey. Red Wine has a whole new appreciation for just being a living, breathing person now. The way he can breathe without needing to think about it. How he can walk out in the sun - something he never liked to do before - without feeling ill. Knowing that when Bailey touches him he won't be cold to the touch at worst, or lukewarm at best.

Red Wine chuckles again, reaching up to push his hand into their hair and pull them down for a warm, lingering kiss. His smile brushes their lips lightly before he speaks again.]

I love you, Bailey.

[There's nothing that could have prepared Bailey for that. They're smiling into the kiss, and the smiling afterwards, but it quickly morphs into a look of surprise.

Should it be surprising? They're not so sure. They were well aware Red liked them, but there's a difference between like and love. When had that change happened? Does it matter that it happened at all?

They stare at him for a moment long enough to probably verge on uncomfortable, eyes wide and stinging before they stammer out.]

I- That's- You do?

[It's never as easy as it is when people write about it, but Red Wine doesn't say such things lightly. He nods, his hands resting lightly on Bailey's hips - not enough to hold them in place - in confirmation of his words.]

I do. Without demands or expectations. [That is, there's no need for it to be said back. Such things can be uttered without reciprocity, at least at first, and he doesn't need to hear it himself to still mean it.]

You have no idea of how important you've been to me. How dark a place I might have gone to without you.

[They stroke a hand down his cheek, lingering for a moment. They believe him, with the gentle hold and his gentle words, but it's still something that comes at a shock. In a million years, they would have never expected something like love. Fondness, sure, companionship? Definitely. But love was something that seemed too big, too serious, for what they have.

They know that they love him too, though, even if the words get caught in their throat. So instead they place a kiss to his brow, before pulling back to get a better look at his face.]

I'm not sure I even want to think about that. I'm...

[A deep breath.]

I'm glad we have this, Red. I feel really lucky, sometimes, that things worked out this way.

[It isn't something that has ever really come easily to Red Wine. With his long life and the short ones of the humans around him, his only other options had really been Food Souls and...

Well, it was complicated. His feelings for a certain one of them were still complicated, but... he'd also realised that in these kinds of places, such a chaotic influence isn't something that he needs. He and Steak make good partners in battle and in many other ways, but as a relationship? No. They were like oil and water set aflame - no good for each other.

What he and Bailey have feels right.]

Mm. So do I. [Red Wine smiles, letting his fingers link loosely against the base of their spine.]

I don't think I know anyone else quite like you.

[It all feels a bit too good to be true, sometimes, but... Bailey is tired of second guessing whether they deserve something like this. It's not a matter of deserving anyways, they know, and they just... Have to accept that they can be happy. That someone can love them.

So they smile back, leaning in to kiss Red softly.]

I doubt you would.

[They can at least own up to being one of a kind. They settle back into his lap, pressing their lips together for a moment.]

...Once we get enough money to get out of this place, do you want to get a place together?

[He tips his chin up slightly against the kiss and smiles into it, then looks up at them with clear admiration as they settle back on his lap.

The question is one that's easily answered.]

I wouldn't have it any other way.

[And then, because he's in an excellent position to be able to do so, he gets a better hold on Bailey and flips them expertly over so they are lying on the bed beside him, with him leaning over their chest.]

But are you sure you can deal with being around me all the time?

[They can't even bask in being pleased by that answer before they're being flipped over. They squawk, feeling awfully undignified, before they raise a hand to thump Red's shoulder.

They are trying very, very hard not to be flustered by this position and to not get any ideas.]

I think I could manage the temptation.

[...]

But could you?

[Despite the position, Red Wine doesn't make any moves to push it further than Bailey is comfortable with. Consent is a very attractive thing, after all, and the walls here are terribly thin.]

Hm, good question.

[He presses a kiss under their jaw line, just once, then smiles down at them.]

But I don't think it's going to be a problem.

[Avalon IC Inbox][un: redwine]

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