You mentioned your name and being interesting enough to write a book about you, that's about all I know. I suppose being immortal means you can do all manner of stupid shit without giving a damn about repercussions.
[He picks up a basket and starts loading things in. He may be a pirate, but he's true to his word about how much he takes of each.]
[He pulls four pieces of bread and wraps them in a paper towel. A few slices of meat and cheese, some lettuce, and a tomato. He'll take some assorted berries as well. All neatly and carefully packaged to take out and grab some space at one of the prep tables if he's able to. This way he can wash things if necessary as well.
There's a Look at Dorian as his jaw clenches and unclenches, mulling over if he wants to just give in and tell him. They were trying to be more open knowing that the Barge was safe to do so. Still, he doesn't really know Dorian... he could be full of shit.]
Why does it matter so much to you?
[He's nearly there, just playing hard to get. Fishing for a better reason than to be judged.]
[There's a pause at the word 'exclusive' because that was an awfully good question. One they hadn't really discussed or ironed out terms of. Though he'd slept with Norton prior to them admitting wanting to be together, or seeing each other in some way. Making it less of a casual thing, but never really defining what their thing is.]
I don't know, not yet, we haven't really talked about it.
[Flint has no problem with sharing if Raylan were wanting to, but he doesn't really know where Raylan stands on it. As for the rest, he can't help the small lop-sided smile that creeps into his features with a quirk of a brow.]
Are you not-so-subtly telling me you'd be interested in sleeping with me?
[His brows loft a little as the other very blatantly quickly undresses him with his eyes and seems a little taken aback by his answer. But only a little, he's still getting used to folks openly admitting he's attractive or having any kind of inkling of flirting with him. Norton's helped with that a bit. It's done a great deal for his confidence though.]
If you don't know Norton, I'd be very surprised. You two would get on famously I imagine. [Or maybe that's too powerful a horny combo that it could doom all space and time.
A pause.]
I'm with Raylan. [TO BE PERFECTLY CLEAR he doesn't want the wrong impression here that he's with Norton. Norton seemed like he'd be happier as the no strings attached fling sort anyway. And look, you got your answer Dorian.]
[It still feels sort of awkward and uncomfortable, just declaring his relationship with another man, to someone he just met. On the other hand, it's... nice? In a way, to be accepted and not scorned or cursed for it. To not have to be afraid that anything might happen to either of them because of it. It'll take some adjustment, but they'll get there.]
He does and he is. [He says as he takes his things to a table to start washing the fruits and veggies. He'll then slice up the tomato and start to assemble the sandwiches. Totally not blushing just a little bit at agreeing Raylan was cute.]
Admitting what I have to someone I've just met is ... a feat. I come from a time where anyone knowing I was with another man would mean death for both of us, or worse. And Raylan... where he's from isn't so kind either. I know this place is different, more accepting but it's still... difficult.
[ Dorian's silent for a moment. When he speaks, his tone is absolutely serious. ]
When I was younger, one of my friends was arrested for sodomy and 'gross indecency'—the term that London drafted up at the time to arrest men who buggered other men. I know how difficult it can be. [ a pause before, ] And I know how to keep a secret if the secret means this much.
[Flint glances at the other, quirking a brow and noticing the seriousness in his tone. He nods, cutting the sandwiches and wrapping them up nicely to be carried home. He'll then wash the knife and the table where he worked.]
I'd appreciate that. We aren't ready to be public. [A pause.]
Your friend, did they survive? [His tone is gentle, curious but sympathetic.]
Before recently, I had believed a very dear friend had befallen a similar fate. I... [He pauses still struggling with talking about Thomas. But Dorian already knows about him.]
My lover. He was taken from me when it was discovered we were having an affair, he was a very well-respected Lord. I was also sleeping with his wife, so that story was easier to sell. They had whisked him away to a mental asylum where he... he supposedly succumbed to the anguish of it all. In truth, he was taken to a prison plantation, in Savannah, hidden away and dead to the world.
[ That's even worse, Dorian can't help but think. At least with Oscar, he knew where he was. He could visit him in the end. He wasn't shipped away across the fucking continent.
So there's actual, real, unapologetic sincerity in his voice when he says, ]
I'm sorry. I wish things could have gone differently.
[Not as sorry as I am echoes in his mind, but his own guilt and self-loathing would likely sound rude if said aloud. He appreciates the other's kind words.]
I thought for a decade he'd been dead, I've done... terrible things since then. [Because of it, really, he was so angry at London, at Civilization.]
But he's alive, and if I graduate, I want to go back and find him and save him, take him away from that place.
[Though there's a part of him that also thinks if he'd just go back and change things, maybe he could spare both Thomas and Miranda, even if it means he won't be in their lives to ruin it.]
Sorry, [He sighs.] jaysus, all you did was ask who I was planning lunch for, not my whole life story.
[Which it isn't, really, just a very large chunk of the iceberg breaking away.] I don't... I don't normally do this.
[But Dorian is so disarming somehow and showing each other sympathy for the horrible things they went through because they dare to love whomever they want to love. In a world that demands heteronormativity.]
We're still discussing the threesome thought. But, I do apologize. I'm sure you'll survive though. You'll need to keep Norton company, he'll be heartbroken to know I'm spoken for.
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Haven't I mentioned? I'm immortal.
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[He picks up a basket and starts loading things in. He may be a pirate, but he's true to his word about how much he takes of each.]
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You still haven't told me who you're dating, by the way.
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There's a Look at Dorian as his jaw clenches and unclenches, mulling over if he wants to just give in and tell him. They were trying to be more open knowing that the Barge was safe to do so. Still, he doesn't really know Dorian... he could be full of shit.]
Why does it matter so much to you?
[He's nearly there, just playing hard to get. Fishing for a better reason than to be judged.]
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It's partly that. Partly him also being a nosy fuck. ]
Unless you're both into that? I don't mind threesomes.
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I don't know, not yet, we haven't really talked about it.
[Flint has no problem with sharing if Raylan were wanting to, but he doesn't really know where Raylan stands on it. As for the rest, he can't help the small lop-sided smile that creeps into his features with a quirk of a brow.]
Are you not-so-subtly telling me you'd be interested in sleeping with me?
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Absolutely.
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If you don't know Norton, I'd be very surprised. You two would get on famously I imagine. [Or maybe that's too powerful a horny combo that it could doom all space and time.
A pause.]
I'm with Raylan. [TO BE PERFECTLY CLEAR he doesn't want the wrong impression here that he's with Norton. Norton seemed like he'd be happier as the no strings attached fling sort anyway. And look, you got your answer Dorian.]
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[ They fuck. They're good buddies and they also fuck. There is no beating around the bush with that one and Dorian is not even trying to hide it. ]
Two, I can see it. Raylan seems like he has a good head on his shoulders. And he's also quite cute so ten out of ten on that one.
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[It still feels sort of awkward and uncomfortable, just declaring his relationship with another man, to someone he just met. On the other hand, it's... nice? In a way, to be accepted and not scorned or cursed for it. To not have to be afraid that anything might happen to either of them because of it. It'll take some adjustment, but they'll get there.]
He does and he is. [He says as he takes his things to a table to start washing the fruits and veggies. He'll then slice up the tomato and start to assemble the sandwiches. Totally not blushing just a little bit at agreeing Raylan was cute.]
Admitting what I have to someone I've just met is ... a feat. I come from a time where anyone knowing I was with another man would mean death for both of us, or worse. And Raylan... where he's from isn't so kind either. I know this place is different, more accepting but it's still... difficult.
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When I was younger, one of my friends was arrested for sodomy and 'gross indecency'—the term that London drafted up at the time to arrest men who buggered other men. I know how difficult it can be. [ a pause before, ] And I know how to keep a secret if the secret means this much.
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I'd appreciate that. We aren't ready to be public. [A pause.]
Your friend, did they survive? [His tone is gentle, curious but sympathetic.]
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Prison weakened him, but it didn't kill him. Something else did.
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Before recently, I had believed a very dear friend had befallen a similar fate. I... [He pauses still struggling with talking about Thomas. But Dorian already knows about him.]
My lover. He was taken from me when it was discovered we were having an affair, he was a very well-respected Lord. I was also sleeping with his wife, so that story was easier to sell. They had whisked him away to a mental asylum where he... he supposedly succumbed to the anguish of it all. In truth, he was taken to a prison plantation, in Savannah, hidden away and dead to the world.
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So there's actual, real, unapologetic sincerity in his voice when he says, ]
I'm sorry. I wish things could have gone differently.
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I thought for a decade he'd been dead, I've done... terrible things since then. [Because of it, really, he was so angry at London, at Civilization.]
But he's alive, and if I graduate, I want to go back and find him and save him, take him away from that place.
[Though there's a part of him that also thinks if he'd just go back and change things, maybe he could spare both Thomas and Miranda, even if it means he won't be in their lives to ruin it.]
Sorry, [He sighs.] jaysus, all you did was ask who I was planning lunch for, not my whole life story.
[Which it isn't, really, just a very large chunk of the iceberg breaking away.] I don't... I don't normally do this.
[But Dorian is so disarming somehow and showing each other sympathy for the horrible things they went through because they dare to love whomever they want to love. In a world that demands heteronormativity.]
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Don't worry. Weirdly enough, you're not the first person who's vented to me about their love life.
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Well, it gives you context anyway. Why I'm guarded. I'm... trying to remind myself that people here are different and that it's safe.
[He clears his throat, finishes bundling up his stuff to take away, and moves towards Dorian, extending a hand to him.]
Lovely to meet you Dorian.
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Enjoy your date!
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[Sometime later Dorian will get a text.]
As a note, some flirting is fine as long as you understand it won't be going anywhere.
[Sorry Dorian, guess who's decided they're going to be exclusive.]
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Don't be boring. :(
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