John

[fawnthefae]

He had found his mortal kin. He hadn't even known he might have mortal kin, but when Fawn had wandered into the building with the enticing music and cheap chicken wings, he had been struck by the sight of mortals who felt like his own. They wore little clothing and spun elegantly on tall polls, coaxing coin from the fools who got too near.

Kin. They were kin.

He sat and ate wings as he watched them work, until one finally came over to say hello. She was very tall and mostly muscle, but soft in places men often liked. Her eyes were hazel and her smile sweet, and she smiled as she sat across from him.

"You are really here for the food, huh?" she smiled. "You know the wings across the street are better, sweetheart."

"I came for food, I stayed to watch the sirens work. You are all talented, many will go home broke tonight," Fawn assured her, prompting her to laugh again.

"I like you," she grinned.

"Thank you," Fawn smiled. "I like how you all dance. I would like to learn."

The woman laughed again, then nodded, tossing her ginger hair back behind her shoulders. "Well, we don't have boys in dancing here, I'm afraid, but I do know someone who'd looking for guys. He'd love you. Catch is, he'd want you to be good on a pole before he took you on. You'd have to find lessons... Or do what I did. Get a pole and watch a lot of videos."

They talked for a while, and when Fawn left, he felt renewed. Inspired. He had found his new art.

Walking into the flat, he dropped his coat and announced, "I require a pole for dancing, and access to a tube for mortal videos. A you-tube, they call it."

Comments

[petty_dabbler]

"What for?" John asked, only partly paying attention. If he focused on the news, he didn't obsess over how good, how natural it felt to have the fae curled tight to his ribs.

[fawnthefae]

"I dunno. It sounds cool," Fawn shrugged, falling silent as he let himself window shop.

[petty_dabbler]

"My mum had one of those," he said after a few items had been shown. "It's a vacuum sealer. You put your food in, it sucks all the air out, and keeps it fresh," John chatted.

[fawnthefae]

"We should get one," Fawn said, as though he hadn't said that about everything tonight.

[petty_dabbler]

"For all the food we have left over?" John chuckled.

[fawnthefae]

"...We just need to buy more food? Then there will be extra," Fawn said sagely.

[petty_dabbler]

John laughed warmly at that.

"I'll think about it," he said. "Anything else your heart desi-:

There was a knock.

"Finally," he said, popping up to collect the food.

[fawnthefae]

Fawn let him up, then scooted into the warm spot John had left behind.

[petty_dabbler]

John brought the food to the table, then ducked into the kitchen to get a couple beers.

"Come on. While it's hot," he called, pulling out cartons that were still steaming.

[fawnthefae]

"They're selling jewels now," Fawn said, wandering over and sitting at the table. "I want jewels."

[petty_dabbler]

"You want jewels, then eat your supper," he chuckled, breaking into his own.

[fawnthefae]

Fawn dug in, making happy sounds as he dug in.

"Are you bound to this home? Do you love it?" he asked curiously, seemingly out of the blue.

[petty_dabbler]

John thought a moment and ultimately shrugged.

"It's alright," he decided. "A lot better since you renovated."

[fawnthefae]

"I could construct us a home, elsewhere... Bigger. Nicer..." Fawn said, words a little seductive.

[petty_dabbler]

"Elsewhere...like where?" John asked as he fixed his plate.

[fawnthefae]

"Somewhere Land can be borrowed without being missed," Fawn said. "Cities have zoning, but old cities have sloppy records. Especially near graveyards and parks. Lines can be moved, fences quietly altered... Or I could just convince the lord of your land to sell this place to me. I am very tempting. I barter well."

[petty_dabbler]

"Not a graveyard. I tempt fate enough as it is. You really hate it here, don't you?"

Of course he did, John was sure. It was no place for any sort of prince.

[fawnthefae]

Fawn looked confused, then a bit upset.

"I do not hate it. ...I am sorry if I have made you feel that way about your home. I simply am used to doing as I please. There are rules here, you say, and I-"

The fae trailed off, suddenly not very hungry.

"I am sorry," he said again, deciding to leave it at that.

[petty_dabbler]

"You don't need to be sorry, love," John said. "I stay here because it's cheap and no one pokes around. If you'd like to build a house, you're welcome to. I want you to be happy here in London. "

[fawnthefae]

"And you would join me?" Fawn asked nervously.

Because he didn't want to leave if John wouldn't follow.

[petty_dabbler]

"If you'd have me. Yeah," he said. He was a bit surprised, certain Fawn would be itching to see the world. Not settling is with a cynical old bastard.

[fawnthefae]

"Of course I would. ...It is nice having a companion," he admitted quietly.

[petty_dabbler]

John nodded while he chewed and swallowed.

"If you can manage a new place, I'll be right beside you," he said, a gentle, warm affection in his eyes.

[fawnthefae]

Fawn smiled and nodded.

"It will be beautiful," he promised.

He'd never had to build a home before, had never planted himself long enough to grow, but... He was ready now.

[petty_dabbler]

"I don't have any doubt about that," he smiled. "It'd be nice to not have to worry about rent. Living rough is only charming for a minute. And this flat is barely a step up from that. It's nicer since you've been here, but it's still not much more than a roof and a toilet."