maskormenacelogs | do we get what we deserve?

[ With an obviously feigned innocence: ] What, is that not how it usually goes?

[ No, please, he's perfectly aware he could have gotten out of this with more money in his pocket. Money is, frankly, rarely a concern for him. A thought strikes him though, and he brightens just slightly. ]

Oh — as long as I'm confessing my litany of sins, here's one I was sort of proud of: I did manage to stab Rupert von Hentzau in the leg a while ago.

[Cue incredulity. And a slight urge to smirk. Sure he has told Damian that he would be okay with an open relationship, but Rupert definitely annoyed him. Especially where Damian was involved. Enough that some tiny part of him wants to applaud the man.]

I am not rewarding you with praise for bringing harm to that man. But I definitely want a touch more... explanation. Such as whether he knows you did so, because I imagine he wouldn’t be so interested in who you’re bedding if he did. And did he hurt you?

[ The fact that he isn't immediately chastised is really praise enough, isn't it? Damian looks a little smug, while delight simmers just below. He's really wanted to brag to someone about this one. ]

We were breaking into the same museum, actually. Fate is funny like that. I was masked and so was he, but of course I knew exactly who he was by his portals. He had no idea who I was, and was really offended that someone would be using his portals. [ His grin grows a little wider. ] Remember when I was shot? It was a revenge stab.

[Ah, there was that flare of anger and fear in his gut at the memory of a patch of flawless skin. That someone had hurt the man he loved.]

Maybe avoid annoying a man with portals and a gun, mon coeur. Good thing he doesn’t know who you are.

[ He just laughs, like this is all a terribly amusing game ... which, of course, it is. He was having a great time, right up until he got shot. (But honestly, it was even find of fun after that.)

His laugh fades with that last part, though, and his grin trails into a thoughtful face. ]

Well. He might now. [ He fidgets a little, straightening an already straight button up shirt. ] We were — allies, I guess, in that other universe, and he knew the scope of my power. He probably remembers that.

[ Gonna have to do something about that, yep. ]

Be careful.

[Because if Rupert knows, it could cause Damian troubles.]

Please. The man has already shot you. Try less cat and mouse and more, well, rabbit keeping your head low? There are some things Josh can’t fix, and if you go and die on me, I will bust your lip when you return.

[There is more concern than harshness in his voice.]

You wouldn't. [ He says it with a grin, equal parts amused and sure of his read. ] But we'll never find out, because I won't get myself killed.

[ He's confident in that, too. With the stolen powers at his command, he likes to think he's really very slippery. And Rupert's good, but he's not that good. ]

But that said, keeping my head down will just give him time to put some plan together. I'm going to confront him.

[Maybe, a tiny little traitor voice in David's head whispers, you're just attracted to people who behave in reckless and foolish manners.

His counter point? He's NOT attracted to Josh. Well, okay, his housemate is hot and he now knows what it's like to be intimate with him so... Ugh, worst memories.]

Are you... entirely certain that's a good idea? You could get hurt, Damian. Badly. And where I can't be there to help you. He's had the portals longer, he's probably really good at using them.

[Then again, Damian did now have the memories of another self who was VERY good with portals, didn't he?]

[ He pulls back, a hand going to his chest in mock offense. ]

Are you trying to imply he's better at them than I am? [ A fair assumption, seeing as Damian's version operates with less potency when it's just a copy — maybe even an actual fact. The offense holds nonetheless. ] Please, David, have a little faith. A Saint Lorrant doesn't half-ass his stolen powers.

[A little faith? David sighs and finally moves away to do what he would normally consider unthinkable. He hoists himself up onto the counter to sit on it. Only even letting himself get away with it because he knows the whole thing is getting replaced soon.]

I have a lot of faith in you. If I didn't, we never would have...

[Fuck, even the slightest CHANCE that someone else could walk through this part of the house has David flustered and looking away, heat rising into his cheeks.]

Skating never would have ended how it had if I didn't have faith in you.

[ He grins, and takes the chance to slide himself comfortably between David's knees, hands rested on his thighs. ]

It's all I ask for.

[ He could add more on this topic — add that maybe he doesn't want to fight Rupert, that this little rivalry has been fun, and might have a bit of fun left to it, but it has to mean something that the man was so dependable in a dark universe ... but no, that's all business for private plans and calculations. It's not exactly relevant here. Instead he goes a touch more serious, his grin fading off again. ]

No, I guess I am asking for a little more. I ... want you to help me make sure I don't go too far. That's been the point of this rash of honesty from me.

[Let it have all the fun that Damian wants. Just, well, make sure not to get killed, thanks. Hell, David didn't care of Damian slept with the other man. Well, not so much. He'd want to know just so he could pull Damian into bed after and leave him truly ruined.

But the serious gets some silence from him.]

You really want that? You want that sort of holding you back thing? Because I will. But to do it, you have to stay honest with me. You have to tell me about stuff.

[ Oh, he's going to hate it. But he's also going to know that it's for the best, and David is a good man for the job. He thinks he can trust David not to kill all his fun, while still serving as a responsible reminder for him. So he only nods, looking set. ]

This is what I've been busy thinking over. Being honest will be the hardest part, but ... [ He'll just have to make himself get better at it, break a lifetime's habit of sly lies and half truths. He sighs. ] Yeah, that's what I want.

[If that's what he wants? Well, David's going to support it. Even offers a warm smile. Because this? This is good. He leans forward and down to kiss Damian, light and sweet.]

I will do everything I can to keep you on whatever path you set out for, beloved. That's... that's what a relationship is about. Supporting each other.

[ He tilts his head obligingly up to receive that kiss, and the warm smile is infectious as they part. Logic had told him this is what David would say to his proposal, but it turns out it's still nice to hear. ]

Thanks. [ The small word doesn't do his quiet relief much justice, but he sticks with it. ] I'm going to be bad at it for a while. Try not to take it personally, I promise it isn't.

[ After all, this is already more honest than he's ever been with, well, anyone. If that doesn't promise an attempt at trust and honesty, nothing will. ]

My boyfriend trying to be more honest with me to avoid a potential evil villain future? Yeah, not going to take it personally if you slip up some.

[He keeps the smile warm and soft, his fingers curling into Damian's hair. How in the world had he gotten so lucky as to get a man like this?]

Could you maybe give me one other promise? I never want to see that silver switchblade of yours in person again, unless you're fighting to save us from something. Okay?

[He's going to have more nightmares about that than anything else.]

[ Evil villain future seems a little dramatic, but ... also, honestly, kind of flattering. It's a pretty good description of who the man was. His wry smile drops away at David's request, though, solemnity quick to replace it.

He's spent an awful lot of time working over this for himself, considering every angle and each implication, deciding whether or not to reshape himself and all. The one thing he's not spent much time on is David's side of it. So he nods, trying not to look the instantly guilty that he feels. ]

Right. Very reasonable. [ It's in his pocket now, it always is, and it suddenly feels so much heavier than usual. He leans in to distract himself, looping both arms low around David's waist. ] I've got a pistol, too. I'll start working on my aim, use that more.

That isn't what I mean.

[David sighs and just puts his arms around his lover, holding him.]

Keep it on you. I don't doubt that you're very good with it. I can feel the knowledge and experience in your mind when I touch you. I just... don't want to see it myself. That's all. That thing's been in me twice now. Proper narrative form demands that it finally kill me next time. And the universe doesn't function like that, but I don't want to tempt it.

do we get what we deserve?

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