Speakeasy [C]

Of course, out of everywhere in the world they could have gone for a drink it was somewhere with a prohibition.

Not that is was followed strictly. He asked the taxi driver where he could get a drink and the driver pulled out a bottle of whiskey.

They had ended up in a speakeasy that was invitation only. It was where the men dressed as woman and woman dressed as men. He saw two woman kiss in front of him only at the moment without a care of who saw.

The bar was underground, the atmosphere smokey with the amount of cigarettes lit.

Dick lit his own, sat in the corner with a bottle of champagne to keep him company. Lord knew where Giactinto or Ignacio went.

It wasn't long before Ignacio showed his face, holding a handkerchief to his lips with one hand, and holding a large glass of what some would believe was red wine in his other.

The small heels on his dress shoes clicked against the polished wooden flooring as he strode towards Dick.

He folded the handkerchief and tucked it into his pocket before anyone could notice the bloodstain on it.

"Social, as always, Dick," the incubus purred, his voice thick in the smoky room.

"I'm being plenty social."

He eyes the glass of "red wine" in Ignacio's hand before taking a deep sip of champagne, cleaning his glass. He refilled it himself.

"Someone asked me for a light and another mistook me for their, um, friend."

He raised an eyebrow at Ignacio. See? Plenty social.

"You're a paragon of popularity," he crooned dryly.

Ignacio took a seat besides Dick and plucked up the champagne glass Dick had just filled.

He set his own glass down in front of the younger Vampire.

"You must taste this."

It was also champagne, dyed red with the blood of a sweet young man Ignacio had been keeping company tonight.

He took a sip from Dick's glass, red eyes twinkling at Dick.

His eyes turned down to the glass that Ignacio set down in front of him.

"I would rather have my own."

His eyes lingered on it before he begrudgingly took the glass. He took a sip of it and hated how much he enjoyed it. He took another sip far less gracefully, tipping his head back before setting the glass down. He refilled it with his champagne.

Ignacio's lost for offering it to him.

"I guess it is okay."

"Stubbornness is only attractive in moderation, Dick."

He held up his glass to the light, spinning the stem gently between his fingers, watching the bubbles rise and pop in the glass.

Alcohol did taste better when it was illegal.

He took a hearty sip.

"I don't know if you realise, but I don't plan for it to be attractive."

He felt more comfortable being something undesirable. Sure, he liked to dress and present himself well. But being the receiving end of someone else's affection? He was happier being not.

He swapped the champagne for an inhale of his cigarette. He was remarkably courteous and blew it away from Ignacio's face.

"No, you don't much plan to be attractive," he agreed in a musing hum.

Yet somehow he managed to be almost all the damned time. It was almost frustrating how naturally attractive Dick was, despite his awful attitude.

His eyes dipped to the curve of Dick's neck when he turned his face away to exhale his cigarette smoke. The fine curls of his hair brushed at the pale skin.

Ignacio's tongue ran over his lips. He took a sip from his glass to try and chase away the thoughts.

"Unlike you."

The illegal bar was far too hot, and he was glad that it his hid his the heat rising to his cheeks. His jacket was off and slung over the back of his chair. His sleeves were rolled up.

He filled Ignacio's old glass and cooled himself down with a sip. It had the opposite effect.

"So," he gestured towards Ignacio's - now his - glass, "how exactly did you...?"

Ignacio's lips curled upwards. "Attractiveness comes easy, Dickie."

He raised his glass in thanks when it was filled and took another sip.

"The owner is a Vampire. He likes to make sure his clients drinks well. Giacinto is still... indulging." She was an indulgent woman. He was sure it would be a while before her hunger was satisfied.

Dick didn't answer. It was true. Attractiveness did seem to come easily to Ignacio. Even when he was windswept and they were in the final dredges of a journey.

"Ah," was his answer to that. It was unsurprising, but it explained a lot.

That still made it quite questionable where the blood came from.

"Explains how it is so liberal in here."

His eyes turned to where a man sat in another's man's lap, less than conspicuous.

"We are good at being liberal."

Age did that to people. Broke down inhibitions, made them think differently, more freely.

He took the last sip from his glass and held it out for Dick to refill.

"Oh? I didn't realise," he said dryly.

Living so long also meant he had also walked in or heard Giacinto and Fleck being so liberal. He had learned went to leave certain spaces free, or how to block out certain noises.

He filled the glass up awkwardly and the bubbles went up to the rim. He topped up his own and put the empty bottle on the table. He clinked their glasses.

His eyes turned to the man, both human.

"So, what exactly are you doing here?"

Ignacio arched a brow.

"Drinking champagne with a companion, I believe." His voice was too wry to attempt any of the innocence he'd intended to make with the sassy comment.

"And what type of companion is that?"

He had little belief that that companion was him. He was sure that there was someone that had caught Ignacio's eye. He was just chatting to him as he passed the time and will leave when he made a move or they dissolved in an argument.

Which, he will privately admit, was mostly his fault at times.

"One that asks a lot of questions."

His eyes ran over Dick pointedly as he took a sip.

Dick was always so prickly, so venomous. Sometimes it was a wonder that he stayed in Dick's company.

Then he'd go and do something completely enthralling, and Ignacio had his answer.

Dick didn't answer and took more interest in his cigarette. He inhaled deeply and the end lit bright and turned to ash. He flicked it off.

A waiter walked over, another bottle of champagne on a tray. The price tag was impressive.

"From the table on the other end," the waiter explained, gesturing towards to the other side to the bar, to some older men.

Undoubtedly for Nacio, Dick thought.

"I bet this is no surprise to you," he said, as the bottle was set on the table.

Ignacio turned his gaze to the man at the bar, observing him critically.

"Men like that aren't appreciative of men like me, Dickie."

Ignacio made a show of pouring Dick the first glass, and waiting til Dick took his sip before pouring his own glass.

He took a deep sip, eyes on the other vampire. His eyebrows were upturned.

How were others not appreciative of men like Ignacio?

He was attractive, in his looks and the way he held himself. Objectively, of course.

Okay, maybe not entirely objectively.

"Then what they are they appreciative- oh."

He refused to look over to the table.

Ignacio let out a low chuckle.

He raised his glass to take another sip. That blush was cute. He did love seeing Dick embarrassed.

"Aren't you going to thank them?"

"I don't owe them anything."

He drank his free drink.

"Just don't leave me now. I don't think I can be arsed getting out of that conversation if they come over."

It sometimes involved fists flying. His patience ran thin.

"First you ask me why I'm here, now you tell me to stay."

His gaze settled on Dick, eyes alight, brows drawn up in amusement.

"You give so many mixed signals, my friend." He didn't make a move to get up though.

"There are no mixed signals. I just wanted to know your true intentions and now I found a use for you."

He topped Ignacio's already partly filled glass. It bubbled over and dripped down the stem.

"I'm paying you in expensive champagne, so it gives you a reason to stay."

"You're regifting expensive champagne and hoping that my presence keeps the dogs at bay."

He set down the glass and lifted his champagne, drenched finger to his mouth, licking the droplets and streaks from his skin.

Waste not, want not.

Dick's gaze dropped to the tongue sliding across the wet skin.

"That's the idea," he said, taking longer then nesessary respond.

He shifted in his chair, crossing his legs as he stubbed out his cigarette.