for catwithhammer;

[looktothesun]

[U'rajul is maddeningly close to being ready to go back to work. Most of the bruises have faded. The ankle is coming along. He can walk now. He just can't do anything complicated...like dancing.

Worse. Sneaking out is not an option. Not only does he see Allont's disapproving face every time he considers it, but in the absence of his mother, there are at least a dozen Keeper women who scold him every time he tries to leave the building. The same women who eye Rejeh'li with great suspicion when he comes asking after U'rajul, and only after giving him the third degree, reluctantly, point him in the right direction.

It's half past noon when the knock at the door startles the dancer awake. With nothing better to do, he had been napping. He sits, confused for moment, but after the second series of knocks, he finally mumbles some acknowledgment, picks himself up, and limps his way to the door to open it.

It's pretty obvious what he's been up to. He's got bedhead, he hasn't bothered to put a shirt on, and the bed where he'd been curled up just moments before is clearly visible behind him. His sleepy expression gives way to surprise when he sees who it is.]

Rejeh'li? What are you doing here...?

[He's going to let him in regardless. It's not an admonishment. He's just honestly at a loss as he steps aside to let the other man in. Clients don't usually come to him.

It's a nice room. Not lavish, but it's clean, comfortable, and there's a cute little balcony that's more of a ledge with lattice doors that he can open to the cool night air and watch the city lights. He's decorated with various colorful fabrics, pillows, and cushions. The building itself may not be in the best part of town, but U'rajul clearly does well enough for himself.]

Comments

[catwithhammer]

[ Rejeh'li's noticeably on-edge, for once, as he casts a glance around the flat. He's spent the better part of two days arguing with himself about whether hunting down U'rajul was too much, and the gauntlet of Keeper women he had to go through to get here just reminded him that he wasn't acting like himself.

But it's too late to back out now, and he's done worse for curiosity's sake. ]

Don't really know.

[ So there. He rubs the heel of his palm, as if he'd just been working on something before he got the idea to come here, and gives the room another long look instead of U'rajul. ]

Haven't seen you in a while, and things happen in Ul'dah, you know.

[ Especially to the expendable underclass to which dancers and miqo'te inherently belong, but he keeps that to himself. U'rajul must be aware. ]

[looktothesun]

Things do happen. [ He replies with a carefully neutral tone that is suspicious in and of itself. He is indeed aware of the dangers he faces, and while he usually ignores them, it's hard to do that after the attack he'd suffered. But that is the last thing he wants to talk about.

Since Rejeh'li isn't looking at him, U'rajul remedies that by stepping directly into his field of vision and smiling gamely at him. ]

Are you trying to say that you were worried about me? Or did you just miss me that much?

[ He's teasing, sidling up to Rejeh'li with all the usual charm, but he's genuinely happy to see the Keeper, and that's obvious in the way he looks at him. ]

[catwithhammer]

[ He doesn't know how to answer that. Mercifully, he doesn't need to — it seems clear to him that U'rajul's deflecting.

Rejeh'li looks back at him, one eye squinted. ]

What happened?

[ He knows something happened. If there were an easy explanation, he thinks, U'rajul would've given it first. Thus, for whatever reason, he doesn't want to. ]

[looktothesun]

[ U’rajul is still smiling, but all the honest joy drains from his expression, and he turns away from Rejeh’li, limping his way over to a low table, large cushions serving as chairs, one of which he carefully lowers himself onto.

This is the part where he should tell Rejeh’li to leave, but instead he gestures to the place across the table, inviting him to sit. ]

I twisted my ankle.

[ Not a lie. Not the whole truth either. Now he’s the one not looking at the other. There are two pitchers and two cups on the table. He pours one, and then the other, pushing it over to Rejeh’li. A good sweet wine, which, yes, was a gift from a client. He has at least a half dozen of these bottles and no shortage of admirers. The other pitcher simply holds water. ]

It’s not an interesting story. [ He finally looks back to his guest, looking vaguely unhappy. ] Sit.

[catwithhammer]

[ Rejeh'li watches him carefully, but he sits, taking his cup without drinking from it. ]

How'd you twist your ankle? Skilled dancer like you.

[ He's still watching, sharp-eyed, like a predator searching for weakness. ]

[looktothesun]

[U’rajul’s eyes narrow slightly, and for the first time since they’ve met, he looks irritated. He doesn’t like the way Rejeh’li is looking at him. Not in a non-sexy context like this.]

Someone was holding onto it when I decided to leave. I broke his nose.

[The flash of temper fades just quickly as it had come.]

I don’t want to talk about it.

[catwithhammer]

[ He swirls his wine around, holding U'rajul's gaze through the brief annoyance, though he drops it afterward, running his tongue over a sharp canine. ]

How much would it—

[ No, he can't ask that; it sounds too serious. He waves a hand and looks away. ]

Forget it.—I'd break it twice, if I knew who it was, but if it's a big secret, I'll leave it be.

[looktothesun]

I don't know who it was. It's not a secret. I just don't want to talk about it.

[ Too serious, and he doesn't want serious. That might mean he has to examine his own reckless behavior and nope. Also, he's amused by Rejeh'li's offer. ]

Would you? Defending my honor? My hero.

[catwithhammer]

[ A muscle in Rejeh'li's jaw tightens. He would, though it'd have nothing to do with U'rajul's honor — whatever that is — and everything to do with the inconvenient nights he'd strolled past the street where U'rajul usually danced and found him missing.

Come to think of it, that big Roegadyn fool who'd stupidly sworn to get revenge for that minor slight a few seasons past was walking around with a bandage over the bridge of his nose...well, that could mean anything. ]

How is it? [ He looks into his cup, finally, as if contemplating whether to just down it all, and swallows a mouthful of wine. ] Your ankle.

[looktothesun]

[ Oh, he’s serious. U’rajul notices the tension. He noticed it when Rejeh’li showed up. The concern is kind of cute, regardless of whether it's selfish or not. He shrugs at the question, nonchalant. ]

It's coming along. I saw a healer. I can walk now, but I can't dance yet.

[ And that is killing him. A shadow passes over his face. Quick and then it's gone. He gives Rejeh'li a sly smile. ]

You never answered my question. No one's cared enough to come visit me at home before. Did you miss me that much?

[catwithhammer]

[ Gods, he hates when U'rajul turns the tables on him like this — it's like fingernails far too light between his shoulderblades. Rejeh'li shifts uncomfortably, staring into his wine again.

After a beat too long, he grins. ]

If that's what you want to hear, it's true. If it's not, I just didn't know what I'd do with all this gil.

[ Then he downs the contents of his cup. Everything is Perfectly Fine. ]

[looktothesun]

I think it's both. [ U'rajul takes the deflection in stride, never losing his smile, but he mercifully, drops the subject. ]

Don't misunderstand me. I'm happy to see you.

[ Genuinely, and not just because of the gil. ]

Without anything to do, but sit around and heal, I've been very bored.

[ He abandons his cup in favor of crawling around the table (yes, on hands and knees, he knows exactly what he's doing) and neatly into Rejeh'li's lap. ]

Are you going to entertain me then?

[catwithhammer]

[ Rejeh'li watches him, unmoving, a smirk slow to creep across his face. This is just a form of deflection on U'rajul's part, he's reasonably sure, but it's not like he's in a position to throw stones.

He can figure out more later, anyway.

One of his hands circles around the small of U'rajul's back while the other trails down his thigh, both slow. ]

Which ankle, so I know what to be careful with?

[looktothesun]

[ Rejeh'li is absolutely right. He is definitely deflecting, but there are purely selfish reasons for his behavior too. He's been starved for attention and company for weeks. There's no way he wouldn't take the other man up on his offer. ]

I don't usually see people in my rooms you know. [ He leans forward so he breathes against Rejeh'li's ear. ] I think that makes you special.

[catwithhammer]

[ It's such an obvious brush-off that U'rajul might as well have asked him, point-blank, to change the subject. It makes Rejeh'li narrow his eyes, but it also works. U'rajul is, if nothing else, very good at what he does. ]

Oh? [ His fingers trail beneath U'rajul's waistband, teasing. ] How many others have been in that bed?

[looktothesun]

[ Turnabout is fair play, my friend. U'rajul smirks back at him, and slips a hand under the hem of Rejeh'li's tunic, splaying his palm against his abdomen. ]

I don't know. If you want it to be none, then a few. If you're looking for the opposite, then dozens, clearly.

[ He laughs and traces the line of Rejeh'li's jaw with his fingertips. ]

Does it look like a bed built for more than one person?

[ It does not, and the honest answer to the Keeper's question is, not many. ]

[catwithhammer]

[ Rejeh'li gives the bed a contemplative look, fingers dipping almost absently to stroke along the base of U'rajul's cock. ]

Both fine answers.

[ He looks back at U'rajul, sliding his hand back out. It's the truth, though it took him a little internal arguing to arrive at. ]

You're right, at any rate. My bed's better suited.

[ ...Which is an idea worth pursuing, but later, when U'rajul's sated and maybe more receptive. He leans forward, tilting his head to nip at U'rajul's throat. ]

[looktothesun]

[ U'rajul shivers, and removes his hand long enough to shift and straddle the other man's lap. ]

Well, that's too bad, isn't it? You're going to have to make do.

[ He inhales sharply at the sensation of teeth against sensitive skin, slides fingers through Rejeh'li's hair, and arches his neck in a shameless display of submission. His free hand tugs impatiently at the hem of the other man's tunic. ]

I think you're overdressed.

[catwithhammer]

Get off me, then.

[ He starts to slide off the chair before U'rajul can get up, giving both his ankle and his natural grace the benefit of the doubt, and peels off his tunic as he goes. After he's left it somewhere, he turns back to reach for U'rajul's waist, and leans in to touch their foreheads together.

It'd be hard to call it anything other than affectionate, so he tempers it with a hungry grin. ]

Better?

[looktothesun]

[ U'rajul lands on his feet, without a single stumble, dropping to a crouch as slides off Rejeh'li's lap. He's standing when the other turns back to him, looking amused. ]

Much.

[ He doesn't waste time, running his hands all over Rejeh'li's chest, and then up, to grip his shoulders. ]

You're so tense. [ There a tiny hint of concern in that statement, but his smile remains playful. ]

[catwithhammer]

[ It can’t be for any U’rajul-related reasons, of course. He rolls his shoulders, a little self-conscious now, but covers for it by leaning in to nuzzle at U’rajul’s neck. ]

I had to deal with an army to get here.

[ Keeper women are terrifying. ]

Fix it for me. You must have something for that, yeah?

[ He may or may not be hoping for a collection of oil to be impressed by. ]

[looktothesun]

I’m sure you did. I grew up with some of those “soldiers”. I’m surprised they let you pass.

[ That’s more than he’s ever let slip about his past before. Again, not a secret. Just not something paying customers are usually interested in. ]

Still so bossy. I assume you mean, more than just my own two talented hands.

[ He gives the other’s shoulders a squeeze before reluctantly pulling away and leading him towards the bed. There’s an alcove built into the wall nearby and a respectable collection of scented oils within. Not so many as Rejeh’li might have hoped for perhaps, but U’rajul has good taste. ]

Would you like to choose or should I surprise you?

[catwithhammer]

[ Rejeh'li skins off his trousers and flops face-first on U'rajul's bed, naked, and stretches luxuriously, tail twitching. ]

Surprise me. I need a little time to decide what I'm going to do to you.

[ He lays his head on the pillow and fixes U'rajul with a sly grin. ]

Unless you have requests.

[looktothesun]

Hmm. I'll think about it.

[ The sight of Rejeh'li stretched out on his bed is a very nice one, and he has to tear his eyes away to peruse his collection. He selects a nice sandalwood jasmine scented oil, one of his more expensive glass vials, pauses to push his pants down over his hips, stepping out them gracefully (because he knows he has an audience), and moves to straddle Rejeh'li's waist again. If the weight of his cock against the other's back is distracting, then good. It's meant to be. He likes the idea of making Rejeh'li squirm a little.

Pouring the oil and spreading the stuff between his palms, he leans forward, rubbing it onto his partner's bare skin, and over tense muscles. ]

What in the world have you been doing? You're all tied up in knots.

[catwithhammer]

[ It seems inadvisable to admit that U'rajul's become his main source of stress relief. He got frustrated one night after not finding him, and strolled through the usual streets, but looking at other dancers just made him more annoyed, and he was finally forced to admit to himself that no one else was going to have much effect on him, at present. ]

Nothing but work. [ He pulls his hair off the back of his neck, twists it, and sets it out of U'rajul's way. ]

What have you been doing, trapped here?