Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations all characters find themselves in. Thanks so much for reading, I hope you enjoy!

So the song they're singing is based on One Voice Children's Choir's cover of Pink's 'What About Us'. I highly recommend checking it out on YouTube.

The Art of Conversation

"The art of conversation is to be prompt without being stubborn, to refute without argument, and to clothe great matters in a motely garb." Benjamin Disraeli

When they arrived at the top floor, the doors soundlessly sliding apart, Bane's ears were immediately treated to the sound of someone playing the piano. More, someone playing it with a brilliance and angelic touch that elevated the unfamiliar piece of music to ambrosia for the senses, stunning Bane into silent awe and appreciation. It soothed and enchanted Bane to the point where he just stood there, listening, for several moments before training finally kicked in and he remembered to step out of the elevator, Barsad quickly following behind him.

And as if the music had been intended to be an introduction piece, signaling their arrival, the music began to fade away into silence as Takahiro Blake stepped into view, casually but expensively dressed all in black as he walked down the front hallway to greet them. He was even more handsome in person, Bane observed, the older man's features arresting, his aura one of power and predatory intent. Robin's grandfather smiled, but it was unquestionably a predator's smile. Full of teeth and unspoken warnings.

"Good evening, Gentlemen. Welcome to my home."

Inclining his head Bane greeted his host, thanking him once again for the invitation. Barsad did the same.

"Of course. Please, follow me." Takahiro began over the piano music once again starting up, which made the older man's smile turn more to one of affection before he turned around and then motioned for them to come over his shoulder. "Robin is with the rest of the family who dined with us tonight."

Following after their host and further into the penthouse Bane was not expecting the singing that soon reached their ears in response to the new music. At least three different male voices were raised in song, one of which was as stunning as the piano playing and outshining the rest with apparent ease.

"We are searchlights, we can see in the dark
We are rockets, pointed up at the stars
We are billions of beautiful hearts
And you sold us down the river too far."

Leaving the hallway and entering into a large, open concept room, Bane's eyes were drawn first to the large white piano situated in a corner, the young man currently playing and accompanying himself recognizable from pictures and video footage as Robin's cousin, Simon. It was he, Bane noted, that possessed the voice angels could only aspire to.

"What about us?
What about all the times you said you had the answers?
What about us?
What about all the broken happy ever afters?
What about us?
What about all the plans that ended in disaster?
What about love? What about trust?
What about us?"

Bane still didn't recognize the song, but he understood well the message as he forced his gaze to move away from the young man and go looking for the one he'd come for. And found him.

It was a blow to the gut Bane hadn't seen coming. Just like that first meeting.

There was a long, L shaped couch situated near the piano. Three men currently resided on it. The Englishman sat with his back in the vee, his legs spread enough that his lover, Robin's brother, could rest between them comfortably. Eames' arm was wrapped around Arthur's waist; the one with splints on two fingers. Arthur's head was resting against the Englishman's shoulder, his gaze currently meeting Bane even as he continued to sing along with his cousin, lover, and brother. Or at least as well as he could stare, given one eye was blackened.

Bane felt zero sympathy when it came to the man's eye, and would have glared back at him until the younger man looked away if not for...

Robin. Robin with his eyes closed, stretched out on the opposite end of the couch with his cheek resting on Eames' thigh. A pillow for his head. And while logically Bane knew that there was nothing romantic or sexual about it-Eames was absently playing with Robin's hair a little. Petting it, like he had every right to. And Robin was letting him, continuing to sing away like he wasn't aware of Bane's presence. Was oblivious to him...when Bane had never been more aware of him.

His obsession was wearing a loose T-shirt and shorts, his injured leg propped up on pillows and his arm in its sling. Probably because his grandfather was around to make him. There were also crutches stashed underneath the couch and out of the way, waiting to be used when Robin got up. Crutches...the sling...and even from this distance Bane could see the discoloration of bruises marking the other man's body where skin was visible.

But more than that thought, more than his categorizing of all their injuries and positions in the room, Bane found himself looking at his bruised, infuriating Robin and knew that they were far from done. He was already in too deep.

Like Alice he'd fallen down the rabbit hole, and now must face whatever obstacles and trials were put in place until this part of his life ended and he was free once more to join the real world, his world, again. There was nothing to do but move forward. There could be no going back for them until their story came to a close naturally.

Worst of all...he'd brought this on himself. Robin had warned him the first day they'd met that they'd be the ruin of each other, and he hadn't listened. Now he was going to pay for it. Big time.

It was as Bane thought this that Robin either got tired of playing possum or finally noticed him, the other man's eyes opening to look in his direction, his gaze unreadable for the moment.

The piano playing ended as well.

When Bane glanced over it was to see Robin's cousin sulking in the direction of their grandfather, who Bane presumed had signaled the young man to stop playing.

"Allow me to make introductions. I don't believe the two of you have met my grandson, Simon."

"Hi. You guys are like Cher and Madonna, right?"

"He means you prefer to go by your first names only." Robin added with a smirk.

Bane appreciated the clarification though, and stated that yes, he preferred just Bane. And it was a pleasure to meet Simon. His singing and piano playing were exquisite.

"Thanks."

"You may call me Barsad, yes. I second Bane's assessment of your talents. I've heard recordings on your YouTube channel, but you're even more talented in person."

Wait...Barsad had been watching Robin's cousin on YouTube?

The beaming smile Simon aimed in Barsad's direction transformed his already handsome face into a work of art on par with the boy's musical ability. Bane had to blink in stunned reaction for a moment before regaining his equilibrium, and he wasn't even the one it was being aimed at. A glance in Barsad's direction...

Oh, hell. They couldn't afford to both be sucked in by the seductive powers of a Blake.

They'd never be free otherwise.

The sound of Robin's laughter drew Bane's worried gaze over to him, Bane completely forgetting about Barsad's wellbeing and continued assistance at the sight of Robin sitting up, the other man wincing before he got his features under control as he stated that Bane needed to relax more.

"Stay. You should not be getting up."

"There are so many responses to that...but my grandfather is in the room."

"Your restraint is appreciated." Was said grandfather's dry response. "And he is right. You are supposed to remain lying down with your knee elevated."

"But I want dessert! And when Eames goes to get his I'll lose my pillow."

Perhaps finally realizing that Bane wouldn't exactly appreciate Eames petting or acting as a pillow for Robin, Eames cleared his throat before pointing out that he was sure Bane would be happy to take his place. His thigh was getting a touch numb at this point.

"Or he could just use an actual pillow." Arthur pointed out as he got to his feet. "I'll grab him some."

The sense of another presence entering the room had Bane whirling around to watch Robin's father walk into the room and his line of vision. Moving slowly, because of his ribs, but even injured Robin's father had made no noise. It was only instinct that had alerted him.

"I see our guests have arrived. Mr. Bane. I've been looking forward to meeting you."

Bane had studied images of the man walking towards him and saw nothing of his 'sons' when it came to facial features. Of course such things could be tricky, especially when the parents were of two different ethnicities. Still...Bane was becoming more and convinced that while this man was Robin's father...it was not biologically. And someone like Lieutenant Shin Blake would know it.

Taking the hand offered him Bane shook and returned the greeting, adding that he hoped the man was recovering well from his injuries.

"Not as well as I did once upon a time. The perils of getting older. But I'm doing well enough, thank you." Cop's eyes stared into Bane's, evaluating him. "I hope you and Mr. Barsad have brought an appetite...the son of a woman saved during the riots has been sending us treats from his bakery all week to thank us. We have quite the variety to pick from."

He did not have much of a sweet tooth, but Bane played along and stated that that sounded delicious.

"Good. Eames, come fill up your plate with Arthur. Robin, prop yourself up against the couch and keep that knee elevated. I'll fix you up a plate and bring it to you. Understood?"

Robin's immediate nod and agreement...Bane would have to observe their relationship more.

It would be handy, to learn how to get such quick obedience where Robin was concerned.

)

It was a surreal experience, seeing Bane interact with his family. Also embarrassingly erotic, watching Bane try to hide his reactions to all the incredibly desserts he was trying, but oh well...who could blame the man. And they were all making yummy noises so it wasn't like Bane was alone in trying to stifle his reactions. Especially since unlike the rest of his family, including Eames, Bane was very much the type who would avoid desserts and treats because of the evils of sugar, carbs etc etc. Yes, everyone in Robin's own family ate better and healthier than he did, but they all indulged occasionally. Everything in moderation was one of those sayings his grandfather lived by.

Anyway, back to the weirdness of his current situation. It helped take his mind off his knee.

He was now lying in the vee of the couch, so to speak, with Bane perched at the end, his feet resting against Bane's thigh. On Blake's other side Eames and Arthur were now sitting up and thoroughly enjoying their desserts, Eames engaged in a lively conversation with Simon about Pink and her greatest hits. Arthur was even throwing in an occasional comment while Barsad seemed content to watch and listen.

Watch Simon, specifically, which was something he was going to have to keep his eye on. Both eyes, actually.

Simon and Barsad were both sitting on large pillows situated around the low, square table situated in front of the L shaped couch. Grandfather and Dad were sitting on the smaller, nearby couch, discussing with Bane their mutual acquaintances, Saito, and his travels.

His not boyfriend was totally getting the potential boyfriend treatment. Served him right.

Currently his grandfather and Bane were discussing stocks and bonds and other really boring things that generally put Blake to sleep if he listened long enough. Thankfully he had really, really excellent cake to distract him from that. And the pleasure of seeing Bane somewhat animated about a subject, even if it was a boring one to him.

Plus it was fun watching his father's face as Bane and Grandfather bonded. Hilarious.

Or it would be, if not for the worries this bonding was starting to inspire in Blake's own stomach.

Somehow-maybe he'd suffered an unnoticed head injury during the rioting- he'd completely forgotten to factor in that his grandfather shared his own tastes when it came to developing...unwanted feelings for very bad men who would never, ever in a billion years choose them over the crime and money filled life they were leading.

Put that way, it was no wonder Saito and Bane did business together, Blake thought darkly to himself. Two fucking peas in a fucking pod.

Though on the bright side maybe this meant that once this thing was officially done between him and Bane he'd go on to meet and then marry a really nice older man who would love and adore him with all his heart and soul. Even adopt some kids together. A definite silver lining.

Of course Grandfather had been a widower for quite a while now and Blake-along with other members of the family-had speculated as to just how dead Grandfather's romantic feelings for Hikaru Saito now were. Or had ever been. Yes, Grandfather had loved his husband, that was not in doubt. It was in his eyes when he spoke of him. But it was possibly to truly love two men at the same time. Probably. He couldn't get even one man to love him-so he had to base that assumption on books, movies, and antidotal stories.

"You might need to be careful. Grandfather could steal him from you." Arthur murmured to him in Mandarin. While leaning in and over to whisper it in Blake's ear to ensure that the two men they were discussing wouldn't hear him.

"He's not mine to be stolen." Blake murmured back.

"You sure about that?"

"When it comes to Bane...no."

"Wise."

"Do I want to know what you two are whispering to each other about?" Eames asked in a fake whisper, leaning over Arthur with a mischievous grin on his face.

"Sure. We were simply discussing how built Bane is." Arthur shot back oh so sweetly.

The face Eames made-Blake could not not laugh in response.

Which of course drew attention on to them, Blake's father asking him what had him so amused.

Using his most obnoxious, 'cheek pinching aunt' voice, Blake gestured beside him. "Eames and Arthur. There so cute together. Ow!"

He didn't move in time to escape his brother's smack upside the head.

"I raised them the best I could. Single parent." Blake's father sighed dramatically. "My apologies for their lack of manners."

"He started it." Arthur stated with a smile and a shrug.

"I did not."

"You're the oldest. Ergo, you started it."

Rather than answer Blake settled for sticking out his tongue.

"I apologize for my grandsons as well. And suggest that you take the older one, Bane, back to his loft since he very obviously needs to take another dose of medication and go to sleep. After the two of you have the conversation you came to have, of course."

"Almost done my cake. Then we go." Blake lifted up his plate to demonstrate he had about two more bites to go.

Okay, he could probably shove all of it into his mouth in one go...but grandfather frowned on that. Bad table manners, even when you weren't at a table.

"Finish your cake, then I will you safely back to your loft. Your grandfather is right, I can see the strain around your eyes from here."

"Those are called laugh lines, Sweetie. You'd know what those are if you had a sense of humor."

"Robin. Finish the cake."

"Yes, Grandfather."

He started it, Blake mentally added on as he jabbed the rest of the cake into his mouth just to make a point. And then had to work not to choke as it made its way down.

Grandfather spoke in Japanese, his amusement plain. "The more in pain or vulnerable you feel, the more bratty you become, Grandson."

As soon as his air passage was free..."Don't tell him that! He speaks Japanese!"

"He is always a brat around me. Therefore you always feel vulnerable when it my presence, Robin?" Bane asked with a smirk.

"I'll show you vulnerable when my knee heals up. And aim for your vulnerable spots."

Bane's amused chuckle just made Blake want to hit him where'd hurt more.

Arthur again leaned in, keeping his voice low as he reminded Blake that, for now, they needed Bane's help.

Dammit

Taking a calming breath, they did need Bane's help right now, Blake set his fork on his plate and then held it out to his brother, who stretched out and put it on the table for him. That done Blake carefully took his arm out of his sling to free it up and then poked at Bane's thigh with his foot.

"Can you get my crutches for me." A beat for emphasis. "Please."

Having set his own plate aside already Bane's hands were free as he turned and bent down, handing first one crutch and then the other over.

"Thank you." Now for the fun part. Not.

"Wait a moment."

"I've got him." Already on his feet Arthur helped Blake get to his feet and stay steady until he had the crutches in place and he was pointed in the right direction. Thankfully...they both had enough experience being on crutches that it was seamless now.

He would not look any weaker in front of Bane than he had to.

Not that his family helped with that, all of them making him promise to take his medication once he was done talking with Bane. And rest the knee. And call them if he needed anything.

That last part he got was a hint that he should call them to let them know how his conversation with Bane had gone and that he was both physically and emotionally okay.

Cause yeah, the best part of the night was yet to come, Blake thought darkly as his father hugged him goodbye. Now he had to entrust Bane with information he knew, rationally, he should not be trusting the other man with. Information Bane could very easily use against all of them, especially if he managed to trip him up and get him to tell him things he hadn't meant to tell him.

But no pressure.