*-*-*-*-*-*-*-Multiverse Mysteries-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
-*-*-*-*-*-*-40'sDetectiveNoir-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Chapter 9:
Drinks, Dates And Demon Deals
Chapter Complete!
Kay so this chapter is basically like 90% Jlijah flirting…a lot of flirting, a lot of very flustered Simon, a LOT of teasing Raphael and even a bit of a glimpse of the very rare teasing Simon and flustered Raphael…
Next chapter we're diving into the case hard…and well…the case is kinda sad so figure a nice healthy dose of fluffy flirty-ness is a good lead in.
(P.S. I know we've been light on the Xanic for the last few chapters…I swear I haven't forgotten them and we'll totally make up for it…trust me we have plenty of Xanic left both in remaining 3 chapters and in the 9 more stories to come in the series.)
Anyways I LOVE this chapter it's my favorite (I think of all my chapters…of all my series…)
Hope you like it too!
{*~********~*~********~*} *-Simon-*-Simon-*-Simon-*-Simon-*-Simon-* {*~********~*~********~*}Damnit…How the hell did he miss this?
They get found out and Alec is screwed. I mean yeah there's been some distracting drama on this case…like a LOT of drama. Okay so there's more drama on this one single case than in the entirety of the freaking graduating class of Yale Drama.
There's the regular 'cover-up-the-gay-case' drama, and the homophobic jackasses drama, and the 'working-a-case-without-letting-on-you're-working-the-case' drama, and the political drama, and the standard demon drama, and the Min-Devotees (never making that mistake again) drama, and the 'Head-Detective's-sister-is-a-demon' drama, and the 'multiple-random-colleagues-are-devotees' drama, and Simon's personal 'why-is-the-stupid-demon-so-annoyingly-appealing-please-let-it-just-be-a-spell-wait-no-I-don't-actually-want-to-be-spelled-by-the-stupidly-gorgeous-demon' drama and all of the OTHER random drama but even so; how the hell did he miss just how much Alec had to lose here?
His job, his family, the respect, admiration and standing he's been painstakingly cultivating for more than a decade- every last bit of it could be gone in a blink.
And it's Alec! The guys like a Boyscout mixed with freaking Captain America only somehow even MORE moral. The thought of letting something lie simply to save his own skin wouldn't even register to him. Simon may not know Alec super well but he knew within the first twenty minutes of meeting the guy he wouldn't hesitate to put everything on the line to protect others.
They get caught no way in hell he's even trying to distance himself- he will protect the others, take the brunt of the fallout without a second thought.
Crap…
Okay, you know what? Screw it. All the other drama can just wait, damnit. Forget the demon crap and his own personal flailing insanity and melodramas; right now he just doesn't care about any of that. He can deal with that later, after they've dealt with this hornets' nest of a case, when the best detective and easily one of the best people he's ever met ISN'T a hairsbreadth away from throwing his entire life away just to protect the 'helpless civilians' -Otherwise known as a Warlock, The most feared/stupidly powerful Demon known to exist/equally as feared Crime boss, and a streetwise reporter who's very much under said stupidly powerful demon's protection.
He's a warlock and a detective. All he wants out of life is to make this world a safer place…to protect people-protect humans. And right now Alec needs all the protection he can get.
They need to get this done, find the evidence, get it solved and to where it can be brought to light before Alec has a chance to do anything stupidly self-sacrificing. Thankfully Magnus was able to talk him into dropping it for the evening and Alec has the Family-Dinner-From-Hell to occupy him for the time being but tomorrow they were jumping right back into it first thing.
He has a very small window of opportunity to make some progress and head off the fallout as best he can. Their best lead is Albert Dawson…that's where every road seems to lead back to-it's where he has to start. He did a spell to find out where the man would be tonight- some kind of event over at the Beaumont-a fundraiser or something. He doesn't know what but as it's being held in the great hall odds are it'll be pretty crowded.
Crowded is good…crowds provide cover and opportunities for small talk/ eavesdropping/hiding a fact finding mission as a simple casual meeting and polite interest.
Simon hasn't been with the SBPD a month, he's virtually an unknown there. There's a distinct possibility Chief Lightwood doesn't even know his actual name without looking it up. So far he's got Jack, Jerry, John and Janis- though the last one may have been meant as an insult. That's okay…he might be able to use that.
So long as he avoids the words 'detective' and 'SBPD' he might be able to meet with the former mayor/potential gubernatorial candidate/father of the victim/prime suspect, chat him up and get a feel for him without letting on his true motives. There's an even better possibility of it succeeding if his plan for backup pans out.
Assuming of course the damn demon can reign in the supervillianny and dramatics for a couple hours.
Alright…he may not have too high hopes for that but he's desperate damnit.
Clearly he's desperate if he's stooping to asking a demon for help.
Much less THIS demon.
Ugh…
The teasing, preening, flickery-eye-ing and uncomfortably appealing chuckling is gonna be epic.
But still…it's for Alec…
Selfless, stupidly brave, moral-to-a-fault-and-then-some, Alec.
Damnit Alec.
Simon groans faintly, rolling not only his eyes but his entire head to fully encompass the situation. He gives a little frustrated noise as he closes his eyes, halfheartedly mumbling the Găsește-mi prietenii mei incantation, barely fighting down the slight chuckle the sheer bizarreness attaching the name 'Raphael Santiago' to such a spell caused, idly wondering if somewhere out there was some cosmic force/celestial type being with a truly twisted sense of humor getting a hell of a kick out of this. Over the near decade he'd known her Blake's told him about a lot of different cultures she'd met throughout her travels. Many had variations of a god of Chaos or Trickery; Set, Loki, Coyote, Anansi, Hermes…beings that lived for drama, chaos and madness.
Definitely seemed like this'd be right up their alley…hell, he's transporting himself to a place literally CALLED Chaos.
Yeah…no question… somewhere some higher powered being (or beings) are laughing their collective asses off at him right now.
He feels the air shift, the slightly spinney, twirly, tilt-o-whirl type feeling as the Găsește-mi prietenii mei spell completes, keeping his eyes closed for a few moments as he settles and the faint dizziness and queasiness passes. This spell's a bit of a doozy, takes a fair amount more power and concentration to master than most transportation spells. That unfortunately also means it's kinda rough on the caster, leaving them with a temporary hangover type feeling. The tradeoff is that this spell has a pretty effective built in cloaking feature. Obviously it won't stop Raphael or likely his Mi-Devotees (He'll get it) from seeing him but at least he won't just randomly appear out of thin air and terrify any nearby humans- which as he's likely to land somewhere in a crowded nightclub is more than worth the mildly hungover feeling.
Besides the side-effects don't last that long…five minutes tops and as he's always put extra effort into mastering transportation spells he usually can shake it in less than three.
He took a couple more deep breaths as the feeling begins to dissipate, just concentrating on his breathing and settling his heart and stomach. He didn't bother doing a locater spell beforehand, fairly certain Raphael would still be somewhere in Chaos. With any luck he timed it just right and caught Raphael alone in his office. He really doesn't want to have an audience while pleading with the demon for help. This'll be embarrassing enough as it is…besides so far he's met three of Raphael's devotees and it's three for three in the terrifying department.
Hell, at this point Izzy the Diavolulnou is the least terrifying of the group- he doesn't know how that's even possible. He's really good at holding at three…he definitely does not want to see what could possibly top a freaking warlock Devotee.
Kay…here goes nothing…let's see what insanity he's jumping into.
He tilts his head curiously, listening, trying to get a feel for his surroundings.
Hmm…it's quiet...he doesn't hear the exuberant ruckus of the club; no loud music, chatter and laughter. It doesn't feel overly warm and he doesn't have that odd- giddy thrill like buzz he had at the club. Hey what do you know, maybe he actually did luck out after all and caught Raphael alone in the office.
Kay…good…things might be turning around for him. Maybe he actually DID catch a break. That's not really a usual thing, but then again there's a first time for everyth-
"Hmm…must say, this is rather unexpected…not unwelcome mind you…just…unexpected."
Simon just barely fought off the groan, somehow rolling his still closed eyes at the amused, vaguely teasing tone, turning towards the voice as he began to speak, blinking his eyes open.
"Yeah, yeah, crazy, unexpected, blah, blah, blah- can we maybe save the mocking for the end or multitask and ju-umm…wha-uh…" Simon trailed off, brain stuttering to a stop, freezing like a deer in the headlights, gulping.
Umm…o-okay…uh…s-so…good news…no audience…no devotees….just him and Raphael….b-but…umm…h-he was most definitely not thinking of this…though he had a feeling that's gonna change.
They're not in the middle of the club.
T-they're not at the club at all.
They are apparently at Raphael's house…More specifically in Raphael's bedroom.
And Raphael is…
Umm…
E-Raphael is…
"Woah…" Simon startles, flailing animatedly, realizing both that he said that out loud and he just freaking magicked himself into a near total strangers bedroom while said total stranger was just barely starting to get dressed.
Oh my stars!
He had on a pair of very well-tailored black pants but that was it. A-and it kinda looked like he might have put them on in a hurry as Raphael had clearly just showered, hair glossy and more than a bit wild, skin glistening, still a little damp and with a warm pinkish flush from the heat of the water. Simon could still see a cloud of steam escaping from the en-suite bathroom behind him, a deep burgundy towel tossed haphazardly over a chair near the open door…
L-likely in the few minutes he was recovering from the transportation spell…
Oh good lord…d-did he actually magic himself into the bedroom of likely the single most feared demon in existence while said demon was naked?
Simon flails even more, flushing clear to his ears, closing his eyes tight, slapping his hand over them so hard it may leave a mark but he SO could not care less right now- not like you'd see it with the blush which is probably never going to go away-whirling around so fast he felt lightheaded again…
Though part of that could be because of the stupidly freaking gorgeous half naked demon smirking at him…
Probably a big part…
T-though at least the spell has the hangover recovery time thing cause otherwise h…
Oh my stars…
"Oh my stars! I am so, so, so, so sorry! I SO did not mean to do this! I-oh my stars-I swear I'm not a creep or a pervert or anything! I'm not! I wasn't trying to-I-I didn't see anything-I wasn't, I didn't! I-I-I thought you'd be at the club! I didn't mean to, I j-i-"
"Simon its fine, breathe. Keep this up you are going to pass out-think I could hear your heartbeat even without my demon senses. You said to save the mocking till the end. I'm assuming that means you wanted something. As a general rule I wouldn't be especially agreeable with someone sneaking into my bedroom but…well…it would appear there is an exception to every rule.
So, what is it you wanted lindo?"
Oh good lord- he didn't think it was possible to blush even more.
He felt like his face was on fire…and really bursting into flames seemed far more preferable to his current predicament. He groaned faintly, shaking his head, waving animatedly with his free hand in the general vicinity of the far too amused, dizzyingly gorgeous half naked demon.
"I-it's…n-I'll just…I'll just-I needed to ask a fav-for your help t…I y-you know I'll just go and let you finish getting dressed and come back later a-"
"That is not going to work for me. I have plans later and I'm actually running a bit behind as it is. If there's something you need we should simply discuss it now. Though as a matter of manners if we're having a conversation you really should be looking at me. It is considered quite rude to talk to someone without looking them in the eye…very disrespectful. Not really the right route if you are asking a favor."
Simon flailed, giving a disbelieving sound, free hand flailing wildly towards where the oh so amused, mocking demon's voice was coming from, turning in that direction but keeping his eyes firmly covered and closed.
"W-what…n-I ca-are you kid-that's j…But you are changing!"
"It's fine…I'm not shy."
Simon gives a near scoff of a sarcastic laugh, nodding like a bobblehead, flippantly waving.
"Yeah I wouldn't be either if I looked like that…"
Simon freezes…
Oooh crap…
He cautiously blinks his eyes open, peeking between his fingers to gauge the reaction, hoping against hope that he just thought that really loudly.
Please let that have been internal…please, please, please, pl-
Ah crap…
Raphael chuckled, that teasingly impish smirk firmly in place, stupidly pretty dark eyes doing that confusing, distracting flickery thing, eyebrow quirking.
Simon groans, flushing even more.
"T-That wasn't an internal thought…was it?"
Raphael outright laughed at that, eyes sparkling bright and mischievous, shaking his head, giving a calculatingly casual shrug, causing his arms to flex and…umm…t-umm…
Oh good lord…this is it…he's done…this is how he's going to die…he's going to literally blush himself to death…he's just gonna spontaneously combust.
Those stupidly pretty eyes spark brighter, flickering black.
"Not unless I've suddenly developed telepathy."
Simon flailed.
"Oh my stars, PLEASE let that of just been my mouth running faster than my brain can keep up."
Raphael chuckled, slipping closer, giving a slight shrug, eyes flickering over Simon consideringly, that stupidly appealing impish little smirk growing into a near grin.
"I don't know- could be pretty entertaining."
Simon tried for an annoyed glare but it just wasn't even a hint of convincing.
Aaand…cue the stupidly appealing chuckle and the eye sparkly thing.
He'd almost rather it if the demon was just angry. At the start of this case the scariest thing he could imagine was a pissed off Raphael Santiago…Now he's amending that. Without a doubt the scariest thing he can imagine is an amused, flirtily teasing, half-naked Raphael Santiago. The former may be terrifying but at least his reaction would be pretty much in-line with what he'd expect when faced with an absurdly powerful, greatly feared demon…meanwhile his reaction to the latter is…umm…uh…
Y-yeah…
He swallowed nervously, fidgeting.
"Umm- A-aren't you supposed to be getting dressed? Thought you were running behind or something?"
Raphael shrugged, shifting, turning a bit away from him, focusing on his reflection in the mirror above the dresser, hand trailing along the surface, picking up a gleaming silver comb, rolling it lightly between his fingers.
"I will…I really should get my hair in order first though…"
He lifted the comb, tilting his head, beginning to slowly tame the lightly chaotic, glossy, tousled locks into the sleek, clean style he seemed to favor. The movement with the comb caused the muscles in his back, arms and shoulders to flex and shift. Simon gulped, feeling his mouth go dry.
He was trying not to stare-he really, really was. Staring was rude and obnoxious and juvenile and he was neither a leery creep nor a desperate teenager but… Geez…there's only so much willpower one flaily little warlock can muster. He couldn't quite help his gaze lingering, shifting over all the smooth warm golden skin and sleek, powerful, well-defined muscle, just barely managing to keep in a rather embarrassing whimper like sound.
Oh my stars he was beautiful…demon magnetism or not that was just flat out not fair.
Simon shook his head faintly, swallowing again, eyes slowly slipping back up, lingering again on the play of muscle in his shoulders and arms before shifting over, startling as his eyes catch Raphael's in the mirror, that unsettlingly appealing, amused sparkle lighting the dark depths.
"So Simon…what's on your mind?"
Simon flailed, shaking his head, blush returning full force, eyes wide and slightly guilty.
"Nothing!"
Raphael chuckled, smirk taking on a teasing tilt.
"So you decided to sneak into my bedroom just for the hell of it?"
"N-no- no I did becau-I mean I didn't-I thought you'd be at the club! I had no idea that you'd be…umm…I-I wasn't…I'm not…I…Y-you know I think you got the hair down. Can you get dressed…please?"
Raphael tilted his head, gaze flickering from Simon's eyes back to his own reflection, shrugging faintly.
"Hmm…I don't know…it's still a bit out of sorts…It doesn't look like I just rolled out of bed?"
"Hell of a look for you though- I-I mean…umm…oh crap…" Simon gave a hopeless groan, shaking his head, rolling his eyes at himself before glancing back up with a slightly flailing, pleading gesture towards the far too damn amused demon.
"Man, Buddy, come on…you know what you're doing…this has GOT to be getting boring for you. Can you please just put on some clothes so I can go back to embarrassing myself on a slightly less ridiculous scale?
Please?"
Raphael gave a soft little hum, setting the comb aside, leisurely trailing has hands along the dresser, turning to face Simon, giving yet another deceptively casual shrug.
"Hmm…well seeing as you asked so nicely, of course…I am nothing if not accommodating. Though this is most definitely not boring." He murmured, voice doing that velvety thing that kinda made Simon's knees weak, pushing away from the dresser, slipping closer.
He continued forward, coming to a stop less than a foot in front of Simon, gaze flickering over him once more, lingering. Simon's breath caught, tensing up, frozen in place. Raphael tilted his head, eyes flickering black, glimmering red aura shimmering, leaning in just a tiny bit, reaching around Simon, picking up a crisp, clean white shirt off the bed that Simon only just this second realizes he's kind of leaning against.
Raphael's bed…
And again…Crap!
Damnit this blush is never going away.
Simon fumbled quickly moving to the side as he realizes he's standing directly between the demon and the neatly laid out vest, bowtie and jacket (and of course the bed). He swallows, folding and unfolding his arms, not sure what to do with his hands or arms or feet or really anything else- kinda wishing the whole spontaneous combustion thing stops dawdling and just hits him already as it'd no doubt be less painful and awkward than this.
Raphael chuckles softly, slipping the shirt on (Thank you!...Damnit…shut up brain), tucking it in, beginning to do up the buttons before glancing up, again catching Simon's eye.
"You said you wanted to ask me a favor? I'm not generally in the habit of granting favors to random trespassers who sneak into my bedroom…but…well…most trespassers aren't nearly as cute as you. Think I may be fairly agreeable to your request. What can I do for you detective Lewis?"
Oookay…uh…wow…umm…Yeesh…his head's spinning now more than it did in the damn transportation spell.
Simon gulped, trying to get himself in order and his brain to stop doing…well…that…
Damnit Simon, Focus! You're on a clock! Stop getting distracted by the stupidly gorgeous man- DEMON- and focus back on the task at hand. You're here to get help protecting Alec, not to drool over a stupidly gorgeous demon- half naked or otherwise. Besides it's not even like he's actually flirting- He's just screwing with you…that's it. Get it together. You're smarter than that.
Simon took a slightly gasping breath, getting himself back in order, shaking his head faintly before focusing back on Raphael, sobering, giving a slight nod, pushing his hair back.
"Look this case is freaking insane and in all the insanity I kinda got lost and missed the part of the insanity where Alec is a stupidly self-sacrificing Boyscout and if this blows up he's most definitely throwing himself between all three of us and as much of the fallout as humanly possible.
The entire reason I wanted to become a detective is to be able to better protect humans. Keep them safe from magic, from each other, sometimes even from their own sheer stupidity… and right now Alec needs that more than anyone.
This hits the fan you're in the clear; you're Raphael Freaking Santiago. Whatever it is, whatever it becomes, wherever it goes, you're good. You just are. I could end up screwed but it's not like there's anything actually tying me to this city. I have over a dozen different transference spells down cold. I get caught I can be two states over, set up and ready to go at a new precinct before the dust even settles. Magnus has the innate ability to turn any challenge into an opportunity and you're his best friend and well YOU so anything stupid, crazy or foolish enough to be any kind of legitimate threat to him will be totally obliterated long before he even realizes there was any actual danger…
But Alec?
Alec has everything to lose…everything. This could totally destroy him…and not in the 'knock him down and get up even stronger than before' type destroy him, but destroy him in the 'he's not coming back from this' destroy him. I can't let that happen. I won't let that happen.
I just won't." he shrugged, giving a slightly helpless wave.
Raphael flashed a faintly reassuring smile, mirroring his shrug, finishing fastening his vest.
"Do not stress so much about this lindo. It's not in any way coming to that. I know it seems a bit daunting but I've faced far more tricky situations and made it out clean. We have a good team on this. Between you and Alec's integrity and detective skills, Magnus's tenacity and cunning and my…well, near everything else, we have this well in hand. Tomorrow Magnus and I will take the lead, find some angle, some kind of leverage and we'll be good. We'll come up with a plan of attack and get this all sorted. Trust me Simon- It may seem a bit of a gamble right now but it's gonna pay off…we have this."
Simon sighed, shaking his head.
"Yeah well in the meantime I'd kinda like to hedge our bets. I did a spell to find out where Dawson will be tonight- something at the Beaumont hotel. I'm going. I'm seeing if I can find any information. I get that you are busy- clearly you have plans for tonight- but if it's at all possible I really could use your help on this."
Raphael hesitated a moment, reaching for the tie, slipping it around his neck, quickly twisting it into a perfect bow seemingly without thought, flashing a slightly apologetic look, shaking his head.
"Simon- I can't get out of this tonight. I got the invitation weeks ago and already confirmed. I really don't think this is a good idea. it's far too much of a risk- likely to blow our cover. We have this…a few hours are not going to make a difference.
Why don't you just try to relax tonight? Take the evening, have some fun, blow off a little steam, just decompress. It might even help you tomorrow- you really are far too tightly wound. It's not good for your health."
Simon scoffs, giving a disbelieving, sarcastic wave.
"Yeah well I'm a not-really-even-kinda-straight warlock/newbie detective working a murder case with a gay victim, a stupidly moral, closeted, son of the chief/head detective, an over the top, flamboyant reporter, and a freaking demon crime boss and our lead suspect is the victim's father/ former mayor/future gubernatorial candidate…
It is a stressful situation okay?
How the hell am I just supposed to 'relax'?"
Raphael shrugs, the teasing smirk back full force, gaze flickering over Simon consideringly, mischievously quirking his eyebrow.
"I can bring a date tonight?"
Simon glares.
"You are such a jackass."
Raphael chuckles, shrugging.
"I can be…it's part of my charm."
"No…no it's really not."
"Yeah it is." He winked, slipping his jacket on, turning towards the bedroom door, pausing to check his reflection in the elaborate three sided floor length mirror set along the wall to the left of the bed.
He tilted his head, adjusting his collar a bit, head tilting the other way.
"Hmm…something's not q-oh I know…this is the wrong shirt."
Simon gave a slightly growly groan, rolling his eyes, flailing animatedly.
"Oh the shirt's fine, you look gorgeous and you know it damn good and well, you just want to screw with me more! You're such a-" Simon trailed off at the light snap of Raphael's fingers, the shirt changing from the crisp white to a deep, rich, burgundy and a slightly different style, dark eyes catching Simon's, flashing a teasing little smirk.
Why that lit-he could hav-all that t-he c-
Simon growled, glaring.
"You're evil..."
Raphael chuckled, quirking his eyebrow, shrugging carelessly.
"I'm a demon…besides it's not like you actually minded."
Simon huffs, glaring even more, shaking his head.
"I REALLY don't like you."
Raphael chuckled, slinking up next to him, slipping his arm around Simon, clasping his shoulder, squeezing faintly causing Simon's heart rate to spike and breath to catch, that dizzying, addicting heat running all along his side. Raphael leans in close enough his lips nearly brush against Simon's ear, sending a worryingly pleasant shiver straight up his spine, causing Simon's breath to stutter, subconsciously leaning in, Simon does just barely manage to keep in the little whimper like sound threatening to escape but it's a dangerously close thing and his knees feeling like jelly, head spinning.
"That's okay; I like you enough for the both of us."
And there goes the stupid little whimper. Ugh…Simon growls faintly, shaking his head at himself before glancing over at Raphael giving the best possible glare he can muster, trying to offset the blush yet again creeping up clear to his ears, trying to steady himself, cursing himself for falling so easily for the demons little game…he's smarter than this damnit. He actually DOES have some willpower…
He does…
H-he thinks…
Or he thought…
He catches Raphael's expression, that knowing little smirk and impish little eye sparkle thing…Damnit…he read every last part of that. Every last one.
Raphael smirked, linking his arm with Simon's.
"Well this has been delightful but I really do need to get going…Walk me out?"
Ugh…no wonder why the damn demon's so stupidly gorgeous…he needs it to cover all the Jackassery.
Guess he IS on his own here…
{*~********~*~********~*} *-Simon-*-Simon-*-Simon-*-Simon-*-Simon-* {*~********~*~********~*}Crap…Albert's at some fancy uptown kinda event- some Gala something or other, packed to the gills with the rich, well connected, and powerful…
And then there's Simon…
He tried damnit but he still sticks out like a sore thumb. He's staying around the outskirts of the place, trying not to attract attention but it's not really working. He hasn't even made it into the actual event proper, still hovering by the door between the lobby and the ballroom and he's already cornered by a couple arrogant, stuffy jackass trust fund brat brothers talking down to him, making snide little comments about his suit and shoes, lack of a watch or accessories and pretty much any other stupid little thing they can land on, asking how he even got in here.
Alright…so…yes he wants to protect humans… but does that have to include ALL humans? Cause seriously these two jackasses almost make freaking Dax seem tolerable…
Okay that might be a BIT of an exaggeration but they're easily on par with the homophobic jerks down at the precinct yammering on about how lucky it was that the former mayor no longer had that unpleasant drama to deal with (Meaning his own damn son).
Hmm…how suspicious would a poison oak outbreak be in the middle of a swanky, upper crust party?
Yeah probably won't fly…he figured the closest these two snooty ignorami ever got to nature was the potted plants in the lobby of the Ritz.
"And really did you even try with your hair? Or is it just a lost cause…I mean y-"
Okay no poison ivy…no punishing spell that's super obvious or tied to nature…cause well…need something attached to something they might actually come into contact with or plausibly develop.
Hmm…maybe if he can just get them to shut up. A laryngitis spell? Eh…he's kinda fuzzy on that one. Something close though… hey, that might work! What's the one for a frog in your throat? Oh the other one though…not the literal one- that might cause a bit more of a scene than he wants…
"-seriously are you supposed to be with the staff? Oh wait, they're actually dressed better-"
Then again…
He took a deep breath, rolling his neck, trying in vain to hold on to the last shreds of his civility and remember the less dramatic broasca în gât spell before just saying to hell with it and hoping maybe by some absurd coincidence there serving frog legs at this thing so he has some semblance of a cover. Flashing a phony smile again reminding himself that he wants to help humanity…
Even the moronic, snooty, hoity-toity parts of humanity…
All of them are worth protecting.
"-and what color even IS that - old shoe rubber?"
Alright almost all of them…
Simon rolls his neck again, flexing his fingers, feeling his magic flicker and ripple, the familiar feel of the buzzing electric zing picking up, trailing from his clenched hands up his arms. He startles faintly at a sudden, way too inviting and already far too familiar heat all along his side, the dizzying, enticing wave of power sending an exciting, pleasurable little shiver clear down to his toes, arm slipping casually around Simon's waist, drink held out in front of him with the other.
"There you are, I've been looking everywhere for you…starting to think you ran out on me." Raphael mummers, voice doing that dizzying velvety thing that makes Simon's knees weak, unable to help leaning into the other man, glancing over, catching his eye, along with the impishly playful, mischievousness, sparkly thing.
Out of the corner of his eye Simon sees the two jackasses freeze, eyes widening into the by now all too easily identifiable 'oh crap Raphael FREAKING Santiago' expression that's been a source of immense annoyance and near unyielding agitation throughout this entire day.
At this one single moment in time that expression is hands down his absolute favorite expression in existence.
Simon just barely fights down an excited laugh or a way too flaily fist pump.
Oh…this is SO much better than the frog thing!
Okay…alright…in point of fact he's totally against a demon tormenting a human…or most anyone else. And true Raphael's supervillianish tendencies really are irritating as hell nine times out of ten…but if this wasn't the tenth time he didn't know what was.
Besides after near thirty minutes of picking apart every last aspect of his appearance, demeanor and social standing tweedledum and tweedledumber more than have it coming. The broasca în gât may of actually been far more merciful compared to the Raphael dramatics.
He should probably feel bad…
He should…but he really, really doesn't.
Simon gives a soft hum, relaxing a bit more, settling closer to his side, flashing a totally relieved, slightly flirty smile, resting his hand on Raphael's arm, squeezing lightly, lingering, fingers absently tracing along his arm familiarly. He gives a warm chuckle, teasingly rolling his eyes.
"Oh Raph don't be ridiculous, why would I ever want to do that? Especially when you were nice enough to surprise me by bringing me here. Though a bit more of a heads up would've probably been nice…" He trailed off, gaze shifting from Raphael over to the other two men, flashing an annoyed, pointed smile before shifting again over to Raphael, giving a disappointed little shrug.
"Apparently I am quite underdressed for it."
A flicker of surprise passed across Raphael's expression, so quickly Simon is half convinced it was his imagination before it shifts, eyes glimmering, flickering black, bright and smile taking on the impish, devious little tilt. He shrugged, gaze slipping slowly down then all the way back up Simon, lingering pointedly on his lips before shifting up the rest of the way, again meeting his eyes, head shaking faintly, swallowing, giving a soft, low, growly kinda hum that Simon felt clear down to his toes.
"You look good to me."
He can't quite help his breath catching, or the little near whimper that slips out…maybe he can just play it off as part of their act type thing. Seems to work in his favor in any case. If the jackasses looked nervous before now they look on the verge of terrified. They're both quite a few shades paler than a few moments ago and he can see a faint tremble in tweedledumber's hand.
Raphael appears to finally register the presence of the other two men, almost seeming to startle as if he forgot himself, stepping a tiny bit back from Simon. He flashes a seemingly friendly smile, head tilting.
"Oh hello Grayson, Theo…lovely to see you two this evening. How have you been?"
They startle, blinking, nearly flailing. The one on the right gulps, nodding like a bobblehead.
"Oh u-uh…g-good you too….umm…d-didn't know you were coming tonight…glad to see you changed your mind."
The other one nods, gulping, eyes somehow widening all the more.
"Y-yeah good to see you Mr. Santiago."
Raphael chuckled, waving him off.
"Now, now, no sense standing on such formality tonight. This isn't a business deal- it's a party. Raphael's fine." He gave a faint low chuckle, quirking his eyebrow, eyes flashing black.
"Well…for this evening in any case. I do have a reputation to uphold after all."
Simon couldn't help a little chuckle of his own. He settled closer, again resting his hand on Raphael's arm, squeezing lightly. Raphael glanced over, catching his eye. Simon flashed a playfully teasing, blatantly flirty smile, rolling his eyes affectionately. Raphael smiled, shrugging, slipping a bit closer. Simon quirked his eyebrow, head tilting towards the other two men. Raphael seemed to again startle, flashing an apologetic smile Simon's way, hand coming to rest on his shoulder, squeezing gently, glancing over to the other men.
"Sorry where are my manners. Grayson, Theo, this is my...friend, Simon."
"Friend?" the one on the left blurted, before somehow paling even more, freezing in place- Simon can practically see the gears in his head screeching to a stop.
Raphael quirks his eyebrow challengingly, eyes flashing black, the glimmer of inky black and blood red flames flickering to life from his hands up clear over his shoulders. Humans wouldn't see the magic but they'd sure as hell feel the power…maybe not know what it was but the little lizard part of their brain would sense the threat and react accordingly.
"What are you implying, Theodore?"
'Theodore' flails so hard it's a wonder he doesn't pull something, head shaking frantically, waving his hands.
"Oh Uh…n-n-nothing I wasn't I j…that's not…I'm not I'd never s-not that there's-t-the umm…u-wha-"
Grayson startled, tapping Theo so hard on the arm it'd likely leave a mark, gesturing vaguely over towards the far side of the ballroom.
"OH! Uh look! Mr. Wilson's over there! We really need to talk to him it's kinda an emergency can't wait so w-were just gonna go- nice seeing you Mr. um Raphael and meeting you- have a good time-well of course y-oh um…not uh not that you're um…bye!" He finished, turning, the two scrambling away so quickly they very nearly take out a waiter.
Raphael watches them for a moment before turning to Simon, flashing a playfully questioning smirk. Simon chuckled, shaking his head, unable to fight off a grateful smile.
"You enjoyed that way too much."
Raphael quirks his eyebrow, settling closer.
"Like you didn't?"
Simon laughed, shrugging, concedingly nodding, taking a deep drink from the glass Raphael handed him, again shaking his head.
"Can't argue with that. Thanks, couldn't have timed that better if you tried. Seriously one more crack and tweedledum and tweedledumber were in for a rude awakening…" He chuckled, tilting his head.
"Alright, maybe not quite as rude as the one they just got but it was more than deserved." He smiled,
"And I really do appreciate you coming to help. Sorry for pulling you away from your plans…hopefully you didn't have to call them off entirely.
Maybe if this doesn't take too long you can still make it?"
Raphael shrugged, unconcerned.
"Actually I didn't have to call them off at all."
Simon blinked in confusion for a moment before it clicked. He froze, grip on his drink glass tightening.
Why that j…ugh…
Damn demon…
He took a deep breath, shaking his head in disbelief.
"This was your 'plans' for the evening?"
Again Raphael shrugged.
"I got the invitation weeks ago but declined as I get dozens. However when it clicked that Dawson was our target I remembered hearing mention he'd be in attendance. With his upcoming bid this would be an ideal place to begin building the campaign groundwork. Seemed a fairly sure thing. When I called Kevin to give him a heads up on our visit I also called and said I would be in town after all tonight and asked if it was too late to RSVP.
It wasn't so here I am." He trailed off with a playfully impish smile.
Simon began to flail but remembered where they were, settling for an annoyed huff and a glare to end all glares, slipping closer so as not to be heard.
"Why didn't you just say so!?"
He shrugs.
"Well I did ask you to come along, you turned me down."
Simon growled, leaning closer, eyes flashing gold, glimmering green.
"No, you asked me to be your date."
Raphael's eyes flash black, lighting with an excited spark, leaning in closer.
"Yes…to the Gala."
"You didn't say that!"
"You didn't ask…"
Simon just barely keeps his annoyance in check, taking a couple deep breaths to get his flickering powers in check. Humans can hardly ever see them unless they're actively revealed but still he needed to tramp it down…
Also the damn demon was getting far too much enjoyment out of it….
He takes another deep breath, shaking it off, moving on.
"O-okay you know what? Forget it, we're both here- we're here for the same reason, may as well work together. we'll find him and see if we can get any info…hopefully quickly- I stick out like a sore thumb here…"
Raphael sighs, giving a faint nod, glancing over him.
"Yes…that really is not the right suit for this occasion…or…any occasion."
Simon huffed, giving a slightly flippant wave, leaning close enough so only Raphael will hear him.
"Yeah, yeah I know- that's what the jackass brothers were snarking about for the last near thirty minutes. Look this is the best I have, alright? I'm not a 'fashion' person, I don't care about it, I don't like it- and frankly I'm pretty sure the feelings mutual. I know there's spells for that kinda crap but I never had any interest in wasting my time on such shallow, trivial things."
Raphael glanced over the suit again, giving a slightly apologetic shrug.
"I…wouldn't call it trivial now."
Simon rolled his eyes.
"Yeah well neither would I but I don't have the time to run home and comb my spell books for one…this just has to do, now come on, let's go find Albert."
He catches Raphael's arm, tugging, beginning into the ballroom where the event actually is taking place. Raphael sighs, shaking his head, catching Simon's arm right back, turning, tugging him back through the lobby, making their way a bit down a hall, finally pulling him into a small, kinda secluded alcove type area, glancing around to ensure they're alone before turning back to him. Simon looks back in confusion.
"What?"
Raphael sighs, shaking his head, holding his hands up placatingly.
"Okay I really cannot let you do that."
"Wha-"
"I'm not caught up with the whole materialistic, flashy, appearances 'thing' but about every other person in that room is. I'm not trying to be rude but you go in there like that the security's gonna be all over you. Even WITH my reassurances, we'll never get anywhere near Dawson if every five minutes some stuck up busybody is flagging down security about the gatecrasher."
Simon flailed, shrugging helplessly.
"Well I can't really do anything about tha-"
"I know you can't…but I can."
He reaches up, snapping his fingers. Simon startles, feeling an odd swoopy like shift, glancing down, startling again realizing he's now in a perfectly tailored suit, nearly identical to Raphael's only instead of the crisp black his is a very deep midnight blue. Raphael smiles, slipping closer, holding up a crisp clean bow tie, kind of waggling it before lifting it up, slipping it around Simon, smoothing it around the back of his neck, fingers trailing over the soft, crisp black silk, down to the very ends, using them to tug Simon in closer.
Simon gulped, breath catching, feeling the blush creeping up from his cheeks all the way up to his ears, breath becoming short, pulse leaping, feeling lightheaded and slightly dazed. He swallows nervously, trying to get his voice to work.
"W-umm…what…"
Raphael gave a slight shrug, smiling.
"Eh, magic's fine enough for the rest but the details require a personal touch- it always looks far better."
Simon tried to laugh it off but the sound came out far too breathless and giggly for his liking.
"H-ha…s-sure...you just want to screw with me."
Raphael tilted his head, smirking, beautifully deep eyes flickering over his features, tugging him a tiny bit closer.
"Hmm…perhaps…Or perhaps I just wanted an excuse to be closer to you."
Simon tries for a sarcastic scoff but misses by a mile…on the plus side while his knees feel weak they are still actually holding him up- wobbly but still up- and he did just barely manage to keep the embarrassingly desperate little whimper like noise internal this time. He's calling it a win.
It's the best he can hope for in any case.
Simon swallows, glancing down a-
W-wait…what?
He blinked, shaking his head in surprise.
"You're shorter than me…"
Raphael chuckled, glancing up the tiny bit at him, eyebrow quirking teasingly.
"Yes…and?"
Simon gave a faintly giggle like laugh.
"No I just…I didn't…I-wh…how have I not noticed that?"
Raphael chuckled again.
"You're not really supposed to…"
"Huh?"
He shrugged faintly.
"It's a demon perception thing. Even if we don't appear overly imposing physically other beings brains still register the threat, the power, strength all of that. It has a tendency to blur some aspects- height for example. It kinda helps the mind reconcile the threat they feel with the information they perceive visually.
It's only subtle differences but it does help.
Now stop talking, the way you tie your tie says quite a lot about you…need to ensure you're saying the right thing."
Simon laughed, rolling his eyes.
"Uh huh…sure. You just want me to shut up."
Raphael smiled, leaning in faintly.
"Now why on earth would I want that?"
Simon quirked his eyebrow.
"Umm…because you've met me?"
Raphael gave a soft, dizzyingly warm laugh, shaking his head.
"It's not a ploy for silence; it's a cover to get us close to the target without attracting attention. Don't let the high end suits, designer gowns and glitzy jewelry fool you- that is a room full of vicious, opportunistic vultures just looking for weaknesses to pounce on and pick one another apart…
I'd really prefer not to give them the opening."
Simon swallowed.
"Uh…m-me neither. Tie away, I'll shut up."
Raphael gave yet another soft, warmly dizzying chuckle, eyes glimmering softly in a way that kinda made Simon's head spin.
"Just for a moment."
Raphael hummed softly, slipping closer still, eyes sparking bright, head tilting in that animalistic, nearly hypnotic kinda way, deft fingers sliding over the silk of the tie, catching, perfectly twisting it into place. He stepped back, admiring his handy work, smoothing his hands over the shoulders and down his arms, checking to be sure. He swallows, eyes flashing black, brilliant crimson aura flickering bright, looking up, meeting Simon's gaze. Simon feels his heart rate soar, suddenly lightheaded and breathless.
Raphael smiles, giving a nod, reaching up, adjusting the bowtie once more.
"There…perfect."
Simon gave a soft, kinda breathless laugh, quickly taking a step back, trying to get his head to stop spinning. He swallowed, taking another deep, slightly gulping breath. Simon shook his head, blinking a couple times, glancing down, looking over the suit in surprise.
"Wow…this is something else. Alright, all ready for the ball…so long as we're done by midnight we should be good."
Raphael chuckled.
"Cinderella…really?"
Simon shrugged, flashing an unconcerned smile, kind of gesturing towards the suit in emphasis.
"Hey…it does fit."
Raphael chuckles, smirking, pretty deep eyes flashing teasingly.
"So does that make me your prince charming?"
Simon scoffed, rolling his eyes before pausing, flashing a teasing smirk of his very own, holding up his finger consideringly.
"Actually I'm pretty sure that makes you my fairy godmother…"
Raphael glared; Simon laughed feeling a bit of a giddy thrill, reaching over, catching his arm, the two beginning back towards the party a bit more of a spring in Simon's step.
Thirty Minutes Later…
Alright NOWmaybe they'll get somewhere…
Simon fits in far better. He's still getting looks but they're more the politely interested 'who are you' as opposed to the snarky 'who let you in' ones…it's far better. They haven't seen Dawson yet but more than a few people have mentioned he'll be in attendance. He wasn't due to arrive for nearly an hour as he had some other political meeting to attend beforehand but his handlers had reassured the hostess that he'd be here.
Right now they're just playing the waiting game. At least it's a fair bit better now that he blends in. Man no way in hell he'd of been able to pull this off without Raphael. The guy might be a jackass and obnoxious and way too much of a tease but no two ways about it without him Simon would have been out on his ass. Simon's never been one to just let something lie, especially when someone purposefully goes out of their way to help him.
He reached over, lightly resting his hand on Raphael's arm. Raphael glances over, head tilting curiously, Simon flashed a grateful smile and a bit of a shrug.
"Hey…umm…thanks for this…it helped a lot. And even though I know less than nothing about fashion gotta admit it really is a smart suit."
Raphael shrugged, giving an unconcerned nod, taking a sip of his drink, casually scanning the crowed.
"Of course it is- it's actually one of my favorites."
Simon froze, eyes widening faintly.
"What…it…it's yours?"
Raphael nodded.
Simon blinked in surprise, head shaking faintly.
"W-what, why?"
"Eh, it's far easier to snap up something you already have, just magic something from a different location rather than try to fabricate an entirely new item."
Simon shook his head, swallowing, looking down at the fabric- at the very, VERY expensive looking fabric-glancing around kind of nervously at all the things he could spill/drop on it/ catch it on. He shook his head again.
"Oh uh…y-you really didn't have to do that."
Raphael chuckled, quirking his eyebrow.
"If we wanted to get anywhere near Dawson without arousing suspicion I did."
Simon flushed faintly, fidgeting.
"Yeah…" he sighed faintly, slumping, giving a bit of a hopeless shrug.
"L-look thanks again. A-and I swear I'll be careful and I'll have it back to you good as new a-"
Raphael shook his head, giving a dismissive wave.
"It's fine Simon…" He trailed off, glancing over, gaze trailing over Simon much like it had earlier during their little tormenting of the jackasses. And yet again Simon felt his pulse speed up, feeling kinda breathless and punch-drunk under those bewitching eyes. His gaze again slipped back up slowly, lingering on his lips before locking eyes with Simon. He made that low, soft growly hum like sound again…the one Simon feels clear down to his toes.
"Actually you should just keep it."
Simon blinked, feeling kinda fuzzy headed, thinking he must have misheard.
"W-what?"
Raphael chuckled, shrugging, eyebrow quirking in amusement.
"You should keep the suit Simon."
He gulped, shaking his head.
"Oh, no, I-I can't do that, it's way too m-"
Raphael reached over, resting his hand on Simon's arm, squeezing lightly.
"It's not…it is more than alright. I really do have more suits than I know what to do with. It's one of dozens, and it would be good for you to have something suitable for these types of events, just in case." He paused, eyes flickering over Simon once more, giving a soft, near wistful sigh.
"Besides it looks far better on you."
Simon gave a disbelievingly surprised laugh, quickly shaking his head.
"That is not possible."
Raphael tilted his head, shrugging.
"And yet it is."
Simon flushed slightly, shaking his head, swallowing nervously, feeling his head spin even faster than it did during the Găsește-mi prietenii mei.
(Damn...he was good).
{*~********~*~********~*} *-Raphael-*-Raphael-*-Raphael-*-Raphael-*-Raphael-* {*~********~*~********~*}Mmm…He's blushing again, cheeks warming to that soft, pretty pink…and there goes the little catch in his breath, heart rate speeding up a few tics, a way too cute, amazed smile blooming accompanied by an entirely too appealing, disbelievingly breathless little laugh that seems to sneak out. Simon catches the sound the same time Raphael does, freezing, eyes widening slightly. He tries to subtly peek over to see if Raphael missed it.
Raphael smirks, eyes flickering black, brow quirking teasingly, flashing a playful wink. Simon huffs faintly, eyes flashing gold, glimmering green dancing about the edges like flames, cheeks flushing even more, a tiny hint of pink tingeing the tips of his ears now as well.
Raphael can't quite help a soft chuckle, settling closer, hand resting on Simon's shoulder, fingers lightly trailing down his arm. There's a soft little hitch in his breath, a stutter, an exciting little shiver slipping though him clear down to his toes. He swallows nervously, glancing away, shaking his head, fidgeting with his drink glass, taking a sip, but Raphael catches the flicker in his eyes again, even brighter this time. Raphael has to fight down an excited little shiver of his own.
Hmm…he's so very reactive…so responsive. It is worryingly appealing…but it has to stop. He has to rein it in. He does…he knows he does…and he will…W-well…he'll try…doesn't know how successful he'll be at it though. He's been 'trying' all day- no luck so far. He knows he needs to stop pushing the feisty little warlock but…hell…he just can't seem to help it. The guy's exciting, enthralling…damn near addicting.
Especially when his pretty eyes flash like that…
Damnit…he really needs to pull back. It's completely unfair pushing the guy so much. I mean it's not like tormenting warlocks is in any way out of his wheelhouse but Simon is nothing like the warlocks he's encountered.
Warlocks in Raphael's experience are by and large close-minded, snobbish, sanctimonious, xenophobes, totally wrapped up in their own perceived superiority and need to meddle in the affairs of those they deem 'less than'- which was everyone who wasn't a warlock of equal or higher standing. Simon isn't some self-righteous, judgmental jackass out to make a name for himself or further his own agenda. He's not arrogant, condescending or superior. He doesn't look down on humans or demons or…well…anyone really (well, with the exception of Chief Lightwood but Raphael is right there with him on that one.). Simon is nothing like a 'warlock.'
Hell Simon's nothing like anyone Raphael's ever met.
The guy's something else. He's almost unsettlingly moral, with a righteous fire and protectiveness that flashes and flickers, showing through in near every action, every word. In his experience 'Righteous' and 'Warlocks' is a pretty big misnomer. Oh don't get him wrong- they THINK they're righteous and moral- but it's mainly just 'righteous indignation' and 'moral superiority'. They'll talk about 'protecting' and 'helping' the humans till they're blue in the face but it generally boils down to condescension and a belief that they simply know better, that they are better, are above the humans- and it goes without saying far above the 'evil, vicious, monstrous' demons.
But Simon…there is no condescension there- none whatsoever. He's confused by human society- by the prejudices and shortcomings- disappointed, even angered by it no question. But even with everything involved in this case Raphael has felt none of the dismissal and disdain he's encountered from near every other warlock towards humanity. Simon genuinely wants to help, make the world better, protect people, keep them safe. Not because he thinks he's 'better' than them but simply because he feels it is what's right…what he's meant to do.
What he wants to do.
It kinda throws everything Raphael has ever known about warlocks out the window. It also seems to have an annoying knack for slipping right past every last one of Raphael's shields, surprising him, knocking him off kilter. After nearly three and a half centuries of life there's not a hell of a lot that can do that, and yet Simon manages it without even trying.
But if the unsettlingly charming morality knocks him off kilter the delightfully electrifying snark, sass and feistiness pretty much knocks him off his feet. The guy's a firecracker. Raphael's never had anyone so quick to stand up to him, call him out, and come right back at him without hesitation. It's absolutely thrilling, near intoxicating. He knows he shouldn't poke at the guy so much, should go easy on him but…hell…how is he supposed to do that when that strong, stubborn streak spikes up? When he gets that spark, the fire, those pretty brown eyes sparking bright, flashing gold and green, the flair of power and electrifying rush of challenge...mmm…It was definitely something else.
At their initial meeting, once he determined that the warlock tagging along was no threat to Magnus he had every intention of going easy on the guy…he really did. He could tell right off the bat the guy was less than no threat. I mean yeah in general a warlock being anywhere near someone he loves would raise all kinds of red flags…and it did…
Then he actually saw the warlock in question…and said warlock saw him.
Which was…umm…rather interesting.
Raphael felt the warlock's power the moment they'd reached the door of the club…but it was odd. Kinda soft…muffled…It threw him at first why he couldn't sense the Warlock until they were all but inside the club, thinking it was some kind of shielding spell to mask an attack. Then he realized the reason his abilities were so hard to sense was simply because the warlock was quite young- likely just striking out on their own on that 'finding their place in the world' type forced adventure- the Descoperire. That was more than a bit unexpected, kinda piquing his curiosity.
He knew the warlock was with Magnus- yet another cause for alarm, but given that he felt no distress from Mags and while he felt more anger from the warlock than he'd initially prefer in that proximity to Magnus he didn't feel anything overly malicious rather just the standard 'righteous indignation of demons in any proximity to humans' that always accompanied a run in between the three types. Not exactly stellar per se but pretty much par for the course.
He really didn't know why a young, inexperienced warlock was actually willingly entering the lair of a demon- any demon much less HIS lair- but well…Mags was involved. In those circumstances he'd long since learned not to even bother trying to guess, rather just roll with it and see where the Mags-sanity took them…it was usually a hell of a ride and he'd of never guess it anyways.
And given that this current Mags-sanity involved a murder investigation, a gay victim, a likely staged crime scene, a tangled hornets' nest of politics and homophobes, an addictingly feisty warlock detective AND a stupidly moral head detective- also known as his Persoana dreapta's brother (news to him…along with the homophobic father being the chief of the SBPD)…uh…yeah kinda glad he didn't try guessing…he wouldn't have got anywhere close.
Even so he knew for some unexplained reason Magnus was dragging some poor, confused, panicky warlock into his club. By the emotions he was picking up he knew the warlock realized exactly who they were going to see. He figured it involved some very random, very Magnus-esq comedy of errors that likely ended with the warlock either revealing Magic to a human or facing down 'The Raphael Santiago'.
Gotta admit even given the mores and dangers involved with the whole warlock/magic human reveal thing he was rather surprised they chose the latter.
He was pretty curious to see the unlucky warlock being drug into a demon den by a no doubt well-meaning but woefully misguided Magnus. He figured there was some rational-ish explanation. Assuming the warlock didn't harbor any ill-will towards Magnus he'd simply see what was going on, find out what Magnus was doing that was bringing him into the proximity of a warlock, find out if it involved any danger, fix whatever he could and send the warlock on their way with an interesting story about surviving a trip to 'The Raphael Santiago's Demon Den'- simple enough.
Or he thought it would be…until he actually saw the warlock…and the warlocks reaction to seeing him.
Dios…that was NOT what he was expecting.
He expected a warlock… He did not expect the warlock to be the most adorable freaking guy he'd ever seen. Warlocks were not adorable damnit! They were arrogant, self-obsessed, sanctimonious tools. They were not 'cute', nothing about them was supposed to be 'cute'. They did not blush and startle and flail and babble and squeak. They did not have big, wide, worryingly innocent golden brown eyes and soft, verging on pretty features and a far too sweet smile.
Maybe it was a spell? A kind of camouflage…a way to throw off the demon? He'd considered it, double checked as the trio had made their way up the stairs just to be sure, searching for any kind of trace of a false image or altering charm or the like but came up blank.
Nope…no spell…just a worryingly adorable warlock. A worryingly adorable warlock who was attracted to him. And pretty ticked off at said attraction.
Okay hardly the first time for that. Izzy wasn't wrong, he does get reactions quite often, and there's more than a few (primarily men) who would really prefer not to be attracted to a Demon crime boss…particularly a male demon crime boss. in general unless he needs it for some specific advantage or they're a particularly homophobic jackass he doesn't make a point of calling attention to the reactions. That tends to feel rather mean spirited and it's not as if they have any control over who they're attracted to. He doesn't go about teasing, tempting and baiting them just for the hell of it, that's rather cruel and unnecessary.
Besides as he tends to view the entire concept of sex/sex appeal/and sexual desire as just kinda 'meh' his reactions to their reactions typically range anywhere from indifference and uneasiness all the way up to annoyance to outright anger. In most cases when it comes to the whole physical reactions to him his feeling is less is more, just ignore it and power through till they get over their stumble.
But of course as with everything else in this again Simon was completely different. He reacted…a lot…like…a LOT a lot…but it was different. Oddly sweet, refreshing and enticing, exhilarating in a totally unexpected, fun kinda way that left Raphael near giddy, eager to see what other fun, unique, charming reactions he could get out of the adorably flustered little warlock.
It never seemed overly sexualized or objectifying, more appreciative and admiring. Even when Simon had actually transported into Raphael's bedroom when Raphael was barely even halfway dressed. Even when Simon was flat out staring (and trying so damn hard NOT to stare…annoyed that he couldn't help himself) there wasn't even one second when the attention felt uncomfortable or in any way unwelcome…quite the opposite in fact. It was thrilling, electrifying…kind of intoxicating. I-it…honestly it was just fun; leaving Raphael's head kinda buzzing and his heart racing.
That came as a hell of a shock…just the entire thing. Everything from the fact that a warlock still on his Descoperirewas able to flawlessly complete theGăsește-mi prietenii mei incantation, to Raphael's mood pickup when he realized who it was transporting into his bedroom, to his surprise that he apparently liked the feisty little warlock enough to actually grant him permission to pass through his shields. And consciously or not he had to of…absolutely no way anyone would have been able to transport into Raphael's home- much less his bedroom- without Raphael on some level allowing it.
Okay so in point of fact when he felt the magic shift he'd been a bit annoyed at someone for intruding but it was rather worrisome just how quickly that changed when he realized just who his surprise visitor was. Also he was way less than just half-dressed.
In truth he had a moment of hesitation, curious to see just what his reaction would be to the initial situation but when he realized from the fairly relaxed, if a bit irritated emotions he could feel coming off the warlock he likely had no idea exactly WHERE he was transporting to he figured pants would probably be a good idea.
He kinda thought as flustered and nervous as the snarky little warlock got him popping in on Raphael in nothing but a towel probably wouldn't lead to the fun reactions he's going for (Blushing, stammering, the cute little babbly thing where his mouth runs faster than his brain, yes, definitely- all good. Overwhelming embarrassment, panic, anxiety, hyperventilating or outright fainting- not so much).
Besides if he's that flustered Raphael's never getting him to the snarky, snappy, sassiness, which would be a real shame- that was even more appealing than the blushy, babbly flustered thing. Okay so the absolute best was when he'd get that mixture of both- snapping and snarking trying desperately to cover the blushing, breathlessness and racing heart…
Mmm…
Uh…Yeah…it's possible Raphael may be in a bit of trouble here.
He might be kind of worryingly okay with that…
Simon on the other hand probably would not be. Yes he was attracted to Raphael…he was also pretty ticked that he was. He did not want to be attracted to a demon- especially this specific demon. Raphael knew that- more than understood. Hell he'd be pretty concerned with the guy's sanity if he wasn't a bit squirrelly about the whole 'drawn to a demon' thing.
Which is why he knows he needs to ease up on the guy. He has got to stop pushing, poking and prodding just to see the reactions. No matter how appealing the cute blush, catching breath, little uptick of his heart, or the thrillingly pretty eye flicker and the sparking fire actually are.
It's not fair and he has to back off…he knows he does...
But Dios that is far easier said than done.
Really the snarky little detective was j-
Raphael's thoughts are cut off as Simon suddenly stills, reaching over, catching his arm, squeezing, leaning in, just a few inches from Raphael's ear. Those bright golden brown eyes catch Raphael's, sharp, focused and intense, head tilting, nodding slightly over towards the far side of the room.
"Hey…is that Dawson? Over by the weird fish/bird statue thing…" he mummers, voice slipping soft and quiet, barely a whisper to keep from being overheard, leaning in even closer, fingers flexing on Raphael's arm.
The whispering is rather unnecessary as Raphael enacted a subtle shielding spell not long after they arrived to give them an opportunity to let their guard down but Simon either didn't notice or didn't remember…in any case he's not about to bring it up now…
Especially not now.
Raphael quickly swallows, shifting, trying to cover the excited little shiver that slips down his spine at the feel of Simon's warm breath on his ear, tickling against his neck. He turns a bit, looking in the direction Simon indicated, trying to focus on spotting their target and tracking down a killer and not the worryingly distracting warlock freaking whispering in his ear.
Yeah…definite problem…
Raphael blinked, taking a deep breath, willing his mind back on the case. Shifting over the crowd his eyes come to rest on the tall, dower looking man with drastically greying red hair and a somber expression, standing with three other equally somber looking men- clearly his toadies.
Raphael nodded, glancing over again, catching Simon's eye.
"Yes…so what is the plan?"
Simon seems to startle faintly at the question, blinking in surprise, a little hint of that cute, slightly amazed smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"My plan?"
Raphael chuckled, quirking his eyebrow, flashing a teasing smile, shrugging.
"Well you ARE the detective. For all my reputation and influence I'm merely a civilian and this is an investigation. That's your territory. So what's the plan, detective Lewis?"
Simon gave a soft, barely audible whimper like sound that turned into an annoyed groan, eyes flashing, brilliant gold, blazing green glimmering about the edges, a zippy little uptick to his heart. He huffed, rolling his eyes faintly at both Raphael and his own reaction, shaking it off, brow quirking right back, leaning in just a bit, Eyes sharp and bright.
"I know you're just doing that to screw with me, but I'm holding you to it anyways. Follow my lead, don't piss him off, don't torment him, do NOT drop the name bomb thing- and you know damn good and well what I mean, don't even try to play innocent- it is SO not your strong suit.
I'm on point, you're the backup…got it?"
Oh…wow…Oookay…there may actually be something even more appealing than the snarky sassiness and cute blushy, babbling…
Damn...
Raphael gave a soft, low growl like hum, eyes flickering black, glimmering red aura shimmering bright, head tilting in acknowledgment.
"Mmm… you know…I am not really used to people being so very demanding and assertive. Gotta admit; I don't hate it."
Simon scoffed, rolling his eyes, giving a sarcastic look- it almost covered the blush tingeing his cheeks and the tips of his cute little ears.
"Yeah sure whatever…come on- let's see if we can separate Dawson from his cronies…best shot we got is getting him alone. I'm not sure how we can b-"
Raphael shrugged, raising his hand, giving a quick little snap, the three hangers on blinking, getting rather confused expressions before turning to Dawson, saying something and wandering off into the crowd, leaving the former mayor to his own devices.
Simon sighed, quirking his eyebrow questioningly. Raphael shrugged, flashing a playfully innocent smile.
"What?"
"What did I say about the 'innocent' act? Really buddy, no…just no…did you seriously just causally brainwash three politicians?"
Raphael chuckled, shaking his head.
"Really now lindo, nothing so dramatic- I'm not some maniacal supervillian-"
"You sure about that? Think I can make a pretty solid case."
"And I doubt you'd be the only one...be that as it may I'm not a 'supervillian'- merely misunderstood and misaligned-"
Simon actually snorted.
"Bet Lex Luthor said the same thing."
Raphael gave a surprised laugh, biting his lip, trying in vain to diminish the charmed smile fighting to get out but to no avail. He leaned closer, eyes sparking playfully.
"Hey now…that's rather uncalled for. At least pick one with decent hair."
Simon chuckled, a bright, playful smirk tugging at his lips.
"Joker?"
Raphael glared.
"Now that's just mean."
"True…Two-faced?"
"Better…well at least halfway…Black Adam?"
Simon shrugged consideringly, before shaking his head.
"Nah…Maybe Tony Zucco."
"Oh please-He doesn't even have a secret Identity! I am a far better villain than that! Hell Magnus would be a better villain. That's a definite step down…if you're gonna try at least make a real suggestion."
Simon chuckled.
"Fair point…though he does have good hair- and a less fashionable version of your look…but yeah…not really to your level…" He trailed off, considering for a minute before pausing, quirking his eyebrow with that cutely teasing smirk, bright golden brown eyes sparkling impishly.
"Catwoman? Really the Femme-Fatale thing kinda fits you…well maybe a bit more the latter than the former but still, totally works."
Raphael begin to roll his eyes before pausing, tilting his head consideringly, shrugging.
"Hmm…smart, skilled, fashionable, complicated- not always a villain but not burdened with the constraints of the whole 'hero' thing, very skilled at manipulation and totally unapologetic in doing things her own way.
Alright- I can work with that."
Simon chuckled, shaking his head, flashing that way too cute smile, giving a faint shrug.
"True…though as point of fact I don't think brainwashing is generally in Selina Kyle's skillset."
Raphael scoffed, quirking his eyebrow.
"Debatable…brainwashing is just another word for manipulation…which is really just another word for flirting…which is how she's managed to get the 'hero' so often twisted up. In any case I didn't use 'brainwashing'- I don't have that ability. I merely floated the idea that a high class gala packed to the rafters with wealthy guests was a hell of a campaigning financing opportunity. They should be busy for a while." He trailed off, giving a slight shrug, slinking closer, voice slipping low and warm, a hint of magic seeping into the tone- the tone he already knew made Simon's breath catch, heart pick up, knees going a little weak- giving a soft hum, looking up, meeting his gaze, eyes flashing black.
"So what's our next move, Detective Lewis?"
Simon's breath caught, eyes flickering gold, glimmering green, pulse jumping, an exciting little thrill slipping up his spine. He gasped faintly, biting his lip, clearly fighting down a little whimper, unable to stop the pretty blush yet again creeping up his cheeks.
He blinked, huffing faintly, glairing in exasperation. Raphael smirked, head tilting, giving a curious, innocent shrug.
"What?"
Simon huffed again, the glare intensifying.
"You really are a supervillian."
Raphael chuckled, flashing a playful smirk, patting his shoulder.
"Eh only when it suits me…or when someone really gets on my bad side- no worries of that with you.
Besides it does tend to have its benefits.
If anything at least it beats 'fairy godmother'…now come on, Dawson's on the move and his toadies won't be distracted all night." He turned, catching Simon's arm, tugging lightly beginning towards Dawson.
Simon reached over, catching his arm right back, stilling him. Raphael glanced over, tilting his head curiously. Simon quirked his eyebrow, eyes flickering gold, glimmering green, leaning in a bit.
"I'm on point…you're backup, remember? You follow my lead."
Raphael swallowed, unable to stop a soft growl like hum, eyes flashing black, shimmering crimson aura glimmering bright. He gave a slight nod and an elegant wave towards the target.
"With pleasure Detective…please lead the way."
Simon seemed to falter at that a moment, pulse jumping, eyes flaring even brighter than before, brilliant gold and electric green flickering and flashing like dancing flames. He swallows, swaying forward for a moment, gaze shifting from Raphael's eyes down to his lips, lingering. He swallows again, near startling, shaking it off, giving a faint huff, rolling his eyes at himself before turning, beginning across the Gala towards Dawson, not even sparing a glance back.
Raphael froze a moment, blinking in surprise, unable to quite stop the excited, pleasurable little shiver slipping clear down to his toes, giving a soft huff of a laugh, quickly shaking it off, hurrying to catch back up to the feisty, fiery, worryingly addicting Warlock detective.
Yeah…no question…he's in trouble here…
Big trouble…
But you know…demon…
Trouble kinda works for him.
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***End Of Chapter Notes***
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Găsește-mi prietenii mei = Find My Friends (I couldn't resist alright?...Yes we're a few decades before apps but still…Magic! Hey it made me laugh).
Persoana dreapta = Right-hand person
broasca în gât= Frog in throat
***I love the term 'Mags-sanity' and am very much planning on working that into as many of the verses as possible as often as possible- it's unavoidable.***
I know it kinda went long but I really couldn't help it.
Kay so this was SUPPOSED to be only 2 parts…and the 3rd part wasn't even supposed to be there at all. everything I had for the scene was just a lot and I figured it might work better to break it up…only part 3 was supposed to be them talking to Dawson…
Yeah…that didn't happen. Can't say I mind…I liked getting to see Raphael's Simon musings…and that Simon is having just as much of an effect on him- he's just a hell of a lot better covering it.
Oh a quick-ish heads up? Just in general this verse is gonna be a bit trickier so far as the less commonly known sexualities go- everyone is still the same sexuality as in the other verses but in the 40's they didn't have terms like 'Ace, Demisexual, Pansexual' and so on. In these cases the character will know WHAT they are- just not have a term to describe it…a feeling that I think will add a bit of authenticity to it.
Besides it does give me an opportunity to go a bit more in-depth into each characters own personal sexuality as while blanket terms are much more convenient for a quick conversation or coming out there are variations and nuances to every individual that can get lost in the oversimplification.
(FYI Cinderella the Disney movie didn't come out till 1950 but this is a universe with Demons and Warlocks I think we can move a movie release date up two years- Maybe Disney had a couple Demons or Warlocks in the ink and paint process sped up the process…
Besides it was a play and a bunch of other things before that… not exactly the 1st rendition of it, just the most commercially known.
And I know the supervillian run at the end was kinda lighthearted but come on- it's SIMON- how can we pass up a bit of nerdy-flirty stuff…and how could Raphael pass up a little opportunity to show off and connect with the feisty warlock detective? Really it was unavoidable all around.
All the Villain's I mentioned did appear in the 1940's.
Lastly gender norms be damned Raphael is SO totally the 'femme-fatale'.)
I know I say it every chapter but OH my god I LOVE this verse!
So what do you guys think so far?
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