After a full three minutes—Asbel counted—of awkward silence, the young officer finally dared ask, "So, where are we going?"

"There is an art exhibit uptown this week. I thought we might attend."

Asbel blinked. He had not exactly known what he expected...but it was not that. "An...art exhibit?"

Richard's expression did not change, but something in his next words told Asbel he might be...nervous? "Was that not an appropriate choice? If you would prefer something else-?"

"No! No, it's okay, Richard!" he quickly assured. "I've just never been to one. Am I...do I look okay? I wouldn't want..."

"You look fine, Asbel."

And he was not blushing at that. Clearing his throat awkwardly, he sputtered, "Okay. If you say so, Richard."

They lapsed into another awkward silence for a while, as though neither really knew what to say. Asbel tried to start conversations on a few occasions, but each time the words shrivelled up and died on his lips. He did not want to bore the man, and if Richard was content with silence...

"Tell me about Sophie."

The request was a surprise, but Asbel was more than happy to oblige. The rest of the drive passed quickly, with Asbel enthusiastically sharing stories about his daughter. This eventually devolved into stories about Hubert, and then into reminiscing about their shared summer at camp.

"No, I am absolutely certain you did that," Richard was saying, lips quirked in the faintest hint of a smile. "It was after supper one night, you-"

The memory came back, and Asbel felt a blush creep up his cheeks. "I think you're exaggerating. I didn't...!"

"Sir? We've arrived."

Asbel jumped as Malik's voice sounded back over the intercom, then quickly tried to cover it up by looking out the window. There was not much to see from here, just the path to a large, well-lit building.

"Thank you, Malik.

"Shall we, Asbel?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, let's go."

They left the vehicle, and Asbel got a better look at the building they had come upon. Broad stairs led up to an arched entranceway that was supported by thick columns. The whole exterior was well lit, and bright windows suggested that the interior was just as well illuminated.

He followed Richard inside, trying not feel too out-of-place amongst these rich people. That proved impossible, because the inside was even more impressive. Marble pillars supported the massive ceiling, where countless chandeliers provided the brilliant illumination he had seen from outside.

Interspersed throughout the pillars...was the art. Admittedly, this was not Asbel's area of expertise, but what he saw looked pretty impressive. Usually, when he thought about art, he thought paintings. That was not the case. Sculptures, statues, paintings, poems...it was all featured, plus more besides. He felt like he could spend days in here and not process half of what was on display.

The people were just as interesting. It seemed that the opening night had attracted a large and diverse crowd. He saw dresses, skirts, suits, over there a man in a tuxedo, over in the corner a man wearing a skirt, crouching with a guitar...or maybe that was a display? He was not entirely certain.

Richard, it seemed, knew quite a few of the attendees. They greeted him by name, though the blond did not seem interested in stopping for extended conversation. They kept moving further in, Asbel admiring the displays as they walked.

A sudden giggle made him stop dead, just in time to avoid tripping over a young child who darted out in front of him. The boy looked up at him, wide, scarlet eyes watching curiously.

"Where are you parents, little guy?" he asked, crouching down.

"Lloyd!"

The boy giggled and ran off again. Before he got far, Richard had bent and scooped him up.

"Are you running from your father again, Lloyd?"

The little one pouted. "No, 'ichad. 'm good boy!"

"Are you now," Richard said with mock seriousness. "Well then, I suppose you won't mind leading us to your parents."

The little one squealed, trying futilely to squirm free. After a moment, a short brunette woman hurried over. "Lloyd, are you causing Mister Richard trouble again?" she scolded, stopping with folded arms.

"Yeah mama!"

Asbel chuckled at the blunt statement. Lloyd succeeded in getting free at last, slipping from Richard's arms and running to his mother.

"That's my little rapscallion," the woman said, scooping him up and rubbing the boy's nose with her own.

"It takes one to know one, Anna." Asbel turned around as a tall man walked up. "You spoil him too much."

The woman, Anna, chuckled. "He's just playing. And Richard is a friend."

"Yes, but running around the exhibits is no place for a boy his age. He should be-"

"-home in bed. Honestly, Kratos, you sound like a broken record. This is mommy's big night, and I wanted him to celebrate with us."

Despite his stern tone, Asbel could see a lingering smile on the man's lips. Behind unruly, auburn locks, his eyes bore a playful twinkle, also, as though this was old banter between them.

"Richard, it's good to see you," Anna said at last, clearly determining that she had won the argument. "Who's your friend?"

"Uh, Asbel. Asbel Lhant. It's nice to meet you," he said, shaking her hand.

"The pleasure is all ours, Asbel. I'm Anna Aurion, the walking stone is my husband, Kratos, and the little terror is our son, Lloyd."

"What brings you here?" Kratos was asking Richard.

"I received an invitation as a sponsor. I thought it only polite to attend."

"And you?"

It took Asbel a moment to realise that Kratos was speaking to him. "Oh, well, Richard invited me. It sounded like fun, so..."

"No fun!" Lloyd chimed in, sulking from where he had been moved to his father's arms.

Anna chuckled. "I don't know about fun, but it is enjoyable."

"Why are you here?" he asked the small family.

"Anna has a piece in the exhibit," Richard volunteered, before turning to Anna. "Where is it, if I may ask?"

"Just over here. Follow me," she said, leading them around one pillar, to a display along the wall.

"This is very good, Anna," Richard commented, approaching the display and studying it with a keen eye.

Asbel was no genius at art, but he thought it looked pretty cool. A large board had been hung on the wall. On one side, a painting of the world was done in brilliant detail. On the other, a mirror image of Earth stood, rising from the board, turning into a three-dimensional representation of the planet.

At the junction between the two worlds, the oceans ran red, however, and after some careful examination, Asbel noticed several other marks of crimson staining both the painting and model.

Around the top and sides of the board, weapons of all types, spanning eras of humanity, bristled. The bottom was painted with brilliant flames. All-in-all, it was interesting to look at, but...

"I call it Two Worlds," Anna supplied. "It's a representation of the cyclical, futile nature of war. No matter how much we fight and part, humanity will always find another reason to take up arms again. It's up to us to rise above that and make an effort to change. We're the only ones who can," she said with a wry smile. "We need to learn."

Asbel nodded, glancing at Richard with a small smile. "It's really good. You're very talented."

Anna scoffed. "You think this is good, come see this..."

Asbel followed, glancing to Kratos as the man muttered a short, "Do not sell yourself short, Anna..."

Despite his lack of understanding with regards to a large number of the displays, it turned out to be an interesting evening. The Aurions called it an early night, taking their son home to bed. Afterwards, he and Richard wandered the grounds, speaking to some of the artists but mostly spending time alone, walking in silence for the most part.

The buffet was also splendid, Asbel perhaps helping himself to more than his fair share. Richard kept having him taste wines, many of which were far beyond Asbel's taste pallet, but he found he could not say no to Richard as the blond almost eagerly presented him with each new flavour. All things considered, the faint buzz he carried was far less than he would have experienced had he stayed at the bar.

It was not until well into the night that Richard led them back to the limo. Graciously, the blond held the door open for him, and Asbel thought nothing of it as he ducked inside, flopping onto the seat decidedly ungraciously.

Asbel buckled himself in as Richard settled into the seat next to him—hadn't he sat across before? He glanced at the blond.

"Oh, have I overstepped myself, Asbel? If you would prefer..."

"It's fine, Richard," he assured. "It's your limo."

"That is not reason enough—if this makes you uncomfortable—"

Asbel shook his head. Staring down at his hands, he chuckled awkwardly. "Would it be weird if I said I'm glad you sat next to me?"

There was a delayed pause, and Asbel was a heartbeat from apologising for the forward statement, when his friend finally replied, "I...am glad, Asbel."

What was he supposed to say, now? He felt like this would be easier without quite so much wine...but actually, maybe it would be harder. Regardless, the chance to respond was taken from him when Richard's indecently soft hand cupped his cheek. He turned his head, catching Richard's unique amber eyes with his own.

Asbel had married Cheria, and moreover, had been happy married to her, but that did not mean he had never imagined what kissing Richard would be like. It had died down as he grew older, especially after his proposal and marriage, but every once in a while, he had seen the man on television, or in the paper, and the thought had crept in unbidden, but easily been shoved away.

...now, though, that thought shoved all other thoughts away. The expression on Richard's face was indescribable as Asbel scanned it. He looked...intent was probably the most accurate word. Before Asbel could think more on the matter, however, Richard leaned in and hot breath ghosted over his lips. He did not pull away, and after the briefest of moments, that felt both like an eternity and like no time at all, soft, warm lips pressed against his.

That was the only signal Asbel needed, and then he was kissing back greedily, years of fantasy coalescing in this single moment in time. He opened his mouth, eagerly meeting Richard's tongue with his own. Hands came up to grip his hair, and Asbel found that his own hands were tangled in Richard's silky strands.

Kissing Richard was, truthfully, not the only thing he had at least given some thought to throughout puberty, and when the blond began pushing him down, pressing him against the seat, Asbel went without complaint. The blond's kisses were aggressive, possessive...hungry, and Asbel did the best he could to meet that fervour.

When Richard pulled away, lips damp and swollen, eyes dark with lust, Asbel could do nothing but stare back at him, panting heavily. After a moment, Richard swallowed.

"I...suppose there is no point in...asking, now." Richard pulled a face, and Asbel looked up, concerned. "No, that...did not come out correctly. I meant, judging by your response, the answer is yes." Richard shook his head. "No, that is..."

Asbel leaned up and kissed him again. He thought he understood what Richard was getting at, and even if he did not...this was better than talking.

The kiss was eagerly returned after barely a moment's hesitation. Richard leaned over him, one arm supporting his weight and the other combing through Asbel's hair. Asbel's own hands stayed tangled in Richard's locks, wanting to venture further, but at the same time, too nervous to.

Eventually, Richard broke the kiss, moving down his jaw and neck. Asbel tilted his head back willingly, invitingly, letting out soft, breathy moans under the attention of Richard's tongue.

"Asbel..."

The sound of his name, whispered by Richard against his damp skin, drew a more audible moan out of Asbel, his hands leaving Richard's hair and sliding down his back.

"Asbel, may...may I?"

He did not stop to think, only nodded. Warm fingers immediately set to work on his shirt, releasing the buttons with deft skillfulness. Those same soft fingers ran over his chest, once it was exposed, brushing deftly through the scattering of hairs.

Asbel shivered under his touch, moving his own hands to undo the buttons on Richard's blazer, slipping it off his shoulders. Uncertain what to do with the far too expensive jacket, he hesitated until Richard took it from him and tossed it onto the seat across from them.

Richard sat up, then, tugging his tie loose and tossing that aside, too. At a gesture from Richard, Asbel shed his own shirt, passing it over to be tossed aside, also. Then Richard was back on him, mouth and tongue tracing his torso. He let out an audible gasp when warm lips closed around his nipple, sucking.

"Ri-Richard...!" he breathed, arching his back into the attention. This was good, it was...better than good.

"Asbel, have you done this before?"

Confused, he asked, "What?"

"Sex."

Blinking, he raised one eyebrow. "...uh, Richard, Sophie...?" he reminded with a blush.

"With a man," the blond clarified calmly.

"O-oh, right. No, I...haven't. No." Though he had thought about it, certainly, and even looked into it. Just a little.

Richard met his eyes for a long moment, then nodded. "I will go slowly."

"Okay, Richard," he said, slightly breathless as he leaned in to kiss him once more.

Here thur be sex. Full scene available on AO3

"That was..."

"I hope I did not overstep myself, Asbel. I..."

"No, Richard. Don't worry about it. I wanted it, too," he said emphatically. He had wanted it for a long time, even.

Richard's eyes were impossible to read as the blond stared at him, a little less Richard, and a little more of the closed off young man the police hated, present in his gaze. What had happened to flip that switch, he had no idea. It had seemed to Asbel that things were going...very well, but now...

Then Richard blinked, the moment faded, and the blond smiled slightly. "I suppose this...goes a little beyond friendship."

"I guess we broke that third term," Asbel said with an awkward chuckle, scratching the back of his head.

"Hardly. In light of this…development, I believe it only becomes more important."

Well, that stung a bit. However, he supposed Richard might have a point. He just...did not want it to make sense. But it was for the best. Of course it was.

"Yeah, of course. You're right," he said, clearing his throat awkwardly.

Richard paused, saying nothing and just watching him. He met the look awkwardly, uncertain what else to say.

Richard leaned in, hot breath ghosting over Asbel's ear. "...we would not want the press to learn that the hero cop is being fucked by the big bad criminal, now would we?"

Asbel's face heated up instantly, his eyes widening. Richard did not wait for a response, however, instead going to the window to speak to Malik.

Malik.

Malik...

His face reddened even more, horror creeping into him. Malik...knew exactly what they had just done. Who knew what he had seen, and he must have heard...!

He sat down, face buried in his hands. Oh, sweet spirits...

"We will drop you off at the bar," Richard said, turning back to him, "where a cab will pick you up and take you home. Does tha—Asbel? Are you well?"

He blushed further. "How much did he...?" he asked, swallowing.

"Malik? I assure you, Asbel, he does not care."

That was not reassuring. Still, he nodded. "That...will be fine, Richard. When-?"

"I will contact you. Thank you for coming along tonight, Asbel. It was...enjoyable."

Asbel chuckled. "It won't kill you to admit you had fun," he teased gently. When Richard did not share his amusement, however, the smile slipped from Asbel's face. "Erm, well...thank you for showing me all that. It was a good night."

Their parting was no less awkward, Richard seemingly forgetting how to be himself once more. Not long after, Asbel slipped into a dark, silent house and collapsed into bed. He had to be up far too soon, so he would sleep while he could.

...troubled dreams and all.