Fin

[petty_dabbler]

John had been checking on Klaus. He just didn't trust that the man had a good handle on his powers and John could imagine dozens of ways that could go wrong.

There was a little cafe just down from the flat where they all lived and John took a seat by the window so he could watch and see if Klaus might enter. Or exit.

When he saw Fin walk in he was sure he was busted.

He flashed him a cheeky smile anyway.

Comments

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Then I'll stop," Fin assured him, not wanting to make anyone uneasy. "I'm sorry if I upset you, I never- I just didn't mean to, yeah? Sorry."

[petty_dabbler]

Jhn wet his bottom lip, tasting the bitter nicotine residue. He knew exactly what he was. A con artist. An asshole. Grungy and tired and old.

He looked over at Fin and really studied him. Was he not choosy at all? John really puzzled over what the fuck Fin could possibly see in him.

For as many lovers as John had had, he truly did wonder what made people gravitate to him.

"You don't need to be sorry," he said. "It doesn't hurt my feelings."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"No, but- I know how it feels when someone is giving you attention you don't want," Fin said, shrugging one shoulder and looking out the window.

"I never want to cross that line."

[petty_dabbler]

"It's not like that," he said, reaching for a cigarette, then abandoning them when he remembered this wasn't his car.

"I just think you might need your eyes checked," he chuckled nervously.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Surely you know you're handsome," Fin replied, confused.

[petty_dabbler]

"I'm handsome to thirty nine year old bar flys drinking on the dole and more rich wizards than I can count. The last time I got a look from a twenty four year old was a generation ago," he replied.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Greg says the same shit. You're both idiots," Fin snorted. "You're handsome, and you've both got that devilish charm. It's enticing, whether you know it or not."

[petty_dabbler]

Fin was entitled to his opinion, even though John thought it was odd. Devillish. He had that part kind of right.

"I don't think I've ever been called 'enticing'," he chuckled.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Well you are, but I'm not really interested in people who aren't interested in me," Fin said honestly. "And, like I said, I've no interest in making you uneasy."

They pulled up to the hotel, and Fin slid out the car. He didn't need flirting to enjoy a day of luxury.

Checking in took no time, and soon they were headed up to their room, a huge suite with a stunning view.

[petty_dabbler]

"I'll be damned. This is posh, innit?" he said, exploring the space. In his exploration, John shed his trenchcoat and laid it aside. He loosened his tie so he could unbutton just the top, and he rolled up his sleeves revealing a couple occult symbols.

"I changed my mind. Flirt all you like if I can just be a kept man in this suite," he chuckled.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin laughed awkwardly at that- He didn't like the idea of being wanted for his money.

He shed his own coat and took off his shoes, perching on the bed and picking up the room service menu.

"If you want to have a soak, you can use the bath first," he offered politely.

[petty_dabbler]

"Don't mind if I do," he grinned. He sat on the edge of the bed so he could take off his boots.

He looked at Fin along the line of his shoulder and a queer, sweet smile creased his cheeks.

"S'really kind of you," he said awkwardly.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"You don't have to thank me," Fin said, shaking his head, his long hair falling in his face slightly. "It's nice to have company."

[petty_dabbler]

John nodded in agreement, then got up. He undid his tie an slipped his shirt off before he was through the door.

It was only a couple moments layer and he poked his head out.

"Oi- how do you turn it on?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin had opened the complementary wine and was stretched out on the bed with the telly on, though he got up at John's question.

"It's just a normal bath," he said, heading into the bathroom and turning the taps until the water ran hot. "What makes it special is that you can fill it all the way to the top,. Doesn't matter if it spills over, that's what this outer bit is for," he smiled.

[petty_dabbler]

He gave a nod and tested the water to see if it was hot enough. Without his shirt on it was obvious he was well fit. A bit lean, a few scars, and a tattoo for nearly every occasion.

"I think my bath was installed before the war," he smiled. "It's nothing like this."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin wasn't looking at John's body though, the man had indicated he wasn't interested and Fin respected that. If John changed his mind, he'd have to make it clear.

"Then you should enjoy it," Fin said with a smile, moving to leave.

[petty_dabbler]

"I plan to," he smiled.

When Fin left, he closed the door most of the way, leaving a crack just in case he needed to listen for trouble. Old habits died hard. John left his trousers in a pile and slid into the hot water, leaving the tap on to run constantly.

He laid back and closed his eyes to enjoy the heat and the way his arms seemed weightless. It was glorious. And the white noise of the running faucet was so peaceful. He closed his eyes and relaxed.

---

The room he was in was on fire. Somehow it wasnt' dangerous or a threat, just the usual order of business for where he was. All around were stone tablets, each with writing he couldn't read. He should be able to read them, he knew how to read most languages. Speaking it was another tale, but reading? He could do that.

There was something behind him. He could feel it. The hairs on his neck stood up and a chill ran down his spine. He turned, slowly, his gaze passing over stones on plinths covered in dancing shadows. Something was there.

He finally turned and looked at the hulking shadow of a beast. Two horns grew from the top of its head, two more curved lower and around toward its mouth. A gaping wound of a mouth lined with bright white teeth, each sharp as a dagger. In its gnarly, clawed hand it held a box. John, against his better judgment, reached for the box and lifted the lid.

---

A scream came from the bathroom nearly a half hour later; water splashed the floor and John flailed in the tub a second before he got his bearings. Then he sighed as he realized what happened and he groaned and sank under the surface of the water for a moment before lifting himself out of the tub and wrapping a towel around his ass.

Tablets. Box. Demon.

Seemed like his weekend was suddenly full.

"Is the food here yet?" he called out the crack.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin was curled up on the bed, the wine gone and food spread out on the table. He'd eaten his fill and was just enjoying the quiet. ...Until John screamed. He jumped a bit, but then John was talking as if nothing happened.

"Um- Yes. Food is here. Are you okay?" he asked.

[petty_dabbler]

"Occupational hazard," he said. "Sorry to startle you."

He came out a few moments later, dressed and looking just as rough as before, except with wet hair. He went straight for the food.

"...I get premonitions. Sometimes," he explained

[prince_of_nymphs]

"...Fun," Fin replied, still looking a bit uneasy.

[petty_dabbler]

"I'll have to spring for this room again. That bath was magical," he smiled.

"Having a nice time slobbing it out here?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin relaxed a bit and nodded. "This bed is bliss," he confessed. "I should ask what mattress they use. Though now you're out the bath, I might have a soak."

[petty_dabbler]

"Do. It's brilliant," he said, sitting on the edge to eat.

"Oh, this is nice," he agreed. "Yeah, go soak so I can take up the whole thing."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin slid out of bed and stretched lazily, pulling off his shirt before slinking off to the tub.

In the water he could be heard singing to himself quietly, the water sloshing occasionally as he took his time washing up. He had a nice voice, not amazing, but pleasant.