sixwordstories | (no subject)

That is a talent I have never possessed.

[ Without looking up, he answers, switching hands with the e-cigarette between his fingers: ] Painting your nails, or smoking?

The nails. Quite a talent to paint your non-dominant hand.

[Takes the cigarette and has a drag on it. Then returns the cigarette back to Ganymede, while observing the painting of the fingernails.]

Preparing for an important meeting?

There's a reason I did that one first. Less to worry about smudging. [ He holds his nails up to look at them, inspecting the coverage and looking up at his new company. Each nail is a slightly different shade, all neutral tones but coordinating. ]

Hello there.

[ When the cigarette is removed from his mouth Ganymede lets out a soft snort and looks up, a tiny smile curving his unoccupied mouth when it's Armarus. ]

More a fit of mild boredom, but I liked the idea. And do you like my cigarettes?

As it is only a mild case of boredom it appears you will survive. Do I need another drag of it to find out why I should like your cigarettes?

If you like, but you stole it first. [ He can't help but smile, offering the cigarette back with his still-drying hand, held delicately between two fingers. Ganymede can't not tease his lover, though he makes no motion to be less than utterly chaste since they're in relative public. Or as public as his front porch gets. ]

Do you want me to do yours as well? Make you all pretty?

Only to stop myself from stealing another thing from you. [His gaze dropped to Ganymede’s mouth. And he looked back up again. He takes the cigarette again and has another drag. Then returns it back.]

I will have decline. I am not certain you will be able to handle all my prettiness after.

Do you want a kiss instead? You can have one, if you'll come sit with me.

[ There's plenty of room on the rocking swing Ganymede's perched on, looking casual as can be barefoot and painting his nails, hair loose about his shoulders and down his back for once, absently laying the cigarette in the ashtray nearby. ] I'll have to take your word for it.

One? Does it ever end in just one?

[Armarus doesn't move closer, instead he settles on the porch step.]

You are too kind.

It might. Eventually.

[ Ganymede tilts his head at Armarus, setting the cap back into the polish bottle. He's still lazily swinging back and forth, but now watching with vague concern. ]

What are you all the way over there for? I'm hardly going to jump you on my front porch. At least not until my nails dry.

You do lovely work. [She offers the compliment after examining the fresh paint.]

Thank you. Would you like me to do yours? [ He sets the cigarette aside in the nearby ashtray with an easygoing smile, flicking back the length of his hair, held out of his face by two thick braids at his temples. ]

Do you have black and a name?

That may be a sad day.

[ Armarus gives an apologetic look.]

I am not concerned about you. More, me.

I do, and it's Ben. And what's yours?

I don't think you're likely to jump me on my front porch, either. Come sit with me, tell me where you keep going off to.

[ He pats the other end of the swing, bare toes brushing the velvety ear of the sleeping dog underneath where he's sitting. Said dog is long and lean with pale fawn-colored fur. ] Don't mind Ameera.

Selene. [She went to offer a hand but hesitated.] I would hate to ruin your hard work with a handshake.

[ He smiled gently, shaking his head; he put one hand--the drier of the two--over his chest and dipped his head, clearly a comfortable motion and one he didn't need to think about to implement. ] It's alright, problem solved.

Nice to meet you, Selene.

[ He finally gets up and moves to sit next to Ganymede on the porch swing. Armarus hold his open hand down to allow Ameera to sniff him out and get a sense of him.]

Or, you could tell me what meeting you would like to have.

Between us?

Having dinner, watching a movie, even taking a walk. I wasn't exaggerating when I said I wanted to be with you, that didn't only mean sex. [ He shrugs idly as Ameera lifts her head to sniff at Armarus' hand, licking it gently before shuffling closer to the new man. ] I'd like to be able to spend time with you. Learn more about you.

Not necessarily between us. However, all of those we can do if you wish. It will allow us both to learn a little more about each other.

I'm not sure what other kind of meeting you'd mean.

I was talking about your bar work. What did you mean?