THE GRIN ON SINCLAIR’S FACE finally did dance across his lips — minkyu played it smart . minkyu played it just as close to the chest as he did . oh , was there anything ( other than one zaiden hendricks ) that he loved anything more than a good game , across from another experienced player ? clair was glad to know it , to see that his age hadn’t left him too arrogant to consider his moves carefully . the expression on his face met his eyes , & hopefully his appreciation translated through what he knew was a shit - eating expression .
he placed his empty glass down on the near - by table with an audible clink , his cigarette dangling between his lips precariously , the cherry bobbing slightly in his reply . “ vampires live long , long lives ; aleksander more than most of us . journaling isn’t just a hobby , it’s necessary for someone who wants to be able to remember it all , especially someone of his age . i’ve got a good eye for the all things hidden , & i’ll bet you all the blood i’ve ever drank that he has one , or several , & that i could find them . ” he inhaled once more on his cancer stick , killing it in a long drag , putting it out in his glass after not seeing an ashtray anywhere . he made a point to blow his hit to the side over his shoulder before he continued . “ if you had , i think you wouldn’t be in the position you are in now . perhaps it’s the recent events , & his lack of action around them — but i’ve taken note of the way you’re much more present & visible within the coven since the murder of our dear fledgling… ” like a politician preparing his move , was left unsaid . minkyu would come to that conclusion on his own .
sinclair took that half step closer , having to widen his stance so the toes of his well - shined shoes didn’t clip the toes of minkyu’s . his gaze danced with his own amusement , lips twitching slightly as he considered how to say it , his tone deliberately calm & docile & non - confrontational — “ you’re in no position to be upset that i don’t want to spill my personal reasons to you . i would never expect it of you , hell , i wouldn’t even think to ask . anything i find , no matter the reason why i’d like to find it , would be useful in spinning distrust . you haven’t snatched at anything because you want it to be given to you , a graceful yet astoundingly manipulative sentiment . ” clair paused , fingers fumbling with his designer watch , & the buttons on his long sleeve just below it as though it was bothering him , just to provide a visible pause . “ i can deduce quite a lot with very little information , which i remind you , have given me none of . i sought you out of my own volition , & trust me when i say , i’m not tempted in the slightest to cross you . when you lay out all the facts nicely on the table , my offer & my plea for very minor assistance on your part , seems overwhelmingly fair . plus , my ‘ i - owe - you’s ’ are a bit more valuable than the average vampire’s…”
the tilt of his head , the way his shoulders slumped down slightly to meet minkyu’s gaze in full from his standing position screamed mischief , like a child that wanted to a good game of tag , antagonizing their friend until they give in & play .
The world is loud-- the music is pounding, the lights are flashing. Everyone is having a good time and they’re focused on their own pleasure only. The moment Sinclair opens his mouth to further explain himself, Minkyu feels his own world shift and slow down until it comes to a full halt. He watches him curiously though with a bored expression at first. As he continues, the older vampire lets his gaze drift away from him and towards the dance floor below. He leans with his chin on his fist and it’s difficult to read him, to guess what he’s thinking-- knuckles come to cover his mouth. Minkyu isn’t thinking much actually, he’s letting the other’s words bounce around in his mind until they’ve lost their power. They bounce around for quite some time.
Ever since Minkyu became a part of the coven of the new world, no one dared to talk to him the way Sinclair is doing right now. To be so direct, to read him and to tell him what’s what. No one except for Aleksander and oh, how much he hates it when that cockroach talks down to him. The only thing he has over him is his bloodline and how little that even means. Minkyu’s free hand balls into a fist in his lap and it trembles for a second before he lets go. He drops his hand away from his face, lets it rest on the armrest of the sofa he’s on and when he’s about to turn back to face Sinclair, he sees how close he is. Minkyu swallows and looks up at him. For some reason he doesn’t hate this-- feels quite the opposite, actually.
Seconds tick by where he just stares at him, in awe or disbelief of what just happened. “Right,” is all he manages to say with a curd nod, lets his gaze drift away again to the crowd below. He picks up his drink from the side table and takes a quiet sip. He wonders if Sinclair practiced this speech or if he just came up with it in the moment. Wonders how he avoided him for so long when it’s so obvious how good of an asset he can be.
“I’ll help you,” he finally says after almost finishing his drink, gaze still elsewhere, as is his mind. He thinks about calling him out for talking to an elder like that, but then thinks he definitely wouldn’t mind if he talked to him like that again. He’ll let it slide for now. “Just be ready when I’m coming to you to cash in on that favor.”