𝒷𝑒𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒾𝒻𝓊𝓁 / 𝑒𝓂𝓅𝓉𝓎

Tae was rewarded for his efforts it seemed, picking on the sub's scent like a hound seeking blood. Something he wanted to remember - floral - delicate rose and earthy all at the same time. He wanted to take it right from the source. The little flutter of heartbeat on the kid's neck where it was first sprayed. "I think it will be." Tae thought he might've made an effort to intimidate Leif's paramour if it wasn't so much fun trying to tempt the kid into something inappropriate.

"Yeah." He lied, effortlessly, practiced. "Are all of your bad habits things you can hide away? What other dirty secrets are you hiding away?" Tae didn't give Leif a moment to mull over, standing over to go to the display he took his sweet time picking out from everything they offered. Settling on oolong tea - milky perfect scent, and a simple honey cake with a scoop of melty vanilla ice-cream on top.

"All done." Tae declared once their table was set, "But you have to share your desert with me."

Leif tilted his head to the side, wondering if Mr. Rose was right. Was it important to tell Warren whenever he met with another dominant? Even a friend? They were early on in their courtship, and he couldn't imagine it mattering, but he hardly wanted to come off as someone who didn't care for his partner's feelings on matters like this. "Thank you, Mr. Rose. I think I'll have to ask Mr. Rutherford whether or not meetings like this should be reported to him."

Dirty little secrets? Leif absentmindedly touched a spot beneath his left temple, a spot covered in enough concealer to hide the red birthmark that marred his face. But Mr. Rose left him then to order their tea and snacks. He was slightly bewildered, just like the first time they'd met.

By the time Mr. Rose returned, Leif was back to smiling that polite smile that was habit for him. "Thank you. It all looks wonderful." He had no problem sharing dessert with his new acquaintance. "Mr. Rose, won't you tell me your real name now? I can still call you Mr. Rose if you like it, but it's nice to know each other, isn't it?"

There's softness even as the kid tries to weave his way through a bribe. That's what this is, really - except Leif doesn't really know his own bargaining chips. "Bet he'd love to hear it." He arches a brow, predatory and hungry as he leaned a little closer, hoping to get the scent of perfume or shampoo - anything to make him remember how Leif smelled later. "Will you tell him?"

Tae listens with only half attention, more interested in watching the pink pout on Leif's mouth as he spoke. He'd really, really like to fuck it. Hell, he can even read the books he likes so much. "My pleasure, darling." The dominant rumbles.

"Will you lend it to me?" Tae asked, head tilted, eager to have something to possess that was the pretty boy that made him live with hunger. He wanted to take. For now a book will do.

"How about I order for you, instead?" Tae offered. "Wouldn't you like to try something new?"

"Maybe I will," Leif said, finding that he had to force himself to remain still as Mr. Rose leaned in even closer than he already was. Leif wondered if the dominant could smell the hints of rose and patchouli in the scent he was wearing. The irony of his favorite scent was not lost on him as he looked up at Mr. Rose. "If I think it'll be of interest to him, I'll tell him."

Leif's brows rose in surprise when Mr. Rose asked to borrow his book. "You...want to read it? Sure, I can lend it to you. I hope you don't mind my notes in the margins. I have a bad habit of dog-earing the corners too. I know that bothers some people." He couldn't remember the last time he lent a book to someone, the last time someone wanted to share a book with him.

"I did promise to let you treat me," Leif said with a nod. "Please feel free to order as you please. I'll try anything you like."

There was a book on the table, Tae spared it a cursory glance. He was never one for books, reading took too long and he was an easily bored person, always in need of physical stimulation. Wuthering heights. He’d have to google that one later.

Leif turned his pretty eyes to him and Tae’s lip curled in an answering smirk, holding his attention. “So you’re saying he knows you’re here with me?” Tae asked, tongue poking playful at his lower lip as he smiled.

There it is again, that soft, sweet smile that made Tae unsure of his desires - caught somewhere between lust and violence. A dangerous precipice to be on. “I am very well,” His voice rumbled in answer, fingers dipping towards the discarded book to slip between the pages. “Have you been entertaining yourself without me?” He tsked. “Is it one of your favorites?”

Leif shook his head. "No, I didn't think to bring it up with him. I don't like to bother him needlessly. Now that I think about it, though, I suppose he'd be curious to know I was meeting with someone whose name I don't know, Mr. Rose." He had to admit to himself that it was odd of him to do this, but there was something about their last encounter that he found fascinating, something that broke the pattern of normalcy that evening.

"I'm so glad to hear you're well." Leif watched as the dominant looked at his book, slipping his fingers between the pages. "I like to carry a book with me just in case I have some spare time. So, thank you for being a little late."

He considered the book on the table. "I don't know if it's one of my favorites. I feel drawn to it often, though I'm not entirely sure why. I should like to read something with a happier tone." He chuckled at himself. He supposed he felt the same about Wuthering Heights as he did towards Mr. Rose. They were both fascinating, a break from the pattern of supposed normalcy.

"Should we order some tea? There are some pastries as well. I didn't know what you liked, so I wasn't sure if I could order for you. I apologize."

It’s noon and Tae is in a run down, abandoned warehouse in Leroy Bay spattered in blood from chin to belt buckle. Blood all over his new shirt and he’s majorly pissed about it. That’s not how he saw his day going.

“Damn,” He murmured, watching the white fabric soak the blood as he walked outside, a smoke caught between his lips. “It was Dior too.”

“Hey, give me your shirt.” He barked after one of the guys, earning himself a confused look. “I’m late for tea.” Tae smiled at that, entertained.

***

Leif was already there when Tae arrived. The Dominant sat in the entrance for a moment, taking him. Pretty. Porcelain doll kind of pretty.

“If I were Mr. Rutherford, I wouldn’t be too happy you’re meeting other men for tea.” Tae said as he sat on the table, picking a spot next to Leif, slotting himself too close for anyone’s comfort, save his own.

@leif-seong

Leif never minded when someone was late while meeting him. It gave him time and space in whatever place he found himself. The tea shop was pretty, aesthetic in a way that made him glad he brought a book with him. It was the kind of place for literature. He'd brought an old copy of Wuthering Heights with him.

Mr. Rose's presence became known when suddenly the man was far too close for comfort. Leif looked up from his book, across to the empty chair across from him, and then up at Mr. Rose. "Really, Mr. Rose?" he asked. "I'd think tea is quite innocent." But then, why would Mr. Rose ask him to come out if he thought it might not look good to Mr. Rutherford? Leif doubted Mr. Rose had ill intentions.

"Are you well, Mr. Rose?" Leif smiled politely, prettily.

#;; visage #;; look at this man wtf

“𝐼𝓉 𝒾𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓈𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓇𝑜𝓈𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓂𝒶𝓀𝑒𝓈 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓇𝑜𝓈𝑒 𝓈𝑜 𝒾𝓂𝓅𝑜𝓇𝓉𝒶𝓃𝓉.”

#;; aesthetic

Tae: No? But I think I should. How else will I get my answer?

Tae: My pleasure, darling.

Leif: You can ask me when we meet for tea. Leif: So you get to learn something, and I get to learn your name.

Tae: You're saying I should ask Mr. Rutherford if you've been naughty with him. He'll be too shocked.

Tae: Aren't you just the sweetest thing.

Leif: Naughty?? Ah, please don't ask him that. Leif: Well, I'd say you're sweet for offering to treat me. 😊

Tae: And are you?

Tae: But I really want to. Will you let me?

Leif: I think I am. You'll have to ask Mr. Rutherford. Leif: Okay, Mr. Rose. I'll let you. Thank you 💖

Tae: I'm definitely big enough. :)

Tae: Didn't even kiss you?

Tae: Tea?

Tae: Alright, darling. Let's meet for tea. Will you let me treat you to something sweet, then?

#;; taewon #;; ahahahaha so silly goofy

Leif: I wouldn't be much of a gentleman if I told you he did. 🤭 Leif: Oh, you don't have to treat me, Mr. Rose. Please don't feel obligated. It's very kind of you to offer though!

Tae: I think he's very little.

Tae: Yeah, was he a gentleman, darling?

Tae: I'll tell it to you when we see each other again. For now, I like you calling me Rose.

Leif: Really? You're quite tall too though, aren't you? Leif: He was. Very much so! Leif: Okay, Mr. Rose. I'll look forward to that then. Should we meet for tea? There's a pretty little tea shop that serves rose tea. It's meant to be very good for you.

Tae: Cute. Tae: Did your little boyfriend send you home? Tae: Isn't that just a shame. I think we should meet again.

Leif: Do you think Mr. Rutherford is little? He's considered tall, I think. Leif: He brought me home though, yes. Leif: You do? We could meet again, Mr. Rose, though I might want to know your given name first. 🤭

#;; visage #;; insta #;; social media

@ princeleif posted to insta

When my future partner and I have our own home, I want to have a library with this kind of lighting. Catching the sunlight between faded pages. I'd probably dress more comfortably to read though. 🤭

Tae: Yeah? Do tell. What did you do? Tae: Reall, you've met lots of people like me, have you?

Leif: I had a drink and danced a little bit, which was fun. I met lots of people. I like events like that. Leif: Not many like you, Mr. Rose. Maybe that's why it's exciting.