“ that's what i thought. ” nolan has, thus far, been his favourite g a m e. the detective had been no easy man to win over which had only fueled fern's desire to see his scheme through. the taste of victory had been that much sweeter when he inevitably gave in to the innocent charm of the p e r s i s t e n t young man whose life he saved. were the younger man capable of seeing beyond his deception, he would have taken notice of the burgeoning affection for the older man. as it is, fern is too deep in the hunter's fog to realise he played himself. he grumbles for good measure, nonetheless allows the manhandling. “ however my heart desires? ” the w i c k e d tug of his mouth looking a little too convincing before composure slips back in place, softening fern's features. “ how tired are you, old man? ”
it should be beyond worrying how deeply fern has managed to ensnare nolan, but it has become increasingly clear to nolan that the younger man has a rather profound, almost unnerving effect on him, far more than what he had initially expected. it could be the pessimist or realist side of him speaking, but he had thought this would be nothing more than a passing infatuation, that once his desire was quenched, they would simply go their separate ways. yet months have now passed, and neither of them have called it quits despite the stark differences in their personalities and lifestyles. nolan chuckles at the question posed to him, his eyes filled with nothing but pure, unbridled fondness as he gazes adoringly at his lover. "never too tired for you, baby." he whispers, pressing a light, teasing peck on the corner of fern's mouth.
