His texts were at first out of innocent intentions, even if, deep down, he knew there was nothing shy and timid in the way he was sending this to Raum. It was perhaps because he had seen these couples outside having dinner to celebrate this special day, but tonight somehow, Oliver felt slightly lonely. It has been a few weeks since he had started to regularly text Raum, and somehow, he wanted to spice the game a little bit. Casually, he laid on his bed, right in front of the mirror, his beautifully crafted thighs exposed (thanks to the dance) and a large shirt covering his silhouette. He was holding a book in his hand, a classic he loved to read during that time of the year “The Red and the Black” by Stendhal.
Oliver took a selfie through the mirror, revealing his sensual attitude, his shirt slightly coming up to expose the birth of his navel, his hair disheveled and falling over his eyes, but not enough to cover his mischievous stare.
[Text]: “After moral poisoning, one requires physical remedies and a bottle of champagne.” I’m sure you remember this quote.
[Text]: All these love birds outside made me feel particularly immoral. Do you have a bottle of champagne?
He fell back on his bed, looking at his phone screen. He knew he shouldn’t do that, but he felt untamable.
Seeing Oliver's initials appear on his phone screen shouldn't have roused him as much as it did these days. Raum wasn't an immature boy anymore, and yet it felt like whenever he came into contact with Oliver a part of him was slingshot back into that place. That raw mindset of youth overtook him when they met, and even when they would talk over the phone. It was thrilling and annoying at once, feeling like he couldn't control himself as well as he usually should. It gave him a sense of ridiculousness.
And so - after glancing at the notification, Raum forced himself to finish the task he was doing before looking at Oliver's message. If nothing else, to believe as though he still had a modicum of control over himself. Once he finally did see it, however, his eyebrows rose in surprise and all thought of that self-control promptly flew out of the window.
Their texts had been a little flirty in nature before, somewhat tentative on both sides due to their shared past... Although this was something else entirely. A little flame unfurled in Raum's stomach as he drank in the picture that Oliver painted with his posing. The blond's gaze lingered at each aspect he was sure the other man purposely intended to show him. Seconds passed before he tore his eyes away from the image to read the messages.
So, that's how it was now? The fact it was Valentine's hadn't even registered on his radar, but for Oliver it was different it seemed. He did remember the quote. Although the first time Oliver read it to him, neither of them had yet acquired the taste for champagne. How things have changed. And yet, somehow it was all the same. Even now, Oliver's mischevious nature still made his blood quicken. Raum tossed his pen down on the desk and leaned back in his chair, lips curling at the corner while he considered his reply.
[ Text: ] So you elected to spread the poison to me? I suppose immorality loves company.
[ Text: ] As it happens I do have a bottle. For moral emergencies of course. But it would be a waste to open it alone.