The Art of Conversation

[ELI WESLEY]

It was definitely a rare occasion. Eli Wesley was out on the town. Well, not really—but he was out on a Friday night. There was no way he could miss the real occasion of the evening without risking being murdered by his closest friends. Tonight Abby’s artwork was being featured at a showcase for local artists, an event hosted by the classiest hotel in town, the Remington. Eli wanted to be there to support his friend, especially since she had always been so good to him. They had met over a year ago and dated briefly, but they were much better friends than they were lovers. Lafayette was there as well, Abby’s constant companion and Eli’s good friend, and of course her boyfriend Marius was present. Eli couldn’t help but smile to see them together. He harbored no ill will towards Marius for dating Abby, especially not when they were so good for each other. It was fun being around Abby and Lafayette with their witty and borderline offensive banter and it was good to laugh and smile after a long day of the work he did. They had so much energy, though, that Eli found himself more inclined to simply enjoy their company but not necessarily try to put himself in the conversation. That was typical for him.

The group of four meandered through the displays, checking out the other artists showing their work here. Some pieces Eli wasn’t particularly fond of, but most of them left him in awe and perhaps a little envious of such marvelous talent. Abby of course was lavishing compliments on all of the artists she met and Eli contributed when he could. The artists in turn offered explanations of their works and the meaning behind them. Eli was sucked into the conversations even though he wasn’t exactly an active participant in them. He spent long minutes taking his time to appreciate every piece he came to—not that he really had a choice as Abby chattered on. She often wore him out with her sheer energy and for a time he wandered off with Lafayette instead, letting Abby and Marius have a few minutes alone. That was until Lafayette’s Latin lover called. He wandered off to set up plans for later that night and Eli took the chance to have some peace on his own. It could be awkward when he was left on his own since his height made him stick out in most crowds, but he didn’t feel like a sore thumb here. Perhaps it was because he was so distracted with the beauty of the artwork he came across. He wandered until he found he’d done a loop around the room and was now face to face with Abby’s artwork again. With a sip of his gin and tonic, he slowed to a stop in front of an oil painting Abby did of the majestic bluffs of Megsy Isle.

As he admired the painting, a figure moved at the corner of his eye. He glanced over to see another man, slightly shorter than him, also gazing at the painting. Other than noting that the stranger had the good looks of a celebrity, Eli didn’t pay him much mind. His eyes focused on the painting again, admiring how very realistic it appeared. It was obvious down to the strokes of the brush that Abby had poured her love and passion into this painting. He would have to tell Abby what a wonderful job she did on this piece in particular. She loved hearing what people thought of her pieces. As he studied the painting, though, he became aware of the distinct feeling of being watched. Again, his green eyes darted to the stranger, but this time he was surprised to find the stranger’s eyes fixed on him. It made Eli tense, his cheeks just barely flushing at the way the man’s very blue eyes bore into him. He gave a lopsided smile however, being polite, and it grew a little when the other man returned it. Even though the other guy was making him nervous, Eli stood his ground and turned back to the painting with a sip of his drink. Either this guy was going to start talking to him or he was going to leave and Eli wasn’t sure which he wanted more. He remained silent, waiting for the other guy to decide what he was going to do.

[NICHOLAS BELLEFONTAINE]

Nicholas had a problem. As a boy he'd had nothing. No possession really belonged to only him. Sure, he had toys, but toys were often broken or stolen, and receiving them was often an ordeal in itself. When he was finally able to have more control over his belongings, he couldn't afford to have many considering how often he moved around. This left him with a bit of a complex as an adult; he liked to own things. Lots of things. Beautiful things. Fortunately for Nicholas he made an excellent living. Even if he only got one or two gigs a month he usually walked away with a great deal more at the end of the year than most working class couples combined. With expendable income at his fingertips, he often found ways of blowing it, and he just so happened to have a nice chunk of space on his wall that needed beautifying. This predicament brought him to the Remington during one of their art openings. Typically he steered clear of functions like these because he always ended up buying something he didn't necessarily need or want in order to impress someone into coming home with him, but he actually had a goal in mind tonight. He would get something he wanted and he would steer clear of eye candy. Even as he promised himself he wouldn't flirt, he knew it was a sham. There was no way that Nicholas would walk out of there without a few numbers in his pocket. Hell, there was even a chance he might slip someone his, but that was a slim chance at best.

Art wasn't the only thing Nick liked to blow his money on. Clothing and accessories were important to him as well, and the man knew how to dress. He thought nothing of spending nearly a thousand on custom tailored Italian suit, and he owned nearly a dozen. The hard part was maintaining a diet to keep him fitted in those fine clothes, but with the amount of free time he had, working out was never an issue. He worse one those fine suits tonight along with a couple of rings and a fine watch that not only told time, but told others that he was serious business as well. He arrived at the hotel, had his car parked with the valet, and made his way inside.

Art shows were always hit or miss. There were times when you saw nothing but exquisite piece after exquisite piece, and others where it looked like nothing but a bunch of toddlers took the brush from the artists hands and went to town. Tonight was a surprisingly decent mix of the two. Nick walked past several showcases without blinking an eye at a single piece, and others he lingered at for long moments, studying the paintings, photography and sculptures, trying to find a deeper meaning in it all. He helped himself to some white wine, stopped to ogle a woman, and then continued around the gallery. Finally he found something that caught his eye, and it wasn't sculpted or painted by anyone there. A young man, taller than him, was staring at a painting of the bluffs down at Megsy. Nick had been to the bluffs before, but didn't care much for them. Anything with water turned him off, but despite that even he could see the workmanship was of quality.

Nicholas took his place beside the young man, sipping his wine and watching the painting for a moment before turning his head to stare at the person beside him. His features were soft despite his toned body which he kept well hidden. He didn't carry himself with any real amount of confidence, which Nick could easily tell in his posture. It looked as though he had tried to dress nicely and look presentable, and though he succeeded, Nick knew this wasn't a common thing for this man. It was hard to determine if he was gay or straight, but Nick knew he was likely shy and probably nervous. He had learned to read people well considering his line of work, and he could easily read how uncomfortable the guy was with his presence beside him. He looked over and Nick didn't bother to turn and look away. Why should he? They were at an art gallery and he was looking at art, and this guy was certainly a fine piece of art. The guys cheeks flushed gently, confirming his shy disposition, and Nick smiled in return. When the guy smiled wider back and turned away Nick knew the guy was interested in at least conversation if nothing else. If he wasn't he would have quickly turned and moved away, but by saying nothing at all he all but invited Nicholas to open his mouth.

"Ya'll lookin' to buy this one?" He asked in his deep southern accent, tipping his glass at the painting he'd hardly taken note of, his deep blue eyes still focused on the man beside him.

[ELI WESLEY]

“Ya’ll lookin’ to buy this one?” The guy beside him was talking. Eli looked at him with big eyes. He had a really thick Southern accent. That was pretty cool. Eli had never met anyone from the South before. Oh wait, the guy was talking to him. Even with Eli’s delay, the man’s deep blue eyes stayed focused on him. Eli stood straighter and finally processed the question. “Uh…no, I was just…admiring it. My friend is the artist. Abby James.” He nodded with a lopsided, awkward smile. “She does a lot of local landscapes. These are all hers in this section. Obviously…” A nervous sort of chuckle escaped him. The guy’s eyes fixed on him so intently made him anxious and he glanced away and back just to find those deep blues still on him. He had to stop looking at him. His eyes roamed back over to the painting, one hand coming to his hair and pushing into the strands as it always did when he was nervous. Suddenly his red tie marked with white diamonds was feeling really tight around his neck…If the guy wasn’t so handsome, he might not be as nervous as he was now. Collecting himself again, he smiled once again. “Were you looking to buy it?” he inquired politely. It would be rude to just stop talking when the guy was nicely trying to make conversation. Eli didn’t want to be rude.

The guy wasn’t interested in buying it, but called Eli’s attention to the painting behind them. The taller man turned and looked at the painting. It was a good thing he actually knew something about this one. Now he would have something to talk to the other guy about. “This is actually a painting she did of the scenery outside the town in Italy that her family is from. I only know that because she was debating about even putting it in the show. It’s a local showcase so she wanted to have only pieces she’s done of local landmarks but I told her it was too nice to leave it out of the show.” Something about the way this guy was looking at him made Eli really start to wonder if there was something on his face. When the guy looked away to check out the painting again, Eli took a moment to brush his hand over his face and under his nose to double-check for stray boogers. Nope…maybe he was flirting? No way…Eli wasn’t nearly good-looking enough to attract this guy. So there had to be something on his face…he turned away to brush the corners of his eyes for any sleepy seeds when his eyes fell on Lafayette making his way back over. The look he was giving the guy next to him spelled trouble.

“Is Jesus coming?” Eli asked him, not even thinking that bringing up Lafayette’s boyfriend was a bad idea right now. Apparently it was from the way Lafayette’s face fell and the irritated look he shot Eli. “Yes he is. But if he wasn’t, this boy right here might be in trouble.” The coy smile that spread across the flamboyant man’s face made Eli think of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. With big flirty eyes, he extended his hand delicately to the stranger. “I’m Lafayette. What’s your name, sugar?” Some straight men could be really freaked out by Lafayette’s blatant flirting, but the Southern man only smiled wide and took the hand offered to him. The stranger’s name was Nicholas. Lafayette took his hand back and very obviously checked out Nicholas, grunting a sound of approval. Eli had to smile at how bold his friend was. “It’s very nice to meet you Nicholas, but tell me somethin’. Why you comin’ up in here distractin’ everybody from these beautiful pieces of art? This is my best friend’s showcase so I might jus’ have t’ shoo you away so she’ll actually sell somethin’.” Eli chuckled, glancing at Nicholas to see what his reaction was going to be. At least he seemed amused by Lafayette.

[NICHOLAS BELLEFONTAINE]

The young man hesitated for a long moment, but Nick was patient as he watched him, waiting for an answer. “Uh…no, I was just…admiring it. My friend is the artist. Abby James.” Nick wanted to take the boy home. There was something about his nervousness that made the predator in Nick come alive, but he was a master at keeping the beast at bay. He had plenty of ways to release pent up energy, and by the end of the night, likely plenty of options. “She does a lot of local landscapes. These are all hers in this section. Obviously…” His eyes moved over the paintings and he nodded. They were definitely the same artist, the style was the same and he could easily see the theme, though he hadn't really been focusing much on them prior to the boy pointing this obvious fact out. The picture behind him did catch his interest, though. He'd seen it before and liked it, but the tall boy caught his interest instead, which was where he chose to continue to stare. "And they're all remarkable." He added in his smooth drawl.

Nick could tell this guy was becoming uneasy with the way he was watching him, but that didn't stop him. He didn't plan on offering him a farewell or anything, because if he did he wouldn't be trying to find something to say. It was easy to see he was trying to figure out what to do next by the small gestures he made. “Were you looking to buy it?” He wasn't, but he wanted to show interest in one of the girls pieces mostly to keep talking to the eye candy. The one of the bluffs didn't interest him because of the water, and anything with water just didn't really deserve a place in his home. "I'm actually more interested in that piece right on over there." He explained nodding to the one piece in the collection that might actually be worth him considering. "This is actually a painting she did of the scenery outside the town in Italy that her family is from. I only know that because she was debating about even putting it in the show. It’s a local showcase so she wanted to have only pieces she’s done of local landmarks but I told her it was too nice to leave it out of the show.” Nick nodded slowly. "Ya'll have good taste." He said in a deep, small voice as he continued to watch the boy. He was starting to become uneasy, and Nick knew he should back off, but at this point he was becoming amused with the way the guy brushed at his nose and face. Did he think there was something there? Did he not know how fuckable he was? Then again if he was straight he might not realize Nick was interested. He was still trying to decide which team the boy batted on, or if he even had a preference.

Nick saw the black man approaching before the other man, always aware of his surroundings. He was surprised that the guy knew him. The darker man was clearly gay, and he wondered briefly if they were together and the man was coming to rightfully protect what was his. “Is Jesus coming?” Judging by the look Nick was receiving, he knew the man approaching wasn't interested in anything but him. Unfortunate how attraction often worked one way. “Yes he is. But if he wasn't, this boy right here might be in trouble.” Nick cocked a brow but kept his composure. He was certainly full of himself, but that didn't mean Nick had to encourage such behavior “I’m Lafayette. What’s your name, sugar?” Nick hesitated a brief moment before sliding his hand into the large one of the darker man, briefly considering offering an alias. He didn't like giving his name to strangers all the time since there was a chance he might like to conduct business with them and he made it a rule that no one who knew his name could conduct business with him. But these boys were certainly not the type to seek someone like him out. "Nicholas." He offered in his smooth voice, looking to boy he'd come to speak to as if introducing himself to him instead of this Lafayette character who likely would have paid him money to suck his cock in the bathroom.

“It’s very nice to meet you Nicholas, but tell me somethin’. Why you comin’ up in here distractin’ everybody from these beautiful pieces of art? This is my best friend’s showcase so I might jus’ have t’ shoo you away so she’ll actually sell somethin’.” Nick stayed cool at the taunt and allowed his lips to quirk at the compliment. "If ya'll shoo me too soon, Miss James won' be able tah sell this here piece." He didn't even look at the Italian painting, simply waiving his hand at it. "Tha's what one comes here tah do, right? Buy art? Or do I stand corrected." He asked in a pleasant, but cool voice. His eyes landed back on the man he'd initially approached. "I do believe this gentleman was helpin' me. What'd ya'll say your name was?" He asked, that deep focusing gaze landing back on the young man.

[ELI WESLEY]

“If ya’ll shoo me too soon, Miss James won’ be able tah sell this here piece.” Eli had to admit, he liked Nicholas’ deep Southern accent. It wasn’t quite the accent he was used to hearing on TV but had more of an undulating, lyrical flow to it. Was he Cajun maybe? “Tha’s what one comes here tah do, right? Buy art? Or do I stand corrected?” Lafayette just smirked in return, apparently lost for a retort. That was unusual. Not that Eli was really paying much attention to his brawny black friend right now. When Nicholas’ eyes fell on him again, he could feel a blush working up his neck and into his slightly protruding ears. What was it about this guy’s eyes that made him so nervous? “I do believe this gentleman was helpin’ me. What’d ya’ll say your name was?” Him? He glanced momentarily at Lafayette, noting the way his friend cupped his chin with one hand and looked quizzically between the other two, his dark mouth spreading wider. Why was he doing that? “Um…Eli.” He smiled wider and extended his big hand in a friendly gesture, squeezing the other man’s hand when it landed in his. His father had always told him a man’s handshake told a lot about him and he tried to come off as more confident than he really was. “It’s nice to meet you.” The smile on his mouth reached all the way to his green eyes, but it was hard to maintain eye contact with Nicholas. Especially when he smiled…Lafayette’s quiet grunt of approval snapped Eli out of it as he released Nicholas’ hand. When he turned and looked at the black man, he was giving Eli a sly look. Why was he looking like that?

“Well, sorry I interrupted. I’m going to go look for the lady of the hour.” He turned with a bit of a flourish and headed off, leaving Eli alone with Nicholas. Inside Eli was begging for Lafayette to stay, to be something familiar in the face of this unfamiliar and unnerving situation he found himself in, but outwardly he simply waved as Lafayette left. His friends made him more stable and comfortable when he was around people he didn’t know, but he didn’t want to be rude or be too awkward. When he looked back at Nicholas, he gave a soft breathy laugh. “Sorry if Lafayette made you uncomfortable or anything. He’s very comfortable with his sexuality and assumes everyone else is too.” He smiled wide again, but could feel his ears turning bright red. Of all the things to say, he was talking about Lafayette being a flaming homosexual. Being that Nicholas was probably straight, though, he might have actually been uncomfortable with Lafayette. Eli couldn’t tell. What he did know is that he was uncomfortable with this conversation. He glanced at the Italian painting before looking back at Nicholas. He was starting to pinpoint what made him feel so uneasy around this guy—the way Nicholas looked at him made Eli feel like he was under a spotlight. Like he was the most interesting thing in the room. That never sat well with the tall, lanky man. Already his hands were creeping into the pockets of his nice black suit as they tended to do when he was nervous.

Noticing how quiet he’d become for the last several moments, he cleared his throat and nodded at the painting. “So, uh…what drew you to this piece in particular?” he asked with a kind and curious look, forcing his eyes to stay on Nicholas’ face. He didn’t want to seem disengaged by not looking at the guy. Perhaps with some conversation, Eli would be able to relax more and stop being so self-conscious. This guy was straight, after all. Right?

[NICHOLAS BELLEFONTAINE]

"Um...Eli." His smile was wide and Nick mirrored it slightly as he shook Eli's hand. The boy had a decent grip, tho his large hands gave away at his unease due to the mild dampness only nerves could deliver. Was he that uncomfortable? Maybe because Lafayette was more than what he appeared to Eli and th boy wasn't comfortable talking to other men in his presence? Nick ruled that out quickly. Lafayette wasn't being possessive. Not over Eli, anyway. "It's nice to meet you." "Pleasuh's all mine." He practically cooed back, but at a sound made by Lafayette, Eli pulled away. He turned and looked at the black man, who was looking at Eli, which made Nick suspicious. What were they silently discussing with their eyes?

Well, sorry I interrupted. I'm going to go look for the lady of the hour." Nick gave a polite smile an a nod. "Pleasuh meetin' ya'll." He drawled before his attention returned back to Nick, half expecting him to excuse himself as well, but he stood awkwardly there, again looking as though he were trying to figure out just what to say. "Sorry if Lafayette made you uncomfortable or anything. He's very comfortable with his sexuality and assumes everyone else is too." though Eli smiled, Nick refused to do the same. Eli had no business apologizing for others. "Ya'll think tha's the first ovuh confident queer tah cross mah path?" He asked, quirking a brow up. "Takes uh great deal more tah make me uncomfortable." He explained gently, still unsure if Eli was gay or not. He might just be the bashful type. That or he really was falling uner Nick' spll. It didn't surprise him much.. he had his fathers charisma and confidence, with his mothers soft appearance. It was an unfortunate combination for anyone Nick intended to get close to. He rarely lost when he set out to get something.

He was going to continue speaking to Eli, but the way the man squirmed under his gaze was too much for Nick to pass up, so he simply stayed close, watching him expectantly. He would crack, and soon. Finally the boy cleared his thoat. "So, uh...what drew you to this piece in particular?" he stayed quiet a second longer before giving the honest answer. "You." He told him in a sncere voice. The red blush creeped up from beneath his collar once more, his ears tinted a getle mauve that oddly turned Nick on. "Handsome young man like yuhself standin' ovuh here with an empty arm. Ya'll caught my attention. This here piece was just uh bonus find, since I am actually lookin tah fill a wall with somethin'." His eyes traveled to th piece he knew he would likely purchase though it wasn't really what he was looking for. At least it would fit on the wall he had in mind. Nick looked at the oom and swept his arm out as though it were all a showcase and he were Vanna White. "Plenty ah beatiful people here, men an' women, but you.. ya'll jus' standin' here like uh sack uh potatuhs." His smile was bordering on playful and dangerous as his eyes met Eli's once more. "These things are great for meetin' people, Eli. 'Less uh course ya'll have someone an' your bein' respectful."

[ELI WESLEY]

Eli wondered if maybe he had said something wrong as Nicholas paused. He probably thought he was weird with how awkward he was acting. It wouldn’t be the first time that happened. “You.” That was certainly not the answer he was expecting. Before he could stop it, a deep blush rose from the collar of Eli’s clean white shirt and raced up into his ears and splashed against his cheeks. Surely he didn’t mean that the way Eli was taking it. “Handsome young man like yuhself standin’ ovuh here with an empty arm. Ya’ll caught my attention. This here piece was a bonus find, since I am actually lookin’ tah fill a wall with somethin’.” Okay…okay, maybe he did mean it the way Eli took it. But he begged to differ on the handsome part. He was too tall, too lanky and had a big nose with big ears to match. How the hell did he catch the eye of someone that could have been a celebrity? Eli just watched Nicholas like a deer in the headlights as he continued in that hypnotizing drawl, waving his arm at the room in general. “Plenty ah beautiful people here, men an’ women, but you…ya’ll jus’ standin’ here like uh sack uh potatuhs.” So it was his awkwardness that made him stand out. As usual. Eli gave a bashful smile at Nicholas’ words, but his stomach was twisting beneath those deep blue eyes. There was something predatory about Nicholas’ gaze and Eli felt vulnerable in its path.

“These things are great for meetin’ people, Eli. ‘Less uh course ya’ll have someone an’ you’re bein’ respectful.” Instinctively he shook his head, perhaps a little too quickly after Nicholas made the suggestion that he had someone. “No, I…I don’t have anyone…” He swallowed hard before scratching his head again, his uncertain smile returning. “I’m just, uh…taken aback. I don’t think I’ve ever been called handsome by someone so good-looking before.” A soft, breathy and nervous laugh escaped him, his face flushing a deeper red. He was going to look like a beet soon. His green eyes met Nicholas’ again and a shock of raw anxiety washed over him. If he didn’t talk again soon, his tongue was going to seize up. He was so bad at this. His smile never left, though. Whenever he was nervous, he smiled a lot. This time he made sure to maintain eye contact, however. “It’s very flattering though. To hear that from someone so out of my league.” His smile grew, his eyes lingering on Nicholas’ for a long moment. It was Eli’s way of building up his courage. That was until Nicholas’ lips caught his attention. He had an intriguing smile, almost like he was hiding something. His eyes didn’t linger long on the other man’s mouth, but it was probably noticeable.

When he looked away, it was to bring his eyes back to Nicholas’ before he cleared his throat again. “So where’s your accent from? It’s not something I hear much around here. If you don’t mind my asking…” He needed to turn this conversation to something that wouldn’t fluster him so much. Eli wasn’t good at receiving compliments and while he tried to return them, it made his heart race and his face flush to do so. He didn’t have to make his inexperience more obvious than it already was. His kind eyes remained on Nicholas’ as he asked his question, his hands still in his pockets but his form relaxing just slightly. He didn’t want Nicholas to think his compliments had fallen on deaf ears or that Eli was going to bolt away from them, as much as he wanted to.

[NICHOLAS BELLEFONTAINE]

The quick way Eli shook his head told Nick that Eli didn't want him thinking he was taken. He immediately became suspicious. "No, I...I don't have anyone..." The boys nerves were endearing. For now, anyway. A man as tall as Eli shouldn't be so nervous, not when he had the upper hand in most situations. He watched the boy scratch his head, a nervous tick, and he desperately wanted to tell him to stop, hating and loving how anxious he was. It stirred up the beast in him, especially since he was interested, but there was a part of him that wanted to slap the confidence into Eli. "I'm just, uh...taken aback. I don't think I've ever been called handsome by someone so good-looking before." Nick quirked a brow. That definitely made the pieces all click together. Eli was gay, and Eli was interested. "Now's tha' right." Lust began to fill Nick as he realized he'd already won this chess game, and they were only a couple of moves in. "It's very flattering though. To hear that from someone so out of my league."

Nicholas had been cut down plenty in his life. He'd also been told he was destined to do great things. He'd been abused and manipulated and taught that he would one day rule the world, though that had been a very long time ago. Since then most of his brainwashing had been cleared but even still, those were very formidable years. He had always retained that strange confidencethat he could own what he pleased, that the world, and all its things, were his for the taking if he truly desired it. Nick had a tendency to want what was easiest to get, though. He didn't have to work too hard, and Eli was a walk in the park. He already considered Nick a superior, and Nick fed into that, believing it before he even had a chance to get to know Eli. Still, he wanted to build the other man up, if only to knock him down later. That's where the thrill came from; seeing how long he could drag someone along, and hopefully making them stronger for their next conquest.

"There's no league's, Eli." He said softly, taking a step closer to make the other man a little more uncomfortable and to continue giving himself the upper hand. Nick picked up on every move Eli made, even when the mans eyes lingered on his mouth. Eli wanted him. Bad. And Nick was under the impression that he already had him. Eli looked away, clearing his throat and Nick knew he was going to attempt talking again. "So where's your accent from? It's not something I hear much around here. If you don't mind my asking." "New Orleans." He cooed in his deep accent. "Born an' raised out in the bayou." He explained, his eyes fixed on Eli's. "But ya'lls not really interested in where I'm from, hm?" His look was serious and piercing. "Now fo'give me if I'm bein' too fo'ward, which I often tend to be, but I think that ya'll might be interested in havin' a drink. Less uh course ya'll need to stick 'round fo' moral support, which shouldn' be necessary considerin' ya'll just sold one uh Miss James pieces." He watched the redness creep over Eli's face. "That wha' ya'll want, Eli?" The sooner he got Eli all to himself, the sooner he could enjoy his new toy.

[ELI WESLEY]

“New Orleans.” Eli liked the way Nicholas drawled the name of the city, running all the letters together. “Born an’ raised out in the bayou.” The taller man’s smile grew slightly, wondering how something so polished came out of the backwoods of Louisiana. “But ya’lls not really interested in when I’m from, hm?” He sort of was, but Eli blushed, knowing he was being caught in just trying to make conversation. His smile faded a bit at Nicholas’ intense gaze. “Now fo’give me if I’m bein’ too fo’ward, which I often tend to be, but I think that ya’ll might be interested in havin’ a drink. ‘Less us course ya’ll need to stick ‘round fo’ moral support, which shouldn’ be necessary considerin’ ya’ll just sold one uh Miss James’ pieces.” More blood rushed to Eli’s face. He was being asked to have a drink with a guy so beautiful he could be a supermodel. Not to mention he was the one being credited for selling Abby’s painting simply for standing in front of it. “That wha’ ya’ll want, Eli?” The man swallowed hard, trying not to get so flustered by the way Nicholas cooed his question the way he would coo at a lover. Did he want to have a drink with Nicholas? Eli nodded, unsticking his dry throat. “Yeah…I could use a drink.” Some might have suggested playing hard to get, stop being so easy, but Eli was a compliant person. It briefly crossed his mind that he might be falling into a trap, but the thought was gone as soon as it came. Eli was too swept up in this situation to run away now.

As they moved towards the bar, Nicholas asked how he’d met Abby and Lafayette. “She moved back to the area just over a year ago and we met at a bar. We dated for about a month, but decided we’re better friends. She just reminds me too much of my little sister for me to date her. Lafayette is her best friend, which is how I met him, but we’ve always been just friends.” Through his statement, he didn’t think he needed to elaborate that he went both ways. Eli simply had no preference—attraction was attraction. Abby was a beautiful, bright, sweet woman, which had originally drawn him to her, but they had realized early on that their chemistry just wasn’t sexual. She was so much like his little sister that the sexual attraction quickly cooled on their first date. He’d never found out what she looked like naked and it was probably better that way. The look in Nicholas’ eyes was a little dangerous at the mention of his dating Abby, but while it momentarily unnerved Eli, he decided to ignore it. If Nicholas had a chance to see him with Abby, he wouldn’t feel threatened anymore. Did he feel threatened? As Eli pondered that question, a familiar face turned and grinned at him from the bar. It was like Abby appeared when you mentioned her name.

“Hey, Eli! Lafayette told me you might have sold one of my paintings!” Eli smiled wide, relaxing a little to have a friend with him again as a buffer. He always felt better when he knew someone he was with. It didn’t occur to him that Nicholas might not be so happy with this second interruption. “Apparently I did. To this gentleman.” He removed a hand from his pocket and gestured at Nicholas with a kind smile. “Abby, this is Nicholas.” Immediately Abby perked up, one hand wrapped around a flute of champagne while the other reached out for Nicholas’. “Nice to meet you, Nicholas and thank you so much for your interest in my work!” Her smile was wide across her lightly bronzed face. It was just enough to make her light skin look healthy which matched her bright, dark eyes and glossy, dark hair falling in tumbling curls just past her bare shoulders. Honestly, it was no wonder why Eli had briefly fallen under her spell. “Do you guys want anything? I can flag down the bartender.” Before they had even answered she was enthusiastically turning back to the bar and waving to the young man behind it. He smiled and came back over and Nicholas and Eli took this chance to order their drinks. Eli only wanted a gin and tonic—just strong enough to ease his nerves some. When their order was in, Abby turned happily back to the two men. “How are you guys enjoying the event so far? I thought it was going to be a lot snootier than this but there’s such a great mix of people!” Abby was enthusiastic in everything she did and it was hard not to be more cheerful around her. “I agree. I’m having a really good time.” His eyes glanced to Nicholas a little bashfully and he tried not to blush when he found Nicholas’ eyes on him again. If the man kept staring at him like that, Abby was definitely going to know what was going on between them.

[NICHOLAS BELLEFONTAINE]

Of course Eli nodded. He could hardly believe this was happening and Nick knew it. “Yeah…I could use a drink.” At least he wasn't stupid enough to try and pretend like he didn't want to, because Nick would have shot that down in a second. He led the way and Eli moved with him. He asked about how he knew the artist and their friend Lafayette, which Eli casually explained. He listened with great interest, surprised that he'd dated the girl. Was he trying to fool himself or did he swing both ways? Nick would take whatever beautiful piece of ass came his way if the mood struck. In fact they didn't always need to be beautiful. It wasn't unheard of for him to take someone to bed who wasn't quite in his league. They always tried harder, and he often enjoyed their company more because they weren't as superficial as some of the others. Eli was handsome, but not in a way that would grab everyone, which also played on Nick's insecurities. He knew he was charismatic and that alone made him more attractive, but he didn't like the idea that he could be replaced. If someone wasn't as beautiful they would appreciate him more. Eli could, and would appreciate him which made him all the more appealing.

"She just reminds me too much of my little sister for me to date her. Lafayette is her best friend, which is how I met him, but we’ve always been just friends.” So he had a sister, and he wasn't interested in the flaming queer he hung around. More good news, except for the fact that he'd dated Abby at all. That made him uneasy. He knew immediately how possessive he was becoming over this man who didn't quite belong to him just yet, but really it was only a matter of time. A girls voice suddenly rocked through him, greeting Eli and Nick turned to look at the woman who he could only assume was Abby. She was cute, someone he would be interested in, which irked him further.

"Lafayette told me you might have sold one of my paintings!” No doubt about who it was now. Nick stood taller, eyeing the woman with controlled calm even though his insides were cranking with a weird sense of envy. “Apparently I did. To this gentleman.” His smile was friendly as he eyed the tiny woman. “Abby, this is Nicholas.” The woman came close, extending a hand and he took it into his own, giving a firm handshake. “Nice to meet you, Nicholas and thank you so much for your interest in my work!” "It's an honor, Miss James." He drawled, his eyes intent on hers as he pulled her knuckles to his lips, brushing them gently over her knuckles in a kind gesture. "Ya'll do beautiful work." The though of Eli going to bed with her both excited and frustrated him. He briefly thought about how nice it would be to share these two friends at the same time. Maybe he could encourage that.. “Do you guys want anything? I can flag down the bartender.” He didn't have much of a chance to answer before the girl was flagging down the bartender. He ordered himself a dirty martini and leaned on the bar waiting for the others to finish their order.

“How are you guys enjoying the event so far? I thought it was going to be a lot snootier than this but there’s such a great mix of people!” She certainly was excited, but then again her art was on display for the city to see. He might be excited as well. “I agree. I’m having a really good time.” Though he wasn't looking at Eli, he could feel the bashful gaze settling on him. He turned and met Eli's green eyes and his lips quirked up ever so slightly at the way his ears turned pink. "It's cert'nly one uh the nicer events they've set up." nick explained, looking back at Abby as the drinks came. "I come every few months. I like tah suppor' the local artists, an' take advantage uh the free booze." His smirk was devious as he brought his drink to his lips. "It's not often ya'll gathuh a room full uh talented artists. Usually there's a han'ful uh people that shoulda been told when they were young to go on an' put down that paintbrush. Ya'll ain't one of those though, Miss James. In fact, I think ya'll should be travelin' more an' paintin' the world. The Italian piece is breath takin'." He moved closer to Eli making it seem accidental as his arm rested against the other mans while he sipped his drink. "Anyway, Eli here tells me ya'll used tah date?"

[ELI WESLEY]

“It’s cert’nly one uh the nicer events they’ve set up. I come every few months. I like tah suppor’ the local artists, an’ take advantage uh the free booze.” Nicholas smirked and Eli tried not to notice how very handsome he looked even with that devious smile. “It’s not often ya’ll gathuh a room full uh talented artists. Usually there’s a han’ful uh people that shoulda been told when they were young to go on an’ out down that paintbrush.” Both Eli and Abby smiled wider at that comment, amused. They had certainly seen some of those in their visits to the art shows. “Ya’ll ain’t one of those though, Miss James. In fact, I think ya’ll should be travelin’ more an’ paintin’ the world. The Italian piece is breathtakin’.” Just when Eli was starting to wonder if he was going to start pursuing Abby now, Nicholas’ arm discreetly rested against Eli’s and the taller man took a deep sip of his drink to try and drown out some of his nerves. Abby meanwhile was blushing a little herself and grinning at Nicholas. “Well, thank you very much! I really appreciate you saying so.” She glanced to Eli and visibly noted how close the two of them were standing. Her smile quirked up a little more and she let her eyes fall on Eli’s with a hint of mischief. Well, now she knew.

“Anyway, Eli here tells me ya’ll used tah date?” Eli almost choked on the mouthful of gin and tonic he’d just swallowed, surprised by the sudden question. Abby’s big brown eyes glanced to him momentarily, but when Eli shook his head gently to assure her he was fine, Abby’s smile grew. “Yeah, like a hundred years ago!” “Or last year.” Eli grinned at Abby when she rolled her eyes at him and then grinned wider. “Well, it was pretty clear when we first started dating that it would probably be better to just be friends. So that’s what we became. Now I have my boyfriend Marius and not even Eli’s cute face could tear me away from him.” Her nose wrinkled cutely as she smiled at Eli who shook his head gently in return, looking down at his feet momentarily. He was reminded how close Nicholas was to him and once more he took a sip of his drink to try and relax. “And speak of the Devil!” When Eli looked up and turned, he saw Marius coming up beside them. Eli smiled wide for the handsome Romanian doctor, who returned the gesture gently and wrapped his arm around Abby’s waist. The way Marius looked at Nicholas, Eli could tell that the doctor was being a little protective of his beautiful girlfriend, which mildly surprised him. He’d never known the man to be aggressive, but then he’d never provoked the man’s aggression. Marius told Abby in his soft, slightly accented voice that one of the other artists was looking to speak with her. She nodded and went off with him, smiling wide and waving over her shoulder. “Just let me know when you’re ready to finalize the sale! Eli can text me! Oh!” It was like she had forgotten something and she came scrambling back from Marius’ side to sidle up to Eli once again. She stood on tiptoe and cupped her mouth with one hand, pulling his ear down closer so she could whisper. “He’s totally into you! Make sure to get his number!” Her grin was big and playful as she scurried away again, leaving Eli blushing faintly with a small, bashful and uncertain smile as he watched her go. When he looked back at Nicholas still hovering close, he forced a nervous smile. “She’s really excitable. It’s hard to keep up with her sometimes.” Most of the time.

With another wider smile, Eli moved closer to the bar and lowered himself onto a stool. “You said you like to support local artists. Are you an artist too?” It was a fair question. He finished his drink and signaled to the bartender for another one. When he looked back at Nicholas, he found those eyes fixed squarely on his again. This guy had a way of making a guy feel like the only one in the room, that was for certain.

[NICHOLAS BELLEFONTAINE]

Though he could see the pair making conversation with his eyes, he kept his own trained on Abby. “Yeah, like a hundred years ago!” “Or last year.” At least Eli was honest. Was Abby already under the impression that Nick was interested? He didn't think he was being overly obvious. Then again, she was an artist so perhaps she was more attuned to subtleties. “Well, it was pretty clear when we first started dating that it would probably be better to just be friends. So that’s what we became. Now I have my boyfriend Marius and not even Eli’s cute face could tear me away from him.” It eased him some to hear, but he cocked a brow anyway. "Boyfriend?" He questioned softly, as though he himself were interested in the role, though he certainly wasn't. Nick wasn't big on the dating thing, not considering his line of work. Dating meant honesty, and he couldn't be honest. Or he could simply lie to the other and inevitably hurt them. He would hurt them either way. Nick was damaged goods and he wasn't naive enough not to know it. You don't go through what he went through and come out unscathed. His scars were worse on the inside, and he wasn't selfish enough to burden others with them. Besides, what could he possibly gain from having a committed relationship?

“And speak of the Devil!” Nick turned his head the same time Eli did, watching a man come closer to their small circle. He slipped a possessive arm around Abby's waist and Nick let his eyes linger on the new arrivals. The man spoke softly into her ear about about someone wanting to see her and she nodded, turning along with him to go meet her admirer and calling over her shoulder to him about finalizing the sale. Then she broke away from her boyfriend and came back to Eli, whispering into his ear before disappearing with her man. Nick felt tense at their secret exchange and annoyed at the way Eli blushed. He didn't like competition, and though she was taken she was closer to the man and he considered her fair competition. “She’s really excitable." He confessed with a nervous sort of smile while Nick watched him expectantly. "It’s hard to keep up with her sometimes.” He gave a nod and sipped his drink, looking out at the crowd because he really had nothing to say on the matter. He was irked by the girls presence and it somehow made Eli a little less desirable, even if he was cute.

“You said you like to support local artists. Are you an artist too?” He looked back at Eli who was now sitting, and took a seat of his own as the boy waved the bartender over. He tapped his own drink, signalling he wanted a refill as well. "In uh manner ah speakin'." He said in a coy voice, deciding to give Eli another chance since he was his main prospect so far, and he was focusing on him once more, and only him. With any luck there would be no further interruptions. "I don't paint or sculpt, if that's what ya'll's askin' me. But I wouldn' say I'm not ah artist." He could see the questioning in his eyes and only smirked. "Now don't ya'll go probin', it's a private matter I don't discuss. I see tha' look in your eyes." He sipped his drink again and placed it on the bar, looking out at the people again. "So did ya'll just come tah support Miss James? Or perhaps there's a display with ya'll's name written on it?" He smirked at Eli, knowing that wasn't the case at all. "Or is there another motive?"

[ELI WESLEY]

“In uh manner ah speakin’.” Eli gave a curious look, not quite sure what Nicholas meant by that. A musician maybe? Or a writer? Those were forms of art… “I don’t paint or sculpt, if that’s what ya’ll’s askin’ me. But I wouldn’t say that I’m not ah artist.” Not a small smiled quirked up on Eli’s lips, about to ask what kind of artist he was, but Nicholas smirked at him. “Now don’t ya’ll go probin’, it’s a private matter I don’t discuss. I see tha’ look in your eyes.” Eli gave a bit of a bashful smile, sipping his drink again as he held back his curiosity to know the mystery behind this handsome devil. “So did ya’ll just come tah support Miss James? Or perhaps there’s a display with ya’ll’s name written on it?” The taller man shook his head in short, vigorous turns. Eli had a hard enough time trying to draw a reasonable stick figure. “Or is there another motive?” The way Nicholas asked the last question made Eli’s cheeks feel slightly flushed again.

“Just to support Abby, really. I certainly didn’t expect to meet anyone new. Well, someone who was interested in talking to me. Usually I spend these kinds of events on my own or with friends.” His shy and boyish smile grew momentarily, always feeling a little more awkward than usual when he explained to others that he was mostly a loner. He had friends, but not all that many close ones. Most of them were little more than acquaintances. “But it’s nice. To meet someone new, I mean.” He had suddenly realized he might have made it sound like he wasn’t happy with the way the night was going. Eli certainly enjoyed Nicholas’ company more than his own. His cheeks were a bright pink by now. The warmth of the alcohol burning in his belly didn’t help much with that. “I’m guessing you didn’t just come for the art.” While the words bordered on flirtatious, his eyes hinted at his nervousness. It would help if Nicholas weren’t looking at him like a wolf eyes a juicy steak. Obviously he was enjoying the way Eli squirmed and Eli couldn’t really help but do so. If he thought of Nicholas like a patient, he might have been able to control it, but that thought only added a layer of weird to the whole situation. He wouldn’t voice that thought.

“What do you do for a living?” There weren’t many jobs that provided an income high enough to allow a person to spend over $500 on a piece of artwork. Nicholas looked glamorous enough to be in showbiz or maybe work for a magazine of some sort. Or maybe he was a successful lawyer or business executive? He’d be pretty young for that, but it wasn’t unheard of. He had a feeling maybe he had asked the wrong question when Nicholas paused to gaze at Eli. The man didn’t know how to read that look. Was his job a secret? Squirming again though he was, Eli was very curious about Nicholas’ answer.

[NICHOLAS BELLEFONTAINE]

“Just to support Abby, really. I certainly didn’t expect to meet anyone new. Well, someone who was interested in talking to me. Usually I spend these kinds of events on my own or with friends.” He cocked a brow at his low self esteem. It was hard not to roll his eyes, but he behaved. For the moment, anyway. “But it’s nice. To meet someone new, I mean.” "Isn't it?" He toyed sipping his drink, an almost bored look on his face as he watched Eli squirm, pink cheeked. “I’m guessing you didn’t just come for the art.” He smirked deviously and rolled his shoulders. "'Til I met you, I didn' think anyone came jus' for the art." His eyes were intent on Eli's and he could see how easy it was to make the boy squirm. The beast in him was ready to attack, but the gentleman in him kept him poised. There was plenty of time to move things along. For now he was content with making Eli uncomfortable. “What do you do for a living?” And like that Eli took it too far.

There was a reason Nicholas didn't talk about his career choice. First, it was more than a little illegal. Second, it freaked people out. Third, telling someone meant ending their life, and he wasn't interested in taking Eli's. He had a list of occupations he chose to use in order to sway unsuspecting prey, but he'd been too busy studying Eli to really consider the question until now. Usually he was better prepared, but tonight was different. He wasn't expecting to meet someone who was actually going to have a conversation with him. Nick rarely went on the hunt for men. Women were so much easier and naive, they'd believe anything, but something about Eli told Nick that he wouldn't be so stupid as to believe his bullshit. He was squirmy and he paid close attention. He collected details, and he'd been an idiot not to have come up with something sooner.

"My daddy was an oil man." He lied after a pregnant pause, relaxing again so Eli wouldn't be suspicious, or that's what he hoped anyway. "We didn' exatleh get along, but he left me a small fortune when he passed." Nick's father was, as far as he knew, well and alive but that didn't mean he'd ever see him again. The guy was sick, and given the chance Nick himself might take his life. "I work for uh escort service sometimes tah keep busy. Take fancy cougers to dinnuh." His smile was wicked and he looked away. "Jus' dinnuh, an' maybe drinks." He looked back at Eli. It wasn't a complete lie. He hadn't been an escort in years, but he'd certainly done it for a time. It's how he got a taste for some of the finer things, and he'd certainly been able to up his appearance because of it. Entertaining dirty old broads wasn't his shtick anymore, though. "And what do ya'll do?"

[ELI WESLEY]

Even though it was fleeting, Eli didn’t fail to notice the brief surprise on Nicholas’ face when he first reacted to Eli’s question. There was a brief pregnant pause and Eli took note of it. Why would Nicholas hesitate to say what he did for a living? “My daddy was an oil man. We didn’ exatleh get along, but he left me a small fortune when he passed.” Eli nodded and quickly went over the likeliness of this story in his mind. Nicholas looked like he came from money and there were plenty of oil tycoons in the areas of the South along the coast that bordered the Gulf of Mexico. He could see it being true, but the pause that preceded Nicholas’ answer still left him somewhat suspicious. “I work for uh escort service sometimes tah keep busy. Take fancy cougars to dinnuh.” Eli had to grin at the wicked way Nicholas smiled. That must have been the real answer to his question. Eli could understand someone hesitating to tell other people that. It seemed odd in Nicholas since he had been so bold when he approached him in front of Abby’s artwork, but maybe there were just some things the guy didn’t want to talk about. And that was fair. “Jus’ dinnuh an’ maybe drinks.” Eli had a feeling it might have been more depending on the client. Nicholas didn’t seem the type to be bound by the rules of propriety. It was in Eli’s nature to keep those thoughts to himself, however.

“And what do ya’ll do?” When Eli looked up, he must have looked almost surprised by the returned question with the way his green eyes widened slightly. He smiled when he caught Nicholas’ gaze, a slightly more comfortable smile than the ones he’d been showing earlier. “I’m a psychologist at Greenwolfe University. Specifically a grief counselor.” It was a gloomy job, one that most people didn’t jump at to say how interesting it was. Most people didn’t want to deal with such sad things on a daily basis, but it was very fulfilling work for Eli. He wanted to do for others what his grief counselor had done for him. With a small shrug, he looked back at Nicholas with a smile. “It’s nothing glamorous but I enjoy it.”

That’s when he noticed the look on Nicholas’ face. It was hard to read, but Eli could tell he wasn’t exactly thrilled to hear what he did for a living. He got this reaction sometimes, mostly from people who didn’t like going to see doctors. With a lopsided smile, he picked up his drink and took a sip to drive away some of the uneasiness he felt at Nicholas’ stare. Eli just didn’t know what to think when he was being looked at like that. “Don’t worry, I don’t shrink people unless they’re students at the school.” It was meant to be a joke and his smile widened, but he had a feeling that it wasn’t a very amusing joke for either of them. Had Nicholas suddenly lost interest because of what Eli did for a living? Eli couldn’t pretend he wouldn’t be disappointed if that was the case. Attempting to wave away the awkward silence, he eyed Nicholas curiously. “Not a big fan of doctors?” he asked in an almost playful tone.