readytosee | closed rp post

Seeing Alexander on a rather less-than-professional level has been quite the whirlwind. His wardrobe has certainly gotten a makeover, since his very generous employer likes to see him dress a certain way. And who is Casper to refuse? It's not like it hurts him to wear a nice suit now and again.

And now here he is, being whisked away to parts unknown for a long weekend. Sitting in Alexander's plane with a cocktail, feeling rather luxurious.

"Am I allowed to ask where we're going? You sent me the packing list, so I'm guessing not the beach. Not that you really seem like a beach sort of fellow."

Alexander doesn't really do relationships. It's not entirely because he isn't interested in them, it's just that most people are only good for a few nights of fun before he gets bored or they piss him off. Casper Darling, though ... Alexander knew there was something about him right away, and for once he's almost excited at the idea of having someone around.

At any rate, Casper so far hasn't minded the rumours or the odd mood swing or even being manhandled in the bedroom. So far, so good, and Alexander has been eager to spoil him from the onset.

Speaking of being manhandled, he reaches over to brush his thumb against a bruise peeking out over Casper's collar.

"The sun and I don't generally get along. And I'm not going to ruin the surprise for you."

"I burn fairly quickly as well, so I'm not terribly upset about that." Darling smiles and nudges his foot against Alexander's with a small but rather cheerful smile.

He's not used to being spoiled like this. Dating Zachariah was never really dating, either. Just a mutually beneficial physical relationship. But this does feel different. Deeper, already. He and Alexander click in a way he hasn't felt in quite some years.

And being manhandled in the bedroom has been quite spectacular, really. He hums at the touch to his neck, tipping his head a little for better access. "I'll have to invest in better concealer, I suspect."

It's ... Nice. Casper seems to feel so at ease around him, and he can't help but wonder about the possibilities that presents. For now, he smiles a little, pressing his thumb a little harder against the purple spot.

"I like it better when everyone can see it."

He sits back, taking a sip of his own drink.

"We still have about six hours before we land. I hope you have something to entertain yourself with."

Ohgod, that's something to get used to again. The constant needwant that comes with this honeymoon phase of things. He leans into the touch, but then it's gone and Casper exhales slowly, sipping at his drink to gather himself again.

"Hm, yes. Well." He clears his throat a little, glancing out the window at the clouds as they pass. "A few books and things, of course." Some read-and-toss thrillers (nothing by Alexander's brother, he'd heard about that around the office) as well as a few academic journals he'd been meaning to thumb through.

Casper glances out the window, Alexander keeps his gaze fixed on Casper over the rim of his glass. As for himself, he'll probably sleep for most of the flight. The white noise of the engines whirring creates a nice calm for him, and he enjoys the stillness that comes with being in flight.

The nap can wait, though. He sets down his drink and moves away, looking through something until he finds a newspaper and a pen. Then he takes a seat beside Casper.

"Would you help me with the crossword if I asked nicely?"

He doesn't really need the help, but he wants to absorb as much of Casper's attention as he can.

"You know? I'd be absolutely delighted." Casper sets his drink aside as well and leans close so that he can look over the crossword with Alexander. Honestly, he's still a little intimidated by the man, and he's eager to show how clever he is. That he's worth keeping around.

And besides, he's more than happy to give Alexander his full attention. For as long as he demands it. "Do you do crosswords often? I enjoy it. Keeps your mind sharp."

Alexander hums in response, putting one arm along the back of Casper's seat and setting the newspaper on the table in front of them. His fingers absently (purposely) brush Casper's shoulder.

"They're fine to kill time. I get bored easily."

Mostly he's moody, and often the smallest thing can set him off and ruin his enjoyment of something as simple as a puzzle.

"The present company helps."

"Well. We wouldn't want that." The arm around his shoulder is very nice. Casper leans into it, tucking up happily against Alexander's side.

The moodiness actually hasn't been quite as bad as the rumours had said. Casper had expected a lot more flipping of furniture, but so far nothing of that sort. Some yelling and scowling and sulking, but nothing astronomical. And he's starting to find ways to bring Alexander's mood back around. Praise seems to go a long way, so long as it doesn't come off as pandering.

"And if you get bored of the puzzle, I'll see what else I can do to entertain you."

"I'm sure you'll think of something."

As they work through the puzzle, Alexander keeps his hand rested lightly on Casper's shoulder, occasionally stroking Casper's neck a little. There's an amused little kiss or two, as well, as they chat between solving clues. But they're both smart men and while the crossword is hefty, it doesn't stand a chance.

"Maybe I should have brought another one."

"Well, I have a Sudoku book, if we decide we need it." But this is... this is lovely. Sitting so close, trading soft kisses. Just sharing space like this. It's something he hasn't had in a long while, and he wasn't really expecting to have it now, with Alexander.

But the man, clearly, is full of surprises. So much more romantic than Casper had thought he would be, but he's damn well going to enjoy it.

The Wake men are nothing if not passionate, which also translates into romance (at least as far as Alan and Tom are concerned). Alexander has simply never found anyone that made him even want to consider romance until Casper came along. But he's not incapable of it.

At the mention of Sudoku, his nose scrunches up.

"I've never been much of a numbers guy. My family's strength has always been more on words."

Even if Alan's books are absolute shit, and Alan has to know they are, given how much of a bitch he is about promoting them.

Oh dear, well. He absolutely has to kiss the bridge of that scrunched up nose, doesn't he? And then another kiss to Alexander's mouth, because it feels right to.

"I tried one of Alan's book once." The pinched expression he gives should reveal exactly how he feels about the experience. "Not really to my taste. I like something with more substance.

You are..." Casper smiles, sliding his fingers over Alexander's arm. "A man of great substance, and I appreciate that about you. You have depth."

It could have been a nice moment, if Casper hadn't said that name in tandem with it. All traces of humour leave Alexander's face and he reaches for the hand on his arm, gripping Casper by the wrist with almost-too-much pressure.

"I do," he agrees, because of course he does. It's that depth that keeps him from getting any more upset than he is right now.

Well. Now he knows.

Though the grip on his wrist has him sucking in a breath, his lashes fluttering a little. He shouldn't enjoy that, he knows. The dangerous streak Alexander has to him. But he can't quite help but get a bit of a thrill from it.

"You do," Casper repeats, pressing a kiss to the corner of the other man's mouth. "And you're whisking me away to a no doubt exquisite vacation, on your private jet. And I'm looking forward to showing you exactly how grateful I am for this experience."

He likes that Casper is eager to place. He's not sure if it's just his annoyance at the mention of Alan that has him feeling annoyed at that, too, though, or if he genuinely wants Casper to just enjoy himself and not worry about making it worth Alexander's while. Really, he's only whisking Casper to Paris for a whirlwind weekend because he's trying to make an impression, trying desperately to dig his claws into Casper so he never wants to leave.

He exhales a breath, turning his head just enough to kiss Casper's cheek in turn. A truce of sorts, for now.

"I need a nap. You should come keep me company while you read."

Casper is pretty hooked, as it is. He finds Alexander charming, in his own very unique way, and the moodiness doesn't bother him overmuch. He can understand it, he gets into moods himself when he's working on a project.

Alexander kisses his cheek, and Casper squeezes his fingertips lightly as they move out of their embrace. "I can shift to the other seat, so I'm not bothering you while you get some sleep."

"What?"

He frowns, like Casper's being ridiculous, and then remembers that private jets aren't commonplace and he didn't exactly give Casper a plane tour.

"No -" Alexander stands, taking Casper's hand to get him to do the same. "Here."

One the end of the plane opposite of the cockpit, there's a closed door, which when opened reveals a hidden bedroom.

"My neck hates me if I try to sleep in those chairs."

"Oh, my!" That's certainly not something he was expecting. An entire bedroom on the plane, my goodness. Not that the seats themselves are anything to sneeze at, but the bed looks much more comfortably.

"Flying in style, I see. In which case I'd be more than happy to get my book and join you."

"Good."

Alexander gives Casper's hand a squeeze, then he's toeing off his shoes before crawling on to the bed to get comfortable. He settles on his back, already feeling much calmer with the sound of the engine creating a nice amount of white noise.

How cozy. Casper grabs the Agatha Christie novel he'd tossed into his bag and makes himself comfortable, taking off his shoes and bowtie as he settles in next to Alexander on the bed.

He's going to be spoiled for any travel in the future, gracious.

Alexander dozes in and out, mostly thinking that this is nice. Quiet. Easy. Neither of them trying to impress the other, just existing comfortably side by side. This must be what domesticity is supposed to feel like.

He doesn't stir until the captain announces they'll be landing shortly. He looks over at Casper, reaching over to brush his fingers along Casper's arm.

"Time to figure out where I've whisked you away to."

Casper dozes a little as well, since it is a rather long flight. He blinks awake when Alexander touches his arm, rubbing his eyes and setting his glasses back on his face.

"I have to say, I am very excited to be wherever we are. I do love a good adventure."

He takes careful note of that. Adventures he can do, that's easy.

He sits up and smooths his hair down where the pillow got it a bit out of place, then sits on the edge of the bed to put his shoes back on. In the main cabin of the plane, the windows are showing the skyline of Paris, lit up against the night sky. Next time, h thinks, they'll do an overnight flight, but there's something special about flying into Paris like this. It is the city of lights, after all.

"If you tell me now that you don't like Paris, I can get the pilot to fly us somewhere else. Venice, maybe?"

Casper can't help but gasp at the sight of Paris, all lit up like this. Like the city was just waiting for their arrival.

He reaches out to pull Alexander close, wrapping his arms around his partner's neck and kissing him sweetly, his expression both awed and delighted. "This is wonderful, Alexander. I can't believe you took me to Paris, my god. I haven't been in -- oh, over a decade, I think. And the last time was for a conference, so it was all work related.

This is lovely, thank you."

baby you can go wherever you like...

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