[ that's the first thing shylock zooms in on. chuckling, he summons his pipe with a flick of his wrist, taking a long drag from it as he thinks. bradley really is being dramatic about all this, isn't he? it's rather unlike him; usually it's the twins who would ramp up the drama, not the sanbaka. ]
This spineless coward you were talking about... He's here, isn't he? It'd be easy for me to figure out who it is, considering that you'd only just arrived here.
[ incredibly easy, not that shylock doesn't already know. what if he just wants bradley to say it outright? ]
For someone like you who wished you could take it back -- you must love him, don't you?
[ as long as he doesn't say his name, there's plausible deniability, but he doesn't like how know-it-all shylock has to sound about it. he glares at him, daring him to not say a word or Else.
but his bravado falters the moment shylock says the l word. bradley doesn't think about that and never bothered naming his feelings, so it's both shocking and offensive to hear it in such plain terms. scary, too. mostly scary. ]
Shut up. You don't know shit.
[ says, even though shylock knows everything. he'll continue in what will feel like a sudden change of topic even though it's really not - not in his head, anyway. but also a little bit because let's not talk about love, ever. ]
...These "apartments" or whatever... they're fucking stupid. No self-respecting Northern wizard would take something given to them. We take it by force or not at all. Of course you and the others wouldn't get it.
[ his smile widens. northern wizards may be universally feared, sure, but there's nothing like being read by western wizards that makes the skin crawl at times. bradley and nero's conversations on the app may be available to be read by everyone, but who's to say that shylock read it? he's a tad too busy and he doesn't often try to use technology if he can help it.
but who knows, really :)
anyway! shylock goes along the topic change just as well. ]
Well, you'll need a roof over your head whether you like it or not. Is it any different from taking residence in the Manor despite our initial protests?
[ his tone also sounds wistful as he agrees with brad. ]
I miss them too. But we must try not to be too homesick, else our magic will go awry. After all, the heart wants what it wants, whether we like it or not.
As a matter of fact, [ shylock this time locks eyes with bradley. ] I don't mind. You might find this surprising, Bradley, but I do have my moments of solitude. And sometimes, I might even prefer them than being in crowds of people.
We wizards are all too accustomed to loneliness, after all.
[ he looks at him only because shylock is defying him with his eyes, not because he wants to. but then he says the thing about loneliness and he doesn’t know how to react. being lonely and being a social creature forced into over a century of loneliness are very different things.
eventually, he looks away. shylock is free therapy but at what cost? he clicks his tongue, annoyed. mostly at himself. ]
You'd still rather live with him than not. [ tch. he’s jealous. ] …Maybe I should kill him and move in with you instead.
[ see, going to shylock for free therapy is a common mistake in the first place. why won't y'all ever learn that his advice can range from understandable to utterly deranged? ]
Fufu. As if I'd let you take his life when he'd already risked his centuries ago.
[ he'll never let murr go through that again. ]
But of course, if you want... [ he leans over to whisper softly into bradley's ear ] Murr might not be home tonight.
[ and then he pulls away with a cheeky smile on his face. ]
[ bradley would never admit it, but he feels like a cornered beast forcefully thrown into a strange environment, stripped of all his power, no better than a human. and the one person he sought for company pushed him away like garbage in favor of his new life.
shylock was an oasis in the desert in that regard. he's used to the brash way bradley speaks and doesn't take offense in it, and to bradley, he's not only a familiar face, but his last resort in finding comfort. that's why he didn't mind walking for hours in the dark looking for his new bar. it was worth it because shylock made it worth it. he hates feeling vulnerable - it’s unfamiliar and uncomfortable, but if anyone in the world was going to see him like this, he'd rather it be shylock and no one else.
he closes his eyes when shylock leans in to whisper in his ear. what a terribly sultry voice. he huffs a laugh. ]
Hah. You know I'd never say no to that.
[ if nothing else, shylock was good at stroking his ego and not making him feel like a loser begging for company. also his voice just makes his dick hard simply for existing, so that's a plus. ]
Edited (how dare you edit) Date: 2022-09-17 01:24 pm (UTC)
[ that's because bradley has never been a loser in his eyes. northern wizards are always a delight to watch, and bradley does have exquisite taste when it comes to nicking treasure. this side of him is rather rare, a treasure in its own right, and shylock is going to take advantage of it. ]
Excellent.
[ he looks at the time. just a little over a half-hour until closing time. already the patrons are starting to make their leave, bidding shylock their farewell bows. ]
Now, if you could stay for a while longer, I will accompany you to wherever you wish to go.
[ because who knows if murr would be home. what if he wanted to join? would brad like that? he'd better be. nothing like a western wizard threesome to really fuck you up. ]
[ he wants... some proof that someone wouldn't mind having him around for the night. so he already feels good enough hearing the invitation at all. he'll wait at the bar, watching shylock's patrons come and go, until they're finally the only two left.
as for murr, well. he has some respect for murr for being someone that's ballsy enough to provoke oz into almost kill him more than once, but unless he turns into a hot witch, his interest in murr as a person is minimal. he doesn't care if murr is at home when he gets there with shylock; murr doesn't seem the type tp mind, either. so honestly he doesn't care if he's there to hear shylock get railed or not. ]
[ would murr like that, though? shylock thinks he wouldn't mind, but that's usually because murr's priorities are all over the place and sometimes he just won't care if shylock sleeps with other people. that's how it was back home, and that's just how it is today in hell, where the tamamo clan oversees the brothels in the area.
the time leading to closing must be excruciatingly slow for bradley. but it arrives with little to no fanfare; with a clap of his hands, the lights turn off and the blinds roll down the windows on their own. shylock cants his head towards the door, urging bradley to follow him outside where he summons his broomstick with a flick of his wrist. ]
All in due time, you'll be able to regain this. [ he knows that it's a struggle to get around without a trusty broomstick, ok. he sits down on it, and pats the space next to him for bradley to get on. ] Let's go?
[ maybe shylock is aware, or maybe he isn't, that bradley hates watching other wizards flex their magic in front of him in this place. all he can conjure is sugar and that's basically the same as being a regular fucking human. still, shylock wasn't the type to rub power in front of others, so when he reassures bradley that his condition is only temporary, he feels more calm. he takes a seat on his broom, clicking his tongue. ]
Yeah, yeah.
[ he does as told, if anything, sitting behind him with a small blush on his ears. he's not drunk, but he is a little too vulnerable and secretly grateful shylock is there for him. he’ll observe the city under them as they fly over to shylock’s place, trying to remind himself that he will get his power back soon… ]
[ it's okay, king. with how much bradley usually throws his weight around, shylock believes that he can get his magic back little by little. he gets the intimidation, though. the only way wizards can lose their magic is by turning to stone (obviously) and breaking a promise. as far as shylock knows, he hasn't recalled breaking one upon coming here, and he imagines that his fellow wizards didn't go through it either.
so it's fine, all fine.
it's not too long till they arrive at casa de shymurr, which is a refurbished attic apartment. they land at the balcony, and shylock leads him inside. ]
Would you like another drink? [ he posits, already untying the bow from his collar. oh my. ] You seem to be rather tense, Bradley. This isn't like you.
[ nothing like teasing a northerner to get things going. ]
[ unlike shylock, part of bradley does wonder if, by coming here, he broke the promise the twins forced him to make when he was imprisoned (the promise to fulfill his sentence to completion). it's frustrating to think of it, so he'd rather not.
thankfully, shylock's place is more than enough distraction; it's spacious and classy, and it has a familiar, captivating aroma all over. he takes a few steps inside behind him, observing his surroundings. more than shylock's place, it's shylock himself who bradley's interested in.
when he turns to look at him again, his eyes follow shylock’s hands as he unties his bow, almost hypnotized. he steps over, standing in front of him, catching his wrist the moment he's done. ]
[ he's completely speechless for a moment, looking away with a frown. dammit shylock he came here to forget about that guy and you have to remind him of him at the worst possible moment. but… his hold on shylock's wrist doesn't relent.
he turns his gaze back slowly to meet his eyes - red and deep, on the beautiful face of the jewel of the west. the devil of the west. the myriad of nicknames shylock was known for. he wonders for a moment if losing his notoriety in this place affected shylock at all, considering how vain he is and how much pride he took on being so well-known.
or maybe bradley's just desperately looking for someone to relate to. ]
…You're a jackass.
[ he doesn't say it with any malicious intent. and for all it's worth, bradley's more than just fond of shylock. part of bradley’s afraid he's letting himself be too vulnerable in front of him, but for as much as shylock enjoys teasing him, he's never once mocked him over anything - not even him being no better than a human. so yes, he might not be the person he's pining over, but that doesn't mean bradley isn't here for shylock himself.
the grip on his wrist loosens, and his hand moves over to caress the side of shylock’s face, moving some strands of hair away from his eyes with a bitter expression. ]
You want me here, yeah? …You want to be mine, no matter what?
[ he wants… at least one person to tell him that… but he doesn't know how to ask. all he can do is demand it and hope he's not pushed away. ]
[ oh, my. bradley is practically on his knees and begging for it. that's very dangerous to ask for from a western wizard, you know?
but perhaps because it is dangerous that bradley is going for it anyway, thrill-seeking northerner that he is. perhaps that this moment of weakness coming from the other man is making shylock think up of so many ways to do with him. either way, it means that bradley trusts shylock this much.
he leans his head on bradley's hand, closing his eyes. it's folly to think that anyone could truly own shylock for themselves -- not even murr is privy to that. but shylock figures that he very may as well be honest about this. ]
Bradley. [ he sighs out the other wizard's name. ] Ever since coming here... I've always hoped you'll descend down here in hell with me.
[ he then leans in closer, pressing himself impossibly closer to the other man. ]
So why not take the opportunity to take what's yours for tonight? [ for once, shylock will let him. ]
[ shylock is a beautiful validation machine - one that bradley needs more than he'd ever admit to himself. he sighs with relief when he finally hears what he wanted to hear more than anything else, barring a proper invitation to live together.
with shylock's chest pressed close to his own like this, there's an immediate reaction from bradley's body. sweet words that ring true coming from the most attractive person in all of hell would get anyone hard, after all. his free hand circles around shylock to hold his waist, caressing his face with his other palm before leaning in to kiss him.
he makes sure it's deep from the start, still tasting like alcohol. he should probably wait until they're in a bedroom or at least somewhere with a decent surface, but how could he, when shylock is impossible to resist? ]
[ mm, going for the offense now, are we? that's fine, shylock supposes. bradley needs this more than him, after all, and shylock is only fulfilling his fuck quota of sorts as tamamo lieutenant. one could even this an orientation of sorts, a taste of what this version of hell has to offer.
and it's not as though he's going to slack off when it comes to makeouts either. shylock doesn't hesitate in returning the kiss with equal fervor, his tongue urging bradley's lips to open up so that he can explore the other's mouth and taste more of that alcohol. it's intoxicating, even for someone who rarely if ever gets drunk, and shylock needs more of it.
he pulls away slightly to breathe, but not without tugging gently at bradley's lower lip. taking his hand, he drags him away to the bedroom, where he all but forces bradley to sit on the bed so that shylock can stand in between his legs and strip off his own clothing nice and slowly. the way he unbuttons his vest is excruciatingly slow, as do the rest of his top, but if bradley is that eager to get it started already he should do something about that. :) ]
[ shylock is the closest thing to a big tiddy witch around so, he gets bradley immediately horny …yeah, he's into it until it becomes obvious that shylock is taking too long on purpose. he starts undoing his own shirt after removing his tie, clicking his tongue. ]
[ shylock only laughs as he continues to unbutton his top slowly and deliberately, his unblemished skin starting to peek out with every button undone. ]
I do. But that wouldn't be romantic, would it?
[ why would you rush the Shylock Bennett Experience™️, bradley. they have all night for this, assuming that murr doesn't bust in on them going at it anytime soon. wouldn't that be scandalous and exciting? ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2022-09-15 11:40 pm (UTC)[ that's the first thing shylock zooms in on. chuckling, he summons his pipe with a flick of his wrist, taking a long drag from it as he thinks. bradley really is being dramatic about all this, isn't he? it's rather unlike him; usually it's the twins who would ramp up the drama, not the sanbaka. ]
This spineless coward you were talking about... He's here, isn't he? It'd be easy for me to figure out who it is, considering that you'd only just arrived here.
[ incredibly easy, not that shylock doesn't already know. what if he just wants bradley to say it outright? ]
For someone like you who wished you could take it back -- you must love him, don't you?
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Date: 2022-09-15 11:54 pm (UTC)but his bravado falters the moment shylock says the l word. bradley doesn't think about that and never bothered naming his feelings, so it's both shocking and offensive to hear it in such plain terms. scary, too. mostly scary. ]
Shut up. You don't know shit.
[ says, even though shylock knows everything. he'll continue in what will feel like a sudden change of topic even though it's really not - not in his head, anyway. but also a little bit because let's not talk about love, ever. ]
...These "apartments" or whatever... they're fucking stupid. No self-respecting Northern wizard would take something given to them. We take it by force or not at all. Of course you and the others wouldn't get it.
[ maybe owen would but fuck owen. ]
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Date: 2022-09-16 10:04 am (UTC)[ his smile widens. northern wizards may be universally feared, sure, but there's nothing like being read by western wizards that makes the skin crawl at times. bradley and nero's conversations on the app may be available to be read by everyone, but who's to say that shylock read it? he's a tad too busy and he doesn't often try to use technology if he can help it.
but who knows, really :)
anyway! shylock goes along the topic change just as well. ]
Well, you'll need a roof over your head whether you like it or not. Is it any different from taking residence in the Manor despite our initial protests?
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Date: 2022-09-16 03:30 pm (UTC)[ the thumbs his empty glass… thinking of the mansion… ]
It was full of idiots.
[ doesn't specify if this is a good or a bad thing, but clearly sounds wistful about it. ]
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Date: 2022-09-17 11:28 am (UTC)[ his tone also sounds wistful as he agrees with brad. ]
I miss them too. But we must try not to be too homesick, else our magic will go awry. After all, the heart wants what it wants, whether we like it or not.
no subject
Date: 2022-09-17 12:31 pm (UTC)…Do you live with the cat guy?
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Date: 2022-09-17 12:33 pm (UTC)Of course. Where would you think he'd rather be?
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Date: 2022-09-17 12:38 pm (UTC)Hah. So you also can't stand the idea of living alone?
[ ignore the “also”. ]
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Date: 2022-09-17 12:48 pm (UTC)We wizards are all too accustomed to loneliness, after all.
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Date: 2022-09-17 12:55 pm (UTC)eventually, he looks away. shylock is free therapy but at what cost? he clicks his tongue, annoyed. mostly at himself. ]
You'd still rather live with him than not. [ tch. he’s jealous. ] …Maybe I should kill him and move in with you instead.
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Date: 2022-09-17 01:02 pm (UTC)Fufu. As if I'd let you take his life when he'd already risked his centuries ago.
[ he'll never let murr go through that again. ]
But of course, if you want... [ he leans over to whisper softly into bradley's ear ] Murr might not be home tonight.
[ and then he pulls away with a cheeky smile on his face. ]
Or maybe he is. He'd love another roommate.
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Date: 2022-09-17 01:24 pm (UTC)shylock was an oasis in the desert in that regard. he's used to the brash way bradley speaks and doesn't take offense in it, and to bradley, he's not only a familiar face, but his last resort in finding comfort. that's why he didn't mind walking for hours in the dark looking for his new bar. it was worth it because shylock made it worth it. he hates feeling vulnerable - it’s unfamiliar and uncomfortable, but if anyone in the world was going to see him like this, he'd rather it be shylock and no one else.
he closes his eyes when shylock leans in to whisper in his ear. what a terribly sultry voice. he huffs a laugh. ]
Hah. You know I'd never say no to that.
[ if nothing else, shylock was good at stroking his ego and not making him feel like a loser begging for company. also his voice just makes his dick hard simply for existing, so that's a plus. ]
look it was murr's idea!!! also if u do actually wanna thread the smut just lmk heheh
Date: 2022-09-17 01:56 pm (UTC)Excellent.
[ he looks at the time. just a little over a half-hour until closing time. already the patrons are starting to make their leave, bidding shylock their farewell bows. ]
Now, if you could stay for a while longer, I will accompany you to wherever you wish to go.
[ because who knows if murr would be home. what if he wanted to join? would brad like that? he'd better be. nothing like a western wizard threesome to really fuck you up. ]
i'm always down to clown, let's do this :3
Date: 2022-09-17 04:19 pm (UTC)[ he wants... some proof that someone wouldn't mind having him around for the night. so he already feels good enough hearing the invitation at all. he'll wait at the bar, watching shylock's patrons come and go, until they're finally the only two left.
as for murr, well. he has some respect for murr for being someone that's ballsy enough to provoke oz into almost kill him more than once, but unless he turns into a hot witch, his interest in murr as a person is minimal. he doesn't care if murr is at home when he gets there with shylock; murr doesn't seem the type tp mind, either. so honestly he doesn't care if he's there to hear shylock get railed or not. ]
rubs my hands together let's fucking goooooo
Date: 2022-09-19 11:36 am (UTC)the time leading to closing must be excruciatingly slow for bradley. but it arrives with little to no fanfare; with a clap of his hands, the lights turn off and the blinds roll down the windows on their own. shylock cants his head towards the door, urging bradley to follow him outside where he summons his broomstick with a flick of his wrist. ]
All in due time, you'll be able to regain this. [ he knows that it's a struggle to get around without a trusty broomstick, ok. he sits down on it, and pats the space next to him for bradley to get on. ] Let's go?
no subject
Date: 2022-09-19 12:46 pm (UTC)Yeah, yeah.
[ he does as told, if anything, sitting behind him with a small blush on his ears. he's not drunk, but he is a little too vulnerable and secretly grateful shylock is there for him. he’ll observe the city under them as they fly over to shylock’s place, trying to remind himself that he will get his power back soon… ]
no subject
Date: 2022-09-19 01:03 pm (UTC)so it's fine, all fine.
it's not too long till they arrive at casa de shymurr, which is a refurbished attic apartment. they land at the balcony, and shylock leads him inside. ]
Would you like another drink? [ he posits, already untying the bow from his collar. oh my. ] You seem to be rather tense, Bradley. This isn't like you.
[ nothing like teasing a northerner to get things going. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-09-19 08:01 pm (UTC)thankfully, shylock's place is more than enough distraction; it's spacious and classy, and it has a familiar, captivating aroma all over. he takes a few steps inside behind him, observing his surroundings. more than shylock's place, it's shylock himself who bradley's interested in.
when he turns to look at him again, his eyes follow shylock’s hands as he unties his bow, almost hypnotized. he steps over, standing in front of him, catching his wrist the moment he's done. ]
…You know what I want.
[ and it’s not another drink. ]
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Date: 2022-09-21 01:02 pm (UTC)I know.
[ his eyes dim a little as he leans in to whisper into the other wizard's ear, voice low and teasing. ]
It's not me, is it?
[ they both know who bradley really wants, but alas. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-09-21 05:18 pm (UTC)…
[ he's completely speechless for a moment, looking away with a frown. dammit shylock he came here to forget about that guy and you have to remind him of him at the worst possible moment. but… his hold on shylock's wrist doesn't relent.
he turns his gaze back slowly to meet his eyes - red and deep, on the beautiful face of the jewel of the west. the devil of the west. the myriad of nicknames shylock was known for. he wonders for a moment if losing his notoriety in this place affected shylock at all, considering how vain he is and how much pride he took on being so well-known.
or maybe bradley's just desperately looking for someone to relate to. ]
…You're a jackass.
[ he doesn't say it with any malicious intent. and for all it's worth, bradley's more than just fond of shylock. part of bradley’s afraid he's letting himself be too vulnerable in front of him, but for as much as shylock enjoys teasing him, he's never once mocked him over anything - not even him being no better than a human. so yes, he might not be the person he's pining over, but that doesn't mean bradley isn't here for shylock himself.
the grip on his wrist loosens, and his hand moves over to caress the side of shylock’s face, moving some strands of hair away from his eyes with a bitter expression. ]
You want me here, yeah? …You want to be mine, no matter what?
[ he wants… at least one person to tell him that… but he doesn't know how to ask. all he can do is demand it and hope he's not pushed away. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-09-21 10:59 pm (UTC)but perhaps because it is dangerous that bradley is going for it anyway, thrill-seeking northerner that he is. perhaps that this moment of weakness coming from the other man is making shylock think up of so many ways to do with him. either way, it means that bradley trusts shylock this much.
he leans his head on bradley's hand, closing his eyes. it's folly to think that anyone could truly own shylock for themselves -- not even murr is privy to that. but shylock figures that he very may as well be honest about this. ]
Bradley. [ he sighs out the other wizard's name. ] Ever since coming here... I've always hoped you'll descend down here in hell with me.
[ he then leans in closer, pressing himself impossibly closer to the other man. ]
So why not take the opportunity to take what's yours for tonight? [ for once, shylock will let him. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-09-21 11:53 pm (UTC)with shylock's chest pressed close to his own like this, there's an immediate reaction from bradley's body. sweet words that ring true coming from the most attractive person in all of hell would get anyone hard, after all. his free hand circles around shylock to hold his waist, caressing his face with his other palm before leaning in to kiss him.
he makes sure it's deep from the start, still tasting like alcohol. he should probably wait until they're in a bedroom or at least somewhere with a decent surface, but how could he, when shylock is impossible to resist? ]
no subject
Date: 2022-09-23 11:17 pm (UTC)and it's not as though he's going to slack off when it comes to makeouts either. shylock doesn't hesitate in returning the kiss with equal fervor, his tongue urging bradley's lips to open up so that he can explore the other's mouth and taste more of that alcohol. it's intoxicating, even for someone who rarely if ever gets drunk, and shylock needs more of it.
he pulls away slightly to breathe, but not without tugging gently at bradley's lower lip. taking his hand, he drags him away to the bedroom, where he all but forces bradley to sit on the bed so that shylock can stand in between his legs and strip off his own clothing nice and slowly. the way he unbuttons his vest is excruciatingly slow, as do the rest of his top, but if bradley is that eager to get it started already he should do something about that. :) ]
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Date: 2022-09-23 11:37 pm (UTC)Don't you have magic for that shit?
[ he has no patience for teasing!! ]
no subject
Date: 2022-09-25 01:01 am (UTC)I do. But that wouldn't be romantic, would it?
[ why would you rush the Shylock Bennett Experience™️, bradley. they have all night for this, assuming that murr doesn't bust in on them going at it anytime soon. wouldn't that be scandalous and exciting? ]
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