Here you'll find

 

Never Forget The Importance of Style

 

 

 

 

13. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

Something was pulling at him with an irresistible force, and no matter how hard he tried to claw his way deeper into the fluffy softness of dream, the disturbance simply would not be denied. He scrunched his eyes closed more tightly, then let out a muffled whimper when a puff of hot air tickled his ear.

"Good morning, lover." The singsong purr was followed by a kiss. "Just thought to tell you that you can go on sleeping..."

"Why do you have to wake me up to tell me that?" he growled, pulled out the pillow his head had been resting on and buried himself under it instead. "Ow..."

The latter comment was caused by the tip of a tongue that playfully pushed into the ear which he, most carelessly, had somehow failed to cover with the pillow.

"Because I know you won't otherwise remember that I told you I'll have to visit the Celliens this morning, and then you'd be sulking because I wasn't there when you woke up." Every whispered word shot an arrow of lust and pleasure up his spine. "Be seeing you."

The dip in the mattress disappeared, he threw the pillow away from his face but only caught a glimpse of an immaculate dove-blue suit and a gleaming black cane before the door closed behind them.

Oh yes. The youngest Miss Cellien - the only remaining Miss Cellien, to be more precise - was soon about to become a Mrs. and this was one of the mornings reserved for congratulatory visits, closer friends and relatives having already had their right-of-way for a few days. Of course such a visit wouldn't take long. Just a brief chat with at least one of the beaming parents, the bride-to-be naturally either staying demurely out of sight or being too busy with fitting her dress, or hunting for the right kind of lace, or trying to decide whether her hair should be piled up on top of her head or pulled down to the nape instead into a more angelic look... which meant that the cane and suit and the man with whom they had left would all be back soon.

A huge yawn made Merdos' jaws crack, he stretched languidly and rolled to lie on his back in the middle of the large bed. Only when his eyes met the outline of a stucco wreath that formed an elegant oval decoration in the ceiling, instead of a rectangular, slightly lowered section surrounded by a meandering wave pattern, did he remember that he was not at home. No, this was the master bedroom of the stylish little apartment Leone had rented soon after arriving in the town, as soon as he had decided the place would be worth his while. It was located on the upper floor of a pretty house, conveniently situated within easy access to every important place and yet nicely separated from the busiest streets by a stretch of park dotted with lovely old trees. They had been to the club and then simply walked in here because it was so much closer than the Alayssians' villa, had a drink, and stumbled into bed together.

Merdos heard a carriage rattle past, hooves making a steady clacking sound on the stone paving, and wriggled a little, pushed his foot to the side trying to find a cooler section of linen against his skin. His hand crept to lazily caress his chest, he twirled his finger around a nipple and yawned again. He still felt wonderfully languorous after the steamy activities of the previous night, or more precisely of much earlier morning, tired and energetic at the same time.

He smiled at the ceiling. Even though their relationship had had its decidedly sexual side for a good while already, things had gained considerably in intensity a couple of weeks earlier. On that day when Merdos had innocently walked to this same apartment to meet his friend, and been faced instead with an outraged manservant whose indignant mask didn't falter for a second as he recounted the situation. But Merdos had seen something dark lurking deep in Torell's eyes, and in a flash it had all been clear. He had simply known that it was all true, and also known exactly what he was going to do about it. Damnit, Leone was his friend!

Merdos let his hand ghost lower and sighed. And what a friend... of course, he freely admitted that he might be somewhat favorably biased, but Leone was simply perfect. Incredibly good-looking, whipcord lean, oozing personality. With a stubbornly thick and self-willed hair, and that carefully kept full beard - how could it look so insanely perfect on him, even though facial hair was definitely pronounced unfashionable? With a never failing sense of style. Witty, polite, sarcastic, funny, scathing, entertaining, whatever the situation called for.

Oh, and one definitely must not forget about his other qualities: passionate, skilled, demanding, yielding, tender, rough, playful... whatever the situation called for. Merdos' breathing deepened when he pictured Leone as he had been last night, water-clear eyes shadowed behind heavy dark lashes, moaning with total abandon under the thrusts of his black-haired lover. Leone hadn't exaggerated, Merdos chuckled to himself, he really enjoyed being at the receiving end...

A gentle knock on the door made his eyes snap open.

"Yes?"

"Good morning, sir." Torell looked in. "Mister Leone said you were awake. Would you like breakfast first, or a bath?"

Merdos pondered the question for a while. Even if the visit itself shouldn't take long, with the walk there and back Leone wouldn't be coming for a while anyway. So staying in bed was not a real option. "Bath first, Torell," he decided ruefully. "A cool one."

"Yes, sir."

The suave manservant disappeared into the bathroom and the sound of running water was soon heard. Merdos pushed the duvet aside and stood up, stretched his arms, mussed his hair. Torell emerged from the bathroom with a fresh bathrobe and handed it to him with a faint smile. Merdos nodded absently and began to pull it on, then stopped when his eyes hit upon the large dressing mirror on the wardrobe door. He stepped closer to the mirror letting the robe fall so that it trailed behind him, and looked at himself with a puzzled frown. What did Leone see when he looked at him?

Slightly olive skin that showed a hint of a tan on the arms, legs, and around the base of his neck. Ample, soft, jet black hair that currently hung in ragged bangs in front of his eyes. Reflexively he blew at them, without much effect. Rounded face, sleepily amused dark eyes. Small, stylish hands and feet. A well proportioned body, of middle height, that wasn't actually chubby, and yet its lines were all so pleasantly smooth and carefully rounded that it definitely couldn't be called slim, either. And a full mouth that, Merdos observed, was seriously pouting at the moment.

"Why the hell does he like me so much?" he pondered aloud.

"Sir?" Torell's head popped out of the bathroom. Merdos started and a blush crept on his face.

"Nothing..." he muttered in embarrassment. Torell smiled to him knowingly and Merdos blushed deeper. Of course the man had heard well enough what he had said and just wanted to politely remind him that he wasn't alone. Torell was servile perfection personified, he thought. And probably knew Leone better than...

"Torell!" Merdos turned suddenly to look at the manservant who raised his eyebrows at him while busying himself with the bathtub. "How long have you been with him?"

"I have been Mister Leone's servant for six years now," Torell replied easily.

"Six years? How did it happen?" Merdos noticed belatedly that he was standing there stark naked, still dragging the bathrobe behind himself, and quickly wrapped it on. Torell shot him a quick glance and nearly grinned.

"We met in Reál. I was looking for a position, and Mister Leone was in need of a manservant. An acquaintance of his mentioned me to him. He wanted to see me, decided he liked me, and since then I've been in his service."

"Six years..." Merdos mused. "He must've been pretty young."

"Twenty." Torell nodded.

"How old are you?" Merdos asked in a burst of curiosity.

"I'll be thirty in a few months." Torell closed the taps. "Your bath is ready, sir."

"Thanks."

Merdos slipped into the pleasantly lukewarm water, sniffed appreciatively at the delicate nutty scent of the oil Torell had added to it, and began to absently rub himself with a sponge. Questions were bouncing around inside his head but he didn't know how to put them into words, and he snorted in frustration. He heard the rustle of bedclothes as Torell took the opportunity and began to tidy the bed with quick, experienced movements. The sheet came out, the duvet was thrown on top of the sofa to get some air from the opened window, a new sheet was spread on the mattress. Merdos caught a glimpse of the man's dark suit when he pulled the sheet taut and bent down to fold the edges.

"Torell?" he said tentatively. "How long has he been involved in... that kind of activities?"

"Ah, you mean jewelry?" Torell let out a little huff of laughter. "Since well before we met. And I must admit that my ability to provide a suitable... outlet for his acquisitions gave me something of an advantage in the employment negotiations."

Merdos studied Torell's face for a while and then smirked. Oh, he understood it now perfectly. He didn't need to know anything more, or anything so exactly. It was enough to know that Torell was in Leone's absolute confidence because he was the quintessential accomplice. Demure, discreet, there when you needed him, gone when his presence wasn't required. In the know, as far as was necessary but not more, for his own safety. And no doubt enjoying his fair share of the spoils of his master's activities. Torell answered the smirk with a faint smile of his own, then bowed his head a little.

"I will bring your breakfast in a moment, sir. I trust there are enough towels in the rack?"

"Sure," Merdos assured him after a brief glance to the side. "I'll get out of here and get dressed."

He splashed around in the tub for a while longer before climbing out and snatching the bathrobe. A quiet click of the door told him that Torell had finished in the bedroom, and he padded barefoot out of the bathroom, rubbing his wet hair with a towel. He couldn't help smiling when he noticed the fresh shirt, socks and underwear that had been carefully laid on the bed - so he had been staying here so often as of late that his clothes were already part of the regular laundry? - and went to choose himself a suit from the wardrobe. One of his own suits that were hanging in there... indeed. A part of the small household, it seemed.

He dressed up swiftly and grinned to his image in the large mirror. He was used to having a manservant around to hand him the various items, but ever since waking up here for the first time and hearing Leone flatly state that he had been able to get dressed on his own by the age of five, Merdos had observed himself slipping into the same habit more and more frequently. His own manservant had been a bit baffled for this change, but Gaill was quick to adapt and nowadays always asked in the morning whether his master wanted to be pampered or not.

He quickly buttoned his shirt, pushed the hem into the pale beige trousers he had chosen. Cufflinks. Shoes, polished so thoroughly that he could admire his own reflection in them. Tiepin, of course his favorite amethyst, it went with practically everything. Vest. Jacket shrugged on. Ready.

The breakfast laid on the table in front of the window that faced the park made his mouth water, and he sat down to savor the succulent yet crisp toast that nobody ever got so absolutely right as Torell. Not even the superb cook who had been employed by his father for at least as long as Merdos could remember and was otherwise definitely a few steps above mere mortals. No, Torell's toast was simply in a class of its own, he decided and slowly sank his teeth into the gently steaming crust. Of course the toast wasn't exactly helping if he wanted to keep at least his current figure and prevent the appearance of an undesirable bulge in his midsection, he thought with a sigh, then picked up another slice. On the other hand, there were other things he could do, and besides, how unbearably dull life would be if one couldn't indulge a little, every now and then?

"Sir."

Merdos, who had been contemplating the motives and mindset of a nondescript gray-brown bird that had perched on a particularly exposed branch just outside the window and was currently singing furiously, cocked a questioning eyebrow at Torell.

"Your father wishes to see you," the servant elaborated and then stepped gracefully aside as the square form of Merrell Alayssian, solicitor par excellence, sailed through the door and, in passing, handed him a wide-rimmed hat, white gloves and a silver-tipped cane.

"Indeed I do, my beloved brat," the new arrival announced in a deep voice. "Good morning, Merdos! Haven't properly seen you for a few days."

"Papa!" Merdos gulped down the last of his tea and stood up. "Please sit down - would you like some tea?"

"If there's any left," his parent said jovially and sat down in a graceful wicker-seat chair. "Ahh, perfect..."

Torell was already back in the room with an extra cup and a fresh pot which he set down and then removed himself once more with a bow. Merrell poured himself a cup of tea and sipped it with a pleased sigh.

"Well, apple of my eye, what have you been up to for the past half week or so? Your usual mischief, eh?"

Merdos chuckled a little nervously and refilled his own cup. "Oh, we've been around the town a little. Nothing extraordinary, really."

"As I expected." The older man nodded. "But you really could show yourself at home, too, at least occasionally. And by all means, bring your friend along. I'd like to get to know him better, as the two of you can hardly be seen without the other nowadays. In fact I'm rather surprised to find you here on your own."

"Leone's gone to the Celliens," Merdos supplied. "For a congratulatory visit. I knew you had already been there to leave our greeting, and it would've seemed a bit odd for me to drop in another time, as it were."

"True." Merrell's dark eyes, so much like his son's, twinkled as he shot a quizzical look at Merdos. "Especially if the two of you had gone together."

Merdos choked a little on his tea at his father's meaningful tone. "What's that supposed to mean?" he inquired.

"Oh, merely that it might have been taken to indicate a rather high degree of intimacy between you and him," the older Alayssian said smugly. "But then, it would be perfectly true, wouldn't it?"

Merdos carefully placed his cup back on the saucer and hoped that his face really remained as neutral as he thought. "What are you talking about?" he asked mildly.

His father laughed.

"Come, come, Merdos my son," he rumbled. "Surely you don't think that your father is already old enough to be completely demented? That he wouldn't notice when his own flesh and blood is so much in love that he can hardly keep his hands to himself in the more public places?"

This time Merdos choked even without a mouthful of tea, and was soundly slapped on the back a couple of times.

"I don't know what you mean," he protested weakly and was rewarded by a long-suffering sigh.

"Am I wrong then?" Merrell asked, watched him for a while and then nodded decisively. "You and that handsome blond rascal sleep together, don't you? I bet he's a damn hot piece of work, too."

The blush that invaded every visible inch of Merdos' face certainly was proof enough, especially considering his momentary inability to stammer out a single intelligible word.

"So... you know about my - inclination?" he managed finally.

"Oh, I've suspected for years," Merrell said, leaned back in his chair so that it creaked a faint warning, and laced his fingers together over his rather round belly. "Ever since your interest in your studies rather suddenly and most spectacularly increased tenfold when your old governess was replaced by a certain young, handsome postgraduate student. Who subsequently fell in love with the maid and married her - to your heartfelt indignation, as I recall."

Merdos stood up and went to stand by a window, one hand fingering the cigarette case he had slipped into his pocket.

"You don't terribly mind it, though?" he said uncertainly. "That I won't be... continuing the family name, and stuff?"

"You are who you are," Merrell Alayssian said simply. "Of course I wouldn't have been sorry to see a few grandchildren, but then, those might not have materialized even if you were married. Things happen. And I've had a few years to get used to the idea, son. So - no, I don't terribly mind."

Merdos looked at him over his shoulder. Merrell smiled more broadly.

"Besides, what says that you mightn't yet become a big brother?" he teased. "I'm not that old yet, you know."

"Are you -" Merdos' jaw dropped as he saw the smug expression on his father's face. "Do you actually mean..."

"Oh, nothing definite." Merrell waved his hand dismissively. "But you never know, son, you never know!"

"Not out of wedlock, father!" Merdos warned and then joined his parent who had burst into laughter.

"I wouldn't dream of it," Merrell assured him and wiped his eyes. "I wouldn't dream of it! But now, my son, I really would like to get to properly meet your friend. After all, he appears to be an interesting character."

"I can't say anything to that," Merdos mumbled. "I could hardly be considered an objective source of information."

"Don't you think I couldn't handle that?" the older man grinned. "I haven't always been just sitting in my chair and looking reliable, you know. I have experience of actual court hearings - even in criminal cases. I will just label you as a witness for the defense and take your words with a suitable pinch of salt. So, please, speak up."

Merdos suppressed the slight shudder that the reference evoked in him and concentrated on pouring them both more tea. He could feel his father's gaze and steeled himself.

"What do you want me to tell you?"

"Anything you think I should know about him, and what you would want me to know about him."

"Uhh..." Merdos took a deep breath. "Well... he's four years older than me. He's originally from the west coast, from some small place the name of which I can't ever remember. He was adopted by a rich man who saw to his education and left him a pretty nice inheritance, so he doesn't have to work for his living. He's said he might consider getting involved in some business in a few years, but so far he's just wanted to travel around and enjoy life. He's the most fascinating and fun person I've ever met. He's -"

"Good in bed?"

"Hell, yes!" Merdos sighed, then realized that he'd been tricked and buried his face in hands muttering something distinctly ungentlemanly while his father laughed quietly, belly shaking with mirth. "Father, that's not funny!"

"It isn't? I disagree." Merrell dug a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed his face with it. "Besides, I already had one statement to the same effect, and I just wanted to check if you agreed with it."

Merdos' eyes bulged. "What're you talking about?" he stuttered.

"Oh, an old friend just dropped a few hints and made me curious enough to start grilling him for the full story." Alayssian Sr. looked slyly innocent. "But since his tastes clearly run in the favor of the female sex, they had only tried it once. To the full satisfaction of both parties involved, he assured."

Merdos couldn't stand still. He put the teacup down with an angry click, went again to the window, whirled around, crushed a napkin in his fist. "Who exactly are you talking about?" he demanded scowling at his father.

"Calm down, son!" Merrell looked astonished. "Oh my, I really wouldn't have said anything if I had realized you're so jealous of him!"

"I'm not jealous!" Merdos stared out of the window and lighted a cigarette with clearly trembling fingers.

"Really? You nearly convinced me..." Merrell stood up with a grunt and stepped closer. "But really, I'm surprised. Why so upset? After all, weren't you rather involved with that Doylen boy yourself a while ago?"

"That was just..." Merdos started, then stumbled when he realized what he was about to say. That wasn't anything, I was just infatuated with him, this is different. Different - how? Since when did he think that way? And what exactly would Leone say if he heard him talking like that? For that matter, what did Leone think about this all? Merdos glared stubbornly out of the window, at the stupid bird that had been sitting on the same half-rotten branch all the while and continuing that idiotic blabbering some people called a song... A broad hand descended on his shoulder and squeezed gently.

"I'm sorry, Merdos. Sorry that I said anything." Dark eyes peered at him from a serious face. "I honestly didn't think you'd take it like that. After all, you always act so imperturbable and cool, my son. Though of course I should know better than to think you always take everything as lightly as you seem to."

Merdos clenched his teeth together, totally confused, and tried to get his raging feelings back under control. It would have helped greatly if he had known exactly what those feelings were. Mortified; yes, that was something he recognized. Extremely jealous. Confused, sure; hadn't he thought for a while he might be actually in love, or at least infatuated, with Goldie? And now that the boy was safely away, in a costly private school somewhere, he didn't even properly remember the whole affair, only a few weeks back.

The jealousy surged up again, Merdos closed his eyes and tried to identify the other emotion that was spurring it on. Uncertainty? Yes, that was it. He still didn't know where exactly he stood with Leone, what they were to each other, or rather, what he was to Leone. A convenient passport to society? An entertaining sex partner? Something to be discarded when Leone's wanderlust decided to surface again? What did that walking definition of style, brain, and good looks see in him? In all likelihood not what Merdos would have wanted him to see: someone to reckon with, someone to -

"Good morning, sir, Torell told me - Merdos! What's the matter?"

Both Alayssians turned around upon hearing Leone's voice, father looking curious and son with the darkest scowl Leone had ever seen on his face.

"He's all right, just a little upset." Merrell Alayssian looked up at the frowning young man who stood a good three inches taller than he, and smiled ruefully. "I'm afraid I made a rather stupid joke and didn't realize it might actually hurt him. I believe we have -"

"Oh yes, Mr. Alayssian, we have indeed been introduced!" Leone flashed him an affable smile but his eyes flickered towards his friend who refused to meet his gaze. "And I'm really honored to meet you properly! But - what's happened? Merdos?"

"I think I ought to leave now and let the two of you discuss things in private," Merrell said easily. "But I'm really torn here, because if I do it, I'll feel like a boy who's accidentally broken the neighbor's window and then runs away from the scene of crime. And I really would like to use this opportunity of a full day off and get to know you better, young man."

Leone raised an eyebrow and studied the stocky, dark, handsomely grayed man standing in front of him. Merdos had pursed his lips together and was resolutely staring out of the window, seemingly at a bird, not saying a word. Leone inhaled slowly and managed a little smile.

"Some sherry perhaps?" he suggested, turned without waiting for a reply and took out three small glasses. "And then I'd really appreciate hearing what this is all about, Mr. Alayssian."

Merrell accepted the offered glass, sniffed at the golden liquid and nodded. Merdos listlessly took the drink Leone practically placed into his fingers but didn't acknowledge it in any way. He was absolutely ashamed of himself, and for once didn't know at all what to do. Perhaps, if he just pretended that he didn't hear anything, the other two would somehow vanish from the room? Though, he thought with a sinking feeling, that wouldn't help at all, either.

"Please, Mr. Alayssian!" Leone gestured towards the settee. "Have a seat. And now, I'm all ears."

How the hell can he be so suave, so unaffected, so goddamn glib? Merdos seethed. As if I wasn't here at all! He didn't look back, not at the two men in the room, just listened. Obviously his father had accepted the offered seat; the settee sighed softly when his weight descended on it.

"Well." Merrell tasted his sherry. "I thought I'd come here and try to get my son finally set it straight with me, and to find out how things stand between the two of you. Well, I did that, and then unfortunately made a rather - ahh - indelicate reference to something I had heard about you." He coughed a little but his gaze didn't waver from Leone's cool, bright, intelligent eyes for a moment. It really was a beautiful pair of eyes, he thought. "I must apologize, it was a topic that should not be mentioned in civil discussion, not even between two gentlemen who have already shared quite a few drinks."

One corner of Leone's mouth twitched minutely and he raised the glass to his lips, eyes demurely downcast. "Oh," he murmured into the sherry. "Which of us didn't occasionally slip to some minor indiscretions?" He met Merrell's eyes again, clear gray dancing with amusement. "Might I inquire who the other gentleman was?"

Merrell watched his reaction with interest as he said: "Mr. Alexis."

Something in the set of the younger man's shoulders told Merrell that Leone had anticipated that answer. His smile broadened and he chuckled, a low purr. "Ahh, Alexis, so even you slip too? But -" Handsome features smoothed into a more neutral half-smile and a hint of wariness crept into Leone's tone. "Maybe we had better take things in their proper order. So, you wished to discuss the relationship between me and Merdos?"

"Yes indeed." The lawyer looked straight at Leone, deep voice friendly but demanding. "I understand that you and my son sleep together?"

Merdos closed his eyes.

"Yes," Leone replied without a hitch. "We are lovers."

"Very well!" Merrell smiled brightly at the slightly challenging look on Leone's face and was rewarded by a fleeting flash of surprise. "As I already told Merdos, I'm all right with that, and it delights me that you're being so direct about it, too. I'm not forcing anybody to marry against their will, least of all the apple of my eye. However, that brings me to another matter that has left me somewhat puzzled."

"That being...?"

"This Inspector from Uman who seems to be rather interested in you."

Merrell had to admit that the handsome young rascal sitting on the sofa, long legs elegantly crossed, a half-full glass of sherry in a carefully manicured hand, was good. Very good. Not a blink, not a gasp, nothing. The corners of Leone's eyes merely creased in a most attractive way.

"The good Inspector," he sighed. "Yes, he really seems to be. I hope he hasn't given you any trouble?"

"In fact he did want to talk to me the other day," Merrell admitted. Merdos whirled around and fixed him with an incredulous stare, and even Leone tilted his head.

"Really?"

"Yes - he had talked to Merdos' manservant and the young scullery maid. And then wanted to ask me about my son's whereabouts on a certain night!" Alayssian snorted with laughter. "I told him that Merdos is old enough not to need his daddy or a babysitter holding his hand at all times, and that I had nothing to add to what the servants had said."

"I can imagine the Inspector wouldn't be too happy with that," Leone said softly and tried again to catch Merdos' eyes. And didn't succeed, when his friend turned back to the window with an irritated huff.

"No, he wasn't." Merrell twirled his glass in his hand for a while and then looked sharply at Leone. "But I have a question for you, young man. And mind you, I am not asking whether or not you have anything to do with the disappearance of that ghastly necklace, or any other pieces of missing jewelry - the number of which, now that I've come to think about it, has indeed increased recently. Nor am I asking whether you even know anything about those incidents. My main concern is my son."

"That I can well understand," Leone nodded, calmly meeting the probing gaze.

"So you will well understand why I am asking you this," Merrel said slowly and leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "What I want to know is, whether or not I should be worried for him? Should I, as a fond and concerned, albeit admittedly rather too absent, father, worry for my son because he's having an affair with you?"

In the corner of his eye he could see Merdos' fingers tightening around the stem of the empty glass, the tension in the shoulders under that well-cut jacket. Leone looked him straight in the eye.

"Mr. Alayssian," he said lifting his chin a little. "I'm sure that, with very little effort, you could find quite a number of people who'd be only too happy to tell you that you're very right to be concerned, and that I certainly shouldn't be trusted alone with anyone who finds me attractive. That I delight in charming them dizzy and then vanishing from the spot. And I'm not trying to deny that I've been doing quite a lot of that. Of course I shouldn't be telling you this, because I want you to believe me, when I say that Merdos is - special."

For the first time he hesitated, his smooth voice pausing to search for words.

"I freely admit that it wasn't so to start with," Leone continued. "I wanted a suitable acquaintance to introduce me to the local society, and I also was physically attracted to him. That was all. But that hasn't been all for a good while. I've grown to like him, very much, and to value him as a good friend. He's not just a casual fling."

"Then what about your sleeping with Alexis?" Merdos exploded at last and spun around, away from the window. The stem of the glass snapped in two in his hand. "And for godssakes stop discussing me in third person, like I wasn't here, or like I was retarded, or some bloody kid who doesn't understand speech! Just for your information, I've been present all along!"

"Merdos!" Leone stood up with a liquid grace and walked slowly towards him. "Don't first separate yourself from the discussion and then blame us for having it anyway."

Merdos' eyes were burning with hurt and anger. Leone stopped at an arm's length and looked at him searchingly, eyebrows slightly drawn together.

"Merdos..." his voice softened. "I've only slept with Alexis once, ages ago. Way before you and I ever started getting really close. And you know very well that he's interested in ladies, not men. That, if anything, was a casual fling!"

His friend flashed him an angry glance. Of course he knew it, and that was part of the reason why he was feeling so angry and humiliated, together with the fact that his infuriating father was sitting in the same room and watching them with dark, scrutinizing, interested, even mildly amused eyes. And of course that was entirely his fault. As if he had really, intentionally wanted to drag things to this, them having a lovers' spat under his father's very nose. He flung the two halves of the sherry glass into a corner, unfortunately hitting an overstuffed armchair that denied him even the tiny pleasure of hearing a satisfying crash. Merdos growled in frustration and went to the small table, slammed his palms on its shining top and took a few deep breaths in an effort to clamp down his fury. If he only knew exactly why he was so furious...

Merrell watched the interaction in silence, profoundly curious. The uncharacteristic outburst intrigued him, and he didn't feel any shame at observing how Leone would act. To his great satisfaction, Leone's entire attention seemed to be focused on his friend, not a glance was spared at the silent onlooker. The lean blond man approached Merdos, and Merrell was reminded of one of the cats his late wife had had. Of course she had had a number of them, usually of the rotund, fluffy variety with a flat, pinched-in face and large, dissatisfied eyes. The ones that were content to mostly just look decorative - except when they somehow materialized on exactly the sofa where he decided to sit down to have a tender moment with her, only to startle them both with an undignified screech when sat upon. But this man reminded him of the one she had owned before they were married, a slender and extremely active ginger tabby with a feisty temperament and never-ending energy. It had been a wily, aloof, sporadically affectionate creature that had taken a great liking in him, following him like a shadow whenever he went to meet his fiancée. Merrell looked at Leone's gliding steps and pricked his ears. He would be damned to miss a word of what would come to pass...

Leone turned one of the chairs around and straddled it easily, arms resting on its back so that he could peer up at Merdos.

"You're mad at me," he said questioningly. "But it's not because of Alexis, is it? What's wrong?"

Merdos just shook his head, unable to say a word.

"Are you perhaps having second thoughts? Sorry for what - has happened?"

"No!" Merdos shouted. "I'm not sorry for saying what - what I did." He caught himself at the last moment. He knew that Leone was referring to his lie to the Inspector, but he also realized that whatever his shrewd father had figured out on his own, it wouldn't be very wise to actually talk about it in front of him. "I'm just - oh bloody hell, I wish I knew what I should say, and why I feel like shit, and everything! But I'm not so bloody clever as the two of you are, I don't have such a damnable way with words, I'm just silly old me, stupid, simple, easy, chubby, harmless..."

"Hey!" Leone had sprung up and grabbed his upper arms tight, shook him slightly, eyes intense. "Nobody talks like that about my Merdos. Nobody, you hear me? Not even you yourself!"

Merdos opened his mouth but no words came out as Leone's eyes, for once truly flaming, pinned him into place.

"You are none of those things!" Leone hissed in a low voice, then his tone softened. "For goodness' sake, what's the matter? Surely this can't be about me having once slept with Alexis, can it? Or do you think I've lied to you? Do you really think you wouldn't be enough for me? Merdos, honestly! You know as well as I do that the last time when I've even kissed anyone else was at -"

This time it was Leone who almost too late remembered that they weren't alone, and bit his lip. He could see one of Merdos' dimples make a brief appearance; obviously they both remembered only too well the little farewell party that they had arranged for Goldie before his departure. Just the three of them, some drinks, some food, and some massage oils, in this very same apartment...

"So what's wrong?" Leone inquired, his grip loosening, and Merdos noticed with surprise that it had actually hurt quite a lot, those hard fingers digging into the muscles. Desperately searching for something to say, some way to explain things even for himself, he tried to catch at least one of the threads of thought that were in a tangled mess in his head. Maybe, if he pulled at it long enough, he would find an end. Or something.

"I just feel so goddamn stupid," he stuttered. "I mean, acting like some lovesick little girl... just look at this mess that I've managed to create! And all that because of an offhand remark, about you and Alexis. No," Merdos hastily lifted his hand when Leone was about to say something, "no, not like what you think! I guess I just suddenly realized that all this, this... this kind of thing, of course it shouldn't be taken seriously. I mean, it's all fun for a while and then it's over, right?"

Merdos continued more quickly, words tripping over each other as they flowed out, he had finally found a thread and tried to follow it at the pace of thoughts popping up in his mind. "So, I guess I'm just feeling silly because I, I've sort of thought all sorts of really stupid things, even though I should've been reasonable and all that, and just laughed at it. After all, this kind of relationships are really just about sex, right? And having fun, and -"

"Merdos!" Exasperated, Leone cut him off with a little shake. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

"Exactly what I'm saying!" Merdos shot back, irritated by the interruption and even more irritated when Leone grinned. "What's so goddamn funny?"

"Are you saying that you're in love with me?" Leone was smiling, but the mirth was mingled with something almost vulnerable. "I hope you are, Merdos, because I have to tell you that you've made me break the one big promise I made to myself years ago. You've managed to make me fall in love with you."

Merdos gaped at Leone who cocked his head a little.

"Yes," he breathed at last. "I guess that's what I'm trying to say."

"I'm going to kiss you for that," Leone declared.

"I promise to look the other way," said a deep voice from the settee.

Merdos started but Leone merely closed his eyes for a moment and slid his arms around his dark friend.

"Leone! Not in front of my father!" Merdos hissed, suddenly and most embarrassingly conscious of the extra presence.

"Rubbish," Leone mumbled and rubbed their noses together. "If you can have a fight with me while he's in the room, surely you don't mind too much kissing me in his presence?"

"Mmmmhhhh..." was all Merdos managed before Leone pulled him very close and kissed him ravenously, tongue teasing his lips open with alarming alacrity.

True to his word, Merrell Alayssian stepped to the drinks table and helped himself to another glass of sherry. He listened to the silence behind him, the slight rustle of cloth and the quiet humming sound that Merdos probably didn't know he was making. He shook his head. That gorgeous devil of a man probably was everything the Inspector suspected, but the obvious frustration that the dark policeman had emitted during their short interview had left Merrell with a feeling that the evidence he'd managed to scrape up was extremely flimsy, if not downright nonexistent.

He tossed half of the drink into his throat and winced happily. Excellent sherry, and really, everything in the apartment spoke of impeccable taste. Damn, but he liked the rascal! And, surprisingly enough, even though he no doubt was exactly the con artist he had half admitted to being, something in his behavior towards Merdos had rung so true that Merrell found himself wanting to believe. Besides, he would always find ways to get to the man, should he eventually let the young Alayssian down...

"I think I had better trot off," he announced happily and threw a glance over his shoulder. Merdos slowly pulled apart from Leone looking slightly dazed, and Merrell nearly chuckled seeing the difficulty with which Leone forced himself back into the mold of an imperturbable man about town. He felt certain that that was a sight very few people ever got to see - Leone faltering in anything so mundane. "No, no, I'll see myself off. Might drop in at my club. Why don't we have dinner together one of these days? Say, Friday?"

"That sounds like a delightful idea," Leone almost purred. "It will be our pleasure."

"Excellent!" Merrell took his hat and cane from Torell who had appeared like a genie as soon as Leone had touched the bellstring. "It will be quite the family dinner, then - sort of welcoming my new son-in-law, eh? And of course you'll stay the night. No excuses will be accepted. What do you say, Merdos, is the bed in your room large enough? If you want me to have it replaced before Friday, just let me know!"

With a wink he stepped out of the room, leaving behind two rather dumbfounded young men and one Torell who began to clear the table with his customary efficiency.

"I like your father," Leone said thoughtfully. "He's really something."

"He can't possibly mean all that," Merdos protested, still feeling shell-shocked. Leone smirked at him.

"I have a feeling that you really don't know your father all that well," he chided. "You might try to remedy that, while I get to know him properly. He's absolutely charming."

Merdos eyed him suspiciously. "How do you mean that?" he mumbled, embarrassment surging up once more.

Leone suppressed a smile. "Well, let's just say that I can very well see why he's so successful with ladies," he teased. "He's entertaining, tactful, most certainly a good conversationalist, handsome..."

"Handsome?"

"Don't sound so surprised! Don't you then think he's handsome? Your own father?"

"He's grayed, he's always been corpulent and hasn't been getting any thinner..."

"Well, at fifty one doesn't look the same as at twenty," Leone said and hugged Merdos closer. He had a feeling that they were finally approaching at least one of the sore areas.

"Don't try to give me that!" Merdos pouted. "At fifty, you'll look just as ravishing as Alexis, and I'll be just as gray and fat as my father."

"As ravishing as Alexis, hmm?" Leone wrinkled his nose a little. "Good to hear that you think Alexis is ravishing, because maybe then you'll still find me ravishing, too, in some twenty-five years' time... and I tell you, those gray stripes will look absolutely stunning on you."

Merdos groaned as the crotches of their trousers pressed together. "Okay, maybe you wouldn't mind my gray hairs, but what about a belly like my father's?"

"Oh, I'm sure we'll find a way to work around it!" Leone grinned wickedly.

"I just don't believe you," Merdos said after a stunned silence. "What are you actually trying to say?"

Leone fell serious.

"I'm trying to say that, in spite of the things you said, I'm sure at least some relationships can last," he said a little breathlessly. "And that I would like to see how long this one does. And that I'm going to do my damnedest to make it last as long as possible. What about you... partner?"

Before Merdos could utter a word, they both heard a slight rap at the window and turned to look. A nondescript small bird had fluttered to sit on the window sill and begun to sing, the sound incredibly loud at such close quarters. Merdos swore quietly, marched to the window and threw it open with such a crack that the bird nearly fell on its wings.

"Stupid thing!" he fumed. "Been yelling out there the whole bloody time so loud that it's hard to hear your own thoughts..."

Leone collapsed on the small settee laughing helplessly.

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