Rin's brows furrowed as he looked around the empty hotel room. He glanced over to the clock sitting on the nightstand between the two double beds. It was after 2 am. "Hum... You'd think they would be back by now..."
Rory frowned as he glanced into the dark bathroom. Nothing seemed to have moved since they had left earlier. His gaze moved back to Rin. "Are... are you sure you're not upset? You could always call them, you know."
Rin shrugged. "I trust Dillon to keep Sabastian out of too much trouble. The bars should be closing about now. They should be dragging in soon. I already showered, so it's all yours." He nodded toward the bed and laptop. "I'll be working if you need help scrubbing your back or anything, just give me a shout." With a wink, he flopped down on the bed.
Rory shook his head, not at all surprised at the come-on line. After some consideration, he opted for a quick shower, not wanting to be indisposed. His eyes shifted to the lock on the bathroom door. He already knew that for the style of lock, it wouldn't be easy to pick if someone really wanted to come in. Rory dressed in the new set of pajamas he had ordered especially for the trip. It would be a cold day in hell before he climbed into bed with Rin or Dillon wearing his usual oversized tee and boxers. After brushing his hair and teeth, he paced the bathroom for several minutes, pausing periodically to listen for signs of Rin outside the door. All he heard was the rhythmic click of computer keys. Finally, with a defeated sigh, Rory pushed open the door and crept out. He clasped his arm as his gaze fell to the notebook lying beside Rin on the bed, then moved to the empty bed beside the one they were to share.
Rin glanced up over a pair of blue light glasses, then glanced down at the notebook. "Oh, here." He lifted the book toward Rory. "I wrote down some ideas from our walk earlier... A little brainstorming... You want to give it a look." He released the notebook back onto the bed.
Rory walked over hesitantly, but Rin's attention was already back on the computer screen. Rory licked his lips as his gaze moved nervously between the bed and Rin, but Rin was in his own world. Rory swallowed down the last bit of his apprehension and lifted the notebook. He climbed onto the bed and crossed his legs next to Rin, and began scanning the page. His eyes bugged at the amount of information plastered all over the page. He flipped through the book, shocked at the details Rin had been able to capture from their earlier interaction.
"It's only the last three or so pages. However many there are past the page I had it opened to." Rin supplied distractedly.
Rory nodded as he leaned back against the stack of pillows and began reading. Rin really had used their earlier interactions for the story... everything from the poker game to Rory's shower was right here... Rin had gone into some detail about how alluring it was to listen to someone else shower. Rory could feel his face heat, but he continued reading. When Rory reached the last sentence, he lowered the book in stunned disbelief, his gaze moving to the computer screen. "Can... can I read what you're typing now?"
Rin nodded but didn't speak as Rory scooted closer on the bed. Rory's leg brushed against Rin's, bringing a half grin to Rin's lips, but he tried his best not to react. Instead, he forced himself to continue working, making a mental note to find a way to work this into the story as well. Perhaps the opposite... with Inari being interested in something Mao is doing on a laptop, instead.
Rory's eyes moved over the words in view. The brainstorming from the notebook was being brought to life on the computer screen in a way Rory would never have imagined possible. "Rin... this... is amazing. I... I never thought you'd have it in you."
Rin chuckled as he pushed the laptop away and turned his attention to Rory. "If you think this is good, then continue showing me your version of romance. Let's build something amazing together. You see, you gave me some great ideas tonight. I think if we play off each other, the story will be unique."
Rory bit his lip. "I... I don't know."
Rin clasped Rory's cheek. "Come on. I told you, I'm not looking for a fuck. I know how to fuck... show me something I don't know."
Rory bit deeper into his lip, causing pain to permeate his brain, reminding him exactly where he was and who he was with. 'Job' that damned word. "Why do I still get the feeling you're wanting more, and this is just your newest way of getting it?"
A smile curved Rin's lips. "What if I make you a deal? You trust me and help with this, and I'll help you with something you need or want of your choosing."
Rory's brow arched, though he didn't try pulling away from Rin's touch this time. "What if there's nothing of value you could give me?"
Rin's grin widened. "There's plenty of value I can offer." Rin leaned forward, but Rory blocked his lips with his hand.
"Fine, you stop all of this, and I'll add this extra help as part of my job."
Rin smiled against Rory's hand before clasping it against his mouth and kissing his palm. "Deal, but part of this extra help may involve a few innocent kisses from time to time... You're a big boy. You must know there's a huge difference between kisses and sex." He placed another kiss where the thumb connected to the palm.
Rory jerked his hand back with a shaky breath. "Normally maybe... but with you... The lines all seem to blur together."
The corner of Rin's lips lifted into a cocky smirk. "Maybe that's just because you want them to."
Rory furrowed his brows in silent contemplation before vigorously shaking his head. "No, you're wrong. It's because you try to turn every interaction into some kind of game of seduction." He quickly turned away and tugged the bedding free. "It's late... I'm going to sleep... You should, too." He muttered as he slid under the covers.
Rin glanced over to the other bed as he pulled the laptop back onto his lap. "Late or not, I'm going to work for a bit longer. No point in going to sleep just to be woke up in a few minutes, right?"
Rory shrugged as he nestled under the covers. "Suit yourself. I'm not waiting up for them any longer."
Rin was quiet for a few minutes before asking, "Would you like me to put on some sleep music for you or something?"
Rory shook his head. "No... I like the sound of the keys. They're kind of soothing... They remind me of my childhood. My... my dad was a journalist before he died..."
Rin glanced down at the silky blonde head poking out from under the covers. "How long ago was that?"
Rory shrugged, causing the blankets to lift slightly. "I was pretty young... 10 or 11... I remember falling asleep on the leather sofa in his office, listening to him type when I was a child." Rory's voice grew faint with sleep as he spoke. "I miss those nights... I miss the sleep..."
Rin furrowed his brows as he listened to Rory's breathing to even out. Well, he doesn't have problems falling asleep, that's for sure... But if it's the sound of keys he enjoys, I'm sure I can give him another hour... Rin's eyes glided to the illuminated face of the clock. There must have been an after-party somewhere tonight... Not completely unheard of after these events... and if anyone would find one, it would be Sabastian... I almost feel sorry for Dillon... Rin shook his head as he returned his attention to the laptop. His eyes moved over the words he'd already written. Rory was right, the story was a whole lot better now. The conflict gave the plot an added depth that his original story had been lacking. This was driving him to test how much farther he could push this style.
Nearly two hours had passed before Rin had finally decided to close the laptop and set it beside the bed. There was still no sign of Dillon or Sabastian. Rin was beginning to suspect they were staying elsewhere for the night. He leaned over, a smirk curving his lips at the sight of light blonde strands poking out from the covers. He tugged down the sheets slightly and carefully slid closer. He reached out slowly, barely grazing the sleeping head, and took a strand of golden silk between his fingers. His lips curved more. It was every bit as soft as he'd anticipated. Leaning closer still, he grazed the long golden lashes with the knuckles of his index finger, again mesmerized at their softness. He carefully maneuvered his hand around and slid the pad of his thumb over the enticing pout of Rory's bottom lip. How many times had he tried to kiss these lips tonight alone? He leaned in closer, but just then, commotion sounded outside the hotel room door. Rin jerked away. He could hear muffled arguing as the room key was being scraped against the sensor. Once the door was open, Dillon struggled inside with Sabastian wrestling drunkenly beside him. Rin quickly jumped from the bed and made his way over to the door. He arched a brow as he brushed at his clothes inconspicuously. "What the fuck, man?"
Dillon shook his head, obviously at the end of his limits. "Come get him for a minute, so I can at least get the door shut and these fucking puke-covered clothes off."
Rin's eyes moved over Dillon and Sabastian. "Is it..."
Dillon groaned. "His fucking puke? Who's the fuck else?"
Rin hooked the office seat with his foot and pulled it over by the bathroom door. "Toss his ass here and keep him quiet. Rory is already asleep. I'll start the shower."
Dillon arched a brow. "Since when did you give a shit about Rory?"
Rin shot Dillon a snarky grin over his shoulder as he flipped on the bathroom light. "Aren't you the one who's always bitching that I'm too harsh on the guy?"
Dillon's eyes moved from Rin's grin to the blonde head nestled snugly under the crumpled sheets before shooting back to Rin. "You fucked him, didn't you?!"
Rin's grin widened. "Why is that the only thing anyone expects from me?"
"Because it's the only thing to be expected from you!" Dillon shoved his hand through his hair in obvious irritation as he arched a pierced brow. "Did you or not?" He busily pushed Sabastian's hands away from the front of his pants as he continued searching the room for signs of sex.
"Course Rin did... Rin fucks everyone..." Sabastian muttered in broken English as he tried and failed to work Dillon's fly free.
Rin followed the action downward with a chuckle. "Looks like I'm not the only one."
"If I were like you, maybe I wouldn't be in this fucking mess right now," Dillon growled.
Rin threw his hands in the air. "Hey, I've not slept with anyone tonight..." A sly grin spread across his lips. "Yet anyway..."
"You wanna fuck a slobbering, piss drunk bastard, be my guest, but it's not to my tastes. Last time I tried with him, this shit faced he threw up on my dick." Dillon pressed his palm against Sabastian's forehead as he tried to bite at the button of his jeans.
Rin chuckled. "Yeah, I'll have to pass as well. Besides, I've already showered... Looks like you may need one though... sooo..."
"Not it!" Both called at the same time in a hushed shout.
Rin shook his head. "You can't call 'not it' when you were supposed to keep his ass out of trouble. You're the one who dragged his ass in like this..." He nodded toward his bed. "As you can tell, I've had other troublesome dealings tonight... Unsuccessful at that, I might reiterate..." His eyes moved back to the bed. "At least thus far..."
Dillon raked his hand through his long, messy hair as he continued to hold Sabastian back with the other. "Fuck... Fuuuuck..." He sent Rin a pleading stare. "You gotta at least help me, man."
Rin shot a glance toward the bed, then teetered his head back and forth in indecision. "Alright, but only because it's late as fuck, and I'm over this already." Rin turned on his heels and stomped into the bathroom, making short work of turning on and adjusting the water temperature in the tub. He turned his attention to Dillon, who was still struggling to keep Sabastian's drunken advances at bay. "Take his clothes off."
"He's doing that well enough on his own." Dillon groaned in frustration.
"Well, stop fighting him on it and help get them off, so we can get his ass in here. Hurry up, I don't have all night." Rin barked, gathering shower products and lining them up on the edge of the tub.
"Come on, cut it out. Let's get you cleaned up." Dillon tried his best to maneuver his neck out of Sabastian's reach, but it was no use as he carried him to the tub. Sabastian sucked and bit a trail down Dillon's throat, leaving marks in his wake. "I'm going to toss you on the floor if you don't stop, Sab."
"You're no fun." Sabastian pulled away and began scanning the small room before jutting forward, nearly tumbling out of Dillon's arms. "Rin, take me."
Rin rolled his eyes. "With pleasure. I'll take your ass right into this damn tub." Rin used the outstretched arms to his advantage and tugged the flimsy shirt over Sabastian's head. Rin shot Dillon a skeptical gaze. "You think you can balance him long enough for me to peel his pants off?" With more work than it would have taken to wrestle pants on a tiger, Rin and Dillon finally got Sabastian naked and into the tub. Rin crouched down and began bathing him, only to twitch his nose in amused frustration. "Well... at least with the way he's rubbing against my hand like a goddamn cat in heat, it's saving me the effort of really having to scrub him down..."
Dillon rolled his eyes. "If you've got this, I'll go see if I can find him something to sleep in." Dillon snarled down at his own soiled clothes. "And myself something..." He tugged his shirt over his head before stripping down to his boxer-briefs and leaving the room.
"Hey, don't seduce my bed buddy while you're flaunting around out there all naked now! Not before I have anyway!" Rin called after him as he smacked away Sabastian's groping hand.
"Fuck off!" Dillon called out from within the room. He returned a few minutes later, irritation written all over his face. "This will have to do. He didn't pack anything useful."
Rin furrowed his brows. "Are those mine?"
Dillon nodded. "Yeah... Looks like the only thing this idiot brought was..." He shook his head. "Let's just say he wasn't planning on sleeping much this trip."
Rin blew out a sigh. "Well, I'm glad you're the one sleeping with his ass and not me." Rin nodded toward the tub and its occupant. "Because this is going to be a handful until it passes out tonight."
Dillon frowned as he watched Sabastian unabashedly go to town on himself. "Fuck..."
Rin threw up his hands. "I did my part. The rest is on you, man. I've got an early start in the morning, so I'm going to bed. Good luck."
Rin shook his head as the commotion from the bathroom continued, and he slid under the sheets. Soft, muffled whimpers seemed to emanate from Rory, drawing Rin's attention to the other side of the bed. In the faint light radiating out from the open bathroom door, Rin could see tears streaming down Rory's pale cheeks. Rin furrowed his brows as he watched closer. Rory's bottom lip trembled as he muttered intangible words. Only one could be made out, 'no, no, no'... A nightmare... Rin slid closer and brushed strands of blonde hair away from the damp trails of tears they clung to, but Rory shrank away from the touch like it burned his flesh, sobbing more as he did. Rin frowned, his gaze moving to the commotion coming from the bathroom door as Dillon wrestled Sabastian toward the beds. "Hey, try keeping it down some... I think something's up with Rory." Concern colored Rin's face as he tried tugging Rory's sleeping body closer, only to have him fight against him. "I... I think hearing the chaos has triggered some kind of nightmare or something... I can't get him to snap out of it either." Rin gently pinned Rory's arm down and stroked his cheek, but it only seemed to make things worse.
Dillon frowned as he struggled past their bed. "I'd love to 'keep it down' but this bitch isn't cooperating too well right now, now is he?" Dillon arched a brow, eyeing Rin over. "Besides, since when did you give a damn about him? I've been telling you for weeks now, ease up and give him a chance, and you choose now of all times to give a damn?" Dillon rolled his eyes as he wrangled Sabastian into the bed. "If you're finally interested, I've not gotten much from him, but the little I do know doesn't seem great. He's had a hard childhood and an even rougher life since becoming an adult."
It was Rin's turn to frown as he stared down at Rory. He shushed and rocked him in his arms as he kept him nestled against his chest. "Well, it's not that I go out of my way to give him a hard time anymore... there's just something about him that gets under my skin..." Rin's eyes stayed trained on the seemingly frail body struggling against his. "But... seeing him like this... kinda pulls on the ol heart strings, ya know... Makes you wonder what all he's been through... What he's hiding when he looks at you a certain way..."
"Fuck me!" Sabastian called out drunkenly as he tugged and pulled at Dillon's clean clothes, crumpling them under his tight grip. "You ruined da fun, so fix it..." He whined as he continued fighting against Dillon.
Dillon frowned as his eyes traveled to Rory. "I couldn't say what he's hiding... but those eyes are definitely haunted... there's no denying that." Dillon's gaze moved to Rin, whose concerned eyes traveled across Rory like a troubled mother hen. "Had you taken the time when he first came to the house, you would have realized it way before now..."