[ He went through his options for quite a while before it all came to this message. The public advertisement about him had been clear enough in it's message: Do what we tell you or we will make you do so. A gentle prod, but a prod none the less.
So he went through his options. The good, (Jester, again), The incredibly awkward (Aziraphale, whom he would not know how to broach the subject with), the absolutely awful (Dorian--no that was not an actual option). He landed pretty solidly on this one: Ransom. If his (relatively) anonymous contact was going to be useful, he could continue to be so.
And so--a message. ]
Are you busy tonight? I have a proposition for you.
[ Ransom won't say he's surprised to see a message from Essek, anything could happen, but he didn't think he'd reach out to him this soon, if ever. He's curious enough to find out what that proposition is to decide quickly that he's up for whatever it is. ]
Nopeee. My night's all clear. Decided to have some me time but this sounds fun.
[ He rolls over on his extremely uncomfortable mattress and sits up. ]
It's been brought to my attention that fulfilling the requirements of our captors once was very much not enough. I would rather be off of their radar, so I've come to you.
[ He hesitates, and then makes himself very clear. ]
This is an invitation for sex.
I'm hoping that you're capable of being at least marginally discreet.
[ He wouldn't go back to the Down for a "date" if you paid him, Ransom. He sends Ransom a location, a hotel not too far from the Apartments. Having Ransom in his home is very much not an option as far as Essek is concerned, especially for something as base as a hook up. He gives Ransom a time and is waiting in the lounge of the hotel a good ten minutes before he needs to be there, seated in one of the quite nice and plush chairs. ]
[itβs not meant for him. whoeverβs in charge of the new business in town doesnβt care and sends it off to whatever strong-jawed, chiseled bodied man they can think of and what ransom drysdale gets is this:
twophotos of Lucy posing, as well as several pairs of silk boxers, a small vibrator, and instructions:
Bring the toy and yourself, L
for the correct recipient, it might have gone well. what ransom does with it... who knows.]
[ Fortunately, the person that accidentally receives the package recognizes the woman in the photos and immediately knows what to do about it. He assumes, like some of the other gifts, that it was probably a mistake. Him and Lucy aren't quite at this kind of gift giving level.
So he sends a text with a picture of all the items spread out on his bed. ]
That's not something you can ask as a general question. It's all subjective. What I think makes someone sexy isn't necessarily what the next guy will think.
But if you're asking me. Physically, a nice mouth and good hair. Personality, a little bit of attitude.
society's standards can scarf it. they're exhausting to keep up with.
as a peach <3
oh it's no big deal. someone sort of suggested i wasnt very sexy and it wasn't shocking or anything i know im not but back in my world it wasnt a big deal. it feels like i should work on that here though? i dont know. i figured i'd ask in case you had any recommendations you seem to be confident in that whole field
I suppose sexiness can be upped if the person puts effort into it. But thatβs usually about changing yourself to be what someone else wants. Nothing wrong with that if you remember to change back.
Not saying you should because fuck them but if you want them to think youβre sexy, find out what they like and be it.
For what itβs worth, everything youβve got going on was doing it for me.
(It totally did matter, but Eddie was in truth too embarrassed to admit the situation in full.)
like i said it wasnt surprising.
is it bad that i dont want to have to try and make someone eat of my hand? maybe it's cause im old or maybe it's because i just dont think i can but im erring on the side of maybe just wanting to be wanted just because someone looked at me and already decided that i was desirable which is probably farfetched but it's nice to hear i worked for you
that sounds like an understatement. i mean it. It's worth a lot. you do make me feel wanted. and a bit like im not just filling a quota but that you're just actually enjoying the time together which we should have more of sometime.
[ It was probably best not to tell him anyway. Ransom would put him on his shit list and nobody wanted to be there. But he said just a friend. He'd keep an eye out for this 'friend'. ]
Don't be shocked if I ask again.
[ Hmm. ]
No, it's not bad. Who wants to feel like they're not good enough? I don't think someone can truly enjoy something if they're pretending to be someone else. It might be nice once or twice, especially if it's sexual or a one night stand, but it's not real and it might not feel great later.
Maybe age has something to do with it. Maybe not. I don't sleep with anyone that doesn't want me.
Worked for you is putting it mildly, Eddie.
I didn't ask you to meet with me for the quota. Sure, it counts, but I don't really care about that. And I would have told you to go if we hadn't hit it off.
im not trying to sound like a dick or anything. just why do you care?
(The thing was Eddie meant the question whole-heartedly. People outside of the Losers getting mad on his behalf or defensive was completely foreign to him and it left him reeling. Hell, the person who'd made him feel shitty originally had been a Loser. Eddie couldn't imagine why Ransom would...
Then again, maybe he could, because after all why else would he come to confide in him afterward?)
I thinnk you're right. even if we're pretty good at lying to ourselves it's hard to lie about whether or not we are really happy about something i can't really imagine having a one night stand. i mean entirely. not to scare you off but you'd already probably have to pry me away with a crow bar not that im saying im expecting anything. i just consider you a friend now and i dont abandon friends sorry i feel im being really overly honest right now. point is yeah i can see it not feeling great later.
I think i actually believe you. you're one of those guys who seems like you can land anyone you want, so why would you waste time with anyone you DIDNT want? it makes sense. and in a roundabout way it makes me feel better. i thought it was a pity fuck situation at first but i dont really think so anymore
We can do whatever. theres a whole city i havent fully experienced yet. im sure there's something fun to do somewhere with you.
You get One Date option to blow my mind. I will pay but you will plan. Ive never had a guy take me outofficially before so color this your lucky day. Cause sire as ehell not fonna be asked any otht is aπ€·ββοΈ
(Yeah Eddie did not text this sober. Good luck dude.)
I think I can handle that. And donβt get me wrong, Iβm all for this.
But what brought it on? Typos. Way too many of them. Iβm pretty sure that last part is about you not being asked by anyone else. Is it about that guy?
Itβs not competition then. And they shouldnβt do it unless you like it. But if you like it then you shouldnβt let them because I donβt like it.
Thanks. I didnt have a flower for mt hair unfortunately
No i like it. It would bother me if i thought oyyou were controlling like my mom Or wife qas but youre not so it is okay At least i sont think you are Yojre nothing like them
Hold on. Eorry im not sure anyones every asked like that i dont even know where to begin Im from this shitty smalk towj called derry, maine. Which sucked to grownup in in the 50s. There was this bridge dedicated to like wanting gay dudes dead so you get the pixture My dad died when i was like 4 of cancer. My mom was obsessed w me and convinced me my wntire childhood i was really sick and that the workd was this dangerous place and that i was allergic to all sorts of stuff I mever even took a single gym class in my lifeb (between me and you i didnt hate being on the isdelinss all the time i liked watching guys play sports)
I dont remember a huge chunk of mt childhood and i dont mean like ohh fuzzy like i have literal amnesia even now i couldnt tell you most of the nanes of my only friends I had and i JUST saw them all before cominf here
I dont know. I spent most of my life w my mom and whne she died i married a cwoman just lije her and then i died and jow im here.
I also like music
Is that what you meant wait sorty. Tell me anout you
[ Ransom is beginning to get a better picture of Eddie's mom and wife. With how they treated the man... woo boy. It couldn't have been pleasant. ]
No, I don't think I am. But we both know you'll tell me if I step out of line.
[ A quality in Eddie that Ransom enjoyed. ]
You're from the 50's? It can't be easy in a city like Duplicity after that.
Thank you for telling me all of that. I can't imagine what it was like going from one woman to another who didn't know how to treat you the way you should have been. Then only to die?
It won't mean much now but at least you have a second chance here. What kind of music?
Tell you about me? Where to start. I come from a family with money. My grandfather earned it through his publishing company. He wrote books. Was very successful. I did a summer as his intern once and let me tell you, I wouldn't do that again. Never married. Never been in a serious relationship. Everything went to shit and then I woke up here.
I like cookies. Cupcakes. Anything small and sweet.
yes. i mean i was an adult- this age- in the 80s which was a little more advanced but not by much. it's been a bit of a culture shock, yeah.
i mean. it's not like any woman would have ever really been able to give me what i wanted or needed. sometimes, most of the time, i just figure it's what i deserved? i dont know.
yeah, i keep trying to tell myself that. all kinds. like, really. literally any music. although i do have a bit of a fondness for blues and jazz. i like emotional music i suppose
what kind of books? gotta say marriage is pretty overrated so you dodged a bullet there looks like it's second chances for botho f us then.
anything small and sweet? what are you doing with me then :P i can make you some pretty tasty stuff though.
[ Ransom doesn't bother texting back. Ten minutes was more than enough time given they were in the same building and it was an elevator ride down to get to Steve, but it was surprise that kept him from responding. He stood there for a minute or two before he snapped out of it. Good thing he'd showered already. He might be in loose sweats and a tank top, he was having a lazy night in okay, but he could tell from Steve's messages that it wouldn't matter.
He kicks his slippers on and is outside of Steve's door a few minutes later. He knocks. ]
Open up, big guy.
[ When it does, he's got his brows raised and his arms spread wide. Sorry, Steve, he's dramatic. ]
Do your worst.
[ But don't actually because he isn't a superhuman. Ransom isn't even aware that Steve is or that Bucky was, besides the arm. Bucky was always careful with him and never talked about it. ]
[in the back of his mind, he knows this is a bad idea. knows that he's making a big mistake here. but it's a part of him that's long since been numbed, both by alcohol and loss. it'd been the idea of spending another night in a mostly empty apartment that had ultimately led to him sending the message. and ransom had ended up the target of it because somehow he was the least complicated option for him.
so when the knock comes, ransom isn't left waiting too long. the dogs are already tucked away in the master bedroom. his bedding folded up and left on the end of the sofa in an attempt at showing he's a lot more put together than he feels.
but all of that is pushed to the wayside when the door's opened up and he finally lays eyes on, well, himself. sort of. there's no response. nothing verbal, at least. instead, steve just twists a hand into the front of ransom's top and pulls him inside. just long enough to shut the door and push him back up against it.]
You know what to do.
[or at least he'll be able to work it out, given that steve's own sweats are promptly pushed down to his knees in an obvious request (order)]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
>> The Night after the D/s Finder for February dropped
So he went through his options. The good, (Jester, again), The incredibly awkward (Aziraphale, whom he would not know how to broach the subject with), the absolutely awful (Dorian--no that was not an actual option). He landed pretty solidly on this one: Ransom. If his (relatively) anonymous contact was going to be useful, he could continue to be so.
And so--a message. ]
Are you busy tonight? I have a proposition for you.
no subject
Nopeee.
My night's all clear.
Decided to have some me time but this sounds fun.
[ He rolls over on his extremely uncomfortable mattress and sits up. ]
Spill. What's up?
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[ He hesitates, and then makes himself very clear. ]
This is an invitation for sex.
I'm hoping that you're capable of being at least marginally discreet.
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They want to make sure we fill that quota each month.
You wound me.
If you want a secret fuck buddy then that's fine with me.
When and where are we doing this?
[ Wait. ]
Actually, in the Up. Somewhere nice.
ACTION;
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for the correct recipient, it might have gone well. what ransom does with it... who knows.]
text
So he sends a text with a picture of all the items spread out on his bed. ]
What about the boxers?
Are those mandatory?
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You are such a pig.
text; un spageddie
What do you think makes someone sexy?
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It's all subjective.
What I think makes someone sexy isn't necessarily what the next guy will think.
But if you're asking me.
Physically, a nice mouth and good hair.
Personality, a little bit of attitude.
no subject
i dont know
way people look or behave
i guess it really is subjective
Good hair really is important I'll give you that
oh an attitude? you barked up the wrong tree with me then. i've only ever been sweet my whole life
(......He's so full of shit and knows it.)
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A certain type of person that's supposed to be more attractive.
But it really is subjective.
Yeah, you're as sweet as they come.
[ Ransom rolls his eyes. Eddie might be sweet but he's also a shit and Ransom liked that. ]
What brought this all up?
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as a peach <3
oh it's no big deal. someone sort of suggested i wasnt very sexy and it wasn't shocking or anything i know im not but back in my world it wasnt a big deal. it feels like i should work on that here though? i dont know. i figured i'd ask in case you had any recommendations
you seem to be confident in that whole
field
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Who suggested that?
I suppose sexiness can be upped if the person puts effort into it.
But thatβs usually about changing yourself to be what someone else wants.
Nothing wrong with that if you remember to change back.
Not saying you should because fuck them but if you want them to think youβre sexy, find out what they like and be it.
For what itβs worth, everything youβve got going on was doing it for me.
no subject
(It totally did matter, but Eddie was in truth too embarrassed to admit the situation in full.)
like i said it wasnt surprising.
is it bad that i dont want to have to try and make someone eat of my hand? maybe it's cause im old or maybe it's because i just dont think i can but im erring on the side of maybe just wanting to be wanted just because someone looked at me and already decided that i was desirable
which is probably farfetched
but it's nice to hear i worked for you
that sounds like an understatement. i mean it. It's worth a lot. you do make me feel wanted. and a bit like im not just filling a quota but that you're just actually enjoying the time together
which we should have more of sometime.
no subject
Don't be shocked if I ask again.
[ Hmm. ]
No, it's not bad.
Who wants to feel like they're not good enough?
I don't think someone can truly enjoy something if they're pretending to be someone else.
It might be nice once or twice, especially if it's sexual or a one night stand, but it's not real and it might not feel great later.
Maybe age has something to do with it. Maybe not.
I don't sleep with anyone that doesn't want me.
Worked for you is putting it mildly, Eddie.
I didn't ask you to meet with me for the quota. Sure, it counts, but I don't really care about that. And I would have told you to go if we hadn't hit it off.
What do you want to do?
no subject
(The thing was Eddie meant the question whole-heartedly. People outside of the Losers getting mad on his behalf or defensive was completely foreign to him and it left him reeling. Hell, the person who'd made him feel shitty originally had been a Loser. Eddie couldn't imagine why Ransom would...
Then again, maybe he could, because after all why else would he come to confide in him afterward?)
I thinnk you're right. even if we're pretty good at lying to ourselves it's hard to lie about whether or not we are really happy about something
i can't really imagine having a one night stand. i mean entirely. not to scare you off but you'd already probably have to pry me away with a crow bar
not that im saying im expecting anything. i just consider you a friend now and i dont abandon friends
sorry i feel im being really overly honest right now.
point is yeah i can see it not feeling great later.
I think i actually believe you. you're one of those guys who seems like you can land anyone you want, so why would you waste time with anyone you DIDNT want? it makes sense. and in a roundabout way it makes me feel better. i thought it was a pity fuck situation at first but i dont really think so anymore
We can do whatever. theres a whole city i havent fully experienced yet. im sure there's something fun to do somewhere with you.
no subject
(Yeah Eddie did not text this sober. Good luck dude.)
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And donβt get me wrong, Iβm all for this.
But what brought it on?
Typos. Way too many of them.
Iβm pretty sure that last part is about you not being asked by anyone else.
Is it about that guy?
no subject
No actually. I was just being self deprecating inthink. I wasnt even thinking qbout him
For once
I wax just thinmkng theres non reason we shouldnt ??
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How adorable.
Good. It's better that way.
I like it when you think of me.
So what's the plan, Eddie baby?
no subject
ya it proabbly is
sorry my mind derailed at being called eddie baby give me t3 seconds to regain cohesive thought
no subject
If I didn't like it I wouldn't be responding.
I'm claiming baby for myself.
Nobody else gets to call you that.
no subject
(βα΄ββΏ)
yoy might have some staunch competiton
not even like in a sexy way either
ppl call em baby smi regularly
i imagin its the babyfcace
no subject
Itβs not competition then.
And they shouldnβt do it unless you like it.
But if you like it then you shouldnβt let them because I donβt like it.
Tell me about yourself.
no subject
hold on.
(He's Trying.)
yur very controlling has anyone ever tol you that?
what? like? literally?
no subject
The emoji was cute. Your face is better.
Once or twice.
Does it bother you?
Yes, like literally.
I want to know more about you.
Cw: homophobia + literal summary of eddies life so ,,,all his cws
No i like it. It would bother me if i thought oyyou were controlling like my mom Or wife qas but youre not so it is okay
At least i sont think you are
Yojre nothing like them
Hold on. Eorry im not sure anyones every asked like that i dont even know where to begin
Im from this shitty smalk towj called derry, maine. Which sucked to grownup in in the 50s. There was this bridge dedicated to like wanting gay dudes dead so you get the pixture
My dad died when i was like 4 of cancer. My mom was obsessed w me and convinced me my wntire childhood i was really sick and that the workd was this dangerous place and that i was allergic to all sorts of stuff
I mever even took a single gym class in my lifeb (between me and you i didnt hate being on the isdelinss all the time i liked watching guys play sports)
I dont remember a huge chunk of mt childhood and i dont mean like ohh fuzzy like i have literal amnesia even now i couldnt tell you most of the nanes of my only friends I had and i JUST saw them all before cominf here
I dont know. I spent most of my life w my mom and whne she died i married a cwoman just lije her and then i died and jow im here.
I also like music
Is that what you meant wait sorty. Tell me anout you
no subject
No, I don't think I am.
But we both know you'll tell me if I step out of line.
[ A quality in Eddie that Ransom enjoyed. ]
You're from the 50's?
It can't be easy in a city like Duplicity after that.
Thank you for telling me all of that.
I can't imagine what it was like going from one woman to another who didn't know how to treat you the way you should have been.
Then only to die?
It won't mean much now but at least you have a second chance here.
What kind of music?
Tell you about me?
Where to start. I come from a family with money.
My grandfather earned it through his publishing company.
He wrote books. Was very successful.
I did a summer as his intern once and let me tell you, I wouldn't do that again.
Never married. Never been in a serious relationship.
Everything went to shit and then I woke up here.
I like cookies. Cupcakes. Anything small and sweet.
no subject
yes. i mean i was an adult- this age- in the 80s which was a little more advanced but not by much.
it's been a bit of a culture shock, yeah.
i mean. it's not like any woman would have ever really been able to give me what i wanted or needed.
sometimes, most of the time, i just figure it's what i deserved? i dont know.
yeah, i keep trying to tell myself that.
all kinds. like, really. literally any music. although i do have a bit of a fondness for blues and jazz. i like emotional music i suppose
what kind of books?
gotta say marriage is pretty overrated so you dodged a bullet there
looks like it's second chances for botho f us then.
anything small and sweet? what are you doing with me then :P
i can make you some pretty tasty stuff though.
text; un: historian
no subject
And while I have you here, my tattoo is gone.
no subject
Wait, how'd you get rid of your tattoo?
no subject
He wasn't too pleased when I showed up with you and someone else trying to lay claim to me.
no subject
no subject
Didn't say that.
It wouldn't have mattered.
no subject
Okay, how'd your Dominant get rid of it?
no subject
no subject
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text. un: srogers
[who needs a reason to ask?]
no subject
[ This was unexpected. ]
no subject
You've got ten minutes. Otherwise I'm finding someone else to fuck.
[and if there wasn't proof he's not in the right frame of mind before, there it is]
no subject
He kicks his slippers on and is outside of Steve's door a few minutes later. He knocks. ]
Open up, big guy.
[ When it does, he's got his brows raised and his arms spread wide. Sorry, Steve, he's dramatic. ]
Do your worst.
[ But don't actually because he isn't a superhuman. Ransom isn't even aware that Steve is or that Bucky was, besides the arm. Bucky was always careful with him and never talked about it. ]
no subject
so when the knock comes, ransom isn't left waiting too long. the dogs are already tucked away in the master bedroom. his bedding folded up and left on the end of the sofa in an attempt at showing he's a lot more put together than he feels.
but all of that is pushed to the wayside when the door's opened up and he finally lays eyes on, well, himself. sort of. there's no response. nothing verbal, at least. instead, steve just twists a hand into the front of ransom's top and pulls him inside. just long enough to shut the door and push him back up against it.]
You know what to do.
[or at least he'll be able to work it out, given that steve's own sweats are promptly pushed down to his knees in an obvious request (order)]