All I Want for Valentine's Day... Is Some Peace and Quiet!

[Deleted]

When Oriel told Phoenix to stay, like an obedient puppy, the pixie kept peeking outside before slowly letting the door close. If Oriel didn't want him to see... Whatever he was doing, then Phen would give him his privacy. That didn't mean he wouldn't ask about it after, though. So he busied himself with fixing his hair (which had gotten very messy in the last... while), and dabbing some cologne on his wrists (another gift from dad, Phoenix was getting spoiled). Then he flopped on the bed, cuddling into his snuggly jacket and waiting for Oriel to return.

Kodi glanced between the two men, curious and a little concerned about what was going on. He caught the movement of Gryph's hand, and slid his fingers to lace with the older boy's. Oriel might have noticed, but he didn't care anymore. When Oriel addressed him, however, Kodi's brow rose, surprised by the... Request for permission. Like... Like Gryph was his to give, or something. It sort of... Amused him. "Ain't like I could stop him if he wanted to, but... Well, we already got the important stuff outta the way, so I s'pose I could bare t'part with him for a bit," he mumbled, stepping closer to wrap himself around one of Gryph's arms for a moment. When the older boy started pulling away, though, Kodi let him go, wondering what the hell the hippie-boy wanted with him. "... I'll just... be in here... Fappin'..." he joked with a snort to hide his bewilderment.

The door closed, and Kodi stood there for a second before shaking his head and shuffling back into the bedroom. Meh... Whatever... Couldn't be all that important. Maybe he'd accidentally broken Phen's ass and needed his 'best friend' to help... Heh... That was kind of amusing. But unlikely. Sigh. Kodi sat on the bed and fidgeted with one of the rings in his lip, trying to be patient. Then he distracted himself by pulling out a book he'd brought along for the plane ride and easily got sucked in, just like always. He'd still be there when Gryph eventually returned.

[Deleted]

Oriel felt like a boob. Since when had he ever asked anyone for permission to do something!? It was….unheard of! Asinine! Rawr!! But…fuck, he told Gryph that he was trying, and what better way to show it than by actually not being a dick about this? At least, as much of a dick as he could avoid being. Because let’s face it, some people were just born to be dicks. Oriel was convinced he was one of them, considering how hard it was for him to do this measly little shit something. Mumble grumble…

Honestly, he appreciated Kodi being a bit crude in his response, it helped ease the tension a bit. Just a bit. Because he was certain that, considering turkey-boy’s initial greeting, that Gryphon would rather gouge his eyes out than talk to Oriel seriously one-on-one.

No, that wasn’t true, he tried to remind himself. Gryph responded well the last time they talked, and Oriel was serious then…mostly. It went downhill because Oriel freaked the fuck out on him over….yeah, Oriel still wasn’t happy with Kodi and his stupid decisions back then, but at least they seemed to be doing fine now, and Oriel was glad for that. Oriel smiled seeing Kodi cling to the taller boy so adorably. “Yeah, have fun with that,” he said lamely.

Anyway, enough stalling.

This was…ugh, words. And though it wasn’t as harsh as before, Oriel still felt like there was some hidden hostility in bird-man’s tone. Or was that his imagination? It was hard to tell sometimes, but would it matter if it was either? Still, he wanted to say something. “Um….so, yeah, first…” Oriel started, pulling his arms in closer. His arm shot up and Oriel started nibbling on his thumb for a couple seconds before finally spilling. “First…I want you to know….I didn’t come all the way out to this city just to fuck with you. Amusing as that may’ve been, I got better things to fuck, like Phoenix’s ass.” He took a breath. “I mean….I’m here to be with Phoenix. Not to screw with whatever plans you got with Kodi. So if it seems like I’m doing otherwise…well..it ain’t my intention.” And Oriel would leave it at that. Oriel knew himself well enough to know that he probably would be tempted to fuck with them anyway, but….Oriel would rather be hated after he fucked up, and at least be on semi-good terms beforehand.

“Second….” And this was the harder one. Oriel seemed to shuffle in himself, re-lacing his arms over his torso and shifting his weight from side to side. “Nngg…..This is a…..” Oriel had no idea how he was supposed to start this. His eyes were focused on the ground between the two boys. “…I don’t know. You know, this is a pretty nice place, and…and I ain’t exactly…” Oriel breathed again and held it an extended moment before finally coming out with it all at once, quick and painless. “Can I borrow a nice shirt or something so I don’t show up at dinner looking like a fucking hobo or street thug or something?” Yup, like a fucking bandaid. Balls.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryphon honestly appreciated Oriel trying, at least, to be more polite. If he had started barking out demands the moment Gryph opened the door, it would have been slammed in his face before he could say much more. This was progress. This was good.

He saw Kodi move onto his arm and he couldn't help smiling, warming up a little bit. He was adorable, which may have been a bad thing in this conversation since that made it so he wanted to just go back and snuggle his lump of a boyfriend, but... there was time for that later. Sigh. Right now, he was supposed to talk to Oriel. He didn't know what the younger boy wanted to say, but the fact that he was acting this way told Gryph it was going to be something semi-serious, at least. He was intrigued.

Gryphon rolled his eyes at the joke Kodi made. It was probably a joke. Maybe.

The avian man wasn't trying to sound harsh by this point. He was more interested than anything, and he wasn't about to start getting at Oriel for nothing. Unless he gave him a good reason to change his tone. Gryph waited patiently as Oriel became nervous, or more nervous, he couldn't tell. He had time, he didn't need to push him to speak faster. And they what he did say... well, it sounded good to Gryphon. Because that was something he had suspected - serious confirmation that that wasn't the case was helpful. If only a bit, he couldn't help being irked by their presence. He rose and eyebrow at the crude comment, but it wasn't like he could act all innocent about his behaviour with Kodi in private. He didn't say anything until the poofy haired boy was done. "Okay." He said slowly, "Thanks for clearing that up." He didn't know how much he could trust Oriel, but if he decided to go back on what he had said, the minimal trust he held for him right now would dissipate instantly. He paused, "I don't know how obvious this is, but I'm not going to screw with you guys either. Neither is Kodi." The dentokinetic hadn't explicitly said that, but Gryph would try to make sure.

And? Oh right, he said 'first', that meant there was at least a second thing to say; whatever this was, it seemed a lot more difficult for the ink manipulator to form the words. What could be so hard to ask? As before, Gryphon left Oriel to speak until he was happy, and no longer rambling. When that happened this time, Gryphon blinked for a second. "Oh." Did he want Oriel wearing one of his shirts? He didn't know how well his clothes would fit the other boy either. There was a hesitation before he spoke again, "Um... yeah, sure." He sounded semi-confident in his own words, as he turned to go back into his room. However, he recalled the whole sentence before he did, "....you're about to go eat?" Was this a joke? "It's like the universe likes playing with my head." And everyone else's too.

Gryphon had kept the keycard on his person so he could get back in easily once the conversation was over, so he used it and went back inside. He saw Kodi had a book in his hands, and so didn't say anything to him for now. He went over to his belongings and, kneeling on the floor, Gryph pulled out a couple shirts and placed them on the floor, looking at Oriel, "Pick one. I don't mind which." He looked at Kodi, "Hi, love." He greeted, with a smile.

[Deleted]

This sucked. This was not acceptable behavior for one self-dubbed as the Evil Overlord! The Overlord did not stutter, nor did he stumble over his words! He certainly didn’t ask for things, or try to ‘clear things up’ as Gryph had put it. All of this just made that knot in his stomach twist tighter and tighter. At least until he got it out. The first part at least. Then it seemed to relax, though only a bit. “Alright,” he confirmed, nodding his head slowly. “Thanks, um….thanks.” Oriel hated being meek, so totally wasn’t his style.

And now he had a whole other second part of this conversation to get through, one which he shouldn’t have any reason to think was more difficult, but somehow, just the same, was. He was more than prepared for Gryph to say, ‘hell no go away’ at Oriel’s request.

But it didn’t come. Actually, Gryphon seemed confused and taken by surprise by the request. The curly-headed boy nodded at the question. “Mmhmm….figured it was important I look nice or something. But I ain’t got nothing better than…well, what you pretty much see me in all the fucking time, you know?” Oriel had slacks from his uniform at work, but he sure as fuck wasn’t going to wear that stupid little vest-shirt they made him wear. But was Gryph really going to let him? Oriel’s eyes were gazing at Gryph like he was the single ray of light in a world of utter darkness and despair when Gryph turned and allowed Oriel to follow him into the bedroom. “I don’t know, but the universe seems to like me today, so I ain’t complaining.” That was the only thing that could explain why Gryph was being so nice to him, right? And not acting like Oriel was just an obnoxious thorn in the side of all existence.

This didn’t mean that Oriel wasn’t still nervous. Kodi was still in there, after all, and that guy would no doubt prod him over something so…stupid. But still, Oriel was forced to think, that was easier than I thought. A lot easier than all the nervous build-up he was doing to himself let him to believe. Like…it just wasn’t worth it…despite that, he’d probably be just as awkward if the occasion ever presented itself again ever.

Oriel knelt down by the shirts that Gryph laid out for him. Honestly, he wasn’t sure he would be able to fit into them either. Gryphon was about as tall as Oriel, but he was a skinny-assed bitch. Feh, Asian morphology. They were all twigs as far as Oriel was concerned. Oriel wasn’t a giant by any means, but in comparison he had a lot more mass, especially around the chest area. Heh heh heh… “Think…..this one’ll do.” Oriel picked out the only one that he thought might actually fit. Looked alright, not too fancy, but not painfully casual either. Oriel stood and held it up against his chest. “What do you think?” he asked Mr. Bird-man. Oriel struck a dramatic model pose. “Is it me?” God, he felt silly. And what better way to get over that than to be even sillier? Oriel breathed a few laughs through his nose and gave Gryph a coy, demonic little smile, batting his eyes to further the ‘innocent’ effect. “I promise I won’t spill ketchup on it. Or mustard. Or creamy white filling.” Oriel's ability to be serious was starting to expire. He should probably get out of there soon, before he made himself too much of an annoyance.

[Deleted]

They might've been out there for five minutes or fifty, Kodi wasn't sure; that's how he got when he was sucked into a good book. When the door did finally open back up, he gave it a short glance to see both of the boys returning. He was curious, but didn't say anything yet. He kept reading until Gryph finally greeted him, and the dentokinetic finally stuck in his bookmark and sat up, frowning curiously at the shirts. "Donatin' t'charity?" he asked, unable to help himself. It wasn't like he had a ton of money either, but he a) had had a job for a while and b) had a very well-off boyfriend that liked to spoil, so he and Oriel weren't exactly the same. He sent the younger boy a toothy smirk. "'Least between that and your haircut, you won't look so much like a dirty hippie." He fiddled with a strand of white-blonde hair.

He rolled his eyes as Oriel picked a shirt and began posing, saying nothing. Oriel's back was to him now, and Kodi got a stupid but irresistible idea that he couldn't quite let go to waste. He casually sat on his knees, still on the bed, and tucked his heels underneath him. When the opportunity arose, Kodi tensed his legs and pounced, looping his arms around the boy's shoulders and his legs around Oriel's waist, and chomped down on his neck. "But you might spill blood!" he cackled, grinning devilishly at Gryphon from where he hung. No, he didn't really have any point to do this, but why the hell not?

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryph believed that Oriel had learned how things work. Being reasonable would be replied with Gryph being helpful. Even if he had to force it, it was much preferred. He definitely seemed nervous about this, if not scared even, from his tense posture and expressions. It fluctuated though. He nodded at Oriel's gratitude and didn't otherwise reply. They had more talking to do still.

Oriel was allowed to ask for assistance - key word being 'ask'. Not demand, not force, nothing like that, just please's and thank you's would work better than anything else - for Gryph, at least. He gave a slow nod, "Ahh." Still felt like it sucked that he had to be going to eat now as well. Maybe he and Kodi could postpone... awh, but he was hungry! Maybe sit across the other side of the resturant...? Still, he wasn't unwilling to lend a hand. And of course things were going well for Oriel, that was just brilliant. It wasn't the reason for Gryph's cooperation though. If Oriel didn't act like a pain in the ass, Gryphon wouldn't treat him as one. Simple as.

The winged man gave a slightly sour expression at Kodi's words, but didn't say about them. Oriel was his friend after all. Maybe. Gryph couldn't tell half the time, it was confusing. The next comment made him roll his eyes, but again, nothing said. Even if Oriel did kinda look like a hippy. Ehe.

Gryph liked to think that he had good genes. He was lucky to have the muscle mass that he did, plus still be pretty slim. It was kind of desirable, so he was glad it was that way. Gryph folded his arms and chuckled under his breath as Oriel posed, "It suits you, if that's what you're asking." This kid was ridiculous. Gryphon made a face, though, "You better---Kodi!" He dodged out of the way, almost dumbfounded, but started giggling, pulling back the other shirts quickly, before climbing on a bed and staying there, to be out of the way. Couldn't risk it.

[Deleted]

Oriel was feeling a little more at ease, now that he’d gotten most of the hard part out of the way. Well, that was the hard part. Asking. He didn’t ask good, so actually doing it was fucking awkward as hell for him. By this point, he was glad he did. Positive results yielded positive reenforcement. This meant that he was more likely to do it that way again in the future. The relief he felt from getting such a good response from Gryphon was obvious in his posture and facial expressions. The last time he felt this kind of relief was…well, it was from when the last time these two talked seriously one-on-one. When Oriel made his “promise” to Gryph that he was going to try to not be such a fucking dick anymore. Granted, Oriel still was, to a lot of people, even to Gryph, but when something like this happened, even though it was just a small victory, it felt like Oriel was moving forward. Making “progress”.

It figures that some of that good mood had to be shattered by Kodi’s stupid comments. “Oh, go jizz in a squealing hog, you hick,” Oriel snapped back at him. Maybe he should have thought twice about talking shit to Gryphon’s boyfriend, but…well, Kodi was Oriel’s friend first, and the guy should be able to take at least that much verbal abuse before he got pissed. Oriel sneered back up at him. “Better watch that mouth of yours ‘fore I rip them snakebites right out of it.” Though knowing Kodi, he might like that kind of pain.

Oriel picked his shirt and since that was all he really needed, there was no more reason to stay, was there? Aside from being a silly for an audience. “It really does, doesn’t it? I fear I might grow too attached to it, and then where would we be? Aww…you may never see your poor shirt again.” Cue pouty sad face.

Or cue random attack from behind, what the fuck!? Oriel crouched forward at the sudden weight that had fallen upon his back. “Hey, ass-licker, the fuck you doing?” Oriel shouted at the kid on his shoulders. He wriggled and bucked, trying to shake the little raptor off of him, but before he knew it, the fucking gnat had bitten him! “Ahh! Fuck! The fuck’re you trying to do, eat me? Goddamn dinosaur!” Oriel shook him again, and arched forward until he’d toppled over his shoulder and onto his back. Well, onto Kodi, onto his back. Like one of those cheesy pro-wrestling moves or something. “Ha, take that!” Oriel looked up at Gryph, who had moved aside to watch the two roughhousing boys with amusement. “Sorry, turkey-boy, I might’ve have to kill your boyfriend before dinner. You’ll forgive me, right?” He tossed the shirt aside and rolled over to get down and dirty with this little grappling war.

Yes, they were both five. Sadly.

[Deleted]

Yes, Kodi and Oriel were great friends, but that didn’t stop Kodi from teasing and picking on him. In fact, it probably just encouraged him to do it more. He knew how Oriel was, that he’d just retort right back. It wasn’t like they were really hurting each other. “Go jizz in a…? Wow, now that is a creative insult,” he snickered, thickening the twang in his voice. And so the sneering contest began. “S’far as I remember, yer afraid of a little snake,” he snarked back, licking his lower lip with his piercing-studded tongue. “I’d like t’see ya try.” Maybe that was a little much, but Oriel was asking for it now.

He cackled at the younger boy’s reaction to his attack, clinging onto Oriel like a tick. “Puttin’ ya in yer place!” he snickered, still twanging more than usual. The more Oriel tried to get him off, the tighter he clung, determined not to get shook off. “Mmm delicious,” he sneered, licking his lips. He was about to go in for the ‘kill’ when Oriel suddenly changed tactics and flipped them over somehow. Kodi yelped as the bigger boy’s weight landed on him, wondering if he’d bruised his ribs. “Yer gonna pay f’r tha’, slut!” he growled, scrambling to get some leverage back. His hair was getting messed up and his clothes were probably getting ruffled, but he was enjoying himself too much to stop. When was the last time they had done something like this? “Y’can’t kill me!” he snarled. “I’ll getchu first!” He ducked under Oriel’s arms and attempted to round about him, pushing him onto the floor and trying to hold him there. He sat heavily on the younger boy’s lower back, and beamed up at Gryph, like ‘I did it!’ However, it likely wouldn’t last long, as Oriel was bigger and heavier. “I could fuck yer ass right now!” he taunted. “Whadaya say?” Like he would actually do that, especially with Gryphon watching. Still, he gave that rump a nice big slap.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

The insults and threats being thrown around made Gryphon raise an eyebrow, but he doubted either of them would actually do things like that, like ripping out piercings, would they? Would they? ...Gryph actually wasn't certain. But it kinda felt like they were just joking around so he gathered that no, they wouldn't. He just stayed out of the way, at most raising an eyebrow. Maybe it was just a sign of friendship between the two... weirdos.

"I'm getting my shirt back." Gryphon said. He felt like Oriel was probably only teasing, but he would get his shirt back and that was that.

Gryph didn't intervene with the whole rough-and-tumble scenario going on a couple feet away. All he did was leave them to their wrestling. If he heard someone getting badly hurt, he would do something. Otherwise, he just picked up Kodi's book (making sure not to move the bookmark or bend the pages too much) and began reading, listening out for any signs of trouble. At the comment directed at him from Oriel, the winged man twitched, "Hm?" He put the book down and looked over, "Oh. Um, no, I won't. I'd prefer you didn't kill him, if that's alright." He was being more relaxed, it was a good thing!

It was amusing when Kodi looked at Gryph for what seemed to be the first time since they started grappling. He smirked, Kodi looked like a kid who had done something amazing and was showing it to his parents like 'Look, mommy, I drew a dinosaur!'. But in this case, it was more like 'Look, Gryphy, I caught a hippie!". Oh, what fun. He shuffled back again and rolled his eyes, "Let's not make this explicit. And don't we need to go eat soon?" Gryph always thinking of the priorities.

[Deleted]

Kodi's next insult hit a little close, which was understandable considering the curly-headed but had just gotten over yet another near death experience with that fucking snake-boy. Not intentional, of course, but how was Oriel supposed to know that Erik liked to lounge around in his room, on his bed, as a snake? Oriel felt bad for not noticing, and even more for almost sitting on him, but he felt worst about the fact that Erik's first instinct was to take a snap at him. Luckily he missed, but the call was too close for comfort. Oriel snorted and sneered something wicked. "You would be too if one'd nearly killed you." That had not been a pleasant experience. No Oriel wasn't resentful towards the snake, but that didn't mean he wasn't shit as balls even more terrified of those slithery creatures.

In comparison, battling against Kodi was nothing, even with him latched onto his shoulder like a fucking parasite. That was going to smart later. Aw fuck, it hurt like hell now! Oriel could feel blood starting to trickle. "What're you, a vampire? Gerroff!!" Oriel screamed that last part somewhat incomprehensibly as he tossed the fang-pire off his back and to the ground.

It'd been a while since the two of them had rumbled like this. Before Kodi and Gryph were a thing, they did it as a part of their regular foreplay. It felt a bit odd that they were doing this now with no intention of it leading into sex. Well, they'd both just finished up with their respective boyfriends(he assumed) so it was unlikely they'd be up and ready for another go so quickly yet anyway. But just like back then, it was a struggle for power. One minute Oriel had the upper hand, the next it was Kodi with the advantage. "Yeah, you'd like that, wouldn't you!" Oriel called back, his face pressed against the floor. Kodi's victory didn't last long, however. Oriel quickly pushed himself off the ground and, hopefully, toppled Kodi down to it.

It was a good thing Gryph took his shirt back, because Oiel was still bleeding from that bite Kodi gave him.

Otherwise, he barely heard what Gryph was saying about going to eat. Oriel was caught up in something far more important. Like ripping this guy's clothes off and fucking him like the bitch he wa---oh, no, whoops. He couldn't do that anymore, he realized in a momentary moment of sanity. Oriel had almost gotten carried away there. Though it was when Oriel was already climbing on top of Kodi with the most devious toothy grin that he came to this realization. At least he hadn't tried taking his shirt off yet, that could've been bad. But he was still trying to pin the older boy as if he was. And he was struggling to get a grip on that rabid dog's hair. Someone should stop them, quickly.

[Deleted]

“I ain’t dumb ‘nough t’mess with a fuckin’ venomous snake, y’shithead,” Kodi drawled, enjoying this back and forth trade of insults immensely. “Yer a city kid through an’ through, aintchu? Got no idea how t’deal with wild animals.” Kodi clucked his tongue like this was a shame. Growing up in the sticks, he’d seen a good deal of venomous animals, including snakes, and he’d learned to respect them and not mess with them. But then again, he was the kind of person that would love to have a whole collection of ‘creepy-crawlies’ (like his precious Shelob). Snakes were nothing (coming from someone that hadn’t experienced the actual pain of getting bitten).

Speaking of wild animals… No wonder Kodi acted like one, he’d watched too many animal documentaries as a kid. “Imma snake!” he cackled, licking his ‘fangs’ as he clung onto the bigger boy. And then the world was tumbling around and he was struggling to wrestle Oriel off of him.

He’d be lying if he said this wasn’t exciting him in… Those kind of ways to some extent. His body had adapted to expecting to either take or be taken after this roughhousing was done, and Kodi had to keep reminding himself that this was just for fun. Yup, this was what good friends did. “Maybe I would!” he snarled back, fighting a grin and failing. “I’ve got something nice an’ hard an’ long t-put in-“ He was cut off as Oriel regained control and he was flung to the floor, grunting and gasping as the wind was knocked out of him.

That was what did him in. He was too busy struggling to breathe to put up much of a fight anymore, and he was gasping against the floor after a few minutes with Oriel pinning him down. This was what had usually happened back in their old days; Oriel was just bigger and stronger enough to usually get the upper hand, and it frustrated Kodi to no end. Ah well… At least he’d gotten in some good hits. “A’right, a’right, gerroff,” he wheezed, still struggling to fill his lungs. “You get t’fuck my ass, just like always, congrats.” Kodi scowled and tried to sit up, reaching blindly for Gryphon. “Fuck, now I’m… Gonna have… T’redo my hair an’ shit….” he panted. And whose fault was that? “Guh…. Gryph…. Where’d y’go, moron?” The featherbutt hadn’t even tried to help, bah! Of course, Kodi understood why, but that wouldn’t stop him from pretending to sulk. “I’m starvin’.” Again, whose fault was it that they had to wait now? Kodi shot Oriel a glare like it was all his doing. “Y’got somethin’ on yer shirt,” he commented with a smirk, pointing to the trickle of blood. Hah, lasting marks.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryphon had pretty much given up on following the conversation - unless something sounded urgent and particularly important, he wasn't about to intervene by any means. These two were rough people, they liked doing rough things. Gryph was gentle. He wouldn't grapple, he wouldn't tackle, he wouldn't play fight - or fight properly; the only time he did that was when he was truly pissed, and even then, he generally took more of a defensive position. Gryph couldn't fully understand the enjoyment (he assumed) they were getting from this, but he would let it be.

Some of the throws and such made the winged man jolt and worry, but there... didn't seem to be any problems. He crossed his legs, watching for a while, and not really enjoying watching. It was just... silly. Sigh. Gryphon leaned back and looked at the ceiling, mind wandering to other things. He really needed to pick up a camera again soon. Of course, he'd been filming his and Kodi's videos and such, but that wasn't the photography he needed to practice. Woops.

He came back to reality at the sound of painful breathing, which concerned him. The avian man lay across the bed on his stomach, head peeking over the edge. Were they done? Please say they were done. Kodi didn't sound too good. Maybe he should've stepped in earlier... he climbed off the bed and sat against the bed, waving when Kodi asked, "I'm right here, sweetie." He said with a smile, although he wasn't sure how well Kodi could see him. Gosh darn it, that boy needed to wear his glasses, or some contacts, or something! Silly....

And now was probably the time to get Oriel to go again. Gryph ignored Kodi's comment, grimacing slightly from noticing the blood, "I think this would be a good time for you to go back to Phennie," Gryphon suggested to Oriel, coming closer and wrapping his arms around Kodi's waist, attempting to pull the derp into his lap, "Don't forget the shirt." And don't get blood on it... he nuzzled Kodi's neck, "You feeling okay, babe?" He mumbled, "That seemed pretty rough." To reiterate - not something Gryphon would ever do.

[Deleted]

Right, because Oriel had been provoking the snake on purpose the first time. Well, that was only half right, he’d been provoking the guy who turned into the snake. But he was quick to retreat even before the snake started coming at him. And this time…fuck, how was Oriel supposed to know he was there! Snakes don’t fucking sleep on bed! “Damn straight I am! Bet you’d get lost in a city half as big as this, cuddle in a corner and cry, d’aww poor baby~” Hell, with his attitude, Kodi might even get shanked or shot in the head if he met with the wrong people. He talks so high about the ‘wild’, well the city is more than a fucking jungle, it’s a damn swirling pit of hell! Oriel sneered. “You wouldn’t last a day in my world,” he taunted.

“Yeah, a fucking viper,” he shot back, and fuck it hurt like fucking hell! Nothing he hadn’t felt before, but what hurt hurt, even when inflicted by an overgrown tick.

“I’m sorry, were you saying something?” he said, after toppling Kodi off his back. Oriel laughed like the lunatic he was, the kind who found pleasure in forcing down a strong opponent. Kodi was strong, but he was small. Oriel never had any problem overpowering him when he wanted(lies!), and if the opposite happened, it was because Oriel wanted it! Mwa ha ha ha ha!!

That’s how Oriel felt when he finally got Kodi to relent and declare Oriel the victor, as always. As always, tee hee hee! “Fine, pretty boy,” he said, breathing only a little bit harder to catch his breath. “Go pretty yourself up, my little Princess.” Not like Oriel wasn’t going to be doing the exact same thing in a few minutes. He got off the older boy and fell back, sitting on the rug and propping himself up with one arm. He looked at the blood on his shirt. “Yeah, and who’s fault was that? I’mma put some caps on them teeth of yours one day, just you wait.” Another empty threat, but it felt good to make.

Oriel turned to Gryph, looking at him like he completely forgot the turkey was here…and he had, actually, throughout that entire fight. Well, mostly. “Right,” he said quickly. “He’s uh…yeah, I’ll go.” Oriel stumbled to his feet, ignoring the sores that were starting to set in and took back the shirt that had somehow gotten over there away from the fighting. “I wooon’t,” he drawled out, rolling his eyes. And if he did get blood on it, Oriel would…try to wash it out before giving it back. Oriel looked back to the two when he reached the door. “Um…thanks, Gryph.” He smiled, nodding between them. “And Kodi….good fight.” Oriel left, closing the door behind him, and returning to his room where Phoenix was patiently waiting for him.

Given that he just finished a rough bout with Kodi, it was no surprise that he returned in worse shape than when he left. At least he got the shirt, he just had to clean himself up now. “Phoenix?” he called upon entering. “I had to kill something, so took longer than expected. You alright?” He smiled his usual dumb smile towards his fiancee, taking no moment to think that Phoenix might be worried about his current state of disarray.

[Deleted]

Kodi snarled at the insults, knowing they were true. Seattle was overwhelming to him; he couldn’t imagine what NYC was like, being quite a bit larger. “Shut up,” he growled, still struggling. “I’d be just fuckin’ fine, y’piece of shit. Can't be all that hard.” Although truthfully, he probably would end up getting into an argument with someone he shouldn’t and end up getting hurt, or worse.

More hurt than he was now with this loss, at least. Breathing was painful with the wind knocked out of him, but he knew he’d get over it, along with a few cuts and bruises. It was all just fun and games, although he still hated losing. “I ain’t the pretty boy, pretty boy,” he grumbled. “Don’t call me that, you beast.” Wasn’t nothing pretty about Kodi nope, dunno where Oriel got that idea. He held in a groan as Oriel got off of him, catching sight of Gryph soon after. Kodi let himself be dragged into the boy’s lap with a small smirk in the younger one’s direction. “Good luck with that,” he replied, baring a mouth full of shark teeth for a second. “I’ll getchu with more than just two next time.”

He went quiet as Oriel started to leave, tucking his head against Gryph while he waited. He did peek when the younger boy reached the door, and rolled his eyes at the ‘compliment’. “Yeah, whatever, just get out and leave us be,” he wheezed. When Oriel closed the door, Kodi humphed and looked at Gryph. “I’m fine,” he replied. “Just got the wind knocked outta me.” Worth it – it’d been fun. “And now I gotta fix everything again…” He gave Gryph a peck and wobbled to his feet, grabbing his comb as he went to the mirror to make himself, well, pretty again. At least it didn’t look like his clothes had gotten torn, it was mostly just his hair and eyeliner. “I’ll be ready soon,” he promised, and within a couple minutes, he deemed himself presentable again. “Alright, let’s go, I’m starvin’,” he said again. “All that fightin’ built up my appetite.” He grinned and, on a whim, snatched up the thin black band he’d laid on the drawer and snapped it around his neck. “Okay, now I’m ready.”

Phoenix had heard some bangs and thumps through the wall, but there wasn’t any… screaming or anything, and Oriel had told him to stay put, so he paced worriedly in the room, half-tempted to just run over there anyway. But… Gryph wouldn’t let Kodi do anything to Oriel… And Oriel could take that wimpy shark any day! Still, when the boy finally returned, Phoenix ran over and flung himself at him, not realizing at first his condition. “What happened!?” he demanded, pulling back and only then noticing how rough he looked. Phen gasped, eyes wide, as he saw the trickle of blood from the puncture wounds on his neck. “Omigod!” he shrieked. “I’m g-gonna kill him!” Him meaning Kodi, of course. Phoenix pulled himself away and began storming towards the door, totally intent on doing what he said. Even with his large coat, though, he was still thin and frail and weak and in no condition to be taking on a walking piranha. But he was going to, dammit! Even though he really didn’t know what had happened.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

As Gryphon listened to the conversation the pair was having in front of him more, he started making faces and such. Ehhh, people and their stupid opinions and insults. Gryph didn't waste time and breath with those kinds of things. Most days. No, he usually spent his breath on complimenting and looking after his babe.

The blood on Oriel was minorly worrying, but seeing as neither of them were wailing in pain or bleeding out, it was okay. Gryph didn't comment on that. He just nuzzled. He also didn't mind being ignored until now. That meant he didn't have to get involved, which was best for him. He nodded as Oriel began to go along with what he had said, waiting for the fluffy-haired fiend to make his departure. He glanced up at the thanks, giving a small smile, "No problem." He didn't mind doing the other boy favours if he was decent about it. His attention went right back to Kodi once he heard the click of the door closing.

Gryphon was slightly concerned, but he trusted that Kodi would actually tell him if something was definitely awry. He let him get up, giving a small smile, "Okay, princess," He teased. The winged man followed suit, shrugging as he got up to go sit down again, this time on a bed and not on the floor, "Take all the time you need, sweetie. No need to rush." Yes, Gryph was hungry too, but he wasn't about to die or something.

He swung to his feet once Kodi was sorted, chuckling softly, "I can imagine." He went to take the other boy's hand to find it wasn't there and looked up, smirking at what he saw. He slid his finger under the band and tugged on it gently to pull Kodi closer, giving him a peck on the cheek, "I didn't realise you'd brought this~" Gryph commented, obviously not upset by that fact. He let the dentokinetic go, actually taking his hand this time, "Let's go." He walked towards the door, shoes on, and stepped outside, having kept the keycard in his pocket this whole time. "I can hear the food calling my name~" Gryphon felt a good meal was just what the pair of them needed now. And some alone time. Sweet, sweet alone time.