A Man of Wealth and Taste

Sam had his hands in his pockets and was probably wearing one of the outfits from the other man's life and he didn't much care. Obsessive revenge was familiar, but somehow not striking to his mood at the moment. The duality, once it had been pointed out, had slammed into his mind like a railroad spike to the base of the skull.

He had to admit, he hadn't quite realized what sort of mood he'd be in after, for his and Midir's assignation. And now he didn't know what he was in the mood for, or what would happen. He felt an instinctive need to cling to Surreal.

Afterwards, perhaps. And perhaps this would cleanse some of the malaise still clinging, and he did miss Midir. He didn't bother knocking, just walked in.

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Midir had ceased glaring at Keelia, at least, much to her amusement. He smiled when Sam came in, a bright sort of sparkling smile that faded slightly at the feel coming off the other man.

They'd all seen. They all knew, and it hit all of them a bit, but of course it would hit him hardest.

Midir pulled him into a tight hug.

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Sam hugged back, grateful, almost clinging. He would cling to anything right now, anything that drew him out of that manifestation and away from the agony that resulted. He couldn't get sucked in. Shouldn't.

His fingertips pressed into Midir's shoulders, holding on.

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Keelia slipped off the bed to slide next to them, arms wrapping tight around Sam as well, a silent assurance that he was among friends, safe, loved.

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She was a welcome warmth, a little more on the anchor to bring him back. One hand reached out to touch her anywhere he could.

"Perhaps..." He took a slow breath in and let it out even slower. "Perhaps the casting choice was more appropriate where it should have been."

He wasn't sure if he was talking about Her final choice for his face or the other's choice of roles.

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"Perhaps..." Keelia murmured, pressing a kiss to his shoulder. "But it's nothing none of us knew, either way, Sam."

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He nodded slightly. There was that at least, although... "It's one thing to know. Another to have it... laid out so blatantly."

Not a protest, just something of an observation, with a wry smile. He brushed fingertips over her cheek. "I think, if we'd put a face to me a few years later, it would have been different."

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She turned her head to kiss his fingertip lightly. "Possibly it would have been. But what's done is done. We're all still here."

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He nodded slightly. They were. He just needed to pull out of himself and reconnect a little.

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Midir smiled his agreement, thinking perhaps having Keelia here was a good thing after all. She was better at this sort of thing.

He ran his fingers through Sam's hair gently, stroking, connecting.

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Sam sighed, leaned his head on his shoulder, fingertips still moving over Keelia.

Smiled a little, suddenly. "I'm sorry. I'm not doing a very good job of seducing you..."

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Midir chuckled, and Keelia smiled. She shifted a bit away to tug him toward the bed with Midir on the other side.

"Who said you had to do the seducing?"

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He chuckled, a soft but genuine sound as he started to relax.

"I suppose that's true."

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Keelia tugged him onto the bed, making him stretch out while Midir settled on the other side.

"You're not the only one capable of it," she said with a little laugh.

Midir grinned and leaned in to nip lightly at his ear, as if to prove a point.

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Some days it was just too easy. Not that he was complaining, mind, just the opposite. The sensation of teeth on skin went straight down his spine and made him shiver and sigh, a wholly different sound from before.

"Mm-hmm..." he chuckled, opening his eyes again. "And don't think I'm not grateful."

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Keelia leaned in to work on his other ear, tongue tracing, then teeth while her fingers slid down his chest lightly. It was a bit odd to do this when he'd been off limits for so long, and with Midir here, but it was familiar enough that she shook off the awkwardness with a warm chuckle.

"How grateful?"

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"Mm..." Another little sigh, turning to nuzzle softly at her temple, one hand sliding over to Midir's thigh.

"Very."

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Midir slid his fingers over Keelia's to unbutton Sam's shirt, fingers tracing the exposed skin as he worked his way down. His lips followed, teasing lightly, willing to get darker if that seemed needed, but right now the softer warmth was wrapping around the room and seemed more appropriate.

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One arm slipped around Keelia's waist, pulling her close for a kiss even as his fingertips brushed, a little awkwardly, more towards the inside of Midir's thigh. Just for a moment, and perhaps as much to remind himself of why they were there as anything else.

And the softness was welcome at the moment, very welcome. The soft warmth and quiet casual friendship of it.

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Keelia smiled against his lips, then returned the kiss with her fingers stroking gently through his hair. Midir blinked, then smiled, fingers brushing over Sam's as he kissed his neck just as gently.

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Sam laced his fingers through Midir's, squeezing his hand gently as a surge of gratitude slipped through. Mouthing the words 'thank you' against Keelia's mouth as he kissed her.

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There was no need to thank either of them, and Keelia nipped his accessible lip in playful reproof. They were here. They should make that clear more often.

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He chuckled, teasing the tip of his tongue over her lip, making a pleased little playful growl at the nipping. His fingertips brushed over the back of Midir's hand, snuggling into them.

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Keelia laughed softly at the growl, remembering when it had been less playful, and the memory made her deepen the kiss with a fierce breathlessness.

Midir played over Sam's chest, lips trailing up the back of his neck, tongue and teeth working together.

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