sonoftenebrae | College AU

[Ravus' eyes narrow.] I don't want your results, Gladio. I could have hurt you. I owe you proof I didn't put you at risk, fucking you unprotected.

[He's embarrassed and furious at himself for being so irresponsible, and growing irritated at Gladio for being overly trusting of the people he hooks up with. The idiot is going to get himself hurt.]

You don't have to play host. Just tell me how to open your door without signalling the alarm and I'll go.

[Clearly Ravus isn't getting the message that Gladio trusts him.

And Gladio is not about to let his guest leave without having him shower first. It's not playing host, it's being courteous dammit. He sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose before leveling a slightly calmer gaze at Ravus.]

Ravus. I might not know you as well as I'd like, but I do know that you wouldn't have forgotten the condom if you weren't clean - even if you were drunk and horny. So I don't need proof. [Gladio sighs again because he also knows that the man is unlikely to let this go.]

But if it makes you feel less pissed then fine, send them tomorrow. Now please, ease my mind about you walking home and take a shower before you leave. [He starts stripping the bed, praying Ravus acquiesces and just takes the damn shower.]

You're the one who needs a shower. [Ravus snaps. Ravus is a little sweaty, but not nearly as disheveled as Gladio, still in his dress.

The only way to really be on equal footing would be for Gladio to come inside of him, but Ravus doubts he could get it up a third time so quickly. He angrily pulls up the sheets from his side of the bed, just to give his hands something to do. He's not disappointed. He doesn't care that this is going so poorly. This is fine.]

What difference does it make to you if I wash up before I go?

Because you taking a shower gives both of us time to calm down. [Part of him wants to shout, but the words come out a lot more controlled than Gladio expects. Which is honestly amazing because he definitely inherited the Amicitia Anger.

But he doesn't want to be angry. He doesn't want this to be how their night together ends - with angry words and harsh actions.

Maybe the fact that Ravus, with no prompting, helps him with the sheets is a sign that Gladio can still salvage tonight.]

Besides, it's a really nice shower. You can set the water pressure hard enough that it's like a massage and I'm pretty sure this place has endless hot water. [Is he really trying to sell his shower to Ravus?

Yes. Yes he is.]

Plus I can have the music from earlier play in the shower. If you liked it. Or I can find something you like and play that through there. [Yep, the eager to please Gladio is back because he really, really wants Ravus to stay a little longer.]

[Gladio really doesn't need to do the whole 'fanciest shower in the city' sales pitch. He had Ravus at 'endless hot water'. Lunafreya had insisted on living in the campus dorms for the 'authentic experience', so Ravus had done the same, and the showers are weak and terrible. Next year, he's getting himself an apartment off campus.]

Fine. I'll take a damned shower. I don't need music, just find me a towel.

[He'll deal with putting dirty clothes back on when he finishes showering, even though he hates doing that.]

(OOC: ~~Next year he can live with Gladio~~)

[Internally, Gladio congratulates himself on convincing Ravus to take a shower. Because that means he's convinced him to stay longer and that is the real victory.] There are a bunch of clean towels in there already. Under the sink and on the towel rack. Can't miss 'em.

[If Ravus opts to leave his clothes outside the bathroom, Gladio plans on throwing what he can in the wash along with his sheets. The comforter can be done second and his own outfit is dry-clean only (except for the tights which will also get washed with the sheets).

But he doesn't want to look like he's waiting around to see what Ravus does with his clothes, so Gladio shuffles into the kitchen and comes back with an ice bucket into which he sets the wine. That done, he goes into the linen closet and pulls out fresh sheets, fresh pillow cases, and a fresh comforter and remakes his bed in no time.

The sound of the shower starting makes him grin and he tries his best ~~he really doesn't try at all~~ not to picture Ravus standing naked under the shower's spray.]

[Ravus enters the bathroom, still clothed, and eyes the bathtub longingly. He hasn't had a proper bath since the last time he went home.

The shower looks magnificent, though, and it will have to do. He tears his eyes away from the tub and strips out of his costume.

He means to have a short rinse, but the water pressure is perfect, and he can run the water as scalding hot as he wants. It's like heaven on his exhausted, still-shaky muscles. He lets out a groan and just stands under the stream of water for a few blissful minutes.

By the time his brain turns back on, he's already been in the shower long enough to be committed to doing it properly. Ravus uses the body wash, shampoo, and conditioner he finds on the shelves, and only turns off the water and steps out when he can't make any more excuses to stay in here longer.

In front of the steamed-up mirror, he towels himself dry and put his underwear and pants back on. He drapes his towel over his shoulders to catch the droplets still clinging to his hair. He'll pull his tunic on once his hair isn't quite so wet.

He's feeling lightheaded when he finally opens the door back to the master bedroom. The heat, the exertion, and the wine are all getting to him.]

I need...a glass of water...before I go.

[Iris is a goddess and he will absolutely be getting her something special for the Solstice Celebration this year because Gladio finds the makeup wipes she left on his dresser and he's finally able to take the stuff off his face. Wearing it wasn't that bad but it's been on him for hours and he can feel it running and clogging his pores, so he's more than happy to gently swipe it all away.

But now he looks ridiculous in his costume so he sheds that too, separating the pieces for dry-cleaning and the ones he can toss in with the sheets and putting his boots (yes, they're actually his) on the shoe rack in his closet.

Considering how long the shower's been been running, and knowing exactly how hot the water gets, Gladio decides to use another few makeup wipes to wipe the lingering sweat off of his body before he wanders naked to the kitchen and prepares a small plate of various fruits, nuts, and cheeses. Hey, he lives alone - he can walk around naked as much as he wants.

The plate joins the wine on the nightstand and he pulls on only a loose pair of sweats, leaving them to hang low on his hips, while he gathers up the laundry and starts the washing machine.

Gladio's just getting ready to settle on his bed when Ravus walks out of the bathroom and he's on his feet in an instant.] Shit! Here, sit. I'll get you some water.

[He's such an idiot! He should've known that the heat and wine would get to the TA in the shower and that all of it would add up to the man needing water, not more wine. With a full glass of water Gladio returns to the bedroom and presses the cool glass into Ravus' hands.] And you're in luck, I have some clean clothes that should fit you because you are not sleeping in those dirty pants.

[Hopefully Ravus won't notice that his eyes continually drop to the lean, sculpted chest that's on perfect display. Because holy shit he might write an email to Professor Highwind asking her to bar Ravus from wearing shirts to her class.]

[Ravus sits on the bed before he starts to sway. The mattress is so inviting. He's not sure when the plan shifted from 'shower and leave' to 'here are clean clothes to sleep in', but he's too dizzy to protest it. He takes the water and sips slowly.

Of course Gladiolus looks like some god stepped down from the pantheon in his low-slung sweatpants and sweat-slicked hair. He's got a little picnic for them on his bedside table. Who does that for their one-night stands? Who puts on clean sheets for them? A normal person would either collapse and untangle themselves wordlessly in the morning, or would do the sensible thing and call their hook-up a cab and send them on their way.]

Are you trying to date me? [He asks, incredulously. His dehydrated brain belatedly catches up to him.]

No, don't answer that. Go shower.

Uh - [That's Gladio's eloquent response to Ravus' question as his mind completely blanks. Because hell yes he wants to date Ravus - who wouldn't?

But this is so far from how Gladio normally tries to show someone that he's interested in a relationship that he isn't sure saying "Yes" would actually win him any points or, best case, win him a chance to take Ravus on an actual date.

So he stands there, staring dumbly at the gorgeous alabaster masterpiece currently seated on his bed, and tries desperately to come up with a response.

Luckily, the snark he not-so-secretly enjoys returns and now Gladio has something he can actually respond to.]

You're pretty bossy for someone who had to sit down before he fell down. [His smile is as gentle as his teasing and Gladio decides to make sure Ravus re-hydrates properly.] Lemme grab you another glass first and then I'll get cleaned up.

[In the blink of an eye he disappears only to reappear just as suddenly with a second glass of water, which he sets on the nightstand as well.] This way you don't have to get up if you finish that one before I'm done in the shower.

[Maybe Gladio's still a little buzzed because nothing else can explain what he does next.

He leans down and presses his lips to Ravus' in a chaste kiss that barely lasts half a second before he pulls back, blushing wildly, and turns on his heel to dash into the bathroom.

Maybe the shower can wash the stupid out of him.]

You like being told what to do. [Ravus retorts, but he relaxes a little. The water is helping his head feel less fuzzy.

Gladio fetches him more water ~~still a good little tavern wench, even out of costume~~ and kisses him, and Ravus doesn't know what to think anymore.]

Fuck it. [He murmurs, and he kicks off his costume pants and tugs the clean borrowed pants on. Tomorrow morning-Ravus can deal with the rest of this.

He leans back into the pillows on the bed, meaning to only rest while Gladio is in the shower. So, of course, he ends up curled on his side, fast asleep by the time Gladio can finish.]

Edited 2019-01-08 07:20 (UTC)

[Though his shower should be cathartic, Gladio keeps berating himself for his actions. Disbelief that he actually kissed Ravus as if they were already a couple is only overshadowed by embarrassment at how desperate he must look.

Because yea, he wants to date his TA, but he isn't doing all of this post-sex stuff as a ruse or a ploy to lure the impossibly sensual man into his arms. Gladio really is just that type of lover - he's walked too-drunk one-night-stands home and gotten them water. It's part of being a good bed partner.

Admittedly the spare clothes and plate of snacks and fresh sheets are something he's only done for Ravus, but does that make him look like he's trying too hard?

Arg. He's overthinking and he knows it. And he's spent way too long yelling at himself under the blessedly hot spray of water. At least it's helped his muscles relax a little.

Vowing not to let himself be his own worst enemy for the remainder of the night, Gladio quickly washes his hair and body so as not to keep Ravus waiting too long (in case the other man does, in fact, want to sip some more wine). After exiting the shower in a puff of steam he towels himself dry and vigorously towel-dries his hair before combing the damp, dark locks.

With his sweatpants back on, Gladio walks back into his room only to blink in surprise at the sight of Ravus fast asleep on his bed. Then his eyes soften and he huffs out a soft chuckle, quietly moving to put the wine (which he fits with one of his reusable stoppers) and the snack plate (which gets covered nicely in saran wrap inside the fridge and placing the wine glasses and empty water glass in the sink. He continues his silent clean-up by re-filling Ravus' second water glass with fresh water and leaving both it and a small cup containing two Aspirin on the nightstand closest to him.

Gladio then changes out of his sweats and into more comfortable black boxer-briefs before chugging down a glass of water and taking two Aspirin himself.

Before long he's gently maneuvering the sleeping TA under the comforter and then sliding into the other side of the bed, congratulating himself on getting the king-sized mattress because this way his own fidgeting won't bother Ravus too much.

He hopes.

Once he's found a comfortable position that may involve lying on his side with an arm extended so his fingertips just barely rest on Ravus' hip, he whispers a goodnight to the hopefully still asleep TA and closes his eyes.

Exhaustion hits him like a freight train and he's out entirely in under five minutes, a contented smile on his face.]

(OOC: Wanna have Ravus wake up first? Your call on if Gladio winds up big-spooning Ravus in his sleep Lol)

[Gladio manages to stay mostly on his side of the bed during the night. Ravus, not so much. When he wakes up, he finds he migrated toward the warm body beside him during the night. Gladio's shoulder, hard and tattooed, had been his pillow just a moment ago.

He lets out a low hiss of air as the night comes flooding back to him. His head is not quite pounding, but there's a mild ache.

He should go. Leave a note, but be gone before Gladiolus wakes up.

The distance between the bed and the door to the master bedroom looks expansive. He lets his head fall back down into Gladio. Ravus would probably set off the alarm if he tried to sneak out anyways.]

Wake up. I need coffee and your phone.

[Getting ordered around by a hookup probably isn't Gladio's ideal method of being woken up, but then again, he didn't seem to mind it last night.]

[Gladio wakes up slowly, feeling a warm weight on his shoulder and hair brushing at his chin.

He's surprised that Ravus was the one cross the bed in the dead of the night but he's far from displeased. His brain supplies him with the idea to wrap twist a bit in order to lay an arm over Ravus but the grumpy TA speaks before Gladio can move and he finds himself chuckling as he slowly sits up.]

Y'ever turn off th' whole bossy thing? [His voice is husky with sleep, words slurring together as Gladio's brain wakes up to join his body. With a deep inhale, he swings his legs over the side of the bed and stands before stretching languidly and exhaling. His muscles burn pleasantly as he stretches and he groans as his joints pop and crack.]

Stay there an' take the Aspirin. [Gladio points to the nightstand, where the medicine and water sit.] I'll get started on coffee and breakfast. You allergic to anything?

[Since it doesn't matter to him that he's only in his underwear, Gladio waltzes into the kitchen and dons an apron as he sets about cooking breakfast, setting up the coffee maker before starting anything else.]

[Ravus, with a feline grace, flops down on the bed and takes up as much space as he can as he sprawls.]

Just coffee. You don't need to feed me.

[He stretches and reaches for the glass of water.]

And no. I thought you'd realized by now. There's no 'off switch'.

[If that's a deal-breaker, Gladio will have to deal with it after he gives Ravus his coffee.]

[He pretends not to hear the part about not feeding Ravus, and if asked he'll just say his head was in the fridge or something. Because that man is dreaming if he thinks he's leaving here without having breakfast.

In one pan apple-wood-smoked bacon sizzles as its scent fills the apartment, mingling deliciously with the aromas of freshly-brewed coffee. Another pan holds egg-whites that Gladio scrambles expertly after seasoning them with his signature combination of spices. And a third pan hosts slices of french toast, each cooked one at a time and then placed on a large plate and covered so that they stay warm.

He's not a world-class cook or anything but breakfast is definitely his specialty and he hopes Ravus at least tries to eat some of it. Putting a little bit of each on a plate, and making sure to grab the snack plate from last night, Gladio walks back into his bedroom and hands Ravus his breakfast.]

If you're eating in here that's fine, just let me know how you take your coffee so I don't mess it up. But if your headache is mellowing out feel free to join me at the table. I promise the chairs are much more comfortable than they look. [He smiles gently, plucking a piece of mango off the snack plate before setting it on the nightstand.]

At least give the food a try? I promise it's edible.

I'm neither an invalid nor a barbarian. [He grumbles as he slides out of bed and takes the proffered plate to the dining area. He's not going to eat breakfast in Gladio's bed.]

Straight Ebony, if you have it. Otherwise, I take it black.

[He ignores the bacon and eggs, but borrows some of the fruit from the snack plate to top his french toast. Of course, he then proceeds to pick the fruit off of the toast first. That's the way he eats everything.]

I asked for your phone earlier. Or your day planner will do, if you have one.

After last night I'd reconsider calling you a barbarian. [Gladio teases Ravus, his body still feeling the man's iron grip and baring its bruises.] Or are you always so rough with "the ladies"?

[It's only due to his friend's obsession with the stuff that he even has Ebony and Gladio makes a note on the fridge to pick more up as he grabs a can of it and sets it down in front of Ravus.] And there's nothing wrong with breakfast in bed, especially since you looked pretty bad by the end of things. Figured it might be comfier. But it's a good sign that you're up and being as snarky as ever.

[He refuses to let it get to him right now. Either Ravus hasn't had any good one night stands or he really isn't a morning person.

Or both.]

I have both. But I'm not giving you anything until you finish eating. Gotta have at least a little protein in the morning, plus grease is good for hangovers.

[Gladio, a nag? Apparently so.

His friends would ~~laugh~~ be so proud. The man sitting across from him might actually throw the plate at him.

Aren't mornings exciting?]

[Ravus gives Gladio a flat look, which is enhanced by the fact he hasn't had his coffee yet. Their roleplay was great last night, but he's not going to talk about it over breakfast.]

I'm fine. I may have been slightly dehydrated, and that has since been righted.

[He keeps picking at his french toast. He eats red meat on rare occasions, but usually not so early in the morning. He pops the tab on the Ebony and takes a long sip, saying nothing more. If it's a contest to see who is more stubborn, Ravus is confident. He's told Gladio what he wants, and as he is used to doing with his students, he waits.]

If you don't eat meat or whatever that's fine. Just say so and I'll eat your bacon for you. An' the scrambled eggs are just seasoned egg-whites so that's fewer calories if you're one of those calorie-counters.

[He just wants Ravus to take a bite of the eggs before they get too cold to be enjoyable. Does Ravus just not eat breakfast? Or does he not want to eat a breakfast that was made for him?

Whatever it is, Gladio wants Ravus to speak up about it because he's not a mind reader and is not overly fond of playing this kind of guessing game.

Luckily he's used to a bratty kid sister who didn't always want to eat what was on her plate and a grumpy Ravus is totally the same thing...]

Please? [Gladio gives his best pout and puppy eyes.] Just one bite of the eggs and I'll hand over my phone. Scout's honor.

[Ravus' eyes narrow.] What business is it of yours what I eat?

[The breakfast itself is fine, but Ravus didn't ask for it, and he chafes against anyone pushing him to do something he doesn't want to do. Gladio isn't his mother. Ravus can, and will, make his own astrals-damned decisions.

He had been working on the fruit and toast, but he pushes the whole plate Gladio's way.]

I'll take my coffee to go.

[He stands to head back to the bedroom to dress.]

[Shit.

Gladio knew his nervous nagging could be problematic but he doesn't want Ravus to leave because of it. He needs to fix this.

He rises from the table with a self-depreciating sigh, knowing that he needs to apologize and not knowing how to do so without sounding like even more of an ass. Or like more of an idiot. On the way back to his room he picks up his phone from where it charges in his office and he grabs his planner while he's there, figuring Ravus can use whichever he prefers.

Maybe that's the best way to go about this for now. Let Ravus take the lead and don't try to push him into anything, even something as simple as eating a balanced breakfast.]

Ravus, can I come in?

[Not only does Gladio ask if he can enter his own room, he also knocks gently on the doorframe.]

I have what you asked for. And I'd like a chance to apologize...

[Ravus doesn’t answer Gladio right away. The man can come into his own damn bedroom if he chooses. Ravus finishes pulling on his pants and tunic, leaving the borrow sleep pants folded on the bed.

He meets Gladio in the bedroom doorway and takes his phone.]

Shut up for a moment and just listen before I change my mind about this. [His fingers fly across the screen as he speaks, typing information into the phone.]

Hooking up with a student once while I was drunk at a party is not ideal, but ultimately forgivable. There can be no repeating it, however.

[He finishes his typing and shoves the phones Gladio’s apron-covered chest.]

December 15th is the due date for grades this year. Final grades go online at noon. After that time, I will no longer be your TA...provided you don’t sign up for another section of my class.

That evening, I will want to be wined, dined, and summarily fucked into the nearest mattress. If you haven’t done anything idiotic enough to merit me cancelling the calendar notification I just programmed into your phone, you’ll get a notice that day with my phone number in it.

[He looks straight into Gladio’s eyes.]Don’t you dare take a class I’m TAing again, and don’t make me regret this, Amicitia.

[Not wanting to upset Ravus again, Gladio does as instructed and snaps his mouth shut.

He keeps it shut even when he wants to sigh sadly at the thought of not hooking up again. And he keeps it shut when he wants to shout gladly as he deciphers the rest of Ravus' words. His hands clutch his phone as if it currently holds the most precious information in the world, which it pretty much does.

When their eyes lock his breath hitches and it takes him a moment to remember how to speak.]

I won't. [The words are a whispered promise, Gladio's voice hoarse with honesty and hope. He has a chance.]

Make sure you have your best suit ready on December 15th. And try to keep the 16th open too. [He can definitely fuck Ravus into his mattress, but before he'd gotten this new bed he would have been able to fuck Ravus through the bed. He plans to show off his prowess and that means Ravus might be both too sore and too tired to do much of anything the next day.

Gladio leans into Ravus' space as he whispers again.] Since this won't happen once you walk out of here, think I can steal a kiss?

[Their noses already brushing, he lets his lips ghost over Ravus' while waiting for the man to close the remaining micrometer of space between them.]

[Ravus watches the emotions shift on Gladio's face. He has to say, dazed awe of Ravus is a good look on him.]

I suppose I could be persuaded.

[Ravus isn't in the habit of random hookups, last night nonewithstanding, so this will likely need to tide him over until the end of the semester.]

One kiss, then I expect you to be on your best behavior until winter break.

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I promise we can move on after this <3 <3 <3 sowwy

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