abo nonsense

[oohforeshadowing]

Some clubs are, of course, only for humans or only for non-humans - not that there's ever official rules about these thing, but people tend to just know. A place has a certain name, a venue in a certain part of the city, and these things alone make it clear who is and isn't welcome. 

Crimson, on the other hand, has always been for customers of all varieties - although it tends to only attract the most adventurous Betas. Double Trouble has been a co-owner for the past couple of years now, but that does not mean they're about to avoid availing themselves of the client-facing experience.

So to speak. 

They're lounging alone - holding a glass of wine, lightly scented with cologne and Alpha sweat - when they first spot the newcomer.

Comments

[bleak_midwinter]

It surprises him, but he warms to it right away. He's got a soft side to him, and Trouble has earned this as well. So he tucks his arm around their shoulders and noses their hair.

"Perfectly so," he promises. "You're really quite something."

[oohforeshadowing]

"Likewise." Their voice has taken on a low, purring register; absolutely the cat with the canary. "I'm glad that mine was the club you decided to scope out tonight, darling."

Maybe they could return the favour. The Garrison and the Gold Club are both distinctly human-friendly, but that's not a barrier to entry for the likes of them.

[bleak_midwinter]

"And perhaps I could scope it out again," he says, in turn, thinking along the same lines. His fingers comb through their hair.

"Or you'd be more than welcome at one of mine."

[oohforeshadowing]

"I remember being underwhelmed when I visited the Gold Club last year. It'd be nice to see if it's improved under your watch."

They hum with pleasure, tilt their head.

[bleak_midwinter]

He presses a kiss to their temple, affectionate in the warm afterglow.

"Well. It's still very gold, but the liquor is much better." What can he say? He's still from Birmingham.

[oohforeshadowing]

"Priorities are so important," they agree. "Maybe I'll do a mystery shop, darling. We'll have to see if you can spot me."

[bleak_midwinter]

"I haven't even seen what you can do yet," he points out. "And in either case, I think I prefer you like this."

[oohforeshadowing]

"I'm flattered," they tell him. "But I don't want to go attracting any undue attention in your human club, do I?"

Which isn't to say they're expecting hostility. Just that their presence might kill the mood.

[bleak_midwinter]

"Hmm. I thought you were fond of a little attention, actually."

People have wandered off, but still. They were there.

[oohforeshadowing]

"I like people watching me and jerking off," they say mildly. "Not looking at me and wondering why I wandered into the wrong club. I could look just like I..."

They blink languidly, and with a black silvery shimmer there's another Thomas Shelby. This one is fully dressed.

"...belong."

[bleak_midwinter]

"Fucking hell," he breathes. He knows he's attractive, but he's not that into himself. It's impressive and quite disturbing.

"You've done some damage doing that, haven't you?"

[oohforeshadowing]

Trouble laughs and shifts back to their own sticky, practically-naked self.

"Not since I was a teenager. I've developed some ethics since then. Anyway, sex doesn't feel as good in someone else's body."

[bleak_midwinter]

He shakes himself a little, clearly not comfortable with seeing himself like that. It was a little too perfect an impression, and he leans over to give them a lingering kiss, as if to thank them for returning.

"Good. Because I like you in this one."

[oohforeshadowing]

"And I don't think I could be Thomas Shelby even a fraction as well as the real thing," they murmur. "Would you like to clean up? There's some private showers."

[bleak_midwinter]

"I think I ought to, if I don't want to get pulled into some dark alley." Because right now he smells absolutely indecent, never mind his suppressants. 

[oohforeshadowing]

Trouble's expression softens, and they kiss his cheek.

"You're taking a cab home, obviously, but for now you can follow me."

They put their skirt back on, but don't bother with the top.

[bleak_midwinter]

And Tommy doesn't bother hiding that he's watching as they get up. He runs a hand down their elegant, soft back before buttoning himself up enough that he won't trip over his own pants on the way to that shower. 

[oohforeshadowing]

There's a few wet rooms at the back of the club, for showering and play of all kinds - and it's just as well that Trouble has Fae on staff, or else keeping them clean would be a ridiculous endeavour. As it is, the tiled room is spotless and lightly citrus scented when they usher their guest inside.

"Are you close to the heat?" they ask, quietly, without judgement.

[bleak_midwinter]

He starts taking off his (only slightly sullied but still very hormone-laden) clothes when the doors close. With his shirt off, he's got a few tattoos on his arms, back and chest, and one on his calf that's revealed when he takes off his shoes and trousers.

"Ah- I prefer skipping as many as I can, for business purposes. My physician keeps count, so I can't be sure."

Yes, likely, with how wet he got for them. But far enough off that this wasn't a heat-riddled fluke.

[oohforeshadowing]

Trouble nods, and goes about stripping the rest of the way off: boots, stockings, skirt. No tattoos, just the piercings and a scar across their ribs.

"I can't suppress," they confide in him. "But, I don't express it as strongly as you would."

[bleak_midwinter]

He turns on a shower, and finds it at an almost perfect temperature right away. He steps underneath it, and holds out a hand for them.

"Is there no medication on the market, or is it something else?"

[oohforeshadowing]

"No medication."

They step under the spray with him, sighing in pleasure at the rush of hot water.

"Mine isn't a profitable demographic, sadly."

[bleak_midwinter]

"Would you suppress, if you could?"

Since they don't express it that strongly, apparently. Tommy is usually utilitarian about his showers, but he can indulge a little now.

[oohforeshadowing]

"Probably not," Trouble admits. "It doesn't bother me, and...you're not wrong. I do like the attention."

[bleak_midwinter]

"It's too much to go through in public, for me. I couldn't show that part of myself and still be who I am."

But if Trouble does- well, he's not getting into all of that so soon.