milliways_bar | (no subject)

"Don't mention it," he whispers, but now he's even more worried, and he feels a sharp stab of guilt that wasn't there before.

How badly did I hurt Gorlim? How much of that is my fault? Is he going to be all right?

He'll never admit that he's worried about Gorlim. He doesn't know why he is, himself. But he has to ask. "What did the cards say about him? Unless you'd rather not say."

He shifts position, working gently with both hands.

Andres turns slightly to give Lee a better angle to work with.

"Gorlim was not acting of his own accord. There was a compulsion placed on him.

All Random would tell me was that it was beyond even Q. One of the primary forces of the universe or some gibberish. Told me that if I knew the fellows name everyone I cared about would die. I wouldn't have believed him except he seemed pretty freaked out. Fell off a bar stool and everything." He chuckles. "Honestly, seeing that was the only thing that made it worth it. Though he did say the fellow did it just to be cruel. Who knows what we're dealing with. Of course, now that I've told you this, I'm going to have to kill you." He says facetiously.

He really did find himself in a much better mood all of a sudden.

He hadn't thought Gorlim was really acting of his own accord, not after hearing Gorlim's testimony, and being under that spell himself...

But he's scared now. He doesn't know what limits the forces of evil have here...and if Random is really that frightened...

Everyone you know will die?

He closes his eyes and realizes he hasn't answered. He kneads a little harder, slipping his fingers into the collar of Andres' shirt but going no further than that.

There's time to worry yet. Nobody's trying to kill us right now. He makes himself believe that, and finds himself feeling better too.

"I'd like to see you try," he murmurs, with a slight smile.

"Let me go demand the name from Random then." He smirks in return.
After a few more moments he pulls away finally, and turns to look at Lee once more.

He simply watches him for a few moments, then smiles.
He says nothing,

He holds Andres' gaze for a moment, and maybe he looks troubled, or just confused.

He is confused, and he's been confused, terribly so, for weeks now.

"You're not happy," he whispers. "I want to do something about that and I don't know how."

Andres tilts his head and looks at Lee slightly puzzled.

"Despite all that has happened, I am not unhappy. Simply concerned. For everyone." He shrugs. "As I said, don't about me. What is it that concerns you?"

He looks away again, troubled, and sighs.

"Just confused." He rubs his eyes.

"And...I don't know...I should have been there more for you in the past few days. I haven't even seen you...I didn't know you weren't sleeping...I could have tried to help you with everything..."

Andres frowns and rests his chin in one hand again.

"I appreciate the concern, Lee, and would dearly love to have you around more, but I have no right to lay claim to all of your time. I love you, but it is your own. To do with as you please. I will make due, regardless."

He smiles again, in an attempt to be reassuring.

He feels a painful little thrill at that 'I love you,' and swallows.

"You can have me now," he says quietly. "For as long as you want me."

He doesn't quite know what he's offering, or again, if it'll be even remotely welcome. But he doesn't want to leave, doesn't want Andres to walk away...

He smiles again, warmly this time, and nods.

He puts an arm around Lee and pulls him close once more. "Thank you." He places a kiss on Castle's cheek. "In that case, I will keep you as long as you will allow it."

He lets his hand drift down onto Andres' chest and captures his lips with a gentle kiss. "I'm glad," he whispers against Andres' mouth.

I can't ask you to go upstairs with me. I'm afraid to ask. I would, if only you would ask me...I would do anything you asked of me and be glad to do it.

Andres' lips follow Lee's before he can pull away again. He returns the kiss, pulling him closer as he does so.

"Don't make me stay with Ellie tonight." He whispers in return, and leans in again for one more kiss.

His heart pounds and he can't stop it. He twines his fingers in Andres' hair and kisses him deeply, leaning harder against him, wanting the contact, wanting to feel the warmth of Andres' body against his own everywhere he can.

"I wouldn't. I don't want you to. Stay with me."

After a long, lingering couple of moments, Andres pulls his head back briefly. "I thought you'd never ask." He says breathlessly.

He nips at Lee's earlobe playfully, then pulls away slowly.

"We'd better head upstairs then, before you're outed to whole bar, right here"

"Oh, christ, I already am. And I don't care." He laughs breathlessly and stands up.

"Come on." He takes Andres' hand.

Andres stands as well and allows Lee to lead the way.

He wonders how much of that lost sleep he'll be making up for tonight.