like I said, the main game didn’t even start yet;

[unchangeling]

[ it was annoying enough that the cat decided to follow him home today, but Cromm supposes it can't be helped. though he's suspicious considering how willing Robin was in doing so in the first place. for the moment, though, he shoves that aside and shadow-walks them to the door before unlocking it -

boy was this a familiar feeling, though he was still on the fence if it would end the same way that it did at the hotel.

(probably)

he unceremoniously shoves the other fae into the nearest chair as he lets out a long exhale. ]

Stay put for once. I'll ... be back.

[ it's then that he realizes that someone else is here alongside them, and he's ready with a knife, eyes narrowed before he pokes his head around the hall and -

he does something that only a certain pair have seen.

he sputters. ]

Wh- what are you doing here, Coire? [ the tension and dark aura surrounding him dissipate immediately, replaced with mild confusion as he sheathes the knife for the time being. ]

Comments

[unchangeling]

Sometimes I wonder what exactly he thinks a reward is in that case.

[ Not that it wasn't enjoyable for him, but it was still odd. ]

[allinacon]

Of course. Nothing is more exciting than watching a man lose his control.

[ Well, it is fun to play with the small minds around him, but Robin found it far more satisfying watching how they react to losing control. Cromm was no exception, even if it was in tiny ways and not such a huge thing. Giving the assassin a smile, he leans up to pseudo-whisper in Coire's ear. ]

Though you probably see him with all his guard down... I am jealous of that, my lady.

[unsatisfying]

I would have to agree on that count...

[She has seen some men lose control. Some of substantial power and rank, who would not appreciate that being well known. And some who wouldn't mind letting the world know.

The fake whisper makes her laugh. Yes, she knows it's all to tease Cromm, but really.]

Are you? Perhaps you lack the right touch.

[unchangeling]

[ ... he's doomed, isn't he.

Cromm narrows his eyes at the both of them, and no, he's not sulking that Coire and Robin are getting along at all, shut up. ]

[allinacon]

I think that with him, a woman's touch is able to coax than my rougher ways.

[ He really is liking this royal. Most of them tended towards the rather boring end of politics and manipulations, and while Robin was technically a free agent and thus able to work for anyone, he had standards. Granted those standards were not that high, but still, Robin liked a royal that actually was a little bit of a flirt and not so rigid.

And of course, the cat now leaned in to Cromm, smiling as he reached up to smooth the lines at the corner of his mouth. ]

I'm sorry, am I neglecting you?

[unsatisfying]

[She's a pretty far cry from what people would expect of royalty, that's true. She likes to think it suits her better not to care about the typical things. There's no fun in any of that anyway, so someone else can be bothered with the nitty gritty.

Of course, this cat seems fun. Even if he's clearly wearing Cromm's patience into nothing. The poor dear.]

And in your own home, too.

[unchangeling]

[ Honestly, Cromm and Cermand wouldn't have her any other way, it's definitely refreshing in comparison to her siblings and her father most days (not that Cromm would ever admit it, he was the King's loyal wolfhound, after all).

But he immediately snatches Robin's wrist out of mid-movement, eyes narrowed slightly. ]

Yes, well.

[allinacon]

[ Of course his wrist was grabbed. Of course Cromm looked about two steps closer to killing him. Robin gave the assassin a slow smile and just steps into his space. ]

Well what?

[unsatisfying]

[well! she's watching them both carefully now]

Yes?

[unchangeling]

[ ... Shit. He forgot where he was going with this. With Robin getting closer, and Coire watching them intently, he's actually starting to feel a bit flustered. He's not used to this. ]

It's. Fine.

[ No, no it's not, but goddammit he's actually trying to behave right now. ]

[allinacon]

[ Was he actually shaken? Robin pursed his lips for a few moments, studying Cromm's face before stepping in just a touch closer. There was nearly no room between them now, and Robin knew that Cromm could read the amusement on his face at this development. Oh, he was sure that he would end up in a lot of trouble later, but right now, this was something new and thrilling and Robin was going to take advantage of it while it lasted. ]

Liar.

[ And he licked Cromm's cheek. ]

[unsatisfying]

[A little flustered is cute... Well, Coire had seen Cromm's soft side enough not to find that unusual. Seeing him get licked though, that's going to get a reaction, all right. ]

[unchangeling]

[ Cromm immediately stiffens at the contact at his cheek, upper lip curling into a snarl and a shiver going down his spine despite his best efforts. He quickly shifts forward, pinning Robin's arm behind his back, using his other hand to lightly wrap around the puck's neck in warning, staring him down with an intense look in his eyes. ]

Don't push it.

[allinacon]

You should know that I always willing to push it.

[ He doesn't move away, nor does he move any close. Instead he smiles at Cromm, waiting for him to make a move, any move. ]

[unsatisfying]

[Yeah, she isn't about to interrupt. It's interesting to see this dynamic. Besides, she almost never sees Cromm so tense]

[unchangeling]

[ To be fair, this is a side of him that he tries to keep away from Coire for the most part. While she knows what he does and what he deals with to a certain extent, his attitude on assignments is usually left to the wayside when he gets back.

He tightens his hold on Robin's neck momentarily, thumb pressing against his windpipe before he moves to bite the puck's neck with perhaps a little more force than usual to show his irritation. ]

[allinacon]

[ It's an attitude that Robin was use to seeing in Cromm, which was why he had been provoking him so much. Usually the assassin was like this long before he was able to get close enough to lick him; that was something he was able to do when Cromm was lost in sensations and it was hot at how he acted at that moment.

But now this was a lot more familiar, even if the bite was harder. The little noise Robin made was less of a hiss and more of a purr, his free hand grabbing at Cromm's shirt. ]

[unsatisfying]

[Sheltering Coire from that behavior won't work. Not least of all because she's spent her entire lifetime the younger sister of a wrathful, vengeful pair of eldest siblings and used to those displays of power and control. That's not even the half of it. She's been tied down to a bed more than a few times - to a wall, sometimes - and that's a familiar sound to her ears. She knows it well.

She also knows that wasn't hers to enjoy.]

[unchangeling]

[ And even if he was trying to restrain himself, Robin had a point that this was more in line with how he generally was around the puck - trying to conquer and dominate, despite knowing full well that it wouldn't be easy. Or was close to impossible, considering how the other fae liked his freedom.

Still, the challenge thrilled him for some reason.

His teeth scrape the skin before he pulls back, swallowing and keeping his head ducked for a moment. What is he even doing. What is any of this, really. ]

I was planning on trying to have my way with the cat here after you had left, but perhaps there's something much more productive that can be done.

[ Fuck it. Coire and Cermand wanted him to be more spontaneous and to voice his desires more often, so he gestures for Coire to come closer to them both. ]

[allinacon]

Try is usually the operative word.

[ Since it was fairly obvious to all that Robin was willing to bend, but it would always be on his terms. Cromm was always going to try to dominate and subdue, but he could only go so far until Robin decided it was enough. Maybe it was a sign of caring that Cromm didn't go beyond that point, but Robin never questioned it. It wouldn't play into their game that well after all.

Still being held, he turned to look at Coire and smiled, waiting to see if she was going to step closer or not. It might be interesting to add a little extra this time around. ]

[unsatisfying]

[Cromm does know how to brighten her day, doesn't he? Even if he did sting her with that comment. Well, it doesn't hurt enough to stop. Not when they're both so very near, and she likes that look in their eyes.]

You were planning that all along? Even without me?

[She slips into position, taking that closer step without another word. She likes seeing all these sides to Cromm, anyway. It would be thrilling, she thinks, to see how much of a change this will make. Robin's comment gets a smile, and a response.]

That I think I really would like to see.

[unchangeling]

[ Cromm almost looks sheepish at the first statement from Coire, but he nods. ]

I generally don't let him into the house that often, and I didn't want to inconvenience you. Though now I realize how that sounds in hindsight.

[ Because he definitely knows by now that Coire isn't the type to say no to something like this. His hand drops from holding Robin's wrist as he shifts to face her properly, giving Coire a soft kiss - uncharacteristic for his interactions with Robin, but completely in-character for how he acts with Coire. ]

I'll make sure to not disappoint, then.

[allinacon]

Usually I'm too much of a pest to let in anywhere, My Lady.

[ It actually was kind of cute at just how soft Cromm was acting. If he was a different kind of being, Robin would probably be cooing all over the poor assassin, maybe even getting even more annoying in the process. Instead Robin was standing on his tiptoes in an attempt to rest his chin on Cromm's shoulder and look harmless while the other two settled whatever they were settling between them. Proper behavior? Personal space? What were those concepts and did they ever apply to a cat at all? ]

[unsatisfying]

[That's the Cromm she knows. She gladly takes his softness and returns his kiss with her own. One hand slides into his hair and holds fast. It may be sweet, but there's enough flair that it's easily a decent show. Gotta make it good.]

So you need to celebrate the times you do manage that feat, is that it? I believe that is worth the effort.

[unchangeling]

[ There's a soft hum that escapes when her hand winds into his hair, eyes slipping shut before he nips softly at her lip - voice soft. ]

Basically, yes.